#this is a repost of some gifs i'd already done on my old blog

[untherapized-eddie]

sad pensive eddie

[dreamlessinparis]

Take the Wheel

Pairing: TJ Hammond x F!Professor!Reader

Word Count: 2185

Summary: End of exams and instead of partying with his friends, Tj wants to spend extra time with his Professor.

Warning: explicit sexual content, dom/sub dynamics, bondage, age gap (TJ’s in his early twenties, Reader in her mid thirties), drinking, use of a feather duster, ball gag, nicknames, teasing, mentions of frat parties, cumplay, oral (f receiving), fluff, domme reader, sub TJ, explicit language, praise, 

A/N: This is my submission for @musingsinmoonlight‘s challenge, and my prompt was “They tried to warn me about you, but I didn't listen,you know." This is the first time I’ve done this type of dynamic so I’m a little nervous. Thank you to @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog for reading it over for me. All mistakes are my own.  Another huge thank you to the always brilliant @sweeterthanthis for planting this idea in my head❤️

if you’re a minor, please DNI!

Please do not repost, publish or translate my work. Reblogs and comments are appreciated! Thank you for reading :)

The bar was packed, which didn't surprise you. It was Friday night after all, and exams were finally over. So celebrations were ample and loud. You sipped your dirty martini as you surveyed the crowd. This was just a pregame spot for these students, heading afterwards to the massive parties spread out on Greek row.

This was your favorite time of year. Everyone was in the best spirits. With even lower inhibitions. You had a bit of a track record with students,one you were slightly proud of. It was fun though; none of them ever wanted commitment, just a way to blow off some steam. One you were happy to provide.

A loud hollar shifted your attention to the group of men by the dart boards. TJ Hammond and his friends were having a blast playing darts and chugging back beers. You were sure their rambunctious tones were to attract the group of pretty sorority girls. From here, it looked like it was clearly working. You smiled to yourself, turning back to the bar to ask for another drink. The bartender was an attractive man, a bit old for your taste but you wouldn't mind taking him home tonight.

“Fancy seeing you here, Professor," A voice came up beside you. TJ stood, leaning against the counter, eyeing you. He looked you up and down lingering on your bare legs. You crossed them purposefully, knowing your skirt rose a bit with the movement. Those pretty blue eyes grew darker.

“Can't say I'm surprised to see you here, TJ.” you smiled at him, "Although I figured you'd be celebrating the end of exams at some big frat party."

He nodded, taking a slow sip of his beer, "That's the plan. Just finding some dates first." He pointed towards the ladies with the beer bottle. You glanced your shoulder to see that his friends had made a move and were now seated with them. 

“Ah, looks like you're already good to go." 

“Seems that way. None of them really has my eye, you know?”

“Oh really? That's the worst," you took a sip of the martini that the bartender placed before you, winking at him. 

He nodded, looking between you and the bartender, "And you, Professor, anyone caught your eye?"

Your eyes snapped, and saw him looking at you with a heat in his exes that had you

squeezing your thighs together . "I don't know." you said coyly, “I don't think I'll be leaving alone but no one yet."

“Too bad," TJ said, taking a step closer, "I'd love to take you back to my place for coffee." 

“Coffee, huh?” The two of you seeming to gravitate. towards each other, " Coffee sounds good." 

~

You rounded the bed slowly enjoying the way TJ laid tied up on the sheets. Your fingers trailing up his leg, getting closer to his cock with the feather duster, lightly brushing over it. With the ceiling fan on, you knew the feeling was even more intense. It had been well over an hour since you’d started teasing him and he looked ready to break. You pulled away, letting the duster feather over his torso.

TJ bucked his hips, pleading with his eyes. Those perfect pink lips wrapped around the ball gag, restraining him from begging. You were tempted to take it off him and ride his face. But you hadn’t had your fun yet.

“Don't misbehave, bunny. I wouldn't want to have to punish you.” You warned. Untying your silk robe, you let it fall to the ground, exposing your naked body. TJ's eyes bulged out, and his hands tugged at the cuffs, trying to get free. You could tell he wanted to touch you and it'd be a lie if you said you weren't also getting impatient.

You climbed up until you were straddling his thighs, and began slowly running your fingers down his chest. "You looked so pretty, all tied up like this, handsome. Do you like it? Letting me be in control?" You dug your nails a bit harder and reveled in how his cock twitched. TJ nodded, trying to say something but the sound was muffled.

You circled a fingertip around his nipple before giving it a hard flick. The way his body responded to you was thrilling. You grinded your hips down, the head of his cock brushing over your swollen clit. You kept your eyes on his face as you continued rolling your hips, slowly coating his cock with slick. Pleasure was apparent on his face. His eyes squeezing tightly shut and you saw the slight trembling in his body, almost like he was trying to behave. Trying not to buck his hips.

You lifted up off him and he slumped down, defeated. TJ opened his eyes, glancing up at you. Watching as you gathered some of the spit pooling from the gag and used it to rub your folds. "Such a good boy. Letting me do as I please with you. I think you deserve a reward.”

His eyes lit up with a hungry anticipation, darkening further when you stroked his cock a couple times. Lining yourself, you lowered onto him. You bit your lip, moaning as he filled you up. It had been a long time since anyone had felt so good.

It didn't surprise you though, especially with all the rumors that circulated around campus about TJ's prowess. You were almost upset that it took you so long to find out for yourself. Maybe he would make you break your own rule and meet up with him again.

You rolled your lower half until your hips met his. Your nails raked down his slender, sinewy torso and back up. Part of you wanted to hear his pretty noises but another part loved how he looked with his mouth full.

Leaning down, you brushed the tip of his nose with yours. The way he was peering up at you , made your stomach flutter. You felt unease but you couldn't tear your eyes away either.

"Do you wanna talk, bunny? Should I take this off you?” You tapped against the red silicone ball. TJ nodded, pleading with those beautiful cerulean eyes.

You smiled, stroking his cheek, trailing down to his throat. Gauging his reaction, you tightened your hold, his cock twitched and he shut his eyes in a silent moan. You found a good grip, choking him as you rolled your hips faster. It was crazy how quickly you were approaching your first climax. "Oh fuck TJ, you feel so good." Reaching down between your bodies to frantically rub your clit. "Ah right there. Oh,oh,oh yes!"

Fireworks exploded in your vision as you came, your body on autopilot as you kept going. TJ's eyes were squeezed shut, enjoying the way you were milking him. Your chest heaved, slowly coming down. "No cumming." You warned, twisting one of his nipples. He seemed to enjoy pain, moaning around the gag.

Leaning forward, you finally took it off. He took a moment, stretching out his jaw. Your fingertips helped massage along his sore muscles. "I never knew that I liked this stuff.”

"This stuff?" you asked, cocking an eyebrow. 

"All this," he said, gesturing with his hand to the best of his ability, "The rope, the teasing, the lack of control. I like you making me feel good." 

“Do you feel safe?” 

"Completely. They tried to warn me about you, but I didn’t listen, you know. I knew it’d be worth it.”

"Of course, handsome. Good boys deserve to come,” You leaned in, kissing the tip of his nose. He shifted, catching your lips in a heated kiss. You fell forward, your body weight pressing on him. He wanted to touch you, by the way his hands were clenching and unclenching. Giving him a couple more kisses and he relaxed beneath you. Slowly you began to rock your hips, yourbreaths intermingling with your quickened movements. TJ’s hips snapped up, angling to hit your sweet spot. He was larger than most, nudging your cervix with any hard roll of his hips. You couldn't help the surprised gasp every time he did it.

“Yeah? So you regret nothing then?”

“Not at all. But please can I come?”

“Oh fuck," a low moan fell from TJ's lips as you clenched around him. Your second orgasm was quickly approaching, the coil tightening even quicker this time around.

"I want you to come for me," you whispered against his lips, “Come on, baby. you can do it." TJ almost whimpered at your words, looking at you with big eyes. It made you feel powerful, knowing he was under your control, "Are you my good boy?" you asked, clenching harder to bring him to his edge.

"Yes -" he groaned, his body tensing, "Yes I am." you smiled, pleased with yourself. He was the most responsive lover you'd ever had and he seemed to find comfort in you. Kissing his forehead, you brought your lips to his ear, "Then come…now.”

TJ let out a broken growl, wrecked already, and he shut his eyes tightly. You could feel his hot, sticky spend coating your silky walls, filling you up.

Up until now you'd used a condom with all your partners, despite taking birth control yourself but something about this time had felt different. TJ gave himself over to you so fully that you chose to spoil him by offering to fuck him without one. Was it risky? Yes. But deep down you had a feeling you'd be seeing more of TJ.

“Did I do good?" TJ asked softly. You cupped his check lightly, giving him a small nod.

"So good, baby. But you did make a bit of a mess.“ You replied, lifting off of him. Using your hand, you opened up your folds to show his cum dripping from you should clean me up, "I think you should clean it up.”

TJ didn't hesitate, immediately bobbing his head in agreement. This boy was going to be the death of you. So sweet, and easily malleable. You shifted up his body until you were hovering over his face . TJ tried to lift his head to dive in, but you stayed out of reach. “Please, Professor, let me clean up my mess. I want to be your good boy," TJ begged. A drop of cum fell on his cheek and his tongue darted out to lick it clean. Trying to prove his eagerness. It was so hot, that you had to bite back a moan, almost cumming on sight. You ran your fingers through his sweaty brown locks, soothing him. You could tell he was almost about to get whiny. Not wanting to upset him, you lower down onto his face. He was borderline ravenous as he began to lap at your soaked folds

Your eyes fluttered shut, fingers continuing to card through his hair. Deciding to give him more freedom, you undid his hands and he wrapped one arm around your thigh, pulling you even closer to his face. Practically suffocating himself. His other hand explored up your body, finding a breast to play with. His focus was torn between kneading your boob, tweaking your nipple, and burying his tongue deep in you, trying to reach every bit of you. The aftershocks of your second orgasm were still vibrating every lick and suck. Your whole body thrumming with a tingling sensation.

The room filled with the lewd sound of his slurping, your moans adding a debauched air to the environment. You couldn't help grinding against his face, his nose nudging your clit. Both hands tugged at his hair as you ground down harder. Small squeaks and keens, breathy pants, all leading to another climax. A gush of arousal all over his face.

It was like he was insatiable, and he could go on for hours. But you began feeling too sensitive to let him keep going and you pried his hand from your thigh lifting off of him. TJ made a sound of protest, trying to reach for you. “Don't get greedy, baby. You've done enough, I'm clean." 

“But you taste so good, He pouted, "I wasn't done.”

You chuckled, and gave him a kiss after you got off the bed. "If you want to be good for me again, my office door is always open.” You began to collect your clothes, slipping on your underwear first.

You heard the sheets rustling behind as TJ got up. 

“Could you stay the night?" TJ asked, making you pause. The tone of his voice was strong but there. was an edge of vulnerability. You turned to face him. "You want me to stay?"

"If it's okay with you?”

"Yeah," you started, “It is.” Your clothes slipped from your hands and you returned to the bed. He scooted over to give you room. 

Like two magnets drawn to each other, you two found a comfortable position, with his back pressed to your chest, your arms wrapped tightly around him. You placed soft kisses on the nape of his neck, feeling him relax beneath your touch. It quickly became the best sleep you’d had in a long time.

@jobean12-blog

@beelicious-barnes

@maladaptivexxdaydreaming

@thefallenbibliophilequote

@christywantspizza

@kitkatd7

[joyfulhopelox]

42.195 paradise lost and found

Summary: Plans change, futures are not set in stone, given so many choices it is very easy to become overwhelmed by everything and feel like you need to do more and be more. Whenever you feel like this, luckily there are 7 heroes that come to your rescue, each teaching you that it is ok to pave your own way despite what everyone around you says.

Pairing: genie!ot7 x reader (friendship!au, fantasy!au)

Warnings: bit angsty, mentions of depression, self deprecating humour, imposter syndrome, some swearing

Genre: angst with happy end

Word count: 4,338

Rating: pg13

Copyrights @joyfulhopelox do NOT repost

A/N: Feels like Paradise is the best most underrated song. During this year it’s been a song that has been a constant pick me up so i wrote a small something. This is quite close to my heart and a bit more personal than I'd intended and it can be applied to any little thing that makes your day a bit better and brighter and reminds you that it is ok to take a deep breath sometimes and not judge yourself too harshly. Please feel free to leave me feedback, i love to hear constructive criticism as it helps me improve. Based on one of these this prompts. ["You come across a genie but instead of wishes he grants you advice. What advice does he give you?"]

Edit: i am tempted to make this into a series but i am not sure yet;

Also i want to thank my friend who is my soul editor and @satansleftnut for the constructive conversation that got my brain back on track

Each Monday you would get ready for the day, consciously ignoring the fact that it was also the start of a new week. Refusing to acknowledge the constant pattern that you have fallen into for what feels like years.

Wake up, get ready, pretend to have some time for yourself, as required by all the self care books and articles that you have read. Then you would hurry to get things done because you took too long during that ‘self-care’ period and lost track of time. After a few good hours of rushing around to complete your checklist- something else that is required to be a ‘good successful person’; you tend to lose steam around midday to early afternoon. After that you would count the hours until it is ‘socially’ acceptable to tell yourself you are done. Once that time arrives you feel lost. What are you meant to do now? There are so many options given to you; read? Watch something? Write? Draw? Take a relaxing bath? Learn something new and exciting?

All these options sound wonderful, but they are too overwhelming. You want to do them all at once and are so excited to start that when you actually urge yourself to start you have already burnt yourself out and do not want to do any of them anymore. And so you retreat in yourself, once again burning yourself out thinking about what you want to do, and what you should do. Sometimes you actually do one of those things, the one that gives you the least headache and self doubt. Sometimes you just get so lost in your head, pitter pattering around that by the time you come out of it it is already time for bed. And you get ready for bed, using all the other night time self care tips and tricks that you have read about. All this with the hopes that it will quieten your mind enough to put you to sleep and keep you asleep for long enough. The blogs tell you it’s an infallible method. Your reality is a bit different. They don’t always work. And so the next day comes and you are tired and enter the same cycle as you have done before.

That was your life when you stumbled upon something peculiar in your grandmother’s attic. A couple of months ago you were cleaning out some of your old clothes and toys that had been stored there when you came across it. It was a lamp, so dusty that it made you cough instantly as you’d picked it up. Observing it more closely it dawned on you what a striking resemblance it had to the one in Aladdin. You may have been older than a child but you can never be too old to be a Disney fan. Excitedly you instantly took it and rubbed it and waited. It shouldn’t have surprised you when nothing happened. You live in the real world so really, how can genies who grant wishes exist. Trying your hardest to not be disappointed in the turn of events you put the lamp next to your bag and carried on cleaning.

Aside from that day where the minor excitement broke the monotony of your week, the dull pattern applied to all of your days. Not just Monday. But Monday, Monday was a whole special day. Most often your refusal to acknowledge it would come crashing down on you later. And then the panic would start. It’s the start of a new week, new goals to set, new dreams to think of. What were you planning to do last week? What was on your list? You go check it back and realise half of it has not been realised, and will probably never be. ‘Get a new job’ is a doable thing, but not in a week. However, that doesn’t cross your mind. All you can think of is how you’ve failed last week. Out of nowhere, your bag started to rustle. Thinking that it was just misplaced and about to slide off you quickly rushed to catch it. However, not even a step in, the bag suddenly fell on the ground and the lamp that you had forgotten was there rolled out of it. Quickly catching it before it could slide under the table you brought it to your chest only to jump in shock once it made contact with your skin. The lamp was extremely warm.

“What the….” you brought the lamp closer to your face to inspect it. Was it just your imagination, or was the lamp a lot cleaner than it had been before. And not just dust free, you have made sure to get rid of the dust before you placed it in your bag.

“Are you going to look at me finally or are you going to just keep staring at that lamp all day?” the voice that came from behind you startled you. Dropping the lamp onto the floor once more you jump to turn around. How did someone get into your house?

“I warn you, i have a blackbelt in karate!” you tried your best to sound intimidating. However, when you took in the person who managed to not only get into your house but also startle you, you paused. They seemed familiar. Not in a bad way. Surprisingly for you, once you had a good look at them and took in their mint coloured hair, the soft cheeks, the furrowed eyes you felt a sense of comfort wash over you immediately. “Who are you?” it was your turn to narrow your eyes. The unknown man sighed as if bored of that question already.

“I’m a genie. Name’s Yoongi. And you don’t have a blackbelt in anything. You can barely tie your shoelaces without tripping” he sounded so deadpan that you couldn’t help but laugh. Even though he had insulted you, he was not wrong. You were a failure like that.

“You are a genie? So what…”holding a hand up to stop you he cracked a smile.

“And before you ask, no I don't grant wishes. I just grant advice so just listen here; it’s ok to not have a direction sometimes, it’s ok to not have a dream. I’m a genie, I know. But I'm also existing in this world. And I don't have a dream set up for myself. It’s a scary thought to just throw myself into something that I am not even sure it belongs to me. How can I know that it is mine or it is someone else’s and I just happened to pick it up? How do I know that i am not running for no reason? No, it is ok to just be satisfied with living like this, in my own world with my brothers and knowing that I exist. Do you know how many lucky instances happened to get you here existing and surviving? A whole ass infinity. So it is alright to just be satisfied with surviving and existing and seeing that as a dream” the words resonated within you in such a way that you could feel tears pool in your eyes. Closing your eyes to clear yourself of them, you prepared to respond only to find yourself facing an empty room once more.

Slowly walking to the fallen lamp you gingerly picked it up and inspected it once more. “What the…”

Tuesday, bleary eyed whilst drinking your coffee you make a mental note to do some house chores before anything else. You still have the remnants of yesterday’s resolve. So you slowly start with the easier tasks, and you keep telling yourself that you will not stop until the end of the checklist for the day is done. But once again, you have made the checklist bigger than your day and energy. After that realisation dawns on you, you start picking the things that could be left out. I don’t need to do laundry today, can be done tomorrow. I don’t need to call the bank today, it can be done tomorrow. I do need to take the rubbish out though.

Then you remember you have other work that needs to be done. And so you panic once again, realising you have stretched yourself out too thin.

It also does not help that your phone’s loud sounds are adding on top of your headache that is forming. Your friend is calling you to arrange a catch up. You excitedly think you haven’t seen them in a while so you are quick to agree for a time that night to meet up. Once you put the phone down, doubt and anxiety hit you once more. How are you expected to get everything done in such a short amount of time? Wistfully glancing at your checklist you do not notice the person standing next to you glancing at your list as well.

“You do know that it is ok to have some happiness once in a while” you drop the list alarmed at the stranger in your living room. “Hi, i’m Jimin, i’m also a genie just like Yoongi” A sudden bout of deja vu hits you strongly. You swear you have seen this face before. Soft plump lips, round cheeks, bright orange hair dressed in a green sweater. He stood almost to the same height as the other genie from yesterday, Yoongi.

“You also a genie that gives advice?” you pin him with your stare.

“Yes of course, what other types of genies are there?” seeing that as an opportunity to ask more about his kind you open your mouth. But it seems to be a trait of theirs that they enjoy interrupting you.”It’s ok to drop everything once in a while to chase a bit of the happiness that you can get” his soft airy voice fills the dark hole formed in your chest. “You don’t always have to make yourself miserable. It will not get you anywhere. Life is short enough to not grant you the leniency of more time just because you have not chased over that happiness”

You blink once more and he is gone. Just like that.

On Wednesday you are in despair. It’s the middle of the week. The work has piled up onto you. You are struggling to cope. And yet you feel a sense of achievement. You are doing something right?

Yes, but is it what you actually want to do?

But what do you actually want to do? And once again you spiral in your own universe created by the doubts, fears and insecurities that you have locked yourself under. You know it is just your mind, you know. And yet you cannot break out of that habit. Stressed you sit yourself at the desk trying to reign in your thoughts. Biting your lip you take another glance at the lamp that was placed there as if on a pedestal. These past few days have been odd. You have a feeling that the lamp has got something to do with it. So you grab it in your hands to inspect it.

“I see today is no panic, just stress and a mountain that rivals the Everest of work”

“I swear to….” you quickly swivel on your chair turning to glare at the person that spoke from behind you. “Let me guess, another genie who gives advice because what other types of genies are there right?” the person facing you stares at you amusedly. He is taller than the other two, his hair is a bright purple. His lips could rival Jimin’s plump ones, however his features are a lot less soft. He is wearing a plain white tshirt and jeans.

“Wrong, not genie, but Jin-ie” he starts cackling at his own joke and you stare at him dumbfoundedly. Did he just….? “Also, who told you there are no other genies but advice genies?”

You raise your brow at him. Was he going to give you more than that if you coaxed him to? “Your...uh, friend? Jimin?” you observe how he turns to look at you once more, this time the amused expression gone only to be replaced by seriousness.

“He’s my brother actually. And he shouldn’t have even said that much” he took a step closer to you. Thinking about it now, all of the genies you have seen have seemed so familiar, and Jin was no exception. But before you could delve more into that thought he started speaking again. “ As you know, you will get a piece of advice from me. It’s alright to not have a destination or a plan. The road is long and the pathways are always going to be divided. You will always have choices. And remember there is no such thing as a good or bad decision. The outcomes may be different but the road does not end with a bad outcome. Hell, the road does not end with a good one either. This is not the end of the game. Just stop and pick a road and a destination but remember that is not the final one. That being said, I have overstayed my welcome, I promised to cook a banana walnut cake for the others. I will cashew later!” this time you burst out laughing at the incredibly bad pun he had just made. But you were still aware of the puff of purple that was seen in the air around where he had been just seconds before.

On Thursday you feel a bit better, you take some time for yourself to read. You feel accomplished at that. You take some time to do some chores, you even go out for a short run. Even though it leaves you feeling like you have moved your lungs in your throat. Then the afternoon comes. And with that, a member of your family calls you to see how you are doing. It’s so exciting for you because it feels like finally everything has gone right! So you start to excitedly tell them about your day. Only for them to question you on your dreams, do you really want to stay where you are right now? What about this? Do you really want to be there? You’re not happy, you should go home. You would be happier there.

And no matter how much you try to explain and make them understand, whilst at the same time hanging onto the little bit of happiness you had that day, it does not work. By night time you are feeling drained, exhausted. You cried. You know your family loves you and wants the best for you but is what they say the best for you? You are so conflicted.

“It’s ok to not have the same dream that they have for you. It’s ok to stop being so harsh on yourself and judge yourself too harsh. No one has higher standards for you than you have for yourself. Your family loves you, yes. And they want what is best for you, but they are not you. And so they can only give you advice from their own point of view. You are filtering what they have said through your own harsh views. It’s alright to just breathe in your own paradise”

Not bothering to jump this time, you were somewhat hoping that a genie might appear. You turn your head to the side, and indeed on the left of you there is a handsome man with curly amber coloured hair giving you a boxy smile. He has extremely beautiful features. Sharp defined, all visible even when his smile crinkles his eyes and gives him a more childish appearance. “I’m Taehyung. Nice to meet you” he grabs your wrist gently and brings your palm up facing him.

You don’t get to open your mouth because in an instance he high fives you and disappears in a flurry of purple like his brothers before him.

On Friday, you are feeling numb. You can barely think about getting out of bed, let alone function like a normal human being. It is difficult to think about putting clothes on, it is difficult to think about getting anything to eat. It feels difficult to even open your eyes fully. You are not ill but you are taking an ill day. You are just feeling the tiredness let your guard down. And so your mind get riddled with dark thoughts, thoughts that grip you and do not allow you to move. Thoughts that cause shivers down your spine despite it being summer outside and your room sweltering hot. You can’t be bothered to open the window. And so hours pass, and you have yet to move from that spot. It starts to hurt physically, you have not even gotten up to relieve yourself. You know you are in a deplorable state but you cannot think about that, it would set you in an even worse spiral.

That is how the next genie finds you. Not bothering to even talk to you, Hoseok knows he won’t be able to get through to you with words. Instead he starts humming, and as he does that a bright light of a warm yellow envelops you.

Suddenly your thoughts seem to be chased away, there is a small light coming from somewhere around you. For the first time that day you force your eyes to move, they hone in to the cheery looking person right next to you. Their hair is a bright red. “How many of you are there?” you croak. Not having used your voice in so long causes your throat to feel scratchy as soon as you open your mouth.

“Seven actually, i’m Hoseok. I have helped you out of your nightmare. But please don’t tell my brothers i have not given you any advice”

“Will you be punished for not giving me advice?” your voice sounds worried and Hoseok smiles at you.

“No, it’s just a pain in the ass to do all the paperwork for that. And it always falls onto our leader to sort it out. And he hates paperwork” he gives you a bright smile. So bright that it becomes contagious. You start mirroring it as he continues. “Your smile is beautiful, please smile everyday. Look at everything around you and smile. You will find good in anything that comes your way. A smile brightens up everyone’s day. Even if you don’t feel like smiling or there is nothing around you worth smiling about, please find a mirror and smile. Because that is paradise”

Your smile stretches across your face so much that your vision disappears. But it is ok, you know what is going to happen now, he will disappear. He has said his advice in the end and has helped you out of the darkness. And once your smile subsides a little more and you look around you, indeed he is gone. But you don’t stop smiling.

On Saturday you wake up having more resolve than you have had for the past few days. As you go about your day you can’t help but to think about the lamp that sits immobile and innocent on your dining table. What have you done to deserve this miracle? Nothing about you is special. You’re just like everybody else. A human struggling to make ends meet, to get through your day, counting the minutes until it’s tomorrow. You don’t have any special abilities and you can’t say you are particularly skilled at anything. You have work yes, and you have your education. But every time someone mentions how important those things are, there is always someone else countering that with doubt. Doubt that slowly creeps into your head, weakening your resolve.

And yet, here you are. Still alive, still going a way. Not any way and probably not someone else’s dream way. But it’s a way. Is it too selfish to think you’ve succeeded when you have saved enough money to buy a new laptop? To buy new furniture? To go out and not worry about your credit balance being in negative numbers?

“Not at all. Your success, is not others’. And you can’t compare pears with apples. You can’t measure yourself with someone whose experiences and life you haven’t lived. You can’t say you are not good enough to run when the person you are racing and yourself haven’t had the same starting point”

The soft young voice surprises you. Not because of the suddenness of it. You’ve gotten used to it by now. But how soft and gentle it sounds compared to the appearance of the new genie standing by your kitchen door. He was… tall. Taller than the rest. His broad shoulders and muscly arms are a severe contrast to the soft childish, almost boyish-like features.

“That is 6 of you now” you say and smile at him. He smiles back at you, crinkling his nose showing you his teeth. Boyish features indeed. He looks incredibly young but you are well aware he is not. His eyes tell a different story.

“I’m Jungkook, nice to meet you. I’m the youngest of my brothers”

“You look so young. You all do, how can you be genies? Weren’t genies supposed to be…” you gesture uselessly with your hands realising that if you carry on you might offend them.

“Blue and not human looking?” He laughs. “Age has nothing to do with experience. Sometimes you are thrown into a situation where you are forced to experience things someone else your age doesn’t. Sometimes those things take away some other experiences, and sometimes they bring you valuable ones. Sometimes you have a choice and sometimes you don’t. There is always something lost when something is gained. You gain one experience you pay with another. And that is why everyone is different. No person is a carbon copy of another” you could tell by looking at his eyes how personal this is to him so you don’t dare ask anything. His words after he leaves will forever be imprinted in your heart.

Sunday is the last day of the week. You know that the 7th genie will appear today. The last piece of advice that you will get. It’s been such a valuable experience for you and you don’t want it to end. You wonder about the 7 brothers and the lamp. What will happen to them? Will they disappear from your life? Will you even remember?

“You will forget, but we’ll forever be the shoulder that you can lean on” the deep voice startles you this time. Too lost in your thoughts, the 7th and last brother makes his appearance unnoticed. He sits and observes you for a while before talking. Yes, you were a special one. Your road shining brightly. Sure, you will stray away from your path multiple times but you will always make your own path.

“How can i forget? This has been the best experience i have ever had. I can’t let this all go”

“You will not have to let it go. You just have to believe in yourself” his bright smile reveals a pair of well defined dimples. He is tall, taller than Jungkook even. His hair is tinted grey. He is handsome and he is clearly the leader. You don’t know how you can tell but he seems to exude confidence and authority in a way that makes you want to listen and hang on to every word he says.

“What is your name?” You ask and he smiles bashfully at you. “Ah, yes, Namjoon”.

“Well Namjoon, how can i believe in myself. I can barely function without you guys’ help”

“And we will always be there, but most importantly you need to believe that you can do it”

“How?”

He smiles at you “ you believed in 7 strangers appearing in your house and in your life without questioning it, did you not?”

The sound of your alarm clock is enough to wake the dead up. You groan and grab your phone to turn it off. For some strange reason a deep voice constantly rings into your head, ‘If having a future is the only dream existing. Then what is the dream you had last night in your bed?’

You shrug, it has a valid point. You glare at your phone realising it’s Monday. Time for another week to start. Monotonous.

Suddenly your phone chimes; a tweet. You open it and smile to yourself, BTS have posted a new picture. Quickly liking it you lock your phone and take a deep breath in. Maybe last week was not great, but this week can be a new start.

So you stop running and you turn a new page.