#can't wait 'til he's back on stage next week!!

[sunkissedlouis]

faith in the future world tour in brisbane, australia 01.30.24

[pedge-stuff]

emerald velvet (pedro pascal x gn/m!reader)

a/n: same vague universe as “marked.” drop a line if you have a sug. (do people not comment on tumblr posts anymore??? rip)

summary: Pedro is ready to tell the world about you.

——————————————————————————————————

There is a world where he comes out, ironically, to Jimmy Fallon. Casually, over a sip of black coffee from a Tonight Show-branded mug. Swallows down the lump in his throat, chokes, in the half second it takes for the audience to react. You can see, in the TV monitor, the shiny glint in his eye as the thundering applause rolls in.

You still can't help but feel like this is your fault. Like maybe you just forced a 47-year-old man onto a blue tweed couch to reveal the secret he'd perfected hiding for decades. It hadn't been an argument, not really. No one was mad. But looking at him now, you couldn't unsee the flash of hurt that had struck him upon your prodding— "would it be so bad?"

So stuck in the tension of the previous night, in his unwillingness to see you in the stupid dressing room before the show, you almost miss what comes next. Definitely missed what came after, couldn't hear over the dull roar in your ears: "He works in the building, actually—"

Pedro is recomposed, smiling on TV like a good actor does, and you're here, crying in your office, several floors above. A few shaky breaths, heels of your hands swiping over your eyes, and then you're down the hallway before you can even register standing up. No one in the SNL offices look twice as you pass; they don't watch Tonight Show tapings, though their host for the week is promoting the show. Amongst other, life-altering things.

You slip through the stage door in Studio 6B easily, standing in the dim cover of the backstage area. The crowd roars again, and it sounds so much louder here. You can feel the force of the applause. Hear the headset call for an act reset, see the blue curtains part, and then— 

You're in the air. Cheeks wet, chest pressed against Pedro's as you both gasp for air. One of the crew guys needs to take Pedro's mic pack, and maybe this can wait til you're back in his dressing room, but you can't bear to peel yourself off of him. He, who came out on national television and then, in the same conversation, claimed you as his own. He who slept turned away last night, embittered by the threat of change. But who loves you enough to suffer the consequences, anyways.

You slip quickly back to his dressing room, where you both are swept into separate congratulatory hugs. Claps on the back. A vague, fleeting embarrassment that you're very under-dressed, contrasted against Pedro's velvet emerald suit.

Nothing has ever mattered less.

— — — 

You would never tell him this, never admit to it for fear of stoking the hurt and guilt that had gripped him for years. But, you'd been curating an album on your phone: "Pictures I Will Share, When Sharing Is Possible."

They are easy enough to narrow down for Instagram's limit of 10. Harder to post. The first image, you favorite— a picture of him you'd taken on a hike last fall, which also serves as your phone background— taunts you from its little thumbnail.

The caption, at least, is easy enough: "What, did something happen?"

It is 11:29pm EST. In about 20 minutes, give or take a long monologue, your life will change forever.

You hit send, roll over, and fall asleep with your arm slung low on Pedro's waist.

As it should be.

[from-the-clouds]

Prof Roy ex-student wife anon here❤️

I cannot thank you enough for your service. The time and thought you put into replying to my silly little delulu asks is insane!!! You are amazing!!

I totally agree (again) he’d probably wait with proposing til your masters but I think he’d start being more open and confident as soon as you’re not his student anymore. Before, he couldn’t be as open with his affection in public and I think he is really posessive over you so it’d drive him crazy. I might be unstable but how hot would it be for him to finally be able to express his protective side. Holding hands or his hand on the small of your back at all times. Kisses on the forehead while you wait in line in a coffe shop. Then also wiping the cappuccino foam off your lips with his thumb. Trips to the library together and maybe getting his hands all over you between the secluded old shelves. I could go on for weeks on this.

Ring or no ring yet, he will make sure it’s clear you’re his and his only.

Hope you’re having a good day/night!!

No I love your delulu asks and I especially love the ex-student wife scenario like I always tend to get caught up in the slow-burn, will they, won't they? stage of relationships in my fics but I think there's something special about people who have a deep history and understanding, and I think that's what you'd develop with him overtime!!

And YES he would absolutely be possessive. Like imagine you mention in passing that there's a guy who keeps trying to hit on you during one of your classes, and the next time you go to that class, he's waiting outside after, smoking a cigarette, and when you greet him happily, he makes sure to kiss you deeply right in front of the guy. AND YESSS -- you love going to the library with him because he always has access to some private archive room he can pull you into and have his way with you. Maybe you weren't really a fan of PDA before, but with him you can't help but make an exception.

[barry-j-blupjeans]

if you're ok with doing platonic fluff for the prompts, 13 with Lup & Taako?

13. “Can you stay? Just for tonight, please. I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts.” “‘l’ll stay for as long as you need.”

--

It was drizzling when Lup and Barry arrived at the studio. There was a throng of people around the entrance and Barry had to park next to a news truck because that was the only spot left. Last week, the throng of paparazzi that was desperately trying to crowd around the door had been an ambulance instead. Barry squeezed her hand reassuringly before Lup slipped her hood up and got out of the car. She made a dash towards the entrance.

"-and he's back here today," someone said as she passed.

"Cleared of all charges!"

"I never believed it was him-"

"And that nasty, nasty man who-"

"I couldn't believe-"

"My sister was in the crowd-"

"Is that Lup?" But the door had already been opened just enough for her to slip in and it shut soundly behind her. Lup lifted her hood off to see Susan, already walking down the hall. Lup hurried to keep up.

"Your brother is an idiot," Susan said as Lup fell into step with her.

"I know," Lup said shortly.

"I thought you were keeping him with you?"

"I thought so too," Lup said. She really didn't want to be having this conversation. Especially not with Susan. Susan didn't pick up on the tone.

"I thought you'd still be at court today," she said. "But I suppose-"

"Where's Taako?" Lup interrupted. Susan scoffed, seemingly annoyed. Lup resisted the urge to shove her and find Taako herself.

"Kitchen showroom," she said.

Lup sped up, leaving Susan behind her. She turned a few corners to get there. The door to the showroom was left ajar. Lup slowed, peering inside. Only one of the lights were on, but she could see Taako's outline against the stage. Lup shut the door gently behind her and went to sit.

He hadn't even changed out of his pajamas. Typical.

"Hey dignus," Lup said, plopping down at the edge of the stage next to him. Taako deflated slightly. "What happened to 'of course I'll stay with you and Barry 'til everything calms down'?"

"I just needed some air," Taako said.

"Some air thirty miles from our apartment?" Lup said. "In downtown? Where the air is arguably worse?"

"You know what I mean," Taako said, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah," Lup said. "But you coulda told me. I would have preferred to hear you say where you're going than finding out because Angus decided to watch the news and sent me like, seven hundred texts."

"That snitch," Taako said, not with his usual heat. Lup had to remind herself that unenthusiastic Taako was better than silent Taako, which had to deal with all week. Taako kicked his feet, staring down at the audience section. Lup waited for him to say something else, but he didn't, so she had to instead.

"D'you remember what you said to me when I came to pick you up?" Lup asked. Taako shrugged, playing with a loose thread on his pants. "You said 'Can you stay? Just for tonight, please. I don't wanna be alone with my thoughts.'"

"I'm pretty sure that's not what I said-"

"Shh," Lup said. Taako snorted. "And I said, 'I'll stay as long as you need, buttface.'"

"That's- that's a little more realistic, yeah."

"But I can't stay with you if you keep trying to leave, Taako," Lup said, grabbing his hand. Taako looked away. "I know the situation is shitty but I'm not gonna leave you. Please just- just trust me to help you. If you wanna go somewhere, like here, or I don't know, to the jail or whatever to beat up Sazed, then I'll be there. I'll drive you, I'll beat him up with you. Just don't... don't leave without telling me or Barry. Please."

"I'm not a child, Lup," Taako said.

"No, you're not," Lup said. "So you can be an adult and do this one thing for me, can't you?"

Taako was silent. He let out a deep sigh, shoulders slouching even further.

"You fight nasty, you fucking goober," he said.

"Is that a yes?" Lup asked, squeezing his hand again.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Taako said, which was as close to a yes as she'd ever get. Lup leaned over, wrapping him in a hug. He spluttered but didn't try to shove her off him.

"I care about you," Lup said. "You know that, right?"

"You've only told me eighty times in the past week," Taako said.

"Yeah, well, it's true," Lup said, finally letting him go. "We gotta get going before Barry's car gets mobbed or whatever."

"Well that I've gotta see," Taako said.

[dausy]

oh my, I feel like I've spent a lot of money on myself recently.

I'm trying to work on painting this weekend. I have a long weekend this weekend. So far I'm scheduled to work wed-fri if I don't get a call but I have a dental appointment and hair appointment this week. Theres an interesting breed of drama at work and I think I'm getting too old for this. I just learned I'm literally older than a couple of doctors. I've officially reached that stage of my life where I can be older than doctors. So weird. On the scale of complaints I've had about workplace drama before this has to be some of the most benign complaints I've ever heard and I'm like "do you guys not hear yourselves?". Its just such a non-dangerous issue, that I can't even imagine wanting to complain about it. To me its like a spa day and yall are complaining about some weird stuff. Like come on.

But I keep picking up shifts because its essentially easy money but I'm also dirt tired and cranky. Wearing lead for 8-10 hours a day is also killing my upper back. I don't think permanent OR nursing is in my future. So its affecting my ability to be creative. I'm getting home at 5-6pm and plooping on the couch. I can't draw unless theres lovely sun out.

I still think my spanish is improving despite me getting hit hard with the reality that I don't know what the hell I'm saying often. But I'm still learning new things every day and I'm researching new ways to say things all the time. I think what honestly hurts the most is I keep seeing tiktoks on "white women who did a duolingo lesson once" which is in parts funny, I get it. But also, is me trying to speak with my patients making me fall under this category? am I just another white woman who duolingos? I just want to be effective at my job and communicate where appropriate.

I've also spent a small fortune. I feel like I should do a haul with just stuff I've purchased recently but none of it is art related (sort of). Other than I still have to PPE up at work, my face getting exposure to real air has made me appreciate a little bit of the skin care and make up type luxuries..2 make up items will cost a pretty penny. I got some new make up brushes and got some new things for this ball I have coming up. I just kinda want to look pretty. I'm feeling girly, I want the make up, the cute clothes and shoes etc. But we're just buying make up so far right now.

I also got 2 new work out shirts and a sports bra. I've gotten a wittle chunky this past year and my shirts are riding up. I'ma maybe use those extra calories for some hopeful gym gains. Hopefully I can rev up the gym-going when my husband gets deployed.

shoes, I got some new shoes for work and a new phone case. We also went on a really fancy date night that long ago and me not having a purse was kind of a nuisance so I got a new purse (or two). We have a lot of day trips coming up as my husband is trying to maximize family time before he's gone for the next year. I kinda want to look cute maybe so one of the purses is like a day trip bag.

anyway, I still want to order a couple of things but itll need to wait til the next paycheck.

[countrymusiclover]

22 - More Than One Favorite

Everything Changed At 21

Part 23

Tag list @abaker74 @bvbwestfall

One month later

Luke and Carter get a few weeks off from the tour schedule. So tonight they were planning on suprising us with something. Twirling in a light red dress and some brown boots with Chloe wearing a blue dress that she was worried about fitting into with her growing belly. Luke drove us to a stadium but refused to tell us who we were going to see tonight. Slipping the backstage pass I try looking at it but Luke hands me a beer before I could read it. "Luke, are you going to tell us who's concert we are at yet?" I asked seeing him smiling down at me. Since we've been dating this is one of the rare times we could go to a concert together. Normally he was the one preforming. "Stop worrying. You're going to love this suprise...I checked your music Playlist on your phone." He mumbled under his breath messing with his ball cap. "I'm sorry you did what-" I cut myself off when Chloe grabbed my arm squealing as the music started playing and I felt my heart skip a beat seeing Blake Shelton walking out on stage.

"Don't bother telling me what I got coming in the morning. I already know. I got some feelgood pills and a red Gatorade by my bed. Ready to go. I'm gonna do my best to dance with every girl in this bar. Before they shut it down. Then I'll pay my tab, climb in a cab. Headin' to a spot downtown. It's all about tonight. Good times, and the music and laughing. And grooving to the band. Everybody's getting right. No worries, we're rocking. All kinds of concoctions in our hands. Yeah, tomorrow can wait 'til tomorrow." Blake played his guitar dancing across the stage with the crowd going crazy, including Chloe and I. "It's all about tonight. Hey pretty thing, I've been looking at you. Since the moment that you walked in. I got some wild-ass buddies that love spending money. And I see you brought a couple of friends. Just tell me your name. I don't need your number or a date next Saturday. Baby, let's act like fools, break a few rules. Party the night away. It's all about tonight." Carter and Chloe dance with their hands up in the air screaming.

"You got us tickets to Blake Shelton!" I squealed jumping up and down in my boots. Luke held out his hands for me sitting our beers on the floor. Putting my hands in his he twirled me around in circles enjoying the smile on my face. Luke is my favorite country singer but he's not the only one. "You are officially the best fiancé ever. There's nothing that could make this suprise better!" Chloe and I looped arms spinning the other around until Luke held up the backstage pass around my neck smirking. "What if I told you I am best friends with him and I payed extra so you can meet him. Both of you." Chloe stopped dancing around punching him in the arm. "I could kiss you Luther if I wasn't with Carter." Carter grabbed her shoulder giving me a nod in agreement to her statement taking a drink of his beer. Leaning into Luke's chest he started singing in my ear mirroring my smile. "God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt. And for when I think I lost my way. There are no words here left to say, it's true. God gave me you."

Wrapping my arms around his neck I leaned up on my toes giving him a kiss singing alongside him. "Half of what I could be. I can't do without you. We are stitched together. And what love has tethered. I pray we never undo. 'Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt. God gave me you for the ups and downs." Blake waved to the crowd ending the concert till Luke tugs my arm. Chloe and Carter followed the two of us down some stairs until we entered the backstage doors. "Y/n, do you realize we're about to meet Blake. I'm gonna die!" Chloe screamed waving her phone that was recording around in the air. Throwing my head back I sighed hearing some set of security entering the room about to kick us out until Luke threw up his badge. "It's alright. We've got clearance. He's my friend."

"There's my brother. How have you been man!" Blake throws his arms around my boyfriend's neck pating him on the back. Luke chuckled wrapping his arms around his friend. "I've been good man. Hey there's some people I want you to meet..." The boys turned facing the three of us. Without noticing it I started playing with my hair as a nervous habit until Chloe grabbed my arm for support. Carter shakes hands with Blake so they had a normal introduction. "And this is my girlfriend, Y/n. Well actually I meant to say fiancée." Luke wrapped an arm around my waist grinning down at me. He rests his other hand on my best friends shoulder. "This is her best friend Chloe. Oh and she will want to take a bunch of pictures with you and her just a heads up." Chloe actually blushed at his words while the rest of us chuckled. Blake clapped his hands together grinning at me. "It's good to meet you both. How about we all go out for drinks I just have to grab my wife then we can go." Another door opened behind is where I spun around on my feet recognizing a blonde woman. "Miranda Lambert!" Chloe squealed with me almost passing out in Luke's arms.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[shina913]

Gradation, Part 7 | JJK

Gradation, Part 7

gra·​da·​tion | \ grā-ˈdā-shən , grə- \

Definition: 1a: a series forming successive stages 1b: a step or place in an ordered scale 2: an advance by regular degrees 3: a gradual passing from one tint or shade to another –Source: Merriam-Webster

✮ ✮ ✮ Gradation Masterlist ✮ ✮ ✮

Pairing: JJK x Fem!reader; KSJ x Fem!reader

Rating: M (🔞); NSFW

Genre: BF2L; slow burn; fluff; angst; smut

Word count: 8.5K+ words

Warnings: Strong sexual language; explicit sexual conversations; excessive cussing; oral (F-receiving); protected sex; riding (implied aftermath); fluff; some domestic couple shit; angst; psychotherapy session; some alcohol consumption; lots of crying; a surprise return

Summary: On your wedding day, your fiancé leaves you at the altar. While reeling from the embarrassment and heartbreak, your best friend, Jungkook, wants to do everything that he can to help you heal.

A/N: This might be my last update for the year--unless I somehow can't control myself and keep writing Part 8 😅 Somehow, my every waking moment has been filled with YN and JK. 🥰

Please let me know what you think or feel free to send questions 📩

In any case, I hope that everyone has a fun and safe holiday!

Thank you for all the love you’ve shown Gradation!

A week after your birthday, you scheduled a final meet-up with Lisa. She was leaving in a few days and you wanted to get together before she flew back to the other side of the world.

During her stay, you managed to meet up a few times. It was like picking up where you left off. You both promised to stay in touch this time–and that meant more than just a ‘like’ or random comment online.

“Tell Jin to fly you there for a few days! I’ll take you to Nice or anywhere in the South of France and we can just chill by the water.“

You chuckled. “I wish I could, but it doesn’t work that way, Lisa.”

“What do you mean? He’s got a private jet, tons of disposable income and lots of time in his hands.”

“Actually–not a lot of time in his hands. He has a growing business–”

She immediately cuts you off. “Babe, I’m sure that he can hire people to take care of all that so that he can fly you to wherever he wants, whenever—and all you have to do is wait there, splayed and ready for him,” she giggled.

You chuckled at her remark and shook your head. “Girl! Paris has created a monster!”

She feigns shock. “YN, how dare you!” Then she quickly laughed. “It’s like a dick ATM there, honestly. You could orgasm just from the dirty talk.”

You both guffawed.

“No, but seriously! I’m enjoying my time being unattached. Sometimes a woman just has to experience other things, you know?”

You tilted your head and softened your expression.

“Don’t get me wrong. I loved my time with Jungkookie. But things just weren’t meant to be for us.”

“I’m not judging. You’re not stepping on any toes, not hurting anybody. Do you, babe,” you said, raising your glass to her.

She smiled back at you and sighed. “He seems to be doing well in his career though.”

“Yeah. He’s definitely moving up, that’s for sure. His company is making sure that he’s locked in for the next decade. He was always ambitious and very capable,” you said, complimenting your friend.

“And you couldn’t find a better person to help you get through that ordeal with that asswipe,” Lisa said, sipping on her cocktail.

You groaned. “Yeah…he was—extremely patient with me. He helped me out a lot.”

You took another sip of your drink.

“I’m sure he did in more ways than one,” she said with a hint of teasing.

You nearly choke on your drink.

As you clear your throat, her jaw drops, eyes widen and she slams her palm on the table.

“Well, fuck me!” She shrieks and throws her head back in shock.

“Lis…” You said as your ears betrayed you.

“Honey—don’t worry, you’re in a safe space! And I am not one to judge! I’ll be gone in a few days and probably won’t come back til the holidays, if I ever do. And c’mon—it’s been enough time between one vag and the next, okay? It’s not anything weird to me,” she sniggered.

“Oh my god…” you say embarrassingly enough. “How can you tell?”

She gives you a deadpan look. “Trust me, I know. Plus, with him? He’s like a fine wine. That dick can only get better with time.”

You took another gulp of your drink.

“Oh my god, it did! Fuck!” Damn, she thought–omitting the events that occurred in her hotel the other night.

“To be fair, I have no point of comparison so…”

“Well, to be honest, it was just a wild guess but you pretty much confirmed it,” she giggled.

“Geez, Lisa…” you said, even more embarrassed.

“Anyway–Damn, girl! Whatever happened to, ‘Gag, there’s no way we’re ever going to see each other naked’?”

You shrugged. “I don’t know. I just…I kissed him and it went further from there.”

“What? You made the first move,” she asked incredulously.

“Well—I was feeling really emotional that day and something just came over me.”

“Huh! Wow,” she said, leaning back on her chair and folding her arms across her chest.

“I can’t get over how weird this. I’m talking about how I used to have sex with your ex.”

She shrugged nonchalantly. “‘Ex,’ being the operative word. Meaning–we’ve been done.”

“Right, but you and I are also friends.”

She shrugged again. “And? Nothing’s changed between us in the last few minutes. Right now, we’re just two girlfriends, sizing up dicks.”

You snorted, triggering another round of laughs from both of you.

“So how long,” she asked, leaning her elbows on the table.

You gave her a look.

She rolled her eyes playfully. “Bitch, I know how long it is! I meant, how long did you two sleep together? And don’t give me that bull saying it was just a one-time thing.”

“Uhm…like a month?”

“Wow!” She said, still trying to process everything. “So, what’s changed? Why are you with Jin?”

You scrunch your face. “Lis, we’re best friends. We grew up together. I love our relationship and don't want to ruin our friendship. When we got into it, we had established some rules because of that.”

“Rules?”

“Yeah, just boundaries. One of them was that if we started seeing other people, that would be the time to stop.”

“And Jungkook was okay with that?”

“He hasn’t told me otherwise. Why? Has he said anything to you,” you asked worriedly.

She shook her head. “No.”

It was true that he hadn’t actually said anything to Lisa but he didn’t have to.

“Anyway, things with Jin are going well. We have some travel coming up. He’s getting called into all of these meetings so it’s an exciting time for him. The new project is very close to his heart and he wants it to go global. Jungkookie did a monster job promoting it.”

“Mm-hmm. That’s Jungkookie—always excels at everything.”

“Yeah.”

You sat in silence for a beat.

“God, I wish I could stay a little longer. I’m going to miss you so much, YN.”

“Same, Lis. Kinda sad I can’t talk to anyone else about how awesome period underwear is anymore,” you chuckled lightly.

“Well, you know you can call or message me anytime you figure out how to work the Diva cup.”

You laughed. “I still do not get it but I'm not completely writing it off.”

You loved your boys, you truly did. But talking to Lisa again made you yearn for a girlfriend dynamic. You’d never trade the guys for anything in the world. You stuck together through thick and thin. However, you couldn’t deny that the guys would rather down battery acid than discuss period panties or dick assessments.

Just then, Lisa’s phone rings.

“Sorry, I have to take this real quick.”

Lisa’s tone of voice suddenly softens as she answers her phone. “Hey. Uh huh. Yeah, I’m just out to dinner with a good friend.” She glanced at you and smiled.

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow night. I’ll text you later. Okay, bye,” she finished, smiling into the phone sweetly then hung up.

Your eyebrow quirked. “Squeezing in a hot date?”

“Somewhat,” she says coyly while setting her phone down on the table.

You lean in, resting your elbows on the table and cradling your chin with your fingers. “Spill!”

She chuckles lightly. “Uhm, I’ve been trying to pull some moves on this guy since we met in Paris. He’s definitely a tough one to crack,” she said, fidgeting with her necklace.

You teased her. “Really? You?”

She scoffs and drops her jaw. “A girl struggles every now and then, okay?”

You both giggled.

“And he’s from here?”

She nodded, reaching for her drink and taking a sip.

“And how in the world did he manage to resist you this whole time?”

She threw her hands up. “Something about conflicts of interest or whatever. I said that we don’t even work together! At least, not directly. Not really. Anyway, he finally agreed to see me tomorrow night. We’ve been doing this dance for way too long, in my opinion!”

“Whatever happened to a woman needing to experience things?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m still on that train. But—” she sighed dreamily, “Something about Joon just makes me crave a relationship again,” she said as she twirled the ends of her hair with her fingertips.

“Joon?” You paused to think then gasped. “You mean ‘curator dimples’? Namjoon?”

“Shhh…keep your voice down,” she giggled.

“Now you tell me to keep my voice down after you just talked about dicks getting better with time,” you said poking fun at her earlier comment.

You both giggled. “I know, I know,” she said, sounding resigned.

“But you’re leaving soon. How would this work?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just focused on the present and we’ll go from there. Also, I just really want to find out what’s under those khakis.”

You chuckled.

“Honestly though, he’s not just handsome but he’s insanely smart—which I thought was really attractive. He can rail me with that brain of his as much as he wants and I’d still get off.”

You leaned back into your chair. “Wow! Sounds like you got it bad for this one.”

“I know, right,” she groaned. “Listen to me, simping over a guy,” she twisted her pursed lips while she rested her chin on her palm.

“A guy? Lis, that is a whole man.”

“Right?!”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll blow his mind,” you said picking up your glass, preparing to take another sip of your drink.

“Oh, trust me—the first chance I get, I’m not just blowing that!” She said as she touched her tongue to her cheek.

You both fell in absolute stitches. You wished so badly that she would stay. For now, this will have to do.

******

Later that night, you begged Jin to come over.

He was due to get pulled away for a two-day meeting beginning tomorrow, mostly entertaining international investors locally and preparing for the program launch. You felt a little bad luring your own boyfriend for a booty call knowing he had an early day the next day but the whole afternoon with Lisa just made you feel all hot and bothered. You craved for your man and he was all too happy to oblige.

It was only natural to compare, you thought as you laid in bed an hour after a dual post-orgasm high. There was a softness and tenderness to Jin. And while that was great and it still brought you to your climax, there was something deeper when you were with Jungkook…primal and instinctive. It was just different with him. Was it because he knew you longer and better than Jin?

But you loved Jin.

You also loved Jungkook…and there was a distinction.

Jin stirs next to you and rolls over to put his arm around you. You turn to face him and he absentmindedly kisses your forehead. Your recent thoughts slowly faded with the sound of him sighing into your hair.

“Mel, can you please finalize my itinerary? I want to make sure that I have enough time in between trips to recover. At least half a day to adjust or something because I have some meetings that go on for eight hours straight.”

“Yes, sunbaenim. Do you need anything else? Did you change your mind about the rental car?”

He thought about it for a second then decided that it could be a good idea. “Actually—get me the rental car for two of the longest trips. The others are short enough where I can just call a cab or rideshare. No big deal.”

“Okay, got it! Uhm—by the way, can you tell Jimin-ssi that I said hi?” She asked coyly.

He smiled a little awkwardly. “Sure.”

She grinned. “Thanks. I’ll send all the confirmation to you via email.”

“That would be great. Thanks, Melanie.”

She gives him a quick bow then walks back to her desk.

He shoots a quick text to Jimin telling him not to leave his best assistant hanging or he will make him pay for it.

After he hits ‘send,’ a text from Lisa comes in.

[Lisa] 10:50AM: Boarding soon. See you next time, Kookie!

He chuckled softly. He offered to drive Lisa to the airport today to be nice and to try and make up for what happened a few days ago but she turned it down saying that a friend was taking her instead.

He texted her back wishing her a safe flight and to not be a stranger in case she was back in the area.

She signed off by reminding him not to get cockblocked again.

He laughed and shook his head.

A few minutes pass and his cellphone rings.

“What’s up, jetsetter,” he picked up.

“Shut up,” you said.

He leans back into his chair, reclining it a little. “Where are you reporting from this time?”

You giggled. “I’m in Seattle, currently.”

“Ahh, nice.”

“Yeah. Jin is in a meeting with a certain philanthropist whose name is synonymous with a barrier of some sort.”

He laughed. “Wow! Top dog, huh?”

You hummed.

“Well, tell me where all the good places to eat are because I’m going there soon, too.”

“Really? When,” you asked as you browsed through the hotel room closet in your bra, looking for a top to go with your jeans. You were getting ready to go out to lunch with Jin. It wasn’t that warm nor was it too cold out either.

“Like in a month. Then a few more places after that. Need to go where the clients are sometimes, you know?”

“I hear ya.”

“Have you been able to work out there?”

“Yeah. I spent some time at the office and did a couple of video meetings. Fun stuff,” you said, exiting the bedroom and deciding to look through your suitcase.

“Nice. Your convention is coming up, huh?”

“Yep. Things are ramping up. We’re nearing the end of our timeline so, I’m trying to make sure that there’s no hiccups so that everything’s nice, finalized, and publicly released by the time the convention rolls around. Give people time to digest it.”

“That’s exciting. I’m really proud of you, bub! You put a lot of work into that.”

“I did. And I’m tired as fuck already but I know that this is just the beginning,” you laughed.

“Ah, you deserve all of the success. Don’t let anybody tell you differently,” he says, glancing at a photo of you and him taken from your preschool moving up ceremony, sitting at his desk. Both of you smiling broadly at the camera, with your arms around each other’s shoulders. The year before, he didn’t think he’d be able to smile like that again.

“Thanks, Jungkookie.”

“When do you get in,” he asks, slightly turning his chair to the window.

You stretched your arms and the kink in your neck. “Wednesday night, then I’m going into the office for my check-in with Yoongi. Since the convention is getting close, he wants to keep tabs on all of the final activities.”

“Totally get it. You think you’ll be up for a movie on Saturday?”

“Yeah, that would be nice.”

“Will Jin-hyung mind,” he asked cautiously.

“Nah. And he won’t be back til Sunday anyway,” you said, pausing your search for a top and sitting back down on the couch instead.

“Alright. Just making sure.”

You leaned back on the couch. “I know at some point he was hoping that we could all hang out. He’s got a cabin up in Lake Tahoe and another in Aspen. It’s just a bit challenging to nail down a date but hopefully once the Tokyo deal comes through, it would be much easier to plan vacations.”

“That sounds nice,” he said, turning his attention to his computer monitor.

“Would you be okay with that?”

He clicked once to snooze a pop-up meeting reminder. “Any chance to hit the slopes, I’m in.”

Just then, Jin walks through the door.

“Gotta go, Kook. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Alright. Love you.”

“Ditto, bye.”

“Hey.” Jin says as he settles on the couch next to you.

“How was your meeting?”

“Ah, getting closer,” he rubbed his eyes.

“That’s good, right?”

“Yeah. I just wish they’d make up their minds about all the fine print. It’s getting exhausting,” he sighed deeply.

“All in good time, right?”

“Yep,” he nodded. “Can I ask you something?”

You turned your body to him. “Sure, what’s up?”

“How come you and Jungkook always say ‘ditto’ when you sign off on the phone?”

Your brows quirk. “Oh, uhm—nobody’s ever really asked me that.”

“You don’t have to answer, I was just curious.”

You shook your head. “No, it’s fine. Uhm, it was just a system that we came up with from when we were in middle school. We had grown up together and got used to telling the other that we loved them. As we got slightly older, we got teased for it.

And it wasn’t even like that between us but to people on the outside, it wasn’t really acceptable– especially between a boy and a girl who weren’t related–to say it to each other. It was freaking middle school! Anyway, we had heard two of our teachers say it to each other—they were actually together but didn’t want anybody at school to know. So whenever they’d see each other in the hallway, they’d both just say ‘ditto.’ We didn’t know what it meant at first so we looked it up.

When we found out, we decided to make it into our little code–a sort of shorthand, if you will. We still actually said that we loved each other over the phone because it was just us and but somehow it kind of evolved into a combination of both. So, whoever said ‘love you’ first, the second always answered with ‘ditto.’”

He nodded. “Interesting.”

“Is that a problem?”

He shook his head. “How come you never ‘ditto’ me?”

“Because I love you—fully. I don’t need a shorthand for it.”

He grins widely at you.

“C’mere. I’ve missed you all day.”

He pulls you in for a deep kiss, his hands traveled down to your hips until he reached your ass to squeeze it. The direct skin on skin contact, taking you by surprise. It just dawned on you that you had been sitting there the whole time in your bra and jeans.

“Wait, I thought we were heading out for an early lunch” you asked, as you pulled away.

“Not when you look like this. I’ll just get room service.”

You yawned while you poured some wine for yourself. It’s been quite a month with lots of back to back travel and late nights trying to catch up on work

“Can you top me off, too?” Hobi asked, sliding his glass next to yours.

“Sure,” as you proceeded to pour a bit more wine into his glass.

He gave you a once-over. “You look like hell,” he said frankly.

“Thanks, oppa. That’s what happens when you just get off a cross-country red-eye,” you snarked.

“Geez. Why didn’t you just sleep all day? You could have skipped dinner this week.”

You sighed. “I know, but dad wouldn’t let me hear the end of it.”

Hobi laughed. “No, he wouldn’t.”

“Geonbae,” you held up your glass.

“Geonbae,” he said in return, mimicking you.

He swirls his wine around his glass. “So…how long are you going to keep doing this?”

“Doing what?”

He gestures at you. “This—living in hotels and racking up air miles. Uprooting your life.”

“No, I’m not. I’m basically visiting other satellite offices and working out of there. Then I fly back for my team check-ins and meeting with Yoongi.”

You rubbed your eyes, trying to stifle another yawn.

Pausing before he took a sip, he looks up at you from his glass. “Right, but at what price?”

You sighed. “Oppa, I want to be with him. And right now, I can make it work until his project takes off and he can let his people take the reins. It’s only temporary.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, YN. I love you and I’m only trying to be a big brother here. If there’s anything I’ve taken to heart after being in this business for years? It’s to know when to walk away when it feels like you’re on the losing end of the deal. Don’t ever feel like you have to stay in it just because you’ve put in so much. You have to leave some for yourself, too, okay?”

You nodded and he leaned in to kiss your temple.

“Okay, now tell me where you got this wine because I’m about to order an entire case and maybe share some with Stella,” he asked picking up the bottle and reading the label.

You give him a look.

He looks back at you and furrows his brows. “What? You’re not the only one getting any action in this family.”

“Action? What action,” your mom asks, mid-conversation.

“Shang-Chi, eomma! Have you seen it? We should watch it after dinner,” Hobi played off.

“Aish, Hoseok. You know your appa would fall asleep within five minutes of the opening credits.”

“We can still put it on. Your favorite, Tony Leung is in it!”

“Ah! In The Mood for Love? Okay, I’ll watch it,” she says excitedly.

Speaking of being in the mood for love, your phone starts to ring. It was Jin.

“Hey. Are you on your way over?”

“Sorry, YN. I’m just stuck on this call.”

Your face falters. “Really? But it’s Sunday!” You tried to mask the whining tone of your voice but failed miserably.

“I know but it’s Monday morning in Tokyo. It was the only timeslot that they could fit me in this week. I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you and your parents next time, okay,” he says apologetically.

“You better!”

“I promise. I’ll see you later. I love you,” he signs off.

“Love you too.” You frowned, staring at your phone screen.

“What’s wrong?” Hobi asked.

“Jin’s stuck in a meeting. It’s an international call so—he’s trying to work around their schedule,” you said sullenly.

“That’s too bad, sweetie. At least we’ll have some extra roast that you can bring home,” your mom pipes up.

“Did I hear ‘extra roast’?” Jungkook’s voice booms as he walks through the kitchen.

“Look who’s here,” you dad said, walking right behind him.

You smile brightly as Jungkook comes into view, your sulking–all but forgotten.

“Sweetheart, you made it,” your mom said as she greets him with a hug.

“Hi, Auntie. My mom sends her regrets. Her arthritis was acting up but I brought some wine and some beer for uncle,” he said, raising the six-pack case.

“Only one, darling! You know what the doctor said.” Your mom cautioned your dad.

Your dad gently waves her off while he gives Jungkook a wink as he cracks open a bottle. He knew that Jungkook wasn’t just bringing any beer. It was a small-batch brew not too far up from your area that people lined up at midnight whenever they had limited release dates.

“Hey, stranger,” Hobi greets Jungkook.

“Hyung,” Jungkook acknowledges Hobi with a small nod.

“Glad you could join us. Been a while!”

“Yeah–it has,” he says, glancing at you.

“Hey. I didn’t know you were coming.” You approached him and gave him a hug.

He squinted his eyes and pursed his lips at that. “I thought I had an open invitation. Besides, I called your mom yesterday to let her know.”

You quickly corrected your previous tone. “No, I didn’t mean—of course. I’m glad you’re here.”

Your mood was instantly lifted.

“Sorry for flaking last time. I got a call at the last second.” He apologized for not making it to your scheduled hangout last time.

“Don’t worry about it, Kook. It’s not like we won’t get a chance to hang out ever again. You’re here now, so…”

He smiled at you then began to search the room. “Where’s Jin-hyung?“

“Oh, uhm–he called to say that he couldn’t make it. He got wrapped up in a meeting with partners abroad,” you said ruefully.

He nods, regretfully. “Sorry to hear that, bub. That sucks.”

“Jungkookie, can you help me bring some of the food out to the dining room,” your mom asked.

“Of course, auntie. Just tell me what else you need help with,” he says picking up the dish that your mom just set on the counter.

******

After dinner, Hobi starts to stream the movie that he mentioned to your mom earlier that evening and proceeds to question one of the action-packed scenes. “That’s not even in the same spot–like, they started on the other side of the city then ended up in a completely opposite direction.”

“Oppa, I’m sure mom knows that. Just let her enjoy the show without your commentary,” you said as you and Jungkook chuckled next to each other on the couch.

As expected, your dad is asleep, snoring on the recliner while he holds his second empty bottle of beer–and passed it off to your mom as his first.

“Eomma, Tony Leung comes back soon–just be patient,” you assured her.

Your phone vibrates with a text from Jin.

[Jinnie] 8:45PM: Sorry. Just finished. I’m a little tired though from the flight. Raincheck tomorrow?

You sigh after you read his message and text him back as Jungkook gives you a quick side-glance.

[YN] 8:47PM: It’s okay. Go get some rest. Love you!

You lock your phone back up, turn your attention back to the TV and sip on your coffee. You and Hobi ended up finishing two bottles of wine at dinner but you called it quits before the movie started since you hadn’t planned on sleeping over at your parents’ house.

“Everything okay?” Jungkook asked you softly.

You exhaled deeply. “Yeah. I don’t want to talk about it though,” you said in an equally low, dismissive tone.

He nodded as you turned your attention back to the screen.

By the end of the movie, your mom was distraught at the fate of her favorite actor, blaming Hobi as to why he didn’t warn her beforehand. Your dad, finally waking up after the end credits scene, remarked that it seemed like a great movie.

You decided at the last second to sleep at your parents since you were still a bit buzzed. With Jin no longer coming over to your place, there was no rush.

Jungkook, on the other hand, had an early morning meeting the next day. He had one beer the whole night and sobered up in a few hours’ time.

“You can sleep over, too if you wanted,” you teased as you walked him to his parking spot across the street from your parents’ house.

He chuckled. “And where would I sleep?” He asked as you both leaned on the hood of his car, side by side.

“On an air mattress, on my bedroom floor. Like old times,” you giggled. You’re not exactly sure what prompted this invitation. You thought that two cups of coffee would have tapered the alcohol off a bit.

He laughed. “Man…I remember Hobi and your dad kept coming by to check on us.”

“Fun times,” you said, nostalgically.

He sighed then lowered his voice. “Yeah. I don’t think Jin-hyung would appreciate me sleeping on your childhood bedroom floor, though,” then turned to face you.

You turned to face him in return. “No. He wouldn’t.”

You stared at each other in silence for a few seconds. The electricity was palpable.

He licked his lower lip. “I have to go,” he whispers.

“Yes, you do,” you said in return, biting the inside of your cheek.

“YN! Eomma wants to watch ‘In The Mood for Love’ to cheer herself up. What’s your HBO streaming login,” Hobi yells out from the front door walkway.

You chuckled lightly, shook your head and turned back to Hobi. “I’ll be right there, oppa. Just saying goodbye.”

“Okay, she said to hurry up,” walking back to the house. “As if there wasn’t enough pining and angst out here already,” he muttered under his breath.

You straightened up and Jungkook did the same, retrieving his car keys.

“I’ll text you when I get home,” he says with a smirk, opening the driver’s side door.

You nodded. “Drive safe. Love you.”

“Ditto,” he says with a wink.

You shook your head as he turned the engine on. You give him a small wave as he pulls out of the spot and waited to walk back to the house until you saw his tail lights turn the corner at the end of the block.

The following week, Jin had just flown in from being away for two weeks. The last two months have been a whirlwind–fitting in flights, work, endless meetings, and video calls on your end and his.

His project had finally launched with a huge event that culminated months of hard work and you were there to witness it. Scores of people watching the stock markets—their investments and hard work starting to pay off.

He felt bad making you feel neglected in the last few weeks but you understood. His hard work, finally out there publicly and more people are taking interest, wanting a piece of the pie.

When he finally got home after a two-week absence, you went to go see him at his house. He wanted a small celebration with just the two of you.

You didn’t get to fly out during this trip because the final data analysis from your initiative was scheduled to come in and you had to be present in real time to run quality control and sign off on everything.

He completely understood since your convention was just around the corner and he knew that this was a big deal for you and your company.

With the domestic launch of his project proving successful, he said that he finally didn’t have to closely monitor it. He could hang back and let his people steer the ship and spend more time with you.

“Are you sure you don’t want to rest? You just flew in an hour ago!”

“I couldn’t wait a minute longer without you. Those two weeks were torture,” he groaned as he pulled you in for a hug.

“I missed you so much,” he said, murmuring into your hair.

“Yes, but it’s all worth it, right? All the heavy lifting is done?”

“Exactly! I’ll call Young Soo in the morning so that he can talk to the financers. This way, I don’t need to be as hands-on for the Tokyo effort.”

Park Young Soo was Jin’s right hand. He managed all of his finances and was his mentor in addition to his father. Young Sou pushed for the global market launch. He saw the potential in Jin’s program and how it would benefit from a wider audience.

“It means…we’ll have more time together. We can go on that vacation that we wanted and do absolutely nothing!”

“I would love that,” you said as you gave him a quick peck.

“Well, not absolutely nothing. I’d be buried between your legs the whole time, of course.”

“Is that so,” you asked with an eyebrow raised.

“Yeah. If you want, I can give you a preview of what you can expect right now,” he suggested as he points his thumbs towards the stairs leading up to his bedroom.

“Well, if this lingerie that I’m wearing underneath this dress is any indication of what I expect from you, then you’ve got a deal.”

Your teasing elicits a groan from him so he lifts you off the floor to carry you to his bedroom.

******

You wake up the next morning and find that Jin’s side of the bed is empty.

Getting up, you pick up his dress shirt from last night off the floor, put it on and pad over to the stairs leading down to the living room. He wasn’t usually an early riser but with all of the travel he’s been doing, you figured his body clock was out of sorts.

You hear some distant murmuring as you make your way down the hallway. Sometimes, Jin has a housekeeper or gardener come by to handle some basic house maintenance. As you approach the landing to look down on the main living room, you are taken by surprise to see a bunch of his office staff on their phones, laptops, and tablets, milling around downstairs, already in deep work-mode. You tried to find Jin but he was nowhere in sight.

You couldn’t very well walk down the stairs either to look around the kitchen or his office below dressed like this. Just then, a staff member looks up from their tablet and spots you by the stairs. Embarrassed, you quickly run back into the room.

Once you were in the room, you sent him a quick text asking him to come up when he could while you got yourself dressed. You decided to head home instead since it was awkward to hang around while he had a roster of staff in his house.

A few minutes later and quick brushing of your hair to pull it up in a bun, he walks in bringing you some caffeine.

“Hey, where are you going,” he asked as you slipped on your dress from last night.

“Home,” you answered while you pulled up the side zipper.

He knitted his brows in confusion. “What? No. Stay, please?”

“Jinnie—you have staff working here. I’m just going to be a distraction,” you said as you retrieved your shoes.

“A really hot distraction though.”

You chuckled. “You’re cute but that won’t make me stay.”

“I’m sorry, YN. Young Soo called early this morning and said that we have enough leverage needed for the Tokyo push.”

You take the cup from him and sip on the espresso.

You hum in appreciation as you feel the caffeine slowly making its way into your bloodstream. “Thank you. No need to apologize. You know, I wish you could have told me or else I wouldn’t have walked out there in my underwear,” you said, setting down the cup over the dresser.

He laughed. “I’m sorry…it won’t happen again. Besides, those legs are killer.”

You gave him a small smile. “Right, but they’re for your eyes only.”

“I know, I know,” he chuckled lightly.

“Listen, I’m going to head out,” you said as you approached him.

He instantly wraps his hands around your waist. “Is there anything I can do to convince you to stay? Please?”

You cup his cheeks. “Jinnie, I can’t. You have people over. I can’t just hang around in your bedroom, waiting spread-eagled while you conquer the tech world.”

“Now that’s an intriguing idea,” he said as his eyebrows quirked slyly.

You give him a deadpan look.

He grinned. “I’m only joking. When I’m done, I promise I’ll come over to your place tonight, okay?”

“Okay,” you said, resting your palms on his chest.

“Are you good driving back?”

“I drove here last night, didn’t I?”

“Just checking.” He pulls you in for a kiss and you deepen it, pulling his neck in, urging him closer.

He pulls back, breathlessly and groans. “As much as I want a repeat of last night–”

You pouted playfully. “I know. I’ll see myself out,” you smiled, pinching his cheek.

“Are you sure?”

You nodded. “I love you. And see you later?”

“Yes. I love you, too, beautiful.”

******

Jin came by much later than expected that evening.

“You know, you can only pacify me so much with orgasms,” you teased while you still straddled him.

“A man can try,” he said panting with his forehead pressed against yours.

“I’m only teasing,” you said, giving him a quick peck on the lips and gingerly lifting yourself off him, and retrieving your clothing off the floor.

Earlier, as he walked through your door, he grabbed you by the waist, kissing you aggressively while he backed you up against the couch, pulling off whatever bottoms you had. He spread your legs, tongued your slit until your first orgasm took you by surprise.

He was still fully clothed when you straddled him next. He slid your top just right above your breasts to suck on them while you rode him vigorously to another spine-tingling orgasm while he emptied himself inside of you.

After you readjust your top and pull your bottoms back on, he carefully slips the condom off himself and walks to your bathroom to dispose of it. While he gets cleaned up, you walk to the kitchen and look in the fridge for anything to cook.

As he steps out, you ask him if he was hungry for anything.

“I can just order something over the delivery app?”

“Okay, sounds good.”

“Anything specific you’re craving for,” he asked, already scrolling through the restaurant options.

“Not really. Surprise me.”

“Alright,” he said as he proceeds to place an order.

You spend the rest of the evening just sitting and watching TV, talking about nothing in particular. It was a rare quiet night–you were home, not in a hotel, or a different city.

You looked forward to more nights like this and Jin promised that this will all be over soon and it will be worth the wait.

You and Jungkook finally found the time to hang out at his place after you’ve both successfully blocked your weekend from any overtime or other work calls.

“I can’t wait til this project is done. My stress level is through the roof. Thank goodness I’m on some medication to manage that,” you said as you flipped the pork belly on the tabletop grill.

“That makes two of us. But I rely on my video games to ease some of that tension…and other methods,” he says, wiggling his brows.

“Did not need to get that specific, but I get it,” you said sarcastically.

He chuckled. It felt good being able to joke around with each other again.

“How can you keep up? The budget, the task delegation, keeping the client happy, and eating meals in-between,” you asked while he pushed a plate of pa kimchi towards you.

He laughs. “You just do. Once you get the hang of delegation, it’s going to go much smoother. You have a project manager, right?”

“Yeah,” you said as you took a bite.

“Then use them as your deputy! You don’t have to make calls on everything—just handle the top-level shit. If you start worrying about all of the inner-workings, you’ll burn out and you’ll never get anything done.”

“I know. Yoongi said that many times.”

“It’s good advice,” he said as he picks up a couple of pieces of grilled pork and puts it on his plate.

“I just don’t want to fail,” you said, slumping your shoulders.

“You won’t. Sounds to me like you have a good team anyway. Let them step up and shine. Yoongi did the same to you.”

You sighed. “You’re right. I really have to let go of some of my control issues. I still have to finalize the final presentation for the convention,” you said, while taking a few pieces of pork off the grill.

“You’ll do great, bub. I’m sure of it! I wish I could be there,” he says while taking a bite.

“Yeah, it would be nice.”

“Yeah. Too bad I have to be in Houston then. Why do we have to grow up?”

“It fucking sucks. I wished we had just stayed in that playground.”

He giggled. “With your bowl cut bangs?”

“Whatever, dude. You had hat-hair all the time since you never took that helmet off. Oh, wait no—that was your actual hair!”

He narrowed his eyes at you. “No, you fucking didn’t…”

You scowled back. “You come for my bangs, I’ll fight back.”

You burst in a fit of laughs.

As he caught his breath, he smiled warmly.

“I miss this.”

You nodded softly. “Yeah, me too.”

You stare at each other for a beat, the sound of sizzling meat filling the room. You decide to switch gears to avoid bringing up that tension from your parents’ house not so long ago.

You cleared your throat. “So, did you and Lisa ever hook up?”

Jungkook’s eyes quirk up nearly choking on his beer. “Uh, ‘hook up’?”

Distracted with the grill, you asked him again. “Did you two ever hang out while she was here?”

“Uh, yeah. We had drinks and lunch but I had a lot of work so couldn’t find a lot of time to fit in, you know,” he babbled.

“Understandable. We hung out a few times. Man, she’s a wild one! How did you ever keep up?”

Jungkook grimaced. “Who knows? It’s all in the past!”

“She seems like she’s moving along nicely, though.”

“Good for her,” he says as he took another mouthful of pork and rice.

After dinner, you offered to help him clean up but he waved you off so you wouldn’t have to get home too late.

He insisted on helping you load the grill back to your car even though you were perfectly fine carrying it by yourself when you arrived.

“Thanks for tonight, Kook. Sorry I couldn’t stay too long,” you said as he shut your trunk.

“Stop apologizing. We planned to hang out and we finally did, that’s the point!”

“We should do this again–whenever work calms down. Maybe a few hours of karaoke with Chim and Tae,” you suggested.

He laughed. “That would be fun–I’m sure they’d love that.”

Just then, it starts to drizzle. “You should head out before it starts pouring.”

“Alright. See you soon?”

He opens his arms and motions you for a hug and you oblige. “Yep. You know you can’t get rid of me that easily. Drive safe, huh? And please call me when you get home.”

“I will,” you said, pulling away.

“Love—“

He is interrupted by your phone ringing.

You sighed. “It’s Jin. I’ll just call him back on my bluetooth.”

“It’s fine.”

You went in for another quick hug. “Okay. Bye, Kook.”

You drove away and watched him from your rearview mirror at the red light. Seconds later, the light turns green and the rain pours while Jungkook disappears back into his building.

******

Jin comes by the following weekend after a series of meetings at his office.

He had been in meetings all day and the clock was creeping up to 10PM. You texted him saying that he didn’t have to come see you and that you could drive over to his place tomorrow instead.

But he was insistent and he felt bad that you made him dinner so you dropped the argument.

He walked through your door looking exhausted. After greeting him with a kiss, you asked what was bothering him.

“What is it?”

He slumps on your couch, stretching his neck from side to side before leaning his head back.

Eyes closed, he holds his arms out to you beckoning you to sit on his lap and snuggle.

You obliged, curling yourself into him, burying your face in the crook of his neck while he wrapped his arms around you.

“Are you tired? We can go straight to bed instead?” You suggested.

He hummed in disagreement, still clinging onto you.

“Talk to me,” you coaxed softly.

He exhaled deeply. “We finally ironed out the details to launch the project in Tokyo,” he said with his eyes still closed.

You lifted yourself off him and exclaimed, “Wow! That’s huge! Congratulations!” You grabbed his face and kissed him once more. As you pulled away, you noticed that something was still bothering him.

“Yeah, I guess,” he says soberly while staring at you.

“Why aren’t you excited? Isn’t this what you’ve wanted?”

He dropped his eyes downward. “Yes. Yeah. It’s…exciting.”

“Okay, so why do you still look like a kicked puppy? Isn’t this the part where you finally sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor?”

“They need me to stay there for three months to oversee the whole thing. Protect the investment and whatnot.”

Your breath hitched. “Three months?”

He nodded. “Leaving next week.”

Three months. Last time, he was gone for three weeks. He was able to fly you in for a weekend and you busied yourself through his absence so they seemed to go by pretty quickly. But three months? Abroad?

You carefully slipped off him and sat on your heels over the cushion. He said that once the Tokyo deal went through, he could kick back his heels and just hang back…change of plans, clearly.

“Come with me, please?”

“Jin, I-I can’t. I have that big convention in two weeks–the one that I’ve been telling you about?”

“Agh—“ he pinches his nose, squeezes his eyes shut as he remembers. “Shit, that’s right.”

“I can’t miss it. I have to give the final presentation.”

He sits up straight, wheels already turning. “Okay…how ‘bout this? I can hop on a plane every weekend to see you. I can work around the Tokyo meetings and then fly you out again for a few days after the convention right before heading to Singapore,” he rambled.

“Singapore?” You interrupted softly.

He sighed. “Yeah, that uh…is part of the itinerary.”

You had a sinking feeling. Your worst fears, previously pushed onto the back burner to quietly simmer, now coming up steaming. The whistling ringing in your ears.

“…A few days there, maybe?”

Heat rose to your cheeks and into your ears, heart racing. You closed your eyes and took a deep breath.

“Jin…”

“I can talk to Yoongi—“

“Jin!”

“No, YN. Please don’t say it. Please…YN…”

******

“YN? YN? Did we get disconnected?”

You were suddenly pulled away from the haze. You wiped a stray tear that dripped down your cheek.

“Do you need a moment?”

You swallowed the lump in your throat. “No, we should keep going.”

The good doctor hesitates but you give her a reassuring nod to proceed.

“It’s alright to be emotional about it. I thought that we had established that I’m not here to invalidate your feelings,” she said, looking back at you from your laptop’s monitor.

“I just didn’t know if I should feel…this way…over something that was relatively brief.”

“Sometimes, time holds no bearing. There’s no clear definition of how to feel and when to feel it. Feeling is a personal, individual reaction. You may be in a room with several people looking happy but you’re not all at the same level of ‘happy,’ you know what I’m saying?”

You nodded.

“Nobody should feel, they just do.”

*******

After your session, your phone vibrates with a call coming through.

“Hey,” you answered.

“Hey…I meant to leave you a voicemail. I wasn’t sure if you were done with your session.”

Jungkook had been giving you some time, periodically checking in on you in the last week or so. His work has pulled him away for back to back travel for close three and a half weeks so Jimin and Taehyung have taken turns coming by to keep you company.

“Nah, you’re good. We ended a little early today.”

“Sorry I’m not there, bub.”

“Hey…don’t be. I feel you even though I don’t see you.”

His heart swells as he stands in a quiet corner by his flight’s gate, his group due to be called to board shortly.

“I know…I just…I know how special he was to you.”

“Yeah, that’s all over now,” you mumbled as you rounded the corner of another aisle at the store.

He felt terrible not being able to rush to your side when things with Jin ended. Your voicemail had come in right after he landed in a different city. He wanted to be close to you but his work obligations made him stick to his itinerary and you understood that.

You were in love with Jin. But the relationship, though it began with so much promise, had been slipping into a downward spiral.

You’re not exactly sure how you made it through the last two weeks. Though you tried to play it off, Yoongi sensed that something had gone wrong and managed to wheedle it out of you. He offered to take over your presentation but you rebuffed him and repeatedly assured him that you can compartmentalize.

The final presentation at the convention went without a hitch and Yoongi and your team were lauded by your peers resulting in more opportunities rolling in for you and the company. It was a logical sacrifice, you thought. You had worked too hard and too long to get to this point and you were not going to get derailed. At the convention’s conclusion, Yoongi forced you to take some personal time since you weren’t due to go over new proposal opportunities for another few weeks.

“Where are you,” he asks as he hears a slight echo in your voice and other background chatter.

“Oh, I’m at the store, just picking up a few things.”

“Hope it’s not for a liquid diet,” he said with a soft warning.

“No. I kicked that habit. Was thinking of making some soup for the guys and baking some chocolate chip cookies or chocolate butter mochi,” you said as you picked up a bag of flour while staring at a box of sweet rice flour next to it.

“Maybe I’ll do both,” you murmured under your breath while you considered your options.

“Wow. Cooking and chocolate baked goods? You’re really going through it.”

You exhaled sharply. “I just want to keep moving along, you know?”

You went ahead and picked up two boxes of sweet rice flour in addition to all-purpose flour.

“Hang on a sec, YN,” Jungkook said as he paused to pull up an app on his phone to scan his boarding pass. He murmurs his thanks to the gate staff and proceeds through the jet bridge.

“Sorry about that. Had to scan my pass real quick,” he says to you after he puts his phone back to his ear.

“All good, Jungkookie,” you sighed, rounding the refrigerated aisle.

“Anyway, I’ll uh—text you when I land or call you when I get to the hotel.”

“Okay. Just a text is fine, if you remember. I know you’ll be dead tired.”

He settled into his window seat in business class. “I promise we’ll get together when I get back next week, okay?”

You hummed in return.

“Everything will be fine, bub.” And he would see to it that it did.

“I know. Thank you. Have a safe flight, Kook.”

“Thanks. Love you.”

“Ditto,” you said, hanging up.

You stood in front of the dumpling and eggroll wrapper aisle deciding whether you wanted to make soup dumplings or steamer ones instead.

You were about to dial Jimin’s number when a voice called out to you.

“YN?”

You looked up, brows furrowed while you looked around to find out who or where it came from.

Your breath hitches and your jaw drops as the source of that voice comes to view.

“Derek?”

◤Previous | Part 8◥ | Main Fic Masterlist

Taglist: @deepseavibez @bts-fic-recs-mess @mwitsmejk @jamlessstars @xhazmania @xiaoren001 @dianaxnyc

[issaxcharlie]

Someone To You

Pairing: Alive! Luke Patterson x Fem Reader

Summary: Y/N and Luke have been friends for most of their lives and have already spent some time in love, but not knowing how to jump from friends to lovers, they have been stranded in that rare transition for much longer than they should, something that does not go unnoticed neither for them nor for the members of the rock band.

A lot of Luke and Y/N fluff, and a lot of friendship between Y/N and the Sunset Curve boys💖 (oh and my usual nonsense)

Word count: +3k

Songs used: Kiss me by Ed Sheeran and Follow You by Echosmith

Two in the morning and Y/N has been lying on her bed for twenty minutes trying to go back to sleep without any success. She is about to give up and go to get her journal when an unmistakable knock on the window echoes through the room.

She gets up and turns on the lamp before going to open the lock, her best friend entering the room seconds later and closing the window again before turning to her. The second they are face to face, Y/N lunges at him, entwining her legs tightly across his waist, her face buried completely in his neck, letting the familiarity of his body and scent wash over her.

“Oh god, I missed you.” He whispers in a husky voice, putting his hands on her hips and carefully kicking off his vans with his feet, then moving to her bed, dropping her gently on her usual side.

That's when he can see the girl's face with attention, her features slightly illuminated by the night lamp and making clear that she had been awake before he arrived.

“Difficult night eh?” He asks just before pushing his body forward to jump to the other side of the bed, and she lets out a sweet wholehearted laugh when he stumbles at the last second and ends up falling on his belly on her hips. “This was supposed to be way cooler and smoother.”

“I know Lu, maybe try to just walk next time?”

“Y/N, darlin’. Rockstars don’t just walk, we have to do everything with style.” He gets up and lightly kisses her on the cheek before stepping carefully around her to lie down on his side.

“My mistake, Lucas.” She teases with a smirk and he frowns before playfully sticking his tongue out at her. “Now, what happened? Whenever you appear at the window out of nowhere, it’s because you feel overwhelmed."

He analyzes what she said silently. All the times that he has entered through that window passing through his head, as well as all the hugs and cuddles received. All the years, and feelings and memories making him feel blessed to love her. "I guess you are right, you are my safe place." Y/N's face lights up, and she confidently moves closer to give him a soft kiss on the nose. “And you are mine. Now, spill, handsome.”

He smiles at the compliment, and makes an exaggerated wink that makes her snort. “My mom made me leave the house almost impossible, I was minutes away to miss the gig. I don't understand why it's so hard for her to understand that this is what I was born to do. If I want to be someone in this life, I have to continue on this path, no matter what. I don't want to die and just vanish, I want to leave a mark. We all want our lives to be great and to be remembered." Luke drops his head against the pillow and covers his eyes with his hands, letting his annoyance out.

“I get you, and you know I will always support you.”

“But…”

“But I just want you to know this. You are someone, Luke. To me, to Reggie, Alex, Bobby, and no matter how much you guys argue, you are someone to your parents. You don't need to connect with everyone to make an impact, just with the people who matter to you.”

He moves his hands behind his head and stares in silence at the ceiling for a few seconds, and then turns to see her with the most charming smile in his repertoire. “Will you come to the Orpheum after we nail the audition?” Anyone would be disconcerted by his attitude, but for Y/N it is a typical Luke Patterson defense mechanism. Whenever he feels like the conversation is getting too heavy or when he just doesn't want to respond, he drastically changes the subject with his best smile to try and distract her.

“Of course I will, It’ll be one of the most important days of your life, I would never miss it. And I would not change you singing in my ear for anything, but there is something so special when you are on stage, it is like being in front of the microphone sets your soul on fire.” She replies with a delighted smile.

"I totally get what you mean. So, you like me to sing you to sleep, huh? C’mere beautiful." He requests before trapping her against him, his calloused fingers quickly finding her hair, stroking it gently as he sings in her ear.

“Settle down with me, cover me up, cuddle me in. Lie down with me, and hold me in your arms” He stops for a second to meet her eyes again and give her a light kiss on the forehead, before confidently singing the chorus. “Kiss me like you wanna be loved, you wanna be loved, you wanna be loved. This feels like falling in love, falling in love, falling in love.”

Y/N smiles against his neck before finally falling asleep, the peace Luke always gives her completely invading her and melting her in his arms.

In the morning Y/N snaps her eyes open when she raises her arm to wrap her best friend’s waist and finds the space empty. She sits down and finds a note on her nightstand, Luke's unmistakable handwriting peeking out due to a poorly folded sheet.

“Good morning darlin’, sorry for leaving without saying goodbye, I had to go to the last rehearsal before the auditions. After that we will pick you up to go celebrate <3

PS: you look so hot while you drool my shoulder and the pillows."

-Luke

The girl can't help but blush, and furiously examines the pillow to see if she actually did it, only to find another little note below it.

“Gotcha.” She rolls her eyes and a little laugh escapes her lips.

Today is a ridiculously important day in the lives of the boys, if they manage to be among the 10 chosen for the second part of the contest, they will compete in the legendary Orpheum for the opportunity to land a record deal.

The four of them have been working like crazy even though the situation with their families has been getting worse in recent weeks, none of them have even thought about giving up. Without much to do during her day off, Y/N allows herself to remember the feeling of being in Luke's arms, the conversation she had with Alex and Bobby just a few days before in the back of her head.

“Why are we doing this again?” Alex asks clearly annoyed while Bobby and Y/N laugh, turning to see Luke and Reggie jamming some songs across the sidewalk, in front of one of the hottest clubs in LA.

“Something about making the band better known before auditions.” she reports, as she closes the buttons on Luke's bleached jean jacket she's wearing.

“I understand that, but couldn’t he wait til tomorrow? We practiced all day, I’m tired as fuck.” The blond replies, getting irritated from exhaustion.

Bobby yawns, his eyes getting heavier as he rests his head in Y/N’s shoulder. “Muffin, I swear, your man has infinite energy.”

“He is not my man, Bobs.” She answers as she rests her head on his, ruffling his hair gently.

"Well maybe you should let him know, because he refers to you as his girl all the time." Bobby informs her, raising his head to see her reaction.

“He does?” Even in the dark both boys can see how red her cheeks are, and how the smile on her face grows with each passing second. Bobby decides to take a chance and keep teasing her.

“My girl is so insanely talented, that’s my sweet girl, my girl said this and I thought it was so freaking awesome because I’m hopelessly in love with her.”

“Man, that was so accurate. 10/10.” Alex replies while laughing, they lean in to highfive above her head, and she can't help but blush even more at her friend's words.

“You guys are the worst.” She wrinkled her nose and they both turned to see each other, agreeing silently that now is the moment to ask one of the questions they had wanted to ask her for months.

“Since we met you are in this strange relationship, in which you are both aware that you are in love with each other, but neither of you does anything. What are you waiting for?" Bobby asks, indicating Alex to support him with his eyes.

“Yeah bro after 3 years, it gets kind of old.” He adds, trying to sound cool.

“I guess, we just think it is not the right time. Since you started the band he has worked tirelessly on his career as a musician and that is what I want him to focus on. We both know what is in our hearts and for now that is more than enough.” She blurts out, trying to get her thoughts in order.

“That was so cheesy I want to die.” Alex answers in reflex, and his eyes go wide when he realizes what he said.

“Oh my God, Alex. Go away! I will never open my soul to you again.”

The girl blushes again, a small smile at the corner of her lips as she remembers how after that her friends continued to tease her with Luke and called her Mrs Patterson for the rest of the night, both she and Luke totally embarrassed when they continued to tease them in the truck on the way home. She decides to get out her notebook and try to write a song, which she hadn't done since Luke formed Sunset Curve, and by the time she finished she had just some minutes before the boys arrived.

She managed to get ready in time, but what she found when she opened the door was not what she expected. The face that greeted her was Reggie's and not Luke's as always, and the sad little smile on the bassist's face wasn't normal either.

She instantly hugs him, making soft circles with her fingertips on his iconic leather jacket.

“Don’t worry about me, sunshine, I’m fine. But he needs you.” He takes her hand and walks toward Bobby's old truck, and Y/N is even more confused when she meets his beaming smile as they climb into the back of the vehicle. Alex is smiling too, but he looks clearly anxious, and Luke is nowhere to be found.

"Can someone explain to me what happened? Where is Luke?"

“We did it, muffin!” He embraces her excitedly, his clear happiness reassuring the stressed girl.

“Congrats guys! I’m so proud of you!” He released her and she hugs Reggie with her left arm and with her free one takes Alex's hand, who takes it in his and fondly kisses her knuckles.

“Thank you Y/N, but going back to Luke, we need your help. Things didn't go as smoothly as we expected and how to put it nicely… he lost it.” The blond informs her while anxiously playing with his necklace.

“You are the one who always shows him the way.” Reggie says with a bigger smile this time.

“Okay, start the truck Bobs, my man needs me.” Alex snorts a laugh and Bobby fulfills her request after smiling teasingly at her.

“You told Bobby he wasn’t your man.” Alex remarked with a smirk, turning his head toward the back seat to look into her eyes.

“And you told the boy at the club that you didn't know Reggie so you wouldn't have to give him his number. What's your point?” She answered swiftly with a mirrored smirk.

The drummer tries to counter attack but fails miserably, instead whispers a “...Well played.” and looks back to the front of the road.

“Was he cute?” Reg asks with genuine curiosity, and they all debate whether the boy was Reggie’s type or not on the way to where Luke is.

The boys leave her in the big park where the girl already imagined her best friend was, and she walks directly to the place where they sat millions of times throughout her childhood and adolescence, in their little corner of paradise. It doesn't take her long to find a disgruntled Luke sitting against their tree with his guitar three feet away, lying on the grass.

“You look so hot when you are frustrated.” Luke looks up and calms down when he meets her eyes. “I think you are the one who needs a song to relax now.” She adds, pointing out at the guitar. He nods and she picks it up, sitting between Luke's legs, her back leaning against his chest.

She blushes as she begins to play the song she finished composing just an hour ago, grateful that he can't see her face because of the position they are in. “I thank God for you all the time. Someone who knows my faults, but loves me despite them all. And you, I'll follow you just like that. Doesn't matter how far, If I have you, I have it all.”

She feels him kissing her hair, his heart beating just as fast as her own. “I think I found my soulmate, yes I do. I think I found the one who knows me. I don't wanna think about what it'd be like without you. Anywhere, I’ll follow you anywhere.”

When the song ends she freezes for a few seconds and Luke takes the opportunity to take the guitar and move it to the side, so that he can hug her closer to him, his arms around her waist while his chin rests on her shoulder.

“Your voice always shows me the way home.” Luke whispers sweetly in her ear, and Y/N instantly remembers Reggie said something similar in the truck, which means Luke had probably already expressed that thought to his friends, causing her to melt in his arms. She guesses it’s her turn to apply the famous Luke Patterson defense mechanism.

“What happened? I know you guys did pass, Bobby was so happy he wanted to cry.”

“We passed literally with the last ticket. They said they couldn’t see Sunset Curve, just another wannabe garage band, definitely not material for the big leagues.”

“Wow, that’s rough. And how did you react?”

"Reggie and Bobby held me by the arms and Alex by the back to stop me from going berserker." She smiles softly, imagining the scene clearly, and stretches her neck to see the guitarist's face.

“Lu, what else is bothering you?” He looks deep in thought, like he's forming multiple ideas in his head.

“I don't approve of everything they said, but I think maybe they have a point. I spent so much time trying to get the band to be material for a discography that I neglected our essence."

“Okay, then what’s the next move?”

“I have an idea, but I can’t do it without you.” He admits, staring deeply at her with his beautiful hazel eyes.

“Good thing you don’t have to. Luke, remember when we first met?” She asks, trying to distract him from his problems at least for today.

“Yeah, we were six. I told you I wanted to be a rockstar, and you said Lucas wasn’t a rockstar name, that I had to change it immediately.” He recalls with a soft smile.

“After that day you got angry every time someone dared to call you by your name.” She remembers the scene with a laugh.

“You have to admit, little Y/N was wise, you wouldn't have a band if you were still a Lucas.” He chuckles, caressing her hair lovingly., and she leans at the touch.”

“From that day I knew that I always wanted to be by your side. All my life I have tried to be someone, someone for my parents, for my friends, for the public, but I have never had to try with you.

I've always been someone for you... and that's more than enough. You've always known who I am, even when I'm not sure myself. You have always been patient and have loved me unconditionally, and I want you to know that you can always expect the same from me. god, I know since I was a kid I would do anything for you. I need you, I’m tired to wait for the correct moment, because every moment with you feels right.”

“Lu… is this a love confession?”

“I- yeah. But it’s so hard, I feel so many emotions right now and I really want to kiss the hell out of yo-” Y/N pulls him towards her connecting their lips hungrily, both melting into each other's mouths. He bites her lower lip slightly and separates a few seconds to admire her face, her eyes shining with love and lust.

“Darlin’, you can admit now your thing for rockstars. That’s exactly how you see me when I’m on stage.”

“I’ll admit it as soon as you admit you pretended to drown in the pool last year so I could give you mouth-to-mouth.”

“I would never do something like that… again.” They both laugh adoringly and Luke kisses her hard, determined to make up for all the lost time.

“Hey lovebirds, it’s time to go, Alex is minutes ago to snap at Reg and I don't want to end in the middle again, Reggie bit me last time.” They part abruptly, looking up at Bobby with daggers in their eyes.

“You can’t be all annoying all the time about our relationship and then ruin a moment like that.” she says clearly frustrated.

“Wow, eager much, muffin? someone is already whipped huh?” He jokes, causing Luke to put his finger in his mouth and then in his friend's ear.

“Bobby If you don’t shut up I swear-” She starts to fight, but he interrupts her.

“Are you guys dating now?” They both turn to see each other and smile, Luke wipes his hand on Bobby's shirt as they start to walk to the truck and entwine it with Y/N’s.

“Yeah, yes we are.” He declares with a majestic smile.

“Dammit I lost the bet to Alex. He said this was finally the year and I bet on another five.”

“Five? Really?” The girl asks, unable to believe what she hears.

“What? You have been in this strange relationship for about 12 years, five more years would be easy peasy. Reggie bet that you would make your lives with someone else and meet in 20 years to realize that it was always you." He informs them as they reach the vehicle, she looks in shock for a moment but then recovers and feings anger.

“Yeah, that’s it we are walking.” She decides, pulling Luke onto the sidewalk.

“You're just looking for an excuse to make out with your new boyfriend, you never get mad at us, not even the time Reggie stuck gum in your hair.” Bobby calls her out, and Reggie rolls the window down to emphasize that it was an accident.

“Okay yeah, I want to make out with my boyfriend and stick my tongue down his throat because as you mentioned, I've been waiting for many years to be able do it. So get lost or admire the show.” Reggie quickly closes the window again, and Bobby makes a disgusted face before almost running to the driver's seat.

“I’m so in love with you.” He admits with loving eyes, and she stands on tiptoe to fill him with light kisses on the forehead, nose, cheeks and lips. “I’m so in love with you, Lu.”

“Hey darlin’, I know you said the tongue in the throat thing to scare them away but…” He tries to explain himself, but she stops him knowing exactly what he wants to say.

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m kissing the hell out of you as soon as we get home.” She reassures, caressing his hand.

He lets out a big sigh of relief. “Good.” A big smile on his face while pressing her hand a little harder to make sure this is actually happening.

Thanks for reading ✨

Taglist: @writerinlearning, @strangerthanfanfiction713 @thebloodthirstyvampress, @kinda-really-lost, @kcd15, @magnet-girl, @aliandthephantoms, @stxrkspidey, @pinkrockstar19, @s0uz4s, @shycupcakealissa @cookiebuba, @fangirlangioma, @sageellsworth05, @twist3dtinkerbell, @sunsetcurvenotsunsetswerve, @caitsymichelle13, @ifilwtmfc @bibliophilewednesday @totomoshi, @siennanoelle01, @lunashadow6955, @bookfrog247, @morganayennefertyrell, @kiss-themoongoodbye, @rachelle3musicals, @imsydneywalker, @really-dont-forget-it @agentstarkid @talksoprettyjjx @kaitieskidmore1 @lukeys-giggle @katie-navarro @crybabyddl @cocopuffs0211 @marvel-ousnesss @tuttigunner @dpaccione @justalittleweirdoo

[lukepattersun]

A Thing Called Love

Luke detests karaoke. it's nothing personal, it's just so... lifeless and pathetic to him. there are no real instruments involved so is it really worth his time?

Julie, on the other hand, loves it. it's like being on stage, only without the pressure to be perfect. and for some reason she manages to convince Luke to go - he's not the only who knows how to use the puppy eyes.

he knows he can't do it sober. it's against his nature. but he's in a good mood, and he's already there anyway so fuck it, he'll do it. it'll make Julie happy so it's worth it. he downs a couple of drinks and waits for the alcohol to kick in.

he's decided now, he can't back down. Luke's not the type to half-ass anything, so he's gonna give it everything he's got.

he jumps on that small stage and requests 'I believe in a thing called love' by The Darkness.

as soon as he hears the first chords, he transforms. he's not the grumpy Luke who hates karaoke, and he's not his band's lead guitarist either... this a whole different person.

can't explain all the things that you're making me feel

he's walking- no, strutting across the stage with a confidence that rivals that of Mick Jagger and Frank N Furter and he looks absolutely ridiculous

my heart's in overdrive and you're behind the steering wheel

he's on his knees and he's looking down at Julie, who's still trying to recover from the initial shock

touching you, touching me, touching you, god you're touching me!

the whole performance is so obscene and over the top - he even takes his shirt off... not like it was covering much of his body anyway - that Alex is feeling so much second-hand embarrassment (he knows Luke is gonna regret this the next day) and has to look away. meanwhile Willie is having the time of his life and Reggie is so excited that he almost joins Luke on stage, only stopped by Flynn who yanks him back.

Luke is in the middle of his air guitar solo when Julie jumps on stage and kisses him - she's intoxicated and she's in love - making him stumble backwards and almost fall

I wanna kiss you every minute, every hour, every day

he's basically destroyed his voice at this point (that song is definitely out of his range), the world is spinning around him and his head is gonna hurt in the morning but he's got the girl of his dreams in his arms so

you got me in a spin but everything is a-okay

Julie grabs the mic, walks backwards, lifts her finger and beckons him over, a challenging grin on her lips. she sings the first line of the pre-chorus

touching you

now he's in front of her again, singing the second line into the mic

touching me

and their voices finally become one

touching you, god you're touching me!

I believe in a thing called love, just listen to the rhythm of my heart, there's a chance we could make it now, we'll be rocking 'til the sun goes down, i believe in a thing called love!

everyone in the bar is singing along but Luke and Julie only have eyes for each other. they finish the song together, breathing heavily and smiling widely and the crowd erupts in applause.

he can't leave the stage without showing off one last time, so he grabs her waist and dips her, but he loses balance and they both tumble to the ground, laughing so hard that it takes them a while to recover, get up and walk off stage.

the next morning - or afternoon, according to Julie - Luke wakes up with a pounding in his head, a sore throat and bruised knees, but there's a cup of coffee on his bedside table and a brunette lying next to him - you know, curly hair, a cute gap in her front teeth, voice like an angel - and she's wide awake, looking and smiling fondly at him. and his head is still hurting, and he'll probably have to be on voice rest for at least a week, but if that's how he gets to wake up, he'll do it all over again.

he believes in a thing called love.

[fabpad1]

AN INTOXICATING NEW REALITY : an 18 y/o has his life put on paus by his overly controlling mother.

- Aww how cute isn't he! Has he learnt how to walk yet?

- Well yes actually, but we make sure to mix some magic into his bottle when we feed him, if you catch my drift? That way he stays...retarded - for a lack of better words - and he never really understands what's going on around him. Clueless like a baby since he turned 18!

- Oh my Margaret, and how old is he now? 23?

- He's turning 23 in a few months, yes.

- Why do you keep him like that? And how did he even end up like this?

- He wanted to move out at 18 and marry some stupid girl named Amora from his class. I told him it was a bad idea and that he should wait til he gets a bit older. But he has no patience, and never listens. He want everything done as fast as possible. So I figured I could teach him what happens when you don't listen to your mother.

At his 18th birthday party I told him he could have his first alcoholic drink with me. And that's when I first slipped his first crushed tablet. He said he was feeling funny later that evening, but he had no idea and just blamed it on the alcohol. The initial side effects are incoherent speech, confusion, drooling and bed wetting. All of these signs are less suspicious in the setting of alcohol intake. The first dose has to be very big as to completely overwhelm the brain's synapses and cause less connectivity in the brain, kinda like how a baby's brain is soon after birth - fresh to form and mold new connections! The subsequent doses don't have to be as big if you want to equalise at a certain developmental stage.

He ended up wetting his bed the next morning after his birthday, and woke up fairly confused and scared. He went to my bedroom and said he didn't know what to wear for the day or how to fix the wet bed. He started to behave like a young kid - maybe around 7 - being more dependent on the help of others.

This confusion and dependent state only lasts the morning after the first dose, so it was important I acted quickly. Instead of making his own breakfast, like he usually does, that morning he asked 'what's for breakfast'. That's when I gave him his second big dose to regress him to a toddler. Around the evening that same day, I remember him peeing himself while we were watching TV. I guess this is when he started to forget what to do when the bladder is full. Before he went to bed he also asked me if I could help him unbutton his jeans as he seemed to have lost his dexterity. 'Mommy I can't do pants' he said, now speaking in a less sophisticated manner. The next morning his language improved, and no wet bed strangely enough. I assume he went back to being around 5 years old. I gave him his last big dose, mixed in his pancakes which he asked me to make. It used to be his favourite breakfast when he was that age, so I guess the brain kind of rewinds somehow.

I got curious to see how he was experiencing his new reality and how aware he really was. So I asked him how he liked his birthday and if he could show me how old he is with his fingers. He held up 7 fingers for me, with a big innocent smile across his face. He didn't seem to remember his age. Later that day, I recall him falling over, seemingly out of nowhere, and starting to cry. I ran to comfort him when I noticed his blue shorts being brown stained at the back. This was good news. He was now starting to forget how to walk, holding his bowels and so on. This was the stage I planned on keeping him at, but he had to be more sensitive to the drug because in the evening that same day I found him upstairs in his bedroom, lying on the floor, making some babbling sounds. And that's the developmental stage he's been stuck at ever since.

- Wow Margaret, I don't know what to say. I kinda feel sorry for him, seeing how oblivious he is to everything. How long are you planning on letting him be like that?

- Well, if you've been regressed for that many years, the brain has had time to rewire and thus all his previous memories and knowledge is either gone or reduced. Even if I'd stop giving him the medication he would have to pretty much relearn everything again. It would take half the time to learn, but that would still make it 9 years to be back at the mind if an 18 year old. Next week my supplies are gone. So that will be his last maintenance dose.

It's going to be nice to raise my little boy again, and teach him how to potty train, calm him down when he's having his crying fits and give him the courage he needs when he's hiding behind my leg. The best part is, he won't even remember anything. In his mind, this was his only growing up phase! I will find my baby a much better girl than that Amora and teach him how to be more obedient than in his previous 'life'. Always listen to your mother!

THE END.

[andieperrie18]

Prodigal Daughter (Ben Hardy x Reader)

Prompt: Ben and the cast finds out reader is an expert drummer.

When your dog-loving boyfriend auditioned for Bohemian Rhapsody, he's been working hard to be able to play the percussive set as he wanted to honor the character the he was going to play in the movie. You supported him as a loving girlfriend would do although not that he didn't knew much about you but the fact that you were actually an expert on the drum set had him, his castmates and the two members of Queen in total awe as they eyed from across the stage set.

It happpened like this….

"Awe love, thanks coming here to support me." Ben had an arm around you while walking together, following his cast mates and the others to the stage. The iconic Live Aid was their first scene as Ben told you and for support, you went to watch him as you wanted to see the hard work of your dear lover.

"Love, you should rest for a bit. You've been playing for a quite a while." Your voice laced with concerned. You watch him shake his head no, "It's okay, love." He continous to do the drum routine.

You know that he will nail it. And what better way to boost him than be there and cheer for him.

You stood afar from the set as they shot the scene. You would catch him glancing at you with his biggest smiles as you would bob your head to his beat. The beat that you fell inlove with in your teen years. You didn't even notice the way your foot tap to the ground, each stomp so acute to the beat of the biggest drum.

"and….CUT!!"

You were the first to cheer as you ran to the stage to meet Ben, him doing the same by jumping off it with a large smile welcoming you in his muscly and comfy embrace. You could tell he was proud of himself.

"Babe! That was so cool!!!"

"I KNOW, I was like--" he babble with some sound effects, making some clear emphasis of what he had seen himself doing behind the drum set. Giggling at his action, you both walked together to the bottom of the stage where the peeps had gathered.

Exchanging different compliments, Ben and his castmates were rained with praises from Roger and Brian.

"My almost prodigal son is here." The lead drummer of Queen quoted earning a shy smile from the lad. The man has been a great role model for Ben as he almost stood as a father to him and to you aswell.

"Almost."

"I think we could all agree to that can we?" Gwilym said.

"Well, he did nail it. Good Job Benjamin. But I think Cardboard Ben is Better." Laughter bursted inside the loose circle, you laughing along Joe's affection to your boyfriend carbon copy in cardboard.

"Stop it, Joe. Your hurting my feelings here."

The chatter continued, talking and complementing Rami and Gwylim of them rocking their own routine.

"O My Goodness! Y/n M/n L/n. Is that really you?"

Now this somehow caught everyone's attention. Turning to the owner of the voice, you met the very, very familiar face of a female. It didn't made you hold back the smile the moment you met her gaze.

"JEM!! ITS YOU!!" Basically scurrying out of Ben's embrace, enveloping the girl in a bear hug, and vice versa.

Joe was the first to speak out of all the confused faces.

"Jem, love? You know Y/n?"

Ben was also confused as he knew all of your friends yet he wasn't very much familiar with this one but not in a bad way. The interaction you gave looked genuined and so did hers, it was as if you knew the said stranger almost by heart.

Jem, who is basically bear hugging you looked back to her boyfriend and said,

"OH, Joe, guys, remember when I said I was in a band?"

Everyone nodded.

"Well, you see we were a four person band and I know you have met my two other former band mates and I said I had lost contact with one of my members since our accounts have been hacked before. " you still had the girl in your grasp while looking at the small crowd cowering around the both of you.

"W-wait? Are you saying Y/n's your long lost band member?"

Jem nodded furiously at Lucy's question.

"Wow! Y/n, why didn't you say anything?"

Ben had a seemingly excited look on his face as if he was a boy who just found a treasure chest in his backyard. His eyes trained on you. Curiosity lingering on them.

"Well, nobody real asked about it and that was way too long ago." You trailed.

Joe suddenly pops up statement.

"Hold on a minute, Viola said that she was the pianist and Jax was the bassist. And you told me that you were lead vocalist…"

Ben was the next to speak, following his friend's statement.

"Which would mean that my girlfriend, is your band'--"

"Lead drummer? Yeah!"

The confidence your dear friend radiated as she began to brag you to your friends turning you into a shy fly. And the fact that your idol, nome other than another father figure aswell known as Roger Meddows Taylor, who is basically standing beside you is hearing all this things got you shy chills.

"Hey, Jem thats enough. Besides, as I said that was quite a long time ago and I don't think I could be that great on it anymore."

Jem gave you and eye roll, "Y/n, there's no way that you could loose your touch. Even if your mind doesn't remember, your hands and feet does. Also, I heard from Ben that he would sometimes catch you playing with your chopstick while doing the dishes. I should've known your dating the hunk of a man sooner." You rolled your eyes as Jem whispered the last sentence to you.

"How 'bout you plah for us love?" Roger placed a hand on your shoulder, handing you a pair of sticks. Your eyes turned into saucers.

"I-i don't know Mr. Taylor--" "Roger kiddo."

You smiled, "Roger, as much as I want to play. I not as good as I was before."

This time Ben talks you out.

"You can't be that bad love, we just wanna see you play. You can go do any song."

You looked at him, rather unsure of yourself. Sure, one can't unlearn what is learned. Everyone around you started to encourage you aswell. Ben's puppy eyes, was the last warning bell you could ever receive as you sighed and took the drum sticks. Suddenly feeling a spark in your palms after having contact with it after a long while.

"Go Y/N!!"

"YOU CAN DO IT LOVE!!"

You ran up to the stage, thanking yourself for wearing a pair jeans on this unexpected day. Jem skipped her way as she followed you and as if she already knew what song you were gonna play, she hurriedly plugged her phone on the jack and waited for you settle.

"Brings back memories doesn't it?" You shrugged off and smiled as you held the sticks in position.

"Damn, feeling deja vu here."

"You just miss it." Jem replied to you.

You stared past the drum set meeting Ben's eyes as he howls your name. Roger doing the same and so does the others around the stage. Father and boyfriend, cheering for you. What a heck of a combo.

You nodded to Jem who proceeded to play the track with a little low volume so it won't over power your routine.

"GO! Y/N GO!" she called out.

Taking a deep breath, you let yourself get lost on the music.

(0:00 to 0:15)

Like your hands had its own mind, it smashed the sticks tips to the first beats. Nearly missing the timing.

"That's a good start." You joked to yourself as you continue to the beat.

Eyeing back to back to your small audience. Their heads bobbing with your beat with smiles on their faces. Watching as your pace gradually quickened along the way.

(0:16 to 0:25)

"I think it's getting faster."

Rami's comment made Ben aware with his girlfriend beat. After having countless practice and hearing some bands drummer plays, Bon Jovi's song had some of the trickiest drum routines and he could tell how complicated the beat and yet, seeing you calmly beaming with each hit, your hands and arms swiftly moving to the next beat as if she practiced the whole routine for almost a week. Whats more was also, it looked quite your style.

Your face looked calm and composed with each beating.

He marvelled you and as if you were so used to the clashing and bashing, you didn't miss any timing.

(0:26 to 1:09)

No eyes left your figure while staying on your beat. Each pair beaming the quicker your arms switch directions as the chorus neared then, what happened next was a small yet seemingly gigantic movement when they caught it. That was the moment Ben knew that his girlfriend wasn't an amatuer drummer.

You twirled one drumstick in between your fingers as the other hit the cymbals, your lips mouthing the lyrics with a smile etched on it. Then slamming both down to the clash instrument.

"Ohhh!!!" "She twirled them! Did you see that?!"

Your hands swifting left to right like accelerate, still singing to the chorus. You drowned yourself to the symphony of each percussion that surrounded you like no one was watching, eyes closed you, staying with the beat.

(1:09 to 2:00)

Maintaining a heck of speed had Roger Taylor screaming his heart out for you. Calling your name, screaming 'thats my kid!!' Out of now where and jumping along the music. Like a proud dad, he cheered.

People were bouncing like they were in a rock concert. Joe was banging his head to your melody. Gwilym and Rami were arm in arm and singing to the song. Brian was dancing around with Lucy.

(2:00 to 2:03)

Your speed growing to a thunderous amount that had everyone going out of their mind while you sat there like you practiced the whole performance for weeks.

"Oh my god! She's freaking nailing it."

"UGH! Ben she's a freaking Queen!"

Ben was freaking out like everybody else while watching your routine with the sticks that even thought he can't do.

(2:03 to 2:32)

The crowd under the stage as the staff was singing along while you drum your heart out. Your movements were so in sync with what your mind had thought of in every sequence, executing everything perfectly. Continuing to the music, each beat was a perfect hit. You caught sight of Ben who had a hand on his forehead and another on his, face had saucer eyes and a slack jawed smile, staring at you.

You let yourself meet his gaze as he notice this.

You winked at him.

(2:34 til end.)

Ben's breath hitched as Roger muttered an 'oh my god' beside him as you threw a stick in the air, then catching it perfectly before hitting the beat perfectly once again.

Everyone was screaming after that, Joe was grabbing his permed hair as if he had witness something insane before him. Lucy could tell that after this mini concert, she won't be able to talk the next day.

Doing a couple more stick twirling and fast paced movements, you finally reach an end with a satisfying clash from the cymbals. Panting, you turned to you now large crowd, screaming for you.

"And there goes your Prodigal Daughter." Roger could only nod on Brian's statement.

Ben rushed up to stage and immediatly lifted you off the ground. Rambling how insanely amazing you were.

"You gotta teach me your ways love." He mumbled against your lips.

"As long as I get something in return." You said after quick peck on his lips.

[jaytoddsdoll]

A/N: I had this idea a while ago and thought it was pretty cool, I'll try my best!

Pairing: Jason Todd × Reader

Prompt: You have been together with Jason for a while, you both said "I like you" and gone in a couple of dates, you enjoyed each other's company, but all changed when Jason said "I love you", you were scared, saying I like you is one thing but love... That scared the shit out of you, so you distanced yourself from Jason... Will you be able to tell him I love you back? Or will you be too scared of your emotions and back away?

Warnings: swearing and slight smut ( not hardcore don't worry)

Song: Naked- James Arthur

I'm Standing Here Naked

What the hell am I supposed to do... He said he loves me... But I'm so scared, I've never been in a proper relationship, Jason was the first one...

It's true I've had my flings from time to time with boys, but never anything serious, I liked that, mostly because in those "relationships" I didn't have to open up, I would just enjoy time with them, have sex, and later break it off without having my heart broken.

I thought I would always be from flower to flower without getting attached, and when I was starting to feel something towards the guy (apart from sexual attraction) I would run away and forget about it....

But all of this changed when I met him... Fucking Jason Todd.... He had that bad boy vibe that I liked so much, and how smooth he was as well as well build, damn that body of his...

It started with just casual sex, we met at a bar and decided to have a one night stand, but we found each other again and without knowing it we started dating, I don't know why I didn't get away this time, there was something about him that made me stick close to him...

After nine months dating, one afternoon, we were at his flat, I was outside in his balcony admiring the sunset, it was definitely a beautiful sight, when I felt two arms wrap around my waist and pull me towards a strong chest

"Hey babe" Said Jason giving me a small peck on my neck

I only hummed in response and laid my head on his chest relaxing my whole body against his, turning around slowly and reaching for his face giving him a kiss

"(y/n)..." The kiss started to get more urgent and his hands slide down to the lower part of my back, pressing me harder against him

"I love you..." He said breaking the kiss

It took me a couple of seconds to realize what he said, and as soon as I did my eyes opened wide and I pushed him away from me

"What... Jason I..." " Why would you say that..."

"What do you mean why? I love you (y/n)" " I really do, look you don't have to say it back, do it whenever you are ready..." He said leaving a small kiss on my forehead and going back inside

After that day things started to get bad, I would always try to change the subject when he brought up the matter, and when he would say I love you I would tense up, and after weeks of being like that Jason bursted

"I'm tired (y/n), I'm fucking tired of this shit...(A/N:I just want a relationship so I'm gonna give you a bunch of reasons why you should date me... Ok, sorry lets continue) I know I told you I would wait for you but I don't know how longer I can wait, I want to take the next step but you won't let me..."

"Jay, what next step? We are already dating is not like we are fuck buddies without any romance involved"

"(y/n)... I want you to move in with me to present you as my girlfriend to my family and I meet yours, to level up things, but I can't do that unless I know you want it too, that you love me as much as I love you..."

" Jay I told you I'm not ready...I..."

"You keep saying that all the time!! Whenever I try to talk to you about it you change the subject or get all tense and ignore me... I'm done with that bullshit (y/n)!! I'm giving myself fully to you but I only get a part of you!"

"Jay..."

"No, I'm tired of always trying to know more things about you but you not letting me..."

At this point I was starting to get mad

"Then you shouldn't have said "I love you"!!"

I yelled and Jason looked at me with a surprised look on his face later replaced by an angry scowl

" Not say "I love you", so I'm just supposed to shut my feelings?! "

"No! But you put a pressure on me that I don't like... And I..."

"You know what, whatever (y/n), I'm done, I'm going to give you space to think, I can't keep waiting on you like a lost puppy, I've waited long enough.... Make your fucking decision, because I can't take it, either you finally tell me how you feel about me or we are through... Goodbye (y/n)..."

And just like that he grabbed his keys and left my apartment leaving me there dumbfounded with tears slowly threatening to fall down my cheeks...

Weeks passed and I felt like shit, I couldn't sleep, I kept waking up in the middle of the night searching for that warmth that used to be next to me, holding me, keeping my nightmares and fears away, but there was nothing there, only cold sheets

Was this feeling love? To feel that you can barely take a step knowing that person is not going to be waiting for you at home, that you are going to look at your phone and no longer see a text from him making you smile... Or his touch...

I've tried talking with my best friends Barbara and Cass, to see if they could help me, but that only helped me realize that I was right this... Whatever I'm feeling is love... And I can't help but think that I fucked up... I ignored the only person who made me feel this way, and all because I was scared... Scared of getting hurt, scared of opening up and being judged...

A couple of days after talking with the girls a letter came to my house, my name was written on the envelope in beautiful gold cursive letters, very majestic if you asked me. It was an invitation to the next Bruce Wayne gala, at first I didn't understand, Jason never said anything about me, so why was I invited? Turns out the Bruce Wayne was going to host a gala to raise money for Gotam's hospital, which meant that I would be attending due to the fact that I'm a doctor working in said hospital, the thing is that if Bruce was the host, Jason would be there...

The day of the gala came and I was in the car with Barbara and Cass heading to the Wayne's Mannor, Dick ( Barbara's boyfriend and Jason's brother) was driving us there, and I couldn't help but wish that Jason didn't attend, which was pretty probable due to his dislike towards galas...

An hour in everything seemed to go smoothly, you chatted with some of your colleagues, with your friends and drank some champagne, until you saw him... He was looking breathtaking, he wore a black tuxedo with a red tie, damn he looked so handsome, that's when you found his gaze straight at you, looking you up and down, you were wearing an esmerald dress with no strips

It looked like he was going to approach you but stopped and turned around leaving the room

You tried following him, you know what to do, and you wanted you boyfriend back, you had fucked up so much already, you needed him

You couldn't find him, it was like if earth had swallowed him, just then the scenario lighted up and Bruce appeared

"Thank you everyone for coming, I would like to inform that thanks to your cooperation a big amount of money is being raised, and for that I thank you again... Now I would like to present my son Jason Todd, who has an important message for a special someone"

The lights went a bit down and Jason stepped on the stage, thanking Bruce and getting the microphone from him, and a melody started playing...

🎵Hey, you there

Can we take it to the next level, baby, do you dare?

He looked directly at me and the crowd in front of me made place for me to walk closer, but I was shocked and couldn't move, until someone pushed me *ahem* Barbara *ahem* making me stand in the front row

Don't be scared

'Cause if you can say the words, I don't know why I should care

I dropped my head down

'Cause here I am, I'm givin' all I can

But all you ever do is mess it up

Yeah, I'm right here, I'm tryin' to make it clear

That getting half of you just ain't enough

I could feel tears starting to form in the corner of my eyes

I'm not going to wait until you're done

Pretending you don't need anyone

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

I'm not gonna try 'til you decide

You're ready to swallow all your pride

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

My heart started to beat fast and I felt glances fall up on me but I couldn't take my eyes from Jason

Hey, get out

I've got nothin' left to give for you give me nothin' now

Read my mouth

If you ever want me back, then your walls need breakin' down

I could feel how hurt he was and after those lines my hands reached up and covered my mouth

'Cause here I am, I'm givin' all I can

But all you ever do is mess it up (all you ever do is mess it up)

Yeah, I'm right here, I'm tryin' to make it clear

getting half of you just ain't enough

My tears started slowly going down my cheeks

I'm not going to wait until you're done

Pretending you don't need anyone

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

I'm not gonna try 'til you decide

You're ready to swallow all your pride

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

I wanna give you everything

I wanna give you everything

I wanna give you everything

I wanna give you everything

I'm not going to wait until you're done

'Cause you pretended you don't need anyone

'Cause you see that I'm naked (naked, naked)

Oh, you see that I'm naked (naked, naked)

I'm not going to try 'til you decide

You're ready to swallow all your pride

I'm standing here naked (naked, naked)

I'm standing here naked (I'm standing) (naked, naked)

I'm standing

I'm standing here🎵

When he finished a roar of applause grew among the room, but I didn't hear it, I could only hear my heart pounding in my ears, and without thinking I ran up the stage and jumped on Jason, giving him the most passionate kiss we've ever shared, not caring about the rest

At first he didn't respond but after a second he rapped his arms around my waist and pulled me up pressing our bodies together

After what seemed minutes but were roughly seconds we pulled apart, I gazed at him while he removed a tear from my cheeck

"I love you Jason Peter Todd"

And with that he kissed me again and a louder roar of applause was heard

That night we both returned to his apartment and took each other's clothes off, kissing and feeling each other, which felt heavenly after all that time apart

(You know what happened next...)

We were both laying on his bed hugging each other and Jason giving me soft kisses all over my face and neck

"I love you (y/n)"

"I love you too Jaybird"

He pecked my lips and brought me closer to his chest, both falling asleep in each other's arms and the warmth that they both had so much missed...

THE END

Hope you liked it! I enjoyed so much writing this!! And I love Jason Todd😍😁

Till next time! Let me know if you have any requests...

Author out✌🏻

[fatnuggetsthinker]

FULL STEAM AHEAD

Heathers inspired.

Gwil x Reader 2.6k!

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She sighed and checked her watch as she waited in the empty auditorium, this was the second day in a row he had blown off rehearsals. Jason, he was far too high and mighty to commit to this part, it didn't matter to him the way it did to her. This was a big break for her, her first lead role and in her favourite musical nonetheless. Getting to play Veronica Sawyer was a dream come true and she did NOT want to screw this up but when JD doesn't show up it makes it harder. She gave a little sigh before grabbing her rucksack, giving up for the day and heading for the back of the stage when steps caught her attention. She got her hopes up and spun round thinking it was Jason but it was Mr Lee, the drama teacher and the man who had given her the part. The pair were close, she was his prized student despite it only being her first year and they shared the same love and passion for musical theatre so of course the phrase getting on like a house on fire was appropriate. "Love what are you doing here and why are you alone? Where is Jason?" he asked with gentle frown. She could only let out a bitter laugh. "Sir no offence but he doesn't give a rats ass about this show and I haven't been able to rehearse properly for a week because he can't be bothered to be on time or show up at all!" She said, throwing her hands up all exasperated.

Gwil frowned. "You really should have told me before, but if you still want to rehearse today I can help you out with some lines, I don't have much going on this afternoon apart from marking and tomorrow I'll speak to Jason we'll have to maybe get his understudy in on this." He sighed gently. She gave a soft smile. He always came to the rescue. "I appreciate this sir but it's just this part means a lot to me and I know there will be scouts watching on closing night and this could be my chance." She said, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of being picked up for her performance. Gwil only smiled and shrugged his back off his shoulder, hopping easily on the stage. "I know what this means to you and we won't let him ruin that now, what scenes were you thinking, we can maybe just do a quick run through and have a go at some of your song?" He suggested and she gave a soft nod. "Sure we can, we should start with the cafeteria scene!" She said excitedly, it was one of her favourite little songs she got to preform as well.

And that was how it started, they ran through scenes, songs, skipped over some of the plot till it got to the party scene and she began to blush, she knew what was coming next. She gently sorted out the speaker, fiddling with them to avoid pressing play. "Uh we can skip this if you want I just don't want to make you uncomfortable sir." She said and Gwil laughed. "Sweetheart call me Gwil please and you know this scene isn't much compared to some of the stuff people do on stage." He said, gently brushing her hand as he pressed play. "Show me what you got." He said and headed to the back of the stage, laying his jacket down, when she started singing he couldn't help but watch from his position, admiring her legs in the short blue skirt.

"The demon queen of high school has decreed it. She says Monday, 8am I will be deleted. They'll hunt me down in study hall stuff and mount me on the wall, thirty hours to live, how shall I spend them? I don't have to stay and die like cattle, I could change my name and ride up to Seattle. But I don't own a motorbike. Wait, here's an option that I like. Spend these thirty hours getting freaky!" She strutted to the front of the stage her best drunk ask on, her voice taking over the auditorium as she smirked back at Gwil. He watched as she walked over, a sexiness to her walk. He shouldn't be having such impure thoughts about a student but here he was, sinning after a girl 13 years younger than him. He stood up, bringing himself out his train of thought, pretending to be startled by her presence as she began to sing again. He fully admired the Heatheresque outfit she wore, the short skirt, blue blazer and god not to mention that see through white shirt, that was the part he was having the toughest time keeping his eyes off and oh boy did she notice the almost hungry stare in the mans eyes. "Yeah! I need it hard I'm a dead girl walking! I'm in your yard, I'm a dead girl walking! Before they punch my clock I'm snapping off your window lock Got no time to knock! I'm a dead girl walking..." Her body was close to his now, her breathing a little nervous and ragged as his pretty blue eyes met hers. She really was starting to feel the tension.

"Veronica! What're you doing in my room?" He uttered with that well put on American accent and god if that didn't just turn her on more as she put a gently finger to his lips. "Shh.. Sorry but I really had to wake you. See, I decided I must ride you 'til I break you. 'Cause Heather says I gots to go. You're my last meal on death row. Shut your mouth and lose them tighty whiteys!" Her hands not so gently gently travelled down his chest, this is definitely not how this was supposed to go down but from the look on his face he didn't mind. "Come on! Tonight I'm yours, I'm your dead girl walking! Get on all fours!" Her movements were swift as she pushed him to his knees, Gwil's hands instantly coming to grip her thick thighs. "Kiss this dead girl walking! Let's go, you know the drill I'm hot and pissed and on the pill, Bow down to the will of a dead girl walking!" Her eye's connected with his during the last lines, a spark of something between them as she knelt down in front of him, cupping his handsome face in her hands. His breath was fanning over her face as he kept eye contact. It was exactly how she imagined it, a small hint of coffee and a little minty. She was so lost that she was almost forgot to keep singing.

"And you know, you know, you know it's 'cause you're beautiful. You say you're numb inside but I can't agree. So the world's unfair. Keep it locked out there. In here it's beautiful. Let's make this beautiful!" Her voice was bold as she sang and Gwil was mesmerised, as JD should be. "That works for me!" He uttered and in a heartbeat his hands were all over her, pulling her thighs up to wrap round his waist, he let his hips roll so sinfully, there was no going back now. What should have been fake making out was the opposite. Gwil kissed her with such force that she let out a small moan and let her finger tightly grip at his soft hair. His grinding didn't cease, if anything it became far more instant as he lair himself back, easily pulling her on top so she was straddling him. She'd watched this a million times but god this was better than any of what she had imagined. She almost didn't want to keep going but Gwil was already unbuttoning her shirt, ready for her to do her big finale. She grudged pulling away but when the last of her buttons were undone she pulled away from his mouth.

"YEAH! Full steam ahead. Take this dead girl walking!" Another roll of his hips. "How'd you find my address?" Another smirk from her. "Let's break the bed! Rock this dead girl walking! " A slam of her palms either side of his head, a lustful look in her eye's. "I think you tore my mattress!" One more particularly hard thrust upwards of his hips. "No sleep tonight for you, Better chug that Mountain Dew!" A soft smirk on her face. "Okay, okay" His obvious fake nervousness coming through, What an actor. "Get your ass in gear, make this whole town disappear!" Her breathing was heavy, he could feel how wet she was under the barely there material of her underwear. "Okay, okay!" He uttered, focused on her entirely. "Slap me, pull my hair." He did as he was told, a light tap to the cheek but a rough tug on her dark hair. "Touch me, there and there and there and no more talking! Love this dead girl walking!" Neither could finish the rest of the song, Gwil had them turned round in seconds flat, their position changing with ease. "God look at you, so fucking turned on huh? Know how hard it was to let you keep going with that and not just push those pretty panties to the side." He almost growled out.

Her heart was hammering in her ears. "Well what the hell are you waiting for?" She challenged, trying not to let her voice falter. God she had thought of this a thousand times, how she'd seduce the pretty older man but now that it was happening she just wanted him to take control and oh boy did he. His blue eye were now almost a stormy grey as he made quick work of the skirt, muttering something about not getting the costume dirty as she was left in just the pretty thong she wore. He let his sinful lips travel from her lips down her body, leaving the darkest and most noticeable marks where people would surely see them and ask about them and something about that just turned her on more, having to lie because she got them from her own professor. When he was pressing soft kisses to her inner thighs he smirked, stopping for a moment earning her attention. Without breaking eye contact he let a hot breath caress over her sex. Earning him an absolutely sinful moan. "Sir please!" She almost begged and he couldn't help but tut. "So needy love, guess you have been a good girl, that little performance deserves a treat." He hummed, making such easy work of her panties.

He felt overdressed, it was a little unfair, having already had his shirt taken off he made very quick work of his pants. She just mewled like a little kitten and pushed her hips up, one hand coming down to touch herself but she soon found her wrist in a tight grip. "Ah, ah, ah babygirl." He scolded. "You don't touch yourself unless I tell you." He growled and even the tone of his voice made her wet. He let go, only after she mumbled out a soft sorry sir and resumed his position between her thighs, leaving small kisses to her pretty clit. Just enough for it to be something but still teasing. The scruff of his beard was leaving the prettiest red marks all over her pale thighs and it only got brighter when he buried his face in with no hesitation. The noises that fell from her mouth were noises Gwil had never had anyone he went down on make. She was positively whining, her back arching off the stage. She was begging, strings of please, Gwil, sir falling from her lips and he was going to loose it. She was going to be the death of the older man. He kept on, his tongue working double time when a word spilled from her lips that made him stop. "D-Daddy!"

It was as if she regretted what she said instantly as she looking down to see Gwil looking up at her with something animistic in his eyes. "Gwil I'm sorry I didn't me-" She was cut off by his large hand wrapping round her throat. "Daddy huh babygirl? Have to say, didn't peg you as that type but here we are." He said adding a little pressure, causing her to let out a gasp. "Daddy is going to take very good care of you love, gonna make you see start princess." He whispered, right in her ear, gently biting at her ear lobe. "If you need me to stop tap my thigh twice okay love?" He asked, his caring side flashing through. She could only nod, too turned on to talk. Gwil grabbed her throat again and let himself get in position, she was already keeping again, trying desperately for anything but it still took her by surprise when he sunk in so easy, like a knife through butter, she was so soaked for him, she;d already made a mess of the jacket he had placed down.

He took his time with the first few thrusts, letting her get used to it but when she fought back a little he decided enough was enough, he had waited long enough. His thrusts got harder, his hand moving from her throat down her body, teasing at every inch he could, avoiding her clit at all costs, he wanted her to come without being touched. Wanted her to make a mess. "Do you have any idea babygirl, how many times I have pictured this? The first day you showed up in my class in that pretty little summer dress, I wanted to take you over my desk right there and then, you would have loved that though wouldn't you? Would have loved everyone watching huh?" He smirked, knowing his words got her going more. "Y-Yes daddy!" She whimpered. "Wanted you so bad too, got off so many times thinking about you, wanted you so bad." She repeated. She was loosing it, with every single thrust he was hitting that spot, she had tears pouring from her eyes, there was no pain just sheer pleasure as he landed a smack to her backside. "You know how jealous I got, seeing all your little boyfriends come and go over the last three years love? Those silly little college boys had no idea how to treat you, give you what you need!" He groaned and punctuated it with a particularly hard thrust. Gwil was totally satisfied as she moaned out so sinfully.

"Only you daddy! Only you c-can! Please let me cum I need it so bad." She whimpered. He smirked and gently tugged on her hair. His thrusts became rougher, 10x more intense, his own moans starting to get out of control as he felt her getting close. "Come on then babygirl, come for daddy, you feel so fucking good round me, so fucking tight." He whined, his hips feeling lazy and a little like jello as the pretty girl beneath him came, a silent 'Gwil' on her lips as she clenched, eyes shut tightly. The sight alone was enough to make Gwil melt and let go, gently leaning down to stifle her soft whines with a kiss. Their breathing eventually came down, Gwil pulled away a little and laughed, gently pushing the soft mess of hair from her face. "Full steam ahead huh?" He smirked, making her roll her eyes. "For real though, that was incredible." He mumbled, a hand tracing soft patterns on her arm. "I know Gwil, trust me, when I told you I've been after you for a while I meant it, everything else was a distraction but that was everything I expected it to be and more." She admitted, looking up with a radiant smile. Gwil gave one right back.

"So shall we make this a regular thing as long as we keep it between us?" He smirked.

"Absolutely."

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Plz be nice, I have had this idea for ages cause I love Heathers and have had this idea for a solid week now so here we are???

[xiu21chen99]

EXO imagines: Stripper!au for OTPs (listen to Love Shot to feel the imagines a bit better)

THEY ALL WORK IN THE SAME JOINT. SOME WORK THERE, OTHERS VISIT, SOME SHIPS MIGHT NOT HAVE A STRIPPER BUT THEIR INTERACTION HAPPENS IN THE JOINT SO THAT STILL COUNTS.

XIUCHEN:

-Minseok is the personification of the word "sin" yet his body can do so many heavenly wonders.

Jongdae is the shy boy who was desperate for any source of money but not much job opportunities open up to a college drop out (finance problems caused this too). Luckily, the bar at the end of his poor apartment block was hiring entertainers. He put his good voice to use and got the spot, but Jongdae didn't know that the bar also gave out, err, pleasure services until he's already a week in, when he walked into the room his boss told him not to go to for reasons unknown, because he had mistaken it for as bathroom door, and he saw a club of some sorts, with loads of people trying to grab the attention of the man flexing over the metal pole on the stage. Though it seems that out of all the hungry people in the crowd, Minseok's attention was caught by the one lone angel by the door, who's got a light halo over him, making him look even more innocent and making Minseok more hungry for him.

Jongdae squeaks and leaves the room, face flushed as the image of that hot guy winking at him slowly ingrained itself in the back of his eyelids. And he squeaks again, hours later, when his last performance ended and he was in the changing room to change into the clothes he came in with when a hand inches its way down his still bare back. "Why hello there, pretty" Jongdae cranes his neck to see the hot guy again, and he blinks to make sure he wasn't just a figment of his imagination. He knew he was real the moment he felt a chin rest on his shoulder, and lips on his neck but he couldn't bring himself to make the other stop.

CHANBAEK:

-Chanyeol may not know how to dance like most strippers in the joint, he did know how to use his body, and his tongue, in more ways than one.

Baekhyun is the playboy of the town, the best example of "daddy" and he knew it. He's been to all the clubs and bars and stripper joints at least once, and he's grown bored of them. Sure, alcohol was pleasing and the way it burned his throat felt so so good, and yeah, the pretty girls who willingly bent over for him were a turn-on, but his dick has had enough of that and all their performances lost their touch long ago. He didn't know why the thrill was slowly fading, so his last resort was the new strip joint- problem is, he didn't know it was for gays until it was too late. Until his once straight sexuality bent the wrong way for that tall, black leather clad stripper who was giving slow licks to the men in the crowd. "Fvck, his tongue feels so good." Baekhyun thinks when Chanyeol licks behind his ear.

KAISOO:

-Jongin is known as Kai when he's in the joint, and no one must know that he likes showing off his toned body and uses said body to turn people on.

Kyungsoo is the manager of the place, though no one knows his face much, since he's almost never there (Junmyeon looks over for him). During his rare visits, he sits back and enjoys the show for once, as he looks at the Kai boy with hungry eyes, feeling himself salivate at the hip thrusting and the tight, bulge showing pants. He later enters the strippers' changing rooms, and once he says his name, almost everyone freezes and bows and offers their respect, except for a certain Kai because he had no idea who Do Kyungsoo was and why he was allowed to just barge into their rooms until said man walks up to him and grabs his chin forcefully, lowering the other's face so Kyungsoo can directly say into Kai's ear, "I own this place,"

Then he smirks when he feels Kai shudder, "and in turn, I own you."

HUNHAN:

-Sehun and Luhan were rivals in the strip business as their seduction ways clashed- Sehun offered his body and sinful dances while Luhan like subtlety and dressed innocently.

It was during one day when Junmyeon told Sehun that Tao, Sehun's partner for their Wednesday performance, called in sick and put Luhan up for substitute that he was sure the world was gonna end, or maybe just his life because Luhan was annoying and whiny and he wasn't even sure if Luhan knew sexiness even if it hit him right in the face.

His words bite him later in the ass as they perform, Sehun wearing a leather jacket (wearing nothing inside so abs were shown) and ripped jeans that were snug against his crotch while Luhan went for short clothes like a black croptop, short denim shorts and oh God, lace stockings. And crotch to crotch during their dance, Sehun had to admit that it felt way sexier to be like that with Luhan than with Tao, and in the end of their dance, he couldn't hold back a kiss, and the crowd became voyeurs when it got more intimate

SULAY:

-Yixing frequents the stripper joint, not because he wanted to spend the night with one of its beauties, but because he has his eyes set on the manager of the place.

Junmyeon is at it again, in another state of panic as more men keep on coming in, and there were to guys absent today so it just doubled his problems yet all he just wanted to do was curl up in his bed and sleep til next week. It was after Minseok, his best friend in the business, told him to take a break did he feel like he was able to breathe again (Minseok could handle the guys, and handle himself and it's that that Junmyeon can't do).

Junmyeon is pushed out the strippers' room and into the bar, so he decides to hang there for a while. He orders himself vodka and goes to the lounge, where drunks usually hung out, but finds there were no other seats available. As he turns to head back, probably to find a seat in the crowd of sexually deprived people, a hand grips onto his wrist. He turns to see a man with a dimpled smile look at him with a flirty look, offering him his lap, "Where do you think you're going? I didn't spend the hour here waiting for you only to get abandoned." And Junmyeon just knew it was too good to be true.

TAORIS:

-Tao usually pole danced, showing off his flexing muscles as he worked on the pole but this one customer showed him that his ass can attract more guys than his act.

It was a normal day, his afternoon spent working on his shift in the cafe and his evening, stripping. Their schedules always differed each day, sometimes Tao would be the first performer, sometimes the last, with his and Sehun's act always the fourth, meaning it was the middle act. Today, his solo was scheduled last. While Minseok hyung was on the stage, stripping shamelessly for the people, Tao was in the crowd. He was already clad in his performing clothes, which consisted of a loose, sleeveless shirt and some liquid leggings to go along with it because leggings were his thing and they showed off the outline of his amazing legs. On his way to the very back to escape through the back door, he bumps into possibly the tallest guy he ever saw his whole life.

He feels a hand snake to his ass and it sends chills up his spine as he sees the guy look down on him with a smirk. "Why hello there, wanna be mine for the night?" Turns out he was named Kris, and he simply found Tao's ass irresistible.

[beezebubfics]

Why

This was supposed to be for Bechloe Week, but oh well.

----------------

Saturday night with the Bellas, the girls had just graduated from college, except for Emily that would carry the Bellas' Legacy when they all leave next week after World's, going their separate ways.

Beca was at the improvised bar in the middle of their backyard where they also had build a little stage next to the fence. Sipping on her beer, the brunette watched as her friends (and some other people she was sure weren't invited to the party, but whatever) took turns to go up on stage and sing. Typical aca-party.

Looking around, she saw Jesse at the opposite side of the yard, Benji hugging him and she let out a sigh. She hated to be the one to cause Jesse sadness but she had to break up with him. It's been months that she had noticed she was starting to have feelings for her best friend and it wasn't fair to neither of them to keep their relationship going.

Chloe. She had to find Chloe. It wasn't hard, to be honest, she knew the redhead better than she knew herself and knew she would be in line to get on stage. But Chloe was unusually nervous, which caught Beca's attention. The redhead was fidgeting with her thumb ring and looking around as if looking for someone and when she caught the brunette's eyes, she smiled brightly.

"Hey Chlo, can we talk? It's uh... It's about me and Jesse."

Chloe bit her lip, heart racing a little as she looked away. She knew Beca's plan of moving with Jesse to L.A. after the World's. Not that Beca had told her, but she saw their text messages about it a few days ago and every time Beca tried to talk to her, the redhead changed the subject to avoid that conversation. She wasn't ready to say goodbye to Beca. To neither of the Bellas, honestly. Even thinking about that made her emotional.

"Can it wait? I'm up next"

Beca looked up at the stage, Jessica handing Chloe the microphone. She nodded with a sigh and smiled softly "Yeah... sure, get up there. I'll be waiting."

She was trying to talk to Chloe about her feelings for some time, but for some reason the redhead kept avoiding the subject. Just like now. But she had to do it before it was too late.

Chloe got on stage, requested a melody to the guy that had his phone plugged in a speaker and as the first chords started to play, the girl got to the center of the stage, eyes closed.

Beca stayed close and noticed the redhead was shaking a little. She recognized the song immediately, even though she would never admit that. It was 'Why Don't You Love Me' by Hot Chelle Rae and Demi Lovato, one of Chloe's favorite songs.

See, I can't wake up

I'm living a nightmare that keeps playing over again

Locked in a room, so hung up on you

And you're cool with just being friends

Chloe's eyes were still closed and a shaky sigh could be heard over the music, her hear beating faster and faster inside her chest. Since she first listened to this song last year she knew she had to sing it to Beca to tell her how she feels. And she had, actually, plenty of times. But it was just so casually that Baca had barely noticed.

Left on the side lines

Stuck at a red light

Waiting for my time and I can't see

Why don't you love me, touch me

Tell me I'm your everything, the air you breathe

She was pouring her soul in every word and Beca could feel it. The brunette couldn't take her eyes off Chloe, wandering who the redhead was singing it to. It couldn't be for her and the thought of it made Beca's heart ache. If Chloe was in love with her she would've had said something already.

And why don't you love me, baby

Open up your heart tonight

'Cause I could be all that you need

Why don't you love me

Chloe took a deep breath and opened her eyes, seeing a few faces looking up at her, most of them were her Bellas', smiling to encourage the girl to keep singing. She found Beca in the crowd and locked eyes on hers.

See, I'm just too scared to tell you the truth

'Cause my heart, it can't take anymore

Broken and bruised, longing for you

And I don't know what I'm waiting for

Was... Was Chloe really singing to Beca? The brunette had butterflies in her stomach, and felt so lightheaded that she could only see Chloe, no one else around her existed at the moment. And as Chloe was singing the chorus that's when she noticed. Beca loved Chloe. She was in love with her.

Give me a reason

Please, tell me the truth

You know that I keep believing

'Til I'm with you

Tears ran down Chloe's cheeks now and, looking away from Beca, she focused on putting as much meaning on every lyric to make her best friend understand. She was crazy in love with Beca, she needed the brunette in her life and needed her to understand that.

Why don't you love me

Kiss me

I can feel your heart tonight

It's killing me

Beca felt her own tears on her face and wiped them away, shaking her head at how stupid she was for not realising her love for the redhead before.

As the song came to an end, Chloe saw Beca rushing to the house and so she left the stage in a hurry. Had she scared Beca away? Gosh,that's why she didn't wanna tell her at the first place.

Beca had her back on the wall, covering her face with her hands, trying to get her heart to stop beating so fast, but a smile on her face. "Beca" Chloe's voice made her heart jump and then calm down the next second. It was crazy how the redhead had that effect on her. "Are you okay?"

She looked at her best friend and her heart jumped again. "How long?"

The redhead bit her lip, fidgeting with her thumb ring. "Since your first year"

"Jesus.." She ran a hand through her hair, looking up at the ceiling. "Why didn't you tell me then?!"

"I was afraid you'd run from me! Just like now!"

"I didn't-" She stopped herself there. She had ran. But just because she didn't want the people at the party to see her crying. "I'm not running from you."

"I know you don't feel the same way and that you're with Jesse and you're moving to L.A. in a week and-"

"Wait how do you know that?"

"You fell asleep with your phone open that day when we were watching 'Mamma Mia!' In my room and he texted you about it. I didn't mean to invade your privacy, just got curious! I'm sorry."

"No, that's okay..."

"And why didn't you tell me about that? And don't tell me that it's because of the World's."

Chloe sounded hurt and the brunette sighed "Because it doesn't matter"

"You're moving to freaking L.A., why doesn't it matter?!"

"Because I broke up with Jesse!" They both kept quiet, just looking at each other's eyes. "I'm not going anymore." Beca noticed she was two steps away from the redhead and didn't even realize she had walked all the way to her.

Beca's gaze drifted to Chloe's lips as she took one step closer. Then another one until she was holding the redhead's face between her hands and pulling her into a kiss.

Chloe's hands flew to the brunette's waist, pulling her closer as she sighed and deepened the kiss. Years dreaming and waiting for this moment and finally she was kissing Beca. The kiss was better than she expected, soft but it really showed the desire and love they both felt for one another, Beca's tongue playing with Chloe's until they ran out of breath and had to break the kiss.

"Come with me to New York" Beca was beaming at Chloe, her cheeks red from the heat between them.

"I would love to, Becs, but-"

"Please? I want to stay with you there. And also... I need someone to share the rent"

Chloe giggled "I'll think about it"

"Okay." Beca gave her a quick kiss on her lips and took her hand. "Let's get back to the party?"

"I have a better idea..." The redhead said and guided Beca to her room.