#i smell potential for a collab in here somewhere...

[downbadforbadmen]

Okay, but the idea of true form!Sukuna x royal court painter! Reader has been gnawing at my brain for weeks now-

[soobmint]

paper hearts | choi soobin [f] ; [c] 80s! au, 9.6k words

s u m m a r y ; if there was one thing you wanted to avoid on valentine’s day, it was running into your ex best friend, choi soobin. but when a series of unfortunate events involving too much purple eyeshadow, drunken punches, and one stolen bicycle leads you right back to his side, you begin to realize that maybe you truly belonged with him all along.

c o n t e n t s ; soobin x fem!reader, 80s! au, valentine’s day, ex best friend! soobin, rich boy! soobin, but he’s a major dweeb and the biggest softie, yeonjun is a major prick (i’m so sorry junnie), reader is a part time worker, soobin is best friends with lee felix of stray kids, some themes of social classes, roughly inspired by the 80s movie “pretty in pink,” mentions drugs, alcohol, and single parent households, mostly just fluff, fluff, and more fluff, with a hint of crack/humor

n o t e ; hello friends! this was a very quickly planned, last minute valentine’s day idea, and it’s actually a collab with one of my dearest friends, @chanluster ! she posted her piece of the collab as well, you can check it out by going to the collab masterlist here! this was so much fun to write and i think that 80s! soobin was just too good of a concept to pass up! anyways, happy valentine’s day, i hope you enjoy this oneshot! do leave a like, reblog, or comment if you could, it really helps so much <3

[back to my masterlist] [oneshot playlist]

IF ONE MORE CUT-OUT, CRAFT-PAPER HEART HIT YOU IN THE FACE, YOU WERE GOING TO QUIT YOUR JOB.

Of course you would never actually quit. With your mother out of the picture and your father working nonstop overtime just to barely have enough cash to put food on the table for the both of you, you had come to rely on your minimum wage part-time hours more than you liked to admit. However, the handmade strings of paper hearts that hung from wall to wall throughout the entirety of the record shop you were employed at was enough to make you consider it; not to mention the Phil Collins record that had been spinning all day, filling your ears with melodies embodying the very air of romance, and the embarrassing pink sweater your boss had forced you to wear. You mumbled curses beneath your breath as you pulled at the collar, itching away at your neck.

When you made a step towards a crate full of records, ready to tidy it up after a customer had rummaged through it leaving it a mess, you were met with another face full of cheap red construction paper. With a large growl of exasperation, you swatted at the hearts and accidentally caused the entire string of them to fall to the ground. You cleared your throat, glad that no customers were present to see your little outburst.

Your boss, Jen, still saw it all.

“That’s not very festive of you, kid,” She said, taking a drag on her cigarette. “It’s Valentine’s Day! Lighten up.”

“Ah, my bad. I forgot that I was supposed to be overjoyed on the day honoring the execution of St. Valentine,” You said as you gave her a sarcastic smile. “I’ll make sure to smile at the next couple that walks in and ask them how they plan to contribute to the commercialization of a martyr’s death.”

“You must be real fun at parties,” Jen mumbled. She shook her cigarette at you from behind the counter. “You’re just bitter because you don’t have a valentine. I can’t blame anyone for giving you the cold shoulder with that attitude of yours.”

You scowled, picking up the string of hearts that you had sent crashing to the floor. “I’m not bitter, and I don’t want a date. Also, I told you to stop smoking inside! It smells awful.”

“Last I checked, this was my shop, not yours.” You rolled your eyes as you approached the counter, handing the discarded string to Jen so she could throw it in the trash. “Now you’re making me do chores for you too? You’ve got some nerve, I’ll give you that.”

“Jen, please, I’m really not in the mood for this today.”

Jen shrugged, bending towards the trash can to throw away the string of hearts when she paused and pulled something from the bin. You glanced over your shoulder and gasped when you saw what she held in her hand—a small red envelope with your name scrawled across the front and a pink heart-shaped sticker stuck on the back.

“What’s this?” Jen asked, opening the envelope and shaking out the contents. A single slip of paper fell out, landing atop the counter. You rushed to grab it, but Jen snatched it up just before your fingers reached the countertop.

“Give me that,” You insisted, face growing warm. “I threw it away for a reason!”

“It’s an invitation to a party?” She seemed beyond surprised, glancing back and forth between you and the paper several times. “You got invited to a Valentine’s Day party, and instead of going, you asked me to give you extra hours? Why?”

You looked down at your feet, digging the toe of your sneaker into the blue carpet. There were, in fact, many reasons why you did not want to go to that party. They were as follows:

One: Choi Yeonjun was the one who had invited you. After you had rejected his offer when he asked to take you to a basketball game a month before, you could barely make eye contact with him in the school hallway without feeling guilty. That and the fact that he was one of the richest preps in the school, you knew he had just been asking you out for some sort of prank or dare that you preferred to not potentially fall victim to.

Two: you needed to work as much as you could. Money, as always, was tight for you and your father. There was no way you would sacrifice precious hours to go to a party full of rich kids where nothing but humiliation was sure to await you.

Three: your old childhood friend and the one person you couldn’t bear to see was probably going to be there—Choi Soobin.

You had barely spoken to Soobin in the four years you had been in high school. Crossing paths with him in the cafeteria, turning down the same aisle of books as him in the library, all those tiny stolen glances and accidental encounters were the only bits of interaction you had kept throughout all that time. The worst part was, he hadn’t done anything wrong.

It was nothing but your own cowardice that had driven the two of you apart, and you were still too afraid to own up to it.

Instead of explaining all of this to Jen, you simply shrugged and said, “I dunno. It just sounds lame.”

Your boss sighed, holding the invitation out towards you. “Okay, I’m letting you off early. Go to the party.”

With wide eyes, you shook your head immediately. “Absolutely not. Why in the world would I go?”

“Well, first of all, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for you. Who knows when your next chance to go to a party will be.”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes at that.

“Second, it’s a holiday! The only reason I even opened today was because you were begging me for hours. I thought it was because you were bummed about having no plans, but clearly it’s because you wanted an excuse to be a recluse.”

“Hey, I’m not a recluse.”

“Clearly.” She shook the invitation at you once more, brows raised. “If you go, I’ll raise your pay by fifty cents for the next month.”

Your ears perked up at that.

“Well?” She asked, well aware that she had hit the jackpot. “What'd ya say?”

Weighing the risks against the benefits, you bit the inside of your cheek.

“Make it a dollar and you’ve got a deal.” 

-

“HAPPY VALENTINE’S, CHOI.”

When Soobin heard the sarcastic remark coming from his best friend, Felix, he had to fight back the urge to burst into tears then and there. He still wasn’t quite sure how Felix had convinced him to come, but he was already regretting it. The last thing he wanted to do to celebrate the day dedicated to love was spend it at a house party—or, as Soobin preferred to call them, any outcast high school kid’s version of hell on earth.

With a quick peek between his fingers, which he had used to cover his eyes immediately upon arriving at the site of the Valentine’s party, Soobin caught another eye-full of couples getting all too familiar with one another out in the open. He gulped, letting his hands grip the handles of the bike as he averted his gaze, choosing to cast his best glare at Felix, who was busy adjusting his ever-present beanie.

“Shut up,” he murmured, slowly sliding off the seat of his bike. He dusted off the worn, tearing cushion, glancing around the area. “Now quick, we gotta put our stuff somewhere safe.”

Felix looked aghast, making no moves to help Soobin in his search for a hiding spot. “What are you doing?”

“Tryna find a safe place for my bike?” He thought the answer to be somewhat obvious, but clearly Felix wasn’t on the same track of thinking. “You don’t know today’s world! Anyone is willing to steal nowadays.”

“Soobin, your bike is coughing up oil from its chains. It should be in its own care home at this rate.”

“I don’t wanna hear your slander, skater boy,” Soobin retorted, eyeing Felix’s ebony skateboard that he refused to be seen without. As if on cue, when he pushed his bike forward, the chains squealed, drawing the attention of a pair of particularly passionate individuals who had been wrapped up with one another moments before. Soobin ignored their annoyed stares, feeling his ears burn from embarrassment. He glanced back to Felix. “Help me find a hiding spot.”

Felix was anything but enthusiastic, but he began to help Soobin search nonetheless.

“Slide it in here, Soobs,” Felix called a few moments later. He was pointed to an empty space between the home’s perfectly trimmed bushes. Soobin pursed his lips together, pushing his large glasses further up the bridge of his nose—a nervous tick of his. Felix groaned, rolling his eyes. “Or you can leave it out in the open so it’ll spit more oil on the passersby? Is that what you want?”

“Fine, fine!” Soobin huffed, wheeling his bike over to the shrubbery, chains squeaking all the way. He carefully laid it beneath the brush and moved a few branches to cover it up nicely. He stood up straight, dusting his hands on the front of his loose blue jeans. “What about your skateboard?”

Felix gave the board a pat, awarding his most prized possession a dazzling smile one would expect to see a proud father giving his beloved son. But in reality, it was the school’s stoner grinning ear to ear at his old, dusty skateboard. “Nightrider stays with me.”

Soobin scrunched his nose, cringing on instinct. He still calls that thing by that stupid name?

Felix clapped him on the shoulder before he could make a remark, catching him off guard when he said, “Right. Let’s go and get your girl.”

There was nothing Soobin could do to stop the flush that rushed to his cheeks right away. Images of you, his ex-best friend and the only reason he had even come to this party in the first place, flashed through his mind. Had he not overheard Yeonjun invite you earlier that morning and then casually mention the encounter to Felix, there was no way he would have even stepped foot out of his house that night. Part of him was peeved, wishing he had never uttered a single word about you to his overbearing friend. Yet, deep down, there was hope within him—the tiniest sliver.

If there was even the slightest chance that he could talk to you that night, he would do anything. Even if it meant dealing with a stupid party, and the never-ceasing teasing he was bound to continue receiving from Felix.

“Don’t even say that,” He said, emphasizing each word as they walked up the front steps. Soobin had to glance down at his much shorter friend to see the devious grin on his freckled face.

“Say what? That she’s your girl, your woman, your one and only?”

The blush must have been creeping to his neck by that point. He could feel it. “I. . .” There were many things Soobin wished to say; angry words that would hopefully shut the blonde skater boy up real quick. But he couldn’t bring himself to say a single harsh word, so he sighed in defeat. “I can’t even say it.”

“That you hate me?” Felix only grinned even bigger, and Soobin couldn’t help the tiny defeated smile that slipped over his features. “Oh, I know. It’s because I’m too good of a best friend.”

They stepped into the house then, instantly being overwhelmed by loud music, boisterous laughter, and drunken yells echoing throughout the halls. Soobin latched onto Felix right away, gripping his friend’s sleeve as someone stumbled into him, a bit of beer spilling from their cup. He pushed his glasses up, only for them to slide right back down as he began to sweat.

“Maybe we should go home, Lix!” Soobin shouted to be heard over the noise as they travelled further into the house. “We can always try next year!”

“Stop being a scaredy-cat!” Felix shouted back, and Soobin thought he might actually begin to cry as they squeezed their way into the living room. Soobin nearly gagged at the strong smell of alcohol as it burned in his nose. The scene was nothing short of a nightmare to Soobin—loud voices, smoke rising in the air, vodka assaulting his nose and sweat beading on the back of his neck. He had never been one to drink, and he didn’t plan on starting that night; but he was beginning to understand what Felix meant when he had once told him it was nearly impossible to get through one of these parties sober.

He was about to make another complaint and beg to leave when someone from the crowd hollered his name, causing him to wince when he recognized that voice as the one that belonged to none other than Choi Yeonjun.

“Soobin! Where you been?”

Soobin smiled nervously at the school’s heartthrob—and textbook snobby rich kid—before he turned back to Felix. He didn’t want to leave his friend, but he knew that he would never hear the end of it if he ignored Yeonjun’s persistent calls. “I’ll be right back,” He promised Felix, still holding onto his sleeve.

“No, no,” Felix assured. “You go. You’ll probably find her around that place anyway.”

Soobin wasn’t so sure of that. You were definitely not of the right social standing to be caught amongst the circle of the school’s rich boys—which was why it had surprised Soobin that Yeonjun had invited you to the party in the first place. Your high school had its own caste system, and you were near the bottom of it.

And, as much as it pained him to admit it, Soobin was stuck at the very top with all the other rich snobs who cared about nothing more than their daily allowances that came straight from their daddy’s bank account.

“What about you, buddy?” He asked Felix, desperate for any excuse to remain by his friend’s side. He would have tried to bring Felix with him, but his friend was in an even worse social standing than you were—he was poor, and he was most known for being the school’s pothead. There was no way Soobin would willingly drag him into a situation where nothing but slander and torment awaited him.

“Me?” Felix shrugged, gripping his board tighter. “I’ll just smoke away the night.”

Soobin pouted, glancing back at the group of preps as they called for him once again. He sighed, clapping Felix on the shoulder. “Just make sure you won’t smell too much of it when I come back.”

Submitting himself to his doom then, he turned on his heel and slowly made his way to where the group of  boys sat near the sofa, giving them a half-hearted wave.

“Why were you hanging around that Felix guy?” Yeonjun asked once Soobin had reached their circle. “Did he blackmail you or something?”

Soobin frowned, pushing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “He’s my friend.”

Yeonjun rolled his eyes, brushing a hand through his perfectly-straightened ebony locks. “Sure he is. Tell me, do you see every kid you find on the streets as some sort of personal charity project? Or is it just Felix and—what was her name—” He snapped his fingers then before he said, “Y/N, right?”

Soobin didn’t respond—well, it was more like he couldn’t respond. By nature he was a very passive being, but nothing drew him closer to bouts of anger than when the people he cared about were being insulted right before him.

Especially when it came to you.

Yet, as much as he wanted to tell Yeonjun off or give him a nice shove into the smoke-stained walls, words failed him. They always did. Perhaps this was why you had abandoned him all those years ago. Nobody knew him better than you did, so of course you were able to see what he truly was beneath all the expensive clothes and nervous laughter—a coward.

He figured that he’d probably have left himself too.

“Drink up, buttercup.” The chipper voice that belonged to the other Choi in the small gathering of socialites, Choi Beomgyu, thrust a plastic red cup towards Soobin’s chest. 

He shook his head, throwing another wavering smile in his direction. “No thanks. I don’t drink.”

Yeonjun rolled his eyes. “Of course you don’t. Why are you even here then?”

Once again, Soobin chose silence as his only response. He swallowed, patting the front pocket of his denim jacket. As the group of boys began conversing once more, he couldn’t help but let his eyes wander around the room, searching every drunken face for the features that belonged to you, trying to hear your name in every conversation, desperate for your voice to break through the blasting music and shouting voices.

“Who ya looking for there, Big Choi?” Soobin grimaced at the nickname. He was skinny, but incredibly tall, and nobody would let him forget that. “Big Choi” was one of his most common nicknames among the elitists. He despised it, but of course, he would never voice that aloud.

He glanced at Beomgyu and smiled nervously again, shaking his head. “Nobody.”

His eyes met Yeonjun’s and he gulped yet again as the latter eyed him with suspicion. It wasn’t as though he had anything to hide, but something about Yeonjun’s calculating gaze made his skin crawl.

He needed to escape. Just for a moment, at least.

“I’ll be right back. Going to find some water.”

He slipped out of the living room then, apologizing profusely to each couple he accidentally bumped into, bowing in remorse to each person’s toes his big feet happened to stumble over. He ached to be by Felix’s side—the stoned skateboarder had become somewhat of a security blanket to the taller of the duo—but his blonde friend was nowhere to be seen.

After snagging a bottle of water from the kitchen, Soobin managed to slip into an empty bathroom. He slammed the door shut and wasted no time in locking it. Letting out the biggest sigh of relief, he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the door, taking a big gulp of the ice cold water.

He set the bottle on the counter and carefully reached into the front pocket of his jacket, his fingers finding the piece of paper he had been storing there all evening. He pulled it out and let his eyes wander over his middle school creation. It was a big heart, cut out from a scrap piece of red construction paper. Scrawled across it in his eight-grade handwriting were the words, Be mine this Valentine’s! His name was etched at the bottom, and at the very top, delicately printed in hot pink glitter glue, your name was written as well.

He had planned to give this to you four years ago on Valentine’s day. Everything had been planned out perfectly; he was to pick you up on his old, trusty bike. It wasn’t really made for two people, but the two of you had fashioned a makeshift extra seat for you to sit upon whenever you went places together. 

He wanted to take you to the Dairy Shack, which was the local ice cream shop where the two of you spent the most time together. You always got a large chocolate shake to share, playing a quick game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who got to eat the cherry on top. He was going to order a shake and specially ask for two cherries that time, and planned to give both of them to you before he would bravely present you with the handmade card he had spent all day working on.

However, when he waited for you outside your house that day, the red dusk turned to pitch black night, and you never stepped foot out your door.

He had even gone up to your door a few times and knocked, but there was no answer. Eventually he pedalled off into the night, back to his house. He was disappointed, of course, but more worried than anything else. He had hoped you weren’t sick.

But when he saw you at school the next day, he knew that hadn’t been the case.

And when you ignored him calling your name as you passed by him in the hallways, he knew that something had drastically changed.

For weeks, Soobin was in great turmoil as he replayed your last few encounters together before you had stood him up. Perhaps you were angry that he had won the last few games of rock, paper, scissors? If he had known, he would have given you all the cherries for the rest of time if it meant you would still talk to him. He didn’t care about them—he cared about you.

He missed you.

And as weeks turned to months, and months turned to years, you still barely spoke to him, and he missed you more and more. The best friend he had wanted to take a step closer to had taken a thousand steps back from him, and he still had no idea why.

But that night, he was determined to find out.

Well, if he could muster up the courage to get a single word out, of course.

He folded the heart back up and stuck it back in his pocket, taking a deep breath as he observed himself in the fogged-up mirror. He fixed his bright blue hair that Felix had helped him bleach and dye, making sure the pieces fell over the corners of his eyes just right. He straightened his white turtleneck and cuffed the sleeves of his denim jacket until he was at least somewhat content with his appearance.

“You can do this, Soobs,” He told himself, adjusting his big round glasses further up the bridge of his nose. “That’s what Felix would say.”

“Hey, rich boy!” A loud scream came from outside the bathroom door, accompanied by harsh knocking that sent Soobin stumbling backwards until he fell in the shower, pulling the curtains down with him.

“Hurry up in there! I’m about to piss myself!”

Soobin let out a shaky sigh, scrambling to his feet as he rushed to fix the curtain he had torn down with his clumsiness. “Sorry,” he mumbled, though he doubted the person on the other side of the door could hear him.

He realized then with an ever growing dread that it would be a miracle if he survived the night long enough to even find you, but it would take the work of God himself for him to actually speak to you.

He figured it was time for him to start praying.

- 

YOU KNEW IT WAS A MISTAKE TO LET JEN DO YOUR MAKEUP.

When she had stopped you on your way out the door with a compact of bright purple eyeshadow, you had turned her down right away. No way in all of creation were you walking in a party with such an atrocious color caked up to your brow bone.

“How can you say it’s gonna look bad if you haven’t even let me try?” Jen had asked.

You had given her a once-over, your lips pressed into a thin line. “If it’s gonna look anything like the way you do your own makeup, I’m gonna have to pass.”

After that snide remark, she had threatened to fire you if you didn’t let her apply the makeup. And so you obliged, though you didn’t have much of a choice.

The booming sounds of the party hit your ears before you had even reached the lawn. Screaming teens—well, there were probably some adults thrown in there as well—and the sound of music spilled through the open windows of the home. Couples and singles alike were scattered throughout the perfectly kept lawn that was now littered with empty cups and other assortments of garbage.

You looked down at your patchwork jeans and pink sweater, certain that you would be underdressed compared to the rest of the partygoers. But from the looks of things, as you carefully squeezed your way through the front door and into the home, everyone was probably too wasted to even notice your arrival, let alone care about your looks.

You caught a glimpse of your face in the hallway mirror, cringing at the sight of your eyeshadow. You had tried to wipe some of it away before arriving, but it simply smudged, giving you quite the shocking smoky, purple eye look. For someone who didn’t even know the difference between a paintbrush and a makeup brush, it was a bold look, to say the least.

If Soobin saw you looking like this, he’d probably have a heart attack.

Soobin.

In the midst of all your frantic preparation, you had nearly forgotten about the main reason why you had planned to avoid this party at all costs. With a quick glance around the room, you realized that he was nowhere to be seen. You wouldn’t have been surprised if he hadn’t shown up at all. He was never a fan of parties, anyway.

You crossed your arms over your chest and slowly slipped past the couples crowding the hallway with their limbs intertwined, mouths practically swallowing one another whole, until you reached the living room. Surprisingly, it was less crowded in here than you thought it might be. A few minglers were scattered about the room’s perimeter, but they all kept away from the center of the room, which was occupied by none other than Choi Yeonjun and all his brainless, rich-boy worshippers. You quickly scanned the group, not able to make out Soobin among them. When you realized he wasn’t there, you were partly relieved and partly disappointed. If was to be anywhere at this party, it would probably be with these guys.

With a quick turn on your heel, you planned to make your way out of the living room before Yeonjun could see you. The last thing you wanted was for the boy with a bruised ego to see you, regardless of whether or not he had been the one to invite you.

“Y/N? You came?”

Too late.

Plastering a forced grin to your face, you slowly turned to face Yeonjun, who had just called your name. He was eyeing you with slight surprise, but soon, a smirk slipped across his lips as he motioned for you to come over. You had to hold back your sigh, wishing there was some way for you to get out of this situation. It was all Jen’s fault that you had to show up in the first place. You decided you were going to demand an extra ten cents be added to your raise the next time you saw your pushy boss.

“Hey Yeonjun,” you said once you had walked over to him. “I figured I’d stop by for a minute or two, since you were kind enough to invite me.”

He smirked, glancing at a few of his friends. They shared a knowing laugh with one another, but the meaning of it was lost to you. You wanted nothing more than to get away from them, but that wasn’t an option.

“You’re too busy to go out with me to a basketball game but free enough to come to a party, huh?” He asked.

You blinked, digging your nails into your arms. “I’m sorry?”

“It’s fine, really,” He drawled, swirling his plastic cup of beer in his hand. “You didn’t think I’d be upset or anything did you? I only asked you out because I was dared to shack up with you. But I’m guessing you already knew that, since you’re so smart and all.”

Your eyes went wide, but you managed to control the rest of your expression. It was just like you had guessed—Yeonjun had invited you to the party with the sole purpose of making a scene.

If you survived the night, Jen was never going to hear the end of it.

“You’re not gonna say anything?” He asked, pushing himself to his feet. You could tell by the slight stumble in his step and his hooded eyes that he had quite a bit to drink. He took a step towards you, causing you to back up immediately. Your back hit the wall, and you placed your palms against it as Yeonjun towered over you. 

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I know why you’re here anyways.” He leaned forward, his lips hovering near your ear. “You’re here to see Soobin, aren’t you? Since he’s the only one here willing to waste his time on filth like you.”

Your blood boiled, and you had to clench your fists at your sides to control your anger.

“Don’t,” You seethed, “Call me that.”

“Call you what? Filth? Or sweetheart? Why, is that something good old Binnie used to call you—”

He never got to finish that sentence, because with one big burst of anger, you stomped on his toe as hard as you could with your worn-out platform sneaker.

“What the hell!” He screeched, drawing the attention of several others in the room. His outburst even caused a few of the couples to pull away from each other’s faces long enough to eavesdrop.

Before you could even say anything back, lukewarm liquid was splashed up in your face, burning your eyes and nose. You gasped, running your hands over your eyes to see Yeonjun with his now empty cup of beer pointed towards you.

“Think twice before you act out against me next time, sweetheart. Never forget your place.”

Tears of anger burned in your eyes, and you scanned the room to see several people exchanging whispers and giggles as they glanced in your direction. You pushed past Yeonjun and quickly made your way out the back door of the house, unable to stand the humiliation for a moment longer.

Soobin arrived in the living room just in time to see you leave.

He wasted no time in rushing towards Yeonjun, grabbing hold of his arm. “Yeonjun, was that Y/N?” He asked, eyes quickly taking in the puddle of alcohol on the floor and the empty cup in Yeonjun’s hand. “What happened?”

“Nothing you need to worry your pretty blue head about, Big Choi. I just put her in her place is all.”

Soobin’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean you ‘put her in her place?’”

Yeonjun laughed, giving Soobin a nonchalant pat on the back. “Just drop it, would you? It has nothing to do with you.”

“What did you say, Yeonjun?”

Yeonjun was growing irritated now. He huffed out a breath, crossing his arms over his chest. “I said it has nothing to do with you, Soobin. I know you like to hang around people like that pothead Felix, but the rest of us live in the real world, where we’d rather not waste our time with those who have no future anyways. I bet he’s the one that got you to dye your hair that god awful blue, isn’t he?”

Soobin bit the inside of his cheek. He so badly wished to rip Yeonjun to shreds then and there. If he had Felix’s courage, the cocky bastard would have been knocked to the ground ages ago. But if there was one thing Soobin was sure he could never be, it was brave. And so, despite his rage, he remained silent, his eyes practically burning a hole through Yeonjun’s chest from how intently he was glaring.

It seemed as though Yeonjun was about to say something, but his eyes landed on the bit of red that peeked through the front pocket of Soobin’s denim jacket. Before Soobin had time to defend himself, Yeonjun had reached forward and snatched it from his pocket, revealing the large paper heart—his valentine for you.

“So this is why you care so much,” Yeonjun said, laughing as his eyes scanned the glittery words that decorated the page. “You want her to be your valentine.”

“Give that back,” Soobin said quietly, his hands beginning to shake.

Yeonjun instead lifted his eyes to Soobin, gave him a sickly sweet grin, and ripped the heart straight down the middle. He let the two pieces fall from his hands to the ground, and with them Soobin’s heart went also.

“You’re really willing to try and go against me, and for what? For the sake of a girl who can’t even afford a new pair of jeans and a boy that smokes his life away in the bathroom stalls?” Yeonjun took a slow step towards Soobin, his eyes glinting with a sinister determination. “You may be rich, Soobin, but if you choose to lower yourself to their standards, you may as well be dirt poor just like they are.”

With his hands clenched into tight fists, his glasses sliding down his nose, and his heart quite literally in two pieces on the floor below him, Soobin decided that he had had enough.

“I’d much rather be associated with people who are kind and have actual depth to their character than be lumped together with a bunch of pricks like you with no real personality—because that’s something you can’t buy with daddy’s paycheck.”

He had to physically restrain himself from slapping his hand across his own mouth in shock. It was as if the spirit of Felix himself had possessed him to say such harsh things. He wondered where Felix was then, wishing more than ever before to have his best friend by his side as he began to tremble from either the rush of adrenaline that coursed through his veins, or from fear. Or perhaps it was both.

He didn’t have time to ponder it any longer before Yeonjun’s fist collided with his nose, resulting in a sickening crack as pain echoed throughout his face in tidal waves.

He stumbled backward as people began to shout, raising his hand to his nose and gasping when he saw that his palm was covered in blood. 

Beomgyu had his arms wrapped around Yeonjun, who was desperately trying to lunge towards Soobin once again.

“Knock it off, Yeonjun!” Beomgyu shouted, pushing the elder back. “His dad is on the school board! Are you trying to get expelled?”

Beomgyu looked over his shoulder at the still stunned Soobin, who was gaping at the blood that now stained his once white turtleneck. 

“Get lost, Soobin,” Beomgyu said, to which Soobin only blinked in reply, his ears ringing.

“Now!”

Head spinning, Soobin picked up the two halves of his paper heart, stuffed them into his jeans, and stumbled out the same door he had seen you go through just minutes before. After checking to make sure his glasses were still intact—they were, thankfully—he shook his head in an effort to clear his mind of the static, eyes scanning the front lawn looking for any trace of you.

It didn’t take long for his eyes to spot you among the now dwindling crowd of partygoers. Your bright pink sweater stood out against the darkness, so he was able to recognize you even with your back towards him. He sniffed, wiping the back of his hand against his dripping nose as he slowly made his way to where you sat on the curb, your feet planted on the asphalt street. He wished that he looked a bit more presentable—when he played this scene out in his head over the years in which he would finally reunite with you, he never imagined himself dazed and covered in blood.

Desperate times called for desperate measures, he supposed.

When he reached you, he simply stood beside you in silence for a moment, unsure of what to say. He could tell that you sensed his presence, but you refused to look up at him as you kept your face buried in your hands. He could have sworn he heard a few muffled sobs slip through your fingers, but of course, he wasn’t going to bring that up.

Eventually he decided to slip his jacket off of his shoulders, leaning down to drape it over you. You still kept your head down as he sat beside you on the curb, but he watched you grip the jacket and pull it tighter around your body. He smiled a bit, holding the collar of his turtleneck against his throbbing nose.

“Thank you,” you muttered, wiping your hand across your eyes. You finally looked over at him, and when you did, you couldn’t hold back your gasp. “My God Soobin, what happened to your face?”

“Oh, well, I might have gotten punched,” He said quickly, trying to wave off your concern. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Punched? By who?”

He looked down at the ground, sniffing as a drop of blood hit the pavement. “Yeonjun,” he muttered under his breath.

“I’m sorry, did you just say Yeonjun? Are you insane? Why on earth would you butt heads with the Choi Yeonjun?”

Soobin didn’t say anything in response, he simply stared at you, eyes wide with beer dripping off the ends of your hair, makeup smeared across your face, your sweater stained down the front. It didn’t seem to take long for you to put the pieces together, as the shock left your face and was replaced with something akin to guilt.

“Oh,” You said, looking back down at your shoes.

“So she knows that I did it all for her,” Soobin thought.

For some reason, the idea of that both terrified and excited him.

A second later, he glanced over to see you ripping one of the hand-sewed patches of fabric off your jeans, leaving a square of your skin exposed to the chilly night air. You leaned towards him, pushing his hand away from his nose so you could use the patch to clean up some of the blood on and around his puffy red nose.

“Y/N, your pants!” He exclaimed, trying to push your hand away. “They’re ruined!”

“I’m not worried about my pants, you idiot,” You said, swatting his hand away as you continued to press the cloth against his skin. “You got punched in the face because of me, this is the least I could do.”

“That was my choice though,” He muttered, although he stopped trying to resist your touch. He ignored the way his heart thrummed harder in his chest, hoping that you couldn’t hear.

“Well, this is my choice too.” Your eyes flicked to his for a brief moment, your bottom lip pulled between your teeth. “Why did you do it, by the way?”

“Do what?”

“Stand up to Yeonjun for me and get a nasty nosebleed as a result.”

“Oh.” He blinked slowly, keeping his eyes fixed on yours. “Just ‘cause.”

“Because . . . ?”

“Because of you.” He blurted, causing your hand to go still against him. He swallowed his fear, braving the best smile that he could. “Just you. That was my only reason.”

You didn’t say anything as your hand fell from his face, the cloth clutched between your fingers. The anxiety he had tried his best to suppress came rushing up all at once, and he was surprised that his ears didn’t begin to squeal like a tea kettle from all the pressure. 

“Y/N,” He said, gently placing his hand over yours despite how his fingers trembled. “Why did you pull away from me?”

“What?”

“Four years ago. Why did you stop talking to me?”

You were quiet for a moment, digging into the ground with the toe of your sneaker. Soobin held his breath until you finally replied with, “I was afraid.”

“Afraid? Of what?”

“We were getting older, Binnie,” You said, and his heart skipped at the use of your old nickname for him. “You and I, we’re from very different walks of life. You get to hang out with people like Yeonjun, whereas I get a cup of beer poured all over my face just for existing, and you get a fist to the nose for trying to stand up for me. We’re from different sides of the track, one might say.”

“So?” Soobin asked, his hand tightening around yours. “Did you really think that would affect us that much, Y/N?”

You frowned, glancing down at his hand over yours.

“I thought you’d be embarrassed of me,” You said, your voice barely above a whisper.

“Embarrassed?” Soobin’s eyes went wide as he gripped your hand tighter still, pulling it into his lap. “Y/N, I would never, ever be embarrassed of you. Besides, have you seen my best friend? He’s on a first name basis with the principal because of how often he gets written up for smoking behind the school. If I’m not embarrassed of him, why would I ever be embarrassed of you?”

You laughed, wiping the back of your hand across your eyes once more. “I guess I was worried about nothing, huh?” You sniffed, giving his hand a squeeze. “I’m sorry, Soobin.”

He shook his head, squeezing your hand right back. “Don’t apologize. You’re here now, that’s what matters. Do think we could—you know—”

“Pick up where we left off?” You smiled, nodding vigorously. “I’d like that very much, Binnie.”

He beamed then, almost pinching himself to be sure that he was not dreaming, but the pain in his nose was real enough to remind him of that on its own. He jumped to his feet, pulling you right up with him.

“In that case, how about we finally go on that Valentine’s date I had planned all the way back then?”

“Date?” You asked, a brow raised. “Is it really considered a date if two friends are just hanging out?”

He didn’t respond as he pulled you along behind him towards the bushes where he and Felix had hidden his bike. He crouched down and moved the branches aside, feeling his heart drop to his stomach when he realized that his bike was, in fact, no longer there.

He shot up, turning to face you with eyes wide. “Felix—that bastard took my bike!”

You were quiet for a moment, but then, you burst into boisterous laughter, leaving Soobin utterly confused.

“It’s not funny, Y/N!” He whined, shoving your shoulder lightly. “I was supposed to take you to the Dairy Shack on my bike!”

“It is funny,” You said between bursts of laughter. “Only you would get such a rusty old piece of metal stolen from you.”

He pushed his lips out in a pout, sliding his glasses up his sore nose. “It’s a good bike, don’t make fun of it.”

You grinned, interlocking his fingers with yours, which was enough to instantly wipe the pout right off his face. 

“Let’s just walk, Binnie. The Dairy Shack isn’t that far anyways.”

You were right; the walk to your favorite milkshake place was very close to the house where the party had occurred. Although Felix stealing his bike had thrown an obvious wrench in his plans, it was a minor hiccup, and one he could most definitely handle. Besides, he wouldn’t have to see Felix until the next day anyways. He could deal with his frustration then.

At least, that’s what he thought anyways, until the two of you spotted Felix at the skatepark on your way to the dairy shack.

Soobin’s eyes took in the deplorable sight before him—from where he stood on the dimly lit sidewalk, he could see Felix and a girl he had never seen before, their faces nearly pressed together, and most importantly, with his bike discarded a few yards away from them.

“Soobin,” You said, tugging on his arm. “They look like they’re busy, let’s just go—”

But Soobin, who had little patience when it came to Felix messing up his plans, didn’t let you finish before he screamed, “Give me back my freaking bike!”

You had to hold back your snort of laughter at his choice of words. Even when he was trying to sound angry, he was undeniably adorable.

Soobin watched as Felix startled, clutching his spliff between his fingers as he glared daggers back at his friend. Soobin gulped, trying not to let his fear show on his face. What did he have to be afraid of, anyways? He was the victim of thievery, and his best friend was the offender.

Felix took a big step towards him, but he paused, his eyes landing on your interlocked hands. Soobin glanced down as well, his face growing furiously warm as he realized the situation he had gotten himself into. 

He decided to divert the subject before it could even be brought up by saying, “I can’t believe you stole my bike! All this time I was trying to hide it from strangers, but you, my best friend! I should’ve been hiding it from you!”

Soobin noticed Felix’s female companion step off the skateboard and walk over in his direction, and for a second he felt bad for possibly ruining her night with his best friend. However, his frustration was more prominent in the moment as he fixed his gaze back on his best friend, who had fixed a mischievous smirk upon his face that made warning sirens blare in Soobin’s head right away.

“Now, now, buddy,” Felix said, his voice calm and carefree as ever. It probably had something to do with what he had just smoked, but Soobin didn’t care all that much. “You’re just gonna have to let me borrow it for a little longer.”

Soobin nearly laughed at the audacity of such a statement. “You are gonna give me the bike, or—”

“How about this, Soobs?” Soobin’s lips clamped shut at his friend’s interruption, as the thief in question gestured with his joint to where Soobin’s fingers were locked with yours. “You let me keep your bike for the night, and I don’t tell your dad about you hanging out with the opposite gender.”

Unable to control yourself, you let out a big laugh. Soobin would have felt betrayed, but he was more terrified than anything else at the idea of his father finding out that he was taking a girl out without his permission. He would be grounded for weeks—no, months.

“You wouldn’t.”

Felix’s lips curled up even more into a twisted grin that Soobin wished he had the guts to slap off his face. “God, just imagine the look on Mr. Choi’s face. Imagine him finding out about your premarital hand holding.”

No. Not the hand holding.

Soobin almost felt faint, but he steeled himself to the best of his abilities as he cleared his throat. “One night, Lix,” he warned. “If I don’t see it on my porch in the morning, you’ll be sorry!”

“Oh, I’m so scared,” Felix teased. His expression changed a moment later though, when he finally noticed Soobin’s swollen nose and blood-stained turtleneck. “Wait, Soobs, the hell happened to you?”

Soobin, however, had already taken his first steps away from the skatepark, pulling you along behind him. “I’ll tell you later, bud. Enjoy your spliff with that kind girl who you probably don’t deserve!”

“Hey!”

Soobin couldn’t help but laugh as he swung your interlocked hands together, grinning as you let out a laugh as well. The anger that had seeped through him seemed to melt away in an instant as the two of you continued your journey to the Dairy Shack.

“Would your dad really be that upset if he found out about this?” You asked.

Soobin grimaced. “We should probably wait til next year to tell him about this outing. Or maybe the year after that.”

When the two of you had finally reached the Dairy Shack, you waited outside for him while he went in to order your drink. A large chocolate milkshake, with two straws, just like you used to get every time before.

When he had the drink in hand, he walked back outside and sat down beside you on the curb, smiling as you wrapped his jacket tighter around your shoulders. You smiled back up at him, your eyes creasing from the expression. Your smile had always struck him right to his core; he had missed seeing it every day.

He hoped he could see it every morning and every night from that day onward. There was no way he would let you go this time.

He just had to muster up the courage to grab hold of you first.

“You know what, Binnie, you turned out to be a lot taller than I thought you ever would be,” you said as you took one of the straws from his hands. “You’re actually enormous. It’s shocking.”

“Should I find that offensive? It sounds kinda like an insult.”

“Take it however you will,” You teased, leaning over as he popped the plastic lid off the milkshake. He grabbed the cherry by the stem and held it towards you.

“What are you doing?” You asked, holding out your fist. “We have to rock, paper, scissors for it. Remember?”

Soobin laughed as he shook his head. “I’m giving it to you this time. It’s what I planned to do all those years ago, when I asked you to hang out on Valentine’s.”

You seemed to be taken aback, but you simply shrugged as you plucked the cherry from his hand and pulled it from the stem with your teeth, glancing back over at him. It was silent for a moment, but then your eyes landed on the pocket of his jeans, where you could see a bit of red paper poking out. You leaned over even further, reaching your hand out to snatch the paper.

“What are you—hey! Give that back!”

Soobin desperately tried to take his Valentine back from you, but it was too late. You held both halves of what used to be a whole in your hands, your eyes scanning the words as you pieced them together.

“Soobin . . .”

He held his breath. Had his act of young love left you completely speechless? Were you so touched that you would burst into tears?

“This looks like a middle schooler made it.”

He let out the breath in the form of a long, long sigh.

“That’s because it was made by a middle schooler,” He said as he set the milkshake down beside him. “I made it back in the eighth grade. I planned to give it to you that Valentine’s.”

“Oh.” You ran your finger along the card’s surface, the smallest smile creeping across your lips. “Well in that case, it’s not half bad. Why’s it ripped though?”

“Ah—well, Yeonjun . . .”

You nodded, taking another glance at his swollen nose. “No need to elaborate. It seems you had a lot planned for our Valentine’s Day back then. Is there anything else you wanted to do?”

His mouth went dry at that, and he wished that you couldn’t see his face because he was sure that his expression was quite comical. All the way back then, four years prior, he had in fact planned the perfect, ideal day in his head. Picking you up on his bike, giving you the cherry from his milkshake, and presenting you with his hand made card.

There was only one thing left on his list.

He didn’t move at first, willing himself to have enough courage to even look back in your direction. But when he finally did allow his eyes to meet yours, he felt his shoulders relax and his heart rate became more manageable.

He took a deep breath, leaned forward, and pressed his lips against your cheek.

He lingered there for only a moment before he pulled back, daring to pry one of his eyes open to take in the look on your face.

The disappointment was palpable—from the way your brows furrowed together and the way you pursed your lips. His stomach dropped, and he scooted the tiniest bit away from you.

“I’m sorry,” He blurt out, his face growing warmer by the second. “I shouldn’t have done that, I just—”

“Is that all?”

Your question stopped him mid-ramble, his eyes growing wide. “Huh?”

“Is that all?” You repeated, closing the distance between you that he had created. “It’s Valentine’s Day, Soobin. I think we can do better than a peck on the cheek.”

The implications of what you were saying didn’t register with him right away, but when it finally did, he could have sworn his heart began to beat loud enough for the entire town to hear. His hand curled into a fist as he gripped the denim of his jeans. He leaned forward, keeping his eyes open just enough to watch you as he brought his lips closer to yours. He could feel your eyes on him all the while, causing his heart to pound fiercer still within him.

When he was just a breath away, he whispered, “Can you close your eyes?”

“Hm?”

He lifted his hand, gently placing it over your eyes. He leaned closer then, filling the space between you both as his lips met yours. You tasted vaguely of cherry and strawberry slice soda, and he found it quite nice the way his lips seemed to fit perfectly against your own. As the seconds drew on, your hands slipped around his neck, pulling him closer. He slowly let his hand fall from your eyes, tracing lines with the tips of his fingers down your cheek before he cradled your jaw, letting his lips part just enough to taste the sweet sugar on your lips once more.

He thought in a haze that it was a good thing he didn’t drink anything at the party, as kissing you was proving to be intoxicating enough on its own.

When you finally pulled away, leaving your forehead resting against his, he let his eyes flutter open enough to see the euphoric smile that adorned your features. He grinned as well, gently running his thumb against your cheek.

“I think that back then, I had planned to ask you this before kissing you,” He whispered, “But Y/N, will you be my Valentine?”

Instead of a spoken answer, you laughed, leaning forward to capture his lips with yours once again, and that was the only answer Choi Soobin would ever need.

-

WHEN SOOBIN ARRIVED HOME THAT NIGHT, HE WENT STRAIGHT FOR THE TELEPHONE.

It was kept upstairs at night right outside his parent’s door, to keep himself and his brother from using it in the late hours. Of course, this never stopped Soobin from sneaking it downstairs to his room in the basement to make late night calls to Felix.

And that particular evening, he really needed to give Felix an update.

He grabbed the phone from the small table in the hallway, carefully tiptoeing towards the basement stairs. Before he had even taken the first step down, the bathroom door creaked open. Soobin whipped his head around to see his brother Kai standing there, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he raised a brow at his older brother.

Soobin froze, blinking slowly as he realized the incriminating situation he found himself in.

“Please don’t tell mom,” He whispered, his eyes pleading with his younger brother.

Kai nodded, although Soobin wasn’t quite convinced that the boy was even coherent enough to understand what was going on. Soobin offered a rushed thank you, and ventured his first step down the stairs.

Well, he tried, anyways, and ended up missing the first step. He tumbled down the rest of the stairs, landing on his butt at the very end.

He winced in pain, glad to see that the phone was still intact in his hands. He glanced over his shoulders to see Kai staring down the stairway with wide eyes, his lips parted in shock. Soobin quickly put a finger to his lips, begging his brother for silence.

Kai simply shook his head and walked away, allowing Soobin the freedom to breathe out a sigh of relief.

He quickly ran to his bedroom and shut the door, collapsing onto his bed with the phone as his breaths came in ragged gasps as an aftereffect from his tumble down the stairs. He figured he should have dialed Felix’s number right away, but he couldn’t help but brush his fingers against his lips, remembering the feeling and taste of having yours pressed against them.

He was so caught up in his daze that he didn’t notice Felix calling until the third ring.

He picked it up, breathing heavily into the speaker as he rubbed a sore spot on his lower back. 

“Please tell me that panting is from running a marathon, and not what I think you’ve successfully tried.”

Soobin nearly gagged, holding the phone away from his face as he coughed, flustered by his friend's crude words. He brought the phone back to his face and said, “No, you sicko, I just fell down the stairs.”

“How the hell did you manage that with those long legs?”

“That’s not important, Lix!” He laid back onto his pillows then, twirling the phone cord in his hands as he stared up at his ceiling, the memories of his adventure with you that night flooding his mind once more. He couldn’t help but smile from ear to ear as he said, “Look, I need to tell you something important.”

If he didn’t know any better, he would have thought that he could hear the smile in Felix’s voice too as his friend replied.

“Well buddy, I got something to tell you too.”

[mxrcayong]

part of @nct-writers​’s cafe resonance collab!

genre: fluff, a more UK-based pov of university

summary: jisung, a college student now looking for a job, has decided to apply for a job at the local café. he thought being friends with the manager and its employees has it perks; from unlimited free coffee to whatever pastries haven’t been eaten by the end of the day. needless to say; the perks must end somewhere. 

word count: 2317 words

note: i didn’t make the divider!!

College students practically live by coffee shops. If university was a religion, the on-campus coffee shop would be the bible. Daily, college students’ breath in the coffee beans like oxygen, feel the permanent imprint of coffee mug or a ‘to go’ cup on their lips. They’re surrounded by the smells of different fruity pastries and savory snacks, and the sounds of students either chatting or typing away on their computers. 

It’s no wonder that the university coffee shop was practically a hub of activity. When you sit down to work at Café Resonance, it’s feels like you’re a part of a bigger and collective community, stressing for assessments or just taking a break from their hectic university schedules. It’s especially hectic when you’re a full-time student and work part time.   

“Do I really need to get a job?” Jisung sighed, scratching his head as he leant against the barista’s counter. His six closest friends were working behind the counter: using the coffee machines and decorating the pastries. “Can’t I just use your employee discount on everything?” 

Jaemin furrowed his eyebrows. “You know I want to, my little mouse.” He teased as he placed another order on his tray, “But I can only put the café employee discount on so many things.” He practically sung as he left, heading to a table to bring another set of students their own cups of their own ambrosia.     

From the cash register, Haechan had just finished taking the orders of the last bunch of the line and immediately replaced Jaemin’s place next to Jisung. “You can always just become a sugar baby.” He suggested, coming over to the display case to grab one of the pastries to heat up per the customer’s order. “Or a pole dancer… aren’t you a good dancer?” 

Jisung immediately protested. “Firstly, no. Secondly, is it even legal? I literally only became an adult this year.” 

“Actually…” Haechan started to counter, only to be interrupted by Mark approaching with a raised hand and a dirty mop. 

“Stop telling everyone to become a sugar baby.” Mark chided as he ducked to get back behind the counter, drudging the cleaning supplies with him. “You do realize that if someone does become a sugar baby, they aren’t entitled to paying for your shit either.” In response, Haechan grumbled under his breath as he gave the bewildered customer overhearing the odd conversation their fruity treat. 

Jisung has visited his closest friends enough to know that working at the café is like a beautifully choreographed dance. It moves like clockwork; with the six doing their roles diligently and without question. So, it’s not unusual for his friends to come and go during the conversation – all taking part whilst separating themselves at the same time. 

“Why don’t you just ask Chenle if you could work here?” Renjun suggested, coming out from the back room where he started baking some more pastries – obvious through his powdered apron. “We all work here already, and we can go through the ropes with you.” 

Jeno immediately stepped in and basically rejected the offer. “Do you remember the last time we hosted an event and Jisung wanted to help?” He prompted, before chuckling. “He tried to wash the food with dish soap…and he broke the broom when cleaning!” 

Almost as if the thought of teasing Jisung summons him, Chenle came out of seemingly nowhere. “Didn’t he leave the broken broom on the floor and just started playing video games?” Jeno, Haechan, and Renjun nodded – remembering the mess the 00-line apartment was that night.  

“Not the best party we hosted.” Jaemin commented, going around the counter to make his own drink now that the list of waiting customers is gone. “But, still, Jisung learns fast. I think he could work here.” 

Chenle let out an introspective hum, before leaning over to whisper to Haechan. With a questionable look on their faces, Chenle decided to call Jisung into the back room and in his makeshift ‘managers office’ (a perk of being family with the owner of the university café). “I’ll consider your application, but I can’t do any nepotism.” He started, “so, you must go through the whole application process.” He paused. “You must come up with your own recipe.” 

With a rule to not discuss recipes with his ‘potential future co-workers’ – which Chenle weirdly specified as everyone but Haechan, Jisung had to get straight to work. In all honesty, he had no baking experience nor ever made a drink without a guiding recipe.

While his six closest friends were out of the equation, he had another friend he could reach out to; Y/N. 

You were in his freshmen orientation group earlier this year. Not going to lie, you initially thought of each other as familiar faces who you’d occasionally wave at or nod in acknowledgement when you walk past each other. However, you later found yourself eating in the same hall cafeteria…and then the same hall pantry…and then, it clicked. You two lived only four doors away from each other in your university hall. 

Needless to say, you two ran midnight McDonald trips basically on a weekly basis. You became integral to Jisung’s daily routine; from waking each other up for breakfast to storming into each other rooms, armed with complaints and rants about the shitty professor who made you read 300 pages for one night. Even on your busiest days, you two would always pick each other up for the hall provided breakfasts and dinners. 

So here you were - Jisung was slouching down on your desk chair while you were resting on the bed, your back against the wall and a pillow in your lap as you tried to help Jisung solve his current problem. “Well…did Chenle give you a prompt or anything?” 

Jisung shook his head, groaning back. “It’s not like we have a kitchen to try and bake either! We only have fridges and a microwave and a….” He tried to recall what was on the floor pantry. 

“Just a fridge and a microwave.” You added. “That means pastries are off the table…how about a drink?” 

Jisung groaned again. “I have a hard time making pre-made coffee!” 

You couldn’t help but chuckle; you remembered that day. It was a scary time for you; your credit card company sent you a text about a fraudulent use of your student account. Not only did you end up stressing to the point of crying, but you also learned it was a false alarm. Luckily, while still reeling from the anxiety inducing news, you ran into Jisung as he was leaving his room. He then took you to the pantry to try and cheer you up with coffee…however, a fire alarm went off and practically deafened the whole university housing cohort for hours. 

And poor Jisung…Jisung was just an awkward little mouse, trying to look innocent as he saw his exhausted neighbors clamber out into the park due to his attempt of making pre-made coffee. 

“Well…you have me. This isn’t hopeless.” Climbing off the bed, you pretended to dust yourself off. “So, let’s go to the pantry? Another one of our…”

Jisung quickly furrowed his brows, interjecting while you still spoke “I don’t think this can be considered snacking…”

“Pantry-time dates.” You stuttered, obviously unsure of the title. Usually, you call them ‘cup noodle dates’ or ‘popcorn dates’; a joke that ran through your small group of friends as well as the resident advisors at the university hall. 

No one likes being in the pantry. Especially the second floor. For one, things always get stolen; from cutlery to a six pack of coke. Secondly, the few times people use the microwave to heat up their meals, they tend to leave the leftovers to rot on the windowsill. But you and Jisung sit there together; maybe because something about it feels open and comfortable, despite the terrible smell. Plus…the two of you placed bets on who could be the thief when people awkwardly clamber on by, and if on one of these ‘dates’ you catch the thief obviously taking something that isn’t theirs? Even better. 

But today… you two will have to be the forsaken thieves. 

“So someone put chocolate powder in the fridge…” You commented incredulously, especially as this fridge is known for freezing things into ice in minutes. “There’s some…expired milk.” Jisung watched as you searched through the fridge for any hidden treasures; feeling more and more unsure of himself as you listed more and more ingredients. “Oh, okay, some non-expired milk. That will be useful.” 

“We can make a latte?” Jisung offered, now on his phone searching up popular café drinks. 

“Yes!” You enthused, finally feeling like this trip to the pantry isn’t useless after all. “But…we should probably write an apology note to the people we’re stealing from.” 

It’s been almost five hours in the pantry. Countless of people came in (however, this time you tried not to place bets as you knew who the real thieves were tonight) and would just stare at the two of you, arguing over a kettle of milk. Even your neighbor Victor came in; having sat and watched you two for a good while (which made Jisung extra cautious; he’s had a theory about him being the forsaken pantry thief for a while). Victor, however, said you two should have a cooking show, to which you scoffed while Jisung basked in the compliment. This very same compliment crossed Victor off of Jisung’s “potential criminals” list. 

Eventually, you had a drink in front of you. A chocolate latte that Jisung insisted on putting salt in, as “Modern Family said it was a good idea”. Admittedly, the first ten versions of this drink were absolute failures; making you go to the bathroom numerous times to vomit out the thick and almost flour-like texture.  

So, for your final check, the two of you grabbed the non-eaten pastries Jisung brought home from the café. Hopefully, this will act as a palette cleanser; especially since tasting all of the failed drinks probably have messed with your taste buds and lowered all sorts of expectations. 

After taking bites into the Suh-ndwitch and Henpretzel, you two finally took sips of the drink you attempted to make since 10pm – with Jisung making far too many references to the Powerpuff Girls opening theme. 

Alas – the taste that flooded their senses wasn’t at all bad, no. Nor was it ‘a little bit of sugar and everything ice’, but it was something you’d expect from Starbucks. You two immediately squealed out of excitement, ignoring the fact that you probably woke the neighboring rooms up at three in the morning. Jisung immediately went over to hug your waist, spinning you around as fast as he could; before something unexpected happens. 

You felt his lips on yours; tasting like chocolate and leftover ingredients that were remnants from his palette cleanser of a sandwich. The feeling was foreign; you never expected to kiss Jisung. He was your best friend, your neighbour; but his lips were soft…and something about this felt right. 

But then the door slammed opened. A zombie-like RA came in and you two immediately jumped to different sides of the room. “I know you two always do your pantry dates, but…” The RA started, obviously sluggish from being woken up at 3am. “We got noise complaints.” 

Jisung awkwardly coughed, apologized, and ran away; leaving you confused in the corner of the pantry. 

Café Resonance were never busy Friday evenings. People were most likely out pubbing or preparing for their weekends of antics. So when Jisung stormed in with a recipe in hand, he wasn’t afraid to celebrate as loudly as if he had just won the Olympic World Cup. “I got the recipe! Can I please have the job?” He practically pleaded, dropping the piece of paper with messy handwriting and the sample drink you two whipped up again the night prior. On top of the page with chocolate colored stains were the words; “Hamji Choco Latte” with (served hot or cold)  at the bottom.

“A recipe?” Everyone but Haechan and Chenle looked confused; with the latter two smirking in the corner of the room. But as soon as Haechan cracked and let out a loud laugh, Mark turned around and immediately recognized the culprits of this misunderstanding. 

“Bruh,” Chenle let out throughout his charming ‘dolphin laugh’, “You had the job – I was just messing with you.” 

Haechan pouted, approaching Jisung to ruffle his hair. “My sweet, small, dumb idiot…how much I love you.” He placed a sloppy kiss at the corner of his head, making Jisung immediately try to scrub it off. 

Jisung scowled, upset he let himself get fooled by his best friends. “At least I got a girlfriend from it…” He mumbled, more to himself, but forgetful of how Jeno’s ears can pick up on anything. It was from my ASMR stint, Jeno would say. 

“WHAT!?” He exclaimed, as if Jisung getting a girlfriend would happen the day pigs would fly. 

“I sent you to make a café recipe, not a love potion!” Chenle cackled even more; while his fellow friends made him explain what happened. 

By the time the store closed, Jaemin gave Jisung the ‘talk’ and warned that although they spent nights in each other’s rooms before, Jisung and you must be ‘safe’ and ‘protected’. 

People always say the first people you become friends with at university don’t always stay friends for life. People tend to clash, find their hobbies, and go different ways. But Jisung was lucky. He met you; his best friend and now his other half. And despite the annoying prank Chenle made that wasted hours of your time, Chenle was right; the Hamji Choco Latte was basically a love potion as it brought the hidden infatuation you had for each other to light.  

Now, every time he picks you up from your lecture hall, he brings one extra-large chocolatey drink to share. 

“Email sent out to residents of NCU Hall: 

Dear residents of the second floor, 

The person who has been stealing cultlery and food has been identified. Victor Cho will be coming by to return any items that may have belonged to you.”

Jisung screamed at the top of his lungs when he got this email. “I TOLD YOU SO!” 

[candychronicles]

catnip // h. shinsou

A/N: My take on the nsfw 7 minutes in heaven inspired server collab. Strap in folks, it’s a long one!

CHARACTER PAIRING: Shinsou Hitoshi x Reader

WORD COUNT: 3,043

WARNINGS: unprotected sex, choking, overstimulation, really just generally safe, kinky sex

SYNOPSIS: It seemed crazy, but against your better judgement, you signed up for a ‘steamy night with a local hottie.’ You weren’t expecting too much out of the whole situation but boy, were you wrong.

Want to enjoy another steamy story? Follow this link to the Masterlist !

your heartbeat pounded through your ears as you fully removed the lid. on top was a notecard with the address to what you assumed would be the meeting place with a date and time. just three days away and you’d be having the time of your life, or so the website said. 

a sick feeling crawled up your throat and you almost threw the box away in the trash can. what were you doing? were you really about to meet up with some stranger, at a random location, to eventually go back somewhere and fuck? what if he was a murderer? what if he had bad intentions? sure, there was a background check involved, and the initial meeting place was a neutral location where you could feel each other out, but still, were you that desperate for a good dicking down?

the answer was a very resounding yes, and with a firm shake of your head, you pushed the worried thoughts out of your mind and removed the note with the sheet of paper. underneath was a… cat toy? and was that catnip? you were extremely, extremely confused, the object not doing anything to quell your nerves but only heighten them. but still, you were intrigued, and you’d be damned if you let nerves get in the way of a potentially good night.

the next couple of days felt like a blur. you had gotten your eyebrows done, whole body painfully waxed, moisturized like there was no tomorrow, and overall felt like a soft goddess. you had spent hours attempting to pick out the perfect outfit and more importantly, the perfect lingerie. you had little to go on: he was in similar age, had generally the same sexual interests and kinks and was supposedly not a total creep. 

you had eventually settled on sexy yet simple: a lacy red one piece that clung to your body. overtop of your ensemble, you chose a simple black t-shirt dress with a cardigan. cute, appropriate for a normal bar, but easy to take off or push aside if it came down to it. very minimal makeup was applied: you didn’t want to sweat it all off and look like a gremlin. with a pair of kitten heels and a satin choker, you were out the door, palms sweaty.

the actual drive over went by in a blur, your mind too jumbled to even realize you had arrived. the instructions were to sit at the stool all the way to the left of the bar and order a whiskey, neat. typically, you weren’t a drinker, but tonight, you needed at least a pinch of liquid courage to follow through. a few tense minutes had passed, you swirling the thin plastic straw in the golden drink. a large, firm hand had gently placed itself on your right shoulder and you jumped, dropping the straw back in the drink.

“i’m sorry for startling you. are you (l/n) (y/n)?”

the first thing you noticed was his voice. it was deep, smooth, slow, much like the drink you were consuming. you were almost scared to look up, afraid his voice wouldn’t match his face, but you took one deep breath and looked up. 

holy fuck he is hot. like really, really, really hot.

“it’s fine! uh, yes i am though. you’re Shinsou Hitoshi, then?” you squeaked out, your voice and raging blush betraying your enamored feelings.

a gentle chuckle left his lips and he removed his hand from your shoulder, choosing instead to sit down next to you and order the same drink.

“i am. to be honest, i was a bit skeptical about joining the site, but with a schedule like mine, it seemed like a good way to meet someone and uh, enjoy my free time.”

“oh my gosh, me too! i mean, i know the site does a lot to keep everything safe, but you’re still running a risk. and what if you get matched up with someone that you don’t find attractive? oh no, you don’t find me too ugly, do you?”

suddenly, you were very self conscious about the way you looked, tugging on the sleeves of your cardigan.

“no, you’re not ugly at all. in fact, kitten, you’re quite cute,” he assured, giving you a heart stopping smirk. “what about me?”

in that moment, you had realized a few things. first, you had understood why he sent a cat toy. second, you wanted him to call you kitten for the rest of your life. and third, you were dripping through your lingerie already. he was attractive, painfully so. sharp jawline with an even sharper gaze. it felt like he could stare through straight to your soul and honestly, you would bare all for him at that moment. 

“cat got your tongue?” he teased, leaning forward and placing a warm palm on your thigh, rubbing small circles on your skin with his rough thumb. you could only imagine how that thumb would feel pressed against your clit and you let out an almost inaudible whine. 

“you’re really, really attractive,” you finally breathed out, enamored by the way he was looking at you. you felt like he was the cat and you were just his toy but at that moment, you didn’t care. 

“are you done with your drink? we can head back to my place. only if you want though,” he offered, knowing you weren’t going to refuse but being a gentleman anyways.

“yes, i’m done and i’d love to go back to your place.”

the car ride to his house was full of tension yet surprisingly comfortable. you had both chatted, talking about your mutual love of animals, how he was a pro hero and that’s why he turned to the website, how you were busy with your job but wanted to do something exciting for once, and other little topics that made you feel more at ease. his palm rested on your thigh again, so close to where you needed him but yet so far away. 

you finally made it to the rather impressive house. you shouldn’t have been surprised; after all, he was a pro hero, but your mouth still gaped open in surprise.

while you were gaping, Shinsou had gotten out of the car and opened your door, smiling down at you and patiently waiting for you to exit. you hastily stumbled out of the car, tripping into his arms.

“careful. wouldn’t want my kitty getting hurt before the real fun began.”

he was looking at you like you were something fragile and he wanted to absolutely devour in the most delicious way possible. you had never been bolder in your life, but something about the way he was looking at you, the way he smelled, the warmth of his body, made you forget every worry or care you had and you reached forward, ghosting your lips over his.

“trust me, i can handle it.”

a low growl eminanted from his throat, and he practically dragged you into his house, grip firm on your arm.

“don’t say i didn’t warn you.” 

the second the door closed, his lips was on yours, hot and inviting. his tongue slipped into your mouth with ease, finding no resistance from you. you were too caught up in his scent, that irresistible sandalwood and lavender smell that drove you mad, too caught up in the way his hands roamed all over your body, cupping your breasts, your ass, your throat, feeling the way you reacted just with a simple touch.

“while i’d gladly fuck you against this door right here and now, i would much rather take this to my room.”

“agreed,” you panted, looking up at him expectantly, waiting for him to make the next move. 

he had put a hand dangerously low on your waist, gently guiding you up the stairs and towards his room. you had no time to analyze your surroundings before his mouth was on you again, nipping at the sensitive skin on your neck, no doubt leaving bruises. 

you kicked off your heels, removed your cardigan, and placed your hands firmly on his chest, attempting to gain a sense of your surroundings, too wobbly on your feet from all the pleasure he was creating just with his kisses.

you felt his hands softly snake up your dress, a low hitch in his breath as he rubbed his hands over the lace. he flicked on the light with his shoulder, not letting his hands leave your body. you were able to finally look up at him, look at his messy hair from where your hands were, from his swollen lips, from the absolutely feral look in his eyes, and you knew nothing would ever compare to the experience you were about to have. 

your dress came over your head and before you could register what was happening, he kissed you again with ferocity, his shirt now discarded in the pile of clothes on the floor. you placed your hands gently back onto his chest and moaned into his mouth, feeling the smooth muscle flex underneath your featherlight touch. 

he pulled away briefly, looking you up and down, rubbing his thumb softly over the satin black choker around your neck. he stepped forward, forcing you to take a step back, and then again, and again, until your knees hit his bed and you fell onto your back. he came to rest overtop of you, dwarfing his body with your own, one knee pressed into your clothed cunt.

“you’re so fucking wet already. i can feel it through my pants.”

“maybe you should take your pants off,” you countered cheekily, reaching down towards his clothes. 

“patience, kitten. we’ll get there soon enough. let me take care of you first.”

his hot lips peppered sloppy kisses all over your neck, your collarbone, your shoulders, chest, before he slowly slid one strap of your one piece down, then the other, exposing your breasts to him. the rough pads of his fingers played with one nipple, twisting and squeezing, eliciting breathy moans from you. his mouth came down to lick and suck on the other, flicking the nub with his wet, muscled tongue. your back arched off the bed, desperate for some sort of relief from the torture he was enacting upon your body. 

“patience, kitten. i’m going to have to punish you even more if you don’t wait for me.”

your back laid down flat on the bed again, a whine leaving your open mouth, but you relented. you were absolute putty in his hands and he knew it. Shinsou continued his ministrations down your body, over your navel, around your hip bones, all the while pulling the lacy garment off of you. 

finally, you were completely exposed for him save the satin choker, which he insisted you kept on. you were as still as a board, afraid that if you moved, you wouldn’t get what you desired.

“look at you. so fucking desperate for me to touch you. fucking slut. tell me what you want.”

“you, i want you,” you replied without question, wiggling your hips slightly, absolutely anguished.

“who do you want?” he asked again, blowing a cool stream of air on your pussy, watching as you whined and clenched around nothing.

“you, Shinsou, you, please fucking touch me!”

“you can call me Hitoshi next time,” he relented, dipping one finger experimentally in between your folds, coating it in juices. his finger rubbed soft patterns over your clit before finding purchase in your sopping cunt, curling slowly.

“please, Hitoshi, i need more, please,” you begged, frustration laced in your voice.

he complied, satisfied with how absolutely distressed you sounded, inserting two fingers, stretching you out just enough to satisfy you. the pad of his tongue came down on your clit, starting off with kitten licks, moving onto sucking and gentle biting. his whole face was buried in your pussy, squelching sounds emanating, you absolutely soaked from the combination of his fingers and tongue. 

you felt the familiar heat pool in your lower stomach and you chased your high with resolve, so aching for release, hips grinding against his face and fingers white from gripping the sheets so harshly. Shinsou pulled away at your peak, your essence coating his face and finger, dripping down his chin.

he had climbed back on top of you, catching you in a searing kiss, the taste of you on him electrifying, before standing up and reaching into the drawer to pull out a condom.

“i’m on birth control,” you stated, grabbing his hand and pulling the condom out of it. while he was caught off guard, wide eyed and glistening from your juices, you dropped to his knees, unbuckling his pants and pulling them, along with his boxes, down around his ankles.

he was long, on the thinner side, with a slight curve to the left, and you were absolutely enamored, mouth watering in anticipation. you started off by giving him a taste of his own medicine, running your thumb in circles around his head, spreading the precum over the tip, using your hands to slowly pump him, but you were honestly delirious off of pleasure and couldn’t wait, slowly easing your mouth over his cock.

“fuck, you feel so good,” he hissed, letting one hand grab a fistful of your hair, gently tugging.

you took your time, leisurely moving your mouth down his cock until it hit the back of your throat with a gag. Shinsou gently bucked his hips, your saliva dribbling onto your chin, mirroring his own face. 

without warning, Shinsou pulled you off his cock with a satisfying pop, pushing you back onto the bed, looming dangerously over top of you. you felt as if his entire presence was going to crush you whole, reduce you into a pile of mush, and you were completely, totally, one hundred percent okay with that.

“are you ready kitten?” he purred into your ear, softly fisting his cock and lining the tip with your entrance. 

you could only nod and squeak out a quiet yes, head too fuzzy from everything that was going on. he slowly pushed his way into you, bottoming out deliciously on your cervix, stretching you out in ways you never thought possible. 

he started his pace off slow and brutal, teasing you in the best way possible. you had attempted to move faster but his arms caged you down, making you suffer through his deliciously torturous stride. it seemed, however, that he too was frustrated and needed more, and so a faster and mind numbing pace was set. your legs were spread on either side of his head, pushed all the way back to your own head.

you were so pent up that the orgasm you had been chasing returned quickly with revenge. you began moaning and whining, clawing at his toned back, pulling on his soft purple locks, anything to ground yourself from the imminent feeling of pleasure. 

Shinsou was quiet for the most part, small pants and grunts leaving his mouth here and there, so you were a bit startled to hear his voice.

“do you trust me?” he asked huskily, slowing his pace back down, lowering your legs.

“i do,” you answered honestly. though you didn’t know him too well, he showed you nothing but respect both in and out of the bedroom and you were eager to see where he was going with this.

just as you were about to ask, though, your mind went blank. you could feel Shinsou’s presence surround you completely and wholly. you could think of nothing except him, feel nothing except him. you were aware of the heat in your core, you could feel the sheer pleasure of his now fast pace, you could feel his hand grasping your neck enough to just slightly restrict your airflow, but that’s all you could pay attention to, was him. you weren’t really sure what was going on, but you didn’t mind. you were delirious for relief.

“come for me kitten,” he commanded.

in an instant, your whole body spasmed. white, searing pleasure shot through your core, down to the tips of your toes and to the top of your head. it felt like the orgasm lasted for hours. you weren’t sure what had happened, but when you came out of your pleasurable yet painful stupor, Shinsou was gently cleaning you up with a warm cloth.

“how are you feeling? are you okay?” he asked, concern apparent in his voice.

“i-i think so. can i have some water?” you asked, voice hoarse from probably screaming.

he helped you sit up, propping your body with his own, letting you take small sips from a glass.

“i don’t know what happened, but that was the best sex i have ever had. i don’t know how anyone else will ever compare,” you admitted with a sigh, finally feeling strong enough to stand up and stretch.

“did you have a good time?” you asked a bit self consciously, choosing to not look at him and instead walking towards the pile of clothes by the door.

“i had a really good time. a really fucking good time.”

his hand came out to grasp your wrist gently, pulling you towards him, grabbing your chin and making you look up at his face.

“i’d like to do this again sometime. genuinely. that is, if you want to.” 

“are you serious? i mean, i’m not anything that special, i didn’t do too much and i…” you were cut off with a chaste kiss to your lips.

“i know we just met, but i really enjoyed our conversation just as much as what just went down. i’d really like to get to know you more,” he admitted, dropping his hands to awkwardly scratch the back of his neck. 

“i’d really like to get to know you more, too, Hitoshi. really,” you assured, this time grabbing his face with your hands.

“but first, i want to sleep. mind if i crash here for the night? a couch will do just fine,” you asked hopefully.

“after what i did to you, you are definitely sleeping in the bed with me.”

“oh thank god. i’m really, really sore.”

[tcmmysheiby]

pretty woman : tommy shelby. [part one]

authors note; this has literally be in the making for months. took us a long time to get through it, edit and what not so please appreciate and send in feedback because it’s always appreciated. this is a series and will also be posted on wattpad if you wan’t to read it on there as well as on here! collab with @fireofmyloins19 so please go and read her work as well! FEEDBACK APPRECIATED! word count; 3.3k words. warnings; swearing, mention of drug use and prostitution obviously.

Madline was no stranger to men, satisfying their needs then kicking them out the door as methodically as a priest gave out his sermons; though there was something about this one that was different. Both consumed by their ghosts of war and the unruly lives it had burdened them with, had Tommy Shelby finally found his answer to happiness in the form of an unlikely angel, residing in the lonely corners where soldiers finally escape from war and where even God would be tempted to go to hell.

Tommy was no stranger to business soirees, full of high-class men and women who had made their way to the top through delinquency and deception; just like himself. It was usually a place for Tommy to get new clients or boast about how well the Shelby business was doing, but this one was dismal and full of monotonous toffs who were only there for the free champagne; conversing between themselves with counterfeit smiles and fake laughter. Arthur and John had slumped off somewhere in an attempt to court two young women, leaving Tommy alone to stand by the bay window, looking vacantly across the river Thames.  

“Your lady friend is on the phone,” one of the servers appeared holding a tray of champagne with a polite smile on his face. Tommy sighed before grabbing a glass of the beverage.

“Thank you” he turned his back to the man before responding, downing the contents in one go before making his way out the crowded room. As he walked through the hallways, he spotted John, an arm wrapped firmly round a young girl's waist, shadowing her against the wall with a toothpick in his mouth as he attempted to charm her into the nearest private room to satisfy his needs. Yet his efforts were quickly disturbed once he saw Tommy’s stone-cold expression.

“Who's irritated you?” John asked with a nudge of his cap, twirling the toothpick between his lips.

Tommy raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “No-one yet, but I’m sure I’m about to get an earful from Lillian,” Tommy paused and looked over at the woman still waiting patiently against the wall, “And you’ll be getting an earful off Esme if she finds out about this.”   

“Ah it’s a bit of fun Tom.” John turned to the girl with a wink, a mischievous smile plastered across his face. “Besides what she doesn’t know won’t hurt.”

Tommy scoffed before waving John away, wanting to get his conversation with Lillian over and done with. Once in the study he redialled the phone, not having to withstand the tedious ringtone for long before picked up.

“Lillian, what can I do for you this evening?” Tommy asked in a sickly-sweet tone, trying his hardest to mask his annoyance.

“Tommy? Jesus, surprised I managed to get through to you. It’s usually Lizzie Stark I get stuck talking to these days,” Lilian spat, resentment evident in her voice as she listened to Tommy’s monotone response.  

“She is my secretary, and I am a busy man. You know this.”

“Yes, well I’m getting rather fed up of it. We haven’t spoken in nearly a week and how do you think that makes me feel, Tommy? A phone call would be pleasant sometimes, just so I know that you are alive and well.”   

“I told you I would be in London for a while. I have some business to attend to Lillian so talking on the phone isn’t my top priority” he paused momentarily to see whether she spoke, only to hear her uneasy breathing down the receiver. “Have you packed for London yet? I believe that your train is booked for 10am tomorrow morning.”  

“No, I haven't, and I won’t be packing for the trip.”   

“And why’s that?” Tommy asked, surprised at Lilian's revelation.   

“Because I’m not coming, Tommy. If I come down then you will hardly speak with me anyway, and what is the point in that? I think I will stay here in Wolverhampton and work on my business. I do not need you and we both know you certainly don’t need me, we simply looked good together for business.” Lillian remarked, no longer kind towards the man she had once adored.  

“I need you this week and you know it.”   

“Exactly Tommy, you just need me for this week, for your business.” she sighed, genuine upset in her tone, “Find someone else then, it’s not my problem anymore. Would you like me to move out of the flat?”   

“Are you finishing this?” Tommy asked, jaw clenched as his eyes fixed on the old wooden table before him. He wasn’t surprised that it had come to this, it had been in the making for a while. Himself and Lillian were not compatible in the slightest.  

“I am.”   

“Then yes, I would like you to move out. I’ll get one of my men to come and pick up the keys. Thank you for your help.”

Without another word Tommy dropped the receiver back onto the hook and swiftly made his way back through the halls, thankful John was no longer lingering against the wall ready to bombard him with questions; although there were no guesses where he had gone once Tommy passed the lone room at the end of the corridor, the shrieks from the opposite side of the door lucky to be drowned out by the liveliness of the grand drawing room that followed. He entered the bustling room with haste, weaving his way through the crowd and giving the odd nod to people whom he knew to be of potential importance to the company, yet not bothering to stop and talk, his only focus now being to make it to the exit without being collared by Arthur or worse, Polly.

He made his way down the stairs, picking up a brisk jog as he muttered his greetings to the people only just arriving, not a single flicker of guilt that he could be passing up on profitable business deals in his absence - the only two things consuming his mind now being hard liquor and the company of a nameless woman. With the impending meeting with Alfie Solomons now playing on his mind and the plans he had put into place being ruined he needed to clear his head, and he was determined to do it the only way he knew how.

Just as he had past the main doors and thankfully reached the comfort of his car, he heard Arthur’s voice bellowing over the engine, closing his eyes momentarily with a sigh of frustration before stepping back onto the gravelled drive.  

“Arthur,” he greeted him.

“Where the bloody hell do you think you’re going? We need you up there it’s rifling with the toffs ready to make deals with their pockets full of cash, you were right about them being keen in London!”

“I’m sure you can handle a bit of business without me Arthur, I’ve got somewhere I need to be.”

“Oh yeah and would that somewhere be a business deal that requires your cash.” Arthur jeered as he took a swig from his hip flask stumbling backward slightly.  

Tommy didn’t react to the remark, opening the door to re-enter the vehicle and climbing up behind the wheel. “I have business with Mr. Solomons which will be carried out over the next few days, I’ll be staying at the Ritz should you need to contact me. In the meantime, I trust you and John shall be able to carry out the running's of The Eden?”

“Absolutely Tommy.” Arthur slurred holding the hip flask towards him as though to cheers to their new business venture, “Me and John have got it covered don’t you worry, already found ourselves a few nice ladies to keep the punters entertained.”

Tommy scoffed, shaking his head and slamming the door shut before bidding his brother goodnight.

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

The strong smell of alcohol was the first thing that hit Madeline’s senses as she walked into the sleazy club where her friend, Annie, was likely to be found. Plenty of the men stared at her without a care as she passed, the alluring outfit she wore causing them to lick their lips as their minds filled with smutty debaucheries though Madeline brushed them off; nothing she wasn’t use to. She was there for one reason and only reason only. She hurried to the top floor finding Annie cooped up in a corner with her petite body draped over her pimp, a vulgar man that Annie strangely seemed to adore.

“Rent,” Madeline said as she held out her hand in front of Annie who was evidently off her face on a combination of spirits and narcotics.  

“Tomorrow?” Annie said with a wide smile, hoping that her charm would win Madeline as it seemed to every time.   

“No, tonight,” Madeline replied with a straight face, her hand still in front of Annie’s. “I can only just afford to pay my half of the rent and you can’t keep expecting me to pay yours as well, I’m not your mother.”  

With that Annie’s pimp was quick to get to his feet, shaking Annie off him into a heap on the cracked leather couch as he prepared to kick Madeline out of the club. Annie grabbed onto his arm with haste, shaking her head to warn him off using her best persuasive puppy dog eyes.

“Come with me, Madeline.” she stood hesitantly, holding out her hand for Madeline to take.

Madeline followed Annie to the bottom bar, trying her best to ignore the almost sickening stench of cigarette smoke that would surely linger to her body for the next few days. As she passed one table, Madeline swiped a lone drink away and downed it in one go, she was going to need it to get through the night.

Annie leaned against the bar and clicked her fingers, the bar man instantly moving to grab a couple of drinks. “Pay my rent for me this month and I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”  

Madeline shook her head in disbelief. “You won’t though, Annie, you never do. I love you to death but you’re going to have to start looking after yourself soon because I simply can’t afford to look after you, as well as myself.”

Annie scoffed; Madeline wouldn’t even have a job at the brothel if it wasn’t for her. “We will just have to get more clients in then, won’t we? Come on.” Annie moved and placed her hands-on Madeline’s cheeks as she smiled up at her. “Just pay my rent for a couple more months and I’ll sort you out with some real good deals. Anthony has got some new Tokyo coming in that I’m sure you would love.”

“I don’t want any drugs off Anthony, okay? And, a couple of months? I might not even be here by next week if I’m lucky enough.”  

Annie removed her hands, her expression turning to confusion as she laughed faintly, not wanting to believe what she was hearing. Madeline was the only person in the brothel that she got a long with, plus she helped her out in desperate times of need. “What are you going on about, Madeline? You didn’t tell me…”  

Madeline had planned to tell Annie at a more convenient time but it looked as though the truth was coming out there and then. “I’ve managed to bag myself a job interview but I probably won’t get it, so don’t worry about it too much.”  

“Oh, I’m worried - “  

“Worried about how you are going to pay your rent if I end up getting out of the brothel?” Madeline retorted, her face instantly softening nevertheless. She didn’t want to leave Annie alone, but this job would give a new start which was what Madeline needed more than anything.  

“Where’s the job at?”  

“It doesn’t matter where. Like I said, I might not even get it.” Madeline smiled at the barman who brought her over a gin and tonic before quickly necking it down in one, needing to get back to the brothel and earn some serious money if she was going to have to pay the full rent; Annie leaving her with no choice. “I have to go. Be careful with him,” Madeline warned, referring to the short-tempered pimp no doubt twitching with impatience upstairs at Annie’s absence, “he’s dangerous.”  

“What about my rent?” Annie shouted after Madeline who was walking towards the exit.  

“I’ll sort it.”

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

Tommy’s eyes trailed around the room carefully, taking in every detail before him causing a heavy sigh to seep from his throat at the anything but appealing welcome. It certainly wasn’t his usual class of establishment, the battered moss green furniture with obvious tears in its material having seen better days. A simmering layer of fresh cigarette smoke welcomed him into the room, noticeably clinging to the air in the few areas of the room where the low lights stood. He stepped further into the room nonetheless, clearing his throat to gain the attention of the plump woman slumped in a wooden chair behind the counter, a newspaper open in front of her.

“What can I do you for sir?” she folded the paper with no rush, throwing it to the sticky carpet beside her and pulling herself to her feet.

“A woman. Any, it doesn't matter. Just a woman,” he began to dip into his pocket to retrieve a cigarette, striking a match with a flick of the wrist. He could feel the woman’s stern eyes watching his every move, waiting for him to finish before she spoke.

“Right well, all the girls that are here are busy right now so you’re just going to have to take a seat over there and wait for one to come out to greet you. I’m sure one won’t be long... they never are.” she gave a smile that came across more of a grimace, not bothering to hide her impatience of having to deal with Tommy’s custom. He studied her face harshly, possibly for a few seconds longer than left her feeling comfortable as the smug smile dropped and she shifted uneasily under his gaze. He drew his eyes away, swallowing hard and savouring a long drag of his cigarette before responding.

“Do I look like I have the time to wait?” he raised an eyebrow as though to indicate he was waiting for a response, though nothing came from her mouth which now lay slightly ajar, a small stutter all she managed as she tripped over her words.

“I’ll take him.” Madeline’s alluring cockney charm filled the tense silence.  

She sauntered through the entrance and straight past Tommy, not bothering to take a look at him while she held out her hand behind her expecting him to take hold and follow. Her petit heels tapping against the floor were the only footsteps ringing through the room causing her to turn once she reached the entrance to the dimly lit hallway.

“Are you coming or what?” she questioned, the irritation noticeable in her voice but she was quick to follow it with a sweet smile, knowing she couldn’t let her troubles get in the way of business. She wiggled her fingers and extended her arm out slightly further, successfully getting him to finally step forward and take her small hand in his. Madeline was quick to guide him down the hall to her designated room before he could change his mind.

There was an all too familiar silence for Madeline as they entered, the door slamming shut behind the pair while she began to kick off her heels. She settled onto the edge of the bed with a leg crossed over the other, carefully taking in his appearance for the first time which left her slightly bemused, the confusion obviously plastered across her nimble features. She was used to the grotesque, middle-aged, intoxicated men, the lonely husbands and the innocent young men whom war hadn’t touched, far too eager to get their leg up; but she was not used to this. He was by far one of the most handsome men she had seen in and out of the establishment, finding herself smiling at the thought she would have something to gossip about with Annie in the morning. Madeline drew her hands to the dress quickly pulling it over her head.   

“No,” Tommy said as he raised his hand, signalling for Madeline to stop undressing. She was left exposed her in slip, glancing up at Tommy with bewilderment. “I don’t even know your name.”  

Madeline held back a laugh as she shook her head. “When has that ever mattered?” She believed that Tommy was joking but when he remained silent, she sat back, her head tilted to the side slightly as though to question his intentions. “Okay then, what would you like it to be?” Tommy raised one eyebrow showing Madeline that he just wanted to get on with the conversation. “My name is Madeline.”  

“I’m Tommy,” he replied, still unsure of what to do. “Would you like to talk?”  

Madeline couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was usually a case of get naked, have sex, take the money and go; the only talking involved to negotiate how much she charged an hour. Still, she nodded once, patting the velvet bedding gesturing for Tommy to join her.  

“So…” Tommy trailed off, why was he acting like such a fool? He had always been a ladies-man so he couldn’t understand why he was suddenly acting like it was his first time. “How much do you charge?”  

Madeline looked him up and down with a smirk, her eyes instantly going to the pocket watch that she could see in his possession and the expensive looking ring wrapped around his finger. He was a wealthy man, she could tell that from the lavish suit that he wore, the type of suit she only saw high-class business men wear when she went down to the posh end of London in hopes of finding well-to-do clients.

“How long do you want me for?” Madeline moved one hand to Tommy’s thigh, slowly moving her palm against the fabric of his trousers. Tommy watched every action with the slight flicker of a smirk on his face.

“The whole night.”  

Madeline hadn’t expected that answer, she anticipated a couple of hours at most. “£5 for the whole night, no less.”  

Tommy took a deep breath before nodding. “I can do that.”  

“I’m sure you can,” she said seductively as she pushed Tommy back so he was laying down on the bed, his back pressed against the sheets that had seen and heard so much. “I don’t kiss,” she mumbled, pressing her finger against Tommy’s lips. “I never have and never will so don’t try it otherwise you will be straight out of that door and I will still charge you £5.” Madeline moved so she was straddling Tommy’s waist, her legs on either side of him as she trailed her hands up and down his chest. “Now, what would you like to do first?”  

“I want to talk,” Tommy replied, blatantly embarrassed by his request. Even though it killed him to do so, Tommy moved his hands to Madeline’s hips and flipped her off him, her hair falling against the sheets as she watched Tommy sit up and light another cigarette. “Do you want one?” he offered as he pulled another from the tin.  

“Please.”  

Tommy handed the matches and cigarette to Madeline before observing the bedroom closer. It wasn’t much but he had heard a lot worse from his brothers. “Why are you a prostitute?”  

Madeline blinked, taken aback by his bluntness. Not many had chosen to question her on this particular aspect of her life before. “I prefer to call myself ‘a woman of the night’,” she replied with a giggle, half-serious, half-not.

Tommy chuckled as he took note of some photographs that had been turned the other way so the punters couldn’t look at them. “They both mean the same thing.”  

“Why are you in London?” She questioned in a bid to change the conversation, she didn’t want to talk about her personal life, especially not to client. “We had a girl who worked here a few months ago with that exact same accent, Birmingham she was from. You’re quite far away from home.”  

“I’m here on business.”  

Madeline struck a match, bringing it to the cigarette he had kindly tokened her and blowing the smoke into the small space between them.  

“And is this business?”   

“No,” Tommy chuckled, watching her roll the cigarette between her rosy lips slowly, the tip of her tongue peeping from the corner as she gave her signature smile, “this is pleasure.”

[the--blackdahlia]

You’re All That I Need Chapter 5 (Tommy x Nikki)

Title: You’re All That I Need Chapter 5

Summary: It’s the early 80’s and Nikki Sixx is in need of a band. There’s one condition: no other alphas. That should be fine, since he found three betas to fill up the lineup to become Motley Crue. Or, at least he thinks they’re all betas. A collab between myself and @callme-kaz2y5-baby​!

Series Warnings: M/M smut (18+ only please), alpha/beta/omega dynamics, mpreg, language, slight drug use, protective Nikki, extremely funky timeline (might add more as we go)

In the practice room Tommy and Mick were talking more than practicing. Tommy would play a little bit, but it was like his heart wasn’t in it. Normally, he was a bouncing mess and that’s what caused issues at practice. But today was the opposite.

"Ok, drummer, what's got you all quiet?" Mich questioned, concerned the drummer wasn't talking his ear off. 

"Huh? Oh it's nothing Mick." Tommy said distractedly. 

"It's not nothing, T-bone, if I can tell something is up everyone else will too." Mick prodded. “We don’t all have to be alphas to read you like a book when you’re upset.”

"Well.... it's stupid Mick, really.... but.... well.... why, why didn't Nikki mate with me... I think he only helped me out of obligation to the band..." Tommy confided. He looked down at his sticks. He couldn’t believe he actually just said that out loud.

"Tommy, you don't actually believe all of that do you?" Mick questioned. 

"I don't know what else to think," Tommy admitted. “He never showed interest in me this way in the past, and suddenly he knows I’m an omega and I just...I think he helped me because he wants to keep the band together…”

"Well I think Nikki cares deeply for you, and I don't think he just helped you for the band. But if your really worried you should talk to Nikki about it." Mick said. 

"Talk to Nikki about what?" Nikki asked while walking into the practice room. Tommy looked up at him. He had always thought Nikki was good looking, but after everything that just happened between them, he found him even more attractive.

Which made the potential rejection from the alpha that much harder.

"Nothing," Tommy answered quickly. He didn’t want to talk about this right now. 

Nikki looked concerned at the haste of Tommy's response but before he could press him for a further answer Vince walked in. 

"We gonna practice today or what?" Vince asked.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s practice,” Nikki sighed, heading over to get his bass. 

The rest of the day was spent practicing for the upcoming show. Tommy seemed more focused than he had been prior to everything and Nikki kept watching to make sure he was okay. After practice was over, Vince decided they needed to go out and get some fresh air.

That led them to a bar. Omega girls instantly flocked to Nikki, and it had him smiling. But Tommy, he headed to the corner of the bar with a drink. Before, he would’ve been there partying it up with Nikki. But the sudden change in hormones from the suppressants failing and causing his true self to come out had taken away some of his party edge. Now, he just wanted to be a wallflower and hope that it would all change once his body got adjusted to it all.

“Can I buy you one?” A big guy asked. He wasn’t as tall as Tommy, but he was thick and his muscles and stance told Tommy that he was an alpha. Then Tommy smelled him and the scent made him queasy. It was overpowering and not as good smelling as Nikki was.

“Oh, I’ve got one dude,” Tommy told him. He just wanted the guy to go away. But Tommy knew that the man could smell him and knew he was an omega.

The guy apparently couldn't take a hint and sat down next to Tommy, "are you here alone?"

"No, I'm with my friends," Tommy answered dryly, getting up to find Mick. He knew the guitarist had to be around somewhere. He normally drank by himself when they went out like this. 

The guys hand flashed out and grabbed Tommy by the arm, " where do you think your going omega? I wasn't done with you." the man sneered. 

"Let me go," Tommy demanded, he could tell he was letting off a sacred scent. He hoped it would reach Nikki and help him with his current situation.  

"I don't think so. You're going to come with me," the guy demanded.  

Tommy was trying to struggle and get away, but the man had an iron grip. He was sure it was leaving marks. He hoped that a struggle would alert someone. Why was no one helping? Is this what female omegas dealt with everyday?

“Let. Me. Go!” Tommy tried to pull away. He wasn’t a weak omega by any means, but he really would love for Nikki to show up anytime soon. The guy had him out the door before Nikki’s head popped up when he realized that familiar scent had left the bar.

Nikki looked around quickly and realized he couldn't see Tommy. He raced for the exit and caught a glimpse of Tommy's hair as he was dragged around the corner of the building. Nikki took off after Tommy and skidded around the corner and was shocked at the sight before him. 

The man had Tommy by the arm and had forced him to his knees. "There, that's where all your kind belong, isn’t it sweetheart?" the man growled. 

"Hey! get your hands off of him! I will not ask you again!" Nikki demanded, allowing his alpha voice to ring out. 

“You can have a turn with him when I’m done,” The man laughed at Nikki’s demand. “Omegas like him are happy to serve the alphas. I’m sure he’ll be just happy to suck us both off.”

Nikki saw red then. He picked up a loose length of pipe laying on the ground and in one swift movement, knocked the man out. He was prepared to beat him to death when a voice broke through the haze. 

"Nikki, Nik, I'm safe, don't, come on let's go," Tommy pleaded. He didn’t want to watch Nikki get arrested for something like this and he really needed the comfort from the alpha right then.

Nikki shook his head, and dropped the pipe, reaching out for Tommy and checking him over before leading him back inside. Once inside he got Tommy settled in a booth and got them both a drink,  he slid into the booth next to Tommy,  and wrapped an arm around him. Nikki took a big swig of his drink before he looked over at Tommy.

“Are you ok? Can I do something for you?" He rubbed comforting circles on Tommy’s arm. Tommy leaned into the touch.

"I'll be fine. I just need to be near you," he admitted.  

"That's not all though,” Nikki noted. “You've been off all day today..." 

"It's stupid," Tommy answered looking away from Nikki. 

Hooking a finger on Tommy's chin and pulling his face toward him,  "if it has to do with you it's not stupid," Nikki replied. Tommy looked into this green eyes, and he broke.

"It's.... just.... ok.....I.... just.... why didn't you mate with me?" Tommy finally got out.  

"Why didn't I... mate with you.... really.... you couldn't consent to a mating. You could barely consent to me helping you through your heat. We hadn't talked about it. Hell, I didn't know you were an omega until a few days ago.. You consented to me helping you through your heat,  not bonding forever," Nikki explained.  

“But... “ Tommy sighed. “What if I want to be bonded to you forever?” He hated how emotional he was right then. Fuck, why was this all so hard? He kept looking into Nikki’s eyes, looking for a sign that maybe he wanted it too.

Nikki's eyes filled with tears, never imagining anyone would really want him, "Then we can. We do need to discuss it, because this isn’t a spur of the moment thing and I want to make sure you really want it, but I'd be thrilled to be bonded with you forever," he admitted.  

Tommy was about to lean in and kiss Nikki when a wild Vince appeared, beers in hand.

“There you two are!” He laughed, handing them each a beer. “You two are missing out!” Tommy sighed but accepted the beer. Nikki kept an arm wrapped around him. He had Tommy pulled into his side.

The night rushed by, and they were headed back to the hotel, finally. Nikki hadn't left Tommy's side the rest of the night, but neither Mick nor Vince questioned why. And honestly, Nikki wasn’t sure if he would even tell them what had almost happened to Tommy. They got back to Tommy's room, and Nikki hesitated. 

"You're going to come in....right?" Tommy asked gently. 

"Yes," Nikki sighed in relief. He didn’t realize how badly he wanted to get invited into Tommy’s room for the night. "I just wanted to be sure we were on the same page".

“Of course we are. Come on,” Tommy smiled brightly at the alpha and pulled Nikki in the room by his arm. 

They got ready for bed, bumping into each other but staying within arms length. They crawled into bed together, Tommy wrapped safely in Nikki's arms, and sleep found them quickly. 

Forever Tags:  @anathewierdo @dekahg @marvel-af-imagines @feelmyroarrrr @nanie5 @imboredsueme @gemini0410 @aiaranradnay @babypink224221 @mogarukes @xxwarhawk @sandlee44 @shatteredabby @caswinchester2000 @supernaturalwincestsblog @lauravic @mrsambroserollinsacklesmgk @teller258316 @horrorpxnk @tommyleeownsme

Motley Crue Tags:  @primal-screamer @waywardprincess666 @twistnet @saint-of-los-angeles @vader-kai @motleyfuckingcruee @sharon6713 @kawennote09 @2dead2function @nikkisixxwiththebass @iamtiber-andtiberismusic @jayprettymuchomw @charlyallise @you-know-im-a-dreamer @sweet-dreams-on-butterfly-wings @estxxmotley @arianareirg @the-normal-potato @nikki-sixxtynine @jjjjjjjoshdun @just-a-normal-fangirl18 @stella20131991 @tarahell @wowilovenikkisixx @i-want-to-shoot-myself @motleycrueee @sams-serialkiller-fetish @getbackhonkycatt @are-you-reddie54321 @flamencodiva @lesliethegroupie @deacyduck @scarecrowmax

[enterthecocoon]

Finding Love in an Expected Place - Part 2

(This is a collab roleplay between me and @letsaskbatgirl. Check out Part 1 here: https://letsaskbatgirl.tumblr.com/post/187853263692/finding-love-in-an-expected-place)

Walker didn't check on his guest the morning after, suspecting that she might be sleeping without her mask. Keeping her fondness for cinnamon in mind, he was waiting in the kitchen, making some pancakes for breakfast. Batgirl stretched as she woke up, looking around the room. After she grabbed her mask, she walked into the kitchen. "Something smells good."

"Cinnamon Pancakes! With some of the same hot chocolate from yesterday!", he announced. It wasn't often he had visitors often but he thought he was a decent enough cook. She smiled. "My favorite!" She said softly as she sat down. "Thanks for letting me stay the night last night."

"No problem! I needed someone to talk to, anyways. So, how are you?"

"Doing alright. That was the first time I actually had a good night's sleep in a long while." She admitted to him. "I don't know anything about your living arrangements, but I hope your staying here hasn't worried any potential roomates or relatives.", he thought. She smiled, kissing his cheek. "Breakfast is amazing by the way." She added. He blushed a little. "Thanks!", he said. "I'm glad we ran into each other yesterday. Anything more I can do for you?"

"Just being here is enough for me." She said softly. "Would you like to stay a little longer?" Batgirl nodded. "I would love to." She answered. "I could use a break."

"Very well. I'll st- buy some more groceries, I only have enough for one."

"You want some help?" She asked him.

"Oh, yeah, sure! I don't know what you like to eat, anyways. Wouldn't it be a little weird for Batgirl to show up in a store?"

"Yeah... But..." She was struggling a bit. She didn't want to start this off with lies. "Um... Would that little pact we made last night be null and void now that we're trying things out? So that we can go to the store without people knowing it's me."

"I...", Moth started, not knowing how the sentence would end. "Please don't misunderstand, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to know who you are..." She nodded. "Alright. I just didn't want to be deceptive towards you." She explained. "Of course. I trust you." She nodded. "In that case, it might be best if I stay here for now."

"Alright then...what can I get you?"

"I'm not picky. I'll eat whatever." She explained.

"Very well! I'll be back soon!" He got dressed and, trusting her with his home, left for the store. She looked around, taking the mask off for a while. It was starting to hurt her head wearing it all of the time. The apartment had everything needed to support two people, but not much more. Surprising was the lack of anything green, purple, orange and bug-themed. A broom closet hung open, with something shimmering near the bottom. There was a cookie jar hidden on a shelf, but it was too high to reach. She got up, deciding to help by cleaning the breakfast dishes. Later on, he came in, carrying two really large bags. "Batgirl? I'm home!" She moved to get her mask back on. "Alright. I'll help put it away."

"Thanks, I'm a bit tired from-" It was too late, he saw her face walking in. "Oh...I....I'm not sure what I expected..." She froze. "M-my mask was hurting my head." She said, feeling a little sheepish. "It's fine...I don't want you to be hurt.", he approached her carefully."Though, if it's any consolation, I don't believe I've actually met you." She smiled. "Barbara. My name is Barbara." She said softly. He held out his hand politely. "Nice to meet you, Barbara. I suppose you know my name. She shook his hand. "Drury, right?" The older man laughed a bit, shaking her hand. "Now I think we can actually try things without having to worry about secret identities." She said softly. "Yeah...we could go outside together." She giggled. "Is this your way of asking me on a date? Because the answer would be yes."

"I'd love that!", he admitted. "Perhaps you should get some clothes from where you live?", he asked. "Unless you don't mind going out wearing pyjamas."

"Yeah... That might be a good idea..." She said laughing.

"I guess it's goodbye for now, then. Perhaps we can meet up later? Somewhere more...excuisite?" She smiled. "You have me on our chatrooms. Just private message me the date and place." She said, kissing his cheek again. He softly placed his hand on her back. "Of course. I'll tell you the place, then. See you then."

"See you then." She said, going in for a hug. He pulled her in for a hug, thinking about wether he should lift her like she did him on their last meeting. She smiled, looking up at him with her heart racing. Smiling back, he gently held her back securely and lifted her with a little spin. "See you soon!" She giggled at the spin. "See you soon. Let me know when alright?" She said, not really wanting to leave his arms. He set her down. "Sure! We'll discuss via private messages when would be the best time."

"Alright." She said before laughing as a thought crossed her mind. "We're going to be quite the scandal when people find out."

"Oh." He let her go. "You're right. Let's hope they don't."

"So we're going to try to keep it on the down low?" She asked with a smile. "That sounds like a good Idea.", he confirmed. She smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek again. He picked her up by the waist so that she could reach him. She giggled, kissing his cheek. "See you soon." He gently placed her down once again. "I hope we will!"

"We will." She said, moving to the door.