#kim seungmin fanfiction

[starseungs]

lunchtime tea, served by yours truly. ksm.

kim seungmin x fem!reader — getting dragged over to the student council office instead of the cafeteria was far from your lunchtime plans. too bad seungmin seemed to think otherwise.

genre/s — fluff, humor if it counts, historical fantasy, academy au, duke's son!seungmin x marquis' daughter!y/n • 1.3k words

warning/s — petty noble disputes, seungmin implies a nepotism plan (laughs nervously), both of them are in their second to the last year of academy = they're both around 21 !!

note — here's a short fic i whipped up as i finish take a shot ! yes, its inspired by those rofan manhwas with academy arcs/settings. im obsessed with those ngl

2024 ⓒ starseungs on tumblr. do not steal, repost, or edit.

“Would it really be such a crime to enjoy one peaceful lunch session, Your Grace?”

You sank down with a huff on the smooth velvety sofa propped in the middle of the spacious office room, not paying any mind to the way the door shut with a soft click despite your strong swing to open it earlier. A pair of footsteps other than yours echoed in the space, the flat, heavy heels of the figure’s shoes clacking with strong authority. Yet, you remained unfazed despite the strong aura permeating the enclosure—choosing to stand your ground with a click of a tongue.

Seungmin sighed at the sight of your demeanor. 

“And I believe it would be against academy ordinance for you to call me by that title within the campus premises, Lady Y/N.” He reprimands you with a low drawl before carefully taking a seat at his desk located front and center against a massive glass window, his silhouette strengthening as he leans forward to rest his arms on the desk. You could only whine in mockery at his reply.

“Boo,” you scoffed before crossing your arms and craning your head to stare at him. “Such a stickler for the rules, are you not?”

Seungmin hummed. “I suppose you may be right, but could I also offer you information on my father’s well-being?” He says with a tone implying sweetness, even if you knew otherwise. 

“The Duke is alive and well—yes, I am aware,” you pressed for a smile as innocent as you could manage, enjoying the way Seungmin’s formal facade fell apart slightly before getting gathered up once again. The young Lord cleared his throat before continuing the questionable exchange between the two of you.

“Therefore, we should not be having this conversation in the first place.”

“However, you are the heir to the dukedom, if I recall correctly?”

“Yes, you do.”

You then brought your hands together in a resounding clap at his answer, signifying a remarkable conclusion. “Then it is the same thing.”

Seungmin groaned tiredly at your unbelievable words. “It is clearly not—” he suddenly paused mid-sentence. You watched as his eyes narrowed with an inquisitive glint before he took an obvious intake of air. “I’m getting the slight inkling that you are doing this to raise my temper.”

A prominent laugh bubbled its way out of your throat. “I do find that side of you quite charming, yes.”

“I will pretend to not hear your comment, My Lady,” Seungmin pinched the bridge of his nose, desperately trying to subside his growing stress. “And I would like to inform you belatedly that a peaceful lunch should be the last of your priorities at the moment.”

The involuntary squawk that came out of you voiced your offense. “Well, this is surprising news, as I have not received any notice about a new dietary restriction!”

“It is not—” Seungmin caught himself again. You grinned mischievously at his obvious struggle before collecting yourself when you felt a pointed glare being sent in your direction. He exhaled heavily, “Proceeding with the matter at hand, are you aware of the number of complaints the Theta group has placed upon your name?”

“I do believe there has not been a single soul in this academy who has not,” you hummed in acknowledgement.

“My Lady, forgive me for being rude; however, the answer I was hoping for was to be about how you are planning on addressing this issue.”

“Oh,” you blinked. “Then, I plan to do nothing about the issue.”

A small thud was heard from Seungmin’s direction, prompting you to look over to see what had caused such a sound. Low and behold, the sight of the academy’s best student holding his head down towards the polished mahogany desk in defeat—rendering you unsure of what to do next. There had only been a few times in your entire lifetime that you had seen Seungmin completely shatter his dignified demeanor, and you had known the man since you were six. Now you fear that you had actually crossed a line. 

“Y/N,” he raised his head ever so slightly to lock eyes with you, his next order coming out as a plea. “Just explain why you poured a cup of tea over Lady Colette’s head.” 

“Then forgive me as well for my words. However, in my perspective, Theta is nothing but a pathetic excuse for an institutional social group,” you sighed, remembering the events of the tea party yesterday. “I do not know why they still prove to be the most popular social group for ladies when the Zeta group has always been better. Theta are barely anything worth more than a babble of obnoxious noble daughters who prefer to place themselves on a higher pedestal than they deserve. Lady Colette was terrorizing a freshman from a country-side barony. I only did my best to stop her, considering the fact that mere words seemed to hold no interest for her.”

Seungmin raised a brow. “Quite an interesting way of describing them, don’t you think?”

“Well, I did send my apologies before doing so, did I not?” You smiled back as part of your reply, proudly this time. Seungmin could only scoff, albeit greatly amused.

“You have got to stop trying to outsmart me in times like these, Y/N,” he said, standing up. “You of all people should know how much I lack the ability to harbor ill feelings towards you.”

It was your turn to raise an eyebrow at his surprisingly favorable response. For holding the most coveted position of justice available for students in this academy, Seungmin was surely pressing less strongly on your faults. Perhaps it was a good thing that you still made sure to cool the tea before you dumped it on that Marquis’ pompous daughter.

“Playing favorites, are we now, Mr. President?”

Seungmin laughed openly this time. Talk about a change of mood. “I see that you have now chosen to switch to a different formality, yet again,” he mused on his way towards your figure on the couch. “See, you wouldn’t have this much trouble with other noble ladies if you just joined the student council.”

“Here you go again with your offer,” you said, rolling your eyes. “You of all people should know exactly why I cannot take a position in the council, Seungmin.”

“In my opinion, it would be seen as a reasonable training ground for the future Duchess.”

“You just like the way I do paperwork!” You expressed disbelief at his plan’s implication. “And high society might as well burn me into ashes, thinking that I take advantage of my position as your betrothed.”

Seungmin sighed dreamily, completely disregarding your latter comment. “I do love the way you do your paperwork. Such a perfect pair to my work ethic,” he says, sitting comfortably beside you with a relaxed exhale. “Yes, I genuinely do not see what is so wrong about the offer.”

“Seungmin,” you scowled at him. “Do you wish to put a stain on your reputation?”

“Oh, look at you scolding me as if we had already stated our vows,” Seungmin pinched your cheek in a tease. You attempted to push his hand away, only for him to grab it and intertwine your fingers, leaving you breathless as he placed a feathery kiss on your knuckles. “My dearest fiancee, I do not care what others may think of me. If I am able to, I will give anything you ask for without a silver of hesitation.” He gazed directly at your eyes, pupils swimming with unknown desire.

“My Duchess only deserves the best, after all.”

You pursed your lip at his intimate actions, feeling your stomach do crazed flips at his undivided attention. “It is quite concerning how biased you seem to be when it comes to this matter, Mr. President,” you gave in, letting yourself fall on his broad shoulder. “What have I even done to warrant your unyielding obsession with me?”

Seungmin’s chest rumbled in delight, the lull comforting your mind glazed over with his presence.

“Exist. Now, what do you think of becoming Vice President next year?”

“Serve me tea first, and I'll think about it.”

mastertag 🔖— send in an ask if you want to be added ! 🫶

@fairyki @hysgf @euncsace @comet-falls @starlostseungmin @ameliesaysshoo @hyunverse @djeniryuu @lixxpix

[yxngbxkkie]

showing your 🍒 during an argument (maknae line)

here's the maknae line! i feel like each one is a little all over the place, but i think it's still pretty cute 🫢 so, please enjoy! 🩷

Han Jisung

Jisung gives you the silent treatment the whole way home. You have a hard time understanding what he's so upset about. You thought the two of you were having a good time.

You watch him closely as the two of you walk through your apartment door. You cross your arms over your chest after slipping your heels off, gently setting them beside the door.

“Do you have any clue why I'm so upset?” He asks you, turning around to face you. Jisung combs his fingers through his hair, breathing heavily.

“I'm going to be honest, no,” you shake your head, tentatively stepping towards him.

Jisung rubs his face, releasing a quick sigh. He moves from where he's standing and sits down on the couch. “I overheard you talking to Yeji,” he mentions, hoping it'll refresh your memory. “It was right after I told you I was getting drinks. I had forgotten my wallet, so I went back to get it when you told her that you weren't happy.”

You frown. “Baby, I wasn't talking about you,” you reassure him, staying in your spot by the door.

He scoffs, rolling his eyes. “It sounded pretty convincing from my point of view,” Jisung mutters, keeping his eyes on his feet.

“I told Yeji that I wasn't happy about how her partner treated her,” you say to him, hoping he'll at least hear you out. “I promise you. Baby, I'm so happy with you, you have no idea!”

Your boyfriend lifts his head, eyeing you from his seat. You can tell he's having an internal battle with himself. You take a few steps closer to him, wanting to reach your hand out.

“You're a hundred percent sure?” He asks you, causing you to giggle softly.

“Of course, Hanji. I love you so much,” you smile. You bite your lip slightly, trying to think of a way that'll make him feel better.

You push your jacket off, letting the article of clothing drop to the floor. Jisung's eyes glance towards you, furrowing slightly as he attempts to figure out what's happening.

“Plus, would I willingly do this if I wasn't happy?” You ask while lifting your shirt.

Jisung's jaw drops, his hands clutching the edge of the couch. “I– Wow,” he mumbles, pushing himself up from his seat.

You smile widely as your cute boyfriend stumbles towards you. “Be careful, baby,” you giggle.

He catches himself and now stands in front of you. His hands rest on your waist, stroking his thumbs along your bare skin. “I love you so much, too,” Jisung whispers, keeping his eyes on your chest.

“Are you saying that to me or my breasts?” You laugh, caressing his cheek with your hand.

“You, silly,” Jisung laughs as well, trailing his fingers up your torso. Your breath hitches in your throat when his fingertip brushes your nipple. “I'm sorry for how I acted. I should've just talked to you.”

You shake your head, moving some hair out of his face. “It's okay, baby. Just know that I'd never be unhappy with you, okay? I love you,” you mutter to him, pressing a sweet kiss on his lips.

Lee Felix

You furrow your brows at the sound of your boyfriend screaming. You stop what you're doing and stand up from your spot on the couch.

Felix has been gaming with Seungmin and Jeongin for a few hours now. He comes out every once in a while, but it's been over an hour since you've seen him last.

You slowly walk towards his gaming room, gently knocking on the door before opening it. You peek your head inside, seeing Felix gripping his hair. “Baby, everything okay?” You ask, and he turns around to face you.

“I'm fine. Can you leave?” He mutters, shocking you a little.

“Uh, yeah, of course,” you stumble over your words, not expecting Felix to speak to you that way. “I ordered dinner. It should be here soon, okay?”

He grunts in response, waving a hand while swiveling around to face the computer screens.

A tiny sigh comes from your lips as you gently shut the door. You tuck some hair behind your ear, wondering if there's something you can do to cheer him up a smidge.

You walk into the kitchen, grabbing his favorite drink. You're not particularly fond of how angry he gets when he loses. Before you're able to deliver his drink, there's a knock at your door.

You set the drink down on the table, heading towards the front door. You open it to see the food you ordered, almost squealing in excitement.

“Thank you so much!” You say to the delivery guy, taking the bag from his hands.

After shutting the door, you bring the delivery to your kitchen table. You separate your food from Felix's before setting his drink into the bag. You grab the bag and make your way back to his game room.

“Baby, I got your food and a drink,” you say while walking into the room.

Felix is currently in the middle of a match, the sounds of his mouse and keyboard echoing off the walls.

He curses at his teammates under his breath as you set the food down. You watch him silently for a minute, not wanting to interrupt his match.

“Seungmin! I'm fucking dying over here. Can one of you help me?!” Felix almost screams, halting his game movements to slam his fist on the desk.

You jump a bit, not expecting him to get so loud. “Baby,” you try to warn him, not wanting to get any complaints from the neighbors.

Felix does it again when his character dies. “I'm dead. I'm fucking done,” he says into his headset before fligging it off his head.

His dark eyes meet yours, and you feel more nervous than you've ever felt with him. “I brought dinner and your favorite drink,” you mutter softly, pushing the bag towards him.

“I'm not in the mood. I'll eat it later,” Felix mentions, his eyes dancing from you to the bag of delivery.

“But, you haven't eaten all day,” you frown, knowing that he hasn't eaten a full meal once today. “It's almost nine, you need to eat.”

Felix closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “Y/N, I said not now. I'm pissed off, and I don't need you babying me,” he almost snaps, glaring at you.

You shake your head and decide to do something bold. You lift your shirt, exposing your naked chest to him. You watch as his eyes shift to your chest, the anger in them dissipating.

“Shit,” he whispers to himself, reaching a hand out to touch them. Felix stands up from his chair as well, getting closer to you. “If this is a new way to get me to shut up, use it more.”

A giggle leaves your lips, and his eyes meet yours again. “They'll bring back the Felix I know,” you joke with him, bringing a hand to his face.

You bite your lip when his finger brushes your nipples. “Thank you for dinner, baby,” he mutters after placing a kiss on your lips. “I can have you for dessert, right?”

Your breath hitches in your throat as Felix wraps an arm around your waist. You rest your hands on his chest, gently gripping the shirt he's wearing. “Yeah, of course,” you whisper to him, kissing him once again.

Kim Seungmin

A hand wraps around your wrist before they tug you away from the person you're speaking with “Wait‐” you cut yourself off, realizing the person who dragged you away was Seungmin.

“You wait,” he mutters, hearing the annoyance in his voice.

He drags you towards the restrooms, shoving you into the girls' room. You stumble a bit and catch yourself on the sink. Seungmin locks the door before facing you, crossing his arms over his chest.

“What's wrong?” You ask him, reaching a hand out to him.

Seungmin evades your touch, and it breaks your heart a little. “You're supposed to be here with me,” he tells you, raising an eyebrow. “Yet, you've spent the past forty-five minutes talking to some dude.”

You frown, pressing your lips together for a second. “I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was that long,” you apologize, not wanting to argue in a nightclub's bathroom.

“Did you even try to leave? Do you want to be here with me?” Seungmin questions you, his hands dropping to his sides.

“Of course!” You say with no hesitation, taking a step forward. “I've been wanting to go out with you for years, Seungmin.”

He sighs, feeling the tips of his ears heating up. “You don't act like it, Y/N,” he says with a frown. “Maybe I should just bring you home.”

You shake your head, putting your hands on his chest. “No, wait! Seungmin–"

Your date pushes your hands away from you, moving to unlock the door. You run your hands through your hair and block his path again, staring up at him.

“Y/N,” he sighs, rubbing his face.

You lift your shirt, exposing your naked chest. Seungmin's eyes widen at the sudden action, his cheeks blushing and attempts to not look at you.

“Can I talk now?” You ask him, ducking a bit so you can look in his eyes. He swallows thickly, nodding his head. “I tried so hard to get out of talking to him. Believe me, okay? I wanted to get back to you and spend my time with you.”

He parts his lips, wanting to say something, but nothing comes out. His gaze dips to your chest, not believing that they're still out. “Uhm, I–” Seungmin pauses, wiping his hands on his jeans.

“Are they distracting you?” You ask in a whisper, chuckling softly. He nods his head while meeting your gaze.

You giggle some more, reaching forward to grab one of his hands. “If you are willing to stay and continue our date…” you trail off, placing his hand on one of your breasts. “Then you'll be able to do this more often.”

“You're cruel,” he mutters, shaking his head. He squeezes your breast, and you gently bite your lip. “But you're so pretty.”

It's your turn to blush, diverting your gaze away from him. “Thank you, Seungmin,” you whisper loud enough for him to hear. You fiddle with your fingers, looking back at him after a minute of silence. “Do you still want to take me home?”

“No, no, we can continue,” he tells you, squeezing you again. “Now, cover up. Those are mine.”

A gasp escapes your lips, not expecting him to say that to you. You lick your lips and lower your shirt down, covering yourself up. “Kim Seungmin, you dog,” you laugh, slapping his arm playfully before he leads you out of the bathroom.

Yang Jeongin

“Why did we leave the party?” You ask Jeongin, your voice slurring with intoxication.

He shifts his eyes to you, not saying anything before continuing to open the hotel room door. Your boyfriend drags you into the room and plants you down on the edge of the bed.

“It's pretty obvious why we left,” he says bluntly, toeing his dress shoes off.

You furrow your brows, trying to think, but your foggy brain comes up with nothing. “We were having a good time,” you point out, getting up to head to the mini fridge.

Jeongin stops you, his large hands gripping your arms. You stumble into him, resting your hands on his chest. “You were having a good time, Y/N,” he calls you by your name, causing your chest to clench a smidge.

“You told me I could,” you mutter.

“Yeah, one or two! I didn't expect you to get fucking drunk,” he huffs, sitting you back down. “You were embarrassing me.”

You scoff, shaking your head before crossing your arms. “I was hyping you up, Innie. I knew how nervous you were, so I tried to make it easier for you,” you confess to him.

“Baby, you told them about our sex lives,” Jeongin sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “They certainly didn't need to know about that.”

You giggle, covering your mouth with your hand. “Oops, sorry about that, baby,” you pout, looking up at him.

He's still glaring at you, but in your drunken haze, you can see his eyes starting to soften. “You don't look very sorry,” Jeongin mutters, grabbing water from the table.

“I love it when you get flushed just by looking at me,” you say while exposing your chest to him.

Jeongin choked on his water, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. He groans, tilting his head to the side. “Jesus, baby. You can't just do that,” he coughs a bit, his gaze settled on your breasts.

You smile at his reaction and stand up from your spot. Jeongin twists the cap, closing the bottle of water. “Why? When that is the reaction, I love to see so much!” You smirk, reducing the distance between you.

“You're cheating to win the argument,” he whines before chuckling, his hands touching your bare skin.

“Why argue when we could be doing something else?” You offer, standing on your toes to kiss him.

He wraps an arm around your waist, tugging your body closer to him. Your breasts are pressed against his pecs and your forehead against his.

“I'm truly sorry about tonight. My nerves and alcohol don't mix,” you whisper, pressing a light kiss on him.

“It's okay. I love you,” he mumbles, returning your kiss. Jeongin lays you on the bed as his lips trail down to your chest. “You looked scrumptious tonight.”

You run your fingers through his hair, smiling softly. “I love you, too.”

~

tagging: @strawboorybunny @reddesert-healourblues @spacegirlstuff @moon0fthenight @foxinnie8 @like-a-diamondinthesky @prettymiye0n

[myseungsunglove]

You’re gonna Pay for that | Ksm

Characters: Seungmin x Reader, Reader’s parents briefly

Warnings: Smut, there is ZERO plot here, a little bit of voyeurism but not REALLY, oral (male and female receiving), language

Word Count: 1.4k

A/N: this is just a random, all smut, no plot Seungmin story. If you’re looking for any substance, it’s not here.

「© February 16, 2023 by myseungsungheart」

-MDNI-

During dinner, with your damn parents, Seungmin had gotten you nine kinds of worked up. He had done it on purpose, teasing you with his large hands, pulling your petite hands into his lap to feel his growing erection. To feel exactly what you were doing to him. All the while, your parents sat across from you at the dinner table talking away.

You had agreed to visit your parents since you were on tour in the States and only about an hour’s drive or so from your most recent stop in Dallas. The rest of the boys had decided to piddle around Dallas while you and Seungmin spent an evening with your parents. They insisted on the two of you staying the night because you, and I quote, “never spent any time with them since you lived in South Korea now.”

“And we’ll even be cool with the two of you sharing a room,” your mom laughs, earning a glare from your dad.

“Mom, I’m a grown woman. I’m pretty sure you couldn’t do anything about it if you wanted to,” you snark with a small smile, your eyes meeting Seungmin’s briefly.

“My roof. My rules,” your dad chimes in as Seungmin’s hand runs up the inside of your thigh.

Instead of spontaneously combusting, You stand hastily, walking over to your dad and kissing him on the cheek, desperate to get away from Seungmin’s touch while you are in front of your parents.

“Love you, daddy,” you giggle innocently.

“You’ll always be my little pumpkin,” he sighs. “You’d do well to remember that son,” he adds, his words aimed at Seungmin.

“Yes sir,” Seungmin smiles and bows politely. Always the picture of perfection.

“I’m beat, guys,” you note, stretching up on your toes, your hands extending above your head so that your stomach was on display. “Seungie, we should probably get some rest,” you suggest, walking back to his side of the table and threading his long fingers with yours. “This is one of the rare opportunities we will have to just exist while we are in the US.”

“Yeah,” Seungmin yawns dramatically. “I’m definitely exhausted after the trip,” he agrees. You pull him from his chair and drag him down the hall.

“G’night you two,” your mom sing-songs down the hall. You have to stifle the giggle that is rising in your throat.

You push Seungmin through the bedroom door, into the room that you spent the first eighteen years of your life. He lets out an airy chuckle at the way you manhandle him.

“Did someone get a little worked up back there?” he laughs, wrapping his arms around your waist and placing a teasing kiss on the nape of your neck.

“Dude,” you let out in a huff, your head falling against his shoulder. “In front of my parents?”

He chuckles lightly against your skin, a teasing smile dawning on his face as he turns you in his hold, his lips finding yours at last, a slow sensual kiss igniting between you that sends goosebumps breaking out across your skin, his hands pushing your shirt over your head and tossing it carelessly into the corner.

“Makes it more exciting,” he teases as he relieves you of your bra and leans down to suck your hardened nub into his mouth, his hands caressing your sides lovingly, reverently as he tends to the task at hand.

When you feel a moan rising in your throat, you push him away gently, and he falls gracefully onto the full sized bed in the middle of the room.

“You’re gonna pay for that, Min,” you warn, falling to your knees in front of him, your hands running up his muscled thighs, the thighs you loved to ride just to get off. But that would have to wait. Your fingers dance at the button of his jeans as you gaze into his eyes. He is staring at you intently, his eyes blown with lust, zeroing in on you as you slowly unbutton his jeans.

“Do your worst, Y/N,” he challenges.

You hastily unzip his jeans and peel them away from his smooth skin, letting them pool around his ankles. You run your hands up his delicious thighs, your hand coming to rest over his cloth covered erection, stroking him slowly. He watches you intently, but the second you pull his briefs away from his aching cock, he throws his head back in ecstasy, your gaze causing it to raise to attention. He puffs his cute cheeks out and lets out the air filling them, his black hair blowing against his forehead as your hand slides around his long, smooth cock.

You are mesmerized by the way it feels in your hand. No matter how many times you have done this, you can’t look away. And you just have to taste him.

Seungmin watches as you lower your lips to the tip of his cock at a glacial pace. Finally, your tongue flicks out, running over his slit, swirling around the head. You could feel his legs tense beneath you as you lower your mouth onto his long, thick cock.

The weight of his dick on your tongue is enough to send a rush of desire flooding through you. It is a heady sensation you’ll never get used to.

“Now this is what I call desert,” you moan as you bob up and down, your tongue licking at the underside of his cock as you lift off him, only to sink back down so that he slides halfway down your throat. You choke slightly, your throat constricting around his substantial length.

Seungmin’s hands finds your hair then, holding you in place while his hips do the work. He pumps into your mouth, his cock sliding down your throat roughly, his grip on you possessive.

“Fuck,” he groans as you began to cup his balls, spit dripping out around his cock and your hands as you fondle him.

“Come on my tits, Seungie,” you gasp as you pull off of him with a plop. He snarls as he slaps his heavy cock between your breasts as you squeeze them around his member, his hips pistoning with abandon. You lean in to lick the tip of his cock with each thrust and before you know it, he is done for. You lick up what you can reach as his pace slows, the look on his face pure carnal bliss.

He reaches out for your hand, pulling you up gently to rest in his lap.

“Someone is wearing too many clothes,” he whispers against your mouth as he flips you on your back and kisses you hard. He fiddles with your jeans button and zipper before forgoing the annoyance and ripping your jeans and underwear off of you in one swift motion.

“It’s my turn for dessert,” he whispers, his mouth hovering over the lips of your pussy, his breath hot.

You spread your legs wider, opening yourself to him.

“Enjoy. There is plenty more where that came from,” you manage, your head falling back against the pillow with a pleasure filled sigh as he kisses your clit reverently.

There was a knock at the door then and your breath catches in your throat.

“We’re changing; about to get in bed,” you call out as steadily as you can. Seungmin rumbles against your pussy, his tongue licking you from bottom to top.

“Oh okay. Just wanted to say goodnight,” your mom’s voice rings out from the other side of the door.

“Okay, good night,” you squeak out as Seungmin’s tongue dips into your hole.You slap your hand over your mouth as he sucks on your clit, two long fingers replacing his tongue inside you.

You hear your mom walk away and you slap him on the shoulder, earning you a low, devious chuckle from him that rumbles through your body.

“Fuck you, Min,” you breathe heavily, your brain going fuzzy as the coil in your stomach begins to wind tight.

“That’s the idea,” he snarks, his fingers curling into your g-spot.

“Shit, Seungie,” you moan. “I’m gonna come.”

Seungmin takes that as a challenge, grabbing your ass and pulling your dripping cunt closer to his mouth as he starts to move his head from side to side. You lose it the minute his tongue makes contact with your clit, your legs boxing in his head as you bite down on your pillow to stifle the scream that wants to tear from your throat.

While you are still a quivering mess, Seungmin crawls up your body, kissing you slow and sweet, the taste of your release still on his lips as he rolls his hips teasingly against yours, causing you to quake in pleasure, like a live wire ready to send volts of pleasure through your body at any second.

“Ready for round two?” he asks, running his hard cock through your soaked folds, teasing your clit, causing your legs to shake uncontrollably. “Cause I know I am,” he growls as he slides home, your warmth enveloping his cock, inviting him in. “Hold on tight, beautiful. You aren’t gonna know what hit you,” he warns as he pulls his cock out of you and slams back in without warning, knocking the air from your lungs as he rips his polo over his broad shoulders.

“Fuck,” you moan, reaching out to make contact with the beautiful expanse of skin that has just been revealed to you as he pounds you. Your fingers dig into his shoulders and take every inch of him he gives.

You could now officially mark fucking Kim Seungmin in your childhood room off your bucket list. You had a feeling this wouldn’t be the only time tonight it happened.

Not if Seungmin had a say. And Kim Seungmin always had the final say.

[snowyquokka]

SECRET SECRET

chapter 2

cw: swearing, angst, mutual pining, rejection, mentions of sex, rejection, lowkey obsession, college!au, afab reader

wc: 1.3k

a.n - this took wayyyy too long for me to write 😭

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

You’ve been standing at Seungmin’s door for almost ten minutes now, contemplating if you should knock. Before you can second guess yourself into spontaneous combustion, the door swings open and reveals a nervous looking Seungmin. He has a blush painted on his cheeks and his deep boba eyes have a little extra sparkle to them. 

“Did you get lost or something? You took forever,” And there goes the moment. You roll your eyes and walk right past him into his house. You’re immediately met with a fragrance you know all too well.

“Do you want anything? Food? Drink?” Seungmin smiles. He looks like a puppy and it is ridiculous. How are you supposed to stay mad at him?

“No thanks.” You can hear the nervousness in your voice and pray that he doesn’t.

“So uh- fuck,” Seungmin sits on the couch next to you and blows out a frustrated breath. A twinge of relief courses through your veins at the sound of his shaky syllables and your mouth threatens to twitch into a smile.

“Your place is really nice,” You say sincerely. This is one of the first times you’ve stepped into a clean house inhabited by just a man.

“Oh,” Seungmin’s blush intensifies, “Thanks.” You nod and look around, waiting for him to say something. “Thank you for coming.” He wonders why you’re having this effect on him. You’re making him embarrassed of himself and he hates it.

“What did you want to talk about?” Now is his chance, Seungmin thinks to himself. You are quite literally giving him the opening he so desperately needs to shoot his shot.

“I wanted to see if you would help me with this project,” 

He fumbled the bag, as per usual. Seungmin has to fight the physical urge to hit himself right there. 

You, on the other hand, are ecstatic. Or, atleast, you would like to be. You should be. The guy you’ve done everything in your power to make like you is now asking for your help. But then your trust issues come to light. Right now you need to think about your mental stability. If whatever he’s trying to do ends poorly, you have no idea how you’d recover from it. The familiar twinkle is back in his eyes, the same twinkle that got you into this situation. But as soon as you open your mouth, his sparkle diminishes.

-

“So let me get this straight. Feel free to stop and correct me at any moment.” Hyunjin sighs dramatically on the other end of the phone, “You told him that you had more important things to do than help him? You little fucking sado-masochist.” 

You wince, “Okay, yeah, I suppose I deserve that.”

“You’re damn right you do. I don’t think in my 21 years of living- or hell even in our 6 years of friendship- that I’ve seen someone be so stupid. And you are far from stupid.” You frown. “No offense, I love you and all but damn.”

You cover up your flustered face with your hands, thankful that he can’t see you. “I know-” You whine, “I panicked. Like- what the hell was I supposed to say?” 

Hyunjin snorts “Hmm. How about Sure Seungmin, of course I’d love to help you. Maybe now we can bond and I can jump your bones like I’ve always wanted to.” You choke on air and your face turns such a deep red that you’d might as well cosplay as a tomato. 

“I don’t want to jump his bones, nor have I ever wanted to.” You lie straight through your teeth. Who are you kidding? The amount of attention he gives you is much more than any past boyfriend has ever shown you. Despite it being negative, you’re constantly finding yourself craving it- craving him. 

“You’re a fucking liar. Are you planning your own demise?” Your best friend scoffs. You sink into your bed and pray for it to swallow you whole. You’d never get that lucky, though. “Here’s what you’re gonna do: first you’re going to shut up and let me speak without groaning and or scoffing every five seconds. Then I’m going to hang up on you and you’re gonna call Seungm- what did I say about voicing your grievances.” You can’t help it. You don’t think you have the confidence to speak to Seungmin again after today. Like ever.

“What do you think I should say?” 

“This might come as a shock to you so be prepared,” You scowl immediately, “A normal person would apologize,” Hyunjin goes silent, as if he’s waiting for you to go off on him.

“Why the fuck would I have to apologize? And what do you mean by a normal person? Are you insinuating that I’m not normal?” You’re teetering on the line between bawling your eyes out and screaming until your lungs give out. You decide on the latter and put your phone on speaker, tossing it to your side before grabbing the nearest pillow and screaming into it.

“I appreciate you subjecting me to the ear piercing screech that sounds like it emerged straight from hell.” 

“Remind me why I’m friends with you again?” You pick your phone back up.

“Because I’m Hwang Hyunjin. Who doesn’t want to be friends with me?” 

“Dick,” you mutter. He laughs and scolds you again before hanging up.

-

A few hours - and two glasses of wine - later, you’re sitting on your kitchen counter with your phone balancing on your thigh while you nurse your third glass. You know you should’ve stopped at one. You know yourself well enough to realize that you get a little chaotic when tipsy. Which is exactly the reason that Seungmin’s contact is 

[You] - im sorry… delete

[You] - im actually in love with you and have been for the past 2 years… delete

You have to fight the physical urge to beat your head off the wall. What was wrong with you? It shouldn’t be that difficult to apologize- or at least explain yourself. You groan into your hands, using your palms to muffle the sound. You swear that your neighbors must hate you by now; the walls in your apartment complex are too thin for them not to. 

The options presented to you, you think, are either a) you apologize, which is the most unlikely scenario, b) you wait for Seungmin to apologize, actually that might be the least likely possibility, c) you ask Hyunjin to talk to Seungmin for you, or d) you move on with your life and pray that he gives up on you. 

Is that the smartest answer? Absolutely not. Is it the safest? Most definitely. At this point you’re debating just staying in bed forever or moving to a different country. 

What you didn’t realize, however, was that you’d underestimate just how much you affect him.

Every waking moment, it seems, he’s thinking about you. How you smile. Your outfit. Maybe he likes the way you did your hair. Seungmin notices everything about you. If you’ve changed anything, your mood, body language. He sees everything. 

He’s straight up fixated on you lately. Seungmin’s been thinking: maybe it’s for the best that you indirectly rejected you. Maybe he dodged a bullet and saved himself from becoming borderline obsessed,

But then Seungmin opens Instagram, a picture of you in a dress that he wishes he was the only one seeing you in, and he changes his mind. 

He’s not going to stop until you’re his, come hell or high water.

tags: @godslino @skzstarnet @myseungsunglove @seungseung-minmin

[mxnsxngie]

Dare You To (Make A) Move (K.S)

Warnings: Just pure cuteness and Seungmin and Minho being shit's

Word Count: 1305

Let Me Know What You Think!

“You’re sure they don’t mind me coming tonight?” You ask your best friend, worried you were intruding on guys night despite the fact he had assured you multiple times you weren’t. It’s not that you were nervous, you’d met the boys many times. You just hated to feel like you were intruding even though you knew you weren’t.

“Yes I’m sure, they adore you, dork” Seungmin says turning to give you a look as he takes your hand and open the door to the dorms.

“Oh I’m the dork? That’s rich coming from you” you laugh with a smile on your face as you follow him in.

“Mmm at least I’m not clumsy like you” he smirks, knowing he’s got you on this one.

“Hey! I can’t help that I’m clumsy! That’s not fair!” You stop behind him just after you two walk into the living room where the boys are, your arm getting tugged by his before he realizes you stopped. He turns to see you standing there with a pout on your face.

“Awww I’m sorry, did I hurt your feelings?” He asks, sounding sympathetic to you.

“Yeah” you say as you nod at him, keeping up the pout and looking at him with puppy dog eyes.

“Awww babe… man I would have thought after all this time being friends you’d be used to this by now” he laughs, even more when he sees your jaw drop after hearing your gasp at his words. “I’m kidding!! I’m sorry babe, come here” he says, pulling you into a hug, rubbing your back.

It wasn’t unusual for him to call you babe, it came up one time when he was teasing you and kind of stuck for him. You never minded it, but now you wish it meant more.

“Awww isn’t that cute?” You hear Minho quip from behind you as you’re pulling away from Seungmin. You raise a brow at him while trying to hide you’re blush.

“What’s cute?” You ask him as you hear a couple of the others snicker.

“I think he meant you two” Han giggles from beside Minho.

“Us? What about us two?” You ask, confused, as you sit down on an open spot on the couch next to I.N, Seungmin sitting on the other side of you.

“I think they’re trying to joke that you two are cute together” Hyunjin says with a smirk.

“Oh, I see” you say, trying to hide your blush.

“Come on, leave them alone guys” Chan says from the other side of the room.

“So what are we doing tonight anyway?” You ask, trying to change the topic.

“Just some games and hanging out!” You hear Felix say as he walks into the living room with snacks for everyone.

“Oo thanks Lix! And sounds fun!” You say as you lean back into the couch. You feel Seungmin’s arm behind your shoulders on the back of the couch but try to ignore it.

“What are we playing first?” I.N asks from beside you.

“Jenga!” Changbin yells from the floor, causing all of you to burst into laughter.

“Jenga it is!” Chan says as he gets out the game and you all start setting it up.

“No!! No way that’s still standing!!” You yell as Han pulls out his next piece and stacks it. The remaining tower looking VERY unstable but somehow is still standing.

“What can I say, I’m just that good!” He says from across the table with a smirk.

“Yeah, that’s it Ji” you say with a huff and eye roll as you examine the tower for your next move. It was just you two left and you were determined to win. As you were looking, you were fiddling with your necklace when you feel Seungmin start fiddling with your hair that’s resting near your shoulder by his hand. Without realizing you let out a small hum without breaking your concentration.

“Someone likes that Seungmin” you hear Minho say from beside Han and you can tell by his tone he’s smirking. You refuse to give him the satisfaction of a reaction though and focus on the tower.

“No idea what you mean” Seungmin says from beside you as he continues to play with your hair. You bite your lip to try to keep a sound from escaping as it becomes harder to concentrate. What you don’t see is the matching smirk on Seungmin’s face.

“Oh come on, it’s so obvious you two have a thing for each other!” Hyunjin says from the other end of the couch.

“It kind of is” you hear Felix chime in from beside him.

“Wait does everyone here think we like each other?” You ask, looking around the room at them all.

“Yes!” You hear them all answer in unison, including, to your surprise, Seungmin from beside you. You turn to look at him surprised as you hear Minho speak up.

“But Seungmin here is too nervous to make a move. We’ve tried getting him to for ages but he hasn’t yet. So I doubt he will now.” He says with a challenging smirk at Seungmin, looking him dead in the eyes.

“Oh I won’t huh?” Seungmin says before you feel his hands move down to your waist and tug you onto his lap so you’re facing him. You let out a small gasp in surprise as your eyes widen, staring at him.

You sit there for a moment staring at each other and suddenly it feels like there’s no one else in the room as he slowly moves his hand up to cup your cheek. You see a questioning look in his eye and you nod slightly, knowing what he’s asking of you without saying it.

Next thing you know, he surges forward and kisses you, his other arm wrapping around your waist as the one holding your cheek keeps your face against his. You instantly melt into the kiss, letting out a sigh as you lean into him to get a little closer.

The room erupts into a cacophony of yells and cheers around you.

“Yes!! Finally!!” Hyunjin yells.

“About time!” You best I.N from beside you.

“Oh my god they’re so cute” Felix says.

“I didn’t think he’d actually do it” Minho says, impressed.

The guys are still cheering as you two continue the kiss. At this point you’ve deepened the kiss, your hand reaching to tangle into his hair as you hum against his lips. He licks against yours gently, contrasting the intense kiss, and you let him in as you sigh, moving even closer to him.

“Okay guys, I think that’s enough” you hear Chan say a little awkwardly as the cheering dies down. You blush a little as you pull away, embarrassed you forgot all the guys were around. Seungmin just sits there with a big smile on his face though, not taking his eyes off yours.

“Mmm I don’t think that is enough yet, thanks though” he says with a smirk before sliding his arms beneath your bottom and standing up with you in his arms, carrying you down the hall as you yelp in surprise.

“Where are we going?” You laugh as you smile at him.

“My room for some privacy, that way they can’t use me making out with my girlfriend against me later” he says and you can’t help but laugh at his antics as he opens his door and carries you in. As he starts to shut the door, you hear two things.

“Use protection” Chan tells after you two, followed by Han chiming in with “Does this mean I win the game?!” And you laugh again as Seungmin shuts the door and leans in to kiss you.

Han may have won the game, but you and Seungmin were the real winners that night.

Tag List: @yxngbxkkie @channiechxn @alyszaen @l3visbby @icedwaterjuice @puppyluvved @quokkashaped @sunshinecoded @rabbitcharmed @jisuperboard @life-is-glorious @longingpurity @shincode @sugrlamb @seungbinbin @bbujiikseu

If you want to be tagged in the future or want to request something let me know! My chat and inbox are always open so feel free to come talk to me anytime!

[ju-sakka]

› fluff, established relationship

› w.c: 191

› Seungmin × reader

› a/n: just a self-indulgent little thing because I'm so weak for Kim Seungmin

One kiss. Sirens blared in the distance.

Two. Thunder cracked in the sky.

Three. The world was shut out.

No rain pattering, no thunder roaring, no tires sloshing on the flooded streets.

And you thought you'd be happy dying like this; with Seungmin's face hovering above yours and his warmth enveloping you whole.

Propped up on knees and elbows, his body heat rose in swirls around you—grazing your temples which his forearms neighbored; close enough to dip his fingers into your hair as he molded his mouth with your own. Warming up your sides where your shirt had ridden up; his skin almost touching your exposed one where he kneeled. Fanning your face in short urgent puffs; hot to the point where it felt as if a bonfire was set ablaze just below your nose.

When the fire had started burning in your chest—courtesy of his snatching your breath away—he connected your foreheads together instead, too reluctant to lose touch, breaths mingling and only making you grow warmer.

A kiss fell to the tip of your nose every three pants, your fingertips still gliding over his back in the gentlest caress.

[coupsie-daisies]

Kinktober '23: Cockwarming | Kim Seungmin

Pairing: Kim Seungmin x Reader

Genre: Smut (minors DO NOT interact), Fluff

Summary: Seungmin has been busy with his schedules, and being away from you so much is making him miserable. Unfortunately, you both need to sleep, so you find a compromise.

WC: 1k

Warnings: Petnames, clingy Seungmin, slight angst if you squint and tilt your head a little, fingering, Seungmin barely speaks, these bitches sleepy as fuck

A/N: Short and toothrottingly sweet. Read at your own risk

Tags: @dragonofthenorth0726 // @wooyussy // @burningupp-replies // @bunnypig18 // @decaffedthoughts // @brownieracha / @ferrethyun // @snow-pegasus // @walkxthexmoon // @aesteraceae // @wonuqrtz // @mixling-blog // @wonwooz1

Main Masterlist

Kinktober '23 Masterlist

This fanfiction is property of @/coupsie-daisies, reposting on any other platform is prohibited

Days when Seungmin had long schedules were always a little softer around the edges than days where he was fully rested. He didn't have as much energy to tease and poke at you, instead he needed the care that you so eagerly gave him.

Today was no different, the door opening late as you were preparing yourself for sleep. Seungmin had told you not to stay up waiting for him, and it was already creeping into morning hours and you had work in the morning, but still you were pushing the limits of sleepiness to see him when he got home.

"Hey, baby. There's food in the microwave for you. You haven't eaten yet, have you?" You called from where you were doing your skincare in the bathroom. Seungmin only responded with a barely audible hum, and then he was peeking into the bathroom. You could see some of the tension wash away from his shoulders when he saw you in one of his oversized hoodies and a pair of sweatpants, your hair pushed back by a Pochacco headband as you rinsed the cleanser off your face.

He came up behind you, arms snaking around your waist and face burying into your shoulder. You smiled, looking at him in the mirror as he snuggled closer to you.

"Miss me?" You teased, drying off your hand and bringing it up to stroke his hair, gently rubbing his head and listening to the happy little hum he let out. He pressed you closer to his chest, and you swore your heart was soaring. You hated seeing him so exhausted, but the way that he gravitated towards you like you were his personal portable charger.

"Yeah. Long day. You should be sleeping." He said, propping his chin up on your shoulder to peer at you in the mirror. You smiled, carrying on with your routine.

"I know, but I wanted to see you. You've been really busy lately and I missed you. Would have come to visit you if I knew you were gonna be gone all night." You said, turning to kiss his temple so he knew that you weren't upset with him. Even so, a little frown tugged at his lips and you could see the gears turning in his head.

"Come on, let's get you to bed. You can shower and eat in the morning." You said, snapping him out of his head. He didn't argue, following you into the bedroom you shared and starting to change into night clothes. You wiggled your sweatpants down and crawled into bed, waiting for him to join you.

When the bed dipped behind you, you eagerly curled closer to his warmth, enjoying the heavy weight of his arm around your waist. He kissed your neck lightly, a few careful pecks before he was nipping at the spot. You inhaled softly, squirming against him.

"Thought you said that I should be asleep." You said lowly, not wanting to disturb the peaceful quiet of the room and the little bubble of warmth that had surrounded the both of you. He huffed, his hand sneaking under the front of your hoodie and tracing against your stomach.

"You should be. Doesn't mean I can't want you." He said. You laughed quietly.

"You always want me, mister." You teased, though there was no implication that you didn't want him just as badly. It had been so long since the two of you'd had time for anything more than a quicky between your chaotic schedules and the exhaustion you were both battling.

"Just wanna be inside," He mumbled, mouth still working a mark against your pulse point, and sending undeniable waves of heat through you. You pressed back against him, feeling the bulge he was sporting press hard against your ass. "Can sleep, just miss feeling you. Always so warm and wet and perfect for me."

His words earned a little whine. You nodded.

"Yeah, I want that. Want you inside me." You muttered. Seungmin didn't waste any time, his hand snaking underneath the soft fabric of your panties so he could brush his fingertips against your slit. His movements were gentle, careful, just tracing the length of your pussy before dipping to press against your hole, spreading the wetness he coaxed out of you up to your clit and back down again until you were leaking for him. Your arousal coated his fingers now, wetting the fabric of your panties as he circled against your clit.

"Min, please." You sighed, turning to meet his lips in a slow, messy kiss. It was uncoordinated, but comfortable, it was a sum of the two of you needing each other so desperately that you couldn't function without being connected. The two of you worked in tandem to work your panties down your legs and out of the way so that his long fingers could press inside of you. He worked you open slowly, dragging his fingers perfectly against the spot that made you keen even in his sleepy state, knowing your body like it was his own, memorizing every inch of you.

And then your orgasm was washing over you, a sense of pure warmth. It wasn't a harsh one like some that he gave you, it was slow and steady, gentle waves lapping the shore, rising and falling like the tide as you relaxed against him, letting him push you through it before he was gently pulling his hand away, stroking himself and then guiding your leg so he could slide inside of you.

The two of you shared an intimate sigh as his length filled you up, stretching you out and surrounding him in your thrumming warmth. His arm nestled around your waist, pulling you closer as if trying to make up for the inevitable molecular distance between you, and you hummed contentedly, your hand finding his and lacing his fingers with yours.

"Better now?" You asked, peeking over your shoulder to see that his eyes had already fallen shut, and he only gave you a small hum in response. You couldn't blame him, your eyes were already starting to fall shut, soothed by the heavy warmth between your thighs. "Goodnight, Seungmo. Sweet dreams."

He didn't answer, just buried his face in the back of your neck, and the two of you found a moment of peace as you drifted off to sleep.

copyright 2023 coupsie-daisies, all rights reserved

[godsmenusuperbowl]

8:39 PM ~ *Kim Seungmin*

Summary: Being a student is hard work. At least you have Seungmin to suffer right along with you.

Pairing: Kim Seungmin X G/N!Reader

Genre: Fluffy Drabble

Word Count: 318

Warning: Homework stress

Masterlist

Taglist: @foxwinter @maeleelee @mxnsxngie @kpop-will-kill-me

“How’s the studying going?”

Seungmin and you groaned in unison. Chris just laughed before setting a tupperware box down on Seungmin’s desk. He glanced at it.

“Did Felix make these brownies?”

“Yeah, he thought the two of you could use a snack break. Good luck. I do not envy either of you.”

Chris left with another laugh and you sighed. You laid back and rubbed your eyes while Seungmin opened the tupperware. You hated studying, but it had to be done. At least Seungmin was suffering with you.

“Want one?”

You looked up at the brownies Seungmin was offering you. You nodded. “Thanks.”

The two of you ate in silence before you spoke up. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

Seungmin shook his head. “Mr Jeong’s lessons are always so hard!”

“Right?” You nodded before glancing back at your own homework. “I’m convinced trigonometry is some kind of mental torture device.”

“Yeah. At least Mrs. Son’s history work wasn’t so bad.” He admitted, swiping another brownie.

You nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. Also, I have some photography homework to complete as well. Can you help me with that?”

He nodded. “Sure. What do you need me to do?”

“I just need to do some simple portraits.” You explained. “I’m also going to ask the rest of Stray Kids to help out as well.”

“You’ll definitely have enough portraits then.” He snickered. “I know Changbin, Jisung, and Hyunjin will take up most of them. They might even ask to have some to keep if they’re done well enough.”

You nodded, smiling at the thought before it disappeared. “But first, math homework.”

Seungmin whined, “Don’t remind me.”

“It has to be done.”

“But we’re not done with the brownies yet!”

You should’ve protested, but he made an excellent point. “You’re right. We still have some left. Alright, brownies, math, and then pictures. Sounds like a plan?”

“Works for me.”

[goldendynastys]

castles crumbing (pt. 1) | ksm

summary: molly usher had the world in the palm of her hands, endless money and a family reputation that would save her no matter what. the young woman had everything. until one day, her father made a deal with the devil, a deal that put her in the forefront. now she had nothing, except being forced into an eventual marriage to kim seungmin, the most dangerous member of the mafia who was not afraid to get his hands bloody and would do anything to protect molly.

pairing: kim seungmin x fem!oc rating/genre: 18+, MDNI | mafia au, arranged relationship, enemies to lovers, yandere, angst, fluff, eventual smut word count: 21.3k warning/tags: manipulation, yandere, obsession, alcohol usage, violence, organized crime, molly is a rich bitch, toxic family dynamics, betrayal, weapons, seungmin is possessive of molly, comedic interactions, suggestive content, inspired by the fall of the house of usher, i think that’s it but if i miss anything please let me know (i’m new at this), hope you all enjoy reading! <3

disclaimer: all members of Stray Kids are faces and name claims for this story. this is entirely a work of fiction and by no means is meant to be a projection, judgment, or representation of real-life people. any scenarios or representations of the people and places mentioned in works are not representative of real life scenarios.

this story will be written in 3rd POV in which the oc has a name and faceclaim. i understand that the majority of people prefer x reader (and i completely respect that), but i just wanted to give a warning so people know what to expect before reading this story or if they want to avoid it entirely. please do not attack me, as i do prefer writing with names and faceclaims sometimes and i just want to write what i want to write. any hate comments will be blocked.

sadie sink as molly usher

chapter one: a wolf in sheep’s clothing (next →)

When Molly Usher was only seven years old, she knew what her family meant to the world and what the world meant to them. She was sitting in her first grade classroom and listened as different kids talked about their families and what they believed their parents did for work. Granted, the majority of the families were in the same line of business, but they each had different jobs and did different things, so it was always an interesting topic of discussion.

No one had asked Molly what her parents did, even though she was a part of the conversation. When she tried to share, a student shut her down by saying, “we know what your parents do for work, Molly. Your family is bigger than all of our’s and some of our parents work for your parents, so you don’t need to share.”

It was at that moment that everything started to make sense to Molly Usher. Why her parents were always pestering her about looking presentable, why they scolded her every time she said something rude or improper, why they told her to be better than everyone else in school and in sports. They wanted her to best, to uphold the Usher reputation and be the perfect daughter she could be. After all, their family had built their empire from the ground up and gained fame from all of the work that they did. They could not risk losing that within a matter of a few seconds, especially something that took years to build.

And from there on out, Molly began to live by the message her parents had been feeding to her ever since she learned how to speak. She never complained about the ugly dresses she had to wear, finding ways to make it more fashionable and suitable for her taste. She always spoke eloquently to her peers and teachers, and even began to try harder in her class. Despite only being seven years old, Molly made sure she got perfect scores on the homework and made sure she knew all of the answers to her teacher’s questions.

And this behavior became embedded within her mind as the years went on. Molly began to juggle harder classwork and extracurricular activities ranging from captain of the volleyball team to president of the debate club and the humanitarian organization her high school had. Nevertheless, she still ranked the highest student in her graduating class and got into some of the best schools in the country. All thanks to that one student in her first grade class who reminded her who the Usher family was (and her parents, of course). Those two things changed the trajectory of her life for the better.

With all the hard work and ambition Molly had, she was seen as the best and strongest Usher child, something she wanted ever since she understood the competition amongst the Usher siblings when she was nine. John Usher, her father, never outwardly said he had a favorite child, but Molly could tell he was lying by the discreet look he had in his eyes. Everyone was oblivious to it except for Molly and her mother, Katherine.

He wanted to have a favorite child, a child he knew would carry on the Usher dynasty and uphold the family name with no cracks within it. With an empire with that much power, who wouldn’t? He needed reassurance that everything he worked for wouldn’t fall once handed over to the next person. So, John watched his children in silence, scoping out who was the most hardworking out of all of them and how willing they were to be the best and uphold the Usher name. Some children were completely oblivious, while others caught on and played into the game. Molly was one of them, but she knew how to play it right so that she would become her father’s favorite and be the next successor of the Usher dynasty.

And so, Molly did whatever it took to be on top. So what if she didn't necessarily have a “normal” childhood? She’d much rather be working towards something important that would play a significant role in her future than do something unproductive and stupid with her peers. Granted, Molly did enjoy going out to clubs wearing the most expensive clothes she could find, but it was only once in a blue moon. The majority of the time, she just put her head down and got to work. As she got older, the work paid off greatly.

Molly graduated at the top of her class in university and obtained her business degree with flying colors. Now, at the age of twenty-two going on twenty-three, she was about to start her own business, one that interested her greatly and was going to help people around the world. Quite frankly, it was better than anything else her siblings had been working on. Their passion projects were . . . cute, to say the least. But it didn’t bring pride to the Usher name, it was only for their benefit and they were doing it to make themselves look good, not the family. Sure, their father would fund the business and help them out, but he wouldn’t be proud of the work that they were doing.

And that was precisely why Molly went in a different direction; she created a business that not only piqued her interest, but one that would bring change to the world and had the Usher name behind it. It was a genius idea, an idea her less intelligent siblings could not come up with on their own (Molly did love them, but it was the truth. It wasn’t her fault the intelligence gene was passed down to her). It would bring about more pride and good omens to the Usher name, and the young woman so proud of what she had accomplished. She did it all by herself (with the assistance of her father’s money, of course), designing the whole business and contacting the right people to work with. Her dream was about to come into fruition.

Molly stood in an office located in the Usher headquarters. It was a massive building with many floors and offices for her father and other employees to work in. She was able to take over one of the floors and use it for business planning, to which she was very grateful for. She needed those rooms to host meetings, get her products together the right way, and just having a space to get work done. There was a lot that went into starting a business, as Molly learned through countless hours of planning and crying, so she was going to take whatever she could (besides her father’s money) to get it up and running.

But she got everything done, like she always did. It was only a matter of putting the final pieces together and scheduling a press conference so important investors and news reporters could be in attendance to cover the entire event. Molly sat at the office desk, reading through emails and sorting through the remaining paperwork she hadn’t gotten to yet. She was almost done for the evening, just tying up some final things before her driver came and escorted her home. There was one final task Molly had to do before she left, which was already about to get done now that one of her assistants, Aubrey, had come walking through the door.

“We’re all set for the launch event next week, there are just some final forms you have to fill out that I can scan and send back so you can get your brand officially trademarked. This is so exciting, Molly!” Aubrey exclaimed as she placed the papers on the desk.

Molly only smiled as she skimmed through the documents and began to fill them out. They were just agreements she and the trademark representatives went over a few weeks ago, it was only a matter of the youngest Usher actually filling them out so they could be approved and processed. She handed them back to Aubrey once she was done. “Yay!” the woman spoke excitedly. “You’re almost there! We just have to get the conference room fixed up for next week and finalize the clothes. It’s going to be amazing, you should be proud of yourself, Molly!”

“Thank you! I’m really looking forward to this. I thought it would be a no-go given the complications of finding the right investors and getting the clothes looking pretty and organized, but we pushed through,” Molly smiled, thinking back to how this project had a rough start but was able to get back on stable ground after figuring out some details.

“You pushed through. This was all you — we just helped you make sure your head didn’t fall off!” Audrey laughed. “But seriously, your dedication to this project is admirable. In a few weeks, you are going to be helping women all around the world get what they need — clothes, food and water, books for school. This work and ensuring half of the profits the company makes goes towards women in need is truly remarkable. You are going to change the world, Molly Usher.”

She couldn’t help but blush at the comment. It was true that the business she was building was going to leave an impact — it was something Molly had wanted to do for quite some time now. Despite coming from wealth and of a high class, she wanted to give back to the world in any way she could. Several years later, she was able to launch something that could help people, especially women, in need and assist them in whatever they needed help with.

Of course, there were other companies that did this line of work and commitment, but Molly wanted to go about it differently. She had heard horror stories of how companies made a promise to donate to charity or help those who were suffering, but completely lied about it and took all of the money they made and invested in the business. Molly didn’t want to do that, she wanted to ensure that half of the profits that were made from selling the clothes were given back to the community, which is why she did countless hours of research to make sure the investors and other people she were to work with were reputable. Negotiating a fair contract was another challenging part, hence why starting this business took her longer than expected.

Even after the long hours and days where it felt like the business wasn’t going to make it, Molly still managed to get everything organized and pushed through the rough patches. Now, she was only a week away from the initial launch and she was more than thrilled. Not only because she would finally get the hard part over with, but because it would bring great reputation to the Usher name. Bettering their reputation would make her father proud and she could finally be seen as his favorite child. Once she had that, the world was her oyster and Molly could finally gain a sense of peace.

“Thank you, Aubrey. You’re too kind to me, you and the rest of the team did amazing work, too. Give yourself some credit for my sanity,” Molly laughed. “Seriously, you helped me so much. I haven’t been the easiest person to work with on this project, so your commitment to me and the company just means a lot to me.”

Aubrey shrugged her shoulders. “It’s business, honey. We’re all going to get angry from time to time, it’s a natural part of life,” she reassured the girl. “Your passion and admiration for me and the other employees was what made us stay. And we will continue to work with you for as long as you let us. Now, let me get these documents forwarded so you can go home and rest. You need a break.”

And she was right. Molly had been so focused on the business and building it for the past few not months, working long days and even coming in on the weekend to get work done. Now that the final tweaks were quieting down, she could finally take a weekend to herself and do whatever she wanted. The free time she now had left her dumbfounded: what was she going to do? She could sleep, for one, or read some books she had been meaning to read when she had the chance. She could hang out with her father and see what he was up to. 

Molly seemed to get an answer to her question, however, once her phone started to ring. She glanced down at the screen and noticed her friend, Serena, was calling. She briefly looked at Aubrey, who gave her two thumbs up and began to walk out of the room with the documents. Molly smiled as she brought the phone to her ear. “Hey Serena, how are you?”

“Um, I don’t know. I guess I’m happy ‘cause my best friend has officially started her own business!” Serena screamed, squealing over the phone. Molly couldn’t help but start laughing at her friend who was super excited for her. “You did it! All the heavy lifting is done! You’re officially a CEO, how fucking sick is that?!”

Molly only laughed. “There’s still so much work I’m going to have to do, but yes, the business is official and is going to be announced within a few weeks. I fucking did it, Serena.”

“Yes you fucking did! You did it, congratulations. I am so so proud of you, you worked your ass off and you deserve this so much. Molly Usher, CEO. That has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?” Serena congratulated the woman. “We have to celebrate. What are you doing tonight?”

Molly began to gather her purse and make her way out of the office. “Um, I’m not sure. I was going to stay in and catch up on some sleep, or watch a movie with my cat, I haven’t decided yet.”

“Hmm, I’m thinking no. Molls, we have to celebrate this! You haven’t gone out in ages and what better way to celebrate than going to the club and partying?!” Serena suggested. “Come on, the girls and I miss you so much. We want to have a night that’s all about you, to honor the hard work you’ve been doing. Please? I’ll pick you up and drive you home, even if we end up crashing at my place. You don’t even have to lift a finger. Just for tonight, and I’ll let you catch up on sleep and watch a movie with Morella the rest of the weekend. That sound good?”

Molly playfully rolled her eyes as she unlocked her car. She gave it some serious thought before eventually agreeing to her friend’s plan. “Deal. But my one ask is that you come to my house before so we can all get ready together. We haven’t done one of those in a while, either.”

Serena squealed once more and clapped her hands together. “Yay! That would be so much fun. Okay, I’ll let Ester and Camille know to come to my house first and then we’ll drive to your’s. I cannot wait, this is going to be so much fun! I have to get my shit together, I love you, talk to you soon. Bye!”

“Love you too!” Molly called out, and then the call disconnected. She laughed at her best friend. She had always been thankful she had someone like Serena in her life, someone who pushed her to do things even when she didn’t really want to for the sake of going out of her comfort zone. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she would rather go out with her friends than stay in for the night.  

She was glad she said yes to Serena, and Molly had a good feeling about tonight. She had no idea why, but she was optimistic that it would be a night none of them would forget. The Usher woman turned on her car and began to drive home, excited to share the good news with her father and friends, and to celebrate everything she had been working for.

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Music started to blare from the speaker Esther brought from her house. It was imported from a luxury brand in Paris, a Christmas gift from her mother when she went there on a holiday trip by herself. It was a great speaker, as the entire group used to listen to music whenever they got ready to go out or were just spending the night together.

Camille came out of the bathroom wearing nothing but flared pants, trying to figure out what bra and top to wear. “I feel like my areolas look weird. One looks smaller and the other looks too big. Am I crazy, or . . .”

Esther rolled her eyes while she finished applying her makeup. “Yes. The girl you’re going to sleep with does not give a fuck about what your aeorelas look like. You’re fine, just decide on a top and stick with it, we have to leave soon.”

Camille turned towards Molly and Serena, who were smoothing out their dresses. “What do you think?”

Molly turned around and smiled at her friend. “I think you are beautiful the way you are, your areolas are fine. Our bodies are meant to look different, so really, there’s no standard of how they should look. You’ll be fine, Camille,” she reassured, to which the other woman gave her a sympathetic smile. “And I say the pink one. It’s sparkly and it goes well with your orange pants. Which are so adorable, by the way.”

“Thank you! I got them from this store in California. Only three hundred dollars, what a steal!” Camille smiled and then ran into the bathroom to quickly get dressed.

Molly only laughed and looked at herself in the mirror. She decided to wear a short silver dress that was covered in sequins and had an open back. She was supposed to wear it to a New Year’s Eve party but ended up going with another one because of how “short” it was (Molly was a little too uptight back then when it came to her clothes). She didn’t care much about it now, as long as she looked and felt good, she didn’t care what it looked like. Molly finished putting in her earrings and touching up her red lipstick.

“Can I just say that you look hot as fuck?” Serena commented, causing Molly to blush and for Esther and Camille to cheer in agreement. She wrapped her arms around the redhead’s shoulders. “That dress looks amazing on you. I told you you should’ve worn it to that New Year’s party!”

“Thank you. You know how stingy I was back then, I hated how short it was. But tonight is a fun night and I want to look sexy while doing so,” Molly laughed. “You look amazing too. The Chanel dress with the sneakers is such a cute and trendy look, I’m obsessed.”

“Yeah, but it’s nothing compared to how you look. I just threw this on at the last minute, you look gorgeous and sexy. Everyone is going to be looking at you, and one of them might be lucky enough to go home with you tonight!” Serena exclaimed, to which everyone cheered in unison while Molly laughed it off. “I’m serious, you’re going to catch some serious dick tonight. Or pussy, whatever makes you feel comfortable and good. As long as they’re not ugly, then we do not give a fuck.”

“Or a criminal! Haven’t you heard? So many members of the mafia are taking women and forcing them to be their wives, it’s scary. You have to make sure the guy you’re gonna fuck isn’t going to try and kidnap you. That’s all I’m saying,” Esther commented. 

Molly couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Ester’s concern for her and the group’s safety was understandable, as there have been stories on the news of women going missing presumably because of mafia members and their “hunt” to find the perfect woman for them. It was scary for sure, and Molly made sure to carry an extra can of pepper spray whenever she left somewhere late, but they did not have to worry. After all, she was the daughter of John Usher, one of the most powerful businessmen in the world who had many resources that would be able to find either one of them if they were to ever be kidnapped. 

“I appreciate the concern, Esther. I do, but we are going to be fine. Camille’s bringing her pepper spray, Serena’s dad forced her to have the police on speed dial, and I have my pepper spray too. Plus, my dad’s one of the most powerful people in the world. If something were to happen, he would be able to find all of us in a matter of no time. It’s okay to be scared because what’s happening is fucked up, but I think we will be okay. We’ll just be careful with who we talk to,” Molly reassured her friend, wrapping her arms around her shoulders to give her a hug. “You look beautiful — the blue eyeshadow compliments your hair and outfit very well.”

Esther smiled and placed her hand over Molly’s. “Thanks, Molls. I want to make sure we’re safe. You just never know who’s out there.”

Before she had the chance to respond, Camille stepped out from the bathroom and gave a twirl for everyone to show off her outfit, “Okay, I think I’m ready to head out. You were right about the color — it really does stand out!” Camille announced.

“I am too. I ordered our Uber a bit ago and it should be here in . . . shit, three minutes. Are we all ready?” Serena asked as she linked one of her arm’s with Molly and the other with Esther.

The women looked at each other and all shrugged their shoulders. They looked ready, and they looked hot as fuck. It was rare that they all got to hang out with each other, as Molly threw herself into starting her business while the others were busy building their careers. To have a special night where they could dress up and go out into the city was truly exciting for all of them. They definitely needed a night like this, especially after all the hard work they had been doing.

They unlinked their arms once they remembered they needed their coats to keep them warm, in which they threw them on and began to walk out of Molly’s room. As the redhead was about to walk out of the door, she saw her father sitting in one of the living rooms, presumably reading emails on his phone. A small smile arose on her face as she quietly knocked on the wall to get his attention. He looked up from his phone and smiled as well. “Ah, my little entrepreneur is at home before ten o’clock. How have you been?”

“I’ve been good, Dad. Finally got all the documents signed and forwarded to the right people — Audrey said the launch can happen within the next week or so!” Molly clapped her hands together.

John Usher’s smile faltered slightly once she said those words. He remained happy for the sake of the conversation. “That’s amazing, you should be extremely proud of yourself. You are going to bring great press and news to the Usher name,” he complimented. “But, there’s one small thing . . .” Confusion started to arise on Molly’s face, her heart falling to her stomach. “W-What? What do you mean by one small thing . . . what the hell happened, Dad?”

“It’s nothing major, uh . . . one of our investor’s pulled out. Said he got a better opportunity for another company, better rates,” John admitted.

Molly’s stomach dropped completely. Anger began to take over as she looked at her father, her hands forming into fists. “Which one was it? Why the fuck did he pull out?”

“It was Simon Hollingsworth—”

“That bastard! That fucking bastard, I knew he was a snake and was going to pull out when shit hit the fan. What a coward,” Molly spat. She began to slowly hyperventilate, becoming more and more angry as the truth began to settle in. “What does this mean? Do I not get to launch the business next week? I swear I—”

“You can still have a launch next week, it might be a little harder because of the dropout. But there’s some investors I can talk to who I’ve grown close with and—” John started but was cut off by Molly shaking her head. “Molly, I can help you out. Getting investors this late in the game won’t work, but I can convince them to invest because they know me. Don’t you want that?”

“I don’t want your help. You said I had to do this on our own, you told all of us that. I don’t want to be the only one who got help from you, I don’t want to get shit from them at Christmas saying how they never got Daddy’s help and taking jabs at me. Especially Enzo, he’s always loved to tease me because I’m the youngest,” Molly explained.

Her father shook his head, showing that he understood what she meant. Molly could feel tears start to prick her eyes and she held them back immediately; she didn’t want to ruin her makeup or show her dad that she was going to cry. She could feel his hands rest on her arms to try and reassure her. “Hey, it’s going to be okay. I shouldn’t have said anything, I ruined your night and I’m sorry. Go have fun with your friends and we can talk about this tomorrow, okay?”

Molly nodded her head slowly. As much as she wanted to try and forget about this, there was no way she would be able to. Perhaps getting drunk at the club would help take her mind off it, that seemed like a good solution. “Okay, I’ll do that.”

“Good, because you deserve to have this night for yourself,” John reassured his daughter, planting a small kiss on her forehead. “Go have fun, Molly Dolly. But don’t do anything too dangerous — just make sure you can get home safely!”

She gave him a smile and laughed. “I’ll try. See you later, Dad.”

Molly ran outside to her friends, who were starting to get into the Uber. Serena waited outside with a concerned expression on her face. “Hey, is everything okay? We figured we’d wait outside so you two can talk and so the Uber doesn’t drive away. You guys okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just . . . nevermind. I’m not going to think about it until tomorrow. Right now, all I’m thinking about is having a fun night with my girls and getting drunk as fuck. So let's go before the bar gets crowded and people try to make us pay for their drinks,” Molly reassured her friend, who giggled at her words. The two made their way into the Uber, and the four were off.

While Molly tried to have a good time, she couldn’t help but think about the evil investor who decided to drop out. She was screwed, as Mr. Hollingsworth invested the most money into the launch and business as a whole. Molly had no idea what the hell she was going to do, but she decided to shake it off as much as she could. Tonight was supposed to be a fun night with her friends, to celebrate all that she had achieved. She could forget about it for one night and then get back to work tomorrow. One night off would not kill you, as Audrey constantly reminded her.

Molly shook her head and smiled at the girls, who were listening to whatever song was playing on the radio. She laughed and started to sing with them, hoping this energy would remain consistent throughout the entire night: just pure happiness and bliss.

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Music blared loudly throughout the club as Molly and Esther danced together. The club was filled with multi-colored lights flashing through the place and people dancing the night away. Everyone was either too drunk or too high to care about what they were doing, and even the sober ones were just happy to be in a fun environment.

Camille and Serena had returned from the bar, carrying four shot glasses that were filled with what appeared to be tequila. The girls squealed as they each took a glass, clinking them together and throwing it in their mouths. The alcohol burned in Molly’s mouth, but it went away after she took a sip of her gin and tonic, and she was swaying to the music with a smile on her face.

The DJ decided to change the song to a more modern, more upbeat song that everyone seemed to know and love, because the crowd began to cheer and move onto the dance floor. Serena took another sip of her drink and grabbed Molly’s hand, while Esther grabbed Camille’s. “Come on ladies, I love this song and we have to all dance together!” 

They entered the sea of people and began to dance to the song. Others decided to join them and the dancing became more fun for everyone. Some people decided to do extreme dance moves, which was entertaining to watch, but the majority of it was just everyone dancing calmly to the music. It was a great song choice; everyone (including Molly) seemed to know the lyrics and were shouting them loudly. The energy that radiated within the club was powerful, powerful and fun.

The women continued to dance to the other songs that came on, which were also upbeat and popular, and did not have a care in the world. Molly was enjoying herself, just letting her body sway to the music. It wasn’t until Serena tapped her shoulder that Molly stopped dancing completely and came back to reality. “That guy has been staring at you for the past, like, ten minutes. Hasn’t taken his eyes off of you since we started dancing.”

“I think he wants to fuck you!” Camille shouted as well.

Molly playfully rolled her eyes and looked out into the distance. It wasn’t hard to spot the man that was looking at her — he had dark hair and wore a nice leather jacket, a drink in his hands that he brought up to his lips as she continued to stare at Molly, not breaking eye contact. He was cute for sure, the way his hair sat nicely on his head and how he stood with confidence. Molly was definitely intrigued, to say the least. She gave him a small wave and he responded with a curt nod, causing the four women to start giggling.

“You have to go talk to him, Molls! He’s totally into you, and he’s hot too!” Esther exclaimed. “If all goes south, we’ll back you up for sure!”

“Yeah, if he’s a prick I’ll punch him in the face and steal his credit card,” Camille added.

Molly laughed once more and shook her head. “If he wants to talk, he can come to me. I’m not chasing after him, I don’t have time for that bullshit!”

She glanced at him once more, in which he stared right back at her. Molly motioned for him to join the group with her hand, hoping he would get the hint and come join them. Within a matter of seconds, he pushed himself off of the wall and started to walk towards them, placing his glass down at the bar.

“Holy shit, it worked! How do I look?” Molly asked.

“Like a million bucks, babe. You got this, we’ll be right over there if you need us. If it goes wrong, just text us or rub your nose. Yeah, yeah rub it so we know if it’s going badly. We’ll come rescue you,” Serena answered.

Esther and Camille agreed with her words, and Molly nodded her head. “Okay, wipe my nose if it’s bad, got it. Shit, he’s almost over here.”

The three began to walk in the opposite direction, reassuring the Usher woman that everything would go smoothly; Esther and Camille even decided to imitate sex positions to tease Molly, which she flipped them off, causing all four of them to laugh. 

Molly turned around to see the man now only being a few feet away. A smile arose on her face once he was right in front of her, while a small smile arose on his. “Hi,” he broke the ice by speaking first. “You and your friends seem to be having fun.”

“Hi,” Molly responded, dragging out the word (either from her nerves or the alcohol; she couldn’t tell). “We are, the music is great and the alcohol is just . . . spectacular.”

The man laughed. “I bet, it’s a great night to be out. I was actually about to leave, but then I saw you dancing and decided that I wanted to talk to you. I mean, how could I leave without at least trying to talk to the prettiest girl in the room?”

Molly laughed and playfully rolled her eyes once more. “Aw, thanks. Do you use that line on all the women you talk to?”

He shook his head. “I don’t, believe it or not. Normally I just try and talk to them about their drinks or music. Simple, easy way to start a conversation. But with you, I just thought of that on the spot.”

“Sure,” Molly laughed. 

“I’m serious! I never say that unless I’m looking for a drink to be thrown in my face. I mean it, my first attempt at flirting with a girl when I was like . . . what, eighteen? I called her pretty and she threw her Fireball in my face. My eyes burned for days after that,” he explained.

“Oh, so you admit that you’re flirting with me? I mean, you said you learned from that mistake and don’t usually do it when you flirt now . . .” Molly asked with a smile on her face, the alcohol starting to kick in a little more. 

He shrugged his shoulders, causing her to giggle. “All right, you caught me. I am flirting with you. If you want to throw a drink in my face, do it now so I can get it over with. And please, for the love of God, do not use Fireball.”

Molly laughed once more and shook her head. “No, no, no! I like that you’re flirting with me, you’re honestly super cute! Like, super cute. I’m glad you’re flirting with me . . . you didn’t tell me your name. No wait, let me guess . . . Michael.”

“Close! Well . . . not close at all, actually, but I applaud your effort. It’s Seungmin,” he introduced himself.

Molly nodded and took the man’s hand into her own to shake (normally she wouldn’t do this sort of thing, but the alcohol was getting to her, once again). “Seungmin, it’s nice to meet you. You have a really cool name. Can I ask what it means?”

“Thank you, I get that a lot. It means quick and clever in Korean,” he explained. “And your name is . . .”

“Molly. People often make jokes about how my name means drugs, because of the drug Molly. I wanted to beat you to the punch because I’ve heard it so many times,” she explained, finishing up her drink and setting it down on the nearest table.

Seungmin shook his head. “I was gonna say your name means star of the sea, or beloved, or even brave warrior. Your name has many meanings, it’s pretty. A pretty name for a pretty woman, don’t you think?”

Molly could feel her cheeks start to become warm and flush with a light pink color, as no one has said anything like that to her in a while. “Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I already knew I was hot as fuck, but hearing the real meaning behind my name is really cool too.” 

“Yeah, that too,” Seungmin laughed.

The two stood in silence for a brief moment, the music getting louder and making it harder for them to hear one another. Seungmin was attractive, to say the least, with his dark hair and confident posture. He was taller than Molly, that was for certain, but not too tall to a point where she could barely see his face or hear his words. No, he was the perfect height, in her opinion. His brown eyes were so innocent, but held much strength at the same time. 

Molly couldn’t help but stare at him, admiring who he was as a person and studying his features, until someone bumped into her unexpectedly. Another man had been having too much fun dancing and accidentally danced right into Molly, who fell forward and onto Seungmin. Luckily, he caught her without hesitation and wrapped his arms on her waist, pulling her close to him while he sent a harsh glare at the man. “Watch where you’re going, asshole!” He shouted.

“Fuck off!” he spat at Seungmin, shaking his head while he returned to the dance floor.

Molly gave him the middle finger and rolled her eyes. The man did not see, but she really didn’t care. He was acting like a dick and someone had to let him know that his behavior was not okay, nor was it cool. Seungmin couldn’t help but laugh, which caused her to giggle as well. She couldn’t help but rest her hands on his chest as she turned to face him. “Is it really a good club night if some random asshole bumps into you?”

“No, I don’t think so. But it does not give them the right to act like a dick. As long as they apologize, then it’ll make for a fun club story,” Seungmin explained.

“True. Or if he spilled a drink on me, then an actual fight would have broken out. Did you know that this dress cost me almost 2500 dollars?! Well, I should say it cost my dad 2500, but still. Ruining an expensive dress is one of the worst things you can do at a club, especially if it’s one of mine,” Molly ranted. 

“2500 is honestly not that much for a dress. Pricey, for sure, but where I go shopping, I’ve seen scarves cost way more than that. Scarves, Molly. Literal scarves,” Seungmin explained.

“Oh, really? Well, what stores do you shop at? I must not be going to the good ones if all I’m seeing are prices between a grand and three grand,” Molly asked, impulsively wrapping her arms around Seungmin’s neck.

“I can’t remember the names, they’re very obscure, but I guess I’ll have to take you to them myself and show you around. After all, we want only the best dresses and accessories for Miss Molly, don’t we?” He joked, his grip on her waist getting a bit tighter in a more protective manner. 

Molly couldn’t help but giggle at the way he spoke, nodding her head. “Indeed we do, Mr. Seungmin.”

He smiled while tucking a strand of hair out of her face. She was able to get a better look at his eyes, realizing how pretty they actually were. How pretty Seungmin was. He was very pretty to Molly, and she would’ve told him that if she had not consumed that much alcohol. She didn’t want him to think that she was lying, that it was only said because she was tipsy. So she stared at him deeply, eventually bringing a hand up to his cheek to caress it.

Their silence was interrupted by Serena, Esther, and Camille, who came sprinting towards the two with their bags and jackets. “We really hate to interrupt, but we have to go. Camille has an important family event tomorrow and her mom wants her home in half an hour.”

“And my dad’s pissed because I forgot to submit something for a work project I’m working on,” Esther added. “I know it’s super early, but we have to go if we don’t want to get in serious trouble.”

Their comments took Molly back by surprise, but she slowly nodded her head. As much as she didn’t want to leave Seungmin just yet, she didn’t want to let her friends leave without her, especially since they came as a group and it was their night out. “O-Okay, yeah sure, let’s head out. Did you grab my purse and jacket from the lockers? I can order us an Uber—”

“Yes I grabbed your things and I already ordered the Uber. Here,” Serena gently handed Molly her purse and jacket. “It should be here within a few minutes, so we should just wait by the entrance.”

Molly nodded her head. “Okay, I’ll be right behind you,” she reassured her friends. She sadly turned to Seungmin with an embarrassed look on her face. “Look, I didn’t expect for us to leave so early, I’m so sorry. I have to go, but I really enjoyed talking to you. Is there any way I can get your number? I want to talk to you more, if that’s okay.”

“Yeah, absolutely. Hey uh, I know we just met and all, but I can drive you home if you want? Our night doesn’t have to end because your friends are leaving, you know. We can go back to my place and I can take you home whenever you want. It’s up to you, but if you don’t want to go, you have another option,” Seungmin suggested.

Molly hesitated. She knew it would be better if she left with her friends to ensure they got home safely (and herself too, of course), but she also didn’t want to leave Seungmin just yet. She wanted to keep talking, to leave with him just like her friends wanted her to do while they were getting ready. Who knows when they would be able to talk again? She had no idea what the hell he did for a living, and with Molly’s company launching soon, she was going to be very busy within the next few weeks. She wanted to make the most of tonight, to have fun and do spontaneous things.

The Usher woman nodded her head. “Okay, as much as I really want to go with you, how do I know you aren’t planning to kill me? I mean, it’s one of the basic horror movie plots where the girl goes off with this guy and then boom: he stabs her multiple times or shoots her right in the head. So how do I know you aren’t planning to kill me?”

Seungmin chuckled. “You make a good point, but I promise you that I am not going to murder you. You can check my pockets and my car for any murder weapons if that makes you feel comfortable. I’ll have my GPS on so you know I’m taking you back to my place the way I normally go. But again, if you really don’t want to, we don’t have to. You can always give me your number and we can meet another time.”

Molly hesitated once more. She stared at Seungmin for a brief moment before making her final decision. She was probably going to regret this in the morning, but all she wanted to do was keep talking to Seungmin and hearing more of what he wanted to say. She wasn’t ready to give that up yet, and besides, her friends wanted her to meet someone tonight, so shouldn’t they be happy that she was going home with a really cute guy? 

She sighed and nodded her head. “All right, I’ll go with you. But, if you try to kill me, my father will make sure you get the worst prison sentence and make sure that everyone knows how much of an evil person you are. Just letting you know now.”

“Understood, Miss Molly,” he nodded his head in a joking manner. Seungmin placed Molly’s jacket over her shoulders and handed her the small Prada purse she brought, taking her hand into his. “Come on, let's tell your friends what you’re doing so they know what’s happening.”

Seungmin guided Molly through the club, holding her hand both gently and tightly. It didn’t take them long to reach the exit, in which all three of Molly’s friends were entering the Uber. Serena stopped moving once she saw her standing with Seungmin, a bit confused. “Are you coming with us?”

“I’m going to hang out with my new friend some more, okay? I’ll text you my location so you know where I am in case anything happens!” Molly shouted. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Of course! Have a fun night and treat my girl right, Molly’s new friend!” Serena shouted. 

“Yeah, use protection and don’t be too loud!” Esther laughed, causing Camille and Serena to laugh as well while Molly buried her face in Seungmin’s arm in embarrassment. 

“I’m going to kill you all!” Molly shouted.

Camille and Esther’s only response was to mimic sexual positions and facial expressions, while Serena sent a heart made with her hands. Their Uber left within a few minutes, in which Seungmin began to walk Molly towards his car.

“I’m really sorry about them. They just like to tease me sometimes,” Molly apologized.

Seungmin shook his head in a reassuring manner. “My friends would be the same way if they saw me here with you, so I get it. They would probably do a lot worse. But they don’t have to worry: I know what I’m doing when it comes to treating you right, if you know what I mean,” he winked.

Molly could feel her cheeks start to get warm again, and she couldn’t help but playfully roll her eyes with a smile on her face. Seungmin caught on and laughed as he unlocked his car, which appeared to be a black sports car that looked very expensive. Molly gawked at the design. “Holy shit, this car looks so cool. What kind is it?”

“Mercedes-Maybach Exelero. I wanted a Bugatti or Ferrari, but the designs looked awful, so I chose this one. It’s kinda cool, right?” Seungmin asked, opening the passenger door for Molly and helping her get inside.

“It’s so fucking cool, like holy shit! And I thought the car I was driving was chique, but it’s nothing compared to this,” Molly exclaimed. “I love it, it’s seriously the sickest car I’ve been in. Or seen, really. You have good taste, Mr. Seungmin.”

“Why thank you, Miss Molly,” he bowed, to which the woman laughed. “I’ll show you the gadgets that come along with it once I turn it on, yeah?”

Molly nodded her head enthusiastically as Seungmin closed the door and made his way to the driver’s side. Within seconds, he turned on the car and began to drive out of the parking garage, intertwining his free hand with Molly’s as he did.

──────────────────────

The drive to Seungmin’s apartment was quick, but eventful at the same time. Somehow, he managed to make a short trip more fun than one would normally expect from a quick car ride. Since his car was so new, he showed Molly all of the cool features it had and even played some of her favorite music to keep her happy and entertained. Normally, she’d be bored out of her mind when men talked about their cars, but the way Seungmin did it, it was so interesting and it made Molly want to learn more. 

Seungmin’s hand was intertwined with her’s the entire car ride home, gently stroking her thumb every now and then. It was comforting, Molly was glad he didn’t let go. She didn’t know why he was being so nice to her, especially since they just met only a few hours ago. Maybe it was because he wanted to have sex or he was just a nice person, but she was glad that he was making this whole experience fun for the both of them.

Music played quietly as the two made their way through the city, a playlist dedicated to a mixture of songs. Pop, R&B, Soft Rock — it was all fitting for the night they were having. Seungmin occasionally spoke up, asking Molly what her favorite type of music was and if she liked any of the songs on his playlist. She explained that she liked everything, from old music to more popular, modern songs like the one on his playlist. Other than that, it was mainly quiet between the two.

It didn’t bother Molly how silent it was. Normally, she hated it when she just met someone and there was awkward silence that couldn’t be escaped. But with Seungmin, it was just different for some reason. She didn’t mind it at all, it was quite peaceful. His presence kept her calm and just made her feel like their interactions weren’t like the awkward ones she experienced before, which was very refreshing.

After what felt like a long but short period of time in the car, Seungmin pulled into the parking garage of a luxury apartment building. He only stopped to show the guard his I.D. to prove that he lived in the building, and then he effortlessly backed into a spot closest to the entrance, with his hand still intertwined with Molly’s.

“See if I were the one driving, I’d park the farthest away from everyone so I wouldn’t hit anyone when pulling in. And it would’ve taken me twenty times to get in the lines evenly,” Molly blurted out, slowly realizing that she sounded kind of stupid and nervous when she announced that.

Seungmin laughed at her comment and opened his door. “Good thing I was driving, then,” he said. Right when Molly was about to open the door, he spoke up. “Stay right there.”

He quickly jogged over to the passenger side and opened the door for her, which made her laugh and playfully roll her eyes. “What a gentleman,” she told him as she reached out and grabbed his hand.

“My mother always said that a man should always come to the door if he’s taking a lady on a date and to always open the car door for her. I try to live by what she tells me,” Seungmin explained.

Molly nodded her head and the two made their way through the garage. She couldn’t help but notice all the expensive cars that sat next to each other; Teslas, Bugattis, Bentleys, Ferraris and Jaguars all lined up next to each other. She had never seen these many expensive vehicles in one place. Sure, she saw them at business events she attended with her father or for networking purposes, but that was different. That was at a public event with many people coming in from different places, this was from people all living in the same apartment building. 

She brushed off that thought and focused her attention to the beautiful lobby that they just entered. Both the floor and walls were made of stone, many paintings hanging from the wall and furniture that looked as if it was imported from many different countries. The bellman greeted Seungmin and Molly, who both said hello to him as they walked by. He guided the woman into the elevator and pressed the top button. It took her a moment to realize that they were going to the top floor, which meant that Seungmin lived in a penthouse apartment. Holy shit.

Molly looked up at the man, who looked a little concerned with her current facial expression. “You okay?” He asked, gently rubbing his thumb over her hand.

“Uh, yeah. I just . . . I didn’t realize you lived in the penthouse. Like, the top floor of this entire apartment building. It’s great, I just . . . it caught me off guard completely,” Molly sheepishly explained. 

“Oh, yeah, I do. A lot of people look at me funny whenever I press the button, assuming it’s my father’s. But whenever I tell them that I live alone, they get shocked like you do. The only difference is that when they do it, it’s annoying. But with you, it’s cute,” Seungmin explained, causing Molly to lightly hit his shoulder and for him to laugh.

“It’s not cute, I was just surprised. And very impressed, by the way. You’ll have to tell me what kind of work you’re in that allows you to have this sort of lifestyle,” she explained.

The elevator had brought them up to the top floor and the doors had started to open slowly. Molly followed Seungmin as he guided through the long hallway, admiring the walls and the paintings that hung on them. Some were old, given the nature of the colors and what the paintings were, but they were mostly modern. Decorated with abstract details that proved they were painted within the past few years. Molly stared at them in awe while Seungmin watched her slightly while he opened the door to his apartment.

Apartment was beginning to sound like an understatement now that they had arrived. It was more of a penthouse, a mini mansion, as Molly saw it. A chandelier hung from the ceiling and under it was a nice table filled with Red Tulips placed in the center of it. A huge staircase stood a few feet behind it, with a home office to the right of it. On the other stood a small area where coats and jackets could be placed. Many pairs of shoes and some expensive, chique-looking jackets hung from the wall. Molly snapped back into reality once she saw Seungmin taking his shoes off, prompting her to do the same.

She followed the man into the living room, and that was when Molly let her jaw drop. “Wow,” she whispered while staring at the large windows in front of her. The entire city lit up on the other side of the windows, a remarkable view to have. A balcony was stretched out on the other side as well, filled with nice chairs, tables, and plants. It was truly beautiful, the way everything came together.

The light from outside reflected nicely into the living room, which was adorned with a nice couch and coffee table. A flat screen TV hung nicely on the wall amongst the other photos Seungmin had placed there, mainly of himself, his family, and friends. Behind the couch stood the kitchen, which had a refrigerator and typical kitchen attire. Even then, it still looked flawless and something out of a rich catalog. And that was only a small fraction of the penthouse; there were still more Molly had yet to see, and she was even more intrigued now that she had gotten a basic introduction.

“Your apartment — penthouse, it’s just . . . wow. It’s marvelous. I mean, the way you set up the balcony and how the city lights reflect perfectly into the living room and kitchen . . . it’s stunning,” Molly complimented as she continued to look out the windows and explore the area a bit more.

“Thank you. I hired contractors to make the windows bigger — wanted to see more of the city. My whole place really is the same as this: simple decor, but that’s what makes it stand out,” Seungmin explained. “I can show you the rest of my apartment if you’d like. Fair warning, my bedroom’s a bit messy. Haven’t gotten a chance to do my laundry yet.”

“Absolutely. I’ve never seen a penthouse like yours before. Most of the ones I’ve been to were very old fashioned and lacked modernism — probably because the people living in them were much older. So yes, I would love to see what else you have done to this place,” Molly answered enthusiastically, clapping her hands together with a smile. 

Right when Molly was about to walk down the hallway, Seungmin’s voice made her stop and turn around. “Do you want something to drink? I have beer, red and white wine, vodka, some sodas, and water.”

Molly returned to the kitchen to see the man rummaging through his cabinets to find glasses for them. He quickly opened the fridge to show you his arrangement of beverages, and she couldn’t help but giggle at how neat and organized they were. “Hm… I think I’ll have your white wine. I think this occasion calls for some wine, don’t you think?”

Seungmin only shrugged his shoulders. “I’d say so. I only have wine when I have guests coming over, and since you are a guest, I’d agree.”

Before he could grab some wine glasses, Molly took the bottle and held it close to her chest. “Why use glasses when we can just drink out of the bottle? We aren’t expecting anyone else, are we? Why waste two perfectly clean glasses when we can just share? It’s better for your electricity bill if you don’t run the dishwasher, you know.”

Seungmin laughed as he took the bottle from her grasp and grabbed a wine opener. He handed it back to Molly once it was open, to which she gladly took and placed her lips to the bottle with a smile. He couldn’t help but smile as well once she handed him the bottle. “I think it tastes better out of the bottle, don’t you think?” Molly asked.

“Oh, most definitely,” Seungmin answered, taking a sip as well. “Good decision on your part, Miss Molly.”

“Thank you, Mr. Seungmin,” she thanked the man. It was then that Molly realized she wanted to see more of the penthouse and decided to walk out of the kitchen into the hallway. “Come along, you can show me all the wonders and secrets that live within your home.”

She could hear him grab the wine bottle and trail behind. Molly turned a corner and was met with a glass door, a long pool on the other side and a hot tub on one end. Molly stared at it in awe, quickly opening the door and walking along the side. The water was as clear as ever, the lights from above reflecting nicely over it. She placed the tips of her fingers in, only to be met with the cool temperature of the water, causing her to pull it away quickly. “This is so cool, you can see the entire city here as well. Like, holy shit.”

“Thank you. I added it in ‘cause I had this extra space and wanted a pool that wasn’t outside, that way I can go swimming anytime I want,” Seungmin explained. There was a brief period of silence between them until he decided to speak up again. “Do you like to swim?”

“Of course, it’s super fun. When I was younger, my family and I always went to this fancy beach resort and my father had to physically take me out of the pool sometimes because I refused to get out. We don’t go as much, but my friends and I are planning to go to Cabo San Lucas in the summer when we can all get the time off of work,” Molly explained. “We went to the Bahamas one year and they were all obsessed with tanning and did not want to swim in the ocean or the hotel pool. Which I get, but it was so annoying ‘cause I wanted to swim with them so badly.”

“Who would want to pass up swimming in the warm ocean water? I wouldn't,” Seungmin asked.

“That’s what I said!” The woman exclaimed. “I love tanning as much as the next person, but we’re in the Bahamas for fuck’s sake, we can swim for at least an hour or two and then go back to tanning.”

“Exactly!” He agreed. “Can I ask what you do for work? It must be hard for you all to get the same week off, but I’m curious as to what your job is? You seem like you work hard and are passionate about what you do.”

Molly took a minute to respond, gently taking the wine bottle out of Seungmin’s grasp and bringing it to her lips. She took a long sip and placed it on the ground between them. “I am currently in the process of launching my new company. I’ve been working on it for months, many meetings and documents to sign, but I’m finally in the end stages of getting it out there.”

Seungmin nodded his head, impressed by her work. “That is very inspiring. Better than any work that I’ve done, really.”

Molly gave him a look, one that indicated that whatever work he did was not better than what she was doing. He literally lived in a penthouse that overlooked the city, how would his work not be inspiring or better than her’s? He only laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “Okay, okay. I do have a good job, I do, but you just seem more driven and passionate than I am, therefore it makes your work better than mine. What is your company going to do?”

“It’s a clothing store. Not as high end as Chanel or Louis Vuitton, but not necessarily cheap, either. I think the prices are fair, and it’s a regular clothing store that sells sweaters, jeans, sportswear, and business attire. A clothing store for women of all ages, really,” Molly explained. “Half of the proceeds will go to women in need. Both here and in other countries around the world, whatever they need most. Food, clothes, books, education supplies, shelter, menstrual projects — you name it, we’ll provide it. The other half will go to employees to ensure they all get paid fairly and equally.”

Seungmin whistled, to which Molly playfully rolled her eyes and smiled. “I guess I was right: you are very driven and very passionate,” he commented. “But that is truly impressive and inspiring, Molly. You are going to change the world, we need more people like you, who care for others.”

“Thank you. It’s all because of my dad, really. Without his help, I wouldn’t have been able to start this as quickly as I did. I’m super grateful for him and I hope I can make him proud,” Molly added. 

“He definitely will be. I mean, he did help you and invest in this idea, no? If he’s not proud, then he can go to hell. I know he’s your dad and all, but it’s the truth,” he stated.

“Yeah, he did, but that doesn’t always mean he’ll be proud. There were some businesses my siblings started or things they were working on that weren’t successful, and he just got disappointed. I honestly think he started liking them less,” Molly admitted, taking another sip of wine to make herself stop talking. She was definitely scaring Seungmin with all of her words and stories. He was probably thinking of ways to get her to leave as quickly as possible.

But the man only nodded his head and took a sip of wine as well. He seemed to be intrigued by what she had to say. “That sucks. It’s not their fault the projects didn’t go well, they can’t predict shit like that. How many siblings do you have?”

“Five, with me being the youngest. So there are six of us in total, and my dad makes seven. We all have different moms, except for my oldest brother and sister,” Molly answered. “Some of their projects and businesses were successful, while the others weren’t. My dad makes a deal with us, basically giving us the money to start our projects and we have to make sure they go well, to keep up with our family name and status.”

“Holy shit, that’s definitely not a lot of weight to be carrying around on your shoulders,” Seungmin responded sarcastically, to which Molly nodded her head in agreement with a small smile. “You must be pretty well off if he’s able to provide that much money to all of you.”

“Yeah. Perks of being a daughter of the CEO of Fortunato Industries, I guess.”

A puzzled look appeared on Seungmin’s face as he processed Molly’s words. It took him a minute to understand what she said and his eyes widened once he realized who she and her family were. “Wait a minute . . . you’re John Usher’s daughter? As in, the John Usher? The CEO of Fortunato Industries and other investments related to it? Oh my God, that’s why you look so familiar—”

“Yes, yes that man is my father and he is the CEO of Fortunato Industries,” Molly laughed, standing up from the ground and making her way back into the penthouse. “I think I have shared enough about me for you to get the full picture of who I am.”

“Mmm, I don’t think so. All I know is that your name is Molly Usher, you’re beautiful as hell, and you’re launching your own business soon. There’s more to you than just that,” Seungmin refuted, standing up as well. “And I would like to know more.”

“Well, you’re going to have to show me around your home more if you want to learn more about me,” Molly smirked as she opened the door and walked out, with Seungmin trailing right behind her.

She made her way through the hallway, admiring the walls and the other rooms that stood there. By the looks of them, one appeared to be an at-home gym filled with treadmills, weights, and other exercise machines. The other room looked like an at-home movie theater, filled with a large screen and a few rows of reclining leather chairs. Molly looked at them in awe and turned to Seungmin, who had a small smirk on his face. 

“Clearly, this is my gym and movie theater. This was all here when I bought the place, with the exception of some gym equipment my friend recommended I get. I workout sometimes and watch my movies here if I want the movie theater experience without wanting to leave my place,” Seungmin explained. “Down this hallway is my living room, where I just have guests sit and talk if the kitchen gets too crowded.”

Molly followed the man down the hallway, revealing a living room on the other side. It was big, the ceiling higher than any of the other rooms she had been in. A grand piano sat in the corner with some picture frames sitting on top. Inside them were photos of Seungmin, from when he was younger and more current ones. He stood with what appeared to be his family, and the others were of him and his friends. Seungmin looked happy, surrounded by love and support from both his friends and family.

She looked up to see some more photos decorated on the walls, mainly of Seungmin and his family. There was a portrait of him that looked like it was done just recently, his posture and emotionless facial expression screamed power and status. He looked handsome, even Molly could feel herself blushing as she stared at it longer.

“Like what you see?” Seungmin smirked.

“Shut up! I just like it. The artist did a really nice job for you . . .” Molly trailed off, noticing that his name was engraved at the bottom of the frame. Kim Seungmin, it read. She was glad to have finally learned his full name, it suited him. “I was just reading your name on the frame, it’s very cool the way it’s etched in.” 

“Sure. You can admit that you were staring at me ‘cause you think I’m cute, I won’t judge,” he responded, to which she playfully hit his shoulder and he continued to laugh some more. It was then that Seungmin made the bold decision to lace his fingers with hers and guide her out of the room. “Come, there’s other rooms I want you to see.”

Molly followed the man through the hallway, briefly looking into the fancy dining room filled with fine china and a long wooden table. Seungmin claimed it was the most boring room out of his entire penthouse, and though Molly disagreed, she just nodded her head.

They approached another staircase, much smaller and more modern than the one near the front door. It didn’t take them long to reach the second floor, in which there was a much longer hallway filled with multiple rooms. Seungmin started with the closest one, which was just a supply closet filled with tissues, toilet paper, towels, and band aids amongst other things. There was a gaming room, filled with a chair and big monitors. Molly couldn’t help but giggle at the site of it. “I like your game setup, do you get to play often?”

“Sometimes,” Seungmin shrugged. “I get busy with work, but sometimes I’ll hop on after a long day or when all my friends want to play with me. I can show you how to play, if you want. Probably not tonight, since no one will be on this late.”

“Sure. I’ve never played them before, but I’ve always thought they were so interesting. I’d love to learn,” she admitted as she admired the room and its bright colors some more. 

“Then I will be happy to teach you. I’m the best out of all my friends, but don’t tell them I said that,” he joked, making her laugh. 

Seungmin led the way towards the other rooms. There was a big bathroom, a nice shower and big bathtub in the corner, and two sinks within it. One of the guest bedrooms was also there that looked as if it was the master bedroom because of how big it was. A queen-sized bed, a small couch, and a nice TV that hung from the wall made up the space of the room. It was simple, but so elegant at the same time. 

The other guest bedrooms had the same set up, except with a different color scheme and bigger windows than the first one. Another closet was next to those bedrooms as well, mainly filled with different medicines like Advil or Tylenol, along with extra bottles of shampoo and conditioner for guests or even Seungmin in case he ran out. It wasn’t until they approached the end of the hallway that Molly became very intrigued. Double doors stood next to each other, and Seungmin reached out to open both of them, revealing his room on the other side.

It was much nicer than the guest bedrooms, Molly would admit. They were nice rooms, of course, but Seungmin’s room was by far the best. His king-sized bed adorned by black and white sheets made it look expensive and chique. A big TV stood at the opposite side, sitting on top of a small dresser. Molly noticed the closet behind it and gasped, making her way towards it. She stared in awe once she opened the door, revealing a walk-in closet filled with a lot of designer clothes and accessories.

“I love walk-in closets! I have one myself, but I just love seeing other people’s closets! This is so cool,” Molly exclaimed. Her eyebrows furrowed a bit once she stared at the other side of it, which was completely cleared out. “How come this side is so empty? I mean, why don't you use the entire closet for your things?”

“Oh, I just got rid of a bunch of clothes and things I didn’t want anymore. I’ll have to go shopping soon, but I have more than enough clothes,” Seungmin explained, clearing his throat. She only nodded her head while she continued to look at all the brands Seungmin had in his closet. Prada, Dior, Chanel, Versace — this man definitely had a great sense of style. Not as good as her’s, that was for sure, but it was nice to know that he cared about his appearance and wanted to look good.

The array of watches and earrings that sat in one of the jewelry cases also caught her eye. Some of them were from the same brand her father and brothers had, but the earrings were surprising. “I didn’t know you had your ears pierced, that’s pretty cool. Do you wear earrings often?”

Seungmin leaned against the doorframe and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Occasionally. I have a lot, but the only ones I really show off are my two conch piercings and a small lip piercing, which I got because I lost a bet. It’s pretty cool, but it hurt like a motherfucker when I first got it done.”

“A lip ring? Interesting, it suits you. You’ll have to show me what it looks like,” Molly commented as she brushed past the man. She made her way to the big windows, arguably her second favorite part about the room (the first being the walk-in closet, of course). She admired the view of the city from this part of the penthouse, as it overlooked the other apartment buildings and could get a better picture of the streets below. Molly loved Seungmin’s place — it was everything she ever wanted in a home. Sure, there were a few things she’d change, but overall it was a beautiful home that Molly wanted to have some day. 

Seungmin stood beside Molly, admiring the view like she was. Except, he was more focused on her and couldn’t help but stare at her in admiration, wanting to understand her thoughts and what she looked like when she was so focused on something. She looked beautiful, there was no doubt about that. The way her wavy hair fell onto her shoulders and how there were small freckles on her face that could only be seen if you looked closely. She had such grace and elegance within her when she spoke, so careful and thoughtful with her words. He wanted to know more about how she viewed the world and what else she was passionate about. Lucky for him, he was going to have all the time in the world to learn about that very soon.

“You have a beautiful home, Kim Seungmin,” Molly broke the silence, causing the man to snap out of his thoughts and turn towards her. “It’s so cool, between the gym and the pool and your awesome bedroom. The whole design of the place is beautiful. I hope to have a place like yours someday.”

“Thank you, Molly Usher. I am sure you will. By the looks of your business and your commitment to it, you definitely will,” Seungmin thanked her. 

“Not so sure about that,” Molly began. She debated on whether or not she should continue what she was saying, as she had just met this man and did not want to overshare nor set herself up for failure, but she decided that she did not care. “One of the investors pulled out at the last minute, so I’m not sure how I am going to get the money within a week and sustain it long term. If nothing works out, then a series of unfortunate events will occur, and yeah, getting a place like this won’t be on the cards for me.”

“Oh, shit. Molly, that’s terrible—”

“It’s okay, I don’t really want to talk about it right now. I shouldn’t have said anything, I’m sorry,” Molly quickly apologized.

Seungmin shook his head. “Don’t apologize, I’m sure everything will work out on its own. Not that that message helps or anything, but I think you’re going to be okay.”

“Thank you,” Molly smiled kindly, returning her gaze towards the window and continued to look at the city.

It was quiet for a few moments, until Seungmin stood right behind Molly and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. Butterflies arose in her stomach once he rested his chin on her shoulder and took one of her hands into his. “If you look this way, you can start to see the outside of the city and into the other towns that surround it,” he spoke gently.

She looked closely at the city and, just as he said, saw the lights coming from the smaller homes that stood outside of it. “Oh my God, that is amazing. It’s so beautiful. I can’t even imagine what it’s like at sunrise and sunset. I bet it’s stunning,” she said.

“Hmm,” was the only sound that came out of Seungmin’s mouth. The man was now only focused on Molly and her dress, as he carefully hooked his fingers under one of the straps and let it fall down her arm. Her breath hitched, both in nervousness and desire; it had been a while since she had been this close to someone, so she did not know how to react. It was not until Seungmin started to place gentle kisses on her shoulder and collarbone that Molly began to feel less anxious, letting her eyes close and moving her head to give Seungmin more access to her neck, which he was happy about.

He began to kiss on her neck softly, making Molly throw her head back slightly. Seungmin then started to suck her neck in a slightly harsh way, attempting to leave marks on it, especially on the spot that was very sensitive. Before he did so, he turned Molly around so that she was facing him, and pressed his lips to hers. She eagerly kissed back, placing her hands on his cheeks as they did. 

They continued to make out until Seungmin went back to kissing her neck, only more harshly this time so he could leave hickeys on her neck. Molly closed her eyes and let out soft moans once he started to reach the sensitive area, resting a hand on his shoulder. Her moans became louder, however, once Seungmin decided to squeeze her breast, in which she couldn’t hold back trying to be quiet.

“S-Seungmin,” Molly managed to get out, smiling as he continued to kiss her neck. “You’re going to leave marks on my neck, everyone will see them.”

“So? Let them see, let them know how well I took care of you tonight,” he mumbled, leaving some final kisses on her neck before moving to her lips, in which she kissed back immediately. His hand made its way to her breast again as they continued kissing, in which Molly moaned louder, causing Seungmin to smirk into their kiss. “You sure are enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Y-Yes. Y-You’re making me feel so good, Seungmin,” she stuttered out, making him groan at the way she said his name.

They continued to make out for what felt like hours until Seungmin pulled away, gently pecking her lips once more before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Molly couldn’t help but giggle, her cheeks becoming red as she continued to stare at him. She gently took his hand and held it in her own, placing it right over her heart. Seungmin couldn’t help himself and pressed another kiss on her lips, and Molly did the same to him once he pulled away.

Seungmin took Molly’s hand and led her over to his bed, sitting her down on the end while he took a few steps back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I know you said that you didn’t want to talk about this earlier, but . . . I think I found a way for your business to go on successfully. I thought about it when I showed you the towns outside the city, and I wanted to hear your thoughts.”

Molly couldn’t help but get excited at his idea. She was running out of time and solutions, so she was open to any suggestions or ideas anyone had. Her eyes widened as she nodded her head. “Yeah, absolutely. Please share your thoughts because I am desperate and running out of things I can do. So please, share.”

The man stopped himself before speaking. Rather than standing away, Seungmin brought himself to Molly, sitting beside her and tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and placing a hand on her cheek. “Be with me,” he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. What did he mean? A relationship? Friends-with-benefits? She only stared at Seungmin and gently rested her hand on top of the one that held her cheek. “What? What do you mean?”

He took a deep breath before speaking. “I’m not the best with words, so I’ll try to explain what I mean,” Seungmin started. “I have a lot of money. Clearly, from what you’ve seen. That money isn’t going anywhere, and there will be more to come in the future for sure. Take me on as one of your investors, I’ve learned a lot from the business I am in and know a good project when I see it. Let me help you with this, I can make sure your company has enough money and you won’t lose anything. All I ask is that you be with me. A relationship, if you will. I know we just met, but I really like you and I think this could work. We’ll get to know each other and I’ll take you out on fun dates and I’ll make you feel good, in any way you want. I know this is a lot and seems . . . insane, but I promise you won’t regret this. It’ll be great for both of us, you more than me. What do you think?”

A million thoughts flooded Molly’s mind, she had no idea what to think. She needed an investor, badly. And finding another one so late in the process was going to be challenging, nearly impossible. A man with a lot of wealth was offering to help her, a quick solution that she needed. The only thing he wanted was to be with her, to be in a relationship together and fall in love. Seungmin was kind, from what Molly could tell. He was kind, funny, cute — everything she wanted in a partner. Though she didn’t know him well, the time they were spending together was much fun and she believed it would be the same as they continued to see each other. She could picture how everything would play out, and she honestly really liked what she saw.

But there was another part of Molly that wanted to say no. She didn’t want their relationship to be merely transactional, she didn’t want Seungmin to resent her over the years because of the money he invested in her company, especially if it wasn’t successful. Molly also didn’t want to bring work into her relationship; she wanted to keep them separate for the sake of her sanity. If she took Seungmin on as both a boyfriend and an investor, the boundary lines would start to blur and then it could negatively impact their relationship, and she didn’t want that. 

Molly placed her hands on top of Seungmin’s and sweetly smiled at him. “Oh Seungmin, you’re too kind, but I can’t accept your offer. It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, I had such a fun time tonight and you can probably tell from . . . what we just did, yeah. But I just, I don’t want us to hate each other in case my company doesn’t go well and I don’t want to bring work into my personal life, and vice versa,” Molly explained. “But you’re so kind and so generous, I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, and he couldn’t help but smile as he began to rub his thumb over her fingers. “I understand, I just wanted to offer. No worries.”

“I know, and for that you are so kind and thoughtful. It means so much to me,” Molly reassured him. “I do want to see you again, though. I had such a great time tonight and I want to do everything you said you wanted to do with me, even more than that. I can see us working out too, even though we just met. Would that be okay?”

Seungmin nodded his head, his lips curving into a small smile. “I would really like that, Miss Usher.”

“Perfect! We will figure out a date to meet again, Mr. Kim,” Molly exclaimed. She decided to stand up, helping Seungmin up as well by grabbing his hands. They stared at each other for a while as they let the silence fill the space between them. Molly couldn’t help but giggle as the man continued to look at her. “Why are you staring at me?”

He only shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Admiring your beauty, I guess.”

The woman playfully rolled her eyes. “Sure,” she spoke. “I hate to end the party, but I think I should get home. It’s pretty late and it’s the first weekend in a while where I don’t have a million things to do, so I just want to get home and relax. Do you think you could order me an Uber?”

“Let me drive you. I didn’t drink much tonight and I wouldn’t want you to take a car alone this late at night,” Seungmin answered. “I’ll walk us downstairs and then we can find my keys, okay?”

“Okay,” Molly whispered. 

Right when she was about to make her way to the door, Seungmin gently grabbed her arm and turned her around, pressing a long kiss on her lips. She couldn’t help but giggle as he continued to kiss her, leaving one last peck before pulling away. “What was that for?”

“Just ‘cause I wanted to,” Seungmin shrugged. 

She rolled her eyes with the biggest smile on her face and made her way to the door. Molly was about to open the door until she heard Seungmin sigh behind her. Confused, she turned around to see him standing on the other side, running his hands through his hair. “Is everything okay, Seungmin?” Molly asked worriedly.

“Yeah, I just . . . yeah, I can’t do this anymore. I was going to wait until the next time we saw each other, but that could be weeks and I’m getting impatient,” Seungmin explained. He sighed while she furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. “About my offer . . . you actually don’t have a choice in this situation.”

It was as if something had shifted in the room. The once innocent, caring atmosphere the two shared turned rotten, more dangerous and deadly. Molly shifted uncomfortably, crossing her arms over chest. “What? What . . . What do you mean, exactly? I just gave you my answer, and now you’re saying I don’t have a choice?” 

“Look,” he spoke sternly, his demeanor changing completely. He was more assertive, stronger than before. Seungmin didn’t seem angry, not like he was going to get violent or shout (Molly hoped not). He just seemed to be more . . . dominant. Like he wanted to take control of the situation and was holding himself back before. Now that he didn’t have to, he was just letting his real self shine through, which was unexpected and a bit frightening. “Your father is one of the most powerful men in his line of work and quite frankly, the world. Don’t you think so?”

Molly shook her head. “What does that have to do with anything?” “It has a lot to do with this, actually. See, with the power your dad has comes a great reputation to uphold. I mean, if everyone found out about how awful John Usher really was and the terrible things he did to get to the top, he’d be in jail for life. And the Usher name would bring nothing but shame and disgust,” Seungmin explained. “Your father would’ve done anything to protect his name, to have a clean record. And he has been able to do that, courtesy of the previous mafia leader, Kwon Dae-Hyun.”

Molly furrowed her eyebrows more. She could barely say anything due to how confused she was. “What the fuck—”

“No swearing,” Seungmin cut her off. “A pretty mouth like your’s shouldn’t be saying ugly words like that. We’ll talk about that more later. As I was saying, your father made a deal with Kwon Dae-Hyun many years before you were born. Dae-Hyun would protect John, Fortunato, and his family from any bad press that would come their way. Make sure he won every lawsuit he faced and kept his record clean. The only things Dae-Hyun wanted was that he help him and the mafia with whatever they needed, and that one of his daughters marry the new leader of the mafia when the time comes. To make their alliance stronger.”

She could feel her heart shatter into a million pieces, her stomach now in knots and her eyes glossy with tears. “No, no that’s not true. You’re lying. My father would never do such a thing, he would never do that to my sisters, especially not me. H-He wouldn’t.”

Seungmin shook his head. “Ah, but he did. Yeah, your dad’s a selfish piece of shit and would do anything to protect his prestige image. After everything he did to obtain Fortunato, there was no way he was passing up an opportunity like this.”

“So my dad just sold me off to you in order to protect the Usher name? No, that doesn’t sound like him. He’s always told me to put myself and my work before a man. He wouldn’t force me to marry someone, let alone the mafia leader. Whatever fucked up angle you’re trying to get at, it’s not working,” Molly spat, her hands now in fists and turning red with anger.

“I’m not trying to get at any angle, I’m just telling you the truth,” Seungmin said, trying to act innocent. “See, I’m not the leader of the mafia by any means. When Dae-Hyun wanted to step down, he held a competition for his members to see who would be the next mafia leader. I was close to winning, but my friend Chan beat me out fair and square. Part of our work was to learn about you, since one of us would be taking you as our wife, but Chan wasn’t interested. Mainly because he has a girlfriend he’s madly in love with. He declined that part of the deal after he won, and I decided to take matters into my own hands. For my and your dad’s sake, since he wouldn’t want to risk losing everything he built.”

“What the fuck—”

“Again, stop swearing, or else I’ll have to punish you for misbehaving,” Seungmin cut her off. “I went to your dad with some information I had on him and Fortunato, the horrible things both he and the company have done and what they are still doing. I made him a deal: I keep all of this a secret so long as I get to marry you. He agreed once he figured out I was a part of Dae-Hyun’s mafia, probably because he trusted me. So yeah, that’s how we ended up here. It’s wonderful, don’t you think?”

Molly was at a loss of words. She didn’t know what to do. Part of her wanted to rip Seungmin’s throat out for bringing her to his home and lying straight to her face, for making such a horrible deal with her father. The other part of her wanted to throttle him for lying about her dad. There was no way John Usher would do that to his children, let alone his youngest daughter. Sure, the man had weird ways of showing his love and had favorites, but he would never do something as awful as that. Why would Seungmin say such a thing? Probably to scare the shit out of Molly and make her his property, of course. 

She only stared at the man, who had a small smirk on his face and with his arms crossed over his chest. She wanted to punch him in the face right then and there, make him bleed and lose his front teeth. Molly refrained and only sent him glares, shaking her head. “I don’t believe you, you’re lying. I’m not going to marry you, hell I don’t even like you anymore. You knew everything about me and still pretended like you didn’t know me? Bringing me to your home? And now you’re lying about my family? I honestly don’t know which is worse,” Molly

spat. “Might as well go ask him myself, right? Oh and don’t worry, I’ll make sure your life will be a living hell after what you did to me.”

“You would do anything to make your father proud, wouldn’t you?”

His words made Molly stop in her tracks. She turned around and glared at Seungmin once more. “Don’t do that, don’t use my family against me to make me want to stay with you.”

“I’m not. I’m just saying, you’re the type of person to do anything to make your family proud. Great grades and extracurriculars all throughout high school and college. You’re the youngest of six, and you’re working your ass off to start your own company because you know it’ll make your dad proud. That you’ll stand out amongst your five siblings,” Seungmin explained. “Your father must know about your little investor problem, yes?”

“Yeah. What does this have to do with anything?” Molly questioned.

“Well, I think your father would be quite proud of you in this scenario,” Seungmin answered, causing Molly to furrow her eyebrows and almost walk away from the conversation entirely. “He would be so happy to hear that you found an investor at the last minute, someone with a lot of money to give and power to use. Having me as an investor will bring you more and more opportunities than you can imagine, and no doubt make the company more successful. Your father would be so proud that his youngest heir came about to be such a successful entrepreneur.”

Molly only rolled her eyes, as she did not believe anything that came from Seungmin’s mouth. What he said next, however, made her start to question her decision. “Your siblings would be so envious of you, and they wouldn’t be able to hold your fuck up against you because you fixed it. They’d be angry that the youngest daughter got everything: the glory, the respect, the attention, and being your father’s favorite child. They’d leave you alone for good, wouldn’t they?”

Before Molly could retort, Seungmin continued to speak. “And wouldn’t your father be happy to hear that his youngest daughter was married off to such a great man? A handsome, wealthy young man who can provide you a home and financial security? Someone who has the same status as the Usher’s, if not more? Surely men in your circle have no idea what they’re doing with their lives and waste their parents’ money as if it’s nothing. Who knows where they’ll end up in a few years, and if they can be a good asset to you and your family?”

Molly bit her tongue and stared at Seungmin. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of being right. His points were correct, she did want to make her family proud and her father always talked about how when the time was right, she should marry a man who had a lot of ambition and power. The way Seungmin explained it to her, by agreeing to this deal, she could make her father more proud of her than he already was. Marrying someone with a lot of money and power and finding a solution to her problem all on her own and with someone who can help make her company more popular. Being his favorite child and finally earning some respect from her older siblings, Molly realized that perhaps Seungmin was right.

But there was another part of her that still thought Seungmin was lying, that there was something he wasn’t telling her. Her father wouldn’t do something like that, he wouldn’t sell her off to a random stranger in exchange for protecting the family name. He had his faults for sure and was not perfect by any means, but he wouldn’t do such a terrible thing, especially to one of his children. Something was wrong about this whole ordeal, Molly believed. There was something she was missing, and she couldn’t figure out what. 

But if Molly were to enter this “agreement” with Seungmin, she would get to the bottom of it before it was too late.

She turned her back to Seungmin, who started walking towards her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. He brought his lips to her ear. “Be with me,” he whispered. Seungmin took one of Molly’s hands and held it in his, intertwining their fingers. “I can make you happy, give you a wonderful life that you deserve. We can be happy together and you can make your family proud. I’ll love you until the end of time. Just be with me, Angel.”

His touch was soft, one that Molly knew she shouldn’t like and crave, but she did anyway. Seungmin was warm, and his embrace made her feel safe. Like he actually meant the words that he whispered in her ear. His words were like honey even though they were filled with poison. Sweet at first, but would slowly drain the life out of the woman she once was. It was a tempting offer: to live in a grand penthouse and have everything she wanted right at her fingertips. To marry and love an attractive man who promised to love and cherish her as well.

If Molly didn’t know what she knew now, she would’ve accepted Seungmin’s offer in a heartbeat. But now, she would do anything to never see him again.

And for that to actually happen, she would have to play along with his little game. Act like she wanted to be with him and run the second she got the chance. Run for the hills and tell her father everything, and make Seungmin’s life a living Hell. That wouldn’t be so hard to achieve; he seemed smart, but Molly Usher was smarter. She would figure out how to get away and forget about this situation for good, even if it took a little bit of acting and time.

“Okay,” Molly whispered, slightly leaning into Seungmin’s touch.

He hummed in response and turned Molly so that she was now looking at him. He kissed her gently and for a few seconds before pulling away. “Good girl, I knew you would make the right decision,” he told her, pecking her lips once more. “It’s getting late and you’ve had a very stressful day. Why don’t we wash up and go to bed, yeah?”

She only nodded her head. Seungmin sat Molly down at the edge of his bed and went into his closet. He returned within seconds with a pair of black pajama bottoms and a gray t-shirt, presumably his. He set them down on her lap. “I don’t have any clothes here for you yet, so you can just wear mine for tonight. Tomorrow we’ll go out for brunch and then do some clothes shopping for you. Maybe go ring shopping as well?”

The thought of shopping for wedding rings made Molly want to vomit, but she just nodded her head and gave him a small smile. Seungmin smiled as well. “Great. You can get changed in the bathroom and brush your teeth, I put out an extra just for you.”

“Thank you,” she thanked him softly as she made her way to the bathroom.

Molly immediately shut the door and locked it to ensure her privacy. She didn’t want Seungmin coming in and stealing a look while she was naked, she couldn’t risk it with how insane he was acting. She unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor, the cool air hitting her body. She threw on the t-shirt and bottoms and then picked up the toothbrush that sat next to the sink. 

It didn’t take Molly too long to brush her teeth, she just wanted to make sure her teeth were clean and her breath didn’t smell like too much alcohol. Once she was finished, she picked up her dress and opened the door, nervously walking towards the bed. She could feel Seungmin’s eyes on her the entire time with a smirk on his face. He seemed to enjoy seeing Molly in his clothes, probably a possessive thing, knowing that she was his and no one else’s. His gaze made her uncomfortable, but she tried her best to ignore it.

“On second thought, maybe we won’t go clothes shopping tomorrow. You look so good in mine,” Seungmin joked. “Kidding, kidding, but you can wear mine as often as you want.”

Molly laughed, a laugh she used whenever she had to pretend something was funny or had no idea what was going on. She didn’t say anything in response and instead climbed under the covers of the bed. His sheets were soft and would eventually provide Molly with warmth the longer she slept in it. His mattress was soft, too, which made it easier for her to get comfortable. 

It didn’t take long for Seungmin to wash up, either, and he was walking back towards the bed within a matter of minutes. She could feel him get under the covers behind her. What caught her off guard, however, was when he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. As much as Molly wanted to fight him off, she was too tired and did not want to start an argument with the man. Instead, she just rested her hands on top of his and tried her best to fall asleep.

“Goodnight, baby,” Seungmin whispered, planting a soft kiss on her neck. “We’re going to have such a beautiful life together.”

His words made her stomach churn, but she brushed it off and tried to fall asleep. “Goodnight,” she mumbled.

Silence filled the room after she finished speaking. And although Molly was scared shitless, she knew she would get out of this. She just had to make it through the night and then she could escape

tomorrow morning. In twenty four hours, this day would become a distant memory and Molly could focus on relaxing and launching her business. It was just a little bump in the road, but she had Seungmin right where she wanted him, and she would be back to normal in no time.

Little did Molly know, Kim Seungmin knew exactly what she was planning. He didn’t know the full extent of it, but he could tell she was lying straight through her teeth. He knew her willingness to agree to this so suddenly was odd, and it was then that he realized what she was doing. Luckily for him, Seungmin had a plan in mind, a plan that would confirm his suspicions and ensure that Molly didn’t run away from him. She was a smart woman for sure, it was one of the things he liked most about her, but Seungmin was a clever bastard. A clever bastard that no one could outsmart, not even Molly. 

He knew he was in for a rude awakening when he would wake up in the morning, but for now, Seungmin wanted to enjoy these few minutes of peace with his new girlfriend (fiancé? future wife? He had no idea what to call her) while he could. And so, he drifted off to sleep, holding Molly securely in his arms not only to make sure she didn’t run away, but to provide her comfort and warmth as well.

──────────────────────

The moment Molly could feel the sunlight in her eyes, she knew she had to run. She barely slept the night before, her anxiety levels higher than ever because of the situation with Seungmin. She had no idea what he was going to do, he was unpredictable and she had to be alert at all times. Thus, it was hard for her to really fall asleep. Molly dozed off here and there, but always woke up in the middle of the night to make sure she was safe. 

This time, however, she fell asleep until the sun came out, which was good considering how much she kept waking up. Seungmin was still fast asleep, his grip on Molly tight, groaning slightly whenever she tried to move away from him and just held her tighter. Luckily, Molly was able to move his arms off of her body and made it so he was hugging her pillow. That way, he wouldn’t wake up and wonder where she went off to. It took her a bit, since his grip was still pretty strong, but she managed to get out of it. 

With that, Molly immediately found her dress on the floor and changed back into it as she possibly could. She did not want to wear Seungmin’s clothes anymore, it felt strange to wear them knowing what he did to her just a few hours ago. Despite it being so early in the morning, Molly would rather wear her dress than be in his clothes any longer. She felt a bit better once she slipped it back on. 

Molly tiptoed quietly to the door, opening it so it didn’t make a sound. Seungmin stirred in his sleep, but didn’t open his eyes once. She sighed in relief as she opened it more to let herself out, shutting it quietly and making a beeline for the staircase. She made sure to move quickly but quietly, that way she didn’t make a lot of noise and wouldn’t disturb Seungmin. After wandering the hallways for what felt like several minutes, she managed to find the living room and front door. Her purse still sat on the wall with the coats and shoes, and her heels and jacket were there as well. Sighing in relief once more, Molly grabbed her belongings and opened the front door quietly.

Once it was closed, she bolted for the elevator at the end of the hallway. She slipped on her jacket and managed to find her phone, which thankfully hadn’t died overnight. Molly sent a text to her friends that read SOS. Talk to you later. As she approached the elevator, she pressed the button multiple times to make sure it would open. She began to order an Uber in the meantime, frantically pressing the buttons as she did. The Uber was successfully ordered and then the elevator door opened. With her mind slightly eased, Molly stepped in and collected herself.

While she made her way down to the lobby, she put on her high heels and wrapped her coat around her body. That way, Molly could still uphold her status and not look like a psychopath running around the building. The elevator had stopped on a few floors to let people on, but Seungmin was not where to be found. As long as he wasn’t awake, Molly did not care how many stops they had to make.

The elevator had finally gotten to the bottom floor, in which Molly was the first one out. She followed the crowds of people, hoping they were heading towards the exit like she was. Some of them were, while the others just wandered off to different places. As Molly followed the crowd, she noticed a young man walking towards the elevator. He looked the same age as Seungmin: dark hair, lean build. His eyes were the most alluring, something about them made them stand out as his best physical feature. They briefly made eye contact, the man giving her a smirk as she passed by. Molly didn’t have time to react, she just walked faster once she saw the exit and her Uber waiting right at the door.

She didn’t hesitate to climb into the vehicle, verifying the driver the second she shut the door. Within seconds, they were leaving the building and making their way onto the main road. 

Molly wondered what would happen now. Surely her father would be outraged, outraged at the fact that someone put her in danger and was lying about him. The police would be called immediately, and a restraining order would be placed against Seungmin, and she would never have to see him again. Then, his life would slowly get worse and worse. No money, no penthouse, nowhere to run and no one to go to. His life would fall apart, and after everything that happened yesterday, he deserved every awful thing that was coming his way.

Traveling from the city to the suburbs always took longer than expected. Despite being so close, it was always busy between the traffic and construction being done, so it took longer to travel from place to place. Molly didn’t mind; the drive helped soothe her mind and she was able to think more clearly and rationalize her thoughts, instead of frantically thinking. She watched the cars and the houses she drove by to help time go by faster.

Almost a half an hour had passed, and Molly was finally on her street. Knowing that she was closer to home made her feel even more relaxed, because she knew that she was safe and everything would be fixed within the next day or so. Still, the nerves ran through her body as she tried to figure out how she was going to tell her father what happened. What he would do to make it end, how this would play out going forward. Molly just wanted to make sure this was all squared away in an efficient manner, she didn’t want this to linger for months and constantly be worrying about what Seungmin or his gang would do. Her mind began to race as the car pulled up to the gate, in which Molly showed her face to the guard and the gates opened within seconds.

The driver pulled all the way up to the front door, and Molly immediately jumped out. As she made her way to the door, the driver began to speak. “You have a beautiful home.”

She turned to the man, who looked about the age of her father, perhaps a bit younger. Molly gave him a sympathetic smile. It was simple acts of kindness that always made her heart warm. “Thank you,” she whispered. The man only nodded his head and began to drive off, leaving Molly all to her lonesome. She took a deep breath before opening the door; her father never bothered to lock it, especially when they had the gate to protect them from anyone trying to break in. Molly never understood ever since she was a child, but never questioned it because her father was “in charge” and “could do whatever he wanted.” His words now made her roll her eyes, but it was just who he was, and Molly never doubted her father. Not when he had always been correct and successful.

The house felt still, as if no one was there. It was early in the morning, so perhaps her father was still sleeping. He was normally an early riser, waking up before the sun rose in the sky, so it would be strange if he was still asleep. Either way, she had to wake him up to tell him about what happened and how she needed his help. It didn’t matter if he would get upset, he’d understand why once she explained what happened.

Right when Molly was going to go upstairs, she saw Bertha, one of the maids her father hired a while ago, cleaning the kitchen. She approached the woman calmly. “Good morning, Bertha. I was just wondering if you’ve seen my dad at all?”

“Good morning, Molly,” Bertha greeted. “Your father is in his study, with Sylvia. Apparently working on something for the company, I don’t know. They don’t tell me anything.”

Molly couldn’t help but laugh. “They barely tell me anything, either. But thank you so much,” she thanked the woman, who gave her a kind smile in return.

The youngest Usher walked through the numerous hallways that filled the manor, almost like a maze. It didn’t take her long to find the two large doors that divided her father’s study from everything else. Molly considered knocking on it, but after giving it some thought, she just decided to open it. What Molly didn’t expect to see was her father making out with Sylvia, his third wife. Molly gasped and covered her eyes, while Sylvia gasped and immediately stepped away from John, who gasped as well and was a little pissed off.

“Jesus, Molly! Haven’t you heard of knocking?” Her father scolded, groaning in frustration.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you would be doing . . . that. But we have bigger things to worry about,” Molly explained. “We have to call the police.”

Both Sylvia and John looked concerned, their frustration towards the woman now going away once they saw how scared she looked. “Let us have a moment, Sylvia. I’ll tell you what happened after we talk,” John whispered to the older woman.

She only nodded her head and made her way out of the study. Before she left, she placed a hand on Molly’s shoulder and gently rubbed it as her way of showing support. She placed her hand on top of Sylvia’s and quickly pulled away so that she could leave the office. Once the door was shut, her father began to speak. “What the hell is going on? What are you doing here so early? I thought you went home with Serena? Also . . . why is your neck all purple and red?”

“Don’t worry about that,” Molly rolled her eyes. “I met a guy at the club last night and he was really nice. So nice that I decided to go back to his place. We were talking and he was really nice and then . . . then he offered to be a new investor in my business? In e-exchange for me to his . . . girlfriend, I don’t know. I told him no, but then he explained to me that I didn’t have a choice.”

Her father furrowed his eyebrows. “What? What does that even mean—”

“He explained that he made a deal with you. He claimed he had some bad information about you and would leak it to the press if you didn’t give him what he wanted, which was my hand in marriage,” Molly cut him off. “I told him that he was lying. I mean, he has to be. I stayed the night ‘cause I didn’t want to make him more upset, but I bolted the second I woke up. That’s why I’m here: we need to call the police and get this squared away.”

John looked stunned, unable to say a word. He looked as if he was guilty, guilty for what happened. Molly caught on and an uneasy feeling arose in her stomach, but she brushed it off once her father began to talk. “He . . . what? Who does this guy think he is? I’ll call Gary down at the station and get this sorted out. Targeting my youngest daughter and threatening to tell the public lies about me? No, he’s going to pay the price for that bullshit he tried to pull.”

“I know, that’s what I said! I knew this guy had to be lying, there’s no way he knows information about our family,” Molly exclaimed, running a hand through her hair. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at her father. “Are you going to call Gary now?”

“Yes. Can you pass me my phone there? It’s charging on the table,” John asked and quietly thanked her once she handed it to him. He started to call Gary, and after a few rings, both he and Molly sighed in relief. “Gary, hey. How are you? I’m sorry to bother you so early in the morning, but I have to report an incident that happened with my daughter last night. Yeah, it’s pretty scary. Says she was with some guy who said I made a deal with him. If I let him marry Molly, then he won’t tell the world about all the bad stuff I’ve done and how awful of a person I am. Crazy, right?”

A sense of relief washed over Molly as she listened to them talk. This would be figured out and she would never have to see Seungmin again, and he would be in his own personal Hell. Hearing that brought a sinister smile onto Molly’s face.

She snapped out of her thoughts once her dad called for her attention. He placed his hand over the speakers of the phone. “What was the guy’s name? The one who told you all of that stuff?”

“Kim Seungmin. And I highly suggest hanging up the phone now unless you want things to get ugly. Or my friend can do it for you, he knows a thing or two about hacking into phones.”

The familiar voice made Molly’s stomach drop and chills run up her arms. Her father looked appalled, scared at what had just happened. His phone was still next to his ear, but he jolted once he saw that the phone call had ended abruptly. He nervously gulped as he continued to stare at the door. Molly didn’t even want to turn around and see who was standing there, but she wasn’t a coward, and so she turned her head with an angered expression on her face and her arms crossed over her chest.

As expected, Kim Seungmin stood at the doorway, his figure leaning against the frame. A smirk sat on his face, his hands shoved into his pockets. What took Molly by surprise was the gun sitting comfortably on his waist. Her chest tightened in fear, worried he would use it against them. She backed away from the door, all the way to where her father’s desk sat. Seungmin took this as an invitation to walk in, sauntering over to the oldest and youngest Usher. 

“How the fuck did you find me?” Molly spat, placing her hand over a stapler in case Seungmin got any closer.

He shrugged his shoulders. “I may or may not have had my friend put a tracking device in your phone. And he got into the computer system here so I could get in without having to stop for the guard. He’s really great at hacking, I don’t even know how he does it. I also had my other friend come by my place to let me know if you had left or not. I’ll give you some credit, sneaking out while I was asleep and being quiet, it was a smart idea. You’re a smart girl, it’s one of the things I like most about you. You just forgot that I’m me, and I’ll always find you, no matter where you go,” Seungmin explained. “It’s a shame, I was really looking forward to sleeping in and cuddling with you before we went shopping, but you just had to misbehave, didn’t you?”

Molly almost lunged at him with the stapler, but he backed up before she could hit him. He snickered and held his hands up in surrender. “Woah, careful there, Angel. You’re already in trouble for acting like a brat, but you’ll be in much more if you try to hurt me. I’ll admit, this attitude of yours is cute, but it’s not going to serve you well in the long run, so stop acting out unless you want to get punished.”

“What the fuck do you want with me?!” Molly spat, her face becoming red with anger. “I told my dad everything, so you’re going to jail. Worse, even. The cops already know and they’ll be on their way soon, and you’re so fucked. And now you have nowhere to run.”

A confused look fell on Seungmin’s face, but then something clicked in his head, and another smirk arose on his face. “Oh shit, you didn’t tell her, did you, John?” He snickered once more, causing Molly to become confused and turn towards her dad for an answer. His face was still, that guilty look back on his face from when Molly first told him what happened. Seungmin caught onto this and smirked once more. “Shit, you didn’t tell her. Well, she didn’t believe me when I told her, so she might actually listen if it’s coming from you. Go on, John. Tell her about the deal we made.”

Silence filled the room, Molly looking at her father with a pleading look. He didn’t look away from Seungmin, his hands curling into fists as he sent him a nasty glare. “I said . . . I said you could have her when she turned 25, not now. You know the agreement, why are you breaking it now?”

Molly’s eyes widened with fear and anger, tears glossing in her eyes. She couldn’t believe what her father just said — all this time, she thought Seungmin was lying, that he would never do something like this to her. But it was all a lie, a lie she could not believe was real. No, it was impossible. Why would her father do such a thing? What could be so important that he would compromise his own daughter in order to keep himself safe? Matter of fact, why was it even on the table? Why wasn’t John’s first instinct to pay off Seungmin or get the police involved? Why didn’t he protect Molly first, why was she the scapegoat? It made no sense. Her father wasn’t an evil man . . . he just couldn’t be.

“Yeah, about that, actually . . . I changed my mind,” Seungmin explained. “I was going to wait, but then I saw Molly walking out of your building one day, and she just looked so beautiful. So beautiful that I couldn’t have other men looking at her, letting them think they had a chance with what was rightfully mine. So I went to the club and brought her home. I wanted her now and didn’t want to wait. And if there’s one thing you should know about me, John, I always get what I want.”

“You sick bastard—” John started. He too was about to throw a punch or something hard at Seungmin, but stopped himself once he raised his gun and backed up, causing John to surrender immediately.

“Am I really that sick for taking what’s mine? Or is it you, with all the shit you pulled in the past to get where you are today. Don’t forget, John, I know everything about you, and have no problem exposing you to the public for the piece of shit you really are,” Seungmin asked, his gun still pointed at John. He brought it down, however, once he saw Molly’s concerned face pleading with him to stop. “I own you now, so you do as I say. Let me have Molly and I won’t say anything about you. Or refuse, and I’ll leak the information and make Molly mine anyways. Either way, she’s coming home with me, so the choice is yours. I don’t give a fuck about what happens to you.”

Molly turned to her father, tears falling down her face. She wanted him to do something — he could change everything now and she wouldn’t bat an eye. Pay Seungmin off with money or whatever he wanted, anything that wasn’t her life. John Usher was a powerful man who could do anything, he could make the right decision now and save his daughter, his own blood from letting this happen. How bad was the information, anyways? Couldn’t their family sue for false information and win, therefore saving their image? There had to be another way out, one where no one would get hurt.

She stared at her father and waited for him to speak. He only stared at Seungmin, who had a smirk on his face, which made Molly want to punch and kick him repeatedly. She gave her father another look, a pleading one asking him to do something. He only looked at her with an emotionless expression. “That won’t be necessary,” John spoke quietly. “There must’ve been a misunderstanding on my part. I am sure you and Molly will be very happy together, all I ask is that you just treat her right.”

It was as if her heart had shattered into a million pieces. She couldn’t believe what happened, what her father agreed to. More tears began to fall down Molly’s face, her sadness turning into anger the more she looked at him. She was too stunned to say anything; she didn’t know whether or not she should scream or cry, to beg her father to fix this mess. But she remained still, because it was all too much. And in all honesty, Molly never wanted to speak to her father again. 

“Right decision, John,” Seungmin told him. He wrapped his arms around Molly’s waist and pulled her back into his chest. “Come on, Angel,” he whispered in her ear, gently kissing her cheek. “Let's go home.”

Molly glared at her father one final time before leaving the study. Right when Seungmin was going to slip his hand into hers and guide her out of the room, she pushed him off harshly and walked out on her own. She heard Sylvia call out her name multiple times, but she just blocked it out and continued to walk away.

She had no idea what to do. Her mind was racing, both in anger and in fear. Everything Molly Usher once knew was gone, her whole life a lie. All of her hardwork and dedication she put into her projects meant nothing, because it was all going to be taken away from her now that she was forced to marry Seungmin. Who knows what he would be like, how he would treat her and what he would force her to do. Would he let her go outside? Would she be able to see her friends again? Would she be able to still work, or would she have to be a housewife until the day she died? The thoughts raced in Molly’s head and she had no idea what to do, how to feel.

The world around her seemed different than before. It was off, like it had been tainted with darkness, a new truth had fallen out and the world had shifted on his axis. The people she thought she knew were nothing but lying cowards, nefarious people hiding by an innocent exterior. How could Molly trust anyone after what happened? How could she look at everyone the way she used to? 

Today proved that the world was not as great as people made it out to be. The innocence she once had was now gone and no way of returning. And now, Molly Usher would have to embrace this change. She would have to get used to life with Seungmin, pretend like everything was perfect on the outside and never let anyone know what went on behind closed doors. She would have to accept that her father was a selfish, horrible man, and not the perfect person she made him out to be. She would have to accept her fate, because there was no way she could change it.

Actually . . . screw that. Molly Usher did not settle. She would not settle for a life she did not want, certainly with a man who treated her as a possession. No, she was going to make Seungmin and her father’s life a living Hell for what they did to her. And she didn’t care about how they would react, she was going to do it anyway. Anything to get back at them and to get her life back.

She was an Usher, after all, and Usher’s don’t wait for something to be given to them. They take it, no matter how hard it is or what they have to do in order to get it.

[lavenderbexlatte]

legendary: chapter 13

stray kids 6.2k words female reader insert SFW/some adult themes

🖤 warnings: temporary major character death, themes of life/death, a straight-up lift from Pokemon Indigo League episode The Tower of Terror bc it’s good plot, grandfather figures, kim seungmin gets his moment, the stupidest and most self-indulgent cameo ever just ignore it this is MY story dammit-🖤

Legendary Series Masterlist

connect with me! / masterlist

Waking up, when you don't remember going to sleep, is always jarring.

You think you were awake, anyway. Doing something important.

Whatever it was, you can't quite remember yet. Your head is foggy and just a little too tight, like it's full of sawdust that wants to spill out your ears.

Someone is shouting, nearby. It's loud and it's annoying, and so finally, you pry your eyes open.

You're in a dark room. That's right, that's right, you're in the Pokemon Tower. That haunted old building. You're here with...Team K, and your District 9 boys. You're talking to...

"(Y/N)!"

It's like the scream of your name plugs your brain back in correctly, your adrenaline spiking and your awareness suddenly returned a hundredfold.

Jiwoo is here. Jiwoo, and men with guns, and they want to take your friends away, and you were trying to save Oddish-

You clamber to your feet as quickly as you can, fighting the way that the room spins. Oddish, you need to see if Oddish is okay, you'll never forgive yourself if they caught her-

But Oddish is sitting on the ground, in someone's hand.

In your hand.

Your hand, you realize, peering down at the prone form of someone, someone who you could fucking swear is you, crushed under a golden and crystalline chandelier, pinned to the floor in a dozen places.

That's you. But you're you.

It's surreal. You feel like you're floating.

No, you are floating. You yelp, looking down at the floor to realize you're floating up, a foot or so above the floor and rising higher, until you will yourself downward in a panic and your feet meet the floor again. You glance around, helpless, wondering if anyone sees what you see.

And someone does. Several someones, but they're not the type to help.

"Haunt."

The Haunter from before, a Gastly, and a Gengar the size of a refrigerator are all watching you. Ghost types usually prefer to be intangible and invisible, but you can see them just fine. And they can see you.

It seems like they're the only ones who can see you.

In fact, Chan runs right through you.

You don't really feel it, a tickle like wind brushing past, as Chan runs straight through your body and over to your body - because that's what it is, just a body, because your essence, whatever makes you, seems to be over here - and kneels, starts shaking the motionless, outstretched arm that holds Oddish.

"-Get up," Chan is saying, pleading, "This isn't fucking funny, get up, right now-"

Jiwoo is motionless. Everyone is. There are a dozen people in this room, and they're all staring at the body under the chandelier.

"Please."

Minho's voice is terrible, and far too gentle. "Chan, I think-"

Chan stands up. He looks at the ceiling, as if he's looking through it, as if he can see the starlit sky past the layers of wood and metal and ghost.

"Please."

It sounds like a prayer.

And it works.

"Mm?"

The cry kind of sounds like a Pokemon, you think. But not one you've ever heard before.

Chan's eyes are still fixed on the ceiling, until, down through the hole that's broken in the floor above, a Pokemon descends.

It's not very big. Slight, and bright pink, with a small catlike face on a bipedal-type body and a long thin tail. It regards Chan with intelligent teal eyes, floating in the air before him.

"Mew?"

Mew.

"You...just...summoned Mew," Somin rasps.

Her voice is tinged with something like reverence, and you understand why.

The mythical Pokemon, said to have the DNA of all Pokemon combined. Able to learn any move, do anything, go anywhere. Live underwater, in the middle of raging volcanoes, in outer space. One of the two most dangerous, most fantastical Pokemon that exist.

Mew is here.

"Fix her," Chan says.

Mew is here for you.

Mew looks down at the body, its little front paws steepled. It looks at Chan, for a second. And then, ever so slowly, it looks over at you, where you're struggling to stay on the ground. It meets your eye. It can see you.

"Mew."

"You have to fix her," Chan repeats.

The mythical Pokemon shakes its head.

"I know you can!"

When Chan raises his voice, the spell that seems to have fallen over the rest of the room breaks. Seungmin starts running up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Changbin digs out a Pokeball and releases Primeape into the room, and Minho follows suit with his Ditto.

Mew looks back at you.

And over by the door, Jiwoo screams, voice cracked, feral: "Don't just stand there, fucking get it!"

Chaos.

The KeyCorp goons swarm at Mew.

Your friends order their Pokemon to attack.

It's a lot to follow, and your head still kind of feels like it's stuffed with sawdust.

In the midst of it all, the noise, the Fire attacks and the splintering wood and the projectiles raining down, Mew comes up to you. It looks you up and down curiously. You look back at it, taking in its short silky fur, its eyes that seem to look right through you. Before you know it, you have your hand out, stroking Mew's face. The little Pokemon leans into your touch for a second, with a happy purr.

And then, as quickly as it had come, it flies out the broken window, and away.

When your attention returns to the scene around you, it seems that firearms have outdone firepower. Bullets can hurt Pokemon just as well as people, of course, so even Primeape and Arcanine are standing down. It seems like your friends are losing.

Matthew is on the floor, with a security officer kneeling on the small of his back. Somin has each arm held fast by two more staff, and J.Seph is nowhere to be seen.

"Unfortunate that I can't take her, too," Jiwoo is saying, looking over at the - your - body. "But I have another idea."

She nods, and the last two of her staffs walk, guns still raised, at Chan. Arcanine growls, low and dangerous, but Chan shushes it.

"Me?" he asks.

"You," Jiwoo agrees. "You, and your...curious connections."

The officers haul Matthew to his feet, and drag him, jerking and kicking, out the door. Somin's captors follow with her suspended between them.

Chan raises his hand slowly, and calls Arcanine back into its Pokeball. "If I go, you leave my friends alone."

"Deal," says Jiwoo.

The Pokeball goes into Chan's pocket, and once he's effectively disarmed, the officers rush him, taking him by the arms like they have Somin.

"I'm sure we can get a repeat performance of that little Mew miracle, hm?" Jiwoo tells him, as the officers lead him out the door.

"Fuck you."

"Oh, you'll warm up in no time," she promises, glancing at the remaining guys. "Boys, I would take her with you. Nasty surprise for the caretakers, if you don't."

And with that, Jiwoo sweeps out the door.

Seungmin has disappeared upstairs, but as soon as they're gone, Minho and Changbin bolt for the chandelier. You don't really want to see what they find. You turn away, looking, instead, at the withering ceiling.

Since your body is on the floor over there, you wonder...

You will yourself up, the way you'd willed yourself down, before.

You float.

Right up, right through the ceiling, right up to the next floor.

It's a bedroom, you think, maybe an old caretaker's room or something. The sheets on the rickety bed are molding and the window is sealed shut with decades of grime, so it's surely abandoned. You wonder if you can even sit like this, but as you move to sit on the bed, there's no trouble. You don't phase through the mattress, or anything. You just sit.

You sit for a while.

Nothing should surprise you at this point, but you still startle and shriek when, after some time, a man walks into the room.

"Oh!" he exclaims, as you choke through your scream. "Oh, dear, oh dear, I'm frightfully sorry, didn't mean to - well. Scare you to death."

He winks at you.

This man is silver-haired, his face lined with age, wearing a red sweater and a lab coat. There's a tinge to him that suggests he isn't quite human, like if you tried to look at him sidelong, he would vanish. You get a creeping feeling that you might look the same. Even so, he's familiar in a way that you can't quite place.

"Who-"

"Oh, but you are already dead, aren't you?" the man says, folding his hands behind his back and pacing closer. "Oh, yes, dead as dead can be!"

"I'm...dead?"

The man looks at you strangely. "Of course. How could you be anything else?"

You suppose it makes sense.

"I'm dead, too, of course," he adds.

"I'm sorry," you say, uncertainly.

The man smiles. "I'm not! Why, I've learned more being dead than I did alive! It's a most excellent adventure."

"Who...are you?" you ask again.

He holds out a hand for you to shake. "Professor Oak. Pokemon Professor."

You knew that he was familiar. You saw him. You saw photos of him, ancient photos...

"Oak. As in...Oak Laboratories?"

"The very same!"

Impossible.

The professor snaps his fingers. "That's right! You were that clever trainer who figured out how to get into my secret lab. Oh, you're a bright one. Good to have you."

"I'm sorry for breaking in."

"You apologize too much, child. Never apologize for brilliance."

At that compliment, bold-faced and entirely undeserved but delivered with such resounding love, you stand, and take his hand for a firm shake. His skin is warm against yours, the weight of his calloused, aged hand feeling extraordinarily ordinary.

"Are we...ghosts?" you ask.

Professor Oak hums. "I don't quite know. But that's the fun of science, is it not? Sometimes we never know."

"And...and, what are you doing here?"

"Many questions. Good, a curious mind is a valuable thing," he says. "The Pokemon thought you needed some guidance, I believe. I don't think I'm particularly good at that sort of thing, but I'll certainly try!"

"Guidance?"

"Mm. A little wisdom about being dead, you see."

"I don't want to be dead," you say.

"Are you sure?" the professor asks, wry. "It's quite an experience. You might enjoy it."

"My friends are in trouble."

"I hate to say this, but perhaps that's not your concern, any longer."

"No, it is," you say, voice shaking, "It's absolutely my concern. It's my fault. I have to get back, somehow, I have to go fix everything, everything-"

Professor Oak shushes you. "Child, there's no shame in admitting defeat. Even for strong folks, like you, there is a limit. If you've been granted reprieve, perhaps the time to take it has come."

"I can't let anything else happen to my friends because of me, I-"

You have to stop, because the lump in your throat is too large. Another word, and you won't be able to hold back the tears.

"Ah, child, I'm playing a bit of devil's advocate, forgive me, you don't need to cry," he smiles, a grandfather's warm smile. "It's not as if I want you to stay dead, for my sake. The Pokemon did think that you had some...loose ends, shall we say, to tie up, back in the land of the living."

"What Pokemon?" you ask, frustrated.

"There are powers beyond your wildest dreams, my dear, that Pokemon hold. Some of them, the ones who busy themselves with the matters of humans, have quite serious opinions about this and that," he says gently. "You must have caught someone's eye."

Some Pokemon, with powers beyond imagination, watching you?

"If - if that's true, and I'm supposed to be alive, how can I do it?" you ask.

The professor folds his arms, strokes his chin with one hand, the picture of deep thought. "Why, I've never tried, myself. But to think through the conundrum, like a scientist - which I am, of course, not even death can stop curiosity - then..."

"The Pokemon sent you, right?"

"They did."

"Then could Pokemon be the answer?"

"No matter the question, Pokemon are the answer," he teases. "But I believe you're correct."

"But how-"

Professor Oak's eyes are twinkling, his smile wide and dangerous. You can imagine, suddenly, that he really was a mad scientist, so many years ago.

"A link between the living and the dead already exists among Pokemon. Quite commonly, in fact. I believe that link is already present, in this building," he says.

"Gaaaastly."

"There we go!" Professor Oak cries.

It comes up through the floor. A Gastly, and while at first you think it's the one that lives here, you soon realize why it's looking at you like that.

"Are you Seungmin's Gastly?" you ask it.

"Gaastly!"

"That is a yes," Professor Oak pipes up.

"That means Seungmin is still here," you realize, your nonexistent pulse picking up with adrenaline as you understand. "Professor, could...could a Ghost Pokemon help me?"

"A being that is neither fully dead nor alive, like a Ghost Pokemon is believed to be, would prove quite helpful," he says thoughtfully.

You turn to Gastly. "Can you help me get back to my body?"

The Pokemon's fanged mouth spreads wide in a grin. "Gastly."

"I think that is also a yes," says the professor.

"I'm going to go try," you decide.

You have to try. You don't know what Gastly can do, but there's no way you can do this if you're...whatever you are now. A ghost, a memory, a being that your friends can't even see...there's no way you can help them unless you're whole again.

"Then my work here is done!" Looking deeply satisfied, Professor Oak strolls toward the door. "Perhaps I'm better at giving advice than I believed. Hm."

There’s no doubt that the professor just led you to the answer. Whatever his stated intent was, coming here, whatever he is and how he found you, you can’t help but feel like all he did was get you going and then let you work out the details for yourself. It feels somehow embarrassing, like manipulation, and also like the most masterful teaching by leading.

"Professor," you say.

He pauses in the doorway. "Yes?"

"I'm a Pokemon professor, now, too. Or, I'm going to be," you say, awkward. "If...if I make it out of this, I'm going to fix everything. It'll be like it was before, when you were alive. I'll...I can bring your lab back, if you want. Make things like they were before, with Pokemon, and new trainers…and..."

The old professor looks at you with...pride. It's pride, you realize, in the smile lines by his eyes and the quirk of his mouth, pride like a parent, like a grandparent. Pride in you.

"Nothing, child, would bring me more joy than that."

You beam at him, even as your eyes brim with inexplicable tears. "And if I die again, I'll find you."

"Let us hope you're as old as I am, with even more adventures to share, when that time comes."

"Thank you, Professor Oak."

He waves his hand. "No, please, believe me. Thank you, for being an excellent reminder, to this old dead man, of what living is about."

Professor Oak vanishes into thin air as he walks out the door.

Gastly is waiting there patiently when you glance over, wiping your eyes. "Let's do this."

You've almost gotten the hang of this new way of moving, as you descend through the floor again with Gastly. Back down there, only Seungmin is left.

He's sitting cross-legged on the floor next to your lifeless body, which is now free. The chandelier sits over to one side, thrown away and hopelessly broken.

When he spots his Pokemon, he jumps up. "Is she here?"

The Gastly just nods, and goes over to nudge its trainer affectionately.

"(Y/N)?" Seungmin asks the room at large.

"Yes?"

He doesn't react, so you assume he didn't hear you.

"If you're here," Seungmin says, "If you're here, I know what to do. We've done it before, just not with a person."

He tucks his hands into his pockets, waiting, it seems, for a reply that's not going to come.

"One time, I ran over a Weedle with my dad's car," he explains, with a sad smile. "It felt so shitty...and Gastly knew when it died, y'know...told me. But then Gastly just kind of helped it, hovered over it, and then...it came back to life. Wasn’t even hurt. It was like nothing happened to it at all."

They've done this before? And it worked?

"So, like, I know it can work. You just have to let it work. Help us, here," Seungmin says.

You approach your body with some trepidation. You don't like looking at yourself like this. Crushed, somehow without any gore but also pointedly, unavoidably empty. You wonder if the boys cleaned up, if they-

"Like with the Weedle," he says to his Pokemon.

"Gaaaaastly."

The Ghost Pokemon nudges you, this time, toward the body. You close the gap, closer, and closer, until you're right over it, until if you take another step, you'll be standing on it, in it-

But Gastly pushes again, and you stumble into your body. Your feet sink in as you stand there, disappearing wholly and joining the form you are now to the flesh that lays there, and again, quickly, painlessly, you black out.

-----

When you open your eyes again, you're met with shouting.

"I knew it would fuckin' work!"

Hands pry you up from the floor, wrap around your back, yank you into a sitting position, and suddenly you find yourself sobbing into a scrawny shoulder, breathing in the scent of cheap body wash and dust and the same laundry detergent that Chan and Changbin and Felix and Jisung and Hyunjin all smell like.

Seungmin's arms are wrapped around you, all of his too-cool adolescent awkwardness gone, as he lets you absolutely ruin his shirt with tears, as you gasp and hiccup your terror against him, as he kneels in front of you.

You’re okay. Nothing hurts, nothing is broken, though it should be. There’s the faintest tingle under your skin, like a limb regaining circulation after it falls asleep, but you’re okay.

You're laughing sheepishly through your tears when you pull back to look at him.

"Damn," Seungmin sighs, "You owe me a life debt, now, and I'm collecting with interest."

You laugh harder.

He lets you sit there, in his space, for as long as you need. It's only another moment longer, but it means the world.

"Where did the guys go?" you ask.

"Changbin and Minho went to go get the others. To Jisung and Hyunjin, first, over in Cerulean City."

"How...how long ago did they go?"

You have to ask, because suddenly you realize you don't have a great grasp on how much time you spent upstairs. It could have been just a few moments, which is how it felt, but...

"Hours."

You wince. "No way."

"Way."

Seungmin stands, then, and goes to pull the door open.

Sunlight spills in, the first tender rays of the sunrise, and a gust of cool morning breeze. You were up there all night, and Seungmin was here, waiting.

"I am so sorry," you tell him.

"For what?"

"You waited so long...and you didn't even know if..."

"That's what friends do, asshole. I would've waited even longer," he says.

He manages to be so exceptionally kind, and such a brat all at once. The ultimate kid brother energy.

"Thanks," you say.

"Duh. C'mon, let's get out of here."

He walks out the door, and you follow.

Surprisingly, it's not like you're in a hurry to leave. You're not scared of the tower anymore, that's for sure. You feel a little pang of nostalgia, a longing for the peace of existing outside of time and physical space. But you made a promise to keep going.

Outside, the weather is gorgeous. There's not a soul around, which means you're safe for now, but it also means the others are truly long gone.

"They really left," you say.

Seungmin nods. "Told you."

"But that means they don't know."

"Know what?"

"You know. This." You gesture down at yourself, whole. Alive.

"Oh. No, no they do not."

"Seungmin, they think I'm dead."

"You were dead."

"Still. They should know," you insist.

"We'll find them later. But if they went to the water guys, then we should go find Jeongin," Seungmin decides.

"Isn't it easier to go meet the others and then-"

"No, if we get Jeongin at the same time, then we'll all be together when we meet up again," he argues.

He's not wrong, but it still feels strange, to go somewhere when the others don't know you're alive. Especially when Jeongin is none the wiser to what's happened. You'll have to be the ones to tell him about Chan...

You're saved, however, from having to fight over it, because Somin's SUV drives up to the tower.

She's not at the wheel, though. It's a man, clear through the dashboard as he parks, and there's another man in the passenger's seat.

"What the fuck?" one of them yells clearly through the open window.

"Damn," Seungmin mutters, "Hoped we'd beat the caretakers."

They park the car, and out the doors tumble three men in identical garish orange polo shirts. There's a company name emblazoned on the chest, but the letters are too small for you to make out.

"Jesus, this place is a wreck," the guy from the passenger's seat says, pushing his wild curly hair back with one hand, as if to better see the destruction wrought on the tower. "The fuck did you do?"

"We didn't," Seungmin says.

"Someone did," says the third guy, slightly smaller in build than the other two but just as pissed. "And you're the only motherfuckers here."

"Look, we really need to get going, there's no time to explain what happened, but I promise, we will help fix any damage," you say impatiently.

"Like hell, you're going anywhere!" says the driver, a well-built guy with a mustache and a remarkably strong voice.

They don't look all that formidable, despite each being probably six feet tall. In fact, they have the slightly awkward look of people who prefer to spend their time inside and not confronting strangers at the ghost tower. The driver, with the mustache, has a little pin of a Beedrill on his shirt lapel. You think you can work with this, negotiate with them.

Seungmin obviously agrees, because he says, "If you let us go without any trouble, we will come back with more people to help, and we'll pay for dinner for everyone including you."

The driver thinks for a moment, and then he nods. "Okay, deal."

Passenger's seat guy groans, long-suffering. "Arin..."

"What?! They said they'd get dinner; you want me to pass up some tasty-ass shit just cuz they're trespassing?!"

"...Yeah, that's kind of the point of being caretakers, man. We caretake."

"Dinner and dessert," Seungmin promises.

"I think they seem nice," says the third guy.

"You said the same thing about the fuckin' Tauros, and what happened? Who got trampled, Ross?" passenger's seat guy asks testily.

"You don't have to be such a party pooper, Dan," the driver, Arin, says, sing-song and annoying.

Seungmin points back over his shoulder toward the road. "So...we're just going to go..."

"If I could just have the scooter in the back of that van, that would be great," you say. "And the bag by the front seat, the-"

Dan scrutinizes you. "You promise you'll be back?"

"Pinky-promise."

"And you'll pay for food?"

"Whatever you wanna eat," you say.

"Fine, take the fuckin' scooter and go."

So that's what you do.

The three caretakers promise to park Somin's SUV at their center until they come back, whatever that means. You assume they're holding it ransom to assure that you'll come back, rather than doing a good deed. But it takes care of one problem, so you don't mind.

Jeongin, as Seungmin reminds you, is training Fire type on Cinnabar Island. Which makes your scooter a good choice, since it's portable transportation that you can take on a boat with you, if need be.

It's far, but distance means nothing to you at this point.

You just need to get him, and figure out what to do next.

----------

You've never been to a volcano before.

There's a town on Cinnabar Island, of course, but as you're approaching the towering volcanic mountain on a ferry boat, your scooter leaning against the rail and Seungmin leaning against you, it's hard to imagine that there's anything else there.

Magma flows trickle into the sea from the side you're on, sending plumes of steam into the air. People choose to live here. Like, it's voluntary. You can't even fathom it.

And Jeongin is here.

You and Seungmin have been traveling for days. It's not that long of a journey, but the first day or so after being dead, your body needed a lot more sleep than usual. Maybe something to do with the time you spent out of it. That first night, you slept nearly sixteen hours, and Seungmin ended up waking you out of worry. You're okay now, but you're hesitant to go too long without sleep and overdo it.

The two of you made it just fine, though. Driving your scooter as far as you could across the province, then taking the boat, and now disembarking in the tiny seaside town with its colorful buildings and the volcano looming large over it all.

You wheel your scooter down the gangway, as Seungmin sets out in front.

"Smooth ride," he says.

"Wasn't bad," you agree.

"Now we just gotta find the gym."

The first local you ask, however, doesn't know anything about a Pokemon gym.

The second tells you that there used to be a gym, but an eruption destroyed it about a decade ago, and it hadn't been rebuilt. That there isn't a gym at all.

"Did Jeongin make up this Cinnabar Gym and run away to the Seafoam Islands for a resort vacation or what?" Seungmin grumbles.

"I don't think he would do that. Too sweet," you say.

"That's what you think."

But the third person you ask has the answer.

The Cinnabar Gym was burned down, and has been many times. So the gym leaders just keep rebuilding it. This most recent time, during the Pokemon resurgence, it was joined into an ancient building that already existed on the plot of land: the Pokemon Mansion.

It's more information than you needed, but you thank the stranger, regardless, and head in the direction they point you.

You understand why the gym keeps getting destroyed, when you get there.

The Pokemon Mansion is right at the foot of the Cinnabar Volcano. Lumpy black cooled lava flows come right up to the back of the building, and the half-burned trunks of palm trees stand scattered among the scrubby plants and trails of lava rock.

"What a shitty idea," Seungmin says. "Building right here."

"They must have a reason. I bet the volcano was a lot farther away, before. If it keeps erupting and growing."

The building, or what remains of it, has several floors, though you can see the that topmost one is charred, as if it burnt some time ago and was never repaired.

"Do we have to go inside?" you wonder.

"I'm sure."

It's not like the doors are locked - there aren't any front doors, anymore. Lost to time, or broken, or maybe burned. So you lean your scooter against the front steps, and the two of you walk right in.

Once upon a time, this place must have been beautiful. There are antique rugs and gorgeous clawfoot chairs, wall hangings and rich paintings, all in shades of burnt red. Whoever lived here took great care to coordinate, and the people who have been here since have left it all respectfully alone.

Mostly, anyway. There are the odd sheaves of paper on the floor, as if someone was upending files folders, searching for...something.

"Upstairs or down?" you ask, as you approach a grand staircase that sweeps up, and a much smaller staircase to the side of it that leads down, down, down.

"Well," Seungmin considers. "Down is closer to where the lava is. And this is a Fire type gym."

"I think underground it's called magma."

"Oh my fucking God, don't start with me."

You smile. He's made it the whole trip without killing you or leaving because you're too embarrassing, he's not gonna crack now.

"Down it is," you say.

At the bottom of those stairs, after a short descent into the darkness, there's a set of double doors, shut tight. Statues of Pokemon line the narrow passage; a Charmeleon, you think, and a Magmar...

Seungmin glances at you, shrugs, and knocks.

You wait for a few beats. There's noise on the other side, and then the door creaks open to reveal a young-looking woman.

"Yes?"

"Our friend is training here, we need to see him," says Seungmin.

"And that would be...?"

"Jeongin?"

The woman brightens. "Yes! Come in."

Unlike all of your other friends who you've sought out, Jeongin isn't battling when you and Seungmin follow the staff trainer deeper into the craggy underground gym. He's just sitting on a bench, eating a protein bar like a dog with a hard-earned treat.

He reacts with a full-body jolt when he sees you.

"Holy shit!" he mumbles, around his snack.

"I know. She's alive," says Seungmin, mischievous.

You elbow him, and he elbows you back just as hard. The kid doesn't even know-

"What're you guys doing here?" Jeongin asks, amazed. "Time's not up, is it?"

"On training week? No. But shit's been cancelled. We gotta go home," Seungmin says.

Jeongin sighs, wolfing the last of the bar. "What happened?"

"Chan is gone."

Jeongin chokes.

You elbow Seungmin again. "Right out with it, huh? Does the word 'tact' mean anything to you?"

"What do you mean, gone?" Jeongin sputters.

"It's a long fuckin' story," Seungmin says. "But basically, he got kidnapped, he's gone. And we need to get him back. But we all gotta meet up at home first, so get your shit and let's roll."

That, you think, must be the least helpful and most audacious way to possibly tell the story.

"Chan's gone," Jeongin repeats, like he can't believe it.

"Look, I know - I think I know where he is, and how to find him. But we do have to go back to the gym to do that," you say.

"Is he in trouble?"

"Yeah. He's kidnapped," Seungmin deadpans.

"Jesus. Okay. Lemme - oh, God, I gotta pack, gimme like...twenty-five minutes," Jeongin says, hauling himself to his feet.

"I'm gonna play here for a while," Seungmin decides.  

He's looking at the pools of lava across the battling floor with far too much excitement. You don't really want to bear witness to whatever is going to go on, here. There's been enough mess in your life without Seungmin and boiling-hot lava in the same room.

"Need a hand?" you ask Jeongin.

The kid shrugs. "Sure."

The room where Jeongin has been staying is tidy in an adorable way. There's clutter, stacks of paper and a little pile of laundry and even a scented candle stuck on the bedside table, but it's all cluttered neatly, as if he's organized and his organization style just happens to be chaos.

"What, have you been studying in here?" you ask, amused.

Jeongin huffs out a laugh. "Yeah, kinda."

"They made you study?"

"I thought it was weird too," he says. "But I guess there's been a lot of important stuff in the Mansion. Like, Pokemon stuff that the gym protects."

"Important stuff, huh?"

"Yeah. Like, did you know the last time the volcano erupted, it wasn't natural? Some trainer did it, by accident."

You stare at him. "A person made the volcano blow?"

"Not alone."

"You're gonna have to explain."

Jeongin's busy throwing stuff into a dusty black duffle bag as he talks, but he manages. "So, like, ten years ago or so there was a trainer who wanted to find the Legendaries. All of 'em. And one of them, Moltres, the fire one, liked to hang out here at the volcano sometimes."

The Legendary Birds. There are three kinds, if your knowledge serves you. One is Articuno. Another is Moltres.

"So, this guy was like, obsessed. He lured Moltres here and then battled it, to catch it and train, or whatever. But it was a super powerful battle and eventually all the Fire attacks set off the volcano. A lot of stuff was ruined, and people were hurt, I think. It was the first time a person or a Pokemon affected a whole volcano."

It seems pretty unbelievable, to you, until you take a second to remember that you died a couple days ago. Maybe you should give these Fire trainers the benefit of the doubt.

"Who was this guy?" you press.

Jeongin shrugs. "The story doesn't say. Just that he was some guy, dressed in all gold."

Gold.

It all circles back around, doesn't it?

You don't need to share everything with Jeongin right now, so instead, you say, "That's wild. And they just told you all this?"

He nods. "They have lots of good stuff. They taught me about Mew, like about the first Legendary? The Mythical Pokemon?"

"Yeah, I'm familiar," you say stiffly.

"How Mew is like, the DNA of all Pokemon at once and how it likes to hide for centuries and come out to play sometimes," Jeongin says. "They said there's a story that circled a couple years back that Mew was seen, and helped out a trainer, but I don't know if that's true."

"It might be."

You just might know that trainer. You almost certainly do.

"And they told me about Mewtwo."

You haven't thought about Mewtwo in a long, long time. "The other Legendary?"

"The manmade one," Jeongin confirms. "Bunch of mad scientists created a Pokemon in the lab to be, like, the strongest baddest one of all time."

"If that one guy was looking for all the Legendaries, he should have just asked your Fire buddies. They seem to know everything," you tease.

But Jeongin just grins, kind of sadly. "Why d'you think they know so much? They shared all their research with him, and he turned on them."

"Their research? They just had this stuff laying around?"

"Literally. It's called the Pokemon Mansion cuz like two hundred years ago, some Pokemon researcher lived here, and all his books and notes and stuff were just in the building for anyone to find. The Cinnabar Gym just kinda claimed them."

"Jeez," you murmur. "You picked a hell of a place to come train.

Jeongin's smile sharpens a bit, turning more genuine, showing his dimples. "I know. And they're a kickass gym, too."

"How are the Pokemon?"

"So strong, I don't even know what to do with them. Chan's gonna flip his shit."

You start at the sound of the name. Jeongin shrinks as soon as he realizes - Chan's gone.

"Sorry," Jeongin says quickly. "I-"

"It's weird for everyone," you say.

He zips up his duffle with finality, in lieu of answering that. "I'm ready."

"Let's go."

Seungmin is still alive and unburnt when you get back out to the gym proper, and so is everyone else, so you consider that a success.

"Ready?" he asks.

"Ready," Jeongin confirms.

"I called ahead and asked the guys to meet us back home," Seungmin says.

"What'd you tell them?" you ask, wary.

"That I got Jeongin and we're coming back to the gym."

"Just that?"

"Why would I say anything else?"

He's not saying it in front of Jeongin, because no one's told Jeongin yet, but that means Seungmin didn't tell the others that you're alive. It's fitting that Seungmin is with you, because if you show up at that gym, they're gonna think you're a ghost.

-----

"Hey Seungmin?" you ask, into the dark.

The three of you had booked onto the very last ferry off the island, and night has long since fallen. It's a few hours' voyage, and since the boat isn't very full, it only makes sense to get comfortable. You're all laying on the deck in a little row, you and then Jeongin and then Seungmin, looking up at the clear mid-ocean sky. No staff have been around to tell you to stand up or get out of the way, so you're content to take the trip laying down.

"Yeah?" he answers.

"Why'd you make me come all the way out here?"

"Hey!" says Jeongin, putting on a big show of offense. "Am I not worth it?"

"You are," you assure him.

Seungmin is quiet for a moment.

"Well?" you prod.

"Didn't it get you out of your head?" he asks.

"It did."

"And didn't you enjoy getting to see somewhere new? Getting to see your favorite littlest Fire trainer ever?"

"I'm taller than you," Jeongin deadpans.

"It was fun," you say.

"Then isn't that enough?" Seungmin asks.

He's right. He needs to stop being right. "Yeah."

"Damn right. Be grateful."

You'll never tell him, because he'd be unbearable about it, but you are.

[yxngbxkkie]

mornings with seungmin ✨

i absolutely love this so much. i believe it's the perfect mixture of cute and spicy. well, a bit of spice 😅 i hope you guys enjoy! 💖

feedback is appreciated 🥰

~

Seungmin wakes up before you, and a smile comes to his face instantly. He rolls onto his back, and you move with him, sleeping soundly on his chest. His right arm hooks around your back, gliding his fingertips along your bare skin.

He gently rubs his face with his free hand before noting the wedding ring on his finger. "I can't believe you're forever mine," he whispers, mainly to himself.

You let out a cute little groan and nuzzle your face into his neck. Seungmin chuckles quietly and reaches for his phone. He takes a quick picture of you just before someone knocks on the door to your hotel room.

"Shit," he curses and untangles himself from your grasp. He places a kiss on your forehead before sliding his boxers on. The knocking continues, causing him to grumble under his breath. "Coming."

After walking over to the door, he cracks it open. An older woman stands on the other side of the door with a rolling cart. "Good Morning. I apologize if now's not a good time. My manager told me you guys got married yesterday so we brought the two of you a complimentary breakfast," she explains.

Seungmin smiles at the kind woman and holds up a finger. "Give me one second to put a robe on," he says embarrassingly. She nods and he gently shuts the door.

He grabs the nearest robe, quickly putting it on and tying the front. His gaze moves back towards the king-sized bed, noticing that you're still sleeping soundly. He returns to the door, opening it all the way for her to come in.

"She's still sleeping," he mentions to her, and she nods her head again.

"I'll just leave it here for you two. Congratulations again," she bows her head, and Seungmin does the same. He thanks her as she leaves the room.

Seungmin crawls onto the bed, caging you in his arms as he hovers over you. "Sweetheart," he whispers, trailing his lips along your jaw. "They brought free breakfast."

You groan in response, pushing his face away from you. He laughs at your reaction and places another kiss on your cheek. "Stop," you whine, shoving your face into the pillow.

"Who knew my wife would be so grumpy in the mornings," Seungmin jokes, playfully rolling his eyes.

"We were engaged for three years, Minnie. You know how I am in the morning," you clarify, keeping your eyes closed.

Seungmin shifts so he can lay down beside you and grabs a hold of your left hand. Your eyes slowly flutter open, meeting your husband's gaze. His thumb fiddles with the wedding ring on your finger before lacing your fingers together.

"Good morning, baby," you giggle, squeezing his hand gently.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Seungmin smiles at you, leaning forward to kiss your forehead.

Your heart flutters in your chest as the memories of yesterday play in your mind. "I can't believe we're married," you mention with a smile, slowly sitting up.

Seungmin's eyes glance to your chest as the duvet falls to your lap. "I can die a happy man now that I get to wake up to you every day," he tells you, bringing his free hand to the valley of your breasts.

A shiver runs down your spine as Seungmin begins to press kisses on your chest. "I love you so much," he whispers against your skin.

Your hands grab a hold of his face before kissing his lips. "I love you. Now and forever."

~

tagging: @thewxntersoldier @reddesert-healourblues @spacegirlstuff

[myseungsunglove]

Ksm | Breaking Point

Pairing: Kim Seungmin x reader

Warnings: sexual tension, suggestive but no smut, language

Word Count: 2.7k

𖠫Summary: You're the 9th member of stray kids. You eat, sleep, and breathe this group. They mean the world to you. However, there is one relationship with a member that you would be able to cut the sexual tension with a knife for several months now. Maybe it’s been longer, but it was finally pointed out to you by some of the other members and now the thought plagues your mind. You make it your goal to slowly chip away at Kim Seungmin’s resolve, bringing him to the breaking point. Little do you realize, he may be the one to break you.

✎A/N✎: I saw a video of Seungmin’s body roll during the choreography of “Hall of Fame” and another one in Megaverse and it made me think things. So, as a result, this little diddy was born. Who knows where these things even come from. Not me.

◠ ◡ ◠᭚ιαᵕ̈

「© October 22, 2023 by mysweethannie」

You are close with all of the members of Stray Kids, but after a particularly interesting conversation with Hyunjin and Han, you’re starting to see one member in a different light. There is tension in the relationship that you had never noticed until those two 바보 pointed it out. They may be idiots, but now that your eyes were open, you could see what they were talking about. The little shits putting ideas in your head that now you can’t shake.

Suengmin has always been a little more playful with you than the others. He loves to tease you and is always in close proximity. In interviews, your eyes meet constantly. He’s always looking to check your reaction to whatever answer has been given by himself or the other members. Lately, however, his close proximity has intensified. He has started to include slight touches when he talks to you and bumps into you innocently randomly throughout a day, but now that you’re really paying attention to it, it might not be so innocent after all. This has brought you to the point where you have decided you are going to break him and make him admit that he feels the tension between you, that he is contributing to the tension; and most importantly, that he wants to act on the tension between you.

Knowing Kim Seungmin, you realize this won’t be an easy task. However, you’re always up for a challenge so during practices and dress rehearsals for the upcoming Unveil concert in Seoul, you set out to break Kim Suengmin. Little do you know, he is determined to do the same to you.

Your first attempt comes during dance practice. You’re working through the choreography for Hall of Fame and Seungmin catches your eye in the mirror. You can’t help but notice that his body rolls have significantly improved over the last year or so. His broad shoulders move gracefully as the fluid movement travels down his torso and into his lower body. His hips are absolutely intoxicating the way they move forward, as if they are trying to draw you in. You have the briefest thought of wanting to bite into one of those hips before the thought flees your mind, running away like a scared puppy who is afraid of getting caught doing something bad. If you weren’t a professional, this particular body roll would have stopped you dead in your tracks. It was that entrancing, the way he moved. From that point in the choreo, you couldn’t peel your eyes away from Seungmin in the mirror, not giving much attention to your own moves.

“Yah! Y/N-nah!” Lee Know yells. “Pay attention. We have three days until the concert,” he chastises. Your eyes meet Seungmin’s in the mirror and he is the picture of professionalism, his dark brown eyebrows scrunching together, scrutinizing your inattention. Butterflies erupt in your stomach. This is definitely a first. It breaks you from your trance.

“Right,” you agree, shaking your head, trying to clear the Seungmin shaped cobwebs from your brain. “My head was somewhere else,” you admit, running your fingers through your short, deep purple hair, recently colored for the unveil.

Lee Know sighs in understanding, albeit frustrated understanding. You swear you see his eyes dart over to Kim Seungmin, a curt nod exchanged between the two before he speaks.

“Let’s take a break. We’ve been at it for,” he glances down at his wrist. “Damn,” he murmurs in surprise. “It’s been four hours. Drink something. We’ll take 30. Clear the fucking distractions,” he says pointedly as he looks around the room.

You move to the padded bench, bending over to grab a water bottle and suddenly you’re knocked off balance by someone bumping into your hip.

“What’s gotten into you today?” Seungmin asks from beside you.

You, you want to retort, but you know being that forthright with him might not end the way you want it to so you try a different approach.

“I’m just in my head about one move in Hall of Fame,” you offer, straightening up and taking a long swig from your water bottle.

Seungmin’s eyes rove your features, his gaze calculating, as he tilts his head slightly considering your words carefully.

“Is there anything I can help with?” he asks.

It can’t possibly be that easy, right?

“Actually,” you swallow, reaching out and brushing his arm with a feather light touch, your small fingers dancing along his forearm. “You might be just the person to help.”

Goosebumps prickle up on his skin from the interaction and you know step one is a success. He glances down where your hand made contact like you had set him on fire.

He places a tentative hand over the spot and rubs at it lightly, willing the goosebumps away and quickly meets your gaze.

“Okay,” he answers simply, your eyes meeting again. He doesn’t look away almost as if he is challenging you. Then you realize he is just waiting for you to continue.

“Right, okay,” you clear your throat. You look around the room and see that some of the members have stepped out. However, Han and Hyunjin remain and they are eagerly watching the two of you. That won’t do, you decide.

“Let’s go across the hall,” you suggest, reaching out and grabbing Seungmin’s hand, dragging him from the room.

He stumbles after you in surprise, but quickly regains his balance. Surprisingly, he doesn’t shake away your hand, but instead squeezes it lightly as he walks in step with you out of the practice room and into the smaller one across the hall.

You reluctantly drop his hand, enjoying the warmth of his large, slender hand a little too much, and flip on the recessed lighting that lines the other side of the room. It leaves most of the room pretty dark, only the row of lights in front of the mirror illuminated. You walk over to the mirror and assess yourself before glancing back at Seungmin who is unabashedly staring at you. He gives you a little smirk when your eyes meet. Butterflies again. Who is breaking who, here? You think to yourself.

“Get over here, nerd,” you chuckle, motioning for him to join you in front of the mirror.

“I’d be careful who you call a nerd,” he warns as he stalks toward you. “You wanted my help after all.” There’s that stupid confident smirk again.

“Oh whatever, you love it,” you tease, grabbing his arm when he is within reach and pulling him to stand next to you, both of you looking at each other in the mirror. He doesn’t refute your statement. In fact, he chuckles and shakes his head slightly.His laugh is low and adorable and rumbles through you in an unexpected way.

“So how can Master Kim help?” he asks, cocking one eyebrow at you.

You shake your head and roll your eyes. Time to see if he will fold.

“That fucking body roll in Hall of Fame,” you groan, emphasizing your displeasure. “I look utterly ridiculous when I do it.”

“You don’t,” he says immediately and you turn to stare at him.

“I don’t?” you repeat dumbly, and can’t help but wonder how often he watches you. You didn’t think he’d ever watched you do the move or any moves for that matter.

He shakes his head in reply.

“Let’s see it then,” he responds, turning back to the mirror. “I’ll do it with you.”

You go through the eight count before the body roll together. When you get to the roll, you fumble it as hard as you can. In fact, you’re trying so hard to screw it up, it really looks like you have no idea how to move that way, your body moving awkwardly.

Seungmin immediately bursts into laughter, doubling over in front of the mirror before straightening back up, trying to keep the tears at bay from laughing so hard.

“Fuck you, Seungmin,” you bite out. It’s all a front, but you’ve gotta convince him you really need help. “I should have asked Lee Know,” you add with a stab. You know that will shut him up.

“No, no,” he says, shaking his head, frantically waving his cute little hands at you. His demeanor is suddenly much more serious. Mission accomplished. “It’s just that you have literally never moved like that before in your life,” he says, and he can’t help but let out a small chuckle.

“Dude, I seriously move like that every time,” you complain. “Maybe you should pay closer attention.” You reach out and slap his shoulder lightly.

“I do,” he mumbles.

“Huh?” You ask with a tilt of your head even though you are certain you heard him.

He clears his throat and ignores your response.

“Watch me,” he says, stepping up to the mirror.

“No,” you groan, flopping your arms at your sides dramatically. “I’ve watched,” you whine. “It hasn't fixed the problem. I need you to show me.”

His eyebrows furrow and he turns to look at you again.

“Show you?” he asks, clearly confused.

You can tell you have the upper hand again.

“Yes, show me,” you repeat, stepping in front of him in the mirror and backing up closer to him so that his front bumps against your ass. He doesn’t move away from the contact, but he is watching you intently in the mirror, a deeply contemplative look etched on his cute puppy-like features as he tilts his head to the side, looking around your head in the mirror. “Hands on,” you add, grabbing one of his hands and placing it on your hip. “I’ve seen it countless times. I think I need to feel it to really understand,” you clarify.

“Hmm,” Seungmin hums softly, his other hand landing on your hip as he pulls you back against him tightly so that your bodies are flush against each other. “You need to feel it,” he repeats, and it’s almost a whisper right by your ear, his cheek grazing your face gently, his eyes locking with yours in the mirror.

You swallow hard but don’t break eye contact with him.

“Together then,” he says. He gives a lead in count but when he reaches two, his hips roll against yours, pushing you forward clumsily. You weren’t ready.

“Distracted again?” he asks, his head tilting teasingly, a devilish glimmer in his eyes.

You clear your throat and shake your head slightly. He’s toying with you. It was supposed to be the other way around.

“Just wasn’t ready,” you say. “Again,” you add, placing your hands on top of his on your hips, determined to have the kind of effect on him that he is currently having on you.

You feel his fingers ripple against yours before he leads in the count again and this time you're ready, allowing him to pull your body back against his as your hips roll together in perfect unison. You can feel him through his sweats against your ass and he makes no attempt to hide it.

When your movements stop, he doesn’t let go, snaking his hands fully around your waist, bringing his lips close to your ear.

“You’ve always been a quick learner,” he whispers, his breath hot against your neck. “Are we going to keep playing this game?” he asks.

You play stupid.

“Game?” you breathe out the question innocently.

Without warning, Seungmin takes the opportunity to spin you around in his hold, and a surprised yelp escapes you. This doesn’t stop him as he pushes you backwards with his body until you bump into the mirror you were just facing. One of his legs presses in between yours, his hips pinning you against the mirror. Both of his hands are caging you in, framing your face as he leans in to speak.

“Yes, this game,” he repeats. “Where you act like you don’t know what you’re doing so you can get help from me and tease me until I break and make a move. I see right through you, Y/N-nah,” he scolds, his round eyes moving back and forth between yours.

You take a deep breath.

“It worked, didn’t it?” you counter.

He scoffs at you.

“You pinned me against the mirror afterall. Not the other way around,” you add with a smirk and a tilt of your head, your hands moving daringly up to his broad chest and grabbing a fist full of his t-shirt.

His hands drop from the mirror then, landing on your hips once more as he pushes his body fully against yours, his hard length pressing into your middle as his lips find yours in a bruising kiss. Your mouths slot together, tongues chasing after each other, eager to taste the other as your hips slowly roll against his, your hands still in fists on his shirt, clinging to him like he is the only oxygen you want from here on out. Your hands slowly release their hold on his shirt and move to his face, your fingertips dancing along his skin and you can feel the goosebumps pop up again as he shivers against you. You smile into the kiss, satisfied at the reaction his body has to you.

“You drive me absolutely crazy, you know that?” Seungmin mumbles against your lips, his forehead falling against yours as you break the kiss, sucking in fresh air after the longest most spine tingling kiss you’d ever experienced.

“Ditto,” you manage, your voice breathy and unstable.

“There’s plenty more where that came from, jagiya,” he teases, his lips forging a soft, wet trail along your jawline and down the column of your neck.When he meets the place where your neck meets your shoulder, he licks a long stripe and bites gently before pulling your shirt to the side and moving over and sucking a deep purple mark into your collarbone. Luckily it’s where it can be easily hidden.

“Mine,” he growls against your skin.

“Yours,” you agree with a desperate nod, both of your hands on the back of his head as you hold onto him, your head making a thunking sound against the mirror and arching your back so that you give him better access to you.

“YAH! I said thirty minutes, horn dogs,” Lee Know suddenly yells into the room. “I’d expect this lateness from Seungmin, but you Y/N,” he tsks. “Never you,” he teases.

“Fuck off, Lee Know,” Seungmin teasingly growls against your shoulder before turning to look at him with a condescending look.

“Gladly,” he smirks mischievously. “Though it looks like you were the one about to do the fucking, not me,” he adds triumphantly before pulling the door open and strolling out confidently.

“If I hadn’t been so rudely interrupted, maybe!” Seungmin yelled after him even though Lee Know was long gone.

“Not here you wouldn’t have,” you protest. “Not where anyone could have caught us and did,” you add, nodding your head at the door Lee Know had just exited.

“But you want that, yeah?” Seungmin asks, his round hazelnut eyes meeting yours in a question.

“Definitely,” you agree, pulling his lips to yours once more. “You’re gonna show me what other moves you’ve got tonight, Kim Seungmin,” you mumble against his plush lips.

“Just you wait,” he teases, his hand moving up under your shirt slightly, grazing the soft, smooth skin of your stomach, causing goosebumps to erupt. “Just you wait,” he repeats, kissing you again slowly before stepping back and grabbing your hand, pulling you away from the mirror and out of the room.

You enter the practice room across the hall to cat calls and general teasing as everyone sees you step through the door together hand in hand. Hyunjin and Han high five each other and burst into a pile of laughter together.

“You owe me twenty bucks,” Chan says to Felix with a smirk.

“Oh my god,” you laugh embarrassed, burying your face in Seungmin’s shoulder. “You guys are fucking incredible.”

“I know,” Changbin smiles at you. “Glad you see it. Though you obviously think Seungmin-nah is more incredible than the rest of us according to Lee Know,” he teases.

“Shove it, Changbin,” Seungmin finally says. “Aren’t we supposed to be getting back to practice?” he asks, looking around the room, his eyes landing on Lee Know pleadingly.

“Right!” Lee Know claps his hands together and moves back to the front of the room to continue to lead the practice.

“And no more talking about these two making out across the hall,” IN adds and everyone bursts into laughter.

“Innie!” you protest.

“What? I said no more,” he shrugs, looking at you innocently.

You had gotten what you wanted from Seungmin, but none of it had gone the way you planned. You suppose it doesn’t really matter how you managed to cut the tension between you and Seungmin.

Seungmin squeezes your hand and pulls you closely to him, kissing your lips quickly before letting go completely. You blush and he smiles proudly, like this had been part of his plan. You can’t help but wonder if he was really the one trying to break you all along.

[hyunsvngs]

i saw seungmin in this shirt and my mind broke down. also yes me and ems wrote fics for the same fanmeet outfits without realising

wc: 1.6k

warnings: 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, dirty talk (seungmin is mean), dom seungmin, sub reader, exhibitionism? anyone could walk in, blowjob, boot humping, unprotected sex, creampie

“I don’t- I can’t-”

Seungmin’s lips press to yours again soothingly. He’s still sweaty from the fan meeting, and his lips are a little wet. “It’s okay, calm down.”

You’re backstage and way too worked up. Going to the fan meeting and seeing your boyfriend in all his glory onstage was one thing, but when he walked out in that damn Diesel top? Yeah, you were sure you’d had a heart attack. You jumped his bones as soon as he walked backstage and he’d carted you off to the nearest separate dressing room to ‘calm you down’, much to the jeers of the other boys. 

There’s sweat beading onto your chest by the time you get him to stop kissing you, and you sink to your knees, breathing hot air over the front of Seungmin’s jeans. He peers down at you with a raised eyebrow, hands moving to his belt. 

“Really? Right here?” He asks, and you only nod. “You’re feeling a little filthy today, aren’t you?”

“Don’t tease me,” You huff, nose nudging his growing erection. He wraps his fist around your hair and pulls you backwards, making you look up at him. He looks ever the image of power - the choice of attire accentuates the milky skin of his arms, and his eyes are dark when he tuts at you for ogling him like that. “You look so good.”

“Behave,” He murmurs. You nod again. You can’t do anything else when he’s in a mood like this, only nod and feel the gusset of your panties sticking to your messy folds. He’s feeling strict, but if you keep pouting up at him, eyes glassy, perhaps he’ll let you have it. 

“Please,” You beg, bottom lip quivering. You’re not above crying to suck your boyfriend’s cock, and he knows that - hell, he’s made you cry over it before and probably will again. Tonight, though, it seems he’s feeling a little kinder than normal, because he lets go of your hair and starts to unbuckle his belt. “Oh, oh! Yeah, yeah, gimme, gimme-”

“Shut up,” He admonishes, eyebrows furrowed in contention. He pulls his belt from the waist of his jeans and they drop down to his thighs, stopped by the lean muscle. Only a beat passes before he lets you see it, firstly with the trimmed, pitch-black hair at his base, and then with the whole length of his cock bobbing up against the bottom of his abdomen. He’s still only half hard, a little soft when he polishes his cockhead with his hand, but it only takes a second before he’s standing at full mast. 

You can hear noises from outside the door. It only serves to make you leak more into your underwear, shifting on your knees from where you are in front of him, but you’d never wish to rush Seungmin. He stares at you while you writhe, and then finally, finally, he nods.

You know what that nod means. You’re suckling the tip in seconds. He leaks steadily for you, and you whimper around his length when he moans at your actions. You’re used to sucking him off by now, and so you start to bob your head on as much as you can fit, moving your fist to pump the part of his length that you can’t quite reach. Seungmin’s hips thrust forwards once, twice, and then he gives up, moving his hands to your head.

“I’m gonna fuck your throat,” He murmurs. He gives you enough time to pull away, but you don’t, only moaning and moving your hands to rest on his thighs. “Yeah? You’re gonna let me do that here? That’s so fucking slutty.”

Of course you are. Your jaw goes lax, and Seungmin groans, his eyes rolling back into his head as he starts to thrust. He presses into your throat over and over, making your eyes water as you gaze up at him, but the whole thing’s so hot you can’t protest. Seungmin’s normally iffy about messes but with the way you’re drooling all over his cock, you’re not sure he minds right now.

You can’t help yourself. Your hand dips underneath your skirt and starts to rub circles into your clit, through your panties and Seungmin’s oblivious for a moment. He thrusts into your mouth a few more times and it’s the wet whine you let out that gives you away - Seungmin’s eyes open, peering down at your disshevelled figure on the floor.

“Mm, don’t do all of that,” He murmurs condescendingly. His thrusts stop and he lets his shaft slide out of your mouth, a string of saliva connecting the two of you. You’re allowed to sit there and gasp for air for a moment, but then Seungmin’s boot nudges into your knee.

The position’s a little awkward, but you spread your legs and let him push his boot underneath your skirt for you to hump into. It’s a nice gesture from Seungmin, who’s normally scathing words and even worse spankings, but then he fucks into your throat so hard it makes you gag. 

“Take it,” He huffs, and then he’s doing something ultimately worse. With his fingers intertwined in your hair, he grips your head and starts to bounce it on his cock. You’re whining hard by now, hips kicking up a fuss on your boyfriend’s shoe, and you see his eye twitch when you gag on one pull downwards with a sharp wail.

He pulls out of your mouth with a fuss. He’s quick to yank you up by your hair, pulling you over to the nearest vanity to bend you over. You don’t mind - you’re embarrassingly eager, actually, letting your knees fall apart to show your man the mess you’ve made of yourself. His hand moves to your hair to push your skirt over your ass. The cold air hitting the sodden fabric of your underwear has you keening, pushing your ass backwards. You can’t see yourself from your position, tummy down on the vanity table and face buried in your arms, but you know you must look like a certain debauched type of picture. 

“You wanted me that bad, huh?” He muses, thumb sweeping over your core. You whimper, nodding with a twitch of your leg, and then Seungmin’s yanking your panties to the side. Before you can squeal, to make a noise to acknowledge him, he’s sinking his whole length in you at once. “There you go. You’ve got it now, feel it, whore. Feels good?”

“Feels s’good,” You slur, drool slicking your bottom lip just from the stretch of him. Seungmin’s longer than he is thick but he’s still enough to have your pussy throbbing, clit aching for stimulation from the feeling of him pressing at your walls. “Feels g-good, fuck me, fuck me- please, please, guh- gotta-”

“Yeah, okay,” He sighs, as if he’s annoyed, and then he’s rutting into you so hard you swear your eyes cross. Seungmin groans and grunts with each gush of your pussy around him, and when his hand moves to your hair again, he’s yanking your face out of its safe haven. “Look at yourself. Fucking look at that.”

You have to. Your eyes are glassy with unshed tears, and you’re drooling so hard it’s affected some of your makeup. Your cheeks are flushed, obvious that it spreads down your neck and to your chest, and you’re still fucking your hips backwards to try and get more of him. 

“Please,” You watch yourself say it, lips kiss-bitten and broken. “Please give it to me harder, Seungminnie, I need it.”

“You need it?” He questions, just to watch you nod so hard you look like a dumb little bobblehead. “Okay. Don’t take it back, then.” 

His confidence would be sickening if it isn’t for the way he starts to fuck into you so hard you squeal. His mushroom tip kicks into your cervix with every thrust, and you can see him gritting his teeth with the speed of it all. He’s still holding your hair, and you watch yourself finally begin to cry, eyebrows furrowing in pleasure. 

You whine and writhe, and Seungmin’s other hand goes to your ass to keep you down, laid flat for him. Your nipples are so hard through your shirt that it’s starting to hurt, and when you shift your hips again, he hits a spot so good that you sob wetly.

“There! There, there, there, please don’t- don’t stop, Seungmin, I’ll fucking cum,” You babble, and your eyes finally fall shut. Seungmin doesn’t reprimand you for it, only continuing his pistoning into that same exact spot that has you babbling out profanities and half-spoken words. “Yeah. Yeah! There, there, fucking- I’ll cum so good, I’ll cum so-”

“I know you will, f-fucking whore,” His voice is faltering, and you know he’s getting close. “Cum for me. Shut up and just fucking cum.”

It explodes behind your eyes. Your toes curl with it and you gush and wail on Seungmin’s cock, walls fluttering so deliciously around the slick slide. He helps you ride it out, hand now pulling you backwards with each thrust, and then he’s letting go of your hair so unceremoniously it falls with a thud back to your arms.

You’re just panting now, pussy still clenching down on your boyfriend through the aftershocks of your orgasm, and Seungmin starts to chase his high. It only takes a few ridiculously fast thrusts for him to finish, and he pumps you full of his cum easily with a loud groan. 

He slips out of you and you let out a whimper, causing him to make his own answering, mock-whimper in response. You hear him shuffling about behind you and when you finally open your eyes, tilting your head towards him, he’s looking for tissues with his wet cock in his hand. 

“Seungminnie,” You giggle, kicking your feet. The action only causes his cum to drip out of your pussy and down your thighs, and you groan in disdain, immediately halting his movements. 

Seungmin laughs. “That’s karma for laughing at me when I’m trying to help you.”

[leeminho-hall]

.•:｡✧ ♡ ✧｡:•.skz kinktober part II 2023♡.•:｡

list of different kinktober masterlists where stray kids members are included. this list is for me to keep on track with the different kinktober events taking place in the month of october.

.•:｡✧ ♡ ✧｡:•. skz kinktober part I | skz kinktober part III

♡ kinktober by @sugawhaaa ♡ kinktober by @aerasx ♡ simptober (fluff version) by @skz-streamer ♡ kinktober by @triplejracha ♡ sub skz kinktober by @lilquokka04 ♡ skz eight nights of halloween by @/dlmlufics ♡ softtober (vanilla sex) by @whatudowhennooneseesyou ♡ monster fuck by @planet-dusk (op is holding a event where you can send asks with the monster fuck month theme) ♡ smutober by @dreamescapeswriting ♡ spooktober (jisung + chan) by @boydepartment ♡ kinktober by @jinikkari ♡ kinktober by @meowjunjun ♡ flufftober (fluff version) by @hannahhbahng ♡ kinktober by @chanswhxre ♡ kinktober by @delulusungmin ♡ spooktober by @kaciidubs

♡ kinktober by @lixiektty

.•:｡ some of the writers just announced their events, so when they post their official master lists I'll update the links.•:｡

♡ if you see this list, please remember to support the authors listed.

♡ minors and blank blogs don’t interact with the authors.

♡ this list is subject to change, remove, or add works.

[skzdarlings]

birthday girl ; skz ; seungmin x reader

requested by anonymous: “You keep your hands where they are or I’ll tie them up” with Seungmin + requested by anonymous: ❛ i'm sorry, what was that? i can’t hear you over all that noise you’re making. ❜ is SO seungmin I can’t 😭 + requested by @sealovesbts : ❛ is that how you usually get out of these situations? by fucking your way out of them? ❜ x Seungmin djjdjjdjd 🫣

pairing: kim seungmin/reader content info: friends to lovers. boy next door!seungmin, stripper!seungmin. reader is kinda vanilla but gets a couple kinks unlocked: stripping, some power play, seungmin giving orders and her following it, having sex in privacy but a public venue overall. word count: 4100 words.

masterlist. part of the valentine’s day stories series. credit to prompts. requests are closed.

enjoy!

-

You open the door and jump, startled to find Seungmin already standing there with his hand raised to knock.  He also looks surprised but he doesn’t shriek like you do.  You were already jittery before the jump-scare.   

“Seungmin! Sorry!”  You put a hand over your heart.  “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I can see that.”  He speaks in his usual dry tone but smiles a lopsided smile. 

Kim Seungmin lives in your neighbourhood.  You have been amicable a long time so you like to consider him a friend as well.  He is an admittedly private person and his personality can be brash, but you find charm in his quirky cheekiness.  He is reliable whenever you need a hand.    

He is dressed in a hoodie and jeans which is not unusual; he is not very flashy.  His bangs sweep his forehead and he smiles a wide, boxy smile as he hands you a gift bag. 

“Happy birthday, neighbour,” he says. 

“Oh my goodness,” you say, flustered.  “Seungmin!  You didn’t have to!”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m the greatest,” he quips.   While you open the present, he asks, “I guess you’re going out?  You’re all dressed up.” 

“Oh, um, yes.”  You feel shy as he looks at you.

“You look good,” he says.

It makes you even more flustered.  You are dressed a little sleeker and sexier than usual.  Your sister has arranged your birthday party but you do not know where, only that she said to dress for fun.  You are not great with surprises and your sister is a little wild, hence your nerves, but you have decided to leave your comfort zone for one night. 

You were not expecting to run into your neighbour, friend, and crush. 

Because, yes, you like Seungmin.  A lot.  Seungmin is very modest, low-key, and hard-working.  You know he is at law school and works a few jobs to pay for it.  You are not sure where, but he is intelligent and you can imagine him doing anything.  His snark is amusing but his dependability and steadfastness is a sexy combination.  Your sister has never met him but has often teased you for your so-called boring infatuation, but you disregard the thought.  You like Seungmin, shaggy bangs and law school textbooks and all. 

A flirtation has been subtly brewing over the last few months.  You think the unexpected birthday gift is a step in that direction.  Especially when you unwrap a recipe book you off-handedly mentioned a few weeks ago, touched he remembered it at all. 

“Oh, thank you, Seungmin,” you say, gushing and sweet.  You go to hug him but falter nervously and end up giggling. 

He brushes some hair out of his eyes.  They seem to sparkle with mirth, or maybe you are just ridiculously head-over-heels. 

“You’re kinda goofy, you know that?” he says, but smiles.  “I like it.” 

“Oh gosh,” you say. 

It makes him laugh.  Then he says, “I’ll let you get to your party.” 

“Oh, it’s just my sister and some girl friends,” you say.  “I don’t even know where we’re going.  Probably just some food and stuff.  You know me.  I’m very simple.” 

“I do,” he says.  “I’d like to know you better, though.  Maybe you can make me one of those recipes some time.  I like the one on page fifteen.”

You burst out laughing at his audacity, making him laugh too.  His teasing successively obliterates your nerves.    

“I will,” you say, smiling so big.  “Page fifteen.  Noted.” 

“It’s a date,” he says.  “I’ll let you go now. Enjoy your birthday dinner.”

“You too,” you say, then realize that response made no sense so you stutter through a retraction.  You stop when he leans in and kisses your cheek, a quick peck that makes your eyes go wide. 

“Goofball,” he says and bops your nose while smiling.  “See you around, neighbour.”

“Bye, neighbour,” you say, giggling helplessly. 

He smiles as he walks away, hands in his pockets, and you are still hugging your book and smiling. 

-

The conversation with Seungmin is your last wholesome birthday moment.  You meet your sister and friends only to get whisked off to a placeof complete and utter depravity. 

Otherwise known as a club full of male strippers. 

You are sitting at a little table, astounded at the room around you.  You hold no judgements whatsoever, but between the flashing lights and loud music and, um, prominent bare chests and even more prominent bulges, you are sufficiently overawed. 

You cannot help but gawk, mouth open as you look around at everything.  It makes your sister and friends laugh.  It is not mean but they are undoubtedly amused.  Your shy character is the opposite of… this. 

“You guys are crazy,” you say, only making them erupt into more giggles. 

“You like logic and traditions so consider it a rite of passage, baby sister,” your sister says, slinging her arm around your shoulder and squeezing.  “Or, hm, an act of feminism!  It’s about equality.  We need to objectify and ogle the sexy men on behalf of womankind.”   

“How noble of us,” you say dryly, setting off another round of giggles.  You shake your head, smiling with amusement too.  You are a little embarrassed but it is quite funny, and there is a part of you enjoying something so opposite of your usual quiet scenes.  

Amusing is the best word for it, though.  None of the men are remotely your type and the relentless hip-thrusting is a bit much. You find yourself laughing into your drink and swaying to music as a few choreographed routines are performed.  Some of the more elaborate dances are entertaining. 

“The birthday girl likes a pretty boy,” your sister says, conspiring with your friends to find the perfect man to entertain you. 

“No, I don’t,” you say.  You roll your eyes and playfully shove her shoulder.   

“Well,” she says, “there are no boring lawyers on that stage, so a pretty face will have to suffice.” 

They proceed to point out a few of the prettier dancers while you shake your head.  You turn to watch the stage where a different set of men are in the middle of a routine.  There is a very rowdy bachelorette party in front of your table, occasionally blocking the view of one side of the stage.  You are sipping you drink when a few girls move, opening the view. 

You promptly spit your drink everywhere.  Your friends squeal while you choke and there is enough chaos at your table for one of the dancers to look directly at you. 

Not just any dancer.  

Kim Seungmin.

You have seen that face twice a day every day for months and you still barely recognize him.  It is no wonder that even a slightly obstructed view warped him entirely. 

Your modest, low-key friend is dazzling under the stage lights, face lightly made-up and his usual shaggy hair pushed back off his face.  Is it possible for a glimpse of forehead to so drastically change the composition of a familiar face?   He looks like a new man, his features striking on his bright, open face, all framed by neatly styled dark hair.  The familiar sparkle in his dark eyes is accentuated by the gleam of something shining around his neck.  Necklace? Choker? Collar?

He is in a white dress shirt and blue jeans, ripped at the knee, but everything about him seems illuminated.  He is the bold, blazoned fantasy version of the boy next door.  Very literally in your case, which is maybe why you think it, watching him cross the stage with more verve and confidence than you knew he possessed.  Your Seungmin walks in a casual shuffle, hands in his pockets.  He does not stride.

He certainly does not… gyrate.  Which is what he is doing when he catches your eye.  There is a moment of shared recognition and subsequent surprise, wide-eyed as you hold gazes across a noisy room.

Seungmin, a seemingly consummate professional, blinks the surprise off his face and goes back to his routine. 

You are not so practiced.  Your surprise stays plastered there, your mouth open and eyes wide as you stare at him.  The dance that seemed so exaggerated and ridiculous on the other performers is something else on Seungmin.  Maybe it is his character, the boy next door with his ripped jeans and smirking grin. Or maybe it is because he is your boy next door.

He is not ridiculous. Quite the opposite.  He makes it look natural, fluid and unhurried with the swivel of his hips and teasing grin.  He seems to somehow make eye contact with everyone in the room. 

You remind yourself that is his job when his eyes wander back to you.  It does not slow the race of your heart.

He sits on a chair and opens his shirt.  Some of the other dancers are more than half-naked, but he has a captive audience with the simplest action.  Keeping each step to the beat of the music, he reclines and undoes his belt, which makes your lips part. Then he lets his shirt drop down his arms and reveals his shoulders, which makes you gasp.  Then he cups a hand between his legs, curving his palm over the not-insubstantial bulge in his jeans.  Heat fills the core of you. 

He looks right at you with a tilt of his head and a lazy smile, the subtle sort of smirk that does not need to exaggerate.  He knows he has you. 

“Oh my god,” your friend says.  “Not birthday girl eye-fucking a stripper.”

“What!”  You rip your attention away all at once, flushed hot from head to toe.  “I am not!”

“Well, he was eye-fucking you.” 

You take a gigantic gulp of water, though it does not to quell the heat inside.  Until today, the most you dared to fantasize about Seungmin was a prolonged kiss on the porch.  Seungmin is polite.  He does not eye-fuck. 

Except you glance over the rim of your cup.  He is still looking at you.  It is not the way he looks at everyone else, who he skims with a cursory glance and flirtatious wink.  It is a lingering, penetrating stare, like he is calling you to him with his eyes alone. 

Oh. Gosh.  He is eye-fucking you. 

“I think,” your sister says, “we found a pretty boy for the birthday girl.” 

-

And that is how you find yourself sitting in a small private room, barely bigger than a coat closet and washed in a dark purple light.  You are perched on a plush little seat, holding your handbag so tightly your knuckles start to hurt.  You let go and clear your throat, embarrassed even though you are alone.  You place the bag on the floor and smooth your hands down the skirt of your dress.

You squeak like a frightened little mouse, jumping when Kim Seungmin startles you for the third time tonight.  Once on your doorstep.  Once on stage.  And now in this little room, silhouetted by the hall lights until he closes the divider.  He is still in his ripped jeans and dress shirt, neatly buttoned and composed again. 

He runs a hand through his hair which makes your heart skip beats.  You feel a little preposterous, scandalized by a forehead, but it makes his gaze so direct.  You melt under the intensity of his stare. 

“I hear it’s your birthday,” he says. 

You imagine yourself as a stranger to him, the same line recited with the same confidence.  For some reason, it is just as tantalizing.  You like abrasive, quirky law student Kim Seungmin in his hoodie and jeans.  But you find yourself irrevocably spellbound by this other version of him, who is so seductive it has women drawing money out of their purses. 

“Yes,” is what you say, instead of all that. 

He tilts his head, looking at you with a raised eyebrow.  He is always clever but his open face makes his scrutiny more apparent.  You swallow when he approaches, when he sinks down on one knee while holding your gaze in thrall. 

“Breathe,” he says.  “That’s not a request.”  He rests his hands on the seat, framing your body between them.  He does not touch you.  He does not need to.  Your breath spills free in a rush and he smirks.  “Good.  All right.  So… neighbour… Should we talk?” 

You think a thousand thoughts.  Yes, a conversation.  No, your friends paid for this room.  They think you will get a lap dance or something, then return quickly.  You want to ask when he is free for dinner.  You want to ask how long he has worked here.  You want to know him.  You really, really want to kiss him. 

You say instead, “I’ve never done this sort of thing before.” 

He looks at you for another moment, still studious.  You swallow again.  Then he smiles that dastardly grin, wide and a little mean. 

“And you want to?” he asks.  “Do this sort of thing?” 

“Only if it’s you,” you say, then avert your gaze out of embarrassment.  Maybe that was too much cringe-worthy honesty. 

He touches your chin, drawing your gaze back to him.  You blink at him, helpless but to study his face in turn.  He was always decently good-looking but he is driving you to complete distraction.  You find yourself staring at his lips well before he starts speaking. 

“I think you have more depth than either of us know, don’t you?” he asks. 

“Maybe,” you say, laughing a little.  You look at him with wide, earnest eyes.  “Don’t we all?” 

He touches his tongue to his upper lip, looking thoughtful but undoubtedly smiling.  Then he smacks his lips and nods, his hair bouncing.

“Right,” he says.  “In that case, birthday girl…”

He stands and your eyes follow.  He holds your gaze until he starts unbuttoning his shirt, then your eyes drop to his hands, the deft flick of his fingers as they crawl down his chest. 

A professional, you think.  It gets you undeniably hot.  You meet his eyes again when he tugs his shirt off and drops it behind him.  He is more slender than chiseled, especially compared to some of the other dancers, but there is a firmness to his body, a control he has mastered.  

He grabs a bar above your head that you did not even notice, using it to lift and lower himself over you.  He lands in a smooth straddle with his knees cradling you under him. 

You sit back, breathing harder already.  Then he takes your hands and lifts them over your head, making your fingers twitch with anticipation.  You are still fully clothed but your dress is sleeveless and low-cut and this feels like a vulnerable position, arms raised with a half-naked Kim Seungmin straddling your body. 

He curls your fingers around the bar then drags his knuckle down the bare skin of your arms, making you shiver despite the packed heat of this little room. 

“You keep your hands where they are,” he says, “or I’ll tie them up.”   

You nod a little frantically and it makes him laugh.  Then he is leaning back just enough to rock his body over yours, bringing your attention to every flawless plane of his body as he moves on you.  He touches you sparingly, making you watch, making you wonder.  Looking and fantasizing about what his hips can really do, what strength is hidden in the body he has mastered.  He follows the low music, ever deep thrum of a bass, every heart-pounding beat. 

He brings his face close to yours, so close your lips almost touch.  It steals your breath like a real kiss would. 

“I’m going to touch you,” he says.  “Be good for me, birthday girl. Maybe there’s a present in it for you.  Only if I like you.” 

You cannot find any witty quips to return.  He is definitely the experienced one, as effortless with his words as with everything else.  You can only gawk at him as he slides smoothly off.  Then his hands are on your legs, making them quiver, your body startled with the direct touch despite the warning. 

Your skirt gathers just a bit, his hands curling under your knees.  Then he is spreading your legs, not enough to see anything but enough you feel the empty space between them.  Oh yes, emptier than you have ever felt.  You are surprised by the way you clench, your body aching for more.  He only teases, makes you feel that emptiness and picture every what if.  He helps you with your fantasy, pushing your legs back like he would if he was fucking you deep, rolling his hips so close to yours in mimicry. 

“Oh,” is the only sound you make.   Your breathing is very loud.  It says a lot on its own. 

He is breathing a little harder too.  He is still between your legs when he starts unbuttoning his jeans.  He shuffles them down his hips but not all the way off.  You can see he is wearing nothing underneath, the denim itself a suddenly tantalizing piece, slung low on his hips with the subtle sloping v of his body drawing your gaze to his middle. 

“I don’t usually go further than this, you know,” he says.  He slowly pushes the next button loose and you can feel the rush of heat from your belly swoop lower.  His bulge looks obscene at this vantage, pushing at what little remains of the denim around it.  “But I think I like you, birthday girl.”  He opens another button.  “I think I can make an exception.”  He pushes the last button then grasps his jeans at the hips, grinning as he says, “Our secret.” 

Secret, illicit, that’s what this feels like, looking at the gorgeous man you have been pining after, watching as he pushes his jeans down his hips and thighs.  You are tucked in a small room not far away from a rowdy crowd, Kim Seungmin dropping the last of his clothes then continuing his slow and sensual movements. 

You feel dizzy, your arms shaking.  You close your mouth when you literally salivate, because his dick is right there, hard and curving up in front of you as he moves with skilled ease.  You giggle a little nervously when he notices and swipes a thumb across your lips.   Then he reaches up, curling his hands over yours on the bar as he leans in close to your face. 

“You wanna touch me?” he asks, palms over your knuckles.  You nod frantically and he grins that mean smile, tilting his head as he looks down at you.  “What will you give me for it?” 

“Anything,” you say.  “You can do anything to me.  You can have all of me.” 

It occurs only seconds later he might mean money, but he just laughs, that familiar ha-ha-ha you have heard a dozen times before. 

“Is that how you usually get out of these situations?” he teases.  “By fucking your way out of them?” 

“You’re so mean,” you say with a helpless pout. 

“Yeah,” he says, brushing his nose with yours.  “I am.  I could be worse, but it’s your birthday.”  He takes your hands and lowers them, guiding them to his shoulders.   

You touch him carefully, as if he is fragile, or like he could disappear beneath your fingertips.  This moment hardly seems real, ethereal and bright, all neon and purple haze. This is not like you and that is thrilling.  This is all new, but he is also familiar.  You are enjoying this, him, you together.  

You touch him slowly, with intention, just the gentlest caress across his bare shoulders.  It wipes his grin, makes his breathing get all slow like he is savouring it too.  He looks at you with more intensity. 

“You said I can anything?” he asks. 

A nod is all it takes, then he is sinking to his knees.  He pushes back a few loose strands of his hair, then his hands are under your knees and he is pulling you to the edge of your seat.  You make a little noise of surprise, clutching his shoulders until he manoeuvres you.  Then it is your legs on his shoulders and he is running his tongue along your inner thigh. 

“Seungmin,” you say, breathlessly.

“Shh, shh,” he says.  “Our secret, remember?” 

Then he is tugging your now wet panties to the side, his mouth on you in a ravenous motion.  You cover your mouth to try and stifle most of your moaning, but you cannot help the few sounds that escape, especially as he takes you closer and closer to a climax.  He surfaces, still using his hand to get you close, his lips wet and eyes searching.  He smirks, sliding two fingers into you while rolling his thumb across that distended bundle of nerves. 

“That’s not quiet, birthday girl,” he says.  “Don’t make me gag you.” 

“I’m quiet,” is your rasping reply.

“I’m sorry, what was that?” he asks, fucking his fingers roughly through all the wet desire between your thighs, making you shake.  “I can’t hear you over all that noise you’re making,” he says.  “It almost sounds like you’re about to come for me.  That’s pretty dirty.  What would everyone out there say?” 

Shocked.  They would be shocked if they even believed it.  You would not have believed it of yourself a few hours ago.  But now you are coming all over his face and hand and it is still not enough.  You have never begged for anything but the words are on your lips, your mouth open and eyes wide as you stare at him. 

“What’s wrong?” he asks, fingers swirling at your entrance.  He pushes in and out, just his fingertips, tormenting you.  “That just made you needier, didn’t it?  Tsk.” He sighs dramatically.  “I don’t usually offer that.  It’ll cost you.” 

“I’ll cook the recipe on page sixteen too,” you say, making him laugh naturally again. 

“What a bargain,” he says.  He grabs his jeans and fishes a condom out of the back pocket.  He even seems to make a show of that.  He puts it on and fists his cock for you, standing above you while you catch your breath.  When you reach for him, he grabs your wrists and yanks you up.  He is effortless and quick, as always, spinning you around and pressing your hands to the back of the seat. 

“You know the rules,” he says.  “Hands there or I tie them up.  That’s my girl.”

You follow his directions and bend over, feeling utterly debauched before he is even inside you.  He lifts your skirt and tugs your panties aside again.  You are fully dressed and he is completely naked, but you somehow feel more exposed, more vulnerable in his confident hands.  He holds your hips and eases inside you, inch by solid inch until he is pressed up against your backside, buried to the hilt. 

“That’s it,” he says, tone still cocky though it soon gives way to panting.  He makes a few rough sounds of his own, fucking you quick and dirty in this small room.  You are going to walk out of here smelling and looking like sex itself, dishevelled and shaky and well-fucked.  Practically a new woman, one you are eager to know, containing as many contradictory dualities as Seungmin. 

Seungmin, your goofy friend, who throws his head back as he drives into you again and again, shushing you when you get too loud.  He muffles his own cry in your shoulder when he comes, still rocking against you for a moment after that. 

“Fuck,” you say, dropping onto the seat after.  He is tugging his jeans back on, though his eyes are on you.  It is a scrutinous stare again.  You undoubtedly have questions for each other.   For now, you just smile, taking another shuddery breath as you come down from your high.   “Well,” you say.  “That might have been worth page seventeen too.” 

His gaze softens, the corner of his eyes crinkling with his smile.  He leans over you, brushes his nose against yours, and finally kisses you.  It is the soft, tender kiss you dreamed about so long ago.  It leaves you as breathless as everything else. 

“All right, neighbour,” he says, “it’s a date.” 

[coupsie-daisies]

To Be Reborn | Kim Seungmin

Pairing: Kim Seungmin x GN!Reader

Genre: Reincarnation AU, it’s also a soulmate au but I don’t think I ever actually say that, Hurt/Comfort

Summary: Y/N lost their beloved to an untimely death. To make things worse, they’re a reincarnated soul stuck in a cycle of being reborn. They visit their lover’s graveside in their next life to share a birthday date with him. As much as they don’t trust the universe, it may just have plans for them.

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: major character death...kinda? Cemeteries, Reader is highkey depressed, but they’re fighting it

A/N: Happy Birthday to my number 1! Kim Seungmin deserves the world but since I can’t give him that, I wrote this. Might add more to this later, we’ll see how I’m feeling. Let me know what you think. (I also never write in the first person, so let me know if I made mistakes)

Tags: @dragonofthenorth0726 // @wooyussy // @sunnytaes // @burningupp // @bunnypig18 // @chrswolfie // @ferrethyun // @brownieracha // @ashia4

Sixteen.

That’s how many lifetimes I’d lived, how many paths my soul had chosen. I’d been a human being sixteen times over, growing and changing and finding the shape of my soul in sixteen different bodies. It was strange, all of the not knowing. Not knowing where I came from, and how I began. Not knowing who I was supposed to be, what would become of my soul, if I was the only person who had lived two, three…sixteen lives. It was lonely.

But with him, I hadn’t felt so terribly alone. And of course, I knew it was coming, that he’d leave me long before I was ready for him to. That I’d be born again for years and years to come. Living, and loving, and losing people all over again. It had never hurt the way it did when I lost my Sky. I doubted that it would again, but pushing people away was easier than running the risk. Better safe than sorry after all.

It had been sixty-five years since the day he died, barely twenty-two and taken all too soon. But today was his birthday. He would have been one hundred and seven years old, which was an unreasonable age to live to, but it would have been nice if we could have lived forever like that. If I could have had him a little bit longer.

I laid out a blanket on the stretch of perfectly manicured grass in front of his headstone. The one I’d picked out years ago, that I’d mourned in front of until my last life was timed out. I sat down and opened the picnic basket I’d packed.

In this life, I’d just recently hit the age of twenty-one. I’d been making the trip to see him every year on his birthday since I’d turned eighteen. Time was a funny thing, it passed much slower than I expected it to after all this time, but it was rarely as exhausting as it was the first few times around. I would skip over the teenage years altogether if I had it my way, but sometimes it was nice being able to forget for a few moments the ache of adulthood, of responsibility.

The more lives I lived, the easier it became to handle the inevitable loss. Knowing everything was temporary made it easier to let go. My friends, my home, my body, it would get left behind in sixty years, give or take a few. But it was nice knowing that, at the very least, there was something to be remembered by. Pictures, or a name, a story, or a slab of stone. Something to linger in the world for a few more lifetimes.

I opened the basket, pulling out the small birthday cake I’d bought. It was the sort you got for two people, maybe three. Something sweet to celebrate another year spent with your loved ones. I poked a couple of candles into it and set it between the two of us.

“Happy birthday, Sky.” I lit the candles, watching the flames dance and flicker in the breeze. The ache in my chest was back again. Sometimes now, after so many years, it went away and I forgot that I’d lost him. Somehow growing up made letting it go more difficult, and made the memory more vivid. I cleared my throat. “It’s been a year, but not much has changed. I got a dog about a week ago. His name is Voltage. I think you’ll like him, but I wasn’t sure he was ready to come meet you. Maybe next time.”

An older woman was walking nearby, and she spared me a sweet smile. I smiled back and wondered what I must look like to her. So young, and sharing a cake with…nobody. Talking like one might to their best friend, to their lover, to their other half. I wondered if she felt the same way I did and if she’d lived with the pain as long as I have. If she would be reborn like me and feel it in another life too. I hoped not.

“Sometimes I think about how temporary everything is. And I know you didn’t like it when I got thinking about things like that,” I watched the blue wax of one of the birthday candles drip towards the buttercream it was perched in. He’d always rushed me to blow them out before the cake got ruined, but I didn’t have it in me to blow these ones out. I just watched and forced a smile.

The air was still warm in late September, only beginning to push towards the stark coolness of fall when the sun would sink lower into the sky. But for now, the sun was still sitting high, and the big tree in the middle of the cemetery waved its leaves to all the souls laid to rest beneath her shade. I’d always thought this place was inexplicably beautiful. Now I still found it beautiful, but it held a sadness that grew heavier with each passing year.

I leaned forward, inhaling slowly and fighting the warm tears that were beginning to slip down my cheeks. I wasn’t supposed to cry, because visiting him wasn’t supposed to be sad. Bittersweet maybe, but not sad.

It crossed my mind then to blow out the candles, and I looked at the way they were beginning to melt onto the center of the cake. I didn’t get the chance to blow them out there, barely managing to inhale when a gust of wind knocked the flames out. I exhaled, a half-broken laugh as I wiped my cheeks. I didn’t make a wish, I wouldn’t have anyways. It wasn’t mine to wish, and I could only wish for the same thing that I always did with him gone.

He used to ask me every time, every year without fail, what I had wished for. I would laugh, and shake my head even when he wrapped his arms around me and begged for me to share my little secret with him. But a wish can’t come true once it’s spoken out loud, those have always been the rules.

“Did you make a wish?” I asked the open air, pulling a plastic fork from the basket I’d brought along. There was real food in there, a sandwich and apple slices, but I didn’t feel like eating them. I usually had a hard time eating on the days when I missed him the most, it already felt like my body was twisting and tearing and splitting into pieces without his presence, eating was always the cherry on top of the fucked up grief sundae. 

Instead, I poked my fork into the cake and took a bite. I sat in silence there, looking at the date on the slab of stone I’d had to pick for him. The details about all of that were a bit fuzzy, but the feelings were barely dulled from what they were then. The sting of finding out that he’d died was still sharp and disarming, and the bitterness of remembering that he’d been away from home for nearly a year before that was just as potent as ever. Military service, all but cut off from me only to never be seen again.

I ate a few more bites, savoring the sweetness of his favorite cake flavor and thinking about what the next few days had in store for me. I was going to school again, it didn’t seem to get easier over time, but the challenge was a welcomed distraction. Classes were just picking up for the semester, and I would be buried in work soon. But Sky wouldn’t have wanted distraction to be my best option. He’d want me to find something better, to grow from the pain, to let go. I made myself think about that when I tried to shut people out.

I carefully put the cake back in the basket, wishing I didn’t have to. But I didn’t particularly feel like drawing ants, and eating any more of it would turn the emotions into a physical discomfort in my stomach. I shifted closer to him, to the stone that represented him, and touched the silk leaves of the fake flowers in the vase there. I’d have to bring new ones. Who put them there, I never did figure out, and it surely hadn’t been me. But they were growing stained with dirt, the pale pink and blue becoming a dirty shade of brown instead. I brushed my hand over his headstone, brushing away some of the dirt there as well, deciding I should come around and give it a nice clean-up before fall came in full swing.

“I’ve been slacking. But you know how busy I am this time of year. I’m going for a music major this time around,” I told him, laughing one more time. “I seemed to have gotten that skill this time. If you were here, you’d be grateful. I was completely tone deaf last time around.”

I brushed my hands off on the blanket beneath me. “I miss you, Sky. You’d like the world now I think. I think it would like you too,”

I swallowed and swiped away a new wave of tears with the back of my hand.

“Forgive me, I don’t mean to bother you…But I’m sorry for your loss.” A voice said from behind me, sweet and gentle as he caught my attention. I tried not to startle. I’d never been spoken to at the cemetery, not properly, and it was as if the weight in the air was gone, the tension surrounding me shattered. “Was he family?”

I had never had to answer that question either. The silence stretched and grew, but the man standing behind me didn’t push me to answer. I inhaled deeply before I nodded.

“As close as. Someone my family knew a long time ago,” I said. “Nobody seems to remember anyone after a few lifetimes. I don’t want to forget him.”

“I see,” He said. It was quiet again. “He’s grateful that you’ve been coming.”

I started to thank him for the sweet sentiment, but the statement itself was odd, it made my heart pick up in a way that I couldn’t manage to identify. I moved slowly, standing up and turning to face him as a mix of hope and confusion settled in my throat.

“I realized you’ve been coming a few years ago. But I was having some trouble figuring out the schedule. I’ve been waiting for you,” He said, and the desperation was evident in his voice, swirling with relief, with joy, with adoration. His face was unfamiliar, his voice too, but looking at him felt more familiar than even my own soul settled inside of me did.

“You…” I started, my hand rising to cover my mouth. “You’re here. You’re…alive.”

He was young, in his early twenties maybe, and his hair was darker than it had been when I’d seen him last. His smile was different now, wider, and sweeter, and it showed off a row of braces that made your stomach flutter. His eyes were a different shade of brown now, but he was so clearly himself, so entirely and wholeheartedly the other half of your soul.

“I’m Seungmin. And you?” He asked. It was almost funny to be introducing myself to the person I’d been aching for over the past sixty-five years, but I didn’t mind the awkwardness, it was watered down by the awe. After all, our souls had been recycled, revived, and we were different now. We had different bodies, different stories, and different voices, but we were just as meant for one another as he had ever been.

“Y/N. I’m Y/N.”

And I stepped forward, reaching out tentatively to trace his face and reacquaint myself with him. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me tight to him. I couldn’t remember the last time that being held had felt so good. This was what my being, my soul, my entirety had been waiting for; To be reborn in his arms, to have my Sky, my Seungmin with me for just a little while longer. To find him in every life that I would live for the rest of my eternity