#haechan bodyguard au | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

babyflossy · 4 years

Text

eccedentesiast (n)

eccedentesiast (n) someone who hides pain behind a smile

pairing; bodyguard!haechan x reader

summary; haechan is nothing more than someone employed to keep you safe. at least, that’s what you keep telling yourself. but why is it so hard to just see him as that?

genre/warnings; bodyguard au, angst (?), fluff, violence, a poisoning, half-edited, also i'm sorry that hyunjin is always my go to for another male lead lmao my skz bias is showing

word count; 7k baby

a/n; after nearly 3 months of writer’s block, i humbly offer you body guard haechan. i’m sorry if it sucks, i’m kinda rusty to get back into writing. any feedback is greatly appreciated!

it’s sunny outside, the golden morning rays of sunlight filtering through the blinds and onto your face. they warm the skin they manage to reach and you bask in the calmness, wrapped in soft bedsheets and silk bedclothes. if you squint into the light you can see the dust particles float around the beams, slowly swimming through around the window frame. the first noise you hear is a bird singing softly outside and a thought in the back of your mind reminds you it’s almost too peaceful. there must be a meeting going on downstairs, one you’re not trusted to appear at.

a knock on your door brings you back to reality and a sigh claws its way up your throat. your father’s personal assistant, sasha, pokes her head around the door and smiles slightly at your bed hair and the mismatched socks poking out the bottom of your duvet. “your father wants you downstairs in five minutes.”

“and what if i don’t?” in an attempt at appearing nonchalant you fix your gaze on the dying plant on your windowsill, refusing to meet her eyes.

“there’s someone you need to meet,” sasha says, piquing your interest and you give up on trying to defy your father’s wishes in favour of your curiosity. “so be down in five minutes, okay?”

the door clicks shut quietly and you check the time on your phone. 10:49am.

finally letting your sigh out and pushing your covers off your cold body, you reach for the first garment of clothing you spot. it’s a purple hoodie you stole from one of your exes and you pull it over your head with a strange sense on loneliness. how long had it been since you had contacted your college friends?

right before you leave the safe confines of your bedroom, a voice floats from the kitchen, one you don’t recognise. it strikes another wave of curiosity through you, this time accompanied by something akin to excitement. the hardwood floors of the hallway are slippery under your socks and you hurry down the stairs to the source of your interest.

whoever you had been expecting, none of them come close to the boy stood next to your dining table. a warm mop of hair sits on top of high cheekbones and tanned skin. the air leaves your lungs momentarily when his eyes meet yours, dark and calculating. you expect him to offer you a polite smile as most of your father’s business partners do, but his face remains in a stern mask. in would be unsettling if you had met in any other circumstances, you’re sure.

“y/n,” the voice of your father forces you to switch your gaze to him and you shoot him a questioning look. it holds no warmth, only looking for answers. “this is haechan,” the boy nods slightly in your direction at the mention of his name, “he’s your new bodyguard.”

you can’t help but let your eyebrows raise comically. that was probably the last thing you were expecting this morning. sure, there had been bodyguards in your past, but none of them stayed very long and you thought your parents had given up on finding one. “bodyguard?” there’s almost a mocking tone to your words and you like the way it makes your father sigh. “i thought you gave up after the last one.”

in the corner of your eyes, you see haechan’s brows quirk the slightest amount in what you think could be amusement. clearly, he has a lot to learn if he thinks he’ll last long.

“there’ve been some rather,” haechan focuses on your dad again as he starts speaking and your glad for the break from his eye contact. “unpleasant things being said about our family at the moment, and we think it’s best to keep an eye on you. so don’t do anything stupid.”

ah, you think, so that’s what he’s doing. this isn’t just to keep you safe, this is a way for your parents to monitor what you do and who you see, a glorified babysitter. that fact doesn’t sit well with you and you make a mental promise to make this as hard as possible for your new caretaker.

with a spark in your eyes you nod at your father and muster up the sweetest smile you can. “of course, father. anything for you.” the change in your voice doesn’t go unnoticed and he sends you a challenging glare which you choose to ignore, instead opting to smile at the taller boy and escape back up to your bedroom.

for the rest of the morning, haechan stands guard outside your bedroom door. as you had fled the thick atmosphere in the kitchen he'd followed behind with quick steps and he wasn't happy at being banished to the hallway. you weren't entirely sure what danger he thought would be lurking around your house at midday on a sunday, but he was on edge regardless.

finally free once again from the eyes of your steadily increasing number of babysitters, you let yourself fall onto your bed.

your own father doesn't trust you enough to live your life without the constant supervision of someone he decides is more credible than you. it hurts. it always does whenever he fails to conceal the way his job is more important than you are to him, his own daughter.

it hurts but you can't let it show. there's something powerful about appearing indifferent to things that are supposed to affect you, but maybe that's just founded on years of your parents missing important milestones. your first dance recital, your first win at a science fair, the first day of high school, the moment you found out about your college scholarship. none of it mattered to them, because nothing you ever did matters to them.

maybe this was an opportunity. an opportunity to get them to care about something more than their questionable business deals.

with a new mindset, you pull yourself away from the plush sheets and change into something other than a hoodie and fluffy socks.

"where are we going?" it's technically the first time you've actually heard haechan say anything to you, and his voice is surprisingly smooth. it's honey-like and velvety and way too appealing to listen to.

"shopping." it's stupid, but as you pass him you can't help but try and speed up, pathetically trying to outwalk him on your way to the garage. there's the distinctive sound of a hushed laugh behind you and the sound catches you off guard for a second. why do you like it so much?

a personal chauffeur drives you and haechan sat in the front seat leaving you alone in the back. the air is still and the silence is almost painful. you type away on your phone just to distract yourself from the fact you don't think you've ever been this quiet for this long before. haechan doesn't seem to notice the awkward tension in the car, however, and busies himself glaring at every car that passes.

for a sunday, the mall is busy and you find yourself stealthily dodging people who get in your way. haechan draws some stares as he follows close behind you, must less scared about bumping into people than you are. it's understandable– the all black get-up he's wearing makes him look a lot more menacing than he did in your family kitchen. along with his height and his inability to break eye contact first, it's quite a scary mix.

after a few minutes of walking in silence, you decide to at least try and make conversation. the one sentence he's said to you doesn't seem like enough for people set to spend all day every day together.

"how long have you been doing this?" the attempt is weak, but haechan seems surprised you've said anything to him. the focus of his stare switches to you and you suddenly feel small under it.

"long enough." before you can ask anything else, the surroundings have once again captured his attention and anything you say is drowned out by the indecipherable chatter around you. the scrutiny he puts everything around him under just from his gaze is admirable, and for a bodyguard, he certainly does tick all the boxes.

you're barely able to contain your sigh as you decide to take a different approach to gain his attention.

the first few shops you drag him into are innocent trips to buy clothes; there's a party you've been invited to in a few months and you have yet to find a suitable outfit. every attempt you make is ignored skillfully, every dress, skirt and pair of short shorts you hold up he pays no attention to.

when you've finally had enough, you spot a lingerie store with a wicked sense of delight.

"you can wait outside for this one," you tease with a smirk and an airy wave. at first, you're sure he's about to protest until he sees what shop you're leading him into and complies, stopping by the entrance to the store. as if to rub it in more, you taunt him once more. "unless you're curious what i wear underneath my clothes?" as you turn to head inside, you swear you see the faintest taint of pink over his tanned cheeks.

over the next few weeks, haechan seems to understand why none of your previous bodyguards have lasted long. it's also clear to him you'll do almost anything just to piss off your father, anything to get a reaction from him. in a way he feels sorry for you, having to go to such extremes for attention only to be shouted at by the one person who should care about you the most.

haechan has also learned to not mention your mother at all in any conversation where she's not present, as it without fail turns whatever mood you're in into a worse one. that's a whole other issue he doesn't want to rush into, however, and usually lets you do whatever you want.

after the first week, you'd finally started warming up to the idea of having him around you all the time. as much as you hated to admit, it was quite nice to have someone around whose primary role was to care about you.

it had been a long day, and it vaguely concerns haechan when you rush into your bedroom faster than usual, letting the door slam shut with a bang.

he doesn't hear anything else from you until after night has fallen and crying seeps into the hallway.

on instinct, it fills him with an anxious sort of unease and he knocks on your door. in the silence of the hallway, it's clear you're surprised to be disturbed as you stop sniffling for a second before opening the door slightly.

"are you okay?" you hear something in his voice that you haven't before; concern. every time haechan's shown worry or apprehension so far it's been in response to your surroundings, to the people around you. hearing such blatant worry for nothing other than your mental wellbeing only makes the tears fall faster and he doesn't know what to do.

all of his previous clients have been strictly physical protection, nothing similar to the struggles that are currently troubling you. with no clue what else to do, he slips in through the small crack in your door and envelopes his arms around you. the action is unexpected and you tense in surprise before melting into his embrace.

after a few minutes stood by the door, you let him pull you back to your bed, sitting against the headboard so you can rest your head in his lap. his fingers scrape gently through over your scalp and you can feel yourself being pulled into sleep.

a nagging thought in the back of your mind reminds you this is haechan, your bodyguard. nothing more, nothing less, just someone your father employed to keep you safe. in your fragile mental state, you decide to let yourself ignore that one night and let someone care for you.

in the morning, neither of mention the events that transpired the night before. you'd woken up to an empty bed, something you were eternally grateful for as you don't think you handle seeing him again so soon. the morning seems to drag on and you take your time getting ready as a distraction.

haechan had seen you in your most vulnerable state, and even though you hadn't told him the reason for your breakdown, you were sure he could probably guess. it seemed every day you and your father would fight about more insignificant things. it pained him to watch, but it wasn't his place to say anything.

when you finally emerge from your bedroom, haechan meets your eyes and offers you a fleeting smile before his features settle into their familiar glare.

life goes on, you suppose.

a rare type of excitement pumps through you as you stare at haechan through the mirror of your dressing table. recently he'd been spending more time sat in your bedroom than stood outside it. it was a nice change, and you felt less alone when you sit to do homework into the early hours of the morning.

currently, he flips through a book he'd picked off your desk and he frowns at it in confusion. "you understand this?" he mumbles as he stares at the words on the page.

with a laugh, you realise he's reading your intro to classical mechanics textbook and stand to take it from his hands. "that's up for debate."

he watches you push yourself onto your tiptoes to put it back on the top shelf and averts his gaze when the dress you're wearing rides up your thighs. it was ridiculous how you'd convinced him to take you to this stupid college party he was sure wouldn't end well, but here is he. "are you nearly ready? you said it starts at eight?"

you choke down another laugh as you stare at the clock, "haechan," you start with a smirk, "i have to be fashionably late. it's part of my brand."

"your what?"

"my brand," at his still confused expression, you turn back around from the mirror to face him again, "i have an image to keep up."

"whatever you say, princess." the new name catches you off guard and you feel your stomach flip. careful to keep your expression neutral, you stand and grab your bag, suddenly wanting to be anywhere other than a confined space with haechan.

a party, as it turns out, is exactly what you need.

the moment your feet cross over the doorframe, you can feel your worries slip away, replaced by the hum of the music. quickly, you spot some of your friends from college and make your way over, a cup already being handed to you. a few people stare as you walk in, something you're used to, but today they stare for longer than usual and it takes a moment to realise they're staring at haechan.

as always, he's dressed in all black, only he's swapped his combat boots and tactical jacket for black sneakers and hoodie. for a college party, he looks too well dressed, but it's appreciated by many as he walks through the room.

it's clear to you he's unused to this type of attention and you grab his hand to pull him to where you and your friends stand. he shoots you a look before, as usual, starting to survey the people around.

"is this your boyfriend?" a short girl from your business class asks, you think her name is lily–or maybe laila. haechan doesn't hear and you're grateful as you shake your head and explain he's your bodyguard. she raises her eyebrows and scans his profile again. the action irks something inside you that you desperately push down. "is he single then?"

the emotion that shoots through you is so obviously jealously and yet you try and remain nonchalant, laughing it off and acting like you didn't want her to be swallowed by the ground. haechan's there for you, not for anyone else, and you want her to know that.

after flitting around the room talking to different people you know, some who you meet for the first time, you can feel the drinks start to take their toll. whoever decided a bottomless bar was a good idea for a party like this was horrendously wrong, and your head spins whilst a boy talks to you about an apprenticeship he's been offered.

"of course, i don't need the money, that's not why i'm doing it." haechan doesn't fail to conceal his surprise, eyebrows raising as he eyes you over the rim of your glass. you send back a look that you hope says he's an asshole, but in your state, you can't be sure how well you've achieved it. "i'm doing it for the experience." when it's appropriate, you nod along to what he's saying but it obvious you don't care and he leaves for someone else soon after.

"what's his problem?" haechan murmurs into your ear. you have to suppress a shiver at the proximity and shrug as you don't trust your voice.

"hyunjin, hey!" you shout when you spot a familiar face in the see of people, shooting through throngs of people to the tall boy. somewhere along the way to the bar, haechan loses sight of you, craning his neck to try and find the direction you escaped to.

hyunjin’s smile is wide and you fail to notice the pleased sweep of his eyes over your exposed chest. as you speak, he slowly moves closer to you, his breath hitting your neck and making you squirm. suddenly the music seems louder, he seems closer and you try to escape his grip when his hands settle on your waist.

you try to move away but you feel your head spin harshly and you have to catch the edge of the bar to stop yourself falling into him.

"you drunk enough." a familiar hand reaches to snatch the martini out of your hand, a frown taking over his soft features.

despite the displeasure on his face, you’re grateful to see him. he recognises the relief in the sigh you let out, and eyes you with concern. just as he’s about to ask you what’s wrong, hyunjin turns back around from the bartender and seems shocks to see haechan so close to you. he clearly doesn’t realise the man beside you is your bodyguard and shoots him a glare. “we were just heading out, actually.” hyunjin grabs hold of your wrist and tugs you towards him and you can’t help but yelp at the sudden movement.

“get your hands off her,” haechan’s voice is stony and almost unrecognisable. you chance a glance to his face and you feel a lick of fear at the cold glare on his face. if you thought he looked intimidating staring at strangers, this overpowers it tenfold. something dangerous shines behind his eyes and he encases hyunjin’s wrist in his hand, tightening his hold until he lets go of you.

“hey, what’s your problem?” hyunjin’s voice is cocky and you pray he shuts up before he digs a deeper whole for himself. “she wants to come home with me.”

“you think she’s in any state to go home with you, huh?” at the words, hyunjin seems to realise what he’s said and tries to backtrack, failing miserably. “leave her alone, yeah? before i throw you out of here.”

it's silent as haechan helps you back to the car, his jaw set in a hard line. you want to say something to ease the tension but you don't want to upset him. it's not your fault, but the cold look on his face is engrained behind you eyelids and you feel a wave of fear flush through you. you shouldn't be scared of him, but he looked so ready to kill hyunjin that you can't help but feel a new sense of unease next to him.

"are you okay?" he crouches next to the passenger seat after buckling your seatbelt for you, features settling back into the warmth you're used to. no matter how hard you try to hide your expression, he can easily see the fear in your eyes and sighs, letting his head drop between his arms. "i'm sorry for scaring you," he rests a hand on your thigh that has you heart rate speeding up despite your thoughts less than five minutes ago. "but it's my job to protect you, okay?" you say nothing in response.

"can we get pizza?" the shops whiz past your eyes as haechan drives, the streetlights blurring together. he shoots you a sideways look before sighing and nodding, trying to ignore the way your victorious smile makes him feel.

"we'll get takeout, okay? you wait in the car."

you would've listened to him, you really would have, if you hadn't seen a small knife drop from his pocket and onto the pavement. if you were sober, you would've just told him when he returned to the car, but in your drunken state, that knife seemed like haechan's most prized possession.

you slip out of the car on shaky legs, noticing the empty streets with fleeting anxiety but bend down to pick the knife up. right above the hand grip a tiny l.h. is engraved and you smile slightly. just as you turn to make your way back to the car, something hard hits the back of your head and you yelp.

haechan stands in the empty pizza shop waiting for the workers to finish your order. he can still feel the remaining wisps of anger from his standoff with that boy you were talking to, but tries to ignore it for your sake. the posters on the wall catch his attention and he reads about the movies showing downtown, mentally noting the ones he knows you will eventually drag him to see.

the workers are rushing around behind the counter and he sighs, excited to get back into the warmth of the car and finally get back to the house.

the excitement drains out of him when he hears a scream. a scream that sounds identical to yours.

he's outside in a flash, eyes shooting every direction to see where the noise came from. the empty passenger seat of the car catches his eye and he swears loudly. reaching for his knife, he stills when he feels the pocket empty, instead grabbing the pistol from the inside of his jacket.

a muffled cry escapes an alley next to the shop and he sprints towards the sound, turning the corner and seeing you being pulled further into the darkness. for a fraction of a second, his eyes meet yours and the teary panic he sees is enough to have him seeing red. the man pulling you back hasn't noticed him yet and he uses this to his advantage, pulling his fist back and launching it at your attacker's face. it's masked and you're unable to see the damage, but a crack rings out.

you feel infinitely more sober than you did in the car and you try to pull yourself out of the man's arms but your head feels heavy and you sway dangerously. your eyes shut as you fall forwards, the man's arm around you stopping you from falling. the angle gives haechan the perfect shot and you scream as a bang rings out, echoing through your head painfully. the arms around you disappear and you lurch forwards until something catches you. you scream again and try and get away from whoever's holding you.

"hey, hey, it's me, it's me." haechan's voice is like music to your ears and you allow yourself to go limp in his grip, sobs starting to wrack your body. you can feel him carrying you back to the car, the pizza long forgotten. when he places you down in the passenger seat again, you don't want to let go of him and he has to pry your hands off him. "you're okay," he whispers as he holds you, rubbing a hand up and down your back soothing. "we're fine."

even if in that moment, everything feels the polar opposite of fine, something about the way he says it makes you want more than anything to believe him.

the walls of your bedroom muffle the voices from downstairs. haechan had carried you upstairs and settled you into your bed before whispering about a debriefing he had to attend. and now here you sit, alone and shaking, reliving the moments you had thought your life may have been over. there's still a throbbing to your head and you will your eyes to shut and for sleep to overtake you, but every time you try the memories bubble back up to the surface. it's exhausting, but you eventually come to terms with knowing you won't be able to sleep until haechan comes back.

the scariest thing is, every time you think about those last few moments before haechan turned up, you really thought you would never see him again. you thought you would never see the daylight again, and yet your thoughts weren't plagued with messages for your parents, or things you wished you had told your friends. no, the only person you thought of was haechan.

you know what that means, but you try and ignore the feeling growing in your chest, turning over and burrowing your head into your pillows.

for the next hour, you slip in and out of shallow sleep as you wait for the meeting to finish. you're somewhere between the two when you hear the door click and your bed dip beside you. haechan must've known you wouldn't be able to sleep and he sits against your headboard like the last time he was in your bed, pulling your head into his lap gently.

"how're you feeling?" the words are whispered into the air and you hate how much his voice calms you.

"my head hurts." haechan pities the pain in your voice and looks down at the awkward angle of you neck, an internal battle waging in his head.

a few long seconds later and he's slipping further into your bed, pulling you up so your head is resting in the crook of his neck. "c'mere." the position is much more comfortable, and you sigh in contentment, trying to ignore the smell of his cologne that's slowly overtaking your senses.

you bask in the silence for a few minutes, trying to fall back asleep before realising you need to tel him what's plaguing your mind. in the safety of his neck, you mumble to try and conserve the peace in the room. "y'know, i really thought i was gonna die back there–"

"stop." haechan reaches one of his arms around your shoulders and pulls you further into him. the act is so gentle, as if you're made of glass and he mumbles his words into the top of your head. "you don't need to do this."

"but i want you to know," with a sense of desperation, you pull away from his embrace to meet his eyes. they're sad, and you know you probably look like a complete wreck right now, but you can't bring yourself to care. the only thing you can focus on is how much you want him to know his importance in your life. "i didn't think of my parents. i thought of y–"

"stop, really. you'll regret doing this." but you can't imagine regretting telling him anything. you've only known him for a few months, and yet you've never held trust in someone like this before.

sick of watching him avoid your gaze, you bury your face back into his neck and smile at the shiver that rolls down his spine when you speak against his skin. "i never liked them. they never cared about anything i did. i only ever wanted to make them proud, but they wouldn't even listen to me."

haechan's in dangerous territory, and he knows it. he can't sit here and insult his employers, but he's seen the way they treat you. as if you've never done anything worthwhile, but they were never there to see your achievements. he battles his thoughts for a few moments, trying to think of the best response. "they do care for you, they just can't show it well." it's weak, even he can tell, but he needs to say something. he wants nothing more than to shelter you from them, take you away from this house and show you what it's like to have someone be proud of you, to care for you wholeheartedly. but he can't, it's stupid to even entertain that thought.

"you care more than they do," the tone you speak with is bitter, and you pull away once again to look up at him. somewhere in the deep brown of his eyes is an emotion you think is something akin to love, but you think you might be imagining it. haechan's paid to be here, you need to remember. "but then i guess you're paid to."

"hey–" this is exactly where he didn't want the conversation to go, because he can't tell you what he really thinks whilst still in the confines of your house, not where your parents could hear every word.

"i'm not wrong, though, am i? you're only here because they're paying you–"

"i would've left if i didn't care."

you sigh and let yourself fall back into his embrace. "i'm gonna pretend like i believe you, just for tonight." no more words are exchanged, but he leans down to press a delicate kiss to the exposed skin on your forehead. the act is so tender, so familiar, you feel tears line your eyes. it's stupid, to cry at being held like this, but in a desolate horizon, haechan is your beaming spark of hope.

another month floats by and you and haechan continue your relationship than slips so easily between professional and something more than. it leaves you confused a lot of the time, but you try and ignore it, instead deciding to focus on the present.

the present right now leaves you stood in front of a fancy restaurant, a booking for you and one of you childhood friends ready and waiting. "i'll be by the door, scream if you need me, okay?" you chuckle at the serious tone of haechan's voice before hurrying over to your table where jennie sits waiting.

the girl stands when you near her, a wide smile taking over her features as she pulls you into a hug "how have you been? i haven't seen you in years!"

over the first course of food, you catch up about each other's lives, chatting about the various things you’ve been involved in recently. after what jennie deems an appropriate amount of time, she shifts her attention to the boy stood behind you.

"is that your boyfriend." her curious eyes scan over haechan who, as promised, stands by the door, staring at his phone. the sight makes you smile as you realise he's probably playing candy crush or some other stupid game to pass the time.

"no," you chuckle, although you would love more than anything to say yes, to be able to sit and claim him as yours, and no one else's. but you can't lie to jennie, as much as you want to. "it's just haechan, my bodyguard." just haechan sounds wrong coming from your lips.

"bodyguard? your dad's still got a lot of enemies, huh?" jennie shoots you a concerned frown which you try and laugh off. out of all the friends you've ever had, jennie's the only one with a somewhat similar upbringing; moving around a lot, feeling as if your parents are absent for more than half of your childhood. you had bonded over your situations in middle school and had kept in touch even when she moved to new zealand for sixth grade.

just as she's telling you about her new job at a fashion company, you blurt out the question bothering you."does the lemonade taste weird to you?" it's metallic almost on your tongue and it catches you off guard.

"no, i think it's just a bit tangy."

"oh, yeah probably" you laugh airily, but a cold wave on unease washes through you. it's unclear what's causing your anxiety, and you're suddenly confused why you're even on edge. on instinct, you look for haechan and seeing him still leaning on the wall by the door gives you a small sense of calm.

"are you sure? you look a bit–" jennie's words are drowned out in your mind by the wheezing of your throat. it's uncomfortable, as if someone is squeezing your lungs, trapping the air out, and preventing you from taking a full breath in.

"yeah, do you think we could step outside for a sec? i think i need some fresh air." the chair scrapes under you but you ignore it and make a beeline for the side door, clean air the only thought on your mind.

"of course, are you sure you're okay." outside, you fail to find the relief you're looking for and try to swallow down the metallic taste. you find it difficult to, however, and you concentrate on the movement as jennie crouches in front of you. you hadn't even realised you'd sat down.

unable to resist any longer, you give up and speak up in a hoarse voice. "can you go get haechan?" jennie nods and disappears for a minute. in the quiet, the only thing you can hear is your laboured breathing and the distant chatter from inside. it sounds like you're underwater, the voices seem so far away, as if you're sinking.

"what's wrong?" haechan's before you in an instant, hands gripping the sides of your face and eyes scanning your body for any obvious injuries. you try to speak but nothing comes out and you feel your legs give way underneath you, sliding down the wall onto the ground.

"i don't know–" the voice that speaks doesn't sound like you're own. it's hoarse and breathless and you can feel yourself losing the strength to speak again.

"she said the drink tasted weird." haechan's blood runs cold at jennie's words. you don't fail to notice the panic in his eyes and it does nothing to calm your now racing heartbeat. you feel a chill come over you and when you reach your hands up to find haechan's they shake violently.

despite the alarm on his face, his voice is calm and authoritative and it reminds you of the first time you had ever heard him speak. you wish fleetingly to go back to that moment, to be able to meet him for the first time again. "call an ambulance."

"what?" jennie's voice is close by but muffled by your own heartbeat that pounds in your ears.

"call an ambulance and tell them she's been poisoned." you feel his arms gently set you onto your side before his words register in your head. “try and breathe for me, princess.” the action is futile and you try so hard to do as he says but your head feels heavier with every feeble motion of your lungs.

“you’re gonna be fine, baby.” it's the last thing you hear before your hearing gives up on you. haechan's hands finally find you own, skin hot against yours, and you try to squeeze them but you can't get your fingers to move. you feel like a statue, watching the scene in front of play out with no strength to do anything.

black spots start toying at the edge of your vision and you feel the ground beneath your shoulder. you're on your side, you think. but you can't remember moving anymore.

haechan's hands remain in yours and you try to take a breath in, feeling your lungs expand weakly before the last little bit of energy drains out of you. the last thing you see is haechan's face, an expression of terror on his face as he shakes your shoulders. his mouth is moving but you can't hear anything he's saying, instead letting the darkness overcome your senses.

it's calming, almost, the warm embrace of sleep. you feel like you haven't slept in years, maybe never. with an empty feeling settling inside you and haechan’s face burning behind your eyelids, you allow yourself to slip into the blackness.

the first thing you're aware of is a warmth over your arm. and then a beeping. and then painfully bright light shining behind your eyelids. the smell of harsh disinfectant fills your nose and you feel starchy sheets underneath your bare legs. an attempt to breathe in leaves you coughing painfully as you realise your lungs feel like they’re made of sandpaper.

the sound awakens haechan from his light sleep, eyes shooting open to find you squinting down at him. everything is too bright and you try to bring a hand up to cover them before finding it covered in wires. you hand is pushed back down and a cup of water is brought to your lips. it feels heavenly against your dry throat and you try to drink more before it's pulled out of your reach.

"hey, hey, slow down," the familiar tone is a welcome change and you find your mind coming up blank as to where you are. haechan smiles down at you, a soft glimmer to his eyes, one you haven't seen in what feels like so long. "the nurse said you shouldn't drink too much yet."

"what happened?" your voice is scratchy and painful to listen to. the boy before you smiles sadly and sits on the edge of the bed after pushing the barrier down. you've managed to work out you're in a hospital, but you're still unable to place the reason behind your visit.

"you were poisoned." the words trigger something in your brain and your memories come flooding back. the lemonade, the confusion, the darkness. it's the second time you've been close to death, and the second time haechan's been the last thought on your mind. you promise yourself you won't let him slip away, not this time.

"i remember," his fingers interlace with yours, thumb rubbing along the back of your hand. "i thought i was gonna die."

"you nearly did," a new voice enters the room and you turn to see a tall woman in a white coat. "and you would have done if it wasn't for this man's quick thinking." she waves a clipboard in haechan's direction and he looks away, embarrassed to be in the spotlight. "the paramedics knew exactly what they were turning up to, cut a lot of time for treatment.” the words make haechan blush.

the doctor stays for a while longer, explaining your treatment plan and adjusting your medications. she gives you some stronger painkillers and says you should be fine to leave after another night of observation.

as soon as you're alone again, you turn to haechan, only to find he's already staring at you. "you know what i'm gonna say." the words are whispered and you let him move up the bed to lie beside you.

"just say it, get it over with." unlike last time, his voice doesn't sound as hopeless and you wonder if he prepared himself for this conversation. it was inevitable, to be fair.

"you were my last thought." haechan's cologne is strong in your nose as you drop your head onto his shoulder. "i wasn't scared about dying, haechan, i was scared about never seeing you again." the tears fill your eyes and you do nothing to stop them falling onto haechan's hoodie.

his shoulder moves when he sighs, an arm wrapping around your shoulders and your taken back to the last time you were sat like this. "i love you, i need you to know that, okay?" it's all you can hope to hear, but you know he hasn't stopped talking yet. "but i don't know if we can do this."

"why can't we just leave?" your voice is pleading and it pulls at haechan's heartstrings. he wants to badly to give in, but the future would be too uncertain.

"your parents would hunt us down."

"then let's flee the country, i don't care–"

"you can't just leave your parents–"

"where are they?" when you had woken up, you hadn't failed to notice their lack of presence and it didn't hurt as much as it should have anymore. a guilt look passes behind haechan's eyes and he doesn't even need to say it for you to understand.

"on a business trip."

"let's just go, haechan. they don't want us here anymore."

the desperate glimmer in your eyes is enough to convince haechan, who knows he would have agreed to it anyway. he would always agree with you. "if you want to. i'll do anything for you princess."

when you turn to face him, the proximity between your faces is significantly less than what you expected and you find your breath hitching in your throat. it catches him off guard as well and you watch his eyes flicker down to your lips and back up to your eyes quickly. you can’t help but smirk as you lean in, resting your free hand on his chest to push yourself up to meet his lips.

the kiss is warm and comforting and everything you need in that moment. he slips a hand around your waist and pulls you closer to him, using his other one to cup your jaw and tilt your head up. the angle allows you to deepen the kiss and haechan sighs into it. a few seconds pass and your lungs are burning for oxygen.

you break away first, resting your forehead against his and drinking in as much air as you can before leaning back into him. right before your lips meet again, you hear the heart rate monitor speed up and your cheeks burn in embarrassment.

“why is your heart beating so fast?” haechan teases with a laugh.

“shut up.” you huff out before closing the distance one again and meeting his lips with a new sense of hope filling you.

a/n; thank you so much for reading!! it means a lot to me!!

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alluringjae · 2 years

Text

hello again, my sunshine - jjh

SUMMARY. there’s no more running away when you’re thriving in the fashion industry, yet it’s exactly what you want to do when you encounter your first love after a decade in your high school reunion.

PAIRING. jaehyun x fem!reader

WORD COUNT. 8.5k

GENRE. romance, angst, fluff | high school reunion!au, business lawyer!jaehyun, fashion designer!reader, high school best friends to strangers to lovers!au

WARNINGS. detailed engagement in vices (smoking and drinking), profanities, petty attitudes bc of high school grudges

⤑ author’s note: waaaah this took me the whole week to write (also not proofread), and it’s definitely a challenge when i tested positive for c0vid and got my period after ughhhh but anyways, i’m really happy w this story!! in advance, i wish jaehyun my peak favorite boy in the world a happy birthday and wishing him the absolute best in the world!! and as for those reading, enjoy!!

⤑ disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. i don’t own the people/characters written, but the plot is mine. translations or copying my work is not allowed.

⤑ masterlist

⤑ leave me some feedback or hellos!

OH, SEOUL.

A DECADE HAS PASSED SINCE YOU’VE RETURNED TO YOUR HOMELAND AFTER MIGRATING TO NEW YORK FOR LEISURE AND WORK. YET FOR A BUSINESS VENTURE, YOU’VE MADE A VISIT TO FURTHER DEVELOP IT.

3 MONTHS, THAT’S THE LENGTH OF YOUR STAY BEFORE NEW YORK FASHION WEEK PREPARATIONS BEGIN AND YOU NEED FULL CREATIVE DIRECTION TO BRING YOUR NEXT COLLECTION TO LIFE.

Fashion design, that’s your passion. What started from having a lingering interest from your home economics class, where one semester dedicated to the basics of sewing and more in the sewing room was succeeded by racks of assorted clothing that spark different sides of yourself.

Starting with a cute apron that fulfilled your childhood liking for baking, it’s enough to urge yourself to apply for fashion schools abroad. Your parents supported you fully, but only if you’ve acquired a scholarship to lessen the financial costs. On top of getting good grades, working on those scholarship requirements were a pain in the ass. All those caffeine nights and revisions to get it to the quality you desire, they were all worth it.

Specifically when Parsons School of Design accepted your application, lifting your spirits high up in the clouds and cannot be pinned down. Your dream school, turning into your reality.

The start of something new, as High School Musical placed it.

Last year was where you got your big break, when an emerald night gown sequined to sparkle radiantly in any lighting you privately designed for an elite when they attended the Met Gala took social media by storm. From that, you’ve been booked and busy. Even getting a new office space a few blocks from Vogue because Anna Wintour took a liking for your style.

Soon enough, she may pass off as your new auntie.

New York Fashion Week marks your real debut in the fashion industry, where other luxurious brands became household names over time. This was your time to show what you’re capable of and what you can offer to the table.

May the success of Soleil flourish.

Enough about fashion for a moment, let’s get back to your personal life.

Yes, it still exists. In some aspects.

Perhaps in the form of a high school reunion wherein your secretary Haechan received an invitation from your alma mater whilst you’re busy finalizing the organization plans of the first branch of your brand. Although NYFW represents your actual debut, this store commemorates your past collections and staying in touch with your roots.

If there was one goal you recall sharing at your first day of Fashion School, it was to open a branch in your hometown, Seoul.

The hype is real, and your popularity when you take on the streets these days is mad. It even came to the point that you needed a bunch of bodyguards on certain occasions out of safety. After all, you weren’t nicknamed “The Future of Elegant Fashion” by news outlets for nothing.

Back to the invitation, it was rather random. Although professionalism and friendliness lie between you and Haechan, he can’t help break his composure.

“I thought you hated this school!”

“I don’t! It’s just-”

“So are you going or not?” Haechan crosses his arms. “You should show some of those popular girls who the real boss bitch is.”

High school wasn’t entirely a bad experience. You’re neither popular nor a dork, but you’re somewhat outcasted for being the only new kid in your batch during your third year. Everyone established their cliques, so making friends was quite difficult.

Although, there was this one boy. He was your seatmate due to having the same letter last names, who helped you get adjusted, toured you around campus, had lunch with you or along with his friends and heck, became your best friend over time!

For a second, these developed feelings from the past start to unravel within y-

“Madam Jang (Y/N)?” Haechan’s voice boost through your ears. “Wake up, we need to make a decision by today.”

You contemplate for another few seconds. High school may not have been as monumental as others say, but it’s not so bad of a time either. Regardless, you’ve made some acquaintances and missed some teachers that jumpstarted your career. It’s not so bad of an idea to reconnect with them, right?

And who knows, you may even see him and what he’s been up to.

“Tell the organizer that I accept the invitation then send me more details about it. Make sure I have no plans that day it’s on. If there are, cancel them.”

Whoever’s in charge of bringing the reunion to life, they definitely pulled a lot of strings to make it look classy and expensive. The dress code is strictly formal, where men come in their best suits while women present in their ravishing gowns. Or pantsuits, times have changed.

Call it self-love or promo, but you take this opportunity to wear this one gown saved for fashion week. A white sleeveless gown with an asymmetrical front that extends a little bit in the back, it’s tightly cinched to hug your curves and flows naturally beautifully on the floor when wearing the perfect stilettos.

For tonight, you’ve told your parents that you’ll be arriving home via Uber late. Instead of looking for a temporary place to stay in that costs a lot (even if you’re earning generously), living back with your parents is a much better option. Since your big move to New York, your 3-month stay is the longest you’ve been with them. It’s another way to bond with them more, now that your younger (and only) brother Jaemin moved out.

Your entrance to the venue isn’t intended to be dramatic, but something with your aura as you flawlessly march down the grand staircase where a lot of your former batchmates mingle along made them shift their attention. Who wouldn’t love the attention of it?

Definitely not you, already spotting familiar faces that curl your insides as if you’re a teenager again. Haechan was right, this is your time to show off the bad bitch boss you’ve become.

Your fingers brush some free strands of your freshly blown out hair before accepting a flute of champagne from the young waiter passing her way. White wine, her taste buds distinguishes instantly as she parades around the ballroom gracefully.

“Jang (Y/N)!” A nasal voice that calls her name from afar drifts her attention. It’s from a woman around her age, seated with her other girl friends and by how a man has his arm around her, perhaps her significant other.

“Oh my goodness, it’s the fashionista herself!” Another well-dressed woman beside the former, who chugs her flute in one go, waves at you kindly.

“Where?” One last girl inquires, following the fingers of her friends pointing at you. “Oh hey there, (Y/N)!”

At this point, your mind is going in circles to remember who exactly they are to you. Your batch had a lot of students, proving it difficult to identify each and everyone of them. Then bam, it hit you all at once. Out of politeness, you make your way towards them to greet them back.

“Cha Gaeun, Lee Jihyo, and Kim Eunbi, it’s been a while.”

If Mean Girls had the Plastics, your batch had these three popular girls in one clique. Known as Prima, they’re the richest girls in the block coming from the most affluent families with all the boys fawning over them and professors adjusting to their liking. Over time, they’ve either acquired their family companies or a subsidy of it.

And man, you hated them with a passion. I mean, who in high school didn’t?

But you’re a grown woman, are you going to give them that luxury?

“I would’ve never thought you’d make it, (Y/N)! Call me surprised I was informed that your secretary accepted the invite last minute, so I’m glad you’re here!” Gaeun is known for her faux cheeriness, probably with all the air filled in her head like a balloon. Perhaps that’s the thing when she chose to be a trophy wife instead, owning a part of her family company while sitting still and looking pretty with her husband.

“Girlbossing things, am I right?” Jihyo praises, loving anything involving the hustle. She’s the one with actual brains and beauty, yet her choices in camaraderie beg to differ. Oh, she has spoiled brat tendencies if she doesn’t get what she wants by her parents and throws huge tantrums during breaks.

“I see you’ve made it huge in the fashion industry, according to the last issue of Vogue?” Eunbi perks her eyebrow up as she circles her emptying flute, either really impressed or jealous. Among the 3, she’s the one you despised the most. Her body language is difficult to read, yet you’ve changed from being a weak girl.

A compliment is a compliment. But humility reigns over.

“Oh yes, I’ve heard. Quite flattering, I must say. I’m grateful they’ve recognized my talents.”

“Such a modest woman, you are. This is a huge deal!” Gaeun chirps.

“Who would’ve thought one of our batchmates would make it this far to reach the Anna Wintour and more?!” Jihyo exclaims from her seat.

“You deserve the fame, (Y/N). Truly.” Eunbi maintains keen eye contact, fiddling with her rings. “You’re one of the few people who moved abroad to follow their dreams, and it simply came true. You must be proud of yourself.” She tilts her head, smirking. “But there’s more to life than a dazzling career and it makes me wonder: do you have any plans of settling down and getting married one day or are you too afraid to even try? So much men in the ocean, unless a certain someone still lingers your mind.”

There she is. The Eunbi you’ve grown up with, yet tolerated it.

But not this time, not after what she put you through a decade ago.

Internally, your composure is off the railings. You would’ve jumped at her and fought her fiercely out of anger, yet you’re a lot better now. A lot posher, and with a career you want to protect. The same career she seems to mock.

“Settling down and marriage aren’t my top priorities currently. I do believe we all go at different timelines, where most of you all have done that and have kids, I presume. But this is my life, and I’m happy how it’s going. It’s beyond the expectations younger me made.” You proclaim, before resurfacing your glare at Eunbi.

“And no, I’m not afraid of trying. Seeing how huge I’ve made it, like you said, I could get any man I wanted. But then again, now isn’t the time. I want to focus on myself and look over those who I care about rather than pry on other people’s business, something you clearly still do after a decade because you’re miserable as the CEO of a company you were forced to acquire, right?”

It’s not hard to pinpoint how shocked Gaeun and Jihyo became from their loud gasps, and almost by coincidence, the jazz band playing behind pauses to take a break.

Eunbi gulps, not letting your words get to her pride. “I see you’re still the same sharp-tongued girl from high school, (Y/N)?”

“While you’re still the same popular chick trying to steal people’s happiness like you steal their men.” You fire back confidently. It’s getting personal, though you do your best not to show it.

Before things get more heated, loud voices cheer from the front. It must have something to do with someone arriving, yet your ears cannot decipher the name they’re calling. The curiosity in you arises, but first, you needed a harder drink.

“Excuse me, ladies and gent, I’ll take another drink from the bar before I handle a work call momentarily. Something to do with New York Fashion Week preparations.” You half-lie as you made a sassy exit, swaying your hips from side to side while making a fake phone call.

And so what? They believed it with the connections you have, and man, you should’ve seen the stunned expression Eunbi gave. Deserve.

Whiskey on the rocks, you request the bartender whose eyes widen at such a bold request. Perhaps, he’s never gotten such from a woman, who typically gets any glass of wine or cocktail. Well, definitely you’ve changed a lot you after moving to New York wherein all sorts of cultures you’ve been exposed too. However, never anything extreme because you have goals and bills to chase after for.

The first sip never fails to scrunch your face at the slightest, hissing quietly to lessen the bitterness.

“Do my eyes deceive me or am I seeing Miss (Y/N) (Y/L/N) sitting by the bar drinking god knows what?”

Your head quips to the source, where another fashionably dressed woman greets you with genuine kindness. She’s someone you can trust, being one of your closest friends back in the day before you made the big move.

“Oh my fucking god, Hara!” Almost tipping your glass, your body leapt from the high chair to hug your former friend. “It’s been too long!”

“Don’t forget that you’re the one that ghosted me after you left for New York, you bitch!” Her grip on you is tighter, signifying how much she’s missed you.

“But we did reconnect when you visited NYC during my senior year!”

“Still!! You got busy after and we never contacted since. Heck, I’m shocked you’re here!” She whines. “You should’ve told me!”

“Well, you’re lucky I have all night to catch up with you, hoe.”

From a petty start to the evening, it shifted into a much more lighthearted one as Hara takes the high chair next to you and orders a martini.

Aside from the mystery seatmate, Hara is another batchmate you’ve befriended when you were a new student. You met her in the sewing club, where she’s also interested in fashion. Despite being from different sections, you spent a number of breaks together planning clothing ideas, daydreaming about anything fashion-related, or talk about typical high school stuff. One of them being-

“You did not just talk down to PRIMA?!” The girl nearly slams her clutch bag, not to the point her acrylic nails would get damaged. “Bitch, you’re playing with fire here!”

“Bitch, we’re not high school anymore. You have no fucking right to talk shit about my business, especially Eunbi.” You take another swig of the whisky, not caring about the profanities you’re uttering. “If I can seek revenge for all the shit she used to do to us back in the day, I would. But clearly, I’m better than that.”

“Now, that’s the powerful woman I know!” She raves, clapping her hands. “Bartender, can we get 2 more glasses of Chardonnay here?”

Luckily, your alcohol tolerance is relatively high. Gotta owe it to your mom, perhaps. With all the alcohol you’ve consumed since you arrived, your mind is still sober as ever. You eagerly listen to Hara’s words as she shares more about her current career as a children’s psychologist and the guy she’s been seeing these days.

“Sicheng is great, you should meet him when we hang out like this again!”

“Sis, I feel like I’ll be third-wheeling. You know how flirty you are when you’re dating and shit!”

“That was then, but he’s different!” She defends, then gives a suggestive glance. “Unless….”

“Unless what?”

“You bring a date so we can have a double date!”

“And who would I consider bringing as a date?”

Life often has a funny way of narrating things, because the moment that question escapes your lips, the same crowd cheering names earlier are hollering another name.

One name that’s too engraved inside your being to avoid no matter how much time has passed.

“Jeong Jaehyun, my man!”

“Looking fucking good, Jeong Jaehyun!”

“Holy shit, Mr. Hotshot Lawyer Jeong has arrived!”

Whoever called him a hotshot, you cannot deny the slightest as your agitated eyes find him from the sea of men and women greeting him and trying to get his full attention. You may have caught a glance of his freshly styled hair in a designer suit you’re sure you can name the brand, but no silhouette of his can be point out.

And lawyer? Did he actually make his dreams come true?

“I see you’re still whipped for a certain man after a decade.” Hara is entertained by your hunt, tapping on her flute. “Just one person to say his name and here you are, searching him from afar when you can always go up to him.”

“It’s not that simple, Hara. You know that.” You bluntly state.

“Honestly, whatever happened between you two is a misunderstanding that neither of you want to approach.”

“Are you drunk already?”

“Too soon to say.” She tuts. “But regardless, you know I’m right.”

Your mind says she’s wrong, yet your heart leans toward the truth in her opinion. This is something you thought you can run away from forever, yet it worsens ten-fold the second it finds a crack to slither through your current life. Sometimes, you want to blame the brashness of your teenage self yet never entirely. Either that or you wouldn’t have the career you have today.

Abruptly, your legs get up from the seat and your hands grab your clutch. Looking over at Hara civilly, “I’m gonna head out to the balcony and smoke for a bit to clear my head. You can come if you want.”

“I stopped years ago, plus I think Sicheng’s coming so I’m gonna wait for him.” Her gaze is worrying, placing a palm on your bare shoulder. “Be careful, hmm?”

“Of course. Otherwise, you’d beat the crap out of me like in college.”

Hara laughs at the memory. “You deserved it, so off you go, little bird.”

Summer isn’t your favorite season, though the night air stays chill as ever. The fair breeze tickles the fibers of your skin as your body perches against the railing overlooking the red sea of traffic, loud honking of cars trying to get home contrasting to the harmonious playing of piano keys.

Your faded red lips meet the tip of your cigarette while your fingers easily maneuvers the lighter to emit its flame, allowing the power to burn the tobacco in which you inhale slowly. Upon the first exhale, a chunk of your stress feels released. You’d never thought you’d be into social smoking in your life, not even bothering with alcohol when you went to your first high school party.

But living abroad exposed you to different cultures.

New York brought out the social butterfly in you as your dormmates and classmates often invited you to social gatherings every weekend, and rarely did you miss out (though never to the point it compromised your grades). It’s where you strengthened your drinking habits. Smoking, however, started when you went to Paris for an internship.

Perhaps you’d blame your lenient supervisor and co-workers who loved to party whilst hustling in the office, yet your consent was present. Curiosity killed the cat, and that was you.

Then again, social smoking only happens in events. You couldn’t do it regularly, even if you wanted due to all the work you’ve been doing these past months. The morals that remained with you at a young age convinced you not to worsen it, so your next best option was caffeine.

Around 4 deep puffs of your first cigarette, and it completely burned off. Your thoughts are still in frenzy from what you were overhearing earlier.

“I’d never thought you’d be the type to smoke cigarettes, sunshine.”

If not the evening air can shiver your spine, it would be the sultry, deep voice that attracts your attention a few meters behind. Familiarity is laced in it, but so is the maturity. You swear you could’ve choked that cigarette out upon the smooth pronunciation of your former nickname, but your teeth nibbled on it sturdily.

Nothing would’ve prepared you for this moment, and if you could, you’d jump out this balcony. Yet, you’re not a teenager anymore. And whatever misunderstanding you’ve had with this person, it’s going to be addressed one way or another. After all, that’s the major elephant in the room especially when your body swivels around to view him.

Gone are the days his lanky arms and scrawny physique as his current stance embodies the prime of power and masculinity. His dark brown hair that’s always down is styled into a quiff that exposes his forehead, lines forming from age and perhaps stress. A few strands disheveled, a bowtie cascades around his prim black suit that showcases his broad shoulders. He’s always had those kinds of shoulders due to his basketball days, but due to the continued physical activity in his life, it became more prominent.

His inner vest is buttoned, which shaped his slim waist. The full cheeks he once had sculpted finely, highlighting his sharp cheekbones and jawline. It made you think that touching them can cut your finger. His dreamy eyes read surprise and utter joy. You should’ve thought twice before gazing them a little longer. They never changed, and a jolt in your heart puts you in an internal battle.

As if it’s slowly unlocking an old, hidden part of your iden-

“Life abroad changed me, and I don’t mind a bit of it.” Your response is frank, yet struggling to maneuver the lighter in your palm. But it gets handled when someone else’s fingers take over to wind the wheel providing flame to the fresh stick. Fingers that you subtly notice held no rings, specifically in his left ring finger.

Wait, why does that matter now?

His touch grazes your fingers for a bit, earning chills that zap your body. The aroma of Jo Malone fervently sticks out, specifically Sage and Sea Salt. Just like in high school, you noted. It’s the cologne his father gifted him on his 18th birthday.

Once the cigarette hot enough to inhale, you continue your smoking ministrations. Unknown to you, the man’s gaze on you is eager.

He watches as you effortlessly exhale the excess tobacco, a hint of mint fused that alarms his senses. Arms crossed that pushes his chest forward, his eyes close momentarily to relish in the vice.

“Second-hand smoking isn’t healthy, Jaehyun.” You comment, trying to take a look of his physique. Man, how often does he gym?

“Says the one letting the cigarette shrivel her lungs, sunshine.” He jokes sarcastically.

“I have a name, you know?” You turn away from your confusing thoughts as you dispose the dead stick on the trashcan beside you.

His finger taps his temple in fake wonder. “A name that everyone in the whole world knows, yet none of them know you the way I do.”

“The only version you knew of me was from high school, Jaehyun. I’m a grown woman now.” You assert with a smirk as your head tilts confidently to the side.

He nods repeatedly, curling his lips that displays his deep dimples. It’s been so long since you’ve seen them, and how badly you want to poke them like old times.

“A grown woman I’m so proud of.” He declares truthfully. Now does he firmly lock eyes with you, in which you reciprocate. “It’s great to see you again, my past seatmate. I missed you dearly.”

A genuine smile from you cannot be hidden from his sight, yet a part of your pride holds you back from replying. Although he means well, you’re not the type to be mindlessly swayed by his words as if you’ve forgotten what he did to you years ago.

Grudges, an ugly thing. But at the same time, it protects you from getting hurt again.

“(Y/N), where are you?! Dinner is ser- Oh.” Call Hara your savior as she hurries to your side, panting in her Louboutins. Though a suggestive glint as she looks at you and Jaehyun back and forth can’t be ignored. “I saved you a seat beside me and Sicheng, and there’s filet mignon as the main dish. I believe Jaehyun should join us.”

If there’s something Hara loves playing, it’s playing matchmaker. Being the social butterfly between you two, she’s responsible for a lot of the long-lasting couples that showed up in the reunion today. With you, she’s only done it once. It was a failure, but now she wants to do it again. Correctly, this time.

“I’d love to join the both of you.” Jaehyun politely accepts.

“Great!” She exclaims, viewing you again. You’re emotionally overwhelmed, to say the least. You can only wish she didn’t witness what unfolded earlier. “Shall we, (Y/N)?”

Your lips curve into a semi-forced grin. “Sure, let’s head back inside.”

Dinner isn’t as awkward as you expected. Being the gentleman he is, Jaehyun took out a seat for you before settling on the chair beside you. Right before you engage yourself in more chitchat with Hara, there’s unexpected excitement between Jaehyun and Sicheng upon encountering each other. Exchanging a friendly handshake and hug, you and Hara sit there dumbfounded.

“You two know each other?” You ask.

Jaehyun nods. “Sicheng and I worked together recently.”

“He’s currently the business lawyer in charge of handling any partnership deals my father makes with international companies.” Sicheng adds on to it. “But before that, we went to university together.”

“Such a small world!” Hara gasps, nudging you on the shoulder. “Who would’ve thought? My boyfriend and your seatmate actually being friends, hmm?”

The urge to slap your best friend at the nape of her neck is at large, though you hold it in. But seriously, what are the chances?

“Seatmates? I believed we were best friends at some point.” Jaehyun playfully questions, taking a side eye at you for a response.

We were if it weren’t for that one night that changed everything.

“Let’s eat first, shall we? I’m seriously starving.” You swerve immediately by indulging the appetizing 5-star meal in front of you.

You listen through the conversations made between the three, finding a bit of calmness in their comforting presences. Jaehyun’s tends to be questionable, but the longer he stays, the more grounded you feel. Your muscles relaxed and your posture more proper, you’re slowly unwinding from the stiffness.

Whenever his eyes crinkle at a funny story Hara shares from high school, you’d emit a sincere bolt of laugher too. Or when Sicheng embarrasses Hara out of revenge from her exposing his drunk texts by showing recently taken pictures of her drunk at a bar in Gangnam, you’ve never asked anyone to Airdrop such birthday material for your close friends Instagram stories.

You’ve missed moments like this with people back home.

As you receive them (much to Hara’s short-lived annoyance), laughter hits your lungs again. Putting you on the verge of tears, your body leans further back that it almost tips you over.

“You better be careful with how far you can take one’s humor next time, sunshine.”

It’s not what he said that widen your eyes, but what he did. One of his arms holding against the back of your chair, he’s kneeling right beside you as you catch your breath. The temptation to take a longer gaze back fluctuates, but you shook yourself back once he lifted you back up.

“Damn, (Y/N). Chill the fuck out.” Hara warns, but with a smirk. There’s no way you can hide anything from, not after that move. “If you’re gonna fall, do it somewhere private. Like his luxury bedroom.”

Those last words she whispered undeniably warmed your cheek, so your arm hit her side.

“Ow!”

“That’s never gonna happen.”

You’re so sure of that statement, not second guessing the succeeding moves Jaehyun makes after that one. Sure, offering you another glass of water or asking about your fashion line is out of courtesy. It’s how he is, but you refrain your mind from pondering differently.

In a way that goes beyond friends because that ship has sailed.

Right?

“So, Soleil.” He pronounces with the correct accent. “Do you specialize in a certain category?”

“Women’s gowns. Evening and wedding, you name it.” You respond casually, used to such a question. “I just love the elegance and power that a gorgeous gown can bring to an already beautiful woman when they attend their events, you know?”

Jaehyun marvels at your passion, faintly observing your blooming features. Your pristine lips that speak with confidence, your ears and neck that are dazzled in gold jewelry, your glimmering irises that light up when you discuss about your work, it’s not hard to disregard his heartstrings being tugged in every passing second you are both conversing.

“I agree. I’ve seen a few designs in passing.” Jaehyun shares.

Your interest piques. “Oh, how so? I’d never think the Lawyer Jeong would be into fashion.”

“Well, whenever I buy suits from Prada around Apgujeong, I hear people rave about your fashion line. How it’s the – and I quote – “the future of fashion” in this time and age.”

“What are your thoughts then, lawyer?” You move a little closer, almost brushing his knuckles stationed in the table. “Because honestly, seeing that you’ve become the lawyer you’ve dreamt of makes me curious to know you more in the way you’re getting to know me.”

Where’s this bold side of you coming from? Was it from the alcohol or the teenager in you striking miniscule action to make up for lost time? Well, whatever it is, you’re eager to learn more of the current Jaehyun.

“Your designs are just remarkable. I can’t help notice how every design has a slit in the lower half, giving the audience a tease. You’re always mix and matching bold and minimal colors, often giving sparkle to make the person wearing the gown an absolute stunner. Simply, everything you’ve designed has its own magic that radiates as bright as the sun. Hence, Soleil always aim to make others feel their absolute best so they can claim their rightful power in this world.”

“That last line.” Speechless, that’s what you are. “That’s exactly my vision for my line.”

“Fascinating. It’s like I still know you from behind my palm.” Jaehyun receives the ego boost, but not enough to be a brag.

“But it’s only fair I get an update on your life, you know? So we’re in the same page, Valentine boy.” You bring up again.

Jaehyun huffs under his breath at your impatient persistence, yet giddiness seeps through from hearing his old nickname. Maybe some things don’t change.

“As you heard, I am now a business lawyer. Initially, I worked under my father before opening my own firm in Gangnam to rid myself of his shadow. Not bad blood made, if you’re wondering. Aside from Sicheng’s family business, I’m responsible of the legal side of any deals made between Korean and international companies and the operations of the former. Rarely in court unless it’s serious, so most of the time, I’m in the office going through case files or out when a higher up wants to close a deal.”

“Wow, such an influential and intimidating career.”

“Not as much as yours.”

“But are you happy, Jaehyun?”

“Beyond. I love being the boss and taking charge in making sure nothing gets fucked up.”

“Now thinking about it, you always love being a leader.” You reminisce for a split moment of your high school days. “Basketball captain in senior year and group leader of our final research paper in lit class, you never falter behind and bring us to victory.”

“Speaking of the last one, we were co-leaders. Don’t you forget that.”

Without realizing as the both of you are too cooped up in each other’s presence, this has become the longest conversation you’ve held in a decade after distancing away.

At the back of his head, Jaehyun enjoyed this moment. How he wishes there were more after they graduated, if only he didn’t fuck up.

Perhaps it’s being of an older age that allows you both to entertain each other, growing out of stupid teenage mindsets. But hiding away from your problems remains constant, so who’s going to be the one bringing it up?

“Yo, Hara!” One of your rowdy batchmates rushes to your table. “A bunch of us are playing truth or dare in the other table, wanna join?”

“Truth or dare? We’re not 16-17 anymore, Mingyu.”

“Oh, come on now! There are monetary prizes if you’re not chicken enough!”

“Did someone say money?” Your ears perk up, rotating your body to wherever Mingyu stood. “I’m in, my dude.”

“God (Y/N), aren’t you already rich?” Hara protests.

“I don’t care. Money is money.” You affirm harmlessly.

Oh if only you were aware of what you’re about to enter as you trailed along with Mingyu, alongside Jaehyun, you wish you listened to Hara.

Because when you settle within the group forming within the round circle, it simply takes a judgemental glare from Eunbi sitting across you to sense that something iffy may occur. But it’s too late, so you merely focus on the silly words and actions of your other batchmates. Like earlier, Jaehyun sits beside you and stays present in putting attention on his surroundings.

As the night grows older, you suddenly feel more comfortable with the man. If only you inch a bit more, you can almost lean against his che-

“(Y/N) (Y/L/N), it’s your turn.” Eunbi clicks her tongue. “Truth or dare?”

“Dare.”

“Hmmm, call the most famous contact on your phone right now and put them on speaker mode.” She challenges.

Luckily, you didn’t quiver. Taking your phone out, even shaking it for the fun of it, you excitedly tap one of your new friends. Everyone anticipates as the number is being dialed, eventually silencing when someone picks up.

“(Y/N), darling! How you been?”

“Hi Zendaya, babe! I’m doing good, great actually! How about you?”

The audience around you are stunned to utter a word from your very casual talk with the actress, gaining squeals and cusses from excitement and jealousy. It’s definitely more than enough proof that you’ve made it big time, and a total slap in the face to certain people. But enough about you, Jaehyun’s up next.

“Jaehyun, truth or dare?”

“Truth.” He decides quickly.

“Did you have a first love in high school? If so, is she here in the event tonight?” Mingyu asks innocently, though there’s a certain shift in his tone that says otherwise.

The crowd woos from glee and curiosity. Out of everyone, Jaehyun is very private with his personal affairs. Even you’re not sure if he has one when you’ve both been stuck like glue once in high school. It’s not something he’d talk about because he’s always focused on his hobbies.

Perhaps one reason why you pushed any affections you had towards him away.

Though much to your shock, Jaehyun responds positively. “Yes, I have one. And also yes, she’s here.”

Here you go again with your eyes widening, making you mouth at him “who” because this is completely new. But he says nothing and moves on to the next person. Your lips pout like a little child, giving up easily in knowing since you didn’t push the boundaries, though your eyes should’ve lingered a little longer at how his gaze softened whenever you did anything.

If only you noticed that you’re his only focus right now.

The last person to be interrogated or dared is the queen bee(tch) herself, Eunbi. Choosing truth,

“Rate your top 3 best kissers in high school.”

How saucy, especially when she’s married. But then again, it’s a loveless marriage according to your gossiping batchmates. A marriage of convenience, it’s unavoidable when you’re born into rich families. Unfortunately, that’s her fate though you could care less.

“Oh, easy. Number 3 is Seo Youngho, who was a senior while I was a sophomore. Number 2 is Nakamoto Yuta, that exchange student from Japan during my junior year. Then number 1…” She contemplates deeply, though she deviously expresses a sinister look towards you and Jaehyun. “Jeong Jaehyun at one of the high school parties held at Eunwoo’s house before graduation.”

The memory may be heavenly to her and completely harmless to others as the guys pat Jaehyun’s back out of triumph, but it was horrendous moment for you. How you wished the world to swallow you whole from the all the tears and heartbreak you’ve felt for the first time, but mostly betrayal on the evil woman’s side.

Especially when you were right in front witnessing them kiss that very night.

But unknown to you because you ran away so fast, Jaehyun pulled away so fast from the audacious woman. Never did he kiss her back, he searched you up and down the stairs of Eunwoo’s place and even outside. Because there was anyone he wanted to be affectionate that night, it was going to be you.

It was meant to be the night he’d confess his heart out to you.

Yet you vanished into thin air, and his number got blocked. You ignored him to the absolute max in the remaining days of high school until graduation, never to be seen again until tonight.

So it’s not rocket science for him to pick up how uncomfortable you are by letting Eunbi having the upper hand again. He fully stands up, capturing the attentions of everyone.

“It’s not a kiss if the other party didn’t give consent to it nor returned the affection.” His glare at the devious woman is tense and unforgiving. “I hope that kiss and everything that preceded it led up to your karma of being in a miserable marriage.”

No one has ever seen Jaehyun go furious, and you’re astounded from your seat. More into the evening, you’re absorbing all these new pieces of information like a sponge. As fun as it may seem in the beginning, it can also be frightening. The more personal it gets, what more when it targets you?

“Let’s get out of here, sunshine.”

Right in front of you, Jaehyun’s hand is out for you to reach. Your mind revolts not to obey his words, yet by his frustrated state, you fear the consequences if you don’t. As much as the question brought up secretly affects you, you’d never expect Jaehyun to show offense in it.

What does it mean?

Jaehyun’s patience is running thin, sweat starting to drip from his nape. But the moment a softer and smaller palm takes his, he turns back to meet your helpless gaze.

Fuck, you don’t deserve this, he contemplates.

In a gentleman manner, he removes you from the frantic crowd and leads you up the grand staircase to formally exit the hotel grounds. Your clutch buzzes constantly, and you just know it’s Hara trying to contact you. But you’ll handle her later, because you’re absolutely clueless with Jaehyun’s intentions after the Eunbi sitch.

“Do you have a ride home?” Jaehyun’s hand still holds yours, and if you have the choice to keep it that way, you would. Except he pulls away first to call a staff member handling the valet service.

“No, I took an Uber here.” You say straight-forwardly. “And I think I’ll book another one going home since that party became a major killjoy.”

“No, don’t.” Jaehyun intrudes from your typing fingers. “I’ll drive you home.”

“Jaehyun, it’s fi-”

“Nope, I won’t accept any refusals, sunshine.” He asserts before quickly spotting his vehicle.

A sleek black Lambourghini, specifically. It suits him perfectly, much to your surprise. You’ve already known he’s gotten richer from his career, but damn, he’s triple that. And what kind of rich man wouldn’t fancy expensive items?

Jaehyun graciously thanks the staff member from the valet service who drove his car, shoving a quite generous tip down his pocket. He opens the passenger seat for you courteously, in which you watch in awe his veiny hands that shine under the dim lights surrounding the place.

“Hop in, sunshine.”

The more times he says that with that dimpled smile of his, the more you might go mad.

The car ride home is quiet, except for the navigator voice that directs Jaehyun to your family home. You rest your head on your elbow upon watching the passing cars and buildings of your beloved hometown. Due to the late hours, traffic decreased immensely.

Once you’ve gotten tired of the outside view, you focus more inwardly. Or mostly on the man taking hold of the wheel. A few blinks from his eyes while looking ahead, fatigue is the first thing you’ve noticed with the greying eyebags forming underneath. His slick hair turns slightly messy with strands sticking to his forehead. His tongue licks his lips out of habit when he’s immersed while his left hand steers and the right grabs and maneuvers the handle to move the car forward.

However, one thought couldn’t resist wondering how it’d feel if that other hand grab your exposed thi-

“Since when did you return to Seoul?” The man twists a knob to turn up the A/C.

“W-What?” You stutter out of disorientation.

“You left a decade ago to study and work abroad, so when you did you get back?”

“A few weeks ago. I’m opening a branch of my fashion line here, so I need to be present as possible.”

“Hmm.” Jaehyun acknowledges. “How long will that take?”

“Roughly 3 months or so.”

Small talk between you and Jaehyun is as awkward as you expect. There’s still a big elephant that needs to be brought up. Your fingers fidget your lap so you can think of a question and reciprocate the conversation.

“What’s the name of your firm, Jaehyun? I don’t think I’ve ever gotten it.”

“Jeong Law Firm. Kept it simple, but the top-tier work makes up for it.”

“Gotta see it for myself to believe it.”

“Well, if you need someone handling the legal affairs of the Korean branch of Soleil, you can always contact me.” He reassures. “I’ll always be there when you need me, sunshine.”

Without hesitation, those words take you back to a more innocent time. In particular, it was during your final exam season in high school. It was back in your house, when you’re balancing a paper due in your history class while finalizing a piece for the yearly fashion show by the sewing club. Jaehyun comes over to study with you out of habit, and you’re sprawled on the living room floor with your open laptop and a messy sewing machine.

No single word said, he assisted you in your history paper so you can accomplish your piece before midnight strikes. You almost cried out of joy, thanking him repeatedly when your arms wrap around his waist for a hug. His own arms slither around your torso before uttering those same words he just said now in your ear.

The nostalgia of those good times saddens you deeply at how different tonight is, and it’s unsure to you if it’ll ever be like that again.

It’s not too long before the front of your childhood home appears right in front of you if it weren’t for Jaehyun’s car lights blinking constantly at the gate. The evergreen grass that was recently mowed earlier and the fresh roses your mother grew outside in full bloom, Jaehyun exits his side of the car first in order to open your door, helping you get up from the seat so you don’t fumble in your heels.

“Well, this is it for me.” You speak up, brushing away from his touch. “You should get going so you can get some rest from all the work you’ve done this week, Jaehyun.”

“Yes, I should.” He replies honestly. You’re always reminding him to look after himself, he observed.

“Good night, Jaehyun. It’s great seeing you again.”

“Likewise, (Y/N). Good night.”

Not even a hug or handshake, you bow kindly before walking towards your gate. The house lights are off, so maybe after pressing the doorbell, someone can open the doors for you. How badly you want to rest so you can decide exactly how to deal with Jaehyun.

Except that’s no longer an option when the man in question calls your name out again. Almost as if he’s guilty, begging for forgiveness. And it all happened so fast that your feet almost tripped on the pavement.

“I fucked up, (Y/N). A decade ago, I broke your heart in the worst way when I let Eunbi trick me into helping her with the party favors at Eunwoo’s house when she planted her lips on me right for you to witness. No matter how many times or ways I tried to reach out to you, I gave up so fast because of the shame.” He burst out like a balloon overdosing on air. Your back is still turned back, yet the pain of that time rekindled in your chest. One of your fists tighten around the gate.

“But nothing can’t beat the very moment I found out you moved to New York a week after graduation. I’ve always known how much you wanted to study abroad, heck, I remember encouraging you to go for it when you were doubtful. So I couldn’t bear to live with myself knowing that our last memory together consisted of heartache.” He continues on.

You recall that very plane trip of your departure, and how much tears you’ve shed in the bathroom stall. Some being from the fear of living alone in a new country, but mostly from your falling out with Jaehyun. Plus, he was right: he’s the one who encouraged you the most to make the big move. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t where you are right now.

“Over time, I thought I’d be able to forget you. I figured that what we had was one of those high school friendships that would fade once graduation hit, but even while I was beginning my journey to law school, a lot of thoughts revert back to you. What you we’re up to, what new pieces you made, who your new friends are, all that jazz. Then whenever the school requirements got heavy, your words of wisdom would come to mind because they helped me get through life in high school and out. Your influence towards me is a lot stronger than I hoped, and fuck, it made me miss you more.”

If only he knew that his impact on you was just as strong after all these years. Whenever you’d run out of inspiration to create, it’s his voice that erupts your mind first before yours. It’d give his past advice that snaps you back in the game, hence making you go all out with your wild imagination and present nouveau pieces no one could ever think of.

Looking at it, he’s responsible for the name of your fashion line. French of sun, he’s responsible for shining through your dark days just as you were there to radiate in times of hardship.

“The more I long for you, that’s when everything started to piece together.” He takes a deep breath, and so did you. “From the day we became seatmates, took you around campus as a tour guide for new students, spend time in and outside of school for fun, help each other out in our school work, to even being your prom date just for the sake of it, platonic liking turned into something more romantic. And by romantic, love seeped through.”

You part your mouth, quietly gasping.

“You’re my first love, (Y/N). And based from tonight, I’m certain the love never faded. How can it not when you’ve become such a marvelous and successful woman? My heart cannot contain itself from falling more in love with you and everything that goes along with you.”

What are these tears falling from your lids? Your fingers wipe them clean because it’s now your turn to express yourself. It’s been long overdue. Inhaling sharply, you turn back around at the vulnerable man. His irises read hope and apology. He must’ve held this for just as long as you did.

“You put me through absolute hell, Jaehyun. I was so ready to confess it all because something in me felt that it was mutual. But then Eunbi happened, and I completely closed off. Although it’s stupid of me to do that looking back, it was just me protecting what’s left of my broken heart because it became harder for me to read you.” You sputter, clutching the sides of your gown tightly. “I missed you every fucking day and not one day has passed by without me thinking of you all these years. I guess that’s the thing when you’re in love because you’re also my first love, ever since you introduced yourself to me with that dimpled smile of yours up until this moment.”

It takes a little bit more courage to retrace your steps back to him. In each inhale that brings you inches closer to him, you further free yourself of a truth that burdens you the longer you hold it in.

“I wish I said it before that damned house party, but we’re here now. And I love you, Jeong Jaehyun.”

Despite your hidden fears and uncertainties, the love you have for the man in front deserves its light to shine. And you deserve a love that feels right. It may have taken years and a nasty misunderstanding to block you two, but it’s all over now.

Especially the second Jaehyun’s palm delicately grazes your cheek as if you’re made of glass, erasing the smudges of mascara from your tears. Your sides slightly tremble as he places his free palm on your hip, rubbing circles around it. From desperation, he looks at you with pure admiration.

The same admiration his younger self held for your younger self.

“I love you dearly, my sunshine.”

Jaehyun daringly closes the remaining gap between your lips, fluttering your eyes shuts as you groove in sweet sync with his ministrations. Your arms are thrown behind his neck to pull him nearer, a hand massaging his nape to show him your enjoyment. Kindly, his tongue darts your lips for entrance in which you give. You silently moan at the frisky gesture, and you’re aware of the smile he’s definitely giving.

Eventually, the two of you pull away before it gets more heated. By the red-stained smirk he’s showcases as you reopen your eyes, warmth blooms your cheeks again. It’s been a while since you’ve kissed anyone like that, heck, someone you loved.

“Is this enough to make up for our lost time?” He questions with worry. Typical of him, though you resonate with him. But as long as you two are together, you can just conquer about anything.

“Enough about the past, Jaehyun. We have the whole future to navigate, and I want it to be with you.”

#nct #nct au #nct x reader #nct imagines #nct scenarios #nct 127 #nct 127 au #nct 127 x reader #nct 127 imagines #nct 127 scenarios #jaehyun au #jaehyun x reader #jaehyun fluff #jaehyun angst #jeong jaehyun x reader #nct 127 jaehyun #jaehyun imagines #jaehyun scenarios

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4dtk · 2 years

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okay here we go t, could I please request princess!reader with bodyguard!haechan pls?? <3 the first image is literally my style, I dress similar to that most days, I even have a skirt very much like that one, I am basically a self proclaimed princess and I like dressing all fancy like royalty. I also have my own tiara collection so I of course could not forget about a tiara. I don't know if tiara kink is a thing but if it is, I certainly have it. this kind of outfit would catch anyone's eyes, especially when I'd purposely wear cute lingerie underneath only for him to see. we'd constantly bicker but he does a good job so there's no getting rid of him and his cocky attitude, but I know I'd shut him the hell up by looking so good. and every now and then, I'd lean over and he'd steal the slightest peek down my blouse and see the cute, flowery and almost see through bra. when I'm sitting down i would slowly slide the slit of my skirt higher to reveal the flimsy underwear, and because he'd be so close to me, he'd be the only one seeing it. after teasing him for the whole day, we'd finally return to the palace and he'd angrily follow me to my quarters and kick all of the other guards out before treating me like the naughty little princess I am 🤭 and of course, the tiara stays on during sex hehe

eek sorry this was long and so specific, I am living out my fantasies here 😭 ily and I can't wait!!!!! and I almost forgot bc I was too busy with the details 💀💀💀 but nsfw pls <3

YOUR MIND JELLY.... >>>> i had so much fun writing this thank you darling. i didn’t emphasise much of his cocky attitude so i still hope it’s good <3 also i haven’t written smut in AGES so this might be a bit lacking lol

pairing: bodyguard!haechan x princess!reader

warnings: kinda frienemies dynamic, royalty!au, fwb kinda, bickering, semi-public stuff, sexual tension, clothed sex (lingerie), clit stimulation, brief oral (f receiving), missionary, mating press, unprotected sex, breeding, n*sfw under the cut

bodyguard!haechan stifles a laugh for the nth time when you sigh, head supported by your hand while your father turns away the prince who’s come for your hand in marriage. it wasn’t exactly one born from love, more of an arrangement where it was expected of royalty like you. you hardly find it easy to accept when the men are all so… mediocre though.

your bodyguard, too, has clearly had enough of his attitude from the past three days of when your family had extended their home to the prince who had travelled over various villages. he was anything but poised, spoke of women like objects, and not to mention his hygiene was atrocious.

at least donghyuck was there to share in your laughter, or rather be the fuel of your annoyance.

“did you hear how he was talking? god, i’m surprised you hadn’t taken his side at that moment,” you mumble to yourself once the uncomfortable dress comes off, shouting through the door to haechan who was on the other side. beside you were your maidens who made haste to get the remaining layers off, knowing how pissed you could get when complaining about the men who came to your kingdom. they secure comfortable clothes around your person, while your eyes pick out the tiara you want to wear for the day.

“lady (y/n), perhaps—“

“you think so lowly of me, princess? why in the world would i agree with the misogyny spouting from his mouth?” haechan asks like it’s the stupidest question in the world. you think it’s the simplest, and yet you find yourself struggling to answer.

you see, you and your bodyguard had a bit of a complicated situation. whether it be bickering non-stop during lunch or nudging each other in formal events at the snobby, obnoxious siblings from the neighbouring country, you found comfort in each other in the way that was scandalous and unforeseen and unexpected, and while your rejection to princes are rooted in the search for a respectful and noble suitor, you can’t deny the way haechan’s hands feel upon your skin, leaving trails of fire that feel hotter than being burned at the stake.

but, you wouldn’t know.

“please leave us be, thank you for undressing me of my layers.” the maidens give you a polite smile, leaving the room immediately which gains the attention of your insufferable bodyguard.

“couldn’t call me in to undress you myself? and here i thought i was doing good in bed—“ haechan sputters when you smack him, cutting off his laugh which sounded just as obnoxious as those siblings, high-pitched and annoying and yet it sounded like a sound of pure adrenaline in your ears. “are you okay, however?”

the sigh that leaves your mouth is heavy, “i’m fine, haechan, thank you,” but you get barely any time to breath before he pulls you back to him upon spotting the tiara in your hand. above you, his breath fans across your face, eyes searching yours for any sort of protest and only finds how your skin immediately heats up and you get squirmy. your bodyguard smirks, and you want to slap it off him.

“give me that, darlin’,” he refers to the tiara, plucking it out of your hand to put it on your head. it’s tender, the way the band wraps around your head, as well as how the comb settles into your hair, “can’t let my pretty princess do all the work now, can i?”

while you try your best to contain the flutter of your heart, haechan observes it from each side to make sure it’s centred and equal, and all of a sudden you feel like it’s the first time you met all over again; and sure, if he could tease, so could you.

“thank you so much, my revered bodyguard,” you smile as your place your hands on his chest, and the small lean forward has your button-up shirt exposed to the man who sucks in a breath. haechan struggles between your eyes and chest, hands twitching and aching to touch you and yet he’s terrified of your father breaking through the doors. your breathing is uneven, too, hoping he’d do something about the pretty blue that’s covering your chest, lace and flowers and all, but you pull away.

donghyuck clenches his jaw, “oh, what would i do without you?” and rolls his eyes the moment you leave his sight. it continues on for as long as you can think but this time, as alike as it is to the last, still brings you excitement at seeing how his eyes widen like saucers or how he desperately wants to break position.

in diplomatic meetings, you’re arching your back as you propose your ideas, accentuating the curve of your ass and the silhouette of your figure. his eyes are glued to your body.

in ceremony fittings for the day, you purposefully make your way to him so he can see how much the maidens had pulled the corset just so your breasts could look perked up. he has trouble meeting your eyes.

in dinner, your wardrobe change showed a bit more skin than your parents liked, but they let you be since they were not aware of your true intentions — where you’d give your little bodyguard a peek of your favourite set and when he closes his eyes and gulps down his last bite, you smirk to yourself. guess he’s figured it out and if you didn’t get it the first time, the whispered “you’re fucking getting it later” would let you know just fine.

with haechan being a private guard to an heir, it has its perks. he gets his own friend, something he struggled to have ever since he trained to become one of the palace’s guards. he gets the behind-the-scenes privilege of seeing you grow into your role, something he said you’d never really fit. he gets someone to fall in love with, although unexpectedly.

the feelings he had wasn’t just love; that was one part of it, but donghyuck also felt desire, lust, the need to feel you on him, around him all the time. one of those times was now.

dinner couldn’t have ended quicker, the harsh clang of plates and utensils making you giggle to yourself as the bodyguard cleaned up, while your maidens insisted that they clean up for you. even with the short headstart, you still could hear the familiar footsteps stalking towards you before there’s fingers curling around your wrist.

“you done with all the fuckin’ teasing? huh?” haechan practically snaps at you, backing you into a hallway without any guards around before his hands slip into the slit of your skirt. they go straight past your underwear and onto your clit, rubbing it harshly that your teasing facade breaks instantly.

“h-hyuck! fuck—” you squeal at the sensation, especially from how long ago you’ve fucked and how busy you’ve been, it’s been difficult to get alone time. bit by bit, you’re curling into his shoulder and biting down on it while his fingers pick up speed. and then they stop.

“what the— haechan!” years of training has got you covering your mouth in seconds, but when your bodyguard sees that it doesn’t draw any attention, he takes the risk and buries his face in between your legs. the cold sensation of his tongue against your cunt makes you gasp loudly, thankful for the hand covering your mouth and the pillar he’s backed you up against.

“fucking knew it — you were wearing the full set for the whole day, weren’t you?” haechan mumbles into your core, finger pulling aside the cute little panties to fully appreciate your pussy; he makes sure to look up at you with hooded lids. “my pretty baby, all dolled up for me. even wearing her tiara — i think she deserves a little treat, hm?”

that’s the last thing you hear before haechan starts to suck on your clit, the suction making you melt more against the pillar as your legs spread further to accommodate his head. while your hands find purchase in his hair, it’s a wonder no one discovers you yet, the lewd sounds of his tongue against your cunt drives you crazy.

“need you, hyuck— shit, c-can we go back to my room?” your legs are shaking when he emerges from your skirt, a shit-eating grin on his face and while you’re annoyed at how quickly you succumbed and suggested to return to your quarters, you can only remember how well you take his cock all the previous times that you pull him off the floor and back to the corridor.

haechan is way ahead of you, planting a small kiss to your temple before taking the reins as you follow behind. one by one, he tells the guards that they’re retired from duties until he’s the only one left in the dark hallway. by now, most of the servants are asleep, save for the guards he just dismissed, but that won’t stop haechan.

once inside, donghyuck shoves you onto the bed, eyeing the way you pull up your skirt and your shirt, open. that damn matching set makes its appearance again, complementing your body so well he might as well give out sketches to everyone of you in it.

he’s impatient in the way his fingers go straight to your cunt, slipping in a finger to test the waters and smiling when you sigh in relief. slowly, he pumps it in and out, making a noise of protest when you reach up to unbuckle your bra. in substitute, your hands make their way to his clothes instead. “no, no, i wanna fuck you in it, baby. it’s the least you could do after riling me up.” you do the work for him, from pulling down his pants to feeling up his bulge through the underwear as he moans.

he removes his finger from your hole much to your chagrin, but with the way he hovers over you, you find it hard to complain. you wait, anticipating something, anything, while he frees his cock, stroking it to spread his pre-cum.

“yeah? what about the tiara?” haechan’s face is inches from yours as it’s your turn to struggle with eye contact, only barely making out how his eyes flit from your head to your face like he’s making an important decision. for a moment he says nothing, simply dragging his head along your cunt that you shiver at the feeling.

even with your mind wandering to all the previous times you took him, you’re never ready when he first slips the tip in, whisper lingering on his lips before you feel a kiss upon your earlobe. “keep it on,” you have the blessing of hearing his groans when he finally pushes in, grasping onto the sheets like your life depended on it, “i want a reminder of how even royalty like you is a slut for cock.”

the breath is knocked out of you when his hips move, they thrust so deep that you’re whining out his name, and when his pace picks up, you’re grabbing onto his shoulders. his cock reaches so deep into you, mouth spilling with obscenities that haechan asks you to quieten down.

“my pretty princess, you gotta tone it down,” his chuckle is irritating, cocky even, pleased that he’s got you babbling each time he fucks you dumb, “can’t let everyone find out their perfect girl is a whore now.”

your reply comes in choked moans, “you’re so— fuck, infuriating.” but your body shows no resistance to his attitude, instead your hips are grinding up onto him for more while your fingers switch between pulling on his hair and scratching his back. “donghyuck, oh my god!” your legs feel like putty, and your cunt is weeping from all your juices that you’d have to change the sheets later.

“that good?” haechan laughs breathlessly into your neck, “how’s this?” he delivers a particularly hard thrust, stopping when he bottoms out fully to give you time to adjust while he admires your sweat-covered face.

“s-so good...” you giggle to yourself, nodding at him to start moving again. “you’re so good to me, hyuck.”

he can’t hide the grin on his face, providing enough fuel for him to go feral over your body. in a second, his lips are on yours, a hand trailing down your body to rub at your clit before swallowing your mewls and moans. it adds on to the sensation of his fat cock moving in and out of you and the slick sounds of your pussy, clenching tightly around him.

“it’s what you deserve,” haechan mumbles into the kiss, along with a warning of your tight and wet your pussy feels that he might cum deep. he’s making sure you take all of it. “you’re so good— shit— for me.”

haechan groans out, hips stuttering while you chant his name over and over, mixed in with whimpers and “please’s” in the dark room. “i’m gonna cum if you keep gripping me like that, princess.”

“then cum. give— oh, fuckk... give it all to me,” you say mindlessly, dumb out of your mind but still conscious enough to feel his hands spread your legs more. with how big he is, you’re sure you can feel him in your throat until he ruts one last time, cumming deep in your cunt.

“fuck, baby, fuck,” he paints your insides white, filling you up with so much cum that you can’t stop twitching. haechan is so sensitive, too, freezing inside you to make sure you milk his cock before pulling out slowly and surely.

“you’re gonna catch a case, hyuck,” you laugh, sighing dreamily when you feel his seed seeping out of you, “how am i supposed to tell my parents now?”

he merely shrugs, adjusting the pretty little tiara on your messy hair, “it’s a wonder you didn’t even get knocked up all the previous times. should we give your parents something to really worry about?”

and even while your stupidly cocky bodyguard annoys you to no end, it never beats getting railed by his cock time and time again while he cums deep in you. only this time, haechan would make sure it mattered.

event rules here, request here

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pesiko · 3 years

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HAECHAN ONESHOT RECS

M mature | ✿ personal favorite

I Become Attracted to Seaweed - son of Poseidon [18k]

Sunset - faerie AU, watch the sunrise with you, angst [15k]

Baby Face: Frat!Haechan - rivals since highschool M [14.4k]

Charmolypi - happiness while being sad, angst ouch [14.1k]

Fear - she could become what they feared, angst [13.9k]

Lee Haechan’s Pride - his most vexing trait [11.9k]

The Lasy Dance - he was the sun n you were the moon [11k]

Mythomaniac - to see who he really is: a liar [10.5k]

If I Can’t Have You - the middle of writing your novel [10.4k]

Uncertainty - kind of pest to lovers [10.2k]

Come On Saturday Afternoons, When it’s Golden Hour [10k]

Winter Epiphany - dating the person you hate most [9k]

Tulips - barista college AU, thank you nosy jerk [9k]

Achromatopsia - the boy who sees in shades of grey [8.7k]

The Element of Freedom - airbender and the avatar [8.2k]

Silent Yearning - a traumatic incident turns him mute [8.1k]

Miscalculated Assumptions - he is your polar opposite [8k]

September 19 - “we were meant for something more” [7.3k]

Eccedentesiast - bodyguard Haechan [7k]

The Thing About Dating - his method of flirting [7k]

I Will Be There - prince Haechan, kind of angsty [5.9k]

Candy Jar - enemies to lovers, my pleasure dumbass [5.8k]

You Are: Loved - where things said go on your skin [5.3k]

I Turned my Bestfriend into an E-boy - YouTube AU [5.2k]

You’re Just a Boy in a Blueberry Field - farmer Haechan [5k]

Desiderium - the same spot every Tuesday, angst [4.9k]

Serendipitous Synergy - dance partner and rival [4.9k]

Stuck - demon Haechan, “you’re lucky you’re cute” [4.5k]

Waves - fate was a petty and capricious thing, angst [4.4k]

My Brother’s Bestfriend - brother Mark finds out [4.2k]

Ill-Fated - badboy Donghyuck, he treasures you [4k]

Long Overdue - when you eventually move back M [4k]

Foe-Ney - hiding your office romance with Haechan [3.9k]

Back to You - spiderman, young dumb and impulsive [3.9k]

Reluctant - “you told your family what?” [3.8k]

Unspoken Words - the boy who teases you endlessly [3.7k]

Midnight Love - criminal Donghyuck and a princess [3.5k]

Princess - rich girl and resident bad boy Haechan [3.4k]

The End of Time - end of the world AU, angst ouch [3.4k]

I Dare You - to kiss the prettiest girl in the room [3.2k]

The Ten Things I Hate about You ✿ [2.8k]

A Little Closer - enemies to lovers, he always wanted [2.8k]

Love Letters - where Haechan is your secret admirer [2.7k]

Solaria - tattoo artist Haechan and his canvas [2.5k]

Gazing - he can’t stop himself from staring at you [2.4k]

Runaways - “who did this to you?”, mafia AU [2.2k]

Ultimatum - he’s seen you handle the rude customers [2.2k]

Saccharine - “this is the only special part so far” [2.1k]

The One with the Balcony - can’t sleep in his room [2k]

Beach Day Blues - he’s giving you the cold shoulder [2k]

Fun, Fun, Fun - spent swimming with Haechan [1.8k]

Haven’t Been Caught - badboy Haechan n a good girl [1.7k]

Walk You Home - you could put your lips on mine [1.6k]

Crumpled Sheets and Honey Skin - waking up naked [1.5k]

Peanuts - staying awake at an award show [1.5k]

Fate - when a fortune teller visits with valuable info [1.4k]

Bake Sale - you offer to help n end up burning things [1.3k]

Photo Booth - he won’t admit that he likes it [1.3k]

Midnight - spontaneous phone calls are common [1.3k]

Sleepy - hogwarts AU, ty messed up sleep schedule [1.3k]

First Love - “didn’t see that one coming”, study date [1.3k]

Funny - “you said my accent was funny” [1.3k]

The One with the Bruises - his neighbor fixes him up [1.1k]

Enemies to Lovers - “we totally have a thing” [1.1k]

Music for Two - going to a concert w bf Haechan [1.1k]

Kiss Me Quickly - mutual hate w roommate Haechan ✿ [1k]

You Go First - you don’t let the fact that you’re idols... [1k]

Got Your Back - when you get shot on a mission [1k]

❥ HAECHAN NAVI

[main masterlist] [nct masterlist] updated 7-30-21

965 notes · View notes

softsan · 4 years

Text

nct mafia au (aesthetic)

a revamp of my original moodboards x .

Taeyong

highly respected and feared.

known to be cold and ruthless.

mafia kingpin of the north.

has a dark tragic past that has come back to haunt him.

position: boss/leader

𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬: | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 |

Taeil

usually calm and collected.

acts as a voice of reason for his crew.

don’t threaten what he holds dear, he’ll still destroy you.

recently been keeping tabs on a cute but determined detective.

position: adviser/consigliere

Johnny

easy-going and friendly demeanor.

people tend to underestimate his abilities.

can’t help to be drawn to a young bubbly artist.

a bad habit of pushing away the people he cares about.

position: sniper/long-range shooter.

Yuta

rough childhood that he barely managed to escape from.

holds a grudge on the people that have inflicted him harm.

curious about a mysterious woman and her secret past.

wants to be loved.

position: cleaner/assassin

Kun

rarely gets his hand's dirty.

likes to intimidate with money and blackmail.

deals with all the crew’s business ventures.

fond of his clueless and naive assistant.

position: underboss/business face

Doyoung

has a soft spot for people, often gives second chances.

stuck in an arranged marriage to his high profiled wife.

detests the idea of being tied down to a stranger.

realizes too late, that not all good things last forever.

position: lieutenant/gun specialist

Ten

ran away from his wealthy, loveless upbringing.

considered dead by the rest of the world.

surprised to see an old face, laughing and smiling at a carnival.

refuses to admit his old identity even if it hurts him to do so.

position: lieutenant/body combat specialist

Jaehyun

calm and laid back.

doesn’t like being caught off guard.

chameleon at changing identities.

ruffled by a woman who unintentionally ruined his latest mission.

position: lieutenant/retrieval specialist

Winwin

doesn’t often interact with people outside his crew.

particular about stranger skinship.

injured his hands in an explosion gone wrong.

take off guard by a kind and caring nurse with his best interest.

position: chemist/drug specialist

Jungwoo

precious and the perfect gentlemen.

known for his reliability and loyalty.

talented at acting and getting people to do things for him.

protective of a fearful woman who sought his help.

position: grifter/charming distraction

Mark

talented and a fast learner.

the youngest to be promoted to lieutenant.

bodyguard for an outcasted daughter from a high profiled family.

conflicted by his growing affection for her.

position: lieutenant/security specialist

Renjun

known for his agility and dance-like movements.

doesn’t usually fight unless he has too.

is frightening when his happy demeanor disappears.

drawn to the cute kindergarten assistant he met at a coffee shop.

position: high ranking soldier/escape specialist

Jeno

sometimes takes missions too far.

likes to surprise his enemies.

impressed by the ice cream employee that pulled out a taser.

terrified for her safety.

position: high ranking soldier/enforcer

read me:

Haechan

literal sunshine.

doesn’t often go out in the field.

protective his crew.

after a mission has gone wrong, he holds a calm kitchen-hand hostage.

position: weapon designer/technology expert

Jaemin

works directly under jaehyun.

extremely committed to missions.

after nearly drowning a women helps to pull him from the depths.

feels indebted and does everything to improve her world.

position: high ranking soldier/retrieval specialist

Xiaojun

working on arming his crew with weapons

thankful for their new leader

plays a dangerous game with a hired assassin

fatal love comes with deadly consequences

position: southside lieutenant/gun specialist

Hendery

in charge of clearing their new territory

passionate at getting rid of enemies in his city

kidnaps a secretive dealer who is extremely clever

a little black book uncovers the dark truth and grim reality

position: southside lieutenant/security specialist

YangYang

unexpectedly clever but sometimes quite random

is ruffled by the clumsy science major

a true test of loyalty comes

the most innocent of souls can bring about blood and betrayal

position: southside lieutenant/strategist

1K notes · View notes

dropsofletters · 3 years

Text

nct masterlist;

— series

-the love diaries | feat. valentine’s day special!au ; slice of life!au (wayv x reader)

-how to lose someone in seven steps? | feat. bet!au ; heartbreak!au ; singer!au (wayv x reader)

— taeil

-promesas | feat. college!au ; long distance relationship!au

-when the moon calls the sun | feat. call center worker!au ; meeting through the phone!au

— johnny

-it’s a match! | feat. tinder!au ; photographer!au

-what lovers do | feat. married in vegas!au ; accidental marriage!au

-the showstopper | feat. bodyguard!au ; influencer!au

— taeyong

-for those who haven’t fallen in love | feat. first love!au ; baker!au ; seamstress!au

-with a kiss, you’ll know | feat. writer!au ; fan!au

-mellow | feat. candy store!au ; crush!au

— yuta

-the ice before the rainbow | feat. figure skater!au

— kun

-none yet.

— doyoung

-a million tries and then, you | feat. matchmaker!au ; office!au ; enemies to lovers!au

-unintended consequences | feat. interviewer!au ; actor!au ; enemies to coworkers to lovers!au

-that’s how people move | feat. shoemaker!au ; assistant!au

— ten

-hard to understand | feat. pool boy!au ; pool girl!au ; coworkers!au

-atlas and axis | feat. enemies to lovers!au ; jazz!au ; trumpeter!au ; dancer!au

— jaehyun

-hi, young love | feat. soulmate!au ; enemies to lovers!au

-wish-list | feat. newspaper girl!au ; singer!au ; slice of life!au

— winwin

-the language of hate | feat. designer!au ; assistant!au ; enemies to lovers!au

-the miss that missed steps | feat. slice of life!au ; artist!au ; landlord-ish!au ; previous rockstar!au ; fake dating!au ; strangers to friends to lovers!au

— jungwoo

-none yet.

— mark

-taste of you | feat. arranged date!au ; rich kids!au ; racer!au

-sorry, who is mark lee? | feat. doctor!au ; resident!au ; enemies to lovers!au

— xiaojun

-none yet.

— hendery

-let’s dream in reverse | feat. archer!au ; best friends!au ; unrequited love!au

— renjun

-searching for the impossible | feat. twitter!au ; ex-boyfriend!au ; summer love!au

— jeno

-action, romance or comedy? | feat. cinema worker!au ; accidental texting!au ; strangers to lovers!au

— haechan

-hello stupid | feat. high school!au ; soccer!au ; college!au ; fuckboy!au

-people you know, to people you don’t (ft. nakamoto yuta x reader) | feat. childhood friends to idiots to lovers!au ; lovers to exes!au ; slowburn!au ; small town!au ; cousin’s best friend!au ; drummer!haechan ; twitch gamer!yuta ; law student!oc

— jaemin

-through a screen | feat. twitch streamer!au

-the broken arrow | feat. cupid!au

— yangyang

-none yet.

#t: masterlist

271 notes · View notes

dalivanmagritte · 11 months

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NCT FIC REC : JEONG JAEHYUN

back to the nct fic rec

just us. (fav, smut, fluff, royal!au)

promise of duke (fav, smut, nobless!au)

oops, baby (i love you) (fav, smut, fluff, angstish, modern royal!au)

a summer love (fav, fluff, suggestive, 60's!au, smalltowngirl!au)

seeds of pomegranate (fav, angst, smut, fluff, greek mythology!au)

just us. (smut, fluff, royal!au)

team captain (smut, fluff, college!au)

sleep well? (smut, incubus!au)

of sunrise and roses (fluff, suggestive, demigod!au, mythology!au)

on the shore of the styx (angst, mythology!au)

son of zeus (fluff, demigod!au, mythology!au)

son of lachesis (fluff, angstish, demigod!au, mythology!au)

son of dionysus (angst, demigod!au, mythology!au)

the charming (smut, housemate!au, college!au)

not so charming (fluff, hogwarts!au)

romanée-conti (smut, fluff, sugardaddy!au)

the v week spy (smut, fluff, college!au, stvalentine!au)

king of the streets (smut, fluff, angst, streetracer!au, journalist!au)

begin again (smut, angst)

die in your arms (smut, angst, spooky!au)

just friends (fluff, college!au)

i've got my eye on you (fluff, deaf!jaehyun)

rose bud (smut, fluff, angstish, college!au)

pregnant partner (fluff, smut)

je ne sais quoi (fluff, suggestive)

two worlds appart part.2 (angst, smut, royal!au)

midday reverie (smut, angst, fluff, abo!au)

twilight (smut, vampire!au)

boy toy (smut)

body party (smut, boxer!au)

milf (smut, fluff, milf!au)

no distraction (smut)

one of the girls (smut, neighbor!au)

sleep well, princess (fluff, smut, brotherbff!au)

horizon (smut, office!au, ceo!au)

chained (smut, arranged marriage!au)

Fucking up the sheets (smut)

back for more (smut)

our little secret (smut, ceo!au)

shapeshifter wolf (fluff, angst, witch!au, shapeshifter!au)

teacher's pet (smut, teacher!au)

deadly kiss (smut, office!au)

head over broomsticks (fluff, suggestive, hogwarts!au)

jaehyun's new secretary (smut, office!au, ceo!au)

stress no more (smut, ceo!au)

make a mess for me (smut)

racer (smut, angst, streetracer!au)

trick or treat (smut, halloween!au, dad!jaehyun, neighbour!reader, ceo!au)

trick or treat (smut, halloween!au, neighbour!au, voyeur!au)

a nonsense christmas (smut, camgirl!au)

christmas puppy (smut, fluff)

cockwarming (smut)

runway (angst, fluff, smutish, e2l!au, fashion!au)

stars, moons & other celestial bodies (angstish, fluff, retro!au)

you have one missed call (smut)

wrong hands (smut, bodyguard!au, mafia!au)

tits obsessed (smut)

19:30 (smut)

heart aches (smut)

honeymoon avenue (smut, angstish)

around the corner (fluff, angst, rich!au)

deadly kiss (smut, fluff, office!au, architect!au, engineer!au)

boyfriend material (fluff, fake dating!au, angstish, college!au)

7:37 (fluff, college!au)

baby making (smut, new parents!au)

hearts won at practice (fluff, smut, junior footballplayer!au)

pastas? (fluff)

that's it (smut)

popsicle (smut)

perv! jaehyun (smut)

perfume (smut, werewolf!au, witch!au)

danger x johnny (smut, abo!au)

can you handle it? x johnny, jeno, jaemin (smut)

i wanna make you scream (smut, ghostface!au)

send in the clowns x mark x haechan (smut, halloween!au)

#nct #jaehyun #smut #fluff #nct 127 #nct fic #nct fic rec #jaehyun fluff #jaehyun smut #jaehyun angst #jaehyun one shot #jaehyun scenarios #jaehyun imagine #jaehyun x reader #jaehyun fic #jaehyun fanfic #nct 127 smut #nct smut

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goldenscript · 7 years

Text

jennie and lisa rapping in english on their jpn ep is givin’ me life holy fuckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

#yes girls YES #emsblabs #(still writing i promise!!!!!!!!!)#bodyguard!taeyong is just taking a lot longer than i thought tbh #& i wanna get this kiki's delivery service au finished by saturdayyyyyyyyyy #on a side note i really want some haechan & dowoon fluff ;(#my ass is really tempted to write some LMAO #and something with mingyu too #like why am i like this?????????????/

4 notes · View notes

nct-writers · 3 years

Photo

#NEOCLOCK MASTERLIST

The ticking clock takes us on a journey from our past to our future. Let each of these sagas from NEO'CLOCK take us on different journeys, ones that transcend this ticking clock, that is—Time.

THIS MASTERLIST WILL FOLLOW THE NEO’CLOCK CALENDAR THAT CAN BE FOUND HERE.

JAEMIN (JAN 3. 21) | PAST

– Hopelessly devoted to you by ( @lavenderxuxi ) | 2.8k ▸ Jaemin x reader ▸ Fluff, 70s roller rink au ▸ Warnings: none

TEN (JAN 5. 21) PAST

– The Rum Runners by ( @crownily ) | 5k ▸ Ten x reader ▸ Rum Runners au, 1920′s au, Minor Mafia au ▸ Warnings: gang activity, mentions of war, mentions of death, mentions of smuggling + not all historic events are acurate.

YUTA (JAN 6. 21) | FUTURE

– Runaway by ( @fire-poppyqueen ) | 1k ▸ soulmate!Yuta x femme reader ▸ Fluff, a little angst, soulmates!au ▸ Warnings: swearing, very vague mention of sex

JENO (JAN 7. 21) | PAST

– Radio Silence by ( @prettyjaems ) | 12.8k ▸ Lee Jeno × female!reader ▸ Angst, Fluff, college!au, 70s!au, romance, comedy. ▸ Warnings: Alcohol consumption, swearing, mentions of drug intake, weak attempt at humour, offensive jokes, smut in the second part.

CHENLE (JAN 9. 21) | PAST

– Order Up by ( @doiedreams ) | 1.6k ▸ High school crush!Chenle x Waitress!reader (fem) ▸ Fluff, 1950s AU, high school AU, retro drive-in diner ▸ Warnings: many mentions of food

DOYOUNG (JAN 10. 21) | FUTURE

– No Body, No Crime by ( @byunbaekby ) | 21.5k ▸ detective!Doyoung x female reader ▸ Angst, fluff, best friends to lovers au, time travel au, detective au, crime, mystery, slow burn ▸ Warnings: crime, depictions of violence, kidnapping, mentions of death, language, alcohol, underage drinking, light gun usage, implication of sex, slight age gap (reader and doyoung are the same age, but due to time travel the reader is nineteen and doyoung is twenty-six)

TAEYONG (JAN 16. 21) | FUTURE

– Long flight by ( @lucas-wongs ) | 5.6k ▸ Taeyong x Reader (gender neutral) ▸ Among Us!AU, Angst, Minimal Fluff ▸ Warnings: lots of character death and talk about death but no descriptions of it. a shit ton of lying and deceit. mentions of zombie-like characters and cannibalism.

MARK (JAN 12. 21) | FUTURE

– Copper Veins by ( @spdrmrk ) | 1.5k ▸ Bodyguard!Mark x Fem!Reader ▸ Angst, robot au, enemies to lover au (in upcoming parts) ▸ Warnings: violence, descriptions of blood, mention of death

HAECHAN (JAN 14. 21) | FUTURE

– A Millennium After by ( @hyuckiecore) | 2.8k ▸ Lee Donghyuck x Fem!Reader Feat. Renjun ▸ Fluff, 70s roller rink au ▸ Warnings: Kissing, robots, aliens, futuristic stuff? Kinda?, A glimpse of parent hyuck x parent reader at the end but no mature stuff just uwu, uhhh, Renjun being super sus about everything hyuck does lmao.

JAEHYUN (JAN 17. 21) | PAST

– 90’s Love by ( @jaeyoonurl ) | 1.3k ▸ Jaehyun x reader ▸ 90’s, college, football player! jaehyun. ▸ Warnings: none.

WINWIN (JAN 18. 21) | FUTURE

– Things you said right after hello by ( @dreamystuffers) | 1.2k ▸ s/o!reader x rich heir!sicheng ▸ Angst, slight fluff | established relationship au, arranged marriage au, time travel au ▸ Warnings: profanity, kissing, mentions of alcohol, smoking, swearing, arranged marriage, mentions of murder, kinda implied infidelity but not really

TAEIL (JAN 19. 21) | PAST

– Hardtops & Sodapop by ( @neonun-au ) | 12.7k ▸ greaser!taeil x reader ▸ Fluff, mild angst, street racer!au, found family!au, greaser!taeil ▸ Warnings: mild language (like very mild), mildly suggestive

JUNGWOO (JAN 20. 21) | FUTURE

– When all else fails, remember me by ( @astroboy-lele ) | 3.6k ▸ Jungwoo x reader ▸ Fluff, angst ▸ Warnings: swearing, food and eating mentioned, a bad ending, hospitals mentioned, world ending, death and injuries mentioned, fighting and bruising mentioned

KUN (JAN 23. 21) | PAST

– Love Under the Moonlight by ( @immabiteyou ) | 12k ▸ Kun x OC/Fem Reader ▸ Fluff/Angst/Smut/1930’s China AU ▸ Warnings: lots of drinking, mentions of opium, abusive relationship (physical and emotional), oral (fem receiving), cheating, unprotected sex, fingering, spanking, bruising, attempted murder, someone’s in a coma, guns, Yakuza, violence in general, misyogny, Political rebellion & pregnancy (please let me know if I missed anything)

#neoclock #event

121 notes · View notes

agustdiv1ne · 3 years

Text

500 followers special

thank you for 500!

f — fluff ; a — angst ; m — smut

TXT

✿ — soobin

6:39 p.m. — soulmate au — m

✿ — yeonjun

3:14 p.m. — figure skater au — f

✿ — beomgyu

3:56 a.m. — werewolf au — a ; f

✿ — taehyun

11:11 p.m. — merman au — f

✿ — hueningkai

7:12 a.m. — hybrid au, est. relationship au — f

BTS

✿ — namjoon

10:59 p.m. — bodyguard au — m

✿ — yoongi

6:18 p.m. — domestic au — f

5:58 a.m. — slice of life au — f ; m

✿ — taehyung

7:42 p.m. — arranged marriage au — a

9:45 p.m. — best friends au — m

ATEEZ

✿ — seonghwa

12:13 p.m. — werewolf au, e2l au — a ; f ; m

7:49 a.m. — royal au, e2l au — f

✿ — yunho

2:28 a.m. — est. relationship au — f ; a

✿ — san

8:37 p.m. — e2l au — m ; f

NCT

✿ — yuta

12:37 a.m. — e2l au — f

9:20 a.m. — est. relationship au — f

✿ — jaehyun

1:59 a.m. — est. relationship au — a ; f

3:35 p.m. — bodyguard au — m

✿ — jungwoo

10:27 p.m. — best friends to lovers au — f ; a

✿ — renjun

4:01 a.m. — best friends to lovers au — m ; f

✿ — jeno

1:23 p.m. — est. relationship au — f ; m

✿ — haechan

3:08 p.m. — school au — m ; f

✿ — jaemin

11:59 p.m. — mafia au — m ; f ; a

STRAY KIDS

✿ — chan

4:38 p.m. — camp counselor au — f ; a

2:29 p.m. — bookstore au — f

✿ — minho

8:34 a.m. — soulmate au — a

✿ — hyunjin

8:12 p.m. — dancer au — m

GOT7

✿ — mark

11:42 p.m. — arranged marriage au — m

11:47 a.m. — vlogger au — f

#masterlist #mini masterlist #bts masterlist #stray kids masterlist #ateez masterlist #txt masterlist #nct masterlist

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dreamyyang · 3 years

Note

hi there! i really loved your demigod au with haechan and was wondering if you could maybe do an angst with a happy ending with him as well? i love all your concepts so far so yeah! maybe another one or a domestic argument kind of thing

ahh I’m so happy you liked it :) and thank you, mostly I just think, “okay, does this hurt me enough or give me adequate second hand embarrassment? great, time to post!”

I've never really written an argument before, but I hope this doesn't disappoint. (also I'm sorry it's kinda short sgdhsdf)

[18:11] bodyguard!reader

people usually met their significant others in normal situations. maybe in a cafe or through a mutual friend. you, on the other hand, were introduced to donghyuck as the newest addition to nct 127’s team of bodyguards. you were fairly young, only a few months older than jaehyun, but you had incredible skills. your agency had assigned you to the boy group for your probation period and you were determined not to let them down.

donghyuck couldn’t help but fall for you. you managed to make all the boys feel comfortable with you on your first day itself and you were just so strong and confident. saying that he was head over heels for you was an understatement. luckily you felt the same way - and come on, he was adorable, funny and an absolute sweetheart to you. what were you gonna do? not be absolutely whipped for him?

but of course, no relationship comes without issues. in your case, it was your upcoming transfer to sm’s new group, aespa.

“hyuck please, this isn’t going to be the end of us.”

“that’s what you think but have you ever considered how busy our schedules are? how are we supposed to see each other?”

“we can make time for each other. we can make this work.”

“you don’t get it, y/n! we might as well just break up now instead of wasting our time.”

one week. it had been one week since your argument and your boyfriend - or am their ex now? donghyuck would wonder, bitterly - was a mess. he could barely do anything without thinking about you and wanting to cry. it was actually getting quite annoying for his members. they wanted to enjoy their much anticipated break but all donghyuck wanted was to watch dramas in bed and eat ice cream. he couldn’t stop beating himself up for letting his insecurities get the best of him. deep down, he had always felt that he was too childish for you and that you’d eventually get sick of playing babysitter. so, being the idiot he was, he decided to cut the chord before you did.

now he wished he hadn’t.

having listened to the same depressing lana del rey song for the sixth time in a row, johnny decided it was time for him to intervene before he shoved donghyuck’s laptop down his throat. it took him an hour and some promises regarding free food that he did not intend to keep but he managed to drive donghyuck to your apartment. the younger boy was silent the whole time, mulling over what he was going to say to you. how was he supposed to explain how insecure he felt? he had always been confident and sure of himself around you and he didn’t want you to think he was weak.

however, when your door opened to reveal your dishevelled hair and tired eyes, donghyuck didn’t care anymore. the dam had burst and it was like he’d lost control of his mouth.

“y/n,” he spoke with teary eyes, “I’m so sorry, love. I was so terrified I would lose you to some older guy, someone who isn’t as reckless and immature as I am, and I let it get to me. but I promise you, I’ll do everything within my power to keep us together.”

you stood in front of him, eyes equally glassy, as he rambled and your heart ached. he had hurt you and you could feel yourself hesitating. what if history repeated itself? yet, it hurt just as much to not be with him. you felt empty without his arms wrapped around you and his sweet kisses. you felt so conflicted and it hurt. so you closed your eyes, squeezing out a few warm tears as you did, and let your heart choose your next move.

hyuck: you can head back to the dorm hyung

sent at 19:02 p.m.

46 notes · View notes

jungwooisms · 3 years

Text

hwarang | kun

ACT II - THE PUSH FORWARD

pairing: qian kun x female!reader genre: historical au, fluff, angst, supernatural members: moon taeil, suh younhgo (johnny) lee taeyong, nakamoto yuta, kim doyoung, li yongqin (ten), jeong jaehyun, dong sicheng (winwin), wong yukhei (lucas), lee minhyung (mark), xiao dejun (xiaojun), wong kunhang (hendery), huang renjun, na jaemin, lee donghyuck (haechan), osaki shotaro, park jisung warnings: crass humor and language, blood, violence, injuries, alcohol, major character death, major character death, minor character death, war, some historical inaccuracies for the sake of plot progression word count: 25.5k it is important to read the prologue & act i first to understand the context of this! i can’t link it here but it’s on my masterlist!

July 11th, 664 – Bulguksa Temple, Kingdom of Silla Three months have passed since the departure of Kim Gongmyung and his men to form the Guardians of the Royal Tomb. More so, it has been three months since Yuta and Jaemin left. Their presence, or absence of, remains blazingly obvious at times during the days that have since passed. These thoughts of them, and their reasoning for abandoning the Hwarang plague you still, as they do tonight as you toss and turn in your bed as you search for slumber.

It isn’t coming any time soon, your muscles ache from your work earlier in the day, and you’d woken up early this morning to aid with an upcoming captain’s meeting… why aren’t you tired? You should be, right?

Eyes shutting for the umpteenth time, trying to force yourself to sleep, you hear a voice call out to you from behind your door, a gentle knock accompanying it. “Are you awake?” The voice of the Hwarang’s commander causes you to scramble to your feet, inching closer to the door.

“Is something wrong?” You ask as you approach the door.

“You have a visitor,” voice muffled behind the wood, you can hear him shift on his feet, “Once you’re dressed, come to the main hall.”

“A visitor?” You muse as Kun’s footsteps lead away from your room to give you some privacy. The visitor in question confuses you, who could possibly be calling for you at this late at night? Regardless of their identity, you quickly dress yourself and head to the main hall.

The figure standing there as you enters surprises you, before you’re able to question their appearance, Taeil speaks.

“I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep,” A small smile of apology as he glances towards the newcomer.

“You look like you just rolled out of bed,” Yongqin says snidely, a grin on his lips, “Didn’t even brush your hair?”

You begin to move your hand towards your scalp as you frown at him, but before you can touch your hair, Kun cuts him off. Glancing to the commander, you can see Taeyong, Yukhei, and Jaehyun in the room as well.

“This isn’t the time, Li,” Kun huffs and looks to you, “You look fine.”

You nod quickly at the commander before turning back to look at you guest in full, once she lays her eyes on you, she breaks out into a small smile.

“It’s good to see you again.” With all of the elegance that you had upon your first meeting, Sooyoung commandeers the room with her charisma, “I hope you’ve been well? I’m sorry for visiting so late.”

“Sooyoung?” The name falls from your lips as you stare at her, confused. It’s then you realize that another woman stands beside her, her face seeming familiar as well.

Sooyoung seems to catch this, turning to her and telling you, “She’s my bodyguard, of sorts.”

“Your bodyguard?” The woman in question is almost as striking as an actress, not what you’d expect a guard to look like.

Even more confused, you look to Kun, who sighs out, “…She said that it was imperative to talk to you.”

It’s obvious that he isn’t stepping into your own matters unless you allow him to, so you hum to yourself and look back to your visitor. “Why are you here, Sooyoung?” A tilt of your head as you ask, “Is something wrong?”

“I’ll get straight to the point then,” her smile fades away and her expression becomes stern, turning to face you fully, “I’m here to take you away.”

“Take me away…?” Brow furrowing, your foot moves instinctively to take a step back, “Why?”

A hum as she thinks, “It’s a long story that I’m not sure how to begin.”

“There isn’t any time to discuss this,” the woman who’s beside her, says hurriedly, “We need to leave immediately if we’re to get here out of here safely.”

“Hold on,” you interrupt the pair, “Why should I go with you two?”

“That’s a good question!” You hear Yukhei speak up from behind you, “You barge in here, ask to talk to her, and demand that she leaves with you?”

“You’re not related to her, are you?” Jaehyun adds questioningly, “She looks about as confused as we do.”

“Sooyoung could you explain what’s happening a little more?” You pose, not trying to get the captains upset if there’s an actual reason for you to be worried.

“Our intrusion would perplex anyone, I suppose,” she nods in understanding and then motions to one of the tables in the room, “This might take a while, so it’s best to be comfortable in the meantime.”

“Would you like us to stay outside?” Taeil asks, glancing towards the open doorway into one of the temple’s courtyards.

“No,” Sooyoung says as you move to take a seat at the table she’d motioned to. “I’d like you to stay, this involves the Hwarang as well.” She takes her own seat, followed by the captains, Taeil and Kun, who she observes quietly before beginning to speak.

“I’m aware that you all have met Lee Donghyuck before, right?” As she states the question a few of the Hwarang look taken aback. “You’ve fought him once or twice.”

“How do you know that?” Kun’s gaze hardens on the woman.

“I know most things that go on in Seorabeol,” her gaze returns the hardness of his, “Eventually.”

“You’re like him and his cronies, aren’t you?” Arms crossing over his chest as he comes to the realization.

“I’d prefer not to be associated with him, Sicheng or Dejun, but yes, in a sense I am.” A nod of affirmation as Kun’s expression softens slightly.

“… You were talking about Donghyuck, then.”

“We fought him at Wonweol, Ongsan and Banweolseong,” Jaehyun interjects, brow furrowed, “What are his ties with the loyalists?”

“It seemed like he was there for his own reasons, though,” Yongqin points out, countering the other. “Not any sort of politics.”

“Regardless, he’s an enemy of us,” Kun frowns, adjusting the way he’s seated.

“Then you’re also aware that he’s pursuing her?” Sooyoung’s eyes flicker to you, the captain’s stares following suit.

The unraveling of this truth is a story you don’t want to hear the end of. Your stomach churns uneasily as each captain looks at you, some confused, some unsure of what to do or say. Taeil eventually breaks the silence,

“We’re well aware of that.” He coughs to clear his throat before continuing, “We also know he has comrades he calls Demons; not that we believe that, of course.”

“I’m not sure that that claim is unfounded, Chief,” Taeyong speaks up from the swarm of captains looking at you, “They all possessed strength incomparable to any of our men. Any of our... living men, at least. Despite that, it seems as if no one really knows they exist.”

The captains shift, murmuring things too quietly for you to hear before you look back to Sooyoung, anxious for her to continue.

“So, then you do know that they’re Demons,” a nod as she hums somewhat contently, “That will make things a little easier to explain.” Her hands fold atop one another as she places them on the table, “I’m not human either, I’m a Demon too.”

Your eyes widen, lips parting in surprise, “You are?”

“I’m actually rather high ranking,” eyes locked with yours, “something akin to a princess.”

“My family has been guarding hers for generations,” the other woman adds, moving a bit to stand closer to Sooyoung’s chair, not having sat when everyone else did.

“I suppose that makes more sense,” Kun muses, despite you still looking confusedly between the three. “I was wondering why you were so friendly that night, you were getting intel on the Hwarang, weren’t you?”

A sly smile as the guard brushes a few strands of hair from her face, tucking them behind her ear, “I’m not quite sure what you mean.”

“You know her?” Yukhei sounds shocked as he looks to Kun.

“Move your eyes up six inches, Yukhei,” Jaehyun snorts, “That’s Seulgi.” Then, it clicks, she isn’t as dressed up as she was that night, but it looks to be the kisaeng from the night the Hwarang had been in Noseo-dong. “Dressed a little differently, but that’s definitely her.”

“Holy shi-” Yukhei nearly chokes, baffled at his inability to have recognized her from before.

“Us Demons have lived on this land since before the kingdoms were even mere conceptions,” Sooyoung captures the conversation once more, “The top officials in Silla, Goguryeo, and what was once Baekje, already know of our existence. Most Demons have no interest in human affairs, preferring to be left alone. However, humans in positions of power sought to use us to benefit their own means.”

“Did the Demons comply, then?” You question softly, seeing the look of disgruntlement on Sooyoung’s face.

“Most didn’t. Human ambition has never been strong enough to pull a Demon to get involved,” an almost angered sigh leaves her, “Yet, when the Demons refused to help, the humans were furious and sent out armies to destroy our homes and our villages. We scattered, across the land and are now divided by the different kingdoms. We seldom leave our domains and remain in hiding.”

“That’s awful,” a somberness coating your words as she speaks, the lorness in her expression unsettling.

“Many Demons went on to have children with humans, there are few of us now who can claim a pure bloodline.”

“I assume Donghyuck is one of them?” Taeil questions softly, trying to not upset Sooyoung further.

“The largest pureblood family are the Lees, you’ve already met the head, Donghyuck.” A small nod as she looks to you, “In the north, the largest clan is the Heo family. That would be yours. I heard the Demons of your family were destroyed by humans, but it seems like you’re the lone survivor.”

“Me?” You resist the urge to point at yourself, utterly taken aback by what Sooyoung had just divulged. “That’s impossible… I-”

“I had Seulgi look into your family history to the best of her ability,” she insists with a firm shake of her head.

“It seems hard to believe,” Seulgi offers you a sympathetic smile, “but you are very much a Demon.”

At a loss for words, you stare at the two women. It’s borderline insane that this is what they’re telling you, but at the same time it would explain a few things. Why Donghyuck is after you, why you heal so quickly…

“If you really are the descendent of a pureblood Demon, it’s quite clear why Donghyuck is after you,” Sooyoung doesn’t finish the rest of her statement, the answer being quite clear.

“He intends to marry her,” Taeil huffs, glancing to you and your wide-eyed expression.

“It seems so,” the woman agrees, biting her cheek, “So far it seems as if he’s only been testing the water, I’m unsure of when he’ll become more confident in his approach. If he were to use his full strength, I don’t know how you would fare in protecting her. Even the Hwarang can’t stand against the true power of a Demon.”

“Wait a minute- aren’t you going a bit too far?” Yukhei asks, sounding hurt by the latter statement.

“I don’t think you’re giving us enough credit,” Jaehyun frowns, “We’re not just some foot soldiers.”

“The only reason you’re alive is because Donghyuck wants you to be,” Sooyoung points out, “If he and his accomplices were to use their full strength I’m not sure what would happen.”

“Then let them,” Taeyong’s voice rises through the unsettled quiet, “I would like to see the power of a real Demon.”

Donghyuck, Dejun and Sicheng had all shown incredible strength in the prior meetings you had with them; even the Hwarang captains had trouble keeping up. If that hadn’t been the full extent of their power, you’re unsure that you want to see it.

“Yukhei and Jaehyun are right,” Kun says, “Even if they’re stronger than the average warrior, you’re still discrediting us. The power difference wasn’t so great that they bested us easily.”

“That’s right,” Yongqin nods and smirks at the Kun, “Besides, we’ve got the Demon commander himself in charge.”

“This isn’t the time for jokes, Li,” Kun sighs and shakes his head.

“You must realize that these men are unlike any you’ve faced before,” there’s an almost pleading edge to Sooyoung’s voice. “Your job is to protect Seorabeol, not her. That’s why I’m asking you to leave her in our care, with us her chances of surviving one of Donghyuck’s attacks will be much higher.”

“Give us a break,” Yukhei says, rising to his feet and planting his palms on the table, “You’re making it sound like we can’t protect her.”

“I’m not trying to sound rude but,” Yongqin’s head tilts at the two women, “you think that the two of you could protect her better than us? Neither of you are a part of the Hwarang, I’m not sure why you’re going around and sticking your nose in our business.”

Sooyoung and Seulgi seem to be taken aback by the captain’s reaction.

“What do you think, Commander Qian?” Seulgi looks towards Kun, her gaze narrowing, “You’ve acknowledged Donghyuck’s strength, are you not at least considering Sooyoung’s offer? I think it’s in your best interest to leave her in our care.”

“That’s different,” Kun looks to Seulgi, leaning back in his chair slightly, “We made a promise to her, to protect her, we’re not going to back out just because they’re Demons. And I understand that you call yourselves Demons too—but that gives us no ground to trust you.”

“Do you realize who you’re speaking to? Sooyoung is a descendant of—”

“Seulgi,” Sooyoung stops the other with a raise of her hand, her tone calm but stern, leaving no room for more argument, “That’s not necessary.”

“I agree with Qian,” Taeyong affirms, yet doesn’t look your way, “if she possesses blood of a different species… I’m sure her aid will come to use with our internal purposes in the very near future.”

Seulgi glares at the colonel, not speaking as to not anger Sooyoung.

“This is a problem, then,” Sooyoung notes solemnly, “Is there no way to convince you to allow her to go with us?”

“Hold on,” Taeil interjects, “We didn’t even confirm what she has to say about all of this.” His gaze travels to you, sympathetic in nature and looking in your eyes as if you already have an answer.

But you don’t know what to say. It’s not that you doubt the concerns of Sooyoung and Seulgi, yet there’s just more and more to take in.

Taeil sees your furrowed brow, eyes teeming with indecisiveness, and nods with a small smile, “It must be difficult to discuss in front of so many people. You should speak to Sooyoung privately.”

“What the hell—!” Kun begins to protest, but Taeil is unwavering in his stance.

“We’ve been ignoring her feelings for this entire conversation,” Taeil states, “if she wishes to leave of her own accord, for her own safety, we ought to let her, no?”

“You’re too soft on people,” Kun scoffs, but makes no move to stop him.

“You won’t steal her away the moment we leave you alone, will you?” Taeyong asks as the captains rise to their feet.

“Of course not,” Sooyoung says as she remains seated, “Once Demons make a promise, we’re bound to keep it.”

A few moments later, once the captains, commander, chief and colonel had filed out of the main hall, you lead Sooyoung to your room nestled in the compound. Seulgi had opted to stay outside, just far enough away so she wouldn’t encroach on your private conversation.

“I apologize for giving you a terribly large number of things to think about,” Sooyoung starts off, “Normally, I would never do something like this.”

“It’s alright,” you try to reassure her with a small smile, “I’m sorry for them as well, I know they can be a little… brusque at times.”

“That’s to be expected,” she waves it off, “I know I was asking a lot of them. Not many humans would accept the existence of us so easily. But enough of that, what do you say to my offer? Do you have any thought on it?”

Of course, you do. If it had been Sooyoung to come across you on your first night in Seorabeol, you very may well have taken her up on her hospitality. Yet now…

As if she can see the wavering of your options, Sooyoung speaks, “The Hwarang seem to believe they can protect you from everything out to get you. I don’t doubt their dedication, I do, however, doubt their ability.”

You stay silent, aware that what she just said may be true. The Hwarang are powerful, skilled in both the sword and bow. You’d seen them overcome overwhelming odds, but those odds had always been nothing but human-made. From what Sooyoung had said, the strength of a single Demon would be enough to wipe them out should they so choose. A few of you have been able to see that firsthand, and the losses associated with it. To think that that same fate could arise to a captain of the Hwarang fills you with undeniable dread.

“With Buyeo Pung seeking aid in Goguryeo, things will only get more hectic here in the capital,” Sooyoung says to fill the silence, “If Donghyuck were to strike in the hysteria, what do you think would happen? You should leave the Hwarang, let them fight without worry.”

“Sooyoung…” The concern for you seems real, frantic, almost.

“Is there,” her expression softening as she searches yours, coming to a subtle conclusion, “a reason you want to stay?”

“…There is.” You answer without thinking it through, the words falling from you so quickly you can barely catch them.

“One of those men, perhaps?” Innocent in nature, her question still catches you off-guard.

“Yes,” you nod, lower lip catching between your teeth as you can’t find it within yourself to lie to her.

For a moment she looks tense, before her posture softens and a relieved expression overcomes her, “I see… I won’t ask who, but I can understand your hesitance now. I can’t force you to leave, but should you need us, you need only ask.”

Sooyoung and you make your way back to the main hall, the captains loiter around the space, some look anxious upon your arrival.

“Have you come to a decision?” Taeil asks once you’ve fully stepped into the room, giving you little time to compose yourself.

“For the time being we’ve decided to leave things as they are,” Sooyoung states, Seulgi looking at her worriedly.

“Are you sure?”

“Quite.” Sooyoung nods to her, “I believe prioritizing what she wishes is what’s most important for now.”

“Very well,” Taeil finds it hard to mask the smile growing on his lips, “The Hwarang accept responsibility for her well-being.”

“Just relax and leave it all to me!” Yukhei bursts out, eager to show his worth.

“I’m sure Wong’ll give you much more to worry about,” Jaehyun laughs and looks to you, “It’ll be nice to still have you around.”

“What kind of girl wants to stay here?” Yongqin chuckles, “I can’t tell if you’re brave or if you’ve had a strong lapse in judgement.”

“This doesn’t change anything,” Kun points out, “You’ll still be treated like you always were.”

“Of course,” you nod, “Thank you all for letting me stay.”

Sooyoung then moves to you, her hand finding yours as she looks into your eyes, “Please be careful, and remember, I’m on your side.”

“Thank you, Sooyoung,” you smile at her gratefully as she relinquishes the hold on your hand. She gives you one last beaming smile before her and Seulgi are off into the dark of night.

July 19th, 664 – Bulguksa Temple, Kingdom of Silla In the days since Sooyoung’s visit, you find it much more difficult to drift off into a dreamless slumber. When you do dream, you find that your mind often travels to your heritage and what it means for you now and in the future, something of which you don’t want to think about.

You had decided to stay with the Hwarang, but was that really the best choice for you, for them? Of course, you wanted to stay but would you being here cause them unneeded harm?

A sudden clang from outside causes you to jump, to leave your thoughts for a moment as your heart begins to pound. Eyes cautiously looking towards your bedroom door, your hands clench your blankets in taught anticipation.

Several short bangs from your door cause you to rise to your feet, the voice of Osaki Shotaro calling out to you, “I’m sorry for bothering you, but there’s an emergency!”

“What’s wrong?” You ask, voice wrought with anxiousness as you walk towards the door, opening it to allow him inside.

His body tense as he enters, continuously looking over his shoulder to make sure the hallway is clear, “The Demons have attacked us.”

“What?!” Icy dread seeps through your veins at his words.

“They’re after you, which means you need to stay here.”

“But—” You begin to protest his assertion, wanting to help in some way as the only reason the Demons are here is because of you. “Shotaro, I have to find the others.”

“I can’t let you,” he shakes his head, a worried look in his eye as if he knows he can’t reason with you, “The Commander asked that I make sure you don’t leave.”

“They’re here for me, though. If anyone gets hurt…” You wave away the thought, “Maybe I can try and reason with them? What if I can get them to leave peacefully?”

Shotaro’s lips purse, and after a moment, he shakes his head in defeat, “If you’re going to be that insistent, I don’t think I can stop you. I was told to protect you though, so if you’re going, I’m going.”

The two of you leave your room, barreling down the hallway until you’ve reached one of the inner courtyards. You stand there momentarily, unsure of where to go, until Shotaro speaks up.

“It’s this way,” he says before something darts in front of you, pushing the officer to the ground. His body seems to fly for a few yards, hitting the ground with a thud as Shotaro groans out in pain. As you try to run up to him, the same blur passes in front of you and you feel an arm wrap around yours.

“Where do you think you’re going?” The voice of Lee Donghyuck asks you simply as you struggle to get out of his grip. His grip is like steel, unmoving and snakelike, “I heard the Park Clan visited a few days ago, I’m sure you know why I’m here, then.”

He sighs, looking at the surrounding buildings, “You’re a Demon, a noble Demon… There isn’t any reason for you to hole yourself up with fakes.” Donghyuck’s grip tightens on your arm slightly, “Come with me.”

It’s obvious who he’s talking about when he mentioned the fakes. With the way your body tenses, Donghyuck can sense your anger.

“Do you really think staying here and helping their own self-interest and agenda to create those… things is really what you should be doing?”

You find it hard to respond. For obvious reasons, you aren’t a fan of the existence of the Furies, but there were times when it was needed for a Hwarang to survive. Could you fault a man for wanting to live? Besides, your father was one of the people who created the serum, you can’t help but feel partially responsible.

“You don’t know anything about what’s going on here,” you thrash in his grip, trying to lessen his hold on you.

“So? Even if I did, are you asking me to play ignorant to what they’re actually doing?” He scoffs, looking up from you as the sound of racing footsteps approach.

You break your gaze away from him to see Jaehyun and Kun running towards you, sour expressions on both of their faces.

“Breaking in again?” Kun frowns as he locks eyes with Donghyuck, “I don’t know if you’re brave or stupid. This isn’t a gathering place for Demons, you know.”

“Barging in here to find yourself a wife,” Jaehyun snickers at the Demon, “You’d think you’d have gotten the message by now.”

The sight of the two Hwarang puts you at ease a bit, even more so when you can see Minhyung and a handful of other wang-do behind them. There are a few missing faces among them, you wonder if they’d gotten injured in the earlier skirmishes.

“You have no idea how important she is,” Donghyuck frowns, his grip on you unrelenting still.

“So, taking her against her will just because you’re too scared of rejection is the way you’re going around this?” Jaehyun nearly shouts at him, “That’s just pathetic.”

“Even if you take her as a hostage, we’ll kill you without hesitation,” Kun affirms, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“I wouldn’t need to use her as leverage with the likes of you,” there’s an arrogance in his words as the Hwarang begin to encircle him. The tension pulls like a taught rope, beginning to fray as it reaches its breaking point.

Eyes glancing down to your arm, you realize that Donghyuck had left your other one free, you reach for your blade at your hip. It’s an awkward angle, but you jerk the blade from its scabbard and swing it up towards Donghyuck.

He dodges it easily, his hand reaching out to grab your wrist, his grip tightens and causes you to cry out. With the force he is exerting, you feel as if your bones will break, the blade in your hand clattering to the ground.

“You really don’t understand how powerful I am, do you?” His gaze sharpens at you, lips parting to say something else before a voice calls out.

“I’m your opponent,” Kun shouts, “I said before that I wouldn’t hesitate to strike you from behind!”

Your failed attack had abated Donghyuck’s attention towards the commander long enough to allow him a chance to strike. Kun’s sword drawn from his scabbard, he arcs his blade towards Donghyuck’s head. The Demon moves quickly, but with a nonchalant nature in his movements as the blade passes centimeters from his throat.

The attack was enough time for you to rid yourself from Donghyuck’s grasp and run towards the commander. Kun’s free hand outstretches to grab your arm and pull you into him, his arm then moving to wrap around you, both catching and sheltering you.

“I thought I told Osaki to keep you in your room,” He mutters under his breath, “You never listen, do you?”

“I’m sorry,” you murmur, the pulsating feeling from where Donghyuck had grabbed your wrist beginning to fade.

“You did good though,” Kun praises you, “Without your distraction I wouldn’t have gotten an opening.” His approval is somewhat shocking, not something you’re accustomed to so it takes you by surprise.

“Qian Kun,” Donghyuck’s voice pulls you and Kun’s attention away from one another and towards the adversary, “Get your hands off her. She’s mine.” There’s a possessiveness in his tone that chills you to your core, a fury in his eyes that seems to have ignited after he made his recovery from Kun’s attack.

“The Hwarang are responsible for her,” The commander shifts, bringing you just a little closer to him, “We gave our word.”

“Come with me,” Donghyuck’s attention turns to you, “You’re a member of an honorable Demon family. You shouldn’t be associated with the likes of these humans.”

“I’m staying here,” it only takes you recalling the blatant disregard Donghyuck has had for human lives on your handful of encounters with him to confirm your distaste for him.

“You choose the humans, then?” His voice low, threatening like a cornered animal.

“That’s too bad, Donghyuck,” a laugh from outside of the circle of Hwarang, you look to see Dong Sicheng pushing his way through the members. “Never thought I’d see you get rejected by a girl.”

Your eyes widen, Kun had had issues with dealing with Donghyuck alone, now that another Demon is here, you’re not sure what he’d do.

“Commander,” another voice from outside the circle as the Hwarang break their lines to allow Taeyong to walk through, “I apologize for being late.” He looks to Donghyuck and Sicheng with a small smile, “I’m afraid the Fury Corps will be your opponent this evening.”

A wash of relief overcomes you at the sight of several members walking behind Taeyong, although the Furies have caused issue in the past, it seems these men were on a set goal.

“You were saying some interesting things earlier,” Taeyong muses, still looking at the two Demons. “Something along the lines of calling us fake? This would be a great opportunity to prove you otherwise.” The colonel’s eyes then turn red, his hair turning stark white as he reaches for the blade at his hip.

“These men are ready to fight,” Dejun, who you hadn’t seen snake his way through the men, tells Donghyuck.

“So?” Sicheng scoffs, the quiver of arrows on his back rattling as he moves, “They could have a whole army of these new bloods and they still wouldn’t be a match for us.”

“There’s no need to dirty my blade with fake Demon blood,” His eyes flicker from Taeyong to Kun, “I’ll do you a favor and not kill you all today, but that doesn’t mean I’m done here. I will be back for her.” With that, the trio break past the lines of Hwarang faster than any of the men, human or Fury, could keep up with, disappearing into the darkness outside of the compound.

“You bastards—!” Kun calls out after them after they’ve already disappeared.

“Should we go after them?” Taeyong asks the commander, glancing back to his group of men.

“No,” Kun shakes his head, “We can’t risk the citizens of Seorabeol seeing your unit.”

“Understood,” Taeyong nods, “We’ll call it a night, then.”

“Thank you, Commander,” once you were sure that the threat was gone, your body sags in relief.

Kun’s grip on you relaxes and allows you to step away from him, “There’s no need to thank me. We had our reasons for wanting to protect you. Just try and get some sleep now.” He then turns to his men and orders them to find any dead or injured men around the compound. His demeanor takes on that of astute seriousness, wanting to end this as quickly as he can.

July 20th, 664 – Bulguksa Temple, Kingdom of Silla Mid-morning, after a tumultuous night and subsequent sleep, you trudge your way to the main hall to find the captains in some kind of meeting. Upon your entry, Jisung turns to you and offers a small wave.

“Good morning,” he smiles and beckons you over to sit down next to him, you take him up on his offer and he speaks again, “Did you sleep well?”

“As best I could,” you respond sheepishly.

“You don’t need to lie,” Jisung notes, “We can tell you barely slept at all.”

“Do I really look that bad?” You mutter, your fingers moving to trace the circles under your eye. A shake of your head as you turn to Minhyung, who sits on your other side, “How’s Shotaro doing?”

“The fall knocked him out cold, but aside from some minor bruises he looks like he’ll be fine,” the officer reassures you. “He wants to apologize for not doing a better job of protecting you.”

“I should be the one apologizing to him!” You claim almost exasperatedly as the door to the main hall opens and a figure strides in.

“Is something wrong, Chief?” Jisung questions Taeil, who looks far from the chipper mood he typically has. “I think you’re scaring her.”

“I’m sorry if I am,” he apologizes to you, “Forgive me.” The smile he gives you is fleeting, returning to the grimace that seems deep rooted into him now.

“What happened?” You question, and he lets out a sigh.

“The monks here don’t want us staying at Bulguksa any longer.” He says as calmly as he can, a look of defeat in his eyes.

“You mean to say they’re telling us to leave?” Minhyung asks, a troubled expression overcoming him.

“More or less, yes,” The leader frowns.

“I had a feeling this would happen…” Jisung sighs out and looks to Taeil, “What should we do?”

The monks at Bulguksa seemed to have shifted to a pro-Guard stance since the outburst of attacks in the recent months against the Hwarang. It’s no surprise they want the Hwarang gone, but this place was just beginning to feel like home.

“Do you think last night’s incident was the last straw?” Minhyung poses to Taeil, who nods in agreement.

“I don’t think, I know.” He huffs out a large amount of air, “They don’t want actual fighting on their grounds, I’m sure some councilman also had his hand in this as well.”

“This is all my fault,” you realize as he says that, the Demon’s wouldn’t have shown up if you weren’t here.

“That isn’t true,” Taeil tries to reassure you, “We forced ourselves in here with unreasonable demands.”

“If we need to move, we should start looking at new locations,” Minhyung says quickly to change the topic.

“The monks here have already provided another temple for us to stay in,” Taeil says, his brow furrowing.

“That’s very… nice of them,” Jisung states, trepidation in his voice. “They must really want us gone.”

“Yes to both,” Taeil nods, “which is why I accepted their offer. We’re going to get busy around here soon.”

The donors to Bulguksa Temple bought a piece of land some ways away from the original site to build a new compound for the Hwarang. It lay outside of the city, further than Bulguksa or Shoshin had been, called Shoji. The new grounds has ample enough space for a bathhouse, new training buildings, and even more rooms for the Hwarang members. The members are clearly excited about it. By the time the end of the summer came around, the Hwarang had fully moved from their residence at Bulguksa to their new home in Shoji.

September 27th, 664 – Shoji Temple, Kingdom of Silla Autumn breaks quickly after the long summer months. In August, the Crown had ordered its army to lay siege to Tolsa Fortress in the southern part of the Goguryeo Kingdom, asking for the aid of several Hwarang captains to join their ranks. The siege lasted for weeks with no eventual winner, save for Goguryeo as its stronghold hadn’t been weakened. No major events had occurred during the siege, the captains that had left, Yukhei and Jaehyun, returning with little to tell of their ventures to the northern kingdom.

It’s a quiet morning today, you’re cleaning up dishes from breakfast when you realize that the commander is nowhere to be found. Come to think of it, he hadn’t been present for breakfast this morning, either. Maybe he’s too busy to come out, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t eat something.

A few moments later you find yourself with a tray in hand, walking carefully to his room. You’ve adorned the tray with an assortment of food and a small pot of tea as well, not knowing if he was hungry or not.

“Commander,” you say as you stand in front of his door, “I’ve brought you some tea.”

“Come in,” Kun says after a moment, and you move to open his door.

“Oh,” your eyes widen as you step inside, a bit taken aback by what you see.

“You can put it down anywhere,” he says, and you move to set it down, trying not to stare at him too much. He sits at the head of the room, writing something down on a piece of parchment, but that’s not what is grabbing your attention. His hair, which he usually ties up in a not atop his head, cascades down his shoulders loosely as he writes.

“Do you need something else?” He asks, probably noticing your elongated stare.

“No,” you shake your head quickly, averting your gaze from him.

“Then why are you here?” Kun questions, setting down his brush, careful not to draw his sleeve through the inkwell. “I’m a little busy.”

“Well…” You mumble, “Isn’t your hair in the way?”

“I don’t have time to tie it up, there’s too much I need to do,” he says nonchalantly, “I’ve got mountains of this shit to go through.” It’s then you notice the stacks of papers around him, all baring what looks like important seals.

Even then, every time he moves to brush a strand of hair from his vision, he becomes even more frustrated.

“Would you like me to tie it up for you?”

Kun stays silent for a moment before turning back to his work, picking up his brush and beginning to hurriedly write, “I don’t like it when people touch my hair.”

“I see…” you say, watching him write for a moment, not knowing what to say next.

“I appreciate the gesture,” he sighs, once again setting the brush down and moving to tie his hair up. “Now I can focus a bit more.”

“Commander? Have you eaten anything today?” You ask, looking towards the tray you’d brought in, “I brought you some snacks but if you needed a full meal, I could make you something.”

He pauses from his work, and for a moment you think he’s forgotten about your presence entirely. “No,” Kun says and shakes his head, “I should be done by lunchtime. I’ll eat a lot then.”

“Is there anything in particular you’d like?”

“I told you that I don’t have time to eat right now,” he frowns, a small hunger pang reverberating through him.

“I meant that I’m the one cooking lunch today…” You scramble to fix your words, “So if there’s anything you want, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.”

Kun now turns to fully look at you, chuckling to himself as he does so, “If you make what I want, the captains are going to be pissed.”

“Let them be,” you shoot him a smile, “They can be as mad as they want. You’re working hard, and since I can’t help you out here, I can at least do something else for you.”

“Food on the mind, huh?” A smile curling onto the edge of his lips, “I guess it can’t be helped then… If you back out on what I say, I’ll have it out for you, okay?” There’s a playful edge to his voice, joking, obviously, but it still catches you a bit off guard.

“I’m ready to do what I can,” You nod eagerly.

“How about namul then?” He states simply. “Any kind will do.”

“Of course,” the words fall as you begin to think of what you’d need to make the dish. It’s not that it’s difficult to make, just time consuming as you would have to cook the variety of sides that you could find.

“I’m looking forward to it, your cooking’s gotten a lot better recently.”

“Really?” You ask, somewhat surprised. No one’s really mentioned your cooking prowess before, you think it okay at best.

“The food we normally have is quick and easy to make, we don’t get much that takes time and effort. I’m sure you’ll be able to handle it though.”

A smile creeps onto your face and you try your best to hide it, still taken aback by the continuous praise, “I’ll try my best. We get a lot of fresh vegetables this time of year.”

“Ingredients aren’t important,” he shakes his head, “If you could try and get the northern flavor, that’d be great.” A peaceful demeanor, almost as if he’s reminiscing, overcomes him. It ignites something of a fire in you, making you want to make this the best namul he’d ever had.

“I’ll be going then,” you say and turn on your heels, only for the commander to call out your name a second later.

“Do I really look that tired?” Kun asks as your eyes meet his.

“I never meant anything like that… It’s just that I don’t get to do much for you and I’d like to do anything I can.”

The commander frowns, staying silent for a moment. “I’m not sure what it looks like, but I only allow myself to take on jobs that I can do. If I can’t do it, then I give it to someone who can. That’s also a part of my job.” He watches your eyes for your reaction, “Being determined is always good, but if there’s something you can’t do, you can’t do it, right?”

“…Right?” Kun is being serious, but for the life of you, you can’t understand what he is trying to say.

“How do I…” He hums, tapping his foot impatiently, “What I’m saying is that you don’t need to give yourself more work. Just do what jobs you can.”

If you did that, then you’d barely be doing anything.

“With you here, it gives the Hwarang something to stake its pride on. Do you understand?” He breaks his gaze with you to shrug slightly, “We’ll keep you safe, you don’t need to worry.” Your silence seems to miff him, “Don’t trust me?”

“No, of course not!” You exclaim shortly, trying to keep your outburst to a minimum.

“Then put on a brave face and don’t worry over what you can’t control,” he sighs, “that’s what everyone else here does.”

“Commander…” you feel warm at his words of assurance.

“I’ll stop lecturing you now,” Kun looks back to you, “I’m sorry for holding you.” He reaches for the cup of tea you’d brought him before looking back to his paperwork.

“Thank you…” You know he’s driven by a ravenous determination to never look to Lee Donghyuck or any other Demon out there, and that asking for help form others isn’t who he is, yet… To hear him say that in front of you, in and of itself, is some part of that resolve. Even though he can’t see you now, you give him a bow before you leave the room.

November 11th, 664 – Seorabeol, Kingdom of Silla It’s windy today, you noticed it first when you awoke, the hiss of air swarming in through unsealed cracks and pockets of air where the doors don’t meet their frames. You notice it still when the last of the leaves are stripped from their branches as you and Jaehyun walk to the city center. And you’re noticing it now, the slice of the cold cutting through your clothes and chilling you to the bone.

“It is almost winter, isn’t it?” Jaehyun muses as he catches you shivering involuntarily, “The wind coming in from the coast isn’t helping. If this is what it’s like during the day, I kind of feel bad for the guys who patrol at night.”

Your hands clench as he huffs out a laugh that turns into clouded vapors, “Are your hands cold? Want me to hold them for you?”

You know he’s joking by the way you get flustered and tell him no, him laughing again as you continue to walk down the street. Looking up from your embarrassed haze, you spot someone walking towards you.

“Isn’t today great?” Yukhei asks as he approaches, his arms outstretching as if to embrace the chilled air.

“Unfortunately, not all of us can act like human torches,” Jaehyun shakes his head, “I still don’t know how you’re not affected by the cold.”

“Look at who’s talking Mr. I’ll-Break-Code-and-Wear-My-Summer-Clothes,” Yukhei scoffs. Now that he mentions it, Jaehyun is wearing his Hwarang blues, but the white cloth of his sleeves doesn’t look to be the thick linen typically worn during the colder months.

Even if Yukhei was meaning to scold him, you know he means it in the friendliest way possible. Their friendship is wrought with things like this: what seems to be an argument but is really them caring for one another. You can’t help but chuckle at the two.

“Why’re you smiling like that?” Yukhei asks when he catches your expression.

“She probably thinks your face is funny, you should really do something about that…” Jaehyun pokes, a teasing cadence to his voice.

“It’s not that,” you shake your head, “I was just remembering the last time we met each other on your rounds, I was with Yongqin and Jaemin then.” The latter name brings a bitterness to your tongue, still unsure of how to feel about Jaemin and Yuta leaving the Hwarang on such short notice. The two men’s faces turn sour at the mention of their friend.

“I just meant that with everything going on… it makes me a little nostalgic,” you say, trying to shake off the thought.

“The Hwarang’s changed,” Jaehyun nods with a sigh, “Hell, so has everything else. Taeil’s been promoted and all.”

Taeil’s promotion didn’t mean he left the Hwarang entirely, but it meant he traveled often to speak with other generals to speak of the threat of another Baekje plot. Rumors of Buyeo Pung raising an army in Goguryeo had been circulating recently, putting everyone on edge once again. You thought Taeil’s promotion to be a good thing for the Hwarang, yet with Yukhei and Jaehyun’s reaction, they seem less than thrilled.

“We didn’t join to be the Crown’s guard dogs,” Yukhei shakes his head. While the Hwarang had been surface level related to the Crown, only receiving orders when necessary, they now take orders directly.

“How is this going to change for everyone going forward?” You ask the pair, trying to focus on them and not the whirlwinds of conversations happening along the busy street.

“Well, if we really do need to fight against another one of Buyeo Pung’s rebellions, we won’t just be killing off the tail end of his followers. We’ll probably be put on the front lines.” Jaehyun frowns, not too certain what to think of that idea.

“Supposedly, it was Suh Youngho. He’s been making ties to get Baekje back on its feet,” Yukhei’s shoulders shrug, “Because of that I heard some factions of the revivalists are pissed at him because they were trying to win Pung’s favor.”

“He already had a target on his back within the Silla government for being a Baekje revivalist, he’s hated by most of the kingdoms now.” Jaehyun muses, looking up to the sky for a moment. “Until something happens though, I suppose things are going to stay as they are.”

“And they will, it’s not like they can do anything about what the kings want to do,” Yukhei nods. “They’ll only get involved once the king starts asking them to ration their food again to send it off to war.”

As you look around the street, you want to think that he’s right. The city kept thriving even under the threat of another invasion or war… Life continues regardless of what the higher powers of the kingdoms are plotting. You look up to Yukhei, words falling out of you before you can catch them,

“I never realized you were so interested in politics.”

“Didn’t realize?” He looks slightly taken aback, his arms cross over his chest, “What exactly did you think of me?”

“Uhm…” You cough into your hand, looking away from him, “Let’s continue our rounds. It’s nearly winter which means the sun’s going to start setting earlier...”

November 7th, 664 – Shoji Temple, Kingdom of Silla The name Suh Youngho had only been said once before, that you can recall. He seemed to be an instigator for a few of the Baekje-Silla skirmishes as of late and the kingdoms were desperate to find him. Yet, after a few negotiations with Tang and Silla leadership, it seems as if he had betrayed his loyalty to the Silla powers and had begun to help the two allies. You don’t know much about the logistics of it, but when Jisung brings him up, you’re a bit startled by what he says.

“Suh Youngho has been assassinated.” Jisung states the news in the main hall, among the collection of captains who linger there after their morning practice.

“Are you serious?” Jaehyun questions, “Do they know who did it?”

“Could have been someone from Silla or it could’ve been someone from the loyalists,” Yukhei shrugs, “Hell, it could’ve been personal. If it was, I bet it was that Huang guy.”

“If he was going to get killed, I wish I could’ve done it myself,” Yongqin sighs, crossing his arms.

“That’s not very funny, coming from you,” Yukhei frowns as he looks at the other captain. “Weren’t we told to leave him alone?”

You’d never met Youngho, in fact, you barely know who he was or what he did. Yet somehow you feel that his death means something important to the kingdom, as if the already rising unease has skyrocketed.

“You all know the orders to leave him alone came from the Crown,” Jisung nods gravely, “The rest of the kingdom isn’t going to see it that way. A scabbard belonging to a member of the Hwarang was left at the scene of his death. An official investigation by the Guard has been launched.”

“Is a scabbard really enough evidence?” You ask, feeling worry begin to claw its way down your spine.

“If it’s not I’m sure they’ll ‘find’ some more when it comes time,” Jaehyun huffs as he looks back to Jisung, “Who are they saying it belongs to?”

“They actually say it’s yours, Jaehyun.” Jisung frowns as the elder’s eyes widen.

“Really Jeong?” Yongqin sounds somewhat amused, “I wish you’d taken me along.”

“Cut it, Li.” Jaehyun’s voice is sharp as he motions to his waist, “My scabbard’s right here. If they’re going to make shit up they should at least do it better.”

“I don’t suspect you,” Jisung points out and gestures to the others in the room, “I’m sure no one else here does either. Unfortunately, I’m not sure that the rest of the kingdom won’t try to pin the blame on you… I’m sure they’re having trouble finding the real culprit. Those who don’t think it’s you are looking at Huang Renjun, they say that he hired us to kill Suh.” Was that the Huang that Yukhei had mentioned earlier?

“I’m sure most of the king’s chamber are eager to pin this on us though,” Yukhei shakes his head, “Ever since the rumors of Baekje started again, the king only appointed staunchly pro-Royal Guardian and Guard nobles. Unless someone lied though, there’s no way this murder was done by one of us.”

“Unless Taeyong decided to go and do it off the record,” Yongqin notes, a slight smirk on his lips.

“How… is he these days?” Jaehyun asks, a worried expression on his face. The last few times you’d come across him, he seemed to be acting stranger and stranger. Even if you didn’t want to believe it, something like this wasn’t far out of his realm of possibility. Whenever you pass him in the halls, it looks as if he’s hungry, thirsty for blood.

“We’ll have to be careful,” Yukhei says, a hand running through his hair, “If we let people know about the Furies…”

“About that,” Kun interjects as he walks into the room, followed by Taeil. It looks as if he’s going to say something else but the third figure that walks in takes everyone by surprise that whatever the commander is trying to say gets drowned out.

“Yuta?” Yukhei nearly gasps out, “What the hell are you doing here?!”

For a moment, you question whether you’re asleep or not. The man who had just entered the hall was the same man who’d left months ago with Gongmyung and his men, Nakamoto Yuta.

“Yuta,” Jisung says, a smile overcoming him, “What happened with Gongmyung’s organization?”

“Why are you so nonchalant about this?” You ask him as you look to Yuta. “There’s no way the commander would allow someone from Gongmyung’s group here, we’re not even supposed to be talking to them—”

“Just,” Kun sighs out, trying to get the energy in the room to settle, “Let me talk. Starting today, Nakamoto’s returned to the Hwarang.”

“What?” Jaehyun sounds surprised, his once crossed arms falling to his sides. “Hold on, Qian, we’re glad he’s back but… What happened with Gongmyung?”

“You’re mistaken, but understandably so,” Yuta speaks, and you feel a sense of calm wash over you. It’s been too long since you’d heard him last. “I was never one of his supporters.”

“In fact, he joined Gongmyung under Kun’s direct orders,” Taeil says with a coy smile, “As a spy, of sorts.” With the leader’s words, everything begins to make sense.

“I can’t believe you went off and had fun without me,” Yongqin faux pouts at Yuta.

“I’m sorry we had to keep this from you,” Taeil’s head bows down in apology. It’s a surprise for sure, but nonetheless a welcome one.

You give Yuta a small smile but he only sighs and shakes his head, “I’m afraid it’s a bit early to feel relieved.” His gaze turns to Kun, “The last six months have made Gongmyung’s intentions clear. Gongmyung plans to uproot the Hwarang institution in favor of his ideal one.”

“What do you mean by uproot?” Jisung asks with a frown.

“Gongmyung is going to expose the Furies to force the king’s favor,” Kun bites the inside of his cheek as he holds in a scathing retort.

“There’s more,” Yuta adds and glances to Taeil, “They plan to assassinate the Leader of the Hwarang.”

Taeil’s face is tense, gaze hardening as he looks to Kun and waits for him to speak. You feel your stomach drop, not realizing the extent to which Gongmyung hated the Hwarang.

“The Guardians are moving to destroy us,” The commander says and looks to Jaehyun, “You heard about Suh?”

“That they’re trying to pin it on me?” A nod, “Yeah.”

“They’re using it to pin blame on us and to discredit your father,” Kun crosses his arms, “They’ve been spreading the rumor across Seorabeol, even if Huang says that he wasn’t the one who ‘hired’ us, there’s still going to be people who believe it was our doing.” His gaze travels to Yuta, “So, Nakamoto’s going to be guarding Huang for the time being. If it looks like he left and then came back, it won’t be hard for Gongmyung to figure us out.”

A subtle nod from the captain, “Of course.”

The room stays quiet, so quiet that one can hear the wind whistling in from outside. A tension remains taught in the room, anticipatory for what’s to come and the outcome of what it brings.

“Kim Gongmyung…” The name leaves Kun in a hushed murmur, “It’s not enough for him to expose the Fury Corps, but to try and kill Taeil too?” It’s almost as if he’s having a quiet conversation with his former comrade. He shakes his head, drawing his gaze from the floor and looks to the captains, “It’s too bad that it has to end this way, but we have no other choice. Gongmyung dies.”

“It can’t really be helped, can it?” Taeil exhales, nodding solemnly as if to seal the former Deputy Commander’s fate.

“We’ll invite Gongmyung to Taeil’s residence in Seorabeol, I’ll be there too,” Kun begins, his voice low, commanding, “Once he’s dead we’ll use his corpse to lure the rest of his Guardians there and kill them.” He looks to Jaehyun and Yukhei, “I’m assigning both of you and your divisions to this, take care of it.

“Who do you want me to kill?” Yongqin asks, his hand resting atop the hilt of his sword.

“No one, you’re staying here.” When he sees the other beginning to protest, the commander speaks again, “You’ve still got that cough, right? You’re sick. Yuta can keep you company for a few days.”

“So, you’re telling me I can’t participate in the assassination of a person who’s trying to kill our leader?” Yongqin sounds agitated, a bitterness coating his words as he glares at Kun, “You’re a real asshole.”

You don’t realize that you’ve been watching the scene unfold in silent shock until you feel a gentle tap on your shoulder. Turning, you see Yuta standing there, he seems to take in a breath before speaking.

“The Guardians of the Royal Tomb are going to be destroyed after this… If we want Jaemin to return, this is our only chance of getting him back.”

Eyes widening at what he says, he’s right. If the Hwarang mean to kill the Guardians, that includes Na Jaemin.

Sucking in a breath, you look to Kun, “Commander? What are we going to do about Jaemin? He’s a part of the Guardians…”

“Don’t be silly,” Yukhei says easily, “Of course we’ll save hi—”

“If he fights us, he dies.” Kun interrupts, cutting off the captain.

“You can’t mean that—” Heart beginning to pound in your chest, your mind going blank. Is Kun serious? “You’ve known Jaemin for so long, surely you don’t mean that?”

Kun looks as if he wants to push you away, turning on his heels and exiting the main hall swiftly.

“You’re actually going to order them to kill Jaemin?!” You cry out after him, finding yourself following his footsteps, “Just because he left the Hwarang means you don’t care if he lives or dies?!” Before you’re actually able to leave the main hall, a hand grabs the back of your robes and pulls you into the room.

“I know that he wants to save him too,” Taeil’s voice says softly as you turn to face him, his hand letting go of your clothes. “There’s no way he could possibly live with giving the command to kill a friend who was part of our family for years.” His hands clench at his side, so much so his knuckles turn white and you fear his nails have pierced his skin.

In this moment you realize how much each of the Hwarang are suffering with this.

“I’m sorry for saying that,” you bow your head to him after your realization.

“There’s no need,” Taeil sighs, “You’re angry. We all are. It makes me happy though, I’m glad people care about Jaemin.” He lets out a heaving sigh before turning toward Jaehyun and Yukhei, “I’m not asking this as your Leader, but as Moon Taeil… Let Jaemin live, if you can. Try and convince him to rejoin the Hwarang.”

“… Got it,” Yukhei says quickly as Jaehyun takes a moment more to think.

“His life in our hands?” He shakes his head, “That’s a big responsibility.”

“I trust everything’s clear, then?” Taeil asks, scanning the faces of the captains, “If you have questions, now is the best time to ask.”

“…Wait,” you speak up, unable to stop yourself. The leader looks to you as you brace yourself, “I haven’t been given any orders. I want to help.”

“This is an… unseemly job.” Taeil looks at you, brow contorted, “Nothing like Wonweol or Ongsan. You shouldn’t be involved.”

He’s right. This isn’t a mandated order from a higher official, this was the Hwarang’s business alone, a covert and self-righteous one at that. They aren’t meant to guard or patrol, they’re set on murder. Still, you want to do what you can.

“Please, let me be a part of it,” You implore, “I promise I won’t get in the way.”

“This isn’t like anything else you’ve been a part of,” Yukhei says gently, “You understand that, right?”

“We’re killing someone who used to be a Hwarang.” Jaehyun adds soberly, unable to look you in the eye. “And even if we don’t want to, we may end up killing Jaemin.”

“I know it’s serious.” The Hwarang, as prim and proper as they like to see themselves a majority of the time, have carried out these sorts of missions before. There wasn’t any way you could stay with them if you hadn’t known, but this burden was too much to bear alone. “If it’s too presumptuous, please tell me, but I consider myself a member of the Hwarang at this point. And because we’re going through this, I want to help however possible.”

“Tell me then, how do you intend to help?” Taeil’s face has lost its usual warmth. Anger not cruelness takes shape on his expression, but the gravity of the situation at hand seems to age him a handful of years. He seems like a weathered general addressing his troops.

“I want to help with Gongmyung.”

Taeil seems to stare at you, analyzing your thought process with fierce determination.

“Very well then,” he nods once, “You may accompany us.”

November 9th, 664 – Moon Taeil’s Residence, Kingdom of Silla Whether out of courtesy or want to humiliate his former leader, Kim Gongmyung accepts Taeil’s invitation to his home several days after the plan to assassinate him came to be. Moon Taeil and Qian Kun stand at the head of the room, speaking quietly to one another before the sound of approaching footsteps enters the room. You stand in the corner of the dimly lit as Gongmyung walks in, an air of proudness about him.

“Why am I honored with the privilege of being summoned here this evening?” Gongmyung asks, looking around the room. “I can surmise you wish to ask me something?”

“I called on you because I was hoping to have a discussion,” Taeil says with a confident grin, “It’s about the current political climate. You, as well as me, must have seen that we need to come to a consensus on how to move on from here.”

“Let’s save the business talk for later,” Kun says, “Let’s try to get warmed up first.”

You move to sit at the small table set up in the center of the room, several bottles of gokaju littering the tabletop. Kun reaches out to pour Gongmyung a cup, the latter noting this,

“I never thought I’d see the say where Qian Kun pours me a cup of alcohol.”

“Don’t say it like that,” the commander chuckles, “I wasn’t faced with as formal as an education as you, it just took me a bit to learn the proper etiquette. We’ve come to realize that you were right this whole time."

“With your politeness, I can’t help but feel a little… off.” Gongmyung notes as he lifts the glass of gokaju, “You’re not trying to poison me, are you?”

“Don’t trust me?” Kun shakes his head, moving to pour himself a cup before downing it quickly. “Not poisoned, am I?” An eyebrow quirked to the Guardian as he sets down his glass.

“I never meant to offend—” Gongmyung states and sips from his cup.

The three continue to drink, you pouring most of the glasses, with Gongmyung becoming more and more reddened with the amount of alcohol the two Hwarang and you ply him with.

“Are you familiar with Wong Kunhang’s ‘On the State of Being’?” Gongmyung slurs his words together as he speaks to the two, “On what it means to find peace in the life you were given? That was written twenty years ago! Do you know how much has changed since the fall of Baekje?”

“You’re right,” Taeil nods in agreement, “The Crown has implemented so many new things that I can’t quite keep up with it myself.”

“So, you agree!” Gongmyung nods vehemently, “And to add to that, they’re looking for help from the Tang to help educate the troops! And dress like them as well!”

“Is that true?” Taeil asks, looking a bit taken aback.

“Of course, it is, all of my sources are very reliable,” Gongmyung says after downing another cup of gokaju. “If you ask me, this spells out a rocky relationship once this Baekje mess is over. If we leave ourselves with Tang customs, there’ll only be little left of Silla’s own design it its own kingdom!”

“I see…” Kun nods. His lips smile as if he agrees but a different, burning fire behind his eyes tells a different tale. “This means we’ll have to rethink a lot of things, right, Chief?”

“You’re right,” the shock that had once lain on Taeil’s face is gone, replaced with a cheery smile. “Gongmyung, it would be such an honor if you would continue to guide us on such matters in the future.”

“Confucius once said: ‘Gentlemen are undignified if they are frivolous, and they aren’t stubborn after learning.’ So, yes,” Gongmyung nods, “Of course I’ll help you. If you all don’t open your minds to proper knowledge, you’ll just become hard-headed.”

“We may be on different paths, but we are headed for the same destination,” Kun nods, “Your glass seems empty, would you like another drink?”

“Yes, please.” Gongmyung motions towards his empty cup, “This gokaju is very easy to drink.”

“Here you are,” you say, pouring some of the contents of the bottle in your grasp into his drink. There isn’t poison within the alcohol, yet you were making Gongmyung drunk now to murder him later. Although this felt no more different than pouring poison into his glass.

“Your hands are shaking,” Gongmyung notes as you manage to drop a few beads of gokaju onto the table as you pull the bottle away from his glass, “You’re not feeling ill, are you?”

“Ah, don’t worry about him, he’s probably just nervous about speaking to you,” Taeil waves it off with a small laugh.

“Am I that intriguing?” The Guardian chuckles as he looks to you.

“He does have his moments,” Kun says, his eyes flickering to you. “You need a little self-control sometimes.” His subtle message clear: hide your emotions. It had been your choice to be here, the least you can do now is to not screw it up.

“I’m sorry,” you say to Gongmyung and move to wipe up the droplets with your sleeve.

“Oh, don’t be so boring,” Gongmyung laughs, “We’re having fun!”

“Truly a man worthy of distinction,” Taeil nods as he looks to the man.

“You flatter me,” the man sighs out with a smile, “Is there anything else you want to ask me? I can answer anything.”

The minutes turn into hours, Gongmyung is drunk, stumbling to the street as you, Taeil and Kun follow him.

“Thank you for the meaningful conversation,” he says as he spins on his heels, looking towards Taeil. “I’ll take my leave, now.”

“It’s dark out,” Taeil notes the dimness of the street, “Please be careful on your way back home.”

“There’s no one who would dare kill me in Seorabeol,” Gongmyung almost snickers at the thought, drunkenly sauntering away into the darkness of the city’s streets. You watch his silhouette fade into the blackness, noting that it would be the last time you’d see him alive. A hand on your shoulder has you looking away, turning, you see Taeil looking at you.

“…It’s a bitter taste, isn’t it?” The frown on his lips is telling as you sigh.

“It’s the path we chose,” Kun shakes his head, “Our duty. In order for us to do what’s right, sometimes we need to get our hands dirty.” You feel conflicted, unable to say anything as you stand on the quiet street. “This isn’t on you or Moon, though,” the commander says, sensing your unease. “I was the one who orchestrated it, I gave the orders.”

What happened later that night is something you’d rather forget. Gongmyung, too inebriated to walk in a straight line, was quickly killed by the Hwarang waiting for him. But that didn’t end the night. Yukhei was met with a bloody fight outside of the Guardians building, Yongqin was faced with fate at Shoji. For many of the Hwarang, it is a night after which nothing would be the same.

The assassination of Kim Gongmyung and the dissolvement of the Guardians of the Royal Tomb comes to be known as the Samsil Incident. Both the Guardians and the Hwarang were surprised by the sudden appearance of the Royal Guard and the Demons who accompanied them. Both parties had fallen for the trap and the fight was thrown into a mass disarray.

As the battle of Samsil was taking place, the headquarters of the Hwarang came under attack from Lee Donghyuck. Causing the already ill Yongqin to further injure himself fending off the attacker.

The serum that your father brought to the Hwarang seems to only be a cause for worry. Slowly devouring the organization piece by piece. How long until the serum swallows them whole?

December 2nd, 664 – Shoji Temple, Kingdom of Silla Barely a month since Gongmyung’s murder, since the Samsil Incident and the return of Jaemin and Yuta, but the Hwarang feels nothing like it once was. A looming, dark atmosphere hangs over the headquarters. Many men had lost their lives or had been injured due to Donghyuck’s attack, even more had been wounded in the fight of Samsil, Jaemin being one of them. Several of the wang-do had seen him almost succumb to the injuries he’d sustained during the battle, due to this, he was pronounced dead but joined the Fury Corps shortly after. Yuta hadn’t been wounded, but many of the Hwarang began to call him a coward.

To them, his betrayal of leaving the Hwarang still runs deep, worsened as they saw him leaving the Guardians to change his fate. You see no reason why he shouldn’t correct them: he’d left to help the Hwarang, not deceive them. He claims that he’ll keep quiet on the matter, as to not tarnish both Taeil and Kun’s names, who had ordered him to join Gongmyung. Due to this, it has been decided that Yuta will leave Shoji for the time being, until the hot-headed tempers of some of the Hwarang recede. He’s been sent to protect Huang Renjun, a Tang noble residing in the northern part of the kingdom.

The Samsil Incident was in no small terms a turning point for the Hwarang. For the men who knew only the surface level details, it seems as if it were just a battle between the Hwarang and their former comrades. Those better informed know that it is the causation due to a culminating fear of another Baekje rebellion. Suh Youngho’s death solidified that as truth. And further still: the Hwarang are the only ones who know of the Demons, and Jaemin’s transformation into a Fury. They’re the only ones who know Yongqin’s illness has gotten worse.

Such an event riled the compound, a moment of silence scarce in the days following the battle. Feeling as you would only be in the way during this time, you keep to your room.

You’re sitting cross-legged at your desk, wondering if writing your thoughts down may help you try and conceptualize this all, when your door opens without a knock.

“Thank goodness you’re here,” Taeyong says as he steps into your room. “If you’d left, I wouldn’t have been able to search for you.”

“Taeyong?” You look up to him, confused at his appearance. “It’s daytime, are you okay?”

“Yes, yes,” Taeyong nods his head, his voice sounding a little frantic. “I just had a revelation and had to share it with you immediately.” His eyes glitter with… a dangerous curiosity and you feel spindly cold fingers of dread scratch down your back.

“Why me?” Questioning carefully, “Wouldn’t you want to tell the Chief or Commander first?”

“…Well, it has to be you.” A small frown pulling at his lips, “Won’t you listen to me?” Although in the form of a question, the way he asserts himself lets you know you have no choice. “Sooyoung claimed you are from a Demon family, right?” He doesn’t allow you to respond before he begins to speak. “And as a Demon, you’re stronger, faster and more resilient than a human. Their superiority over humans was clearly displayed during their most recent attack.”

“I understand that,” you nod slowly, “But what are you trying to say?”

“A Demon possesses more power than the average human, it follows that the blood of a Demon possesses that power as well,” His deductions begin to unsettle you, despite that, he continues, “Perhaps even potent enough to counteract the madness of the Furies.”

You’re unsure how the pimul works, but Taeyong’s explanation seems logical, even if he’s somewhat frenetic about it.

“Since before I became a Fury, I’ve been researching on how the serum works, I know more about it than anyone here.” Taeyong pauses and shakes his head, “Yet, I still have yet to discover the exact composition of it. I hypothesize, however, that a core ingredient is fresh blood… And I’m assuming not from a human. Perhaps there are Demons or Demon-like beings roaming throughout the other kingdoms.”

“So…” You trail off, still not able to follow him completely.

Taeyong takes a step closer to you, falling to his knees as you continue to sit at your desk, “Your very existence could save the Fury Corps… No,” He shakes his head, “The entirety of the Hwarang.” His eyes turn sharp, piercing, even, as he looks at you. The barest trace of mania in his voice as he confesses his thoughts. His hand reaches for the sword at his hip, calmly and carefully drawing it from the scabbard.

There seems to be no madness or bloodlust in his movements, but that only serves to terrify you even more.

“I’m not going to kill you,” He tries to reassure you, but your heart’s beating too quickly and your limbs feel too heavy to move away from him, “I just want a sample of your blood…” Taeyong begins to rise to his feet, that’s when you find yourself mirroring him, taking a step or two backwards to distance yourself from him.

The blade glimmers in the sunlight as he raises it, raising it towards you before you hear a shout from the hallway.

“Taeyong what the hell are you doing?!” Kun bursts into the room, quickly looking from the colonel to you as if to gauge the situation. “What’s going on here? Of all people, you should know not to draw your sword on someone in the compound, have you lost it?”

“Kun,” Taeyong smiles when he sees him, “Please, give me a hand here. Convince her to cooperate with us.”

With an assertive quiet, Kun steps between you and Taeyong. “Personal conflicts are forbidden, the O Gye apply to even us captains.”

The colonel stares at Kun for a moment, and then another before begrudgingly sheathing his sword.

“Did she do something to upset you?” Kun asks one it seems as if Taeyong’s cooled down.

“I’m searching for a way to treat the madness caused by becoming a Fury, for the good of us all,” Taeyong says simply, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword.

“And that means you have to cut her?”

“It’s not like I’m going to kill her,” Taeyong frowns and shakes his head, “I only need a little of her blood. We lost so many Furies during the attacks, many of our human wang-do as well. If we are to effectively use the men we have left— We need to find a way to temper their madness. Surely you understand this, Kun.”

“The code says we’re to trust one another,” His gaze hardens at the colonel, “It doesn’t look like she’s very trusting of you right now. No matter your reasoning, I cannot condone this if either party is unwilling, or coerced into submitting.”

“It’s not as if she’s one of the Hwarang,” Taeyong points out.

“Maybe not, but she’s been here long enough to might as well be one.” The two continue to stare at each other for a while, their stubbornness present at the matter.

Taeyong eventually sighs, “It isn’t like you to be this soft. I’ll leave for now. But if we don’t find a way to suppress the side effects of the pimul… Even Jaemin will suffer like the rest.” He leaves on that note, you don’t exhale until you hear his footsteps wane away into nothing.

Kun hums, looking at the door and then turning to you, “Are you okay?”

“Oh, yes,” You nod, “Thank you…”

“Nothing to thank me for,” He bows his head, “I was making sure he was adhering to our code.” His gaze returns to the door, “In the past, he wouldn’t have challenged me like that.”

A slow nod as your eyes find the door, lingering there for a moment. It’s turn, Taeyong had been acting more and more strange lately. He would never have drawn his sword aggressively, or demanded things from you without consulting the other Hwarang first. “… I’m sorry.”

“Is something wrong with you?” Kun questions, his attention turning rapt to you, “There isn’t anything to be apologetic for.”

“The reason he was acting like that…” You frown, “Because Donghyuck destroyed the Fury Corps.”

Kun seems to reflect on this for a moment before responding, “I think you’re confused.”

“Lee Donghyuck has allied himself with our enemies, be it in the court or Baekje. If an enemy attacks us, it’s known that we’re going to put our lives on the line to stop them.” There’s conviction in his voice yet you cannot help the guilt that invades you.

“It isn’t your sole duty to protect me, though.”

“What are you trying to say?” His arms cross as he tilts his head, “Want us to hand you over to the Demons in the hopes they’ll spare our lives? Just because they’re more powerful than us? That isn’t how we work.” Kun’s confident in his claim, and you feel no way to object to it. Even if he won’t say it, having you leave the compound would make their live exponentially less dangerous, it would be a violation of the values they pride themselves in upholding.

“I’m sorry if what I said was out of line,” apologizing once more, you bow your head.

“I already told you to stop apologizing, don’t make me repeat myself,” He murmurs under his breath, timidly looking in your direction. “The next time something like this happens, tell me. Don’t keep it to yourself.”

“I understand,” you look to him ands nod. Kun then turns to leave, but there’s one thing left you have to say. “Commander…”

He stops and looks back to you, “Is there something else?”

“Is there anything I can help you all with?” With Taeil busy with the Crown, Yuta protecting Huang Renjun and Kun himself tirelessly working, you feel wrong not aiding in some way.

“Help?” He sounds almost incredulous. Had he become upset at your question?

“It could be anything…”

The silence stretches throughout the room, saturating the space for a moment.

“You may be more discreet that some of our men…” He seems to muse for a second, “Brush and paper.”

“Huh?” You ask, looking at him with confusion.

“Do you have a brush and paper?” Kun asks as he glances around your room.

“Of course,” you reply and quickly rummage around your room for the materials. After a few moments you gather the items and he sits at the desk in your room, staying silent as he quickly begins to draw. It looks to be a rudimentary map of sorts, having you question, “What is… that?” He ignores you and continues to draw.

“Yuta is in Noseo-dong guarding Renjun, right?”

“Right,” you nod, looking down to the paper.

“I want you to visit him,” Kun says before gently blowing air onto the ink, hoping to dry it faster. “Do you think you can? You won’t stand out as much as one of our men.”

“Yes, of course,” You say enthusiastically, excited to do something, and even more overjoyed that it’s especially catered to you.

“I drew you a map,” He says, lifting the edges of the paper and handing it to you, “So you don’t get lost.” Without it, you may have, only really knowing the select routes several of the captains’ patrol when it’s your turn.

“I’ll get going, then.” Taking the parchment into your grasp, you begin to turn on your heels towards the door before the commander stops you.

“It’ll be hard to deliver a message you haven’t heard…” His voice stops you in your tracks and you whip around to face him, “I know it’s been a while since you’ve been out, but you’re getting a little too excited.”

“I’m sorry!” Exclaiming with widened eyes as you look at him.

As you speak, he quickly writes something down on another piece of parchment, he lets it dry for a moment, carefully folding the paper before handing it to you. “This is a letter for Nakamoto, make sure you don’t drop it… or lose it.”

“I’ll be very careful,” you say as the parchment folds in your grasp, “Is there anything you want me to say to him?”

“Everything I need to say is in that letter,” he nods, glancing to the paper.

“I’ll be off then,” you state and hurriedly leave the room, anxious to begin your mission.

The streets of Seorabeol are busy once again, the crowds closely knit together, not allowing you any space to slide past the throng of bodies. Kun’s map, unfolded haphazardly in your hands, guides you to Noseo-dong and leads you through several side streets, winding your way around the district until you come upon one of the most unassuming inns you have ever seen. On the map, Kun had written that Yuta’s name should be under ‘Yukkuri’.

Making your way inside, you walk to who you presume to be the innkeeper, you ask to speak with your friend and they’re off, Yuta walking out shortly after.

“A Ca—I mean Yukkuri,” you say with a nod, “I’m sorry for bothering you.”

“Oh,” he says, almost genuinely surprised, “I didn’t realize they’d send you.”

“I’m sure you weren’t expecting someone as inexperienced,” You give out a short laugh.

“No,” he shakes his head to dismiss your thought, “I was only surprised. I expected to receive new orders soon, but I didn’t expect that you’d be the one to deliver them.”

“Ah, well, I asked if there was anything to do to help and…” You mutter, reaching for the letter you’d tucked away on your belt.

“I can see the commander’s thinking,” Yuta muses and reaches out to take the parchment, “It’s a good plan. Any other Hwarang would’ve drawn unnecessary attention to this place. The new members can’t be trusted yet, too. You, on the other hand, can move unnoticed, and your loyalty is beyond question. He really did make the best choice.”

The captain’s explanation makes you realize how much Kun had thought the plan through, not merely giving you the task on a whim.

Yuta then unfolds the letter, scanning its contents before lighting it on a nearby lantern and watching the paper disintegrate into ash on the ground.

“Uh, Captain Li?” You begin but he cuts you off.

“Yukkuri.”

“Ah, right. Yukkuri,” you retract your words and begin anew, “Is it okay to burn that?”

“I’ve read it and know what it says,” his shoulders shrug, “There’s no reason to leave evidence lying around. Thank you for delivering it.”

By the time you return to Shoji, the sun has already dipped below the horizon, dusk coolly falling onto the compound as the bite of winter sinks its teeth into you. Breath coming out in short puffs only to quell as you enter the main hall, you find the space empty. You’re surprise, hoping to see at least one of the captains loitering around, but none are present. So, you make your way to Kun’s quarters to report that you’d succeeded in handing the letter off to Yuta.

“Commander?” You ask, knocking on his door.

“Come in,” you hear after a moment and open the door, stepping into his room. His room still lay adorned with documents as he sits at his desk, the glow of the lantern in the corner of his room providing a shimmering light onto him. “Thank you for taking care of that,” Kun says as he looks up to you from his work, “How was Yuta?”

“He’s his usual self,” simply said as he nods his head.

“That’s good,” a sigh and you wonder what’s come over him. His mood seems more sour than when you left him earlier in the day.

“I’m sorry,” you say, unsure of how to go on with your conversation.

“What do you mean?” His brow furrows, “Did you lose the letter? Or did you not even make it to the inn?”

“Nothing like that—”

“Then why did you apologize?”

“I thought you’d be angry since I’d taken so long to get back…” You lead off, eyes breaking from his gaze and settling on the floor.

He sighs, as if relieved what you said wasn’t dire, “I’m not mad at you. It may surprise you that I have other things to worry about than just you.”

“Oh of course,” You say quickly, “I never meant to imply that— ”

Kun’s expression softens and he gives a short chuckle, shaking his head as he tries to contain himself. It does warm you a bit, knowing that he isn’t as worked up as you thought him to be.

“If you don’t mind me asking, why were you so upset earlier?”

“As you know,” he sighs, “the have been some issues in the Hwarang. Things are becoming more strained with the higher-ups as well.

“The higher-ups?”

“Ah, you’re practically one of us so I should tell you,” the happiness from seconds ago fades as his brow furrows, “Word is, Buyeo Pung is on the move again, this time backed by Goguryeo.” Does this mean that there would be a bigger battle than that of Baekgang or Ongsan? Kun’s lips purse and he shakes his head, “We’re not sure of their movements until they strike first. Then again, it’s not like worrying about it will do any of us good.” With each sentence, there’s another sigh, knowing the decisions made now will impact the whole of the Hwarang in the future.

“Is there anything else I can do to help?”

“Was running off to Noseo-dong not enough for you?” He questions with a piqued eyebrow.

“No… But if the Hwarang need help, I feel more than obliged to lend a hand.”

“You know what?” His eyes lingering on his paperwork, “No matter how much you work, you’re different than Yuta, Minhyung, or Shotaro. And you wouldn’t be able to do the dirty work that I give Yukhei or Jaehyun, either. Assigning duties to my men isn’t as easy as I’d like it to be.” Every one of his words feels like a knife to your gut, even if he has a point.

“I understand that I’m not a warrior like the rest of you,” you begin with a deep breath, “But I see how hard everyone is working and it makes me feel bad if I just sit around and don’t do anything.” Head bowing and your eyes looking to the floor, “Just let me help out in any way I can…”

Kun sits quietly for a moment before sighing out a “Damn…”, you hear him move to stand, his footsteps nearing you and his hand gently placed under your chin. His hand raises your face until your eyes are locked with his, the proximity of him so close to you sets your skin on fire. The commander’s eyes seem to pierce through you, the intensity churning your stomach.

“You say that you want to help,” he says as you nod your head, his hand still planted under your chin, “Why?” You can’t find the words immediately, and as you think, he speaks again, “Is it because you want to make a name for yourself? Or do you want us to recognize your efforts and reward you accordingly?”

“That’s not it,” confidence riddled in those three words as you speak.

“Then why put yourself through all of this?”

“For everything you all have done for me…” You frown, the pads of his fingertip’s abrasive on the underside of your chin. “There were times you all put your life on the line, people got hurt… The Hwarang have protected me time and time again. I just want to give back. I don’t want to regret anything anymore.”

Kun’s hand falls away from you and he sighs, speaking with a low voice, “Then stop bowing so easily. You think you’re right. Why apologize if you believe yourself to be true?” Your eyes widen at his words, slowly realizing what he’s trying to convey. “If you believe in something then never yield to someone else. Hold your head up high and walk tall, you won’t win if you can’t even see the prize because you’re looking down at your feet.”

His words spark something in you, an understanding of his mindset and aptitude towards life. So, you look at him, trying to match your gaze’s intensity with the blooming fires behind his eyes.

“I want to help. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”

A small smile flickers onto Kun’s lips as he takes a step back from you, “If you want to help so much, how about you make some tea?”

“Alright,” you nod assertively, and the smile lingers on the commander’s face.

“The fate of the Hwarang rests on this tea, you know.”

“Leave it to me!” You say loudly, brushing past him and out of the room, racing as fast as you can towards the kitchen. Yet, before you leave, you can hear Kun mumble to himself,

“What’ll happen to us now…”

December 11th, 664 – Jeong Seokmin’s Residence, Kingdom of Silla Baekje is trying to restore itself once more. News from Goguryeo solidifies King Munmu’s fears a few days into December, after a skirmish breaks out on the Silla-Goguryeo front. At first it was thought to be Goguryeo troops, but with Buyeo Pung leading the charge himself, it’s quickly realized that the kingdom is once again trying to establish itself.

More and more soldiers begin to flock to Seorabeol in anticipation of the oncoming onslaught, purges of Baekje loyalists once again resume and a tension lies in the air as if a cord is about to snap and set everything loose. With each passing day, news comes from the north of the collecting armies, as well as from the east, where former Baekje citizens have begun to rebel against the Silla leadership. As the Crown draws in its allies, seeking out aid from Tang once more, they call upon the Hwarang to aid in the upcoming battle.

The Hwarang reside at Jeong Seokmin’s residence, Jaehyun’s father’s home a little way outside of the city. While his father remains locked in the capital as plans are drawn, the residence is being used as a base of operations for the Hwarang, and not just those from Seorabeol.

“Everyone!” A voice shouts from the outer courtyard of the home, a wang-do bursting into the main room, sweat dotting their brow and his eyes looking frantic. “The Chief’s been shot!”

There were no witnessed, and the culprit escaped unnoticed. The motives unsure.

“What the hell?” Yukhei frowns, “What asshole uses a bow in the city?” The captain leaves the residence shortly after collecting a group of men to survey the scene of where Taeil had been attacked.

The arrow pierced the leader’s right shoulder, the head lodging into bone and shattering it. It requires more treatment than you can provide.

The sun had gone down when the door to the main room opens again, Taeyong striding in the room, looking surprised to see you. “You’re still awake?”

“Colonel Lee…” You note, “If you need to use this room I’ll leave.”

“I don’t mind,” he shakes his head, “Rather, I think it’s best that you stay here.” His words confusing, anxiousness rising in your stomach as you recall the last time you’d been alone with him.

Just as he finishes speaking, the captains of the Hwarang file into the room, somber expressions dotting their faces. Your anxiousness only continues to heighten.

“… Looks like everyone’s here,” Kun muses as the door is closed to allow you all a bit of privacy.

“Where’s Yongqin?” Taeyong asks, scanning the faces for the missing captain.

“He shouldn’t hear this,” Kun shakes his head, “If he learns about Moon, he wouldn’t think twice about his safety and run off to find vengeance.”

“But if that’s what he wants, why wouldn’t you let him?” Taeyong points out, “Again, being too kind, Kun.”

“What did you want from us?” Jaehyun’s voice rises, directed towards the colonel. “We don’t know when the fighting’s going to start, for all of us to be here right now… Don’t tell me—”

“It’s exactly that.” Taeyong nods. “I asked you to come with the intention of giving you something.” In his hands, you now see, is a bundle of cloth that he slowly unwraps before you all. What you see makes you take in a sharp breath of air.

“Pimul?” Yuta frowns, eyeing the vials of red liquid in the colonel’s hands.

“As captains of the Hwarang, we took on the risks of researching this,” a slow nod, “In doing so, it’s necessary for us to take responsibility for this experiment. Especially if any of you become injured and unable to fight. Or in the worst case, there’s a possibility that you may lose your own life.” Moving the vials to one hand, he picks up one in his other and examines it in the lanternlight of the room, “I know for certain that this serum will be of use to you.”

“Colonel…” Yukhei says slowly, “Are you trying to experiment on us too?”

“I know your hesitation,” Taeyong snips, dropping the vial back into the pile with an audible clink, “But under our current circumstances, we cannot afford to lose any more of our captains.”

“Fuck that,” Yukhei frowns, “I don’t want to depend on that shit to survive.” With that, he storms past the group of captains with heavy footfalls, swinging open the door before leaving.

“Maybe this would be something of a good luck charm…” Jisung suggests, his eyes warily looking over the vials. “I hope it never comes to the point where we use the serum.” Taeyong extends the pile to the captains.

“I don’t think I’ll use it,” Jaehyun murmurs as both he and Yuta pick up a vial, “but I’ll keep it just in case…”

Until this moment, Kun had remained silent, listening to Taeyong’s speech.

“Take responsibility, huh?” Eyes looking troubled, the commander reaches for a vial and pockets it, almost as if he doesn’t want to acknowledge its presence, “Maybe you’re onto something.”

“I believe that’s all I have to say for tonight.” Taeyong nods as he folds the now empty cloth, “I hope this courtesy doesn’t go to waste.” After he finishes, the captains slowly file out, leaving you alone with Taeyong once more.

“I’m sure you’re aware of this,” He sighs and looks to you, “But don’t let any word of this reach the other Hwarang, do I make myself clear?”

Nodding your head timidly, the colonel stays for another moment before leaving.

The serum that your father created now lies in the hands of the Hwarang captains. The serum that had entrenched them into the world of Demons and a life they should never have had to think about.

December 16th, 664 – Jeong Seokmin’s Residence, Kingdom of Silla “We still haven’t figured out who shot the Chief?”

“I bet you anything it was some of those Guardian bastards!”

“No way, it was probably the Baekje loyalists—”

Ever since the attack on Moon Taeil, the atmosphere at Jeong Seokmin’s residence had been wrought with speculation and tension. This tension ever more present as you step into the main room with a tray of tea for the captains.

“Thanks,” Jaehyun says as you enter, “Can you just leave it here?”

A nod as you set down the tray, it seems as if you’d walked in on an important discussion.

“What’s the plan, then?” Yukhei questions whomever he’d been speaking to. “Gaozong wants power in exchange for helping us, but they’re also hoping not to get as involved as they were at Baekgang. They know a war’s coming and they’re trying to extort Munmu for all he’s worth.”

“I’m not saying that you’re wrong,” Kun sighs out from the head of the table. “There’s nothing you or I could do about that though. We follow the Crown and not Gaozong.”

“In regard to sending our men to the front line…” Shotaro speaks up, “Colonel Lee’s been pushing to implement the Furies.”

“I disagree with that,” Jaehyun frowns, “This is war, not a massacre. There’s going to be both enemies and allies on the field, we won’t be able to control them. It’s not that they’re not powerful, it’s just too risky.”

“Agreed,” Yukhei nods, crossing his arms as he leans back in his seat, “And inhumane too.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Yuta questions, looking to the captain. “If you’re so vehemently against it, you should offer an alternative.”

“We’re working on that.” Yukhei grumbles, his voice raising, “If it were so easy do you think we’d be in this mess?”

“Commander,” Shotaro looks to Kun, “What do you think?”

“… Let me think.” A deep exhale from Kun as he straightens himself in his seat, “We need to know the movements of Baekje before anything else, as well as prioritize what the Crown wants and, inadvertently, what Tang wants as well.” With the war inching closer and Taeil’s injury, everyone in the Hwarang had been and is still on edge.

You leave the meeting sometime after then, never finding out what solution the men had come to. Later in the day, as the sunk sinks over the horizon, you find yourself at Yongqin’s door, anxious to check on his condition.

“Captain Li?” You ask, gently opening the door and stepping inside, “How are you—huh?” Upon entering, you find that Jaemin had come along to keep the captain company as well.

“What are you doing up so late?” Jaemin asks as he looks to you.

“What do you mean?”

“Well um… people may get the wrong idea if a girl visits a man’s room at night…” The young captain trails off, obviously flustered.

“You know that Yongqin and I aren’t…”

Jaemin laughs, “Yeah, yeah… That’s not really your kind of thing, is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“What do you mean ‘what do you mean?’?” Jaemin snickers, “Come on…”

“Why are you here?” Yongqin, not seeming to be in a playful mood, cuts into the conversation, “I assume you have a reason for visiting me?”

“Oh, yes, well… I came to check up on you.” Returning to the reason you’d come in the first place, you look to the captain, “Are you feeling okay? Is there anything I can get you?”

“Of course not,” his expression bitter, “Look at what’s going on.” After a moment of silence, he speaks to you, “Is that all? You can go now.” His aggression taking you by surprise, you falter for another moment before coming to your senses to bring up what had been bothering you.

“Do you all know?” Another pause, “That Colonel Lee wants to… use the Furies.”

“Of course…” The grin that was adorning Jaemin’s face drops.

“If you were him,” Yongqin sighs, “Wouldn’t you want to do the same? They need numbers or they’ll never make a name for themselves. I mean, it’s a given once they can’t function anymore, they’ll need to be cut off.”

“Cut off…”

“We’re not all good-doers,” the captain shakes his head, “we can’t go around giving food to everyone we see who needs it. I mean, yeah, you mooched off of us for years, but that was entirely your good luck. Don’t forget that.”

“I guess you have a point…”

“Yongqin you’re being a bit of a jackass,” Jaemin frowns at the other captain. “It was our fault she was brought to the Hwarang.”

Yongqin sneers at the statement, clearly unmoved, he continues his grievances. “And what the hell is Kun doing? He should be kicking himself in the ass for not apprehending the men that hurt Moon.” A frustrated sigh, “If I weren’t—If I weren’t like this, I’d go out and do it myself.”

His bedrest is clearly getting to him. He’d known Taeil, long before either of them had joined the Hwarang.

“What do you think, Jaemin?” A glance towards the other as you ask.

“Me? I, uhm, well…” He hums, “I did drink the serum but… I was worried about what would happen to me. Taeyong wants more men in the Fury Corps, says we’ll never win otherwise. But I don’t like the idea of forcing the Hwarang to join us, even if they’ve broken our code.” The demeanor he has is unlike the one you remember from when you’d first met him, it’s cold and stern. Recalling how he used to be, a sadness overcomes you.

“No matter what Taeyong says, it’s Kun that makes the call.” Yongqin says, crossing his arms.

“You’re right.” Jaemin says, a frown pulling at him, “But the Corps already exists, it’s not like we can pretend it doesn’t.”

“Then maybe we should use them, then.” Yongqin mumbles, “They can hold a sword, at least.”

The power of the Furies is something that would ultimately be beneficial to the Hwarang, should they need to utilize their power for the war effort. Yet, once the war was over… You struggle to think of what would be done with them after. Fearing the answer, you don’t press the matter further.

December 17th, 664 – Jeong Seokmin’s Residence, Kingdom of Silla It should be no surprise to you by now that an unexpected visitor, be it friend or foe, should stop in on you at any time now. Such an occasion occurs, with a friend, this very morning.

“It’s been too long,” Sooyoung’s voice calls out to you as you walk outside the front gate of the Jeong residence, one of the captains had alerted you to her and Seulgi’s presences and you came as quickly as you could.

“What brings you here?” You ask, an inquisitive tilt of your head.

“We have business with your leader, could you go and get him for us?” Seulgi responds, glancing towards the interior doors of the home.

“Oh… the Chief isn’t really in good condition to meet with people, I could go and get the Commander—”

“That’ll do fine as well,” Sooyoung nods with a smile before you’re off to summon Kun.

After you’d let the two women inside, as well as summoned the commander, the four of you stand in the main hall. Kun looks over the two warily before crossing his arms, “This is unexpected, to say the least. What do you want?”

“I apologize for intruding again, but it’s important that I speak to you.” Sooyoung begins, her expression turning stony as she speaks to the commander, “I’ve come to discuss your… Furies.”

You’d been about to excuse yourself to make tea for the group, but upon hearing Sooyoung’s statement, you freeze in place. Kun seems to tense as well, a downward curvature of his lips etching into his face. “I won’t waste your time or mine—how long do you intend to keep them in your service?”

“What do you mean?” Crossed arms, stern gaze, the signs that Kun is on the defensive yet again.

“You’ve kept them imprisoned here long enough; I think you know what I’m saying.” Her words turn bitter midway through her statement, “Even the Crown has admitted to this failed experiment. They are too much for the Hwarang to handle. With Donghyuck on your trail, it would be best for you to wash your hands of them.”

“Is it up to you to decide if they’re a failure or not?” Kun questions, letting out a sigh, “We’ve done our research, I’m not sure you have the authority to judge us.”

“Then are you aware that the Hwarang’s Furies have been murdering people on the streets to test their strength?” Seulgi asks, her gaze narrowing at Kun.

His eyes go wide, muttering a “What?” before looking to her. For a split second, his veneer of put togetherness fades and confusion and worry situates itself on his brow. And then it’s gone, his composure returning and frown reappearing.

“Where did you hear that?”

“There’s no reason for me to tell you…” Seulgi states, “My sources are reliable, and that’s all you need to know. Your job is to protect Seorabeol, is it not? And yet you let your men who’ve succumbed to madness wander its streets and kill its civilians. It disgusts me, Commander.” Her eyes bore into Kun’s, “Before all of Silla knows of your failure, I strongly suggest you disband your Fury Corps.”

Her logic is sound, no matter how scathing she is towards the Furies. The room falls silent, you can almost hear Kun’s thoughts racing in his head.

Sooyoung stops him, however, speaking up, “We can quiet this conversation for a moment, there’s something else I would like to address.” With that, she looks to you, “Will you still not leave with us?” The question simple, her eyes wide, “I know we spoke of this before, but with the current climate… I fear your safety here is jeopardized more and more with each passing day.”

You know that war is coming, everyone in the room does. Yet to hear Sooyoung insinuate it adds even more weight to it all.

“Are you suggesting that we can’t handle it?” Kun says, anger tinged to his words.

“The truth is hard to accept sometimes,” Sooyoung turns to him, “If Lee Donghyuck shows up, can you protect her? If he comes while you’re amid battle to take her away, can you protect her then?” She’s angry, her tone rising as the commander stays quiet, “She’s a Demon, not a human. She should be with her kind; we can protect her.” Looking back to you, she pleads, “If you’re with us then their entire effort can go towards the war and battles to come.”

Each word is a blow to your chest, guilt wrought upon you for even thinking that your presence among the Hwarang wasn’t detrimental to them. Meeting with Kun’s gaze says nothing, he averts his eyes as you’re left to make a decision.

You’re sure Sooyoung is right, yet you can’t find the words to say that.

“What do you say?” Sooyoung asks, her voice returning to a normal, soft level. You know she wants what’s best for you, even if her means aren’t the kindest towards those you’ve begun to hold dear to you.

Kun, however, sees right through you.

“You don’t want to leave, do you?” The question is simple as it leaves him, and he knows your answer before you even say it. “Then don’t, stay. There isn’t much else to think about if your mind’s already set.”

“Is that really okay?” The implication behind you staying is far more dangerous than that of you leaving. Is Kun saying that he wants you to stay?

“I’m not going to repeat myself.” He shakes his head, “What proof do we have that they can keep your secret any better than we can? If that bastard’s after you too—Well, if we’ve got the same enemy, wouldn’t it make sense to stick together?”

“So… I can stay?”

“What kind of question is that?” Voice gruff as he huffs out, “If you were as much of a pain in the ass as you think yourself to be, I would’ve kicked you out years ago.”

A smile, small and timid, curling your lips, “Thank you, Commander.”

The four of you disperse moments later, you leading Sooyoung and Seulgi to the front gate of the home before the first woman stops you just as you reach the gate.

“So,” she says with an apologetic tone, “You’ve turned me down again, haven’t you?”

“I appreciate your offer,” a nod of your head, “but my place is here.”

“It’s alright,” another apologetic smile, “If you’re so determined to stay then there’s no way I would’ve gotten you to leave with me… And… When you told me that you were staying because you were, ah, interested in someone, did you mean the Commander?”

You’re not sure how to answer that question.

“To be honest,” you begin, the toe of your shoe scraping atop the dirt of the ground, breath coming out in puffs of white air, “I don’t know him all too well, but…” The words stutter out of you, not sure how to explain yourself or because you, too, cannot comprehend your feelings towards the Hwarang. “The men here call him the Demon Commander because of his harshness and strict nature, a lot of people think he’s cold because of that… But I think it’s his way of showing kindness, there’s warmth there that isn’t seen too often yet…” You don’t realize that you’re rambling as you continue, “He’s responsible for most of the Hwarang, it’s not like he has a choice whether he can act like that or not, either. I’m not sure what I can do for him, but I’d like to stay and do whatever I can.”

“He really has you wrapped around his finger,” Sooyoung hums to herself, “Not that I think he sees that, though…” After giving her a confused look, she continues, “They say my ancestor fell in love with a human and followed him to the capital, I’m their granddaughter so I suppose I can understand where you’re coming from… Rank and circumstance, whether human or Demon, mean little before the eyes of love.”

Wait. Wait… “What?” You squeak out, “Love?! I never—Sooyoung I never said I love him.”

Her hand only finds your shoulder as she sighs and continues, “A human and a Demon, there’s something romantic about that, I think… Don’t think it’s destined to fail, either.”

“Sooyoung…” Seulgi calls out, probably to save you from dying of embarrassment, “We should get going.”

“Ah,” her hand lifted from your shoulder, “You’re right.” The Demon looks to you, “Take care of yourself, please. Don’t underestimate Lee Donghyuck, he’s more powerful than I’d like to imagine.” A slow nod as she sighs, “If you need to contact me, please send a letter to Seulgi.”

“Thank you, Sooyoung.” And with that, the pair are gone through the front gate. Your mind, however, lingers on Sooyoung’s words. Rank and circumstance mean little before the eyes of love… But was your desire to be close to Kun that? You want to be around him, to help him… The most important thing for him is the Hwarang, he’d invested his life into this organization, put everything he is into it. With war on the horizon, he doesn’t have the time to think of anything else.

As dusk descends on the compound, you find that the men of the Hwarang are ravenous. You would expect nothing less from men who spend their days training and patrolling and spend their nights doing the same as well. Any food given is gone as soon as it reaches their plate and you offer any that you have, finding yourself forgoing dinner tonight in favor of a younger member of the Hwarang getting a meal.

With pangs of hunger rattling through you, you decide to stave it off by going to the kitchens to either drink some water or make yourself some tea. Your hands gently clenching at your stomach as you walk, you almost don’t hear the voice behind you.

“Was that your stomach?” Turning, you see the Hwarang’s Commander stopped to look at you, “I know the wang-do ate all of the food, did they not leave you any?”

“I’ll eat later,” you nod, fingers still at your sides as you try to stop another growl from escaping your gut. “I’m alright.”

“I didn’t ask if you were alright,” arms folding across his chest, “I asked if you’ve eaten.”

“Well, um,” a shake of your head, “no, not yet.”

“Really,” he huffs, almost incredulously, as he reaches for the bag slung around his shoulder. He rummages around inside of it for a moment before grabbing something and tossing it to you. Unwrapping it from the cloth, you find that it’s one of the balls of rice that you’d made for the captains.

“Commander, this is yours—”

“Just eat it,” he grits his teeth and the two of your gazes settle on the disputed food. After a moment of silence, he sighs and moves to break it in half, “Don’t tell me you’re rejecting my kindness… If we halve it will it make you feel better?” Taking his half in his free hand, he offers the other chunk out to you.

You grab your half, “… Thank you.”

The two of you eat in silence, before Kun speaks again, “Stop worrying so much about the other men and eat what you deserve. Okay?”

“I’ll be sure to do that next time…” you nod as your hand drops to your side after finishing the food.

“I wasn’t trying to lecture you,” Kun’s voice goes soft before muttering, “… thanks.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll let the men eat what they want and get my own food another time,” you shake your head, “They need it more than me—”

“I wasn’t talking about that,” he coughs to clear his throat, “I meant to say thanks for staying. You decided to stay with us.”

Was the commander happy that you decided not to go with Sooyoung?

“What’s with the funny face?” The commander asks and you feel a swell of emotion come over you. “Was that not enough food?”

“No, no,” you shake your head, “It was fine.”

Kun nods as he tucks the cloth back into his bag and looks towards the entrance of the home, “I’m going to leave you in charge for now before I go out on my rounds. Take care of this place, okay?” There’s a small smile on his lips as he asks you.

“Of course,” you say, returning the smile. And with that, the commander turns on his heels and strides out of the front entrance to the home, heading off to his duties in Seorabeol.

January 3rd, 665 – Seorabeol, Kingdom of Silla Just before the year ends, it’s decided that Yongqin’s condition had worsened and he’d contracted both what your father had once called phthisis. The disease isn’t uncommon, but it is uncurable. You’d had suspicions that he had contracted phthisis when he’d first begun to lose strength, but never wanted to admit to such a devastating thing. The entirety of the Hwarang are shaken by the news.

It’s decided that he and Taeil are to be sent to Daegaya, where Namekawa Yasuo can look over them as they receive treatment.

Despite them leaving, Seorabeol is still on high alert. The Hwarang remain on standby at Jeong Seokmin’s residence as the year begins to shift to the next. Your hope that the thoughts of war would wane fades lasts only three days into the new year.

A coalition of soldiers claiming to be from Baekje invaded a town on the western border of where the Baekje-Silla border once was. Violence broke out and suddenly, the war had begun. Groups of these revivalists began to spring up in the kingdom as well, the closest having come to burn down Jeong Seokmin’s residence late at night. For now, the only option for you is to retreat from the heart of the capital.

Your feet slap the road as you race through the emptied streets, only pausing to catch your breath as your partner stops beside you.

“Are you alright?” Jisung asks, sounding almost as out of breath as you, “We can stop if we need to.”

“We can’t afford to do that,” you shake your head at him, “I’ll be alright.” Wiping the sweat from your brow, you take a deep breath and urge your aching feet to move once more. Under Kun’s orders, the two of you are to make your way to Hwaseong, a temple that lies some ways away from the outskirts of the city’s domain. The Hwarang had been dispatched to roam the outside of the city, looking for traitors as the Silla army begins to make their way to protect the king.

“I know this isn’t going as planned,” Jisung says as the two of you begin to pick up pace, “Commander Qian admitted as such…” To have Kun admit to anything near defeat is startling to hear, but the raid on Jeong Seokmin’s residence had shaken the Hwarang more than any Demon attack had. “I’ve never been as good with as sword as the rest of the men,” the captain offers a small smile, “But I can aid the Hwarang in other ways.”

It took several hours to reach Hwaseong, Kun’s hope is to use this place as the Hwarang’s new station, where he could station his men and launch attacks.

“Why are the gates closed…?” An uncomfortable silence encapsulates the area, there weren’t any other people here.

Suddenly a whir of wind passes by the two of you, an arrow sinking into the ground behind you. Jisung immediately grabs your wrist and drags you into the tree line beyond the temple’s entrance.

“They’re shooting at us? I thought they were supposed to be friendly—” You say as Jisung lets go of you, looking to the walls of Hwaseong.

“Either the loyalists have already taken over or they’ve been against us all along…” He murmurs as to not draw any attention, “We need to get back to the other captains.”

“But the Commander said to—”

Jisung merely shakes his head, “It’s clear by now that this place is hostile towards us. It won’t do us any good to stay around it any longer.”

“But if we leave what’ll happen to everyone else?” Your gaze looks back to the temple, “If we say that it’s orders from Commander Qian…”

You’d never seen Jisung look this serious before. “I want to help him as much as you do, but my job isn’t merely to ask for aid. It’s to protect you as well. If something happens to you now then I will have failed him twice, come on.”

His hand finds your shoulder after a moment of silence, his expression softens, and he gently urges you, “I’m sure the Commander will come through with one of his brilliant plans. But if we’re to see it, we’ll need to be alive. The men will be worried if we don’t head back soon.”

By the time the two of you near the Hwarang’s encampment on the outskirts of the city, you notice that something feels… wrong.

“Aren’t we supposed to meet the others here?” You ask, looking around the empty clearing, void of any sign that the Hwarang had been here. “Did we get lost?”

“No,” Jisung shakes his head, but his voice sounds uneasy, “It should just be up ahead.”

As you round the clearing, you spot something on the ground. “Jisung! There’s someone over there!”

“That’s impossible—there’s no way the rebels would’ve gotten this far already…” He says as the two of you near the body. He wears the blues of the Hwarang, and looking up from him at the path ahead, you see even more scattered along the road.

Standing in the middle of the carnage is a face you dread to see.

“I was wondering why these men looked so familiar…” Specks of blood litter the light-yellow robes of the perpetrator as his eyes fall onto you. “You’re here after all.” Donghyuck’s smile is cruel and mocking.

You—!” Too furious to speak, you glare at the Demon.

“To see that Hwaseong turned on you… Maybe following your tedious politics paid off.” He muses, shaking his head, “But I never thought I’d find you among the wreckage.” Once again glancing to the bodies, “I thought they’d provide some entertainment until you came back, but they weren’t skilled enough.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Jisung’s balled fists shaking with rage. Most of the men on the ground were members of his own Division.

“I was… distracted the last I saw you,” Donghyuck frowns in your direction, “But this time you’ll leave with me.” You know that neither you or Jisung could face him and win, but maybe if you go with him he’ll spare Jisung’s life…

A hand placed in front of you as Jisung steps forward, his other hand reaching for the hilt of his sword. “Stay back,” his voice calm as he looks to Donghyuck.

Anxiousness rising, “What are you doing, Jisung?”

“You’ll have to run for it,” he says apologetically, unsheathing his sword, “Get back to Shoji and tell the Commander… Tell him that I’m sorry and that I hope he forgives me for not being able to walk along side him to the end.”

“No.” You say as you realize that Jisung doesn’t intend to return to the headquarters with you, “I can’t leave you here to die!” Hand finding the sleeve on his robes, you clench to it tightly, “If I go with him then you can live!”

The smile on his lips is bitter, “Are you suggesting that I use a girl as a shield so I can escape? I’d never be able to call myself a Hwarang again.” He then shrugs off your grip, turning to face Donghyuck, his hands tightening around the grip of his blade.

“Jisung you don’t have to do this,” you plead, but he doesn’t move an inch, “Run!”

“Are you done saying goodbye yet?” Donghyuck sighs out from the other end of the clearing, “I’ll give you a chance to listen to her, go on, run.” His hand flicking towards the direction of the city as he stands there.

Jisung says nothing but charges at the Demon, his sword arcing towards the unarmed man. Donghyuck’s sword unsheathes from its scabbard, too fast for you to witness him doing it, and the tip of the blade emerges from Jisung’s back. A grunt and blood begins to bubble from the captain’s lips.

“Jisung!” The cry rips from your throat as he falls to his knees, a deep red stain blooming from his wound.

Donghyuck looks down to the Hwarang, leaning down to whisper something, “The men that I killed are yours, aren’t they? Don’t you want revenge? I understand that warriors put great stock in avenging their falling comrades.”

The Hwarang looks up to him angrily, a white-hot rage running through him. His shaking hand reaches into the depths of his robes, bringing out a small vial.

“Pimul,” Donghyuck scoffs as Jisung attempts to bring the unopened vial to his lips, “Pathetic.” Before the captain can drink the serum, Donghyuck’s blade rises once more, slashing against Jisung’s chest as sunlight glimmers off of the blade. The vial drops to the ground, cracking and leaking the red contents into the soil.

Jisung falls forward, his hands finding the ground as he turns to look at you, red streaking from his lips as he pushes himself back to his knees weakly, “Run!”

Your feet scramble atop the loose dirt as you begin to turn as Donghyuck speaks again, “You’re by far the weakest human I’ve fought. The Hwarang would allow someone like you among their ranks?” Something within you snaps, and you look back to Donghyuck just as he cuts across Jisung’s abdomen once more. Jisung falls without a sound to the grass.

“Jisung… Jisung!” Even as a part of you screams at you to run, you find yourself scrambling to the fallen captain, grabbing for his hand. A friend that had become something like a brother to you, he can’t hear you cry out for him, or feel your hand encasing his. He had joined his men among the corpses littering the ground.

“Now that that’s dealt with,” Donghyuck says as he stands above you, you still on your knees next to Jisung’s body, “Come with me.”

Seeing Jisung’s lifeless body and hearing Donghyuck’s cold and callous words makes a fire bubble inside of you, shattering your heart as you look up angrily to the Demon. Hand grabbing desperately for the blade at your side, you rise to your feet and ready yourself to lunge at the man.

“I thought you were smarter…” He huffs, “Your time with humans has made you weak.”

“Shut up!” Burning tears trail down the sides of your face, vision blurring as you blink to look at him clearly.

“Does it bother you that I killed him? A human foolish enough to challenge a Demon, what else would have happened?”

“Shut up, shut UP!” You’d never yelled at someone as angrily as you are now, but you’d also never been angry enough to try and kill someone until now. “I’ll never be able to forgive you for what you’ve done!” Grip tightened on your blade, you rush forward towards Donghyuck, only seeing white.

The man easily parries your attack, your sword flying from your grasp. You hunch down to reach for it, but before you can, Donghyuck’s foot comes down on your arm, pining it to the ground. Pain shoots up your limb and you cry out, his gaze meeting yours, his aura radiating an abrasive arrogance.

“Even now you refuse to listen,” you feel the coolness of his blade against your throat.

“If you’re just going to treat me like an animal I should just bite off my own tongue and drown in my own blood,” you spit up angrily at him, knowing full well that there isn’t any other chance for you to escape any more.

“I don’t remember giving you permission do to that. And I also don’t care for people who can’t follow orders.” The moment you hear the voice coming from the opposite end of the clearing, your head clears.

“Kun!” His name rolls from your lips in a moment of relief, forgetting for a moment the blade pressed to your neck.

“I had a feeling you were in trouble but…” His eyes scan the scene, looking at the fallen men. His face falls at the sight of Jisung’s body beside you, expression twisting with grief and regret. Kun’s hand reaches for his sword, pulling it from his scabbard as he looks to Donghyuck with a renewed rage. The wind whispers around the blade as he marches towards the two of you.

“Another human with a death wish,” Donghyuck sighs, the blade at your throat lowering as he watches the commander stride over. “It’s strange to me that you’d want to throw your life away like him… Anyway, let’s get this over with.”

“Throw his life away?” Kun nearly shouts, “How dare you say that he threw his life away!” In a wordless fury, he throws himself at the Demon, with all of his weight he strikes at Donghyuck’s neck.

Donghyuck flicks his sword up to deflect Kun’s with a small grunt, and for a moment the two look evenly matched. The Demon is thrown back, his feet sliding on the ground as he stops himself and glares at Kun.

“What?” The words fall from him without though, as if this were the first time a human opponent had overpowered him. Kun sees this and doesn’t let the opening go to waste, he pushes himself towards the other again, sword hissing through the air with fervent fury.

The two are thrown back once more, Kun catches his breath as a small transformation overcomes Donghyuck. His hair turns stark white, not unlike that of the Hwarang’s Furies, and his eyes turn golden.

“The moment your eyes behold a true Demon is the moment of your death,” Donghyuck’s voice is low as he speaks to Kun. And with those words, the battle changes. The Demon’s sword slices and cuts through the air with ease not found in the moments prior, the only thing Kun can do is anticipate and block the attacks, unable to land any offensive blow of his own.

“What happened to your fire?” Donghyuck quips, landing another series of blows to Kun’s blade.

“Damn it—” Kun grunts out, losing his breath with each block of his blade. All Donghyuck has to do it tire out the commander and their fight would end. One particular blow sends Kun’s sword flying from his grasp, and you instinctively grab your own blade and run towards Donghyuck, not wanting him to strike Kun.

“…Stay out of my way,” Donghyuck pushes you aside and you fear to look in Kun’s direction just as you’d done with Jisung, not wanting to see his body crumple too. He raises his sword and looks to Kun, “This is the end for you. Humans always seem to fight the battles they cannot win. That’s recklessness, not courage.”

As Donghyuck monologues, Kun drags himself to his blade.

“Trying to run?” The Demon asks as the commander clutches his blade’s handle. With the last bit of strength left within him, he rises to his feet to face his foe. “I’ve made a fool of you and yet you refuse to acknowledge the difference between us.”

Kun stays silent at the verbal attack, quietly reaching into his robes for something. A small vial filled with red liquid.

“How long to you mean to take this idiocy?” Donghyuck spits as he spots the pimul.

“Like I give a shit what you say, we were always a pack of idiots.” His voice weakened from the fight, “We shared an idiot’s dream that we were all too stubborn to give up on. We’re halfway up the hill now, stumble now and we’ll have lost all we worked for.”

“Even if you become a Fury, you’ll be nothing more than a faded reflection of a true Demon,” Donghyuck says, hand still holding his blade.

“You never know until you try—” The commander lifts the bottle to his lips and drinks. It only takes a few moments for the serum to take effect, Kun’s hair turning stark white and his eyes turning a deep crimson.

“I’ve had enough of these fucking loyalists and I’m sick of you goddamn Demons,” Kun’s voice is low as he looks towards Donghyuck, a bitter edge to his voice, “So I’m not a real Demon? Why should I care? I was never treated like a real warrior until the Hwarang, never loved like a real son.” Eyes burning with anger as he sighs out, “Hell… Where are you supposed to find good men these days? Everyone’s too invested in their own business to care about anyone else. Try to make a difference and they’ll cut you down, I say bullshit to that!” Kun’s words aren’t only for Donghyuck, but for Jisung, for the counselors who opt against the Hwarang and the loyalists who infringe upon the borders of Silla.

“I believe what I believe, and I will never back down from that.” His head shakes, “Call us fake if it makes you feel better, but if we push hard enough, we’ll become what we say we are.” The predatory grin on Kun’s face is inhuman, “If we beat you, we become real Demons, right?”

The commander strikes forward, lunging at Donghyuck with a speed akin to his. Kun had been beyond skilled as a human, as a Fury, though… The two clash swords once again, neither relenting in their strikes, taking no chance for the other to gain the upper hand.

“Where’s your gloating now?” Kun asks through clenched teeth, clearly realizing that he’s gained the advantage of superior strength. Donghyuck’s sword rebounds from one of Kun’s strikes and he’s forced back, Kun leaps for the opening, aiming for the Demon.

It’s too fast for you to witness, but Kun’s blade grazes Donghyuck’s cheek, a thing trail of blood seeping from the opening before it begins to heal immediately. The Demon jumps back, surprised at the injury as his hand raises to touch the wound.

“You look like a warrior now,” Kun scoffs, “How’s it feel to get cut by a fake?”

Donghyuck doesn’t seem to hear Kun, entranced by the crimson ichor that stains his fingers. “Damn you…” Although the wound had healed, the ramifications of it had not. “Fake, how dare you draw my blood?” It must’ve been the first time he was injured by a human. His preternatural face distorts into rage and disgust. “I will never forgive you for this. I will strip you for everything that you are so that you understand true pain!”

“And the real Donghyuck’s revealed,” Kun shakes his head, almost mocking the other, “I dare you to kill me.”

Their swords once again clash, ringing out into the woods. Donghyuck fights with a newfound angst, veins on Kun’s neck and forehead begin to strain as he defends himself from the Demon’s blows.

“Damn you, damn you, damn you!” With each phrase, another blow from Donghyuck onto Kun’s blade. “How dare you draw my blood?!” He’s gone mad with rage, eyes widened and bloodshot as he stares down Kun.

“I’ll never forgive you,” Kun’s blade chips with each of his own strikes, you fear that it will break under the strength of the two men, “you arrogant son of a bitch! You’re going to hell even if I have to drag you there myself!”

They leap at each other like enraged animals, blows flying so quickly you’re not sure how to tell the ones meant to block or attack apart. It’s clear that the battle would end only when one of them was dead, but it’s rapidly becoming apparent that Kun is fighting in a way that puts him at a disadvantage.

Prior to this, Kun had fought with a calmness, even in the heat of battle. But that had fled with his humanity. You need to stop them before Kun loses himself entirely.

“What’s going on here?” A voice shouts from behind you, followed by the sound of footsteps rapidly approaching. “The commander left to see how things had gone at Hwaseong and we haven’t seen him since. Have you seen him?”

“Minhyung…” His names leaves you tiredly, “He’s fighting Donghyuck.”

The officer stares at you for a moment before looking past you to the fight raging on. His eyes widening in shock, “That white haired Demon is… Is that a Fury? Oh my god,” he says at the realization of who it is.

“He drank the pimul,” you say and watch at Kun is disarmed by Donghyuck, his blade clattering to the ground as the captain lands with a thud on his side.

“I am impressed that you lasted so long,” Donghyuck says as he inches closer to the commander, who moves away from the Demon. “I hope you haven’t forgotten that I don’t intend to simply kill you. You’ll die, eventually, but not before I’ve inflicted all the pain I can imagine onto you.” As the advantage returns to his favor, his calm returns. “I’ll send your head back to your beloved Hwarang when I’m done, they deserve to see you at your best, after all.”

Donghyuck lifts his blade, the steel clean and undamaged. Your eyes close as a horrible, wet sound rings around the clearing. Opening your eyes, blood had splattered across Donghyuck’s yellow robes, but Kun remains unharmed. Minhyung kneels at the feet of the two combatants, a large gash running along his robes, blood beginning to stain the cloth.

“What are you doing, Commander?!” His voice weakened and strained, “Running off to face the enemy alone…?”

“Minhyung what are you…?” The commander’s speech falters as Minhyung gives him a small smile, his eyes shining as you’d seen them do when he and Kun had discussed important secrets.

“You can lose an arm or a leg, but if you lose your head you lose everything.” With that he goes limp, his body falling to the ground as blood begins to pool at his side.

You find yourself rushing to the scene, calling out to the fallen officer. The death of yet another comrade seems to pull Kun from his hysteria, brow contorting in bereavement.

“Minhyung… why…?” His hair slowly begins to shift back to its original color, the white darkening as he blinks back tears.

“Qian?! Minhyung?! Jisung?!” Another voice from the depths of the woods calls out sounding like Yukhei, “Where are you guys?!”

“Damn it,” Donghyuck says, his blade lowering, “There are more of you still…”

A figure in the trees emerging, but not a Hwarang. Xiao Dejun steps forward as if to warn Donghyuck to not strike again. “This will only lead to more unneeded casualties if we stay.”

“Am I supposed to let this fake go free?” Donghyuck nearly spits as he looks to Kun.

“It would be enough to soothe your anger, sure.” A glance towards the commander, “But he’s wanted alive. For now, at least.”

Donghyuck lets out a groan of frustration as he angrily sheathes his sword, understanding that it’s pointless to argue with him. “Qian Kun… I won’t forget your name.” He and Kun glare at each other with such hatred you feel as if they’d strike out yet again. Then Donghyuck spins on his heels and follows after Dejun into the forest.

“There you are—” Yukhei, Yuta and Jaehyun break through the tree line and rush over to you. “What the hell happened here?”

“There’s dead men everywhere,” Jaehyun notes, looking to the bodies, “Did you all run into loyalists? No… those blade marks…”

“Can someone attend to Minhyung?” Kun says, shakily rising to his feet, “He may still be alive.”

“What?!” Yukhei says, spotting the officer’s body on the ground. “Hold on Minhyung,” the captain says as he begins to move to the younger “hang in there for me!”

“What’ll happen to him? Don’t tell me—” Jaehyun begins as he looks over the wounds and then to you. The blade had sunk deep and you hazard a guess as to what’ll become of him.

“Don’t tell me he’s…” Yukhei frowns, glancing to the body he’s trying to prop up.

“Does anyone have any cloth?” You ask, moving to kneel by Minhyung. “We need water and alcohol as well…”

“Here,” Jaehyun shrugs off the white jacket he’d been wearing over his robes and hands it to you.

“There’s a stream nearby, I’ll go and retrieve some water.” Yuta nods.

“I’ll leave Minhyung to you!” Yukhei says and begins to run towards the city, hopefully in search of some gokaju.

“Commander… what happened here?” Yuta questions Kun quietly.

Although the commander doesn’t seem to hear him, muttering to himself, “I never thought that I would sacrifice my own men so that I could survive…”

“Sacrifice?”

Kun looks to one of the bodies on the field, “Jisung’s body is over there… Can you help me bury him?” And frown and the bitten back sting of tears, “His men too… It gets cold this time of year; we can’t leave them out to freeze.” You know that he wants to break down and cry more than anyone else here, easily seen in the way he struggles to grin and joke.

Unable to hold it in any longer, you bury your face into your hands and begin to sob. Jisung had given his life to save yours, Kun had become a Fury to fight the Demon chasing you across Seorabeol, and Minhyung had been mortally wounded trying to protect Kun. How are you to atone for all of this?

The night of the initial attacks, Taeyong leads his Fury Corps in a retaliatory raid. During the night, it would be harder to fight an opponent who could see clearly, and the Furies would capitalize on this. And it did, at first, being more successful in deterring the loyalists than they had planned. But then arrows and blades began to pierce and cut differently, the metal different than that of normal weaponry. With the situation becoming more and more dire, it seemed as if most of the Hwarang allies would succumb to the loyalist and Goguryeo effort.

When dawn breaks, you awake to different news. King Munmu had sent a request to Tang in the weeks prior to the Baekje attacks, asking for aid. And during the night it seems as if the call had been answered, swaths of Tang soldiers encircling the city and pushing back the enemy forces.

Buyeo Pung is captured in this effort, but not killed. Like his father and his elder brother, he is meant to be exiled to Tang, with no chance of ever returning the kingdoms again. This diplomatic decision agreed upon by Gaozong and Munmu sates the Baekje rebellion for now, but their attentions now turn towards a new common threat, the ones that had housed Pung: King Bojang and the rest of Goguryeo.

January 4th, 665 – Shoji Temple, Kingdom of Silla “… What’s the sense in building a place this big?” Jaehyun frowns as the Hwarang enter the temple, lamenting the building’s structure as it isn’t aiding their effort to find help. Him and Yukhei hold up a pallid Minhyung, who’s shallow breathing hadn’t gotten any better during the travel here. “Namekawa said he’d be returning to Seorabeol today,” he mentions, “I plan on finding him and bringing him here.”

“Go ahead,” Kun nods as the pair take Minhyung inside.

Minhyung had been bleeding and groaning in pain as you’d brought him here, with the severity of his wounds you don’t see him lasting much longer. You’re also worried about Kun, now that he’s a Fury, being in the sunlight doesn’t bode well for him.

“Are you feeling alright Commander?” You ask and look to him.

“Surprised to see a Fury in the sunlight?”

“That’s not what I—” you mumble, “I was wondering if anything has changed.”

“Not yet,” he crosses his arms and shakes his head, “Although pretty soon it’ll probably be painful for me to even look at the sun. Might as well enjoy it while I can.”

Even if he’s joking, it makes you feel bad. As if he can tell, he speaks up again, “I’m not sure what self-deprecating tirade you’re conjuring, but the only person who made the decision to drink that stuff was me. I’ve ordered enough men to take that shit so I couldn’t chicken out when it was my turn, could I?” He offers you a smile, “I figured it would happen sooner or later.”

Even if he’s trying to assuage all of your guilt, you can’t take him at his word. He looks somewhat relieved when you look to him.

“Did something good just happen?”

The commander glances back to Shoji and laughs, “Isn’t it obvious? We have big things ahead of us. As long as we remain here, we won’t be able to lose. Maybe I’ll even get revenge on the bastards who tried to burn us alive.” The man you’d watch fight Donghyuck seems to be gone, Kun’s face now looks determined, not driven by a maddening fury.

“Commander! There you are,” Osaki Shotaro barrels in through the front gates of the compound, out of breath and panting.

“What’s wrong?” Kun asks, his brow furrowing.

“We’ve been… We’ve been ordered to Ungjin.” Osaki looks as if he’s about to keel over as he reaches into his robes to procure a document bearing the royal seal.

“Ungjin? The Baekje capital?” Kun asks as he reaches for the parchment, “Are we not meant to stay here and keep the peace while Munmu sends his soldiers off to Goguryeo?”

Shotaro hesitates and you surmise that it’s from reluctance, not confusion. “Munmu’s going as well… to meet with Tang advisors…”

For a moment, Kun stands there stunned. When he speaks, his voice is low, “What do you mean by that? Is he so eager to sell our support?”

“To be honest… I’m not sure. There have been people saying he’s meant to meet with Tang advisors over the next course of action with Goguryeo but—” Shotaro doesn’t look pleased either.

“Damn it,” Kun’s fists clench angrily at his sides, “It was stupid of me to think that the fighting was over. There’s always another bastard out there for us to fight.”

January 31st, 665 – Somewhere near Sangju, Kingdom of Silla With the aid of Tang, Silla becomes somewhat indebted to Gaozong after the threat of Buyeo Pung is quelled. The Tang emperor quickly sets his sights on his long-term enemy, Goguryeo and demands that Silla involve themselves to dimmish their debt. As Silla and its leaders leave for Ungjin to speak with Tang ambassadors, the Hwarang find themselves swept away by the current of a larger, more looming conflict.

During the travel across Silla, you and Namekawa take turns caring for Minhyung as you walk with the caravan of Hwarang.

From the makeshift cot at the campsite for the night, Minhyung calls out to you, his voice hoarse and tired.

“Is something wrong?” You ask, saddling over to his bedside, “Does something hurt?”

“No…” a shake of his head, “I… T-There’s something that I’d like… to tell the commander…” Each breath seeming like a struggle for him, “Can you… call him for me?”

For him to ask for Kun must mean that he knows he’s not got long left, it makes your stomach sink, but you nod your head quickly. “Just wait a moment…” You hurry from the tent and race to Kun’s quickly asking for him to accompany you and returning to the medical tent as soon as possible.

“Minhyung,” your voice soft, “I brought him.”

“Thank you,” the officer’s smile week as Kun walks to the bedside. His face pale, the color drained long ago, it’s heart wrenchingly clear his end draws near. Cold sweat beads at his forehead as he begins to speak quietly, “I-I’m sorry that I won’t be there for you.”

“What are you saying? If you have the energy to apologize, just focus on getting better.” Despite the harsh tone, Kun sounds as if he knows that Minhyung is dying. Yet maybe that’s why he’s still speaking normally to the officer.

“You let me… join you all even though…” Every breath ragged, every syllable sounding as if it’s a needle stabbing him, “I was never a noble, my father’s an acupuncturist… You’re letting me die a warrior all because of the Hwarang…”

“If you force yourself it’ll only hurt more,” Kun’s voice is low as he sits by Minhyung.

The officer looks to you, “Please take care of the Commander from now on… Stay by his side and help the Hwarang rise to their full potential…” Watching this is almost too much for you to bear, you can’t find the words to respond immediately.

“Say something,” Kun urges after a moment of silence.

Tears well in your eyes as you respond, “Just rest, Minhyung…”

After a while, the officer closes his eyes, breaths becoming shallow as they slowly stop, his body becoming limp. Calling his name elicits no response and you realize that he’s gone.

“At least it was peaceful…” Kun says as he looks down to Minhyung, “Almost as if he’s sleeping.”

Your knees hit the ground as the tears stream down your face.

His burial is held the next morning, the captains mourning the loss of their fallen comrade. There isn’t any way to mark his grave, just a shallow pit in the ground that he’d remain in for the rest of time.

“You alright, Taeil?” Kun asks as the chief staggers over, worry tinging in his voice.

“I’m okay…” Taeil frowns as he looks to Minhyung’s body, encased in a shroud, is lowered into the grave. “Lee Minhyung was an integral part of the Hwarang, as well as a member of the Watch. For him to leave us like this… It fills me with unimaginable sorrow. He was selfless beyond belief and I think all of us can learn from that.” The chief speaks out to the captains, you can see tears pricking at his eyes as he speaks but holds them back momentarily. “I’d like to celebrate his life, his work and his ambition… Goodbye, Minhyung. I pray that you watch over us proudly from wherever you are.”

“Damn you Minhyung,” Yukhei sniffles out as several men begin to cover the grave, “How dare you die on me.”

“I’m sure he wanted this less than anyone else…” Jaehyun frowns.

“I know that!” Yukhei bites. Most of the men aren’t displaying their grief for the others to see, but many had tears welling in their eyes. You can assume they allow themselves their own private grief when they’re alone.

That night you cannot find it within yourself to sleep soundly as you mind is focused on Minhyung. You slip from your tent, intent on walking to clear your mind, when you see Kun standing at the edge of the encampment.

“Oh,” he says as you approach, twigs snapping under your footsteps as you near, “It’s you. Is something wrong? You’re up early.”

“I couldn’t sleep…” You sigh, “What about you?”

“…Same.” He offers a small smile as you recall his disposition.

“Ah, right…” With all that’s happened in the past few days, you’re sure that he needs time to process it on his own. His eyes travel up, to watch the stars breaking through the trees, like the ghost of the daylight haunting him from above. From the east, the pale fingers of sunlight begin to break over the horizon.

“I know you’re handling a lot right now…” Kun starts, looking back to you, “But they say it isn’t good for women to be out in the cold for too long, right?”

“I’ll head back inside soon.” You nod, and the conversation ends there. For a moment, you listen to the sounds of nature, of the wind whistling through the trees and the birds beginning to wake from slumber. Even with the minor distractions, you can’t help but think to those that were lost in the skirmishes.

“Until now,” Kun breaks the silence, “I always felt like I was trying to fight an uphill battle by trying to assert myself as a true noble, a true warrior… Never once did I ever think that the path I chose was a wrong one. Jisung, Minhyung… I’m sure everyone else who died felt the same way.” His voice sounds strained as he tries to reason with his thoughts, “That’s just a reason more for us to go on, to live in their honor and fulfill what they would expect from us.”

The commander looks to the eastern sky, to the beams of light trickling to dissolve the black of night. As you watch his determination return, you feel compelled to speak,

“I need to tell you something.” You take a deep breath in, “Jisung wanted me to tell you something before he died. He said he wanted to apologize for not being able to walk alongside you to the end. He didn’t have the words to thank you properly enough for it…” As you speak, you find your voice getting caught in your throat, choking back a cry from escaping your chest.

Kun stays silent and then lets out a short chuckle, “… Dammit Jisung… What’s with the vagary? ‘Thank you’ for giving him a chance?” His voice lowers to an almost whisper, “We should be the ones thanking him.”

Without a word, the two of you watch the sun slowly rise over the horizon, its orange glow bursting into bloom once the tip of the sun breeches the skyline.

“Maybe it’s because I’m a Fury now,” Kun sighs out, “but that damn sun is really stinging my eyes… As soon as we get to Ungjin, we’re going to regroup and avenge Minhyung and Jisung. Everyone that’s wronged us will know us, I swear it.” His face almost gallant in the light of the new dawn, you can’t look away. His resolution to the fallen and resolution to the future is nothing short of inspiring, it gives you something to pull yourself out of the grief of battle.

#neowritingsnet #cznnet #nct angst #nct fluff #kun fluff #kun angst #wayv fluff #wayv angst #kun x reader #i got tired of editing midway through so! i'll go back tomorrow and see what's up

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