#friends to lovers + fake engagement trope my beloved

[enobariasdistrict2]

not pope selling the lie that he and cleo are engaged/madly in love & naming their first child jimmy XDDD

[hayatoseyepatch]

Hello darling~! Here's my second attempt at this ask. Congrats on your milestone, I'm so proud of you! I'm curious to see who I get matched with.

About Me: To start with, my pronouns are she/her and I am definitely an extrovert! I get anxious at times when in unfamiliar circumstances and I am definitely prone to overstimulation but I love being out and about with friends.

My personality is the older sister type. I worry and fret over others and I like taking care of people but I can hold my ground. I have little tolerance for disrespect and I'm firm in my boundaries. That being said, I'm otherwise fairly open-minded and easygoing. I definitely love laughing and joking with others.

I am very independent but I don't mind being taken care of or spoiled from time to time. I like to think I'm a capable, reliable person and I try to remind others to stick up for themselves and not to settle for mistreatment. There's no harm in a little selfishness, after all!

My hobbies are cooking, writing, reading, traveling, and tabletop games! I love D&D and other collaborative storytelling games a lot and getting into character is so so fun. I also love watching video essays on a wide range of topics from games to politics to obscure fandom drama. I'll watch anything if the speaker is engaging enough.

Fandom: Wind Breaker please!!

Tropes: I am a sucker for arranged marriages, mutual pining, fake dating, and friends-to-lovers. I also love a good revenge story like Marry My Husband or those ten billion "reborn as a villainess" webtoons. My favorite stories, though, are two people who are trying their best to understand and support one another and get closer thanks to a shared goal. I like "rivals to lovers" but I'm not actually a huge fan of "enemies to lovers" since it's rarely done well enough for my liking.

My Type: I need devotion and loyalty. Someone who will walk through hell for their beloved, even if their loved one would never ask that of them. My other favorite character archetypes are usually Kuuderes, people who seem emotionless on the outside but warm and kind below the surface. I also like the clever types who rely on their intelligence more than their strength. Schemers and trickster types are great fun, though I don't think I'd enjoy dating one because they're often so troublesome.

I also like characters who have their own hobbies and interests. They need to have passions outside of their romantic interest and if they have a big friend group? Even better!

Favorite Characters: My top five in Wind Breaker are Choji, Kiryu, Suo, Sako, and Endo. Though I genuinely love all the characters, even the minor ones.

Icks: I don't think I'd want to be paired up with Suo because I think he'd tease me too much. Choji and Endo also seem a bit too clingy for my liking and more than a little childish on Choji's part.

I don't want to be paired with Umemiya, if possible. He's very sweet but a bit...much for me.

I don't like overly controlling characters either. I really value my individuality and independence. Anyone who would want to limit me in any way by restricting me from seeing certain friends, wearing certain clothes, or would otherwise try to change me are a massive red flag. I want devotion, not obsession.

I think that's everything so good luck!! I'm really curious to who you end up pairing me with~!

OKAY IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS ONE MY BELOVED FOXX. The second you said you appreciated the minor manga characters I knew I wanted this pairing. But after the convo we had this morning, I’m even more excited because maybe you’ll see and appreciate the vision.

I’m going to be matching you with Shuhei Suzuri!!

⤜♡→ You both have adopted the older sibling role and I feel like there's such a mutual understanding and love from having that in common. There is the common denominator of wanting to care for each other while also being cared for in return. Always being the one those go to for guidance and assistance, it is nice to surrender that when you are both together. Being able to care and love for one another while receiving it in return.

⤜♡→ For as much as he was the former leader of Gravel he does have his moments now where he will be a bit more withdrawn with others, the insecurity of his situation and his past creeping up on him. I feel like your extroversion and tenderness is a gods sent in those moments. Taking the reins and he just simply cant help but to fall even more in love with you.

⤜♡→ He finds your strength beautiful. The way you stand for what you believe in had him swooning every single time. Your unwavering heart is what he truly fell in love with and he was truly hopeless to even try and stop it.

⤜♡→ Suzuri wasn’t afforded the opportunity to enjoy many simple things due to his upbringing. He loves letting you expand his world. I feel like he very much enjoys dnd, the creative storytelling and creativity that goes into it is something he enjoys. Having to use his imagination more than anything as kid. He is hooked onto every word from the dm looking at you with bright excited eyes as you carry out your campaign.

I just have this idea of you both working in the same restaurant. Maybe because of that one bakery au you did with SakoTia that I adore so much. The others at the restaurant where you both were had side-eyed him a bit, it was hard not to look at him a particular way after the events of the fight that night. He understood he was used to being treated differently He was here to work and build a better life for himself. However, sometimes it was hard to ignore the looks directed at him, the words said in hushed tones as he walked by. Though each time he felt himself beginning to spiral, there you were, with your beautiful laughter and gentle smile that colored his cheeks and made his heart race. He was hopeless from the moment he had first laid his eyes on you. You never treated him differently, never gave him a sideways glance or an untrusting look. He began to assume that you hadn’t heard the events that led up to getting this job.

You both were in the kitchen one night, it was slow so some of the staff was cut, leaving you both in your own quiet corner. He always loved nights like this, where he could just spend uninterrupted time with you, listening as you spoke to him about the most recent video essay you had watched. However, tonight was different. He was more withdrawn, you could practically hear the scrambled thoughts running through his mind. Before you could ask what was wrong he turned to you abruptly. He may be panicking, the fear of losing you creeping up in his chest, but he didn’t want to lie any longer he needed you to know the circumstances that led to him working here, and then if you chose to treat him like the others he would understand. But he couldn't continue to fall in love with you without you knowing the truth. “Listen, I need to tell you something.” He took a deep breath when you encouraged him to continue. “You should know I only have this job because-“ His words were suddenly cut off, your gentle fingertips resting over his lips. “I know.”

Surprise dances across his expression, his words muffled against your fingers. “You do?” He watches in shock as you giggle, nodding your head. His brows furrowed. “And you don’t think any different of me? Don think I'm a powder keg ready to explode?” He moves his hands as he speaks as if to emphasize his words. All he was greeted with was another bout of laughter from you as you shook your head. “But why?” He questions, genuinely curious, so used to being judged for his past. He watches you shrug, continuing your work of prepping ingredients as you spoke. “I didn’t know you then, but I know your character. I’m sure you had your reasons. Kanji wouldn’t have stuck his neck out for no reason and I trust his judgment, I know the you now and that’s all that matters isn’t it?” You look at him finally, that beautiful smile adorning your features once more. “Plus if you try anything, I’ll kick your ass.” You giggle before turning back to your work. His heart felt like it was attempting to escape his chest with how fast it was racing. As he returned to his own work there was a smile on his face. If he was hopeless before, he was absolutely despondent now. He was free falling and he only wanted you to catch him. Okay so I may have gotten just a wee bit carried away but this sweet boy (and you) just deserve all the love in the world and I had so much fun with this.

[gluttons]

🚢 im here to be a menace.

shipping meme. accepting.

do i ship our characters together?: yes (derogatory) | no | not yet but maybe soon

would i like to ship with you?: yes!!!!!! | maybe, i'm willing to try | no

type of relationship i could see: childhood or high school sweethearts | EXES. | engaged | married | long-term relationship | crushes | unrequited love | fling | long distance | online relationship | just dating | new relationship | toxic lovers | friends with benefits

tropes i'd enjoy writing for them: friends to lovers | enemies to lovers lovers to enemies | exes to lovers | fake relationship / dating | forbidden love | grumpy and sunshine | star-crossed lovers | surprise pregnancy | second chance | soulmates | amnesia / mistaken identity | forced proximity | secret relationship | slow burn relationship

would i rather plot first or jump right in and see where it goes?: develop their relationship first | jump right in | something in between ( what specifically? )

what now?: let's plot something | send me shippy memes | i'll send you shippy memes | write me a random starter | i'll write you a random starter

anything else i want you to know about me / my character / my shipping habits: ( put whatever you want here )

he hates him so much. OH MY GOD, like how dare raum kill meph's beloved ?? do u know how much deliberation it took for meph to tell raum about it; to be vulnerable & expose himself like that??? killing the mortal meph was the closest to just felt like utter disrespect. just know that he's just been waiting for centuries to exact his revenge on raum LOL. ciel is the perfect recipie for revenge he was waiting for also lbr meph isn't 100% over raum. he's just angry & jealous. he's just with the opinion that raum should grovel & beg for meph to take him back LOL. though, fat chance of that ever happening lol. in the meantime, they're just stuck in this awkward, sexual-tension filled limbo.

[aeonblaze]

🚢 !!!

from here.

do i ship our characters together?: yes | no | not yet but maybe soon

would i like to ship with you?: yes | maybe, i'm willing to try | no

type of relationship i could see: childhood or high school sweethearts | exes | engaged | married | long-term relationship | crushes | unrequited love | fling | long distance | online relationship | just dating | new relationship | toxic lovers | friends with benefits

tropes i'd enjoy writing for them: friends to lovers | enemies to lovers | exes to lovers | fake relationship / dating | forbidden love | grumpy and sunshine | star-crossed lovers | surprise pregnancy | second chance | soulmates | amnesia / mistaken identity | forced proximity | secret relationship | slow burn relationship

would i rather plot first or jump right in and see where it goes?: develop their relationship first | jump right in | something in between ( i'm really bad at like. plotting Specifically, but i love shooting the breeze about ideas and jumping around in terms of points in the relationship )

what now?: let's plot something | send me shippy memes | i'll send you shippy memes | write me a random starter | i'll write you a random starter

anything else i want you to know about me / my character / my shipping habits: caelus and gepard my beloveds....hands u my love and affection. caelus is dumb but full of love pls take advantage of it geppie TT_TT

[ppersonna]

my only wish - knj | m

“ santa can you hear me? i have been so good this year. and all i want is one thing. please tell me my true love is here ” - my only wish (this year), britney spears

✹ summary- There are few things you hate most in this world. Hornets, unnecessary fruit pieces in otherwise perfectly good jello, certain shades of orange… But nothing takes the cake more than two simple things. Christmas. And Kim Namjoon. So why did you agree to pretend to be Kim Namjoon’s girlfriend at his family Christmas party? Bah-Humbug.

✹ rating- explicit/18+/nsfw

✹ pairing- kim namjoon x reader

✹ word count- 15.1k OOF

✹ genre- smut, fluff, tiny tiny angst if you squint, enemies to lovers, fake dating au, idiots to lovers, brief mention of YoonMin

✹ warnings- penetrative sex, unprotected sex (dont do it), daddy kink lolol, namjoon has a big dick, oral sex (m/f receiving), cum swallowing, light cum play, dirty talk, light degradation (very light tbh), praise kink, lots of mentions of joon being a beefy boy, masturbation,

✹ a/n- its here!! finally! my contribution to rockin around the christmas tropes. big big big shout out to @ladyartemesia​ @xjoonchildx​ @untaemedqueen​ @underthejoon​ @yeojaa​ @snackhobi​ for being my co collaborators. and a warm shout out to @wwilloww​ and @hobi-gif​ for being some very lovely betas. thank you thank you! i hope you enjoy!

There are few things you hate most in this world. 

 Hornets, unnecessary fruit pieces in otherwise perfectly good jello, certain shades of orange…

 But nothing takes the cake more than two simple things: 

 Christmas. 

 And Kim Namjoon. 

Christmas, in your opinion, is nothing more than a consumerist holiday, anchored on ensuring you’re guilted enough from November 1st to the 25th of December to spend your hard earned money on shit your friends and loved ones won’t even use. It’s a time for people to pretend they love giving and caring, while shoving you out of lines in stores, buying up all the groceries as if it’s the end times, and forcing party after mindless party for “celebration” that ends in seeing your boss drunk and pants-less by the punchbowl. 

 And don’t even start on Kim Namjoon. 

 On paper, he’s your colleague, to put the terms friendly. In reality, he’s your opponent, your adversary. He’s annoying, rude, stuck up, and not to mention a douchebag heartbreaker. He’s everything you hate wrapped in one disgustingly handsome face. 

 The man never misses a chance to steal a case from underneath your nose, rub the praise he receives from your bosses in your face, and look ridiculously delectable in his tight suits that he insists he wears around the office. He absolutely infuriates you. 

 And now, as you sit in the company-wide meeting, your heart sinks as you realize the worst thing about Namjoon—he’s about to get the promotion you’ve been vying for your entire career.

 That position was as good as yours—at least, you had thought.

 That was until lead counsel, Seokjin, stands in front of all the attorneys present and calls out Namjoon’s name, commending him on winning his latest case—the case that you had done the bulk of the work for. Seokjin even tells the rest of the lawyers in the room that Namjoon is “someone to watch” with a glint of pride in his eyes. 

 The smug smile Namjoon sends in your direction as he teasingly nibbles on a pen with his sultry mouth is enough to make you want to tear his eyes out and use them as olives in the martini you sorely needed.

 Namjoon smirks as he walks past you once the meeting ends.

 “Make sure you watch me, baby,” he whispers into your ear. 

 His hand rests on your lower back and you hate how much he aggravates you, and hate even more so that he frustrates you sexually as much as he does intellectually.

 Unfortunately, your body can’t keep up with your mind’s distaste for the elder lawyer. His presence around you makes your blood vessels tighten and your head feel light—nipples prickling against your bra when he winks at you.

 “Asshole,” you whisper under your breath as you pack up your notebook.

 “Oh, ___!” Seokjin calls out just as you’re about to leave the all-glass meeting room.

 Your head suddenly screeches to a very frustrated, sexual halt when you turn to face the lead counsel of your company.

 “Yes, Mr. Kim?”

 “I’ve got a case for you.”

 The smile on his face makes you relax. Maybe he sees your potential. Maybe he’s testing you just as much as he’s testing Namjoon. Maybe you’ll be the “one to watch” and you can rub that right in Namjoon’s perfect, stunning face.

 A thick manila folder slides across the oak table towards you from Seokjin’s hands. The impressive volume of the dossier makes you giddy with anticipation.

 “I know you won’t let me down.”

 You nod, nibbling at your lips, before bowing to your superior and dashing out of the room as fast as your Louboutins can handle.

 It’s not until you sit at your desk, a cramped little cubicle next to Park Jimin, your best friend and paralegal assistant, that you open the folder.

 Your heart sinks as your eyes hurriedly rush over the title page.

 Personal Injury Suit.

 A dejected sigh leaves you as you throw the folder onto your desk and slouch back in your ergonomic office chair.

 “What’s up, pussycat?” Jimin smiles as he rolls his chair over to your side of the cubicle. “Namjoon got you worked up again?”

 You groan as you take off your reading glasses, setting them aside to rub at the burgeoning headache building at your temples. You had momentarily forgotten all about Namjoon in the hurried hope that you’d land a case of significance, something you could finally use to prove yourself.

 Instead, you gained yet another in-and-out, settle outside of court case. Likely some elderly geriatric suing a corporation for too-slippery floors.

 “Another fucking personal injury suit,” you whine as you thrust the folder into the lithe paralegal’s hands.

 He looks over the documents and sucks his teeth.

 “Man, Seokjin really has it out for you.”

 You level a look at your best friend, before nodding and holding your head in your hands.

 “Namjoon is getting all the good cases! He gets the media attention, the litigation deals, everything! It’s like I’m not even given a chance to show what kind of lawyer I can be when I’m stuck with all the nursing home and car accident suits!”

 Jimin bows dutifully, nodding his head as you express your woes.

 “I can do more than just personal injury litigation… and Seokjin knows that! It’s just that Namjoon keeps getting all the air-time!”

 “I know, babe. I know.”

 With one last sigh of disbelief, you take the folder out of Jimin’s hands and sit upright at your desk.

 “Well, I guess if I’m going to be a personal injury lawyer, I’m going to be the best fucking one yet. Let’s get to work.”

 “Yeah! Fighting!” Jimin cheers.

  Namjoon sighs as he listens to his mother blabber on and on through his phone. He leans back in his chair and surveys the wide expanse of his corner office.

 Seokjin gave him this space, an upgrade from the desolate cubicles when he won his last big case, Kim Taehyung, artist v. the city of New York. He can’t help but smirk as he glimpses you from his window, pouring over a case file. He notes the curve of your back in the silk blouse you’re wearing and the way it tucks into your pencil skirt. He wishes he could see the outline of your ass and watch as it sways back and forth when you walk.

 “I just don’t understand why you can’t ever bring anyone home for the holidays!”

 His mother breaks him from his silent reverie of detailing every aspect of your backside.

 “You know your grandmother will not be alive much longer! And all she wants is her only grandson to be happy and in love! And a few grandchildren won’t hurt!”

 “I am her grandchild, Mom.”

 She’s silent for a moment.

 “Well, I wouldn’t mind some grandchildren either.”

 He groans again and presses his fingers to his forehead, a headache bubbling up behind his eyes.

 “Don’t you act like that, young man! You have a big empty house, big car, big life, and no one to share it with. I just want you to be happy.”

 She continues on and Namjoon can’t help but let her words sink in.

 He has it all. Expensive luxury apartment, enormous bed, gorgeous kitchen, money to spend on traveling and enjoying life. Yet he spends most of his time here, stuck in his office. He’s utterly alone, regardless of how many social guests he tries to entertain, horrid dates he attempts to go on. He’s always left alone, and he feels it deep at the very bottom of his heart—the loneliness and desire for a companion.

 “Mom! Mom!” He interrupts her diatribe on the futility of his adult life. “Stop!”

 “Namjoon, I’m just conce-”

 “I’ll bring home my girlfriend for the holidays, okay?”

There’s a stunned silence on the other end.

 “A girlfriend?” she asks, tentatively. “Really?”

 “Yeah,” he breathes, wincing already at the lie he’s spoon-feeding his poor mother—all in the name of getting her off his back. “She’s kind of shy, so I didn’t want to tell you about her yet, but now seems like the best time. I’m... I’m even thinking of proposing.”

 The words come out of Namjoon’s mouth before he can stop them. His mom bursts into screams of delight, and he can tell she’s running to his beloved grandmother to tell her the news.

 “Oh, Namjoon! This is all we’ve ever wanted for you. I’m so proud of you! I can’t wait to meet her! Oh, goodness, I can’t want to tell your father. Goodbye, son! I’ll see you two soon!”

 She hangs up before Namjoon has a chance to even breathe.

 “Fuck.”

 He drops his phone to his wooden desk and grimaces. 

 How the hell is he going to find a fiance in the next 3 days before the holiday break? 

 There’s Jennie, his ex.

 He thinks about it for a moment, before quickly dismissing it. No, much too clingy and possessive. She’d take it to be real, and he’d be stuck with her.

 His last hookup, Jihoo?

 No, too aloof. His mom would never buy that they were a love-sick couple on the brink of engagement.

 A crash outside his office startles Namjoon, making him stand and exit the large corner suite.

 The commotion is coming from your cubicle, where he can see you’re struggling to use the decrepit computer. The crash must have been from you slamming the keyboard to the desk, causing the individual keys to pop off the board.

 “Shit! Jimin, help me put this keyboard back together!” 

 You shimmy out of your chair and onto your knees, an excellent sight for Namjoon if he wasn’t so concerned about your well-being.

 The paralegal is standing above you, watching as you kneel to gather the pieces of the obliterated keyboard.

 “Oh no, honey. It’s against my personal constitution to be on my knees unless it’s for a handsome man.”

 “God, Jimin, come on.”

 “Hey, it’s not my fault you hulk-smashed the life out of that poor keyboard.”

 Namjoon smirks, turning back into his office and sliding into his desk. He easily opens his MacBook and emails Yoongi in IT, requesting a brand new computer for your desk—no holds barred. He wants the top of the line for you.

 He suddenly has just the person in mind to be his fake fiancée. 

  A brand new, gorgeous computer is at your desk the next day you arrive.  You nearly spill your hot peppermint mocha when you see the sleek machine atop your old plastic desk instead of the broken clunker that was there the day before.

 “What the hell?” You ask Jimin as you set your coffee down gently as if any movement might scare the new computer away. “Did you order this?”

 “I love you, but I would never order you something this nice.” 

 You can’t help but roll your eyes as you sit down to marvel at the modern machinery. At least Jimin is honest.

 “Maybe I’ll call Yoongi and ask him where it came from,” you wonder aloud, hand hovering over your phone.

 “YOONGI?” Jimin screeches, eyes suddenly wide and crazed.

 “Yeah? The IT guy?”

 “I know who Yoongi is, you dumbass! Here, let me call him! I’m your assistant!”

 He scrambles to grab the phone out of your hand.

 “You literally refuse to do anything I ask.”

 Jimin smiles cherubically, completely ignoring your confusion. He’s suddenly the picture of a model employee.

 “Don’t you worry! I’ll be right on it!”

 He hops from your desk with your cell phone gripped tight, and saunters away to a secluded area out of your eyesight.

 “What the fuck is going on today?” You ask out loud, settling into your chair and unloading your bag of files.

 “How's the new computer?”

 The sudden intruder makes you jump, nearly spilling your coffee, yet again.

 “Fuck!” You shriek as you attempt to right yourself and the dangerously hot liquid sloshing in the paper cup. “You scared me!”

 The chuckle that comes from behind you makes your stomach flip. You know that laugh. You could recognize that laugh a hundred miles away, in a hurricane, with headphones on.

 That laugh is the sultry demon himself, Kim Namjoon.

 “I—How did you know about my computer?”

 Namjoon takes a knee, bringing his face to your level in your chair. He’s close to you, so dangerously close. You can smell the Giorgio Armani cologne applied to his pressure points—the heat of his skin warming the scent and mingling with his own subtleties. Your eyes nearly roll back in your head. He smells so comforting—like a home you never knew you were missing until he arrived.  

 “I saw it when I walked in this morning.” 

 He breaks you from your daydreaming of warm, firm hands caressing your body and you’re thrown headfirst back into reality—the reality where you can’t stand the man mere inches from you.

 You push back from where you are and stand, eager to get away from Namjoon’s sudden interest in close proximity. He smirks and rises from his spot, pocketing his hands in his tight cream suit.

 “Care to join me in my office for some coffee?” He asks.

 His office. The one he scored after he won the Kim Taehyung case. The bitter betrayal still lingers in your mouth. 

 For the longest time, you had been equal in every sense; both living in the dingy cubicles with the computers long-destined for retirement. Then, Seokjin awarded him with the corner office, the one with the view of the entire city. You’d never forgiven either of them.

 “I have my own coffee.”

 Namjoon smirks as he eyes your paper cup, clearly a quick grab from the 7-Eleven around the corner.

 “Looks fancy.”

 You purse your lips and clutch your coffee even closer.

 “Please,” he asks again. “I need to talk to you. It’s important.”

 Namjoon’s face loses its snark, and you’re curious about what could cause the man to become so serious.

 “Fine.”

 You motion with your arm towards his office, encouraging him to walk ahead. He smirks again, ah—there’s that smirk, before he turns and heads into the gorgeous corner room.

 He lingers by the door as you enter, waiting until you’ve crossed the threshold to close the door behind you. It surprises you. Something about being in a closed room with Namjoon sets you on edge. You can nearly imagine the man bending you over that fine oak desk, hiking your skirt up and spanking your ass until it’s red.

 “Coffee?” He asks as he moves towards the in-office espresso machine.

 “Are you fucking kidding me? You have a Nespresso in your office?” 

 All desperate and wanton thoughts of Namjoon sliding into you leave once you see the stainless steel contraption in the room's corner. Of course he has a $500 coffee machine in his office. He has everything you want.

 “You like it?” His question is cocky. He already knows the answer.

 “Fuck off.”

 Namjoon grins and turns the machine on, pulling out two mugs while you sip your now lukewarm coffee. It suddenly tastes disgusting.

 “So, what’s the deal, Namjoon?” You ask as he rests against the wall and waits for the coffee to brew. “You said it was important.”

 Namjoon nods, a more reserved look taking the place of his usual cocky grin on his face. His gaze turns down to his shiny dress shoes.

 “I need a favor.”

 “No.” Your answer is quick.

 Namjoon looks up at you in surprise.

 “You haven’t even heard it yet!”

 “Yeah, well…,” you huff. “I’m not interested in helping you.”

 Namjoon leaves his post by his elaborate coffee maker, forgetting about the piping-hot liquid drizzling into white mugs, as he stands in front of you. There’s that fucking cologne again. Why does he have to smell so good?

 “You’ve got to help me. Please.”

 His sudden closeness to you sets your brain off—your steely resolve begins to crumble.

 “Fine, I’ll bite. What is it?”

 His face lights up again. God, he has such a handsome mouth.

 “I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend for my family Christmas party.”

 If you hadn’t had such a good grip on the convenience store cup of coffee, it’d surely drop from your clutch and splatter on the expensive carpet of Namjoon’s office.

 Your eyes widen, and your mouth falls agape.

 “You—You what?!”

 Namjoon sighs and lowers his voice.

 “Look, I…” he struggles. “I told my mom I have a girlfriend, so she’d get off my back about it.”

 “And why am I suddenly your best option for that?!” 

 You step away from the man, determined to clear your mind as the scenario weaves its way through your head. 

 Namjoon’s girlfriend. He wants you to be his girlfriend.

 Well, his fake girlfriend.

 He would hold your hand. He would kiss you. He would touch your body in ways you convince yourself you don’t think of often. 

 “You’re the only girl I know who’s got a good enough poker face to go along with it. And honestly… you’re the only girl I really know well enough.”

 His last admission shocks you. Namjoon seems like the womanizing type—one to bring a different girl home every night.

 “That doesn’t explain why the fuck I would want to help you.”

 Namjoon steps back and moves towards the coffee machine again.

 “If you help me, I’ll take all your shitty cases that Jin is giving you.”

 Your eyes narrow at the tall man. It seems too good to be true.

 “How d'you know about them?”

 Namjoon shrugs and grabs a mug full of freshly brewed expensive coffee.

 “I can hear you complain to Jimin about it every day.”

 You grumble under your breath, sucking on your teeth as you try to process the terms of Namjoon’s deal.

 “So you want me to be your fake girlfriend for your family…” you muse.

 “Yes,” he agrees. “And I’ll do all your worst cases for the next 2 months. I’ll even give you my next big one. I know you want that.”

 God, he’s right. That’s all you want. A chance to prove yourself to Seokjin, to the company.

 With an aggravated sigh, you relent. 

 “Fine! But it better be a good fucking case. And, I’m using your coffee maker every morning.”

 Namjoon can’t help but chuckle, loving the fire in your voice. 

 “Deal?” He murmurs.

 He holds out his hand to shake on it, and it takes you by surprise how warm and soft his large hands are once you slide your own into his grip.  

 “Deal.”

 Jimin is not going to let you live this one down.

  Jimin doesn’t let you live it down.

 He’s sitting on your couch, legs crossed underneath him as he hoists his wine glass filled to the brim. He holds it away from his body as he shakes with laughter.

 “You’re telling me,” he wheezes. “That you agreed to be Namjoon’s fake Christmas girlfriend? You hate that man!”

 Flopping into the couch beside him, you sigh.

 “Yeah, well, it was my only option. He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

 “Okay, Godfather,” Jimin snickers. “Lord knows you still want to bone that man, anyway.”

 “Jimin!” You admonish. “I do not! And that wasn’t the deal!”

 He sips at his red wine with an impish smile. You hate it when Jimin looks at you like that, like he can see behind the lie you’ve so carefully crafted of your hatred for Namjoon.

 “Then tell me, what was the deal?”

 You fiddle with the stem of your own wine glass, sighing.

 “He’s offered to take all our shitty personal injury suits for the next two months. And he’s giving me his next big case.”

 Jimin actually looks surprised—as if he didn’t expect Namjoon to provide a deal so worth the cost.

 “Wow,” he breathes.

 You nod in reply, taking a large gulp of the pinot grigio in your glass.

 “You’re still going to fuck him though, I know it,” Jimin adds.

 You splutter your wine from your mouth, hand reaching over to gently slap Jimin on his taut abdomen.

 “Shut up!” You cry.

 Jimin looks proud of himself, sipping his red wine gleefully while he settles further into your couch. Wine nights with Jimin is the highlight of your weeks. Together, you bitch over cases, coworkers, dating struggles, and eat too much cheese and cured meats and nurse a hangover the following day with brunch.

 “Hey,” you say to Jimin as you set your wine down on the coffee table. “Did you ever talk to Yoongi?”

 Jimin’s cheeks immediately turn a shade of rouge.

 “Yoongi? Yoongi who?”

 “Oh my god,” you groan. “Yoongi from IT. You stole my phone to call him today? To ask about my new computer?”

 Jimin swallows a large swig of his wine.

 “Oh. Yes, I did.”

 “And?” You encourage the blonde to answer further.

 “And he’s doing well,” Jimin replies demurely.

 “Jimin!” You huff. “The computer?!”

 Jimin makes an ‘O’ shape with his mouth and bites his lip.

 “I… might have forgotten to ask.”

 Your mouth drops open.

 “You literally stole my phone out of my hands to call him! What did you talk about?!”

 There’s his blush again. The shade of pink on Jimin’s cheeks would be adorable if you weren’t so flabbergasted by his answers.

 “I have a date tomorrow night.” He takes another sip as you let the reply sink in.

 “Oh. My. God.” You gasp, a smile now overtaking your features. “You have a crush on Min Yoongi!”

 Jimin sets his wine glass down next to yours and turns to you.

 “I had no idea if he was into me! But when I called, I totally forgot why I was calling him and we sort of just… started talking and next thing I know, he’s asking me out to dinner tomorrow night.”

 You playfully slap at Jimin’s thigh.

 “You little slut—using my phone to get yourself a date. On company time!”

 Jimin sticks his tongue out at you, before grabbing a pillow and slapping you with the overstuffed cushion.

 “At least I didn’t agree to be his fake girlfriend!”

  It’s the sound of your phone ringing at 7:32 am that wakes you from your spot on the couch, wine glass still clutched in your hand.

 “What the fuck?” You grumble, eyes blearily seeking the offending object disturbing your sleep.

 Jimin grumbles next to you, kicking at your foot as if it will stop the phone from ringing.  

“Stop,” he whines and cuddles into his fetal position. “Turn it ooooff.”

 You locate your cell phone and groan as you recognize the name on the caller ID. Namjoon. What the fuck could he possibly be calling for? And why did he have to call at seven in the goddamn morning? 

 “What do you want?” You snap as you hold the phone to your cheek and throw yourself back onto the couch.

 “Well, good morning to you, sunshine.”

 Namjoon’s voice, as sexy and sultry as it sounds, still aggravates you.

 “Why are you calling me? It’s Saturday. Its seven am.”

 Namjoon chuckles and you fight the shiver that works through your spine at the sound.

 “I tend to keep human hours on the weekend.”

 You can’t hold back the sarcastic guffaw that escapes you.  

 “Okay, Mr. Perfect,” you sigh. “That doesn’t explain calling me.”

 Jimin kicks at your foot again. 

 “Stop talking,” he grumbles.

 God, Jimin is such a diva when he’s hungover.

 “Meet me at the cafe on First Street,” Namjoon says casually. “I’ll tell you when you get here.”

 “Right now?!” You ask, incredulous.

 “I’m literally already here. Hurry before your coffee gets cold.”

 You let out a whine that could rival a 5-year-old’s temper tantrum.

 “Fuck you. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

 There’s no care about your phone when you end the call and throw it to the floor.  Jimin grumbles and rubs at his eyes.

 “Why the fuck are you having phone sex with Namjoon so early in the morning?” He asks.

 “Jimin, I swear to God.”

 He wraps himself in the throw blanket and buries his face back into the couch while you stand and retreat to your bedroom to throw on some semblance of appropriate clothing for the occasion.

 “Fucking Namjoon,” you grumble under your breath as you change into jeans and a sweater. “Fuck him and his stupid, sexy face. And his unbelievable ass. And his stupid, probably enormous penis. Man, I hate him.”

 As you’re re-entering the living room and grabbing your important items (keys, wallet, lip gloss just in-case), Jimin pops his head out of his blanket cave.

 “Where are you going?” He asks, suddenly less annoyed and more pathetic. “You’re leaving me?”

 “I have to go meet Namjoon for coffee. I don’t know why, so don’t ask.”

 “You’re really going to let me suffer here? Alone? With no coffee?”

 You spin around to face your best friend, who’s giving you an absolutely soul-crushing pout and puppy eyes.

 “Yes. Call Yoongi.”

 His precious pout is wiped away, and a devious smirk takes its place.

 “Great idea!” He says as he digs around for his phone. “Be careful out there! It’s icy! Wouldn’t want you to slip and fall on Namjoon’s dick.”

 Your only reply is one singular middle finger in Jimin’s direction as you exit your apartment.

  Namjoon can’t help but smile as he sips his warm coffee. The cafe is warm and bright, despite the chill outside. 

 Things feel peaceful. Tender flakes of snow trickle down outside and frost up the shop’s window. There’s something about this time of year that strikes him down to the core. Something cozy, something warm.

 It’s odd to think this will be his first year not celebrating the holiday alone.

 Even if it is... well, fake. 

 The bell over the door chimes an arrival, and Namjoon can tell by the grumbles and grunts and stomps of snowy boots that it’s you.

 “Over here!” He calls, raising a hand and turning to face you.

 Wow, he thinks. You look gorgeous, even without trying.

 You hurry your way over to the booth and plop yourself on the opposite side, immediately lunging for the obvious mug of coffee waiting for you on the table. You don’t waste a minute gulping the liquid down your throat, then spluttering when you realize it’s still hot.

 “I thought you said it was getting cold!” You cry, airing out your burnt tongue. Namjoon can’t help but imagine that tongue sliding up and down his cock.

 Not now. Wrong time and place to get a boner.

 Namjoon smiles as he sips his cappuccino. 

 “I got you a fresh one.”

 You make a face, but your features soften. As if you’re pleased with the idea that Namjoon cared to freshen up your cup.

 “Oh, well--”, you manage. “Thank you.”

 Namjoon doesn’t reply, but merely tips his head. The silence is thick enough to cut with a knife. Normally, you’re both normally so wound up in aggravating the other that a moment of calm is strange, but not unwelcome.

 “So, why the early morning wake up?” You finally ask, fiddling with the handle of the mug.

 Namjoon settles his cup down.

 “We need to get to know each other. Deep shit, you know. The shit that lovers would know about each other.”

 He notices you, watches as you nibble at your lip. You try hard to hide it behind the mug you lift to your lips, but Namjoon notices. 

 “I’m hoping maybe we could spend the day together,” he adds. “I need to get some Christmas gifts for my family and… well, it’s rather lonely doing it on my own.”

 There’s a slight smile at the ends of your lips.

 “And you needed me at seven thirty in the morning to do that?”

 He stifles a laugh.

 “Like I said, I operate at regular human hours. Even on weekends,” he replies.

 With a dramatic sigh, you agree.

 “Fine,” you say. “I’m an open book. Ask me anything.”

 He watches as you settle into the seat of the booth, hands gripping the warm mug like it’s a personal heater. He notices you’re only wearing jeans and a sweater--no properly warm clothing for the snow storm ahead. He’ll have to fix that, and soon.  

 “What are you doing for Christmas?” He asks.

 You level a look.

 “Spending it pretending to be in love with you.”

 Namjoon can’t help but snort a laugh.

 “I meant after that.”

 You shrug as you settle back into the seat.

 “I don’t like Christmas. I don’t do much other than force Jimin to kiss me under the mistletoe and watch shitty movies with a gallon of boxed wine.”

 “Hmm,” he hums. “You’re sort of a Grinch.”

 A scowl comes over your face.

 “I am not! I just don’t buy into this whole ‘prove how much you love me by buying me things’ shit. It’s a big scheme, I tell you! Capitalist propaganda! They encourage you to spend all your money, and if you don’t, they shame and guilt you by telling you you don’t love your family enough.”

 Namjoon can’t help but laugh as you rant. It’s what makes you such a talented lawyer—your ability to feel a passion so deep within you you’re able to convince a stone-faced jury of your side.

 “Don’t laugh at me!” You cry. “I’m serious! My family doesn’t celebrate, I don’t celebrate. I’d rather just buy gifts for my loved ones when I see something they’d like. Why do we have to put a time of year on it?”

 He shrugs and scooches his mug around the carbonate table.

 “I suppose that makes sense,” he muses. “But you’re still a Grinch. And a Scrooge. You’ll definitely get visited by some Ghosts at midnight.”

 “Ha ha,” you snark sarcastically. “Hilarious, Namjoon. Don’t tell me you’re a big festive guy.”

 “Somewhat. It’s my Mom’s favorite holiday. It’s why she’s so bent out of shape about me having a girlfriend. Something about family and love and shit.”

 You nod, understanding him completely. Your own mother, despite her reservations towards the holiday, still makes a fuss over your single status. There must be some Mom code to obsess over your children’s woeful dating life.

 “Well, I say let’s get on with it then. Ready to hit the shops?” He asks.

 You’re mid-sip of your finally cooled coffee and you send a desperate look to the man in front of you.

“Already?!”

 “We’re burning daylight, baby.”

 Namjoon stands and you can’t help but feel a roar of flames in your belly at the pet-name. Your cheeks are surely flaming up and you admonish yourself for getting so peaked about such a trivial name.

 “Please don’t tell me we’re walking,” you murmur as you sneak a peek outside.

 The snow is falling down harder now, and you’re dreadfully underdressed for the weather.

 Namjoon tsks at your lack of outerwear, but then shakes his head.

 “No, we’ll take my Range Rover.”

 You roll your eyes and grimace.

 “Of course. You have a fucking Nespresso machine and a Range Rover. Asshole.”

 Namjoon doesn’t even think about it as he grabs your hand and laces his fingers in between yours. If anyone asked, he’d say it’s practice—to familiarize himself with the way your fingers slot between his own so it’s not such a foreign concept when he does it in front of his family.

 “Yeah, but I’m your asshole now, princess.”

 Christmas shopping with Namjoon is mostly painless.

 Normally, you dread the lines and the crowds and the confusion and the expense.

 But with Namjoon, you relax and banter away with the tall lawyer. You’re completely at ease as you walk through crowded aisles and sort through racks of cashmere sweaters and stacks of fuzzy blankets.

 “Mom will love this, don’t you think?” Namjoon asks, holding up a thick, exquisite looking blanket.

 You’re about to answer with an affirmative when you catch yourself. You don’t even know his mom. You’ve never met the woman. Why does it feel as if Namjoon is someone you’ve known your entire life? 

 Why do things feel so easy with him?

 “Sure, Namjoon,” you reply. “Seems like something most mother’s would be into.”

 He smiles at you. It’s a genuine smile too, one that nearly knocks you on your ass. Your body is sent into overdrive constantly. He holds your hand, he places his hand at the small of your back to guide you through a thick crowd. He calls you baby and princess and doll.

 It’s confusing.

 It’s amazing.

 You can’t tell if you love it or hate it.

 Namjoon pushes the shopping cart and walks beside you, chatting easily about his various aunts and uncles names that you likely must remember at some point but you just can’t think about anything but Namjoon, Namjoon, Namjoon.

 You hate him. He stole that corner office from you. He’s going to take the promotion you want from right under your nose. He has a goddamn Nespresso in his office and a Range Rover. 

 And yet, you can’t help but fall in place next to him and listen to him tell stories of his childhood, weaving tales of uncles who snuck him his first sips of alcohol and aunts who spoil him rotten. He’s easy to listen to, a natural story-teller. Your body feels warm, as if you’re sitting on a large hearth by a roaring fire. He’s comforting.

 It’s infuriating and wonderful all at once. 

 “And that’s when my cousin Jungkook got caught smoking cigarettes. My grandma beat our ass so bad I couldn’t sit for a day.”

 Namjoon finishes his story and turns to look at you. You’ve been staring at the man for nearly a minute straight now.

 “Hey,” his voice is soft. “You listening?”

 You shake out of the trance Namjoon’s deep voice sends you into.

 “Yeah!” You reply with a smirk. “Sounds like this Jungkook is a guy I’d like to meet.”

 Namjoon sucks his teeth and nudges you.

 “Hey, you’re my girlfriend, remember.”

 You stick your tongue out at him playfully.

 “Fake girlfriend. I’m still a single, desirable lady at the end of the day.”

 Namjoon hesitates before answering. He wants to reply something snarky, something sarcastic and witty. But he takes a moment to pause, allows himself to fully immerse himself in you. Even hungover, in yesterday’s jeans and an old sweater, you’re still an absolute catch. You’re the definition of desirable and Namjoon can’t help but allow himself to desire.

 “Hmm, is that what you call it?” He asks, now allowing the sarcasm to permeate his words. “I was thinking you’re more of the spinster, cat-lady type.”

 “Hey!” You pout as you slap at his arm. “I’m allergic to cats!”

 “But you don’t deny being a spinster.”

 “Fuck you, Namjoon.”

 He grins and pushes the carts towards the candle aisle, a sure-fire gift for his aunties.

 “In due time, my love.”

  By the time Christmas Eve arrives, you’ve spent nearly every day with Namjoon. At work, he brings you fresh coffee from his Nespresso and buys you lunch. You’ve even landed his big case, an incredibly complex lawsuit that will showcase your skills. Namjoon gives you pointers and space to talk through the case with him.

Namjoon is, in fact, simply being kind. And it unsettles you.

 Your heart and brain are at war with each other constantly. You should hate him, loathe him. He’s going to nail that promotion regardless of what you prove to Seokjin.

 But your heart tells you he deserves it. He’s an incredible attorney and has earned every ounce of respect. You want Namjoon to get that promotion just to see that smile on his face. He’d do incredible things as Seokjin’s protege to take over the firm.

 You hate to admit it, but Namjoon has melted the ice around your heart. And you’re dreading the day after all this is over, because it will be the day Namjoon stops holding you close and pressing soft kisses to your temple. It will be the day he stops pretending this is all real.

 It’s Christmas Eve and you’re sitting in Namjoon’s expensive Range Rover, plush leather seat toasty from the built-in seat warmer. You can’t help but marvel at the way the oncoming headlights brighten up Namjoon’s features as he drives you down a snowy mountain lane. They always hold the Kim family holiday party at Namjoon’s late grandfather’s cabin in the mountains, a quiet getaway for the family to gather and spend the night together to wake up on Christmas morning and gather around for presents and food.

 Which means waking up to Kim Namjoon.

 It’s something you’ve dreamt of often, but denied yourself any actual possibility of it. Namjoon was always out of reach, and it was easier to hate him for his success he rightfully deserved than it was to admit the feelings that were always inside.

 And now, although it’s artificial, you can’t bear to think of not spending your time with Namjoon anymore.

 You steal a glance again at him, and smile as you hear his faint humming. He loves Christmas music. You learned that early in the week during another early morning coffee and ‘get to know you’ before work. Namjoon couldn’t stop singing Mariah Carey’s classic pop song under his breath as it played over the speakers in the cafe. 

 “It’s so pretty up here,” you muse as you force your vision away from Namjoon’s gorgeous face to the snowy scenery outside. 

 The snow is falling gently, not enough to cause a blizzard but enough to make it seem like you’re trapped in a picturesque snow-globe. Leaving the city and entering the magical forest stirs an emotion inside you you hadn’t felt in some time.

 It’s Christmas Eve and there’s just something magical.

 Ugh. Unbelievable.

 Namjoon has even made you actually enjoy Christmas.

 He nods. “Yeah, it’s my favorite place in the world, I think.”

 “I can see why,” you sigh. “It looks like a painting.”

 Namjoon glances over at you peering through the window. His heart hammers in his chest hard as your glittering eyes bounce around from tree to tree, a pretty smile on your face. The diamond ring in his pocket feels like it weighs a literal ton and he nibbles at his lip.

 He bought it for the showmanship of it all, initially. It was his first purchase he made when he set up this whole rouse.

 But now, it feels real. It feels like he’s really about to get on one knee and ask you, the girl he’s absolutely head over heels for, to marry him.

 And then it will be over.

 He’ll make up some story to tell his mom about how it didn’t work out and you’ll go back to being his coworker, and nothing more.

 Namjoon can’t fight the sinking feeling in his stomach.

 Nothing more.

 He pulls into the driveway before you even have time to realize you’re there. He puts the car in park and smiles over at you. 

 He looks so cute in his puffy winter coat, hair pushed to the side and a smile that’s all dimples and cheeks.

 Fuck.

 “We’re here,” he whispers. “You ready?”

 Suddenly, the nerves of meeting your fake boyfriend’s entire family slap you right in the face. You hope that you’re a good enough actress to get Namjoon through the night and into the morning.

 “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

 He nods and squeezes your hand, an unspoken comforting ‘I got you’.

 Namjoon gathers his wrapped gifts and stacks them all in his arms, ignoring your pleas and giggles to help carry them in.

 “No, no,” he assures. “I have to make sure my mom sees me being manly and helpful.”

 As if on cue, the front door opens and Mrs. Kim is bursting out into the snowy night.

 “Namjoon!” She shrieks, completely overjoyed. The rest of the family is standing by the door, eyeing you carefully with smiles and whispers. You pray to whatever Christmas God that’s listening that you can do this.

 Namjoon sets the pile of gifts down just in time to wrap his delicate and tiny mother in his arms, hugging her tightly while she gleefully buries her face into her tall son’s chest.

 “Oh, my son, I’ve missed you.”

 Namjoon kisses the crown of her head and smiles.

 “Missed you too, eomma.”

 The scene has you misty-eyed and you swipe at your eyes to stop the tears. There’s no way you’re ruining the fantastic makeup you did for the occasion, but the reunion of Namjoon and his mother is heart-warming. He clearly cares for his mother more than he would outwardly admit. 

 Namjoon and his mother unwrap from each other and Namjoon turns towards you.

 “Everyone, this is ____,” he breathes. “My girlfriend.”

 His mother’s gleeful squeals now turn to you, and within an instant she’s gathering you up in just as tight of a hug as she did to her son.

 “Oh, darling, we are so happy to meet you,” she beams.

 The excitement in her voice makes you feel bad—like you’re conning an old woman out of her retirement. You’re instilling a sense of hope in the kind woman, and you can’t help but send Namjoon a look as you wrap your arms around her and return the embrace. His eyes sparkle with something you can’t read.

 “I’m happy to meet you too,” you smile as you pull apart. “Thank you for letting me come.”

 “No thanks necessary,” she admonishes with a wink. “We had to beg Namjoon to bring you. It seems he wants to keep you all to himself.”

 “Eomma!” Namjoon snaps. “Be appropriate!”

 She nudges you with her elbow knowingly, which makes your cheeks flame hot, before she leads the way back into the house.

 “Come in, come in! Let’s get out of this snow.”

 Namjoon encourages you to step inside with a gentle hand at the small of your back—a touch that makes your body light up brighter than a Christmas tree.

 “Thank you,” he whispers in your ear from behind. You can feel the warmth of his lips and your body reacts.

How is it that any simple act makes you desperately horny for the man? You pray for some respite from your sexual frustration over the next day. How are you going to last over 24 hours?

 Namjoon deposits his massive haul of gifts under the tree and returns to your side, wrapping an arm around your shoulders to bring you close. He introduces you to uncles and aunts and cousins. He even introduces you to his infamous cousin, Jungkook, who smirks at you in a way that makes Namjoon pull you in closer to his body.

 “Are you doing okay?” Namjoon finally asks after the rush of relatives greeting you dies down. He turns you towards him, to face him directly with his hands on either of your shoulders. “You’re killing it.”

 You can’t help but smile. Namjoon’s family is all incredibly kind and funny. They welcome you into the family with ease and it chips away a little more each time at your heart.

 Because this is all fake. 

 One day, Namjoon really will have a girlfriend to bring to Christmas and to show off to his relatives and it won’t be you. You’ll be back at your apartment, watching shitty TV re-runs and binging on Chinese takeout, as you do every year. It’s a jab at your heart each time the bitter truth rears its ugly head.

 “Yeah,” you nod. “I’m great.”

 “Look!” Jungkook shouts. “They’re standing under the mistletoe!”

 Namjoon blushes a shade of red that likely matches a blush on your own cheeks. Sure enough, the green branches of the mistletoe taunt you from above. 

 You’ve never kissed Namjoon before. In all the skinship and closeness of the last week, you’ve still yet to close the gap to kissing the man. 

 “Oh, come on Kook, that’s a stupid tradition,” Namjoon murmurs awkwardly, rubbing at the back of his neck.

 Jungkook smirks as he steps up next to you.

 “Well, if you’re not going to do it, I’d be more than happy to take your place.”

 Jungkook wraps a loose arm around you and gives you a charming smile. He must be very popular with the ladies, you think. That’s a charming smile.

 “Hey!” Namjoon grabs for your hand and tugs you out of Jungkook’s predatory gaze. “She’s my girlfriend.”

 Namjoon looks at you for a moment, assessing your comfort level with everything about to take place. His lips look so inviting, so plush and warm. Now that you’re thinking about kissing him, you can’t help but focus on the way his lips pucker so gently and naturally.

 And then it happens. Namjoon lowers his face towards you and it feels as if the world is in slow-motion. It’s happening.

 The first press of his lips is soft and conservative. You take a split second to register, but instinctively you press against his lips with determination and wrap your arms around his neck to deepen the kiss.

 He groans softly as you trail your tongue out to seek purchase in his mouth, and he opens for you without hesitation. His hands grip at your waist and bring your body flush against his. You can feel his cock twitching and rising from the kiss that’s gone from innocent and playful to passionate and deep. It feels like the world around you has stopped and the only thing that matters is Namjoon, his mouth, his body against your own. He tastes like hot chocolate and peppermint, and you want more, more.

 “Oh my god, stop,” Jungkook’s voice shatters your illusion of being all alone with Namjoon. “Now you’re just showing off.”

 Namjoon pulls away from you, eyes dazed as he tries to right himself. 

 “You two are just so perfect for each other,” Namjoon’s mother says, who’s suddenly appeared in Jungkook’s place. “Let me show you your bedroom.”

 “Oh, we’re sharing?” You ask without thought. It’s a large house, with ample bedrooms surely for you to have your own space.

 Namjoon nudges you in the ribs gently, eyes widening and mouthing a ‘what the fuck do you mean?’ 

 “Of course dear, don’t be silly,” his mother replies with an eyebrow waggle and a chuckle. “I remember when your father and I were dating. He would sneak into my room after my parents went to bed and keep me up all night long. Your grandfather would ask me if I had terrible dreams that night, because I looked so tired.”

 Namjoon makes a face. “Eomma, please,” he begs. “Please don’t talk about my parents like that.”

 As his mother guides you down a long hallway, your mind is whirring with too many thoughts of Namjoon, of sharing a bedroom with Namjoon, of seeing his sleeping face and waking up next to him. It’s all too much, too overwhelming. You pray there’s a couch in the room you could sleep on, because you’re far too weak and you’d rather fight the desperation in your body than face the fact that you want nothing more than to curl right into Namjoon’s strong arms and let him hold you all night to sleep.

 Fuck.

 “Here we are!” 

 His mother opens the door with grace, and flicks on the light. The room is beautiful in its simplicity. A king sized bed, a fireplace, and a balcony with a view of the sprawling snowy scene outside. It’s cozy and warm and decorated with its own Christmas tree.

 “Wow,” is all you can muster.

 “Aish, Mom,” Namjoon sighs as he drops his bags. “You didn’t need to do all of this for us.”

 Mrs. Kim holds his hand in both of hers. “Well, I know how special this Christmas is going to be,” she winks. “I want you to enjoy your time here. Now, I’ll leave you two alone for a bit. Dinner is in an hour, so ‘freshen up’!”

Another wink, and Namjoon makes another face. She definitely wants grandchildren, that much is for certain.

 She closes the door behind her and you’re left standing in the room, overnight bag in hand.

 “This is—Wow, this is amazing.”

 You’ve never experienced Christmas like this—with decorations and warmth and family. It’s as if the love of the Kim family permeates the very walls of the expansive cabin, like it’s built into the foundation itself. For a moment, you allow yourself to soak it all in. This is all yours. It’s your Christmas and you finally understand why so many make such a fuss over it. The results are nothing short of remarkable.

 “Yeah, she really does the most,” Namjoon laughs. 

 He takes the bag from your hand without your notice and you step towards the balcony to peer into the night. The landscape looks as if everything has been covered in soft marshmallow. The snow is untouched—picture perfect.

 “I’ve never had anything like this before.”

 Namjoon settles your bag and his on the bed, watching as you soak in your own wonder. The smile on your face is not one he sees often, one of pure joy. Namjoon swallows hard as he realizes he wants to be the one to always put that smile on your face.

 “Not such a Scrooge after all, eh?”

 You turn from the still-life view outside and back to Namjoon, where he stands at the foot of the bed. He looks so different outside the office. He’s wearing skinny jeans and a flannel shirt, his puffy jacket hanging by the door. No cream suit, no slicked back hair or shoes shiny enough to see your reflection. Just simply Namjoon.

 He’s no longer the man who steals the limelight in the office. He’s no longer the man you see as your adversary or your rival.

 He’s the man who’s showing you the magic of Christmas, the spirit of love and kindness that embodies the season.

 He’s the man you’ve fallen in love with.

 And yet, he’s the man who will leave once this is over and return to his proper life, and you to yours. He’ll return to sleeping with models and movie starlets, and you’ll return to binge watching Great British Bake-Off with Jimin and a carton of Chicken Tikka Masala.

 And Christmas will never feel as special as it does now. 

 So, you’re determined to soak in it for a little longer. It’s going to hurt regardless, so why not push that hurt off until tomorrow and allow yourself to pretend you live the lie you’re spinning for Namjoon’s family?

 “I think I’ll just freshen up and change into my dinner outfit, then?” You ask out loud, grabbing for your overnight bag and heading towards the ensuite.

 Namjoon, who expected a witty retort, takes a moment to reply.

 “Oh,” he coughs. “Yeah, sure. I’ll err—, I’ll just get ready out here.”

 You quickly escape into the bathroom, closing the door and resting on it as you exhale a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

 The tension in the bedroom with Namjoon was too thick, too powerful, especially after the kiss you just shared. His cock had been there, straining in his jeans as you licked into his mouth. The kiss felt so natural, as if you had always kissed Namjoon like that. Your heart beats loud and hard in your chest just from the thought of it.

 You really needed to get a handle over yourself. You still have dinner to get through, and an entire night in a bedroom with Namjoon. A bed with Namjoon.

 No, you won’t allow yourself to go that far. You can pretend you’re his girlfriend, but all thoughts of his delectable body doing scintillating things to yours is strictly off-limits. You shake all thoughts of a thick, heavy cock sliding into your mouth and warm hands spreading you open, and set about fixing your makeup and changing into the gorgeous cocktail dress you purchased for the occasion. It wasn’t often you got to get dressed up. The emerald green velvet dress clings to your body and highlights your curves. It’s a sexy dress, definitely, but also appropriate for a formal evening with your boyfriend’s parents.

 Well, your fake boyfriend. Right.

 After fixing your hair and buckling your heels, you take one last glimpse in the mirror for good luck and exit the room.

 Your breath is nearly knocked out of your lungs as you see Namjoon. 

You’ve seen him dressed up for court and for TV appearances millions of times, but you’ve never seen him like this.

 He wears a blood red button up without a tie, a few buttons open to emphasize the casual look, tucked into the tightest and sexiest slacks you’ve ever seen. They hug his thighs and sit at a spot on his waist that you just know is rippling with cut lines from his work in the gym. His hair is tucked back with a bit of hairspray, and he’s fixing the sleeves of his shirt when he sees you.

 His eyes widen and his hands fall to his sides as he soaks in your appearance.

 An absolute vision.

 He can see the gentle valley between your breasts and the way your dress pushes up your cleavage and displays your collar.  The dress follows the delicate curve of your waist and hips and ends at your knee, but teases him with a glimpse of thigh that has him wiping his mouth in case he’s drooling. 

 “You look incredible,” Namjoon murmurs as you step closer.

“So do you.”

 You swallow hard as he continues closer to you, breathing harshly as he stands right in front of you. You could reach out and unbuckle his expensive slacks and fist his cock right there. You’d fall on your knees for him, if he asked.

 There’s a moment of silence as Namjoon’s face inches closer and closer to your own, each unable to verbalize just how desperate either of you feel for the other.

 “Namjoon, I—,” you start. You want to tell him. You want to tell him everything—that you don’t want this to be fake, that you want this to be real, and you want to be his and his forever.

 “Yes?”

 You swallow hard, shaken by just how close his lips are to yours. He’s inches away and all you can focus on is the way his plush lips look and how well they fit against your own under the mistletoe.

 “I just—, I really um, I’m just very…” 

 You’re not making sense. Comprehension of language is quickly soaring out the window because the only words you know are ‘Please, for the love of God, kiss me and make me yours’, but you can’t bring yourself to speak them out loud.

 Namjoon’s hand cups your cheek, as if he can tell what you’re trying to say.

 “Yeah,” he breathes. The inches between you turn to centimeters, to bare millimeters. Your eyes flutter close as you feel his breath dance over your lips and your heart beats so loud you’re sure the entire household can hear it. He’s right there and moves in to close the distance—

 “Knock Knock!!”

 The forceful, cheery voice of cousin Jungkook forces both of you to jump away from each other as if you’ve touched a burning stove. Your head feels light, like you’ve forgotten to breathe for the last ten minutes and you’ve suddenly taken in too much air.

 The wooden door squeaks open and Jungkook pokes his head in, a shit-eating grin on his face.

 “Auntie sent me to get you. It’s dinnertime!”

 Namjoon rubs his face frustratedly. “Yes, thank you, Jungkook.”

 Jungkook doesn’t leave, however. He smiles at you and winks. 

“Would you like an escort to dinner, madame? You look tastier than the roast beef downstairs.”

 A blush creeps over your cheeks as Namjoon storms to the door where his cousin laughs.

 “That’s enough, Kook. We’ll be down in a minute.”

 He sends you one more grin, then retreats from the door and closes it behind him.

 “Sorry about that,” Namjoon apologizes. You’re not sure what he’s apologizing for—Jungkook, or the moment before.

 “It’s alright. Let’s go?”

 Namjoon nods and holds out his hand with a smile.

 “Let’s go, girlfriend.”

  Dinner with the Kim family is as delightful as every other interaction with them has been. They’re polite and funny and ask questions about your life and your family.

 They ask how you met Namjoon (at work), what your favorite quality about him is (his smile and his ass), and what your first date together was (coffee at seven in the morning).

 You tell stories of Namjoon in the office, of your best friend Park Jimin who’s secretly trying to date the IT manager, of your parents and Christmases past.

 By the time dessert is served, Namjoon’s mother looks at you as if you’ve put the very stars in the sky.

 Namjoon doesn’t miss that look either. He can see the way his family is falling in love with you and somewhere deep in his stomach, he feels the guilt rising. All of this is a lie. Not only is he going to break his own heart, but every heart of his family member’s too. 

 “We’re all just so overjoyed that Namjoon has found someone to share his life with,” his mom speaks softly. It’s the first time she’s been thoughtful and quiet. She’s a woman who’s larger than life, you’ve found, so the softness in her tone strikes a chord. “You’re absolutely perfect for him. I’ve never seen him happier.”

 Fuck. 

 “Thank you,” you murmur sincerely to his mother. “I’ve never been happier.”

 Namjoon peers up from where he’s been pushing around his uncle’s famous chocolate cake on his plate to watch as you speak.

 “Truthfully, I never cared much for Christmas. I thought it was a rubbish holiday and spent it alone every year with a bottle of wine and some takeout. Namjoon really changed that for me,” you smile at the man and place your hand in his lap to hold his free hand. “He showed me more about Christmas in one week than I’ve felt in my entire life.”

 Namjoon’s mom wipes away an errant tear and he squeezes your hand under the table.

 “I guess the Grinch’s heart has grown 3 sizes, after all.”

 Namjoon’s joke lightens the soft mood, and suddenly there’s chatter around as the family members move about to wash dishes and clean up the mess of dinner. Everyone leaves the table except for you and Namjoon.

 “That was some good acting,” he whispers with a sad smile.

 “Right,” you whisper back, nibbling your lip anxiously. “Acting, of course.”

  You should have thought through the bedroom sharing thing more.

 Because sharing a bedroom is one thing.

 And sharing a bed is another.

 And of course, the only pajamas you thought to bring tonight is a very sexy long shirt that says “no coffee, no talking” with a bedazzled pair of shushing lips. That’s it. Just a single shirt. Not even a pair of shorts or pajama pants.

 You slip into the bed first, as far onto one side of it as possible. It’s a king sized bed, and it still feels too intimate, too close.

 Namjoon exits the bathroom after his shower, rubbing at his wet hair with a towel. He’s shirtless, wearing only a pair of flannel pajamas, leaving his bare chest on display.

 Sweet lord in heaven, you nearly cry out loud. He’s absolutely ripped, pecs defined and droplets of water from his hair streaming down. You want to chase each drop with your tongue and circle back again. You shut your eyes tight and clench your teeth. Why, oh why, does he have to look so fucking sexy at a time like this?

 Namjoon sees you at the edge of the bed, shutting your eyes closed like you’re a shy schoolgirl afraid to see a naked man’s body. He feels guilty for making you be here. He knows you’ve likely got better things to do than spend time with a man you openly hate.

 “I’m sorry,” he apologizes for nothing in particular. 

 You ignore it. Instead, you’re trying to think of every un-sexy thing in the world you can possibly imagine. Taxes, a bunch of bees, old people, shark attacks.

 There’s absolutely nothing that can stop the image of Namjoon’s perfectly sculpted body from bursting into your mind. You’re nearly pleading with yourself to just go to sleep and contemplate how hard you’d need to hit your head to knock yourself out as fast as possible.

 “I’ll sleep on the floor,” he says as he grabs a small throw blanket from the closet and throws it to the ground by the fire.

 It snaps you from your musings of how best to forget how badly you want to suck Namjoon’s cock through his pajama pants.

 “What?” You sit up in the posh bed and finally make eye-contact. “Why? It’s freezing. There’s a literal snowstorm outside.” You motion to the window of the balcony. What was once a gentle snowfall is now a full-on winter storm.

 “There’s a fire. I’ll be fine, I sleep hot anyway.” Namjoon’s voice is low and without energy. He almost sounds sad.

 God, is being with you that hard for him? You know you’re just the artificial replacement until he has the real thing, but you’d actually hoped Namjoon had found it as comforting and warm as you had.

 “Namjoon,” you sigh. “This is a king-sized bed. You don’t need to be waking up with back pain because you gallantly slept on the floor.”

 To emphasize your point, you tug back the blankets on the other side, beckoning him to join.

 He hesitates for a moment, as if he’s weighing the pro’s and con’s and sliding into bed next to you in his mind, then stands and pads his way on the plush carpet towards the bed and slips in.

 There’s an entire football field of distance between you two in the bed, but it feels like he’s right beside you. You imagine sliding in right next to him, wrapping your arms around his taut chest and pressing soft kisses to his stomach.

 You squeeze your eyes closed again. Stop it, you horny slut.

 “Thank you, again.” Namjoon breaks the silence. “I really appreciate you helping me out.”

 “Yeah,” you swallow hard. “Of course. What else was I going to do? Jimin’s probably sucking Yoongi’s dick right now, so I’d be watching baking shows alone.”

 Namjoon laughs for a moment, then quiets.

 “You know, I don’t even really want that promotion at work.”

 You’re surprised by the sudden change in topic, but you turn over to face Namjoon.

“What?! Really?”

 Namjoon nods and stares at the ceiling. “I don’t think I’m that good of an attorney to get it, anyway.”

 His statement makes you sit up in bed again, staring at the man in disbelief.

 “Are you fucking kidding me, Namjoon? You’re the best lawyer in the firm.”

 Namjoon says nothing, just turns to stare at you curiously as you continue.

 “You’re like… literally better than Seokjin, too. The way you handled the Taehyung case was nothing short of historical. Like, that was an impossible case, and you nailed it. That was your ‘OJ’ case, you know?”

 Namjoon barks a laugh.

 “My what?”

 “Your OJ case!” You use your hands to emphasize the importance of what you’re saying. “Like, they’ll write about you and how impossible the odds were of winning that case. And you won it! Not even Seokjin could have won that case.”

 He’s silent again, watching as you speak directly from your heart with all the fire and passion you feel about the things you care about. It’s what makes you such an incredible lawyer, too.

 “Wow,” he breathes. “Thank you.”

 You settle back down from your excitement, suddenly bashful at how fanatical you became.  

 “You’re welcome,” you murmur. “You deserve that promotion. And the office.”

 Namjoon smirks.

 “And the Nespresso?”

 Your eyes narrow and send a glare to him he can see even with the faintest of light in the room.

 “No, no one deserves the Nespresso, except for me.”

 He chuckles and settles down into his pillows.

 “Goodnight,” he whispers.

 “Goodnight, Namjoon.”

 There’s a beat of silence and your eyes flutter shut easily. It’s quiet, and all you can hear is the crackle of the log in the fireplace and the wind blowing past the balcony windows as the storm outside rages.

 “Oh,” Namjoon whispers again. “And, Merry Christmas.”

 You can’t fight the smile that creeps onto your face.

 “Merry Christmas, Joonie.”

  “Happy Christmas!” A voice bellows through your bedroom at approximately seven fifteen am.

 You groan, immediately grimacing and burying your face into your firm, warm pillow.

 “Nooooo,” you whine, trying to hide from the offending noise.

 Namjoon shakes awake, and notices Jungkook standing at the bedroom door once again.

“It’s time for presents!” He giddily explains. “And, they gave me the job of waking you two up.”

 “Of course,” Namjoon yawns.

 “You look a little wrapped up,” Jungkook smirks, eyeing your sleeping body. “I’ll give you two a minute. Don’t get distracted.”

 Namjoon rolls his eyes and watches as the door closes, before he turns his attention towards you.

 Somehow, in the middle of the night, you’ve scooched yourself to his side of the bed and draped your body around his. Your face is buried in his chest and your legs are haphazardly intertwined in his own.

 He bites his lip. His cock is rock solid, not just from his usual morning wood, but from the way he can feel your tits through your shirt, and from the sight of your pink panties. Namjoon wants to take them off with his teeth and bury his face in your delicious cunt, and his cock is nearly screaming at him to get on with it.

 “Hey,” he whispers to you, actively ignoring the demon that is his turgid length. “Wake up.”

 This causes you to cling harder to his chest, rubbing your sleepy face on him.

 “What is it with you and early mornings?” You ask, blearily raising your head to peer at him judgementally.

 Namjoon bites his lip, curious about your reaction to the tight embrace you’ve got on him. He doesn’t want to say anything, doesn’t want to break the spell. Frankly, he wants to push your sleep shirt up and stuff you full of his cum.

 “Merry Christmas?” He offers shyly.

 You take a full minute to recognize what’s happening.

 You’re no longer on your edge of the bed. You’re wrapped around the man like a koala, legs strewn over him without care and clinging to him like he’s a lifeline.

 “Oh!” You gasp as you jerk out of his grasp. 

 In your movement, your leg brushes over an obvious tent in Namjoon’s pants, making him groan softly. You shut your eyes, embarrassed at how disgustingly horny you are for the man who’s not even interested in you sexually.

 “Christ, I’m so sorry,” your cheeks flame bright red and you scoot further from him.

 “No, no, don’t be,” Namjoon wheezes as he tries to fix himself. “It’s fine. It’s more than fine. It’s great. It happens. Don’t worry.”

 He continues to stammer out reassurances as he leaves the bed and bolts into the bathroom to fix his unruly tented pants, leaving you sitting atop the bed washed with shame.

 “Fucking hell,” you whisper to yourself as you rub at your cheeks. “Get a grip of yourself.”

 Inside the bathroom, it only takes Namjoon a few fisted jerks of his cock and the mental image of you beneath him, begging for him, until he’s silently cumming on an expensive towel. He bites his free hand to stifle the moans he makes as his cock pulses.

 By the time he arrives back in the bedroom, you’ve changed into a hoodie and yoga leggings that accentuate your ass so delectably that Namjoon thinks about turning right back into the bathroom for a second round.

 “I’m sorry!” You nearly shout when he walks into the room. “About the bed. You were warm and I was cold. That’s all.”

 Nmajoon simply nods, doesn’t want to have to explain how he wishes he could wake up like that every day. Doesn’t want to describe in vivid detail how he’d wake you up with his tongue buried deep in your cunt.

 “Let me grab a shirt and we’ll head out, yeah?”

 Your eyes dance over the defined ridges of his body, a little crest-fallen at the idea that this might be the last time you see him shirtless, but you nod anyway.

 “Yeah.”

The ring box sits in a deceptively large box beneath the tree. Namjoon wrapped it last night and hide it at the very back. His heartbeat hammers in his ears as his family passes around gifts and opens each with squeals of delight.

 His mother gave him new ties for the office, ones that Namjoon prefers. She’s even gifted you with jewelry, which makes your eyes water at the sentiment.

 It all begins to be too much. It’s harder and harder to hold back the tears as each of Namjoon’s family members gives you gifts. It doesn’t matter the value, not at all. The fact that they specifically set out to include you in their gift-unwrapping makes your heart snap in two.

 This is all too much, it’s too real.

 It’s everything you never dreamed you could have. A loving partner who lets you sit in the space of his legs and rubs your arms soothingly. A family who goes out of their way to include you in the abundance of love and company. A cabin so warm and cozy.

 The tears don’t stop.

 It’s at the end of the gift exchange that you finally allow yourself to breathe. 

 “There’s one more,” Namjoon whispers as he moves from behind you and fetches a large box from behind the tree. “It’s for you, princess.”

 Curiously, and suspiciously, you eye him as he sets the enormous gift in your lap. You had done nearly all his Christmas shopping with him, and can’t remember a single thing he would have gotten for you.

 “I hope it’s the Nespresso from your office,” you snark with a smile. His family members all laugh and exchange knowing looks to each other.

 Namjoon doesn’t think he can breathe. He watches as you begin to carefully unwrap the large box, which reveals another box, slightly smaller. He can’t help but grin as you continue to unwrap the nesting-doll style gift until you’re down to the smallest one, the one that holds the ring box.

 With one last tear of paper, your eyes widen as you recognize the velvet box.

 “Oh--,” you breathe as you delicately pry open the gift.

 Inside sits a dazzling and gorgeous diamond ring. It catches the light from the fire and sparkles like a firecracker.

 “Oh my god,” you whimper as the tears flow again.

 He’s proposing.

 Namjoon settles himself onto one knee and tucks an errant piece of hair behind your ears.

 “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me. I knew from day one that you were always the girl I wanted to marry,”

 Namjoon’s speech sends daggers to your heart. He’s so convincing for something so counterfeit. 

 “I’ve been in love with you for as long as I can remember, much longer than we’ve been together. You’re who I want to come home to every night, and who I want to wake up with every morning.”

 It hurts. It hurts so badly that you’re crying even harder as he continues to speak. His family must think you’re simply overcome with emotion and love that the crying doesn’t give it away, but inside you’re absolutely dying.

 There’s no way you can recover from this.

 Tomorrow, Namjoon will take the ring back to where he got it from and return to what he had before. He’ll leave you behind, broken and hopelessly in love with a man who faked a relationship so well that you fell for it, hard.

 “____, will you marry me?”

 You take several large, gulping gasps to reply. You can’t shatter the illusion. Namjoon’s parents are weeping with joy, while his relatives record the moment on their phones and wipe away errant tears. Even Jungkook looks soft, proud of his cousin for taking the next step in his life.

 Oh, how you wish this were all real.

 “Yes,” you lie with a smile. “Yes, Namjoon, of course!”

 Namjoon grins and pulls you to standing, gathering you in his arms as he hugs you tight. His family cheers and hollers in the background, and you sob into his shoulder as you cling to him.

 He easily slides the diamond ring out of the box and onto your finger, where it sits and taunts you. The weight is heavy, and you whimper at the realization that this will never be for you. It will sit atop a pretty model’s finger sometime soon, when Namjoon resumes his regular life.

 “Oh, my darlings, I am so happy for you!” Namjoon’s mother appears and wraps you both in a hug, weeping and kissing cheeks. “We must discuss planning!”

 It’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back. The tears and weeping turn to wracking sobs, which quiets the family as they watch you hold your face in your hands.

 “I’m sorry,” you apologize through your grief. “I—I just need a moment.”

 Without another word, you turn from the scene and bolt back towards the bedroom.

 It’s silent and Namjoon’s heart sinks. 

 This must be too much for you, too much for you to pretend to love him. He knew it was too much and he should have discussed it with you beforehand.

 “She’s just a little err--,” Namjoon tries. “Easily emotional. I’ll go check on her.”

 His family understands as Namjoon hurries towards the bedroom and gently opens the door.

 You’re sitting over your overnight bag, trying to shove any clothing into it you can, while you sob openly.

 “I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I should have told you. I sort of... told my mom I’d be proposing to my girlfriend.”

 There’s pain in your eyes as you snap your head up to look at him. It nearly destroys him.

 “You should have warned me!” You gasp. “Namjoon, I can’t do this.”

 Namjoon lowers his head and shoves his hands into his pockets of his pajama pants.

 “I get it. I know you want to go back to your regular life. I can take you home now.”

 You’re silent for a moment, standing and moving towards the man.

 “Don’t you get it, Namjoon?”

 He raises his head to look at you curiously, brow knitted together with confusion.

 “I’m in love with you, you asshole!” You cry, pushing at his chest. “I can’t continue to pretend this is real anymore. I love you, I absolutely love you and I can’t go on watching you pretend you love me too. It’s too much for me to handle.”

 Namjoon’s world freezes in time as he watches you slide the ring off your finger. He grasps your hand to stop you, his eyes boring into your own.

 “I never had to pretend.”

 Before you can speak, Namjoon cups your cheek and pulls you in close, mouth sealing over your own in a desperate kiss.

 You don’t fight it, not at all. You sink into his grasp and kiss him back with fervor, with all the pent-up emotions you’ve held back all this time.

 “I’m in love with you,” he whispers as he pulls away from the kiss. “I meant every single word I said.”

 More tears stream down your cheeks, and Namjoon is quick to wipe them away with his thumb.

 “I know it’s maybe too soon for us to really be engaged, but I—I want that, with you,” he adds. “I want you to be my girlfriend… for real.”

 “Are you being serious right now?” You ask as your hands cling to Namjoon’s waist.

 He can’t help but to laugh, nodding in reassurance as he leans down to press his lips to yours in a tender kiss.

 “Never been more serious in my life.”

 “I can’t believe you’re mine,” Joon murmurs into the nape of your neck.

 You were supposed to be driving home to your apartment now, back to real life, but the snowstorm raged on and Namjoon decided it might be best to spend yet another night in the cabin. Together. As a couple. A real couple.

 You didn’t put up much of a fight.

 He’s pressing soft kisses into your tender skin as he closes the door to the bedroom.

  “All mine, all mine.” He chants it like a mantra. 

 You’re trying to maneuver your way into the dark bedroom, only guided by the light from the fireplace. Namjoon stops you and pulls away from your neck, eyes soaking in every inch of you.

 “You have no idea what I’ve been dying to do to you,” he speaks after a moment of appreciating your beauty.

 “Hmm, I think I have some idea,” you say, a finger at Namjoon’s chest, directing him towards the bed. “I’ve been dying to suck your cock, Joon,” you whisper in his ear as he makes his way backwards. “Will you let me?”

 Namjoon nods in a daze as he sits on the edge of the bed and watches as you kneel. Your eyes are full of hope, full of lust. It makes his cock harden further.

 “Please do,” he breathes. “I’ve wondered what you’d look like with your mouth full of my dick.”

 You smile as you tug at his flannel pajama pants, pulling them down thick thighs and calves until they’re completely off. Your mouth waters at the sight before you. Namjoon’s cock is thick, head weeping with pre-cum and straining hard against his taut chest. He’s been working out more, you can tell. His arms are full and strong, and his chest is so firm and defined. 

 He’s an entire three-course meal.

 Before you move closer to his cock, Namjoon stops you.

 “Take your shirt off.”

 You comply easily, already settling well into an obedient role. He discards the shirt to the side and marvels at your breasts. He can’t wait to mark them up, suck them until you’re crying.

 “Perfect,” he sighs. “You’re fucking perfect.”

 He allows you to resume your work, eyeing the length of his cock before wrapping a hand around it and gently pumping.

 “Shit,” he breathes as his head falls back. “I’ve dreamt about how it’d feel having my cock in your hands.”

 “What else have you dreamed about?” You ask with a teasing smile, bringing your lips to the tip to paint tiny stripes. He tastes salty, somewhat earthy, and the pre-cum that’s gathered at the top gets swept up by your tongue. 

 Namjoon can’t believe how lucky he is. Can’t believe how incredible it feels to have you here, licking at his cock like a lollipop. He’s enchanted by the way your delicate tongue swirls around his head, testing and teasing.

 “You look so good, princess,” he whispers as he tucks stray hair behind your ears. 

 You’re encouraged by his sweet-talk and soon descend to take his cock fully in as far as you can go. You’re definitely out of practice, but you steel yourself up to take him completely to the back of your throat. Namjoon’s desperate moans and cursing only encourages you further.

 Soon enough, you’ve started a rhythm of bobbing your head and swirling your tongue and pumping your hand down his thick length. The noises leaving your mouth are sinful—slurping and sucking and whining around him. Namjoon’s got a hand on the back of your head, holding your hair in a makeshift ponytail and coaxing your bouncing head further down his cock.

 “Oh, shit, baby,” he grits through a tight jaw. “I’m gonna cum baby girl, fuuuuckkk—oh god, yes baby, just like that.”

 You slurp and swallow around his cock as much as you can, head bobbing at a frantic pace while you cast your eyes upwards to the man to watch him come apart. He meets your eye contact and loses it at the fire burning in your beautiful eyes.

 “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he gasps as his cock pulses. “Cumming, baby—ohhhh, shit, take it all, baby.”

 After slowing your pace completely, you sweetly moan around his length as his salty cum splatters on your tongue. Bringing Namjoon to climax with your mouth is already one of your favorite hobbies, and you’re desperate to do it again.

 When he’s completely spent in your mouth, you pop off carefully and present your tongue to your boyfriend, who smiles.

 “You gonna swallow my cum, baby girl?” He asks, cupping your cheek sweetly.

 You nod in reply, and he groans as he watches you close your mouth and visibly swallow his load.

 “Fuck, that was so hot. Fucking kiss me already,” he demands, pulling you up gently by the hand and pressing his mouth to yours. He doesn’t care if he can taste himself still lingering in your mouth. In fact, he thinks your mouth should always taste like him.

 Namjoon holds you close as he kisses you, tongue diving around and seeking purchase in your mouth. His hands are roaming your body, cupping your breasts and caressing your curves. He can’t get enough. He doesn’t think there will come a time in his life when he won’t love touching you.

 His hand smoothes over the satin of your panties and he smirks into the kiss as he feels how wet they are.

 “Oh my,” he tuts as he rubs at your clothed slit. “All this from sucking my cock, princess?”

 It’s too late to be ashamed of it. You simply nod and whimper as his thick fingers rub at your core. You’re dying to feel those fingers inside you, scissoring you open to prepare you for his massive cock.

 “P-please,” you gasp, needing more of him. “Please, Joon.”

 He lets out a breath of contentment, loving the way his name sounds in your breathy moans. In one quick swoop, he flings your panties off and onto the floor and slides down to his knees where you knelt moments before.

 “I want to see this pretty pussy up close,” he murmurs as he lays you out at the edge and spreads open your thighs as wide as he can. 

 You’re gorgeous, absolutely mouth-watering. He licks his lips as he watches your folds drip with arousal and takes a delicate finger to trace the slit gently.

 “Fuck,” you gasp as he swirls his finger around your sensitive clit. It’s been so long since someone else has made you orgasm, you’re sure you won’t last a second with the man of your sexual dreams face-first in your cunt.

 “This is my pussy now,” he states as he leans in close and licks a fat stripe from your hole to your clit. “I’m going to make you cum every fucking night, baby. Gonna claim this cunt as my own.”

 You’re trembling from his words and his actions as he soon buries his face into your pussy and eats as if he’s a man starved. His tongue swirls around your hole before swiping up to your clit, making your back arch and keen off the bed. His lips wrap around your throbbing clit and sucks gently, lewd noises echoing off the walls of the bedroom.

 “Namjoon!” You squeal as he slides two of his fingers inside you and slowly pumps. They’re thick and perfect, and they’re better than you could have ever dreamed.

 “Cum for me, baby,” he coaxes as he licks at your clit. “I know you want to.”

 He’s right. You’re desperate for it and the string inside your belly that tightens with each thrust of his solid fingers has it nearing a snapping point.

 Namjoon speeds up, adds a third finger and fucks into you like a man on a mission. He watches your face pinch in agonized delight and is hypnotized by the way your tits bounce with each thrust up. His cock is rock solid again, aching to bury itself deep inside your womb and coat you with his cum.

 “That’s it, baby girl,” he breathes as he watches your body quiver. “Cum on my fingers, let daddy see you fall apart.”

 He presses his lips to your clit one last time and sucks, and it sends you reeling over the edge into bliss. Namjoon moans as he feels your cunt convulse and squeeze his fingers as if they’re his cock, and he nearly whines at how good it’s going to feel when he’s balls deep inside of you.

 “Fuck!” You cry as your back lifts off the bed and your legs shake. “Oh, my god!”

 Namjoon kitten licks at your pussy as you come down, cleaning up the juices that coat his fingers. He doesn’t break eye contact with you as he does it, sucking up your essence like it’s an expensive wine he won’t waste a drop of.

 “You’re so fucking sexy,” he says as you try to catch your breath. “I can’t wait to fuck you in my office.”

 The smile on your face turns lustful as you spread your legs open once again and present yourself to him.

 “Why don’t we practice right now?”

 Namjoon grips the base of his cock and gives himself a few pumps as he stares at your gorgeous body—laid out and ready for him.

 “Merry Christmas to me,” he murmurs as he presses a kiss to your lips and lines himself up.

 In one swift motion, he slips inside your juicy channel and buries himself to the hilt. You’re so wet and warm and tight that Namjoon falters and groans out loud.

 “Holy shit,” he cries. “Sweetest fucking pussy I’ve ever felt in my life.”

 Namjoon filling you up to the brim is something you’ve only ever dreamt of, and now that it’s happening you feel intoxicated. He’s so thick inside you, stretching you past what you thought you could handle, and the burn is so sweet.

 “Fuck me, Joon,” you beg as he continues to still inside you. “Please, fuck me, daddy.”

 It’s the magic word for Namjoon and instantly he’s snapped back to feral, ready to claim you as his own. He grips your hips tightly as he pumps in and out of you, delighted by the squelching juicy sounds of your cunt as he takes you.

 “That’s right, baby girl, I’m your fucking daddy,” he grunts. “Take this fat cock for daddy.”

 Your legs quiver with each thrust and Namjoon sucks a nipple into his mouth, nibbling gently on the bud which makes your body thrum with electricity. He’s marking you, claiming you inside and out, you realize. You whine and keen for him to continue, and Namjoon growls as he doubles his pace. 

 He thrusts into you without abandon, desperately seeking his release that will have him spilling his cum anywhere he possibly can.

 “Mmm, look at my pretty princess,” he groans as he stares at your blissed-out face. “Taking daddy’s cock so good, being a perfect little slut.”

 His words make your eyes roll back into your head. You’d never had someone speak so nasty to you while being so kind and praise-worthy that you don’t think you can now ever live without it.

 “G-gonna cum, daddy!” you cry as you feel your body nearing the edge. “Please let me cum!”

 Namjoon gasps for air and drops a thumb to your clit to rub circles on the sensitive bundle.

 “Yes, baby girl, cum for daddy. Cum on my cock, princess.”

 Namjoon’s unrelenting pace and thumb handily stroking your clit brings you to the end, sending you screaming into orgasmic delight.

 Namjoon nearly weeps at how good your cunt feels convulsing around his cock, walls coaxing him and gripping him tight as if your pussy is begging for his own release. 

 “Cum inside me daddy, please,” you beg as you try to catch your breath. 

 Namjoon needs no more permission. He gasps as your channel tightens around him impossibly and sends him into his own release. He whimpers as his cock pulses with ferocity, loads of cum splattering your walls.

 He doesn’t pull out. Instead, he rests his sweaty forehead on yours as you both try to catch your breath.

 “Holy shit,” you gasp as you feel yourself returning to Earth.

 Namjoon laughs and presses a kiss to your lips, before nodding.

 “Yeah,” is all he can manage.

 After a few shuddering breaths, you wrap your arms around your boyfriend’s naked body and hold him close, as close as you can.

 “If this is what Christmas is all about, sign me up.”

 Namjoon buries his face into your neck and kisses you sweetly, before lifting and giving you a playful smile.

 “I guess all Scrooge needed was a good fuck. Dickens got that part all wrong.”

Returning to work after the New Year was easier this year than it had ever been in your career.

 Namjoon was given the promotion. He told Seokjin he wanted to keep his corner office near you because he “likes the view”, and that he would give all his top cases to the best lawyer in the office—you.

 Jimin won’t stop screaming when he sees the diamond ring on your finger. You haven’t wanted to take it off since the moment you put it on. Maybe it’s not an engagement ring quite yet, maybe it’s just more of a promise. Either way, Jimin is ecstatic and confused as he shakes you down for answers.

 He walks with you to your desk, chattering away about his week with Yoongi, while you sip your convenience store coffee.

 “What the fuck?” Jimin asks as he notices something on your desk. “What is that?”

 As you round the corner, your eyes catch sight of a gleaming silver contraption on your desk, right next to your brand new computer.

 A Nespresso.

 A smile crosses your lips as you approach the expensive machine and notice a folded up card on top.

 Inside, the card is simple.

 “To the only girl in the world who deserves a Nespresso. Love, Namjoon.”

taglist - @ardoren​ @devilion14​ @bykookie​ @rageyoudamnednerd​ @holynamtiddies​ @thejooncrew​ @dee-ehn​ @yrc1963 @fireheart2003​

[aylinaliens]

Any 🌶️ book recs?

hello anon!! of course i have 🌶 book recs! i prefer meatier plot wise but i do have a few that is straight up the ‘plot what plot’ tag.

the kiss quotient + the bride test by helen hoang: these two books were like my intro into 🌶 adult books so they have a special place in my heart. not only does it have good rep for those on the spectrum but the relationships/spice is so good. the kiss quotient is about a woman with asperger who hires a male escort to ‘teach’ her how to be better in the bedroom. the bride test is set in the same universe! this has a forced marriage/marriage of convenience and wjxjwjjxd the SPICE!! esme & kai are my beloveds <3

the mindf*ck series by s.t. abby: full disclosure GO LOOK AT THE TRIGGERS because this series is heavy. heavy HEAVY. a ceral killer who wants to exact revenge on this small town falls in love with the FBI agent that is assigned to her case. sounds messed up and it is but the romance between lana and logan stays surprisingly wholesome?? and the spice was so good. this series is a crime/thriller first and a romance second so be aware of that

get a life chloe brown (+ the next two book in the series) by talia hibbert: rarely do i blush or have any physical reaction whilst reading but hdjwjxjd yeah this series has me 😳 the whole time. the series follows a trio of sisters who all get their love story. the brown sisters are equal parts hilarious and lovable. i can’t even pick a favorite one or couple because they all are so good

it happened one summer by tessa bailey: this book is literally just a schitts creak au skdjwjjdjd piper bellinger is a spoiled rich girl who is sent to a tiny little coastal town with her sister after she throws a party that is a little too out of hand. she ends up meeting a rugged fisherman. it’s the grumpy x sunshine trope on steroids. the spice…idk what kind of water tessa bailey is drinking but it’s next level. this sequel about pipers younger sister was actually one of the books i picked up today and i’m so excited to start it!!

how to fake it in hollywood by ava wilder: this is a newer release that came out like two months ago so it’s not recommended that much and !!! i’m so confused why?? as soon as i got the arc i completely devoured it in a few hours. it’s an age gap (in a non-weird way) between a hollywood starlet and an A-lister who fake dates for publicity. this one is heavier but the smut we get is *chefs kiss*

promises & pomegranate by sav r. miller: this is one of my ‘plot what plot’ book cnjwjdjs this is a very loose hades & persephone retelling with a little bit of mafia romance thrown in. the whole thing was weird but the 🌶 was excellent even though some of the scenes made me set the book down because they got a little bit too wild (and maybe not in a good way)

a brush with love by mazey eddings: this is what i like to call my ‘comfort soft smut 🥺🌶’ book. if you read fanfic you know what i mean by soft smut. the whole book is so fluffy it makes me want to cry. and the smut is so sOft it gives me butterflies. it’s a little slice of life that follows two dental students who fall in love. the tension and chemistry between harper & dan is sizzling!!

romancing mister bridgerton by julia quinn: this is the only book the bridgerton series that has manage to put me in a chokehold. penelope and colin are my idiotic beloveds who i love to hate. slowburn (SLOWBURN as in 10+ years) and friends to lovers is my weakness. i frequently think about multiple 🌶 scenes from that book every weak because it was that good…without getting too graphic let’s just say mirrors hit differently for me now

dating dr. dil by nisha sharma: THIS BOOOOK!!!the 🌶?? legendary. it has the typical fake dating/engagement trope but the dynamic between the characters was everything. i’m a suck for bickering and the antagonizing slow push and pull that exists. and kareena/prem push and pull a lot. the spice was also steamy too

mistakes were made by meryl wilsner: the fact that i got an arc for this book is still so surreal like ?? what did i do to deserve this?? okay so for those who crave the ✨sapphic✨ 🌶 you need to check this out. it’s about a college senior who hooks up with her best friends mom. the two have a one night stand and the very next day they are thrown together. i loved this GIMME more adult sapphic 🌶

delilah doesn’t care by ashley herring: another ✨sapphic✨ book because <3 the spice…A H jdjwkdksjdkd it was so ??? i can’t even ??? how this book manages to be so sweet and so hot at the same time is a mystery

one last stop + red white royal blue by casey mcquiston: pretty sure these are two of the most recommended lgbtq+ spicy-adjacent books out there but i thought i would throw them in anyways because despite how hyped they are i adore these books so much!!

the lady’s guide to celestial mechanics by olivia waite: lesbian historical regency era 🌶 romance?? need i say MORE????

fingersmith by sarah waters: this is an older book but it inspired the handmaiden film (if you haven’t watched it gooooo check it out pls). it’s more plot heavy but yeah…historical sapphic spicy books 🤧 love them dearly

neon gods by katee roberts: …another hades & persephone retelling because ?? i am utter weak at the knees for them. it’s another ‘plot what plot’ book for me

ali hazelwood books: i would not say her books are SPICY because they only have like two scenes (talking about you the love hypothesis) but the novellas get very very smutty. ali hazelwood is my guilty pleasure author. her books kill my brain cells but they are entertaining enough to make me forgive the flaws

i hope this helps anon! these book vary on 🌶 level. i didn’t just want to give you a list of all the popular spicy booktok favorites so i tried to throw in some more less talked about ones! if i’m not watching dramas i’m reading so if anyone wants recs let me know because i love gushing about my favorite books

[detect-thoughts]

🧠😍🔥💐 for lucy my beloved!

🧠 : What is your OC’s most mentally attractive attribute?

I'll give another seperate answer for this one, because Lucy is like an onion. I'd have to say it'd be his loyalty and devotion. Lucy doesn't make a lot of friends, he keeps his heart close to his chest and you'd need a crowbar to get him to open up, but when he likes somebody he is ferociously protective of them.

😍 : What does your OC find irresistible in others?

Oh god, this topic specifically has skewed the entire campaign he's in, I made Lucy a very tall boy, 6'5 to be exact, taller than both his parents, unusually tall for his people and gave him a thing for anybody taller then him (I see Ava over there at what was it? 6'6? 6'7?). Intending for him to be the tallest in the group as the mage (Love the trope of the mage being the tall and imposing one instead of the warrior) and that this trait might come up at some point in the campaign where he'd develop a crush on an NPC or something, then my friend rolls up with a 8'3 goliath paladin built like a strongwoman, biceps, shoulders, belly, the lot, they're fake engaged (for now) and he forged her a magical sword called Vow, the hilt of which is made out of the bone of his severed arm, used to fuel a flametongue enchantment.

🔥 : What’s a surefire way to make your OC get flustered?

Lucy is a divination wizard, and eyes are a big theme for his character, as such he has an extremely high passive perception at a total of 27 currently at level 7, nothing escapes his notice. However, such extremely attuned senses have their downside, he is rather sensitive in the ears, and melts like butter at the slightest touch of them, as well as whenever somebody brushes his hair, which our Paladin had to do to help him do his hair each morning after his arm was cut off.

💐 : What is their courting style? How would they woo someone?

To say Lucy is bad with words would be an understatement, CHR is his dump stat, next to STR, things tend to go best when he talks less. He is however very good at gift giving, being the son of a prominent noble he's accustomed to spending lavishly on weekend lovers and flings, and often showers his friends and lovers with thoughtful and expensive gifts (like Vow) to tell somebody he cares about and loves them so he doesn't have to struggle with awkward words.

[paradisetemporarilymisplaced]

Fave 1D fics?

Hello! This was very fun to put together and I really enjoyed my journey down memory lane in doing so🤗 Full disclosure, this list is all fics from 2016 or earlier bc I stopped regularly reading fic around then, but these are my very favorites. These are all either AO3 or PDF links because some have been deleted, and I'm sure I'm missing some (it's hard to keep track when so many have been deleted and my AO3 bookmarks are not as comprehensive as they could be). Happy reading, friend!

Wear It Like A Crown (zarah5, 141k, E): The first fic I ever read in this fandom and it remains my very favorite to this day! Royalty AU in which Louis is part of a team of PR fixers hired by the royal family to spin a photo of Prince Harry getting some with his bestie, Zayn. Enemies (ish) to friends to lovers, grand gestures, tragic backstory, and remarkably well-written communication issues. Zarah is one of the most beloved fandom authors and has written some classics, but this one is my personal favorite.

These Inconvenient Fireworks (mdasch & everydaysalike, 190k, E): The OG fandom classic for a reason. Louis is a drama teacher and Harry, an aspiring photographer, starts coaching soccer football at the same school part-time. Friends with benefits ensue, but there's a lot of angst as they try to figure out what the fuck they're doing and what they really are to each other. Major OT5 feels, funny as hell, heartbreaking - it's everything you want in a fic.

Allies in Heaven, Comrades in Hell (rockinaintnowalkinthepark, 265k, E): Catholic school AU. God, this one just punches you in the dick. I love it so fucking much. Louis and Harry are classmates and Louis realizes he's really into Harry. Unfortunately, his father is violently homophobic, and when he and Harry get together, he's terrified of the possible consequences. Major warnings for violence and homophobia, so if that's not your cup of tea you might want to stay away. I however am a sucker for angst with a happy ending and this fic delivers.

And Down the Long and Silent Street (whimsicule, 89k, M): THIS! FIC! God. I love it so much. Historical AU - Victorian England. Louis is selling newspapers on the London streets when he crosses paths with Harry, a wealthy young gentleman. They start an affair and fall in love, but unfortunately, a serial killer on the London streets is targeting poor young men - in particular, as it turns out, Louis - which complicates things. Plotty, heavy on the hurt/comfort, and keeps you on the very edge of your seat. I reread this one all the time.

Pull Me Under (zarah5, 140k, E): Another Zarah fic and also incredible. This one features Louis as a professional footballer trying to navigate coming out. Liam is Louis' agent, who suggests he be in a long-term relationship to ease the coming out process. Luckily, Liam's boyfriend Zayn has a friend named Harry who'd be perfect as the fake boyfriend. Fake relationship ensues. Beautifully written, also a classic.

Butterfly Gun (eravain, 100k, M): 1940s AU, set around WWII. In 1940, Harry and Gemma were evacuated from London to stay at the Tomlinson farm. Harry and Louis become friends, but as they grow up and learn more about themselves, there's the possibility for something more - except Louis' grandpa is a dick. Harry and Gemma are sent to another home to stay, and after the war, Harry goes back to see Louis in an attempt to rekindle their relationship and see what's actually there. Beautifully written and clenches your heart in the best way.

Coax the Cold (mediawhore, 86k, M): Another Victorian AU, this one featuring professor!Louis, whose focus on the supernatural has resulted in professional ridicule. He stumbles across ads for a circus sideshow that supposedly has a mermaid, so he goes undercover as an employee to obtain proof of the mermaid's existence. He definitely obtains proof, but his goal shifts as he gets to know said mermaid (Harry, obviously) and instead of proving his existence, he needs to free him and keep his secret to protect him.

College AU series (whoknows, 75k, E): This is a two-fic series that's just fun. In part 1, Harry and Louis are in an epic prank war - well, at least Louis is engaged in a prank war, while Harry calmly retaliates. Louis is a fucking menace in this one which I just adore. Dialogue is NEXT LEVEL. Friends with benefits (or at least, that's what Louis thinks it is) that (obviously) becomes a relationship (which is what Harry has thought it was the whole time). The last scene (before the epilogue) is one of my favorites in any fic. Part 2 is pretty much more of the same - sex, banter, and planning for the future.

Give Me Truths (iwillpaintasongforlou, 110k, E): This fic HAS. IT. ALL. College AU! Hurt/comfort! Punk, confident, psych major Louis! Sad Harry! I just! Love it! In this fic, Harry is in an abusive relationship and Louis helps him gather the strength to leave his abuser. In the process, they end up falling in love, and Louis helps Harry regain his confidence and self-esteem. I love this one especially because it was written at a time when the common fic trope was that Louis hates himself and Harry is the manic pixie dream girl who makes it better, so the role reversal in this fic was very refreshing. But it's also just such a good story and so well-written. (And again. PUNK LOUIS.)

Relief Next to Me (dolce_piccante, 333k, E): Okay. This fic is a MONSTER. It's really just 333k words of slice of life as baker!Harry and graphic designer!Louis become friends with benefits and then fall in love. I read this as a WIP (which I rarely do) just because there's barely a plot, they're just having a great time living life and having sex. Chapter 17 in particular is my comfort reread, I just love it SO MUCH.

Love Is a Word, You Gave It a Name (hattalove, 21k, T): Pure fluff, canon compliant. It's Christmas time and the boys are celebrating with their families and each other and getting ready to take a major step in their relationship - that is, publicly coming out. OT5 and family feels all over the place. This fic just gives you such warm and fuzzy feelings and I always smile the whole way through reading it. Also features a reunion with Louis' infamous geography teacher and also him being jealous of Ed Sheeran's cat.

Soft Hands, Fast Feet, Can't Lose (dolce_piccante, 113k, E): College AU in which Harry is an (American) football star for a Texas university and Louis is a dancer at the same school. In everyone's favorite 90s teen flick trope, Harry's friends bet that he can't get Louis to fall in love with him. You can guess how this plays out. It's very fun and especially good to reread during college football season.

[fanfic-corner]

Christmas!

18/12/20 - It’s nearly time... so whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope you have a lovely holiday and enjoy reading about our boys being festive.

a covenant of salt by museaway on AO3. (5,175 words).

Tags: Christmas, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, First Kiss, First Time, Holidays, Fanart, Men of Letters Bunker.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: They didn’t put up a tree on Cas’s first Christmas in the bunker.

Notes: This was so wholesome and was written excellently - the ending gave me chills!

It Started with a Fanfic Competition by Tenoko1 on AO3. (124,487 words).

Tags: Humor, Angst, Internalized Homophobia, Hurt/Comfort, Slow Burn, Accidental Plot, Personal Growth, Found Family, Fluff, PTSD, Therapy, Alternate Season 12, Charlie Lives, Crack, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: What started off as a game becomes a journey of friendship, love, and personal growth; filled with all the ups-and-downs that will make and bind a family.

Notes: This was written beautifully (I adore Tenoko1′s fics!). It is so wholesome, absolutely not afraid to call characters out on their bullshit, and genuinely has more character development than we see in the entire 15 seasons of the show.

Cuffed to an Angel by mattzerella_sticks on AO3. (72,529 words).

Tags: Fake Relationship, Professor Dean, Writer Dean, Detective Castiel, Fluff, Angst, Mutual Pining, Bisexual Dean, Gay Castiel, Christmas, Sharing a Bed, Homophobia, Hurt/Comfort, New Year’s.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: Dean Winchester has a lot going for him: he's beloved by his students, he's finished writing his first book, and he's living comfortably in New York City. The only problem is... he's single. That wouldn't bother him much if his family wouldn't be visiting for the holidays. With cuffing season over, Dean has to face his family alone... or will he? Castiel DiAngelo is a simple detective who hasn't really celebrated Christmas in over 9 years, holidays and family being a sore spot for him. But after taking Dean up on an offer, he finds that you can't really avoid the holidays. Will these two be able to pull off a seminal holiday trope? Or will certain developments get in the way...

Notes: This was painful to read in the best way - I was waiting for the inevitable moment when everything goes bad, and when it did I was actually screaming! U absolutely adored this fic.

Welcome All Winchesters by almaasi on AO3. (60,237 words).

Tags: Romance, Fluff and Smut, Fake Relationship, Fake Marriage, Mistaken For A Couple, Friends to Lovers, Bi-Curious Dean, Artist Castiel, Chef Castiel, Agender Castiel, Road Trips, Sharing a Bed, Cuddling & Snuggling, First Kiss, Marriage Proposal, POV Alternating, Alternate Universe - Human, Domestic Fluff.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: When Dean’s engagement breaks off three days before Christmas, he’s left with nobody to accompany him on a road trip to his family’s mountain log cabin. His best friend Castiel happens to be available, and is willing to help him through a tough time. But when Dean's mother and brother arrive, expecting to meet the person Dean plans to marry, they understandably assume Castiel is Dean's fiancé. After a weekend of comfortable domesticity, sharing clothes, intimate conversations, and definitely-one-time-only therapy sex, it feels almost too easy for Dean and Cas to fake a loving, romantic relationship. The hard part is going back to being friends afterwards. They can’t keep their hands off each other, and they’ve discovered some fun things to do together which they’d never tell another soul about. And, oh boy, feelings. Now being ‘just friends’ is so impossible, it seems as if fate had another plan for them all along...

Notes: This was so cute, even if Dean was a complete idiot. Also, ferrets.

How to re-gift fruitcake and other tips for surviving the holidays by museaway on AO3. (4,663 words).

Tags: Christmas, Neighbours, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Alternate Universe - Human.

My Rating: 5 stars.

Description: The saying goes you should “love thy neighbor,” but Castiel Novak was the neighbor from Hell.

Notes: This was so cute and funny and sweet... my heart is gonna explode.

all those lovely things by museaway on AO3. (7,870 words).

Tags: Alternate Universe - Smith/Wesson, Christmas Party, Co-Workers, Trapped in Elevator, Cuddling & Snuggling, Ridiculous Premise, Christmas, Holidays.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: Oh, no. No. No. He’s not dying in a freak elevator accident on Christmas Eve with Castiel Novak. No way.

Notes: This was so cheesy but in that really fun, Christmas rom com way.

Peace And Good Luck To All Men by KismetJeska on AO3. (31,367 words).

Tags: Christmas, Alternate Universe - Human, Humor, Dysfunctional Family, Unrequited Love.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: Christmas in the Milton household was difficult enough without the added complication of guests- and if Luke and Gabriel placing bets on who can get with Sam first wasn’t bad enough, then Cas developing a ridiculous crush on his sister’s boyfriend definitely is.

Notes: This was absolutely hilarious and officially the second fic ever to convince me to ship Samifer (kind of). I love the idea of a dysfunctional family Christmas.

Snow Place Like Home (But My Home Is With You) by almaasi on AO3. (47,814 words).

Tags: Alternate Canon, Christmas, Domestic Fluff, Sam Ships It, Bisexual Dean Winchester, Castiel’s First Christmas, Bed & Breakfast, Sharing a Bed, Cuddling & Snuggling, Smut, Marriage Proposal, POV Alternating.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: It’s Christmas Eve, and Dean, Sam and Castiel are snowed into a small town with a big festive spirit. They splurge on a fancy room in a B&B – hey, they deserve a treat. There’s a tiny plastic tree and a working TV, so they could perhaps overlook the lack of hot water and Dean having to bunk with Sam. Sleeping arrangements soon reach a happier equilibrium: Dean’s just cuddling Cas to keep him warm, he swears – the tingly feeling means nothing! Christmas Day arrives, and Cas still doesn’t have a gift for Dean. Dean doesn’t know what to give Cas, either. Sam has a few ideas, but will the other two truly understand what he means?

Notes: This was the Christmas fluff we all deserve after this year.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by fairychangeling on AO3. (8,152 words).

Tags: Christmas, Alternate Universe, Explicit Sexual Content, Homophobia.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: Castiel doesn't have a date to the office Christmas party until his best friend Dean volunteers to accompany him. Everyone thinks they’re a couple, but they’re not. At least, not at first.

Notes: This is amazing... as they say, it isn’t Christmas without a homophobe being punched! (or fired).

I Won’t Even Wish for Snow by Annie D on AO3 (6,521 words).

Tags: College/University AU, Christmas, Mistletoe, Mild Angst, First Kiss, Castiel POV, Fluff, Friends to Lovers.

My Rating: 4 stars.

Description: It’s the third year that Castiel’s spending Christmas with his best friend’s family, and he expects it to be much like the previous two. Then mistletoe happens.

Notes: This was so cute and hit me right in the feels!

Santa Doesn’t Wear Eyeliner by crossroadswrite on AO3. (2,091 words).

Tags: Jock!Dean, Punk!Cas, High School AU, Christmas, Secret Santa, Artist!Cas, Christmas Sweaters, Fluff.

My Rating:  3 stars.

Description: In which Dean is a jock, Cas is a punk and they're each other's Secret Santa.

Notes: This was so adorable - especially Dean’s nervousness - and such a great idea.

Failure (to Cuddle) is Not an Option by Annie D on AO3. (3,766 words).

Tags: Christmas, Cuddling and Snuggling, Schmoop, Angst, Humor, First Kiss, Friendship, Fluff, Plot What Plot, Dean POV.

My Rating: 3 stars.

Description: All Castiel wants for Christmas is to cuddle, is that really too much to ask?

Notes: This was so cute and I can totally imagine this actually happening.

So, enjoy! I wish you a very merry Christmas and hope that you stay safe and have a nice time. And don’t worry, I’ll be back in time for some New Year’s fics.

[theres-a-goldensky]

BL Show Review Series - HIStory 3: Trapped

My first non-Thai BL review is also going to be of a series that moves away from the university setting: the Taiwanese drama HIStory3: Trapped.

Disclaimer that these are my own opinions, and I don’t know where the BL community as a whole stands on these shows. If I disliked a show you loved or visa versa, no disrespect is intended!

MASTERLIST OF BL SHOW REVIEWS

MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!

HIStory3: Trapped Rating: 9.5/10

This series. This series. First, a little background if you’re unfamiliar with the HIStory franchise. HIStory is a series of unrelated BL stories. The first season had three hour-long specials. The second series got more ambitious. There are two different stories, each spanning four full-length episodes. Finally, by the time they reached the third iteration, the franchise had grown so popular that both of the series, Trapped and Make Our Days Count, were 10 full-length episodes. (Well, or 20 small episodes that were then condensed down to 10 larger ones, but semantics.)

If you’re interested, the HIStory series is available, in the US at least, on the website viki. It is a subscription site, but it gives you access to thousands of Asian dramas, including this series and South Korean BLs like Where Our Eyes Linger and Mr. Heart.  

HIStory3: Trapped is a story about a mobster and the police officers pursuing him. But since this is BL, the mob boss has a heart of gold and is trying to reform the gang so that he and his ‘family’ can get out of the drug business and go legit. Meanwhile, the police officers are on the hunt for answers about a four year old incident that killed one of their own, but they are, err...not super effective. 

Look, you just have to roll with the fact that this story is extremely lax about police protocol and the reality of being in the mob. It’s a set up for enemies-to-lovers and intense UST and that’s it. The police chief and other higher ups have no problem with one of their officers dating a well known mob boss who is suspected of killing a fellow police officer, for instance. So why should we? Just roll with it, ok? Roll like a bowling ball, where the pins at the end of the alley are super hot UST, pining, hurt/comfort, jealousy and bed scenes. 

The mob boss in question is Tang Yi. 

Since the death of his adopted father, he’s taken over the Tang operation and is dedicating himself to avenging his father’s murder and also following his father’s dream of legitimizing their company so that their family can be safe. He is...I mean. He’s gorgeous. Just, like, super super super hot. He is outwardly unflappable (unless you poke the bruise of his father’s death), dresses impeccably, and kills with these knowing smirks that get me every time.

His life is made very complicated by officer Meng Shao Fei, who has been obsessively following him around for years. The same incident that killed Master Tang and injured Tang Yi also killed his police mentor, and Shao Fei is certain that Tang Yi had something to do with it. 

Shao Fei is impulsive and as straight forward as Tang Yi is oblique and mysterious. It’s clear early on that Shao Fei’s pursuit of Tang Yi is fueled in part by his attraction to him. Tang Yi can see this as well, and he uses Shao Fei’s crush to his advantage, ratcheting up the sexual tension to nearly unbearable heights in the early episodes and purposely provoking Shao Fei’s quick jealousy.

The jealousy is what brings this show’s rating down the half-point. Shao Fei is so transparent about his jealousy that it becomes uncomfortable to watch. I was cringing with secondhand embarrassment through a lot of the early episodes. However, that honest emotion works well for him once he figures out what he wants from Tang Yi.

This relationship has a TON of hurt/comfort for those of you interested in that particular trope. For Shao Fei, it’s physical h/c. The guy can’t stop getting hurt, and we get to see a lot of Tang Yi worried about him. For Tang Yi, though, it’s emotional h/c as he deals with the psychological fallout from watching his father die. 

You might hear mob boss/police officer and think of, I don’t know, The Sopranos, or some other serious, dramatic show. While this story does have its dramatic moments, it is largely romantic and comedic in tone. 

The plot surrounding the mystery of that mass murder four years earlier keeps things chugging along and takes some interesting turns, but the focus of the show is very much on the couples.

The main side pairing of the show is between Jack, Tang Yi’s right hand man, and Zhao Zi, another police officer and Meng Shao Fei’s best friend. This pairing is pure fluff from beginning to end. It’s where a lot of the comedy comes, and the two of them are absolutely delightful together.

The contrast set up by Jack’s dark, dangerous personality when he’s doing his job and his sweetness towards Zhao Zi is entertaining. He’s often seen idly flicking a switchblade and smiling in a way that makes it clear he has no problem using it. And then, on the other hand, he prepares Zhao Zi bento boxes and texts him cute bear stickers to make him laugh. 

Neither of these sides of Jack seem fake. They’re both just part of who he is, and Zhao Zi gets the warm, domestic Jack, while the rest of the world gets the ruthless, efficient Jack.

Again, you might be asking yourself: isn’t it weird that a leather-wearing gang member who was recently arrested by that very police team could stroll into the station and hand an officer a homemade lunch and no one cares? And to that, I say, roll with it like you’re in one of those giant orb things and HIStory3: Trapped has just pushed you down a hill.

The character of Zhao Zi is adorable, naive and almost childlike. He looks like someone who has never even held a gun in his life, never mind actually shot one. That makes it pretty funny that he became a police officer. It seems to be implied that Zhao Zi is more of a tech / research guy than a field officer, but anyway, we’re rolling with it, so it’s fine.

He’s completely blindsided by Jack’s interest in him, but is easily won over through snacks, home cooked meals, and Jack’s genuine interest in Zhao Zi’s stories about his beloved, dead grandmother. 

The other side pairing in this series is between Tang Yi’s adopted sister Zuo Hong Ye, who runs the legitimate side of the company, and their assistant, Dao Yi. Dao Yi is loyal to the Tang family, and is much older than Hong Ye. He has been her bodyguard since she was adopted by Master Tang, which makes his romantic feelings very uncomfortable for him.

Some people didn’t like this pairing, but I got into it by the end. The problem is that Hong Ye starts off seeming pretty unlikable, because she’s rude to our protagonist, Shao Fei. But then you realize that she’s doing it to protect Tang Yi from the police officer she thinks is gunning for him. 

There may be a large age difference between the characters, but the actual actors are very close in age, so that part of the story line comes off a little weird. But I found them an engaging couple, in particular Dao Yi’s stoic pining for Hong Ye. 

In conclusion: watch this series! It’s great! The bed scenes are hot, the characters are well drawn, the acting is good, the story is interesting. Big recommendation.

And if you’re interested in fanfic, I put together rec lists for multiple BL shows including this one that can be found here and here. 

MASTERLIST OF BL SHOW REVIEWS

(Send me an ask if you have a show you’d like me to review - with the understanding that I will be completely honest - or if there’s anything you think I forgot or got wrong in this review.)

[kawaiikichi]

This Thing Called Love (Saiouma)

Saiouma #1 (Fake Relationship) and #13 (Roommates) from the “Two Tropes + Pairing” list for @redes22! I hope you like it and let me know if you would like anything changed/edited :D

Title: This Thing Called Love

Tropes Used: #1 (Roommates) and #13 (Fake Relationship)

Summary: In order to get his ex-boyfriend to stop pestering him, Kokichi starts a fake relationship with his roommate, Shuichi Saihara. They were to stay in this so-called relationship until his ex finally got the hint and then they’d split. Kokichi even stated that he wasn’t going to fall in love with him. However, life had other plans in store for him.

One-shot is under the cut!

“You did what?!”

Shuichi could only stare at Kokichi in shock as he scratched the back of his head nervously.

“Ahahaha...sorry?” he said, an edge of uncertainty in his voice.

“Sorry? I don’t think that even cuts it! You straight-up told your ex that you’re dating me, your roommate, when we obviously aren’t dating! You should’ve at least asked me if I was okay with pretending to be your boyfriend instead of just dragging me into this nonsense without my permission! Actually, to begin with, you should’ve told me that he was harassing you in the first place! We could’ve figured something out—“

“Saihara-chan, shut up!”

A pillow was thrown in Shuichi’s face. He sputtered as the pillow hit him before it fell to the ground before him. He stared at Kokichi, who looked visibly upset.

“I panicked, okay?! I didn’t want to drag you into my personal affairs either, but I had no choice! I couldn’t think of anything else to say that would get him to back off, so I said that!” Kokichi averted his gaze, staring at the swirly pattern on his leggings. “I’m really sorry, Saihara-chan.” he apologized.

“No, I...Shoot.” Shuichi ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m the one who should be sorry. Like you said, you panicked. And when people panic, they tend to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. So, don’t worry about it. What’s done is done and now, we need to look forward.” Shuichi explained.

“Saihara-chan...” Kokichi trailed off.

Shuichi smiled.

“Now, all we have to do is pretend we’re dating so that your ex can back off, right?” Shuichi asked.

“Yeah.” Kokichi replied.

“Okay, sounds simple enough.”

“Oh and also, I know that in the movies, whenever they fake date, they wind up falling in love for real, but I’m letting you know right now that that is not going to happen! I don’t have any intentions of falling in love with you, got that, Saihara-chan?!”

“I know. I won’t do the same, either.”

“Good.”

Kokichi extended his hand out.

“Shake on it?” he asked.

Shuichi nodded.

“Shake on it.” he replied as he took Kokichi’s hand and shook it.

With that, their fake relationship started.

💜💜💜💜

Nagito stared at Kokichi curiously, taking a sip from his cola.

“You have a boyfriend?” he questioned.

“Y-Yeah, I do.” Kokichi stuttered out.

“That doesn’t sound too convincing, Kokichi. Are you lying to me?” Nagito asked.

“No. Why would I lie to you?”

“Oh, I don’t know...you’re planning on shaking me off despite how much you still love me?”

“Oh, please. I despise you.”

“No, you don’t. You still love me.”

“No, I don’t. How could I possibly have a boyfriend if, god forbid, I still had feelings for you? And speaking of boyfriends,” Kokichi looked at his phone. “Actually, he should be coming now to meet you.” he said.

“Oh?” Nagito questioned as the restaurant door swung open to reveal Shuichi, who was in a simple navy blue sweater, tan pants, and navy blue Oxfords.

“Ah! Over here, Shuichi!” Kokichi called out, waving Shuichi over.

Shuichi seemed to still at the way Kokichi used his first name so casually, but he managed to shake it off as he walked over to them. He pressed a kiss to Kokichi’s temple before sitting down beside him.

“Hi, Kokichi.” he said.

“Hi, my beloved.” Kokichi moved to hold Shuichi’s hand and brought it on top of the table for Nagito to see. “So, this is my ex-boyfriend, Nagito Komaeda. And Komaeda-chan, this is my boyfriend and roommate, Shuichi Saihara.” he said.

“It’s nice to meet you.” Shuichi said.

“The pleasure is mine, too.” Nagito said.

He looked between Shuichi and Kokichi.

“So, how did you guys meet?” Nagito asked.

“When we moved into our dorms. He was unpacking when I came in. We didn’t get along at first, but we eventually became friends and then lovers.” Shuichi explained.

“And how did you two start dating?” Nagito asked.

“Shuichi was the one that confessed to me. We were walking back to the dorms after a night of karaoke with some friends and he asked me out. I said yes and now we’re dating.” Kokichi explained.

“I see...and how come you didn’t tell me that you were dating him the first time?” Nagito questioned.

“Because I didn’t think it was your business, Komaeda-chan.”

“And what if I said that I don’t believe any of what you just said?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean your whole story about how you got together. It sounds fake.”

Kokichi and Shuichi tensed up.

Shit...did he see through our little charade already? But I thought we were doing good, Kokichi thought to himself.

Kokichi let out a nervous laugh.

“What are you saying? Of course we’re dating! Why wouldn’t we be?” he asked.

“Because you’re fake dating. That’s the only thing that would make all of this make sense.” Nagito explained.

Kokichi gritted his teeth.

“We are dating.” he growled out.

“Then, I’m going to need proof. Maybe some photos or something.” Nagito said, a sly grin crawling onto his lips.

The grin made shivers course through Shuichi’s body.

Was Ouma-kun seriously dating this guy? He’s really creepy, he thought to himself.

“You want photos? Fine, I’ll show you some.” Kokichi said as he whipped his phone out and began scrolling through his photos before finding some pictures of them taking selfies at a karaoke bar near the campus.

He showed it to Nagito, who took the phone from him and observed the photos. He grinned.

“Sure, they’re cute. But, these look like photos that best friends would take together, not lovers.” he said.

“What the fu—“

“Kokichi, calm down.” Shuichi spoke, massaging Kokichi’s hand in an attempt to calm him down.

Kokichi glared daggers at Nagito, who dissolved into loud cackling that startled some people seated nearby.

“My, this is so amusing! Very amusing, indeed!” Nagito stood. “Well, I’ve got to get going. I have an engagement to attend. In the meantime, take some photos that will actually convince me that you two are a couple. I’ll see you two soon.” he said before walking off.

As soon as Nagito was out of earshot, they both let out a sigh of relief they realized that they were holding in until now.

“My god, that was intense.” Shuichi watched Kokichi in surprise. “I can’t believe you used to date a freaky and manipulative guy like him.” he commented.

“Trust me, I can’t believe it, either. Apparently, he’s always been messed up, but I was too blind to see it until we finally broke up. Anyway, that’s all in the past now.” Panic flashed through Kokichi’s eyes. “What do we do now?! He says he’s not convinced!” he hissed.

“Okay, calm down, just...” Shuichi sighed. “We’ll just need to take the pictures and act lovey-dovey in them. That should get him.” he said.

“I sure hope so...” Kokichi trailed off.

He took a sip from his glass of grape Panta.

“So, should we go on a fake date this weekend?” Kokichi asked.

“Yeah, we can do that. Let’s plan it out once we get back to the dorm.” Shuichi said.

Kokichi nodded.

“Alright. Sounds good.”

💜💜💜💜

Shuichi sat outside a clothing store, waiting patiently for Kokichi to come out.

For their date, they decided to go shopping in Shibuya for the day before having dinner at a family restaurant and then go back to the dorms. So far, they had taken some photos, but the only thing that came close to them being lovey-dovey were the strip of photos that they took at a photo booth an hour ago.

He sighed, reaching up to run his fingers through his hair.

Gosh, when will Kokichi come out? This is starting to get ridiculous, he thought to himself.

He was ready to pull out his phone and text him when Kokichi came out, holding a bag in his hand.

“Hey, Saihara-chan! Look at these!” he called out as he walked over to him.

Shuichi watched as Kokichi pulled out a black shirt that said “I have everything I need” in white letters and a white shirt that said “I am everything” in black letters.

“I got us couple t-shirts! The black one is yours and the white one is mine. We can wear these and take pictures with them on.” he explained.

“I see...” Shuichi trailed off.

“Come on, let’s head to the restroom and put them on!” Kokichi chirped.

Then, he clasped Shuichi’s hand in his own, lacing their fingers together. Shuichi jumped, looking down at their intertwined hands in surprise.

“Ouma-kun...?” he spoke.

“We need to act like we’re dating, right?” Kokichi asked.

Shuichi slowly nodded.

“Yeah...I guess you’re right.” he said.

They stepped into the restroom and changed into the shirts. After that, they continued to walk through the crowded streets of Shibuya, their hands clasped tightly together all the while. Eventually, they found themselves at the Hachiko statue.

“Oh! It’s the Hachiko statue!” Kokichi looked up at Shuichi. “I want a picture.” he said.

“You do?” Shuichi questioned.

Kokichi nodded.

“Yeah! Take my pic!” he chirped as he let go of Shuichi’s hand and raced over to the statue.

“Alright...” Shuichi took Kokichi’s phone and turned on the camera, adjusting everything accordingly. “Smile!” he called out.

Kokichi smiled as Shuichi pressed the shutter, capturing the moment. He took a couple more using his phone and they switched spots. Eventually, Kokichi was approached by a young couple, who offered to take a picture of the two of them. Kokichi thanked them and went to join Shuichi, bringing an arm around his torso. Shuichi did the same as the woman counted to three before taking the picture.

“Okay! Last one for good luck!” she called out.

Kokichi smiled as an idea hit him.

“Hey, Saihara-chan. Don’t move.” he instructed.

“Huh? What—“ Shuichi didn’t get to finish his sentence, for Kokichi had gotten on his tiptoes and leaned in, pressing his lips to his cheek.

Shuichi tensed at the feeling of Kokichi’s warm lips against his cheek as the photo was taken. Kokichi withdrew and made his way over to the couple without a word, thanking them before the couple walked off.

“Let’s go, Saihara-chan! I’m starting to get hungry.” Kokichi called out.

“H-Huh?” a blush threatened to make its way to Shuichi’s cheeks. “A-Ah, I’m coming!” Shuichi responded as he headed over to Kokichi, hoping to calm the erratic racing of his heart.

💜💜💜💜

It was three weeks after their date in Shibuya that Nagito approached them again, asking that they sit at a bench near the art building on campus and talk about Shuichi and Kokichi’s so-called relationship.

“So?” Nagito downed some Dr. Hopper. “Where are the photos?” he asked.

“Right here.” Kokichi replied, handing Nagito his phone.

Nagito took it and began to scroll through his camera roll, observing each and every photo. He would nod his head every once in a while, leading Kokichi to believe that he was slowly but surely becoming convinced.

Yes! If this all goes well, then he’ll finally stop bugging me and then Saihara-chan and I can stop this farce once and for all, he thought to himself.

Suddenly, his heart clenched at the thought of ending things with Shuichi.

Huh?

Wait, wait, wait.

Why did my heart clench like that all of a sudden? It’s not supposed to do that. I’m supposed to be happy that this will all be over! So why am I reacting this way, he asked himself.

Unless...I actually fell in love with him along the way?

Kokichi wanted to slap himself.

No! No, there’s no way that’s possible! Me, falling in love with Saihara-chan even though I explicitly stated that I wouldn’t? That’s impossible, he told himself.

Nagito’s humming was what pulled Kokichi out of his turbulent thoughts as he smiled.

“Your photos certainly give off that lover vibe. Not to mention the shirts that you are wearing today. They’re certainly something a couple would wear. So, I’d say you two have convinced me.” Nagito said.

Kokichi’s eyes sparkled with delight.

“Yes! So, that means—“

“But.” Nagito pressed his lips into a thin line. “There is one thing that sticks out to me so much that I can’t be entirely convinced just yet.” he said.

He looked at Shuichi and Kokichi.

“You two haven’t shared an actual kiss.” he stated.

Kokichi stilled.

An...actual kiss?

He could only stare as Nagito continued.

“I mean, the forehead and cheek kisses are fine, but you’ve never kissed each other on the lips. A couple has had to have kissed each other on the lips by now, yes? So, it seems odd to me that you haven’t shared a real kiss yet.” Nagito explained.

“Well, it’s because we’ve decided to wait until we’re ready—“

“Or it’s because your relationship is fake and you two aren’t actually dating. Besides, why would two people who aren’t interested in each other kiss one another on the mouth?”

Kokichi bit his lip.

Shoot. He got us there, he thought to himself.

He shot Shuichi a look, silently pleading for him to do something.

“It looks like I hit it on the nail. So, was I right?” Nagito asked.

“No. Actually, you’re far from the truth.”

Kokichi looked at Shuichi.

“Shuichi...” he trailed off.

“You want to see a real kiss, right? Well, we’ll show you one.” Shuichi said.

In that moment, Shuichi grabbed Kokichi by the wrist and pulled him towards him, their lips coming together in a kiss. Kokichi immediately stiffened, not sure what he should do now.

Shuichi cupped his cheeks, stroking them gently as if to urge him to kiss back. Kokichi slowly complied, his hands moving to rest on Shuichi’s shoulders as Shuichi continued to kiss him lovingly.

They withdrew after a couple of minutes, panting softly. Then, they turned to see a stunned Nagito.

“Are you convinced now?” Shuichi asked.

“I...well, yes. I am convinced. Your kiss had so much love in it that it was hard to ignore.” Nagito stood. “I’ll leave Kokichi alone from now on. You two take care and be happy.” he said before turning and walking off.

Shuichi sighed in relief.

“Oh, thank god that’s finally over...” he trailed off.

He looked down and realized that Kokichi was still in his arms.

“Ah! I...I’m so sorry!” he quickly pulled away. “I shouldn’t have kissed you so suddenly. I should have asked before I did that—“

“N-No, you don’t need to apologize! It had to be done...” Kokichi trailed off. Shuichi bit his lip.

“I see...” he trailed off.

“Well...at least it’s finally over.” Kokichi said with a chuckle.

“Yeah.” Shuichi replied.

They both chuckled, but it did nothing to rid them of the awkward atmosphere that hung over their heads.

💜💜💜💜

A month went by after the kiss. Since then, Kokichi’s thoughts had grown more turbulent and he was confused as to what it is that he felt for Shuichi. Eventually, he had an “oh” moment upon realizing that in the end, he did fall in love with Shuichi during their time together as a fake couple.

Now that he came to this realization, however, that just made things awkward between them. Kokichi didn’t know how to act around his roommate now and every time they would touch on accident, they would pull away as if they had been scorched by fire.

Kokichi contemplated telling Shuichi how he felt, but he feared that Shuichi would accuse him of breaking his own rules and something told him that Shuichi didn’t feel the same way. So, Kokichi decided that it was best to say nothing.

He hoped that that would be enough to keep those feelings at bay.

Kokichi finished up his homework as Shuichi came out of the shower in a simple grey shirt and plaid pajama pants.

“You’re still working on homework?” Shuichi asked.

“No, I just finished.” Kokichi replied.

“I see.” Shuichi said.

Kokichi watched as Shuichi towel-dried his hair, some ends sticking out and his ahoge popping back up. From where he laid, he could smell the faint scent of sandalwood and peppermint. It was Shuichi’s scent and he was in love with it.

If he could, he would bathe in it all day.

He shooed that image out of his mind as Shuichi went to sit on his bed, sighing as he grabbed for his phone and began to scroll through it.

That same awkward silence hung over them. It was so thick that a knife couldn’t slice through it. Kokichi bit his lip, wondering if he should ask something. As he was getting ready to, Shuichi set his phone down and he spoke.

“Okay, we need to talk.” he said.

“About what?” Kokichi asked.

“I’ve been wondering this for a while, but has something been bothering you as of late?” Shuichi inquired.

Kokichi stilled.

Gosh, as expected of a detective in training...he can see right through me, he thought to himself.

“Not really...” Kokichi trailed off.

“So, there is something bothering you, then?” Shuichi asked.

“I...” Kokichi bit his lip.

“There is, huh...do you want to talk about it?” Shuichi asked.

“We can, if you’d like. However, I’m not sure where to begin...” Kokichi trailed off.

“That’s fine. One thing I was wondering was if it has something to do with me.” Shuichi said.

“You?” Kokichi questioned.

“Yeah. You’ve been acting weird around me and so I’m beginning to wonder if it has something to do with me. If so, then I can see if we could do a roommate switch—“

“No! Oh, god no! There’s no need for a roommate switch! It’s just...” Kokichi trailed off.

He bit his lip again.

Should I really say it, he asked himself.

“Saihara-chan...” he trailed off.

“Yes, Ouma-kun?” Shuichi answered.

Oh whatever. I’ll just tell him. Besides, it’s not a good idea to keep these feelings bottled up inside me forever, he told himself.

“Saihara-chan, I...” he let out a shaky sigh. “I’m in love with you.” he said.

“You’re...what?” Shuichi asked, surprise evident in his features.

“I know, it sounds crazy, especially since I said that I wasn’t going to let it happen, but I fell in love with you. I fell hard and now I can’t stop. I love you, Saihara-chan.” he explained.

Shuichi fell silent. Kokichi swallowed, wondering if he should’ve said anything.

He’s not saying anything. Oh god, maybe it wasn’t a good idea for me to tell him, after all, he thought to himself.

“Saihara-chan, forget what I said—“

“I feel the same.”

Kokichi blinked.

“Huh?” he questioned.

“I said that I feel the same. I love you too, Ouma-kun.” Shuichi said.

Kokichi’s heart skipped a beat. His cheeks began to flush red as Shuichi continued.

“I’ve felt this way ever since you kissed me on the cheek in Shibuya. I couldn’t get you out of my head and eventually, I realized that I was in love with you. But, I didn’t say anything because you made it clear that you didn’t want this turning into something more, so hearing you say that you also love me surprised me.” Shuichi explained.

Kokichi saw the blush that began to make its way onto Shuichi’s cheeks and he couldn’t help but giggle.

“That long, huh? It took me until you kissed me in front of Komaeda-chan to realize that I was in love with you. So, I took longer to figure it all out.” he said with a laugh.

“Is that so...” Shuichi trailed off.

He looked at Kokichi.

“Hey, if it’s okay...may I kiss you?” Shuichi asked.

“You don’t even need to ask.” Kokichi replied.

Shuichi stood and headed over to Kokichi’s bed, climbing onto it and cupping Kokichi’s cheek. Then, he closed the distance between them.

The kiss was sweet and gentle, making Kokichi want to melt into it. He kissed back just as gentle as Shuichi did. They pulled away a couple minutes after, pressing their foreheads together.

“I love you, Kokichi.” Shuichi said.

Kokichi smiled.

“I love you too, Shuichi.” he said as they leaned back in for a another kiss that was more gentle than the previous one.

[respectingromance]

“Romance is flush with successful self-published authors who, in the Kindle era, have perfected a simple formula: sex puns and tropes. Readers in the genre are compulsively loyal to their preferred friends-to-lovers or fake marriage kinks and repulsed by the tropes that turn them off. Every tribe of romance reader adheres to their own certain rules: happy endings only, no cheating, or absolutely no love triangles. These rules are baked into the tropes that pervade romance, and thus titles become a shorthand for a book’s promise to the astute reader, who knows that in Cocky Roommate the heroine will get stuck with a sexy, arrogant roommate and sparks will fly, just as in Accidental Hero the damsel will be saved by a guy in the right place at the right time. While this single trademark won’t upend the entire genre, the implications, should Faleena succeed, are much larger. As author L.M. Brown put it, take cocky out of romance, space out of sci-fi, or murder out of mystery, and the bookshelves start to look rather bare.”

Slate did a write-up of #cockygate that is only occasionally wrong. Like the bolded sentence. I mean, I might be more okay with what some other romance readers would characterize as cheating (If one of my beloved heroines is trapped in an engagement to a guy who turns out to be a jackass, then she should be allowed to kiss sexy non-jackasses! Why do you want her to be unhappy!), but I think we’re all pretty much on the same side when it comes to love triangles and happy endings. 

But if you’re behind on #cockygate, this is a fairly up-to-date summation that is only mildly snarky and off-base about Romancelandia.

[karolinarodrigueswrites]

FIND MY NEW MASTERLIST HERE: [LINK]

General scenarios worked around my characters: [masterlist here].

Can't Fake This: a not-so-fake dating poly romance.

When Max learns his friends believe he is dating one of his crushes, it is much to his surprise that some confrontation ends up with all three strangers playing along with the accusation of dating him.

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Ways of Affection

Am I Awake?: ghosts, mediators, secrets and revenge.

Meredith's blood is heavy with magic and a history of sacrifice. Another one in a long lineage of mediators, seeing the beings, the others, would be enough of a curse without the nightmares and hallucinations she's unable to distinguish from reality.

Yakov spent the last two years in a trance of rage and powerlessness, too young of a ghost to be able to do anything - until he meets her, and exists once again under her touch, by her blood.

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Extended Intro - Friends and Foes

Always Here: contemporary romance with a failing love triangle, where the guys get together at the end.

A romance that plays with tropes, and the question of what it means in the end to always be there for someone.

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Can't Play Dead: a poly romance amidst witches, hunters and sacrifices.

To destroy someone may be to learn to love them.

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Chosen & Damned: the curse of being fated for something more.

Follow Eleena, stubborn human, and Vincenzo, with the blood of stars and the blessings of The Devil, as they navigate a fated bond, gifted by the weavers, as it guides them to a great calamity that will take it all to be reversed.

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Melody

Lost & Found

And David Became Goliath: what eventually happens after a forgotten god of the receiving end of war and destruction finds a home in a scared child.

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Extended Intro - The Champions

A Lord and a Lionheart: a romance between a disaster crimelord and his right hand vampire.

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A Mistress and a Witch: a romance between a dangerous kingmaker, and the witch who must protect her to regain his freedom.

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A Mistress and a Seamstress: you've heard of the mafia and their favored tailors, here's a criminal supernatural kingmaker and her favored seamstress.

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A Divine Knight for a Demon: a man engages in a journey with a female divine knight to achieve demonhood.

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Beloved & Wicked: in a world of gods and the supernatural, there is an evil immortal couple with a wide range of taste in short and long term lovers.

[Proper summary under construction.]

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Established relationships

Relationships chart