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#who went off on me that I didn’t immediately jump in when my coworker who’s training had an issue I guess
whatdoeseverybodywant · 4 months
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Rebuild & Restore - Chapter 7
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I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS
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All OC Characters belong to me
Prequel (All Falls Down)
Series Masterlist
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“Soo.” Elijah trailed off as he and Kiyana were driving to the restaurant. “That was your ex-husband huh?” 
“Yeah.” She said “I’m so sorry about that..” She apologized again. “He wasn’t supposed to be there.” she paused. “Him or his cousin.”  Elijah laughed. 
“It’s no big deal. Trust me. I’ve dealt with worse from my ex-wife. Her brothers are still on my ass to this day.” He chuckled again. 
“Oh you were married?” Kiyana asked, perplexed because he never mentioned it.
“Is that a problem?” Now Elijah was confused. Not even 10 minutes ago, he thought he was about to have a melee with her ex husband and his cousin. He cut his eyes over to her before looking back at the road when she didn’t answer. “Ki?” 
“No, it’s not a problem.” She shrugged. “I just thought you would mention it by now.” She paused, and turned her head to look at him. “It’s not a big deal though.” 
“You sure?” Elijah asked as he pulled up to a red light, now turning his full attention to her. “I don’t wanna start us off on the wrong foot.” 
“Ohh, there’s an us?” She teased with a smile, feeling her cheeks heat up. 
“There’s definitely an us. I normally have a rule that I don’t date coworkers but, it’s just something about you Kiyana.” There goes them butterflies again. She thought as their faces inched closer. He cupped her jaw and Kiyana felt her heart rate spike. Just as their lips were about to connect, the car behind them honked causing the both of them to jump away from each other. 
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“Fuck!” Josh cursed as he watched Kiyana get into Elijah’s car and drive off. This was exactly what he was afraid of. He stomped past Joe and into his former home. “Samara!” He called out, softly though, still mindful of his sleeping children.  “Mara?!” He called out again, rolling his eyes as she strolled out of the kitchen munching on his children’s Doritos. 
“What?” 
“What restaurant did they go to?” He huffed when she shrugged and pushed past him to sit on the couch. “Samara ,please.” Josh begged. “I know I fucked up by doin' what I did. But shit, I can’t just give up and go let her fall in love with someone else. I won’t be able to take it. So please, just tell me what restaurant they went to.” 
Samara felt her hatred for Josh slip away. While they were never close she still considered him a friend and one thing about Samara was that she hated seeing her friends hurting. “Fine.” She sighed out. “But you have to answer my question first.”  Josh nodded immediately. 
“Aight, whatever you wanna know.” 
“Why did you do it? What made you cheat on Kiyana?”  oh Josh gulped.  “Josh?” 
“I don’t know. “ He said and Samara sucked her teeth. “I- we were arguing about her not listening to the doctor about not stressing. I just wanted her and Kairo to be okay.” He walked over and sat down on the couch next to her and put his head in his hands.  “You know the same thing happened when she was pregnant with Kehlani.” Neither one of them heard Joe as she entered the house and stood right by the entrance to the living room, listening to their conversation. “Her auntie died and..” He blew out a breath. “She wouldn’t relax, she wouldn’t just stop and not stress. I already have one dead kid. I didn’t want another.” 
Samara nodded, remembering how Kiyana blamed herself for years for the death of Kehlani. “So that’s why you cheated?” Josh scoffed and shook his head. 
“Hell no. I just- I wanted to vent. Everyone around me kept talking about how Kiyana felt and..” He paused and sniffled, wiping his eyes. “I- it’s selfish but damn, Kenneth was like a dad to me too. When Kish and my mom were going through it Ken and Ms Imani welcomed me with open arms. I just wanted to vent to someone who wouldn’t say oh well it’s Kiyana’s dad. And Shanté was there at the right  time. It wasn’t my intention to start the affair, I just wanted someone to talk to and things went too far.” 
Joe let out a sigh and closed his eyes. He couldn’t intervene with Josh and Kiyana nomore. He had already done enough damage by sleeping with Kiyana and truth be told, Josh was his favorite cousin and even if Joe thought that Kiyana should be with him, he didn’t want to hurt his cousin more than he already did. 
“The Grand Marlin.” Samara said after a minute of silence between her and Josh. “He took her to The Grand Marlin.” 
Josh pulled Samara in for a hug and thanked her. “Do not fuck this up again Joshua. I swear on my life I will make sure she fucks every single one of your family members.” Josh sucked his teeth and pushed her away from him. 
“Damn Samara.” She shrugged and pointed towards the front door.
“Go, before she falls in love with him or something.”  Josh nodded and rushed towards the front door, only to be stopped by Joe blocking it. 
“Uce come-on. Don’t do this to me right now. You proved your point already.”  Joe shook his head and put his hands up defensively. 
“I just wanted to apologize to you Josh. You my family and I should have never took it there with your wife.” Josh sucked his teeth. 
“You don’t mean that shit. What you want me to go get my wife back so you can fuck her again.” Josh felt the urge to pummel Joe so he took a deep breath. “ Getcho’ big ass out my way Joseph.” 
“Josh, this is the most serious I've been with you in years. I’m sorry.” Josh narrowed his eyes at Joe. Not believing him in the slightest. But he couldn’t worry about Joe right now, right now he needed to get to Kiyana. 
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“Thank you for bringing me here.” Kiyana smiled over at Elijah as he pulled out her chair for her. “I’ve never been here before.” 
“No problem Ms. Jackson. I plan to give you a lot of first time experiences” He winked back as the waiter came over and asked for their drink orders. 
Elijah kept a smile on Kiyana’s face all throughout dinner. And if Kiyana was being honest, this was the best date she had been on in years. 
Her weekly ‘dates’ with Josh were just them going out to dinner, nothing special or spectacular. He stopped making her feel special a long time ago and she had just gone with the flow because she loved him. 
“Hey that’s your ex-husband right?” Elijah’s voice broke her out of her thoughts and she turned her head in the direction he was pointing to see Josh arguing with the maitre’d and pointing in her direction. 
“Oh my god.” She muttered, covering her face with her hands. “This is so embarrassing. Just give me two minutes please.” She said, biting her lip as she stood from the table and walked over to where Josh was making an ass out of himself. 
“All you had to do was let me through dickhead.” He sneered at the man, who was only trying to do his job. 
“Joshua.” Kiyana hissed, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and dragging him outside of the restaurant. “What are you doing?!” 
“Tryna stop you from making a mistake. I’m so fucking sorry Key.” He whispered, cupping her face in his hands.  “About everything. About Shanté.” He swallowed hard when he saw her flinch at Shanté’s name. “About not sticking up for you at J’s party. About everything.” He repeated and Kiyana started shaking her head. 
“No.” She laughed as tears started to well up in her eyes. “You can’t just come here and ruin my date. You have no right Joshua.” She pushed him away from her. “You cheated on me, there is no apologizing for that, not after the shit I put up with from you and your family for years.” 
“Kiyana please - “ 
“Go home Joshua.” She muttered, blinking her tears away. She was done crying over him. “I’m trying to move on, you need to do the same.” Josh felt as if Kiyana just reached into his chest and pulled his heart out, as she gave him one last look before turning and walking back into the restaurant to continue her date. Leaving him heartbroken and empty. 
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🙃
Y'all think Josh can actually win her back or y'all think Kiyana is over him and nothing her can do will fix or change anything. ?
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A/N: Sorry this took two weeks 😭. I was just feeling a bit stuck with this chapter. Hopefully chapter 8 won't take another 2 weeks.
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eyeofnewtblog · 11 months
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This is Noni cat, and I got her 8 years ago from the shelter. They told me she was maybe six years old when I swiped my credit card for her.
She’s been a pretty active cat for at least the last 6 years; when I was living alone with just Noni as my roommate, she would jump out of my open 3 story window down to the second story window and demand food and pets, which my neighbor was happy to provide. Luckily he only had to do this once, but I was still mortified (especially since I was living in a no pets place and passing off my adoption of a cat as “my coworker is going through a divorce and asked me to watch his cat for a few weeks so that his ex didn’t cause more trouble” and all my neighbors were single older men, and I worked in a motorcycle place with 90% male coworkers so it honestly did fly under the radar…the only reason I was able to get her at all was because I did laundry/cleaning for one of my single coworkers for a week and put his number down as my landlord and he was like “yes, she can get a kitty, she’s done a really good job of keeping things clean and being responsible, I trust her.” FYI, I was also taking his dog on play dates at the doggie park down the street from me on my days off just for my own amusement, so like. He wasn’t my actual landlord but he also wasn’t lying about my ability to take care of an animal.)
Anyway, the only reason I ever ended up with Noni was because on my second date with my now husband I said I didn’t know if I wanted to buy a cat or a gun, and he and I spent 8 hours just bumming around all the pet places and gun shops that we both knew about (and meeting my aunt and grandparents because they live just up the street from one of the best pawnshops in the area, I “have some mail I need to pick up right quick, it’s just a five minute detour” and oh my goodness…you know that feeling when you see your family immediately like the person you’re dating? Yeah.)
So after husband and I move in together but before anything is official…there is a wildly out of control feral cat population in the area his apartment was in. Noni cat was fine, because she only ever hung out in the front or back yard, but the lady two houses up would put out multiple trays of food for 30+ cats. She was very sweet but also wasn’t trapping and spaying/neutering them, and we didn’t have any central ac (so doors open and fans on, we die like men, sleep with ice packs, and scrub the mud daughter nests out with dawn dish soap), so every summer, about once a week, I’d hear typical cat fighting noises, and go charging out to the living room where some random cat had Noni cornered. I stomp and shout and chase the stay cat out, Noni cuddles me for ten minutes in gratitude before the heat is too much for both of us, we move on.
Then me and husband buy a house in 2018. We move into our new suburban paradise, but alas…Noni cat is a straight up gangster cat, right out of Commerce City.
In all the years we have lived in this house, Noni cat has left a minimum of ten bunny corpses on the front lawn. Per summer.
I love her, I really do. And I recognize that cats should be indoor pets, for environmental reasons. But I legit cried when she brought a still alive baby bunny to the door (with every intention of eating it as is on the living room floor) and she accidentally dropped it and it tried to run away and instead of doing anything productive I just went inside and cried to my husband. Who laughed at me, rightfully so.
Anyway, she’s getting older now, and there’s definitely something wrong with her. She didn’t murder any baby bunnies at all this summer, got “old cat skinny and bony” and honestly refuses to go outside at all. She was always super cuddly during winter because cats like warm things, but now she wants cuddles and attention all the time.
With me starting a new job, I don’t necessarily have the money to get her fully checked out. I want to, she isn’t just a great cat, she’s the only cat my husband has ever liked; she’s wonderful and worth every penny, but fuck are we in a tight spot with his medical stuff and me having three jobs in the last 18 months. There’s no fucking ROOM on the credit cards to take care of her.
Husband found a vet that charges a lot less, but is an hour outside of town. What we save in vet bills we spend in gas to get there.
I don’t really have a point I’m leading up to, or a critical argument or analysis…my cat is dying and it fucking sucks on so many levels, because she was so instrumental in how I got where I am.
I just wanted to tell her/my story and have it be shared with random strangers who might have an interest.
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kittsu-and-company · 8 months
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In Broad Daylight.
// Aka writing thing teehee
Trigger Warning(s): Manipulation
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Kittsu felt glued to her spot in that moment, watching the man who had been nothing more than a suspicious, reoccurring character, sob by the fountain. She watched from afar as Achlys hid his face in his hands, Espeon by his side, clearly attempting to comfort its trainer. She wanted to approach, ask if he was okay but… was it really safe?
He has done nothing but help her so far, yet the phrase “wolf in sheep’s” clothing jumped to her mind for a fleeting second, something that would’ve caused Kittsu to turn tail and leave in any other situation. But he’s crying, something was wrong! The overcast day boasted sunbeams peeking through damp gray clouds, shining light upon various buildings like a natural spotlight.
Nobody would be stupid enough to hurt someone in such a public place, in the middle of the day no less? And she should have more faith in her ability to keep herself safe, anyway. She could take care of herself, and she knows her limits.
Kittsu cautiously approached the still sobbing man, trying to make herself seem more approachable than she felt. Achlys’ Espeon, oh what was its name, watched her approach with a blank expression, before sauntering forward to rub its head against her leg. She felt like she needed to sneak while approaching the man in front of her, though she didn’t try to stop the Espeon’s shattering of her attempt of stealth.
Achlys didn’t look up even when she stopped just a few feet in front of him, awkwardly thumbing the occupied Luxury ball in her pocket in case anything went south. She bit her lip as he continued to cry, still trying to find her words.
“…Excuse me?” The man suddenly went dead silent, shit, was that a bad move? “Are you okay..? Achlys?” She felt her nails dig into the hand still hidden in her pocket, before withdrawing both of them into a more friendly position. “I’m uh- I’m sorry if I’m bothering you-“
“No, no… hello.” Achlys raised his head to meet Kittsu’s nervous gaze, trying to wipe tears from his eyes still. “What brings you here, kid?”
Kittsu pauses for a second to breath, why was she so nervous? He’s just a poor guy having a rough day from what she sees right now, why does she still feel alarms going off in her head? “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay… do you need anything? Can I ask what’s wrong?” Achlys stares at her for a beat too long, the silence broken by nothing but mindless chatter of nearby Fletchling.
“It’s nothing… my coworker just told me about someone posting about me online. Happened a lot when I was a kid, bullied had a lot of fun with it.” Oh. Kittsu’s apprehension immediately drowned in pooling guilt at those words, stomach dropping straight to the floor by weights of shame. “It’s hard. That’s why I don’t go on social media, because I had a friend get doxxed from something similar. They had to move away, and I never saw them again.” Kittsu wanted to be sick.
“I-I’m sorry… is there- uh- anything I could do to help..?” She fought tears weighed by guilt pricking at her eyes, Arceus she was too high strung for this right now. “Well, I was going to go buy food for Day, but the store is going to close soon and I don’t want to go alone.”
Well Arceus, if that wasn’t suspicious Kittsu didn’t know what would be. But she’s clearly already caused so much pain- she’s wrecked Sprite’s family and Coral’s nerves, and she doesn’t want to hurt anyone else. Sun peeking through the clouds now fleeing for the horizon shine glowing lights that bounce brilliantly off of the fountain’s bubbling water. He’d be stupid to do anything in broad daylight. The Espeon, day rubs against her legs once more.
Kittsu holds out her hand, and notes how the weight of Ember’s pokeball sat in her pocket; ready.
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The Shape of You Pt. 7
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Michael Myers X FemReader
Rating: T+
Warnings: Panic attacks, reader is struggling with anxiety and depression, reader gets sick from not taking care of herself
Word Count: 6.1k
Pt 1  Pt 2  Pt 3  Pt 4  Pt 5  Pt 6
Taglist: @the-marshals-wife @msghostface @izumima @cavern-creature​@101killer @scooby-the-soviet-soldier​
(A/N:) Hello lovely readers! I am SO SO SO sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out! I struggled with this chapter. I know where I’m going with this story and we’re making headway to the end but this one I had to figure out where I wanted this chapter to go and I had to take my time to come up with the ideas. It took me a month before an idea popped in my head but I still struggled with getting it wrote. Plus life happens! I hope to get the next chapter out a lot sooner and again I’m so sorry to all my readers that have been waiting so patiently! Until next time happy reading! ~Countess
Weeks passed by after the incident at work and everything seemed to go back to normal, except for you. The world kept turning and time kept moving but you found yourself stuck in that one horrifying moment. You hid the turmoil well at work and tried to keep it from Michael, but he knew something was wrong. You were retreating more times than opening up to him. If he touched you without you seeing, your immediate reaction was to flinch away. Afterwords you hid the fact that you flinched by giving him a fake smile, shrugging it off with some excuse. You rearranged everything in your office to face towards the door, so you could see everyone who came and went. You didn’t seek out male coworkers now and sent Julie to take care of things now, instead of going yourself. You hated to do your work best friend that way but you just couldn’t bring yourself to be alone with anyone yet, especially men though they never did anything to you. 
You felt silly and worthless as you jumped at shadows, worried about somebody following you, and the worst was the nightmares. You hadn’t had a good nights sleep in so long and it was beginning to show as the bags under your eyes grew darker. Michael worried about you severely as he tried his best to comfort you in whatever way you needed. It broke his heart every time you shied away or just a simple touch made you jerk and cower. He was beginning to grow livid as the days passed by, not towards you but towards the man that had brought this misery upon you. He had finally gotten you to open up to him after he screwed up only to have another problem to build a wall between you two. It had become an unspoken agreement as Michael made sure you could see it was him before he made any contact. He started to ask you before giving you hugs and he stopped kissing you suddenly. When you woke him up by thrashing around because of another nightmare, it was his presence alone that could calm you down. Michael wouldn’t go back to sleep after the really bad attacks, wanting to watch out for you and give you any comfort you needed. He also started giving you his shirt before you both laid down for bed. He knew his scent could calm you through any storms that arose and it had become an unspoken agreement. Before you hit the pillow he was stripping his shirt off and handing it to you. You always wordlessly took it from him before tugging it over your head. You always melted immediately at the warmth of the fabric and his familiar smell penetrating your senses. Knowing he was close and he still loved you made you fall into a dreamless slumber quickly. Though those bad nights still did come and you sweat and squirm before jolting awake. 
You never thought a man could ruin your life and the safety you had always felt so easily, but here you are fearful and paranoid daily. You always felt eyes upon you and his harsh grasp, his cruel words bouncing around in your mind like a run away bouncy ball. The sea of your mind was in constant turmoil and it was taking everything Michael had to penetrate the violent waves. It broke his heart when he had come into your extra room to watch you work, your mind deep in thought. You had screamed shrilly when you noticed he was looking over your shoulder and the work you had been so focused on ruined. You had to start again and he felt so guilty, he was beginning to wonder if he was good enough for you at all. He didn’t want to voice these fears to you, cause he knew as soon as the words left his lips you would feel responsible for making him feel that way. When in actuality it was neither of your faults. It was one man who didn’t have the common decency to take the word no for an answer and attack what couldn’t be his. Michael still had a rage deep inside that made him want to abandon this life he had come to care for so much. Deep down the beast wanted to rampage, to bring his own version of justice to the man who had brought this upon you. But he couldn’t leave you at this moment. You needed him now more than ever and he didn’t care how long it took or how much he had to work, he was going to get you through this. You would heal in time and become the woman he had grown to adore. Not that he didn’t love you now as you were, but he couldn’t take seeing you broken.
 It pained him greatly and he wanted you to come back and see how good of a life you lived with him. Michael wouldn’t be here in this moment if it hadn’t been for you, to take that risky chance. To look beyond the monster he had been painted to be and see that deep down there was a man that needed help. You were the light in his storm and you brought a difference out of him that even he didn’t believe existed. He had been poked, prodded, brainwashed in to thinking that he wasn’t worth anything. But you saw that diamond lying within the coal and you nurtured it and made it shine brighter than it ever had. Now it was Michael’s turn to step in and bring your shine back. You were tarnished with fear and no amount of pushing and forcing would bring that special shine back. He had to learn something he never had, patience and preserver through his frustrations. You needed him now, more than he needed you and there was no way he was going to abandon you. He would take one step at a time and be there until once again you were more than ready to step out again and be the person you usually are.
The weekend came again and you let yourself sleep in. Michael’s side was empty and long cold when you woke up and it made your heart sink. But the feel of his shirt against your skin brought back a little warmth. He was taking such good care of you, you couldn’t help but feel guilty that you were neglecting him and his needs. This whole thing had never been about him nursing you. You had wanted to show him that the world and people weren’t so bad, to show him that he was more than what everyone said he was and you were beginning to succeed, but now you were the one backtracking. You were the one messed up and now Michael had a good example that of course the human race basically sucked at times. Especially the one human that brought this all on. You shivered diving deeper in the blankets as you couldn’t help but feel that this whole ordeal was far from over. You had tried to be brave and show everyone that what had happened, didn’t you bother like you wanted it to. But that was far from the truth as you found yourself sinking in the depths of fear. Enough that you had nightmares, you found it hard to be at work alone in your office, and just the contact Michael longed for had you stiffening in panic. 
Michael had gotten good at knowing when panic attacks were starting to set in and he made sure he was distant enough to keep you comfortable but still made sure his presence was around. You looked up at the ceiling, wanting to stay in bed all day but you knew you couldn’t neglect the day. You felt the need to be at least a little productive. You had been wanting to work on your recent project that laid abandoned in amongst your art supplies. You took a deep breath, bracing yourself for whatever the day would hold. Michael was being really quiet, most likely letting you sleep as long as you could and it warmed your heart. You began to seek him out as you wanted to see him. Guilt still nagged at your being as you felt fine being the one to initiate contact with him, but your mind wouldn’t let you be okay with him being the one to initiate anything. Despite the fear and worries you did feel anger towards Ian for ruining everything. Life had been so perfect as your home life had become everything you could have hoped it would be. Then one horrible moment in life and everything shattered. Your hands shook as you looked for Michael. 
He’d been busy this morning as you noticed the laundry you did last night was folded, the TV already on but turned down low so it wouldn’t disturb you, and the smells of something cooking wafting from the kitchen. You found Michael there, standing at the stove with a spatula in hand. It was funny to you how he could stand so still without humming or moving, though it probably hadn’t been so funny to others that he had preyed upon. The thought made you shiver but that was a time long ago. Though you had seen The Shape personally most recently you still couldn’t help but feel safe in your own home. Well you used to and despite the new anxiety that had taken control you still felt like your home was your haven. It was getting harder to leave and while your boss understood that you were having to work some things out after everything that happened, you couldn’t take the time off you needed. The office was so understaffed and with no new applications coming in, you completely understood that they needed you. Though you knew you were making mistakes you normally wouldn’t and were having a hard time concentrating. It felt good to be needed though and that your job was safe as long as you kept showing up to work. You breathed deeply, trying to gear yourself up to face another day when Michael turned around. He had heard you walking down the hallway but in true fashion he remained focused on the task at hand. He also didn’t want to go searching for you as he was worried it would make you feel uncomfortable.
 He had been trying to get in the habit of letting you come find him, as it made you more at ease. He missed being able to pull you in for hugs and he really missed kissing you like he used to. That was the hardest part for him as he had been denied any form of human comfort for years. It set his teeth on edge, but for you he would take it. He had to as there was no choice. His heart sunk seeing you standing in the doorway, his shirt rumpled from sleep and your hair sticking up. Normally he would find it adorable and would take his emotions out on you. But the only reason it saddened him was he could see the bags under your eyes, your skin was pale, your eyes normally bright and cheerful were lack luster, and you never stood with the confidence you used to have.
“Morning,” you mumbled giving him a wobbly smile.
Michael nodded back, he had gone back a little into his old ways so he didn’t talk as often. While you had started not to talk much at all you still talked more than he did. It was awkward trying to make conversation now as you forced yourself to talk. You didn’t want either of you to back slide but it was becoming difficult the more time passed and you made no progress. Wordlessly you sat at the table, waiting for the silence to break or maybe the sudden urge to talk would come. Michael finished up cooking, scooping scrambled eggs onto the two plates he removed from the cabinet. Still without a sound he set your plate before you, before taking a seat at the other end of the table. Your lip wobbled as you fought the urge to cry. Nothing seemed appetizing anymore and you barely cooked now. Michael had stepped up making simple things he had learned from you, but it felt like you were taking advantage of him. Since you weren’t feeding him and whatever he cooked you barely touched. You scooped up a small bite, still fighting the urge to burst into tears, before chewing slowly. It felt like chalk in your mouth and the flavors that were normally there were no where to be found. Michael didn’t try to speak, wanting you to focus more on eating. He was worrying more and more about you as more weight fell off you. Ever since he had met you, he knew you had a healthy appetite and he didn’t want that to go away. Before, food was nothing to him, until you had shared your meals with him and then he realized how much you could connect with someone over one simple dish. Now he watched you chew and swallow like he had placed gravel in front of you. It didn’t take long until you were pushing the plate away and standing up from the table.
“I’m not that hungry,” you choked fighting back tears. “I think I’ll go lay down a little longer I don’t feel so good.”
Michael just nodded and a few tears slipped free from your barricade. You fled quickly not wanting him to see you cry or break down once again.
You shut the door quickly and flung yourself into the pillows where your sobs were muffled and began to soak your tears. You were sick of feeling this way, sick of being such a bother to him, and sick of not being able to pick yourself up. Your world was crumbling and no matter how many times you tried to piece it back together it just fell back apart. You were lost, trying to find your way. But it felt like being lost in a darkened woods with no light and you couldn’t even begin to see the stars because the trees keep blocking everything. It didn’t take long until you fell back into a fitful sleep, exhaustion dragging you under but you still couldn’t rest. Your mind a constant battlefield that wouldn’t leave even during the peaceful moments of the night. You whimpered and cried as nightmares continued to plague your unconsciousness. Michael had quietly checked on you at one point in the afternoon, but you had yet to wake up and he didn’t want to bother you. His fear of making you feel worse keeping him from even trying to talk or soothe you. You sweated profusely as you tossed and turned.
 You woke once more and could see that it was night time, you spent all your day trying to sleep and nothing else. Michael’s side wasn’t occupied as he never came to bed. The clock was reading midnight and he didn’t stay up late much anymore. You should feel hungry, you should feel rested but you felt none of those things. Quietly getting up you went to go find Michael to see him sleeping on the couch. It shouldn’t bother you as much as it did, because he could sleep wherever he wanted, but you couldn’t help but feel like it was your fault that he didn’t feel comfortable enough around you to sleep in the same bed like you both had been. Defeated you went back to bed to cry more as the bed now felt too big, too lonely, and too cold. You longed for the heat of Michael’s body against yours and the comforting pressure of his arms wrapped around you. But those were gone as your mind could no longer take comfort from those things. It always felt like Ian trapping you against your will, that he was trying to take advantage of you once more. So you cried and wallowed in the pit of despair you had created until once more you fell into restless slumber. 
Your dreams haunted you as you felt hands grasping you tightly. The pressure leaving bruises in your skin as they held you down. You couldn’t see for the darkness beginning to swallow you as the hands pulled you down. You couldn’t escape no matter how hard you tried. You could feel your skin become clammy and everything felt hot. You tried to scream but your throat was raw and your tongue so dry. You had no energy and you could barely move your head as the black continued to swallow you. Your chest heaved, the panic becoming too much. You tried to suck in air to calm yourself and fight off your attackers holding you down but it was still all in vain.
You jolted awake thrashing violently as the terror still had a tight grip on you. Tears were soaked in the pillows and you could see a shadow above you. You tried screaming like in your dream, but your mouth was so dry and you couldn’t get enough air to scream. Hands had you pinned to the bed keeping you from lashing out and you refused to calm down at all.
“It’s me,” Michael’s voice penetrated the darkness and you immediately calmed though you were still stiff. Everything felt hot, his shirt you wore soaked with sweat, and your vision hazy.
“What’s wrong with me,” you cried out holding onto the drenched blankets beneath you.
“You’re sick,” Michael replied. “You have a fever and I can’t get it to go down.”
While Michael didn’t know much about nursing someone back to health, he couldn’t just stand on the sidelines while you suffered more. Your lack of eating, sleeping, and the tumult emotions had brought your system down enough that your immune system can’t keep up with the demand your body needs.
  “What can I do,” he asked while finally letting you go. Once his hands were off, you couldn’t help but realize how weak you actually were. All this had finally caught up with you and you were suffering more.
“There’s medicine in the bathroom cabinet,” you panted. “And I need a wet rag for my forehead. Something cool and fever reducer will bring my fever down. Michael I’m so sorry I’m being such a burden.”
“Quiet you’re not a burden but we have to get you better,” he chanced it and kissed your forehead. You flinched but stayed still, letting his love and care surround you. “Go back to sleep and I’ll get everything you need.”
Closing your eyes you watched Michael’s retreating back before drifting back into the darkness. Michael raided the cabinets trying to find everything you could possibly need. He only found one packet of medicine that was a fever reducer, but there was only one left and no other boxes remained. He even checked the other cabinets just to be sure, only to come up empty. You were in no shape to leave the house so he knew it was going to be up to him to go out and get whatever you needed. Wetting a rag and making it back into the bedroom, he placed the cool cloth on your fevered skin before going to get a glass of water. He jostled you gently waking you back up, your eyes were glazed over and your breathing was still shallow and quick. You swallowed the pill he offered without question before going back to sleep. Michael watched you for a moment stroking the sweat soaked hair from your cheeks until he felt comfortable to leave you alone.
He didn’t know how going into town was going to go for him. Yeah on his nightly excursions on Halloween he had been wearing a mask, but the authorities would know exactly what he looked like. It made him anxious, but it made him feel worse when he thought of you laying in bed with no medicine in the house to help you through this sickness you were facing. Michael resolved himself, he couldn’t just let you go through this on your own. You had brought him from his darkness and it was time for him to return the favor. Even if things never went back to they were beforehand, he would still love you no matter what. Grabbing a baseball cap and some sunglasses Michael dressed similar to how you would, when you left the house to run errands in Haddonfield. Dressed in jeans and a simple shirt he hid his features as best he could with the hat tipped low and sunglasses to hide his eyes. He was nervous as he didn’t want to be caught and leave you alone with no one to look after you. He also had to contend with your nosy neighbors who had the tendency to pry in your life. Several times while he lived with you he had to hide during the visits and them coming by to question you why you weren’t leaving your home as often. You just gave them vague answers, trying to keep yourself from lying right out, but most of the time you just had to anyway as they continued to pry. 
Michael sucked in a deep breath, opening the door and checking the surroundings. He hadn’t been out since he came here, that was the one thing you didn’t want him to do at all, in fear of watching them take him away. And he heeded those rules as he didn’t want to drag you down with him as his accomplice. With no person in sight he quickly made his way to the car before anyone could get a good look. He started up your car and backed out of the driveway. He had learned to drive from watching the doctors as they transported him back and forth and it didn’t take much for him to get good at driving. Traffic wasn’t bad for a early Sunday morning, he hoped that the city wasn’t stirring just yet. He wanted to make it back home quickly before the streets were packed with shoppers or families looking to enjoy some family time in town. The drug store came into view and Michael parked the car, getting out, and locking the door. He pulled the cap down more as he was getting more nervous the longer he was outside. He wished for the cover of nightfall but with the drugstore being family owned, they didn’t stay open all the time. He was fortunate that they were open on a Sunday anyway. The lady behind the counter greeted him, before doing a double take at his massive build and shadowy features. She suddenly got nervous as he stepped to the counter, his shadow overtaking her and most of the small counter.
“M-may I help you,” the older woman stuttered. She didn’t know what it was about her customer but the fear was shaking her to the core.
“My girlfriend is sick,” Michael answered in a low voice. “I don’t know what medicines will help her the most. Can you help me?”
“O-of course,” she answered before leaving the safety of her counter.
Michael listened intently as she lead him to the cold medicine aisle. He became overwhelmed at all the options and different medicines for all sorts of ailments. He explained carefully all your symptoms to the woman as she began to grab everything you could possibly need. Soon Michael had his arms full of fever reducers, cold compresses, and melatonin to help you sleep. As she rang him up, the lady was still giving advice that could help in any possible way. Michael fought back the chuckle that the woman who had been terrified of him when he walked in, was suddenly very comfortable. She wouldn’t be feeling the same way about him if she knew he was The Shape of Haddonfield. The Michael Myers was standing right before her in her own store and she had no idea. Michael felt odd as he experienced another different source of normalcy as he was trying to do anything he could for you. With hat still tucked low and sunglasses on his face he thanked her quickly and left. Going back to the car he tossed the bag into the passenger seat and headed to his next stop.
While he really wanted to go back home, instead of pushing his luck, the lady had suggested different soups and fluids for you to drink. Michael didn’t go completely into detail on why you had gotten sick, he did explain the bare minimum on your lack of nutrition here lately. So instead of home, his next stop would have to be the local grocery store. This was where Michael’s nervousness exploded as it was much more busy than the little drug store he had just visited. Cars filled the parking lot and people of all shapes and sizes walked to and from the building. While his nightly terrors had been done with a mask on, there was people who knew his face. Specifically the local law enforcement and a few other people. Tugging his cap down lower, Michael left the safety of the car. Like they could sense his foul deeds, the populace of Haddonfield that were grocery shopping steered clear of the large man who made his way to the grocery store entrance. The sight of all the aisles overwhelmed Michael for a moment, along with the large amount of people swarming the checkout counters and different sections. If he couldn’t face his unease for you, he had no right to help or ask you to face yours for him. 
Sucking in a deep breath, he grabbed a hand held basket and started his search for the few things he needed. So far he had only ran into one person and they quickly apologized before racing away to safety. Michael was more careful as the made his way through every aisle until he finally found one thing he had been searching for. Before he could escape to go find the other items a couple older ladies stopped him to see if he would reach something on the top shelf for them. After hesitating and unsure if he should speak, Michael merely nodded and grabbed what they asked for. After thanking him and cooing over the ‘nice and tall young gentleman’ Michael quickly retreated. You were worth it and he would do this all over again, but if he didn’t get out of here soon and get back to your side he was going to lose it. He had come much too far to let himself be caught trying to buy soup and juice in a grocery store. Michael couldn’t help but chuckle quietly at the thought of the headline in the newspaper. ‘The Shape Caught Grocery Shopping.’ The thought of your tears at him being taken away made Michael sober quickly and he finished the last errand quickly. 
His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel hard. He needed to check on you and get the supplies inside, so he could buckle down and get you back on your feet. You needed to eat, you definitely needed to sleep, and you really needed these medicines rustling around in the paper bag. Home was not too far away and Michael could tell more people were stirring in the neighborhood. It was going to make getting inside more difficult than when he left that morning. He hoped you were still asleep, blissfully unaware that he had left and gone out into town. He could just imagine your reaction when he finally told you. Which you would probably figure out pretty quickly as you kept up with whatever was in the cabinets in both the kitchen and bathroom. The only reason you had ran out of medicine is it wasn’t that time of year that you normally got sick. Michael didn’t mind going and getting whatever you needed, he enjoyed getting out to an extent but he didn’t want to worry you and make you feel even worse. Pulling in he didn’t see your closest neighbors around yet. 
He knew they had to be awake but he wanted to make it inside before someone could walk out and see him going into the house. Grabbing everything quickly for one trip, Michael pulled the keys from the ignition and walked quickly to the door. He didn’t want to run as it would only bring attention, he was never much of a runner anyway. He opened the door dropping the bags on the floor and closing the door quickly upon any curious eyes that would become suspicious. He even stood there for a minute watching out the top glass on the door, to make sure nobody left their homes to investigate the strange man that just entered your home. He knew that several people at work knew you were dating, but you kept the bigger details from them. Only giving them bits and pieces to satisfy their curiosities.
  “Michael,” your hoarse voice called. “Michael.”
He ran up the stairs to see that you were still asleep though you were calling out to him in your feverish dream. Sweat still coated your forehead, as your temperature was staying the same. Michael recalled everything the woman at the drugstore said so before he woke you, he began to get everything around. But before he left he placed a cooling compress on your forehead to replace the now hot washrag he had placed before leaving.
Filling a glass full of ice and water and another one with cold juice, Michael grabbed several pill boxes off the table and brought them back into your room. With the compress now pulling some of the heat away, you were sleeping more restfully, it made Michael hate to wake you up. Lack of sleep hadn’t helped with your body as it was one of the main reasons you wound up in this situation. You needed more medicine though to help you kick this illness and get better faster. Michael gently gripped your shoulder, shaking you and calling out to you.
You felt yourself drowning in darkness, the feeling of somebody dragging you down further and further away from the light. You felt severe aches and chills as the hands gripped you tighter. Then you were burning as you struggled to breathe. You tried screaming out, to call for Michael but silence only came out. You began to panic, until a hand grasped your wrist in the dark depths, pulling you quickly towards you light you were struggling so hard to get to. Suddenly you burst forth out of the suffocating black.
You woke up with a gasp and the first thing you could see, when your eyes finally focused was Michael. His gaze was full of concern which only made his grip tighten further. Everything you could remember started rushing back to you and your dream suddenly made since. You shivered violently, the fever leaving you cold that no amount of blankets could take away.
“Michael,” relief flooded you when he cupped your cheek. His hand felt scorching but also so good at the same time. You nuzzled deeper into his touch and it made him smile. He nodded before holding up the different pill boxes and the cup of water he had gotten for you. You took the medicine but you couldn’t remember having these types of medicines in your cabinet.
“Where did you get the medicine,” you finally asked after taking a big drink of juice. Now that you thought about it you didn’t have any juice either. You searched his face, only for him to look away. Chills took over your body and it wasn’t because of the fever.
“Michael?!” You coughed and he offered you more water. You took the drink but you weren’t letting this go. Those few seconds gave him time to gather up the courage to finally tell you.
  “I went out to the store,” he finally replied. Michael didn’t think it was possible for you to pale further, but you did. The thought of him out on his own, especially on a weekend day when everyone and anyone could be out and about on the town. You understood that he did it all for you and it made you feel a little guilty that you had gotten sick. It had made him leave the safety of your home, all because you weren’t taking care of yourself. Michael could tell that you were starting on the downhill slope of blaming yourself for him leaving. Though it was his choice and he was sitting before you perfectly safe and sound.
“Stop blaming yourself,” he cupped your cheeks forcing you to look up at him into the eyes. “It’s not your fault. None of it. Not me having to go out and getting the things you need, you getting sick, or what happened at work. You didn’t ask for it and you didn’t bring anything down on yourself. You have to stop blaming yourself (Y/N) and start healing.”
You melted while still shaking with tears streaming down your cheeks, “I feel like it’s all my fault.”
“It’s not,” Michael said vehemently. “Stop letting the guilt tear you down, it’s time to let yourself heal.”
“Do I deserve to heal,” you sobbed.
Michael chuckled, taking you into his arms and holding you tightly. He wished greatly that he could take this burden from you and make the man who brought this upon you pay dearly, “You deserve it more than anyone else. You said that I was worth having a life and healing. If I’m worth that, then you’re a thousand times worth being happy again.”
As soon as he said those words, you felt relief overtake your body and all the exhaustion made you feel faint.
“Thank you Michael,” you mumbled. He kissed your forehead, laying you back down in the bed and covering you back up.
“Don’t thank me,” he said kissing you again, this time on the cheek. “Just focus on getting better.”
“I will,” you yawned, the medicine taking affect. Michael stayed by your side until you had drifted back off into a deep restful sleep.
You had thought that the feeling of being watched all the time, even at home was just you being paranoid. You had never been a suspicious person but a lot had things had changed in your life. What you didn’t know was that your feelings were right. Ian had it all before you ripped everything from him. He couldn’t let you get away with it, especially when he was going to make your life everything you could ever want. So he followed you, everywhere. He waited for you to leave work, the grocery store he kept his distance but remained close to see what you were getting, and then he followed you home. 
There he spent most of his time as he took note of everything. Ian noticed that you didn’t have much of a social life as he saw that as soon as you got home you rarely left. You also kept all the curtains closed and he rarely got to see even a shadow inside. He didn’t give up, staying there haunting you and stalking you. Then his perseverance paid off as the weekend came along and Sunday he saw someone leaving your home that wasn’t you. A large man went to your car a hat pulled down low and sunglasses. Ian sucked in a breath as he noticed a scar peeking out from under the sunglasses. Michael Myers had once again disappeared without a trace months ago and the cops couldn’t find him anywhere. Your life had suddenly changed and you had become more secretive and drawn from him and your fellow employees. Now he could see, that you had found someone and brought him into your home. And that one man was Michael Myers. The Shape of Haddonfield and Ian knew he wasn’t going to let this chance slip him by as he was going to make you pay. He would take from you exactly what you took from him. He would make you wish that you never had denied him that fateful day.
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cat-arsenal · 2 years
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Faustfic 2/? SFW
CW: Faust x AMAB OC, angst, awkwardness, talking about feelings and relationship stuff, sex mentioned but not depicted, happy/hopeful end?
A week later, Vetle has done everything in their power not to think of Faust, not even checking his streams, which they used to do religiously. They’re so caught up in their heartache and embarrassment that the thought of Faust coming to the cafe didn’t even occur to them.
So when he sweeps in, lovely and understated (for him) and glances around, they drop what they’re holding and flee into the back.
“Why is he here?” they whisper, wringing their apron and pacing. They’re plotting an escape route when their supervisor walks in and hands them the metal cup they had launched into the sink in their haste.
“Don’t throw cups,” she says casually, then gestures over her shoulder. “That blue-haired kid is asking for you. Should I run him off?”
Vetle considers saying yes, please get rid of him, but immediately feels guilty. Banning Faust from the cafe because Vetle doesn’t want to face him isn’t fair, especially when Faust doesn’t even know why.
“No, I’ll...I’m going to take my lunch and talk to him.”
The supervisor eyes them before giving their shoulder a firm squeeze. “If you need backup, holler and I’ll throw him out on his ass.”
“Thank you,” they laugh, grateful for the protectiveness of their coworkers. They hang up their apron and steel themself before stepping into the front.
Faust lights up when he sees them, and their stomach churns.
“Long time no see,” he says, sliding off his stool and moving into their space. They step around him in what they hope looks unintentional, gesturing for the door.
“There’s a restaurant I like nearby if you wanted to get lunch with me,” they say, more stiffly than intended. Faust looks surprised, then pleased.
“Lead the way.”
The restaurant is a tiny family-owned place that they’ve frequented for years. At this hour, it’s all but abandoned, so their food arrives quickly, and they can talk openly. The owner glances at Faust before winking at Vetle, and they smile nervously.
The pair eat in silence, save for Faust’s noises and murmured commentary. When their plates are cleared, Vetle continues to stare at the table until Faust reaches across for their hand. They jump, stare at Faust’s hand, and then at Faust.
“Did I do something wrong?” Faust asks, simple, curious, not hurt or accusatory.
“No,” Vetle says earnestly, and Faust mulls it over.
“Did I misread the situation? Your intentions? You left in quite a hurry the other night.”
“No--I don’t know,” Vetle says miserably. “I’m sorry. I’m being stupid. I just...I was upset, and I didn’t have any right to be, because I started it. I’m the one who approached you, and I agreed to your terms, so I shouldn’t have gotten my feelings hurt when things went the way we said they would.”
“Feelings hurt? Who hurt your feelings?”
“Me, I guess? I don’t know how to explain. It’s a lot.”
“I’m listening,” Faust says, watching them intently. They run a hand over their face and groan.
“You know I’ve been a fan of yours, right?”
“Right.”
“I kind of had a crush on you back then.” Faust smiles faintly, and Vetle looks away. “But then we had those nice talks, and I got to know a little of you as a person, and I liked you even more. I wanted to know the real you. I didn’t think I’d ever get that chance, and I was okay with it. But then I saw you at that party...”
Their eyes start to sting again, but they’re determined not to cry.
“I don’t know what I was thinking, coming onto you like that.”
Faust frowns, voice flat when he says, “Oh. So you didn’t actually want me.”
“No!” That’s completely the wrong conclusion! “I did want you. I still do. But I wanted more of you than I can have. I-I don’t have any right to you--not to your heart or your life or anything else. We agreed on sex but I wanted more than that. More than your body, Faust. I want you.” They scrub their hand over their eyes. “But I didn’t ask for that, so I’m not allowed to get upset when I don’t get it.” They sniff. “I didn’t ask for a relationship, so it’s not fair of me to expect one.”
Faust is silent, and Vetle can’t bear to look.
Eventually, Faust asks, “Seriously?”
Vetle looks up, confused. Faust rolls his eyes, pouting.
“You seriously want to date me?”
“I...yes.”
“I come with a lot of baggage, you know. Drama, complexes. I’m also very vain.”
Vetle stares. “What...?”
Faust waves his hand dismissively. “Just warning you what dating me entails. I’m very picky about food and clothes and basically everything. I prefer being the big spoon.”
“Why?”
“Why do I prefer being the big spoon, or why am I telling you all this?” Faust raises one perfect eyebrow and Vetle finally realizes that he’s blushing. “Because I like you, too, obviously.”
Vetle’s heart stops.
“Do you really think I’ll sleep with anyone who propositions me? I was looking forward to getting drunk and crashing before you showed up. I didn’t say ‘yes’ just because I wanted to get fucked. Obviously that was part of it, but...I said ‘yes’ because it was you asking.”
This time, when he reaches for Vetle’s hand, Vetle reaches back, their fingers tangling gently.
“I’m not good at things like this,” Faust mutters. “Feelings and relationships and...being genuine. But I want to get to know you better, too. Oh, hell--are you crying?”
“I’m sorry,” Vetle says, mortified.
“Don’t--you don’t have to be sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. Here.” Faust pulls a handkerchief out of his sleeve and dabs at Vetle’s tears, mumbling, “Your friends are gonna think I’m bullying you.” Vetle looks toward the kitchen, where the entire family is gathered to watch. Vetle waves them off with a watery smile.
They gently grip Faust’s wrist so they can lean their face into his hand. The tenderness seems to shock him, but he doesn’t pull away.
“I don’t mind if you bully me a little,” Vetle whispers, and Faust lets out a surprised laugh.
“Oh, I look forward to learning all about you, Love.”
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shawnmendesbuddy · 2 years
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Day 9–Trapped Together (25 Days of Ficmas)
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A/N: Did you guys hear about the six feet of snow New York was getting? I based this story off of that.
Shawn sighed as he sat down on the bench in the underground station. He was supposed to be with his family right now, but with weather delays, he was unable to catch a flight to Toronto for another two days. Hence why he sat on a creaky metal bench, his guitar case at his feet. He would’ve taken an uber or called a driver, but they were all booked out for the holidays. And since every member from his team had gone home to spend time with their families, it was just him. 
The subway station was barren. Only him and one other girl sat around the station. He could only see her out of his peripheral and from what he could see, she was blowing hot air on her hands and shivering. It was a little chilly in the subway station, but Shawn didn’t think it was that cold. 
He glanced over at her only to be startled with her beauty. Even bundled up in a coat and a beanie, she was immediately the most gorgeous women he had ever seen. And just as he noticed this, he noticed that she was soaking wet. He jumped from his place he was sitting at and ran over to where she stood. 
“Are you ok?!” He questioned frantically, concerned for the women who stood before him. 
“Umm…I…. I…d-do y-you k-now w-what t-time it is?”
“It’s 7:25 pm.”
“Shouldn’t t-the t-train b-be h-here?”
“Yea. I think it said arrival time was right about now. Do you maybe want to take off that coat. I was going to the airport, but my flight was cancelled so I have some clothes you can wear.”
“I-I would hate t-to inconvenience y-you, but if you could, that would be nice.”
Shawn nodded walking over to his suitcase, unzipping it and pulling out a hoodie, some sweatpants, and some boxers. He didn’t care if she wore them, she was soaked to the bone. 
Just as he finished zipping his suitcase back up, the subway pulled in, opening its side doors. Shawn and Y/N quickly boarded, and Y/N retreated to the bathrooms. 
She returned from the bathroom as the subway had started moving again. Shawn smiled softly at her. She looked cute in his clothes. And most importantly, she looked warm. 
“Hey. I know this may be all backwards and all, but what’s your name?”
“Y/N. My name is Y/N. And I hope you don’t think I’ve taken advantage of you. What with you being famous and all.”
Shawn blushed. “So, you recognize me.”
She nodded. “Does that make you feel weird?”
“Np, you haven’t acted like a creep fan just yet, other than stealing my clothes,” he joked. “Why were you soaking wet anyways?”
She chuckled. “I’m a waitress at this restaurant in the city. Me and my coworker like to play pranks on each other. I was closing on my own tonight since all my coworkers were doing things with family for Christmas. Anyways, I opened the door to the kitchen as I was closing, and a bucket of water fell on top of me.”
Shawn shook his head, holding in a laugh. “I’m sorry. That’s kind of funny but really mean. How dare they pull a prank like that on you on Christmas day!”
“It’s fine. I’ve done worse.” 
“Oh, do tell.”
So, Y/N spent the next twenty minutes of the subway ride explaining to Shawn in great detail about all the pranks her and her coworker had played on each other. 
About halfway through one of her stories, the train came to an abrupt stop and the lights went out. Y/N screamed, and Shawn instinctively wrapped his arm around her protectively. 
“Don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll get the train up and running in a few minutes. Must’ve been the storm. Finish telling me your story and I’ll recount a few things from tour.”
*****
After about another hour of them sitting in the dark and telling each other their life stories, they both began to get tired and cold. Shawn produced a few blankets from his suitcase and a pillow, and they cuddled up on the floor of the subway, trying to warm the other up. 
When they awoke in the morning, Shawn’s arm was wrapped around Y/N’s waist, and they were snuggled under the blankets. The train had started to move which awoke the two of them. 
They both chuckled and laughed the night off. “That was wacky. Maybe I can take you out to breakfast to help heal our traumatized minds?” Shawn questioned. 
“Sounds nice. But I have a question for you? Once you take me out to breakfast, I have a friend who is taking me up to Toronto because I have family up there that I’m trying to get to as well. Would you like to catch a ride with us?” 
“Any time I can get to spend with you will be cherished.”
He gently kissed her cheek as they prepared to deboard from the subway. 
A/N: This was absolute trash, but the prompt for day 9 wasn’t too great haha. Sorry for the disappointment. 
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berf-a-smurf · 1 month
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This morning, I was dreading work and had two voices in my mind.
The familiar pessimist - the negative, scared, shy voice I’ve always had; and a new, bubbly, reasonable voice of hope who’s been manifesting through my therapy journey.
“I’m running late and there will be so many techs waiting for things and there’s so much to do today. We just woke up and I’m already overwhelmed,” Pessimism drawls, “can we hide away today?”
“No it’ll be great, our work friends are there and we’ll take things a step at a time! Let’s go anyway!” Hope retorted with compassion.
Pessimism: “…”
Hope: *puts arm around Pessimism*
Pessimism: “I really don’t think I can do this.”
Hope comforted Pessimism: “I’ll be here with you. Trust me, we can do this.”
And so my little flame of hope won out and I went into work.
I got the weekend paperwork dealt with from when my coworker did Saturday freight and then helped that same coworker find some parts for one of our techs. Things felt like a normal, groggy Monday morning.
“We’re doing it!” Said Hope. “Things aren’t so bad!”
On my way back to my desk, my manager asked me to see him upstairs. I finished what I was doing and headed up.
Pessimism: “we’re getting written up for being late!”
Hope: “no it might just be a quick one-on-one to check up.”
Pessimism: “no I really don’t think it could be that easy. We told our lead that we struggle with early mornings but they changed our shift anyway. Management doesn’t believe us. We’re not ‘holding up our end of the bargain’ and they’re upset.”
Hope replies “well let’s just see. Whatever it is, we can’t shy away. Hold a neutral expression and we’ll process whatever comes as best we can.”
I opened the door and my manager was surprised I came up so soon. He jumped right in and said they’re terminating my employment effective immediately. He probably would’ve softened it if I didn’t catch him off guard. But it hit like a truck. I held my neutral expression.
“I fucking knew it” slammed Pessimism. “I saw this shit coming this morning.”
Hope stayed quiet. There was no hope as my work life fell apart in front of me.
My manager turned his laptop to reveal another member of management on screen. She talked me through stuff, which I can’t remember now, before mentioning my manager would escort me out of the building.
And so he did. I handed my company things in and we shook hands outside the door.
I drove away and realized I still had one key left on my personal key ring so I circled the block and handed it to him.
One of my work friends came out and gave me a hug.
I left again.
I went to one of the suppliers who was my fave to pick up parts from to ask if they’d have room in the budget for an extra set of hands. I can drop off a resume but there’s no guarantee. I understand it’s sudden and I didn’t expect an answer this morning. I will drop off a resume today or tomorrow. Hope kinda perked up because they’re good people and wants to work there.
I came home. Pessimism unloaded on poor Hope. “I FUCKING TOLD YOU I FUCKING TOLD YOU I FUCKING TOLD YOU! THIS IS THE REASON WE DON’T GET OPTIMISTIC! THIS IS WORSE THAN WHAT EVEN *I* WAS EXPECTING. WE OPERATE ON THINKING ABOUT THE BAD AND GETTING WORSE. THAT’S HOW IT’S ALWAYS BEEN AND THAT’S HOW IT’LL ALWAYS BE.”
Hope shrunk. She held back tears.
Pessimism said everything and retreated quietly. I haven’t heard from either of them since. I’m numb and still processing. My groggy mess of memories from this morning keep replaying like a scratched DVD. I’m writing this to try to cope.
Fuck sakes. When will it be different? I’ve been working so hard. /.\
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zyva-and-zephyr · 2 years
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Reeling
So much to process.   Mark’s disappearance has impacted us all in a major way.  I immediately jumped into action - as I do.  I figured if we could get the embassies involved we might be able to get some international support and pressure the Congolese police to take the investigation seriously and follow through.  I contacted both the Italian and Australian embassies once we got back to school and I realized no one was doing anything.  Those who wanted to, didn’t have any idea about What exactly they could do, and then the administration was not wanting to take action and was discouraging others from doing so.  
When I went to the director to ask about the situation and find out what we were doing, she told me it wasn’t our responsibility to do anything as Mark was no longer an employee at the school.  She also didn’t want any connection made between our school and this investigation.  She told me we Shouldn’t get involved.  I got involved.  
I asked for the emergency contact for Mark and she gave it to me.  I phoned and left multiple voice messages and finally sent an email.  The next morning I woke up to multiple emails from family and friends in Australia with a million questions I didn’t have answers to.  I responded to each email and promised to do whatever I could to help them get answers and discover what happened to Mark.  It had been 10 days since Mark’s disappearance before the family heard anything.   No one had notified them.  
That afternoon I got a couple coworkers to accompany me to Mark’s house to see if we could find his roommate who by this time had also disappeared.  No one was home at Mark’s place and we weren’t able to get in to see if Mark was ill, lying on the floor somewhere wounded ... whatever.  I banged on a neighbor’s gate until she came out.   She told us that the police had come with some people from the French school where Mark now worked.  Clement had let them in and they’d looked around.  There was no sign of Mark.  Clement had stayed a couple days after that and then handed the keys over to someone from the school and disappeared.  Before the police came to the house, Clement had been moving some things out of the house though.  
Over the weekend, there wasn’t any new news or leads but I did ask for a personal day off on Monday.   I was reluctantly given the day.  Monday morning I went to the French school and talked to the Administrator and video called Mark’s brother in Australia so he could explain that the family would like me to have the keys to Mark’s house so I could collect his personal belongings and keep them until the family could decide what to do with them.  I then waited for the staff member with the keys to arrive at work.  
When she arrived, she didn’t want to hand the keys over to me because she was afraid the police might blame her for anything that went missing because they knew she had the keys.  So we went to the police station and waited a few hours to speak to the officer in charge.  When he was available, he took us to a different police station across town to talk to the head of the police force so we could explain everything.  This took a couple more hours.  We then finally got some officers to go to the house with us where we were able to look around and ascertain that Mark’s passports (all but his current Italian one) were there along with his credit card and debit card.  All his personal belongings were there as well.  
When we were done at the house, Selenia, the lady with the keys, needed to go home to nurse her baby so I went home to eat.   We made plans to meet back at the first police station in an hour so that I could give my deposition and share all the information I had.  It was 4:30 before we were done and able to go home. 
By this time the family had the Italian embassy and the Australian embassy fully involved.  They had contacted the media to get the story out there and put Mark’s photo up in the hopes that someone might recognize it and have some information.  On Wednesday, during our staff meeting, the director was furious because the news had put up photos of Mark with some of our students and had failed to blur out the student’s faces.  She blamed us and told us that whoever was responsible would be fired immediately.  Whoever had sent the photos was entirely to blame.  Our students come from powerful families and the families were very upset that their children’s faces were out there on international news for the world to see.  I immediately emailed the family and they jumped on it, appalled that a news agency would do such a thing. Later that day I got an email from them saying they’d called all the news people and the lady who had put those photos up said she had pulled them from the public facebook page the school has.  I forwarded this email to the director immediately.
The entire week was spent following up leads, communicating with family, the Australian embassy in Harare, the local police, and Selenia who has been an integral part of the investigation.  On Friday we finally got the news that Clement had been arrested.  On Monday we heard that he had confessed.  There were two accomplices who also had been arrested.  The details of Mark’s death were becoming clear and sent us all reeling.  
On Tuesday I received a formal letter of a breach of school policy from the director and the school board blaming me for some photos that some news agencies used in their broadcasts.  The photos were of Mark at our school and there were students in the photos without their faces blurred out.  I never sent a single photo to anyone and I never had any contact with any news agency or journalist over all of this.  I immediately went to the director and told her this was mistaken and I had nothing to do with it.  She refused to believe me and said that the board was very concerned and had asked her to write the letter to me.  I insisted and asked her to please fix the situation because these were false allegations that could seriously hinder my future employment opportunities.  She didn’t believe me and said that I was the only one who had the opportunity to do so as I was the only one in contact with the family.  I told her that I’d like to speak to the board then.  She was surprised and told me I could write a letter to the board, send it to her and she’d send it on.  I did so and now, a week later have still not heard back.
The rest of the week was spent trying to verify the story told in the confession and get the official report.  On Thursday videos were posted by the prosecutor along with police.  They had Clement and the two accomplices down at the bridge and had Clement tell what had happened for the news.  He claimed that Mark was leaving the Congo and not going to leave him anything so he and his friend Mavre or Maya conspired to poison Mark.  While they were at Mark’s house having drinks, they slipped poison into Mark’s drink when he went to the bathroom.  It took 45 minutes for him to die.  They then called the third man, Willie to come with a car.  They wrapped Mark’s body in a sheet and tied on some bricks, drove to the river and threw him in.  It was late and no one was about to see them.  
It was told calmly, matter-of-factly, with no apparent remorse or sorrow.  On Friday, the kids came to school and had seen the videos and were talking about them and sharing them.  When I got home after conferences with parents, I found Zephyr sobbing quietly in her room.  I held her for a long time and then my two girls and I had a slumber party in the parlor.  Neither one wanted to sleep alone in her bedroom.  
I have no idea what the outcome will be as far as my job goes.  The letter of warning I received was very harsh in its allegations.  I believe it is only a warning simply because there is no proof and all evidence points elsewhere.  This is not the first time that assumptions have been made and false accusations thrown at me by this director.  And when she discovers she is wrong there is never an acknowledgment of her error or an apology.  I doubt that my contract will be renewed and it is entirely possible that I could be let go before the end of the year.  I have looked at openings in other places ... there are some immediate openings.  I don’t want to do that to the girls - they want to stay here.  And really, other than the director, this has been a good school and we have loved our time here.  Many of the expat teachers will not be renewing their contracts after how Mark’s death was handled here.  So much respect for the director was lost.  
So I wait ... time will tell.  In the meantime, there is a lot to keep me busy and I love my students and coworkers ... and am making friends outside of school so that is lovely too.  I’ll enjoy what I can for as long as I can. 
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#kayla tag rants#feel free to ignore#just the perils of working retail with major anxiety and depression and whatever else is going on in my head#why do people have to be the way that they are. why do some people have to go out of their way to be horrible.#with all the friendly customers I had today and things that went well.. I should be having a good night#but it’s 1:00am and I’m crying stressing over two people who went off just to go off#one of which I’ll probably have to handle when they pick up their order on Monday#who went off on me that I didn’t immediately jump in when my coworker who’s training had an issue I guess#but I was with my own customers so I genuinely didn’t realize there was an issue but they were complaining that they ‘knew’ I did#and my coworker went to ask my manager for help who w#would be much better help than I’d be for what they wanted and I’d have probably called her up too anyway#but they immediately bitched more as soon as I said she’s training (while I was already working with another customer)#and didn’t listen when I apologized for not realizing there was an issue and tried to tell them she was getting a manager who’s better at it#and the other comes in every so often and throws the same fit every time#yes you know we don’t carry the size box you need.#so yes you have to purchase a bigger box and packing supplies if you want to ship from our store.#that is how a store works. I don’t know what to tell you.#go somewhere else for a box and then drop it off. go to an actual ups store and see if they have boxes. idk.#even if we had the right size box that would not be free either. I do not control our product line. I am but a humble underpaid part-timer.#I wish I could provide you with a rectangular box. but alas.#please don’t call corporate and get us in trouble for something we do not control at our store level.#I’m freaking out now over both of these situations not knowing what will come of them
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minisugakoobies · 2 years
Text
Paradise | JJK - Eleven
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Pairing: Jungkook x Reader
Genre: smut, neighbors to lovers (not quite friends but not quite strangers), slow burn, love triangle, Stripper!AU
Rating: M (18+)
Warnings: swearing, drinking, kissing, grinding, special guest appearances by Stripper!Namjoon and Stripper!Hoseok as well as Jimin and Taehyung, dirty talk, fingering, wall sex, slow fucking, mention of sex toys, the body chain returns, Jungkook is a smirky teasing demon (but what's new), Jungkook's stamina is insane, capitalism is a cockblock, gratuitous use of comic book character dog names, more dirty photos
Word Count: 16.4k (I'm sorry!)
Disclaimers: NSFW, obviously I don’t own BTS - they just inspire me
Summary: That sexy man on stage - the one currently giving your friend the lap dance of her LIFE - is your super shy neighbor, Jeon Jungkook?!
A/N: Sorry this one took so long! I thought about splitting the chapter but ultimately felt it worked best kept as one. I'm technically on a tumblr hiatus, but I finished this today and want to get it out there. I appreciate everyone's patience with this story - I can't believe it's been over a year already! I'm really trying not to have such lengthy periods between chapters, but muses are pretty fucking fickle.
Been excited about getting to this chapter for a while, so I hope you like it! 🥺
Unbeta’d as usual. Please don't be a silent reader, I’d love to hear from you! Taglist is open. 💕
Previous Chapter ♦️ Paradise Masterlist ♦️ Next Chapter
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Friday morning arrives with a sense of relief. Not just for the end of the work week, but also for your run-in with Wendy last night and the tiniest possibility that you might have a way out of your job already. Would you seem too desperate if you emailed Wendy as soon as you logged on for work? It’s not like she didn’t understand your current situation - she left your company as soon as she could. But maybe you should wait a few days before reaching out.
The first thing you see upon logging in is an email from your boss, informing you that there will be a mandatory video call this afternoon for your entire department. The announcement is cryptic, only providing a time of one o'clock and a topic of “department changes.” This strikes you as ominous. Then you read an email from one of your coworkers that mentions whispers of possible layoffs looming at the end of this quarter. 
You immediately open a blank email and start composing a message to Wendy. 
The flowers that Jungkook gave you on your date last week are still sitting in a vase on your desk. Knowing you have a long day ahead of you, you pause long enough to lean over and breathe in, inhaling the sweet fragrance of the bouquet. The scent conquers up a memory of the soft smile on Jungkook’s face when you’d opened the door that night. The vision lingers in your mind as you dig into your work. 
An hour later, as you’re fighting with a report that has your head aching with frustration, your phone trills, "Be still, my heaaaaart…”
Of course it’s not Wendy, that would be ridiculously fast for her to be calling already with news of a job opportunity, but you still have a split second of nervous excitement when it goes off. And then you see who is actually calling and grin anyway. 
“Good morning, gorgeous,” a cheerful voice greets you. “Hey, Jin.” 
“I hope it’s okay that I’m calling. I realize you’re probably working.”
“I am, but I could use the break.”
“Great.” There’s a sigh on the other end. “I’m glad you got home okay last night. I know you said you didn’t mind, but I feel like I should apologize for leaving you at the reception like that.”
“Oh, Jin, it’s fine! Really.” Okay, yes, you were rather disappointed that that’s how your night ended, but you couldn’t exactly blame him for jumping at a great opportunity. The Nosh execs were clearly trying to woo him, he would’ve been a fool to walk away last night, no matter the reason. Right? “Tell me how the drinks at Dionysus went!”
“Well, my agent and I are having dinner tonight with their head of marketing, if that gives you any idea…?” 
“Jin! That’s fantastic!” There’s a chime from your laptop. Email from a supervisor asking if your report is finished yet. You stifle a sigh. “It sounds like they’re really excited to possibly work with you.” 
“Apparently Hongjoong-ssi’s wife is a big fan of my show, and when he went home last night and told her we’d met, she freaked out!” His windshield wiper laugh makes you giggle. “Told him he’d be an idiot if he didn’t sign a deal with me. So I guess I need to give her a shoutout on my next stream.” He laughs again. “It’s a little surreal how quickly things are moving.” 
“But it must be so satisfying, too.” If there’s one thing you’ve learned about Jin in the short time you’ve been dating him, it’s how hard he hustles. There’s something so admirable about the way he’s chasing his dream. Makes you wish you had one of your own to fight for. 
“Well, I’m not complaining. But speaking of satisfaction…”
“Smooth.” 
“Thank you. Listen, I still want to make last night up to you, if you’ll let me. What’s your weekend look like?”
“Um, tomorrow I have maid of honor duties in the morning, then I have a hot date with Jisoo.”
“Oh, really?” he hums. 
“Mmmhmm. But I’m free all day Sunday.” 
“Let’s go back to the hot date with Jisoo.” 
Rolling your eyes, you grin. “Nothing that exciting, I promise you. I think we’re just planning on doing face masks and a movie or two. What did you have in mind?”
“Oh, there are plenty of things on my mind, if you’d like to know…”
“For our date, Jin, not for me and Jisoo.” 
“I was talking about our date! What are you trying to imply?” His pitch rises in mock indignation before your giggles break him. “My offer to teach you how to cook still stands. Any interest in making dinner together?”
“Hmmm, free cooking lessons from an in-demand chef? Why would I say no to that?” 
“Perfect. I thought maybe I could take you to see the site of the restaurant my business partner and I are working on. We can use the kitchen there, since it’s bigger than mine or yours.” As if the massive kitchen in his luxury condo would be too small for the two of you to work in. “I can give you a private tour before the place opens and the waitlist gets long.” 
“You know, that brings me to an important question - how does it work when one’s dating the chef? Do I automatically get a reservation whenever I want, or…”
“You know I’ll take care of you,” he purrs, and you shiver at the sudden change in his tone. “Don’t you worry about that.”
“Oh, well, in that case…” you trail off, giggling. Your laptop chimes again. Same supervisor, same question. Can’t these people understand that you’re too busy flirting to work right now? “I gotta get back to work. Supervisors are stuffing my inbox.” 
“Kinky,” he squeaks. “I suppose I should get up and get moving myself. I need to start planning a menu for Sunday night. Is there anything in particular you’d like to learn how to make?”
“Ummm… honestly, I am a true novice here, Jin. The most complicated dish I can make is a basic stir fry. So I guess… whatever you think would make for a nice beginner meal?”
“All right. I’ll take care of it. And then I’ll see you on Sunday - let’s say I’ll pick you up at 6?”
“Yeah. That sounds good.” A third chime. Your supervisor is really testing you today. “I’ll see you on Sunday, Jin.” 
He murmurs a sweet goodbye, and you close your eyes, savoring the gentle tone of his voice before diving back into your report before your supervisor has an aneurysm. 
The rest of the morning passes in a blur of emails and spreadsheets. When noon arrives, you pad out to your kitchen to grab a granola bar and some grapes, too into the thick of things to want to stop and pick up a real meal. 
At 12:30, there’s a jarring beeping next door. 
You wonder if Jungkook slept as soundly as you did last night. That’s twice now that you’ve gotten an amazing night’s sleep thanks to your neighbor. He just seems to have the magic touch… even though he didn’t actually touch you last night. Didn’t seem to matter. 
If only he didn’t have to work tonight. The offer he made to test Lil Jackson Wang’s range is super tempting, knowing he could put you to sleep with just a few deft swipes on an app, but you want more than just another restful slumber. Not that an orgasm wouldn’t be welcome, but… what you’d really like, tonight, or maybe right now, as you yawn and stretch, would be to fall asleep in his arms again.
Hmmm. Well now. That’s a thought you’ve not really had before. You’ve repeatedly found yourself daydreaming in the past few weeks about Jungkook, but typically in these visions the two of you are doing anything but sleeping. 
Staring into space, you sigh, imagining being curled up in Jungkook’s warm embrace at this very moment. Picturing his messy bedhead and soft sleepy smile. Maybe you should’ve called out from work today. Then you could be experiencing this vision instead of simply dreaming about it.  
Maybe you could try to convince Jungkook to take a sick day himself. 
You grab your phone. 
(12:45): I have a confession
Kookie 🦌 (12:45): morning jagi
(12:45): Good morning, I have a confession
(12:46): Something I’ve been waiting for years to tell you
Kookie 🦌 (12:46): fuck
Kookie 🦌 (12:46): keep talking
(12:46): I hate your alarm clock
Kookie 🦌 (12:47): not exactly what i was hoping to hear
(12: 47): Just had to get that off my chest
Kookie 🦌 (12:47): feel better? 
(12:48): I do, actually. Thanks for listening
(12:48): What about you? Is your leg okay?
Kookie 🦌 (12:48): just woke up but feels ok so far
Kookie 🦌 (12:48): you want me to get rid of my alarm clock?
(12:49): Would you? I could replace it for you
Kookie 🦌 (12:49): i’m not going to say no to that
Kookie 🦌 (12:49): you can wake me up every day if you want
It’s funny how you can feel his smirk in his words. 
(12:49): Not what I meant but
(12:50): Not opposed either
(12:50): Although I don’t know if I’d be any good at getting you OUT of bed
Kookie 🦌 (12:51): come over
Your stomach swoops at his response, and you shift in your seat, rubbing your thighs together, suddenly feeling needy. Just from two innocent words! What is this power that this man has over you?
If only you could go over there right now. Stupid capitalism. 
(12:52): For what, practice?
(12:52): Make sure I can get you up?
Kookie 🦌 (12:53): jagi i’m already up
Kookie 🦌 (12:53): just for you
His next text is a photo.
You nearly drop your phone. 
(12:53): I can’t believe I’m saying this but
(12:54): I have a stupid important call to jump on in a few minutes 
(12:54): Like possibly career changing important
Three grey dots appear and disappear, over and over, making you frown. You just said you don’t have much time. What is taking him so long to respond? 
A sudden knock on your door startles you off your chair. 
Kookie 🦌 (12:56): let me in?
As soon as the door is open, Jungkook’s arms are around you. Your fingers curl into his thick hair, tugging him as close as you can, and your eyes flutter shut as he kisses you, pressing himself into you, and holy fuck do you regret not calling in sick today.
With a happy sigh, you open your eyes to find him smiling at you. “Good morning.”
He’s shirtless, just a pair of black joggers slung low around his hips, doing little to hide his current condition. His hair is in fact just as shaggy as you’d imagined, a dark cloud on his head, and his eyes are scrunched in happiness to the point that they’ve become thin crescents. 
“Mmm, good morning, Kookie.” You sling your arms over his shoulders, keeping him close. His skin is so warm, heat radiating everywhere he touches you, and it’s all you can do not to just drag him into your apartment and straight into your bed. 
Why can’t you do that, again? Oh, right. Damn responsibilities. Adulting sucks. 
His cheeks redden a little. “I won’t keep you long. Just wanted to say hi.” His eyes fall to his hoodie, which you’ve cloaked yourself in again, and he yanks on the drawstrings playfully.
“Oh. Well. Hi,” you beam, and his eyes crinkle once more as his shy bunny smile makes an appearance. Fuck, how you love that smile. “Be honest. You just wanted to tease me.”
“Always.” The cute bunny disappears, leaving behind a smirky demon, who suddenly grinds into you, and you clap a hand over your mouth to keep yourself from moaning loudly in the hallway. After last night’s vocal exercises with the toy, you really don’t need to annoy your other neighbors any further. “Don’t be late for your call, jagiya. And make sure you stay focused.”
You swat at his shoulder. “Fuck, you play dirty, Jeon Jungkook.” He just nods, looking way too pleased with himself, and you laugh as you untangle yourself from his embrace, pushing him away. 
He grins as he strolls backwards towards his apartment. “Go on, get on your call. You said it’s important, right?”
“Yeah.” 
“Then good luck.” 
After your meeting, in which your boss informs you that your department will be reorganizing, which is code for ‘downsizing,’ your coworker emails you again, this time to ask just what the hell was making you smile so much.
For the rest of the day, your phone barely leaves your hand. If Jungkook hadn’t already left his apartment while you were on your call, you might’ve been easily swayed to take the rest of the day off to hang out with him. But he had to head to the club to help Namjoon and Hoseok with a new routine they’ve been practicing. From the sound of it, Jungkook helps a lot of the dancers there to perfect their performances. You can’t blame them for wanting his help, replaying Jennie’s lap dance in your mind for the millionth time. 
The conversation winds on and on, the two of you discussing anything and everything. Your annoyance with work. His latest commission (a portrait for one of the bartenders at the club). Your excitement about Jennie’s wedding. 
When he sends you a photo of himself hugging Taehyung’s puppy, a guest at today’s practice, you make him promise to invite you the next time he dogsits. Then Jungkook mentions wanting a pup of his own, and together you brainstorm dog names that make you giggle harder with every increasingly ridiculous suggestion. Jungkook really likes Peter Barker, named after his favorite superhero, while you prefer M’Barku yourself. 
After ordering some takeout for dinner, you crash on your couch for the evening. There’s a random movie playing on the big screen in your living room, but all your attention is focused on the tiny screen still glued to your hand. Even once Jungkook’s started his shift at Paradise, he pops in during breaks between dances. Every time your phone vibrates, there’s a matching flutter in your chest. 
The previous night’s lack of sleep catches up to you, though, and soon you find yourself starting to drift off between Jungkook’s replies. He seems to be getting busier as the night wears on, taking longer and longer to respond. You close your eyes for a second, wondering if he’s performing the same routine again, with that same wicked smirk….
A thudding sound wakes you and you sit up with a start, realizing you a) fell asleep on your couch and b) managed to kick your tumbler off the end table in your sleep. You also discover that you’re still clutching your phone, and glance at the time. It’s almost three in the morning. 
You have messages waiting.
Kookie 🦌 (11:21): you still there? 
Kookie 🦌 (11:56): always falling asleep on me
Kookie 🦌 (12:45): sweet dreams jagi
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Saturday morning arrives with sunny weather, a nice break from the gloomy cloudy grey of the week. Despite having slept most of the night on your couch, you feel pretty refreshed, even before you treat yourself to an iced coffee on your way to meet your friends for Jennie’s final wedding dress fitting. 
The dress shop is a tiny boutique only a few blocks from your apartment. Halfway there, you cross paths with a man walking an adorable little beagle. The puppy stops to sniff your sneakers, so you snap a quick photo and send it off to Jungkook. Even though it’s early for him, the hour being before noon, he responds immediately, and you’re so distracted by your chat that you walk a block past the shop before realizing you missed it. 
While the seamstress helps Jennie into her gown in the store’s only dressing room, you and the other girls mill about, flipping idly through the racks, catching up on each other’s weeks. Your friends are aghast when you talk about your evening with Jin and how he left you at the networking reception. Not even Lisa, the captain of Team Worldwide Handsome herself, thinks it was okay, even though you keep stressing how much it might’ve helped Jin’s career. But you just wave their concern away and change the subject, asking Rosé about her big date Friday night. Clearly, it went well, given the way she’s currently spinning about the room with a giant smile on her face.
“So then Namjoon and I were talking about our hobbies and I mentioned how I’ve been trying to take better care of my houseplants. You remember that orchid you got me for my birthday, Ji? Poor thing’s not doing so hot these days. He offered to give me some tips, because apparently he’s like an amateur botanist! He even said I could bring it over to his place. He’s got a tiny greenhouse out back, and he’ll nurse it back to health for me.” She beams. “Isn’t that cute?”
“Super cute!” Lisa confirms.
“Adorable,” you second.
“I couldn’t believe how sweet he was! Like, he was telling me how his halmeoni taught him about gardening, and he kept giving me this shy smile…” she dips her head, looking up at everyone bashfully, and giggles. “I swear to God, if our waiter hadn’t returned at that moment with our dessert, I was this close to leaping over the table and just eating him up.”  
“Okay, you had an amazing time at dinner, we get it. Get to the good stuff,” Jisoo demands.
Rosé sticks out her tongue. “This is the good stuff! Some of us like to actually talk to our dates.” 
“I talk to mine!” Jisoo retorts. “How else will they know what I want them to do?”
“I’m talking about having a real conversation, not giving out orders.” 
“I have conversations!” Rosé scoffs and Jisoo’s eyes narrow. “I’m serious! I go deep!”
“That’s what he said?” you whisper to Lisa, who giggles and shushes you.
“Oh yes, I’m sure “Come for me” has led you to some very profound discussions about the human condition!”
“Actually, not that you need to know, but yes, it has!”
You and Lisa just roll your eyes as the two squabble. It’s nothing new. They love winding each other up and usually spar until one of them gets bored. Holding a floor-length white sequined dress up to herself, Lisa tips her head as she stares at herself in the mirror near the dressing room. 
“So when do I get to meet one of Jungkook’s handsome friends?” She pauses. “Or Jungkook himself, for that matter?”
“You’ve met him,” you insist, and she shakes her head. “Uh. Haven’t you?” 
“Not really. Just said hello in passing a few times.”
“Huh.” Apparently you were so used to seeing your neighbor around now, you’d just assumed your friends had all met him. “I guess I could probably see if he and his friends wanted to hang out sometime, if you all wanted to? Like I’m sure Taehyung and Jimin would be in if Ji will be there, and now Namjoon and Rosé…” 
“Well, what about next Saturday? The wedding?” Rosé asks. Having abandoned their bickering, she and Jisoo join you at the mirror. 
“What about the wedding?” 
Rosé gives you a strange look. “Won’t we all get a chance to meet Jungkook there next week?” 
“Oh. Um, I’m not sure how you’re gonna do that, since I don’t think he was invited?”
All three of your friends groan your name at various volumes. 
“What??” 
“Babe. Why haven’t you asked him to be your date?” Jisoo inquires. 
“Well, for one thing, I didn’t tell Jennie I was bringing a plus one, and it’s a little late to throw one at her now…” 
“Oh, please,” Jennie’s voice calls out from the dressing room. “You know if you want to bring Jungkook, we’ll find room for him! I just assumed you and Jin would be coming together?”
Jisoo snorts.
“Um, well, actually…”
Another chorus of groans. 
“Look, I don’t want to make things awkward!”
“How would going with Jin be awkward?” 
“I think she meant picking one over the other might be weird, Lis.” Rosé replies.
You sigh, rubbing your temples with the tips of your fingers. “I just don’t know what will happen if they’re both in the same room again. You remember what I told you about Jungkook when I ran into him at Dionysus, right? The way he reacted to seeing me on my date with Jin?” 
“Oh yeah,” Jisoo hums as the others nod. “That was ridiculously hot of Bambi.” 
Hot or not, it had left your head swimming. “Yeah, well, I’m not looking for a repeat. I mean, what if they get into some sort of argument or something?”
Lisa cocks an eyebrow. “You think they might fight over you?” 
You shrug. “I mean, no. Not really. Neither of them seem the type to punch another guy over a girl.” Although Jungkook does seem to have a sharp tongue when he’s drunk. Would he say something rude directly to Jin’s face? How would Jin react? “I don’t think, at least.” 
“Well, if you’re unsure, how about we not find out at my wedding?” Jennie suggests cheerfully. “Let’s just keep everything nice and neat and as drama-free as possible!”
Jisoo sighs. “Speaking of drama, Jennie, will you come out already? I think you’ve amped up the anticipation enough.” 
“Okay, but only because you asked so sweetly, Ji.” 
The kindly grey-haired seamstress reappears, throwing open the curtains to the dressing room, and Jennie emerges. She’s a vision in white, swathed in lace and satin, the train of her gown trailing behind her as she slowly approaches the rest of you. 
“Jennie!”
“Beautiful!”
“Oh my god, you’re gorgeous!!”
A loud sob makes you all turn. As you watch with your mouth agape, Jisoo bursts into ugly, full-body-wracking tears. The rest of you coo and rush to hug her as Jennie shakes her head.
“You’re such a softie, Kim Jisoo!” She reaches into the scrum, careful not to get too close and wrinkle her dress, and squeezes Jisoo’s hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine! Just - just happy for you!” comes a muffled response from where Jisoo’s face is buried in Lisa’s shirt. 
“She’ll be okay,” you assure Jennie, rubbing Jisoo’s back gently. “I’ll pull her back together tonight when we’re hanging out. But how do you feel right now? I’m honestly surprised you’re not in here crying with her.” 
Jennie inspects her reflection, fingers straightening the lace over her bodice. After a moment, she catches your eye in the mirror. The smile that lights up her face is blinding, and for a second you’re afraid you might start bawling like Jisoo. 
“I’m tempted to text Yoongi right now and tell him to get his cute lil’ peach down here so I can marry him this very minute. I can’t wait, I’m just so excited!” 
The subject of your wedding date (or lack thereof) doesn’t come up again as the morning fades into afternoon. Your friends are more interested in showering Jennie with love. As are you. But it gnaws at you anyway, as you listen to your friends breathlessly discussing the upcoming ceremony. 
Should you ask Jungkook to be your date? Would Jin get upset if you didn’t ask him? How weird would it really be to have them both there? Maybe you’re making a bigger deal out of this than you should. 
God knows it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve done that. 
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Jisoo knocks on your door around eight with a bottle of your favorite green grape soju in hand, dressed like she’s ready for the club - black crop top with a keyhole cutout over her chest, scandalously short pink leather skirt, hair pulled up in a high ponytail and eyeliner winged straight to the heavens.
“Holy shit,” you greet her. “You look amazing, but uhhhh maybe a little overdressed for a movie?”
She swans into your apartment, the heels of her boots clicking on the hardwood floor. “The movie can wait. It’s Saturday night. Time to get fucked up.” 
“Uh.” The last time you got quote unquote ‘fucked up’ was the night you went to Dionysus, and recalling the morning after makes your stomach lurch a little. Following your friend into your kitchen, you watch as she pulls two shot glasses down from your cupboard, then pours you both a dram. “Okay. I’m not opposed to having some soju with you tonight, but the outfit still seems like overkill.” 
“Babe.” Jisoo holds out your glass for you to take. “Obviously we’re going out. We’re too young and gorgeous to be wasting ourselves away on your couch tonight! Do you really want to deprive the world of this?” She waves her hand to indicate the two of you, and you look down at yourself with a raised brow.
“Actually, I think the couch is the only place for this,” you reply, gesturing to your clothes. Leggings and Jungkook’s hoodie. The sweatshirt has become your second skin at this point. 
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll take care of that,” Jisoo informs you. “We’ll find you something to wear. But first things first.” She lifts her glass in the air. “Geonbae!”
The liquor goes down so smoothly. For all her deadpan ability, Jisoo can’t stop herself from making a face at the tang of the shot. It’s the same face she’s made every time you’ve shared this soju over the years. A wave of nostalgia rolls over you, bringing with it all the memories of evenings spent drinking and laughing with your friend, and you throw your arms around her and give her a tight squeeze.
“I know it’s good soju, but this is a little much,” she mutters from where her lips are smushed into your shoulder.
“Sorry. I’m just really happy we’re hanging out. I’ve missed you.” 
“Oh god, you’ve bypassed the funny drunk phase and gone straight to sappy reminiscing, haven’t you? Let’s get you some water, lightweight.” 
Double fisting soju and water, you let Jisoo lead you into your bedroom. There’s no point in trying to argue with her about going out, so you don’t. At the very least, maybe if you get ready quickly, you can come home sooner than later. Sitting on your bed, you play dj and queue up some music on your phone while Jisoo stares at your closet in horror. 
“There are just… so many hoodies. Why?” 
“You sound like Jennie. And what’s wrong with hoodies, anyway?! They’re comfortable!” 
Jisoo merely grunts while rifling through your clothes. For a few minutes, you just vibe to the music as your friend rummages, mumbling the occasional “What on earth” or “Oh, babe, no,” under her breath as she flips through the hangers.
“You know I can hear you, right?” 
She simply shoots you a tragic look.
“Anyway… I noticed you didn’t say anything in the shop earlier about what you did last night.”
“Nothing to report. I stayed in.” 
“Alone?” 
Your phone buzzes. 
Kookie 🦌 (8:15): matt murdog
Grinning, you glance at Jisoo, still elbow-deep in your closet, before replying. 
(8:15): That one’s a bit of a stretch
Jisoo pauses, hands in mid-pull on a shirt you immediately veto with a shake of your head. “Yes. Alone. I’m not always out with someone.” 
“Y’know, it seems like you haven’t been seeing a lot of different someones lately. Just Taehyung. Or Jimin. Or both.” 
Kookie 🦌 (8:17): pupper potts
(8:17): Honestly, not the worst
(8:18): Woofsbane
Kookie 🦌 (8:18): deep pull
Kookie 🦌 (8:18): respect
Jisoo hasn’t said anything while you’ve been texting, and you put your phone down to watch her studiously skim through your clothing. “Is there anything there you want to tell me, Ji?”
She stops again, this time with a dress you haven’t worn in ages. You start to shake your head, then reconsider, gesturing for her to hand it to you. “If I had anything to tell you, I would. Don’t I always?” 
“Yeah. I suppose you do.” Shimmying out of your clothes, you tug the dress over your head. It still fits, and if anything, looks even better now that you’re curvier than you used to be. “Is it me or does my ass look amazing in this?”
“It’s you.” Jisoo laughs, ducking the pillow you throw in her direction. “No, you’re right, you look fucking fantastic. I think we have a winner.” She pours another round of shots for you to tip back. 
Settling in front of your makeup mirror, you smile sweetly at your friend. “Do my makeup? Please? I can never get my eyeliner to wing as perfectly as you do.” 
“Flatterer.” 
As Jisoo rummages through your makeup, you pour more shots. Jisoo clears her throat. “They were both working.” 
“Huh?” 
“Last night. Tae and Min were both at Paradise.” She gently swipes some color over your eyelids. “That’s why I was at home, alone.” 
“I’m sorry, Tae and Min?” 
“Stop smiling like that and hold still!”
But you can’t stop grinning at your friend as she frowns, trying not to poke you in the eye with a liquid liner. “You gave them nicknames? And sat at home alone because they were at work? Ji, are you even dating anyone else right now?”
Jisoo rolls her eyes. “Calm down, will you? Otherwise, your eyeliner is going to be less of a wing and more of a smear.” You hold as still as you can, despite the and she sighs. “No, I haven’t seen anyone else in a few weeks. Just Tae and Min, and yes, that is what I call them, and no, it is not technically exclusive. We’ve never discussed anything. I just… haven’t wanted anyone else.” She scowls. “Stop looking at me like that!” 
“Like what?” You glance in the mirror as she finishes your eyes, turning your face left and right to admire her skill. 
“Like I have little cartoon hearts in my eyes. I’m not in love. But I am happy right now, and I don’t see any reason for that to change by bringing someone else into the mix. Or whatever. I just… I want them. And right now, I have them. That’s all I need.” 
“Well, fuck.” 
She arches a brow at your pithy response, and it’s your turn to sigh. 
“I just envy you sometimes, you know?”
“Of course you do,” she drawls, flashing you a grin. “But what in particular is it this time?” 
“The way you just know what you want, and go for it!”
Jisoo plops down on your bed, assessing you with one of her scrutinizing looks. “Okay, who got in your head now?”
“No one. I’ve just been thinking a lot lately. About what I want. Take work, for example. I’ve gotten stuck in this job because I’ve just gone with the flow for so long. I never intended to end up where I am, but the company kept promoting me, kept moving me around from department to department, and I just went along with it. I never really stopped to think about what I wanted.” 
Your friend nods slowly. “And now you’re starting to?” 
“Yeah. And there’s just so much to consider.” 
“Is there, though?”
“What do you mean?” 
Jisoo shrugs. “You said you didn’t think about what you wanted. So that’s all you need to do now. Just go for what you want.”
But you don’t know what you want. Isn’t that obvious? And even if you did, it’s not as easy as Jisoo makes it sound. For you, at least. For her, it is. Anything she’s ever wanted, she’s gone after. No second guessing, no worrying about what others might think or say, not stopping until she obtains whatever her heart desires.
When you don’t answer, she frowns, brows knitting together in concern. “Come on. It’s not that hard, is it?”
“I guess not. I just don’t know where to start.” 
“Do you want me to try to help you? Or do you wanna keep drinking and forget your problems?”
Both, honestly. “Help. Help me please.” 
Jisoo motions for you to join her on the bed. Curling your legs under you, you glance at the phone in your hand. No new messages. “Let’s play a round of rapid fire answers. I’ll ask you a few questions and you have to answer immediately, no thinking.”
Lifting your head, you give her a funny look. “This is going to help?” 
“Yes. It’ll force you to bypass the portion of your brain prone to overthinking, where all the ‘what ifs’ dwell. Trust your instincts, and answer right away. Okay?” 
“Fine. Why not.” 
“Okay.” She nods, clapping her hands. “What’s better, spring or fall?” She speaks quickly, words clipped as she spits them out, and you answer just as fast.
“Spring.” 
“Do you prefer pants or skirts?” 
“Pants.” 
“Favorite soju flavor?” 
“Green apple.” 
“Black or white?” 
“Black.” 
“What’s your favorite word?” 
“Mellifluous.” 
“Night or day?” 
“Night.” 
“Jin or Jungkook?”
“Jung - Jisoo!” 
“Haaaa!” Jisoo claps again, either to end the questions or to applaud herself for her cleverness. “I knew it!” 
“Fuck you, you don’t know anything! I was just in a rhythm.” Your lower lip slides out in a pout. She plucks it between her thumb and forefinger and you dissolve into giggles. Jisoo’s little game might not have helped you figure out your problem, but it did make you laugh, and you feel a little lighter now. 
“Sure you were, babe. Also, mellifluous? Really?” 
“I think it’s pretty!” 
She grins. “As pretty as Jungkook?” 
Your phone buzzes. 
“Okay, who keeps texting you??” Jisoo snatches the phone before you can, eyebrows rising as she glances at the screen. She whistles before tossing you the device. “We summoned the sexy demon himself. Bambi says hi.” 
You flip the phone over in your hands and suck in a breath. Jungkook sent you a photo of his wardrobe for his shift tonight. He’s wearing the body chain again, trailing beneath a low-cut leopard print shirt and tight satin pants. Low-cut doesn’t really do justice to describing the top, which is open all the way down to his navel. That familiar smirk is back, igniting a fire inside you. 
“Speaking of nicknames… Kookie?” 
Heat creeps into your face. “What? It’s cute!”
Jisoo snorts. “I guess he’s just too sweet, huh?” You resist the urge to whack her with another pillow. “You know, if you want to invite him to go out with us, I would be okay with that.”
“What happened to tonight being just the two of us?” 
She shrugs. “I’m just saying. I might want to dance tonight, and I know you’d rather stick your tongue in an electric socket than dance.” She’s right. “He’d probably dance with me, at least. And he looks like he’s going out, anyway.” 
“Ah, yeah, that’s actually his stagewear. He’s working tonight.”
“Mmm, I see.” She leans over to glance at the text again, but you tip the screen away before she can read the message he sent after the photo, not wanting to explain to her what he means by asking if you want to play with that app again tonight. “He sent you a photo the other day of his outfit for work, didn’t he? With the same chain?” 
“Yeah.”
“So is this a regular thing, then?”
“I guess?” Trailing off, you turn your attention back to your phone, careful not to scroll back too far to the pic Jungkook sent you this morning. No need to share that one with anyone else. “We text. He sends photos. Is that so surprising? I mean, I am dating the guy….”
“You ever send any back?” 
“Not yet.” It has crossed your mind, the idea of taking some photos of your own. But you’re not as comfortable in front of the lens as he is. And as long as he enjoys sending you these pictures, you’re sure as fuck not going to complain. “How am I supposed to compete with that?” You gesture to the screen.
“It’s not about competing? But also, have you seen yourself lately? You’re hot as fuck, babe. Stop selling yourself short.” She holds out her hand. “Let’s send him one right now.”
“Ji…”
She keeps her palm out, and you hand the phone over. You can always just delete it if you don’t like it. 
“Ok, tuck your legs under you more. Yeah, like that. Now arch your back a little.”
“Seriously? I’m just sending him a photo, not working on a thumbnail for a camgirl vid.”
“Do you want my help or not?”
You grouse a little more, but you do as instructed. Jisoo hums happily as she snaps a pic.
“Oh, that’s perfect.”
She tosses the phone back and you blink. You actually look kinda… hot? Quickly, you send the photo off. 
(8:27): Jisoo’s dragging me out tonight
(8:27): Save me?
“Fuck, I might need you to do a whole photoshoot, Ji. Did Tae teach you some tricks or something?” 
She wiggles her brows and you roll your eyes. 
“Forget I asked.” 
“So does Jin ever send you any pictures?”
You shake your head, rising off the bed and grabbing your drinks, heading for your kitchen. “Nope. We’ve mostly just texted about making plans. He has called me a few times.”  
“He calls you? Huh.” She snorts. “That’s surprising. You hate talking on the phone.”  
“I mean, we haven’t really talked. They’re not conversations so much as us planning our dates.” Not that you’d really paused to think about it much, but Jin hasn’t reached out to you very often. Not like Jungkook has. Of course, communication goes both ways, and you haven’t texted Jin out of the blue, either. 
But that doesn’t mean anything, really. Other than the group chat, you’re not much of a texter.
Usually. Except for the last few days. With Jungkook.
“Interesting.” Jisoo hums, and you sigh.
“Ji, enough with the questions! I thought you said the other day you were gonna let me figure this out at my own pace?” 
“Figure what out?” The head tilt you give her makes her laugh. She knows you know exactly what she’s trying to get at with all these questions. “Okay, fine, I’m sorry! I just feel like maybe you know what you want, babe. You’re just afraid to voice it.” 
Your head is starting to get that swirly sensation that drinking brings. You yearn to lean into it. “I think I’m going to need more alcohol if this is how the night is going to go.”
“That can be arranged.” She starts to pour another shot of soju, but your phone goes off, and she snatches it up instead, dodging your hands as she reads the message out loud.
Kookie 🦌 (8:29): goddamn jagi
Kookie 🦌 (8:29): if i were there you wouldn’t be leaving that bed
“I think he liked the picture,” Jisoo informs you while you chase her down the hallway, cursing your friend’s natural athleticism as she continues to sidestep you. “What should we say back - ooh, wait, what did he say now?” 
Kookie 🦌 (8:30): take that toy with you and i’ll make sure you have a good time tonight
Her eyes widen, as does her smile, and you finally manage to grab your phone back, holding up a finger to silence her before she begins. 
“Let’s get going and I’ll tell you on the way, okay?” 
“Bitch, you better!”
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With one last shot of soju, the two of you head out. Jisoo orders a ride, saying it’ll be cheaper to drive out to a bar on the edge of town where she knows the bartender so you can drink for free. You’re too tipsy to question her logic, letting the alcohol carry your thoughts away, hoping your worries will go, too. 
Your driver is an older gentleman who politely ignores the two of you as you giggle in the backseat. True to your word, you fill Jisoo in on Jungkook and Lil Jackson Wang’s introduction the other night. Jisoo then regales you with a story of the time she wore a pair of vibrating panties to work, only for them to malfunction and get stuck on the highest setting while she was trapped between floors in an elevator with her boss. By the time the car stops, you’re snorting with laughter at Jisoo’s tale, too swept away in your delight to realize where you are, until you climb out of the vehicle. 
To be greeted by the bright neon lights of Paradise.
“Um. Jisoo.” You stand and stare at the building in front of you. “What are we doing here?” 
“I told you. I know the bartender here!” Jisoo’s smile is the smuggest of grins. “Come on!” 
“You know the… are you kidding me?!” You drop your voice, grabbing her arm as she tries to walk towards the door. “You were talking about Jimin?!” 
“Yes, I was talking about Jimin! Why are you whispering??”
“I don’t know!” you hiss back.
Truthfully, you don’t know. You’re caught off guard, not expecting to be here of all places. Although as well as you know your friend, you probably shouldn’t be surprised that she’d decided to bring you back here.
“Well, stop it, because it’s freaking me out.” Jisoo uses your grip on her arm to pull you towards the entrance. “I need a drink!” But she stops at the look on your face. “Uh-oh. What’s going on? Do you not want to be here?” 
No, you very much want to be here. When it comes to want, at this moment, unlike earlier, there’s no confusion clouding your mind whatsoever. You want to walk straight through that door and find him. 
The question is, should you be here? 
Will Jungkook think it’s creepy or strange to have you show up here unexpectedly? It’s not like he’s your boyfriend or anything. Is it weird to visit someone you’ve just started dating at their place of work? Especially if they work at a strip club? 
Fuck, maybe you’re overthinking things again. It’s enough to make you dizzy. Or maybe that’s the soju. Maybe you should ask the soju what it would do in this situation - go home? Or go inside? 
You’re not sure who made the decision but suddenly you’re walking, gesturing for Jisoo to follow.
“Come on, Jimin’s not going to give me any free drinks if you’re not with me.” 
The strip club is packed tonight, blue and pink lighting bathing the other customers in a vivid kaleidoscopic glow. Jisoo heads directly to the bar, propping herself against the counter. The pink-haired man behind it has his back to you, so Jisoo clears her throat until he turns around. 
“Kitten!” Jimin smiles brightly, eyes crinkling in joy. Unlike the waiters here, Jimin wears a shirt, but it’s a black mesh top that leaves very little to the imagination. Your eyes dip a little to find “Nevermind” tattooed on his side. “Just give me one second.” 
He turns his back again to finish whatever he’s concocting and you take advantage to catch Jisoo’s eye and mouth “Kitten?!” She flips you off before he turns back with a cocktail in each hand, placing them on a tray on the bartop before leaning over. 
“Did you come to visit us?” Jimin purrs, fingers lightly tracing over the back of Jisoo’s hand. “I missed you last night.” 
“Aw, poor baby. So you mean the video I sent wasn’t enough?” 
Oh, you’re so texting the group chat later. But right now, you keep your gaze fixed on a drink menu, trying to pretend like you’re not hearing every word Jimin and Jisoo exchange. They appear to have completely forgotten you’re standing there. It’d be cute if it didn’t feel like they were two seconds from fucking on the bartop.
It occurs to you that that’s not beyond the realm of possibility of things they’re already done, and you delicately remove your clutch from the counter.
“You know it wasn’t nearly enough. Not when I could - “ Jimin whispers something into Jisoo’s ear, making the corner of her mouth curl. The heated look they share lasts so long, you start to feel like you’re intruding on something, and look away. 
There’s no one on stage, a slight lull in the usual din as the crowd waits for the next act. As your friend and her bartender murmur quietly beside you, you scan the floor. There are several incredibly handsome shirtless men wandering between the tables, flirting and bringing drinks, but no familiar doe eyes to be found. 
So he’s probably giving a private dance right now. That’s cool. That’s a good thing. Make that money. Your nose scrunches. The soju’s loud.   
A dark-haired man slides up behind Jisoo, leaning over her and across the bar to grab a couple of drink umbrellas, and you hear, “Well, if it isn’t my favorite kitty cat,” before he moves towards you with a boxy grin. “And my dear friend.” 
“Hi Taehyung.” With a smile of your own, you accept the hug he gives you. 
“Hi angel. Have you come to see Jungkook?” Taehyung’s deep voice rumbles in your ear as he reaches past you to grab the tray of drinks. You try your best to keep your gaze from wandering too low, but it’s difficult when he’s standing next to you in naught but a tight pair of black leather pants and a smile. You do get a good eyeful of his toned stomach before you divert your gaze.
“She’s here because I promised her free drinks,” Jisoo answers. You catch a slight twitch of Jimin’s eyebrow at the word ‘free.’ “But if Jungkook happens to be around, I’m sure she won’t mind. Right, babe?”
Three pairs of eyes lock onto you. You feel like diving over the bar and hiding, for some reason. 
“I mean, if he’s available…” you trail off lamely. Very smooth.
Taehyung surveys the crowd. “He’s out there somewhere. I’ll find him for you.” He flashes that brilliant smile again. “I know he’ll be happy to hear you’re here.” 
“Thanks, Taehyung.” He nods and disappears into the throngs of drunken revelers starting to come alive again as another dancer takes the stage. The volume in the room suddenly doubles as people start shouting and throwing money, and you crane your neck until you can make out the figure on stage, spotting blond hair. Not him. With a sigh, you turn back to the bar. 
“So, free drinks, huh?” Jimin inquires, smirking at Jisoo. 
“Just a line to get her out of her apartment.” You’d protest, but there’s no point. Jisoo and Jimin are in their own world as she skims her fingers up his forearm. “You know I’ll pay. I wouldn’t deny you what you’ve earned.” 
Another heated look. You can’t wait to torment her about this later. But right now, you’d like a cocktail and to sit down for a minute, so you bump her with your shoulder.
“Ok, kitten, can we please get our drinks now? I can’t stand in these heels all night.” 
With your cocktail in hand - an Adios Motherfucker because they were strong as fuck the last time you were here - you spy a couple of customers vacating a table not far from the stage and claim the spot for yourselves. The rest of the crowd is busy cheering on the very cute blond man working it out on stage. His hypnotic hips have whipped the other patrons into a frenzy, and you and Jisoo happily join in. 
“Yes, baby, take it off!” As he tears away his shirt and pants, Jisoo reaches into her clutch and pulls out some cash, tossing it in the direction of the stage. You watch her make it rain with an incredulous expression.
“Let’s give it up for Bang Chan!” the DJ booms, and the man on stage takes a bow before running off. The spotlights dim, the lights in the room coming back up, as the stage is cleaned for the next performance. 
“Came prepared, huh?” Snatching one of the bills from where it fell on the table, you wave it in front of Jisoo’s face. “Be honest - were you planning on bringing me here all along?”
Your friend is the picture of perfect nonchalance as she shrugs, sipping on her whisky. “I just thought we could have some fun here tonight. It wasn’t something I’d considered when we made plans earlier this week. Just a spur of the moment decision.” 
“But the cash?” Who carries cash anymore?
“Maybe I’ve started keeping some bills on me.” Her shoulders are up around her ears. “Just in case!” 
“Just in case…” You trail off as you remember something she’d said in the group chat a while ago, about Paradise being a great place to take a date. Of course. She’s probably been here with one of her boys. Or both. Perhaps she comes alone, to watch them work.
That seems supportive, in a weird way. Or maybe it’s not weird. Maybe you just think it’s weird because now you’re wondering if you should be doing that. 
Before you can fall any further down that thought spiral, Taehyung appears at your table. He places two drinks on the table, even though you haven’t ordered more yet, before he brushes his hand down Jisoo’s arm. “Are you ladies having a good time?” 
“Of course we are.” Jisoo smiles up at the handsome man, letting her fingers glide lightly over his. 
“That’s what I like to hear. But I’m afraid I have some bad news, angel.” You cock your head curiously as Taehyung gives you an apologetic smile. “Jungkook’s a little tied up tonight. He and a couple of the other dancers have been booked for some private parties.” He leans a little closer. “He was very disappointed that he couldn’t come out here and say hello himself.” 
“Oh.” And just like that, your heart sinks, nearly knocking you breathless with how unexpectedly fast it dives. Well, of course he’s busy. Who wouldn’t want a dance from him? Or a whole evening of dances, apparently, if he’s been requested for a private party. Multiple parties, actually, if you heard Taehyung right.
There’s a tiny voice whispering in your head right now, filling your mind with all the possibilities of what’s happening in that room. The way he’s probably grinding up on someone, watching them with darkened eyes, teasing them with his moves. You try to shut the flood of images out but can’t. 
Your gut twists sharply. 
Oh god, you’re jealous, aren’t you? This is so stupid! It’s literally his job to do those things, to entice and seduce, and you know this, yet if you think about it another second longer, you might burst.
“Aw, I’m sorry, babe.” Your face must telegraph your dismay, because Jisoo finds your hand under the table and gives it a little squeeze. 
Taehyung nods, warm hand patting your shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry, even though Jungkook can’t see you right now, he’s still going to make sure you enjoy yourself.” With one last gentle touch, he winks at you both before sauntering away. 
“You gonna be okay?” 
Nodding, you drain the last of your drink and reach for the fresh cocktail. “I’ll be fine. I mean, of course he’s busy, right? He’s at work. It was nice of him to send us some drinks, at least.” 
“Very sweet of him,” Jisoo agrees. “I’m still sorry, though. I just thought from all those messages from Jungkook earlier that he might like it if you stopped by here to see him. And vice versa.
Obviously, I didn’t count on him being so in demand.” She shakes her head, swirling the ice in her glass. “That was pretty dumb of me in retrospect.”
“Aw, Ji! Stop it.” 
She ignores you, rambling on. “I thought we’d have a few drinks, watch a few dances, you’d go sit on your neighbor’s face in one of the champagne rooms. You know, have ourselves a killer night. But now it’s just the two of us.” 
“Ji, that’s all I wanted earlier!”
“To sit on Jungkook’s gorgeous mug? I know.” 
Smacking her arm lightly, you shake your head. “Fuck off, you know what I mean. I thought tonight was going to be just the two of us anyway. So don’t apologize.” 
“All right, are we ready for more?” The speakers overhead suddenly buzz as the DJ addresses the crowd. 
The room practically vibrates with anticipation as the lights go down again and the other spectators around you shout their response to the mc’s question. Okay. Sure. You’re sad that you can’t see Jungkook right now (don’t think about what he’s doing, don’t think about it), but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, right? Just let it all go, all the thoughts and questions and worries, sit back, and enjoy the show. 
“Well, it sounds like you’re ready, but I don’t know…” the DJ playfully responds, and the crowd whoops louder. “I’m not sure if any of you are ready for this next double act! Coming to the stage now, please welcome Hoseok and Joon!” 
The platinum blond and the blue-haired man bound onto the stage, dressed identically in tight white buttoned-down shirts and even tighter black pants. Instead of heading towards the chairs that have been set up facing each other in the middle, they roam the edge of the stage, pointing into the fray. 
“We’re going to need a few volunteers for this one. Is there anyone out there who’d like to help these two out?” From the audience’s enthusiastic reaction, you’d say that yes, there are a few people who would like to help. Just a couple.
Clapping your hands in glee, you grab your clutch, ready to fire off a text to Rosé, knowing she’s going to lose her mind when she finds out you’re about to watch Namjoon dance. But before you can dig out your phone, Taehyung reappears, placing a hand on both you and Jisoo’s backs. 
“Ladies, your assistance has been requested. If you’ll please follow me?” 
“What?” Eyes widening, you glance up at Taehyung, who smirks, prying your clutch from your grip and placing it on the table. 
“Don’t worry, I’ll watch your things. Just come this way, please.” 
Jisoo gives Taehyung a questioning look and he bows his head to whisper in her ear. She grins and rises. “Come on, babe!”
Taehyung offers you his hand and you take it, feeling confused. Neither you nor Jisoo had jumped up, trying to get the men on stage to pick you. As Taehyung pulls you to your feet, he dips his head to speak into your ear, to be heard over the yelling of the crowd. “I told you Jungkook was going to take care of you.” 
Oh, shit. This is what he meant? 
Well, all right. Why the fuck not? The first Adios Motherfucker has joined the soju spiraling through your system. At the moment, you feel pretty fucking good. Why not indulge in a lap dance?
Taehyung stops at the bottom of the stairs and helps you climb onto the stage until Namjoon steps forward, sliding your hand out of Taehyung’s and covering it with his own. “Hi, love,” he rumbles, leading you over to one of the chairs. “You ready to help me show this crowd a good time?”
“Absolutely!” 
He laughs at your effusive response, motioning for you to take a seat. Instead of helping Jisoo onto the other chair, Hoseok sits, then pats his lap. Jisoo doesn’t hesitate, looping an arm around his neck as she perches on his thighs. They both look over at where you and Namjoon are as the music begins to play. 
“Grind With Me” by Pretty Ricky thumps through the soundsystem as Namjoon drops to one knee. He’s still clutching your hand, lowering his plush lips to the back of it to gently kiss your knuckles. Then he glances up at you with a mischievous look, one of his dimples popping as he suddenly leans forward, burying his face in your lap. 
You hear Jisoo hooting gleefully above the rest of the crowd as you cover your mouth with your hands. Hesitantly, you reach out for him, but he slides away, rising off his knees. He dances around the chair, trailing his hands along your shoulders behind you, before he appears in front of you again. With another smirk, he unbuttons the cuffs of his shirt, rolling the sleeves up as he dances, slowly exposing his forearms. LIke he’s about to get down to business. 
And then he straddles you, rolling his hips, and you realize with embarrassment that the loud “Oh shit!” you just heard came from your own mouth. Namjoon winks down at you, grabbing your hands and placing them on his thighs. They’re huge. Like tree trunks, except you’ve never felt a tree flex like that as Namjoon moves. Did Rosé get her hands on them last night? She’s going to completely combust when you tell her about this tomorrow. 
Namjoon body rolls himself backwards a few feet, reaching for the collar of his shirt. Rather than unbutton it, he simply tears it off, and both you and Jisoo shout as he tosses the ripped material into the crowd. He dances around you again, toying with the howling audience, throwing out flying kisses and winks, before he places both hands on the back of the chair. 
“Come on, love, on your feet.” Again, he takes your hands, urging you to stand. Then he sits, pulling you into his lap. You rest your shoulder against his broad chest, and the spotlight shifts to Jisoo and Hoseok. 
“By the way, thank you for setting me up with Rosé,” Namjoon murmurs into your ear as you watch Jisoo and Hoseok switch places, your friend settling herself comfortably on the other chair. 
You give Namjoon’s shoulder a friendly squeeze as you nod. You’re about to ask him if he had a good time on their date last night when Hoseok tears off his shirt, whipping it over his head and directly into the audience. He spins around, coming up behind Jisoo’s chair, and you scream with laughter at the surprised expression on her face when he grabs her arms from behind, tugging on her wrists and guiding her to raise them over her head. Then he presses her hands to his chest, sliding them down the rippling muscles of his torso. 
“Oh my god!” Jisoo shrieks as Hoseok whirls around the chair again, thighs astride hers. You’re dying, watching her reaction. Jisoo’s the queen of the poker face, but right now, there are a million micro-expressions flitting rapidly across her face as Hoseok takes her hands and puts them directly on his ass. He grinds himself into her lap, hips bucking as she grasps him through his skintight pants, and you know your other friends are going to be absolutely devastated that they’re missing this. 
You’ve honestly forgotten that you’re part of this routine too, just having a hell of a time laughing at your friend, when Namjoon gives you a gentle nudge. “Okay, love, let’s switch.” 
Once you’re back in the chair, Namjoon and Hoseok glide towards the center space. In unison, they launch into a series of sharp b-boy moves, popping, locking, and dipping down towards the floor. Your voice starts to crack as you cheer for them, catching Jisoo’s eye. She blows you a kiss, and you send one back, feeling nearly euphoric with joy. 
But the routine isn’t done. The two men high five as they return to your sides. Still in unison, they both dolphin kick, pushing themselves off the floor with devious grins. Then they slide on their knees over to each of you, grabbing the sides of the chairs and shimmying their way up your bodies. Namjoon takes your hand and runs it through his hair and down his chest, and Hoseok does the same over his shoulder with Jisoo. 
The look Namjoon gives you makes you giggle helplessly. It’s too hot, and you glance away, into the crowd - 
- to find a pair of dark eyes gazing at you fiercely. 
There’s a wild stutter in your chest as you realize that Jungkook is standing by your table, intently watching the performance. Is he done with the private party? Parties?
Namjoon suddenly places his hands on your thighs, lowering his head towards your lap again, and the shift draws your attention back to him. His hair tickles your bare legs and you shiver, giggling, looking back at Jungkook again, automatically seeking him out.  
You expect to find him laughing at you. Maybe flashing that sweet bunny smile, nose scrunching in pure bliss at your reactions to Namjoon’s movements. But the expression you spy on his face knocks the wind from you instead. Eyes narrowed under a furrowed brow, mouth drawn in a thin line, jaw firmly clenched.
What the hell?? Is he mad? Or wait. He couldn't possibly be… jealous? 
That makes no sense. As dumb as it was for you to get jealous earlier, it’s even stupider to think it’s also happening to him. After all, this was his idea! And even if it wasn’t, he knows this is all an act!
So why do you feel like his gaze is burning through you right now? 
And why do you like it?
Instinctively, your thighs twitch, and you attempt to close your legs, but Namjoon holds them apart. “Keep these open for me,” you hear him say before he rises to his feet again and takes a step to your left. Before you can react to his strange instruction, you gasp as he launches himself into a headstand, the top of his head coming to rest on the chair. 
Directly in between your legs.
There’s no more thinking about Jungkook, there’s only you screaming as Namjoon thrusts his crotch right into your face. How the fuck is he holding himself up like that? Just gripping the sides of the chair, veins in his forearms popping as his body undulates smoothly. The crowd around you has totally lost their minds, a hurricane of money flying into the air, fluttering in the lights illuminating the two men grinding upside-down over you and Jisoo. 
Both men hurtle themselves out of their headstands, deftly landing on their feet before they turn back. Then Namjoon straddles you again, body undulating in time with the heavy beat, and you find Jungkook in the crowd again. 
His expression hasn’t changed. Still so sharp. So intense. 
A wicked idea comes over you. Maybe it’s time the teaser becomes the teased. 
Slipping your hands around Namjoon’s waist, you urge him closer, tilting your head up to peer into his face, biting your lip as you do. He plays along, fingers pressing into yours, leading you to grab as much of his round ass as you can. “That’s it, love, help yourself,” he grins, making you toss your head back in unbridled laughter as he continues to wind. 
But you don’t get a chance to see if Jungkook saw your reaction before Namjoon lifts you out of your seat, large hands cupping your thighs as he carries you to the edge of the stage. At this point, the only words you can say are “Oh my god,” which might explain why you’re chanting them over and over. 
He lays you on your back, and you turn your head to see Jisoo lying next to you. She’s laughing hysterically as both men simulate fucking you, hips grinding into yours. Namjoon lifts your legs into the air, making your ass bounce with the power of his thrusts, and suddenly it’s Jungkook in your mind, the night of your date, when he’d danced for you. Tipping your head back, you look towards your table again, but from your upside-down point of view, Jungkook’s nowhere to be found. 
The music ends and the room erupts into chaos again, more cash pouring onto the stage as Namjoon helps you to your feet. He gives you a big hug, sweeping you into his strong embrace, and you hug him back, a little loopy from all the thrusting. Jisoo slips her arm through yours as you make your way back to your seats, where Taehyung is waiting with a knowing smile. 
“Enjoy yourself, kitten?” 
You don’t catch her response, scanning the crowd. Where did Jungkook go? There’s no sign of him anywhere. Did he run out of the room? After giving Jisoo and Taehyung a minute, you clear your throat.
“I thought I saw Jungkook a second ago. Was he out here?” 
“He came out for a minute to grab a few bottles of champagne for the next party,” Taehyung replies. Of course. He wasn’t done. He only had a second to watch before he had to get back. Totally explains why he didn’t wait. 
Makes more sense than him being so jealous, he couldn’t watch any more. 
But that look on his face….
“Water. I need water. Can you grab us a few glasses, Tae?” Jisoo flashes Taehyung a sweet smile and he nods, heading for the bar. She leans across the table and grabs your hand. “Okay, so, that happened.” 
Despite the disappointment you feel yet again that Jungkook’s not around, you can’t stop giggling about what you’ve just experienced. It hits you that this is probably the routine Jungkook told you about earlier, the one he was helping Hoseok and Namjoon to perfect. If it is, he did a fucking bang-up job. 
“Is my head supposed to spin after a lap dance? Because it is!” 
“That just means they did it right.” Jisoo’s not a giggler, but she collapses onto her arms on the table, and you feel another bout of delirious laughter bubbling up inside you. “Holy shit, I thought Hoseok was going to hump me right off the stage!”
“I know! Fuck. If Namjoon’s stroke game is anything like his dancing, Rosé’s in for the ride of her life!” 
“You’re definitely going to have to give Jungkook my thanks for that one,” Jisoo smirks. “Probably should thank him twice, actually, once for the both of us.” 
“I mean, I guess,” you sigh dramatically. “If I must.” 
The two of you cackle as Taehyung returns with two waters and two more cocktails. As you recover from your lap dance, downing more drinks, that euphoric feeling comes over you again. Thank god Jisoo dragged you out of your apartment tonight. You’re having the time of your life right now, swaying in your seat to the bass pounding through the club. 
Eventually all the drinks you imbibe have you in search of the ladies room. Stumbling down a dimly-lit hallway, you realize you must’ve made a wrong turn somewhere, because you can’t find any doors. It’s nothing but purple velvet curtains lining the walls around you. 
More than a little drunk, you trip over your own two feet and grab at the drapery to stop yourself from falling. The heavy material slides aside and reveals a door behind it. It takes you a few seconds to realize that you’re looking at one of the club’s private rooms. They must all be hidden behind these curtains. You’re definitely not in the right hallway. 
Jungkook's behind one of these doors right now. Part of you wants to open them all up, poke your head in each one until you find him. Maybe it’s a big party he’s entertaining. Maybe no one would notice if you slipped in. 
Oh, but you don’t want to sit in a room full of people and watch him dance. You want him to dance for you. Just you, and no one else. A private performance. 
Well, you’re here. Why not ask for one? You just gotta find him first. Wait, what were you looking for again? Maybe that third drink was a mistake. Fourth drink? Shit. You need to pee. Better find the bathroom. 
Turning to retrace your steps, you run into a wall. No, not a wall. A man. 
“Jungkook!” you yelp, wobbling on your heels. Before you can tip ass over teakettle, he grabs you by the waist, pushing you up against one of the curtains, the velvet softly nuzzling your legs as his arms come to rest on either side of your head. You let your hands curl into the silk of his leopard-print top, helping to steady yourself.
“What are you doing back here, jagi?” 
You hear his question clearly, but it takes you a minute to answer because you’re too busy admiring him. God, he’s so beautiful. The ends of his hair are damp, hanging in his face as he towers over you. There’s a bit of kohl liner smeared around his eyes, giving him a smoky look that takes him from gorgeous to out-of-this-world. And then there’s your little friend, that cute lil mole, decorating his pretty pink lips. 
“Trying to find the bathroom,” you finally respond, giggling. “I think I’m lost.” 
He merely nods, dark eyes wandering over your figure. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming here tonight?” His left hand drops to your leg, rubbing the hem of your skirt between his long fingers.
“Didn’t know. Ji-Jisoo brought me here as a surprise.” You hiccup slightly, extending a finger to tap lightly on the lil mole. 
“Oh. So you didn’t dress up for me, then?” There’s a hint of a sullen tone to his voice that makes your chest ache. You wish you had. You want to dress up for him. Just for him and him alone.
A shiver rolls through you as his fingers leave your skirt, skimming up the bare skin beneath. It’s either the Adios Motherfuckers ganging up on you or it's his touch that makes you blurt out, “Is your party over yet?” The chain of his body harness dangles over his chest, and you reach out, lightly grasping the metal links, winding them around your fingers. “I want a dance.” 
“Oh yeah?” The silver piercings over his eye shift as he arches his brow. “You didn’t get enough on stage? Seemed to me like Namjoon-hyung was giving you more than you can handle. Although you were sure trying.” 
More than you could handle? He has no idea how much you can handle. 
“Is that so?” 
Shit. You must’ve said that out loud.
“Yes. You did.” Jungkook chuckles as you stare at him, wide-eyed. “How drunk are you, jagi?” 
“Dunno. A little.” Tugging on the body chain, you grin as Jungkook is drawn closer to you. The scent of his cologne curls around you, like an ocean breeze. The look on his face reminds you of his expression during your lap dance, and you sigh as you peer at him through lowered lashes. “You wanna know what I think?”  
“What’s that?” His hand resumes its path, traveling around the outside of your thigh.
“I think you’re jealous.” 
The hand stops. Jungkook exhales a laugh through his nose. “Jealous? Of what?”
“Of the lap dance. Of the way Joon was dancing on me. With me. To me?” What’s the right way to say that? 
Actually, should you be saying any of this right now? It feels like you’re talking a lot. 
“Joon?” The hand that was on your thigh is now gripping your hip. If anyone walked by and saw him with his hand this far up your dress, it probably wouldn’t be good for him. But he doesn’t seem concerned, so you figure you shouldn’t be either and say nothing. 
“Namjoon. Whatever.” Flapping your free hand in the air, you go on. “Irregardless. The point is, you’re jealous. And it’s stupid.” 
Even though you’re the one sloshingly full of alcohol right now, it seems like he’s the one struggling to keep up, based on the way he keeps repeating your words. 
“It’s stupid.” 
“Yes, it’s stupid! Like me. Like, I was stupid earlier, because I was jealous! I couldn’t stop thinking about you being back here, dancing and smiling and flirting and - and I didn’t like it.” Pouting, you drop your gaze to the body chain again, watching the light reflect off the links as you twist them around. “And then I realized it’s stupid because it’s your job and it doesn’t mean anything. And it’s the same with Namjoon. He was just doing what he does. It didn’t mean anything. It doesn’t matter if he dances for me, or if Hoseok does, or Taehyung. None of it matters. Because at the end of the day, the only one I want is you, Kookie.”
Wow, that was a lot. The words just sorta wouldn’t stop, just pouring out of you without any thought. Like they’ve been floating around in there for a while now, waiting to be said. 
Maybe you’ve said too much, given how silent Jungkook is in the wake of your babbling. Not that you really notice. You’re hypnotized by the movement of his chest underneath your fingers. His breathing seems to have sped up a little at your speech. Rise, fall. Rise, fall. 
“Jagiya.” His voice is husky when he finally speaks. “Just me?” 
You nod, mesmerized by the way the harness glitters as you twirl it. “Just you.” 
He’s quiet again for a moment before he sighs. “I wish I could dance for you tonight. But I’m not free yet. There’s another party coming in.” 
“Fuck. You’re super popular, huh? You stay booked.” Humming, you tug on the chain again. “So when do the parties end?” 
“Late.” Gently, he covers your hand with his own, untangling your fingers from his harness. Your lip puffs out further, a wordless whimper sounding from your chest. You don’t want to let go, you want to pull him into one of these rooms and ride him like - like - 
“Like what?” Jungkook smirks, fingers slipping under your chin to raise your head. “Ride me like what?” 
“Wow, okay, I think I might be more than a little drunk,” you confess, staring into his eyes again. In the low lighting of the hallway, they seem to sparkle. 
“Yes, you are.” He traces your cheek with a tatted knuckle, and you nuzzle into his touch, leaning forward with pursed lips, but instead of kissing you, he tucks your arm into his and guides you off the wall. “Come on, jagi. Let’s get you back to Jisoo.” 
“Noooo, Kookie, I want a dance!” But the haze of lust is burning off, replaced by the nagging pressure of your bladder, and you let Jungkook lead you back to your table, where your friend cracks up before rising to her feet. 
“Oh, babe, you’re a mess. Let’s find the bathroom together. Thank you, Jungkook, I’ve got her from here.” 
Jungkook nods. His hand rests on the small of your back for a minute before it falls away. “Make sure you drink some more water, okay, jagi?” he murmurs to you. Then he nods at Jisoo again. “Enjoy the rest of your night, ladies.” 
And then Jisoo is dragging you away, but when you glance back, you find him still standing there, surrounded by cheering patrons and flashing lights, eyes focused only on you.
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You can’t sleep. 
It’s been an hour since you and Jisoo left Paradise. After Jungkook escorted you away from the private rooms, Jisoo decided you’d had enough fun for one evening. She made you drink a glass of water, brought you home, made you drink another glass, then tucked you into bed. You’d offered her your couch for the night, to save her the trek home, but she’d waved you off. 
“No need, I have a key to Min’s place.” And with one final exasperated “Stop giving me that look!” she left.
And now you can’t sleep. 
It doesn’t help that every time you close your eyes, you picture Jungkook’s intense stare. The end of the night is a bit of a blur. You remember running into him in the hallway, remember him having his hands on you, remember wanting to jump him then and there, but everything else about your encounter has washed away with the alcohol. But that look on his face from when he watched your lap dance burns just as brightly in your memory now as it did at the club. 
It’s keeping you awake. It makes no sense. Between the long day and all the drinking, you should be exhausted. Not fired up. Ready to ignite. 
Why can’t you get that look out of your head? It’s the smirk all over again.
Goddamn it, go to sleep.
Well, yelling at yourself isn’t working, so you kick off your sheets with an angry grunt and shuffle towards your living room, yanking Jungkook’s hoodie over your thin satin camisole and shorts as you go. You don’t bother to turn on any lights. Maybe scrolling endlessly through your streaming queue for a while will lull you into slumber. It works most nights. 
Naturally, it’s not working now.
Tonight, no matter how long you flip aimlessly through the options, there’s no tricking yourself into sleep. Eventually, you pick something old to watch, an romcom so treasured that you can recite the lines along with the actors. It’s so easy to lose yourself in a silly story like this, one where it’s completely inevitable that the leads are going to get together but you fall into it anyway. 
As the credits roll, you pick up your phone. Put it down. Pick it up. Unlock it. Lock it. Put it down. 
Inhaling deeply, you breathe in the scent of the ocean. A trace of Jungkook’s cologne lingers in the hoodie. 
You pick up your phone, unlock it, open your texts, and fire off five words.
(2:14): Are you still at work?
A quiet creeps over the room again, a stillness matched by the static image of the movie on the screen, asking if you want to watch again or return to your queue. But despite the calm hush, you’re on edge, fingers tapping, pulse racing while you wait for a reply. 
Will he respond? Maybe he already left. He’s probably hungry, might have gone to grab some food. Maybe he’s hanging out with the other dancers.
Maybe he left with someone el-
Bzzt! Bzzt!
Kookie 🦌 (2:16): shift’s over. having a drink with hoseok
Kookie 🦌 (2:16): you’re still up?
(2:17): Yeah
(2:17): Can’t sleep
Kookie 🦌 (2:18): need some help?
Kookie 🦌 (2:18): been waiting to play with that app again
No. No toys tonight. You want him. 
(2:18): Kookie
(2:19): Come over
His reply is immediate.
Kookie 🦌 (2:19): on my way jagi
As if he were currently just down the hall and not all the way across town, you jump up off the couch, running into the bathroom, pleased to find that you don’t look like a total wreck after the evening you’ve had. You brush your teeth again, then dash into your bedroom, rummaging through the bedside table until you find the box of condoms stashed in there, making sure they’re close at hand.
Halfway down the hall, you turn around, go back to the box, and stuff one in the pocket of your shorts. Just in case.
You know it’ll take him some time to get here. But you’re too keyed up to wait on the couch. So you pace instead. There’s a clap of thunder in the distance. As you roam your apartment restlessly, it starts to pour, heavy drops rapping loudly against the window in the kitchen. Tiny rivulets of water run together, forming large streams that snake their way down the glass while you watch, trying hopelessly to distract yourself again. 
It doesn’t work, and when the knock comes, you’re already waiting by the door.
Even without the flash of lightning that lights your apartment, there’s a charge in the air as you and Jungkook stare at each other. His dark hair is damp, ends clinging to his face, and his clothes drip on the hallway floor. He must’ve gotten caught in the storm on his way out of Paradise. Maybe he rode his bike in the rain again. You hope he was careful, but you get the feeling he rushed over here as quickly as he could. 
“Hey,” he murmurs, voice rumbly and deep.
‘Hi,” you reply softly, fiddling with the knob as you lean against the door, suddenly incredibly conscious of your hands, not knowing what to do with them. You want to bury them in his hair, but you’re frozen under his gaze, waiting to see what he’s going to do. 
“How’re you feeling?” he asks, eyebrow lifting in curiosity. “Are you still drunk?” 
You shake your head. Stone cold sober now. Nothing but anticipation flowing through your veins, though you find that’s almost as heady as alcohol. “No.”
“Good,” he sighs, sounding relieved, and then he’s on you.
One of his hands slides around your back while the other cups your chin, and then his mouth finds yours, hungry and desperate. He nibbles at your bottom lip, teeth sinking into the plump flesh, then sucks it, tongue brushing away the sting. Keening, you hold him as closely as you can, hands wandering over the broad planes of his chest, clutching at the soaking material that covers him. He’s so warm. Or maybe that’s you, aflame for him. 
“Jagi,” he hums, leaving a trail of kisses along your cheek, “Can I come in?”
“God, yes, come in.” Curling your fingers into his hoodie, you walk backwards, pulling him into your apartment. His greedy mouth follows quickly, whining impatiently until he’s across the threshold and the door is shut behind him and then he’s on you again, kissing you fast and hot and breathless.
You keep shuffling backwards, leading him down the hallway to your bedroom, but it’s slow going, because you don’t for one second want to part from his mouth. Jungkook clearly feels the same sense of frustration you do, because his hands slip beneath your thighs to hoist you into the air. Gasping, you lock your legs around his waist, digging your fingers into his shoulders to hold on tight as he suddenly turns, pressing your back into the wall. 
“Do you feel that?” He rolls his hips up into your spread legs, and you moan, feeling him rubbing against you. He’s rock hard. “Been like this ever since you texted.”
His mouth latches onto your neck as he ruts against you again. With you pinned to the wall by his torso and hips, his hands are free to roam, and they paw at your sweatshirt, searching for the soft skin underneath.
“Too many clothes,” he mutters, and then he’s tugging his sweatshirt off of you, dragging your tank top with it. He tosses the offending items to the floor. The vent overhead blows cold air across your skin, making your nipples pebble as Jungkook’s hot hands grope your bare breasts. 
“You too,” you pout, grabbing a fistful of his hoodie and trying in vain to peel it off of him, but he refuses to let go of your chest long enough to raise his arms. “Jungkook! Take it off!” 
He just grunts into your collarbones as he kisses his way across. Undaunted, you keep tugging  until he mutters, “Aish, okay!” and reaches behind his head to pull the sweatshirt off in one swift motion. He barely jostles you, keeping you pressed to the wall with ease, and you marvel at his skills. Probably more tricks learned at Paradise.
Warm metal brushes against your chest. Fuck. He’s still wearing the body chain.
“Better?” he huffs. You nod, running your hands over his soft skin. Your fingertips brush over one of his nipples, and he whines, a high-pitched noise that makes you clench involuntarily. God, you want him so bad.
He grinds into you again, swallowing your gasp with his kiss. His tattooed hand grips your knee, slips up your thigh, and under your shorts, fingers not stopping until they find exactly what they’re looking for.
“Jagi,” he hisses, dropping his head to your shoulder. “So wet. Always so wet for me.”
“Always,” you moan as your lips brush over his ear. He shudders, sliding his finger along your slit. Applying just the right amount of pressure to make you buck slightly, urging him inside. “Please, Kookie.” 
He groans, pushing one long finger into your folds.  “You drove me fucking crazy tonight. Sending me that photo. Wandering around Paradise in that little dress. Just wanted to pull you into one of those rooms.” His finger strokes your tight inner walls. “Touch you. Taste you. Let you ride me like you said you wanted.” 
A second finger enters, joins the first in rubbing away. Meanwhile, his thumb circles around your clit before flicking over the sensitive nub. Your head kicks back against the wall as a jolt shoots through you. Struck by lightning. His husky laugh is the peal of thunder in its wake.  
“Next time, jagi,” he continues, “next time, that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Take you in a room and make you fall apart.”
His fingers start to pump, and oh, he feels like heaven, fucking you open with a fervid urgency. Like he’s just as impatient as you are, just as eager to bury himself inside you as soon as he can. As soon as you’re ready for him.
“J-Jungkook,” you stutter, nails digging into his arms as you cling blindly to him. “More. Please.” 
“You want more?” He licks his lips, tongue pulling the kiss-swollen bottom between his teeth as he adds a third finger. “I’ll give you everything. Whatever you want.”
The two of you are panting, filling the air with hot exhalations and grunts, mixing with the lewd squelching between your legs to create an obscene cacophony. As talented as his hand is, it’s not enough, just has you losing your mind with desire for more of him. For all of him. 
Your words come out a broken mewl. “Want you, Kookie, just you. Please!”
“Ah, jagi, don’t say shit like that unless you want me to fuck you right here, just like this,” he groans, eyes closing. 
“Kookie.” Groaning his name, you grasp his chin to tilt his head until your gazes meet. “In my-my right pocket.” 
He glances at you questioningly, but as his left hand slips into the silky material, his expression shifts, eyebrow rising as he hums. He pulls out the condom and his right hand withdraws. Your feet hit the ground. “Shit, that’s what you want, huh? Right here? Now?” 
“Fuck yes, please!”
In an instant, his joggers are around his ankles, your shorts are on the floor, and the empty condom packet flutters to the ground. You watch as he sheathes himself, hurriedly rolling the thin rubber over his already leaking cock. He grabs your thighs, picking you up again, pushing you up the wall until you can feel his tip rubbing through your dripping folds. 
His hand reaches between you and grabs yours, guiding you to grab the silver links that dangle down his chest. Immediately, you loop the body chain around your fingers.
“Hold on, jagi,” he murmurs as his face hovers close to yours. His lips quirk into that familiar smirk. You bite your lip, waiting. 
And then he slides into you, burying himself to the hilt. 
“Fuck.” Your shaky moan elongates the word, turning it into an entire sentence. An entire song. Jungkook slowly draws back and then thrusts in again, prompting another moan. Another melody. He does it again, and again, building up to a steady pace, making you bounce. “Oh, fuck, Jungkook!”
“That’s it, jagi. I wanna hear you.” His hands squeeze your thighs, kneading the flesh as he pins you to the wall with his pistoning hips. “Those moans sound so much better without that fucking wall in the way.” 
“Hnnngh,” comes your response. Your free hand roams over his shoulders to lock into the damp hair at the nape of his neck. “Fuck!”
White-hot pleasure roils in your gut. That fierce look is back on Jungkook’s face, sweat starting to drip from his brow. His stamina is insane. The fact that he’s holding you up like this while pounding into you like a wild beast rutting away… well, it would blow your mind, but his powerful strokes are already doing that. 
“You feel so good, baby, shit,” he growls through gritted teeth, dark eyes staring at where he disappears into your welcoming heat over and over. “Such a tight little pussy. Wanna fill it up. Leave you dripping with me.” 
“God, fuck, Kookie, your mouth.” Dirty talk drives you crazy, and this man does it so well. Of course he does. He lives to tease you, to wind you up in every way he can. “So filthy.” 
The sound of him fucking into you is just as filthy, between the wet slap of his thighs hitting your ass, and the needy exclamations dropping from your lips. These only increase as he tilts his hips just right, curved cock hitting your g-spot. 
“Jungkook!” you gasp, feet flexing, legs starting to tense around him. Reading your reaction, he does it again, and shit, you might actually come just from his cock. 
“Can’t help it.” His sweat drips onto your chest, rolling down the valley between your breasts. His right hand comes up to wipe it away before he rubs his thumb over your lips. “Need to tell you how you make me feel. Tell you how fuckin’ good you’re taking me.” 
He presses the tip of his finger into your parted mouth, and you obediently suck him in. He groans lowly as your tongue swirls around his thumb a few times before he pulls it back out. It disappears between you, to land on your throbbing clit.
”What about you, jagi? How ’m I making you feel?” He thrusts hard, bouncing you further up the wall, and your eyes roll back in your head. Light reflects off the gleaming body chain with every rebound. You haven’t let go for a second. “You like this? Me holding you like this, making you just fucking take it?”
“Fuck, yes, Kookie, so good!” The fervor with which he fondles your clit is nothing short of relentless. You’re burning up, ready to burst into flames. “Ah, ah, give it to me!” 
No one’s ever fucked you like this before. His movements are so raw, so primal. That feeling from earlier is back - the sense of urgency. Of need. And you feel it too, this untamed desire, surging through your veins, setting every inch of you on fire. All you can do is hold on to him, fingers gripping sweat-soaked skin and metal, lips seeking his again and again. You’re pinned to the wall, completely at his mercy, and all you want is more. 
“Come on, jagiya, I wanna feel you,” he wheedles, whining sweetly. “Come on this cock for me. Show me how much this pretty pussy likes this.” 
His chin tilts up, mouth capturing yours in a sloppy kiss, all tongue. Saliva coats your lips, spills down your chin. Between the sweat, the spit, and your arousal, you’re a sopping mess. You don’t give a single goddamn. All you care about is him. 
“Ahh!” With a wordless wail, your climax arrives. Cunt clamping as your clit twitches, pleasure racing through your body with every beat of your madly thumping heart. Jungkook snarls as your walls grip him tighter, but he doesn’t stop, still pumping away as you ride out your release.
“Jungkook,” you gasp when your lungs finally refill with air. “Come on, fill me up, Kookie. I want it.” 
He whines, kissing you frantically. When his tongue traces the inside of your mouth, you massage it with yours before sucking so hard your cheeks hollow. His body tenses, and with one, two, three hard pumps, he spills into the condom, cock twitching as he breaks the kiss to moan your name. 
Heavy breathing fills the hallway as his hips finally still. He drops his forehead against yours as yours for a few seconds, and then he relaxes his hold on your thigh, helping you ease your legs down until you’re standing on your own. Well, your feet are technically on the floor, at least, but the wall is doing all the work as you lean against it, knees a bit wobbly. 
You already miss the feeling of him inside you.
Jungkook seems to be catching his breath already, and you marvel again at his endurance. If that vigorous fucking didn’t exhaust him, then what exactly would it take to tire him out? 
That’s a thought for another night, when your legs don’t feel like they’re about to collapse.
“Jesus fuck,” you declare loudly.
Jungkook’s eyes crinkle as he laughs. “Is that a happy curse, or…”
“Yes. It’s happy. I’m happy.” You beam at him, wiping sweat from your forehead, your cheeks, your stomach. “I’m a fucking mess, Jungkook, look at me!” 
He steps forward, arms wrapping around your back. “I am looking, jagiya.” This time when he kisses you, it’s a slow, lingering caress. “You’re gorgeous, all fucked-out like this. Makes me wanna wreck you again.” 
“Mmmm,” you hum, leaning back. “I don’t know if I could handle that.”
“Oh?” Goddamn, will you ever get over that sexy smirk? “That’s not what you said earlier. You made it sound like you could handle anything I could give you.” 
“Well, that was then. I’ve never been manhandled like that before!”
“Manhandled?” Oh no. Oh, you don’t like the look he’s giving you now. Like you’ve just challenged him. “You want manhandled?”
Your neighbors are definitely awake now, based on the volume of your shriek as Jungkook bends and slings you over his shoulder. You instinctively flail your arms, seeking something, anything to hold on to, but it doesn’t matter. He’s got a firm grip on your legs, keeping you locked in place. So that’s how he carries you to your bedroom, upside-down, ass pointing at the ceiling. He delivers a sharp slap on one of your cheeks, just enough of a sting to surprise you, and you screech before starting to giggle.
He tosses you lightly onto the bed before he disappears into the bathroom, returning without the spent condom. You giggle again as he crawls over you, kissing his way up your stomach and over your breasts. Cupping his face, you urge him closer, pressing your mouths together in a slow burn of a kiss, a kindling flame that grows hotter and hotter until you’re both panting, desperately pawing at one another. 
He’s ready to go again and so are you, and you tear yourself away from his hungry lips long enough to reach into your nightstand and find what you need. Once he’s sheathed, he’s inside you again. But now his thrusts aren’t frenzied or hasty. Now, he strokes into you slowly, taking his time, groaning brokenly as your tight walls hug his aching length. His fingers lace with yours, pinning your hands to the bed above your head as he fucks you like he has all the time in the world, and he’s going to use every single second to give you all the pleasure he can. 
You arch your back, meeting his movements with your hips, taking him as deep as possible. Trying to make this good for him, trying to deliver just as much satisfaction with every tilt, every clench. Without your hands, you can’t pull his face to yours, and you have a delirious need to kiss him, taste him, claim his mouth with yours. You whimper, tipping your chin up, and somehow he understands your pitiful whines and slots his lips against yours.
This time, your orgasm doesn’t smash into you. This time, it builds, until it overwhelms you, takes over, wipes your mind clear of all thoughts, all sensations, everything except for him. Your body hums like a guitar string, stretched so tight, strummed by his beautiful hands, ringing out one single note. 
“Jungkook!”
He kisses you as his hips stutter, cock spurting hot and white inside you. He doesn’t pull away when his high finally passes, but lies on top of you, head nuzzling into your shoulder. Your hand finds the nape of his neck again, twists the sweaty strands of his hair. It’s a comforting weight, his strong body covering yours. You can’t explain it, but you like it. 
Which is why you pout when he finally props himself up on an elbow to gaze down at you, a soft smile on his face.
His bright eyes will be the death of you. 
“Are you in need of more manhandling?” he asks. 
You laugh, a full, body-shaking belly laugh that jostles him and makes him grin even more brightly. “I think I’m good right now, thank you.” 
He rolls onto his side, slinging an arm over your hip as you turn to face him. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
The rain taps a soothing rhythm on your bedroom window as you consider everything running through your mind at the moment. Should you call it a night and get some sleep? Does he want to take a shower first? Maybe together? Do you think you could go for a third round?
But instead of answering him with any of these, what you say is,  
“Are you free next Saturday?”
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lemonjoonah · 3 years
Text
The Garden Thief (M)
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Pairing: Jungkook x Reader Word Count: 9.3K Genre: Hybrid AU, romance/drama/comedy, enemies to lovers Warnings: Unprotected sex, oral sex (fem. rec.), they get down and dirty outside but no one else is there to see them, cum play? (just a little), there’s also a bit of mud (sorry, but also not sorry, they’re outside what do you want from me?!?!), referenced hybrid neglect and oppression (hybrids are wrongfully deemed as pets by law and the majority of society).  
Summary: Your beloved vegetable patch has once again been victimized by a hungry thief in the night. The prime suspect? Jeon Jungkook, your neighbour's rabbit hybrid. But when you finally confront him, he pleads innocent, and proposes a plan to clear his name.
A/N: I wrote this fic’s premise and opening scene for the ‘A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words Game’ that I played oh so long ago and now I’ve finally finished the tale!
...
“Oh for fuck’s sake, not again!” You swear upon seeing the leafy green remains of several carrots lying in your garden, inches from where they used to be buried. This maddening mystery of the vanishing vegetables has been playing out all summer. You’ve set out deterrents for every possible garden pest, rolling out chicken wire and spraying natural remedies to repel anything from bugs to small rodents. Yet you still wake to find that your garden has been robbed in the night. The only possible suspect you haven’t been able to protect against resides just next door, in fact—
You squint up at the boarded fence, spotting a pair of long dark ears peeking out over the posts. “Jungkook, is that you?”
The ears immediately disappear, ducking down behind the barrier. The sound of his hurried footsteps trailing away are followed only by the slamming of a door.
You rush into and through your own house carrying the wilted carrot greens. Exiting out the front, and over to the house next to yours, where you repeatedly press the bell.
The entry whips open on the fourth ring to reveal Jungkook. His face is flushed, beads of sweat racing down his brow, and a shirt that one would normally use to cover their chest, is instead thrown over his shoulder. “Something wrong neighbour?” He asks with a carrot stick in hand. Bringing it to his mouth, he taunts you with a bite and crooked grin.
“Is-is your caretaker home?” You stutter trying your best to swallow your nerves. Concentrating hard on his face, you plead with your eyes not to wander down. That’s exactly what he wants, a reason to put you off your mission, to make you so flustered that you have to walk away. He’s always trying to use his allure against you, and you hate how often he succeeds doing just that...  
“No, he’s at work.”
“When will he be back?”
“Not sure, maybe a week, or two? He’s on a business trip.”
Your gaze falters in it’s determination for a brief second as a drop of sweat descends from his neck to his chest. Holding your breath you watch it’s path, tracing the valleys between his muscles. When Jungkook finally wipes it away your brain catches up and scolds you for your weakness. “And he left you here, alone?”  You ask, while trying to recollect your dignity, reminding yourself of how much grief he has put you through.
“Of course.” Jungkook’s smile grows. “I’m not just some common pet. I know how to behave myself.”
The statement makes your brow twitch, enraging you enough to overcome his tactics. “I know you haven’t been here long, but you should know, people typically don’t like it when someone steals from their yard.” You lecture him, waving the carrot tops in front of his face. “So stop treating my garden like your own personal snack bar!”
“Now why would I take from you? I have plenty of food here, even got another delivery this morning.”  The hybrid kicks at a box next him filled with a vibrant collection of fresh produce and grains.
“I don’t know why. I just know it was you.”
“Prove it.” He prods, while taking the last bite of the vegetable from his hand.
The loud crunching gnaws on your composure, stripping you of any patience you may have had for the hybrid. “This all started when you moved in, and I’ve ruled everything else out!” You shout, but as good as it might feel to finally vent your anger, you feel as though you’re somehow playing into his hand.
“That doesn’t seem like very good evidence. It’s circumstantial at best. If you want to find out who the real culprit is you should have a stake out.”
“A stake out?”
“Yeah, you know, watch over the garden for the night, catch the criminal in the act. I could even help if you’d like.”
You scoff at the ridiculous notion. “You really think I should invite you over to guard my crops?”
“I do, so I’ll come over tonight? Say around seven?” You open your mouth to object, but the rabbit hybrid jumps from one statement to the next casually inviting himself into your own home. “Perfect. See you then.”
“I didn’t-no wait, that was sar-” The door closes between you before you can finish. Leaving you baffled and alone on the doorstep. You ready to knock but stop just before your knuckles hit the wood. Trying again right now is a lost cause, it’ll just play into his game. So why waste your breath when you know it’ll just end the same way? Tonight then, as he suggested, that’s when you’ll be ready to hit him with some hard evidence that he won’t be able to refute.
Admitting defeat for now, you retreat back to your garden to pick the surviving vegetables and contemplate the encounter. You wish your could have just spoken to Jungkook’s caretaker—fuck what was his name again? You’ve only seen the man a couple times since they took the house, but at least he doesn't give you a nervous knot in your stomach, or leave you confused and speechless like his hybrid does.
It’s been three months since they moved in. You were excited at first, to have new neighbours in your almost vacant cul-de-sac. Buyers don’t seem to be interested in the old houses with large lots in your area. Too much work to maintain, and not enough good job prospects to go around. So when you saw the sold sign go up you were beyond thrilled. Greeting the new residents with a fruit basket and a smile.
The rabbit hybrid you now know as Jungkook appeared rather shy at first, you did your best to welcome him. Always greeting him when he was outside, trying to engage him in small chat, but the first time you caught him during his workout everything changed. Until that point you had not considered him as anything but a prospective friend. You were stunned to see him in such a confident state, throwing around his weights like they were nothing. In that moment, with you too nervous to admit that you found him attractive, you became the anxious and blubbering fool in his presence, and he, unfortunately, took note. The once quiet and cute rabbit, became a flirtatious and bratty bunny.
And since then, whenever you would work in your garden he’d be on the other side of the fence grunting and panting. Staying close to the gap in the divider, a missing panel you had yet to replace. On days like today you would often look up from your radishes and accidentally lock eyes with the hybrid, drenched in sweat and showing off his skills.
Out of respect and self preservation you tried your best to not to pay attention, to keep your nose buried in your garden, but as the weeks went by the vegetables under your care started to disappear. The ample crops you tended to in the evening, lessened by morning, with only the refuse remaining to indicate it’s former presence. You didn’t want to point fingers immediately, but today was the final straw, and tonight no matter how hard he tries to distract you, you will find him guilty.
After harvesting the choice crops for the day and watering the rest. You dust yourself off, settling inside and in front of your computer; opening the visitors page for your place of work, the city's greenhouse conservatory. To help promote the centre in the community the staff all take turns writing articles revolving around their own projects or home gardens, and you’re up next in the rotation. You stare at the blank document for several minutes trying your best to concentrate on the task, but you are unable to think of anything other than the mischievous hybrid next door.
Embracing the topic of your aggravation, you start the post off with a title sure to catch the eye of any reader, ‘Garden Thieves.’
‘We’ve all been there, finding a tomato just about to reach its peak ripeness. We give it another day to grow into perfection, only to find it missing later on. In your absence something else has taken it into its own clutches. I myself have been dealing with a vegetable thief for several weeks, so if you are struggling like I am, here are a few things that might help. ’
You proceed to outline several garden pests uploading photos of their damage, along with quick remedies to deter their presence. Netting to block the sparrows, raised beds and fences to keep out most rodents or mammals, and a caffeine solution to stave off slugs.
‘I hope this may help you all in your efforts to keep your plants safe, but I must add a disclaimer. Unfortunately nothing here is completely foolproof. Even if you do follow all of these steps you still might lose some of your crops to a crafty critter. But I wish you the best of luck on all of your backyard battles. I myself plan to face off with my own long-eared menace tonight.’
You finish your post with a smile. Sending it off to your coworker Namjoon to get his approval before you make it public.
He calls a few minutes later, his laughter carrying through the speaker. “That was easily the best article you’ve written all year. You should definitely post it.”
“Thanks.” You chuckle, hitting the submit button. At the very least feeling a bit relieved to have one less task weighing on your mind. “I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. I take it you’re still having trouble with that hybrid neighbour of yours?”
“Yeah,” you groan. You’ve complained to Namjoon about the issue several times in the past month. It must have been all too easy for him to read between the lines and see what set you off to create this specific entry.  “But he refuses to admit it was him. It’s like he’s trying to make me question my skills as a gardener and I hate it! I went over to talk to his caretaker but he’s away on business for a couple weeks.”
“He left him alone for that long? What about food?”
“He’s been getting deliveries. By the looks of it, he has a healthier diet than I do.”
Namjoon pauses on the line giving you only a simple, “Huh...” in a long break.
“What?”
“Well it’s just-” A loud buzzing sound erupts through the phone line cutting off his answer. A noise you know to indicate someone is at the back door. “That’s weird. I didn’t think we were supposed to get anything delivered today. No one else is here.... did you have anything scheduled to come in?”
“No.” You double check the calendar sitting on your desk. “I shouldn’t have anything until next Monday.”  
Namjoon puts you on hold while he checks on the reason for the interruption, returning only a minute later. “It’s a delivery all right, but are you sure these aren’t yours? I’m seeing a lot of tropical species on the invoice. Combretum rotundifolium, Heliconia angusta, Myrciaria dubia-”
You mouth a swear as Namjoon carries on with his list. It’s obvious they are indeed the specimens of your expected batch. You're in the process of redesigning one of the tropical habitats. The lead director was adamant that the conservatory host a butterfly exhibition in the next coming year, and in order to support the grandiose endeavour you are required to introduce a vast amount of new flowering species over the next few months. “How many in total?”
“About two dozen. Looking pretty rough from the journey too.”
You’re not surprised by their current state. This summer is already one of the hottest and driest on record, and all the stock you had received this season was excessively wilted and near death because of it. “Do we have any holding houses with humidifiers available?”
“Not at the moment,” There’s a clatter in the background as Namjoon sorts through what must be the slack of clipboards. “But I’ve got the inspection chart here and your last delivery did just finish it’s quarantine. No signs of pests or illness, so they’re clear to plant. That should free up some space for you.”
“That’ll have to do. Thanks for checking.” Standing up from your desk with a sorrowful sigh. You mourn the loss or your afternoon off as you start to dress for a day of hard labour. Throwing on your work-issued overalls over your t-shirt and shorts. Unfortunately you can’t just leave the new stock to sit out under the beating sun. With little humidity outside and no protection they’ll be burnt to a crisp if you delay too long. But the worst part is that your planting staff isn’t scheduled until later in the week, and that volume of work will put you well into the middle of the night before you complete it. “I’ll be in soon to deal with it.”
“That’s a lot of planting to do on your own. I can help if you-”
“I can’t take you away from your trees, isn’t there a bonsai exhibition next week you have to prepare them for?” He’s been agonizing over this showcase for so long you couldn’t possibly inconvenience him now with your own troubles. “It’s fine, really. I’ll call to see if anyone else is willing to come in today.” You hang up letting Namjoon return to his tasks, and work your way down the contacts for the gardening staff as you prepare yourself to leave. Though as expected, all of those who answer have prior commitments and won’t be able to assist.
Grabbing your badge and plans for the updates to the garden you slip back out into the noon-day sun, so strong it’s turned your car into an oven on wheels. You’re just about to pull it into reverse when you spot the blinds shift in your neighbour’s window. Prompting you to recall the plans he had made for tonight.
With all the work you have, it’s doubtful you’ll be back home for seven. You return to Jungkook’s door to give him the news. He has it open before you can even knock, his usual smirk crawling across his face as he greets you.  
“About tonight... something has come up at work and I really don’t know how late I’ll be.”
His ears perk up. “You’re going into the conservatory?”
“Yeah,” you respond, somewhat shocked that he remembered where you work. It’s been a couple months since you mentioned it while introducing yourself to him and his caretaker. “An order came in earlier than expected. I’ll likely be planting all day and night.”
“I can help,” he offers, already stepping out to join you, and locking the door behind him.
“You want to help?”
“Of course, isn’t that the neighbourly thing to do?”
“Yes, but I wouldn’t want it or expect it from someone who terrorizes my own garden.”
“Allegedly,” Jungkook corrects. “And wouldn’t you rather have me with you, under your supervision, than here, all alone with only a measly fence between me and your impressive bell pepper harvest?”
“Stay away from my peppers!” You scold, pointing your finger at him. “Even if I wanted to take you, what about your caretaker? Don’t you need his permission to leave and work?”
“He’s never paid attention to my whereabouts before, and it’s not work if you don’t pay me. I’ll just be a volunteer. You have people volunteer all the time right?”
“Yes but-”  
“I’ll be on my best behaviour.”
“Alright, fine.” You finally agree though with a heavy dose of reluctance. Namjoon often brings his own hybrid in so it shouldn’t be a problem. “But if I see you nibble on even a single leaf, you’re coming straight back here.”
“Deal.” He rushes past you straight to your passenger seat and buckles himself in. Practically bouncing with excitement beside you as you pull out and head towards the conservatory.
The minutes pass and you try your best to focus on the road but you’ve never been so close to Jungkook in such a small space. And with his built frame taking up most of the car, he’s hard for you to ignore. His ears folded against the roof and his shoulders so wide they brush repeatedly against yours.
“Ever been to the conservatory before?” You ask, trying to divert your mind from the battle which builds inside you. A wavering war between frustration and attraction, with the former trying it’s best to pin down the latter, a move which only arouses the latter more...
“No, I’ve wanted to go ever since you mentioned it but my caretaker hasn’t had the time.”
“Oh.” A sense of pity joins the ranks of your emotions, nudging at you as you pull into the lot. “Sorry, I didn’t-”
“Why are you sorry?” Jungkook asks in a low whisper, snapping back to his flirtatious behaviours. His mouth turns up at the corner as he leans into you, so close that his drooping ears graze the top of your head.  “Would you have taken me earlier if I had mentioned it?”
“N-no,” you choke out. Placing your hand on his solid chest, you push him back and away. As tempting as his advance might be to accept, you know his forwardness to be nothing more than an act to make a fool of you. Why else would he try to both seduce you, and steal from right under your nose?  “You’re only here today because I am in desperate need of help, and I can’t trust you to be alone.”
...
You lead him through the unoccupied greenhouses. The conservation is closed to the public today (as it is every Monday and Tuesday); which usually allows for some time off, but at least now it’ll give you a chance to work unimpeded by visitors. Your own curated section is located in the most humid of all the houses, set in such a way to mimic the tropical environment you are attempting to represent.
The first stop is the holding house where the carts of new stock wait just outside.  Grabbing an empty trolly you enter and start to load up those that are ready to plant. Jungkook following your actions does the same, easily lifting the heavy planters that you yourself struggle with. “Thanks,” you whisper as he relieves you of a particularly burdensome tree. To which he smiles in return.
After making the switch, by placing the recent delivery in the house for it’s quarantine, you lead him to the supply closet. Where you collect a couple shovels, trowels, and two pairs of gloves. As you continue to scan for anything else you might require, Jungkook pops in behind looking at the shelves with a sense of curiosity. He reaches up and over you to a spray bottle labeled ‘slug repellent.’
“We won’t need that, it’s for the outdoor gardens,” You explain. “It’s just a mixture of ca-”
“Caffeine and water?”
You snap your gaze to him. “How do you know that?”
He bites his lip as a snicker starts to escape. “Just a bit of morning reading. I found an interesting article with that particular tidbit. One which also happened to reference the exploits of a long-eared menace.”
“Y-you read the conservatory blog? You read my post? No one reads that, there can’t have been more than ten views!”
“Which is such a shame.” He goads you. “I’ve found your work to be both informative and comical. You really have me rooting for you in your quest to catch your thief.”
You groan in utter fury. “Why must you be so-so-”
“Handsome? Funny? Caring?”
“Antagonizing!”
“Because you seem to take more notice when I am.” Jungkook answers, with a turn of his heel, his tail poking out from under his shirt as he starts to walk away with the cart. “And I like seeing that perplexed look of yours. Your nose is cute when you scrunch it up like that.”
You remain in the shed, your traitorous heart beating erratically over the fact that he called a part of you cute. While your more sensible side grabs your nose and smooths out the wrinkles he referenced.
“Should we get to work?” He calls out after you. “The sooner we finish, the sooner we can go home and expose that bandit of yours.”
You roll your eyes and follow him out, before taking the lead to your tropical glasshouse. The air sticks to your skin the moment you enter. Jungkook lets out a long exhale behind you tugging on the collar of his shirt. “Is it always like this in here?”
“It’s a bit warmer today, but not by much. Are you already regretting your decision to help?” You tease him.
“Nope,” he answers, slinging a shovel over his shoulder. “Show me where to dig, and I’ll get to it.”
Pulling out your plans for the new exhibit arrangement, you select a couple species placing them on the empty plots of garden as directed, careful to allow for future growth. Jungkook follows behind digging out their new homes faster than at least three of your staff members combined.
You stare at him for a second, unable to believe the pace at which he’s going. “Something wrong?” He asks, pausing to lock eyes with you.
“No, I just didn’t think you’d be so quick at digging.”
“I’m part rabbit, what did you expect?” Jungkook boasts with a chuckle and a raised brow. “I share their strengths. Especially when it comes to burrowing and fu-”      
His words are cut short when a fresh breeze from the outside washes over the both of you, a  sure sign that someone must have entered the greenhouse. Your neighbour goes rigid, his nose lifts into the air and his ears fall back flat against his head. “Jungkook what’s-” Leaping up he closes the gap and grabs you. Tucking you into him with his chin resting on your head, where a  warm and earthy scent envelopes you.  His breaths are quick and deep, causing his chest to rapidly rise and fall against your back.
Namjoon’s voice calls out to you. “... are you in here?”
“Over here!” You yell out in reply, before turning back to the hybrid who still has you locked in his clutches. “What the hell Jungkook? Let me go! Now’s not the time for your games.” Sure it might feel nice to be wrapped in his arms, to get lost amidst his aroma. At any other time you might even consider taking a moment before chastising his boldness. But here? Now? And with Namjoon coming to greet you? No, this is too much.
You try to push him away like you have before, but this time it’s as if he’s set in stone, and not registering you at all. He focuses only on the direction your coworker's voice hailed from. “That scent, he smells like-”
“There you are.” Namjoon interrupts stepping around a flowering bush and into view, looking surprised by your guest. “Oh, hello there.”
The point of Jungkook's chin rubs against your head as he grips you even tighter. Embarrassed and confused by the hybrids embrace. “Jungkook, this is Namjoon.” You introduce your coworker while delivering an elbow to Jungkook’s gut. He finally snaps out of his trace and lets you go though he continues to hover behind. “He works with the bonsai of the conservatory.”
“You must be the neighbour I’ve heard so much about, it’s nice to finally meet you.” Namjoon extends his hand to the hybrid, but Jungkook ignores the gesture, choosing to glare instead, with his nostrils flared and his ears pinned back.
“Jungkook?” You whisper trying to chase him from his mood.
Namjoon gives him a nervous smile. “You probably smell my hybrid, on me don’t you?”
“A hybrid?” Jungkook confirms, his eyes narrowed at Namjoon.
“Yeah, sorry, I didn’t intend to scare you. I’m sure the scent of a predator, especially a tiger, is a bit of a shock. He’s harmless, I promise.”
“Is Taehyung here?” You ask, hoping to see his affectionate part-feline companion.  
“Nah, he’s with a friend today. I needed to get some work done and he’d be more of a distraction than a help... but it would seem that didn’t stop him from scenting my shirt before I left.” Namjoon explains, and then turns to your neighbour again. “Jungkook would you mind if I borrow her for a second? I need help with one of my tropical species.”
Jungkook gives a solemn nod. For the first time since you’ve known him, he looks frightened, and somewhat hesitant to release you over to your coworker.
Worried by his current disposition, you reassure him with a squeeze on his arm. “Just keep digging where I’ve placed those pots and I’ll be right back.”
Namjoon leads you into the adjacent greenhouse where you can continue to keep watch of Jungkook through the pains of glass. But the instant the doors close between you, Namjoon starts bombarding you with questions. “Why didn’t you tell me? How long has it been going on? ”
You take a step back having been caught off guard. “Tell you what?”
“About you and Jungkook! Is the feuding neighbours just a cover story?” Namjoon’s eyes are wide and hopeful as he carries on, not letting you fit a single word in. “Don’t worry, I won’t inform anyone you're together. I know it’s not easy having a human-hybrid relationship out in the open. But I think you should be careful about going out into public because he’s far too obvious about it.”
“We’re not- we’re not a couple. Why would you think such a thing?”
“Because the way held you, he looked like he was marking you with his own scent. That’s what rabbits do isn’t it? They rub their chins on what they want to claim as their own.”
“They do what?” You ask, stunned by the possibility, before the realism settles back in. It must just be Jungkook’s idea of a joke. “No, that’s not what he’s doing, our connection is nothing remotely like that. Don’t get me wrong he’s very attractive, and he knows it.” You mutter the last part under your breath. “But-”
“But you really are having trouble with him. It's not a cover?”
“You think I would keep something like that from you?” Namjoon over the years has come to be your closest confidant. A good friend and coworker, you would never dream of hiding something like that from him.
“I suppose not.”
“Is that why you brought me back here, to question my relationship status?”
“Not entirely.” Namjoon shakes his head with a small dimpled smile and changes the subject. “I do actually want to get your help with one of my new acquisitions.” He points out an unusual tree on his work bench, much too big for the pot it’s currently situated in. It’s extensive roots spill out over the top and threaten to swallow the pot whole. “A Ficus microcarpa, far from the most sought after species when it comes to reputable bonsai, but I couldn’t pass this one up. It has such good character.”
“What made it grow in such a way?” You examine the plant and it’s container with care, prying between the roots and taking note of cracks starting to form in the terracotta.
“The last owner neglected it for far too long. It sat hidden in the back of a commercial greenhouse, still under the watering and fertilizing system, but since it was confined to such a small space it tried to root it’s way out. If I were to guess, it probably hasn’t seen a new pot for at least five years.”
“It’s a miracle it survived.” You nod impressed by the tree’s determination. “What’s your plan for it?”
“Give it what it wants, let it leach out. I doubt I would be able to pry it out entirely without causing significant damage to the roots that are gripping the sides, so instead I want to put another bellow to catch it and give it the fresh soil and room it needs.” Namjoon lays the tree and pot down on the table, and asks you to hold and support the trunk, while he taps and pokes at the bottom of the vessel with a metal trowel.  Enlarging the cracks, but not breaking the pot fully. It’s a tedious process. The small chunks of clay are removed piece by piece, giving him access to see and free some of the tightly bound roots inside.
While your coworker continues his task, your eyes are free to wonder. You check on Jungkook through the glass, as he kneels in front of the garden bed digging even faster than before.
Namjoon appears to notice your distracted state. “How's he doing?”
“Fine I guess.” You whisper. “He’s acting stranger than usual today though. He stole from my garden again. Invited himself over to my house, then here, and you saw what he did back there.”
“Huh...” Namjoon mutters, trailing off the same way he did on the phone.
“What is this ‘huh’ you keep giving me? You know I don’t like games Namjoon. If you have something you want to say, say it.”
“It’s about what you said earlier, how his caretaker leaves for extended periods of time. Usually if an animal is alone for too long they look for ways to stimulate themselves and resort to their natural instincts, scavenging and such. But he’s a hybrid and therefore part human, so if you were isolated and restricted to your house what would you do?”
“Probably look for the closest person I could find. So he’s acting out in my garden and teasing me, because he’s lonely?”
“I think so.” Namjoon responds as he extracts another root, freeing it from its confines.
“But why?” You ask, worried for the answer to come. “Why wouldn’t he just say something?”
“There could be a number of reasons. He might not understand what he’s doing on a conscious level, or he might be afraid to show any sign of weakness to you or anyone else. Jungkook is part prey animal, and humans are all too often predators.”
“If that’s the case...” You curse yourself for not realizing it sooner. The fury you held for him slowly fades away as you replay every encounter in your mind. He was literally jumping at the chance to spend time with you, to help you with your work, and you were to blind to see it. Your anger over your missing vegetables is so trivial in comparison to what he must have been going through. The loneliness he must have felt, and the inability to admit it, you can’t imagine how he suffered through it alone. “What can I do to help him? I have no legal claim to him Namjoon. What can I do within such limitations?”
He looks down at his work in progress. “The way I see it  you and he, like this small tree, have three options. You could maintain the status quo, leave him be, but how long will he be able to survive like he is? Creeping over the edge but grasping on to nothingness?”
You shake your head vehemently rejecting the idea while Namjoon continues.
“You could report his caretaker for neglect, breaking the container entirely, but that too could be very damaging to him, tearing him away entirely could put him in a state of shock, and in a home that is no better for him, while the legal battle is decided. Or...” Namjoon grabs another container, slightly wider than the one in which the plant is seated. Filling it with substrate he takes the tree clinging to it’s partial pot and places it on top. Pressing the newly freed roots down into the soil.
“You could support him, give him a better home just outside of his own where he can be himself and access what he needs. I personally think it’s your safest option for now.” Namjoon leads over inspecting the bonsai and lowers his voice to an almost inaudible whisper. “Until the day, when it is possible to fully cast the pot aside.”
You nod, though now left to grapple with what you could possibly have to offer the hybrid.  “I’m not sure I would be the best person to care for him.”
“I think Jungkook would disagree. He was already trying to scent you. That to me, implies his desire for something more in the realm of an intimate relationship.” You choke on your breath as Namjoon comes to an additional conclusion. Upon seeing your distress he makes a suggestion. “Of course you could keep it strictly to friendship between the two of you and I’m sure that will improve his situation, but his other needs will need to be met for him to feel completely at home...”
“His other needs? You think he wants to be with me? Intimately?! No! Surely he would have acted differently if that was his intent! He’s done nothing but tease me when he catches me even remotely looking in his direction.”
“So you have been looking at him!” Namjoon taunts you with a massive grin. Apologizing a second later when you proceed to glare at him. “But to answer your question, no, not necessarily. You have to remember most of society deems him a lesser being. He could be feeling a lot of guilt and pressure not to engage with you in that way. Though he might not outright say it, I bet his instincts will continue to shine through. I’ll even prove it to you.” Namjoon takes off a glove and rubs your head. “I bet this rabbit of yours will take less than a minute before he tries to replace the smell of my hand with his own again... trust me.”
You shake your head in disbelief. “I should probably get back to him.” You are just about to step away when your thoughts return to the long neglected plant. “Where do you plan to house that when you’re finished? Ficuses naturally belong in a more tropical location don’t they?”
“They do, especially if I want to give it a better chance. It’s going to need a place far more humid than this space.”
“Was this all your calculated way of guilting me to store it in my greenhouse too?”
“The thought might have crossed my mind.” Namjoon gives you a sly grin.  “But my logic is still sound in regards to Jungkook. He needs someone, he needs a better home... and it would seem he’s chosen you.”
...
You wander back to your greenhouse, still full of doubt. Finding Jungkook to have finished most of the required digging.
“Sorry for leaving you.”
“You-you okay?” He asks, upon seeing the dazed look on your face and then scowling in the direction that Namjoon led you.
“Fine, he just needed help with one of his plants. Sorry about earlier, I didn’t think you’d be affected by the scent of his hybrid, Taehyung is rather sweet though, you’d like him.”
“You trust him then?” Jungkook grumbles as he pierces his shovel into the ground. “You trust Namjoon and his hybrid?”
“Of course, why shouldn’t I?”
“Because it wasn’t just a tiger that I smelled. He’s been around a lot of hybrids. Every scent on him told me to run, all of them put there by dangerous predators.”
“Oh,” you shoot back in surprise. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Taehyung is rather popular, he has a lot of friends and Namjoon often caters them at his place. You don’t need to worry, you're safe here.”
“It’s not myself I’m worried about.”
Jungkook inches closer as you crouch to place the plants in the holes he dug. His nose twitches as he takes a deep breath, his eyes watching while you bury the root ball in the warm soil, firmly securing the trunk of the young tree.
While you are leaning down, Jungkook reaches across to the other side of you. Grabbing the trowel to your right despite the fact that the same tool can be found on his left. The bottom of his chin grazes the top of your head and lingers for a spell. Your heart stops in that moment while questioning his motives. Though Namjoon said he’d do just this, you still can’t be entirely sure that it proves him correct; Jungkook might just not have seen the other option available to him, and he’s never bothered about invading your space. This could be nothing, though there’s a small growing part of you that wants it more and more to be something.
“He’s a good guy,” you promise, returning to the conversation so as to not dwell on his actions. “He even suggested that I should bring you along more often, if you’re interested in spending some of your days here.”
“He did?”
You nod.  A small white lie, but not entirely incorrect, and if it gets him to accept Namjoon easier you’ll all be better for it. “I wouldn’t expect you to work, but you're more than welcome to just hang around. The staff here could always use some company and I’m sure it would beat staying at home alone all day.”
“I would like that. I would like that a lot, but would you want me to keep you company too?”
“If that’s what you want to do.”
“No, I need to know if that’s what you want.” He looks over to you pinning you down in his line of sight.  
“I suppose I would....” You answer and turn your head, unable to bear the nerves that his gaze brings. The both of you fall quiet. Knowing what you know now, being free of your anger for him leaves you vulnerable, open to his persuasion, and now you are no longer certain of how to act. So you start to rely on what has made him comfortable in the past, and interject with a new condition to bring an end to the awkward silence. “As long as you treat this garden better than mine back home.”
Jungkook lets out a long laugh. “I have nothing but the highest respect for your garden.”
...
When planting is finished your clothes are entirely saturated in sweat and your muscles aching from use. It’s hard to believe how much you’ve both done in such a short amount of time. While carting up the supplies, Jungkook’s eyes catch on something behind you. You look around spotting the newly potted bonsai on a back table. Namjoon must have dropped it off while you both were busy.
Looking at it now you can’t help but notice how even the shape of its leaves remind you of the hybrid’s ears, long, pointed, and reaching up to the sky. You consider your friend's words one more time and while Jungkook leans over to inspect the tree. Reaching out to his back, your hand shakes with hesitation before setting down on a spot just below his shoulder. He softens under your touch, a low hum leaving his lips. His attention turns from the plant to you. With your hand still in place, your arm is now wrapped around him, leaving only an inch between the two of you. You stand there fixed and unmoving, but content in the knowledge, that you seem to have left him speechless this time. His eyes darting away from yours, to your lips, your neck, and finally the hand you place upon his chest.  
Only to have the moment broken when you can hear and feel the rumble from his stomach. His nervous laugh follows as he reaches up to scratch behind his ear.
“Hungry?”
He nods in response, his eyes wide as he remains unusually silent.
“Come on, I’ll buy you dinner.” You offer as you turn him around to head to the car.
...
You both settle on a take out spot, and return home to wash up and eat.
After finishing your meal and tearing off your overalls, you both settle down on the hammock in your yard. With Jungkook’s legs long enough to touch the ground, he slowly rocks the seat back and forth.  He’s been near silent since that close moment together. He’s never had a problem with banter and flirtation, but now you’ve come to notice that any attention which can’t be passed off as a joke causes him to flounder.
Laying back in the hammock, both full and content, your eyes threaten to close after the long day as Jungkook continues to sit beside you. The sound of crickets lulling you to sleep. “Keep an eye out for that thief of mine will you?” You may not like games but if it makes him comfortable, and keeps him talking, you’ll continue to play this ruse with him.
“You trust me to keep watch without your supervision?”
“Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?”
“No, it’s just a lot more credit than you usually give me.”
“I think you’ve earned it.” You whisper as you finally drift off.
It feels like only a few minutes of rest before the sun sets and the air turns cool. Jungkook’s chin comes to rest on the top of your head like it did back in the greenhouse. He shifts his weight, burrowing his arms around and behind to cover you as he takes deep breaths. You lean into him seeking the warmth of his chest. No longer restricted by your childish anger to enjoy his company is a welcome relief, you only wish you could relinquish him of any of his own troubles and doubts.  And then, you feel it, a drop of cold rain hitting your neck. The hammock moves again as he adjusts, the back of his fingers running across the damp spot. Another finds your cheek and he wipes that away too, your skin shivering in response.
But when a speck lands your mouth he stops. You wait, a second, then two. Your anticipation grows with face heating up and your chest tightening as you continue to crave his touch. You want him to wipe it away, to touch you, to act on whatever desires he might be keeping. You part your lips with the desperate hope that he will take the hint. Rejoicing when the warm pad of his thumb spreads the drop across the delicate skin.
He comes down on to you, his mouth catching any and all remains of the droplet as he encases your lips. Jungkook places a hand on your neck while the other grabs the ropes of the hammock, his legs straddle your hips. The scattered rain turns to a downpour as he remains fixed to your mouth, even his form isn’t enough to shield you from the current washing down from the sky.
As your hands reach up to his own damp and curling locks entwining your fingers in the strands he moans and nips. But as quickly as it started, so too does it end. When Jungkook snaps up as though jolted from a dream. His ears point back as an apology flows from him. “I-I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Jungkook,” you call out to him but he ignores you as he tries to detangle himself. When one foot hits the ground. You grab his waist and try again. “Jungkook, you don’t have to be sorry.” But instead of stopping he merely pulls you off and along with him, sending you both to the muddy ground, but this time with you on top of him.
“Are you okay?” He asks the loud pouring of the rain forcing him to raise the volume of his voice.
You chuckle at his concern considering he’s the one flat on his back. “I think I should be asking you that question instead.” You pause as he mirrors your grin. “Why did you stop? Did I do something wrong?”
“No.” He looks up at you, his brow furrowing. “You did nothing wrong. It was me. I was the one acting on my instincts. I shouldn’t have done that when I know how much you hate me.”
“I don’t hate you...” You explain, trying your best not to be drowned out by the water cascading down. “The things you did might have annoyed me, but I get it now. I’m just sorry it took me so long to notice.”
“Notice what?”
“How fucked up your situation is. For not realizing how alone you must have been. How caged you must have felt. I’ve been so focused on my own little world that I didn’t realize what was happening or why you were acting the way you were. I like you, a lot, but I was too wrapped up in my frustration to say how I felt...”
“It’s not your fault.”
You shake your head. “I am not innocent in this. I should have been paying more attention.”
“Then pay attention to me now.” He begs with his round eyes shining up at you.  
“But in what way? As a neighbour, as a friend, or maybe something more?" Your voice cracks in desperation, trying to find his needs while also hoping they are the same as yours. “Is that why you were always teasing me the way you did? You wanted something more?”
“You really want to know?” Jungkook’s tone is low as it grips on to his every word. “I did it because it was the only thing that could distract me from my incessant need for you. Seeing your reactions and having your attention kept me in check. I’m very different from you and I’m aware it could cause a problem. I wasn’t sure if you could ever fully want me because of that.” He reaches to rub around the base of his ears. “But every day that I looked over I wanted to hold you, to claim you, to take you right here on this very spot. So often I dreamed of jumping the fence and coming for you instead of...”
You smile down at him, noting his near admission. “Instead of?”
“Instead of watching from a distance.” He smirks, catching and narrowly fixing his statement. Pleading guilty only to his longing for you.
“Then do it.” You demand of him.
He groans from his position beneath you. “Don’t tease me like that.”
“I’m not. You weren’t the only one peeking through the fence Jungkook.” Reaching up to your collar you tug off your shirt. He follows your lead with his own to reveal his sculpted chest he’s taunted you with so many times. “I don’t care if we’re different from each other. I don’t care if it causes a problem.” You shift back on his body traveling from your seat near his stomach down to his hips, his clothed dick firm and pressing against you. A moan escapes his lips, confirming that you’ve made your point. “There’s no one else nearby, so if you want me so much that you’re willing to fuck me out here, in the rain and mud-”  
His hands come to grip your waist, and in one swift motion, he lifts you off, maneuvering out from underneath, to fall into place behind you. From there he pushes you down to your hands and knees, his body bent over yours. “You have no idea how much I want to.” He whispers with a kiss to your bare shoulder damp from the rain that continues to pour.
He takes off your bra before his face moves down your back, nose trailing against your skin and pausing at your shorts. Unfastening the button he pulls them down, freeing you of your underwear too before they are both cast aside. “I want to smell you, and taste you.” Jungkook takes in a deep breath, wrapping an arm around your legs, and barring your thighs. He buries his face between your legs, his tongue reaching out to deliver a long lick to your folds pausing after every lap.
Your palms dig into the ground, the cool mud coming to the surface to meet them. You buck against his tongue but the forearm holding you remains firm, sending your squirming downward to bury your elbows in the soggy grass too.
Jungkook chuckles as you inadvertently give him a better angle. From behind you can hear the zipper of his own shorts. Rubbing the head of his cock against your damp folds, he covers it with the slick of your slit, and with a long groan he eases it inside. He’s slow at first, letting you savor the girth and warmth of him. So you start to edge back and forward on his cock. Taking the time to enjoy every inch, along with the sounds that leave him. But when he returns to take control, the first thrust is so powerful, his thighs hit your ass with a loud clap, and every jolt of his hips after, drives you further down each time.
A stuttering groan escapes him as he fills you. Thinking he’s finished you lean forwards and until his cock pulls out, but in response he grabs your waist. Turning you over, back to the ground on top of the discarded clothes and facing him.
He lowers himself pressing his chest against yours. His fingers reach to grab your chin and take a kiss. His cock, despite having come only moments before, is hard once more and poised to enter once again.
“How are you-” You manage to squeeze a few words in the gaps between his kisses as he draws breath. “Ready for more-” Another pass of his tongue. “Already?”
“You have my hybrid traits to thank for that.” He moves to nibble on the side of your throat. “I have more to give you, if you want it.”
You nod unable to emit any noise other than a gasp as his mouth finds a sensitive spot on your neck. His dick forges in again, your slick and his cum dripping out of you as he fills you with himself instead.
You’ve avoided touching him with your own hands as they are patched with mud, but as his thrusts grow more powerful than even before, you’re forced to grab on his arms and chest. Leaving behind streaks of dirt which display the path of your grip. Jungkook doesn’t seem to mind though, in fact looks rather encouraged by your touch, and the marks you leave him.
“What a dirty woman you are, and getting me all messy too.” He scoffs while admiring your handiwork. “Can I return the favour?”
“Help me come first and you can do whatever the fuck you want.” You gasp on the brink of your climax.  
His ears perk up and a grin streaks across his face. “Close are you?” He grabs your calf and wraps your leg around his back, the other follows suit and his hand comes to rest on your lower back pushing you up and into him effectively grinding your mount against him.
You gasp and flinch with the sudden pressure, but he holds you firm as your back arches to meet him.
His hips beat on at a rapid pace, a small whimper escapes him as you reach the peak, tipping you over the edge. The chilling rain can in no way can douse the searing heat that spreads through you. You're still gasping when his jaw clamps down hard, his teeth poised upon your skin. The first pulse of his cock comes inside, but on the second he pulls out to splatter your chest and stomach with the rest. His hand comes to clutch his shaft, spilling more out and on to you with each stroke.
After every remaining drop has been cast on you he smiles, dragging his fingers across the rain drenched mess of mud and cum on your skin. “Never thought I’d ever see you so thoroughly soiled.”
You giggle at his remarks through your deep breaths. “And now that you do, what do you think?”
“I think it suits you, the dirt, the rain, and me...” He lowers himself down onto you, with his head now resting upon your shoulder. “It’s too bad though. Now I just want more, but we’re both far too filthy to carry on like this.”  
You turn to whisper at the base of his ear. “Who says we can’t continue in the shower...”
...
You wake early the next morning with the sun spilling into the room, lighting up your bed, and the hybrid sleeping next to you. His ears and nose twitching as he continues to rest. Slipping out from the covers, and into a set of clean gardening clothes, you exit the room with as little sound as possible.
On the tile floor of your hall, muddy footprints trail from your backdoor to your bathroom.  A smile pulls at your lips as you recall the events which brought them there. Jungkook had been so excited to keep going he picked you up and rushed you inside.
The feeling from the warm water and hands in contrast to the cool rain was enough to bring back the waves of pleasure. He was so thorough in washing you down, you might have to ask him to join you for another this morning and repay the favour.  
Outside in the garden you find all your harvest from the day before present and untouched. You’re pleased by this new development, but it’s not the fact that your crops are intact which makes you happy, it’s the comfort in knowing that Jungkook didn’t feel the need to take them.
A few minutes later the hybrid in question comes up behind you wrapping his arms around your waist pulling with him a blanket he took from the bed to cover the both of you. “Morning.” He mumbles, as his nose finds the crook of your neck where he exhales with a deep and relaxed sigh.
“Morning.” You respond, enjoying the tickle of his breath before you turn around to better see him. “It seems the thief didn’t strike last night. ”
“I guess they found a new garden to plunder and devour?” Jungkook suggests, giving you a sly grin, before he opens his mouth again. It’s easy to see that he’s getting ready to confess, his face shifts to a stern expression as he looks down at the ground, the guilt weighing heavily upon his brow. Placing your index to his lips you stop him. No longer needing to hear those words of admission, you offer a new proposal instead.
“Maybe, but that was just one night. The thief might still come back. So if it’s alright with you I would like you to stay here. Until we can be sure they won’t return.”
Jungkook lets out a satisfied chuckle, pushing aside your finger and pulling you tighter into his warm embrace. “You’re right, I suppose it would be safer if I stayed.” His lips plant a kiss on the top of your head where he then rests his chin. “A temptation as enticing as this, shouldn’t be left alone and unattended.”
...
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➶ WHAT MAKES THE MHA BOYS BREAK (PT. 2)
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pairings: mirio togata, tenya iida, katsuki bakugo, aizawa shota, tomura shigaraki, dabi, hawks, mashirao ojiro, tamaki amajiki
warnings: hinting anxiety/anxiety attacks, reverse comfort, also tamaki’s made me cry so have fun lmao 
part one with mezo shoji, tokoyami fumikage, hanta sero, izuku midoriya, shoto todoroki, eijiro kirishima, denki kaminari, hitoshi shinsou here!
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WHEN YOU COMFORT THEM THE MOMENT THEY BREAK DOWN: MIRIO TOGATA, TENYA IIDA, KATSUKI BAKUGO
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MIRIO TOGATA
there was no way that mirio was completely fine after everything that had happened to him
he had lost his quirk, experienced a battle that could result in permanent trauma, and he lost nighteye-- the leader and hero that he had looked up to for so long
but when you told him that it was okay to be strong all the time, mirio had broken
he broke for the first time in what felt like years
“don’t worry a-ahbout me!” 
the saddest part about it?
he was smiling through his tears not even a few moments after his grin broke
his lips were trembling, his eyes were red and his entire body was shaking with suppressed sobs, but he had an unwavering smile.
and that... that was heartwrenching to look at.
his smile fell, his body trembled and he let out a strangled sobbut for some reason, this-- none of it had shown a single trace of weakness. it was a way of him to express very human emotions and reactions as everyone else could.
he wasn’t disappointing nighteye in anyway-- more of showing respect by letting it all out to be able to show genuine smiles in public
how come such human emotions were labeled as good or bad?
“i let him down,” mirio gasped, “i let him down, i hurt him, i could have saved him, and-”
“hey, it’s okay, you’re going to be okay. it’s just me baby, it’s just me,” you cooed as you wrapped your arms around him. “shhh, it’s just me. you’re okay.”
mirio’s hands trembled as he gripped tight onto you
his chest was getting tighter as he burst into struggled breaths. he was just so... tired.
a million thoughts zipped through his head at once, but he just had to calm the storm for a while in your arms
TENYA IIDA 
it was right after the accident in hosu city, and everything, everything had gone wrong
even though he didn’t show it at first, he felt used as an advertisement for hatsume, and then losing in a battle with todoroki and felt like he was thriving on dumb luck
he just wanted to make his brother proud, that was-
-if he could, anymore. 
he felt so weak for letting himself feel this way, his head racing and chest heaving as he struggled to breathe
letting your guard down will just make things worse. tensei wouldn’t want this.
tenya’s body visibly trembled as he let out a shaky breath in his dorm room, thinking everything over in the darkness
“iida?” you asked, knocking on the door.
immediately, his demeanor changed as he shifted over to a braver face. 
“hello, y/n!”
just breathe. they’ll be gone sooner or later. breathe.
“why are you up this late at night?” he asked.
“i was just checking in on you, but i should be asking you the same question, sonic boy,” you grinned, until you noticed his hands trembling.
and for some reason, that hurt you. his face was.. so put together with a brave smile, confident eyes, and his head held up high and posture straight and firm
but when you saw his hands trembling and an odd shifting in his chest, you knew something was up
“are you okay?” you tested the words. 
tenya tried. he tried so, so hard to smile and affirm with a confident, “yes!”
but he couldn’t.
“i-i’m not- i’m not sure-,” his voice broke into a whisper. 
“i don’t know.”
you melted into a hug next to him as you took a seat. “hey, you can tell me anything, okay? it’s okay not to have your guard up all the time, it’s not weak to show emotion. just- if you want, can you tell me what’s been going on?”
tenya took a shaky breath and pushed up his glasses. “of course, thank you for asking, i will.”
KATSUKI BAKUGO
after his fight with deku, all of the willpower left in him to hold himself together disappeared 
katsuki had been exhausted after a long day of fighting, not just physically, but emotionally
he had tried to keep his head high for as long as he could, but the moment he went to his dorm room, he just... broke.
angry tears released and he choked out heavy, strangled sobs as he pounded his fist to the ground in frustration
katsuki cursed towards whoever was there, until he found you standing behind him
he was too tired to argue.
“the fuck are you doing here,” he grumbled.
“is something wrong, 'suki?” you whispered. “i was just coming by to drop off your water bottle, you left it during hero training,” you examined his face. “are you- are you okay?”
he loved you, he really did-- but today just wasn’t a good day. “mn-no,” he managed to say.
his chest was heaving and his eyes seemed to be searching the room, as if looking for an exit.
you noticed the dark circles around his eyes and the way his lips trembled. had he been crying?
you slowly cupped his face in your hands, noses touching as you two shared breaths, inhaling and exhaling together
katsuki was too tired to pull away. 
he felt so weak.
you could hear katsuki’s breath shaking but slowly dying in volume as he held him tighter
“hey,” you said softly, brushing your thumb across his cheek. “you’re gonna be okay ‘suki. you’re gonna be okay.”
they’re pitying me.
“this?” you said, holding his bruised hand up and motioning towards his trembling figure. “this isn’t weak.” you said, as if reading his mind. “this is strong. this is brave. being emotionally vulnerable is one of the most courageous things anyone can ever do, and you are so much more than that, m’kay?”
he nodded in response. even though he didn’t express it that well, he thought of it 
WHEN YOU PROMISE TO STAY: TOMURA SHIGARAKI, HAWKS, DABI
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DABI
everyone shut up i love him
all that he’s ever wanted and asked for in life was for someone to notice him for who he genuinely was, to be free to do whatever he pleased
it was late at night and you two were outside, the moon illuminating in the darkness as you slid against the wall of the city in the back of the building
“anything interesting happen?” you asked, staring up into the moon
the night was young and it had been a rough, terrible day at work for both of you, even though you had separate jobs and shfits-- the only thing that pushed you forward everyday was being able to meet with dabi right after, at exatly 11pm. 
sure, you did it every day, and it shouldn’t have been that impactful-- but for some reason, somehow, everything about talking to him was so... exhilerating. 
he didn’t reply.
“uhhm,” you shuffled nervously toward him. “dabi, you good?”
he let out a shaky exhale, which was odd.
hold the phone.
no, really, someone hold the phone because it was ringing
“oh, sorry, one sec,” you rushed, hurrying to answer. it was one of your co-workers. “hello!”
“uhuh. yeah. oh, cool... got it, mhm, be right ther-”
you noticed how dabi’s body language immediately changed as he turned around and crossed his arms gently over his chest and stared into the sky.
this really, really wasn’t like him. 
something had to be wrong.
“uhm, on second thought,” you said. “does tomorrow at... noon work for you? i have plans. yeah. mhm, sorry not tonight. yep, bye!”
dabi’s eyebrows furrowed, but he didn’t look at you. “who was that?”
“one of my coworker buddies or whatever. they wanted to have a drink with me, but i said no.”
“why’d you say no?” he deadpanned.
“uhhhm, well, you certainly don’t seem very... how should i say this, at your fullest?”
“but why?” dabi said. “you meet with me every day, and going with your friends is probably a lot easier than this. what’s so different about it..?”
you thought carefully as you shrugged casually, gently leaning your head against his shoulder. “if one of my closest pals were down, i couldn’t just... leave them like that. and even though i know you won’t tell me what’s wrong, i just.. i just don’t want you to feel alone, you know? like everyone in your life has left? and i- i don’t want to do that to you.”
even though dabi stayed relatively quiet for the rest of the night, 
just know that was the day he fell in love with you.
SHIGARAKI
nightmares were the worst. 
for the record, he didn’t get them often, but when he did, and actually reacted to it... they ended up terrible
he gasped, grasping at the air for his mother’s embrace only to be met with nothingness
he clawed at his skin as his breath hitched, trying to control himself
“tomura?” you asked. “...are- are you okay?”
“get away from me,” he trembled. “i’m a... i’m a monster.”
you furrowed your eyebrows in concern. “hey, hey, c’mon. what’s going on-”
“leave me alone.”
his sudden change in tone made you jump as you stepped back and you watched his figure tremble. 
“shigaraki.”
“if something’s wrong, don’t sugarcoat it. if something’s wrong, please, for the love of the world, tell me, okay? i just- i just want to see you... maybe..”
“what?” shigaraki deadpanned. “happy? satisfied? content? joyful? you people all want the same thing.”
“hopeful.”
shigaraki looked up. 
“i want to see you hopeful, m’kay? so just... please. you don’t need to tell me word-for-word, but-- if you need something, i’m here.”
he was not going to cry. nuhuh. no way. no way was he going to start crying. 
you wrapped your arms around him before he cautiously hugged back, letting himself slowly melt into your embrace, his satin gloves against your clothes
“hey. i promise you, i’m never going to be leaving. no matter how much you mess up, no matter how terrible you may feel-- you mean the world to me. please hold on just a little longer.”
HAWKS
it wasn’t supposed to happen until later, when he was actually able to get home and prepare himself for anxious feeling in his stomach to finally settle
but noooo, his mental state really just said yolo
so here he was, reliving his entire childhood with memories that he’d pushed down for so long, about to snap in a matter of seconds
“keigo~!”
your familiar voice rang through his head. 
he just wanted to be held by you.
the most beautiful part about being with hawks his that he genuinely didn’t care about his pride around you. he wasn’t insecure of what you thought of him. he didn’t freak out or try to act like he was fine when you were with him, because... why would he need to? 
so instead of putting on a brave face and getting scared of your voice as if being anxious was a crime, he melted into it.
“hey angel, i got you some food at the-”
“y/...y/n,” his breath hitched. your voice, that you often said you were insecure about-- was his safe haven. he felt safe when he heard your voice and let himself crumple. he didn’t have to worry about putting his walls up, because it was just you.
beautiful, loving, kind you. 
his love was something special that he gave to no one else.
“k-keigo!” 
even though you were far from him, your bags in hand and everything, you immediately dropped them and ran to your boyfriend
“hey, hey, baby, what’s going on?” 
he stood directly in front of you, his head down and not saying a word.
you let your breathing sync with his as you reached out to hold his hand, when he threw his arms around you before his trembling body was held in your embrace
“-hey,” you said, shocked by the sudden embrace, before you hugged back, slowly, rocking him back and forth. “you’re going to be okay.”
“you don’t have to tell me anything, just-- focus on me,”
“i’m never leaving you, okay? no matter what you do, you’re still going to be my hero.”
and hawks decided on that day that out of anything else in the world, you meant the most to him. 
WHEN YOU TELL THEM THAT THEY MATTER: TAMAKI AMAJIKI, MASHIRAO OJIRO, SHOTA AIZAWA
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TAMAKI AMAJIKI
useless. useless. useless.
why wouldn’t his stupid quirk activate before? why couldn’t he be more optimistic? why was he always thinking about something else? why couldn’t he ever stay positive and cheery like everyone else?
how was everyone else so strong?
but laying in a hospital bed, in complete silence and vulnerability...
that scared him.
tamaki blinked back the sudden tears that prickled against his eyes-- nuhuh, no way was he about to cry when so many other people had it worse, no way he was going to break down when nighteye was dead, he was not about to cry if mirio could be strong and so many other people had it worse, and-
“tamaki, snap out if it!”
your cold hands cupped his face, as you stared him directly in the eyes. “what are you doing?”
tamaki jumped back at your sudden question. but for some reason, the way you said it wasn’t angrily, more like... a statement? a question? as if you were asking are you okay?
tamaki shook his head. “i don’t... i don’t kn-know..”
get away, get away, get away.
your hands brushed back a hair from his face as you crouched down in front of him, your hands still helping him cool down. they rested gently on his scalp and along his face as you felt his breathing grow uneasy.
“listen,” you began slowly. “i’m not saying you need to tell me what’s going on, but... i just- i have a feeling that you’re not doing okay. and i know that because no one was ever really there for me back then, so if you want to say anything--”
“--i’m here for you.”
tamaki crumpled then as he let the tears fall.
his entire mask shattered as his breath hitched, trying to hold back the sobs but only came out as strangled breaths. 
“hey, hey, hey, you’re okay, you’re okay.” 
you held up his chin and rocked him back and forth, slowly. “just because other people seem to be going through bigger things doesn’t mean that you should invalidate your problems. if something’s hurting you, that’s enough of a problem to take care of it.”
tamaki began to shake as he suddenly clutched onto you, his body trembling as he nodded. 
what would mirio, nejire, nighteye, fatgum-- what would they think of him now?
“whatever is going around in your head right now will all quiet soon, i promise you, ‘mkay?”
“it’s okay. it’s okay. you’re okay.” 
AIZAWA SHOTA
“you didn’t eat,” you said, staring at the takeout that was left in its packaging. 
you heard shota mumble under his sleeping bag. “i’ll eat after.”
“after what?” you said back from the kitchen. 
you weren’t exactly mad at him, you could say-- it was more of disappointment, maybe? concern? he had always been so concerned about his students that he forgot to take care of himself-- no wonder why he was so angry lately. 
(and no, it wasn’t his resting face, he was genuinely burnt-out the last couple of days and it wasn’t getting better.)
“shota, come on,” you said softly. “or else i’m taking your sleeping bag away from you.”
aizawa’s head emerged from the bag, the light from the laptop giving a lovely display of his eyebags. “oh?”
he smirked, even though he seemed so drained.
“yes,” you said, pointing your nose up in the air and crossing your arms. “and you better go eat before i take it away.”
aizawa raised an eyebrow, but obliged.
you watched him eat, but he kept his laptop on the table the whole time.
he was looking through the profiles of all his students, and that was-- insane
despite how much had happened to him, he always thought of someone else first, putting everyone else above him.
“you’re going to overwork yourself,” you finally said. 
“amazing,” aizawa sighed back. “had no clue.”
“oh, c’mon,” you egged. “you matter too, ya know.”
you noticed how tense his shoulders were, how his gaze was fixated to the screen and the way his veins were protruding from lack of sleep, and how red his eyes were.
sure, most of the time, this was normal-- but you just had this gut feeling that something was wrong.
“i suppose you’re not wrong,” aizawa ventured. “but sometimes, you realize that students make up most of the world. i want them to grow..”
his gaze on the screen broke.
“and for them to know a world of love and kindess, not-- whatever this is.”
you looked at him before wrapping your arms around him and kissing his forehead. “but they have a teacher who works so hard already, and you-- you deserve a break. you’re always working so hard, and you have to remember that you matter, too, okay?”
you smiled sadly. “i need to go to work, but please finish the takeout for me, hmm?”
he never told you this, of course-- but yeah, he thought of your voice every time he wanted to take a break. he never forgot the words you said. 
MASHIRAO OJIRO
being forgotten was something that came way too easily for him.
everyone in class 1a was so good at everything-- they all either had good looks, a nice voice, talents, a cool quirk, technique, charisma, and he?
ojiro felt like he didn’t have anything.
but what did it matter, right? being the forgotten one was fine to him, at least. he was able to take time for himself. 
...kind of.
he was heading back from ua into the dorms, walking alone when he realized it started to rain.
picking up his bags, he ran, putting them under his shoulders so that they didn’t get wet-- it wasn’t a long walk, but it was a lot to have to run back and make sure everything stayed dry
“wait!”
ojiro turned around to find you, carrying your backpack in the air and waving your arms. “slow-” you panted, “down! god, where’d all the rain come from??”
he chuckled slightly, until he noticed your bag getting soaked, and before he knew it, ojiro called you over and said he could carry your bag
“are you sure?” you asked, in-between breaths. “i doubt you can carry both-”
ojiro laughed and waved his tail like a hand. “i can carry it.”
your face lit up. “thanks! okay, now let’s run back, c’mon.”
you two ran as fast as you could, trying not to slip as the rain began to pour even harder against your backs. 
but when you opened the doors to the dorms and your bag was completely dry, ojiro smiled.
(also y’all he’s an underrated king DO Y’ALL KNOW HOW PRECIOUS HIS SMILE IS?? PLS-)
“thanks,” you grinned. “your quirk is actually really cool. not just for keeping stuff dry, but uh, thanks. i appreciate it.”
something inside of him made his heart swell. 
“really?” ojiro asked. “do you really- is that true?”
he didn’t want to get his hopes up too quickly, but the way you nodded proudly and affirmed it was something he could never forget.
“yeah!” you said. “just because you’re not flashy as other people doesn’t mean that you’re a plain, boring person, you know that? you’re actually really cool!”
“huh. thanks,” he noted-- and don’t worry, he walked back into his dorm room with a grin on his face the whole time.
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hey bbys! reminder to go take a break and drink some water if you’re reading this! y’all are so amazing and beautiful, and please remember that you’re valid as well. what you did today was more than enough, please remember that!! i’m very proud of you for getting through today. ily <3
qotd, what song reminds you of a fictional character 👀
join my family! 
list of family members: @kirishimuhhhhh​, @xuxisushi-1​, @kirishima-my-beloved​, @msminsuga​, @farfetchedparanoia​, @satis-mangata​, @moonhere​, @renegadedeca​, @viridevi​​, @cherriiirose​​ <3
☂ requests are open for mha + hq!! ☂
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unoriginalmess · 3 years
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A Second Mask: Chapter 4
Did that just happen?
Hello guys! It's me. I'm finally writing again. Sorry about the delay. I'm going to explain more at the end of the chapter, but I'm just going to keep the beginning short. So here is chapter 4:
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To say Adrien was concerned would be a huge understatement. He was downright disturbed. Its been weeks and still Marinette hadn't changed back to the happy, peppy, nice girl that he knew. AND SHE WOULDN'T EVEN TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT!
He tried to talk to her for a whole week after her original trasformation, but after the repeated firm rejections, he stopped altogether. He figured that maybe with some space, she might be able to work through whatever she was going through, but at this point, he's losing hope.
When he is feeling this distressed about something, he usually turns to his lady, but she has been acting weird too. Ever since she suggested they start sparring, she's started to show that she is going through kinda a rough time as well. She is the same ladybug when everyone is watching, but when it's just the two of them, she looks sad and tired. She has also started saying some concerning things while they are sparring. She has started talking about how she has started taking being Ladybug and the Guardian more seriously, and how she has less distractions now, which would be a good thing if she didn't say them so sadly.
The good thing is, the sparring has given him a chance to get out his aggression because of the whole Marinette-situation and his anger at his father in a safe environment. He didn't like the idea of hitting Ladybug at first (especially in the face) but with her not holding back on her hits, he felt more comfortable doing the same. It has helped them fight better too. He hopes that whatever Ladybug is going through in her civillian life will work itself out soon, but until then he will be there for her. He just needs to figure out how to be there for Marinette.
•••
Felix was making good progress with Marinette. After they first asked marinette about (insert fashion question of your choice here, I legit know nothing and I didn't have time to research anything for this chapter), she had started answering their questions on a daily basis. After a couple of days of that, she had started to rant to them about different things in the fashion world that were bothering her, exciting her, or confusing her that particular day. In response to that, they had started to respond to her rants with their own opinions on the subjects and even start their own rants.
It had gotten to the point where Felix would now consider them to be friends, though they know that Marinette would never call them as such, it was fine with them. They know she has trust issues, and they can understand why, so they are fine with being friends in everything but a name.
Felix was looking forward to their daily banter as they waited in their seat for Marinette to arrive. When she did, she was followed by a very pissed-looking Alya. Felix turned to look at her and noticed that she had what looked to be tears forming in her eyes. What they didn't notice was the little black butterfly that had entered through the window in the back of the room, and was making a beeline towards her.
•••
Marinette walked to school in yet another one of her newest fashion creations: a pair of oversized grey ripped jeans and a navy blue sweatshirt. She was actually really liking her new look, and the comfort that it offered was just an added plus.
She was actually feeling excited to talk to Felix about Gabriel Agreste's newest fashion flop. They were the only person that she had met that actually cared about fashion as much as her. It made her happy to talk to them. It kind of scared her how excited she was. Shouldn't she be distancing herself from everyone? she thought to herself. No. Felix isn't my friend, they aren't close to me, they are just someone I talk fashion with. Like a coworker, yeah. Totally. Felix is just a coworker. ("Liar" says the inner voice in her head)
She was shocked out of her thoughts when she was pulled to the side by someone as she entered the courtyard. Her mind immediately thought of an akuma, when the person spoke.
"Marinette! Girl," Oh it's just Alya. Wait Alya? "How long are you gonna keep up this cry for attention? Are you really THAT jealous of Lila? I know that Adrien likes her, but that doesn't give you the right to act like this! And you are hanging out with Felix, who accused her of sexually harrassing Adrien on their first day here-?" She looked absolutely furious at her, but Marinette had heard enough. She cut Alya off in the middle of her presumably long rant.
"ALYA!" Said girl jumped at both the inturruption and the tone of voice used, "First of all, this isn't a cry for attention, if anything its a cry for leaving me the fuck alone. Second of all, I'm not jealous of Lila. I'm not in love with Adrien anymore, and haven't been for a while. You knew that I was dating Luka right? Why would I care who Adrien likes? Lastly, I am allowed to hang out with whoever I choose, whether you like them or not. It's none of your fucking business Alya, and if you think that I'm just some jealous, attention-seeker why do you even care?" With that last question she stormed off to the classroom, leaving a speechless Alya behind her.
When marinette sat down in her seat, she just kept thinking about how Alya was just talking to her. How could she think that about her? They used to be best friends, and Alya wasn't even concerned about her not talking to her anymore, she was just concerned about her being "jealous of Lila". It made her so furious that she could feel tears trickling down her face. She sees the black butterfly out of the corner of her eye and without hesitation grabs it out of the air.
(Next part is taken from this post by @bigfatbreak)
"Go ahead and akumatize me- See what happens, Hawkmoth!" She screamed the words with a slight madness that the energy of the akuma was giving her, "Every leash has two ends! I just have to pull until I find where you're holding it!"
At this point, the entire class was frozen in place watching her and listening to her crazed-sounding voice threaten an actual terrorist. Marinette felt Hawkmoth's confusion and terror through the bond. What in the- She's sensing me through the Akuma?! The akuma then started to fly away, and when it couldn't it zapped her hand like it was made of lightning and fluttered through the same window it came from. Marinette felt like she had failed yet again and collapsed down on her desk, muttering, "Uuuuggghh. It escaped anyway... What a waste. I didn't realize that Hawkmoth was such a coward. He usually likes grandstand..."
She was startled when her hand was picked up by Felix's, "You likely scared him off by managing to locate him like that... A risky move, I should mention. I would ask that you not attempt that a second time. No one knows what his akuma is truly capable of. You'll want to keep off of this hand for a while, too."
"Oh, are those the doctor's orders? Why, Felix, it almost sounds like you care about meeee." Marinette was all too amused by Felix's concern for her. She also liked to tease them... AS COWORKERS DO.
"I have an investment in your presence. Now don't be cheeky and let's get you to the nurse's office," They said while holding her wrist and gently pulling her in that direction.
Marinette scoffed, "'An investment in my presence'??"
Felix chuckled while still semi-dragging her by the wrist towards the front of the room, being careful not to hurt her injury even worse, "What did I just say about being cheeky?"
On their way out of the door they passed a VERY distressed-looking Adrien. He seemed to be sharing the sentiment with the entire class of: Did that just happen?
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And thats chapter 4. It is VERY LATE! I know. I've been swamped with work, and when I went to write it, I had zero ideas on how to write this chapter. I never ended up getting those ideas. I just went where my writing took me, so if it doesn't really match the characters that's why. I will try to be better at updating regularly, but it probably won't happen. Sorry to everyone with a normal sleep schedule, but this is the time that I write things. Also I didn't have my outline with me while writing this chapter, so it might not have everything I planned to write in it.
I would like to thank you all for all of the support I've been getting on this fic. Despite all of the chapter delays, you guys have stuck with me through all of it, so thank each and every one of you. I love seeing so many people loving this au as much as I do. Without you guys this story wouldn't exist, and I would've stopped writing it after the first chapter.
As always, constructive criticism is always accepted. I love being able to improve my writing whenever possible.
Thank you for reading. Have a nice day/night/whenever you are reading this. See ya next time guys, gals, and non-binary pals.
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jane-writes-stuff · 3 years
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“Of course I am there for you. I love you.” - Lee Minhyuk Imagine
A/N: Hey, long time no see. I have some mental health issues because of work so this story is relatable
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Pairing: Lee Minhyuk (BTOB) x fem!reader - establishedrelationship!au
Summary: What will Minhyuk do when you come home from work frustrated?
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You unlocked your front door after a long hard workday. You dropped your purse on the ground and took off your shoes. You quickly shuffled towards your bedroom to take off your work clothes and get into a comfortable attire. You let out a big sigh after taking off your tight pants and eventually also your bra. You sat in front of your vanity, taking off your makeup when you let out a big sigh. This caught the attention of someone in the living room, who watched you when you got inside but quickly got distracted because of the TV. Your boyfriend of three years got up from the couch and went inside the bedroom. He quickly dropped down on your shared bed when he asked you what was wrong. “Everything!”, was your quick answer. You groaned when you looked in the mirror, you had huge panda eyes because of your mascara and eye shadow, you heard muffled giggles beside you. You looked at him with a death stare and it quickly shut him up. He smiled at you, “Tell me everything baby.”, he said gently. You quickly finished removing your makeup and put on a face mask, you put one on Minhyuk’s face too. He knew it made you happy if you did his skincare too so he allowed it. 
He took your hand and led the way to the living room and sat you down on the couch. He put your favourite blanket around you and quietly walked towards the kitchen. This was your cue to start your story about what happened at work. “So you know Soohyun right?”, you said but you didn’t wait for a reply because of course he would know it, you knew he was nodding his head behind you. You always talked about Soohyun. A very toxic and manipulative coworker of yours. “She was doing it again you know.”, you continued as he gave you a hot cocoa, knowing it would calm you down. You fervently continued your story about what Soohyun was doing your entire work shift as he quietly nodded at every question or statement. Sometimes he would give his input or say yes or no. 
He wouldn’t admit it to you but he loved listening to you talk, it would give him a bit of normality after his long days of dance practices or working in the recording studio. He loved doing domestic things or regular stuff with you, just like what you’re doing right now. He sort of tuned out after a while and just admired your beauty. He sometimes couldn’t believe how beautiful you are and he didn’t understand how the two of you are still together. Even after all the ups and downs, all the rumours started because of misunderstandings or by anti’s. You supported him through all of it, so now he’s supporting you through all of the stuff happening to you at work. He absentmindedly had a small smile on his face as you continued talking, not even looking at him. 
Until you did and you couldn’t help but look at him confused. “What’s wrong, babe.”, you asked timidly, getting shy under his stare. “Nothing, I just love you very much.”, he said with a big smile. Which in turn made you crimson red, even after all these years. “Oh my god! I love you too.”, you said with a big smile. You put down your mug on the side table beside you and immediately jumped into his arms. He quickly scooped you up and put you on his lap. He squeezed you in between his arms and quickly pecked your lips. You couldn’t help but let out a few tears, he quickly panicked because he didn’t expect you to tear up. He wiped away your tears and put both of his hands around your face. “I’m okay, I’m just very happy to be here with you listening to me.”, you said quietly.
“Of course I am there for you. I love you.”, he said seriously.
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Stop your crying baby, it’ll be alright. II
a/n: grab some tissues, here we go. i am not a paramedic, things might be wrong but lets remember this is fiction. we still have one or two more parts to go. <3
here is part one
word count: 1.6k
warnings: death (not of main characters), angst
--
Just like always, Harry and (Y/N) didn’t speak after the party. They didn’t speak after the kiss. Truth be told, Harry felt a little shock go through him, the kiss lingering on his lips for a few moments right after. But Harry shrugged it off. The party went on and Harry didn’t see her anymore throughout the rest of the night.
For the first time in a while, Harry was more tired than usual and dreading to go into his 12-hour shift. He fell asleep a bit too late than he should’ve and waking up at 5 in the morning was a mission.
The first few hours we’re uneventful, thankfully. They only got a couple of calls, nothing major, things the paramedics could deal from the people’s homes.
Harry had just arrived from a ride along, heading straight to one of the beds in the little rooms they had for a quick power nap. The man slipped his boots off, throwing himself onto the small, uncomfortable mattress with a huff, quickly closing his eyes
But unfortunately, it was short lived. Harry was woken up by ring of his phone, groaning as he felt around for his phone.
“Hello?” His eyes were still half closed, voice groggy and laced with sleep, not even checking who was calling him but soon enough by the sound of the frantic voice, he knew exactly who was calling.
“Harry! I need your help, please! Mum- she’s uh, I don’t know, she started complaining of her arm, and her stomach…” A sob breaks through the phone. “Harry, she’s on the floor. She fainted; she isn’t moving. She’s – she’s not responding.”
It was certain that now Harry was wide awake. His heart was racing, and his head was pounding. Despite the fact that he has an emotional attachment to Gina, he had to maintain composure for (Y/N). She was in the worst position right now and she called Harry for help.
“Hey, (Y/N). Breathe for me, okay? Just try and breathe and I promise I’ll be there as soon as I can. Can you please try and find a pulse? Touch her neck, wrist, her chest. Let’s make sure she’s conscious.”
Harry could hear her harsh breathing and frantic sobs over the phone, they were heart breaking. He ran out of the small room, calling the attention of one of his coworkers, Jason, to haul into the ambulance and he caught on it was a personal call – they had to be quick.
“Don’t hang up please. I, I don’t know-“
“(Y/N), find a pulse. I need to know her state right now.”
(Y/N)’s breathing slowed down only a bit, hushed ‘okay’s being heard through the phone now in speaker as he drove the ambo in the direction of Gina’s home.
“I think I feel something? It’s just very slow, Harry. It-it’s slow and it soft.”
“Fuck.” Harry muttered under his breath. “Alright, listen to me carefully and follow my lead. I know you’re nervous and shaky but please, for the sake of your mum’s life, try to be calm, okay?”
“Yes, okay. I – I can do that. What do I do?”
“You’re going to do CPR. Remember how I taught you? 30 compressions, then 2 breaths. Remember the beat too, sing it if you have to.”
It was like the universe was working against Harry. Despite having the sirens on and not braking once, the roads were filled with traffic and idiots who would take forever to move out of the way. Harry was in a trance of his own, trying to keep his own composure as he drove around, almost a minute away from Gina and (Y/N).
“H? My arms hurt, please hurry. I can’t anymore.” Her voice was rushed and sounding out of breath.
“I’m almost there. Don’t stop. We’ll be there soon.”
Finally, Harry and Jason arrived, jumping quick out of the ambulance with the AED machine and rushing into the house – thankfully the door was unlocked.
Harry found them on the kitchen floor, (Y/N) tired and face puffy with tears, immediately in relief when her eyes land on Harry. “Thank god! Please help. Please. I can’t lose her, H..” Harry almost drowned out her voice, immediately moving to the ground with Jason and the AED. Jason helped him cut her top and bra off to avoid any burns from the machine, attaching the electrodes to her chest.
The moment the AED turned on, Harry kept his eyes on the screen, waiting for it to detect a beat. Nothing. Harry’s heart began to race, reaching over to click the shock button, making sure him and Jason weren’t touching Gina.
Shock.
No beat. Asystole.
“Fuckin’ hell!”
Harry huffed, placing his hands in between her breasts, starting compressions as his eyes began to water and blur his vision. This couldn’t be. She couldn’t die.
“What?! What’s going on, Harry!? Please, save her!”
Harry stopped compressions, looking at Jason suggestively, as the man reached over for the shock button once more.
Shock.
Asystole.
Harry began compressions again, huffing frustrated after each compression, stopping to look at the machine and still detected no beat. And he began once more. He could faintly hear (Y/N) crying and screaming frantically, Jason speaking something but he couldn’t make sense of it.
“Mate! Harry! Stop it. She’s gone, mate.” Jason’s hands wrapped around Harry’s wrists, stopping his movements on Gina.
“Fuck!” Harry stood up, walking out of the kitchen as he ran his hands through his hair, tears falling down his cheeks. Harry wiped the tears away, walking back to do his best to help (Y/N). He knew this wasn’t easy for her. Jason was on the phone dealing with the situation, (Y/N) on the floor beside her mother crying.
“I’m so so sorry, (Y/N). We did everything we could.” Harry’s voice cracked, kneeling down beside (Y/N) with his hand on her back. “Harry… she’s… I…” (Y/N) moved slightly, dropping on top of Harry in a fit of sobs.
“I know, love… I know…”
--
Breaking the news to his mother was the most painful thing he’d ever had to endure. She screamed and cried. She held on to Harry for dear life.
Harry suggested (Y/N) stayed over with his mum for a few weeks and they both agreed. It seemed the best idea so they can both console and help each other through their grief. Harry decided he’d stay too to help them. He’d cook and clean, wash their clothes, make them go out to the garden for fresh air.
It couldn’t be put into words how Harry felt for (Y/N). He felt like he had to watch over her, take care of her, make sure she’s okay and eating enough despite going through the worst grief of her life.
Two weeks in and Harry can tell (Y/N) is in the second stage of grief: anger. Anything Harry does seems to set her off. She’s as if a bubble about to burst.
“Harry, I told you I don’t like ham on my eggs. I just. Just move, I got it.” (Y/N) bitterly complained, almost shoving Harry away from the stove.
Harry sighed, reaching for the pan and wooden utensil. “It’s okay, I’ll do them again. Don’t worry about it. I’ll do it.”
And there it was, he grabbed the needle and burst the bubble of anger.
“Stop fucking babying me! I can do my own fucking things! It’s like you’re breathing down my neck. Just leave me alone, for heaven’s sake!”
Harry stood in shock, looking at (Y/N) as a sigh left past his lips. “Alright. I’m sorry. I’ll leave you alone.” Harry turned around and left the kitchen.
Maybe he was overstepping, but he couldn’t help it. He didn’t know how else to help (Y/N) when she barely spoke to anyone, let alone Harry.
Harry wanted to work, he did. But he knew his mum needed him at the moment more than anything. It was from one extreme to the other – at times he felt needed and others he felt like he was just in the way. It’s never a linear way of healing when it comes to grieving death. It’s a rollercoaster: it has ups and downs.
After (Y/N)’s fit of outrage, Harry made himself busy for hours. He did some yard work his mother couldn’t find the energy to do. He washed dishes, cleaned the living room, and cleaned his own room. He simply made sure to steer away from (Y/N)’s path.
Harry decided he’d take a shower, wash away worry and stress, try and forget the current situation which was inevitable to do anyway. He finished soon enough, throwing in briefs and sweats before throwing himself on the bed.
And he heard a knock on his door, then (Y/N)’s voice, soft and mellow unlike the past few days.
“H? Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
The door opened, (Y/N) coming in with fresh tears down her cheeks, almost shaking as she closed the door behind her and approaching Harry’s bed.
“Can I?” She points at the bed.
Harry nods and scoots over to give her space.
(Y/N) immediately crawled onto the bed, then right beside Harry, her arm draping around his waist. Her cheeks wet Harry’s bare chest, Harry mirroring her and wrapping his arms tightly around her.
“I miss her so much, H. I can’t deal with his.”
“I know you do, my love. I miss her too.” Harry kissed her forehead that was covered in a film of sweat but he couldn’t find it in him to care. All he wanted to do was comfort her and hold her as long as she needed.
“Don’t leave, please. I don’t want to be alone.”
“M’not going anywhere, (Y/N). I’m right here.”
--
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binniesthighs · 3 years
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dear anon, sweet anon, thank you so much for requesting this <3 i didn’t know that i needed it in my life and now...here it is;) IT WAS SO FUN hehe
melt in your mouth | reader x jisung
Pairing: self insert, gender neutral reader x han jisung 
Genre: that good good smut 
Summary: After hearing a rather interesting story about a certain brand of chocolate aphrodisiacs, your curiosity gets the best of you and your friend’s roommate, Jisung.....a spin off of bites like bittersweet
Word count: 3.7k 
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*photocreds to OP!
{see below for tags, nsfw and warnings!} 
Tags: aphrodisiac au, somewhat friends to lovers, hints of mutual pining, bestfriend!seungmin, seungmin’sroommate!jisung, hardswitch!jisung, hardswitch!reader, explicit language, mentions of food/eating, hand stuff (r &m), degredation, petnames, dirty talk, unprotected sex (stay safe cuties), creampie, voyeurism, and we love a plot twist ;)  
~💋~
two flavors seemed excessive. one flavor seemed like just enough. you didn’t want to break the bank or anything on something that was likely crappy quality or potentially psychedelic; even worse, it could be both. 
“and you want to try these with me why?” seungmin pushed his wire-framed glasses up his nose bridge and scrunched it up. he inspected the paper wrapper with a skeptical glare. the design itself was anything but trustworthy: in swirly cursive pink font, the name Cherri Amore and under it, a absurdly large lipstick mark with the outline of a couple doing what must have been fucking “spread eagle.” 
seungmin muttered, leaning over the counter of the dingy kitchen he shared with his roommates, “proven aphrodiasiac and libido booster...? y/n, sorry, i just--i’m fucking lost here--” 
“--ever heard of trying something for the hell of it seung??” you snatched the bar from his hand. “the review that i read online said that it made them crazy fucking horny, so much so that they fucked their best friend of something like five years or something like that. isn’t that insane?!” 
your best friend’s eyes blew out with his mouth aghast, “what the hell?? shit--of course you’d find something insane on the internet like this and drag me into it...”  
in your incredulous laugher, you threw your neck back so hard it hurt a little. “loosen up! it’s probably a scam or something. plus...if it does work on us...don’t act like i haven’t caught you in the act before...” 
seungmin, ever the angel, flushed a shade of fuchsia you thought inhumanly possible for someone to attempt. “that-that wasn’t--that wasn’t what you thought it was!!!” he cast away the chocolate bar as if it were his dick on the very night that you had walked in on something that was supposedly not what it looked like. 
“relax!” you punched your embarrassed friend on the arm which he dramatically rubbed into. “it’s not a sin to jerk off or anything. hell, i do it....obviously.” 
seungmin chuckled out unsteadily, “well, um, what if it does work then, what do we do?” 
you snickered, “ha! hell if i know. cross that bridge when we get there?” 
“so what you’re saying is...this could either be a massive waste of our time, or, both of us get so stupidly turned on that we decide to have sex....with eachother?” 
“that’s the gist i’m getting.” you took to the corner of the shiny pink paper wrapping at the corner. “but...who said that we had to fuck or anything...?” 
from fuchsia to nearly scarlet, seungmin averted his eyes at the speed of light. 
“seung!!! do you have something to tell me?!” your teasing grin spread wide and you lifted your hand to give your adorable friend a clap on the back. 
“i’m just repeating what you said!!” 
you broke the bar open, cracking off the first square on the counter with a solid snap. with a smirk, you offered it to your friend. he reached out, only to nearly jump out of his skin when the old-timey ringtone from his phone erupted in the hollow kitchen. 
“shit.” he murmured under his breath, pulling it out and immediately pressing the call button upon seeing the caller. “h-hello? yeah? wait, wait...slow down...the cultures did what?! and you have to start over?? shit--” 
before you could have anything to do with it, your friend was already throwing on his sneakers and sky blue raincoat. “sorry, y/n but i have to go. that was my co-worker, they said that something went bad with the incubator, and all of the cultures are ruined, and there’s the stupid lab meeting in the morning--” 
“i’m gonna pretend that i understood everything you said.” you hung at the doorway to the kitchen, observing him trip over pairs of shoes and other random-ass college-aged boy items. “you only get a pass because i have a feeling that the coworker we’re talking about here is the cute one.” 
your friend rolled his eyes, mouthing a reluctant, “yes.” 
“fine then. we can try the chocolates another time.” 
“fine--sure--” seungmin grabbed for the handle, “sorry. again.” 
~💋~
you felt like the chocolate bar was taunting you, just sitting there opened with two squares all ready for the eating. oddly, you really couldn’t figure out exactly why you had wanted to try them in the first place. for a second, the guilt and loneliness started to seep through and it felt sticky, pathetic, and stung like thorns right into your breaths. 
“fuck it.” you whispered under your breath, swiping them all up and walking over to the trash can. 
“whatcha got there?” a voice entered the room attached to one of seungmin’s roommates, jisung. 
the two of you had met many times in passing, and you had shared enough small talk to consider him somewhat of an acquaintance. from what you had gathered about the boy, he spent much too much time in his room working on his animations and was the dictionary definition of one of those cocky-assholes you had a soft spot for. 
“jisung--hey. it’s...it’s nothing. something stupid that i blew my money on.” 
“let me see.” he crossed the room, looking wired and overtired as usual. 
from staring at his screen for so long his eyes bagged with dark circles, but somehow it made him look mischievous, or something like that. his muscle tank had been cut low to reveal his sides and ribs which flared when he grabbed for the bar of chocolate. 
“huh.” he scoffed, “i’ve seen like, infomercials for these things. you were going to try it?” 
“yeah...i-i mean--no...i was.” 
“what’s stopping you? not curious anymore?” 
“window of opportunity passed.” 
“i don’t think so.” he grinned, matter of a fact. “i like chocolate.” 
you couldn’t quite believe what was being said to you at first. jisung, the boy that you barely knew, was standing there with his goofy heart-shaped smile and all, holding libido boosters and asking you to take them with him. 
“you do know what those are, right? what they could do?” 
immediately, he popped one in his mouth, nearly like it was a challenge. “empahsis on the “could.”” 
he held them closer to you, prompting you to take the remaining square which was flecked with little red hard-candy looking bits. 
“fine then. you’re right. what they could do.” you downed the candy, crunching it and finding that the quality was certainly not a guarantee. the thing itself tasted halfway between a tootsie roll and cold medicine. “fuck.” 
jisung laughed, throwing the rest of the bar away.
“what did you that for?” 
“i’m guessing whether they work or not, you might not need them anymore.” 
your friend’s roommate slicked his hair back, and ruffled it over his dark eyes. his face was slightly puffed with exhaustion, but it didn’t make him any less handsome. 
“so we wait now?” you asked, glancing at the clock. 
“wanna order some food or something?” he smacked his lips, “i need a fucking chaser after that.” 
~💋~
you didn’t know what time it was; late, probably. after a couple hours of realizing that nothing was really going to happen to you or your friend’s roommate, you had decided to stop expecting it. although, you had kind of hoped...
the sofa that the boys shared was just about as comfortable as you had remembered it. it was large enough to hold you and seungmin’s two roommates on better days, but, once again, random-ass college-boy stuff cluttered at least half of it. it was one of those “dumpster finds” and kind of smelled like a grandma’s house, but honestly, that was what made it so comfortable. 
the tv carried on, playing some kind of animated movie that jisung had chosen claiming that the director was some kind of “god of animation and storytelling.” you liked the colors, but soon you felt yourself being lulled and drowsy: your head felt heavy simply resting on your shoulders. 
your eyelids fogged, and the sounds from the tv set started to fade into inexistence. beside you, jisung had crossed his arms, but the lack of space had pressed both of your thighs together, and the warmth from his leg started to wash over your drowsy state. your head bobbed, swayed...then fell, directly onto his shoulder. had you been more lucid, you would have cared more. 
“oh--” he jumped slightly, and shifted awkwardly. 
the room darkened and soon all you could see was the thin line of light that your half-open eyes allowed. 
“this-this can’t be comfortable for you.” jisung hushed and clicked the tv off. “hey, you should be heading to bed anyway, it’s late.” 
“are you kicking me out, jisung?” you babbled, not really aware of your own words. 
your friend’s roommate chuckled, straightening his posture to support you. “i’m not gonna make you walk back to your place at this time of night.” 
“it’s only a couple of blocks--” 
“--you’ve slept over here before, haven’t you?” 
you stretched out your arms with a little squeak.
“yeah. on the couch.” 
“you...can’t do that. you’d have to sleep in a fucking corkscrew if you did that.” 
“yeah, i know.” you giggled, now finding yourself in a kind of stupor that made you wonder if the chocolates really were doing their job. “i’ll just take seung’s bed then--” 
“--he’s! not back...yet.” jisung hugged his arms to himself. “i dunno, shouldn’t he have his bed when he comes back?” he cleared his throat, composing himself. “of course, there’s space in my bed if you’d like.” 
“me? sleep with you?” 
“yes, with me.” just as he had before, that little challenging edge coated his tone, “only if you’re comfortable i mean. i guess that i’m forgetting that the most that the two of us have shared yet is some wack-ass chocolate so, i shouldn’t be making any assumptions.” 
“no, no!” you pounced off from the couch, reaching high to the ceiling to stretch out your sore back next. and, perhaps to let your shirt tuck up just a little bit as you did so. “i don’t have a problem with it.” 
jisung nodded, grinning in the half-lit room, cleaning away to-go boxes. you had noticed before, but the way that his triceps tensed when he moved around was really just a little too distracting. 
“you can head on in, but--be quieter about it. jeongin is sleeping in here.” 
you clicked off a sleepy salute, following the hall down exactly where you had known his room to be, but you had never entered it before. it didn’t surprise you, but it was just as messy as the rest of the place was, and you had to tip-toe around god-knows what to find your way.
after tripping on something soft and sort of damp, (which you prayed was a shower-towel) you made your way to jisung and his face illuminated by the blue-glow of his phone screen where he had immediately jumped in bed after navigating through the room much more skillfully than you had.  
“you have an issue if i sleep in my underwear?” you asked, realizing. 
jisung paused, wide eyed, but quickly fell back into his casual and cocky smirk. “i mean, that’s basically what i’m doing so...”  
“scooch over. i hope you’re not a blanket hogger or anything.” 
the bed was already pleasantly warm from jisung having occupied it. it would have felt amazing if you had been as tired as you had been moments ago, but now your entire body felt horribly wide-awake. 
“--and if you start to snore, i’m leaving you for the couch, got it?” 
jisung let out an airy laugh, shifting and creaking the bed a bit under him, “i don’t snore...for your information.” 
with the blankets pulled up to your nose, you turned to lay on your back, eyes finally adjusting to the darkness of the room. above you, the faint green glow of glow-in-the-dark stars sprinkled across the ceiling, making up constellations: from what you could make out, the big dipper was above jisung’s bed, and the little one was above jeongin’s, who peacefully slept with tiny breaths. 
jisung rolled to the side, accidently brushing his bare leg against yours. 
“night, y/n. sorry the chocolates didn’t work out. would’ve been kind of hilarious if they did.” 
“psh.” you rolled over too, closing your eyes, “you saying you would’ve taken up the opportunity to get in my pants?” 
“guess we’ll never know.” he sighed. 
~💋~
birds chirped, signaling the coming sunrise what was nearly breaking upon the horizon, and filled with deep blue sky with a type of orange-glow. the room was dim and stuffy, and noticeably much hotter than you remembered it being before. over the course of the night, you had tangled your legs with the sheets, finding them trapping you between them, and you shuffled to escape them and feel the air hit your skin. they shifted, letting you feeling the sticky mess between your legs. 
“what the--” the aching and heated desire made itself painfully obvious, soaking directly through your underwear, making a wet mess of them where you throbbed with an utterly unexplainable arousal that reverberated in your core. 
the friction from your legs only heightened the sensation, and you found yourself unwillingly rutting down into the mattress just to feel an ounce of relief. 
fuck, the chocolates, you recalled. while you had expected to feel something from them, this was twenty times more intense than anything you could have planned for. 
you were like an animal in heat, vulnerable, weak, dazed. your body set ablaze, and it only made sense to strip of any and all clothing that held you back. in your own desperation, you had completely forgotten about the man resting next to you. 
“y/n? what's--what are you doing?” jisung groggily croaked in a tone several octaves lower than you were accustomed to. your brain could only calculate it is as downright, unbelievably sexy. 
“jisung, i’m fucking burning up, an-and, i think i’m finally feeling something....are you?” 
he hadn’t noticed it at first until he did, but from where he could see where the blanket dipped all the way down to your waist, you were completely bare. with fluttering eyes, he gulped down dry. you noticed the way that he took you all in, looking at every inch of you. you reveled in how he greedily and shamelessly didn’t stop. 
under the covers, his own legs twisted. 
“me too.” he answered gravely, speaking with a low whisper.  
carefully, his tentative touch advanced under the covers, slowly reaching to your bare hip, where he settled a testing caress, squeezing harder, then cascaded down the small of your back to make you shiver. your own hand did the same, instead finding his leg and creeping your hand up and under his shirt. little space existed between the two of you, and only the panting of your heavy inhales and exhales could be heard. 
your eyes glued to his, beautifully brown and dilating, trembling a little while holding yours. from his light touches, it took every bit of your will to control yourself from launching over him. jisung’s hand fell lower, and toyed with the elastic band of your underwear which had started to feel painfully confining. each of your own fingers traveled up his torso, brushing over his chest which made his whole body shake. 
“sh-shit, i’m so fucking--” jisung started, dropping off his words to let out a wavering sigh. you didn’t need to guess any further. 
jisung slid two fingers under your elastic band, and it became too much to handle. 
“please, touch me jisung.” you whined out pitifully, clawing directly into the soft muscles of his back. 
you were shocked how quickly he had given into you, immediately crashing his lips against yours first, then using both arms to pull you into his chest so close it stole all of your breath away. you kissed him back roughly, ravenous to feel the sensation of his mouth against your own. he growled out a small groan directly into your lips, sloppily working every single corner and edge of your mouth with a devilish smile curling his own. 
lower, both of your hips met flush, grinding and twisting to create the kind of pressure that the both of you craved. limbs twisted, sweating and heated skin mingled, and you could feel every bit of his hardened cock right against your own arousal and how his shaft throbbed helplessly. 
“you taste so good.” he murmured between haphazard kisses, letting his low tone vibrate against you. 
“take these off.” you ordered, tugging at his boxers, nearly taking them off yourself. 
“take yours off.” he echoed, and you did. 
curious hands plunged deeper, delighting fingers in the slick of the other’s cum. 
“fuck.” jisung dragged the explicative over your lip where he lapped lazily into you. “don’t stop.” 
you gave him a moment’s pause, stopping to wet your palm with saliva, then met it with his cock. you worked his length with the sharp and twisting turn of your wrist, causing him to whimper out shamelessly. 
“shhh.” you hissed, pulling his lip with our teeth, “don’t want to wake up your roommate do we?” 
he nodded, biting each and every tantalizing little sound into his lip instead. your own breaths grew shallow feeling the pressure from his hand between your legs and how he had grabbed into your thigh to swing it over his hip for better access. 
“wouldn’t you like me to fuck you out, baby? fuck you like the good little cock whore that you are for me? i’ve seen the way that you look...you’ve wanted this...haven’t you?” jisung’s words were slick and luxurious despite their bite.  
to suppress the begging moan in your throat, you cupped your hand over your mouth, and pressed hard into it. 
the blanket tented from your pulling at his cock and how you rubbed over his slit: it was an ethereal sight even in the blurriness of the room. 
slowly, you leaned over to his ear, waist rocking back and forth over the sensation of his hand rubbing into you relentlessly. “don’t lie baby, you want my ass bouncing on your cock...don’t you?” 
in one movement, he swept his full body weight over yours and harshly pulled your legs back to open your entrance just for him to tease with his tip. he guided himself in slowly and meticulously, bottoming out once you had sunk your fingers into his shoulders to manage some of the screams you would have let out otherwise. 
“fuck yes, baby.” jisung growled, finding an animalistic pace that burned your whole body with white flames of pleasure. 
you grew impatient wondering furiously what his cute little pouty cheeks would look like when you fucked him from above, riding his dick. you wouldn’t wait any further, taking your grasp on his shoulders to then flip him, settling your hips over his dick which you pounced on to the tune of one of his moans slipping past, loud and guttural. 
“shut. the fuck. up.” you scolded him, throwing your hand over his pretty mouth. he whimpered out once again, eyes rolling feeling the tip of his dick reach as deeply inside of you as you would let it.  “cum inside me sungie, i won’t stop until I have every last drop.” 
jisung nodded, chest flaring as his breaths quickened. 
“cum for me baby, and i’ll cum for you...got it?” your breathy whispers scratched your throat, but you needed him to hear. 
you held his eyes which glistened with two pretty little tears that fell  as he came hard, shaking with his whole body and letting each of his gleeful moans come spiraling into your hand. 
your own heat came surging, right at your core, growing....growing...
a lamplight flashed on. 
“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING? WHAT THE--WHAT THE--” 
jeongin threw his sheets over his eyes, while shuddering. “I WAS FUCKING SLEEPING!!” 
his shrill scream sent you jumping out of your lust, and you scrambled off jisung’s throbbing and pink cock, and forgetting the force of gravity, which sent his cum dripping out from inside of you. in your panic, you grabbed at anything to cover up your body and his, only to get so tangled that you lost your balance on the edge of the bed and.....
~💋~
THUMP 
your body hit the wooden floor of jisung and jeongin’s room, right on your butt where you knew that it would be hurting for weeks. 
as disoriented as you were, it took you a good few minutes to realize what had actually just happened. 
“y/n?” jisung called with his groggy half-awake, half-asleep tone. “did you just fall out of the bed?” 
on the opposite side of the room, you whipped your head over to see jeongin still peacefully sleeping with his back turned to jisung’s bed.
“fuck--um, yeah. i did. shit...” 
jisung chuckled in the dark room just barely peeking with the first bits of the sunrise in streaming into the room. 
“i don’t know how you did that considering i gave you plenty of space. get back up here.” 
still dazed and brain overheating, you could have sworn you felt the little aftershocks of the orgasm that felt so real still coursing through your body. 
you felt it too: the way that your underwear had slicked. some part of it all must’ve been real. 
“jisung--” you started, not even sure if you wanted to tell him in the first place. “are you certain that you didn’t feel anything?” 
jisung turned to face you and shook his head, “no, you?” 
you hesitated, holding his eyes to see that he must have been telling the truth. 
“i just...i just had this insane dream...” 
“dream? about what?” 
“it’s hard to explain...” you trailed. 
“you look kind of shaken up, are you sure that you’re okay?” jisung extended a careful hand, and smoothed down the side of your face in the way that had felt frighteningly real only seconds ago. his hand lingered, falling down your neck and giving you goosebumps. your eyes fell to his lips, and you wondered if they would taste like you had imagined them to be. 
you leaned in closer, closing the gap. 
“it went something like this.” 
~🌹~
Bunch of (Ro)ses! 
@minaamhh @dazzlehoseok @synnocence @jjewibeans @hyunsluvv @unexceptional-h @bobawithchaitea @lechanters @sailorhyunjinz @silencefavarchive @lunarskzzz  @yourdaddychan @bubblelixie @spnobsessedmemes @cherrychngkyn @iwanttobangchan @bowlofblueberries @lmhmins @eunaeiekim
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