#me when i said just two parts and now im 14k words in and only halfway through | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lavenderlattaes · 5 years

Text

pretending. | jeon jeongguk

⇒ summary: There are five times that Jeon Jeongguk asks something of Y/L/N Y/N. Sure, he asks her plenty of things on other occasions but there are five big ones he asks of her. Two of these are the following: he asks her to be his best friend, and he asks her to fake date him. Surely the second one doesn’t turn out to be a bad idea, right?

⇒ [high school! au, friends to lovers! au]

⇒ pairing: jeon jeongguk x female reader

⇒ word count: 14k words

⇒ genre: fluff, angst

⇒ warnings: swearing

⇒ note: if you think you’ve read this before then you probably have lol. my weird ass self decided to just combine all three parts into one, long ass post bc I’m crazy so there’s that. oh well. anywaaay. fricking golden maknae gave me a lot of ideas for this one jsjsjsjsj. flashbacks are italicized (save for a few sentences that need that emphasis)! ignore mistakes bc im a bit of a blind bat and enjoy! ＼ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ／

The first time Jeon Jeongguk asked something of Y/N Y/L/N was when they were five: he asked her to be his best friend.

It was a sunny morning at the local park in Busan, and although the weather was absolutely perfect for outdoor activities and for having fun, Jeon Jeongguk was not enjoying it at all. His mother had dragged him outside for some supposed fresh air, because he had been cooped up in his room, playing his video games the whole day.

“Eomma! I don’t want this,” the young boy grumbles, folding his arms stubbornly.

His mother sighs, kneeling down in front of him, her hands resting lightly on her son’s shoulders.

“Honey, just try to enjoy the sun for a little bit. We’ll only stay for a few minutes then we can go home. We can stop by the mart for some banana milk,” his mother smiles, and Jungkook’s face lights up at the mention of banana milk. He nods, grinning widely at his mother.

Cupping his face, his mother pulls him in for a forehead kiss just before she stands up. “ Go on, baby. Mommy will wait here,” she tells him as she sits down on the bench in front of the playground.

Little Jungkook nods and dashes straight for the slides. He reaches the sloping structure and heads for the ladder, where a little girl around his age is staring at it with so much intensity, she might as well set it on fire.

“Annyeong, are you going to go up or not?” Jungkook asks her, and she turns to look at him, her pigtails bouncing against her cheeks. She shakes her head and pouts.

“My eomma wanted me to climb up but I don’t want to, I’m scared.” She whispers, turning around to see her mother looking at her from a bench. She turns back to look at Jungkook, gulping.

“I can go first, then I’ll help you climb. It’s not that scary,” Jungkook offers, smiling lightly. She nods, unsure. She steps off to the side and Jungkook climbs up the ladder with ease. Reaching the top, Jungkook turns back around and looks down.

He stretches his hand out for her. “Come on, I’ll pull you up,” he calls from above.

Timidly, the little girl steps towards the ladder, her legs shaking slightly. Her small hands grip the sides and she puts her feet on the first step, her grip tightening around the ladder.

“It’s going to be okay, I’ll catch you. Just look at me, and take it slow.” Jungkook says gently, his hands outstretched in front of her.

She nods and climbs up the next step, her eyes focused on the little boy in front of him, her legs ascending the steps bit by bit. Jungkook smiles and continues to encourage her, giving her words of comfort and motivation. She finally reaches the top, and Jungkook’s hands gently wrap around her wrists, hoisting her up to sit next to him at the top of the slide.

“You were really brave. I’m Jungkook.” The little boy introduces, and the little girl nods.

“Thank you, I’m Y/N.” she replies, flashing him a wide grin.

“Y/N, you’re cool because you climbed the slide even though you were scared. Will you be my best friend?” Jungkook asks Y/N, a hopeful look on his face.

She nods happily, and Jungkook pulls her in for a hug. “Yay! I have a best friend now!” Jungkook cheers, punching his hand in the air.

Giggling, Jungkook and Y/N clasp hands and sit side by side, pushing themselves down the slide.

And on that day, Jeon Jeongguk was glad that his mother brought him to the park. Not only did he get his banana milk, but he also found his best friend, the one person that would stay by his side for the years to come, no matter what.

The second time Jeon Jeongguk asked something of Y/N Y/L/N was when they were juniors in high school: he needed help with a pretty girl.

“Y/N, Y/N, Y/N I NEED YOUR HELP,” Jungkook shakes his best friend’s arm violently, earning a slap on his hands from the annoyed girl.

“What is it, Kook?” she sighs, her hands coming to rest on her hips as she faces her overly hyped up best friend.

His face is all smiles, Y/N is resisting the urge to pinch his cheeks.

“So, there’s this girl,” Jungkook begins and Y/N groans. “--she’s really pretty and she sits in front of me in Biology. I really want to ask her out this weekend,” Jungkook tells Y/N.

“Has she spoken to you at all?” Y/N asks as they walk to class together since their classrooms were right next to each other for their next classes. Jungkook falters then shakes his head no. Y/N snorts.

“So you’re going to ask her out but you’ve never spoken to her before, this is interesting,” Y/N teases and Jungkook gasps dramatically, placing a hand on his chest.

“You wound me, Y/N Y/L/N,” he says, earning a laugh from Y/N.

“Oh, come on, Kookie! You can do better than a pretty girl you’ve never spoken to before,” Y/N shrugs and Jungkook places an arm around her shoulder, pulling her in closer to his side. Out of habit, Y/N leans on him as they walk.

“But I think she’s the one, will you just please help me plan this out?” Jungkook pouts, and Y/N sighs, smiling. She reaches up to pinch his cheeks.

“Okay, okay. After sixth, you good with that?” Y/N asks just as they reach the door to her classroom. Jungkook nods and smiles, ruffling her hair. She rolls her eyes and reaches up to fix her hair.

“I’ll see you later, Y/N. Have fun!” Jungkook says and Y/N smiles, nodding.

“You too,” she calls out and turns around, making her way inside the classroom five minutes before the bell rings. Sitting down on her seat in the middle of the room, at least three girls turn in their seats to look at her. Y/N looks at them expectantly, and the one on her left speaks up first.

“Was that your boyfriend?”

Y/N laughs, and shakes her head. “He’s my best friend.” she answers them and they gasp. “Wow, you’re so lucky. He’s even good looking,” the girl in front of her comments.

Leaning back in her seat, she snorts and says, “Trust me, neither of us are lucky. Fate just decided to throw me into his life for no reason.”

How sure is she about that?

The classes fly by pretty quickly, and soon, Y/N finds herself sitting on a bench by the field, Jungkook lying down on beside her, his head on her lap.

“So what do you want to do? How do you plan on asking her?” Y/N asks him, running her hands through his locks, something he’s always liked. It helps him calm down a lot and he hums in response.

“I don’t really know yet, something simple, I guess.” Jungkook replies. Y/N nods in understanding. “Do something cute, like a little note.” Y/N suggests and Jungkook sits up abruptly.

“That’s it! Y/N, you’re a genius!” Jungkook exclaims, clapping his hands together like a little child. He pulls her in for a hug which she returns.

“I’m so glad my best friend is smart at this sort of stuff.” Jungkook smiles as they pull away. He rests on the bench, looking at Y/N, his bunny smile on his face evident as Y/N shakes her head at him.

“It’s just what girls like, Kook.” Y/N shrugs.

“Still, I’m thankful to have you.” Jungkook says sincerely, and Y/N looks at him, smiling. “Me too.”

“So, how did it go?” Y/N pushes off the wall as she and Jungkook leave the school the following day. Jungkook only clutches the straps of his backpack tighter, looking ahead. Y/N frowns at this and runs ahead of Jungkook, turning around to stand in front of him.

“Hey, what happened?” Y/N asks, placing a hand on his shoulder. Jungkook looks at her hand on his shoulder and sighs.

“She said no.” He replies and looks down.

“Why?” Y/N asks gently. “She thought I was with you, so she said no.” he says sadly. Y/N heart stings a little at his words.

The truth is, Y/N has loved Jungkook for quite sometime now. It was hard not to love him; he was sweet, caring, funny, talented. He was all good things rolled into one. He was patient when he first met Y/N, helping her climb up the ladder of the slide. He made her laugh all the time, especially when she needed someone to cheer her up. He supported her in all the things she liked, even if he found some of it weird or even if he was completely against it, like her love for strawberry milk over banana milk. Jungkook made her happy and he was more than enough for her. But, did Jungkook feel the same way about her? Well, with what he just said, he didn’t.

Y/N swallows the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry. Just, leave it to me, okay? I’ll do something about it, don’t worry.”

Even if it hurt her, it’s okay. If seeing the person she loves happy means not being in the picture, then it’s okay.

The next day, Y/N makes her way over to the girl Jungkook likes, clutching her backpack straps tightly.

“Hey, I’m Y/N,” she begins, extending her hand for her to shake. Mi-Cha looks at her for a bit then slips her hand in Y/N’s.

“Can I help you?” Mi-Cha asks, and Y/N nods.

“Yes, actually. You know Jeon Jeongguk right? The guy that sits behind you in Biology?” Y/N begins and Mi-Cha nods.

“Yes, your boyfriend. He asked me out yesterday but I said no because you were together,” Mi-Cha replies. Y/N laughs lightly and shakes her head. “He’s not my boyfriend. He’s just my best friend.”

Mi-Cha raises her eyebrows at that. “Really? Everyone says you’re together,” at that, Y/N’s heart clenches; it’s what she wanted too, after all. “No, we’re just really close, but we don’t like each other like that.”

Mi-Cha just nods and Y/N sighs. “He really likes you, Mi-Cha. He was so upset when you turned him down. I just want to see my best friend happy.”

Mi-Cha looks away momentarily, locking eyes with someone and before Y/N could look over to that person, Mi-Cha locks eyes with her again. “Uh, okay?”

Y/N’s heart stops but she smiles. “Really?” Mi-Cha nods and a wide grin stretches across her face. “Thank you! Wow, I didn’t think my plan would work, thank you.” Y/N says genuinely. As much as she was against it, this girl could actually make Jungkook happy and that’s all Y/N ever wanted. Even if it wasn’t her.

“Meet us at the cafe a few blocks away from school around 2 pm? I might have to drag him there because he might not be in the mood,” Y/N rolls her eyes and Mi-Cha giggles. “Sure.”

Y/N bows deeply, thanking Mi-Cha. They exchange goodbyes, and Y/N walks away, her heart feeling both sad and happy at the same time.

“Sometimes, you can be so selfish,” Jungkook complains as Y/N continues to drag him by the arm. Y/N sighs, rolling her eyes.

“Sometimes, you have so little faith in the things I do for you,” Y/N shoots back as they near the cafe.

“Why are we even here? You know I have to play my games and you come and ruin my schedule.” He tells Y/N as they stop in front of the cafe. Y/N turns around to look at him, hands on her hips.

“Jeon Jeongguk, do you remember how we met? You didn’t want to leave the house but your mother dragged you outside and you said it ended up being the best day ever. That day is happening again and you better thank me for it.” Y/N tells Jungkook who just sighs, and purses his lips.

“Listen up. We are going inside there, you’re going to stay there and do your magic while I go out shopping. And you’re gonna come home, call me around 9 pm, and call me a blessing from above, do you hear me?” Jungkook rolls his eyes at his best friend but nods nonetheless. Y/N hugs him, her heart aching slightly at what she’ll see, and he returns the hug. Y/N pulls away before it gets worse for her, and pushes the doors open to the cafe.

The little bell above rings, signaling their arrival, and Y/N scans the cafe. Sitting at a little table with her hair covering her face was Mi-Cha. She was on her phone, and Y/N smiles softly. She pulls on Jungkook’s wrist, and they walk over to Mi-Cha.

Behind Y/N, Jungkook’s eyes widen. He quickly fixes his hair and adjusts the glasses he has on. He’s so glad he was already wearing his favorite hoodie on.

“Hey, Mi-Cha!” Y/N greets and Mi-Cha looks up, a smile gracing her features. Y/N feels Jungkook tense up, so she side-steps and lets go of Jungkook.

“Hello, Y/N, Jungkook.” Mi-Cha greets and Jungkook smiles at that. “Hey, Mi-Cha.” he greets smoothly, and Y/N fights the urge to change her plan and drag her best friend out of there. She pulls her phone out to check the time.

“Okay, so I have to do some shopping because I’ve been so stressed. Jungkook you stay here and accompany Mi-Cha.” Y/N says but they’re already talking. Y/N swallows and mutters out a soft ‘bye’ before leaving the cafe.

A couple weeks pass by, and Y/N and Jungkook have been spending less time together. It’s all Y/N’s doing, anyway. She set Jungkook up with Mi-Cha. That very night, Jungkook did call her, help her make her decision about avoiding him. Y/N can remember everything that happened that night, the scene playing in her head over and over like a broken record.

“I’m calling you, just like you told me to,” Jungkook sing songs on the other line, the moment Y/N picks up. A sad smile makes its way to Y/N’s face and she sits up from her lying down position on her bed. She swings her legs over the edge of her bed.

“Oh, and what else are you going to say again?” Y/N manages to make her voice sound teasing and not hurt and broken like it truly is.

“Thank you, Y/N. Really. You really are a blessing from above. I never thought I’d actually get to spend a day with her, much less call her mine at the end of the day,” Jungkook says happily and Y/N’s heart stops.

Her grip on her phone loosens and she stares off into the distance.

“Uh, Y/N?” Jungkook calls out after a few seconds, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Oh! Sorry, I was busy staring at a post-it on my mirror,” Y/N lies. “What were you saying, Kook?”

“Mi-Cha is my girlfriend already,” Jungkook chirps and Y/N feels the lump growing in her throat. She pushes it down and coughs softly.

“Really?! I’m so happy for you! Congrats, Kook! I knew you could win her over,” Y/N says honestly, gripping her sheets tightly.

“It was because of you, Y/N. Thank you. I owe it all to you.” Jungkook replies sincerely and Y/N’s heart just breaks even more.

“I just want to see you happy, Jungkook. That’s all.” Y/N whispers. They hang up after that. Getting under the covers and wrapping herself tightly in her sheets, the first set of tears fall from Y/N’s eyes. It hurt, so much, because she could clearly tell that Jungkook was happy. It was so evident in his voice that Mi-Cha made him happy. But what truly hurt was that she was already hurting yet Jungkook couldn’t seem to tell. After being best friends for so long, has he not known Y/N so well yet?

She was hiding what she truly felt, after all.

Leaving the room of her last class for the day, Y/N heads off to her locker, feeling drained. She loved studying, she loved learning new things, but it was always pretty tiring. She never minded the tiredness of it all before, because Jungkook was right beside her, whining about the lessons and she would comfort him and help him out with it. But he wasn’t with her, he hasn’t been with her lately.

“Hey, Y/N!” A deep, masculine voice calls out from behind Y/N and she stops in her tracks and turns around. She’s met with the soft, charming eyes of Kim Taehyung, a sweet, charming boy she shared a few classes with. He’s smiling at her, although Y/N thinks he’s looking a bit nervous and unsure.

“Hey, what’s up Tae?” she asks as Taehyung stops in front of her.

“Are you on your way home already?” Taehyung asks her and she nods, adjusting her grip on her backpack.

“I am. Why?” Taehyung scratches and back of his neck nervously. “Um, you’re friends with Jungkook, right? People say you guys are really close and all so I thought you know maybe you’d know what to do--”

“What happened, Taehyung?” Y/N cuts to the chase. He was rambling, and Y/N had a bad feeling.

Tae sighs. “Jungkook’s in the locker room, and he’s throwing a fit. Nobody’s sure what really happened but I think it has something to do with his girlfriend.”

The moment Taehyung mentions ‘his girlfriend’, Y/N dashes off in the direction of the locker rooms, shouting out a “thanks for the info, Tae!”.

Y/N pushes forward, knowing how bad things can get if Jungkook is angry. She sees the boys’ locker room in sight, and she doesn’t stop running until she reaches the door. She’s about to burst through the door but hesitates. She can hear lockers being punched, and things being thrown around. She also hears the sound of a few boys screaming at her best friend, telling him to stop.

“Leave me the fuck alone!” Y/N hears her best friend and it prompts her to push the doors open. What she sees inside leaves her shocked. The whole room looks like it was suffering from a super typhoon, and her best friend was the eye of the typhoon. Jungkook is standing in the middle of it all, his face full of rage. Y/N probably would’ve run away if she didn’t know him too well.

“Jeon Jeongguk!” Y/N shouts his full name, and the boys that looked so weak and helpless from the sides whip their heads to look at Y/N. It was clearly written on their faces that they were shocked to see a girl in the locker room, much less scream at the angry teenager who looked just about ready to break someone’s neck in half.

Y/N sighs, and runs over to her best friend. He turns around once he hears Y/N and he frowns deeply.

“What, Y/N?!” He shouts and Y/N rolls her eyes, wrapping her hand around Jungkook’s wrist. She tugs on his arm but he refuses to leave.

Y/N groans and looks back around at Jungkook, a stern look plastered on her usually calm features. “I can’t have you being all stubborn right now, Jungkook. So please, let’s just go.” She removes her hand from his wrist and uses both of her hands to pry open his clenched fist. She intertwines their fingers instead because it always calmed Jungkook. She can feel his tense self slowly melt away, and a small smile makes it way onto her face.

Y/N rubs his hand comfortingly with her thumb as she pulls Jungkook with her. He looks at one of the boys in the room who looks at her like she was some superhero. “I’m so sorry. I’d clean this up but I have to take Kookie home,” Y/N apologizes and the boy just shakes his head, bowing at her.

“It’s fine, we’ll take care of this, thank you.” Y/N smiles gratefully at him. She and Jungkook leave the room and Y/N continues to lead the way, not saying anything. There’s a somewhat awkward but comforting blanket of silence in the air and Y/N prays that they get home soon because she could pretty much die on the spot.

They stop by their lockers, getting the things they need before leaving the school. Their hands are still intertwined and despite the current situation, Y/N’s insides begin to melt and the butterflies in her stomach run wild. Although they’ve been best friends for years and she’s supposed to be used to all the hand holding, she’s not. Especially now that she’s fully acknowledged her feelings for the boy beside her.

They reach Jungkook’s house, and they both kick their shoes off and enter the house. Having done this for years already, when they had a serious issue to attend to, they plaster smiles on their faces and greet Jungkook’s parents before they climb up to his room.

Y/N opens the door for Jungkook ad he walks in. Y/N follows suit and locks the door behind her. They break the cheery exterior they pulled in front of Jungkook’s family the moment the door closes. Jungkook sits on the edge of his bed, his head hung low. Y/N sighs.

“Jungkook, explain.” She says firmly. When she doesn’t get a response a few seconds later, she grows impatient. She frowns and just as she’s about to scold Jungkook for not answering, she hears soft sobs leave Jungkook’s lips. His whole body is shaking softly, and Y/N’s heart breaks at the sight. She bites her lip, regretting her initial actions.

Y/N walks over to kneel in front of Jungkook. Y/N wraps her hands around Jungkook’s wrists and pulls his hands away from his face gently. She shushes him softly, reaching up to wipe the tears from his beautiful face.

“Hey, hey. Kookie, what’s wrong? Can you tell me?” Y/N whispers softly, cupping Jungkook’s face in her hands. Tears continue to stream down Jungkook’s cheeks and Y/N stands up to sit beside Jungkook. She pulls him in for a hug and Jungkook rests his head on her chest, burying his face in her neck.

“I’ll be here, okay? Just, let it all out. I’ll wait until you’re ready to tell me.” Y/N whispers, rubbing her hands up and down Jungkook’s back. She kisses the top of his head, and tightens her hold on the crying boy.

“Sh-she, c-cheated o-on me…” Jungkook whispers a few seconds later, his voice cracking. Y/N’s blood runs cold.

“She what?” She says quietly, not wanting to shout. “I caught her kissing someone else behind the bleachers,” Jungkook begins and he looks up at Y/N, his eyes glistening with tears. Y/N’s heart is in a million pieces, but she’s just about ready to kill Mi-Cha with her bare hands. “I confronted her right away about it of course, because earlier in the day she told me to meet her there but that’s the sight I’m greeted with? Turns out it was all part of her plan to break up with me, because she never really liked me. She was using me so she and her boyfriend could get back together and it worked. I feel so stupid,” Jungkook grits his teeth as he continues to cry, burying his face in his hands.

Y/N pulls him back into her arms as she continues to whisper words of comfort in his ears. “It’s okay, Jungkook. I’m sorry I ever set you up with her. I didn’t think it would come to this, I’m so sorry.” Y/N continues to hug her broken best friend, as a million thoughts run through her head. She really should’ve killed Mi-Cha the moment she found out she became Jungkook’s girlfriend. Or at least maybe she should never had set them up in the first place. But she loves Jungkook too much; she didn’t want to see him unhappy at all. Y/N can’t help but blame herself, her best friend instincts weren’t accurate this time. She was always right about everything, this was the first time she failed.

They stayed in that position for a bit longer until they both shift positions. Y/N pulls out her laptop from her backpack and she turns a movie on for them to watch. She walks down to the kitchen to grab some food for them, and she makes small talk with Jungkook’s dad.

“You’re really good for Jungkook, Y/N. I’ve always liked you a lot. I hope you guys end up marrying each other,” Jungkook’s dad says and Y/N blushes. “Oh, um, we aren’t together,” Y/N stutters and his dad laughs.

“Really? Well, I just hope you guys become a thing soon.” he winks at his statement and Y/N laughs awkwardly as she bids him farewell. She ascends up the stairs with a lot of food in her hands. When she walks in, she sees Jungkook engrossed in the film and she smiles. She sits back down beside him and offers him some popcorn. Jungkook pauses the movie after taking some popcorn.

“What’s up?” Y/N asks him and Jungkook looks at her intently.

“I want to get back at Mi-Cha for what she did.” Jungkook says with determination in his voice and Y/N grins.

“Okay, I’m down for that. What’s the plan?”

Jungkook looks unsure for a moment and he bites his lip, closing his eyes. Once he opens them, he’s serious.

The third time Jeon Jeongguk asks something of Y/N Y/L/N:

“Be my girlfriend.”

Y/N blinks at her best friend, shocked at his words. Her mouth hangs open as Jungkook just stares back at her.

“Y/N?” Jungkook calls out slowly, snapping Y/N out of her reverie. “I’m sorry, what?” Y/N focuses on Jungkook who had an expectant look on his face.

“I said, be my girlfriend.” Jungkook repeats each word slowly, hoping his best friend understood what he meant. Y/N swallows deeply, her heart beating rapidly at an average of 500 beats per minute.

“I heard that, yeah. But, why?” Y/N asks, trying to fight the blush creeping up on her cheeks. Jungkook scratches the back of his head and sighs. “I don’t know, I just, you know. Want to get back at Mi-Cha, I suppose.” Y/N frowns lightly.

“And why do I need to be your girlfriend for that?” Y/N asks. She wanted to be his girlfriend, of course she did, but she didn’t understand how it had anything to do with Mi-Cha.

“Do you not want to?” Jungkook asks softly. Y/N’s eyes widen at that. “No, no no! I mean, yes! Wait, no, fuck, I mean, yes! I mean, I want to, but I don’t…get it?” Y/N manages to blurt out, blushing bright red. Jungkook’s eyes widen too and he blushes.

“I was kind of hoping you’d pretend to be my fake girlfriend, and we’ll make Mi-Cha jealous and all that,” Jungkook explains. Oh. It’s still about Mi-Cha. Y/N nods in understanding. Biting her lip, Y/N gets lost in her thoughts as Jungkook looks at her, patiently waiting for an answer. Y/N always thought things through, that’s why Jungkook trusts her with everything, especially when it came to decision making.

Did she want to be Jungkook’s girlfriend? Of course. Even if it was all play pretend? Yes. Would she get hurt in the end? She probably would. But will she still go through with it? Yes. Why? She loves Jungkook. It’s always been that simple.

“Okay.” Y/N says after a while, looking at Jungkook. Jungkook sits up straighter. “Wait, really?” he asks, a smile forming on his face. Y/N can hear her brain reprimanding her heart but she brushes it off. A smile makes its way onto her face too, as she nods at him. “Yeah, sure. I’m your right hand man, Kooks. I’m here to support you through everything, remember? As long as it’s legal, I’m perfectly okay with it.”

Jungkook grins widely, pulling Y/N in for a tight hug. “Thank you, Y/N! You’re the best,” he says when they pull away. Y/N’s heart continues to beat rapidly and she just gives him a close-lipped smile.

Well, here it goes.

A week later, Y/N is at her locker, organizing her things for her first class when Jungkook pops up beside her, an adorable bunny smile on his face. They decided to start their ‘relationship’ a few days after Jungkook broke up with Mi-Cha so things wouldn’t seem so controversial.

Y/N hugs her things to her chest as she closes her locker. A smile makes its way to her face as she turns to her best friend, er, boyfriend. “Annyeong, Jeon Jeongguk.” she greets him, bowing lightly as they laugh. They walk to their first class, since their classrooms were, again, right beside each other.

“So, how do we do this shit?” Y/N leans in closer and Jungkook shrugs. “I didn’t really think things through. Maybe we can only do the couple things when Mi-Cha’s around,” Y/N nods as they near Y/N’s classroom. They had ten minutes to spare, so Y/N leans on the wall beside the door as Jungkook stands in front of her.

“I’m not entirely sure about your plan, but I’ll still go with it, just because.” Y/N shrugs and Jungkook smiles gratefully. Y/N looks down at her phone to see an incoming call from her Mom.

“Hey, wait a bit, Kooks. Mom’s --” Y/N stops when she feels soft lips kiss her forehead gently, her phone long forgotten. She closes her eyes, a bright blush spreading across her cheeks. She then feels Jungkook’s hand take her hand into his own as his lips leave her forehead. His lips on her forehead are replaced soon with his own. Y/N opens her eyes and sees Jungkook looking intently at her. “She’s watching,” Jungkook whispers and Y/N squeezes his hand in response. They stay like that for a little longer before Jungkook kisses Y/N’s nose lightly.

He stands up to his normal height, his hand still holding Y/N’s. “Come on, class is starting soon.” Y/N nods and Jungkook ruffles her hair gently as they stand in front of the door to the classroom. “I’ll see you later, bub. Bye,” Jungkook bids Y/N good bye, squeezing her hand softly before walking away. “Bye,” Y/N manages to say, still in shock after the forehead kiss. She turns around and walks inside the classroom to see her girl classmates looking at her like she just won the lottery.

Y/N makes her way to her seat awkwardly, her classmates eagerly leaning in their seats as they look at her. “I thought you said he wasn’t your boyfriend!” “You guys look so cute together, I’m gushing!” “What’s his name?” They all bombard her with questions and Y/N just sits in her seat, squirming. “Um--” she’s cut off when the door opens and the girls gape, causing her to turn around. It’s Jungkook, walking over to her, smiling. Y/N’s heart beats faster; Jungkook has never smiled at her like that before.

“Hey,” Y/N begins when Jungkook is standing beside her chair. She stands up and she can feel the eyes of her classmates on the back of her head. “Hey, bub. You forgot something,” Jungkook states, and Y/N looks at him confused. “Forgot what?” she asks him. Jungkook tilts his head cheekily, winking at Y/N as she laughs, kind of lost. “You forgot my good bye kiss. I gave you one, so give me mine.” Jungkook smirks and Y/N can hear her classmates giggling and squealing in the background. Y/N rolls her eyes, trying to mask the blush spreading across the apples of her cheeks. She places her hands gently on Jungkook’s shoulder as she leans up to press a kiss to his cheek. Just before her lips could land on his cheek, he turns his head swiftly, and Y/N’s lips land on Jungkook’s soft ones. Her eyes widen as they pull away, Jungkook grinning from ear to ear. “That’s more like it. See you later, princess!” Jungkook makes his way out the door as Y/N stares after him dumbfounded.

That was her first kiss. And it was with the boy she loved, even though he doesn’t know that.

After that encounter, word spread around the school really fast; everyone was talking about Y/N and Jungkook, the best friends that became lovers. Everyone claims that Jungkook broke up with Mi-Cha after he found out about her true intentions and realized he loved Y/N all this time. It was true, except for the part where he loves Y/N.

“So, I’ve got no quizzes and no assignments to turn in for tomorrow. What do you wanna do today?” Y/N asks as Jungkook swings their intertwined hands lightly, making their way outside the school gates. Jungkook purses his lips, deep in thought. Suddenly, his face lights up. “Let’s go get some ice cream!” He tugs on Y/N’s hand as he leads her to their favorite ice cream shop.

Along the way, Y/N can’t help but look down at their hands. Even when they were already outside school, Jungkook was still on boyfriend mode. It was probably because they might see people from school in public so Jungkook was just taking precautionary measures. Y/N dismissed that thought, but then recently, when they had alone time at Y/N’s or Jungkook’s house, he was more affectionate with her than before. Y/N’s brain was saying that Jungkook just got used to how they acted in public that he sometimes forgets to drop the act. But her heart keeps telling her that Jungkook’s starting to develop feelings for her.

They reach the ice cream shop and Jungkook pushes the door open for Y/N. She smiles, rolling her eyes as she walks in. It was still so hard to get used to Jungkook being so sweet to her even though they’ve been pretending for a month already. They make their way to the counter, Jungkook bouncing on the heels of his feet lightly. “Hi, hyung. We’ll have our usual please,” Jungkook tells Hoseok who was managing the counter. The older boy grins as he punches their orders in. “Jungkook-ah, you didn’t tell me you and Y/N were already together,” Hoseok comments as he starts scooping their ice creams.

Jungkook rubs the nape of his neck awkwardly as he chuckles. “Sorry, I guess I just never got around to telling you,” he tells Hoseok who winks at Y/N knowingly when he hands them their ice creams. Y/N groans inwardly. Was it that obvious?

They don’t stay at the shop and instead opt for taking the long way home, something they did when they wanted to spend more time together or if they were avoiding something back at home. Licking her ice cream, Y/N strikes up a conversation. “So, any updates on Mi-Cha?” Jungkook shrugs in response, finishing the rest of his ice cream. He grabs Y/N’s free hand as they walk down the quiet streets. “People are saying that she’s regretting ever playing with me, but I don’t know if it’s true. I want her to tell me personally.” Y/N nods in understanding, all her attention focused on their hands.

Jungkook comes to an abrupt stop, making Y/N look up at him. “What is it?” Jungkook licks his lips, something he did when he was trying to get words out but found it hard to. “Um…” Y/N smiles gently. “Come on, Kook. What’s up?” “Are you okay with this?” Jungkook blurts out, making Y/N look at him confused. “Okay with what?” Jungkook hesitates before replying, “You know, the whole fake dating thing. Is it bothering you?” Y/N shakes her head, making Jungkook visibly relax. “It’s nothing, Kookie. I’m your best friend, and I want to help you whenever I can, however I can.” Y/N replies, her own words piercing through her heart.

Jungkook smiles. He steps closer to Y/N, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. He leans down to Y/N’s height, their noses touching, their eyes not breaking contact. Y/N’s heart picks up its pace and she has to refrain from dying right there and then. Jungkook inches closer, and closer, and just when Y/N thinks he’s going to kiss her, he swoops down lower and licks her ice cream, running away after. Y/N gasps and looks at her ice cream-- the ice cream cone that was left before she screams.

“JEON JEONGGUK!”

“Jimin, I swear, I don’t think I can do this anymore. I might combust and die right on the spot,” Y/N sighs, looking at her locker that was buried underneath a colorful layer of bright neon post-it notes from Jungkook. It’s supposedly the “monthsary” of their third month together, and Jungkook was being absolutely extra about this whole fake relationship thing.

“Oh please, you love it.” Jimin grins at Y/N. Jimin was a close friend, and he and Y/N shared a few classes since freshman year. He was the only one Y/N told about the fake relationship, because aside from the fact that he was her only other friend besides Jungkook if you cut Taehyung out of the picture, Y/N trusted Jimin to keep her secret. She kept Jimin’s secret too, so they were equal. Y/N shakes her head, smiling at Jimin who had a knowing look on his face. Her eyes turn back to the post-it and she smiles softly.

“Hi, you’re amazing” “You always brighten my day” “I better call NASA to confirm; they said the sun was 149.6 billion meters away from the earth but you’re right beside me” “Thank you for everything, from the friendship to the love” “Never ever forget how much you mean to me” “You’re my everything, I love you”

It was all so cheesy, Y/N would’ve vomited if it wasn’t Jungkook. Just as Y/N opens her mouth to say something to Jimin, she feels a pair of familiar, strong arms wound around her waist tightly. Jungkook’s scent fills her nose and she bites back a smile. “Hello, Jeon.” She acknowledges him, and Jungkook kisses her temple softly. “Happy third, Y/N.” Jungkook grins at Jimin who was looking at them, a huge smile on his face. “Hey, Jiminie.” “Hey, Jungkook. I see you went all out,” Jimin comments, letting his eyes wander to Y/N’s locker and Jungkook smiles brightly. “Of course, I had to! Anything for my queen,” Jungkook replies as he kisses the crown of Y/N’s head. “Did you like it?” Jungkook whispers in Y/N’s ear and having known him for years, Y/N can sense his…nervousness?

Turning around in his embrace, Y/N cups his cheeks and kisses his nose softly. He scrunches up his face, laughing. “I did. Thank you for this,” Y/N tells him, rubbing her thumbs across his smiling cheeks softly. Jungkook leans down to press a soft, sweet kiss to her lips, and Y/N has to control the butterflies running wild in her stomach as she responds to the kiss. Jungkook pushes her so she’s resting her back on her locker. Y/N’s hands rest on his shoulders. There wasn’t anything explicit about the kiss; it was pure and innocent and Y/N thinks she loves it better than a kiss with tongue. This one held love, not lust.

Pulling away from the kiss, they both had grins on their faces. Jungkook’s face grows serious, and he licks his lips. “Y/N, I--” “Jungkook, can I talk to you?” a feminine voice from behind Jungkook interrupts him and he turns around, coming face to face with the reason this all started, Mi-Cha. “Uh…” Jungkook trails off as he turns back to look at Y/N who had an unreadable expression on her face. “It’s important.” Mi-Cha says, her voice firm and her hands on her hips. Jungkook sighs and removes his hands from Y/N’s waist. Y/N wraps her hand around Jungkook’s wrist. “It’s cool, Kookie. I’ll go look for Jimin. Just meet up with us at our usual spot, okay?” Jungkook nods reluctantly and Y/N stands up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

Turning around, he sees Mi-Cha looking at him impatiently. He groans inwardly, and trudges behind her. Looking back at Y/N, she smiles at him before turning around to look for Jimin, who disappeared sometime during their intimate moment together. Jungkook follows Mi-Cha outside the school buildings and she leads him to the bleachers. Jungkook wants to laugh; the last time Mi-Cha brought him to the bleachers, she broke up with him. What does she want now?

They stop in the very spot where they broke up, and Mi-Cha turns around. She crosses her arms and glares at Jungkook. “You and Y/N can drop the act now, Jungkook. It’s not working.” Jungkook looks at her, confused. “What are you talking about?” “You’re obviously trying to make me jealous, Jungkook. I know how boys play this game.” Mi-Cha say, her statement immediately pissing Jungkook off. “Well, you thought wrong, Mi-Cha. And while you’ve probably done this shit a hundred times and gotten the same result from the previous guys you’ve dated, exclude me. I’m not one of them,” Jungkook shoots back, rolling his eyes.

Mi-Cha stomps her foot, her face growing red by the second. “You don’t even like Y/N! You like girls like me, Y/N is too plain and ordinary, she isn’t even beautiful! She can’t even reach up to be half the person I am!” If her previous statement pissed him off, this one infuriated him. “Why do you care?! Listen here, Mi-Cha and listen well because I’m not going to repeat just because you’re too deaf and too stupid to understand. I didn’t date Y/N because I wanted to make you jealous; I dated her because she’s so much better than you in so many fucking ways. She’s sweet, nice, gentle, smart, selfless and she will never be like you--a self-centered, egotistical bitch who only cares about her looks and how many boys she got to date. And she isn’t beautiful like you because her beauty isn’t earthly like yours, it’s ethereal and maybe your dumb brain doesn’t know what that means but I don’t fucking care. And you’re right, I don’t like her because I love her. And if you don’t have anything better to say about us, you can go get your fucking spoon of shut the fuck up.” Jungkook finishes in a rage, walking away from the bleachers, and an embarrassed Mi-Cha.

Jungkook’s hands clench into fists tightly as he quickly makes his way inside the school. His own words ring in his ears over and over again, making his movements slow down a bit. And you’re right, I don’t like her because I love her.

Jungkook didn’t realize it at first; how his world seemed brighter when Y/N was around, how he always yearned for her company, how he craved her kisses and her hugs, how he simply needed her. Y/N made everything beautiful, she made everything better. And Jungkook thinks that he’s stupid to not have how noticed before how his very own best friend was absolute perfection. It took Mi-Cha’s pathetic insults for Jungkook to realize he actually loves his best friend.

“Jungkook!” Jungkook’s head snaps up when he sees her running up to him. He stops when she reaches him. Y/N immediately cups his cheeks, forcing him to look into her beautiful eyes.

“What happened? What did Mi-Cha say? People were saying that you screamed at each other. Are you okay?” Y/N asks worriedly. Jungkook doesn’t say anything, only grabbing Y/N’s hand as he leads her upstairs to the rooftop.

Jungkook storms to the far end of the rooftop, leading Y/N along. He sighs, closing his eyes as he leans against the wall of the rooftop, letting go of Y/N’s hand weakly.

Y/N’s heart aches for her best friend, watching the way he’s slumped on wall, he looks so sad. “Hey, what happened? You know you can tell me right?” Y/N begins gently, latching her soft hand on Jungkook’s wrist, tugging on it so he would face her. Jungkook obliges weakly, his eyes looking down on the ground. Y/N lets go of his wrist, and steps closer to him. She gently cups Jungkook’s chin in her hands, bringing it up to face him. They’re face to face but Jungkook’s eyes are still trained on his shoes. Y/N rubs her thumbs on his cheekbones gently, hoping it would get his attention like it always has.

And it did. Looking up at Y/N’s eyes, Jungkook bites lower his lip softly. “Hey, Guk. Will you please talk to me?” Jungkook sighs. “Whatever it is, we’ll fix it, okay? Did she want to get back with you? If so, then I guess we’ll have to--” “She said we were fake dating,” Jungkook cuts Y/N off, because he didn’t want to hear her say that she would be okay with ending things and because he couldn’t hold it in anymore. Y/N pauses. “Um, well, I guess we kind of are?”

Jungkook shakes his head. “That’s besides the point. The thing is, she said some things about you, things I couldn’t bear to hear. Mi-Cha said you were too plain and ordinary, she said you weren’t even beautiful, that you can’t even reach up to be half the person she was.” Jungkook repeats what Mi-Cha had said, word for word. Her words had kept repeating in his head over and over again like a broken record. Y/N bit her lip. Removing her hands from Jungkook’s chin, she rubs her arms gently.

“It’s okay, some of what she said was true anyway. I’m too plain, too boring, I’m not even pretty,” Y/N tears her eyes away from Jungkook’s, making Jungkook’s heart ache. The girl he loves thought she wasn’t beautiful, she thought she wasn’t half the person he used to like, but boy was she wrong.

Jungkook immediately cups Y/N’s face in his hands, making her face him. His action catches her off guard as she stumbles lightly and Jungkook’s left hand leaves Y/N’s face to wrap around her waist, steadying her. “Y/L/N Y/N, listen to me. You’re not all those things Mi-Cha said, okay? And she knows that too, I shouted it all at her. You’re sweet, nice, gentle, smart, selfless and everything she’s not. You’re an amazing person, Y/N. You’re perfect and I don’t want you ever thinking that you’re not.” Jungkook says all this, his eyes never leaving Y/N’s, his grip on her waist not loosening.

Y/N’s breath catches in her throat, her heartbeat quickening its pace. Jungkook seems to realize all that he’s said too, and his own heartbeat quickens its pace. When he feels his cheeks start to burn up, he pulls Y/N in closer and presses a sweet kiss to her forehead, closing his eyes. He feels Y/N’s hands wrap around his wrists and he can feel her visibly relax.

“Thank you, Kookie. For everything. I’m so lucky to have you.” Y/N whispers softly. Jungkook smiles. “Of course, Y/N. And thank you, too.” He pulls her in for a hug and Jungkook can feel her smile. He closes his eyes, hugging her tightly.

Later that night, Jungkook’s phone rings. He tears his eyes away from the framed photo of him and Y/N resting on his desk and grabs his phone from the bedside. He unlocks it to see a text from the girl.

He smiles then puts his phone back down. Looking up at the ceiling, Jungkook can’t help but let his thoughts drift to Y/N and everything about her; her smile, her giggle, the way her eyes lit up whenever they buy ice cream, literally everything about her makes Jungkook’s heart warm up. Jungkook shakes his head in disbelief. His best friend had always been like this, so why hasn’t he fallen for her before? Maybe it was because he refused to see her in another light and possibly risk their friendship. Maybe it was because he was always too blind to see that she was right there beside him, always looking for someone else.

Whatever it was, Jungkook doesn’t care anymore. All her cares right now is that he really, truly, loves Y/N and he’s determined to let her know that. Because she deserves to know that, and he wants her to know that.

Jungkook falls asleep a few hours later, simply because he couldn’t stop thinking about the hundreds of thousands of ways on how he’s going to tell Y/N that he loves her. Yet, even though he falls asleep early into the morning, he falls asleep with a smile on his face.

“Where is he?” Y/N whispers to herself, clutching her books to her chest, Y/N scans the sea of students in the hallway. It’s almost 8 o’clock, but Y/N can’t see Jungkook anywhere. He was supposed to walk her to class but he was still nowhere to be found. Y/N sighs and adjusts the backpack resting on her shoulders as she makes her way to class alone.

“Hey, Y/N. Where’s Jungkook?” Jimin falls in step with Y/N as she walks the last few steps to her classroom. Y/N looks at Jimin and shrugs. “I don’t actually know, Chim. He’s not answering any of my texts or calls.” Jimin smiles and places a comforting hand on Y/N’s shoulder as they stand outside her room. “I think he’s just running a bit late. Don’t worry too much, okay? You’ll see him at lunch.” Y/N smiles gratefully at Jimin who squeezes her hand in return as they part ways.

Walking outside of her last class for the morning, Y/N sighs, her backpack and stuff weighing down her already drained self. She definitely needs some banana milk and cookies n’ cream ice cream. She looks up to look for Jungkook but doesn’t see him anywhere. Biting her lip, she takes the route going to her locker, deciding to just drop some books off before heading to the cafeteria for lunch. Jungkook wasn’t there to carry her stuff and it was super heavy.

“Y/N! Hey, wait up!” Y/N hears a deep voice and when she turns around, a smile graces her features. “Tae! Hey, what’s up?” She waits for the sweet boy to catch up to her. “Nothing, it’s just been a while,” Taehyung replies as he reaches her. Y/N smiles. “Hey, let me carry those for you, they seem heavy,” Taehyung reaches for the books in Y/N’s arms and although Y/N wants to refuse, she’s too hungry and tired to say otherwise.

“Thanks, I would’ve refused but I’m super hungry and tired,” she laughs and Tae laughs along. “That’s okay. I just wanted to catch up with you, we haven’t really had the time to talk during class,” he replies as they walk to Y/N’s locker. Y/N nods in agreement. “Yeah, and Jungkook’s always sticking to me,” Y/N giggles, blushing. Taehyung gives her his boxy smile, “You guys are absolutely adorable. The whole school loves you. You looked better than when Jungkook was dating Mi-Cha.” Y/N gently pushes Taehyung, flustered by his comment. “Stoooooop, you’re making me all giggly and flustered,” Y/N whines. “Aw, come on, Y/N. You have to admit, you guys are the power couple of the school,” Tae tells her as she laughs, burying her face in her hands. “Oh, speaking of which, I see your man,” Taehyung teases and Y/N looks up to see Jungkook standing a few meters away from them, an unreadable expression on his face.

“Kookie!” Y/N smiles at him, waving. Y/N and Tae walk closer as Jungkook starts walking too. Just as he’s within reach, instead of getting the usual forehead kiss from him, Jungkook brushes past them coldly. Y/N and Taehyung stop walking. “What’s up with him?” Taehyung asks innocently as Y/N feels her heart break. She turns to Taehyung, biting her lip. “Can I leave my books with you for now? I need to go talk to him,” Y/N glances at Jungkook’s figure, watching him make his way up to the rooftop. Taehyung smiles in understanding. “Sure thing, Y/N. I’ll be at the cafeteria,” he replies and Y/N bows lightly, running up to the rooftop.

She pushes the doors to the rooftop open, and looks around the area. Her eyes land on the exact spot where they were yesterday. Jungkook’s back is facing her, and he’s taking deep breaths. Y/N bites her lip as she slowly makes her way to Jungkook. “Hey, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” His answer is cold and short. “Really? Doesn’t sound like it,” Y/N presses gently. Jungkook whips around to face her and she stumbles back lightly. “Who was that guy?” Jungkook interrogates and Y/N frowns.

“What do you mean? Who are you talking about, Jungkook? Is it Taehyung? I thought you knew him, he’s my friend,” Y/N replies, confused. “Well, I don’t. I only know about Jimin,” Jungkook says stubbornly.

“What’s wrong with Taehyung? We share one class together, am I not allowed to have other friends besides you and Jimin?” Y/N’s starting to get annoyed with the whole thing, it was getting stupid.

“Are you sure he’s really just a friend? It doesn’t look like that at all,” Jungkook shoots back and Y/N runs a hand through her hair, frustrated. “Yes! What’s so bad about Taehyung anyway? Do you have a problem with him?” Y/N asks Jungkook, who already had his arms folded in front of him.

“Everything! It’s clear to see that he likes you! How can you not see that?” Jungkook groans and Y/N is definitely pissed at this point. “That’s because he doesn’t like me! Jungkook, you’re being delusional! Taehyung only sees me as a friend, okay?” Y/N shouts.

Jungkook shakes his head. “I don’t care, I want you to stay away from him,” he orders and Y/N scoffs. “ I’m not going to do that. You can’t tell me who to hang out with and who not to hang out with,” Y/N folds her arms stubbornly, glaring at Jungkook.

“Yes, I can, I’m your boyfriend!” Jungkook shouts pissing Y/N even more. At this point, Y/N doesn’t care about what she’s going to say next. She’s beyond pissed now. “Um, correction, Jeon Jeongguk. You’re my fake boyfriend. We’re only in this shit because you wanted to get back at Mi-Cha, okay? So don’t order me around because you don’t own me and all of this? It’s fake.” Y/N spits angrily.

Jungkook’s mouth forms a small ‘o’, and his heart drops. His glare morphs into a sad expression and it’s then that Y/N realizes she’s made a big, fucking mistake. He looks down, and chuckles sadly.

“Oh, shit, no, Jungkook, I didn’t mean it like that, I’m so sor--” Y/N stutters and Jungkook looks up, cutting her off. His eyes are glistening lightly and a sad smile has made its way onto his face.

“Yeah, you’re right. We’re just fake dating, we’re just a fake couple,” Jungkook begins, looking away momentarily. “but,” he whispers, his eyes drifting back to Y/N’s, “none of what I feel for you is fake. I’ve realized that all this time, I loved you. I realized that I truly love you and all those things I said and did were real. And it fucking sucks that it took fake dating you to realize that you were all that I ever wanted and needed. It’s sad that I realized I only loved you when I fake dated you. Maybe fake dating you wasn’t such a good idea.”

As he said those words, his eyes never left Y/N’s letting her know he meant every word. Y/N’s heart drops and a huge lump forms in her throat. Jungkook looks down and closes his eyes, exhaling deeply. When he looks back up, the look on his face sends shivers running down Y/N’s spine. It was a look that Y/N knew all too well, and it was scaring her.

The fourth time Jeon Jeongguk asks something of Y/L/N Y/N:

“Maybe it’s better if we ended this and never spoke to each other again.”

The scene keeps on repeating itself over and over in her head so much that if Y/N was so good at animation, she would’ve been able to make a short movie out of it.

She remembers everything so perfectly; the way Jungkook said those words-- his tone made it seem so final, the way she bit her lip to prevent the tears from falling as she nods her head weakly, turning around to hide the first batch of tears that fell from her eyes as she walks away. She remembers how she didn’t at least fight for him, she remembers how she didn’t try to work things out, because gosh, he’s her best friend, and the thought of losing him was enough to make her world shatter and fall apart.

But above all, she remembers how she didn’t tell him that she loves him too. That she always has, way before he did.

Y/N can’t help but think how things would have gone if only she’d told him she loved him too. She can’t help but think that maybe she should’ve fought for him. Would things have been different if she didn’t let her anger rule over her love for him? Or would it still have been the same because Jungkook was hurt?

“Hey, how are you?” Y/N is snapped back to reality, and she feels a gentle hand on her elbow. She looks to the side and is met with the concerned eyes of Park Jimin. He’s smiling sympathetically at her and Y/N wants to just cry in Jimin’s arms and binge watch on movies all day with him, eating tubs and tubs of ice cream. But she can’t do that, now can she?

Instead of telling her friend the truth, she smiles softly. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Jimin sighs as he links arms with Y/N, guiding her to their usual spot under the trees by the soccer field. “I’m your friend, Y/N. I want to try to be there for you whenever I can, I want you to share your pains and burdens with me,” Jimin tells her as they sit down. Y/N looks at Jimin who had a sad smile on his face.

Y/N can feel the lump growing in her throat and she swallows deeply to force it back down. “I can’t help but wish for things to have gone differently, Chim. I love him, so why couldn’t I tell him that? Did it even matter that he accused Taehyung of having feelings for me? The bottom line was that he felt the same way and I should’ve just told him the truth. I-I…I miss h-him, so much, and it sucks because it’s only been two days since it happened. I…I c-can’t live…without…him,” Y/N finishes, her voice barely above a whisper as tears stream down her face.

“Oh, Y/N,” Jimin whispers, pulling his friend in for a hug as he rubs her back comfortingly. “It’s okay, just, cry it all out, okay? Everything will work out in the end. You both just need some time, that’s all.” Y/N pulls away weakly to look at Jimin and the boy’s heart breaks at the sight of his friend in her broken state. “I hope so, Chim. I really hope so,” Y/N replies as she wipes her tears away.

A week after Y/N and Jungkook broke up, word spread fast around the school. It shocked everyone, because Y/N and Jungkook were a power couple. They were everybody’s OTP. They never seemed to have any problems at all, and everyone could see how they were so smitten for each other. It was even more shocking to them considering that only a week ago, Y/N and Jungkook had celebrated their third month together.

Of course, with news, there will always be rumors. Rumors about why they broke up and who broke it off started to make their way to everyone. Some of them said it was Y/N because of the argument that occurred between Mi-Cha and Jungkook. The others claimed they realized they were better off as friends. But the majority wanted to believe that Y/N cheated on Jungkook, just like Mi-Cha. And like always, the majority wins.

Everywhere Y/N went, people were whispering about her. They pitied Jungkook and chose to attack Y/N. In her opinion, they really should attack her because it was her fault, but Jimin kept on insisting that she did nothing wrong. Sweet Jimin, always trying to make me feel better, Y/N thought.

“Look at her, how could she still be here after all that she’s done to him?” “Jungkook was too sweet and nice to her, she doesn’t deserve it” “If I were in her shoes I would never hurt him” “Gosh, she’s just like Mi-Cha” “I feel so bad for Jungkook, he always dates the wrong girls for him” “If I dated him, he wouldn’t go through any of this at all” “She’s not even pretty, who does she think she is, cheating on Jeon Jeongguk, of all people?”

Y/N bites her lip as she grips onto her backpack straps tightly, trying her best not to let her emotions show. She looks up and sees Jungkook and they lock eyes. Y/N soon realizes what she did and tears her eyes away from Jungkook’s, looking down as she continues her walk to her class. Jungkook watches her go, and sighs, looking ahead of him as he continues to walk to the lockers.

On his way, he hears what everyone’s been saying about Y/N and his heart breaks. How could they say all those things about her? She doesn’t deserve any of what they were saying about her. Jungkook almost comes to her defense but then realizes that they’re not together anymore. He opens his locker to get his things for his next class when a bright pink post-it note falls from the top of one of his books and down to the floor. Confused, Jungkook bends down to pick it up. His eyes scan the words over and over and his heart clenches when his brain fully processes the words. It was a note he wrote on the day they broke up, the day he was supposed to tell her he loved her.

“I love you, for real.” It had read. Suddenly, Jungkook doesn’t feel like going to class anymore.

The hallways start to clear up, and Jungkook closes his locker shut, adjusting his backpack on his back. He then makes his way up to the rooftop to clear his mind. Pushing the doors open, Jungkook walks to the spot where he and Y/N last talked, and his feet seem to be slowing down once he hears soft cries. Letting his curiosity get the best of him, he rounds the corner quietly and sees Y/N.

Her hair was blowing in the wind, her arms were resting on the wall, her head down. Soft sniffles were heard from her, and Jungkook wants so badly to run up to her and pull her into his arms. He wants to bury her in his chest, whisper sweet nothings in her ear, kiss her tears away.

He wants to, but he can’t. No, he wants to, but he doesn’t. His pride and stubbornness get the best of him and he stays rooted in his spot. He watches as Y/N wipes her tears away and runs a hand through her hair. She turns around and Jungkook hides himself from her sight. Y/N swallows deeply, and as she makes her way to the doors her phone rings. She pulls it out of her pocket to answer the call.

“Hey, Jimin…yeah, I’m up here…what? No, I didn’t cry…I promise, I just came here to get some air…don’t worry about me, we’re supposed to only worry about what movies we’ll watch later while we do our project, remember?…okay fine, pizza’s on me…I’ll see you in class, I’m going down now, bye.” Y/N hangs up and slides her phone back inside her pocket. Y/N sighs and wipes at her eyes more so it really doesn’t look like she’s been crying.

Y/N breathes shakily and pushes the door leading to the stairs gently, disappearing from Jungkook’s sight just as he leaves his hiding spot. He sighs, running a hand through his hair.

How long is he going to let his pride overrule his love for her? How long are they going to keep on hurting?

It’s a Friday and Jeon Jeongguk is leaving the room of his last class of the day when he hears whispers down the hallway, all of which had one thing in common. Y/L/N Y/N. His ears perk up, sighing internally as he listens to what they have to say this time. He pulls his hoodie over his head in an attempt to avoid getting noticed. He squeezes in the sea of students, and bows down to listen in to everyone’s conversations.

“I saw Y/N with Kim Taehyung earlier today, they were talking about something really serious”

“Really? What do you think it could be about? Could they possibly be a thing now?”

“I suppose so. Y/N thinks she’s so pretty; dating all of the best guys at school then treating them like shit”

“She’s no different from Mi-Cha”

“I saw her with Park Jimin today, what’s that about?”

“Even Jimin? Gosh, I can’t believe her”

And Jungkook can’t believe them either. How could they make such stupid assumptions? Who were they to judge Y/N? Just as Jungkook is about to cut into the conversation of the girls in front of him, the crowd of students stop as they all stare at the sight in front of them.

Y/N’s standing frozen in front of her locker, her eyes locked onto her locker door. Jungkook’s eyes flit from her form to the locker and he sees the words “You don’t deserve him, you’re such a bitch” painted in huge, red letters. The whispers start up again, and Jungkook makes his way to the front with difficulty. He reaches the front where Y/N absentmindedly leaves some of her things in her locker before closing the locker door gently. Jungkook stands in the front and everyone notices it, of course.

Y/N can feel someone’s, no, everyone’s eyes on her and she looks up. She sees him and the lump in her throat that she had previously pushed down rises up again and her hands start to shake again. She clenches her fist to hide it, but she knows Jungkook saw it. And he knows her. He knows her like the back of his hand.

So, to avoid from showing Jungkook all of her emotions and further hurt herself in the process, she breaks eye contact, turns around and walks to the exit of the building, her head down and her pace fast. Everyone starts to talk over the other and Jungkook watches after Y/N until he can no longer see her.

“Oh my gosh, what was that?”

“I know, it was so tense”

“I wonder who wrote it, damn, someone finally voiced our thoughts”

“I wonder what’s going to happen”

“What do you think will Jungkook do?”

No longer being able to take it, Jungkook turns around swiftly, effectively catching the attention of almost everybody.

He clenches his fist, breathing heavily. “I’m going to ask of you, nicely, to stop it. None of you know the truth, so stop gossiping around like you know shit because you fucking don’t know anything at all.” Jungkook throws in a sarcastic smirk before he turns back around and walks in the direction Y/N left in, everyone parting like the Red Sea to make way for Jeon Jeongguk.

Jungkook exits the school and he looks around, hoping to see any signs of Y/N. He sees none, and sighs, biting his lip. He takes their normal route home, but he knows for a fact that Y/N isn’t going home just yet. So, he turns around chooses to take their long route, crossing his fingers that she took that same route too.

On the way home, Jungkook can’t help but let his mind wander to Y/N. They first met when they were only five; Y/N was too scared to climb up the slide and Jungkook helped her overcome that fear. He was her superhero and that was when they first became friends.

After that, they met up almost everyday and their moms became good friends as well. So much so that they went to the same school ever since. And ever since their first encounter, Jungkook has always been Y/N’s guardian, her superhero. He was there to hold her hand and hug her when she scraped her knee in first grade; he was there to fight off the mean kids in fifth grade who threatened to steal her homework. And he was there to defend her from the mean girls in middle school.

Thirteen-year old Y/L/N Y/N knew for a fact that she hated middle school the moment she and her best friend, Jeon Jeongguk first stepped inside the building. All of the girls in their grade and in the grade above them had a crush on her best friend, and she immediately knew it was a bad thing.

They always threw daggers her way when Jungkook had an arm around her shoulders, every time they saw Jungkook look at her instead of them. The girls all hated Y/N and they made sure she was well aware of that fact.

It was a normal day at school, or so Y/N thought. She had just gotten out of the cubicle and was greeted by 5 girls from her grade, and 3 from the year above her, looking at her like they wanted the earth to swallow her whole. Y/N didn’t know what to do, so she simply bowed her head and was about to leave the bathroom when the three older girls stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She gulped, and looked up to see them all looking down at her.

They were taller and Y/N immediately knew something was wrong.

“Y/N, why are you always with Jeon Jeongguk?” The girl in the middle asked her. “U-um, he, he’s my best…friend,” Y/N answered and they all raised their eyebrows.

“Why would he want to be friends with you? You’re not even pretty, we’re prettier than you,” The girl replied and Y/N bit on her lip and looked down.

“You don’t deserve him,” the girl behind Y/N had said and Y/N turned around to look at her.

“Um, I don’t really know, but, um, we…uh, we’ve been best friends since we were…five,” Y/N replied weakly and the girls scoffed.

“It doesn’t matter. You’re stupid, and ugly, and Jungkook should stop hanging out with you. Stay away from him.” On of the older girls said and Y/N gulped.

“I don’t think, uh, that I can do that, he’s my only…friend.” Y/N replied, wringing her hands nervously.

“Oh really? Then we’ll just make life hard for you until we get the message across.” Another girl said and with that, she pushed Y/N, who fell to the floor. They all laughed and walked out of the bathroom, the door slamming shut behind them.

Y/N sighed, and pushed herself off the floor. She went to wash her hands at the sink and looked at herself in the mirror.

“You’re stupid, and ugly, and Jungkook should stop hanging out with you. Stay away from him.” their words kept repeating in her head and she forces herself to stop thinking about it. “Oh really? Then we’ll just make life hard for you until we get the message across.” Y/N closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She hoped they were just lying, and they were only doing it to threaten her.

They weren’t lying.

For the next few days, they did make life miserable for Y/N. They bumped into her in the hallways, they whispered and pointed at her every chance they got, and they told the other girls about their plan, who all joined in. They left notes in her locker, all of which contained words she never thought would come from the young girls in her class. They did so many things and her week had never been more miserable.

Of course, Jungkook knew nothing about it. Y/N had kept the whole thing a secret from him, because she didn’t want him getting in trouble. She didn’t want him to feel responsible for her, because it was her fault anyway. She could just stay away from Jungkook and make life easier for everyone but she couldn’t, because she couldn’t bear to lose her best friend.

So she kept quiet. Until she could no longer hide the pain she felt for simply being best friends with Jeon Jeongguk.

The girls had been tormenting Y/N for weeks already and every day it got worse. They’d throw her lunch out in the bathroom, they placed insects in her locker, they sent her more notes, they made life incredibly miserable for her.

Y/N and Jungkook were walking home in complete silence and Jungkook was getting worried. He’d noticed a change in his best friend’s behavior a few days back and he was scared as to what had caused it. Had he done something wrong? Did something bad happen back at home?

“Y/N.” Jungkook stopped Y/N as he latched onto her wrist, stopping them both. Y/N looked up at him expectantly and Jungkook could see pain swimming her eyes. He sighed and a hand came up to tuck a few loose strands behind her ear.

“What’s wrong? Can you please tell me?” With those soothing words, Y/N broke down in tears, shocking Jungkook completely. He was quick to react and he immediately pulled Y/N in for a tight hug. He wrapped his arms tightly around her shoulders as Y/N buried her face in his chest, crying.

When Y/N had calmed down lightly, Jungkook pulled back to look at his best friend. He wiped her tears away, a frown on his face.

“What happened?”

So Y/N told him. She told him everything, right from the very beginning when they only glared at her, to the bathroom encounter, and the day after, when they started to make life miserable for her.

“I just don’t get it, Kook. Why can’t I be friends with you? Why are girls so mean? What’s wrong? What did I do wrong to deserve all of this?” Jungkook’s heart broke at his best friend’s words and he pulled her in for another hug, rubbing his arms up and down her back.

“Shh, it doesn’t matter what they say, okay? Girls have always been mean, you’re the only one I know that isn’t. And don’t ever think that you deserve all this pain because you don’t. I’m truly sorry that you have to go through all of this alone. I wish you’d told me sooner. I’m sorry you’re going through all of this because of me.” Jungkook whispered and Y/N pulled back shaking her head.

“It’s not your fault, it’s mine.” Y/N insisted but being the stubborn boy that he was, he shook his head.

“If it’s not my fault, then it definitely isn’t yours either. It’s theirs,” Jungkook stated and Y/N laughs. Jungkook smiled when he heard his best friend’s beautiful laugh.

“That doesn’t quite make sense, but okay.” Y/N nodded and Jungkook extended his pinky out for her. Y/N looked at him confused but he just nudges toward his pinky. Y/N followed and locked her pinky with his, looking at him expectantly.

“I, Jeon Jeongguk promise to always be there for Y/L/N Y/N, to protect her from everything that could harm her, to never leave her side no matter what happens, to always be the best best friend she deserves. Even if we fight, I will always be there by her side and I will always do what I can to fix our friendship because it’s the most important thing to me. I promise to always be Y/N’s superhero, her knight in shining armor.” Jungkook stated proudly, making the corner of Y/N’s lips turn up. They twisted their pinkies, making their thumbs meet as they smiled.

“I promise you this, Y/N. Don’t ever forget that.”

And he’s always kept his promise.

Until now.

Realizing that he broke his promise, Jungkook looks up. He hears the sound of kids screaming and giggling in the distance and it clicks. He knows where Y/N is. He breaks off into a run, praying that he isn’t too late.

Jungkook reaches the park, the very park where he and Y/N first met. He runs to the playground, his eyes frantically searching around for Y/N. No, no, no, she has to be here, Jungkook thinks to himself when he sees no sign of Y/N near the slide or the swings. His eyes land on the bench their mothers used to sit on and his heart leaps out of his chest when he sees her. He runs so fast he might just break his legs.

Y/N’s figure is hunched over and her shoulders are shaking slightly, a sure sign for Jungkook that she’s crying. He almost slides in front of her from how fast he was running. He kneels in front of her and pulls her in for a hug.

Jungkook hears Y/N gasp as he wraps his arms around her crying figure and he relaxes when Y/N’s arms snake around his waist.

“Shh, shh, I’m here Y/N, it’s okay. I’m here now, I’m here, I’m so sorry,” Jungkook whispers, tears silently streaming down his face too.

Y/N chokes on her sobs as she holds onto Jungkook tightly. Jungkook adjusts himself and stands up, pulling Y/N with him. Jungkook pushes Y/N’s head gently onto his chest and he rests his chin on top of her head, the both of them crying.

His left arm wraps around her shoulders as his right hand strokes her hair softly. Y/N’s arms stay on his waist and they’re both shaking. They were both broken, that much was obvious. They both hurt each other, but they will always find their way back to each other.

Once they’ve both calmed down, Jungkook steps back slightly, so he can look at Y/N. His hands come up to cup her cheeks and wipe the tears away. Y/N’s hands wrap around his wrists as she looks up at him, her eyes shining with tears and her bottom lip quivering. She notices Jungkook’s tears too, the boy wiping her tears instead of his own. She bites her lip softly and reaches up to wipe his tears away too. Jungkook’s hands fall at his sides after wiping her tears away while Y/N’s stay on his cheeks, her thumbs rubbing on his cheekbones gently.

They look at each other, not breaking eye contact. Jungkook breaks the silence.

“I’m sorry, Y/N.”

Y/N shakes her head. “No, I’m sorry, Jungkook. I should never have gone with Taehyung when I knew you would be waiting for me.”

Jungkook disagrees. “I’m sorry for being so jealous, I got so insecure because I really wanted to call you mine for real. I hurt you because I was scared. I broke my promise just because I got hurt that you didn’t feel the same. But it’s okay, Y/N. Even if you don’t feel the same way, I’m still staying by your side because I made my promise to you. And I am never breaking my promises ever again.”

Y/N smiles softly but she shakes her head. “It’s okay, Kook. But I’m also sorry that I didn’t tell you sooner that I love you too.”

Jungkook nods. “Thank you, I promise it won’t happen--wait, what did you say?”

Y/N giggles and Jungkook’s eyes only widen. “Y/N, what did you say again?”

Y/N rolls her eyes. She cups his face in her hands, her cheeks burning up at what she’s about to do, but she calms down a bit because she can also feel the warmth of Jungkook’s cheeks under the palms of her hands.

Y/N stands on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his forehead. “I,” a kiss on the left cheek, “love”, a kiss on the right cheek, “you,” a kiss on the nose, “so much”, and finally, on the lips, “Jeon Jeongguk.” Y/N was planning for a peck, but just as she’s about to pull away, Jungkook’s arm wraps around her waist to pull her closer, and his other hand runs through her locks. She smiles into the kiss and Jungkook does too. She places her hands on his shoulder as they continue to kiss.

Kiss. Oh, how long it’s been since Jungkook last kissed Y/N. It’s been so long since he last held her like that, but things are quite different now. Now, they both know what the other truly feels, and it’s such a wonderful feeling.

They both pull away from the kiss, and they’re both grinning.

“I missed you, Kook.” Y/N says, pecking his lips.

Jungkook gives her his bunny smile and she giggles. His arms tighten around her waist and Y/N smiles, resting her head on his chest. She bites her lip when she hears the beat of Jungkook’s heart. It was beating so fast, but it’s not as if hers wasn’t beating so fast either.

A few hours later, they’re both walking home hand in hand, a cone of ice cream in their free hands. Jungkook looks down at their intertwined hands, grinning happily. He swings their hands, catching Y/N’s attention who smiles at him.

“What?” She asks him, and they stop walking. Jungkook turns to face her, a weird smile on his face as he gazes at Y/N lovingly. He lets go of her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. Y/N blushes and looks down.

He tucks a finger under her chin and Y/N looks up.

“Guk, what’s up?” Y/N whispers. Jungkook only smiles.

The fifth time Jeon Jeongguk asks something of Y/L/N Y/N:

“Be my girlfriend, for real this time.”

⇒ let me know what you think or hmu with anything under the sun here!

#bts one shot #BTS jungkook #bts jungkook scenario #bts jungkook fanfic #bts jungkook imagine #jeon jeongguk #jeon jungkook #jungkook one shot #jungkook scenario #jungkook fanfic #jungkook imagine #jeongguk x reader #jeon jeongguk x reader #bts scenarios #bts imagines #bts fanfic #bts #bangtan sonyeondan #nise writes

62 notes · View notes

jjkfire · 6 years

Text

Escape; pt.10 (epilogue)

Reader x Jungkook // (???)!AU // 14k words

Summary: Everyone has a number over their heads that says how useful they are to society from 0-100. You have a number ‘4’. You leave the city for some peace but you meet your cocky neighbor who seems to get on your nerves.

Genre: Fluff

Y/LN refers to your last name/family name

A/N: Hi wow hello. Look here! It’s the epilogue to Escape! This is for all of you who have been extremely encouraging throughout the series and have shown me love and support throughout it all. I love you all so much because truly this series is my baby! It was my first attempt at a long chaptered fic! So basically anyway this is for my ogs who’ve sent me such sweet things about escape @thekookiecrush @hxsungwoon @katthecaptain @wide-awaker @revolutionbreez @orixiro @parkheehi @misxing-you @megjin @antaedepressant @marrauderr @minsuxga (the pregnancy ask… im suing you!) AND OF COURSE NOT FORGETTING MY BB @wicdrop and also all you anons out there! i remember all of you!!!!

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4 // Part 5 // Part 6 // Part 6.5 // Part 7 // Part 8 // Part 9

Previously…

Here’s a recap because it’s been too long! Jimin’s in jail after being caught trying to steal floor plans from Y/L/N Logistics (He was blackmailed by Jeon Logistics). Hoseok played a part in that and he was the one who falsified the audio clip that made you think Jungkook was in a relationship with you to decipher DIADEM. Jungkook didn’t tell you it was Hoseok because it’ll break you. You hear the original clip that Jimin had recorded of that night, proving Jungkook’s innocence and after hours of searching, Jungkook finds you in the local park, holds you close as you cry, begging for his forgiveness and he forgives you, of course he does because none of this is your fault. –> or skim through part 9 bc I feel like this was a horrible recap

Jungkook hates Hoseok with a passion and every time he sees his face, he just wants to put in a solid punch for your sake but you’ve warned him against doing so many times before and he wonders how you do it, how you always take the high road so easily. You seem to forgive people left and right, no matter what it is they’ve done to you and he truly finds it unfathomable that you don’t hate his family with a burning passion because he does. Blood is thicker than water you murmur to him, telling him to reconcile with his family but he simply shakes his head, unable to find it in him to do so, to forgive both his and even your own family like you’ve done.

Jungkook dislikes your family, he’s made it very clear but you convince him that despite their flaws, you still love them very much, so he holds back the insults, clenching his jaw to stop the words from spilling out whenever he sees them. He never wants to be associated with either Hoseok or your family because they both only bring you pain and yet here he is, sitting in your father’s cozy office, sandwiched between your father and brother while Hoseok sits on the sofa chair on the opposite side, a smug look on his face.

This is Jungkook’s last resort. He’d never be caught dead with these people but for your sake, he pushes away the anger, putting on a calm expression because hell if this doesn’t work out, he’s completely run out of options.

The meeting you had with Jimin’s lawyer had not gone the way you had expected. You had barged into her office with a million-watt smile on your face, the pen drive with the recordings in hand, the key to Jimin’s release, but she destroys all your hope with a single sentence.

“Were these recordings obtained legally?” She asks and the look on your face is enough to give her the answer she seeks.

“Then I’m afraid this would be inadmissible in court.”

“B-but you need to listen to them! They blackmailed him into doing it!”

“It doesn’t matter what’s on there because we can’t use it in court.”

Just like that, you leave her office feeling dejected, broken even because you were at a total loss of what to do. There wasn’t a single thing you could think of that could help the man that was quite possibly the only person that kept you going, that cheered you on in your adolescent years. He was the closest thing you had to family and you felt utterly useless because he was there for you all the time, every damn time but now, when he finally requests a favour, you can’t seem to step up and provide.

“Y/N, you win some and you lose some,” Jimin shrugs and you can’t help the tears that start to roll down your cheeks. All you can think about is how the world is so unfair. That in a perfect world, a man with so much love, so much kindness would never be sitting across from you in an orange jumpsuit, a 5 year sentence hanging above his head.

“Don’t cry,” He frowns placing his hand on the thick glass screen that separates the two of you.

“I’ll get you out of here somehow, I promise,” You mumble into the handset. “I’m not giving up.”

“Y/N, it’s honestly fine. They’ll probably let me out earlier for good behaviour and all that jazz,” He smiles.

“That’s still years, Jimin,” You sob. “You were coerced, blackmailed, and that’s a crime too.”

He let’s out a low hum, completely at a loss of what to say because you were right.

“I begged them you know? Dad and my brother…” You sigh. “I told them to drop the charges, showed them recordings, everything! But they said it’ll only put the company in a weaker position and the Jeons would’ve gotten what they wanted all along.”

“That’s true,” Jimin exhales. “It’s a smart decision on their part.”

“Smart decision? Jimin, they chose the company over you!” You shout. “You’ve worked for us for years now, you’re like family to us and they still chose the goddamn company over you.”

Jimin can only offer you a sad lopsided smile because such is the way of the world. Not everyone had a heart like yours, not everyone was willing to put a billion-dollar company on the line for the sake of their secretary.

“Don’t worry,” You murmur. “I’ll figure something out.”

“Y/N, it’s okay,” He sighs. “There’s nothing more you can do now.”

“There has to be something.”

He shakes his head at you because you’ve always been mightily stubborn.

“Don’t waste anymore of your time,” He mumbles. “Just move on, be happy and I’ll be out before you know it.”

“How can you expect me to just do that?” You frown. “If the roles were reversed, I know you wouldn’t stop too.”

A light laugh escapes Jimin because it’s true, he wouldn’t. He’d do everything, work himself down to the core until he could find a way to guarantee your freedom.

Wrap it up! You hear the guard shout at you and just like the numerous times you’ve visited him before, a sudden pang of sadness runs through your body.

“Not again,” Jimin groans playfully. “You cry every time.”

“Shut up,” You manage to say between sobs and Jimin wishes more than ever that the barrier between the both of you could just dissolve so he could pull you into a tight hug.

“I’ll see you soon okay?”

“Well, you know where to find me,” He laughs, eyes twinkling and you scowl at him.

He waves you a quick goodbye and though you try to stop them, the tears just continue to stream down your face.

Jimin’s okay, he really is but you never seem to acknowledge that concept, your puppy dog pity eyes always staring at him as the guard leads him out of the room and he always looks back just in time to see the guard on the other side giving you a consoling pat on the back.

Did Jimin want to be in jail? Of course not. Did he in some way deserve jail time? Sure… and it’s his mistake, he admits, that he found himself in this position anyway and yet his biggest regret of all was causing the people that cared for him to hurt the way you do. He absolutely feels like breaking down whenever his parents come in to talk to him but he puts up a front, smiling, hoping that they would spend less time worrying about him. But god, you. Nothing hurts more than seeing you cry, nothing hurts more than seeing you beat yourself up every time your plan doesn’t work out. He hated that he put you in this position because he was supposed to be a brother to you, he was supposed to take care of you but here he is, with the roles reversed in the worst way possible. He never tells you but every time he returns to his cell, he lets his measly thin mattress, if he could call it that, soak up all his tears.

“Pleasure to see you again, Jungkook,” Hoseok smirks. “What? Not going to grab me by my collar this time?”

It takes every ounce of willpower within Jungkook to stop himself from cussing the life out of Hoseok and he manages to calm himself down but Hoseok doesn’t miss the way Jungkook has his fists clenched by his side.

“Let’s just try to keep the conversation civil, shall we?” Your father grumbles.

“I understand you have a favour to ask?” Hoseok purrs and his sickly tone makes Jungkook feel like gagging.

“A favour is a nice way to put it but I’d rather classify it as a threat,” Your brother grins.

Hoseok straightens up in his chair, suddenly unsure of what exactly he had walked into.

“Jung Hoseok,” Your brother begins. “Let’s just get straight to the point. We need you to testify.”

“Testify?”

“In court, against the Jeons.”

“Are you crazy? They’ll kill me if I ever did that,” He scoffs, shaking his head.

“Right, that’s what we thought you would say,” Your brother sighs. “You know, we heard you’ve been talking to Y/N again,” Your brother begins, smirking.

“Yeah, exes can be friends,” He shrugs. “What does this have to do—"

“But I’m not so sure if she’d consider you a friend once she finds out you’ve been on a 5 year long mission to figure out diadem. That you had a hand in putting someone she cares for in jail. That everything between the both of you is a lie.”

“What are you trying to say?” Hoseok taps his foot nervously, hands fidgeting in his lap.

“Well for starters, I’m trying to say that in one phone call, I can have her here and you can watch as I show her this,” Your brother throws out a bunch of papers back from 4 years ago when Hoseok was still dating you, transcripts of him talking to Mr. Jeon on what he’s found out about the company. “And this, or this, or this,” He continues, throwing out paper after paper of all of Hoseok’s misdeeds, even the shoplifting record that Jimin had previously threatened him with. “But most importantly, this,” He smiles, playing the play button on his phone.

“Did you get all of that?” Mr. Jeon asks.

“Yes, sir. I heard it all loud and clear. I have the code written down too.” Hoseok responds.

“Alright then, let’s call Jimin and end all of this tonight.”

Hoseok sits in his chair stunned. He had been caught off guard because he thought he was called here for an offer, perhaps some money for some information but it looks like he had read the situation all wrong because how did they get the original voice clip for that night?

Hoseok wants to scream out aloud in the room, his heart pounding, his head beginning to ache because everything between you and him isn’t a lie. Maybe parts of it are but what he felt for you then and what he feels for you even now isn’t a lie. You are the one that got away, you are who he has always pictured growing old together with… and maybe everyone else thinks it’s ridiculous but truly he just knows, that it’s you… that you’re the one and you always will be.

He sounds crazy, he knows but if only the two of you had met in a different lifetime, maybe things would be different because nobody sees the years of history the two of you have together. They don’t see the hushed words that were shared between the both of you on an overcast day, you with your head on his stomach, him sprawled out on the grass as both of you talked about how unfair the world was, about your hopes and dreams that may never come true. They don’t see how the two of you had planned it all, the perfect getaway once both of you had collected enough money to get out of this city, to perhaps settle down in a modest house by the beach with no one to judge either of you for the less than magnificent numbers glowing above both of your heads. It’s the fact that he knows you’d be happy as long as you had your carving tools and him happy as long as he had you.

Everyone in this room only sees him as a villain but couldn’t they see that he was a victim in all of this too? That if only you and him were blessed with numbers as high as any of theirs, none of this would be happening. He loves you, more than you can ever know or anyone for that matter. He knows, he’s ‘deluded’ or whatever but you’re the only person he’s ever met that didn’t look at him like he’s just a 65 that was born to help the high nineties to achieve their dreams and neither did you look at him like he was just someone who should be angry and bitter, forever cursing the system. You looked at him like he had dreams to pursue, like he could have the world in the palm of his hand if he just did what his heart desires. He remembers your words ringing clearly in his head, no matter how many years have passed, clinging onto it like it’s his lifeline because it’s the only time he’s ever felt anyone believe in him.

“Well, what do you think?” He asks, turning to you, chest heaving from the hip hop number he had just performed.

“That was amazing, Hoseok!” Your eyes still wide as you try to process the fact that it was really him that had danced so fluidly as if the bones in his body didn’t exist. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner that you could dance like that?

“It’s just… I’m not that good,” He mumbles. “I’m still working on—”

“Are you kidding? You’re straight up the best dancer I’ve ever seen.”

“Well I don’t think you’ve really seen a good dancer because… I’m just not on par, you know?”

“You are,” You answer, your eyebrows furrowed. “You should do something with that talent. Don’t let it go to waste.”

“Nah… It’ll be a waste of time. I’m a 65, Y/N. People like me don’t get anywhere.”

“You can deny it all you want but you’re a great dancer and nothing you say can convince me otherwise. I’d kill to be able to dance like you,” You smile at him. “You’re gonna be so good they can’t ignore you. It won’t matter what your number is, you hear me?”

Loud and clear. He had heard you loud and clear.

Ah, he sighs. How he wishes you were right but you’ve always had your head up in the clouds, always over optimistic. But, it was always nice to hear words like that every once in a while… It almost had him believing in it himself.

“So, are you willing to testify? Or do you want to break Y/N’s heart all over again and perhaps face some jail time too?”

“W-what—,” A deep breath, one filled with defeat. “What do you need me to do?”

And for the first time since he’s entered this office, Jungkook smiles.

As promised, Hoseok takes the stand, revealing intricacies of the entire plan, from private emails to recordings, the court sees it all from start to end. The Jeons are trapped in a corner, having no way to refute the edited evidence provided, one that Hoseok had altered to leave himself out from being implicated. How were they supposed to know the man they entrusted with destroying all the evidence would turn on them like this? What could the Y/L/N’s probably have on him that would make him switch his allegiance?

The slam of the hammer comes soon after the jury’s verdict, Jimin nearly in tears as they unlock the handcuffs around his wrists, finally a free man. Hoseok sees the undeniable smile on your face, one he takes credit for and you turn to him from the floor, mouthing out the words thank you with tears in your eyes. There’s so much he wants to say, so much he wishes he could tell you but he’s dug a grave far too deep for himself and he admits that he’s lost his chance with you.

If he was being truthful, he had lost you all those years ago but that doesn’t mean he still wishes that somehow the circumstances were different, that there weren’t so many secrets between the both of you. He wishes more than anything to turn back the clock a few years, both you and him carefree, being delinquents and loving life despite the crappy hand life had dealt the both of you. Alas, wishes are only that, just wishes and he knows now that he’s somehow made up for breaking your heart all those years ago and maybe with this, you would forgive him for the horrible mistakes he’s made, ones you’re not aware of. His heart breaks when he sees you in Jungkook’s arms but at least he knows you’re happy and that’s the best gift you could give someone you love. Happiness.

Your texts to Hoseok goes unread and your subsequent calls go unanswered. You think maybe he’s just nervous, afraid that you were going to lash out at him now that you found out that he had previously worked for Jeon Logistics. You wonder when exactly he got that job and why he had never mentioned the fact to you over your recent conversations with him. You’re left confused and in the dark because he had been eager to reconcile over the lost years just days ago but somehow it was like he had vanished into thin air. Perhaps he had decided to take off like he had the last time around when he broke your heart and it makes you frown because for whatever it was worth, he had brought joy to your life when you were just about at your lowest and for that you would always be grateful, even if he had left a deep emotional scar, one you had just recently been able to rid yourself off with Jungkook’s help.

You wanted him to know that you had forgiven him years ago, something Jungkook says he doesn’t understand but you try to explain to him that it wasn’t worth it, holding onto so much hate within yourself. Wherever he is, you hope he’s happy because even when you were with him and even through the recent texts he had been sending you, you could still sense the same old Hoseok, the one that was bitter and skeptical about life. You had tried many times over the course of your relationship with him to get him to see life in a better light, to show him that despite the circumstances, both you and him deserved to be happy and so wherever he is, that’s all you wish for him, that he’s finally happy.

And that he is. He’s happy because you are and though he may have given up his identity and taken on a new one, a deal he struck up with your father to protect him from the wrath of the Jeons when they’ve done their time, he’s trying his best to live his life the way he knows you wanted him to. Do what you love, you would always say and here, halfway around the world, he is. He joins a dance studio, a small one, teaching kids hip-hop during the day and choreographing intricate pieces when the sun has set and you were right, you always were, he laughs. Hoseok’s the happiest he’s been in years and you’ll never know but it’s all because of you. Maybe in a year or two, you’ll forget about him but he knows he’ll never forget you, not in this lifetime, not ever and he doesn’t believe in reincarnation but for the sake of you, he sometimes wishes he does because oh, what a love the both of you would’ve shared.

It’s been perhaps three months since you were bawling out of happiness in the living room of the Park household now that Jimin was finally reunited with his parents and his mother insisted that both you and Jungkook stay for dinner, a true family dinner she announced, and you had cried even harder upon hearing her say those words.

It’s a lot calmer now than it was months ago, the press finally leaving both you and Jungkook alone, off to pursue more pressing issues, or rather not-so pressing issues but either way, you’re glad you’re able to finally take Buster on a walk without being bombarded by flashing lights and mics shoved into your face. The small town you live in, hidden in the hills returns to normalcy, serene and quiet like it should be. Your days go on like normal, Buster barking at squirrels outside as you head to your old cabin to get some wood carving done. While Jungkook is busy at work, you busy yourself with your trade, packing your wood pieces up to be sold at the bazaar you often go to sell your works at. There are a lot more people than you remember, many customers coming around your store trying to drop hints to get you to talk about what really happened in the aftermath of the arrest of the Jeons but you send them away with a tight-lipped smile. Why doesn’t everyone understand that it’s something you just want to put behind you?

After months of job searching, Jimin finds himself empty handed, his criminal record the first thing employers see when they search up his name and Jimin sighs, returning home empty-handed again after yet another interview. It’s after much pestering from both you and Jungkook that Jimin accepts the position of being Jungkook’s private secretary and though he’s apprehensive at first, Jimin takes the job anyway because as far as he knew, he probably never wanted to touch the logistics industry ever again.

The learning curve is steep and he struggles with all the complicated terms Jungkook throws his way but he remains determined, trying his best to keep up as Jungkook leads him through the tech industry. As always, Jimin proves himself to be highly adaptable, surprising even Jungkook with how much he has learnt in the span of just a few months. In no time, Jimin sheds the secretary title, becoming almost some sort of a partner in crime to Jungkook. Together, they comb through the start-up industry, pouring money into apps they believe in, the money they get in return when the apps hit the market is beyond Jimin’s wildest dreams. It’s an arrangement Jungkook loves wholly because it means he gets to spend more time with you now that he didn’t have so much on his plate.

From the first I love you to the 100th, Jungkook thinks it’s a 3 letter sentence he’ll never get tired of hearing or saying. The first few times you say it to him, your voice is barely a whisper, almost like you don’t want him to hear it but whether you shout it out or mumble it to him, it still fills his chest with an unbelievable warmth, a feeling only you can invoke out of him.

Love.

It’s a strong word but it’s the only emotion that can describe how he feels about you. He loves you, he loves you, he loves you.

He loves you when he wakes up just minutes before you, dried up drool on your face and your hair a mess but your features are so calm, so serene that he can’t help but feel like he’s the luckiest man on the entire earth for having the privilege of waking up next to you.

He loves you when you’re chasing Buster around the house as he refuses to get toweled down after his shower and you collapse onto the couch, your shirt slightly drenched in soap water, telling him that Buster is only this stubborn because he had spoiled the dog rotten, which was true to some extent but he couldn’t help it, Buster is simply too adorable.

He loves you when you notice that he’s been having a hard week at work and you do everything in your power to make his day better and that could be watching his favourite movie for the umpteenth time or baking those goddamn fudge brownies that he could never seem to have enough of but most of the time, all he needs is to snuggle up next to you, your comforting touch almost healing to him.

Sometimes he feels he’s only half as good of a partner as you are to him and he feels horrible because he wishes he could make you feel even a quarter of what you make him feel. Funnily enough, you feel the exact same way because you feel like nothing you do could ever live up to what he’s done for you. It was as if he was looking into one of those too good to be true romantic comedies that he watches too much, Jimin often says about the pair of you. Both you and Jungkook seemed to live in perpetual confusion, always thinking that one didn’t deserve the other and you both even had a cute dog to boot, the final piece to a happy family. He couldn’t think of a better pair who deserved to live out an actual romantic comedy other than the two of you.

The ladies in town often question you when you think Jungkook would pop the question and you dread it, especially when they ask you when he’s sitting right next to you. The two of you always blush beet red before you retort, maybe I’ll be the one to get down on one knee! Which always seems to shut them up.

You were happy with the relationship you had with Jungkook and so was he. You didn’t see the rush in getting engaged because what you and he have for now, is perfect and if anything, you didn’t want him to feel pressured, like he had to give you some stupid, expensive ring, as if without it, what the two of you have was anything less special.

Perhaps all the pestering makes Jungkook reach his breaking point because he comes home later and later sometimes, so late that you fall asleep with your phone in hand, waiting for his text to tell you that he was on his way. As usual, the ladies in town plant seeds of doubt in your mind, asking you if you smell perfume on his shirt when he comes home, a clear sign of infidelity, they murmur. You don’t want to doubt Jungkook because you trust him with your heart, with your life but you do admit that you catch a whiff of a sweet-smelling perfume, one that isn’t yours. It’s probably one of his client’s perfume you reason but he’s been working late almost every day of the week for close to a month now and you hate what you’ve become, you hate how you’re sniffing the shirts he throws into the laundry basket to see if you could smell that now familiar scent. Curse the ladies in town for making you feel this way.

Maybe he’s finally gotten tired of you, you sigh. Maybe the glaring number 4 he sees above your head everyday makes him resent you because perhaps he’s thinking, he can definitely do better. You shrink into your older self, the one that’s unconfident and scared. Jungkook can sense that something is off, you know he can because he takes a day off work just to spend time with you but you can’t help but feel this niggling sensation that he’s doing this as a parting gift, one last week before he says he thinks he’s done with you for good.

“Babe, i-is something wrong?”

“Hmm?” You hum in question, trying your best to hide your emotions.

“Did I do something wrong? You’ve been… distant lately.”

“I-I don’t really know what you mean.”

“Maybe it’s just me,” He sighs. “Work’s been killing me and I know I haven’t been home much… but I hope you know I’d spend every single second with you if I could,” He murmurs, stepping up to you, pulling you in close. He giggles lightly when he sees you blush. It’s amazing how you still shy away whenever he says anything remotely cheesy.

It’s hard for you to decipher what exactly is going on but you can tell he’s being sincere and everything doesn’t seem to add up. You hate that you’re doubting him like this when there hasn’t actually been solid evidence to say that he’s cheating on you.

“I know,” You smile meekly and he takes the chance to kiss you on the lips, his thumb caressing the apple of your cheek.

“What do you want to do today? I’m all yours today, I promise,” He smiles, switching off his phone just to prove that nothing was going to come in between the both of you for the day.

“Honestly… Can we just have a lazy day?” You mumble, laughing and he shakes his head as he laughs in return. He would’ve been surprised if you had suggested anything else.

Jungkook manages to convince you to spend the day lounging by the lake that the house looked out to, Buster lighting up at the words swim! Already speeding out of the house when you open the door. Both you and Jungkook spend hours simply laying side by side, laughing at each other as Buster enjoys his swim. You’re maybe into your second bottle of beer, soaking up the warm rays of the sun when he suddenly rises to pick you up, running down the length of the dock and jumping in with you in hand. You wrestle with him in the water, Jungkook laughing wildly at how furious you were but your grumbling soon turns to laughter too and you cling onto Jungkook like a koala, too lazy to swim yourself. It’s when he shrugs you off his back, turning around so he can hold you to his chest that you feel warmth bloom in your own because his smile lights up your world and you love him so much, you really do.

“I love you,” You smile, pulling him in closer for a kiss and he mumbles the same words back to you over and over again in between the kisses he plants on your lips. Screw those nosy ladies that make you doubt the man before you, screw the perfume you smell on his shirt because in this very moment, all you know is, a love like this cannot be fabricated and maybe it’s because you want to believe it but the way he says those 3 words to you, you don’t think he’s off spending his nights saying them to someone else.

As Jungkook waits for you at the shore of the lake, he can’t help but laugh at how similar this looked to when he had first spotted you here, Buster beside you, yourself in that adorable bathing suit of yours and good god, how much has changed since then and now. You skip down the length of the dock, linking arms with him when you finally reach him, and he thinks that he has to move the timeline up because he can’t wait any longer. But no, he has everything planned out, every single detail and it’s going to be absolutely perfect.

Jungkook hates, hates, hates it when he’s having a lovely Sunday brunch with you at the diner, completely lost in your eyes, loving the fact that he gets to spend every second of the day with you, only to be rudely interrupted by the extremely loving and yet, overbearing old ladies that would pop in for a meal at just about the same time.

“So, when are you going to buy her a big diamond ring? You wait long enough, someone else might swoop her up, you know?”

Jungkook blushes every damn time because of course he knows, you’re a gem, one in a million and he’s so lucky to be able to call you his girlfriend but it’s been two years now since he’s met you (again) and everyone and their mother knows that the both of you are so in love, that sometimes they forget that the both of you aren’t married, not even engaged.

Truth is, Jungkook has had the ring for close to 6 months now. It’s buried deep at the back of his sock drawer, a sizeable 15-karat diamond, surrounded by many fewer, smaller diamonds. It’s beautiful, grand and very, very expensive but it’s the only ring he believes can show you just how much he cares. He had spent hours in the store talking to the jeweler, viewing ring after ring just to make sure he could get you the perfect one. He’s been waiting and waiting, wondering when exactly would be the right moment to ask you or if he should put it off for another year because he didn’t want to scare you. He knows giving you the ring has a finality to it, that it means commitment, which is something you fear deeply.

“Diamond rings are overrated, and the diamond industry is horrible,” You groan at the ladies who’ve made themselves at home in the booth you and Jungkook were sitting at. “Child labour, slave labour and all for what? A shiny rock?” You scoff, shaking your head. “I don’t need a diamond ring, I don’t want one,” You huff, crossing your arms.

Jungkook feels a pang of fear strike him in his chest, worrying at the thought of you screaming in horror if you had found the ring or worse! If he had dropped down on one knee, the ring in hand… he can only imagine the look of disgust on your face. For the first time ever, Jungkook is grateful that the women had stopped by to pester the two of you today because he knows he’s getting rid of that ring first thing tomorrow morning.

Months later…

It’s the anniversary of the day he had first met you, yes, that would be the day he saw you at the gala when you were 8. You probably don’t remember the date, but Jungkook does, his diary entry from years ago telling him about the fateful day he met a girl that made the stinkin’ dinner that much bearable.

He’s been planning this for months now and as he stares down at the weather app on his phone, he frowns for there is a 50% chance of rain. Luck never really was on his side, the universe forever conspiring against him, he believes. The thumping sound in his chest and the way his palms seem to sweat no matter how many times he’s wiped them on his pants tells him that the day is finally here, that after months’ worth of hard work, he’s finally ready.

Jungkook had given both himself and Jimin the day off and begged him to take you to town, or anywhere really, just far from the home you shared with him. The moment you leave the house, waving him goodbye as you jumped into Jimin’s car, he goes into overdrive mode, pulling up his phone to dial the florist as he headed to the basement to pull out everything he needed to make tonight perfect.

It’s a little past 8 when Jungkook gets a text, one that informs him that both you and Jimin were going to be back soon and he lets out a deep breath, looking into the mirror one last time before standing in front of the door to wait for you, bouquet in hand.

“I’m ho— Oh?” You stumble backwards when you’re met with Jungkook standing right in front of you, shoving the flowers in your face.

“I uhh, picked these up on the way home from work,” He lies, a nervous smile on his lips. “Thought of you when I passed by them… so yeah.”

“Thank you, babe,” You grin, pecking him on the cheek before you take the bouquet from him.

“You’re dressed fancy,” You murmur, placing the bouquet on the counter. “Are you… going somewhere?” You question, unsure if he had told you he had some dinner to attend. Was that this week or next week?

“N-no, I just wanted to look nice for you,” He smiles and you laugh, quirking your eyebrow at him.

“Do you know what day today is?” He questions, grabbing your hand, leading you up the stairs.

“A Tuesday?” You answer, eyebrows furrowed in confusion as you shuffle behind him. “Kook, what’s going on?”

“It’s the anniversary of the day we first met… when we were 8,” He grins, hand still intertwined with yours as he walks you all the way up to the final floor of the house, the rooftop patio.

“How do you remember that?” You question, laughing. “You should’ve told me over the weekend! I would’ve gotten you someth—“

Your sentence is cut short as you take in the way the patio has been so beautifully lit up, fairy lights hanging over a make shift blanket fort that Jungkook has created. It looked like something off Pinterest and maybe that’s why you had caught him on the website weeks ago, looking through some pictures that looked very similar to what was in front of you.

“Kook, what is all of this?”

“I know I haven’t been home lately,” He frowns, shuffling in his spot. “And, we’ve missed so many movie nights so, I thought I could make it up to you with this,” He beams, tugging you along to take a seat with him amongst the numerous amount of pillows laid out atop the mattress.

“H-how did you get this mattress up here? And where did you find all these pillows? And that projector thing— Did we always have one?” You question referring to the huge screen that was set up in front of you.

The pure shock on your face is enough to send Jungkook into a laughing fit and he can’t help but place a kiss on your lips. God, you’re adorable.

“We’ll talk about that later,” He laughs, busying himself with the movie system he had set up for the night. He puts on the movie the both of you had meant to watch in the cinema 2 weeks ago but a last-minute meeting meant that the two of you had to miss it. Jungkook had pulled every single string he could just to get this movie for his own personal viewing before it’s available to the masses ala pay per view or DVD and he now owes a few too many people a favour or two but it’s all worth it if it’s for you.

“Are you… some kind of miracle worker?” You gasp. “Jungkook seriously… how did you get this movie? Isn’t it still showing in the theatres? How did you do all of this?”

“Through the power of my love for you,” He beams and 3, 2, 1, there it is, the signature scrunch of your nose. He laughs as you scowl at him, mumbling under your breath and he snuggles up closer to you even as you attempt to shove him away. It’s a hobby of Jungkook’s to throw cheesy lines your way because he knows you hate them and by hate them he means he knows you secretly love them.

It’s maybe 15 minutes into the movie when he feels a light drop of water on his cheek. No, no, no. Please no. He thinks maybe if he ignores it, the rain will simply go away. You look up to the sky, putting your palm out to check if that had been rain or you were just imagining it. You don’t stand there thinking for long because the drizzle soon becomes light rain and the two of you are quickly getting up to set away the snacks that Jungkook had laid out. Within seconds, the rain comes pouring down and you’re laughing as you try to wrap everything up into a blanket, quickly rushing into the house as he unplugs the wires, trying to lug both the speakers and the projector indoors.

By the time the two of you are able to get mostly everything into the house, the both of you are absolutely drenched. Though you’ve taken the situation very lightly, laughing as you tried to dry your hair with a towel, Jungkook has decided to sulk in a corner instead.

“Babe, aw come on, lighten up! The night’s not over yet. The movie just started,” You smile as you bring the towel up to wipe away the rainwater on his face.

You set up the movie in the living room as Jungkook dug his hand into the bowl of soggy popcorn, still frowning as he takes his seat next to you, watching the movie with you silently, only daring to speak when the credits begin to roll.

“I had everything planned out,” He sighs. “This has been months in the making,” He sulks.

“And I appreciate it,” You smile. “It was perfect,” You kiss him on the cheek, bringing your thumb up to stroke the apple of his cheek.

“No… I just… this all went down a little differently in my head.”

“Jungkook, I loved every second of tonight. Stop beating yourself up over something you couldn’t control. It was just a little rain.”

“I know but—”

“It was perfect, really. Tonight has been one of the best nights of the year. I had so much fun,” You smile cupping his face with both hands and he still has a small pout on his lips. “I love you so much, you know that? I know I don’t say it as often as most usually do but I really, really love you.”

“But it’s just… Y/N,” He breathes in deeply, his hands removing yours from his face as he sinks to one knee. “I had a whole speech planned out, one that would coincide with the ending of the movie but I’m so nervous, I’ve forgotten everything.”

You see Jungkook on a singular knee his hand holding onto yours softly and your chest tightens.

“You’re everything to me, you really are, and I can’t imagine a day without you. I always look forward to the end of the day because it means I get to come home to you and that’s all I ever want,” He smiles. “Forever.”

You’re staring at him, your eyes almost popping out of your sockets and Jungkook allows himself a few seconds before he asks the question that’s been on his mind for close to a year now.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is… Will you marry me?”

“Jungkook…” Your voice barely audible as you look at the man before you, all teary eyed. “Yes, I— Yes!”

There’s an audible sigh of relief just before you pull him up for a kiss. The smile he has on is unbeatable and he kisses you again and again, almost like he doesn’t believe that you said yes. With shaky hands, he slides the ring onto your finger, letting out a deep breath when he finds that it fits just right.

“Don’t worry, it’s white sapphire, not diamond!” He exclaims as he watches you examine the ring. “Y-you said you hated diamonds so I, uhh got rid of the diamond one I originally bought.”

“What?”

“You told the ladies… you hated diamonds because… you know, slave labour and child labour and—”

“Jungkook, that was… that was just to get them to shut up, I didn’t really mean it… I mean I did but— You bought two rings?”

“Well I bought one, the diamond one… but I made this one,” He murmurs, blushing. “Yeah you can tell can’t you… I know, I should’ve just got it professionally made but I uhh thought it’d make it more special… if I made it but if it’s a little wonky and doesn’t fit well then you know why.”

Jungkook shrinks away, a little embarrassed because he hadn’t really thought about what your reaction would be when he tells you that he had made the ring. In his mind, it was the perfect gift, considering that you were an artist yourself… He thought what way to tell you better that he loves you and appreciates you by giving you something that couldn’t be bought with money, that was one of a kind, not 100% perfect but is filled with love and hard work, something like you.

“You made it? Like physically?”

“Yeah, that’s why I’ve been home late… One of my clients owns a jewelry workshop on the side and when I told her my plan, she offered to help me out.”

You’re crying and Jungkook’s scared because oh god, now you think he’s some cheap asshole who didn’t get you a diamond ring but then he hears you laugh as you wipe away your tears, your hands pulling him in for a hug.

“Y-you don’t like it do you? I’m sorry I—” Jungkook’s stammering, trying hard to salvage the situation and you pull away from him to plant a lingering kiss on his lips just to shut him up, just to tell him you absolutely love it.

There’s a moment of comfortable silence as he watches you examine the ring and he’s biting his lip nervously, hoping you can’t see the flaws as clearly as he does. He doesn’t know but you can’t see the flaws, not even a single one because you’re too busy admiring the fact that Jungkook had (with minimal help) crafted a ring! He had modeled it after the diamond ring he originally bought but… you didn’t need to know that. You murmur words of wonder and amazement beneath your breath and in that second Jungkook thinks it’s worth it. All those late nights, all the moments of pure frustration as he tries to twist the metal in just the right way or moments of pure nervousness as he tries to hide the tiny pricks and cuts on the pads of his fingers from you, it’s all worth it just to see the delight on your face.

“It’s funny,” You smile, as if embarrassed. “The ladies tried to convince me that you were cheating on me and I… I kind of well, was semi-convinced because of the late nights and perfume on your—"

“Cheat? God, Y/N, no, never.”

“I know, I know but it was just…” You murmur looking down at the ring nervously, and he waits for you to continue your sentence or say anything really but Jungkook can see how the main piece of white sapphire seemed to be slightly crooked.

“Listen, i-if you don’t like the ring I can always get you a diamond one again.”

“Jungkook, no,” You laugh, cupping his cheeks. “This is perfect. I love it,” You smile.

The shy smile he gives you makes your heart feel like leaping out of your chest and also melting into a puddle at the same time. For the longest time he only gazes at you, his eyes looking at you as if you are the entire Universe and to him, you are.

“I love you,” He sighs sweetly, turning his head so he could leave a soft kiss on the inside of your palm.

You don’t have to say it back to him, he already knows you do too, but he loves hearing it anyway and when you finally say I love you too between the kisses you pepper him with, he thinks he can’t possibly have a day better than this one in his entire life.

Fortunately, that’s a lie. With you, there came many more days he considers the best day of his life but really with you he couldn’t pick. Okay, no, that’s also a lie. There’s a handful of days he can pick out and he’s really trying to keep himself to a limit here so, he settles on 5 special days, of course, not including the day he got engaged to you.

one

It’s the day or really days right after the two of you get your marriage registered, having called Jimin and his family down to the office with only a few hours’ notice to be witnesses to your marriage. It’s spontaneous, ridiculous, much like your relationship with Jungkook but when he proposed the idea of it the other day, it didn’t take more than a second for you to shrug and say, why not? You should’ve known Jungkook and his spontaneous ideas were never really that spontaneous because he’s standing in front of you, presenting you with an itinerary of just what the two of you were going to do at Ko Lipe, a post-marriage gift, he says. You had on the most adorable expression, one mixed between shock and pure joy before it all fades and you furrow your eyebrows.

“What about work? Don’t you have a lot going on right now?”

“Ahh, I closed all my open-ended deals in the last month just for this… Just for you.”

Ugh, even he cringes at how goddamn cheesy he is when he’s talking to you but it’s almost as if his mouth had a mind of its own sometimes. You hum at that, pursing your lips so your smile wouldn’t show. He must’ve planned this months in advance. Spur of the moment thing my ass, you scoff mentally, but it’s more of a you’re-such-a-thoughtful-dork-and-I-love-you kind of scoff rather than a mean-spirited one. How does he always seem to know that your answer to any of his ‘spontaneous’ decisions will always be yes?

“So, you’re saying we’re going to have a week’s worth of privacy? No phone calls to interrupt us? Just you and me?”

“Just you and me,” He nods. “I’m leaving my work phone at home, see!” He pulls the drawer of the side table to show you the handphone that’s usually glued to his ear.

“No! I mean don’t do that… What if something goes wrong at work?”

“Then Jimin can deal with it,” He smiles.

You stand there thinking if it really is a good idea to just up and leave the country when you had found both you and him plastered across the gossip section of every major news outlet and magazine this morning, the mere mention of the two of you getting married enough to cause an online frenzy. It’s the story everyone’s ever wanted, the Jeon and Y/L/N rivalry finally put to an end by love. Except, both you and Jungkook know the truth, both your fathers and perhaps even brothers will forever be at loggerheads, even more so now that the Jeons were behind bars.

“Come on babe,” He whines. “It’ll be our very own island adventure!” He exclaims, placing a pair of sunglasses on for you and a straw sun hat on himself.

“You’ll get me to go even if I do say no, won’t you?” You laugh and he winks at you because it’s the truth. He already had your bags packed… which would explain why you couldn’t find your favourite pair of shorts this morning.

Just like that, you’re whisked off to Ko Lipe, in a private jet he had borrowed from one of his clients. The press back home is having a field day, everyone wondering just where the two people the public want to see the most have disappeared to. You look down to your phone to see multiple missed calls from your parents and your siblings as reporter after reporter show up at your family’s residence, badgering them for comments. They didn’t know what to tell the press because well, they weren’t informed of the whole marriage registration debacle themselves!

All of that is the last thing that’s on your mind as you bury your toes in the sand, gazing out into the vast ocean blue. You aren’t given much thinking time anyway as Jungkook drags you out to do any form of extreme water sports that the private resort offers. Be it parasailing or going for one of those jet ski tours to the remote neighbouring islands and caves, it’s like you don’t even have time to catch your breath before he’s pulling you to the sign-up booth, looking for something else to do.

I, Island, Ko Lipe. The answer to the I of DIADEM, the family code that comes to you naturally no matter how long it’s been since you’ve been forced to recite it. It’s a thought that comes to you in passing as you’re laid out on a deck chair, finally being able to rest after Jungkook’s daily dose of adrenaline inducing adventures. This place, this island means so much to you and it means so much to Jungkook too. It’s been years since you’ve been back here, perhaps even longer for Jungkook and every single day spent here has been like a dream. You remember this island to be a place where you finally felt like you belonged in your family and you’re glad that now that you’re here again you don’t just ‘feel’ like you belong to a family, you know you’re part of a family, because right next to you is the man you’re going to marry, technically you already have. He smiles at you when he catches you staring at him, blowing you an obnoxious kiss just so he can see you scowl at him.

You hope he feels the same way you do, hope that he knows you can’t ever replace the love his mother has for him, can’t replace the memories he has of this island when he was much younger, exploring the island as his mother chased after him but you hope he allows this trip, the numerous moments you’ve had with him to add on to the fact that this island will always be special to him. If only you knew you didn’t have to hope. Jungkook’s already committed to documenting every single moment of this trip, having had taken an unreal number of photos along with hours upon hours of footage just so he could look back on it all whenever he wanted to because he feels this whole week has been the best damn week of his life.

two

The two of you return home after a rather exhausting yet refreshing week at Ko Lipe. The press has seemingly forgotten about the two of you or have simply given up on trying to locate either of you. Jungkook spends most of the week working from home and you decide against leaving the mountains at all, neither of you wanting to deal with a publicity shitstorm. It’s perhaps months after, when the two of you know that you’re definitely in the clear that you decide to send out invitations to your wedding, a relatively small one with no less than 50 people that’s slated to happen in the backyard, next to the lake. To be fair, most of the attendees were going to be the people from town, the only outsiders would be your family and Jimin and his family. Jungkook adamant as he is, refuses to extend an invitation to his step-mother, unwilling to forgive the fact that she had allowed his father and brother to go to the lengths they did in order to try and be level with Y/L/N Logistics. You don’t argue with him, respecting that it was his decision to make and honestly, regarding your own family, you aren’t quite sure if they are actually going to show up considering the fact that you hadn’t personally called them back after the whole out of the blue marriage registration fiasco, only sending them a text to confirm that yes, you had indeed decided to marry Jungkook.

The wedding day comes faster than Jungkook could have imagined and suddenly he’s sweating nervously as he stands at the end of the aisle, the guests rising from their seats as the wedding march begins to play. The ceremony is simple yet elegant, only a small flower arch at the end of the aisle and 50 white chairs at either side of the white carpet. Every single seat is occupied, all except one because it’s Jimin who stands beside you, arm linked with yours as you walk down the aisle. Your breath almost gets caught in your throat when you spot your family amidst the crowd. The blank faces on you father, mother and brother tells you that it must’ve been your sister that had dragged all 3 of them here. You send her an appreciative smile because though growing up in that house with your family hadn’t been great, you still do in fact share the same blood and you still do love them, despite their flaws.

You look forward when you hear Jimin let out a light laugh, and this time it’s like your breath is taken away when you finally lay eyes on your soon to be husband. He stands tall in a classic suit, looking dapper and handsome as always. You can see the way Jungkook has already started to tear up and you guess that’s why Jimin had been laughing but truth be told, you were on the verge of tears yourself. Jungkook feels almost light headed when he sees you standing next to him because you look unreal, absolutely gorgeous in all white. Your dress isn’t the princess type with a long train but it’s a rather modest one, a simple number that seemed to drape over your body perfectly, hugging you in just the right places but more than that, it’s your face, like you’re almost glowing and Jungkook’s heart picks up it’s pace because the day he has been dreaming of is finally here and he keeps thinking that he must be the luckiest man alive to finally (almost) officially be able to spend the rest of his life with you.

The crowd coos as Buster makes his way down the aisle, the small box containing the rings attached to his collar. He’s clearly enjoying the attention because he stops to pose for photos, almost stealing the show! But, he makes it to the end in timely fashion, stopping next to Jimin so he could detach the box from the collar. Nervously, both you and Jungkook take the rings from the box.

Jungkook starts with his vows first and his voice cracks when he starts, almost unable to hold back the impending tears. He clears his throat with a laugh before he looks up to gaze at you, telling you that he hopes you know that by marrying him you’re going to have to live with the fact that he always seems to fart up a storm every morning and that although he apologizes for it, it’s something he can’t control, and he hopes it’s something you won’t leave him for once he’s old and gray, and out of money.

Jungkook doesn’t even have to look at the paper he has in his hand because he already knows what he wants to tell you by heart. Aside from his mother, you are the only person that sees him for who he is, for who he can be and who he wanted to be. You bring out the best in him and with you by his side, he truly thinks he’d be able to do anything. He promises you a life full of adventure, happiness and genuine love because you deserved the world and he was going to give you everything he could.

You regret choosing to go second because now you’re forced to wipe away your tears while you read out your vows, because really, how could you listen to Jungkook speak like that and not cry. When you begin, you’re stammering and Jungkook offers you a soft smile before reaching out to gently wipe away a stray tear or two. You let out a deep exhale, abandoning the piece of paper that you had worked day and night on because the words on there just weren’t good enough to explain how grateful you are for the man before you. All you really want to say is that you’re so glad that Jungkook loves you wholeheartedly for who you are, and you promise to love him the same. The world has always told the both of you that the pair of you just aren’t destined to be but to hell with that. You believed in creating your own fate, your own destiny and you’ll be damned if Jungkook wasn’t a part of that. If soulmates exist, you are quite sure that he is yours. He knows you inside and out, perhaps even better than yourself and you know you’d never want to spend your life in the arms of another for he truly is your escape. You tell him that you only hope to be his too and he laughs shaking his head and utters 7 words that has your heart flip-flopping in your chest.

“You’re not my escape,” He smiles. “You’re my home.”

When the two of you finally slide on the ring on each other’s finger, there’s cheers that ring around the backyard, Buster barking excitedly as the two of you share the first kiss of your official ceremonially confirmed marriage. There isn’t a person in attendance that feels bitter about the marriage, not even your family despite the unreadable expression on their faces. Truth be told, they’re happy for you. You deserved better, more than they’ve ever given you, they were human enough to admit that and they’re glad that you finally have someone that can give you everything they never did.

When the ceremony is all over and done with, it’s just an hour before sun down, enough time for the two of you to change out of your respective outfits for something more comfortable. A short drive later, you find yourself with your hand intertwined with Jungkook’s as the two of you sat by the grave of his mother, listening as he tells her about the day, tells her he wishes she was here. You let your other hand rest on top of his and you tell her thank you, thank you for giving birth to the man that you love so much and that you intend to care for him, like she had, until the end of time.

three

The story of special day number three starts perhaps almost two years into the marriage, almost 6 months before said day. You’re sat at the table with Jungkook, friendly conversation going around between the other people seated at the table. It’s the anniversary of the founding of the town and every single resident has found themselves at the local square to celebrate, eat and drink the day away. You’re looking further off in the distance, having zoned out of the lovely little discussion that was going on around you to look at the children running circles around each other, giggling and talking amongst each other, your gaze ever so warm and fond.

“Do you think you’ll ever want any of your own?” The lady beside you asks and Jungkook perks up to listen to your reply, knowing the answer to this question full well because he’s asked you once or twice before when you’re cuddled up next to him in bed.

“No, they’re too much work,” You laugh and the lady laughs along with you agreeing to your statement. Everyone thinks it’s true, that you don’t want children of your own because they’re messy and loud but Jungkook knows better, knows the look in your eyes whenever you look at them from afar, it’s one that people have when they’re looking at something they can’t have. Jungkook thinks that it has to do with your childhood, that your parents, no matter how much you refuse to admit it have scarred you so deeply that you can’t possibly fathom having a child on the off chance that in a moment of anger, you would say something to your child that was remotely similar to what your parents had said to you over and over again over the course of your childhood. People often say that children will take after their parents when they’re older and if anything, that is your worst nightmare, to become the people who had caused you so much hurt.

Jungkook joins in the conversation, nodding that the two of you simply wouldn’t have time for a child, which is a lie because Jungkook would do anything to make sure he has time for his child, if he had one that is. But he lies, lies for you because he knows what will follow after if he doesn’t say anything. They’ll badger you with questions like: But who will look after you when you’re old if you have no children? Do you hate children? Are you sure you’ll never want them? He prefers to take the brunt of it, letting them know that he wouldn’t know the first thing about being a father but of course that’s a lie too. Jungkook knows just what kind of father he would be. He would be everything his father wasn’t.

It’s exactly 5 months and 3 weeks since that dinner, since you had that conversation that made your stomach churn, which actually is quite funny since your stomach has been doing a lot of that lately even without having been asked the classic question of why you haven’t thought about having children yet.

You refuse to think about it, refuse to admit that certain smells, one that are completely normal, like the fudge brownies that you usually bake suddenly makes you feel like throwing up or the fact that you had literally forced Jungkook to drive you to the city in the middle of the night because your fried chicken craving was driving you insane.

Something at the back of your mind tells you that these are classic signs of… of… you don’t even want to say it because maybe if you didn’t, it wouldn’t be true. You think back to the past two weeks or so, acknowledging that yes, maybe you had allowed Jungkook to forgo the condom but that’s because you had been on the pill, right?! Not like you had missed a day or two in the past week, right?! Not like your period isn’t on time this month, right?! You wondered how many more lies you could tell yourself until you would have to drive down to the pharmacy in the city to pick up, you know, that special stick? The answer is not many because in just a few hours you’re in your bathroom with the stick in hand, wondering if you were supposed to pee on it sitting down? Standing up? Did it matter? You let out an annoyed groan before reaching into the box to pull out the instructions.

Two blue lines stare back at you and you let out a small scream. You pee on another stick… or maybe 5… just to be sure, you know? And now you’re looking down at 6 sticks that tell you the same thing… that you’re, that you’re… you can’t even bring yourself to say it.

You stuff everything into the plastic bag from the pharmacy, keeping at least one stick because… you had to tell Jungkook right? You keep the test somewhere in the back of your closet, beneath a pile of clothes, trying to form sentences in your head, wondering how the news would sit with him but first, you needed to accept reality and somehow you just refuse to.

You’re skittish around Jungkook for the next few days and though he notices it, he doesn’t bring it up because usually when he gives you time, you’ll let him know whatever it is that’s on your mind. He thinks you’re upset with him, waiting for him to figure out whatever it is without telling him and he’s trying so hard, running through every single thing he had done over the past week just to see if he could find whatever it is that he had done wrong. Was it because he forgot to flush the toilet that one day? It is isn’t it?

It’s the day, D-day, you proclaim. It has been a full week since you’ve taken the test and you’ve had exactly 7 days to think of what to say. You think a short speech would suffice… butter him up first and then apologize for missing the pill or something… but it’s not that part you’re really worried about, you sigh. It’s the fact that you’re going to have to raise a human being and you know Jungkook won’t say no to the idea, in fact you know he’ll be ecstatic, but he hasn’t thought it over like you. You’re not worried about the finances, or the fact that you’ll be incapable of loving the child, because you’ll do nothing but love your child, cherish them, but you’re worried your child won’t love you back or that Jungkook wouldn’t either because… you’re you and you’re flawed in the worst possible way, in a way that you couldn’t change even if you tried.

You’re so busy thinking that you hadn’t heard Jungkook come through the front door and you quickly stuff the pregnancy test behind you, between the pillows on the couch you were sitting on.

“Y/N, babe, listen,” Jungkook smiles nervously as he takes a seat beside you on the couch, loosening the tie around his neck. “I know you’re upset with me but I swear I thought I flushed the toilet—”

“I’m pregnant,” You blurt out and you immediately shut your eyes because fuck you were supposed to shower him with compliments first! Tell him that it had been an honest mistake, that you had forgotten that you had missed a pill that week when you told him he didn’t need the condom.

“You’re pregnant,” He murmurs, and you let out a sigh, an apology on the tip of your tongue when you look at him, his eyebrows furrowed together as if he had never heard the word before. “You’re pregnant!” He repeats, his face somewhere between shock and joy as it finally dawns on him why you’ve been acting so weird lately. A large smile finds it way onto Jungkook’s face and he’s about to engulf you in a hug, pick you up and swing you around in his arms but then he sees the way your bottom lip wobbles and suddenly there’s a stream of tears rolling down your cheeks. He’s stunned for a second because wait, was that not the reaction you had wanted from him?

“Babe… Hey, Y/N… What’s wrong?” He quickly asks, scooting closer towards you so he can hold you close, wipe away your tears. You’re only shaking your head, sobbing so hard that it makes Jungkook’s heart break into two. He lets you take your time, simply gripping your hand when you produce the pregnancy test from behind the pillows, the two lines showing that you are indeed, pregnant.

“What if… what if,” You hiccup, sobs chopping up your sentence. “What if our baby’s a 4?”

Oh, ohhh, Jungkook understands now, realizes just why you’re crying.

“You’re going to end up hating me and our baby will too,” You mumble, picturing just what it’ll be like, complete silence in your house, absolute distaste burning behind Jungkook’s eyes when the number begins to glow above your child’s head.

“I…,” Jungkook’s at a complete loss of words, unable to comprehend just why you’d think that. “I’d never hate you,” He says rather sternly, as if he’s upset that you’d ever think that.

He catches it, the look on your face, one that says you didn’t believe him at all. It’s because he doesn’t know, you sigh, doesn’t understand what it’s like and you’ve experienced it one too many times, how people accept you at first despite your number but one by one, they all seem to leave you in the dust.

“Nothing will ever stop me from loving you… nothing,” He breathes, bringing up his hand to stroke your cheek, imploring for you to look at him. “Do you understand that?”

You neither nod or shake your head, your eyes simply downcast as you fiddle nervously with the pregnancy test in your hand.

“Whatever our baby’s number is, even if it’s a damn zero, I’m gonna love our baby all the same,” He smiles, prying the pregnancy test out of your hand so he can hold yours. “And I will always, always love you. That will never change.”

This time, you give him a little nod which makes him smile and he uses his thumb to rub comforting circles to the back of your palm.

“What if.. what if our baby hates me?” You frown. “I don’t want our baby to go through what I did, Kook,” You sigh, your shoulders drooping down as you refer to your painful childhood, the fact that you were viewed as if you were like scum simply because you had a single digit number. You don’t want to bring another human being into the world just for them to feel nothing but pain.

“Our baby won’t,” He reassures you, his tone strong and sure as if he was promising you that, but you know he can’t change what others would think of your child. “You and I are going to love our child so much that the sun is going to shine out of their ass because all they’ll ever know is love,” He smiles. “And, I’ll fight everyone and anyone who tries to hurt them or you, you hear me?”

You let out a light laugh, appreciating how Jungkook could make you feel better no matter the pain you feel in your chest and you smile at him affectionately. He takes the chance to press a light kiss to your cheek as if to let you know that he understands how hard this must be for you, that you must’ve been going over these thoughts again and again for some time now. The smile you have fades as quickly as it came though and he sees you lick the corner of your lips, tears threatening to reappear again.

“I… I won’t force you to… you know have a child,” He whispers, his hand giving yours a short squeeze. “It’s up to you love.”

“No, I want to keep it,” You answer almost instantaneously.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Jungkook tries to hide his excitement but he does a horrible job of it because he’s quite literally bouncing in his seat.

“I’m so happy, I really am,” He smiles before he calms down considerably, letting out a deep exhale as he placed his hand on your cheek to get your attention. “Listen I… I want this but only if you do. Don’t just say yes because you think that’s what I want you to say.”

“No, no,” You laugh. “I want this, I do.”

You really did, and maybe you just needed to hear that Jungkook was going to be with you every step of the way, that your child, no matter what, won’t have a childhood that’s anywhere close to yours.

“We’re having a baby,” He murmurs, almost as if he was talking to himself, then he turns to you. “You and me, our own little human!”

He’s so endearing it makes your heart hurt. He presses a kiss to your lips, something he had been wanting to do since you had uttered the two words that has made this day one of the best days in his life. He tells you again and again that he loves you and you tell him the same, thinking you’ll never grow tired of him, of his love. It’s a thought that begins to falter later on during the pregnancy because it’s as if your child is having a fucking karate lesson in your belly, kicking non-stop, especially when you wanted to sleep. Sometimes you almost feel like strangling Jungkook, wanting to scream at him because it’s his fault! He did this to you! He was the reason there’s a baby in your stomach but he pacifies you with fried chicken, even if it’s 3 am in the morning so, you let him live to fight another day. To be honest, this whole pregnancy thing scares Jungkook a little because sometimes you were moody, downright scary but he can only try his best to make the whole carrying a child in your belly thing less stressful by massaging your feet. For the most part, watching your stomach grow with size has been entertaining and he makes sure to take a picture each week just because and usually it’s a relatively ordinary process but one time you beckon him over, making him lie next to you.

“Watch this,” You smile as you lay on the bed.

He’s staring at your belly curiously, unsure what he’s supposed to be looking for because he sees it every day, leaves a light kiss on it all the time. Then he sees it, your belly moving as if there’s something growing inside and he lets out a light yelp. You laugh uncontrollably as Jungkook stares with his mouth agape. Of course, he knew you were pregnant, that you had a baby growing inside of you but yet he hadn’t really comprehended that until now. He whips out his phone just to record it because do people know babies do that? He didn’t. He wonders what Jimin would think of it.

“Okay, now go get me some fried chicken,” You command after having had enough of Jungkook rubbing his palm over your belly, just to be sure that it was your belly that was moving and not just him imagining it.

“Yes ma’am,” He answers with a salute.

four

Jungkook wishes he has more to say about this day but to be fair, he felt like he wasn’t even fully present on the day himself because he was genuinely about to shit himself when you told him your water had broke. He rushed you to the hospital, not forgetting to grab the bag that the two of you had already packed in advance, knowing that this day was approaching.

As you go through labour pains, you grip his hand, hard and Jungkook swears he might have a hairline fracture on a finger or two because boy did you have a grip but he understands and it’s a small price he’s willing to pay considering it isn’t him that is pushing out a human out of his damn body.

When he hears the first cry, his heart almost stops beating and then starts beating at twice it’s normal speed when the doctor turns to him to speak.

“Would you like to carry her?”

Her! A baby girl! Which he already knows from the ultrasounds early on in the pregnancy but still! Anyway, back to the question, would he like to carry her? Yes. No. Yes. No. What if he drops her?

“I’m uhh, not sure how to carry—”

The doctor laughs softly before he gives instructions to Jungkook like he has to many new fathers. Jungkook sways his crying child in his arms cooing at her as you look up at him with tired eyes. Even in your exhaustion, you manage a few tears, a lot less compared to Jungkook who’s kind of almost sobbing in the operation theatre.

_________, He murmurs the name the two of you had decided weeks ago. It fit her perfectly, he thinks, even if at this point, all babies look the same to him.

It’s the best day of his life… or at least one of, he smiles. He cradles his little baby in his arms for a few more seconds before he steps closer to you, letting you hold your child for the first time. A family, he sighs. A real one. And he was going to make it the best damn one.

five

Jungkook is cautious with his daughter at first because she’s tiny, fragile and he’s afraid he might break her by just touching her but his heart becomes goo in his chest whenever he sees her fidget in the crib, kick out her tiny little feet or you know just… breathe in general. He’s absolutely whipped for his child and why shouldn’t he be? He loves her and thinks she’s the cutest baby to ever exist and he doesn’t care if the lady in town says all parents think that their child is the cutest because she’s wrong, his child is the cutest, ever, no question about it… even if she’s the reason he gets exactly 0.2 hours of sleep every night. He won’t lie, parenting is extremely exhausting and he’s fought with you over these past months more than ever but in the end it’s all worth it when she’s asleep in the crib and he drags himself back to bed to cuddle with you.

Watching _________ grow up is magical to him. From the day she manages to sit up, to the day she manages to murmur things, to the day she takes her first steps with absolutely no help at all (which he managed to record!), every single milestone makes Jungkook smile until his cheeks begin to ache. He simply can’t believe that he has a child, often pointing down to her in the crib before looking at you to say, we made that! To which your reply is often, yeah, and I did most of the work, which he admits is true but still, the child is half him, he often reminds you.

He loves his daughter with everything he has and would completely spoil her if it wasn’t for you who was there to keep him in check and he thinks he’s done absolutely everything he could to make sure she knows that he loves her and yet, she still hasn’t said the thing he wishes to hear the most. She’s a 98, just like him which honestly, came as a surprise to both you and him but despite the matching number, she doesn’t do what he expects of her, doesn’t say what he’s been hoping to hear for a while now.

It’s frustrating for Jungkook but in all of her 7-ish months of life, she’s said a grand total of 3 words, that being,

Doggy, because Buster, he’s just a charmer. From babies to old ladies, he had ‘em all in the palm of his… paws.

Yum, often repeated twice, was codeword for I’m hungry and you better feed me before I start screaming.

And the one he was the least happy about,

Mama

You could see the pure disappointment on his face when his daughter uttered it not once, not twice but three times in a row as she stretched her hands outwards, wanting to be carried.

“I’ll carry you!” Jungkook exclaims. “You just have to say it! Say dad!” He instructs her but she simply turns away, looking at you as you swoop her up into your hands.

He repeats the word ‘Dad’ to her like a goddamn parrot, day in, day out, hoping that one day she would repeat after him, but she doesn’t. Jungkook’s given up hope, stops trying after weeks of saying the same word over and over, silently waiting for the day his daughter acknowledges him.

Luckily for him, the day comes not too long after when it’s a summer day where Jungkook is lazing around on the carpet, his daughter laying atop his chest, taking a nap. He has his hands beneath his head, eyes slowly fluttering as he feels himself drifting off to sleep but he’s startled awake when he feels his daughter move groggily on his chest letting out a few whines.

“_______, are ya awake?”

More whines before she’s rubbing at her eyes sleepily.

He places his hands on her, gently stroking her back as her eyes finally flutter open and a light smile finds it’s way onto Jungkook’s lips. It’s a miracle she isn’t crying like she usually does when she wakes up from her nap. She stares curiously at him as if there were a thousand thoughts going through her adorably tiny head.

“Dada.”

Jungkook stops breathing for a second and his mouth hangs open, in shock.

“Dada,” She repeats.

“Y/N!!!!” He screams, picking off _______ from his chest. “Get your phone!”

“What?” You call from the kitchen, your tone almost nonchalant as if Jungkook wasn’t witnessing the most important moment of his life right now.

“Your phone! Now!” He shouts as he scrambles to his feet, cradling _______ against him.

He makes his way to the kitchen to find you still busy, looking through the fridge, having absolutely no urgency to comply to Jungkook’s request. He stops right in front of you and you look up at him confused.

“Say it,” He coos, looking at _______.

She only gazes at him curiously, not understanding what he’s saying because of course, she’s a toddler.

“Doggy,” She replies, pointing to Buster who had just walked into the kitchen and you laugh boisterously when Jungkook’s face crumples in hurt.

“Jungkook,” You snort. “Leave her alone, won’t you? She’ll say dad someday… Just be patient.”

“She said it! I swear she did!” He exclaims. “Twice!”

“Yeah, sure she did,” You scoff.

“Did too!” He grumbles before turning to _______ . “Dad. Say it, say dad,” He coos, and you bring a palm to your face because here he goes agai—

“Dada.”

“Ha! Won’t you look at that!!!” He’s practically jumping and if he wasn’t carrying her, he would’ve probably done a summersault, a cartwheel, maybe even a damn split.

“Who’s your favourite parent? It’s me isn’t it?” He smiles down at _______.

“Please,” You laugh. “She’s only said it onc—”

“Dada!”

“Yeah, you’re right! That’s me! I’m dada! And you love me more than mama don’t you?”

“Dada,” Is her reply and Jungkook’s screaming internally because wow, what a day today is. The best day of his life. It’s the best damn day.

You want to be mad at Jungkook for being so annoying but again, it’s like he’s a huge man child and he’s so stupidly endearing that you can’t do anything but laugh.

“It’s okay, Y/N. Don’t be upset,” He smiles. “You’ve held the title of favourite parent for far too long okay? It’s time I had my chance.”

You only nod at him, giving him his moment of glory, pecking him on the cheek because how can you resist a man who argues with you about whether your daughter loves you or him more when your parents barely acknowledged your existence.

It’s been a simple day, a relatively normal day, at least for you… Jungkook would have something else to say about today but just like him, you concur that it’s one of the best days of your life because life isn’t really about the grand, great things to you, it’s about the simple things. It’s about how right now, you have a husband that loves you unconditionally and a daughter that you love unconditionally and really, that’s more than you could ever ask for. You no longer live each day, wishing the misery would end rather you live each day, embracing the love and happiness that you find around you. That isn’t to say every single day is just sunshine and rainbows, of course there are bad ones, many in fact, because life isn’t perfect but the good outweighs the bad and that’s all you’ve ever wanted.

Maybe life hasn’t played out the way you’ve always wanted it to, the family residence you called your home for so many years was still cold and unloving but life is about growing, about changing and if you had done neither maybe you wouldn’t have felt a world of hurt when everything seemed to have crumbled around you years ago but neither would you be feeling an unrivaled amount of happiness today, having Jungkook tease you over the fact that your daughter had switched allegiances, that he is in fact, the favourite parent to her. He’s insufferable, he truly is but maybe Jungkook was right when he gazed upon you as you finished saying your vows to him, the 7 word sentence he uttered at the altar still one of your favourite things he has ever said to you because it’s true, he isn’t your escape, he is your home.

p.s: wew it’s the end! this time for real! thank you all for reading!!! it’s been such a journey (’:

p.p.s: the explanation for why the daughter has a 98 is that technically the oc’s number is really high too because she’s a twin remember? (like flashback to chapter 7). Twins are special and it’s kinda known that they in general have really high numbers… just that in the mc’s case, it was unfortunate that the sister did not survive and hence the number couldn’t be re-balanced. also, about oc finding out about her twin… well, maybe in the distant future when one of her parents passes away…

I hope this epilogue answers all your questions but if you have any other questions, I’d be happy to answer!!! (like honestly really happy so ask away!) Thank you all so much for reading escape (‘:

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4 // Part 5 // Part 6 // Part 6.5 // Part 7 // Part 8 // Part 9

#bangtan bookclub #kwriterskollection #kpopwritingnet #bts fanfic #bts scenarios

556 notes · View notes

evansandblack · 7 years

Text

Silent Treatment - Nolan Holloway

Requested by the lovely @froygutierreez “can i request an imagine/one shot of where the reader is liam's younger sister and she has a small crush on nolan? like nolan had always liked her more than she likes him. anyway, and when he and gabe beat up liam, she doesn't talk to him for a while and nolan just keeps trying to apologise? when they do talk, they confess their feelings and have been a secret thing since then? ( im doing this for a story/rp thingy and may need some inspiration! )”

Warnings: Swearing, violence, mentions of blood, mentions of anxiety, death, and an extreme range of emotions.

Word Count: Just over 14k. (This got out of control. I could not. stop. writing.)

Note: The continuity, especially as far as it goes for time of day/general cycles of daylight and night, in S6 was a damn mess so I tried to make it a little more continuous for the sake of everyone reading this. There are still some time frames that don’t make much sense so please forgive, I am doing my best. Also, the reader in this is Liam’s twin sister. And this title made more sense before I actually wrote this whole thing but I’m sticking with it.

My phone was resting on the sofa next to me while I scrolled through Netflix to find a new movie to watch. I’d already watched a few romcoms throughout the day. I didn’t have much better to do since I was throwing up and running a fever, which effectively stopped me from going to school.

A quick succession of text notifications came up so I dropped the tv remote and picked up my phone to read them.

They were all from Corey and Mason.

I opened them up, expecting to see some “hope you’re feeling better” messages but that wasn’t the case. They had both texted me saying that Liam had been in a fight at the end of the day. More specifically, that he’d been beat up by two guys from the lacrosse team.

I immediately tossed the blanket from my lap, stood up, stuffed my feet into a random pair of sneakers, and went to get into my car.

There was a possibility that if I showed up at school after being called out sick that I could get accused of not actually being sick and then end up in trouble but I really couldn’t be bothered to care.

When I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed most of the cars were gone. Mason’s car caught my eye and then I noticed him and Liam standing next to it.

I parked in the spot next to Mason and got out, immediately running over to my twin brother. “Li, what happened? Are you okay?”

There was an absurd amount of blood on his face and I was furious.

“I’m okay, Y/N. I’ll heal.” He said. “You don’t have to worry.”

“The hell I don’t! Who did this?” I asked.

He didn’t respond but I could tell that Mason wanted to tell me.

“Why didn’t you at least defend yourself?”

“They were trying to get me to shift.” Liam stated.

My eyebrows flickered up. “What?! Who? How do they know?”

Liam explained what had happened with Brett and Lori, how he’d shifted in front of people, about the new hunter in town.

“Why didn’t I know about this before?” I snapped, folding my arms across my chest.

“It’s safer for you that way.”

My brother was the werewolf, not me, but I all but growled at him anyway. “If your life is in danger, it involves me. Don’t ever try to hide something like this again.”

He huffed and leaned against the side of Mason’s car. “Fine.”

“Now, tell me who did this.”

“Y/N, leave it alone.” He groaned.

I turned to Mason and glared. “Tell me. Now.”

He crumpled quickly. “Gabe and Nolan.”

At the sound of Nolan’s name, I felt my jaw go slack and my hands begin to shake. I knew Nolan, I’d thought he was my friend. We had a few classes together and we sometimes studied together in the library. We never saw each other outside of school but we had quite the habit of flirting. He was cute and smart and funny. But suddenly everything I thought I knew about him was gone.

Before I spoke, Mason did. He explained to me what had happened, how they’d basically just taken turns punching him until Coach Finstock broke it up.

“Where are they?” I asked.

“Principal’s office.” Mason said, as though it should’ve been obvious.

I nodded once. “Take Liam home while I go take care of this.”

“You’re kind of scary when you’re sick.” Mason muttered.

I narrowed my eyes. “I can get a lot scarier too. Please, just take him home.”

Mason agreed and I took off into the school, ignoring Liam’s shouts telling me not to do anything.

Gabe and Nolan were just walking out of the principal’s office when I made it to the hallway.

“Hey!” I shouted, drawing their attention as I stalked towards them.

They both stopped and stared, seeming more than a little surprised to see me coming at them.

“You started this, right?” I asked Gabe. “You threw my brother on the floor?”

He didn’t respond but I noticed a small smirk flicker across his face.

I walked the last couple of steps towards them, fisting my hand in the taller boy’s shirt and yanking him down so that he was closer to my height. My voice was shaking when I spoke, our faces only an inch or two apart. “I don’t know who the fuck you think you are but if you ever touch him again, I will gut you.”

“Promise?” He teased.

The hand that wasn’t fisted in his shirt went up to grasp him by the jaw, fingertips digging harshly into his skin. “Do you really want to find out?”

The venom in my voice even surprised me.

Gabe’s eyes went wide for a fraction of a second and he didn’t have a witty comeback.

I shoved him away from me and he stumbled backwards a couple of feet. “Go home, Gabe.”

When he disappeared down the hall, I turned my attention back to Nolan.

“As for you,” I pointed one finger at him and he immediately stepped backwards, hitting the lockers behind him, “I thought I could trust you.”

His mouth moved as he tried to sputter out a response but I merely cut him off.

“You’re a liar.” I stepped closer to him. “Don’t come near my brother, don’t come near me, don’t come near any of our friends.”

Even without wolf-hearing, I knew Nolan’s heart was racing in his chest.

“You’re a coward.” I said, giving him a shove that slammed him against the lockers. A bang echoed down the hall and I stepped away from him, turning to leave as tears threatened my eyes.

I left the school and headed home.

Later that night, and for several days after, I got multiple texts from Nolan. He tried to apologize, begged me to talk to him. Whenever he tried to talk to me in the halls or in class, I stared right past him, not reacting to a single thing he said.

No matter what he said, it didn’t change what he did. It didn’t change that he was there at the sheriff’s station with the rest of the hunters, another incident that I had not been informed of until it was all said and done. Rumors kept swirling around after that, ones about Nolan having something to do with Edgar’s death.

He showed up while I was digging my biology book out of my locker. He leaned against the locker next to me, seemingly waiting for me to acknowledge him.

I checked my reflection in the small mirror hanging on the inside of the door and even read a text, all while Nolan stood there.

“Are you going to talk to me ever again?” He asked.

I didn’t respond and I could tell that he was starting to get annoyed. When I shut my locker and headed down the hall towards class, Nolan followed after me. “Y/N, come on. Please just talk to me.”

Still, I refused to answer him.

He must have realized that this was going nowhere and he stopped following me. I was a few feet ahead of him when I heard him speak again, his voice sounded broken. “The silent treatment, really? At least yell at me!”

When I saw Sydney at the end of the hall, I called out to her and she greeted me with a smile before we made our way to class.

I was involved in the next part of the plan. Mason and I had gone to round up a bunch of fake supplies, making sure Nolan saw us, and he followed us to the zoo, just as we were hoping.

When two other hunters showed up, Liam and Theo were listening while they talked to Nolan. When they didn’t believe him, I watched in horror as Liam and Theo started an only half-fake fight to draw attention.

My fingers were laced behind my neck and I was facing the ground, walking in a circle when we noticed someone approaching the spot where we were hiding.

I peeked around the corner and saw Nolan walking around with a crossbow in his hand.

Liam and I kept peeking around to watch Nolan when Theo warmed us that if we didn’t stop, we were going to get caught. Neither of us listened and finally, he grabbed both of us and hauled us away but the sound of our footsteps caught Nolan’s attention.

Theo and Liam were arguing again, this time about Liam’s anger. I was trying to tell them to quiet down and keep moving so that we wouldn’t be found but it was almost as if they didn’t hear me.

I was second away from slapping both of them in the face when I heard an all too familiar voice just a few feet behind me.

“They’re up here!” Nolan called.

Before I could even turn all the way around, my brother had lunged, tackling Nolan right over the small ledge we were standing on.

I could hear them below, I could hear my brother growling and I could hear Nolan, the way his voice was shaking. I could see him point the crossbow unsteadily at Liam. I wanted to run down there and stop them from killing each other but Theo had a tight grasp around my midsection.

I was crying, fighting against him, demanding that he let go.

“If you go down there, he could shoot you too.” Theo said.

I shook my head, still trying to force my way out of his grasp. “No, he wouldn’t do that. Not to me. Please, Theo. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. And I know Liam’s angry. I know what happened here, I know why he’s angry.”

Theo was listening to every word I said but not responding. His grip hadn’t faltered once.

The weight of the situation, everything I felt, came crashing down on me in that moment. My shoulders slumped and I stopped trying to fight him off. I fell against him but he kept me on my feet. “That’s the difference between us, Theo. You can hear Liam’s heart, you can smell his anger, but I don’t have to do that to know. We’re twins, I can feel all of it right now. Please, let me help him.”

He finally caved, letting go of me but watching to make sure I didn’t immediately take off running. “Let me do it. Stay behind me, I’ll stop him.”

I nodded once before we ran down to where they were. Liam had Nolan against the wall. Nolan was crying as my brother repeatedly punched the stone wall beside Nolan’s head. I could hear the crunch of bones breaking in his hand when they made contact.

Then the claws came out and I thought I see Liam freeze for just a second, almost like he was thinking about killing him. And Nolan knew too.

I wanted to yell at Liam to stop but I couldn’t get any words out. I was frozen and speechless. I was terrified of what I was about to see.

Theo walked up behind Liam and knocked him out with a single punch.

My heart hammered in my chest but I could finally move again.

Nolan looked up at Theo and then over to me, his eyes widened when he saw the look on my face.

“Run.” I breathed, begging my voice not to quiver.

When Nolan took off, Theo lifted my brother off the ground and carried him to his truck, I followed behind, asking if it was really necessary to knock him out. Theo didn’t answer so I assumed that he believe that it was, in fact, really necessary.

We’d been driving for a while when Liam finally woke up again. I sat forward from my spot in the backseat, grabbed Liam’s chin and turned him to face me. I examined his face to make sure everything had healed. When I was satisfied with what I saw, I sat back and stared out the window. Theo and Liam were talking in the front but I was too tired to listen.

I ended up falling asleep a few moments later. I didn’t wake up again until Liam woke me. I was surprised to find myself in my bed.

“What’s going on? How’d I get here?” I asked, rubbing my face and leaned up on my elbows. It was too dark for me to be able to read the clock on my wall but it felt like it was either very late or very early.

“I carried you up here. That’s not the point right now.” Liam rushed. “Someone shot up Scott’s house.”

I sat up instantly. “What? Who? Is everyone okay?”

He shook his head and I noticed tears in his eyes. “Li, what happened?”

“Scott’s parents, Lydia, and Mason were all hurt.”

I didn’t know what to say so I grabbed my brother by the shoulders and pulled him in. I wrapped my arms around him and tried to convince myself not to start crying too. “Everyone’s alive though, right? Everyone’s going to be okay?”

“I don’t know. They all have to go in for surgery.” He whispered and I felt tears drip onto my shoulder.

“Should we go to the hospital?” I asked.

He shook his head. “We can’t. Scott’s going to be there, and Malia too. But we have to go to school.”

“We have to go to school while our best friend has a bullet inside him?” I said incredulously.

“We can’t run from this anymore. I’ve got to find out who did this.”

He pulled away and I sat back a little. “What makes you think we can find that out at school?”

“It could’ve been Gabe or Nolan. If not, I’m willing to bet they know who did do it.” Liam explained.

I nodded. “Right. Well, what are we supposed to do after that? Are you going to kill someone, Liam?”

He looked up at me, his eyes wide and his jaw slack. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t kill people, Liam. No matter how much you might want to, no matter what they might do to you. You have to try to solve things peacefully.” I said.

“Are you sure my sister and not Scott’s?” He asked.

I stuck my tongue out and rolled my eyes. “Ha. You know I’m right, Liam.”

“Y/N, you manhandled Gabe and Nolan after they kicked my ass.” He said.

I shrugged. “I’m human. And I wasn’t going to kill either of them.”

“You told Gabe you would gut him.”

I threw my hands up angrily. “What the hell? Were you eavesdropping?”

He nodded sheepishly.

“Oh my god. You’re unbelievable. When are you going to start understanding that I can take care of myself?” I whined.

“As soon as you start understanding that I can.” He shot back.

I groaned and flopped back against my pillows. “Okay, enough bickering. What’s the plan for school?”

“I’ll talk to Gabe if you can talk to Nolan.”

My heart stuttered for a second and I prayed he didn’t hear it. “Why do I have to talk to Nolan?”

“Because he was your friend.”

I shook my head. “I am not speaking to Nolan.”

“You need to talk to Nolan.”

I screeched out an agreement because I knew we were getting nowhere. “Fine! Jesus, whatever. I’ll fucking talk to Nolan.”

“Thank you.”

“Yeah, you’re welcome. Now get the hell out of my room, if we’re doing this, I need some sleep and so do you.” I said, pulling the blankets up around my shoulders and getting comfortable again.

Liam left after muttering a goodnight and I fell back asleep faster than I anticipated.

I woke up a few hours later when the alarm on my phone started blaring. I shut it off and quickly got out of bed before going through my normal morning routine.

When Liam and I left for school, he ran me through the plan again as though it were necessary.

I tried to talk to Nolan several times throughout the day but it seemed that he was now the one ignoring me.

When classes got out, I spent a little bit of time in the library, wondering if Nolan might show up there but he never did. I was walking back to my locker to grab one of my books when I heard footsteps coming from another hallway. I abandoned my locker and quickly ran and hid around the corner.

Gabe and Nolan came into view, talking in hushed tones. I noticed them heading in the direction of the locker rooms so I followed them as quickly as I could. As soon as they went into the room and the door clicked shut, I ran over and pressed my ear against the door.

“They wanted to know who shot up Scott’s house.” Nolan said.

“Yeah, but I didn’t tell them.” Gabe defended.

“Well how do you know who did it?” Nolan asked.

I didn’t hear a response.

“Gabe? What did you do?”

“I did it for you.”

My heart started pounding. I want to run in there and beat the shit out of Gabe but it wasn’t worth blowing my cover. He wasn’t worth it.

“You shot up a house for me?!” Nolan said, sounding surprised. “What are you trying to do? Get me killed?”

It’s a good way to do it. I thought.

“I’m trying to keep you alive. I told Monroe it was you so try being a little grateful.”

“You told her it was me?” The more Nolan spoke, the more scared he sounded.

“Why do you think you’re still alive?”

I heard footsteps approaching the door and I assumed it was Gabe. I took off back down the hall at a sprint. I didn’t stop until I got to my locker. I dropped my backpack to the floor, leaned back against the cold metal, and slid down to the ground. I wasn’t sure why I’d started crying but I didn’t know how to stop.

My sobs were so loud that I didn’t hear someone coming towards me.

“Y/N?” Nolan asked, scaring me enough that I flinched against the wall.

I looked up at him, trying to glare at him through my tears but failing miserably. “What do you want?”

He knelt beside me. “Are you okay?”

“Are you kidding me? You’re asking if I’m okay?” I rolled my eyes and used the sleeve of my sweater to wipe tears from my face. “You beat the shit out of my brother, your psycho friend shoots up Scott’s house for you; and you ask me if I’m okay?”

He didn’t respond, he only looked at me sadly.

“Honestly, of all the things I thought you were, Nolan, I didn’t think stupid was one of them.” I sneered.

“I’m sorry!” He blurted.

I laughed humorlessly. “That’s rich. You pointed a crossbow at my twin brother. And you expect a simple ‘I’m sorry’ to make everything better? Did you know there were humans in Scott’s house when Gabe decided to go Taxi Driver and just start shooting? Both of Scott’s parents got shot, Mason got shot. Humans! The people you’re allegedly so concerned with protecting.”

Again, he didn’t speak. He only stared at the ground.

“That could’ve been me. I could have been in that house. I could have ended up with a bullet in my chest. Do you think Monroe would give a shit? Or Gerard? They don’t care about saving human lives, they only care about killing supernaturals.” I slammed my head back against the lockers. “You really don’t get it. Scott, Malia, my brother – they’re the ones trying to keep you alive. To Monroe and Gerard, you’re disposable.”

His eyes flickered up to me and I could see the realization starting to set in. It seemed like maybe, just maybe, I was starting to get through to him.

“I liked you. God, I thought you were so cute. And funny.” I laughed again. “But now this. It’s ridiculous but I feel so betrayed. Tell me something, Nolan. If I were the werewolf instead of Liam, would you have pointed that crossbow at me?”

Tears sprung up in his eyes and he started to reach for me, his hands freezing in the air before touching me. “Y/N, I… No. I would never do that. Please believe me.”

“But you kind of did, didn’t you? Threatening Liam – hating Liam – is threatening me, too. We are twins. Can you understand that connection? You don’t get to like me and hate my brother. The Dunbar twins are a packaged deal. So if you’re on my team, you’re on his team too. But if you’re against him, you’re against me. And it’s time that you pick a damn side.” I finished, standing up from my spot on the floor. I brushed dirt from my jeans and lifted my backpack onto my shoulder.

He stood beside me. “I – I’m scared.”

I nodded. “I know. And I know why. Do you? It’s not just the wolves. If you wanna find out, if you want to understand, if you want to pick a side, you have my number.”

He smiled shyly. “O-Okay.”

I walked down the hall, towards the door. I’d made it halfway down the hall before he spoke again.

“Did you actually mean it?” He called, his voice sounding more confident that I’d ever heard before.

“Did I mean what?” I asked, turning to face him.

“About liking me?”

I nodded. “Yeah, Nolan. I really did.”

“Then help me.” He pleaded. “Help me understand. Show me what they won’t.”

I smiled a bit. “Okay. Take me to your place and I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

Nolan walked towards me quickly. “Yeah, okay. Let’s go.”

I followed him out to the parking lot and into his car. We didn’t talk much while he drove but the silence was far from uncomfortable.

There were no cars in the driveway when we pulled up to his house and it was quiet when we went inside.

“Do you want anything to eat or drink?” He asked, shutting the door behind me.

I shook my head. “No, I’m fine.”

“We can go up to my room, if you want.”

I followed him upstairs and to the end of the hall. His room felt oddly comfortable, all soft colors, a large bed, a desk covered with papers and pens, his lacrosse stuff laying in one corner.

“You can sit wherever you want.” He offered. “The bed’s soft but if you’re – if you’re not comfortable, you can sit in the desk chair.”

I dropped my backpack by the door and moved to sit down on the end of his bed.

He sat beside me, leaving enough space that made me aware that he was trying incredibly hard not to freak me out.

“So, what can you tell me?” He asked.

I shifted to face him. “God, where should I even start?”

“Start with Scott.” He prompted.

I nodded and began my speech. I explained how Scott was bit, about how he became an alpha, how incredible and rare it is for someone to become a true alpha. I explained how he bit Liam to save his life. I told him about how Scott saved my life when I was fifteen. I told him about the Beast, how we were all trying to stop it, how it was a product of the Dread Doctors and not a real werewolf. I told him about the anuk-ite, the way it heightens your fear and feeds off of it.

“So that’s why everything’s been so much worse? Why everyone is terrified?” He asked.

I nodded. “It’s not just the wolves, the coyotes, the banshees. It’s that thing. It’s making your fears even worse and Gerard and Monroe are using that fear to manipulate you. They’re scaring the shit out of teenagers, putting guns into your hands, and trying to tell you that the people who are trying to help you, are the ones you need to kill.”

Nolan groaned and fell back on the mattress, his legs still hanging off the end.

“Why did Theo stop Liam that day at the zoo?” He asked.

“For a lot of reasons, Nolan. He didn’t want Liam to become a killer, and neither did I. He knew that if he didn’t stop him, that I would’ve. Theo didn’t want me to get hurt, and I think he didn’t want you to be hurt either.” I explained.

“He doesn’t seem so bad.” Nolan admitted.

I laughed. “He wasn’t always like this. Scott still doesn’t trust him. But I do.”

“Even after what I did, you would’ve stopped Liam from hurting me?”

“Yeah, and I would do it again. Not just for Liam, either, but because I don’t think you deserve to die. Do you deserve a solid punch in the face? Maybe. But to die? Absolutely not.”

“Aren’t you just as scared?” He asked, sitting up again.

I nodded. “Yeah, all the time.”

“So why can you be like this,” his eyes searched mine for answers, “while I’m like this?”

“Fear affects people differently. For some, it makes them angry. Others shut down. I used to get angry, Liam and I have that in common.” I chuckled at the end.

“How did you stop being like that?”

My eyes focused on his, such a beautiful shade of blue. “I learned how to channel it into something else: compassion. I didn’t want other people to feel like I did. I tried to protect Liam and my friends and everyone else. I knew there was a chance people would react like this if they found out so I helped them keep it a secret. And whenever people did find out, I tried to help them to understand. I showed them that they’re not all bad. Are there creatures out there that thrive off of killing humans? Yes. But there are more out there that are like Scott, ones that want to protect you and me. There’s something that Lydia taught me once. ‘Not all monsters do monstrous things.’”

“I wish you would’ve told me this a long time ago.” He breathed.

“I wish you didn’t have to find out about this world the way you did. I wish we could’ve done more to protect you.”

“Are you part of the pack? Even though you’re human?”

I smiled. “Yeah, I am. I don’t have super strength or speed, I can’t heal that fast, I can’t predict death, but I can do other things. I’m smart, I care, and I do know how to fight.”

“So, that’s your super power? Caring about people?”

I laughed. “I think so.”

“What power do you wish you had?”

I didn’t hesitate before I responded because ever since I’d learned about the supernatural, it was the one thing I wished I could do. “To be able to take away pain.”

The way Nolan smiled at me then made my heart pound in my chest.

“Why don’t you ask me what you really want to?” I asked.

His eyes skimmed over my face, noticed my body language, and then flickered away before focusing back on my own eyes. “Y/N, I really like you. I have for a while now, ever since we had classes together last year. I’ve always thought you were beautiful and funny and smart…. And way out of my league.”

“That’s not a question.” I whispered.

“Can I kiss you, Y/N?”

I smiled. “I was hoping you would.”

He turned to face me more and placed his left hand on my face, the pad of his thumb tracing over my cheek as his eyes gazed into mine.

I noticed, in that moment, just how beautiful he was. His eyes were crystal blue, light freckles decorated his skin but the ones on his nose – darker than the others – were perfect, and his lips looked soft and inviting.

He must have noticed the way I looked at his lips because he closed the gap between us and let our lips touch. They were just as soft as I thought they would be.

I melted into the kiss and let my face lean more into his hand.

He pulled away just a fraction of an inch and I could feel his breath against my lips. “Was that okay?”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I grabbed the collar of his shirt and tugged him towards me until our lips met again.

His free hand moved to my waist and his fingertips gently pressed into the skin, keeping me close but not so tightly that I couldn’t move away if I wanted to.

But I didn’t want to move away. I moved closer to him and my hand traced from his collar up to the back of his head and my fingers toyed with his hair.

The sound of my phone ringing startled both of us and we separated with a gasp but I couldn’t convince myself to move away from him or to take my phone out of my pocket.

The ringing stopped but started again just seconds later.

“You should get that.” Nolan chuckled, pecking my lips one more time before moving away.

I pulled the phone from my pocket to see Liam’s face flash across the screen. I hit answer and lifted the phone to my ear. “Hey, Liam, what’s up?”

“Where are you?” He asked immediately.

“With a friend.” I said quickly. “We were studying. Is everything okay?”

“We need to talk. Should I come pick you up?”

“No, no. I’ll get a ride. Are you at home?” I asked.

“Yeah. Um, hurry, by the way.”

I sighed but agreed. “Okay, I’ll be there soon. Bye.”

We hung up and I turned my attention back to Nolan. “I need you to take me home.”

He nodded. “Of course.”

We didn’t talk much again while we were in the car but he did hold my hand while he drove and it felt nice.

When we pulled up in front of my house, I took off my seatbelt and leaned over to press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for listening.”

He smiled. “Thank you for teaching me.”

I nodded. “Anytime.”

I didn’t want to get out of the car but I knew Liam probably heard us pull up and he would get suspicious if I didn’t come inside soon.

“Listen, we need to come up with some sort of plan. We’ve got to do something about all of these hunters, for all our sake. We’ll talk tomorrow?” I whispered in case Liam was trying to listen.

“Yeah, you can come to my house again.” Nolan offered.

“Bye, Nolan.” I said, opening the car door and stepping out.

“Goodnight, Y/N.” He whispered before I closed the door.

When I got into the house, my brother was sitting on the sofa. He’d clearly been waiting for me.

“What’s going on?” I asked, taking a seat next to him.

He opened his mouth to speak but stopped. He leaned towards me and sniffed at my shirt. “Who were you with? I know that scent.”

I pushed his shoulders away. “What the fuck, Liam? I know we shared a womb but that doesn’t mean you get to sniff me.”

“Why do you smell like a boy?”

“I told you I was with a friend. I have friends who are boys.”

“You have a boyfriend?” He asked, his voice raising.

I sputtered. “Do you even listen? I said I have friends who are boys, friends who are of the male gender. Why are we even talking about how I smell? I thought you had some important information to share with me. Let’s get to that.”

Thankfully, he dropped the topic of the scent on my shirt. “You know how we found out the anuk-ite has two faces?”

“It’s not just Aaron. There’s another half.” I groaned.

He nodded. “Yeah, and it’s someone like us, like me. Another shapeshifter.”

I ran my hands over my face before letting them fall to my lap. “Okay, so do you have any idea who it is?”

“No, not really. We just know that we have to find them before the two halves merge.” He explained.

“Okay, what happens if they merge?”

He shrugged. “Not sure. We just know it can’t be good.”

“Of course. Nothing is ever good. It’s never positive. For once, why can’t we have some creature that brings happiness and love and positivity to the world instead of something that comes rampaging through the town, causing nothing but death and destruction? Why does it feel like we’re all five minutes away from being brutally murdered?” I realized I’d started yelling and I was thankful we were the only ones home.

Liam frowned. “I wish I could’ve kept you out of all this.”

“Why couldn’t you have just been the more dominant twin and absorbed me in the womb?”

His eyebrows furrowed. “I know I asked you before if you’re sure you aren’t Scott’s sister but now I’m starting to wonder if it’s Stiles instead.”

I glared but my face softened quickly. There was no time to argue, we had a much larger problem at hand. “Moving on… What else do we know about the anuk-ite?”

“Scott and Malia found this phone on a body in the woods and there’s a voicemail on it."

I cut him off. “You guys stole a phone from a dead body in the woods?”

“Malia did.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “That’s not the po- You know, never mind. Just… Continue.”

“Well, one of the bodies was stripped down to the muscle and you could still see the pack tattoo. It was a werewolf. That has to be the other half of the anuk-ite. If we can figure out who the person is that left the voicemail, they could lead us to its other half.”

“Okay. That sounds a lot simpler than it actually is though.” I said.

“Which is why you’re going to help.” He pulled a flip phone from his pocket and held it up. “Maybe you’ll recognize the voice.”

I kicked my shoes off and pulled my legs up onto the sofa, tucking them underneath me. “Okay, let me hear it then.”

He flipped the phone open and played the voicemail.

It was a woman’s voice and she sounded older. I was sure I’d heard her voice before but I couldn’t tell where.

When it ended, Liam immediately played it again. And then twice more after that.

“It’s someone at the school.” I said suddenly.

“How do you know that?” He asked.

I nervously bit at my lip before I answered. “I don’t… I don’t know. It’s just memory. I hear the voice and I can imagine being at school, staring at a chalkboard, being bored out of my mind.”

He played the voicemail one more time and I saw something click in his mind. “I think I know who it is!”

I sat up straighter. “Well, out with it then!”

“I think it’s Mrs Finch.” He stated.

“Play it one more time.” I said quickly.

He did and I could finally match a face to the voice. Liam was right and I knew he was.

“That’s her. That’s absolutely her.” I nodded. “There’s no question. It’s Finch. We’ve got to do something at school tomorrow. Try to prove that she’s a werewolf.”

His eyebrows furrowed. “Are you sure? What about the other students? The hunters? What if we end up just painting a target on her back?”

“Honestly, I think they probably already know about her. I mean, think about it. If she is a werewolf, she can probably smell that you are. And I mean, when Gabe and Nolan jumped you… You and Mason said that she didn’t do anything? She didn’t stop them?”

He nodded once.

“Okay, maybe she was scared? She knows that Gabe and Nolan are working with the hunters and she doesn’t want to give them anymore of a reason to come after her.” I suggested. “I know this could make her a target but think about it. If we can find out who she was calling, who that other body is, then we can find out who the other half is. If we can stop the halves before they merge, if we stop the anuk-ite, the war is over. If people aren’t scared anymore, then she should be safe. You should all be safe.”

“You’re right. If people aren’t scared anymore, they’ll stop trying to kill all of us.”

I let out a small sigh. “Right. So how do we prove it?”

Liam stared at the ground for a moment before his head snapped up. “Wolfsbane.”

“Can’t that kill her?” I asked.

He shook his head and shifted in his seat. “No. Well, yes, but no. If we can expose her to just a little bit of wolfsbane, she’ll react to. She might shift but we should be able to tell.”

“Sounds good. You should call Scott and tell him. Maybe he’ll have another plan if this one doesn’t work.” I said. “Oh, and speaking of plans, I have one. We don’t know how long it’s going to take to find the other half of the anuk-ite or what it’s going to take to stop it. So, until then, I think I know how we can get information about what Gerard’s army is doing.”

“Really?” His sounded almost excited. “What’s the plan?”

I frowned and picked at my nails. “Well, I can’t exactly tell you that yet. But please, just trust me. I have to look into it a little more but I know someone who might be willing to help us.”

“Is this the person you were hanging out with earlier?” He asked.

“Yeah. I know you’re not going to like it when you find out, but just trust that I’m working on something, okay?”

“Y/N, don’t do anything that could get you into trouble. Please.”

I folded my arms across my chest before speaking. “Liam, listen. Whether you like it or not, I’m part of this now. I am fully aware of the danger that I could be getting myself into, okay? But I’m not going to sit by and do nothing.”

He seemed to accept even though I’m sure he didn’t want to.

I stood up and started making my way towards the stairs before stopping halfway there. “You never told me what happened with Gabe.”

“I didn’t get anything.” He admitted.

I ran a hand through my hair. “Well, that’s okay. Because I did.”

Liam jumped up from his seat immediately. “From Nolan?”

I shook my head. “Not exactly. I heard the two of them talking in the locker room. Gabe was the one who shot up Scott’s house. Nolan had nothing to do with it.”

“You’re sure?” He asked.

“Positive. But let’s not worry about that yet. Tomorrow, we deal with Mrs Finch. If we can’t find the other half of the anuk-ite then we get Gabe.”

“Deal.”

I nodded once. ��Goodnight, Liam.”

My brother got up early the next morning to go talk to Scott so I texted Nolan and asked him if he could pick me up and we could talk on the way to school.

When he pulled up in front of the house ten minutes later, I was already waiting.

“Good morning.” He said as I got into the car.

“Hi.” I smiled but my face dropped when I noticed the dark circles around his eyes. “Did you sleep at all last night?”

He chuckled at my bluntness but shook his head. “No, not really.”

I sighed and reached for his hand. “I’m sorry, Nolan.”

He cut me off before I could say anymore. “No, you don’t have to apologize. I should. I’ve been a complete ass.”

I nodded. “Hmm, yeah, you have.”

He rolled his eyes playfully. “Seriously, I want to make up for it. I want to help.”

“Well, that’s great! Because I have a really fantastic idea of how you could help. But it’s also really dangerous. And now that I think about dangerous it is, I’m not so sure that I want you to do it.” I rambled.

He squeezed my hand gently. “Just tell me.”

“I was going to suggest that maybe you…” I trailed off, not being able to force the words out. “It’s just… We don’t know anything about what’s happening with…”

“If you want me to be a spy, I can be a spy.”

My shoulders slumped. “I really don’t want you to but I don’t know how else we can do this. There’s no way that we can go at this blind.”

We pulled into the school parking lot then so I knew we didn’t have much more time to talk.

“Monroe is calling a meeting. Everyone’s going to be there. I’m not sure what the point is yet but it must be important. I’ll go and get all of the information to you tomorrow.” Nolan offered.

“No! You can’t tell me.” I said.

His eyebrows furrowed.

“Well, I mean, you can tell me. But Liam doesn’t know you’re on our side yet or that we did that whole kissing thing. Anyway, you need to reach out to Liam. Text him, ask him to meet you somewhere, tell him you have a plan and that you have information. He may not like it but he’ll have to listen.” I stopped to take a breath. “After that, he’ll bring me in on it. Whatever information you give him, he’ll want me to hear too. Then we make our next move.”

“What’s the plan I’m supposed to tell him that I have?”

I chewed on the corner of my lip. “I didn’t get that far. I was hoping you might have an idea. Maybe you should wait until after the meeting to decide. You’ve still got time. Just… Whatever you do, make sure the plan is something you’re willing to actually go through with in case something else falls through. And make it believable.”

“What if he listens to my heart? He could know that I’m lying.”

I ran a hand through my hair and was surprised to realize that my hand was shaking. “He’ll just think you’re nervous or scared. If the plan is believable and you just seem freaked out, he should just go with it. And don’t tell me that plan first, I’ll have to be genuinely surprised when Li tells me about it.”

Nolan grabbed the hand that I had just run through my hair and squeezed both of my hands tightly. “Breathe. It’s going to be okay.”

“Are you telling me that? Or yourself?” I asked, noticing the fear in his eyes.

“Both.” He laughed nervously.

I smiled sweetly at him before looking around to make sure no one was watching us. When I didn’t see anyone, I leaned over the center console and kissed him softly.

When I pulled away, he tried to follow.

“I’ll see you in class, okay? I have to go find my brother now.” I said before hopping out of the car.

I waved to Nolan as I hurried towards the building in search of Liam. When I found him, he was standing outside of Mrs Finch’s classroom with Scott.

“Hey, Y/N.” Scott smiled when I walked up.

“Hi!” I smiled back. “Any new developments?”

Liam unzipped his backpack to show me a transmitter like the ones Argent used. “I have wolfsbane in my pocket, too.”

“Isn’t that uncomfortable?” I asked.

He shook his head. “It’s powder and only a little bit. I’m fine unless I breathe it in.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to take it?”

“No, you’ll take the transmitter.” Scott said.

“Okay, fine.” I unzipped my bag and took the transmitter from Liam before sliding it down between a couple of notebooks and zipping the bag up again. “The transmitter is plan A, I’m assuming?”

Both boys nodded.

I adjusted the straps of my backpack. “Well, alright then. I’m off to English for now. I’ll see you in bio later.”

For the rest of the day, I found it hard to pay attention during my classes. Most of the time I was sitting there with a notebook open in front of me and a pen in my hand but instead of copying notes, I found myself thinking about every little thing that could go wrong with every plan we had.

When I sat down in my math class, I was so distracted that I didn’t even notice Nolan take the empty seat in front of me until he spoke.

“Y/N, are you okay?”

“Huh?” My head snapped up and a I took a deep breath. “Oh, yeah, sorry. I was just thinking. Overthinking, maybe.”

His eyes bored into mine and I noticed him reach a hand towards me before stopping himself. “I don’t know how to help while we’re here.”

I forced a smile onto my face. “I know, Nolan. But it’s fine. I promise I’ll be okay. Just stick to the plan, alright?”

He nodded before turning to face the front of the room just as the bell rang.

The teacher started writing something on the board about trigonometric identities which I already understood so I tuned out the droning of his voice. I pretended to be copying the notes while I was really brainstorming ideas on how to take down Gerard’s army if we weren’t able to stop the anuk-ite before it was too late. The only semi-reasonable idea I had – bombs – was too deadly of one to entertain for much longer than twenty seconds.

When the bell rang at the end of class, I shoved my belongings back into my bag and hurried out of the classroom after muttering a quick goodbye to Nolan.

I ran to my locker to exchange a few books before making my away across the building to Mrs Finch’s room.

When I got there, Liam was sitting at a lab table by himself so I went to take the empty seat beside him. Before I could get there, Gabe took the seat.

I stood in front of Gabe, arms folded across my chest. “Move.”

He didn’t acknowledge me and before I could speak, Mrs Finch did. “Y/N, there are plenty of other seats. I’m sure you can find one.”

I faced her and tried to smile. “Of course.”

There was an empty chair at the lab table next to Liam’s so I sat there, dropping my bag to the floor beside me.

The bell rang and Mrs Finch called the class to attention by telling everyone to put their phones away.

When she turned away from the board, she seemed surprise to see Liam sitting there.

“I didn’t think we’d be seeing you again.” She said.

“Can’t let my GPA go down just because I got beat up in class.” He said, shooting Gabe a look.

Mrs Finch muttered something but nothing of any meaning came out. She then noticed Gabe typing something on his phone and took it away from him.

I wondered if he’d sent someone a text telling them that Liam was back.

When Finch turned her attention back to the board to start teaching, I looked over at Liam who quickly stuffed a pair of earplugs into his ears before giving me a nod. I reached down to lift up my backpack and pretend I was looking for something inside it.

I clicked on the transmitter and the top glowed red, confirming that it was on. I noticed Liam flinch slightly and another girl a few rows back covered her ears before running out of the room. Mrs Finch, however, didn’t react.

She turned away from the board and her eyes scanned the room. “Where did Rebecca go?”

I clicked off the transmitter and dropped my bag back to the floor.

My brother mumbled something, his mouth covered slightly by his hand and I knew he was talking to Scott who was out in the hallway.

When Mrs Finch called three volunteers to the board, a boy sitting behind me stood up and Gabe did. They both walked to the board, followed by Liam a second later. When Liam got to the board, he shoved Gabe to the side so he could stand there.

I had to stifle my laugh when I saw how pissed off Gabe looked.

My brother scribbled something on the board which was completely incorrect before pulling a folded up piece of paper out of his jacket and sprinkling wolfsbane over the eraser sitting at the bottom of the board.

Mrs Finch told Liam that he was doing the problem wrong and to sit down.

When she picked up the eraser to wipe away what Liam had written, she had to have breathed in some of the wolfsbane.

She coughed once and Liam and I could both see her shaking slightly. It looked like she could be close to shifting. Instead, she only sneezed.

I groaned internally and I felt my whole body droop in disappointment.

When I was sure we were getting nowhere, she dismissed the class.

Everyone was confused as to why but we all gathered up other stuff anyway.

“Not you, Liam.” She called. “You stay put.”

Our eyes met across the room.

I dropped my bag back to the floor. If Liam wasn’t leaving, neither was I.

“Y/N, you should go.”

I walked over to Liam and stood by his side. “Liam stays, I stay. We’re a packaged deal, Mrs Finch.”

“I get it. I know what you’re trying to do.” She said, her attention turned back to my brother.

“You do?” He asked.

“You’re upset.” She walked around her desk. “You want to get back at me.”

“Upset?”

“B-Because I stood by and I did nothing. For what Gabe and Nolan did to you. I’m your teacher and I should’ve protected you.”

“No!” Liam said quickly. “No, I-I mean, yeah. But no, that’s not why I’m here.”

Her brows furrowed and eyes narrowed for a millisecond.

“I know about your pack.”

Her forehead creased. “My what?”

“I know what you are.”

“Liam, I…” She looked away before looking back and I analyzed every little movement, her body language, the tiniest idiosyncrasies.

“You’re a werewolf.” He said, cutting her off.

The quirk in her brows gave her away before she responded. When she spoke, it was almost a laugh. “A what?”

“A person who turns into a wolf on a full moon.”

She laughed again. “Oh, god. Right. And I can probably only be killed by a silver bullet.”

“No, no, that’s not totally true.” I said.

“Are you on drugs?” She asked, stepping closer to us.

“Huh?” Liam and I chorused.

Mrs Finch stepped closer still. “I know your father is a surgeon at the hospital.”

“No, I’m not drugs!” Liam began.

“Mrs Finch, you’re a werewolf!” I finished in the same tone.

“Hydrocodone?” She asked.

“You have a pack.” He muttered.

“Oxycodone?”

“You said it on the phone.” I jumped in.

“That’s enough.”

Liam looked like he was fighting the urge to roll his eyes. “You can’t hide what you are.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about but you really need to go now. You need to leave this classroom Right now. You have to leave my class. Go!” Her voice rose almost to a yell when neither of us moved to leave.

A quiet beep behind me caught our attention and I heard the sound of her voice on the voicemail. When we turned around, Scott was standing there with the phone in his hand.

After a few seconds, she grabbed the phone from Scott’s hand and snapped it shut. “Where did you find this?”

I knew she wasn’t the anuk-ite but I was sure they would lead Liam and Scott to who it was.

“Y/N, you should go.” Liam said quietly.

“What?” I snapped. “Why?”

“If it shows up here, the other half, if they merge… We can’t protect you. You have to go.”

I shook my head. “No, Liam. I’m not going.”

“Please.” He begged. “For once, please just listen to me and get out of here.”

“No!”

Liam grabbed my shoulders tightly. “Please. I don’t know if I can keep you safe.”

“I’m part of this now, Liam! I have been ever since you told me what you were. You need me now too.”

He groaned. “Then at least go wait in the car so that if we need to get out of here fast, you can be our getaway driver.”

I rolled my eyes as he shoved his keys into my hand. “I can’t believe this.”

I didn’t say goodbye before grabbing my bag and walking out the door.

When I got to Liam’s truck, I opened the door and climbed into the driver’s seat. I stuck the key into the ignition but didn’t turn it on yet.

I wanted to know what was going on inside, I wanted to know what everyone else was doing. It didn’t know where Theo was or Mason or Lydia or Malia. There were so many other plans that were in action that I didn’t know about.

I wondered if Nolan was already at that meeting Monroe called. I wondered if he was safe.

I waited in the car for what had to be hours. It was starting to get dark and I hadn’t seen or heard anyone come or go from the school.

My hands started shaking and I felt like I was on the verge on an anxiety attack. I didn’t know if Liam was safe. I wanted to run inside to find him but I was scared that if I left the truck, something else might happen. If he was safe, we might not be able to get away. My breathing grew heavier and I leaned forward, resting my head against the steering wheel and trying to calm down but I couldn’t.

I tried every technique I had but I couldn’t stop freaking out. My heart was pounding in my chest and tears streamed down my cheeks. I felt like I might pass out. But that was when I realized it.

The anuk-ite, at least half of it, was close.

From the school, I heard this shrieking sound that made goosebumps come up over my whole body. Minutes later, I heard the same screaming.

I didn’t know what the hell was going on but I turned the key, hoping that Scott and Liam would come running out at any second.

A girl came running out of the building and towards the library. Liam followed soon after her.

Lydia’s car screeched to a halt next to the truck and I almost screamed. I jumped out of the car at the same time as her and Malia. “Lydia! Malia! What are you doing here?”

“They’re both here. Both halves of the anuk-ite. If they merge, you’ll die if you look at them. We have to get Scott and Liam now.”

“Scott is in the school still. But Liam just ran into the library.” I said.

Right after I said my brother’s name, I heard him roar from inside the library and my heart felt like it dropped into my stomach.

I had to ignore the feeling of dread and I took off in a dead sprint towards the library doors. Lydia followed me while Malia went to find Scott. What we didn’t notice was the group of three men with guns walking into the school.

The moment I got inside the library doors, I saw Liam standing there, facing away from me. There was the body of a girl laying lifeless on the floor and it felt like I was on the verge of a heart attack.

Lydia and I grabbed Liam by shoulders and pulled hard, leading to the three of us toppling through the doors and onto the sidewalk outside.

“We have to run!” Lydia said.

We got up and followed her when she ran into the school.

“What are you doing?” Liam asked. “Quinn and Aaron merged, we have to stop them.”

“You can’t” I said, grabbing his arm and pulled him along.

“You can’t look at it. If you do, it will kill you.” Lydia informed. “We have to find Scott and Malia and get out of here.”

We turned down one hallway and I froze. There were two bodies on the floor, two men with guns. But they weren’t just dead, they were turned to stone.

“That’s what it does.” I breathed. “If you look at the anuk-ite, that’s what happens to you.”

“How do we fight something we can’t look at?” Liam asked.

Lydia shook her head slowly. “I have no idea.”

“We have to learn to fight without our eyes.” Scott said as he walked up behind us with Malia.

“Fight without seeing, that means…” Malia trailed off and looked at Scott.

“Deucalion.” Lydia confirmed.

While I’d never actually met Deucalion, I had heard plenty of stories about him. And from the stories I heard, he didn’t seem like the kind of person that I wanted to associate with. Guys who call themselves “Death, destroyer of worlds” don’t often make good company. But I knew he was blind and damn near impossible beat despite that so if he would be willing to help, then I might have to introduce myself.

We all went home that night feeling a wide range of emotions. Mine mostly consisted of fear, anger, and pure exhaustion. I wanted nothing more than to crawl in bed and sleep for two weeks. But when I got into my bed, I couldn’t fall asleep. I tossed and turned for hours.

I finally fell asleep around five a.m., only to be awoken by my brother when he came barging into my room less than two hours later.

The sound of my door being flung open and slamming against the wall jarred me from my sleep and I sat bolt upright in bed. The pocket knife that I kept under my pillow was open and in my hand within a second.

Liam, however, did not seem at all bothered by my weapon. “Get up.”

I glared him but I did not lower the knife. “Even though I now know that you aren’t an intruder, I’m still willing to stab for you the extremely unpleasant wake up call.”

“Then get it over with so I can heal and change clothes before we have to leave.” He sighed.

I rolled my eyes and clicked the knife shut. “What do you want? I never get up this early and you damn well know that.”

“Your buddy texted me.” He said, tossing his phone into my lap.

I picked it up and checked the screen. There was a text message from Nolan asking Liam if he would meet him in the library before class.

“What are you going to say?” I asked, tossing the phone back to him.

“I was going to ask what you think?”

I pretended to think about it for a second even though I had spent most of my time awake during the night deciding what I would say in this kind of situation. “I think you should meet him. I mean, I know him a little better than you so just… Believe me when I say that I don’t believe he’s actually a bad guy. He’s like everyone else, he’s acting out of fear. And you’ve seen him, he was anxious enough before the anuk-ite. Who knows? Maybe he can tell us something we don’t know, something about Monroe or Gerard.”

“If you want me to go, then you’re coming too.”

I faked being annoyed. “Whatever, fine. Get out so that I can get dressed.”

When he left, I got out of bed and headed towards my closet. I pulled out a pair of jeans, a black tshirt, and a pair of boots. I was too tired to try to look any nicer than that. The fact that I’d chosen jeans over leggings or sweats was a feat in itself.

I grabbed my brother’s lacrosse hoodie from my desk chair and pulled it over my head before I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs.

“Are you ever going to give my hoodie back?” Liam asked around a mouthful of cereal.

“Absolutely not. And have same manners, please.” I said as I grabbed an orange from the fruit bowl and began peeling it.

I only managed to eat half of the orange before the anxiety I’d been feeling made me want to throw up. I tossed the remainder into the trash before pulling out my phone to text Nolan.

The plan is a success so far. We’ll see you at the library in a bit. I typed and hit send.

When Liam finished his cereal, he placed the empty bowl in the sink and we took off.

“Let me do most of the talking.” Liam said when we pulled into the school parking lot and got out of the truck.

I quirked an eyebrow at him. “And why should I do that?”

“Haven’t you noticed that he turns into the physical embodiment of the heart eyes emoji whenever you talk to him?” Liam asked. “If this is going to be successful, we need you not distracting him with your female ways.”

“What the hell does that mean? Female ways? That sounds incredibly sexist, Liam Dunbar.” I smacked his arm.

He stopped walking and I followed suit. “What I’m saying is that he is a 16 year old boy. Every shred of attention that you give him just fuels his hormones.”

I rolled my eyes aggressively and continued walking. “As if you were not a 16 year old boy last year. As if you didn’t act the same damn way with Hayden.”

“That’s not the point.” He defended.

I decided to drop it, knowing that Liam and I could argue for hours at a time and end up with no clear winner.

We walked into the library and found a secluded spot off to one side so that when Nolan showed up, we’d be able to talk more privately.

I was about to text Nolan to tell him we were there when I heard the doors open again and I peeked between a couple of shelves and saw him coming inside. I noticed that a lot of people were shooting weird looks at him and I could see how much it bothered him.

“Doesn’t feel good, does it?” Liam said when Nolan got closer. “You know why they’re all looking at you like that?”

“They’re afraid of me?” He asked.

“They’re afraid of what you’re going to say, and who you’re going to say it to.” Nolan eyes focused on the ground when Liam spoke. “Nobody trusts you anymore.”

“Then why are you here? How come you texted me back?” Nolan asked.

“’Cause maybe this time I’ll kick your ass.” My brother said, beginning to get in Nolan’s face.

I grabbed his elbow and pulled him back a few inches. “Li, don’t. Please.”

“I said I was going to help. I can show you something. Something I know you’re going to want to see.”

“Where?” Liam asked.

“A-At the hospital.” Nolan’s voice quivered and I couldn’t tell for sure if he was acting or if he was actually feeling freaked out.

I noticed my brother turn to look back at me. His eyes narrowed and I felt like he was getting suspicious of how quiet I was being so I decided that I needed to up my own performance a bit. I still had to keep up the lie of not trusting or liking Nolan. “Why can’t you just tell us? Why should we trust you?”

Nolan’s voice was still shaking slightly when he spoke again. “Because I had a plan.”

“You? You have a plan?” Liam asked.

“Yeah, yeah, I..” He stopped to take a deep breath before continuing. “I’m gonna show you what you need to see at the hospital. Then you’re gonna kick my ass so Miss Monroe thinks that you had to beat the information out of me.”

I felt my own heart speed up and since I was standing a bit behind Liam, I mouthed my disdain at Nolan. Are you fucking serious?!

He didn’t respond obviously but I know he noticed.

Liam seemed to think about it for a second before nodding. “Yeah, I’m good with that plan.”

I immediately wanted to slap both of them. “No, what the fuck? We can’t… No one needs to get the shit beat out of them today.”

“Miss Monroe might come after me if it becomes obvious that I’ve switched sides.” Nolan said.

I threw my arms up in the air, holding them there for a second before bringing my hands down on top of my head. “I can’t believe this shit.”

Neither boys responded to me and I felt like I wanted to let out a scream that would make Lydia proud.

“Are we going now?” I asked.

“We can’t skip class.” Liam said.

I furrowed my eyebrows at him. “As if that’s ever stopped either of us before. As if that ever stopped Scott and Stiles. Come on, it’s like being part of the pack means that you have to skip school at least once a week.”

“No, we aren’t skipping school again, Y/N. We’re seniors, we have to stay alive and graduate on time.”

I rolled my eyes. “I literally cannot believe this. I’ll see you in biology unless I decide to drop out, move away from here, and start raising cows in Montana before then.”

I left the library without saying goodbye to either one of them and headed to my first period class.

The day only seemed to drag on and I felt increasingly frustrated with every passing hour. By the last period, when I was sitting in biology with Liam, I was wiggling my leg and tapping my fingers almost constantly. I didn’t know what Nolan was going to show us but I knew it probably wasn’t good and I just wanted to find out so that we could move forward with the next phase of the plan.

When the final bell rang, we hurried out of the school, got into the truck, and followed Nolan to the hospital. Once we were parked, we all headed inside together.

Nolan was leading the way while Liam and I walked side by side behind him.

He opened the door to one of the waiting rooms and we went inside but he stopped Liam and I before we could completely round the corner.

“See that guy?” He asked, pointing to a male nurse who was talking to a little boy. “That’s why we didn’t come in front door.”

“Who is he?” Liam asked.

“He’s with Monroe. He was there last night. They handed him a gun like everyone else.” He then pointed to a blonde. “Do you see that, that nurse right there? She was standing right behind me. There’s more than you think and they’re not just hunters. It’s anyone and everyone who’s willing to pick up a gun. Last night they were teaching them how to use them, how to load clips, what to do if the gun jams.”

“Nurses?” I asked, leaning heavily against the wall.

Nolan nodded. “Everyone.”

“So this is what you wanted to show me? That people hate us? I could’ve figured that out on my own.” Liam was starting to get angry so I grabbed his arm and gave him a quick squeeze, just as a little reminder to try to stay calm.

“But it’s not just that.” Nolan sighed and placed his hand on Liam’s shoulder. “Come with me, okay?”

A phone rang at the nurses’ station and the blonde turned to answer it.

“Now!” Nolan said in a hushed tone and we followed him across the room and down another hallway.

We took an elevator up a couple of floors. Before we stepped out, Nolan held his arm out to stop us. He looked around to make sure we were okay to go in and then let us follow.

We followed him through a set of swinging doors into a dimly lit room containing three beds. There was a man in each bed, all attached to an IV pumping a purple liquid into them.

“They brought them in yesterday.” Nolan told us.

“Who are they?” Liam and I asked.

“I-I don’t know, but they brought them in last night.”

I walked over to one of the IV bags and took a closer look. I immediately knew what the purple tinged liquid was.

“Do you know what that is?” Nolan asked.

“Wolfsbane.” I said, feeling my hands clench into tight fists. “They’re killing them slowly.”

Liam looked over at me. “What do we do? We have to do something.”

I shook my head. “I-I really don’t know, Liam.”

“I’m calling Mason.” He said as he pulled his phone from his pocket.

He walked towards the doors where he stood to talk to Mason while I walked around the room, looking at each man that was hooked up to an IV. I didn’t recognize any of them but I knew that they were probably suffering.

My hands were shaking and I had to force myself not to start crying. Everything was starting to feel like it was too much and I didn’t know what to do anymore.

Liam hung up the phone a minute later and Nolan spoke. “Okay. Uh, I’m going.”

“Whoa, whoa. What about your plan?” Liam asked and stopped him from leaving.

“Nobody saw you come in with me…” He said.

“So?”

“So, I don’t have to get my ass kicked.” Nolan said, an undertone of hope in his voice.

“That was the only part of the plan that I liked.” Liam said.

I walked over from where I was standing. Nolan seemed to have accepted what Liam said but I hadn’t. “Li, come on. Please be nice. He’s trying to help. At least now we have a little bit more information to go off of.”

“Go.” Liam said to Nolan and nodded towards the door.

Nolan chuckled and smirked before walking out.

Liam and I lingered for a minute.

“Mason and Corey are on the way.” He told me.

I nodded. “Okay, good. They can help us figure out what to do next.”

“Can I ask you something?”

I wanted to say no because I was afraid of what he would ask but I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Why do you suddenly seem like you’re protecting him?”

I played with a loose string on my sleeve. “It’s not just him. I’m trying to protect everyone, Liam. I’m tired of people dying and getting hurt constantly. I can’t stand it. And he’s a scared 16 year old. He made some mistakes but I don’t think you need to kick his ass when he’s here, putting himself at risk, trying to do something to help us. I could be in his position if I didn’t know all of the things that I know. If you weren’t my brother, if you weren’t a werewolf, we could be on the other side of this.”

My phone rang from my pocket, interrupting the conversation. When I checked, it was a text from Lydia. When I read what she said, my heart started hammering in my chest and I felt lightheaded.

“What is it?” Liam asked, hearing the change.

“Lydia. It starts tonight, the war starts tonight.” I said, putting my phone away before I dropped it. “We aren’t ready, Liam.”

We walked towards the doors and looked out through the windows. There was no one around, no nurses or doctors in the hallway. And suddenly the power cut out, leaving us in the dark for a few seconds before the emergency lights kicked on.

“I think this was planned. To get us here. You, me, Mason, and Corey. They’re trying to spread all of us out.” I said.

“Nolan.” Liam accused.

I shook my head. “No, Liam. I really don’t think it was him. Monroe and Gerard have been manipulating him, they probably figured out that he’s on our side now. They knew he would pull something like this.”

I pulled my phone out again, ready to text Mason and Corey to tell them to stay as far away from the hospital as possible but I had no signal. “Do you have service?”

Liam checked his phone and shook his head. “No, none.”

“They’re using a cell jammer, I think.”

He put his phone away. “We can’t leave yet. We don’t have a plan. I’m not letting you go out there and get yourself killed.”

I nodded. “Right. Okay, so, we wait a few minutes. See if we can figure something out. If not, we just – we just have to go for it.”

He agreed reluctantly.

We waited by the doors, looking to see if anyone showed up. And we were both trying to figure out what the hell we were supposed to do.

Liam turned around suddenly and I saw one of the men we thought were werewolves pointing a gun at him.

A shot rang out and I screamed, thinking for sure that the bullet was going to hit my brother.

It missed and before I could react further, Liam had grabbed the guy and thrown him through the doors. I watched as he went sliding into the wall and was knocked out when his head hit.

I followed Liam out of the room and to my left, I heard the sound of a gun being cocked. When I turned, I saw five men holding guns. Gabe was one of them.

“Let me do it.” He said, pointing the gun at Liam.

I stepped in front of my brother, blocking his body with my own. “Go, Liam. Get out of here.”

“Y/N, move out of the way.” Gabe said.

In that moment, I wished so desperately that I were a werewolf that so I could rip his throat out. “Fuck you, Gabe. If you want to kill Liam, you’re killing me first. And you better hope you do kill me because I swear to god, I’m hoping to live up to the promise of gutting you.”

I looked behind me for a fraction of a second to see if Liam had moved. “Liam, go, please!”

I heard him start backing up.

“Go ahead, Liam, run! It’ll be more fun that way.” Gabe spoke.

I began backed up, keeping myself in front of Liam.

We were almost to the wall and I didn’t know what we were going to do.

The elevator dinged behind us and the doors slid open. Liam grabbed the back of my shirt, roughly yanking me into the elevator and I fell to the ground, flattening myself out as they started shooting.

The door slid closed and I looked up to see that Theo had pulled Liam and I into the elevator before we could both be killed.

“What are you doing here?” Liam asked, breathing heavily.

“Was just asking myself the same thing.” He replied.

I could hear bullets still hitting the elevator doors when Liam grabbed me and helped me to my feet.

“Are you okay?” He asked. “You’re not hit are you?”

I shook my head, tears filling my eyes. “I’m not hit. But I’m not okay either. None of this is okay.”

He pulled me into his chest. “Hey, just calm down. We’ll get out of here. I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

I sobbed into his shirt and felt one of Theo’s hands on my back.

“We’re getting out of here.” Liam said. “Alive.”

I pulled away from him and wiped my face. I took a deep breath and gave him a nod. “You’re right. We’re getting out of here. And do you know why? I’m tired of being scared. And right now, I’m a lot more fucking pissed off than I am scared.”

Theo chuckled at my words. “I like this side of you.”

I wanted to laugh but I didn’t quite have it in me.

The sound of the bullets had stopped but I wasn’t sure if Gabe and the rest of them were gone. “Are they still out there?”

Liam nodded.

“Look, I’m not dying for you.” Theo said, speaking to my brother.

“I’m not dying for you either.” Liam responded. After a second, he continued. “But I will fight with you.”

“Okay. Let’s fight.” Theo said.

I watched as they both shifted, their eyes began to glow and the claws came out. “I-I can’t do that. What do I do? I can’t do anything.”

“Stay back.” They said at the same time.

Theo pushed me over to the side of the elevator so that when the door opened, I would still be protected.

He pushed the button to open the doors and as soon as they slid open, Theo and Liam ran out as gunshots rang out. A minute later, I could hear various blows landing but there weren’t anymore gunshots.

I peeked my head around and stepped out before the doors slid shut again.

One of the guys was on the floor and he reached for his gun again, he was about to take a shot when Melissa came around the corner with the stun gun Argent had given her and used it on him.

He dropped instantly and Nolan came around the corner next. As another guy moved to get up, Nolan grabbed his gun from the floor and used the end of it to hit him.

I looked toward the end of the hall and saw Gabe standing behind Liam and Theo, getting ready to shoot. I began screaming at them. “Get down!”

Melissa, Nolan, and I all dropped to the floor instantly while Theo and Liam tried to run towards us. Nolan scrambled towards me, pulling me underneath him and blocking me from the chaos.

When I finally looked up, Liam was fighting with Gabe, trying to wrestle the gun away from him. Someone else had come into the hallway, a man I didn’t recognize and he was holding a handgun in one hand and a walkie talkie in the other.

He said something into the talkie that I couldn’t understand and I tried to move to do something, to get the gun away from him but Nolan held me down. “Don’t. Don’t get in the way.”

I heard Monroe’s voice come over the talkie. “Shoot them! Shoot both of them!”

Nolan’s head shot up and he looked at the guy for a second before nodding to Melissa and I and getting up to move up behind him.

The guy opened fire and Liam dove out of the way. I saw one of the bullets go straight into Gabe’s chest and I felt more tears well up in my eyes. What bothered me the most was that he didn’t stop shooting, He kept sending more bullets right into his torso until Nolan hit him in the back of the head with a fire extinguisher.

I watched as Gabe dropped to the ground, not yet dead. He crawled his way over to the wall, groaning the whole time. He propped himself up against it while we all made it to our feet.

Liam and Theo had both been shot but were already starting to heal.

I walked ahead of everyone, watching how blood dripped from Gabe’s mouth, down his chin. His shirt was soaked and I knew he wasn’t going to make it. After everything I’d said, I realized I didn’t mean it. I wouldn’t have killed him, I couldn’t. And no matter what, he didn’t deserve to die like this.

“It hurts.” He choked out, his eyes meeting mine. “It hurts.”

Theo walked towards him while Nolan moved closer to where I stood.

Tears streamed down my face as Theo knelt beside Gabe, pushed his sleeve up his arm, and grabbed his wrist. I watched as their veins both turned black and Theo took away Gabe’s pain.

“Does it hurt anymore?” Theo asked.

Gabe shook his head and breathed out a quiet “no.”

“Good.” Theo said, lowered Gabe’s hand back to his lap as his eyes slid shut and he stopped breathing.

I felt Nolan stumble beside me a bit and I didn’t hesitate to wrap one of my arms around his waist to help steady him. We clung to each other, held each other up. And I didn’t even care if Liam didn’t approve. Nolan needed me in that moment, and I needed him.

After that, it was all over. There were no more gunshots ringing out. I didn’t feel as afraid as before.

My phone rang again and it felt awkward to answer it when Gabe was dead on the floor in front of me but I knew it was probably important.

It was Scott. “Y/N, are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, Scott. We’re all okay, I think. What about you? Is anyone hurt?”

Liam moved towards me while I listened to Scott’s response.

“No, not that bad. We’re all going to be okay. The aunk-ite is gone.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank god.”

“We’ll see you soon, okay?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Soon.”

We said goodbye and hung up.

The sound of a voice coming over the walkie talkie belonging to one of the hunters caught our attention. It was Monroe asking for information at what was going on.

Liam picked up the talkie and pressed the button before speaking. “You lost.”

I almost laughed before turning more towards Nolan, wrapping my other arm around him.

He squeezed my shoulders tightly and held me to his chest. I felt him press a kiss to the top of my head.

“It’s going to be okay.” I whispered. “And we couldn’t have done it without you.”

Liam walked up behind me. “Is this who you were studying with?”

I pulled away and turned to face him. “It was. But we didn’t study. I helped plan a lot of this. I told him everything.”

Liam looked to Nolan. “Is this true?”

Nolan nodded and smiled down at me. “Yeah, she taught me everything I needed to know. She’s the one who told me to text you after that meeting.”

My brother shook his head but smiled. “I should’ve known you had something to do with this. You’re way too protective over this kid.”

I shrugged. “What can I say? I kinda like this one.”

“You’re sure?”

I nodded. “Positive.”

He turned his attention back to Nolan. “I have claws. If you hurt my sister, I will use them on you.”

Nolan gulped. “Message received.”

“Play nice.” I said. “We might not be standing here if it weren’t for him.”

I stepped away from Nolan to hug my brother.

He held me tightly. “I love you.”

I smiled. “Love you too, Li.”

“You saved my life tonight.” He said. “Standing between me and those guys.”

“I would do it again tomorrow if I had to.” I assured him.

When we separated, I walked over to Melissa. She held her arms out and pulled me.

“Thank you for everything.” I said.

“Anytime, sweetheart.”

Mason and Corey had joined us so I pulled both of them in at the same time. “I love you guys. I’m happy you’re okay.”

Theo was the only person left. We locked eyes before I walked over to him. “And you…”

He frowned, probably thinking I would be unhappy with him for whatever reason.

“Thank you. You saved Nolan’s life, you saved my life, you saved my brother’s life. You took away Gabe’s pain. You’ve proved a lot of people wrong recently.”

His eyes went wide and he smiled. “Get over here.”

I ran towards him and he scooped me up in a hug.

“Thanks for always seeing the good in me.” He whispered.

“None of us are all bad, Theo. Not even you.” I said.

He released me a few seconds later and I smiled at all of my friends.

Nolan was gazing at me, one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen gracing his face despite the few tears that still lingered in his eyes and on his cheeks.

I grabbed his hand and laced our fingers together as we started making our way out of the hospital.

The moment we got outside into the cool night air, I turned towards him and placed my hands on his face. I stretched up onto my toes and kissed him. His hands landed on my waist as he kissed me back.

Liam cleared his throat from a few feet away. “That’s enough of that.”

Nolan and I both giggled as we separated.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts before I spoke again.

“We did it. We won this. We were scared out of our minds but we still won. We worked together, even some of us that we didn’t expect.”

My lungs pulled in the first steady breath I’d taken in what felt like weeks and I smiled as I finished speaking.

“We can go home.”

#nolan hollway imagine #nolan holloway #nolan imagine #teen wolf #teen wolf imagine #froy gutierrez

437 notes · View notes

alsklingwille · 7 years

Text

skam fic rec masterpost

here’s a huge fic rec list of some fics that i have read and am currently reading and im in love with

big thanks to fic writers! yall are amazing and so important to the fandom <3

(ps i’m so sorry i had to shorten up the summaries on some of them so it wouldnt be too long!!)

(pps i update this very frequently as i read so feel free to come back from time to time to look for any new fics!)

make sure you read the trigger warnings for some fics as they can get angsty!

okay here we go :) happy reading <3

______________________________________________________________

finished works

whose world is this (1k) - withoutwords

It’s the same Isak who does his own laundry, and cooks his own dinner, and calls his dad for money. But now he kisses boys.

love me harder (1k) - tech_ftw

In which accidentally being added to a group text has unexpected consequences. Like falling in love.

puppy love (1k) - radiantarrow

Even and Isak move in together, talk about adopting a puppy, and are in love.

tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow (2k) - withoutwords

The walk back to school is long. Strangers and students and friends all staring, like he has it printed big and bold across his forehead. Homo. Home Wrecker. Loser.

sweet (2k) - lisforlove

Isak is drunk and needy.

comacrescendo (2k) - stormboxx

His ears are ringing. Feels the taste of blood in his mouth. There’s hatred in his thoughts, and a nuclear bomb in his chest.

you're intertwining your soul with somebody else (2k)- cosetties

Isak's roommate is probably homophobic, or whatever, but that doesn't stop his crush from forming.

(Not so) Public Displays of Affection (2k) - radiantarrow

Five times Isak was comfortable with PDA around his friends, and the one time he was comfortable with it in public.

Ring On It (2k) - TotallyTinkerbell

Isak's room is the biggest mystery of the kollektiv, and only the guys that Isak hooks up with from time to time, get to see it. Needless to say, Even is jealous.

hearts don’t break around here (3k) - LostInAdmiration

Eskild’s POV of Isak and Even’s relationship.

love and other stories (3k) - littlemovie

Isak accidentally falls in love over Snapchat and he doesn’t regret it.

i can’t handle no liquor (3k) - boxesofflowers, Eeyoreneedsahug

Isak trying to stay sober with Even goes wrong. Even is a caring and supportive boyfriend.

Would You Mind Closing The Bedroom Door? (3k) - allyasavedtheday

The boy falters in the threshold, eyes widening when they land on Even. “Oh fuck- sorry! Eva didn’t say anyone was home.” Ah. No wonder she was up late last night. Even can’t really fault her taste – the boy is beautiful.

and now my heart is ready (3k) - verlore_poplap

Isak's only eighteen, Even proposes a lot, everybody cries and - surprisingly - no one makes a joke about Isak being a teenage bride.

lazy saturdays and eskimo kisses (4k) - givemesumaurgravy

Even spends the weekend with Isak being cute and getting up to some shenanigans.

baby, look what you've done to me (5k) - aestheticzjm

The one in which even is a penetrator and isak really isn't impressed. (Part 1 of series)

I get by (with a little help from my friends) (5k) - diamondjacket

Four times Isak’s friends were way too invested in his sex life, and one time they regretted it.

effortless (5k) - BraveKate

pov of even’s new director’s assistant (set in the future)

strange encounters (6k) - midnightsurge

Isak and Even are students at the University of Oslo. They meet under strange circumstances and it’s all Eskild’s fault.

Serve You Long (6k) - eiqhties

Sana would be the first to admit that recently it’s all been starting to get to her. It’s how she ended up visiting Isak and Even in their new flat in the first place; finally giving in to Isak’s increasingly desperate pleas for her to revise with him.

Inbox: (1) New Email (6k) - eiqhties

A story about falling back in love, one tweet, instagram post and email at a time

if i could i would feel nothing (7k) - prettylies

When Chris hooks up with another girl at a party, Isak gets even. Literally. He sleeps with Chris’ sworn enemy, Even.

wrong number (7k) - IsakEven

Isak wants to text Jonas but he accidentally texts Even.

loving isak (7k) - Tintinnabulation_of_the_Bells

Five of the people who grow to love Isak Valtersen, and one who’s loved him all along.

that’s one way to come out (8k) - Bellakitse

Isak is upset about the rumors surrounding his sexuality, courtesy of Emma, so the boys take him to a Bakka party. Isak meets Even in the kitchen.

true or false (9k) - iriswests

7 moments between Isak and Even, ranging from the ages of four and six to the ages of seventeen and nineteen, respectively. (childhood best friends AU)

possibly (maybe) i’m falling for you (10K) - boxesofflowers, Eeyoreneedsahug, safficwriter

Even tries to get Isak to smile with coffee. Every time he buys Isak coffee, he becomes more determined to find the perfect drink (and falls in love along the way).

don’t you keep it all to yourself (10k) - colazitron

An AU in which Even didn’t need to repeat his last year and instead started working at the coffeeshop Isak passes on his way to school every morning.

Something Borrowed, Something Blue (10k)- BluebeardsWife

Fake dating AU, you know the drill. Even hires Isak to pretend to be his boyfriend at his ex’s wedding.

those flowers on your head (11k) - whitehall

the one where Isak Valtersen is the first known male veela and Even’s already doomed from the start

you're the shit and i'm knee-deep in it (11k) - cosetties

After Even has already rejected him once, after Isak is aware of Even's reputation for meaningless one-night stands, the last thing Isak should be doing is sleeping with the guy. But it keeps happening, and there's no way Isak is getting out of this with his heart intact.

ground me (13k) - Bellakitse

Isak gets a job at a cafe and meets a barista who’s beauty blows Isak away. (coffeeshop AU)

love is what it takes to live (14k) - sargentblue *mpreg*

isak and even's journey through pregnancy

get rid of her (14k) - cuteandtwisted

Even still transfers to Nissen in his third year, but Isak and Even get introduced through their parents. (friends to lovers AU)

Membership Dues (15k) - Sabeley

Isak is pledging Even's fraternity. Even keeps having to be reminded that he's not allowed to date the pledges. "It's a ten-week pledge period. How hard could it be?" Famous last words.

Never Have I Ever (15k) - Sabeley

The one where Isak and Even are roommates who make out on occasion (in a completely platonic way, of course).

take my hand, take my whole life too (16k) - moonlightss

Isak needs another drink or two but his way into the kitchen is blocked by two people. He's about to squeeze through between them when he hears his name in the conversation. He knows the voice. "Isak Valtersen?" Even snorts, shaking his head. "He's the most arrogant asshole I've ever met." Isak holds his head up raising his eyebrows, then he taps on Even's shoulder. "Excuse me," he forces a smile when Even looks at him, "This arrogant asshole would like to get another drink." Even clenches his jaw and steps away, letting Isak through.

sideways and slantways (17k) - iriswests

Isak gets stuck in an elevator with the one person he’s vowed never to speak to again.

would it be a sin if i can’t help falling in love with you? (18k) - cosetties

isak uses even as an excuse to not date emma (fake relationship AU)

will you share your soul with me? (18k) - hippopotamus

There’s a school camping trip at the beginning of Isak’s second year. He’s not sure why he agrees to go, especially when he remembers how difficult it is for him to sleep anywhere that isn’t his own bed. It turns out he’s not the only insomniac on the trip.

poppin’ pills is all we know (19k) - tomlinsoln

au in which Even comes into the bathroom instead of Emma

shut your whore mouth, even. this is not the fault in our stars (20k) - Masterless

even gets sick and shares a room with isak in the hospital

Let Me In (20k) - milk_o_vich

“What are you doing here?” Isak asked, unable to keep the anger out of his voice. Even pressed his lips together, then said, voice hoarse and quiet, “Can I stay here tonight?”

la ritournelle (21k) - franca

Isak and Even are exes. A funeral brings them back together.

making shades of purple (22k) - rumpelsnorcack

His whole life, Isak had known his soulmark was different to those around him.

something sweet (to mend your heart) (22k) - cuteandtwisted

In which Isak becomes jaded after he gets cheated on and copes using sarcasm and humor. He's determined to end the school year without drama and avoids his ex and all his awful friends at all costs. Well, all of them except maybe half-decent Even Bech Næsheim, who's somehow determined to earn his friendship and fix his heart.

I wanna hold you like you're mine (24k) - giraffingallday

Isak is often nervous and just trying to get through his required semester of Theatre. Emma makes it a little harder until Even comes along and makes it too easy. He might fall in love somewhere along the way. (Fake Relationship AU)

Cabins, Coziness and Conspiracies (24k) - evakuality

Even. Fucking gorgeous, beautiful, amazing Even. The guy Isak may have had the smallest crush on ever since they met. That’s the guy Isak has to sit in a car with for hours on the way to the cabins they’ve hired for the ski trip. aka, the one where Isak and Even have to share a bed, their friends are strangely obsessed with their lives and things are not exactly as they might appear.

Alright, hold on (24k) - nofeartina

It starts with friendship, and they never meant to add sex to that. It just sort of... happened. or 5 times Isak and Even accidentally have sex and 1 time it isn’t so accidental

you say good morning when it’s midnight (25k) - Aceteroid

It sucks, when your best friend is on a student exchange at the other end of the world for three months. It sucks even more, when you fall in love with the step-brother of his exchange student.

Somewhere A Clock Is Ticking (25k) - staylucky *Major Character Death*

The Afterlife is not what Isak Valtersen was expecting. He didn’t think he’d die at 18 years old in the first place. Thank Goodness for Jonas, who takes Isak under his (literal) wing, but most of all for fellow spirit and member of ‘Limbo Land’ Even Bech Naesheim, a beautiful boy with a past of his own.

Is this a lasting treasure? Or just a moment’s pleasure? (25k) - Amfelia

Isak hooks up with a stranger at a party, but runs away before he learns their name or gets a number. He is not out yet, and is nervous about anyone finding out.

wake up! (26k) - cuteandtwisted

Even can’t stop having dreams about this strange boy. He’s never seen him before. But why does it feel like he’s the only person that ever mattered?

i guess that's destiny doing it right (26k) - allyasavedtheday

Even originally went to Nissen and became friends with Isak and Jonas, but moved away after his episode at the end of first year, only for Isak to never hear from him again. Fastforward to the summer before Isak starts college when he’s travelling and bumps into a certain someone in Barcelona.

The Afternoon (27k) - MannaMarianna

Even is forty and married with kids when he gets invited to Magnus' wedding. The joyful meeting of old friends quickly turns into something else, something that threatens to turn his life, and many others', upside down. Growing up doesn't always make people better at relationships; they are always messy.

Doctor Patient Confidentiality (30k)- skambition

AU where Isak is a doctor and Even comes into the hospital after getting hit by a car.

scene three, take two (31k) - folerdetdufoler

Isak is 23, a student in the veterinary program at NMBU, and working an internship at a clinic in Kongsvinger. He hasn’t seen Even in three years, but randomly bumps into him on the street when he’s visiting his mom in Oslo.

in better light, everything changes (31k) - TimeInABottle

Isak accidentally texts a stranger (Even) while trying to text Sana.

cut us out in little stars (33k) - allyasavedtheday

An Isak and Even, Romeo and Juliet au

i’m not a baby (33k) - cuteandtwisted

Isak and Even are childhood friends.

love and condoms (34k) - kassie

Isak owes Eskild a favor and Eskild sends him out to buy condoms where he runs into a tall boy who is a little too eager to help him.

it's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right (34k) - mmxii

Even suddenly stops and just looks at him for a few seconds. Then he says it. “You’re my best friend, you know. Always have been, always will be.” (childhood best friends AU)

Cathedrals of Light, Salt and Snow (35k) - shoulderbone (lavenderforluck)

What he wants to say, and cannot bring himself to admit: Before you there was no real me. Only a person pretending to be. Or, alternatively: Isak comes back to face death, and in the meantime, finds rebirth. (Part 1 of series)

Guru Knows Best (36k) - StMisery

Even moves into the apartment across the hall, and Isak's just trying to make it another day without dying of embarrassment.

i would like to get to know you baby (39k) - ourlovelybones

Isak wakes up to ten texts from Eskild and three missed calls from his manager. He's almost worried someone has died until the screenshot comes in. Even Bech Næsheim had tweeted about him. (!AU in which Even is an internationally famous singer and Isak is an up and coming model he finds on twitter)

i’m not in love (41k) - cuteandtwisted

Even never transferred to Nissen in his third year, so they meet in college instead. (Uni AU)

What Death Doesn't Touch (41k) - smokeshop

Halfway through Even's third year, he's diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When Isak is 16, Eskild finds him too late outside the bar. They meet in a psychiatric hospital and grow in ways they'd never intended, and decide early on that they don't have to take it all so seriously.

Lost In Reality (42k)- hippopotamus

Penetrator!Even AU where Isak gets involved with Even in his first year, before Even mysteriously disappears.

Built from the Ashes (43k) - Sabeley

Even and Jonas are roommates who get along a little too well and Isak is not the least bit jealous about it at all (Except he totally is).

and the whole world is empty (45k) - dreamer_of_dreams

The conversations were always stilted and quiet and benignly untrue. The phone calls eventually petered out. So, Even did what he thought was right for Isak. On an ordinary Thursday, eating dinner next to each other on the couch, Even looked up from his bowl of noodles, glanced at the clock ticking 9.21 pm and said, “I think we should break up.”

an equal and opposite reaction (46k) - junkshopdisco

Meeting each other’s parents doesn’t go well. It doesn’t go badly, either. It just sort of… goes.

Things Look Different in the Morning (46k) - allyasavedtheday

In which Even needs a place to stay, kollektivet gains a new roommate, and Isak just really wants to sleep.

right click > save as (47k) - kittpurrson

Isak, a fic writer in the Minute by Minute fandom, had the world's biggest crush on the fandom's biggest name.

I Have Held You in My Heart (47k) - photographer_of_thoughts

“If one of us finds a proper girlfriend or boyfriend, we stop doing this, okay?” Even had said after the first time it happened, Isak freshly seventeen and lying on Even’s chest. Friends-With-Benefits University AU in which Even makes rules and Isak follows them. They sleep together sometimes - a lot of times - and Isak knows how in love he is. But then Even gets a girlfriend, and everything changes.

such a beautiful mess (48k) - skambition

Isak works at Kaffebrenneriet to save up some money for a trip with his friends. Normally, working there is chill. Until Isak starts to work together with Even, an arrogant hipster with horrible taste in music, that keeps using the phrase 'sex hair' and is not only judgemental and stupid, but also so hot that Isak sometimes can't breathe around him. Isak hates him. Until he doesn't.

the comments below (48k) - DickAnderton

Isak is a notoriously lazy gamer living with lgbt icon Eskild. They invite youtube sensation Even Bech Naesheim over for a collaboration. (youtube AU)

On call (49k) - MinilocIsland

Isak knows what he's meant to do in life - surgery. And he can't wait to show everyone that he's good at it. That is, if he'll ever get a goddamn chance. Not getting hindered by ridiculous, charming guys whose main advantage in the operating room simply is the length of their legs. (Hospital AU)

stay a minute (50k) - grinsekaetzchen

In which there is a tumblr fandom that is dying every time new information for 'Romeo and Juliet' drops, Even is a beloved director and Isak - well, Isak would just really appreciate it if his mind would stop surprising him with memories at the worst moments possible.

as i let you in (51k) - nofeartina

Lord Isak Valtersen becomes a prince-consort. Or the one where Even is a prince and they enter into an arranged marriage in ye olden days.

waiting outside ('til you're ready to go) (52k) - miucrew

An AU where Isak's daughter is an actual little devil that he can't control for the life of him, and his neighbour Even offers a helping hand.

God Only Knows (What I'd Do Without You) (52k) - sundaymournin

The break up that would never really happen, but imagine if it did. If Even moved to Trondheim for Uni and returned a little over two years later. Imagine what Isak would do, who he would be, and what could've happened but definitely never would've.

Masquerade (53k) - Sabeley

Isak and Even were best friends before one botched mission tore them apart. When they are assigned to go undercover as newlyweds at an oceanside resort where couples are going missing, can they put their differences aside for long enough to solve the case? And can they fix what’s broken between them before it’s too late?

Don't Fuss Over Me (53k) - everything_else

Isak stood in the bedroom he shared with his boyfriend and looked in the mirror. He was wearing a grey top and dark jeans that hung down off his skinny frame. He wanted to wear a snapback but he knew Halvor wouldn’t let him and he would be home any minute. He looked sullen and he knew that would have to change before it got him into trouble. The door opened and Halvor shouted “Isak, I’ve got the drinks. Let’s go.” Isak took one final look in the mirror, this time trying to smile, and then walked out of the bedroom.

we've made it this far, kid (56k) - everythingislove (narrylife)

Isak is just trying to raise his nephew as best he can with the help of his best friends. He doesn't expect to fall for Felix's gorgeous football coach along the way.

Lost Boys (Not Ready To Be Found) (57k)- kittpurrson

Even is a disillusioned media studies student who wishes he hadn’t screwed up his film school applications. Isak is a prickly bioscience student who figured leaving his mother’s house for UiO would magically fix all of his problems.

Blanket Fort Gospel (58k) - Sabeley

Isak Valtersen met the love of his life when he was eleven years old. It was a truth he had long tried to deny, but it was the truth nevertheless.

that’s not my name (61k) - cuteandtwisted

Isak is an exchange student in new york city where he meets a very forward and bewitching Even. (one night stand AU)

Vivid in Black and White (62k) - Fxckxxp

In a Hei Briskeby video prank taken too far, Isak meets Even for the first time down on one knee—asking for his hand in marriage.

headed straight for the castle (62k) - boxesofflowers, Eeyoreneedsahug, safficwriter

Isak is the heir to the throne of one of the most powerful nations in the world, but he would rather be anyone else. After sneaking out one night, he meets a college student that makes him smile for what feels like the first time.

lover of my impossible soul (66k) - shoulderbone (lavenderforluck)

We don't often reveal ourselves, when we don't actually know what there is to reveal yet. Or, alternatively: Isak returns to Oslo, and most importantly, to Even. (Part 2 of series)

how in my silence i adored you (66k) - dahlstrom

In a parallel universe, the rest of the boy squad actually shows up at the first kosegruppa meeting and Isak stays for the love games. Thus, his first interaction with Even is quite different.

light up the dark (68k) - argentae

Probably the only reason Isak knows Even Bech Næsheim’s name is because Magnus and Vilde and the rest of the world will not shut up about him. But, in the privacy of his own bedroom, there’s no reason to deny that he has a really nice face to look at and that the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles does something funny to Isak’s stomach for a moment. (famous! even AU)

Home Is Wherever I'm With You (75k) - cuteandtwisted

Isak and Even keep meeting in hostels around the world and parting with a kiss or two.

Expect the Unexpected (80k) - bri_ness

In which Snakesak plays Big Brother.

the weight of us (81k) - verlore_poplap

Isak finally takes the plunge towards what’s seemed like an inevitability for almost ten years. Of course that’s when some guy comes along and ruins everything. (Set in the future).

Half Blade and Half Silk (85k) - smokeshop

Isak's friends introduce him to an art student at a college party. He won't stop calling Isak baby and Isak's bad at pretending to hate it. (College AU where Isak's past is a little more colorful but Even still won't leave him alone.)

Knock Four Times (92k) - folerdetdufoler

Isak is a senior in college, studying at a university in America. He’s ready to graduate and head back to Oslo, to his city, his family, and his boyfriend. But then, Even moves into his building.

my heart is strong (93k) - photographer_of_thoughts

Isak and Even meet in a doctor’s office waiting room

Harvest Moon (93k) - shoulderbone (lavenderforluck)

He goes to the altar and kneels, expecting to find her face carved in the wood there. Except there are no altars. No God either, or angels, or saints. Or, alternatively: Berlin, those dwindling summer days, and Isak's week of reckoning. (part 3 of series)

something more (94k) - milk_o_vich *includes chrisak in addition to evak*

AU where Even never transferred to Nissen. Isak is in his third year now and is friends with benefits with Chris, who is in Uni. Chris gets a new roommate.

that’s all i really know (94k) - cammm

Even and Isak have been dating for a while now, except Isak goes to Nissen and Even lives a few hours away. But what happens when Even says he moving, and then he shows up at Nissen a few weeks later? Only thing... Isak isn’t out, yet. And Even wasn’t ever told that his boyfriend was still in the closet.

The 49%. (97k) - GirlInTheWardrobe *trigger warnings*

Flat. Third Year. Even. That was the life of Isak Valtersen, that was until it wasn't anymore when he and Even unexpectedly broke up. Isak soon found himself the centre of someone else's desires...someone who is not who they seem.

Therefore I Am (98k) - smokeshop

The one thing Isak wants is to move on from his high school mistakes. Even spends his time pining after a boy who will never like him back. The last thing either of them expect is to wind up in bed together, but that's exactly what happens.

Blood vs. Water (100k) - bri_ness

In which Snakesak plays Survivor.

Old Money (100k) - twentyonetwentyone *major trigger warnings*

After a series of hardships and childhood trauma, Isak Valtersen is forced into the gruelling world of street prostitution, a nightmare in which he feels completely alone. Even Bech Næsheim is the bored adolescent heir to a billion dollar empire, living in a penthouse and listlessly spending his parents money in attempts to ease the existential despair. (Pretty Woman AU)

You Don’t Even Know Me! (101k) - cuteandtwisted

The one in which Isak and Even are interns who got off the wrong foot and don’t like each other at all (except that they do). (HateToLoveAU)

Next to you, is where I call home (101k) - LostInAdmiration

“Why don’t you start track too? You’d be a good sprinter, I’m sure you’d do great,” suggested Isak. Isak wasn’t entirely sure why he asked - he mostly liked being alone and he barely knew Even - but there was just something about Even that had drawn Isak to him. (childhood bffs AU)

The Notion of Falling (106k) - smokeshop

Isak hates Even and Even hates Isak and Sana is the only one who knows why

Now that you're gone (110k) - skambition

Even and Isak try to deal with having a long-distance relationship.

untold scenes of isak and his even (111k) - imissedyourskin

A collection of untold Evak scenes.

sleep is for dreamers (115k) - unfancyandy

Isak’s always had a complicated relationship with sleep.

Checking From Behind (116k) - DickAnderton

Isak is to captain his hockey team this season which means he has to somehow learn to cooperate with the newest addition to their team: Even Bech Næsheim. This proofs to be impossible, especially when nothing about Even's mysterious transfer adds up and his moods are just too frustrating.

with love, from anonymous (136k) - cosetties, iriswests

Isak just wants to get his coffee in peace, Even has a crush, and there’s a secret admirer on the loose.

When you're near to me (138k) - skambition

A story about Isak and Even and their beautiful future together.

Never let me go (151k) - hannakin *age difference*

A stranger to lovers fic with uni-student Isak and older Even. (Parent!Even)

Mondays at Sixteen (162k) - folerdetdufoler

Isak hasn't been doing it for too long, but he's been watching for a while and has a nice set-up. He finally moved out, into a small apartment of his own in the city, and earned enough money from his shows to invest in an external video camera. He's learned his angles and taped up the floor to mark where he could walk without revealing his face in frame. Three nights a week he logs on to the cam site and reveals his life to whoever wants to watch. On Fridays he's usually nude. Technically, this is how Isak and Even met.

Family Ties (215k) - sadgrlsclub

Set between Season 3 and 4. Even gets invited to his first Valtersen family event, and discovers things about Isak's past and his relationship with his parents. The story of how Even and Isak get to know each other's families and deepen their bond along the way.

Cleansing my Soul (217k) - imissedyourskin

Even fights for equal rights and is openly bisexual. Isak is a quiet admirer unsure of his sexuality. But there is always more than meets the eye... Who is Even beneath his popular appearance? And what is the whole deal with Even's 'secret club'?

works in progress

take me to the stars - iriswests *HIATUS*

Isak thinks Even is pretentious and impractical. Even thinks Isak is arrogant and uptight. They’re not each other’s biggest fans, even if they do happen to have spectacular sex on a very, very drunken night. And Isak doesn’t mean to do it again, but he does, anyway. (friends/enemies with benefits AU)

torches (life's too short) - xxLeviBech *major trigger warnings*/*HIATUS*

AU in which Isak's childhood is exponentially more severe -- and that's how he wound up here, talking about his experiences with other kids diagnosed with some kind of PTSD. It's also where meets a guy whose name starts with the same letters as everything, because that's... exactly what he is.

I Would Do It Again - cuteandtwisted *HIATUS*

Even gets caught up in a dare, and Isak loses a little bit of himself in the process. (Dare! AU)

Crash Into Me - endlessandinfinite *major trigger warnings*/*HIATUS*

Isak and Even have hella issues but they can't help falling in love no matter what universe they're in. Even saves Isak. And Isak saves him right back. It's not all sunshine and rainbows. It hurts. But it's love.

latching onto you - Behindthecities *HIATUS*

In which model!Isak and director!Even get caught drunkenly making out with each other by the paparazzi at the club and the only solution to it is to pretend to be each other’s boyfriends. (Fake boyfriends AU)

A Million Mistakes - BreeTaylor

Isak gets invited to a pregame by Even Bech Næsheim. Which would be fine, if the guy didn't have a reputation for being a bit of an ass. It's only with Jonas' nagging and promises to accompany him that Isak agrees to go, only to find out that Even might not be who Isak thought he was.

a careful hypothesis of the heart - StMisery

Isak and Even don't start out on the best of terms. Isak had been waiting nearly a year for the position of researcher to open up again. If he got it, he'd be working his dream job within one of the best biotechnology companies in the world. He applied for the position, heart in his throat, only to be passed over for the new recruit. When he discovered the new hire was also the son of the CEO, well, that was an unforgivable offense.

Nobody Loves Me Like You - cuteandtwisted

Isak and Even are childhood friends who enjoy ruining each other's chances with exactly everyone else, rewatching the same movies, taking care of each other, and pretending they're not in love.

Burning For Your Touch - cuteandtwisted

Isak's skin burns anyone that comes into contact with it and therefore cannot be touched. Closed off, angry, and extremely cunning, Isak transfers to Bakka and scares everyone away with his condition. Everyone but Even who—despite knowing it will burn—touches Isak like they'll both die without it.

just add water - hippopotamus

Mostly, he's just alone. He hasn't spoken to any of his old friends in - how long has it been, now? A year? Two? And he doesn't mind it. He settles easily into the silence, into the routine of every day life. Sometimes, though - sometimes, he's lonely.

2K notes · View notes

kingotabek · 7 years

Note

do you have any fic recs?

EBuckle up. This is only took me three weeks to formulate an answer for okay because I read SO MANY FICS (like not kidding sometimes upwards of ten or twelve a day) and this ask is MAKING ME PICK????

I’ll put them in neat little ship categories too, so I don’t look like a completely uncultured reader.

**** = My faves.

I’ll designate my fics too, because why not shamelessly promote myself while I’m here.

Victor/Yuuri (Victuuri):

Take My Hand, Take My Whole Life Too [T, 1.6k] by shingeki_no_llama | Victor Nikiforov thinks he knows just who has their thoughts scrawled so carelessly on the back of his hand. He can only pray he is right.———Soulmate AU where the thoughts of your soulmate inscribe themselves on your skin in a temporary ever-changing tattoo

Viktor!!! on Ice {E. 2.3k} by timelordofrassilon | Yuuri sent a prayer of thanks to the gods for whoever invented ice cubes. He stood in the onsen, body hot and steaming from the water at his waist, while Viktor’s cold tongue slid up the curve of his neck.————————–Fluffy, in-character onsen sex that is also 100% raunchy ice skater porn. They confess their fantasies. There are ice cubes. Yuuri talks about his body pillow.

****Unwritten {T, 34k} by kaizuka | Soulmates AU where whatever you write on your own skin appears on your soulmate, but when there is a language barrier, meeting becomes just a little more difficult than it should be.

hold me hard and mellow {M, 3k} by YuuriVityaNyan (NarryEm) |Training with Viktor is … hard. In more ways than one.It doesn’t take long for Yuuri to realise that if Viktor is going to coach him, there are few things that he has to work out first. One of which is his not so little crush on the Russian skater. And, of course, he has to figure out how the heck he is going to skate to ‘eros’ for the skate-off.

****************Until My Feet Bleed and My Heart Aches {E, 197k} by Reiya | ‘…Of all the rivalries in the world of sports over the years, perhaps none has become so legendary as that of Russian figure skater Viktor Nikiforov and his rival, Japanese Yuuri Katsuki…’A single event changes the course of Yuuri’s life, throwing him into a bitter rivalry with Viktor Nikiforov that spans across his entire skating career. But as the years go on, rivalry and hatred begin to develop into something very different and Yuuri doesn’t seem to be able to stay away, no matter how hard he tries.Hatred and love are two sides of the same coin and even though everything changes, some things are still meant to be.

all the world’s a stage {E, 112k} by braveten | Everyone has a guilty pleasure.For Yuuri, it just happens to be romance movies starring famous heartthrob Victor Nikiforov.(And, honestly, on the spectrum of guilty pleasures, he figures that his is on the far, far more innocent side.)

****Even if I Tried {T, 6k} by deathbycoldopen | He took his place next to Viktor in the kiss and cry, floating like ash over the wreckage of the fire. He took the water bottle Viktor offered with a murmured thank you, and stared out at the ice. Distantly, he couldn’t quite believe that the surface was still frozen.“Did it really feel that good?”His eyes flickered over to Viktor, then back to the ice. There was a different kind of heat invading his cheeks now, all too familiar and unwelcome. “Um,” he said quietly. “Mostly I just wanted people to feel good watching it.”Lie. He’d only thought of one person. The man who’d regularly had underwear thrown onto the ice along with the flowers, the man who’d had four scandalous and highly publicized affairs with models and other skaters before the age of twenty, the man that Yuuri couldn’t hope to keep but desperately wanted to.

My Victuuri Fics:

Like The Ache Of Life {T, 1k} | Victor lives a life of aching limbs, high spins, and blades against ice.He’s trapped.——–Or that one fic that’s not as angsty as the description makes it sound, and where two boys fall in love.

Otabek/Yuri (Otayuri):

Sonata in A Major {T, 8k} by Lumieres | Yuri is like a meteorite, caught in his atmosphere. If he doesn’t take care of him, he’ll completely burn up, and there won’t be anything left for him to salvage.(Or: Three times, Yuri and Otabek kiss, only to never speak about it again.)

****Teach Me Just What Fast Is {E, 3k} by Zee | “You don’t like it when other people tell you what to do,” Otabek said, “but you accept it from me. Why is that?”Yuri likes it when Otabek bosses him around, and Otabek calls him on it.

How Long You Walked For (til you got lost tonight) {T, 3k} by LiviKate | “Stop apologizing,” Yuri snapped at him. “You told me you loved me, and now you’re just thanking me and apologizing. It’s weird.”Or, in which Otabek falls in love and doesn’t notice when Yuri does, too.

*****fingers crossed my obsession with you is tameable {E, 5k} by seaworn | “I think I didn’t quite grasp it. Show me again?” Yuri asked breathlessly.Otabek bit his lower lip, eyes lighting up in joy.“Alright.”**Yuri and Otabek meet on New Year’s Eve.

********** From Almaty, With Love {E, 71k} by BoxWineConfessions ( @boxwineconfession ) | It’s quiet here. Even if the car alarm on the neighbor’s goddamn BMW has been going off for the past twenty minutes. Quiet, even though the alarm’s got the neighbor’s dog howling like crazy, and the neighbor works second shift and isn’t there to comfort the dumb dog.It’s quiet…They haven’t spoken to each other since that morning, when Yuri went off to go see his tutor, and Otabek went off to do whatever the hell it was he did in the mornings before he hit the rink.“You’re used to the noise?”“Yeah, but…I think I like the quiet too.”Or: Yuri spends the summer with Otabek in Almaty. (this one is my fave I WOULD DIE FOR IT and im not at all biased. Just check out the author’s profile and read all the fics there okay? Okay.)

****Endurance and Peach Tea {G, 11k} by chapstickaddict | Yuri hummed. His body didn’t uncurl, but instead of pressing his face into the fold of his legs, he rested it on his crossed forearms. Tilting his face towards Otabek, he looked for the bronze metal. The colorful ribbon snuck into the folds of his jacket, hiding his prize from view. Yuri reached out, and Otabek let him pull the ribbon to bring the metal into the light.It was beautiful. Heavy and ornate, with the front masterfully detailed. The perfect symbol of success. Yuri flipped it over, admiring Otabek’s name carved along the back.Wait.“Did they spell your name wrong?” he demanded, straightening. Otabek made a noise beside him.

****Yours, Mine, Ours {T, 5k} by aphhun | Otabek blinked himself back into the conversation and turned towards Viktor. Without thinking, against what he tried his hardest to keep from happening, he inquired-“Your Yuuri’s, or my Yuri’s?”-In which Otabek has always been careful not to use Viktor’s “My Yuuri/Your Yuri” reference system but indulges in the habit on Live television, and Yuri has a damn heart attack.

Permanently {T, 14k} by HugsandButterflyKisses | What’s with you assholeOtabek sat stunned before looking at it again. That couldn’t be right. His soulmate wasn’t going to say that the first time they met.Otabek looked once again.What’s with you asshole was neatly printed on his left thigh.orThe soulmate au where the first words your soulmate says to you are tattooed on your skin. Otabek can’t wait to get his but the mark is not what he expected. Neither is his soulmate.

************Shutter-Release {M, 7k} by kaijoskopycat | Otabek Altin has been a fashion photographer for longer than he cares to think about and he’s never been as moved by a model as he is when he meets Yuri Plisetsky, one of the most unconventional personalities for a top model out there. (all i can say is HOT DAMN)

My Otayuri Fics:

Raincheck {T, 1k} | “You’ll be better before I leave.” Otabek hums; tracing the patterns of his upcoming routine on Yuri’s thighs.Yuri meets his eyes. “And if I’m not?”“Then I’ll just take a raincheck.”——–Or that fic where Yuri is sick and Otabek is simply the best.

A Journey To Love {Not Yet Rated, WIP, Currently 6k+, 2/10 chapters} | For Otabek and Yuri, love is a journey.—Or, ninety-nine scenes of them falling in love and one where they finally say it. (WIP)

An Errant Spark {E, WIP, 14k+ Currently} | The future, convoluted and ever-changing as it is, doesn’t come to Yuri easily. ——- Or that Hero/Fair AU will all kinds of other things thrown in. (WIP)

With Us Went The Sun {T, 1.5k} | It’s one forty-five in the morning and the sky is bright. Not with stars or the lights of buildings rising through the night, but bright like day. Lit with shades of pale yellow like some old forgotten painting; phosphorescent as it burns, and blinding.Otabek forces his stinging eyes away, and looks to Yuri. (Warning: ANGST)

Someday, In This Morning Light {G, .6k} | This life is filled with simple beauty, and Otabek relishes silent moments such as this one, where he can do no more than observe and collect memories. (Drabble)

Hear Me Roar {Explicit, 13k+} | Yuri can’t remember when it started; has no idea when the first instance of Otabek’s control over him was displayed. But somewhere over their three years of friendship, Yuri realized that not only does he listen to Otabek, he enjoys it. (A Six Part Series)

Phichit/Seung-Gil (SeungChuChu):

Bite Me {T, 3k} by EttaMills | Phichit Chulanont looks so innocent. Who knew, underneath, was a sharp-tooth predator who is very protective of his friends? Feature Seung Gil’s first date and him not knowing how to act around this ball of sunshine and Yuuri and Phichit being adorably supportive of each other.

take a picture (it’ll last longer) {T, 4k} by aozu | Phichit takes a lot of photos.And by a lot, Seung-gil means a fuck ton.

That’s all for now folks. :)

#fic rec #otayuri #victuuri #seungchuchu #ask #anon #answered

891 notes · View notes

gocasualrunawaycollection-blog · 6 years

Text

life insurance quote without personal information

"life insurance quote without personal information

life insurance quote without personal information

BEST ANSWER: Try this site where you can compare quotes: : http://howmuchisinsurance.xyz/index.html?src=tumblr