#off of it (that story is also called breaking point after the au. which gets mildly confusing but whatever)

[fakeassfriends]

if i ever learn how to properly use literatures on toyhouse i think that would be bad

[tittysuckersworld]

just askin, hypothetically, what if i did make an alternate au + animatic of mizu 6 being angst and ena 5 not happening the same way.....

[heeseungiez]

crushology 101 | part 1

synopsis! after a bad breakup with a guy you didn’t even find attractive leaves you reeling, you vow never to date anyone you don’t actually find hot… problem is, somehow, you ended up with five of them in your life, all at once?

featuring! tomorrow x together and many other idols (for like 3 seconds)

pairings! ot5 x gn!reader

genre! college au, fluff, inspired by crushology 101 (the kdrama) and the og work bunny and her oppas by nieun!

word count! 8k

a/n! to be completely honest, i initially wanted this to be a one-shot? but then i thought it might be more fun to cut it off where i did. i can also post it now instead of waiting longer yano... soooooo enjoy this silly little realistically unrealistic college au with tubatu

check out my masterlist!

part 1 | part 2

Choi Yeonjun. Choi Soobin. Choi Beomgyu. Kang Taehyun. Huening Kai. 

Five guys, each more handsome than the other. All of them vying for your attention. How did you end up here? Well… the story isn’t exactly short. But there is enough time to at least get into the important parts. 

So, where shall we begin?

Right…

A year ago, a few months after you started your first year at university, you found a boyfriend. However, he wasn’t exactly conventionally attractive. You told yourself that it didn’t matter though, as long as your boyfriend genuinely liked you. And he was so nice, or at least he seemed to be. 

Your friends, Emma and Chloe, weren’t very convinced of his act and judged him harshly. Back then, you thought it was because they just didn’t find him attractive, so all of his faults were all the more obvious to them. But it wasn’t his looks that were the problem.

The son of a bitch dated you for months, only to try to prove to his friends that you were easy. Jokes on him, because you were nowhere near that. He didn’t get into your pants even after months of his stupid act, and you ended up nursing a broken heart over what? A scumbag who wasn’t even all that.

And he had the nerve to say you — YOU — were out of his league. Honestly… you might not be a top model, but when a man who is three steps away from being an incel says that about you… it does hurt. (And you hurt him back, though beating up your boyfriend turned ex did no good things for your reputation.)

From that point forward, you promised yourself to only date men that you found attractive. At least, so you can cry over someone other people won’t call a rat, or would sympathise with you rather than give you judgy looks.

Yet your best solution for the following semester was to just… not date at all. It was easy too, when people remembered you as the crazy ex who managed to break a guy’s rib. 

So you didn’t date. You lived your life in sweet, sweet peace all the way until the summer semester of your second year. Until he appeared in your life. The first of five…

It’s a regular day for you as you go to class. Your first day of a new semester and a new subject for credits. Everyone you know from the upper years has had only great things to say about the professor teaching it, so you couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to register for it and witness the teachings of Professor Lee himself. 

Not to mention it’s actually incredibly hard to get into the class since it has a limit of twenty students per semester, and prioritizes both speed and overall grades when signing up for the course. So being first to sign up doesn’t mean you’re in, but having a perfect score but signing up late also doesn’t guarantee it. Which also means none of your friends got into the subject. 

You enter the class, entirely oblivious to your surroundings as you scroll through your playlist, music blasting in your headphones. A bag with your laptop hangs on your shoulder, and thinking back to it, you should’ve paid attention. 

Colliding with a student who was busy talking to someone was certainly not on your itinerary. Even worse, your loosely slung bag falls off your shoulder, the loud thud of your laptop and other belongings almost reminiscent of the dip your heart makes. 

Every piece of work you have ever made is on that laptop. Sure, the most important bits are saved on external drivers and the cloud but the small things, the seemingly unimportant things, the ones waiting to be used, those will never see the light of day if your laptop breaks. 

“Fuck, no, no…” You instantly crouch to check the state of your laptop. Is it intact? Yes. Will it boot? You can’t say for sure until you open it. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” The person you bumped into apologizes, though you don’t blame him at all. His hands reach for the other items that spread across the floor while you check the state of your laptop. “I can pay for repairs if it’s not—”

His voice dies down when your laptop boots, and you let out a huge sigh of relief at the device’s tenacity. Finally, you can look up at the man that nearly caused you a heart attack by practically blocking the entrance. 

And your heart actually stops. 

One of the most beautiful faces you have ever seen graces your vision, and your eyes widen in disbelief. He has the kind of look that reminds you of summer, of full fields of colorful flowers, and running through meadows under the bright sun in the middle of July. It’s the boyish kind of look your teenage self would most certainly write heartbreaking love songs about, imagining an infinite amount of “what if” scenarios. 

“I know you,” the guy breaks your daydream, a smile appearing on his pouty lips. “Y/N, right? I’ve seen you around a lot.”

“I—” you can’t believe a man like this knows who you are. Mainly because you don’t know who he is, and you swear you would remember him if you met him before. 

He chuckles at your flustered state, understanding the situation easily. “I’m Yeonjun. Choi Yeonjun,” he introduces himself casually, as if it made all the sense in the world that you don’t know him, but he knows you. “I was wondering if you’d take the class this semester.” He grins like he’s happy to know that you are taking it. 

The more he speaks, the more confused you get. You stare at him like he’s grown a second head, and he chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck in the most captivating way possible. His T-shirt rides up the slightest bit, revealing a toned torso that you did not need to catch a glimpse of. 

“Why would you—”

“Well, you’re a music major, right? Most people want to get into Mr. Lee’s class.”

“But you’re not a music major,” you say plainly, because you would remember, okay? You would know if this man shared your major. 

“No.” The corner of his lips rises in a soft smirk. “I’m a dance major, actually, but I’m really interested in producing, so I signed up and got in.”

“Oh.”

“Oh.” Yeonjun repeats with a soft grin. “You here alone? Wanna join me and—” He points toward a row of seats with a bunch of people you are familiar with. Like Seo Changbin, a third year music major. “Well, them.”

“Uh, sure. Yeah, I guess I can do that,” you stutter out, internally freaking out. Not only is this beautiful man asking you to sit with him and his friends, but one of those friends is also among the top students in your major. 

“I promise not to bite.” Yeonjun winks at you, and your entire world stops again, processing the whole interaction. 

He laughs. “Come sit with us. We plan to grab lunch after class, too, so you can join us.”

“Me?” You point at yourself quizzically, looking around. But everyone is already diligently seated, so it’s only you and Yeonjun at the entrance. 

“Well, unless there’s a really stunning spirit I can’t see standing next to you, then you are definitely the person I’m asking.”

You meet the second of five on the same day as Yeonjun. Because people tend to forget about the music room at campus, you use it for your own benefit quite often. Today is no different as you take advantage of the community instruments to work on one of your many projects. With headphones on your ears as you strum on the bass, trying to figure out the notes, you don’t notice anyone entering the room.

And he doesn’t notice you at first, either. He types away on his phone as he walks forward, completely unaware of his surroundings until his foot catches on one of the many scattered cables on the ground. He stumbles, and although he doesn’t fall, the phone in his hands does escape his hold, landing practically on your lap. Not before it hits you in the head, of course, to make the experience even worse.

“Oh, my gosh, I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” The guy runs up to you immediately, inspecting you from head to toe as if the phone were a weapon that could cause you internal bleeding and a concussion.

And maybe it did, because when you look up into the face of the guy who is practically on his knees, begging for your forgiveness, your eyes make angel wings sprout from his back, and a halo levitates just above his golden hair.

He makes you think of the fresh spring air, walking through a cherry blossom path. He would catch a petal from the air for you, only to notice that there are already many of them stuck in your hair, and he would laugh so softly, with such affection in his eyes, that it would make your heart burst with love and adoration. 

“Are you okay?” He asks softly, hand hesitantly reaching for the spot where his phone hit you. “Did I hurt you?”

You reach out for his hand, stopping him before he could touch you. It’s warm, his hand, and with the redness of his cheeks, you assume it’s from the slight embarrassment he currently feels. With your lips pressed tight together, you shake your head.

“I’m fine,” you reply simply. “What happened anyway? Did you throw your phone at me or something?”

“Oh… you didn’t see?” he asks, tilting his head to the side, but your confused expression tells him enough to let out a breath of relief. It means he didn’t embarrass himself more than he thought he did. “In that case, I’d rather not disclose that information.”

“Fair enough.” You nod, ready to go back to your work. But the guy lingers by your side rather than leaving you alone. “Do you need anything else?”

“I’m Huening Kai,” he introduces himself with a smile. “You’re Y/N, right? I’ve seen you around campus a bunch of times.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. And I really like some of your projects. Professor Min has a habit of throwing around a lot of praise when it comes to you,” Kai shares the information with a grin, standing back up. He towers over you now, and you have to crane your head to see his face. “I think we’re in his class together this semester.”

“Oh, that’s great. We’ll see each other every week, then.” And your eyes will be blessed with the sight of one of the most good-looking creatures to ever exist on this earth — but you leave out that part, of course.

“And if you don’t have anyone to work on group projects with, then you can have me,” he adds light-heartedly, but the idea of working alongside someone as striking as Huening Kai sounds almost absurd to you. This is the second handsome guy suggesting to either sit or work with you in a class. And the phrasing? You can have me. Someone save your poor heart because it might explode. 

What the hell is going on?

“You’re not just trying to get a ride on my back, are you?” You raise a brow at him suspiciously, and he laughs, shaking his head.

“I’d never!” He raises his arms in defence. “I just… kinda don’t really have friends.”

“What!?” you spit out in disbelief, staring at the boy. 

“I mean I do have friends. It’s just that I don’t share any classes with them because they’re in different majors. That’s what I mean.” He chuckles nervously, looking away from you.

“Right… That makes sense.” You nod to yourself. “Sure, though, I wouldn’t mind working with you if there are any group projects.”

“That’s great.” Kai grins. “By the way, do you mind if I share the space with you? To be honest, I thought nobody’s gonna be here.”

“No problem. I come here for the exact same reason anyway.” You smile at him.

The two of you spend hours inside the music room in silence aside from the occasional question here and there. Huening Kai does make a habit of stealing glances at you quite often, and you’re not any different when it comes to watching him work. 

You meet the third of five at the bus stop. It’s late at night because you completely forgot about the time, and Huening Kai was no help either. The only reason both of you realized how late it had gotten was because Kai got a call from his younger sister about missing dinner with their parents.

Usually, at this late hour, nobody sits at the bus stop. But today, a guy stands tall, leaning against the frame of the bus schedule, scrolling mindlessly through his phone. 

Even from here, you can see he’s handsome. And uninterested too, which makes today somewhat easier as compared to what you experienced with Yeonjun and Huening Kai. 

The guy glances at you only when you walk toward him, stopping next to him to wait for the bus. His brows furrow as something catches his attention.

Before you know it, his attention is fully on you, a huge grin adorning his lips. “Are you listening to KARA?” he asks, pointing at your headphones. You had no idea that your music was that loud. 

“Yeah…” you reply.

“I love KARA!” the guy exclaims.

“They got me into music.” You smile at the memory and shrug. “I like to take inspiration from their songs when I’m working on my projects.”

“Oh? A music major?” the guy asks, and when you nod, he adds: “My friends study music at Yein University nearby, are you by chance—”

“Yeah.” You nod again. “And you?”

“I go to Batu University for media management, but it kind of goes hand in hand with the other guys… I’m Soobin, by the way. Choi Soobin.” He offers you his hand.

“Y/N,” you say with a smile. 

The bus arrives then, but as you both pleasantly find out, the two of you live in the same street and are practically neighbors. So after exchanging numbers, you promise to see each other at a normal hour of the day, too. 

You bump into the fourth boy in the library. Unfortunately, studying at university as a music major doesn’t actually mean that it revolves around playing instruments, singing and making the music itself. Sometimes you do have to bury your head deep into textbooks and learn about the history and theory of it all, so you can either take inspiration, or learn from your predecessor’s mistakes in order to create a new generation.

And sometimes, it’s simply a consequence of a terrible choice when it came to elective — entirely unoptionally optional — courses. 

You tend to not pay much attention to your surroundings when you study at the campus library. With headphones on your head, music blasting loudly, but at a healthy level, you lose yourself in a world of words that make sense on their own but lose their meaning once they’re strung together in a ludicrous line of academic bullshit.

Today is different though. Because despite your desire to cram at least a few names into your brain and what they entail, your phone keeps blowing up with messages from your friend group chat, or either of the three boys you have met so far. Even when you put the phone on do not disturb, it’s as if your brain still catches the waves of each blocked notification on the device. 

To make matters worse, you can’t shake the feeling of somebody staring at you. But when you look around yourself, there is no one. Or, well, there are people — obviously, you are sitting in a crowded and very shared area for students — but none of them are interested in you any more than they are in the books they pretend to read. 

You decide to give up studying after two hours of sitting and barely three lines of notes in your notebook. 

The chair creaks as you stand up, but your peers ignore the sound, disregarding it with sympathy because the thoughts of giving themselves a break are probably floating in their heads, too. 

Leaving the library is a freedom you allow yourself only because you’re barely one week into the new semester. 

You did not expect to step on a pair of glasses on your way outside of the library. But here you are, listening to the loud crack of glass and plastic under the rubber sole of your shoe. Your eyes widen as you look down, noting the expensive looking frames, and fairly thick lenses. 

“Has anyone seen my glasses?” A voice asks nearby, and your heart drops into your stomach, knowing that you probably ruined this person’s only pair of glasses and completely disrupted their way of life until they get new ones. 

You pick them up despite yourself, a huge frown appearing on your lips as you assess the damage. 

Spoiler alert: it’s bad.

“I think I found them,” you say regardless, turning in the general direction of where the voice had come from. 

To your relief, you think, the person is already wearing a pair of glasses. He’s pretty, in a good way, you’d say. With dark hair falling into his eyes in styled waves. Quite tall, too. He’s what people would call the resident cute nerd, someone who you’d want to tutor you when you pretend to be dumber than you truly are. 

“Fuck. I knew I’d dropped them,” he curses under his breath, not even considering the fact that you stepped on them and it’s entirely your fault they’re ruined. “I always carry spares in case,” he adds and points to the glasses already sitting on his nose. “Blessings of a minus five vision, I guess. Can’t function without either glasses or contacts.”

“I’m so sorry. I can pay for a new pair,” is the first thing that leaves your mouth when the guy approaches you, and he shakes his head. 

“No, it’s not on you,” he says, looking at you sympathetically. “I dropped them here, it’s my fault. They could’ve gotten stolen too, and nothing much would change.” His nonchalance throws you off guard because the pair truly seems expensive. 

“I have dozens more at home if it puts you at ease,” he adds as if he could hear your thoughts, his words seemingly leaving his mouth at a mile per hour. “You could say I have a record of being reckless with my glasses, but contacts tend to irritate my eyes.”

“Oh…” you don’t know what to say. 

“I’m sorry. Uh, I’m Choi Beomgyu,” he introduces himself to you. “I didn’t mean to randomly talk your ear off, it’s just a self-defence mechanism in embarrassing situations.”

“I feel like I should be the one embarrassed and apologetic,” you say, a soft smile making its way to your lips. “I’m Y/N.”

“Well, if you really feel apologetic, would you mind giving me your number?” Beomgyu asks. 

“What?”

The boy simply grins as if it’s a completely normal situation. “I’m easy to please, really. If you treat me to a cold beer, everything can be easily forgotten and forgiven.”

“Is that what it is?” You raise a brow at him. “A ploy to get free beer?”

“Well, I didn’t plan for my glasses to get broken today, but if I can get your number and a free beer, I will be very satisfied.”

“Truly a man with simple needs.”

“Never needed to be anything more.”

You met Kang Taehyun on a completely random Tuesday. Walking through campus, you mind your own business until a commotion catches your attention by the basketball court available mainly to P.E. majors.

Normally, you would disregard the situation because why would you care about a bunch of sweaty boys playing with a ball? But then you catch sight of three familiar faces — guys from your major — all playing against one man, and losing. Which piques your curiosity to the max.

“Hey, what’s going on?” you ask someone on your left, when you make it to the tiny crowd, and the person turns to you with an excited grin.

“They made a bet to play three on one. If Kang Taehyun loses—” the person points at the only guy you don’t recognize— “then the third year P.E. majors gotta buy a feast for the music majors. If those guys lose, they buy for Taehyun and his friends.”

“Isn’t that a bit unfair?” You furrow your brows, but the person merely shrugs.

“Well, it seems not,” they say, clapping when Kang Taehyun scores another point against the three fumbling music majors. “That’s 5 to 1 for Taehyun,”

You glance at a group of more familiar faces standing back and merely laughing at their friends’ misery rather than helping them out. Rolling your eyes, you step onto the small court. With your luck, one of the music majors throws the ball in your direction rather than his teammates, and you catch it with ease, tilting your head to the side.

“You guys made a bet and can’t even play this game properly?” you ask with a raised brow. Then you turn toward the crowd, your gaze firm on who you want to play with. “Heeseung, stop laughing your ass off and get here. And you too, Nicholas!” you call the two guys you’ve known for years. They’re what you would call your occasional friends — and also the people that used to play competitive basketball in high school.

“Hey, what do you think you’re doing? This is between us and the—”

“Music majors, right? Well, we’re also music majors,” you say confidently, staring down the guys trying to stop you. “How about we do a fair game of 3 to 3 with a change of players and same stakes, since you guys believe in your basketball skills so much?” 

Kang Taehyun, the one who’s been playing the whole time walks up to you with big enough eyes to fell a tree out of sheer cuteness, though it does not fit the way his lips form a determined smirk.

“I’d get just changing players, but also trying to make this fair puts you at another disadvantage,” says one of Kang Taehyun’s friends because it doesn’t seem that he’s the overly talkative type.

The corner of your lips rises in a challenging smirk. “Might be.” 

But Heeseung and Nicholas are already standing by your side, matching the height of the P.E. majors. “You sure about this, Y/N?” Heeseung asks.

“Do you want to have at least a sliver of a chance at free food?”

“Fair argument.”

In short: you lost. However, the difference in score was not as embarrassing as the original trio going against just one.

“Not bad,” Kang Taehyun speaks up for the first time since you saw him. His voice is slightly deeper and much quieter than you would expect it to be. “Almost had us in the end.”

“We haven’t played in a few years.” Nicholas shakes his head at the compliment, throwing his arm around your shoulder. “A little heads up next time would be appreciated.”

“I’m a spontaneous person.” You shrug, though in reality, you don’t know why you did this. You aren’t the kind of person to try and outshine someone — let alone go against the P.E. majors out of the blue. Yet your eyes always end up at one place: on Kang Taehyun.

The man seems both absolutely oblivious to the outside world and acutely aware of everything that happens around him. Like he wants people to disregard him, but knows to keep distance regardless. What might act as a repellent to others, is like a magnet to you.

“Well, if you guys are ever bored, we’re always looking for more people to play with us,” one of the older guys says, Fuma, you heard him be called at one point. He puts his hands on Taehyun’s shoulders as if to massage him and grins.

“Don’t you have a whole faculty just for that?” Heeseung questions, amused.

“They suck.” Concise, straight to the point — that is Kang Taehyun. He doesn’t speak unless necessary, and he never says anything he doesn’t mean. To other people, it might seem like he’s cold, aloof, and doesn’t care about anything or anyone but himself, but getting to know him and slowly peeling off layers of armor that was never truly there is a reward in itself.

“So, just a question, but we’re not the ones buying food, right? It’s still them?” Heeseung points toward the original trio that made a bet with zero skills to back it up. 

“Nah, forget it. We appreciate a good game,” says the tallest of the three P.E. guys, you heard Fuma call him Kei during the game. He high-fives Heeseung with a grin.

“I wouldn’t mind buying you a coffee, though.” Taehyun’s voice nearly startles you, especially because he’s speaking to you. Staring at you. With a hint of expectancy in his big brown eyes.

“Hm?” Your brain stutters. Heeseung and Nicholas laugh at you, nudging your arms from each side as if you were kids in middle school, watching somebody confess their feelings.

“You’re entitled to say no, but I just thought I’d give it a shot.” Taehyun’s voice is nonchalant, but the way his lips twitch and his expression slightly changes with the anxiety of possibly being rejected, you can tell it would hurt his pride.

“You might need to raincheck, because vocal training starts in ten.” Heeseung, as helpful as ever, destroys the moment by checking the time on his phone. “Aaand we’re on the wrong side of the campus because we just spent our break playing basketball instead.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah.”

“Uh, I’d love to get coffee sometime, but it’ll have to wait. So sorry.” You barely manage to get out your apology before Heeseung has you by the wrist and is dragging you along in his sprint, so you can make it to vocal training in time.

“Dude! You never do this kind of thing?” Kei hits Taehyun’s arm with an amazed smirk, staring at him with wide eyes.

Taehyun hides his hands in the pockets of his jeans, shrugging. “I just like people who aren’t afraid to stand up for themselves.”

“I don’t even remember their name,” Fuma notes, running a hand through his head. “But they played well.”

“It’s Y/N,” Taehyun says, liking the way the name sounds on his lips.

You could sense Yeonjun’s staring from a mile away. Except he’s not even six feet away. He’s sitting right next to you, disrupting your work flow as you try to write down every single piece of information that leaves Professor Lee’s mouth. 

It’s almost impossible to breathe with his annoyingly handsome face glued to your side, a smile gracing his lips as he doesn’t even bother to hide the fact that his attention is purely on you. It’s to a point where it irritates you more than it flusters you, because how can he just not pay attention to what Professor Lee says when his class is generally the hardest to get into in the whole faculty?

“Do you want to fail this class so badly?” you ask under your breath, most of your attention still on the front because you could not bear looking at Yeonjun.

The warm sound of his chuckle sends shivers down your spine and sets butterflies off in your stomach. It’s quite maddening because there is no way in hell that someone like Choi Yeonjun would actually like you.

Yet he never misses the chance to include you in anything group related, nor does he ever stop inviting you to hang outs and campus events that you would normally miss out on to work on your many unfinished projects. When you keep declining his offers, he doesn’t even seem to be any less determined if not more motivated. But you’ve seen the way people generally gravitate toward Yeonjun, so you can never fully understand — why would it be you?

“You’re so cute when you worry about me,” he remarks, eyes never leaving your face. “But Changbin’s actually voice-recording all classes, so I have no need to listen when I have you right next to me.”

“Flirting is a really bad habit for you.” Shaking your head, you dare to glance at Yeonjun from the corner of your eye. He grins at you as if he won at life. But the small voice in your head still doubts — if your ex-boyfriend had secretly been an asshole, what if Yeonjun’s intentions were even worse? What if this is simply an elaborate joke between him and his friends? Just another plot to break your heart.

You could not give in.

Not again.

“I don’t flirt,�� he replies, a pout forming on his lips.

“Maybe that’s the problem.”

Yeonjun follows you even after class, almost like a stray cat who got attached to the first person it came across. “You don’t trust me,” he says eventually, hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans while you’re trying to pick out an appropriate lunch in the campus cafeteria.

Eyes follow him wherever he goes, because if there is anything Choi Yeonjun does, it’s drawing attention to himself without even trying. It isn’t something you can fault him for, but it makes you even more suspicious. 

For one, he doesn’t let you pay for lunch. Two, he’s friendly with everyone who dares to greet him. And three, Choi Yeonjun isn’t the only good-looking man in the world. 

Your phone lights up with a notification. A message from KARA lunatic popping up. 

[12:54] KARA lunatic: Next time you forget something at my place, make sure it’s valuable, so I can sell it later. [2 attached photos]

The photos include a scrunchie you’ve been trying to find the whole day, and a photo of Soobin wearing it around his wrist to remember that he should return it. 

Between the two of you, a tacit agreement of sorts formed last week. Sometimes, when either of your roommates decide to have visitors over, you simply remove yourself from the situation by going over to Soobin’s place, which is practically three steps away. And Soobin lets you stay, as long as you don’t disrupt his personal space.

And then another message finds its way to your phone from a contact named friendless guy.

[12:55] friendless guy: professor min approved the changes we made for the spring festival theme! yayyyy [1 photo attached]

Huening Kai doesn’t fail to send a selfie of himself doing thumbs up. 

You smile to yourself, reading the messages. It makes Yeonjun straighten in his seat across from you, elbows leaning on the table as he narrows his eyes at you.

“Am I that bad?” he questions, sporting that damned adorable pout. “I’m really sorry if I did anything to offend you, Y/N, I’m just—”

“You did nothing to offend me, Yeonjun.” You shake your head, setting your phone down. Staring him in the eyes, you don’t believe they belong to those of a liar. But he is right; you cannot trust him. Not yet. “But you’re so— you. And I’m… me.”

“Stunning?”

You laugh in his face. Not at him, obviously, but at his words. He is calling you stunning? When your ex-boyfriend said you were out of his league? It just feels like one strange, elaborate joke from fate itself. 

“This campus is full of people that already adore you, Yeonjun. So why—”

“Because,” Yeonjun says, a smile forming on his lips. He never breaks eye contact with you, gazing at you as if you hung the stars in the sky. 

“Because?”

“Because.”

Despite your skepticism, Yeonjun doesn’t waver. Instead, he seems to appreciate that you don’t instantly jump at his feet, ready to do whatever he asks of you. It makes you all the more real to him — a genuine person. (And he likes you so much more for it.)

“What would you say to a casual hang out then? As friends, let’s say. You, me, and some of my other friends.”

“When? I have work to do, Yeonjun…”

“Not now, obviously. But I’d let you know.” And he attempts to wink at you, but both of his eyes close instead, and you can’t help but giggle at the action. It’s adorable, and entirely uncharacteristic of his otherwise perfect, flirty image. 

“Okay,” you sigh. “I can do that.”

“Really?” Yeonjun barely contains his excitement, attracting the attention of a few students. Their sour expressions turn into ones of pure awe when they realize it’s Choi Yeonjun they were about to scold, though. 

“Really.”

“You won’t regret it!”

Working in a pair is strangely comforting. You smile to yourself as you listen to the faint buzzing of speakers and Huening Kai’s scribbling against the paper. He writes down notes as they come to him, while you work on a mix of sounds to get a melody that’s been stuck on your mind the whole day out of your head. 

The two of you have gotten comfortable around each other quickly. In the same way you find solace in Soobin’s presence and apartment on nights when you need it, Kai is your sanctuary during the day when there is nothing much to do on campus. 

“What would you think if I said I want to start a band?” Kai asks rhetorically, humming to himself. The sound of a pencil scratching against paper stops as Kai turns to look at you. “I saw this poster, you know, that said the school will hold a competition during the spring festival.”

“So you want to start a band to join this competition?”

“The prize money is really good,” Kai says, nodding. “And we get free coffee in the campus café for the rest of the year.”

Your eyes widen. “I can… see the appeal.”

“Would you join?”

“Your band?”

Kai nods. 

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

“I just didn’t want to assume.” Kai shrugs a smile forming on his lips. “But if I’m on the drums and you’re on the bass, we might still need a good deal of people.”

“Just guitar and piano probably,” you say without much worry. “Those are the most common among music majors anyway… and I kinda have ideas.”

“You do?”

“Well, for guitar, I’d try asking Park Jongseong. He’s really good. Or Choi Taeyang. Maybe both. And piano… I guess, Kim Jungsu?”

“You know a lot of people in our major,” Kai remarks, turning in his place to look at you. 

“I participate in way too many events, I guess.” You bite the inside of your cheek, eyeing Kai from the corner of your eye. “But you don’t, since I didn’t know about you…”

Kai chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “I prefer avoiding public events. And when I do, I only keep to my friends or myself.”

“Fair enough,” you say, grinning. “I hope you’re ready to let the world know that Huening Kai exists, though. Because you’re not gonna be left alone after that.”

“I’ll just use you as my shield.” 

“Damn. Can’t wait.”

Kai laughs softly, and you relish the sound, subconsciously recording it to tuck away in a corner of your mind for later. 

The restaurant near campus buzzes with life as people file in and out for a quick lunch between classes.

You are not an exception to the rule, entering with an excited grin on your face. 

“Y/N!” The sound of your name makes your head turn, and a squeal leaves your lips at the sight of your friends, Emma and Chloe. You haven’t seen them in ages, although you attend the same university. But being in different faculties complicates your ability to meet up. 

“It’s been so long!” you exclaim as you practically run to them. 

They envelop you in a tight hug, smiles plastered on their faces. 

“Too long.” Chloe frowns. “I was starting to forget what you look like.” She dramatically places a hand over her forehead before her eyes set on you, scanning every part of you like a hawk. 

“We’ll take lots of pictures later,” Emma says, giggling. “But you’re doing okay, right? I heard you’re working on the spring festival’s soundtrack.”

“Yeah! It’s actually going really well. Main theme being love and all, it’s pretty easy to satisfy the masses.”

“Anything light and upbeat would probably do.”

“Exactly. The expectations are so low that it’s easy to exceed them.” You smirk, proud of the tiny reference that you haven’t given up since your childhood. “But anyways, can we get something to eat first? I’m starving.”

“You’re reading my mind.”

The three of you spend an hour catching up and eating your lunch. Chloe rants about linguistics classes, while Emma shares information about her upcoming performance at the local theater. 

“By the way, do you guys know Choi Yeonjun?” Emma asks with a slightly raised brow, leaning her elbows on the table, because she is about to share vital gossip. 

“Duhh,” Chloe responds, rolling her eyes. “Everyone knows Choi Yeonjun. Dude’s campus famous.”

You don’t say anything. All you can do is purse your lips in thought and nod solemnly. Knowing Choi Yeonjun is certainly one way to put it. Thinking about it, you probably have a few unread messages from him on your phone right now. 

“Well, someone found out who one of his exes is!” Emma exclaims, pulling out her phone to search something up. “Look. That’s literally him and the Karina, cozying up together on campus.”

“Damn. How old is that photo?” Chloe questions, and Emma shrugs in response. 

“Like two years back maybe. They were campus sweethearts in their first year. Before she, you know, dropped out and became famous and all that stuff.”

“Why’s that important anyway?” You don’t want to sound jealous, because you’re not— you shouldn’t be. You have zero reasons to be jealous over a past relationship from a guy who doesn’t have to be anything more but your friend. 

“Karina’s coming back to our faculty. Dance major, obviously. To finish her studies.”

“Wait. You’re telling me Karina is going to be breathing the same air as me? Walking the same paths as me? Living around the same campus as me?” Chloe freaks out, while you lef out a breathy, amused laugh. “And she’s Choi Yeonjun’s ex. That is insane news.”

“For you, maybe.” You shake your head, feigning ignorance rather than acknowledging the fact that once Karina is back on campus, Yeonjun’s attention will probably divert back to her. 

And the idea of it totally doesn’t upset you.

Chloe and Emma both look at you with raised brows, eyes piercing through you as they try to read your body language and grasp at all the words that are left unsaid. 

“How do you know Choi Yeonjun?” Emma asks after a minute of awkward silence, finally coming to her own conclusion. 

“He attends Professor Lee’s classes,” you don’t lie. “We have a few group projects together.”

“And you haven’t said a thing?” Chloe sounds appalled, expression bemused. 

“It’s not that important.” You try to brush it off, but the girls are already on you, grabbing your phone off the table. 

Not only does it show a long thread of messages from Yeonjun, however, it also contains Beomgyu’s rant about baroque music, Soobin’s invitation to have fried chicken near your apartments, and Kai’s list of things the two of you have to work on before the spring festival. 

Their mouths drop to the ground in disbelief as they look through them, eyes glued to the profile pictures of each boy.

“Holy shit.”

“There’s no way.”

“Our child is actually growing up.” Chloe feigns a tear, glancing at you. “I was scared you were letting your ex ruin every possible relationship you could have in the future.”

“Those are my friends,” you say, crossing your arms.

“Not when they’re this hot.” Emma shakes her head. Knowing your passcode and having full access to your phone, she opens Soobin’s contact first, his picture taking over the whole display.

“Oh, this is insane.” Chloe and Emma join their heads together as they scroll through your private messages, but you let them. Perhaps you should’ve updated them at least a tiny bit about what’s been going on in your life. 

Someone clears their throat near you. 

“Hope I’m not interrupting anything important.” The voice makes your eyes widen, head snapping in the direction of Kang Taehyun. You were beginning to think you might never see him again.

Chloe and Emma ignore him, too absorbed in your phone to pay attention. You leave them be, and smile at Taehyun instead, shaking your head. 

“Not at all. I—”

“You never got the chance to give me your number,” Taehyun says, hiding his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “And my offer for the coffee still stands.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He nods, the corner of his lips lifting in a smile. You watch him take his phone out, offering it to you, so you can put your number in.

When you give his phone back, you watch him type in a name for you, and you’re certain it was not your name he wrote in there. “I will text you to figure out when we both have time, then.”

“Okay.” You nod, and Taehyun grins. Departing before your two friends can even notice that he was ever there.

Or, before he texts your phone number, reverting their attention back to you. 

“Who is this guy asking you to save his number?” They question, opening up Taehyun’s profile. “He’s—”

“Good-looking?” you ask, well aware of the fact. Obviously, you’re not blind, so you know that each of the boys you have come across these past few weeks are incredibly attractive. But…

There is a line you shouldn’t cross with either of them.  

Yeonjun scheduled the hangout with his friends for Friday. Which you were not opposed to. You didn’t have any plans, and all you really cared about these past few days was the song you and Kai have been trying to finish for the spring festival, so he can focus on starting his band.

“I think if we layer our voices a bit more, it will come out great,” you point out, playing through the current demo. 

“Okay. We can do that.”

Kai leans over your shoulder to stare at the screen of your laptop, his breath tingling the back of your neck. You do your best to ignore the way your heart speeds up in his vicinity, and the way he places his arm on the desk, caging you in from one side. 

“I think we should also remove some of the riffs. It makes the song sound too heavy for something spring-themed,” he adds, biting the inside of his cheek in thought. “It’s about love that blooms slowly over time, not a fast-paced summer fling.”

Humming, you nod. “I guess you’re right.”

“I think we could finish this by Friday, and then we can start working on recruiting band members.”

“That sounds great, but I’m only free until four on Friday.”

“Me too, actually. To support a friend. Apparently, I gotta meet and I quote: the love of his life. Said he needs it to be casual or something.”

“Probably doesn’t want to come off too strong on the love of his life.” You imitate Kai’s voice as you say the last part, and the boy chuckles, nodding. 

“I’ll be honest, though, I’ve never seen him be this excited about a person. Not since his last breakup, at least,” Kai shares, smiling to himself. There is a glint of happiness for his friend in his eye as he looks at you.

Forgetting how close he is to you, you make the mistake of turning your head in his direction, meeting his gaze from barely a few centimeters. His eyes briefly flicker to your lips, but it happens in a matter of seconds that make you wonder if you haven’t made it up.

“What about you?” you ask, your attention back on the screen of your laptop.

“What do you mean?” Kai tilts his head, brows furrowed.

“Don’t you have any exes you’re trying to get over?” you question a bit too eagerly, but Kai doesn’t seem to notice. Instead, he chuckles dismissively and shakes his head.

“God, no,” he replies. “I’ve never dated anyone before. And I think it’s for the better.”

“Really? You never liked someone?” You fight the urge to look Kai in the eye because he has yet to move back, and you cannot handle staring down at him from such a close distance again.

“I mean… it’s not that I didn’t want to. I guess it just never felt right, you know?” Kai shrugs, finally stepping back from you, giving you the space to properly breathe. “I’ve had people confess to me before, but I’m not exactly someone who’d go for it just because someone showed interest. I can’t do it if my heart isn’t in it.”

Biting the inside of your cheek, you keep quiet. He isn’t wrong. You completely understand his point because that is exactly what you think as well. Though it doesn’t change the fact that you didn’t have this mindset before, and swore off dating because of it, too. Why are you still getting affected by something an asshole had done ages ago?

You should’ve been able to move on by now. But it’s so hard to trust people.

“Are you okay?” Kai asks after a minute of silence.

“What?” You blink. “Oh, yes, I’m fine. I was just… thinking, I guess. Sorry.”

“Thinking about what?” Kai laughs softly, an unidentifiable emotion flashing in his eyes.

“Just… that you’re not wrong.” You press your lips together, running a hand through your hair. “Dating someone you don’t actually like is not a good idea.” You should never have given in to your ex-boyfriend just because he was persistently chasing you.

“So I’m guessing you are dealing with an ex,” Kai says, his tone reassuring. “That bad, huh?”

“If pretending to like me for months just to get to fuck me is bad then yes, you could say that.”

“What.” Kai’s eyes widened, disgusted shock contorting his features. “Did—”

“No, actually. That’s the funny part, I guess,” you reply, a self-deprecating laugh escaping your lips. “I shouldn’t be so hung up on a guy I wasn’t even that interested in, right? Like, I was just entertaining him because he said he liked me.”

“Man, that’s insane.” Kai sighs in disbelief, running a hand through his hair before you feel both his hands on your shoulders, squeezing reassuringly. “That can totally mess with your trust.”

A smile forms on your lips. The way Kai understands spreads warmth through your chest, and you lean back, more into his touch — into him. 

“If I’d known you earlier, I would totally teach that guy a lesson,” he says under his breath, and you giggle quietly, your hand reaching up to rest on the top of his on one of your shoulders.

“Thanks,” you say softly. “But I may have roughed him up a bit myself when I found out…” you admit, averting your gaze to the ground. 

“Good!” Kai exclaims, another low chuckle leaving his lips. “Wait… you’re the ex who broke some music major’s ribs!” The realization comes to him slowly, eyes crinkling with sheer amusement at the thought. “I always knew there was a story behind it.”

“Yeah…” You nod, biting your lip. “That is me, I guess. The crazy ex. Yay.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy,” Kai says, his hands still a heavy weight on your shoulders. “I never thought you were crazy since I first heard about it, anyway. And now I think you just had a reasonable reaction to finding out that someone you chose to trust betrayed it…”

[14:24] KARA lunatic: MAN [14:24] KARA lunatic: this is so messed up [14:24] you: what is? [14:25] KARA lunatic: t1’s playing against g2 today and i can’t watch [14:25] KARA lunatic: this is HELLL [14:25] KARA lunatic: what sins am i being punished for [14:26] you: why can’t you watch? [14:28] KARA lunatic: i’m being forced into society tonight [14:28] KARA lunatic: pray for me [14:30] you: you’re so dramatic

The finished song sounds better than you expected. It’s calm, yet energetic, capturing the beginning of a slow, yet powerful love story. In a way, it is exactly the type of song you would associate with Kai, so it only makes sense that he was the one helping you make it.

“What time is it?” he asks when you finally click the send button, sharing the song file with your professor.

Checking the clock, it seems to be about time to start packing up for your meet with Yeonjun. “We’ll have to go, I think,” you say, pursing your lips.

“I thought so. Where are you heading? Maybe I can walk you before I have to make an appearance with my friends,” Kai suggests, crossing the music room to grab his denim jacket.

“The Chinese restaurant near campus. Not that far away, so I’ll be fine.” You wave your hand dismissively, but Kai stops mid-putting-on his jacket, tilting his head to the side.

“I’m actually also heading there, though.”

“Oh.”

“Oh.” Kai smiles, shrugging on the jacket. “So I get to walk you regardless.”

“I suppose that’s how fate wants it.” You chuckle, throwing your laptop inside your shoulder bag.

“Is your friend the punctual kind?” you ask in front of the restaurant.

Kai shrugs in response. “Not usually. But I think he might be for this one.” Rubbing the back of his neck, he’s not entirely sure if he likes the idea of you meeting up with another guy — someone he doesn’t know. But at least he’ll be in the same restaurant.

“Alright then.” 

Nodding, you walk inside the restaurant together. Choi Yeonjun sits inside a booth with two other guys, their backs facing you. Spotting him inside the packed restaurant is far too easy, and you hate the way your heart skips a beat when you see him laugh at something his friend has said.

“Oh, I see my friend,” Kai says, just as Yeonjun stands up because he noticed you. “Yeon–”

“Y/N!” Yeonjun exclaims giddily, waving you over. Though his excitement quickly turns into confusion once he notices Kai standing next to you, his brows furrowing.

You glance at Kai. “Don’t tell me—”

“Yeonjun is the guy you’re meeting?”

“Yeonjun is the guy who said I’m the love of his life?”

Kai faces you, nodding slowly. But when you look back at Yeonjun, it only gets worse. His two friends have stood up, too, and when they turn, you recognize both of them, too.

Choi Beomgyu.

Kang Taehyun.

And then someone rushes inside the restaurant, nearly body-slamming into you because he’s busy staring at his phone.

“Soobin?” Your lips part as you gape at the tall guy.

“Y/N?” He looks at you. Then his eyes fly over to the boy standing next to you. “Kai?”

“You know each other?” Both boys question with their eyes wide while they stare between you and the other.

“Holy shit,” you murmur. 

tags: @moonpri @addictedtohobi @dainsleif-when-playable @cloverwalker @ttaesoob @ivvees-blog @semi-wife @starrias @yunjica @lun4mizuka

feel free to ask to be tagged!

[xechu]

Better Than Your Ex, Hotter Than Your Next - C. Kamo (One-shot)

pairing: mechanic!choso kamo x fem!reader

wc: 7.3k

cw/tags: please read my blog rules before interacting. 18+ mdni, swearing, mature themes, explicit sexual content, smut, brief mention of crime, fluff, crack, slice of life

summary: who would have known that your meet cute all began with slashing the wrong guy's tires.

a/n: An unexpected spin-off, but I had a lot of fun with it! This is based off of my cmh au but focused on Choso instead. Definitely tried something new with this one-shot here, going for a chaotic-awkward-unhinged-sprinkle of soft vibe. I highly recommend reading what I currently have for that au for some additional context, but this works as a standalone as well. Timeline-wise, this happens two weeks before Warm on a Cold Night. You can also check out some of my character notes on Choso here. Thank you for reading! x

The garage has always been pure chaos, and in the most rowdy testosterone-filled way possible. But Choso wouldn't have it any other way. The only touch of feminine energy in this establishment was when Jin's wife, Kaori, would come by. Otherwise, it would have been Sukuna’s girlfriend. Well, ex-girlfriend—his ass got dumped last year (completely his fault, by the way), and he’s still in mourning.

At this point, Choso is pretty sure Sukuna has gone full monk, enduring the trials of dry spell. He'd even quit smoking and drinking—definitely onto the path of nirvana.

The break-up was particularly nasty from what he remembered, but he still keeps a picture of her at his workbench to this day. And he's heard Baby Come Back by Player blasting from Sukuna's earbuds more times than he can remember.

It’s…sad, to see his mentor fall so far from grace. Choso is pretty confident that the man has gone off to the deep end. At this rate, if she doesn’t come back, he’s actually going to shave his head and move to a monastery in the mountains.

"Cho!” Jin called out from upstairs, peeking his head out from the office, "Think you can man the front desk for a bit? I got a business call."

Choso waved him off and made his way to the front desk.

Things have been laid-back lately. There's two more weeks before Christmas, and that's usually when garages see a dip in activities. Summer, on the other hand, was around the clock hell.

Choso leaned into the chair and took out his phone, which, quite frankly, needed to be replaced—a shattered-beyond-recognition iPhone 7. But it still made calls and sent texts, so it was good enough. Yeah, he knows—he's long overdue for an upgrade. But it’s like how some girls procrastinate on getting their oil changed. Same thing.

Ah. This was a nice break.

He could hear Sukuna tinkering with a car at the back, followed by a loud snap, and a few choice words. Man was definitely having the worst day of his life...for the past 368 days.

“Everything good—?”

The front door swings open and a frosty chill rushes in.

Oh, great—it’s Nancy. A long-time customer.

“Hey, Nance,” Choso greeted. He wasn’t much of a talker by nature, but after a few years at the garage he’s picked up more social skills. He's become quite fluent in customer service banter.

“Hiiii Cho!! How are ya?” Nancy was practically squealing, as she dusted off the light snow on her jacket.

“I’m good, I’m good. How are you? How are the kids?”

“Good! Brandon is coming back from college for the holidays, and Jeremy's at home already. The boys and I are going to have such a great time this year. Better than being with their father—”

“Oh, that’s nice—whatcha got there?” Choso smoothly interjected, it completely flew over her head that he cut her off intentionally. He wasn’t going to let her talk his ears off about her ex-husband again, he’s already made that mistake five times, and the story was always the exact same. It’s quite frankly a talent—how she doesn’t miss a beat.

“Ah! Just a small Christmas gift for my favorite group of boys! I’m a boy mom after all!” Nancy laughs a little too loud.

Right. Everyone knew it was really for Jin.

For a while now, Nancy has a not-so-lowkey crush on him. Thankfully, Kaori hasn’t crossed paths with her yet. And thankfully, Jin was in that business call, but Choso also wouldn’t put it past him that he saw her on the surveillance cams upstairs and decided to lay low.

“Aw, you’re sweet—thanks, Nance.” Nailed the fake sincerity.

Choso takes the box of chocolates from her hands.

Yep. Definitely for Jin. Nobody else ate 90% dark chocolate with orange flavored filling.

Nancy wasn’t the only one who’s got the hots for Jin, there were a few of them fangirls. Word has it that Jin's a “total DILF”. Choso doesn’t see the vision, but he supposes the vision isn’t for him to see. If anything, he thought Sukuna’s ex-friend Toji was more of a DILF. He’s only seen the guy once before, but it was enough to know that the man has a plethora of issues…and probably diseases. So he would advise anyone against actually fucking Toji.

"Awfully quiet today, just you here?" Nancy's eyes scanned around the shop.

More like was Jin here.

"Mhm, just me. Jin's dealing with stuff, gonna take a while. And well, Sukuna is..."

"Still hung up, huh?" She quietly whispers with a look of sympathy in her eyes.

Choso slowly nods. Apart from her weird crush on Jin, making her kids her entire personality, and throwing shade at her ex-husband every chance she gets, Choso believes she's still a nice lady deep down…though she probably would benefit from seeing a therapist.

"I understand what he's going through. You know, when Edward and I divorced—"

"You're fucking shitting me!" Sukuna yells from the garage.

Poor Nancy looked like she was about to have a heart attack. But for Choso, this was a typical Thursday afternoon.

Sukuna storms out from the garage and towards the front desk as he grabs his jacket.

"Oh, hey Nance," Sukuna muttered, and marched out the door before she could even say a word.

Choso looks at her and gives an awkward shrug, "Sorry about that. He's...you know."

Nancy nods, but it was clear she was a bit shaken up. She has a bit of a frail heart.

"G-Guess I should get going now," she nervously chuckled, "I should get the house ready before Brandon comes back."

"Yeah, I'll tell Jin you dropped by," Choso said, feeling a bit apologetic that she had to witness Sukuna's outburst.

"Thanks, Choso," her usual smile slowly returning.

"See ya."

---

Finally, peace was restored.

Choso guesses that he has about thirty minutes of relaxation.

Perhaps it was because the holiday spirit is making him a tad sentimental. Or maybe because he's finally found a steady footing in his life with his career. But he caught himself thinking lately: when would he find a girl that sweeps him off his feet?

Sure, he's gone on a few Tinder dates and had his share of casual hookups, but it wasn't satisfying.

As he’s scrolling, numerous ads of hot single women in your area pop up on his feed. Tempting, but he’s pretty sure that it was a greasy man on the other side of the screen, or some swindler trying to get you to buy crypto for them.

Choso wasn't much of a conspiracist, but he does believe that the phones are listening in on you—and not just your voice, but your thoughts via wavelengths and shit. Don’t ask him to get into specifics though, he’s not a science guy. It’s just a theory that hasn’t been proven yet. But how else do the ads always seem to know when he was feeling lonely?

Sigh. This sucked.

Jin found his dream girl. Sukuna fumbled his—but at least he got a taste of what it was like to be with someone who you were head over heels about.

When was it his turn? Sans the fumbling, of course.

Then suddenly, the front door bursts open. And that was when you came rolling through those doors like a storm, dressed in black from head to toe.

At that moment, Choso's breath hitched, his heart raced, and heat rose to his ears. He was absolutely certain that cupid didn't just shoot an arrow, he shot a whole fucking bullet through his chest.

---

"Hi," you said, as you dusted off the snow on your coat and removed your ski mask.

"H-Hey," Choso stammered. Where was his customer service fluency when he needed it?

"Can I...help you?"

"Yes, I'm here to turn myself in—oh, crap," you noticed you were still holding the pocket knife in your hand, and quickly tucked it away in your jacket pocket. You wouldn't want there to be a misunderstanding now, but you were pretty sure it was a little too late for that.

"Um, this isn't the police station."

"Oh, I know," you said as you awkwardly walked towards the front desk.

Holy shit, you were the cutest girl he had ever seen.

"I..." you cleared your throat, "...accidentally slashed someone's tires outside."

Okay, so you were maybe a little off the rails. But a touch of crazy was totally his guilty pleasure.

"You what?"

"Yeah, I accidentally slashed someone's tires. But I'm here to pay for it, I swear!" You smiled nervously, but he could see the guilt in your eyes.

Choso didn't even know how to respond to that.

He was pretty sure that slashing tires were illegal. Does he call the cops? It should be fine if you're willing to pay for it, right? What do they call that in legal terms? A settlement, right. No need to give the love of his life cute girl a criminal record.

But before Choso could figure out what to do, you start sobbing hysterically.

So much for a slow Thursday afternoon.

"H-Hey! There's no need to cry over it, you said you were gonna pay, right?"

"Y-Yeah, I want to pay, h-honest!" You choked.

Clearly, this was your first rodeo in crime committing.

"Why don't we go out and you show me which car you, er, slashed. And I'll get you a quote." Choso rubbed the back of his neck, while handing you a tissue.

"Okay," you nodded, still barely able to contain your hysteria.

Choso grabbed his jacket and followed you outside. And of course, the victim of this supposed accidental tire slashing was a black Nissan 240SX—a car he was all too familiar with.

"That's...my car," he sighed in disbelief.

"I-I'm so sorry. I promise, I really didn't mean to. I—"

"It's fine," he says. To be honest, he wasn't even mad. The situation was just too unreal.

Choso slowly surveyed his car, making his round. You stood there, watching him intently, your brows knitted together—nervous with anticipation.

"You really slashed all four of them," he remarked.

"Yeah..."

"Do we know each other from somewhere?"

You shook your head.

You weren't sure if he cared for it or not, but an explanation seemed like the right thing to do.

"I mistook your car for my ex's," you cringed, realizing how stupid and farfetched that sounded, "His and your license plates are almost identical. Exact same make and all. I didn’t realize it was the wrong car until it was too late."

"Ah, what a coincidence."

"I know it’s unbelievable, but I’ll pay for everything! I promise. I just wasn’t thinking straight, and thinking about that asshole just makes me—"

"Hey, I said it’s fine," Choso tried to calm you down, "you don’t owe me your personal story."

"God, I’m just so embarrassed."

"Yeah, I’d be too," he gave a small smile.

There was a brief silence, and then you couldn’t help but let out a light laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

Choso wasn't sure why his heart did flips. Actually, he was lying, he knew why, that's because you're confirmed single. Not so sure about the mingling part, but at least he wasn’t pulling a Nancy.

"Well, I’ll get you the quote," he said, as the two of you walked back to the shop, "we can do a settlement."

"Thank you for being so understanding," you quietly said, blush dusting your cheeks.

"Don't mention it," he casually waved you off, "At least it was my car and not a customer's."

---

This was, without a doubt, the most decisive moment of Choso’s life. As he stood behind the front desk and watched you punch in the PIN of your credit card. It was only a matter of time before it went through, he printed the receipt, and then you'll be on your merry way. After that, your paths will never cross again.

Does he ask you? Is it completely strange and unhinged? But then again, after what had just transpired, he doesn't even know the meaning of unhinged anymore. You literally came in ski mask and all, with a knife, and his first reaction was to fall in love and help you get away with a crime.

Settlement. It's a settlement.

Choso is quite convinced you're no criminal, and you had your crocodile tears and anxiety-fueled word vomit to prove it. Just a temporary lapse in judgment, happens to the best of everyone.

Mustering the courage he had, he takes a deep breath, "Go out with—"

"What the fuck happened to your car, Cho?!" Sukuna busted through the door.

Of course. Because why not have the front door blast open again today.

"Um—" you were about to confess to your crime again and relive the shame.

"I know," Choso said calmly to Sukuna, "taking care of it."

"Who the hell did you piss off?"

"No one. It was an accident."

"Accident? They were four tires in deep," Sukuna scowled.

Choso clears his throat, and makes a tiny gesture with his head—nudging to your direction. Sukuna momentarily froze, just as the card machine let out a loud skrrr-rr-rrr and printed the receipt. Clocking the situation—and the sheer awkwardness he had just created—he cleared his throat and excused himself back to the garage.

"...Anyway, I’ll put on new tires for you. I'm sure we got fresh ones laying around."

"Thanks," Choso nodded, and turns to you, "Don't worry. We've settled it. I won't call the cops or anything."

"I appreciate it, and again, I'm sor—"

"Go out with me?"

He did it. He actually did it. Albeit, not the smooth operator he wanted to be, but there's no turning back now.

---

They say to forgive and to forget, but that's the dumbest thing you've ever heard. Forgiveness, sometimes—sure. But forget? Absolutely not. Unless you get hit by a truck and end up getting amnesia.

In the case of your sorry excuse of an ex-boyfriend, he deserved neither your forgiveness nor your...forgetfulness. How does one even forget the image of your ex wedged between the legs of your best friend and rabidly dicking her down? You can't. No one can forget that imagery.

Every day you pray for his downfall, and quite frankly, for his dick to fall.

And it was like your prayer was somewhat answered when you saw his car sitting out at a garage.

He was about to get his comeuppance.

There was always a part of you that was a bit reckless, and going through the motions of this break-up really brought that side out of you. You were done playing nice, and now, you were going to lay it down on that asshole.

You park your car to the side of a road across from the garage, and flip off the engine. Sitting in the driver seat, you carefully assess the area. It was rather empty except for two other cars, but then again, most garages were quiet during this time of year.

This was it. You were going to go through with it. You take out your ski mask and switch knife from the passenger's compartment. Yes, you weren’t oblivious to how suspicious that looked, but you had your reasoning. The knife was for your protection, and the ski mask—well, your ex-boyfriend was going to bring you to a ski resort this year but clearly that was no longer happening. You were going to return it, the price tag was still on there—but screw it, the sports store could keep the forty-dollars.

This was by all accounts completely illegal, and it would be your first time committing a crime, but he deserved it. If anything, cheating should be illegal. What's a little tire slashing going to do? At least you could compensate for that. How does one compensate for a broken heart, after they slash it all up? Exactly.

You rip the price tag off and put on the ski mask, checking to see how you looked in the rearview mirror: ridiculous.

Oh, right. Your nearly forgot to put on some lip gloss. It was one of those things that gave you confidence, and surely, you needed it to commit your first illegal activity.

With a deep breath you get out of your car and stealthily crouch-speed-walk towards his car. Kneeling beside a tire, your heart began to race, and hands began sweating.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Something didn't feel quite...right.

You give yourself a few slaps. It's too late to turn back now, you were literally right here—crouched beside his car. It's not like he was thinking with his head either when he decided to cheat.

Ironically, it was your ex-boyfriend that told you that slashing tires was an art form. You have to puncture it a certain way, and make sure you're not standing right in front of the puncture hole, or you could get hurt from the air pressure.

You brace yourself, and with your full might you sunk the knife into the tire.

God, it felt so damn good.

Watching the car slowly sink as the tires deflate, a thought came into your mind: you could absolutely do this for a living. Maybe start a side gig and get people to hire you to slash up scummy ex's tires. Consider it a service to the community—a voice for the voiceless.

As you stood up to revel in your masterpiece, your euphoria quickly turned to sheer horror.

In your fit of rage, you’d mistaken the 'U' on this person's license plate for a 'V'.

This was not your ex’s car.

The realization hit you like a brick. You felt dizzy. You might actually throw up and pass out all at the same time. Not only had you just violated the hell out of an innocent person’s tires, but your ex? He got away again. You could practically hear him snickering. Whoever said God didn't play favorites was an absolute liar. Because your ex was clearly a favored child, bestowed upon a divine gift of cosmic plot armor.

You were screwed. Royally screwed.

…Or so you thought.

Because in a shocking plot twist—you’re now being asked on a date.

By the very man whose tires you just stabbed.

"Go out with me?" Choso asked.

You blinked a few times, standing by the front desk completely stupefied.

Did you mishear? No, he said it quite clearly. He asked you to go out with him.

Was he desperate or completely unhinged? Perhaps both?

"But I literally just slashed your tires."

"But it was an accident."

Maybe a little suggestible too.

"Um, you don't think that's kind of—I don't know—red flag of me?"

"So...is that a yes, or no?"

"Yes," you replied without missing a beat.

Fuck it. He was ridiculously hot anyway.

You had noticed it the moment you saw him, there was an aura of dark mystery that surrounded him, which quite frankly, would have made you ache under normal circumstances.

And the way he defended your honor was the cherry on top. Whether he did it intentionally or not—it was super sexy.

So yes, a thousand times, fucking yes.

---

Is this what cloud nine feels like?

Because Choso couldn't believe that you actually said yes. He watched as you left the shop and stared at his phone for a good minute, letting reality sink in.

He's pretty sure this felt more surreal than finding out what happened to his car. And he knew you were special when you weren't deterred by the state of his phone, they way you plucked it out of his hand and typed in your number:

Y/N 🖤🔪 (XXX)-XXX-XXXX

Yeah, you were definitely the one.

"I can't believe you asked out your tire slasher," Sukuna said casually, as he leaned by the door frame that connected the garage to the front desk.

"She's cute," Choso murmured.

"And kinda crazy."

"I'm sure you could relate."

Sukuna lets out a small 'tch', but Choso could see the corner of his mentor's lips ever so slightly lift.

Atta big guy, at least he didn't forget how to smile.

"Thanks, Cho. The call went on longer than I expected—" Jin let out a deep sigh, as he made his way down the stairs, "Did I miss something?"

Ok, so he wasn't hiding from Nancy after all.

"A whole lot. Cho got himself a date," Sukuna said. There was a slight underlayer of pride in his voice that didn't go unnoticed.

"Oh?" Jin grinned, "When did that happen?"

…

Men, too, enjoyed their share of gossip and tea, they’re just better at hiding their eagerness and enthusiasm about it. But if given the chance to partake in such discovery and sharing of 'information', they will certainly indulge. Which is how Choso found himself sandwiched between Sukuna and Jin. The three of them were upstairs in the office, huddled in front of a tiny Dell monitor from the early 2000’s, which was solely used for the garage's surveillance.

"Can you zoom in on her car?" Jin asked.

"Can't. Anymore and she'll look like a Minecraft character," Choso shook his head, he was the one in charge of manning the computer.

"What is she even doing?" Sukuna squinted, he had to put on his glasses for this—that's how you know he means business.

"Is she putting on...lipstick?" Sukuna asked, squinting closer.

"I think so," Jin said, adjusting his glasses. "Kaori does that too before we leave the car."

"Except she’s not leaving the car to go have brunch with the girls. She’s committing a felony."

The three of them focused intently on the surveillance recording like studious first row college students. Witnessing how you left the car, then not-so-stealthily fumbling your way to Choso's car, slapping yourself, plunging your knife into the wheels, rewinding, plunging your knife into the wheels, the exact moment of your horrific realization, and then turning yourself in immediately after.

By the end of the surveillance review, Sukuna was practically howling. At least this whole debacle seemed to lift his spirits up, even if it’ll only be temporarily.

"How were you not even alarmed when she came in with a ski mask and knife in hand?" Jin leaned back in his office chair, clearly amused.

Choso shrugged, "Gut feeling."

"Impressive,” Sukuna lets out a content groan as he got up and stretched, getting ready to head back downstairs, “Maybe you should stick to being a mechanic though."

"We'll save a recording for you, Cho. In case—you know, the two of you ever get married. It'll be a nice trip down memory lane," Jin sipped from his coffee, as if he wasn't lowkey egging him on.

"We'll see how the date goes first," Choso muttered, but the slight heat in his face was enough for anyone to tell that he's already down bad.

---

According to many, flowers on the first date was basic etiquette, but in Choso’s mind flowers were kind of…dumb. They cost a fortune only to wither in a week, and pollen allergies were also quite common—so it seems a little risky. He wasn’t even sure what to believe. Some girls love it, while others would roll their eyes and say that it’s presumptuous for men to think that all girls would be swooned by flowers. Uncreative. Unimaginative. Thoughtless. Basic.

So he compromised and got you a succulent.

Still a plant, still pretty (he thinks), and could actually last. He took it a step further and even picked out a pot for you—though he wasn’t sure if it was your style. It was a pastel green pot, in a shape of a cute cartoonish frog. He thought the green matched with the, well, green. Color coordination was a bit of a learning curve for Choso, he was an all-black and chrome kind of guy. Some call it goth, or emo, but he prefers no labels. Still, E for effort—or maybe endgame?

Surprisingly, you said yes to him picking you up. Which is how he found himself waiting in his car, at the front of your apartment. As he stared into the beady eyes of his cartoon friend aka ‘Phrog’, he was starting to have second thoughts. Because why did he kinda want this for himself? Him and Phrog had developed a nice rapport while driving over to your place.

Maybe he could just put it in the trunk, and then pay for dinner. Just dinner is good, right?

Wrong. He had principles.

You were supposed to get both Phrog and dinner, so it’d be utterly wrong for him to scam you out of your plant.

Lost in his own thoughts of first date ethics, he doesn’t notice you coming out of the building until the passenger door opens.

"Hi," you smiled as you dipped your head in, "thank you for picking me up."

The man was too stunned to speak.

Thankfully, you could not hear the obscene thoughts in Choso’s head. Because how do you manage to look both so sexy and cute at the same time?

"Any time," he clears his throat.

You slid into the passenger seat and buckled your seatbelt, completely oblivious to the fact that your date was on the verge of malfunctioning. The car filling up with the sweet scent of your perfume was driving him insane.

"What’s this?"

"Oh, yeah," Choso hands over Phrog to you (time to say goodbye he guesses), "it’s for you. I just kinda thought you know—"

"It’s adorable! I love it. You’re so thoughtful, Choso," you gushed, "We should name it Phrog—with a PH!"

Definitely soulmates, twin flame, or whatever they called it. The two of you practically share the same brain cell.

As the two of you head to a fancy restaurant, you engage in small but comfortable banter with Choso. It was expected that the initial hour of a first date was always going to be a bit awkward and restrained.

The way he drove with one hand on the stirring wheel, and the other rested on the gear shift was so incredibly hot. You nearly forgot what it was like to be a passenger princess, which was why when he offered to come pick you up, you immediately jumped on it.

What’s so wrong about a girl wanting to be spoiled every so often?

And by spoiled, it wasn’t just material things, it was acts of services. Wanting to be understood without having to spell everything out. Wanting for someone to just offer their help, not because you’re incapable but because they want to.

So far, Choso has made all the right moves in your book. The way he was so calm and collected when you slashed his tires, the way he dealt with Sukuna without putting you on the spot, and the way he initiated asking you out. You were practically going feral over him.

It was true what they say, pick a man that was obsessed with you—and everything else will come after.

But was he really obsessed? You could only pray to the universe that he was.

...

It was a horrible mistake to have come here.

Fine dining was anything but fine, and Choso should have known better. But still, he wanted to impress you and it completely backfired.

How could the two of you get to know each other, if you could hardly even see each other under these dim lights? They mean to tell you that they charge an upwards of four-hundred dollars per meal, and they still need to cut back on the electricity?

And to top it all off, he could barely make a conversation with you, without Karen and Kevin sitting at the next table giving the stink eye like the two of you were uncouth animals.

They say the world of fine dining laid in the experience, but the only experience the both of you had was ‘what the actual fuck was this?’

He definitely does not recommend this restaurant as a first date, and probably not for any dates. Unless, you fall into the category of couples who perpetually hate each other but still need to keep up with appearances. You know, the ones that are always on the verge of divorce, but also, never going to actually divorce. It's oddly specific, he knows, because of...personal experience. Dark enough to not see each other's brooding faces. Quiet enough to avoid the things that need to be said. And enough wine to get through the night.

"What did you think of it?" You asked, as the two of you walked out of the restaurant.

"If I'm being honest, completely awful," he smirked, tossing the crumpled receipt into the nearest trash bin, "What did we have? A leaf and two meatballs?"

You let out a sigh of relief and laughed, "Two might be a bit generous for fine dining."

"It should be illegal, because what do you mean we came to a restaurant for an experience and not for food?" Choso chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"Well, I have a place in mind since we're both...unsatisfied," there was a flirty and mischievous twinkle in your eye.

Choso swallowed the lump in his throat. Are you suggesting what he thinks you're suggesting?

You hook your hand under his arm. Bold. Exactly what he expected, and exactly what he liked.

You are a gentleman. A gentleman. The gentlest of man. Choso repeated in his head like a mantra.

"Mel's Diner is just down the street!" You pointed enthusiastically, "Have you ever been? Their burgers and milkshakes are to die for."

Of course, you were talking about food. What else could you have possibly meant?

"Good call, I'm starved."

"It'll be my treat," you grinned, already dragging him in the direction of the glowing neon sign.

---

Marry me. Choso proposed to you in his head as he watched you bring the tray of milkshakes and burgers.

He wouldn't mind an 80's diner wedding, underneath the fluorescent lights and all. It was perfect. The two of you were already somewhat dressed for the occasion. Heaven is a Place on Earth was playing softly in the background. The cashier could be the officiant, and the three other customers in the diner could be the witnesses.

You slide into the seat beside Choso, completely oblivious to the fantasy 80's diner wedding he was rehearsing in his head.

"Dig in!" Your mouth was practically salivating from the smell.

Your fingers brushed against his as you handed him the burger. His calloused fingertips were the kind that belonged to a man who worked with his hands.

Now, you weren’t so sure anymore if you were salivating because of the burger… or because of this man.

"Do you play the guitar?" you asked absentmindedly, taking another bite of your burger.

"I play the bass," Choso replied. "Sometimes I jam out with Jin and Sukuna."

"Sukuna is… the one who came through the door, right?"

"Mhm. He plays the drums. And Jin—his twin brother—is on guitar. The two look nothing alike, though."

You could only imagine. One big, brooding man who looked like he could absolutely send you to the shadow realm with a single punch was already enough. Two would be catastrophic.

"It could get chaotic sometimes," Choso smiled, "But they're like brothers to me."

"Are you an only child?"

"Oh, no. I have a few siblings, but I don't talk to my family anymore. I was never really close with them."

"Family dynamics can get complicated," you said with a quiet nod. "Are you... happy with how things turned out? Is there anything you would do differently?"

"Happier than ever. I wouldn't change a thing," he smiled thoughtfully.

His honesty and vulnerability only made him all the more attractive. Your heart was practically doing flips.

You stirred your milkshake mindlessly, unable to shake the heat radiating off of him. Your arms were practically touching given the cramped booth, and somehow, that felt more intimate than holding hands.

"So your ex, huh?" he broke the silence, a sly edge to his voice. "Must’ve really been something for you to want to commit your first felony."

"Ugh, don't mention it," you groaned, "I should have known something was off when he didn't even have a driver’s license. That scum cheated on me with my best friend."

"I hope his dick falls off." Choso rolled his eyes.

You laughed, "Trust me. I pray for that everyday."

"His loss though," he shrugged, "Thanks to him, I have a chance."

The both of you blushed as your eyes locked on each other.

“You got a little bit of…” Choso murmured, reaching up to wipe the mayo from the corner of your lips with his thumb.

You looked at him with your mouth slightly agape, while he casually glanced around for a tissue. It was insane how this man had you in a chokehold without even trying. Something took hold of you—some primal need to taste him, to start something you couldn't walk away from. You grabbed his hand and brought his thumb to your mouth, sucking it clean without a second thought.

"I want you to fuck me, Choso."

Was this a dream?

He blinked a few times.

Oh.

---

"My place or yours—"

"I don't care," you hissed, "Start driving. Or we'll do it here."

You suppose his physique wasn't just for show. You could tell how well-built he was even under the greasy coveralls at the garage. And the way he had his black shirt sleeves rolled up this entire evening, to reveal his veiny forearms was definitely a seduction tactic—which obviously worked, and you are not ashamed to admit that.

As the two of you stumble through your apartment door, he swings you over his shoulder.

"C-Cho! Lock the door." You giggled.

The lock of the door clicks, and he impatiently walks over to your room and throws you onto the bed. The way he looked down at you alone was enough to send a shiver down your spine, like a predator with his gaze fixated only on his prey, and nothing else. His eyes alone were enough to tell you how much he wanted you.

Now, the issue was: he didn't have protection. Choso, although lowkey had hopes that tonight would end with a bang, genuinely did not anticipate that you'd actually want to have sex with him. So he didn't bring anything with him.

A gentleman. He was trying to be a gentleman. Though he knew it'd be difficult the moment he saw you.

"Just fuck me raw then," you said as if it was the most obvious answer in the world.

Choso muttered a few swear words under his breath. But who was he to deny you?

Your wish was his command.

A cocky smile tugged at his lips, as he unbuttoned his shirt. Revealing his ripped physique and upper arm tattoos. You could see the way his back muscles flexed in the mirror—which was enough to already make you wet.

You didn’t expect this at all. Then again… it was always the quiet ones.

The way his cock strained against his boxers made it clear just how much he ached for you.

But as he hovered closer, something else hit you: for the first time ever… why did you feel so flustered? Where had all that confidence and boldness from ten seconds ago gone?

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him a little closer.

“I want you to kiss me,” you said, quieter than you expected. A blush crept up your cheeks, hidden under the dim lights.

Without another word, his lips crashed into yours. It was hungry and intense, igniting a warmth within you. His hands eagerly roamed your body, tracing every line and curve, like he’d been dying to touch you all night. Your scent, the softness of your body, it was everything he had been imagining but even better.

He guided you down gently on the bed. The sight of you laid out before him was enough to make him let go of all his restraint, but no, he wanted to savor this moment and take his time with you. His lips wandered, leaving trails of hot kisses along your jawline and neck, while deftly removing the layers of clothing that stood between him and your bare skin.

“Show me how you like it,” he murmured, as he slid down your panties, “I’m good with my hands.”

His words gave you chills.

Maybe you saved an entire country in a past life—whatever it was, you weren’t complaining. You'd hit the jackpot.

You took his hand, placing it right where you wanted it. Guiding his fingers, showing him the pace and pressure that drove you wild. His thumb found your sweet spot, and he gently circled it while his middle finger teased your entrance, making your breath hitch.

"Mm—right there, Choso!" You cried, as your hips bucked up for more. His mouth latched onto your breasts, suckling gently while his free hand continued to explore your body. Every touch, every breath on your skin, was enough to unravel you—and he wasn’t even inside yet.

Pleasure built steadily—warmth tingling through your limbs, wrapping you in heat. True to his words, Choso was indeed good with his hands. His fingers steadily moved in and out, stretching you as he prepped you for what's to come. The sheets twisted in your fists as you writhed beneath him, panting and gasping with each delicious stroke.

"Don't you dare stop," you panted, your body tensing up with the closeness of your climax. "Y-Yes, Choso, right there!"

He applies more pressure to your clit, and quickens the pace of his fingers. "Cum, sweetheart. Let go for me," his voice hoarse with lust and desire.

The tension within you snap. Your back arching off the bed as you cried his name, the release crashing over you like a wave. Your body trembled as you relished the aftershock. Your head spun, like you were on some kind of high.

If there’s one thing you learned from the last twenty minutes, it’s that you could get off on words alone.

When you finally came back to your senses, Choso was hovered over you. A cocky smile plastered on his face.

"That was amazing," he breathed, clearly a little more satisfied with himself.

"Mhm. But now..." you said playfully, your usual boldness returning, "It's your turn to feel good."

You push him flat on the bed and swing your leg over, straddling his hips. His face flushed an even deeper red. You could feel how hard he was beneath you, and the thought of having him inside was driving you insane. Peeling off his boxer, your eyes widen as his cock springs up to reveal a silver piercing.

"You like it?" He raised an eyebrow. Clearly proud of his hidden accessory.

The duality of this man. Who taught him to be so sinfully deceptive?

It was your first time seeing this in person. Your fingers curiously trace from the base of his cock and up to his piercing, touching the piece of metal and the pierced skin.

“Ngh—sweetheart,” he groaned, grabbing your wrist, “if you keep playing with it, I’m gonna cum.”

You hummed and gave him a sly look, grinding your wet core against his cock, coating it with your juices. His tip already beginning to leak with pre-cum.

It felt nice. To feel so desired and understood by someone.

"I want you to cum inside me," you blurted.

Both of you stared at each other, eyes wide. Choso swallowed hard—he swore he was losing his mind. Scratch that. He had already lost it in the car.

He nodded.

His hands found your hips, firm but gentle, as you guided his cock to your entrance—and slowly began to sink down onto him.

"Hah—Choso, you're…" you gasped, struggling to breathe through the stretch.

Choso was pretty sure he had already ascended. Seeing how you were determined to take him, and also focused on his pleasure was the sexiest thing he's ever experienced. Not to mention, he wasn't even fully in yet and he's already about to blow.

"Relax. Take it slow," he cooed, his thumbs gently rubbing circles into your hips. "Just let me know if you want to switch."

You sank down onto him with a moan; the fullness was dizzying, your breath catching as your walls pulsed around him. After adjusting to the fullness, you begin to slowly move, savoring the feeling of how he stretched you deliciously, and the extra sensation of the piercing.

"Fuck, you feel like heaven," Choso sucked his breath in, his grip tightening around your hips.

The bed creaked as you picked up the pace, riding him with enthusiasm. The room was thick and heavy with heady musk, breathy moans, and the skin on skin contact were the only sounds that filled the air.

"T-That's right, sweetheart. Shit—you're perfect. You're doing so good," he was a babbling mess.

"R-Ruin me, Choso! F-Fuck me."

He let out a deep groan, gripping your hips so hard you knew you’d bruise. In one smooth motion, he flipped you onto your back and caged you beneath him. His hands slid beneath your thighs, spreading them apart before hooking one leg over his shoulder, angling you perfectly beneath him. Each thrust sent shockwaves through your entire body.

"Harder, I want it all," you begged. Tears pricked your eyes. Your nails dug into his shoulders.

He gave it to you on command—relentless and deep, eliciting cries of pleasure from you like it was his mission. The friction was incredible, and the piercing only added to the sensation, nudging just the right spots inside, until your whole body tightened, your orgasm approaching fast and brutal.

"Fuck, Choso—!" You shattered beneath him, release washing over you in waves, your vision going white as your body trembled from the intensity.

He followed, stuttering inside you with a low, strangled moan. His hips stilled, buried deep as his warmth filled you. His body trembled against yours, forehead pressing into your shoulder as he tried to catch his breath.

...

You lay snuggled under Choso's arm, neither of you fully having come down from the high—but everything felt… right. The moment was perfect.

Maybe you were the one with the cosmic plot armor. Because how else do you go from slashing the wrong guy’s tires, to finding someone you genuinely connect with, and then also getting the best dick of your life?

This man was almost too good to be true. Surely, he must’ve been written by a woman.

“Be my girlfriend?” Choso suddenly asked.

You were definitely the one wearing the plot armor.

“Yes,” you smiled, looking up at him—and leaned in for a kiss.

---

"So, how did the date go?" Sukuna asked.

"Better than I expected. I'll be seeing her again," Choso smiled.

He was a liar, it was not just better. It was an enlightenment. He might not devote himself to the monastic lifestyle, but you are without a doubt his newfound religion.

Also, he's not about to let his mentor know how he ended up having the most mind-blowing sex on his first date. He highly doubt Sukuna would want to know about his sex life, it'd feel like a coercion more than anything.

By some stroke of luck, you had also agreed to become his girlfriend. Perhaps he saved a country or something in his past life—not that he really believes in those stuff.

"Well, I'm glad it went well, because I have something for you," Jin said, walking in on the conversation with a shit-eating grin.

He held up a small USB stick and handed it over to Choso.

"What's this?" Choso blinked.

"A copy of How I Met Your Mother: Choso Edition. We even added music," Jin said proudly.

"...You're kidding." Choso stared at it.

"We debated putting it on DVD," Sukuna added, leaning against the doorframe, "but figured you'd want portability."

Choso groaned and shoved the USB into his pocket.

Yeah. Life was good.

Writing © xechu - please do not redistribute, translate, or repost any of my works.

I do not own any of the photos used in this banner

a/n #2: would any of you be interested in a playlist for the Cross My Heart au? Let me know in the comments! I appreciate you all. x

[gwenie-creates]

Petals Of Death

A Landoscar FBI Au

(inspired by criminal minds so there will be similarities lol)

TW - this story will contain mentions of r@pe, SA, & descriptions of violence

Chapter One

Oscar really should have known better than to think today might be a good day.

 Not only did his car almost break down multiple times on his way to work but he also got stuck in forty minutes of traffic making him even later.

When he walked into the bullpen of the FBI’s office all eyes turned towards him. Some with disapproving stares while others with mild curiosity or boredom. Scoffing Oscar quickly made his way over to his desk.

What right did they have to judge him!? All they ever did was sit in their office chairs, typing away at their computers while Oscar and his team were actually out there making a difference. 

“Ahmm.” Came a voice somewhere behind Oscar, who quickly whipped his head around, almost knocking over the extremely large stack of files on his desk. Silently cursing himself for being so clumsy. Looking up Oscar realized the “mystery” voice was his boss, Lewis Hamilton. 

“Yes Sir?” Oscar asked, trying to straighten out his suit jacket to look more professional. 

“We have a case,” Lewis said before adding, “And it’s a strange one so prepare yourself.” 

“Of course Sir.” Oscar replied, already mentally exhausted for this case. 

They had just returned from an four day long awful case about a man who was brutally murdering children and mailing their heads back to their parents. The man had been hard to catch but thankfully Oscar had managed to catch his mistake as he was devolving and figured out where he was keeping the children. Oscar even got to make the arrest of the scumbag. 

Sighing Oscar got up and headed to the briefing room, mentally preparing himself for the new horrors to come. 

*** 

“Well looky who we have here.” Max said with a shit eating grin on his face. 

Oscar rolled his eyes at him before taking his seat next to Charles at the round table.  

Oscar cringed internally at where he found himself. He didn’t have any problems sitting next to Charles unlike he did when he has to sit next to Carlos.

The guy has a major attitude problem in Oscar’s humble and completely unbiased opinion.

But being next to Charles consequently means being near Max, which again wasn’t bad in itself seeing as Max was Oscar’s partner but he and Charles were dating so you either ended up in the middle of their “lovers quarrels” or  stuck watching them make heart eyes at one another.

Thankfully they now keep flirting to a minimum ever since Lewis called them out for it when they had accidentally put themselves on speaker while dirty talking. 

Both Oscar and the whole precinct of  Evan’s County Georgia had been scarred for life after that. 

Shaking the thoughts of Charles's “sinful mouth” from his head with a shudder, Oscar focused his attention back on the case they were about to be presented with. 

“Alright let’s get started.” Logan, their media liaison and Oscar’s best friend said. 

“So this one’s a bit of a… peculiar one…” The American said, trailing off towards the end. 

Logan’s confusion piqued Oscar’s interest and he sat up straighter. 

Not that he didn’t always care about the cases and victims but Logan’s hesitancy was quite unusual.  

“Ok so this,” Logan pointed to a picture of a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. “This is Henry Finchmen. He’s a 23 year old university student who was found dead two days ago in Springwood, West Virginia. He had been missing for two weeks and was found near the town's lake with a… flower crown on his head.” 

Logan hesitated before saying flower crown. 

At his last few words Oscar felt his eyebrows furrow in confusion. Sure flower crowns on the victims heads weren’t the strangest thing he’d ever heard found on a victim’s body but it was definitely unusual. 

Grabbing the file in front of him Oscar flipped it open to get a closer look at the pictures of the victims. 

He opened his mouth but before he could speak Carlos beat him to it. 

“It says here the victims were all sexually assaulted but their bodies showed signs of being well cared for.” 

“Yes–” Logan started but was interrupted. 

“Wait victims? As in there's more!?” Charles asked, his eyes wide. 

“Yes Charlie, which you would have already been aware of if you had actually opened the case file.” Max replied with an exasperated but loving smile. 

“Well unlike you I actually like not having nightmares and don’t exactly fancy having any anytime soon.” Charles replied with a pout. 

Max opened his mouth to continue arguing but Lewis interrupted. 

“Guys, let's get back to the case. You can keep arguing on the plane.” Lewis said with a professional tone but a slight smile on his lips. 

“Go ahead Logan.” He said, nodding for the American to continue. 

“Right so there's been four bodies found, each one a male in their early twenties.” 

“Four!? Why are we only being called in now?” Oscar asked incredulously. 

“Because until now no one knew the guys had even been missing.” Lewis responded before continuing, “The bodies only just started showing up over the past two weeks but the first victim's ME report says he died at least four months ago.” 

“Four months ago? What the hell is this guy doing with them for that long?” Max asked in disbelief. 

“That’s what we need to find out.” Lewis replied. 

“Wheels up in twenty we don’t know how long we have until the unsub will strike again.” 

Oscar got up sparing one last glance at the board where the body of Henry Finchmen was displayed. 

The flower crown laying on his curls catching Oscar’s eye once again striking him of the bizarreness of it all. 

It was daisies that sat atop Henry’s blonde curls mocking the innocence the unsub had stripped of him. 

[ldysmfrst]

American Mate (12) - Everyone Deserves a Second Chance

Paring: Hybrid!BTS Ot7 x Plus-sized Human FemReader

Status: Ongoing series

Chapter number: 12 of unknown

Word count for Chapter: 9,975

Work count for Story: 91,306

Genre: Hybrid Playmate Au inspired by works created by @yoongiofmine

A little about the author: I am a mother of two beautiful children, one of whom has special needs, and the other loves everyone. I started a Patreon, and I would be grateful if you donated to help me make ends meet while I am out of work.

Warnings: NOT BETA READ!! This chapter does have pack dynamics, comfort, possessiveness, angst, minor mentions of past trauma, and self-doubt.

BTS HYBRID ANIMAL TYPES: Seokjin - Roan Ferret, Yoongi - Black Jaguar, Hoseok - Marten, Namjoon - Alaskan Timber Wolf, Jimin - Red Panda, Taehyung - White Southwest African Tiger, Jungkook - Flemish Giant Rabbit

AMERICAN MATE MASTER LIST / LDYSMFRST MASTER LIST

Can you do that? 

Can you give them a chance?

Yoongi has more than once said that he would protect you, and now he seems also to want to protect you from his pack if they overstep. Is that something you should be worried about?  Could you really ask him to stand against his pack for you? No, not really.

Then again, they are already protective of you– like all of them. They want others, non-pack hybrids, to know that you are theirs. If this morning was any example of them being protective or possessive, does it get more or less dramatic from here? 

Are they just words they will use, or are they actions, too?

You are special to them. Jin told you this during your non-date date and changed the contract to show this. The rest of the pack seems drawn to you and finds ways to get close to you, seemingly without your knowledge. But oddly enough, you are not offended that they are doing such a thing. 

The bigger question is, what will they show you off as? 

As of right now, you are only you.

You will find your answers over the next few weeks – you have to.

“Prime Alpha? Luna is ready for us to return to the conference room,” Derik informs him with a smile as he takes in the stressed appearance and scents of those in the breakroom. Knowing these Alphas are mated to his Luna calms his heart and his Beta. 

“Thank you,” Namjoon says as he moves to leave. 

Yoongi bolts from the room faster than the rest as his Alpha tries to claw his way out from being separated from you. At this point, he couldn’t care less about following any kind of protocol. His only goal is to make sure you are all right since he was not around to protect you. 

Jungkook flits between wanting to go after Yoongi and wanting to respect his Prime Alpha. Unlike Yoongi, he knows he cannot test Namjoon the way Yoongi, Seokjin, and even Taehyung can. 

“Joonie,” Jin calls, pointing to the fidgeting youngest mate, which causes both remaining older Alphas to smile. 

“Jungkook-ah,” Namjoon says, gaining his attention with wide doe-like eyes. “You can go ahead. Make sure Yoongi-hyung allows our new mate space to breathe. We will follow.”

Breaking into a big toothy smile, Jungkook nods rapidly with his bunny ears flopping along. He takes off down the hall without a glance back, leaving Derik, Namjoon, and Seokjin chuckling. 

“Common, let us go and see if everything has settled with your Luna, Derik,” Seokjin says, taking Namjoon’s arm and pulling him along. He is just as excited as he is worried about the answer.

Walking down the hall, the conference room door is still open, and the scent of vanilla and sweet peas soothes the frazzled nerves of the Bangtan packmates as they reenter. 

At this point, the Director has moved to the head of the table, and Derik moves to an empty seat next to him. Y/n is sitting with Yoongi to her right, Taehyung to her left, and Jungkook standing behind her with Jimin and Hoseok on each side. 

Not wanting to crowd her anymore, Jin and Namjoon return to their seats and smile at the sight of their mates. All of them happily talk together, and all of them touch each other in some way. 

You rest your good hand on Jungkook’s while it is resting on your shoulder as you talk to Yoongi. Yoongi has his tail wrapped around you again but is leaning against Jimin. Hoseok runs his fingers through Taehyung’s hair while listening to him talk about what happened this morning. In the meantime, Jimin is holding onto Taehyung’s hand.

“If I didn’t know any better,” Seokjin whispers to Namjoon. “I’d say she was already bonded with all of them.”

Before Namjoon can reply, Manager Sejin enters the room with a stack of papers in hand, “Well, the contract has been finalized with BigHit, and I have everyone's copy with me. Prime Alpha, do you want me to keep the pack’s contract in the main binder?”

Namjoon’s eyes crinkle into small slits as his posture visibility drops in relaxation as he hears the news. Looking at you after, he says, “You signed.” 

You return his smile; this time, it reaches your eyes as you nod your head, “Yes, Prime Alpha, I signed. I had some worries,” you glance at the three you kept behind, “but your pack is persuasive.”

That breaks the gate for celebrations all around. All you can do is giggle as the group of Alphas acts like clowns with funky dancing, shouting, and hugs.

“Well then, I’d hate to disrupt the mood, but Mr. Gulley and I must return to work,” Director Johnson announces as he and Derik stand to leave. 

You also stand, “Thank you for your time, Director. I will maintain reports to you as required. Also, if the new girl needs any advice or help, please let her know to give me a call.”

“No worries, Luna. She is doing great, but we will keep that in mind. You just worry about healing and seeing where this,” Derek points around the room at the Bangtan pack, “all goes.”

“I think I have no choice but to heal,” you respond, shaking your braced hand at him with a chuckle. However, the look on Derik’s face makes you slightly falter because his eyes are reflective, making you think he is talking about something other than your hand. 

After those two leave, Manager Sejin announces that he has arranged to have food delivered to the pack house soon since it is past lunchtime. This prompts everyone to head out to the vans. 

Like the last time you left the office, you find yourself stuck in the middle, but the whole pack is present this time. Everyone has started talking in smaller group conversations that you end up just listening to, as most of it is in Korean.

One thing is certain: your Korean should improve by the time you finish the contract. The thought causes you to sigh to yourself and catch Jimin's attention.

“You okay?” Jimin asks, coming to walk by your side. 

“Yeah, everything is going to be okay. I’m just realizing that I will need to brush up on my Korean more to keep up with everyone, but other than that, I am actually okay,” you smile. 

“That’s good. You can also help us with our English. Remember, if we are ever too much, which we will be, you can always go to your den. That is your space, and we will only enter if you request us to or if we think you are in danger,” he says with a seriousness that resembles your time with him on the balcony. 

“I will and will follow the same respect with each of your dens,” you smile back.

Exiting the elevator, which surprisingly held all of you, the boys come to a stop. Glances are passed between everyone, and some are glaring at the vans. 

“What’s wrong?” you ask them with a sigh. You hope they are still not holding on to what happened this morning, but Taehyung won’t meet your gaze, and you are pretty sure it is still the issue. “Do you guys still have an issue with James?”

“No, we don’t,” responds Namjoon, to which you raise your eyebrow. “Mr. Green is fine, and we will be fine with him as one of our drivers.”

Sighing, you cross your arms and ask, “So what’s with all the glances and glares?”

“Sugar, the vans only fit five passengers,” Jungkook says as if you should know what that means.

“Yeah, I know. There are eight of us, so we have to split up. We did that before,” you say with slight confusion. “Can we not do that again?”

“What our youngest isn’t saying, Princess, is that everyone wants to be in the van you are in,” Yoongi clarifies, which makes you blush slightly.

“So, what do we do? Play rock, paper, scissors?” you say jokingly. Only they don’t see it as a joke, immediately turning into a circle and standing at the ready. “Wait! You aren’t really gonna do that, are you?”

“To be honest, it is the fairest thing to do,” Taehyung says. “However, I get an automatic seat because I am in service to you, right, Namjoon-hyung?”

“True, he has to stay with you. However, the rest of us will play gawi, bawi, bo, the Korean version of your game of luck. Everyone ready?” Namjoon asks, and everyone nods. 

“Taehyungie, call it out,” says Jimin.

After a hysterical match, your van ends up with Jimin and Namjoon. To your surprise, the driver is James. Before you can say hello or get in the van, Taehyung walks up to James and bows, “I am sorry for my rudeness this morning, Mr. Green. I was not aware of your friendship with Miss Y/n.”

James happily accepted the apology but still seemed stiff around you. You don’t blame him for how things went down. Though, you do hope that he will relax around you again. Maybe he will when he doesn’t have a tiger hybrid looking like he is still about to hunt him down still.

Getting in the van, you sit in one of the swivel chairs, only to be pulled onto the bench seat with Taehyung to your left. Glancing at him, you can see that his face is trying to be relaxed, but the thinness of his lips gives him away. Leaming slightly toward the tall hybrid, you whisper, “Still feeling possessive, Taehyung?”

His eyes widen at your question, “Sorry, I struggle with that often, especially when someone is new to the pack. Are you okay with this? I mean, with me sitting here?”

You glance at Namjoon and Jimin, who are observing. You know, somehow, that if you had a problem with the seating arrangement, either would switch in a heartbeat; however, all three of them are leaving it up to you to decide. It gives you this strange, bubbly feel.

“The driver doesn’t know about the agreement, and even though he signed an NDA, you can never be too cautious, but if you require me to kneel,” Taehyung glances at the open petition, his voice soft as not to carry. “I would kneel as ordered.”

Returning your gaze to Taehyung, you consider his words, slightly surprised that he would still kneel in the van. Apparently, this is going to be a thing everywhere. However, he is right. Unfortunately, some people don’t follow the NDAs, and you don’t know James that well yet. There is no promise that Taehyung’s submissive behavior won't get out to the wrong people.

“No, this is fine. besides, you need to wear a seatbelt.” You agree but decide to clarify: “For safety reasons, I would like to modify the Acts agreement when dealing with transportation. I propose that you sit behind me, and if no seat behind me is available, you will sit on my left. Are the modifications acceptable?”

“As you wish,” Taehyung agrees. His posture remains slightly stiff as he buckles up. He doesn’t think you fully understand your position, but you will in time. 

“Ooohoo, it is always a treat to see a tamed tiger every once in a while,” Jimin smiles, and you giggle. 

Tamed tiger, your ass. 

He is stronger and an Alpha, and nothing is tame about him. Even so, his choice to be put in this position is entirely on him. You are sure there are a hundred different things he could do to get out of having to be like this with you, but for some reason, he didn’t argue about it.

Trying to avoid that thought process, you redirect the conversation, “I told Yoongi that I wanted to get him and Taehyung a bell because they are both sneaky. Jungkook is sneaky, too. If it weren’t for your manager, I would have been so upset with Thumper and Kisa when they hid from me.”

When Yoongi’s nickname is used, Taehyung and Namjoon start chuckling. You get slightly embarrassed thinking you should only use the nicknames when talking with the corresponding person. 

“Oh, don’t mind us,” Namjoon says. “We are just remembering how excited he was to tell us you gave him a pet name.”

“Oh, I am glad he is excited and not ashamed,” you smile, still making a mental note to talk to them about when it would be acceptable to use your names for them. 

“Trust me, Hyung is not one to keep quiet about something he doesn’t like,” Jimin adds. “He can be kind of rude about it sometimes, but he will also apologize right after.”

“Good to know the jaguar is hot-tempered like a normal feline. Gotcha.” You shake your head and smile. “Are you also hot-tempered, Taehyung?”

“Could you not tell this morning?” he snarkily replies.

“Miss Y/n,” Namjoon calls your attention. 

“Namjoon, you are stuck with me for the next two months, and the rest of the pack has dropped the formalities with me, and I with them for the most part. You can too if you want to,” you offer.

That pulls a smile from Namjoon, “I would like that. I do have something that I wanted to talk to you about.”

“Sure, what’s on your mind?” you ask as you sit back in your seat and turn to face him fully, giving the Prime Alpha your undivided attention.

Taehyung has angled himself in the corner while his tail brushes your arm slightly, his eyes also on the Prime Alpha. Jimin has also rotated the chair to face Namjoon as the van quietens. 

“Well… ah… now the contract is signed,” Namjoon licks his lips and glances at the other two hybrids. “You went on your date with Seokjin-hyung. Did you think it went well?”

“Hyung,” says Taehyung with a sneer. “You know it went well. I heard you and Jinnie-hyung talk about it after they got home.”

You put your hand on Taehyung’s knee, which shocked him. You answer, “Yes, Namjoon. It went well. I have never had an experience like that. It was nice to get to know Jin. I am sorry, was I supposed to report that to you?”

“Oh no. You don’t have to report anything like that to me. I was just,” Namjoon pauses. “Y/n, I want you to accompany me tomorrow night.”

“Oh, of course,” you respond, pulling out your phone to enter the request into your calendar.  Part of being a Playmate means that each Bangtan Packmate can request you, and it’s more on a first-come, first-served basis. “What times are you requesting? I think Hoseok wanted to request time tomorrow with some of the others as well, but I didn’t get a time frame from him. Maybe you can join?” 

Looking at the calendar, you notice how blank it is right now. Your life is so simple. Each day is practically clear, but you have a feeling it's about to get filled quickly.

You hear snickering coming from Taehyung before he says, “Hyung, that isn’t how you ask a lady out.”

“Ask out?”  you ask. Looking up from your phone, you see the Prime Alpha, the Alpha Wolf, blushing. Then it hits you. Namjoon wants his not-date date with you to be tomorrow.

“Yah! I was getting there,” Namjoon sighs, flustered with the situation. 

“Namjoon,” you sweetly say his name. “Are you asking me to join you like I did with Seokjin?”

Another sigh leaves the Alpha sitting before you, “Yes, but it would be in the evening. You would have time to spend with Hoseok-hyung in the morning. Maybe.” 

Namjoon straightens his back, causing you to do the same, and looks at you, “Y/n, would you please be my date to the LACMA Gala tomorrow night? It would be an honor to have you by my side to get to know you better and show you to the world.”

“You want me to go to the LACMA Gala? With you? There will be lots of paparazzi there, and it’s a Gala. A huge, fancy, very publicized Gala!” you say with a quickening pulse. While you were ready for another swanky dinner, you were not ready for an event as publicized and extravagant as this. 

After taking your phone and passing it to Jimin, Namjoon holds your hands, sending out his vanilla and leather scent to calm your nerves.

“Y/n, there will be cameras, but there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that would stop me from having you by my side. I have arranged for gowns to be brought to the pack house, as well as make-up and hair noonas to help prepare you,” informs Namjoon without any hesitation.

“Hyung is going to take care of you, Y/n,” Jimin voices. “You will be treated like a royalty. If there are too many cameras for you and it just feels too soon, we can arrange something so you don’t have to walk the carpet. But you are going to have to get used to cameras eventually. It's hard not to when you are around us.”

“Are you sure you want to be pictured with me? Like at all?” you question Namjoon but look at everyone in the van. “I wouldn’t want to ruin your reputation.”

Growls resound through the van, causing you to jump slightly, but Namjoon only holds your hands tighter, “Y/n, I thought Hoseok covered this earlier, but let me remind you… Bangtan Pack does not allow for any self-deprecation.”

Shit. 

“I… I wasn’t. I was worried about Army,” you scramble to cover what you said. “They don’t know you have a new playmate, which may cause a backlash.”

“Nice try. We smelled your scent tinge like perfume when he brought up the fact that it was a Gala, which means you are worried about getting your photo taken, how to behave, or what to wear,” points out Taehyung.

“I know how to behave at a Gala,” you defend yourself. “My mother used to make me go to them all the time. That is the easy part. I was worried about the attire, photos, and Army. I know how much they mean to you all.”

“Let us worry about the fans. I am sure Manager Sejin and PD-nim have a press release ready to send. Our true Army will be happy for us, and those who don’t will have to deal with it,” Jimin adds as if it’s no big deal.

“We have everything covered. We have been working on everything since the day you greeted us, as Hobi-hyung said,” continues Jimin. “Let Namjoon-hyung escort you to the Gala, please?”

You are amazed at the three Alphas' confidence regarding this very public event. More so, the intonation that you are more valuable, maybe more so than their Army, sends a slight tingle up and down your spine. 

“All right. I trust you three.” Focusing back on Namjoon, you smile, saying, “Namjoon, I would be honored to be your plus one at the Gala.”

The rest of the afternoon was relatively simple. Everyone ate the late lunch together and then broke off into different activities. The maknae line decided to play video games while Jin and Hoseok were watching. Namjoon and Yoongi decided to work on new tracks, each tucked away in their respective dens on personal laptops.

You decided that it was a good time to unpack. With everything signed now, there wasn’t this hovering anxiety that they would suddenly shove you out the front door and laugh at you the whole time. 

You left the door open a crack in case anyone needed you or for when they would call for dinner later. Supposedly, Jungkook was to cook tonight. You would have to learn their cooking and cleaning rotations to see where you could help them or squeeze your way into a slot. 

As a child who spent a lot of time alone, you tended to listen to music while doing things. You put on your Pandora, mainly listening to Alternative and American Pop music from your youth and K-pop. 

Currently, you were rocking out and dancing, as much as you could, to God’s Menu between re-folding the clothes you dumped out of your luggage bag Jin let you borrow. 

Unknown to you, Taehyung had lost at the video game and came looking for you since it was his “punishment” to help you. Hearing the music coming from your room, he figured you were relaxing. However, when he looked through the crack in the door, he was just in time to watch your body move to Felix’s part.

It became a mini battle within himself to watch you. 

He loved how your body moved, even when you had a miss-step. Your musicality was pretty spot on, and your voice was cute when you tried to hit the epically low notes for which the typically blonde-haired Stray Kids member was known. 

He knew he could watch and listen to you for hours. However, he was jealous that you were dancing to Stray Kids and now to the song One by Astro. Why were these not BTS songs? 

He wants to hear you sing their songs. 

He wants you to be Army. 

He wants to watch you move to the sound of his voice in more ways than one– preferably while under him.

It wasn’t until It’s Gonna Be Me from N*Sync came on that he couldn’t stay away. He knew this one, and it wasn't a rival K-pop band.  When the chorus hit, he pushed open the door and joined in your dancing and singing. 

“But I'm not like them. Baby, when you finally get to love somebody, Guess what?” he croons along with the boy band and dances his way to you.

“Taehyung!” you exclaim, shocked at the hybrid tiger’s entrance and intense look. 

Pulling you close at the end of the chorus, he looks you in the eyes and sings, “It's gonna be me.”

You would freeze in your step, but the ‘lady’ your mother trained to be kept you moving.

“Keep dancing with me, Y/n. You have great rhythm, and it looks like you know a few different choreographies,” he comments, hoping you will allow him a few more moments of your body moving with his.

“Oh no. I just play around with what I have seen.” Then it hits you… he said a few. Pulling out of his hold, you back up to your phone and pause the music. You look at him with squinted eyes, “How long have you been watching me?”

Biting the inside of his cheek at his misstep, he says, “Just two songs. Astro and Stray Kids. Really? No BTS songs?”

You smile softly, thinking this could go one of two ways. Either he will understand that you do like BTS but that they weren't in your Top 3, or he will get possessive because you’re his Playmate and had better like BTS.

“There are BTS songs. Like Zero O’Clock, Run, ah um… Oh, I have Rainy Days and Arson too,” you scramble to list the titles of songs you think deal with BTS. Silently hoping to mention his song gave you bonus points.

Your response grants you a smile from him, “Alright. One of these days, I want to hear you sing one of our songs.”

“Ah, no, thank you. I don’t sing,” you say as you return to folding clothes. Wait, these look already folded. 

Damn.

“You sounded pretty good to that Astro song. I am sure Eun Woo would appreciate your rendition of his part,” he says, joining your side and looking at the folded clothes.

“Not gonna happen. Like I will ever get a chance even to meet a member of Astro, that is if Astro still will stay together after everything,” you said absent-mindedly, rubbing the memorial tattoo for Moonbin on your arm.

“Are you okay?” Taehyung asks, noting the sadness in your voice and the hint of mold in your scent.

Glancing up at the man next to you, you see the concern on his face, and his ears are trained on you. Smiling through the sadness of the industry's loss of such a talented person, you nod, “Moonbin’s passing still kinda hits me hard, ya know? He was my first bias, I guess you could say.”

Holding back a growl at the idea of you liking someone else as your bias, Taehyung wraps his tail around your thigh to show comfort– not possession. 

While he wasn’t close to Moonbin, they were all acquaintances because Kookie and Eun Woo were close. A death in the industry hits everyone hard because they all know how hard it is.

“Facebook showed me an ad for True Beauty, starting with Cha Eun Woo, which led me to discover Astro, in turn, Moonbin and the rest of the K-pop world. His dancing was on point, his voice soothing, and his looks were unique in their beauty,” you say with a slightly thick voice, holding back emotions because you weren’t lying when you said it was hard. “I wouldn’t know much more about the industry or Korea if it wasn’t for him.”

“When he passed away, a bunch of Aroha designed this tattoo,” you pull up your shirt, showing your side and the purple crescent moon with the Astro band’s star logo.

“That is a great way to honor him,” Taehyung says as he traces the outline, which shudders your body.

Dropping your shirt back down and blushing, you pick up your clothes and put them away. Clearing your throat and changing the conversation’s direction, you ask, “What do you need?”

“Well, you should be sitting and telling me where to put those. Remember,” he points to himself. “Servant for the foreseeable future.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot that part. Umm… well, can you hang those up and give Seokjin the luggage cases back, please?” you ask. 

“You got it, but I think his intent was giving them to you,” the tiger says, moving to do as you requested. 

“Oh, he doesn’t need to give me his stuff. I have a smaller set that I can use for now. If I need to buy something bigger later, I will,” you comment, leaning against the end of the bed.

“Who’s buying something bigger?” says Hoseok from the doorway. “Are we going shopping? You know you need me there if we are gonna shop.”

Coming out of the closet, Taehyung smirks, “Your Doll thinks she is gonna get away with buying a new luggage set for when we move cities.”

You scoff at him. What does he mean you think, you know. There is no thinking going on. 

“Oh, a luggage buy, that is a Jinnie-hyungie department. He likes everyone having the same set in their color of choice. You better talk to him first,” advises Hoseok.

“I am perfectly fine with getting my own. It doesn’t have to match anything,” you grumble to yourself; like hell, you can afford to buy a matching Rimowa set.

“Ah huh, yeah, sure, I will let him know you need to talk, Y/n. I will give these back to him and see if there are any plans for tonight, and then I'll be back. Is that okay?” Taehyung asks, his hands full of empty cases, as he heads to the door.

“Yeah, that’s fine. It’s late, though, so I think I might just get something small to eat and then head to bed,” you say.

“I will tell him you are hungry too,” notes Taehyung, and out the door, he goes before you can stop him. Seriously, you just said you might eat. 

Re-stacking the clothes in the open drawer, your mind wanders off to how you might have to watch everything you say because it seems like someone has something to do with it, no matter what you say.

“Doll?” Hoseok calls for your attention. “Out of all of us, Seokjin is the most caring. For all intents and purposes, he is our Luna, and with that, he makes sure to feed the pack and ensure we have everything we need. That includes you now, too.”

“I know. I mean, like, I know, but I don’t know,” you let out a slight whine as you shut the drawer and walked back to the bed. “I know because I have been told, but I have never had someone who would take that role with me.”

“I am Luna of the pack. I am the friend who stops fights, even if they get physical. I am the one to buy things for people in need,” you tell Hoseok.

Hoseok smiles as bright as sunshine and sits beside you, saying, “Doll, you can relax now. You have seven mates all looking to spoil you silly.”

“Seven mates that are bonded to each other, you mean?” you correct his statement, which causes him to panic internally because he didn’t even notice his slip-up. 

“Bonded or not, you are part of our pack for now. So much so that I heard you have a Gala to attend tomorrow,” he nudges your shoulder with his.

“Yep,” you say, popping the ‘p.’ “Namjoon wants to introduce me to the world.”

“As he should. The Prime Alpha should be the first person to be seen with you in public. It’s his honor to have that privilege,” says Hoseok. 

You nod in agreement. It's odd to think that doing anything with you would be a privilege or an honor, but hybrids have their own culture towards that stuff. 

“I know I mentioned spending time with you and a few others tomorrow,” he says as he puts his hand up just as to snap to him with an apology on your lips. 

“We would still like to spend time with you tomorrow. The team of noonas that will get you ready will come around 11 am so we can have breakfast together and maybe help you prepare for your debut,” he excitedly tells you.

“That would be wonderful. Thank you for understanding, Hoseok,” you say as you lean against him. 

“Of course, Doll,” he says, loosely wrapping his arms around your shoulders, allowing you to pull away if you didn’t want the skinship. When you relax more into his hold, he can’t help but chatter quietly in happiness. 

The rest of the night is simple.

Jin orders food for everyone because you are hungry now and wouldn’t listen to you saying you could have some fruit, telling you that fruit is a snack and not a proper meal. Also, allowing the youngest to cook would “take too long.”

He also makes you sit with him to order a complete set of matching deep purple suitcases. He refuses to let you pay him back, nor will he tell you how much it costs. 

All of Bangtan is amused by your interactions and the thought that you still believe you have any choice in matters involving Jin and his deep-seated need to care for others. 

When you woke up the following day, you found yourself lying on top of Jimin and Jungkook’s body pillows, with Hoseok’s pillow under your head, Yoongi’s pillow between your knees, and Namjoon’s blanket covering you.

You had no idea how you got from where you started to where you were, but someone must have carried you to bed since you last remembered watching some Marvel movie.

Fluffing the pillow under your head a bit, you frown. Something feels off. Maybe you should get your own bedding soon. The ones the boys gave you are starting to feel like they aren’t enough. It’s not that they are flat, but they just feel off. 

It doesn’t surprise you, though. Back at your place, your coat closet is more like a linen closet just for blankets and pillows that Evie’s family and your pack keep rotating in and out for you.

After washing your face and throwing on a tank top with a built-in bra and yoga pants, you start to break down your blanket fort, smelling each one along the way to see if it needs to be washed before you return it.

Knock knock

“Come in, I am up,” you call to whoever is on the other side of the door.

Glancing at the opening door, you are greeted by a sleepy-looking shirtless Taehyung, who zombie walks over to you and promptly falls face-first on your pile of folded bedding.

“Tae, I just folded those. If you are so tired, why are you down here?” you question, pulling some of the blankets out from under him.

“Because a certain rabbit told me my Mistress was awake and moving around too much,” he says, grabbing the blanket and pulling, which effectively pulls you down with it. 

Grappling you like an octopus, Taehyung makes you lay with him. With one eye open, he asks, “Why are you up at 7 am?”

Mind you, he completely ignored the shrieking epp sound coming from you as he maneuvered you to where he wanted you, which caused a stampede of hybrids to come running down the hall. 

Meanwhile, all you could do was try not to die. 

Your mind is short-circuiting at the fact that the stoic, possessive tiger-turned-koala now has his legs intertwined with yours, his nose pressed into your hair as he buries your face into his non-shirt-covered chest. 

“Sugar?” comes Jungkook, leading the mini stampede into your room only to come to a dead stop and get hit from behind by Jimin. Both are now gapping at the image of your entwined bodies.

“What the…” breathed Jimin as he noticed your tank top had ridden up, allowing them a glimpse of your lower back and some purple ink on your right side. 

“You said Y/n was awake, and now I am making her go back to sleep. It’s only 7 am. That is no time to break down a nest,” muttered Taehyung as he attempted to pull you even closer.

“Y/n, why are you breaking down your nest?” asked Jimin, stepping around Jungkook. His eyes take in the almost put-away nest, his memories trying to take over his mind. “Taehyung, who said you could be in her nest without permission, too!”

“Minnie-hyung, it’s okay. She isn’t in trouble. You aren’t in trouble,” Jungkook says, pulling Jimin into a hug as his scent starts souring.

“Taehyung! Let me at least look at them to talk to them,” you command as you try to turn around with your eyes closed while trying not to touch the firm expanse of his chest before you.  

Reluctantly, he loosens his hold and helps maneuver to make you the little spoon and him the big spoon. Burying his nose in the back of your neck and shoulder, he breathes deeply, allowing your sweet pea and vanilla scent to soak in. 

It’s then that he realizes that you have a tank top on. Nothing is a barrier between him and your pure morning scent at your neck. There are faint traces of some of the pack on you from the bedding, but it’s very faint compared to your natural, untainted scent. 

Your skin feels warm against his face and under his arm from where your tank has moved. He melts into that feeling of warmth and belonging. 

You belong in his arms, even if you don’t know it yet. 

“It’s a habit to put away and make my bed every morning, mother’s rules. Well, that, and I figured that you guys might want your things back. I can ask Derek or Evie to bring over some of my bedding or buy new ones,” you say to calm Jimin.

“It is also about time some of it gets washed, Jimin. I don’t want to make a bad impression on you guys,” you continue to focus on the now teary-eyed red panda. 

“You don’t,” Jimin starts before he pauses to wipe his eyes. “Sorry...” he clears his throat. “You can keep your nest up all year if you want to. No one will make you break it if you don’t want to.”

“Oh, it’s not a nest,” you smile and giggle. “It’s just bedding. Like a mountain of fluffiness with amazing smells.”

A low growl from the base of your neck vibrates through your body from the hybrid behind you, “It is a nest.” 

Moving to lean over you, Taehyung pulls you to lay on your back, saying, “You have scented bedding from each mate of the Bangtan pack that you surround yourself with every night.”

Jungkook sits next to your head, looking down at you, “You couldn’t sleep until you were surrounded by us, so to speak. Your instincts only settled once you smelt the pack.”

Your mind blimps out at the mention of instincts settling. You always knew the scents were important to you, but that’s just because you associated them with good things. So, why would the pack’s scents already be a good thing for you to relax in?

“My previous owners used to make me sleep without a nest,” Jimin says. “If I built one and didn’t break it down before anyone noticed, I would be beaten like a misbehaving animal.”

Your heart clenches at the similarities in your history, “My mom always said if you couldn’t make a proper bed, then how could you do anything of worth in a day? She would take a belt or shoe to me until I put it all away.”

As silent tears fall down Jimin’s face, you continue, “I learned to go to bed after she did and to wake up early enough that she would never know that I made my blanket fort.”

Low growls resounded from the two closest to you. 

“No more. If you want a nest, or whatever you want to call it, in your room, you can make one and keep it up,” says Taehyung.

“If you need new bedding because they are dirty or our scents have faded, please let us know. We will give you something else to add to your nest so that you will always feel at ease,” offers Jungkook.

“You could also, I mean, if you wanted to,” struggles Jimin. “You can also use our pack nest. I am sure the hyungs won’t mind. Or we can make a big one in the living room.”

“Jin mentioned you are the one who makes the nests for the pack, Jimin. He mentioned that maybe we could make one together. I told him I didn’t have a clue how to make a nest, just a fort,” you say before a growl interrupts you, but you continue, “but maybe you can teach me more about what makes a nest… well, a nest?” you offer.

“Really? Do you mean it? You want to make a nest with me?” he lights up, effectively melting the three of you on the bed. “I would love to teach you about nests. I haven’t seen yours fully made, but I would love to.”

“Then it is settled. We will make one together soon. I don’t know how late Namjoon and I will be home tonight, so I might not get a chance to make one before I crash out,” you thoughtfully mention.

“We got you. Just show us the nesting materials that need to be replaced, and maybe,” Hoseok glances at Jimin, “Jimin can have a nest built for you when you get home?”

“Ooohh, a personally built nest from Jimin? Why don’t I get that?” whines Taehyung as you giggle. 

“I could do that for you, Y/n, only if you wanted, though. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries,” offers Jimin, stepping closer to the bed.

“I would love to come home to a nest made by you,” you agree with a smile. 

Jimin only responds with a deep blush and a stilted whine, to which Jungkook and Taehyung chuckle. 

Taehyung looks at Jungkook and says, “That’s three times now she has done it.” Both of them picked up on you calling the packhouse “home.”

“It’s instinctual,” responds Jungkook as he leans forward, giving Taehyung a soft peck over you. All you can do is watch, but then you realize what you just saw and look away. 

“Ah, guys, umm... I should get to separating, and oh yeah! Breakfast with Hoseok,” you say as you wiggle your way out from lying between the two lovebirds. 

Standing up, you and Jimin make a lovely blushing pair, you from feeling like you are imposing on the two remaining on your bed and Jimin from the idea that you would love for him to make a nest for you. Taehyung and Jungkook end up laughing even more. The three of them end up helping you strip your bed completely, deciding that the central sheets were too chemical-smelling for them. 

You end up with three piles: those that need to be washed, those that need to be scented, and those that need to be tossed out altogether. Walking out of your bedroom with the maknae line in tow gains you some smiles from the rest of the pack. 

You are immediately brought into a hug by Hoseok, the only one sporting a frown, prompting you to ask, “What’s wrong, Hoseok?”

“I will have to cancel helping you get ready for the gala. I forgot I must go with Jin-hyung and Taehyung-ah to a meeting Namjoon-ah scheduled this morning,” he tells you. 

Pulling out of his hug, you look at the rest of the pack, who all have dopy looks on their faces. “What?”

Yoongi walks up next to you, his tail wrapping around you. “You smell like the young ones, and you let Hoseok hug you, Princess. That is a big step for you, no?”

Your face drops into thought at his comment. 

First, Taehyung grappled you while (and still) half naked, then Jungkook kept leaning against you to grab stuff, and Jimin laid his head in your lap as you discussed why you didn’t like how some of the material felt, hence the toss out pile.

That was a lot of touching. 

Now Hoseok is hugging you, but you don’t pull back until you notice the others watching the two of you. 

“I guess I am just trying to follow the hybrid pack mentality. Evie and Derek are also very touchy-feely. Getting around your idol and bonded mate status takes time,” you attempt to reason out.

“Anyways,” looking back at Hoseok. “I guess then it’s just breakfast with you, Tae, and Jiminnie? If that’s okay with you? It’s almost done. Jin-hyung is making us quiche,” he says with hope.

“Sure! I love quiches. Especially with spinach or mushrooms and tons of cheese!” you say, licking your lips. The action caught everyone’s attention for very ‘innocent’ reasons. “Where are we going to eat?”

“We can eat in the dining room, living room, or one of the dens, really wherever you want to?” offers Jimin.

“Well, I normally don’t eat in bed,” you say, making a few of them give you a shocked look. “Unless it's for a special reason. So, I think that living room would be more comfortable, but what about the rest of you?”

“I am headed to the gym near the guest house with Namjoon,” Jungkook says. “I'm going to grab my towel and meet you there, hyung.”

“I will head to my den and work on some solo stuff. Call me if you need me, Princess,” Yoongi says, kissing softly on your hair before going down the hall with his coffee. 

“I will eat in the kitchen and then get ready for the meeting,” Seokjin mentions as he bolts to the kitchen, hearing the timer.

Watching the pack runoff, you shake your head, “You guys really take things seriously, don’t you?”

Grabbing your hand, Hoseok pulls you to the couch and puts you in the middle, with Jimin on the other side. Taehyung heads to the kitchen to help Seokjin bring out everything.

“With a pack like ours, you kind of need to. I don’t understand how Alpha Seung-Cheol does it with 13 pack members,” comments Jimin. “Then again, they mostly have Betas and Omegas. Maybe it’s easier that way.”

“My Omega, Evie, comes from a pack of 10. They didn’t have an Alpha either, but her dad, Papa Earl, sure as heck acted like one.” Settling back against the couch, you smile softly, remembering the mixed cat pack.

“Besides being a larger pack of Alphas, I will always be serious about spending time with someone I think is worth it,” Hoseok says. “So yes, if anyone had stayed behind, they would have been sent off with orders to practice the updated dance routine or something.”

Draping himself over your shoulders again, he continues, “This is my time with you, Doll. Jimin-ah is lucky to be allowed to join, and well… Taehyung has no choice.”

“I heard that,” Taehyung says, bringing in plates of food. “She could have sent me away if she wanted me to go, but she is the only one who can right now.”

“Thank you, Taehyung,” you say as you accept your plate. “Wahhh, this smells amazing, Jin! Thank you for making it!”

Seokjin carries a tray of drinks as he blushes at your comment, “It’s nothing. I figured this would be quick and easy to make. There is more in the kitchen. I already saved food for anyone else who might eat. Now you all have fun.”

Seokjin follows through with his promise to eat in the kitchen and then go upstairs. No one walks through the living room while the three of you talk about what is to come for the boys regarding the tour. 

Taehyung adamantly chooses to sit on a pillow at your feet and feed you. Hoseok and Jimin tease him for being a ‘good boy.’ You don’t mind; eating hasn't been easy with your dominant hand in a brace. 

However, your eyes keep wandering to his bare chest, and you continuously internally scold yourself for the distraction. He is just helping in penance; it’s not sexual, it’s not flirting, it’s not the K-drama male lead feeding his lover move… it’s not!

Thankfully, no one has commented on your distraction, even though they have all noticed it. 

Taehyung keeps a mask of indifference while feeding you but still attempts to find ways to flex more when you look his way. There is a slight disappointment in your lack of reaction to his physical display, but he thinks you may be more for one to be chased. His Alpha doesn’t mind playing a game of cat and mouse with you– he is a tiger, after all.

Jimin internally laughs at your reluctance to give in and watch Tae’s muscles move with the darkness of his eyes as he feeds you. Meanwhile, Jimin notes that Taehyung is always eyeing your feet when you aren't looking at him, or he is not feeding you. Jimin wonders what color the tiger wants to paint them for you.

Hoseok, on the other hand, attempts to keep you engaged and help you while mentally preparing to scold the younger one for not getting dressed appropriately. However, the tint of arousal in your scent makes him question if he should praise the tiger instead.

By the time you are done eating, your stomach is full, and so is your calendar. Hoseok had noticed that you had not been added to the group calendar or the group chat since the meeting, so he added you to both. 

“Well, Doll, it was a pleasure having breakfast with you, but Tae-ah and I have to get ready for our meeting. We leave in about 30 mins,” Hoseok says, taking Jimin’s plate and nudging the tiger to stand.

“I think Hyung said the team would be here around 11 or 12 to have you ready. He also ordered you lunch,” Taehyung added as he took your plates and his to the kitchen. 

“So, I have a couple of hours till then,” you hmm, thinking of what to do. 

“I could show you the pack nest so you can see how big they can be,” timidly asks Jimin. 

“Oh sure,” you smile at seeing such a precious area. “Hoseok and Taehyung, I am going with Jimin. Have fun at your meeting. I guess I will see you later.”

“Probably not, actually,” Taehyung says with a scrunched-up brow. “I think Jimin and Yoongi are on guard for today, which is one of the only non-schedule things that would take me away from serving you as promised.”

“Yeah. So, Yoongi and I can be around you until the noonas come. When they arrive, we will make sure no one bothers or scents you until you are with Prime Alpha for the date tonight,” informs Jimin.

“Oh, that’s right,” you frown.

“Hey, hey,” Hoseok says, taking your hands in his. “Remember, no one is leaving you behind. We wish we were around you, but this is just something that helps our Alphas. Also, please allow Namjoon to show you who he is.”

“I will,” you smile. “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

You have never… NEVER… seen a pack nesting room that big. Maybe it was because they are all Alphas?  You know from Evie’s family that Omegas can get exceedingly picky about how a nest is set up. So, her packhouse ended up with 4 to 5 nests at a time. 

The other glaringly obvious difference between your ‘human nests’ and a hybrid Idol’s nest was the quality of the nesting material. If you thought the bedding in your room was luxury, then the nesting room was made for royalty. 

There were plans to take a trip to Hastens to pick out new materials for both the pack nest and your human nest. You tried to look it up, only to have Jimin take your phone away. 

Apparently, I shouldn’t waste my time looking because it can only be felt, and he was paying, so picking the cheapest won't work, especially since they don’t have a website and don’t list their prices. It’s one of those places you must reserve and leave your credit card on file to walk through the door. 

While in the nesting room, you respectfully stayed off the actual nesting bed out of respect, but that promptly went out the window when you stood up to greet Jungkook when he entered, and he bulldozed you on it. The excuse is that you can’t plan what you are doing if you don’t know how it feels. 

It was like a cloud and a lot colder than what you were expecting.

“How is it so cold with all these blankets on it?” you asked no one in particular.

“Cooling water system,” replies Namjoon, standing in the doorway in a gunmetal gray suit and tie similar to the one he wore yesterday, but this one just enhanced the colors of his hybrid ears and tail. “Since hybrids run warmer than humans and Alphas run the hottest, they came up with a tube-like cooling system with water that runs under the mattress.”

“Does it only cool, or can it heat?” you ask because you could totally use that in any bed you slept in.

“Y/n, with seven Alphas around, if you ever get cold… I am sure someone would be willing to warm you up,” says Taehyung as he walks into the nesting room dressed in a solid black-on-black three-piece suit. 

You unabashedly trail your eyes over his form. Like you can’t help it, his pants hug his legs almost like skinny jeans but formal. His jacket accentuates his muscular but slim build. 

“I, umm,” your eloquence is astounding. Luckily, a flying pillow from Jimin saves you.

“Yah, you can’t just go around saying things like that,” the panda yells.

Namjoon picks up the pillow and tosses it back on the nesting bed, “Taehyung isn’t wrong though, is he? Tell me which of us would deny a request to cuddle with Y/n to make her more comfortable in the nest.”

“Who is cuddling with my Dear in the nest? I get first dibs,” Seokjin says, wearing his drop-dead gorgeous brown sandstone suit. 

The hell?

When did you walk into a CEO/Hot Professor Fanfic?

You aren’t even walking; you are just lying there… they came to you.

“Sugar, you are starting to smell even sweeter. Are you gonna survive when we all have to suit up for an interview or an awards show?” whispers Jungkook.

Looking quickly at him, you see his face is super close to yours, and your breath catches.

“Yeah, no, maybe. Do I have to be there? I don’t think… won’t I be in the way?” you say again, showing exactly how much you didn't learn much in college, which is why you left.

“Alright, that is enough from you, mister,” Yoongi instructs from the door. “Give my Princess room to breathe. Namjoon-ah, the car is ready to take you to your meeting.”

“Thank you, hyung. Y/n, I will see you tonight. The team will be here in about an hour. I told them to set up between the living room and your room,” Namjoon says.

“Have a good time with our Prime tonight, Y/n. I hope I get a glimpse of you before you go. I missed seeing you dressed up for Jin-hyung,” sighed Tae.

“Maybe one of your guards will grace us with a quick shot, with your permission, of course, Doll,” mentions Seokjin. 

“I wouldn’t mind that. Yoongi? Jimin? Would either of you be willing to do that for your mates?” You ask, looking between the two of them.

“We can try, but we can’t get too close. Maybe we can find a way to do it when you walk to the car,” thinks Jimin aloud. “The open air will help our scent not cling to your dress.”

“Gotta get you used to all the camera flashes before you leave,” Yoongi teases. 

“Oh, that’s right, Y/n. PD-nim sent out the announcement that you would become our playmate this morning. Your director thought it would be best to do it now since the contract is signed,” announced Namjoon.

“So, I have to face the paparazzi, then,” you sigh. “There's no point in trying to skirt around it. All that would do is make me look weak and give you all a headache.”

“You will look amazing, my dear. Now, we had better go. Yoongi, make sure she relaxes and enjoys her time getting ready,” says Seokjin, hooking his arm in Taehyungs and pulling him out the door. 

“Bye, guys. Love you all!” Namjoon says as he bids farewell. You sigh internally, rolling your eyes because you know Lily would faint if they ever heard Namjoon say that.

“Wait for me!” yells Hoseok, running down the hall. Practically skidding to a stop, he pops into the nesting room. 

Yeah, you have Jungkook’s answer. You won’t survive all of them in a suit. You might have gone up in flames after seeing Hoseok in a fire engine red suit.

“Hey, Doll. I just wanted to say… have fun tonight. Namjoon-ah is more nervous than you are. I can promise you that! Bye,” says the marten hybrid, and off he goes to join the others.

You end up staring at the space where he was, flashes of the boys going around in your head with snippets of things they said like “Love you (all)” and “Someone would warm you up.”

“I think we lost her,” Yoongi says, standing closer than before. When did he move?

“Sorry, I was just thinking of ways to… deal with tonight,” you lie, trying not to reveal your not-so-innocent thoughts.

“Ah huh, we are just gonna pretend to believe you on that one,” comments Jungkook as he takes in the sweet tang of your arousal.

Pushing Jungkook away, Yoongi offers to help you, “Come on, I think you have time for a bath. The noonas have some way of washing your hair.”

Taking his hand, you stand up and follow him towards your room, “I already started a bath for you, but I think I may have to add more hot water. Namjoon asked me to use the vanilla bath bomb today. Is that okay with you?”

“Sure, vanilla or jasmine would be nice and calming, but can you put my hair in a bun to stay dry till the team gets here?”

Yoongi nods as you enter the bathroom. The scent of vanilla is light and pure, the tub is filled with bubbles, and some soft music is playing in the background. 

“I put a towel on the toilet again, but Namjoon’s bathrobe for you to use,” Yoongi points to the dark blue, almost purple silk robe hanging up. “As the Prime Alpha, he enjoys when his called upon to smell of themselves and him only.”

“So, Namjoon’s scent is vanilla?” you ask, your brain cutting through all the times you smelled vanilla. You could swear it was on everything, but it was never vanilla alone.

“Not exactly,” Yoongi hesitates to answer honestly because he cannot just say it is the pack's mate scent. If you knew that and could smell it, you were smart enough to know that 1 + 1 equals you’re their mate. 

“The vanilla compliments your natural scent, Princess, and it is considered a pack favorite,” offers Yoongi, hoping that he sounds convincing while putting your hair in a bun. 

Still, considering the different scents you have smelt with the pack, it would make sense that they all enjoyed it. You have also always loved vanilla-scented candles and flavored candies. 

Taking off your brace as Yoongi warms the bath, you ask, “So, I take it after I get in, I won’t see anyone till you and Jimin send me off like parents with their kid going to prom?”

“Prom?” Yoongi questions as he dries off his hands. “I think that is an American thing. But, yes, you won’t see us much until then. If you need anything, you can message the group chat or either of us individually.”

“Thank you,” you say as he excuses himself and closes the bathroom door.  

Stripping down and getting into the bath, you shake your head at the fact that here you are again, in the bath, thinking of how crazy things have been. This time, however, you are not as panicked. 

Well, sorta. 

The contract is signed because everyone wants you here. You want to be here. They feel something special is happening between the eight of you to the point of possible integration. 4/7 of them look damn good in a suit, and you are going to go to hell for your non-good girl thoughts. 

If they keep up the teasing, flirting, and various states of dress (Taehyung’s bare chest flashing through your head), you will have to find some personal alone time to release some of that particular tension. 

Finding that private time when Jungkook can apparently hear you roll over in bed will be a problem. Maybe your bathtimes can be a bit more relaxing…

Oh, who the hell are you kidding? You haven’t been able to get off since, like ever. Toys used to work until you lost the baby. Now, nothing works, just like your ex used to say. 

You are broken and disgusting.

But the honest attentiveness toward you and the heated looks from a few of the Bangtan pack have lit something inside you that you thought had been long dead. 

Maybe you aren’t broken, and maybe you aren’t that disgusting.

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[nightdragon22]

Incoming yap sesh

Heart goes out to my ancient tristamp au that existed because I just wanted Vash and Nai to grow up together and for Knives to find some tolerance for humanity.

That being said, here's my info dump about it.

Anyways, Nai loses his leg during the crash after it got stuck in some rubble and Vash accidentally got it cut off with some shrapnel. Because if this, Nai was forced to be taken in by the same humans that took in Vash, ending up wheelchair bound for a bit. He doesn't trust ANYONE and only really let's Vash near him because of ✨️trauma✨️ (they're trauma bonded and act like a pair of anxious house cats with separation anxiety but they do get better as they get older)

It's a very slow process of getting Knives to trust others. Though it starts with the first successful Thomas hatching in their ship, Vash proudly showing off to Knives and Knives ultimately getting attatched. This is his first "project" he ever has while he waits on a prosthetic to be made. First raising Thomas then breeding them himself, (horse girl /j) which gets him to be more social with certain members of the crew as well as overall opening up to Vash more.

Ludia is the one that approaches Knives about the plants. Vash is a huge help with them but Knives is the one that literally crashed the fleet for the Plants. Working one on one with her and Knives to figure out how to ease up on using the plants powers. This leads to the garden idea.

Once he gets his prosthetic leg, Knives starts helping around with the garden on ship three before moving on to spearheading the project. Vash going in and out of the ship more frequently to help gather seeds and equipment. As well as helping out any nearby Plants so they don't die.

Ehm, anywayssss a lot of story beats in this are more or less the same. Knives still is willing to kill others to protect himself and his brother, the scene where Knives witnesses all those plants dying still happening with minor differences. Aka Vash is actually there to witness the Last Run with Knives instead of showing up afterwards. Knives still still gets to cut Vash's arm off and stays hunched over Vash until one of the ship members they trust shows up to help. Knives caring for Vash the same way that Vash once cares for him when he lost his leg.

They do make jokes about it now that they're older in an "eye for an eye" kind of thing.

So about the bounty, you might me wondering. How are they wanted criminals? Easy.

Knives is still stealing plants but in a "Hey, they're dying/dead we gotta get them OUT". He's also breaking and entering to see plants and repair them, which had led to a growing bounty over the years. Knives is the problem child here as he only has so much respect for humans and is running on the logic of "They can't tell me what to do". He's got Vash STRESSED. Also again uh... he do be murdering people sometimes in self defense.

I just realized how much I yapped so I'm gonna do quick finishing bullet points

- Knives has exactly one friend and it's Milly. She saw him and picked him up by the scruff of his neck and he doesn't have it in him to complain. He's teaching her how to repair plants for them him and Vash aren't around. She just thinks he's neat :)

- Meryl and Milly are on sight correspondence! Milly carries radio equipment while Meryl live reports the danger and escape routes... very usual when you have two twins with a habit of accidentally leveling cities.

- Wolfwood is a bounty hunter still but also a cowboy.... might still in a cult against his will haven't decided yet. (Knives and Vash may have accidentally started something similar Eye of Michael, oops). His goal was too catch Knives and Vash for their bounty but well he really hit it off with Vash. Him and Knives are rivals in a "I don't want you to flirt with my brother" "bet? I'll do it to piss you off now".

AND THATS MY SILLY AU FROM LIKE 2 YEARS AGO FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS

Hope you liked my yap session, I call this the Eden au but name is pending <3. Please enjoy my only doodles from years ago I have left of Nai in this au and his Thomas, Buttermilk

EDIT, HERE ARE MY INFO DUMPS FOR THIS AU - [1] [2] [3] [4]

[cstlji]

friday nights || byun baekhyun

1:34 AM 250424 

word count: longer than i expected

pairing: byun baekhyun x reader (ft. im changkyun)

description: baekhyun ignores you for an entire week, and you don't know why.

genre: bestfriends to lovers!au, jealous!baekhyun, mutual pining, angst-ish, fluff after lmao

a/n: kinda rushed ending (?) lmk if you guys want a part 2 or a longer version!

You and Baekhyun have been best friends ever since you both got stood up by your dates on prom night. You vividly remember Baekhyun's reaction as your dates began making out in the middle of the dancefloor, leaving you both partnerless — and almost miserable. So, you invited him that exact moment to ditch the night and have some fun of your own, basically and invitation to sit on the gutter as you eat your melting ice cream.

But, that was a story for another time - now you’re in your third year of college. Your friendship’s been that long, and you swore, the last time you checked, the platonic energy between the both of you was almost tangible. Although you had a moments when romantic thoughts about him invaded your mind.

You swore it were mere milliseconds, though – and that you didn't think about how his hands could perfectly fit in yours and, how sweet his lips would've tasted like. Nothing of that sort, really. You knew that the both of you were awfully platonic, and nothing more. You didn't want to entertain thoughts of you and him together romantically, because it would never happen. Plus, you went out on a date last week.

You and Changkyun were totally hitting it off. And you would've told Baekhyun about him, but he's been ignoring you for the past 5 days. No calls, texts, nothing. Everytime you'd visit him on his breaks, he's always be out, or busy, or just not in the mood — which rarely happened.

So, you planned to corner him into telling you what's wrong. You really had no clue, but you've got a feeling that it had something to do with you. It was your break, and you checked your phone for Baekhyun's schedule. You both exchanged schedules the beginning of the semester, which is also probably why he'd been successful in avoiding you.

There was an overlap between your schedules. His class would end at around the same time as yours would start. But you were really determined to know what the hell's wrong you could just be late to class for a couple of minutes. And after a long, painful wait — catch him, you did.

He walked out with two of his friends, who you knew as Minseok and Jongdae. It was Minseok who spotted you first. He called Baekhyun and pointed at your direction.

"Hey, Y/N." Minseok waved at you, and so did Jongdae. You smiled and waved back as Baekhyun's eyes widened.

"Go on first, I'll catch up later." He told his friends, his eyes avoiding your gaze. The two walked off after saying goodbye.

"What are you doing here?" Baekhyun held your arm, gently pulling you to the side.

"You were avoiding me for a week, what's up?" You asked, eyeing him carefully. He reached to the nape of his neck. He removed his cap, fixed his hair, and put it back again.

"I... wasn't avoiding you," he said, still avoiding your eyes. You weren't convinced, so you pulled his face to meet yours.

"There, see!" you exclaimed, "you avoided my eyes again. What's wrong, Baek?"

"Nothing," he muttered. He glanced down his wristwatch, and urged you to move. "You're literally five minutes late to your class, get moving dumbass."

"No, I'm not leaving 'til you tell me what's wrong. Is it something I said? or did? Or, like, did something happen to your family? Come on, talk to me, don't shut me out like this."

You were honestly nervous, you feared that the friendship you had would be gone in a blink if you didn't do this.

Baekhyun sighed, and met your eyes. You heart dropped to your stomach. It felt different from his usual teasing glints, there were hints of longing. His eyes glossed a little, eyes bloodshot red. You immediately reached to his face, and his eyes closed and he leaned to your touch.

"Baek," you sighed softly, "have you not been sleeping?"

"Mmhm," Baekhyun hummed, hand on top of your hand on his cheek. "Let's...talk later." His eyes met yours this time.

You nodded with a soft, gentle smile. "Of course. Come over later? Let's watch a movie tonight." Your thumb ghosted over his cheek.

"But that's for Friday?"

You swore you saw Baekhyun frown a little from the loss of touch as you retreat your hand from his cheek, but you decided you were just crazy and that it wasn't like that.

You shrug, hands on your pocket. "We could do it like, two days earlier, it's fine."

"Why? So you could ditch on me and go on a date again?" He blurted out.

You audibly gasp, earning stares from passerbys. Your hand flew to your open mouth. "What do you mean? I didn't ditch you, I asked you if it was okay and you said yes!"

"I didn't!"

"You did! I even have the text messages here if you need refreshments, dude."

"Don't dude me, Y/N," Baekhyun groaned, rubbing his face roughly. It was an a look of frustration, and you felt it was directed to you.

"Is this why you're mad at me? Because you thought I ditched you?" Your voice slightly trembled. Now you were frustrated and confused.

"No!" he abruptly said, "No, I'm - I'm not mad at you, I just, Friday nights are for us," You internally winced, because you took that in way that isn't how friends should take it as.

"And you — "

"Baekhyun-ah!" You both looked at the direction of the voice. It was Junmyeon who called out with a smile as he approached you. "Oh hey, Y/N, what's up?"

You smiled and tried to push the argument you just had at the back of your mind. "Hi, oppa."

Baekhyun sighed, "What's wrong, hyung?"

"I couldn't find Chanyeol, he told me he'd be with you." Junmyeon's lips parted a lottle, "Did I interrupt you guys?"

"Yeah, we're kinda bu—" You interrupted Baekhyun.

"We just finished talking, oppa," you glance at your watch to avoid Baekhyun's intense gaze. "I have to get to class, I'm suuuper late. See you later!" You waved Junmyeon goodbye, and turned away quickly.

You hear Baekhyun call to you as the distance grew farther. You didn't want to lose Baekhyun over a fight like this, especially when you thought of him in a different light yet again.

~ • ~

Baekhyun's heart broke a little as he looked at you walk away. He let out a heavy sigh as he massaged his eyebrows.

Junmyeon noticed. "Are you good?"

Baekhyun looked up at him and nodded yes. Junmyeon was not convinced though, but he decided not to push it. "Come on, let's meet them."

Baekhyun stayed silent. He moved on autopilot, basically just following Junmyeon's footsteps — but not before looking back to the place you once stood at.

The guys laughed loudly in the middle of the restaurant. Baekhyun and Junmyeon settled down, "Did you get food already?" asked Junmyeon.

"We ordered pasta and pizza, you could order more if you want to, though," Minseok said. "It's Jongdae's treat for missing the last get together."

"Nice."

The guys continued to talk, and joke around. Food kept arriving at their table, and everyone dug in except Baekhyun. He was staring at nothing, just picking on his food with a fork.

"Hyung, are you okay?" Jongin nudged Baekhyun. He looked up, and forced a smile.

"Yeah, of course." There was a moment of silence before Chanyeol broke the ice.

"You guys remember Changkyun?” He asked. Baekhyun’s ears perked up, the name was familiar. Too familiar, in fact. His eyebrows knitted tightly, he couldn’t help it.

“What about him?” Sehun popped a fry in his mouth. Lay tilted his head slightly.

“He’s throwing a party tonight, he invited us.”

“What’s his business inviting us? We don’t even know him,” Baekhyun bitterly spat and did not go unnoticed by his friends.

Chanyeol and Junmyeon exchanged glances with Kyungsoo, who sighed and said, “We can just not go, it’s not a big deal.”

Baekhyun just drew a big sigh and ruffled his hair. To say he was pissed was an understatement. He’d been so bothered about you dating other guys, and he hated the fact that he couldn’t even tell it to you directly.

After all, you both agreed on staying strictly platonic after having witnessed your sister and her then bestfriend get married and divorced on the same year.

“What’s with you, Hyung? You rarely act this way,” Jongin asked, eyes full of concern.

Sehun snickered, “He always acts this way whenever a certain someone’s involved.”

Minseok hummed in agreement. Baekhyun groaned as Kyungsoo spoke, “You mean Y/N?”

“Precisely,” Sehun confirmed with a smirk.

“Aren’t you strictly platonic?” Jongdae asked.

“Yes.” Sadly.

“Huh, so why are you jealous?” Kyungsoo asked.

“I am not jealous.” Lie.

“You definitely are.”

“I’m not.” Yes, he was.

“You like her, don’t you?”

“What?” Yes.

“You do!”

“What are you even —“

“Someone’s got a crush —!”

“I—“

“Just admit it, Hyung!”

“N —“

“Baekhyun —“

“I love her, damn it!”

Silence filled the table. Everyone suddenly laughed out loud after his outburst — they knew you got Baekhyun fucked up in the head and they love to see it.

Now, Baekhyun’s admitted it and there was no going back. He had avoided saying it for the longest time for the fear of it “coming true” when he knew that he had no say in his feelings from the get-go.

“Just tell her, confess, do something,” Kyungsoo said.

“That’s easier said than done.”

“Would you rather lose her to Changkyun?” Lay suddenly spoke up. Baekhyun looked at him, and he knew his hyung made a point. He had to do something.

~ • ~

Time went by fast, and it's been two days since you last saw Baekhyun. Still, no calls nor texts from Baekhyun. You were beginning to doubt your decision of avoiding the conversation — you start to think that you should've let him finish talking before walking out like that.

Is he gonna drop by tonight? It's literally friday, its — its your movie night. Or is he never gonna talk to you, and you end up losing the love of your life?

Wait, no. He's your bestfriend, so you love him, right? Its that kind of love that's purely platonic, isn't it? Plus, you had a date! And you totally hit it off, you swore to god.

Okay, maybe you lied. You and Changkyun were bonding over relationship traumas instead of building up a new relationship. You both had a cup of sweet tea, but the conversations you had left a bitter taste in both your mouths.

Changkyun also mentioned someone he liked, and was in fact, asking for advice. That's why you both set another date for tomorrow, solely for the sake of advices. Besides, you also enjoyed complaining to him about Baekhyun's annoying habits that you secretly liked.

You then pace back and forth, probably hyperventilating and on the verge of another panic attack. You bite on your nails as you watched a late night game show, or atleast tried to watch.

You couldn't focus on it. You sat down, your knees bounced up and down. So you stood, but you kept pacing back and forth. And you'd look at the television, but would later find yourself starting at the clock. You were so immersed that you failed to notice the numerous missed phone calls.

Until the door bell rang. You sprinted towards the door, opened it in one motion.

And there he was, holding a bouquet of roses. He offered a sheepish smile, and offered up the bouquet.

You didn't even realize you've been holding your breath 'til you saw him on your doorstep. You immediately engulfed him with a hug, your tears threatening to spill.

He hugged you back as he buried his face at the crook of your neck. You missed his scent, so much.

You pulled away, "I - I thought you wouldn't — "

He cut you off, "Don't go."

You look at him, confused. You wipe your tear-stained cheeks, settling your hands on his biceps. "What? What do you mean?"

"On that date," he said, eyes intensely on yours. "Don't go on that date, please."

"Well, that's for tomorrow still, I —"

"No, you don't understand. I," Baekhyun took a deep breath. "I don't just mean tonight. I mean, don't ever go on a date with another man. Please."

You were speechless as you watched Baekhyun frown in thought, trying to compose what he wanted to say.

“I,” he paused. He looked his shoes, and licked his lips in anticipation. “I get livid when I think of another man touching you, or holding your hands, and the mere thought of you kissing someone else makes me go insane, you have no idea.

“My heart races when our fingers touch, and I can’t help but want to kiss you when you do something childish. Or when you cry because of a stupid movie — I want to grow old with you, sit under a tree and watch as our children run across the fields. I — I love you. For the longest time, I’ve loved you. I love you, Y/N.”

You were speechless and shaking. Here was the man you longed for, confessing his love to you — and you couldn’t believe it. Your jaw drops, and he looked at you with great intent.

“I love you, too,” you said, tears rolling down your cheeks. “You dumb idiot, what took you so long? I kept it all in, I waited for you for so long! I —“

He captured your lips with his in the softest way possible. A moment lingers as he pulled away,

“I’m sorry for making you wait, Y/N. I —“

You pull him back in, deepening the kiss as you hook your arms around his neck — bodies flushed against each other. He dropped the bouquet, and put his hands on your hips, pulling you closer to him.

“Shut up and kiss me, baby.” You said in between breaths and kisses.

[cre8inghavoc]

What are friends for?

Note:

This is my first ever post, so please be kind! I've been working on this piece for a few days, and there will be more parts to come, but it may take some time to complete. The story will also include text messages between you and your friends (SMAU). I'll do my best to maintain a good length for the story, but there may be some shorter parts. Also, I'm new to this, so there may be a few errors, but I hope you enjoy the story! :)

Status: ongoing!!

Updates: Whenever I can, no set date.

WC: 2756

Description: Characters are aged up. Y/N's stuck in a toxic relationship with her controlling boyfriend, feeling lost and doubting herself. Now, she's facing a crucial choice: stay put or find the courage to break free and reclaim her independence. Pairing: megumi fushiguro x FEM!reader

Genre/Warnings: [18+] This story contains toxic boyfriend, cursing, name calling, self-doubt/hate, angst, breaking up, post-breakup, alcohol, drunk moments, new friends, dating!au, college!au, no curses!au, dark humour, dark jokes. SMAU.

Your friends have been telling you to leave your boyfriend for months now. They warned you about him, about his manipulative, controlling, and narcissistic nature, which contributes to his toxicity. They keep pointing out his flaws – how he always wants. No. NEEDS to tag along wherever you go, how he tries to control what you wear and who you hang out with. And don't even get started on the name-calling and arguments that seem to happen like every single day. But despite all their warnings, you find yourself wondering if maybe it's just his way of showing he cares… it was all out of love wasn’t it? If he didn’t care about you he wouldn’t act the way he does… 

Right…?

You're constantly caught in a loophole of conflicting feelings. On one hand, you can't help but notice the red flags they've been waving in your face. But on the other hand, there's a part of you that wants to believe there's genuine love behind his actions. He loves you?

Right…?

Still, you can't help but question: does all this make him a "bad boyfriend"? Sure, he's not physically abusive, but his mood swings leave you feeling like you're walking on eggshells. As you grapple with these thoughts, you can't help but wonder where to draw the line between love and toxicity.

"Y/N!"

You snapped back to reality as Maki's voice cut through your thoughts, finding yourself now parked in front of Yuta's house, a 15-minute drive from your own.

"Are you okay? You've been lost in thought the entire car ride here," Maki asked, a mix of concern and confusion evident in her tone.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was just thinking about the exams coming up," you replied with a forced smile, though it didn't seem to convince her entirely. Luckily for you, she didn't question further. 

You made sure to silence your phone before heading out, knowing the argument that would likely occur with your boyfriend over your plans with friends. It wasn't news to you that he disapproved of your friendship with Yuta and Inukami, despite having plenty of female friends himself. Hypocritical isn't it. But today, you decided to take a stand. You were tired of the never-ending arguments and his controlling behaviour. It felt like you couldn't say or do anything without setting him off, and honestly, you were fed up with it.

You felt it was the right decision, even if it meant facing another argument later. You were determined to spend the day enjoying yourself with your friends, and if that meant upsetting him, then you were willing to deal with the consequences. After all, arguments had become a daily occurrence between you two, so what harm would one more do?

You didn’t quite know where this newfound confidence had come from. Normally, the thought of upsetting him would send shivers down your spine, making you hesitant to go against his wishes. But today was different. You were reaching a breaking point, tired of his behaviour and the constant strain it put on you. Mentally, you were drained. Ever since getting together with him, you'd been affected with a sense of unhappiness, a feeling that even your friends had picked up on. All they wanted was to see you happy again, but it felt like an impossible challenge to break free from his control and spend time with them. He dictated every aspect of your life, and you were beginning to realize just how suffocating it had become.

He felt like a never-ending storm cloud, hovering over you wherever you went, casting a shadow of negativity that left you feeling drained and miserable. It was as if his presence drained your strength, both physically and mentally, until you were left feeling defeated. You knew deep down that the only way to find a “cure” was to get rid of him, but it was far from simple. If it were that easy, you would've done it long ago, at the first signs of trouble.

Believe it or not, he wasn't always like this. That's why you were drawn to him in the first place. But as time passed, things only seemed to deteriorate. A part of you held onto hope that he would revert to the person he once was—caring, supportive, and loving. Yet, as months turned into nearly a year, nothing changed. If anything, it only seemed to worsen. 

Why? Why did he change? Was it something you did? Was it your fault? Did you somehow fall short? He always made you question your self worth. He made you believe that this was what you deserved—that you deserved to be hurt, to be broken. He convinced you that you weren't worthy of more.

You and Maki entered Yuta's house, using the spare key you both had. It was a common practice among your close group of friends; you all had keys to each other's homes. After all, you practically grew up together, so there was nothing unusual about dropping by unannounced.

Inumaki and Yuta greeted you warmly as you entered the living room, where they were too focused on a video game. As the hours passed, laughter filled the room, followed by playful teasing and occasional cussing at each other due to the intense gaming moments. You all talked about life, ate your favourite meals, and for the first time in a while, you felt a sense of happiness return. It was as if you were reconnecting with the positive, joyful version of yourself that had been buried beneath the weight of recent struggles.

"I'll be right back! Just need to use the bathroom," you announce before grabbing your phone and heading off.

"Do you want us to pause the movie?" Yuta offers, showing his consideration for your absence.

"No, it's okay! Keep watching, I'll be quick," you assure them with a laugh as you slip away.

Time flew by, and before you knew it, it was almost 9pm. Your peaceful day took an abrupt turn when you saw multiple missed phone calls from no other, your loser of a boyfriend. 

**5 MISSED PHONE CALLS AND MESSAGES BETWEEN Y/N & BF**

Luckily, Maki, Inukami, and Yuta were too engaged in the movie to notice your lengthened absence. However, tears welled up in your eyes as you read the messages, feeling the weight of self-doubt creeping in once again.

"I’m just a bitch. That’s all I am. I'm nobody," you muttered to yourself, your eyes red as you struggled to contain your emotions. You couldn't afford to show weakness in front of your friends. This shouldn't affect you, you reminded yourself. You knew this was coming, so why did it hurt so much?

Knock Knock

A knock on the bathroom door interrupted your thoughts. "Hey, Y/N. You okay in there?" Maki's concerned voice broke through your internal chaos.

Fuck.

Of course, Maki sensed something was wrong. She had picked up on it the moment she picked you up. She wasn't one to pry, though. She respected your privacy, and if you didn't bring up the issues first, she wouldn't force them out of you. That's why you cherished her friendship so much—she was the best friend anyone could ask for.

You wanted to tell her, you really did, but you knew all too well what her response would be, and frankly, you didn't want to hear it—not today. All you wanted was to be with your friends, to immerse yourself in their company and forget about your troubles, if only for a little while. You didn't want them worrying about you or your mental state. So you took a deep breath and plastered on a smile, hiding all the negativity like you always did.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was just on the phone with my mom," you said, forcing a smile as you opened the bathroom door, only to be met with Maki's skeptical expression. Her raised eyebrow spoke volumes, questioning your excuse without saying a word. But she didn't press further. Instead, she offered a soft smile and placed a comforting hand on your back.

"You're missing the movie. We decided to pause it when you didn't return after five minutes. Come on, let's go," she said gently, leading you back to the living room.

You both made your way downstairs and settled back onto the couch, resuming the movie with the others. After a few minutes, Yuta stood up from his spot and took a seat beside you, leaning in closer to whisper in your ear so only you could hear him.

"Hey, I know you haven't been feeling your best lately, and I understand why... But I want you to know that you can always talk to me. To us. We're here for you, no matter what." he whispered, his words causing your heart to stop for a moment. A soft smile spread across your lips as he leaned back, his eyes meeting yours with warmth.

"Thank you," you replied softly, leaning your head against his shoulder as the movie continued. Resting on each other like this was a familiar gesture among your group—it was something you all did since childhood, a sign of trust and comfort. So when you leaned on Yuta's shoulder, it wasn't a romantic gesture—it was more like seeking comfort from an older brother figure. Your friends have always been there for you, caring and supportive, much like older siblings would be.

Finally the movie finished, with the time now showing 11:16pm—it’s very late, thank god you guys had no classes scheduled for the next two days.

"It's getting late, Y/N. Are you ready to head back?" Maki asked, her expression soft with concern.

Before you could answer, Inukami jumped in with a hopeful tone, asking if you guys could stay a bit longer. You could tell he was really loving the reunion, bringing back memories of all the fun times your group had shared in the past… just like before you got into a relationship. 

"Yeah, come on, Maki and Y/N! We haven't had this much fun in a while. It feels good for the group to get back together again," Yuta chimed in, his gaze shifting between Maki and you. The collective attention turned to you, though you knew it wasn't intentional—they subconsciously understood that the decision rested with you, or rather, with your boyfriend's expectations.

Even though it was late, the idea of going home to an empty house, knowing your boyfriend would be out, doing who knows what, filled you with dread. You knew it would only trigger more overthinking and anxiety so with a reassuring smile, you decided against it. Tonight, you didn't feel like going home, and that was perfectly okay.

"Fuck it," you thought, smiling back at them. 

"Why don't we have a sleepover?" You ask, breaking the silence. Their eyes widen in shock, the suggestion catches everyone off guard. It's been a while since the last sleepover, back before you started dating your controlling boyfriend. They've tried to organize some since then, but you always declined, due to your boyfriend's disapproval.

Of course. Typical.

Their initial shock quickly turns into smiles and nods as they exchange glances before turning back to you.

"Let's do it!" Maki says with excitement.

All of them cheered in excitement, and the lively conversation continued throughout the night until exhaustion finally led to all of you drifting off to sleep on Yuta's spacious and comfortable couch. Despite the cozy setup, you found it hard to sleep as your mind continued to race, clouded by thoughts of him once again. Unable to find peace, you quietly slipped outside to the backyard, just to get some air.

Yuta awoke shortly afterward, noticing your absence. He got up from the couch, careful not to disturb Maki and Inumaki and began searching the house, half expecting to find you sleeping in his room. But you weren't there. He started to slightly panic as he considered the possibility of you leaving without informing anyone. How did you get home? Was something wrong? Why would you leave without saying anything?

As his mind rushed with worry, Yuta made his way to the backyard door and spotted you sitting on the stairs. Leaning against the door frame for a moment, he gathered his thoughts before joining you outside, silently taking a seat beside you.

"Hey," Yuta says as he settles beside you.

You jump at the sudden sound, caught off guard by his unexpected presence. "Omg, Yuta," you playfully shove his shoulder, "don't sneak up on me like that."

"Sorry," he chuckles softly, "didn't mean to scare you."

"What are you doing out here this late?" he questions.

"Couldn't fall asleep so I decided to get some air."

"Something on your mind?" He asks with concern.

I smile at him. "No."

"Come on, Y/N. I've known you for years; you think I can't tell when something's on your mind..."

You both sit there in silence for a moment before he speaks up again.

"Is it—"

"Mhm. But I don't want to talk about him. I'm here with you guys today, and that's what's important. Not him," you state, trying to change the conversation away from your boyfriend.

Yuta gives you a reassuring smile and nods, but then an awkward silence settles between you. It's unusual; conversations with your friends usually flow effortlessly, so why does it feel so difficult now?

After a moment, you decide to break the silence.

"Yuta..." you begin hesitantly.

He meets your gaze with a soft look. "Yeah?"

"I'm thinking about breaking up with him, you know," you confess.

Yuta's eyes widened in shock, a spark of excitement shining in him. As your best friend, he genuinely cares about your well-being and wants what's best for you. They all do, and they know that leaving your boyfriend will bring out the best in you, bring back the real you.

"Really?! How come... I mean, I already know why, but I'm just curious after all the times we've mentioned it to you, you never really pa—"

"Yuta," you interject, giggling at his enthusiasm.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking, and being here with you guys today reminded me of the times we used to have together before him and I got together. And honestly... I haven't felt happier and more relaxed in a long time until now. It's like when I'm with you guys, I'm constantly smiling, laughing, talking, and I never feel judged. But with him, I feel so... miserable. I don't even remember the last time he and I actually talked and had a laugh together. It's always arguments, and he's the one who always starts them over nothing."

Yuta places a comforting hand on your shoulder and gently wipes away the tears on your face. You hadn't realized you were crying. You tried your hardest not to cry for months, but while telling Yuta how you felt, you couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Shhh... it's okay, Y/N. I'm glad you feel like yourself when you're with us. You deserve so much better than that jerk," he reassures you, his words bringing a sense of comfort.

He never fails to make you laugh.

"Thanks, Yuta," you say gratefully.

"Hey, what are you guys doing outside?" Maki and Inumaki mumble sleepily as they stand at the door.

Yuta grins mischievously and glances over at them. "What's with that ugly grin?" Maki jokes, prompting laughter from everyone.

"MAKI!" you all shout in unison, teasing her.

Yuta can't contain his excitement any longer. "Y/N is planning on breaking up with her boyfriend!" he blurts out.

If Maki and Inumaki thought they were awake before, they're definitely wide awake now. They exchange shocked glances between you and Yuta, repeating the gesture several times. You can't help but smile; despite the gravity of the situation, you feel a sense of pride. Proud that you've finally gained the courage to do something you've been wanting to do for months.

"You're not messing with us, right? Because I swear to god Y/N, if I find out yo—" Maki begins, her voice tinged with concern.

You cut her off before she can finish her sentence. "I swear I'm not messing with you guys. I'm going to do it tomorrow night."

Yipeee!! Go Y/N!!! finally we've all been waiting for this moment.

im currently working on the next part so please be patient!

Also, thank you so much for reading!

[meowmoew3]

STRANGERS AGAIN - singer au!

choso kamo x reader - satoru gojo x reader implied throughout. 𝜗𝜚˚⋆⭑

ON HIATUS!!

"I don't wanna be your dirty secret, I don't wanna be your love affair.." ღ˚｡⋆

⁀➷ In which uprising singer y/n l/n is hidden in the dark by her current lover, Satoru Gojo. What happens when she decides the lingering kisses in the dark and only being able to say I love you in whispers, is too much? Her friends all tell her to call it off, get it over with, find someone who will show her off. When she doesn't listen to them and decides to get started on her new song, Please Please Please, will her producer, Choso Kamo, get tired of this and admit he has a crush on her? Or will he allow her to spiral deeper into Gojos life? Maybe sweet y/n is already getting tired of meeting him at the back door and getting used to meeting Choso at the front..

       ˙✧˖°˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧✧˖°˙·

˙✧˖° S T R A N G E R S A G A I N  ༘⋆｡˚

CHAPTERS

0. interlude : MASTERLIST

ACTION! ˚⋆⭑:: Kissing In the Car

interlude : After Dark

CUT. // take my jacket off

PAUSE.. // No Need to Show Off

ACTION! ˚⋆⭑:: I love you..

CUT. // only in whispers!

ACTION! // Confession: A Dirty Secret

PAUSE.. // Love Affair..?

interlude : Favorite Person

ACTION! // Sweet Escape!

CUT. // "We're just best friends.."

PAUSE.. // PARTY TIME!!

interlude : lover undercover

ACTION! // Confession: Is It Me?

CUT. // Other Girls?

interlude : hit me up!

CUT. // Craved Attention

interlude : tired.

PAUSE.. // I don't wanna say it in whispers anymore.

ACTION! // Dirty Secret

ACTION! // love affair 2x

PAUSE.. // lover undercover

CUT! // STRANGERS AGAIN

interlude : stranger.

#BREAK ROOM!⭑─

 i used to write fan fiction in 2021 so im excited to get back to it.. im honestly not that good of a writer but i try! break rooms will not be edited or proofread so.. accept my bad writing here. feel free to give me feedback and suggestions for this story because i have no clue where this is going. ill try to update every few days, or week.. but def frequently!! depending on how this does idk how to work this website so im learning as i go!! THINGS UNDER THE CUT ARE CREDITS/RULES/ETC.

CREDITS ⭑─ 

Inspired by Strangers Again by Olivia Rodrigo

please do not copy, translate, or reupload my work to different platforms. I do not own music, photos, or characters used. Things written in quote ( that isnt a character talking ) does NOT belong to me, I am not claiming to own any of it.

RULES ⭑─ 

Honestly there are no rules.. but try to keep it positive. Idc for mdni but small warning, i am not responsible for what you see on social media. if you see something you dont like please scroll it is not my responsibility to tell you who and what to interact with.

ETC! ⭑─ 

Hehe promise im a fun person im just trying to get these points across.. ill prob edit this better later! should i make a taglist? if so 50/50 open!! gonna make my masterlist and what not soon. also this will be available on ao3 soon!!>o<

[reinafish]

Guys this AU I literally just created has already infested my brain. I must yap my extremely vague ideas of it.

It’s a horror AU so uh… warning for that kind of stuff? Also another warning for this being the goofiest AU ever (and its still a WIP so a bunch of things could change and I still actually do need to add more- so don’t take any of this as if it’s gonna stay in the AU forever)

Ok so when I normally think about this AU, I think of RPG/Visual Novel-styled games? Or like Undertale? Yk what I mean. I’m taking some inspo off of Mad Father, Mario The Music Box, etc too. So if you see me describing anything like it’s a video game (saying “you as [character]”, etc.) that’s why😭 this most likely won’t be made into an actual game sadly </3

I barely have a plot for it rn, I just know they get teleported to some other dimension thing? and there’s a mansion (obvi) they have to escape ?? But I do know what happens to some characters (Like Amy :D)! I’m thinking of maybe some unexpected ones could team up (because, if you didn’t know, I have a this weird obsession with rare character dynamics and relationships) like Tails and Blaze? Because you barely see them together.

I don’t know all the characters that are gonna be in the AU yet, but I’m thinking of Sonic (WHICH ISN’T DEAD OR EVIL FOR ONCE IN A HORROR AU! LET’S GOOOO!!! He suffers with his friends instead of making them suffer himself), Tails Doll, Amy, Knuckles, Blaze, Silver, Shadow, Rouge, maybe even Cream?

I only have some characters sort of planned, so I’ll be talking abt those.

Sonic:

Señor Trauma

He cries has a panic attack and a breakdown (all in separate moments) for the first time in a while lmao

Amy:

Here’s Amy!! We all know and prolly love her!<3 They all have different designs in this btw, so-

Anyways, I know at some point she’s left alone, possibly abandoned (that’s what she assumes anyway) in the garden after choices you make as another character(probably Sonic) (jk cs this isn’t a video game but i did explain this at the start), and since I hc her with AMAZING abandonment issues…❤️

Of course there’s monsters and entities in this, so one of them possibly takes control of Amy? Or tries to, until YOU, AS SILVER, GO TO THE GARDEN AND FIND HER!! There, you’re left with a choice (a bunch of stuff happen prior to this btw, this isn’t at the start of the story):

(Also yes that’s a timer, every second the more red and shaky the screen gets lol. Why?? BC ITS COOL AND STRESSFUL) AND YES. THIS MONSTER/ENTITY/THING IS FLOWER THEMED. AMY ROSE-

Ok uh, if Silver does save her (he has to fight obvi, it isnt that easy), he takes her and they escape to another part of the area? Map? Wtv I call it. And when they can finally take a little break for once, they talk (kind of- Amy’s been quiet (traumatized gal)):

So, uh, yeah. Heavy traumatized now so (also a lot more clingy). ANYWAYS, SILVER AND AMY ARE A DUO IN THIS NOW!!<3

I don’t have much else for her now, so let’s go to Silver ??

Silver:

My proudest drawing of this so far💖

I guess he got transported with the others to this dimension. Yeah- he hurts his foot somehow, not sure how yet. Definitely from an entity tho.

First thing he does it try to find if anyone else is here. So… he does just that. He enters the weird giant ahh mansion infront of him and calls out for anyone. He explores a ton, finding important objects, a weird doll that looks oddly familiar which he decides to just ignore and leave there, and also hurts his foot as yk- He does reunite with Blaze for a moment, though they’re immediately separated by obvi another monster.

He gets thrown back outside the mansion, into the garden. In that garden? Well yk what he finds😭

Blaze:

Fun fact: it was this doodle that started this whole thing !!

Also dont have much for Blaze, but she’s the first I doodled so I’ll be trying to make stuff up abt her in this (maybe on the spot even)

She’s confused why she can’t teleport back to Sol or anywhere else. Or why she can’t escape this mansion-place-thing. Actually they’re all confused abt that but wtv- Using her pyrokinesis, she can light torches and other things so she can see in darker areas. She can also just light her hand up too, but this takes energy from her ^_^

At some point, she reunites with Silver!! Then they’re separated by another monster. He was thrown into the garden, while she was thrown into a dark room.

In that room, she finds a doll. It looks a lot like Tails for some reason…?

She’s weirded out and judging it (I would too)

If she grabs it, she notices how real it feels? Like it actually feels like Tails… which is creepy. SUDDENLY IT TRIES ATTACKING HER (LOL?) BUT—

—before she has time to process anything, Tails pushes her out of the way (she notices his ear is missing) and points his arm cannon to…

….whatever that is.

Am I being cringy? Yes. Do i care? …honestly kinda, yeah- but I’m not gonna let myself do anything abt it

I don’t have much else with her. They fight it and become a silly duo and uhhh yeah-

Cream:

No art yet, but she’s definitely appearing now. Uhh I know she find the doll (btw I’m refusing to call it “Tails Doll” bc THEY’RE NOT THE SAME! I PROLLY SHOULDN’T HAVE CHOSEN TAILS THEN BUT IDC..) at some point and it tricks her into thinking it’s good. So like she drags it around while she explores, trying to find Amy or anyone.

Uh

This is a horror AU someone has to die right—

Idk if I’m killing her off or not but I might??

If she doesn’t die then atleast she’ll be dead inside /silly

Tails:

Also no art yet (other than the one with Blaze I already showed), but basically he was with Sonic when they entered. Bunch of stuff in between happen, they get stuck in a room, Sonic watches the monster-thing literally rip Tails’s ear off and make a fking doll out of it bc it was feeling a lil quirky (well they do get quirky at night /ref), Sonic then believes Tails is dead, meanwhile Tails literally tried escaping and ended up all the way on the other end of this giant goofy mansion—

Uh I don’t have anything else oop.

I HIT THE IMAGE LIMIT FUKKCCKCKKK uhhh there wasn’t much else to add tho sooo? Yeah?? Hope u like it bye. Reminder this is still a WIP and stuff will most likely change— ^_^ (I AM EXTREMELY EMBARASSED ABT THIS IF YOU COULDNT TELL.)

I’ll just add the rest of the images in an rb

[basedonconjecture]

Six Song Soundtrack

I was tagged by @mythals-whore! Not me being so excited to do this and then agonizing about it for days instead 💀

I’m also tagging @thedissonantverses, @rat-spit-village, @introvertedfangrl, @complikatedd, @mercars-musings, and anyone else who wants to and hasn’t been tagged :)

Rules: make a post with links to music and/or lyrics describing six things/events about your OC/story.

These are in no particular order bc I can’t be arsed to figure out priority

1. Notre Dame - Paris Paloma

I rarely go down there / the view's just so beautiful from here / and I can see everybody at their worst points / … / I'm not a higher power / I just live in the ceiling / cause I'm lonely on the fringes / and it gives my life some meaning in the exile / in my exile

This is like…almost too literal for Selora tbh. It’s mostly speaking to the disconnect between her and most people around her. And, at the same time, her version of running away usually involves finding the highest place to climb to (roofs, rafters, attics, etc.) because up is the last place anyone looks 👀

2. Scar Tissue - Moselle

hit hard and ask about the bruise / looks so out of place on a pretty girl like you / low bar but really what's the use / collect the reddest flags / to tie into a noose / … / it's like I'm running / after something / but it doesn't beat my pace / I don't think that it's a race / I think I'm in it for the chase / … / speak up they call it attitude / impress and it makes em' act a fool / praise the ways that you're breaking all their rules

This is probably the closest to her theme song (if someone else me was choosing lol she’d never be this honest even if it’s trueeeee) but it’s more true pre-Veilguard than after because she does grow a lot over the course of that. This is Opportunity era Selora for sure tho iykyk 🤷‍♀️ There’s also like a ton of lyrics in here I could have pulled for her to ahahahaahaha my poor bb.

3. Ready - Hael

ready, set, go / gas to the fire / push a little farther / jump a little higher / fast, not slow / watch me taking over / running right beside you /feel me moving closer / ready right now / paid my dues / standing in your shadow / give me all the power / something to devour / don't let yourself get jealous / it will kill you if you let it

If there existed a Karate Kid-style training montage of her from fledgling to, say, the night she took out the Antaam unit before everything went off the rails, this would be the song set over it. It also would for sure be on her workout playlist in a Modern AU. She’d also probably choose it as her theme song if she had the choice—but she does not :)

4. Take - The Rigs

hit the dirt / stand up and do the work / stealing the devil's purse / this is your lot / quench your thirst / you've got to get there first / no time to question worth / dreams can't be bought / … / heroes rise / legends were born to die / you'll live through the words they'll write

This song is most representative of like the little interior voice narrating her thoughts lol the rhythm of it too is very much like a marching cadence which I think is pretty indicative of how rote some of the things she tells herself really are. Like bbygirl barely even believes these things she says to herself to make any of it worth it but she keeps saying them 🥲

5. Will You Follow Me Into the Dark - Klergy

This one is less for the lyrics and more for the vibes. There’s a turn in Per Essere Veri currently planned for around the 75% mark (which I can say bc none of you know when or where that’ll be) that this track plays over in my brain. If you’ve been here awhile, you might have seen me also attribute this song to Sel & Viago. That remains true and the only clue I will give you <3

6. Picture You - Chappell Roan

Listen, the time between the almost kiss and the lock in was a rough time. That’s all I’ll say. White-knuckling her way through being v Normal and Totally Unaffected and wow the world is possibly ending and we’re spending that time yearning for someone unavailable? Embarrassinggggg. Will go to her grave with the secret of how she got through it djsjsjsjdha

[fishymom-art]

So I have her pre corrupt form drawn already, and I was gonna wait until I made her corrupt/dejammed forms, but I don't want this ask to get too long 😭

Here's her pre-corrupt form, since in the main timeline I have her in, she was the only not corrupted Beast. But I also very much enjoy the timeline where she Is corrupted, especially since Rose Water exists there :]

Anyways, long story short, after she was corrupted, she took justice into her own hands, deciding that all Cookies were full of sin and all deserved to crumble, so she basically became a nihilist. She adopted an 'eye for an eye' type ideology. You steal something, she'll have your hands cut off before executing you, etc. Even thinking that the Witches themselves aren't above judgement. She holds herself and the Beasts to the same standard though, thinking that their all deserving of crumbling as well. Even Shadow Milk, who she was closest to out of all the Beasts. I can imagine them having a mega fallout after their unsealed. In my mind, Shadow Milk goes to her, and she treats him harshly, which gets harsh anger from him in return, and then she straight up denounces him and any scrap of friendship they had before. Calling him the weakest of the Beasts, etc. I can imagine her denouncing the idea of redemption, and being 100% willing to crumble rather than that. But I can imagine maybe Smilk doesn't give her a choice. Either out of initial spite of not letting her get what she wants, or a small reluctant scrap of him that doesn't want to see her crumble, or maybe both. I can imagine Rose Water immediately jumping to help her with her redemption, since, Paragon of Redemption. Hes a Cookie that believes anyone can change, that nobody is past redemption, even someone like her whos committed *many* atrocities. (I can also imagine him showing a lot of kindness to the other Beasts if given the chance.) So, he'd be the ancient shes assigned to. I can imagine her being assisted by Rose's royal advisor/royal wizard, Peppercorn Cookie, who Rose successfully redeemed. He would 100% be a snarky little shit to her, especially considering I imagine her MEGA traumatizing Rose, but that's a whole other story/yap and I feel like this is already long 😭 But I can imagine him having reluctant faith in Rose's judgement, being willing to trust him, since for lore reasons, he would trust him with his life without question, no matter what he says or does. I can imagine Rose and her having hour long debates that don't really go anywhere at first, having philosophical conversations about morality, principles, beliefs, what is truly right and wrong, etc. But Rose is patient with her, and isn't really all that uneased by her philosophies at this point in his life, since he's seen a Lot, and has already seen the depths of her darkness. So he goes into their conversations with an open mind (and a pot of tea and food so she doesn't Starve), and tries to get to the root of why she believes all these things, how she became the way she is. I can imagine him taking a similar approach with the other Beasts as well, if given the chance. Looking past their actions (though not ignoring them), and trying to figure out why they corrupted in the first place. Not being pushy, just lending an open ear if they want it. (And possible snacks.) She also has her minions/helpers, Black Cherry Cookie and Maraschino Cherry Cookie, who would absolutely not be happy about this at all, but would still be loyal to her. I can imagine them both needing to be imprisoned as well, since they would 100% try to break her out. Their her 'executioners,' so you can guess that they are absolutely Feral. Anyways, I have a lot I could say, but this has gotten LONG. I hope you enjoy the info dump lol, I love my nuggets :] And your Dejammed au has given me a LOT to chew on in my brain. I'll definitely send in her corrupted/Dejammed appearance when I've drawn them!!

WAIT HOLD ON I LOVE HER!!! She looks like a starry sky but a cookie, she’s beautifuuuuul

And the LOREEEE

Mate, this is a BANGER!!!

[snek-panini]

Binderary Book #3 is at last photographed and ready to share. This is Someone, a Good Omens human!au by Diminua, in which our favorite angel and demon are lonely and both turn to a matchmaking service to solve this problem. It sounds like a comedy but it isn't particularly, it starts off very lonely and a bit melancholy before they get a very quiet and beautiful happily-ever-after. As I told the author when I asked to bind it, it lives in my brain and radiates comfort.

I wanted to give it a binding that reflected the sort of classic romance that I feel is present in the story. I used a brown faux leather from Neenah Papers that's much darker and nicer than the faux leather I'd been using previously, though once it's on the book it looks a bit strongly like a bible cover. That's not so bad for a Good Omens fic though.

Have a look under the cut for detail shots; I feel like this one rewards a closer look.

For the title we have gold foil htv. The author's name was supposed to go under it, in slightly smaller text, but it proved too great a challenge for my Cricut with this swirly font and the machine ate it.

The floral strip is a piece of chiyogami that I got in one of Chibijay's scrap packs. It's cream with gold flowers printed on it, which just screams "wedding" to me. There's a vivid moment in the story where they go to a flower market to pick out what they want for their ceremony, and I thought this was a nice echo of that. I was torn on this bind by wanting to do an accent strip (the way I usually do them, with the end hidden under a different material that covers the spine) and wanting to do a full leather bind since it's been ages. I've done some full cloth recently but the last full leather was a year ago. The compromise I reached was to cut that little point in it and embed it into a cutout to protect it. It went well, though there's a bit where it wraps around the edge and the leather tore so I had to patch it. It's not noticeable unless you're looking for it, so I'm calling it a win. And I love it, it looks like no other book I've made and it's perfect.

Top view, with premade end band. I would have loved to make custom ones but the book's too skinny. The gray ties in well with the endpapers though. The endpapers are a printed lokta that I got at Blick a while back without knowing what I was going to do with them, They're printed in gold and silver ferns and while they don't match the strip on the front I think they coordinate with it nicely. The first time I cut them I made them too small because the paper wasn't square and they had to be redone. There's a wrinkle from the casing in but we are none of us perfect.

Title page and first page. The frame came from rawpixel, the little art deco widget came from vecteezy and I also used it as a scene break divider throughout the fic. The drop capital is from a dafont custom called Bolton Drop Caps and I love how they all coordinate with each other despite coming from such different sources. Something about legal quartos just begs me for drop caps. They're just the right thing to make the pages pop, and Bolton's a really nice font. Bold, but not frilly. The florals on the cover are very frilly and I like how the interior graphics balance them.

And that's it! This was a start-to-finish Binderary book; I had fully typeset it before the month began, but it hadn't been printed and all the physical work was done during February. I tend to pause between stages so this was practically a speed run for me and I couldn't be happier with it.

[shu-box-puns]

Listen I might have made myself guilty of devouring your grumpy!Dad Tsu'tey AU and loving it. (Unironically bless your heart for giving us that gift.)

I DO however love angst. So imagine a scenario of the "AU" where Spider got captured in which he also lost his memories ? And Quaricht took that ball and ran with it ?

How would Tsu'tey react when after MONTHS of Spider having been captured, of him not knowing where is son is or how save he is, Tsu'tey is met with a Spider not knowing who he is.

How'd Tsu'tey react to seeing his boy with hair cut short, decked out in RDA/military garb fully believing he was always with them ? How would he react to Spider not only having no idea who Spider even is (calling himself Miles) but also calling the demon Quaritch "father".

And worst of all, how's Tsu'tey dealing with the fact that Spider views him nothing more than another enemy ? Having no recollection of anything before he got captured - fully believing the story Quaritch told him of "savag Na'vi warriors".

(Bonus if when Tsu'tey manages to ring him down/take him with him, he sees actual genuine fear in Spider's eyes)

As an angst enjoyer myself, I AM IN LOVE! *Is visibly vibrating with excitement* I love this concept! The ANGST would be delicious and plentiful! As if this poor man hasn't already lost everything, and now you plot to take away his son too! You're evil and I LOVE it!

To put it simply, Tsu'tey would be devastated.

He would be absolutely devastated, to see every aspect of Spider's childhood wiped from his son's appearance, only to be replaced with RDA military attire instead.

Let's imagine Tsu'tey's somehow comes across Spider in the forest, and he's tucked out of sight in a tree, whilst the recom squad passes noisily below.

Tsu'tey is tense on his branch, reaching for an arrow as his eyes scan their numbers. The sight of avatar sized guns strapped to the recoms' backs make his stomach turn. His bullet scars itch at the memory of what a mere human sized weapon could do, he could only image the devastation those weapons could create.

And then his breath faulteres as his eyes fall on his son.

His son who has been missing for several months, and now looks alien to him.

His boy whose braids that Tsu'tey spends every second week brushing out and rebraiding, had been hacked off, the blond hair shorn close to the scalp all over. His boy, who has switched out his loincloth for stuffy trousers and a stiff shirt. His person entirely devoid of all Omaticayan accents and his jewellery that the Sully kids made him completely gone. His boy who no longer wears the blue painted stripes that closely resembled Tsu'tey's own markings. His boy who is wearing BOOTS of all things!

Since he could walk, Spider had always rejected boots to the point of breaking down until his feet were free. Eywa, the boy could not even tolerate socks.

What really unsettles him however, is how at ease Spider clearly is in the presence of the recoms. How he jokes with the lower ranking officers and easily accepts rough shoulder pats from the demon clone of his biological father. It's such a stark difference to when Tsu'tey last saw him biting and screaming at them all, in a feeble attempt to get away, that it makes him freeze.

Now lets also imagine that Spider is briefly separated from the recoms, perhaps to refill his canteen in a nearby river whilst the patrol walks on ahead. Meanwhile, Tsu'tey silently descends from the canopy, and appears at Spider's elbow. He crouches low so the patrol won't see him, his bow tucked over his shoulder, before he leans in close to his boy, keeping his voice low.

<"Spider-"> He gets out nothing else, as the boy abruptly flinches away and turns on him. His canteen tumbles into the river and is washed away by the current, but Tsu'tey is only briefly distracted by it, because Spider has drawn a utility knife and is pointing it at Tsu'tey. But worst of all, he's not seeming to recognise him.

<"Spider."> Tsu'tey soothes, eyes searching his son's wild gaze. The boy is visibly shaking, the knife waving in his unsteady grasp as it hovers between father and son. <"Be calm. It is only me."> "Who the fuck are you!?" Spider demands way too loudly. "And why the hell can I understand you?"

Tsu'tey's ears fall in dismay. He can't image what his boy has been through that he cannot remember his own father's face. Licking his lips, Tsu'tey shifts on his hunches. He keeps his hands visible and his posture relaxed. Spider isn't calming down in his presence, and it is almost as unsettling as the obvious fear in the boy's expression. "Spider, it's me, your Dad, remember?" He points to himself.

"No you're not!" Spider instinctively corrects, he swallows loudly, and seems to get the message that Tsu'tey isn't about to attack him and sits up. He's still clearly uneasy, keeping the knife firmly between them, but he's no longer looking like he's about to bolt. "Now look, I have no idea who you are or why you keep calling me 'Spider', my name is Miles. But, you cannot be here! If my Dad catches you he will kill you."

<"I will kill him first!"> Tsu'tey knee jerkingly promises, only to quiet again when Spider looks startled. Tsu'tey can hear the recom squad circling back, and needs to make a decision. <"As you said, there is no time. We must go now!">

"I don't know you!" Spider repeats, "I'm not going anywhere with you!"

<"Yes you do, and you are!"> Tsu'tey insists. <"Now stop being difficult!"> Mind made up, Tsu'tey abruptly leaned forward and scooped Spider out of the dirt and up over his shoulder. The boy is startling light in his arms, way lighter than he had been months before his capture, but there's no time to think about it, because Spider is wriggling and getting louder.

"PUT ME DOWN!" Spider screeches, thumping his fist down on Tsu'tey's shoulder blade as the hunter rose to his feet and leapt across the river. "STOP! PUT ME DOWN!" Spider begs frantically as Tsu'tey hauls him away from the river and into the undergrowth. "DAD!" His boy screams, yelling for the help of someone else. "DAD! HELP! DAD!"

Shouts from the recom squad sound from beyond the river. There's splashing and then the snap of twigs.

"DAD!" Spider screams again, the volume of his voice startling the birds overhead.

"Be quiet Spider." Tsu'tey finds himself pleading.

"PUT ME DOWN!"

Tsu'tey does not.

Spider keeps yelling for help.

The recoms begin to gain on them.

And then suddenly, there's a sharp pain digging deep into Tsu'tey's shoulder blade. He cries out, his grip instinctively loosening on Spider who finds his opening and rips himself free. He tumbles from Tsu'tey's shoulder and flops heavily into the dirt with a groan, as the hunter feels warmth flip down his spine from the stabbing pain in his shoulder.

<"What did you do?"> Tsu'tey asks through gritted teeth, trying in vain to see why he hurts, whilst Spider sits collapsed in the undergrowth, looking pale. His knife is no longer in hand, and Tsu'tey can see blood dripping down his lower back and onto the backs of his thighs. <"You stabbed me."> He says aloud, his voice wobbling with the realisation.

And the knife is still in him.

Whilst Spider rolls onto his back and stares up at him with his jaw hanging open in shock, Tsu'tey tries to wrap his head around what has just happened. Spider stabbed him. Spider raised his knife to him. He has NEVER done that before.

The recoms are definitely closing in, but Tsu'tey is too preoccupied.

His throat is tight as he strains to see over his shoulder, his hand pulling his side forward so the skin shifts painfully. But there it is. Buried hilt deep into his flesh, puncturing one of the old bullet scars from the very first war.

Eyes wide in disbelief, he looks back down to his son. His beautiful boy who is shaking and pale, tears collecting along his waterline.

"Leave." Spider whispers wetly.

<"Spider."> Tsu'tey soothes, he swallows tightly, hating the feeling of blood running down his back and dripping onto the back of his thighs. It would heal, he told himself, this didn't mean anything. <"It is okay, I am not angry."> Instinctively, he steps forward to soothe his son as he has countless times before, but for the second time today, Spider scrambles back desperately, eyes wide and frantic.

"Please." His boy emphasises, his legs drawn up close to him as if to block a blow. And he looks so scared and so pale, Tsu'tey is forced to retreat back.

He doesn't want to leave him. Not like this, confused and malnourished. But there is no time.

The shouts of the recoms grow alarmingly close. And Tsu'tey has to go. Every instinct rebels, but he knows he must. He must return to the village, get patched up an return with backup. Anyone, he would even take Jake with him if it ensured Spider would return home safe.

<"I will be back."> He promises, despite how the words clearly unsettle Spider. Whatever this is, they will get past it. Tsu'tey promises himself, as he slips away back into the undergrowth, the pain of his shoulder finally beginning to make itself known now that the shock was wearing off. One way or another, he would get his son back.

[f1amboyant]

All fine! Happy to share, and yes, this could be used for any pairing (or just platonic) but in my case this is a Charlos AU since they are the ones currently making me sad, Fred if I see you it is on sight

There are a lot of studies and analysis about what makes a mark a romantic or a platonic one and every single one has gotten to the conclusion that none really, the colors are simply a mark of soul compatibility in its way to look for companionship and intimacy; some even suggest than they have nothing to do with romance and actually the best couples are not soulmates. Absolutely bs if you ask Charles, how could your chosen one be someone who your soul doesn't yearn for? Call him romantic but he doesn't think he could love someone who his soul hasn't recognized as his.

Charlos jump the line of platonic and romantic like a rope across their years as teammates, Carlos has never been shy of touch so they always had contact but now they are so close it is impossible to denied that their souls are also close. Ferrari even makes a special livery for Monza one year in which Charles' car and suit are bright read with a yellow stain over his real mark and the side of the car, and Carlos' is yellow with a red mark over his shoulder and halo (so much merch it was sold, ridiculous, Charles doesn't know how to feel about people wandering around with red shirts with a yellow mark but Carlos says is cute si he'll let it go for now)

Everything breaks when Lewis Ferrari announcement, and Charles feels literally his soul bleed and then his heart breaks when he talks with Carlos on the phone and feels his complete devastation after this treason from Ferrari (Honestly Charles agrees, it is treason as well TO HIM, Lewis is nice and all but he is not his soulmate, he is not Charles'). The beginning of the season is torture, living every day like a countdown and to be fair, Carlos' gets over it quicker than Charles and will chat his ear off about contract negotiations and teams plans for the future and planning little dates for them in the next years because "I'm just moving down the paddock, I am not dead Sharls" but Charles is in agony and just wants to cuddle with his soulmate without talking about THAT. Everyone can see they gotten even closer through this and Charles doesn't even know anymore, does everyone want to kiss their soulmates stupid face after a near death experience? It is really licit to want to climb your soulmate like a tree when he shows up with the ugliest mustache ever seen? Charles is just aware enough to not act on his instincts and drop to his knees in front of Carlos (and the whole world tbh) after his Monaco win and asking him for a bj or his hand in marriage, he doesn't know.

But his breaking point (bc Charles is a little dense but not THAT dense) is after Carlos informes him that he has signed with Williams (just before a break, rude) and after the vacation he shows up in the paddock with a soft lavender mark up caressing the inside of his wrist and forearm and stories of Alex not only being his future teammate but also his new neighbor and Charles absolutely RED 🫣🫣🫣🫣

Hahaha to be continued I guess! This feels kinda long already for an ask but it was a good one to explote during my coffee break

Thank you for your kind words and letting me explore this in your page without the pressure 🥰🎨

Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod this is so goooooooooooooood 😵‍💫😍❤️😵‍💫😍❤️😵‍💫😍❤️

Charles being a romantic and wanting his partner to be his soulmate, yes, of course, absolutely, that's exactly him.

The soulmate special livery???? Hello????? I'm DECEASED 😵‍💫 This is so good, so perfect, so fucked up of Ferrari and just so aighqghqopiughpqoughqg I NEED IT!!!

And then Lewis to Ferrari, and of course Charles would realize at that moment. At the prospect of being away from Carlos, he wants him so so bad. He can't take the separation (god, those early videos when Charles couldn't even talk about it and seemed so distraught every time the subject was brought on).

And then seeing Alex' mark on Carlos?? Seeing the future teammate mark his soulmate?? What if he replaces Charles?? That's not possible in Charles' mind.

Please please please tell me what's happening next?? What crazy thing Charles will do?? I NEED TO KNOW

(I kinda think Charles would ask something stupid, like offering a bj to Carlos or something like that instead of asking to date like a normal person)

(Also also, in my mind, it feels like Carlos has been in love with Charles since day one, but he just feels like nothing can happen and he just indulges in Charles' presence, enjoys their moment together but doesn't ask for more because he can never have more)

Feel free to come back in my ask box! I love this so so so very much 😍