#and let her... learn. and see if it's possible. to let go.

[cherierot]

message in a bottle ✹ op81 × fem!reader

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pairing: oscar piastri x fem!reader

genre: slow burn enemies (but actually misunderstanding) to Besties to Lovers emotional damage with a side of banter social anxiety-core. smau x irl

chapter warnings: smoking, slight hints of depression, reference to past suicide ideation, themes of unresolved trauma, emotional repression (?), jetlag, dissociation (lol), accidental hose attack + 81% chance of hypothermia, for more content warning check linked masterlist above

synopis: once, he saved your life with shaking hands and a bad autograph. now, years later, you stand in his orbit—hattie's best friend with a half-healed heart and a wrist tattoo he'll never notice. he doesn't remember you. you never forgot him. It's messy. It's slow. It's everything and nothing at all.

author notes: so so sorry for the long wait, I mean with my personal life tearing me apart, writing is cathartic to me rn, but sadly I keep breaking my laptop, it refuses to say in one piece ya'll. but good news is, I have decided to say adios to my eyesight and light in from my phone (yay?!)

chapter one : sub rosa

➔ ❝ ...𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗒 𝗆𝗂𝗌𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖼𝗅𝗂𝗆𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗀𝖾 𝗌𝗂𝗆𝗎𝗅𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖾𝗑𝗉𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗇𝖼𝖾 ❞

You smoke out the window like it’s a ritual, watching the smoke curl up and disappear, the bitter drag of it filling the hollow parts you pretend don’t exist. The sky outside is dull, that late-winter grey that makes everything feel like it’s waiting for something to happen. Your inbox is full of unread emails, half-written assignments, and one string of voice notes from Hattie, each more dramatic than the last.

"I haven’t seen you in forever. Come visit me, please, I’ll die if you don’t—"

Then laughter. That sharp, untouchable kind of laughter that sounds like it belongs to people who aren’t tired like you. People like Hattie, whose orbit has always been bright and fast and full of noise.

You didn’t say no. Mostly because you didn’t have the energy to. Mostly because staying here another week, alone in this airless flat, feels like a worse kind of drowning.

You’re three days into ignoring your coursework. Two days into skipping meals on accident. One week into letting the dirty mugs stack up on your desk like some pathetic little monument to inertia. You know exactly what Hattie would say if she saw it. You can almost hear her voice in your head now, “Get up. Do something. Put on lipstick. We’re going out.”

You stub the cigarette out against the chipped brick of the window frame and watch the ash scatter like it’s trying to leave you too.

The thing is.....you miss her.

Hattie.

Her messy bedroom floor and her bad playlist choices and her habit of making everything feel urgent and impossible and alive. It’s been months since you’ve seen her. Since she hugged you too tight and told you she hated how small your wrists felt.

So when she begged you to visit, you said yes without thinking. Without asking who else might be there. Without giving yourself time to spiral about the possibility of running into—

No. You don’t go there.

You press the thought down like you’ve learned to press down every other stupid, sentimental, self-destructive thought.

This is about Hattie. About seeing her. About pretending you’re still capable of being someone who shows up for people.

The airport is exactly how you remember it: cold, too bright, and full of people pretending they’re going somewhere important. You move through it like a ghost, sneakers sticking on cheap tile, your backpack too heavy on one shoulder.

At security, you stand barefoot on the cold floor, arms out like a crime scene silhouette, while a stranger waves a plastic wand over your body like they’re trying to find something worth keeping.

The flight itself is short. Forgettable.

You sit by the window and let your headphones play the same three songs on repeat. Eyes on the clouds, fingers restless in your lap, heart doing that stupid, aching thing where it feels both too fast and too slow at once.

By the time you land, your phone’s at 9%, and Hattie’s already sent three texts:

"Where r u??"

"Do you want me to pick you up or are you getting a cab??"

"Also slight thing forgot to tell you something but lol nvm see you soon xoxo"

Your mouth twitched slightly, suppressing a slight smile. You don't reply.

You just grab your bag, sling it over one shoulder, and step out into the thick, summer heat of a city you haven’t been back to in over a year.

Not knowing that somewhere, across town, he’s already home too.

Hattie’s already waiting at arrivals when you step out, standing on top of a metal bench like she’s trying to summon an audience. She’s waving both arms like she’s directing air traffic, wearing sunglasses too big for her face and grinning like she’s just won something.

You pause for half a second at the sight of her—because no matter how tired you are, no matter how much your body feels like a half-charged phone, she still makes you smile like muscle memory.

"Oh my god, you’re alive!" she yells, way too loud for an airport.

A few strangers turn. You duck your head and walk faster.

She meets you halfway, launching herself at you with zero warning and enough force to make your carry-on bag swing off your shoulder.

"You smell like airplane and room freshener." she says into your hair, still hugging you like she doesn’t care that you’re awkward and stiff and slow to hug back.

"You smell like bad descisions and Red Bull." you mutter.

She pulls back just enough to look at you, fake-offended.

"Rude." she paused, gripping your forearms to pull you back in for another, "but not wrong."

The car she drives now is the same one she had back in high school.

A dented, sun-faded with a temperamental stereo and a cracked dashboard she once tried to cover with pokemon stickers. The passenger seat still leans too far back from that one night she let you crash there when you didn’t want to go home.

The seatbelt lock sticks. The air conditioning rattles like it’s got lungs full of dust.

But she drives it like it’s a chariot. Like every scrape on the paint is a badge of honor.

"Still haven’t gotten that fixed?" you ask, yanking at the stubborn seatbelt until it clicks.

"Charm, babe," she says, patting the dash like it’s a living thing. "This car’s got character."

She tosses your bag into the back with zero ceremony and climbs behind the wheel like she’s racing a countdown clock. The engine groans, then catches like it always does, like it’s trying one last time not to die on her.

"I got us snacks for the drive," she announces, grabbing a half-crushed bag of chips from the floor between her feet.

"Are they edible?"

"Debatable," she grins. "But it’s the thought that counts."

You settle in, letting the seat swallow you whole. The road stretches out in front of you, dust and sun and familiar turns you haven’t taken in far too long.

Hattie talks the whole way. About her classes. Her neighbors. The dog her mom’s thinking about adopting.

You let her comforting voice fill the car like music.

While you watch the sky shift from airport grey to something just slightly gold at the edges.

░░░░░░░ ✸

The drive is longer than you remember.

Or maybe it just feels that way because every street, every stretch of cracked pavement, carries something you’ve spent years trying to forget.

The closer you get to their house, the tighter your chest pulls.

The ghost of seventeen sitting shotgun with you, chewing on memories like gum you can’t spit out.

By the time Hattie pulls into the driveway, the sky’s bruised with late afternoon sun, and the house stands there looking exactly the same. Same chipped paint near the garage. Same uneven patch of grass near the mailbox. Same front steps where you sat one night with shaking hands and lungs too full of panic to breathe properly.

You blink hard, like that’ll stop the memories from clawing their way up your throat.

It doesn’t work.

Hattie’s already out of the car, grabbing your bag like it’s nothing, yelling over her shoulder about snacks and sun and how her mom made dessert just because you’re coming.

"Mum’s out, but she said to help yourself to snacks. Oh and if you break something, just blame me," Hattie’s said, already heading over to the house and kicking off her shoes.

You climb out slower, shoulders tight, heart heavy with nostalgia and another unknown emotion.

The air smells like summer and cut grass and something painfully familiar.

You barely get three steps toward the house when it happens.

A sharp blast of cold—sharp enough to steal your breath.

Water. Full-force. Right in the face.

You stumble back with a yelp, arms flailing, mouth open in shocked protest. Your shirt clings instantly to your skin, your shoes squelch against the driveway, and your hair drips into your eyes like the universe just slammed a bucket over your head.

It takes you two full seconds to realize what’s happening.

Another two seconds to process why.

And then—

You hear him.

"Shit-shit I'm so sorry."

You swipe water out of your eyes just in time to see him:

Oscar.

Standing a few meters away near the side of the house, holding a green garden hose like he’s just been caught committing a crime.

There’s a half-coiled mess of hose at his feet.

A patch of wet concrete where he was probably cleaning something… watering something… doing some dumb, harmless chore until you became collateral damage.

His face goes bright red.

Like full, sunburn-instantly kind of red.

He looks absolutely horrified—but also like he’s fighting the urge to laugh because the situation is objectively ridiculous.

"I—Jesus—I didn’t see you—"

He’s already fumbling to turn off the nozzle, stepping on the hose by accident, making the water spray even more before he finally gets it under control.

"I was—cleaning the patio! I didn’t—You—Wow, you’re… yeah. Properly soaked."

He scratches the back of his neck, awkward and sheepish and every bit the boy you remember, just… older now.

And The worst part, the truly stupid, gut-twisting part? Is that he dosent recognize you.

Your left hand instinctively twitches, just slightly.

Not even a flicker of recognition behind his smile.

Just that classic Oscar Piastri look of "haha oops my bad" mixed with "please someone end this social interaction immediately."

Hattie, from the porch, absolutely loses it laughing.

You stand there, dripping, heart in your throat, staring at the boy who saved your life once…

... Who also happens to be the one who just accidentally drowned you with a garden hose giving you a 'warm' welcome.

You blink at him.

Water dripping from your chin.

Your clothes sticking in all the worst places.

And for one stupid, self-destructive second, you consider saying his name.

Just to see if it lands.

Just to see if anything flickers in that clueless face of his.

But you don’t.

You’ve played this game before.

So instead, you force a breath through your lungs, swipe wet hair out of your eyes, and smile—tight and sarcastic and just a little feral at the edges.

"Cool. Love this. Really missed this climate change simulation experience," you say, gesturing down at yourself like a tragic weather report.

Oscar lets out this small, nervous laugh—too high, too boyish, like he doesn’t know where to put his hands or his eyes.

"Honestly… fair. That was—yeah. That’s on me," he says, already backing up a step like distance will make this less embarrassing for him. "Do you—uh—want a towel? Or…like… new clothes? I think Hattie’s got stuff? Or—"

"You think? Wow, very reassuring," you deadpan, but there’s no real heat in it.

Hattie’s still doubled over laughing from the porch.

"Bro I’m never letting you live this down," she wheezes at Oscar. Then, to you: "C’mon, come inside, I’ll get you something dry. You’re gonna catch a cold and it’ll be his fault, which honestly? Hilarious for me."

You follow her in.

Dripping the whole way.

Oscar stands there for a second longer, scratching the back of his neck, cheeks still pink, before finally turning back to whatever disaster project he was in the middle of.

Inside, the house is warm in that too-many-people, too-many-memories kind of way.

The air smells like whatever Hattie’s momz Nicole, was baking earlier.

There’s music playing faintly from someone’s phone speaker in another room.

Laughter from down the hall.

Normal.

Like that whole embarrassing, heart-stopping, water-soaked moment never even happened.

Hattie throws you a dry oversized hoodie and a pair of leggings, and you changed in the bathroom with your heart still racing in your throat.

You stare at yourself in the mirror for a second too long.

Hair damp and messy.

Neck flushed pink from sun and nerves.

You looked like a girl trying way too hard to look unbothered.

You roll your eyes at your reflection.

Stuff it all down.

Smile like none of this means anything at all.

When you step back out into the hallway, back into the noise, the laughter, the small talk.

You do it like you’re not drowning all over again

░░░░░░░ ✸

There’s clean laundry mixed with dirty laundry like they’re negotiating a peace treaty on the floor. Her desk’s buried under a pile of textbooks and skincare empties. Three different water bottles sit abandoned like ghosts of hydration attempts past.

You throw yourself dramatically onto her bed anyway, half-damp and still slightly cold from earlier. The oversized hoodie she gave you swallows your hands, sleeves hanging like emotional armor.

Hattie flops down next to you with all the grace of a dropped bowling ball.

"Sooo," she starts, already smiling way too wide. "How’s it feel to be back? Aside from the whole… accidental drowning thing."

You groan into her pillow. "Yeah, loving the full theme park experience. Got the welcome spray package and everything."

She laughs—loud, bright, no filter like always.

"Honestly? Worth the wait just to see your face when it hit you. Like, peak betrayal. If I’d had my phone out? I would have sent it to the group chat, they would have loved it."

You glare at her. "I hate you."

"You love me."

"Unfortunately."

You steal a gummy worm from the open bag near her nightstand like you’ve earned it.

You catch up in the lazy, sprawling way you always do.

You giving vague updates about uni that make your life sound way less lonely than it actually is.

Her complaining about the boys in her classes who look like 'sewer rats'.

She tell you about her most recent situationship—a disaster with a dude in her media studies group who thought 'boundaries' was a suggestion, not a rule.

It’s easy to fall back into this.

Like muscle memory.

Like you’re both still seventeen and none of the hard stuff ever happened.

And then, because Hattie can’t help herself, she drops it:

"Also, in case you somehow missed it... Oscar’s home for some time."

You snort.

Because obviously you knew.

"Yeah," you say casually, popping another gummy worm into your mouth. "Kinda figured when he turned the garden hose into a tactical weapon."

"God, I’m still laughing," she grins. "He’s helping Dad with the yard and stuff. I think it’s some weird post-season coping thing. Like… manual labor therapy? Or avoidance of sitting still for more than five minutes? Classic Oscar stuff."

You hum like you’re only half listening.

Even though your stomach does this stupid twist at the mention of him.

Hattie keeps going, all fond and oblivious.

"You’ll probably see him around. Just… ignore him if he’s weird. You know how he is. Social skills set to ‘buffering.’"

"Yeah," you say again, eyes fixed on the ceiling like it’s suddenly fascinating. "Not like I’m new to that."

Hattie doesn’t catch the double meaning.

Why would she?

To her, Oscar’s just her brother.

To you…

Well.

That’s a whole different story.

░░░░░░ ✹

The house is dark.

That kind of late-night stillness that feels like it’s holding its breath.

Your phone screen says 4:07 AM, glowing pale and too bright in the dark.

Jetlag sits thick and restless in your body, too tired to sleep, too wired to stay still.

You’ve already flipped the pillow over twice. The blanket feels both too much and not enough.

By 4:12, you give up.

You shuffle through the hallway, hoodie sleeves pulled over your hands, socks making soft sounds against the floorboards.

The air smells like dust and eucalyptus and leftover summer heat trapped in old wood.

You’re halfway to the kitchen, bleary-eyed and more ghost than person, when you catch the faintest sound of running water ahead.

The fridge door’s open. Light spills across the floor and there he is.

Back turned at first. Shoulders hunched. Hoodie hanging loose off him like he got dressed in the dark.

His hair’s a mess, flattened on one side and sticking up wildly on the other, like sleep never sat still on him for long.

You stop in the doorway.

He moves like muscle memory—grabbing a glass, filling it at the sink with slow, lazy movements.

Till he finally turns.

Eyes lift.

Land on you.

For one too-long second, he just… blinks.

Like you startled him awake. Like it takes him a full heartbeat to register you standing there in Hattie’s ridiculous borrowed hoodie, with a 'not today' and a dog in a sunglass printed in front, hair slightly damp, looking as tired as you feel.

The fridge door clicks shut behind him.

Neither of you says anything.

Just…

Something heavy and strange and unnameable sits between you.

But you don't dare look away.

That look.

The air shifts.

taglist : @karlosslanders @plastrizz @charlottes-ngvot @siennaluvshcky @cinderellawithashoe @zannete @lonelyladyghost @agaabara @utopiakys @elisaa-shelby @cdej6 @mits-vi @agaabara @wilmonyibo7 @haunteddestinykryptonite@edgyficuselastica@dollyvuu @shadowreader07

@cherierot 2025 all rights reserved

lmao first time I posted this—I forgot the tags🤡

[sullyfortress]

Does Spider know that she was made to be a human recom in your genderbent au? And if ao how did she find out?

She learns slowly, over time.

When she’s young, Nora simplifies it—she just refers to Quaritch as her “mother.” It’s softer than the truth, which would be something like: “You were a genetic backup, grown in case Quaritch’s human body died… which it did. So, oops, you’re the forgotten emergency eggshell they left behind.”

The real story doesn’t come out all at once. Maybe Spider finds old files about her own DNA and notices there’s only one parent strand. Or maybe someone slips up and says something they shouldn’t. Either way, it hits her hard when the pieces start to fall into place.

She tries not to show how much it affects her—but it does. Deeply. It also helps explain why Neytir is so cold toward her. Why she’s discouraged from spending time with the Sully kids. That distance stings, but eventually, it starts to make a painful kind of sense.

It’s a sad reality of her existence. But it doesn’t truly hit until the second act, when it’s revealed that Quaritch is still alive. Her Avatar—with all her memories—is part of the new wave of RDA enforcement.

That changes everything.

Spider hates her. She sees Quaritch as the reason she’ll never be fully accepted by Neytir or the Omatikaya. But more than that—she’s terrified. Is Quaritch here for her? To take her back? To use her body?

That’s why she was created, right?

But Quaritch is… fascinated. She didn’t even know the human clone project had been approved. Yet here’s this girl—a genetic copy, but with no memories. A new soul.

Avatar Quaritch is a copy of the mind and soul of her original self. Spider is a copy of the body—but with something entirely new inside.

And that makes Quaritch see her as a strange, unexpected daughter. A younger version of herself. A clean slate. She begins to feel something like protectiveness. Something conflicted, and dangerous, and real.

And that makes everything way more complicated.

Because if the RDA ever gets their hands on Spider, would they store her? Keep her hidden away until she’s old enough to be used? Would Quaritch try to claim her—to step back into a human body using Spider like a spare uniform?

When Spider is taken, the Omatikaya don’t move immediately.

To protect their people, Jane and Neytir flee with their children. They don’t risk the clan. Not for this.

But not before Jane and Nora have a massive fight.

Nora wants her to do something. To get Spider back. Jane—already in soldier mode—tries to explain: The Omatikaya can't possibly fight this. The RDA base is too heavily guarded. Storming it would cost lives they can’t afford to lose.

And how is she supposed to justify that risk? “Let’s go rescue the clone of the colonel responsible for the deaths of thousands?”

Even if she wants to… how does she ask that of them?

And K'ir—oh, sweet K'ir—is not happy.

He’s furious.

His relationship with Neytir has always been strained because of how his father treats Spider. But when he sees his mother refuse to fight for her—that’s what breaks his heart.

Those emotions don’t fade. They deepen. And they begin to change him.

He starts relying more on his own thoughts, his own instincts. He draws closer to Eywa, not out of peace, but out of need. He begins to wonder: Can I find Spider—through Eywa?

(Which I’ll make a separate post about: how and what K'ir is in relation to Grant—because obviously, that’s a bit different than in the canon movies…)

[robigeddon]

Deltarune Yap session: trying to figure out Kris's psychology and other stuff (ch3&ch4spoilers)

TL;DR: Kris is morally gray

I replayed chapter 3 and 4 because I didn't get to see the secret green rooms and other stuff, but i realize that it doesn't matter at what time you're playing deltarune OR undertale, there's something you just keep digging in and end up in confusion, a fun kind of confusion, and it makes me appreciate tobyfox as a writter

I LOVE kris, they're like, my baby, i guide them, help them make friends, fight, act, but also, I understand 100% if kris hates the soul, because it means they can't be alone for a second, which to me is like... a very respectful boundary, privacy. yet the soul (or "me"/us/the player) is greedy enough to even make their own decisions and create either embarrassing situations or things kris wouldn't do because "it's funny",, reasonable to be mad and take a moment to beat the shit out of that thing that controls you, even if it doesn't make it stop, it kinda feels good to get a bit of rage out?

no matter what "good" decisions you do, kris won't like you

every time they have interactions with other characters, it doesn't matter to me if they're wholesome or funny, it's not kris, it's us, I could kinda say susie is friends with the player rather than kris, because its our thoughts between two options finding what's better or what's funnier, or intentionally, what's worse, as queen said actually, kris doesn't have opinions because we practically can't allow them to

but also, even tho I love this child and their psychological issues, they're a mysterious little shit, respectfully and seriously, BUT LET ME EXPLAIN

in the last S-rank room game (idk how to refer to these) when you go to the shelter in the mini game, kris is trying to go back against your decision, they don't want the player to open the shelter or see what's inside, they don't want the player, or well, they don't want ANYONE to see what's inside, because of how they "sabotage" the clue-searching at noelle's house, BUT ALSO they're scared of the soul (somehow)

there's either two scenes that could happen in this last minigame at the very end

1. If you move the tiny kris close to susie when she joins the room, they'll drag susie to them because the tiny kris has a sword, and thinks it could hurt her or kill her, it makes them anxious and even hyperventilate, what's important to me is that kris actually has an expression of fear or shock

2. when the tiny kris is out of the screen and walks to kris, they throw the controller and back up if you keep getting close, and they get spooked by the sword (i would assume)

to me, throwing the controller was like "yo what the fuck????"

when tenna "dies" (not really) and faces the roaring knight, the only option as acting with kris is "hold breath," while susie doesn't want to act, and ralsei is trying to, and when you do that (hold breath) it says kris is smiling

and if you check, kris actually just pretends by pointing at a distance or saying that they learned nothing because probably kris already knows about the knight

but what i checked from a video is where, if susie and ralsei are downed and only kris is up, there's a very.. weird or rare conclusion? but I find it also interesting

while kris works under the knight's orders, if all three have a decent or full hp, kris's attack is very low and practically useless while susie and ralsei's are as usual. and as another important highlight, kris is the only one that is standing after being equally hit, so now, with susie and ralsei down, kris's attack is higher now

when I checked comments on the video, it said that it was possibly because kris is pissed that the knight for hurting them because in these two new chapters, kris has grown more friendly, they don't like hugs or hugging (more like they don't like asgore's hugs, but still, they're don't seem to be a hugging person) and still somehow at the end of chapter 4, they hug ralsei as comforting them

so if 2+2=4, kris isn't entirely bad, but also not entirely nice, there's valid reasons to be bad, the disruption of their own peace because the player is there all the time, and taking the soul out causes them pain and tires them into collapsing, so they need to co-exist even if both don't like eachother, they give up on their hobby (playing piano), only if we're not controlling them, they'll play, but they'll also get tired and stop

but also, hiding the truth of what they're doing while the soul is locked or in a cage, leaves us with the thought that kris is evil and is manipulating susie into thinking that they're in their side, when very clearly, kris is the one causing the dark fountain because they're not allowing us to really beat the knight

but also, kris is still a child. even with all that "kris is evil" stuff, don't forget they had (for me at least) and stressful childhood, being the only human trying to fit in a town of monsters, plus, we get from tenna that toriel and asgore had issues and were constantly fighting, which as any kid, they'll have a little resentment, a little rage there that happens to stress them, as for being "evil", kris fighting the roaring knight showed up scared or resentful at it, even working with it

SO! conclusion:

Kris is morally gray

they do stuff that makes us think they're bad, and they will betray us or their friends, but they also have wholesome interactions with them, like going to QC's dinner and joking a little with susie by drawing her on the window (and also the cute little chat they had where susie lets us know kris is smiling at her like toriel did) drinking juice very.. excitedly, even protecting her in a fight with a gerson statue.. thingy..

that's all, because i love yapping, and I will never stop if I keep going, I just love games that make me think (i started writing at 10 pm, now it's 12am, whaaattt

[seoulfulbliss]

Jeong Jaehyun (Part Three)

Author's Note: I experienced a bit of writer's block with this one while undergoing some pressures from work. So, I hadn't been writing the way I wanted to. Typically, when I get restless, I tend to start other projects to ease the lack of creativity. But LUCKILY, my friend fussed at me to finish one story before starting the next. She was NOT playin' about this story lmaooo. So, we eatin' good today. Hope you enjoy Seoulmates! Lmk what you think 🫶🏾

(Friendly reminder, YOU DON'T HAVE PERMISSION TO COPY MY WORKS ANYWHERE.)

CEO! Jaehyun x Pianist! Black reader

Synopsis: After your untimely death, you learn the truth about the plot to sabotage you. Now reincarnated to an earlier timeline of events, you have 3 main objectives: break off your engagement with Jeong Jaehyun, strategically expose the plot against you, and get the fuck away from your family as soon as possible.

Content: Angst, themes of betrayal, hurt reader, time re-do, reader death, reincarnation, implied destiny swapping, revenge plot, badass reader, Jaehyun isn't a bad person he's just really stupid, manipulation, gaslighting, brief mention of su*c*de, Jaehyun YEARRRRNS

Word Count: 11.9k

Pt. 2

With you, you should’ve been well aware that disaster was always imminent. It was practically attracted to you. And of course it was. Would it be your life if not for the nerve wrecking sprinkle of it looming overhead? Of course not. Because how else could you explain the biggest fumble of your life? The whole purpose of you going to Jaehyun, instead of letting fate play out, was to persuade him of your unsuitability to be a bride. That way, you wouldn't suffer from a miserable life due to your association with him. Cutting ties would make it easier to dismantle nearly twenty-two years worth of lies your so-called ‘family’ had entwined you in. However, instead, you’ve only convinced him that you’re someone he could potentially be attracted to. And it wasn’t because of your looks. No, it was your stellar fucking personality that interested him. Because what woman in their right mind would make the time to come all the way to his company just to break off an engagement, when said woman chose him as the groom in the first place? In Jaehyun’s world, it was simply unheard of. 

Which brings you to the present day, forty-eight hours after your conversation with Jaehyun. You are lying face first on the table of the booth you and Jeongyeon are currently occupying. Relaying the encounter to her over milkshakes, she cackles at your unlucky nature. 

“The universe must hate me.” You bemoan.

“Or it just has a sense of humor.” You glare at her from your position on the table top. 

“Yeonie, he sent a package to my house. Like, literally the next day.” Your friend slurps her milkshake in anticipation. Her eyes bulged from her head, curious to know more about the elusive bachelor.

“What was in it?”

“A rectangular, white box,” you grumble. “Inside was a petite, white rose. A card was attached to it. It said something like, ‘See you soon,’ with a winky face or whatever.” 

Jeongyeon gasps at the information. “A petite, white rose?” She parrots back. “Do you know what this means?” 

Of course you knew what it meant. You would’ve paid to not know if it erased the image of his smug expression out of your mind. A lover of flowers, you knew that they all had an associated meaning to them. Which is ironic, considering your favorite flower was white lilies. The universe had too much of a sense of humor, you feared. Because white lilies, ever the popular selection at weddings and funerals, symbolize purity, commitment, and rebirth. All of which correlates to the span of events concerning your current predicament. As a floral symbol of soul rejuvenation, you know this can’t just be mere coincidence. Because you yourself had undergone that massive shift in time. 

Thus, you were well aware of the meaning behind the flower Jeong Jaehyun had delivered to your house. Which was impressive considering he did it in less than twenty-four hours of your meeting. 

Petite roses were often referred to as “sweetheart” roses due to the affection they symbolize for a potential romantic partner. Jaehyun had taken to calling you sweetheart right when Jisung ushered you out of his office. The delivery to your house was his way of teasing you. Not only that, he had specifically sent a white rose as a way to convey that he was thinking about you. White roses were significant for marriages and new beginnings. He was practically tipping his hat off as if he were paying homage to the prospect of a future with you. 

In the back of your mind, you scoff. He’s got another thing coming if he thinks you intend to marry him. 

“I know what it means, Jeongyeon. He’s toying with me, trying to get in my head.” You mutter darkly. She giggles, finally through with her shake.

“No, no, no.” She wags her finger. “He’s flirting. You must’ve done a number on him when you bust into his office guns blazing. Because this is clearly a man intent on claiming his woman. And that just so happens to be you currently.”

You sit up in alarm at her analysis. “Absolutely not. I am not his woman, and he should know that by now. I made it perfectly clear I wanted nothing to do with him.”

“And that excited him. You said it yourself, he practically told you he didn’t do well with rejection. You personally went to his office to reject him to his face. Why the hell wouldn’t he be curious to know why? He’s attractive, he’s charming, he’s got money, he’s responsible, and most importantly, he’s intelligent. In his opinion, you should be groveling at his feet.”

“And that’s the problem. The bastard was so cocky when I met him. He’s nothing like the kid I used to write to.”

“Y/N, babes. People change. And they’re allowed to. I’m not excusing his conceit by the way. I’m just saying that maybe what we know is surface level.”

“Jeongyeon, whose side are you on?”

She bats her lashes at you. “Yours of course, darling.”

“Then why are you sticking up for him?” You chuckle humorlessly with betrayal blossoming in your chest. “You don’t know what it was like in the original timeline. Yeon, he— he was horrible to me. He fell for Stella’s lies and made my life miserable. What I thought to be a caring, loving boy, turned out to be an aloof, intolerant man. Do you know how hard his harsh words cut deep every time Stella staged an accusation against me? Right now, he’s not the thirteen year old boy who wrote me warm letters. He’s the prospect of all my nightmares potentially manifesting. So forgive me if I don’t give a damn about surface level knowledge. Fuck him.”

The both of you sit in silence from the tense atmosphere your words have created. Jeongyeon purses her lips as she nods. Choosing her words carefully, she observes you. 

“I acknowledge that I don’t understand how you feel. I didn’t live in your shoes. So I don’t know what it’s like. But you and I both know how easy it is to fall for Stella’s lies. We can’t help that she's a master manipulator. But we can help the next person she sinks her claws into. Wouldn’t that be Jaehyun? Look, I’m not saying he deserves forgiveness. But I do think we should approach this from a different perspective. Are second chances only meant to be awarded to you and me? Why else are you back here?” 

Her perspective sparks more questions than answers. She was right. And she knew that you understood that. Right now, you are angry. But you would do your best to right all the wrongs Stella had orchestrated in your life. You had to. 

“Okay,” you nod to your friend. 

“You’re right. The man I experienced was influenced by Estella. He doesn’t exist currently. But that doesn’t mean I still won’t go through with my plan. I absolutely cannot marry Jeong Jaehyun. I have to let my family convince the Jeong’s to set up an arrangement between Jaehyun and Stella. Then, once they’re engaged, I'm going to rip off that perfectly tailored mask and show everyone the true face hiding behind her lies. After that, I’m going to publicly smear my own mother’s name with proof of her illegitimate pregnancy. Once the drama unfolds, I’m sure the Jeong’s will want nothing left to do with us. My entire family’s social status will be squandered, and I’ll finally be able to sever ties. Everyone will get the karma they deserve. And Jaehyun will get the least of that wrath… depending on how he cooperates in this timeline. But I swear Jeongyeon, the moment he wrongs me…” 

You trail off, indicating that it would not be a great end if he meddles with you this time around. Jeongyeon nods at the details of the plan. But what should be a smooth process is easier said than done. Especially when met with persistence from certain forces.

July 12th creeps around faster than you’d care to admit. The night of the famed business dinner. The one in which Stella ruthlessly begins the process of your destiny swap. 

Currently, you stand in your bedroom eyeing your attire for the night. You had a walk-in style closet with a built-in mirror. It was spacious for the luxurious grandeur of garments your mother made sure you wore on special occasions such as tonight. You adjusted the satin, pleated dress so that it framed your chest and hips comfortably. You weren’t overly shapely like your mother, but you still had a nice feminine figure. To you, it was simple and enough. 

Tonight, you wanted to portray the allure of summer beauty. 

The long maxi dress brushed against the floor; the pleated, satin fabric adorned with splotches of earthy green, cream, and yellow. The cowl neckline draped down your collarbones elegantly. The low back exposed the skin just beneath your shoulder blades. You wore gold strap heels to match the assortment of pearls and gold jewelry decorating your accessories. You had smoothed your curls into a classy, low bun with curly wisps for a voluminous effect. A lily flower clip sat perched in your bun to top off the look. 

You looked more glamorous than you felt. Which was starting to become a track record any time you were slated to meet Jaehyun. Per the timeline of events, he would be attending the dinner. You know for sure what your intentions are, but you aren’t sure about his. Fraternizing with him in any capacity was out the window. You wanted that ship to sail as quickly as it could get out of the metaphorical harbor. But you also did know that Estella would try to sink her claws into him the moment she got him alone. So, you couldn’t entertain the idea of completely cutting him out. You had to at least interact with him to some degree to keep your name clear of any accusations that could smear your name with the facade Stella was bound to portray. It would be vicious on your spirit, but it would be well worth the fight in the end. 

With your father at the helm of the wheel, your family arrives at the gated Wang estate with dramatic flair. You mentally roll your eyes at the glitz and glamour of your father’s newly minted Rolls Royce. He always did like to go “big or go home” on special occasions like these. Stepping out of the car, you gaze up at the luxurious spectacle. The Wang family, hosts of the evening, were notorious for the extravagant business dinners tied to their wealth. They were one of the richest families in Hong Kong, with stakes in the automotive and technology industries. Your father was always so eager to attend these gatherings to crowdfund for investments. Your mother liked the benefit of what other people’s riches could do for her. And Estella? Well, she was as equally obsessed with climbing the social ladder as she was with using you as a step stool. Birds of a feather, you supposed.

Securing the valet, your father takes your mother’s hand and escorts your family inside. You take up the back, savoring the little calm you had before the storm. Servers ushered the four of you through the foyer and down the grand staircase leading to the lower level. The Wang Estate was truly a display of wealth your family had yet to touch. With ties to old money, it made sense the air of gravitas they carried themselves with. Even though you had been here on numerous occasions, it still amazed you at the extent and level of detail Wang Mei, the hostess, went through to make sure everything was held to a certain standard. 

At the end of the carpeted staircase, the lower level opened up to a miniature sized ballroom. While meant for more intimate gatherings, the small space still did well to capture the essence of refined regality. Overhead, a crystal chandelier glistened like a dream, casting refractions of light against the polished wood flooring. Decorative mouldings accented the burgundy walls, giving off the illusion of rectangular floor to ceiling framing. As if part of an exhibit in a gallery. Each wall frame was decorated with plaster, exuding a three-dimensional effect. The aforementioned plasters depicted various flora and fauna reflective of Chinese culture. The Wangs were unapologetically proud of their heritage and roots. Forest green curtains draped along the extended windows, as green foliage added extra accents to the room. To the right, was an alcove in the wall, set with a barspace. Several associates stood around the bar with drinks in their hands. To your left, the curved archway led to an outdoor patio. The terrace overlooked Madame Wang’s lustrous garden. It was evident what she took pride in. 

Stepping further onto the polished floor, you analyze the seating arrangement for the night. Nine tables were spaced out across the room with name cards placed about for each respective family. All ranging from various nationalities. Tonight’s gathering would include: the Wangs, Qians/ Huangs, and Zhongs, all of which are of Chinese heritage. Then the Shahs (Thai), the Mcleods, Antonellis, Barbarouxs and Westwoods (European descent). The Kims, Lees, and Jeongs (of Korean descent.) Finally, the Ashbridges and your family (of black heritage). Thirteen families across industries. Most being powerhouses and staple sources to the economic growth of communities. Your family was low hanging fruit on the tree. Everyone knew it. Which is why each gathering was extremely important to your mother and father, both chasing riches and success. They would grasp any chance to keep their seat at this theoretical ‘table.’ 

Finding your seats, you place your things down as your parents trek off to sidle up to the smarmy elite. Stella too bounds off to undoubtedly gossip and conspire with her aristocratic social circle. That left you to brainstorm a gameplan. Stepping out onto the terrace, you contemplate the expected sequence of events against the backdrop of a blood orange evening sky. A warm summer breeze brushed against petals to kiss your skin. The flowers welcomed the setting sun like a friend. In a way, you felt like they were welcoming you too. You never truly fit in at social events such as this anyway.

Taking a deep breath, you mentally navigate through what is set to transpire tonight. For starters, Stella and her friends were bound to entrench you in whatever minute conversation they could. All under the guise of belittling and insulting you. It happens at every function, and this time is no different. You were baffled at how unaware you had been before at how eloquently Stella weaponized people against you. In the past, you had no idea that she was orchestrating lies to boost herself in society. She had always been the one to rebuke any form of bullying that came your way. Just to cast stones and hide her hand. Now you understood the lengths she would go to keep up this angelic ruse. 

In dealing with her friends, the Jeongs would then arrive. Which would cause everyone in the circle to gossip about how attractive Jaehyun was and how desperately they wanted to date him. Because Jaehyun was an unattainable bachelor who did not seem to have public interest in long term relationships. This was common knowledge. Yet, your parents had successfully done what others could not, secured this joint partnership amongst your two families. Which further fueled Estella’s need to slither her way into Jaehyun’s path. It seemed she had a knack for snatching what other people coveted. You now understood this to be because she felt it made her more established; increased her popularity. That was her secondary reason to plot on driving the wedge between the relationship you thought you had wanted. The first being simply because she hated you. Outwardly, you roll your eyes at the logic. Her cunning nature was obvious now. 

Peeved at their lustful remarks surrounding Jaehyun and their cruel commentary towards you, you would step away to gather yourself. That way you would be composed for your official meeting with Jaehyun. But Stella would beat you to the punch. Which then spirals out of control with Jaehyun accusing you, his family disliking you, you shouldering the blame for offending them, and so on and so forth. 

The best case scenario at the moment, would be to let everything play out as it should, while strategically toying with Stella. From that point, you could manipulate her into revealing her true colors, so long as you stayed several steps ahead of her. You would play the long game. Content with that idea, you fail to notice the set of footsteps approaching.

“Well, don’t you look beautiful.” 

You startle at the deep timbre of the voice, pulling you out of your reverie. Turning, you catch sight of an amused Jaehyun.  He leans against the open doorway, hands in the pants pockets of his tailored suit. Begrudgingly, you had to admit that he looked good standing there basking in the remaining sunlight. The tan, linen suit complimented his glowing skin. Underneath, he wore a white button down, unbuttoned at the top to accentuate his collarbones. A navy handkerchief tucked away in his left breast pocket accompanied the look. Suave, per usual. 

“Jaehyun?” You exclaim in surprise. He was not supposed to be here this soon. Last time, his family had arrived fashionably late, as they tend to do most functions. This window of time was meant to be your only shred of peace before the evening devolved. So, why the hell was he so early? He was disrupting the ebb and flow of your plan.

Smugly, he saunters up to you. “So, you do remember my name.” There goes that insufferable smirk. For several moments you gawk at the man, wondering how he found you. Then you snap out of your trance. 

“What are you doing here?” 

He chuckles. “Was I not invited?” 

Flustered, you stammer out a response. “That’s not what I meant. I just—  aren’t you a bit early?”

Stepping closer, his musky scent invades your space. “I think I’m right on time.” 

The low rumble of his voice does something it absolutely should not in the pit of your stomach. Nope. No way. This was not a good idea. Clearing your throat, you create space between the two of you. “Mr. Jeong, I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to be speaking like this in private. You wouldn’t want to have to quell any rumors further down the line.” 

He closes the distance between the two of you once again. “What’s inappropriate about making casual conversation with my fianceé? Besides,” he glances back through the open doorway at the busy room. 

“This is hardly a private place. If it was,” his eyes take their time caressing your frame. “Talking would be the least of my interests.” 

In that moment, you conclude two things. One, Jeong Jaehyun is determined; two, he is also alluringly dangerous. Removing yourself from his space helps you retain your steel resolve. “I’m afraid you have the wrong person, Mr. Jeong, I’m not betrothed to anyone.” 

A languid smirk appears on his face, tongue peeking out at the corner of his mouth. Mr. Charming, indeed. “Come on, sweetheart. We’ve already established that you know my name. And I don’t recall agreeing to annul this arrangement between us.” 

“Well, unfortunately for you, women in this day and age are allowed to make their own decisions.” Your response accompanies a miniscule pout meant to goad him. He picks up on the air of satisfaction in your retort. What you don’t realize is how much he likes this banter between you. Interest swirls in his psyche at this predator and prey play. 

“As a businessman, I really don’t like being told no.”

“You and all the other men. Seems like a hard concept for you to comprehend.” You hum in acknowledgment.

He lets out a deep bellied laugh, surprised at the sharpness of your tongue. “Witty, I like that about you.”

Batting your eyelashes mockingly, you respond. “How can I make you dislike it?” 

For a fraction of a moment, Jaehyun sobers up. He regards you with a look you aren't entirely sure how to interpret.  “I don’t think I could dislike anything I’ve learned about you.” 

You scoff in bewilderment. Shaking your head, you let out a deep sigh. There was literally no reason for Jaehyun to somehow become this attached to you in such a short amount of time. Every interaction was causing further confusion and fracturing what you knew about Jaehyun of the past compared to Jaehyun presently. 

Acutely aware that you were absolutely failing at this shit, you concluded a need to develop a better game plan that potentially involves making him dislike you. Turning your attention back to the peaceful view of the garden, you map out your next best move. Sensing your exasperation, Jaehyun decides to scale back on his teasing. He too turns to gaze over the deck at the scenery. 

“Nature must be comforting to you.” 

“What?” You glance at him in confusion.

He indicates towards the incessant chatter coming from the ballroom. “The hustle and bustle of socializing can be over-stimulating. I know the feeling, so I assume that’s why you're out here instead. Because nature is calming.” 

You are surprised at his attempt to engage in casual conversation. Previously, you had fumbled badly enough for him to have complete disinterest in you in favor of Stella. So, there had not been much to discuss outside of the scathing remarks and chastisement you received from those around you. And your conversations since your soul reincarnated had been nothing short of a true test of patience at best. 

So, Jaehyun actively working to provide small talk warmed your heart a little. “Yeah, it’s my happy place.” 

“Madame Wang invests a lot of time in the upkeep of appearances. The expenses are… quite extensive.” 

Smirking amusedly at his assessment, you raise a brow, “Are you judging?”

He raises his hands in mock surrender, “Not at all.” 

The air settles into a sense of ease around you two. The sun barely winks over the horizon, nearly finishing its descent. Maybe it was a sense of comfort that propelled your further engagement in this conversation.

“You know, I like this garden in particular.” That was true. The few times you had been to this estate, the garden had always captured your interest. Jaehyun hums, urging you to continue. 

“I had this weird phase as a kid where I was obsessed with learning individual flowers' meanings. It lasted for a whole month before I became disinterested. But I found other ways to enjoy them without immersing myself in the scientific names and properties. I realized I really enjoyed exploring garden displays. And this one houses some of my favorite flowers. See those over there?” You point to an assortment of lilies. 

“Those are lilies. They blossom prettily in the summer time and smell heavenly in the rain. There’s this extra hint of spiciness that becomes more potent when the floral sweetness permeates through the air. It’s amazing. One day, I want to be buried in the scent of lilies so that’s what people can remember me by.” You stare forlornly in the distance at the thought of not having the privilege of a decent burial in your last life. You’re certain that nobody probably cared enough to do anything other than cremate you to avoid the expense of a proper burial. 

Beside you, Jaehyun stiffens. Something about what you said gave him pause, scratching a memory deep in the recesses of his mind. There was something distinct about your characterization of the smell of lilies. The exact verbiage being something he swore he had heard verbatim from somewhere else before. For the life of him, he could not jog his memory.

“Repeat what you just said.” There is a desperation in the way he says it. Like he is hoping to grasp something he has lost. In your confusion, you comply, despite instinctual alarms telling you not to.

“I said, I want to be—”

“Buried in the scent of lilies so that it’s something people can remember you by.” He interjects. 

“Right,” you drag out the syllable, nodding your head in concern at his unique behavior regarding the statement. “That’s what I just said.” 

He stares at you like he is just now seeing  you for the first time. It leaves an unsettled feeling in the pit of your stomach. Perhaps you had made a mistake by partaking in this conversation. This amount of attention from him was unfathomable. Especially after last lifetime's rejection. Uncomfortable, you resort to the only other option you have in your arsenal. Retreat. 

In his stunned stupor, you escape back into the crowded ballroom. He stares at your retreating figure before chasing behind you. Lucky enough for you, he is cut off by several investors inquiring about the quarterly progress report. Which successfully diverts his attention from you. Something felt tight in your chest after that conversation, wrong. You couldn’t quite put your finger on it. But you were certain you made an error out there. The best thing to do now was to avoid him until further necessary. 

Sighing a breath of relief, you snatch a glass of champagne from a server making rounds. Except what you hope to be a moment of tranquil bliss is interrupted by Estella and Co. Of course. You really have to stop letting encounters with Jaehyun blindside you from the original plot. Several women of socialite status encircle you in an attempt at an informal trial. 

The Westwood twins, Jacqueline and Daniella, were thick as thieves when it came to Estella. The three were always attached at the hip when it came to networking events. Likewise, Charlotte Barboroux and Lawan Shah, French and Thai heiresses respectively, relished in whatever opportunity they could to make you sweat. You truly never understood where the boredom stemmed from for them to collectively gang up on you. Either way though, this time, you were ready to fend off the ravenous cohort of gossipers. You regard the swarm of estrogen coolly. 

“Ladies.” You acknowledge. 

“Well, well, well, look who it is.” Jacqueline crooned sardonically.

“I’m surprised you decided to show your face after the last fiasco.” Lawan comments over her glass.

The last fiasco in question, being a birthday celebration your family had been invited to attend. Someone had tripped you during the birthday speech, prompting you to fall into the waiter, knocking his entire tray of champagne onto another guest. It was embarrassing to say the least. But you were certain one of the ladies in this very circle had been the culprit behind that. Daniella snickers at the memory.

“How embarrassing.” One of them murmurs. Stella chooses this moment to play the ‘hero’ and chime in.

“Girls, don’t be rude. I’m sure Y/N feels bad enough at the reminder. Don’t embarrass her.” She smiles gently as she links her arm with yours. You itch to snatch it away. How performative of her.

“Awww,” Charlotte coos, “you’re so sweet Stella. It’s nice to see that some people still know how to carry themselves with poise and grace.” She eyes you momentarily before sending a fake smile. The entire group was full of My Little Phonies.

Deciding to play along, you nod your head. “I agree, Stella really is the best. I don't know what I would do without her.”  

Stella’s smile tightens a bit at her analysis of you. Your demeanor is calm, collected in a way that is much different from the typical anxiety you experience in these circles. Somehow, she picks up on this. So, she decides to throw you to the wolves as a means of shaking you up. Squeezing your arm briefly, the metaphorical dark cloud above her head dissipates. She’ll put a stop to whatever bout of cockiness you've been exhibiting lately if it means putting you back in the place she feels you belong. Beneath her.

“Y/N,” she starts innocently. “I saw you on the patio with the Jeongs’ son earlier. You looked deep in conversation. What were you talking about?” 

You fight the knowing smile creeping upon your face. However innocently she tried to portray herself, you knew the pretense behind her questioning. She wanted to bring awareness to the group that someone as sought after as Jaehyun was fraternizing privately with you. She wasn’t an idiot. In her mind, you were still set to be engaged to him. It naturally made sense that you would speak to him from an outside perspective. Her friends however, did not know that bit of information. Which was the reasoning behind her commentary. She was strategically mobilizing her minions against you in ritualistic humiliation. 

Charlotte ruffles her feathers at the mention of Jaehyun. It was no secret that every young woman at this event, at some point or another, had the hots for Jaehyun. It was like a rite of passage at this point. But no one was as much of a die hard fan as Charlotte was. You liked to equate her mannerisms to that of a stalker. Her parents had inquired on numerous occasions, on her behalf, about the nature of Jaehyun’s relationship status. As much as she played it off in the past life, you knew that she was tormented by Estella’s engagement to him. But she had to pretend to be happy despite her secret despisement of the couple. Inwardly, you giggle at the notion of watching her spiral again. 

“Jaehyun? What were you doing talking to him? You weren’t pestering him, were you?” Rich coming from her.

“Do you have a crush on him or something?” Lawan interrogates.

“As if,” Daniella chortles uglily. “Jaehyun would never pay her the time of day.” 

“What makes you think he would pay you the same?” You inquire, eyebrows raised in a clear sign of judgement. This gives the group momentary pause. 

“What the fuck did you just say?” Daniella’s eyes narrow at you. 

You just shrug, downing the last of your champagne before placing the empty glass on the nearest table. “I just think it's funny how everyone seems to be mentally staking claim to a man that hasn’t shown outward interest in any of them thus far.” 

Stella is stunned at your clapback. It seems the other girls are too. It delights you in knowing that you’ve caught them off guard. 

Jacqueline steps forward dangerously, “Watch your fucking mouth, bitch.”

“Or what?” 

You step closer, daring her to make a move. Estella pulls you back in alarm. Why the fuck are you not letting them walk all over you this time? She has to do damage control to save face.

“Y/N,” she whispers, “please don’t provoke them. I apologize if I made you mad. I was just asking. We’re all friends here.”

“Don’t apologize to her, Stella. She picked a fight first.” Biased and untrue. These women really were the dredges of society.

“I picked a fight? Your sister was the one who insulted me first. If she can’t handle it, why dish it out then?”

“You—” Just as Daniella steps forward, Stella pulls you back. 

“Ladies, this is not the place to argue. Let’s take a step back to give each other some time to cool off. Okay?” 

The rest of her friends mumble disgruntledly as Stella leads you away from them. Of course, she’s going to give you her typical spiel. She has to keep riding that fence, lest she fall. Once you both find a more quiet place, she leans forward to engulf you in a hug. She gives the same performative speech, being apologetic for her friend’s actions while simultaneously scolding you for provoking them. Maybe if you did this, maybe if you did that. Blah, blah, blah. 

You were done diminishing your light trying to fit into a group that was already designed to be against you. Stella saw to it to manipulate anyone within radius into hating you. All while forcing you to rely on her for comfort when things went awry. Textbook narcissistic abuse; sabotage and isolate the victim. Little did she know, you weren’t that version of yourself anymore. You wouldn’t fully reveal that just yet though. 

So, you accept her apology and apologize profusely for your own actions, as is within range for your character. This gives Stella relief that you are finally behaving in typical fashion. You can see her don that smug energy once more at thinking that she has successfully placed you back under her rule of thumb. It is going to bring you immense pleasure toying with her mind. The shifting nature of your personality was sure to give her whiplash. 

You excuse yourself to the bar to cool down as she sashays her way back over to her friends. They all kiss up to her, claiming their respect for how maturely she handles conflict. You roll your eyes as you sip the Mai Tai the bartender made for you. To your left, a feminine voice snorts. Finding the source of the noise, you come face to face with Nicolette Wang, Wang Mei and Wang Fu’s only child. From what you recall, Nicolette was a fierce person. She was lethal, practically ruthless in her business transactions. Success ran in her bloodline across several branches. One half of the family tree included the Wang clan, courtesy of her father. The other half belonged to the Zhong clan, courtesy of her mother’s side. A subsidiary of that was the Qian clan, which her aunt married into. Thus, tying the three families to each other. Each being a household name in their own right. As stated before, old money ran deep with them.

“I cannot stand these gatherings, too many fake people scrambling around like cockroaches." She mutters in distaste, gazing pointedly at the young men and women crowding around Stella’s circle. While you may not have aligned strongly with the way she worded her statement, you still could get behind the sentiment.

“Amen.” You drink to that. She trains her curious gaze on you. 

“I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of making each other’s acquaintance." That’s how you find yourself surprisingly bonding with the stoic woman. 

Halfway through your conversation though, her cousins interject, something about an ongoing poker bet getting rowdy in the side room. She excuses herself to deal with it. That leaves you mulling over the main course of the night, watching Stella work her magic. Currently, your parents are speaking to Jaehyun’s. You gauge their position in the room from the corner of your eye. Any minute now, your parents will start making their way over to you with the Jeongs. But by that point, Stella will have sunk her claws into Jaehyun. 

Lo and behold, the show begins. 

Jaehyun finally disentangles himself from the horde of businessmen that anchored him in place throughout the evening. Except, the moment where you expect him to make his way towards the bathroom is now substituted for him making eye contact with you. He perks up when he catches your attention across the room. You blanch in horror as he makes a beeline for you. What the hell was he doing? Why was he going off script? He’s supposed to be heading the other way. 

But before you could panic, Stella “trips” her way into his path. Just in time too. Her timeliness was impeccable. She had been eyeing him down all night, waiting for the perfect opening. You were thankful that she had been. 

You breathe a sigh of relief as he grabs onto her to prevent her from falling. There is a brief pause between the two where they stare into each other’s eyes. She smiles shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. 

Oh this was getting good. 

She was really working the floor with this act. Yet somehow, the man in question that she is trying to seduce is not getting with the program. Instead of being enamored with her cute demeanor, as most men ensnared in her trap typically become, Jaehyun just… grimaces a smile. 

Literally where is the dramatic flare, the spark, the pizzazz, the umph? Why is he not taking the bait dangling in front of him? Stella needs to hurry up and bring out the waterworks or something. 

Once steady on her feet, Jaehyun moves to pass her. She grabs his arm to keep him rooted in place. In her mind, you know she won’t let this slide without a fight. 

‘Good,’ you can’t help but think. ‘Give him a run for his money. My plan is contingent upon your success.’

To your right, you see your parents and the Jeongs looking around for both you and Jeahyun. Thankfully, with the crowded room, you still have some time before they discover you. Turning back to ‘scene one: act two’ across the room, you watch as Stella splays a palm across Jaehyun’s chest. She bats her lashes at him.

‘Okay, bold move. That’ll surely secure his interest. People can’t resist once she does that.’

However, Jaehyun just furrows his brows and grabs her hand in what appears to be an attempt at removing her from his space.

‘What on earth is he doing? Follow the script, Jaehyun!!!’

Stella clings to his hand in an attempt to further coax him into fraternizing with her. Smiling sweetly, she engages in conversation. Whatever she’s saying, must work to some degree. Because Jaehyun smiles politely and nods his head at whatever tricks she has up her sleeve. 

You glance back towards your parents just as they clock your position in the room. Your father points as he says something to your respective parents. Panicking, you turn your attention back to the romantic tango in the center of the room, hoping that they speed it along. So that you can interject right where you’re supposed to. Except… something has clearly gone wrong. Because Jaehyun’s body language is now rigid and stiff. Stella herself fidgets nervously. Sharp words now seem to be spoken in a heated exchange. Then, in a daring act, Jaehyun storms off as Stella calls out to him. 

Several people in the vicinity turn towards the commotion. Whispers begin floating around the room at the spectacle. Stella flushes in embarrassment. Jaehyun’s parents, receiving word of the debacle, turn to your parents and exchange a few terse words. Then they leave the room rushing after their son. 

Oh my. It wasn't supposed to turn out like this. He was supposed to storm away from you, not Stella.

Your parents rush over towards Stella. You set down your glass with a smirk. Well, it wasn’t what you expected. But it was a show nonetheless. Schooling your facial expressions, you carefully make your way towards your family as your mother tries to console Stella.

“Stella.” You call out to her. She startles, as if in the act of being caught red-handed. 

“Everything alright?” You question smoothly. She looks shaken up at the events that transpired. People are still gossiping around the room. Your family will have to pack it up soon to save face.

“Y/N,” she whimpers. “I don’t know what happened! I was just trying to suss him out  like a good best friend.”

You hum in acknowledgement, although you know it is a lie. “And how did that go?”

“I thought it went great, but then… he stormed away when I mentioned you. Maybe he doesn’t like you…?” She pouts, looking up from under her lashes at you in an air of innocence. 

But you know her, don’t you? Voice a bit too shrill, jumpy, fidgeting anxiously. All signs of nervousness. She was lying. You are certain that she did not bring you up in that conversation. Per this point in the previous timeline, she had donned the cape as Toothless. So what the hell could have changed this time for Jaehyun to respond that way?

Either way, you knew she was trying to maintain her image, in front of business associates and your parents. Your mother rubs her back as a means of placating her. Hilarious, indeed. 

After pulling her aside for comfort, your family finally heads home to fend off the wave of public embarrassment. Riding along in the back seat, you can’t shake this foreboding feeling. 

In the previous timeline, Jaehyun eagerly believed Stella to be his longtime pen pal, Toothless. But this time… had he not? Why else would Stella lie about his reaction? Evidently, it seemed like the current present events were showing signs of fracture. It made you wonder. Could meeting Jaehyun ahead of schedule have diverted the timeline of events? Maybe that’s why Stella looked a bit nervous. Perhaps Jaehyun didn’t bite onto the hook of lies she was selling. 

Several days later, you and Jeongyeon catch up during a sleepover at her place. She agrees that Jaehyun’s reaction was weird. 

“It’s like physics. Newton said it best. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Perhaps, Jaehyun is reacting differently because you’ve changed the circumstances surrounding your initial meeting. Maybe you should’ve never met with him.” Her last few words trail off as more a question than a statement. 

You groan at your misfortune. Maybe that's why he latched onto the idea of you so quickly. Because you showed up in an area you previously hadn't before. Thus, causing the timeline to bend in reaction towards you. You were the catalyst. Screaming into a pillow, you kick your legs out in a tantrum. Jeongyeon rubs your back in understanding. 

While you do feel hopeless, navigating conversations with Jeongyeon does give you clarity. Focusing on Jaehyun shouldn’t be a concern for now. Right now, he’s just an obstacle. What you need to do is focus your efforts on dismantling your mother and Stella’s lies. If you let the relationship with Jaehyun and Stella run its course, without you interfering with Jaehyun in any capacity, then he’ll take his focus off of you. That will give you one less problem to worry about. You would just have to operate in a way that prevents him from becoming an enemy, and rather set him up to be just an extra in the plot. The best way to do that would be to encourage Stella to pursue him and indicate your disinterest in him. It’ll confuse everyone and give you more time to plot while they’re all discombobulated. Yeah, that should be nice. 

And fate lines up exactly as it should, because a few days shy of your recital, Stella makes her move. Seeing as Jaehyun did not fall for the propaganda she was selling, she devised a plan to take matters into her own hands by making demands of your mother. They have a family meeting. Without you. Which was a true testament to their character. How did you find out? You had overheard them talking one evening when you came home from rehearsals. Your recital was just three days away, and you spent more time at the concert hall than you did at your own residence. Taking your shoes off in the doorway, you overheard voices trailing from the living room. 

“Leonard, don’t you understand what this means? We can still be tied to the Jeongs, just in a different way.”

“Vivian, we can’t just drop an engagement. Not only does that make us look weak, but it signifies that I am not a good businessman. If I can’t even keep the commitment of marrying my daughter off, what makes you think they’ll want to do business with me? It’ll look like I am not honorable or trustworthy.” There is a rustling of fabric, as if someone has shifted.

“But honey, think about it. It’s not really canceling if we put Estella in her place. Y/N doesn’t even care for the family business anyway. She’s just fulfilling an obligation to us as her parents. Stella really likes him. She couldn’t help but fall in love once caught in his embrace.” There is a slight pause before your father speaks again. 

“Estella, is that true?” He addresses her.

Stella shyly speaks, “Yes, uncle. Ever since he caught me in his arms, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. He was so nice when he interacted with me. I couldn’t help but think how gentlemanly he was to me. I think I felt butterflies.”

“See, Leonard? Love at first sight. I’m sure Jaehyun feels the same.”

“If that’s the case, why did he run off that day?”

An awkward pause fills the space. It seems like the woman in question was caught off guard by your father’s assessment. You smirk into your hand as you lean against the wall out of sight. You didn’t want them to know you were here just yet, eager to see how this plays out.

“Well, to be honest… I didn’t want to say this when Y/N was around, so as not to hurt her feelings. But… Jaehyun only stormed away when I mentioned her. Our conversation was going fine, and he was so sweet to me up until I told him that we were practically sisters. You know, since you adopted me. And I mentioned how excited I was for him to join our family. He frowned after that. He told me not to bring those things up. Confused, I asked him why, stating that they were going to get married anyway. He huffed in disagreement and stormed out. I… don’t think he likes her all that well.”

In the hallway, you fight to keep your composure. Her blatant lies were astounding. Part of you wanted to be mad, another part entertained by the theatrics. She truly was a cunning individual, and your fucking parents were eating it up. 

“Honey, don’t you think this would be for the best? The engagement hasn’t been announced yet, so we have plenty of time to doctor up some things. Stella’s a sweet girl. You know the Jeongs would love her. Plus, Stella doesn’t come from the same socioeconomic background as we do. Her childhood was hard. Without us, she would not have the same resources and financial backing that she does currently. She deserves a happy life, don’t you think we should do our best to give it to her?”

You scoff quietly at her words. It pains you to some degree to hear your mother passionately fight to undermine you if it means propping Stella up. Her disdain towards you knew no end. What kind of mother disregards her own child but has no problem fostering another? So are you meant to give up everything in your life just to placate Estella?

“What about Y/N? Would she agree to this?”

“Of course she would. She never cared for these things anyway.”

“I agree uncle. When she first found out about her arranged marriage, she confided in me that it was something she did not want. She doesn’t view it favorably.”

And that had been true. You didn’t feel it was fair to marry you off to the highest bidder just for your family’s financial sake. You were a woman capable of independent thought. You were autonomous to no one but yourself. So, it had not been fair that they had decided something so archaic for you. But that was before you realized Jaehyun was in the lineup of men for you to pick from. For Stella to use a statement you made under duress against you… she was the lowliest of the low. She played dirty. You would give them a few more minutes for this discussion, then you would sweep in and wrap it up.

“Exactly, beloved. She doesn’t care for it anyway. So we can just set her up with somebody else on the list and form multi-partnerships across the board. Imagine what type of resources that would give us access to.”

“Well…” your father really seems to contemplate.

“You won’t even have to tell Y/N. We can schedule a meeting with the Jeongs ourselves, and when it’s solidified, I’ll tell her myself. That way you won’t feel forced to.”

That is the moment you decide to step in, sensing that this would be the perfect opportunity to interrupt. And the reactions did not disappoint. The moment you came around the corner, several things happened at once. Your father immediately sits up straight, spluttering out your name. Your mother, who was resting her hand on your father’s arm, jumps back slightly in surprise. And Estella… well, she clams up as if guilty, caught in the act of doing something. 

‘God, these people were so unserious.’

“Tell me what?” You inquire as you lean against the wall of  the entrance. Amused, you stare at the shocked expressions of being caught in the act. Several seconds go by where your family sits in silence. Then, your bold-faced mother decides to speak up.

“Y/N, I’m glad you're here. We were just discussing an important matter brought to our attention.”

You move further into the room, plopping down on one of the accent chairs. “What were you discussing?”

“Your marriage. To Jaehyun. We’ve decided to make some changes.” Your mother continues.

Tucking your feet underneath your legs, you stare at your mother as if you hadn’t overheard the conversation at hand. “Oh? Is everything alright?”

Remembering himself as the head of the house, your father finally speaks up. “Well, we thought that it might be best if we rethink your marriage to Jaehyun.”

Wracking your brain for the best response, you still had a part to play. These are still your parents. While you can be more brash with outsiders, you know you can’t be so loose with your parents. That would raise too many alarms too quickly. You wanted to ensnare them in your trap slowly, then let it catch up to them all at once.  So, you approach this like the old version of you would. 

“Oh,” you play with a strand of denim on your distressed jeans. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” your father is quick to placate as if you were a bomb to diffuse. Considering the tense atmosphere, you suppose it was valid. But it is a bit hilarious to see him act this way when he is primarily passive in his wife’s dealings with you. Not this time though, you suppose. “It’s just that…”

“Estella has fallen in love with Jaehyun.” Silence awaits, as your mother does not sugar coat. She meets your surprise dead on, unrelenting and uncaring of how her unwavering support of Estella might be viewed. 

“What does this have to do with me?”

“Stella wants to marry him instead.” Blunt per usual. Turning to stare at the star of the hour, you watch as she pretends to cower from your gaze. 

“You do?” You question, like you don’t already have your answer. Her bottom lip juts out as she begins to pout. ‘Lord, here comes the water works.’

“Would you hate me if I said I did?”

“Is that what you want? Is it something you can handle?” You rebut, question more reloaded than it appeared.

Scoffing, your mother interjects. “Stella is more than capable of handling something like this. She can’t help that she’s fallen in love. It’s something she’s always dreamed about. She wouldn’t seek marriage if it wasn’t something serious.”

A beat passes. You watch your father shift in uncomfortability, you watch Stella play up her role of innocence, and your mother lead the charge against you. All you saw was the cowardly lion, the brainless scarecrow, and the heartless tinman. A band of characters indeed. Leaning back in confirmation that this is the path they chose, you utter your decision. 

“Well, if it’s what Stella wants.” Calm and poised, you agree. Your family seems surprised to hear this, although you aren’t sure why. You suppose it does make sense to be confused at the switch up since you had been adamant on selecting Jaehyun in the first place. But your decision really wasn’t so far from how you acted typically. You had always been subjected to submitting when your family ganged up against you in favor of Stella. It was the natural way of the household by now. So your agreement shouldn’t come as that big of a surprise. Yet here your family sat, mouths practically agape.

“There will be other suitors, right? So, I shouldn’t have to worry too much. I’m fulfilling my obligation to you, right Dad? Besides, you’re the man of the house. Your word is final. I’ll do what you want me to do.” 

“You’re not gonna make a fuss about this like you always do? You always were so dramatic.” Your mother rolls her eyes at you. The dramatic one was Stella, not you. Whatever floats the boat though. 

“I don’t have strong feelings about this. I’m sure you all made the perfect decision based on what you thought was best. I’m just corroborating your opinions.” You shrug. 

Meanwhile, your friend can’t believe what she is hearing. She thought you would’ve fought back for Jaehyun. Especially knowing that he is the penpal you so desperately had missed. She had banked on that. Which in turn would’ve upset your parents and started an argument amongst the three of you. Instead, knowing her intentions, you refuse to play into her game. Saying she is pissed would be an understatement. So, she tries to play into it more, hoping to set you up with some kind of failure tonight.

She throws herself out of her seat to grab your arm, “Y/N, I know you’re upset about this. You can be mad at me if you want to. I didn’t mean to fall in love with him. He was just so handsome and nice to me. Aunt and Uncle mean well by this. I hope you can understand.” 

Again with the theatrics, you practically sneer at the act. This girl was as persistent as a grown man annihilating a claw machine at the arcade. There are so many other hobbies she could have invested her time into than trying to ruin your life. With a quickness, your mother gets up and pushes you away from Estella, sweeping her up in a hug as she fakes her cry.

“You don’t have to apologize to her.” Your mother sneers. How your mother found the time to blame you in this situation needed to be studied by psychologists, because it was beginning to border on crazy. 

“But Auntie, I don’t want her to hate me for breaking up her engagement.” She wails. 

“Honey, she said it was okay. And she would be wrong to lie if that were the case.” The venomous look shot your way would have no sooner put legions of men in the ground. No wonder your father sat silently in moments like these. He was silent even now, genuinely a lost cause. 

So it's decided, your parents set up a meeting for you to no longer be engaged to Jaehyun. Stella corners you that night, laying in your bed shedding her crocodile tears of ‘woe is me-isms.’ The fact that she wanted you to comfort her through her actions was enough to show how sociopathic she was after all. Because who actually does that? But you fight through it as you console this level of fake guilt she exudes. One day soon, it will no longer be your business. You just had to stick it out. 

July 26th is a day that should bring you utmost peace, but it instead awards you with more confusion. It was the day of your recital, a day you were sure would be free of any drama your family or the Jeongs could bring. But the “secret” meeting your parents had scheduled with the Jeongs on the day of your recital, instead does not play out that way this time around. In fact, not only is Jeongyeon in attendance, but your family is too. Which should not be happening, because Jaehyun is supposed to be meeting with them currently to discuss his engagement to Estella. 

However, you become acutely aware of that not being the case when you step out on stage for your performance in the lineup. You were the last act of the night. Your instructor purposefully set it up that way to showcase the essence of the theme through your raw talent. 

“Because you understand the emotion behind the melody, Y/N. I want the crowd to walk away from this show with a part of you still in their minds.” He had said. 

It was designed to be memorable. But for a split second, you falter at their presence in the crowd. Your only saving grace is Jeongyeon’s supportive face, sending you a thumbs up of encouragement. Smiling gratefully, you glide across the stage floor, with the train of your purple gown parting the mist of the fog machine. Approaching the piano bench, you take a deep breath and claim your seat on this symbolic mount of virtue.  

If you asked anybody from the crowd, the view was breathtaking. A fairytale laden background created a beguiling atmosphere around you. The stage set was draped in foliage to mimic that of an enchanted forest, with the pinks, purples, and blues of hyacinths interwoven like ornaments. The backdrop was riddled with a starry sky. White pillarous columns framed the stage, bringing the focal point to the lone white piano standing at the center. And there you sat, underneath the soft blue spotlight, akin to the moon. 

You wore an embellished deep purple gown with a strapless bodice that accentuated the silhouette of your body. The crystal beads sparkled beautifully underneath the light. You truly were a vision. A collective hush fell over the room when you began to play. A soft, melodious cacophony danced in tendrils around the room, enrapturing your listeners like the croon of a siren’s lilting song. Your caliber of enchantment, reminiscent of a gleaming star. 

One thing you loved most about music was your ability to get lost in it. As you played, the room disappeared into a foggy background. All that was left was you, the piano, and the sheet music. So absorbed in the melody, you hadn’t realized that you closed your eyes. You were immersed in the ‘what could have beens’ of the song, deeply attuned to the element. It wasn’t until the last note you played that you came back to yourself. Opening your eyes, you are regaled with a standing ovation. 

Bowing in thanks, you make your way backstage, giddy at the reception of the crowd. Once the show is officially over, you gather your belongings, making your way to Jeongyeon. Along the way, you are stopped by several attendees, complimenting you for the development of your craft. You smile gratefully before finally spotting Jeongyeon. There she stands, a big smile on her face, a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Squealing, you both rush into each other's arms. 

“I’m so freaking proud of you!” She exclaims with pride, bouncing on the balls of her feet. One thing you had missed once the two of you stopped talking, was her unyielding support in your personal endeavors. Jeongyeon was a true testament to what healthy friendship looked like. Beaming, you thank her for sharing this moment with you. Just as you extend your hand for the flowers, a throat clears. Ah, you forgot about them. Reluctantly, you turn to acknowledge your family. 

“Mother, Father, Estella.” 

“Good job today, kiddo.” Your father greets tersely. He seemingly had not been comfortable with you for years now in the wake of Stella’s addition into your family. 

“Yes, glad to see my money didn’t go to waste.” Your mother regards you coolly. Grimacing a nod, you thank them for coming. 

In the midst of your acknowledgment of your parents. Stella assesses your close proximity to Jeongyeon. Her face flushes seeing the content demeanor surrounding you. She was pissed. The two of you should have never rekindled your friendship. It should have been impossible. Stella made sure of that. So, why the hell was she around? In the last month alone, you have spent more time with Jeongyeon than ever before, leaving Stella to the wayside. She didn’t get it. Why the fuck weren’t you as adamant to speak to her anymore as you were with Jeongyeon? 

You’ve started changing too, subtle, but noticeable. At first she thought it was a fluke, but you’ve definitely pulled away more. What the fuck was so good about Jeongyeon that you couldn’t find in her? And why the fuck was she buying you flowers when Stella didn’t bring any herself? Embarrassed was an understatement. Stella hated how Jeongyeon always upstaged her. She didn’t deserve to be friends with you and was fucking up the plan. With her around, it would be harder to make you an easy target for her plot. She had to get rid of her again somehow. Shaking off her feelings of resentment, Stella throws herself at you, clinging to your arm. 

“You played so well! Soooo many people were complimenting you. I had to tell them that we were sisters. After all, you always said that we would be.” She states smugly. 

Inside, you and Jeongyeon both cringe. It seemed like Estella had to up the ante to make it about her once again. She never liked when you were the center of attention. That’s why she always went behind your back to date the guys you liked. She can’t go one moment without the spotlight on her. Patting her arm knowingly, you pull away. 

“Thank you Estella. I’m sure people were delighted to know that about you.” Your father coughs, while your mother raises a brow.

“What do you mean?” Stella pouts. Jeongyeon tries her hardest not to snicker, she swears. 

“Of course it’s obvious we’re sisters. There would be no me without you. I’m always wherever you are. Remember?” Part of you gags a little at the saccharine facade of your words. There is no universe ever, in which you could fall for her bullshit again. But still, you breadcrumb her, letting her believe in your faux naivety. 

You are still confused as to why they are actually here when they shouldn’t be. The chronological timeline of events absolutely indicated that they should be in a meeting with the Jeongs by now. You aren’t sure what they’re doing, but you just hope it doesn’t interfere with your carefully crafted plans. 

Except, fate has no intent of letting you prosper peacefully. Because the biggest surprise of the night decides, in that moment, to make themself known. 

“Congratulations.” A silky, smooth voice remarks. 

Spinning on your heels, you come face to face with Mr. Valentine himself, Jeong  Jaehyun. Decked out in black slacks detailed with a black Prada belt, a fitted creme rib knitted shirt (which definitely accentuated his arm veins), and black dress shoes, Jaehyun carried every bit of that debonair flair people associated him with. But perhaps, the most striking feature of the night was his newly dyed platinum blonde hair. Oh God. In his hand, a bouquet of lilies. Your favorite. Smirking, he holds them out to you. Everyone regards him with incredulity. A sense of dread sinks in the pit of your stomach. Somehow this is a bad omen of sorts. You just know it. You accept the flowers in bewilderment. 

“What are you—” Suddenly, you are cut off. 

“Jaehyun! Fancy seeing you here today. I thought you had an important event to attend.” Your father chuckles in an attempt to cozy up to him..

“This is an important event.” And he says it without breaking his intense stare from you. 

“Ah yes, well I just assumed—” Your mother cuts your father off before he can begin rambling.

“Thank you Mr. Jeong for attending our daughter’s recital. That was very thoughtful of you. Are you perhaps… here to speak with Stella?” She asks, with a glimmer of hope bordering on blatant disrespect towards you.

You practically snort as Stella forces her way into your space, batting her over exaggerated heart eyes at his towering figure. 

“Hi, Jaehyun—”

“Actually,” he cuts her off, eyes boring into your soul.  "I came to speak with you. Privately." 

“Me? Um… I don't think that's a good—” 

“I wasn’t asking.” There is a serious quality to his voice that causes your affrontedness to taper off. You hand both bouquets off to Jeongyeon. Intrigued by his intent, you follow as he leads you to a quiet space. Curiosity is the only way to prevent you from not cussing him out at the demand. 

Once far enough away from prying eyes, he pulls you into a side hallway and turns to address you. You, however, beat him to the punch. 

“Speak.” The carefully curated mask you’d been wearing around your family, finally deciding to slip. 

Mirth dances in the pools of his whiskey brown eyes at your command. “Still the same woman I met weeks ago, I see.”

“Yes, I felt as though you needed a refresher.”

Jaehyun chuckles at your assertiveness. Eyes drinking in the silhouette of your body, he smiles lazily. In a manner in which you know that he knows the allure he possesses. “I appreciate the reminder, sweetheart."

Cutting to the chase, you ask him of his intentions for pulling you aside. “Do you actually have anything important to say? Because if not, I’ll leave. The only reason I entertained you in the first place is because it looked like a serious matter.”

“That’s why I’ve come to see you.” He crowds into your space, tone shifting from the light playfulness he displayed moments prior. 

“Have you lost your mind?” He hums darkly.

“Oh wow, this is new. Even for you.” You retort as he cages you in against the wall. His deep eyes bore into yours. 

“Who told you to go and do that, hm? You had to go behind my back crying to mommy and daddy ‘cuz you don’t wanna marry the big, bad wolf anymore?”

“Watch your mouth.” You hiss in annoyance at his cocky demeanor. His body pushes yours further into the wall. The forced proximity put a fire in your belly and pulled breath from your lungs in the same manner it had always done before in the previous timeline. And you were desperate to purge this attraction from your skin.

Heatedly, you whisper. “Move.” 

“What happened to our agreement?”

“We didn’t agree on shit.” He grabs your chin after the exclamation, thumb brushing against your bottom lip. 

“Such a potty mouth.” Jerking from his grasp, you push him away. He complies, holding his hands up in mock surrender. That stupid cocky smile ever present upon his face.

“Never do that again.” You mutter angrily. You were more panicked than mad. Definitely upset with yourself for feeling as frazzled as you were. And Jaehyun seemingly had no care in the world propped against the wall across from you. 

“I don’t appreciate you trying to undermine me. I had to find out after the fact that you went to our parents trying to revoke our engagement. Then you had the nerve to try and set me up with your sister? I thought you were better than that.” Let it be known that he was quite attractive when provoked to anger. Let it also be known that it was insufferably annoying. 

“Who cares if I don't want to marry you. I made it vehemently clear the first time we met that I wanted nothing to do with you. And I meant it. Stella is a better opportunity for you anyway.”

He scoffs under his breath. “That’s not the first time we’ve met though… is it?” 

His tone is heavy with a sort of implication that you don’t even want to read into. So, you don’t. Jaehyun was playing one too many games anyway. The best-case scenario was to get your point across and leave.

“I would really prefer it if you stopped wasting my time.” You huff in exasperation.

“What do I have to do to convince you?”

“Nothing. I’m not the one for you, but I really think Estella could be. If you just give her a chance—” 

“Bullshit. How do you know you’re not the one for me? Because from where I’m standing, I’ve never been more enamored with a woman before in my life the way I am with you. You don’t even want to try. There’s no valid excuse.”

“I’m not marrying you, Jaehyun. End of discussion.” You had to put your foot down and close the chapter on this conversation. You couldn’t afford anymore petty distractions that could potentially ruin the trajectory of the plot. It has to work out the way you anticipated it to be.

He sniggers, nodding his head in amusement. “Mmkay, here’s what I think.” Stalking towards your alert form, he leans down to make soul piercing eye contact with you. “You’re running away, from this, from me, for whatever reason. And I refuse to let you slip through the cracks. So, here’s how this is going to go. You’re gonna put on your pretty, white dress when it’s time. I’m gonna put on my tuxedo, and we’re going to walk down the aisle and get married. I’ll see to it that my parents are made aware of this. And if you try any underhand tactics again, I guess I’ll have to figure out what to do with you myself.” 

“Is that a threat?” You sneer.

“It’s a promise.”

“You don’t own me.” You whisper angrily.

“And I have no desire to. I just want you to stop running from me.” He mutters sincerely. And for a fleeting moment, you are afraid of the leap your heart makes. Because this man is standing here delivering his heart on a silver platter in hopes that you will accept, and you know you cannot. It wasn't supposed tom be like this. Now, you have no choice but to find a way to make him hate you. 

"Do not contact me again, Jaehyun.” Then you are turning on your heels, fleeing out of the corridor. 

“Whatever you say, sweetheart.” He calls softly after you. And if you looked back, you would see the way he looked at you with a yearning to rival even the moon’s longing for the stars. 

After that eventful encounter, July comes and goes. And with it so does August the 2nd, the day in which Jaehyun and Estella were supposed to announce their engagement. Except, no such announcement is made. Instead, the Jeongs scheduled a meeting with your parents to let them know exactly what Jaehyun’s intentions are. He wants to go through with his engagement to you. But they would prefer to wait to announce it to… give you time to sit with it. 'AKA, Jaehyun was giving you a little freedom before locking you down.' With a new school year about to start, you know there will be plenty of opportunities to force his hand in hopes of publicly denouncing you. All you had to do was wait. 

Taglist: @ellelabelle @vixensss @jobskdj @giiayujeon57 @yourblackiequeen 

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[emeraldcosmos1]

Ghost in the Walls

You don’t knock when you enter.

Not because you're rude, but because you know Bucky would rather hear your footsteps than the sharp, sudden rattle of knuckles on wood. The knock always makes him flinch. Just a twitch—but a twitch says a lot in a man who’s trained not to move unless he’s killing.

He doesn’t look at you when you step inside.

The safehouse is too quiet. Somewhere in Romania, according to Steve’s hasty scribble on the edge of a mission brief. You didn’t ask questions. You were used to being where people didn’t want you, doing what people didn’t want done.

Bucky sits on the floor with his back to the wall, legs bent up, one metal hand braced on his knee. He’s looking out the window like he expects the street to start bleeding again. You wonder if he’s seeing this moment, or if his mind is stuck somewhere in the ‘40s. Or maybe with Hydra. Or Sokovia. Or Siberia.

Or maybe he's still trying to forget your face from when you tried to slit his throat in a Paris alley three years ago.

“You’re limping,” you say softly, nodding to his leg.

“You're observant.” His voice is dry, but not cruel. Bucky never sounds cruel. Just tired.

“You’re bleeding too,” you say, stepping closer. “Side.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Sure it is.”

The silence stretches. You crouch in front of him, and he lets you, but his body stays tense—like he’s waiting for this to be a trap. Like he’s still the asset. Like you might still be, too.

“I could’ve killed you in Paris,” you say, not as a threat, but a reminder. That you chose not to. That you saw him, even then.

“You should’ve,” he murmurs.

The words hit like a slap you weren’t expecting. Still, your fingers ghost over the frayed edge of his shirt. You catch sight of the gash—angry and dark, just under his ribs. He doesn’t flinch when you press around it.

“You let me go,” he says, finally meeting your eyes. “Why?”

“Because I knew what it was like to be a ghost wearing someone else’s name.”

That stops him. For a breath, two, maybe three. Then: “Red Room?”

You nod.

His eyes go darker. Something ancient flickers there—pain, recognition, kinship in the worst possible way.

“Do you remember it?” you ask, barely a whisper.

“I wish I didn’t,” he answers.

He exhales like he hasn’t in days. You sit beside him, not touching, just there. You’ve learned to live in spaces like these—between war and recovery, between love and regret.

“They made me kill a diplomat’s daughter in Kiev,” you say. “She was fifteen. Saw my face. That was enough.”

Bucky doesn’t respond. But his shoulder shifts, ever so slightly toward yours.

“I never knew her name.”

“I never knew most of theirs,” he confesses. “I still see their faces.”

You turn your head toward him, really looking. There’s blood on his knuckles, the kind that won’t wash off even with a dozen cold showers. His hair is too long again. His eyes are glass and smoke.

“You’re not him anymore,” you whisper.

He laughs bitterly. “Aren’t I?”

You reach out, brushing a thumb just beneath his eye. “You remember them. That’s proof you are.”

The metal fingers twitch once, then still. He closes his eyes.

You think about how many times you’ve almost kissed him.

Berlin. A mission gone wrong. Blood in your mouths, adrenaline in your veins. Your back pressed against a cement wall, his arm braced above you. That look—like you were the last real thing in a world made of dust. But you never did it. You both had too many ghosts, and neither of you knew how to kiss without bleeding.

You hear thunder roll outside. Rain taps the glass like it’s trying to get in.

“I don’t sleep,” he says suddenly.

“I know.”

“When I do, I dream of—”

“I know that too.”

A pause.

“You?” he asks. “What do you dream of?”

You hesitate.

“Freedom,” you say finally. “But I wouldn’t recognize it if I had it.”

That makes him look at you. Really look. There’s no judgment in his gaze—just understanding. Like maybe you’re not so different. Two ex-weapons trying to live like people in a world that still sees you as things.

“You ever think we’re just… waiting?” you ask.

“For what?”

“For someone to tell us what to be again.”

Bucky swallows hard. “Yeah.”

His voice cracks a little. It undoes something inside you.

“I don’t know how to live without a war,” you confess.

“I don’t either.”

You don’t say anything else. You don’t have to. The war is coming. Tony Stark, governments, allies turning into enemies. It's all going to unravel, and both of you know it. But here, in this forgotten room with peeling wallpaper and rain-slicked glass, you pretend the world isn’t watching.

You reach over slowly and take his hand—the flesh one. The one that still shakes sometimes.

He lets you.

“I won’t leave,” you say quietly.

He blinks. “Even if I ask you to?”

You smile sadly. “Especially then.”

Bucky nods. His eyes flutter shut like maybe, just maybe, tonight he might sleep. You rest your head against his shoulder, and for the first time in a long time, the silence feels like peace.

But you both know the ghosts are just outside the door.

And neither of you has ever been good at staying still for long.

[stormflypirateskin]

WOAAAAH WHAT'S THIS??? DROPPING STUFF AND FURSONA??? WOOHOOOOOO @heyguysijusthereforawesome come get your reference food mutual and ofc everyone else (MY BELOVED MUTUALS UGHHHH MUAH MUAH MUAH MUAH MUAH MUAH MUAH ILYSM ALL /P)

Okie okie so like this will be massive stuff dumping and art, I art, I artist but mostly low quality sketches or sum idk man andhahdhahz

THERE SHE IS IN ALL HER GLORY, MY FURSONA, GRACE!!!!!! She's basically me, just slightly more unhinged and too fluffy go hug fellas I give hugs and platonic forehead kithes trust, I'll drop more fun facts of her soon or in another random lore dumps I do idk akdhahsha

I named her based on my own actual name which is "Anna" and I found out one of its meanings is "Grace" or sum and I was like hold on bro this fits?? So I named her Grace which is like the meaning of my actual name haha I'm so smort such genius move trust trust

I love sweets too much man sovs

Funnily enough, Grace is NOT a Dandy's World OC or anything but I like to fit her everywhere I can (I also have a human self-insert/sona fellas dw dw) and girly happened to fit LEGIT perfectly into the Dandy's World universe HAAJAHAHAH her eyes is the first dark brown eye thingy but in the DW universe, it's that black white cuz all the toons have like black eyes idk bro sjdhahd cartoons go brrrr or sum, very floof, she likes to give her fur to kids that come visit her and she likes to let them play with her fur to calm down, she's that toon that you take your kids to when they are crying so hard basically sksksks very floof and warm goat-dragon trust, free therapy sessions from her too if you need someone to talk to dw dw

Goofy ahhh goat-dragon those eyes observe everything trust sksks are you gonna trust those dragon fangs bro sksks

FUNNILY ENOUGH I actually made the design as a plushie in mind and I would basically sketch her in little scenarios like a comic back then when I was studying Japanese during school hours sksksk like let's say I learned a new word and I would LIKE- make a comic where I would use it in a situation and it- kinda helped idk- but I also ended up loving the design too much for it to become my fursona aksksksk

I liked the idea of her having retractable teeth (only like the front 4 fangs not being affected idk man) and she takes them out to chew, when she's too happy or excited or when she's hurt ssksksk, her fur can also go up like y'know how a cat's fur go when it becomes scared/angry sksksk something like that here and the wings vibrate a little as she shows them (intimidation challenge failed lol) AND SHE BREATHES FIIIIREEEEE and it's also one of the reasons why she's like very warm physically, summer time is hell (she has to shave her fur bro, pink ass goat-dragon underneath) but winter time bro she's chilling, she even uses her fire to warm others up by holding the flame in her mouth, moving ahhh fireplace sksks

Goofy ahh idea I had, I liked to think that every time Grace is confused or doesn't understand, she just.. tilts her head, y'know how a dog tilts it's head both ways? That's Grace too BAHAHAHAHA she's too shy to tell that her ass just can't understand something simple (girl me too ooomg) so she just tilts her head AJDGAHDHA

Alright fellas time to confess..

I'M A HUGE ASS SIMP FOR SHELLY AND VEE FIGHT ME RAHHHHHH

NGL I'm usually not really willing to talk about characters I simp for hard but I feel comfortable enough in the community Kai has made and I trust my mutuals enough sksks so yes I'm a Vee and Shelly smoocher the most 🙏🙏🙏🙏

Yes I'm cringe but I'm free BAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

Like I simp for other DW character's too but those two smsmsm yeah I self-ship with those two BAHAHAHAHAHAHA but I still love seeing ships with them Shellvision my beloved RAHAHAHAAAAAAA

Normally Grace likes to brush herself to be as floof and soft as possible but Shelly likes doing it for her, she finds it calming too shshshsh it's nicer too cuz Grace does it after she showers and dries herself off so she's very fluffy and warm and soft and she likes doing it for the kids that visit her and for the other toons too in case anyone wants a bit of her fur cuz it's very nice to touch and feel.

Girl likes to place all the fur she gathers in a bag and it can be used to make soft things like plushies or something idk man, she likes gathering all the fur she leaves behind on furniture and everything too so she doesn't disturb anyone sndhahxh

Vee is a victim at Grace's fur akdhajdha though Grace always makes sure to scoop up everything she can (even though she loves to cuddle Vee's clothes and her too cuz she loves the perfume she wears, Grace is an addicted goat-dragon LOL), Vee still lets her cuz Grace keeps her promise and leaves nothing behind (at least she tries her best not to msmsms), Vee likes seeing Grace happy sksks

Anyways I'll yap my self-ship in places like DMS I was confident enough in this post, now I wanna crawl under a blanket and hide forever sobs sobs if you also self-ship then feel free to yap together with me in DMS bro I love talking about this pspspspsp

I also tried to uhhhh make Grace a twisted brrrr (in the first image, she's supposed to have big ruined wings I forgot them so just imagine them pls and ty-), girl basically hates what she has become, she keeps touching her face to feel around and shiz, one horn broken cuz of a twisted attack brrrr and I like the idea of her having some burned fur because she can't brush her fur ever again so she uses her flame bites grrrr grrrr, her furs messed up too urgrhrh brrrrr

The second image is from a magma page with one of my besties @unbakedturtledoodles (she's so cool I love her sm man MUAH MUAH YAM) and uhhh I played around with Grace's design and made it a scene where Shelly finds her and is horrified of what happened to Grace skdjshs I wrote an angst fic about it too BAHAHAHAAH and that's the drawing that inspired it YEEEET

As for yapping yapping about Grace's stats, I'll start with her normal toon version brrrr

Girly has 3 health, 2 skillcheck, 4 movement speed, 4 stamina, 2 stealth, 3 extraction speed. I can already hear the distractor Grace comments JAHDAHDHAHDHA

Her active ability is basically Grace slamming into the twisteds and headbutting them well enough to make them pause for 2 seconds, this also makes Grace immune to damage for 2 seconds. Can hit multiple twisteds but doesn't work on mains (dude, no way girl can headbutt PEBBLE, THAT DAMN DOG RAHHHHH)

Her passive is if Grace gets chased long enough by twisteds (but like for a good ass while), she gets stressed enough where she can headbutt a machine (that isn't being worked on) and it will extract slowly by itself until it reaches around 80%, a toon can also work on it to make it go faster too and to complete the machine too.

Uhhhh no idea about her requirements, you can go wild here idk, as for the ichor at least lemme choose tsk tsk I want it around 2790 ichor cuz 27 is the number for my birthday and the 9 is for my name day number RAHHHHH

Hooo boy okie, twisted time. Girly is a rare AND BEFORE YOU THROW TOMATOES AT ME CUZ RARE TWISTEDS SUCK-

She's like.. different from the other twisteds, she'll roam around but you'll be safe from her for the most part.. if you don't disturb her at least tsk tsk. If you get close enough to her, she growls and raises a hand and if you still stay close enough for 3 seconds, you'll get a nice claw at your face andhahdha if you try to do it again or you went far away enough and come back as if trolling her, you'll get slashed immediately slsksks girly doesn't forget-

Though you are safe if she walks by and you're doing a machine or standing completely still, she just stares at you as she walks by and shakes her head BAHAHAHA

Blackouts aren't that hellish, she's like Brightney/Rudie, she has her mouth slightly open and produces a soft flame as she paces around idk bro sksksk she doesn't like the dark much

BUT, if you fail a skillcheck and she happens to be around? Brotha run, she huffs loudly and charges at the location of the machine, damaging everyone who happens to be in her path and she headbutts the machine before walking away and holding her head annoyed, she basically broke the machine for around 20 seconds.

And this is funny too cuz if you use Pebble's bark or an airhorn, Grace will chase you. Though she works kinda differently compared to other twisteds. Instead of worrying about everyone's stealth, you don't gotta worry about that with Grace brotha cuz she's only mad at the dude who made the noise and will chase THEM only, she's mad at THEM ONLY. She's not as fast and has like 2 seconds of attention span.

Uhhh that's it I think idk man her trinket is a kid's drawing of her and it boosts extraction speed by 10% and walk speed by 5%.

Yeah that's it basically BAHAHAHAHA y'all can judge me now for all of this. Think of me as this silly goat-dragon idk sksksk I'll go hide under a blanket now LOL

[ungraceds]

for   a   split   second   ,   it   felt   like   the   stars   had   finally   aligned   and   they   were   finally   going   to   have   each   other   back   in   their   lives   .   but   she's   pouring   cold   water   all   over   him   ,   drenching   him   in   their   reality   ,   and   forcing   him   to   face   it   .   something   he   doesn't   want   to   do   ,   not   when   it   means   complicating   possibly   having   her   back   by   his   side   .   "   yeah   ,   did   i   not   say   that   we're   going   to   be   optimists   ?   that's   kind   of   what   it   means   ,   car   ..   to   ,   you   know   ,   be   positive   and   hopeful   ,   and   shit   .   bringing   up   the   past   isn't   gonna   help   with   that   .   "   but   she   clearly   doesn't   agree   ,   bringing   up   his   mother   and   the   pr   relationship   he'd   been   thrust   into   by   his   manager   .   frowns   down   at   her   ,   gaze   boring   into   hers   as   he   tries   to   talk   her   off   of   hypothetical   cliff   ,   "   my   mom   doesn't   like   anybody   ,   that's   kind   of   her   thing   .   she's   just   ..   like   that   ,   i   told   you   that   back   then   ,   too   .   she   doesn't   think   anyone's   good   enough   for   me   ,   even   somebody   who's   perfect   .   "   like   her   .   "   and   julieta   was   nothin'   to   me   ,   and   i   was   nothing   to   her   .   i   know   that   must've   felt   terrible   but   that's   why   you   don't   read   that   stuff   ..   i   don't   .   i   learned   not   to   a   long   time   ago   .   "   it's   easier   said   than   done   ,   and   deep   down   ,   he   realizes   that   but   he's   clinging   onto   his   desperation   to   see   this   through   .   "   i   never   wanted   you   to   be   my   secret   --   i   still   don't   .   you   don't   have   to   .   we   can   figure   it   out   and   make   it   work   .   we   can   .   "   fingers   tighten   on   her   chin   ,   but   he   can   tell   that's   he   losing   her   ..   that   she's   slipping   through   his   fingers   all   over   again   despite   just   getting   her   back   sheer   minutes   ago   .   well   ,   not   fully   back   but   it   was   a   start   .   swallows   around   the   tightness   forming   in   his   throat   and   nods   ,   emitting   a   breath   .   "   i'm   not   giving   up   .   "   says   stubbornly   ,   eyes   trailing   along   her   face   ,   "   i'll   respect   your   wishes   and   boundaries   but   ..   i'm   not   letting   this   go   .   we   can   be   friends   ,   sure   ,   but   that   doesn't   mean   it's   gonna   stay   that   way   forever   .   "

what’s   important   is   this   ,   right   now   .   why   can’t   we   focus   on   that   ?   she’s   looking   at   him   like   he   grew   a   second   head   ,   manicured   brows   knitting   together   over   hazels   .   is   he   serious   ?   does   he   not   see   why   she’s   bringing   it   up   ?   “   right   ,   so   we   don’t   ,   and   just   pretend   like   everything   is   going   to   be   all   sunshine   and   rainbows   –   or   whatever   .   ”   sounds   bitter   ,   gaze   now   avoids   his   .   she’s   moving   ,   leaning   back   against   her   vehicle   as   arms   defensively   crossing   over   her   chest   .   “   how   do   you   want   me   to   forget   about   all   the   extra   bullshit   ?   ”   looks   at   him   finally   ,   hues   finding   his   ,   “   your   mother   never   liked   me   ,   the   whole   fucking   world   thought   you   were   with   some   other   girl   and   i   had   to   –   god   ,   i   had   to   see   what   everyone   said   about   you   two   ..   how   much   they   loved   seeing   you   with   her   .   ”   sad   laugh   falls   from   her   lips   ,   and   she’s   running   her   digits   through   her   hair   .   and   i'm   not   dating   that   girl   ,   by   the   way   .   she’s   guiding   her   gaze   to   his   ,   digits   curling   around   her   chin   ,   forcing   her   to   look   at   him   ,   and   just   as   hues   lock   with   his   ,   she’s   speaking   up   .   “   it   did   matter   to   me   .   ”   tells   him   ,   “   it   matter   a   whole   lot   .   do   you   know   how   difficult   it   was   for   me   to   see   you   with   her   ?   to   pretend   like   –   like   we   were   nothing   out   in   public   ?   to   be   your   secret   ?   ”   allows   words   to   hang   in   the   air   ,   before   saying   …   “   i   don’t   want   to   be   your   secret   anymore   ,   scotty   .   ”   needs   to   protect   herself   ,   to   think   of   what   would   be   best   for   her   ,   so   carina   insists   ,   “   i   won’t   be   .   so   if   we   become   friends   again   ,   we’re   staying   friends   .   that’s   all   we’re   gonna   be   .   ”   even   if   she   misses   him   desperately   .

[zorkaya-moved]

" you are always on about helping me," for someone whose voice usually comes in a subtle, warming tone, it has taken the turn for something more heated today as their debate, nay, argument had come to blossom as a result of long nights and dreadful projects. in the aftermath of the disagreement, kaveh will find himself in a pit of embarrassment and guilt for having stood his ground, but he couldn't accept it. he wouldn't accept it.

" to say that it's pride is only a portion of it, but i have never had to rely on anyone in my life --- i couldn't. there was simply no room for me to rely on anyone, let alone ask for it and --- that's why i can't stand by and simply allow you to help me, when you clearly do not wish me to help you in return. are we not equals ? do we not share a mutual form for respect, do you think less of me because you see yourself in a position to protect me and support me ? because i won't have you in such a position, zarina. "

it's not anger , per say , simply frustration. he is frustrated with how she puts up a mighty act of a stable, strong woman, for while she is ( archons know she is, she is so strong, and kaveh looks up to her in so many ways / had he been one for prayer, her feet would be the ones he'd find himself bowing to in seek of grace ) she remains as human as him at the end of the day. the pain and hurt he felt certainly were no strangers to her. does she not think he feels the way her face tends to drop the second he turns, or notice how her thoughts wander in the corner of his eyes when he find himself occupied by the desk ?

" let me look after you the way you look after me. let me take care of you the way you take care of me --- for it seems too long ago since anyone did the same for you. " crumbling in his stance ( is my love not enough for you ? ), the heated tone has come to falter in favor for a softer and honest one, as hands seek out to her cheeks, pleading to hold her tenderly in his grasp. " you are my life , zarina. how do you expect me to allow you to be my foundation when you refuse to accept it from me in return?"

@avaere

Their argument breaks out and nothing feels real for the first second. They’ve never argued like this before, it’s never come to this. It’s unusual for the architect to look at her like this and speak to her like this. It confuses her, it makes her wonder, and it makes her question exactly what brought this out. And the more words leave Kaveh’s mouth, the more confused and puzzled she becomes. It doesn’t make sense. It simply doesn’t make sense to her. Is he… not happy? Is he upset that she offers her support? Is he upset that she wants to keep him safe? It doesn’t seem logical nor does it seem like something he should be so frustrated over. The questions circle in her head and Zarina tries to search for an answer, but instead she’s met with a wall. She slams into it mentally as Kaveh keeps talking. 

—That's why I can't stand by and simply allow you to help me, when you clearly do not wish me to help you in return. Are we not equals?—

“We are…” Sokolova whispers to his question, still finding herself at a loss for words simply because she cannot fathom the reasoning for his upsetness, frustration, and fiery anger. It makes no sense for him to be hurt in her mind. 

 —Do we not share a mutual form for respect, do you think less of me because you see yourself in a position to protect me and support me?—

What are you talking about? Zarina asks internally, eyes empty and hollow at those words. Suddenly, his words echo in her head and she can’t find the will in herself to really suppress them. To her, everything he says right now simply doesn’t fit in her understanding. Is she not supposed to help him? Is this not proof of her love? Is this not enough for him to understand how much he means to her? Is this now what love is supposed to be about? 

Finally, Zarina isn’t weak to keep those she loves unprotected. She gained everything she needed to keep these important people safe. She has power, she has influence, she has money, she has it all. She has information on each and every important person in almost all of Teyvat. She has customers and clients who are of noble birth and who would beg for her to take a look at their cases. She has it all to ensure those she loves have a comfortable life. 

Because she, a woman who lacks any humanity behind her void gaze, can only feel human while being with them. They keep her a person. They keep her away from the numbness, void and hollowness. They keep her away from losing the joys and colors. They are her colors. Kaveh is her Sun and the person she wants to keep happy the most. 

But… 

—Because I won't have you in such a position, Zarina.—

…I’m strong enough to be in that position, am I not? Why don’t you just let me do it?  

She isn't weak. She isn’t weak anymore to have others fuss over her. She doesn’t have anyone to worry over her and try to keep her from harm’s way. Now she can take care of herself, she can protect others like she always wanted. There won’t be laughs of men cruelly kicking her and calling her a little princess, there won’t be Victor hurt while trying to protect her, there won’t be Aleksey who they fret over as her parents are gone, and there won’t be any other people they’d be indebted to who can use them for their own ridiculous schemes. 

No, she’s climbing to the top and it means she won’t have anyone look at her or her family the wrong way. She can tear apart anyone who dares to mistreat her or her family. She has everything to keep herself occupied, interested, away from the deafening silence and frigidness. 

Ah, but that’s not it. That’s not what Kaveh says and that’s where the dissonance happens. Her past clashes against her present.  

Why do you look at me like Victor did? I’m stronger now. I can protect you. I won’t be hurt anymore. There’s no need to worry, no need to try and protect me, I’m fine. I’m…

—Let me take care of you the way you take care of me --- for it seems too long ago since anyone did the same for you.—

His tone crumbles and she can see him reaching out. After all, she had no second to input any of her words into this conversation. His stream of words hit her a bit harder than she’d ever expected. It makes her confused, all too confused and lost.  

This means that she hasn't been successful or what does it mean? It makes her think of Victor who’s been trying to take care of her when she was rescued. It makes her think of how when she came to Sumeru, she was looked down on by Scholars and those who were against Snezhnaya. Now they love or hate her, seeking her out despite pride and prejudice because they know she’s stronger. Isn’t it fun to see those people crawl to her? 

It makes her think of her selfishness, her indulgence, her sick satisfaction with reaching the top and watching people who underestimated her crumble before her feet. But then it all dissipates, she’s grown bored and sought out more. Like a ravenous beast in the body of a beauty. All hedonistic indulgences fade with time aside from sex and planning. The long-standing plans hold her interest for a little while longer until she’s left disappointed or satisfied for a medium period of time. It all fades, but not the warmth she feels when she’s with those she loves. Not with Victor, Aleksey, Kaveh… Not with them. Not with him. 

Oh, but Kaveh reaching out to her both emotionally and physically almost makes her feel fear. Almost, if not for her control over the internal state. It’s a titanium hold, but when his hands touch her cheeks, Sokolova feels something inside start to crack. The whispers in her mind say over and over again how he’d find her revolting, tyrannical, and cruel. He doesn’t know how little care for the world and its riches she has. 

She’s always lived selfishly, so giving to her loved ones feels like what she can do. After acquiring everything because her selfish self wanted to see how far she’d be able to reach, this development seems to be… baffling. 

His touch and his last words bring her out of that stupor. Still, confused and puzzled over these confessions within the argument, she feels at a loss. Emotions aren’t her strongest forte. Nay, genuine emotions aren’t her strongest forte. Zarina knows how to use them, manipulate them, and twirls them for her own benefit, but right now? It’s not about manipulation and malice. It’s not about shadows and darkness. It’s not about survival. It’s about… love, trust, and communication. 

Everything she wanted to protect since childhood yet never surrounded herself with until return home or when Kaveh was by her side. 

“What do you mean you don’t help me with anything?” She suddenly asks, her voice coming out genuinely puzzled but her eyes… Her eyes are bleak and cloudy, no, they’re hollow and empty when she begins. His hands against her cheeks feel so hot, her own body feels so cold. Is it because of her vision or is it because she remembered everything from that past? She doesn’t understand him, or does he not get the amount of things he does for her without knowing? “You always do. You’re the only one here who does.”

No one in Sumeru matters. No one in several regions matters aside from Snezhnaya where her brothers stay. Kaveh doesn’t know. He doesn’t know the ‘survival of the fittest’ rule she lives by, rules by, orders by. 

Zarina brings her left hand up, touching his hand but she doesn’t yet grasp it. Her fingertips grave over the fabric covering his wrist. She worries that if she grasps it, she’ll break it. Zarina recalls her first hunt in the snowy plains of Snezhnaya. She doesn’t want to break him.

“You make the nightmares go away. You make me feel safer than I’ve ever felt since…” The agonizing pain, the loud screams, the laughter of those who had control. “...since I was hurt,” Sokolova looks away for a moment, her words feel like they’re spilling out as if in desperation to get him to hear, to understand, to give him enough to have an idea but not dive into details (not yet). “You indulge me, you give me your time. There’s no silence, no hollowness, no void. You make me feel…”

Clarity returns to her golden eyes. The silverette takes a second to breathe, finally letting her fingers wrap around his wrist (tenderly, carefully). Her shoulders drop, her expression is one of light exhaustion and still flickers of bewilderment. 

“You make me feel human.”

It must be so strange to hear, isn’t it? To feel human. Isn’t she almost the most beloved in all Sumeru for her scholarly achievements, for her charismatic nature, for her connections and for her being the strongest candidate for the Amurta Sage? And yet, Zarina knows better than anyone that those achievements are not done for the sake of gratitude or betterment of the world. It’s selfish, it’s ambitious, it’s all out of boredom and pettiness. 

“You never ask for anything. I have power, I have money, I have connections, I have it all, but you never ask for anything,” she starts off. “You are my equal, if you were not…” She lets out a soft chuckle, but it’s sharp and cold. “...I wouldn’t fall for you, love you, treasure you, want to give you as much as I can. If you were not my equal, you’d be lost in the sea of faces I meet.” 

Golden eyes return to look at him, but she doesn’t smile nor show any emotion. If anything, she’s stone cold, but not guarded. She doesn’t hide, but there’s no bright light in her gaze and in her behavior.

“Do you… really think that I’ve reached all of what I have today through honored and honest work, Kaveh?” She gives his hand a gentle squeeze, but her golden eyes are growing colder the more she thinks about what she’s done… and how she feels no guilt or remorse or regret over everything. The people’s screams, the Abyssals’ pleas for mercy, the blood, the merciless ends, the survival. “Do you really think that I don’t see you as my equal? If I didn’t care about you or saw you as my equal, you would’ve never even gotten a glimpse of who I am. Like everyone else in Teyvat.”

A hard hitting sentence, isn’t it? Especially said with that razor-sharp gaze and a voice that got deeper as if she growled it out. But instead of showing the same cold-hearted ferocity, she presses her lips together and looks away from him as if ashamed. It’s not that she’s ashamed of who she is, but she is unsure of how much more she can say. 

“I… don’t know how to let others care for me,” she admits. “I don’t know how to stop protecting who I care about. And I don’t think… You’ll look at me the same if you learned the things I have to do to survive…” But also because when you’re not here, the boredom and silence come back in full force and I return to those frigid days. “What if the person you love is only kind to you, Kaveh? Will you hate me for it?” 

There’s a glimpse of cracks, of a weight no one ever expects someone to carry. But she doesn’t mind that. If it means she’s indulged and her family is protected, it means nothing. Is she really human when she does not feel any remorse for all the things she’s done? Perhaps, the only remorse and sadness comes when it comes to Kaveh. What if he fell in love with a phantom? What if her sharper and crueler sides will scare him away? There’s no fixing that. It’s simply who she is. 

“I don’t understand you.” Her lips are pressed together in frustration. “I don’t understand what you mean by taking care of me more than you already do. I don’t understand what you want from me right now. All these riches, all these connections, all of what I have… They are nothing compared to what you’ve given me. You taught me that I can love, I can experience love, I can feel it.” She brings her other hand up to touch his, but then pries his hands away from her face to hold them instead. “And yes, it doesn’t make the world better and it doesn’t make colors seem brighter, but it settles me down. It makes me… think that a normal life isn’t out of the question for me.”

 Then, Zarina laughs. But it’s hollow and bitter and feels like shattering. 

“To accept your help, I must give up control… of everything I am. And if I do,” she lets out a soft exhale. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to pick myself up if you reject me.” 

Finally, she smiles but that smile is soft and careful. Not sharp, not hollow, not cold. It’s more familiar to him. It’s more genuine, it’s as genuine as she can muster when her mind remembers everything she does behind his back to remain on top. She cannot simply end everything she rules over, it’s already too late. Too many people want her head, too many people rely on her, too many people have their eyes on her, too many people wait for her word like their only prayer.

“You are my lifeline, Kaveh. You already give me so much, I want to…” She gives his hands a squeeze, gaining up courage to say the next words. He’s more important to her than everything she’s acquired. She’s lived her life selfishly already. “But alright. I don’t yet understand, and that’s why… Can you teach me… how to let you care for me in a way you meant?” Without this iron control over everything. As she holds his hands in her own, she bends down to press her forehead against his knuckles. A beast offering its leash to another, she hopes he won’t turn away the more she opens up. “But please, I’m begging you, give me time to tell you everything. My life belongs to you, you are my heart. I still don’t understand, I probably will struggle, but be my guide here. So please,” she straightens up and gives him another small smile. She’s trying. It’s obvious. She’s trying against everything she’s been taught by life, by experience, by struggle and torturous existence. But for him? She’s trying. It’s tense, but she’s trying. “Be a patient teacher with me. I’ve never… been protected… and I haven’t been cared for since my childhood.”

[apoloniaspiegelgold]

"What we need is evidence. From now on, we stick to them like glue. On the bus, at school, after school. Everywhere they go, we're there. Either we'll find some evidence, or they get so fed up with us they have to start talking. Agreed?"

- Shannon Kelly, professional stalker

[th3-c0ll3ct3r]

I totally agree with this, and see how some member are like "it is what it is" and lowkey using him being American (and the queer community being a political thing in mainly America because bullshit and the orange) as an excuse

And I know, with their younger audience, they don't want to make any waves on the ocean especially cause the Iskall situation is so raw and recent for people

And without being said it makes it exponentially funnier the way that people subtly are saying that it's fucked up he did that, even if they don't realise

Like Jimmy. OMG Jimmy recently, he's goated, to die for because THE DAY AFTER someone asked Jimmy in his chat to say trans rights, with 0 hesitation and has actively pursued learning more about the LGBTQIA+ community to the point were it's almost out of spite

Smajor mentioned that he's hesitant to let certain people back into MCC especially pride MCC right after the situation but said it so subtly and so sly that people thought he was talking about people who already won pride Mcc but he was actually talking about skizz

Aimsey DECADED A WHOLE STREAMS worth of content to talking about how this kind of language and behaviour is putting the mcyt community and lgbtqia+ community it more of a negative standing and really goes into detail, without directly naming Skizz but they do say "in recent events" and it was like 1-2 days after Skizz's thing so they were definitely talking about Skizz. But honestly they tore Skizz to shreds in the most impactful and realistic way possible

Zombiecleo who was initially on the fence about the situation has already stated that they were disappointed and it's not grounds to break her friendship or kick someone out who's just started for time content creation and make it more challenging for them but they are evidently disappointed

Gem also expressed her disappointment, not as much as the other, but it was their.

Scar didn't really understand but got the spirit

And Impluse was also disappointed in Skizz

But it really coming to ahead now because and I cannot stress this enough how much it hurts me to say this, but Iskall was 10% right in his statement/stance that the Hermits will protect "one of their own" until their not one of them.

And even more so regretfully, and disappointingly Grian and Impluse both are doing this. They're completely ignoring the situation and really Grian is the only one out of the 2 who has a real excuse, which is he doesn't use social media other than YouTube really so and since ( demographically) alot of his audience are much much younger, more so leaning into children and young teen than the others, it won't make sense to randomly post a fuxk you to Skizz because children are watching.

And that's why he has a second channel decaded to "scary" content with warnings and disclaimer and mainly includes jokes and funny bits. He's never once been serious.

But impluse on the other hand has a more mature audience, more an older teen audience, and he's active on every social media, and he streams. He literally does not have an excuse to not at least address it.

And I'm not going to sit here and blame the Hermits for Skizz's mistakes because it is Skizz's fault but he's a grownass man, and used to be a teacher then switched jobs and now is a full time content creator. He as children. So him, out of everyone, should know how dangerous it is go have this mentality and promote it and yet he still does.

And once called out on it, he hides. Deletes the clip, cuts it out the VOD, puts a brief comment on a video on his worst preforming (not being rude it's just true) social media outlet then act like it doesn't happen

And tbh I've stopped watching Grian's second channel videos because of it, I've stopped watching hermitcraft video and may only watch like 3 POVs and/or smaller clips in the future. I'll watch the life series but the main POVs I watch aren't even in hermitcraft

And it's not like we're the only ones cutting them off because people like aspenfires and Aimsey have all expressed their massive disappointment with them

So for me, I'll be sticking to Misadventures and The Realm (only watching the blue faction and lowkey just Aimsey, Tubbo and Smajor tbh)

To be honest, as someone who has considered mcyt to be their main fandom/interest for the better part of 5 years, The whole Skizzleman situation has really pushed me towards dropping the fandom as a whole.

It just really sucks to see a community that claims to pride itself on its inclusivity brush over clear bigotry from one of its members, It’s not that I think Skizz IS transphobic, he’s clearly not, but his reaction towards the subject of trans rights was blatantly transphobic, and him trying to cover it up with “avoiding politics” is blatantly not an acceptable excuse.

It sucks to see a man consider my rights as a human being to be “too controversial” and it sucks even more so to see people try and defend him for it, it feels kind of impossible to feel welcomed by a community that would turn on me and my right to exist the minute their “comfort creator” told them to.

I’m not sure if I’ll ever engage in mcyt content again, I definitely won’t continue to keep up with hermitcraft anymore, I might watch the new life series when it comes around but I’ll likely just stick to watching one or two povs instead of trying to watch all of them at once like I usually do, I definitely won’t be watching another skizzleman video, unless he properly apologizes ON STREAM, and takes a hard stance on trans rights instead of the “non political” one he holds right now.

[vodka-and-ocs]

most disastrous crossover ever

[forbiddenwant]

The intoxicating sensation slowly lifts his body. Ephemeral, but so good it's impossible for him to do without. A satisfied sigh as he withdraws his still rigid penis from her vagina. He continues to throb with insatiable hunger. A hunger that will be satisfied. He takes three steps back and uses his left hand to spread the left lip of the vagina he's just filled. His excitement grows as he sees the thick liquid dripping from what she had tried to protect for a good part of her life. Although it's very exciting for him, it's still a waste of his precious sperm. Don't think it's over. A body this appetizing needs to be consumed for as long as possible. His love for women and sex doesn't allow him to let such a beautiful woman go so easily. Satisfied with the spectacle, he lifts his eyes from her dripping intimacy and moves closer, then leans in. His ember-hot penis also rests on the top of her bottom. With his powerful fingers, he tears her top with ease. His eyes feast on the succulent breasts at his fingertips. You're so selfish to keep your appetizing body all to yourself. He grabs her chest and starts playing with it. Appreciating their softness and thickness. He imagines how good it would feel to put his member between them. Now that he's set his eyes on her. He intends to devour her until there's nothing left of her. Abandon yourself to me, dear wife. Whispering in one ear before he licks it sensually.

Being a man who keeps his promises. He positions himself once again at the rear of her wet entrance. Pushing slowly and surely, pushing aside the walls that didn't seem to show much resistance to his member now. Once the head had passed the entrance, a violent thrust was enough to plunge the rest of his thick member deep inside her. Still, no movement follows. Every twitch of her insides around his length sends sparks through his whole body. Then a tantalizing idea popped into his head. My dear wife, why don't you start moving? You're not going to let me do all the work, are you? I intend to consume you as often as possible, so take this opportunity to learn how to give me pleasure. It's simple, all you have to do is move your appetizing bottom backwards and then forwards. The opposite of me. If you do a good enough job, I might let you go. It didn't matter how she reacted to his words. She was at his mercy. He could do whatever he wanted with her. Even so, he took an unhealthy interest in making her angry. To see the fury and murderous desire in her eyes as she was helplessly raped. The moans he'd forced out of her, the clothes she'd never be able to put on again. It was all to satisfy some obscure pleasure. He wanted to see her with tears in her eyes, but he doubted that was possible. Her temper was far too spicy for that to happen.

[s4pphoiduser]

maybe a little corny but idrc i guess. so: maybe i'm just getting older or maybe my age/aging is totally unrelated to all this but i find that these days, now that i've grown out of being an angsty teen looking for anger and hate in every corner of the world, i find that now i am more struck by kindness, especially in fictional worlds that are harsh and demand a character let go of their kindness and inherent goodness to survive and never be taken advantage of or things like that. i like when characters are so kind that it's truly truly one of their core traits. i know it's not exactly rare, but these days... kinda feels like it. i'm always struck by characters who fight to be good and kind and still believe in fickle things like love and other people. characters whose kindness make others wary of them and draw them closer simultaneously. characters whose goodness and insanely strong (fought-for) sense of love and humanity (and i don't mean humanity like humankind as a whole; i mean a person's sense of humanity, i mean people. i mean people need people. i mean people need closeness and love and things that like that) makes others around them more likable and ... human. characters whose kindness/goodness/big big big hearts humanize everyone who gets the chance to be basked in the glow of that beauty.

[loverboybrightsideghost]

breaking up with bad friends and immediately chopping your hair off so that the next time they see you you look like a different person really goes hard ngl

[monicaalexandraaa]

OH MY GOSH I WANT TO SQUEEZE HIM !!!!!!!!!!! This is the sweetest !!!!!!! I think I said “awwww” at least 17 times throughout this whole part. He is just so freaking cute. I can already tell he’s getting warmed up to her a tiny bit and I’m excited to see the progression. She’s so kind, confident and funny and is exactly what he needs. She’ll help him loosen up and feel more comfortable not just with her but with himself too😌

Every interaction they had in this was perfect! And when he finally laughs that is such a precious moment🥺I’m already so obsessed with them. Truly cannot express enough how much I love this story already🩷🩷

Fine Print: Chemistry

Masterlist: Here

CW: shyness, brief moments of insecurities, smut (masturbation), Harry is a nervous baby.

A/N: I am so excited to get this story going and I hope yall like it, I’ve never done shy Harry so this was fun!✨

Word Count: 6.5K

Tag List: @vikiii07 @pearlybows @sweetmoonlove0214 @mads3502 @somewiseguy @matildasatellite @lizsogolden @spinninc @prettygurl-2009 @onrsie @silastylesswift @umadirectioner @littlemomentsofbeauty @sunflower-tia @tulips4harry @gmikaelson @fangirl509east @howling-wolf97 @outofthisworl-d @namoreno @blckburd @triski73 @mema10 @angeldavis777

Summary: Harry’s mom sets up a meeting, you make Harry nervous but are determined to have him feel comfortable around you✨

“But who is she?” Harry asks for the third time as he follows his mom around her garden, adjusting his glasses as she kneels down to cut a few stems of her rose bush. Anne doesn’t look over at her son as she hands him the stems so he can place them in the basket he has his soft cardigan covered arm looped through.

“I told you Harry she’s a lovely girl that I think will do splendidly as your significant other.” Harry feels his tummy do flips at the idea of this girl he doesn’t even know being his significant other. “I know this isn’t ideal and you’re a romantic but it’s just temporary okay? Just until you settle in and get your footing in your new role.” She goes on to add as she spots a few more good looking roses to cut off and hand to Harry to place in the basket.

“This is all just-just a lot and and what if she doesn’t even like me?” Harry feels his chest tighten as he pictures sitting down across from a woman who ends up leaving as soon as Harry opens his mouth and stutters over his hello because he’s nervous and ends up saying something ridiculous. “She’ll probably think I’m-I’m weird or not her type because-”

“Now Harry that’s just ridiculous you’re everyone’s type.” Anne says gently interrupting his nervous rant, not trying to downplay his worries but not letting him talk poorly about himself in the process. “You’re not weird so that’s enough of that and I happen to know for a fact she thinks you’re quite charming.” Harry’s face gets five shades redder as his mother lets him in on a little secret she’s been carrying around ever since she approached you with the idea of marrying her son so he can take his father’s place as head of the family business.

“R-really? She-she said I’m charming?” He stutters as he reaches up and adjusts his glasses, Anne turns her head to look over at him and nods with a soft smile.

“She did.”

“So we’ve met before? Her and I?”

“Once or twice yes.”

“When?” He wonders as he follows his mother as she moves to another rose bush with pink flowers. She waves her hand and lets out a hum as if she’s trying to shoo away his questions.

“I don’t remember.” She answers not looking at him, focusing on finding the prettiest flowers to add to the basket so she can make a few arrangements to place around the house. “Just don’t be late tonight okay? That’s not a good first impression.”

“Mother we’ve already met so this isn’t going to be a first impression.” He states making Anne shoot him a glare that has him swallowing down his sudden braveness, not wanting to get on his mother’s bad side when she seems to be in a very cheerful mood.

“This is important Harry I need you to just be on time and show her how truly lovely you are.” He lets out a sigh as his mother turns so she’s facing him. “Think you can manage that?” She asks as she raises her hand that’s glove free and rests it on the side of Harry’s face, giving his cheek a gentle pat.

“Yes ma’am I can manage that.” He answers with a small smile, trying his hardest to not let his nerves show. And it clearly works as his mom just returns his smile before turning back around to cut a few more roses from the bush. Harry watches from a few steps away as his tummy twists itself into knots and his heart begins to beat a mile a minute when he looks down at his wrist and sees that in a little over four hours he’ll be meeting someone who will potentially be his wife for an undisclosed amount of time, and all he can think or more so worry about is if you’ll like him.

Harry feels as if the entire weight of his family business is resting on his shoulders as he sits in the plush leather seat in the middle of a cafe near his house. He looks around as he nervously fidgets with the ring on his index finger, spinning it around while trying to seem like nothing is troubling him and act like it doesn’t bother him in the slightest that whoever is about to take the seat across from him is going to eventually have the same last name as him. His knee is bouncing up and down as he tucks his bottom lip between his teeth, regretting the choice to wear a long sleeve cream colored jumper knowing that he tends to run a little warm when he’s nervous. He is halfway through debating on if he should order a coffee or if it’ll make his heart that already feels on the verge of bursting with how wildly it’s beating, actually do just that with the addition of caffeine when he feels a presence behind him.

“Is it normal for you to sit in a cafe and not order anything?” Your voice startles him as you lean down and fold your arms on the back of his chair so you’re lips are right next to his ear, Harry immediately jolts forward so he can turn his upper body and look at you just as you stand up with a smile on your face that has him struggling to form complete sentences in his mind.

You watch his cheeks turn a deep pink as he reaches up and fixes his glasses that slid down his nose a bit with how quickly he scooted forward in his seat. You can’t help the way your smile spreads into a full blown grin at how utterly adorable the man sitting in front of you is, with his khaki colored slacks and soft knitted jumper and his glasses that bring your attention to his soft jade colored eyes that can’t seem to stare into yours longer than a few seconds before they look elsewhere. You feel his eyes on you as you walk around his chair until you’re standing in front of him with your hand out.

“Allow me to introduce myself.” Harry takes your hand as you tell him your name and it’s one that for some reason sounds vaguely familiar. “I’m going to be your wife in,” you take your phone out of the back pocket of your jeans to check the date on your lock screen. “Two and a half weeks.” You state with a smile as you give his hand a firm shake.

“Oh uhm uh hi I’m-I’m Harry St-Styles.” He fumbles his way through his greeting and it makes him internally cringe at how dumb he sounds just trying to tell you his name, a name that he knows you already know.

“I like your last name.” You tell him as he lets go of your hand, you turn and walk over to the seat across from him. “I like it so much I think I’ll make it mine as well is that okay with you?” You ask as you plop down into the seat, letting your bag fall to the floor by your feet. Harry blinks a few times before clearing his throat and running a hand through his curly brown hair.

“You’re uhm really okay with all of uh-this?” He gestures between the two of you with his hand that’s not white knuckle griping the armrest of his chair.

“Yeah I’m fine with it-I mean don’t get me wrong it’s a little old school to need the person running your family business to be married and a man but it’s not the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.” Your answer has Harry’s mind reeling with possibilities of what could be the craziest thing you’ve ever heard, his eyes glance down to your shoes when you catch him staring at you for a beat too long. “I’m going to need you to do something for me okay?” Your voice is soft and sweet but still gives off a sense of confidence that has Harry already mentally agreeing to whatever it is you’re about to ask him to do. You lean over and rest your forearms on your knees, your hands clasp together and your eyes stare into his once he swallows down his nerves and dares to meet your gaze.

“Wh-what is it?”

“I need you to look me in the eye for a full two minutes.”

“I-I uhm why?” He asks as he adjusts his glasses and feels his face get hot as you continue to stare directly at him making him have to look away.

“Because it’ll make it easier for you to not get so-blushy around me if we just stare at each other for a few minutes and then maybe it’ll also help you listen better because I hit you with two jokes about us getting married and you didn’t even chuckle so yeah we have to get this out of the way before it becomes a thing.” Harry sits there in awe of how well you managed to get through your whole little spiel without fumbling over your words, looking away from him and all without your cheeks even gaining the tiniest hint of a blush. Your words came out smoothly and your voice never lost its gentleness, not even when explaining how he failed to laugh at your two little attempts at jokes that clearly went right over his head.

“Why-why two minutes? Why not just uh just one?” He rubs at the back of his neck as his eyes glance over your shoulder to the back of the small cafe, needing a break from the eye contact.

“It’s been scientifically proven that the longer you can maintain eye contact with someone the less likely they are to make you nervous and as your soon to be wife I’d like to make you a little nervous.” This time Harry doesn’t miss the small change your voice does when you lightly tease him, how the softness has a playful edge to it. “But not enough to make you uncomfortable.” You explain with a calming smile that makes a swarm of butterflies go off in his tummy.

“Okay.”

“Great.” You pull out your phone and scroll to the timer app and set it for two minutes before placing it on the armrest of your chair. “Ready?” He gives you a nod in response as he fixes his glasses and runs his palms over the tops of his thighs. “Two minutes starts now.” His eyes slowly find yours and he has to fight the urge to immediately look away, his hands grip his pants as he feels his cheeks get warmer and warmer as the seconds tick by.

“Is there anything you want to ask me?” Your voice almost makes Harry look away but he just clears his throat and maintains his eye contact.

“Uhm uh-have we met before? My mom said-”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Five or six years ago I think? It was very brief at a convention my dad dragged me to. Your dad was talking to my dad about golf clubs and I dropped my badge on the floor and you picked it up for me.” The wheels in Harry’s mind begin to turn and you smile as if you can actually see him beginning to figure it out.

“Your dad knows my dad?” You just nod and then the lightbulb goes off in Harry’s mind. “Oh-I knew- knew your name sounded familiar. Your dad used to-”

“Own one of your biggest competitors? Yeah. Well before he sold it two years ago.”

“Oh.” He says as he sits back in his chair, his eyes a little wide but still locked onto yours. “Is that-that why my mom picked you? Because of your family?”

“Picked me? Harry do you think she selected me out of some applicant pool as if she posted about this on some job site?” You ask with a laugh making him shrug, the timer goes off and you silence it and much to your surprise Harry stays looking directly at you.

“I don’t know how she did it. She just uh told me what was happening and if I’d uhm-have any-any issues with it.”

“Well your mom has been going to my tennis club for the last year and a half so we’ve gotten friendly and she approached me two weeks ago with this proposal of marrying her son so he can take his father’s place as head of the company.” Harry nods as you begin telling him the story his mother has been refusing to. “She told me she wanted someone like me because I know how it goes-running a company and the toll it can take on someone. But mainly because she wanted someone who would help you gain the confidence and respect of your employees because you’re-”

“Too nice? Soft? A w-wimp?” Your eyes harden just a bit as you stand up from your seat and Harry regrets opening his mouth as you approach his chair.

“Being soft isn’t a bad thing. The world is plenty sharp enough I think it needs more softness.” Harry feels his hands get sweaty as you place a hand on the back of his chair so you can lean over and run a hand through his hair. “She said you’re kindhearted and she doesn’t want to see you get taken advantage of.” You answer as you stand up and he feels as if he can take a sigh of relief when you look away from him and over towards the counter. “Let’s go order something so we don’t look like the only two weirdos not drinking anything in the middle of a cafe.” He stumbles out of his chair to follow you as you head for the counter.

“So uhm why did-did your dad uh sell the company?” Harry asks surprising not only you but himself as the two of you stand off to the side after ordering your drinks. You just give him a casual shrug as you lean against the counter.

“He wanted to retire and I didn’t want to take it over.” Your answer is simple but Harry can tell there’s more to it but before he can ask anything else a nice barista is handing him a cup of coffee and you an iced late.

“Thank you.” You quirk a brow at Harry’s soft spoken thanks, because you were standing next to him when he ordered and you know for a fact he didn’t order a hot coffee. You notice him bring the cup up to his lips and make a face that tells you he doesn’t like whatever he just took a sip of.

“Excuse me?” Harry nearly trips over himself to follow you as you take the cup from his hands and walk around to the front of the counter, as he stands behind you he begins to think this is going to be something he’ll be doing a lot of, stumbling over himself to keep up with you.

“Hi how can I help you?” You give the barista a pleasant smile as you place the cup down on the counter in front of her.

“He ordered a double shot over ice with two creams and one sugar.” You explain with no hint of annoyance or rudeness in your voice, just right to the point. The woman looks at the cup and then back at you with an apologetic look on her face.

“So sorry I’ll get that out right away.”

“Thank you so much.” You say before turning around and Harry watches your hand as it comes and rests on his arm. “It’s not rude to ask for things to be fixed. It doesn’t make you an asshole.” It’s as if you can read him like a book the way your words hit him right in the chest. “Don’t settle for things you don’t like. Not even something as small as a cup of coffee.”

“Here you go ma’am so sorry about that.” You turn and grab the cup from the nice woman’s hand, giving her a smile.

“Thank you it’s for my husband-gets a little cranky without his mid day caffeine kick.” You joke making the woman laugh as she looks over your shoulder towards Harry who is looking down at the floor while rubbing the back of his neck hoping neither of you can see how pink his cheeks are.

“Enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Did you call me your uhm hus-husband?” You just nod as you hand him his coffee and walk back over to the side of the counter to grab your latte and head back to your chair.

“Might as well start getting used to calling you that right?” You stop mid step nearly making Harry crash into you as you turn around and raise an eyebrow at him. “Unless you don’t want me to be your wife and you’re just trying to think of a polite way to tell me you’re not interested and your mom needs to find someone-”

“No no I like you.” He sputters out faster than he intends making you let out a chuckle. “I just don’t uhm know what happens now?” You reach your hand up and place it on the side of his face, Harry instantly without any shame leans into the warmth of your touch.

“Well did you want to propose now or wait until after my background check clears?” This has Harry choking on a sip of coffee and trying to catch his breath as you reach up and place a kiss to the cheek your hand isn’t holding.

“I uh-uhm I don’t-don’t know.” You laugh as you pull away from him and drop your hand from his face allowing him to collect himself.

“I’m just kidding Harry- that’s three jokes now so maybe we need to do some more eye content drills.” You lightly tease as you give his arm a reassuring squeeze before looking down at the watch on your wrist with a small frown. “It was lovely meeting you but I have to go-I’ll see you in a few days for drinks or dinner okay?” All Harry can do is nod as you give him one last warm smile before turning and grabbing your stuff and heading out the door of the cafe.

“Holy crap.” He mumbles as he walks over to his chair and plops down with a humph. “That-that was my future wife.” A smile creeps its way onto his face as he leans his head against the cushion of he chair, the sound of your voice and the way your eyes seem to sparkle when you smile replaying in his head as he begins to think that maybe this won’t be too bad, you seem nice and have enough confidence for the both of you so maybe this will turn out better than he thought.

“You look cute.” Your words already have Harry feeling flustered as he stands up to greet you when you make your way to the table in the back of a little Italian place you suggested the two of you have dinner at.

His eyes quickly rake over your frame, he is in a slight daze over how effortlessly put together and cute you look with your green dress that you tossed a thin white sweater over so you don’t get cold. It’s not lost on him how you manage to make something that’s simple look as elegant as an evening gown with how you carry yourself. He can see exactly why his mom sought you out for him. When his eyes meet yours his tummy does a weird little flip when you give him a little wink.

“I like you in brown.” He smiles and looks down at his light brown cardigan he has over his plain white t shirt that’s tucked into a pair of jeans, you hang your bag in an empty chair before leaning over and placing a kiss to his cheek. “Makes your eyes pop.” You explain making him just nod as he tries to act like the feeling of your lips on his cheek hasn’t been at the forefront of his mind since you did it the first time two days ago in the cafe.

“Thank-thank you uhm you look beautiful.” His voice gives his nerves away as he feels his whole face get hot when you pull away from him. You let out a chuckle as you take your seat in the chair right next to him that he is quick to pull out for you.

“So glad I’m marrying a man with manners.” You say appreciatively as he helps push your chair closer to the table.

He smiles as he lets his eyes wander over your face for a moment before taking his seat, taking note of how pretty you look with the candle light blanketing your features in a soft glow. He feels suddenly out of place sitting here with you, as if he doesn’t quite meet the standards of someone you should be seen having dinner with.

“Okay come on.” He’s brought out of his thoughts by your hand grabbing his on top of the table.

“Where-where are we going?” He asks making you laugh as you shake your head and even though you’re laughing at him having no clue what’s going on he decides he likes the way it sounds.

“No where.” You say with a laugh as you wrap your fingers around his hand. “Just need you to look in my eyes for a bit because that’s now four marriage jokes I’ve told you since meeting you and I still haven’t gotten even a little giggle out of you and it’s not that I think I’m wildly funny or anything but I do think those were decent chuckle worthy jokes.”

“I’m-I’m sorry I just-”

“It’s okay.” Your voice puts him more at ease as you give his hand a soft squeeze. “I just want you to feel comfortable around me that’s all so come on-look me in the eyes and tell me what you’re wearing to this party on Saturday so I can plan accordingly.” Your eyes are soft and easy to get lost in when Harry finally finds it within himself to look into them.

“Uhm I’m wearing a black suit with a r-red shirt and black slacks and uh-uh black dress shoes.” You nod along as Harry slowly tumbles his way through telling you what he’s wearing to his father’s retirement party, never making him feel as if he needs to rush you just simply sit there and look at him as if what he’s saying is the most interesting thing you’ve ever heard.

“Okay I have a red dress but I’ll have to see the exact shade of red your shirt is to make sure it matches or else we are going to look silly.”

“You-you want to match with-”

“With my fiancé? Yes. Makes it look as if we’ve been coordinating our outfits for years-it’ll be good to make it seem as if this won’t be our first social outing as a couple.”

“Oh right-yes that makes uhm sense.” You instantly pick up on the slight shift in Harry’s voice, going from shocked and excited to almost deflated and it has you leaning towards him, a small smirk playing at the corners of your mouth.

“And I just want everyone to know you’re mine and nothing does that better in a room full of nosey businessmen and their even nosier wives than a matching color scheme.” Harry has to break the eye contact as he feels his cheeks get hot, he adjusts his glasses and softly clears his throat before he can look at you again. “So just send me a photo of your shirt and I’ll make sure my dress matches.”

“Did you want to arrive together? Uh like with-with uhm me? So it doesn’t look weird us showing up separately?”

“Oh my man has manners and brains? I might never give you up.” This has Harry quietly chuckling making your eyes go wide and a grin to spread across your face. “Oh my god I’ve done it!” He smiles as you give his hand a firm squeeze and reach over with your free hand and place it on his cheek. “You laughed.” You say with a happy sigh making him once again let out a chuckle at your dramatics that give him a warm and fuzzy feeling on the inside because of how happy you are over the fact you managed to get him to laugh.

“Does this mean we don’t-don’t need the eye contact uhm drills anymore?” He asks nervously as you pull your hand away from his cheek and when you just give him a look he already knows your answer.

“Oh no we are going to continue to do them until I get a full on belly laugh out of you.” He just nods and rubs his lips together as you finally let go of his hand so you can grab the menu that’s in front of you. “Now let’s pick something to eat because I’m starving and you and I have things to discuss and I can’t do business on an empty stomach.”

“So you-you don’t want to change anything about the contract? You’re-you’re sure?” Harry asks as you scrape the last bit of ice cream from the sundae you ordered for dessert. “Not even the uhm-uh compensation? I left that-that open for negotiation.” You let out a hum of pleasure as you put the spoon in your mouth that has Harry’s gaze falling away from your eyes and down to your lips. He watches as you pull the spoon from your mouth and lick your lips in what seems like slow motion making him shift in his seat and look down at the table as he fixes his glasses.

“Harry I don’t need to be heavily compensated I have enough money to live a very comfortable life so yes everything is fine.” You answer as you push the now empty bowl away from you. “I was a little shocked at what was hidden in the fine print though.” Harry raises an eyebrow as you fold your napkin and place it on the table next to your bowl.

“What-what fine print?”

“The fine print that says that the timeframe for our marriage is dependent upon on how quickly we can get you to be taken seriously and seen as a dependable and confident new head of the company but I can expect it to take anywhere between six months to over a year.”

“Oh I see.”

“And that I get an extra ten thousand for every baby I give you.” You have a playful smile on your face as Harry nearly drops his glass of water and looks at you with wide eyes.

“That-that’s not-there’s no way-you don’t have-”

“Relax Harry I’m kidding. There’s nothing about babies in the contract.” Harry lets out a sigh of relief that has you reaching over and lightly smacking his arm. “Gee can you sound anymore relieved? I mean I don’t think having babies with me would be that horrible.”

“Oh no that’s not-I don’t think it would be bad it would be lovely-not the uhm making of the babies but that you’d-you’d uhm make lovely-lovely babies.” Harry officially wants to get up, walk away and change his name as the words seem to fall from his mouth without his permission.

“I think you’d make some pretty adorable babies as well Harry.” He can’t bring himself to look at you as your words hit his ears, still too embarrassed by the ridiculous stuttering mess of jumbled up words he just said to you. “Your mom said we are announcing the engagement at the party so that will officially mean the countdown is on and we have to be married by the time your dad leaves his office for the last time.” You quickly and smoothly move the conversation along as you grab your glass of water so you can take a sip.

“Okay does that me we have to-”

“How are we doing over here?” Harry looks up as the waitress approaches the table, her eyes never leaving Harry as she stands there with a smile on her face. “Need anything else? More water or-”

“I think we are good thank you.” You answer as the waitress not so subtly checks Harry out, who is too busy turning and looking over at you to notice. When she finally looks away from him and over at you, you reach over and place your hand over his arm as you lean just a tad bit closer to him to show the waitress that Harry is very much not avaible for her to drool over, at least not in front of you. “Oh actually maybe the check if you don’t mind?”

“Oh uh yeah sure thing I’ll be right back.” You see the small hint of disappointment on her face when Harry just stays looking at you, making her have no other choice but to nod as she turns and walks away.

“So how are you feeling about this? Like really?” You ask with a tone that Harry hasn’t heard from you before, it’s still sweet but the undertone is more serious.

“I uhm-”

“Don’t be afraid to hurt my feelings okay? Be honest.”

“I feel good about this uhm I was nervous-I’m still nervous but not about this but more about uh taking-taking over the company that-that’s uhm yeah a uh a lot.”

“Well you won’t have to do that alone.” Harry once again feels butterflies in his tummy when you give him a genuine smile as you give his arm a squeeze. “I’ll be there every step of the way.” Your words have him relaxing a bit, you slide your hand down so it’s over his wrist.

“Thank you.” He says with a smile that lets you see his dimples for the first time, your whole face lights up as you stare at him.

“Oh goodness dimples? Yeah good luck getting rid of me you’re like the total package.” Harry’s face gets warm but he fights through it and doesn’t take his eyes off yours.

“I uhm had a good-good time tonight.” He tells you as he mindlessly flips his hand over so his palm is facing up and you don’t waste anytime in sliding your hand into his making him swallow nervously as you slip your fingers between his.

“Here’s your check. Have a good rest of your night.” You reach over with your free hand and grab the check from the middle of the table before Harry can even try to reach for it as soon as the waitress walks away.

“I can’t let you-”

“Can’t let me what? Buy you dinner? Why not?”

“Uhm because that’s-this is like a uh date right? So-so I should pay.”

“Says who?”

“It’s the polite thing to do.”

“Don’t worry I won’t think you’re rude for letting me pay it’s okay.” Harry lets out a sigh as he shakes his head while you grab your wallet out of your purse. “Look at us. Having our first fight over who gets to pay for dinner. We’re so cute.”

“This-it’s not a fight but just know I’m not okay with this.” You laugh and give his hand a squeeze as you place the check down with your card tucked underneath it.

“I’ll let you pay for everything else from now on how about that?”

“Fine.” He tries to sound upset but the smile tugging at his mouth gives him away and before he can stop himself he’s leaning over and tucking some hair behind your ear. “Sorry you-”

“It’s okay. You’re allowed to touch me I’m not made of glass.” Your voice is light and teasing but Harry can’t help but sense a hidden meaning to your words but before he can think to hard about it the waitress comes by to grab the check.

“So I’ll see you this weekend?” You ask as you stand outside the restaurant, adjusting the strap of your bag on your shoulder.

“Yes I’ll uhm come pick you up around six if that-that works for you?”

“Works great.” You answer as you take a small step towards him, Harry looks down at you and adjusts his glasses as you wrap your arms around him in a hug. “I had a nice time tonight Harry. Thank you for being such a gentleman.” You tell him as his body finally reacts to what’s happening, you rest your cheek against his shirt as his arms loosely wrap around your shoulders returning your embrace.

“Thank you for being uhm so-understanding I uh can see why my mom picked you.” You smile as you pull away and look up at him.

“See you Saturday hubby.” You give him a playful wink that has him chuckling and it works as a distraction so he doesn’t notice you reaching up on your tiptoes until he feels your lips on his in a kiss that is so quick the only way he knows it actually happened is he can faintly feel the softness of your lips when you pull away with a smile. “Don’t worry I’ll text you when I get home. I know how much you worry about me.” You tease as you unwrap your arms from around him.

“Uhm uh-see-see you Saturday.” His words are rushed and it makes you giggle as Harry’s arm fall down to his sides as he watches in a trance like state as you turn around and head towards the car that’s waiting to take you home. You give him a wave that he doesn’t register and try to return before it’s too late and you’ve already climbed into the backseat and closed the door, leaving Harry standing there in a daze as he watches the car drive off down the street feeling not nervous, but actually kinda excited about Saturday.

Harry can’t seem to get you out of his head when he gets home from dinner. His mind is a mixture of images that remind him of how pretty you are, how sweet your voice is when you’re telling him a story and the adorable smile you get when you’re teasing him. But the main two things that have Harry’s mind spinning is how much he enjoys hearing you call him your fiancé or husband already, he knows those are titles he’ll actually be to you soon but hearing them fall from your lips with such enthusiasm and excitement makes his heart do weird things and he really can’t get over how soft your hands feel whenever you slide them into his or wrap them around his wrist.

Harry steps into his shower thinking it’ll help him relax and get you off his mind, he lets the warm water hit him easing the tension in his shoulders as the warmth of the steam engulfs him. He lets out a deep sigh and closes his eyes, but he’s instantly met with visions of you laughing and smiling at him and something about the way you smile at him sends a shiver down his spine. The visions playing in his mind are so vivid, he can practically hear your voice saying his name and the feeling of your hand gently wrapping around his wrist and suddenly it’s all too much for him.

Harry’s arm reaches forward, his hand resting on the cool tile wall of his shower as he feels himself hardening at the mere thought of you. He slides a hand down his toned stomach wondering how it would feel if it was your hand and not his own, he lets out a groan as he wraps his hand around his hard length giving himself a few slow strokes. He knows this is probably borderline inappropriate, stroking himself to the idea of how it would feel to have your soft hands on him but in this very moment Harry can only focus on how good he feels.

“Oh shit.” He mumbles as he remembers the faint feeling of your lips against his, his mind spinning with ideas of how nice those lips would feel wrapped around his hard cock. He lets out a soft moan as he pictures you kneeling down in front of him, your pretty round eyes gazing upward, lips parted invitingly. His hand tightens around himself as he envisions your tongue tracing him teasingly, your mouth enveloping him fully feeling deliciously warm and wet around his shaft, your head bobbing rhythmically.

“Oh yes-just like that.” He murmurs breathlessly, his hand quickening its pace, gripping tighter as pleasure starts to build rapidly. Harry swears he can almost hear your soft moans, they’d be sweet and a bit whiney and it makes his cock twitch in his grasp. He imagines your hands gripping his thighs as you take him deeper, letting his hands tangle in your hair, imagines the moans you’d let out when he gives it a few tugs.

“Fuck.” He gasps urgently, his hips thrusting instinctively into his own hand, driven by the vivid image of you looking up at him while he thrusts his hips letting the tip of his thick cock hit the back of your throat making you gag slightly. Your nails digging into the back of his thighs urging him on.

“Shit-oh fuck.” He groans loudly, the warm water cascading over his trembling body as his climax surges powerfully through him, releasing in hot pulses onto the shower tiles. He shudders deeply, breathing heavily as the intense pleasure begins to subside. His eyes slowly open and he lets out a shaky breath as he realizes what he just did and instead of feeling guilty or even embarrassed at how quickly he managed to get himself off he just lets out a breathy laugh at how flustered you made him after just a few interactions with you, knowing it’s only going to get worst the longer he’s around you. He shakes his head making water fling off the ends of his damp hair, trying to clear his mind.

“Get it together Harry.” He mumbles to himself as he tilts his head up towards the water and runs both hands through his hair. The movement making him remember how good your hand felt when you ran it through his hair in the cafe. He has to shut his eyes tight and make himself think of other things like memos from work and meetings with the marketing team so he doesn’t get worked up again but even those thoughts have him remembering how soft your voice sounded when telling him how you’ll be with him every step of the way as he transitions into his new role and he feels his cock twitch between his thighs making him let out a frustrated groan.

“I’m so fucked.”

[kripsybac0n125]

finally finishing the homestuck epilogues by golly this dirk guy sure is somethin