#not entirely sure what those barrels were used for bc i forgot :(

[butcherb1rd]

just remembered a really funny moment when i was studying abroad. we toured a winery and our guide showed us some massive distillery barrels with a bunch of piping and gauges and stuff (idk my winery terms sorry). they were MASSIVE. he points to them and goes, “oh those aren’t wood btw, we just painted them to look like that” and we all just stared at him. then he showed us the actual barrels in the basement

[keytomythoughts]

Perfection Imperfections | Chapter 1

Chapter Index 

»»—————————————-　

Finally, summer break. It’s been a while since I was able to go home. Having to attend high school rather far from my home in Seoul, I never thought that I’d adjust to the new environment. Fortunately, I wasn’t entirely alone, since I stayed with my aunt for the four years of my high school life. School wasn’t so bad, but the homesickness is what killed it for me. Even though it was my parents' idea to send me a rather vast distance—me not being too excited about it, but I knew I wouldn’t get my way in the end—there was some good that came from it. The two only good things, actually. 

I glance outside the train window, the buildings of Busan zooming past me. Sure, it may not be my home, but I won’t lie. I’m really going to miss this place. My phone suddenly vibrates in my lap, glancing down to see a text from my group chat, smiling as I respond.

(Binnie)

R u still on the train?

                                                               Yeah have been for the past like 30 mins

(Eunuwu) 

Going back to ur parents? Or r u moving out?

                                                                                                                      Funny

                                                                        Yk I can’t move out, at least not on                                                                            my own. My parents won’t allow it

(Binnie)

:/

What about Jaehyun?

                                                                            Idk, they rlly dc what he does tbh

                                                                       They’re just hell-bent on me getting                                                                                    into the top schools and shit

(Eunuwu)

Damn, rough

                                                                                                                        Mhm

(Binnie)

Try talking to them, u never know

They might change their minds?

                                                                 Nah, I already know how it’s gonna end

                                                                         Me crying and stuffing myself with                                                                           pints of ice cream

(Eunuwu)

Doesn't sound so bad

(Binnie)

¬_¬

(Eunuwu)

Except for the crying part ofc

But c’mon it cant really be THAT bad

I’ve been over plenty of times, they seem nice

(Binnie)

U’ve been to her house??

                                                                         Yeah him and oppa are friends too

(Binnie)

Righttt forgot lol

                                                                  And that’s bc you were there dumbass                                                                    and half of the time ur either in oppa’s                                                                    room or out somewhere

                                                                  Interaction with my parents = minimal

(Binnie)

That sounds awful ngl :( sorry Hyuna

But hey we should all hang soon!

(Eunuwu)

I’ll be in Seoul for the summer too so y not?

                                                                                                           I miss y’all :’(

                                                                   Ok I should be there around like 5 ish                                                                     so I’ll text then

(Binnie)

Aww I miss u toooo 

(Eunuwu)

*puke*

                                                                                           Shut up, ur just jealous

(Eunuwu)

Me? Jealous?? Of what, ur face?

Yea no thx, Ive got a great face already

And personality 0:)

                                                                               Gr8, explains why ur still single

(Binnie)

LOLL

She got u there bro

(Eunuwu)

Shut up

Ur talking as if u’ve got a gf

Idiot

(Binnie)

At least I didnt reject them as coldly as u did lol 

                                                                                             See? My point exactly

                                                                               Your fAcE scared off every girl                                                                                   in sight bc of tht pErSoNaLiTy

                                                                           I almost feel bad for them, u little                                                                             heart breaker

(Binnie)

He made a couple of em cry I heard

                                                                                                                     Rlly?!?

                                                                                                                         YAH

                                                                                                               U MORON

(Eunuwu)

Bin wtf

(Binnie)

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

                                                                                    U JERK HOW COULD U??

                                                                                              Those poor girls omg

                                                                               Im so kicking ur ass when I c u

(Binnie)

Me 2

(Eunuwu)

Wtf?? Y???

(Binnie)

No reason lol, just feel like it

                                                                                         And this is why ily Binnie

(Binnie)

:D <3

(Eunuwu)

GROSS

                                                                                                        Can it u demon

                                                                                                         Read 4:02 PM

I snort, turning off my phone and placing it back down on my lap as I go back to staring outside my left-hand window again. Meet Cha Eunwoo and Moon Bin, my two best friends. The only reason I got through high school how I did without major setbacks. Sure, there was the occasional homesickness and all, but had I not met these two, I probably wouldn’t have even attended and graduated. 

Being so far away from the place I grew up never really suited me, and they saw it right away from day one how lonely and upset I looked. I didn't seem to fit in, especially since I skipped a grade and was placed in classes that were very advanced for me. Not that I minded the vigor, but it was hard for me to socialize, let alone make friends. 

That’s when I met them. Freshman year in homeroom before my first literature class. Moon Bin, a boy with parted, coppery-golden hair accompanied by his shy, puppy-eye smile and sweet nature, offered me an empty seat next to him in class, even going as far as to share his textbook and asking how I found the school. No doubt, I was embarrassed and immensely shy, stuttering over my words and failing to meet his soft gaze. However, he didn’t make fun of me nor find me odd. All he did was smile, laughing lightly at my slightly flustered state. He stuck his hand out, introducing himself (most people just call him Moonbin or Bin) with that smile of his, thus the start of our new friendship. Since then, he became someone who always knew how to cheer me up when I was feeling down. No moment was ever dull with him by my side. 

Eunwoo, the tall, brooding black-haired and charismatic student almost everyone knew (and crushed on) of, was usually with Moonbin when we hung out together, but he normally kept to himself. Though quiet and sometimes reserved with his intimidating looks, it didn’t take long for him to break the ice with us, the three of us becoming close friends. Promising to stay like this until we went to college and beyond. Regardless if we all diverge and tread different paths, we would always converge and come back to one another. 

Four years flew by and graduation was upon us. Just like that, the two became like family to me, my ride-or-die duo. The two who were able to turn my world upside down, finding solace in a time where I thought it was nearly impossible for me to.  

My thoughts are interrupted by my “Move” ringtone—yes, I’m a huge Lee Taemin fan—looking down at my phone again to see it’s my brother calling. I sigh, picking up the call.

“What?” 

He gasps dramatically. “Is that any way to address your loving older brother after being away for so long?”

I snort, shaking my head. “Loving my ass, oppa. How are mom and dad?”

“They’re fine, living. Didn’t you tell them you’re coming home?”

“Nope, I don’t even text them that often. You already know this..”

He sighs. “Yeah, I figured.” 

There’s a slight pause on his end, but he continues. “You took the three-thirty train, right? So you’ll be here around five or so?”

“Yeah, give or take.” 

I look out the window again to see the endless stretch of greenery and flowing springs, sometimes even children playing in the fields. I grin mischievously, deciding to poke fun at my brother when he doesn’t respond right away. 

“What, you miss me?”

He makes a sound similar to throwing up. “As if. I got so used to the peace and quiet. I’m not ready for it to go away.” 

“Yah!” I realize that I had yelled a bit too loudly and eyes were now trained on me, and I bow my head in apology. I lower my voice, “You’re such an asshole.”

“Oh, I know, but you still love me anyway.”

“Shut up.”

I can hear his laugh resonate through the phone and a smile unknowingly tugs at my lips. I wouldn’t say it out loud, but it’s true. When I lived with my aunt in Busan for the duration of high school, I missed Jaehyun a lot. Though two years older than me, he didn’t seem to alienate me the way my parents do. While I hate the notion that they spoil Jaehyun endlessly and let him do as he wishes, I won’t lie and say that he was a prick about it. He could’ve been, but he never came off as selfish. I’m really close with my brother, shocking as it may be. Sibling relationships are like that—one minute you want to strangle them with their intestines and the next you’re singing duets together. Crazy, but that’s how it is for us. My parents don’t really pay me any attention, so Jaehyun decides to do that instead. Not complaining though. I’d rather take his pranking and teasing over my parents’ demands and reprimands any day.

“Aight, I’m heading out for a bit. Text me when you arrive.”

I smile again. “Will do, but make sure to get me food!”

“Let me think…” He hums, and I can practically sense the smirk on his end. “Nope. Get your own.”

“Oppa!”

Jaehyun laughs. “See you in a bit, Hyuna. Get here safely. Bye!”   

He hangs up the call before I get a chance to retort, and I scoff. Typical of my brother. He knows how much I enjoy street food, and every time he goes out, it’s almost certain that most of the time he stops somewhere to eat. Did he ever bring food back? Sure, but by the time I’d get to it, most of it was gone anyways. That only lasted a little while before I had gone upstate anyways, so he had more food for himself, I guess.

As the train barrels down the tracks, I feel my heart racing in excitement, but there’s also a slight ounce of dread. I really don’t know why. I want to believe it’s because I’ve been away for too long, but part of me knows it’s the fact that I’ll have to face my parents again. Knowing that I only have two months to decide where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do, I know the bitter truth is that those decisions won’t be left up to me. Last time, I was sent to Busan.

God knows where I’d be sent to now.

***

“Final destination of the KTX Busan-Seoul train at Seoul Station is approaching and will arrive at 05:30 PM. The doors to alight are on the right hand side. All passengers are requested to dismount the train upon arrival. Thank you.” 

That’s my stop.

Gathering my bag and hand luggage, I patiently wait for the train to pull up at the station. Seeing the familiar shops and buildings around me makes my legs bounce up and down in both excitement and anticipation. 

Four long years away from Seoul...

Before getting off, I quickly text the group chat and then my brother, letting them all know that I’ve reached safely. Side-stepping the other passengers exiting the subway doors, I carefully land onto the platform with my luggage in tow. I breathe in the air around as I stretch my arms up into the sky, the grin widening on my face.

It sure as hell feels good to be back home.

I try my best to maneuver through the crowds, but it doesn’t stop the rush of people knocking into me. At times like these, I curse my genetics for favoring my older brother instead of me in terms of height. Eventually, I come to a clearing and when my eyes glance upwards, I spot a rather familiar dark brown-haired six-foot-tall male amongst the small crowd waving me over.

“Hyuna, over here!”

I gasp, my eyes widening. “Oppa!”

He smiles as I begin walking towards him, my feet hurriedly moving across the concrete. The distance between us shortens and I abandon my luggage as he opens his arms wide. 

Only for me to sucker punch him in the stomach.

He yelps in pain, grimacing as he holds his abdomen. “Shit, that hurt. What has Aunt Sua been feeding you up there? Rocks?”

I smack his shoulder, my blood slightly boiling in anger. “Yah, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?! Do you know how much money I blew off for the bus fare?”

He straightens his back before going to rub his shoulder, then behind his neck.

“Fine, fine. My bad. I wanted to surprise you, but I guess that didn’t work, did it?” 

I cross my arms over my chest, huffing in annoyance. He sighs, nodding.

“Okay, okay, I’ll compensate you. Dinner’s on me.”

At this I grin, blinking excitedly. I grab onto his arm and shake it vigorously. “Really? You mean it? You’re the best, oppa!” 

“Look at this brat..” he taunts, shaking his head. In a flash, he headlocks me and rubs the top of my head harshly with his knuckles, upsetting the neatly-tied auburn ponytail. 

“Yah! Quit it!” I smack his arms and flail in protest, but he chuckles, saying this is what I get for cunningly finding a way to exploit him the minute I stepped back into Seoul. 

What can I say? It’s a talent. 

He lets go eventually, and I try to smooth down my already-tangled hair. I grumble incoherently but Jaehyun pulls me into his embrace, wrapping his arms around me. His free hand gently pats the side of my head in comfort.

“Welcome home, sis.”

I stand there stiff for a second before hugging back. He squeezes me tighter and I find myself smiling into his shoulder. 

“Good to be back,” I whisper. 

We stand like that for a moment before he pats my back a couple of times, us pulling away from each other soon after. He reaches behind me to grab my hand luggage as he shoulders my bag. I tell him that I can carry them just fine, but he starts walking away from the platform to the parking lot. I call out after him as I run to catch up, and I can see the corners of his mouth twitch. Jaehyun leads me to his car, a sleek matte-silver convertible Mustang. My mouth drops open in shock at its stunning beauty, my body forcing itself to remain composed for the sake of avoiding public self-embarrassment. 

He throws my luggage in the back seat before he turns to me, smirking at my expression. “You like it?”

“Shit, do I like it? I love it!” I run my fingers over its metallic surface, the silver exterior gleaming in the evening glow. Grinning, I stare up at my brother who catches my gaze as I stand next to the driver’s seat, my fingers already curled on the handle.

“Can I—”

“No.”

“Please—”

“Nope.”

I pout as I pull my hand away and step to the side. Jaehyun chuckles, rubbing my head playfully before getting into the driver’s seat and starting the car. The engine purrs to life as my brother pulls out his shades and wears them. He looks at me and cocks his head to the passenger seat. 

“Don’t just stand there. Get in.”

Smiling, I quickly make my way over to the other side and slip into the passenger seat. I barely have time to buckle in before Jaehyun speeds off. I scream in fright, but he laughs heartily, telling me to let loose.

With the wind harshly whipping around us, I close my eyes and tilt my head upwards, absorbing the remnants of my childhood in a place I’ll always call home. A place where my heart always feels at ease.

My name is Jung Hyuna. I’m eighteen years old, and this is my story.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 |  

[booklovingturtle]

Kanej and the starry night

I have been binge-watching the last season of Jane the Virgin and one of the episodes inspired this fic. It’s long and fluffy and I loved writing Kanej but I don’t know if its any goo bc its late and I’m exausted so forgive the spur of the moment writing.

Kaz takes Inej back to his village under the guise of a job to complete. One night, he pulls her out of her room to enjoy the night sky and confess his feelings for her.

Inej Ghafa, ship wrecker had only returned to the Barrel for twelve hours before Kaz Brekker had a note delivered to her room. In it, he had laid out vague details about some job that he needed her help in.  It was a two days journey from the city. Ineexhaustedted from her time at sea was both nervous and hopeful to spend some time alone with Kaz. Her nervous were quickly replaced by disappointment.

The whole trip Kaz had been impossibly hard to read. It was like they were strangers in a way Inej had never experienced with him. He kept a cold distance between them until they reached an inn located right outside of Lij. By the time they arrived, she still had no idea what the job was. She didn’t even care anymore. Inej crashed into her bed after bathing the dirt from traveling off and was immediately asleep.

That is, until she heard knocking at her door. The Wraith was up and strapping her knives along her body quickly. She moved to answer the door. To her surprise, Kaz stood in the corridor of the inn, looking rather uncomfortable to have woken her up.

“Were you asleep?”

“Yes,” Inej crossed her arms.

“I’m sorry. I-never mind,” he shook his head. Kaz had a heavy quilt in thrown over his arm and was leaning on his cane. Inej was shocked to see embarrassment behind the twitch of his jaw. She was even more astonished when she realized that Kaz had left his gloves in his room. 

He saw her notice his bare hands. She didn’t want to push him or make him uncomfortable so she ignored it.

“It’s okay. What do you need?” 

Kaz blinked, the only real sign of any level of self consciousness that he would allow. “I want to show you something.”

A flare of confusion filled her but Inej decided it would be better to see where the night would take her before pointing out Kaz’s strange behavior over the last few days.

Dirtyhands carried the neatly folded blanket out of the inn they were staying in. Kaz silently walked away from the small structure and into the forest. Her annoyance was about to overcome her curiosity just as they cleared the expanse of trees to find an empty field laid before her. Her mind cleared and a gasp escaped her.

Stars decorated every inch of her line of sight. Constellations that she had never seen before, even while traveling the continent as a child twinked their hypnotizing dance.

Kaz’s deep chuckle came from beside her as he took a few more steps forward to lay out the blanket.

“This was my home,” He said as a way of explaining. 

Inej knew immediately what he had meant. She was able to read him better than anyone, just as he was able to read her. They never needed to say much to each other in order to be understood. It was one of her favorite things about being around Kaz. Both then and now. 

Just like that, she forgave all the strangeness from before. Kaz was allowing her to see a part of him that he hadn’t shown anyone else. 

She followed his head and sat down on the blanket. Soon their sitting position turned into them laying side by side, backs pressed against the ground and shoulders a breath away from touching. Inej inhaled deeply, loving the feel of fresh dew under her fingertips. 

Inej couldn’t help but wonder how it was possible for the same, tiny stretch of land could be so different. Kerch wasn’t a large island, but somehow it held many, many worlds within it. There was the infamous and dangerous city of Ketterdam whose only god was greed. It was the part of Kerch that Inej Ghafa was most familiar with. For years, it was the only part she had visited. Though she was slowly starting to realize that there was much more this island.

There was an entirely different world that surrounded the lived and breathed just south of the blusterous Fifth Harbor. That world was covered in lush, green fields instead of filthy cobble. Vibrant wildflowers perfumed the air to clean all of the noxious smell of the Barrel out of her lungs. Even the sky that looked over the island seemed to smile at the innocence it found within the small villages that bordered Lij. Wildlife, crackling fires, and far away chatter were carried by a soft breeze.

There was a stillness about the almost-morning that could only be described as true peace. It was even more calming than the gentle rocking of her ship at sea.

“I’ve been to small villages before,” Inej rarely spoke harshly but even the usual reserved measure of her words was stripped away by the night sky. “This is nothing like the those. I’ve never seen the sky look like this.”

“It was my favorite part of growing up here. I wanted to show it to you before the sun rose.”

It felt like they were standing at the edge of a cliff. She couldn’t see the bottom but Inej wanted to leap across to the other side.

“Do you miss it here?”

“Not really. Not the way that you miss home. My family is gone. I have no one left here.”

She couldn’t really argue that point. Inej missed home every day. But home was never a place for her. It was her family. Kaz didn’t have that here. She couldn’t expect him to feel the same way she did about Ravka.

“There’s an old tale that the adults used to tell the children where I’m from.” She was surprised that he had offered her this piece of his past without her even asking. “It isn’t full of sage wisdom that Suli parables have but it's still a common story.”

Inej’s attention shifted from the sky to Kaz. He wasn’t wearing a perfectly pressed suit like she was used to. He’d changed into a light undershirt that allowed her to see the planes of his body. An arm was pillowing his head and his eyes were closed. It was a sign of vulnerability that she knew he didn’t show to everyone. It was rare the Dirtyhands ever felt so at ease with someone that he didn’t need to watch their every move for a threat. 

“Jerven Voorhent was a swordsmith.”

“Jer ven voorhent,” Inej repeated the Kerch words. You are integrity. She had learned the language years ago so their harsh consonants rolled off her tongue easily.

He nodded, eyes still closed. Kaz continued the story, “One of the best. Any blade forged by his fires would strike true. People from all the way from the Wandering Isles to Ahmrat Jen would travel to his doorstep and beg for him to craft them a weapon. Rulers begged him to become their personal weapons maker. Men crawled on their knees to become his apprentice. Jervan heard none of it. He continued to make his swords because he loved it. He didn’t even try to sell them. He just enjoyed the craft.”

“Ghezen must have been furious,” she noted. “All that lost profit.” Inej studied the sharp cut of his jaw while he spoke.

“One day a markswoman came to visit Jerven. She had heard that he was the best swordsmith to ever live and wanted to see if he could make her a bow as fine as any sword he ever made. Jerven, struck by her beauty, agreed. The woman, Almhente, taught him all she knew about the bow and he got to work. Jerven worked day and night.”

The woman’s name was almost identical to the Kerch word for prosperity, almhent, Inej thought to herself. She realized before Kaz could finish the story how it would end.

“Almhente test bow after bow that he made but none of them were right. Jerven, eager to impress her, continued to try. He stopped eating and sleeping to spend more time on her bow. His sword making fires died. The line at his door walked away. Jerven lost everything but didn’t see it because all he wanted to do was make the markswoman her bow.”

“But he never got it right, did he?”

He shook his head. “No. Jerven died working on her weapon. People forgot all of his great swords and only remembered him by his collection of failed bows.”

Inej understood the moral the tale. Jerven stood for integrity. He was a man who worked for himself until the chance of earning prosperity came along. He was blinded by his desires to prosper and eventually lost his life to it.

“That is an odd story to tell children being raised on an island whose patron is Ghezen,” she was struck by the message of the story. It was so unlike both the island of its origin and the storyteller to support a theme against profit.

Kaz shrugged. “Maybe. My parents were farmers. All of the people from my home worked the land so others could make the profit. I think a part of them was always jealous of that.”

 He finally opened his eyes. Suddenly Inej was swimming in the darkness of his gaze. The moonlight painted his pale skin almost silver but it made the darkness of his hair and eyes stand out even more.

He was close enough that she could feel his breath tickle hear cheeks when he spoke. She loved the way his voice sounded so close to her. “Why tell me this now?”

“Kaz Rietveld never understood. Then, I was Dirtyhands, I lived for profits and money and greed.”

Warmth filled her at what he was implying. Still, Inej wanted him without gloves which meant he had to specific about what he was trying to tell her.

“And now?” she prompted.

Kaz cleared his throat, looking away for a moment. She realized he was looking at their hands, laying next to each other. He looked back up at her, a question in his eyes. Inej hooked her pinky around his. He didn’t stop there. Kaz’s fingers wrapped around hers, thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.

Inej’s whole body felt the touch of his skin. Her fingers curled and her heart sword. Every part of her focused on the way he played with her hand, tracing the lines of her skin. Goosebumps danced up her arms. 

“Kaz...” she interrupted his reverent touch. It killed Inej to do it but she needed to know for sure what he wanted. “Why did you bring us here? Is there even a job to complete? What are you saying?”

“I don’t want to be like Jerven. I don’t want to die chasing prosperity.” 

Her breathing stopped. When it started again, Inej noticed that it seemed like no air was filling her lungs because all she breath in was Kaz and the fresh earth surrounding them.

“What do you want?”

“You.” His hand stilled in hers. Kaz was giving her the chance to pull away. To deny him. 

Inej would never say no to him. Not after all they had been through together. Not after the way he touched her hand, as if it was the most delicate thing in the world. Even the way he spoke to her spoke of an emotion she was still too afraid to say out loud.

“I want you, Inej. If you still want me.”

Her heart soared out of her chest. "Yes, Kaz. Yes, I still want you. I always have, I always will.”

Relief filled him and she saw his muscles loosen. “Can I hold you?”

She smiled widely and curled her body into his. Kaz wrapped an arm around her, face digging into her hair. She sighed, thanking all her saints for this small gesture. No nightmares, no anxieties, no terrors from her past could hurt her in that instant. Not as long as it was Kaz’s voice in her ear and his warmth against her.

“I’m so glad you said yes because I’m pretty sure Jesper is tired of hugging me.”

She laughed so hard that she had to pull away from him. “Are you saying that you’ve been practicing how to cuddle with Jesper?”

Kaz’s smile was more beautiful than the whole night sky. “No, but I had to practice touching someone while you were away. I wanted to make sure that I could do this,” he laced their fingers together again, “right this time.”

“Kaz, even if you had pulled away or still had to wear your gloves, it would be right. As long as its with you, it could never be wrong.” 

“I know but I but I wanted to be able to touch you while telling you how I felt without feeling the water.”

I don’t care how long it takes us to be able to touch one another. We will get there in out own time and we will get there together,” she held him close to her again.

“Together,” he repeated to her.

[amillionmillionvoices]

somewhere, on the other side of this wide night - all the questions. Sorry not sorry 😅

lmao damn you did not come to play!

1: What inspired you to write the fic this way?

So I was really disappointed in season two, and more than that, really angry and frustrated at the way Hecate was treated, and the way the show dealt with absolutely NONE of it. She was essentially drugged twice, the school almost froze, she nearly lost Ada an her girls, and so much else, and none of it was addressed. And I was just like, all this shit would weigh on anyone, but especially someone like Hecate, who’s got a fucked up past with Broomhead and her father (in my headcanon) and all kinds of other things and I just wanted to write a fic that dealt with all those things from her point of view. 

The camping part was really just an excuse to get her and Pippa together for an extended period of time pre-relationship lol. Plus, all kinds of new shit can go down in the woods. ;) 

2: What scene did you first put down?

If I remember correctly, I actually wrote the scene where Pippa gets poisoned by the plant, and Hecate saves her first. It just came to me, and then I wasn’t sure what to do with it for a while, until I had the idea to write this bigger piece about Hecate’s s2 experiences. And it just wound up fitting perfectly. 

3: What’s your favorite line of narration?

Answered!

4: What’s your favorite line of dialogue?

“I forgot something,” she says in a rush, breathless, her broom clutched in her hand.

“What did you—”

“I forgot to tell you that I love you.”

Hecate blinks, stares, doesn’t understand her words even though she keeps talking, barreling over herself:

“I forgot to tell you that I know things aren’t perfect right now, that you’re—that you’ve been through so much. I forgot to tell you that it’s okay if you’re scared, because I am, too. I know you aren’t always as confident as you appear, and I forgot to tell you that I meant it, when I said I’d wait. If this isn’t what you—if this isn’t the right time—I’ll wait.”

Pippa inhales, breathes out:

“But mostly, I forgot to tell you that I love you—exactly as you are. And no matter what happens next, I’ll never ask you to be somebody else.”

5: What part was hardest to write?

I think I complained the entire time I wrote this fic lmao. I’m not sure there was one part in particular that was more difficult than any others, but making sure I had all the pieces and there were enough scenes/moments and that everything fit into place - that was really difficult. 

6: What makes this fic special or different from all your other fics?

It’s fuckin long bro

7: Where did the title come from?

Every chapter title and the title of the fic are from Carol Ann Duffy poems. 

8: Did any real people or events inspire any part of it?

Yes. 

9: Were there any alternate versions of this fic?

There might be a few alternate scenes floating around on my google docs, but nothing substantially different. I think the scene that had the most changes was the one where Pippa and Hecate finally talk after Pippa’s injury. 

10: Why did you choose this pairing for this particular story?

‘Cause I’m hicsqueak trash it’s where I live it’s the air I breathe I take the O in OTP very seriously and find it difficult to ship multiple ships for very long. Hicsqueak is where I’ve made my bed it is the hill I have chosen to die on

11: What do you like best about this fic?

Answered! 

12: What do you like least about this fic?

Did I mention it’s long? 

But no, I think the ending is a bit rushed. That’s my biggest “ugh damnit” feeling after posting it all. 

13: What music did you listen to, if any, to get in the mood for writing this story? Or if you didn’t listen to anything, what do you think readers should listen to to accompany us while reading?

Oh man. I don’t listen to much music bc it distracts me, but I would say definitely read some Carol Anne Duffy, and listen to “Your Hand in MIne” by Explosions in the Sky. That was the mood for this. 

14: Is there anything you wanted readers to learn from reading this fic?

Magical Healing Genitals are Not A Thing

15: What did you learn from writing this fic?

Don’t write anything over 10k

Also finishing really long fics is super cathartic. Also I hate it. And I’ll probably do it again. And I hate that too. 

[ ask me a fic question! ]  

[saey-bae]

Marking of an Heir - Jumin Han/Reader

this is......ah i found this in my writing dump. kind of embarrassed bc this is my first smut-ish piece of work that i’m putting out there so this should be interesting. not sure if i should make it a series or not but there’s potential       ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

TW?: mentions of cheating (not on reader)

[ THIS IS NSFW ]

the rest of it is under the cut

check out my masterpost here

Corporate functions were unbelievably dull. All glitz, glamour, and no substance. The only thing to be remotely pleased with was the service, food, and bottomless barrels of wine they served.

You were already nursing your third glass of wine in the last half hour or so and, though you felt a little tipsy, it kept your mood afloat as you listened to ramblings of the man you were in the midst of a one-sided conversation with. It was obvious that he was desperately trying to keep your attention. The short, slightly pudgy man in his mid-thirties had shown an interest in you for the past few weeks and, though his boasting bored you to tears, he was an excellent connection and, therefore, good for your reputation as the daughter of a wealthy, prestigious businessman.

"Y/N, my dear, you are truly a sight to behold. That gown fits you like a glove." His dark eyes trailed down you appreciatively, leering in a way that made your skin crawl.

You tried not to shudder. "You flatter me, Mr. Jeong, but it was my wonderful designer who should be given the credit."

"Ah, I should give your designer a bonus for knowing how to flaunt off your ample assets.” He was drunk, his tongue loose, but it didn't give him so much of a right to place his hand onto your hip, drawing you close. "There are some pretty women here, but you're a beauty beyond compare, Y/N. Perhaps I could invite you out for a... private drink after this party ends?”

You look around awkwardly, alarm written across your expression, hoping to catch someone's eye. And so you did. A pair of familiar grey eyes, intelligent and observative, locked on yours with a brief inquisitive look before disappearing. A moment later, you were being drawn away into another person's hold.

Unlike Mr. Jeong's wandering hands that groped at you in a predatorily manner, this hand was firmly around your waist and secured you. You felt safe and comfortable, and didn't hesitate to nestle against the hard body next to you.

Those grey eyes flickered to you once more, amusement flickering in them briefly before they shifted up to the other man, who looked equally bewildered as he was angry at the sight of the powerful corporate heir holding you so familiarly.

"What is the meaning of this, Jumin?"

"My deepest apologies, Seojun, but Ms. L/N looks exhausted and unfit to continue drinking. I shall escort her out." He brushed the prominent man off eloquently before whisking you away. You knew there were countless eyes on the pair of you, all curious as to why the corporate heir and the corporate heiress --two people who haven’t so much as to spoken to one another during these functions-- were leaving together.

Despite the staring, you couldn't have felt more grateful. Jumin took your empty flute of wine, setting it down before leading you out of the room and down the hall. Now that you were out of eyesight, he held you even more tightly, if possible. Had you not known Jumin as well as you did, you wouldn't have realized this subtle action was him being possessive. But you did know him well, and his action had your heart thrumming, even if you knew how wrong it was.

"Thanks, Jumin." Unlike most rich folk, you didn't like speaking in the formal language they so enjoyed to indulge in. In fact, in private, you preferred to speak in slang and you used the occasional swear word; formality never suited you.

"There is nothing to thank me for, Y/N. It is my duty to save a lady from uncomfortable situations." Though his words were formal, it was spoken with a hint of teasing.

You and Jumin had a closer relationship than people knew, given that you had met him early on in life, when you were six and he was nine. With merely three years apart, you two were close in age and had enough in common to latch onto each other as children in a dreadfully lonely world of the rich.

However, Jumin was engaged to another woman whom his father thought was more suitable-- in other words, her family was weathier. And once your father caught wind of Seojun Jeong, you were going to be engaged to him, whether you liked it or not.

His next words shook you out of your thoughts. "It would be best if you forgot that memory altogether. I would be more than happy to be of service if you find yourself unable to."

"I hate when you speak so formally," you grumbled quietly, trying to offset the way your cheeks flamed at his words. You tried to pull away, though you had no luck- the man was all muscle beneath that prim and proper suit.

"You do not seem to mind so much in other situations, mistress." His voice dropped to a low purr, now that the two of you were definitely out of earshot.

"Mm." You couldn't help but sigh, the sound coming out lustily, though your alcohol addled brain reminded itself that you needed to pull yourself together. You drew away as much as his hold -which had become an iron bar around your waist- would let you. "We agreed we wouldn't sleep together again, Jumin."

He turned --so sharply that you bumped into him -- and headed down an abandoned corridor. "Is that so?" His tone was light.

Jumin made quick work of opening one of the doors in the corridor --a bedroom? God, who’s room was this?-- and pushing you in before slamming it behind himself. The man had you pinned against the door in an instant, his mouth already moving on yours.

You gasped against his lips. They moved against yours so fervently, so familiarly, tasting of wine and something that was entirely him. Before you knew what was happening, you were kissing him back desperately, your fingers twining in his midnight locks. He swallowed each of your moans eagerly, his tongue sweeping your mouth in a way that was meant to coax more out of you.

But the moment his gloved hands fell to your waist, you realized your situation and your head cleared enough to break off the kiss. You placed your hands on his shoulders and pushed him back firmly, though you only managed to move him back two inches or so. "Wait, Jumin!"

His forehead rested against yours, grey eyes blazing. "What?" His breathing was as ragged as yours, his hot breath fanning across your lips and chin.

"W-we can't..."

"And why not?" The throaty growl tested your self-control to no end. Jumin very rarely lost control like this, and if it were a different situation entirely, you would have jumped him right then and there, and had your way with him. But this wasn't the time.

"Please... We said we would stop this."

"I recall that vaguely. That was two weeks ago, after we fucked in in my office while I was having a meeting on the phone." His eyes were dark with lust and his hands found their way to your waist. "My marriage won't come into fruition for another year. And surely Seojun isn’t superior to me.”

”Please, we need to stop...” For the sake of his engagement. For the sake of your future. If any scandals got out, it would be the end of the two of you... but you were addicted to Jumin and, even though it was selfish, you couldn't deny it. 

"Are you sure you want to stop?" His hands were off you in an instant, his weight lifted. It felt unbearably empty. 

"N-no... Please." Before you realized what you were doing, whimpers had escaped from your lips. You reached out for him instinctively. "I... I need you, Jumin..."

Jumin laughed, though it wasn't a mean sound; it was throaty and deep and delicious, a sound that you only ever heard when he was turned on. And he was more than happy to indulge you, claiming your lips again, ravishing your mouth with his tongue in ways that made your knees weak. "You beg so prettily," he rasped against your lips, his hands reaching behind you to unzip your gown.

You clutched him closer as he kissed at your neck, hands fisted in his crisp white button up, uncaring of how it might look like later. You weren't even thinking that far, too caught up in the moment.

"If you think I'll let you go just because another rich man is waiting for you some time in the future, think again.” His hands dropped to your hips as your silky gown fell to the ground. Jumin tugged you forward sharply, your bare body pressed flushed against his clothed one. “You've already had the marking of an heir in you more times than either of us can count."