#personally i skip that part of the rehearsals

[cruesuffix]

...the 94' rehearsals? im curious what did he do

bestie i hate to be the one breaking the news but he said the n word (hard r too) and specifically used it to describe the design on a tambourine…yeah. (called it a “goddamn n word painting) that’s why i said what i said on the tags of that one post, love the guy but he’s done some weird things and personally i would never want to meet him because i’m terrified he’d start using slurs i’ve never even heard of 😭😭

[mimimui]

hellooo i saw your 'genshin men asking for a kiss' and i loved it sm your writing is amazing <333

can i request relationship headcanons for the genshin men. specifically alhaitham but idm who else you add

stay cool and have a good day/night :)

genshin boys as your boyfriend

includes: alhaitham, scaramouche, kazuha, diluc, kaeya, childe, xiao

tags: established relationship, endearments, fluff, not proofread, non-mortal/adeptus reader in xiao's

a/n: thank you so much ♡⸜(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⸝♡ aaaah i am back after being mia..! the writers block is beating me up so hard rn + its 3am :') i wrote each part in different time frames so the writing might seem inconsistent aghuahgu i hope its still ok :( anyways, as always .. enjoy !

ALHAITHAM

he asked you to be his s/o while you were playing tcg together. you were in the middle of your turn when he asked you, and it'd be an understatement to say you were shocked.

(y/n): i'll use this support ca- alhaitham: will you be my s/o? (y/n): what? (shocked) alhaitham: what? (questioning)

while alhaitham is a bit aloof, he does loves teasing you. he would hide your things and help you look for the lost item like he doesn't know where it is.

when you're eating outside, he would step on your feet under the table. you can confront him about it all you want, but he will keep acting innocent.

if he's standing behind you, be wary because he might just throw his coat over your head as a joke, and then act like he did nothing.

alhaitham: do you want help putting on my coat? (y/n): seriously, haitham? alhaitham: yes? i'm seriously asking if you want my help.

when it comes to cooking, he'd leave you to do it. alhaitham would rather look forward to a meal you cook rather than a meal he helped make.

dinners are usually quiet, but if you want to tell him about the person that skipped in front of you in line today, then he's all ears.

the first time he told you he loved you, you were giving him a gift. you were smiling so brightly when giving it to him that he didn't know whether to be thankful for the gift or for you.

or at least you think that was the first time he said he loved you.

it was actually when you were asleep the first time you slept over. a very meaningful "i love you" was whispered softly in your ear.

SCARAMOUCHE

he brought you somewhere with a nice view. he grabbed your hand without warning, and when you asked him where he was taking you, he said, "no need to be nervous, just want you to see something."

(y/n): thank you for bringing me here, scara. scaramouche: you're my s/o, there is no need to thank me. (y/n): i'm your s/o...? scaramouche: are you not informed about that or what?

it turns out that scaramouche planned to ask you a long time ago, and from the amount of times he's rehearsed in his head, his mind convinced him that he already asked you.

you laughed at him when you witnessed the moment he realized he forgot to actually ask you. he huffed at your reaction.

he acts annoyed whenever you ask to try on his hat, but his actions contradict his words as he places it on your head.

scaramouche: there are a lot of places where you can get hats, i don't even know (places hat on your head) why you want mine. (y/n): :D scaramouche: if it falls, i'll laugh at you. (y/n): >:(

scaramouche would make you food if you ask him to. he's glad to do it, but he wouldn't want you to thank him. he thinks thanking him for things he's happy to do is a waste of effort.

it's somewhat his unspoken rule to never leave you alone at the table. even if he doesn't join you for the meal, he'd sit down just to accompany you while you eat.

he denied it when you heard him tell you he loved you. the three words escaped his lips when you were busy picking fruits together. or, rather, you were the one picking fruits while he holds them.

you asked him to repeat what he said, but he was quick to reply with "it'd be a waste of effort to repeat what i said."

but he knows. and you know. you both know he loves you.

KAZUHA

while he was out on sea, he wrote you a letter asking you to be his. along with all the other letters he wrote you, he made sure this was was sent out especially.

(y/n): welcome back, kazuha! about your letter... kazuha: yes, what about it? (y/n): my answer is yes. kazuha: i'm glad. thank you, (y/n).

he loves taking you out on adventures. even when he doesn't have a certain goal in mind for the day, kazuha will always find an excuse to bring you along with him.

you will always find him surrounding himself in nature. thanks to his extraordinary sense of hearing, he enjoys being outside even more. the world has a lot to offer.

one day, you ask him what his favorite sound of nature is. immediately, without fail, his reply is 'your voice', which you're flustered by.

(y/n): that doesn't even make any sense... i asked about your favorite sound of nature. kazuha: the world is full of nature, correct? (y/n): your point being? kazuha: you're my favorite sound of nature because you are my world, (y/n).

you both take turns cooking, always excited to try each other's new recipes. it's become sort of a competition of who can suprise the other one more.

his reaction is the cutest when you compliment his dish. if you're happily chewing the food he fed you, watch out because his hands will pinch your cheeks.

you two were hanging out one night, and you asked him to create a poem for you on the spot. he liked the idea, and immediately got to it.

without any hesitation, without thinking twice about it, he ended his poem with a very sweet "i love you."

when you stayed silent afterwards, kazuha got nervous. but his nervous expression soon washed away when you wrapped your arms around him, complimenting his impromptu-poem-writing abilities.

DILUC

he was closing up the tavern for the day, and you two were the only one there after work hours. he decided to take his chances and ask you right then and there.

diluc: can you pass me the wash cloth? (y/n): sure! diluc: can you fix the chairs? (y/n): sure! diluc: can you be mine? (y/n): sur- wait.

he's never said it outloud, but diluc actually enjoys having senseless conversations with you. just last night you told him he reminded you of an owl, which he found amusing, and he asked you to explain why.

whenever diluc takes shifts at the tavern, you'd be somewhere around helping clean tables or wash dishes. he has enough staff at angel's share, but he appreciates your assistance nonetheless.

if you know how to play chess, he would regularly ask you to play against him. he thinks it's a great game to play while also being able to converse with others. he loves talking to you.

(y/n): the main character realized—check—his feelings too late, and lost the love of his life to someone else. it's sad. diluc: what happened—oh, good move—to the main character after that? (y/n): he was never able to express his true feelings to her. he should've taken the chance. diluc: hm.. i agree. he was too coward when he had the opportunity. and checkmate, by the way. (y/n): wh- hey! i didn't see that move! diluc: better luck next time, my dear.

when you offer to cook dinner for him instead of the maids, diluc doesn't try to hide his smile. you've prohibited him from entering the kitchen, wanting to cook something for him all by yourself.

he will always stand by the archway and watch you cook. you go over to him occasionally, asking him to taste some parts of the meal you're making. these are some of his favorite moments with you.

it was when you were eating dinner that he first told you he loved you. you had just finished cooking a meal, and you were sharing details from your day with each other while eating.

halfway through the meal, he says, "i've been wanting to tell you something all day. may i?"

as you nod your head, he tells you he loves you. or, rather, he tells you he's in love with you. but what's the difference? diluc is all yours.

KAEYA

you brought klee back to the knights of favonius' headquarters after playing with her outside all day. albedo and jean thanked you, but kaeya wanted to express more than just gratitude.

kaeya: klee always returns happy whenever you're the one bringing her back. (y/n): she's precious. i'd do anything to keep her smiling. kaeya: likewise. but i also want to keep you smiling, sweetheart. (y/n): what do you mean? kaeya: be mine, (y/n), and i promise i'll always make you happy.

you, klee, and kaeya are always seen running around mondstadt. not only in the city, but also around the mountains. you'd all go find a big, empty space for klee to blow up.

rest assured he will always invite you for a drink, even if it's the morning. you've rejected about 90% of his offers, but he will always, always, make sure to invite you.

he is one call away when it comes to you. you have something urgent and needs his help? he's on it. you simply just miss him? he misses you too, he's on his way to see you.

(y/n): kaeya, aren't you supposed to be working right now? what would acting grandmaster jean say? kaeya: i missed you. that should be enough reason. (y/n): kaeya. kaeya: what? just wanted to see your face, sweetheart. i- ow! okay, okay, i'll go back now!

kaeya really enjoys when you cook for him. of course, he'll step in to help you, but the thought of you making him his favorite food is so heartwarming.

he insists on feeding you, even embarrassing you sometimes by pretending the spoon is a crystalfly and your mouth the cave it's about to fly into.

he first told you he loved you immediately after you agreed to be his. after you said 'yes' to his confession, he was quick to tell you those three words, and your heart fluttered at his boldness.

he will never forget to tell you he loves you. when he greets you good morning, when you drop by to pick up klee, when you come back to drop off klee, and so many more instances.

there was never a moment you doubted his love for you. he constantly reminds you of it, and kaeya will never let you forget it. he loves you. so much.

CHILDE

he had it all planned out when he asked you to be his s/o. he made restaurant reservations at your favorite place, and even made sure it was on a day where not much people visited.

childe: (y/n), will you be mine? (y/n): are you serious? yes! childe: you are the only one i've ever been serious about. (y/n): you're so corny.

whenever he gets back from missions, he always makes sure to bring you back a little gift or a souvernir. one time, he brought you back a ruin hunter eye because "you're the light of my life" he says. it didn't make any sense.

the first time he brought you to snezhnaya, he wrapped you in so many layers that you were better off rolling on the ground than walking.

he absolutely loves it when you play with his siblings. when he comes home tired, he'll immediately be energized if he sees you and his siblings spending time together.

(y/n): ajax, join us! we could use another person to play tag. childe: do i get a kiss if i win? (y/n): ...i was just kidding, you don't have to play with us anymore. childe: hey! okay, okay, i'll join. no kiss needed, i swear!

cooking is one of his favorite activities to do with you. doing something so loving and domestic as cooking with someone he loves is heartwarming.

no matter how much you try to keep yourself clean, childe will find a way to get you messy. he says you can't blame him if you can never catch him wiping his hands on your shirt.

he wasn't the first one to tell you he loved you. his siblings did it for him, actually. well, who was going to stop them? childe was asleep, and you weren't.

he brought you all on a camping trip outside snezhnaya, and he promptly passed out first after story-telling time. as you were cleaning up the campfire, his siblings all walked over to you.

"(y/n), our big brother loves you very much."

it was very random, but very sweet. you smiled at them as you gave them a hug each, asking them why they were suddenly telling you this.

"if you leave him, you leave us, and we don't want you to leave. he loves you a lot, we swear!"

XIAO

being uninterested in relationships, neither of you ever asked each other. but you've been together for as long as you could remember, and your memory goes back for centuries.

(centuries ago) (y/n): xiao, can you promise not to leave me by myself? xiao: that's a hard promise to keep. (y/n): but you'll try? xiao: ...yes.

xiao has never been the type to express much of what he was feeling—if he felt anything at all. unlike you, he has never bothered to fully understand mortals.

you thrive around the people of liyue harbor, and xiao will always find you casually strolling around or stopping to pet a cat you found on the sidewalk.

when xiao rests at wangshu inn, you find yourself accompanying him, staying with him on the highest balcony. this is the only time you accompany him though, as he has his duties to eliminate evil.

(y/n): need any help? xiao: you always ask, and i always say no. (y/n): well, you might need me one day. xiao: we've been together for centuries. you know i'm capable enough. (y/n): i know. you always have been. xiao: rest easy, (y/n). i'll be here. (y/n): good night, xiao.

food has never really been a problem for either of you, but if you want to treat yourself to a mortal meal, xiao will come along with you. with enough convincing, of course.

you eat at wangshu inn, and chef yanxiao prepares your meals. eating with xiao is quiet, but if you were to start a conversation, he will always reply.

he's never told you that he loves you, at least not directly. his actions will speak for him—one of them being always ridding the path you're taking of monsters.

whenever xiao has to leave you at the inn, he will never fail to tell you to "rest easy" before he leaves. he has sworn to himself to protect you, and eliminate all evil that might affect you.

his duty is to protect liyue, but it wouldn't hurt to make you his duty as well, right?

thanks for reading (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)

[k-zuzu]

홍중

kim hongjoong 𖹭 fem idol!reader

DESTINY.

synopsis: idol!reader is very open about her love for ateez kim hongjoong, scandal breaks, they end up together. (feat. bang chan of skz being wise.)

content: eventual smut mdni, cringe/crack, angst if u squint, strangers2friends2lovers, reader uses she/her pronouns, slow burn?, this is shit, choppy storyline lots of time skips and anticlimactic, fluffy?, lots of use of the pet name 'baby', cuddling, big sexy hongjoong, swearing, not proofread, lowercase intended. explicit warnings: in the studio couch, handjob, p in v, no prep, vanilla, unprotected, creampie, sub/dom undertones?, virgin/inexperienced reader

guide: italics in dialogues are used when they speak in korean. chat fonted dialogues are comments and exchanged texts. long blocks of dialogues are used during lives because they're not really doing anything apart from speaking!

zuzu's note: main masterlist. the girl in the picture is just a reference/icon to get the overall vibe of the "idol aesthetic." also, because it's difficult to make things neutral, i created your group and fandom's name, and also put in a groupmate's name in as placeholders because it's difficult to write without mentioning them lol.

you spent two years honing your skills as a trainee at a modest, struggling company before rising to fame as the leader of your own group, DESTINY. your impressive duality on stage, seamlessly transitioning from intense, commanding dance moves and mature raps to the charming, feminine aegyo concept, quickly won over fans. your first award was hard-earned for your sultry debut song titled "Sit." (in which you would subtly imply that you want to sit on someone's face).

you, in particular, gained a significant international following because of your hilarious bedroom lives where you would often deliver sassy comebacks to fans, showcase your impressive english language skills, and share random chatter that fans couldn't help but love. Initially, you became known for your goofy on-screen personality. however, as your talents and stage presence shone through, it was no surprise that people fell for you.

DESTINY has cemented their status as THE 5th generation girl group, making waves in the music industry. numerous renowned idols you adored in the past (one of which, was Kim Hongjoong) have taken notice of your group's bold lyrics and praised your distinctive style and captivating concept.

one day, you decide to hop onto instagram to go live and have a casual chat with your dedicated fans, also known as fates, during a brief pause from rehearsing the dance routine for your upcoming comeback album titled "idgaf." despite having beads of sweat clinging to your forehead and being slightly winded from the dance, you maintain a casual conversation with your viewers;

"so, a few days ago i was on my phone and i was watching these uh, these compilations of other idols talking about me—" you pause to catch your breath and slightly chuckle at how ridiculous you sound. "someone made one of those cute videos on youtube." you repeat in korean. "my favorite part was when they showed ateez reaction to me casually rapping that one part in WORK during one of my lives..." you took a deep inhale and looked away as you thought about it some more. "hongjoong-sunbaenim was sooo, aaaagh! he was— i mean, okay, so, don't like, make a big deal out of this, but i had a hugeeee crush on him for so long, so long, like, before i debuted, i swear, his charizzma is unmatched!!! aaaaaGH, he COMPLIMENTED MY RAPPING IN THE VIDEO! and then i began to wonder if, like, was my rapping even good? damn, i could've done better if i knew hongjoong-sunbaenim would watch it. he was also, actually my inspiration as a leader and a producer..."

you continued chattering on, unaware that your manager would soon reprimand you for discussing that particular topic, citing potential negative consequences. however, it wasn't a major issue, since your fans actually valued your candidness. sure, there were a few hateful remarks scattered among the positive comments, but many responded positively, with remarks such as:

"help she's so real 😭"

"waaah, wishing i was hongjoon rn"

"she can't have hongjoong! he is dating atiny" — "she is atiny tho?" someone replied.

"totally ship them" and it was all enough to make your day.

it's not too long before you come across a reel on instagram that many fans tagged you in; hongjoong reacting to a clip of you simping over him on your livestream. your heartbeat picked up its pace and you sat up properly, raising the volume on your phone as you mentally prepared yourself for the video.

"yahh, i already saw this." he says and you pause the video. fuck. you play it again. "honestly, i thought it was a bit cute." you blush and kick your feet until he speaks again. "it's rare to see junior idols showcasing their admiration for their seniors, but it's really nice, i really like it... especially when they admire me," he shows a heart to the camera. "y/n, if you're watching this, please continue to show your love and support to ateez!"

you were a little disappointed because he seemed to spin it off that you were just a supportive junior/atiny, but you decided to brush it off.

weeks pass and the topic dies down until a photo of you and hongjoong chatting while he signed your album at their fansign event was spreading around the internet and rumors began — you didn't think it would be hidden since it was a public event, but you also didn't think that it would be a scandal. it's your first time being able to chat with hongjoong at all and the dating rumors are just ridiculous. your manager gives you the go signal and you decide to address the rumors by going live in your iconic bed, the lights are dim and you're bare faced, wearing glasses —

"helllooo..." you adjusted the camera at the foot of the bed and you laid on your stomach in front of it. "yesterday... i met kim hongjoong-sunbaenim of ateez..." you paused as you thought about what to say next — you didn't want a script, you wanted to stay yourself: authentic and genuine.

"and today, i was very disappointed because many fates say that we are dating and expressed their hatred for the idea... i would like to point out that i only admire him now as my senior and inspiration for being an idol! i would like to address that, honestly, the dating rumors are a bit ridiculous just because i said i had a crush. it was my first time meeting hongjoong-sunbaenim," your tone was a bit defensive and pouty, you paused as you fiddled with your earring and stared at the camera, snivveling.

"it was my very first time meeting him, it was awkward. more awkward than if he was with a regular fan, maybe because i am an idol and i expressed my admiration for him very publicly, but he was very kind and considerate about it. he really expressed his appreciation for me as his junior and atiny and that was the extent of our interaction. i hope you guys don't spread rumors like this again even if it's true, it would be private business and you shouldn't gossip about someone's love life like this. if you guys like it so much, i suggest you guys focus on your own." you make a light joke of the situation, slightly hoping you don't get hate for that as well. soon after that live, you posted a selfie you took with hongjoong at the fansign event with the caption "forever atiny! 🫶" and you decided to stop and stray away from the whole hongjoong topic because you didn't want to cause him any more trouble.

luckily, after that, many fates decided to come forward and be more open as they showed a lot of support for you and hongjoong.

"this is ridiculous! she shouldn't have to address those dumb rumors, please respect them! they are idols, your baseless rumors could ruin their career."

"i feel so bad for her and hongjoong. i love their innocent chemistry and i believe they should interact more often! male and female idols should be able to interact without being "accused" of dating. like she said, even if they are, it is none of our business! so sad that she'll probably have avoid him after this. so disappointed in whoever made the rumors."

months later, your group and ateez both were in Chicago, USA for your comeback world tour at the same time and while you were there, you decided to attend their concert and you screamed at the top of your lungs and went along every fan chant like a pro, you were far away from the stage so there were no hopes of being noticed — since it was convenient, your managers decided that your group and ateez should collaborate on dances of your comeback title songs, and naturally, you and hongjoong were paired together by your managers in hopes of using this dance as a warning for fans not to mess with the two of you. much to your convenience, the title track of your comeback album is "idgaf."

"hongjoong-sunbaenim!" you slightly jogged over to him and the staff and group members and bowed as deep as you could, your manager and fellow DESTINY members following close by.

"there's no need for that," hongjoong waves you off as you came back up and you chuckle slightly as you awkwardly look around the silent room — you often gossiped with your members about how you'd 'let hongjoong do things to you' among other questionable remarks, and right now you silently hope they wouldn't say a word about it. "i already learned the dance earlier, it's really good! i heard you choreographed it? " hongjoong attempts at small talk and you nod politely in response, holding your hands together, noticing the ateez members behind him glancing at you guys, whispering, and chuckling.

"yes, it took me a month to perfect the choreography before i taught my members." you explain, but before hongjoong could continue, one of the staff unknowingly interrupts your chat.

"okayyy, let's get started! in your positions, please."

you guys complete the dance on the second take, and once it was posted, the fans absolutely adore your chemistry (just as you did) they fawn over the idea of you and hongjoong together (just as you did).

after the posting of the dance, you have a casual live featuring your group mate, nina, who also spoke english. the theme; "doing face masks in my bed and eating ramen." during that very live, you receive a notification while your friend talks to the viewers. you picked you your phone to check what it was, your heart almost literally stopped.

kim hongjoong...

was...

following you back on instagram.

your eyes almost popped out of your head and you let out a really long high pitched screech.

"what? " nina looks at you, befuddled but laughing at your odd reaction. after a few seconds you still don't respond to her as you kick your feet. "ya, what is it? " she attempts once again and lean over your shoulder to check your phone but you slam it down on the bed. you slowly turn to her, trying and failing to contain your smile as you whisper so the audience couldn't hear.

"hongjoong-sunbaenim is following me on instagram..."

her eyes widen and she smiles. "are you sure?" she asked in a high pitched voice and you nodded frantically, showing her your phone. her smile widens and the two of you couldn't hold it in anymore — you both begin squealing and grabbing each others hands live and the fate's comments kept coming in.

"what are you two talking abouttt???"

"i didn't hear what she said!"

fans would soon understand what you were screeching about and this time, instead of dating rumors, it was "feeling" rumors. fans would gossip and speculate about how you two obviously had feelings for each other, other speculations include your "random chemistry" with hongjoong to be a marketing strategy — to always put you two together to gather more attention, likes, and fan reactions.

what they don't know is that they are correct on both accounts; because you and hongjoong so obviously had feelings each other the staff would always put you together.

the tipping point.

hongjoong posted a picture on his story of a ticket purchase to your world tour comeback concert.

the concert is coming to an end.

DESTINY is singing the encore, which is also your last chance; ever since hongjoong posted that on his story you made a plan. but you told everyone that it was in the heat of the moment when you did it. that's what you told yourself — the adrenaline, your sore muscles, your vocal cords beginning to strain, the screams of fate, the sound of your heartbeat, the thought of hongjoong. your lines in the song were coming close — before the beat drops, you skip toward the center and you raise your hand, microphone close to your mouth, you screamed.

"HONGJOONG-SUNBAENIM!" you scream out, your voice echoing through the arena. "this one's for you!" the fate fans erupt into a frenzy of deafening screams and cheers. the stunned expressions of the DESTINY members are captured on the iphone cameras held by fans. "FATE! let me hear you FUCKING SCREAM YOUR HEARTS OUT!" you shout, launching into the chorus of the song. as the beat drops and the intensity kicks in, everything around you becomes a hazy blur, and for a moment, your mind goes blissfully blank.

as the concert reaches its finale, the members of DESTINY retreat backstage to catch their breath and decompress. you immediately seek refuge in the nearest chair, plopping down and exhaling a loud, tired sigh.

"ya, y/n, what were you thinking?" nina sits on the chair next to you. "we don't know what could happen now."

that was the worst possible feeling to have as an idol. the anxiety of what comes next.

...it reminded you of the time mingi swore to jongho on a live.

"it's not that big of a deal," you say as you chug and finish an entire bottle of water. "it's to feed fate's hunger..."

"yaaah, how you think hongjoong-sunbaenim would react? " she ponders and you shrug, choosing not to think about it. despite your nonchalant demeanor, you completely regret it. 'how would everyone react?' sure, you constantly openly express your admiration for him everywhere else, but onstage was something else, 'what happened to professionalism?' you sigh and put your hand on your forehead. you're going to get in a lot of trouble with your manager now.

that nonsense yet iconic line would get you the title of the "most ballsy k-pop leader of the 5th generation " which is also the headline of the hit article that would later accuse you of being "too forward" with your "poor attempt" at bringing modern media and standards to korean culture and k-pop. back then, your line at the concert would not be acceptable, but now there are so many of your fans — your fates defending you, supporting you, and fighting all of the haters and closed fates who openly express their distaste and negativity for your unprofessional behaviour. you still believe that you deserve at least half of it.

it's no surprise that hongjoong doesn't share or post any public reaction to your iconic line of 2024, unlike you, an immature newer idol, he has been in the entertainment industry longer and is an expert on how to maintain professionalism, especially when it comes to dating scandals. agh, he probably lost his respect for you after that moment.

another few weeks pass. to your surprise, even after your unprofessional behaviour, DESTINY was invited to an award show, and during one of the performances, nature called, so you got up to head to the bathroom. in one of the hallways, the smallest of small chances and the most cliche of cliches happened. you and hongjoong stood in front of each other at the hallway that led to the bathrooms, you bow deeply and greet him softly, a bit embarrased you hunch in shame. "hello..."

"y/n-ah! " he's surprisingly relaxed, he raises a hand forward and you awkwardly double check it before high fiving him and he puts it back in his pocket. "how are you? i've actually been a bit of a fate myself these past few weeks and that thing you said at the concert wasss, wow."

'okay, so he addressed the elephant in the room just like that. was it even the elephant for him? it seemed like a koala, or... a chipmunk or something.' goes through your mind. you awkwardly chuckle and push your hair away from your face. "yeah... i'm sorry if it made you uncomfortable, i've regretted it ever since—"

"no! you don't have to be. it was cool. really cool. i liked it." he says. his cute, reassuring smile remains and you can't help but smile back.

"really?" you ask, you don't how pathetic you sound asking it but hongjoong liked how it came out of your mouth — your personality now is so soft-spoken and different from the "ballsy 5th gen leader" the internet made you out to be, he adored the duality. "i was actually super nervous, i was afraid you would think i ruined the face of my group or something and unfollow me on instagram..." you ramble nervously.

"ya, i would never! " he said and took his phone out. "i am a certified fate from here on out, you and are- are the fate-inies." he handed you his phone. "i was actually wondering if we can exchange contacts?" you look at him, shocked painted across your face.

"really???" you ask and don't hesitate to grab his phone. "of course!" you try your best not to sound too eager but of course, you fail. hongjoong laughs at your innocent reaction and you return his phone. he smiles, satisfied, and lifts it up and shaking the screen in front of you.

"i'll text you," he says casually. "will you reply?" you nod, trying to contain your smile because you don't wanna scare him away.

"of course! why else would i give you my number?" he makes way for you in the small hallway and mumbles a farewell as he waves his hand and he begins to walk away, you turn and watch him until he's out of sight before you run to the bathroom, slam the door behind you and scream your lungs out in the mirror. you totally lost the urge to pee and you return to your groupmates immediately after, already gossiping about what went down. later that night, DESTINY wins an award, you celebrate, and head back to your dorm, wash up and fall on your bed where you would receive a text from hongjoong.

hongjoong: "yo! congratulations on your win! i was very happy when DESTINY was announced and saw you onstage ㅋㅋㅋㅋ."

you bite your nail, thinking of your response.

you: "hi! tysm! congratulations on your award as well. it's expected of ateez-sunbaenim, i already see it coming ㅋㅋㅋ"

hongjoong: "ah, don't be like that. it's hard to live up to expectations"

you chuckle at his response. his typing style was different than you expected. you got ready to type out another response until he messaged again.

hongjoong: "btw, when r u available? we should celebrate our win together. as leaders."

your heart skips a beat... or two. is he asking you out?

you: "how about tomorrow night?"

hongjoong: "oh, no can do. ateez celebration party tomorrow with a few close friends."

you sigh and you're about to put your phone down for the night when you reel another vibration.

hongjoong: "unless u wanna come? ur more than welcome"

you: "idk, it might not be the best choice. will there be other female idols there?"

hongjoong: "uhh, ur being kinda dubious. do you want there to be female idols?"

you: "yes pls"

hongjoong: "then there will be female idols there. why? are you going to choose them over me?"

you: "ㅋㅋㅋㅋ only if the entirety of blackpink are there."

hongjoong: "it might seem crazy what i'm 'bout to say..."

hongjoong: "sorry but lisa was all we could book 4 the night"

you: "U FR?!"

hongjoong: "no"

hongjoong: "ateez is not made of gold. lisa-sunbaenim is also busy with more important matters"

hongjoong: "ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ"

hongjoong: "...are you still coming?"

hongjoong: "..."

hongjoong: "y/n?"

you: "yes! it sounds great"

hongjoong: "great. i'll send u the details, see u there ;)"

...is that a fucking winky face? you swear this man is the bane of your existence.

you go to the party alone — and surprisingly, it isn't the small gathering you expected, there were so many recognizable faces, not just of idols, but actors. the venue is a large vip lounge of an underground club in the city. the interior was obnoxious and practically made of gold —you look around and see choi san leaning on a wall, alone. he's a familiar face that you're comfortable talking with. you make eye contact across the room and you walk your way toward him confidently. "hello, sunbaenim!! congratulations on your win~" you give him a soft smile and he smiles back, taking a sip from the glass in his hand — is that brandy? you watch as he silently puts the cup down on the table next to him without so much as a thanks to your greeting, he puts his hands on each of your cheeks, and you wonder if his drunk until you're flustered as he forcibly turns your head 90° to the right.

"hyung is over there."

you easily recognize your hongjoong.

he is chatting with who you recognize to be bang chan of stray kids but your eyes just lock in on him — everyone else around is suddenly blurred and he's the only one you see. you focus on the way his lips move as he speaks, the way he softly nods — this is him when he thinks you're not watching and it's so damn hot, him being himself. the mere fact that he breathes is hot. damn, you're so in love. san chuckles at how you already forgot he was next to you, he conks you in the head and walks away.

you walk toward hongjoong and excuse yourself to their conversation. "y/n!" he says enthusiastically and places a hand around your shoulders. "bang chan, i'm sure your familiar," hongjoong says casually and he makes eye contact with someone in the room — getting distracted, he walks away. of course, it's his group's celebratoon party, you weren't the only guest he would tend to. you awkwardly look up at bang chan and wave.

"hi, sunbaenim! i really love maniac and superbowl, amazing songs!" you give him two thumbs ups and he giggles bashedly, almost blushing — you knew bangchan to alwayd be a flustered mess, he never knew how to react to compliments. "also, i subscribed to your bubble once, wowwww." you tried to make small talk and he laughed once more.

"yeahhh, i can get pretty crazy there. you know, i would also watch your lives sometimes, you're funny!" he says, and you smile.

"you really think so? aaah, i know i have a lot of cringe moments, especially when i first revealed my crush on hongjoong."

"oh yeah, no, it wasn't cringe at all! everybody in the industry already saw your chemistry from before you mentioned it. i totally support you guys haha." he speaks casually and your eyes widen.

"wh-what? support our what? what do we have? what chemistry?" you ramble and bang chan chuckles.

"relax, relax — it's nothing, just, we see your flirting here and there and you two would be so cute together. but, if you want my advise, i wouldn't recommend going public with it, honestly. DESTINY— it's DESTINY, right? you guys just debuted, i don't think having a public relationship with an idol older than you is the right career choice this early on." he says and you nod along, you totally understood where he was coming from but when you stayed silent too long for comfort, bangchan tilted his head. "hey? did i say something wrong?"

you snapped your attention back at him. "hm? yeah, i mean NO! i completely understand what you said and i agree. plus, there's nothinggg between me and hongjoong, we're just... i don't know we're, okay, so there might be a little bit of a thing, but it'll take a long time until it actually becomes something~" you giggle and bangchan giggles as well and the two of you are just a giggling mess and hongjoong comes back to join your group.

"hey, what's all the giggling about?" he moves his head to look at you, then bang chan, then you, then bang chan — "isn't this your first time being acquainted? why are you two having so much fun without me? " then bangchan just smiles, then looks at you, then hongjoong, then you, then hongjoong.

"i'll get going nowww~" he says in a goofy tone and walks away.

"what's with him?" hongjoong mutters and looks at you. "have you eaten? eat! there's plenty of appetizers and foods around—"

"hongjoong-sunbaenim," you interrupt him. "ah, no... hongjoong-oppa." you look up at him, and he stares at you, expression blank but clearly flustered at the new title he got from you. "what are we?" you decide to live up to your title as the most ballsy kpop leader of the 5th generation and he chokes on air, eyebrows raising and eyes blinking repeatedly as he processes what you said.

"um," hongjoong looks around the room nervously, maybe concerned if anyone overheard what you just said. "i... like- hm? huh? i-" he can barely get a word out and you tilt your head, maybe you shouldn't have been to forward, it was wayyy too soon.

"sorry, you don't have to answer." you say calmly and he lets out a very obvious sigh of relief and you chuckle.

"felt like i was trying to defuse a time bomb." he laughs, holding a hand over his chest and you smile as not to ruin the mood, but your next question would do just that for you.

"but... be honest, this is more than a friendship, right? " you can see his smile falter ever so slightly and the silent pause is way too long for comfort. maybe you shouldn't have asked.

"...we'll see where it goes, yeah? " hongjoong smiles. you nod in understanding and he pets your head ever-so-softly as not to ruin your hair. "let's go, let's enjoy the party."

later that night, he takes you to your dorm in the same car he is being driven home in — he waves goodbye and you bow politely. "i'll text you!" hongjoong says, loud enough for you to hear. the car drives off in the distance and you smile and wave. "i'll reply!" you yell back.

your relationship lasted in the talking stage for a few months. rumors were nonexistent because you and hongjoong didn't have to express your attraction to each other through lives and posts and stories anymore, fans assumed it was because the staff felt the tension between you two died down and stopped using it for clout, little did they know that it all began hiding behind closed doors through hundreds of flirty texts and phone calls, cute selcas, handmade gifts, ordering food for each other, occasional video calls, and personal dates throughout your busy schedule. you were practically dating now but you and hongjoong never had a label.

"so, what are you guys? " wooyoung would ask.

hongjoong takes a moment to answer as he scrolls through his laptop. "...we're in a situationship."

"aren't you a little too old to be afraid of commitment?"

"ya, bastard—"

it wouldn't take too long for your "situationship" to spread among other idols and since everyone else was pretty closed off or "careful" it was the gossip of the industry.

about 6 months into whatever you and hongjoong had; you two were alone together in the living room of his dorm, everyone else was out and about, busy tending to their own lives leaving you two were finally alone together. one of the few moments you treasured. you laid comfortably into his chest as you both focused on wonka (timothee ver.) playing on the flat screen tv. hongjoong subconsciously pets your hair every now and then and you nuzzled deeper into his chest but there was a lingering thought in your head that you have been meaning to ask.

"hongjoong-oppa..." you mumble. hongjoong humms in response — you feel the vibration of his voice against your ear that rests just above his chest. you shuffled to look at him, he glances at you, seeing that you're a bit serious, he pauses the movie and he sits up a bit. "...is it still to early to ask what we are?"

hongjoong's expression doesn't change. it makes it hard for you to read him and how he feels about the question you have been too scared to ask these past few weeks. hongjoong doesn't respond however, just looking at you with clueless eyes. you sigh, expressing your disappointment and gently push him back into his position on the couch and laid back on top of him.

"nevermind." you murmur. you don't wanna force him into rushing the relationship or do anything he's uncomfortable with, but you don't want to wait too long either. shouldn't the two of you always be on the same page? you sigh again the more you thought about it, but your thoughts were interrupted as soon as hongjoong pushed you back up into your position.

"no," he simply said. "it's not too soon. in fact, it's a little late." he began and you started listening to him, pout evident on your face. hongjoong takes a deep breath. "the truth is, i have been thinking about this topic... me and some of the members would talk about it, and they kept telling me to "put a label on it," but my response was always that i was too scared." you looked at him, brows furrowed. "i really like you, y/n. it scares me." he whispers.

"...you don't... have to be scared." you say softly.

"i know, i know—" he rubs his forehead and he lets out a deep sigh. "but a label makes it so official, y'know...? "

"i know, oppa, but if our relationship, is not going anywhere then we might as well stop now." you can feel the anger in you bubbling up. "i don't date around, you know. you said yourself that you wanted to see where this would go, it's been months and after everything we've done together, i still can't believe we're not even called boyfriend and girlfriend," you pause to take a breath and calm yourself down. "i don't want to force you anything, but i just, i can't help but think that you don't want to continue this but you're too afraid to tell me. i don't want to wake up tomorrow and you change your mind and decide that you don't want me anymore, i need to propose an ultimatum." you pause, licking your lips nervously. "if you don't want to be my boyfriend now then maybe you shouldn't be my boyfriend at all."

you rambled on like you usually do, but hongjoong doesn't want to interrupt you, he never wanted to, he loves listening to you talk, but hearing the words that came out of your mouth upset him.

"...y/n, don't get me wrong," he began. "i want to be your boyfriend and i want you to be my girlfriend, i want a label, but you have to understand that it's hard for me..." he explained calmly, voice soft.

his words don't change how you feel, and you frown. "then why? what are you waiting for—? " your words are interrupted when you feel his lips smash into yours in a soft and wet kiss, it's almost aggressive but eventually, it melts into a tender, passionate connection before pulling away. you look at hongjoong, a little dazed but befuddled. that was the last thing you expected but somehow it calmed your nerves, unlike his words. you look away from him as a blush creeps into your face — that was your first ever kiss with him. "why'd you do that..? "

"because, y/n," hongjoong softly squishes your cheeks and guides you to look into his eyes. "you're beautiful. not just physically — your personality is beautiful, your passion is beautiful... you're a wonderful person and i am very lucky to have you." you're glad that you're looking at him because you can see the sincerity in his eyes. "...and i love how much you care and i- i know that i am ready to have a label, it's just that i told you... i'm scared... but, i guess, we don't always jump into things prepared..." he says and your expression softens. you wrap your arms around his neck and pull him just a little bit closer. "y/n... can i be your boyfriend?" he asks softly.

"of course. what's wrong with you?" you playfully hit his chest and pull him into another short kiss. "i literally had a breakdown about the fact that you didn't wanna be my boyfriend and you're still asking me if i want you to be my boyfriend?" you laugh, hongjoong leans in, another small kiss.

"ya, don't tease me." he mumbles against your lips and you smile mischievously.

"or what~?" you ask, suggestively tilting your head as you look into his gorgeous eyes. hongjoong simply chuckles at your boldness and pecks your cheek, pulling you in for a proper hug and he whispers in your ear.

"don't push it," you were shocked at how deep his voice became. "i might not be able to contain myself..." he says casually and lays back down as if he didn't just leave you wet. "...right, let's continue the movie." he grabs the remote from the table and unpauses it. you just sit there, high and dry.

it's been a year since you and hongjoong have been together, fans are still unaware but catch on to random hints and slip-ups here and there but usually they are too far fetched to be considered a "soft launch" (like you accidentally calling hongjoong "oppa" on a livestream), and only ateez and DESTINY know that your relationship is official official (even your managers don't know, which made it super difficult to go on dates.)

their reactions include but are not limited to:

"finally. you two were beginning to be insufferable..." — DESTINY

"NO WAYYY!?!? THAT'S SO GREAT!!!" — Ateez

"oppaaa!" you yell loudly as you enter the dance studio hongjoong and a few of his members were practicing in. it was late at night and not many people were in the building at the time, you ran over to him and jumped in his arms.

"hi, baby! what are you doing here so late?" he kisses your cheek as he carries you by your thighs against him and you look into his eyes.

"why? can't i see my baby while he's working? " your arms are wrapped around his neck and you kiss his nose, he smiles and scrunches his nose, nuzzling it into yours like a rabbit.

"ahh, come on, you know you're my baby!" he says in a sweet aegyo voice and you giggle. he puts you down and seonghwa walks by.

"come on guys, seriously, i think i might barf..."

"i know, 'oppa, you're my baby, not just that — i want your babies~'" san decides to join in and mock you two with a skit and feigning a high pitched voice. pretending to be you and that seonghwa was hongjoong, playfully hitting his chest.

"ya, stop that, you weirdo—" seonghwa chuckles and hits san back.

you both ignore them, already used to their antics. you hold hongjoong's hands, looking into his eyes. "oppa, wanna go get a snack?"

"totally! let's go." he lets go of your left hand and holds on to your right as he leads you out the dancing studio and into the corridor. "so, where are we going?"

"what? why would i know? i thought you knew." you say, dumbfounded.

"why should i know? you're the one who suggested that we go out for a snack!" he exclaims.

"okay, okay! sooo... let's just go back to the dancing studio? " you turn around and hongjoong pauses, his smile remains the same.

"...actually, i have something else in mind." his voice is soft yet deep — you tilt your head in curiosity as he leads you to the end of the corridor and to the elevators, clicking the down button.

"...soo, are you going to tell me or..?"

"let's hang out in my studio."

this was undeniably the smartest idea Hongjoong had come up with since the beginning of your relationship (considering your surprise). it was incredibly rare for the two of you to get some precious alone time together, so you vowed to savor every single moment. laying on the couch in your favorite position (with you comfortably sprawled on top of him), a soothing silence enveloped the room, where the sound of your synchronized breathing patterns filled the air.

"'joong," you mumble, almost falling asleep, eyes closed. you shift on top of him and feel something rather peculiar down there. your eyes shot wide open. "'joong?!" you playfully hit his chest and sit up. "ya, i thought we were just chilling!"

"sorry! sorry- i couldn't help it, you were positioned so-" he pauses, staring at you as you urged him to continue with a smile and furrowed brows. "nevermind, nevermind, lay back down. it's chill, i promise."

"no," you suddenly say.

"no???" hongjoong questions. "wh- what do you mean?" he tries to laugh it off.

"i mean no, you said it was my fault. i have to help you," you innocently said and slid off of him, going on your knees on the floor.

"woah, woah, woah, wait- no, y/n, i can't let you do that," hongjoong attempts to pull you back up, but you refuse, your hands rest on his thighs, looking up at him with sparkling eyes, eagerly waiting for him to say yes. it's difficult for hongjoong to say no to that expression, he curses under his breath, throwing his head back and closing his eyes. "ahh, shit." he grumbles. "have you ever even sucked a dick, y/n?" he looks down at you, and you shake your head.

"no," you innocently respond. "but i can learn with you right? it's difficult for me to have a sex life, y'know, with our schedules and all."

"yeah, yeah…" he looks away, hand covering the flush of his cheeks.

"…wait," you suddenly stood up. "is this your way of telling me you've been sucked off before?"

"was that your way of telling me you've never been fucked before?" hongjoong quipped.

"is that your other way of telling me you've fucked someone else before?!" you shot back.

he chuckles, "c'mon, baby, this is a good thing!" he runs his hands up and down your arms, attempting to soothe your annoyance, although he's not quite sure whether you're joking or serious. "i could teach you a thing or two, you know? how does that sound, sweetheart?" he stands up and spins around, gently guiding you to sit on the couch with him. despite your earlier irritation, you can't help but giggle as he showers your face with kisses, eventually kissing your lips and coaxing you to lay down on the couch as the make-out session intensifies. he climbs on top of you, grinding his hips into yours, you whine into his kiss. "you like that?" hongjoong mumbles in between kisses, abruptly pulling away to rid of his clothing, prompting you to get rid of yours.

you were practically drooling over his cock, already waiting for him to trace it to your entrance as he wrapped his hand tightly around himself, but he didn't. instead, he leaned back on the other end of the couch, head thrown back as he pumped himself hard. as much as you were disappointed, you gotta say, what a fucking sight. the kim hongjoong was masturbating in front of you, to you. eager, you leaned forward and wrapped your hands around his hand that pumped his cock, wanting to make his job easier, hongjoong stared at you blankly for a moment, considering what he should let you do, slowly, he guided your hands to wrap around his thick girth, urging you to pump up and down, occassionally squeezing at the tip, watching as his precum escaped.

"fuck," hongjoong cursed under his breath. "ah, shit, shit, wait," he pulled your hands off of him. concerned you might've hurt him or done a bad job, you pulled away and watched as he ran a hand through his hair. "sorry, i was just so close to cumming." he mumbled, covering his face with both hands in shame.

you tilt your head, confused. "that's a good thing, though."

"no, no, i wanna make you cum first, baby…" his hand met your cheek, stroking it gently. "you want my tongue or fingers?"

"mmh, cock…" you mumbled, laying on your back and spreading your legs, showing your pretty, tight hole on fully display for him to use. "i want your cock, hongjoong…"

"fuck," hongjoong cllimbed over you and eagerly placed his tip at your entrance. who the hell was he to say no to his innocent baby? he stuck two fingers inside you, collectine some of your arousal to wrap around his cock as lubrication, "fuck, will you be able to take me?" he slowly pushed his tip inside, already struggling as your poor pussy hole fluttered around him. "baby, i don't think it'll fit-" he almost laughed.

"it'll fit!" you whined, grabbing his bare forearms. "i've fingered myself thinking about this moment many times, baby, it'll fit, make it fit, please, i want this, rip me apart, baby-"

slowly, hongjoong bottomed out inside you. the stretch stinging you — he almost came at your mere words and he didn't want to hear another second of it, so he patiently settled inside you for a moment, letting you get used to the sensation before he couldn't take it anymore. he might accidently cum inside you with the way your tight virgin hole squeezed around his long, fat cock. his pace started off slow, he pulled out at his tip before harshly slamming back inside you. you whined. "j-joong," you blubbered. "not too hard."

"okay, baby, i'm sorry," hongjoong leaned down, placing a kiss on your lips before slamming back inside you, slowly and gently. he set the vanilla pace. fuck, fuck, fuck, he was fucking you so good. you hated the thought that he had done this with other girls, but then again, if he didn't then he probably wouldn't have had the skill to fuck you like this right now.

"aah- faster," you whined and hongjoong complied, wanting nothing but to please you, to make your first time memorable. he thrust harder into you, his cock hitting your sweet spot you never even knew existed. "aah! ahhh~!" you involuntarily whined, you had never felt so good in your life, you never felt this before, the desire to reach your climax and the desire to never want this feeling to end. "i-i'm cumming, 'joong-" you whined as he fucked harder into you, abrupt thrusts, his head rested in the crook of your neck, letting out soft groans, his warm breath against your skin.

"cum for me, baby, that's right," he groaned as you squeezed tightly around him, creaming around his cock. "fuck, fuck, that's right baby…" he whispered, reaching his climax as well and painting your insides whiter than they have ever been.

"mmng…" you moaned, you couldn't get a word out even if you wanted to. too fucked out to form a coherent thought, hongjoong stayed inside of you until he softened. he pulled out, placing a kiss on your lips and nose.

"fuck, you took me so well, baby, you know that?" he made his way to face your pussy and began pushing the cum back inside your small hole. "mmh, your first time, you had a creampie? what a dirty slut you are, hmm?" he whispered, kissing the inside of your thigh before grabbing your discarded panties from the floor and sliding it back up your legs. all you could let out was a helpless whine, hongjoong dressed himself up, climbing into the couch wiht you, cuddling your naked, fucked out form into his fully clothed one. "sleep, baby, i'll clean you up at my dorm tomorrow, m'kay?"

"y'sure..?"

"yes, baby, don't worry."

[bangchxnnie]

how long will this last? (pt. 1)

pairing: felix and fem!reader

tropes: friends to enemies to lovers, idiots in love, brother’s best friend if you squint? , college!au?

content warnings: 3rd person writing, reader is nicknamed barbie, felix is stupid, cursing, orange cats, shitty writing, bin being bin, massive miscommunication, what can barely be considered angst, some suggestive elements (but as always, read at your own risk buddy!)

chapter word count: ≈2.7k (they won’t all be this small promise <3)

hlwtl masterlist || part 2 ||

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

As long as she’s known Changbin, she’s known he’s good at getting his way. And that he’s great to go to when you need advice. But at this particular moment, she absolutely regrets asking for his help. He can be such a pest.

“Barbie, I hate to say this, but enough is enough.”

Barbie rolls her eyes. The name doesn’t phase her anymore. When she and Changbin met at a Halloween party freshman year of uni, her Barbie costume matched his accidental Ken costume (he honestly doesn’t remember what he was going for that night). And they’d hit it off. Three years later, the nickname is still stuck.

“No, okay! I don’t know what I would say to him. But please don’t make me do this, it’s weird.” She whines, flopping down into the couch of Bin’s living room. “Making me practice…confessing like we’re in high school or something.” Her grumbles are met with a chuff.

“It’s more like theater, but alas. Either you rehearse or I’ll just out you, I’m tired of having this conversation every other week.” His threat isn’t hollow. He’s practically been begging her for weeks to just fucking tell that idiot already but she’s threatened his life if he did anything. And he fears her just enough. But not quite enough. So. Here they are.

“You say that it’s impossible to do this. I’m showing you that it’s easy. Look,” Bin sets himself next to her on the couch, guiding her up into a sitting position. He takes her hands in his and sighs when he notices her eyes are closed. He squeezes her hands. “Yah! Pay attention.”

Her eyes open, only to roll the next moment in annoyance.

“Ugh, fine. Hey, we have to talk.” The words are pulled from her mouth with great force. She’s not looking at the man across from her. “This is so cringey.” She whispers to herself, shaking her head.

Why she’s acting like she’s being forced when she asked for his help is beyond him.

Women.

Bin clears his throat. He drops his voice to an awkward octave, attempting to imitate the man in question. “What’s up, buttercup?”

“Okay, no. He doesn’t call me that.” She makes a disgusted noise and pulls her hands from his. Bin smirks.

“What does he call you, then? Baby? Princess? Sunshine?” He’s teasing, allowing her the momentary deflection. “Ooh, I know! Darling. Yep. You look like a darling. I’m sure he’s all over you, calling you his darling left and right.” She shoves at his chest-face flush from embarrassment.

“Shut up.”

“Okay, fine. Skip the role play, let me just tell you what to say.”

He tries again, reaching for her face instead this time. He stops just short of actually touching her to ask, “Is this okay, B?”

She nods hesitantly. He smiles reassuringly, gently cupping both cheeks, thumbs caressing along her cheekbone. She just looks at him, unsure of where he’s going with this.

“This is weird. You’re cool and all, but I don’t know how I feel about this.” She can’t help her thoughts tumbling out, but he doesn’t fault her for it.

“Trust me.”

He winks.

She gags.

“Pull something straight from your heart. Or that romance novel you hide in your dresser due to its surprisingly large smut content.” A choked laugh leaves her mouth. He grins.

“Listen and learn. And try not to fall in love with me.” He clears his throat once more, and looks her dead in the eyes. “I’m in love with you. So desperately in love with you. I have never felt this way about anyone, and it’s driving me absolutely insane not knowing if you feel the same.” Bin’s face inches closer, and he’s trying not to giggle at the confused look on her face.

Wait…is he quoting that book? B laughs, incredulous.

“I love you. Hear me. See me. Please.” His pleading almost sounds sincere. “Let me show y-“

A loud slam interrupts him and they jump apart. “What the fuck was that?” Her heart is racing from the fright.

“Who knows. The complex ghost is probably out and about again.” Bin shrugs, as if it’s the most obvious answer. The tension slowly leaves her body, his ease calming her as well. “Or the AC kicked a door shut. But somehow that feels like the less likely option.”

She nods.

Makes perfect sense?

“Right…Thanks for the dramatic reading, but I probably should head out before Bobby Pin tears up my new shoes or worse, uses my new dress as a scratching post.” She glares at him with her last few words.

Changbin laughs at the memory. She swats at him. “I’m sorry! How many times do I have to apologise!” He guards his body by twisting away from her, but it’s no use.

He’d been tasked with babysitting Bobby Pin, her 1 year old orange tabby, for the weekend while she went home to visit family. Apparently he didn’t understand the rules about orange cats (you have to watch them because they’re fucking crazy). Bin owed Barbie a new dress and BP a new scratching post for his folly.

She gathers her things and heads to the door. “Thanks for nothing! Love you!” She calls him as she leaves. She doesn’t wait for his response before closing the door behind her. He’s probably too busy complaining back to notice.

She starts down the hallway, goofy smile on her face. While Changbin is not always the…brightest bulb, and he can be a huge pain in the ass, he has a good heart. And he would never intentionally let her get hurt. So the fact that he’s pushing so hard must mean something, right?

Unfortunately, she’s not really paying attention to anything, instead wrapped up in her head about it all. She’s walking toward the front exit of the apartment building on auto-pilot, until her body collides with the person in front of her. Her head snaps up, eyes wide and apologetic.

“Oh my god, I’m so-Felix?” Her gaze immediately softens on her best friend. Her eyes are drawn to his freckles. Always. She loves the way they compliment his face so delicately. His eyes, so soft and sparkly. She can’t help the way her own eyes fall further still to his mouth.

God. I’m so fucked.

“Hi.” His voice is meek, like he was the one who ran into her.

“Are you just now getting home?” She asks, gesturing to the backpack on his shoulder. He nods.

“Yeah, I, uh, was headed home, but then I realised I, uh, forgot something…” He seems distracted. Irritated? She can’t really tell.

“Are you okay?” She takes a step toward him and reaches for his hand. He backs away from her. She frowns for a second but doesn’t push him further.

“Yeah, I’m fine, B.” The hand he pulled away from her runs through his blonde fluff and he huffs.

“Are you sure?” She’s careful with her tone; afraid that if she’s too loud or sharp, he’ll scare away. Any onlookers would sure note how awkward this interaction looks. It sure feels like it.

“Yeah, I just hate realizing now I left my laptop.”

Oh.

“Well it’s right-“

He cuts her off. “I’ll find it.”

“Yeah, but Lix, it’s-“

He immediately shakes his head, stepping aside. “I’m fine!” She takes a step back from him, a bit shaken from his tone.

Felix takes a steadying breath. “I mean, no, it’s fine. I’ll find it on my own. I’ll, uh, I’ll call you, okay?” He flashes her a short smile, turns on his heels, and scurries out the front, leaving her standing in the hallway.

She’s left wondering why her best friend just blatantly lied to her face. Because his fucking laptop is tucked under his arm.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

The rest of the week feels…off. Felix doesn’t call. Or text. And after two days of nothing, when she reaches out to him, his responses are short or evasive. She outright asks him what’s wrong but he just keeps saying that he’s just ‘busy’ or ‘tired’. Which could be true, but it’s a horseshit copout of an answer, and everyone knows it.

What the absolute fuck is happening?

Changbin says he’s been grumpy all week and has been giving him and their other roommates much of the same treatment. Nobody can figure out what crawled up his ass and out his mouth. She offers to go over there and force an answer out of him, but the idea is shut down. At least, the forcing answers part. She still goes over there anyway. And every time he’s either leaving or gone when she does.

By the end of the 3rd week of silence toward her, she decides she’s over it all. Since he’s apparently talking to the rest of his friends again but not her. If he wants to be a dick and not talk to her, he can be a dick and not talk to her. She can do the same. She can be just as petty.

Changbin, Jisung, Seungmin, and herself are all splayed around the living room in various stages of lay. Bin is sitting on the couch, she’s on the floor in front of him, leaning against the couch. The remaining boys are fighting over a blanket on the floor beside her. The movie on the tv is basically background noise while the Loud Ones argue.

Typical.

“For the love of God, just get a second blanket!” Bin groans, throwing the one in his lap at Jisung’s head.

“Separate. Now.” Barbie echoes, her irritation evident. The men mumble and mutter things under their breath, but her command is obeyed.

Bin chuckles, leans down over her so he can speak into her ear. “Teach me your magic, Barbie. I’m begging.”

She laughs and turns her body to face him. She pats his cheek lovingly and simply responds with a big smile and a, “Then what would you need me for?”

They hear the front door shut. Well, slam, really. Her hand drops from Bin’s face and their attention switches to the intruder. Well, it’s not exactly an intruder, because he lives there. But with how icy he looks at everyone, he may as well be.

It makes her heart ache. Only for a second, though.

Whatever.

“Hey, Lixie.” Jisung volunteers a smile.

“Hi.” He kicks his shoes off, before turning his head toward his alleged friend. “I didn’t know you’d be here?”

Are you fucking kidding me? This is the first thing he’s said to me in weeks, and that’s all he has to say?

She rolls her eyes and doesn’t respond. Felix makes his way to the couch, bag still slung to his shoulder. “It would have been nice to know.”

Her head snaps toward him. “Oh, so you’re talking to me now? How noble of you to make that sacrifice after three weeks. Go fuck yourself.”

The room goes silent for a beat.

Changbin breaks it. “I think I, uh, need help moving my furniture. You two,” he points to the men now on opposite sides of the living room. “come help me.”

They both begin to protest but something in the look Changbin gives them makes them stop immediately and follow him. “Don’t get the cops called on us, B.” Is all he says as he passes her.

It’s not until he closes his bedroom door that Felix tries to head for his room.

“That’s really all you’re gonna say to me?” She stops him in his tracks. He doesn’t turn around, but he’s listening. “You have been blowing me off for weeks and the first thing you fucking say to me is that?”

Felix’s jaw clenches. “I don’t want to do this right now. You’re right, talking to you was apparently a mistake.”

Her arms fold across her chest. “That’s not an option. You don’t get to finally say something to me and then decide that’s it.”

“Leave it alone. I’m not going to say it again.” His fist joins his jaw in its tension, balling up at his sides.

“When are you going to stop being a massive dick?!” She shouts, and he finally turns to face her. Every emotion from the past month is bubbling to the surface, pettiness be damned.

“Fuck, when are you going to learn to take a fucking hint?!” He shouts back, bag falling off his shoulder to the ground with a loud thud. “God damn it B, I don’t want to talk about anything with you!”

“Why not?! What did I do?!” She takes a step toward him with every word, ready to get in his face. Somehow, she’s able to breathe her way to a normal volume, but tears are welling up in her eyes. “Please, Felix. Talk to me. You’re my best friend. I don’t understand. Let me help you, I can-“

“I just don’t want you around anymore!” He blurts it out, effectively cutting her off.

“What?” Her voice cracks. The tears are winning this fight. “Why?” Her throat feels so dry all of a sudden. She can barely get anything out, voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s just not worth it.” His voice sounds strangled, like he’s fighting something back himself.

“What isn’t?” She knows what he means. But she wants him to say it. She needs him to say it.

It is quiet for an uncomfortable amount of time before he looks her in the eyes and says, “You.”

She doesn’t say anything else. Just grabs her keys and leaves, slamming the door as loud as she can behind her.

She doesn’t let herself cry until she gets to her car.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

It’s incredibly hard to drive when you can’t stop crying. Like, really hard. But she manages to make it, thanks to luck and the lack of drivers on the road.

She ignores every call anyone makes the rest of the day. Not one from Changbin, not one from Seungmin, not even one from Chris. She just can’t do it right now. BP snuggles up in her bed and the two commemorate the shitty day with a seemingly endless nap.

By the time she wakes up, it’s well past sunset. And there’s someone..in the apartment?

Holy fuck, there’s someone in the apartment. She rises in a panic, grabbing the bat she keeps by her bed for emergencies and tiptoes out of the room toward the noise.

This is how people get killed in horror movies. Felix had said it to her once, when they’d heard a strange noise outside his own apartment and she’d gone to investigate. He’d looked so pretty that night. His freckles always welcomed her, his smile always warmed her, his voice…

Ugh. Fuck no. Don’t be a fucking simp.

She pushes the thought of him away from her mind and focuses on the task at hand. She grips the bat harder when she spots someone down the hallway, in her kitchen. She slowly approaches the figure as quietly as she can, steadying her breathing before she lifts the bat and prepares to strike.

“What the fuck are you doing.” It’s not spoken like a question and it scares the absolute shit out of her. She screams, bat flying across the room, clattering on the hardwood floor of the living room.

“What is wrong with you?”

Without her weapon she decides to use the next best thing: her fists. She swings at the intruder with full force, over and over.

He tries to shield his body, protesting the attack. “Hey! Fucking stop! Stop!” She recognizes the voice, but that doesn’t matter. Now she’s mad at him for scaring her.

He changes tactics, and instead restrains his attacker, wrapping his arms around her from behind and pulling her to his chest. “Would you chill?”

“Chris, I swear to God. I didn’t give you a key so you can just let yourself in whenever you want!” When he’s sure she’s not volatile, he sets her free.

“Call it family perks. Brother gets special privileges, especially around his birthday.” He grins.

She scoffs.

Yeah, I’m about to give his face the privilege of meeting my fist.

“Do better.”

B smacks his arm.

❛ ━━━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━━━━ ❜

ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴍʏ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ꜰɪᴄ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴠᴇʀʏ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ꜱᴏ ꜰᴇᴇᴅʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ꜱᴏᴏᴏᴏ ᴀᴘᴘʀᴇᴄɪᴀᴛᴇᴅ. ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ, ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇʙʟᴏɢꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇ! ᴘᴀʀᴛ 2 ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ꜱᴏᴏɴ! xᴏxᴏ, ᴢ

[ofoceansandtombsanew]

summary: You might be the only one in your division not utterly smitten with your partner, Makima. Call it disinterest, call it being observant that her smiles never reach her eyes. Either way, you have no interest in bridging the gap between you both. But one day, an attempt is made, and it isn’t by you.

tags: pre!canon, f!reader (afab), spoilers for anime onlys, 18+ (loss of virginity, tribbing), reader owns these cats, yes i know children of the sea’s movie was not around during this time i don’t care

a/n: makima: *is a lonely character whose secret desire is that she wants something akin to family where she and the other party are equals but feels like she can’t because of her nature*. the makima x reader tag: *dom makima smut*. me: i guess if i want a piece on makima that focuses on her loneliness i’ll have to write it myself. so i did. thank you to my friend @cafedanslanuit​ for beta reading this for me, she was a big help!

AO3 / PART 2 / PART 3

“Good Morning.”

“Morning, Makima.” You recognized the soft voice of your partner even before you looked away from your book. 

“The weather is quite nice today, isn’t it?” It was a pleasantly warm day in Tokyo.  

“I’m personally more of a sweater weather girl, myself,” you disagreed good-naturedly. “I get hot too easily so I like the cold. I’m that person who drinks iced tea in winter.”

“I see.” Makima hummed. “How odd.” 

With that, a silence fell over the both of you as you awaited your orders for the day. Whether or not you’d call it uncomfortable, you left up in the air. It had been a little over a month since you began working for the Tokyo Branch of the Public Safety Devil Hunters Bureau and neither you nor your partner made an attempt to bridge the gap between you both. Every odd socially obligatory small talk you’d potentially discover something new about each other.

Like today, for instance, Makima enjoyed warm weather while you preferred cool.

Riveting stuff, you thought sarcastically on your way from the bathroom when you saw a familiar brunette lurking from around a corner. “Good morning, Nanaka.” The girl jumped in surprise, looking like a child caught sneaking her hand into a jar of cookies.

“What do you think you’re doing sneaking up on people like that, [First]!” Nanaka snapped, cheeks flushed pink.

You held back a roll of your eyes, “I’m not the one drooling over Makima from a distance like a creep.”

Flustered, Nanaka fixed her posture from looming to rigid. “I’m not drooling!” She hissed adamantly. “I’m admiring! Miss Makima is one of our best devil hunters! She’ll definitely be in charge of her own division one day soon! I have no idea how you were placed to be her partner.” You shrugged, knowing your coworker wouldn’t be pleased regardless of your answer. Twas the punishment for being partnered to the woman everyone and their mom seemed to worship without hesitance.

Nanaka sighed wistfully. “You’re lucky you get to be Miss Makima’s partner.”

“I’ll be sure to remind myself I got lucky getting paired with Makima then.” You didn’t bother holding back your sarcasm. “I’ll reflect on my actions when we go on patrol.”

“You should be more respectful” Nanaka scolded, shooting you a glare for your less-than-awed perspective. “Miss Makima’s been working here longer than you and you talk to her so casually.”

You nodded in the direction of the devil hunter in question. “Hey, Makima’s the one who told me she didn’t care about keigo. Take that up with her.”

Nanaka shook her head disparagingly at you with a ‘hmph’. “I’m going to greet Miss Makima before you both go on patrol.” Her brown eyes sparkled at the sight of the red-haired devil hunter, practically skipping in her direction. “Miss Makima, good morning! I’m so sorry, I forgot to bring you that coffee you really liked!”

The blunder didn’t seem to worry Makima at all, fortunately for Nanaka, as she smiled in that rehearsed way you expected from your partner by now. “That’s no problem at all, Nanaka. Try not to forget next time, though. I look forward to your coffee each morning.”

The brown-haired member of your division giggled, pleased. “I’ll make sure to remember tomorrow.”

You’re in awe of Makima enough for the both of us, what do I need to be so reverent for? Nanaka would likely have many choice words for you if she heard your thoughts. Yet you only felt that awe decrease as you saw your associate fawning over Makima day after day when Makima barely seemed to return even a fraction of it. You eyed Makima’s face from the corner of your eye and closed it with a small huff. Not smiling again.

Makima’s smile never reached her eyes, no matter how politely she spoke or how warmly she seemingly behaved.

It was apparent to you from the first day you met her after you arrived in Tokyo as a newly hired member of the Public Safety Devil Hunters Bureau.

“[Last], this is your partner Makima. Makima, she’s new to the country but her Japanese is decent. Make sure to teach her well.”

“Of course.” Red ringed eyes looked at you soullessly. Makima was almost like a doll, her smile painted on. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, [First]. I look forward to our partnership. Be good for me, okay?”

A condescending, callous doll.

That opinion hadn’t changed in the time you worked together. Hence why you stared at Makima like she had grown a second head when, after being told of a devil by a panicking high schooler who had ditched class, she went into a restaurant and ordered a plate of chicken katsu curry.

You blinked as you watched the redhead take a seat at a booth. “Um, aren’t we going to get that devil?”

Makima smiled at you again, the same one that never reached her eyes. “Oh yes, you can get that, [First].” She said like it was obvious, ringed eyes looking you dead in the eye. “If I go now, my food will get cold.”

You felt an eye twitch in annoyance, watching as Makima brushed a stray strand of hair back into place. Do I look like Nanaka to you? You wanted to seethe but that was probably the reaction she wanted. You held back an annoyed sigh as you took deliberate steps in Makima’s direction, sitting across from her before she could say anything else.

Your eyes peered into gold flecked with lines of red before you raised a fist. “Janken. Loser has to kill the devil.”

A silence passed over the both of you, one considerably less comfortable than usual as Makima looked at you and you looked at her, unyielding. You weren’t Nanaka or any of the others part of your division that would happily swing your sword around at Makima’s request ー no, demand ー without a second thought. “Auntie, can you make me a bowl of tororo soba? Cold please!” You asked, eyes still staring into gold.

A second past, two seconds.

“Very well,” your partner finally raised her own fist, much to your satisfaction. “one round then. The loser will also have to pay for lunch.”

“I gotta warn you then, I’m a rock-paper-scissors master.” You smirked.

A smirk that only grew wider when you pulled paper to Makima’s rock.

“Looks like you’re treating me to lunch today, partner.” You wrapped your hand around her closed fist, almost marveling at how much smaller hers were in comparison to yours. “Like I said, Janken Champion right here. I don’t lose.”

You half-expected her to demand a rematch leading you to ‘tsk’ that there was no time with such a devil on the loose. 

Or perhaps give you the glare of the lifetime for besting the oh-so-mighty and worshiped Makima. 

Her actual reaction was much quieter, however, as she stared at your joined hands with an unreadable expression. Damn is she that upset? You removed your hand from hers, instead opting to lay your chin on your palm. “I’ll be waiting for you to come back then, Makima. I’ll try not to get too crazy with my ordering while you’re gone.”

“Go ahead and indulge yourself.” Makima insisted as she stood, throwing her coat on once more.

You thrummed your fingers lightly on the table as your partner left the restaurant. As if I’d actually push my luck that much. A small selfish part of you considered doing exactly that, picking up a menu and ordering much more than a meger bowl of cold-style soba. But it’s just not my style to piss off a ginger. You sighed to yourself quietly before calling for the waitress once more, “Auntie, can I get some iced barley tea too?”

“Of course, dear!” The elderly waitress said with her best customer service smile. “Your Japanese is quite good!”

“No no, I’m still learning something new everyday.” You negated, waving your hands. “It’s a hard language to learn.” After a few more brief exchanges, you found yourself still waiting for Makima as you sipped slowly on your iced tea. It was never as simple as killing a devil and calling it a day. There was still the report to make and waiting for the cleanup team before you could be dismissed from the scene. 

Whenever she returned, Makima’s katsu curry would definitely go cold by then.

You eyed your soba that had arrived minutes prior and the curry dish beside it. The sight along with the smells was enough to make your mouth water.

Growl.

God damn it. You pointedly looked away from your bowl to the TV showcasing a baseball game, ignoring the strong smell of the curry spices. You could have cried in relief when your partner finally returned to the restaurant. “Oh you’re finally back,” you observed with composure.

Makima glanced at your soba as she took her seat. “That must have been there for a while,” she replied, observant.

“Well it isn’t like tororo soba can get any colder.” You shrugged, breaking apart your chopsticks. “Thanks for the food.”

“Thank you for the meal.”

“... the chicken katsu is soggy” Makima muttered after one bite. You snorted almost immediately, but said nothing in reply.

You could almost hear Nanaka hisses that you needed to be more respectful towards your senior or that you should have gone ahead and killed the devil instead. Yet you couldn’t find yourself feeling any regret as you saw something more than a fake smile or mild disinterest on your partner’s face. Even mild annoyance was better than her usual expressions.

Looks like I finally saw a new side to you, huh, partner. You held back another snicker.

“Oi!”

“Alô, senhor Rocha.” Hello, Mr. Rocha.  You smiled tiredly as you approached the cash register. “Tudo bem?” Are you doing well?

“Tudo bem e você?” I’m well and you? The man asked as he checked your items.

“Estou bem também." I’m good too. You weren’t one to fear being alone, nor were you the type to get lonely easily. Still, the Rochas, a family of Brazilian immigrants who ran a small grocer, were a welcome part of your life in Tokyo, especially after work. “Só estou cansada.” I’m just tired.

“Oh!” You gave Mr. Rocha a curious look as you passed him the largest bill in your wallet. “I saw you earlier!” He said in accented Japanese, grinning widely as his eyes twinkled with mischief. “Com uma mulher!” With a woman! You knew exactly where this was going with that one statement. “Essa era sua namorada?” Was that your girlfriend?

“Não, não.” No, no. You shook your head with a nonchalant wave but it was too late as you saw the quickly approaching form of Mr. Rocha’s wife. The Rochas were always interested in your love life. You weren’t sure what it was  “Nós-”

“O que ela parecia?” What did she look like? Mrs. Rocha looked at her husband with excitement.

“É ruiva com cabelo comprido.” She was a redhead with long hair. Mr. Rocha relayed.

Mrs. Rocha gave your shoulder a playful slap that was meant to be congratulatory. “É linda?” Is she beautiful? 

You shook your head again, a mixture of exasperated yet amused. You supposed you’d indulge them for a few seconds. “É linda demais pra mim.” Too beautiful for me. You couldn’t hold back your chuckle as the older woman rolled her eyes, calling you ‘silly’ under her breath. "Nós apenas trabalhamos juntas; era uma patrulha.” We just work together; it was a patrol.

As expected, that lessened their enthusiasm drastically. “Tenha cuidado, por favor, [First].” Please be careful, [First]. The elderly woman pleaded with you as you left with your bags.

“Yes, yes.” You could barely contain your yawn. You waved farewell at the jovial couple. “Boa noite.” Good night.

Você é linda, mais que demais. Você é linda, sim… You hummed under your breath, lightly swinging your bag. You saw a new side to your devil hunting partner today. It had been a little over a month since you’d been working together and it was the first time you could confidently think something along that line.

It was like seeing a unicorn in a forest, something you’d never encounter again in your whole lifetime. Funny how unicorns are still considered fantasy when we live in a world with devils and fiends. But a rarity was a rarity. The two of you were work associates, neither of whom had displayed an interest in getting to know each other beyond what was necessary to do your job. 

You doubted such a thing would ever be presented in front of you again, you yawned.

Or so you thought when you found yourself, the next day, being taken out of a morning read by the sound of something being placed on the table in front of you. You lowered your book, finding your new company to be Makima and a cup of coffee. “Good morning, [First].”

You raised an eyebrow. “Morning, Makima.” You stared at the cup then at your partner. “Did you need something?”

“It’s iced coffee.” Makima explained as if she were telling you the sky was blue.

Exasperated, you shook your head. “I know it’s iced coffee, but I mean why are you giving it to me?” Isn’t that the coffee Nanaka gets you every day? Were the unexpressed words between you.

“I’m not one for cold drinks but then I remembered you saying you enjoyed them.” Makima nudged the drink closer to you, eyes almost owlish. Is this some weird ass test? Or is she trying to get back at me because of the janken thing? “Go ahead and take it.”

From the corner of your eye, you could feel the glare of a familiar brunette. Nanaka’ll kill me if I drink that. As if she were agreeing with your sentiments, that glare felt even hotter. “Thanks but you keep it. Coffee messes with my stomach.” With a strong hint of finality, you stood up. It would be best to find a different place to read. “Let me know when they dish out orders, I’m gonna head to the bathroom.”

Odd.

“[First], give me your pen.” You found yourself side-eying your partner in displeasure the next day as the redhead held out her hand expectantly. “I have paperwork.” 

No shit, we both have paperwork. “There’s a pen right in front of you.” You look pointedly at the pen that she was already using, placed neatly atop the files she was still working on.

Makima smiled as if she were expecting that answer, “mine ran out of ink.”

“The hell am I supposed to do my paperwork with if I give you my pen then?” You asked sourly, unable to keep the annoyance from your voice. 

Makima placed her hand thoughtfully on her chin for a moment before picking up the pen she claimed was empty. “Would you like to use my pen in exchange?” She smiled yet it only looked mocking.

“I don’t.” Your response was clipped as you turned your head and continued working. Almost expectantly, another member in the office practically skipped over at the opportunity. “I have a pen for you to use, Miss Makima!” He all but sang.

Things came to a boiling point a few days later on patrol when the following sentence left Makima’s lips:

“[First], tell me why you decided to join the Bureau.”

You huffed in annoyance. Does this woman not understand the concept of asking people for things? Pretending you didn’t hear her, you deliberately looked off into the distance ignoring another call of your name. “Ahh, what a peaceful day it was for this patrol wouldn’t you say?”

“Tell me why you decided to join the Tokyo Branch Bureau.” Makima repeated and you rolled your eyes, knowing she couldn’t see it. “That’s an order.”

You blinked.

Twice.

Thrice.

The kettle that your irritation and anger boiled over. 

With a twitch of your eye, you turned your head over your shoulder. “You know, there’s these words called ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.” You snapped, the annoyances from the week fueling your harsh tone. “Believe it or not, just telling people to do things for you isn’t how normal relationships work if you’re trying to be someone’s friend!”

Surprise, that would best describe the look on Makima’s face right now. Genuine surprise, but at what you didn’t know. Perhaps Makima was so used to getting her way that hearing you snap was something she wasn’t expecting. “If you wanna know why I joined the Bureau I don’t care, but you’re not just going to demand I tell you like that. Ask again like a normal person and I might consider it.”

You stared at gold and gold stared back at youbefore Makima finally relented.

“[First], why did you decide to join the Tokyo Branch Bureau?”

“I hated living in my home country and I wanted the free company housing in whatever place I ended up moving to.” See, was that so hard? You leaned against the railing beside you. “But I couldn’t exactly put that on my application, so the official reason is that generic stuff everyone else puts on it. I just added how I felt my abilities would be best suited for international relations.”

“England, Ireland, Brazil, Japan. Japan got back to me first, so here I am. I’m probably gonna move into my own apartment though, company housing is fine but I want my own place.” And you were sure a few of them were starting to catch on to the two cats you snuck into the building. 

“That was quite a chance roll.” Makima finally commented. “What if Brazil had responded first?”

“I guess I’d be in Brazil right now then.” You looked away from your partner with a shrug, enjoying the peach and carmine sunset. You had a friend in Fortaleza, you could have roomed with her until you got a place. “I studied a few languages when I was younger because I always wanted to do work that would allow me to travel. It didn’t really matter to me where I ended up as long as it wasn’t home, so I didn’t apply to the branch in my city.”

“And you can risk your life for that reason?” Makima asked you carefully. “Is that enough for you?”

You hummed thoughtfully. A friend back home asked the same question, although it was tinged with worry in contrast to Makima’s genuine curiosity.  “I’ll probably change my mind someday, but for right now, it is.”

Your anger subsided, you sighed peacefully with a smile as you looked at the Tokyo cityline. You had yet to get tired of it. It was busy and crowded, but it was yours even at the protest of your relatives who were worried you were making a mistake of gargantuan proportions. “Yep, definitely enough.” You stretched your arms. “It’s about time for the night shifters to start heading out. Should we head back to the main office?”

There was no protest to be had. “Yes, we should.”

“Makima.”

“Yes?”

“Pull rank on me like that again and I’m gonna flick your forehead.”

You received no response to what you considered a promise, not an empty threat. Whether or not Makima believed you, you didn’t know. 

The sight of the Tokyo Branch building was a welcome one. Fuck cooking, I’m ordering out tonight. After your exchange a half-hour prior with Makima, you were tempted to add dessert to that order. “See you on Monday.” You waved without sparing Makima so much as a glance as two night shifters you recognized as Tsubomi and Akira brushed past you.

“Oh you’re just coming back, Miss Makima?”

“I’m glad I caught you on the way out! How was your patrol?”

“It went smoothly this time.” Came the soft reply.

In spite of yourself, you peeked over at your partner and coworkers as you turned the corner to get your things from your desk. To your lack of surprise, Makima’s usual smile was found nowhere in her eyes. What was a surprise, however, was the dimness in them.

What kind of expression was that? 

A solemn dimness danced in Makima’s eyes in spite of the warmth she was surrounded by.

Lonely.

That was the feeling Makima’s eyes had given you.

You scratched the back of your head, mildly irritated at the guilt you felt. Damn it. No, no no. I just want to go home, feed my cats, and call it a day. I don’t have work tomorrow either, I can sleep in! Still, you found yourself lingering at your desk as Makima walked in now that the evening patrollers had gone on their way. I didn’t even do anything wrong, she was being a bitch!

It was only your cursed luck that while digging for your walkman, you found two coupons for okonomiyaki in your bag.

Fuck, I forgot about this. It goes bad tomorrow. 

It wasn’t the grandest gift to receive after saving a person’s life, but you happily received it from a young couple whose lives you saved from a worm devil. 

“When things like this happen, it’s obviously a sign from the universe,” you could hear Himeno’s voice.

Cosmic timing was a bitch, but it was a bitch you were interested in seeing through.

“Makima, wanna go to this okonomiyaki place?” You held up crumpled coupons with an air of nonchalance that you hoped seemed natural. If Makima sensed your hesitance, you couldn’t tell. You’d almost say she seemed surprised again. Not that I blame her after earlier. Not that it still wasn’t irritating. “Some people I helped out on a job a while back gave it to me and these expire tomorrow. I’ll pay this time since it’s discounted.” You added jokingly. “Feel free to say ‘no’ though since it’s a last minute offer.”

When there was no immediate response, you placed the coupons in your bag neatly. “Well, I’ll see you next week-”

“I’ll go.” Makima’s smile was small and light as she followed you out. “You just seemed angry at me before, I’m just surprised you asked me to tag along for dinner, kouhai.” A teasing lilt accompanied a mocking smile.

“You and me both, senpai.” You replied with more sarcasm than not. And there she goes, instantly making me regret this.

“Do you mind me asking why?”

“You just seemed lonely, is all.”

You didn’t notice you were walking alone until you were half way down the hall. “Makima?” You paused with a nonplussed raise of your eyebrow, looking back at where the redhead stood. She looked at you like you grew a third head, eyes shockingly wide and mouth slightly ajar. “You alright?” 

Makima composed herself as if the strike of midnight broke the spell. “Yes.”

But was she? The answer to your unasked question eluded you.

“[First], mind if I drink this?” Himeno’s voice was nearly too loud in the practically empty room you sat in.

You nodded in the direction of your iced tea without taking your eyes off your paperwork. “Yeah, go ahead.”

“Damn this tastes great, what is this?!” Himeno moaned, taking a lengthy sip. You doubted there’d be anything left for you by the time she finished.

“Some fancy elderberry assam tea. Makima got it for me.” She would give you a different kind of tea every week much to Nanaka’s chagrin. It seemed Makima had taken your preferences into consideration, she hadn’t brought you coffee again since her first odd attempt to bring you a drink. You accepted it this time, however. The first time felt more like an order. These times with tea felt more like offers. Besides, like I’m turning down a bomb cup of tea.

Himeno’s blue eyes twinkled in surprise, “Makima’s getting you tea?” The disbelief in her tone was less than subtle. “I guess you two are finally starting to get along better.”

“I wouldn’t say we didn’t get along before, we worked together just fine.” You racked your brain trying to find the best explanation. ‘We just had a mutual disinterest in one another’ seemed too harsh. “We just weren’t really trying to be friends before.” Not that you could confidently say you were friends even now. Are we?

Yet even as you thought that, there was something different to your partner that you couldn’t quite place. She seemed… relaxed somehow, if that was the right way to put it.

You didn’t want to completely delude yourself into thinking you were receiving some kind of special treatment. Regardless of her relationships with your living coworkers, you didn’t know anything about Makima’s relationships with her previous partners. Still you had the distinct feeling that the woman wasn’t the type to buy tea for someone she didn’t care for. Nanaka had been working at the Bureau for nearly two years and Makima hadn’t brought her anything.

What was with the time with coffee then? You stamped your name at the end of a document. It isn’t like I need an official friendship license from her but-

A thoughtful hum from Himeno swept you away from your thoughts. “I suppose that’s good. I hope this new buddy of mine’ll bring me drinks without me asking.” The next sip had the tell-tell sign of being filled with nothing but ice. Himeno continued to act blasé and, out of respect, you did the same. You weren’t sure how many partners the devil hunter had, you only knew they never seemed to last long.

You could only wish Himeno luck that this partner assignment would be different.

“I need a vacation. Maybe up north to Hokkaido this winter, I wanna see that snow festival in Sapporo.” Himeno sighed listlessly. “I need a change of scenery from home tonight too, but I don’t wanna go to my sister’s. She’s more worried about me than usual right now.”

“Wanna crash at my place for the night then?” You had finally moved from company housing into your own apartment. Himeno had been to the company provided apartment you had once before after you’d gone drinking with some other devil hunters. Invitations for Himeno to spend the night at your place were now only applicable as long as she was sober. 

“If I did that, you wouldn’t let me get any sleep, [First].” Your friend winked.

“I’d let you get a little sleep, Hime.” You winked, pointing your pen at her.

Himeno gave you a light shove and squealed jokingly. “[First]! That isn’t talk for the office.” 

“You’re the one who brought it up.” You giggled in return, signing the last of your paperwork as Himeno wrapped her arms around your shoulders. “But seriously though, if you wanna avoid your sister for a night, you can crash at my place if you-”

“[First].”

The two of you jolted out the sudden calling of your name. “Jeez, Makima warn a guy first!” You groaned, sighing as your heart rate slowed. You shot your partner a dirty look but it withered when you took notice of the dead-eyed glare pointed back at you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look this pissed.

Makima’s eyes raised from your shoulders to your eyes. “Am I interrupting something?” 

Himeno slid off your shoulders with a sheepish grin. “Morning, Makima.” She chuckled, clearly perturbed. “We were just goofing off, don’t mind us.”

Makima’s eyes drifted to you and you nodded, “I was just finishing up my paperwork and Himeno was keeping me company.”

“I see.” The corners of Makima’s lips turned upwards slightly but the rings of her eyes seemed colder than ever. “I just came to tell [First] it was time for us to head out on our patrol. Maybe you can goof off together next time.”

“Er, yeah.” You placed your paperwork, finished in the nick of time, to the side. “I’ll be right there, just give me a second.”

Himeno shot you a look that clearly read: What the hell’s wrong with her?

Girl, I don’t know. You shot back. If looks could kill would be an understatement, what happened to make Makima so upset in the first place? Even when the higher ups really had sticks up their asses, Makima never seemed phased. Nor did she ever seem particularly bothered when her weird bossy streak with you hadn’t gone her way. 

What was so different about today?

Himeno waved you off when you were ready to leave, “have a good patrol.” She tossed your empty cup into a garbage bin. “I’ll go to one of those cool capsule hotels and shake things up tonight.”

With a wave of your own, you bid your friend adieu. You turned, finding Makima waiting for you expectantly. You expected her to be strolling down the hallway by now. You shared a quiet look, feeling as if you were being observed. Makima broke contact first as she finally led the way out of the building.

Now this… is an awkward silence. You pressed your lips into a line as people and cars alike passed you by. You glanced at Makima curiously, contemplating the reason for her upset. “You alright?” Your curiosity eventually won you over.

“What do you mean?” Your partner asked in response.

“You just seem…” you wondered what was the best way to put it. “Upset right now. Did something happen with the higher ups? Or is it a personal thing?”

Makima spared you a glance after a few moments of silence. “I didn’t realize you and Himeno were so close.”

That was the last thing you were expecting to come from Makima’s lips.

“I guess we’re pretty friendly. I go drinking with her and some of the others in her division sometimes.” Less than half the people from that first drinking party were still around now. “It’s a fun time if you ever go but just be careful about letting Himeno have one too many.” You always carefully stopped after two, Himeno was a bottomless pit who drank past her limits. Needless to say, you became one of the many devil hunters Himeno had drunkenly kissed.

Regardless, nothing had spoiled between you both. 

You pursed your lips for a moment. “I’m not too much of a drinker. I know that work-drink culture is a big thing here in Japan, but I try not to do it too much especially if Himeno’s already been throwing it back.”

“Does she come to your home often?”

“Not particularly?” You answered truthfully. “She’s banned from coming over while drunk.” When you were still living in the company apartments, you had naively brought her over to sleep off her drinking. That night ended with her throwing up in your bathtub and falling asleep on the floor of your hallway. Never again. You shuddered. “She stops by every once and again but it’s usually me and my cats. You have any?”

“I have a few dogs.”

You gave Makima a look of appraisal. “You seem like a dog person, it makes sense.”

Compared to before, Makima’s mood seemed to shift into something more pleasant. “You seem like you would own cats.”

“Tell me about your dogs?” That simple question was what led to your discovery that Makima owned seven dogs, each named after a dessert she was fond of. You never would have pegged her for such an animal lover, nor were you sure how she always managed to keep her suits impeccably clean. Even after rolling over your clothes, you’d always find stray hairs that you missed hours after leaving your house.

When the conversation spilled into talking about your cats, you enthusiastically spared no details. Whether it was a dog, cat, fish or rabbit, you were sure any pet parent would agree coming home to them was one of the best feelings in the world. Your two were troublemakers to some extent. Bagheera would occasionally be a brat and knock over your pen if you didn’t pet him, you gave up trying to keep Tora from going onto the top of your fridge after a month of her developing the habit. You wouldn’t trade them for the world though.  “You should come over and meet them some time.” You laughed at a memory of your cats sticking their paws under the door after you had the audacity to leave them behind. “If you don’t hate cats, I think you’d like them.”

Without missing a beat, Makima asked, “when can I come over?”

“You got any plans our next day off?” When her answer came back negative, you nodded in self-assurance. “Then if you got the time, swing on over to my place. We can eat or something, I haven’t had anyone over to this new place yet.”

Something about that statement made Makima’s eyes seem brighter. “I look forward to being the first.”

“I love my cats but I gotta give the disclaimer,” you remembered before you got too ahead of yourselves. “Tora can be pretty skittish when it comes to new people, so she might run off when she sees you. Her brother loves people though, so you have nothing to worry about with him.”

Makima was unperturbed by your revelation. “I’m quite good with animals.”

That was the same thing Himeno said before Tora promptly hid under your bed the rest of her first stay. But you didn’t see a reason to burst Makima’s bubble when she actually seemed excited to come over. “Alright, I’ll provide the dinner. You provide the movie.”

“What movies do you like?”

“Surprise me.” You wondered what sort of movies a person like Makima would enjoy. “Is there anything you’d like for dinner?

“Surprise me.”

And surprised she would be, you swore, when you heard the knock on your door.

“Yo, welcome to my humble abode.” You greeted playfully as you swung open the door. Makima was pretty, that was an objective fact. Knowing that still didn’t prepare you for how taken aback you’d be by the pale pink wrap dress she was wearing. For once her hair was out of its usual braid, cascading down her shoulders in a sea of red. Makima was the exact definition of lovely. 

“How do I look?” Makima’s voice pulled you out of your stupor.

“You look great, I feel so underdressed.” You weren’t dressed in your lounge clothes by any means, but you definitely weren’t dressed to impress anybody. Makima doesn’t seem like the type to even own sweatpants, why am I surprised she’d wear something pretty even to just hang out with a friend? You cursed your lack of awareness, knowing it was too late to suddenly change outfits.

“I like what you’re wearing, it’s best to wear something comfortable if you’re going to be cooking.” Makima sniffed the air lightly, “did you make carbonara? Carbonara and…”she paused for a moment. “steamed vegetables?”

“Damn how can you tell?” You clapped, impressed at her accurate guesses. “I also got everything to make affogato al caffe.”

Makima seemed quite pleased with herself, “I have a uniquely good sense of smell.” She pointed a slender finger at her nose. “I look forward to the dessert, I’ve only had affogato once.” She prepared to enter your house with the greetings finished, but you held a hand up before she could take a step forward.

“Ah ah ah.” you grinned mischievously. “What’s the movie?”

The last thing you were expecting her to hold was a Pulp Fiction DVD case. “I thought it would be fun watching this one, it’s a favorite of mine.” Her expressions morphed into one of questioning. “Are you a fan of crime movies? The storytelling is non-linear too.”

“No way, I love Samuel L. Jackson, we have to watch it.” You plucked the DVD from her small hands protectively. It was a classic Samuel L. movie you had yet to watch, it was time to rip the bandaid off. You stepped to the side with a noble bow. “You pass the movie check.”

It didn’t take long for your cats to take note of your guest. Bagheera made his way as you expected, eyes round with interest. Tora, unsurprisingly, kept her distance. “Tora,” Makima kneeled, hand waiting for the younger of your two cats expectantly. Her other hand brushed Bagheera’s chin lightly. “Come here.”

“She doesn’t really...” You left your sentence unfinished as you watched in awe as Tora bound forward, rubbing her head against Makima’s hand lovingly.

“What is it?” Makima asked as if she hadn’t easily gained the affection of your most fearful cat.

“I’m just surprised,” you relayed, still finding it unreal as your calico-tabby pressed her head into Makima’s hand once more. “Tora usually isn’t the best around people, usually just runs off immediately when she realizes someone else is in the house. Her brother’s the friendly one, which… you already knew.” And yet, this time your black tom wasn’t alone in his purrs and bunts as he indulged in your partner’s attention.

Amusement glinted in Makima’s eyes. “I did mention I have a way with animals, didn’t I?”

“Well excuse me for being a naysayer.” You roll your eyes with a snort. “Tora, you turncoat. You’re both being put up in my room while we eat.”

Makima shook her head, “it’ll be fine.”

“Trust me, Tora will not let you eat in peace.”

“You’ll let us eat in peace, won’t you, girl.” Makima booped Tora’s nose lightly.

And somehow, Tora did. Dinner was pleasant, the affogato was delicious and both your cats behaved like angels as you watched Pulp Fiction on your couch. Bagheera I can understand but Tora? Is this even my cat right now? You were convinced this had to be some sort of witchcraft, but your thoughts subsided as you fell deeper into the movie. 

“Look, if you wanna play blind man go walk with the shepherd,” Jules said in annoyance as you glanced at the woman beside you with a feeling of satisfaction. Bagheera laid on her lap, purring softly while Tora snoozed close by. Then your phone rang, killing the pleasant atmosphere.

“Sorry, I just need to make sure this isn’t important.” You excused yourself while Makima paused the film, walking towards the kitchen. “Hello?”

“[Firrrst].” You released an immediate sigh of exasperation when you recognized the voice, drunkenly slurred and all. “I don’t wanna have to call my sister to pick me up.”

“Oh god, Himeno, how much did you drink?!”

Himeno sounded too noble for her own good. “A lady never gets drunk, she sips.”

You pinched the bridge of your nose. “And I’m over how they killed off Morris Chestnut in Anaconda 2.” You replied sarcastically, fighting back a grin at the sound of your friend’s giggles. “Just call your sister, you dumbass. Please tell me you’re not by yourself.”

“I’m at the restaurant still.” Himeno slurred and you sighed in relief. “Can’t I come over?”

“I have,” at the burning sense of staring on your back, you looked over at your guest to see her looking back at you. Just another second. “company over. Besides, you threw up in my bathtub at my old place last time. Come over when you’re sober.”

“You gonna keep me up all night then if I do?” Himeno hiccupped.

“Proposition me when you’re not drunk out your mind, I’ll do all the stuff you heart desires with breakfast included.”

“Can you just make me breakfast now?” Himeno whined and you hoped that she

“Himeno, if you don’t get off the phone with me and call your sister to pick you up. Look, what restaurant are you staying at? I’ll send over a cab to get you-”

“No, no, I’ll call her. I just needed a pep talk.”

“Good.” You released a breath of relief. The last thing the streets of Tokyo needed was a drunk devil hunter getting picked off because a devil spotted an opportunity. “Try not to drink so much next time? I’m gonna call to make sure you actually got home with your sister just fine.”

She’s like a maelstrom, you hung up the phone. “Sorry about that.” You beamed sheepishly as you made your way back to the couch. “Friends, am I right?”

“It’s fine.” You weren’t convinced with the way Makima’s small smile adopted its usual forcedness.

“... you sure you’re alright?” You asked after neither of you pressed play on the remote.

“Don’t…” Makima cut off her sentence as quickly as it began. She pet Bagheera’s head as if her life depended on it and it crossed your mind that even someone like Makima could feel nervous. “I don’t like it when you make those sorts of jokes.” She said at last as if it were a struggle to find the right phrasing. “The ones you make with Himeno.”

“Oh- I’m so sorry.” You apologize immediately the moment you recognized the jokes that were being referenced. “I didn’t realize I was making you uncomfortable. I’ll tell Himeno too, alright?”

At the pause, you felt that wasn’t a satisfactory response. “Makima?” You waited a moment. “I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me everything that’s wrong.” You sat closer than you previously sat to the redhead. Frustrated, that was the best way to describe the look on her face with her red eyebrows furrowed lightly.

“I don’t want you to make those jokes in general with anybody.” 

Pretty dress, hair down.

You felt a sense of dread wash over you in your realization. “Is this a date?” When Makima’s eyes met yours, you already knew her answer. You wished you could throw yourself off a cliff.

“When I was invited over for dinner, I assumed that’s what this would be.” Dinner, a movie and of course you made dessert.

A date with Makima, that’s what this was. If someone told you when you first met, you’d be on one with her, you’d have thought they were drunk. Now that you were in this situation, you found yourself less bothered with it than what the past you would have expected. Makima was a beautiful woman, you weren’t blind to how she garnered attention from so many people. It had always simply been her attitude for you.

But this Makima, the one who enjoyed the company of your cats and enjoyed light banterー she was a Makima you’d be interested in dating. 

No, what had you bothered now was the misunderstanding entirely. Makima was on Venus and you were on a different planet entirely.

“Please don’t consider this a real date, this shouldn’t count.” You pinched your nose in embarrassment. “Look, I’m a lot better at dates when I know I’m supposed to be on one. I need a date do-over.” Your friend wouldn’t call drunk, nor would you make jokes about sleeping with them. “Give me a chance to actually impress you. I don’t do boring dinner first dates, I make sure you have a good time. We could do… billiards!”

You were relieved that Makima seemed intrigued. “What do I get when I win?”

“Ohohoho, such confidence.” You snorted, light and amused. “What makes you think you’ll win?”

A lightness rolled off Makima in waves as she partook in your banter, “I’m a billiards champion.” The smile she gave reached her eyes.

The redhead looked more beautiful to you in that moment than she ever did in your entire time knowing her.

“Well in the very, very unlikely chance you win a round against me in a round of billiards…” You folded your arms, pretending to think deeply. “You get another date with me. And when I win, because I never lose,” you smirked loosely. “I’ll take you on another date. Equivalent exchange, win-win situation.”

As it turned out, Makima was a much better billiards player than you bargained for. Still, you got a date out of it.

One date.

Two dates.

Many dates you lost count of over the months. You were each other’s best kept secret, you didn’t want to incur the wrath that would come from Makima’s fans at the office if they knew you were dating her. You were sure the Rochas would be squealing with glee whenever they learned that pretty redhead did become your girlfriend. Oh they definitely won’t let me live that down. You chuckled to yourself as you placed a dish on the drying rack. “Custard, get that out your mouth.” You eyed one of the large dogs Makima called her own, chewing something you couldn’t see. 

You groaned as the hound scurried away, mysterious piece of food in tow. 

“Makima!” You called out for your girlfriend who was in her room watching Children of the Sea. “Can you get your dog?” When you got no response, you sighed. Custard, however, looked pleased as whatever she was eating had been happily consumed. Great. With a shake of your head, you turned off the kitchen light and headed for your girlfriend’s room.

It was Custard’s victory this time, you ceded as you peered into your girlfriend’s room. The film was at its climax with the odd yet pulling festival of rebirth.

You didn’t understand it when you first saw the film. It had you in the first half, with its promise of an ocean-themed coming-of-age movie from the protagonists. Then it devolved into visual acid with themes you couldn’t understand. Yet you watched it again and again, trying to figure out the meaning of the movie's metaphors. Somehow you fell in love with it, you thought, as you watched a frantic Ruka swimming with no avail to Umi who dissolved into millions of galaxies feasted upon the sea life.

You couldn’t say you completely understood it beyond a vague feeling, but you loved it all the same. You found it funny how it mirrored the evolution of your relationship. You smiled to yourself, deciding to make your presence known and tell your girlfriend as much. “Need a tissue, Maki?” You teased gently.

She always cried watching this movie; you almost had a heart attack the first time. Makima didn’t look like the type to cry while watching film. She was surprisingly picky when it came to them, but when she found one she truly enjoyed, her reaction would be apparent. “Maybe Ruka’ll meet the boys in another life.” You wiped the corner of her eye, though the tears were quickly replaced with more.

“You shouldn’t tease your girlfriend when she’s crying,” you thought she’d sniffle.

“Nanaka would be upset to hear you talk to me like this,” you figured Makima would tease in return, dabbing away at her eyes with tissue.

When she did neither of those things, dimly staring into your eyes, you knit your eyebrows in concern. “Hey, what’s wrong?” You entreated anxiously. 

“Make love to me. That’s an order.” Was the last thing you thought would come from your girlfriend’s lips.

“I- what? No.” The flick you gave to Makima’s forehead was soft. “I’m not gonna have sex with you when you’re crying, you dummy.” Your words were soft despite your gruff choice in words. Makima was a virgin, much to your surprise when she told you. Popular as she was, you figured that she would have been with someone. “I’m waiting for the right person. I didn’t want something meaningless for the first time, I want it to be intimate.” She explained and you left it at that, saying that you’d take things at her pace. “We’re not doing anything when you’re upset.” You looked at your hands aimlessly before turning off the TV and closing the door.

You counted to three, inhaling and exhaling briefly.

When you came back to her bed, you brushed away your girlfriend’s tears again before pulling her into your chest and lying on your side. You licked your lips nervously. “Listen I… I’m not the best when it comes to talking about emotions. I suck ass at comforting people. But I’m here for you, Makima. Whatever it is, I can accept it. You don’t have to tell me now but whenever you’re ready, you can throw it at me. I’ll be here.”

You didn’t ask what was wrong again.

Not while Makima’s small hands clutched the front of your shirt tightly.

Not as you rubbed Makima’s back in soft caresses, hoping it would calm her down.

“I like dating you,” Makima murmured into your shirt when she was able. “I want things to stay like this. I want things to be equal.” Where on earth was this coming from?

“I like dating you too,” you reassured, not wanting to stoke the flames of her insecurities. “I like what we have going on. Is there a reason you feel like things are unequal?” You tried searching for moments in your relationship as lovers that might have made her feel like the dedication and commitment wasn’t even. You stroked the back of her head, fingers lingering on the silky feeling of her hair. “If I made you feel like I wasn’t in this with you, I’m sorry. I just need to know where I messed up and how I can be better.”

“What if I was a devil?” The room felt too quiet with that question and you paused your ministrations. 

“What kind of devil are we talking about?” You murmured as Makima gripped the front of your shirt tighter and you tightened your hold in return. “A Spider Devil? Cat Devil? A Who-Cares-What Devil?”

“Control Devil.”

You inhaled deeply before releasing your breath. The adoration from your coworkers, Tora’s abnormal behavior. Nothing came as a surprise in the moment. “I could live with that.”

“I’d always have devil tendencies.”

You whispered, “I can deal with that.”

“I might try ordering you.” Makima didn’t fight back as you peeled the fingers of her hand from your shirt.

“You can try that. I’ve denied plenty of your orders before, I’ll do it again.” You kissed her palm lightly before kissing her fingers. “I think I told you before I’d flick your forehead if you tried pulling some nonsense on me. I can’t say things would always be easy.” No, you definitely weren’t naive enough to believe that. Love was a choice. Parents chose to love their children even when they were being irredeemable brats. Couples chose to stay together during the hard times. This was simply another version of that. A big version.

This was a secret that could never be spilled. You were sure if your parents knew what would come of you becoming a devil hunter, they would have hid your passport. You weren’t even sure what introducing Makima to your family would look like even before her revelation.

And yet, and yet.

“But I wouldn’t leave you for being a devil.” You vowed simply. “You’re Makima either way and that’s who I want to be with for the foreseeable future. Some hiccups aside, I think what we have is pretty damn equal. You can’t dominate the indomitable.”

The two of you laid down in silence before Makima spoke quietly, “I can’t make equal relationships with people as the Control Devil.”

“You made one with me.” The calm Makima unraveled with your words and her body racked against yours. You simply held her throughout it, wondering about the life Makima had before this.

Who else knew about Makima’s true identity? 

Why was a devil being employed to kill other devils? 

How long had Makima been alone in this situation to become the detached individual you first became acquainted with?

Despite the many thoughts swimming in your head, you still felt resolutely the same. Had you been given the chance to go back in time, you’d have pursued the same path once more. You woke up the next morning feeling the same way as the morning sunlight disturbed your slumber. 

“You asleep?” You ran your fingers through her hair softly.

“I’m awake.” Eyes still closed, Makima hugged you tighter. Even without seeing her face, you could tell she was smiling. One with warmth that reached her voice. “I’m just listening.”

You couldn’t hold back a smile yourself. “I didn’t take you for the sappy type.”

Makima raised her head. “I think you were the sappy one last night.” Her eyes were a bit pink from her crying, but she looked otherwise pleased.

She was stunning.

You placed a hand on her cheek, brushing away a stray hair with your thumb. “You’re beautiful when you smile. When you actually smile. I could always tell you were faking before.” Makima’s eyes closed but her smile remained as she leaned into your palm, one of her own hands cupping the one holding her. “Can I kiss you?”

“Will you make a contract with me?” Makima opened her eyes with a question. With her true identity exposed, you could see why her eyes were ringed. There was something pulling about them, like a hypno wheel meant to hypnotize unsuspecting volunteers of a hypnotist. Fitting for the Control Devil. You wondered what it was that made you so resistant to them when the majority of your coworkers couldn’t stop fawning over Makima the moment they laid eyes on her.

“What’s the contract you have in mind?

“I won’t use my power on you, in exchange, we have to stay together forever. We’ll eat a lot together, sleep together, and live a happy life together.”

A lifelong contractー the contract of a lifetime. There would be no outs after you agreed to it, if you agreed to it.

There was no doubt in your mind however, as Makima held her heart on a silver platter. You, the member of your family who became a devil hunter just to have an excuse to leave your home country. 

“That sounds like a good contract to me.” You pressed your lips firmly against hers. Makima wrapped her arms around your shoulders with equal vigor. Her lips spread easily at the gentle slide of your tongue on her bottom lip and warmth pooled in your stomach as your kissing continued.

Wordlessly, you looked down at her and she wordlessly gave you her answer. The Control Devil relinquishing control; there had to be nothing scarier to her. But she still trusted you; that made your heart swell with love and adoration. 

You peppered her breasts with wet kisses as you unbuttoned her shirt, a hand trailing down to lift her skirt and slip off her undergarments. Makima exhaled deeply as your fingers faintly touched her folds. You kept up this teasing until Makima pressed her legs together to prevent your hand from moving. She’s so wet.

“It’s not fair that you’re still in all your clothes.” She breathed, breath ghosting your lips. You chuckled quietly, kissing her as an apology before slipping off your clothes.

You moaned in unison as your clits rubbed together. It was the morning and you were staving off the last of your sleep, tribbing felt like it would be the best move to go with. All you wanted that morning was to feel Makima against you and even then as you felt her sex against yours, it wasn’t close enough.

Damn, I wish I had the strap. The day you could finally use it on her couldn’t come soon enough you thought as you ground your core against hers. Makima would be beautiful taking it, just as she was now, head thrown back in pleasure. You wanted to tease her, bringing the Control Devil to the precipice of pleasure before denying her release. You wanted to spoil her and give everything she wanted until society collapsed in on itself.

Makima’s hips bucked underneath you, moaning and mewling softly. You wanted to see her when she came. You circled her clit as you thrust yourselves against one another, chasing Makima’s release.

With a shudder, Makima came with your name on her lips and you tumbled over the edge with her after a few more thrusts.

Euphoria. That was what Makima was in as you kissed her cheeks and forehead, whispering sweet things in her ear. Pure, unadulterated euphoria. “You were so good for me.” You praised her. “I love you.”

Love.

Love.

Love.

Love she wouldn’t need her powers for.

Love based on equity.

Not the cheap imitations she received from Nanaka, Tsubomi and Akira. Nor the cold callous from the government officials that raised her. This was agapé. The love she saw in movies and novels.

You would stay together forever. You would eat a lot together, sleep together and live a long life together. That was the contract you agreed to.

“I love you, [First].” Makima held you closely as she came down from her high.

She loved you and you loved her.

Nothing could come between you both.

You smiled lazily as Makima regained her composure. “The next time we get time off, we should go on a vacation together.”

“Yes,” Makima smiled in return. “we should. A long vacation, just the two of us.”

It didn’t matter where, you just needed to be together. Nothing could be allowed to come between this bond. Not work, nor death. She’d follow you from this life to the next.

This was your contract.

Makima crossed her arms behind her back as she stared down the higher ups of the Tokyo Branch Bureau made with plastic and false pleasantries.

“You’ll let me leave the Public Safety Bureau with a large severance pay. That’s an order.”

[cordeliawhohung]

hello, how are you today? :D last time i checked i saw your requests were open so i wanted to ask if you could write a reader and cowboy!gaz piece?

i was watching western shows with my granny the other day (it's her pastime and honestly some of them are pretty interesting) and there was this part in an episode where a woman and her cowboy husband were doing the laundry together until someone came over to their house which was by the town and started to bother them and it escalated until the husband ended up fighting that person in the middle of the street... anyway, all the laundry that was up on the drying line was ripped and thrown to the ground in the tussle and the couple just look at each other after the whole ordeal and are just like...welp. more laundry again

but yeah that's sort of what happened, if it's possible, could you incorporate that plot with gaz and reader? it'd mean a lot to me and i think it'd be a little hectic but sometimes people find peace in all that chaos.

thank you!

oh my sweet sweet anon this idea rotted my brain and i wrote this in a day (: pardon any mistakes i wrote this half awake and sorry my brain was in the damn GUTTER the whole time but i hope you enjoy!!! thank you so much for this request it was so much fun and made me think about things i.... never have a;lskdjf

masterlist

You and your husband live a quiet life on the outskirts of town, that is until a misunderstanding ruins your calm day of doing laundry. At least your husband is there to help pick up the slack.

warnings: fluff! not much else!! core went overboard again! slight suggestive language. 2.6k words long.

Summers on the outskirts of the Rocky Mountains were always dry and warm. Blistering rays of sun soaked the fragrant sagebrush around you and you intermittently wiped sweat from your brow as you hung freshly washed laundry on the line to dry. The nice thing about the sweltering weather was that the unblocked sun and gentle breeze would make quick work of it. 

Once you were half way through your pile, the familiar sound of a horse clomping their feet on the dirt road past your home caught your attention. After you finished pinning up one of your blouses, you paused and turned your gaze towards the road. Your husband, Kyle, meandered along on his horse not too far off in the distance. Grinning, you wiped your damp hands off on your apron before skipping off towards him. You had sent him off not too long ago to head into town to purchase a few things for dinner that night; one of the nice things about living so close to town was that errands never took him too long. 

“You started the laundry without me!” he called out. 

His horse, who he had named Cisco but you called Spot due to its domino-like pattern, snorted as they approached the gate you found yourself leaning against. Kyle hopped off in one smooth and rehearsed motion before he worked on parking his horse on the post. You innocently tilted your head at him as you watched his fingers diligently tie the reins around the wood. You watched the tendons in his hands flex as he worked, and you found your own hands busying themselves by toying with the strings of your apron. 

“Figured I’d get a head start,” you explained.

“Head start?” he asked as he sauntered towards the gate. “Looks like you got half the load done already.” 

You loved listening to him talk, and could never get enough of his voice. Not only the dark timbre of it, or the way he always crooned at you, but his accent. His family had immigrated from England when he was a young boy, and despite the time he spent in the American West, he still held onto bits of his accent. When you had first heard him speak, you thought it was silly the way he pronounced certain words, but you found it awfully cute hearing American terms from him. 

“Sounds like you’ll have to make it up to me later,” you teased as he entered through the gate and closed it behind him. 

He held out a small leather pouch and gently shook it in his hands as he approached you with a boyish grin. “Oh, was getting ingredients for supper not enough?” he teased. 

You tilted your head again as you snatched the pouch out of his hands. You hummed as if considering his words. “I’ll have to think on it.” 

Without another word, you turned around and began to make your way back towards the clothes line as you threw a teasing glance over your shoulder. Kyle stood there with his thumbs shoved in his pockets and a cheeky smile on his lips, and you weren’t oblivious to the way his eyes roamed down your legs, hypnotized by the sway of your hips. 

You placed the pouch in the pocket of your apron as you approached the line again, and you felt the light weight of it swing around as you bent down to grab more clothes. Not far behind you, Kyle assisted in finishing the laundry, and the two of you worked quietly in finishing the mundane chore. 

As you worked, you couldn’t help but steal a glance or two at Kyle. Alright, more than a glance or two, but you couldn’t be blamed. Not when he was as fine of a specimen as he was. A proper cowboy, he sported a thick pair of jeans that hugged his thighs and a long sleeved maroon shirt. His attire was a bit more relaxed as he wasn’t working with the animals, yet he still wore his black cowboy hat to keep the shining sun off his face. Even through the fabric of his shirt you could see the way his muscles flexed as he shook out one of your dresses before reaching up to pin it on the line. The way his waist tapered at his hips should have been illegal.

When a quarter of the pile was left, the furious huffing sounds of a horse could be heard galloping down the road at full speed. At first you didn’t pay it much mind, as plenty of people used the road outside your house to get to other ranches, but when the horse started to slow, you knew you had a visitor. 

Mr. Davis was a kind enough man, albeit a bit thick skulled and old enough to watch the birth of the world. Kyle often said the man couldn’t tell a pig from his own mother, and though you chastised him and told him that was rude to say, you knew he was right. You had once gone into town to shop at the store he worked at and watched him struggle to figure out how much change he needed to give back to you. Instead of holding down the shop like he was supposed to, he was on his horse, very red in the face and speeding towards your home. 

“What else did you do while you were in town?” you questioned as you held a damp pair of jeans. 

Previously unbothered, Kyle stopped what he was doing and turned his attention to the road. The soft smile on his face vanished and was replaced with confusion. “Nothin’ that would warrant him showin’ up here.” 

Sighing, Kyle quickly dried his hands off on the thighs of his jeans before resting a hand on the small of your back. Even through the fabric of your blouse you could feel how the warmth of him bleed through into your skin. The two of you stood there absolutely dumbfounded as you watched Mr. Davis struggle to park his horse next to Spot. It was lazy and half-assed work and you watched the reins slowly begin to unknot, but he stormed up the path anyway, up through the gate, and started to shake his finger as he approached you and Kyle. 

“Mr. Davis!” Kyle greeted, a bit tense as he took a few steps towards the man. “What can I help you with?” 

“Help? You can help by returning my bell!” the man shouted, his hoarse voice hardly carrying over the distance. 

He stopped just short of the end of the clothes line and he crossed his arms over his chest. Sweat laid in heavy beads across his forehead, and his breathing was far more labored than it should have been. His lips sat in a thin line and you noticed how his eyebrow kept twitching as he stood there glaring at your husband. 

“I apologize, but I haven’t the slightest idea of what you’re talkin’ about,” Kyle admitted as his thumbs dipped back into his pockets. 

“Don’t play dumb,” Mr. Davis snapped as he pointed his finger. “You snuck it into that bag of yours, didn’t you?” 

Instinctively, your hand clutched at the pocket of your apron where you kept the pouch Kyle had used to store the items for dinner. It was mostly spices and small vegetables; certainly nothing that could have been confused with any bell. Mr. Davis must have caught sight of your reaction because he took another step forward in an attempt to walk around Kyle. 

“Yes! That one!” he exclaimed. He held his hand out with the intention of snatching it from you, and you found yourself stumbling backwards. “Hand it here, girl!” 

Before the man could get close to you, Kyle’s hand shot out and grabbed Mr. Davis by his wrist. The only other time you had seen Kyle that angry was when someone had spilled bourbon over his brand new chaps. It took ages for you to help him get the stench of alcohol out of them, and a rumor had started going around that he was a drunk because of the stench. But the fire in his eyes then was nothing but a small spark compared to the raging storm that ate up the sweet brown hue of his irises. 

“You best remember who you’re talkin’ to,” Kyle warned. “That’s my wife and you’d do well to treat her with respect.” 

As if the store clerk wasn’t riled up enough, being grabbed by Kyle certainly pushed him over the edge. He tried to wrestle his arm out of your husband’s grip, but Kyle was infinitely stronger than the rather fragile man. All he had managed to do was flail his arms until his hand caught on the collar of one of Kyle’s work shirts. Pins came flying loose as the clothing was tossed down into the dirt on the ground. 

“Respect?” Mr. Davis repeated incredulously. “Awfully interesting of you to request respect when you stole something right under my nose!” 

“Mr. Davis, please,” you tried to reason, “I’m not quite sure what it is you’re looking for.” 

“My bell!” he shouted in response, arms still flailing against Kyle’s grip. 

“Well, yes, but perhaps if you took a moment to breathe and explain-” 

“Or your lying husband could give back what’s mine!” he interrupted. 

“Alright,” Kyle warned, “that’s enough outta you.” 

What unfolded in front of you was so confusing you didn’t have the words to explain it. Mr. Davis wasn’t an insidious man, by any means, just extremely dense, so when Kyle tried to drag him off your property, he did his best not to hurt the man. Though the man had nothing on your husband's strength, he certainly knew how to flail. Shirts, dresses, jeans; several articles of clothing flew to the ground as Mr. Davis managed to tangle himself in the clothing line. If you hadn’t spent the better part of the last hour or so washing them by hand, you would have thought the sight was a bit comedic. Instead you found yourself cringing at the awkwardness of it all. 

Your only saving grace through it all was that another horse galloped at full speed towards your home. Clay Turner was the owner of the store Mr. Davis worked for, so it only made sense he was the one you saw racing towards your home. He was a fine and charismatic gentleman, but you had caught him sneaking fresh produce into his pockets on several occasions. You weren’t sure how a business could be as successful as his when he shoved his mouth full of his product any chance he could get, but you weren’t one to judge too harshly when the prices were so cheap. 

“Whole damn town coming to visit?” you mumbled to yourself. 

“Mr. Davis!” he called, nearly tossing himself onto the ground as he rushed through the gate. “Stop harassing these poor folks!” 

But the man was still too busy tussling with Kyle to pay much attention to his boss. Clay shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small metal item that he held lazily up in the air. Upon closer inspection, you realized it was a small bell; the type to put on a desk or counter in order to call someone over. Was this the item Mr. Davis came all that way to accost your husband over? 

It wasn’t until Clay started to ring the bell that the man stopped struggling, but even then his eyes found you as he pointed at you once more. “Ah, so you do have it! Give it here this instant!” 

“Oh, you senile old man,” Clay muttered. With more force than needed, he yanked Mr. Davis away from Kyle and shoved the bell into his hands. The man looked down, completely astounded. “Maggie’s boy snatched it off the counter, you idiot. Now get on your horse and get back to work.” 

Burning red shame on his face, Mr. Davis looked up from his bell, to Kyle, and then to you before watching his feet as he walked back towards the gate without so much as an apology. Sighing, Clay offered the two of you a short smile as he wiped his hands off on the front of his shirt. 

“I apologize for that delirious old man,” he said sincerely. “He bought a desk bell for the front counter and brought it into work today. Says it’s easier to keep track of customers while he’s doing inventory. As you can tell it’s… very important to him.”

“So I noticed,” Kyle deadpanned. 

Clay’s face tensed as he glanced at you and then to the ground. A myriad of clothing was scattered everywhere with heavy amounts of dirt smudged into the fabric. On the front of your favorite blush pink blouse was a large footprint. You’d be lying if you said that sight didn’t upset you a little bit. 

“I apologize for the mess, Mrs. Garrick,” Clay continued. “I’ll make sure to give you a mighty fine discount next time you visit the store.” 

One short and awkward farewell later, Clay and Mr. Davis slowly faded away down the road. Dumbfounded, Kyle turned to face you with a small shake of his head. His hat had been knocked off in the midst of their argument, but had been caught by his stampede strings and rested against his back. A few buttons had either been torn off or came loose because the top part of his shirt was open, exposing his sternum. Glistening skin laid underneath, and you found your eyes drawn to it like a moth to a flame. 

“Knew I should’ve gone to Clancy’s,” Kyle sighed. “Why don’t you head inside and start supper? I’ll clean up out here.” 

Humming, you reached for him and rested your hand on his chest. Sweat covered his skin in a thin sheen, and he felt warm to the touch. Whatever irritation that had been on his face melted away into a smirk as he rested his hand on top of yours. 

“What?” he teased, smirk morphing into a grin. “You asked me to make it up to you earlier, didn’t you?” 

“I had something a little more fun in mind than you doing chores,” you admitted. 

As he thought for a moment, your hand slowly trailed down his sternum, only stopping when you had been blocked by the closed buttons of his shirt. Kyle took the stampede strings from around his throat and grabbed a hold of his hat before quickly placing it on your head. It was a few sizes too big and fit oddly on your head, and you found your hands flying up to keep it on straight. 

“How about we wait to have fun until we’re sure we won’t get any more visitors?” he suggested. 

A part of you wanted to say you didn’t care, but you knew that if Mr. Davis came by again to pitch a fit while you were trying to spend quality time with Kyle, the sheriff would be investigating a murder. So you huffed in agreement before crossing your arms. 

“Alright,” you conceded. “Suppose I might as well put these ingredients to good use after all the trouble you went through to get it.” 

Kyle’s hand came up to your chin and tilted your head upwards. He placed a short, chaste kiss on your lips before diving back in for a deeper one. A part of you almost wished he hadn’t because that only made your desire for him grow stronger. It took everything within you to keep your hands to yourself, and you instead busied your fingers with the task of keeping his hat on your head. You still felt him lingering on your lips in a pleasant tingle even after he pulled away. 

“Atta girl.” 

cowboy hat rule cowboy hat rule cowboy hat rule

[sohyxn]

SLIPPED AWAY⠀───⠀HUH YUNJIN.

TAGS : REQUESTED, fluff, angst, yunjin is confused w her feelings, yunjin is too late, reader is part of le sserafim, 02 liner reader.

PAIRINGS : yunjin x fem reader, kazuha x fem reader.

REQ BY ANON : yunjin losing yn to another le sserafim member

NOTES : sorry it took so long anon, pls forgive me i was occupied w exams + writer block got me 💔 also this is kinda shitty tho, i'm so sorry in advance 🤕

it was another day of intense rehearsals for the girls. yunjin couldn't help but steal glances at le sserafim's main dancer, y/n as they performed practice together at the practice room. yunjin's heart skipped a beat at the sight of y/n's radiant smile every time.

the latter has no idea why her heart did that every time she glanced at the younger — or is it because she has feelings with her?

"no, it can't be." yunjin whispers. "what can't be?" a voice appears. yunjin broke out of her thoughts and searched for the source of the voice and she found y/n who's staring at her with a curious look. "huh?"

"-yunjin" y/n continues with a giggle following after. "you get it? huh? yunjin!"

and there, it happened again. yunjin's heart skipped a beat hearing the sound of laughter coming from y/n. again yunjin wondered why she felt like this.

"unnie." y/n said softly. "are you okay? is there something on your mind? you keep staring at the distance. you know you can tell me anything right?" the latter continued.

yunjin feels her heart race at the younger affection. "i'm okay y/n. just feeling tired." yunjin said softly. "hmm if you say so." y/n hummed even though she knows the latter is lying. "i'm gonna go to kazuha unnie. tell me if you need anything okay?" yunjin hummed in response.

yunjin watched as y/n strolled towards kazuha and back hugged the latter. yunjin felt her heart dropped at the sight. these past few months, y/n have been annoyingly close towards kazuha. not like it's a problem but for some reason yunjin do not like it — whenever kazuha makes you laugh, the way you cling to kazuha's side and the way you always cuddle with kazuha during movie night.

and there she thought, "do i have feelings towards y/n?" it hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her breathless and confused.

during a short break, as the girls gathered in the dressing room, yunjin found herself lost in her thoughts. the sound of laughter and chatter faded into the background as her mind replayed their moments together. the way y/n's eyes sparkled when she spoke, the warmth of her touch during group hugs, the way her voice resonated through yunjin's soul during their performances — it all became clear to her.

yunjin's heart raced as she tried to come to terms with her newfound emotions. she knew that confessing her feelings could potentially jeopardize their friendship and the group bonds.

that evening, after rehearsal, yunjin mustered up the courage to seek solace in the comfort of her favorite spot — a secluded bench in a nearby park. the moon hung low in the sky as she sat there, her thoughts consumed by y/n.

"i never expected to feel this way... y/n has become the center of my universe. how did i not realize it before?"

as yunjin pondered her next steps, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

"unnie, there you are. i've been looking all over for you."

yunjin's heart skipped a beat as she turned to see y/n standing before her, concern etched on her face.

"y/n, can i ask you something?"

y/n sat down beside yunjin, her eyes filled with curiosity and genuine care. "of course, unnie. you know you can ask me anything." y/n replied.

taking a deep breath, yunjin gazed into y/n's eyes, her voice trembling but determined. "how do you know if you like someone?"

y/n's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and confusion crossing her face.

"oh well, for me, if i like someone, I can't stop thinking about that person and how i want them to be mine. also my heart will beat so fast whenever i'm with them and spending time with them is something that i'm looking forward to every day."

yunjin nodded. "why do you ask unnie? do you like someone?" with curiosity y/n ask. "yeah, there's someone that i like, a lot." yunjin said while staring at y/n with loving eyes.

"and you, how about you y/n?" yunjin asked. "yeah i do have someone that i like." y/n said with a blush on her cheeks. "ooh, and who is that lucky person?" yunjin teased.

"well, sorry unnie that's a secret!

yunjin laughed at the younger antics but soon replied with a question "do you think i should confess?"

"of course unnie, what if they like you back? wouldn't that be great!" yunjin hummed. "maybe i will, thanks y/n."

"you're welcome unnie." y/n said and gave the older a warm hug. "i'm gonna go back to practice. don't stay here too long unnie!" y/n said to remind yunjin.

a few days have passed and yunjin still hasn't confessed her feelings towards y/n. the fear of rejection has been consuming her mind. "what if the person that y/n likes is someone else?"

but today is different, today is the day huh yunjin gonna do it.

the rain poured relentlessly as yunjin stood at the doorstep of y/n's house. hybe give the group holidays break after finishing their latest comeback promotion.

yunjin knocked on the door of the house and her voice quivered as she spoke, her words laced with softness. "y/n, i... i need to tell you something. please hear me out."

the door opened and y/n's eyes met yunjin's, filled with a mix of surprise and apprehension. "yunjin unnie? what are you doing here? it's raining? let's go inside first."

yunjin bit her lip, as she sat on the couch. "here." y/n gave the older a towel to wipe the wet rains off her soak body.

"so... unnie, what's the important thing you need to tell me until you need to soak yourself in the rain?" y/n asked.

yunjin can hear her heart pounding in her chest "remember when we had a conversation about confessing my feelings to the person i like? well actually the person i like is—"

"babe?" yunjin whipped her head to the source of the voice and was surprised to see kazuha.

"babe? what do you mean by babe zuha? w..what is going on?"yunjin said while looking back and forth between kazuha and y/n.

"unnie." y/n audibly called. "zuha and i, we are seeing each other."

"i know we should've told you and the others and i swear we're going to do it after our break ends." kazuha continued.

tears welled up in yunjin's eyes as the weight of her unrequited love crashed down upon her. "i..i don't know what to say — but i'm happy for you guys and i'm not going to tell the others, i promise." y/n reached out, their voice filled with appreciation. "unnie, thank you so much."

"now about our conversation earlier—what about the person you like?" y/n ask as kazuha leave to give them some space. "oh, nothing. it just—i found out that she likes someone else and well" yunjin's voice trembled, her pain evident.

y/n's eyes glistened with unshed tears, her voice filled with sadness. "oh unnie." she reached out to hug yunjin and she whispered softly in the latter ear "i'm so sorry unnie, i know it hurts but i promise you will someone's that will love you the same."

yunjin nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "i know, y/n. i just... i love her so much. if only i can turn back time to confess earlier."

as the rain continued to pour, y/n comfort yunjin as the older sobs on her shoulder in silence, her heart heavy with the weight of her shattered heart. the echoes of what y/n and her could have been lingered in the air, haunting yunjin.

"do you feel better now?" y/n pulled away, her voice filled with concern. yunjin forced a weak smile, tears streaming down her cheeks. "i am, thank you, y/n. I'll try my best to move forward, even if it feels like my heart is breaking."

her heart ached with regret and longing, knowing that she had realized her feelings for y/n far too late. she had finally mustered the courage to confess her love, only to find y/n in the arms of her best friend, kazuha.

with a final glance, yunjin eyes filled with unspoken pain as yunjin parted ways. the rain continued to fall, washing away the remnants of what could have been, leaving behind only the fading echoes of a love that was never meant to be.

[redtsundere-writes]

Out Of My League | Kayn Shieda / Rhaast

heartsteel!kayn shieda / Rhaast x f!reader

Part 3: Skillcurve.

Part 1. Part 2. Part 4.

Sypnosis: A chronically online girl goes bowling with Heartsteel and ¿her boyfriend? Contents: fluff. Friends to lovers. A couple of dumbasses. Flirting. PDA. Word Count: 2876 words. Author's Note: I really like writing about Kayn cause I´m kinning so hard, I don't know it's bad or good. Requested by: @lovewhatsnotreal

After Kayn satisfied his need to kiss you until sucking your soul out, both returned to the auditorium holding hands. The Heartsteel members quickly realized what had happened once they noticed the pale red hickey on your neck. They were a bit surprised to find out what you were willing to do at school but they were still happy for you two. Yone was proud of you for achieving your goal, but he was disappointed in your indecency. 

Your love for each other was as young as the night and it was barely starting. While you were aware of Kayn's rebellious and reckless personality, you were unaware that his driving mirrored those traits. On the way to the bowling alley, he had run 5 red lights, 7 stop signs and almost ran over a woman. The entire ride you spent praying and holding on to your seat belt as if your life depended on it. Let me correct that, your life DID depend on it. 

Everyone had arrived at the bowling alley, including the captain of the volleyball team who didn’t want to leave Yone's side. “It seems that Kayn wasn't lying,” you thought, relieved when you saw how the girl forcibly hugged Yone's arm but he was just shooting disapproving glances at her. Ezreal was excited to finally be able to rest after weeks of rehearsals leading up to the talent show. K'Sante and Sett were arguing about who was going to have the highest score at bowling while Aphelios just listened to them even though he knew who was going to win: Him.

While Yone and Aphelios paid for the hours everyone would be playing, the others ordered snacks and drinks stupidly in the restaurant bar of the place. 

"I want some nachos with extra cheese, extra beef and… extra everything!" Kayn asked excitedly. He hadn't eaten all day because he had forgotten to do so out of jealousy. 

"What do you want, beautiful?" He asked you before snaking his arm around your waist. 

"I’m good," you said shyly.

You really didn't have much of an appetite being surrounded by strangers. You weren't afraid of the people you didn’t know because you knew, for what you had heard from Kayn and Yone, that they are good people. Yet, you couldn't shake the shame away. You had to know them better to be able to trust them. 

"And chicken nuggets!" Kayn shouted so that the cashier could include that in the order. 

Everyone got their shoes. Sett helped Aphelios tie his shoelaces like the prince he is. The captain, seeing this, asked Yone to do the same but he flatly refused. Having his shoes on, Ezreal began to dance to check that they were tied properly. You and Kayn just watched him and laughed at him because he looked funny. 

Everyone was playing in their respective turns. You asked to be the last because you had never played in your life. Not having many friends, you had not had the opportunity to do things that other kids your age usually do for fun, such as going to karaoke, going to the arcade, or skipping class. Your life used to consist of playing League, practicing your guitar skills, and aimlessly surfing the vast web. Maybe that would change now that Kayn was your boyfriend... only if he asked you.

Even though Kayn confessed and kissed you, you didn't know exactly what he wanted from you. Did he want you to be his girlfriend, his lover, his friend with benefits or was this just going to be a situationship? You wanted to ask him where you stood with him but this wasn't the right time. 

"You may be better than me at playing League but you won’t beat me in this," Kayn said with a proud smile. 

Kayn is very competitive. He loves to compete and that is why he usually turns everything into a competition. Even the most ridiculous thing can become a competition if he puts his mind to it: seeing who can fold a burrito the fastest or who can stay awake the longest.

You rolled your eyes at his statement but didn't look away to watch how you were supposed to play, since you didn't have the slightest idea what you were supposed to do. Kayn took one of the heavier balls, stood in front of the throwing line, swung the bowling ball back to create momentum, and then threw it so that it glided fluidly down the lane. The ball knocked out all the pins with one shot. Strike. 

"HOT DAMN!" Kayn exclaimed, showing off his satisfying shot. 

“Oh wow, it's Faker” you thought. Aphelios indicated with his finger that it was your turn, so you approached the throwing line. Kayn smiled at you as you approached him to exchange turns. 

"You got it, cutie." He said before spanking you. The colors rushed to your face instantly. 

"Hey!" You barked embarrassed. He just stuck his tongue out at you and scooted away to watch you throw.

You took a deep breath to ignore what Kayn had done. You approached the bowling balls station. The balls came in various sizes and colors. You decided to take one just because it was your favorite color and stood in front of the line again. You replayed in your mind how Kayn had launched his shot and tried to imitate it as best as possible with the best aim. Your ball ended up deflecting into the left channel. 

Kayn poke fun at your missed shot as you blushed. You felt like a humiliated tomato. You went back to the ball station to grab another one. You took a deep breath and tried again but the ball fell back into the same channel. You dropped your head in surrender as Kayn laughed harder. Aphelios came over to smack the back of his head for mocking while Sett approached you. 

"You don't know how to play, do you?" Sett asked empathetically. 

"It's the first time I play," you declared embarrassed. Kayn stopped laughing upon hearing that. Now he felt bad for making fun of a rookie. 

"Don't worry, I can teach you," Sett offered. He had done it partly out of kindness and because Aphelios asked him via chat. Kayn did not hesitate to interject. 

"I'm better at playing, I think I can teach my girlfriend," Kayn reproached the big man. 

You frowned at the title he gave you. Not because you didn't want to be his girlfriend, but because he hadn't asked you. Maybe you weren't good at reading social parameters but you knew that those kinds of things are asked. At least now you knew what Kayn wanted from you. You decided to get revenge for making fun of you. 

"Girlfriend? Where?" you asked while pretending to look for an imaginary person on the horizon. Kayn was now frowning at you, an expression that made Sett chuckle. 

"I'm talking about you, dummy," he scolded. You stopped, pretending not to understand. 

"Me? I don't remember you asking me," you said while inspecting your nails as if you didn't care. Kayn ground his teeth in frustration. 

"You're mine, I made that hickey," he reproached, pointing at your neck. 

"This? A friend did it to me," you said with an evil smile. Sett burst into laughter. 

"Go fight somewhere else, it's my turn." K'Sante said as he approached you. You gave Kayn a wink to indicate that you were just joking, to which he just shook his head, drawing away from the fact that you were playing with his little heart. You both returned to your seats to wait for the next turn. 

The food arrived minutes later. Ezreal had ordered a little of everything but encouraged everyone to grab from his plate. K'Sante and Sett ate wings as if they had never eaten a bite in their entire lives. Kayn's nachos looked monstrous but appetizing. While he ate, he struck down anyone who even thought of grabbing his food. You were obviously the only exception but you only ate one to try them out and covered your mouth while you did so in shame. 

"Who ordered the nuggets?" asked Yone, who was distributing the food. Kayn, having his mouth full of cheese and meat, only pointed to you so Yone would give them to you. 

"I didn't order this," You told him confusedly as you looked at the nuggets in a plastic basket. Kayn swallowed what was in his mouth to answer you. 

"I ordered them for you," he answered before taking a mouthful of nachos. You were surprised to hear that.

"I know you love nuggets and that you don’t like eating in public, but you must eat," he said, encouraging to eat without feeling embarrassed. You smiled to yourself seeing that he knew you so well and cared about you. You decided to eat the nuggets because he was right, they were your favorite. 

"Strike, baby!" Kayn shouted as the ball knocked down all the pine trees in his next turn. You approached him to follow the turn pattern. 

"I'm going to teach you, so pay attention," he asked as he examined the weights on the balls. 

She picked up a  bowling ball number 10, a ball for the average weight of an adult woman. He gave you the ball to hold and then pulled you towards him so that your back was against his chest. This way you could imitate his movements precisely. His slippery fingers grabbed your wrist and with his other hand he adjusted your back to make sure your posture was straight. 

You blushed as you felt his warm breath tickling your ear. It was the first time you were so close to him with several people watching you around. You swallowed to calm your nerves. 

"Do you see the marks on the floor of the track? Focus on those, not the pines," Kayn explained patiently. You nodded, signaling that you had understood his indication. 

"Good girl, now just follow me," he asked.

He forced you to move your arm and legs back to create momentum. They then walked forward while you swung your arm in the same direction to shoot. As he had promised, the ball hit the second row of pine trees and caused them all to fall in a domino effect. You smiled when you saw the result. 

"I made a strike!" You exclaimed happily as you raised your arms in victory. Kayn smiled at you seeing you so excited and imitated you in celebration. 

"Thank you. I teach on Thursdays," he said with a mischievous smile. 

"How much is it for private lessons?" you asked, playing along. 

"Just a couple of kisses," He purred before pulling you by the waist and kissing your smile. He gently held your chin as he guided you to paradise with his lips. 

"Get a room! There are people who did come to play!" Ezreal scolded before throwing an empty soda can at Kayn's head. The pink-haired boy turned to glare at him. You just laughed, blushing. 

"Thank you for inviting me," you thanked the members of Heartsteel once they were ready to go home.

Ezreal said it was a pleasure and all the boys said goodbye to you. Yone advised you to call him if Kayn ended up being detained by the police before heading to his car with the captain. Your date took you by the hand back to the car so he could take you home “safe and sound.”  

They got into the car and you melted into the seat from the exhaustion caused by social interactions. Kayn massaged your shoulder from the driver's seat and told you that you did a good job. You smiled weakly at the compliment. You had really had a good time, you just weren't used to having so many people around you. 

Kayn turned on the car's interior lights and reached for something in the back seat. You looked at him confused. He brought a makeup bag with him as soon as he sat up straight again. 

"Are you going to touch-up your makeup?" you asked curiously. 

"You're the one who needs a touch-up. I'm not going to let your mom see that hickey," Kayn said seriously. 

You instinctively covered your neck as soon as you remembered the mark he had given you that afternoon after confessing. You looked in the visor mirror to check the severity of the mark. You were relieved to see that it was a pale red shade and not purple. Kayn approached you to inspect the mark and adjust your neck to begin covering it. 

"I'm going to apply concealer," he said before reaching his hand into his small makeup bag. 

"I didn't know you wore makeup," you commented without moving your neck. 

"Do you think all this beauty is natural?" Kayn joked as he applied the product to your neck.

"Eh... yes," you giggled. 

"Well, you're right. I'm too beautiful for this world, but sometimes I get pimples on my face," he joked while blending the product with a makeup sponge. 

You laughed at his comment. Kayn smiled to himself seeing that you weren't surprised or made fun of him for wearing makeup. In his life he had come across people who had distanced themselves from him just because they knew that he wore eyeliner, he was happy that you were not like them. You weren't really surprised by this because Rhaast would sometimes call you while he was painting his hair or nails, so it was safe to say that he did more than just his eyeliner. 

"I did my makeup today thinking it would surprise you but I see that you are better than me at it," You said, feeling a bit silly for feeling like a makeup artist just because your eyeliner was symmetrical. 

"You look beautiful," he flattered you. You still weren't used to him saying those things to you, but you would soon. He finished covering the hickey with translucent powder over the concealer so it wouldn't sweat away on the way home. You thanked him when he finished and he replied that it wasn't a problem. 

After a crazy car ride while listening to his favorite songs at excessively high volume, Kayn finally parked in front of your building. You wanted to stay with him longer but you both needed to rest after a hectic day full of emotions. 

"Thank you for driving me," You said before leaving a kiss on his cheek. 

You were going to move away but Kayn's hand on your neck didn't allow you. He clenched your jaw slightly to keep you close to him while he kissed your entire face. He also wanted to stay with you longer. If you lived alone, he would have stayed the night to make the most of every moment with you. The only thing stopping him was that he now had a couple of in-laws who wouldn't be too happy with that idea. 

Your hands briefly ran over his chest until they reached his shoulders to feel him closer to you. Kayn tilted his head to deepen the kiss, an intimate and profound expression of affection that transcended the surface. The safe feeling in his chest every time he kissed you made him drift into a peace that he hadn't felt in a long time. He was sure that he had found the person with whom he wanted to have a thousand and one adventures. 

You detached from each other when both started to lack air and a thin trail of saliva briefly connected you. Kayn wiped your lips with his thumb to release your face and take your hand. Both smiled upon the realization that you were finally together, well, now you were closer than ever. 

"I've never wanted to be someone's boyfriend so bad," Kayn whispered to you as his fingers gently played with yours. Brushing your skin with his fingertips, wishing you could touch each other like this later in your relationship. 

"Can I?" He asked before kissing the back of your hand. 

It was something you had only heard in your deepest dreams, now it is your new reality. Kayn loved you the same way you loved him. You smiled at his interesting proposal. 

"Only if you promise me you won't break up with me in a month," you joked. Kayn rolled his eyes at that tasteless joke. 

"I'll break up with you when hell freezes," he said between joking and serious. 

"You convinced me, I accept," You said before planting a kiss on your nose. 

Kayn got out of the car and walked around it to get to your door to open it. He helped you down and walked you to the entrance of your building. You said goodbye to each other and then you entered. As soon as you disappeared from Kayn's sight, you started jumping excitedly to your apartment. You did! You were officially Kayn's girl! All your hard work had paid off and you felt like you would explode with excitement. Because of your strange burst of energy and the makeup, your parents didn't even realize that a handsome vampire had bitten you.

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Masterlist.

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

AITA for not casting someone in a role they wanted?

A couple of years ago I (22F) was on the audition panel for my university theatre group's show. There was one guy in the group - D (20M) who was auditioning for one of the principal roles. We knew he really wanted this role - he would always sing songs from the part at karaoke and he often said he was born to play it.

The problem was that D is very difficult to work with. In previous shows he would often not show up to rehearsals without warning anyone, wouldn't learn his lines until the day of the show (if ever), and when he did show up he acted like he didn't want to be there. He was also meant to be on the committee of the society but skipped pretty much every meeting (again without telling anyone he wouldn't be there) and didn't fulfill any of his duties, so others had to pick up the slack. There had also been a few complaints from other cast members that he had been acting creepy and a few people were quite uncomfortable with him.

He did give a good audition, however with the aforementioned issues in mind we felt we couldn't give him the part. Another person in the group also did a good audition and so they ended up getting the part, even though they were a less traditional casting type for the part. D quit the society after the cast list was announced and hasn't been back since.

I feel like the AH here because I was the main one speaking against his casting on the panel (even though I know the others agreed). However, if we had cast him and he carried on with his previous behaviour pattern it would have affected the whole cast's rehearsal period and the show.

It's been a couple of years and I still feel bad about this, so AITA?

What are these acronyms?

[ihrtnjm]

Every Summertime - Park Jisung

Synopsis: You and Jisung's relationship blossoming over time -- from dating to marriage. Based on: “Every Summertime” by NIKI Pairing: Park Jisung (NCT) and fem!reader Genre: straight up fluff!!!!, uni!au, dating to marriage, relationship progression Word Count: 1.2k Warnings: use of she/her pronouns, cursing, mentions of weird coworkers, reader is shorter than jisung, reader eats a strawberry  Content: pet names (hun, honey, babe), second person pov, idols as friends, just two cuties <3, jisung is a dance major, if marrying jisung weirds you out pls leave… a/n: this is my first y/n fic EVERRR <333333 a lot of the locations are vague, so it’s up to reader interpretation! pls reblog, comment and send feedback! support is very much appreciated!!!!! jisung has been on my mind lately (probs bc i’m learning his part for candy) like he’s so boyfriend shaped how can u not love him!!!!!!!!!!

｡ﾟ❁ུ۪ °ₒ 𓂂 ˚ 𓂂 ₒ ° ₒ 𓂂 ˚˖⋆

Park, 5:32 AM

18, We were undergrads, 

Stayed out late, never made it to class

Jisung looks out at the sunrise and over to you. There’s no one else he would rather be with at this moment. Being with you makes him forget every worry on his mind. He admires the twinkle in your eyes, as the glow of the sunrise bathes you. As they sit out by the lake, he fumbles with the promise ring in his pocket. 

“Ji, you good?” you ask, trying to peek over at what he was hiding with curiosity in your voice.

“Huh? Oh, it’s nothing.” Jisung quickly takes his hand out of his jacket pocket. You’ve been out for a while now, but he doesn’t care if he comes back home and skips practice. He can make it up later. 

But with you, he doesn’t waste a single minute.

“You don’t have class later?” Jisung asks – he doesn’t plan on going to class later that day, but worries that you won’t make it. 

“I do,” you sigh, “but I don’t think I’ll go. I just wanna be with you.” you reply softly, leaning your head onto his shoulders, as you both take in the sunrise. You loved everything about Jisung -- the way he danced, the way he would buy her something because it reminded him of you, the way he stops and waits as you tie your shoelaces, every little thing he does. 

Jisung turns his head and kisses your forehead, then resumes to look onto the sunrise.

----

Dance Studio, 7:43 PM

And I swear the magnolias flashed a smile (flashed a smile)

And that's when I caught me hoping you'd stay a while (stay a while)

Jisung moves around the studio freely, with sharp yet somehow smooth movement. As he cleanly dances throughout the studio, you admire his talent from the walls in the studio. Seeing his facial expressions while he passionately dances his heart out, you can’t help but feel your heart glow.  

Here she is, admiring the love of her life as he does the thing that he loves. From every recital to late night rehearsal, she loves him all the same. You remember when you two started dating – when he asked if you wanted to watch one of his recitals. He was endearingly nervous, hands clammy and heart beating at a thousand miles per hour. When you had said ‘yes,’ it was like the largest weight was lifted from his body. Since then, you’ve seen him grow into one of the most talented dancers you’ve seen.

“This dance is coming along really nicely, hun.” you state, standing up and walking toward him. You wrap your arms around his torso, then nuzzle your face into his chest. Jisung smiles down at you, hugging you back. 

“Thanks. I think I still need to practice a couple more times, but I like where I’m at.” he replies breathlessly, taking a moment to grab his water bottle and take a swig. After putting it on the ground, he continues to hug you.

“Well as long as you’re happy, I’m happy.” you smile, looking up at him with pride. Jisung hasn’t stopped smiling, bringing your lips together while smiling into the kiss.

At that moment, you knew you wanted to marry this man.

----

Mark’s Apartment, 9:30 PM

Baby, I'd give up anything to travel inside your mind

Baby, I fall in love again come every summertime

“Dude, when are you gonna propose? You two have definitely talked about it, and it doesn’t help that you’re always with her--” Jisung tunes Chenle out as he rambles on about your relationship. Instead, he looks over at you while you talk to Ningning. He doesn’t know what you guys are talking about, but as he looks at her he admires the passion in your eyes about whatever you’re saying. 

Jisung has seen your passionate eyes up close -- and God does he love them. In late night rants, discussions on class readings, and how dogs should wear pants. 

Meanwhile, you’re having a similar discussion with Ningning right across the room.

“Wait -- so Jisung hasn’t asked you?!” Ningning says with shock. Ningning has known you two for a while and shares the same sentiment as Chenle – but probably wouldn’t nag you the same way Chenle does.

“No Ningning, he hasn’t,” you deadpan, “But I don’t wanna force him into anything he doesn’t wanna do, y’know? He just seems so happy with where we are, and I don’t wanna make things weird--” 

“Make things weird? Tell that to the guy who’s staring at you as if he’s about to pop the question right now.” Ningning remarks, noticing Jisung stare at the two of you. She’s right -- Jisung hasn’t stopped at all – all while Chenle nags at him. 

“You should probably talk to him,” Ningning whispers into your ear, a grin on her face.

----

Park, 5:15 PM

25, man we're missing church

Laugh 'bout everyone we're hating at work

You and Jisung are in front of the lake yet again — but the only thing that has changed was time. Older, out of college, engagement rings on your fingers. Jisung sits while you lie your head on his lap. 

“Babe, I’m telling you this man is so weird. He treats the female coworkers as if they’re goddesses – mind you there’s a difference when a woman does it – and acts all lowly and shit!” you joke, taking a strawberry from the basket into your mouth. “It doesn’t help that when they say no to him, he acts like gave his soul to these women and acts pissed.” Jisung smiles down at you, taking a hand and brushing off loose hairs from your face. 

“Isn’t HR doing anything about it? This sounds like a problem that a lot of people have…” Jisung ponders, his hand traveling between your brows and smoothing out the wrinkles. 

“I don’t know, it’s not like he’s hurting anyone I guess,” you reply, “He’s just weird, y’know?”

“Alright but if he ever bothers you, you know who to go to!” he emphasizes, chest puffed up as if to come off as intimidating. You giggle at his gesture, sitting up and then holding his face in your hands.

“You’re so cute, did you know that?” you smile. He’s left flustered, as he takes his larger hands and puts them on top of yours. Jisung leans in closer to you, lips softly touching as he gets a taste of the strawberry that was on your lips earlier.

“Yeah, but you’re cuter.”

“Fine, but you’re the cutest.” 

----

Outside of Your Apartment, 10:30 PM

We're strolling down the boulevard

And dancing under streetlights 

Every year we get older, and I'm still on your side 

“Jisung, we’re gonna fall!” you laugh as you both stumble around the street, one Airpod in each other’s ears. A typical ballroom song plays in each of your earbuds while you adjust yourselves, figuring out how to dance to the music.

“Honey, just follow my lead,” Jisung giggles, “Mind you, you’re the one who wanted to learn!” Taking your hands in his, you sway around the street as the post lights shine. 

“Mind you, you’re the one with the dance degree!” you retaliate, looking down at your feet to avoid stepping on Jisung. 

“Mind you, you’re the one who’s married to me!” 

“You got me there.” you whisper, moving your arms to wrap around Jisung’s neck. Jisung’s hands then land on your hips, and softly pressing your lips together. 

As you admire the summertime moonlight, you both sway to the song that plays in your ears. 

Every day is summertime

Every day is summertime with you

[cutedollieface]

Being alone (Digital Circus Jax x ragitha fanfic)

Most days at the digital Circus played out mostly the same. Wake up, rehearsals, go on some wacky adventure, rehearsal again, and talk and sleep or morn your past life. That's what everyone often did, but today was different.

To start, when everyone woke up for rehearsals for the theme song, Caine was nowhere to be seen. Everyone did line up and ate breakfast, and the bubble was there but refused to say where Caine was. So everyone went their own ways.

Everyone loved to have alone time, all except Ragitha.

Ragitha hates being alone. It's not often that you are ever alone in the digital circus, so when she heard that there was nothing to do, she was scared. She hated being alone.

Being alone in Ragitha was actually one of her biggest fears that she kept secret. She kept this a secret because of what could happen if anyone found out, like if Jax found out he probably would lock her in her room, or if Caine finds out he could play some sick game.  She was terrified to be alone for many reasons, for one being alone to her feels like someone is always behind her, but she could never see them. It could also be the fact that when she's alone, she fears she will go insane and be abustracted. However, what she feared the most is that no one liked her or would forget about her easily. No one would go looking for her if something were to happen to her if she was alone and no one would care, As if she was an actual old doll that people could toss in the closet and forget about.

Ragitha didn't want that. She understood if no one loved her or liked her, but she wanted to at least know that someone at least cares enough for her to think about her. She felt there was more to this fear, but she couldn't remember why it was. However, she knows she just feels happier and safer with people. So that's what she does. She goes to look for them.

Ragitha roams the halls and looks around. She sees pomni and goes up to her to try and see if she's willing to do anything with her. She felt scared.

Sadly, Pomni was busy. She was getting still getting used to the tent and was looking around the rooms. Ragitha offered to come along, but Pomni was still scared and preferred to be alone.

Ragitha sighed but kept her head up. Maybe Zooble or Gangle would want to talk or help her make something! She smiled and came up to the table that Zooble and Kinger were sitting at. Ragitha skips and stands next to them.

"Hiya guys, what ya up too?" Ragitha asks, standing straight and rocking on her feet nervously. Zooble lifts an eyebrow at her nervous appearance but shrugs and rolls her eyes.

Kinger yawns and lays his head on the table and says kindly, "Ah, nothing much, me and Zooble were just planning on sleeping. Do you wanna join?" Kinger offers before falling asleep instantly. Zooble rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, no, I said I will be sleeping in my room. You're welcome to sleep at the table with Kinger. I'll be in my room, don't bother me." Zooble sarcastically remarks before walking away. Ragitha sighs. She doesn't want to disturb Kinger in his moment of rest.

She walks around an anxious pit building in her stomach from being alone so far. She looks around, trying to find Gangle next. She spends maybe the better part of an hour before she sees Gangle retiring to her room as well.

Ragitha is now really starting to freak out. She bites her lip and hopes that she could find anyone, anyone at this point to just sit with. Jax seems to be nowhere in sight, and everyone is on their own personal time. She doesn't want to disturb them, though, so she continues walking around, hoping that anyone would stop and talk to her

She is wandering around for a few hours, and it starts to get dark out. Everyone has retired to their rooms, and she is heading back to her room as well. Ragitha plays with her hair as she wonders the hall, scared shitless now that it's Night.

She opens her bedroom door and immediately turns on all lights. In her room, she had about ten plushes scarred across everywhere. Something about her plushies made her less scared, but it could never beat the real thing of having someone there.

Ragitha sits on her bed and begins to get ready for bed, shaking. She puts on a night gown and comes her hair and takes her bow off, and lays in her bed.

"Come on, Ragitha, you're fine. Nothing is going to happen. you're okay." Ragitha rolls herself as she turns over and hugs a  plush. Her eyes dart around the room, and she shakes in fear.

Everything always seems more scary at night. She tosses and turns and puts the pillow over her head, but that just makes her more scared. Eventually, she is breathing heavily and clutching onto the bedsheets. Ragitha closes her eyes and tries to take a deep breath.

After a few moments and turning on all the lights in her room and putting a record on, she finally calms herself down and laughs a bit at herself for being so scared.

Ragitha finnally keeps her fear at bau for the moment, starts to drift off into sleep.

-

Ragitha wakes up, but she feels if something is off. She gets up and gets dressed but realizes it's till night.  "That's strange. The clock says it's 7 a.m., it should be morning, and everyone should be awake by now." She says to herself before getting up and getting dressed.

She walks the halls of the tent but notices that the walls are all dark and gloomy with writings on the wall. She feels goosebumps trail across her cloth body and that same fear of being alone again wash over her. She shakes her head.

"No, no, calm yourself, Ragitha. They are probably still sleeping! Yeah." She muttered to herself before walking around. She felt terrified again, this time alot lot worse. Every time she turned a corner, she would see a shadow run away from her. She starts to get more panic as time passes and notices the tent to start falling apart with each lap she makes around the tent.

Ragitha starts to get desperate and rubs and knocks on the doors. She knocks on kingers, no response. Zooble, no response. It's the same thing for Pomni and Gangle. Ragitha is breathing heavily now and runs to Jaxs door.

"Jax? Jax! Please tell me you are in there? Please be in there." She says softly, knocking on his door. After a few minutes with no response, she sighs and begins to jiggle the handle to her surprise. It works. She opens the door and gasps.

There's nothing in the room at all. It's just a black void she stepped into. Jax is nowhere to be seen, and now is when Ragitha realizes everyone left. Everyone is gone but her. She starts panting and shaking her head in disbelief, "No, that can't be true! They would never lea -" as she mumbles to herself, walking out of the door, she feels some pair of hands pull her back into the room.

Ragitha is kicking, screaming, and crying as the finger holds her. Then she starts hearing all these voices, and they yell and scream at her.

"They all forgot you," "You're all alone now."You're going to be alone forever."Scream, no one can hear you.' "No one cares." The words repeat for hours, days, weeks, months and years as ragitha cries and screams for help, but no one hears her.

Maybe the voices are right. No one really does care.

-

Jax is awoken by Pomni knocking on his door, her shaky voice sounding terrified. Jax rolls his eyes and groans in annoyance before getting up and grooms himself before walking out into the main dining hall. He sits at the table as Zooble, pomni, kinger, and Gangle sit at the breakfast table. Then he realizes someone's missing.

Jax blinks, realizing that Ragitha wasn't the one to wake him up this morning or was she the first awake. She nornally always was. He suddenly sits up in his Seat and turns to the others, "Hey, where is dolly at?" He asks pointing to her empty seat. Zooble shrugs, "don't know, surprised she didn't wake up though," she says eating her food, Pomni was sitting staring off into space and Jax snaps his fingers to get her attention.

"Hey, did you wake up Ragitha yet?" He asks and pomni takes a moment before shaking her head, "No, Caine only told me to wake you up, why you ask?" She says softly before going back to eating and kinger raises his brow, "Yeah Jax, why do you ask?"

Jax rolls his eyes and gets up, "Because I need my prank victim inless one of you want to take Rags place?" Everyone immediately shakes their head and he laughs before making his way down thw hallway.

Jax as he walks down the hall starts to hear noises. He hears an old record playing but then something else. Jax starts to walk a little faster and then he hears the Strange noise and record player coming from Ragithas room.

He blinds and knocks on the door, "Hey, you up in there? Come on Ragdoll, enough beauty sleep!" He says and knocks a few times but no answer. He feels a tiny bit of worry rise up and he grabs the key to her room and unlocks it.

"I'm coming in, so if you don't want me too you better have something to say in one, two, three.." Jaxs opens the door slowly and comes into her room. He notices right away that she has at least several lamps on and the record is playing on full blast.

He walks towards her bed and hears that noise again, he realizes it's crying. He blinks and turns off her record player and hears her sobbing underneath the covers.

This is new to him because, as long as he had been here he has never seen Ragitha cry before. Sure, his seen her sad but never to the point of tears.

He gently lifts the overs over her head down and whispers, "Ragitha?" He sees her eyes are closed tightly and her mumbling things he can't quite make out. He wasn't the type of person to comfort because he didn't really know how to but he was worried. He grabs ragitha by her shoulders and lifts her up a little so she's sitting and his shaking her shoulder a bit calling out her name.

"Ragitha, cone on wake up. It's a nightmare, come on dollface.." He calls out to her and sees her face start twitching, showing that she's waking up.

Finnally, after a few moments she opens her eyes and stares up at Jax looking scared when suddenly she blinks, "...Jax? You're here..! You didn't leave..your here.." She suddenly smiles brightly and hugs him.

Jax froze up and his ears shot up in alarm. This was so strange. Never had Ragitha ever done this and he hated hugs but something inside him told him that she was his freind. He looks at ragitha and slowly puts his arms around her like he's never gotten a hug in his life. He pats her back and then after awhile he hears her cry again. he looks down and she's her face hidden in his shoulder muttering out apologies that he can't quite make out. Jax suddenly hugs her tightly back and pats her back.

"Calm yourself, dolly, it was only a nighmare..what happened?" He pulls away and she wipes her tears before looking around her room and moving a fair distance away from him, a pink blush aginst her cheeks due to embarwssment. She played with her hands nervously.

She took a deep intake of air before letting it go and sighing. "If i tell you you cannot do any pranks on me based on this," she says looking at him angerly. He shrugs and smirks before looking back at her, "No promises, toots. Now what's up, cause I am not good at these things." Ragitha giggled a bit, "I can tell."

Ragitha bites her lip and thinks for a bit before sighing out, "I have a fear of being alone, don't ask why because I don't even know, I just, had a nighmare all of you guys left me and forgot about me, thats all" Ragitha says feeling rather silly for saying it out loud.

It's been a few seconds and Ragitha starts to get worried and nervously looks up at him just to suddenly find him patting her back. She hummed in surprise.

"Listen dollface, I may not be good at these things but know its not stupid to fear that and know I could never forget you," she smiles wondering what he meant before he gives her that devilish grin, "your to annoying to forget."

She sighs and rolls her eyes and gets out of bed, "alright, now I had enough of you, get out of my room for a minute while I change!" Ragitha says giggling and he chuckles and closes thw door behind him. He waits for her outside her door so she isn't scared and walks back with her to the breakfast table, Caine is back and forcing them to be ready but Jax after finding out what she's scared of would never leave her side.

That day Jax spent most of his time with Ragitha making sure shes alright and in general messing around with her. He felt something stir in his chest but pushed it away as he sat with Ragitha.

Maybe this was a start of a very beautiful friendship.

[blissfulip]

—Legion

On AO3

 

Priest!Viktor x F!demon!reader

Rating: Explicit

Tags: Priest Kink, Blasphemy, Self-Harm, Implied/Referenced Self-Harm, Self-Flagellation, Demon Sex, Demon Summoning, Demon/Human Relationships, demon reader, AU - Canon Divergence, Post medieval era, Dubious Science, Church Sex, Roman Catholicism, Catholic Guilt, Improper Use of Catholic Rituals, Shameless Smut, Masturbation, No use of Y/N, third person.

Cw: mentions of child abuse, masturbation. (separately, not related to one another)

Words: 2.4k

[A/N: we are so back yall, i think... (let me know if you want to be tagged or removed in future fic updates!)]

Tags: @ihopeinevergetsoberr @chemical-killjoy @jinxed-jk @bobobomao @queen-of-elves @thedustybunny @syren201 @thayfass @thehistoriangirl @hypocritic-trash-baby @zaunitearchives

Previous

V. (NSFW)

Preach, pray, consume, forgive, kneel, repent, repeat.

Viktor’s  worn fingers traced the grooves of the heavy missal as the morning light filtered through stained glass, casting lazy hues upon the cold stone floor. The scent of incense, mingling with the earthy aroma of old wood and dust, rose in spirals as thoughts meandered like the smoke. He recited every prayer, absent from the materiality needed but without a misstep. Not a single one of the faithful that had congregated on that Sunday morning noticed something was amiss, which in retrospect made it seem like he had been doing this for a while, unbeknownst to him.

Their eyes, some pious, others wearied by life's burdens, stared back in expectation, and in their collective gaze, he intoned the familiar prayers, his voice a low murmur resonating through the vaulted space. No part of his body registered the passage of time; only the ashen-colored light that now bathed the right-most side of the altar accused the hours he had lost to the liturgy. A soft voice calling out to him gently nudged him out of his stupor. 

“Father” The altar boy whispered with an outstretched hand that held the washed communion plates. 

“Thank you, Tobias.” Viktor said as he reached out to grab the plates, “I’m sorry, I’ve been a bit distracted as of late.” 

The boy nodded animatedly and skipped his way down to the altar again. Tobias was a lad of scarcely ten summers. Like many others—including Viktor himself—he had been ‘donated’ to the church. To everyone else, this was seen as a foolproof way to skip purgatory, a show of mercy from his parents that proved their love for him and their devotion to god. To Viktor—who was there on the day he arrived and was charged with paying his parents an appropriate amount for him—it was a desperate plea to guarantee his five other siblings did not starve to death.

Viktor looked down again, and the boy was still walking around, clad in a robe slightly too large for him, its hem brushing the floor. His small hands worked with care, putting out the candles with a long, brass taper. Viktor watched as the boy handled the sacred objects with a reverence that belied his tender age, so full of potential and untainted by cynicism. When he was done with his duties, he walked back over to where Viktor sat and stood there in silence, waiting for more orders. 

“What do you wish to be when you grow up?” Viktor asked casually.

He spoke quickly, like he had rehearsed it. “A priest, like you.”

Viktor let out a small, good-humored chuckle in response and raised an incredulous eyebrow. Tobias looked on both sides like he was afraid someone would be there to hear him before speaking again. 

“A stonemason, like my father.”

“Do you miss him?”

His glossy eyes didn’t escape Viktor’s, but he didn’t wish to pry for answers any further, afraid the boy’s feelings would end up triggering memories of his own. And even though Tobias quickly left after Viktor nodded in understanding, the memories he was trying to repress came flooding down. 

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

The day his parents took him away was etched in Viktor’s memory with painful vagueness. Cold hands pried him from his mother’s skirt, her eyes wet and empty, filled with a sorrow too deep for words. He barely remembered her face, and now and then, when he tried to latch onto her ghost, she escaped him like smoke. His father’s voice, gruff and resigned as he muttered it was ‘for the best’, was the only thing he managed to recall clearly. He was never able to tell if he felt sad; although his tone seemed tired, it always had, this time seeming nothing more than a feeble attempt at justification. 

The heavy monastery door closed behind him with a finality that echoed through his young heart, and despite the fact that they lived nearby, he never saw them again. Stone walls towered over him, pressing in, their cold embrace devoid of the warmth and comfort he had known. Father Isidore's face, nothing more than a priest back then, loomed hard and unyielding, offering no solace.

Lonely nights were spent in a narrow cot. This was, for all intents and purposes, a better sleeping arrangement than what he previously had, but he longed for home, for the familiar sounds of his mother’s cooking and his father’s laughter as he woke up before sunrise, which had been replaced by an oppressive silence and whispered prayers. Days blurred into weeks, and the unfamiliar routine and stern discipline pressed down on his spirit as curiosity, once a joyful pursuit, became a dangerous trait to have.

He remembered the sting of Father Isidore’s cane against his skin, the punishment for asking questions deemed too freethinking. The pain on his back that burned with each strike, shame and pain mingling as his stern gaze bore into him, and the sickly feeling in his stomach when he smiled at him with the slimy insincerity of someone who believes he’s doing you a favor.

Back then, he bit his lip to stifle his cries, the taste of blood trickling down his throat that for so long he associated with fear, and now it had mutated into a morbid parade of all the wrong sentiments: pleasure, anger, and defiance. If only little Viktor the altar boy knew that the joy of discovery that was crushed under the weight of dogma and the vibrant world of his imagination that was stifled by the constant threat of retribution were once again enkindled, and by the spine-chilling yet exciting presence of a demonic creature nonetheless, he would not believe it. 

The university days provided a brief respite from the oppressive confines of the monastery. The city, alive with possibilities, offered a tantalizing glimpse of freedom. The rush of independence was exhilarating, a stark contrast to the rigid discipline he had known. Yet, even as the world beyond the monastery beckoned, he found himself bound by an inexplicable sense of duty. The decision to return was made—a choice that haunted him. The familiar chains of the clergy tightened around him, the opportunity for escape slipping away.

And although each passing year brought a deeper sense of regret and the burden of faith grew heavier, the ache of what could have been was, at this very moment, no longer a constant. His path led him to where he stood now, an experience so formidably unique that it felt tailor-made for him. Did he deserve such a test from god? It depended on how you saw it. If this was a punishment, then it was fit for all the sin that blackened his soul, and he would endure it in silent penitence. But if this was a reward for being a pious servant and having endured the temptation of unbridled knowledge before, a bigger and more difficult challenge for Viktor to prove his worth, then he did not feel deserving of it. 

Either way, no matter how he sliced it, he was failing. Whether this test had been put before him to teach him restraint or not, it was doing quite the opposite. She had given him a new set of eyes, and now he found a fresh and bitter perspective for every aspect of his practice that he had accepted and embraced before.

Confession was no longer a way for him to provide the people in his community with relief and forgiveness; it was a dirty show of egos for people who are disgustingly contaminated by greed and gluttony to flaunt their superiority in the eyes of a corrupt institution. Their opulent vestments were nothing more than a vainglorious boast of wealth, unfit for a group of men who made a vow of poverty to mirror the temperance of their god. The altar boys were only an unfortunate bunch of children stripped of their choices due to their inescapable place in society, a society where the poor, the vulnerable, and the young were exploited with the promise of salvation if they paid tithe and served their godly emissaries. 

And then there was the liturgy. Granted, he was never too entranced by any of the rites he had to perform; they had always felt like a distant repetition of nonsensical words that he felt no real connection to, as he always felt closer to god in silent and private prayer, but now, with his unintentional new perspective, it was the aspect that felt the most different to him. 

For decades, he had been taught to be passive, to repress, and to contain. To escape anything that was even remotely tempting and to be satisfied and held in contempt by the only nude body he’d ever be allowed to see, the one nailed to a cross. Why is it then that the art scattered around the church puts such an intent focus on the immaculate figures of naked men? Why is it that he is thought to rub, to whisper, and to consume in that context but is forced to repress such acts once he steps down the altar?

Viktor took a deep breath. His long fingers twirled the beads of his rosary absentmindedly as he pondered, and before realizing what he was doing, he brought it up to his nose, taking in the faint smell of roses that still lingered from when it was made. While he did that, images ran through his mind—of himself kissing the crucifix during Holy Week, the defined torsos carefully painted in the sacred images of saints, the almost ecstatic feeling brought by communion. Flashes that appeared in quick succession fused with the intense pleasure of flagellation and the still vibrant recollection of what She had made him feel. 

___________________________________________________________________

He knew those thoughts would lead to these, and not only did he purposefully not repress them, but he was hoping as much. There was that distinct tension, that heightened awareness of his body, that sense of electricity that seemed to hum just beneath his skin. Something that was no longer new to him and also no longer unwelcome. 

He stood from the chair he had spent the afternoon rotting away in deep thought on and lethargically walked back to his quarters. Once there and with the door tightly shut behind him, he fell on his back against the stubborn mattress, not waiting even a moment before pulling up the fabric of his cassock to reveal the tight clasp of his trousers. 

His fingers trembled as they moved to untie the sash with deliberate slowness, the anticipation heightening his senses. He hesitated for a moment, as if seeking some final absolution, before he grasped his swelling desire. An almost cynical laugh escaped his lips as he began to stroke himself, the motion tentative at first, then more assured as he slowly understood the intensity of his own touch. The sensation was electric, his body responding with a fervor that he had only experienced deep in prayer. 

His free hand, with his rosary entangled between his fingers, gripped the edge of the cot, knuckles white with tension as the wooden frame creaked under the strain and the beads etched small marks into his skin. As the feeling of that distracted him from the pressing heat gathering with each pump, another unusual feeling took him out of the moment. 

The same bone-chilling breeze he had felt for the past few days, every time she came around. There was no fear inside of him this time and no guilt either, so when her figure became clear and visible, he didn’t flinch, freeze, or even stop what he was doing. A silent acknowledgement was given in the form of a lingering look, before the pleasure building to an almost unbearable intensity urged him to start moving his hand once again. 

She looked at him with pleased eyes, contemptuous but not gloating. She recognized that her role had been simply one of a catalyst for something that had been inside of Viktor all along. Did she want to participate? Of course, but there would be a time for that; this was his victory to enjoy. 

He continued stroking with a rhythm characteristic of someone who was slowly trying to connect with his own body, not rushed by guilt or fear. In the midst of one of the pauses he took to prevent himself from coming to his release too early, he took notice of her again, still standing opposite him near the door. 

“Will you be in hell to welcome me when I die?”

“Hell is now, this, and here.”

“So there is no realm of eternal punishment?” Viktor chuckled bitterly. 

“If there was, it wouldn’t be for people like you.” 

“Eh, I don’t believe that.”

“Can you confidently say...” She started as she walked over and kneeled near the edge of the bed where Viktor sat, gently placing one of her cold hands over the one that gripped his cock. “...that something that feels like this is undoubtedly immoral?”

She slowly guided him up and down once again, increasing the pressure of his grip with her own as Viktor looked into her obscured eyes, mouth agape. 

“Perhaps, though I’m prepared to pay the price.” He said, almost in a whisper. 

They both continued moving, aided by her firm touch over his hand, and the pressure building became almost unbearable. In those final moments, his thoughts became a blur, a cacophony of want, desire, and need, with part of him wanting to touch her and another part wanting to completely lean back and let her finish him off. Instead, his body tensed right where he was, every muscle tightening as he reached his climax with a shuddering release that left him gasping for breath.

The crucifix dangled on his neck as he started to lean over. 

[sangoqueenkoko]

VARIOUS

how they celebrate Christmas with you

headcanons

MAIN MASTERLIST

(other masterlists listed on main^^)

.

Summary: It's Christmas in Teyvat and can be celebrated differently as to how each person wants.

Warnings? Nope! Just some Christmas-y fluff!

Contains (in order): Kujou Sara, Raiden Ei, Jean Gunnhildr and Ningguang.

Mentions characters above, as well as Yae Miko and Barbara

This is a Secret Santa gift for @cosmichorrorsarestillnicerthanme! Hope you like it!

This will be my last fic of 2023! So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Kujou Sara

Christmas is one of the few times a year that Kujou Sara can actually have a relaxing day, the others being your birthday as well as her own. She doesn't really think her birthday is important, but she knows that you have special care for it, as you try to make it the best day of the year for her.

ahem

On Sara's last day of work for the holidays, she came back to your shared Minka, only to be greeted by the usual yearly occurrence, the decorations scattered around the main sitting room in their respective boxes. Lights decorating the panes of the windows, nothing too bright and brash, they're soft and calming.

"(Y/N)?" She asked as she took off her Geta at the front door before walking into the main room, the areas smelling rather... sweet. A familiar scent to her. Hato Sabure. One of her favourites.

"Oh, Sara!" You said as you put the tray of freshly baked cookies down on the cooling rack before going over to hug her, "You're finally home! I've made some of your favourite cookies for the holidays. And no" you said as she already had a hand out towards the already cooled batch, "non for now."

"Oh," she frowned, a frown only you could just about resist.

Raiden Ei

Even if the Goddess of Electro has her duties to take care of towards the end of the year, there is always at least one person inside Tenshukaku who is there to keep up the Goddess' spirits.

And that is you.

You come between Ei's meditation breaks with some dango milk and sweet treats. She will forever love you for it.

And to make her feel the festive spirits, you have a small Christmas tree in her main chambers decorated with her favourite types of decorations, sweet shapes too. Also walking around the city seemed to make her happier, better than an eternal state of meditation. And it wouldn't be a trip into the city if she didn't collect one or two sugary treats for the journey.

Yae Miko even came down from the Narukami Shrine to join the both of you, she's genuinely happy that you've managed to bring Ei out of her own confinement. You're happy to be a third wheel in their conversations as you know that they still have things to catch up on.

Jean Gunnhildr

The two of you celebrate with Barbara, she also sees you like a big sister, she adores you, and you let her rehearse the little tunes she writes. Especially on Christmas, or Christkind, when all around Mondstadt there would be the sounds of the traditional Christkind music sung.

She would skip away to be with her friends, leaving you and Jean alone.

The both of you would walk around the market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, where formalities would be dropped and you two could be sweet together.

In my opinion, I don't see Jean as the type of person to hold hands in public, but I can see her letting you hook an arm around hers as you walk, that way she really knows you're with her.

Your favourite part of the festive season is when other places traditionally open their presents on the morning of the 25th, whereas in Mondstadt, the opening of the presents would be held in the evening of the 24th.

When dinner has been eaten and everywhere has been tidied, presents would be under the tree to be opened.

You got her favourite picture of you two put into a fancy yet simple picture frame to sit on her desk in the Favonius Headquarters.

Ningguang

This woman!

Sugar mother.

She will get you whatever you want! A certain type of clothing just outside your price range? She'll get it for you. Trinkets? She got it. You name it, she's already bought it.

When you buy her things, she will treasure them like a shrine as you bought them with your own hard-earned money, no matter what it may be.

Christmas isn't really a major celebration in Liyue like other nations, it's treated as a lighthearted day. It is celebrated for one day and one day only, and that is the 25th.

But that doesn't stop the festive feelings circulating around the nation.

There’s no single traditional Christmas dinner in China Liyue, but it’s common for couples to go to restaurants and enjoy grand meals like Peking Duck as a traditional Christmas feast.

The fast food chains advertise fried chicken as a Christmas dinner. Fried chicken is already a major Christmas tradition in Inazuma, and due to marketing, it’s becoming a tradition in some major Liyue cities as well.

Other nations have large Christmas trees covered in bright lights and ornaments and decorate their homes with wreaths, bows, and poinsettias. People also display statues and figurines of Santa Claus.

Whereas in Liyue, Christmas decorations do have some unique characteristics. For one thing, you won’t find nativity scenes among decorations in public or in homes. Some people also make their own ornaments out of paper. Or have them be made for you, like what Ningguang does.

But you always managed to get her to make some paper decorations with you, no matter how many times you asked. She doesn't like the idea of the craft, but she makes things like she's the master of said craft.

[imaginidol]

Kyungsoo: Picture Perfect

Kyungsoo walked into the studio room where you’d been waiting for a recording session.

You were at this point collaborating on a song with the EXO star, being a singer yourself, and today the schedule called for a filmed dance practice.

“Hey,” he smiles, nodding in your direction.

“Hi, Soo,” you wave back, smiling.

He sets his backpack down on the floor against a wall, pulling out the tripod stand where the camera would be set. He sat criss-cross on the floor, carefully setting up the camera and attaching its lens.

“Are you sure you don’t need help?” You look over his shoulder as he finished the last of the set up.

“C’mon, you know me,” he teases, making sure the camera was on and set to record at any given moment. “Do me a favor and go stand over there, let me test out the quality focus.”

You obey and skip to the center of the room, plopping your feet on the floor and rehearsing a few moves of the choreography.

“How’s this?” You say, outstretching your arms and pulling a quick cartwheel across the room.

He laughs. “It’d be fun if that was part of our choreo,” he says, jogging towards the center of the room when he finished and pulling a cartwheel of his own after you.

“Okay,” you say, excitedly garnering your first position at the center. “I’m ready when you are, my lover!”

Kyungsoo coughs and lets out a loud laugh.

“What did you just say!?”

“You’re my lover now, apparently! Haven’t you been sneaking all over social media!?”

He blushes slightly, and you knew the answer to your question.

“I guess it’s gotten pretty public, huh?” He says, rubbing a nervous hand behind his neck. He hoped his face wouldn’t redden so obviously.

“Yeah, but I find it pretty cute that our collab suddenly went from being a fun song showcasing our vocals together to being… an all-out relationship speculation fest! Those shippers are wild and so quick to spread things.”

“Trust me, the boys won’t let me live it down,” he mutters, thinking back to Baekhyun’s non-stop teasing about you being Kyungsoo’s alleged new romantic partner behind closed doors.

“And it doesn’t help that the pictures they caught of us grabbing coffee together twice seem pretty convincing,” you say, finishing the last of your leg and arm stretches.

Kyungsoo laughs nervously, trying to focus on his own stretching before the rehearsal.

If only it didn’t sound like you were taking it as a fun little joke, he thought quietly to himself.

“Ready?” You say happily, standing in front of him with your back facing his chest.

First position, right, he nervously wraps his arms around you, as the choreography called.

The first practice round goes rather interestingly, with a few awkward poses here and there in between transitional moves. When you finish, you both gather around the camera to watch the recording.

“Uh,” you say, looking closer at the camera.

Shoot, Kyungsoo thinks, knowing what’s probably already going through your mind.

“This was okay… but some of the moves are a little…”

“…awkward,” he finishes your thought, noting how far and distant he was from you at certain points throughout the choreography.

You look up and smile at him. “It looks like you’re trying too hard to debunk these rumors about us being a thing.”

“I mean, it’s best if we don’t—”

“Nonsense,” you say, placing the camera back on the tripod and pressing the record button.

“Come here,” you say, outstretching your arms and placing his hands into yours. “Have fun with this choreography, Soo! The whole song is about being in a fierce relationship with another person.”

He follows you back to the center of the room and you stand in first position again. When he wraps his arms around you, you tug at his arms to get closer to make him get closer.

“Don’t be shy with it, Soo. This is art, after all. We have to convince our audience of the performance’s message!”

The shy boy smiles and allows his hands to relax against your waist.

The second practice goes much smoother than the first. There are only less than a handful of awkward steps here and there, but it’s a greater improvement than the prior.

“See, Soo? This looks much more… intimate!” You smile down at the camera whilst replaying the second practice round.

He nods and shifts his gaze from the camera towards you.

He can’t help but wonder if he’s struggling to separate the intimacy of the dance, with some sort of a personal connection to you…

“One more time?” You look up, smiling.

“Let’s do it,” he says, this time reaching out to place your hands into his.

This is what had slowly pulled the boy closer to you. The way you loved your job, the way you gave your strongest efforts into any project, song, and choreography arrangement. It was the way your enthusiasm could fill a room when you submitted yourself to outpouring the best vibe into a project. Not only that, but the way you could make just about anyone comfortable around you.

Especially Kyungsoo.

He felt very comfortable around you in and out of practice, always looked forward to your small coffee dates (though you couldn’t really call them romantic dates, but more of friendly ones), and always looked forward to performing the new song you both had worked on.

Outside of being co-stars, you’d also grown much closer than you’d anticipated, and he couldn’t help but sometimes wonder if you’d grown any sort of romantic interest in him as he had towards you.

He wrapped his arms around your waist at first position, this time pulling you slightly closer than the last.

“Oh, wow, Mr. Loverboy,” you look up, sticking your tongue out at him.

“The message of the song is pretty intimate, so I won’t hold back this time,” he smiles down to you, feeling a surge of bold assurance overtaking him.

For this practice round, Kyungsoo lived up to his word. The choreography felt a lot more intimate than any of the previous practices you’d had to date.

He spun you firmer, swayed his hips against yours smoother, and towards the bridge of the song, his mouth actually made the slightest bit of contact against your neck.

You loved it all.

You loved having a fierce partner who could really pull off a gorgeous, convincing performance. A performer with passionate vocals like his, and now a fierce and shameless dancer to play alongside of you.

Many things about the boy dancing alongside of you fascinated your interests, from the way you grew close as co-stars to the way you grew even closer as friends.

Could he possibly be.. the person I’d always dreamed of being with…?

He most definitely has met all my personal qualities in a strong friend and more.

…

I wonder.

The final move of your choreography arrangement consisted of both you and Kyungsoo hitting a harmonizing high note as you fall back into his arms, landing inches away from his face.

Needless to say, this was played out flawlessly.

The song ends, both you and Kyungsoo are leveled eye-to-eye, your smiles only centimeters away from each other.

Then, he does the unthinkable.

He smiles.

And it is the kind of smile that catches you so off-guard, you can’t help but feel your face flush with reddening heat as you giggle your way out of his embrace.

“Soo, gosh, I think that was our best performance yet!”

You still can’t stop smiling and gushing over the boy’s perky smile replaying over and over in your head. As you make your way to the camera to rewatch the video, your smile immediately fades almost instantly.

“What’s wrong?” The boy asks, jogging up behind you.

“You’re not gonna believe this… it wasn’t recording.”

“What!?” The boy’s eyes widen tremendously at the thought of the best performance having gone to waste.

“I’m sorry, I guess I didn’t—”

“That’s okay,” he assures, smiling down at you. He takes the camera from your hands and presses the record button firmly, making sure the camera was rolling surely this time. “Who says we can’t do it beautifully again?”

You smile as he holds his hands out for you to take, and you accept. He leads you back to the center of the room and you assume first position as you knew before.

It may sound impossible, but this practice round was miraculously funner and more synced than the last. It felt as if you both had finally found your own personal click with the song in and out, and were finally getting to truly showcase it for what it was meant to be.

The last few moments of the song came in several unexpected surprises. Kyungsoo had once again delivered his end of the final choreography beautifully, and when you met face-to-face again for the dance finale, you impulsively did the unthinkable.

You kissed him.

He didn’t pull back, didn’t make a fuss.

Instead, he gently wrapped his arms around you and kissed you back.

What am I doing!? You think, wanting to pull away from his soft lips but not daring to.

The initial shock hit Kyungsoo for a second, but he didn’t jerk back. He felt as if his manifested thoughts had miraculously turned into reality.

So long I’d been wanting to do this, he thought, but I never guessed what you felt in return.

I’m happy.

Eventually, you pull away first.

“I—I’m sorry—” you stutter, not knowing how to react at the sudden impulse of actions.

The fond boy smiles softly.

“Don’t be,” he whispers.

“But—”

“You did what I’ve been wanting to give you for a while, but could never find a way to,” he admits shyly, cheeks completely flushed.

Oh, you think, not knowing what else to say.

Did I just kiss Do Kyungsoo?

And…

Did Do Kyungsoo just admit that he likes me!?

You turn towards the recording camera and gasp, hopping over to turn it off.

“I guess we can’t post that,” you say flatly. He laughs, taking the camera away from you and studying the video.

“Crop the end, that’s all. At least we waited more than a couple seconds,” he teases.

You reach for your water bottle, still processing the last five minutes of your life.

“Uhm, Soo?” You dare yourself to make eye contact, searching for any signs of possible concern or regret coming from his end.

Surprisingly, he doesn’t seem scared at all.

In fact, he seems a lot more relaxed that he had been all evening.

“Yes?” He smiles at you fondly.

“Uhm… nevermind,” you mumble, turning your attention back to your water bottle.

“Hmm,” he ponders, walking up to you after putting the camera stuff away. “I’m not gonna pretend like nothing happened, but we can keep it a secret.”

“What if I cost us a scandal?”

The boy looks up to the ceiling, then back down to you.

“I think you’ve forgotten we’re supposedly already in a scandalous secret relationship,” he smirks.

You giggle at the realization that you, in fact, are.

“I have a proposition,” he says, holding his hand out towards you. “How about another scandalous coffee date, but this time, you’re my secret lover for real?”

You smile warmly as you place your hand in his, letting him lead you out of the practice room and out to a very familiar and delicious coffee shop near by.

[xoxoxoz]

For the cuties that asked for a part two🫶🏼

This is the same setting as the first chapter btw👌🏼 Just a bit of a time skip to when y’all are rehearsing…

I even included Mommy Jiwoo😩

Moon Chanelle/Son Jiwoo x F!Reader

📝: Jiwoo can’t resist getting all close to you during rehearsals but Chanelle isn’t too happy about it

⚠️: smutttttt, threesome, dom Chanelle and dom Jiwoo, jealousy, mentions of cheating, but it’s also not really cheating because Chanelle ends up sharing, a hint of daddy kink, a hint of spit kink, and a dash of choking

“5 and 6 and 7–no no stop! Y/n step further out so you don’t knock into Ruka” Moa told.

The entire team was learning some choreography that Moa had randomly made and it wasn’t even for any upcoming performances for the show. The Thai girl just thought it was a good way to bond and de stress from everything.

But it honestly stressed you out even more because why the hell was there so much fancy foot work.

“Wait let’s all get a drink and come back in 10”

You nodded at Moa’s directions but then felt a pair of hands land on your waist. You smiled, thinking it was Chanelle being clingy again but you were surprised to see Jiwoo looking down at you.

“Sorry, couldn’t help but see the way you did this one part. You gotta move your hips a bit more” she softly said, moving her hips with yours.

You blushed at the contact and suddenly remembered you wet dream.

Such bad timing.

“And then bend lower here” Jiwoo continued to guide you, her hands sliding down your thighs, making your tummy tingle.

And other things were tingling too.

“Like that?” You asked with hopeful eyes.

“Perfect”

Chanelle was watching it happen in the corner of the room and she was doing a good job at leaving it alone but the moment she saw you and Jiwoo look into each other’s eyes, the soft puppy personality had disappeared.

She took long strides to where you were and had a firm grip on your wrist, practically yanking you away from Jiwoo’s hold.

“Sorry to interrupt whatever this is but I need to talk to Y/n” the half American said with a fake smile before leading you out the room.

She pushed you into a supply closet, not caring if anyone saw you two leave together because right now, she was not happy with you. She slammed the door closed and slowly walked towards you like a wild animal on its prey.

Her hooded eyes were filled with jealousy, anger, and lust while she backed you into a desk. Your hands remained by your side with your head down, too scared to face her.

“What the fuck was that about?” She hissed.

You started to play with your sweater paws. “J-Jiwoo Unnie was just helping me”

“Bullshit” Chanelle spat. “I saw the way she was touching you and eye fucking you. You enjoyed that didn’t you?”

“N-No..”

“Don’t lie to me. You think you can just cheat on me like that?”

The word hit your heart like a knife. “I wasn’t cheating Nelle…promise”

Chanelle sighed rested her chin on your head, hugging you by the waist. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I shouldn’t have said that, baby, please forgive me”

“It’s okay, Nelle, really. I can see why you were jealous. I would’ve been the same if I saw Moka close to you like that”

“Thanks for forgiving me, but I’m still not happy. She touched you how I wanted to touch you” Chanelle shifted back a little to lightly run her lips across your jaw.

You had her shirt bunched up in your fists, letting her do as she pleases. “Mmm Nelle”

“My good girl” she praised with a smile but you both jumped at another’s voice from behind.

“I could cum just by watching you two make out” Jiwoo commented.

She was leaning her back against the door and her arms with folded. Her lips were curled into a cocky smirk as if she was challenging Chanelle.

“Get out, we’re busy” Chanelle told but Jiwoo approached closer, leaning her lips down to the half American’s ear.

“Let me join. We’ve talked about this before remember? I know you’re pissed with me but how hot would it be for you to take it out on little Y/n here?”

Chanelle gulped at the thought of you taking both of them at the same time like in your dream. The thought of your face drenched in tears from the intense pleasure that you beg for them to stop.

“Fine, but one rule. You don’t get to kiss her lips, got it?”

Jiwoo rolled her eyes and walked around so she stood by your trapped body. “Duh”

“W-What’s going on?” You asked with both fear and excitement.

“Just enjoy this, darling. Keep quiet for us, hm?” Jiwoo winked and started kissing your neck, sucking and biting gently as Chanelle worked her lips across the other side.

Your hands held their heads, feeling dizzy from the feeling of two hot women tasting your skin. “Wow, fuck”

Dreams come true.

One of Jiwoo’s hands slid over your tummy and then down into your sweatpants. She pushed past your panties now reaching your soaked spot.

“U-Unnie”

Chanelle pulled your shirt off before unclasping your bra. Both were tossed away and your girlfriend began sucking and groping at your plump breasts. She kissed around the nipple and smiled at Jiwoo who pushed in two of her fingers inside your cunt.

She got you to sit on the desk with your legs spread wide, giving quite a show to both women of how good your pussy was taking Jiwoo’s fingers.

“That’s my good girl” Chanelle whispered closely to your ear and showed the strap-on she’s been hiding in her sweatpants this entire time.

“Do you just carry that around with you?” Jiwoo questioned.

“It’s normal for me and Y/n. She just can’t get enough of it” the younger of the two winked. “Come on Jiwoo Unnie. Make her nice and wet for me”

Jiwoo hummed and pulled her fingers out to replace it with her tongue. Your hands held onto her head instantly, biting your lip to suppress any lewd noises.

“What is it darling?” Your girlfriend leaned her ear to your pouty lips.

One of your hands rested on her shoulder, squeezing lightly. “Fuck me with your strap please, baby. Want it so bad”

“Hmm doesn’t convince me. Try again”

“D-Daddy” you whined.

Chanelle smiled in satisfaction and caressed Jiwoo’s hair. “Unnie, let us give you a show”

Jiwoo released your clit with a pop and wiped her mouth. “Don’t disappoint me, Chanelle Moon” she smirked and sat on a different desk nearby.

“You heard her, Princess” Chanelle said to you and stood in between your legs to push her 8 inch strap inside.

“Holy fuck!” You arched and your hands went under your girlfriend’s shirt to claw at her smooth back.

Chanelle started thrusting at a slow pace and Jiwoo couldn’t sit still anymore even though it’s been only a few seconds. “Never mind, I can’t just sit and watch”

She stood next to you like before and caressed your face, planting soft kisses all around. “Does it feel good, honey?” Her voice oozed with sweetness and it was only turning you on even more.

Chanelle always had a thing for Jiwoo’s voice too so she couldn’t help the little moan that escaped her lips. The strap was rubbing against her own core which encouraged her hips to move faster.

Your body was bouncing back and forth with each push and the desk started to shake with you. Even the shelf behind you was vibrating like an earthquake was happening, causing some bottles to fall.

Jiwoo was quick to catch them and place them on the ground. “Jeez Chanelle, calm down will you?”

“Fuck can’t help it. She looks so good like this” The half American grunted and wrapped a hand around your neck, applying a bit of pressure.

Your eyes rolled back and your nails dug deeper into her skin that it drew blood. It didn’t bother Chanelle. She could only focus on your pornographic expressions and the way Jiwoo continued whispering dirty words in your ear.

The eldest’s hand made its way to your clit, starting off with slow circles. “Does Chanelle’s cock feel good, honey?”

“Yes yes yes!”

Jiwoo’s panties were flooded when you made eye contact. Tears were brimming your eyes from the overwhelming pleasure and you didn’t think twice about the next words that came from your mouth.

“U-Unnie kiss me. Please kiss me”

Jiwoo sighed and looked at Chanelle who started to sweat from all the work. “Chanelle can I? Your baby is begging to be kissed by me”

“A-Ah fuck please, baby. Let Jiwoo Unnie kiss me!” You gasped as Jiwoo pressed her fingers harder at your clit.

“Fine” Chanelle growled, using that anger to practically destroy your guts with powerful thrusts. She removed her hand from your throat and held your knees as far as she could so she could reach deeper.

“Oh god yes, baby!”

Jiwoo held your face in her free hand and connected your lips. They were softer than she imagined and it felt intoxicating. Her soft moan gave you butterflies and her tongue started to wrestle with yours.

Chanelle found the scene so hot. She leaned down to nibble at your collarbones and Jiwoo’s fingers rubbed your clit ferociously up and down.

“O-Oh fuck! Fuck yes, gonna cum!” You murmured into Jiwoo’s mouth.

She pulled away and squeezed your jaw, forcing your mouth open. “Tongue out, honey”

You did instantly and moaned when she spat on it, turning your head to Chanelle. “Chanelle, spit”

Your girlfriend obeyed.

“Swallow” Jiwoo ordered next and you didn’t need to be told twice.

“Cum, Princess. Milk my cock like you always do” Chanelle panted.

Your nails scratched over the marks you already left a few minutes ago and you looked down to watch your girlfriend ruin your pussy, all while Jiwoo’s finger never stopped.

“Fuck fuck fuck! Cumming! Fuck daddy I’m cumming-Ah Unnie—Holy shit!” You blabbered and your jaw hung open, doing your best in staying silent.

Chanelle slowed her thrusts and admired the white ring that appeared on the strap, more of that white liquid starting to slide down.

Jiwoo’s hand stopped too, only to scoop up some of your cum and sucking on it. “God, you take so fucking delicious, honey”

The younger of the two finally pulled out and kissed along your sweaty body. “Good girl, Princess”

While you tried to catch your breath, Jiwoo pushed Chanelle against the wall and fell to her knees. “Here’s my thank you for letting me join” She winked and took the entire cum-covered strap into her mouth.

“Jiwoo Unnie…” Chanelle sighed and ran her fingers through the older’s hair.

Jiwoo gagged a little bit when Chanelle pushed her head further, seeing the head reaching deep into her throat.

You all froze at familiar voices outside.

“I swear I saw them go here” Jeongeun huffed, her footsteps stopping.

“Yeah me too. You reckon they got into a bad fight?” Jeemin asked.

“I miss Y/n Unnie” you heard Himena cry which forced you to jump up and wear your clothes like you weren’t railed a few seconds before.

Jiwoo stopped and stood up but Chanelle held her shoulder. “Nooo keep going”

“Chanelle, baby Himena is literally outside and you want her to barge in here seeing me suck you off? And your naked girlfriend in the background?”

“Alright alright” Chanelle threw her arms up and put her pants up, making sure the strap was well hidden like before.

“Fuck” you hissed as you fell to the floor.

You held onto the desk as you stood up and walked to the door but your legs were way too weak. Chanelle caught you and giggled. “Oops”

“Jerk” you fired back.

Jiwoo opened the door where the 3 girls were. “Hi”

Jeongeun frowned. “There you guys are!…why were you all in here?”

“Is Y/n Unnie okay?” Himena asked when she noticed Chanelle holding you up.

“She said she hurt her legs from practice. And you know Y/n, she barely stretches before it so we were giving her a massage” Chanelle lied.

“Both of you needed to massage her?” Jeemin asked.

“I followed to check on them and ended up staying” Jiwoo shrugged.

“Ahhhh this is why it’s important to stretch Y/n Unnie! If you don’t, Chanelle Unnie has to keep giving you massages!” Himena scolded cutely.

Your girlfriend ‘massaging’ you everyday?

You don’t mind that at all.

[sleepingdeath-light]

getting rejected by his future s/o hcs ; hunter

requested by ; anonymous (01/08/22)

fandom(s) ; the owl house

fandom masterlist(s) ; main | hunter only

character(s) ; hunter wittebane

outline ; “I haven't really seen anyone write this (maybe one? my memory is bad akshsks) but what about Hunter (toh) confessing his feelings to reader and they reject him because of his age, saying he can try again in a couple years? I'm not saying a whole adult btw, just like a year or two older than him.

Not many people seem to write about that awkward little stage where one person just became an adult and the other is like a year away lol

Don't write this if you're comfy tho! I'd completely get it if you skipped this. Hope you have a nice day regardless!”

note ; in the first section the ages for hunter and the reader are 16 (a month or so from turning 17) and just barely turned 18 respectively, and in the final flash-forward they’re 19 and 20.

warning(s) ; awkward rejection, mild angst, some fluff at the very end

you and hunter had met before the day of unity, but you weren’t truly friends until you spent some time together in the human world — bonding over the strangeness of your situation and growing closer by the day as you learned more and more about this new realm (with the help of luz, camila and a very misinformed gus, of course)

being just over a year apart in age, the two of you had much more in common with each other than with any of your other friends — of course hunter was far from a normal teenager, but there were still plenty of similarities between you

so many similarities, in fact, that those platonic feelings started to shift towards something more — something mutual, something flustering, something natural, something romantic even

and you found yourself loving him as much as he loved you, but you just couldn’t bring yourself to act on anything yet — yes there was only a year between you, but just looking at the numbers alone made you feel guilty and uncomfortable with pursuing him

so when he invited you out to stargaze with him one evening and started to talk (in a way that was clearly well rehearsed) about destiny, fate and feelings and you, you silently put up a hand to stop him and shook your head — he didn’t even get to confess before you started to speak about your thoughts on the matter

you were gentle and honest, caressing his cheek and smiling in the half-sad, half-enamoured way that only happens in situations like this, reassuring him that you did return his feelings and would have loved to be in a relationship — you still do, just not yet

saying that maybe in a year or two, if those feelings don’t fade (which you hope they don’t), that you’d be happy to start a relationship with him

not now, but eventually — a promise that doesn’t break his heart but makes him sigh (understanding, of course, but still upset about the rejection no matter how temporary it was)

from there the conversation — genuine, heartfelt, long, and well needed — fizzles out and you stay out in the noceda family’s garden staring up at the sky, still friends and still as close as you were (which you were thankful for as you didn’t want to lose your best friend over something like that)

in two and a half years’ time, when he’s an apprentice carver working under del and you’ve spent the better part of your time helping to rebuild the boiling isles, hunter will again invite you out to go stargazing on the titan’s knee — sat on a woollen blanket gifted to him by darius as you point out the constellations and shuffle closer and closer together as the evening goes on

then he’ll ask you the same question, far more confident and off the cuff than he was before, and this time you’ll accept — sharing a well earned kiss under the stars and holding each other close as you start the next chapter of your lives together (now 19 and 20 and just as in love as you were back then)