#roving city. that is so cute

[jpitha]

Superweapon Surprise

Gemilin bounds into the cafe, practically skipping. Their tail swishes and their ears and eyes are roving the crowd, looking for someone. Finally, the K’laxi sees who they’re looking for.

“Lina! Lina! I need your help!” Without waiting to be invited to sit, she joins Lina at her table.

“What is it you need, Gem?” Lina is pretty sure that she’s Gem’s only human friend, so she tends to find her when she has a question about humanity. She’s also pretty sure Gem has a crush on her, but she tactfully doesn’t mention that part.

“Can you design a weapon for me please?”

Lina almost chokes on her coffee. The cafe is one of the few places the popular stimulant is allowed, and all other sapient species have to sign a waver to enter. Lina is one of the humans who visits every day for coffee. “Gem, I work on thrusters all day long. I don’t design weapons!”

Gemilin nods excitedly, her ears flicking. “Yes, yes, I know, but you’re also a human. You are practically predisposed to designing weapons that would make the rest of the Galaxy splorch their vivnax!”

Lina turns her head to the side. “What was that Gem, I don’t recognize those words?”

“I know! Isn’t it neat! Hari over in Environmental Processing said it would sound ‘cute’ if I colored my speaking with words from my birth language. Is it cute?” Gem’s fur ripples a blush and she is practically vibrating with excitement.

“Gem… did you drink any coffee? You are sure… animated today.”

“No, silly! That level of stim would kill me. So, a weapon?”

Lina puts down her coffee cup and busies herself putting her silverware and napkin on her now empty tray. “Why though? Why me? Why a weapon?”

“I already said! Humans are great at weapons. As for you, well-“ Just for a little bit, Gemilin looks down at the floor. “-You’re the only human I know that would actually try and come up with an answer instead of just brushing me off.”

“Hmm. Okay then. Walk with me.” Lina stands up and makes her way to the bussing table. She drops off her tray and coffee cup and starts down the hall. Gem follows, trotting just a bit to keep up with Lina’s long strides.

“Okay, so the thing that I’ve been thinking about is the fact that we’ve had the wormhole generators for hundreds of years, and haven’t really tried to weaponize them yet, right?”

Gem stops, but Lina doesn’t notice. She bounds to catch back up. “The… wormhole generators? How would you weaponize them.”

“Well, they take the ship and open a wormhole and the ship moves through the wormhole to any other part of the galaxy pick right? So long as we have the energy and the navigation solution, it works. What if we didn’t use a ship.”

“What would you use instead Lina?”

“Well, like a bomb for example. Or!” Lina is becoming more animated. She’s looking up as she thinks and walks. “Okay, try this. We take a stardrive from an old Starjumper, stick it on a few thousand tonnes of tungsten, then accelerate it up to around 80% C.”

“Yes, a relativistic impactor. You used them against New Wellington.”

Lina’s head snaps down to Gem. “That was Parvati, not me, I’m from High Mars Lilac. Anyway, how did you know about that?”

Lina’s reaction causes Gem to flinch. “Sorry! I forgot that it was Parvati. I learned it when I was looking up human weapons.”

“Anyway. Yes, like a relativistic impactor, except this one also has a wormhole generator. Now, once it’s up to speed you link a few thousand feet over the surface of a planet.”

“Not to strike the planet?” Gem’s bouncy nature is gone, and she is giving Lina her full attention.

“No, that’s too wasteful. Send it over the city you want to destroy. The wormhole link will open, and the impactor will scream into the atmosphere. At 80% C it would generate all kinds of wild particles and interactions with the atmosphere. With those speeds any atmosphere would be like hitting a wall. The impactor would still be destroyed of course, but the devastation would be so much greater! With good enough maps, you could set it to strike multiple cities just by virtue of the size of the explosion. It would be like a lance of gamma radiation and exotic particles stabbing multiple cities instantly.”

Gem stops walking. Lina notices this time and stops along side her. They’re both at one of the large windows that are along the promenade. Gem’s ears are flat against her head and her tail is limp. “You… you did it. Lina, that weapon would kill millions.”

Lina nods. “Hundreds of millions depending on where and when you struck. And, I haven’t heard of it being done before. So there, I made you a weapon.”

The small K’laxi looks around for a bench and flops into it. Lina sits down next to her and looks down at her friend. “What’s the matter? You asked for a weapon.”

Gem looks up at Lina’s kind face. “I didn’t think you could do it though. And so easily… and with such destruction. If someone asked me to come up with a weapon I’d probably say something like ‘a human slug thrower but bigger.’ You thought of a way to destroy civilizations… off the cuff. Do all humans think like you?”

Lina looked out the window. Space was large enough that one really could not see the traffic around the station, but she knew it was there, circling like shoals of fish. “I don’t know, Gemilin. I haven’t met every human. Lots do though. We’re pretty good at thinking of unusual ways to use things, especially when it comes to fighting and weapons.” She turns back to Gem. “Now, will you tell me why you wanted me to come up with a weapon?”

Gem’s shoulders fall. “I was just looking for an excuse to talk to you. I couldn’t think of anything else, and Pen in traffic control said that humans are good at weapons. They thought that it might be a line of conversation.”

“Oh, Gem.” Lina smiled sadly. She reached down and ruffled the fur between Gem’s ears. Her head moved slightly to get a better angle from the touch. “You didn’t need to make up an excuse to talk to me. I’m always happy to talk to my friends.” Lina’s pad chimes angrily at her. She glances at it. “I have to go back to work, but I’m free tonight. Do you want to get dinner? We can talk about whatever you want, just… no superweapons, okay?”

Gem’s fur rippled a blush. “I’d… I’d like that Lina. I’ll see you tonight.”

[11vr1]

Now hear me out here… Miles Earth 42 x F!Reader dancing Bachata🤭 Orrr something like they are at a party and a family friend decides to dance a rather romantic song with us so Miles gets jealous. So many different scenarios with Bachata and dancing I wouldn’t mind fluff either where like they dance in the living room or smth I just love Bachata and romantic dancing ♥️😊

-J

Eres Mía ⭒ Miles Morales

Synopsis › Miles gets jealous and a nearly gets into a fight, so he makes it up to you by teaching you bachata.

Pairing › Earth-42! Miles Morales x Fem!Reader

Inspo › Request.

Includes › ATSV SPOILERS, tooth rotting fluff, swearing, bad Spanish, jealousy, pet names, a tiny bit suggestive

P.S. › Thank you for this ask! I had so much fun. A nice change from the angst. <33

P.S.S. › I am now making a taglist!!! Lemme know if you wanna be on it. I also think I want to find mutuals and get more involved in the community…

When Miles asked Y/n to be his plus one, she almost couldn’t believe it. His delivery was cool and casual as if he didn’t invite her to a party with all of his family and closest family friends in attendance. They had become official a little over a month ago (though Miles swears it’s been longer), so the first family gathering was a big deal, a huge milestone most couples put off until much later. When she tried to explain to her boyfriend the significance of this event, he didn’t understand. “Don’t start stressin’. It’s jus’ my abuela’s birthday party,” she remembered him saying.

Abuela?

Abuela!

If his grandmother was anything like Rio Morales, Y/n would be walking into a lion’s den. Miles did nothing to placate her worries, making her do the exact thing he told her not to do: worry.

The weekend had arrived and so did the much anticipated birthday party. Y/n spent a considerable amount of time getting ready, choosing a tie front top with a cami underneath and satin skirt to combat the sweltering city heat. She double checked every angle in the mirror before leaving her apartment.

The corners of the gift envelope addressed in her elegant script were slightly bent from being clutched in her nervous hands all the way to Harlem. It was easy to find the building. Y/n simply followed the booming sound of music and laughter to the rooftop. The party was already in full swing. Half of New York showed up to celebrate Gloria Morales’ 70th birthday.

Y/n moved through the packed party-goers to the gift table, not seeing a single familiar face amongst them. She felt out of place. Does she introduce herself? Wait? Look for Miles? Certainly he wouldn’t leave her to brave his family alone. A tinge of panic settled in her stomach as she looked again.

“You lost, babygirl?” Y/n nearly jumped out of her skin hearing a strange voice beside her. The boy was taller than her and around her age or a little older. His feather duster of a mustache curved with his smirk as his leering eyes roved her head to toe slowly. Painfully slow.

She prickled, immediately raising her guard. “No, I’m just waiting for someone.” He glanced around, seeing everyone engrossed in their own conversations.

“I ain’ never seen you round here before. What’s your name?” Y/n hesitated to answer, but gave him a curt reply. “Thas cute. Real cute.” This was a party after all, the point was to mingle. And she didn’t want to seem rude. She had no idea who this guy was. He might’ve been a cousin, a family friend, someone who could easily say the wrong thing to the right person about her. “You know how to dance?” The night was starting to look very long.

Where was Miles?

⋆

Miles was very late. On his way, but late. His mother has surely noticed his absence by now. Abuela was definitely asking about him. And Y/n…she was probably already there. He cursed himself underneath his mask. That last job was pushing it. There was no time to go home, change, and take the subway like he originally planned. Luckily, he knew a shortcut through the skyscrapers and shadows of New York.

The window of his abuela’s apartment squeaked as it slid open. Miles rushed to shed his Prowler persona in the guest bedroom and stuff the suit in his bag. In a second, he appeared to be a normal teenage boy despite the forming bruises. He prepared himself to face the wrath of his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend. What he was not prepared for was seeing Y/n about to be pulled to the dance floor by another guy. They were close. Too close for his liking.

Something burned inside Miles, one he was reluctant to identify—jealousy. Dare he say doubt? He was new to the boyfriend thing. Sometimes he said the wrong thing, silent at the wrong times. But he tried. Was Y/n already fed up? There was no denying she was gorgeous. She could pull any guy she wanted.

He stalked closer, effortlessly weaving through the crowd. “Oh, come on! I’m not asking you to marry me. Just one song.” The guy tugged at her again. Miles recognized him. Eric and his family were friends, though Miles only endured his presence when they were forced to be in the same place. They’d never gotten along, finding each other to be a nuisance and a relationship beyond neutrality unnecessary. But that little understanding might just end right here, this was not about to fly on his watch.

“I told you I don’t want to dance,” Y/n separated herself out of his grip. The sheer expression of disgust on her amused Miles. She found him as annoying as he did.

Eric made the mistake of reaching towards her again. He had the chance to back off and it sounded like he had been warned more than once. This was not about to fly. Miles decided it was time to interfere. He swiftly placed himself at Y/n’s side, his footsteps soundless, a skill learned from his…side hobby. “La escuchaste, cabrón. Retrocede.” Venom laced his tone, an unspoken threat at the tip of his tongue. The air turned to ice around the three of them. You heard her, cabrón. Back off.

The confidence drained from Eric’s face. He knew good and well Miles was not to be messed with. There were rumors about him and his penchant for beating anyone who pissed him off into the ground. “Ella es tu chica, Morales?” He stepped up to him in a vain attempt to mask how intimidated he really was. Miles moved Y/n behind him. She watched the standoff silently, keeping a hand on Miles’ bicep in case it went south. She’s your girl, Morales?

Miles tilted his head, sneering down at the posturing fool. “Sí, ella es mía. Ahora déjala.” Yeah, she’s mine. Now leave her alone.

“No estaba tratando de hacer nada,” Eric scoffed. He turned his attention back to the pretty girl hidden behind Miles. “If you get tired of this asshole, come find me.” I wasn’t trying to do nothing.

Miles lunged, thankfully, with some supernatural girlfriend sense, Y/n was quicker and held him back. Eric flinched, his fear visible for that split second. Heads turned. “You need to calm down, Miles.” Her hand made its way into his, gently pulling him away. He backed away, never breaking his cold glare from Eric.

⋆

Together they left the party. Miles muttered curses in Spanish Y/n couldn’t catch as he stomped down the stairs. “Miles! Miles, baby, slow down!” She called his name again. “You not ‘bout to make me run after you in these shoes!” He stopped. His jaw was tight, eyebrows set low on his face, hands burrowed in his pockets to hide his balled up fists. Damn. Even seething he was gorgeous. “We talked about this. You gotta talk to me.”

He was silent for a few moments, he merely stared down at Y/n as she wrapped her arms around his middle. His heart pounded in his chest. (It was because of her. Miles refused to admit those lustrous eyes and her touch still had such an effect on him) “Ian like seein’ you wit him. Shit pissed me off. For a minute I thought…” She fixed his collar, avoiding his gaze to keep herself from smiling. “Nothin’.” Miles was jealous and willing to protect her by any means necessary.

Y/n heard the words left unspoken. Miles was a fortress locked up tight to keep the outside world out. But behind his many walls he was a boy with feelings and insecurities. “Miles, I’d never do that. I like you too much.”

“Yeah, I know, ma. Sorry for gettin’ all upset.”

“‘S fine. That’s not what I’m mad about.” She eyed the fresh bruises coloring his cheek and temple. “Where were you?” At this point, she was more concerned than angry. Miles wasn’t inclined to long conversations, but he was decent enough to send her a text. Although dry and vague it was something. Y/n would take what she could get.

Miles stiffened in her embrace. “I had to take care of some stuff. Don’t worry ‘bout it. Lemme make it up to you.”

“You owe me a dance.” Prying it out of him would get her nowhere. She decided to let it go. Just this once.

“A dance?” he asked. She grinned, happy to catch him off guard for once.

Y/n nodded. “Mrs. Morales told me you’re a wonderful dancer. Don’t be holdin’ out on me.”

His sigh was long and deep, directed towards the ceiling of the narrow hallway. Miles was in no place to refuse. He took her hand and started walking. “Alright, but we not goin’ to the roof.”

He led her to his grandma’s apartment. It was sizable and definitely decorated by an elderly woman. Y/n admired the photos sitting on the mantle. There was Rio and Jefferson Davis, dressed in white for their wedding day. She paused on a picture of an infant covered in paint, smiling from ear to ear with two teeth. She awed at Miles. He was so cute, so carefree without the shadows of the world dragging behind him.

“Ven aquí, mami.” He stood in the middle of the living room, hands outstretched, a song playing behind him from his phone. She peeked at the song as they joined hands. Come here, mami.

“Eres Mía” by Romeo Santos.

The song was unfamiliar to her. “What? You thought you was gonna to twerk and grind on me?” His low chuckle sent shivers through her. She didn’t answer. “Nah. We gon dance for real. Bachata.”

“Wait, Miles. I don’t how to—”

“Imma teach you. Two steps to the music. Thas all it is,” he showed her. Y/n mimicked him, each step hesitant and unsure, but Miles was encouraging and a surprisingly good teacher. “See? Easy.”

He raised his arms to spin her around and brought her closer. Y/n faltered. “Aye, come on, mami. I know you can move your hips better than that.” He repositioned, hands at her back and waist, his thigh between her legs, ruffling her skirt. Miles guided her across the floor, his fingers wandering to the trim of her cami, drawing a distracting trail of heat on her bare skin. Her own hands found their way to his nape, brushing his twin braids as they swayed to the beat. Soon she found her rhythm.

“There you go,” he praised, rolling his hips into hers. She followed. Her body trusted him. She trusted him wholeheartedly and fell into his lead.

They rocked together in silence, the song having long since ended. Miles nestled in the crook of her neck to breathe in the sweet scent of her perfume. “Thank you for helping me. I should have said so earlier,” Y/n said from above him.

“It’s my job, princesa.” Miles left the softness of her neck. “Eres mía.” You are mine. Y/n blinked while he returned to her warmth. She hoped he didn’t feel the way her temperature rose.

In three short months he made a place for himself in her life. He was the most unexpected surprise. She had a list of the ideal boyfriend and Miles Morales didn’t check off a single one. Yet everything never felt more perfect than in his arms, dancing to the distant sirens and traffic.

His phone buzzed from the end table. “Is that your mom?” He shrugged in response. “We should go.” Y/n suggested, but Miles’ grip only tightened.

“One more minute. They can wait.”

[clangenrising]

Month 7 - Leaffall

Smokyrose felt deeply unwell. She’d only taken a few bites of her lunch when suddenly her stomach had twisted and she had barely been able to keep from wretching. Songdust had helped her to the Healers’ den, her heart hammering as they walked, and Sagetooth and Oddstripe had immediately stopped what they were doing to take a look. 

“Was it maybe a bad mouse?” Songdust asked, hovering anxiously. “She had just started eating.” 

“No,” Sagetooth huffed, standing back a bit. “It would have taken at least a half hour for that sort of thing to take effect.” 

Smokyrose looked anxiously to Sagetooth, speaking in between slow, nauseated breaths. “You dont think it's… Red Gut, do you?” Behind the older healer, Oddstripe gasped softly which didn’t do anything to make her feel better.

Sagetooth narrowed her eyes and asked, “Have you felt any other nausea recently?” 

“A little,” Smokyrose admitted. “Nothing this bad though.” 

“Any stomach pains, bloody dirt?” 

“No, none of that.” 

“That’s good,” Sagetooth nodded to herself. “But we might need to isolate you, just to be sure.” Smokyrose nodded grimly, mind racing. She would have no way to tell Ghost if something happened to her. Silently, she fretted over the idea of him returning to their meeting spot for ages even though she would never return. The thought was so deeply miserable, she almost couldn’t fathom it. 

“Really?” Songdust frowned, “Red Gut? In the middle of Greenleaf?” 

“It’s unlikely, yes,” Sagetooth said, “but not impossible. Better safe than sorry.” 

Oddstripe’s eyes roved over Smokyrose as if searching for some visible sign of disease. Suddenly, his ears snapped forward and he quietly piped up, “Is it possible you might be pregnant?” 

Everyone fell silent.

“Pregnant?” Sagetooth snorted indignantly, “with whose kits? No, I think not.”

Smokyrose dazedly managed to say, “Well…” 

Songdust reeled as if hit with a pawful of water. “Wait, seriously? With who?” 

“Yes,” Sagetooth said, much more sternly, “with who?” Smokyrose squirmed. Sagetooth sounded like a mother whose kit had a mystery thing in their mouth. She couldn’t help but feel like she was about to be in trouble. 

“Y-you wouldn’t know him,” she managed, “He’s… He’s not from here.” 

“Really.” Sagetooth didn’t seem convinced. 

“It’s alright,” Songdust urged, “you can tell us.” Sagetooth’s tail twitched and Smokyrose shook her head a little. 

“He’s from the city,” she said, “You wouldn’t know him, honest.” 

“The city?” Oddstripe blinked. “Oh, how exciting.” Sagetooth stepped forward and nosed Smokyrose’s leg out of the way so she could look at her stomach. 

Frowning, she sat back and said, “Well, you’re pinking up alright. Looks like you’ll be moving to the nursery soon.” She glanced at the other Healer and muttered, “Good eye, Oddstripe.” He blushed under her praise. Smokyrose assumed it must be rare, knowing Sagetooth. Still, she didn’t have time to dwell on Sagetooth’s sour mood. She was going to have kits!

“Congratulations,” Oddstripe purred. “Oh, I can’t wait to find out how many there are! Is this your first time?” 

Smokyrose nodded, “Yep. My last mate was a she-cat, so we couldn’t conceive, but we had always considered it.” Oddstripe blinked in surprise but pursed their lips to ensure they stayed quiet. Smokyrose chuckled. It seemed he hadn’t considered the possibility despite his recent discoveries in gender. It was cute. 

“I’m so happy for you, Rose,” purred Songdust. “You ought to bring the tom around sometime. Maybe we can convince him to stay.”

“That’s the dream,” Smokyrose purred in reply. “You really think it would be alright?” 

Sagetooth chuffed harshly, “It seems anything goes these days.” 

“It’ll be fine,” Songdust said, side eyeing Sagetooth. “I look forward to meeting him.” Smokyrose beamed. She felt well and truly blessed to be so lucky.

Eyes widening she said, “I have to tell him!” She went to stand in excitement but was suddenly reminded of her overwhelming nausea. 

“Maybe we should go lie down instead,” Songdust winced. “You can go when you’re feeling better.” 

“Yeah,” she laughed woozily. “Let’s go lie down.”

[thepenultimateword]

Sweet Dreams

Part One Part Two

'Next time' arose quicker than Henchman expected.

Ever since the, er, 'cuddling incident', they'd been very deliberate to reserve places with plenty of separate sleeping space. Even today, they'd had a perfect setup reserved in Lenfirn, the city several hours away that was to be tonight's rest stop, an AirBnB with completely separate bedrooms. That way Henchman wouldn't have Villain's restless sleep waking them up in the middle of the night, eating away at them, luring them anxiously to their side--they never knew they could worry for someone so much. And it all would have worked out if those persistent heroic nuisances didn't start a patrol right within the next city, essentially barricading them from their final destination. News had it they were even roving the highway.

Could the heroes have found out which type of car they were driving? Should they switch vehicles? Without any answers to those questions, the best thing they could think to do was to get off the road. Thus the last-minute reservation in this dingy 2-star hotel near the city center.

The two of them now stood in the hotel's humid hallway, the air smelling much too strongly of lemon carpet cleaner, as Henchman fished the keycard out of its envelope.

Villain had their hand ready on the door handle, a sly grin creeping up their jaw as they slowly suspected what Henchman already knew. Henchman pressed the card to the panel and as the lock beeped and flashed green, Villain caught Henchman's eyes.

“Let’s see what we have behind door B25," they announced dramatically, like the host in a game show getting ready to reveal the prize. It really had become an almost sort of game between them over the last week and a half, Henchman's vague descriptions of rooms, Villain always swinging the door open with a flourish at each stop. They never showed it for long, but the criminal always seemed slightly disappointed each time they found two beds. Henchman wasn’t exactly sure how to take that.

This time Villain gave the door a hefty shove, leaving their palm spread in the air as the heavy piece of oak slammed into the doorstop.

“Ah ha!” they cried, bounding over to the Queen bed and its ugly yellow bedspread in the center of the room. "What an unprecedented predicament. I suppose we'll have to talk out some sort of sleeping arrangement."

Henchman held in a chuckle as they followed close behind with the duffel bags. They'd never seen Villain giddy before. Of course, it was all tinged with the usual predatory tone, but excitement looked almost...cute on them. Not that that was changing their mind.

“I can take the floor," they said firmly.

Villain frowned. “Why? It’s a perfectly big bed with space for both of us.”

Henchman's heart thunked too fast in their chest, but they'd prepared for this on the way over. All they had to do was give one of the many excuses they'd come up with.

"I don't think it's appropriate given our professional dynamic. Boss, employee. It's a mess waiting to happen."

"We're only sleeping."

"Yes, but still..."

Villain cocked their head, eyes drinking them in bit by bit as they waited for a better explanation of what Henchman had believed to be a pretty airtight excuse.

"People might...think things. Spread rumors..." Just saying it made their ears burn; they hoped that heat wasn't accompanied by color.

Villain rose one brow, "Are you going to tell anyone?"

It almost sounded like a warning, and Henchman shrank between their shoulders.

"W-well...no."

"Neither am I."

"Ah."

Henchman wrung their hands together, rubbing their thumb over the tight, pale skin of their first knuckle as they tried to ignore the sting of that statement as well as remember another reason to stay at an arm's length.

"If sleeping next to me makes you uncomfortable you can say so," Villain said. "I already told you I wouldn't force anything unwanted."

That should have been their out. It was perfect. Pre-packaged by Villain and not even required to say it themselves. They just had to nod and move on. But for some reason they found themselves spluttering an awkward, "N-no!"

The problem wasn't that Henchman didn't want to; it was that they wanted it too much. It was like a flip switched inside them that night, turning distant admiration into odd electric feelings. They could hold it off for now, but being that close to Villain again might just do them in. And that was not a stew Henchman wanted to be mixed up in. Even if Villain wasn't disgusted, they still weren't the type of person Henchman should get too close to. Like Villain said, they were a spider, Henchman was a bug allowed to live.

"What's the problem then?" Villain said.

I might like you, Henchman answered internally, but aloud they only said, "I...well... It's just that..."

They couldn't think of anything. They were a snorer, they moved around a lot in their sleep, they hogged the covers: none of it was going to be enough. Only the truth might do it, and they just couldn't...

"No problem," they finally said. "We can share."

Villain narrowed their eyes. "You know, you don’t have to.”

“I know.” Henchman's heartbeat felt like it had leaped up into their throat, restricting their responses to two words. Maybe they didn't have to, but wouldn't going back and forth so much only make Villain more curious? By this point they just wanted the interrogation to end before they spilled.

“If it really makes you uncomfortable—“

“It’s fine.”

"Sure?"

"Yep," Henchman said and immediately turned to begin unpacking their bags. They felt Villain's piercing eyes trailing them between the open duffels and the dresser, but they did their best to ignore the thrilling shiver running down their spine.

"Then I'll be going first," Villain said eventually, breaking their intense study to grab a t-shirt and sweats from Henchman's arms. They plucked their toiletry bag out of a side pocket on their way to the bathroom. A few minutes later, Henchman heard the shower running.

They paused their work to rub their palm frustratedly into their forehead with a deep sigh.

They really hoped they didn't end up mortifyingly embarrassed. Or dead.

***

Henchman hovered nervously by the edge of the bed, the air conditioning wafting up one leg of their wafer-thin pajama shorts and sending a little tremble through their entire body that rocked them up onto the tips of their toes. They wished it was a little darker in here.

"Sleeping on the floor after all?" Villain said, as much a provocation as it was a real offer. They were already tucked under the covers, looking way too casual for an overlord of a criminal empire to ever appear. Yes, they'd been traveling together for over a month now, but Henchman had always been careful to train their eyes on something else while Villain was getting ready for bed. They then turned the lights off as quickly as possible. The alterior domestic familiarity was much too awkward.

"N-no," Henchman said and quickly slid under the mustard blanket's thick fabric. The bed wasn't quite so comfortable as the first one, but they had to admit it was better than the scruffy carpet on the floor. That stuff was bound to give them a rash for how soaked it was in cleaner, scent maskers, and who knew what else.

"You can get closer," Villain said, smirk clear in their voice. "I won't bite."

Henchman scooted away from the mattress seam and a little closer to the center. They were a pillow's space away from each other, but Henchman could almost feel the warmth of Villain's shoulder across the gap.

They fixed their gaze on their ceiling, ignoring Villain's watchful eyes and the terrifying urge to turn over on their side and face them head-on. A police siren wailed down the street outside the window, painting the curtains red and blue. Henchman's hands fisted the blankets.

"What's on your mind?" The sheets rustled as Villain shifted, and that gap got just a little bit smaller.

"They've never gotten this close before," Henchman murmured. "All this time we've been a few steps ahead. How are we going to get out of the city tomorrow?"

Villain stretched their long limbs. "We won't. Not with the whole group in one place. Guess we're stuck here."

"For how long?" Henchman squeaked.

"Villain shrugged. "Until the heroes come up fruitless and move on."

Henchman didn't know how Villain could sound so calm about this. There were heroes out on the streets looking for them right now, and if they found them... Well, they'd overheard enough of Villain's night terrors to know it wouldn't be pretty.

Not to mention the bed situation.

Maybe their trembling was traveling through the bed because Villain's hand suddenly grasped around their neck, forcing Henchman's eyes toward their own. They'd gotten a little closer in the meantime too.

"Are you afraid of heroes?"

Henchman shook their head stiffly. "Not of fighting them. That's why I'm here. But being hunted down...yes."

"Anticipation," Villain acknowledged slowly, "is a terrible disease. It sets the mind to panic and the stomach to sickness. Ignore it the best you can. Or you'll spoil your meals."

They sounded confident enough, but all Henchman could think about was that such advice had to come from somewhere. Villain had suffered, still suffered, at the hands of self-proclaimed peacemakers. The question slipped out before they could stop themself.

"Are...you...afraid of heroes?"

Villain's grip on their neck tightened enough to make Henchman gasp. It was a loud exhale mixed with a short yelp, and it immediately caused Villain to drop their arm around the back of their shoulders instead. They looked down directly into Henchman's eyes, that original gap basically nonexistent now.

"A rat doesn't run from what it's not afraid of."

It was vague on purpose, but yes. It was a yes. Henchman searched Villain's gaze for a hint of that fear, but all that stared back was blank glass and their own startled reflection.

Villain leaned in to Henchman's ear. "Turn off the lights."

Henchman jolted, quickly tearing out of Villain's hold and fumbling for the lamp knob. When they leaned back into their spot, Villain had retreated back onto their own side.

Henchman stared at their back, counting the rumples in their t-shirt, itching to pinch a fold between their fingers, as if it might be able to give them the same comfort they had a week ago. The protective air wasn't quite as strong when they weren't in Villain's arms, but at least their presence still radiated the bed's radius with some security.

After a few minutes, they flipped the other direction as well.

Space. Right. It's what they'd wanted.

Eyes squeezed shut, they snatched onto the first wave of sleep to wash over them and let it drag them down into peaceful darkness. Vllain's sleep must have been well too because Henchman didn't awake until late morning when they found themselves cuddled up at Villain's side once again. Though it was a little...different this time.

Henchman blinked at the fabric several times, nose buried inch-deep in its musky softness, before they realized where they were: wrapped around Villain's waist, forehead pressed firmly between their shoulder blades.

They moved to jerk away, but Villain immediately flipped around and caught them up in their arms. How long had they been awake?!

Villain's face paused just above them, eyes gleaming.

Henchman froze. Even their breathing stopped. It was like that gaze had them pinned down to the spot while their wolfish smile skinned them down to their core. When they found it--the terror, the intrigue, the attraction--their grin grew even wider.

"Good morning, my dreamcatcher."

This is sort of a mess, but I really felt like writing it sooo...😅

Part Four

Master Taglist:

@moss-tombstonee @crazytwentythrees @just-1-lonely-person @the-vagabond-nun @willow-trees-are-beautiful @cocoasprite @insanedreamer7905 @valiantlytransparentwhispers @whovian378 @watercolorfreckless @thebluepolarbear @yulanlavender @kitsunesakii @deflated-bouncingball @lem-hhn @office-plant-in-a-trenchcoat @last-ditch-entry @ghostfacepepper @pigeonwhumps

[remwrites]

for a cute little scarian prompt: immortal scar trying desperately to find a way to cut his golden thread, so that he can grow old with grian because the guilt he would feel if he tried to make grain immortal with him is so overwhelming he can’t even fathom it <3<3 (bonus points if grian wants to become immortal because no length of time—save forever—with scar is enough for him…)

"cute little prompt" ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME

[]

For anyone else in the world, sitting on the edge of a roof would be a worry.

For Scar, it was no more dangerous than sitting on his living room couch. The endless drop below his hanging feet was a stunning visage, and Scar knew exactly what it felt like to sink like a stone through the air, to hit the ground. And to survive.

His ancestor had given his life to save a hundred. So his descendants, Scar included, had been gifted a hundred lifetimes.

After a few centuries it stopped being a gift.

Now Scar was here, specifically hanging over a roof forty stories off the ground, standing at the drop and knowing it would be nothing more than an inconvenience to fall. He hadn't come up there to fall. He'd come up there to think.

"Scar."

Scar exhaled. He didn't turn around. He said, to the wind, "I'm not going to change my mind."

"Stubborn fool." Grian replied, footsteps approaching.

That got Scar's attention. He turned, "Watch the edge."

Bitterness flashed over Grian's face, dark and annoyed. "I wouldn't have to, you know."

Scar had never loved anyone as much as he loved Grian. He'd also never had a fight with someone like they just had, screaming at each other until Scar had stormed off to mope on the roof like the melodramatic immortal he was.

And Grian, the fragile human, tugging the edge of his long sweater sleeve. The cold visibly cutting through him, even as he defiantly lifted his chin.

"You don't want this." Scar said, throat sore.

Grian narrowed his eyes. "I think I'm capable enough to know what I want."

Scar sighed, eyeing the roving city blurs beneath his feet. "I told you. It would be better if I joined you, instead of you joining me. We can live a normal life together. I've already done immortality for too long and let me tell you, it's not all it's cut out to be."

"But if you join me, Scar, you could die. And what the hell am I going to do if it's before me?" Grian stomped his foot, eyes flashing.

"That's exactly why you can't join me." Scar's smile went bitter and sad. "Because all I've ever known is everyone I love dying before me."

"It wouldn't fucking matter." Grian said incredulous. "Because the only person I'd need would be right there beside me."

Scar couldn't respond, the pain in his throat reaching a threshold. He looked away, back at the forty-floor drop. Ants of people on the sidewalk, milling, headlights and street-lamps in pinpricks.

"I want to grow old with you." Scar said, scratchy. He didn't want to argue anymore.

"You've had so much time." Grian replied, approaching to sit in front of him, hands in the gravel roof. "But I haven't. I want more with you. If we could have eternity together, why wouldn't you take it?"

"Because eternity sucks."

"Eternity sucks alone, yeah." Grian reached out and took both his hands.

"I'm not going to change my mind." Scar couldn't stop himself from squeezing his hands back.

"And I'm not going to change mine." Grian smiled, challenging. "If we play chicken, who do you think will break first?"

A slimy hand closed around Scar's heart. He said, wary, "What do you mean?"

"If you cut your golden thread, I will take it." Grian promised.

Scar's breath was taken away. He swallowed, realizing the force of nature he was dealing with. Grian was truly unlike any person he'd ever met in centuries. It was going to be his downfall.

He did not want to doom Grian to his own fate. His partner didn't realize what he was asking for. But Grian was the type of person who did not lose. He would cut off his nose to spite his face.

He was forcing Scar's hand. He stared at the fragile human sitting at his feet, far too high off the ground. Grian's eyes searched his face, the line of his mouth set in stone, speaking to the true severity of his words.

"Are you going to help me find my own?" Grian asked.

Scar looked ahead at his growing eternity. He would just have to make sure it was worth it for Grian.

[canmom]

Animation Night 178: Alberto Vázquez

Hiii everyone! Animation night is back. And I've a treat for you tonight...

So. One of the best things about running Animation Night is that doing this (almost) every week gives me a motivation to go roving out looking for stuff I'd probably never watch otherwise. And sometimes the stuff you discover ends up being just insanely good.

This was the case way back on Animation Night 25, the very first Halloween Animation Night. On that night, we took a chance on a film by Spanish director Alberto Vasquez called Psiconautas, los niños olvidados - known in English as Birdboy: The Forgotten Children. I'll tell you a little about that movie in a minute, but it completely blew us all away: emotionally overwhelming, deft in its handling of the heavy shit, and gorgeously animated. (4C were involved).

So. Psiconautas is set on an island inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. It is a land in a state of general decline - its industry collapsed, the land choked with gigantic rubbish dumps, and the people in spirals of futility. Birdboy is a kind of spirit of the land; his father, Birdman, was shot down by police on suspicion of drug trafficking and he now struggles to keep a monster contained inside him and protect the one tiny shred of nature and life. His friends, who steal the pills he needs to keep it in check, are dealing variously with intrusive violent thoughts, uncaring fundamentalist parents, and a parent's addiction manifesting physically in the form of a huge spider. They want out of this hellish island - and they have a plan: with a bit of money, they might be able to buy passage to the city.

But it isn't that easy. Their money goes only so far as a tiny inflatable raft. And in the vast rubbish dump they encounter the Forgotten Children, abandoned by this society and left feral. Birdboy is forced to let his rage manifest. I won't spoil how it ends but - it's not an easy one.

Born 1980, Vázquez got his start in book and magazine illustration, with a style of distorted proportions and watercolours, or murky black, textured shapes as in these illustrations of Lovecraft. He turned to comics in the mid 2000s - which is where Psiconautas was born, along with other works like El evangelio de Judas (Judas the Catholic Squirrel) (2007) and Alter Ego (2008). In comics his style is very heavy, with big blocks of dark hatching. Within a few years he got the animation bug, working together with Pedro Rivero.

At the time, my knowledge of Vázquez's style was limited to short films such as Decorado, which should give you a pretty strong sense of his style.

At first it seems like a series of brief joke vignettes - but soon of course the threads start weaving together, characters from one skit come back in another, the threads of causality start to break down as the main character goes to pieces. It's clever and striking, but of course the deliberate artificiality which is the point means it is all wrapped in a layer of irony, which blunts the impact a bit.

The short films were made with a tiny team, with Vázquez hmself filling in just about every role from writing through layout to cleanup, with only a few other people on board. His later works became much larger projects, pulling in artists from as far afield as the great Studio 4°C in Japan, though I believe the bulk of the animation is still done in Spain.

The result is something great. Psiconautas has its share of black humour, but it's more willing to go for real drama, taking the vibe from 'unsettling' to full on 'fooooof'. I'm so excited to see it again.

But the main reason to return to Vázquez tonight is... he's gone and made another movie!

Just as with Birdboy, Unicorn Wars takes a short film and expands it. This is actually one of Vázquez's earliest animated works, Unicorn Blood (2013) - a work with a rougher cutout animation style, depicting teddy bears who hunt unicorns to try to fuel their cuteness. In the short we see a condescending teddy bear Moffy lecturing and fatshaming his brother Gregorio, as they hunt a unicorn, with abruptly segues into montages of violent religious imagery as a voice sermonises on the necessity of slaughtering the unicorns. They encounter a unicorn, but Gregorio can't shoot before the unicorn throws itself off a cliff - and as Moffy rounds on him, he gets motivation to, well, do a murder. It's a highly stylish work as with anything Vázquez touches, with gorgeous music textures and great use of watercolour.

Unicorn Wars returns to these themes about a decade later. Now the teddy bears are fully in a Vietnam-style war against the unicorns. A troop of teddy bairs are recruited to the war, and we are introduced to the conflicts between brothers Gordi and Azulín and top recruit Coco. Naturally the deployment goes south fast, and these three bears are the only ones left alive. Things get very violent and occult very quickly. There's more than a little cannibalism.

I've been excited to watch this movie for like three years now. It dropped last year, and became available on BD this year, so I've finally been able to get my hands on a copy. Together with that, we'll revisit some of Vázquez's older works. I'm really excited, I've been wanting to run this one for aaaaaages. Now's our chance!

Now, I need to get some food before the shops shut, so the plan is to start in about an hour, at 10pm UK time - in the usual place, https://twitch.tv/canmom. Hope to see you there!

[genuspsittrichas]

In Sickness and Health

Synopsis: A sick reader goes to Bubu Pharmacy to pick up their prescription from the mystifying Dr. Baizhu, and finds him to be quite the attractive fellow.

Warnings: Baizhu x reader, gender neutral reader (y/n), flustered reader, mentions of sickness and medicine, use of the word “intoxicating”, not much just fluff

Authors Note: This is a 3am story that was brought to life in a half-sleep state so hopefully it’s coherent as I’ve only proofread it a few times. But if anyone wants a more nsfw version of this, I take requests. This is a shameless plug for my ask box because I want people to flood my asks. Anyway don’t feel pressured to send me a request or anything but it’s there if you want to! I hope you enjoy this cute little story about my no.1 husbando.

The rising Liyue sun rose over the rooftops and eaves of the bustling harbor. People roving about and taking care of their morning business. The bustle of a regular day stark in contrast to the interior of y/n’s apartment. Curtains shut tightly against the windows effectively blocked out the light fighting to enter the apartment. y/n stirred from their slumber, a cough searing it’s way up their throat.

Bolting up from the bed y/n gingerly placed their hand on a burning throat. Ow. I should not have put off picking up my medicine for so long. y/n begrudgingly rolled out of bed taking their time as they forged their way towards the apartment door. On the way to the door y/n managed to pull themselves together long enough to throw together a makeshift outfit and hobble out the door.

As y/n stepped from the shaded doorway into the busy street they cringed at the bright sunlight beaming down onto the stone paths. Get the medicine, come home, sleep. Was the only thought filtering through their mind as y/n made their way across the bustling city. y/n made their way through the city with their eyes down, at a snail’s pace. Stopping at the foot of the large staircase leading to the Bubu Pharmacy y/n looked up and groaned. Begrudgingly dragging themselves to the top.

“Well, well, well. Someone forgot to pick up their prescription a few days ago.” Chirped a voice from within the building. Before looking up y/n could already see the mischievous smile plastered on the doctors face as he regarded them. “You do know that prescriptions expire right?” He continued. Walking from behind the counter.

“I am aware Dr. Baizhu. But this one isn’t expired, so I’d like some medicine please.” y/n croaked a touch of sarcasm on their tongue. y/n slowly made their way into the pharmacy. Fishing in their pocket for the slip of paper that would relive them of their burning throat.

“My, my. Don’t you sound hoarse today. I guess this is a simple lesson not to put off picking up one’s medicine.” Baizhu countered with a chuckle as he reached into a high cabinet searching for the ingredients for y/n’s medicine. Having collected the few bottles necessary he settled himself behind the counter once again to mix together the concoction.

A near delirious y/n watched Baizhu’s movements with interest as they leaned up against a wall. He had never seemed so intriguing to y/n, never seemed so enticing. Watching the doctor work was fascinating to y/n, his small minute movements and intense gaze as he mixed together something that would no doubt taste revolting. His concentration when he worked was so captivating that y/n lost track of how long they simply watched him in awe.

“y/n? Are you alright?” Baizhu’s voice shook y/n out of their reverie. “Your medicine is ready. Make sure you take it once a day, and your throat should stop burning up from the inside out.” He walked towards y/n handing them their bottle of medicine with a smile.

y/n reached out groggily and took their medicine from Baizhu. They looked up at his smiling face and a barrage of butterflies exploded in their stomach. y/n couldn’t think properly as they reached out and took their medicine from the doctor.

“Uh- thank you.” They managed. y/n turned to leave but stopped when Baizhu grabbed their arm stopping them. “Don’t forget to get a refill if you run out. We wouldn’t want you to get this sick again.” Baizhu quietly added. He let go of y/n’s arm and walked back into the pharmacy. y/n watched him turn away, the butterflies threatening their return within y/n’s stomach.

Walking away Baizhu couldn't help but worry for y/n. Settling behind his counter once again he watched them walk away, sincerely hoping that they would heal from their malady. He wouldn't admit it but he wanted to see them again, under more casual circumstances. He didn't enjoy seeing them hobble around in a state of near unconsiousness and pain.

"You like them don't you?" Baizhu startled at the voice. Changsheng regarded him from her spot on his shoulders. The snake had been so unusually quiet today Baizhu forgot she was on his shoulders. “You seemed very distracted once they entered.” Changsheng continued.

“I- I don’t- I’m just concerned about a customer. They were in rough shape.” Baizhu countered.

“You certainly sound awfully flustered.” Changsheng continued to poke at Baizhu, teasing him for his clear attraction to y/n. Baizhu pushed away the thought, ignoring the snake and her incessant prodding. He and y/n were just friends as they have been for years he repeated to himself, trying to turn his thoughts away from his attraction to them.

A week had passed since the day y/n picked up their prescription. The sun was rising before Liyue harbor once again, and this time y/n was back to their normal selves. Sitting at their desk y/n looked out the large windows of their apartment. With the curtains drawn the sunlight beamed through the glass, illuminating the entire apartment.

Admiring the city below, y/n was grateful for Baizhu. Despite the putrid-tasting medicine he gave them. y/n was no longer spending each waking moment with hot coals within their throat. As they looked down into the busy streets below their window, something caught y/n’s eyes. A flash of green, moving along the street. y/n lost track of the person for a brief moment before catching sight of them once again. The bright colors of their clothing standing out against the crowds and buildings and a snake draped across their shoulders. y/n found themselves watching intently as Baizhu made his way through the city, seemingly on a morning stroll.

Maybe I should go say hi. I do need to thank him for the medicine that worked so well. y/n thought. They stood up from their desk and made their way to the apartment’s door, taking a deep breath before opening it and stepping out into the street.

y/n quickly made their way to the man as he leaned on a rail looking over the docks below. Normally y/n would have thought nothing of someone minding their business in the morning. But something within them wanted to see more of Baizhu, wanted to talk to him, and indulge themselves in him. He was intoxicating, just his presence jumbled their thoughts and made their knees feel like jelly.

“I forgot to thank you for the medicine last week.” y/n managed to say as they drew closer to Baizhu. He turned around and studied her before smiling.

“It is no problem, I’m glad to see you are feeling much better now.” Baizhu chirped in his usual flamboyant style.

Changsheng regarded y/n from her place choosing not to say anything. Baizhu’s reaction to her teasing for the past week was enough of an indicator that he was very interested in y/n and probably didn’t need her help to get the ball rolling.

y/n looking at his sincere smile wanting nothing more than to hold his hand and kiss him. Their stomach was exploding with butterflies once again and fearing that their face was betraying their thoughts, y/n quickly turned away from Baizhu. Turning to look at the docks below y/n could feel the blood rushing to their cheeks a blush no doubt creeping up their neck.

Noticing their blush Baizhu continued. “If you would be so kind to join me for lunch at the Xinyue kiosk. So we might be able to get to know one another on a more personal level?” He carefully said.

y/n was astounded. Baizhu just asked me on a date! Baizhu. Asked me. On a date. y/n was internally warring with themselves trying to regain composure and formulate a coherent answer to the request. They looked up at Baizhu, their cheeks and ears tinted pink. The only response y/n could get out was a small squeak.

Baizhu chuckled at the sight and sound of a flustered y/n. “Is that a yes?” He said with a large grin threatening to fall into laughter. When y/n managed a nod his smile seemed to grow.

“Well then it’s a date!” Baizhu joyfully said.

y/n was so flustered it took all their composure not to embarrass themselves in front of the man. They looked into his eyes and steadily extended their arm.

“May I- hold your hand?” y/n managed, their voice quiet.

“Certainly dear y/n” Baizhu took their hand into his, intertwining their fingers with a laugh. He could hear y/n’s breath hitch at the contact.

“Perhaps we should take advantage of the morning light for a nice stroll through the harbor.” Baizhu offered.

Gaining some of their senses y/n looked into his eyes and smiled.

“Yes, perhaps we shall.” They chirped imitating Baizhu’s signature flair to his words.

The two set off across the city excitedly talking about their date in the coming hours and of their attraction to one another. Hand in hand they watched Liyue Harbor wake up with the morning sun, each person looking out into the world as if with a new set of eyes. The sprawling city seemed to glow with a new light as the two walked along the streets. Changsheng, draped across Baizhu’s shoulders watched the two talking. Knowing that Baizhu found the person who made him smile like no other, the person that completed him.

[heliads]

Hi friend! I love your writing and I was wondering if you were taking requests could you write a racetrack x reader oneshot where they’re not that close but they have both been secretly crushing on each other, and they finally admit it to each other after they have to do a project together? You can take it from there!

this is me, taking it from there

masterlist

There is no better gossip in Manhattan than the stuff Katherine Pulitzer brings to the table. Talking to her, you understand why no one in this godless city is able to turn her down for an interview, why no piece of information is ever far from her reach. She has ways of sinking her claws in you, pulling and tugging until you end up telling her your entire life story.

All this, and she’s still the best friend you could ever ask for. Katherine’s been busy as of late, the thrills of having a full time job that she loves, but you still make time for her whenever you can. Right now, the two of you are cloistered in a corner of the Manhattan newsies’ Lodging House, watching the sun sink beneath the horizon through a few cracked windows and keeping each other up to date on everything that’s happened since your last get together.

Katherine has her legs propped up on a table nearby, arms crossed as she surveys the scene. You swear she grows less and less ladylike every time she visits, although that’s surely due to no small share of influence on your part. You’re a wreck already, and you’re determined to drag her down with you. She loves it, you know that.

Jack Kelly has already joked a thousand times that the two of you could take over the whole of New York City if given three days and some cool weather, and you have no doubt that it’s true. That’s the best part of a good friend, you think, there’s nobody here who knows all the ways your brain clicks and whirs except Katherine.

Well, she doesn’t know one point of interest. See, Katherine is convinced that you’ve got a crush on somebody here, that surely you’ve set your heart on at least one of the newsboys. She’s trying to figure out who that potential suitor could be. Unfortunately, given her successful track record when it comes to figuring out stories, you’re fairly sure that she’s going to solve this problem soon enough.

You try to distract her anyway, on the off chance that it might work. “I don’t know why you’re so set on this whole idea. Why would I like anybody here?”

Katherine scoffs, eyes roving the packed Lodging House. “You, Y/N, live in a house full of cute boys who all but worship the ground on which you walk. There’s no way you don’t have a crush on at least one of them.”

You arch a brow. “That seems fake.”

Katherine gestures vaguely at herself. “It worked for me, didn’t it? Once upon a time, I was just like you. Stubborn, hardworking–”

You cut her off with a grin. “Utterly devoted to herself and not other newsboys?”

Katherine holds up a finger in agreement. “See, I thought that at first too, but look at me now. I found Jack and I’ve never looked back.”

You chuckle. “Just because you accidentally fell in love with the most infuriating boy you’d ever met doesn’t mean I’m going to do the same thing. What caused that, anyway? You two bantered one too many times and suddenly you thought he was your sun and stars? That sort of thing is totally absurd. Why would enemies ever fall in love?”

Katherine casts you a knowing look. “You’d be surprised, trust me. Besides, you’re missing one important fact: he was cute. Also, he has a heart bigger than this entire city. I didn’t realize that at first. Now, who’s your crush? I know there has to be one.”

You sigh. “Good luck on that front. I don’t like a single one of these boys like that.”

Katherine’s eyes spark. “Not even Race?”

You freeze, and although you force yourself to breathe normally as soon as you can, even your half second delay doesn’t go unnoticed. Damn Katherine and her eagle eyes.

“What? Race, what about him?” You say, doing your best to remain as innocent as possible.

It’s too late, though. Katherine knows. “Goodness, it is him, isn’t it? I knew it.”

Your eyes widen. “No you didn’t. You’re just lucky that you tossed out that name first.”

Katherine laughs. “I’ve known for weeks. You stare at him so much you’d think the boy was a priceless headline. It’s kind of cute.”

You roll your eyes, trying to ignore the heat rushing to your cheeks. “I’m glad you’re having a good time with this. Look, I don’t feel the same way about Race as you did about Jack. I’ve talked to Race maybe once since I started being a newsie. I just think he’s good looking, that’s all. The feeling will fade in another week.”

Katherine steeples her fingers together. “I’m willing to bet otherwise. All you need to do is get close to him. Just talk to the guy, okay? I swear it’ll be different then. You’ll be irrevocably in love.”

She clasps her hands to her chest in mock theatrics, and you shove her in the shoulder, making the other girl laugh. “Alright, alright, Juliet, you can cool it. Nothing’s going to happen.”

Katherine’s grin, though, is a little too knowing. It sets your suspicions racing. “I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” she says, and you can’t help but wonder what your friend’s got in mind.

It would be great if Katherine weren’t half so cunning, or half so connected to the leader of the Manhattan newsies. When a week comes and goes and suddenly Jack starts talking about how he wants everyone to settle into partners for selling papes, you smell a bad deal. Katherine’s got her hands in this, you can tell.

Your fears are confirmed when Jack calls for you and Race to work together. Supposedly, the ships coming in and out of a nearby harbor have changed, leading to a sudden influx of potential customers around the city blocks. Jack wants the two of you to work together to make sure you can handle all of the new arrivals. 

Although the explanation makes sense, it’s a strange partnership. This seems like an important opportunity, right? Jack is only having two people work together because he wants to make sure not a single visitor goes throughout their day without having been sold a paper or ten. Why, then, would he have you and Race be partners, especially when the two of you have never worked together before? You’re untested in the face of a grand opportunity. It makes no sense.

Or, it would make no sense, were it not for the fact that Katherine surely set you up. You don’t get a chance to see your friend for another couple of days due to some major deadlines on her end, so you won’t be able to confront her about this for a while. The only option you have, then, is to weather this storm and stay so close to your crush until this whole thing blows over.

Race is only half as surprised about this as you are. He whistles as the two of you walk over to the streets near the harbor, occasionally breaking up his melody to point out interesting things the two of you pass. He keeps glancing at you as if he expects you to take off running and abandon him for another friend, but when you don’t, his nerves seem to settle.

You were expecting this whole affair to be stilted and awkward, featuring you tripping over your own words as you try to act normally. You’re not used to being this close to Race; usually, he’s just out of reach, across the room or down a street. He’s a painting to you, a portrait of brilliance that has never been yours, not even to name or touch.

All of a sudden, he’s now feet away, within arm’s reach and looking at you for casual conversation. You didn’t realize his eyes would be this blue up close, nor that his smiles would come so easily for something you said. It’s almost unsettling to be so near him. Usually, you can hide your longing looks through distance, but here, you’re on display. 

Race can tell whenever you’re staring at him because he has nowhere else to look but at you. He certainly takes advantage of it, too– every time you’re unable to keep your eyes from straying to him a second longer, more often than not he’s already turned towards you. The two of you engage in the same immediate shift away, both of you pretending you weren’t looking at each other, but you repeat the same process soon enough. Away and back again, away and back. 

Halfway through the third day, Race says something quietly to you under the guise of rearranging the papers in his bag. “I’m glad Jack put us together.”

You glance up at him in surprise, although for once the boy refuses to meet your eyes. Apparently his papers require a serious amount of attention, because he can’t seem to drag his gaze away from them.

“What?” You ask, not sure if he was even talking to you.

Race’s face flushes a little, but he keeps going anyway. “For this assignment, I mean. We haven’t really spoken before this, and I didn’t know you all too well, but I feel like I know you now. I’m glad we got the chance to talk more often, I mean.”

You smile, and a moment later, Race looks up at last and smiles as well. “I’m glad he had us work together too. I’ve liked getting to know you.”

Race’s face brightens at that. “See, I felt the same way. Always knew you were cool, right? I just never got the chance to check it out for myself.”

You laugh. “We’ve been in the same house and in the same job for years. You’ve had plenty of chances.”

Race playfully shoves you with a free hand. “Rude. You could have done the same thing, you know. I’m not the only one with the ability to speak.”

“Ah, but I thought I’d give you the chance to be a gentleman,” you say, “I wanted to be nice.”

Race scoffs. “Oh, because all of us newsies are nothing but gentlemen. I know I’m incredibly handsome and all that, but I’se never claimed to have manners.”

You grin. “Does that save me from having to be a proper lady? It’s never fit me half as well as Katherine, I can admit that.”

Race frowns. “Of course it does. You know, every now and then I see the two of you walking together and I’m never sure if you’re one of her rich friends or not. Trust me, you’se as ladylike as they come.”

Your brow furrows. “I didn’t realize you saw us. Or paid enough attention to notice us, for that matter. Hell, before Jack put us together I didn’t think you even knew my name.”

Race’s eyes widen. “Why wouldn’t I know you? Y/N, sweetheart, I’m hurt. If I’d known you thought that little of me, I’d have introduced myself a lot earlier.”

You laugh. “You’re calling me ‘sweetheart’ now? You really are taking this gentleman thing to heart, I can see that now. I’m sorry to have ruined your image. Consider me proven wrong. You did pay attention to me.”

The corners of Race’s lips twitch up into a smile despite his best attempts to silence it. “All the time, sweetheart. Far more often than you thought, believe me.”

He glances again once he says it, and you realize that Race might have been keeping a more careful eye on you than you thought. It makes you smile.

“You wouldn’t be the only one looking,” you say carefully, “I saw you too. Just didn’t think you were seeing me.”

The two of you have been walking down the block, but Race stops all of a sudden, looking you straight on with an intensity you haven’t ever seen on him before.

“I saw you all the time,” he whispers, eyes a deeper blue than ever, “I still do. I don’t think I see anybody but you.”

Your breath catches in your chest. You’ve pictured this moment, or something like it, dozens of times in your head, but those were only fantasies. This, though, this is real, and suddenly you don’t know what to say. All of your imagined responses suddenly bleed dry.

Race’s gaze flicks to your lips, and suddenly you know the perfect answer. With the last bit of your courage dancing like sparks around your eyes, you lean forward and kiss him. You’re close enough that you can feel Race startle when you do, but then he’s kissing you back with enough force that it’s your turn to be surprised. How long has he been wanting this? Perhaps just as long as you.

When the two of you break away, Race’s forehead is tilted against yours, his breath soft on your cheeks. “That was certainly something, sweetheart. I’m beginning to think that I should have asked us to be selling partners a long time ago.”

You laugh quietly. “We still have plenty of time.”

And so you do. Today seems endless, next week a blessed eternity. You have all the time in the world to explore this love, and in the meantime, you need to set up an appointment with your best friend. You certainly have a good story to tell.

newsies tag list: @lovesanimals0000, @misguidedswagger, @thatfangirl42, @amortensie

[kootiepatra]

#FFxivWrite 2022 - Day 3 Prompt: "Temper"

Mirages shimmered across the broiling sands of Amh Araeng. The young Elezen woman who perched on the overlook shielded her eyes, squinting into the light, trying to distinguish optical illusion from reality. It was always maddeningly more difficult to spot sin eaters when the heat rose in waves like this. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead and traced their way down her back. But she would not be deterred. She was getting used to this climate anyway.

She glanced over at the makeshift inn which housed the patients and carers under her protection. They were relying on her. She would not let a little thing like insufferable temperatures get in her way.

For once, my stubbornness shall work in my favor, Alisaie thought to herself with grim amusement. So there, Alphinaud. 

It was solitary afternoons of guard duty like these that would bring her brother to her thoughts in pangs of loneliness. He was off in Kholusia, attempting to negotiate his way into Eulmore’s innermost circles of power, because of course he was.

He was plenty stubborn in his own right—not that you would know from asking their childhood teachers.

Alphinaud had always been the more collected one. Throughout her life, Alisaie frequently found herself resenting his ability to cooly, logically argue from behind a confident smirk. Whenever she ended up in a quarrel that set her blood to boiling, it tended to show in her face. And her tone. And when she was very young, once or twice in her fists.

Her father, along with more than one of her teachers, had often admonished her that she really must learn to control that temper of hers. It was ill-befitting of a scholar. It was ill-befitting of her station. One member of the Forum had even insisted that it was ill-befitting of a lady. 

Alisaie grinned as she remembered with fondness how her mother had reacted to hearing that line.

But all the while, it had seemed dreadfully unfair to Alisaie. The same sort of opinions she voiced in outbursts and scowls, Alphinaud tended to air through passive-aggression. But in his precociousness, so many adults looked straight past it. Some even chuckled at how cute it was—this youngling, chin held high, clearing his throat, lecturing his peers, his instructors, or worst of all his sister, as if he were not himself still a child. He was so mature for his age! He would surely be a great leader one day.

Alisaie’s responses to such fawning were always apt to garner her a new admonishment.

Even before the twins had any genuine governmental issues to contend with, her brother had taken to political posturing as easily as breathing, while such artificialities had always caused her to see red.

They had both grown much since then. She almost didn’t recognize the much humbler, gentler boy she had been reunited with in Ishgard. Then again, she supposed her past self would not recognize the girl who had committed herself to a political cause, first in Eorzea and now in Norvrandt, trading in her tomes for a rapier. Neither would she have expected that the two of them would now see eye to eye on so much, nor work together so well.

Still, it was hardly surprising that Alphinaud was the one hobnobbing in the city, while she was the one smiting roving beasts in the wilderness.

A glint of white appeared in her peripheral. Alisaie focused intently on it. Perhaps it was another mirage. But after watching a few moments, it became clear. It was indeed an eater. A small one, perhaps, but a threat nonetheless.

She would have to go deal with that.

She glanced back at the Inn at Journey’s Head as she readied herself to leave, holding in her mind’s eye the patients that languished there. Her heart broke at their vacant stares, their cold, hardening skin, and the catatonia that was setting in with a few as they neared their end. And for reasons that yet confounded her, she could not help but simultaneously recall the small, quietly shivering kobold she had unwillingly left behind on another world.

Something was connected there, she was sure of it. She just did not know what. But Ga Bu’s torpor, refusing to lift ever since that confrontation with Titan, rang all too familiar with the creeping lethargy of light corruption on the patients below her. Although she could not prove the commonality, she had grown increasingly convinced that there was one. She could feel it in her soul. 

There was a reason behind all of this. And if there was a reason for it, then there was a solution for it, too. There must be. She could not bear the thought there wasn’t. And so she would find it. She had to. She would not abandon these souls to the Light, even if she must fight tooth and nail for it.

And when the Scions’ role here was finished, and they found their way back to the Source—somehow—she would not abandon those souls to the thrall of any blasted primals, either.

None of that would matter if the First fell to sin eaters, though. So she did what she could. She gritted her teeth, fixed her eyes on her quarry, and set off at a sprint.

You cannot have them. I won’t allow it.

[seollenda-moved]

Hiii!! Could you please do a Mamamoo reaction to seeing their fem s/o body for the first time (ps. Could you please do their s/o body muscular please), like it's a summer day and their s/o invite them to come to their house for a pool day or just to go eat some ice cream, and their s/o usually wear baggy clothes that always hide her body, so when the girls come to their s/o house, they see them wearing a tank top or a sport bra...

So sorry for the long request ;-;

i missed writing mamamoo and this prompt is so silly hehe

solar:

“y/n, i brought soju! wheenie said she’ll bring the anju but knowing her she’s gonna bring weird stuff so maybe we should drop by 7/11 before we get there…” yongsun called, stepping into your apartment and dropping an icebox with a loud thump. “where are ya?”

“in here!” you called from your bedroom, peeking out of the door. your girlfriend wore a long sundress, an absurdly large straw hat perched on her hair. her wide smile froze slightly at the sight of you, her eyes widening.

“hey,” she said, her voice coming a bit choked. you realised her eyes were roving down your front, only lightly clothed in a new bikini swimsuit you’d bought for the summer.

you blushed hard. you’d expected to deal with the embarrassment at the pool, when others were also undressed and in the water and you wouldn’t have to deal with eyes on you. but here was your girlfriend of only a couple weeks, regarding your body with…a positive reaction? she’d frozen for a moment before meeting your eyes and realising her ogling.

“you look great,” she said, stepping forward, a nervous giggle bubbling out of her. “sorry for staring i just…well i’ve only ever seen you wear your really cute baggy clothes and i didn’t know…do you work out?” she finished awkwardly, grinning.

“yeah, a bit,” you said, pulling her closer and lifting the hat off her head so you could press a kiss to her cheek. she laughed giddily again, melting into you maybe a little too eagerly.

“you dress like a teddy bear all the time, and you were hiding this from the world?” she remarked playfully. you rolled your eyes but smiled in spite of yourself. “take me to the gym and teach me your exercises? please?”

“sure, babe.”

moonbyul:

“it’s so hot,” byul whined from the living room. the sound of her unsticking herself from the leather sofa and readjusting herself made you laugh. typical byulyi dramatics.

“give me a second, we can go get ice cream soon,” you replied from the other room. the heatwave had hit out of nowhere and sent the entire city into what felt like a collective lethargy. you just hoped that the ice cream man would be at the park today.

what to wear? you settled for a nearly-skimpy tank top and shorts. your wardrobe would need the winter-to-summer culling soon, you noted, shoving sweatshirts haphazardly to the end of the rack. 

you stepped out of your room, tying your hair up. byul was laid horizontally across your couch, her eyes half shut.

“let’s go,” you said, grabbing your keys and wallet. she looked up from the quiet TV, her sleepy gaze blinking awake at the sight of you.

“whoa,” she managed, sitting up.

“hm?”

“you’re buff as hell.”

you laughed, suddenly shy as she walked to you and wrapped her arms around your waist.

“i’ve been going to the gym for a little while now,” you admitted. her expression was playful but genuinely awed. she rested her hands on your back and shoulders.

“flex?”

you obliged her, and she let out another silly, appreciative hoot.

“aiooo,” you rolled your eyes, pushing her off of you. “it’s too hot to hug.” 

you turned to shove your feet into the nearest pair of sandals. byul shuffled along behind you, poking you lightly in your side and causing another yelp of protest.

“you can say that again…”

wheein:

“yeobo-ya,” wheein sang outside your door. “i swear i’m leaving without you if you don’t hurry.”

“i can’t find the swimsuit i wanted to wear,” you sighed, staring irritably in the mirror. the swimsuit was a little too scanty for your taste. “its a beach-swimsuit, not a water park one.”

“what are you talking about? a swimsuit’s a swimsuit, dummy. can i come in?”

“yeah.”

wheein peeked her head in first, then stepped through the door.

maybe she hadn’t expected to see what she saw. her mouth opened comically. you stood with your hands on your hips, pouting at your reflection.

“i think that’s a water park swimsuit,” she said, coming up behind you and peeking around your arm. you met her mischievous gaze in the mirror. “i think that’s an anywhere, anytime swimsuit, actually.”

“wow, smooth.” you adjusted the straps up your shoulders. wheein quickly and unconsciously wetting her lips did not go unnoticed by you. “i think some type of sun dress or robe is going to help though, what do you think? i just don’t want too much sun…”

“you look great,” she insisted, turning you to face her. she trailed off again, getting another good look at you. “sorry, i’m being a total creep right now.”

“no, no, i think i like the attention,” you said, stepping closer against her and noticing how she grew just a bit more flustered. “anyway, we should get going, right?”

“y-yeah. for sure.”

hwasa:

“whoa. daebak.”

“don’t hug me, i’m sweaty!” you said hurriedly, but hyejin was already all up on you, her mouth quirked in a smirk.

“i’ve never seen you work out in just a sports bra before,” she said, glancing at the home-pilates video that was wrapping up on your tv.

“i haven’t worked out in a while, to be fair,” you confessed, grabbing your water bottle and taking a long swig. “i’m so out of shape…”

“if that’s out of shape…” your girlfriend remarked, stepping back. her eyebrows raised as her eyes roved unabashedly across your body. you were glad your face was already reddened from exercise, or your blush would’ve been comically obvious.

“you said you’re coming at 3,” you nodded accusingly at the clock that read 2:46.

“yeah but there wasn’t much traffic after all.” she sat on your couch, drawing her feet up and sitting criss-crossed. “and i’m real glad i made it early.”

“ya, byeontae,” you shook your head at her, but she only giggled, covering her face with a semblance of shame.

“you’re the one inviting your girlfriend over without a shirt on.”

“i should never have given you my door code.”

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Laisse tomber les filles 5

Warnings: non-consent sex and rape; size kink; age gap; manipulation; tags to be added as story progresses

This is a dark!fic and Lee Bodecker x (short) reader and explicit. 18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you.

Synopsis: You find yourself ostracized on campus by your shyness, but your reticence won’t deter an unwanted suitor.

Note: That slow creep, tho

Thanks to everyone for reading and thanks in advance for all your feedback. :)

I really hope you enjoy. 💋

<3 As usual, I’d appreciate if you let me know what you think with a like or reblog or reply or an ask! Love ya!

You looked down at your body and fidgeted. The skirt was so short you pulled on a pair of stockings in an effort to hide your legs, and it was tight like the blouse. Both pieces seemed to be just a size too small. The boots were higher than any heels you’d worn before and you felt awkward in the get-up.

Noon. That was when he told you the night before as he kept stalling you from leaving. Every time you were ready to push open the car door, he had something else to say. You agreed to noon just to appease him so you could run and hide in your dorm.

You pulled on your long pea coat and stuffed your textbooks into your canvas bag with the leather straps. You hiked it up on your shoulder and slung your pocketbook from your other. You stepped out into the hallway and wobbled on the heels. You clung to the handle as you kept yourself upright.

“Wow, you look special,” Gina remarked as she peeked through the kitchen door.

“Um, thanks,” you pulled your coat closed and buttoned it, “it’s… new.”

“It’s cute,” she said as Lisa came to peek through the doorway as well.

“Where are you going?” the second girl asked.

“To study,” you said as you carefully made your way to the heavy door that led to the stairwell.

“Oh, study, huh?” she teased, “can’t be alone then.”

“I’m gonna be late,” you kept your chin down.

“Don’t let us hold you up,” Gina said as you opened the door and stepped out.

“I didn’t know she had anywhere to go,” Lisa’s trilled and her voice slipped into the hall just before the wood slid back into the frame.

You exhaled through your nose and braced the railing for your slow and treacherous descent. As you got to the bottom, you teetered and pressed yourself to the wall as two girls came through the door. You watched them flit up the stairs and scurried out into the spring air.

The weather was as bitter as before. It smelled like wet grass and mud. The sun beamed down warmly and made you sweat in your jacket. You gripped the strap of your bag and cleared the single step to even ground.

“Honey,” the voice drew your eyes up from your boots and you blinked. 

The sheriff stood by his cruiser as he watched you. He didn’t wear his uniform, instead a pair of grey slacks and pure white button-up under his usual leather. He smiled and came to the end of the walk as you hesitantly closed the gap. Your heel caught in a crack and you stumbled. He caught you and gave a soft laugh.

“You okay?” he asked as he held your elbow in one hand and his other went to the small of your back.

“I’m fine,” you righted yourself and parted from him, “just didn’t see the crack.”

“Here,” he tugged on your heavy knapsack, “let me take this.”

You let him, unsure what to say. He was early. Your watch assured you he was a whole twenty minutes ahead of schedule. Your own timing was purely habit as you hated to keep others waiting.

“Thank you,” you squeaked as he put the bag in the back seat.

“So, can I see it?” he asked as he shut the door.

“What?” your brows knitted in confusion.

“The clothes,” he said lightly, “that is what you’re hidin’ under there, right?” he pointed at a large round button on your pea coat, “it’s too warm to be wearin’ all that.”

“Can I wait… until we’re at your, um, place?” you clutched the round collar of your coat anxiously.

“Oh, for my eyes only, huh,” he teased with a wink.

“No, I just… can we go?”

“Course, honey,” he brushed by you and opened the front door, “get in.”

You sat and pulled your legs in, hooking them around the edge of the seat stiffly as you crossed one over the other. The door closed and you picked at the metal clasp of your pocket book and chewed your lip. Why were you doing all this? You were an adult, he said it himself, you could say no…

You glanced around, his sheriff’s hat sat on the dashboard and you shook your head. No, you couldn’t. He was a cop and your discomfort wasn’t a reason to be uncourteous. Your mother always told you to push yourself out of your safe zone. She hated how you always held yourself back because you were scared. It was difficult enough to get you out of the house and into a dorm.

Once he was in the car, there was no turning back. You coudn’t lie about feeling sick or claim a forgotten study group, you were on your way and suddenly you were filled with panic. What if he wasn’t taking you to his house? Did that star on his hat really mean he was a good person?

“Um,” the syllable slipped from you nervously.

“What is it, hon?” he asked as he gripped the grooved wheel.

“Um, I don’t…” you stuttered as you searched for words. You couldn’t let him know what you were really afraid of, “so, uh, I would’ve thought that… you have a wife?”

His brows flicked up as you peeked over at him. He pushed his bottom lip out and hummed. He clicked his tongue and sighed.

“Well, I did,” he admitted, “but I don’t like to talk about it too much. She, er, she’s married to my deputy now.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” you said quietly, “I didn’t…”

“It’s all over now,” he shrugged, “you know, I’ve moved on. We’re both happier for it.”

“That’s… good, then,” you murmured.

“Must be, I met you,” he smiled, “huh?”

“Well, I…” your hand shook and hid it up your sleeve, “I don’t know, I’m a bit young, aren’t I?”

“Young?” he said, “you don’t act it. You’re a lot more mature than lots of ladies I know. The way you carry yourself… you work hard I can tell. I don’t see your age, just a good woman.”

“Hmm,” you pursed your lips tightly.

“I mean it,” he insisted, “you got character beyond your age.”

“Thank you, but I… I don’t know,” you picked at the cuff of your coat.

“You brought your books?” he said, “must’ve. That bag sure is heavy. I got a place for ya all set up.”

“Oh?”

“I’ll be workin’ on supper, I hope you don’t mind the noise,” he drawled, “you know, I don’t cook often so I might be a bit… lost.”

“You don’t have to cook for me,” you offered, “really, it’s… too much.”

“I wanna, honey,” he said, “ain’t it special? A fellow cookin’ for his lady?”

“Uh, oh,” you frowned, “sure.”

“And you can turn the radio on if you like,” he continued, “it’s new.”

You nodded and listened meekly. Every argument you had for him was quickly shot down. He was so good at telling you how you were wrong or what to do while making it feel like good advice. Each demand, each want, was presented as common sense. It was impossible to argue with him because deep inside, you couldn’t argue with yourself. 

While your gut told you something was off, your head assured you of your paranoia. You didn’t know any better, did you? You didn’t know how these things worked, how men and women got along, so of course it would feel strange to you. But he knew and he was so confident about it, he must be right.

📚

Lee’s house was nice, just outside the city limits. It reminded you of the suburban homes you passed on your way to high school in your hometown. You only ever lived in an apartment with your parents and so found the place extravagant compared to boxy until attached hallways noisy with troublesome neighbours.

He led you onto the porch, the wood painted white, and opened both the screen door and thicker wood one ahead of you. You were forced to brush against him as you entered. He was quick to trail you, the screen snapping shut behind him. He hung his leather coat and tugged on the back of your collar as he plunked down your bookbag.

“Go on then,” he said, “let me see it, honey.”

You closed your eyes and steeled yourself. You forced a smile as you undid the first button and slowly turned to him. You unhooked each until the coat fell open and you let it fall down your arms. You quickly swept it up and he took it to hang beside his own.

He faced you and gripped your shoulders as he looked down at you. You shied away as his eyes roved down your body and you took a step back as you crossed your arms.

“They’re a bit tight,” you said.

“You look mighty fine,” he slithered, “look like they fit just nice.”

“Erm,” you rocked on the balls of your feet.

He smiled and knelt to untie his shoes. You unzipped the boots and stepped out of them, stretching your arches as before you brought them flat. You pushed them beside his shoes as his strong cologne tickled your nose.

“Just in here, honey,” he waved you through a doorway, “come on.”

He went back to grab your bag and pointed you in ahead of him as he returned to you. He went to the sofa and dropped the bag on the cushion. 

“You can get settled in,” he sidled away from the coffee table, “the radios there,” he gestured to the console table along the wall, “record player too.”

“Thanks, I should be fine,” you neared and sat on the edge of the couch.

“I’ll be through there, in the kitchen,” he peeked over at another door, “you need anything, just holler.”

“I will,” you twined your fingers through each other, “thank you.”

He smirked and shoved his hands in his pockets as he lingered on the other side of the table, “you do look nice in that,” he looked you up and down again, “you don’t even need the stockings with how warm it’s gettin’.”

“Thanks,” you mumbled and brought your fingers to tap your lip, “guess I should get started.”

You reached for the flap of your book bag and slid out a heavy textbook. You sensed him watching you before his feet slowly turned away and he strode from the room. You opened the book and flipped through the pages mindlessly. 

This house was far enough from the city, far enough that you were stranded, and much of the area was new to you. The realisation made you tremble as you counted the page numbers.

[its-kall-the-clown]

(Meant to sent this in a bit ago when I noticed you reopened requests but I forgot whoops) Spider Queen is actually pretty chill with Huntsman dating Sandy, she's just REALLY salty about not being able to take over the world. She also gives Sandy a bit of a shovel talk since I head cannon she's the closest thing Huntsman has to mother figure but it's mostly in jest. Mostly. - Pixel Anon

The Talk Rating: G - SilkTea Shipping

this was really cute and I forgot that I finished this yesterday. so gonna post this real quick and go back to my nap/me day

hope you enjoy it!

War rooms deciding the fate of counties were considered less tense than the small tea table prepared currently in front of Sandy.

Across from his seat, rigidly sat the spider queen who stared at him with slitted eyes. if Sandy was wearing a shirt he would be tugging at his collar sweating under the heat of her gaze.

"So uh. What can I help you with?" Sandy fumbles out, she had shown up suddenly and he wasn't sure how to navigate this odd behavior outside of making tea.

He had a hunch of why she was here though. The spider clan had halted its attempt to take over the city making it easy for Huntsman and him to come forward with their secret relationship.

"I was in the neighborhood." She responds by looking over the time of her teacup coolly.

"I see." Sandy takes an awkward sip of his tea trying to fill the silence around them.

"Have you slept with Huntsman yet?" She asked, suddenly making him choke on his own tea. Almost doing a spit take.

"Excuse me?" He wheezes out patting his chest and she slams down her teacup suddenly.

"Don't play dumb. What are your plans for him??" She hisses out, fangs slowly poking out of her lips as she speaks. "Do you plan to bed him? Then throw him away? I will not allow some inferior demon to date him if they are not serious."

She slams her hand on the counter to cement her point and make him flinch under her commands. She wasn't just a queen in the title after all.

"I'm very serious about him!" Sandy defended, skirting under her molton gaze that burned him.

"Oh really?" She scoffs in disbelief. Looking down at him from her nose.

"How many grandkids will you be giving me? Will he move into your home? Or will you live in his? When will you be officially mates?!" She demanded with another slam to the table the china set clattering and shaking under her force.

"If you're serious about him you will have answers for all of these because you would be thinking of them!!" She shouts a string of hair falling into her face as her chest heaves from labored breathing.

Something clicks in Sandy's head suddenly.

"You're his mother." He states quietly instead of answering her barrage of questions. Her eyes widen and she slumps back into her seat, rubbing her temples with a scowl.

"I'm not his mother ... .but I'm the closest thing he has to one." She regards Sandy with cold eyes that rove over him like she is weighing him in her mind, determining if he was worth knowing this information.

"Huntsman's parents perished in a raid on our home. Some demon hunters stumbled upon our nest years ago and slaughtered many of our kind. Huntsy was just a child then. Parents gutted right in front of him" she frowns, claws digging into the table as she talks

"We managed to fight off the hunters…but the cost was great." She finished taking her teacup and sipping it slowly. "I found him in the ruins. Covered in his parent's blood and with eyes that burned with more hatred than I have ever seen in my lifetime."

She sets the cup down with a clink and lets out a sigh, the queen slumps forward with a humorless chuckle.

"But I haven't seen that anger or hatred in his eyes for a while. Even before you guys came out to me I could tell something was different inside him." She smiles a little, her eye looking at something Sandy couldn't see. But then it hardens and she pins him in place with those same striking green eyes.

"He's happy. He loves you…And I don't want him to lose whatever happiness he's built for himself if you don't feel the same." She sighs and pinches her brow letting out a long pause before either of them speaks again.

"Er…we were hoping to have your blessing before I had him move in with me," Sandy speaks suddenly, making the queen's head snap upward at him.

"We are taking it slow. So we aren't officially mates…but we have discussed it. And other serious things too." Sandy explains, carefully reaching forward to clean up the sugar bowl that had fallen to the side when she had snapped the table.

"We talked about long-term goals, dreams, living arrangements…ahem potential kids." He feels his face redden at the last one mentioned as he sets the sugar bowl upright and dusts his hands off the stray grains of sugar.

He sits back down and places his palms flat against the table before her. He bows his head slightly.

"I'm very serious about him…. Please allow me to continue to court your son." Sandy feels sweat break out across his neck at the prolonged silence. He thinks maybe she will deny him this. He prays she won't. He couldn't bear having to make Huntsman choose between his loyalties or him.

Another few beats pass before he hears her slump back into her chair with an exaggerated sigh.

"God. Your so fucking genuine it's almost annoying…no wonder he likes you." A smile quirks up on her face slightly and Sandy feels something in his chest tighten.

The queen leans forward a little her face serious again.

"You have my blessing. But if you hurt him. I WILL string you up, inject you with a bit of venom, let your insides digest slowly, and drink your organs through a straw. Understand?"

Sandy swallows. He knows this isn't a threat. It's a promise from a queen. He nods quickly when he realizes she's waiting for him to reply. She smiles wildly and giggles like they were discussing a bit of gossip instead of exchanging threats.

"Now! Huntsman won't stop talking about these little mint cookies you have. Be a dear and get me some for my tea." And she switches just like a light. She lifts her cup up delicately and takes a sip waiting for him to sever her. For some reason, he feels like he's passed a test.

—---------

"I heard Queenie came by" Huntsman speaks suddenly, startling Sandy much later that night when he thinks he's alone. Huntsman has this bad habit of sneaking up on him and watching him silently for a few minutes before announcing his presence to the water demon. He secretly suspected Huntsman was checking out his ass when he wasn't paying attention.

He places a hand to his chest and watches the short spider smirk. The bastard knew what he was doing.

"You know you can text me before you come over so I know you're coming," Sandy expresses. Picking up the knitted blankets he was folding up and tossed or over the sofa from the tidying up he was doing.

"I much rather keep you on your toes," Huntsman speaks with a smirk, gravitating toward him till Sandy can wrap his arms around his boyfriend. Sandy puts his large hands around their hips and he hears the spider demon purs out his approval to the action.

"I don't know what you said to her, but she won't shut up about you." Huntsman almost seems jealous and Sandy has to fix that. He tilts their chin up and places a soft kiss on his boyfriend's lips.

"Don't worry. You're the only one I got my eyes on." He reassured his lover softly between little butterfly kisses that had them melting in his grip.

"I better be~" Huntsman teases standing on his tippy toes and demanding more attention. Sandy easily gives it to him, lavishing kisses and nibbles to his lips and neck of the smaller demon till they are just a sighing moaning mess under him.

Sandy pulls away after a few minutes of this leaving Huntsman a blushing purring mess.

"Movie night?" Sandy offers his boyfriend since they are already here. Huntsman hums, his hands running over his wide chest teasingly.

"Only if I can use you as a pillow." They demand with a sniff. Sandy picks them up suddenly, making Huntsman let out a squeak that's quickly covered with a huff.

"I think that can be arranged~" he teases, kissing their neck softly. Warmth spreads in his chest knowing his whole wrong was in his arms. And they finally had the blessing of Huntsman's queen to properly plan their future together.

[ggidolsmuts]

Doppelganger - Fromis_9 Gyuri, Blackpink Jisoo

"I'm so glad we get to spend a few days here, this resort looks so nice!" Gyuri squeals as she squeezes your arm.

"Babe my fingers are going numb." You whine, making her release her grip only slightly.

"Oh woops, I'm just so looking forward to this!" You find yourself in front of a luxurious island resort, your girlfriend Gyuri clinging on to you happily - the two of you have been looking forward to a trip away from Seoul from the longest time, and this is the first chance your schedules matched and you were able to get out of the city with her. "It's going to be so quiet, we can just chill, and it'll be great!"

"Yup! Come on, let's go and get checked in." With so few travelers the check-in procedure is quick and short, and soon you are waiting in the elevator for a ride up. With a ding the doors open, and you press the button for your floor.

"Hold the door please?" A voice drifts in as the door closes, and you manage to hit the "Open" button in time, keeping the elevator there as a young woman comes running in.

"Sorry sorry, thank you!" She smiles at you, your eyes widening in surprise at her beauty, and one other attribute that you couldn't quite place. "Oh, we're the same floor!" She says cheerily as the door closes. The ride is silent, and you spy Gyuri eyeing the woman up and down, as if unsure at what she's seeing.

"Have a good stay!" The grateful traveler calls out as you enter your rooms, her room a few doors down from yours.

"Whoa." You hear Gyuri say as she places her stuff on the bed.

"What?"

"She looks like me, holy crap." You hear her wonder out loud.

"You're prettier." You say automatically.

"No no I'm serious, the girl in the elevator, you didn't think she looked like me?"

"The hairstyle I guess kinda?"

"I'm telling you, it's like she's a doppelganger!"

"No way."

"Maybe we use the same makeup?" Gyuri sits on the bed and ponders.

"Maybe..." You address her absentmindedly, not really thinking about it.

"Hey pay attention!" She snaps.

"Fine, should we go over there and see if you two look alike? She's a few doors down."

"Oh, that's what you noticed, which room she was in?" Gyuri quips. Crap.

"No I mean-" You stutter, trying to dig yourself out of this hole.

"I'm kidding, but... should we? Would that be weird?"

"Very." You answer. "I didn't get a good look at her at all." She shoots you a withering look. "Really, it's true! Look, maybe we'll run into her later, don't think about it, we're here to have fun right?"

"Fine fine, come on, let's go to the pool." The two of you change into your swimwear - a simple pair of swim shorts for you, and a cute frilly bikini for Gyuri, showing off her flat tummy and toned thighs.

The two of you head to the pool, the place nearly empty save for a few guests lounging and a lifeguard.

"I'm going to take a swim, you want to join?"

"No I'm going to read a book, you have fun." Gyuri waves you off, finding a pool chair to lay on as she pulls a book out of her bag. You do laps around the pool, falling into a rhythm as you just keep going and going. After an hour you hear Gyuri call for you, and when you stop your body finally catches up to your swimming, and with your muscles sore you walk towards her... and someone else? Your eyes widen when you realize it was the girl in the elevator earlier.

"Hey oppa, did you know that Miss Jisoo here stays on the same floor as us?" Gyuri asks you with a wink, grabbing your hand as you walk over to her. "Eww you're all wrinkly."

"Well yeah I just swam." You retort as you take in Jisoo's paradox of a body - slim but a little curvy, her simple black bikini accentuating her thighs and modest chest nicely. "N-nice to meet you." You look up at her, and her resemblance with Gyuri was striking. To your surprise her face turns red, and you notice her gaze roving your body.

"Nice to meet you too..."

"Jisoo is here alone, so I invited her to dinner, will that be okay oppa?" Gyuri asks, pinching you slightly to get your attention. You jerk at the sudden sting, only to see Gyuri smirking at catching you staring. "Will that be okay? Can Jisoo join us for dinner?"

"O-of course!" You hastily reply.

"Great, we'll come find you when we're going for dinner!"

"That's great, I'll see you then!" Jisoo breaks out into a toothy smile before walking away, swaying her hips slightly.

"Like what you see?" Gyuri whispers teasingly in your ear.

"No I-"

"I'm just messing with you, come on, let's get changed for dinner." You and Gyuri head back to your room, and you take your shower first as Gyuri changes out of her bikini. You finish showering and lay down on the bed, getting comfortable as Gyuri goes to freshen up. A little too comfortable, as the soft pillows and warm bed make you feel nice and cozy, your exhausted muscles telling you that you are tired. Your eyelids droop, you feel sleepy...

"Oppa? Oppa?" You hear Gyuri's voice on the edge of your consciousness, the fog of sleep slowly disappearing.

"Hm? Is it time for the dinner? Let's go." You say, trying to get yourself off the bed.

"Jisoo and I already had dinner, you slept through it!" Gyuri says. "You looked so at peace sleeping I decided to leave you here and have a nice dinner date with her."

"Ah I'm sorry..." You smack your hand on your forehead as you look at the time on your phone - well past dinner time. "I hope she didn't mind."

"Oh not at all, we had a good time talking, and the hotel food is actually quite good! Are you hungry? You can get room service." She suggests, but you shake your head.

"No, I'm not that hungry, you should wash up."

"Sure." She pecks you on the cheek and leaves for the washroom as you pull out your phone. Your head is still on the pillow though, and before too long you've dropped the phone on your chest and your mind drops off back to sleep.

You are gently jolted awake when you feel Gyuri's weight join you in bed, pushing her back towards you and letting you spoon her. Your arms wrap naturally around her. "Oppa, are you still awake?"

"Hmm? Yeah..." You answer, your eyelids still heavy. You’re too relaxed to bother opening your eyes.

"What would you do if I have a twin sister?"

"You have a twin sister? How come you never told me?"

"No silly, what if, I don't actually have one."

"Oh, uh... that'll be nice, do you want to be the older or younger twin sister?"

"Older I think, but what would you do?" Gyuri persists.

"Do? Say hi I guess? What do you mean?"

"Do you think she would be prettier than me?"

"You're prettier." You react automatically again.

"Aww thanks." She kisses you before whispering in your ear. "Would you fuck her?"

"What? No, I love you, I would never cheat on you."

Gyuri nibbles on your ear before continuing. "What if I let you... what if I want you to?" Except this time, the voice is coming from behind you.

Your eyes snap open. You look in front, seeing Gyuri in your arms... and then you twist to look behind, where the whisper came from, to see... Gyuri?!

"Whoa what?!" You shout, quickly sitting up and releasing your hug. You quickly rub your eyes, trying to make sure you weren't seeing double. Except you were - they were dressed in different pyjamas, but otherwise your fuzzy sleep-addled brain could barely tell the difference.

"Wow he couldn't tell." One Gyuri said to the other. She continues. "See oppa, we do look alike, and sound alike, you didn't even think it was Jisoo talking to you!"

"J-Jisoo?" You look at the "Gyuri" that you were hugging earlier, and now that the real Gyuri mentioned it, you do notice that it is Jisoo from the pool earlier, her face slightly blushing from your reaction.

"H-hi, sorry about that, she insisted I do that." You look at the two of them, totally confused and a little annoyed at the trick.

"Oppa don't be angry." Gyuri wraps her arms around you. "During dinner I learnt that Jisoo came here alone because she was looking for some “me time” after a bad breakup. But she's awfully lonely, and so I thought we could help her... enjoy her time here." She traces her hand on your chest. "She liked what she saw at the pool, so what do you say?"

You turn to look at your girlfriend, her eyes alight with eagerness. "Are you sure you're okay with that?"

The eagerness turns to mischievous lust. "As long as I get to take part too."

You gulp and nod, feeling yourself stiffen under your shorts. "You can go first then, go fuck yourself." With a delighted smile Gyuri kisses you before going towards Jisoo, the two of them kneeling on the bed in front of you while you scoot further up the bed, giving them space and enjoying the show. The two of them are tentative at first, but Jisoo needily takes the initiative, closing the distance between their cherry red lips and locking them with your girlfriend. Timid hands become more daring, soft moans leaving their locked lips as their inhibitions slowly melt away. A long moan escapes Jisoo when Gyuri runs her hands under Jisoo's top, feeling the older woman's bare skin.

"Ah... so good." Jisoo is already drunk on pleasure, having missed the touch of someone, anyone on her. She leans deeper into the kiss, her fingers rapidly working the buttons of her own pyjamas before going to Gyuri's, leaving both of them topless in front of you. Their bodies were immaculate, breasts petite but perfect for their frames, their tummies flat and toned. Jisoo turns red when Gyuri runs her hands over the flawless skin. She pushes Jisoo onto the bed, one hand diving beneath the lone traveler’s pants.

"Please more!" The instant moan leaving Jisoo lets you know just how hungry she is, and the next few yelps, along with the faint squelching sound coming from between her legs let you know just how good Gyuri is fingering her. "W-wait, I'm-" Jisoo reaches for Gyuri's arm, trying to stop the pressure building in her core, but your girlfriend has other ideas.

"I want to hear you cum, you can cum more later with oppa, but cum for me now!" Under her demands Jisoo releases a long wail, her thighs squeezing Gyuri's arm, her legs trembling and jerking, her orgasm brought about quickly under Gyuri's deft fingers. Gyuri pulls her fingers out of the trembling woman, bringing her slick-coated fingers to your face. "Clean them please." You lick them clean - Jisoo was delicious.

"Turns out, she's sensitive in all the spots I am too oppa... have fun." Gyuri whispers in your ear, but you grab her before she can pull away from you.

"Are you sure about this?" You ask her seriously one last time.

"Yes, she wants this, you want this." She puts her hand on your hard shaft to make her point. She takes your hand and pushes it between her own thighs - she is already wet, practically dripping through the fabric. "And I want this- Ah!" You kiss her roughly, pushing her onto the bed below you.

"Fine, then let me practice on you first while Jisoo recovers." Before Gyuri has a chance to reply, you finish the job Jisoo did earlier and strip her naked. You hook her legs around your arms as you dive head first between her legs. With well-practiced and familiar movements you heighten her arousal, licking and kiss all around her thighs, slowly getting closer to your destination.

"Oppa, d-don't tease!" Gyuri gasps as you plant your kisses right next to her lower lips. You make her cry out when you finally capture one lip with your mouth, gently pulling and licking her sensitive folds. You swipe all around her a few more times before plunging your tongue inside her, feeling her juices leak all over your tongue and drip from your chin. Your arms hold her hips still while her upper body thrashes and arcs up off the bed, biting the sheets to muffle her scream.

"Oppa, oppa, oppa- mmph!" You briefly hear Gyuri’s moans go up in pitch before she is suddenly muffled, and you look up, only to see the back of Jisoo's head, her long hair blocking your view as she sticks her tongue into your girlfriend’s mouth. Your cock throbs when you see the curves of her thighs, Jisoo having already taken off the rest of her clothes while you ate Gyuri out.

Unhappy at your short pause Gyuri's hands go through your hair, trying to push you back down - you get back to work, you and Jisoo plunging your tongues in and out of her quivering body. You drop your hold on Gyuri’s legs, choosing to wander your hands over Jisoo instead. Your hands find her pussy, still dripping wet from her orgasm earlier, and you slowly rub her, making her whimper into the kiss with Gyuri, who seems to be returning Jisoo’s kiss with equal intensity - both of them squirm under your touch.

You gently lick Gyuri's clit, and with something between a scream and a sob her thighs squeeze your head, her legs pushing on you while she arcs her crotch towards you, climaxing messily over your face before she drops limply back on to the bed. Undeterred, Jisoo continues to plunder her mouth until Gyuri finally forces her to break the kiss, gasping for air. "Oh... oh my god..."

"That good?" Jisoo asks your out-of-it girlfriend, and Gyuri can only nod, her smile a little dopey as her orgasm continues to slowly run through her. Satisfied with that answer she lies down next to Gyuri, spreading her legs wantonly. "Do that to me too." She requests. Horny and wanting your own pleasure, you lose your shorts and climb over Jisoo, pinning her hands beside her head.

"No, I need to fuck you now."

"J-just lick me a little bit, please?" She asks, and you comply with a grumble, licking her dripping pussy roughly and needily, making her squeal with the sudden spike of pleasure. You again enjoy the taste you licked off Gyuri's fingers earlier, except this time it comes straight from the source.

However after barely a minute you feel Jisoo pull on your hair. "Oh god that's so good please fuck just put it in me." The words tumble out of her in a rush, her hand already reaching for your cock - she is just as eager as you are. You line yourself up with her, the two of you moaning when your tip touches her entrance. You sink down into Jisoo smoothly.

"It's- Ahhhh..." Jisoo's strangled cry drowns out your moan when you bottom out inside her. Feeling stretched for the first time in a while, Jisoo can't help but clamp down around you immediately, her pussy gripping you exquisitely as she trembles under you. Her juices rush against your cock, making you throb even more inside her.

"D-did you just-" You ask, stunned at her orgasmic reaction. She is barely able to open her eyes, already watery in joy and ecstasy. Jisoo can't piece the words together to answer your question, instead, she can only gasp:

"More..."

You begin moving your hips in and out of her, and Jisoo comes unraveled under you, giving in to your every thrust, your cock pumping in every drop of pleasure she wanted - no, needed, on this trip. Her fingers twist into the sheets, her expressions fluid and morphing constantly, her face crinkling in bliss with every push and pull of your shaft in her. Her eyes disappear into half-moons when you pull back, the friction far too enjoyable, before you force them open with a sharp and fast thrust into her, her mouth hanging open in a perfect little “O” shape.

Your hands run over Jisoo’s hot body, turning her into putty as you dig into her her thighs before dancing fingers over her trembling form, making her whimper at the same spots you know Gyuri loves, the woman under you familiar but different. You pull on her nipples, taking one in your mouth and tugging gently, moaning when Jisoo gets even tighter around you. You go back up to her neck, kissing the side of her neck while you squeeze her chest, enjoying the feel of her supple body under your hands. Gyuri's words float back into your lust-driven mind.

She's sensitive in all the spots I am too

You test that claim -  you slow down your thrusts, opting for power and angle over pace, just the way Gyuri loves it. An arousing shiver runs down your spine as Jisoo begins screaming, proving Gyuri’s claim correct. Jisoo’s hands grip your arms tightly, trying futilely to hold on. She doesn’t last long.

"Oh- oh fuck! I’m cumming, c-cumming!" She screams out as she climaxes around your shaft. You fuck her through her orgasm, and Jisoo continues to scream and cry and shriek. The pleasure floods into her and out everywhere else - tears leak out of her eyes, drool hangs out of her mouth, and her juices gush freely out of her pussy, coating your crotch and making a mess of the bedsheets. You lose track of the number of times her velvet walls have contracted around you in orgasm, and you're sure Jisoo has too with how out of it she looks, floating on carnal joy, practically in her own paradise... until you moan loudly, unable to contain yourself much longer.

"J-Jisoo, I'm going to cum!"

"I-inside!" She cries out, her quivering legs wrapping around you. Unsure about her judgment you try to pull out as you feel yourself throb, but Gyuri's whisper appears from beside you.

"Do it, it's fine. I checked with her already." You feel her hands behind you, pushing you deeper into Jisoo. "Give her what she wants, fill her with all your cum, she needs it."

"Fuck!" With a roar your plunge your cock as deep as you can inside the writhing woman under you, and with Gyuri's help you feel like you've pushed into Jisoo even deeper than before. Jisoo chokes out a primal cry, her nails digging bloody lines into your back as you unleash your orgasm on her, your cum splashing deep inside her as Gyuri keeps you pinned down on Jisoo’s welcoming body. Jisoo's cry dies away, her eyes rolling into her head when your semen fills her completely, her legs twitching, your combined juice and cum leaking out from the little gaps in your connection. Gyuri prolongs your orgasm, massaging your balls and coaxing more of your seed into Jisoo’s pussy, the two women working to milk you dry. You collapse on top of Jisoo when you are finally spent, hearing her soft coos near your ear, her every want satisfied.

"Oh my god... I lost count... fuck I needed that." She turns to grab your face, planting her lips on yours in a hungry passionate kiss. "Gyuri is so lucky..." You pull out of Jisoo, and a rush of cum and slick leaks out of her freshly-fillled pussy, your white contrasting against the pink, her folds still contracting a little on empty air, as if hungry to feel you again. You turn towards Gyuri, who is rubbing her fingers over her own pussy, and pull her towards you, kissing her before whispering in her ear. "Thanks love, I'm the lucky one."

Gyuri replies with a hungry look. "I think I want to get lucky now oppa." Her hand goes to your shaft, trying to stroke you back to hardness again as she continues to rub herself. A second hand joins Gyuri's on your shaft, Jisoo stroking you next to Gyuri.

"I want to watch you two do it, i-is that okay?" Jisoo asks in a whisper. You and Gyuri look at each other, and watching her breath quicken at the thought, her hand moving just that little bit faster against her dripping pussy, is enough to get you hard again. The two of you nod in agreement, and Jisoo sits on the side of the bed, her fingers dipping into her cum-filled pussy, absentmindedly mixing you deeper into her.

"On all fours dear." You ask Gyuri, and she gets on her hands and knees, the two of you facing the mirror opposite the bed as Jisoo watches. Your fingers go to her hips, gripping her tightly as you ready to take her from behind. You rub your head against her lips, letting her juices coat your tip.

"Come on oppa..." Gyuri gasps, half begging and half moaning. You give her what she wants, pushing firmly into her with a buck of your hips. The shrill cry that leaves her lips is heavenly.

"Yes! Come on oppa, give more!" You're taken aback by Gyuri's aggressiveness, who apparently wants to put on a show for Jisoo as she begins backing herself on to you, meeting your every thrust by rocking herself back on to your cock, driving you deeper into her.

You decide to put on a show for Jisoo too, twirling Gyuri’s long hair in your hand and pulling, making sure she is looking into the mirror and through to Jisoo while you ride her from behind. You immediately feel Gyuri tighten around you, voicing her approval with a loud moan, her thighs jiggling with every thrust you put into her.

When your muscles get sore you bend over, grabbing her breasts and squeezing them while you switch to humping her. The show goes on for a little bit more, and you kiss Gyuri's sweaty back, the two of you transforming energy into heat and pleasure in the most efficient way you know how. The two of you look at each other through the mirror, glazed orbs reflecting at each other. But eventually both sets of eyes are drawn towards the person looking back at them - Jisoo is hurriedly pleasuring herself, her fingers moving fast in and out of her as she spreads her legs in front of the two of you.

"O-oppa lean back!" Gyuri cries out, and you lean back, letting her get on top of you. Gyuri grabs your legs and rotates you, making the two of you face Jisoo before stuffing herself full of you again. You lean your arms back on the bed, trying not to fall off while Gyuri bounces on your cock, letting herself get speared on your shaft over and over again while Jisoo watches. Gyuri coats you with more of her slick each time, the lewd show turning on both performers and the audience. Soon she is tired of bouncing, instead settling for grinding on your crotch hard and fast, her pace seeming to match Jisoo's hand, the erotic sounds of her juicy fingering joining the moans coming from you and Gyuri. Your arms wrap around her slim midriff, feeling every gasp and moan as Gyuri drives herself into a frenzy on you for Jisoo.

"Fuck I'm cumming!" Both of them wail as they reach their peaks - Gyuri clamps down on your cock, grinding on your shaft, while Jisoo's hips seem to match Gyuri's movements, grinding on her fingers as she imagines herself on your cock. You feel Gyuri’s climax trickle down your shaft while you watch Jisoo drench her own hand, and you have to bite your lips to not cum right there with them. You hold Gyuri in your arms, twisting a little to lay back as you hold her trembling form until both of them come to a stop limply - one on you, and one on the bed next to you.

"Keep going oppa." Comes the tired ask from Gyuri, and you hold her hips and begin thrusting into her from below, making her moan once more, her enhanced tightness and wetness making you feel very good very fast. Gyuri leans back, turning her head towards you and asking for a kiss. The two of you close your eyes and kiss, enjoying the pleasures of your bodies in your own little world. Which is why the two of you let out a surprised moan when you feel a wet muscle on your balls and base of your shaft.

"J-Jisoo?!" You look down at her nestled between your legs.

"Cum in her, I want to taste you." Neither of you are sure who she is wants taste, but Jisoo's licks make it too pleasurable to care about that, every swipe of her tongue tingling the underside of your shaft before licking upwards towards Gyuri when she drives down on to you, making Jisoo's tongue flick against her clit thrillingly. It doesn’t take long for Jisoo to get the two of you off.

"Oppa I'm cumming again!" Gyuri gasps, and with a squeal she kisses you before exploding in pleasure, her orgasm made all the stronger thanks to Jisoo's tongue. The same can be said for you as you grunt into the kiss, your cock expanding inside Gyuri before releasing all of your load in her. The two of you moan and tremble and shake as the intense climax flows through the two of you and out of Gyuri's pussy, where Jisoo is waiting to collect, lapping at the mix of juices like a thirsty cat.

When you slip out of her Jisoo pounces on the opportunity, licking Gyuri clean, making the younger woman moan in sensitivity until she pushes and twists away from Jisoo gently. Not to leave a job half done, Jisoo turns towards your slick shaft, sucking and cleaning it of Gyuri’s arousal before scooting back up to the two of you.

"You two taste delicious." Jisoo says with a Cheshire Cat smile, kissing both of you before collapsing in exhaustion on the bed. The three of you fall asleep in a tangle of limbs.

"Oppa wake up... wake up oppa!" Gyuri's voice floats into your ear the next morning, as if in a dream, and when you wake up you have to pinch yourself to make sure it isn't a dream - you have two gorgeous, and more importantly, naked, ladies standing in front of you.

"Hm? What is it?"

"We want to take care of your morning wood." The voices seem to echo in the room as the two of them speak at the same time. Before you can think any more though they climb on to the bed and hover over your cock, kissing up and down each side before licking, making you moan in morning pleasure. They take turns, one sucking your tip while the other licks your shaft, and then switching places... and then switching again, all while their hands tickle your balls and dance on your thighs, teasing you to your limit.

"S-stop, I'm going to cum!" They get off you, instead standing up and waiting for you to get up too.

"Come fuck us oppa." They say again in sync.

"Why are you talking like that? Gyuri?"

"Yes oppa?" Comes the answer from both of them.

"Jisoo?"

"Yes?" The reply comes from both voices.

"H-how do I know who-" They approach you from both sides.

"Do you really need to know?" One asks, kissing you before going to the desk in the room and bending over.

"Do you really care?" Her doppelganger follows suit, bending over next to her. Looking at their bodies presented to you, you realized they were right, you didn’t care.

You line up behind who you think is Gyuri, thrusting deep into her, gripping her with one hand while the other works on Jisoo, your fingers digging deep into her, making both of them moan out loud into the mirror. You watch their faces twist and contort as you provide them with pleasure, enjoying the tightness around your shaft and fingers. Then you switch it up, going over to Jisoo and pumping into her while you finger your girlfriend. In a daze you keep fucking and fingering the two women over the desk, switching between them every so often, their thighs getting wet from your rough pounding and silky fingering. They begin to bend at the knees, legs going weak as the pleasure keeps building within them. You hold them with your hands, keeping them upright as you rock their bodies on the desk with every thrust, and Gyuri... or was it Jisoo? creams all over your cock, and when you pull out and go fuck Jisoo (or was it Gyuri?) she cums soon after, the pleasure between the two of them somehow in perfect balance.

"Fuck I'm going to cum..." You announce as you grit your teeth and thrust, throbbing inside... someone. The two of them lay tiredly on the desk, looking back at you as you pull out and stroke your slippery cock quickly. Two strokes is all it takes for you to reach your peak. You strain to keep your eyes open, watch rope after rope of cum fly out of your tip, staining their backs and creamy thighs with your morning load. They touch each other with a finger, swiping your cum off their skin and cleaning each other with dirty licks.

"Shall we go get cleaned up Gyuri?" One asks the other.

"Good idea Gyuri, wait for us oppa." The other replies with a smirk. You sit on the edge of the bed, head spinning from confusion and pleasure as the two of them quickly wash up. They come back to you, ready for more, and the rest of the morning is even more of a blur.

They push you on to the bed, one stroking you, trying to get you hard again while the other rides your face. After a while they switch off, and you watch them smile at you and each other before a pussy obscures your vision once more. Your face is covered with their juices by the time you are hard again, but they keep going, this time making use of your hardness too.

You occasionally get a breather, getting a moment to admire the perfect body riding your cock, before the perfect pussy descends on your mouth once more, again and again, and they each get at least one more orgasm from your body. When you call out you are ready to cum again they get off you, and instead clamber on to one another, kissing each other passionately, putting on a show for you as they squirm against one another.

You raise the hips of the one on top... Jisoo you think, until the moan she releases when you slam into her from behind sounds more like Gyuri. Whoever she is, she takes the opportunity to lean down, sucking the breast of Gyuri below, making her moan, giving her that little bit of pleasure while she waits for her turn. You have enough of Gyuri, and push her forward and up the bed a little, giving you access to Jisoo. You thrust into Jisoo, making her yelp and feeling her tighten around you immediately. You fuck her with abandon, chasing your own pleasure as she raises her head, repaying the favor to Jisoo on top and teasing her nipple with her mouth. Rinse and repeat - you pound into Jisoo again, and then Gyuri again, and then Gyuri again? And then Jisoo again? Your brain breaks down, unable to keep track of who's who, not that you ever cared in the first place.

"Oh fuck I'm-" Are the only words out of your mouth as the pleasure rushes up your spine.

"Cum in me!" They cry out, almost in perfect unison, not even waiting for you to finish your sentence. You pound whoever you're in roughly - you don't care anymore, you're just looking for a body to release in. The woman on top whimpers as you grip her hips roughly, squeezing her butt, leaving marks on her. With a gasp you reach your peak and let go, giving her one, two, three rich shots of white seed. You bite your lip and pull out, quickly aiming down to her doppelganger's hungry pussy and thrusting your spurting cock in, draining the rest of your cum in her with a satisfied groan. Gyuri and Jisoo whimper into their kiss, both of them feeling filled to the brim despite sharing your load. You stagger and lean backwards on the bed when you finish - two large white loads flow out of Gyuri and Jisoo's folds, or Jisoo and Gyuri's, whichever. Either way it is an image you commit to memory forever. With equally shaky limbs they make their way to you, planting kisses on you from both sides before helping each other to the bathroom, cum still trickling down their thighs.

"W-wait, so who's who?" You call out.

"Maybe Gyuri will tell you some time." Comes the synchronized answer. You lie on the bed and groan, slowly putting on your clothes for the day and trying to process what just happened. They come out cleaned up and dressed, and the two of you see Jisoo out the room. She gives you a grateful, passionate, and sloppy kiss before she leaves.

“Thank you both for that, I just needed to get all that... fucking out of me.”

”Yep, he does a good job of that.” Gyuri quips, and the two women share a knowing smile before Jisoo walks down the hallway and back to her room for rest. You sit down on the bed, pulling Gyuri into your lap and cuddling her.

"So, are you going to tell me who was who?" You ask her as you stroke her hair.

"Hmm, maybe later."

The two of you run into Jisoo a few more times during your stay there, but beyond a soft smile and a deep blush on her cheeks every time you meet her eyes nothing more happens. Not that you minded, as you and Gyuri occupy each other intimately every night...

------

“Ahh oppa don’t- don’t stop!” Gyuri whines as you deny her orgasm for a third time that night, your cock dripping with her juices.

“Not until you tell me who was who that first night.” You whisper in her ear.

“I-I can’t think when you don’t let me cum!” She whimpers as you prepare to penetrate her again.

“Fine, cum then.” You throw her legs over your shoulders, driving yourself deep inside her, making her breasts bounce as you pound her roughly. You give her the orgasm she wanted after a few furious thrusts, pushing her body into the bed and making it creak dangerously. As she screams you follow behind her closely, not bothering to hold back, filling her fully.

“There, now tell me who was who?” But Gyuri was asleep already, the repeated near-orgasms draining her energy completely. You sigh and collapse next to her, kissing her good night.

------

”Ah fuck, right there babe...” You moan as Gyuri licks over the bottom of your head, her tongue teasing your tip.

“Are you going to cum soon?” You can only look at her and nod, not trusting yourself to speak any more.

“If you can hold out for 10 more seconds, I’ll tell you where I was on the desk...” She smirks before going to work on you. You fail far too easily as Gyuri licks and sucks you just the way you like it, making you climax almost on demand, the memory of the threesome making you shoot even more seed down her throat.

“T-that’s not fair!” You rasp as you watch her swallow before releasing you from her mouth with a pop, wiping the last bit of cum from her lips.

“Well...” Gyuri gets on top of you, grinding herself on your crotch.

“What are you going to do about it?”

------

Even when the two of you return from your trip Gyuri remains coy about who was who whenever you ask her.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes of course."

"Then why do you need to know?" She would always reply with a sly smile. "Besides, I forgot." And you can never tell if she was kidding or not.

The memories of that day at the hotel still turn both of you on incredibly though, as Gyuri would then lean over whatever surface was available and ask.

"Why don't you come do me again, maybe I'll remember."

You were always down to help her remember.

A/N: Just wanted to try this interesting concept I had in mind, spent the longest time trying to find a good pairing, and finally ended up with Gyuri/Jisoo. If the bit at the end gets confusing, and I seem to repeat names in the wrong order, it is entirely intentional :) I also spent a lot of time trying to find good photos where they looked alike, but I’m sure there are better ones out there that show their resemblance. Thanks for reading!

[bigfan-fanfic]

Spooky Season Special: Until Dawn (Male!Reader x Chris)

Prologue: Bystander

-One Year Ago-

Let's just say, you had been shocked when Beth Washington winked at you and slipped a sparkly envelope into your hand. Hannah had gotten overzealous with the glitter glue again, and it was a wild mess that had held your invitation to Blackwood Pines for the annual winter getaway party weekend hosted by the Washington siblings.

Mike and Emily had grinned when you told them, which was gratifying. To tell the truth, you had never felt like anything more than a satellite to the group. They all seemed so tight with each other, and all you really knew were Mike and Em. Mike because he'd been your best friend since you were toddlers, and Em since she was Mike's girlfriend and you both shared multiple advanced courses. Even despite him being athletic and your typical big man on campus, Mike had been at your side for years, even when your interests diverged. You even helped make posters for his class president campaign in your spare time, which he joked made you responsible for his victory.

But still, you never really considered yourself part of that group until Beth handed you the invitation. You had only really hung out with the group on occasion, but you knew what it was really about.

Damn Mike. He had told Beth about your crush on Chris. He or Emily had. And now they were going to play matchmaker. You weren't about to let that happen, but you figured this was your ticket to making more friends and hanging out with Mike more. ...And Chris.

And really, partying with the Washingtons was fun. Who gets to go up to a HUGE lodge in the mountains only accessible by cable car? Even the vaguely sinister sensation of being trapped couldn't undo your feeling that you were now part of an exclusive gang. You ended up on the cable car with Ashley and Sam, who immediately drew you into a conversation (Sam protested playfully when Ashley turned the conversation to a book she was reading about ghosts) and the fun began.

There was the requisite teasing of Sam as she went upstairs to take a luxurious bath in the Washingtons' simply enormous tub in the master bathroom ("Try not to use all the hot water this time, Sam!" from Beth and a "Hardy-har" from Sam as a retort.)

It started out simple enough. Hannah and Matt brought down some board games from a closet and you all began playing. At one point someone suggested Jenga and everyone held their breath as you watched the tower wobble...

Don't Move. .. . .. . .. . .. .... .. ..... ... .. .... .. .. .. .... .. . . . .

...and you finally breathed again when it was certain the tower wouldn't collapse. And then, of course, Josh and Chris arrived on Emily's turn, and she promptly knocked over the wooden blocks. She complained a little, but clearly was happy the group was all together.

Chris and Josh promptly forced open the liquor cabinet and led a toast to old friends, and lifted a glass to you and added "and to new friends!" Beth, ever-responsible, gave a disapproving look at her older brother and passed around cream sodas instead. But really, only you, Sam, and Beth chose to remain sober. Chris and Josh started a drinking game by singing the Pokerap from the Pokemon anime and drinking whenever they got the words wrong, and quickly started devolving into drunken messes. Mike and Emily started making out, and Sam was catching up with Ashley and Matt - Jessica was talking to Hannah.

Beth invited you up to her room to watch Pride and Prejudice on the new TV she had gotten in there, but really, it was just a pretext. You knew it the moment the movie started playing and Beth looked over at you. "So... Chris, huh?"

Secretive - "What about him?" Exasperated - "Ugh, Mike told you?"

Beth grinned apologetically. "Emily, actually. But don't worry, I won't blab. I think it's cute. And hey, I'm here for you."

You smiled a little. It might actually be good to have more friends you can talk to about this. When you told Mike you liked boys, and that you liked Chis, he had teased you about having a hunk of prime beef in front of you - himself - and you chose the nerd anyway. Beth, at least, seemed less likely to ridicule you.

"It doesn't matter, though." you had groaned. "He's got a crush on Ashley."

"So?" Beth asked. "Josh once had a crush on Britney Spears at the same time he discovered Leo DiCaprio. People can have multiple crushes. And I'm pretty sure Chris doesn't just like you because you can beat him at Street Fighter."

"Fine, you may have a point. But I'm not gonna make any moves tonight! Looks like Chris is on a one-way trip to Hangover City."

She smiled wryly. "Ugh. Guess I have to make hangover cures in the morning. If you and Sam are the only other sober ones, wanna help? We can make vegan pancakes just the three of us!"

You grinned. "That actually sounds really fun."

"Great!"

You watched the rest of the movie, and finally decided it was time to check on the others, realizing you hadn't heard much during your little party.

"Guys?" Beth called, a little confused when no one answered. The two of you wandered down, only to find Chris and Josh, slumped over the kitchen island, a few empty bottles of liquor between them. Beth gave a chuckle that became a sigh. You remember this part so much more clearly.

Beth looked out the window, and frowned. "There's someone out there! I thought Mom and Dad said it would be just us this weekend."

"Maybe it's the trees? They're pretty creepy at night." you suggested, not wanting the creepy idea of someone else being on the mountain to take root.

She looked away, unsure, then glanced at the bottles.

"Ugh... Once again, big brother, you've outdone us all." Beth said, her eyes roving over the bottle-covered table. She picked up a piece of paper and read it, wincing. "This is - what has my naïve sister gotten herself into now?"

You take the paper, only really having time to read the words "Hannah" and "Mike xoxo" before someone went running by, sobbing. Beth went charging after them...

Wake Chris Follow Beth

...but you quickly tried shoving Chris to wake him up. But even with you yelling in his ear, he was dead to the world. You ran out after Beth, only to run right into Matt's back.

"You know, Mike, I think you're the last person she wants to see right now." Sam was saying.

"What the hell is going on?" you asked, looking from face to face. Emily disgusted, Sam worried, Mike and Jessica looking uneasy... "Where's Beth? And Hannah?"

"Hannah overreacted to this prank we pulled," Ashley frowned. "And Beth ran after her."

"What do you think, Y/N? Should we go looking for them?" Mike wondered.

Concerned - "Beth said someone else was out there..." Responsible - "We should get help..."

"They say you really shouldn't split up in a snowstorm. Beth's smart. I'm sure she'll bring Hannah back. But just in case, let's call the ranger station?" you said. You remember the group all nodding, more at ease now that there was a plan. Emily went to call, while Mike and Matt tried to wake up Chris and Josh, and you tried to get what happened out of Jessica and Ashley, because Sam refused to talk to any of them.

A horrible prank... and two deaths. For a whole year, the idea that maybe, if you had made some other choice, you could have prevented it, consumed you. Maybe if you had chased after Hannah more quickly you could've stopped her, or maybe at least convinced Beth not to run and to call the ranger station instead... maybe at least one of the twins would still be alive.

Things only got worse after the trip. You thought it might bring you more friends, but the group fractured down the middle. Eventually Em and Mike broke up, making it really awkward to choose between them. Sam had distanced herself from the others, angry at them for the prank, and you hadn't heard from her for months. And Chris... you two had gotten a little closer, but really this tragedy had struck all of you and changed everything.

You hadn't known Josh that well, so it was surprising that he asked you to come back up to the lodge. And although it might be weird, definitely uncomfortable... you find yourself on a bus, headed right back up to Mount Washington.

With no idea of what the night will hold...

[btswrckd]

War of Hearts

Mafia Boss!Taehyung x Fem!Reader

Summary: Being in an arranged marriage with Kim Taehyung does not mean you have to be civil. Or make his life easy.

Warnings: mentions of violence, slight angst, mentions of weapons such as guns and knives, brief mention of smut, future smut

A/N: I wanted to post this as a one-shot, but naturally, I couldn’t condense it enough. There’s just too much that can’t be left out. But the good news is that I’m about 90% done with this fic and should be able to post it in maybe 3 parts. Enjoy guys!

Also, title is inspired by War of Hearts by Ruelle. Go listen to her music, it’s amazing!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

“You’re asking me to do what, now?” you hiss through clenched teeth, fingers curling into the underside of the armrest of the boarding room chair. How your idiot cousins managed to both purchase a rather nice building in the middle of the city, and run a legitimate business as a cover to their true nature, is a mystery to you. Yet here you are, ten seconds from launching yourself across the table to strangle either one of them. 

“I don’t believe I stuttered,” Joongki is confident in the way he answers you and buttons his suit jacket. “And I didn’t ask you to do anything, I’m telling you what’s going to happen.”

Your eyes flicker to Jeonghan as he stands by his brother and nervously stuffs his hands into the pockets of his slacks. He catches your eye, licking his busted lip as you raise an eyebrow, as if waiting for him to confirm what Joongki just said. You watch his hand come up to rub at his sore jaw and get some satisfaction as he works his jawbone back and forth.

Joongki lets out a heavy sigh as his brother all but whimpers under your gaze. He was well aware of how much you’d fight their men in getting you to the building, but he wasn’t prepared for the strong swing of your fist, or the nearly deafening sound of said fist cracking his younger brother across the face. 

“We’re all each other has,” Jeonghan finally pipes up after deducing that his jaw was not broken. “This is for your own safety, Y/N. I don’t like it any more than you do but there’s no other option.”

“I will not be thrown under lock and key just because you two have enemies.” You’re standing before either of them can argue. “I didn’t ask for this! For you two to be who you are and making my life more difficult than it already is!”

Joongki scratches at his brow when a mop of messily done up chestnut hair pops up over the cubicle wall separating her from the boarding room. He waves his secretary away with a slight twitch of his lips, watching the flushing of her cheeks and bobbing of her head before it disappears. He’s too busy smirking down at his feet to notice the way you swing around the chair. Or the way Jeonghan desperately reaches to stop you from storming out. What he does notice is the small ‘oomph’ leaving your mouth when you stumble into somebody, and suddenly he’s brought back to the importance of the situation.

You don’t expect to be stopped, you certainly don’t expect to be stopped by a firm chest and steadying hand on your hip. When you finally catch your bearings, you blink up at the man that had somehow walked into the room without making a sound. It’s with a heavy heart that you recognize this man despite having lost contact with him years ago. You were children when you’d last met so it takes you a minute to see him clearly, your eyes roving all over his face. Starting with what used to be his bouncy black locks that were now replaced with slicked down hair, to the never changing intensity of his dark brown eyes, down to the defined jaw that used to harbor a little bit of cute chub, and finally back up to his plush lips that split into a grin. 

“You,” you breathe airily and your stunned reaction only makes his smile grow wider. 

“You,” he mimics and tilts his head playfully, eyebrows raised high in mock surprise. “It’s nice to see you too, princess.”

“Mr. Kim,” Joongki reluctantly smiles while extending his hand to greet his rival, fingers tensing around the man’s answering hand. “Thank you for coming. I’m aware that my brother and I are asking a lot from you and that this situation isn’t exactly ideal for either party, but I just want to thank you for helping us out.”

“I never said this situation wasn’t ideal for me.” Kim Taehyung gave one final squeeze to Joongki’s hand before slipping it into the pocket of his pants. His other hand remains firm on your hip, the heat from his palm burning through the denim of your jeans and making your breath hitch. “I believe my father’s been hoping to merge our families for quite some time. I look at this as an opportunity rather than a ‘situation’.”

“Yes, well.” Joongki shifts uncomfortably on his feet. The Kim family had great influence over 90% of the city and before your grandfather’s passing, Mr. Kim had high hopes of taking two entities and making them one strong force. With your grandfather’s death came the need for new leadership and it fell heavily on Joongki’s shoulders. To say he’d snubbed the Kim family when it came to working together would be putting it lightly. “It seems your father will be getting exactly as he’s always wanted.”

Jeonghan thrusts an elbow to his older brother’s arm. He may not understand the magnitude of being a leader, but he knows when to play nice, and this moment called for practically kneeling down and kissing the Kim family’s feet. He looks to the way you stand stiff in Taehyung’s arms and the curling of your fingers against his suit vest. For a moment, he considers calling the entire thing off and convincing his brother to find another way to keep you safe. He opens his mouth to do just that when Taehyung speaks.

“I have every intention of keeping Y/N safe, be it from whoever is threatening you, my own family, or even you two.” Taehyung’s deep voice rumbles in his chest as his hand pulls you ever so slightly closer. “My father may have wanted this for some time, but believe me when I say that I’ve wanted it longer. Nothing and no one will hurt her, I promise you that.”

Jeonghan and Joongki share a concerned glance with each other before your voice breaks the silence. 

“Kim Taehyung.” His name sounds foreign coming from your mouth. The last time you’d seen him you were being carted away by your parents at the age of 10. The sudden announcement of your family’s move left you waving to a chubby cheeked, teary eyed Taehyung as your father pulled away from your childhood home. They died not soon after and you were taken under the care of your grandfather along with Joongki and Jeonghan. But even after your grandfather reestablished a relationship with the Kim family, you hadn’t seen Taehyung again since that day.

“Princess,” he husks out, eyes dropping to your lips and thumb stroking your hip in soothing circles as if it were going to help any. Something dark is swirling in your eyes as you regard him, and he’s sure you don’t recognize it as lust but he does. He sees it fester and simmer before you blink it away and sneer up at him. 

You cousins simultaneously wince as you draw back and take one quick strike to Taehyung, kneeing him in the groin with a huff before you stomp out of the room. When Taehyung slumps to the floor with a pain filled groan, Joongki feels a bit of sympathy for him. Your temper and raging need to fight against anything and everything to do with this life will be a daily struggle. Jeonghan coughs to hide his laugh as Taehyung’s right hand man looks torn between helping his boss, or chasing you down to make sure you don’t get too far. This will certainly be entertaining to watch.

------------------------------------------------------

“Let go of me!” you grunt out as Taehyung adjusts your frame on his shoulder. You’re kicking and pounding against his back with the hopes of getting free and escaping, but those hopes are dashed when he tosses you on the mattress of the master bedroom. You scramble back against the headboard as he unbuttons the cuffs of his dress shirt and rolls up the sleeves. The frustrated roll of his shoulders and neck is undoubtedly sexy, but it also serves as a reminder that you aren’t meant to find him attractive. At all. As you curse yourself for even thinking as much, he’s snatching your ankles and dragging you down the bed.

Taehyung would never hurt you, he knows that you know that, but watching the small bit of fear flitting across your face has him smirking down at you. He plants both hands on either side of your head to cage you in, hips pressed to yours as you unconsciously widen them to accommodate his frame. “If you wanted to go out, princess, then you could have asked. Jungkookie and Jimin would gladly drive you wherever you want to go.”

“Even away from you?” You glare at him, panic washing over you when you feel the bed dip and he’s on his knees, the added weight pulling you closer to him. His arms slide forward until his nose grazes yours. He’s so close that he could kiss you and you think he’s going to until his nose skims down the length of your neck instead.

“There is no getting away from me, princess,” he whispers against your skin. “I’d think you’d know that by now. You’ve been trying to run from me for the last 6 months and it’s gotten you nowhere.”

You’d beg to differ, Being underneath him was surprisingly pleasant. The push of his hips against yours made you gasp and arch into his chest. You slam your eyes shut to get ahold of yourself, silently reciting your mantra of ‘I’m not a horny teenager, I’m a grown woman, and I am not attracted to my husband’. 

Taehyung could smell the sweet scent of berries on your skin from that damn bottle of lotion you love so much. He didn’t think it was possible to be jealous of an inanimate object but he is. He’s also tempted to throw the stupid thing away and burn down every Bath and Body Works store so you can’t get another one. The image of your hands slathering the cream up and down your smooth legs makes him groan and push against you a little harder. He likes to think he isn’t some creep who forces himself on a girl, and if you weren’t so responsive, he wouldn’t even touch you without permission. 

A lot of men in their line of work didn’t think consent was an issue, some of them even found the fight to be a turn on, and you’re grateful that Taehyung‘s not that kind of man. In fact, he’d said on several occasions that he wouldn’t come closer than necessary if you weren’t okay with it. He even went as far as sleeping in one of the many guest rooms in the house, dropping the one and only key to the master bedroom in your hand so only you had access to it. This went on for 2 months before you’d lashed out and tried sneaking off for a night out with friends. Naturally Taehyung had hunted you down and dragged you back to the house, lecturing you on the dangers of leaving without telling anyone where you’d be. The next morning his things had been moved into the room and he invaded every inch of your space every chance he got. 

You didn’t want to admit that waking up to his face inches from yours was something you’d easily gotten used to, but then again you didn’t actually need to voice it out loud. Not when you’d woken up one morning to find your legs tangled with his, your arms tossed across his torso, and clinging to him like a koala. You had squeaked and fell out of bed in your haste to untangle yourself from him. He had woken up in fear that something happened, but chuckled when he saw you on the floor, blankets and sheets raveled around your legs. Embarrassed and flushed, you’d shot him a glare as he’d gotten out of bed and strode into the bathroom to get ready for the day. 

After that, you had made it your daily mission to see just how far you could push him to his breaking point. Little things such as “accidentally” walking away from Jimin or Jungkook in a crowded area, or turning down a meal that Seokjin had prepared because you were “exhausted” even though you’d done nothing that day, and even taking the hand of Namjoon or Hoseok once or twice instead of Taehyung’s when moving through a room full of people. You could see Taehyung’s frustration boiling beneath the surface and kicked it up a notch by giving your undivided attention to Yoongi during dinner one night. Yoongi of course, knew what you were doing and would have been scared of the repercussions of flirting with you if Taehyung hadn’t trusted him so much.

Yoongi played along with your little show, allowing you to lean in a little too close when talking, whispering in your ear about how much trouble you’d be in if Taehyung snapped, and letting you “subtly” run your finger across his knuckles. He had used his napkin to hide his smile when Taehyung had sprung up from his seat, snatched your wrist, and dragged you to the master bedroom. He had cleaned up the table and clapped Jimin and Jungkook on the shoulders, advising them to use headphones or sleep in the car for the rest of the night.

Taehyung had watched you stumble into the room, descending on you quickly when you had turned to yell at him. Whatever you were going to say had died on your tongue as he backed you against the wall, gripping your chin and hissing something about the possibility of killing Yoongi. You, equally as pissed, began to rant and scream about having your freedom taken away and wanting to teach Taehyung a lesson for confusing your already fogged up brain by being a gentleman rather than the piss poor excuse of a man most gang members are. 

Taehyung had the audacity to smirk, fucking smirk, before crashing his mouth to yours and tangling his hand in your hair. He had tugged at the strands until you gasped and he slipped his tongue in to push against yours. He felt your hands wrenching the fabric of his dress shirt but he didn’t give you room to breathe, instead pressing you against the wall further. At some point he had started toying with the button to your jeans, waiting for your refusal, and when you hadn’t slapped him away, he popped the button open. 

You had gasped loudly at the feel of his fingers, the rough pads running up and down your slit, stopping to press and rub at your clit before he was sinking his fingers in knuckles deep. You didn’t remember much else except for the overwhelming pleasure and the raspy sound of Taehyung, Taehyung, Taehyung echoing around the room. Afterwards, he had avoided you like the plague until you’d finally managed to corner him in the kitchen one night. You’d been huffy, demanding an explanation for his absence. Not that you’d missed him, of course. He’d said that he didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable that night and that he was sorry for losing control, to which you had scoffed. You clarified that discomfort wasn’t what you had felt, you were an adult, and just as willing as he was, and to stop tiptoeing around you.

“Princess,” the bane of your existence growls out, bringing you back to the present. He chuckles, deep and rich, and sends goosebumps across your skin. “For someone who wants to get as far away from me as possible, you don’t seem to be willing to let me go.”

You look down at your hands curled into his shirt and immediately release your hold. It seems you were too caught up in your trip down memory lane to notice. You drop your hands from his chest and avert your eyes to the door where two sharp knocks catch his attention as well. 

“Boss,” Namjoon’s voice drifts through the wood, “your phone’s been ringing like crazy. Your father is trying to reach you.”

Taehyung sighs in disappointment and shifts away, pressing against your core one last time and you squeeze your legs together as if to keep him in place. He recognizes the faint blush on your cheeks as embarrassment and places a soft kiss to your cheek. “Be a good girl and do as you’re told, princess. I know you get a kick out of raising Jungkook’s blood pressure, but raising mine in the process will leave you widowed sooner than you’d think.”

You feel as though you’re finally able to breathe now that he’s out of the room and put a hand to your racing chest. It wasn’t just his blood pressure that’s been spiking lately. You sit up and tuck your arms beneath your legs, resting your chin on your knees. You really thought you were close this time around. The memory of being giddy as you tore through the airport to catch the plane to literally anywhere but here, only to freeze in the middle of the terminal as Taehyung stood in your way with his hands casually tucked in his pockets and his army of men around him. You run your hands through your hair and tug at the roots in anger, cursing your cousins and the day they were born.

Outside, Taehyung tugs at the buttons of his dress shirt while pressing his phone to his ear. “Dad?”

“Either your security system has gone to shit,” Mr. Kim calmly scolds his son, “or there’s a rat in your home. I’m looking through your camera footage as we speak, and unless I’m officially going senile, the cameras look like they’re in some kind of loop.”

“What kind of loop?” Taehyung is already making his way to the security room with Namjoon in tow. 

“A car speeds past your security gate, seemingly at the same exact time every day, same make and model every time too. That’s not a coincidence, son, handle it quickly before it gets out of control.”

“On it.” Taehyung throws open the door to the security room, startling the guys watching the live feed from the cameras. “Where’s Yoongi?”

“Behind you,” Yoongi’s voice makes his presence known, trailing in and sitting at his personal computer to go through the footage Taehyung is there to discuss. “Everyone out.”

The other two men scramble outside with break neck speed. If Yoongi and Taehyung are here then something only they know about is going on, and nobody wants to get caught in the middle of it unless necessary.

“What’s going on with our cameras?” Taehyung looks over Yoongi’s shoulder at the computer screen.

“Nothing,” Yoongi sighs, pressing play on the paused screen while a miniature box with his personal coding pops up in the corner. “I noticed the same gray Tahoe driving down our street every day for the last week, and at first I thought somebody tampered with the cameras, so I built a code to filter through the system and push out whatever was installed to make this look like it’s on a loop. When nothing changed, I did some maintenance on the camera’s themselves, and still nothing. Someone is timing it just right to fool us, because check this out.” Yoongi pulls up another screen, zooming in on the corner of the frame where another car is doing a surprisingly good job of hiding. “So I can’t see who exactly the driver is, but I do know that they wait in this exact spot until the clock hits 3 on the dot. When that happens, they make a call, and out comes the Tahoe. Every. Single. Time.”

“One of ours?” Taehyung’s referring to one of the guys they keep on the property for extra measure. 

“No one here did it. I rifled through their phones, computers, whatever I could and nothing popped up.” Yoongi confirms and points to the screen. “About an hour after the Tahoe zips by the screen, the car in hiding pulls out and goes the opposite direction, also part of tricking the cameras so we think there’s a glitch.”

“And the license plate?” Namjoon chimes in from the seat beside Yoongi.

“Belongs to a little old lady on the other side of the world. Looking for a date, Joon? She likes to read the same books you do and she crochets.” Yoongi jokes, “personally, I’d like a new sweater for Christmas.”

“Find out who it is.” Taehyung doesn’t laugh, not exactly appreciating the joke, and storms out of the room, throwing the door open so wide that it smacks against the wall.

----------------------------------------------------

You don’t recognize your own reflection. The woman in the mirror with foundation caked on much too heavily, curled and mascara filled lashes, and lips painted in a color that was meant to seem natural, did not look a thing like you. You’re close to wiping your face clean when the door to the room swings open and Jeonghan strolls in like he owns the place. It occurs to you that he probably does. 

“What?” you huff at him as he comes up behind you. 

“I know you’re angry,” he whispers, sadness in his eyes as he meets your reflection. “But we promised grandpa that we’d take care of you. Too much is happening for us to not take precaution. Everyone knows how much you mean to us and if they get to you, we’d be devastated.”

“Then why can’t I go abroad?” you ask, turning to him with pleading eyes and he takes a step back. You see tears building in his eyes as he takes in your appearance. He’s proud, you realize, as a smile spreads across his face. He’s proud of you, proud of who you are as a person despite the kind of business your parents ran. 

“You’re gorgeous, little cousin,” Jeonghan lets out a shaky exhale, unprepared for the whirlwind of emotions slamming into him. “Grandfather, our parents, everybody would have loved to be here. To see you---.”

“Signing my life away?” you don’t let him finish whatever he was going to say. You don’t want to hear it. There was a time when you believed your wedding day would be a celebration, not a life sentence. You look down to the white of your dress, the gown suddenly felt too constricting and you wanted nothing more than to rip it off. “I don’t want this, Joenghan, please don’t make me do this.”

“If this were anyone else, I’d whisk you away without argument.” Jeonghan looks away from your face to keep himself from ruining everything. “But this is Taehyung, Y/N. You used to be friends and you cared so much for each other. We’ve known the Kim family for so long now that this would have happened eventually, don’t you think?”

“I would have still liked to have the option!” You stand from the chair and stalk towards him. “My friendship with Taehyung ended when we were children. I don’t know who he is now or what he’s done to get this far, but I do know that anyone willing to go to this length to get what they want is not someone to be trusted.”

“You’re being dramatic.” Joongki steps into the room and looks to his brother to find relief crossing his face. “It seems I got here just in time, little brother, you look like you’re about to hurl.”

“She scares me,” Jeonghan admits while moving for the door. “Men with guns, knives, even the occasional psychopath I can handle, but Y/N? Nope, that’s asking too much.”

You glare at your cousin slipping outside before you can say more, and you turn to Joongki. “I’m not being dramatic, you jackass, I’m being logical. You guys have hovered over me my entire life, is it so wrong to want control over at least this part of it?”

“I don’t need to remind you that this is for your own safety.” Joongki’s tone is harsh, a complete contrast to Jeonghan, but harsh was something you could fight against. Harsh, you could throw back in his face. The gentle lull of Jeonghan’s voice, you couldn’t, and often found yourself feeling guilty for hurting him.

“I don’t need to remind you that even if my parents were still alive, this isn’t the life I would have chosen,” you spit back at your eldest cousin, watching his shoulders tense. “Even if grandfather were still alive, I would have fought tooth and nail against this just like I am now. What the hell, Joongki? Weren’t you the one that was opposed to merging the families in the first place? And what, because you and Jeonghan pissed off some people, I have to pay the consequences?”

“Powerful people, Y/N,” Joongki hisses at you, “powerful people that wouldn’t think twice about torturing you to get to us.”

“So then this is more about protecting yourselves than it is me?” Your chest rises and falls with the building anger, and he looks at you with so much fire in his eyes that you’re sure Joongki would strike you at any moment. “This is about not having to babysit me anymore and dumping me off on some poor sack whose life I’m about to make a living hell!”

“It was always about you!” Joongki roars, the volume making you drop your eyes to the ground as you had with your grandfather and father. They’d never hit you, never even so much as raised a hand to you, but they were able to correct your behavior with their voices alone. “We didn’t babysit you, Y/N, we took care of you. We are still taking care of you not because we think we’re obligated to, but because you are our baby cousin. The only family we have left and someone is threatening that, threatening you, and if you think that doesn’t haunt us every time you’re out of our sight, then you’re wrong. I’d do this for Jeonghan too if I had to, I’d even do it for myself, as long as all of us are safe and alive. You want to make a mess of Kim Taehyung? Go ahead, turn his life upside down if you want to, so long as you stay under their protection.”

“I don’t want protection, Joongki.” You look back at his face with a trembling lip. “I want freedom. I want to walk down the street without your men trailing me or the fear of looking back and finding that someone else is. This is your world, not mine. This was our parents world, it wasn’t ours until they were gone. They wanted more for us, Joongki, don’t you remember that?”

“I remember their broken and bloodied bodies when they crossed the wrong person. I remember their pale, lifeless faces in their caskets as you curled up in grandfather’s lap and fought your sleep for weeks afterwards. I remember the way you screamed every time you shut your eyes because all you could see was ‘the bad man with a gun’. I remember promising grandfather that I would do whatever it took to keep you and Jeonghan from suffering the same fate that our parents did.”

You turn away from him to peer out of the window, seeing the guests that consisted solely of friends and family on Taehyung’s side. Children ran across the yard, parents scolded them for dirtying their clothes, and as you glanced around you spotted Taehyung. He was standing with Jungkook, a man he kept close to his side out of trust, nodding along to whatever Jungkook was saying. There was no denying how handsome Taehyung was, or the way it sent shivers up your spine when a little girl ran to him and he scooped her up without hesitation. You didn’t know what the little girl was excited about, but you could guess it had to do with your soon to be husband with the way she looked at him with stars in her eyes. His eyes were warm when he looked at her, accepting the little flower she’d picked from the garden around the side of the house. He tucked it into the pocket of his suit jacket, right where his heart was, and patted it gently in promise to keep it on. He set her down and she ran off with a giggle and a blush across her cheeks. You were staring too long, you knew, because he felt it. Taehyung peered up at the window in time to catch you moving away. 

“Y/N,” Joongki whispers to catch your attention. “Please don’t be stubborn about this. Taehyung’s family may run in the same circles as our parents, but they’ve always been kind to us. My refusal to bring the families closer didn’t stop them from keeping a relationship with us.”

“Maybe it’s out of pity.” You try one last time to get under his skin, but you know better than anyone that he’s tired. Tired and defeated and hanging on by a thread.

“Even if it was out of pity, that’s something we can use right now.” He comes up behind you, smoothing down the back of your hair and leaving a kiss to the top of your head. He presses his forehead to the spot he just kissed and sighs. “Mr. Kim could think the lowest of me and the mess I’ve made of our family’s reputation, and I’d still take his help if it meant I didn’t lose you or my brother.”

-------------------------------------------------

“You know, eventually,” Jimin sighs tiredly, trailing behind Taehyung as they walk into the house, “people are going to call the cops for kidnapping.”

“The cops aren’t stupid enough to go against our family,” Taehyung grunts out, the squirming and fidgeting nearly made him lose his grip more than once. It was admirable, at first, when you’d begun thrashing against him, believing you could truly break free. Now, it was a nuisance, and he promptly drops you on your ass in the middle of the living room.

“Asshole!” You seethe, jumping back to your feet and wincing at your sore bottom. You have no idea what set Taehyung off at the mall, but you’re pissed that he ruined the first outing you were actually excited about. One minute, you were browsing through your favorite section at the bookstore, and the next, he was dragging you out by the hand. In the car on the way over, he hadn’t spoken a word, refusing to explain himself, so you refused to get out of the car when Jungkook pulled into the driveway. Apparently, Taehyung wasn’t so mad that he couldn’t throw you over his shoulder and march into the house. 

“Jesus, Taehyung, what the hell is your problem?!”

“Who was he?” Taehyung demands, shooing Jimin and Jungkook to the other room. He grits his teeth when Jungkook hesitates to move. ”Jeon Jungkook, did I or did I not tell you leave?”

“You’re pissed, Taehyung, and look like you could tear someone’s head off,” Jungkook fires right back and looks past his boss to you. You may not be afraid of Taehyung’s temper, but Jungkook is. He’s seen what Taehyung and his temper could do to things and people, and he’ll be damned if you end up hurt because of it.

“That head could be yours if you don’t get the hell out of my sight,” Taehyung snaps, “go!”

“Go, Kook,” you agree with Taehyung. You’ve never seen him go at Jungkook like this and it isn’t helping if Jungkook keeps defying Taehyung, so removing him from the situation seems like the logical answer at the moment. “It’s ok. Just go, please.”

Jungkook clenches his jaw and turns to leave with much reluctance. He’s out of sight but not out of ear shot when Jimin meets him halfway. “He’s going to hurt her, you and I both know that.”

“It’s not as serious as you think.” Jimins pats his shoulder, reassuring him that everything will be fine. “You know that someone’s been circling the house, and had Y/N not insisted on going out today, then Taehyung wouldn’t have been so on edge to start with. There’s too many people at the mall, too many entrances and exits, too many cracks to be slipped through, too many opportunities for someone to get at Y/N if they tried. Trust me, Jungkookie, this anger that you think Taehyung has is actually fear, okay? So leave them be to hash it out and we’ll go running in the second something seems off.”

Back in the living room, Taehyung is pacing, running a hand down his face, and seeming like he’s having trouble putting into words what exactly he’s upset about. When he finally stops, it’s simply to stalk towards you and stand toe to toe. “Why are there rules, princess, hm? Why do I tell you to stick to Jungkook and Jimin like glue when we’re out? Why do you think I stick to you like fucking glue when we’re out?”

“Oh, so it’s ‘princess’ now?” you scoff. “A minute ago, you wouldn’t say a damn thing, but now you’re asking me to recite some bogus ass rules like I’m in primary school. You don’t get to be pissed in this situation, Taehyung, not when I’m the one who’s getting zero explanation for your outburst.”

“I don’t need to explain myself,” he raises his voice, not quite yelling. “I need you to fucking listen when one of us tells you to do something. The guys aren’t here for decoration, Y/N, they’re here to keep you safe, but they can’t do that when you insist on being a brat.”

“I’m not a fucking brat!” you screech loud enough for half the world to hear. It’s actually surprising that Taehyung’s eardrum didn’t burst. 

“Well, you’re not exactly a fucking saint,” Taehyung counters and it’s your turn to start pacing, your hands gripping onto the roots of your hair.

“Oh, my God,” you laugh humorlessly, “Oh, my God, oh my God, oh my fucking God, Kim Taehyung! You irritating, overbearing, senseless piece of---.” You don’t know what possesses you to swing your hand out, palm open, and try to slap his face.

He catches your wrist, sees the immediate regret in your eyes, yet still hauls you to the nearby wall. He presses you to the plastered surface, using his free hand to box you in so you can’t run away. Truthfully, he’d let go the second you ask, but a line has to be drawn. You have to, absolutely have to start listening to him and the other guys, otherwise something could go very, very wrong.

“Want to hit me, princess?” he hisses inches from your face as he leans in. “Want to get violent because you can’t do whatever you want anymore? That’s pretty ironic for someone who cried at the mere thought of being hit. I can barely raise my hand to you, but you can swing at me all you want, is that it? That’s not how it works, princess, I suggest you learn that real quick. Now you owe me something for trying to hit me. I let that shit go when you first kneed me in the balls, so it’s more like you owe me two, but I’m nice enough to collect on just one. Tell me who your little friend was in the bookstore.”

You’d like to think you’re not scared, yet it was evident what Taehyung was really capable of when pushed too far. He’s been patient with you, far too patient, and willingly plays along with whatever bullshit you pull for the day. It’s amazing he hasn’t broken your wrist for trying to slap him. Especially, when you know good and well that you wouldn’t hesitate to break his if the roles were reversed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. There was no friend in the bookstore.”

“The guy, princess,” he hisses, momentarily tightening his grip. “The guy in the store that was happily chatting you up. Who was he?”

You wrack your brain for this person he’s talking about and it’s like a cartoon light bulb goes off above your head. “The man who was talking to me about the book in my hand?”

“Yes, that guy.”

“He’s not a friend,” you insist, glaring at your husband, “just some stranger trying to hit on me. Is that what this is about? Some random guy trying to get my number? Your jealousy is really unparalleled, Kim.” 

“I wasn’t jealous. Even if I was, you wouldn’t be the one I’d take it out on.That ring on your finger is there for a reason, anyone who can’t respect it or the boundaries it represents won’t live to see the next day. I’m asking about this ‘random’ guy because I don’t think he was random at all, I think he approached you with a purpose.”

“Contrary to popular belief, not everyone is afraid of you, Taehyung.” You relax now that he’s calmer than before. The grip on your wrist was loose and he was drawing patterns on your skin with his thumb. 

“No, princess, they’re not afraid of me in front of you because they have a hard time believing anyone as gorgeous as you would have anything to do with someone like me.” He slumps against your frame, tucking his face into the crook of your neck. “I shouldn’t have scared you like that. I’m sorry.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” you ask with shaky breaths. It wasn’t easy to hold him up and he wasn’t even putting his full weight on you. “Better yet, why didn’t you ask him right then and there?”

“Where do you think he is now, baby?” Taehyung opens his mouth against your neck, working the flesh between his teeth and using his tongue to soothe the sting before he bites down again. He feels your fingers grip his hair, to hold him in place or tug him away, he doesn’t know. He just knows that you haven’t recoiled from his touch yet.

Your head lulls back and your eyes shut on their own accord. Your hand also has a hard time listening to your brain as it reaches out to hook a finger in his belt loop and pull him closer. He obliges, using one knee to part your thighs and press against you. The sudden feel of his muscled thigh putting pressure against your clothed core makes you jump in his hold. When he flexes that muscle, you gasp and buck your hips. So he does it again, and again, and again until you’re riding his thigh, and he’s moving his mouth to the other unmarked side of your neck.

You choose an awfully slow pace for someone trying to get off. Taehyung’s done marking up the skin of your neck with deep shades of purple and can finally pull back a bit to admire you. He presses his forehead to yours as you let out a breathless moan and your face contorts with pleasure. You’re riding him slow, but with a purpose, he realizes, intent on enjoying every single push and pull of your hips. Both of your hands lock together at the nape of his neck and you whimper at your building orgasm. You don’t recall the coil in your belly winding as tight as it is right now with anyone else. No, only Taehyung can evoke this kind of reaction. 

You know he can feel the wet patch growing on his pants and you’re thankful that he doesn’t comment on it. In fact, he’s rather quiet for someone who’d been scolding you just moments before. You don’t look at his face, not purposefully ignoring him, but completely mesmerized by the deep onyx color of his pants growing even deeper the wetter it gets. You clench around nothing, nearly sobbing at the empty feeling and rocking your hips just a little bit faster than before. You want more, you need more, you need, “your hand,” you gasp out to him. “I need your hand, Tae, please.”

“I can’t do that ,baby,” he groans at having to deny you, ready to shoot himself in the foot for being all too in control. “If I touch you, I won’t stop.”

“You did before.” You want to cry. You’re probably going to cry soon if you don’t get what you want.

“Barely, princess. I barely controlled myself last time. If I do it now, I’ll take you against this wall, and then every other surface of this house. You’re not ready for that yet. You can do this. Cum against me like this, baby, I know you can.”

You’re close, so fucking close but then...

“Hey, boss-- oh shit, sorry!” Seokjin’s shoes squeak against the tiled floor as he quickly spins around to face literally anywhere but you and Taehyung. “Uh, Namjoon and Hoseok need you for something.”

 “What?” Taehyung growls out, watching your entire neck and face flush a deep shade of red out of embarrassment. “What could they possibly fucking need in this exact moment that you can’t handle, Seokjin?”

“Uh, th-they didn’t say,” Seokjin stammers, silently cursing Namjoon and Hoseok for sending him to get Taehyung instead of doing it themselves. Those little bastards had to have known Taehyung was busy. And you. Oh, the look on your face when you saw him hurt his heart. He knows how mortified you feel at having been caught. He can hear the rustling of clothes as you gather yourselves, the panting breaths of two frustrated adults doing adult things, and holy crap Seokjin wants nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow him whole. “I can tell them you’re busy, if you need me to.”

“No!” you squeak, shoving Taehyung away harder than you meant to, and Seokjin jolts at the octave of your voice. “I mean, no. Tae’s not...Taehyung isn’t busy. I’m-- I have to be...anywhere that’s not here.”

Seokjin hears you run off, the patting of your shoes carries you across the house with speed he didn’t think anyone but an olympic track star had. He doesn’t want to turn around. He’d kill to not have to turn around.

“If this isn’t as urgent as they made it out to be,” Taehyung’s voice is steely, cruel as he approaches Seokjin, “then all 3 of you are getting tossed into the river, do you hear me?”

“Understood.” Seokjin holds his breath while Taehyung shoulders past him, ducking his head down and following close behind.

Yoongi is busy deleting all the footage from the past hour when Taehyung barges in. “I’m already on it, and no, I didn’t watch it. I’m not some greasy perv. None of the other guys were in here either. I kicked them out as soon as you had Jungkook and Jimin leave you two alone.”

“Right now, Yoongi, you and Jimin are the only ones safe from me.” Taehyung leaves feeling a little bit better knowing that you’d at least be spared from the entire house knowing what happened. 

Seokjin stops in the doorway of the security room. “You little kiss ass.”

“Don’t get mad at me because I’m doing my job.” Yoongi smirks at him. “It’s not my fault Namjoon and Hobi threw you under the bus.”

“So they did know!” Seokjin has half a mind to pummel the both of them.

“Oh, they knew. Namjoon was actually on his way to the living room when Jimin and Jungkook stopped him.”

“I’ll kill them,” Seokjin swears, “I’ll kill all of them.”

“Seokjin, get your ass over here now!” Taehyung’s voice booms, making Seokjin jump and scurry in his direction. 

Namjoon and Hoseok are in the garage, standing a few feet away from the poor bastard tied to a chair. When Taehyung had called them earlier to pick up the guy talking to you at the bookstore, they didn’t imagine he’d look like an average Joe. Guys in the mafia tend to dress nice, carry themselves a certain way, even walk and talk a certain way. But this guy. This guy looks like he could be an accountant or a librarian.

“Man, this is going to really suck if he’s not working for anyone,” Hoseok comments, almost feeling guilty. “He really could be just some guy who saw a pretty girl and tried to get her number.”

“I’d agree if he wasn’t carrying Cecil’s business card.” Namjoon hands the man’s wallet to Hoseok.

“It must be nice to have such a big ego that you’d make professional hitman cards and label them as ‘business’.” Hoseok rifles through the wallet, pulling out credit cards, debit cards, cash, a few photos, until he finally finds a little white paper with Cecil’s number scrawled across it. “I’d hardly call this a business card.”

“Hobi, focus,” Namjoon reminds him, tilting his head in the man’s direction.

“Alright.” Hoseok approaches the man and bends to his sitting height, producing an I.D. card. “Sunho. How do you know Y/N?”

“Who?” Sunho whimpers, blood seeping from his busted lip. “I-I don’t even know who that is.”

“Seemed pretty chummy with her in the bookstore this afternoon.”

“That girl?” Sunho is quick to shake his head. “I just thought she was really cute, that’s all. I didn’t know she was married.”

“Ok, then how do you know Cecil?” Hoseok moves on to the next question without missing a beat. 

“I don’t, I swear!”

“Why else would you have his card?” Namjoon asks as the garage door swings open, a very pissed looking Taehyung strolling in a second later. He whistles low and grips the back of Hoseok’s shirt to haul him out of Taehyung’s path. 

“Oh, hey, Seokjin.” Hoseok shoots him a teasing smile. “I see you were able to get Taehyung’s attention.”

“I swear to God, I will fuck you up right here and now, Hobi.” Seokjin glares at the younger man before turning his attention to Taehyung and Sunho. 

“Sunho,” Taehyung sighs, rolling his neck and shoulders. “I was very, very fucking busy inside my home and I was interrupted before anything productive got done.” He shoots forward and braces his hands on the arms of the chair Sunho is tied to. “So you see, I’m not in the mood for playing games. I’m going to explain to you how this works very carefully. Ready?”

Sunho manages a pathetic nod and Taehyung stands straight while undoing the buttons of his shirt sleeves and rolls them up his forearms. He swallows the saliva gathered on his tongue, panic washing over him when Taehyung produces a crowbar from the workbench he’s only now seeing.

“I’m going to ask you a few questions,” Taehyung explains, pointing one end of the crowbar at Sunho. “If you answer me honestly, I’ll let you go. Pay for the hospital bill that’s sure to wrack up given what these two have done to you,” he pauses to point at Namjoon and Hoseok, “and set you up for life as an apology. Sound fair?” He doesn’t wait for Sunho’s reply before continuing. “But if you lie to me, this crowbar will be the least of your worries, definitely one of the less painful weapons in our arson. Now tell me, how do you know Cecil?” 

Sunho’s face is covered in tears by the time Taehyung is finished talking. His body shakes with how hard he sobs. “He ap-approached me last month, p-paid me $3,000 to drive a gray Tahoe down whatever street his guys called from. I didn’t think anything of it, until it got really weird. I noticed they’d only call me once a day at 2 or 2:30, tell me to wait at the end of your block until it hit 3 on the hour and then drive past the gate. They gave me your wife’s picture and told me to keep an eye out for her. When I realized they were stalking her, I thought I should warn her.”

“So you followed us to the mall?” Taehyung asks, crouching down to look Sunho in the eye. He uses the end of the crowbar to lift Sunho’s chin up. “What did you say to her?”

“I didn’t know what I could say,” Sunho sobs harder. “I mean, I-I was helping them stalk her. She’d think I was crazy if I just came right out and said it. So, I just walked up and asked her about the book she had. I didn’t know what the fucking title was, I just knew she had to be warned. I didn’t get that far before you came up and took her away.”

“Did Cecil tell you what he wanted with her?”

“No. Just to drive the car and watch out for her.”

Taehyung looks back to Hoseok, taking the picture from his outstretched hand. He observes the photo quietly. “These your kids, Sunho?”

“Yes.” Sunho’s bottom lip trembles. “Please don’t hurt them! Please! They’re just kids to a shitty father drowning in debt. They didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Did Cecil threaten them?” Seokjin comes up behind Taehyung, scanning the faces of two kids that couldn’t more than 8 and 10 years old. 

“He said I could either take the job willingly,” Sunho cries, snot and tears mixing together at his top lip, “or I could watch him torture my kids until I accept it.”

“Where are they now?”

“Their grandparents’ house. Their mother died 3 years ago, it’s just me and them. I gave them to their grandmother the same day Cecil came to me.”

“Why you?” Hoseok wonders aloud. “There’s professionals out there to get jobs like this done. Hell, even Cecil’s guys, as dumb as they are, could do a better job than you did. Their morality wouldn’t get in the way either, that’s for sure. So what makes you so special for a job like this?”

“My kids’ mother.” Sunho releases a fresh round of tears. “She was a girl he’d taken care of in her teenage years when she was a waitress at some dingy dive bar. There was an accident 3 years ago. A head on collision with a drunk driver. Cecil hates that I survived but she didn’t. This is his way of getting back at me, I guess.”

Taehyung stands, makes his way to the workbench, and drops the crowbar on it. He braces his hands against the bench as Namjoon steps up next to him. “Yoongi?”

“Pulled up hospital records, a death certificate, and foreclosure notices on the house,” Namjoon confirms Sunho’s story. “It all checks out.”

“Get the kids, take Sunho, and get them as far away from here as possible. We’ll clean up his debt and set him up with enough to get himself started again.” Taehyung nods at Namjoon, but stops him before he gets too far away. “You make sure he understands that he needs to get his shit together. And to call us if anything happens, we’ll move his family again if we have to. Go.”

Namjoon gestures Hoseok to follow his lead, untying Sunho and ushering him into one of the many SUVs in the garage. He slides into the driver’s seat as Hoseok jumps into the passenger side, and he backs out of the garage to start his orders.

“Think Cecil would know we’d look into Sunho and set up fake accounts?” Seokjin asks Taehyung, following him on their way out of the garage.

“Yoongi will catch it if anything is fake.” Taehyung undoes the top three buttons on his dress shirt. It’s late, he’s exhausted, and he just wants to climb into bed next to you as soon as possible.

“Do you think Cecil’s after Y/N herself, or just trying to get to the Seong brothers?” 

“We’ll be finding out soon.” Taehyung claps Seokjin on the shoulder before going his separate way. “And yes, Seokjin, it was important, so you can sleep peacefully knowing that you get to see tomorrow.”

You’re sitting cross-legged in the middle of the king size bed, crossword book out, and pencil scribbling across the empty spaces, when Taehyung comes back into the room. You want to say something, want to talk about what happened, but it wasn’t the first time the two of you had gotten a little too carried away. Well, more so you than him earlier when you’d begged for his touch, and then Seokjin had walked in. You’ve never, in your entire life, been more humiliated and turned on at the same time, and some part of your brain insists that it really wouldn’t have been bad if Seokjin hadn’t interrupted. You certainly wouldn’t have had to take a cold shower, that’s for sure.

“You’re still up,” Taehyung comments softly as if he hadn’t seen the light peeking out from underneath the door. He’d dismissed Jungkook before opening the door, expecting you to have simply fallen asleep while reading as usual. He’s unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it from his shoulders when his ears pick up the rustling of bedsheets. 

His back muscles flex with each move and you bite down on your tongue for composure. “You didn’t apologize to Kook for snapping at him earlier.”

“Jungkook understands that when he’s told to do something, he does it. If he wants to fight back against his orders and be a rebel, then he’s going to be treated as such.” Taehyung unclasps the watch on his wrist, setting it down on the dresser. “If sometimes I go too far, they don’t expect an apology.”

“Because you don’t know how to give one?” Your tone is sarcastic and it makes him smile even though you can’t see his face. “Or you just don’t want to?”

“Because I don’t need to.” His hands reach for his belt, unbuckling the leather band and sliding it out from the loops of his pants. “We’ve been a tight group for a long time, but I’m still their boss and sometimes I need to be more strict than usual. The fact that Jungkook hasn’t been strung up by his feet and left to bleed out for arguing with me earlier says a lot already.”

“I know,” you answer immediately, having seen that very scenario dozens of times before either by accident or because your grandfather wanted to remind you and your cousins of what happens to people that can no longer be trusted. “This is the only time Jungkook’s gone against you, Taehyung, you know that.”

Taehyung whirls around to face you, understanding and patience written all over his face. “I need to make sure that it stays the only time he’ll go against me. The only reason he isn’t dead now is because it was on your behalf, which is his job. Yes, it’s unfair of me to be pissed at him for doing exactly what he’s supposed to, but when you’re with me there’s nothing to be afraid of and he needs to understand that.”

“Something in you scared him today,” you argue as he turns back to the dresser, pulling out a pair of sweats and plain gray t-shirt. “Something in you scared me. It’s like a switch went off inside of your head and you became an entirely different person.”

“I am who I need to be when the situation calls for it.” Taehyung steps up to the bed and braces one arm on the mattress as he leans closer, touching his forehead to yours. “I didn’t mean to scare you, princess, that’s my fault and I’m sorry. I want to say you’ll never have to see it again, but you know as well as I do that it would be a lie. What I can tell you is that it won’t always happen, I swear that to you. Right now, with whatever Joongki and Jeonghan have going on, and the spike in threats against your family, the boys and I are on edge more than normal.” He cups your face with his other hand after dropping his spare clothes to the bed. “It won’t always be this way.”

You don’t know what you’ve done in your past life to have fallen into the Kim family, or what you did to deserve one of the rarer, kinder mafia bosses that is Kim Taehyung. You’ve come to realize that you don’t hate Taehyung or any of the boys, but you hate the circumstances behind your being in his home. You’ve always detested this life and after your grandfather’s death, you vowed to get away from it. You didn’t take into account how quick Joongki would jump to throw you under lock and key, only ever gifting the small amount of freedom that came with having to attend your full time job. 

Taehyung hadn’t expected your kiss, the soft press of your lips against his and the touch of your fingers wrapping around his wrist has goosebumps rising on his skin. You don’t kiss him often, only when you’re out at a charity event or at dinner with his parents, and even then it’s a small peck to keep up appearances. You push your tongue against his and he groans, slipping his fingers into your hair and stepping back as you rise up to your knees. The soft pads of your fingers trace up the path of his jawline until they tangle in his soft black locks, and then you’re tugging on the strands to tip his head back.

His other hand is at your hip, thumb slipping beneath the hem of your pajama shirt to rub circles in your skin. He doesn’t know what brought on this sudden affection, but he isn’t complaining. Your fingers card through his hair, one hand tracing down the broad plain of his chest and bare skin burning the tips of your fingers as they reach the waistband of his pants. He hisses out a small ‘fuck’ against your mouth when your hand slips into his boxers, toying with the length of him. Holy shit, he’s huge, and you moan into another kiss as you have a hard time wrapping your fingers around his cock. He’s thick and long, you note, using the tips of your nails to gently trace the veins running along his shaft. Precum pools at the tip and you circle your thumb around him to gather enough of it before pumping your hand down, then back up, and then back down again. 

“What are you doing, princess?” Taehyung nearly chokes on the words as he pulls away from the kiss. You’ve built up a steady rhythm and he’s very near collapsing to his knees if you keep this up. He grits his teeth as the hand in his hair dives into his boxers to join the other, pumping along his cock in tandem. His fingers tighten in your hair, twisting the locks at the base of your neck and you gasp gently at the feeling. 

“Earlier, in the living room,” you whisper against his lips, “I was so close to coming against your thigh, but then Seokjin walked in.”

“To be fair,” he growls out and bucks his hips against your hands, “I threatened to kill him for it, so---.” He does choke this time as you squeeze him just a little harder.

“You know what happened when I came back to the room, Tae?” You give him a sweet smile, but you know he can see the devious intentions behind it. “I got stuck having to take a cold shower. I’d blame Jin, but you’re the one who started it, aren’t you?”

“Baby,” he groans, “please don’t---.”

You’re pulling back, taking your hands with you, and falling back onto the mattress before he can finish his plea. You bounce slightly against the bed as you giggle at the death glare he gives you, his chest is heaving and a thin sheen of sweat coats his brow. “Not so fun when it’s you, is it, Tae?”

Taehyung heaves out a shaky breath and runs a hand through his hair. “Alright, fine. I take responsibility for leaving you the way I did.” He snatches your ankles, chuckling at the yelp that leaves you, and drags you down the bed. He spreads your thighs to make room for his hips and rocks against you. The thin material of your pajama pants does nothing to shield the feeling of his hard on pushing against your clothed core. You still feel every inch of him and your mouth drops open as he grinds his hips. “But what you call punishment, I call a reward, princess.”

He’s gone in the blink of an eye, his laugh echoing from the bathroom, and you bolt up to hurl a pillow at the door. Why is he so much better at this than you are?!

---------------------------------------------

Taehyung’s home is gorgeous. Well, you suppose it’s your home now too, but the fact that you’re about to be thrown into a house full of strange men and monitored 24 hours a day, doesn’t take away from its beauty. You thought the security gates were a little much when Jungkook first drove through them, yet it’s clear now why they’re necessary. A two story estate looms over you as Jungkook opens the SUV door so you can climb out. 

“Welcome home, princess.” Taehyung stands in the middle of the foyer, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his dress pants. He’d had every intention of being with you in that SUV after the reception, but his father had hauled him away for some ‘unfinished business’ with the Ahn family. 

“More like a prison,” you mutter while Jungkook takes the backpack hanging from your shoulder. He hoists it over his own and grabs the handle of your rolling suitcase, waiting to see what your next move is. “The word ‘home’ doesn’t exactly come to mind, Kim.”

Taehyung hums, crossing the foyer in quick strides before he’s gripping your chin and pulling you so close that you stand on the tips of your toes. He feels the clenching of your jaw against his fingers and briefly worries that you’ll end up chipping a tooth with how hard you grind your teeth together. “Call it what you want, Y/N, but this is where you’ll be for a very long time. I suggest you get used to it.”

“Boss.” Jungkook clears his throat, eyes darting to the strong grip Taehyung has on your face before they’re matching his gaze. The slight tilting of his head serves as a warning and Taehyung nods in recognition before releasing his hold. When Jungkook had first been told that he would be your personal guard from now on, he vowed to do his best, even if it meant going against Taehyung from time to time. 

You sneer at Taehyung when he smiles at Jungkook. Whatever passes between them in the look they share is unclear, and it bothers you. If Taehyung’s rough handling was meant to scare you, and Jungkook’s swift response to it was meant to deter that fear, then they were both failing. Miserably. It’s not that you’re afraid of Taehyung, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s how quick he can be at changing his entire persona in a matter of seconds. 

Jungkook puts his free hand on the small of your back to guide you forward, leaving the foyer and entering the living room. He watches you scan the surroundings, gaze lingering a little too long on the loose objects Taehyung has chosen to decorate with. He makes a mental note to have those removed for the time being until you’re settled in enough to not try and kill Taehyung. It’s understandable that you’re frustrated, and angry, and hurt, but it’s also easy for those feelings to boil over and turn into something disastrous. He leads you through the room to the adjoining dining room, then the kitchen, and finally stopping at a door. 

“It’s your room,” he explains as he opens the door and shuffles inside the much too big room meant for you. It’s bigger than the entirety of your last two apartments combined. He sets your backpack on the bed before rolling your suitcase over to the dresser in the corner of the room. Leaving the suitcase be for you to unpack at your leisure, he moves for the bathroom that you didn’t even notice was there at first. He comes out soon after and pulls open the doors to the walk-in closet, scanning it from top to bottom.

He’s checking for anything out of place, you realize, as Jungkook seems satisfied enough to make his way back to you. He isn’t anything like you imagined Taehyung’s men would be, the first couple of encounters with him should have been enough to tell you that. You had just been so adamant in hating this part of it to realize that Jungkook would most likely end up being your only friend. Your actual friends weren’t invited to the wedding out of fear of who may have been there. Exposing them to this life was never an option and you’d been doing a damn fine job of it since high school. Until Jeonghan had spilled the beans about your upcoming nuptials and the girls became giddy. Their faces had dropped when you lied that only a handful of people could attend, and they weren’t on the guest list. It took weeks of groveling for them to finally cave and forgive you.

“Y/N?” Jungkook’s voice snaps you from your thoughts. He quirks a brow when you shake your head in apology. “Are you alright?”

“I was just thinking,” you say, letting your eyes float around the room once more. “Thank you, Jungkook.”

“Of course.”

“Not just for checking the room,” you clarify, “but for not making me feel so out of place. I really appreciate it.”

“Jungkookie’s always been good at making people comfortable,” a voice has you spinning around quickly, a hand pressed to your racing heart. The owner of the voice beams like he’s just won the lottery, clearly amused at successfully scaring you. “Y/N. I’m Park Jimin. I’ll be accompanying you and Jungkook every time we leave the grounds.”

“Right,” you heave. Catching your breath seems to be a new level of difficulty for some reason. Well, there was one reason, actually.

Taehyung had been right behind you and Jungkook the entire time. Quietly observing you and the reaction you’d have to the house. He’d also been leaning against the doorjamb while Jungkook combed through the room. Which means he’d also heard your gratitude for the younger man and you pale at the thought of what might happen to Jungkook now. Not all bosses like when their wives become chummy with other men, especially if it’s a man they trust, and you fear you may have gotten Jungkook in trouble.

“Do you think of Jungkookie as comfortable, princess?” Taehyung pins you with a stare that you can’t quite decipher. He sees the look of panic in your eyes as you struggle for words. When you open your mouth to answer, he cuts you off with a stern, “Don’t. Lie. To me.”

“Yes,” you reply breathlessly, clenching your hands into fists. Fear runs down your spine when Taehyung pushes away from the door and draws near. You flinch when his hand reaches out, your body going stiff to brace for the sting of his palm against your cheek. But he doesn’t hit you, his hand frozen mid-air at your reaction. It’s when you feel the slight tug on a single strand of hair that you realize he’d meant to pet your head. You meet his eyes with tears welling in your own, chest rising and falling with short, rapid breaths.

“I’d never hurt you, Y/N,” Taehyung whispers, reaching out once more to graze the backs of his fingers against your cheek. The wet heat of a single tear sliding down your face catches on his knuckles and he grits his teeth. “Has anyone ever hit you before?”

Jungkook and Jimin immediately come closer to hear your answer. If anyone had ever laid a hand on you, they wouldn’t wait for Taehyung’s order to find and kill whoever it was. You aren’t just the boss’ wife, you’re theirs to protect now, and they intend on doing just that.

“No.” You turn away from Taehyung’s touch, drawing back to both create some much needed space, and to reel in the flood of emotions you didn’t expect to feel. Being a leader in a crime syndicate meant being vicious and violent, even to your own family if it proved a point. Taehyung was neither of those things, a heavy reminder of how gentle your father and grandfather would be with any woman or girl important to them. “No one’s ever...it’s just something I’ve seen many times before, is all.”

“To someone important?”

“To people who were people and deserved to be treated as such. Not like the punching bags they became because their boss couldn’t push aside his pride or ego.” You take another step back only to bump into Jungkook’s chest. Damn it. Too many people surround you, too many are witness to how easily you can crumble, and you want them out. You want room to breathe and catch your bearings. You also want the privacy to unpack your stuff.

“Out,” Taehyung demands from Jungkook and Jimin, neither men hesitate to do as they’ve been told. He moves for the door right after them, hesitating with his hand on the knob. Looking back over his shoulder, he sees you pulling a laptop from your backpack, along with a few romance novels and a jumbo book of crossword puzzles. 

“Jimin isn’t the only one of the members you’ll be meeting today,” the softness of Taehyung’s voice makes your chest tight as you look up at him. “There’s 3 others roaming around here somewhere and another that’s away on an assignment, but he’ll be back soon.”

You nod your understanding, picking up a book to occupy your hands to keep your fingers from picking at the cuticles of your nails. It was something you’d always done when you got nervous, a bad habit that needed to be gotten rid of.

“I don’t want to do this to you, princess,” he states it like an apology as you draw your brows together in confusion, “but I’m going to take your laptop and phone.”

“Why?” One hand immediately falls to the computer he’s stepping back into the room for. You almost wrestle it away when his long fingers swipe it from the bed. “It’s important, Taehyung. I use it to edit my friend’s photos. She’s a photographer and I help her clean them up when she needs it.”

“I know you do, sweetheart.” He grips the computer closer to his side and holds his palm out. “You’ll get it back soon, I promise. I need your phone.”

“What if Joongki and Jeonghan call?” you scoff, because of fucking course Taehyung knows what you do in your spare time. “They’ll get worried if I don’t answer.”

“That’s a pretty weak excuse given how you tore into them after the reception. I might not have left with you, but I heard all about the way you swore you wouldn’t be speaking to your cousins anytime soon.”

“My friends will think I’m dead if I don’t answer their texts.”

“Your friends,” Taehyung steps closer and leans in, hovering inches away from your lips, “know that you got married today. They know that you’ll be occupied with your new husband. I can bet they’re wondering what you’re doing right this second, but can’t bring themselves to ask lest they interrupt what may be going on.”

Your back hits a wall you hadn’t realized he’d been backing you into. He’s not close enough to touch, yet that’s exactly what you want to do and find yourself pressing the book in your hand to his chest instead.

“I bet they’re wondering if you’re enjoying yourself,” he continues, pressing his forehead against yours. The back of your head thumps against the wall gently with the pressure as he uses it to keep your eyes on him. “They’re wondering if your new groom satisfies you enough, princess. If he’s kissing you like you deserve to be, touching you in all the right places,” his free hand clamps onto your waist, thumb dipping beneath the hem of your shirt to feel your skin, “if he’s able to hit that right spot inside of you over, and over, and over.”

Your breath hitches when his hand slides higher beneath the t-shirt you’d stupidly changed into before coming to the house. His fingers are hot against your skin as they’re splayed along your ribcage.

“I can do all of that for you if you’ll let me, princess,” Taehyung growls without meaning to. He’d only meant to distract you enough to take your phone. However, he’d somehow managed to arouse both himself and you with the way you clench your thighs together. Still, even knowing how turned on you are, he doesn’t press any closer than he already is. His hand doesn’t move any further up your torso though his thumb still rubs smooth circles on your skin. “I can make you feel so good, you’d forget your own name.”

You inhale sharply. You know he can and that he’d be the best you ever had. But giving in now, on your very first hour inside the new house, would be grounds for Taehyung to think you’re actually on board with this whole thing. So you do what you do best, argue. “You really think so highly of yourself, huh, Kim? I’m pretty sure I’ve had better.”

“Don’t push buttons when you don’t understand the consequences,” he whispers darkly, “or throw out empty challenges like that. I might be inclined to take them if you keep it up.”

You open your mouth to fight back, but a yelp comes out instead when his hand rips itself from underneath your shirt and is swiping the phone from your back pocket quickly. You aren’t prepared for him to reel back soon after, nearly losing your balance without him there to hold you up. “Taehyung, what the hell?!”

Taehyung smirks in victory, the phone and laptop in his hands, before he turns around and saunters to the door. “Disappointed, baby? All you have to do is ask and I’ll fuck you any way you want.”

Jungkook and Jimin are standing just outside, backs pressed to the opposite wall, and they both jump when the sound of glass shattering against wood follows Taehyung closing the door behind him. Jungkook wants to check on you, but the satisfied look on Taehyung’s face lets him know that you meant to break whatever had hit the door. “Uh, boss?”

Taehyung hands the laptop and phone to Jimin, who was looking at him with raised brows. “Give these to Yoongi, tell him to go through them, delete anything that can be used to track either device, and have him install the tracking app he created in her phone. I want us, and only us, to be able to access the app. If, for whatever reason, Yoongi feels like someone outside of the seven of us should be able to tap into it, I want to know who and why first. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.” Jimin disappears with the phone and computer, leaving behind a chuckle that has Jungkook rolling his eyes.

“Oh, and Kook,” Taehyung claps Jungkook on the shoulder with a mischievous grin, “buy Y/N a new perfume bottle. She seems to have broken her last one.”

[holdmecloser-gandydancer]

@taznovembercelebration day 3: warmth, wander

Taako thought that wandering aimlessly around the city would be a great way to get acquainted with his new surroundings. He figured just picking a direction and going would let him find some kitschy little shops that locals frequented and little hole-in-the-wall restaurants that would make him feel like the main character from those terrible, self-important movies Lup loved so much. After all, this was his first time flying solo in a new place. Romanticizing his life was something he was told he should do to feel more comfortable. It was a great idea.

The execution could have been better, though. Taako had forgotten to charge his headphones before leaving the apartment so they died ten minutes into his walk. Didn’t really love the soundtrack of cars honking and whizzing past his walk was now forcefully set to.

And Taako had evidently not done enough research on the weather of the new city because nobody told him that the late fall wind would cut through his peacoat like a million little knives. Or that the cold would make him feel like his ears would snap off if the wind shifted. Nobody told him that all the kitschy little shops are clear on the other side of town, walking distance only for the most determined. Nobody told him that all the little hole-in-the-wall restaurants would have weird hours, almost ensuring he’d never get to step foot in them.

But mostly, nobody told him just how lonely this whole thing would be. He’d been in town for only about a month but he still felt like he was at summer camp. Nothing felt real. He didn’t feel motivated to go meet people but he also felt terrible just sitting at home. He felt stuck. Aimless.

The cold broke his introspection like a baseball bat to a windshield. Just when he thought his lips were about to turn blue, he decided to duck into a coffeeshop. It was a chain, much to his chagrin, but a chain he didn’t have back at home. Back where I grew up, he corrected. Like it or not, this was home now.

He flexed his hands, hoping to coax some sensation back into the useless icicles at the end of his arms. After a moment’s contemplation of the menu, he made his way to the counter.

There he was struck by perhaps the most beautiful man he’d ever laid eyes on. Dark, smooth skin, high cheekbones, rich, friendly eyes. Taako didn’t believe in love at first sight, but he did feel a little like rejecting that belief just to get a single chance with this guy.

This guy who no doubt was confused as to why Taako was staring at him, dumbstruck.

“Um. Hi. Could I get –“

The guy, Kravitz, Taako deduced after a quick glance at his nametag, grinned and held a hand up. “Wait don’t tell me, I like guessing, especially when we’re slow.”

Taako glanced around the shop; it did seem a little bit like a ghost town. Maybe a ghost cul-de-sac, he mused. He let a smile creep onto his face. “Alright, what coffee vibe am I giving you?”

Kravitz contemplated for a minute. “Honestly, I think coffee isn’t what you’re looking for.”

Taako blinked, a bit taken aback. Kravitz was right, Taako didn’t even like coffee that much. “Okay, then what am I looking for?”

“Something warm, for sure.”

“Is that really that tough a leap? It’s like thirty-five degrees out there.”

“You’d be surprised at how many people have come in here for iced drinks today!”

“Fair enough. Keep going.”

Kravitz squinted for a minute, his eyes roving over Taako. He felt almost self-conscious at this sustained attention from a cute barista. Almost.

“I think you’re looking for something that tastes like home. Something cozy.” Kravitz said, starting to get to work on making a beverage. “I’m thinking a lavender chai latte with whole milk.”

Taako raised his eyebrows. “Gotta say, that sounds pretty good. How do you know I’m looking for something homey?”

Kravitz shrugged, wincing a bit as the milk screams under the attention of the steaming wand. “You don’t look like you’re from around here. You look a lot nicer.”

“You think I look nice?”

Kravitz nodded and smiled. “Yeah.” His motions to make the latte were so fluid and Taako knew he must have done this somewhere just south of a million times.

“So is being psychic a pre-requisite for the job or did they train you?”

“Just a handy bonus.”

Taako watched as Kravitz expertly poured a little heart into the mug.

“I’m Taako, by the way.”

Kravitz slid the mug across the counter. “I’m Kravitz, but I figured you knew that.”

“What do I owe you?” Taako asked, reaching into his pocket. Kravitz shook his head.

“Nope, consider it a welcome gift.”

Taako shook his head in return. “I don’t need a pity chai latte!”

Kravitz chewed his lip for a moment before smiling easily. “How about if you like it then you let me show you around the city sometime?”

“I’d like that. You’ve got a lot riding on this drink, Kravitz.” Taako picked up his drink and took a large sip. He grinned across the mug at Kravitz. “How about tonight?”

Kravitz picked up a paper sleeve for the disposable cups and scrawled something on it before sliding it to Taako. “Give me a text and we’ll set something up.”

Taako drained the rest of his latte and gave Kravitz a little wave before starting to make his way back home, suddenly feeling much more at home in this unfamiliar city.