#their conversation would be very... interesting

[neosaidwhoa]

This reminds me of how the founders era sub fandom is the Naruto equivalent of the marauders sub fandom LMAOOO i love the collective creative power of fanon.

I really don’t think fanon is bad and I really don’t think death of the fandom is necessary though? And this is coming from someone who gets personally annoyed by some mainstream fandom mischaracterizations sometimes. Fandom and fanon is usually just a reflection of the kind of people who are in it. But I agree with your recommendation to not limit yourself to popular fanon trends.

I disagree with the statement that “the most authentic enjoyment of media comes from liking it for what it is and not what it *could* be”. I actually think imagining things beyond canon for “what it could be” is inherently an extremely authentic way to enjoy media. Transformative fan work that adds to or strays from canon is very important and meaningful for a lot of different reasons.

Also, I think context matters a lot for this conversation, maybe if I knew where you were coming from with these frustrations I would agree haha. I think for me, current mainstream Naruto fanon is very warped from the source material but I know that and enjoy some of it anyways, and I really enjoy the parts of fandom that think and write critically about both the source material and the fanon. Most of the people I choose to interact with also seem to enjoy both?

Ah, maybe my disagreement just comes from what I was thinking the definition of fanon is. I was thinking of fanon to mean “non-canon elements that are popularly accepted and used by fandom”, so it’s a given that fanon is not actually what happened. I realized maybe you were thinking of fanon to mean “non-canon elements that fandom popularly believes/insists is canon”? I would agree that I’d advise against trying to assert that fanon is canon. I’d recommend people not take fanon as truth and to study the source material itself if you’re interested in knowing what’s canon. I think this is what you were saying in your post, so I’m guessing you meant the second definition and I misunderstood you.

Anyways, all this makes me think of the Achilles and Patroclus top/bottom discourse that’s been spanning millennia (more specially discourse about their place in the erastes/eromenos dynamic) lol. The idea that they had sex or had this dynamic at all is fanon since it’s never said outright in the canon text they were referencing. But I’m glad all that fanon existed and exists and so much of the fandom activity around that particular element of fanon has been preserved for us to read about today.

death of the author yeah whatever but death of the fandom is so integral to enjoying legitimately anything like that is just a necessary step to take in ur head always. do not let them affect the text in any way exterminate them all with ur death ray. they r not real and cannot hurt u

[kdh-tally]

i have such bad brainworms over zoey and mystery and i’m living in rarepair HELL because there’s barely any content about them ( ; ω ; )

anyways can you write any headcanons you have about them specifically? i saw this tweet earlier this morning that said that if the saja boys came back to life (somehow), that mystery would shyly ask the other boys if zoey meant it when she said he was her type and the BRAINWORMS ARE WORMING ( : ౦ ‸ ౦ : )

Prompt : Zoeystery Headcannons <3

Authors Note :  I don’t think Mystery is shy, just quiet. Bro was barking at a random fan… he must be a bit crazy. I do adore this ship however and have so many ideas for them but I have so many ideas for everyone else too 😭 Hope you enjoyed :D

Context 

I do think that once the Saja Boys reunite with Jinu they have like a 24 hour long conversation about how life will work for them in the human world (since they can’t go back)

Confessions will be made

Romance and Abby admitting that maybe their flirting with Mira isn’t just flirting and they actually kinda like her.

Jinu confessing that he is very much in love with Rumi

The boys all look at him with straight faces.

“We’ve known”

Baby is just there, drinking some hot sauce drink made specifically for him after everyone saw the hot sauce challenge. He isn’t interested in anyone.

Everyone turns to mystery, the only guy that hasn’t spoken yet.

First he tries to play it off “I’m not into any of them like that…”

The boys continuously hound him. He can no longer maintain his mysterious image any longer. 

“Okay fine,” he runs a hand through his hair. 

I feel like he’d keep his hair up in a ponytail or bun or something when around the boys. 

This headcannon is kinda specific but because he was the only demon with like “tusks”, I feel like after becoming human he would still feel uncomfortable with his face hence the hairstyle.

Leading to his confusion about Zoey cause he might feel as though she doesn’t deserve someone like him.

“I’m not saying I like her or anything but… do you guys think Zoey meant what she said?”

No one’s sure what he’s talking about because they weren’t there. Except Baby. 

This guy is laid back with a grin as he 100% knows what is bothering Mystery.

“About you being her type?~” he teases

Uproar

Mystery is trying to sink into the couch to avoid all the teasing thats being thrown his way but he notices there’s an unanimous agreement that Zoey must have been honest.

Zoey isn’t any better off.

Even though the girls have more or less accepted the Saja boys into the human world, they’ll still probably be a bit on guard at all times.

“Zoey he’s the enemyyyyy” Mira would groan, interrupting one of the black-haired girls' many rambles about the Saja Boy.

“But Rumi is half-demon and she isn’t the enemy” she’d argue in defiance.

“This isn’t about being a demon anymore,” Zoey would have Mira pulling her hair out, “He’s the competition!”

“But Rumi gets to be with Jinu and no one says anything!!!” 

Rumi is in immediate denial but no one is listening

All 3 girls know that Zoey will continue to pursue this crush anyways

General 

Now, Mystery is probably the most quiet Saja Boy. He doesn't talk much, but every time he does, Zoey repeats whatever it is he said in her head for hours.

Zoey would totally fluster him (and herself) by mistake

Remember the scene where they had a joint fan meet and she was immediately all giggly when he sat by her?

This would set off something in his heart yk. 

Zoey also needs to like physically remind herself to stop fangirling around him 💀

Mystery’s the “cool one” of the group but if there was ever a moment where Zoey let her hair out of her cute space buns?

He’s a goner

Even watching her rap messes with his heart strings

How can someone so cute be so attractive?

There are fan edits of them glancing at each other at the same time that go viral constantly.

A specific one is this fanart I saw on tiktok of them doing the “Bark Like You Want It” trend (will link it and add a photo in the end)

Someone also made a compilation of them looking away awkwardly after accidentally touching each other.

Zoey once wore earrings that were clearly his during a livestream.

No explanation was given.

The fandom exploded.

Mystery avoided the internet like a plague. He didn’t even know how she got them.

The line he had in “I’m Your Idol”?

“I will love you more when it all burns down”

Notice how Zoey goes from looking like a hypnotized zombie into a smiling hypnotized zombie???

He would write lyrics about her but disguise them as some metaphorical demon lore. 

Zoey reads between the lines way too easily (she writes lyrics for a living) and now whenever he performs it, she won’t make proper eye contact.

She eventually admits this to him and he’s just like “Yea I figured”. Zoey clocks that this was one of his chosen methods of flirting.

They talk best when no one's watching. 

Mystery doesn’t feel like anyone will be there to tease him and Zoey won’t feel any guilt for talking so much

I JUST REALIZED THEY’RE LITERALLY THE YAPPER X LISTENER DUO!

"Do you ever miss being a demon? Not having a soul?"

“Not having a soul meant I wasn’t able to feel all the joy you bring me" my guy is a flustered mess.

Zoey would leave sticky notes on the boys' dorm fridge. 

All of them are jokes or warnings. The warnings are specifically for Baby though. 

"don’t eat my snacks unless you want your hand broken, Baby :D"

The ones she leaves for mystery are always sweet though.

"You looked nice on stage today ;P"

"Wear your hair up more! ><"

He keeps them folded in his wallet.

Zoeystery and Baby

Speaking of Baby

Zoey and Baby are most definitely a messy duo that both fans love to see together.

With Baby being their number one (in secret) supporter, Mystery would almost always find himself tagging along on their adventures.

Making pancakes at 3 in the morning? Mystery is helping them with the batter.

Having a rap battle? Mystery is tallying up the points.

Finding a way to prank Jinu? Mystery is making sure they escape without getting caught

He really only follows Baby cause he knows it means he’ll be spending time with Zoey.

Overall they're just two cuties.

[dissociativewriter]

Unnatural Affinity- Part 12

Isekai!Reader x Love and Deepspace

wc: 2.6k

cw: angst, very vague allusions to self harm, semi-crash out from em i guess (?), hurt/comfort technically, yearning tbh, reader is referred to with she/her pronouns (i try to avoid that but sorry), im getting really casual with these content warnings, mostly bc i think no one reads what i actually write up here

Synopsis: While you talk with Rafayel, Sylus gets a visit from someone he thought had disappeared. (i’m bad at synopses)

author’s note: this took me a little longer to put out so im sorry >_< im really looking forward to writing zayne next though! then caleb and then its reader and em again and its gonna get crazy and then im gonna put up a poll so y’all can decide how i end it! i hope y’all are excited lol im getting closer to the end and its making me kinda sad cause i love this series but i have multiple ideas for different series so i might have multiple ongoing after this <3

taglist: @animegamerfox @ixloom819 @magennta09 @an-ever-angry-bi @corvid007 @vigtore @ph1lo-s0ph1a @ameili @babyx91 @sadsaidthesadthing @bidisasterforevermore @liz9898 @iconoclastoc @elegantdeerlady @lifumi @auraficial @plzdonutpercieveme @dolledbunnytail @junebuggz @mangooes @anatherone @skulzooka @yuhuahuaaa @nm4565natty @feikyuu @lunia-likes-pomegranet @xfangirl-trashx @glitterykingdomangel @eialovescats @mimiu3usoft @alyssac9 @000rpheus @novaisbebita @coffeedragonhobbyist @udejoenrlddo @lanxianschoenheit @paper--angel @xyzbeloved @rafayelridesfisheatsfish @myheartfollower @nightmarewasteland @feralwolfkat @junni-berry @chiikasevennn @lethalasylum @loudpiratepirate @sweetnightowl @rafaissance @white-wolves-and-golden-sunrises @iunse @asilaydead

Series Masterlist

Onychinus’s base was quiet. Its occupants were comfortably off fulfilling their own tasks, no last-minute crises disrupting them. An unexpected peace settled, though an air of anticipation filled the space.

Sylus had been eyeing the door since you left this morning. Just like he had when you left yesterday.

He knew he shouldn’t worry. He knew you could handle yourself.

He also knew he was going to worry anyway.

You came to him after your talk with Xavier last night, a serious, somber expression painted on. You were quiet at first, sorting through the conversation. He let you. You’d filled Sylus in then, just enough to keep him updated, to know everything was fine. He respected your privacy, the distance you kept with such a sensitive subject, though he wished you’d confide in him.

Allow him to give you shelter from the storm in your eyes.

You’d stopped him, before you left for bed. Told him not to worry. It was sweet of him, you’d said, but unnecessary. That he didn’t need to give Luke and Kieran a task as boring as watching you talk to Xavier, that you knew he wouldn’t hurt you.

Sylus didn’t tell you that he knew that, too. He didn’t tell you that he wanted Luke and Kieran to watch you with Xavier to see if you were interested in him, interested in a way Sylus couldn’t compete with.

Instead, Sylus told you he’d let you be. Not before making you promise to tell him if something goes wrong, though. He’s only a phone call away, after all.

Even a panicked look to Mephisto would do.

You nodded, assuring him that he would be the first person you’d call if things went haywire.

He wasn’t quite sure if he believed you, but he relented nonetheless.

So, when you left the base early this morning, just as Sylus’s business day was ending, he’d told Luke and Kieran to simply drop you off where you asked, no need to watch you.

Of course, now his eyes hadn’t wandered from the front door.

Even as the dark circles under his eyes sunk deeper and his shoulders drooped, Sylus stayed. Waiting patiently.

He wasn’t sure when you’d be back. He just wanted to see you as soon as you were. Make sure you were okay under the guise of a smug smile and a teasing remark.

It wasn’t worth risking the raw vulnerability embedded in his worry if you had another man in your heart, after all.

The soft click of the back door pulled Sylus’s head up, listening carefully to the barely audible footsteps padding through the hallway behind him. Two sets, he noted. Luke and Kieran.

The tension in his shoulders relaxed again as he turned to see the two boys unceremoniously drop onto the couch.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep, Boss?” Kieran asked.

“I’m alright,” Sylus answered shortly.

“You sure, Boss-man?” Luke pushed. “Looks like the bags under your eyes could carry the weight of the world.”

Sylus stared at the twins. “Don’t you two have something better to do than worry about my sleeping habits?”

“Oh, that’s right!” Luke starts, sitting up. “I almost forgot why we came here.”

Kieran sighed. “We’re here to give you a report on the tracking.”

Sylus nodded. “Continue.”

“Looks like Em and Caleb have been staying at his apartment in Skyhaven since Little Boss came here. Haven’t been outside much,” Kieran explained.

“Yeah, they’ve just been holed up in there together. From what we could tell, things looked pretty tense,” Luke said. “But it was pretty much the same thing for a week. Except today. Em left early, about 7:30. Caleb left at 8:00. Went to the Fleet, a new mission or something. We couldn’t track him very far, too high of surveillance on the Colonel.”

“We could track Em after she left, though,” Kieran continued. “She boarded the Coelum Express at 8:00, arriving back in Linkon at 10:00. She first went to her apartment, where she checked every room before leaving. Then she went to the Hunter’s Association.”

“She went to her desk immediately, and she was stopped by Tara and Simone. They talked for about five minutes before Jenna called Em over,” Luke listed off. “Em reported on her most recent mission and then said she had to go. Then she went to Research, talking to Nero very briefly where he gave her very vague answers. Em then sought out Xavier, who seemed more worried about how panicked she looked then answering the questions she asked him.”

Sylus nodded. “Seems like everything’s following the plan,” he muttered. “Where is Em now?”

Kieran shifted on his feet. “That’s the thing, Boss,” he confessed. “We lost her.”

Linkon was incredibly lively.

Bustling streets filled with locals and tourists alike. The chatter rose, echoing through the city so that even the quietest corners were filled with the hum of connection.

It was overwhelming, to say the least.

You navigated the busy streets, wondering just how anyone could manage to live here permanently.

Wondering how the you from before you landed in Love and Deepspace did it.

You’d almost forgotten it, how this life wasn’t really your own. You were filling in the slot of a life already lived, already planned, that you had no recollection of.

Was that person from before really you? Or did you steal the life of another, taking what they deserved?

Feeling your chest tighten, you tried to focus on your breathing instead.

In through the nose, out through the mouth.

It wasn’t like the feeling was new. On the contrary, you often felt like your life wasn’t really your own. Like it wasn’t real, you weren’t real. That all that you’d experienced before was just a precursor to what life really was, what it was supposed to be. Almost convincing yourself that the life you had couldn’t be real, because wasn’t life supposed to be more than that?

Maybe you were still that kid reading Narnia, waiting for a world at the end of the Wardrobe to find her.

You were almost getting better, you thought as you sat down at a cafe. Your hands itched at your thighs, the lengths you’d gone to feel real again a constant reminder.

But then you got dropped into Love and Deepspace. A world that, as far as you were concerned, was just a game come to life.

This wasn’t real, you told yourself. Which is why the fulfillment this life brought hurt all the more.

You thought of what Xavier had said when you told him. How he wasn’t really surprised.

That had caught you off guard at first, but it all clicked when you thought about it later.

Xavier hadn’t been your favorite Love Interest, but there was always something there you connected to. Something quiet, lurking there but not making a show out of itself.

Xavier was never really present, it felt. He was quiet, reserved, always lost in his mind or his dreams.

Always thinking of something else, always something taking his focus, never truly being in the moment.

It made sense he would almost expect a twisted reality, after all he’s seen.

But then you thought of what he’d said after.

It’s real to me. That’s enough.

You hadn’t understood at the time, hadn’t gotten how he could so easily live with that doubt.

How could you live with the possibility that this life might not completely be your own?

But maybe that’s what you were missing. That doubt is just a part of life. No one’s ever really sure, you thought, and that’s okay.

Our reality is what we make it.

It seems this is your reality now. If this is what you have, it’s time to make the best of it.

Sylus was now settled in his office, eyelids still feeling heavy as he watched the security screens. He watched as you made your way to Mo Art Studio, Mephisto patiently watching you from a distance. He wouldn’t know what you were talking about, but he could see if anyone laid a hand on you, and that was enough for him.

Luke and Kieran had run off to who knows where, to sleep or to prank Sylus didn’t know. It was negligible to him, what they did. They had limits, he knew, and he could clean up any messes they made.

It had been a while since their last prank, though, so Sylus kept an eye on the door behind him. He wouldn’t put it past them to do something now, especially since he’s so tired and out of his element.

Sylus didn’t flinch when the door slammed open. Didn’t flinch when his chair was aggressively pulled back from the desk.

What gave him pause was, instead, the click of heels against the floor.

The feeds were immediately cut, any glimpse of what they had shown gone as soon as the door opened.

A security measure Sylus was now thankful he’d implemented.

“Where is she?” Em hissed.

Sylus rose from his chair leisurely, letting out a deep breath. “I don’t know who you’re referring to.”

“You know damn well who I mean!” she exclaimed. “I saw Mephisto outside that morning. I shooed him away, but when I came back she was gone.”

“What a shame.” Sylus smirked. “If you’d let him be, he might have seen who took her.”

“I know it was you, Sylus, just admit it! I saw your stupid bird outside, and that same day she was gone!”

“And obviously, that means I took her.” Sylus raised an eyebrow.

“Well, who else would have?” she asked.

“Enlighten me,” Sylus sighed. “What reason would I have to take your little friend?”

“I don’t know,” Em groaned. “All I know is she’s gone. I—” Her breath caught, eyes watering ever so slightly. “I lost her,” she whispered. “And now I can’t find her.”

Sylus inhaled sharply, staying quiet for a few beats. “You lost her,” he began softly. “Have you ever considering she doesn’t want to be found?”

Mo Art Studio was bright, elegant, a seaside paradise. The soft crash of waves could be heard throughout the grounds, a view of the changing tides almost always visible. You checked your phone again, seeing Rafayel’s latest confirmation that it was okay for you to stop by. The gates in front of the studio were intricate and, most noticeably, open.

You hesitantly made your way through the grounds, stopping just before the front door. With a deep breath, you pushed it open, immediately met with the smell of paint, canvas, and seafood. Rafayel was easily spotted in the open floor plan, situated in an awkward position in front of a canvas.

“Great timing, cutie,” he said as he cast his paintbrush aside. “If I stayed in that position any longer, I’d probably be stuck like that.”

You chuckled as he stretched, white shirt opening slightly. You remained silent as he walked towards you, leaving down slightly to match your height.

“Now, cutie, why did you need to see me so urgently?” he asked.

“I’ve got something important to tell you,” you said, wringing your hands.

Rafayel straightened up. “Do you want to go walk on the beach for this?” He pointed back towards the opened French doors behind him.

Nodding, you took his hand as he led you out onto the sand.

You both discarded your shoes once you got off the boardwalk through the dunes, allowing the sand to shift under your bare feet. The incoming waves nipped at your heels as you took a deep breath.

“Do you remember the first time we met, that painting we were looking at?”

“Of course,” he nodded, “I loved that piece. So did you. But, it didn’t sell.”

“And you remember what you said about when you painted it? How that afternoon was really weird, like the universe was trying to fit in something new?”

Rafayel nodded again, the crease between his brows growing deeper.

“That afternoon was weird for me, too.” You exhaled. “See, I’m not from here, not like you are. I’m from a— a different world. I think that was what was weird about that day. It was me coming into this world.”

Rafayel stared at you. A few beats of silence passed. “So… so what? You’re saying there’s other worlds? Other dimensions? How did you even get here?” he sputtered. A deep sigh. “I knew something weird happened, I just didn’t think…”

“I don’t know how it happened. All I know is, I was there one moment, and the next, I was in Linkon,” you explained.

“Is it that Deepspace tunnel?” he muttered.

“There’s another thing,” you said sheepishly. “In my world, there’s this game, Love and Deepspace.” You tried to explain it slowly, carefully. You explained the events of the Main Story, everything that had happened that even he didn’t know all about. You left out the memories, the romantic moments stolen away that hadn’t happened yet.

You told him about the past lives, though, all that you knew. You watched as a myriad of emotions passed through his eyes, the ghosts of past loves haunting him.

“You know what’s going to happen, then? How it’s going to end?” he asked quietly.

“Not really,” you admitted. “I just know a lot about what has happened, even the things other people haven’t noticed.”

With barely a nod, Rafayel turned to the incoming ocean. Treading the water, his pants were soaked, up through the calf with salt staining the silken black.

“She had my heart,” he whispered, keeping his back to you. “I guess I never had hers, though.”

You took a step forward, the waves lapping at your legs. Pearls dropped, one by one, to the ocean, their tiny splashes becoming lost in the moving tides.

“Rafayel…” you began.

He turned to you, eyes bright and swirling like the eye of a hurricane. “She was never really going to be mine, was she? Not wholly, not completely.” He let out a dull, empty laugh. “Not in this life, not in the last, not in the next. I guess I was never really meant to have a love like that. All I get is something not meant to last, but something that can’t seem to let me breathe without aching.”

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, voice cracking.

“Do you know… what happens to me? The bond, it’s still—”

You shook your head. “I’m sorry, I really don’t know.”

“Then… did she ever really love me?” His hands trembled at his sides, the hurricane in his eyes nearly spilling out.

You rushed forward, taking your hand in his. “Of course she did,” you murmured. “She’s always loved you. I think she always will.” You laughed lightly. “I don’t know if it’s ‘meant to be’ like you say, but I think anyone would be foolish not to love you.”

Rafayel chuckled, looking back to the sun’s rays across the ocean before his gaze met yours again, leaning down once more so he was eye-level with you.

“Well, well, cutie. Does this mean you love me, too?” He grinned.

You glanced away, feeling your cheeks warm up. He moved next to you, pulling you against him with an arm around your shoulder.

Pressing a kiss to your hair, he whispered, “Thank you, cutie. That’s more than I need. She was never meant to willingly give me her heart. Maybe its time I find a new muse.”

comments and reblogs appreciated and asks open! <3

masterlist

[xylatox]

reasons to (hate) love you || lhs

Saw this come up in my feed and I just knew I had to read it. I love that the genre is academic rivals to loves with class dynamics in the mix; which fits the entire theme of them being law students as that is often present in that environment as well! Anyways unto my thoughts :) 

What I immediately love about the beginning is the way Hee talks about the system and the fact that is flawed and then pivots to the hypocrisy of it all and just tying it to the mc’s behaviour—it just shows how much he actually thinks about her because despite him not really caring about her presence, hes very attentive of her and plays it off with just her drawing attention.

I think too because the class dynamic is obvious its easier for Hee to lean in a bit more to thinking she is hypocritic because not only is it easy considering shes from an upper middle class but also because of the way she seems to carry about her self (i assume with confidence and a “i dont care” kind of attitude) would in fact make sense to irritate Hee and make him dislike her to the extent that he does.

He couldn't put it into words, but you triggered specific emotions in his brain — and the main one was agitation.

I love that he’s just agitated at her existence honestly. Also love that immediately from MC’s perspective, you can tell what her family dynamic is like just from her college options alone. Not only does it highlight an issue in a lot of cultures where this kind of behaviour is present (even if the family isnt necessarily well off) but given her family history it also shows the root of why some parents give their children limited choices in their career paths; their own battles with poverty and its their way of protecting their child from going through the same hardships even if it involves dismissing your clear talents or interests.

The way your hand handed your phone while you looked away irritated Heeseung deeply “Do you always have to be this petty?”

“What?” You asked confused as he finished putting his number into your phone “Can’t you interact for 5 minutes without being petty? Is it that hard?”

Im laughing it this because im just as confused like, where is she petty? She’s disinterested sure, but if she was truly petty i think she wouldnt have even talked to him in the first place.

“And isn’t your topic simple?” he approached you and looked into your eyes “You just want to do what’s convenient for you, as always.”

Honestly, I’d love to know whats exactly so convenient about this for her, i genuinely do not see it. Maybe its because I agree with her sentiments in just doing a more complicated/non-basic topic for the sake of it, so perhaps I am a bit biased but I dont get Hee’s point of view pertaining to it (love him still tho).

Loving the way Jay and Jake tease Hee about his interactions with MC from the way he seems more worried about her during exam season to the fact that she’s attractive and he admits it before brushing it off with ease that shes annoying is king of cute. I love that its just her social status is what irritates him the most which makes sense why all the arguments he starts with her feel baseless (at least imo)

I think its cute that mc is super accommodating to Hee seeing his clear exhaustion but hes so snappy about it.

“I’m sorry.” Heeseung opened his eyes slightly and looked at you in a way that you swore you almost saw some kind of affection “Don’t go, please.”

I just think from here and their conversation after is so cute because despite the clear animosity between them mc still cares for him and his wellbeing and gets him orange juice and everything :((( and the way he genuinely smiles at her?? Im so fucking soft man

I love mc making Hee’s nickname Lee Heestupid thats oddly cute. But whats even cuter is the way he messaged her to say thanks again and she asks if hes better :( 

“We can talk about criminal accountability and the evolution of post-war human rights within international law.”

This is such a cool topic i cant lie. As a resident law hater, (for no other reason than it has too many words and uses the most complicated words in the english lexicon—native language btw) I am actually so intrigued by the entire law aspect of this fic because its so in depth and I appreciate that despite my distaste for it.

But he never really stopped to look at you. Heeseung’s judgment was always clouded by his anger at what you represented.

Love this because despite seeing her (and admitting to her beauty) this emphasizes that he hasnt looked at her beyond the privileged girl he sees and ugh, something about this line just gets to me.

I love that he notices her clear discomfort in the guy approaching and goes as far as to get him to back off, which is not only respectful but super sweet because despite not liking her, he respects and understands shes a woman and idk, its just a cute scene to me. Super glad for their little bonding moment after, theyre actually so cute when they arent biting each other’s head off.

Girl friendships in fics will always make me happy so Im always appreciative to see Gaeul and the moments she has with the mc, shes such a sweet and darling side character honestly.

You were smiling as you watched something interesting a boy was showing you on his phone. He recognized the boy as Jungwon, the president of one of the clubs you were a part of. 

The way my brain immediately went Aww. Jungwon has the ability to raise the motherly instincts in me and just ahh, this little interaction makes me happy. Also Hee being jealous is so hilarious to me even if he doesnt openly say it; hehe Jay picking up on it makes me giggle

I love that as certain things happen between them we see how their thoughts on each other transform—Hee becoming jealous and mc realizing how attractive his voice sounds. I love this.

“I guess I just wanted to talk to you directly about the subject.” 

A line like this would drive me crazy honestly.

“Because I’m already in bed and I’m shirtless.” You froze, feeling your cheeks heat up at what he said and blamed yourself for imagining him shirtless calling you in the middle of the night.

AHHH?? That feels so flirtatious to me, screaming

At this point they feel more like friends because Hee coming to help her finish her Civil Law presentation is cute honestly, what the fuck

In any case, you had already come to the conclusion that despite your differences, you had finally managed to understand each other — to the point where you began to feel an undeniable and overwhelming attraction to him.

This had me so excited, more changes are about to begin

“Damn, what’s so important that made you distracted like that?” He teased you and you gave him an awkward smile.

'Your lips'

Oh my god, what if I scream??

Im so glad she delves more into her family dynamic, very subtly and I also enjoy Hee’s ability to pivot the topic a bit since he realized the sensitivity of the topic. Aksi Hee becoming more filtarious will be the death of me like

“Are you calling me cute?” Heeseung smirked, bringing his face closer to yours. “I’m talking about the room.” You replied, swallowing hard, opening your laptop.

“Well, that's a pity then.” You felt your cheeks burn and your body fizz at the suggestive tone of his comment.

What if I just combusted

He wanted something to happen and this wasn’t good.

I will pass out i swear (freaking out so bad)

Heeseung kissed you, gently pressing his lips against yours, sending a dose of pleasure through your body. He gave you a long peck and quickly pulled away to make sure that this was really happening.

Giggling because oh my god, its finally happening and its so sweet too jesus, Ill throw up

Not even his deepest thoughts could recreate the exultant feeling he felt when he finally kissed you.

I will pass out for real

BIT JAKE DISTURBING NOOOO😭😭😭😭

“You look beautiful.” He took your hand and gave it a soft kiss on your knuckles while piercing through you with his intense eyes.

Girl istg I cant take this what the ?!?!

He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. “What I mean is that I’m here admitting that I want you.” he spoke directly making your legs weak.

You are single-handedly writing lines to make me crazy

“You should see me when I'm not wearing it, then.” you whispered sensually before biting Heeseung's ear making his breath shaky as he squeezed your thighs tightly “Fuck — stop teasing me, baby.”

Dont know if I wanna be Hee or her in this moment christ.

Man, first jake now her dad; the universe is really going out of its way to stop them. To make it worse, her dad is there?? I feel sick.

And just like lightning strikes a tree and burns it, you realized the obvious truth: you were in love with Lee Heeseung and would accept the consequences that would come with that reality.

Oh my god, this is so fucking sweet what

I lovelovelove that the entire interaction has made him realize fully what she had to deal with and the fact that he apologies?? On my knees oh my god

If someone had told you at the beginning of the semester that you would now be dating Lee Heeseung and walking hand in hand around campus, you would have thought they were crazy and needed to be hospitalized. But here you were, walking with a wide smile and bright eyes, your hand intertwined with Heeseung's soft fingers.

Oh my god I giggled again, im so happy hehe

I love that despite the relationship with her dad still being kind of unclear, you can tell theres improvement with the way hes so neutral with her going to other offices, its progress and Im happy with it. At least she should be able to find herself in the world of law better I think :) 

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for an internship position at our law firm. We look forward to receiving your answer as soon as possible. — Jung & Taylor Legal Advisors

Perhaps your and Heeseung's journey into the legal world was just in the beginning.

Oh my god the end. Im so glad I read this, genuinely soso glad, I loved ever moment of it from the play in the class dynamics, the complexity behind it (i truly appreciate the way mc’s dad got out of poverty making it much more complex), the way the relationship between hee and mc began with hee’s distaste being him viewing her so one note and just like “any other rich girl” and mc irritated with just the attitude she got from him. And just the way their relationship blossomed so sweetly. Ugh, again Im so glad I read this.

Ruby, you have truly enraptured me with your writing and you will definitely hear from me again hehe

Lee Heeseung — REASONS TO (HATE) LOVE YOU

Your makeup is always intact, your hair is perfectly brushed, your clothes are always well-ironed and tidy, and your admirable grades are always on top. Many in the law course envy how you seem so perfect, unlike Lee Heeseung, who thinks everything about you is completely irritating. On the other hand, you can't stand Heeseung's arrogance. The way he always acts so pretentiously gets on your nerves, however, when you are forced to do a project together, you'll discover that this tension between you is much more than just hatred.

PAIRING: — Law Students - Heeseung x Reader (f)

GENRE: Academic rivals to lovers - (lower middle class) heeseung x (upper middle class) reader, fluffy, smut (mdni), a bit of angst - if you squint, super suggestive, slowburn.

WARNINGS: - lots of heavy making out (two in a bedroom and one in a storage room), lots of skinship, dirty talking, mutual pining, heavy sexual tension, yearning Heeseung, foreplay, soft dom Heeseung, teasing, petnames (baby, princess, pretty), skin marking (f receiving), unprotected sex, cursing, a few mentions of difficult family dynamics, miscommunication at the beginning, bickering, jealousy, Heeseung is kinda mean in the beginning but he becomes a loser and a simp (sorry not sorry), mentions of alcohol, cursing, a very brief mention of a man touching reader's shoulder in a non consensual way. + IVE's gaeul is reader's best friend. [reblogs and comments are always welcome]

WC: 28k — masterlist - perm taglist (open)

— Author Note: Guys, I'm back after a few months <3 It's finallyyyy hereee, I know it's big (I don't know how to write little when I get excited lmaooo sorry!!!) but I can guarantee you that it's fun since I wanted the story to give off rom-com vibes!! There are some specific legal concepts, but nothing too complicated to understand (I hope). I know that each country has its own legal system, so I used my country's legal system as a guide. Even though I proofread, it might have some typos. Anyways, I hope you guys like it ♡ If there are any errors pls lmk!!!

Since the beginning of human existence and during the formation of societies, law has been present. The norms and principles that governed ancient social groups were an archaic type of representation of what is known today as law. With the reformulation of how these laws should be formed after numerous social revolutions, law is still evolving, being considered one of the tools that keep human beings under control.

For some, the law itself is something to be feared, for others, something to be admired or somehow foreign. However, when it comes to law school, opinions differ.

For many laypeople, law school is a distant world, something unattainable and bureaucratic, that only forged and trained minds can reach. After all, dealing with the daily problems of human beings, but also understanding their treacherous nature requires a lot of vocation.

For Lee Heeseung, law is fascinating.

He finds it amazing the possibility to reach deep into society and cause a stir with some well-founded arguments. For Heeseung, there was a kind of freedom in knowing how the legal system in his country worked that fascinated him intrinsically. Heeseung has always been curious, especially because he wanted to understand why so many injustices could not be easily resolved. What was stopping a country from truly delivering justice?

But despite being an idealist, Heeseung learned that people can be hypocritical, cold, fake and especially selfish when it comes to something that is about their own interests. And perhaps that is the main reason why the system is so flawed.

Personally, Heeseung can't stand hypocrisy and in his opinion, everything about you screamed 'hypocrisy'. From the way you dressed and carried yourself to the way you spoke – everything irritated him. Initially, he didn't have this curious aversion towards you. He didn't really care about your presence, despite noticing that you drew attention wherever you went.

The hypnotized looks around you and the sneaky approaches trying to create some kind of bond with you demonstrated a clear situation: you were from an important family, or your beauty was a factor that contributed to that. This type of approach was expected within the law school, which was full of people who only cared about other people's backgrounds.

However, Heeseung only confirmed his suspicions when your surname began to be whispered in the hallways. Y/N Park, the famous daughter of a renowned attorney with a giant office in the city center.

Heeseung laughed at the irony: Of course, you are just another privileged rich girl who is only in college as a rite of passage with a ready and perfect pass to a job already premeditated by your father.

There were many people like this in law school, but for some unknown reason you affected Heeseung differently. The way you presented yourself perfectly, without any flaws, almost theatrically bothered him.

But even though he knew you were the type of girl he wouldn't want to get close to, his disdain began to increase after a specific episode. It all started when you were in Criminology class and there was a free debate going on about the ‘Historical Development of Criminology' and what impact it had on law in the modern world.

You were explaining about the evolution of the concept of crime, and how Cesare Beccaria had contributed to the Classical School of Criminology, in which the concept of crime is based on what is in the law with a focus on restoring social order and the criminal justice system, given that the free and conscious choice of a delinquent to commit a crime affected not only the victim, but the entire society.

According to your train of thought, there are social factors that influence people to commit petty crimes and that would eventually be appreciated in other modern schools. But even with your impeccable contribution, Heeseung couldn't take you seriously when he saw you using an overpriced bag while criticizing the dry theory of the classical school.

Heeseung was no fool, he knew that life wasn't fair and there would be people in better financial situations than him. In fact, he had fought hard to get into a good university and study law, so he had a pride about his academic achievements, but there was something about you that drove him crazy. He couldn't put it into words, but you triggered specific emotions in his brain — and the main one was agitation.

So, for every argument you brought up, he inevitably countered with something new. What was supposed to be just a friendly debate between classmates turned into a heated argument between you and him.

“I agree, however, if you allow me to make a brief criticism, we know that even with social issues involved, the key point of free will and the delinquent’s conscious choice to commit a crime – an argument that came from the classical school – is taken into consideration today as well.” Heeseung countered, making you sigh for having cut off your train of thought.

“Of course, but it doesn’t change the fact that social issues have a great weight in this matter.” You leaned over the table and he chuckled “Yes, I agree that they do have an influence, but you must admit that even with all the influence in the world, we know that it's not that simple to understand the conscience of an individual who commits crimes.”

Even though he didn't say much, Heeseung saw how irritated you were: you seemed out of breath, your eyebrows were furrowed, and your gaze was fixed on him. And it was at that exact moment — when your eyes locked for a few seconds and he smirked — that he knew that irritating you would be his new entertainment.

For the first time in his life, he had seen you make an expression other than your serious one or the one with that meticulously adjusted smile you gave when you wanted to appear overly polite. Seeing how he pressed the specific buttons to irritate you was the new entertainment that was missing in Heeseung's college life, and it made him more elated than it should have been.

And this brief rivalry that was born unexpectedly in a debate, continued to extend to test scores, projects and final evaluations in the following semesters. Heeseung couldn't deny that you were very intelligent because he had lost 1st place in many situations, but that didn't discourage him and instead motivated him even more, because each perfect 100 that he achieved and threw in your face was absolutely satisfying.

So Heeseung's college life became hectic, as he was the famous student brave enough to face the "queen" of the course.

The one and only— Lee Heeseung —the reason for your extra study sessions, as you swore you would never let yourself lose to Heeseung in any aspect of academic life.

After all, nothing was better than the feeling of beating Heeseung at the very game he created.

☆

Your reflection in the bedroom mirror seemed to show that everything was in perfect order. Your hair was neat, your clothes were well-ironed, and the hydrated glow of your skin was even more noticeable that late afternoon. But in reality, you were distracted, reflecting on your past.

When you were in high school, your father gave you two options for college:

1) Med school or 2) Law school. That's it.

Unfortunately, you had no choice or desire of your own regarding your future, because according to your father, all that mattered was studying something with a “financial return”. In a way, you understood your father's vision, because he was a man who had suffered from poverty and hunger in the past, and became who he is with a lot of pain and sacrifice. However, the pressure and responsibility that came with being his daughter were very heavy.

A man who had been brutalized by the hard life he had led could not think of other realities in life. Your father didn’t believe in “talents” or “gifts” that couldn’t pay the bills. It didn't matter how good you were at some sport or art-related hobby. If it didn’t bring money home it shouldn’t be pursued – or worse, desired and dreamed of.

When he wanted to talk to you about something specific, he would always call you to his personal office. The same office that you found terrifying because it was so impersonal. The dark gray walls, the low lighting, and the plain furniture, without any memorabilia, photos, or any kind of decoration that would indicate any personality trait — everything gave off a cold, indifferent, distant air.

Since work had consumed his life, you knew you had to take advantage of these minutes of interaction with your father. He would often sit there, typing and reading cases on the computer, with his attention 100% focused on the screen that must have contained sensitive information (that was what your curious mind used to believe).

“You understand, right sweetie? I only want the best for you.” Your father would often take your hand and squeeze it gently as wrinkles crept into the corners of his eyes with the small smile he gave you “Yes, father. I understand.” You would respond like a perfect little doll who obeyed without questioning his ideas.

But even though you’d done everything your father had told you to do up until now, you knew that this wasn't the path you wanted to follow forever.

You wanted options. Options for what to do with your future that didn’t involve working in your father’s office. This expectation that everyone around you has that you will become the next face of your father's office is like a weight that you have to carry, but you’ve already decided that your path will be different.

But no one besides your best friend knows about it.

Luckily, you had always liked law, so you had delved deeper into the careers you could pursue over time. The prosecutor's office seemed interesting, after all, criminal law is a passion of yours. Unlike your father, who liked corporate and civil law, which is why he had all kinds of demands in his office.

However, you could try to become an attorney at another firm and gain experience in another area of law. There were certainly many options for you to explore, and fortunately there was still time for you to figure out what you really wanted to do, and the next steps to take.

As you wandered through thoughts about your future, your best friend and roommate, Gaeul, snapped you out of your prolonged reverie.

“Are you going out?” she was holding a bag of potato chips when she appeared at your bedroom door “I’m going to another extra study session.” You gave her a delicate smile and picked up your bag before heading towards Gaeul who looked at you suspiciously “Again?”

“Sure, why not?” Gaeul sighed “You know you don’t have to do all of this to beat Heeseung.” she followed you through the small dorm “You’re already too good, I don’t understand this rivalry between you two.”

“Gaeul, it’s much more than rivalry.” You took out your keys to open the front door “It’s a matter of honor! I can’t lose to that prick.”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure...” she laughed before taking another bite of the potato chip “Have fun babe!” You blew an air kiss that made Gaeul make a funny face “I will!”

☆

The library was quiet, with the perfect atmosphere for a late afternoon study session. This time of day was always your favorite, the sun setting through the window and the tranquility of the place made the environment completely cozy, even if you had to read something grueling.

You were reading the work of a famous criminal law scholar when your peace was interrupted by the soft tapping of fingers on the table in front of you. “Busy?” Heeseung’s unmistakable ironic voice made you take a deep breath, trying not to get irritated by his mocking manner.

One of the rules you strictly follow is that you won’t interact with Lee Heeseung unless it is absolutely necessary. Even though you are a calm and reserved person, the slightest interaction with Heeseung somehow stresses you out.

“Can’t you see I’m obviously studying?” Heeseung felt the vein in his neck throb in irritation and clicked his tongue when he saw how you didn’t even look at his face to answer him.

“Well, I think you need to see this.” he placed the paper in front of your eyes. Reluctantly you placed the book on the table and held the sheet up, looking at the contents of what was there “What is this?” You asked in disbelief as you saw your name paired next to Heeseung’s under a title that said ‘international law project’.

“Are you surprised?” You turned to Heeseung with wide eyes “As you can see, we are partners in Mrs. Jung’s project.” for the first time that day, all of your focus faded in a matter of seconds.

'No. No. No. This couldn't be happening. Me and Lee Heeseung together? In a project?'

“What do you mean? How the hell did this happen?” Heeseung took the liberty of sitting next to you. He leaned back in his chair and ran his hand through his hair “I don’t know either. Earlier I was leaving an extracurricular activity when Jay called me to look at the bulletin board because the pairings for the new project in the international law class had been announced.”

You stopped for a moment and began to remember that in the last international law class, Mrs. Jung had said that there would be a new project for that semester and that she didn't like to draw pairs, so she would choose the pairs herself.

And with the immense luck you had, she decided that the partner who would suit you best would be Lee Heeseung, out of the entire class.

“When I got close to the mural, Jay was staring at me with a hilarious face.” Heeseung gave a clearly frustrated sigh as he ran his hand over his face “I just didn’t expect it to be because of this.”

“This has to be a mistake.” It couldn’t be true. You couldn’t believe this was happening.

“Unfortunately, it’s true, and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Your eyebrows furrowed at Heeseung, who seemed too resigned for your liking “I’m not going to do this project with you, I– we have to talk to the teacher.”

Heeseung gave you a wry laugh “You can try talking to her, but it won’t work.” he picked up the paper from the table and analyzed the names again as if to confirm that it was real “The seniors already told me that Mrs. Jung is strict and doesn’t make exceptions. She never changes her plan.”

Your stomach began to feel heavy with the anxiety that was building up. You also heard these rumors from a senior who had given you tips about the worst teachers she had to deal with.

“I don’t care, I’ll talk to her.”

“Do whatever you want, I warned you.” Heeseung gave you one last pitiful look and got up from his chair “Are you going to leave like that? We need to talk about this.” he looked at you and shrugged his shoulders putting his hands in his coat pockets “The teacher isn’t here right now, we’ll look into this tomorrow.”

If there was something about Heeseung that really stressed you out, it was his attitude like he knew everything and had everything under control. As if he was better than everyone else.

“But we need to align what should be said!” You countered and Heeseung sighed, running his thumb and index finger over his furrowed eyebrows “God, you’re so annoying.”

Your breath stopped for a moment. How could Lee Heeseung have the audacity to call you annoying? Him of all people? The most insufferable person of all?

“What did you say?!” You stood up from your chair “Say that again!”

He smirked and took a step closer to you “You’re annoying.” Your blood was boiling as his face was just above yours “Everything about you irritates me.”

“Look who’s talking.” You scoffed and pointed at Heeseung with your index finger “You’re completely unbearable and you want to talk about me?”

Heeseung's jaw clenched, and you smirked, seeing how he was also clearly irritated by your response "Heeseung, I'm gonna be honest with you. I think you're just an arrogant prick, and I have no interest in working with you." You gave him a false smile while he frowned.

"Well, I feel the same." he said through gritted teeth and walked away "We'll sort this out tomorrow."

"Great." You took the paper and put it inside your book and closed it. Your desire to study had completely disappeared, and now you needed to think about how to talk to Mrs. Jung, because no way in hell you are going to pair up with Heeseung.

No way.

☆

The international law class was lasting longer than usual that Wednesday.

Your legs were shaking as anxiety corroded your entire body. Heeseung looked calm, his head resting on his right hand as he sat a few chairs in front of you. He had no idea of the storm that was happening inside you.

You had to convince the teacher that she needed to choose another partner for you. Anyone would do, even the slowest human being you could handle, except Lee Heeseung. Not him. Doing a project with him would be extremely stressful. You even felt a pang in your head when you imagined the stupid arguments you would have over simple things.

The truth is that initially you didn't care much for Heeseung, but you started to notice that since the beginning of college he did everything he could to talk back to you. He could never agree with you 100%, no matter the topic. So over time you started to nurture these feelings of rivalry and irritation towards him.

It was unbearable how he acted as if he was better than you and tried to prove it at all costs. That's why you made the decision to never let him surpass you, even in simple college activities. You would beat Lee Heeseung, even if it cost you a few more hours of studying.

However, now with this shared project this would certainly be a problem.

When class ended and the students left one by one, Heeseung calmly put his materials in his bag, as if he knew that his stoicism would irritate you. Mrs. Jung was sitting in her chair as she finished organizing some papers when you slowly approached.

“Uh, excuse me, Mrs. Jung. Can I have a few words with you?” Your soft voice drew the teacher’s attention away from her papers, who smiled back at you “Oh, miss Park, of course. How can I help you?”

You bit your lower lip hesitantly as the teacher looked at you carefully “It’s about the recent international law project; I saw that it’s going to be in pairs.” the teacher’s smile widened “Yes, I think it will be a great project for you.” she stood up from her chair holding the sheets “Is there a problem?”

“Actually, there is.” You were hoping internally that your nervousness wouldn’t show too much “I noticed that you chose Heeseung to be my partner, but since we’re not very close, I don’t think it’ll work out.” the teacher’s eyes seemed attentive to you “Then I’d like to ask about the possibility of changing partners.”

Mrs. Jung gave you a small sigh before offering you a gentle smile “Unfortunately, that won’t be possible, miss Park. Since I’ve already separated all the pairs, they’ve already started their research. Besides, it would be problematic to disrupt this entire system because of a request.” You started to feel despair set in your bones “I understand, Mrs. Jung, but it really will be difficult to work with Hees–”

“Miss Park, I chose Heeseung to be your partner because I think you two would be a great pair.” she interrupted you, leaving you speechless “What do you mean?”

The teacher seemed to think for a moment “I think you are a good match. You bring out the best in each other, and I think you will do a fabulous job with this research.”

Heeseung had arrived at exactly this time and stood frozen beside you.

“But—” You were cut off again by the teacher “The pairings will not be changed and this is final, miss Park. Okay?”

“Alright… Thank you for listening to me, Mrs. Jung.” she smiled before grabbing her bag “You’re welcome. I’m looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with.”

Heeseung watched you from the corner of his eye as the teacher left first. You were paralyzed as if a lightning had struck you.

“I told you she wouldn’t change her mind.” he broke the silence and you grimaced in pain.

“Oh, shut up.” You left first trying to accept the idea that you would have to put up with Heeseung as your partner for the rest of the semester.

Heeseung was having an internal debate as he waited for class to end. He didn't know whether he should talk to you and decide to start this research right away or wait for you to say something.

He had sat a few chairs behind you and saw how focused you seemed in class. For the first time this semester, he couldn't pay attention to what was being taught. How was he going to work with the girl he couldn't stand? And worse: for an entire semester? Not even in his worst dreams did he imagine something like this would happen.

As he pondered what to do, Jake glared at him with the corner of his eye “Dude, you’re making a scary face.”

Heeseung looked away and ran his hand through his dark hair “Sorry, I was distracted.”

“Distracted?” Jake smirked “You looked like a creepy staring at her.” Heeseung sighed “I  have to do the international law project with her.”

Jake put his hand over his mouth to contain the laugh that was threatening to escape “Oh man, you’re screwed.”

“I know.” Heeseung leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself “I need to talk to her.”

“Good luck.” Jake gave him a side smile and shook his head as Heeseung remained with his eyes closed.

When class ended, Heeseung gathered all the courage he had and walked towards you. You also looked haggard. Although your clothes were perfect and your hair was as shiny as ever, the circles under your eyes showed your tiredness as you put your materials in your bag.

A small smile began to form on Heeseung’s face, but he held it back. He couldn’t laugh at your face when he knew that he also had to accept the reality that you would have to put up with each other for the next few months.

“Hey.” that was all Heeseung could say as he watched you approach him “Hi.” Your dry response made the atmosphere heavy.

“I need your phone number to schedule the meetings about our project.” he was trying to be civil, no one could complain about that.

You sighed, showing your clear lack of interest in any conversation with him “Okay.”

Heeseung was really holding back his sharp mouth, but you weren't making it easy.

The way your hand handed your phone while you looked away irritated Heeseung deeply “Do you always have to be this petty?”

“What?” You asked confused as he finished putting his number into your phone “Can’t you interact for 5 minutes without being petty? Is it that hard?”

In your mind you couldn't believe what you were hearing. Lee Heeseung wanting to lecture you about pettiness?

“What the hell are you talking about? You’re the one who can’t go 5 minutes without criticizing anything I do.” Heeseung bit his lower lip, trying to hold his tongue. He was already upset, and you weren’t helping.

“Probably because you don’t make it easier?” he sighed and ran his fingertips over his temples, trying to regain his former calm state “You know what, forget about it. Have you saved my number?” his patience was running out, and so was yours.

“Yes, unfortunately.” You whispered the last part, which didn’t go unnoticed by Heeseung.

“See you after class.” he put his phone in his pocket and his backpack on his right shoulder.

You just nodded and left first.

'Yeah, this is really going to be difficult.' Heeseung thought before leaving the room with his mind messed up by the simple interaction you two had.

☆

The library was relatively crowded, but since you previously arranged with Heeseung, you managed to arrive together at the same time.

“Well, look at that. Lee Heeseung isn’t late, I'm surprised.” You teased as you sat down and took your laptop out of your bag.

“Tsk.” Heeseung clicked his tongue as he placed his notebooks on the table “Of course. The sooner we start, the sooner I can leave.” he replied, thinking about how he wanted this torture to end once and for all.

“Finally you said something I agree with.” You retorted as you opened a blank Word document and began sorting through your materials.

Heeseung had already noticed that you liked everything organized. Your materials were always organized in the same way: pens, laptop and a notebook lined up.

“Well, do you have any ideas or suggestions on what we can do?” Heeseung was a little surprised by your question, after all, he expected you to decide everything at once and create a big fight if he disagreed.

“I think this subject is too extensive, we can’t do a generic theme.” You nodded as you stared at the laptop screen “That makes sense. I think we should dive deeper into some specific subjects.”

“I usually research and read about the subject superficially before diving into complicated concepts.” Heeseung showed the sheet of paper from his notebook that had some sketches of past summaries he had done in other subjects.

“International law is a pain because if we read about everything, we’ll waste a lot of time.” You commented, scratching your head, feeling frustrated “Let’s choose some subjects we like and see which ones are the best.”

“Fine.” Heeseung just wanted to get it over with.

For the next 10 minutes you were in complete silence. As if it was a silent mutual agreement that you would only speak if it was absolutely necessary.

Interestingly, the discomfort was bearable. Was it strange that you were sitting side by side without saying anything? Yes, but at least when you didn't say anything, you didn't fight, and that was enough for the moment.

“These are my suggestions.” You looked at the list Heeseung had made, but one suggestion in particular caught your eye.

“Post-war law?” You tilted your head to the side “It’s too generic and complicated, we need to think about it.” Heeseung sighed “How can this be too generic? It’s literally about the law after wars.”

You mockingly laughed “Exactly. What kind of wars are you talking about? Because we can’t talk about every war in existence.” Heeseung felt a stab of anger in his head.

“So, what are your suggestions, genius?” Heeseung’s pejorative tone wasn’t enough to make you lose your patience, so you turned the laptop screen to show your contribution.

“We can talk about certain differences in the legal system in some countries and filter out only the most interesting ones.” Heeseung snorted and pointed at your laptop screen “That’s as generic as my suggestion!”

“Of course not!” clearly the discussion would not end there “We can only choose a few countries.”

“And we could talk about a few wars, for example the most famous ones? Like World War I or World War II?” his ironic tone gave you the creeps, in a bad way.

“It’s still a very simple theme, we should do something more elaborated.” You turned your laptop screen towards you and Heeseung took a deep breath.

“And isn’t your topic simple?” he approached you and looked into your eyes “You just want to do what’s convenient for you, as always.”

“What do you mean by that?” The tone of your voice clearly showed that you were now very mad. How could Heeseung make a single task so difficult?

“Forget it, you wouldn’t understand.” he whispered, clearly irritated.

Another 10 minutes of complete silence. Neither you nor Heeseung wanted to say anything else. It was clear that this would be a difficult task, but you tried to be rational and calm down.

What was at stake here was your grade, your academic record, and your future. You couldn't let Heeseung be an obstacle in your path.

“Look, let’s get one thing straight.” You turned to Heeseung who gave you a lazy look “It’s clear we don’t like each other.”

“Hm.” Heeseung nodded and waved his hands in the air as if he wanted you to get to the point quickly.

“But I don’t care about that. What I really care about is my grades, so if I have to do this damn project with you, I’ll do it.” Heeseung kept looking at you, waiting for you to finish “So, if you put your childishness aside for a moment and really help me, we’ll be able to finish this today.”

You were clearly nervous and out of patience.

“Then, can you please cooperate with me?” Heeseung somehow felt a bit remorseful, thinking that perhaps he had overreacted with the way you seemed to beg for the two of you to end this quickly.

“Okay, we clearly can’t reach a consensus, so let’s use another method.” he pulled his chair closer to you “What are you doing?”

“What do you like?” his bright, dark eyes stared into yours with intensity “What are you most comfortable with in international law?”

“I like the criminal part.” You whispered a little shyly as he got closer to you “Good.” Heeseung began to write in his notebook “I like the human rights part, especially the Post-World War II issue.”

You watched as he outlined the topics you both liked.

“Let’s research these themes and at the next meeting we’ll decide what to do.” he said and leaned back in his chair, looking at you.

“Okay. This might work.” You nodded, thinking it might be a good idea.

“It’ll work.” There it was. The tone of absolute certainty in Heeseung’s voice that usually irritated you, but this time you were satisfied that you had managed to reach a consensus.

“Okay, I’ll start now.” You stood up and headed towards some books in the international law section of the library, while Heeseung decided to research on the internet.

The rest of the meeting you were silent, researching the topics, but this time it wasn't awkward or heavy. You were just two students focusing on what you needed to do.

And that was enough for now.

“So, how is your international law project going?” Jay brought up the topic while he, Jake, and Heeseung were gathered in the campus cafeteria.

“Don’t remind me of that.” he sighed as he sipped on a soda “We managed to have a fight before the first meeting.”

“Damn, you guys are too complicated.” Jake commented with a smile “Luckily my partner on the project is Jay.” he fist bumped Jay.

“You guys are lucky. We’re trying to be civil, but sometimes it’s unavoidable not to get angry.” Jay narrowed his eyes as he studied his friend trying to understand why Heeseung seemed so reactive to you “You guys should see the way she acts. It’s like she does this on purpose to irritate me!”

“Can you believe the Mrs. Jung said she put us together because she thought we were a good match?” Heeseung gave a wry smile while Jake and Jay looked at each other with a knowing look and mocking smiles “She said I brought out the best in her, some shit like that.”

“Well, I somewhat agree.” Jay countered Heeseung “Since you two started interacting, you’ve become more dedicated to your studies.”

“Real, brother. You worry more about her than yourself when exam week comes.” Jake blurted out, and Jay laughed, making Heeseung stunned by his friend's confession.

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this.” Heeseung sighed “I don’t care about her. I just like being the best in the class! That’s all.”

Jay smirked and put his arm around his friend's shoulder “Sure, sure… but you can't deny she's hot.”

Heeseung stood frozen in place at what Jay had said. He wasn't blind, he knew you were a beautiful woman, but that didn't change the fact that you were annoying to him.

“None of that changes the fact that she’s annoying.” Heeseung looked away as Jake and Jay chuckled.

“In my opinion, I think you lowkey admire her, but you can’t admit it and that’s why you act like that.” Jake teased Heeseung who was stunned “Just admit you’re into her man, it’s okay.” Jay said and Jake snickered “Huh? You guys are crazy.” he got up from his chair and decided to leave while Jay and Jake laughed.

“C'mon Heeseung! Don't run away like that!” Jake and Jay stood up and decided to follow him while Heeseung went ahead.

So what if you were pretty and attractive? That didn't change anything.

You were still the rich girl he couldn't stand.

☆

After a few days of research, you and Heeseung decided to have a meeting to decide on the final theme for your project.

It was already 16:24 in the afternoon and he still hadn't arrived, which was strange because Heeseung was always on time. Being late for more than 20 minutes wasn't like him.

Before you could text him, Heeseung hurried into the library. He was more casual than ever, wearing a dark gray sweater and a beanie, and you noticed that he was pale with slightly red cheeks and nose.

“Sorry for the delay, something’s got in the way.” he sounded haggard and strangely tired. His voice was hoarser than usual and you could tell he wasn’t doing very well.

“Are you okay?” You asked worriedly. Even though he was annoying, he clearly didn’t look okay “If you’re not okay, we can postpone it and–”

“I'm fine.” he cut you off in a harsh tone “Let's get this over with.” You stared at him in disbelief at the way he was acting.

“Wow.” You spoke ironically and didn’t hold back “Heeseung, what the hell is wrong with you?”

He closed his eyes temporarily, trying not to say anything. As if any noise would hurt like hell inside his head.

“I was just worried because you’re clearly not okay. If you want to be a jerk, then you can be by yourself.” You got up from the chair trying to leave and Heeseung grabbed your wrist “Let go of me.” You looked at his hand around your wrist and felt tortured by how soft and large his hand was compared to yours.

“I’m sorry.” Heeseung opened his eyes slightly and looked at you in a way that you swore you almost saw some kind of affection “Don’t go, please.”

You swallowed hard and sat back down on the chair, seeing how regretful Heeseung looked. “I didn’t mean to be rude, it’s just…” he sighed as if he didn’t want to admit his weakness “The truth is, I caught a cold and I’m not feeling very well, but I didn’t want to postpone our meeting.”

“Heeseung, you’re sick! We can do this in a few days, we still have time.” You looked at Heeseung with pity, who coughed a little “You need to recover, come on.”

He let go of your wrist, turning his gaze to you, who stood up again “But what about choosing the theme for our project?” he clearly seemed worried about the project, and you sighed.

“You’re not in a position to study, you need to prioritize your health.” Heeseung watched you grab your bag “We’ll decide that after you recover.”

Heeseung just nodded. At that moment he didn't want to argue or study, he just wanted his bed and sleep for the next 10 hours straight.

“Come on, I’ll accompany you.” You waited for Heeseung to leave first and followed him, after all, how could you trust a guy who was clearly sick.

Before he could leave campus, you bought a warm drink from a vending machine that was right next to the door.

“Here.” You handed the can to Heeseung “It’s good for you, it’s orange juice so it must have vitamin C.”

“Okay, thanks mom.” he replied and your eyes widened at his audacity “Hey!”

“I was joking, silly.” Heeseung gave you a smirk that disconcerted you.

It was the first time he had ever genuinely smiled at you. It wasn't a mocking smile or a fake smile after he said the most passive-aggressive thing possible. He was actually giving you a genuine, real smile.

And you definitely didn't want to admit that he had a very beautiful smile.

“Well, uh… anyways, take your medicine and recover. We’ll reschedule the meeting.” he looked down at the hot drink and gave you another smile before looking back at you. “Okay, see you later.” He – shockingly – kindly said “Thank you.” his gaze was fixed on yours, and for some reason, it made you feel embarrassed.

“It’s nothing.” You looked away “See you later.”

He gave you one last smile before leaving first. As you watched him walk away you began to wonder what kind of man Lee Heeseung was, who insisted on going to your meeting even though he was sick.

☆

You were choosing a movie to watch with Gaeul when your phone vibrated. Gaeul was putting the freshly popped popcorn in the bowl when you saw on your phone that surprisingly Heeseung had texted you.

[Lee Heestupid] — Hey

[Lee Heestupid] — Just wanted to say thank you for the orange juice.

21:46 pm

You smiled a little, seeing that he had the courage to send you a message about something that isn’t your project.

[You] — It's nothing. Are you feeling better?

21:48 pm

[Lee Heestupid] — Yeah, I'm way better now.

[Lee Heestupid] — If you're free, let's meet tomorrow for our project.

21:51 pm

[You] — Sure, it works for me.

21:52 pm

[Lee Heestupid] — Great

[Lee Heestupid] — See you then

21:53pm

[You] — See you.

21:53pm

“Who are you talking to?” Gaeul asked suspiciously as she approached your couch “I was just rescheduling the project meeting with Heeseung.” You locked your phone and tapped the fabric of the couch next to you indicating that you wanted her to sit there.

She stopped in her tracks and gave you a mischievous smile, looking at you. “I can’t believe you were smiling like that while you were texting Heeseung.” You rolled your eyes at Gaeul's suggestive tone “What do you mean? I was normal.” You looked away to the TV “Nuh-uh.” She was clearly enjoying the whole thing “I think you’re starting to like him after all this time.”

“Girl, you’re crazy.” You sighed thinking about Gaeul’s fertile mind and she sat next to you hugging your arm “Come on, admit that you changed your conception of him. Even if it’s just a little.”

You paused for a moment and thought “He’s still insufferable, but this time he was polite.” Gaeul chuckled, taking a handful of popcorn. “Oh, this is going to be interesting.”

“Babe, let’s just watch the movie.” You changed the subject and Gaeul was laughing beside you “Okaaaay.”

☆

As much as you didn't want to admit it, the atmosphere between you and Heeseung had certainly changed a bit. It was noticeable that although his thoughtless sarcasm hadn't changed, you two fought less about your project. Heeseung's posture was still as confident as ever, but a part of you had gotten used to this eccentric trait of his. Maybe he was naturally like this in any area of his life, or maybe he was forced to be like this.

“While I was recovering, I thought about how to combine our interests in our project.” Heeseung looked much better. His face had a healthy glow, his lips were pinker and, curiously, you noticed how his nose was perfectly shaped. Did he always have this insane profile?

“What’s your suggestion?” You asked, adjusting your seat, trying to dispel the strange thoughts that were distracting you “We can talk about criminal accountability and the evolution of post-war human rights within international law.”

You thought for a moment “That might work.” The smile that formed on your face didn’t go unnoticed by Heeseung who was taken aback “It’s just going to be harder than expected, since it’s a topic that we’re going to have to delve into in depth so we can’t leave any gaps.”

“I accept the challenge.” He smirked while looking into your eyes “And what about you? Are you scared?” You rolled your eyes, seeing how he never misses an opportunity to tease you.

“Of course not.” You snorted “You know I never run away from a challenge. After all, I’m the best in the class.” Heeseung’s eyebrow twitched slightly at your insinuation “Actually, we’re tied and you know it.”

“Fine, maybe you’re right.” You sighed “But it doesn’t change the fact that we’ll have to work hard with this topic.” Heeseung gave an airy laugh through his nose seeing how excited you were “Indeed, but at least we were able to officially set the theme of our project.”

“Now we need to define the next steps.” You stretched your arms and Heeseung couldn’t help but see part of your waist when your shirt rose slightly “I guess that’s a good idea, because we also have to study for that civil law presentation in three weeks.” He looked away to the screen of his laptop.

You widened your eyes and turned to Heeseung “Oh my God, I thought it would be in a month!” Opening your tablet's calendar you came across the date marked on a Tuesday in three weeks “I was so worried about our project that I lost track of time.”

“You're welcome.” Heeseung said without looking at you as he researched the subjects he needed to study for your project “It seems like I’m taking up too much of your mind for you to forget a presentation.” He snickered and you grimaced.

“Ugh, you wish.” You sighed as you typed on your laptop causing Heeseung to give you an enigmatic smile.

Yeah. As you thought, Lee Heeseung was still a pain in the ass.

Miraculously, after weeks of not going out, Heeseung was at a party. Contrary to what many people think, Heeseung doesn't go out to many parties. Since he has a scholarship to take care of, his main focus is on studying. However, when he has some free time, he allows himself the luxury of enjoying some kind of fun.

Today was no different as Jake managed to convince him that he needed to clear his head after being sick.

Since part of the international law project was well underway and he had made progress on his civil law assignment, he allowed himself to relax for a few hours at that random party on a Friday. Jake and Jay seemed more lively, taking advantage of the opportunity to play beer pong with boys from other courses.

Heeseung had been drinking for a while now, but nothing seemed very interesting. The music was great, but he was still feeling tired from working twice as hard during the week, so he decided to sit on an old couch that was empty. As he slowly drank, he began to analyze his surroundings, and noticed that he was surrounded by couples or people who were there with the aim of flirting and hooking up with someone.

Personally, Heeseung didn't have many girlfriends. He had gone on a few dates, talked to a few girls, and even had a serious girlfriend for a year and a few months during high school, but nothing had lasted that long. Life hadn't been easy for Heeseung's family, so all he could think about was how he needed to help out at home with the money from tiring part-time jobs and how to pay for his upcoming college expenses.

Love was a distant topic for Heeseung.

Most of the time he was worried about his future and the reality he wanted to improve. That's why love and relationships were foreign subjects on his mind. Jake used to say that he needed to relax a bit and at least try to meet someone during college, but he was too busy.

Too busy studying, working and self-improving but mainly busy thinking about you.

The amount of times you wandered through his mind seemed unhealthy. It was as if you were always there unconsciously, terrorizing the corners of Heeseung's mind. Like a presence he couldn't get rid of, like you were a sticker glued in the album of his thoughts.

He always swore he didn't care much about your appearance, but his breath caught for a moment when from afar he saw you with a short black skirt and a brown turtleneck blouse clinging to your torso. Heeseung felt his body sober up in an instant and he leaned over his knees so he could confirm his suspicion.

That shiny hair and that unique smile were unmistakable in his eyes. Yes, it was you.

Heeseung swallowed hard and felt strange for not being able to take his eyes off you. “Sure, sure… but you can't deny she's hot.” Jay's sentence from that day kept echoing in Heeseung's mind as he tried to convince himself that this was no big deal.

You've always been beautiful. No, you're always impeccable. As if you never had a bad day, you're always well-tied up, wearing a sweet perfume, unbeatable, gorgeous... stunning. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing. In a way, your determination to always show your best version is impressive, especially in the world of law where Heeseung knows how much appearances matter.

But he never really stopped to look at you. Heeseung’s judgment was always clouded by his anger at what you represented. At the spoiled, privileged girl who would never experience what it was like to suffer from not having enough money for leisure or having every penny counted to pay the bills.

Your existence was almost an affront to him—even though you had never done anything to him.

But even though he knew all of this. Even though he had convinced himself that you were his rival, his eyes couldn't take their eyes off your figure. Maybe it was the alcohol in his system, or the fatigue, but your legs seemed even more toned under the dark blue light of the place.

He swallowed hard, seeing how your eyes seemed to sparkle as you talked to a girl beside you that he assumed it was your best friend. Have you always had an outfit that adorned your waist flawlessly like that?

'It's okay, I can admire a beautiful woman.' Heeseung argued in his own mind as if he needed to justify himself for the thoughts he was having at that moment.

Thoughts of how hauntingly attractive you are.

Heeseung bent the cup he was holding a little from squeezing it so hard and ran his hand over his face. He was wondering if he should talk to you or just let it go. Even if he decided to go to you, what would he say? 'Hi, good to see you project partner.'? Absolutely not. That would be too pathetic of him.

After a few seconds of struggling, he decided to stay still. It could have been really awkward if he tried to say something out of the blue. Besides, you were with your friend, so he decided he wouldn't bother you.

However, as if life was playing tricks on Heeseung, he saw a weird man approaching you. A guy he had seen before at the party, and who was clearly not feeling well after drinking way past his limits. From afar Heeseung watched with his eyes as the clueless guy approached and tried to say something to you, which showed instant discomfort.

When the guy dared to touch your shoulder, Heeseung stood up at the same time, feeling his blood boil. You had a frown on your face and were obviously saying no. Even with the loud music, he could tell that you weren't enjoying that approach by the gestures you were making as you got away from the guy.

As he couldn't contain himself, Heeseung stomped towards him and pushed the guy back hard with his forearm. In a single movement he hugged your waist and pulled you towards him, slamming your back into his chest.

“Hey! Are you stupid? She said no!” Heeseung spoke harshly and you turned your face to him, shocked by the situation “Get the hell out of here, son of a bitch!”

“Ahh shi–” before the guy could finish his sentence Heeseung pushed him hard and the guy staggered back while cursing some swear words. The people around started staring at the guy who was clearly drunk and out of his mind.

“Let’s get out of here.” He whispered in your ear, sending a shiver down your spine. You just nodded and turned around with Heeseung as the other guy walked away aimlessly, bumping into other people.

As Heeseung led you through the crowd, your heart was racing. In less than 10 minutes of partying, Gaeul had gone to the bathroom, a drunk man disturbed you, Heeseung had saved you and now had his arm behind your back and his right hand firmly gripped on your waist while the other made room for you to pass.

It was almost like a scene from a movie where the security guard makes room for the protagonist to pass without touching anyone.

Your mind was spiraling when you arrived at the backyard near the kitchen that didn't have many people and had a bench for you to sit on. Heeseung let go of you and closed the kitchen door behind him seeing how shocked you looked at everything that happened.

“Are you okay?” Heeseung’s gentle tone made you finally look at him that night.

Your breath hitched and your mouth hung open seeing that he was wearing a white tank top showing his collarbone, a silver chain over it, an open dark gray jacket and dark jeans.

“Yes...” You felt your cheeks heat up as you noticed how his intense dark eyes didn’t look away from yours “Thank you, Heeseung.” You shyly mumbled feeling your stomach stir as he sighed, running his hand through his hair which was slightly messy, showing a bit of his forehead.

Even if you wanted to deny it, it would be an obvious lie, because clearly Lee Heeseung was so hot that you were at a loss for words.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I can get you a water or something.” He looked genuinely concerned and didn't know what to do to make you feel better, but you smiled gently. “It’s okay, really.” You sighed in relief “You really helped me out back there. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing, as a man it’s what I should do.” He sat down next to you “That guy is an idiot; I should’ve kicked his ass.” You laughed and propped your face on the back of your hand looking at Heeseung “It would have been great entertainment, but you don’t need to harm yourself because of a drunk idiot.”

Heeseung allowed himself to relax after what happened “I guess you’re right… but what really matters is that you’re okay.”

“I am, thanks to you who saved me.” Heeseung gave an almost imperceptible smile, slightly embarrassed by the tone of your voice, but he calmed down when he saw how you looked fine and out of danger. You continued to observe Heeseung's face thinking how curious it was how different he looked when he genuinely smiled.

Heeseung's smile is splendid, like the perfect complement to his handsome profile.

He turned to you and suddenly you felt aware of his gaze.

“To be honest, I was surprised to see you here.” Heeseung confessed “I don’t remember seeing you at the parties I went to.”

He noticed how you gave a weak smile and looked up at the starry sky “It’s because I’ve only been to a few parties since I came to college.”

“Because of studies?” He asked and you nodded “That’s all I care about honestly.”

He gave an empathetic side smile “I know how it is… I can’t fail my grades.”

“You gotta be on top of the class, don’t you?” You teased him with your sarcastic tone and he rolled his eyes smiling “It’s not just that.”

“So, what’s the reason?” You turned and asked him, feeling curious, as he looked at you for a few brief seconds.

Heeseung hesitated for a moment as he didn't know what your stance would be towards his answer, but a part of him wanted to be honest.

“It’s because I need to keep my scholarship.” He confessed and looked at you hesitantly, expecting some kind of exaggerated reaction. Maybe a joke, disdain or humiliation, but he was surprised by your bright face.

“A scholarship?! Wow, that’s impressive!” You were surprised and your face showed it “I had no idea you were a scholarship holder, that’s amazing! Only the best students get a scholarship in our course.”

Heeseung was stunned by your reaction. Maybe he had misjudged you for expecting the worst, but your relationship wasn't the best, so he didn't know what to expect.

"I mean, it's not that impressive. I just worked my ass off to get this scholarship, so yeah... I need to keep it.” Heeseung scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. He didn’t know how to react to being praised, especially a compliment coming from you. His rival.

For Heeseung, the feeling of receiving recognition from someone who doesn't like him very much is more real and impactful than anyone else. Especially because you have all the weapons to criticize him, so receiving a praise from you hits different.

“It’s just the truth.” You moved a little closer to Heeseung, adjusting your skirt, making him glance at your smooth thighs “You know, I just realized something.”

Heeseung’s eyes rose and met yours again “What?”

“I think this is the first time we’ve talked about something that doesn’t have to do with our project.” You laughed and he noticed the gloss you were wearing. Your lips were shining in a mesmerizing way.

“You’re right…” He smiled “I mean, you haven’t cursed at me yet, so I say it’s an improvement.”

“Huh?” You dramatically let out a breath of air and pointed at him. “Heeseung, drop the act. You’re the one who always provokes me and starts bickering.”

Without letting go of eye contact, he brought his face closer to yours and you suddenly felt butterflies in your stomach “You’re not innocent either, you’re always teasing me.” He whispered, making you snort and look away.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Heeseung laughed and you noticed how warm the sound of his laugh was “Yeah, let’s pretend you don’t know.”

You were surprised. He seemed different that night, as if he wasn't the Heeseung you knew. The rival you felt so much despise for.

Beneath that serene air he looked like just a normal college boy. And you liked that — but you wouldn’t admit it to him.

“I need a drink.” You suddenly commented and he looked at you “Me too.” Heeseung got up from the bench and stood in front of you “Let’s go inside, the party isn’t over yet.”

“I know and Gaeul must be worried about me.” You stood up sighing thinking about how you’ll have to find your best friend in the middle of the crowd.

“Ladies first.” Heeseung opened the kitchen door and made room for you to go in first.

You rolled your eyes with a smile and walked through the door with your arms crossed “Who would have thought… Lee Heeseung is such a gentleman.”

Heeseung smiled and whispered as you stood beside him “There are still many things about me that you don’t know.”

Heeseung's deep voice was like sweet poison that seemed to penetrate your skin with ease. You swallowed hard, feeling your body heat up slightly, and just walked in without saying anything.

Normally you hated losing any kind of argument with Heeseung, but tonight you would let it slide.

As the night unfolded and you entered the venue together again, Gaeul watched the interaction from afar with a satisfied smile on her face.

Heeseung and you together? Without fighting? You guys would definitely talk about it later.

☆

“Okay girl, spill.” Gaeul leaned against the doorway of your room as you changed the sheets on your bed “What the hell happened between you and Heeseung?”

“What do you mean?” You pretended not to understand her insinuation as you finished fluffing the pillows so you could lie down.

“You know what I'm talking about.” Gaeul came in and sat on your bed, looking at you with that look she only did when she wanted to tease you “I saw you and Heeseung interacting at the party.”

“And what about it?” Gaeul sighed at your stubbornness “I thanked him for helping me with a drunk idiot there who tried to hit on me.”

“What do you mean? Did something happen?” Your best friend looked at you worriedly and you sat down next to her “It was nothing big. When you went to the bathroom a guy was completely wasted and tried to hit on me, but Heeseung helped me.”

Gaeul put her hands over her mouth in shock and her eyebrows furrowed “Babeee, I didn’t know! I’m sorry I left you alone, I never imagined something like this would happen.” She touched your hand and you smiled.

“It’s okay Gaeul, I’m fine.” You squeezed your best friend’s hand, and she smiled sweetly.

“Sooo, you were saying Heeseung saved you?” She looked at you with a teasing face and you laughed “He helped me, like a good human being, okay?”

“Girl, there’s no point in hiding it. I know something has changed between you two.” She seemed 100% convinced and you just rolled your eyes “You’re very creative Gaeul.”

“Come on, don’t tell me you didn’t feel anything different after he saved you.” She approached you, watching you ponder her question for a moment.

In fact, since that event and the brief conversation in the backyard, you started to see Heeseung in a different light. Not to mention how much more attractive he seemed.

“Okay, maybe he’s not that bad.” You confessed and Gaeul’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened in shock.

“Oh. My. God. You totally like Lee Heeseung!!!!” Gaeul stood up excitedly and you made a face “And don’t try to deny it! Your eyes don’t lie! You’re falling for your rival!”

You chuckled and shook your head “Gaeul, I don’t like him, I just think he’s improved as a person… that’s all.”

Before leaving your room, she turned and looked at you with affection and a sweet smile on her lips “Okay, you can keep denying it. But just know that when you are ready to admit your feelings, I’ll be here for you.”

You sighed knowing that Gaeul wouldn't change her mind about this.

But you couldn't help but feel that strange feeling deep in your chest when you remembered how he had held your waist tightly and protected you. The way his eyebrows were furrowed showing the anger he was feeling against that idiot on your behalf. How protective he was at that moment…

His strong hands, along with the bright smile he gave you and how his dark hair seemed to fall perfectly over his forehead.

Okay, you can admit that Lee Heeseung is attractive, but that doesn't mean you like him.

Right?

Heeseung was walking down the halls while Jay was talking about some random basketball topic when he saw your beautiful figure from afar grabbing his attention. You were stunning, as always, but you looked different.

You were smiling as you watched something interesting a boy was showing you on his phone. He recognized the boy as Jungwon, the president of one of the clubs you were a part of. Heeseung couldn't help but feel awkward about the scene. You looked so comfortable and relaxed as you talked to the boy who was undeniably handsome and put together.

A wave of sour feelings flooded Heeseung's chest. His throat tightened, and he swallowed hard, trying not to make it too obvious how much he was staring at you. Heeseung, who had always had this chill aura, felt insanely bothered when he saw how excited the boy seemed while he was making you smile so easily.

It was nothing special. Even he could make you smile if he wanted to, there was nothing special about this guy.

“Hey man, are you listening?” Jay asked and Heeseung looked away trying to ignore the dissatisfaction bubbling inside him “Sorry, can you repeat?” He ran his hand through his hair and Jay sighed “Dude, if you’re going to be jealous of her, please be more discreet, you look like a creepy staring at her like that.” Heeseung dumbfounded stared at his friend “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I’m certainly not jealous.”

“Give me a break man, you were practically staring at the girl.” Jay gave a smirk and Heeseung kept walking trying to resist the urge to look back and see your smile one last time “I'm fine. Let's go.” Jay shook his head and continued walking alongside Heeseung who remained silent for the rest of the way.

He wasn't jealous, was he?

☆

Civil Law was fun until you had to do a detailed essay and slides on dispossession in your bedroom on a Wednesday night. It was already past 11pm and you were still halfway through the paper. Your presentation was due next week, and you were still going over the details of the requirements for reinstatement of possession.

Being a perfectionist was a characteristic of yours that hindered you more than it helped you most of the time. You wanted your work to be perfect and meticulous to the point of not leaving any room for questions. The problem was that this cost you precious nights that you could have been having fun and enjoying life like a young university student.

You were stretching your arms when you were surprised by the sound of your phone ringing on the table. Your heart skipped a beat when you saw Heeseung's name on the screen. What was he doing? He had never called you before.

'Is this an emergency?' You instantly thought and worriedly answered the phone.

“Hello? Heeseung?” The hesitation in your voice was clear “Hm—” Heeseung’s deep voice and breathing suddenly startled you “Yeah, it’s me. Sorry for calling you so late.”

“It’s okay. Did something happen?” Your heart was suddenly racing, and you couldn’t explain why. His laughter on the other end warmed your ear “No silly, I wanted to talk about our project.” The way his voice sounded deeper over the phone made you swallow hard and cross your legs instinctively.

This was pathetic. How could you feel nervous about a phone conversation? And worst of all — with Heeseung?

“Oh, right.” You gave an awkward chuckle “What is it?” It was like you could feel his smile through his breathing on the phone call.

“I was just thinking… maybe it would be interesting to talk about criminal liability for crimes committed during the Second World War with the creation of the Nuremberg Tribunal.” Heeseung said in a calm and soft voice. As if he was flirting, but you knew that couldn’t be possible. He had no reason to flirt with you “Ah, you mean the International Military Tribunal?”

“Exactly.” Was his voice always this sexy? “I think it would be a good topic, and I know you like the criminal side of things, so it could be interesting for us to address this.” Your stomach turned as you realized that Heeseung had paid attention to what you had said weeks ago and thought of this idea based on your personal taste.

“I think that’s a great idea!” You gave him an excited smile as if he could see it “I think it would be wonderful to include this part.”

“Yeah.” He laughed in a way that made you feel like a little girl interacting with her crush “I’m glad you liked it, we can work on that at our next meeting.”

God, you were hating yourself mentally. How could you let yourself be affected and have impure thoughts while Heeseung was talking about the Nuremberg Tribunal?

“Sure!” Was all you could manage to say before he interrupted you “Speaking of which, are you free in the afternoon on Friday? We can start right away.”

“Wait, I’ll check my schedule.” He laughed at your answer and said playfully “Of course you have a schedule.” You usually can’t stand it when Heeseung answers you sarcastically, but this time it was different. It was like he was teasing you, but not with the intention of irritating you, but just joking with you. “I’m an organized person, of course I’ll schedule my appointments in advance.”

“Alright, Miss Organized. Are you free?” You could hardly believe that you were having a friendly conversation with Heeseung over the phone “Yes, we can schedule it at our usual time.”

“Great, it's a date then.” The way he said it was normal, you know that, but the butterflies that invaded your stomach made you feel like a loser. He wasn't asking you out on a date, it was just the work meeting you always had, but you couldn't stay calm like before.

“Uh– Heeseung can I ask you something?” You gathered the courage to continue the conversation “Sure. What is it?” He seemed curious and you bit your lower lip trying to get the courage to ask what was eating you up inside “Why did you call me? You could have texted me…”

Your anxiety reached its peak when he was silent for about 5 seconds and all you could hear was his breathing “I guess I just wanted to talk to you directly about the subject.” He broke the silence and you let out an ironic chuckle “Woah?! I never thought I would hear those words from Lee Heeseung.” Unbeknownst to you on the other end of the line Heeseung had slightly pink cheeks while he had his hand over his eyes “Seriously, this topic is quite detailed so I wanted to get my point across as easily as possible, and over text it would be a hassle.”

“And why didn’t you Facetimed me?” You argued as you jumped onto your fluffy bed “I can’t.” He replied seriously and you hugged your pillow “Why not?”

Heeseung stopped for a second and laughed through his nose, which you could hear through the phone “Because I’m already in bed and I’m shirtless.” You froze, feeling your cheeks heat up at what he said and blamed yourself for imagining him shirtless calling you in the middle of the night “So… it would be a little complicated for me to have to get up, put on a shirt and turn on the lights just to say that.”

“I see… that makes sense.” You swallowed, feeling like an idiot for not knowing how to react with this bombastic information. Shirtless Lee Heeseung calling you at night is something you never expected to happen to you.

'I hope he doesn't think I'm weird.'

“And you? What are you doing up so late?” He asked and you laughed seeing how you needed to turn off your laptop and organize your materials “I was doing my civil law essay.”

“Yeah, this essay is really tiring. It took me a long time to research my topic, but you’ll finish it soon.” He said with that usual confidence with absolute certainty that you would kill the subject “Well, unfortunately I had the misfortune of getting the subject of dispossession, so it's more complicated than it seems.”

“Damn, dispossession is full of details.” He sighed, feeling his eyes grow heavy “My topic is about inheritance law. Heirs and shit like that.” You laughed, noticing how his voice was getting slightly choked with sleep “Are you sleepy?”

“Hmhum.” He nodded even though he knew you wouldn’t see it “I’m tired, I had a lot of work today.” Your legs were swinging in the air as you listened to Heeseung “Well then, I guess it’s time for you to sleep.”

He laughed and agreed “Yeah, you're right. Good night, Y/N.” His sleepy voice tickled your ear and you smirked “Good night, Heeseung.”

With one click he hung up the call and you buried your face in the pillow, giving a liberating scream after the unexpected call.

'Damn it, Lee Heeseung, what did you do to me?'

☆

Despite your good mood, this civil law essay was taking up a lot of your free time and it was tiring you out. You had been reviewing your paper and making slides for your presentation for 3 hours straight.

The civil law professor was known to be strict and detail-oriented, so you wanted everything to be perfect. As you were finishing your slides to clear your mind, your phone vibrated and you felt your body freeze when you saw that Heeseung had sent you a message.

[Lee Heeseung] — Hey

[Lee Heeseung] — Are you busy?

16:47 pm

Your heart jumped into your throat and with slightly trembling hands you picked up your phone and quickly thought about what to say.

[You] — Kinda.

[You] — Finishing the slides for my Civil Law presentation.

16:48 pm

While you were trying to calm down, Heeseung was already answering you at the speed of light.

[Lee Heeseung] — Oh.

[Lee Heeseung] — Want some help?

16:48 pm

The smile that appeared on your face was automatic. How could such a simple message affect you so much?

[You] — Really?

[You] — I mean, it would be nice if it doesn't bother you though

16:49 pm

[Lee Heeseung] — Yeah, it doesn't bother me.

[Lee Heeseung] — Where are you now?

16:49 pm

You took a deep breath, feeling your stomach churn at the excited feelings that were rising from the tone of his messages.

[You] — I'm at the library rn

16:49 pm

[Lee Heeseung] — Alright

[Lee Heeseung] — I'll be there in a few

16:50 pm

[You] — Okay

16:50 pm

Your hands went straight to the front camera of your phone to see how you looked. You started to despair because you hadn't done a more elaborate makeup that afternoon, but you didn't expect to see Heeseung.

Luckily, you had some blush and a reddish gloss in your bag. You touched up your makeup and checked your teeth for any signs of something between them but smiled in relief when you saw that they were perfect.

You adjusted your posture, your blouse, and ran your hand through the strands of your hair to comb them carefully. After feeling that you were minimally tidy, you tried to focus on your slides before Heeseung arrived.

Within 10 minutes Heeseung was already walking past the library door looking for you. When he found you, your eyes met in a second and he smiled. Your anxiety increased considerably as you watched Heeseung walk towards you. With each step he took, you were afraid that your face would show how anxious you were.

It was insane how Lee Heeseung could look so hot wearing a simple black shirt and dark jeans.

“Hey.” He pulled out the chair next to you and sat down while keeping his gaze on yours “It's been a while.”

“Yeah…” You let out the air you were holding “I've been busy with this essay and presentation.”

“I see.” he smiled and leaned forward "What do you need? I'm here to help you."

You hated yourself for not being able to look at Heeseung for so long, so you looked away to your laptop screen.

“I just need to review a few points.” You showed the summary of what you were going to present and the main points “Everything is ready, so I’m editing the slides now because I feel like I need to improve the design of them.”

Heeseung had spent so long without hearing your voice that he was almost grateful to hear you talk so much, even if it was about a stupid presentation.

“If you want, I can show you what I do on my slides.” He moved his chair closer to yours and looked at you. “Okay.” You nodded and made him comfortable so he could do whatever he wanted.

Heeseung placed his left arm behind your chair and brought his face closer to yours coincidentally as he pulled his laptop closer to him.

You felt your heart race when you smelled Heeseung's perfume. That mixed scent of chamomile shampoo married perfectly with his woody scent. It was a soft, punctual and addictive blend. A perfect masculine scent that caught your attention.

“Do you still use PowerPoint?” He mockingly smiled and you raised an eyebrow at him “What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing, but I personally think it’s hard to work with.” he opened a website in his browser “Try this site, it has easy designs for quick slides.”

“Okay.” You were trying to focus on what he was saying, but his face was distracting you.

His forehead was more exposed than before. His hair was parted in the middle so you could see how perfectly defined his eyebrows were.

How had you not noticed before how handsome he was?

“Look… you can put these dots in a different font so that they are more readable and don’t clutter the view of the slide.” he leaned in closer and spoke close to your ear, making you swallow hard “See?”

“Yes.” You replied, trying to ignore how much Heeseung’s velvety voice tickled your ear.

“Your slides are excellent, they just need some polishing.” Heeseung’s voice was gentle and he seemed focused on the task at hand. A warm feeling filled your heart at the brief compliment he gave you.

“I just want to get this over with.” You sighed “I’m tired and I want to sleep.” Heeseung chuckled and looked at you “You’ll be fine.” Your gaze met his and his eyes gently fixed on your mouth.

Crazy thoughts ran through his mind as he roamed his gaze over your mouth and eyes.

“Thank you for helping me.” You whispered and Heeseung smirked “Of course. I'm your partner after all.”

He looked away from your laptop screen, trying to control himself. You both were in a public space, but he was there to help you, so he would control himself for now.

“What else do you need?” He asked looking at the rest of his slides “I'm all yours today.”

You bit your lips trying not to smile too much at the way he said it.

“We can move forward with our project after I finish my slides.” You suggested and he glanced at you with an amused face “If you have time, of course.”

“Sure.” he smiled and scratched the back of his neck “I have all the time in the world.”

You smiled and decided that it would be perfect to work in something with Heeseung on that peaceful afternoon.

And suddenly you realized that Heeseung's presence had become comfortable to you.

☆

The day was cloudy, with an atmosphere that made you feel lazy and do not want to study at all. However, contrary to the statistics, you were dressed up with your hair brushed, a light pink button-up blouse, a gray ruffled skirt and lots of perfume.

You knew you were dressing up more than usual for a simple work date with Heeseung, but you couldn't help it.

It was as if your body moved on its own when it came to seeing Heeseung.

Without you realizing it, your personal opinion of him gradually changed. Lee Heeseung was extremely complex. At first, he seemed like a jerk who did everything he could to irritate you, but suddenly he showed a different side with his actions. He could actually be an interesting and nice guy when he talked to you like a normal human being and didn't argue for no reason.

He was smart too. Not that you didn't know that before, but the way he was punctual, organized and focused on what he wanted was your type. You couldn't stand people who didn't keep their commitments, and surprisingly Heeseung never missed a meeting you made — to the point of him going to one of your meetings even when he was sick.

It was impossible to ignore the signs that yes, Lee Heeseung could be a nice guy, but that you couldn't see it because you couldn't stand each other for some inexplicable reason.

However, you knew it wasn’t totally your fault for your previously bad relationship. You started to feel a bit resentful ever since he started picking on you. Your theory was that maybe he felt threatened by your academic performance, or maybe there was something more to it. After all, he was now keen to work well with you and didn't care if you also got top marks.

Maybe you misjudged him, or you spent too much time not liking each other for such superficial reasons that you didn't give yourself a chance to get to know each other better.

In any case, you had already come to the conclusion that despite your differences, you had finally managed to understand each other — to the point where you began to feel an undeniable and overwhelming attraction to him.

As you looked at your reflection in the mirror you felt slightly embarrassed. Deep down, it was embarrassing to admit that you were feeling so shaken by Heeseung, the guy you swore you couldn't stand, but so many things had happened that you couldn't deny your forbidden feelings.

And you had already decided that this would stay in your mind and that was fine. It was okay to feel a slight attraction to a man, even if that man was Lee Heeseung.

The difficult part was not showing what you felt when he seemed to be staring at you so deeply whenever you were together. Or when he smiled in a way that made your legs feel weak.

You grabbed your things and left the apartment, trying to distract your mind from those deep thoughts. Today would be a good day, especially since your work was progressing nicely and it was one less thing to worry about.

On your way to the library you decided to buy some juice from a vending machine and came across Heeseung in front of the machine. Suddenly you felt a strange chill in your stomach and tried to give a soft smile to him — one that didn't look forced.

Heeseung turned around and saw you approaching. He looked up and down before giving a smirk that warmed your body. “Hey, came to buy a drink too?” Heeseung kept looking at you intently as he grabbed his soda.

“Yeah, I think we had the same idea.” You awkwardly laughed as he pulled away slightly, grabbing a juice as well “You can't kick your soda addiction, huh?”

“You know caffeine is a must before studying.” He laughingly replied as he opened the can and handed you the orange juice you liked the most “For you.”

Automatically your eyes opened in surprise and you felt your heart warm at Heeseung's sudden action. “What?! Are you serious?”

“Yeah. I can buy some juice for my project partner.” You took the juice feeling your cheeks warm by his action “Thank you…” you replied giving a small smile that didn’t go unnoticed by Heeseung.

“So, are you done with your civil law essay?” he asked, leading the way to the library. His company was no longer strange, and you had to admit that you were really enjoying talking and spending time with him.

“Yeah, but I struggled to finish it all. I was tired of reading about property invasion.” Heeseung laughed and took a sip of his soda “I know how it is. I’ve read so many cases about wills that I don’t want to hear about it any time soon.”

As Heeseung told you about an interesting story he had seen on social media, you analyzed his profile. The way he smiled without realizing it when he told you something he was interested in made you lose focus on the subject.

The way his lips moved was as if they were inviting you. They looked silky, soft and shiny. You barely realized you were staring when he turned slightly to look at you and smiled, waiting for you to answer what he asked. “Sorry, what did you say?” he sighed and smiled ironically “You weren’t listening to me, were you?” You felt your face burn with embarrassment “Sorry, I got distracted for a moment.”

“Damn, what’s so important that made you distracted like that?” He teased you and you gave him an awkward smile.

'Your lips'

“Nothing much, just worried about some things.” Heeseung narrowed his eyes, analyzing you. He knew it was nothing like that, but he wasn’t going to pressure you to talk.

“Okay…” He took one last sip of his soda before throwing it in the trash. From afar, the library door was wide open, revealing that on that afternoon, the flow of students was way bigger than on other days.

When you finally entered the library and found the place completely packed, you felt defeated. There were practically no free tables for you to work at.

“What the hell? Why is the library so crowded?” You whispered and Heeseung scratched the back of his neck “I have no idea, maybe it’s because of upcoming exams?”

You tried to think about something, but nothing came to mind. “Well, I think it’s going to be impossible for us to do our work here.” You said seeing how there was no free space and Heeseung sighed trying to think of a solution.

“What are we going to do now?” You asked, turning to Heeseung, waiting for some suggestion.

Suddenly an idea popped into Heeseung's mind, but it was a dangerous idea and he didn't know if you would accept it.

You bit your lower lip, feeling anxiety hit you with the thoughts that were coming into your mind as you saw how deeply he seemed to be thinking. “I have an idea.” You noticed his cautious tone, as if he wasn’t sure what he was going to say.

“What is it?” He turned to face you fully and you noticed how tall he was. Your insides were churning as he tightened his grip on the strap of his black backpack. There were plenty of places near college that you could go to study, but it might be more difficult and complicated.

“We can go to a nearby cafe, or somewhere else that’s quiet, like my room.” You felt the air catch in your throat and he pursed his lips without taking his eyes off your figure “You can choose whatever’s most comfortable for you.”

You bit your lower lip quickly thinking about his suggestion “But we can go somewhere else if you want.” He reinforced the other option, feeling embarrassed by the sudden suggestion he made.

“No, it’s fine.” You replied almost instantly as you ran your hand through your hair “If your room is quiet and has enough space, then it’s fine.”

“Are you sure?” He didn’t want to pressure you into doing anything you didn’t want to do, so he decided to ask again to confirm “Yeah… the most important thing right now is going to a quiet place to work.”

“Alright, I’ll show you the way.”

You and Heeseung always spent time together, so being alone in his room wouldn't be a big deal.

That's what you were trying to convince yourselves.

☆

There is nothing as unexpected as feelings. This is a fact that Heeseung knows. He understands that human beings are endowed with emotions, thoughts and decisions. Yes, human beings are complex by nature and it is possible for them to evolve and change their thoughts and beliefs over time.

But even knowing all this, he couldn't understand why you were messing with him so much.

He had already rationally decided that he would not get too involved with you. You would do this project and each of you would go on with your lives as normal. However, lately Heeseung realized that his rationality wasn't connected to the things he felt whenever he saw you.

Suddenly he started to feel strange butterflies in his stomach when you smiled at him. The way you spoke was no longer so annoying and he started to find some of your jokes funny.

And the most worrying part was that he no longer felt stressed at the thought of working with you. A part of him was already used to your presence and not only that — he felt excited at the idea of seeing you.

You who didn't used to talk much before, now are sending articles, posts and messages about work and things related to law. Including funny and random things. Someone from outside would say that you seem like friends. Talking, laughing and being seen walking down the hallway together when you meet from time to time.

He knew he no longer felt the same anger as before, but he didn't understand what kind of relationship you had. You weren't really friends, but there was clearly an inexplicable chemistry between you, a kind of invisible tension that was created whenever your eyes met for a few seconds.

It was obvious that you had changed with him. In Heeseung's old vision, you were rude, inconvenient, and completely annoying.

Now you're nice, kind, and helpful whenever he asks you anything. But what scares Heeseung the most is the undeniable attraction he's feeling for you. He's always considered himself a man of values and respect, but his eyes can't help but wander to the curve of your neck when your hair is loosely tied back.

It was impossible not to notice your torso being hugged perfectly by your pink long-sleeved blouse, the smell of your sweet perfume and your shiny mouth; and ever since the party he couldn't stop thinking about your waist and how it felt between his fingers.

It was becoming mental torture to see your mouth almost every day and think about how soft it must be but not being able to do anything about it. It was scary how he seemed to not think straight when it came to you, but what was even scarier was that you agreed to go study in his room.

Even though he was the one who had suggested studying in his room, the fact that you accepted was surprisingly exciting. Yes, you would study as usual, but this time you would be at his desk and in his environment. It was inevitable not to feel nervous about the situation.

He tried to talk about anything random on the way and you even laughed a few times, but both of you were clearly tense. Maybe you just needed to start studying and this would pass.

Heeseung stopped at the door of his dorm, opening it slightly, feeling aware of your presence there. He entered first and took off his shoes, making room for you to pass. “Come in.”

You smiled and left your shoes at the door, feeling slightly shy as you entered his place “Thank you.”

The place was simple, tidy, and decorated differently than you’d expect. Even though he has an eccentric personality, there wasn’t much decor. Heeseung and his roommate were surprisingly minimalists, except for a few pizza boxes on the kitchen counter that Heeseung picked up to throw in the trash. “Don’t mind the mess, Jake and I had pizza yesterday and we passed out after we ate it.”

You chuckled looking at your surroundings “It’s okay, everyone has those days.”

He gave you a side smile, guiding you to the door of his room. Surprisingly, the dorm was bigger than you expected, seeing as he still managed to have a room just for himself.

“This is my room.” He walked into his room, making space for you to observe everything while he grabbed another chair so you could sit at his table.

“It’s really cool.” You felt like you were entering a forbidden and very exclusive place. You never imagined that you would get the chance to see Lee Heeseung’s room. The decor was peculiar, with a framed basketball player’s jersey on the wall and minimalist posters about sports and music.

Interestingly, he liked rock music. You noticed after seeing that he had a few music CDs together on the table, giving it a sophisticated and personal air. You smiled when you saw that there was a photo of him as a child with his parents on the nightstand next to his bed.

But surprisingly, what shocked you the most was seeing the amount of books he had in the place. Yes, Lee Heeseung really liked reading, and especially doctrines of law from the library.

Obviously, he worked hard to be one of the best on the course along with you, but seeing this reality up close was even more impressive.

His bed was tidy, but the books scattered on top of it gave the final touch to what truly meant to be in Heeseung's environment.

“You have a lot of books.” You commented when you saw Heeseung placing the other chair next to his at the table and he mischievously smiled “Of course I do. I want to be an attorney, so I need to read a lot.”

“Attorney?” You raised an eyebrow. “I think it’s cool if you want to follow that path… You’d probably enjoy talking to my dad.” You spoke softly at the last part, but Heeseung heard it anyway.

He noticed that the way you spoke insinuated that you didn't want to follow that path and curiously, as if your father was a distant figure for you.

“Don’t you want to be an attorney?” Heeseung asked you, seeing you going towards his desk and sitting down with a serious expression. “To be honest, I don't know… it’s not my dream.”

He sat down next to you and came closer, trying to make you comfortable. “Do you have an idea of what you want to do?”

“Maybe a prosecutor?” You confessed and smiled shyly. It was the first time you had talked about this dream with anyone other than Gaeul. “It’s still a distant idea, I guess I’ll become an attorney first. That’s what everyone expects of me anyway.”

“Everyone?” He asked gently. “It’s complicated.” You sighed and he realized it was still a sensitive subject that you might not want to explain, and he wasn’t going to pressure you into doing so. He also had things to deal with that he didn’t open up about easily.

“Well, regardless of what you choose, I know you’ll do well.” He commented as he placed his notebooks and laptop on the table. “You’re the only one who’s managed to beat me sometimes, and I know very well that not just anyone can defeat me easily.”

You gave Heeseung a smile, realizing he was trying to cheer you up in his own way. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

He smiled and watched you placing your materials on the table, noticing the post-it notes with legal concepts on the wall in front of the table.

“Your room is… interesting.” You commented as you analyzed all the mnemonics and tips he had written on a post-it that was almost falling on the table. “Are you trying to start a fight?” Heeseung looked at you suspiciously and you laughed.

“No, I just think this room suits you.” You grinned “It’s cute.”

“Are you calling me cute?” Heeseung smirked, bringing his face closer to yours. “I’m talking about the room.” You replied, swallowing hard, opening your laptop.

“Well, that's a pity then.” You felt your cheeks burn and your body fizz at the suggestive tone of his comment.

Maybe you were seeing things, but it looked a lot like Lee Heeseung was flirting with you right now.

“So, before we start,” He continued to look at you while you tried to pretend that you weren’t feeling weak with his presence so close “I’m going to the kitchen to drink some water. Do you want something to drink?” He asked and you shook your head “No, I’ll drink the juice you gave me later.”

He gave a little smile of pride seeing that you actually accepted the juice he bought for you.

“Alright then, I’ll be right back.” Heeseung nodded and stood up as you tried to calm down.

'It's okay, he was just teasing me. I just need to calm down and focus on my studies.' You thought as you tried to convince yourself that the tension in the air was just some kind of illusion and not the harsh reality.

☆

Heeseung was in the kitchen getting a glass of water trying to understand the situation he was in. You were there, in his room, with your beauty shining like the morning breeze.

It felt like a dream. At first he didn't even know how to explain why he suggested it, but his intrusive thoughts were faster, shockingly you had accepted. In a way, you were there to study like you always do in the library, but this time he was feeling strange.

He wanted something to happen and this wasn’t good.

Because it meant that Heeseung had finally accepted his feelings of attraction towards you and was considering doing something about it.

He took a deep breath and decided to control himself for the sake of your project. However, as much as he tried to focus on his studies, the moment he walked past his bedroom door and saw you sitting cross-legged, your hair loose showing your neck, and the way you were biting the tip of your pen while focused on your laptop screen, all his common sense went straight out the window.

“So, can we start?” Heeseung asked, swallowing hard and scratching the back of his neck, feeling nervous. “Sure, where do you want to start?” You asked, looking at him with the sexiest eyes he swore he had ever seen in his life. “We can read the article you suggested.”

“Alright.” He smiled seeing how excited you seemed about the project. “By the way, I saw your CDs and posters.” You changed the subject as he opened the file on his computer “You’re quite… eclectic.” He chuckled and turned to you “Why? Did you think I only listened to one type of music?”

You shook your head and gave him a side smile. “I thought you were more into the classics.”

“I like a little bit of everything, you know? I can appreciate different types of art.” He noticed the way your skirt seemed to have ridden up the moment you adjusted yourself in your chair.

“I’m surprised.” He looked away, trying to control his thoughts. But it was hard when you looked like a goddess next to him. “Every day I discover something new about you.”

“Well, I told you that there are a lot of things about me that you don’t know.” He replied as he locked gazes with you. Heeseung definitely had a unique charm.

“Fair enough.” You replied and he gave you that smile that made your legs lose strength. “I think I made too many assumptions about you.” You confessed, leaning against the table and he brought his face closer to yours “Yeah? Maybe you should get to know me better then.”

You felt your body catch fire at the way he whispered an octave lower than normal and smirked “Yeah, maybe I should.”

Heeseung felt his face and ears heat up at the way you were looking at him.

He knew something had changed between you and the tension was so intense you could cut it with a knife.

His eyes dropped to your exposed neck. Your sweet scent was intoxicating the air and the necklace you were wearing was shinier than usual. It adorned your collarbone magnificently.

Did you have to look this good for a measly study date?

He didn't know if he could cross that invisible line between you, so he slowly approached you, lowering his gaze to your mouth. Since he was sitting on your left side, his right hand went up to your face and tucked a single strand of your hair behind your ear.

You felt a shiver run through your body as his fingertips lightly touched your ear.

His face moved closer to yours agonizingly slowly, and you felt his sweet minty breath fan your face.

Heeseung instinctively wet his lower lip with his tongue and you felt your breath catch as he lowered his right hand to the corner of your neck, touching you gently.

Your eyes locked into Heeseung's intense, dark eyes, and you felt your body fizz at the way he was staring at you. It was intense, serious, deep, as if he wanted to convey a message that only you would understand. You didn't need to say anything. The way you looked at each other was the answer to the unspoken question that floated implicitly in the air.

The desire you both feel is mutual.

He moved closer and pulled your neck towards him, pressing the spot with his long fingers. You closed your eyes when you felt his mouth brush against yours as if he was testing your reactions.

Heeseung kissed you, gently pressing his lips against yours, sending a dose of pleasure through your body. He gave you a long peck and quickly pulled away to make sure that this was really happening.

He was kissing you. This is real.

He smiled over your lips and kissed you again, with more intensity, making you pull him by the collar. Heeseung's left hand landed on your left thigh, squeezing the skin there and you felt your stomach churn.

Heeseung bit your lower lip and you moaned, making him feel a wave of pride invade his body. Your arms wrapped around his neck, while your hands went straight to his soft hair.

All you wanted to feel was the soft strands of his gorgeous hair between your fingers and you finally knew what that felt like. Heeseung groaned into your mouth as you pulled his hair and scratched the back of his neck with your nails.

Heeseung felt like he had ascended to heaven as he felt your soft lips moving over his. You were like water on a dry day that he couldn't get enough of.

Not even his deepest thoughts could recreate the exultant feeling he felt when he finally kissed you. He was thirsty and wanted more. As much as he tried to hold it in, his deep desire was stronger and he happily gave in to its sweet taste.

You separated for a brief second to catch your breath and he licked your lower lip making you open your mouth slightly sighing as he deepened the kiss with his tongue.

The kiss that started soft was now intense, passionate and more desperate. You ran your hands down Heeseung's neck until they stopped on his chest. Heeseung intertwined his right hand in your hair while his left rested on your lower back.

Heeseung kissed you intensely, as if he couldn't stop. You lost track of time as you let yourself be numbed by the feeling of Heeseung's tongue exploring your mouth.

He sucked on your bottom lip before attacking your neck with longing open-mouthed kisses. “You're so beautiful.” He whispered against the skin of your neck as he brushed it with his lips making you press your thighs together and sigh in pleasure “So fucking beautiful.”

You held onto Heeseung’s hair and his left shoulder as he got closer “Heeseung.” You whispered but were interrupted by his mouth kissing the column of your neck with desire.

“You drive me crazy.” He whispered in your ear making you roll your eyes back and moan embarrassingly. Heeseung felt his pants tighten at the reactions and sounds you made.

His left hand went to the buttons of your pink blouse with slight desperation. He was panting and you were spaced out with so many things happening at the same time.

You knew you wanted Heeseung, but you didn't know it would be this intense.

“Fuck” He trailed kisses from your throat to your collarbone, allowing the scent of your perfume to sweetly intoxicate his senses “It’s hard to contain myself when you’re like this.” He whispered over your mouth, kissing you again.

You couldn't form a coherent sentence. Your heart was racing, your breathing was short, and even though you were sitting down, you felt all the strength in your legs evaporate.

His hands went to your thighs, smoothing them up under your skirt. You reached out to take off the denim jacket he was wearing and he smirked over your mouth.

"So eager, huh?” he teased you and you sighed, frowning “Look who's talking.” You whispered wryly trying not to be embarrassed at how breathless and needy you sounded.

“Thought you liked it when I teased you, babe.” Heeseung’s sensual tone as he took off his coat made you lose the last of your breath. His shoulders looked even bigger up close.

“Just shut up and kiss me.” You whispered and pulled Heeseung by the collar of his shirt, making him give you several kisses and smile on your lips “So bossy…”

The way Heeseung's mouth seemed to fit perfectly into yours was impressive.

Heeseung's hands went under your shirt, squeezing the bare skin of your waist, giving you goosebumps and making you moan into Heeseung's mouth.

He was relentless. Heeseung's mouth devoured you with fervor and desperation, leaving you breathless. You held onto the hem of Heeseung's shirt as he pulled away slightly, turning his head for a moment.

“What’s wrong?” You asked, feeling your entire body tremble.

“Wait.” Heeseung reluctantly moved away a little more, hearing noises from outside “Do you hear that?” He turned to the door and you breathlessly tried to focus on what he was saying.

Until you noticed – the sound of keys moving near the principal door latch. You adjusted your skirt down and buttoned the first few buttons of your blouse that Heeseung had unbuttoned.

Suddenly you were paralyzed and stared at each other when you heard the key opening the main door in the room.

“Man, I'm dead, I want to sleep the rest of the afternoon.” Jake spoke loudly and you and Heeseung quickly separated from each other as he tried to fix his hair and appear as natural as possible.

You adjusted your seats as if you were studying your computer screen intently.

“Heeseung, are you there?” Jake knocked on his friend’s bedroom door and opened it at once “I need to tell you what happened to me at the coffee shop—” Jake’s eyes widened and he froze when he saw that you were in Heeseung’s room.

Heeseung glared at him with a menacing look. That look that implicitly said 'get the hell out of here'.

“I’m kind of busy right now, Jake.” He said through gritted teeth and his friend gave an awkward smile and scratched his head “Oh sorry to disturb you guys. I didn’t know you were studying … but it’s good to see you y/n.” He greeted you and you nodded politely “Hi.” Your voice came out soft and thin with fright.

“Well then, we’ll talk later.” Jake said to Heeseung with a teasing look making Heeseung want to kill him at that moment.

He closed the door to Heeseung's room and you were left in absolute, awkward silence.

Your heart was racing and your breath was still coming in short gasps. What the hell had happened?

“Sorry, I forgot Jake could come back earlier today.” Heeseung sighed as he ran his hand over his face, trying not to feel embarrassed by the awkward situation you both found yourselves in.

“It’s okay.” You gave a small laugh through your nose “We can try studying now… if you want.” Heeseung looked at you and mischievously smiled “Honestly, I don’t know if I’m in the mood to study right now.” He confessed looking into your eyes, hitting you like an electrifying lightning bolt.

You nodded and smiled, feeling your insides stir at Heeseung’s gentle tone “Yeah, me too.”

So, in silent agreement, you decided to organize the table and put away the materials. Even though the tension was still there, Jake cut the mood, so all that was left was the weird tension and the end of this unsuccessful study session.

After you packed your things, Heeseung walked you to the door and looked at you apologetically “Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you back?”

“No, it’s okay.” You smiled and felt embarrassed remembering what happened moments before trying to calm your heart.

“Okay.” He leaned against the side of the door, crossing his arms and smiling at you “We’ll schedule the next meeting later.” He whispered as he tried to contain a smile with his teeth biting his own lip.

You nodded and slowly turned around “Bye, Heeseung.” He gave you that shy smile that only he knew how to do “Bye, y/n.”

After he closed the door and you walked out into the hallway, all you could think about was what had happened that afternoon.

You kissed. No, you had made out intensely and passionately, but the scariest thing is to think of what would have happened if Jake hadn't interrupted you.

And the worst part is that you wanted more.

Heeseung was still awake, staring at his ceiling as he remembered what had happened that afternoon.

After you left, Jake tried to talk to Heeseung but he went off to clear his head — which clearly didn't work out very well. Even though he tried to occupy himself and do other things he was still numb to the feeling of your mouth on his.

Heeseung couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, you appeared in his mind. He couldn't forget the feel of your soft skin under his fingers, your bright, pleading eyes, and how soft your mouth was.

He ran his hand over his face trying to control himself, but he couldn't help but feel hot when he remembered your kiss. He had taken the risk of kissing you, but he didn't expect your response to be as intense as his.

Heeseung couldn't pinpoint when everything changed, because 3 months ago he couldn't stand you, but now he couldn't wait to see you.

He picked up his phone and saw that it was almost 1 am and he couldn't get you out of his head. Your scent was tattooed on his mind and he knew he wanted to smell it again.

Heeseung wanted to see you, touch you, kiss you again.

But a doubt hovered over his mind: what about you? What did you want? Do you regret it? Or did you also like it and want more?

Heeseung knew there was no way to guess that now, but he would do whatever it took to find out.

☆

It's been 3 days since you and Heeseung were in complete silence.

After what had happened in his room, you were still in shock. But the fact that you and he didn't talk anymore was worrying and it irritated you.

You guys made out in his room and he couldn't send you at least a good morning text? Or anything else? How would you communicate and behave when you had to meet for your project after this?

Deep down, you didn’t know whether you regretted it or not. You don’t want to mess up your – finally – good relationship, but at the same time, you want to kiss him again. You don't know how this will impact the two of you, but you know you don't want to get ghosted by Heeseung or get weird by it.

Like a mature adult, you tried to occupy your mind with your civil law presentation, but the worst part was that nothing could get the vision of Heeseung out of your head. The words he whispered and how he kissed you like he’s been longing for it for a long time… it was too much.

The day of the presentation had already arrived, and even though you were confident in your knowledge, you were afraid to see Heeseung again.

You don't know how to behave or what to say when you see him. You could barely translate the things you were feeling at that moment when he intensively kissed you. In the end, all you knew was that even though you were irritated, you could barely see him without feeling your stomach twist and your body heat up.

On the other hand, for the first time in his life, Heeseung was excited to see your performance.

You were already at the front of the class with your slides turned on and waiting for the professor to give the go-ahead for you to start presenting.

Heeseung was sitting a little further forward so he wouldn't miss any details. His gaze met your and he gave a smile that made your insides melt.

It was different to feel that this time Heeseung's presence made you more nervous than usual.

When you started your presentation, everyone stopped and hung on every word.

Mainly Heeseung.

It was curious how you didn't look nervous while you clicked on the slides to explain your topic. Your confidence exudes how much you had prepared for the presentation, making him admire you even more. He eyed you attentively, not wanting to miss any of your moves. Your hands weren't shaking, and the way you presented yourself was so delicate and so fierce at the same time. He smirked watching how you pointed to the topics on the slide.

You really used his idea for your slides.

'Such pretty hands.' He thought about how it would feel them touching his face, his skin, him. The horde of forbidden thoughts filling his mind.

He swore he was really paying attention to what you were saying, but he got distracted so easily that even he couldn't explain why.

Suddenly he realized that he was thinking about things that definitely had nothing to do with possessory dispossession but had to do with what it must be like to see you on top of him while his hands roamed over your body.

His thoughts were interrupted when you finished your presentation perfectly making the sound of claps fill the room.

Once again you had outdone yourself in a presentation, but this time Heeseung wasn't analyzing the way you explained or trying to see if you would make mistakes in your diction. Now he could only think about how admirable your effort was.

Especially how he wanted you so bad.

However, when class ended, you had disappeared without giving him a chance to talk to you, leaving Heeseung even more anxious. What did he have to do to finally be able to talk to you again?

The ballroom was adorned with bright lights and chandeliers with sparkling stones that could blind you if you stare at them for too long. The buffet tables were extravagant (as always) and contained every type of food you could imagine. Seafood, pasta, and a variety of drinks. The exaggerated extravagance mixed with the forced, discreet laughter was a known sound that made your ears itch.

People were dressed in all the elegance that the event required, and everyone seemed polite and well-behaved. However, even from a distance you could capture several fake smiles, carefully placed on the faces of poor university students who were trying to survive in this environment by flattering more well-known and experienced attorneys in search of a possible internship or job at a renowned firm.

The P&J Foundation event was one of the only ones open to university students and law school graduates looking to meet future work partners or new opportunities in the job market.

And of course you would be there, “enjoying” the extravagant decorations, the lectures and the valuable advice from several experienced professionals — that’s the main reason why people go there anyway. But one of the biggest reasons was that your father was one of the sponsors, so missing out was not an option.

Even though it was a beneficial event for several college students, you felt slightly uncomfortable due to the judging looks people gave you when they saw you standing there drinking whatever was on the table without talking to anyone.

You were silent, observing the environment. Since you arrived, you had only greeted a few attorneys who approached to ask about your father, and not about you. It was as if you weren't even an option, but just the daughter of the great attorney Park.

In a way, it was comforting to know that the event wouldn't last long and maybe someone you knew would show up to relieve your boredom.

Someone like Heeseung.

“You look lonely.” Heeseung’s unmistakable voice behind you stole your attention, making you turn around at once “Maybe you need some company?”

Your breath caught in your throat and your eyes widened at the sight of Heeseung in a black suit and parted hair in front of you.

Your eyes shamelessly roamed over Heeseung's entire body seeing how the suit was intricately molded to his torso and waist. The black dress shirt he was wearing underneath was plain and was slightly open to reveal a bit of Heeseung's collarbone and his thin silver necklace.

“Oh, it’s you.” You swallowed hard and kept your face straight, nonchalant at seeing him. After 3 days of not talking to you, this is how he shows up?

He had his hands in his pants pockets and approached you with that smirk that drove you crazy “You look beautiful.” He took your hand and gave it a soft kiss on your knuckles while piercing through you with his intense eyes.

You felt butterflies in the pit of your stomach and a shiver ran down your spine seeing Heeseung's delicacy. Even if you wanted to be angry at him, it would be difficult to remain that way when he acted like this, it’s like he knew exactly what to do to disarm you.

“Thank you.” Heeseung’s eyes couldn’t move away from your figure, making your neck heat up.

“Your suit looks good.” You spoke sincerely and Heeseung chuckled “Just my suit?” He whispered, bringing his face closer to yours and firmly held your waist making you look away.

“What do you want, Heeseung?” Your cheeks were burning and your lips puckered in a cute pout that Heeseung found adorable even if you were speaking in a harsh way.

“Can we talk?” You felt weak at his gentle tone combined with the way he sweetly stared at you “Talk about what?” He chuckled through his nose and tilted his head so he could whisper in your ear “Stop pretending like you don't know.” The way his warm breath tickled your ear made you dizzy.

“Fine.” You sighed and crossed your arms trying to maintain your posture “Let's go somewhere.” You weren't going to talk about this in front of everyone, so you decided to lead the way to some secluded place where you would have the privacy you needed while you struggled to organize your thoughts. What was he going to talk to you about? The kiss? What did it really mean?

Your anxiety was already at its peak, but you felt a sense of deja vu when he placed his hand behind your back as you walked down the hall.

“So, are you enjoying the event?” He asked in a whisper and you snickered “’Enjoying’ is a strong word...” Your sigh made Heeseung raise an eyebrow “It’s boring.”

“I thought these parties were your thing.” He confessed and you mockingly glanced at him “I’m just used to them, but they’re usually a drag.”

“Yeah, it must be hard growing up going to rich people’s parties and eating the best of the best.” He said ironically and you pushed him lightly, giving him a sour smile “It’s not that fun when you have to flatter others so they don’t talk bad about you or your father.”

Your confession made him stare at you for a moment and go silent. Heeseung knew that you were a layered person and that in the past he had a lot of bad impressions of you, so maybe he needed to admit that he was wrong and try to see things from your point of view.

Suddenly you left the main hall and managed to find an empty room in an isolated corridor away from everyone. You entered and realized that it was a small storage room full of folders on dark grey shelves, a table and a locked cabinet.

After you both entered the room, Heeseung locked the door behind him, and you stood in front of the table with your arms crossed, impatiently staring at him. Unfortunately for your heart, it seemed like his addictive scent was even more evident in this closed room.

“So?” Your tone was impatient “What do you want?” He slowly smirked and approached you cautiously.

“You seem angry.” he stood in front of you making you scoff and put your hands on your hips “You didn't answer my question, Heeseung.”

Heeseung took a deep breath and looked away for a moment. He spent the whole afternoon mentally rehearsing what he was going to say, but now that he was in front of you it was different. Your red dress was making him lose his mind.

He needed to be honest, and he wouldn't run away anymore.

“I'm sorry.” your face softened at the sincerity in his voice “I’m sorry for disappearing, I know I should have said something.” Heeseung looked at you tenderly and touched your cheek “But ever since we kissed, I got crazy, like I genuinely couldn’t sleep, study or do anything without you showing on my mind” he breathed out “So… I needed to understand what I was feeling.”

You swallowed hard as you waited for him to finish.

“The truth is that I can’t stop thinking about you.” he whispered, moving closer to you “I know that since we met, we haven’t gotten along, and maybe I’m at fault at this because I’ve been an idiot to you several times, but there’s just… something about you…” he slid his fingertips under your jaw “You drive me crazy.”

Your heartbeat was already going crazy, while your breath was caught in your throat. The closer he got, the more you felt your feelings stir.

“What do you mean by that?” you frowned and crossed your arms, trying not to be shaken by Heeseung’s words and scent invading your senses.

He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. “What I mean is that I’m here admitting that I want you.” he spoke directly making your legs weak.

Heeseung came closer and you felt your back touch the table behind you. His hands went straight to your waist as he pressed your body against his. Your back arched slightly and Heeseung brought his face closer to yours. “Do you really want me?” you asked shakily under the atmosphere pressure, and he smiled.

"Yes, I want you." he whispered against your mouth as he gripped the corner of your neck with the long fingers of his right hand "Isn't it obvious?"

His body radiated a unique heat that destroyed all your sanity. His dark eyes looked at you with intensity, breaking down all the defenses you swore you had put up against him.

“You’re all I have on my mind.” his smooth lips brushed against yours and your breathing became heavy “Can I kiss you?” his question was like an arrow being pierced through your heart “Yes.” you whispered, holding onto Heeseung’s forearms.

He smiled and kissed you passionately, pressing his body against yours. An electrifying current ran through your entire body when you felt his lips move intensely and passionately.

Heeseung kissed you with an insatiable desire. He couldn't get enough of your taste. He always wanted more and more. Suddenly, you groaned when you felt his tongue slide over yours and his hands grip your hips.

You couldn't deny it. Heeseung knew exactly what he was doing, and it was so hot that you pulled him by his collar wanting more.

Heeseung moved his kisses down to your jaw and you gasped when you felt him grab your body by your thighs and place you on the table behind you.

“Did you dress up for me?” he whispered as he attacked your neck with desire “No, I always dress well.” you tried to answer feeling your breath quicken. Your hands went straight to Heeseung’s hair and he smiled against your skin “Aw, it’s a shame. I thought you wanted to impress me.”

Heeseung kissed your sensitive spot below your ear and you moaned making him smile against your skin “Why? Are you impressed?” you teased Heeseung and he moved his hands up your thigh under your red dress.

“Yeah.” he placed a lingering kiss on the center of your throat making your body tremble with desire “You're looking so fucking beautiful in this dress.” he kissed you again as you pulled him towards you with your legs. This time he kissed you slowly and deeply while holding onto your loose hair.

Heeseung was on cloud nine. How much he had missed feeling your lips on his, clashing in perfect harmony. When you pulled away from his mouth to breathe and began to kiss the length of his neck, he moaned, making you close your legs around him.

“You should see me when I'm not wearing it, then.” you whispered sensually before biting Heeseung's ear making his breath shaky as he squeezed your thighs tightly “Fuck — stop teasing me, baby.” The way he called you made your stomach turn.

“Why? What are you going to do if I don't stop?” You looked into his eyes, faking innocence, and began to slowly open the buttons of his suit, teasing him with your fingertips “You don't wanna know.” he smirked holding your neck tightly “I'm going to ruin you.” he bit your lower lip making you moan and squeeze his hips with your legs pulling him closer, seeking any kind of contact.

When you finished unbuttoning his suit, you ran your hands over his black dress shirt, sliding down his chest to his stomach, noticing how surprisingly defined he was. Heeseung instinctively groaned into the kiss and pulled your hair back to attack your neck and collarbone, making you gasp.

All of your reactions were like fuel that further fueled the fire inside Heeseung. He knew he couldn't go all the way in this storage, but the way you moaned and squeezed him with your thighs was making it difficult to control himself.

“You're making it hard for me to stop.” Heeseung said in a broken sigh with his forehead pressed against yours as his hands explored you beneath your dress “I want to touch you.” You could see the longing in his glossy eyes, especially by the way his cheeks and ears were burning red.

How beautiful he looked in that state of despair. A sight that only you had the privilege of having: seeing Lee Heeseung completely surrendered to you begging to touch you.

“Okay.” You whispered and cupped your hands around his cheeks, pulling his face to yours in a kiss, making him melt inside. It was insane how his mouth fit perfectly on yours, as if it was made especially for you.

Your entire body was on fire. The butterflies danced deep in your stomach when he slowly pulled the sides of your panties down as he ravished your mouth with his desperate kiss.

Heeseung's bangs were already losing their definition from all the movement and small beads of sweat accumulating on both of your foreheads making you think that your clothes were a big impediment.

With trembling hands, you began to open the buttons of his blouse, feeling the soft skin of his neck and collarbone under your fingers making him let out low grunts that shuddered your mind and body.

He forcefully pulled your legs closer to the edge of the table, making your body arch slightly. Your breathing became uneven as he removed your panties completely, letting them fall to the floor.

In a brief moment of sanity, you couldn’t believe you were doing this with Heeseung inside a storage room. This was dangerous, insane, lewd, and unfortunately, you liked it. It’s like your brain shuts out whenever you get involved with Heeseung.

As his hands began to roam the inside of your thigh you began to feel more desperate. “Heeseung, p–please.” Your stutter made Heeseung smile as his fingers slid across your skin teasingly.

“What?” he asked as he left a trail of kisses on your cheek “Please. Touch me.” You were on edge and he wasn’t helping.

He smiled against your skin, taking small bites on your jaw as his right hand slowly rose, as if to test your patience.

“Heeseung.” You dug your fingers into his shoulder, whispering, like a plea.

But before he could give you what you wanted, your phone started ringing madly. You were startled by the sound, and he pulled away for a moment so you could find your phone in the middle of the table.

You looked at the screen and your body stiffened when you saw that it was your father calling you. Heeseung instantly noticed the change in your body language and distanced himself enough to look at your face.

“Damn it.” You tried to steady your breathing “It’s my father.”

Heeseung stood up straight and reluctantly let go of your body, trying to catch his breath. He felt irritated. Why did it seem like someone always managed to ruin the mood between you two whenever you were alone?

He soon noticed that you were hesitating, so he grabbed your panties and gently pulled them up over your legs and touched your cheek with his knuckles “You need to take this call, don't you?” he asked in a tender whisper and you nodded, feeling suddenly ashamed of the situation you found yourself in.

“I'll give you some space.” he stepped away, closing the buttons on his shirt that you undone and straightening his suit again.

As Heeseung fixed his hair, you closed your legs, feeling completely frustrated at the interruption, and jumped off the table, adjusting your dress.

With a cough to regulate your voice, you answered your phone trying to sound normal.

“Hello? Father?” Heeseung leaned against the wall and stared at you from afar as you lowered the fabric of your dress.

Your face showed an expression of defeat, feeling like this situation is more complicated than it seemed.

Suddenly Heeseung began to reflect on how easily he lost control when he was with you. It seemed like it was too easy to lose himself in you, as if there were no consequences.

“What?” You felt your heart stop at what you just heard “Are you here at the event?”

Heeseung and you looked at each other at the same time, knowing what that meant.

You would have to face your father that night.

☆

Heeseung had helped you adjust your dress before you left the storage room first. Since he didn't want to draw attention, Heeseung had the idea of you going first and then he would leave.

You were clearly upset, frustrated, and tired. Why did your father have to come to this event now? Your mind could barely think straight after what had happened in the storage room.

Your heart calmed down, but you couldn’t forget Heeseung’s confession. How sincere and desperate he sounded. Your mind constantly went back to the way he talked, touched you, acted. He was addictive.

As you mingled through the crowd looking for your father, Heeseung watched you from afar, analyzing your behavior. Apart from the fact that you were a begging mess minutes earlier, the way you tensed every time your father was mentioned made him think there was something more about you that he needed to uncover.

You randomly wandered through the main ballroom and Heeseung approached your figure again “You seem lost.” he commented and you laughed lightly hearted “I’m just looking for my father.”

“What’s he like?” Heeseung asked looking at the crowd with you “Serious? A bit scary, I guess...” you whispered the last part, and he arched his eyebrow “I’ll be right by your side then.”

The way Heeseung showed he cared for you made you smile slightly “What a gentleman…” he smiled feeling the irony of your voice “Of course, I know how to treat a woman.”

You glanced at him, seeing how he was giving that naughty smile that meant he was thinking about things that had nothing to do with chivalry.

“Sweetie, I'm glad you came.” before you could say anything, your conversation was interrupted by your father's voice.

Heeseung turned to the side and saw how unusual your posture was. You suddenly looked more rigid, serious and with a monotonous expression.

You turned to your father and gave him that weak smile that Heeseung knew wasn’t genuine. “Hello, father.” Heeseung noticed how you called your father in a distant and formal way. As if you didn’t have the freedom to call him whatever you wanted.

“I didn’t expect you to come.” As always, you communicated only what was necessary with your father. Nothing less and nothing more. “I managed to get some free time to come see you and see my event.”

Heeseung realized what that meant. He was the famous Attorney Park who sponsored events and ways for people from difficult backgrounds like himself to have a chance in the legal field.

He was a legend in his field and his intentions seemed good, so why did you seem so distant?

“And who is this fine gentleman?” He turned his gaze to Heeseung who instantly bowed and extended his hand in a polite way “I'm Lee Heeseung, sir. Pleased to meet you.” He friendly smiled and your father shook his hand while he analyzed his figure.

“He’s my friend from college.” You replied, surprised at your father’s friendly interaction with Heeseung.

Heeseung didn't miss how you had called him friend and how strange it sounded. He didn't want to be your friend, he wanted much more.

“I didn’t know you had such a polite friend.” Your father seemed to be in a good mood while you felt a little more comfortable seeing that your father had taken a liking to him.

Then suddenly you started to realize how important this had become to you. His opinion of Heeseung was important because you really cared about him.

“I feel honored, sir.” Heeseung smiled gently “So, Heeseung.” Your father's attention was solely focused on Heeseung “Tell me, what do you think of this event?” Your father asked Heeseung, who swallowed hard and gave a gentle smile, feeling his gaze fixed on him.

“I think it is a terrific opportunity, sir. I had the chance to have a fruitful conversation with a few attorneys along with a friend and we had some great legal advice.” he was sincere and you bit your lower lip trying to contain your smile at how his vocabulary suddenly went back to being completely formal compared to the way he normally speaks to you.

It was hilarious to see him chatting calmly and composed as if he hadn't been absolutely ravishing you just minutes ago in a storage room.

“That’s great.” Your father gave a satisfied smile with his answer “Me and a few other colleagues sponsored this kind of event because life wasn’t easy for us, so we want to help the next generation in the best way possible.” Heeseung looked away to see Jake seemed more well-behaved than usual as he chatted with two older attorneys from afar.

“It’s an amazing event, sir. We are really grateful for this unique opportunity.” Heeseung smiled sincerely as your father seemed pleased with the conversation “What do you plan to do in the future, son?” Heeseung was left speechless for a moment “I want to be an attorney, sir.” You noticed how his voice trembled a little and you noticed how this was a big deal to him. This is his dream for real.

“That’s wonderful.” Your father gave a smile that left him stunned. It had been a long time since you had seen your father smile like that. “Since I became an attorney, I’ve been able to change my family’s lives, so I would say it’s worth it.” Heeseung felt an instant sense of identification with the sentence your father said.

“That’s why I have high expectations for my daughter.” He looked at you and you gave a tense smile that Heeseung instantly noticed ���She’s the best in the class so she would indeed be a sensational attorney, but if I may say this, sir, I believe that regardless of the career she decides to pursue in law, I know she will be successful, because she’s brilliant in everything she decides to do.” Heeseung spoke seriously and you looked away from him, feeling your heart melt completely with his praise.

He could have promoted himself or just kept quiet. But he decided to risk it all by praising you to that degree, even without knowing your father.

And just like lightning strikes a tree and burns it, you realized the obvious truth: you were in love with Lee Heeseung and would accept the consequences that would come with that reality.

Your father looked at the two of you making it obvious he was analyzing the situation and understanding what was happening right there. The way Heeseung firmly said that, and you got shy made it obvious that you two were more than friends.

“It’s true.” Your father’s answer surprised you “If I’m being honest, I wish she could be an attorney like me, without the sufferings I had to go through, but I know her path can change, so I want her to be successful in any field.” You felt your body stiff. It was the first time your father had said something like that about you.

He didn't open up about his feelings very much, so you always thought that being an attorney in his office was everything he dreamed of and determined for you. "That’s why I’m strict with you.”  He looked at you with that stoic look you never understood “Well, you know I want the best for you, my dear." You nodded, feeling a whirlwind of sensations.

This interaction was different from what you expected. Your father was a mysterious man, of few words and curious actions, but you knew he was trying his best, despite being terrible atcommunicating his own feelings.

You may need more time to talk until you finally understand what kind of person your father is, but this brief, unexpected interaction is enough for now.

“Since you want to be an attorney, then come visit my office someday.” he turned to Heeseung who was stunned by the proposal “I can give you some advice when I have time.”

“It would be an honor, sir.” He showed your father an excited smile and you held back the urge to tease him right there. He was so cute when he got excited about a subject that interested him, especially about law.

“Father, you’re going to take all his time.” You said, smiling with your eyes, and your father laughed out loud “That’s right, I came here to stop by quickly and ended up talking too much.”

Your father shook Heeseung's hand and turned to you “Come visit me later, sweetie. It's been a while since we had dinner together.” You gave a slight smile and nodded “Of course, father.”

With one last greeting he took one last look at you and Heeseung before leaving without saying anything.

A part of you felt relieved, because for the first time in years you didn't feel so awkward after interacting with your father.

“Who would have thought, I'm alive to see Lee Heeseung wanting to go to my father's office.” You mocked Heeseung and he laughed, running his hand through his hair.

“Is that how you learned to give that fake passive-aggressive smile of yours?” he asked in a comical tone looking into your eyes and you smiled gently “It’s a basic prerequisite for survival in this environment.”

“It seems like a complicated cycle.” he said gently, turning to you “It is. You need to be perfect, always.” You glanced at Heeseung, seeing how stunning he was that all you could think about was how you wanted to attack him again “But I learned to deal with it.”

He looked at you again and felt a wave of remorse hit him. Ever since you met, he had been completely stupid and unbearable with you because of assumptions he made in his mind, but the more he got to know you, the more he realized that you were completely different.

“You know, I think I’ve been misjudging you all this time.” Heeseung confessed and you were surprised by his revelation “I thought you were the kind of insufferable rich girl who had no sense of reality, but I guess I was an idiot for thinking that without getting to know you first.”

“Heeseung—” “No, let me finish.” He looked into your eyes and touched your cheek with his hand as gently as possible “I’m really sorry for being such an ass to you for so long.”

Your heart seemed to explode as you heard Heeseung's sincere words.

“In a way I judged you because you seemed like you had an easy life, while I had to fight for a lot of things.” he sighed and closed his eyes for a moment “I know this is no excuse and I was immature and stupid, but I want to start over with you. Can we?” You gave him a mischievous smile “How can I deny it when Lee Heeseung is admitting his own defeat before me?”

He smiled, taking your hand between his knuckles “I'm serious. I'm sorry for the way I acted. I think you messed with me in some way since the beginning and I didn't know how to deal with those feelings.” the way he was finally opening up and confessing why he was so unbearable made everything fit together in your mind “So that’s why you were so annoying?” your suspicious look drew a hearty laugh from Heeseung “Yes, that too, but to be honest… it's actually really fun to tease you.”

You looked at each other for a moment, making him give that damn smirk that reminded you why you get lost in Heeseung every time you get alone. “I'm really trying to contain myself here, but you're not cooperating.” He whispered and looked away, making you give a discreet laugh.

“Oh, I didn't know you got so worked up because of me.” You whispered holding his arm innocently “I’m sorry mr. Lee, it's my fault.”

Heeseung looked at you like you were the most magnificent thing on the face of the earth. Suddenly he smiled and offered his arm so you could wrap your hands around it. “You better stop, or we won’t get to enjoy the rest of this event.”

You held his arm and smiled excitedly “Why? What are you going to do?” Heeseung sighed and gave one last whisper in your ear “Or we’ll have to finish what we started in that storage room.”

And with a few words Lee Heeseung made the nervousness boil in the pit of your stomach, making you excited about the idea of doing lewd things with him.

If someone had told you at the beginning of the semester that you would now be dating Lee Heeseung and walking hand in hand around campus, you would have thought they were crazy and needed to be hospitalized. But here you were, walking with a wide smile and bright eyes, your hand intertwined with Heeseung's soft fingers.

Gaeul was the first to know and she let out such an excited scream that you swore the entire building heard it. Yes, she was clearly loving the news and repeated several times about how 'she already knew' and 'it was obvious and only you didn't realize it' , but either way it was wonderful to feel like you had your best friend's support and to see how excited she was for your happiness.

Yes, indeed you were very happy, and this was unexpected since it was something you hadn't planned, it just happened. Heeseung had taken you out to dinner, given you roses and a necklace that officially symbolized that you were together. And of course, this was much more than you expected.

Ever since you and Heeseung were chosen as project partners, your mood was constantly tested, and you swore it was the worst thing that could have happened to you this semester. However, despite the initial disagreements, you ended up seeing another side of each other and you were surprised by the person Heeseung revealed himself to be.

A wonderful and passionate man in everything he does.

“Ugh, you guys are disgustingly cute.” Jake commented as Heeseung ate his lunch after putting more tomato on your plate because one day you said you loved the cafeteria salad.

“Thanks? I guess…” Heeseung laughed at his friend’s reaction while you ate your lunch calmly.

After you started dating Heeseung, you got to know more of his friends, and because of that, you realized that you didn't interact as much with people from college, so it's good to feel that your circle of friends has increased significantly.

“I always knew you two were a good match.” Jay said, taking a drink of juice, and Gaeul agreed with him “Oh my God, yes!!! I said the same thing! But she didn’t believe me.”

“Hey, why is our relationship being a topic at lunch?” You replied and they laughed, amused by the situation.

Heeseung was in a good mood. The atmosphere was lively, comfortable, and ideal. It was as if everything was going very well.

Just one thing that was making him nervous: The lack of time for you two to be alone.

Aside from the times you needed to meet up to study and work on your project, his activities and work were cutting into your time together and it was driving him crazy. He simply wanted to spend quality time with you without having to leave quickly because of some appointment or because someone interrupted you.

That's why he had decided that that day would be just for the two of you. He had already told Jake that he wouldn't talk to anyone and that he needed to be at peace with his girlfriend. So, after much debating, he decided that he needed to be alone with you and that was the day you would finally be together.

☆

“Babe, I can't believe we finally have some free time.” Heeseung was lying on his bed completely satisfied while you were lying flat on top of him. His right hand was firmly on your waist while his left rested on your cheek. His thumb drew patterns on your skin while you played with the buttons on the collar of his shirt “I know right? I guess our project and your job took a lot of our time.”

“I was dying to be like this with you.” He confessed, sliding his hand down your back “Just you and me.” You giggled, suddenly feeling shy “Me too.” Your confession made Heeseung smile mischievously.

How good it was to know that no one would interrupt you.

“Yeah?” He smiled, giving you a kiss on the cheek, another on your nose and finally on your mouth, making you smile gently.

Heeseung knew that you had become his calm place. Where he could rest and most importantly, stay.

It was curious how you had snatched his heart completely in just 4 months.

Because despite canceling himself out daily for the goals he felt he needed to accomplish, your presence came like a thunderbolt, changing his reality and allowing Heeseung to feel things he no longer remembered how they were.

He remembered what it was like to feel genuine desire for someone. What it really meant to genuinely care for someone.

“Hmhum.” You murmured in agreement with him, feeling his hands slide gently down to your behind squeezing the skin there making you sigh with pleasure.

“Is this okay?” he asked, acting innocent as he lifted the fabric of your skirt to touch your bare skin. His wet lips slid down your cheek, heading towards your neck.

Heeseung wasn’t in a hurry. He had all the time in the world, and he was going to enjoy most of it.

“Yes.” You replied trying not to lose your senses, as Heeseung kissed your neck at the slowest pace possible “You're so pretty, baby. Did you choose this skirt just to see me?” He asked and you smiled, nodding your head.

He smiled over your skin and nibbled, making your breath tremble and moan softly. Heeseung wanted to show you how desired you were, and he would take as much time as necessary to do so.

The afternoon was calm, silent, just like the afternoon of the day you kissed for the first time. He still remembers your subtle hesitation, as if you didn't know what to do at that moment but still responded to his kiss in a way he never imagined.

With his left hand Heeseung moved up the velvety skin of your back beneath your blouse. Your skin was soft, delicate, with a velvety touch that he loved to feel.

He couldn't get enough of the contrast of how soft your skin was compared to the hardness of his hands. He kissed your jaw slowly in a way that made you close your eyes and surrender completely.

When he finally reached your lips you intertwined your fingers in his hair, pulling him towards you. How you had missed this.

Heeseung kissed you slowly, taking his time as he enjoyed the softness of your lips moving against his. He could taste a faint strawberry from the lip gloss you were wearing.

The damn lip gloss that always caught his attention.

The kiss quickly sped up as Heeseung licked your bottom lip, making you gasp and moan as his tongue entered your mouth. He was no longer patient, after all, it was very easy to lose all control when it came to you. His hands went down under your skirt and grabbed your skin, making your desperate moans be swallowed by Heeseung's mouth.

Heeseung's handprints were left on the skin of your thighs, as if they were a tattoo of his deep desire that you wanted to keep it. He kissed you eagerly, thirsty, wanting to taste every inch of your body and touch you as you deserve.

He pulled your body up tightly, holding onto your hips, making him grunt at the sensation of your body pressing over his pants. He was breathless, but he didn't want to stop kissing you. He moved away slightly to adjust himself on the bed and you felt your head spin with all the action.

Your lips were already bruised from the desperate kiss, and you felt a chill in your stomach seeing how Heeseung's mouth was red and swollen and he still wanted more. He wasn't satisfied, he wanted to taste your entire body and mark it with everything he had: his hands, his lips and his teeth.

He grabbed the hem of your shirt and his breath hitched as you sat lightly on top of him and took off your own shirt “Are you blushing Heeseung? How cute…” You teased him by holding his cheeks, seeing how red they were along with his ears. Heeseung was feeling sick at the sight of you topless, wearing only a delicate pink lace bra and your short skirt that was already rolled up.

“Yeah.” Your hands rested on his chest, feeling his heartbeat at a frantic pace. He was so mesmerized by you that he could barely respond. His eyes roamed over your curves and he swallowed hard as he ran his hands up the skin of your torso, sending shivers down your spine.

“You're so beautiful, baby.” He whispered into your neck as he marked your skin with his teeth making you weak “Want to see more of you.” You pulled Heeseung’s face towards you, kissing him intensely. The mixture of your breaths with the suffocating encounter of your tongues made the air around you heat up.

Your hands pulled Heeseung's black shirt up as he helped you by giving you desperate kisses. Your body heated up at the sight of Heeseung's defined abs and you slid your fingertips across his skin, making Heeseung moan.

Heeseung wrapped his arms around you and turned you around, placing your body on the mattress and climbing on top of you.

He was absolutely breathtaking.

The strands of his bangs tickled your nose as he kissed you passionately. Your fingers gripped the back of his neck and your nails scratched the skin there, making him let out low grunts that made you even hotter.

Your hands slid down Heeseung's toned back as he trailed kisses along your jaw, down the line of your throat, kissing over the skin of your chest.

Heeseung made it his personal goal to mark all the skin on your body with his mouth if that was possible. He kissed and marked with hickeys whatever was possible while his hand squeezed the skin of your chest under your bra making you whimper.

With his right hand he moved up your back touching the clasp of your bra, opening it as he kissed the skin of your belly going lower and lower.

Amidst your sighs, Heeseung in one action took off your skirt and underwear, leaving you a little embarrassed and shocked with his dexterity.

Instinctively you closed your legs as he looked at you, feeling that his self-control had already disappeared. You were completely perfect.

But he wanted more.

Your soft skin seemed to glow with the small beams of light that escaped from his bedroom window. You were there, beneath him without clothes, and he was sure that you were the most beautiful woman in the world.

No one would ever compare to you.

“Don't be shy, I want to taste you.” he got on his knees, touched the top of your knees and slid down your legs looking at you between his messy bangs as you felt your heart explode inside your chest “Spread your legs for me, baby.”

Your insides churned with agitation, and you obeyed him slowly, feeling your cheeks heat up at the bold way he spoke.

Heeseung's gaze changed. He looked determined, insatiable, and desperate to taste every part of your skin.

He stood between your legs, kissing down your belly to the lower part of your stomach, holding onto your thighs, making you place your hand on his face, caressing him lightly. He felt his heart melt at your affection.

Heeseung placed his face in the palm of your hand, placing a tender kiss on the inside of your skin. He nuzzled into the warmth of your hand before giving you a lewd look that made your breath catch.

He kissed your thighs, making you anxious. His dark brown hair revealed reddish highlights from the light and you noticed the small mole he had on his forehead.

There was no denying that Heeseung was beautiful. And he was all yours.

Every time you felt Heeseung's mouth marking your skin, your breath hitched, and you closed your eyes at the overwhelming sensation. He didn't fail to notice how soaked you were already, making his pants tighten.

Heeseung devoured you with desire. He was relentless, savoring and sucking on your skin at an insane pace, as if he was starving. At times, he looked at you, taking it your reactions and feeling a sense of pride fill his chest at how desperate you looked by his marks. Your hands pulled his dark locks, making him grunt as you became numb with pleasure.

Your legs were wobbly, but Heeseung held on tightly while he marked more spots on your skin. You noticed how the veins on his forearms ran up to the back of his hands.

At that moment he was incredibly sexy.

You could not form comprehensible words, only broken moans and loud sighs that couldn't be translated.

“Feels so good, Hee.” You almost cried and Heeseung felt his heart clench at the way you called him “More.”

Heeseung on the other hand loved it all. He loved losing himself in you and seeing how desperate you became as he skillfully worked your body.

“Fuck—” He took a deep breath and gave a shaky sigh before sucking another spot at your inner thigh “Say that again, princess.”

“More, Hee—” Your voice could barely finish his name while Heeseung felt his pressure rise at the sound of your voice and panting moans.

As you melted under Heeseung's mouth, he held your hips so they wouldn't move up while he continued to kiss your bare skin from your lower stomach up to your mouth.

He gave you a tender peck on the corner of your mouth “You taste so good baby.” He whispered in your ear, sending shivers down your spine as you felt his hands roam over your body possessively “I want to make you mine.”

“Please.” You nodded with your eyes closed “I need you.” He smiled and kissed you once more as his right hand combed through your hair, intertwining his fingers in the strands on your scalp.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, kissing him madly, hoping he would understand all the feelings you wanted to deliver intrinsically with your kiss.

With ragged breathing he got to his knees, undoing his belt, while you tried to recover from everything that happened.

His forehead was wet with sweat and some strands of his bangs stuck to his skin. You felt your body tremble with anticipation, biting your lower lip at the sight of Heeseung giving a mocking smirk while not taking his eyes off you.

“How do you want it?” he teased you as he took off his pants, seeing how completely needy you were for his touch “Slow?” he took off his piece of clothing, hovering over you “or rough?”

A shiver ran down your spine at the question and he smiled watching as you closed your legs lightly around his hips at the last suggestion.

“Rough, huh?” He pulled your body closer by your hips and straddled you again “Is that right?”

That afternoon would be all about you. Heeseung decided that making you feel good would be his top priority and nothing else mattered. If you wanted it rough, he would give you exactly that.

“Yes.” You replied in a low whisper feeling your chest heave with excitement and Heeseung brushed his lips over yours “Yeah? You're so naughty, baby.” he bit his lower lip holding your wrists beside your head “You have this innocent pretty face, but you like it rough, huh?”

He crashed his lips into you with a deep kiss again, exploring your entire mouth violently with his tongue. He came to the conclusion that he would never get tired of your lips.

It was a messy, wet, intense and completely overwhelming kiss. Heeseung released your wrists, wrapping you in his arms, pulling your body into him, making your stomach knot with his aggression.

Your moans were swallowed by Heeseung's mouth as the pressure of his body on yours drove you crazy. He began attacking your neck with open kisses as he positioned himself between your legs.

“Please, Hee.” Heeseung smiled seeing how you begged for him. Just like the way he always dreamed of “I want you so bad.”

Your hands grabbed his strong shoulders, and he sucked in a breath, trying to control himself with the ecstatic sensation of your body enveloping him completely “You want me, baby?” Heeseung members were shaking as he heard your delirious whimpers in anticipation “So, be good for me and wait like a good girl.”

Heeseung's heartbeat was already racing in an insane rhythm as he held onto your hips tightly, sinking it into the mattress, but not giving what you wanted. “S-Stop teasing, Hee.” You whispered in despair, and he breathlessly moaned, feeling your nails scratching the back of his head between your choking whimpers.

“Sorry baby, I just wanna take my time with you.” While you felt Heeseung’s body completely over yours, your nails sank down the length of his beautiful, toned back, scratching his skin, and your forehead rested on his shoulder, hiding your face. Heeseung grabbed your jaw and pulled your face to him, kissing you, making your eyes water slightly “Look at me.” he whispered with a shaky breath over your mouth “I want to see your pretty face.”

“Hah—” You opened your slightly blurry eyes and could barely respond to Heeseung, who was breathing irregularly, adjusting himself at the perfect position “C'mon baby, you can take it.” he whispered, wrecking you completely.

Heeseung felt butterflies in his stomach seeing the sight of you beneath him writhing in pleasure. It was lewd, sexy and scorching. It was everything he wanted: to see you completely surrendered under him while he roughly handled you.

He finally realized that every day he discovered more reasons to love you, and he was happy that your love story was just starting.

At that moment, nothing else crossed your mind other than his name: Heeseung. So, you allowed yourself to give yourself completely to Heeseung and fall apart under his touch and the intoxicating feeling of his body on top of yours, giving you everything you wanted most.

☆

After a long bath and more stolen kisses, you were cuddling on Heeseung's bed while he stroked your hair.

“I'm so tired.” He said, smelling his shampoo on your damp hair “I need to sleep for about 10 hours straight to recover.”

You laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek “How a college student would find time to sleep for 10 hours?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll find a way.” he touched your cheek with the back of his fingers, caressing the spot “And you? Are you tired?” You nodded as you let yourself be numbed by the smell of Heeseung’s perfume “This semester killed me.”

“I know right? It feels like we didn’t even have a break.” He stroked your hair affectionately “And speaking of breaks… my dad wants you to have dinner with us next time.” You spoke in an uncertain tone, afraid of Heeseung’s reaction to the sudden invitation “Really?” He smiled at the corner of his mouth and looked at you, noticing how shy you were “Yes, at the last dinner we had he mentioned that he wanted me to invite you. I think deep down he realized that there was something between us since the day of the foundation event.” Heeseung chuckled remembering the interaction they had.

You felt more comfortable seeing how excited Heeseung seemed with the invitation “Sure, I’ll go.” he looked at you with a loving look that filled your chest “And how was dinner?”

“It was kinda weird… but nice.” Heeseung noticed a slight smile on your face. You usually had a strange relationship with your father, but ever since the day of the foundation event it seemed like your father had shown a new side. “We didn’t talk much, but I think I’m finally understanding a bit how my father’s mind works.”

Heeseung remained silent, leaving you comfortable to vent “Did you talk about your plans of not working on his office after graduation?” you smiled a bit “Kinda... I talked about the informal invitations I received from other offices, and he seemed neutral. He said I should analyze the opportunities that will come my way very carefully.”

“That sounds like a good answer.” Heeseung commented and you nodded “I feel like since my dad spent most of his time working to give me the best, we never really talked much, but now I think he’s trying, in his own way.”

“Maybe he’s not good with words, but he seems to care about you.” Heeseung stroked your cheek with his thumb “It was always like that, he never said much, but he tried his best.”

“Well, at least you had the courage to tell him about the proposals you received and now you can rest easy.” You smiled and gave Heeseung a long kiss that melted his heart “Yes, thank you for listening to me, baby.”

“Of course, love.” He gave you a long kiss on the cheek and looked into your eyes with an amused look “So… does that mean your father likes me?” Heeseung wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, giving you that confident smile that made you push his face away as he laughed “Oh, here you go again...”

“What? It's true.” He watched you run your fingers through his hair “I’m the best son-in-law he could ask for.”

You gave a mocking smile seeing Heeseung's confidence “And to think that I'm dating you... maybe I've gone crazy.” He pulled you by the waist, giving you a hug from behind and a kiss on the back of your neck “Yes... crazy about me.”

Yes, you had to admit that he was right.

You were crazy about Heeseung.

Mrs. Jung was attentive with a serene and calm expression as she watched you present your project. The entire class seemed impacted by the union of the best students in the course creating an impeccable synchronization. It was impressive how you were able to complement each other on the points where each of you had difficulty.

You and Heeseung were a duo that seemed to be perfect for chaos, but right now, everything seemed to fall into place as you showcased your incredible project with unique nuances. From the beginning, you overcame many barriers to give your best, and finally you could reap the fruits of your hard work.

“In conclusion, we must recognize that this evolution of human rights within international law is of utmost importance. In short, International States are not only composed of power and sovereignty, but also of individuals who need to be protected and guarded.” Heeseung naturally confidently ended his part by introducing the final conclusion of the project. It was clear that this was the environment in which he felt comfortable, presenting something he had the authority to speak about.

“And therefore, the protection of human rights is not just a mere internal concern of each Internacional State, but also of the entire global legal system.” You finish the presentation to the sound of polite applause filling the room. Mrs. Jung gave a satisfied smile and stood up from her chair holding the evaluation clipboard she was holding.

“I must say, when I paired you up I knew you had potential, but I’m immensely surprised.” You swallowed hard, fearing her assessment, since she was known as a strict teacher. “You decided to approach a complex topic, but the way you both explored and conducted the research was very interesting. It was a pleasant surprise, I’m very satisfied.”

Heeseung and you looked at each other, feeling flattered by the teacher’s praise. “Thank you very much, Mrs. Jung.” You thanked her and went to sit in your seats with smiles on your faces.

As Mrs. Jung called the next pair, Heeseung was feeling elated. You had finally finished this project and you had definitely gotten top marks, but the best part was knowing that he had won the best prize: you.

Heeseung's hand touched your thigh discreetly under the table and you turned to him trying not to smile. "Hee! What are you doing? We're in class!” You whispered in his ear and he gave a small smile “Relax, I'm just recovering my energy.”

You gave an airy laugh and placed your hand over his, intertwining your fingers “Can't believe I'm dating you.” He gave a closed-mouth smile and leaned down to your ear “I know, right? You're so lucky…” Heeseung whispered in an ironic tone and you held back from laughing.

“Oh, please.” You commented playfully “I’m trying to concentrate here, Hee.” Heeseung sighed and squeezed your hand before placing an affectionate kiss on your palm “My bad, baby. You're so pretty I lost my focus.” You rolled your eyes but felt your heart flutter “So cheesy…”

“But you love it.” He smiled and turned to the front.

You really loved the antics of Lee Heeseung, your former rival, project partner and best boyfriend you could ask for.

☆

1 YEAR LATER

Lying in your bed while reading a doctrine was Heeseung's guilty pleasure. Your mattress was much softer than his, your pillows were super comfortable, and the sweet smell of the bamboo air freshener you bought was chef's kiss.

He was calm, reading one of your favorite criminal law books that you had recommended due to the author's impeccable didactics. Your eyes scanned his figure, admiring his concentration.

He was wearing glasses, with messy hair and a black tank top that definitely wasn't cooperating with your thoughts. He looked too perfect, too good for someone who was just reading.

You usually loved doing your makeup or any other kind of activity while Heeseung read something in your room. Even the silence was comfortable between you because of his warm presence.

But today you couldn't concentrate properly. Heeseung was too handsome, and it was disturbing your mind. How dare he be so sexy like that without even trying?

It was unfair how he was so mesmerized by his book that he didn't realize how needy you were just by the sight of Heeseung in your bed.

You climbed onto your bed and crawled towards him, who seemed more focused than ever. When Heeseung felt your weight on his lap, he looked up from his book and stared at your angelic face. “What are you doing?” You smiled, pulling the book down “You need a break.”

“Babe, I was finally getting the grip of The Fruit of the Poisonous Tree theory!” He groaned feeling your body rub against the fabric of his pants “I’m just getting rid of your stress.” You said innocently as you placed the book on another corner of the bed “My stress? I think you are getting rid of your stress, miss.”

He held onto your waist, watching you hold onto his chubby cheeks. It was disconcerting how he could be cute and sexy at the same time. “Okay, maybe you’re right, but I still think a break would be good to you.” You gave him a peck on the lips that made him smile over your mouth.

“Yeah?” he asked, fitting his face into your neck “I guess I need a break then.” You sighed, feeling him run his lips along the length of your neck and smiled against your skin “Great.” your fingers intertwined in Heeseung’s soft hair, making him grunt and attack your mouth.

With your left hand you took off Heeseung's glasses and threw them on the bed as you deepened the kiss. His hands slid down your torso, eliciting broken moans from you.

As your senses were lost in Heeseung, your cell phone vibrated with the notification of your email.

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for an internship position at our law firm. We look forward to receiving your answer as soon as possible. — Jung & Taylor Legal Advisors

Perhaps your and Heeseung's journey into the legal world was just in the beginning.

☆

☆

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[yumeka-sxf]

Even though the Garden mission seems to have ended in this chapter, the arc is certainly not over!

The conversation between McMahon and Yor in the jeep was really interesting, so I wanted to break down these three particular parallels I found:

McMahon:

Got married before or after Garden?

-Married before Garden. This implies that, despite his stoic, "hardened killer" personality, there was a time in his life where he fell in love and still loves to this day.

Why are they still together?

-He doesn't know why they're still together (he mainly fights for his country)

Would they stay together if his secret was revealed?

-He doesn't think his partner would stay with him if she found out his secret, but he hopes she would. He thinks maybe that's why they're still together, which to me is his indirect way of saying that he still loves her and wants to be with her.

Yor

Got married before or after Garden?

-Married after Garden (for a cover-up, at least at first)

Why are they still together?

-She eventually realized she stays with the Forgers because they make her happy; she continues to fight to protect her loved ones, which includes them. Loid had told her that he wants her to continue being Anya's mother and his wife, but of course any mention of genuine love between the two of them is pending.

Would they stay together if her secret was revealed?

-This last point seems to be the main focus for how this arc will end. Although Yor doesn't say it, it's clear in her thoughts that Loid's words about admiring those who fight for such an honorable cause really touched her. These are the words that motivated her in the cruise arc, and she continues to think about them now, when the idea of whether he'd stay with her after finding out her secret comes up.

What McMahon said at the end of their conversation about how he'll continue to deceive his wife until the day he dies, and if Yor has any wavering thoughts about her own marriage, she should end it or else it would be bad for everyone involved...obviously we know that's the last thing Yor wants, which is why she decides to talk to Loid after getting home.

I've mentioned before that, unlike Loid who has yet to acknowledge any genuine feelings for the Forgers, Yor has come to realize that she wants to be with them because they make her happy, so obviously she doesn't want to end the marriage. But she doesn't know how Loid truly feels about it. He told her during their park bench conversation way back that Anya loves her and he wants her to keep being Anya's mother and his wife...but no mention about his feelings, particular whether he's truly happy about the whole arrangement or not. I think it's unlikely she'll flat out tell him her secret at this point, but perhaps his true feelings about her and the marriage is something she wants to confirm by talking to him now. Knowing this would allow her to better determine if he would still stay with her should he find out her secret.

I was not expecting the chapter to end here, but now we have some Twiyor goodness to look forward to in a couple of weeks 👀 Knowing Endo, this could just lead to something comedic, but I have a feeling there will be at least one really heartfelt moment as well. Seems like Yor's coat is covering the bandage she put on her neck, and her right arm might still be hurting...I wonder if Loid will notice anything?

Anyway, a couple other things I wanted to mention about this chapter...Keekee carrying the machine gun! She is actually a member of Garden, right? 😂

As I suspected, seems like Hemlock's little squabble with Yor made him even more delusional, lol. He and Fiona really need to meet (and have training sessions in the woods).

Anyway, I'm very excited for the next chapter! Interestingly, it releases on 7/7, which is Tanabata in Japan. For those who don't know, Tanabata is a traditional festival that celebrates the annual meeting of the deities Hikoboshi and Orihime (represented by the constellations Vega and Altair), who are lovers separated by the Milky Way. This date is probably just a coincidence, but I can dream, can't I? 😅

[rafayelxsylusho]

🌟 His POV 🐡

I've been working on these for sooooo long and I'm still not sure they are good enough.

Rafayel/Xavier

Sylus/Zayne/Caleb next...Maybe...

There is a line on Rafayel's story based on a poem I read a while ago. (Arabic poem by Ihsan Quddous)

Art: omi-resources

TW: Smut

I was used to the stares and whispers, the murmurs about my skill and the vibrant colors I brought to life on canvas. My paintings always left a profound impression, especially those centered around the ancient civilization of Lemuria, my ancestral home.

But tonight, there was only one pair of eyes I craved, one gaze that set my skin ablaze and made my heart race. She moved through the crowd, her hair cascading down her back, her small mouth curved in a soft smile as she took in my work.

I felt the heat of her stare before I even turned to face her. When I finally met her eyes she tore her gaze away, leaving me yearning for more. It drove me crazy, the way she turned away, breaking our silent connection. I craved her attention, her focus, her very essence. I would move mountains, traverse oceans, just to have her eyes on me. Always.

She doesn't realize I know everything about her, her quirks, her deepest fears, her wildest dreams. I've watched her grow, change, forget. I wanted to give her space, time to rediscover me on her own terms. So we started anew, like strangers, when in truth, I've loved her for lifetimes.

Hundreds of years, searching, waiting until our paths crossed again.

It's amusing how curious she is about me, asking questions, trying to unravel the puzzle pieces of my life. I let her explore, enjoying her enthusiasm and wonder. Starting from the beginning was a small price to pay to see that sparkle of interest in her eyes. She may have forgotten our past, but I'll never forget a single moment we've shared, a single breath we've breathed in sync.

She guessed my favorite color right off the bat, shouting out "blue" with a big, bright smile. Funny thing was, I didn't even know I had a favorite color until she said it aloud. I guess a part of me was waiting for her to define it for me, to give me a piece of myself that I never knew was missing.

When our lips met for the first time in this lifetime, it felt so incredibly right. It was like a missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place, a long forgotten memory resurfacing. I've kissed those lips before, in other lives, other times. The feeling of our mouths moving together was as natural and familiar as breathing. It was a homecoming, a reminder of the love that has always bound our souls together, even across time. That single kiss held the promise of a thousand more, each one rekindling the flame that had never truly been extinguished.

Throughout the evening, our eyes kept finding each other across the crowded room, again and again. There was a new spark in her gaze tonight, a different kind of longing that mirrored my own. I could feel the shift, the charge building between us like a storm on the horizon.

Last night, when she rubbed her soft curves against me, I nearly lost control. The feeling of her body, warm and eager, ignited a hunger deep within me. It was exquisite torture, delicious in its intensity. But I held back, determined to make this moment perfect for her, to let her set the pace.

Finally, as the night grew late and the moon hung high in the sky, we made our way to my house, her small body curled up in the passenger seat beside me.

She dozed off as I drove, her head lolling slightly to the side, dark lashes fluttering against the soft curve of her cheek. 

I carried her inside, her giggles and protests falling on deaf ears as I held her close, savoring the feel of her soft body pressed against mine. Once in my bedroom, I set her gently on her feet, steadying her as she found her balance.

We chatted about trivial things, the conversation drifting between us like a lazy river as I rummaged through drawers, searching for something suitable for her to wear to bed.

Suddenly, I heard my name called out. With a pajama set clutched in my hand, I turned to face her, only to find my breath catching in my throat, my words failing me utterly.

She stood there, naked, the dress she had worn tonight lying forgotten on the floor. My mouth went dry as I stared, transfixed by the beauty of her body. The moonlight streaming through my floor to ceiling windows casting a soft glow over her curves.

I must have stared for minutes, my eyes drinking in every inch of her skin, committing it to memory. From the column of her neck, to the soft swells of her breasts, the narrow waist and the flare of her hips, she was a vision of perfection.

When I saw her hands start to move, as if to cover herself, I found my voice. In a whisper, I commanded her, "Don't."

My feet carried me closer to her, unable to resist the pull of her allure. Close enough to feel the heat radiating off her skin, to smell the sweet scent of her perfume mixed with the unique aroma of her natural fragrance. I couldn't look away, couldn't tear my gaze from the beauty before me, a goddess made flesh.

"Don't you dare be shy now, cutie. A body like yours could bring any man to his knees, begging for a taste of paradise. It's a body crafted by the hand of god, yet made for the most sinful of delights."

"Then...why aren't you on your knees, Raf?

I dropped to my knees before her in an instant. She flinched slightly, concern flashing in her eyes as if worried about me hurting myself. If only she knew the truth, the only part of me aching was the hard length of my cock straining against my pants.

"One taste, I just need one taste of your sweetness." I sounded pathetic, I knew, but I couldn't help myself. The need was too great, too overwhelming.

My fingers began their journey, trailing lightly from the smooth skin of her calf, feeling her shiver at my touch. I let them dance higher, caressing the flesh of her inner thigh, pausing when my fingers reached the unique birth mark gracing the middle of her thigh.

I traced the shape of it, committing it to memory with the pad of my finger, a intimate exploration. She was so responsive, so sensitive to my touch.

I gazed up at her, my eyes pleading and silently begging. As if reading my mind, she gave a small step forward, closing the scant distance between us until her sweet, dripping cunt was an inch away from my face. The scent of her arousal filled my nostrils, making my head spin with want.

Unable to resist any longer, I grabbed her soft ass with both hands, pulling her flush against my mouth. At the same time, I draped one of her legs over my shoulder, opening her fully to me.

Without hesitation, I dove in, my tongue delving between her folds. I lapped up her sweet arousal like a man starved, relishing the taste of her on my tongue.

Soft moans and whimpers filled the air as I pleasured her, the sounds spurring me on, urging me to take her higher. I could feel her trembling against me, her fingers tangling in my hair as she held on for dear life. In that moment, there was no other place I wanted to be. I was home, lost in the sweet embrace of her body, worshipping the altar of her pussy.

For years, decades even, I had dreamed of this moment, countless nights spent imagining her taste, her touch, her scent. But reality far surpassed any fantasy. Her soft moans, breathless and wanting, filled my ears, her whispered pleas of my name making my head spin and my cock throb.

The way she held onto me, her fingers twisting in my hair, was a sign of her desperation, her need. I knew she was close, I could feel it in the way her hips rocked against my face, in the needy sounds spilling from her lips.

"Come for me, cutie," I urged, my words muffled against her slick folds. "Let me feel you come undone." I wanted nothing more than to taste her release, to feel her coat my tongue as she screamed her pleasure.

As she clung to my hair and whimpered with pleasure, I discovered something new about my sweet girl. She loved being talked through it, her body responding with a sharp clench at my words of encouragement.

I focused all my attention on her pretty clit. I flicked and circled the sensitive nub with the tip of my tongue, feeling it throb against my lips, and then I slipped two of my fingers inside her tight pussy.

Her tiny scream of pleasure spurred me on to work her harder, faster. I urged, my fingers pumping steadily as my tongue flicked mercilessly over her clit.

As she came, her orgasm crashed over her in a silent scream, her body convulsing with the force of it. Her nails dug into my scalp, anchoring herself to me as wave after wave of pleasure consumed her. I felt her breasts push up, straining towards the ceiling as she arched her back

Once she came down from her high, I licked her arousal from her trembling thighs, savoring the taste of her pleasure. Then, I scooped her body into my arms and carried her towards the bed. Her cheeks and chest were flushed a pretty red.

As I laid her down gently on the soft mattress, her elbows supported her weight, her chest heaving as she caught her breath.

I started to undress, peeling off my shirt and tossing it aside carelessly. Her eyes followed my every move, I kept my eyes on her, watching the way her breath hitched, her lips parting slightly as she took in the sight of my hard cock springing free from the confines of my underwear.

"Do you want to do this? Are you sure?"

She nodded, a grin spreading across her face, eager and ready.

There was no hesitation when she boldly spread her thighs for me, inviting me in, welcoming me into the warm space between her legs.

As I positioned myself between her soft thighs, she whispered "Your cock is just as pretty as you." I had to bite back a moan at her words.

"Thank you," I managed to rasp out, a blush creeping up my neck. No one had ever called me pretty before, not in that way. "You're the first one to call me pretty"

"I don't know why," she murmured, reaching out to trail a finger along the length of my shaft, making me shudder. "The first thing I wanted to do when I met you was sit on your pretty face." Her bold words sent a surge of lust straight to my groin, and I knew then and there that this woman would be my undoing.

"Are your pick-up lines always this bad, cutie?" I asked, chuckling softly.

She laughed in response, a melodic sound that made my heart skip a beat. "No," she admitted with a grin. "But I figure I'd start slow. Give you time to fall in love with me first, before I break out the real cheesy ones."

I captured her lips with mine, kissing her deeply and slowly. Our mouths moved together in a sensual dance, her smile curving against my lips.

As we kissed, I felt her small hand wrap around my cock, guiding it to her entrance. The head slipped inside her with a soft, slick sound, and I groaned into her mouth, feeling her heat enveloping me.

In a fast move, she sank down on my cock, taking me to the hilt in one smooth motion. Her teeth sank into my lower lip as she pushed forward, a gasp escaping her throat.

"Goddammit, Y/N," I groaned, my voice strained with pleasure and disbelief at the exquisite feeling of her, so tight and perfect around me. She had me wrapped around her finger, and she knew it.

Her smile faded, replaced by a slight frown as neither of us moved, paused in the moment.

"Too big...Raf"

I remained still, not wanting to hurt her, waiting for a sign that she was ready. Her nails sank into the muscles of my shoulders as she clung to me, her body trembling slightly. I could feel her starting to clench around me.

"Please, Raf, move. I could spend the rest of the night just like this, but I need...I need you to move."

Her plea was all the encouragement I needed. I always did what she wanted, what she needed. So I began to move slowly, not yet thrusting deep, testing her limits, gauging how much she could take. She was dripping wet, her arousal coating my cock from tip to base, making each movement slick and easy. Yet, despite her excitement, I could feel a hint of discomfort in the way she tensed around me.

Leaning down, I trailed kisses along her neck, feeling her pulse jump beneath my lips. As I lavished attention on her sensitive skin, I couldn't resist her pert nipples, just begging to be tasted. I drew one into my mouth, suckling gently before grazing it lightly with my teeth, giving her a teasing bite.

My other hand came up to play with her neglected breast, rolling and pinching the stiff peak, coaxing more of those delicious sounds from her lips. I wanted to make her relax, to let go and surrender to the pleasure.

I felt my own release building, the heat of her tight, wet pussy threatening to undo me. I thought of everything and anything to keep myself from spilling inside her too soon, the weather, the latest book I had read, the color of the walls in my studio. Anything to prolong this moment, to make it last for her.

I started to thrust deeper, pulling her leg over my hip to open her up to me fully. With each push of my hips, I sank further into her, stretching her, filling her completely.

Suddenly, her discomfort shifted, morphing into pleasure. I could feel her body responding, her walls starting to ripple around my driving cock.

"Oh god, Raf!" 

She was screaming with each thrust, unable to contain the ecstasy that consumed her. In a moment of self consciousness, she brought her hand up to cover her mouth, trying to muffle her cries.

"Take your hand away" 

"Bu...but I'm too loud"

"I don't give a fuck," I growled. "This is my house, and we aren't hiding anything here. I want to hear what I'm doing to you."

She didn't hesitate, immediately removing her hand from her mouth.

"Good girl"

At the praise, she let out a long, drawn out moan, her back arching off the bed as she pressed herself closer to me. Suddenly, she grabbed my hand and guided it to her clit, placing my fingers exactly where she needed them most.

Together, our fingers circled the sensitive bundle of nerves, rubbing and stroking in a way that made her toes curl and her thighs tremble.

This time, when she came, it was with a scream. I could barely keep moving inside her, my hips stuttering and pausing as she squeezed and fluttered around me.

But the sound of her scream, the way it filled the room with the raw sound of her pleasure, was enough to push me over the edge. With a low groan of her name, I spilled inside her, my hot seed spurting deep into her core as I found my own release.

I collapsed against her soft, warm body as we both caught our breath, my weight resting gently on top of her. She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me close to her chest as I listened to her heartbeat slowly return to a steady rhythm.

Inside her, I could feel my cock softening, the once hard shaft now a satiated part of me. I nuzzled into the crook of her neck, breathing in the scent of her skin as I basked in the afterglow of our lovemaking.

"You don't need to try to make me fall in love with you, I'm already head over heels for you, cutie." I wanted her to know, to understand the depth of my feelings for her.

"You stole the words right out of my mouth," she said softly, a smile playing on her lips. That was the moment I knew she felt the same way, that my heart's desire was reciprocated in full.

I drifted in and out of sleep, my arm lay draped lazily across the gentle curve of her waist, our bodies pressed close in the warm embrace of sleep. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the digital clock casting a soft green light across the ceiling.

Suddenly, the silence was pierced by a soft, breathy sound. Barely more than a whisper, it was enough to pull me back from sleep. I felt my brow furrow slightly as I strained to listen, unsure if I was still lost in some half formed dream.

Then, as if spoken directly into my ear, I heard her murmur my name. The sound was so clear and unmistakable that my eyes flew open.

I turned my head slowly towards her, her face was flushed, as if she were experiencing some intense sensation. Her full, soft lips were parted slightly, and I could hear the sound of her breath coming in uneven, desperate little gasps.

I saw her shift her body beneath the sheets. A shiver ran down my spine when she pressed her thighs together and then she whispered my name again, more urgently this time. It was a needy sound that sent all my blood rushing southwards, my body responding to her unspoken plea with a will of its own. 

The way her fingers curled and clutched at the sheets, twisting the fabric into tight little knots made my stomach clench. Was she dreaming about me? Were images of us, of my hands on her skin and my lips on her body, dancing behind those fluttering eyelids?

A breathy, needy moan spilled from her parted lips, the sound echoing in the stillness of the night.

I dragged a trembling hand down my face in an attempt to steady myself. But it was no use. The subtle little rolls of her hips, the way her body moved beneath the thin sheets, was enough to undo me completely. 

And then, as if to drive me mad, I heard the hitch in her breathing, the way her breath caught in her throat on a sharp, keening sound.

The way my name tumbled from her lips, a breathy, needy whisper in the darkness, sounded like the sweetest sin imaginable.

I couldn't tear my gaze away, My eyes lingered on the curve of her throat, watching as it bobbed with each rapid rise and fall of her chest. Lower still, I could see the unmistakable peak of her nipples straining against the thin fabric of her shirt. They were hard, achingly so, my cock throbbed in response to the unspoken invitation.

I wanted to touch her. God, I wanted to touch her so badly it hurt. I wanted to run my fingertips along the soft skin of her throat, feel the racing pulse beneath my touch. To cup her breasts in my hands, thumbing the stiff peaks of her nipples through the thin cloth until I heard that sweet sound spill from her lips again and again.

But I held myself back, my hands clenching into fists at my sides as I fought the overwhelming urge to pounce on her.

I ached to slip beneath the sheets, to slide my hands along the smooth expanse of her thighs, her hips, her waist. To feel for myself just how deep this dream had taken her, how wet and ready she was.

As if sensing my desperate desire, she moved again. Her body shifted beneath the sheets, a sinful little roll of her hips that spoke volumes of the building heat between her legs.

My self control hung by a fraying thread, my heart slamming against my ribs like a wild beast trying to break free of its cage.

"Fuck" I whispered, the word falling from my lips like a prayer or maybe a plea. It was in that moment that her eyelashes fluttered and slowly, torturously so, her eyes opened. They met mine, locking onto my gaze with a force that stole the breath from my lungs.

As she took me in, I saw the exact moment she registered my expression. Her breath stuttered, a sharp inhale that caught on a gasp as she drank in the heat that burned in my eyes. The tension in my body was palpable, every muscle coiled and pulled taut as I fought to maintain my precarious hold on control.

I couldn't resist the urge any longer. With a trembling hand, I reached out and dragged a single finger down the smooth skin of her arm. I watched as goosebumps blossomed in the wake of my touch. Her skin was so soft, so sensitive, that even the lightest caress from my finger left an imprint.

As I pulled my hand away, I leaned in closer, my breath ghosting over the shell of her ear as I asked the question that had been burning in my mind. "Were you dreaming about me?" 

She swallowed hard, the action visible in the delicate column of her throat. Her lips parted, a tiny gasp escaping her as she tried to answer.

"I was..." she stuttered "I was dreaming about you." 

A slow smile curved my lips at her words. "Was it a good dream, bunny?"

I wanted to reach out and touch her, to map the contours of her body with my hands, but I held myself back. I had no right to touch her like I wanted to, not without her consent.

For decades, I had longed for her. Countless nights spent dreaming of her touch, her smile, the sound of her laughter. The pleasure of her lips had already been mine to savor, but her body remained a territory yet to be explored. I yearned to sink into her, to lose myself in the heat of her embrace until we were both lost to everything but the feeling of our bodies joined as one.

"Please Xavier..."

My heart stopped at her pleading words, only to kickstart again with a force that left me breathless. I could see the desperation etched into every line of her face, hear it in the way her voice trembled with need. She was asking for me, begging for my touch, and I knew I could no longer deny her.

"I need you,I need your fingers. Your mouth...please, I need you inside of me."

With a guttural groan, I surged forward, capturing her lips in a kiss that stole the breath from her lungs. My hands, no longer able to keep their distance, roamed over her soft skin, mapping the curves with a hunger that bordered on reverent.

When she took off her shirt, baring the hardened peaks of her breasts, I trailed open mouthed kisses along her throat before giving the same attention on the sensitive flesh of her breasts. I swirled my tongue around one stiff nipple, teasing and tormenting her until she was writhing beneath me, her fingers tangling in my hair.

My hands slid down the smooth skin of her stomach, coming to rest on the waistband of her pajamas and underwear. With a quick tug, I peeled them down her legs, tossing them carelessly to the floor. My fingers delved between her thighs, finding the slick heat of her arousal.

"God," I groaned against her skin, feeling her wetness coat my fingers as I teased her sensitive flesh. "You're so ready for me..."

I circled her clit slowly with the pad of my thumb, applying just the right amount of pressure to make her hips buck up off the bed.

"Do you feel that? That's what your body has been begging for. It's been craving my touch"

As I spoke, I could feel her thighs trembling, the muscles quivering with anticipation and need. Slowly, I settled myself between her legs, pushing the sheets away to bare the full glory of her body to my eyes.

The moonlight painted a silver glow over her skin, a mesmerizing picture of curves and hollows that I yearned to explore with every sense I possessed. I could see the way her chest heaved with each shallow breath, her nipples begging for my mouth.

But it was the sight of her glistening folds, flushed and swollen that made my cock throb with desperate need.

My hand trailed slowly up her inner thigh, teasing and caressing the sensitive skin until she was squirming beneath my touch. I could feel her hips starting to move upwards, seeking more friction, and I knew that I had her exactly where I wanted her, desperate, wanting, and completely at my mercy.

I inhaled deeply, allowing her scent to fill my lungs and cloud my mind. Then I leaned in and dragged the flat of my tongue along her outer lips. The first swipe was a revelation, a glorious epiphany that sent electric pleasure racing through my body. Her taste was ambrosia, an exquisite nectar that burst on my tongue and set my senses alight with a hunger I had never known before.

Drunk on her I delved deeper, and there, at the very heart of her being, I found the sweet arousal that had been waiting impatiently for my touch.

But as I lost myself in her, so too did she lose herself in me. A cry tore from her throat as my tongue made contact with her puffy clit. Each slow swipe of my tongue sent a fresh gush of arousal out of her, mixing with the saliva that already coated her sweet flesh. The result was a slick, slippery mess that allowed my tongue to glide effortlessly over her most sensitive spots, teasing and tormenting her until she was reduced to a wanton, mewling creature, begging for more.

And the sounds she made...fuck, the sounds she made were music to my ears. I was sure she was going to cum, and she was going to cum fast.

I wanted to give her that release, to grant her the ecstasy she so desperately craved. Her thighs, so incredibly soft clenched around my head as her grip on my hair tightened.

The way she tugged at my hair, urging me on, was driving me wild. I could feel my own release building, my cock throbbing and leaking precum, aching for its own finish.

My tongue continued to circle her clit until I found that perfect spot that made her moan. I focused my attention there, licking up and down, faster and harder, determined to push her over the edge.

When I felt her hurtling towards her climax, I sucked her tiny, throbbing clit into my mouth. I suckled gently, then harder, my tongue flicking rapidly over it.

"XAVIER!"

The sound was everything I had ever wanted to hear, everything I had dreamed of in the long, lonely nights spent yearning for her touch.

As her body shook, I drank in every last drop of her pleasure, savoring the way her essence flooded my mouth and dripped down my chin.

When she started to push me away, I knew she needed a moment. I kissed my way up her quivering body, trailing soft kisses along her smooth skin until I reached her lips.

Once there, I captured her mouth kiss. It was filthy and full of desire, my tongue delving past her lips to let her taste her own arousal that still coated my mouth.I kissed her like I was starving for it, like she was the air I needed to breathe.

Her fingers trailed over my chest, down my stomach, leaving a trail of tingling heat in their wake. When she reached the bulge straining against my pajamas, I couldn't help but thrust my hips forward, seeking more of her touch.

She was fast, almost frantic in her movements. With a low moan, she grabbed the waistband of both my pajamas and underwear, yanking them down. The cool air hit my cock for a brief moment before the heat of her palm enveloped me.

"Oh god, Xav," she gasped, her fingers wrapping around my shaft and giving me a firm squeeze. "I need to feel you, all of you." Her thumb swiped over the leaking tip, smearing the bead of precum that had gathered there. The sensation made me groan, my hips bucking into her hand eagerly.

"Are you sure?"

She bit her lower lip, a gesture that made my painfully hard cock throb.

"Please, I'm sure"

 I saw the confirmation in the depths of her beautiful eyes, a reflection of her desire that mirrored my own. Those eyes, the one thing I would crave for the rest of my days. I was already addicted to the way she looked at me, to the power she held over me.

I took my time spreading her legs, revealing her glistening folds, she was ready for me, her body singing with a hunger that matched my own.

I grasped myself firmly, positioning the swollen head of my cock at her entrance. The first touch of her flesh against the sensitive tip made us both gasp, a hiss escaping her lips as I started to push forward.

She was impossibly tight, her walls gripping me like a vice as I slowly sank into her. The stretch was exquisite, a mix of pleasure and the slightest bite of pain as her body accommodated my girth. I couldn't help but groan, my eyes fluttering shut at the incredible sensation.

Inch by inch, I pushed deeper, feeling her arousal coating my shaft, easing the way in. She was so soft and so wet, a heaven that I never wanted to leave. When I finally bottomed out, when I was fully sheathed inside her, I paused, savoring the feeling of her pulse fluttering around my cock.

As I began to pull out, a thin line of red stained my cock, her innocence, her gift to me. I saw her brows furrow together, a slight discomfort flickering across her beautiful face. Concerned, I paused, my body poised above her. "Do you want me to pull out?". The last thing I wanted was to hurt her.

But before I could act on my words, she stopped me with a shake of her head. "No, don't pull out, I need to feel you inside me."

I couldn't deny her, so I stayed still, allowing her body to adjust to the stretch.

Then she started to move. Slowly at first, a gentle roll of her hips, but soon, she grew bolder, her hips began to roll with increasing confidence, her walls clenching and fluttering around me.

I had to drop my head to her forehead, our brows touching as I struggled to maintain my composure. I breathed in the scent of her skin, let it fill my lungs as I fought to hold back the impending rush of my release. I wanted to last longer, to make this moment stretch on for eternity, but the feeling of her moving beneath me was driving me wild.

My fingers dug into the soft flesh of her hips as I gritted my teeth, trying to rein in the urge to let go. But fuck, she felt incredible, I was at her mercy, lost in the bliss, drowning in the feeling of her tight, wet pussy enveloping me completely.

I had always been a jealous man, and right now the mere thought of another man touching her, of feeling what I now felt, made my stomach churn with a sickening knot of dread. I wanted to be the only one, the sole owner of her body's responses, the only one to ever bring her such exquisite pleasure. And it was the other way around as well, the thought of me touching someone else that wasn't her made my stomach turn. If they didn't look like her, smelled like her, moaned like her...I didn't fucking want them.

When she whimpered out a plea for me to move I complied without hesitation. I began to rock my hips, slowly, letting her feel every inch of my hard cock as I slid in and out of her. I felt the uncomfortable tightness begin to change into something else entirely. Her body responded to my touch, to the deep, strokes of my cock hitting a spot deep inside her.

The look on her face, the way her eyes fluttered shut and her mouth fell open in bliss, made me lose all semblance of control. Not able to resist the temptation, I brought my fingers to her lips, pressing them past her soft, plump flesh. I groaned as she immediately began to suckle on them, her tongue swirling and dancing around the digits..

The feeling was incredible, but it was the mental image I conjured that nearly sent me over the edge. I could picture her, lips wrapped around my cock, her cheeks hollowing as she sucked me deep. The thought alone was enough to make my hips stutter, I had to grit my teeth and dig my fingers into the sheets beneath us, anchoring myself as I fought to hold back. 

I could feel her walls starting to clench around me, her body tensing as her climax rapidly approached. It was too much, too intense, and I knew I couldn't hold back any longer. I began to thrust into her harder, faster, chasing our mutual release with a single minded determination.

Her back arched off the bed as her orgasm crashed over her, a gush of liquid heat flooding around my shaft as she came undone. The feeling of her spasming around me, milking my cock, was my undoing.

With a hoarse cry of her name, I pulled out, my cock pulsing as I found my own release. Thick ropes of my hot, sticky cum painted her stomach as I pumped myself dry, my hips jerking with each spurt until I had nothing left to give.

Throughout it all, she watched me with hooded eyes, a satisfied smile playing on her kiss swollen lips. We were both left panting and shaking in the aftermath, our bodies glistening with sweat and other more intimate fluids.

I leaned in close, pressing my forehead gently against hers "Was this what you were dreaming about, my star?"

She let out a breathless little laugh, her own smile widening with satisfaction. "This was so much better, much better than anything I could have ever imagined." Her fingers traced idle patterns on my chest, a contented sigh escaping her lips as she snuggled closer.

I couldn't help but grin back at her, my heart swelling with pride and adoration for this incredible woman who had captured me so completely. In that moment, I knew that I would spend the rest of my life trying to make every one of her dreams a reality, to give her a lifetime of moments that were even better than the ones she had imagined.

[urfavfakeblonde]

Cₒcₖwₐᵣₘᵢₙg ₘₒb Bₒₛₛ!Bᵤcₖy

Bucky's a mob boss...and there are some incompetent men in his presence that don't seem to understand the importance of what he owns. Luckily, the sweet girl sitting on him can help him calm down.

Warnings: cockwarming, fingering fem!rec, implied violence, public!sex

I timidly enter the room, swallowing hard as I make eye contact with Bucky. He had this stern look on his face, like he was just about to single-handedly kill every man sitting around the table. I nervously bite my lip as he waves me over, continuing his conversation. "Look, Mr. Barnes, we can get you the money by next week. Someone robbed the storage unit last night, so we are short $500,000. If you could just give us more time-" the man was cut short as the door slammed shut. Everyone jumped in their seats, nervously straightening their ties. My breath shakes as I slowly walk over to Bucky, standing just off to the side of his chair. I hold out an envelope to him, biting my tongue. He lets out a deep sigh, staring down at the man currently twitching in his seat. "Where is this... perpetrator?" He asks, taking the envelope from my shaky hands. He glances up at my face as I dart my eyes towards the ground. His eyes drink in my appearance, clearing his throat before opening the paper. He reads while the man tries to explain himself on the matter, ultimately getting dragged away by one of the henchmen. Bucky sighs as he closes the paper, setting it on the table. He brings his attention to the other men who sit at the table, beads of sweat forming on each of their brows. "Anybody want to explain why your company has failed to return my money?" He asks, clicking his teeth. It's quiet for a moment as they all look at each other, clutching their hands tightly together.

Suddenly, he pats his lap, catching my attention. My face heats up as I swallow, nervously playing with my fingers. "Sit, sweetheart," he says cooly, glancing at the men before him, "since our guests are having difficulty finding words." I suck in a breath, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Look, we really don't have all day to discuss this, Mr. Barnes," another man says. However, Bucky continues to look at me, a smirk growing on his face. Slowly, he brings his hand to his belt as the man continues. My eyes grow wide at the actions, glancing at the man talking to distract myself. The man continues, completely oblivious that Bucky has taken his cock out of his trousers. "We can get you the money by next week, unless we find the man who stole from us. You, I mean." Bucky pats his lap again, tilting his head at me. I close the distance, scooting in front of him to sit. Bucky is quick to reach under my dress, moving my panties to the side as he sits me on his cock. I let out a gasp, gripping the edge of the table. I bite my lip as the men at the table nervously look down at the table. To them, it seemed that I was terrified of being so close to the mob boss. If only they knew how close I really was. Bucky lets out a satisfied sigh, letting a mocking smile form on his lips. "You know what this paper told me here?" He asks, leaning forward to pick up the envelope. This position pushed him in even further, pinning me to the table. I let out a shaky breath as to not let out a moan, knuckles white against the table's edge. "It says that you, Bruce, took out $500,000 from your company just last night. Interesting, isn't it?" The man at the end of the table stops breathing for a moment, eyes going wide as his co-workers look at him with shocked expressions. "T-that's not true, why would I do that?" He asks nervously, glancing at the broad-shouldered man guarding the door.

Bucky's grip on my waist tightens as my pussy unknowingly clenches around him, my focus faltering by the minute when he's just so deep. "You tell me. However, I'm sure you're very busy, so let's discuss this at a later time. Give you some time to remember," he says cooly, glancing at the henchmen guarding the door. He is quick to grab the man, dragging him out of his chair and out the door. The other men got up in a hurry, leaving the room as fast as possible. I gulp as I look over my shoulder at the man who has been inside me, unmoving, for the past 10 minutes. "Please," I whisper, cheeks heating up. He simply kisses my neck, letting his arms wrap around my torso to pull me into his chest. I let my head fall back against his shoulder, gasping as his cool hand pushes up my dress past my hips to rub small circles on my sensitive clit. I clench around him, tears brimming in my lash line. My hands grip the sides of the chair, heavy breaths spilling from my plump lips. Through all of it, all I could hear was the screams of the businessmen as I came around his cock.

"Good girl," he whispers, kissing me softly.

[letterful]

Both [Osip Mandelstam] and [Anna Akhmatova] had the astonishing ability of somehow bridging time and space when they read the work of dead poets. By its very nature, such reading is usually anachronistic, but with them it meant entering into personal relations with the poet in question: it was a kind of conversation with someone long since departed. From the way in which he greeted his fellow poets of antiquity in the Inferno, [Osip] suspected that Dante also had this ability. In his article, “On the Nature of Words” he mentions Bergson’s search for links between things of the same kind that are separated only by time—in the same way, he thought, one can look for friends and allies across the barriers of both time and space. This would probably have been understood by Keats, who wanted to meet all his friends, living and dead, in a tavern.

Ahkmatova, in resurrecting figures from the past, was always interested in the way they lived and their relations with others. I remember how she made Shelley come alive for me—this was, as it were, her first experiment of this kind. Next began her period of communion with Pushkin. With the thoroughness of a detective or a jealous woman, she ferreted out everything about the people around him, probing their psychological motives and turning every woman he had ever so much as smiled at inside out like a glove. — NADEZHDA MANDELSTAM, from Hope Against Hope, trans. Max Hayward.

You can't be parasocial with dead musicians and writers btw. It's called having a soul bond

[tinesleftnipple]

In episode 22, Pei Su eats to tell us they had sex

Or rather: eating as it relates to desires and how Pei su suppresses his own but drops that inhibition because of LWZ.

Every eating scene indicates an advancement in their romantic relationship.

Episode 3 | Very important scene. Pei su is asking for help in a roundabout way - he feels insecure about major changes in the people around him (Tao ze). The scene ends with his comment on LWZ: "same old, same old". Although other people may change, LWZ is the only constant in his life - someone he can potentially rely on for a sense of stability. Pei su barely eats, though. They are not at that stage yet.

Episode 6 | Pei su eats one bite (and LWZ notices). "Besides the little white flowers and the PSP, what else is there"? The conversation they have later over coffee is when LWZ almost lets slip that he cares for Pei su more than he says.

Episode 8 | LWZ remembers Pei su's birthday, and Pei su finds out the candies Tao ze gave him are actually from LWZ. They have a banter-y, no-fighting conversation as Pei su allows LWZ to know a bit more of his past. But this meal gets interrupted, and again Pei su barely eats. Later on, Pei su asks LWZ what they eat when they work overtime, and on the way home looks at Fairfield hotel (in the novel Feidu gets them food from a fancy hotel).

Episode 10 | Nobody eats in this lunch scene. Pei su calls LWZ out for his special "care". LWZ shows increased interest in Pei su from here on out.

Episode 13 | In the novel, this is after Feidu kisses LWZ for the first time. Pei su has a dubbed over line after LWZ feeds him: "Shixiong, if you were a girl, I would love you uncontrollably".

Episode 14 | Pei su eats hesitantly, in shock that LWZ came back for him. After this meal, LWZ confesses (novel) in his meaning of life speech, and ropes Pei su into his living routine (washing the dishes)

Episode 16 | LWZ is working up Pei su's appetite. Also, honey feeding scene (deleted). This is the episode Pei su moves in. Later the 3 questions conversation while sipping wine: LWZ says it's important to him to know why Pei su pushed him out of the way of the bomb. Pei su answers it was instinct. They are skirting around one word and it's love.

Episode 17 | The morning after that small "argument". They eat together, but not in sync as they are divided by the case. Pei su eats well but is interrupted by FM88.6.

Episode 22: Pei su eats enthusiastically, happily, without prompting

This is the day after LWZ confesses ("...but this time, I will hold onto you. I promise I will do it.")

This is also after Pei su's sequence of discreetly (or not-so-discreetly, ahem sock on couch) showing off to XHY that he lives with LWZ. The PDA continues with serving LWZ (and nobody else) food and tea

Pei su is still elegant, but his eating here is in stark contrast to all those times before. He even licks his lips.

Satiated, uninhibited, opened up to his mortal desires...

Indulging in a desire - desire for food parallels desire for sex. The censorship-safe representation of them sleeping together is showing a desire for something else - food. And Pei su shares the food with LWZ.

Also attaching an interesting paper on sex and eating. It begins with: "In Chinese culture, the concepts of food and sex are traditionally linked, and many expressions describe food and sex in terms of each other". 大饱眼福 - "a beauty to feast one's eyes on". 饱暖思淫欲 - "when the belly is full, the mind turns to sex"

Aaaaand adding episode 30 in now that it has aired:

Pei su rejects eating with the hets when he sees LWZ is not there. We only ever see him eat with LWZ present.

[orellazalonia]

What They Never Saw

Summary: Natasha confronts the woman, once trusted and admired by many on the team, and learns various information that forces the team to face more hard decisions, truths, and conversations.

Word Count: 2.9k+

Main Masterlist | The One You Don’t See Masterlist

The sky outside had gone from bruised lavender to navy, casting long shadows through the greenhouse walkway. Glass walls trapped the fading light, casting everything in cool blue.

She, the one the team had noticed a hundred times over before acknowledging you once, stood near the tall ferns. She was sipping from a mug with her posture relaxed. The same way she always seemed at the end of the day: quiet, observant, and vaguely warm.

Natasha’s boots made almost no sound against the stone.

“I was wondering where you’d gone,” Natasha said evenly, approaching with her hands in her jacket pockets.

The woman turned, soft smile already blooming. “Needed a moment away from the chaos upstairs.”

“I bet.”

Natasha didn’t smile. The silence stretched for a while. A less experienced person might have tried to fill it.

She didn’t.

The woman leaned back against the wall, cocking her head. “Rough day?”

Natasha tilted hers slightly. “Someone broke into our holding wing, unlocked secure cells. All our suspects are gone.”

Her smile flickered. “I heard. That’s awful.”

“No footage, no tampering, and no damage. Just access codes and perfect timing.”

“Sounds like someone knew what they were doing.”

Natasha nodded slowly. “Yeah. Sounds like someone who knows us well.”

Another pause, long enough to really register her words.

Then Natasha added, softly, “You weren’t in the briefing.”

“I wasn’t called.”

“No,” Natasha agreed. “You weren’t.”

The woman blinked. “Then why would I–“

“You always come anyway.” Natasha stepped closer, tone still light. “Even when you're not needed. You listen, weigh in, you smile at Bucky across the room like you’re sharing some inside joke. It’s kind of your thing.”

The woman laughed lightly. “Now you’re making me sound manipulative.”

“You sound like someone who knows what they’re doing.”

That smile faltered again, but only for a moment.

“I think you’re upset,” She said, voice smooth, “And looking for someone to blame.”

“Not blame,” Natasha replied, stepping closer. “Clarity.”

A soft exhale. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m not your villain. I’ve been here for years. You know me.”

“That’s the thing.” Natasha's gaze sharpened. “I don’t. Not really.”

That got her, just a flicker in the eyes. The mug was suddenly very interesting to her.

“I’ve read your clearance profile,” Natasha continued. “It’s paper-thin. Half your references don’t exist. No psych evaluation. No training logs. But somehow, you got access. You were everywhere and were everyone’s confidante.”

Silence again.

Then, quietly, the woman said, “You’re wasting your time. If I were working against you, I wouldn’t be standing here right now.”

“Unless you wanted to seem above suspicion.”

She looked at Natasha then, for real. Something more direct behind the eyes now.

“I didn’t do it.”

Natasha didn’t look away. “But you knew it was coming. You could’ve said something.” Her voice was low, calm. But the weight of those words landed like a knife between ribs.

The woman sighed and traced the rim of her mug with her finger. Unbothered and soft, but something in her demeanor shifted.

“I didn’t open the doors.”

“No. You just handed over the blueprints.”

Her smile was faint. “I shared selective intel. Patterns, logistics, habits that no one thought to question. You’d be surprised how far a few overlooked routines can go.”

Natasha’s jaw tensed. “You gave them everything they needed.”

“I gave them what they asked for.” She sipped calmly. “They made the choices. Not me.”

“You gave away classified systems. Intel only a handful of people could access.”

“I didn’t leak weapons,” She said calmly. “I didn’t hand over targets. I didn’t sabotage your gear or reroute your drones or trip your alarms.”

“But you let them in.”

“I let the system trip over its own ignorance,” She replied, voice level with a tone almost too gentle. “They just took advantage of it.”

“You knew what would happen.”

“I had theories. Contingencies. But I trusted they’d be smart enough not to be cruel.”

Natasha took a step closer. “You’re deflecting.”

“I’m telling you I wasn’t careless.” Her voice remained pleasant. “Everything I did, I did because someone had to pay attention. Someone had to protect the people your team forgot.”

Natasha’s eyes narrowed. “You think you’re the savior in this?”

“I think I’m the only one who noticed what was broken,” The woman sighed again. “People like her, like you used to be, don’t last long here unless someone intervenes. You all built this tower so high you stopped seeing who was beneath it.”

“You’re not fixing anything. You’re playing both sides.”

Her expression softened like a teacher indulging a frustrated child. “Sometimes the only way to fix a system is to stress-test it.”

Natasha stared. “You leaked classified security, let fugitives escape, and compromised the integrity of every person in this building.”

“I gave your enemies a way in,” She corrected, “So you’d finally realize the cracks they were already using.”

Natasha’s voice dropped further. “Why not just talk to us?”

“You wouldn’t have listened,” The woman said with absolute certainty. “You didn’t even notice when your own staff disappeared. You didn’t notice her.”

Natasha didn’t blink.

“She mattered,” She continued. “And so do all the others like her. Maybe not to you but to me, they were worth the risk.”

There was no guilt in her voice. Only quiet resolution.

Natasha took a long breath. “You’re confident for someone who just confessed to orchestrating a breach.”

“I didn’t orchestrate,” She looked at Natasha straight on. “I enabled. No mess… until you forced one.”

“And now?”

The woman’s eyes glimmered.

“Now we see whether you want to burn the whole thing down to punish me or finally build something that doesn’t leave your best pieces in the dust.”

Natasha stared at her a long moment and didn’t speak again. She simply turned and walked out of the garden, boots tapping steadily against the stone floor. But she didn’t go far.

She stopped just outside the door and pulled out her phone, tapping into the comms channel.

“Tony,” She said quietly, voice clipped but calm. “Lock down the greenhouse level. Section off Hallway C and redirect her access badge.”

A pause. Then Tony's voice came through:

“Done.”

Natasha took a breath.

“Add an observation order. No alarms, nothing obvious. I want logs. Where she’s been. Who she’s spoken to. Every terminal she’s touched.”

“Yep.”

She ended the call.

A second later, the lights overhead dimmed, a silent flicker that marked the shift. Nothing visible changed in the greenhouse behind her, but she knew the security level had quietly shifted from ‘internal’ to ‘containment protocol-lite.’

She didn’t need a team to drag her down screaming.

Not yet.

Just… containment. Controlled transition.

Natasha exhaled slowly, jaw tight. Her thoughts spun through what the woman had said, not just the calculated evasions, but the certainty of her tone. The way she hadn’t flinched. The way she kept control.

The kind of calm you only had if you’d already prepared for the fallout.

By the time she reached the upper levels, Steve and Sam were already waiting, tension lining both of their postures.

“Well?” Steve asked.

“She didn’t deny it,” Natasha said.

Sam crossed his arms. “Did she confess?”

“Not exactly.” She glanced toward the security monitors. “But she didn’t have to.”

Steve’s brow furrowed. “Do we have enough to detain her?”

“Not formally. But we’re doing it anyway.”

A heavy pause.

Then Steve nodded. “Understood.”

“She’s not panicking,” Natasha added. “Which means she’s either still confident she can spin this or she has more leverage than we think.”

Sam’s jaw worked. “And if she’s telling the truth? About why she did it?”

“She still put lives at risk.”

“And if she’s not done?” Steve asked quietly.

Natasha met his gaze. “Then we find out what she’s still holding before she uses it.”

They didn’t use restraints. They didn’t need to.

The woman didn’t resist as the agents escorted her down the hall. There was no smugness, no drama. Just a calm, almost polite silence. She walked with her chin high, movements composed like a woman escorted to a different office rather than a suspect relocated for internal security risk.

But when they reached the private containment wing, she paused just a beat too long in the threshold. Not fear. Not hesitation. Just… calculation.

She looked around the pristine interior, cement walls, a soft chair beside a sealed observation window, a bench near the back of the room, then turned to the agents with a faint, ironic smile.

“This is temporary, I assume?” She said.

Neither agent responded.

The door slid shut behind her with a soft, final hiss.

She didn’t sigh. She didn’t sit. She just stood there for a long moment, like someone watching a house finally settle into its foundation after a long storm.

However, the main briefing room had gone quiet.

Bruce was seated at the end of the table, scanning through access logs with a grim expression, lips pressed tight. Sam stood off to the side with his arms crossed, his weight shifting restlessly from foot to foot. Clint had taken up his usual spot, leaning against the wall with a pen in hand, flipping it in distracted circles between his fingers. The rest had found a chair to settle in when Natasha returned to tell the rest of the team what happened.

The silence felt like holding a match over gasoline.

“She didn’t flinch,” Natasha finally confirmed, breaking it. “Didn’t give any details we could use up. But she knew exactly how to dodge each accusation. She didn’t have to admit anything, not when she’s that practiced.”

Clint stopped flipping the pen. “So she’s dangerous.”

Natasha nodded. “Quietly. Everything she does is calculated. She’s too calm.”

“She’s stalling,” Sam muttered. “Buying time for whoever’s still out there.”

Bruce looked up from his screen. “Or maybe she thinks she still has control. If you plan long enough, prepare for every angle… sometimes being caught is the plan.”

Steve finally stopped pacing. “So what now? We keep her locked up indefinitely? Question her until she gets bored of spinning circles?”

“I’ll talk to her,” Bucky said quietly.

Heads turned. The shift was immediate.

Bucky hadn’t spoken since Natasha’s debrief. He’d stood near the back of the room, arms folded, expression unreadable but now, as he stepped forward, there was something in his eyes that wasn’t anger. Not exactly.

Steve watched him closely. “You sure?”

“She trusted me,” Bucky said. “Or acted like it. Either way… if she talks, I want to hear it myself.”

“You haven’t been trusting her recently,” Sam reminded.

Bucky’s jaw tightened. “No. But I wanted to back then.”

That landed heavier than it should have. For all his paranoia, for all his past instincts, there’d been a part of him that hoped he was wrong. That maybe, for once, the feeling in his gut wasn’t betrayal. That someone looking at him like he was worth understanding… actually meant it.

“I’ll go in soft,” Bucky added, voice low. “I’m not gonna give her the fight she’s expecting.”

Natasha tilted her head. “She’s not expecting a fight. She’s expecting sympathy.”

“And maybe she deserves a sliver of it,” Bucky said, voice rough now. “Or maybe I just need to hear why. Why someone who fit in, who was liked, trusted, listened to; decided to hollow the place out from the inside.”

No one argued. Not even Steve.

Clint just glanced at the ceiling, muttering, “She really messed this all upl.”

Bucky didn’t say anything. He was already halfway to the door.

Natasha caught up beside him. “She’ll try to read you. Twist your words.”

“She won’t get anything I don’t want to give.”

Natasha held his gaze for a moment. “Don’t go in trying to prove anything.”

“I’m not.”

He paused, just outside the security lift.

“But I want to know if she ever meant any of it. All that friendliness and smiles… the comfort.”

Another beat.

“Or if I was just the easiest one to use.”

Then the doors slid open.

And Bucky disappeared into the upper level where the woman waited too calmly.

The door slid shut behind him with a low hiss.

Bucky stood just inside the threshold for a long moment. Watching her.

She didn’t rise from her seat. She sat with one leg crossed over the other, back straight, and hands folded neatly in her lap like this was some kind of coffeehouse conversation and not an interrogation. Her expression was gentle, composed. She even offered a smile.

“James,” She said warmly. “I was hoping it’d be you.”

He didn’t return the smile. Didn’t move yet either.

He just stared at the woman he used to like, trust, maybe even imagined something more with once. Now all he saw was someone who knew exactly where to place the cracks and when to press on them.

“Don’t do that,” He said finally, his voice low.

“Do what?”

“Say my name like it still means something.”

Her lips parted slightly but the smile stayed.

“I never stopped meaning it.”

He stepped forward, arms folded, the lines around his mouth deepening.

“You don’t get to say that. Not after what you did.”

“I didn’t lie to you.”

“No,” He said. “Worse. You made us believe it was real.”

Their eyes locked across the room. Not enemy to enemy but something far more intimate than that. Wounded truths between two people who once, for a fleeting moment, might have become something else.

She sighed, “I never stopped being on your side.”

His jaw clenched.

“You handed over intel to people who’ve been dismantling everything we’ve bled to hold together,” He gave a sharp glare. “You undermined missions, compromised defenses. How’s that you being on our side?”

She didn’t blink. “I shared truths. What they did with them isn’t my fault.”

“You knew what they’d do.”

“Eventually,” She admitted. “But I also knew you all wouldn’t change without pressure.”

His voice dropped, low and sharp. “You put lives at risk.”

“So did your silence,” She answered, still calm. “So did every time someone got overlooked or forgotten. Pushed into shadows until they broke. Tell me, how long did you ignore her? How long did all of you pretend she wasn’t fading right in front of you?”

The mention of you hit like a bruise.

Bucky stiffened. “Don’t use her to defend yourself.”

“I’m not,” She replied. “I’m using her to show you that I wasn’t the only one who failed.”

He swallowed hard. His voice was rough now.

“But you were there too. You watched it happen. And you waited until it hurt you before you cared enough to act.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Isn’t it?” He countered. “You acted like you were the only one who saw the rot. Like you had the right to decide who deserved to pay for it.”

“I never wanted anyone to pay,” She admitted. “I wanted it to change.”

“And you thought betrayal would fix it?”

“No,” She hummed. “But I thought maybe shaking the ground would make you look down for once.”

“You were someone I trusted,” He said. “Out of everyone, I thought you saw more. And maybe you did… but you still chose them.”

Her gaze didn’t falter. “I chose truth.”

“No. You chose what made you feel powerful.”

She exhaled slowly, the first sign of irritation finally showing in the tension around her eyes. “You don’t get to paint me like I’m some villain just because you feel betrayed.”

Bucky’s stare hardened. “And you don’t get to pretend you’re clean just because you used pretty words.”

A tense silence stretched between them.

“I didn’t forget her at least,” The woman said, quieter now. “I watched her, almost every day. I noticed when no one else did. And I hated how easy it was for all of you to overlook her.”

He shook his head. “And yet, you still let her walk out that door without asking her to stay.”

Her voice cracked, barely. “You did too.”

That landed deep. And neither of them said anything for a long time again, until she sighed.

“Don’t act like you’re different from me,” She spoke, voice soft and sweet. “You saw her breaking. You cared, but you didn’t reach out. You stayed comfortable just like the rest.”

He stared at her, chest tight.

“You’re not who I thought you were,” He said finally, quietly.

Her expression shifted then. Not of regret but something like quiet ache.

“I liked you, James.”

He flinched slightly at that.

“Don’t.”

“I did. I still do,” She said gently. “I guess, maybe… maybe I got tired of watching people like her disappear while everyone else laughed at a table she didn’t get invited to.”

Bucky’s voice dropped into something hoarse. “You could’ve reached out.”

“So could you.”

The silence between them stretched, thick with everything unsaid.

He whispered, “What we had, was it ever real.”

Her answer came without hesitation.

“Yes,” Her expression was soft. “But maybe not the way you needed it to be.”

And just like that, she leaned back again, composed as ever. Still in control.

And Bucky, hurting in ways he hadn’t expected, turned and walked out without another word.

Taglist: @herejustforbuckybarnes @iyskgd @torntaltos @julesandgems @maesmayhem @w-h0re @pookalicious-hq @parkerslivia @whisperingwillowxox @stell404 @wingstoyourdreams @seventeen-x @mahimagi @viktor-enjoyer @vicmc624 @msbyjackal @winchestert101 @greatenthusiasttidalwave @avivarougestan @saoirses-things @itsmejen @saucysasha2035 @smokescreen1000

[forestclan-clangen]

MOON 15 (Part 2)

<< FIRST | < PREVIOUS |

Tree fought off an infected predator, and was barely hurt! Redstar hisses at Tree about being reckless. Shiverstep, though, is awestruck by Tree's bravery...although she wouldn't say it out loud.

(Tree, warrior, non-binary, 46 moons. Adventurous.) (Shiverstep, medicine cat, female, 15 moons. Loving.) (Redstar, leader, female, 73 moons. Strict.)

After a few weeks of tip-toeing around each other and fearing Hopechase's disappointed scolding, Barleywave and Riversnow manage to have a true conversation. They pick up that neither are comfortable talking about their feelings...so they talk about their children instead. Quite the jump to avoid emotions - but it helps them feel more comfortable around the other.

(Barleywave, warrior, male, 44 moons. Playful.) (Riversnow, warrior, female, 64 moons. Adventurous.)

Iciclepool tries to offer Brackenfreckle a tour of the camp, but the newcomer is rather aloof the entire time.

(Iciclepool, deputy, female, 71 moons. Ambitious.) (Brackenfreckle, medicine cat, female, 13 moons. Grumpy.)

Morningspot is outside for too long, and gets heat exhaustion. She's dazed and anxious, and Brackenfreckle reassures her in an...interesting manner. Somehow, it stupefies her out of her anxiety. Riftpaw suppresses a snort. Perchpaw isn't stoked to share a den with Morningspot, but she's glad that Riftpaw is happy again.

(Morningspot, warrior, female, 17 moons. Nervous.) (Brackenfreckle, medicine cat, female, 13 moons. Grumpy.) (Perchpaw, apprentice, female, 10 moons. Adventurous.) (Riftpaw, apprentice, male, 13 moons. Charismatic.)

Hopechase healed from her mangled tail with minimal issue. She thanks Windfur genuinely for it.

(Hopechase, warrior, female, 97 moons. Playful.) (Windfur, medicine cat, male, 29 moons. Lonesome.)

Olive notices that since Brackenfreckle had arrived to camp, Branchpaw was acting fairly restless. She offers to teach her child how to meditate in the sun, but feels crestfallen when Branchpaw shows little interest.

(Branchpaw, apprentice, female, 10 moons. Ambitious.) (Olive, mediator, female, 71 moons. Calm.)

Perchpaw appreciates that Cottonkit keeps coming to the medicine den and asking her how she's doing, and if she's able to play. Perchpaw often has to say no because of Windfur's orders, but he definitely can't stop her from playing mossball with Cottonkit. Cottonkit, meanwhile, thinks that Perchpaw is pretty and really nice - brace or no brace! Cottonkit doesn't realize she has a crush.

(Perchpaw, apprentice, female, 10 moons. Adventurous.) (Cottonkit, kitten, female, 5 moons. Fearless.)

Cottonkit has a very strange dream...she thinks she's a part of a new prophecy!

(Cottonkit, kitten, female, 5 moons. Fearless.)

---

Cottonkit was absolutely sure StarClan was real. No doubts, no questions asked, she was totally convinced. I mean, who wouldn't be? When she listened to Redstar's history lessons alongside her siblings, she was very careful to listen to sections about how StarClan used to guide their ancestors with prophecies and visions, and when Windfur had to teach them about how signs and symbols from StarClan might look like, the thing she latched onto the most were dreams.

She always wondered what it would be like to receive a dream, or a prophecy. Her imagination and daydreaming brought her to beautiful corners of unreality - where she could get a vision about an upcoming danger, or StarClan could send a subtle sign in her dream that she could pick up and focus on, and receive a cryptic message. A riddle to solve - one she could decode and figure out what it meant. The solution could save her Clan. She imagined what it would be like to discover a secret power they never knew they had; discover the weakness to the Woodcrawlers, find a plant or berry that are poisonous to the roots. They could stuff it into prey and throw it at the woods - she could be remembered forever as the savior of ForestClan - Cotton - er…gee, what would be a really cool warrior name? Cotton…claw? No, that made her sound too soft. Cotton…no, not pelt, fur or step, too soft again…argh! Why did her name have to be Cottonkit? Oh! Maybe she'd receive an honor title! Something like…like…Dream…uh…

Cottonkit was shoved out of her daydreaming from a mossball to the face. "Oof!"

"You're daydreaming again!" Deerkit called out. Her tail twitched in annoyance. Cottonkit rolled her eyes and batted the moss ball towards her brother, Airkit, instead.

Airkit juggled the ball between his paws for a moment. "Whatcha thinking about?" he asked. Cottonkit frowned - Airkit was always the first to criticize her imagination! There's no way he actually wanted to hear it. She rolled her eyes.

"It's nothing," she said. Airkit glanced at her briefly, his copper eyes beamed with skepticism.

Cottonkit pouted. "What?"

Deerkit was the one to answer. "You got whacked in the head by a mossball you should've seen coming, beebrain. Obviously you have something on your mind!"

"Ugh, can you quit buzzing like a mosquito? I was just distracted, that's all," Cottonkit bristled defensively.

Airkit shrugged and batted the mossball back at Deerkit. Cottonkit was grateful that her two siblings decided not to fight her on this. She remained focused on their game for the remainder of the day, hoping that it would all be forgotten by tomorrow.

By the time the sun had set and cats retired to their dens for the night, Cottonkit was one of the last cats to curl up with her siblings in the nursery. They all had their own nests now, huddled together next to Cloudthunder's. They were five moons old and so close to becoming apprentices - something she was excited for - and soon, they'd be sleeping in the apprentice den. But for now, she curled up beside her siblings and her mother, and after a few minutes of chatting and sharing stories, sleep found them.

Cottonkit's dreams were normal.

She was out in a very sunny, warm forest - the sunshine broke through the treeline like blades. Cottonkit stalked a bird that had landed on the ground and pecked at the dirt. Cottonkit's tail twitched with anticipation, her claws outstretched. She was going to do it…she was going to catch her first prey…

Until, from the corner of her eye, she saw a dark shadow hiding in between the trees.

She thought it was a cat.

Cottonkit glanced towards the movement, but saw nothing. The dark shadow seemed to have vanished.

A corner of her spirit told her to ignore it, and resume hunting. But her thoughts from the day before entered her mind. No. It couldn't have been nothing. It was there a moment ago. Windfur...what did Windfur say about signs again...? Her dream-like mind wobbled as she shuffled sideways.

Her eyes narrowed as she left the beaten path. The bird had vanished anyway, although she hadn't seen it fly away. Her dream made her feel slow and sluggish - the small incline felt insurmountable to her paws. She hissed as she felt her back legs go limp as she mantled into the brush. After a time that felt like a thousand seasons, she hulled herself over the small bump, and finally got her back legs on solid ground again.

After a few steps past some ferns, the undergrowth parted entirely. She wasn't staring at the forest anymore. She was staring at a Twoleg path.

She heard stories about the dark grey, stone path. It was not as dangerous as the woods - but Olive was found near it with a broken back, she was told. A hardened path Twolegs brought their metal monsters through.

And yet, her mind walked her towards it, and forced her on it regardless. She looked in both directions, only to see the grey paths stretch endlessly. The forest had suddenly been carved out, and a flat horizon greeted the grey, distant paths.

The sky was an orange sunset.

Cottonkit's heart thumped. She kept her eyes wide open, trying to force her tired, dream-like mind to pay attention. Could it be…? Could StarClan be trying to tell her something?

It had to be. She never had a dream like this before. She had to keep her eyes open. She had to find something.

She ended up staying frozen on the Twoleg path for a long time before she finally crossed to the other side. Her body moved on its own, compelled towards a hidden path weaved between tall pines. Their shadows were like sharpened blades. The orange sky dimmed into blackness.

Cottonkit's paws stayed the course, as though it knew the true path all along. She steeled her resolve. This had to be a message. This was important. This could help protect her Clan. Her family. Perchpaw wouldn't ever be hurt again. Strangers like Riftpaw wouldn't be hurt again. She could save them. Just as long as she found what StarClan wanted her to see. She had to see.

The spruces abruptly stopped. A clearing of short, wilted grasses yawned before her. Cottonkit stopped. She was unable to push forward. She frowned, shivering in frustration at her own paws.

Come on…come on! Move! Go forward! she thought in frustration. Still, she did not move. She would've hissed if she could. Desperate to find something, she strained her eyes to look around the clearing.

Her heart jumped as her eyes fell on something.

A tall, thin shadow extended towards the sky and split into five, long branches. Cottonkit thought it was a tree - but she realized it had no twigs or leaves. It was like a crow's foot, with too many talons.

And at the base of the effigy, was a long-haired cat with dark brown, tabby fur. Its ear twitched...and then began to be eaten away, like fire slowly consuming it.

The cat slowly turned its head. Its eyes were green.

Suddenly, darkness swallowed up her vision, and Cottonkit was jolted awake.

Cottonkit rolled over on her stomach, looking around, her heart racing. Her siblings were fast asleep, and so was her mother. She glanced at Riversnow, Daffodilkit and Owlkit sleeping soundly nearby. She looked outside, and her ears twitched at the sound of crickets. The moon glowed brightly above, basking the trees in a pale light.

Cottonkit stared at the full moon, and her heart swelled with wonder.

"I'll find out what it means, StarClan. I swear, I will," she whispered.

Once she became an apprentice, she would be able to explore the territory. She'd find that tall effigy. And that cat. Maybe...maybe she could tell Redstar about it?

All she knew, is that it had to be a sign.

---

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[wisteria-lodge]

I have a question. It's said that wizards have longer lifespans than muggles right? Does that mean they age more slowly or do they just live longer in their old age?

Sorry if that’s a bit confusing. Let me give an example: if a wizard meets a muggle of the same age in their teenage years and sees them again in their 40s or 50s, would the wizard look younger than the muggle?

What an interesting question. Kind of a tricky question too - both because there isn't much data, and because JKR is extremely bad with numbers. that's just something you have to accept, if you're trying to come up with consistent canon worldbuilding.

The only characters we meet who the text treats as "old" are Olivander, Dumbledore, and Slughorn. (I guess technically Grindelwald, Dippet, and Flamel, but we don't know much about them.) If Dumbledore was born in 1881 and died in 1997 (as per Rita Skeeter's book) then he was 115 when he died. Which means he was 61 when Tom opened the Chamber of Secrets, and still a redhead. So far, so normal. Tons of sixty-year-olds haven't gone white or grey.

Slughorn also taught Tom Riddle, and would have to have been... probably in his thirties or forties when they had that conversation about Horcruxes? Which would put Slughorn between 80 and 90 during the main timeline of the books, where Harry describes him as an "enormously fat, bald, old man." He's also being pulled out of retirement, so... that still fits? Voldemort and Hagrid are basically the same age (like 70-71 during the final book.) Neither of them are described as "old" - but Hagrid's giant blood is probably making a difference, same with Voldemort's snake experiments.

Rita Skeeter is also useful here, because we know she's 43 during Book 4, and when we see her in the Death Eater trial flashbacks (about ten or so years prior) Harry describes her as looking visibly younger. Trial!Ludo Bagman is young enough for Moody to call him "boy" (20s?) which fits with him being "a powerfully built man gone slightly to seed" ten years later. Karkaroff looks "much younger; his hair and goatee were black," not silver like they are during Book 4. But, Karkaroff is also a very high-strung guy who has spent the last ten years under a lot of stress, I would not be at all surprised if he's gone prematurely white like Peter and Remus.

Speaking of Remus... he's 36 during Book 6, and thinks he's "too old" to marry Tonks. Going by the books, it's a little unclear how old Tonks is, but I always puts her as a contemporary of Bill, since Ginny thinks Mrs. Weasley is trying to set them up. So, mid twenties? A ten year age gap is something you see in *muggle* relationships, and depending on whether or not Tonks took a year off between school and auror training, they might even fit the "half your age plus seven" rule. I would think that if you aged more slowly as an adult, an age gap like that would be even *less* of a problem, and Remus' excuse would be treated as even more ridiculous.

So, with the the evidence we have... and knowing that it goes against a lot of accepted fanon... I think I have to go with the second option. The canon answer is that wizards don't actually age slower, they just spend longer looking old.

[ortensiedipinte]

One of the reasons why I adore Carl Morck as a character (and perhaps partly see myself in him) comes from the conversation with DCI Bruce about Caroline Kerr in episode 2: talking about the background of the witness, who lives in a poor and fairly run-down neighbourhood, Carl shows that he is familiar with this type of social context, stating that unlike Bruce he comes from a similar place.

So Carl would have a working class background, and I think this adds a very interesting layer to his character: he is not the classic posh detective who also bases part of his superiority on his class and background, but his confidence and arrogance stem mainly from his intelligence, grit and perseverance, which he claims over class, which indeed seems to be a concept he despises (see his interactions with Stephen Burns). His superiority complex probably comes from being able to rise through everything, just using his wit. And I find it very refreshing.

[pallisia]

if you were to go on a date with one of the soulsov characters, who would it be? how do you think it'd pan out?

instead of answering this question for myself, i'm going to make a case for all the characters to help you decide which route to pick. (note: there are no routes.)

loic is sweet, fun to talk to and genuinely engaged in what you have to say. he enjoys pampering people and would happily plan and pay for everything. all in all, he would take you on a first date so nice that it would in itself be a red flag, leaving you thinking "there's 100% something really wrong with this guy." but you would never find out what, because he's not interested in more than a casual relationship. if you don't mind that, he might make you happy.

ysme is also not interested in anything serious. she knows how to turn on the charm to get what she wants out of a first date, but you would not hear from her ever again afterwards. she wouldn't want to plan anything (though she definitely has demands) or pay for anything (though she definitely has the money) because she knows you would have the money, because you would be an easy mark. but she would look very pretty on your arm for a day, if that's what you want.

fel honestly has too much inner turmoil going on to be much fun on a date. she loves looking up cute places to go, but when it comes down to it, she can't decide what she likes or wants to do. she would bring up religion at dinner, but it would feel afterwards like she didn't even really want to mention it, and then the date would get very awkward and end early. bad end.

nino is full of energy, has a great sense of humor, and is a real romantic when given the chance to dote on someone. while she would pick a date spot that might end up being pretty disappointing in itself, she'd make some fun out of it regardless. similarly to fel, she tends to get too intense too quickly and would risk derailing the date over an awkward conversation, but she might bring it back with her natural charm.

langlais is langlais. he's self-absorbed and would ask you about yourself with an air of obligation. he would likely make a misogynistic joke if he got too comfortable at any point, though he would apologize if pressed. he would take you to a really nice restaurant and buy you anything you wanted with the quiet expectation that you would have sex at the end of the night. he wouldn't insist, but a second date would be contingent on it.

tutu...i mean, you could go on a play date with her. it would be fun. actually that might be the best option here.

[kuidore]

Zoeystery headcanons ✧ KPOP Demon Hunters ✧ Zoey x Mystery

✧ ultimate yapper girl x listener boy

✧ He thought she was cute the moment he saw her bouncing her shoulders to soda pop while Rumi and Mira glared at her

✧ he’s not shy, just quiet. he just isn’t used to being human, and it tires him out a lot more than the others.

✧ He slowly feels like he’s actually relearning his humanity with Zoey, not just going through the motions of a human life like he had felt doing the idol thing

✧ Zoey gets anxious that people aren’t listening to her if they get too quiet. She’s used to being mid-ramble, asking a question, and not getting a response because the person tuned out and she didn’t realize

✧ after the first time she asks Mystery if he’s listening, he starts letting out noises of acknowledgement to reassure her while she’s talking so she doesn’t have to lose her train of thought

✧ he wants her to know that he’s listening very intently, and will sometimes even just say it out loud when he doesn’t have a better comment to make

✧ Zoey thinks it’s adorable, and she slowly feels less and less uncomfortable rambling for hours about television or animals or the songs she wanted to write

✧ She eventually just naturally stops apologizing for rambling or being too over the top, to him and to other people

✧ He starts getting better at conversations, but only with her. He asks social questions he used to think were stupid or boring or useless, because she’s the only one whose answers he actually wants to hear

✧ Mystery remembers nothing from his actual life on earth before the demon realm, and that doesn’t change even as he gets more comfortable as a ‘human’

✧ He couldn’t care less. He outright tells Zoey that it “leaves more room in my brain for the memories we make”

✧ she has to excuse herself from the room for a moment and yell into a pillow about how cute he is

✧ He can hear her doing it. when she comes back with a notebook he’s smiling wider than she thought he was even capable of

✧ she sits him down and they make a bucket list of everything she can think of that she considers “necessary to the human experience”, no matter how small

✧ she feels bad about being *excited* over his amnesia, but she can’t help but chatter about how she was going to be ‘introducing him to all this new stuff!’

✧ items on this list include but are not limited to; seeing the ocean in person, finding a really cool rock that you wanna keep forever, going to the bathhouse, and spending an entire day on the couch

✧ Mystery doesn’t really see what’s interesting about any of it, but he agrees because he wants Zoey to go with him

✧ He likes it, mostly because *she* likes it. He could be literally stranded in the arctic, if Zoey was finding a way to have fun he would be able to do it too. His number one idea of ‘fun’ is just… being around her.

✧ Mystery constantly wants to have Zoey on his lap/between his legs/sitting in literally any position where he can wrap his entire body around her from behind and rest his chin on her shoulder.

✧ he falls asleep like this fairly often. Zoey calls him her weighted blanket

✧ in general they both sleep a lot, they take afternoon naps together almost every day

✧ After enough time he’s got basically everything human down besides the ‘not barking at people who get too close to Zoey for his comfort’

✧ that one is an active choice. He has absolutely no intention of stopping that one

✧ bad saja boy became bad Mystery fairly quickly

✧ He pouts every time she says it. At first she felt bad about it, but eventually she started to find it cute

✧ he’ll sit with his head in her lap while she writes lyrics. She’s always patting his head and playing with his hair while mumbling about how soft it is.

✧ one day he realizes the whole time she’s been avoiding his bangs, and he grabs her hand and moves them away himself so she can see his face when she isn’t actively trying to kill him

✧ “You already know what I look like. I don’t care. If it’s just you.”

✧ She’s so giddy she grabs him and kisses him for the first time, and they’re both a little shocked by it

✧ it was the first time she saw him blush and she immediately became determined to make him do it as much as possible.

✧ She already has a notebook of things he likes and dislikes so she can remember (she has ones for Rumi and Mira too obvi)

✧ she adds a section to Mystery’s for things that make him blush

✧ she’s studying this guy like a bug and he secretly likes it

✧ He keeps the bangs cause most of the time he’s just so unable to control his own facial expressions that he would probably get into a fight in public

✧ but he starts pinning them back when he’s with Zoey

[highly-invested]

You know how I said I had a hot take? Thanks to @basket-of-radiants incredible dealmaking skills (read: bribery), it's seeing the light of day after all.

There are a lot of moments in Stormlight that are generally beloved by the fandom for being willing to directly criticize some of the power imbalances on Roahar that don't work for me, and I'm going to attempt to explain why (under the cut because wow was this hard to condense into something readable)

The Stormlight Archive is first and foremost a story about personal growth. The driving thrust is characters' individual action to change themselves. Everything in these books exists to serve this end, from the oaths, to the shards, to the situations our characters end up in. Individual action, however, is poorly suited to resolving the systemic issues many of our characters face. How do you resolve systemic issues in a story focused on individual actions? You don't.

Okay maybe that's a little harsh. You elect individuals to stand in as representatives of these systems, and then move them to demonstrate the things you intend to say. I think you can see this fairly obviously with something like Jasnah, independently from any council or societal pressures, deciding to end slavery in RoW.

(This type of oversimplification runs the very real risk of implying that these issues are fixable by a "good" beneficiary of said power imbalance, or worse, that "bad" ones are the reason why these issues happen in the first place as opposed to the material benefits for the entire oppressor class. This however that is beyond the scope of this post and has been talked about throughly by people much more clearly than myself.)

The issue at hand:

The moments I'm alluding to up above are ones where characters get a direct verbal confrontation about the society wide issues that I'm so eager to discuss. Examples that come to mind are the Mink's shot at Dalinar over Alethkar's many crimes during the Alethi-Herdaz border wars, Rlain's comment about how the honorspren are collectively biased against singers, and even Kaladin's whole "Amaram owes you an apology" moment in the end of Words of Radiance.

"Hey what gives? That sounds like it's addressing the things you said you wanted!" I hear you cry.

The issue I have, dear reader, is that hand in hand with the story's commitment to exclusively focusing on the individual, these systems are reduced to tools to express very simple sentiments about where these characters are at in that journey, then promptly dropped.

To pick an example, Kaladin has a history of mistreatment and enslavement by lighteyes, and the story doesn't seem particularly interested in how a former slave would move through the world as presented. Kal expresses little to no empathy towards the many people still enslaved during his PoVs in Urithiru or the warcamps. We get a whole day in his head at the start of WaT and it never crosses his mind that slavery just got abolished! This is because as far as the meta narrative is concerned, this aspect is only visible in Kaladin's behavior at the personal growth level— to give him a very strong character relationship to Amaram, and to give him a "character flaw" to "overcome" in his anger.

Conversely, Amaram as the stand-in for the oppressive lighteyes isn't interacting with his class in a way that criticizes the issues with the system, but in a way that highlights his personal flaws in his lust for power and greed. Because of this, the embarrassment of the oppressor is the only kind of catharsis the story is able to offer. To the narrative Amaram losing his position of power by losing face is the same as righting the systemic wrong for the same reason Kal being elevated addresses the slavery concerns in the eyes of the narrative. They have overcome or been beaten down by their personal flaws.

The whole thing falls flat because it's not equipped to grapple with those topics outside of how they make our named characters relate to each other. Once the interpersonal conflict is resolved — the mink falls in with the radiants, Amaram eats a crystal and gets a tummyache — the story loses its vehicle to pick these things apart while the root issue remains untouched. And I'm left to go, hey he's right! Oh we're moving on and there are still thousands more Amarams out there :(