#lee!diego

[prodigalbadger]

Not Quite Immune

Published: 2024-09-16 to Chaotickles on AO3

Words: 1,385

The Umbrella Academy

Lee!Five

Ler!Diego

Ler!Luther

With a smidgen of Lee!Diego and Ler!Lila

◆◇◆◇◆

Summary:

Five should know better that his lack of powers would no doubt lead to mischief of epic proportions between his older (or younger?) siblings. He quickly discovers he isn't exactly immune to an older affliction, and his Luther and Diego have no qualms about ensuring he gets what is coming to him. Spending his youth avoiding tickle fights was bound to catch up with him, especially in a timeline where he can't just teleport away. Set in the end of Season 3, where the Hargreeves realize they are without powers and adjusting to relative normalcy.

◆◇◆◇◆

The Hargreeves siblings cleared time once a month for a dinner, just to catch up and appreciate the normalcy of it all in the new timeline. Appreciating their new found freedom and lack of responsibility to repair a broken timeline. The siblings would meet in a dive restaurant, still appreciating a quieter atmosphere, or would agree to meet at one of their houses for a homemade dinner.

This particular evening, dinner was hosted at Diego and Lila's home. Lila had already warned them that they would be ordering Pad Thai because she despised cooking.

All the siblings ate surrounded by the coffee table, laughed and joked with one another each claiming an area on the overstuffed furniture or floor. When it inevitably got to a break in the conversation where Luther, hesitant to have the evening end too soon, he would begin to reminisce about their past- the good memories.

"I'm just saying! Dad was pissed when he found out that Klaus had broken the ant farm and they all escaped," Luther chuckled.

"That's because they found their way into dad's candy stash!" Ben laughed. "Can you all believe the man had a sweet tooth?"

"Hey, the ant farm never would have fallen off the dresser if the prick wasn't so adamant about us running midnight drills!" Klaus argued, but he couldn't help but grin at his siblings.

The rest of them laughed fondly at the memory, despite Reginald banning the rest of them from keeping pets ever again after the great Ant Farm Escape of 1999.

"What about the time Diego and Luther got into a wrestling match and knocked over the bookshelf with dad's first editions?" Allison smiled at her brothers, grateful they no longer fought as much as they used to.

"I remember that distinctly! And it was not a wrestling match. I was cornered and chased! Diego was defensive immediately. "And Luther is a cheater!"

Luther laughed.

"I remember that too! And tickling is absolutely not cheating!"

Diego crossed his arms.

"Yeah, but you were definitely stronger than the rest of us thanks to your power. Your tickling was brutal!" Diego shuddered at the memory. Luther definitely cheated. At least in Diego's mind.

"You're ticklish, babe?" Lila grinned next to Diego and she noticed him tense and lock his arms to his sides as her hands darted to scrabble at his ribs and sides.

Diego barked out a short laugh quickly grabbing his girlfriend's evil hands.

"NohoHOhoHO LilahahaHA!" Diego giggled.

Luther looked smug.

"He's ridiculously ticklish! I'm surprised you didn't know!" Luther watched as Lila tried grabbing at Diego's hips but he narrowly escaped.

"Whatever! Cheater." Diego glowered at Luther. "And your power definitely used to offer an unfair advantage in tickle fights."

The rest of them spent time talking about how their powers had a sort of advantage in combat (tickle fights).

Luther was obviously the strongest and had more stamina to outlast the others in a tickle fight. Diego didn't have much of an advantage, but the threat of his knife throwing skills could quickly dissuade a tickle attack. Allison could rumor her siblings to turn on another victim or rumor someone to be more ticklish than they actually were. Klaus never really put up much of a fight against his siblings. He never minded being tickled to pieces. Five would blip to a safe part of the house to remain in hiding while his siblings would tickle each other half to death. Ben would occasionally use his tentacles to tickle his siblings. Viktor was generally excluded but had a few memories of being dragged into the fray.

They laughed and chattered at the memories of their tickle fights. All of them except... Five.

Five had grown... uncomfortable to say the least. Having usually vanished the moment dog piles typically turned into tickle brawls, he had almost no experience being the victim of tickle fights with his siblings.

And unfortunately, Diego and Luther noticed his uncomfortable demeanor.

Diego and Luther had returned to the original argument of using Luther's strength to cheat in a tickle fight.

"How is that worse than Five teleporting away to avoid ever getting tickled at all?" Luther argued chuckling and shooting a glance at Five.

Uh oh.

Five definitely didn't like where this was going.

"Well, nobody can cheat at tickle fights because none of us have powers anymore," Viktor tried to take the locked stares of Diego and Luther off an already uncomfortable Five.

But his observation didn't help Five's case.

"Riiiight," Diego smirked. "Because now Five can't just cheat and blip away from a tickle fight anymore."

All the siblings turned to look at Five who had jumped up from the recliner he had perched in.

"I assure you that this childish nonsense won't work on me, besides, I should get going." Five made a few paces toward the door but Luther and Diego stood in his way. Even without powers, the two were much bigger and stronger than Five. And Five quickly realized he wasn't getting out of this unscathed.

Even without powers, the threat of being overpowered by two "older brothers" intending to tickle the everloving snot out of you was a relatively terrifying ordeal.

Five tried to school his features as his brothers lunged for him but the lanky kid just wasn't as coordinated as he was when he could just vanish away from trouble. It was a moment like this where he wished they still had their powers. He soon found himself pinned, Luther, still all muscles, pinning his arms above his head and Diego positioning himself on Five's legs. Five started struggling.

"Guys, please. Don't." Five begged, something that felt like panic, but sillier, rising in his chest.

"This is only fair, Five. Think of all the fun you missed out on because you were too afraid of a little tickling." Diego teased.

"You're not quite immune to being ticklish, are you Five?" Luther smirked down at his squirming little brother who was actually much older than the rest of them. Five's mind may have aged but his body surely didn't. And his physiological reactions to being tickled never changed either.

Diego and Luther began exploring his various tickle spots and Five was trying not to die of embarrassment. It didn't help that Lila, Ben, Allison, Viktor and Klaus offered an unwelcome audience to this very one sided tickle massacre.

"Go for his knees!" Klaus crowed.

"FUhuHUck yohouhohoHoHO KLAUSAHAHAH!" Was all Five could say in response as Diego methodically began squeezing his much smaller brother's most ticklish spot.

Combined with Luther's incessant digging into his underarms, Five was in tickle hell.

So this is what it was like? This is why Five could distinctly remember his siblings being tickled to tears and hearing their loud booming laughter from across the mansion all those years ago? The hysterical begging and screaming of his siblings despite the laughter was remembered as a warning as Five hid to avoid the inevitable until Reginald had put a stop to their nonsense.

This is what he was missing out on?

Five felt like he was going crazy. The funny feeling of the tickling along with Luther and Diego laughing at his happy and snort filled laughter and his other siblings who watched him writhe around, amused at the sight brought forth feelings Five didn't realize he had up until this timeline.

Feelings that maybe, just maybe, Five could be vulnerable and have somewhat a normal existence with his adopted siblings. Despite feeling embarrassed by this whole ordeal, he actually no longer had a reason to believe that being tickled was as scary as it seemed. Because it was much, much worse.

Diego and Luther were a ruthless pair. Exploiting all Five's sweet spots until he was gasping and choking for air not unlike his siblings had done in past tickle fights.

Finally, when they stopped, Five had come to the realization he didn't quite hate being tickled although he would never admit that to his siblings or to anyone.

And his brothers seemed grateful for the opportunity to horse around with him even if it meant they nearly tortured him to death. Without his power, Five couldn't easily escape such situations, and maybe he was starting to realize he didn't want to.

[wannaeatramyeon]

DG x Reader: Bodyguard

G/N. Cracky. You, the bodyguard. DG, the 'helpless' idol. Masterlists

When the rest of DG's senior team insisted he get a bodyguard, he thought it was a joke.

What sort of idiot would attack James Lee.

Then he remembered he's not James Lee, at least not to the general public. He's Diego Kang, CEO of PTJ Entertainment, an idol with amazing moves and an ass that won't quit but no fighting experience.

Right. Right. 

He supposes that makes sense. It would've been suspicious to say no, especially with his legions of stans and stalker, and his prior history.

.

.

You're not exactly who he would have picked.

Bodyguards are usually monstrous, huge, intimidating men. You're not really any of the above.

In fact, you're kinda cute. And apparently your resume is also impressive enough too.

"Perfect candidate." 

"Extensive training." 

"Unmatched awareness." 

-were chirped into his ear before he gave you his nod of approval.

Besides, DG thinks it might work to his advantage to employ someone so unassuming.

.

.

"No upskirt pictures!" You yell at the paparazzi, parting them to make way for the pink-haired idol, and pointing accusingly.

DG, in a moment of complete confusion, peers down to his own legs in case he really did wear a skirt.

No. He's in his pants, of course he is. His clothing is supplied as part of his sponsorship deal. Why would he be wearing a skirt?

"What was that?" He asks, when you're piled into his minivan. Brows knitted together instead of his usual cold, impassive expression.

You give him a shrug, "Just in case."

"In case of?"

"Just in case," you repeat, tapping your nose and nodding knowingly at him.

.

.

Now, he remembers.

During one of his many many boring meetings, when you were officially under his employment and before you started, he had been warned you might be like this.

.

.

“No pictures today!” you holler and the paparazzi groan.

Someone brave enough shouts back why.

“DG lost all five MAMA noms and he’s in a terrible mood. He might ask me to kill you if you take any pictures,” you say back solemnly and without humour.

DG feels bitter but not that bitter. Upon hearing your words, he stifles a laugh into his sleeve and disguises it as a cough.

.

. 

To sum it up, you're an oddball. 

Still, DG tolerates you because of your flashes of brilliance and your brutal honesty.

"Here, sir." You offer up a steaming hot drink and DG raises an eyebrow. "Honey and lemon. For your throat."

When DG doesn't take it, you finally explain. "Your singing sounded awful, sir. Thought you might need it."

Ah.

He did think he sounded off but the yes-men at the studio told him otherwise. He should have trusted his own instincts and makes a mental note to replace them.

DG chuckles to himself before taking the first sip.

.

.

"No touching please," you jump in just as a fan is starting to get handsy.

"Excuse me?!"

You turn away from them, letting their indignant outrage slide off you and usher DG on to the next group to interact with.

DG gives you a nod of thanks and you give him a subtle wink back.

.

.

"You best not be zooming in on his tits," you snarl at another paparazzi. "No under boob, side boobs, any boobs!"

DG glances down at his chest. Fully concealed in a mock neck jumper. There's no bare skin on show at all.

"Can you explain?" He asks, once you climb in the minivan after him and slide the door close.

"You know." You say, handing over another honey and lemon drink.

"I don't, actually."

"You know," you repeat, eyes signalling towards his chest area and hand gesticulating at your own. "And, y'know." 

You nod at his hot drink and pull a face, indicating that he was pitchy as hell in the last rehearsal.

DG shakes his head at your antics but takes a sip regardless.

.

.

"For you, sir." You hold out a brand new baseball cap with both hands and head bowed respectfully.

"I don't want this."

"Yes but you need it."

"..."

"For your bad hair day."

"What?"

"Trust me, sir."

DG narrows his eyes at you. You're rude as hell, no tact at all. He’s not sure if you even have a filter, or you just say whatever thought pops into your mind. 

However.

Somewhere along the way, he finds that you're the only person that tells him the truth.

He takes the cap and thrusts it on his head.

"Much better!" You pipe up with an oblivious grin, adding insult to injury.

.

.

"What are you doing?" DG pulls a face as you wrap your arm around his waist and hurry him on.

"There's someone tailing you," you murmur, "I've been watching them for the last five minutes."

There is? How on earth did this person get past his radar?

As if answering his thoughts, you tell him, "They look like a normal ajumma. No-one would have suspected her if I wasn't watching."

You pick up the pace and DG matches you stride for stride.

"Your manager is waiting just up ahead with the car. I'll take care of them." You give DG a salute and a toothy smile as he looks at you in alarm.

In all honesty, you look a bit helpless. Yes, your resume looks great and yes, your recommendations are glowing but DG hasn't actually seen you in action yet. He can't help the way his stomach lurches thinking about you in danger.

And what if this isn’t an untrained, rabid stan, but someone who knows about his other life and is after James Lee?

"I'll be fine, sir!" You turn quickly and sprint off in the opposite direction at breakneck speed.

.

.

A couple hours later, after DG has paced endlessly back and forth, you show up at his office.

Your hair is a little out of place, and your regulation suit is a little dusty but you're otherwise untouched.

"Are you ok?" his eyes snap to yours.

"Of course, sir!" Your beam is as bright as ever.

DG exhales deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose, relief overwhelming him and he desperately wills his pulse to return to normal.

"Call me James," he sighs when he realises it's not working and his heart seems to beat quicker and louder now you're in sight.

You don't ask any questions like why James, why not Diego. You accept it at face value, no doubt having some secrets of your own.

Your smile is unfaltering as you respond, "Sure thing, James, sir!"

[ddesole]

ANDOR 2.05 "I Have Friends Everywhere"

[koiiiji]

lookism boys+their texts pt.2

[kumasakka]

Hiii! Can you do how lookism men reaction will be about reader asking them “what if I disappear one day?” or “what if I disappeared one day, what you will do?”

Like hudson, gun, goo, eli jang, taeso ma, James lee and other characters.

Sorry if there was any mistakes, my english is not good. 😅

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ❝ 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐈 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐘 ? ❞

little headcanon — how will the lookism cast answer or react to that question?

“Find you. But it's not like I'd let you leave my sight.”

JAMES LEE.  JAKE KIM. JICHANG KWAK. Daniel Park. Hudson Ahn.

“...I'm not letting you go anymore.”

JOHAN SEONG.  SEONGJI YUK.  Daniel Park.  euntae lee (vasco).  jerry kwon.

“Is this your way of breaking up?”

ELI JANG.  SEONGJI YUK.  Jake Kim.  Warren Chae. Jaegyeon Na.   jace park. ryuhei kuroda.  eugene.

Panicks, thinking you would leave soon.

JAY HONG. DANIEL PARK.

Blinks several times before returning back to his work. He will not answer such stupid question.

GUN PARK. SAMUEL SEO. Gitae Kim. eugene. diego kang.

“Search across the whole world, hang up missing posters, incite world chaos.”

GOO KIM.  SINU HAN.  ZACK LEE.  Ryuhei Kuroda. eugene. taesoo ma.

© 2024 kumasakka — do not plagiarize , copy , modify , translate our work !

a/n's note — never ever let me rank again. bY THE WAY I'M SO SO SO SO SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE.

[locomoqo]

james lee x manager reader? pretty, hyper efficient manager who doesn’t bat an eye at him, who’s so good at her job and doesn’t pine over him like the others do, who simply won’t pay attention to him and it frustrates him because he’s had the hots for her for years. yeah. one of my fav scenarios, i think abt it alot

lovefool

— diego kang/james lee x reader

details: fluff, manager!reader

A/N: hope i did this req justice huhu

James watches as you chat on the phone, voice calm and efficient as always. Business talk, again. It’s all you ever do—he can’t fault you for it; after all, it’s your job. But, damn, you take it seriously.

He’s used to people fawning over him, tripping over themselves just to get a fraction of his attention. But you? You’re different. Unbothered. Untouchable. And it drives him insane.

“Alright, the next photoshoot is moved to…” You check your watch as you approach, tone crisp and professional. “2 in the afternoon.”

You offer him a polite smile—nothing more, nothing less. The same smile you give the stylists, the photographers, the assistants. The same one you’ve given him since the day you started managing him.

James nods, forcing himself to appear unfazed. “Great. Well, I’ll be outside if you need me.”

He waits. For a pause. A glance. Anything.

But you’re already turning away.

Gone.

His shoulders drop as he exhales a dramatic sigh, staring at the empty space where you stood just seconds ago.

“Didn’t even get a damn word in…” he mutters, running a hand through his hair.

You were going to be the death of him.

And he can’t just let this go on.

This was supposed to be easy. A look, a compliment, a little charm—yet nothing seemed to faze you. And the worst part? It only makes him want your attention more.

Maybe he’s been going about this the wrong way. Maybe it’s not about making you swoon. Maybe it’s about making you look at him.

Really look at him.

And he isn’t above playing dirty to make that happen.

James starts small.

First, it’s the little things. Making sure he’s always in your peripheral vision, conveniently stationed wherever you happen to be. Leaning a little too close when you’re discussing schedules, letting his fingers brush yours when he hands you something.

Then he escalates.

He starts dressing sharper—switching to fitted shirts that highlight his build, rolling up his sleeves just enough to showcase his forearms. He purposefully runs a hand through his hair when he knows you’re looking.

Nothing.

No reaction.

You remain unfazed, completely immersed in work.

So, James changes tactics.

If looking good won’t work, he’ll try something else. One that's way off his base, being completely honest about his feelings.

It happens late one evening. You’re at your desk, finalizing tomorrow’s schedule, when James steps in.

“Alright, I give up,” he announces, hands on his hips.

You barely glance at him. “Good to know.”

“No, I mean it.” He strides closer, stopping just in front of your desk. “I’ve tried everything, and you’re still treating me like I’m just another name on your damn clipboard.”

You sigh, rubbing your temples. “DG—”

“Let me take you out.”

That finally makes you pause. You look up, eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?”

“A date,” he clarifies, leaning down, palms pressed against your desk. “One date. No business talk. No work. Just you and me.”

You let out a short laugh. “DG, you’re only interested because I don’t throw myself at you like everyone else.”

He doesn’t even deny it. “And? Is it working?”

You shake your head, amused. “You’re impossible.”

James smirks, sensing a crack in your armor. “Come on, just one date. If you hate it, I’ll back off.”

You stare at him for a moment, considering. He looks so damn smug, like he’s already won—but beneath that, there’s something almost… hopeful in the way he watches you.

With a sigh, you finally say, “Fine. One date.”

James straightens instantly, a small victorious smirk spreading across his face. “You won’t regret it.”

You roll your eyes, already regretting it a little. “We’ll see.”

And for the first time since you met him, you find yourself actually looking forward to whatever he has planned.

[okaysonny]

Pls can you write James Lee dating headcanons and Diego Kanga dating headcanons. Like they are same person but their personality and mannerism are completely different.

Also your write is very good it sticks to character perfectly and feels great to see a fellow Indian❤️

dating headcanons ╏ james lee + diego kang

a/n: yasss india mentioned 🇮🇳 james/dg...very difficult to grasp...he is kind of annoying ❤️ so these are very much HEADcanons. enjoy!

JAMES LEE

✦ highschool romance troupe obviouslyyy

✦ imagine this scenario: james always sees you studying in school...when everyone has left already. at first he doesn't care, but you're just always in there and he eventually asks what you're doing.

✦ as if you'd admit to james lee the prodigy that you're struggling with school 🤣 you have one sided beef with this man.

✦ surprise, surprise...you end up talking and an acquaintanceship forms.

✦ your relationship with james...it's not really a relationship. more of a situationship, tbh. just an unspoken pining that eventually develops.

✦ james is really angsty in terms of romance, imo. the only time you see each other is when you're there after school and he's come back from another rampage.

✦ i think he'd eventually tutor you, much to your annoyance. but the next day, you show james that you did well on the exam!! he'd play the nonchalant gimmick, but there's something warm settling in his chest.

✦ drops lollipops in your bag when you're not looking 😆 awww

✦ like i said...he's angsty as hell. imagine asking james what he wants to do after school, and he has an ANGSTY look because he'll be committing WAR CRIMES

✦ you bring up boring office jobs, but you figure james lee the prodigy would have a more exciting career anyways. but...he finds himself imagining a normal life, having a boring office job...maybe with you.

✦ for obvious reasons, he can't. james doesn't even entertain the thought.

✦ corny "he only feels this way around you" troupe 🤣😭 one day you decide to ruffle his hair and james suddenly feels like a normal high school kid.

✦ ANGSTY RELATIONSHIP -> ANGSTY ENDING. weather it be you not showing up anymore (after finding out he mutilates people!!) , orrr him not showing up, because he has a path laid out for him.

✦ it's tragic, because there was no intimacy at all!! no hand holding, no kissing, nothing! yet the late hours in the classroom all built up to something. for all his perfection, i'm not sure if james would realise what he's feeling.

✦ when he sees corporate employees laughing together after becoming diego kang, he still wonders what a boring office job would be like. with you.

DIEGO KANG

way more fun and light hearted, i promise!

✦ dg would absolutely nottt date a fan. if you know him, but don't really care about him, he'll be a bit more open to the idea. buttt, i think you'd have to somehow not know who he is to really pique dg's interest.

✦ don't get me wrong, it's not a "...i've never met someone who doesn't know diego kang 😳" type of thinking. he just doesn't want power imbalances in a relationship.

✦ with dg, very much opposites attract. i think he's drawn to bubbly and funny people.

✦ two words: 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏 🫦

✦ makes you aware the relationship has to be secret and all that shebang.

✦ i feel like dg's music only appeals to a...certain demographic (teenage girls) and he KNOWS that too. so if you give his tunes a listen and tell him: wow...this is shit, he'll find it oddly endearing. dg is surrounded by yes men, so he likes the honesty that his shitty songs are shitty.

✦ you already know the gifts + pampering would be out of this world 😮‍💨 it would be rude to not spoil you, considering the secrecy of your relationship + his constant absence.

✦ like i said before, for all his perfection, he doesn't really understand that sometimes you don't need an apology necklace for dg being away, you're just happy to see him again.

✦ late night motorcycle rides when he's feeling a little 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔. alexa, play cool for the summer

✦ you make fun of him when he does cringe things for the fans lmfao...that was the first time diego kang felt humiliated.

✦ another CRACK in his perfect persona: i think dg can't make funny jokes. even when he was james lee he couldn't, but the cocky persona masked it. now that he's more calm + stoic, it's very apparent.

remember when dg acted like he was gonna use the USB as a bargaining chip against eugene, but then said: "i'm kidding 😜"

🤣😭 THIS WEIRDO! idk if it was a silent warning, but it's my headcanon that it wasn't - he just genuinely thought it was funny.

✦ imagine that troupe of you know...it wouldn't kill you to crack a joke every once in a while. and dg is surprised because he thinks he's a hoot. so he says a shit joke and you actually laugh because of how bad it is. but...dg thinks you're laughing because it was funny, and feels a sense of pride.

✦ he's defo the type to laugh at a crude comment from you and then quickly cough to act like it wasn't HILARIOUS.

✦ now that he's retired, i think dg would go public with your relationship. he's trying to break out of that kpop idol image + show that he's serious about you.

✦ anddd i think he'd tell you about james lee and gapryong once he's absolutely sure you won't leave him. (i don't mean that in a creepy way lmao)

✦ despite my disdain for this FREAK i'd feel very safe with him as my bf ☺️ always arranges a body guard to accompany you if he's not there. but the most comforting thing is his hugs. i think dg gives the best hugs...and he doesn't even realise :')

✦ with you, diego feels free, yet bound in the best way possible.

divider: @thecutestgrotto

[chosaraki]

April 1st.

——————————🫥—————————————

Sang Baek 🦈

Jinrang 🐺

Gun Park 🕶️

James Lee 🍭

—————————————————————————

Four hot men x R.femele. —————————————————————————

Theme: fake murder.

—————————————————————————

Sang Baek:

It was April 1st, April Fool's Day, and Sang Baek was in the office, doing what he did best: monitoring gang operations and keeping everything under control. However, his wife, with her mischievous manner and full of energy, was determined to play with him, as usual, on that day.

She was silent, sneaking around the house and planning her "trap". Sang Baek was so absorbed in her work that she didn't realize that she was already setting up the scene for her game. She took an old shirt of his, lay down dramatically on the floor, with glazed eyes and an expression of pain, as if she had been the victim of a brutal attack.

Soon, Sang Baek left the room, going to the hallway, and suddenly stopped when she saw the scene she had prepared. She was lying down, motionless, with a thread of fake "blood" running from the corner of her mouth, and a face of someone who was really hurt, maybe even dead. The scene was so well done that he was shocked for a moment, with his analytical gaze trying to understand the situation.

- What happened?! - He asked, his voice controlled, but with a slight tone of urgency. He approached, crouching next to her, touching her neck to check her pulse.

When he realized that she was not moving, his gaze hardened, and he prepared to take a serious attitude, until he heard her muffled laughter coming from below. She couldn't contain herself.

- What... are you laughing? - Sang Baek asked, with his eyebrow raised, clearly confused.

She looked at him, smiling mischievously, and then revealed the truth.

- Oh, you believed it! I was just joking, April 1st! I didn't die, relax! - She laughed, slowly getting up from the floor and taking the fake blood out of her mouth.

Sang Baek looked at her, a slight smile appearing on her lips, but it was not a smile of fun, more an expression of slight exasperation.

- You're impossible. - He said with a deep voice, but without hiding a fun tone. - Don't think I'll fall into your traps so easily next time.

She, still laughing, approached him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

- I just wanted to see your reaction! - She joked, her vibrant energy contrasting with his usual calm.

Sang Baek looked at her with a look that mixed fun and distrust, but his undisturbed attitude soon returned, as if he was aware that his wife would always do this kind of thing on April 1st.

- I'll get you back one day. - He said with a soft smile, while returning to his routine, already used to her mischief.

She just laughed, knowing that no matter how much she tried to deceive him, in the end she would always have the last laugh.

🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥

Jinrang:

It was April 1st, the famous April Fool's Day, and Jinrang was at home, enjoying a quiet day after a long week of commitments. He was sitting on the couch, reading some papers, when he heard a noise coming from upstairs. He didn't give much importance, until the door opened and his wife appeared, with a mischievous smile on her face.

She was lying on the floor, her arms stretched out, her mouth open as if she were in a murder scene, and next to her was a plastic knife - clearly part of her staging. His clothes were messy, and his hair looked messy. She looked at him with wide eyes and a disguised smile.

- Jinrang! - She screamed dramatically. - I was murdered!

Jinrang looked at her, initially without understanding, before realizing it was a joke. He raised an eyebrow, but kept his serious expression, as if he were looking for more clues.

- Hm... it looks like someone came in here and killed you. - He said in a deep voice, his impassive posture. - I'll need to investigate this.

His wife, holding her laughter, made a face of pain, making another effort to maintain the farce.

- The murderer... he was... tall and had a cold look! - She tried to stay serious, but the laughter was about to escape.

Jinrang approached her slowly, as if he was really investigating the scene. He looked around, examining every detail carefully. The tension in the air was palpable, and his wife could barely maintain the dramatic expression, her mouth trembling from trying so much to hold on.

Finally, he knelt next to her and, with a very discreet smile, took the plastic knife. He lifted her up to examine her, but in a quick movement, he used her to give her a little slap on the ass.

- Do you think I'm going to fall for this trick? - He said, finally breaking the serious expression and smiling lightly. - April Fool's Day, isn't it?

She laughed, sitting down quickly and pulling him for a quick kiss, her joke finally revealed. Jinrang, despite his hard and ruthless nature, had fun with these little jokes that his wife liked to preach to him.

- I knew you would notice before I could continue the farce, but... you never know. - She said, still laughing.

Jinrang looked at her with his serious eyes, but with a touch of affection.

- I'll catch you next year. - He said, getting up to leave, but not without first giving him a complicit look. - And I hope the murderer left something good for dinner, since you seem to be playing at being a victim for today.

She smiled, shaking her head, and as he left the room, she knew that Jinrang, despite everything, also knew how to enjoy a moment of fun.

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Gun Park:

It was April 1st, and the house was quiet, with the soft morning light coming in through the window. Gun Park was at home, enjoying a quieter day, without the usual tensions of daily conflicts. His wife, always excited and full of energy, was planning a surprise for him. As was tradition on April Fool's Day, she wanted to play a trick on Gun - but she knew it would have to be something really convincing.

She prepared herself carefully. She put on a light makeup to look a little paler, wore a torn nightgown, and then lay down on the living room floor, with his eyes closed and an expression of pain printed on his face. She left a fake note near her hand: "Sorry, I couldn't fight anymore."

When Gun entered the room, he found her there, apparently inert, with her hand outstretched, as if she were dead. He stopped immediately when he saw the scene, the expression on his face changing from relaxed to tense. His eyes quickly scanned the room, and then focused on it. He ran to her, his hand already preparing to check her pulse.

- What happened?! - His voice came out hoarse and full of concern, something out of the ordinary for the confidence he always displayed. He shook her gently. - Hey, wake up!

She didn't moss. His heart beat faster, and the tension in the air grew.

But that's when she couldn't hold it anymore and let out a muffled giggle. He opened his eyes and saw the expression of pure concern on his face, and that made the joke worth it.

- Oh, did you think I was dead? - She asked, trying to hide her laughter.

Gun froze for a moment, his eyes widening. For a second, he could almost see his whole life passing before his eyes, his hands starting to tremble with so much anger and relief at the same time.

- You... - He looked at her with a mixture of confusion and irritation, his voice trembling slightly. - I swear, you'll pay me for it.

She tried to get up, but he quickly pulled her back to the ground with a fiery look in her eyes.

- This is not a joke, [Name]. - His voice was now low and controlled, but it didn't hide the growing fury. - Don't do that to me again.

She was still laughing, but soon realized that he wasn't joking. Gun's serious look made her laughter diminish, and she sat down, feeling the tension in the air.

- Sorry, love... I just wanted to scare you a little. - She said, trying to apologize, but she knew she had gone too far.

Gun looked at her, taking a deep breath, before finally looking away and sighing. He got up and went to the kitchen, but not without first taking one last look at it.

- You're lucky to be you. - He murmured, before leaving, leaving her with a mixed feeling of guilt and fun.

She knew he would be upset for a while, but she also knew that, deep down, he would end up giving in. After all, the tension in their relationship, no matter how intense it was, never lasted long.

While Gun was in the kitchen, she stood there, waiting for him to come back, sure that he would never fall for a joke like that again - but, at the same time, already preparing for his next big joke.

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James Lee:

It was the first of April, and you knew that, with James, the game of pranks would be intense. You were determined to surprise him, with a bold joke, thinking about how fun it would be to see him enter your "prank". The idea seemed brilliant - to make him believe that something terrible happened, that you were... dead.

You prepared the scene carefully: a stain of red paint on the floor, a note carefully left on the table, and a text message sent from an anonymous account saying you were in danger. The house was silent when he arrived, and you expected him to go directly to the "scenario".

James entered, the door closing gently behind him. He took off his coat and looked around, without immediately noticing the scenario. You hid in a corner, watching him with a mischievous smile, waiting for the reaction.

Suddenly, he looked at the note on the table and, with an expression that quickly turned from curiosity to concern, approached. His eyes ran through the piece of paper and the stain on the floor, while his heart accelerated.

- What... - he murmured, but before he could finish, the sound of his breathing became heavier, his jaw tense.

He then walked faster to the spot of the stain, and you could see the panic starting to take over him. His gaze scanned the house, looking for any sign that something was wrong. His cell phone vibrated, and he looked at the screen. The message was there: "She won't get out of this."

The feeling of tension in the air was palpable. James, now visibly nervous, was about to call the police when you revealed yourself from behind the door, with a cute and innocent expression.

- Good morning, love! - you said, with a smile of pure fun. - Happy April Fool's Day!

James stopped, frozen in place. For a moment, you thought he could just explode with anger. He stared at you with wide eyes, and then, slowly, his shoulders relaxed. However, his expression was not of relief, but of pure coldness.

- Do you think this is funny? - His voice was calm, but the intensity in his eyes said the opposite.

You started laughing, completely excited about the success of the joke, but soon felt a chill down your spine when you saw James' expression. He approached with a firm and ruthless step.

- Never do that again. - Your voice was low, but full of a deep warning, and you realized the danger in those words.

You, a little nervous about his reaction, took a step back, trying to soften the mood.

- I was just joking! It wasn't serious, James, it was just an April 1st prank!

He stared at her with a penetrating look, his body approaching you in a dominating way.

- No. That wasn't a joke. - He spoke calmly, but with a veiled threat. He pulled you close, his eyes fixed on yours. - You'll pay for it. Not for scaring me, but for thinking he could deceive me like that.

The tension between the two intensified in an unexpected way, and you knew that the game was no longer in your control. What seemed like a simple joke had now given way to something much more serious, and James was clearly in control.

🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥

Sorry if you think the joke is too dark...

My mood may be a little black....

🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥🫥

[adam-scott]

surefineokay: episode 7 BTS, feat. our incredible HMU team, Adam trying in vain to beat me at NyTimes Connections, good light, Ben on a break watching the Knicks, a stunning impersonation of a fire hydrant. Not pictured: the brilliant Jessica Lee Gagné, who directed this episode ❤️ #severance

[kayleeeknee]

Hello sweetheart 💕 loved your James fic 😍 if since you mentioned in the story that the child looks like James could you pls write like a prequel based on the meme 9 months in my womb but you still look like your stupid father. Hope you don't mind 🌸

All that hard work..for this!?

A/N: uhh I did allot of side quests 🥀💔 I'm back (I'm so sorry for that long delay)💓

A/N: fluff, established relationship, children

James Lee (DG) x F reader

You're alive no wait you're awake....

After being in labour for almost a day you're done and just slept through after. You're very tired right now but one look at the sleeping baby on your husband's chest was worth it. James sees that you already woken up from your sleep and you were staring at him teary eyed.

"James..."

"Yes? are you ok?...."

"I'm alright is my baby ok?...."

"Yeah..."

"Can I see her....?"

He nods and carefully gives the baby to you, then something caught your attention your baby already has hair though short. Yes it's normal but rare, then you get nastolgic at the red color of her hair.

As you further look at her features you find that your genes did not fight at all. It was like someone just copy and pasted the two. Your not that mad but the fact that you have to push this baby out of you was fueling a bit of anger.

And you know James is a big man he's tall so all that genes in your baby that was inside your much smaller body made you struggle a lot. After sighing in defeat you look at the two back and forth.

"(Your name) What are you doing?..."

"9 months in my womb making me suffer and you look like your stupid father..."

James just laughed and patted your head

"It's not funny stop laughing, My effort is gone"

"Don't cry now at least she's healthy, she might get your bratty attitude anyway"

"Bratty?...I am not"

"Say that all you want"

Before you could throw insults he pecked your forehead a rare gesture you get. Your left speechless not until he speaks again.

"Finally calmed down?.."

"Yeah I guess so..."

He stares at you for a moment and you see his eyes softened a bit. (A little hc he was the one who named the baby)

It's short ik so I js drew 2 fluffs here let me feed y'all and to the person who requested this I LOVE YOUR FICS 🗣️🚬🚬🔥🔥: (look at the last drawing I'm so proud of it lmao)

I'm bad at drawing (thank you to that one jichang fic for inspo btw)

[sasucaty]

"I alone am the honoured one" aah mfs

[amphitriteswife]

୨♡୧.valentines day.୨♡୧

‘Is this what you’re giving me?’ DG raised an eyebrow, he was sitting on one of the sofa’s at the pool, drinking a cocktail that was in his hand. It wasn’t often that the pink haired k-pop idol had a moment to actually relax. Not even today, he had a fan sign today but luckily it finished early. ‘You don’t like it?’ DG chuckled at you, his hand stirring the cocktail in his hand, his eyes looking at your back. He could see the lid of the box besides you, a nice pink bow and his signature on the silky fabric that was wrapped around it. ‘They’re limited edition.’ His lips wrapped around the brim of the glass, his eyes still looking at you sitting by the pool, staring down at the box. The fresh yet sweet taste of the cocktail swirled in his mouth. ‘This is….nice…’ DG snickered at your reaction, getting up to his feet and sitting besides you at the pool. His eyes drifted to the box. They were cards. Kpop cards. Of DG. All signed by him with his signature. He looked like a whole other person, your usual stoic boyfriend now doing an aegyo as well as intimate poses…like twerking…they were…interesting…to say the least….’you told me you wanted me for valentines day remember?’ The soft sound of you saying ‘ew’ as a reflex made DG glare at you with a deadly face.

‘Miss…there’s someone outside for you…should i call the police?’ Your eyes followed the finger of your co-worker…until you saw gun standing besides his car, a bouquet of red roses in his hand. He looked rather fancy…if that wasn’t already his normal outfit. It was…surprising…to say the least. Jonggun isn’t romantic at all, and you never took him for someone who would be into Valentines day. But here he is with roses in his hand. You thanked your coworker and went outside to him, taking the bouquet out his hands and placing a kiss on his cheek. Gun didn’t react much to your kiss and just placed his hands on your hips. ‘Thank you.’ You told him, looking at the red roses. They seemed very fresh, kept together with a white lint. Jonggun also gave you another box. This one seemed more like a bakkery product rather than something else. Opening the box you saw a cake made in the shape of a heart. The buttercream was sloppy and the sprinkles were sliding off…it clearly hadn’t been cooled down and the letters looked very wonky. ‘You made this?’ Jonggun let out a hum. You still couldn’t see his eyes because of the glasses. But his hum gave away that he was indeed the one who made the sloppy cake. It’s not the best but it’s the thought that counts! Besides…maybe you can trick him into baking more. Who knew that a man as terrifying as gun would like to bake? ‘Eat it.’

‘Samuel?’ The call of his name still hadn’t made Samuel raise his eyes at you, only a rather annoyed hum escaped his lips. His pen scribbling on some documents he was signing. ‘Did you sent me this?’ You asked him holding up a rather cute teddy hear from a specific brand you collected plushies from. Samuel glances at you briefly before turning to his documents again. ‘Yes.’ ‘Why didn’t you give it to me directly…you would’ve seen me anyway today.’ Samuel put down his pen. His eyes now focused on you. A tired sigh escaped his lips. ‘I couldn’t be bothered.’ ‘Wow.’ Samuel looked at you with narrowed eyes. Is this a sign of disrespect? Hmph. He does his best you know? He tries. Even if he’s busy because of all this paperwork and because everyone takes a day off on valentines day. Noticing his rather moody face you replied flatly. ‘I was being sarcastic’ Samuel didn’t buy your words but didn’t question it either. Just sitting in his chair with his arms crossed around his chest. His head leaning against the headrest of the chair. A very light weight being thrown at his chest made him grunt in surprise. His eyes fell to his lap where a mini cat like plush was holding a heart with the world ‘i love you’ on it. Samuel kept a straight face. ‘This is ugly’

‘Happy valentines day babe.’ You stopped in your tracks to your bedroom. You just came home from work and hadn’t seen Goo all day, at least you expected him to be either with Jonggun or just doing his own job…not here…like this. Goo looked at you with a rather smug grin and wiggled his eyebrows at you. ‘Not even getting one back? Did i stun you too much?’ Goo leaned back, letting you take a look at his almost naked body that was only covered with a single red lint. A bow hanging right around his grional area. Goo took a notice of you staring at him and chuckled at you. A teasing smirk on his lips ‘you’re staring. You pervert.’ ‘I’m not a pervert.’ You told him defensively. He’s the one being naked! Not you! ‘But you’re still staring though?’ Goo replied rather cluelessly. His hands grabbing you by your shirt. He smelled rather different today. A perfume you usually smelled on Jonggun. Did Goo steal his perfume? It was a strong yet lighter scent than most of Jonggun’s perfume. Why did Goo have it on? ‘You like it? Don’t tell him, he wouldn’t want me touching his stuff’ ‘yeah…it smells great’ Goo smirked at your response and took off his glasses, his hands now moving to your hips and throwing you onto the bed. His form towering over you, who was looking up at him from the bed. Goo glanced down at the bow and then at you. ‘Won’t you open your present?’

[wannaeatramyeon]

DG x Reader: Manager and their Idol

8.5k. G/N. Soft, colleagues to lover (guess I love this trope). Masterlists

You had imagined life as a K-Pop idol manager to be much more glamorous.

You pity your young naive self. The one that envisaged schmoozing with stars and rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers, and instead set you on this horrid, lacklustre path.

What you didn't expect was the amount of time playing driver. Carting that stupid pink haired brat around. Waiting on him hand and foot during shoots and interviews, and being at his beck and call.

You have saved his ass more times than you can recall, ran through scripts with him, practised his stupid dances and moves alongside, protected him from unhinged fans and reporters and scavengers.

And yet you can count on one hand the amount of times he has thanked you.

Actually no, it didn't require any hands because he has thanked you exactly zero times for all your early mornings and late nights and for going above and beyond your duty.

Out of desperation, you had asked your boss if you could manage someone else and the request was declined.

"DG has taken a liking to you," she said, tone impressed as if that was something you should be proud of.

"Great," your smile comes out as more of a grimace.

And goddamn, this agency was so stupidly prestigious and the benefits and perks here really are second to none. Just why did Diego fucking Kang have to be their top idol.

.

.

The first time you crossed the threshold into his building, greeting the reception security guard and entering his penthouse keycode like you had been let in on the world's greatest secret, you had tiptoed around like a child in a museum. After all, this was DG's residence. The DG!

You had ooh-ed and aah-ed at every little thing. 

Taking delight in seeing his interior design of choice, the type of candy that he snacks on, the shampoo and conditioner he uses, the way he organises his desk. This is the chair DG sits on to eat. This is the sofa DG lounges on to watch TV. This is the bed he sleeps in, the bath he uses, the toilet he-

Any wide eyed innocence and awe evaporated after your first week working together.

Today, you stab in the entry code and let the door shut with a bang. 

You set his now cold coffee order on the kitchen counter and rifle with practised fingers through his unopened mail to see if there is anything you should draw his immediate attention to. You pick up his discarded clothes from the floor (and for fuck's sake, this suit jacket was on loan) and make your way to his bedroom where tufts of pink hair peeks out from under the cover.

"Good morning," you announce, locating the remote to open the blinds and letting in some sunlight.

Bedsheets rustle behind you.

"Good morning Diego," you repeat and give one warning, "I hope you're decent." With that, you throw the covers back to find the scantily dressed idol glaring up at you.

You remember the days when this sight would have made you weak at the knees. Seeing him half naked, in the flesh, freshly woken up with bedhead and half lidded eyes. It's what most of Korea dreams of, including yourself once upon a time.

Now all you feel is extreme irritation.

"Good morning," you say for the third time, plastering on a saccharine smile that you know DG sees clearly through because it is insincere as hell to anyone with half a brain cell. You let the fakeness shine through anyway.

For a split second, DG frowns as his eyes drop to your lips and then he pretends everything is good. Smiling back prettily, sharp canines on show and stretching. Lifting his arms overhead, showing a good stretch of pecs and abs and the line of muscle in a V pointing like an arrow straight down to his-

You roll your eyes.

"You're late." You throw the covers back over him and stride back towards the door. "We should have left half an hour ago." You leave out the part where you had been waiting downstairs in the car and after an hour of no show and no anything, you stomped your way up to his home.

DG, sensing your mood, adds oil to the fire with a smirk, "Why didn't you wake me then?"

If that idiot bothered to look at his phone, he would see a number of missed calls and unread messages from you.

Whatever.

"Hurry up."

.

.

DG has come across many people like yourself over the years. All cute and bright eyed, way too soft.

He never gave you any special treatment, for better or worse, and assumed that you would eventually burn out or give up and move on to something more worthwhile.

Unfortunately, in a rare turn of events, he had miscalculated.

Of course most people would be starstruck, it's only natural. But he mistook your sincerity and kind smile for ignorance and missed your sharp, observing gaze, and astute mind.

He's impressed, and he really can't remember the last time he was impressed.

In a matter of days of working together, you had managed to cut through the bullshit and within the month got him more compliant and docile than anyone else ever has.

Which should be a huge fucking problem, and raising red flags all over DG's mind.

...Except-

What's really troubling him right now, as he sulks in the passenger seat and you in the driver's, is that you have developed some sort of resistance to his charms.

Maybe a part of him does actually miss the you who he formed the first impression of. Who looked at him in wonder, with the same admiration that everyone else did.

Now that he knows you, he hates that he had thought that initial admiration was insignificant and worthless.

.

.

DG has a stash of candy in the car.

Or more accurately, you keep a stash of candy next to him to a) Shut him up and b) Keep him tolerable.

If DG wasn't so aloof, the fact that he has an incurable sweet tooth (and probably cavities to prove it) would have made headlines as a cute K-Pop fact and likely garnered sponsorship and advertising deals with all sorts of confectionary brands.

You had only found out during your adventures as his manager, rifling through his kitchen drawers trying to find his goddamn phone that he misplaced and you stumbled upon his stash of candy.

It really was a disgusting amount, something you'd expect a gaggle of grade schoolers at Halloween to hoard, not Diego goddamn Kang.

And then you also found out if he's not quiet and haughty in the car, making the atmosphere awkward, he likes to comment on your driving.

Who even sits in the passenger seat next to their 'chauffeur' anyway? He complains about you braking too suddenly and not accelerating fast enough. How you drive like an 80 year old with cataracts, and you're too slow when the light changes to green.

The turn in your relationship happened when you snapped at him to shut the fuck up after losing the final shred of your sanity on a three hour drive.

DG, to your dismay, didn’t miraculously lose his hearing and turns to you as you silently berate yourself for voicing the quiet thoughts out loud.

Although, you're in the deep end now. You're gonna get fired anyway, so if he says anything else you might as well give him a flick on the forehead or a pinch or maybe a punch to the face-

Instead, he laughs.

It's nothing like the laugh you have heard on TV and in interviews. The rehearsed and manicured 'haha' or cool chuckle that suits his shiny persona. It's kinda goofy and a lot endearing.

What's even more endearing is the way he does actually shut the fuck up for the rest of the journey. You like him a lot more after that.

So. You digress.

The candy is a way to keep the sweet toothed maniac quiet. Even if it doesn't work, at least it's harder to make out what insults he's slinging with a lollipop rattling around his mouth.

However, he has never ever shared any with you. Any of the candy that you stock, and pay for.

(That you technically claim back on company expenses, but you're trying to be self righteous here.)

Ever.

In all the months of working with him, he gobbles away happily even if your stomach is growling and you refuse to take any yourself out of principle.

Until-

"Here."

"Huh?"

Taking advantage of your response and open mouth, DG leans into your personal space and feeds you some chewy strawberry something or another (which coincidentally are his least favourite), fingers lingering on your lips for a fraction of a second.

Three things happen in quick succession.

The burst of sugar hits your tongue.

You nearly choke.

You narrowly avoid swerving.

"Careful now," DG grins when you get the car and yourself under control, and glance at him with a scowl.

Good. That proves you're not completely immune to his charms.

.

.

That bastard has now taken it upon himself to feed you candy at every opportunity.

You wonder if he's doing some sort of Pavlov experiment. The sweetness trying to erase any sourness you feel towards him.

It sort of works, and you consider biting his fingers off one of these days.

You hear the crinkling of wrappers, one for him that he pops into his mouth, and one for you that he gives without asking.

You angle your head towards him, and his fingers graze your lips every time.

Neither of you comment on the change but the intimacy drives you a little crazy.

.

.

And DG too.

Because intimacy works both ways and damnit his little gesture to keep the pretty blush on your face has backfired.

The only form of intimacy he knows comes from discreet hookups and low key links. Not someone who is around day in, day out. Or anyone that goes deeper than one night stands and booty calls.

You're there, you're always there. Of course you are, you're his manager.

But today, he feels under the microscope with you standing a couple metres away and keen eyes watching the camera monitor.

It's a no nothing day. Standard schedule where he shoots a fragrance commercial and he exits a pool all wet and sultry, white t-shirt clinging to his muscled body.

Then another scene where he writhes around slightly on a sunbed and eye-fucks the camera.

How it sells a fragrance, he never knows. The mystery of showbiz.

"Cut! More powder!" The director shouts out, the crew springing into action and DG knows exactly why.

He feels strangely embarrassed and flustered, which has manifested into his cheeks being flushed, and god he can't even remember the last time he has been like this.

It’s out of character and he needs to get his head together.

As the make up artist hurriedly dabs on some foundation, you make your way over to him.

"Are you sick?" you ask, concerned and reaching out to feel his forehead with the back of your hand.

"I'm fine," He says, turning away from your attentiveness and staring at a point in the distance.

.

.

With most people, if DG wants them out of sight, they stay out of sight.

But as his manager, and a very competent one at that, it’s harder to get you to leave.

Not that DG wants you to either, don’t get him wrong. 

The only constants he has around him are people who want something from him. And yes, he knows you’re only in his company because you work with him. However, he really can’t doubt the concern he always sees in your eyes. The compassion and empathy even when he makes you want to scream and tear your hair out.

His standoffish demeanour is not new to anyone. It’s part of his appeal to be quite honest. 

Yet he feels bad over the next couple weeks as he turns it up to eleven and tries to create some distance. He registers the hurt on your face as he is extra short with his answers and behaviour.

.

.

Pandering to overinflated celebrity egos and the insane Korean work ethic often leads to after hour shoots and dinner delayed until past midnight.

Honestly, this wreaks havoc on your sleep schedule and your skin.

"Here." You retrieve DG's takeout from the paper bag.

A double portion of delicious fried chicken with a side of kimchi and pickles. It's a change of pace from what most idols order, yet he doesn't give two shits about calories or sodium intake and to add insult to injury, somehow manages to keep his trim figure.

You lament your soggy salad sitting at the bottom. As if it’s not sad enough right now - once you arrive home, the lettuce will be wilting and room temperature and you will eat it in your dimly lit apartment with nothing to keep you company except the sound of the TV.

DG notices you turning to leave his penthouse, and his mouth moves before his brain can.

"Aren't you staying?"

"What?" You double take at the question.

DG's company is usually worse than your lonely meal for one. 

He’s annoying and you frequently want to slap him, but how he has been with you lately has been troubling and you actually feel a sense of relief at his offer.

(You had wondered if you might have been getting sacked up until this moment.)

Nevertheless, in all your time working alongside, you have never had a proper meal one on one together. Nothing more than you driving with one hand and the other hastily shoving a burger into your mouth as he looks on in disgust.

You would have dwelled on this more, wondering what's changed, what’s happened, but then-

"I'll share." DG nudges the box towards you, and the delicious scent of deep fried, battered goodness wafts along with it it

All your misgivings and your salad is forgotten.

.

.

Almost.

No, you were wrong.

Eating with DG, without any distractions such as traffic to navigate or other boisterous colleagues around, is unnerving. Disarming.

His haughtiness remains, but how haughty can someone be when munching on a drumstick.

All frostiness from the past weeks melts away as you both eat your way through his chicken.

He’s talking more tonight than you have heard in a while.

You find him funny, and really quite bitchy. Which you did know all along except it's much funnier now his slanderous comments aren't directed at you.

And has he always looked at you with such a piercing gaze? So intensely focused on what you have to say. Even if you're just complaining about your boss, blurring your lines of professionalism, he gives you his full attention.

You really can't remember the last time you have been in each other's company like this. 

You loathe to admit that even with what an asshole he is, DG's shine hasn’t dulled enough for you that you don't understand the appeal.

.

.

Leaning forward, DG whispers into your ear.

To anyone else, it looks like an over-affectionate idol with their manager. If they could hear his words, "I'm going to kill you," they would think otherwise.

Ok, so this one is your fault.

The good times have to come to an end and maybe you should have been more careful with his pride and joy - some ridiculously overpriced and over-specced vehicle.

Taking advantage of the clear blue Seoul skies, the pink haired menace was the one who drove you today in his fancy imported sports car, but the speed limits and the rest of the traffic was not on his side.

Already running late, even for him, he parked somewhere convenient and illegal then passed you the keys, leaving you stranded on the sidewalk, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish, as he strode off to meet his music producer and choreographer and left you to park his baby elsewhere.

Why he entrusted you with it, you're not sure.

You would have done it anyway though, because when else are you going to have an opportunity to drive a supercar, if your boss didn't call at that moment. Questioning your expenses and DG's schedule and confusing you about the fitting at a fashion house and hair styling appointment that you knew like the back of your hand but when someone is so confidently incorrect, you start to doubt yourself.

By the time you got off the phone after pacing up and down the street and checking and double checking DG's timetable, you finally make your way back to the car-

And see it in the middle of being compounded.

You had begged and pleaded with the two men who were having none of it and you left, tail between your legs, to beg and plead with the other man who you knew would also have none of it.

Damn, you hate it when you prove yourself right in these instances.

You know DG won't really kill you, but he will likely make your life hell for the next couple weeks.

.

.

A normal person being pissed off at you would probably result in the silent treatment until tempers cool down.

DG does the opposite. Sort of.

He takes pleasure in making things as awkward for you as possible, until you're squirming in your seat trying to stay professional, thinking about your job and your rent and your bills; or torn between wanting the ground to swallow you up.

Around other people, your boss, your colleagues, his colleagues, he sidles up to you all smiles and soft looks. Slips purposely into banmal, and then oopsy, pretends that he didn't mean to be so informal with you around others.

Gossip soon stirs about your and DG's close relationship, if there's something else going on. Only you can see the mischief in his eyes and the malice in his smile and you think about yanking him by the ear and demanding to know what he is playing at.

Alone, he denies any sort of miscreant behaviour. Barely listening to you complaining and snapping at him. Ending with him outright ignoring you and you fume even harder.

This time, you're not sure the punishment even fits the crime. 

Any guilt soon dissipates when his car is returned in perfect condition within a couple days but his performance lasts for weeks.

.

.

Teasing you has always been fun for DG - when your cheeks dust angrily with pink and your eyes burn with fire.

The equivalent of a boy pulling a girl’s pigtails in the school yard.

.

.

Meetings with HNH Group usually do not involve you. If it does, at most you are waiting in the car.

Luckily, there are also an assortment of cafes and restaurants within a stone's throw and it gives you some time to debrief and catch a breather from following DG's hectic schedule.

The downside is you're never sure if a two hour meeting will be condensed to fifteen minutes or if a quick catch up with Charles Choi and other Executives turns into an all nighter.

There's been days where you have ordered a meal, then had to abandon it with a sigh and a longing look as you spot DG striding out of the building looking pissed off that you're not already there, or stayed in the vehicle with the engine running and your stomach rumbling as short appointments overshoot.

Maybe this is another consequence from DG being petty and irate with you for getting his car towed - you're left snoozing at the steering wheel of your runaround, the idol standard-issue luxury minivan, waiting for his return.

It's far too late in the evening for anywhere to be open, only the fluorescent lights of convenience stores and glare of the HNH logo illuminates the streets.

DG opens the sliding door, climbs into the back and slams it hard enough to jerk you awake and rattle the entire van.

He’s sitting by himself in the back, which is odd enough in itself.

As you blink away the dregs of sleep, in the rearview mirror, you notice the stiffness in his shoulders and the tightness in his jaw. His eyes stare vacantly out the window. DG is clearly upset about something, enough to crack through his aloof veneer.

"Are you ok?" You don't get a response, not even a passing glance.

Obviously something has gone wrong with the HNH Group meeting and the stress has manifested.

You wrack your brains thinking of something that might cheer up this asshole and you think of the only thing that improves your mood when you're on the verge of a breakdown.

(Usually due to the aforementioned asshole in your current presence). 

"Tteokbokki and beer?" You offer. It’s past your bedtime but a sulky DG for the rest of the week will also ruin your week too.

DG briefly looks at you before going back to staring at the window. It’s not a no.

You don’t get home until past 4am that night. 

At your favourite late night hole-in-the-wall, you eat far more tteokbokki than DG. On second thoughts, you don’t remember him eating any at all. You’re talking and downing beers to fill the silence, trying to perk up this silly celebrity. Loose lipped and spilling far more details than you would if you were sober, with him seated opposite and sipping on a soda. 

As the night ticks along, he thaws and a small smile settles on his face watching you gesticulate and ramble about your life.

You don’t get home until past 4am that night-

With DG driving, piggybacking you up to your apartment, and tucking you into bed.

.

.

DG can’t stop thinking of the weight of you on his back, arms slung over his shoulders, legs at his waist and his hands gripping your thighs.

You slurring drunkenly into his ear as he climbs the stairs in your building. It’s mostly nonsense. He can’t make out your words but remembers your breath tickling his skin.

And when he wraps your duvet around you, the brief moment of lucidity in your eyes as you look at him, softer than you ever have, you tell him, “Thanks Diego.”

Diego.

.

.

Nothing changes between the two of you after this. Not really.

You still find him an enormous thorn in your side. Incredibly stuck up and haughty and you continue to want to throttle him on a weekly basis but you are immensely grateful for him not leaving you a passed out heap on the sidewalk.

You’re in the middle of chastising him once again, dragging him out of bed as he is running late and being an absolute dick about it. Taking it easy as if he has all the time in the world. 

Well of course he does. He’s not the one that will be getting an earful from your boss or on the receiving end of the production crew’s complaints, as if trying to manhandle and cart this manchild around is easy.

“Diego Kang, I swear to fucking god-”

"James." He says, interrupting you as he picks out and pulls an eye-wateringly expensive jumper over his head.

"What?"

"Call me James when it's just us.” He checks out his outfit in the mirror, seemingly satisfied with it, before moving onto his hair. “James Lee. That's my real name."

DG, or James Lee, keeps his eyes on his reflection. Inspecting his non-existent roots, styling his fringe to make it fall just so and applying a liberal amount of hair product.

Nonchalant and casual even as he offers something desperately personal about himself.

"James," you say, trying out the sound for yourself. A name that seems at odds with his loud K-Pop shell but you imagine a time before the fame and the celebrity and the pink hair and it somehow fits.

"James," you repeat, and receive a small smile in return. Then it drops as you add, “If you don’t get your ass in the car in the next five minutes I will kill you.”

.

.

“James,” you think to yourself before you drift off to sleep that night. 

How peculiar.

“James, James, James.”

.

.

Celebrities these days are multi-hyphenates.

DG is an Idol-CEO-Actor, or at least trying to add the last one onto his resume. On looks alone, he would have already gotten his foot through the door. Add on his reputation and popularity, he is drowning in offers.

What you personally dislike more with K-dramas scenes though, is how long things take. How much it revolves around other actors and their managers whereas DG being in the studio or filming a music video is pretty much all him.

This K-drama is supposed to be the next big thing. 

With the biggest names attached, including DG who is making a cameo. The cameo that was also scheduled to be filmed five hours ago but you have both just been lurking in his dressing room since.

Along with some measly snacks and refreshments, which the crew has been kind enough to provide. 

However, the snacks are all but gone (thanks to you) and the refreshments are dwindling and there is no end in sight.

DG, or James, as you have started to call him in your head, is on his phone. He’s always on his phone. Scrolling through news articles, responding to important emails and messages.

There’s only so much news or celebrity gossip you can take. You have exhausted your own social media feeds and you have spent far too much money on your gacha games and the guilt has set in.

You twiddle your thumbs on the sofa next to him as he takes no notice of your presence and you decide to rest your eyes. 

Why not anyway? DG doesn’t need anything right now, work won’t be interrupting you, and there’s nothing for you to do. Just for a minute or five. Until someone from the production team knocks on the door and announces that it’s time for his scene.

DG side-eyes you when he notices your breath start to slow and deepen. Falling asleep on the job, really?

Then you let out a snore before smacking your lips together a couple times and he holds back a snort. He reasons that he should let you have some time to rest. After all, you’re the one that drives him around, his life is in your hands everyday and tiredness kills.

He’s on his phone for a few more minutes, reading through more emails on PTJ Entertainment and out of the corner of his eye he notices you drooping.

Body slowly slumping to slouch over him, until your head makes contact with his shoulder and you’re snoozing happily on your newfound pillow.

It’s equal parts inappropriate and cute.

Ugh, DG is 99% sure you’re drooling on him and the wardrobe department isn’t going to be happy when he returns the outfit.

Either way, that’s not going to be his problem. He adjusts minutely, makes it just a touch more comfortable for you and continues to scroll.

.

.

You wake up to a wetness by your mouth, and to your horror, DG smirking down at you.

.

.

Despite none of this being your fault, you apologise to everyone about having to reschedule DG’s music video shoot due to the previous day’s K-drama delays.

To your relief, the music video goes swimmingly and without a hitch, and the production is wrapped up on time. 

You’ll happily bet that his new song will go straight to No.1. If not, then at least the sensual music video will guarantee DG remains top of mind for weeks. 

You’re updating your boss and even she seems to be pleased.

"This is just work." DG interrupts as you're mid call.

You look up at him, brows furrowed.

Holding your hand to your phone to mute the speaker, you whisper, "I know."

"Good," and he walks away leaving you as confused as ever.

It's not the first time you have seen him shoot an MV, which thank the heavens is so much more efficient than bloody k-dramas, and also not the first time that there's been scenes that emulate an intimate moment. Lips nearly brushing together. Hands roaming bodies under fake rain.

Even if DG notices that you're watching the scene, eyes glazed over and bored, he still felt the urge to explain to you that there's nothing between you and the leading lady in the video.

Once out of sight of everyone, he facepalms himself for his ridiculousness.

.

.

You’re right, and you absolutely love it when you’re right.

The song goes straight to No.1 and holds that position for weeks, fending off competition from boy bands and girl groups and other solo artists. Apparently it’s going to be the song of the summer.

The music video also breaks records for being the most watched within 24 hours.

DG only reviews it once for post-production checks and finds it just fine.

There’s something he can’t quite put his finger on that seems off with it.

He wonders what it would look like if it was you starring opposite him.

.

.

“Where on earth is he?” You grit your teeth and grip harder onto the umbrella that is threatening to be swept away by the wind.

And another thing with being DG’s manager: it’s fine if he’s late but not if it’s you.

(Although to be fair, this instance of him being late is likely due to this particular music producer he’s meeting with enjoying the sound of his own voice.)

You were running late exactly one time in the past, during the first couple days of managing him, when the skies opened and drenched the earth. 

Heavens forbid DG’s perfect, beautiful, flawless hair is ruined by the rain. 

It’s not like he looked like a drowned rat. The paparazzi caught him in a wet t-shirt, fabric clinging to his abs and his pink hair slicked back stylishly. Even the goddamn raindrops were running fashionably down his high cheekbones and dripping off his pout.

For the next week, the tabloids and internet forums went wild with how hot he looked. 

(Who knows, maybe that was the inspiration for his fragrance commercial.)

Nevertheless, DG was displeased and it made its way back to your boss how displeased he was.

Ever since, you have been the unfortunate soul waiting in all manners of weather for him. Rain storms, blistering sun, freezing snow.

Today, it’s your favourite. Rain. You shiver against the elements trying to take shelter under the building entrance canopy, the wind whipping the downpour every which way and you’re getting soaked regardless of how you angle your umbrella.

“Hurry up, DG.”

You check the time over and over. He would be early to his next appointment if he exited the building now. 

…On time.

…On time if the traffic was in your favour.

…Late, but not terribly so.

…Fashionably late.

… Late enough to piss everyone off in the room.

Shit. Just as you begin to fret, wondering if something has happened to him-

Clicks and flashes from cameras alert you to his royal highness finally making an appearance, ready to exit the studio and making his way over to the car.

He materialises by your side, and you mutter a familiar phrase to him. 

“You’re late.” 

It’s a mantra you’re tired of repeating, but he relishes if the amused grin is any indication.

Without a word, he takes off his trench coat and drapes it around your shoulders. His right hand covers yours over the umbrella handle, left wrapping around your waist as he guides you through the throng of reporters and fans.

“What are you doing?” You hiss under your breath. 

You can imagine the optics now from the papers and your boss. It looks… Well. Not terrible but not the best.

“You’re soaked,” is all DG provides, accompanied with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. 

He opens the driver’s door for you before he climbs into the passenger’s side.

.

.

Thank goodness for your gift of the gab.

He’s being a gentleman, you tell everyone that would listen. Isn’t this what Korea wants? An idol with manners and who looks after everyone? Is empathetic and caring?

Think how well it would resonate with the female demographic, who wants a boyfriend like this! The older boomer demographic, who thinks none of the young ‘uns have any manners anymore!

Your boss isn’t convinced until the advertising offers for umbrella companies roll in.

.

.

Truth be told, DG doesn’t know what possessed him to do that. Especially in front of cameras.

Though, it’s not like he could just let you get even more drenched could he? You’re standing there, looking pitiful and he was just going to let you hold the umbrella over him when he should be the one taking care of you-

Hold on.

DG frowns at himself.

Damn.

.

.

James Lee has never looked after anyone besides himself. You need to look after yourself if you are to survive this dog eat dog world. To make it atop the Pre-Generation, the First Generation and now the Second.

He had unfathomably high expectations of himself (that he managed to achieve) and low expectations for relationships (that hadn’t been proven wrong yet).

People have flitted in and out of the chapters of his life, no-one staying around for long. Definitely no-one staying around long enough to know him, for him to grow comfortable with. 

Perhaps it has been the forced closeness that has caused him to let his guard down. Cabin fever, in a sense.

But James Lee, Diego Kang, has himself also been around long enough to know there’s more to you and he wants more of you.

.

.

Finding reasons to spend time together isn’t difficult. Actually, finding reasons to spend time apart would be much harder.

You both get on with your jobs and your duties, even as the closeness grows day by day.

And every time when you’re alone and you call him James, his heart grows fonder.

.

.

Out of all the seats available in his apartment, James lounges next to you, long legs draping over yours.

It's another night in together.

These seem to be happening with increasing frequency. DG at least used to keep up appearances, networking with his fellow celebrities.

Parties where you used to look at him with distaste as starlets surrounded him, award shows that he couldn't care less about as you hung around in the background.

Now he prefers to stay in with you, using work as a thin excuse. Studying lyrics that he has already memorised, going over dances that are long ingrained in him.

"You're not going to her party?" You ask, you were sure this fan-favourite and DG were an item or had history. At the very least, the who's who of the industry always attended her gatherings.

"No," his eyes continue roving over the lines.

Then when you thought the conversation was done, he looks over the top of his paper, eyes sparkling with playfulness, "I prefer being here with you."

Oh. Your breath catches in your throat.

You think you might never breathe normally again.

.

.

No, that’s a lie. Any opportunities for rose-tinted glasses has long passed by. You both know each other too well for that.

You breathe perfectly fine. Actually, this morning you are taking deep breaths to try and centre yourself. 

It’s not working. 

“You’re always fucking late,” you snap, giving in to your anger.

Sometimes you think it is your fault for not watching over DG 24/7. That instead of going back home, you should just live with him so you can shake him awake when he is supposed to get up instead of when he wants to.

And does it hurt him to look the least bit contrite at making your life a misery? 

Why does he have to look so smug with a lollipop stick hanging out his mouth? Seriously, between all the rushing around this morning, when did he find time to look for goddamn candy?

“For fuck’s sake, James.” You’re speed walking towards his front door, looking at the Maps app on your phone and miss his smile at you snarling his name. 

You’re already running behind and every route to the recording studio is red due to roadworks or an accident or just plain ol’ congestion. “Shit!”

Your finger jabs at the elevator button multiple times.

“It’s not going to get there any quicker if you do that,” DG speaks lowly into your ear and you get the urge to pinch him.

Instead of prodding some more at the button, you turn around and prod him in the chest.

“You’re going to get me fired one of these days,” You growl. “It’s fine for you, Diego goddamn Kang, the star who is pretty much untouchable. I’m not. I’m replaceable. There’s a million people who would take my job-”

DG snatches your hand, holds it still. “You’re not replaceable.” Then adds with an infuriating grin, “So what if we’re late.”

The minivan is skipped, and his answer to your problem is his other pride and joy. A motorbike that looks far too aggressive and a complete death trap.

“I’m not getting on that,” you say as DG hands you leathers that materialised from god-knows-where and a spare helmet.

“Fine,” he says, shrugging and throwing a leg over. “I don’t think your boss will be happy.”

“Fuck!”

.

.

If this was any other situation, you would be acutely aware of yourself pressed up against DG’s back. Your arms wrapped tightly around his waist.

Except all you can focus on is that you’re going to fucking die. You think you might be screaming.

“Stop screaming!” His disembodied voice calls out. Oh. Turns out you are.

For some reason, DG had thought the helmets with built in speakers and mic would be better for communication. Fun, even. Frankly, you’re just giving him a headache.

(Not to mention the fact that he bought a spare helmet at all. And leathers that he thought would be exactly your size.

He had never rode with anyone before and you certainly had never expressed any interest. Yet he passed by a motorcycle store when he had rare time to spare, and visited on a whim.

If he dwelled on this anymore, DG is sure his headache would turn into a full blown migraine.)

Later that night, when the ringing in his ears finally subside, he will still think about the way you held him.

.

.

When public opinion is on your side, then that’s fantastic. Amazing. You tend to get away with all sorts of things.

When it’s not, the truth can become muddied and there’s mental gymnastics from all sides painting you as the villain.

Fortunately, public opinion generally works in DG’s favour, especially in the case of his stalker who got sentenced for more jail time than if she was harassing a normal person, but not long enough to account for all the distress she has caused.

Such is the criminal justice system.

Her date of release looms large and near. DG, despite his talent and fighting prowess, realises certain traumas can’t be erased.

He grows on edge. Skittish. Snaps at any and everything. It’s noted by journalists. Other managers gives you questioning looks

You don’t miss his change in demeanour. To you, the reason behind it is obvious. 

You’ve heard about this case, everyone has. It dominated headlines for almost a month: the crazy sasaeng fan who believed herself to be DG’s girlfriend before moving onto another poor soul and was finally arrested.

As he spirals, nothing you do or say to him manages to get more than a nod or a frown. You try to offer that she had fixated on someone else before she was arrested, hoping that was a small consolation to him. And though he managed a weak smile, the black cloud still hangs over him.

In the end, you pack your bags and arrive at DG’s one evening. Instead of letting yourself in like you usually would, you ring the buzzer, smile into the door camera and tell him “It’s me!”

The door swings open to reveal DG looking perplexed (and worse for wear). Head tilting, curious and inquisitive when he sees your suitcase and carrier bags full of snacks.

“I’m staying for a while.”

“According to who?”

You barge past him anyway with a grin.

.

.

The date of his stalker’s release arrives and passes without drama.

You miss your home comforts but it makes you happy to see DG’s mood genuinely improve as the days go on.

The luxurious oversized mattress, fancy spa shower, and jacuzzi bathtub also helps to make your stay a bit more bearable.

Not to mention each morning DG actually cooks breakfast for you. Turns out he’s not bad at all at playing a househusband, and it’s also maddening how he manages to get up each day before you when he hasn’t got any place to be.

“Thanks James,” you say, when he presents you with a home cooked meal and his smile grows a bit more each day.

.

.

Peace doesn’t last.

Blurry photos of you both leaving and entering DG’s apartment at all hours of the day and night make the front page of certain news sites.

Headlines scream with leading questions. 

“Relationship beyond Manager and Idol?”

“How a Manager seduced their Idol.” 

“Who is this mystery person that has tamed DG?”

Why anyone deemed it newsworthy is beyond you. You’ve been to his apartment a million times. 

Yes, you suppose the closeness of DG and yourself in the photos can look a little suspect. 

In this particular one, it looks like you have your hand caressing his chest when in actual fact you were shoving him away for a dismissive comment he made.

And the other photo, of his hand on your wrist, was actually him dragging you away when he spotted a herd of fans in the distance.

More pictures unveil themselves.

A snapshot of you driving and DG feeding you candy.

You and DG, whispering intimately in your ear as his supercar is being towed away in the background.

You red faced and drunk as DG piggybacks you outside your building.

His jacket wrapped around you, hand on your waist and angling the umbrella over you.

Him smiling down at you (ok, you admit that you didn’t realise how soft that looks to other people.)

Finally an exceptionally pixelated image of you both on his bike, that could be anyone really.

Unfortunately, your opinion is in the minority as the articles are inundated with comments and furious, tearful fans shrieking that their idol is betraying them. 

Simply unhinged.

.

.

The speculation grows. You’re damned if you do deny anything, damned if you don’t. Your talent agency puts out an official statement.

To your ire, the statement is ‘no comment’ rather than anything more definitive. You glare at James when you find out, suspecting he has something to do with this.

He gives you a shrug, and a familiar look of mischief.

To his credit, he doesn’t leave you completely to fend for yourself. You stay off social media for your sanity, and when the paparazzi hounds you, he's the one with his arm around you, cutting a path through the crowd and shielding you.

It adds fuel to the fire. Does nothing to help your case. 

Still, you can’t help feeling safe and secure with his hand guiding you - holding onto your waist, round your shoulder, or simply - 

Your hand in his.

.

.

Outside of the conference room, where DG is wrapping up a press release for his newest album and nothing else, a reporter slinks out and approaches you.

You’re used to being on the other side of the conversation. Part of the staff, herding DG through camera flashes and questions being thrown at him though there was always some sort of camaraderie. Both parties just trying to do their job with deadlines and targets to hit.

This time you just feel a weariness as you see this person making a beeline towards you.

“Nice to meet you, Y/N.” They say, holding out their hand for a shake which you take with reluctance.

“Hi.”

A voice recorder is thrusted into your face, and you automatically take a step back. “Hope you don’t mind, but I just have a couple questions for you.”

“Um...”

“There’s been lots of sightings of you and DG together-”

You open your mouth to argue-

“Can you confirm your relationship with him?”

A vacant smile settles onto your face. It’s a practised expression where you follow all the cues to be polite and professional even as internally you wish to be anywhere but here. “I’m his manager.”

“Are you two together? Romantically?”

“I’m his manager.” You repeat through gritted teeth, and you’re surprised to hear your voice calm and collected.

“Is that a no? Or-”

“What even is this question?” You scoff, ignoring the way your cheeks heat, and refusing to partake in this circus a moment longer. “This is over.”

You manage to at least catch them looking apologetic, before you stride off into a corner to take a deep breath.

.

.

DG, much more adept and experienced at fending off questions, had finished the conference early and caught the entire exchange, watching you both with a bemused look.

Walking towards you with quiet, measured footsteps, his hand settles onto your lower back as he murmurs your name.

He bites back a laugh at your small, startled jolt.

DG tilts his head to signal ‘this way’. You give him a look but follow him regardless. Trailing behind, moving far away from other prying eyes. 

Up a flight of stairs, through multiple fire doors, turning left then right then another right then maybe a left. It doesn’t matter. You’re hopefully lost and decide to just put your faith in this wretched idol.

He finally seems to find what he’s looking for as he reaches an empty corridor; stopping mid-step and you collide into his back.

“Ack!” You exclaim, hitting the solid wall of muscle.

He lets out a huff of laughter and whirls around to face you, noting how cute your look of surprise is.

How strange though, that this is his current position. But is it really unexpected that the person that has been by his side for months has finally worked their way into his heart and has somehow learned to read him when no-one else could?

If he really thinks about it, yes actually, it is unexpected. No-one else has managed to grow close to him before. As James Lee, as Diego Kang. Birds of a feather or opposites attract or everything in between, no-one has got him like you do. 

There’s still so much more to tell and show you but… First things first.

Fidgeting, you shift your weight from one foot to another, growing self-conscious waiting for DG to talk, only to find him staring intently at your face. Impatient, you give in and speak first.

“What is it?”

“...”

“Diego-”

“James.” He cuts in abruptly, “It’s just us right now. Please.”

You blink in shock at the please and correct yourself at his insistence, lowering your voice so it doesn’t echo down the empty hallway. “James, are you ok?”

“Better than ever,” he says, a smirk now pulling at his lips.

You register his change in mood and narrow your eyes, wondering where this is going. “Why are we here?”

“When the reporter asked if we were together, you said you’re my manager.”

“I am your manager.”

“But you are interested in me.”

It’s not a question. DG, no James, says it like a fact and there’s no doubt in your mind or his. You open your mouth to argue, then close it again. Open it once more-

What.

You feel some cogs in your brain misfiring and all you can manage is a feeble, “Huh?”

“You told them you’re my manager, but didn’t say no to being with me.”

“...”

“So. What do you think?”

“Of what?”

“Us.”

“You like me. Tell me that I’m wrong.”

You take a step back. “...”

Another step. “...”

“Tell me you don’t want this.”

And your back hits the wall with an oomph.

DG slaps his hand on the wall beside your head, bends at the waist and leans his weight forward until he’s eye level with you. “Tell me and I promise I’ll stop.”

“...”

You’re cornered and he searches your face for a response.“Y/N?”

“...”

Fuck. Fuck!

How on earth are you supposed to respond when he looks at you like this. When his face is millimetres from yours and his breath is on your skin and his dark eyes pierces into your soul, pupils blown deliciously wide.

With his stupid pink hair and his fringe flopping, framing his face and his high cheekbones.

The stupid canines of his poking out that gives him so much character and is so hot it hurts when he flashes it accompanied with an arched brow and an arrogant smile.

His stupid pout and his stupid lips, that you know is constantly moisturised with a fancy overpriced lip balm to make it look kissable for the cameras.

And Jesus Christ, you hate to admit it but they do. They 100% do because somewhere in the back of your brain you always knew they look kissable but it has been often clouded by just simply how annoying and bratty you found him.

Except right now you don’t find him annoying or bratty at all.

Even as he’s confessing his feelings with complete confidence, no unease, no anxiety or doubts, because he always had a way of worming under your skin and he knows exactly how to push your buttons.

Damn it all.

“Kiss me,” you tell James, and he isn’t surprised at all by your reaction, face lighting up at your confirmation.

He shifts. 

Hand coming up to cup your cheek. He rubs his thumb twice over your skin, savouring you any way he can before tilting your face towards his. His lips at first brushes against your forehead. Leaves a trail down your nose, peppers both cheeks and then your chin. 

He draws back once, takes in your sweet face and gives you a smile so soft it makes your heart hurt.

Then finally, after wanting this for so long, presses his lips against yours.

Diego Kang, James Lee, tastes like candy and sugar.

[rikosseen]

James Lee/DG x Reader: “Is that James Lee?”

Anon request? | Featuring the gen 1 kings

Seokdu Wang watches Taesoo intently, slowly picking up the brussel sprouts on his plate. The Ansan King is trembling, completely dropping the dead boar he’s holding on the ground, his only eye glued on the small TV with a pulsating bulge.

Is that James fucking Lee?

And- Lo and behold, it most certainly is. The menace is on Taesoo’s TV screen, holding an almost identical little girl in his arms, laughing. The bastard is laughing.

“Why’s that fucker on national TV?”

Seokdu offers a casual shrug, while Jichang gives him a sharp look, clearly disapproving of the fact that Taesoo just dropped an entire animal on the floor.

“Mm’apparently he’s an Idol,” Jaegyeon snorts, slurping on a drink.

An Idol? The prick who took his eyeball all those years ago is a prissy celebrity?

Taesoo’s face twitches in something close to a seizure as he watches James answer a question from the interviewer, proudly proclaiming that his supposed daughter inherited her red hair from him. A woman—his girlfriend? Wife?—stands beside him, draped on his arm, looking entirely too content.

With a sharp hiss, Taesoo flings his jacket over the screen, as though it could somehow shield him from the sheer injustice of the moment. The other kings exchange knowing glances, but Taesoo is already stalking off, his frustration practically vibrating in the air. He plops down outside, fists clenched, eyes shooting angry lasers at the ground.

Fuck. How many fans does he have? He’s not even that good looking. He’s fucking megamind with that forehead.

Taesoo scrambles to get his phone out of his pocket, and once he does, goes on a rampage search. Creating new accounts left and right, he dives into a sea of fan edits, each one more nauseating than the last. The fawning comments directed towards James- Diego, only fuel his rage further.

Taesoo decides that he needs to balance things out, and makes his very own hate comments to satisfy himself. But it’s not enough. He’s furious at James’ success, and wants to see the man fall.

And then, it happens. His eyes fall upon a video— a twerking video. Of Diego Kang throwing it back and doing aegyo. Taesoo’s fake eye pops out, and instantly, he’s rolling on the ground, cackling like a deranged weirdo.

Jaegyeon steps outside, only to be perplexed at the sight of the grown man writhing on the ground. With a scowl, he considers running Taesoo over with the Initial N again.

[koiiiji]

shitposting bc im too lazy to finish fics💔🙏

vin definitely puts self reactions🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

bonus

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Announcing the Picks and Shovels book tour

This week only, Barnes and Noble is offering 25% off pre-orders of my forthcoming novel Picks and Shovels.

My next novel, Picks and Shovels, is officially out in the US and Canada on Feb 17, and I'm about to leave on a 20+ city book-tour, which means there's a nonzero chance I'll be in a city near you between now and the end of the spring!

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250865908/picksandshovels

Picks and Shovels is a standalone novel starring Martin Hench – my hard-charging, two-fisted, high-tech forensic accountant – in his very first adventure, in the early 1980s. It's a story about the Weird PC era, when no one was really certain what shape PCs should be, who should make them, who should buy them, and what they're for. It features a commercial war between two very different PC companies.

The first one, Fidelity Computing, is a predatory multi-level marketing faith scam, run by a Mormon bishop, a Catholic priest, and an orthodox rabbi. Fidelity recruits people to exploit members of their faith communities by selling them third-rate PCs that are designed as rip-off lock-ins, forcing you to buy special floppies for their drives, special paper for their printers, and to use software that is incompatible with everything else in the world.

The second PC company is Computing Freedom, a rebel alliance of three former Fidelity Computing sales-managers: an orthodox woman who's been rejected by her family after coming out as queer; a Mormon woman who's rejected the Church over its opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment, and a nun who's quit her order to join the Liberation Theology movement in the struggle for human rights in America's dirty wars.

In the middle of it all is Martin Hench, coming of age in San Francisco during the PC bubble, going to Dead Kennedys shows, getting radicalized by ACT UP!, and falling in love – all while serving as CFO and consigliere to Computing Freedom, as a trade war turns into a shooting war, and they have to flee for their lives.

The book's had fantastic early reviews, with endorsements from computer historians like Steven Levy (Hackers), Claire Evans (Broad-Band), John Markoff (What the Doormouse Said) and Dan'l Lewin (CEO of the Computer History Museum). Stephen Fry raved that he "hugely enjoyed" the "note perfect," "superb" story.

And I'm about to leave on tour! I have nineteen confirmed dates, and two nearly confirmed dates, and there's more to come! I hope you'll consider joining me at one of these events. I've got a bunch of fantastic conversation partners joining me onstage and online, and the bookstores that are hosting me are some of my favorite indie booksellers in the world.

BOSTON (Feb 14): Boskone, 4PM, Westin Boston Seaport District

BOSTON (Feb 14): Brookline Booksmith with KEN LIU, 7PM, 279 Harvard Street, Brookline

VIRTUAL (Feb 15): YANIS VAROUFAKIS, sponsored by Jacobin and hosted by David Moscrop, 10AM Pacific, 1PM Eastern, 6PM UK, 7PM CET

MENLO PARK (Feb 17): Kepler’s Books with CHARLIE JANE ANDERS, 7PM, 1010 El Camino Real

LOS ANGELES (Feb 18): Diesel Bookstore with WIL WHEATON, 630PM, 225 26th Street, Santa Monica

SEATTLE (Feb 19): Third Place Books with DAN SAVAGE, 7PM, 17171 Bothell Way NW Lake Forest Park

TORONTO (Feb 23): Another Story, 630PM, 315 Roncesvalles Ave

NYC (Feb 26): The Strand with JOHN HODGMAN, 7PM, 828 Broadway

PENN STATE (Feb 27): Kern Auditorium, 7PM, 112 Kern Building

DOYLESTOWN (Mar 1): Doylestown Bookshop, 12PM, 16 S Main St

BALTIMORE (Mar 2): Red Emma’s, 2PM, 630PM, 3128 Greenmount Ave

DC (Mar 4): Cleveland Park Library with MATT STOLLER, 630PM, 3310 Connecticut Ave NW

RICHMOND (Mar 5): Fountain Bookstore with LEE VINSEL, 6PM, 1312 E Cary St

AUSTIN (Mar 10): First Light Books, 7PM, 4300 Speedway/43rd

BURBANK (Mar 13): Dark Delicacies, 6PM, 822 N. Hollywood Way

SAN DIEGO (Mar 24): Mysterious Galaxy, 7PM, 3555 Rosecrans

BELFAST (Mar 24) (remote): Imagine! Festival with ALAN MEBAN, 7PM UK

CHICAGO, Apr 2: Exile in Bookville with PETER SAGAL, 7PM, 410 S Michigan Ave, 2nd floor

BLOOMINGTON, Apr 4: Morgenstern Books, 6PM, 642 N Madison St

PDX, Jun 20 (TBC): Powell’s Books (date and time to be confirmed)

I'm also finalizing plans for one or two dates in NEW ZEALAND at the end of April, as well as a ATLANTA date, likely on March 26.

I really hope you'll come out and say hello. I know these are tough times. Hanging out with nice people who care about the same stuff as you is a genuine tonic.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/02/06/picks-and-shovels-tour/#19-cities-plus-plus