#looking forward to reading the demo when it's out

[jdstrations]

Hyperfocused and made a minimalistish style film poster for @fiddles-ifs new WIP

Truly outside of my usual style, but I'm really proud of myself!!

[deerspherestudios]

Short Break and To Dos!

Hello all! 🍄🍄👻 I'm glad to see people enjoying Day 3 so far! I was so nervous about showing another side to Mychael in the update I thought people wouldn't like him as much but plenty have reacted positively! ❤️

I'll add a TLDR; above the read more, but if you don't mind my ramblings and want more details about everything, I'll write everything below! Light spoilers ahead!

I'll be taking a short break from MO development until 28th October to work on a short VN for the Monstrous Desires jam!

Most probably missed it, but there's a tiny small patch to Day 3 explained here.

Queue will return soon! I just gotta handle some housekeeping first with my Patreon.

Regarding the feedback on Day 3, I'm glad people aren't as averse to the new side of Mychael, in that he isn't always soft and sweet. I want people to fall in love with a person after all, not a yandere caricature, and that means that person can get upset, angry and sometimes irrational when we don't know what's going on in their head even towards the subject of their affections. While some (understandably!) were shocked about his reaction to the mushrooms, it'll be clear as to why (hopefully!)

Some of you have given incredibly accurate theories, and I'll take that as something I've done well in building up the mystery!!! I'm excited to share more in the next update, but for now!

1. I'll be taking a short break from MO development to work on a short VN for the Monstrous Desires jam!

What I have planned for Day 4 of MO might be the biggest update so far, since one route will lead to a few official BAD ENDINGS as opposed to 'dead ends' like the current demo has. To those who really want to, you finally get to see Mychael at his worst. As usual, writing the script takes a few months with plenty of changes in between, and I don't wanna bulldoze ahead and rush the story when it's getting to the climax!

But before I jump into all of that I just wanna give myself a creative exercise and try exploring a different theme, style and setting with a fresh new character for the jam! Since I'm a sucker for the trope... yes, the new blorbo will also be a yandere, sorry, I'm predictable.💔 The jam ends on October 28th so development on MO will continue then!

The last time I wrote something remotely sci-fi was in high school, so this will be fun to try!

2. Most probably missed it, but there's a tiny small patch to Day 3 explained here.

What it says on the tin! If you've already played Day 3, rest assured there's no significant story changes. Just an updated credits list, three extra sprites for one route and a small fix in the code.

3. Queue will return soon! I just gotta handle some housekeeping first with my Patreon.

Plenty of people have sent such sweet and encouraging messages to my inbox on what they thought of the update and I cannot thank all of you enough for the support!! I can't wait to post them out to archive them on the blog and answer all your interesting theories and queries in my queue!

But for now I'm due for a short break from my socials and to catch up on my Patreon sketch requests haha. I also plan to release cut content from Day 3 for my Yearling and Deer patrons. Plus, I'll be working on some written prompts for extra lore so that's something to look forward to!

I'll be back soon! Take care, fireflies!! ❤️

[gb-patch]

GB Patch Games: 2024 Intentions

[Adorable guest art by @dreamtydraw]

Welcome to 2024, everybody 🥳️

This is the year of Our Life: Now & Forever (and 2025 will be too, but let's not get ahead of ourselves that much). After a good five odd years of making Our Life: Beginnings & Always content, it's amazing to look ahead and see only the progress that will be done on this new game. Qiu and Tamarack are the center of the GB Patch Games universe now. But even though I'm not creating any new OL1 scenes, there may still be some exciting developments for the existing stuff. Cove hasn't been forgotten.

💚❤️️💙

If you want to know about what will be accomplished specifically in January, you can read that HERE. Now here's the entire year's goals-

Honestly, 2024 is gonna be the most basic year in a very long time, haha. There's not gonna be major launches of new DLCs, or a full game going live, or any bonus Moments. It's simply making progress on OL: N&F. That's pretty normal for game development. It's just not something we've had to go through since 2019. But we're hunkering down for the long haul on this one.

Specifically, Step 1 will be fully completed in 2024 and I'll make as much headway into Step 2 as possible. There will be two updates to the public demo, one probably in May and another sometime in Fall/Third Quarter 2024. Those will focus on Step 1 scenes still. I can't guarantee we'll be able to rework the Step 2 part of the demo with new content this year. As it is, the content was made to be a demo preview. A lot is gonna change for the complete version.

And that's about it for our main game. I appreciate all of you who decide to follow along with the process.

Beyond that, the Our Life: Beginnings & Always digital artbook is going to become available through Steam and Itch.io in early 2024! Maybe not January, but ideally no later than February.

Finger's crossed, we will also launch Our Life: Beginnings & Always for Mac on Steam and make it available for Androids through the Google Playstore. I can't state it with confidence, since there's constantly been roadblocks/issues with those, aha.

My final little note for this coming year is that, potentially, there could be more information coming out about the game that's going into production after OL2, "Project W".

▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾ ▴ ▾▴ ▾ ▴

And that's what you can look forward to. Every year I'm amazed I can continue to do this as my fulltime job. I'm always wondering when that will end, but I'd be lying if I said I could see that point. The support GB Patch Games has gotten, and still gets each day, is more than enough to for it to continue for the rest of OL2's development.

I'm pretty confident in assuming that when that game does launch it's going to be successful enough for Project W to go into full production. It's a truly wonderful thing. Thank you so much for being here. We'll do our best with the time and attention you've given us.

Happy New Year 🥰️

[tales-of-wocdes]

Tales of Wocdes: The Silver Protector

A WIP Twine game! The demo is now available (demo updated 20.9.2024):

Tales of Wocdes: The Silver Protector is a high fantasy interactive fiction made in Twine. During the story, your protagonist will change from a helpless child to a Silver Protector, an elite warrior and protector. In time, you may wield powerful magic, or be a master of the blade.  

The game is in early development. All content is subject to change.

There is also now a kofi page.

Premise

Wocdes is a world full of magic, monsters, and secrets. No beings in this world embody all three better than the Ancients,  godlike in power and unbeatable in battle. Incredibly wise and compassionate. Incredibly terrible and cruel. Immortal and glorious. Petty and vengeful. Or so the stories go. 

Not that you know the stories. Why would you? You are a child kidnapped for unknown purposes.  You barely know anything about yourself. Your life is one of pain and suffering at the hands of people you do not know. 

In a moment of desperation, a plea leaves your lips. Or perhaps it is only in your mind. Unexpectedly something hears you and will never ignore a broken child alone in the dark asking for help. You are saved but you are permanently scarred by your experiences. Given into the care of the newly created Orphanage of Firgrat, here is where your journey truly begins. How will you cope with your past and current reality?  Can survive the cruel world of Wocdes, the weight of your trauma? Can you help others survive?  Can you grow up, make friends, learn to love, and become a real person again?

What to look forward to

In this game, you will (eventually) be able to:

Customize your character, from their appearance and gender (male, female, non-binary) to their abilities and personality.

Admittedly, your characters emotional development has taken a bit of a hit due to recent events, leaving them a bit confused in general about... everything. 

Discover why you were kidnapped, eventually.

Protect those you feel deserve it, become stronger for yourself or to protect others.

Grow up alongside other orphans and kids from the city, journey through childhood at the orphanage and the surrounding city, to adulthood with responsibilities. 

Develop your relationships with your fellow orphans and other companions, maybe even get into a romance. 

Speaking of romance, the author aims to offer an option to be completely and utterly dense about romance, like completely oblivious to the degree people worry about you. Or maybe you will be a smoother operator.

Go on adventures and missions, both innocent and not, in an original fantasy world full of magic, wonder and cruelty.

Characters

Primary

The twins Atru (m) and Azha (f): The original inhabitants of the orphanage and the only children already there when you arrive. Both twins have short blond hair and green eyes. Atru is a seemingly silent emotionless boy who clings to his sister Azha. Azha is a little girl shaped ray of sunshine and well-meaning mischief. And chatter!

More characters will be filled out later.

Secondary

Havard (m): The head custodian of the Orphanage. A father figure to all the children. His duty is to guide the children, and it is a duty he takes very seriously.

Lexia (f): The Silver Protector in charge of you. Young, excitable and strong. One of the first to be chosen for the new elite order called the Silver Protectors.

Alessa (f): The custodian in charge of the twins. A sweet young somewhat shy woman who the twins adore, both in their own ways. 

Sandor (m): The Silver Protector in charge of the twins. A good-natured and somewhat shy young man often trailing after the twins with a fond look. 

The Ancients

RAFO (Read And Find Out). You might meet some. 

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction! Any potential resemblance of appearances, names, or personalities of characters with people in real life, living or dead, is coincidental.

This story is meant for adults. The game contains depictions of violence, blood, gore, sexually suggestive content, black humor, explicit language etc. A more complete list can be found in game. Like everything else, this list is subject to change. 

The game contains dealing with traumatic events. The author is not a qualified medical professional, and the in game responses to trauma are not in any way encouraged.  If you are uncomfortable with what you are reading, please refrain from continuing until you feel better. Or drop the story entirely. None of this is worth your health.

[emmettkane]

Ghost Bricks is OUT!

Cover art by Jerome Timinski

Out around The Rockies and too many disasters deep, three young scavengers have become fast friends amid a dangerous and uncaring world.

Tiberius Casella, street-smart and confident, leads the gang from one job to the next with just a grin and a prayer.

Sloan Schaffer, a sharpshooter with a too-quick trigger finger, keeps the worst foes at bay.

And Asher Davis, caring, quiet, and tough as an ox, might just be the glue that holds the whole gang together.

The bond they've formed, however, has yet to face it's ultimate test. What happens when a father's gift turns out to be a curse? What happens when a greater evil turns its eye on the group? How can three kids with nothing but luck on their side hold it together against the odds?

Ghost Bricks (volume 1) is done after two long and chaotic years of work! It all started as a strange dream (literally, I had a dream about it) and now it's real!

There is a free demo available here!

The book available for purchase in digital form on my ko-fi, and through all the stores at this link!

---

If you are looking forward to Ghost Bricks Volume 2 and want to be updated as soon as I start working on it, follow my Ko-fi.

If you want to be updated whenever one of my books is done, join my mailing list.

If you want to support my continued work, consider becoming a Bunker Goblin on Ko-fi as well ^^

Happy reading!

[golden-hearts-silver-tongues-if]

Demo: (Release Date: when i figure out twine, and then a week)

Life was never easy, but the day you first found your talent for less than legal practices, it certainly got easier. And when you finally got taken in by a nosy noble who could appreciate your talents, life finally seemed like it was looking up. But the highlife isn't all it was cracked out to be. You had to leave behind your best friend for this chance at the high life, and that's not even to mention all the enemies you've made while in service of the person who brought you in. Was it worth it? Can you keep your skeletons nice and tidy in your closet? Or will the past prove to have a few too many chips on its shoulder. ------------- This is a game about many things. Struggling to find meaning in your own life, trying to cling to those you care about as life drags you apart, and what can happen when you don't make peace before the storm. You take on the role of a peasant with a talent for the illegal, be that quick hands or a quicker wit. After years of dealing with the dirt of life to make a living, you get taken in (read, bought into service) of a noble who claims to have nothing but good intentions. They want to expose other nobility for their wrongdoings while climbing the ranks themselves. Will you be willing to remain loyal to their cause, or is money truly the only thing motivating you? That remains up to you to decide. Golden Hearts, Silver Tongues is rated 18+ for explicit language, mature themes, drug and alcohol use and abuse, violence, thoughts and mentions of suicide, self-harm, death and mental trauma. -------------

Customizable MC, choose your gender, pronouns, appearance, sexuality, romantic attraction, personality, history with some characters, potential disabilities, and most importantly, how you choose to go about your crimes. Are you a smooth talker, or someone who prefers actions over words?

Romance one of four available ROs? Will you fall back to your tumultuous Ex/Ex Best Friend? Or perhaps your new coworker or Boss? Or perhaps the most dangerous, the Ex-Noble hunting you down?

Struggle with Morality as you get pulled in different directions. What constitutes good anyways? And let's be honest, do you even care about being good at this point?

Resolve all of your lingering issue, before choosing how to move forwards. To remain trapped by the chains of your past, or to cast it all off and move forwards, unburdened. Ignorance is bliss, after all.

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

Romance Options:

The Rival (F, Cis or Trans selectable) - Your one and only friend in the early days of your life, and perhaps something more? You two grew up together and often were the only ones each other had. Perhaps she was your best friend, your lover, or someone you were so close to you could consider them family. Regardless, whatever she was, she isn't anymore. A fight caused a rift between you two, and now you two aren't on talking terms, much less anything else. So, when she shows up to one of your jobs, to steal the same items no less, is it any surprise things don't go well? Tropes - Exes to Lovers, Childhood Crush, Exfriends to Lovers, Rivals/Enemies to Lovers

The Boss (M, F, NB selectable) - The person who scooped you off the streets and showed you what the high life was like, and all you had to do was steal whatever they told you. Simple enough, right? You'd think. In practice, it seems like they keep upping the ante on your targets and at some point, you have to wonder whether or not this is all born out of good intentions. Though, with the looks they keep sending your way, perhaps more than just your skills have captivated them? No, that couldn't be true. After all, a noble and a peasant would cause far too much of an uproar for the already tumultuous figure that is your boss. Right? Gender Footnote - If NB, the Boss will be Agender. Tropes - Forbidden Love, Age Gap, Nobility x Peasant, Employer x Employee

The Coworker (M, Cis or Trans selectable) - A surprise your boss sprung on you just a few months ago, he is another noble who embraced your Boss' rhetoric and now wants to help reveal the darker side of the Kingdom. It's a shame he doesn't know what he's doing, but luckily (or unluckily), that is where you come in. Tasked to show him the ropes of thieving, you must figure out how to teach this eager learner what you've known all your life. He might not have quick hands, nor can he lie to save his life, but if there's one thing, he knows it's how to get up after a failure. And that surely has no correlation to all the gifts of his you've ignored over the years, right? Tropes - Coworkers to Lovers, Master x Apprentice, First Crush, Himbo, Potentially Grumpy x Sunshine

The Baron (M, F, NB selectable) - Hate is a strong word. Luckily, the Baron is a strong person. The first major noble your Boss ever sent you after, they by far had the hardest fall from grace out of anyone you know. Going from ruling an entire quarter of the Kingdom, to being nothing more than a rogue knight hunting you down for revenge. It's a shame they still have so much money at their disposal to hunt you with, and for all that it's worth, they are very good at finding you. Catching you, not so much. You always manage to just barely evade their capture....surely nothing to think about. Gender Footnote - If NB, the Baron will be Genderfluid. Tropes - Hate-Hate Relationship, Enemies to Lovers, Murder makes people hot, Villian Route, Potentially Redemption Arc

------------- Note Zone: Hey there! Thanks for reading all the way through this. This little place down here is where I plan on placing things like links in the future, and also any notes on progress or big topics and stuff that comes up. For now, all asks are welcomed, and once again thank you!

[lj-lephemstar]

Progress Checkup! (Aug. 2024) | Scratchin' Melodii Devlog

Hello again, strangers! I thought it was about time to add another devlog again! This time I'm trying out a more in-depth approach to this, to somewhat make up for the lack of gameplay previews. Let me know what you think!

For starters, I've revamped the rhythm system 🤯 (like... again! 🤯) Don't freak out, though. Surface level gameplay-wise, it works mostly the same as it did in the last demo, so you won't have to re-learn much. I just needed to redo some things so it'd be easier for me to work with in the long-run while developing the rest of the game. Way less headaches await me now when working on new levels. In the process, I was also able to incorporate some neat new aspects to it and make the core aspects of it better. If you're familiar with older rhythm games, it's now a tad closer to what the dog was doing.

The opponent's icon has been covered up to avoid spoilers. I might be updating all of the character icons soon, actually.

I still plan to revamp the game's tutorial at some point. Something I've noticed is that often, new players don't seem to understand the purpose of the beat dots. Initially, I thought the idea that "on the beat dot = on beat" would come as second nature to new players without need for explanation. However, I hadn't considered that many players are likely to be more familiar with rhythm games that don't even have beat dots in this manner, so they're probably inclined to focus more on getting as close as possible to matching the order of the suggested inputs, and in this game, even at the cost of being off-beat if they aren't keeping up. So, I think the most important thing I need to emphasize when I give a new in-game explanation of the mechanics is the beat dots and really getting new players into the mindset of prioritizing the tempo. I think I should also have the tutorial's gameplay portion try to discretely get the player used to the control scheme to help people who haven't particularly memorized where all of their controller's buttons are without looking. This'll probably result in the tutorial song shown in the demo being replaced in the full game. I do still like its instrumental though, so maybe that will be repurposed for another game feature, at least.

There's probably some guy out there who just REALLY loves Astral Advisory as the tutorial song that will be very upset to hear this. In solidarity with them, I've depicted their enthusiasm with this rather silly image I've created.

As for other levels, now that I've got the updated rhythm system up and running, the 3rd rival battle of act 2 is almost complete. If you didn't like the Pow-Notes in Supastar Tennis, you might not like me very much after this! So far, I think this level has some of the best and most ambitious animation work I've done yet, so I hope you'll look forward to it. Not sure when I'll show a gameplay preview of this level, but I probably will at some point.

Also, I've made a new logo for the game! I'll gradually be phasing this one in to replace the old one, but until the full game releases you'll probably still see the old one hanging around too in some places.

That's all I can talk about for now, but thanks for reading! - LJ

[2baabbies]

🖤 Holding Back from You (hyunchanlix x reader part 3; stray kids x reader)

Crossposted under 2Babbies on Ao3 <3

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 (WIP)

Pairings: established hyunchanlixreader, established background minsung, slight references to past hyunebini?

Words: 16220

Summary: Holding back from you is never easy for Chan. You and your boyfriends are aware of this fact when Chan suggests switching your dynamic and trying a new kink, hoping it might help him destress. You expect a challenge, but you, Felix, and Hyunjin are happy to try anything if it means helping your overworked boyfriend. (song quote and fic title are from Taylor Swift’s ‘Dress’)

Fluff + Smut + Humour + Slight Angst/Comfort

afab+fem!reader

CWs: nsfw, cringe jokes I’m sorry, insecure/burnt out chan, insults/swearing at each other (but with love), drinking alcohol (it’s wine babes; no dubcon they’re not even drunk), crying during sex, “tough love” treatment (might seem mean idk), gratuitous pet names, uhh this fic ended up being hyunchan focused but felix is loved too I promise 🫶🏻

Smut Tags: pegging, mommy/daddy kink (but like, not who you would expect?), discussing kink/kink exploration, dom/sub dynamics (sub!felix trying to dom, dom!chan trying to sub, soft and mean dom!reader, switch!hyunjin), communication during sex, color system for safewords, teasing, begging, praise, slight degradation, chan and felix are a little bratty, some dumbification, choking and breathplay (chan), virginity roleplay (hyunjin), rough sex/manhandling (chan), anal fingering, overstim, dacryphilia?? (no one’s really getting off on it, chan just needs to cry his feels out), chair sex, aftercare (including hyunlix in the background), cunnilingus, unsafe/unprotected sex (this is fiction, don’t be like these fools)

Taglist: @bookswillfindyouaway @rixenluv

🔞 MINORS DNI 🔞

!!ATTENTION!!

Reposting this fic to other platforms, including as a translation or to train AI, is expressly prohibited. Do not copy, alter, or claim this fic as your own. Absolutely no permission is given to anyone to post my works, even with credit, and this fic should only appear on Ao3 or Tumblr under my accounts. Reposting is not only plagiarism, but a direct violation of my wishes as the original writer and owner. Please respect writers and don’t steal!

Likes, reblogs, asks and comments are always welcome and appreciated <3

~~~

‘I’m spilling wine in the bathtub

You kiss my face and we’re both drunk

Everyone thinks that they know us

But they know nothing about

All of this silence and patience, pining in anticipation

My hands are shaking from holding back from you’

The coziness of Chan’s bedroom is unlike anything you have ever experienced. While not quiet, it brings you a certain tranquility that you have never quite been able to capture on your own. The downtime you spend in this room with your boyfriends has turned into little fragments of your own personal Heaven. You look forward to every second you can steal with them between their busy schedules. You are all together now, crammed into Chan’s bed with only the purple lights on the wall to illuminate you. Music is playing in the background, instrumental tracks Chan arranged himself. You recognize some of them as being released songs, and some are still only demos. Waiting for Chan to perfect them and release them to your beloved Stays.

Felix is closest to you, letting you use his chest as a pillow. His brow is furrowed as he reads something on his phone. You could turn your head and easily see his screen, but you are too tired to care. Chan is curled up on his other side, his nose brushing Felix’s shoulder as he mumbles tiredly. His cheek is smushed into the pillow and he is wearing his exhaustion, his face puffier from lack of sleep because of the upcoming album. Hyunjin is spooning him from behind, littering kisses onto his neck and shoulder as they chat drowsily. Their legs are tangled together, and Hyunjin is rubbing soothing circles over Chan’s stomach under his shirt. You are not fully listening to their whispered conversation, but you can see Chan’s playful smile and the slight quirk to Hyunjin’s pouty lips.

Felix speaks and rumbles your ear over his chest, “I don’t know how people only adopt one cat…”

“Stop looking at cats,” Hyunjin orders.

“But this one is named Sprinkle and she has a sister named Cupcake…”

“Baby,” You whisper, “You’re just gonna make yourself sad. You know you can’t adopt a kitten right now.”

“I could…”

Chan chuckles. You hear clattering and shouting in the kitchen as Jisung and Changbin begin to argue over something.

“I don’t think you should subject an animal to our chaos. It’s bad enough y/n has to deal with it.”

Hyunjin raises his head to frown at Chan.

“Are you comparing our girlfriend to a pet?”

“No,” Chan mutters.

“Meow,” You offer.

“She’s certainly as cute as a kitten,” Felix says.

“Am I?”

You flutter your eyelashes and Hyunjin sighs dreamily, nestling back into his spot with Chan.

“Yeah, my kitten,” Felix replies.

“I’ll be your kitten.”

“Discord kitten?”

Felix smirks at you and Hyunjin groans.

“Ugh, you ruined it.”

Chan snorts as you move to straddle Felix’s lap. Small hands come to rest on your back as you nuzzle your noses together.

“Anything for you, daddy.”

“No,” Hyunjin whines, “Don’t enable him.”

Felix tilts his head, his eyes glinting dangerously.

“Anything?”

Chan smacks your bottom, making you squeak and squirm in Felix’s lap.

“Be good, you two.”

“I didn’t do anything,” You whine, pouting at Felix.

Felix hums and squeezes your plush flesh where Chan had hit you.

“Poor kitten, he’s so mean to you.”

He, rather shamelessly, gropes your backside. You huff and reach back to grab his hands, halting his actions.

“Stop feeling me up.”

“You feel so good, though. I should make you my new stress ball.”

“Ugh, that’s the worst thing you’ve ever said!”

You move his hands up your back as they all laugh at your disappointment. You slump forward and Felix pulls you closer. He pecks a chaste kiss to the top of your head, a peace offering after his mischievous behavior. There is a long pause, a heavy silence that falls over the four of you. It is the kind of silence that usually melds into more silence, and leaves you feeling assured that there is nothing left unsaid. Today the silence does not carry on. You hear a sharp inhale from Chan before he quietly begins another conversation.

“I want to do something.”

“Like what?” Hyunjin replies.

“Like… a kink thing.”

“Right now?” Felix questions.

Chan is already flushed, but he quickly dissolves into a flustered mess at the bold assumption.

“N-Not now… Just… sometime soon, maybe…”

“What is it?” You ask.

The amount of kink exploration you and Chan had done together was not entirely extensive, but you thought you knew all of his preferences and aversions. The line for comfort was still vague in your relationships with Felix and Hyunjin though. Sure, you had established your boundaries at the start of sleeping together, but you were lovers now and were exploring uncharted territory. You can see Chan’s hesitation to continue, and his cautious glance at the bedroom door to ensure the others would not hear his soft confession.

“It’s, um… I’ve just been thinking of like… d-daddy kink stuff.”

You smile fondly at the nervous pitch in Chan’s tone. It is understandable why he would hesitate to bring it up; your group had only ever used ‘daddy’ as a joke. It was a bit of a joke to Chan himself, but you are suspecting now there was some truth behind his façade of mocking it.

“Oh?” Felix prompts, instantly intrigued by the suggestion.

Hyunjin nuzzles Chan’s neck and mumbles, “Oh, that’s not so bad. You’re so anxious, I thought you wanted to try something really extreme. Like, a car battery hooked to your nipples or something.”

You burst out laughing at Hyunjin’s chaotic remark and Felix stares at him, bewildered at what he just said. Chan is still in his own head, and still on course to ramble an explanation for himself.

“B-But not like the usual way. Like the opposite way.”

“What do you mean?” Hyunjin asks.

“L-Like, you don’t call me daddy. I call you daddy… o-o-or m-mommy- whatever you prefer… I think i-it might help me destress. But if it sounds like too much it’s fine, I just want to talk about it a bit- we don’t have to do anything.”

There is a pause that makes Chan hide his face in the crook of Felix’s neck. Felix pecks the top of his head while you give him a patient pat on the arm.

“Chan, do you want to bottom?” Felix eventually asks.

You have to laugh at the abruptness of it, and try to stifle it with your hand when Chan nods shyly into his shoulder. Hyunjin tsks and leaves a butterfly kiss on Chan’s shoulder as he murmurs:

“That’s what you’re nervous about? What, you think Felix and I can’t top you?”

“N-No, I just… I’m always domming everyone, so like… I didn’t want you to be disappointed.”

“Oh, Channie,” You coo.

“We wouldn’t be disappointed,” Felix assures, “And we’re happy to switch things up for you. Whoever you need, we want to make you feel good.”

Hyunjin hums in agreement.

“You always do it for us. Felix and I can manage to switch it up for you.”

You pout.

“What about me? Is pegging not on the table?”

Chan snickers and peeks up as you straighten in Felix’s lap and cross your arms. The youngest stares in confusion, only slightly less offended by your outburst than when Hyunjin brought up the car battery. Hyunjin in turn looks mildly perturbed.

“Since when do you peg us?” He asks.

“Since- whenever- I’ve pegged Channie before.”

“When?”

“I don’t know! A while ago!”

“You never peg me!”

“You never asked!”

“Alright, alright,” Felix interrupts, “Let’s put a pin in this. This is about Chan right now. We’ll come back to pegging later.”

Chan is laughing hysterically at you and Hyunjin as you throw your arms up in frustration. Your boyfriend glares softly in retaliation.

“We will be coming back to this,” Hyunjin asserts, “You were saying, Chan?”

Chan rolls onto his back, no longer hiding but still undeniably embarrassed by the conversation.

“Ah… I don’t like asking for what I want… I feel too… needy.”

“Do you know what you want?” You ask.

He shifts.

“Maybe…”

Hyunjin rests his head over Chan’s heart and lets one of his hands slip under the fabric covering his abs once again. Your mind gets sidetracked imagining Chan’s pattering heart, and how hot his flushed skin must be right now.

“You said you needed to destress,” Felix prompts, “Did you want us to treat it like a special occasion? Make it part of a selfcare day, or something?”

Chan strokes Hyunjin’s arm as he considers the option, then he nods hesitantly.

“Yeah, I think so… Um, it would be great if we were alone.”

“We can handle that,” Hyunjin assures, “We’ll make sure we have the house to ourselves.”

“Total privacy,” You reiterate, “No sneaking around. You’ll be able to fully let go.”

Chan swallows as he nods at the promise.

“Right.”

“Anything else, Channie?” Felix invites.

“No… I just want to make sure you’re all okay with it. If it’s too weird we don’t have to do it.”

“I’m into it,” You reply.

“Yeah, I’d be good with trying it,” Felix agrees.

“It’s not too weird, baby. We’re all comfortable, what’s important is that you’re ready to trust us,” Hyunjin says.

“I am… It’s just so hard for me to calm down lately. I-If there’s something you can do to make me relax before we try it, I think it would help a lot.”

“We’ll take care of you, Channie,” You purr, caressing his cheek, “We’ll be gentle with you. You’ll love it, I promise.”

“Thank you…”

“Just let us take care of it,” Hyunjin adds, “You can just sit back and look pretty.”

“Ah… You know that’s not always one of my strengths…”

“You can do it,” Felix insists, “You’ve got the looking pretty part mastered already.”

Chan shakes his head, then whines when Hyunjin tucks his face into his neck and begins littering kisses there.

“Channie you’re so cute, what do you mean?”

“A-Ah, I dunno…”

He squirms from the attention Hyunjin is giving him. Your head perks up as Jisung enters the room.

“Yo, what are you guys doing?”

“Talking about pegging,” You answer nonchalantly.

Felix chokes while Hyunjin stops his assault on Chan’s neck to sit up and point at you.

“We will be talking about it. Prepare yourself.”

“Okay.”

“I’m serious.”

Jisung clicks his tongue.

“Well, alright. Supper is ready, you sexy freaks. Come get it before Bin eats it all.”

Hyunjin leaves one last kiss on Chan’s cheek before scooting off the bed. Chan makes a show of wiping his neck and face clean before the three of you follow your boyfriend out of the room.

It is later that same week that you, Felix, and Hyunjin put your plan into action. Chan is preoccupied in his bedroom, headphones on as he works away at his laptop. You peek in his doorway, noting his comfy sweats and the large black hoodie he threw on before resigning himself to editing his newest tracks. He does not notice you, too immersed in his work, so you find your other boyfriends in Hyunjin’s room and give them a thumbs up.

“He’s very stressed.”

Felix snorts.

“Why did that get a thumbs up?”

“Because this would be the perfect time to help him destress?”

Hyunjin throws a mocking thumbs up.

“Our boyfriend is having a bad time.”

Felix follows suit.

“Our boyfriend has anxiety!”

“Okay, dicks.”

You are still smiling despite their jokes. They meet you in the doorway, and Felix nods down the hall.

“I’ll take care of Han, if you two can get rid of Bin?”

“Can do,” Hyunjin whispers.

He follows your lead to the kitchen, where Changbin is making a snack. Hyunjin quietly leans against the counter, failing to look casual as he poses suavely. You roll your eyes at his shenanigans and clear your throat before speaking up.

“Hey, Bin.”

Changbin looks over his shoulder, assesses Hyunjin’s pose, then nods at you.

“Oh, hey.”

“What are you up to?”

“Just going to eat something then head to the gym for a bit. You?”

You smirk at Hyunjin as he tries to lounge against the counter, and instead accidentally knocks over a metal bowl that loudly clangs when it hits the floor. Changbin slowly turns, his brow gently furrowed as Hyunjin scrambles to tidy it up.

“We’re, uh,” Hyunjin clears his throat, “We’re just gonna hang out here.”

“Oh yeah? Doing what?”

Changbin smiles innocently, but you see a knowing glint in his eyes when Hyunjin blushes at the question.

“You know. Doing something special together.”

“Something sexy?”

Hyunjin sputters.

“Maybe,” You tease.

“And you didn’t invite me?”

You cock your eyebrow up and look at Hyunjin, who falters before responding, “I didn’t know… You’d be into it…”

Changbin rolls his eyes.

“Well, you know, I’m open-minded?”

You giggle as Hyunjin covers his face and Changbin casually begins packing up his snack.

“Well, Bin, why don’t we talk about it sometime? Maybe then we’ll ask you to join us?” You offer.

Changbin keeps his back to you, but you can see the tips of his ears reddening.

“U-Um, it’s okay…”

Hyunjin tilts his head as Changbin finishes and steps past you swiftly, his head lowered to hide his flushed cheeks.

“I’ll, uh, spend some extra time at the gym. Stay out of your way.”

“You may want to catch a movie after that. Just to be safe,” You suggest playfully.

“Ah. Understood.”

Jisung leans in the doorway with his overnight bag as Changbin exits, and calls after him:

“Min’s on his way, if you want a drive. And, you know, somewhere to sleep for the night.”

“Yeah, I’ll be ready in a second.”

Jisung faces you and Hyunjin then shakes his head.

“Sexy freaks.”

“Takes one to know one,” Hyunjin shoots back.

Jisung grins and blows him a kiss before walking away.

Once Changbin and Jisung have left, you and Felix take on the task of separating Chan from his laptop while Hyunjin takes care of other matters. You enter Chan’s room carefully. He is on the floor now, back supported against his bed as he listens to his work. You can see him replaying the track on loop, brow furrowed as he searches for the missing piece. Felix kneels on the bed, drawing Chan’s attention as he feels the shift behind him. He looks over his shoulder and smiles, pulling down his headphones to hear you.

“Hey.”

“Hi, baby,” You greet as you sit beside him.

Felix sits behind him and dances his fingers over his shoulders before finding a troublesome knot and working at it. You caress Chan’s arm and offer him a sympathetic smile as he sighs and slumps in his spot.

“Tired?” Felix asks.

“No… just frustrated…”

You slide your hand over to rub his chest, your gaze softening as his eyebrows pinch.

“Ready for a break?” You suggest.

“Um… maybe a short one.”

He notes the silent agreement that happens when you and Felix lock eyes.

“Ah.”

“Channie,” Felix begins, as you slowly close his laptop and pull it from his lap, “This can wait until tomorrow, yeah?”

“U-Um, m’not sure…”

Felix is still working away his tension, humming softly to himself as he targets a particularly difficult spot. You feign disappointment, tsking in Chan’s ear before you gently catch his lobe between your teeth. He groans, lets you nip behind his jawline and tease his earrings with light flicks of your tongue.

“Please, Channie?”

“Mhm, well…”

You leave his side, hiding his laptop in his dresser drawer as Felix speaks in his ear.

“You deserve a break. Come on, let’s go.”

Chan offers little protest, he knows how futile it is at this point. When he stands you return to his side and take his hands, guiding him to follow you down the hall. Felix follows close behind. He loops his arms around Chan’s middle and pecks the back of his head with each step. You lead Chan to the bathroom, where Hyunjin has been hard at work.

A steamy bubble bath is waiting for Chan when you enter. Hyunjin is changing through playlists on his phone, stuck on making a decision when the three of you enter. He is wearing nothing but a pair of black silk pajama pants, giving you clear view of his muscled upper body and a not so subtle peek at the outline of his cock under the fabric. Chan pauses to drink him in before shyly looking away.

“You didn’t have to do all this… for me…”

“Oh trust, there’s more,” Felix sings.

You tug gently at the bottom of Chan’s sweater and kiss his shoulder.

“Strip down, baby. We have lots planned for you.”

“Oh, I forgot,” Hyunjin curses himself, “Hold on.”

He decides on a playlist and breezes out of the room while Chan pulls off his sweater. He chuckles when Felix snaps the band of his sweats.

“Don’t wait on him. Get to it, please.”

“Wow, bossy.”

“I said please.”

Chan obliges, strips himself down and eases himself into the tub with a giggle when you take his hand and help him in. You kiss the top of his head as Felix undresses, then comes to sit behind him in the water. They settle in and you perch on the edge of the tub to admire them when Hyunjin returns. He holds an open bottle of wine and two nice glasses between his fingers.

“Oh, Jin,” Chan protests, “Don’t waste your good stuff on me.”

Hyunjin gapes.

“It would not be a waste, and I decide what occasions are worth my wine.”

You roll your eyes.

“He means: this moment is special and we thought a glass might mellow you out. But if you don’t want it, or you don’t want us to drink, we can save it for another time.”

Chan chuckles.

“No, wine is good. I’ll have some. It, uh, still feels a bit excessive to bring it out just for me.”

“Just for you,” Felix breathes as he bunches his hair in one hand and reaches the other out to Hyunjin, “You’re adorably humble sometimes, you know, Chris?”

Hyunjin hands him a hair tie then gives you and Chan the two glasses of wine. Chan only blushes and takes a sip to avoid the compliment, while you inspect the maroon liquid sloshing around in your glass.

“Candles,” Hyunjin announces, speaking his thoughts, “It’s time for candles.”

Chan laughs as Hyunjin leaves the room again. You take a sip of your glass then hand it off to Felix, who takes a generous swig before smacking a wet kiss to Chan’s shoulder blade.

“Relax, babe. Lean back a bit. I’ve got you.”

Chan lets out a dramatic little sigh but obeys the order. He lets Felix pull him so his head is resting in his shoulder, and so he sinks more into the water. Felix’s arm wraps tight around his middle. Chan leaves his wine glass on the edge of the tub, and lets himself unwind a little more. You giggle when Felix tilts his head back to take another sip, then nuzzles his nose into Chan’s hair.

“You’re overdue for a good break.”

Chan sighs.

“Seems that way…”

Hyunjin enters the room again with a flourish, dropping a handful of pretty candles on the sink and brandishing a lighter. Chan pinches the bridge of his nose but stifles his complaints. You gather some bubbles from the water and teasingly blow them at Hyunjin. He whips around and flicks the lighter in your direction, three times, until it catches.

“Hey!”

“No,” Chan scolds, “Please, no.”

“We’re supposed to be helping Chan relax,” Felix adds, “What the hell guys?”

“Don’t bring bubbles to a lighter fight,” Hyunjin defends.

“Don’t light your girlfriend on fire,” You argue.

Hyunjin lights the candles and casts a glance at you over his shoulder.

“Aren’t you going to get changed?”

“Oh, right. I just wore it under my pjs.”

Chan’s eyebrow lilts slightly.

“‘It?’”

You stand and pull off your top, revealing the bra of your lingerie set. You grin as you catch their attention, Hyunjin even pauses for a moment to give you an once over before continuing his candle lighting. You shimmy your bottoms off and fluff the skirt as it comes untucked. The black satin set is a one-piece, with lace details along the sides. The top is secured in the front with a large bow of ribbon, and tied around your waist is the silky skirt giving the illusion of a dress. You do a little spin and pose as Chan’s hungry eyes take you in.

“Baby, how long were you hiding that from us?”

“Wasn’t a secret for Jinnie or Lix. Look, we match,” You say, tugging at Hyunjin’s pants and gesturing to your own fabric.

“You do. You look lovely.”

“You like it, baby?”

“I do.”

“Good,” Hyunjin purrs as he sets some of the candles on the corner of the tub, “We got something for you as well.”

Felix interrupts Chan as he opens his mouth:

“Don’t say we shouldn’t have. You deserve it, and it’s a treat for us too.”

Chan smiles wryly and responds, “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Good answer,” Felix whispers.

“Now,” Hyunjin states when he finishes arranging the candles to his liking, “I have some things to finish setting up in my bedroom. I’ll leave you with our darlings to get nice and relaxed, and I’ll come get you when it’s ready. Deal?”

Hyunjin leans down to share a sweet kiss with Chan, who hums in agreement. Hyunjin rests one hand on his chest, then lets it wander up to his shoulder.

“Oh, Channie, you’re still so tense. Why don’t you let Lixie massage that out, hm?”

“Ah, o-okay.”

Hyunjin smiles and takes his leave, turning off the lights as he exits the room. The candles are all that remain to dimly illuminate the space. Felix takes another sip of his wine before handing the glass back to you. You take a seat on the edge of the tub and cross your legs, then prop yourself up with an arm behind you as you watch the two of them. Felix cracks his knuckles and hums in thought as his palms slide over Chan’s shoulders.

“Let’s see, where should I start? What’s sore, baby?”

“Honestly, everywhere is.”

Felix chuckles.

“Oh, well I’ll just start here… and then I’ll make my way everywhere else, hm? Sound good?”

Chan laughs breathlessly and nods.

“Yeah… Thank you.”

“Don’t need to thank me.”

Felix begins his careful but firm massage of Chan’s muscles. He is diligent in the task, only pausing to peck kisses and murmur sweet praises with each knot he works through. Chan’s brow furrows a bit, and he cannot help the little moans and grunts that Felix draws with his deft hands. You leisurely sip your wine and watch them over the glass, locking eyes with Chan as he melts from the attention.

“Drink your wine, honey,” You instruct gently.

Chan’s eyelids flutter and he nods as he picks up the glass and shakily brings it to his lips. You can see his composure cracking as Felix successfully works out the weeks of stress that have literally been weighing on his shoulders. You tilt your head as Chan sighs softly and lets his head fall back on Felix’s shoulder. Felix takes the opportunity to kiss his neck, and smiles into it as Chan groans.

“Feel better?” You ask.

“M’yeah.”

Felix slides his hands around his middle and tentatively squeezes his chest. You giggle as one of his hands slips down to prod at his ribs, while the other cups over his heart.

“Felix.”

“Yes?”

“Stop grabbing me there.”

Felix slides his hands down, but still dances his fingers teasingly over Chan’s sides.

“You don’t like it? You have such pretty tits Chan.”

You wear a satisfied smile when Chan flushes, rosy from his face all the way down his torso where his lower half disappears into the soapy water. He goes to take another sip of his drink and squirms when Felix begins tracing the lines of his abdomen.

“So, so, pretty Channie.”

“Mhm.”

“Don’t you agree?”

Chan looks expectantly at you, but you only cock your eyebrow.

“Answer him, lovely.”

“Oh,” Chan stutters, “U-Uh, I guess. If you think so.”

“Tch, baby,” Felix sighs in Chan’s ear, “You’re so perfect. I just want to hear you say it.”

Felix’s hands begin roaming lower, under the water. Chan’s breath hitches and his legs part on instinct. You can see Felix teasing him, ghosting his touch over his thighs and expertly avoiding Chan’s arousal. Felix continues:

“I want you to say it, Chan. Tell me how pretty you are, then I’ll give you what you want.”

Chan swallows thickly and looks at you. You gaze at him through your eyelashes as you lazily drop one of your hands into the water. You do the same as Felix, groping and lightly scratching the inside of his thigh then doing nothing more. 

“Don’t you want us to touch you, Chan?” You prompt.

Chan inhales deeply and turns his face to the side, unable to look at either of you as he considers the task.

“You’ll… touch… I just have to say it?”

“Just say it,” Felix assures, “And be a good boy. We’ll do whatever you ask.”

“A-Ah, okay,” Chan whispers, “Mh-Mhm, m’pretty…”

You laugh softly.

“Again, baby. Tell us more.”

“Hah… I don’t… Can’t…”

“Sure you can,” Felix teases, “You always say it to us. Certainly, you can say it about yourself?”

Chan shakes his head.

“Mhm…”

“‘Channie is so, so, pretty,’” You purr, “Can you repeat that? Say it nice and loud for us?”

You pat his leg and retract your hand from the water. Chan whimpers and ducks his head, squeezing his eyes shut when you grab his chin and tilt his head up again.

“Ch-Channie’s… S-So pret-ty…”

“Good boy,” You coo.

Chan huffs as Felix’s hands remain unmoving.

“Y-You’re not seriously going to make me say it again?”

Felix grins.

“Of course not, that was perfect.”

“Th-then why-”

“I told you, we’ll do what you ask. I haven’t heard you ask for it.”

“Felix, please, touch me.”

Chan jolts as Felix fulfills his request. His hips buck as Felix strokes his length, making him fill out in his hand. He groans as Felix grabs his hips and pulls him flush against him.

“You like that?”

“M-Mhm.”

You watch the smirk grow on Felix’s face before he whispers, “Yeah? Tell daddy how much you like it.”

“Oh, fuck,” Chan gasps.

His wine glass topples, and you catch it before it can shatter on the porcelain. This does not save the contents from spilling into the tub, red swirling in the soapy water. Chan shudders and watches it through his lashes as Felix kisses up his neck. You set the empty glass aside and sip your wine.

“I’m waiting,” Felix insists.

Chan groans.

“I like it, Lix. Feels good.”

“Hm? Again?”

Chan curses under his breath at the torturous rhythm enveloping his cock.

“Lix- d-daddy- I like it.”

His body quivers when you grab his chin and tilt his head up to face you.

“Spilled your wine, baby.”

“I-I know, m’sorry.”

“It’s okay, I can share.”

You lovingly brush away a stray hair curling against his forehead. You take a mouthful of wine then lean in to kiss Chan. He moans and returns it eagerly, allowing some of the drink to seep from the corner of his lips. You can feel it run down his chin, and catch his wrist when he reaches up to wipe it away. You draw back with a teasing smile as the red drips down his chest.

“You’re making a mess, honey.”

Chan is given no chance to consider his reply. Felix turns his head and licks his chin clean. Chan groans and watches Felix trail messy kisses down his chest to lap up the stray drops.

“Wow,” Hyunjin voices from the doorway, “Are you having fun?”

Chan whimpers as Felix paws at his chest. Hyunjin comes to stand behind you, leaning against the wall as he observes with you. You wordlessly hand him your glass to finish it off while you watch Chan’s reactions. He squirms when Felix laps at his nipple, then arches his back when Felix’s hands settle around his waist instead of jerking him off.

“Please… Pl-ease, Lix…”

Felix chuckles, a little meanly and looks up to study Chan’s fucked out expression.

“Learn some patience, baby.”

Felix threads his fingers in the dampened curls at the base of Chan’s neck and guides him into a kiss. Chan makes another pitiful sound and turns to meet him properly for it, caging Felix between his arms as he follows him up against the wall. For a second, you think he might try to take the lead, but Hyunjin spoils his plans by running a hand over his broad shoulders then pulling him away from Felix. Felix huffs and pinches his tongue between his teeth as he watches Hyunjin lean in to whisper in Chan’s ear.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, baby. It’s time to get out and see what else we have planned for you.”

Chan nods, sits back to give Felix space to get out of the bath. Hyunjin helps Felix out, giving you the opportunity to guide Chan closer to you. He rests his head against your side, then sinks down to nuzzle your thigh as you run your fingers through his hair. You loop your arm over his shoulder and give him a gentle pat.

“Good, baby?”

“Tired… and hard.”

You laugh and slide your hand to his chin to tilt his head up.

“We’ll take care of you. Don’t worry, sweetheart.”

Chan swallows and nods, eyes fluttering as you carefully close your grip around his throat. Felix smirks as he leaves in a towel, and Hyunjin begins the task of blowing out the candles.

“M’so lucky to have you,” Chan confesses, his eyes soft and searching as you gaze down at him in the dim light.

“We’re lucky to have you too, Chan. We wouldn’t have each other without you.”

He blinks slowly, his eyes glassy as your words settle in.

“It’s true,” Hyunjin agrees, “You’ve brought so much love into our lives. You’re amazing, Chan.”

You caress Chan’s cheek as he smiles bashfully.

“M’not… not that amazing…”

“Yes you are,” Hyunjin argues, “And we’re going to show you. Come here.”

Chan laughs as he extends his arms to Hyunjin, who guides him out of the water with a fond smile. He quickly hands him a fluffy towel and uses another to pat him dry. You ease up from your perch, setting Chan’s forgotten wine glass next to Hyunjin’s on the sink counter. When you turn back, Hyunjin and Chan are kissing. Chan’s arms are looped around his back, pulling him closer as their lips melt together. Hyunjin drops the towel he was holding then slides his hands up Chan’s front, before they settle on his broad shoulders. Slowly, they part and Hyunjin sighs. He takes Chan’s face in his hands and confirms his gaze before gently speaking.

“Are you okay? Still good?”

“Mhm, m’good.”

“We can stop whenever you need to, honey. Okay? We can just cuddle or take a break if you get tired.”

Chan nods.

“Thank you. I’ll let you know.”

Hyunjin grins.

“Let’s go, Lix is waiting for us.”

Chan catches your attention before leaving. You meet him for a sweet kiss then pat his bottom gently to usher him into the hall.

Felix is waiting in the bedroom when the three of you enter, playing on his phone. He is lounging in the middle of the bed, wearing the silk button-up that matches Hyunjin’s pants and a pair of boxers. The shirt is big, just barely covers his firm thighs and gives the illusion of nothing underneath when Felix shifts to sit up. He sets his phone aside and smirks when Chan pauses to take him in. You hear his sharp inhale and watch his eyes drink in every sliver of Felix’s skin not covered in the black fabric. Felix has left the top buttons undone to tease you all with a peek at his chest.

You giggle and push Chan toward the bed. He stumbles forward with a grunt, and lets you spin him around before he falls on the edge of the bed. He blinks up at you when you cup his cheeks, then shudders under your gaze. Felix moves in behind him, wraps his arms around his middle and pulls his back to his chest. Felix winks at you then teasingly pecks Chan’s ear.

“Mhm, how are you feeling?”

Chan swallows and responds gruffly.

“G-Good…”

Felix chuckles and lets his hands roam over Chan’s chest. Chan sighs and leans back, fully relaxing into Felix’s embrace. His head falls back into the crook of his arm as Felix cradles him gently and gazes down at him.

“You took so long to come in here. Did ya miss me?”

Chan’s eyes twinkle. In moments like this he would usually grin and respond with a flirty quip that would disarm Felix’s cockiness. This time his lip trembles before he whispers his response.

“Yes…”

Felix smiles and offers a sympathetic hum before kissing Chan’s forehead. Chan’s eyebrows pinch gently and he melts at the gesture. His fingers curl in the silk shirt and he lets his eyes flutter shut, pouting gently as Felix presses more lingering kisses over his face. You watch Hyunjin observe them before retrieving a gift box from beside the bed. You ease onto the bed beside them and rest your hand on Chan’s warm chest, feeling his erratic heartbeat. Chan whimpers when Felix finally kisses him deeply on his lips.

“Missed you too,” Felix murmurs, “My sweetheart.”

Chan takes a shuddery breath when Hyunjin straddles his lap. Felix leans back and lets Chan slump against him. Chan groans gently as Hyunjin leans forward and pecks his lips sweetly. Chan’s hazy eyes glance over the box when Hyunjin breaks away. You can see the protest forming in his mind before Hyunjin gently places his finger over his lips.

“My lovely boy,” Hyunjin purrs.

Chan moans softly and squeezes his eyes shut. He shivers and nods, encouraging Hyunjin to continue. Hyunjin smirks as Chan squirms beneath him in anticipation, and that delicious warmth creeps across his skin. Chan whines when you cup his chin and tease your thumb across his plush bottom lip.

“You’re such a good boy,” You whisper.

Hyunjin hums and grazes his hand against Chan’s cheek as he admires his embarrassed expression.

“Don’t you agree? Chan?”

Chan laughs softly as Felix’s hands begin roaming over his sides.

“Y-Yeah…”

Hyunjin slides his hand down to cup the back of Chan’s neck. His eyes finally flutter open, and his breath catches as your fingers slip through his hair.

“You’re going to be good for us?” Hyunjin continues.

Chan whimpers and jolts at the stimulation of all of your hands on him. He nods, exhaling a shaky breath as Hyunjin begins opening the box. Felix lovingly rubs his hand over Chan’s abs as Hyunjin pulls a black leather choker from the box. Chan shakily inhales as your hand caresses his flushed neck.

“Do you like it?” You ask softly.

Hyunjin takes his time unfastening the loop as Chan collects himself.

“I do…”

“It’s special, just for you,” Hyunjin murmurs.

Chan nods as Hyunjin gently fastens the choker around his neck. The leather connects at the front of the collar with a loose chain and a heart-shaped loop. Hyunjin hooks his finger into that loop with a soft smirk as Chan’s face burns from the attention.

“Suits you,” Felix whispers as he gently scratches his nails over Chan’s bare chest.

Chan makes a soft sound and looks up with loving eyes. Hyunjin pulls slowly, guiding Chan to straighten up as the collar tightens around his neck. Hyunjin teases him with a peck on the forehead and secures the chain between his fingers.

“You’re such a pretty boy,” Hyunjin praises, making Chan’s hips jump beneath him, “So pretty.”

“Yeah,” Chan breathes.

Hyunjin chuckles and keeps Chan in place as he tilts his head up to meet his gaze.

“Remember what I said?”

Chan blinks as he tries to form a response, a little dazed at the pressure around his neck.

“Mhn…”

“I promised to show you how amazing you are. Are you ready?”

“Yes, please.”

“So polite,” Hyunjin coos as he pecks his lips, “So good for mommy.”

Chan hesitates as he registers Hyunjin’s words. You and Felix smirk and move off the bed as Hyunjin grabs Chan’s shoulders and kisses him, shoving him onto the mattress in the process. Chan moans and grabs Hyunjin’s hips as they roll against his. He returns the kiss eagerly and lets out a muffled groan as Hyunjin tugs on the chain. Chan tenses for a few seconds then relaxes, writhing slowly and desperately moaning underneath Hyunjin. Hyunjin pulls back with a sigh as Chan pants heavily. Hyunjin attempts to move in again but pauses when Chan puts his hand on his chest. Hyunjin’s eyes widen and he swallows thickly.

“Are you okay? Was that too much?”

Chan laughs breathlessly.

“N-No- yeah, but- j-just need a second…”

Hyunjin hesitantly brushes a curl out of Chan’s face, visibly worried when Chan grasps his wrist. Chan ducks his flushed face and huffs softly. Hyunjin watches patiently as Chan wipes his free hand over his face, then his face dawns with realization.

“Oh…”

Chan mumbles something, causing you and Felix to gently move in to hear him.

“What was that, Chris?” Felix whispers, voice careful and sweet.

“I… came…”

“Oh,” You echo, grinning at Hyunjin as he suppresses a humble smile.

Chan huffs out a laugh as Felix pats his chest.

“I guess you liked it?”

“I-I wasn’t expecting… him to call himself…”

Hyunjin eases off Chan’s lap and gingerly removes his towel, carefully wiping him clean.

“Mommy?”

Chan shudders and nods. You guide his head to rest on your thigh and run your thumb over the bridge of his nose as he catches his breath. Hyunjin tosses the towel on the bed carelessly and leans back with a sigh, tangling his legs with Chan’s as he looks him over. 

Hyunjin smirks softly and murmurs, “Sorry I’m so sexy.”

“M’sorry…”

Felix frowns and braces his arms on either side of Chan, forcing his gaze.

“Why are you sorry?”

Chan covers his face with his hand, interrupting your soothing touch.

“I don’t know, I’m embarrassed…”

You pull his hand away so Felix can peck his forehead before assuring him.

“Don’t be, baby… You didn’t do anything wrong…”

Hyunjin gently strokes Chan’s leg with a fond smile, watching as Felix pecks kisses down to Chan’s chest and you lovingly trace his jawline. Chan is still flushed from all the attention, and looks up at you with a heavy gaze. You give him a reassuring smile and pet his cheek.

“Why don’t you take a little break?”

“I think that would be best…”

Hyunjin hums in agreement.

“We haven’t been very fair to you, have we? Is it too much attention, baby?”

Chan hums softly, nuzzling his cheek against your lap as Felix sits up.

“He deserves it, though,” Felix assures, smirking as Chan shakes his head, “Don’t worry, Chan. You’re still our good boy.”

Chan laughs shyly.

“Stop…”

You giggle and let him turn to hide his face in your skirt. Felix rubs his back and snuggles closer to him.

“Mhm, but Chris…”

“N-No ‘but Chris’, be good…”

“Daddy doesn’t have to be good.”

“Oh my god…”

“Okay,” You cut in, playfully pushing Felix away, “Don’t overwhelm him. Come here, baby.”

You lead Chan to rest his head in the pillows and tuck him under the blanket, all the while glaring softly at Felix as he smiles smugly and rolls his eyes. You smirk and kiss Chan’s temple as you pat his chest.

“Just relax, baby.”

Chan laughs softly and rubs your arm drowsily.

“I’m very relaxed.”

You turn to face Hyunjin and Felix, noting the shudder that runs through the former when your eyes flick between them. Hyunjin is fidgeting now, anxiously avoiding your gaze. You snap your fingers then beckon Felix closer, which makes him blink in surprise.

“Lix, Hyune and I have something to take care of. Can you cuddle Channie- and be good?”

Hyunjin shudders and watches Felix begrudgingly crawl up beside your boyfriend.

“I’m always good…”

Chan snorts when Felix collapses in his arms and happily nuzzles his neck.

“You’re a little monster,” Chan mumbles, eyelashes fluttering as Felix settles in against him.

“Well, you’re gay.”

Chan wheezes.

“Real mature…”

You pat Felix’s bottom and quip, “Says the one dressed like Winnie the Pooh.”

Chan and Hyunjin cackle as Felix bats you away, then pulls his shirt down to better cover his ass.

“Shut up and put your dick on.”

You giggle and step away from the bed, not without catching the perplexed look on Chan’s face and Hyunjin’s breathless chuckle.

“Oh, so… pegging?” Chan concludes.

Hyunjin flusters and falls forward on the bed, curling into a ball and hiding his face in the blanket.

“Don’t be so casual about it!”

Chan blinks slowly, obviously not expecting Hyunjin’s reaction. He then smirks as Hyunjin rises, cheeks flushed and lips pressed into an anxious frown.

“Are you nervous?”

“N-No…”

“You shouldn’t be, you’re used to taking it-”

“Christopher,” Hyunjin wheezes in warning.

Chan bites his lip to conceal his troublesome smirk. Felix chuckles and snuggles up to Chan, getting comfortable as he watches you retrieve your strap from beside the bed. Chan tucks his arm behind his head and relaxes as his other arm snakes around Felix’s waist. You note Hyunjin quietly gnawing on his lip, and his eyes widen as they meet yours. You raise your eyebrow as you equip your strap, letting your eyes travel shamelessly over Hyunjin’s flushed chest as you lift your skirt to adjust the toy. You smirk as Hyunjin covers his face and falls dramatically to the bed, his arousal very present beneath his pants.

“Baby…”

You hum in response, taking your time fishing lube out of the drawer as Hyunjin flusters.

“You’re so nervous, Hyunjinnie,” Chan coos.

“You’re acting like you’ve never had sex before,” Felix teases.

Hyunjin huffs as he meets their eyes.

“I know I’ve had sex before. I know I’ve bottomed before. But I haven’t done it like this before.”

“Like what?” Felix presses with a mischievous little glint in his eyes.

“Like… with her. It’s different.”

You ease beside Hyunjin on the bed. Slowly, as if sudden movements may startle him away. You lean close with a knowing smirk as he turns to face you with a pout.

“Do you feel like a virgin again, Hyune?”

Hyunjin shudders at your words and makes a mindless sound, something between a moan and a warble of embarrassment. Your lips widen into a grin as you stalk closer, following him as he slowly leans back on his elbows. His eyes flutter as you lean in, close enough that your breath washes over his faltering lips. He gapes for a moment and clears his throat before managing a husky reply.

“I don’t know…”

“I think you do, baby,” You whisper, just loud enough for Felix and Chan to hear as well, “Are you ready for daddy?”

Chan groans and throws his head back. It thunks against the headboard and he splutters curses, disrupting the tension between you and Hyunjin. You both pause to watch him whine, and Felix- while suppressing a laugh- cup Chan’s aching head to his chest. He eventually breaks when Chan dramatically wails and wipes away his tears. Felix kisses his forehead and gently rubs the back of his neck as he cackles.

“Are you okay, babe?” Hyunjin asks with a fond sigh.

Chan whimpers and shakes his head, then mumbles, “Hurts s’much…”

“Do we- should we take a break?” Felix asks.

Hyunjin shrugs and answers, “Chan’s call.”

Chan huffs and melts into Felix’s touch.

“God, my head…”

“I wasn’t gonna say anything, but yeah, it’s been pretty bad lately,” Felix murmurs.

Chan gasps and shoves him down to the bed, making Felix squeal as Chan jostles him.

“What was that?”

“Nothing! Nothing!”

Felix laughs and accepts the barrage of kisses Chan peppers over his face. Hyunjin sighs and throws his hand over his face as he sinks into the bedsheets. You smile patiently and watch him shift his hips.

“I’m embarrassed to still be hard after that joke…”

“Don’t worry,” You assure Hyunjin, “I’m hard too.”

Hyunjin laughs then swats your thigh.

“Yours isn’t real!”

“Yes it is.”

“No, it’s not!”

You straddle his lap, making him lift his hand and blink at you with wide eyes.

“Let’s see what you think after trying it out. You can let me know if it feels real or not.”

Hyunjin lets out a breathy laugh as you brace your hands over his shoulders. His hands grip your hips while his eyes wander down to your chest; they follow the curves of your stomach until they land on the bulge of the toy beneath your skirt. His eyes flick back to yours again and he bites his lip as you tilt your head at him. You both glance up as Felix moans. He is sprawled out on the bed, shirt pulled open just enough so Chan can lap at his exposed nipple. Hyunjin huffs at the sight of Chan’s face buried in Felix’s chest.

“Chaaan,” Felix drawls, “You’re missing- mhmmm- them...”

Chan chuckles and licks along Felix’s sternum.

“I’m keeping an eye on them, don’t worry.”

“You really suck at domming, Lix,” You remark.

“Sh-hah-ut u-up,” Felix barely manages through an airy moan.

Chan meets your gaze as he nips at Felix’s shuddering chest.

“Enjoying the show?” He purrs.

Hyunjin scoffs.

“Stop being a distraction.”

Chan raises his head to stick his tongue out at Hyunjin and you giggle.

“Be good, Channie,” You warn, “It’s your turn after Hyunjin.”

Chan sighs and leans back, letting Felix gently push him off so they can both sit back and watch.

“Try not to concuss yourself this time,” Hyunjin demands.

Chan rolls his eyes and looks at Felix as his finger curls into the ring of his collar. Chan cocks his eyebrow and not so subtly eyes up Felix’s lips.

“Oh, you’re gonna keep me in line now?”

“I’m doing my best,” Felix whines.

“Both of you, behave,” You order.

Chan grumbles and shoves his face into Felix’s chest, who responds with a giggle as he plays with Chan’s collar. You hum softly, drawing Hyunjin’s attention back to you as you drink in the sight of his bulge under your lap. He swallows as you lean down, pressing him against the mattress.

“Still nervous, baby?”

“A little…”

“What’s making you nervous?”

You trace your fingers down his chest, over the lines of his abdomen. You can feel every stutter of his breath in this position. Hyunjin inhales shakily, his eyes lidded as he watches your hand go lower and lower.

“It’s different. New.”

“Scared you won’t like it?”

“N-No, of course not, I just…”

He trails off as your touch pauses at the hem of his pants and you meet his uncertain eyes.

“You can change your mind, I’ll stop.”

Hyunjin swallows and closes his eyes.

“I want this. I know that for sure so… don’t let me convince you otherwise.”

“Look at me, Hyunjin.”

He does. His eyes flutter open and meet your gaze, pupils blown wide as you lean in. You brush away the strands of hair clinging to his clammy skin, then cup his cheek as you lean in for a kiss. He returns it with a quiet moan, lets you press him into the sheets without protest as the kiss deepens. He inhales sharply when your tongue breaches his mouth and lets out a soft grunt as your fingers cup his chin. The kiss becomes messy and uncoordinated as you grind down in his lap, and you slowly part with a satisfied smirk. 

Hyunjin throws his arm over his face and groans. You do little to help him catch his breath as you press your hips down harder. You watch the perspiration collect on his temple and the heat rise in his cheeks as his body writhes beneath yours. He wipes his hand over his face and sobs into it softly as you rut your cocks together.

“Good?”

“Mhh.”

You giggle mischievously as he smiles at you, smitten and flustered.

“I meant it when I asked: do you feel like a virgin again?”

Hyunjin whimpers and shifts, failing to avoid your gaze as you cradle his face.

“Mhm…”

“Don’t go silent on me yet, baby,” You coo, “Answer me. Do you want daddy to fuck you like a virgin?”

Hyunjin releases a slow breath, his eyes rolling with the torturous motion of your hips.

“I want- fuck- yes.”

“Ah, Hyune. You’re so pretty like this.”

You glance up at Chan and Felix as they watch. Chan has Felix pulled into his lap, his nose is nestled in the crook of his shoulder as he observes. Felix fingers are pressed gently between his teeth, easing his anticipation as he watches intently. You return your attention to Hyunjin, carefully reading every reaction he has. You finally bring your hands to the hem of his pants, but not without teasing your touch down his front.

“So pretty. So delicate. Don’t worry, baby, I’ll be gentle.”

Hyunjin chokes and nods, giving you an affirming hum as you lower his pants. You gasp softly when you find he has nothing underneath.

“Hyunjin. No wonder these didn’t hide your boner for shit.”

Hyunjin threads his fingers in his hair and keens when you rut your cocks together, now without a buffer. 

“Mhngh…”

You giggle and tug his bottoms off, leaving him bare beneath you. You slide between his legs then draw his thighs over your hips as he gazes at you with heavy eyes. Your eyes lock as you slide your hands over his hips and up to his sides. He grunts softly when you grasp his sides and frot your strap against his arousal. His back arches before he slumps with a huff.

“Like that?”

“Baby…”

“Yes?”

His head lulls to the side as he shudders.

“Mhh, s’good…”

You hum as you pop open the cap of the lube. Hyunjin gasps when you squeeze his thigh and push his legs open in your lap. You pause to take in the sight of his cock, hot and heavy against his abdomen. You take your time, pouring lube into your palm and warming it between your hands as he squirms and huffs beneath you.

“Still feeling good?” You ask gently.

He nods, watching your hands through his eyelashes as his eyes flutter shut. He lets out a relieved sound when you finally bring your hands to his cock. His hips jump ever so slightly as he chases your touch, and you tsk softly.

“So impatient, baby. Don’t worry, daddy’s gonna take care of you. Wouldn’t want to ruin your first time.”

“More… You’re, hah,” Hyunjin moans then murmurs, “You’re mean…”

“I’m not mean,” You purr as your hands glide over his length, “You don’t know what you’re asking for, honey.”

Your hands roam to prop up his hips and tease the rim of his hole. He mumbles a curse and makes an animalistic sound as two of your fingers penetrate him. Your other hand sneaks back to his cock and he catches your wrist.

“Mhh, m’gonna come. Don’t.”

“Already? You’re really acting like a virgin…”

“Fuck you…”

Hyunjin whines as you withdraw your hands. You roll your eyes and hike your skirt up to expose your length as he kicks out in frustration. You lube the toy up carelessly, ignoring his hiss as some drips on his thighs. He yelps when you grab his wrists and push forward, pinning them above his head as you hover your face over his. He makes a desperate sound as you grind against him, his thighs twitching and his hands flailing at the rough contact.

“Is this what you want, Hyune? Or do you want me to be nice?”

“Mhh, nice,” He mumbles, pouting softly as you pry another moan from his throat.

You release his hands and lean back, sitting on your knees.

“Come here, baby.”

“H-Huh?”

He props himself up and you gesture him closer with two fingers. He hesitates and you huff quietly before cradling his sides and guiding him into your lap. He makes a soft sound of recognition and loops his arms around your shoulders as you help him sit in your lap. He blushes as he becomes more exposed, forced to spread his legs and let you loop your arms around his waist to accommodate the position. Still, he settles in with a soft moan as you gently peck his lips. He leans in eagerly, falling into a gentle rhythm of trading deep kisses until you murmur against his lips.

“Can you be a good boy for me? Hm? Wanna ride daddy?”

He groans and nods. You take the opportunity to return your slicked fingers back to his hole and slowly spread him open. His breath hitches and he silently moans as you prep him. Your lips ghost over his shoulder as his head falls forward to rest in the crook of your neck.

“Nhh…”

“You’re so fucking tight, Hyune…”

He nods, his hips jolting as you work him open.

“Good? Is this how you want it?”

“Hh?”

Hyunjin attempts to look at you, bumps his nose to your chin as you fuck your fingers deeper. You kiss his forehead and smile softly as he shudders.

“How do you want me, baby?”

“Oh,” He gasps, “I-I thought… Imagined we would… Just…”

You chuckle and he dreamily echoes the sound.

“Need to lay down?”

He nods and you gently ease him down on his back, giving him a break as you do so by retracting your hand. His soft pants fill the room as you line up your hips and give him a tender kiss.

“Is this okay?”

He hums and nods.

“I thought we were going to do that… face-down-ass-up thing.”

You snort.

“That’s not very romantic for your first time…”

He laughs.

“Oh right, I’m supposed to be a virgin. I’m having trouble getting into character, I think.”

You sigh wistfully.

“Yeah, you’re an awful virgin. I should’ve known better.”

Hyunjin giggles.

“No, no, I can be a virgin,” He insists playfully, toying with his hair as he continues, “Please be gentle with me?”

“Mhm, I’ll be gentle, sweetheart.”

You both smile into your next kiss, making it more teeth and tongue than a touch between your lips. He cups your cheeks and urges you closer so your chest is pressed against his. His hands absentmindedly trace the lace patterns of your lingerie as you press your cockhead against his entrance. He groans and relaxes with a muttered curse when you push in and bottom out. You tuck your face into his neck, nose at his pulse point as you feel his heart thrum in his chest. You reach down to pull your little silk skirt out of the way and take a moment to enjoy the intimacy. He wraps his arms around your waist and groans as you slowly begin your rhythm.

“Good? Not too much, baby?”

“No,” He murmurs, “S’perfect.”

You kiss his shoulder and caress his hips as you gently rock into him. He sighs and moans, lithe legs twitching each time you bottom out. He lets his head fall back, sweat dripping down his neck as you fuck him into the mattress. He lets out delicious restrained noises as your pace quickens. You draw back just enough to see his face, memorize the sight of him biting his lip and pinching his eyes shut in pleasure. His eyebrows arch and he eventually lets out a shameless moan, giving up on maintaining any composure.

“Fuck. That’s daddy’s boy,” You praise, feeling arousal and pride at the sight of Hyunjin choking out a moan.

“Ha-Hah, uhh, mhnn…”

You watch him with a devilish smile, dissecting every detail of his fucked out expression.

“Can’t talk, lovey?”

“Mh-hh-hard. H-Hard to, hhn, ngh…”

“Is daddy’s dick that good, baby,” You ask with faux sympathy, “Did I fuck my little boy stupid?”

“Yeah-hah…”

“Mhm, look at me.”

He huffs and manages to do as you ask. He moans as you press your forehead to his, then mumbles praise as you tilt your head and lock your lips together. The kiss is deceptively soft compared to the pace you’ve set with your hips, but you credit that to Hyunjin’s inability to focus at the moment. His mouth falls open and you move to pecking his chin and neck. His hips have not stopped moving, desperate to get you deeper. Your fingers clench in his flesh and his thighs tighten around your hips as he tries to meet you for each thrust. Any semblance of cohesive speech has been fucked away, now replaced with breathless pants and gasps.

After some time Hyunjin gives you a sort of warning, although the sound barely varies from his usual sounds of pleasure. You cup his face with one hand, watch it contort as his nails drag down your back, and murmur encouragement as your other hand slides down to his length. He finishes over your fist, making a mess between your fronts as he curses and whines. You giggle and kiss him sweetly as you help him through the lingering waves of pleasure, then you slowly pull out. You brace your hands on the bed and lean over him, staring intently as he heaves and melts into the sheets.

“My bad…”

“Hm?”

His hand clumsily wipes your stomach, smearing his cum over the silky fabric. You giggle, noticing that his bare chest is just as messy.

“It’s okay, baby. You did so well.”

Hyunjin hums.

“I love you so much…”

You share another kiss and you murmur back, “I love you too, Hyune…”

You trace your thumb lazily over Hyunjin’s hip as he lays back with a soft sigh. Your attention is drawn to Felix, sprawled in Chan’s lap and catching his own breath. Chan’s hand slips out of Felix’s boxers, and you snort.

“Felix, did you just-”

“Chan did it,” Felix sulks with a pout, “It’s his fault…”

“You always blame everything on me,” Chan coos, not-so-subtly wiping his hand on Felix’s shirt, “Take some responsibility, Lix…”

Felix whimpers and looks at you with pleading eyes. Hyunjin sighs and shakes his head with teasing disappointment.

“Yongbokkie…”

Chan kisses Felix’s neck as the younger whines and squirms.

“I tried…”

“Somehow, I don’t believe that,” You tease.

Hyunjin’s head lolls as he looks at your boyfriends. Felix shudders and turns, only managing to raise his hands before Chan catches his wrists and pushes him to the mattress. Felix huffs and makes a half-assed attempt at wrenching his wrists free before letting Chan hover over him.

“He’s picking on me…”

“Chan, be good,” You say sternly before letting your voice carry on with a honeyed tone, “Are you ready for your turn?”

Chan nods and shares a lingering kiss with Felix before leaving him to move next to you. You smile at Hyunjin, who drowsily blinks at the two of you as Chan fetches the used towel and swipes it over his chest. Hyunjin hums and his eyes fall shut as he gives you a blissed out smile. You giggle and reach up with pet his cheek.

“You’re so pretty, Hyune. So beautiful like this.”

Hyunjin mumbles a thank-you, either at your compliment or to Chan for trying to clean him. You notice Felix, curled up away from you at the head of the bed and call out to him softly.

“Lix, baby, everything okay?”

He gives you a thumbs up and huffs.

“Chan’s a fucking dick.”

Chan looks offended and throws his hands up with an eye roll.

“I’m sorry, I thought you wanted to come! Silly me for doing you a favor.”

You laugh as Felix, without raising his head, points accusingly in Chan’s direction.

“Manipulator, mansplainer, manwhore. That’s all you are.”

“M’not a mansplainer…”

Hyunjin asks, “You’re not denying the other two?”

You redirect the conversation by giving Felix gentle instructions.

“Lix, can you help Hyune move?”

Felix whines and rolls over, looking exhausted.

“Babe, I’m fighting for my life right now.”

Chan shakes his head and moves instead, chiding Felix as he scoops his arms under Hyunjin’s limp body:

“You’re so dramatic, Felix.”

Felix sticks his tongue out and you smirk, shaking your head fondly.

“Okay, sweetheart. Can you at least throw me a pillow?”

Felix does manage to do this before he slowly rolls himself into a more comfortable position. Chan carries Hyunjin up beside him and helps him settle as you rise from the bed. You stand in the middle of the room, hands on your hips as you look around. You find what you are looking for, a chair, and are briefly distracted as you slide it over beside the bed. Felix whining draws your attention back to them, and you sigh softly as you take in the sight: Chan leaning over Hyunjin and kissing Felix as his hand roams over his lap. Felix squirms and whimpers as Chan cups him through his boxers, while Hyunjin observes them with an amused look. 

You sigh and pick up the pillow, then use it to smack Chan’s bare bottom. Hyunjin laughs as Chan yelps into the kiss with Felix, then turns to glare at you over his shoulder.

“What?”

“Stop torturing Felix and get over here.”

“Ooh,” Hyunjin teases.

Chan leaves Felix’s side and the younger hides his heated face in Hyunjin’s shoulder with a huff.

“I wasn’t torturing him,” Chan defends as he smirks at you, “You’re just jealous. You need my attention that badly, right, babygirl?”

You toss the pillow on the chair then cross your arms with a smirk as Chan comes to sit in front of you on the bed. His face and chest are still flushed, and the kisses left on his neck and lips have made his skin bloom a deep shade of red. You admire the marks as you lean closer to study his cocky smirk.

“Not jealous.”

Chan’s eyelashes flutter and he reaches out to pull you closer. His hands caress and squeeze your sides as you follow his lead and rest your hands on his shoulders. He draws you between his thighs as he swings his legs over the edge of the bed, but you keep your feet firmly planted on the floor.

“No? We’ve barely touched you tonight, sweetheart. You must be getting restless. Let me take care of you.”

You shudder at the offer but bite your lip and shake your head.

“I told you to be good with Felix, and you didn’t listen. Now you’re trying to entice me? You’re not being a very good boy, Channie…”

His eyes flick down, drinking in the way your lingerie cups your breasts as you begin to crawl into his lap. One of his hands slides down to feel your backside and he meanly squeezes the back of your thigh.

“I could take care of you, baby…”

At the same time Chan attempts to guide your thighs around his sides you shove him to the bed. Your nimble fingers catch the heart-shaped loop of his collar and pull it towards you as your palm splays against his chest. Chan groans, his eyes shutting as he pushes against your hand on his chest. He peeks up at you with a smirk, fighting against the force of your hand with ease. He opens his mouth for some snarky quip, clearly intent on turning things around. When he goes to speak you rise up and drive your knee into his chest, knocking the air out of him and successfully pinning him to the bed.

Hyunjin gasps as the bed rocks and you pull the collar tight to restrict Chan’s breathing, more intense than the light play your lovers were experimenting with earlier. Chan’s eyes widen and he wheezes softly, and you notice Felix rising in your periphery. As Chan’s back arches you fall back, straddling his lap and loosening his collar. He takes a deep breath and relaxes with a sigh, blinking rapidly as he stares at the ceiling. You give Felix and Hyunjin a reassuring smile and they relax. Chan is rock hard beneath you, his length grazing the inside of your thigh as you lean forward to find his gaze.

“Channie,” He inhales sharply and looks at you in a daze, “We already promised to take care of you tonight. Be a good boy and listen… to… daddy…”

“Fuck…”

Chan swallows and nods as you slowly pull the collar tight again.

“Now… weren’t you saying something?”

Chan shakes his head and replies in a rough voice, “N-No… No…”

“Are you okay?”

He nods.

“Mhm. Stars.”

“Stars?”

“S-Saw stars for a second…”

You toy with the chain as he shakily pushes himself up.

“Okay… Deep breath, baby.”

He exhales then breathes in, capturing the air that you tore from him moments ago. Your hand rests on his cheek as your other hand slips beneath his collar, gingerly touching his skin.

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

“No,” He pants, “No, baby, that was so good…”

“I just don’t want to be too rough with you.”

He laughs breathlessly and leans closer. You meet him for a kiss and smile against his lips as he guides your hand back to the chain. You secure it in your grip and cup the back of his neck as he murmurs against your lips:

“Please, keep going. Please, baby.”

You hum and kiss his forehead, then feel his shuddery breath wash over your neck before he plants a wet kiss to your collarbone. One of his hands comes to your waist, trying to keep you close as you lean back to look down at him. You are hovering over his lap now, having ended up there when you moved in to check on him. You kiss the top of his head as his hand creeps lower to the tie securing your skirt.

“Want me to fuck you now, Chan? Are you going to be a good boy?”

He moans and nods as he blearily looks up at you. You pull on the chain just a bit, and his eyes lose focus for a second.

“God, Chan, it didn’t take long to put you back in line… You are a manwhore, aren’t you?”

Your words make him fumble, fail to pull your skirt loose as he groans and nuzzles his face into your chest. He presses lazy open-mouth kisses to your breasts, and after a few attempts manages to pull the ribbon open on both the bra and the skirt. The skirt flutters to the floor as he tugs it away, and the fabric that was covering your breasts falls open. You moan softly and push him to lay down, without any resistance this time.

“Answer me.”

“Babe,” He sobs.

You sigh and feign annoyance as you kiss him again, silencing his complaints as you blindly find the lube in the bedsheets beside you. You sit up and tilt your head at him as he swipes his hand through his hair.

“Roll over. I need to prep you.”

Chan groans but listens, rolling onto his stomach after you ease off his lap. You slip your thigh under his, propping up his hips, and begin to wet your fingers. He whines and you roll your eyes before slipping one of your hands beneath him to grip his cock.

“Is this what you wanted?”

He whines again but nods, rutting into your fist as you begin spreading your fingers between his cheeks. You let him whimper and beg into the sheets, and offer him little acknowledgement as you carefully slip your fingers inside his hole. His fingers curl into fists and he buries his face with a broken groan.

“Talk to me, baby.”

His hips jolt as your fingers nudge a sensitive spot and he chokes on his words. You lean over to check his expression, noting the drool wetting the sheets and the way his eyebrows are pinched in desperation. He blinks away his tears as he nuzzles the bed pitifully and you coo softly.

“Give me a color, baby.”

“Gr-Green… Green, ohgodplease…”

You glance over at Felix and Hyunjin, both focused on Chan’s reactions the same as you. You giggle as you spread your fingers and work him gently with your hand.

“I think it’s been too long since we’ve done this, Channie. You can barely keep it together.”

Chan grunts and wipes his face, already a mess from the pleasure. 

“M’fine…”

You pull your hand away and Chan wheezes, not dissimilar to the sound you drew from him earlier.

“You’re on the verge of tears and I’m not even inside you yet.”

Chan just sobs and lets his front melt into the bed.

“Baby…”

“And to think you were making fun of Hyune… He took it much better than you…”

Hyunjin giggles at your comment. You stand from the bed and lightly slap Chan’s ass, making him jump and moan.

“Get up.”

You drip more lube over your fingers and shaft as Chan shakily pushes himself up. He looks at you over his shoulder, eyes lidded with tears gathered in his lashes. His nose is red and his lips are swollen as he again attempts to wipe his face clean. You move to lean against the chair as you watch his pitiful glare.

“Chan, if you can’t get up I’m not fucking you. Stand on your fucking feet and stop being a brat.”

He sniffles and nods as he slides himself to the edge of the bed. You extend your hand to him, giving him some support as he stands on his quivering legs. His cock is standing flush against his abdomen and beginning to weep, despite his orgasm from earlier. He bows his head as he stumbles into your arms and you accept him sweetly, taking your time to wipe away the tears that begin to pour down his cheeks and trickle from under his nose.

“Why are you crying, baby? Did I hurt your feelings?”

Your voice is soft, holding genuine care as you mildly taunt his emotional outburst. You tilt up his chin, forcing him to face you as your thumb continues swiping away his tears. He chokes out a sob and shakes his head.

“Ngh- n-need you- love you,” He mumbles, “M’sorry I’m such a me-ess…”

You shush him gently and guide him closer for a kiss, ignoring the salty taste on your tongue and the dampness that transfers to your face. You hold his cheeks as you trade kisses, give him breaks to sob against your lips before your tongue delves back in to explore his trembling mouth. After one particularly long kiss you pull him into a hug, letting him hide his face in the crook of your neck. His arms close tighter around you immediately, grasping onto you like a lifeline as you sway and rub his back.

“I love you so much, Chan,” He hiccups as you murmur to him sweetly, “So, so much… You work so hard and I’m so proud of you… You deserve everything, my sweet boy… I want to give you everything…”

Chan cries as he pulls back to face you.

“I-I just wa-ant you… I just want…”

You nod your head and watch him patiently as you tuck stray hairs out of his face. He fails to get his words out but you give him an understanding smile.

“I know, baby. It all feels like a lot now, doesn’t it?”

Felix catches your attention by waving a tissue within your reach until you take it. You gingerly dab Chan’s face dry and his hands move up to wipe your face clean. His lower lip trembles as he stares at you, hanging off your next words.

“You’re doing so well. I’m so proud of you. I just need you to keep doing what you’re doing, okay? Hm? Can you keep going for daddy, or do you need a break?”

“Keep going,” Chan croaks.

You smile.

“That’s my boy. We’re almost done, you know? I really want to see you let loose, alright? As soon as you come we’ll be all done. Is that what you want?”

Chan’s eyelashes flutter and for a moment he seems to have forgotten the situation he is in. He leans forward so his forehead touches yours and hums.

“I wanna come…”

“You will, baby,” You kiss him chastely and pet his cheeks, “Look at me. One last question: do you want me to be nice or do you want me to be mean?”

He nuzzles his nose against yours and takes a long time deciding, worrying you that he missed the question in his daze. Eventually he does choose, and seems certain in his answer.

“Mean, rough, please.”

You nod and kiss him again before reassuring, “I love you. Remember the colors, alright? Yellow to slow down, red to stop.”

He nods and replies, “I love you.”

You smile sweetly and gently guide him to turn, pressing your bare chest against his back as you bring him to the chair. You help him brace his hands on the back of it and he takes the hint when you slide your hands to his hips and push him to sit on the cushion. He shivers at your hot breath on the nape of his neck and groans weakly as you help him spread his legs over the sides of the chair. His hips roll slightly, chasing the friction of his cock brushing against the soft pillow. You reach around and slap his abdomen, making him squeal and tighten his thighs around the back of the seat.

“If I catch you doing that again it’ll be your dick, understand?”

He rests his forehead in his arms and whimpers.

“Ye-es…”

Your hand slides over his back, feeling his shoulder blades before you trace your finger down his spine. His breath shudders and you see his thighs squeeze tighter in an attempt to stop himself from thrusting. The chair creaks as you rest your knee on the edge of it and slide it under his thighs, guiding him to arch his back and raise his hips. You look at Felix and Hyunjin, both have sobered up from their orgasms and are watching you and Chan carefully. You lean forward to kiss his shoulder and whisper.

“Are you ready, love?”

“Yes, yea-”

As soon as Chan gives you the go ahead, you pull his hips up and sheath your strap inside him with one motion. He grunts and loses his footing for a second, struggling to adjust to the position as you begin thrusting steadily. He whines and closes his fists tight on the back of the chair as he drops his forehead against it. More desperate sounds of pleasure spill from his lips as you push to the hilt with each thrust.

Hyunjin smirks softly and Felix chuckles before rising from the bed. If Chan notices them begin to move around the room, he is too fucked out to acknowledge it. He just groans and leans over the back of the chair as he lets you set the pace. You grip his thighs tight and use the leverage of your knee on the chair to support your thrusts. His legs wobble, but eventually you feel your pace and his stance are secure enough for you to slide one of your hands up to his cock. He gasps and melts at the feeling, letting his cheek smush into the crook of his arm as his body sags beneath you. You think if your weight was not on the edge of the chair right now it would have tipped already with how limp Chan has become.

You are vaguely aware of your boyfriends, cleaning up the bed and each other, but you are more focused on Chan. His little breathy moans, his cock throbbing in your grasp, and the way his toes are curling against the floor. On one punctuated thrust one of his legs gives out and Chan cries out softly.

“Y-ellow-”

You forget your own rules for a moment and stop completely, making Chan whine and shake his head. You huff softly and pet his side as you lean in to kiss his shoulder.

“What’s wrong, baby? What do you need?”

“Can’t… Can’t stand like this any longer…”

“Okay, lovey,” You purr, “Turn around for me.”

Chan sighs and shakily does so. He leans back in the chair, his head falling back as he attempts to catch his breath. You meet Hyunjn’s gaze as he comes to stand behind Chan with a smile.

“You look so good, Channie.”

Chan laughs breathlessly and groans.

“Hyune,” You ask softly, “Keep the chair steady, please?”

Hyunjin tilts his head and rests his hand on the back of the chair behind Chan’s shoulders.

“Like this?”

“Perfect.”

You pull Chan up by his hips and resume your relentless pace, making him cry out in pleasure and grasp at the chair haphazardly. Hyunjin’s eyes widen and he reaffirms his grip to keep it steady. Chan whines and knocks his head back.

“Mhngh… Fuck…”

Hyunjin chuckles and sweetly kisses his forehead.

“You’re doing so well…”

Chan nods, his face contorting in pleasure as he gets closer to his release. It feels like only seconds have passed when Chan’s back arches and he lets out a desperate groan, tears prickling in his vision from the intensity of his orgasm ripping through him. He pants as his release paints his front, and he gazes at you with a wrecked expression. Your pace slows until you pull out, then you lean in to kiss him gently. He moans and weakly returns it between soft gasps for air. Hyunjin gently rubs Chan’s shoulder and kisses the top of his head.

“There you go…”

Chan’s hands shake as he reaches for you, and he pulls you in again. You laugh softly as he tucks his face into your chest and pulls your arms around his shoulders, before securing his arms around your middle. You oblige even though the position is awkward and smile softly at him.

“Tired, baby?”

He whines and nods, gently nuzzling your chest as you pat his head. Hyunjin steps away as you begin to straighten up and slowly guide Chan to stand. His legs are shaky, but you both make it to the bed. Chan collapses with a sigh, chest heaving as he attempts to recollect himself. You sit beside him, take your time removing his collar, then jump slightly when Felix comes to stand behind you. His hands quickly find the clips fastening your lingerie set and undo them swiftly. You make a little relieved noise as he strips the fabric, soiled with cum and sweat, off your body. Chan watches with a soft smile as you lay down beside him, prop your elbow on the pillow as you gaze sleepily down at him.

Hyunjin returns and makes a soft noise at the scene before him. He crawls onto the bed beside Chan and holds out a bottle of water.

“Drink.”

Chan groans but Hyunjin insists, holding the open bottle to his lips carefully until he is satisfied with the number of small sips Chan drowsily accepts. He passes the bottle to you so you can have a swig as he begins cleaning Chan’s face. Chan’s eyes flutter as Hyunjin dabs under them with a cool cloth, before laying that to cover his eyes and forehead.

“Mh?” Chan mumbles and reaches up to blindly touch the cooling fabric.

You begin stroking your fingers through his hair as Hyunjin moves down his body. He rests his hand on Chan’s chest and informs gently:

“I’m going to clean you up, baby. So if you feel anything, it’s just me.”

Chan murmurs some sort of affirmation and you giggle gently. You drink more water before holding it to his lips again. Chan grasps weakly at your wrist and half-takes it, tipping it slightly to get a drink then giving up and letting you guide the bottle to and from his lips. As you both begin to come down from the moment you notice Hyunjin has dressed himself in clean shorts. He wipes a wet cloth over Chan’s stomach and legs with gentle focus. You blink up dazedly as Felix leans down behind you.

“How do you feel, baby?” 

He brushes his thumb over your cheek dotingly as you begin to register that his question was aimed at you. You let out a long sigh before you reply.

“Being the top is exhausting.”

Hyunjin cackles and Felix smirks as you sink into the bed beside Chan. Chan chuckles softly and lets out a low hum, relaxing at the feeling of Hyunjin coasting the washcloth over his thighs. Felix kisses your temple and sits beside you.

“Now you know how we feel,” He jokes.

“What the fuck are you talking about? You’re a total pillow princess.”

Chan and Hyunjin both laugh at your quip, and when you peek up Felix is glaring down at you with his mouth completely gaped. He then shakes his head and lets the warm cloth he was holding slap unceremoniously on your bare stomach. You giggle mischievously as he begins begrudgingly wiping it over your body. Chan lets out an airy moan and you glance over, noticing that Hyunjin has propped up his legs to clean his behind.

“You okay?” Hyunjin asks.

“Sensitive…” Chan whines.

“I know, babe, but I can’t let you be filthy all night.”

Chan pouts and you lean over to gently peck his lips.

“We’ll only keep turning you into a mess if we’re allowed to clean you up again,” You remind him.

Chan grumbles and twitches slightly as Hyunjin finishes up. Hyunjin slides a clean pair of boxers onto Chan and kisses his stomach as the elastic band snaps against his skin. Chan jumps and groans, reaching down blindly to ruffle Hyunjin’s hair. Hyunjin continues mouthing up his body, giggling softly as Chan sleepily plays with his hair. You smirk at Felix, who is still pouting.

“What?”

“I’m mad at you.”

“Tch,” Hyunjin grins into Chan’s chest and glances at Felix.

“Why, because I speak the truth?”

“I’m not a pillow princess,” Felix whines.

“No,” Chan murmurs, “You’re worse.”

Felix blushes as you and Hyunjin laugh, then he shakes his head.

“And to think: I was going to be nice and go down on you.”

You cock up your eyebrow and lounge with a sleepy grin, watching as Felix straddles your leg.

“Were you?”

“Yes.”

“Aww,” You watch him lean down to brush his lips against your stomach, your breath stuttering as his tongue peeks out to trace over your dewy skin, “Mhm, y-you look like you’re still going to…”

“Mhm, I am,” He mumbles, “But m’not happy about it…”

“Liar,” Hyunjin bites, “You love eating her pussy, you’re getting exactly what you want.”

Felix smirks and sighs into your skin as he slowly kisses lower.

“You make me sound like such a selfish lover…”

You giggle as he presses lingering kisses to the crease of your thigh, then you moan as his tongue flicks gently over your clit. Felix guides your thighs over his shoulders and gently licks and kisses between your folds. You hiss gently and shift your hips, making him look up with wide eyes.

“M’kay?”

You nod and let out a slow breath.

“Hips are sore…”

Felix hums, distracting you with a pleasant vibration against your core as his hands come up to gently massage your thighs. He buries his face between your legs, his nose pressed against your mound as his tongue delves deeper. You moan and let yourself relax, eyes falling on Hyunjin and Chan next to you. Hyunjin has taken the cloth from Chan’s face and is gently pressing it to his neck. Your gaze lingers on the hickies and faint marks left from the collar rubbing against his neck. When your eyes flick up to inspect Chan’s puffy face, he is gazing back at you. He lets out a soft sigh as Hyunjin brings some relief to his sensitive skin, and reaches out to take your hand. Your eyes soften as he brings your knuckles to his lips and presses a light kiss to them.

Hyunjin smiles and continues his routine of caring for Chan. He applies a soothing lotion to his irritated skin and pecks gentle kisses over his forehead. Chan’s eyes fall shut, breaking your trance, and you throw your arm over your face as Felix laps diligently at your sex.

“Felix…”

Felix chuckles and raises his head to ask, “Who’s the pillow princess, now?”

“It’s still you,” Chan answers.

You giggle and Felix quietly resumes eating you out. Hyunjin gently raises your arm to meet your gaze and asks, “Are you okay?”

“Mhm, feels really good…”

Hyunjin chuckles.

“I’m glad. I was asking about your hips.”

Chan puffs out a laugh as you moan lowly.

“Mhn, m’just a little sore…”

“You should’ve stretched before we started. You probably strained yourself.”

You gasp and let out a little whine as you feel your climax approaching.

“Don’t, hah, scold me… M’trying to come…”

“Oh, sorry,” Hyunjin replies sarcastically, “I’m just trying to care for my girlfriend’s wellbeing. I won’t do that anymore.”

You whine again.

“Shut up…”

Chan giggles as Hyunjin gently drops your arm. You watch him through hazy eyes as he licks his fingers, then reaches down to rub your clit. Felix lets out a soft noise of surprise as you buck your hips and keen, suddenly finishing from Hyunjin’s touch. He says nothing as the pads of his fingers gently swirl over your nub, and Felix groans softly as he laps up your release. You gasp as Chan leans over to steal a kiss and your boyfriends gradually cease their actions. Hyunjin leans down to kiss you next, gently petting your stomach as you return his affection slowly.

“Thank you…”

“Oh, you’re welcome, baby,” Hyunjin purrs.

Felix scoffs.

“Stop that. I did all the work.”

Hyunjin smirks and winks at you.

“Feeling better?”

“Mhm…”

“Go away,” Felix whines as he lightly shoves Hyunjin to the other side of the bed.

You laugh as Hyunjin flops over Chan, who lets out a sleepy mumble as his only reaction. Felix braces his arms over you with a glare as you grin dazedly up at him.

“You’re all plotting against me.”

You hum and draw him closer for a messy kiss, which he submits to easily.

“Mhh, thank you, Felix…”

Felix smirks and pecks your nose before replying:

“You’re welcome, love.”

Hyunjin cuddles up next to Chan and nuzzles his neck happily as Felix steps away to grab your pajamas. You roll languidly into Chan’s side and sigh into his chest. His arm slides around your waist and he turns his face to nose gently at your hair. You lightly touch his neck, careful as you prod the marks you left on his skin. Chan exhales slowly then tilts his head to the side to give you better access.

“You did so well today, Chan,” You murmur as you pet his neck, “Good job, baby.”

“Mhh, I should be saying that to you… I didn’t even help you out, or do anything useful…”

“Don’t start,” Hyunjin groans.

He rises to glare softly at your boyfriend, who stares blankly in response.

“You don’t have to take care of us all the time, Chan. Let us take care of you too. And don’t feel guilty about it.”

“I feel selfish…”

“Guess what,” Hyunjin exasperates, “You should! You’re allowed to be selfish! We want you to be selfish. Take whatever you want from us, and let us take care of you.”

Chan falters as Felix silently returns to the bed and helps you get dressed in clean panties and one of Hyunjin’s shirts. You share a knowing look as Chan avoids Hyunjin’s gaze. Hyunjin gently tilts his head so he can face him again.

“Look at me… I’m sorry, but I mean it. We love you and you do so much for us. So, please, don’t talk yourself down.”

Chan swallows.

“It doesn’t feel right.”

“Yeah, because you’ve somehow convinced yourself that you don’t deserve the whole world and more…”

Chan frowns as Hyunjin cups his cheeks, then laughs as Hyunjin begins squeezing his face.

“Just be quiet and let our wife peg you without complaining!”

Felix laughs and you grin, nodding in agreement. Chan whines as Hyunjin continues pinching his cheeks and cutely scolding him. You and Felix settle in, and you hesitate for a moment before speaking up.

“Did you just call me your wife?”

Hyunjin freezes, mid-face squeezing, as he tries to recall his words. He then looks at you, cheeks blazing as he answers.

“And what if I did?”

Your own face heats up and you scoff.

“Isn’t that a little presumptuous? That I’d want to marry you?”

Hyunjin catches the teasing lilt in your voice, meanwhile Chan attempts to remove his hands from his face. The two lightly wrestle their hands as Hyunjin smirks and replies:

“Well, you would obviously choose me. How couldn’t you?”

You gasp and look incredulously at Felix, who rolls his eyes with a grin.

“Yeah, sure- whose arms is she in right now?”

“That doesn’t mean anything,” Hyunjin quickly defends.

You smile at Chan as Hyunjin finally stops grabbing at him, and he gives you a tired smirk. He then winks, and you giggle as he pulls you closer again. Hyunjin settles on top of him with a small huff and mindlessly traces his fingers over Chan’s bicep. Chan lets out a long sigh and for once in what feels like forever, seems to relax. Felix voices this sentiment softly.

“You look tired, Chan.”

“M’tired,” Chan slurs, “Good tired… Gonna sleep for… a week…”

You giggle and catch his satisfied smile.

“Better make it a month… just to be safe.”

Chan hums and lightly squeezes your waist where his hand lays limply over it. Hyunjin gently massages Chan’s arm and props himself up just enough to meet his gaze again. Chan’s eyes have fallen shut as exhaustion finally takes him, but that does not deter Hyunjin from staring at him with the most doting expression.

“Was it good, baby? Did we help you relax?”

“Yeah…”

“Do you feel good?”

Chan swallows and nods gently, but you sense some hesitation. Felix reaches over and gently pats his chest, right over his heart.

“What’s buggin’ you, sweetheart?”

“Mhm…”

Chan pries his eyes open and he stares at Hyunjin, who is watching him with bated breath.

“I don’t know… how to say it…”

“Just say it,” Hyunjin breathes, “We’ll work it out, baby…”

Chan’s eyelids shut again and he grunts softly, clearly fighting sleep.

“Thank you… I love you all so much…”

“Oh, baby… We love you.”

Hyunjin leans in to kiss Chan gently, then watches him as he continues.

“I really… liked it…”

“Kissing?”

“No,” Chan giggles, “The kink stuff…”

“Oh,” Hyunjin laughs then replies, “Anytime. You give us the word and we’ll be there for you… Whenever you need us…”

Felix stretches and yawns then drowsily pats Chan’s arm.

“We’d be happy to visit this again… Whenever you need your daddy, or your mommy…”

Chan groans softly and smiles bashfully.

“Don’t tease…”

“I’m not teasing you! It was sexy…”

You kiss Chan’s shoulder and tell the others, “Let’s let Channie rest, and we can talk about it more later, okay?”

Felix hums in agreement while Hyunjin sweetly traces Chan’s jawline with his thumb. Chan peeks at him then murmurs:

“I liked the kisses too…”

Hyunjin giggles and asks, “Is that your way of asking for more?”

Chan nods and Hyunjin happily obliges, giving pecks to his lips and cheeks as he dozes off. You feel Felix’s arms tighten gently around you, his body molding closer around yours as he settles in to fall asleep. You sigh happily and turn your head to ask him gently.

“You good?”

“Mh-hm…”

You look at Hyunjin, who is still gazing at Chan. He notices your eyes on him and gives you a comforting smile.

“I’m good, too. Go to sleep, my love.”

Felix gingerly massages your hips, soothing the dull ache in your muscles. You let out a soft hum and quickly fall asleep tucked between your boys.

There is a steady thrum in the air when you wake up again, and for a moment you are disoriented. Waking up in Hyunjin’s room opposed to Chan’s throws you off in your sleep drunk state, and you sit up slowly as if your head is being weighed down by the pillow. You quickly find your bearings, feel Chan’s smooth chest when you reach out in the dark. His breathing stutters and he lets out a light snort from the pressure. Your hand slides across the landscape of his stomach until you feel Hyunjin, his body hot and pinned to Chan from the other side. By this point your eyes have adjusted to the dark, and it only takes a little searching of the bed to figure out Felix is not there with you. You huff, slide off the mattress until your feet hit the floor with a soft thud, and shuffle out of the room.

Once in the hall, you register that the ambient sound was someone playing music in the kitchen. It is quiet, so quiet you cannot make out the words until you wander your way to the source of it. Felix is there, chatting softly with Han who is playing music from his phone. Han’s head perks up and he pauses it, causing Felix to turn to you with his bright smile.

“You’re up. Everything alright, love?”

You run your hands over your face and into your hair, then blink slowly at the two boys.

“Mhm. What time is it?”

Han checks on his phone then softly answers, “It’s a little after four…”

“It’s so early…”

They laugh as you trudge in, and Felix quietly welcomes you into his arms as you walk to him. He runs his hand over your back and cups your head as you butt it into his shoulder, then sweetly kisses your temple.

“You should go back to bed, sweetheart.”

“Why are you up?”

“Just chatting… Han and Bin came home and I just happened to be up…”

“Uh, L-Lee Know’s here too,” Han mumbles.

You peek up at him and notice him looking away from you. Your brow furrows gently but you find no time to form a response, being gently led away by Felix as your exhaustion prevails. You walk together, your feet moving so slowly Felix has to pause to accommodate your speed. On the way back to Hyunjin’s room you pass Minho. You try to smile at him, but you can barely open your eyes. He just chuckles and ruffles your hair as you pass.

“Goodnight.”

“G’night…”

You yawn as Felix murmurs goodnight and helps you navigate the darkness. He helps you back into bed and tucks you in before giving you a sweet kiss.

“Do you need anything?”

You shake your head and smile as he presses another kiss to your forehead.

“Okay. I’ll be right back. I love you.”

“I love you too, Lix…”

You watch Felix stumble out of the room and shut the door most of the way behind him. The hallway light flicks on as you listen to him pad down the hall. You yawn and rub your eyes, then blink blearily at the warm light shining in through the crack in the door. For a moment you imagine a shadow lingering in the frame. It looks like it may be Han checking in- looking for Felix? Then, as quickly as your brain begins to register his unmistakable brown locks and wide puppy eyes, he is gone. You stare at the spot, willing the apparition to reappear and quell your curiosity. The light turns off and shortly after Felix returns.

The bed sinks as he sits beside you and you quietly mumble:

“Han…”

“Hm?”

“Han… m’think he wanted you…”

“No, Han’s gone to bed, sweetheart.”

Felix lays beside you and rests his head on your chest. Your hand rises and lands on his head so you can lazily play with his hair. You let your eyes flutter shut as you accept his answer and fall asleep.

[rabbittf2x]

how would the mercs make the reader flustered???? or reader makes the mercs flustered, doesn’t really matter lol. thanjk you

Mercs make Reader flustered

Includes: Scout, Demoman and Medic

Scout💖

You held a clipboard, reading through a contract Miss Pauling gave you when Scout entered the room. You looked up from your work at the sound of your name rolling off his tongue

“How you doing?” Scout grinned

You cradled the clipboard to your chest, pressing your back against the wall. He set his hand by your head, grinning at you. A blush was soon creeping along your face

“Hey, Scout. How you been?” You chuckled nervously

Scout adored how flustered he got you. It was a huge confidence boost (not that he needed it)

“Better now that I’m talking to you.” He purred

The line was cheesy and cliche, but you couldn’t help but giggle. You covered your mouth with your hand, trying to hide your blush and smile

“Aren’t you cute?” You cooed

Scout flashed a bright smile at that. He leaned in closer as you both laughed softly. You clutched the clipboard tight to your chest, heart hammering at his forwardness

“Y’know, I think you’re pretty cute yourself.” Scout smirked

Demoman💖

You entered the rec room, planning to just pass through, until Demo spotted you. He was super drunk, and apparently in a clingy mood. He cried your name affectionally, nearly falling off his chair

“I missed ye!”

Demoman stumbled over to you, slipping an arm around your waist. He pushed you closer into him, leaning his head on your shoulder

“Hi, Demo! I—I just saw you earlier! Don’t you remember?” You giggled shyly

Demoman hummed in response, hiding his face in your neck. You froze up at the feel of his beard scraping against your soft flesh

“That was ages ago. Plenty of time to miss ye.” He slurred

A smile made its way onto your face as he wrapped his arms around you. “I missed you too.” You squeaked

You had to keep a firm hold on him too. Because he was nearly making you both fall every five seconds

“Oh,” Demoman slurred your name. “Yer so pretty. The things I’d do to you if you let me…”

Your face was instantly on fire. He kissed your neck, gliding his hands up your waist. You tried to sputter out some kind of response, but nothing came

Medic💖

“Hey, handsome.” You flirted

You entered the infirmary, beelining it over to Medic. He grinned as you came in close, gliding your hands up his chest

“Me, handsome? Look at you! You look lovely today, liebling!” Medic exclaimed

He slipped his arms around your waist, placing a sweet kiss to your cheek. He pulled you as close as he could against him, beaming that big smile

“Oh, Medic.” You giggled bashfully. “You’re too sweet to me.”

“Nonsense, dear.” He brought a gloved hand to touch your flushed cheek. “I love you!”

Goddammit. He had no right to make you feel all flustered like this. You had to advert your eyes, face completely red

“I love you too, honey.” You cooed, feeling like a giddy schoolgirl

Medic cradled your cheek tenderly, leaning in for a kiss when you weren’t looking. Your eyes widened, but then fluttered shut at the feel of his lips on yours. Your arms found their way around his neck, as he placed his hands firmly on your back

[ghost-proofbaby]

SO SCARLET (IT WAS MAROON)

CHAPTER FOUR: CASTLES CRUMBLING

AND HERE I SIT ALONE, BEHIND WALLS OF REGRET. FALLING DOWN LIKE PROMISES I NEVER KEPT.

☆ pairings: rockstar!eddie munson x fem!reader

☆ warnings: no use of y/n, strong language, angst, mentions of RUMORS of workplace sex scandal, minors dni

☆ WC: 5.4K+

☆ A/N: if you would like to listen to the song that eddie is recording at the end - it is an actual, real life song. :-) it is called "blood sport" by sleep token (one of my favorite bands i get to see live next week!!), and i highly recommend listening to it during your reading. especially the latter half of this chapter.

thank you to my love @hellfire--cult for the divider!

masterlist

“Alright, so – anyone care to fill me in on what the Hell that was?” 

Matt stands like a disapproving father figure as the band lines up opposite of him just outside the building. Eddie had hoped nothing would be mentioned until they were in the car, but the driver was clearly running a few minutes late.

Three of the boys glance at each other, worried expressions immediately giving up the hoax even as Eddie only shrugs and says, “What do you mean?” 

“Cut the shit, Munson,” Matt had never appeared so livid, so undone by irritation. His usual patience with Eddie is nonexistent, “What’s going on between you and that girl? Is she a past groupie?”

The insinuation gets a scoff out of Gareth. Jeff side-eyes him in warning, but Eddie couldn’t care less, “No, she’s not a past groupie. This was the first time I’d ever-”

“Don’t lie to me,” Matt points an accusatory finger at Eddie, narrowing his eyes, “I am your manager. If you have any unsavory connections with that girl, I need to know so I can decide if we need someone else to organize the event. We are not having another repeat of the Lewinsky scandal.” 

“I knew it! I fucking knew you called it that, too!” Gareth cheers, but he’s quieted by one look from their furious manager.

The Lewinsky scandal had been their code-word for when the tabloids had become convinced that Eddie was fucking an assistant at the label. A girl had even come forward and claimed to have had sexual relations with Eddie, and he had taken heat for it for a full month before the buzzing novelty worn off.

Eddie had only spoken three words to the girl. No, thank you when she’d offered him a mug of coffee during a late night at the studio. He wishes now he’d been less polite. 

And he also finds himself wishing that’s all this was. He wishes you were just another scandal, another terrible rumor spread around. If all the accusations between you two were false, if all the hatred was based on misconstrued circumstances, it would be so much easier. He can talk himself out of that. He can confess to those sins and get off with no more than the order of one hail mary from Matt. 

But you? The reality of all that had happened, both all those years ago and just thirty minutes ago? He can’t find the words. They choke him up, unwilling to leave the cavern of his chest and enter the world, just like all the songs gathering dust as demos. 

“It’s not going to be another Lewinsky scandal,” Eddie scowls, feet shuffling against the concrete below him. Can’t be another Lewinsky scandal if she wants nothing to do with me anymore, “Maybe she just doesn’t like me. I am allegedly a very polarizing public figu-”

The car pulls up, and Matt is quick to grab Eddie’s shoulder before glaring at the boys, “Get in, I’m not finished with our polarizing public figure yet.” 

Grant and Gareth only let out low whistles, following instruction without lingering as they clamber into the back row of seats in the SUV. Jeff takes his time, though, going as far to pause beside Eddie and place a hand on his back.

“Just tell him the truth, Eds.” 

It’s the final nail in his coffin. Eddie is cursing Jeff’s retreating figure as he climbs into the vehicle and shuts the door, leaving him alone with Matt. 

“Explain,” Matt demands, “Now.” 

Eddie’s eyes focus on a gaping crack in the sidewalk, jagged and uneven, right down the center. 

He has two options. He could continue to lie, insist he knows nothing about you until Matt just gets bored of not being offered the truth. Or he could admit it all, reveal the muse behind the art he had been fiercely protecting over these last few months. Every line, every chord, every broken note that had left his lungs during those witching hours in the studio. 

On one hand, it’ll rip away the opportunity that has been offered to him on a silver platter – the opportunity for closure. Selfish, bloody closure that neither of you had gotten, it seemed. But on the other hand, it might grant him some sympathy. Matt, the label, the producers – they had all grown tired of the dance Eddie led them in every time they’d inquire about the music. But if Matt knew-

It’s a dead end trail of thought. He knows he won’t admit to the worst of his atrocities he’s committed. No scandal, no late night ending with him in handcuffs, no fraudulent headline is going to compare to what he did to you. What you did to him.

It’s a little too late for damage control, anyways.

“I went to high school with her,” the lie works well enough, easing some of Matt’s frustration, “I was just shocked to see her. All of us were shocked to see her. No big deal.” 

Eddie knows the people around him have come to learn that they must pick and choose the battles they engage in with him. And he can see that decision flash across Matt’s face as he decides that this is not a battle necessary to the war.

“Alright. But if you’re lying to me-“

“I’m not lying.”

“If you are, that’ll be one of my last straws, Munson.”

It won’t be. Eddie knows it won’t be. Everyone, every single goddamn person in this world it seems, is capable of giving Eddie Munson unlimited chances — except you. You, it seemed, were the only person who had come to their senses. 

You always were smarter than people gave you credit for.

—

“Run the track again.” 

They’d spent a few hours in the studio already. It was an odd hour for them to be haunting the space, more used to visiting in the dead of night rather than the middle of a weekday, but it was down to the wire now. Vocals needed to be recorded, instrumentals fine-tuned, tracks properly mastered. Eddie could no longer hide in the night when it came to recording the haunting melodies stained with the blood of his past — no matter how wrong it felt to see a sliver of sunlight breaking through one of the windows, just through the top of the blackout curtains.

“I really think that was the one, man-“ the producer starts, probably just tired after repeatedly running in circles with Eddie’s perfectionism.

He doesn’t care. He’s paying them, they can stand to let him re-record as many times as necessary to satisfy Eddie, “Run it again.” 

The silence only continues to buzz in Eddie’s headphones. He’s ready to cuss out the producer as he angrily shoves them down, off his ears and hanging loosely around his neck, the wire a leash as he whips to face the one-way glass wall. The lights are off at the main board, guaranteeing that they can see Eddie but Eddie can’t see them.

Until suddenly, the light comes back on, and the reason for the absence of the repeated track Eddie had requested becomes obvious.

Gareth.

He stands at the center of it all, a few paces from the seated producer with a deep scowl on his face. 

“What the fuck?” Eddie says, mouth just close enough to the mic for them to catch his overflowing annoyance, “I said-“

“We heard what you said, Eddie,” Gareth interrupts, his voice just loud enough to be faintly heard even as the headphones curl around the nape of Eddie’s neck, “But I need to talk to you.” 

It’s the strictest tone that Gareth has used on their lead singer in an unfathomably measure of time. Probably because it’s the most words he’s said to Eddie in a very long time, as well.

Eddie finally removes the headphones, hanging them carelessly on the mic stand and moving towards the door — surprisingly, without putting up a resistance.

The control room is warmer than the fairly large area that served as a ‘booth’. Smaller, as well. Cramped with a low couch and one too many chairs available to trip over, the control board spanses the entire wall that holds the oversized window into the recording room. A plethora of small lights twinkle like stars, and numerous switches that Eddie had come to know better than the back of his hand alternate positions to guarantee the clearest sound. Only Gareth and the producer occupy the room, the rest of the band having taken off around the fifth time Eddie had requested a redo of his vocal tracking.

“This better be good,” Eddie complains, furrowing his brows, agitated at the interruption. 

But Gareth shows no remorse, “We need to talk.” 

“Yeah, you said that already.”

“We need to talk,” Gareth repeats, eyes flickering to the poor soul still seated at the controls, “Alone.” 

Eddie hardly has to open his mouth, the man jumping out of his seat the moment the lead singer flicks his wrist to signal for him to leave.

Whatever Gareth was about to say had to be important, and it’s that thought rather than the difference in temperatures that has sweat building on Eddie’s brows.

Is he about to quit the band? Is he about to tell me he’s had enough? Maybe he’s done with my bullshit — I would be.

“Speak, Emerson,” Eddie flatly insists, grabbing a small water bottle out of one of the mini fridges in the room before he throws himself onto the worn leather of the couch, “And make it quick. We’re on a time limit, you kno-“

“We’ve gotta talk about her, man.” 

Her as in you. 

For a moment, Gareth sounds like a friend again. He’s dropped all the persistent perturbation he’s taken to defending himself with when it comes to  Eddie, his voice pleading as he stands before the distant man. All the rueful power plays that had developed over the last year vanish. It’s just Eddie and Gareth, bandmates who started out in the latter’s garage in some small Indiana town. Not Eddie Munson, infamous rockstar with a chip on his shoulder. Not Gareth Emerson, passionate drummer overshadowed by the ego of his lead singer. Just Eddie and Gareth.

 “We all know you didn’t tell Matt the truth.” 

“I did tell him the truth-“ 

“Not the whole truth, then. There’s no way he’d let it slide if he knew that she was your ex-girlfriend.” 

The defiance vacates Eddie’s body quickly. He doesn’t even attempt to prowl his mind for a quick quip in response. All he does at the words is drop his shoulders, the defeat creeping up on him as he deflates. 

Ex-girlfriend. The title feels so pitiful to truly describe what you were to him. 

But to be fair, even when he had been in your good graces, girlfriend had also never felt significant enough.

“Did-“ Gareth starts after a beat of silence, noting the way Eddie couldn’t quite hide his wounds on the topic, “What did you guys talk about? When you went after her, what did she say?” 

“Nothing important.”

Eddie turns into a shell, a zombie as he stares straight ahead and tries to compartmentalize. That always worked; with meetings, with arguments, with lectures. Even before the fame, it worked.

It doesn’t work quite as quickly when it comes to you. His brain, it seems, is incapable of uncrossing all the wires you twist within his brain.

“You two were alone for, what, ten minutes? And you’re telling me she didn’t say anything important?” 

“What the fuck is there to say?” Eddie laughs soullessly, “Oh, hey, stranger! Remember me? The guy you up and left without a word?” 

“Yes!” Gareth shouts unexpectedly, “Yes, that’s exactly what you should have done! She left. Not just you, but all of us. We never even really knew why. And now- what? Are we just supposed to pretend we don’t know her?” 

Eddie knew why. She’d never had to say it, and that was the issue. He always thought about all the answers he swore he craved, and always let every question he claimed to have haunt him during the waking hours. But when the day turned to night, when he was left to nothing but his own devices in a dark and empty apartment during the witching hours, he knew. The question of why had been answered since the first phone call cut short with you during that goddamn tour.

The songs knew, too. He supposes it had been an arrogant assumption to believe the band had read into his lyrics and put the pieces together. 

“That’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Eddie nearly whispers, throat tightening and fighting him on the words. It’s the opposite of what he wants and needs — but it’s what you want and what you need. And so he plays the messenger, even as it kills him, “We are going to completely disregard my past with her. We are going to treat this entire situation as professionally as possible. I’m talking the full nine yards: you will not mention the fact that we know her, you will not question her about anything from the past, and you will not, under any circumstances, ask her why.” 

His own set of rules he’d privately set for himself in his own mind during the car ride over. 

Gareth squints his eyes in disbelief, “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Are you serious?”

“Deathly so.”

“This isn’t just about your past with her,” the boy nearly passes, starts to reach up to tug on his hair before he thinks better of it, “This is about the way she left all of us. Not just you. She was a friend to all of us. She was the one who taught me how to tape my drums when I’d bust a hole in them, she was the one who helped us design our first merch, she was the only person any of us would let be in the room during practices. And not just the band stuff, either,” Eddie watches tears form in Gareth’s eyes, “She was the only one who had the patience to help me with my fucking math homework back in school, man. She was the one who nearly curb stomped Jason Carver the week he sent Grant home with a black eye. She was the first person Jeff called when his parents broke news of their divorce, for fucks sake. Not me, not you, not any of us — her,” Gareth’s breaths come out as pants as he stops his pacing and stands before Eddie. The tears continue to lace his bottom lash line as he heaved silently at the end of his rant, his pained expression completely unexpected to Eddie. 

This is the part Eddie chooses to forget. He’ll let himself swim in the memory of you late at night, he’ll indulge in vices that always amplify his pain rather than succeeding in his attempt to numb it, he’ll stare down the mirror each morning and curse the reflection he finds with all the blame in the world he is capable of holding in the palms of his hands. But in all the ruptures of his own old scars, he fails to consider that he is not the only one burdened with loss. 

They all lost you. When Eddie lost you, so did the band. You’d become a ghost to more than just your abandoned lover — you’d become a tired haunt to boys you’d known, boys you’d befriended and burrowed your way into the lives of, just as well. 

“She was our friend,” Gareth chokes out, fists curling at his sides, “Jesus Christ, I- I get it. She was everything to you. Whatever. But she meant a lot to the rest of us, too. Whatever happened wasn’t just some isolated event — you two didn’t just hurt each other. You set off whatever bomb erased her from our lives, but it left the rest of us with some damage, too. Don’t forget that.” 

This is the part where Eddie should apologize. This is the part where, once upon a blissful time, he would have said his repentance. 

He doesn’t.

“I don’t care how hurt anyone is,” he lowly responds, eyes unable to meet Gareth’s any longer, “I’ve told you the rules, we’re going to follow them. End of discussion.” 

Gareth throws back his head, and Eddie winces at his scoff, “She’s not your fucking property, Eddie! She isn’t solely yours to keep or whatever the fuck you think you’re doing!” 

Eddie can’t even deny the action of keeping you. All the demos, all the songs laid to the grave because he couldn’t stomach the thought of releasing them for others to experience. 

But that’s not what this was. This, the cataclysm that was sending Gareth to finally release all this pent up frustration, was him following your rules. You’d made your wishes for this project very clear, and he needed to at least try to respect them. They all did. 

So he takes on the role of the bad guy. He lets them paint him as the villain if it means no red will stain your ledger. 

“Oh, I think she’s made it very clear that she isn’t mine,” the mask slips on far too easily for Eddie. Cool demeanor, compartmentalizing. Not you, but his emotions towards his friends, if he could even still call them that. His bandmates that he had once seen as brothers. “Doesn’t change what I said. Don’t push it, Emerson, or there’ll be Hell to pay.” 

“What are you going to do? Disappear on us?” Eddie finally looks back up to meet Gareth’s fiery gaze as he spits out hateful words, “Hate to break it to you, but you already left this band behind two years ago. And if you ask me, you should start leaving the vanishing act to her. At least she doesn’t make us pay for her mistakes.” 

Eddie is by no means done with the conversation, more than willing to continue fighting with Gareth, but the other boy clearly feels differently. He leaves his words hanging in the air as he spins away, storming out of the door, the air in the studio now several degrees hotter now with the irate fuel of the fight.  

It was all a blood sport. All of it. It didn’t matter if Eddie was fighting with the band, the management, with you. It was all bloody and fruitless, and it all left him the same awful type of hollow in the end. 

He stares blankly at the wall as he makes a silent decision.

By the time the producer has timidly returned to the room, Eddie has already set up his laptop to connect to the studio's system, prepped so that any recording would automatically copy into his personal hard drive. A way for him to listen and ruminate in the privacy of his own apartment. 

The sheet music torn from his notebook already lays at the table besides the entrance to the booth. 

“Do you… want to run the track again?” the man, the stranger, asks. He clearly heard the fight. Eddie and Gareth hadn’t been exactly quiet in their screaming match. At least, Gareth hadn’t been. 

Is it really a screaming match if only one side fights back? 

“I want to lay a new track,” Eddie’s voice is deadpan as he clicks a few buttons, finalizing everything. He only needs the man to click record, “A raw piano and vocal demo. We can add the rest of the band later.” 

“I-“

One look from Eddie, hardly passed over his shoulder with a glimmer of unbridled determination, and the man quiets as he takes his seat. 

Eddie storms into the booth without another word, fist curled around the page of lyrics and terribly hand-drawn music clefts. 

She isn’t yours to keep.

Eddie was aware of that. Painfully, painfully aware. But it had never been about his claim to you. 

Gareth was right. Eddie never wanted to own you. Keeping you, however, had been something he should have taken more care with.

The chill of the small room to record in does little to lessen the flames eating Eddie up as he bypasses the assembly of various instruments all crowded in the space. Gareth’s drum set, Jeff’s guitar, Grant’s bass — he storms right past them, eyes locked on the grand piano in the fair corner. It took up the most space, far too large to have been forced to be contained within this compact room. 

Eddie drags the mic from where it had been stationed previously with him, quickly and recklessly resetting it at the piano. 

Once he’s seated on the bench, crumpled pages thrown up onto the music desk of the piano and headphones snug over his ears again, the producer finally clicks on his mic to speak.

“Hey, uh… Does this demo have a name by chance? Or do you just want to label it as an unknown for now?”

It certainly does have a name.

“Blood Sport,” Eddie spits out. “Just name the file Blood Sport.” 

The hum that would indicate to Eddie when those on the other side of that glass window were speaking clicks off, and he takes it as his cue.

He’d written the song a while before. There were some gaps in the lyrics, some notes he’d played with on his personal piano scribbled over and never replaced. He’d never played it in its entirety before. 

It starts slow. His fingers hold the ivory keys delicately, arranging for the first opening notes as if he were slotting his knuckles against your own for the first time over again.

She isn’t yours to solely keep. 

Were you ever his to keep, ever? 

Even the ivory keys of the Steinway are more solid than you ever were. You were nothing more than water, than blood, destined to slip between Eddie’s fingers. He never stood a chance in having you, in holding you, in keeping you. 

Not just now, but before all the blood shed, as well. He should have recognized Cassandra’s curse the first day he looked into your eyes. He should have known the twist in his stomach was only Fate sinking its claws into the two of you. 

A tale fit for a Shakespearean stage — a tragedy always meant to be.

“I want to roll the numbers, I want to feel my stars align again.” 

Eddie’s voice is soft to match the steady beat of piano notes that emit from the crooked curl of his hand against the keys. A soft thump, a gentle lull. And instead of losing himself in the music, he finds himself wrapped up in one of the many memories he’d chosen to lock away for the last two years.

Something was off. 

Eddie’s stomach had twisted with anxiety of something being wrong for weeks. You stopped answering his calls, his texts, every form of connection with him. But as he stood in front of the door to your shared apartment, the bile rose even higher in his throat. 

He smelt the decay of what he had done before his key had even entered the lock. 

“Would you invite me again? Won’t you pay for your arrogance? Won’t you show me your weakness?” 

You were never his to keep. 

His voice nearly cracks as he approaches the first chorus, not finding the strength behind the vocals he’d always envisioned for the song.

The click of the door opening echoed through the apartment. It felt empty the moment he’d crossed the threshold – you could have just been tucked away in the bedroom, or even in the bathroom, but he knew. 

You hadn’t been returning his phone calls. You hadn’t been returning his texts. He knew something had happened, something had changed. Irreversible damage had been done, and he would now have to face the mess he’d created to return home to. 

“I made loving you a blood sport.” 

He repeats the line until it rings in his head, over and over. Until he swears the words could crack his bones, and the stars that will show in the night sky will do nothing but mock him for the self-inflicted pain.

At first, he convinced himself you just weren’t home. You’d gone to the store or to see friends. You’d be home soon enough and then, the two of you could scream at each other all you wanted. You were angry with him, rightfully so, but he’d rather you yell and scrap with him than the alternative. He didn’t care. Because he was here, back in the flesh and willing to take any and all cruel words you had sharpened for him. The two of you would fight, yes, but at least that meant there was still something there worth fighting for.

After the first three hours, he realized with a sinking stomach that the alternative might just be his reality. 

“I want to be forgiven.” 

He recalls the look on your face when you’d first seen him today. The fall of your act, the discarding of grace and composure.

The look that told him that he can want all he’s capable of. He can want, he can crave, he can yearn, he can tear himself apart bit by bit with his feeble yet shattering cravings — it won’t change a thing. 

You were never his to keep.

After the clock struck the fifth hour of his return, he started his calling.

Over and over and over, he was met with your voicemail. Endless messages spoken and sent alike. Every single one trying to be gentle as they inquired where you were. Letting you know he was back. Going as far as to ask you if the two of you could talk. 

He wanted to fight. He wanted to fight, because it meant you still saw something worthy within him.  

But even more than Eddie wanted a fight, he wanted you to come home. He wanted you to be there, to welcome him into your safety and remind him he was human again. It was selfish – he was so goddamn selfish – but he needed to feel your skin against his and remind him that he was still a person beneath it all. Beneath the demand, beneath the unwarranted adoration from strangers, beneath all the fractures the sudden traction had left him with – he was still a breathing, living person. He was still your person. 

Eddie’s fingers begin to slam against the keys with increasing urgency as his chest heaves out with every syllable. Repeating, and repeating, and repeating the chorus as if it changes a single thing. He loses himself in it all; in the music ringing in his ears and the memories now drowning him as he confesses all his sins to the microphone. 

You never came home. 

There was no fight, and after the hours reached double digits right along with his ignored phone calls, he had to accept the truth.

You weren’t just at a friend’s, or the store. You were gone. Truly, truly gone.

The drawers once filled with your belongings were vacant. The smell of your perfume was nothing more than a whisper across the pillows. Eddie scoured the entire apartment for signs of you, turning every single piece of furniture over looking for clues. He never thought to check the counter until he’d already ruined the space, terrorizing it in a frenzy before his eyes landed on the letter and the key.

He had approached them both hesitantly. All his denial drained from his body, like the blood pumping through his veins, as his fingers pinched that silver key so gingerly.

A past he can never return to. A home he will never hold the key to again. 

The joints of his fingers ache and his lungs begin to burn for all that he lost — all that they all lost — because of him. His  own foolishness, his own downfall. He did this. 

The aftermath is blurry.

He read the first few words of your letter before promptly crumbling it with his tortured fist, knowing exactly what it said without needing to fully swallow all the words just yet.

He never fully read the letter. He skimmed it, a week later, but not that night. 

Then came the flashes of the pain. The way he’d swung his fists at air and menial objects alike. A vase holding wilted carnations met its demise on the kitchen floor, a hole in the wall appeared that he later had to patch up, one of the coffee tables ended up across the living room with a leg splintered half off. 

He never dropped the key. 

Even as he dropped to his knees in the center of the broken glass, bleeding shins to match his bruising knuckles, he still held that small piece of silver fiercely. He pressed it so tightly, dug it so deeply into his palm that it later left a scar. And not even the way he had grabbed at the broken glass surrounding him had the capability to mar it away as he let it slice his skin, crying out, hopeless and devastated. 

You were gone. He had lost you, and he had been arrogant enough to never even notice it.

“You say it doesn’t matter.” 

The headphones had long since slipped off his head, and he makes no move to adjust them. He hadn’t even noticed that his body had begun to fall forward and curl into the piano until he’s weakly choking out the final lyric that he hadn’t even written down onto the page. 

He hadn’t noticed the tears falling, either.

What were meant to be gasps for air as his fingers fly across the keys in a haunting melody are only sobs. Cries of pain as he no longer can see mere inches ahead of him, a scar of the center of his palm stinging as if brand new, his heart and head pounding in sync. He isn’t even sure if the producer he’s forgotten the name of is still recording. He lets the sobs slip out as he continues to play. 

He can’t quite end the song yet. The moment he does, he’s terrified of the version of him that he will have to face once more. All those surface blemishes from the beginning of the end had run deeper beneath his skin. He was nothing more than rubble and fractures now, splintered every which way until he had become unrecognizable. When he looked in the mirror, all he could see was a creature of destruction.

“You set off whatever bomb erased her from our lives, but it left the rest of us with some damage, too. Don’t forget that,” Gareth’s voice echoes in the silence beginning to gather between the notes.

Another wrecked sob leaves Eddie as he finally finishes off the melody, playing entirely unaffected up until that point. Reality crashes down. His body shakes, shoulders hunched as his forehead connects against the freezing wood of the piano and he pinches his eyes shut tightly enough to be left in total blackness. 

He couldn’t play another note if his life depended upon it.

The memory fades with the final note before his head rattles with a new image. The smile, the grimace, you had offered him before you two parted ways today. An effort at professionalism that Eddie had seen right through. 

Pain. That’s what had twitched in the corners of your mouth. The same pain, if not worse, as the one that now radiated through every atom of Eddie’s broken figure on the piano bench. 

He can’t fix it. Not your pain, not Gareth’s pain, not his own pain. The time for damage control, for sincere apologies and any reconciliation has passed. Just like watered-down blood through his fingertips. 

Eddie hopes that the producer has had half the mind to stop the recording when he stands and slams the drumset behind him into the wall. Destructive, just as he had been the night he returned to an empty apartment. Just as he had been when he’d been the one to rot and wither away all that you two had once held between you. 

They can replace the drum set. Surely, he has a person for that. 

eddie's taglist: @capricornrisingsstuff @thisisktrying @hideoutside @vol2eddie @corrcdedcoffin @ches-86 @alovesongtheywrote @its-not-rain @feralchaospixie @cheesypuffkins87 @thebook-hobbit @babez-a-licious @eddies-acousticguitar @gagasbee @d64d-n0t-sl66p1ng @aysheashea @kellsck @cosmorant @billyhvrgrove-main @micheledawn1975 @eddiesxangel @siriuslysmoking @witchwolflea @tlclick73 @magicalchocolatecheesecake @mizzfizz @nanaminswhore @mikiepeach @ali-r3n

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[sledbedar]

In case you want to familiarize yourself with The Brobecks song A Letter that's getting redone for IDKHOWs new record

The first ever iteration of the song, at the time called "Globular", it was just a test track with Matt Glass reading out of an encyclopedia but man its vibes are immaculate.

An early demo of A Letter, this ones far closer to the final product and is a personal favorite of mine. (And, if you're wondering. The spoken word segments are as far as I'm aware completely made up of excerpts from a letter an ex wrote Dallon. Or possibly it's the full thing. When asked why he said "spite" lol.)

and finally the finished version of A Letter that appeared on The Brobecks album Happiest Nuclear Winter, this is one of the songs that made me fall in love with the band and it really pulls that alum together. Not a lot of indie bands out there were bold enough to try things like this, especially on a sophomore album hot off the heals of a successful first release. words can't describe how much i'm looking forward to hearing the IDKHOW version of this track, Matt Glass (the original voice of these songs) was in the studio for the album so you know this will be amazing.

[etherealyoungk]

━☆ first kiss with seventeen: woozi

♡ first kiss with seventeen series ♡ masterlist ♡

pairing: woozi x reader

warnings: kissing, fluff

wordcount: 550

you're curled in on the couch, earphones plugged in as you listen to woozi's new song - a demo of it. woozi sits next to you as he keenly watches you while you listen, nervous but also sightly excited. he always loved hearing your thoughts on his songs and lyrics.

he watches as you gently bop your head to the music and there's a small smile across your face. if he had to be honest, he was nervous about showing you this song, because it was about you. during the months he was away on tour, he found himself missing you a little too much. so he picked up a pen and started writing, about you.

he thought it might be too cheesy to write a song about you but he couldn't help himself and he was proud of the outcome. it was only when he wanted you to hear it for the first time, he realized how nervous he actually was.

the song finishes and you pull out the earphones, smiling as you look at woozi. "that was amazing", you tell him, and he smiles in relief. "im going to take a wild guess that this song is about the love of your life?", you prompt, teasing him and he smiles to himself. "to my one and only", he tells and you chuckle.

"but you know, i really liked this one line "and we kissed under the moonlight", you start. he looks at you, waiting for you to continue. "but we've never actually kissed...yet", you tell softly and you can see the way his ears turn read upon your comment. you think it's cute how easily shy he gets.

"maybe we could change that?", you prompt, scooting closer to him. "y-yeah we could", he replies, looking back at you. "can i kiss you?", you ask him and it takes him few seconds before registers what you said.

"i'm the one who's supposed to say that!", he counters. "says who", you counter, leaning forward. "and you didn't answer my question", you tell, intertwining you hand in his.

"yes, you can kiss me", he replies softly and that's all you need to close the gap between you both. your lips press softly against his and your hand immediately comes up to cup your cheek as he softly kisses you back.

you pull away and look at him, giving him a soft and sweet smile. "we should kiss under the moonlight for real next time", you tell softly and he smiles, pulling you closer. "we should", he replies and you kiss him again. he'd kiss you with a sweet sort of passion and kiss you sweetly.

he pulls away and pulls you in for a hug, engulfing you in his arms. "thank you for writing a song about me", you tell before sitting up so you can look at his face again.

"you're going to write a song about this moment right", you prompt, knowing woozi a little too well. "read my mind already", he tells, pecking your cheek. he proceeds to show you another song he worked on and looks at you with the most loving eyes as he watches you listen to his music, his emotions, and his feelings. it really made him the happiest person on the planet and you were everything to him.

taglist: @daisycheols @naaaaafla @joshuaahong @slytherinshua @fairyhaos @rubywonu @wheeboo @icyminghao@kyeomyun @minhui896 @gam3bo1z @graybaeismytae @musingsofananxiouspotato @thehao8 @cheiyoma @keiyx @novalpha @fallingforshua29 @txtandroll @nishloves @kokoiinuts @writingsbybirdie @hauvits @jennimisu @dahliatopia @prpldahy @ryujineebae @onedumbho3 @weird-bookworm @yo-wassup-boi @idubiluv @horanghae-hoshi @bangchansbae

drop an ask or comment if you want to be added to the taglist for this series!

[snaccpopstudios]

Hi everyone! We're here with the long awaited post on our newest bachelor, Simoun. We know you've all been abuzz with questions about him so we hope to answer some of that in this deep dive into his creation. This post is in lieu of our usual Wednesday devlogs as we've been writing this over the span of several weeks, and was co-authored, edited, and reviewed by Tobias, Jude, ToyboxToonz, Primarvelous, and Sauce. The above image was drawn by @toyboxtoonz.

You can read the full post for free on Patreon, or click the readmore to see it all!

Personally speaking, some of my concerns since Simoun's debut are thoughts like "Do people think I'm making SnaccPop Studios push an agenda?" and "Do people think I'm going through a checklist while making new characters?" It's made it difficult for us to write this quickly because this is quite personal to myself and the rest of the sensitivity consultation team on the DachaBo team.

Concept to Creation

The story of DachaBo begins way before SnaccPop Studios itself was even a concept (that's Sauce's story to tell though). Early Patreon art of Simoun exists from November 2022, back before I was signed on to manage the Patreon and any other projects besides Sunny Day Jack. Sauce had some ideas laying around for several other characters in the DachaBo universe that didn't make it into the proof-of-concept demo:

I dug up an old draft for the DachaBo cat character we teased and it featured a story concept where the cat character was originally a female DachaBo character, referencing the original female design. And overtime he got tired of how he was being treated and decided to change his own self to reflect who he wanted to be, not the sycophants who collected the toys and whatnot ... It was shelved because I didnt have the means to sensitivity check it The designs are half cooked is all but he was supposed to be Indian ethnicity coded for no other reason than I've never seen a character like that

One thing that's important to note is that there definitely are Indian folks who are gender diverse (see Hijra on Wikipedia for a quick primer on one of the traditionally recognized nonbinary genders in South Asia) so it's not a novel concept by any means, but it's also not very common in media whatsoever.

Why The Long Wait?

One of the other contributing reasons as to why Sauce wasn't able to do much with the concept at the time is because we didn't have a VA for him confirmed yet, as I explained in May:

One thing that's rather unique to SnaccPop Studios in all of my experience as a game developer is the fact that all of our series involve coordinating with Voice Actors from the start, which means we need to take the VAs themselves into account when making characters. Adding another layer of complexity in hiring is the fact that SnaccPop Studios is a strictly Erotic Adult brand focusing on masculine love interests, and even if we focus more on the softcore, there's still the unfortunate stigma that any 18+ work has when attached to your name. All of these contributing factors make the potential talent pool that much smaller. This isn't to make excuses: I know SnaccPop Studios can do better on this front. While we can't make changes to some of the existing series' main cast (we don't want to put people out of a role they've been promised), we will do better moving forward to incorporate more diverse characters into our future titles, and that's a pledge

In the field of voice acting, it's best practice to cast actors with similar backgrounds to the character they're voicing, particularly for characters from marginalized populations (ethnicity, culture, gender, etc.), because it's a recurring issue in all professions where marginalized folks are regularly turned down for employment or career opportunities. You don't have to look far for instances where other voice directors failed to cast the proper talent for a character, even in the AAA sphere where they ought to have the resources to be able to find the proper talent; at SnaccPop, we wanted to avoid that situation at all costs.

Finding Simoun's Voice

So we had to confirm a VA first before we could do anything. Sauce, Reece, and I all tried to put private ads out for a trans masc POC (any ethnicity with dark skin) actor for a R18 game, which was largely met with silence at first, then responded to by folks who didn't fit the role in a full capacity (many only hit one or two of the criteria we laid out, some of them none at all). And it's not hard to imagine why: it's common knowledge that the majority of erotic works often fetishize marginalized people who are otherwise underrepresented in mainstream media. Things such as skin color, body type, hair color, age, etc. are treated as traits to be objectified, and on the off chance that queer folks or people of color might see themselves in porn… it's usually not for the most flattering or empowering of reasons. How could we, an exclusively Adults-only studio, convince someone who isn't familiar with us that we wanted to make something for people like them rather than something that turns them into mere masturbating material?

We were almost about to give up on the Catboy until I decided to take a chance on contacting a VA whom I hadn't had any formal and proper interactions with before. I'd been a fan of his work and knew him from an audition he sent in from a previous game I had worked on, but he knew me solely by name at best since we were following each other on Twitter. Still, it was a lead, and after chewing my nails for half a day, I shot off a message to Soren Viloria.

And what do you know? He said he'd give it a shot as his first NSFW role.

Naming the Lad

Soren is a Filipino VA, and despite the fact that I myself seem to be mistaken as Filipino by other Asians quite regularly, I'm actually not as well-versed in that culture as I ought to be.

There's actually a reason why we were so secretive with Simoun's name for a while: he didn't have one yet, so internally we just kept calling him "the Catboy." We wanted to pick a culture-appropriate name for him, something that was meaningful: Soren initially suggested "Siopao" as it was a common cat name (it's a type of Filipino Steamed Bun, so think of how many pets you've seen who have names like Cupcake or Nacho Supreme), but that didn't seem serious enough for a tsundere catboy like him. A few days later, Soren did a little research on a few well-known characters from Philippine media/culture that fit the bill a bit better:

Elías from the Philippine Revolution novel Noli Me Tángere (a required reading in the Philippines). Cat may like his radical tendencies for revolution and his deep, devoted connections.

Simoun from Noli's sequel, El filibusterismo. Holds revolutionary values similar to Elías, but far less noble and more of a loner. Violent at times, and will do what it takes to get his way.

Panday/Flavio, a very popular hero. Part of his charm is that he doesn't have special powers, but took matters into his own hands and forged a magical blade. Has been portrayed in both 'cool' and comedic ways.

Ricardo "Cardo" from the Philippines' longest-running TV drama Ang Probinsyano. Just a cool action hero dude who cares about family, but is also very ambitious and angy.

Seeing as how we already had an Elias Gallagher, Simoun seemed to be the perfect fit, and the name stuck pretty easily.

Simoun's Boundaries

Now that Simoun had a name, we were able to talk about him more seriously beyond the simple "tsundere cat" tropes. You've all already met Gil Finnegan, who we originally brought into SnaccPop Studios to handle the narrative design for DachaBo but was then onboarded to help with Sunny Day Jack, and those of you in the Patreon Discord server are familiar with our mods Tobias and Jude; along with me and Soren Viloria, that brought the grand total of openly trans masculine members on the team.

We all talked about our personal experiences as trans masc/AFAB people, what things we rarely saw reflected in both mainstream and indie media, things we wanted to see more of. Something we all agreed that was difficult to find was trans masculine folks in sexually dominant roles in erotic media, whether that was live video, audio, writing, art, or a combination thereof; there was only a handful of series we could count on our fingers as far as sexually explicit content that featured trans masculine people in roles that weren't exclusively submissive/bottoms, and the majority of us had already seen those or at least heard of them before (ie. Gummy and the Doctor and Sasha From The Gym were prominent ones). Either discovering this content was difficult due to Search Engine Optimization favoring depictions of trans feminine folks, or it simply didn't exist.

All of this, along with the backstory that Sauce had for Simoun, led us to determine that Simoun would be adverse to submissive roles in intimate situations. Simoun isn't the type to want to be penetrated either due to previous trauma surrounding his gender. Bear in mind that this isn't meant to imply or suggest that there is only one "acceptable" sexual preference for trans masculine folks, nor is Simoun meant to represent all of trans masculinity; he may be our first trans masculine character but certainly isn't the last, as we hope to feature more types of characters at SnaccPop Studios.

As an aside, it should be noted that the trend of erotic trans feminine content being more readily available doesn't necessarily mean that trans women have more positive representation per se; for every kinky piece of art created by trans feminine folks out there, there could be ten more works that fetishize and objectify their bodies. We probably don't need to tell you about the common derogatory slurs that have been used to refer to them; trans feminine and trans masculine people deal with varying levels and types of transphobia as well as situations that oversexualize (or even undersexualize) them, and it's important to focus on content that doesn't strip them of their autonomy.

There actually was a period of time between the release of his concept art after Soren was onboarded where the team observed comments both on Patreon and in the Discord regarding Simoun, and we discussed how we could avoid having people try to ship Bo and Simoun together; because Simoun hasn't had bottom surgery of any kind, we wanted to ensure that tokophobia (fear of pregnancy) or dysphoria wouldn't become a thing for any of us involved in the team or for our trans masculine Patrons. It was a bit of a chicken or the egg situation, trying to keep up with the evolving comments about Simoun to try and anticipate what people might accidentally say.

Debut Day Thoughts, & Moving Forward

We were quite happy with the general reception everyone had with Simoun, and we're excited to see so many people taking a liking to Simoun after his reveal. SnaccPop Studios has always strived to provide inclusive and diverse stories for those who don't often get represented in media, much less NSFW media, and the team was quite elated to see folks who were just as happy to see Simoun.

We hope that the love and care we put into building Simoun has shone through in this post and will continue to shine as we write more of him for DachaBo, because we're just getting started.

[infamous-if]

.2

I know, I know. It took 2 months to write the second drabble from the poll but...this is not even a drabble anymore. Instead, it's more of a collection of scenes mostly because if I do write how Orion found and began managing the band it would be an entire chapter. I will say that I condensed this due to that, but if I ever do write the whole thing it might look a *little* different. I had to cut corners and shorten scenes for the sake of length. Still, hope you like it! (This is 4, 363 words btw. what is wrong with me) I should probably find a more efficient way to share such long works but whatevs. As always, ignore any mistakes or typos or wordy sentences or sentences that probably make no sense upon reading it a second time. I don't edit drabbles and I always just publish the first drafts. haha.

“…Love me and hate me, I don’t mind as long as you take me—”

A low grumble rises in Orion’s throat when the song pauses, the car falling into an unfamiliar silence just as it slows in front of a red light. His large hands tighten their grip on the wheel, and his eyes glide to his co-worker, Marty, just as he’s pulling his hand away from the PAUSE button on the console. 

“Is there a reason you’re touching my stuff?” Orion asks, his voice carrying its usual calm that holds a level of ice that has even his superiors shuddering when they think he’s not looking. 

Marty licks his lips, his face twisting into its usual expression of guilt. Orion softens his face for his friend’s sake.

Orion Quinn knows the impact he has on people. The rumors that plague him have reached his ears on multiple occasions; he’s a shell of what he once was, never having gotten over the one who got away. He’s detached, the merciless worker that the boss goes to when he’s in need of someone who can do the firing.

 He’s the one people are afraid of crossing or talking casually to in fear of letting something slip. People fear him more than they fear the execs. 

It wasn’t always like this, sure. Once, Orion used to smile freely, used to talk openly and wear vulnerability like a favorite coat. But then the divorce happened and sides were taken. Suddenly, the armor he didn’t know he had was reinforced, dented and bruised from a battle he didn’t expect to fight, but reinforced nonetheless. 

Never date your co-workers. 

“The song is terrible, man.” Marty sighs, running a hand through his oily brown hair when he plops back in the seat. The same seat he pushed back at a 120-degree angle. Admittedly, it makes Orion’s nerves flare up. He says nothing;  he has enough self-awareness to know that complaining about his seat is a bit too much, even for him. “I was doing both our ears a favor.”

The light changes and Orion absently drums his fingers on the wheel as he drives on ahead, eyes gliding outside to soak in the densely populated street underneath the rising sun. “Yeah.” The word comes out in a resigned breath. “I was hoping it’d get better.” 

“We were on the bridge,” Marty throws back. “The only way it could get better is if it ended.” Orion’s lip twitches and of course, Marty can’t let it go. ”Oh! That was an almost-smile.” He leans forward to poke Orion’s rib. 

Orion lets out a laugh before his face quickly drops.

Marty grins, plopping his elbow on the ledge of the car door. “All I’m saying is you’ve been listening to demos nonstop this whole month. Not once have I seen you even mildly excited for any of them.”

Orion grits his teeth. “I haven’t had anything substantial to show the team in ages. Our last artist pulled out on signing with us last minute. Our established artists aren’t selling as well anymore. The industry is getting oversaturated—“

“—and we need to be ahead of the curve. Yadda, yadda.” Marty rolls his eyes. “Do you ever just relax? Damn. That stick up your ass is ten-feet lon—“

Marty chokes on his words when Orion’s eyes cut to his. “Say anything else and I’m kicking you out of my car.” 

Marty pouts but relents anyway, choosing to change the subject. “What about dating?”

Orion keeps his eyes on the road but quirks a brow. “What about it?”

“You know…” Marty starts, gesticulating vaguely as he searches for the right words. “Maybe putting yourself out there could help you relax. Or even inspire you—“ 

“No.”

“What? Okay, but—"

“Not interested.”

“You didn’t even know what I was going to sa—“

“Don’t have to.” 

Marty huffs and says nothing for a long moment. Neither of them rush to fill the silence; normal for Orion but unusual for his infinitely more talkative friend. It’s only when he pulls into Carolina Records’ parking lot that Marty speaks again and Orion realizes his silence was really just contemplation.

“I know the divorce was difficult,” he starts, delicate, “but—“

Orion’s jaw clenches.

“— that doesn’t mean you should give up.”

Orion sits there a moment, fingers clenching into fists. “It’s not giving up if I never tried in the first place.” He swings open the door and steps out, the car door slamming with a hint of finality.

. . .

Carolina Records boasts a twenty-floor skyscraper made up of floor-to-ceiling glass windows and sleek, dark marble floor. Orion has been here since he graduated college; going from a measly intern to an A&R representative responsible for finding two of the most promising artists in the company. 

That was a year ago. Since then, the well of new talent has dried up and Orion doesn’t know what to do.

Of course, he was offered higher positions, all of which he quickly denied. Orion always had a knack for numbers and trends, discovering what new genre is going to come to the forefront, seeing what kind of music the general public is listening to. Music: he understands it better than people. His understanding is almost clinical: while people listen to it for enjoyment, Orion seeks the patterns, the feelings that every beat and scale and vocal run they invoke. He takes it apart and puts it together like a surgeon does a patient. It just makes sense to him. 

He could do so much more, he knows that, but none of that interests him.

The music—that’s what he likes. 

Discovering new talent is what excites him. Which is why this odd dry spell has him walking with gritted teeth and tension between his shoulders-blades. He has to do something.

“Mr. Quinn.” 

Orion nods at a woman who passes by the hallway, ignoring the way Marty does a whole spin when he tracks her retreating frame down the hall.

Another one. This time a man from the marketing department. “Good Morning, Mr. Quinn.” 

“Morning.”

Marty scoffs when the man continues walking, not sparing him a glance. 

“Am I chopped liver or something?” Marty complains.

“Mr. Quinn, hey!”

“Hi.” Orion nods his head once and presses the elevator button. When his eyes land on a frowning Marty he says, “You’re just not sociable.”

“Huh?!” Marty then lets out an embarrassingly high-pitched sputter of a laugh. “And you are?”

Orion frowns. “Yes.”

Another laugh. “You’re smart, dude, you know it’s more because of that”— he gestures vaguely at him—“than your social skills.”

The elevator doors open with a cheerful bell and they step inside. “What?”

“You know.” Marty shrugs. “Your face. You look like you should be on a billboard advertising overpriced cologne with your shirt unbuttoned and your hand in your hair talking about your luxurious life or something.”

“That’s…specific.”

Marty shrugs. “I read a lot of GQ.” 

Orion wrinkles his nose when they spin to face the doors. “While it is true I would be considered objectively handsome by societal standards—“

“Oh, fuck off.”

“—I don’t think that’s the case.” This time Orion lets out a small smile. “Or maybe it is?” He quirks a brow at his co-worker. “Should I send a gift basket to my parents? A ‘thank-you-for-the-superior-DNA gift?’”

Marty shakes his head.  “You know, when you do try to be funny you still sound like an asshole.”

Orion hums, the joke tickling him enough for him to let out his first smile of the day. 

The elevator doors sing their arrival and they bid farewell once they part to go to their respective offices. Orion strides to his corner office where another one of his co-workers, Kass, is standing with a box in her hands.

“This week’s demos.” Orion is just putting his arms out when she plops the boxes on them. “You should really stop requesting unsolicited demos. It’s such an outdated way of doing things.”

Orion ignores her and unlocks his office door, turning the knob and pushing it open with his hip. His office is barren but spacious, with high windows overlooking the city. Marty told him once that people would kill to have his office, but really it’s just like any other space. What’s an office without a productive person to work in it? Orion hasn’t done anything of meaning in weeks.

Sighing, he drops the box on the table unceremoniously, picking up the first CD on the top of the pile. GROUNDED IN REALITY reads the title, and it’s so apt that he almost chucks the CD in the trash on that very fact alone. Still, he’s nothing if not fair. Another sigh escapes him and he gets to listening. 

. . .

Helpless.

That’s how he feels.

After hours of listening, the music has long since blurred together in a portrait of uninspired melodies and generic, radio-friendly lyrics. Nothing stood out, nothing made him want to dig into the song in search for more, nothing made him feel.

Is it me? Am I the problem?

Jaw clenched, Orion fishes out his phone, the usual flinch coming to him when he sees the background. He forgot to change it, and it’s always an (unwanted) surprise whenever he sees a picture of them together. 

One year ago. The beach. Happy.

Shaking his head, he sends a quick text to his mother telling her that he’ll have to raincheck on their dinner. He still has half a box of songs left. Looks like he’ll be staying late.

“Yo, Orion!” A knock. “Let’s go! I want to driiink.”

Or not.

Marty strides in without waiting for an invitation, a grin on his face. “Tab is on me.”

“Do you ever work?” Orion asks, eyes half-lidded in equal parts annoyance and indifference. 

His friend frowns. “This is work.”

“I don’t think getting drunk is in the job description.” Orion looks down, absently clicking on the button of his mouse in an effort to busy his hands. 

“Wah, wah. Don’t be a fucking party pooper.”

 “Too late.”

Marty shoots him a look. “A few artists are playing tonight. Call this recruitment.” He uses spirit fingers. “Maybe you’ll even loosen up for once.” When Orion looks at him, a brow raised, Marty drops his hands. “Yes, I do my job sometimes. Don’t look so surprised.”

“It’s not that,” Orion starts. He doesn’t immediately continue. Instead, they simply stare at each other. Marty wiggles his brows as Orion narrows his gaze. “When you say the tab is on you—“

Marty whips out a black card. “Company card, baby!”

Orion palms his face with a long groan as Marty begins to moonwalk across Orion’s office. “I was perfectly fine staying inside.” Even though he says this, a moment later he stands and grabs his trenchcoat from the back of the chair. “And you’re driving.”

“What!” Marty stomps his foot as he follows him out. “Nooooo.” 

. . .

The bar sits in a livelier part of the city, a part that Orion doesn’t often find himself in. It’s less about the scene and more about the memories associated with every damn corner of this place. Orion can pluck a memory from his mind like a petal from a rose garden: the diner they went to and fought for fifteen minutes over who would get to pay the bill, the park they spent their lunches at.

The shop where he bought the ring.

“This place is golden,” Marty says, breaking Orion out of the string of memories he wishes he could erase forever, “it’s like a real gritty, underground hole-in-the-wall vibe.”

“Sounds like fun,” comes out of Orion in a dour tone that has Marty rolling his eyes. 

They stride through the neon glow of the brick hall until it opens up to a dimly lit bar. The space is humble; the sparse crowd is compensated by the energy of the performers on the stage. 

“Stacy, do you remember when I mowed your lawn…?”

“Is the band really covering Fountains of Wayne?” Orion says through gritted teeth.

Marty bites his lower lip, his obvious attempt to stifle laughter only making Orion’s faux horror flare even more. “Maybe.” Marty spins around, shimmying his shoulder. “You don’t agree that Stacy’s Mom Has Got It Going on?” Marty then realizes something and laughs. “You know, I dated a Stacy once. Weirdly enough, her mom wasn’t that bad looking—“

Orion sighs and quickly moves to the bar. “I need a drink.”

Whatever hope Orion had of finding new talent is gone in the face of the line-up. It quickly becomes obvious that the performers are composed of people who aren’t taking the ‘gig’ seriously or patrons that are half-drunk and stumbling on the small stage.

Worse that the place is pathetically empty; it’s only them two and three other stragglers eating stale fries and bobbing their heads to the music, more out of obligatory politeness than anything else. Orion is suddenly regretting taking Marty up on his offer. 

Orion drinks his lager through periodic gulps, his desire to forget this night growing with every person that performs. The memories of this area coupled with his lack of work lately make him dizzy. He wants to escape. Quit. Scream. All of it.

“Get me another,” Orion says, much to Marty’s delight.

More and more people perform until Orion has lost any focus on the stage. Instead, he entertains himself by watching the game on the TV, having long given up on finding any new promising talent in a place like this. 

“Next up we have”—the bartender stops, her eyes narrowing as she tries to read something off an index card—“er, [band]. Yeah. Give them a round of applause.”

With how few people are in attendance, the applause is less applause and more awkward clapping that quickly dies after two. 

The people on stage are younger. Immediately, Orion notices that they’re equipped with actual instruments instead of relying on the karaoke machine in the corner. A decisive point in their favor, he decides.

“You said this was a gig…” He hears one of them say to what appears to be the lead singer. The boy wears a red hat, as well as an assortment of chains on his neck. Three other band members set up their instruments, trying not to look too disappointed by the turnout. Still, even with the lager creating a slight fog in his head, Orion knows that look. The moment when hope dies, burning like a napkin to a flame.

“No,” the lead singer says pointedly as they adjust their mic, “I said this was a favor.” In that moment, the singer nods their head at the bartender, who shoots them an appreciative thumbs-up. “A paid favor.”

The boy shakes his head but snorts. “I guess.” 

Once they’re set up, the singer looks ahead, gazing at the bar. Their eyes briefly settle on Orion as they gaze at the few faces in the room. “Hey!” they say, chirpy. “We’re [band]. Thanks for coming out!”

A chorus of muttering replies.

Marty taps on the bar. “Wanna head out?”

Orion, unable to look away, shakes his head. “No. I want to see this.”

The next few minutes feel like a dream. Orion is in a daze as the song plays, the beats piercing through him. The voice sends goosebumps up his arms, the instruments weave together in a perfect harmony that has Orion’s heart racing. When the song ends, it’s too soon. He wants it to keep going. He doesn’t want it to end. 

He wants more.

“Thanks!” The singer says to a smattering of slightly enthusiastic applause. This is the most energy everyone has had all night. They turn, grab their things, and disappear through the curtain. Orion bursts up….

…spilling his drink on the table.

“Oh!” the bartender squeaks as Marty hisses.

“Aw, fuck.” Orion curses, and then flinches. “Sorry. Uh….sorry.” He doesn’t know what his apology is for. Dropping the drink, cussing, or speeding away before he could help clean it up in order to catch the band backstage?

“Hey!” Marty calls. “Where are you going?”

Orion ignores him. He has a one-track mind right now, one focused on finding the band that just made him feel like he hit the jackpot. This. This is what he’s been looking for. 

The door swings open, and the band stop mid-conversation to look at Orion, who busted through the door without so much as a plan or script in place. Instead, he simply stands there. 

“Uh.” One girl, flaunting bright blue hair, says. “Yeah?”

Orion reveals his card, feeling a bit like a robot. He moves on automatic, working through the many thoughts in his head to utter the rest of his words. “Do you have a manager?”

. . . 

“You want to manage us?”

The din of the coffee shop sings with the sound of plates and aimless chatter. It’s been two days since he heard them perform back at the bar, and Orion has been running through his pitch the way one does before an interview. He’s never been this…nervous? Uncertain? In his life. 

“Yes,” is Orion’s only response. He sits on one side of the table while the band sits on the other; an invisible wall between them. He can see it, their apprehension. He is not one of them. 

Not yet, at least. 

“Wait.” The boy Orion learned is named Rowan leans forward, fingers on the table. “How do we know this isn’t a scam?”

“I’m not asking for money. All I ask is for you to show up to play for my boss. That’s it.” Auditions are a lost art. Nowadays artists are recruited through viral internet songs and connections. Two things that always exhausted Orion. It hasn’t been just about the music in a long time. 

Their eyes widen. They all exchange looks, equal parts excited and wary. 

“Why?” [MC], who he learned is the sole singer of the band, asks.

Because you made me feel something. Because listening to you is the first time I felt human in a long time.

He imagines himself waving off those words like mist. “Because you’re the first band that has caught my attention. And it’s not easy to catch my attention.”

The band member named Iris snorts. 

“I’m not trying to be arrogant,” he says blandly, leaning back in his chair to fold his arms over his chest. “It’s the truth.”

“Where do you work?” Another member, Devyn, asks. 

“Carolina Records.”

Multiple pairs of eyes widen.

“Holy shit.” Jazzy laughs. “The Carolina Records?”

Orion nods, used to this kind of reaction. Starry-eyed artists are pretty much the same when it comes to Carolina. “Yes.” He leans forward, his heart racing. “Just one audition. That’s all I ask.” 

He watches as they all exchange looks; a silent language only they share. After an agonizing moment, [MC] turns to him and nods. “When?”

. . . . 

Orion has been pacing for the last half hour.

He stands outside Carolina’s humble theater space, chewing on his nails as he waits for his boss, Jacob Hill, and a smattering of other executives and shareholders that will be the final word in whether Orion can work with [band]. He hasn’t asked for something this big in so long that Jacob Hill immediately said yes, more out of excitement and surprise than anything else. Orion did produce two of their most profitable artists in the company. 

The elevator doors open and Orion stops in place, head whipping up to see them walking through the hall in a wave of black suits and greased hair. Orion brushes down his shirt, trying to dampen his nerves. Jesus. Nerves? Get a grip, Orion. 

He doesn’t know how to stand as he waits for them to approach. Hands in pockets? Arms crossed? Orion is so indecisive he just resorts to standing straight, arms at his sides. 

“Mr. Hill.” Orion shakes his hand, clearing his throat. He makes his polite greetings to the rest of the team and says, “Thank you for making time for me.”

“Always, Orion.” Jacob slaps a large hand on his back. “You’re one of my best. You should ask me for favors more.”

Orion lets out a small, slightly nervous laugh. “Ah, you know. I like to—“

“—do things on your own,” Jacob finishes, a soft smile on his face. “I get it.”

He slowly looks up, meeting Jacob’s eyes. In them he can see the familiar pity he’s gotten since the divorce. 

It’s Orion’s fault, really. If he didn’t isolate himself and turn into what he is now, people wouldn’t look at him and assume he’s broken inside.

Would they be wrong in their assumption, though? Am I broken inside?

“Shall we?” another executive says, and Orion bobs his head in a nod, pushing away the image of Jacob’s face.

Inside is a small theater, the stage just big enough for one artist. The seats are plush leather, the lights dim but blue. Jacob always likes the spectacle, and he catered this space to feel like a real performance for possible signees. Orion decides against sitting, too nervous to do anything but stand in the back, giving them the signal he taught them in his pep talk before they came.

[MC] nods. “Um. Hi. We’re [band]. I’m [MC] and this is Iris, Rowan, Devyn, and Jazzy. And um…this is [song].”

Orion flinches at the lackluster introduction. Doesn’t matter, he thinks, unfamiliarly optimistic, the music will do the talking.

And it does.

But not in the way he thought.

All throughout the song, Orion peeks at Jacob and his team. He wants to celebrate when he sees them bobbing their heads, wants to curse when they get on their phones. Orion has never worried this much in his whole career. He’s never wanted something so bad. 

He’s never allowed himself to want. Not after the divorce. 

He didn’t think he was deserving of getting what he wanted. 

The song ends, and Orion lets out a breath. There’s muffled chatter between the men, and on stage the band crowd together, hopping in place as they let out their remaining nerves. 

Jacob stands, the rest following. Orion speeds ahead, wanting to see the thoughts on his face. Instead, Jacob simply regards him with thin lips.

“They were…good,” Jacob whispers, putting a hand on Orion’s shoulder and guiding him out of the room and to the empty hall, “but I think we’re going to go in another direction.”

Orion’s positivity leaks out of him like an open faucet. “What.”

Jacob inhales through his nose. “Look, the singer is talented. They all are. I understand why you like them but…” He shakes his head. “I don’t think the guys see it. And plus,” he shrugs, “they don’t have what we’re looking for.”

Orion’s brows furrow. His stomach drops in itself and his mouth dries. “They have another song. They could play it—“

“Orion.” Jacob gives him that pitying expression again. Fucking hell. He wants to smack that expression off his face. “I know you’ve been…off, since the divorce. You haven’t been on top of your game, and I’ve been giving you your space. It’s not easy, especially since you worked together—“

“I’m fine,” he says tightly.

“—but you can’t…fixate on something to get over it. You need to do it the healthy way. The old Orion would’ve brought me someone with pizzazz. With that unique Orion touch, you know?” Jacob pulls him close. Orion is reduced to a scolded child, unable to do anything but listen. “This isn’t the Orion I know. You usually bring me diamonds.” 

“I—“ Orion swallows. “I’m trying.” And it’s the most honest thing he’s said in ages. He’s trying. And it’s not working. He’s been trying the day he signed that fucking divorce paper and signed the only life he’s known away. 

“I know you are,” Jacob says, squeezing his shoulder. “Sometimes we miss, and that’s alright.”

The rest of the group filter out and both Jacob and Orion step back, trying to hide any sign of their tense conversation. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

Orion nods slowly, the lump in his throat growing as he feels multiple eyes on him. His jaw is clenched, his eyes are downturned. He can hardly look at his boss.

He stands there, frozen, forced to listen to their careless chatter as they walk down the hall. The moment they stepped out of those doors, they forgot about the band. The same band that made him feel something, the first time since his divorce. The same band he can’t get out of his head. The same band that proved he is not broken. He can still feel.

And they don’t even fucking care.

“I quit,” Orion says, the words coming out of him before he could even think. Jacob and Co turn around, twin expressions of shock on their faces. Orion looks up, straightening, trying to look even an inch of the Old Him.

“What?” Jacob blurts. 

“I quit.” Orion swallows. “I’ll formally hand in my resignation tomorrow.” He bows, trying to muster up the little respect and professionalism he has in him. “I’m sorry.”

“Orion—“

He spins around, walking back inside. 

The band is still on stage, this time all packed up and ready to go. When the door closes, they all look up, their hopeful and wide eyes on Orion as he walks down to the stage.

He stops in front of it. He puts two palms on the stage, looking at the members of the band he will take to the top. He promised it to himself…two minutes ago.

“I’m going to ask again,” Orion says through his teeth, his heart racing with the adrenaline of his quitting. What the fuck is he doing? And why does it feel so good? “Do you still need a manager?”

When he looks up, the band stares at him in silence.  

He witnesses [MC] look behind him at the door, where Jacob and his team left. As if realizing something, they look back down. “Yeah. You okay with another artist in your roster?”

“Yes.” Orion nods. He’s okay with it. 

Because all he needs is one. 

[storydays]

Overture: Part 2

(3rd POV)

*With Charlie*

"Hello? Creepy..." Charlie called into the building as she looked around, walking towards the front desk. "Oh!" Charlie watched as a scroll and quill came in front of her. "Also, creepy." she smiled awkwardly, as she signed her name. A door opened up into a dark room, and Charlie walked in, calling out again, "Hello?" 

" 'Sup." A male voice startled the demoness, making her fall on the floor. "Holy shit!" She yelped. Light had came on to reveal two angels, one sitting and the other standing behind the first. 

Standing up, Charlie pushed her bangs back. "Hi! I'm Charlie, and my brother has sent me to meet you." "Yeah, I know." replied the yellow angel, lazily. "Okay, well, it is nice to meet you." Charlie held her hand out to shake, the angel leaning forward to shake it, "Totally, nice to meet you too." Charlie gasped when her hand passed through his. 

"Ha! I fuckin' got you! DId you fuckin' see that?!" He cackled to the grey angel beside him, who nodded at his answer. "Good shit." He laughed to himself. 

"Uh, so wait, you aren't here?" wondered Charlie. "No, you think I'd come down there?" He laughed again. 

"No, I mean, I love the vibe, totally; I love your tunes. Pretty fuckin' hardcore, don't get me wrong. But it's such a bummer, man. Everything down there, is so..eugh, ya know. Ew." He cringed at the thought. 

"Right..so I'm happy that we got this opportunity to meet! There's a project that I've been working on that I really want to talk to you about--" Charlie eyed the angel as he shushed her.

"Hey, hey, hey, slow down. We got time; how about we get to know each other, mm? How about some lunch? You hungry? I got you!" The yellow angel held up a plate of ribs, offering it to the demoness. "Here's my personal favorite. You'll love it."

Charlie smiled politely. "Um, thanks." As she reached for some, her hand went through it. The angel laughed loudly. "I got you again, bitch! Haha! Fuckin' hilarous! Haha!" The princess laughed sarcastically, annoyed by his childishness. 

*Back at the hotel*

Vaggie had gathered everyone in the main foyer. Angel had his legs on (Y/N)'s lap again, and was enjoying how flustered the prince looked. The blond tried to ignore the spider but was failing miserably. 

"Okay, Charlie's doing something very important, so while she's gone, we are making a new commercial." Vaggie smiled, thinking of her energetic girlfriend, before holding her hand out expectantly. "So, we need  a camera. Alastor?"

The deer demon snapped his fingers and an old fashioned camera meant for photos appeared. "A video camera." snapped the Latina woman. "Hmm." Alastor hummed before giving her the requested item. "Alright, let's do this." Vaggie grinned. 

"Aaand action!" 

" 'Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel. Can I help you?' " Husk read from the script, from where he was standing behind the bar. 

"I've been a bad boy, and I need a big, strong Daddy to put me in my place....on the path to redemption." Angel started sultrily, purposely stretching his body out, showing himself off. (Y/N) snorted behind his own script; that spider was such an idiot sometimes. 

"Well, you come--" Husk started before being interrupted by Angel's moan of , "Oh yes!" (Y/N) started laughing harder, as Husk continued his lines through gritted teeth, "To the right place." 

"Cut!" Vaggie sighed, putting the camera down and turning towards the men. 

"Okay, Angel, I need you to be less horny, if possible.  (Y/N), stop encouraging him. And Husk, can you not have the script right in your face?" Vaggie commented. Husk bristled, clearly angry, "I ain't no act! I can't memorize this shit!" He slapped the paper in his hand as Angel leaned in closer. 

"Well, we could improve this shit, babycakes. Rawrr." The Italian spider purred seductively. 

Husk frowned and pushed the spider into (Y/N) who wasn't even paying attention, and sent both men to the floor. "Oof," grunted Angel as he landed on (Y/N), knocking his glasses off and--

"Fuck, my nuts!" groaned (Y/N), curling in a fetal position. 

 Angel had accidentally kneed him...right where the sun don't shine.

"Whoops." Husk winced; he'd only meant for the spider to get out of his personal space. (Y/N) was really one of the only people he'd gotten along with. "My bad, (Y/N)." 

"I could do something with your nuts, (Y/N)." Angel teased, but shivered when the prince shot a icy glare in his direction. "Or maybe later," he muttered, rubbing (Y/N)'s back soothingly as he waited for the pain to stop.

"Guys, come on." Vaggie sighed, as Husk picked up a bottle and started drinking again. 

*Back with Charlie*

"So I was playing this gig, and for some fucking reason, this virtue chick was diggin' on the drummer and it's like, do you know who I am? I'm fuckin' Adam! I'm the original dick. All dicks descend from me! You think you want drummer dick? No way! I'm the fuckin' dickmaster!" Adam obnoxiously slurped on his ribs before continuing his story. 

"So anyway, we fucked and it was awesome. What'd you do this weekend?" He asked a very bored looking Charlie. 

"Wait, your name is Adam? Like the first man, Adam? That means you--Ohhh, that explains so much." Charlie realized. "I know, I fuckin' rock." Adam sent the princess a 'rock on sign'. "Well, Adam, sir. Mr Adam, sir--" 

"Call me dickmaster." smirked the angel. 

"Adam," Charlie emphasized, clearly done with Adam. "You seem like a smart--well, stand up guy." 

"Uh-huh." Adam agreed as he picked his teeth. 

"And I know you are the leader of the Angel Army and you are a big thinker, a revolutionary, a--a genius," Charlie complimented. 

"I mean your words, babe." Adam was clearly enjoying the compliments. 

"Who would really love to put his name on something." Charlie kept revving Adam up. "Fuckin' love puttin' my name on shit!" Adam stood excitedly. "Shit's the best!" 

Charlie nodded along, "It's a solution to our biggest problem!" 

"Ohh, herpes! Yeah, that's a bitch." Adam cringed. 

"No! Our other biggest problem." The princess tried hinting at again. 

"Oh, uh, ugly people? Math? Global warming? Nah, wait, that's Earth's problem. Umm...." Charlie blinked at the Angel...there was no way he was this stupid, right?

*Back at the hotel*

Niffty giggled as she chased a bug with a giant needle in her hand. "Hehehe, stab, stab, stab!" "Alright, Niffty." Vaggie called before turning to kneel in front of the cyclops. "Niffty. Niffty? Niffty! Your line is, 'We have the cleanest rooms.' Okay?" Niffty nodded excitedly, "Got it! I'm ready!" Vaggie grabbed the camera and started to record. "And action."

Niffty's smile dropped immediately and she zoned out, her pupil shrinking to a little dot. Vaggie stopped recording and lowered the camera,as she, Angel and (Y/N) stared at the cyclops with wide eyes. "Uhh...cut." 

Niffty smiled, "How was that?" "Well Niffty, you have to actually say the line. Let's try again." 

Same results as last time. 

Angel leaned down to whisper in Vaggie's ear, "Yo're doing great Vagina." He whispered, mockingly.  "Cut! Alright, um, maybe we can try to fix it in post." Vaggie thought aloud. "Do you even know what that means?" asked (Y/N).  "I'll figure it out." the white haired woman snapped, not noticing the looks that the two men exchanged. 

Vaggie went into a room and groaned in annoyance as the TV showed a lot of static,and barely audible sound. "Seems like you're having a bit of trouble there, eh?" Alastor grinned as he watched Vaggie. 

"Ugh, este pendejo. " She cursed, before turning to the deer demon. "Why are you even here?"

Alastor sat on the opposite couch of Vaggie, his shadow crouching behind him with a sinister smile. "I came here because I love seeing wasteful souls struggle to accomplish something meaningful and fail spectacularly, like you are doing now! Good job!" He mocked cheerfully. 

Scowling, Vaggie turned the camera on, and started recording, "And here is Alastor, an egocentric piece of shit--" She yelped as the camera shorted out from the demon's power. "I wouldn't try that, my dear. This face was made for radio." His eyes changed into radio dials, his mouth changed to a speaker,and  his body began changing in bendy ways, as voodoo symbols floated around him.

Vaggie narrowed her eye at him. "That's it! I don't care who or what you are. If you're staying here, you are going to make this work. Because it won't be so 'entertaining' to watch over a empty hotel, will it shitass?" She snapped, walking back to her chair. 

Alastor's eyes and smile narrowed before he shrugged. 

"Fair enough. I'll tell you what: let's make a deal." Scoffing, Vaggie flopped back into her seat. 

"You think I'm that stupid? Making a deal with a demon like you?"

"Not for your soul." The Radio Demon rolled his eyes before continuing, "Just a simple deal: I do this for you, and you never ask me to engage with this frivolous television technology again." He narrowed his eyes at the television. "Or...Charlie comes back to absolutely nothing!" The deer dropped the radio effect from his voice as he turned to smirk at Vaggie, "Your choice."

Sighing heavily, the purple demoness agreed. "Fine." She handed the video camera into Alastor's waiting hand, sealing the deal. 

"Now then!" Alastor clapped his hands, and the hotel occupants and a camera crew appeared with equipment. With another snap, the Hotel company were all dressed in outfits from the 1920's. 

"Alright, let's make a fucking commercial." 

*Back with Charlie*

"When you take her out for the fifth time, and she still expects you to pay the check, but you're like, 'Hey, I thought you want equality/'?" Adam mocked a woman's voice.  "NOO! Our shared problem of overpopulation in Hell!" Charlie snapped, a desperate look in her eye.  "Ohh! Well, that's not a problem. We've got that covered. Lute, how many demons did you kill this year?" Adam asked the silent lieutenant. 

"Got a good 275, sir." she replied, coldly. 

"275?! Woah, badass! Awesome job, danger tits! Pound it." The two angels shared a fist bump.  

"Uh, no, that's not awesome! Those are my people, you know that, right?" Charlie stood, worry written on her face. "Ohh, yeah....That must suck for you! Hahaha!" Adam laughed. 

"But these are souls. Human souls, just the same as you have in Heaven." the blonde frowned. "They are not the same." Lute said bluntly, "They had their chance and they earned damnation." 

"You're wrong!" Charlie disagreed. "Sinners made mistakes, sure, but everyone makes mistakes." "ANGELS don't make mistakes." hissed Lute. Charlie crossed her arms, "You really think that?" she raised an eyebrow. 

"I know that." replied the exorcist. 

"Yeah, I've never made a mistake in my fuckin' life." Adam agreed as Lute circled the princess. "The only reason you're still here, is because Daddy gave you and your Hellborn kind, a pardon from an exorcist blade. How's that you feel? To know how little you matter." Lute said coldly, returning to Adam's side. 

"Oops! Almost out of time. Guess we should get into it." Adam sighed lazily. 

"Oh fuck!" Charlie face palmed, and rushed closer to the two angels."Okay, I've got a lot to get through and not a lot of time." Charlie summoned a stack of paperwork. "And I feel like you weren't hearing me before, so here it goes." 

"Awh, shit!" Charlie cursed banging on the door from where she was thrown out.

*Back at the hotel*

Charlie walked into the hotel sadly, before being greeted by her brother, who was sitting at the bar, with paperwork and a another strawberry Daiquiri in front of him, glasses perched on the edge of his nose. 

He looked up at the young woman and smiled, waving his hand to send the paper work away, and taking his drink in his hand, before going over to Charlie. "Hey, sis...how'd it go?" 

As he got closer, he noticed his sister's bubbly demeanor  was gone, "Hey, what's wrong?" 

Charlie opened her mouth before being interrupted by Vaggie hugging her. "Charlie! How'd it go? Did they listen?" Vaggie looked at Charlie hopefully. 

"They sure did...hear it. But um,--" "Oh! Come here! We have something exciting to show you!" Vaggie excitedly dragged Charlie to the living room where everyone was gathered.

"Alastor pulled a few limbs, and it's about to air." (Y/N) grinned as he came to stand in between Husk and the Radio Demon, as Charlie and Vaggie sat on the couch by Niffty and Angel Dust who lounged on the floor.

"I pulled a few limbs, too!" Alastor laughed. (Y/N) shook his head at his antics. 

"Wait, the commercial? You all made a new one?" Charlie asked. 

"Yeah, one of my better performances if I do say so myself." Angel smiled lazily as Charlie teared up, holding her hands over her heart. 

"That's amazing." She said, tearfully, before Angel shushed her. "SHH! It's startin'" He growled. 

On screen, we see the hotel members dressed up; Angel blowing kisses to the camera and at (Y/N) ,who was fighting the urge to blush, before sending smirk at the spider followed by a playful middle finger. Husk was drinking his cheap booze, Niffty staring at the camera, and Alastor wasn't even facing the camera, and glitching slightly.

Vaggie smiled at the camera, "Welcome to the Hazbin Hot-" Suddenly, it was cut off to reveal a news story. 

Vaggie and Angel both shouted in their native languages at the TV and the royal demons' eyes changed to their demon form eyes, both barring their teeth in anger. 

"Breaking news in Hell today! We have just received  word from the Heaven Embassy that the next extermination is happening sooner than ever before! Do you know what that means, Tom" asked the female reporter, turning to her co-host. 

"What does that mean, Katie?" Tom asked with a head tilt. 

"It means we are all royally fucked." Katie replied as the screen showed the clock changing the days to 176. 

"Wait, what? Why" demanded Angel.

"Charlie...." (Y/N) turned towards his sister, "That'd be the kind of thing that's important for me to know before hand." "Sorry, got distracted by the commercial." Charlie sighed, placing her head in her hands in dismay.

*meanwhile*

A angelic hovercraft was scanning over the rummage of the remains of the extermination. 

"We found the body, sir. They've never managed to kill one of us before. We should just go down there now and destroy them!" Lute hissed, her wings fluttering in anger. 

"No,no. We can't risk them catching on. But don't worry, when we come back, there won't be a demon alive to pull a stunt like this again!" Adam yelled, smashing the projector, before smiling wickedly.

*With (Y/N)*

With a groan, the prince of Hell flopped back onto a couch. Bending over paperwork for hours on end, did nothing for his back. 

Fuck, he was only 225, why did his back hurt so much?

(Y/N) sighed, closing his eyes as the little cat from earlier came over, and curled up on his arms, purring loudly. 

"Hey, KeeKee. Hey pretty girl," he cooed, running his hands over the cat's soft fur.

"Ugh, my back." He groaned, feeling his muscles protest at the movement.

"Hey, sweetcheeks." A voice purred in his ear, making him lazily open his violet eye to peek at the spider who grinned widen seeing he had his attention. 

"Mm, not now, Angel, my back his killing me."

"Oh, as much as I'd love to take you in position, big daddy, I was actually coming to offer another one of my services." Angel held up a bottle of oil. "Being bent over something for a long time can really be hard on the back. Lemme help?" 

(Y/N) eyed the spider, looking for any of his usual antics, but found sincerity. "Okay, let's go to my office. I have a spare bed, for nights I don't feel like going to my room." He used his magic to transport himself and the spider, before lazily walking to the space bed.

Angel looked around the office, smiling softly at all the photos of the prince and his family. "Take your shirt off, and lay on your belly. Don't worry, I'll be careful with your wings." He waited patiently for (Y/N) to take his shirt off, smiling as he took in the view of the blond's body, clearly he took care of himself.

"No funny business." (Y/N) said, groaning softly at the pain in his back. "No funny business," agreed Angel before he straddled (Y/N)'s butt, causing him to blush slightly. "Um, what--" "I won't be able to properly massage you from the side. I swear, no funny business. Just wanted to help ya," Angel waited until (Y/N) nodded. 

Angel poured the massage oil in his ungloved hands, all four, and warmed it up in his hands, before getting to work.

(Y/N) sighed softly, enjoying as the Italian spider worked out his sore muscles, being sure to include the demon's wings as well. 

"Thanks, Angel."

"Qualunque costa per te, bambola." 

(Y/N) smiled to himself, deciding to keep the fact that he knows every language in the world to himself as Angel hummed an old song from his childhood. 

The two sat in silence as unaware as Charlie closed the door, smiling, letting the two be.

'They would be so cute.' she grinned to herself. 

[mxtx-ships]

MXTX fanfictions I recommend!

🐇WangXian🐇

Afternoon Delight by nuttinonice

It's hard for Wei Wuxian to catch his husband in a bad mood, but when he does, it's his mission to cheer him up again.

As Spring Will Surely Come by silver_sun

Now in their forth year of marriage Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian are settled into their life together in the Cloud Recesses, looking forward to a quiet, cozy winter together in the Jingshi. A night hunt at a haunted water mill, old injuries and family illness make it a very difficult winter instead.

This Night Will Pass by Taer01

A night terror that felt all too real, picking at the scab wounds of Lan Wangji's heart in a horrifying way.

Wei Wuxian reassures his husband he is still there.

Does anyone even read work titles? idk what to call this by Nighttdust

"Why did I marry you?" he asks and Wei Wuxian laughs awkwardly and touches his neck and his heart beats fast, fast, fast and his throat dries up and-

"Lan Zhan, what do you mean?"

"Why did I marry you?" Lan Zhan repeats and he sounds so honest, so confused and it breaks Wei Wuxians heart. Again and again and again. Breaks and shatters and comes together again and shatters and again, again, again.

or. After 6 years of marriage Lan Wangji falls out of love with Wei Wuxian

my bones into your bones by butterflylungs

He would pour every bit of his own energy into Lan Zhan’s body if it meant saving him, but that’s the thing: he doesn’t know if it will save him. Still, Wei Wuxian will drain himself dry for the chance, even if it would be very inconvenient if he died before making sure Lan Zhan will be okay.

What was supposed to be a regular night hunt leaves Lan Wangji mysteriously ill and Wei Wuxian scrambling to save his life.

💚BingQiu💚

Wife Plots: SQH Approved, SQQ Beloathed by airplanelanding (TheCourtSorcerer)

a sort of bonding experience by airplanelanding (TheCourtSorcerer)

“You’re wrong about many things, I need more than that,” he said flippantly.

Shang Qinghua took on a vaguely offended expression and his mouth opened, as if to retort, before he slowly shut it again after a moment of thought. Shen Qingqiu smirked behind his book.

"Ignoring that,” Shang Qinghua finally opted to say, clearing his throat.

Or

Luo Binghe gets himself and his husband in a bit of a predicament when Shen Qingqiu wakes to find him a cat one morning. Luckily, Shang Qinghua is always available for Shen Qingqiu to force help out of when something goes wrong.

(aka Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua team up to make Luo Binghe not a cat again.)

sixty nine SEXY seductive ways to seduce your husband with your ankles (and more)!! by dearly_anonymous

Let Binghe go alone, defenseless, into the claws of the enemy? What if something happened and Luo Binghe fell into the demoness' ample cleavage? What if she, perish the thought, k-kissed Shen Qingqiu's husband?!!

Or, a diplomacy visit gone wrong. Also known as, Shizun Wears a Cheongsam for Airplane Bro Shitty Writing Reasons, the Fanfic.

eyes on me by orphan_account

Shen Qingqiu loves to travel with his sticky husband. The world of Proud Immortals Demon Way was full of wonders and monsters, and unfortunately, the rest of the Original Luo Binghe's many wives.

Luo Binghe pays these women no mind, especially with Shen Qingqiu by his side, but with one, his eyes begin to linger, and Shen Qingqiu takes matters into his own hands.

Shen Qingqiu will seduce his husband, and teach him a lesson.

Luo Binghe, eyes on me!!

5 Ways to make your Shizun pay attention to you! (Do not try at home, it doesn't work) by Shireyaki

Asking Shang Qinghua for dating advice was probably the worst thing Luo Binghe could have done.

Too bad he didn't know it yet.

.

...

.....or did it help after all?

(Shizun would say no.)

Hush darling, it's you that I love. by Ramune7655

SQQ's body gets de-aged on a monster hunt, to his distress. To save face, he leaves town with Binghe for a while, and of course, where there is not a sharp, elegant, and imposing adult SQQ beside Binghe, he will inevitably be swarmed with women.... Not a problem. Binghe is loyal, and he has no interest in others anyway. SQQ doesn't mind. That's right; he doesn't care at all....

(When Binghe's jealousy and insecurity accidentally caused SQQ's jealousy)

In Sickness and in Health by TheCaptinofSirius

In which Shen Yuan gets sick. He begins to worry that The System has somehow dragged his illness into this world. Binghe helps put his mind at ease.

End Racism in the OTW -- The Golden Furred Sword Trapper by pallas_rose

Post canon, Luo Binghe plans the perfect date: delicious food, beautiful scenery, and a rare Abyssal monster.

Little did he know that The System was also planning a celebration.

Can Shen Qingqiu avert disaster?

a separate homeward way by Miss_TeaDDK

"Luo Binghe has a dream that takes him to a black, shallow lake. Just as he starts to think he's alone, different versions of his husband start rising from the water and staring at him one by one, each body showing a different cause of death. As he hears these bodies calling for him, he starts having more and more trouble trying to return to the waking world."

When Shen Qingqiu is caught offhandedly expressing a longing for his unknown past, Luo Binghe fears that perhaps his Husband still does not consider him part of the home and future he himself has always dreamt of.

Husband to the Rescue by SheiraScar

Shen Qingqiu was assigned to an emergency mission to Haian city, a city with no cultivator and a huge trauma of demons. However, his-demon-lord-husband insisted on coming along. Ever so weak to his tears, Shen Qingqiu finally agreed. When things took unexpected turn and Luo Binghe was in danger, would Shen Qingqiu come to rescue him?

Lessons in possession by some_hag

But in the night time...

Oh, in the night time his face changes completely. His warmth turns into smoldering hot flames and sweet words are dripping with sin, he’s beautiful and blasphemous in a way that makes Shen Qingqiu’s face burn. (Shen Qingqiu tries not to think about it too often, but it’s just so much, too much, one does not simply push away vivid whole-body memories like that.)

A Vision Dressed In Red by straightforwardly

In which Luo Binghe is really, really hot for how Shen Qingqiu looks in red.

a silly question by azunshi

“Husband, do you love me?”

Sometimes, Luo Binghe needs a little reassurance that his husband loves him so.

Self-Care is Getting Bent over the Desk by your Demon Husband by TARDIStime

Being Qing Jing Peak Lord is a lot of work. However will Shen Qingqiu cope?

Binghe has an idea (or several).

Breaking The System by justkillthetitan

Shen Yuan is kicked back to his original world.

Luo Binghe wants to find his beloved Shizun.

lavender honey by forestsongs

"Binghe was so good to him, he thought. As caring and attentive as always, putting up with Shen Qingqiu’s fussy moods. Sometimes, Shen Qingqiu felt almost bad. Most of the time, it was Binghe touching him first, Binghe using his honeyed words to coax him into bed, Binghe taking place between his opened legs. What did he even get out of it?

It was unfair!"

or; Shen Qingqiu tries to be a good husband.

I can't say no when you look at me like this by Speechless_since_1998

“Shizun, no,” Binghe sighed wearily, while Shen Qingqiu held a demonic beast large enough to crush a child's head with its paw.

“But look at it, Binghe. It's a puppy!” he told him, showing him that horror in black fur and red eyes, which wagged its tail happily.

It must be said that, if he too were an animal, he would be more than happy to be in Shizun's arms. But that wasn't the point.

The demon said, “That is a hell tiger. It's not a puppy."

(In which Shen Qingqiu has a little too much fascination with monsters and the like and Luo Binghe can't resist her husband's puppy eyes.)

Can't Sleep Without Your Warmth Next To Me by HiyoriTomioka

For a while now, Shen Qingqiu had been wondering whether Luo Binghe would have fallen in love with him if he still looked like Shen Yuan, like his original body.

Familiar Stranger by GooseRot

After accidentally killing one of the most powerful criminals in the country in a tragic, ice cream related mishap, Shen Yuan is spirited away by witness protection to a foreign country.

There he meets a sweet stranger who, as the years pass, grows more and more familiar.

-

Or: Shen Yuan’s would-be assassin becomes his (extremely) overprotective boyfriend.

A Strong Need by TheCaptinofSirius

Shen Yuan wakes up horny, and Binghe is aroused and confused. So are all of the other people in the throne room.

Red Robes by TheCaptinofSirius

Shen Qingqiu braces himself for his wedding night. The next morning he is treated to warm cuddles with his new husband.

The Termination of Bliss by TheCaptinofSirius

"One word could bring disgrace and the termination of a bliss.”

― Ali Ibn Abi Talib A.S

Shen Yuan snaps at Luo Binghe, and finds himself doing the chasing for once.

Still Beautiful to Me by TheCaptinofSirius

Shen Yuan was no stranger to body issues. After having his son, they return with a vengeance. Luckily Luo Binghe is there to help put his mind at ease.

Time Well Spent by TheCaptinofSirius (Added In Later)

Shen Yuan is the one hit by a fuck or die plot. He might as well get it over with.

what's your love language? by the_nerd_youre_looking_for (Added In Later)

5 times Shen Qingqiu shows his affection and 1 time he actually uses his damn words

🦋HuaLian🦋

i will wait for you by toaster_mommy

It was just a normal morning.

The night before went the same as usual, Hua Cheng and Xie Lian holding each other as they drifted to sleep. Nothing out of the ordinary.

They braided each other's hair before going to sleep, hopefully to eliminate wasted time in the morning spent brushing each other's hair.

Nothing new, nothing different. Just a normal day. That’s why Hua Cheng spent the majority of his morning watching his husband sleep.

He watched his beloved’s chest rise and fall. He caressed Xie Lian’s pretty face as he slept, thankful his husband was a heavy sleeper when they laid next to one another.

He was so entranced by his husband's beauty he didn’t even notice the absence of a certain piece of cloth over his non-existent eye.

Or

Hua Cheng isn’t as sure of himself as he looks, and truly is just a coward that hides behind an eyepatch.

But his Gege is there to prove him wrong.

Why Worry When You Love Me? by Edward_The_Vampire

Xie Lian thinks about how lang waited so long for him and his devotion starts to feel unworthy. A new god ascends and is upset he is no longer pure and “princely” which makes him feel useless and unworthy of ruling the heavens as well. He forgets the day and ends up having a mental breakdown where Hua Cheng comforts him.

safe by iJoke

xie lian has a nightmare about his first banishment and hua cheng is there to help him through it

Next time, bring a napkin by beesonvenus

Pei Ming has a sudden urge to drink, and he goes to Ghost City to sate it. Something he will regret later on.

The Sun Behind My Eyes (And The Mouth On Mine) by starry_stan

Xie Lian gets kidnapped. When he thinks it can't get any worse, he's put in a situation that sends his mind straight back to being buried alive for 100 years. Luckily, he has a husband that would burn the world to save him, and save him he does.

The Exploits of a Prince, and His Forbidden Love Affair by debwriting

Prince Xie Lian and Royal Guard Hua Cheng have known each other since they were young. Though the two were raised in entirely different worlds, their connection deepens as they grow older. Until eventually, a simple crush transforms into an all-consuming love affair.

Watch the two lovers as they navigate their forbidden romance, and a war that threatens to sever them apart.

Unfold My Desire by nuttinonice

When a new god ascends, he's shocked to find that the pure and virginal Dianxia he once worshipped is now the very much sexually active husband of a demonic ghost king. Xie Lian deals with the fall out of being shamed for the sexual confidence he's worked so hard to build.

Alternatively, Xie Lian struggles to kickstart his slut era.

transfer my tragedy by nobirdstofly

Hua Cheng has had centuries to worship him, to show his devotion, but to see it reflected in Xie Lian’s eyes is staggering. Like this, Xie Lian is a barely leashed guard dog. A beast that smiles up at Hua Cheng with all the love in the three realms and blood in his teeth.

Xie Lian will do anything to protect Hua Cheng, and Hua Cheng can't help but be into that.

like sailors swimming in the sound of it, dashed to pieces by namelessflower

"Don't ever leave me again," Xie Lian whispers against Hua Cheng's lips, fists clenched in Hua Cheng's robe, voice quivering.

“I will never leave you,” Hua Cheng answers fiercely, with the ardent devotion of a lover, the unyielding conviction of a believer. “I will never, ever leave your side again, Dianxia, I swear it. Believe me.”

After Xie Lian has a nightmare about losing Hua Cheng for good, Hua Cheng holds him until he is able to fall asleep again.

Can’t Be Alone by Gigglemite

Hua Cheng has a bad morning. Xie Lian is more than willing to spend all day in bed cuddling his husband until he feels like he can get up.

nobody else but me by nikkiRA (Added in Later)

Often, if people were to stare, it would be at Hua Cheng (Xie Lian couldn't blame anyone for it—he understood). But today, perhaps amplified by the high quality clothes he was wearing, Xie Lian's beauty was shining through for everyone to see. And everyone did see; whether Xie Lian had noticed or not, people were staring.

Hua Cheng had certainly noticed.

come back to me by miska_kuura. (Added in Later)

When Hua Cheng catches a cold, Xie Lian is naturally worried and determined to take care of his husband. This time, however, it turns out some fever dreams can end up being a nightmare for both of them.

i feel you reflecting me by tiredjunkbag (Added In Later)

A hand slips up his neck to grasp roughly at his chin, tilting his head. “Look at yourself” Hua Cheng mouths into his shoulder. Xie Lian squirms, freezing in place. He can’t. It’s embarrassing, he won’t look, he-

he really wants to see.

**

Or: hualian try out a new bed.

There are mirrors.

🤜FengQing🤛

Poison and Flame by DAY_DREAM

Buried feelings are brought to light when Mu Qing gets injured by a mysterious creature. Can love find its way through a vicious curse? Will it get burned by a flame of awakening desire?

Make Me Forget Myself by Gigglemite

“Tell me,” Feng Xin urged, the worry in his gut only building in intensity the longer he stares at such an emotionally raw Mu Qing. “Tell me what you need.”

Mu Qing’s eyes only opened wider at those words, more tears welling up. He couldn’t speak, he could barely even move from the position he had lodged himself into before going stock still.

“Mu Qing,” Feng Xin had to forcefully swallow down the words that almost spilled off the tip of his tongue. Saying, ‘I would give you anything you ask for’, probably would not go over too well in this situation. “What happened?”

“Am I unloveable?”

I've Got You by xiaaa101 (Added in Later)

Feng Xin was shaking. Violently shaking as he stood there, in Mt Tonglu watching the scene unfold. Xie Lian was to his right, being held back by Hua Cheng, his mouth open, screaming and screaming. But Feng Xin couldn't hear. His sound had become muffled, his eyes glued on what he saw before him. Mu Qing.

What did Mu Qing go through during the Xianle Trio separation?... What if White No-Face had come after Mu Qing?...

I Think I'd Die For You by dianxiasbussy (Added in Later)

Feng Xin and Mu Qing live in hiding and live like every moment might be their last. They kiss in the rain because it’s cliche. They fuck in the back of their car because it’s convenient, and most importantly they tell each other “I love you” every day in case they might not get to say it ever again.

bigger than the whole sky by sequinhaze (Added In Later)

“This is where I buried our daughter,” Mu Qing whispers.

Feng Xin’s entire world comes to a halt right then and there.

The Labor of Love Produces the Sweetest Fruits by foxfeast (Added In Later)

In the decades that had passed since the fall of White No-Face, Mu Qing had learned three things about Feng Xin:

One: Feng Xin was, apparently, in love with Mu Qing.

Two: Feng Xin was, apparently, very sexually frustrated.

Three: Feng Xin was, apparently, not interested in having sex with Mu Qing.

———

Thirteen years ago, Feng Xin confessed his love to Mu Qing. Thirteen years later, and they still hadn’t had sex. Mu Qing can only come to one conclusion:

Feng Xin is not sexually attracted to him.

Mu Qing’s solution? Seduce his partner.

love me even when it's terrible by luminvies (Added In Later)

“I’ve had a whole lot of experience of you being a fucking annoyance. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't have stuck around for this long. Lucky for you," he leans back, bops Mu Qing's nose, and revels in the way his eyes go cross-eyed, "I've loved you for so long I don't know how else to feel."

In which Mu Qing is Feng Xin's favorite.

Can you tell who my favorite is??? I'm new to reading fanfiction of these characters so please give me recommendations as well!!