#niche takes on pairings that leave me lonely and with nothing to read

[nostalgia-tblr]

i know this puts me in a niche but i'm into julian's relationship with sloan being what he'd have had with garak if he'd been at all honest with himself about the seductive lizard-man's past and likely present. the difference is mainly that julian was sloan's victim from the moment they met, so he was never able to hide behind "well i don't *know* what he did so maybe he was like... working in an office during the occupation, making sure everyone had enough stationary. yeah, it was probably that. i'm sure it was fine and nobody got hurt in any way." if sloan had just hit him with the charm and mystery instead then he might just have managed to recruit him to the exciting and glamourous and in no way shady world of espionage. remember kids, hypocrisy almost rhymes with hippocrates.

and they'd probably have kissed as well. on the mouth.

[reidecorating]

L'amore Vero È Così (True Love is Like This)

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female Reader  

A/N: Woke up with a killer headache after celebrating the end of 2020 and thought writing something loosely based off events that took place on NYE would be a good cure. Hope this year’s been treating you all well!

Word Count: 4.3k

Summary: Summer nights and Spencer Reid make it hard for anyone to keep their hands to themselves. Add David Rossi’s holiday mansion and wine to the mix, and watch a dangerously hot fuse ignite

Warnings: Language (as in cursing AND me just completely butchering Italian), unprotected sex, penetrative sex

Masterlist

Maybe it was the Sauternes. Like a spark igniting along the fuse of dynamite, the sweet sting of white grape travelled down her throat, every sip exploding in kaleidoscopic vision and unfiltered words. Even so, it wasn’t the alcohol she was drunk on. No, not drunk - she wasn’t drunk - she was absolutely intoxicated. Not by anything of substance, but by an overwhelming desire for the man she had arrived with. 

Spencer Reid often felt out of place standing in any absurdly large entranceway, belonging to the old Italian with new money, recurrently settling for shifting from shoe to shoe, before taking a deep breath and pressing the doorbell with the hand unoccupied by a bottle he wouldn’t be drinking from. However, his sobriety was far from the cause of his imposter syndrome. Rather, it was the way he always arrived alone, while, what felt like, the rest of the team trickled in with their spouses or significant others. Whilst pairs would dance to vinyl sounds of Bowie, leaving little room for him and the odd number his presence formed in the abacus of the group, he would loiter in a corner, or, on occasion, entertain his godson with a pack of cards. More frequently, he would rattle off excuses about needing the restroom, only to spend his time exploring the corridors of a rather impressive house. A get together at David Rossi’s holiday home was uncommon, and the last time Spencer had wound up here, he found himself inspecting the tiny forgotten library the man housed, attempting to decipher the various foreign books residing on its mahogany shelves as he heard his friends stumbling their way through the Salsa downstairs. L'isola di Arturo, with sterling lettering on its ageing spine showing a familiar pen name, had quickly become his favourite. When he’d first translated the pages, he had chuckled at the parallels between himself and its disconsolate protagonist. However, after years of his ongoing solitude, and lonely arrivals to a castle full of people, he finally had someone on his arm. 

“Wait, what does this mean? I can make out the ‘amore’ but not much else,” That someone now squinted at the words his index finger underlined as he read her the words of that very book, aloud. “Hm?” He was visibly distracted by the Patchouli blend of orange and jasmine emanating from her skin as she leaned against his shoulder to read the page herself. “L'amore vero è così,” she whispered, unsure of the correct pronunciation but attempting it anyway. “Non ha nessuno scopo e nessuna ragione, e non si sottomette a nessun potere fuorché alla grazia umana,” she finished in a whisper, affecting Spencer in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Through fluttering eyelashes, she looked up at him, awaiting his rendition, and suddenly the temperature felt as if it had risen. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t been here almost as many times as him; she knew her way around Rossi’s holiday home, but Spencer had insisted on showing her his favourite room, claiming she hadn’t seen it yet. Diverting her attention from Emily’s anecdotes, “I kind of want you all to myself for a little bit,” he whispered in a kiss on her shoulder, proceeding to take her hand and pull her away from chatter over a jug of Cuban rum and homemade pizza - making sure to dissect, in explanation, nearly every painting adorning the maze of hallways on their short trek. He cleared his throat, prying his gaze away from the skin her little black dress revealed, unabashedly scanning her lips before using his own to form words. “True love is like this,” he subtly eyed her reaction to his words as he tried hard to not transliterate the European language. “It has no purpose and no reason, and it does not submit to any power except human grace.” Spencer’s voice was a newly inked quill, ebbing and flowing through the hot air of the dimly lit room. The dark winged butterflies that had been floating around her stomach all evening fluttered in a frenzy at his words, and the way the chartreuse of his eyes had been absorbed by black as they laid on her. “For such a dark story, it’s so beautiful,” she exhaled in a hushed tone, stare not leaving his as he slowly slid the book into the hollow slot where it had previously inhabited, too occupied by reading her demeanour to pay the book any more attention. “You think so? The author, Morante, Elsa Morante, was actually considered the greatest writer of Italy’s postwar generation, at one point.” Spencer began to rest his weight against the wall as they conversed. “I feel as if we always hear about Bassani or Parise, and all the unorthodox things Landolfi wrote in the fifties. It’s very refreshing to hear of a woman getting some well deserved recognition in such a male dominated niche,” she remarked. A dimple appeared on Spencer’s cheek as he grinned at the way she sounded a lot like him. “Agreed. In fact, Morante actually claimed she wished she’d been born a boy, so that she could have all of these heroic adventures. Once, when she was asked about the hero of that book,” he pointed towards the worn copy of L'isola di Arturo, “she commented: ‘Arturo, c’est moi!’,” 

“Living vicariously through him? Interesting,” she tilted her head slightly, “I also think its remarkable how beauty can emerge from so much pain,” she mulled aloud. His eyebrows raised at her words and the flux in her tone of voice. Slowly, she stepped towards him, forearms resting on his shoulders, entangling behind him. 

Earlier, she’d had the privilege of styling him as he stood in front of their shared mirror, muttering complaints of how he had 'nothing to wear’. Now, she repeated maledictions to herself regarding the clothing she had chosen, in her head, as she admired the way his black shirt was rolled up at the sleeves - displaying intricate nerves shadowing his fingers and arms - and simultaneously unbuttoned temptingly low on his chest, exposing the silver chain presenting a small initial, hers. The summer night had made sure a thin veil of sweat coated his collarbones, glistening with his movements under the lamp light. “It’s not a surprising process though - I mean, after the year you’ve had, just look at how pretty you are,”

“Did you just-” he gulped, chuckling, “use the copious amounts of semi-resolved trauma I harbour to romance me?”

“I may have,” she whispered into the skin below his ear, both hands now tangled in his hair as he remained pressed up against the wall, grateful that every wound, fight and flaw had led them here. And she never ceased to make her gratitude known. Tonight, though, ever since she’d caught sight of his hand gripping a cold glass, the strong concoction presumably belonging to Luke, she hadn’t been able to stop envisioning his body on top of hers. Unbeknownst to her, his thoughts had been very similar from the second she’d chosen to wear the satin fabric, claiming it matched his shirt, while leaving very little to the imagination. “Y/N,” he spoke, his body involuntarily leaning into hers. “We can’t- Not now.” His body language betrayed his words. “I don’t study behaviour for a living, unlike everyone else here, but Spencer, right now, yours tells me we can,” she brought down a hand to squeeze his wrist, which was resting against her lower back. He couldn’t breathe. Tongue in cheek, he shook his head at her, a smirk breaking way. “You, my pretty lady, are something else,” he caved, switching their position in a more urgent manoeuvre than either of them anticipated. Spencer’s hands grasped her jaw, his breath fanning over her before his lips collided with hers, messily. A hand cradled the back of her head, heeding any impact with the wooden blockade behind her, fingers and hair tangling together. Her hands travelled along his body, pinky tugging on his necklace in pursuit of closeness, while her lips roamed around his bobbing Adam’s apple, eliciting an exquisite string of moans. Spencer’s leg wedged itself between hers, slowly grazing his thigh against her, using a firm grip to guide her hips downwards, her soft sighs and tugs at his roots only encouraging him. 

The euphoria was short lived. A rapping on the library door tore them apart, its hinges creaking and giving way to an astounded looking Penelope Garcia. “Naughty!” she factitiously gasped. “I didn’t think the good doctor and his fine missus had it in them, but I was very, very wrong,”

“We were just-“ Y/N began, only to be cut off by the tipsy agent. “Save the excuses, beautiful lady. I was simply quested to find you two, and let you know that the rest of us are off to take a dip in the spa. Bring your boy toy, and scrumptious self, and join us ASAP - oh! And no funny business! There are children here,” Penelope gestured her two fingers away from her spectacles and towards each of them as a silent threat of ‘I’m watching you’. Y/N and Spencer exchanged a look, both flushed in different shades of red, on their way to creating a colour wheel. As Penelope spun on her heels and rushed to shut the door behind her, “Thank you, Penelope!” Y/N squeaked, Spencer exclaiming a timid “And sorry!” The two of them broke out into a fit of laughter, still frazzled. “I think I’m getting a little too comfortable with your team,” she grimaced, earning a laugh from the doctor. Later, as Spencer led her towards a bathroom, her arms occupied by a stack of towels, his hand on the small of her back, he dreaded the amount of self control he would need to invoke when the two of them would undress to change. 

What she had said wasn’t entirely untrue. She was indeed very comfortable with his team. If Spencer could have met himself, a year ago, anxious to introduce who he was sure was the love of his life to his dearest friends, he would flick himself in the head. She, not alarmingly, managed to get along with everyone, almost better than he did. Somehow managing to find common ground, even with Aaron Hotchner. He recalls, one night, months ago, listening to her and the usually stoic man debate about which broadway production was better: The Producers or The Phantom of the Opera. Spencer also recalls exactly how riled up he became as he watched her put the ex-theatric-gone-lawyer in his place after calling upon Spencer for some Tony Award statistics. Admittedly, he actively needed to combat the green eyed monster on his back whenever she would go jogging with Luke - but the way she kissed him before leaving, on her tiptoes in her running shoes, whispering ‘I love you’, and ‘I’m really only going for Roxy’, helped. She had become family, the invisible stamp of approval having been silently awarded when they all saw the looks the two of them shared, the three subtle squeezes in their woven hands, and the way Spencer now smiled with his teeth - the way they way they would move the moon and the earth for one another. 

Packed into the watery sauna, words exchanged between the group travelled into the atmosphere, a waxing gibbous eavesdropping overhead. She watched as Spencer squirmed across from her at the nearness to so many sweaty bodies, shoulders, elbows, knees and toes, belonging to anybody and everybody, poking him. Her eyes trailed along the dips and swells at the base of his neck, decorated in its usual, dainty, shimmering pendant, the bones there protruding as he slouched forward. Spencer’s hair was matted, condensation ironing chestnut ringlets to his forehead, complimenting his heated crimson cheeks. The butterflies returned, her stomach flipping as he ran his hand through the mop of curls to ease his discomfort. More of him - that was what she wanted. She hadn’t noticed, but she had been biting her lip nearly hard enough to draw blood. Pulling her back from her thoughts, a heavy exhale travelled past her left ear, changing the course of the steam emerging from the water - a stream of air enough to deflate a person, she noticed. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed.” The blonde rested her head against the barrier of the tub, seeing bright patterns on her eyelids as they shut over her eyes momentarily. Y/N reached over and grasped one of her shoulders in a clinical manner. “Who are you, and what have you done with Jennifer and the gruelling tension in her neck and jaw?” She interrogated, lightheartedly. “What can I say? Stress is my middle name,” she chuckled. “While we’re on the topic, though... Maybe you could give me one of those trigger-point massages,” she opened one eye, an iris burning sapphire, the blue only rival to that of the one from The Tell Tale Heart, finding Y/N’s face. Retreating her hand, having made her point, she let out a laugh at JJ’s words, “I’m afraid that’ll cost y-” Y/N’s eyes widened at the familiar dialect of the words, a charlatan on JJ’s tongue. “Wait a minute, can you repeat what you just said, but slowly?” 

“Oh, I know you heard me perfectly clear,” JJ smirked at her, eyebrows raising as her eyes shifted between the flustered woman and Spencer. 

They had a friendship of unfamiliar closeness, which JJ cherished. After nights of babysitting turning into wining with Merlot and dining on flaming dreaded cheese puffs, stashed away in an airtight container, upon JJ’s arrival home, the two had grown close. The agent was grateful for conversation veering away from work, and for someone seeing her from a different lens; one through which she wasn’t fizzled down to a petrie dish of a mother through a workaholic microscope. Y/N was curious to know how her famous mandatory-Spencer-de-stressing-trigger-point massages had come up in conversation between JJ and her, now guilty looking, boyfriend. She crossed her fingers in hopes that he’d spared the details of the events that usually took place following the neck rubs - another kind of de-stressing altogether. “Do you guys hear that? I think Will’s calling me- and I should go put Henry to bed… It’s quite late…” she exaggerated, wearing a redolent expression as she slunk away with a towel around her cold frame. “We’ll talk later, Jareau,” she looked up at JJ, after the shivering woman squeezed her shoulders in a bid goodnight, waving to the small crowd. Swiftly, Y/N’s gaze met Spencer’s, her figure not having left his vision once. 

The yard and small pool was clearing out, save for Luke and Tara bickering in the corner, so, through the bubbling water, she waded in Spencer’s direction, noticing the way he was evidently mentally undressing her. As if by his telepathy, a thin strap of her bathing suit slipped from its place, causing the gears in Spencer’s head to stop turning as he swallowed thickly. “Hey handsome, long time no speak.” A soft smile graced his lips, adoration for her evident, in place of his muted response. Wordlessly, he slipped a finger beneath the strap, tentatively putting it back in place, refusing to break eye contact in some unspoken play for power. “What’re you up to?” She squinted, wondering exactly what his motives were. “Nothing much,” he pulled her closer by the waist, whispering in a gravelly voice only she could hear, “I’m just thinking about how you didn’t get the chance to finish what you started, earlier,”

“Are you implying that you want me to…” she floated onto his lap, hands draping around his neck to steady herself, “pick up where we left off?” The question left her mouth in a breathy whisper, straight into his ear. He turned to look at her, unblinking. “I’m implying, that I’ve had those pretty noises you make replaying in my head all night, and that I’d like to hear them again,”

“Remind me, doctor, which one of us said ‘we can’t’?,” she mocked his whine, rolling her eyes back. “I have a better suggestion, how about you remind me which one of us struggled to stand the last time we played this game?” The calmness of his voice was the antithesis of the fire she was feeling inside her. Satisfied with her speechlessness, his eyes drifted down her body as she pried herself off him, settling in the plastic indent of a hot tub seat to his side. The attention of the pair of lovers were drawn to Tara’s laughter as she stepped into a robe, calling it a night. “What’d we miss?” Spencer’s clueless innocence returned, as if the words he’d spoken before were now out of mind. Devilishly, Tara responded, “Oh, you know, just me completely destroying this man’s ego,”

“Doesn’t take much does it?” Y/N offered Tara her fist in solidarity. “No it does not,” Tara chuckled, bumping it with her own. “You guys do realise that I’m right here?” Luke scoffed, also drying himself off. “I think that adds to their point?” Spencer offered, pursing his lips, amused. “Well, I’m going to go and catch some sleep, and maybe even shed a few tears over what’s been said about me,” he playfully scowled at Tara walking away, throwing a middle finger at him through the air without looking back. “Trust me, they are very professional,” Spencer promised, turning towards his only remaining company in laughter. “I’m sure they are,” she joked returning a smile. 

The two of them talked beneath an ink sky, stars like pinpricks in a blanket twinkling through their conversation, until she found herself on Spencer’s lap, once again, the ambience shifting to something far more carnal. Throughout the night, like a band of elastic stretching between two fingers, the tension between them had heightened. Now, they both tested the limits, anticipating its snap. His chlorine skin tasted electric on her tongue as she painted his neck and chest with a lilac rendition of the silver initial dangling there, letting his sighs catch in the shells of her ears. Allowing her tongue to explore his mouth, his hands tightened around her waist. “Mhm, no, Y/N,” he spoke, regaining his fleeting conscience. “This,” — kiss — “is a bad,” — kiss — “idea,”

“Spencer, look,” she glanced over at the house, and his eyes followed suite, craning his neck slightly. “What do you see?” She asked. “Aside from a house bigger than my entire apartment complex?” Her face was a deadpan. “All the lights are out, Spencer,” she gave him a look that said, come on, profiler, figure it out. Not a single connection formed in his head as he stared at the way the luminous blue of the night time water cast ripples on her skin - skin which was all over his. “All the lights are out… It’s late… and everyone’s asleep,” he reasoned, more to himself than in response to her insinuation. “We have no real chance of getting caught, plus…” her dark eyes were obscured by the eyelashes sheltering them as she tilted her head. “Would it be so bad if we did?” Two of her fingers danced along his chest, walking towards the damp hair at the nape of his neck, using the strands to pull him closer. “Everyone knowing exactly how good you make me feel?” She purred the last part in his ear, tugging at the cartilage with her teeth. Spencer partially whimpered. “Don’t hold back, gorgeous boy. You sound as good as you taste.” His eyes shut as his head hit the rim of the spa - only briefly losing himself once her mouth was on him again. “Someone’s talking like they’re in charge,” he tilted her chin up towards him, forcing her eyes onto his own. “I seem to be the one doing all the work here,” she teased. He kissed each of her collarbones, eyes still trained on hers. “You shouldn’t speak so soon.” With that, he undid the top of her swim suit, exposing her chest to the frigid night air, compelling a gasp. “Truthfully, I’ve been thinking about doing this a majority of the night.” The bass in his voice reached her core. “For someone who is so fastidious about cleanliness, you sure have a dirty, dirty mind, doct-” She never had the chance to finish the honorific, his lips moulding around a hardening nipple, allowing his fingers to toy with the other. Rolling his tongue around the bud, he smiled to himself as he heard her call out his name, over and over, as if her voice was coming through a scratched vinyl. “Where’s all the talk from before?”

“You’re evil,” she groaned, her hips bucking against his board short clad body. 

Spencers lips travelled along the valley of her breasts, only to hike back up them at a tantalising pace, prehensile fingers covering the ground his mouth couldn’t. Her hands grasped so tight in his hair, he was sure the strands would fall out. A groan of his own left vibrations reverberating through her body, causing her heart to jump. “Alright, you’ve had your fun,” he gnarred, as his hands gripped her wrists, holding them behind her back. With his unoccupied hand, he dipped his fingers into what was left of her apparel. “Is this all for me?” He smirked at the ease with which his fingers slipped over her. “Don’t flatter yourself, we’re in water,”

“You’re so impolite - even when I’m spoiling you,” tutted Spencer. Retroceding his hand, determined to leave her on edge, and her skin a mirror image of his, he continued to pin her fragile hands back against the base of her spine. “S-Spencer, please,” her words struggled to make any sense, “please, I need more,” she panted out, moving purposefully along the growing outline in his shorts. The pleasure was overwhelming. Spencer fiddled with the material still covering her, pulling it aside to make way for himself in between her legs. His eyes softened, silently seeking permission, even as she impatiently pulled down his waistband. When she nodded and eased his ailing with a soft, lingering kiss, he slowly pushed himself into her, never failing to be acutely attentive to her comfort as if it was their first time together. “This was what you were after?” Teased Spencer, his hips speeding up. “So badly,” she uttered out a sigh. “Then take it like you want it.” She craved his adept touch, and she made that known. “S- Spencer, oh god,” she groaned, “you feel so fucking good.” His breathing became heavier, softs grunts and hisses filling her ears with every movement. She buried her face in the crook of his neck, whining in a destitute way at the full feeling. At a slower pace, one of Spencer’s hands guided her hips along himself, while the other traced infinity on her sensitive nerves. “Sweet girl- fuck, you feel like a dream,” he moaned as she tightened around him. Her toes curled, the warm water of the pool splashing her bare skin. Spencer occupied all of her senses, the same way she did his. “I’m so close,” she whimpered, before he used his nose to nudge her face upwards, her momentarily open eyes reflecting constellations. Spencer kissed her once more. Her hands long freed from his grip, she left traces of herself in the form of tiny red sickles on his freckled back as her nails released some frustration. 

Dragging her fingers along his torso, she felt the muscles of his stomach tighten, hers doing the same. Shaky sighs wavered from her lips at the bliss Spencer was providing. “Keep your eyes open for me, angel,” she tried her hardest to focus on his lustfully blown pupils. “That’s it. Just look at what you do to me,” he gasped out, head falling backwards, eye contact broken - only for a second - before he gulped and looked back at her. “You’re breathtaking,” she whispered, hoarsely, stroking his sweaty cheekbone with her thumb.  She could recognise the golden gates of heaven in his eyes as he came undone inside her, warmth spilling over her in every aspect. The knots in her stomach loosened shortly after his, curses spilling from both of them. She rode him through his release, fond of the way he left light kisses on her temple, whispering compliments and confessions of love. Once he was sure she’d caught her breath, and some air had returned to his own lungs, he kissed her, gently, in the summer sauna heat, beneath the stars.

A loud cough startled the two. Stood in the open French doors of the veranda, scotch in hand, and eyes screwed shut, was David Rossi. Their minds were in the same place, wondering why they hadn't listened to Penelope’s drunken advice. “When you two are done, please remember to turn the tub lights off - and put the filter on high.” She hid herself in Spencer’s chest, heartbeat in her ears, contemplating holding her breath for a really, really long time. Spencer was flushed red, his own nose buried in her neck so as to not face the older man. “Or better yet, put some money together to buy me an entirely new spa,” Rossi, laughed, opening one eye to catch sight of Spencer giving him a shameful thumbs up. Even as Rossi wandered away, their embarrassment remained a fresh burn. Spencer groaned as her tired hand fumbled with his disastrous hair, “I don’t even want to begin thinking about how much of that he heard,”

“Or saw,”

“Don’t!”

“I’m never going to be invited here ever again, am I?”

[aimoosh-blog]

BERSERK: A MASTERSTROKE IN VIOLENCE

Berserk is a series that is both influential and overlooked. This might sound pretentious to fans of the gory medieval anime, but hear me out. Despite having a long-running manga which was originally released back in the ‘90's, after two anime series, a trilogy of movies and various video game adaptations, Berserk still remains somewhat niche and obscure.

The series is known for its gruesome imagery and I would strongly advise that if you've experienced abuse or are easily affected by violent and distressing material, that this series simply isn't for you. However, it's this cycle of violence that makes Berserk so compelling. 

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and the Soulsborne series doesn't shy away from this. Hidetaka Miyazaki has openly discussed how Berserk inspired games like Dark Souls and Bloodborne and you don't have to look far to find Berserk's influence spread throughout the Souls series.

But when you think of your favourite hefty sword-wielding himbo, I'm sure Guts isn't the first to spring to mind. Before we get into the debate of who wore it better, let's talk about Berserk's creator.

The most distinct and memorable aspect of Berserk is the apparent pleasure the series takes with relishing visceral imagery which is brought to life by Kentaro Miura. Berserk's first volume was released in 1990 when Miura was twenty-two years old. At this point in his life, Miura was already experienced within the industry after having written his first manga at the age of ten and eventually self-publishing in 1982.

With his experience and indisputable style, Miura's abhorrent rendition of the numerous satanic beasts and mythological creatures that populate the bloodthirsty world of Berserk, are both horrifying and captivating. The series manages to succeed in simultaneously being horrendously violent and strikingly beautiful. This parallel is prominent throughout the story and feeds the reader/viewer with a morbid curiosity.

The first and most obvious juxtaposition can be found in Guts' and Griffith's appearance. If you put Berserk in front of a newbie, they would most likely assume that the androgynous Griffith was the series’ main hero.

With his petite frame, feminine features, and charismatic charm, he certainly looks the part of a typical anime protagonist. Especially when set side by side with Guts who's hulking physique, stoic disposition, and hardened exterior is a stark contrast to the Hawk of Light. But scratch the surface and you'd find something entirely different.

Once you pull back the curtain and look beyond his angelic façade, you'd uncover Griffith's selfish, almost sociopathic personality which is accompanied with an unyielding ambition to stop at nothing until he achieves his dream. In contrast, Guts’ intimidating appearance and seemingly aloof attitude are a front concealing a lonely and tormented individual.

Shrouded by death, Guts was born from the corpse of his executed mother and eventually discovered by a group of mercenaries, who find the infant beneath a hanging tree covered in blood and entrails. The baby is presumed to be dead until he begins to cry, to which prostitute Shisu immediately rushes to comfort the child and is permitted to keep the newborn by leader Gambino. The baby is given the name Guts after the gory manner in which he was found. However, many members of the group are unsettled by Guts’ arrival and consider it a bad omen. 

Shisu had been deemed mad following her miscarriage and quickly became attached to Guts as a result. The pair seemed destined to meet but their happiness is tragically short-lived as three years later, Guts’ adoptive mother contracts the plague and dies while Guts watches over her. Unfortunately Shisu’s death only strengthens rumors about Guts’ reputation as a source of bad luck.

Guts promptly begins practicing swordsmanship and joins Gambino on the battlefield in an effort to gain approval. However, one night while Guts is sleeping in his tent, fellow sellsword Donovan, sneaks in and forces himself on the young boy. Guts later lures his abuser away and forces his sword down Donovan’s throat, killing him. No longer feeling safe, Guts begins to sleep clutching his sword.

Guts’ relationship with Gambino rapidly deteriorates following Shisu’s death. Gambino resents Guts for the subsequent loss of his leg and fixates on the misfortune that seems to have followed the boy. Gambino soon begins to verbally and physically abuse Guts, and consequently makes an attempt on Guts’ life. It’s in this moment that Gambino confesses that he had sold Guts to Donovan for the night. 

Horrified by this revelation, Guts is forced to kill his paternal figure in an act of self-defence and is hunted down by Gambino's men. After narrowly escaping with his life and defending himself against a pack of wolves, Guts eventually falls unconscious. The cycle begins again as he is discovered and enlisted by a separate mercenary group where he becomes a child soldier.

After surviving battlefield to battlefield, Guts eventually crosses paths with the Band of the Hawk. Impressed by his skills, leader Griffith, openly expresses that he is eager for Guts to join the Band of the Hawk. Guts agrees to this proposal but only if Griffith defeats him in a duel. Much to Guts’ disgust, he is defeated and begrudgingly joins the new group of mercenaries. But soon finds himself at home among his companions within the Band of the Hawk and is swiftly promoted to Captain of the Raiders.

It is clear that Guts is conflicted in the first arc of the story. After years of coping with isolation and abuse, he is torn between carving his own path or sticking with the Band of the Hawk. It's safe to say that whether you read the manga or watch the anime, the series doesn't sugar-coat the trauma Guts is forced to endure. But despite everything, Guts still carries on and it’s his mental fortitude that makes him such a sympathetic character.

But after forming strong friendships and concealing an unrequited love, it's Guts' decision to leave the Band of the Hawk and break free of Griffith's control that ultimately leads to The Band of the Hawk's downfall.

Amidst this complicated bromance you have Casca. A seasoned warrior who commands the respect of The Band of the Hawk and is Griffiths right hand – that is until Guts steals the spotlight. This setup may sound like a clichéd love triangle but Casca plays a crucial role in Berserk. Without her, Guts would've likely given up following the aftermath of the eclipse. She is the driving force in the story, feeding Guts' lust for revenge.

If you're considering checking out Berserk, I can highly recommend the manga as the best way to consume the series, as you are able to see Miura hone his craft over the years and create some truly remarkable panels. Another benefit is that with over 300 chapters, you'll have more than enough content to keep you occupied. But if that's not your style you have a few options to choose from.

The Golden Age Arc Film Trilogy concisely summaries the first narrative arc, if you want to get up to speed quickly. The larger budget in the subsequent movies allows for less 3D animation and more stunning hand-drawn sequences. However, if you have the time and patience for it, the 1997 adaptation spares no details and has an alluring nostalgic 90's aesthetic, if you can forgive it being a little rough around the edges.

Whichever version you decide to pick if you still can't get enough, I would advise saving the 2016 Berserk anime for last. Not only because it takes place after the first arc and follows the aftermath of the eclipse, but fans of the series have openly criticised this version's cheap animation style that fails to do justice to Miura’s concepts.

As previously mentioned, Berserk is unashamed in its cruelty and some might say the series renowned violence is needlessly excessive. Although this may seem off-putting, Berserk also has it's softer moments. It's in these more subdued scenes that you're drawn deeper into the fascinating narrative.

If asked how best to describe the series, I would say that it's the love child of Japanese horror artist, Junji Ito and fantasy author, George R. R. Martin. The medieval-fantasy setting allows for breath-taking architecture and scenery which often resembles Salvador Dali's surrealist paintings, but inhabited with monsters from Hieronymus Bosch's famous works such as The Harrowing of Hell. It's this contrast that makes Berserk so bewitching, in the thick of all the violence, gore, and carnage, you have a tragic story bursting with drama, rivalry, betrayal, lost love, and most importantly, revenge.

But if The Last of Us Part 2 taught us anything about seeking revenge, it is that it comes at a high price. However, the story remains largely unfinished with the current hiatus and recent chapter having been released as far back as 2019, it's uncertain when we'll see how this revenge story will play out. Nevertheless much like the A Song of Fire and Ice series, having no ending has its positives...

[oftenderweapons]

Mold Me New (4) – Taehyung

A Small Town Swoons story

Pairing: Taehyung x reader (nicknamed Frog — for now)

Wordcount: 4.7k

Genre: ceramic artist!Taehyung, divorced!reader, Strangers to Lovers, Fluff, Angst, Slice of Life

Rating: 18+ (for future smut and explicit thoughts)

Hello to my readers!!! Welcome to the Small Town Swoons Universe!🥰✨

In this episode: Frog and Taehyung have become very comfortable around each other, getting used to each other’s presence. Their bond grows even more once a ghost from the past comes back to haunt Taehyung. His natural response is growing even closer to Frog, relying on her completely for comfort and… a distraction.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Angsty themes in the second part (an “ex girlfriend” comes back, Taehyung puts up a wall, just a little). Frog starts asking herself questions about sexual attraction. There are some innuendos here and there. Taehyung receives unwanted attentions that make him deeply uncomfortable. That should be all.

The parts that look good were edited by the miraculous @joheunsaram​ (I recced one of her pieces right here in my main blog 💜)

In case you like my writing, here is my directory for idol!AUs, scenarios and imagines. Here is Tae and Frog’s music companion (spotify playlist, the playlist in case you wanna create it on other platforms)

Enjoy 💜✨

Navi: Chapter 1 — Chapter 2 — Chapter 3 — Chapter 4 — Chapter 5 — Chapter 6 — Chapter 7

Taehyung had become a comfortable addition to your life. He was steady and reliable — from your bi-weekly lessons, to drinks with his friends on the weekend.

Terry had extraordinarily managed to stay friends with both Jimin and Hoseok, occasionally taunting them, but overall keeping things neutral and platonic.

However, the one who was struggling with friendly, platonic feelings was you. It was difficult not to notice the way Taehyung always managed to predict your objections, your movements and your needs.

You felt a connection that made you feel weak, queasy, like clay gently sprinkled with water.

His lessons had become a secret guide to people and relationships.

The first time he had actually placed you at the wheel, helping you throw your first small bowl, he had given you the epiphany of a lifetime.

“Don’t let it dry too much. Too much water will mess it up. It will become too pliant and it won’t hold up.”

A revelation had struck you just then and there. That was it. The rule to love. You had bathed your ex husband in reassurance and affection, and just like that he had melted underneath your touch, and he had turned into nothing. And the love had run out.

“Every shape has its specific requirements,” Taehyung had explained, dipping your hands in the basin and letting the droplets fall from your fingertips. “Wet hands, but not drenched,” he had reminded you from the previous lesson. With a small nod he had invited you to press down the pedal lightly. “See, here we go. The clay will show how much water it needs. Easy on the pedal. Very slow. You’re warming it up. Be gentle. You’re not sure it’s good. Just like with people. Easy at first, and once it works you speed up,” he had smiled at the material underneath your hands.

“Gentle. Easy,” he had corrected you, his sinewy fingers gently leading your hands, recalibrating the pressure points. You had watched the greyish water stain his hands as he helped you. “That’s the secret to good things.”

In the following lesson he had taught you the importance of separation and remotion.

“It's been a few hours* what you have right there it's a leatherhard*. It's hard enough to withstand some pressure, but not ready to stand on its own,” Taehyung had shown you how to cut the bowl from the base, to turn it around and let it dry evenly.

“Still it wouldn't survive the kiln yet,” he explained. “You need all the water out. Water weakens the structure and your piece would crumble. And you would need to start anew,” Taehyung's delicate fingertips had lifted the piece, turning it around. “They're like children. One wrong move and, bam, you lose their trust and you need to earn it back, from ground zero. Yes, Frog. Just like that, easy with the pressure or you'll leave fingerprints,” he had scolded you, exhaling and closing his eyes once he noticed the damage had already been done.

You had looked at him with a sheepish grin, smiling apologetically.

What you didn't know is that he had scowled at the realisation that he simply could not keep a long face at you.

Taehyung had discovered an even weaker spot for you.

He had realised he liked you a lot.

You were quiet, observant, and incredibly intelligent.

And he liked chatting with you on your nights at the pub. And he liked your fashion sense.

He liked leaning his head against your shoulder, he was just extremely sorry he had to be half drunk to be brave enough — or to be somehow excused for the excess of clinginess.

He liked you, the cheerful and polite smile you wore while talking to Jimin and Terry indistinctly, like they had the same importance to you, no matter you had known Terry for ages and Jimin for a few weeks.

He liked the way you trapped the tip of your tongue between your lips while you focused on a piece, or the fact that once he had stopped by the bookshop, only to spot you curled up on an armchair with a fuzzy blanket on your shoulders while you read a book.

He had studied the sleepy smile you had offered him as he handed you a cup of tea that had just been brewed in Seokjin’s café. Taehyung had felt young and foolish as his smile mirrored yours. He’d wandered around the few shelves in your shop, studying a few books and asking questions about the organisation of genres on the shelves.

He asked for recommendations and chuckled as he noticed you growing increasingly chatty, disrupting your streak of quiet to passionately discuss authors and plots and publishing houses, little naive art books and detective novels and half unknown poets from entirely unknown countries.

It had been an amazing morning, with a lazy yellowy light floating in from the large windows.

After that, his visits to the bookshop had become more frequent, even stopping by during a reading date — which of course was not the two of you having a date, but rather other people coming in, mostly couples from university, to explore the shelves together, have that niche romantic academia experience, which sometimes meant that professors also came in with their husbands or wives. The loveliest of them all was the Ancient Greek professor, a seventy year old man who always came in with his wife, opening the door for her and walking around with her hand in his, usually stopping in front of the Russian section to see if they could find anything they liked. Taehyung had helped you create some artsy reading nooks that your customers truly appreciated.

The last month or so had been a blessing, for the both of you.

You both liked the steady, warm presence you could offer each other: he liked having you around because he felt less lonely, and because it was so easy to focus on you rather than the discomfort of loss; you enjoyed his respectful guidance, like a toddler still stumbling on their feet finds comfort in the parent walking right behind them; you felt free to move autonomously, but you also felt him there, never looking away in chase you needed a hand to hold. You had found a companion.

And with that many things started getting out of your control.

One in particular.

It was Tuesday afternoon and as usual the bookshop was closed. You parked your bike in Taehyung’s driveway, grabbing your tote and blushing a little as you fixed a classy, old school ribbon in your hair, covering the hair tie of your ponytail. You felt fickle and juvenile.

You felt romantic.

You felt ready to be pampered with tender guidance and soft touches, still strictly limited to your hands, always after mannered glances asking for your permission. With eager joy, you opened the door to the studio, only to notice an extra wheel beside the usual one.

And one extra person.

A woman.

Currently running her hand down Taehyung’s arm, toying with his fingers.

You blinked a couple times before you rebuilt your happy facade. “Oh, hi! Hello there!” you greeted with a smile.

Taehyung immediately took half a step away from the woman.

“Hello Frog, how are you today?”

“Happy,” you chirped in a way that had Taehyung warning immediately. He knew that kind of gleeful tone was dedicated to other circumstances — books, your friends, squealing when you managed to make a good piece. He frowned also because you weren’t one of those easily excited people.

What could have possibly made you want to show off so much happiness all at once?

“I’m glad,” he commented before noticing the extra wheel and suddenly remembering the guest.

“This is Dolly. Dolly is a fellow artist. She’s from a small town nearby. She is designing customised tableware for a resort cottage nearby. She’ll work with us today.”

You nodded, grabbing your apron — the only apron, you noticed — and got ready for the task of the day.

“Would you like to try making a plate for today?” he asked, taking out some premixed clay and preparing it on the table for you to wedge. “Or we could do some glazing while Dolly does her thing.”

“No, I could use two teachers,” you replied, trying to be inclusive, shushing all the unmotivated jealousy. How unreasonable!

“She won’t let you get away with things just because of your cute smile,” Taehyung warned, the stern reprimand sugared by the half hidden compliment.

“I almost don’t make mistakes anymore!” you complained before walking to the table, rolling up your sleeves and beginning to pat the corners of your piece of clay.

“Do you need me to do that?” he asked, feeling twice as apprehensive as usual.

“You could wedge some for me, Tae?” Dolly called, preparing a large disk and bringing it over to the table. “Please?” she cooed.

Taehyung agreed, feeling more comfortable at your side, both your foreheads growing sweaty with the warm spring weather and your arms getting sore as you worked the clay until it reached ideal plasticity.

“How was yesterday? I didn’t manage to bring you breakfast,” he mentioned almost casually as he started giving the final twists to the clay body.

“Oh, it was okay. Slow Monday. A couple teachers brought in some stuff to print. One of my parents’ friends asked me to grammar check her dissertation. I had a few books brought in for safety rebounding. Same old,” you said, sitting at the wheel and throwing the clay down. “How should I go about the plate?” you asked, looking up at Taehyung.

He was suddenly enchanted by your beauty as you looked up, a few rebellious locks escaping your hairband and making you look so unreal, so breathtaking and young.

Sometimes he forgot you were young.

Sometimes he even forgot he was young himself.

He was living the kind of fondness his grandma had always told him about, the kind of fondness she had met once sixty, ready to conclude her earthly struggles by herself. Instead, she had met an honest man, a widower who understood her past and her present.

The two had shared a quiet, tender feeling until she left. They were friends, they talked about the weather and gardening, went on walks, had picnics and went to church together. He always held her hand and kissed her forehead with a reverence Taehyung had never met.

Except for you.

He knew the only love he would never doubt was the one that accompanied his granny through her last days. He knew she passed a happy woman and that relieved him immensely.

Being the son of a single mother meant many complicated things, which included his mom moving half a continent away when he turned fourteen, chasing a man he barely knew.

He was glad he had his grandmother then, and the guys. Jimin and his family, although very complicated.

Taehyung didn’t understand the inner dynamics of relationships, and his lack of experience during high school had definitely not helped.

It’s not like he hadn’t tried, but he didn’t feel comfortable. He was always trying to learn while all the girls he had dated expected some sort of latin lover for unknown reasons — probably because of a rumour started by Jimin and Jeongguk, which had clearly, miserably failed.

All he could do was show kind devotion and gain continuous inspiration by the women in his life.

Pottery itself was an art he had learnt from his mother, who in turn had learnt from her mother. He had liked it from day one, like he had been called to it, made for it, even.

“Taetae please, could you help? I think I’m stuck,” Dolly whined, stopping to look at her attempt of dish. “What do you think?”

You tried to ignore the way her voice hurt your ears, leaving some clay aside to handbuild fruit for decoration to add later. Once done, you remodeled the amount for the plate in a round ball against your apron before throwing it a bit too aggressively on the wheel before starting to center.

“See, I’m not sure about the lip. Should i give it a wider edge or make it a bit… I don’t know. I kind of wanted it flat, with a slightly raised lip,” she pouted through her words, but you kept your focus, centering the piece flawlessly, repeating the procedure a few times, feeling the movements terribly familiar and comforting.

“It’s a good idea,” Taehyung confirmed, “a bit of a modern twist.”

“Aw, you’re so nice!” Dolly cooed, batting her lashes at him just as he turned to look at you.

“You’re still centering? All good?” he asked, noticing you stuck on holding the half dome under your palms, ready to bring it up again.

He let you go through the motion, finding himself the excuse of checking your technique only to stare at your strong but precise hands.

You went on without answering, letting the clay grow against your palms before feeling it peak and changing your grip, pushing your thumbs across and down.

“Good job, Frog,” he praised you, watching your face light up in a shy smile while you kept working the ball onto a large, thick disk.

“It’s a lot more than usual,” you commented with a sheepish grin.

“You’re doing perfect,” he reassured you. “Keep it even. Remember the ashtray-turned-jewellery plate?” he asked.

You nodded.

“Use the side of your hand. Press down harder,” he directed you. “Use your whole body, Frog. You’re handling a lot there, you need to be a bit more aggressive.”

He bit his lip before testing the waters. “Make it wetter, Frog.”

You felt yourself freeze for a second. You swallowed and dipped your dominant hand in the water.

“Don’t make it drip,” he corrected you.

“I’m gonna drench it,” you replied.

“Taetae—”

“Just a second, Dolly,” he replied absentmindedly. “Drench it, Frog.”

You obeyed.

“Gonna touch your back,” he warned you before you felt his forearms on your shoulders, pressing you down. “Use your whole weight. You need to make it to three inches. The thinner the easier.”

You felt his voice close to your ear.

“When it starts to drag, it’s too dry. Hug the side,” he rose and placed his palm against yours. “Just hold it. No pressure. Lovingly.”

“Tae—” Dolly called again.

He closed his eyes. “Just keep pressing,” he told you. “Tell me.”

“Can you help me with the lip?” Dolly asked, batting her lashes.

“First, make the base wider. Flatten it nicely, till the edge, then pinch the wall up. It will fall a little as it dries, but maybe we can find a way to secure it. If you make it short enough it should hold,” he explained professionally.

“Could you show me, please?”

He nodded. “Wait, Frog, stop there. Watch,” he commanded curtly.

You slowed down the wheel before stopping, holding your hands for a second before making sure that your piece didn’t get out of control.

“Okay,” you told him once you were ready.

“Come up here, I need you to see the details.”

You reached the two other people, Taehyung taking Dolly’s spot at the wheel. He fixed his stance before he wet his hands. Instinctively, his left palm went to hold the side while his right fingers grabbed a needle, measuring the thickness of the plate. “Just around two inches. And here it goes thicker, you see? Around three inches,” he showed, sticking the needle in.

“Did I do wrong?” Dolly asked, awfully dramatic.

“You just need to make it thinner,” he commented, already dipping a small sponge in the plate before squeezing it in the plate, still being very careful.

“Now, Dolly first used her fist — the side of it — and pulled it toward her to spread the clay lower. Repeat that several times. At least six or seven, based on the pressure you manage to apply. Then she used her fingertips, center out. Like this,” he said, showing the motion.

You felt ready to throw yourself out across the glass wall head first.

His middle finger pressed down with such firmness that you couldn’t not think of it doing very inappropriate things to your body.

You felt dumbstruck at the sudden thought, like it was some sort of exceedingly vivid dream, too realistic to actually be a dream.

“Rib next. Dolly didn’t use the rib properly here. She was too light.” He corrected the woman’s mistake, using his chest to press down, exhaling loudly as he did. “You have to go deep, Frog. Stay there. Be a bit stubborn.” He grinned. “Hold position.”

You nodded, licking your lips.

Dolly’s eyes were glowing with arousal next to you, his brow arching once he put down the rib after five minutes or so. “Wet fingers,” he reminded you, wiggling as gimey, grey water rolled down his wrists, the vision unfairly erotic for the dirt covering his hands, dripping down the hypervascular back of them, the veins of his forearms significantly thicker.

You shook your head with a grin as he wiggled his digits. “You put one inside, on the outside and press them together. Make sure you dig deep with the one on the inner side. You’ll want to press down firmly to collect all the material you’ll need for the lip. In this case, we keep pushing out, to further widen the plate and give it a short, erect lip.”

You were out of your mind, nodding just in hope to get away from torture.

“Oh, so that’s how I need to do the lip! Thank you Taetae!” Dolly exclaimed, giving you a way out.

You caught the chance immediately, sitting back at the wheel, drenching your hands before reapplying water to your piece.

“Wetter,” Taehyung called immediately.

Oh.

Your brain froze as you realised that wetter you were, indeed.

“Make a fist,” he ordered as he poured more water on your piece. “Press the side of your pinkie knuckle in the middle.”

You looked at him, crouched beside you, his mop of black hair tumbling back as his dark eyes met yours.

They hid so much longing, so much need for comfort. You read them immediately, nodding.

He placed his hand on top of yours. “Push down, Frog,” he murmured, in a way he hoped only the two of you would hear over the sound of the wheels’ engines. “Harder, lovely.”

You held your breath, his fingers and palm swallowing your fist entirely as he slipped his thumb into the hole created by your index and thumb. “Pull it towards you now,” he spoke softly. “Hard and slow, Frog,” he reminded you.

Your brain was far, far away, filled with questions about how you now found yourself comfortable about seeing Taehyung as a potential partner.

Duh. Because he knows you, dummy, the reply came instantly

Because he seemed to do everything just right for you, and when he ended up making a mistake, he seemed to know exactly how to ask for forgiveness and actually learn from his previous wrongdoings.

“Do I keep going?” you questioned, looking at him.

His face lit up slightly. “Yes, darling.” He let you go slightly after, cleaning up his hand.

You missed his guidance, but you convinced yourself you could do without.

“Slow down. Test the thickness,” he reminded you, offering the needle. “You did perfect, Frog,” he murmured with a fond grin.

“Really?” you reacted incredulously.

He confirmed, nodding as he stuck the needle along the side. “We need to work with your fingertips along the sides, here,” he showed, closing down the small puncture.

You wet your digits and placed your middle and ring finger on the center, slightly angled, letting them slide all the way to the edge as the wheel turned.

He assisted your outer hand, supporting it and showing how much pressure was needed.

“Keep going like this for a couple minutes. Make sure that it slims out. Just a few minutes—”

“Tae, do you think this is right?” Dolly asked with her squeaky voice.

His left hand grazed yours reverently as he parted from you.

Taehyung cruelly realised he was head over heels for you.

“It looks just fine to me, Dolly. I think you could give it a last test and then let it dry.”

“Yes, maybe you could give me some hands-on guidance with the next one. I could learn from a… master like you.”

You almost scoffed, giving a choked snort before you could actually control yourself.

“Uhm… I’m sure you just need to refine your timing.” Taehyung tried to evade the request.

During the rest of your lesson, you managed to throw two plates, even building a few decorations that would be added once the clay was leatherhard, in about twenty-four hours.

“I’ll add the decorations tomorrow,” Taehyung told you as you washed your hands. “Unless you want to stop by during lunch break.”

You dried your hands, thinking about his suggestion. “I think I’ll be busy tomorrow. You know, the Spring fair is soon and there’s some stuff I need to do.”

He pouted and nodded. “I’ll trim and decorate then,” he agreed. “If we’re having our Friday lesson, we can bisque them.”

You smiled and agreed.

“Maybe I can throw some plates for you and show you how to decorate while the kiln is working,” he reasoned, helping you to remove the apron once he noticed you were stuck in it.

“That would be lovely, if it’s not too much work for you!” you replied happily. You deposited the apron and caught your bag, fixing it on your shoulder. “It was a pleasure, Dolly!”

“Likewise!” she replied with a smile so sour it would have made milk curdle. “I’ll see you again!”

“Yes, for sure!” you cheered back, making your way out.

Taehyung accompanied you, almost as if you didn’t know the way. “I have a book to return,” he said, making you frown. He didn’t borrow any book from you.

“Uhm,” you started, trying to understand his intentions.

“Come in, I have it in the kitchen,” he said, leading you through the backyard.

“Taehyung,” you called, once you reached the door to his house, keeping your voice low. “Are you okay?”

He opened the door and led you through. His house was incredibly traditional compared to the way you had expected it to be.

“I’m… I just needed to check in on you. Dolly can be a very… loud… presence,” he said, grabbing a glass and a pastel pink porcelain pitcher. “Lemonade?”

You shook your head. “She is indeed very… loud.”

“I’m sorry,” he sat down and drank. He looked sad. Worried. “Are we okay, Frog?”

You stood at his side, looking at him before delicately placing your hand on his shoulder. “I’m okay, but are you? You look terrified of being in there with her.”

He placed both elbows on the table and held his head. “I’m just very tired today.”

Your hand moved to his nape, feeling the corded muscles. “Tell her you’re tired and that you’re calling it a day. I can make up an excuse for you.”

You were reminded just how much he had clung to you for the whole lesson. If she was giving him special attention, he clearly didn’t want it.

“Would you do that?” he asked, suddenly hopeful.

You frowned. “Of course?” you reacted, playfully disappointed in his lack of faith. “We can stay here. I can read, you can nap or watch the tv. We just need to make her understand it’s time to go. I’ll hide my bike and wait for you here. You’ll go in there and tell her Jimin or someone called and they need your help.”

“Are you sure you want to spend the afternoon like this? I mean, it’s your free day.”

You shrugged. Your plans were going home, getting rid of the awful tension running down your back and possibly going to the shop for some cleaning, maybe work on that dissertation… “You’re my friend. And yes, I want to help you.”

Taehyung knew that some people would have been highly disappointed by being called ‘friend’ by their crush, but that made him feel warm, like he was wrapped in a cosy comforter. “Go hide the bike,” he said, grinning like a child.

You grinned right back at him, starting down the corridor with long strides. He helped you choose a nice spot, hiding your bike between the house and the bushes tracing the outline of the garden.

After fifteen minutes or so, you heard Dolly’s annoying voice as she said something like “call me if you need help with Jiminie”, dramatically bidding Taehyung goodbye.

From the window, you watched her get inside a car in front of the house, Taehyung appearing a few minutes after. “We. Are. Free,” he panted theatrically as he flopped on the sofa, throwing his head back.

“Why did you let her come?” you asked, staring at him from your spot by the window.

“Because she’s an old friend. I met her way before she became like that,” he admitted. “I hadn’t seen her in ages. And now she’s clearly trying to get back in my life, using the commission as an excuse.” Taehyung rubbed his temples.

For half a second you wondered whether it was a good idea to ask. Would it make any difference? You realised it would. “Were you… In a relationship?”

“If for ‘relationship’ you mean ‘let’s fuck him so I can complete the friends collection’, then yes.” Taehyung propped his forearms on his knees, exhaling heavily.

You hissed, feeling slightly uncomfortable. You didn’t know what to do. “If you’d like to rest, I can go home,” you said, looking at him with cold, uncertain eyes.

He met your stare, suddenly feeling confused, scared even. He frowned and crossed his arms, trying to put some distance after he noticed his refuge turn hostile to him. “You can go,” he said, shrinking within his shoulders, trying not to show how much he feared being alone.

What he didn’t know is that you could feel the hurt in his voice and the pain in his eyes like needles sinking in your skin. You walked to him, touching his hair hesitantly, feeling wary about not receiving spoken permission.

You watched him bloom under your touch, his lungs inflating with a large inhale. He exhaled way more slowly, taking his time. “Do you want me to go?” you asked, letting your hand slide down the side of his face.

He shook his head, placing his hand atop of yours, holding it there just in case you foolishly thought he didn’t need your touch anymore. “Can you stay?”

You placed both your hands on his hair, cupping his face. “I’ll read, you take a nap.”

He watched you move your free hand away, putting down your tote and grabbing a book. He grabbed your wrist, staring at you with his dark puppy eyes. “Can you sit here? Close?”

You smiled and nodded, settling at his side before he grabbed a blanket, spread it wide and laid down, nuzzling closer, inch by inch, until you found his head on your lap.

“Can I?” he asked, adorably, his cheeks puffy and his eyes glittering vivaciously.

You smiled back at him and nodded. Fondly, you moved your book aside, watching him close his eyes contentedly as your thigh became his pillow.

After a couple pages, you almost thought he had fallen asleep already, only to realise you were mistaken once he reached for your free hand and brought it to his hair.

“Cuddle?”

You smiled even brighter, tracing the shell of his ear before starting to hand-comb his soft, dark locks.

“I’ve got you,” you whispered gently, barely holding back as you looked at his face, peacefully relaxed.

Your heart was a messy thing, but in that moment you realised that, could you have a new one, you would gift it to him and never ask for it back.

Taglist is open

Navi: Chapter 1 — Chapter 2 — Chapter 3 — Chapter 4 — Chapter 5 — Chapter 6 — Chapter 7

[softjeon]

Head in the Clouds

• Pairing: Model!Jimin x Namjoon • Genre: fluff, with a tiny hint of angst • Words: 28,2k | written with @cassiavioletblue • Disclaimer: mentioning of anxiety, insecurities (body issues), and a lot of ‘I love you’s’ and fluffiness that could cause your heart to melt, smut/ nsfw content

↳  “Mr. Kim! How does it feel to have one of the most beautiful man..” “Here! Look here, please” “Would you like to comment on the statement of park Jimin who said…” “What does the agency think about Park Jimin dating…”

→ Sequel to ‘Mile High Valentine Club’ 

He stormed out of the building, looking left and right, ignoring the doorman’s question about if he was alright or needed something. There was a voice calling out for him, but Jimin didn’t listen - instead he smiled, running ahead, raising his hand to call for a taxi. To his luck one came to a halt right in front of him only a few seconds later.

“Downtown please,” He said, noticing how the driver shivered when the cold wind rushed into the car the moment he opened the door. Jimin smiled apologetically, even though the other couldn’t see it being hidden behind a mask. He quickly told the driver the exact address before sitting back, he could still see Jin waving at him, pointing at his watch as if to tell him to ‘fucking be on time or else I kill you’ before he just finally let the city pass him by. The smile stayed on his lips and even though it had nothing to do with the driver anymore, nor did he care that nobody could see, it made him feel warm, cozy and loved.

Everything that Namjoon meant to him.

Jimin paid the driver and tipped him well before he got out of the car, standing in awe in front of the skyscraper in front of him, it’s glass windows reflecting the sun. Jimin took off the bucket hat that made sure he kept himself hidden from others even more and closed his eyes letting it warm up his cheeks. He had never been here before and all though Namjoon told him many times to come and visit him at lunch break, Jimin had figured it was more of a joke than him really suggesting to come by. It was his work place after all. And they weren’t really official - at least not yet in the public eye. They had been dating for a little while now and it was everything Jimin hoped it would be. Who would have thought a hook up in a plane could lead to this? He giggled softly to himself at the fond memory and fished out his phone to look at the last message from Namjoon.

I miss you.

Three simple words that made Jimin feel so good and he knew he needed to see him. Right now.

…

“I hate spring,” Yoongi said sneezing, followed by a groan as he sleepily reached for his coffee and rubbed his eyes. He only barely heard the chuckle and comment coming from his best friend, when he opened his eyes again. Yoongi blinked a few times, stars shining everywhere from how hard he had rubbed them when he noticed someone walking right up to their desk. For a moment he stiffened up thinking it was their boss wanting to check up on their presentation that Namjoon was constantly talking about - which he didn’t listen to because the one strutting their way over to them was... an angel. Yoongi was sure of that. The way the young man stroked his hand through his blonde hair (definitely bleached; Yoongi could see that, too) and his sparkly eyes looking around to search for someone...something...or...them?

The smile on the young man’s lip faltered for a second when someone bumped into him and he bend over to help gather the sheets that had fallen onto the floor (Yoongi wondered if anyone else was seeing this in slow motion or if it was his medication for his allergies making him see all of this). Rubbing his eyes again, Yoongi shook his head. “Fuck me, I’d definitely wouldn’t say no to that ass,” He mumbled and as soon as his best friend picked up on what he said, he nodded over his shoulder, “He’s more than just fuckable. I’d do things to him; you don’t even want to know.” He groaned, “You see that waist? Those lips? I think, I believe in angels now.”

Namjoon laughed because you usually didn’t hear Min Yoongi complimenting someone effusively like that, so he turned his head to see who the guy was who had swept Yoongi off his feet like that. His smile froze in place when he saw that it was Jimin, his Jimin, standing in the middle of the office, apparently completely unaware of the kind of attention he was drawing to himself. He was looking around and when he saw him his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

“Namjoon!”

You couldn’t hear him say it because there was still a glass door between their desks and the entrance room, but it was easy to read his name from Jimin’s lips. He had kissed it from those heavenly plush lips way too often not to know what it meant. His eyes entirely fixated on him, Jimin opened the door and came right over to his desk, making Yoongi draw in a sharp startled breath.

“Namjoon! I missed you too!” Completely unaware that open display of affection wasn’t something you usually did in an office Jimin wrapped his arms around him and kissed him right on the mouth. “I couldn’t way to see you, so I came in my lunch break! I hope you didn’t have yours already. I’ll promise you it will be so much better with me around…” He chuckled before noticing the way Yoongi was staring at him. Instead of getting embarrassed or shy he gave him a bright smile and reached out his hand, all while still sitting on Namjoon’s lap.

“Hello, I’m Jimin. Nice to meet you.”

Yoongi took his hand and mumbled something that could be his name, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. Namjoon cleared his throat before turning towards Jimin. “If you want you can go into the office kitchen, I can make you a coffee there if you want. I’ll just wrap things up and will be there too in a minute. Jimin happily agreed and only when the younger had made his way over did Namjoon speak again. “As he is basically the most stunning person on earth I won’t hold it against you what you said earlier. But I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t talk about my boyfriend in front of me like that again.” Yoongi just nodded, mute from what he had to process right now. “Maybe I can ask Jimin if he has a friend that would like to go out with pale, tired office workers.” For that he was rightfully flipped off. While he got up to meet with Jimin a smirk stole its way on Namjoon’s face. “Also don’t think I would ever forget that you actually blushed when Jimin introduced himself.” Then he walked away quickly before Yoongi could murder him for the sake of his reputation.

Jimin walked ahead and into the kitchen niche of the office, smiling at the obviously confused people which only some of them slowly recognized who he was. They stared either wide eyed, their gazes flickering between the magazine they were reading in their lunch break back over to Jimin and then to Namjoon who was definitely somehow involved into this as he put his arm around the youngers waist. They would definitely have something to talk about now for their office gossip. Jimin smiled, taking the coffee that his boyfriend offered. “I’m sorry I barged in like that, but I had some time and you always said I should come and visit so you can show me where you work and all,” Jimin said and took a sip of the hot beverage, “And I needed to see you.”

Jimin should have probably not kissed Namjoon out in his office like that, but he hadn’t cared at all. He loved him. He wanted to share his love but at the same time there were a few more things that were making this all a little more difficult. The paparazzi and media. Jin knew about their relationship, still they had decided to keep it all private because both didn’t want to talk about what it could mean to be open about it in the public eye, yet and Jimin actually didn’t tell Namjoon much about it. He was scared that it would frighten him, push him away from Jimin and he didn’t want to lose him. For the first time in a long time Jimin felt loved and safe with someone again and he didn’t want to risk it in any way.

Just like they had promised in New York, Namjoon had asked Jimin out on a proper date as soon as they were back in Seoul - even though it was already perfectly clear that both were head over heels in love. The other thing that was pretty clear from the start was, that this relationship wasn’t going to be a normal one. With Jimin being a known model, Namjoon had to come to his apartment for their first date. And for any kind of other visits. Because here there was a security guard 24/7 down at the door where Namjoon was lead through the back door by Jin the first time, who had cooked for them both as a little ‘apology’ as he didn’t want them to go out to a restaurant where the media was only waiting to jump out on them. Nonetheless, Jimin thought it was one of the best dates he ever had and therefore it didn’t take long, after just a few more dates, for Namjoon to ask if he wanted to be his boyfriend. Of course, they had some more talk about media and how it was better for them to keep their relationship unofficial for as long as possible but Jimin tried to avoid it as much as he could to not scare Namjoon off. He wouldn’t be the first to not be able to handle it and Jimin rather wanted to cuddle with him and fall asleep in his arms than talk about potential reasons why Namjoon should not be with him.

The second hurdle was the distance and their busy lives. If it was Jimin’s decision he would want to have Namjoon around him every day and night. But unfortunately, that wasn’t how life worked. Instead it made it even harder for them to meet up, or to stay over. It was easier to take the train near Namjoon’s own apartment, then drive all the way from the upper side to downtown every morning. And on the weekends, Jimin had a lot of photoshoots. It wasn’t as easy as Jimin wished it would be and the nights were still lonely sometimes. Each time, Namjoon kissed him goodbye to leave him behind in his - suddenly very empty - loft, Jimin just wanted to cry and even though he had been tired before and maybe already had been drifting off to sleep, the moment Namjoon was gone, he was wide awake again. And now it had been a few days since Jimin had last seen Namjoon, since he had to prepare a presentation for work with Yoongi - who didn’t know anything about their relationship until today. It was exhausting. But it was very rewarding the moment Jimin looked up at into Namjoon’s eyes and saw the warmth and love in them, or in the way the other held him close to his body and told him all about his day. Namjoon was perfect to him and Jimin never wanted to let him go. No matter how hard it was.

Jimin’s hand caressed over the wooden table, letting his gaze wander around the office that his boyfriend called his own. It was even hotter than Jimin would have thought to see Namjoon walking around his office in his tailored suit. He placed his cup of coffee aside and easily pushed himself up on the desk to look at Namjoon. “I have about...twenty minutes,” Jimin cocked his head to the side with a flirtatious smile on his lips, “Kiss me.”

“Someone’s demanding today!” Namjoon laughed but complied easily. It wasn’t as if he needed to be told twice when he had the opportunity to kiss Jimin and hold him close while way too often for his liking he just got texts or maybe a video talk instead of “real” contact.

“I’m just going to hide the clock,” He mumbled poutily after a few minutes of kissing, “Cause if you can’t see the time you don’t know when you’ve got to go which means you’ll have to stay forever with me!” He hadn’t been overly emotional with partners before, getting shy and embarrassed easily but Jimin drew it out of him, the longing, the emotional connection, everything that he was feeling when the other was around. “Or I could just kidnap you while your bodyguard is not around for a weekend off. Just lazily lounging around in bed, I’ll make you blueberry waffles and the best coffee you’ve ever had…” It was easy to dream with such a beautiful person by his side.

“Joonie,” The nickname slipped past his lips easily and in between kisses softly, “I’d love that…you know I want to stay forever with you…but Jin was already angry at me for sneaking out in between shoots. I wasn’t really allowed to.” He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, while with the other he fumbled around with Namjoon’s suit jacket. Jimin stole a few more kisses, before he whispered, “It’s still enough time for me to sneak under the desk if you want me to.” He bit onto his lip, his hands wandering up Namjoon’s chest in a daring gesture.

Namjoon almost choked on his own breath. He still needed to get used to how sweetly and without warning Jimin could switch to dirty talk. “That’s... a lovely offer and I’d like to take a rain check on that but right now I’d rather be able to see your face for the little time that you still have in your forbidden-sneaking-out-break.” He gently placed a kiss on Jimin’s cheekbone. “Why, do you need some opportunity to blow off steam in return? Were they annoying at the shooting? What is it about? Did they have you sit in make up for three hours again to turn you into some crazy fantasy bird?” Jimin had pouted all evening because there had been glitter and feathers everywhere and he found that he looked like a plucked chicken.

“No, it’s nothing, Joonie.” Jimin put his arms around Namjoon’s waist and pulled him a bit closer so he could lean onto him. “I didn’t give my best today, that’s all. They noticed,” Jimin shrugged his shoulders, not wanting to talk about anything else. He was tired, exhausted and he definitely didn’t want to go back soon. Looking up at Namjoon, Jimin pursed his lips, “Did you finish your presentation?” Jimin didn’t want to ask directly if Namjoon wanted to come by, as he felt like he was already clinging too much and if he didn’t give him the space he needed that he would get enough off him soon.

Namjoon sympathetically hugged Jimin closer. He had found out pretty soon that he couldn’t convince Jimin that ‘not doing his best’ in Jimin’s eyes was still ‘absolutely awesome’ in Namjoon’s eyes - and that Jimin didn’t have to constantly be his absolute best to be worthy of admiration and love. The only thing that really helped Jimin was lots of (physical) reassurance and just trying to be there for him.

He quickly went with the topic chance, noticing how talking about the shooting made the younger uncomfortable. “Not yet - but we’ll definitely have it finished by tonight. Which means I can end my shift at a normal time and maybe come visit you if you like.”

Jimin smile turned brighter as he hugged Namjoon once more. “Please do, I miss you so much. I’ll pay the cab for you.” The younger mumbled happily into his embrace, before the vibrating of his phone in the back of his pocket made him jerk up. “Oh fuck,” He cursed loudly, waving the phone in the air and jumped up from the seat. Standing on his tiptoes Jimin placed a quick kiss on Namjoon’s lips before he ran out of his office already, waving him one last time when he stood at the elevators.

“So,” Yoongi cleared his throat as he sneaked up right behind Namjoon whose eyes were glued on Jimin, “When were you going to tell me about you dating a fucking supermodel?”

Somehow Namjoon managed to avoid Yoongi questioning him about every little detail of his relationship with Jimin and they also finished the presentation which meant he could definitely be proud of himself tonight. It took a little time to get to Jimin so Namjoon tried to get out of the working-headspace and into the relaxed and content state where he could concentrate on Jimin and nothing else. The younger was like an island of bliss in his mundane everyday world and he couldn’t get enough of being there. Sometimes he wished the day had more hours just so that he could spent them with Jimin.

Jimin opened Namjoon in nothing but a silk bathrobe and a mischievous smile on his face. Namjoon’s words got stuck in his throat by the view, mumbling a ‘Hey’ against Jimin’s lips when the younger kissed him. “I made you some food, but I was so hungry, and I couldn’t wait any longer, so I already finished mine.” Jimin said as he pulled Namjoon into his living room and sat down on the floor while he let his boyfriend get comfortable. Pouring in some wine, Jimin took a sip from it, before he offered it to Namjoon. It was a warm and appreciated welcome and the food looked gorgeous. It was exactly what Namjoon needed after a long day of work. Although he wasn’t a fan of eating alone what made him hesitate was Jimin saying he’d already eaten. Of course, Namjoon didn’t really know how the model world was ticking but he had noticed a few little things here and there so he carefully asked, “Me eating alone… is not because you feel like you didn’t give your best at the shooting tonight… is it?”

Jimin shook his head and pushed the plate over to Namjoon. “It’s not, …so please eat up,” He smiled and watched Namjoon hungrily dive into the food and only when the other was almost done Jimin got up from the couch next to him. It was in the middle of a conversation, Namjoon telling Jimin something about the analytics of…whatever – Jimin didn’t really get this whole economics talk anyways, when he stopped at the door frame and let his bathrobe slip down his body. Just like that.

There had been no warning. Nothing.

Only a smirk securely placed on Jimin’s lips that Namjoon couldn’t see while his back was turned towards him. “Don’t let me wait for too long.”

Jimin got him every time. Namjoon should be used to how stunning he looked when he was naked or sending him that smirk, all confident and cocky and knowing damn well that it messed with Namjoon’s head. And that Namjoon would do exactly as Jimin was asking because he was wrapped around his little finger anyways.

When Namjoon came into the bathroom Jimin was already in the water, splayed out like a painting of a young Greek god, eyes closed, that damn smirk still on his lips. Namjoon had hurriedly placed the plate into the sink in the kitchen and then came right after.

The bathroom looked stunning, with candles lit and a soft lavender smell in the air so Jimin must have prepared this before Namjoon had even got there. Jimin’s bathtub had enough room for more than two people, but still the moment Namjoon shed all of his clothes and was in the water with him, Jimin was all over him. He was placing a soft kiss on his chest, then his neck that he bared so beautifully when the relaxation settled into his body. Jimin couldn’t help but let his hands wander over Namjoon’s shoulders and chest.

“I missed you so much. I know I sound whiny when I say it so much,” Jimin mumbled and settled in between Namjoon’s thighs to lean back against him and wrap his arm around him. Reaching for the manual, Jimin pushed one button that turned off most of the lights and the ones of his bathtub on and then another to activate the light massage function for Namjoon. The immediate moan that slipped from his lips had Jimin giggling as the bubbles stirred up the water around them.

“You know I miss you just as much. I can’t help it, when I’m not around you you’re on my mind nonetheless so I’m basically thinking about you 24/7. And I like hearing you say it. Because then I know I’m not the only one - besides being told lovely little things by a stupidly attractive man boosts my confidence.” He joked and then broke off when the massage function was activated. He had always laughed about people who needed luxury stuff but now that he had truly gotten a taste he had to admit that some of it was truly making life easier.

“They told Jin that I gained weight,” Jimin mumbled quietly as he kissed up and down Namjoon’s arm, “He didn’t want to tell me, but I overheard it at the meeting a few days before the photoshoot. And today, they said that I lost too much weight…because the pants didn’t fit tightly around my bottom. And I didn’t even really lose weight or gained some…I’m…I don’t know what I am doing wrong sometimes.” Jimin sighed and held on tightly to Namjoon’s arm, before he slowly turned around in his embrace. Kissing up his shoulders and neck, Jimin placed soft kisses along his jaw line. “You still like it, right?” Jimin asked and blinked up at Namjoon, “My bottom, I mean….”

It showed a great deal of trust that Jimin opened up to what was bothering him without Namjoon having to gently nudge him to do so. Namjoon instinctively wrapped his arms around Jimin’s frame as if to shield him from any more hurtful comments from stupid people. “Of course, I do, baby. I like absolutely everything about you, including your backside.” He reassuringly kissed Jimin’s shoulder, feeling a painful stab in the heart at the thought of those people making Jimin so insecure that he would question if Namjoon still found him attractive. “I like you exactly as you are. However, I want you to know that if you ever choose to gain or lose weight then I’ll still love you just the same, because although I tell you that I love your body a lot I’ll always love the person that you are inside above anything else. And that won’t change with your looks.” He hesitated before adding, “Although I have to admit that you’d have me seriously worried if you would lose more weight. Not because of your appearance but because of your health. You are already thin, and your body needs a certain kind of weight to keep functioning properly. Though as long as you are healthy and happy with your body you can look however you want to me - you won’t  get rid of me.” He cuddled into Jimin’s neck until the other squealed from how many kisses he got.

Namjoon always had a way of making him feel better again, whether it was through his words or with the way he was holding him. With the way Namjoon had pulled him in closer, Jimin could feel every bit of skin of his beneath him, his hands that playfully tried to stop Namjoon from kissing him everywhere before, were roaming his body now, the kisses turning a little more heated.

“I love you, Joonie,” Jimin whispered, his lips only inches apart from his, “Stay with me, please. I don’t want you to go again…will you stay with me?” The younger was pressed tightly against Namjoon as he sat on his lap, the bubbles around them effectively hiding whatever was happening underneath the water, but Namjoon felt it nonetheless when Jimin sneaked his hand down and in between them.

His answer was stuck in his throat when Jimin touched him, only coming out as a breathless, surprised gasp. Leave it to Jimin to turn from sweet to seductive in 0,1 seconds. He couldn’t help but react to the touch, cause having Jimin’s naked form in his arms didn’t exactly leave him cold. “Only if you let me worship you tonight...” He whispered when he had found his breath again, gently biting the skin of Jimin’s neck, knowing that it would send a thrill through Jimin because he was supposed to stay hickey free so everything that got a little rougher than kisses on his neck meant playing with fire. “Let me get your mind off everything but me. I want to be the only thing you see and feel when I’m inside you. How does that sound?” He breathed his velvety words against the shell of Jimin’s ear, feeling him shiver with it.

It was everything Jimin wanted anyways, to only have Namjoon be the only thing he saw and feel. No anxiety, no bad thoughts. Only Namjoon. Because he meant safety and love.

It was so easy for him to tease Jimin, his hands sliding down his back and to his bottom cupping it and pushing his waist against his own. Jimin was gone the moment, he could feel Namjoon rubbing against his entrance and he leaned onto him, holding onto him tightly as he placed soft kisses on his neck. “Nam…,” Jimin gasped when he pushed in carefully, a whine leaving his lips, while Namjoon smirked knowingly. It was easy to work Jimin up, to make him breathless and panting in a matter of moments while jerking him off and teasing his entrance. Jimin pushed himself back on Namjoon’s digits, leaving soft, sloppy kisses all over his soft, wet skin until he could feel the pleasure rippling through him, the soft words Namjoon spoke to him relaxing him making him want to fall into his arms and only exist in his embrace. When he came, without a warning and shuddering in Namjoon’s hold, Jimin felt fully spend and soft. The tiredness from the past days that had been so stressful was washing over him quickly and Jimin pursed his lips cutely as he felt Namjoon wrap his arms around him a little tighter.

He followed the other, when he got out of the bathtub, helping Jimin in the process to not slip. He easily lifted the younger after he dried Jimin up, who was clinging onto him and let himself fall onto the bed soon after. It made Namjoon smile softly, when Jimin still turned to look at him with a sulky smirk. “You hopefully didn’t prep me and make me come for nothing,” He mumbled and got up on the bed to crawl over to his bedside table. He got out the lube and a condom to give it to Namjoon. He pushed his ass back for Namjoon to see, propping himself up on all fours and leaning down his head on the cushion, giving Namjoon the perfect view of what belonged to him.

As sexy as the view was Namjoon had to laugh. “Prep you for nothing? And here I was thinking you could be satisfied by a nice, slow orgasm.” Of course, he was teasing because now that Jimin offered himself up like this there was no way he would decline. However, he didn’t have a problem with only caring for Jimin sometime. The younger definitely had a higher sex drive than him - but he always turned him on so quickly, seducing him right into a state of burning desire that it wasn’t really that obvious. While he waited for the lube to warm up a little between his fingers he admired the view, stroking over Jimin’s back and over his hips to the back of his thighs. “Sometimes I wish I could share just how beautiful you look like this - but then I get possessive and want to be greedy and selfish and keep you all for myself.”

Jimin blinked at Namjoon wanting to say something but the moment he opened his mouth, Namjoon pushed his fingers inside of him, stretching and preparing Jimin some more. “I’d never want to be anyone else’s,” Jimin mumbled into the cushion, pushing back onto his fingers. Since Namjoon had made Jimin come in the bathtub only minutes before, he didn’t need to prep the younger one up for long, before he could finally thrust into him, pulling Jimin’s ass right onto his hips. Jimin was still sensitive and Namjoon loved it, the way he shuddered when he thrusted inside of him just right or the breathe little whimpers he drew out of his boyfriend whenever he pulled out slow, so very slow, just to push back in quick and hard. Jimin always reacted so beautifully to him and everything that he was doing to him, he sometimes wondered if Jimin trusted him so much that he didn’t even think of hiding anything away - or if he was so completely overwhelmed that he couldn’t help it. Both thoughts were something he enjoyed.

When Namjoon came with a loud growl, Jimin just fell onto his stomach completely exhausted. He whined quietly, when his boyfriend pulled out and tied off the condom. Jimin pulled the cushion a little closer as he felt the tiredness settle in fast. Namjoon had completely worn him out – once again – and Jimin wasn’t even able to open his eyes properly anymore. Nonetheless, Jimin could feel it when Namjoon was by his side, lifting him up a little so he could place the blanket over him. “M’hno, don’t move,” Jimin mumbled, putting his arm around his boyfriend neck to keep him close, “Jus’ sleep now.”

“I couldn’t move even if I wanted to,” Namjoon answered with a smirk, his words pretty much lost to Jimin who always turned to putty after his second (or third) orgasm. “‘Cause you hold onto me like a cuddly octopus. But you’re not even listening to me anymore, are you?” Jimin sleepily nodded, having no clue what Namjoon was talking about and so Namjoon just smiled fondly, gave the younger a kiss on the nose and tucked both of them in properly. Hopefully they wouldn’t regret it tomorrow morning; falling asleep like this…

Namjoon was Jimin’s safe haven.

His arms protecting him whenever the anxiety was fueling him, making him feel like everything was a little bit too loud and too much. He was the one who could tire him out completely, where Jimin could feel sated and sleep without any recurring nightmares.

Only when he was away for too long and he called the other late at night, sometimes crying, sometimes not even saying a word before Namjoon already talked to him. His voice calming him more than anything else. On other days, Jimin didn’t, too scared that Namjoon would get annoyed with him, so he rather fell asleep crying or not at all. Nonetheless, he wished he could take him anywhere where he was, but unfortunately life wasn’t always a bowl of cherries.

…

“How is your sleeping schedule?” Jin pushed up his sunglasses as he backed out of the parking lot at the airport. “Fucked up,” Jimin answered as he stared out of the tinted window, “One week without him and I’m back to zero.” As if it was on command, Jimin yawned, “But fashion week was good, nonetheless. I think I did well, even though it’s always stressful.” His manager nodded at that, before he went on about the next weeks schedule leaving Jimin no time to rest and get the proper sleep he needed. Jimin really tried to pay attention but he dozed off in the car a couple of times, jerking awake when there was a bump, Jin scolding him or just him singing to the radio a bit too loudly. He couldn’t wait to be with Namjoon tonight again.

Although Namjoon had known that having a model boyfriend wasn’t always pure happiness it still sucked to feel like advertising some crazy fancy clothes was more important than him. He understood what it meant for Jimin to do this because he drew his self-worth and his sense of importance from it, but it also made Namjoon worry a lot. Before knowing Jimin he had just ignored the trends and craziness that could be the fashion world but now every documentation on TV or new “scandal” in the magazines made him think about if Jimin was alright and how it might be in six or ten years when Jimin was older and the fashion industry demanded a new face. His best attempt in trying not to worry too much was burying himself in work. Which was why his schedule was completely clogged when Jimin came back a day earlier than planned.

“Can’t you stay?” Jimin held on a little tighter to Namjoon who was trying to get up from the bed again after his little visit, “Please, Joonie. I can call you a cab first thing in the morning again. I’ll pay for it.” He leaned in to kiss Namjoon’s shoulder sweetly, pursing his lips into a cute pout.

Namjoon shook his head and carefully plucked Jimin’s hand away from his arm. “I’m sorry, Jimin I can’t. I’ve got this meeting tomorrow, first thing in the morning and I’d like to revise in my office again before it starts so I don’t really want to have that plus the long drove from your apartment even if I’m not driving myself. Besides, I need my car so I can’t really leave it here. We can see each other in your next break, can’t we? I’m tired and should really get some sleep to be well rested tomorrow.”

Jimin got up from the edge of the bed and followed Namjoon down the hallway. “But I’m tired, too and you know I can’t sleep without you,” Jimin whined, his exhaustion making him a little more emotional than he intended to be, “I’m only home late tomorrow…I just want to be with you, please.” He reached for Namjoon’s arm as the other got his shoes and jacket, “I can tell Jin to drive your car to work for you. Or I can call my driver if you want. I can…”

Namjoon continued to get dressed to leave. “Jimin, please. Not tonight. You know I’d stay with you if I could. I just don’t want to mess up tomorrow and I’m not as good as you are when I’m running on too little sleep. I’m not used to it. And as nice as it is to sleep in the same bed with you it doesn’t always mean that I can sleep well. I really need to go home, Jimin.”

The younger couldn’t hide the moment he felt the stab when Namjoon told him that he was basically not sleeping well next to him. That he was better off when he was without him. He gasped quietly.

“Y-you don’t mean that,” Jimin shook his head, “You can’t sleep when you’re with me?” He bit his lip, to keep the emotions in check but the burning sensation behind his eyes told him that Jimin was already close to crying. He averted his gaze and nodded. Slowly, he let go off Namjoon and took a step back, even though everything in him was screaming to hold on a little tighter to him. “I didn’t say that. I just said that there's no guarantee that I can sleep well. Sometimes it gets too hot with the two of us under one cover or you keep turning. Please, let’s not make a big deal out of this, I just need to sleep at mine tonight, we can be together next time. Isn’t that enough?”

Jimin was fumbling around with his shirt, chewing on his bottom lip nervously. “A big deal,” Jimin shook his head and blinked up to keep the tears from falling, “When you’re telling me you can’t sleep well next to me...you think it’s not a big deal? You know I have nightmares; I can’t just stop the turning. I get scared at night. You know that…it’s not fair. I’m not allowed to come to you, you know that...” He wiped over his cheek angrily, “I am sorry I am burdensome. I didn’t know…that it was annoying you so much.” Jimin got up on his tiptoes to kiss Namjoon on his cheek. “Yeah, it’s enough…of course, it is enough,” He mumbled quietly and smiled rather sadly.

Namjoon furrowed his brows. “You’re doing it again. Being overdramatic while trying to guilt me into staying. I have a life too, Jimin. Is it really so much to ask to sleep in my own apartment? Now I’m the “bad one” for leaving you here all alone but can’t you see that I have things that are important to me as well? And that meeting is.”

They were both too emotional and exhausted to stay rational.

Jimin couldn’t handle this right now. The tears were falling on his own as he listened to Namjoon. “I’m not guilt tripping you!” Jimin said angrily, “You know I would never and if you want to go…just go!” His bottom lip trembled as he watched his boyfriend, “Just go, please. You have important things. I have important things. We can talk about this…sometime else.”

With all this tension between them and the unspoken words lingering that spoke of trouble and hurt and messing up Namjoon didn’t think for a moment and so instead of using the back door like he should he just did what Jimin had asked him to.

He opened the front door and went outside - stumbling right upon a paparazzi waiting to question Jimin about his participation in the fashion week and to have him answer to the newest gossip. Namjoon froze but he couldn’t just turn back and open the door with the key he had to retreat because this would give the paparazzo way, way more information than he should have so he just ran past him as quickly as he could hoping that he would think of him being some stylist or model coach or even cousin of Jimin’s - everything but the truth because the last thing he wanted was being involved in some tabloid front page gossip.

Jimin cried himself to sleep that night. He had finally taken a step too far, annoying Namjoon completely who rightfully had his own shit to do. Jimin was a burden, he knew that – many people had told him before: boyfriends, casting agents, family and friends. He would have never thought that he would be annoying Namjoon so quickly though. The past couple of months had been the best he ever had and Jimin finally opened up, piece by piece only to shut himself up like a clam again.

Taehyung had found Jimin drowning in his own tears on the couch and only after a while did he let his best friend pull him into a hug and soothe him. “You need to talk to him,” Taehyung soothed over his hair and Jimin hiccupped in response. “About everything, honestly. Your happy lovey-dovey honeymoon phase is over now. You want to work on this relationship, right? Namjoon is more than just your personal cuddler.” Jimin nodded in response and looked up at his friend, “Then you’ve got to work on it, starting with your schedules and what you guys need. You’re both too scared to not hurt the other. It won’t get you far.”

“Will you help me?” Jimin asked softly and Taehyung kissed the top of his head in response, “Of course I will.” It was already late at night, when Jimin finally calmed down enough to crawl into his own bed. He ignored his unpacked suitcases and the tears on his cheeks. He just wanted to go to Namjoon tomorrow and apologize and if it wasn’t already so late and Jimin would be so exhausted he would have done it right now.

…

Coming back home with the knowledge that something wasn’t right between him and Jimin had of course let him sleep worse than anything else. So Namjoon was tired and irritable and work the next day didn’t go as planned either. All he wanted to do was to go home and forget the world and he only stayed and went through with everything because Yoongi threatened to hack into his computer and put compromising stuff on it if he wouldn’t ‘get his shit together right now’ and stopped ‘moping like a lovesick teenager after their first relationship fight’.

Unfortunately, his day was about to become even worse than it already was.

The appearance of Namjoon coming out of Jimin’s apartment last night hadn’t stayed unnoticed. The paparazzi who saw him, had taken a picture of him surreptitiously as he ran away quickly. He showed it to his boss, who was up on his computer in a matter of seconds opening up an email from an anonymous insider, who had written them about Jimin being seen at some CEO’s building a few weeks ago. Back then it hadn’t made any sense and therefore they didn’t follow it thoroughly (because it still could have been a lawyer of his or anything else). But now that they compared the descriptions, they knew. A smirk stole it’s way on the man’s lips. “Park Jimin dating an office worker from downtown or just Park Jimin dating lower class?” He asked, waving his hands around as he came up with a few more headlines, “I should start writing the article right now. Get me the pictures as soon as you can. It’s been a while since we had something on Park Jimin.” It only took half an hour for a bunch of media representatives and paparazzi to station themselves in front of the office building.

They were waiting.

Ready to hunt down the next sensation.

Namjoon didn’t pay the people standing there any attention; it was a big company there were always people around. He was looking for his car key in the depth of his bag while continuing to walk, thinking about nothing except how he would get home, take a hot shower and then pull the covers over his head when suddenly there was a flash of light, then another - and then all hell broke loose.

“Mr. Kim! How does it feel to have one of the most beautiful man.-.”

“Here! Look here, please.”

“Would you like to comment on the statement of park Jimin who said…”

“What does the agency think about Park Jimin dating…”

It was too much, too out of a sudden and Namjoon just blacked out of a sudden, getting so distracted that he walked against the lantern post in front of him while staring into the blinding flurry of camera flashes, his bag flying out of his hand with his stuff tumbling out and onto the street. It only made the chaos worse.

There was a pair of hands grabbing his arms, the flashing lights making it so much harder for him to see. He could hear them stomp on his stuff, papers being torn and ripped while the screaming questions only got louder.

“Is it true that you keep the relationship hidden?”

“Kim Namjoon! For how long are you dating now? Look here, Mr. Kim!”

“Is it true that it had been an affair?”

“Could you smile please?”

Namjoon felt a pull and then he was on his feet again. “Get out of the way…god damn it,” Yoongi cursed as he gripped his best friend a little tighter, leading him out of the crowd and back into the building. The flashing lights weren’t stopping up until they were rounding the corner and Yoongi pushed Namjoon down onto a chair. “Fuck! What was that?”

“I.. I don’t know. I lost my bag.” Namjoon blinked, trying to see clearly and get rid of the black and red dots that were still dancing in front of his eyes. “My key’s in there.” Somehow it felt safer to not think about what had just happened but rather concentrate on a problem that he could solve. “How can I…” He broke off when Yoongi placed the bag onto his lap, the things it had held just quickly stuffed inside in a hurry, with dirty, ripped paper and wet spots were someone must have spilled his water. “Thank you.” He blinked owlishly. Not sure what to do now that the problem was solved. “Do you... you think it was Jimin because we had a fight, and this is his way of showing me how difficult his life is?” He felt bad just saying it but how else could they have found him? He wasn’t exactly a known person.

Yoongi shook his head and turned to the community fridge to get out a bag of peas and pushed it upon the bruise that was forming on Namjoon’s forehead. When the other hissed, he just mumbled an apology before he added, “I don’t think so. I never thought of him as petty…I mean…I don’t really know him, but I got curious after I knew about your relationship.” He shrugged his shoulders, blushing a little, “Do you think he would really do this? Could there be something else…could they have seen you around him? You said your dates had only been at his apartment right?”

“Yes, but we always.. I mean there was someone last time when I accidentally went out the front door, but... I ran past him and he could have taken one picture at most. How would that get him my working place? How would they know when I’m working? Why... would they even care?” Namjoon was completely out of his depth. He was good with people - but not with a large crowd of them, ignoring everything from ‘personal space’ to ‘privacy’, screaming at him, asking him stupid question or things that they had no right asking. How on earth could Jimin do that without yelling at them to show some decency and leave him the fuck alone? He groaned in misery as his forehead started to pulse painfully.

“I don’t know. Maybe someone saw Jimin when he came by a few weeks ago? You know how the media works…” Yoongi sighed and turned to look out of the window to see one paparazzi sneaking around the bushes of the office building, trying to get an insight look. “Either way…we need to get you out of here without those guys following us…preferably right now,” He rubbed his hands together, thinking hard for a moment, “Just go through the back door and down the little alley with the trash containers. I’ll come and get you there!” Yoongi nodded determinately and patted Namjoon on his shoulder reassuringly.

“The trash containers. Sure. There are some stupid people outside who are violating my privacy and who are blocking the way and endangering way to many people - and the only solution is to sneak out the back door through the trash can alley like I am the one who did something wrong…” He continued to mumble angrily while he got up, when when Yoongi was already gone (because the other hadn’t really listened to his whining anyway). It always got to him when he felt helpless. And right now, he felt exactly like that.

It was easier than Yoongi would have thought, still he felt nervous and he was sweating when he waited at the other side of the office building for Namjoon to jump into his car. He could see from afar that he was still angrily mumbling to himself and it made Yoongi chuckle, despite the nerve-wracking situation. “So, I guess, you’re famous now…,” Yoongi laughed and drove off, taking the route to the upper east side of town. He looked over to Namjoon for a second as they stopped at a red light. “I think you guys need to talk,” Yoongi pushed down the gas pedal again before he added nonchalantly, “And I can’t endure you whining a day longer about whatever your fight was about. So, what’s his address?”

“Yeah, famous for running into a lamp post.” Namjoon sighted. “You sure you don’t just want to drive me to his to ogle him again?” Of course, he didn’t think that for real though his bad mood had made him unpleasant. “You’re right though. I should tell him that they know, who knows maybe that even means he breached his contract. Jin knew of us but I’m not sure if it was an official or unofficial thing. Aren’t models and stars supposed to be “free” so they seem more available to the public - even though it’s completely fucked up that they have to sacrifice their private life just to make money of some people who are only interested in a celebrity if they can see a chance of their absolutely unrealistic expectations being fulfilled?” He took Jimin’s card out of his wallet and gave it to Yoongi. “There - let’s see if me make it without making you famous as well. I could see you as ‘mysterious man trying to pinch poor hardworking Park Jimin’s possible boyfriend’ or, wait, even better how about ‘Park Jimin’s boyfriend is trying to pass as office worker - but his colleague turned out to be his chauffeur and has a death stare that can only mean he’s trained as a lethal bodyguard so he might as well be royalty.’” His sarcasm tasted bitter on his tongue.

“Stop talking nonsense, but you definitely owe me one for this.” Yoongi raked a hand through his hair, trying to seem as laid back after they parked the car. He followed Namjoon, who seemed to get more and more nervous the closer they got to the back door of Jimin’s apartment building. “That best friend of Jimin’s. He’s quite hot.” He smirked, not really waiting for an answer when the guard opened the door with a chuckle.

Namjoon barely had time to send him a glare before he had a phone held in his face.

“Oh, boy, you fucked up!” He greeted Namjoon and waved his phone screen in front of his face. Yoongi took it from him and pursed his lips a little, “At least you look good here.” He scrolled down further and contorted his face, “Oh…well, hey. Look on the bright side. They got that you’re clumsy already. Nothing to be ashamed of from now on.” Yoongi smiled and gave the phone back to the man, patting Namjoon reassuringly on his back. “It’s going to be alright. Jimin is good with the media and he doesn’t give a fuck about what they say…right?”

Namjoon seemed too pale out of a sudden, gulping heavily. “Right?” Yoongi asked again, his gaze flickering back and forth between the door guard and Namjoon.

…

Jimin sat at his kitchen table, pushing the food around on his table. His eyes were still puffy and red and even though he had been exhausted, Jimin hadn’t gotten much sleep. Just when Taehyung shuffled out of the guest bedroom, his eyes lit up a little more – happy that he wouldn’t be all too alone today. Taehyung had been sleeping almost all day and it was late afternoon now, when he grabbed the plate from Jimin and began eating. “Namjoon hasn’t written me all day and I’m scared to. What if he doesn’t want to talk to me anymore?” Jimin hid his face in the palm of his hands, “Do you think I should send him a message? But if we wanted to talk he would have to get over here again…”

“Why?”

“Jin doesn’t allow for me to go to his apartment. The agency doesn’t want me to make this public, yet. It has only been about three months or so…,” Jimin sighed, “I don’t want Namjoon to hate me already.” Taehyung reached for his friend and squeezed his arm lovingly. He knew about how scary it was to open up to someone, who then got completely overwhelmed as soon as the media would find out. It was frightening. And being as insecure as Jimin already was only made it worse for him. “I know you want to protect Namjoon, but he is a grown man…you can’t hide…” Taehyung snapped his head around when both phones vibrated simultaneously. Furrowing his brows, he looked at Jimin.

“Probably Jin…”

Jimin nodded at that, rubbing the sides of his temple. “I just want to make it right with him. Apologize and tell him how much I love and respect his boundaries…that I won’t ask so much of him anymore. Then we can figure out the rest.” Jimin’s phone was vibrating again.

And again. Sounding like a ‘reminder’ or ‘alarm clock’.

“Don’t tell me you have those stupid gossip pages notification on again? Jimin….I told you not to. It’s not good if you read all this shit about you-,” Taehyung choked on his own words when he had reached for his own phone, seeing a message from Jin which was only a link to a news page with Namjoon looking like a deer in the headlights on its front page.

“DON’T LOOK AT YOUR PHONE! STOP!” Taehyung screamed, jumping up from his seat when Jimin was already reaching for it by the kitchenette. “Why? I can handle it. You’re being just…” Jimin could feel his whole world stop. For a second there was nothing. Absolutely nothing. Emptiness.

“Jimin, can you breathe….Jimin?”

A loud scream echoed through the apartment and Taehyung almost jumped. It was followed by Jimin gasping for air, trying to hold on to his best friend’s shirt desperately. His eyes wide and crazed. Sweating and shaking as the sense of not being able to breathe overwhelmed him completely. His heart started palpitating and Jimin felt himself getting light-headed.

Jimin’s outcry was audible throughout the whole house and so even Namjoon and Yoongi who were still standing in the doorway were able to hear it. Namjoon immediately tensed and without thinking he got inside, quickly walking throughout the rooms to search for Jimin, his mind blank except for the need to find Jimin and make sure that he was okay. Everything else had become less important for now.

“Jimin?” He found him in the kitchen where Taehyung was calmly talking to him, so practiced and skilled that it was pretty clear this wasn’t the first time.

“Sweety, calm down, breathe with me okay,” Taehyung was taking a deep breath, while his gaze stayed fixated on Jimin’s, who was not even being bothered by Namjoon who just stumbled into the kitchen. But instead of following Taehyung’s breathing, Jimin’s eyes widened in fear when he saw Namjoon and even though he was scared that he would break up with him now, Jimin wanted nothing else but to run into his arms. “No, please, Namjoon, no,” He whined, his knees giving up on him and Taehyung had a hard time to hold the younger up by his waist. “I can’t,” He choked on another breath, sobbing into his best friends shoulder, “It is…t-too much.”

Namjoon paled even further when he saw how Jimin was breaking down right in front of him. The way the younger reacted told him that there definitely were consequences for him, maybe his career or his contract was in danger now that there was gossip about him dating (or even dating a man?) in the press. So, he hurriedly tried to resolve Jimin’s issues and dissolve the chaos, “If it helps I could... make a statement and deny everything. Or I could say I was helping you with a financial issue. No one needs to know that there's something going on between us. If we just stay away for a while people will surely forget.”

“S-stay a-w-way?” Jimin gasped for air, when suddenly everything was quiet. He took in another sharp breath, when he saw the bruise on Namjoon’s forehead. A desperate whine left his lips. And then he let go of Taehyung.

“They hurt you…” Jimin was holding his breath, closing his eyes tightly as he feared the worst, but it also made him sway dangerously, “I hurt you.” Slowly, very slowly he reached out one hand for Namjoon. The moment he could feel the familiar warmth surrounding him, Jimin broke. “Please don’t mean that…please.” He sobbed, falling into Namjoon’s hold who barely caught him. “I know you have every right to leave me, to hate me. It’s too much. I am the worst. I know. I know you don’t want to be seen with me. They will talk.” He shook his head, holding on tightly to Namjoon’s shirt, “But I can become better, I p-promise. I wanted to keep you out of the media. I wanted…t-to keep you safe. I don’t know what happened. I am so sorry. Please, believe me. For everything. For last night.” Jimin was panting, taking in only short breaths while his whole body was shaking. “Please don’t stay away from me. I need you, oh god, I need you…”

Taehyung was taking slow steps back, hating to see his friend so helpless. It was messing with his own emotions, but he trusted Namjoon. In the few months he had gotten to know him as Jimin’s boyfriend he had proven himself to be very different from what Taehyung was used to from ex’s of Jimin…

“I am whiny. I am not good for you. Y-you can’t sleep with me a-a-round. I will never ask you again, please,” Jimin was talking fast, the tears clouding his view, “I…can be okay with o-only seeing you on the weekends. It’s okay. It’s all good. Fine. Yes. I make sure they don’t bother you. But please...” He looked up at Namjoon, not giving his boyfriend any time to speak up, “I’ll be more of what you need me. I know it’s too much. Me. The lights. Everything. Oh my god…Joonie, they hurt you. I did this. It’s my fault. I am too much. Please don’t...” His eyes widened and Jimin pushed a hand over his mouth when he realized what he was doing. He stifled his own sob with it, as he turned his cheek as if to await the final blow. Namjoon would finally have enough of him now that he saw how chaotic his life really was. He was sure that Namjoon would see how difficult it was and that Jimin wasn’t worth it. He didn’t fear his own contract or what Jin would say, he only feared the moment Namjoon would tell him that it was over. That he wouldn’t be able to stand the media or to be seen with Jimin now. That it had been nice, but that was it. Three months of happiness - Jimin should have called himself lucky that he had gotten a glimpse of what it felt like to truly feel loved with someone.

Namjoons throat closed up when Jimin held onto him like this, fingers digging painfully into his muscles. Jimin ached so badly, needed so desperately to be loved that he was offering to lose himself just to have a chance at love - even if it would mean pretending. And that Namjoons “love” wouldn't even be really for him. It hurt a lot, because even though he knew that Jimin was insecure and needed validation from him seeing him break like that in front of him just over a little injury he had gotten was totally different. It might have been different if they didn’t have that discussion before, but still, to know that something like this could shake Jimin so badly had him thinking. His frown deepened. He had told Jimin countless times that he loved him - so either Jimin couldn't fully believe him or he thought/had learned that the love he got was so fleeting that every minor change could make it vanish. He took Jimin’s hands and gently took them away from him to stop Jimin from hurting him further as he didn't seem to register how hard he was holding onto him.

Jimin’s eyes were still wide in fear, as he took in another sharp breath when Namjoon’s hands closed around his wrists. He blinked up at him, his heart beating fast. Even now in the midst of this chaos, Namjoon was the one calming him just by his presence alone. “Namjoon,” His name was barely a whisper as he couldn’t stand how silent the other was. “I didn’t know they would find out. I don’t know what happened. They shouldn’t have known about you...I made sure that you were safe, I tried, believe me,” He shook his head in a desperate manner to sort out his own thoughts. “I…I love you so much, Namjoon. I am scared...” He said quietly, suddenly all of the energy deflating from him and Jimin wanted nothing else but curl in on himself. He hiccupped and wiped over his cheeks with his sweater paws. It had only been three months and although Namjoon knew that he was dating someone who was in the public eye, it never occurred to them that the media would get to be a problem so quickly. The stress from the past days only making it worse for both of them. Just when Jimin thought everything was becoming better, that he was starting to become better - everything just came crashing down on him. “You’re going to break up with me now, don’t you?”

Namjoon didn’t answer his question immediately. He had reassured Jimin before but apparently Jimin didn’t get the “basics”; that he loved him, truly loved him and that an inconvenience wouldn’t make him suddenly stop. He took Jimin at the shoulders and turned him towards him so that despite his instinct to hide himself away Jimin had to look at him.

“Jimin, when I tell you that I love you? Do you believe me? Or do you think I’m just telling you what you want to hear? Do you think I am lying when I tell you how much you mean to me?” There was no bitterness or sharpness in his words, quite the opposite, they were soft and empathic, trying to solve the mystery that was Jimin’s believe he would be left at any second.

Jimin was looking at Namjoon with big eyes as he nodded softly. “Y-yes, I do believe you. Y-you show me.” The tears were dwelling in the corner of his eyes again and he shrugged his shoulders, “I know the fight last night was stupid and it...it doesn’t mean that you don’t love me b-but...this...I fear that if you see how hard it is with me, how difficult it really all is, that you will see it is not worth it. That I’m not worth it.” He smiled, a pathetic, sad smile, one that showed too much how hard he was trying not to show how he was truly aching. One that spoke of one too many heartbreaks and people telling him that love wasn’t enough for them to make them stay with him.

Namjoon reached out for Jimin’s hands and held them both. He was glad that at least the younger believed his words and he wouldn't have to start right at the basics and show Jimin that he wasn't lying to him. It would hopefully have him believing his next words too. “I'm a grown-up, Jimin. I know that love is not always sunshine and rainbows and that everyone has their flaws.” He smiled encouragingly. “However, even when we get into a fight or when there are rough patches on our way I won't stop loving you. I'm not that easy to shake and you definitely won't get rid of me that easily.” Namjoon sighed, “I won't lie, right now I'm stressed, and my head hurts and I really hated having all those strangers yelling stuff at me - but it's not your fault. If you haven't told them to go hunt me - which I don't think you have - why should I blame you? If anyone's at fault it's them for acting that way. Or even me for using the front door when I couldn't think straight. You won't lose me over something like this Jimin. I promise.”

Jimin’s expression turned from confused to hopeful and then to confused again. “You used the front door? Joonie!” Jimin laughed through his tears and flung his arms around his waist again to hold Namjoon tight, “Why did you... I tried to keep you out of their sight.” Gazing up, Jimin wiped over a stain of tears that he had left on Namjoon’s shirt, his cheeks blushing. “So, you still want to be with me? Even if they know? You can still back out now...you know there will be a lot of rumors, maybe even headlines that will want us to break apart. Joonie, even if we break up one day...it will forever be somewhere on social media…,” He gulped heavily taking the cool pack that Taehyung was handing him (the bruise on Namjoon’s forehead turning into a darker purple right now) and gave it over to Namjoon, “I’d understand it if you can’t do it. If it is too much and you want to leave…”

“Can you please stop pretending as if you weren't worth this? Because you are. They can write shitty articles and create attention seeking headlines and stupid scenarios and I'm certainly going to hate them and be angry at them for warping my - our - private life into some thrilling story but I'm not going to let them rob me of my chance to be with the one I truly love. As long as you're not planning in giving some kind of exclusive Interview about our sex life then we're going to be fine.” He gladly accepted the ice pack, groaning when it met his swollen skin.

Jimin just rolled his eyes at Namjoon, chuckling cutely before he pushed his boyfriend over to the couch to finally sit down. “I’m sorry, is it really bad?” He sat down beside him, trying to access the bruise, his hands caressing softly over Namjoon’s cheeks, before Jimin simply let himself get pulled onto his lap by his boyfriend. He instantly cuddled into his embrace, mumbling quiet ‘thank you’s’ repeatedly. Taehyung smiled at the sweet interaction as he slowly took a few steps back. He was sure that Jin was probably on his way already, if not already working on some damage control at the agency.

Taehyung closed the door behind him again and walked down the hallway, hoping to walk into Jin beforehand, so Jimin had some more time to calm down and talk to Namjoon alone. They deserved some peace, before Jin would bring in more trouble and everything else that came with ‘dating famous people’. Taehyung was still wearing his white shirt that was loosely tucked into some grey sweatpants as he walked into the lobby barefoot, gazing around - but there was no one but the paparazzi outside, hungrily waiting for someone to give them new information, the doorman and…

Yoongi was checking his phone for the nth time but the Internet Portals were just recycling the pics of Joon running against that lamp post, decorated with various pics of Jimin at fashion shows or where he was modeling for ads and something along the lines of how lucky Namjoon was or that Jimin needed to be careful not to fall into some gold diggers trap or how Namjoon might just use him for the fame. Yoongi shook his head. Namjoon avoided intense attention whenever he could. Those people had no idea. He put the phone away when he saw him, a boy, sporting comfortable, casual clothes, running around barefoot - but looking like royalty while doing so. He had a certain glow, a way to hold himself that clearly spoke of him knowing how to use his face and body to get what he wanted. Yoongi couldn't stop staring.

Taehyung couldn’t either. It took him a minute to get a hold of himself, smiling at the stranger. “You’re not one of those, right?” He nodded over to the glass door, where the media was waiting for Jimin to finally give a statement, “Cause I’d hate to throw you out.” He was biting his lip, while sitting down right next to the handsome man.

“Kim Taehyung,” Smiling brightly he reached out his hand for Yoongi to take.

Yoongi quickly swallowed his “I know” down before he could out himself as a googling Stalker. Now that the boy had said his Name there was no being mistaken; he sat with a high class model, Jimin’s friend and model colleague who was in the same agency. Yoongi might have printed out a pic of him when he had been initially checking out Jimin online for Namjoons sake. It might be on his nightstand next to the tissues. Suddenly mute with nerves he shook Tae’s Hand silently.

Taehyung was looking a little confused at the man, furrowing his brows. “So, you’re not telling me your name then…,” He pursed his lips into a pout, “And here I thought I could ask for your name and your phone number.” Taehyung chuckled and leaned back comfortably with his eyes closed. Only when the other still wasn’t talking to him after minutes passed he blinked them open again. “What does a guy like me have to do for a handsome man like you to talk to me?” Taehyung leaned in a little closer, batting his eyelashes at him cutely.

“Kiss me!” It broke out of Yoongi before he could stop himself. But honestly how on earth was he expected to control himself when Kim Taehyung in Person - the same he had seen in avant-gardism fashion shows and sultry cover pics - was sitting right in front of him and actually flirting with him! Yoongi blinked owlishly and then blushed again. He groaned inwardly thanking whatever deity was listening that Namjoon wasn't there to witness it again.

A smirk stole it’s way on Taehyung’s lips and he grabbed Yoongi’s wrist to pull him up from the bench he sat on and along with him. That was it, now he was being thrown out was the first thing in Yoongi’s mind - until he realized that Taehyung pulled him into the building and not towards the door. Tae could feel the other stumble a little, but before Yoongi could say something - maybe apologize - Taehyung pushed him around the corner and into the hallway where the media outside couldn’t see them. He was trying to catch his breath and recover from his own stupid boldness when Taehyung’s lips already met his and his breath was gone again in a rush of air. Feeling Taehyung against him was electrifying and the kiss was so sweet, so amazingly hot that Yoongi kissed him back with everything he had. His arm came around Tae’s waist as he greedily pulled the other closer (who knew when he would ever have that chance again?) and the others sweet, warm, deliciously plush lips met his again and again in heated nips and kisses.

“Really? You fucking kiddin’ me?” Jin came to a halt right in front of them making out and shook his head. “You think one isn’t enough for today? I am definitely too easy on you guys,” He was throwing his hands around, mumbling something angrily, before he simply walked ahead not wanting to be bothered by whatever Taehyung was doing again. He would take care of his headlines later. Now he needed to make sure Jimin was alright…

With his spare key, Jin opened the door to his apartment calling out for Jimin once or twice – but there was no answer. Instead he stumbled upon him, being curled up next to his boyfriend on the couch, sleeping peacefully. The puffy red cheeks and tear stains told Jin enough that Jimin had been exhausted from anxiety and stress.

“Namjoon?” Jin whispered quietly and nodded at him, when he blinked his eyes open. He eyed the bruise on his forehead, hissing in phantom pain. Jin didn’t care about finesse or his manners right now and instead sat down on the coffee table right in front of Namjoon. “I think we need to talk…”

Namjoon felt weirdly caught in the act when Jin came in, seeing them in such a private and intimate situation. He didn’t want to move though because Jimin had finally relaxed into his hold just a few minutes ago, dozing off into a light slumber. So instead of sitting up he just nodded carefully to Jin as a sign that he had understood and then quietly mouthed, “Does it have to be now? I don’t want to leave him alone right now.”

“You can just stay where you are actually,” Jin said and turned around to his bag to get out a folder. “Here. I need you to fill out and sign these papers for me,” He ordered calmly and gave it over to Namjoon with a pen. “I need this regardless of what your decision will be. But be happy...,” He chuckled a little, “At least I let you guys have a say in this.” His expression turned emotionless again as he urged Namjoon on to fill out the paper, “It’s some type of indemnity for Jimin and the company, whether you stay with him or not.” He sighed as his gaze wandered over the young man who snuggled a little closer to Namjoon, holding on tightly to his shirt as if he was scared that he’d still could leave. “So…what I found out is that they followed you after you broke the rule of not going through the front door and Jimin’s running off antics at a photoshoot a few weeks ago. Someone told on him as they saw him in the office with you. They put one and one together…,” Jin folded his hands together and leaned forward, “What is the official statement that I will give them?”

Namjoon knew that it would be the reasonable thing to do; get whoever was dating your client a disclosure agreement and let them sign it so that they were fucked in case they spilled anything that could ruin your clients career. Still it felt strange to hold a piece of paper in hand that forbid him to speak about certain things. He had absolutely no intention to tell anyone anything about Jimin that could be bad for Jimin’s career - but he still hesitated. “Does Jimin know that you’re giving me this? how...” He swallowed, “How did you handle it with his former boyfriends? If I’m not allowed to talk about Jimin at all - then what happens if I tell a friend? Or show someone a pictures of us because of course I want to share my relationship. I’m not planning on outing Jimin or giving any statement to anyone working at a magazine, but I don’t feel comfortable with not being allowed to talk to friends. What if something comes out nonetheless? What kind of consequences do I have to fear?”

Jin reached out for the paper and turned it onto the second page, pointing at some paragraph. “You can share everything about your relationship that Jimin is comfortable with as stated here. We haven’t really had any indemnity papers before you. His ex-boyfriend is why we installed it in the first place.” He chuckled quietly as he reached for a second version of the papers that Namjoon could take home later on, “You really don’t watch a lot of tv or keep up with the gossip, huh? That’s good…that’s really good though. I think it’s what he needs. Anyways…” Jin cleared his throat, “There’s always the risk of something happening but as long as we can be sure you’re not harming Jimin on purpose we won’t take any legal actions, like an interim disposal for example. Mishaps can happen…but we won’t let them happen too often. That’s why I want you to agree on a media training. Something that helps you stay confident when there’s an interview, or you’re invited to a gala or any event and not make you say anything that could potentially harm Jimin or yourself…every young model does one and since you’re not familiar with it at all, I’d like you to do one.”

Everything Jin had told him sounded reasonable and well thought out so Namjoon was about to agree to everything - until Jin mentioned the media training. “I have to do a ...what? How’s that supposed to go?” It made sense there were so many things to keep in mind that someone not trained with the media could never even think of and naively running into the very first trap a possible journalist would set up wasn’t good for any of them. He still felt awkward already thinking about having to be ‘trained’ to not make a fool out of himself. Probably by making a fool out of himself so that Jin’s people could tell him what he had done wrong. But if it would help his relationship with Jimin he’d do it, without any questions. So, he finally sighed, signed the papers and gave them back to Jin. “Okay. As much as I hate making our relationship the point of interest to people I don’t know I really don’t want to harm Jimin, you can trust me in that. And if that means being told what to say and how to say it in official situations, then i’ll do it.” He still wondered what Jimin’s ex had done to make Jin create legal papers in advance. Maybe he should get into the depth of online gossip after all.

“The aim of the media training courses is to prepare you for all conceivable contacts with the press. You will learn all about the agenda of journalists and how to deal with them and their way of questioning. It also touches non-verbal things like your body language and if it maybe tells something completely different than what you’re trying to say through words.” Jin told him and reached for the papers with a smile. He took a deep breath and stretched out his arms as if he was finally able to relax. Taking his phone out of his pocket Jin scrolled through some of his emails and messages from various of people and media representatives that were still waiting for confirmation on the dating rumor. A smirk stole it’s way on his lips as he saw Namjoon pulling Jimin a little closer on his chest, who was sighing softly in his hold, his lips pouty as he was sleeping in his arms. A ‘click’ sound later told Namjoon that Jin had taken a candid shot of them.

“Get used to it,” Jin responded to Namjoon’s offended look and showed him the picture were only his chest and arms were visible, while Jimin was sleeping beautifully. “When he’s awake, tell him to post it or do another one. Then we wait a few hours for the agency to confirm. Give the people a bit to speculate…,” Jin nodded proudly and got up from the table, “You can ask Taehyung, too. He’s great with taking photos if you’re not happy with this one. Either way, I expect to see you on Monday.”

Namjoon wasn’t just surprised he was a bit offended: first Jin told him he shouldn’t accidentally ‘harm’ Jimin and whatnot and then he was taking pictures of them - that they were supposed to post? He didn’t want to make a scene without consulting Jimin first as no one of his friends would actually care what kind of pictures he posted while Jimin knew better how to work around those things. Maybe it was better to give them something instead of having them get creative on their own (cause honestly there way too many talented photoshoppers outside and he did not want to imagine what they could do if they were “inspired” by magazine speculations).

In midst of his storm of thoughts, Taehyung stumbled back into the living room, caressing along his bottom lip with his thumb while he could still feel Yoongi’s lips on his own and Jimin started mumbling something sleepily, rubbing his eyes. “Hey,” Taehyung breathed out with a smile on his face, “I wanted to warn you guys…but…ehm…Jin is already gone again, right?”

“Yes, so your warning comes a little late,” Taehyung’s mischievous smirk had him furrowing his brow. “You look like Yoongi when he stole my sandwich last week. Did you cause any trouble that Jin isn’t supposed to know? If yes I’ll swear I won’t tell him - but only if you help me get something blackmail-ish on him to stop him from taking private pictures of us. Did he have you upload private shots as well? Did you even have a boyfriend or girlfriend ‘officially’?” The emotional turmoil got him talkative - cause now that Jimin was awake they needed to talk as well. How much they wanted to officially let others know. What they would say, how they would act. Relationships were complicated enough without strangers judging you.

Taehyung shook his head, “Nope. Just some hook-ups, nothing official, yet. Why? Do you have someone for me?” He laughed and asked, “Did he want you guys to post a picture before the official statement? It’s just a way of making more money out of it. Making it a little more mysterious and the media is starving by now. It’s been hours since you ran into them. You’ve got to feed them soon.”

“Oh, I actually know someone who would definitely be interested in you, but as I don’t know your type…” He broke off, even more offended than before, “Money? He did that to make money off us? And I thought there was some plan to make sure Jimin would be more in control of their stories… God, I really need that media training, I tend to believe in people way too easily.” His expression got a little bitter.

“Oh, yeah, yeah, that, too!” Taehyung waved Namjoon off, “Jin would never do anything without or consent. He didn’t post it, yet, right? See…you’re fine.” Tae leaned against the doorframe, when Jimin reached out for his phone sleepily, scrolling through the pictures. “Oh, and you didn’t mean the guy who was waiting for you at the lobby right? The one who is interested?”

Namjoon’s eyes widened, then he broke into laughter. “You already met Yoongi? Please tell me he didn’t try to hit on you! If yes I’m really sorry, that could maybe be our fault, he teased Jimin and me so we told him we would find him a boyfriend out of Jimin’s model friends, but it was rather a running joke between us than an actual plan. I hopefully won’t have to scold him next time I see him for how he behaved towards you?”

“Oh, well, he didn’t exactly hit on me,” Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck before he casually added with a simple shrug of his shoulders, “But if you guys want to like…go into Jimin’s rooms…which is the furthest away from the guest room. I’d really appreciate it.”

Jimin snapped up, suddenly not feeling tired at all as he eyed Taehyung all while getting up and over Namjoon to pull him up with him. “If I get another noise complaint you will pay next month’s rent!” He turned to his boyfriend and motioned for him to keep walking. “You really don’t want to hear this.”

He wasn’t exactly naive, but it did take him a few seconds for the penny to drop. “You…wait, you didn’t.. did you..?” He groaned. “I’ll never hear the end of this! Yoongi will boast with this forever. He has a thing for beautiful boys so you’re like his jackpot…” He followed Jimin who very hurriedly tried to get away from Taehyung who looked absolutely pleased with himself. When they went out in the hallway, passing the front door (which meant they had to let go of their hands for a moment in case any of the paparazzi had a lense that was sharp enough to get a proper pic of them despite the distance) Yoongi was still there, looking totally smug. Namjoon gave him a knowing look. “Sooo… you finally get all your dreams fulfilled, won’t you?”

“More than that,” He closed the door behind him and reached out to intertwine his hands with Taehyung’s, “So much more than that.”

Jimin rolled his eyes at his cheesiness and just pulled Namjoon along the other way to keep him from getting into any argument. They had bigger and different things to talk about now.

“I saw you signed the contract,” Jimin sighed as he got up onto his bed opening up his arms for Namjoon to cuddle up to him this time, “I think I need to open up to you about a few more things now…” Jimin smiled nervously and kissed the top of his head, “I love you, thank you for choosing me, Joonie.”

“Oh. I didn’t think you were conscious enough to see that. I’m sorry if I decided over your head then. To be honest I’m a bit out of my depth here. So yeah, it would be nice if you could explain a little, tell me a few things, mention the risks, help me understand how much this media world is entangled with your life. For someone like me it’s pretty creepy to see how quick and deeply they can reach you, but I guess you must have gotten used to it in a certain way. And not everything is bad, they can hype you, make sure you’re noticed enough to get a certain job or raise your payment… I figure it’s a love/hate relationship?”

It was scary for Jimin to open up again but at the same time it felt good. It was a way of letting Namjoon see even more parts of him that he had been so scared of showing before. He told him about his ex-boyfriend, the rumors and the drama that happened when he had leaked pictures of Jimin. Not nudes, but private pictures. Some showing him in very vulnerable situations. How he had been using Jimin’s weaknesses against him, all just because he could. In the end Jimin just showed some of the magazine posts and legal statements to Namjoon, as he wasn’t so sure if he could explain it all without crying again. He was too exhausted already. They were sitting entangled, switching positions from time to time while talking almost all night and only when they remembered that Jin told them to officially post a picture of them did they entangle themselves from one another. Taking out his phone, Jimin sat up a little and took Namjoon’s hand in his own. He posted it minutes later. Without any comment and then closed his phone. He didn’t want to look at it tonight. The only one he wanted to gaze at was Namjoon.

“Did anyone ever tell you how handsome you are,” Jimin giggled softly.

“Not like this, no.” He waited until Jimin had put his stuff away before reeling him back in. Jimin was smiling but Namjoon could still see the wariness in his face, the exhaustion in the line of his body, the hurt and betrayal and everything that he had deeply buried inside of him after his trust had been so heavily abused by the one that had claimed to love him. When he looked at Jimin sometimes he wondered how people could ever willingly hurt each other. There were people who - despite not without flaws - had something so delicate and pure about them that even the thought of them getting possibly hurt made his heart ache. Jimin was one of them. And now that he knew in which ways he had been hurting before his desperate reactions whenever he felt like Namjoon might change path made a lot more sense.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t promise Jimin that he wouldn’t be like the people who had been mean to him before. Because they had probably promised him that his heart would be safe with them as well. Only time and his actions would be able to proof that he was different. And that Jimin’s heart was safe with him.

This was therefore his main reason why he was taking the media training even more seriously. Even though the first reactions on the picture that Jimin had posted been all positive, Namjoon didn’t want to hurt Jimin in any way just because he was clumsy or had no idea how this was working. In the end it showed quickly that he was naturally good at interviews, as he had to give a lot of presentations Namjoon knew how to talk well and educated, thinking about his answer before blurting them out. ‘Unlike Taehyung’, which Jin had told him many times. The only thing Namjoon hated were the photoshoots. He didn’t really get why he needed to do them in the first place, but then he reminded himself of the ‘lamp post’ picture that was still strewn all over the internet and that he needed to at least look a third as good as Jimin next to him. Though he had absolutely no problem with letting Jimin have his moment, while stepping back and letting him have all the attention the younger deserved. Still Namjoon hadn’t gotten used to the attention, to the paparazzi following him - though it had gotten a less and they were onto Jimin more than him alone. Only when they were seen together the sudden wave of flashing lights were blinding him to the fullest, so he held onto Jimin’s hand a little tighter when the other maneuvered them through the people outside of the agency and into the car.

Only an hour later he gotten a message of a picture of himself, where his eyes were big in fear, his smile a little too static while Jimin was waving the people naturally, his eyes hidden behind some sunglasses.

“You should try out that trick. It helps a lot,” The younger reassured him, “Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s a lot, right? But you’re doing so great. I have the best boyfriend, really. And remember, Jin only wants the best for you. It will all ebb down as soon as we’re not the sensation anymore. We’re too boring anyways for them sooner or later.” Leaning in Jimin placed a soft kiss on his cheek, cuddling a little closer to his boyfriend on the bed as he focused back on the movie. Namjoon was sure he must only get used to it, have a little more training, maybe get some more tips from Tae and Jimin and then he’d be fine.

What he didn’t know was, that Jin and Taehyung had the same exact thought.

Just a little more training was what he needed.

Taehyung was a firm believer in facing your fears, therefore he wanted for Namjoon to face his of not feeling so insecure and uncomfortable as soon as there were too many cameras in his face. To follow through with his plan Tae tiptoed through the apartment quietly, his camera in hand as he sneaked around the corners trying not to make a sound. He had told them he was with Yoongi, but instead he just simply sneaked back into the apartment later that night. He simply wanted to surprise attack Namjoon. A simple “Press Attack” as they called it in the agency when the aspiring models learned to handle the media. How should he have known that the minute he jumped out from the corner, pushing the button to take a picture with a blinding flash that Namjoon would be naked.

Wearing nothing.

Just Namjoon being stark naked.

“Oh,” Taehyung froze completely and only his eyes wandered down Namjoon’s chest and down his thighs to a certain area and up again, “Damn…that’s…a lot…”

Although Namjoon’s first instinct was to cover himself up his second one was to make sure that there was no other material that Jin might use for some strategic media placement especially not when it contained nude pictures of him. So, he more or less attacked Taehyung right away, wrestling the camera out of the other’s grip and deleting the pictures of himself right away.

“There is no way I let Jin - or any of you - use naked pictures of me! I don’t care if it’s for blackmailing to not hurt Jimin or for pretending someone leaked my nudes to get sympathy for him or for whatever strange plans you got - there is no way I’m letting you do that!” He angrily took the camera with him while trying to find something to cover himself up with - not really in a hurry any longer as Taehyung had seen everything up close now (against his will).

Taehyung who was still completely shocked from the fact that he just got jumped by a naked Namjoon, only blinked his eyes in confusion before he finally found his voice. “I didn’t…I didn’t know you would be naked,” Taehyung threw his hands up in defense, “I just wanted to make sure you’re ready to handle the paparazzi. But I think you’re more than ready to be his bodyguard now than anything else.” Taehyung rubbed the side of his arm, where he could still feel the impact of Namjoon’s strength.

“Thanks. Now get the hell out of here before I have to explain to Jimin why I’m standing half naked in a room together with his model friend. Not that I don’t think you’re beautiful but - as I’ve been trying to tell Jin and also you - I am not planning on hurting or betraying Jimin so I’d really appreciate it if you two could stop messing with me. I’m taking the media training serious. The least you can do is not fucking with my mental state and undo all that.”

Taehyung didn’t let him told twice and quickly got out of the apartment, giggling on his way out. He couldn’t wait to tell Yoongi what had happened.

“What was th’ nois’” Jimin mumbled sleepily, turning in his bed the minute the mattress dipped and the cold sneaked under the covers when his boyfriend lifted them to get under them again. He let Namjoon pull him closer instantly, sighing softly against his naked chest. “Thought you wanted to get your shirt?” Jimin sneaked a hand sleepily down Namjoon’s back and to his bottom, “I think you should always just be naked.” He nuzzled his face into Joon’s neck and yawned, “Let’s never wear clothes again.”

“Ah, great idea. Might interfere a little with your job though. You know with you letting others take pictures of you wearing their clothes? I sure wouldn’t mind. It would surely save some time if I didn’t have to get you out of your clothes every time I want to have you.” He sweetly kissed Jimin on his forehead despite his dirty words. The younger was still half asleep and honestly it was no wonder; he had a constant lack of it when he was working so that when Jimin finally had some free time his body tried to get all the rest it could get.

Jimin only groaned quietly, turning around in Namjoon’s hold to snuggle back into the cushion. “I have to get up in three hours, don’t make me think about work now,” Jimin sighed.

Time always seemed to fly whenever he was with Namjoon.

No matter if he was just lying next to him or talking to him on the phone. It never seemed enough. And he always seemed too far away. Jimin hated it. But he kept quiet, because after their last fight he didn’t want to bring up the topic again, especially with the way Namjoon was working his butt off to make sure to represent them as a couple in the media. Jimin still couldn’t believe that he was doing that for him. It felt like two different worlds were colliding, one he was afraid of showing to Namjoon first and Jimin was only hoping that it wouldn’t backfire in any possible way.

….

„So, Namjoon,“ Jin was tapping his fingers against the clipboard he was holding, his gaze stern and expression emotionless. “I see that you’re really willing to do this for him and I think you’ve learned a lot this past week.” He looked up, raising an eyebrow, “Though the incident with Taehyung…I’d like to note that I had nothing to do with it. Well, I told him to make sure you’ll learn a few more tricks not to jump out like that…anyways,” He flipped over a page and sighed deeply, “Now there is only one more thing I’d like to talk to you about. Jimin’s family.”

Namjoon’s smile froze a little at the mentioning of the ‘Taehyung incident’ but he was more than willing to let it slide if it meant to never talk about it again. Then Jin mentioned Jimin’s family and he automatically sat up straighter. Jin had never shared any information on Jimin so him possibly telling Namjoon something he hadn’t known before meant that he really trusted him now - and also that Namjoon would get to know something that he had wondered a lot about and had very little intel on: Jimin’s background. Whenever there was an occasion were questions about his upbringing or his parents could arise Jimin evaded them elegantly and with a smile (very possibly because of the media training that Namjoon had under his belt now as well) Although of course it only made him more curious he had never dared to push further.

“It might be that when you do public appearances that they will reach out to you. In no way are you allowed to interact with them. If they contact you, you tell us, and we will take care of the matter. Don’t talk to Jimin about this before you haven’t contacted me. It is important for his mental health and his well-being that you follow these rules.” Jin paused. His gaze was piercing right through Namjoon, waiting for him to process the information. “I understand it seems quite harsh and to some maybe even cruel. And I am not quite sure about how much you actually already know about them…”

Whatever Namjoon had expected this wasn’t it.

“So… what you’re telling me is that Jimin’s parents might reach out to me and that I’m supposed to not tell him because it might…be bad for him?” The silence that followed could only be interpreted as a yes. “What exactly happened between them that even mentioning that his parents might want to see him could cause Jimin to spiral?” When he saw Jin’s face closing off he hurriedly added, “You know just because I don’t want them to overwhelm me or tell me lies to break my resolve. I just… want to know the truth.”

Jin rolled his shoulders back, trying to get comfortable on his chair but with the topic at hand, there was no way he would ever feel comfortable with it. “You know, when I saw Jimin for the first time, I knew that he didn’t belong where he was. He was studying medicine. He hated it.” Jin chuckled, “You could see from a mile away that he was struggling. That he didn’t fit in, but not because he wasn’t smart or anything else. But because it dulled him.” Rubbing his palm against his jeans, Jin sighed deeply, “He came into the agency a few days later after I gave him my card. He had a black eye. Nonetheless I still thought of him as the most beautiful boy I’ve ever seen. So, I took him in. Literally. Because they kicked him out. A son that didn’t became a doctor. Who is gay and wanted to become a model instead? Yeah, they didn’t take that very good. His father always thought of Jimin as too soft. I personally think it’s his best feature. His softness. He’s almost angelic, isn’t he?” Shrugging his shoulders, Jin leaned back a little, “It probably was the best thing that happened to him, though he would argue with me and tell me that it’s you.” His smile looked a little stiff as he gazed back up at Namjoon, “I don’t take mental abuse lightly and Jimin had enough of it. They tried to rip him off everything when he got recognized more and more. It’s…a lot. I am not even sure how much I am allowed to tell you. Let him be the one, who tells you more in detail, but I guess you can imagine…you know him for some time now. Makes a lot more sense now, right? His fears and stuff? So, under no circumstances will you answer questions about Jimin’s family or his parents. You rather decline politely than anything else. It isn’t often though, the media has forgotten about it but with you now being in the picture,” Jin sighed and raked a hand through his hair, “It could be that they ask you about marriage, kids and everything else relationship-related.”

Namjoons eyes hardened, his lips turning into a thin line. He had always wondered how there could be so much pain hiding behind such a beautiful smile and how Jimin could think that he would leave him behind for a single ‘mistake’ or some difficulties. However, it would make sense if your own parents kicked you out, the people who should love you the most and absolutely unconditionally, just for being who you are. Different. Not heterosexual. Unhappy with the path they wanted him to walk. “Don’t worry.” His voice sounded brittle and bitter, the underlying warmth that normally was always there almost completely gone. “I won’t talk to them if they try to get to Jimin through me. And I won’t tell the media anything either.” He might tell Jimin that he knew though. It would feel strange to keep it from him that he knew something Jimin hadn’t shared on his own.

“Thank you,” Jin visibly relaxed and got up from his chair, “Really, I am thankful. For the way you’re treating him. He’s a lot more relaxed, though I don’t want to hear any details on why that is, please.” He laughed and reached out his hand for Namjoon to shake, “If there is anything you ever need or if you still have questions, just hit me up.” With a smile, he added, “Jimin is still doing his Cover Shoot up until tonight, so there is no need to wait for him. Do you want me to call you a cab or did you come here by yourself?”

“It’s fine, I’ll enjoy a little walk.” He tried to smile but honestly it saddened him that Jin felt like he had to actually thank him for loving Jimin and treating him like a human being. How horribly must his former partners treated him if an agreement to not hurt him on purpose and not letting Jimin’s parents use their son got him that kind of reaction? Sadly, it made sense, with Jimin who must have been starved for love and attention, desperately yearning for someone to love him ‘despite his flaws’ - because no one had told him that the reason he had been kept at distance from his parents weren’t flaws and that he was loveable just the way he was. He must have been easy prey, hopeful and just a little lost, his vulnerability visible in his softness, his kind heart, his gentle words. It must have been easy to gain his trust - and then break him open to make his heart bleed, maybe for the kicks, maybe for the fame or the power. Namjoon took out his phone and sent Jimin a little message, something sweet and heartfelt with ‘I love you at the end’, only then did he feel like he could breathe again.

As it was that Jimin would be working all night, Namjoon hadn’t expected to see Jimin at all tonight. Instead, he had put on some comfortable clothes and got out a new book that he had been dying to read for weeks now but hadn’t found the time, yet. But he didn’t make it very far as the exhaustion pulled him under really quick after a few pages. And only the sudden persistent sound of his doorbell ringing, made him jerk awake again.

With his book still in hand and some wariness in his face he looked through the door viewer - only to find Jimin standing outside, pale and wet and with a smile on his face that didn’t quite match the tiredness in his eyes.

He opened the door immediately. “Jimin, what are you doing? And why… are you so wet?” Jimin couldn’t have walked all the way and he normally took a cab also Raincoats and umbrellas existed - but Jimin just laughed and shook it off, brushing back his damp hair with practiced efficiency.

“I’m visiting my boyfriend…and I thought I came prepared,” Jimin winked at him teasingly, before he quickly added, “I wanted to surprise you…I have a day off tomorrow, and I thought we could go for a ride together.” He pointed down the little hallway of the apartment complex and to his bike, nodding proudly. “If it’s not raining tomorrow of course…but I didn’t know how else to get it here but to just ride all the way and also I’ve never been here, and I think I got lost twice but I found it now. So, sorry I’m late and I should have texted you but I’m not very good with texting and driving.”

“That’s…you what?” He sighed and took a step aside. “Come on in then. But I didn’t clean up and there’s nothing in the fridge for you to properly cheat on your diet and I didn’t prepare the bed and...” A heated kiss with cold lips interrupted him as Jimin hugged him tight, ignoring the fact that he was getting Namjoon just as wet. “Alright, alright, I’ll shut up!” Namjoon surrendered quickly, watching Jimin getting rid of his jacket and showing off his tight black bike gear that hugged his figure deliciously. Jimin could feel Namjoon’s eyes on his body instantly and he smirked as he slowly stripped off the wet clothes. “Do you have some dry clothes for me, Joonie?” Jimin asked and cocked up an eyebrow when the other didn’t answer right away, “The bedroom, babe. Where is it?” With a chuckle, Jimin watched Namjoon stumble ahead and only then did he finally let his gaze wander around the apartment that Namjoon called his own. He smiled instantly. Although it was already dark outside and only a few lights were one illuminating the scenery - Jimin still loved it. He already felt at home.

Taking the (for him oversized) sweatshirt from his boyfriend, Jimin quickly pulled it over his head to not miss a thing on his observation. He slowly let his hand wander over the many books in Namjoon’s shelf, giggling at a few art pieces and figurines that were neatly placed in between. It was a simple apartment with lots of open spaces and big windows that Jimin could only imagine would let the light shine in beautifully in the morning. He couldn’t wait to wake up tomorrow.

Turning around, Jimin placed himself right on Namjoon’s lap who had made himself comfortable on his couch again. “I love it here,” Jimin mumbled against his lips and placed a soft kiss on them, “It feels cozy. Just like you. There is only one thing missing…” He giggled softly and pointed at a still empty wall, “A picture of me right there, don’t you think?”

“Nah, there’s no need to inflate your ego even more,” He teased him right back, knowing that it was a dangerous game he was playing because although Jimin liked their little banters it could easily hit too close to home. Luckily he could read Jimin like a book by now, every little twitch, the change in his face or the expression in the other’s eyes told him what he needed to know. And right now, Jimin was nothing but restless energy and recklessness, brimming over with spirit. “Besides I prefer you in person even more. Cause then I can do this,” He pulled Jimin down into a heated kiss, letting Jimin take what he needed.

Jimin giggled softly while kissing Namjoon back with the same intention. He got lost in it quickly, his hands wandering all over his chest and shoulders to feel more of Namjoon and his warmth, to make his own cold body feel alive again. “I’ve been thinking about you all day,” He murmured, placing a few more kisses on his lips before he pulled off and smiled at his boyfriend, “Because I have something for you. And it isn’t me naked this time.”

“You’ve got something for me?” He interrupted himself with peppering Jimin’s jaw with quick, short little kisses, “If it’s not you then I’m not sure if I’ll be that interested in it. You’re the best present there is. The most beautiful…” A kiss to his nose “…and the softest.” He slowly rubbed the warmth back into Jimin’s rain-cold body, feeling the younger’s skin heat up under his hands and feeling proud that Jimin trusted him enough to let him do this. Because at first Jimin had been pretty shy with any non-sexual caresses, ones that silently promised ‘I love you’.

“Joonie, stop, or else I can’t concentrate,” Jimin laughed, but still didn’t push his hands off him, instead he just dwelled in the attention and care. “I don’t ever need to buy you any Christmas gifts then. Just me wrapped in a bow?” He leaned in and stole another kiss from Namjoon, before he let himself fall off his lap, so he could turn around, crawl a little over the couch to reach for his bag. “I know you had your final media training today with Jin. And there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a little while now.” Jimin got back next to Namjoon, putting his legs over his lap to keep close and let his boyfriend pull them in. “You really don’t have to say ‘yes’ or anything else, really. I know it’s been a lot already and you can always just say that you don’t want to. No pressure, really. Just because you’re with me, doesn’t mean you have to do things like this with me, only if you want to,” Jimin was talking fast, obviously getting nervous, “I just thought it would be nice and it’s for good cause.”

“Yeah, just you with a bow will be enough.” Although they were joking around his words held truth. Because no property or possession could ever hold the worth for him that Jimin’s presence in his life did. Despite him liking his work and living a good, fulfilled life he couldn’t imagine a life without the other in it any longer. Namjoon had to smirk, looking at Jimin questioningly. “The way you phrase it, it sounds like it’s something really bad. Just so you know I’m not going to sell a kidney for a good cause.”

Jimin shook his head, “I’d never let anyone hurt you, Joonie! Just look at this please and tell me what you think, okay?” He got out two invitation cards from behind his back and with shaking hands Jimin gave them over to Namjoon. “I’ve been partnering with them for a long time, mentoring some group of kids and they always hold this gala, where they raise money for the kids in need. Ones that are amazingly talented. Whether it’s business or entertainment related. Everyone deserves a chance right? And if I can only give a bit of what I have now to make someone’s dream come true or make life a little easier…because they can’t…,” Jimin bit his lip, noticing that he was starting to ramble, “There will be a red carpet. The media will be there, too. Not much though. It’s not as crazy as if we would go to a movie premiere or something alike. I mean we could do that too if you rather want to do something like that?” He paused, holding his breath, “What do you think?”

“I think it’s a great idea. And a sweet thought. Very you.” He watched as Jimin shyly avoided his gaze. He always started blushing when he was talking about something that was really important to him as if he was embarrassed that he cared so much. To Namjoon though it just showed what a warm, open heart the younger had. And besides Jimin being lovely and him wanting to see what was important to his love it was actually a decision that rationally made sense. Yes, they would draw attention but if it helped the cause then why not? And less journalists might also mean not getting overwhelmed so quickly - or that he could outrun them in case he got cold feet. He chuckled to himself at the thought of what kind of headlines that would get and then carefully took one of the invitations. “I’m in.”

Jimin’s eyes widened and a big smile appeared on his lips, “Really?” He couldn’t hide the excitement, holding onto his own invitation tightly and biting his lip. “You will love it. There are all kinds of people. Famous actors, models, idols…everyone is there.” Jimin leaned in to steal a kiss from Namjoon, before he added, “Oh and there is a dress code. And I already guessed that you didn’t have anything in white or baby blue, so I called the designer I’m working with,” He rubbed the back of his neck, averting his gaze sheepishly before adding, “So, I thought we could go there tomorrow and let them tailor it. It’s going to be one of a kind, made to be fitting what I’m wearing. Their office is right by the Han river, we could ride our bikes there and have a picnic after?” Jimin tried his hardest not to blush, not wanting to show how much he had been wrecking his mind about it for days now.

“You…you don’t have to make such an effort for me? I could just lend something old from you, couldn’t I?” He couldn’t exactly pay some special-tailored dress shirt outfit from his regular vague - and letting Jimin pay for him felt a little strange. It was different when Jimin bought them dinner because Namjoon could return the favor the next time they went out. It didn’t really work with tailored clothes though.

“My clothes?” Jimin cocked up an eyebrow and put his invitation aside, “You…want to wear my clothes? Namjoon – don’t talk nonsense. Is it because you think I will pay for it?” Jimin laughed and shook his head, “I think Jin didn’t tell you about this, but most designers make clothes especially for red carpet events for free for you to wear. You either give the clothes back to them in the end, or they are generous and let you have it. It’s a free advertising for them. And he was all ears as soon as he heard he could design something for you. You know you will be a headline. He wants you to wear his clothes. It’s the best ad he could ask for.” Jimin smiled reassuringly and explained further, “That’s why so many celebrities are keen on telling the media who they are wearing. That’s how you ‘pay’ for the clothes. Almost like a runway show – what else are red carpets good for?”

“Oh.” Namjoon felt stupid for not knowing something that seemed so obvious to Jimin but how should he really? Despite Jimin basically living on red carpets he had no idea how exactly all of it worked, just little bits and pieces from magazines and Jimin when he was sleepy enough to not mind telling him a few details. “I guess it’s okay then.” He awkwardly cleared his throat. “So... tomorrow you said?”

Jimin nodded, “He’s nice, don’t worry about it. I’ll be with you…and I’ll keep you safe on the red carpet as well. I promise!” He got up and on his boyfriend lap again, his naked thighs the perfect spot for Namjoon to put his hands on and feel the soft skin. “Do you want me to help with the nervousness?” A smirk placed itself on his face, while Jimin let his hand wander down Namjoon’s chest, “I know a few ways…” Slowly and without leaving Namjoon’s gaze he got off his thighs and onto the floor on his knees.

“Oh yeah, I’ve heard tea should help. Or knitting. You going to make me a cup of tea for me to relax?” Namjoon feigned innocence, smiling at Jimin as if he didn’t know what the other had in mind. Honestly, he was a bit nervous so maybe Jimin’s way of taking his mind off things would be useful for real.

“Either way, it’s going to be hot,” Jimin chuckled and let his hands wander up Namjoon’s thighs, “I’ll make you forget. Don’t worry.”

Oh, and did he make him forget.

But their neighbors. They would never forget that, Namjoon was sure of that.

...

He chuckled to himself quietly at the memory, fixing his collar once more as he stood in front of Jimin’s apartment a week later. Unfortunately, the nervousness had been creeping back in the closer the day got. His heart beating a little faster than usual. He hadn’t seen Jimin in days, while the younger was gone on a trip for a magazine shoot, only coming back last night. His heart was aching to see the one he loved, while at the same time it was fighting the urge to jump right out of his chest because Namjoon was too nervous. His hands were shaking as he pushed down the doorbell.

“There you are!” Jin opened the door and eyed the outfit Namjoon was wearing, “You look great! Very handsome…wish I could say the same about Jimin, but he fell asleep while they put on his make-up. He’s still wearing his PJ’s….been sleeping all day already,” Looking down at his watch, he sighed, “It’s taking too long. The car will be here in twenty minutes!” Jin wasn’t really talking to him anymore, while he was waving his hands around frantically already calling out for the makeup artist to hurry and not hesitate to wake the model up. Something along the lines of ‘he is used to it’ and how ‘you just need to shake him a little’.

Namjoon knew a way better option to wake Jimin up but it was a little too personal to suggest it, so he refrained from kissing his partner awake and instead let Jimin’s stylist and Co. do their jobs in trying to wake him up with little to no pouting involved. Finally, Jimin had blinked his eyes open wide enough to see him. “Hey gorgeous,” He greeted the younger, waving a little awkwardly while standing in midst of busy people. “Are you ready to go out with me officially?”

Jimin shook his head softly, trying not to move too much while there was still someone curling up his hair to make it wavy. “No, I still need to get…,” He paused, waiting for the makeup artist to finish touching up his lips with a light tint to accentuate them and then added, “Get dressed. But I’m almost done.” He yawned, stretching himself on his chair, when the two women stepped aside to let him get up. Jimin thanked them, ignoring Jin’s orders and reached for his jewelry to put on and then vanished into his room.

“Finally! I’ll go down and make sure the cab is right in front of the door,” He ushered the other two people out of the apartment as well, “I’ll let you guys have a minute.” With that, Jin closed the door behind him and with him the hectic was gone as well.

“I don’t know if it looks good,” Jimin’s whined from behind the door and then opened it, averting his gaze as he pulled at his clothes, “Isn’t it too soft? I could maybe wear contacts…to complete this right? Blue one’s?” His hands were shaking and Jimin didn’t even look at Namjoon, before he turned to the mirror and eyed himself warily. “It’s too soft right?”

“Too soft to be true…” Namjoon slightly teased him and then hugged him from behind while the younger still worriedly stared into the mirror. the fluffy sweater felt amazing against his skin and he put his chin on Jimin’s shoulder. “Don’t worry - nothing is able to look softer than you. And I like it, when you’re wearing something cozy like this. However, if you don’t feel comfortably I’m sure we can find something else that won’t make you feel insecure.” He didn’t comment on the contacts because he preferred it when he could see Jimin’s eyes for real but he also knew that they acted as some kind of ‘barrier’ between Jimin and the world and sometimes the younger just needed them to feel more safe.

Jimin had leaned into Namjoon’s touch immediately, letting his warmth soothe him and his words reassure him that he was fine. “No, I’m not insecure,” Jimin furrowed his brows and took a deep breath, “I’m fine. I’m just…I’m nervous actually. I’m never really nervous.” He turned in Namjoon’s hold and let his hands wander over the soft fabric of his light blue shirt up until he could cup his cheeks. “You look so handsome. They will adore you so much.”

“Jimin!” Jin’s voice interrupted Jimin from talking further, from telling Namjoon about how nervous was about everything. About what people would say about them, if they would think Namjoon was too handsome for him, that he deserved better or if they would start rumors, bringing up past relationships or something else that made him nervous. Jimin reached out for Namjoon’s hand, lacing their fingers together, “I’m fine. I’m just tired, don’t worry.” He was more talking to himself than Namjoon as he reached for his purse and then pulled his boyfriend along and down to the cab.

The ride was quiet. Too quiet for Jimin’s normally chatty nature. But apparently he was more scared than he let on. Namjoon tried to help him relax, distract him, have a chat but Jimin’s tense posture only changed when the car pulled into their spot and they could already see the flashlights of the reporters through the tinted windows in some kind of distorted flecks of light. Jimin gripped his hand, palm sweaty and his grip too tight but he smiled his model smile that Namjoon knew from photoshoots and interviews by now.

“Let’s give them something to write about!”

Jimin genuinely smiled at that and nodded. He closed his eyes for a second, snapping them open the moment the driver opened the door and let Jimin out first. The flashing lights were going crazy already, making it harder for him to see and Jimin smiled and waved at a few people, but nothing could compare to the moment Jimin turned around and reached out his hand for Namjoon to grab as he got out of the cab as well.

For a moment, Jimin felt completely overwhelmed and he held on a little tighter to Namjoon. It had felt like his usual mask that he was putting on for the public was wavering the minute Namjoon stepped next to him. He didn’t know what to do.

His big, unsure eyes were gazing up at his boyfriend. “Joonie,” He whispered anxiously, hearing the people shout his name and telling them to turn around for the cameras, “Please kiss me.”

At first Namjoon thought that he hadn’t heard right because Jimin normally was as shy as one could be about affection outside their four walls (probably because he feared that they could be seen by someone who shouldn’t see them) so being asked something like this came as a surprise. But Jimin looked so lost and maybe it was meant to be a statement like ‘Yes we are in love, please get over it’ so if it was what Jimin wanted then he would do it this time. Namjoon took a deep breath, preparing to get even more flashlights and shouts directed at him before leaning down and kissing Jimin the way he had wanted to since he had seen him today, sweet and honest and maybe a little too short - but there were people all around them after all.

Jimin couldn’t care less about that. He just needed something to ground himself, to feel something else but fear and anxiety. Biting his lip softly, Jimin closed his eyes again – just for a second, really – before he pulled his shoulders back and turned around. He wrapped his hand around Namjoon’s bicep, wanting to feel even closer to him as they walked up to where the carpet actually was starting. “I’m sorry,” Jimin mumbled, waiting for the organizer to check their list and notify the people that he had arrived. “Your kisses always make me feel a little safer,” Jimin mumbled, giggling softly and then turned his attention back on the guy in front of them. “Mr. Park, Mr. Kim…we were already waiting for you,” The man said and motioned for them to walk ahead, “I’ll hope you have a great evening.”

Namjoon smiled at that, thinking of it as a beautiful compliment that kissing him made Jimin feel safe. The warmth in his chest carried him through all the violent yelling and screaming, ignoring the reporters as if it was nothing. At least they weren't jumping at him while he was naked - so Taehyung's ‘special training’ might have helped a little after all.

After passing the red carpet it was different, with more people like Jimin and less ones like the reporters running around. Namjoon couldn’t help but stare at someone he had just recently seen in a movie but couldn’t remember the name of, knowing that this wasn’t someone you would just meet at the store. There were lots of women in amazing dresses and Namjoon wondered how much all the clothes in here combined would cost. Probably enough to build a few houses and schools.

“Over there you can give in donations, there’s the buffet and somewhere around here should be our table,” Jimin explained, not really noticing how Namjoon wasn’t listening but staring, taking in the whole scenery. He pulled him along and over to where the food was aligned beautifully and people were already catching up on each other’s careers, talking and grabbing themselves some food. Jimin smiled, his mouth watering from the view alone and when his eyes spotted the candy bar, he excitedly jumped up.

“They have chocolate balls!” Jimin dismissed the other food easily and quickly got over to grab himself some of the delicious treats to bring them back to their table. “There will be some speeches later and I think some of the kids are even performing tonight.” He smiled genuinely, greeting a few people along the way while never letting of Namjoon’s hand while holding onto the treats with the other, “And we can dance and…”

Jimin came to a halt abruptly. His breath caught and an obvious fake smile appeared on his lips. Just like the one on the person’s face that had just appeared out of nowhere, blocking his way. “Oh, I think we’re sitting at the same table, Jiminie,” The young man smirked and leaned in to hug Jimin, who was still standing awkwardly stiff, murmuring something under his breath. “Don’t you want to introduce me to your friend?” He turned around, flashing Namjoon a bright smile.

Namjoon didn’t like the way Jimin tensed up though the man in front of them acted as if he and Jimin were friends. So, he just followed along, holding out his hand for the other to shake. “I’m Namjoon. And you are?” Jimin didn’t look like he was keen on talking about who the other was but if Namjoon was about to sit next to that guy he really didn’t want to wonder who he was for the whole evening.

“Hoseok,” Taking the hand Namjoon offered, Hoseok looked over to Jimin again with pursed lips. “Model and actor? You might have seen me before? No?” He raised his eyebrow cockily, “You should have. I’m good at what I do.” Chuckling, Hoseok winked at Namjoon, “I can also just show you. Maybe that’s something for later.” He cocked his head aside, “Jimin can count himself lucky if I say so myself.” He leaned back comfortably and looked around the ballroom, before his gaze stopped at Jimin again, who was eager to just move along.

Once again Namjoon wondered if he shouldn't start to pay a little more attention to the fashion magazines - but their shallowness always scared him off, their short-lived trends and way of trying to make fleeting things important that in his opinion only distracted from the real values out there having him unable to finish more than a few pages before he had to put them away. At least he knew that Hoseok was probably a colleague of Jimin’s. Maybe they had met at a photoshoot before? He completely ignored the other’s compliments to not make Jimin any more uncomfortable and instead just downright asked him what he wanted to know. “How do you know each other? I’m sorry Jimin might have told me about you but I’m new to this world of fame and fashion and so I tend to get a little overwhelmed.”

Jimin bit his tongue to not say something, instead he just quietly watched them interact and talk, while he sat down his chair, his eyes flickering back and forth between them. “You haven’t told him about me? I’m offended,” Hoseok fake gasped and laughed, leaning over to Namjoon in the process and holding onto his arm for a second. Just a slight touch. One that made Jimin stiffen up even more. “I’ve been Jimin’s roommate while we were trainees under Jin’s agency. I moved on to another agency now, though.” Hoseok nodded over to Jimin, “But it’s been a fun experience, wasn’t it?” Jimin just quickly nodded his head, smiling at Namjoon, before he narrowed his eyes back down to his plate and then over to the stage and around the ballroom instead of listening. He didn’t want to know what Hoseok was doing, or how he pretended to be interested in Namjoon’s job right now and that each time he was laughing his hand was holding onto his shoulder so Hoseok wouldn’t fall over, while his own hands were shaking, and he was aching to reach out for Namjoon. The longer they kept talking and Hoseok was telling him about their first years in the agencies - and even though it was interesting for Namjoon to finally get more insight on his life and what he had been up to when he first started out -  it was making Jimin nervous. Anxious. Scared. He was too tired for this. His heart beating fast.

“I see Jimin finally gained some weight,” Hoseok noticed and motioned over to his plate and looked at Namjoon with a raised eyebrow, lowering his voice, “Normally I’d found him not eating a thing for days sometimes. He always sneaked in those chocolate candy, though I told him that those were the ones that kept making him look chubby, didn’t I, Jimin? Ah, loving memories, right? We’ve grown so much but you’re still eating them! Is he still sneaking them out?” He turned from Namjoon back to Jimin, “Oh, by the way are you still in contact with your parents?”

That was it. Jimin could feel him lose his breath in a second. Instead of answering, he put his napkin onto his plate despite him not touching anything and smiled, “I’m sorry. Will you excuse me? I’ll be right back.” With that, he turned around and walked ahead, almost stumbling over someone else’s chair in the process. He just needed to get some air maybe, some water - anything to calm himself.

At first Namjoon relaxed a little, enjoying how Hoseok told him little bits and pieces of their past, innocent stories at first, things you would laugh about. But then he was starting to get personal, hinting at Jimin’s weight, his insecurities and the atmosphere started to change quickly. Jimin was visibly uncomfortable. Namjoon however wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do if he tried to defend Jimin or if he would only make him feel more vulnerable and therefore make him even more uncomfortable. Only when the other mentioned Jimin’s parents did he feel like a line was crossed and he was just about to speak up when Jimin got up from his seat, politely excusing himself and then vanishing so quickly that it pained Namjoon’s hard. It hadn’t been difficult to see that he was hurt.

He turned towards Hoseok. He had been giving the other the benefit of the doubt but enough was enough. “I’m not sure if you just didn’t notice or if you didn’t care what your words were doing do Jimin - either way I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tease him again. And please don’t mention his parents. If you really were a friend then you would know to better avoid that topic. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll have to make sure that the damage you did won’t lead to something even worse.”

Then he followed after Jimin with quick steps and his gut clenching in worry.

Jimin did what he knew best. Closing himself in the powder room of the venue, trying to catch his breath when it was getting more and more difficult to get air into his lungs. His knuckles turned white from how hard he was gripping the sink. It took him a minute to look up at himself, noticing the dark shadows under his eyes immediately. With shaking hands, he reached for his purse, taking out the ‘emergency’ concealer (that’s how his makeup artist called it) and applied some more. Jimin was telling himself, he just needed to fix this a little, to maybe get some cold water on his wrists, take a few more breaths then he would be fine. But it wasn’t that easy, while Jimin simply dabbed the few tears that were falling right into the crème under his eyes.

Namjoon knocked onto the bathroom door once, as a sign that he was coming in. There was no one else in there except him and Jimin and he was thankful because this way he could talk to him openly right away without having to worry about someone listening in on them. “Are you okay?” Jimin definitely didn’t look like it and it was rather a rhetorical question, a way to make Jimin talk on his own but of course the younger didn’t open up that easily so Namjoon continued after a short little while of silence. “You know that I don’t mind your past, don’t you? And no matter what someone else says about you it can’t make me stop loving you. There’s no need to hide in here. You can be proud of who you are.”

Jimin walked past Namjoon turning the lock on the door so no one else could come in and shrugged his shoulders. “I know, babe. I know you love me, and I can’t get rid of you anymore,” He chuckled quietly, leaning against the sink. “It’s just…,” Jimin turned to look over his shoulder and at his own reflection only to avert his gaze again. “I am on edge. I am exhausted. And I wanted this to be a good night. I’m already scared and anxious. I didn’t know he’d be here and maybe on any other day I’d be fine…but I wanted it to be perfect for you. I want to be perfect for you,” Jimin scoffed at himself and turned around to pack his stuff back into his purse, “I mean he’s true. I gained weight.” Jimin’s shoulders were hunched over, his voice getting quieter, “Just let me refresh, okay? I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Namjoon sighed deeply. He was glad that the younger was at least able to recognize that he would stay no matter what - but there was still something wrong or else he wouldn’t close himself off like this. “Jimin, if I wanted perfect I’d buy me a doll. I’m absolutely content with you being human which means you can’t possibly be perfect all the time. Although gaining weight is definitely nothing that I’d see as something that makes you ‘flawed’. You remember what I told you?” He tried to reach out for Jimin but hesitated when he noticed the tenseness in the other’s shoulder and the way he still wasn’t really looking at him, dabbing at his face. “If you really want a few minutes to collect yourself then that’s fine and I’ll go, but please, please don’t swallow your emotions down because you think that this is what I want. You don’t have to smile when you don’t feel like it, not with me.”

Jimin sniffled, thinking about what Namjoon said for a second, before he turned around and just wrapped his arms around his boyfriend neck and held onto him. “I’m just stressed out. I’m sorry, baby,” Nuzzling his face closer into his neck, Jimin just let himself fall, “I hate that people can make me doubt everything in a matter of seconds. Hoseok’s always been like this. He makes a competition out of everything and as soon as I find some happiness, he needs to chime in and destroy it. I didn’t know he would be here. And it’s worse when I am so on edge, so…I feel so…” He looked up at him, “Stiff. Unrelaxed. I wanted this to be a good evening. Just be with you, because I just missed you so much.” Caressing over Namjoon’s cheeks, Jimin let the tears fall on their own, “And I didn’t even really say ‘hi’ because I needed to hurry, because I feel asleep again and I was so nervous then…I’m the worst person.”

“Let’s just forget that something happened. The evening can still be nice. We’ll start with a clean slate when we go out the door, okay? No Hoseok's to tease you cause we simply won’t let him be mean to you again and there are also some sweets waiting for you, aren’t there? We’ll have a good time and you’ll collect some money for your good cause and in the end we will go home and be glad that we were here and talk about how nice it was and that we should definitely do this again. How does that sound?”

“No, not yet. I’m not…I’m not ready,” Jimin leaned his head onto Namjoon’s chest and let his hands fall down to his bottom. “I don’t want no sweets if they aren’t you. I’m not hungry anymore. Not for sweets.” Jimin mumbled and looked up with a pouty lip. “Also, I need to fix my makeup again. I can’t go out like this with my puffy red eyes and cheeks,” The model sighed and turned in Namjoon’s hold but not without stealing a kiss or two from him first. He giggled softly when a kiss was placed on his neck, searching for his powder and concealer again, before bending over a little to look at himself more closely in the mirror.

Namjoon swallowed hard at the way Jimin was suddenly flirting with him, right before bending over on purpose. “Are you trying to distract me? Because it’s working.” He confessed with a deadpan expression. Because Jimin held absolutely still while applying the concealer Namjoon could give his boyfriend a once over, admiring his cream colored, fluffy sweater again. Gently he rubbed his hands against the soft material, liking how it felt against his palms.

“Yes, from telling me that I shouldn’t worry about how I look, because I certainly do look fucked up,” He groaned and went ahead to fix his hair, letting Namjoon take his time to caress over his back and kiss his neck however he wanted, while he was eyeing his own reflection warily. As much as his touches were soothing him, his own reflection was ruining it for him again. “Joonie, they will notice. My eyes…, my cheeks… they are never this blushy red.” Jimin whined, biting his lip nervously, “Park Jimin cried in the bathroom. Or better: Boyfriend makes Park Jimin cry in the bathroom. What a great headline. You know they will see you walk in and out and then me with puffy red cheeks?” He turned again and pushed himself up on the counter to sit on, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “I’ll just stay here.”

Namjoon chuckled lightly. His hands dipped under the sweater, feeling if it was just as soft from the inside - or maybe he just wanted an excuse to touch Jimin’s warm, silky skin and distract the other from his own reflection. “We’re just going to tell them that I made you cry from pleasure - and that’s also why your cheeks are so red, from the heat and desire that was eating you alive while I had you right here in this luxurious bathroom.” He smirked amusedly at Jimin’s reaction. “You think Jin would like that headline? I mean he posted pictures of us in bed, this is just the next step, isn’t it?”

Jimin gasped and he wasn’t sure if it was from Namjoon’s hands under his skin or his sudden bold statement. Normally, Jimin was the one suggesting those kind of things and not Namjoon. He caressed through Namjoon’s hair, letting him step closer in between his legs. “I missed you so much,” It was only a whisper that got lost the moment he pressed his lips onto Namjoons. He deepened the kiss right away, wrapping his legs around his waist to pull him even closer. The physical closeness, Namjoon’s love and his warmth was always the best way to reassure Jimin. Words were fine, but the moment Namjoon touched him, so lovingly, so careful as if he was made out of porcelain, something so precious that he wanted to adore and look at forever, Jimin believed him. Kissing down his jawline and neck, Jimin unbuttoned Namjoon’s shirt, letting his hand sneak in to caress over his chest and feel his heartbeat underneath. “I don’t want to be away from you anymore. I’m aching too much without you, Joonie. Please, make me forget.” Jimin held still, his breath fanning against Namjoon’s lips.

It had turned heated way more quickly than expected and when Jimin was physically pulling him in he had to do his best not to get lost in this immediately. He would have never thought that Jimin would be in the mood for this, let alone be brave enough to risk a scandal.

“Wait, are we actually doing this? You know that Jin is going to kill me if anyone finds out that I’ve been fucking you in the bathroom on our very first official event together, something that you want to draw special attention to. Shouldn't we be out there and..- I don't know be seen doing proper ad respectable stuff?” While he tried to stay rational his body had a mind of his own and his lips found their way to Jimin's neck in between words, nipping gently at the soft skin.

“Then we just have to be quick. They are still eating out there, the official speech is in a half an hour.” Jimin shrugged his shoulders, moaning quietly at the feel of Namjoon’s lips on his soft skin. “And I can’t suck your dick, baby. It would ruin my make up even more.” He giggled softly, feeling a little bit more relaxed again. “I mean, we could also wait to get home tonight…but I’m not sure if I can do this. It would drive me insane.” His hand wandered down Namjoon’s chest and to his pants. “I want you to touch me, please.”

“I can do that.” Namjoon opened Jimin’s belt and without further warning took him in his hand. They rarely ever did quickies because Jimin liked the aftercare too much - and Namjoon just liked to get Jimin all hot and bothered before entering him but this was what they both wanted right now, the perfect mixture of excitement and distraction. “Well, if you can’t blow me we could switch positions and let me do the swallowing part. I might not look as pretty as you on my knees, but I bet I can make you come inside my mouth just as good as you can.”

Jimin gasped, his hand finding its way into Namjoon’s hair on his own when he gripped him tight, starting to jerk him off. “Joonie, please!” He leaned his head back, baring his neck beautifully in the process. “You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, Namjoon. Don’t say that!” Jimin kissed Namjoon hastily on his lips, then deeply again, just to add, “I only have eyes for you.” A smile pulled at his lip and Jimin leaned back against the mirror, his gaze following every movement from Namjoon, moans slipping from his lips that he tried to keep down. “Suck me off, baby…but only if you fuck me so hard right after that I will forget everything that happened the past hour.” Jimin smirked, his thumb caressing over his lip in a teasing manner.

Namjoon could feel the liquid heat running down his spine, and he closed his legs in a futile attempt to keep his own body under control. His pants started to get tighter which wasn’t that ideal when he was supposed to kneel in front of Jimin. “Deal.” He answered courtly, voice a little hoarse and full of unspoken promises. “Keep your eyes on me then. Just relax and watch me.” Jimin’s pants were so tight that he had to shuffle a little before he got them down but then the younger’s cock was bare and right in front of him. He sank down onto the tiles, wishing he had a cushion but considering that this was supposed to be quick and dirty he probably wouldn’t have to stay in this position for long.

Jimin’s knees were already shaking just from the view. It was rare for Namjoon to be in this position, but he loved it even more. And the moment Namjoon was sucking him for real, Jimin had to hold on to the sink to keep himself upright. “Fuck!” He pressed a hand over his mouth when he realized that it had been way too loud. “Oh, god, please,” Jimin moaned quietly. He couldn't stop watching his cock disappear inside Namjoon’s mouth, his eyes ever so often looking up at him. His heart pounded. Namjoon worked him beautifully, took him deep, then slowly released him inch by inch, making him shiver with the pleasure. With every thrust into his heavenly mouth he increased his tempo, while he brought his hand to assist, wrapping it around the base of his cock. Namjoon’s moans vibrated against his hard flesh, sending more shivers down his spine. It was easy to work Jimin up with his body already tense and aching for relief and his mind getting lost in the pleasure all too willingly. It was a beautiful scenery, Jimin above him, his sweet little gasps falling from red lips while his eyes close whenever Namjoons tongue catched on the head of the younger’s cock. He trailed his hands up the back of Jimin’s thighs, feeling the tremors in them as Jimin tried to suppress the urge to open them up wider - or press them together, depending on how fast or slow Namjoon was going at the moment.

Jimin watched Namjoon pull back, so his cock only grazed across his lips, swirling his tongue over the head. Once…twice…three times before he took him more fully into his mouth again driving Jimin absolutely nuts. His eyes closed and low shuddering groans shook his body as he sucked him in and out of his mouth. “Namjoon! I can’t last longer…I didn’t touch myself without you, I’m…fuck…so close, I missed you so much, “Jimin mumbled, not sure if anything was even making sense anymore. He thrusted into his mouth, while he smiled and peered up at him through his lashed. “I need you-,” Jimin choked on a moan, when his legs began to tremble and he was tangling his fingers into his hair, making Namjoon take him even deeper.

It was incredibly hot to see Jimin lose it like that, feel him shake and shudder, all because of him. It made him strangely proud to hear that Jimin didn’t even touch himself, that his body was only Namjoons and the thought of Jimin waiting for him, saving this part of him solely for Namjoon to see while he shared so many other aspects of his life with millions of people made his heart flutter in his chest. He pulled off when he felt like Jimin was about to come and had to smirk at the desperate whine the other made. “Don’t worry baby, you won’t have to wait long for your release. But I’d prefer it if you’d let me fuck you first. Don’t you want to come with me inside of you? I love it when you clench around you when you shake apart. It feels like heaven, every single time.”

Jimin let out a desperate moan when Namjoon slipped from him, but it was soon replaced by a smile and a giggle. He easily turned around, reaching for his bag once more, while Namjoon was pulling down his own pants, to finally let his own erection spring free. Jimin smirked at the view, handing Namjoon the little bottle of lube. “I told you it’s quite handy to have one in your bag. You never know if you stumble upon a stranger on airplane or just want your boyfriend to fuck you to heaven and back,” Licking over his lips, Jimin pulled Namjoon in by his collar again to kiss him heatedly.

“To heaven it is then…” Namjoon promised in between kisses, hiding his face in Jimin’s neck to stifle his moan when he touched himself, the lube cool and wet against his heated skin. He took Jimin by the hips and turned him around, gently nipping kisses into his neck. “Do you want to get out of those clothes before we start, or do you want to keep them on so that when we’re outside again you can think about how I’ve fucked you in them?”

Jimin quickly pulled his shirt over his head and then took off the dress shirt underneath. “It’s designer. No cum stains, remember? It’s only borrowed.” Jimin giggled and watched Namjoon take off his own in the mirror. He turned to look over his shoulder quickly, because as much as mirrors could be fun for some while they were having sex, Jimin rather not wanted to look at himself right now, still feeling a little too on edge about what Hoseok said. He bend over, leaning over the surface next to the sink to get a good hold. “I love you,” Jimin whispered sweetly, watching how Namjoon caresses over his bottom, squeezing him lightly.

Namjoons smile softened, “I love you too.” He kissed the tip of Jimin’s ear sweetly where he could reach, brushing through the youngers hair before leaning close. “I hope this will make our first event together as memorable as you wanted.” Then he pushed in, knowing that Jimin could take him like that, going for a quick and dirty pace that had both of them gasping right away.

Jimin closed his eyes in pleasure, his thighs trembling from the feel of Namjoon’s cock inside of him and as soon as he bottomed out, Jimin was fully shaking. He was breathless, his voice rough and Namjoon marveled at the fact that he was the one doing that. “Oh, please, oh god,” He bit his lip hard, his knuckles turning white from how hard he clutched the counter. Namjoon started to move, thrusting inside of him and Jimin pushed back every time he rammed into him, whining and moaning, telling him to go faster and to fuck him even harder and who was Namjoon not to obey?

They had long forgotten where they were and Jimin wasn’t exactly silent but it only spurred Namjoon on to give it to him harder. As Jimin had been so close to coming before he was pretty worked up already and Namjoon enjoyed dragging out those desperately little sounds and whimpers, trying to hit Jimin’s sweet spot every time he pushed in. His hand on Jimin’s hip kept the younger from writhing away when it got too much, and he could feel his boyfriend start to tighten around him. “That’s it baby, show me how good I make you feel… chase it, babe, come on my cock… let me feel your tightness around me... so good... you feel so fucking amazing like this.”

Jimin whimpered, the force of the thrusts making him jerk forward each time. It took a lot of strength for him to push back and hold himself up, when Namjoon was using all of his force. But he didn’t let himself be told twice. He tightened around Namjoon, dragging out a moan from the both of them. “Shut me up, please,” Jimin was searching for Namjoon’s hand, “Oh, fuck.”  He could feel himself shake and his hole tightened around his cock repeatedly, making him lose himself completely. He felt hot. Too hot. The pleasure rippling through him.

Namjoon pulled Jimin back flush against his chest, arms tight around the others waist as he was keeping him close. He loved to feel Jimin fall apart so close to him - and it also made it easier to stay inside while Jimin’s thighs were shaking like that. Namjoon continued to rock his hips into Jimin’s body, over and over, sweet and deep and slow, riding out Jimin’s orgasms together with him in rhythm with the youngers helpless pants. Namjoon’s name was the only thing on his mind right now, while Jimin was trembling in his hold, his eyes closed, soft little whimpers escaping him. He could feel the warm, hot cum inside of him and Namjoon’s groans right next to his ear were making him shiver from the intensity. “Oh, I’m…,” Jimin tried desperately to hold onto Namjoon, while he felt like his knees were giving up on him.

He felt utterly sated, warm and content like this, staying in their own little bubble not caring for whatever else happened out there. Namjoon carefully pulled out of Jimin but kept his close hold on him as he could feel how wobbly Jimin was on his feet. “Are you good? Did it help you to refocus?” He asked, half amused, half serious question. If Jimin felt grounded enough then they could clean themselves up and try to face the people in this event anew.

“N-no, I’m barely standing on my own feet right now,” Jimin was smiling nonetheless, “But as long as you keep holding me I’ll be fine.” He sighed softly, leaning his head back against Namjoon, when a sudden knock on the door made him jerk away. He completely had forgotten about where they were.

“I’m sorry, but are you taking longer? I’d like to use the bathroom!”

Jimin’s eyes widened and he pressed his hand onto his mouth to keep from laughing. He quickly entangled himself from his boyfriend, calling out for the other that he would be out in a few minutes. He ushered for Namjoon to be quiet, cleaning themselves up quickly and putting back on their clothes in a rush. “Just...just say nothing and just walk ahead, okay?” Jimin said and couldn’t help but suppress his giggles, checking himself in the mirror again, “Do I look okay? Normal?”

“Nope. You look breathtaking, as usual.” With another suppressed laugh coming from behind him he opened the door, walking out as if he hadn’t just totally misused the bathroom. They mingled with the other visitors before the speech started before returning to find a seat.

Hoseok was nowhere in sight.

Jimin’s hand found its way under the table over to Namjoon’s easily, lacing their fingers together as he listened to the ambassador talk about the charity attentively. Nonetheless he couldn’t help but peek over to Namjoon a couple of times, giggling and blushing at the same time. Jimin didn’t care about Hoseok anymore, his eyes were only on his boyfriend all night. He knew what he had with him was something special, something that he never wanted to miss out on again. And the last few weeks had only been showing him how important it was to keep on trying and working on this. Jimin squeezed Namjoon’s hand a little tighter, leaning his head on his shoulder. Their first event was quite the exciting experience and Namjoon would definitely never forget it. The speeches weren’t as uncomfortable as he had feared and Jimin even got to say a few sentences about the importance of their work. Jin was pleased as well because there were no negative headlines and only nice pictures and articles surfaces of them so to him they’d done an awesome job (and they would never let him in on how they had managed to make themselves smile for the whole evening, remembering their little tête a tête in the bathroom). Namjoon was still in awe about how fast the media was, scrolling through his phone, when Jimin snuggled back to his side in the bed that night. He easily put his arm around the younger, pulling him a little closer and kissing the top of his head. Namjoon would always remember that night...

…and the next morning.

“Joonie!” Jimin wiggled, sitting on his boyfriend waist with a big smile on his face, “Wake up, baby!” Namjoon sleepily blinked his eyes open and them rubbed them as he felt like he wasn’t seeing right.

There was a bunny sitting on top of him. With big white ears and Jimin's face.

Namjoon blinked again before his vision finally cleared. Jimin was wearing a headband, the ears on top of it partially white and fluffy and partially rose colored velvet on the inside of his ears. And he was smiling from ear to ear.

“Happy Easter, baby!” Jimin giggled and leaned forward to kiss the tip of Namjoon’s nose. “Did you forget?” Jimin only chuckled at that, very well aware of how easily Namjoon forget about these kind of things especially with what happened the last month. They had better things to do than worry about Easter. But Jimin on the other hand, had worried about something else for weeks now. Something that he wanted to ask Namjoon for a while now and never had the guts to and the festive day was the perfect way to do so. Kissing along Namjoon’s jawline and neck, Jimin mumbled sweet ‘I love you’s’ against his skin. “I have something for you! But it’s hidden!” Jimin pointed at his ears and teasingly wiggled on Namjoon’s lap one more time, “You need to go and find it.”

He laughed, his boyfriends excitement a little contagious. He normally didn't really celebrate Easter, so he hadn't expected Jimin to hide something for him but seeing how much Jimin was looking forward to this he got curious. “If its chocolate eggs then I hope you didn't hide them where I can step on or sit down on them. With my luck I would only collect chocolate bits melted into fabric.”

Jimin shook his head with a smile ushering Namjoon to get up from the bed and pulling him along. “I have to disappoint you, but I already ate everything chocolate covered…so…there’s something else hidden for you.” He said and came to a halt in his living room, holding onto Namjoon’s hand. “I love you,” Jimin whispered against his lips one more time, jumping a little in his joy making him seem more like a bunny. “Hm, then I know a way to get my share,” He kissed Jimin deeply, tasting the chocolate on the others tongue. Before he could get too distracted though Jimin stepped aside and left him to his Easter egg search. “How will I know what I find is what you've hidden for me? How do I recognize it as mine?” For all he knew he could accidentally find Jimin's hidden porn stash - or his emergency sweets.

“It is wrapped in a white bow,” Jimin answered, “You’ll find it. I’m sure. There are a few little things leading you up to it.” He ushered Namjoon to go and only when the other was still hesitating, he added, “I will tell you if you’re cold or warm, okay?” Although he was sure that Namjoon would find it soon enough without needing too many guidance. Jimin could see a hidden, colored egg from where they were standing right now, and his apartment wasn’t too big in the end.

“White bow, I see...” Namjoon turned around on the spot trying to get a feel about where he should start. If he didn’t find anything he could still take a bow and wrap it around Jimin. Or charm the other into giving him a few more hints. Carefully he stepped towards a bookshelf, stopping right away when Jimin coughed. “Does that mean hot now or cold?”

“Cold!” Jimin giggled and jumped up on the sofa, watching Namjoon stumble around the living room in his sweatpants only. Jimin had the perfect view, shouting a few ‘warm’ or ‘cold’s in between and just having fun, seeing Namjoon get more and more ambitious the more things he found. “Still no bow?” Jimin cocked up an eyebrow, “Do you need a hint?” When his boyfriend nodded, Jimin hummed in response, tipping his finger against his chin, “You’re pretty close already…but, do you remember what hair color I had when we first met?”

Namjoon looked around. “I can’t find any fire extinguisher in your living room!” He grinned when Jimin pouted. Of course, he’d never forget the fiery orange Jimin had sported on the flight that they had met. There weren’t that much orange things in the room they were in, just the back of a book in the shelf but he already knew that nothing was there, then a cushion in orange and red hues that he had already lifted and found nothing under - and of course the painting on the wall that showed a sunset in warm colors, including lots of orange. “There?” He got closer, wondering if he would have to look behind the painting for a card maybe or if he should better get back to the cushion and shake it as maybe something was inside the cover when he spotted the plant next to the painting. It looked a little perkier than usual. Namjoon reached out for it and through the leafy green he could already see that there was something white underneath.

Jimin got on his knees, shuffling closer to the edge of the couch and observing Namjoon with his heart beating into overdrive. He had no idea how Namjoon would react. Maybe this was too soon. Or something that Namjoon hated. Now that he was thinking about it more, Jimin paled visibly. He took in a sharp breath, when his boyfriend got out the little box with a white bow wrapped around it. His heart stopped. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. Jimin was losing his mind while his wide eyes followed every little movement of Joon’s fingers unwrapping the bow, his own tightening his hold around the cushion and turning his knuckles white.

There was a little colorful box in the pot, shaped like an egg and at first Namjoon thought this was the present because it looked really cute and you could open it and maybe store something nice in it, so he opened it to take a look at the inside which was all black velvet and looked even more gorgeous... and there was already something inside. On the dark fabric there was a shiny key with a ribbon on it. Carefully Namjoon took it out and let it gleam in the morning light that fell through the window. “What is it for? Or is it something symbolic, like the key to your heart?”

Either way, he liked it.

Jimin took one deep breath, closing his eyes to gather himself before literally stumbling over his words as they rushed out of him, “It’s….It’s a key to an apartment downtown! It’s a lot closer to your company and though it will take me a bit longer to the agency – I don’t care. Because… It’s a lot bigger than what I have now. A lot more rooms and it’s in this apartment complex that I really like where you could overview the whole city…and I know you’d never go anywhere too far away from what you have now. And it annoys you to drive all the way here each time. It’s stressful. And I understand that. Maybe it’s dumb. Maybe I am rushing this. Or maybe you don’t even like it this much. Is it too much? It’s too much right? But…all I want is to come home to you. I just… I want… WILLYOUMOVEINWITHME?”

Namjoon stared dumbfoundedly at his boyfriend who looked as if he wanted to hide right now, cheeks flushed and face cautious. “You want me…want us to live together? In an apartment that you’ve rented?” He repeated, just to be sure that he had heard right, and this wasn’t some big misunderstanding, “And this here is the key to the door because… we will live there together?” Later he would be embarrassed at his own lack of eloquence but Jimin had caught him completely by surprise. A really overwhelming kind of surprise. But a positive kind as well.

“When can I see it?” His eyes lit up when it finally sunk in, that Jimin had put all this effort in this to find them the perfect apartment so that there wouldn’t be long drives in the middle of the night or early in the morning anymore because one of them had stayed over at the other and needed to get back in time for work. And it also solved the cuddle-dilemma. “Admit it, you just wanted to have your personal plushy for every night.” And he didn’t mind at all.

Jimin stared up at Namjoon wide eyed, when a smile stole it’s way on his face as he realized that Namjoon wanted to move in with him. He really wanted to. With bunny ears still on his head, he jumped over to Namjoon and hugged his boyfriend tight, leaning in to kiss him softly, pouring in all the love. “Maybe! But to answer your question: we can go and look at it after breakfast if you want? Only the interior designer is there tonight. But you have to have a talk with him anyways about your new office,” Jimin said and wrapped his hands around Namjoon’s neck, “You really want to do this? With me?”

“You know I really like this key. And if it comes with an apartment and your clingy sleeping habit every night then I guess I’ll have to live with that.” His broad smile gave away that he was teasing and because he knew that Jimin probably needed to hear him say it for real to believe it he added. “Yes. I do. You won’t get rid of me anyway so we can just save money and move in with each other. Money and gasoline and nerves and heaters and work outs.” He winked at him.

Jimin leaned his head against Namjoon’s chest while he had his arms wrapped around his waist. “It sounds perfect,” He sighed and let his hand fall down to lace their fingers together, before his expression turned flirty and a smirk appeared on his lips. “We could start with the work-outs right now. Just so…you know…so we get used to the training. You should ease yourself into it, right?” Jimin bit his lip and pulled Namjoon along, “Oh, did I mention there will be two master bedrooms?”

Namjoon chuckled at that, happily following after his very special Easter bunny.

A/N: Yay, finally it’s out! The long awaited sequel to ‘Mile High Valentine Club’! We hope you liked the little fluffy insight into the life of Minjoon in this AU ;) Don’t forget to leave us a comment down below...maybe next Holiday you’ll get another story about them - who knows (but nothing is planned, yet). Thank you so much for reading! We love you guys!

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[taekookismylifeline]

Title: Collateral (of love and bullets) Pairing: Yoongi/Hoseok Synopsis: Jung Hoseok may not be as successful as he wished to be when he was younger. Instead of being a dance instructor in his own dance studio, he worked full-time at a local supermarket – but at least he is happy, living with his boyfriend of two years, Min Yoongi, in a not-so-crappy apartment in the city. However, when he gets caught up in a robbery at his bank and his boyfriend disappears, his happiness is challenged, along with everything he thought he knew about the people he holds dear.

Chapter: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Chapter Six -  two brothers: one of them wants to take you apart

Jinnie ><: hey Seokie Jinnie ><: Yoon said anything more to you?

Hoseok blinked at his phone, slowing his pace down and causing him to bump into a few people dashing by him to get to sales.

You: wdym?

He turned into the bakery – the one his mum would always take him to at the end of the week for a treat if he was well-behaved. It was nice to be home, incredibly nostalgic, and he always welcomed a home-cooked meal.

Jinnie ><: well, about why he was gone

Hoseok sighed. Seokjin had been more bizarre than usual over the last few weeks. He had left his apartment to get away from all of that. As well as things being weird between him and Yoongi.

You: I know he told you because he told me he did You: Seung passed away You: he doesn’t like to talk about it, and I don’t blame him

He was next in line and he picked out something distractedly, something with cream. He hurried out of the store, the snack wrapped in his pocket. He would go to the park his father would always take him and Dawon, eat on the bench, and maybe call Dawon – he hadn’t seen her in a good few months since after the wedding.

Jinnie ><: you don’t really believe that, do you?

Hoseok stared down at his screen blankly. He didn’t believe what he had read, but he didn’t get the proper chance to as the text disappeared quickly to be replaced by Seokjin’s contact icon.

Hoseok hesitated before accepting the call.

“What are you talking about?” Hoseok asked, frustration beginning to build.

“Hey, Seok, listen, think about it for a minute. Yoon stopped visiting his brother years ago, right? When was the last time?”

“I don’t know,” Hoseok exhaled, checking the time on the clock of the mall, hoisted up in the middle of the escalators. “Maybe two years back. When we first started dating, he visited Seung a few times.”

“So, the last time he visited Seung was two years ago then, and then out of nowhere he pays him a visit?” Seokjin wasn’t playing around; the scepticism in his voice was honest.

“He passed away, Jin, what more do you want?” Hoseok snapped, sitting on the nearest bench and hissing into his phone.

“But he had a rare disease. Surely if it was so serious, Yoon would have visited him more often. Why did he stop visiting his brother for two years when he did it often before?”

Hoseok stared ahead, briefly seeing the people walk by each other, thick coats and scarves. It was nearing the winter holiday season. He and Yoongi should be spending it together really, but it was not to be. He had been feeling numb ever since he had arrived back in his hometown a week ago, even talking with his mum hadn’t helped.

“What are you talking about?” Hoseok forced out through the lump in his throat. “I don’t understand why you’re always doing this – Yoon… he’s going through a lot, and I don’t think he’d appreciate one of his best friends to be second-guessing every little thing.”

Seokjin was silent on the other end of the line. All Hoseok could hear was the loud hum of people talking, couples laughing and children exclaiming excitedly.

“Something’s not right, Seok.” Seokjin sounded weary. “We know it. You know it, deep down.”

“No. I do know something’s not right,” Hoseok spat, “it’s not right when you doubt your friends’ reason for mourning. What would he think of you? Why are you calling me? Are you trying to split us up for good or something?”

“Seok-”

“You know what? I don’t care. Don’t you dare approach him about this. Leave him alone. Obviously, you have no respect for him or his loss, so don’t contact us until you’re ready to have some common courtesy.”

Hoseok hung up with vigour, leaning back on the bench to breathe in deeply. He felt his lungs fill with air and his stomach-ache with something he couldn’t sate.

A girl was staring at him on the opposite bench, she looked frightened as if he hadn’t threatened her livelihood. He hated being under scrutiny, so he took off, phone burning in his pocket.

He should call Yoongi, he couldn’t help but consider as he marched up the escalator. It was a stupid thought; he was angry, miserable and confused. He wouldn’t be any use to Yoongi like that, then again, he had no idea how he could be useful to him.

Hoseok had gone back home because Yoongi had approached him one evening, three days after Hoseok had asked about sex, and told him that he was going away for a few days. A trip for himself, he had told Hoseok, and it wasn’t personal, but something he had to do for himself to get into the right headspace.

Hoseok, not wanting to spend lonely, mundane nights in the apartment for an uncertain amount of time once again, had left for home the morning Yoongi had left. He had taken Yoongi’s note with him: ‘I’m sorry about this, I’ll be back soon and then we can talk. I’m really sorry. None of this is your fault and I know this isn’t fair to you. I just don’t know what to do. I love you, Y.’

He had left his own note in return, and looking back, he was ashamed of it: ‘It’s fine, I understand. I’m going home for a bit, maybe until Christmas. Call me when you read this. I love you, too. Hobi.’ It was very plain considering everything he had wanted to say to Yoongi.

Truthfully, he didn’t really understand. Then again, he had never lost a sibling or a parent, or anyone at all. In that way, he was lucky, but Yoongi had not been blessed with the same fortune. Perhaps Yoongi was on a pilgrimage, maybe he had returned home to his own birthplace, or sorting things out with his parents. He had no idea.

His mum had told him to be patient. She had hugged him like he was a kid all over again and told him that it would all sort itself out, he simply had to have faith. So, he was trying to. But it was hard. Harder than it had to be.

Lost in his musings, he found his feet had brought him to the music shop him and his friends always visited after school, shopping for a bargain on mixtapes or CDs by niche underground artists.

The place had been done up since he had last been, which was two years and a bit ago. The colour palette had changed from dingy blue decorated with yellow ‘sale’ signs to a flashy red. It was a nice change and he found comfort in it.

He wondered over to the ‘overseas artists’ aisle, searching for nothing in particular, his thoughts caught between music and Yoongi. He almost didn’t notice the sales assistant approach him.

“Hey, man, can I help you with anything?”

This sales assistant wasn’t like the ones that worked at the store when he was younger. He wasn’t one of those surly guys who were barely legally old enough to work, and who had yelled at him for making too much noise about an album he was excited about. No. This sales assistant looked nice. He was smiling something earnest.

Hoseok smiled back, despite the numbness. “It’s fine, thanks. I’m just browsing.”

“Not looking for an international artist?” the sales assistant nodded towards the sign spelling ‘overseas artists’.

“Oh, no, I was just looking. I haven’t been here in ages,” Hoseok found himself admitting. He was hoping the guy would just nod and walk away before he opened his mouth and began spilling his childhood story to a stranger, but the assistant stayed put.

“Oh, really? You live nearby?” the assistant carried on, his expression smoothing out from being polite to being genuinely curious.

“Kinda,” Hoseok shrugged. He wasn’t too sure where he belonged right now. The sales assistant looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to finish. “Is there anything you recommend?” he gestured to the racks of CD’s in front of him.

The guy threw him another earnest smile. “Of course. It depends what you’re into, of course.”

Hoseok deliberated, unsure of whether to go on a music-based spiel or make some vague excuse and leave. He didn’t want to be on his own right now, and the sales assistant seemed to be friendly. What was the harm?

“I like hip hop. R&B too. I used to come here all the time for Monster Rabid’s new stuff,” Hoseok said, and found the assistant’s face light up.

“Oh, man. Have you listened to their new EP?” Hoseok shook his head. “You’re missing out. Come here, we can line it up on the jukebox.”

“Oh, really? It’s still here?” Hoseok asked, laughing in bewilderment. The age old music player which he and his school friends harassed on the daily, occasionally chasing out a few older patrons who had often visited for vinyls by blasting their current favourite tunes.

Looking back clearly, it was a wonder he had never received a life ban. He supposed the number of purchases he made cancelled out any chance of being kicked out for good.

The store did, in fact, have a jukebox. It was smaller than Hoseok remembered, and more battered too. Maybe another group of schoolchildren had come in and terrorised it once him and his friends had graduated. The thought drew an easy smile to his lips.

“Here she is,” the assistant introduced, as if gesturing to someone extraordinary.

Hoseok laughed as the assistant flipped through the song book. “It’s the same one from when I used to come here as a kid.”

The assistant smiled up at him. His dimples were rather prominent, Hoseok didn’t know how he hadn’t registered them before.

“It’s an OG then,” he said, “or maybe they just couldn’t afford to replace it.”

Hoseok hadn’t expected the sly comment and let out a burst of laughter he had to muffle. The assistant laughed with him, hiding his smile in the song book.

“Are they really that cheap?” Hoseok asked, dropping his volume so that the familiar strict-looking older man standing behind the cash register wouldn’t hear them.

“Well, put it like this, they’re short-staffed and they insisted on only have two people work today,” the assistant muttered, punching the song number into the jukebox.

“Wait, so you and the manager are the only ones on shift?” Hoseok asked, a familiar sense of dread brooding in his stomach. He hated being understaffed at work; the pressure only added to the anxiety he felt in his gut.

The assistant sucked in a breath and nodded just as the familiar chords started playing. “Yeah... it’s about as much fun as it sounds.”

Hoseok laughed in an accompanying manner. “I feel for you, man.”

“Yeah, it’s a worker’s demise. You work?” he asked and Hoseok nodded, silently asking for the songbook the assistant kept leafing through.

“Yeah. Retail.”

The guy nodded, a knowing smile turning up the corners of his lips. “Ah. So you do feel my pain.”

“All too well,” Hoseok mock-lamented, and the assistant chuckled.

There was a brief pause in which Hoseok appreciated the music and the lull in thoughts.

“I’m Lee Chinhae, by the way,” the assistant introduced, holding out his hand, “I would have loved to have pointed to my name-tag, but I’m new here, so I haven’t had one made yet.”

Read the rest on AO3!

[nekoabi]

Nerdy - Chapter 1

So, I’ve had the description of this fic on my works page for a long time, but I’m just now getting to it, and the plan for this fic ended up being 1000 words. That’s how seriously into this I am.

All of this is based off of a Busted song of the same name:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Aft6tJgBE

Reminder: I am British! Some things might be based off of my school and life experience and words!

High School AU Pairing: Logince Words: 1263 Warnings: None I can think of! Let me know!

Summary: Logan has always been a lone wolf, and he’s enjoyed it. But recently, someone’s been invading his thoughts.

From a very young age, Logan had learnt how to enjoy being alone and where he felt he belonged. He’d always felt too different to be involved with the rest of the kids, they’d all found some kind of niche group to fall into early on. Of course, it all had to end up highly stereotypical with the in groups and out groups, right down to which of them got along and which of them got into disagreements. This was almost always present in the cafeteria at lunch, which was why Logan stayed away for as long as he could. He went there to eat but left as soon as he was done in order to spend the rest of his time in the library. This had been his life for years, and it was comfortable.

There was no way the world would let him live this way. Though, of course, it was not as though there was this ever-driving force that pushed his life in a certain direction, it was all purely through his own choices and will. This fact made it ever more frustrating to Logan that he’d somehow developed a fixation on Roman Prince.

It had to be him, of all the people in the world. The most popular kid in school, the most outgoing and social of all of them, the biggest personality in the room, the most infuriatingly loud, obnoxious, conceited, gorgeous, self-centred human in the building.

Logan physically shook his head to bring himself out of his thoughts. It was unlike him to be day-dreaming. The paper in front of him came back into focus and he read through the hand-written words penned before him, only for his attention to be caught by a loud group walking past the open library doors.

He recognised the faces as they walked by but had no connection to them at all. They were loudly laughing and joking, each trying to be louder than the others around them. Then it was all gone. It was practically silent, or at least the noise was muffled. All because he’d come into view. From the centre of the group.

It was almost as though the seconds stretched longer just so Logan could take in all the details of the boy. The styled hair, the bright smile, the lean shape to his body, the style of his clothing, even the boisterous laugh that burst through the haze of noise.

Then he was gone. The group walked past the door, out of sight and Logan was jolted back to where he was. His head ducked to cover the blush he felt spreading across his cheeks. Quickly, he flipped to a new page in the notepad in front of him and he began writing something brand new.

One of the group’s voices somehow came loose from the soundscape it was lost in previously, even from as far away as they were.

“Hey Ro, you’re definitely coming to this party this weekend.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it.” Roman’s response was no surprise to Logan, and he felt himself drifting back into frustration, this time at the other boy.

How he could just let someone else make this decision for him and then Roman just completely go along with it, with no hesitation or questions. Just a simple, yes!

It was infuriating. How someone with so little agency could grasp Logan’s attention and thoughts like this. He needed Roman to be less intriguing, less interesting.

He continued writing for a while, stopping periodically to consider his words, before he checked the time. 15 minutes before the last classes of the day were to begin, and he’d just finished. Perfect.

Logan gathered up his belongings, swinging his bag onto his shoulder. He made his way out of the library and towards his classroom, the paper he’d been writing on folded neatly in his palm.

The classroom was still deserted as the rest of the students were using every last second of their lunch break to the fullest, almost desperate for it to go on longer. Logan, however, made his way to his usual seat.

Halfway, he paused and considered a chair that sat at the centre table of the room. Chewing the inside of his lip, Logan darted between the chairs and tables before ending up standing at the chair. There was no turning back. He knew he had to do this.

Taking a pen out of the front pocket of his messenger bag, Logan quickly scrawled a name on the top of the folded paper. It then fell onto the chair.

Logan took his usual seat as if nothing had happened, preparing his notepad and books and pens for the next lesson. He buried himself in one of the books as the door opened, revealing a couple more students. Slowly, but surely a third of the class had filed in and taken their seats. The teacher appeared, along with the rest of the students. What had been a fairly peaceful room soon become what felt like a prison of noise. Logan was trapped, but had to endure it all the same, knowing it would soon be quelled.

He also couldn’t help himself. The book dropped down to the desk, and Logan kept his gaze on it for the most part, but this position was much more suited for indulging his curiosity. He kept flicking his eyes over to the chair, seeing it still unoccupied. There was this awful sinking feeling in his stomach as he questioned his choice.

It was too late, Logan reasoned to himself, what was done was done. As if on cue, the table’s occupants appeared and moved into their usual seating arrangement.

Logan watched out of the corner of his eye as Roman pulled out the chair, his attention focused still on the conversation with his companions. But the white of the paper managed to catch his eye and he picked it up curiously. It was clear he noticed his name on it, as he was about to unfold it right then and there.

“What is that you got there?” The student sat next to Roman leaned closer to have a better look, all they were able to see was Roman’s name written across the front. “No way. Is this a love note? Oh my god, this has to be a love note.” The student was gathering everyone’s attention, and Logan could practically feel his heartbeat in his every extremity. “Go on! Open it, let’s see this.”

Roman moved quicker, putting the note into his bag, “I wouldn’t want to give someone special treatment.” He’d gathered himself and was commanding the room, “Of course, this is nothing new and so I don’t want to single any one person out for- “

He was cut off by the teacher who wanted to finally start the lesson. Logan was filled with some undiscernible emotion. He felt relief, of course. But there was also this sense of disgust at the arrogance that was just displayed before him. How could he do that? How could he say that?

The lesson passed uneventfully, Logan’s mind still hung up on what has transpired. It was frustrating. He didn’t want this. He just wanted to focus. He couldn’t have been more thankful when they were free to leave, and he was finally able to get away from the ever-distracting boy. The rest of the day passed uneventfully, and Logan found himself making his way back over to the library to wait for his lift home.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5

Rest of my stuff: http://nekoabi.tumblr.com/myworks

Tag List: @not-so-innocent-bi-sander​ @didsomeonesayprince​ @llamaly​ @justanotherpurplebutterfly​ @ultimate-queen-of-fandoms2​ @iaminmultiplefandoms​ @lowkeyvirgilobsessed​ @louisthewarlock​ @starsfightback​ @xxladystarlightxx​

@sanders-sides-thuri gets a tag because i was given permission

[raybeckstead1]

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[sweetsorrow-dulce]

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Pictures considering the wrong facet proportion or edited resolutions can be stretched, chopped, as competently as crunched out of proportion- all one of which shows badly upon your brand. Some platforms auto-crop picture sneak peeks based upon element proportion.

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Share unrestricted proclaim promptly across socials media or schedule to ration cutting edge to receive website traffic anytime you want

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Final thought -TrafficCloud Review

BuyNow

Its A Lot. Weve build up a social network photo dimension overview to support you.

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[mar-docemar]

TrafficCloud Review + Demo

TrafficCloud Review and Bonuses + Demo

TrafficCloud is a Brand-new traffic answer that lets you make UNLIMITED, interesting Visual Posts and allowance them upon Six oscillate Social Networking Platforms to Siphon 100% forgive Buyers Traffic in just a few clicks! There are a number of cost-free comparison checkers readily genial if youre indefinite just how to accomplish this.

 Who Is TrafficCloud For?

If you compulsion to amalgamation fonts, pair a serif in imitation of a sans serif.

Those enthralling click-able blog posts engagement as web traffic magnets that stand-out as skillfully as get your hands on the preferred clicks - successfully driving users to your sites/offers and transform them into realistic clients. TrafficCloud is a breakthrough shove Button software that solves every Your Traffic Problems from a single dashboard and brings Tons of Leads, Sales, and Profits in just 4 simple steps. And you can be portion of it by just a single click and create your issue boom overnight.

Be distinct it includes worth to your message, too.

Not lonely are you obtaining entrance to TrafficCloud for the best cost ever used, however additionally Youre spending unquestionably without risk. Or utilize a sealed background.

Whats the most operational image-to-text ratio? fittingly if your own is various, you could wind taking place following an unfavorable plant, or have vital assistance overlooked. Generally, Facebook discovers that pictures subsequently less than 20% text often tend to get much better. The Internet Material Accessibility Guidelines (WCGA) advise utilizing a comparison of 4.

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Choose nice intelligently.

https://reviewnbonus.com/trafficcloud-review-and-bonuses/

Every platform has its certainly own specifications and plus you ought to customize your TrafficCloud material as necessary. desertion one word upon the TrafficCloud stock can see weird. Unless youre No Name.!

Right here are a couple of tips to recall bearing in mind including text in pictures:

Three-way check spelling and grammar. Not sure what that indicates? Youve obtained nothing to lose!

Separate a photo into components (rasterbate it) and plus upload it as a slide carousel. Yes, this is the talent of Traffic in the digital world.

 Get unquestionable forgive traffic from Red-hot Twitter, LinkedIn & Blogger.

The declaration should always boost- not obscure- your innovative. Unless you upload in threes.

Let me gift to you The Ultimate 1-Click Traffic solution That brings you child support in 5 minutes Flat!

Completely newbie-friendly Social pronounce Creator to create/edit ultra-engaging visuals in minutes.

Get $4587 worth bonus for pardon here5 to 1. Typeface can assume both look and also legibility.

Check your analytics to look what gadgets you audience usages.

Not tolerable look for your material? Facebook offers a text-to-image ratio checker for those interested.

100% newbie-friendly. as soon as you select TrafficCloud, your satisfaction is assured.

A few social media image sizing hacks:

Want to share a straight describe in a Tale? It depends, as competently as there are exemptions.

As without difficulty as reach not desertion aspect ratio.

Watch out for orphan words.

If you prepare to make use of text as an overlay, ensure the visual leaves look for it.

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[themaraudingmisfits-blog]

What ‘going home’ has come to mean to me...

Often I feel that my entire family is like a pack of crazy gypsies, always on the move, we’ve packed and unpacked our stuff so much that some of it just likes to stay in boxes, ready to go whenever that ominous time comes. The proof of how much we go around the country is like duhhed because I’ve been to seven different schools over the span of my very small and seemingly insignificant life. We are wanderers,  discovering new places, carving out new niches to fit into, in my case that would be new candy shops and little bookshops by the corner of the street , my mom would smile away to glory at finding the bestest  grocer’s near our new homes or the local restaurant which can cook up steamy hot south Indian idlis and puttu which have some sort of semblance to the ones grammy makes ,for papa it was often about making new friends to take along on his morning walks , it also  meant  conquering little parts of the new kingdom- it was always a battle between me and my sister as to who would get which new room, learning new languages- however funny and foreign they might be we still had to master the rudimentary stuff like yes, no, we won’t give more money than that, how much does it cost and other haggling terms and maybe a few cuss words too along the way, it was also about  getting into good schools which meant fidgety waiting rooms and scary enough to make your knees shake sorta interviews and making new friends who genuinely want to be friends with you not because you’re the new southie  in the block,a naïve homework doing oily haired dork(I’ve met a lot of people who latch on to me to totally use the whole nerd factor, only to realize that I ain’t  Ms. smartypants who can do math in her head) but they start hanging out with you because you both have the weird DNA and think of stuff like the fact that  star wars is just about the yoda hand thingy (I will get around to watching it…after I die…coz then I have all of eternity) and after all these routine three yearly rituals were done, the rest would just fall into place often as messy as tangled up as a ball of yarn, but, we’ve gotten used to the mess.

Sounds fun right? Every place, a new adventure, exciting but hugely terrifying too, there were days when I was scared of what was out there, when I had no clue what I was looking forward to, the worst part was the arduous task of fitting in or at least trying to fit in, leaving the comfortable shells we’d grown into at the last place we stopped by, only to start over AGAIN. Finding the aforementioned friends wasn’t some stroll in the park, it took a lot of pure dumb luck  and I’ve realized after a dozen or so failed lottery attempts and getting drenched on what started out as perfectly sunny days and a whole lifetimes worth of unlucky events that I’m not the chosen kind who trip on four leaf clovers every other day, so often I’d find my unlucky self stuck with a bunch of doddering fools for friends during the first year or so and then I’d eventually find my tribe, the crazy ones, so I guess I was lucky, maybe not going where I wanted to go but ending up where I needed to be.

We’ve given up on “permanency”, yes, I’m using air quotes coz it’s as fictional as me waking up early on Sunday mornings and going to church. At this point the only constant thing is change, from idlis and sambar to parathas and aam ka achar to fish curries and pongal  and payasams made by doting ma’s and paati’s and amma’s,  from making new best friends, secret codes and bracelets, conjuring up new games ( which actually just have different names in different states), getting over the awkwardness of being a teenager, giggling over boys and groaning over homework, only to do it all over again with another best friend maybe from Delhi or Calcutta or Cochin or Dubai or whatever…culture shocks, food shocks, people shocks…I’ve gone through it all.

“Delhi has come to belong to everyone who lives in it, but no one belongs to Delhi”

“More dreams are realised and extinguished in Bombay than any other place in India”

“When in Chennai, it seems no man would wait for Time and Tide... Everyone’s always on the move”

One thing that I learnt is that I can easily write off a chameleon as my animagus coz I slowly figured out that just like all the other newnessess I could be a totally new version of me too, moonlighting as a quiet and shy thing, a geeky and focused chick, the loud rambunctious don’t-care-Treasa and any number of avatars, all of whose skins I fit into perfectly even now. I’ve sort of lost track of the real me in the midst of all this and I’m still figuring it out because I felt happy being any of those people, it was almost fulfilling in different ways…maybe I don’t need to figure it out, maybe my hapless friends will have to deal with me as Mr Jekyll AND Mr Hyde. I pity these so called “friends” or as I like to call them victims.

With all the packing and redecorating, I often tended to feel a bit homeless. I felt lost, jealous even, of the friends who’d grown up with that the same set of friends from the diaper days, the swing set in the backyard sort of families, with their favorite spots and those hearts they carved in the trees and the creepy place they all sneak off to smoke pot for the first time and what nots, I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. But I also DON’T want to settle, it’s scary, being stuck at the same place with the same people FOREVER, it’s a concept quite foreign to me. Maybe I’m not made for this settling down business, I’m terrified of being around for too long because there’s always this nagging feeling that it’s all going to go away soon, then why settle in the first place, be it with them folks out there or them places. But then again, I’m torn between wanting something I’ve never had, the sort of stuck in a place with the same bunch of people feeling which I’ve never experienced and which is scary as hell and the need to wander which I’m so oh so comfy and snuggly with now . It sucks to be this little bundle of contradictions.

Now I’m just a lousy nomadic twenty something with the wind blowing in my hair and maybe I’ll die a sad lonely death in a seedy motel in Croatia with nothing to call my own, and THAT is a pretty depressing thought on a cloudy night under the never sky and now that I’m almost done with college moving will take on a newer, scarier meaning. NO parents, NO siblings, NO familiar beds and cereal bowls to return to…I’m on my own, hostels, cars, aunts and friends and abandoned flats…I can sleep anywhere now, even the smallest bits of permanency has vanished…poof…my toothbrush is missing…poof…I can’t find my jammies…poof…there will be no favorite side of the bed or that spot where I get the right amount of moonlight for my odd reading habits…

But swoosh, the wind blows and the sky clears up and I see a sky adorned with stars, and my mind wanders again… a pair of arms come around me making me feel the warm your heart kind of feeling, a friend  I go way back with calls, sobbing coz her she can’t find her favorite sweater and her self esteem is on a downward spiral coz of some dick of a fling, or when my mom comes and strokes my hair and smiles the crinkly eyes kind of smile or when the scrumptious smell of my favorite dish comes wafting from my aunt’s kitchen… and no matter whichever one of these it is I have the same thought running through my mind, it’s lovely to be home again, and that gets me thinking that s home  for me maybe  is my goofy friends and all the hugs and crying over the phone and meeting up after a gazillion years, the new ones and old, the love my mom puts into cooking spectacular dishes for me, the over protectiveness of my dad when I talk to him over the phone, the gadding away time in cars and beaches and cliff tops, finding the right kind of popcorn or the perfect outfit with that girlfriend for the perfect night out after he dumps you, the anything and everything and anyone and everyone who makes you feel loved, wanted and sinfully happy for even a tiny moment. The stars seem to shine brighter now, leaving me a more hopeful for what’s to come…

One day I will move again, leave these homes, cities and countries, I am restless that way, I want to roam the world, I want to make more friends, I want to have lovers, lovers of books and starry nights, lovers of old houses with crumbling walls on stone paved streets, lovers of misty days and hot cocoa, lovers of new places and new me’s and yet through all of this I will still have those same comforting arms to return to, the familiar voices over the phone and  letters lovingly written or surprise visits and reunions… I will always have a home to go to.

[rafas-left-eyebrow]

What would be your top 5/10 tips for someone that’s moving from a Florida like area to NYC? I’m scared but also so excited!!!!

Oooh hey anon, thanks for asking! Don’t worry, scared and excited is normal - it’s a big change!

It was actually quite fun to write these out, but there’s a bunch and it was getting too long so putting everything under a read more. 😊

1. It’s expensive here!

But you probably already knew that. So my advice is to have a plan. Don’t move to NYC unless you have two of these three things: a) a steady job or a sure job lined up, b) a bunch of money saved or c) good friends/family to crash with for a while.

Think about things like, if you come to NYC looking for a job, can you live off of your savings for a month? What about two or three months? Having a little nest egg set aside is so important, so if you’re moving to NYC in the future start saving now!

2. Apartment hunting is a nightmare.

Everything you’ve heard about NYC apartment hunting is true - and worse! Be honest about your budget and make peace with the fact that you’re going to be paying out the ass for a small space. Forget about living in a cute studio in Manhattan (those start at like $1700+ a month) - you’ll probably be in Brooklyn with roommates (much more affordable!).

Some places to look for apartments: Streeteasy (pretty much the No.1 apartment site for NYC - but you won’t find rooms on here), Craigslist (sounds shady but it’s how I found my current apartment! You just have to be very diligent about reading through listings to make sure it’s not a scam) - for apartments, and for rooms. Closed Facebook groups are also great for finding a place, especially in Manhattan and Brooklyn: Gypsy Housing, Gypsy Housing (Brooklyn), New York City Housing, and Not Gypsy are some of the biggest ones - just request to join to view the listings.

Also, this page has invaluable info on how to get started renting in NYC, what “no-fee” apartments are, whether or not the room you’re looking at is legally even a bedroom, etc. Tbh I wish I had known about this when I was doing my own apartment hunt.

3. Meet people!!

The city can get very big and lonely, especially if you’ve just moved here. I don’t know your situation - if you’re moving here for college then you won’t have a problem meeting people, but as an adult it can be tough to do so.

One thing I did that I recommend was join Meetup. Since there’s like 9 million people living here, you’ll definitely find people who share your hobbies or niche interests, and there’s probably a meetup for you. Want to join a feminist book club? It’s there. Want people to do yoga with at the park on weekday afternoons? It’s there. Want to cheer for the greatest soccer team in the world at a pub cramped with a hundred other Real Madrid fans? It’s there. In fact, I’ve met some of my dearest NYC friends on Meetup. Also, joining professional groups for your profession and going to those mixers/networking events can’t hurt.

If you have roommates, you can also “use” them to build your network too! Because that’s already two more people you know in the city - now you have people you can go party with, people who can go with you to pick up a thing you bought on Craigslist, people to try new restaurants with, etc. And they can introduce you to more people. (I’ve quite enjoyed having roommates so far for this very reason!)

Also, reconnect with some old acquaintances - you’ll be surprised how many people have ended up in NYC. Make a Facebook post about it and you’ll have at least like 5 brunches lined up when you move here.

4. Learn to do things alone.

While you’re working hard meeting people, you’ll often find yourself on your own anyways, especially when you’re new to the city. And of course, it’s when you’re new that you’ll want to do sightseeing, or visit museums, or go to concerts or whatever - and then you’ll get bummed out thinking “man, I wish I had someone to do this stuff with”.

You can think that, but don’t let that stop you from going and doing it anyway! There’s so much going on in the city, if you wait for people to do it with it’s all going to pass you by. Buy a selfie stick and go check out that Instagram popup. Go to that concert, visit that museum. You’ll be glad you didn’t miss out on the experience, and you’ll learn about yourself and become a stronger person too.

5. Ditch the car.

Coming from Florida/a Florida like area you probably have a car and you’re used to driving yourself around in it. Depending on where you’re going to live, I would recommend selling it before you move up here (that’s what I did, personally). It’s just too expensive to be worth having one here between fees, maintenance, gas, and parking (“affordable” parking STARTS at like $300 a month and goes up, and street parking is an impossible struggle.) Most people that I know who have cars here don’t even use them regularly within the city, only for once-in-a-blue-moon trips outside of the city or to the airport. It’s more economical to take the subway (it’s $2.75 a ride, $121 a month for unlimited rides) and use Uber/Lyft in a pinch.

6. Weather is real.

Coming from a Florida like place like me, you probably don’t really experience the changing of the seasons - I mean, palm trees are evergreen. But in NYC, the weather is actually tougher because here not only do they have actual seasons, but you’ll be spending your days outdoors - walking to or from work or the subway, running errands on foot, walking through parks etc. So you actually experience the brutal summer heat (instead of going from your air conditioned car to your air conditioned office) and will FULLY experience the brutal winter cold and snow (it’s one thing to visit a place with snow on vacation, and another to actually live your life in it). So just be ready for that!

There’s lots of articles about how to dress for cold (and I’m sure you don’t need advice on what to wear for summer!) so here’s just what I do. My go-to cold weather outfit lately goes like this: a tank top tucked into skinny jeans as a base layer, then a cozy sweater over that and an oversized denim jacket over everything, sneakers with long warm socks (that hit like mid calf) under the jeans - the key is to make like an uninterrupted warm seal around your body that leaves nothing exposed. And then I have in my purse a pair of gloves and a scarf - because if you start to get cold, that’s where you’ll feel it first, in your chest/neck and exposed hands. When it gets colder the denim jacket will be swapped for a puffy down jacket (make sure it covers your thighs!), and the sneakers for lined snow boots.

Also - you WILL be walking a lot more than you’re used to, especially at first when you’re seeing all the sites, exploring new neighborhoods. Comfy sneakers are key, but if you have to dress up in heels (assuming you do that) always have a spare pair of comfy flats to switch into.

7. Don’t romanticize the city or the struggle.

This is honestly my biggest piece of advice. From movies and TV shows there’s this image of NYC that gets cultivated in people’s mind and sometimes people come here with the mindset that they have to live like that to “make it” here.

I think the reason I’ve been able to transition well to NYC is because I’ve never been in love with the city - I came here once with my family when I was a teenager, and I hated it because it was so dirty and crowded and everyone kept pushing me around on the sidewalk. Seven years later, that’s still how NYC is, but now I live here and I can look at the city with a critical eye while still enjoying the things it has to offer and appreciating what makes it unique.

A lot of people do dumb shit or put up with less than they deserve because they think this is what it takes to “make it” here. “Making it” here doesn’t mean shit - if you live here, work here and have a life here then you already made it. So don’t pay $$$ for that tiny room in Bushwick with the shitty roommates because “That’s NYC living!” - look for something better. Don’t feel like you have to be going out every night and living it up because “I’m in NYC baby!” - take a night off once in a while, save your money. Don’t be rude for no reason just because “that’s how New Yorkers are!” (hint: they’re really not, New Yorkers are awesome).

Anway that’s all I got - hope that helps anon!! If you want more tips or have questions feel free to ask some more, or come off anon and message me if you want. 😊

[storybyaggie-blog]

With Christmas period fast approaching I decided to put together a gift guide and maybe give you some suggestion on what is worth spending on that little extra in my eyes.

I checked out quite a few gift guides in the past and they all seemed very similar to one another. They all have specific price brackets that show different gifts in each of the brackets. Being me, I decided to take an alternative approach and maybe show you a wider variety of options.

Let me know if you like this format as I have a similar thing in mind specifically for him… All the gift suggestions are only my ideas and I am more than happy to take your feedback on board and change one or two categories !

If you are interested in any of the products featured here, just clink on the bottom of the image and the link to the item should come automatically.

So without further delay, let’s begin…

Candles

Candles in general would be my number one gift especially for less personal occassions. A nice candle is such a homely gift and can add a little bit of luxury. I like more price candles as they have quite unusual scents and last a very long time.

All of the candles shown here are priced up to £50 and I would recommend each and every single one. Choosing a favourite one would be a difficult one but if I was forced to make that decision it would have to be Jo Malone’s Blackberry & Bay.

  http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/fragrance/home-fragrance/candle/unicorn%3A-frosted-forest-christmas-candle-UK300050687.html?cm_mmc=Google+UK-_-F3D+-+UK%7CEN%7CDSN%7CN%7CGoogle+Shopping+-+Brands-_-Diptyque-_-%7Bproductgroup%7D&gclid=CjwKCAiA6K_QBRA8EiwASvtjZRUsA0cvD9dynQYg_La2lgZd2bvzNme239tmTxRp3SkAlU-zjzgIIBoCD8sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.thewhitecompany.com/Winter-Signature-Candle/p/WNDCS?swatch=No+Colour

http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/fragrance/home-fragrance/candle/baies-scented-candle-190g-UK101791295.html?cm_mmc=Google+UK-_-F3D+-+UK%7CEN%7CDSN%7CN%7CGoogle+Shopping+-+Brands-_-Diptyque-_-%7Bproductgroup%7D&gclid=CjwKCAiA6K_QBRA8EiwASvtjZVUaOxynwtHz9iCifO5vaOs1uWWVvvLUwOXuygKusaUyyDHfa3mryBoC0ioQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.johnlewis.com/jo-malone-london-blackberry-bay-home-candle-200g/p231745699?sku=231745699&s_kwcid=2dx92700027800953951&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAiA6K_QBRA8EiwASvtjZcsuec9AjfPHnbvO5lTZaR-ye1oQNpT2UlY0J2Qgr6RkNe2JEE3w8RoCCUsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

  Fragrance

Fragrance is my second most favourite gift to give and probably number one if I am on the receiving end. There is so many good fragrances on the market that will suit most tastes and personal preferences.

I like niche and unusual scents, maybe on a more spicy yet floral side. My current number one would be without the shadow of the doubt Diptique L’Ombre dans l’Eau. It reminds me of my childhood yearsand the smell of blackcurrant leaves is to die for !

  http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/fragrance/personal-fragrance/fragrance/tam-dao-eau-de-toilette-US300023199.html?cm_mmc=Google+UK-_-F3D+-+UK%7CEN%7CDSN%7CN%7CGoogle+Shopping+-+Brands-_-Diptyque-_-%7Bproductgroup%7D&gclid=CjwKCAiA6K_QBRA8EiwASvtjZTfQ3sVhrz5uqO7wW9OYISWXw3aqp90vTPifFKaSmsZYsWDdwviMtRoCcyAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/jo-malone-london-myrrh-tonka-cologne-50ml_701-10020-PRODL5LL01/?cm_mmc=PLA-_-Google-_-BEAUTY-_-JOMALONELONDON&$$&_$ja=tsid:35948%7Ccid:198793174%7Cagid:10882060894%7Ctid:pla-103719971134%7Ccrid:40375168414%7Cnw:g%7Crnd:7890459866729241640%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o1%7Cmt:%7Cloc:1006576&gclid=CjwKCAiA6K_QBRA8EiwASvtjZWVFXkJgYgfD6aR_AsxtzHMwo_NAWKbnYFnrDjTgmeab_AiHbWxI6BoCxoUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/fragrance/personal-fragrance/fragrance/magnolia-nobile-eau-de-parfum-MUK200005049.html

http://www.spacenk.com/uk/en_GB/fragrance/personal-fragrance/fragrance/lombre-dans-leau-eau-de-toilette-US300023193.html?cm_mmc=Google+UK-_-F3D+-+UK%7CEN%7CDSN%7CN%7CGoogle+Shopping+-+Brands-_-Diptyque-_-%7Bproductgroup%7D&gclid=CjwKCAiA6K_QBRA8EiwASvtjZZYvXFTXGKYgb2pWyPlfUPHQqyN4c4Vq96RITl66dE6NZ0ahwf2bmxoCD2gQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

  Beauty accessories

Every women needs a good make up brush set, nice hair brush, wash bag or a compact mirror. Options are endless and some of the practical gift are the best ones.

I would love to get a quality brush set and although I do not need any more, I would be more happy to test some new ones… My number one choice would be this set from Zoeva (just in case mu husband is reading this !).

  http://www.feelunique.com/p/Real-Techniques-Core-Collection-Kit

https://www.beautybay.com/makeupbrushes/zoeva/rosegoldenvol3luxurybrushset/?utm_source=Affiliate&utm_medium=LinkShare&utm_campaign=fZYk0n0yYYI&utm_content=10&utm_term=UKNetwork&ranMID=41104&ranEAID=fZYk0n0yYYI&ranSiteID=fZYk0n0yYYI-FADaeCp2AaNMDz7cm22FcA

https://www.lookfantastic.com/aveda-large-wood-paddle-brush/10541409.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000026979850&gclid=CjwKCAiA6K_QBRA8EiwASvtjZVwxAzn7qB1Rt39_hFWXW89tpxqWkroYnGayEPMjELj-apY6y0hKchoCI9AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CKH_wq_IwdcCFWiA7QodPBoJQQ

http://www.linksoflondon.com/gb-en/silver-plate-round-mirror/1095-0214.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA6K_QBRA8EiwASvtjZXzsztBFtUf47PvYYWCWyU1taOWwj3K-1vEtre5J0Q9KXlOv38mhuRoCLVUQAvD_BwE

  SLGs (Small Leather Goods)

Card holder or card case is an ideal little gift and I strongly believe that most ladies would love one. It can be as luxurious as you want it to be with options available both on high street and in designer boutiques.

I would love to find this one by Dior under my tree although I know I am pushing my luck with this price tag attached but it is worth trying !

  http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/kate-spade-new-york-hyde-lane-night-sky-leather-cardholder_133-3003424-PWRU6096/?previewAttribute=Rich+navy+multi

http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/whistles-metallic-leather-card-holder_501-10019-025075/?previewAttribute=Gold

https://www.mytheresa.com/en-gb/saint-laurent-portatessere-monogramme-in-pelle-888338.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAi7XQBRDnARIsANeLIev3GW-7rqz8Ei0H5Z1mDiZytU22-CvkZ9HlnnxPLYErSGn74XhaHwsaAjZ9EALw_wcB

https://www.aspinaloflondon.com/products/slim-credit-card-case-in-berry-lizard

  Jewellery

Nice piece of jewellery is a statement and something that will stay with a person for a very long time. It can be anything from a pair of earings to a luxurious bracelet. The choices are endless and so is the budget.

I like my jewellery very simple and understated. I do not wear much gold but I have been eyeing this necklaces for quite some time now and I really, really like it !

  http://www.linksoflondon.com/gb-en/effervescence-large-white-pearl-stud-earrings/5040-2358.html?cgid=women-earrings-pearl-earrings#start=2

https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/999840/kenneth_jay_lane/silver-plated-cubic-zirconia-bracelet

https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/999776/Monica_Vinader/linear-bead-sterling-silver-and-woven-bracelet

https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/999771/Monica_Vinader/riva-circle-rose-gold-vermeil-diamond-earrings

Cashmere

There is nothing more special to give than cashmere regardless whether it is a scarf, hat, jumper or even pyjamas. The feel and the quality of the fabric is very cosy and it is an ultimate luxury gift in my opinion.

Nobody does cashmere better than Acne Studios. The scarf show here would have stay on my wish list for now but it is a dream…

  https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-cashmere-bed-socks-one-size/p3303772?sku=236906860&s_kwcid=2dx92700028136477623&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi7XQBRDnARIsANeLIesl0s55YthBY1igYfhEIkiTlsZca8fOj2f2LPOilVqogAYSUsTmjD4aAmxuEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.purecollection.com/clothing/womens-accessories/textured_cashmere_hat_natural_natural_white.htm?productid=60565&utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&discountCode=BASEUK&sourceCode=BASEUK&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi7XQBRDnARIsANeLIesxeNmev6g_WanurT-v4NV51dv0hhvUxlGNmcvrxIya3_ZXGrG1qLUaAngoEALw_wcB

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/heavy-knit_cod20832158204467820.html#dept=INTL_Cashmere_CLOTHING

http://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/cash-ca-pom-pom-cashmere-scarf_133-85856029-CAW17A19/?previewAttribute=Grey+smoke%2Fhorizon+pw

  Books

For somebody who likes to read, good book or two will always be a good idea. Knowing their favourite author or hobby may come handy but in general travel books as well as cook books would be good choice.

If you follow my blog for a while, you may know that discovering undiscovered is something I am obsessed with so this travel book would be the one on my wish list !

  https://www.waterstones.com/book/lonely-planets-best-in-travel-2018/lonely-planet/9781786579690

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-couple-next-door/shari-lapena/9780552173148

https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-vanity-fair-diaries-1983-1992/tina-brown/9781474608398

https://www.waterstones.com/book/5-ingredients-quick-and-easy-food/jamie-oliver/9780718187729

  That is it for the gift guide for her…

I have already started working on the gift guide for him so if you have any suggestions, please let me know !

As usual thank you very much for stopping by…

Love,

Aggie xx

<!--//--><![CDATA[//><!-- PDRTJS_settings_8525267_post_={"id":8525267,"unique_id":"wp-post-","title":"","permalink":false,"item_id":"_post_"}; //--><!]]> Christmas gift ideas for her With Christmas period fast approaching I decided to put together a gift guide and maybe give you some suggestion on what is worth spending on that little extra in my eyes.