#better name suggestions are heartily welcomed

[leothil]

fic recs: archive edition

So earlier this week I was lightly complaining about how there are so many good fics I read back in 2021 (the good old 5A days. Christ.) that I never se recommended anymore, and @shitouttabuck asked if I could make a rec post of some of those fics.

Now, I still think of myself as somewhat new in the fandom - I joined within the first episodes of 5A - but it is true that a lot of people I see on my dash nowadays came into it much later. Fandom in general has a big recency bias when it comes to fics, and trying to find older fics can be a daunting project, unless they've ended up on the first page of most kudosed/commented/bookmarked on AO3 or you have a lot of time and patience on your hands. There are currently over 21600 fics in the buddie tag on AO3, so I don't blame anyone for not having the energy to go through all of that.

Side note - calling fics published during or before S5 old feels fucking weird. I already gave some friends crises when I mentioned reccing "older fics (aka 2020-2021 ones)" so all of you who have been here longer than me - I know, trust me, I know. It was yesterday. We are withering away.

There's no way I could fit all fics I want to recommend into one post (I want to keep it kind of short so people actually have a chance to look into all the fics on the list), so I might do this as a weekly thing for a while. I quite enjoyed going back to some of the fics I devoured in my early days of fandom, so this might turn into a proper nostalgia trip for me personally!

Without further ado, some fics published in 2019/2020 that I think you should read:

falling by @elisela Buck and Eddie take a walk up to an overlook and share one of the softest moments I've ever read. 1.3k words, rated G

Work Husband by hideeho (@agentlemuse) Chimney messes with Eddie's phone and changes Buck's contact to "husband." Eddie doesn't change it back, for some reason he can't articulate to himself. 1.4k words, rated T

four a.m. by asgardiun (@kitchenscene) Buck follows the rain up to the roof of the firehouse. Eddie follows Buck. 2.9k words, rated G

Medicine Man by @lovelylittlegrim Buck hits his head at work, and Eddie kisses his forehead to make it better. Buck gets stuck on it and thinks he'd like Eddie to do it again. 4.1k words, rated G

like a revelation by throughfire Maddie watches Buck and Eddie's casual intimacy and is confused by what their relationship status is, until she gets help realizing she doesn't need to be. 5.2k words, rated G

the meaning of the words you see by @florenceandthemachine Nurse!Buck gets a text from an unknown number who thinks it's someone they talked to in a bar, but they keep texting even after clearing up the mistake (and proving it with selfies), and things evolve from there. 8.6k words, rated E

#fic rec #911 fic rec #frida's archive project #it's *really* not as pretentious as that tag sounds but i needed a tag for this #better name suggestions are heartily welcomed #let me know if you end up reading any of these and what you think! #and of course feel free to ask for targeted recommendations if you want to!

[angst-fairygodmother]

I petition for a jealous samwise gamgee x reader fic. I've requested this before but I don't know what happened to it. I love you and your work sincerely hope a fun time writing for you. Goodluck godbless

A/N: Hello lovely, you are absolutely right that you requested this quite some time ago. I lost it in the shuffle of things (rip my accidentally deleted wip list) and it completely slipped my mind! I hope you will forgive me, and enjoy :) Word Count: 2255 Rating: G - flirting, jealousy, alcohol

Samwise Gamgee was the sort to drive girls mad. He was sweet, in a bumbling sort of way, always ready with a shy smile or a stumbled verse, and gentle, and steady. He knew the value of an honest day's work, and he was always there to support his friends, figuratively or, after a long night at the Green Dragon, literally, making sure they made it safely to bed and had water and a soothing herbal tea ready when they woke with a horrible hangover. 

Though you weren't as close with him as Master Frodo Baggins (no one in all the Shire was) you were lucky enough to count yourself among Sam's dearest friends, and had been all your life on account of your father's sister being thick as thieves with the Gaffer's late wife, Sam's dear mother. And you would be lying if you said your heart didn't flutter like a dove when his soft blue eyes turned on you, not staring exactly but making it clear that he was listening with undivided attention. But you knew his own lay with pretty, sweet, golden-curled Rosie Cotton, another one of your dear friends, and never desired to interfere, placing both their happiness above your own.

~

You giggled, bringing a hand to your mouth to hide your smile as a younger Bracegirdles — of Hardbottle, as opposed to some lesser Bracegirdle cousin that might be out there in theory somewhere — whispered a joke into your ear, ostensibly in order to be heard over the noise of the crowd’s singing and the band in the corner, but you were pretty sure it was in part to try to make you blush. They had been rather attentive to you in the past few weeks, and though you had no real interest in courting them, you welcomed the attention, it was nice to feel wanted after all.

Even if, you thought bitterly, it wasn’t by the person you would have hoped. Your eyes fell to him in the crowd, sitting in a corner and nursing a drink while Frodo and his cousin Pippin Took and their friend Merry all swayed and sang along to the music, cajoling Sam to join in. He looked miserable, frowning at his drink as if he thought to find the Gaffer’s fertilizer floating in it, and your heart ached to go to him and try to put a smile on his face. But you were not Rosie, who wasn’t working tonight (which you were sure was the cause of his obvious foul mood), so you stood no more chance than the lads did.

When your proffered paramour suggested they go to get you a second ale, you heartily agreed, despite having not finished the first, if only to get a moment’s peace from their attentions. You couldn’t help a sigh of relief as they swaggered off, which quickly turned to a gasp of surprise when a new hobbit appeared at your elbow.

“Oh! Sam!” you said, reflexively pressing a hand to your chest as if to hold in your racing heart, “I didn’t see you there.” 

“You and Leopold are looking awfully chummy,” he said glumly in place of a greeting.

You frowned, eyebrows dipping low. You hadn’t even remembered his first name until that moment. But he was right that you had been taking the affection where you could, even if it really meant nothing to you and you wouldn’t think on it again once you were home safely in your family’s hobbit hole for the night, and you worried for a moment that you might be giving the wrong idea.

“He’s quite nice, for a Bracegirdle,” you shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “There’s nothing wrong with getting to know him better, is there?”

“Getting to know him better?” Sam scoffed, sounding almost angry with the prospect, and making your puzzled feeling sink further in. “The way he was hanging on you, have you set a wedding date yet?”

“Excuse me?” Now you were getting upset, and set your drink down heavily on the table so that you could turn to Sam more fully, hands planted on your hips. 

“I’m just saying, as it were, that you were a lot more chummy with him than most people.” Even in the smoky taproom you could tell that his cheeks were reddening and he stumbled over his words. “It was practically flirting. Ain’t nothing wrong with it, but that it’s fast. I’ve never seen you talking to him before, and…and…” he trailed off.

“And what, Sam?” you demanded, feeling your own anger and embarrassment heating at the back of your neck. “You’re not my father, and it’s hardly any of your business who I might be talking to, especially when your attention is so focused elsewhere. How do you know it’s my first time talking to Leonard, when you’re always distracted moon-eying after Rosie?”

“Leopold,” the hobbit in question said suddenly, stepping between you and Sam to place the drinks on the table, and then withdrawing, a dejected expression marring his features that had been so lively earlier. You knew you should feel guiltier, but you were distracted by your own indignation, and the strange way that Sam was looking at you. 

“I…” Sam stared open-mouthed at you for a moment longer before turning and fleeing, back to the safety of his friends in the corner and leaving you alone and humiliated. 

With a groan and a roll of your eyes, you drained your first tankard and left the second on the table, walking out of the Green Dragon in the hopes that the cool evening would soothe your temper.

~

You didn’t see Sam for several days after that, though you did occasionally catch glimpses of Merry and Pippin, usually looking over at you and then ducking their heads together conspiratorially and giggling. It felt odd, being in this unspoken fight with your best friend, but your pride stopped you from being the first to apologize. After all, you hadn’t done anything wrong but try to move on from the unrequited love you felt for him. 

As the sun began to set and the spring evening air grew chilly, you set down your sewing and sighed, placing your face in your hands to scrub away the tiredness. Soon you would have to move inside and light a candle if you were going to continue working, and the prospect felt miserable, another night spent alone. 

Suddenly, you felt your basket snatched away from where it sat by your feet, and looked up just in time to see someone — you didn’t want to accuse or assume, but at least one of them was finely dressed for being a hobbit, and his dark hair was wild in a way that only Frodo’s could be described as — disappear around the corner of the lane with your things. With a cry of outrage and surprise, you stood quickly, gathering your skirts at your hip, not caring that your bloomers showed since there was no one around, and chased after them. 

The lanes were empty and it shocked you how refreshing it felt to simply race along them, the cool evening air kissing your cheeks and toying with your hair. Your eyes didn’t ache from squinting at stitches, your hands didn’t ache from where the needle slipped, and most importantly, your heart didn’t ache for all the love you thought you lost. 

And then the ache you felt was much more real as you crashed headlong into someone else. 

“Woah, careful,” he said, placing his hands on your shoulders to steady you, and unintentionally drawing your faces close. “Are you alright?”

Your cheeks heated rapidly as you stared into those concerned blue eyes, and words failed you for a moment.

“Oh, hi Sam. Sorry. I was just–” you realized that you were still holding your skirts, bloomers exposed for all the world, and more importantly him, to see. Your face felt like it was on fire as you dropped the gathered cloth and stumbled back to smooth it down, the motion catching his attention and causing his ears and cheeks to turn pink. 

“What’s got you in such a hurry?” he smiled shyly at you, though the rest of his face remained puzzled and you had to fight back a laugh at his endearing expression. 

“Someone thought tonight was a good night for pranks, so I’m trying to get my sewing back. I didn’t mean to bump into you…”

“Oh, how odd. My gardening gloves also grew legs. But I figured they’d get bored eventually. Yours went a bit farther though, I don’t blame you for running.”

As you spoke, you heard giggling from around the corner that confirmed your earlier suspicions of the three culprits. But instead of being angry, you couldn’t help being grateful. This conversation, stilted though it was, felt so much better than the days of silence, enough that you were ready to swallow your pride to make sure it continued.

“Listen, Sam,” you found yourself unable to look at him, instead studying the rocks on the path between you while you spoke. “About the other day…”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he assured you, looking sheepish. “I shouldn’t have gotten so mad…”

“Why…why did you?” your voice was soft, hesitant. 

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“No.” Your heart raced like a bird beating against your chest, trying to escape your ribcage. You knew what you wanted the answer to be, but it almost felt like too much to hope. 

“I…well I was jealous…of Leopold.” His cheeks were as red as the Gaffer’s prize tomatoes and you felt your eyes widen. 

“Wait, what? Why would you ever be…?”

“The way he was making you laugh, and how light and happy and beautiful you were. I wanted to be the one doing that.”

“You did?”

“Of course I did. You’ve been my best friend for our whole lives.”

“Oh.” Of course that was what it was. You felt your heart sink. Sam had always felt strongly for all of the people in his life, it was one of his best features, and so seeing you having fun with someone else, especially while he was miserably longing for Rosie instead would hurt him. Of course. 

“And then when you said something about Rosie, I got so angry.” He bit his lip and then rushed to add. “At myself of course, not at you. I couldn’t believe I had been so stupid. And then, I guess I was embarrassed.” 

“I don’t understand.” 

“Well it’s just…there I was getting jealous and upset when I had never said anything, and given you all the wrong ideas, and I had no right to that, and I felt foolish, and didn’t know how to fix it.” 

“Wrong ideas? Said anything? Sam, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to confess that you’re in love with me. But surely that’s not the case, so I must be missing something, and need you to be clearer.” Your laugh as you spoke was high and forced, but it was all you could do.

Sam sighed and shook his head, stepping close and raising a hand to try and cradle the back of your head. You startled, stumbling back from him, eyes wide and heart racing even faster if that was possible.

“What are you doing Sam?”

“Will you just trust me for a second?”

“I always trust you,” you said earnestly, relaxing as he reached again to touch you. 

A breath later, his lips were brushing yours, and one of his hands was cradling the back of your neck, fingertips in your hair, and his other hand was holding yours. Your skin lit up, feeling like a thousand of Gandalf’s fireworks were sparking where Sam touched you.

“Oh.” You breathed when he pulled away, all too soon. 

“Now do you understand? I love you, I’ve always loved you.” 

“But what about Rosie…?” you wanted to kick yourself, but your mind hadn’t quite caught up to the rest of reality, so it tumbled out. 

Thankfully, he laughed, the sound bright and beautiful and making your poor heart do a flip. “Rosie’s just a friend. Didn’t it ever occur to you that every time I was looking in her direction ‘moon-eyed’ it was because you were right beside her?”

It hadn’t.

“Oh Sam, I’m sorry. I never thought…I mean I wished but…” you felt tears pricking at the corners of your eyes as you smiled at him. When he smiled back just as bright, the world felt clearer and sharper than it had in a long time. “I love you too. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“Don’t be. We were both fools, and it’s past now. We can make up for the time, if you’ll let me court you?”

“I would like nothing more.” You threaded your fingers with his, stepping close in the hopes of kissing him again.

But alas, it didn’t come, the moment interrupted by whoops of delight as Pippin, Merry, and Frodo, and to your shock Rosie herself, all burst from the bushes where they’d been hiding with your purloined things. You couldn’t help but laugh as they threw their arms around you and Sam in a messy group hug before tugging you both down the road toward the Green Dragon for a celebratory drink.  Kissing and courting would have to wait, but at least, with your hand in his, you knew that it wouldn’t be only in your dreams.

#Samwise Gamgee x Reader #Lord of the Rings fic #I may have taken writing Tolkien fic as an excuse to write like Tolkien in long rambling sentences #and also this made me realize it's been a while since I watched the movies and there's not a ton of Sam-only clips online #so characterizations miiiight be rough #but I hope it's good #and worth the wait #jealousy fic #misunderstanding and miscommunication

[arikos-of-caelid]

Drabble: Friends...?

"Pleasure to more properly make your acquaintance, Perfumer." Martin said, offering a hand. 'Verrin' then accepted it, and shook it.

"…It seems the city still stands, at the very least. Good work, on your part," 'Verrin' then complimented, though forcibly keeping his voice much more reserved.

"On the other hand…you look much more worse for wear," Martin observed. "That attire looks like it's met the Giant's flame up close and personally."

A deep sigh. "Well, Flame of the Redmanes would be more accurate." "I don't even remember why we traveled out to those wastes anymore. Some manic theory, some hope of uncovering some unstained garden to give us some edge. But to no avail."

For a moment, the silence in the Great Library seemed to be deafening, before the off-duty knight broke it.

"...Perhaps it might help your heart to hear of more news of Leyndell, from your absence. I daresay things have been better recently than in a long time," the knight then suggested. Verrin then perked up, and nodded heartily. "Yes, please. You're quite considerate." Perfect. Give me ALL the good gossip. "For one...our Grace-Given Lord has recently taken a consort, and is soon to expect a child." "That is...quite a substantial development indeed," 'Verrin' gasped, and remained silent for a moment, as if in reverence. And something I already knew to some degree, secondhand, Arikos thought to himself.

Indeed, he'd already been working on a pain-numbing aromatic to help the new Queen Consort in question, a fellow Tarnished named Mei, to the point of losing sleep to aid in that very event going smoothly. In fact, he was now far more painfully cognizant of how tricky it would be to execute that, given his technically criminal status. That was under his original identity, and that could give it all away. But hopefully, I'll be done long before then. And maybe I can make that work to my favor, too...

"And it seems in the wake of that, gained the motivation to set the old estate of Godwyn in order, and welcomed some...strange guests," the knight continued, scratching his head. Bingo. Now there's something to know...something that will make searching it more complicated. Arikos had heard rumor of the estate being cleaned out, but not the reason why. "Oh, now that is definitely interesting," 'Verrin' leaned in. "Do you know anything more about these guests? Perhaps our Lord might require some additional assistance..." "I...did not hear all the details, admittedly. I simply know they were...strangely bloody." Martin clarified, with a slight note of embarrassment. Blood...? No, it couldn't be...Hmm. "...But it wouldn't be the first time. And Leyndell's walls have not fallen, in all this time of the Shattering. I trust results where I see them," Martin mused. "...Indeed," 'Verrin' said, the smile reaching his eyes. And there was a slight, but long pause, as the knight scrutinized him in more detail. "...Have we...met before? Something about you seems so familiar." An expressed sentiment that left Arikos both comforted and anxious at the same time. "...It's been a long and tiring age of war. I think you might just be imagining things. And I must soon take my leave," 'Verrin' then commented. "Very well. May the light of the Erdree watch over your way, Perfumer Verrin." Martin nodded. "...You as well, noble Martin." Ironically, Arikos's impending search of the more private archives in the Library would have to happen in the darkness of night.

#[Perfumer's Notes] #[Mun's Writing] #verse: first death cuts deepest #Hooray more threads from well #other rp threads! #:) :) :) #Approx one more part before this goes to RP again I think #I should draw Martin sometime

[anchoor]

Anchor Tandoor Industries

Welcome to Anchor Tandoor Industries is one of the biggest name in Tandoor manufacturing and exports in India and Mumbai. Anchor Tandoor Industries is proud to take on the traits of its earlier generations who had been in the profession of Tandoor manufacturing. Since its inception in 1995, the company achieved phenomenal growth and become a zenith name in Tandoor manufacturing under the able stewardship of ANCHOR OVERSEAS. We are Manufacturer and Exporters of all type of quality tandoors from India. A major credit in our growth goes to our renowned clients for showing confidence in us. Our products are well accepted in market, hence we are getting repeated orders from our valued customer. We may further assure you that we intend to adhere to our policy of providing the right quality products at the most reasonable price. If you have any suggestion or query, how we can serve you better please do inform us. Your suggestion are heartily welcomed.

For more Info. about our all products visit our website http://anchortandoorindia.com or feel free to connect with us [phone].

[shubham2022]

Anchor Tandoor Industries

Welcome to Anchor Tandoor Industries is one of the biggest name in Tandoor manufacturing and exports in India and Mumbai. Anchor Tandoor Industries is proud to take on the traits of its earlier generations who had been in the profession of Tandoor manufacturing. Since its inception in 1995, the company achieved phenomenal growth and become a zenith name in Tandoor manufacturing under the able stewardship of ANCHOR OVERSEAS. We are Manufacturer and Exporters of all type of quality tandoors from India. A major credit in our growth goes to our renowned clients for showing confidence in us. Our products are well accepted in market, hence we are getting repeated orders from our valued customer. We may further assure you that we intend to adhere to our policy of providing the right quality products at the most reasonable price. If you have any suggestion or query, how we can serve you better please do inform us. Your suggestion are heartily welcomed. For more Info. about our all products visit our website http://anchortandoorindia.com or feel free to connect with us [phone].

[cheegu3]

~ Yandere Jaemin - The jester ~

[hi babies, this is one part of my nct fairytale series this one based on Alice in wonderland with jaemin <3, it had influence from both the original book and the book by marissa meyer centred in the universe + a lil of my own stuff]

I love alice in wonderland and jaemin so I’m so sorry how long this is lmao also yes I did write all of this on the same day ;-;

wc: 3.6k

summary : you live in wonderland, and everything is normal until a stranger shows up - a jester who says he’s looking for you, he seems innocent and sweet but is he really?

TW / trigger warning: yandere themes, mentions of - violence, murder, swearing, blood/gore, 18+ (suggestive), etc

The yearly mock festival was coming to an end. Humans and creatures alike were slowly making their way to the stairs and to the comfort of their homes. A stranger was also making their way over but not to his home, to the crowd. He slipped through it unnoticed and stopped, bowing in front of the queen.

She looked at him in curiosity but also in fascination. He was very much used to this, having people stare at his beauty and the way he presented himself - elegant and cocky. 

‘‘ My majesty. I come to seek refuge in your town ‘‘ the stranger said.

The queen raised her eyebrow at him and waved at the deck of cards close by, almost stumbling over their own feet in fear of displeasing the queen. 

‘‘ Show this gorgeous stranger that empty house ‘‘ the queen demanded to the cards in a shrill voice.

‘‘ Yes ma’am. Come this way! ‘‘ they answered in union.

The stranger followed them in silence but kept his distance. They went far and near, up and down the crossroads and curvy paths until they reached a small cottage. It was far from the other houses and the village but he liked it immediately.

‘‘ Here we are sir! ‘‘ the cards exclaimed in union again and turned like robots ready to go back the way they came and serve the queen, it was all they knew after all.

‘‘ Excuse me ‘‘ the stranger had had one thing and one thing only on his mind throughout the whole trip there.

The reason he was here in the first place

You

‘‘ Do you happen to know where...y/n is? ‘‘

The deck of cards looked baffled, one of them even chuckled.

‘‘ y/n? Why would you want to see her sir, she’s so very eh- ‘‘ one said

‘‘ -mad ‘‘ another filled in.

‘‘ Who are you anyway? ‘‘ said another

‘‘ Jaemin, I’m a jester from far far away ‘‘ he said with clenched teeth, growing impatient at the lack of answer he was getting.

‘‘ Why would you like to see her? ‘‘ said one

‘‘ She’s not special ‘‘ said yet another

‘‘ I have to ‘‘ he said firmly and was now clenching his fist.

‘‘ She’s not far from here sir. She lives in the cottage opposite this forest ‘‘ said one card with cloves on his front.

‘‘ Thank you ‘‘ Jaemin exclaimed in relief and watched as the deck of cards turned and walked down the path.

On the outside it looked like an old cottage like any other, with broken windows and an overgrown garden. The jester wasn’t surprised, they must’ve given him the most ugly and worn out house since he was still a stranger but with a few snaps of his fingers, the inside would look a lot better than the outside.

As he had finished snapping his fingers three times he saw the familiar white cloud in the window but before he walked in he had to check around the area. He thought he heard the rustling of leaves and twigs being broken.

Looking to his right, he saw in the distance how a girl was walking towards him. Instinctively his heart started to beat faster because what if it was you? The girl was wearing a dress which was blue and she had a white apron tightly wrapped around her which was full of flour. In her right hand she was holding a basket filled with something and her hair shone bright in the sunlight that was peeking through the thick trees above.

// YOUR POV //

You were just about to walk past your favourite abandoned cabin when you noticed, it was no longer abandoned. A handsome young man, about the same age as yourself was standing outside it. You being all alone though, this far out from other people made you scared so you kept your head down right when you passed by him.

‘‘ Hey! ‘‘ you sighed in disappointment, all too often creepy men or creatures would try to stop you and flirt which made you very uncomfortable.

You tried to put on a fake smile before you turned to face him.

‘‘ Hi! ‘‘

‘‘ You’re y/n ‘‘ he stated.

You probably looked very confused to the stranger. How did he know your name? In this wide land, you were a nobody and this random man you just stumbled upon seems to know who you are - by the look of his curious brown eyes studying you - maybe he even knew everything about you.

‘‘ Yes..sir. Can I help you? ‘‘ you asked hesitantly and wanted to punch yourself for sounding so small and helpless.

The boy took some time to answer, suddenly looking a bit nervous the way he fumbled with his hands.

‘‘ Oh, I just. I’m your new neighbour, Jaemin. The cards said I might meet a young woman here who lived close by ‘‘ 

Shit, you were really too paranoid sometimes, this was just a harmless boy who had moved in right next to you.  

‘‘ Oh! Yes of course ‘‘ you smiled at him with more genuine warmth now           

 ‘‘ Welcome to the neighbourhood then I suppose ‘‘

They boy nodded and chuckled. He was very attractive, and you were pretty sure he knew it. Tall, dark and handsome with puppy like brown eyes and fluffy hair. He had a defined nose and rosy lips that matched his smooth and beautiful skin. But the most attractive thing about him, to you, was the way he carried himself. 

That smile could just about make any girl fall for him, maybe even worship him. As he stood there looking at you become entranced with his beauty you began to wonder if he was using magic on you so you put your guard up again slightly.

‘‘ Thank you. I hope to see you around, where do you work? ‘‘ he asked and you almost bit your lip at the look he was giving you, it was very intense and his smile yet again so charming.

‘‘ Oh! ‘‘ you exclaimed suddenly, you had forgotten to answer and had just stared at him getting completely lost. You saw him smirking at this.

‘‘ I-I work at the bakery in town, hence- ‘‘ you gestured to your flour dusted apron and dress with a sad smile.

He laughed heartily but assured you,

‘‘ You look fine, trust me ‘‘

You smiled shyly in response. It felt like he was kind of flirting, he was giving you that look again that both turned you on and made you creeped out, it said

I know everything about you 

Nevertheless if that was the case, you felt very much intrigued with this new stranger and you didn’t want him to be a stranger for long.

‘‘ I suppose I’ll see you around then ‘‘ you said suddenly when the tension had built up even more and you started remembering all the responsibilities you had at your work.

It felt like you had been here for about an hour and you had muffins to bake and customers to please.

‘‘ I suppose you will ‘‘ he answered with an amused glint in his eyes.

You decided to turn even though your body and heart really wanted to stay. Your intuition and head however won over the battle inside you and told you to get the fuck away from him.

You kept your back turned as you made you way past the mysterious boy. You had a feeling that he was still watching you as you went, eyes never leaving you and it freaked you out a little, making you shudder.

The rest of the day went on as if it was like any other day. Tons of baking and getting your hands dirty, chatty customers and delicious desserts. By the end of the long workday your muscles were aching. You cleaned up and did your usual routine of locking up the store when everyone had left.

Usually you wouldn’t think twice about walking home in the dark, your bakery closed at midnight so it was way past sunset. It was practically pitch black outside and no one was on the streets, they were all at home probably sound asleep. For some reason the queen had decided that all houses be soundproof in the village. So the fear was increasing when you thought about the stranger, the dark and walking home alone because if something happened no one would help you - they wouldn’t hear you scream or hear you cry out for help.

You turned the key that locked the bakery with shaky hands but tried to compose yourself. You had a very odd and naive thought in your head,

If I don’t get attacked tonight I can trust Jaemin

It truly didn’t make any sense but just about every cell in your body wanted to trust him, and wanted him to like you, like the way you were so attracted to him.

‘‘ y/n? ‘‘ a voice behind you said interrupting your thoughts.

You shrieked and jumped in surprise, throwing your arms up in some pathetic attempt at defence in case you’d need it.

‘‘ It’s just me, your neighbour ‘‘ 

You lowered your arms and smiled at him apologetically.

‘‘ Sorry ‘‘

‘‘ Don’t be I get it. It’s dark, no one’s around and I just startled you like that, I should be the one to apologise ‘‘ 

‘‘ No no, it’s just that I don’t like walking home in the dark ‘‘ you assured him, now feeling really guilty.

‘‘ I can walk you home ‘‘ he offered with a friendly smile.

You were silent for a bit, thinking to yourself before making up your mind.

‘‘ Yeah, I’d like that. Thank you ‘‘ you returned back the smile even though you still felt a bit uncomfortable.

Jaemin joined your side and waited for you to step away from the shop and decide the pace.

You walked in silence beside each other. You felt a bit nervous, not really being sure if you were supposed to start a conversation or not but then it dawned upon you, why the fuck was he alone there in the village anyway?

You glanced at him quickly to see if it would give you a clue to this mystery but he looked as he always did, nothing was different. So you decided to drop it and thankfully you didn’t have much more time to overthink about it because your house had now appeared in sight. 

He still had a chance to take you if he wanted to, it was dark, quiet and no neighbours were close except for well...conveniently enough, him. But he didn’t. He kept his distance all the way up to the house and stepped back when you got up on the porch.

‘‘ Thank you ‘‘

‘‘ My pleasure miss ‘‘ he said with the same amused glint in his eyes.

You turned around and walked in, closing the door and locking it. Well inside you leaned on the door allowing yourself to calm down a bit. 

He didn’t do anything

You shrugged and went upstairs, getting ready for bed and falling asleep not long after your head touched the pillow.

-

The next day he was the first thing you thought about in the morning before you jumped to your feet and rushed to put on your clothes and get to work.

You broke into a sprint constantly mumbling fuck to yourself and basically bursting in the bakery. The few customers inside and the cashier you had hired looked at you in shock. 

You stopped for a bit to catch your breath before explaining, still out of breath to the cashier.

‘‘ The-Ball-I-Have-To-Bake ‘‘ you managed to press out between every breath.

The cashier gasped and immediately left the desk.

‘‘ I’ll bring you the ingredients ‘‘

You swallowed and nodded to the customers when you walked past them disappearing into the back room where you did your magic. 

You put down your stuff and put on your apron already in action when the cashier came in, put the ingredients on the table and hurried out again.

You ended up making several pastries and cakes to the queen’s liking and by the end - about six hours of straight baking, you were so exhausted you decided not to go to the ball.

The cashier peeked her head in about an hour before it was to start.

‘‘ I’ll send these up? ‘‘ she walked up to the finished products and you just nodded at her, drying off the sweat that had formed on your forehead. 

After that you spent the rest of the hour leading up to the ball cleaning up all the mess you had created.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

You sighed, it was already closed but you have had to deal with customers knocking anyway wanting treats when you weren’t open. You put down your cleaning supplies and hurried to the door. Through the glass door you saw the outline of your neighbour.

‘‘ Jaemin? ‘‘

He shook his head and tutted at your state when you opened the door.

‘‘ Do I really look that bad? ‘‘ you said and glanced down quickly.

‘‘ For a ball, yes. Otherwise, no you look exceptional ‘‘ he said

You snorted at his flirty comment.

‘‘ I’m not going, too busy ‘‘ 

‘‘ What? No way. I won’t let that happen ‘‘ 

You turned to face him again, having walked up behind the desk to count today’s money. He leaned over the desk and tried to give you his puppy eyes.

‘‘ I can’t go like this Jaemin, sorry ‘‘ you said and shrugged your shoulders.

He scrunched his nose and stopped trying to use his puppy eyes on you now.

‘‘ I have magic ‘‘ he tilted his head when he saw this caught your attention.

‘‘ Really? You’re a jester? ‘‘ you rolled your eyes.

‘‘ What, is it not cool enough for miss or something? ‘‘ he jumped over the counter effortlessly and was now standing very close to you, closer than he’d ever been before.

They way he was towering over you basically looking down on you made you chuckle unexpectedly. 

‘‘ Yeah sure it’s cool enough I guess ‘‘ you answered playfully attempting to push him out the way so you could walk past.

He put his arm out, not letting you.

‘‘ Do you use it a lot on the ladies? ‘‘ you added and held the eye-contact

He snickered and made a very cute expression which made your heart melt.

‘‘ Of course. Every time ‘‘ he said sarcastically ‘‘ Now, will you let me ‘‘ he waved to your messy state.

‘‘ I guess why not ‘‘ you said and closed your eyes.

When it was silent for a few seconds you opened them again and you saw white clouds surrounding you all around, when it had cleared and disappeared completely you could finally see his work.

You were wearing a champagne coloured silk dress that was quite tight at the top with spaghetti straps and flowed out at the bottom, highlighting your curves. Looking at you hands, they as well were polished and clean and you hair was in a sleek ponytail, feeling as if it had been washed.

‘‘ I’m impressed ‘‘ you said at last when you noticed his worried expression, anxiously waiting for your opinion.

He exhaled deeply.

‘‘ Thank god ‘‘

You giggled at his cuteness.

‘‘ Shall we go? ‘‘

‘‘ Certainly ‘‘ he answered and extended his arm for you to take.

The walk this time was also pretty quiet, the castle wasn’t too far away you could already see it from here but you just couldn’t help yourself,

‘‘ Hey Jaemin? ‘‘

‘‘ Yeah ‘‘

‘‘ What were you doing so late at night in the village yesterday? ‘‘ 

Although you didn’t look at him, you could feel him get a bit uncomfortable.

‘‘ Browsing I guess ‘‘ it was your turn to feel uncomfortable now, all the stores closed a lot earlier than your bakery and everyone in town knew that but he hastily added, ‘‘ The villagers told me your bakery closed very late so I thought I’d go by and buy something. Unfortunately it was closed though ‘‘ he laughed and looked down shyly when you looked at him in surprise.

‘‘ Why’s that, horrible sweet-tooth? ‘‘ you said

‘‘ No, just wanted to support my neighbour. That’s all ‘‘

You nodded and felt a bit guilty for being suspicious of him. If your guards hadn’t been down before they sure were now, basically in hell. You felt incredibly comfortable and at ease with Jaemin and you did for a moment think you were starting to fall in love with him. 

This feeling would arise again when you had finally reached the castle and were greeted by the white rabbit.

‘‘ Invitations and names please ‘‘ he said in a stressed voice, his eyes all the time looking back and forth, darting between guests.

The jester gave the rabbit one of his charming smiles and you watched as he interacted with other people, even that was attractive, god what was wrong with you?

He fixed everything for the two of you, showing both of your invitations and names and you leant back letting someone else do the work for the first time in your life. It was nice, this weird feeling of being taken cared of.

He took your hand when the rabbit let you through and he lead you towards the dessert table. You raised your eyebrow at him when he started basically inhaling entire pastries of yours.

‘‘ I have to see how talented you are ‘‘ he defended himself when he saw your judging look. 

You rolled your eyes and waited for him to finish, eyeing the other guests as you did. When he finally was done - after eating half the table you noticed - he dragged you out on the dance floor. 

It was a slow song. You gave him a shy look, not sure if you wanted him to see how much you liked loved him or for onlookers to see that either for that matter. But he insisted, pulling you close to him and starting to rock slowly to the beat of the music. He gave you a big childish grin and you laughed, starting to move as well and letting you be drowned in this feeling. 

It felt like it truly was just you and him in this world, and he would protect you and love you forever. He could do you no harm, he was amazing. 

You probably radiated these feelings through the lovingly eyes you were giving him and he looked at you the same way. Everyone else faded away and it felt like you were in a fairytale, just how magical it all felt...until it didn’t,

The music was abruptly stopped and murmuring filled the hall. You didn’t have the energy to worry about it so you leaned your head again Jaemin’s chest feeling sleepy. In the distance through your dazed eyes you saw the white rabbit approach you, until he wasn’t very blurry anymore, he was clear and right in front of you clearing his throat. 

‘‘ Miss you need to come with me right now ‘‘ the rabbit said in a shaky voice.

‘’ Hm? ‘‘ you said sleepily not yet leaving Jaemin’s arms.

‘‘ What’s going on? ‘‘ Jaemin said in a worriedly.

‘‘ It’s uh, something very terrible has happened to her parents sir ‘‘ the rabbit looked down on the ground under the intense stare of the jester.

‘‘ Let’s go, y/n ‘‘ he whispered to you gently and took your hand.

You had no idea what was going on but followed like a lost puppy. The rabbit lead you to a carriage which you were put in and sent off. It stopped outside your parents house, a mansion closer to Jaemin’s house than it was your own - on the outskirts of town. 

‘‘ Wait here. I’ll see what’s wrong ‘‘ he said and stepped out.

Your head felt heavy, like you’d fall into eternal sleep any minute now - that’s how tired you felt, like you hadn’t slept for decades.

‘‘ y/n dear? ‘‘ the carriage door opened again and two hands extended to take your weight. You walked up to it, staggering and let yourself be lifted down.

Everything was a bit blurry but you could make out the familiar outline of your parents on the ground. They were in front of their front door and they didn’t seem to be moving. Blood was flowing out from their necks and their limbs were twisted in weird, unnatural angles.

Oh

This must’ve been the terrible thing the rabbit had been talking about...

You tried to walk towards your parents but your foot hit something. You looked down and jumped back in surprise. It was another body, no - you looked around, it was several bodies of the guards.

‘‘ What happened to them? ‘‘ you asked Jaemin in a horrified voice.

‘‘ I don’t know ‘‘ he said and bit his lip, lowering his raised right hand and entwining his left one with yours.

‘‘ Look at me y/n ‘‘

You turned to look at him, starting to feel a bit overwhelmed and scared of everything going on. You felt crazy, like you had no idea what was real and what wasn’t.

‘‘ You and I, we’re gonna live together. Far far away from here and we will be happy forever because you love me right? Say it! ‘‘ he roared the last words but you weren’t scared. You just looked at him with loving eyes.

‘‘ I love you ‘‘ you said like a robot, 

completely entranced 

you were his 

forever

#kpop #kpopidol #kpop scenarios #kpop imagines #yandere kpop #NCT #nct scenarios #nct fanfic #yandere nct #nct dream #nct smut #jaemin #yandere #kpop yandere

[tooweirdforyou]

Pick A ___ & Get A Character! » Haikyuu!!

scenario : it’s been a long day and your beloved just wishes to cuddle up against by you in your presence. Pulling you to your comfort spot, he pulls you close and pecks your temple with a gentle kiss before cuddling by you. How does he cuddle you? Idk.

you have chosen #___ and received cuddles with... v

-

Akaashi Keiji

a quick visit to you in the hospital after receiving some injuries, your face lights up at the sight of him holding an adorable stuffed bear and a soft smile.

“Hey. You’re still awake?” Akaashi asks gently as he shuts the room door behind him. You nod with your own smile and wave at him. “Just waiting for you.”

He simply moves over and takes a seat into the chair beside your bed and hands you the stuffed bear and reaches for your hand with care. “Come on, you need to rest up to get better. I’ll bring you some tea when you wake up.”

“Can you stay with me then? Sleep with me right here.” Your request was something he couldn’t refuse as Akaashi sighs in defeat, not wanting to argue.

“Fine, now go to sleep, okay? I’m staying right here next to you.”

Sitting up to kiss your forehead, he scoots his chair closer and tightens his hand on yours and smiles to himself at your closed eyes.

-

Sugawara Koushi

”I’m tired...”

The grey-haired pretty setter hums at your whine and chuckles lightly, seeing your adorable form. Rubbing your eyes and draping a large blanket around you securely.

“It’s only three.. why don’t you take a nap? I’ll wake you up for our restaurant date in a few hours.” He smiles and you pout, trudging to him.

“Come cuddle with me, Koushi.” You mumble into his shoulder, and he just smiles warmly at your cute form, cooing internally at your sleepy expression. “Okay.”

Sugawara slowly stands up and takes your into his arms, waddling you over to the couch and plopped down on top.

Once the two of you were laying and were comfortable, he wraps his legs and arms around you tightly and kiss your head lovingly.

“Rest well, my love.”

-

Kozume Kenma

“Staying up all night again?”

The sudden voice nearly causes Kenma to jump forward and drop his game device out the window if he wasn’t leaning so much against the window sill. He turns back to face you in the doorway of his room, huffing a little breath to relax his chest.

“[Name].. what are you doing up? It’s late.” He mumbles, turning back out the window and to his game.

“You weren’t sleeping yet.. figured I’d keep you company.” Responding, you enter the room and crawl over towards the window beside him, making sure to snag a blanket large enough for the two of you. “I’ll stay up with you.”

On cue, you yawn lightly and lean on Kenma and stare at his game, wrapping the blanket around you both. “Tell me about your game.”

He could already see your droopy eyes as you laid on his shoulder, causing his lips to curve up in slight amusement. “Yeah. Sure.”

-

Iwaizumi Hajime

“Welcome home, Haji.”

Offering a warm smile to the male, he sets down his bag by the door and exhales heavily, wrapping his arms around your opened ones and kissed your temple. “Hey, you..”

Iwaizumi waddles you over to the couch and sits down comfortably, reaching for the tv remote and turns it on to Netflix.

“What do you want to watch?” He hums and you snuggle into his side, pulling the blankets over the two of you and hum. “Hm.. action?” You suggest and he nods, switching over to one.

“And what do you want to eat? We’ll order since I don’t have the energy to cook anything, even if it is pretty late or not.” Iwaizumi sighs and you smile.

“Pizza sounds good, doesn’t it?” The brunette just chuckles and nods, ruffling your hair and pulling out his phone.

“It does. What toppings?”

-

Miya Atsumu

“What are you doing?”

The blonde leans his head down to find you at the bottom of the stairs that lead to the rooftop and he grins. “Just layin’. It’s too cold to be on the roof but I don’t wanna just sit around in the classroom or cafeteria or anything.”

“There’s the volleyball club room, you know?” You point out as you walk up the steps slowly towards him.

“Mmh, but this is actually comfortable.” He glances up at you next to him and holds out his hand with a bright smile. “Come lay with me.”

You shake your head at his weirdness before smiling to yourself and taking a seat on the step. “Fine.”

The setter scoots over towards the wall for you whilst you set your bag to the side and made yourself comfortable on the stairs, resting your hands on your stomach. Your eyes look up to the ceiling and relaxed your tense shoulders.

“Hm.. it does feel comfortable..” you murmur and Atsumu chuckles heartily. “Right? I might do this more often instead of the rooftop. You joining me?”

-

Kuroo Tetsurou

“And that stupid owl with frosted tips just snatches up all the meat in one swoop!”

The silent night air is filled with your giggles as Kuroo finishes his story under the stars. “Sounds like our Bo.” You laugh and Kuroo chuckles. “Yeah, I made sure to snatch it right back after I beat his ass.”

You shake your head playfully and smile, shifting on the makeshift bed on the back of Kuroo’s truck and pull the blanket closer to yourself, looking at the rooster head across from you.

“For one of the top five aces in the country, he’s such a man-child.” You hum and Kuroo snickers. “It’s amazing how childish he seriously is.”

This time, you snorted and lightly kicked his leg. “You’re one to talk, Tetsu.” You giggle as he dramatically gasps and lunges at you, beginning to tickle you.

“Right, I’m the childish, immature one!”

-

Bokuto Kotarou

“Awh, you tired baby?”

Bokuto mumbles something incoherent as he snuggles deeper into your body, taking up half the space on the seats of the train you two were currently riding on your side.

“It was a long day.. get some sleep, okay, bubs?” You kiss his head and rest your fingers in his hair while your other hand laid in his own that held it tightly.

His fingers intertwined in yours as his other hand set on top of it so you were wrapped in his warmth by his hands.

“Mkay..zzzhnn..”

You just smile and lean against the wall, looking out the window as you sat in silence for the rest of the train ride.

-

Yamaguchi Tadashi

“[Name]..”

You lean back into the green-haired freckled boy and snuggle into his arms. “Tadashi.. what..?” You murmur back sleepily, hearing your name come from his lips.

It seems he was half-asleep too, not quite registering what was coming out of his lips as he presses a kiss onto your shoulder.

“I..really love you..” he whispers out drowsily, eyes forcing shut as he falls back to sleep in an instant, with his tightened hold around your never ending.

“Mmmh.. love you..more..” you mumble back, also just as quick to fall asleep.

-

did u like this? :> who did u get?

yes it’s rushed and not very nice but I wanted to get smth out.

I promise I’ll try to get writing content out but in the meantime, I’m extremely busy with some personal crises that has me panicking but I’ll be back soon!!

#tooweirdforyou #haikyuu!!! x reader #haikyuu!! x reader #haikyuu!! writing #yamaguchi tadashi x reader #yamaguchi tadashi #kenma kozume #kozume kenma x reader #kotaro bokuto #bokuto x reader #kuroo tetsuro x reader #sugawara koushi x reader #miya atsumu x reader #iwaizumi hajime x reader #akaashi keiji x reader #syd’s games #hq x reader #haikyuu!! #haikyuu

[ri-ahhh]

if you do feel like writing, i've always thought you would really kill a concept about your first or one of your first dates with grayson!!😇 i feel like you capture his energy sooo well

“Oh god, I’m so sorry!”

She glanced up from her phone at the sound of a frantic voice, deep and familiar and slightly out of breath.

Her stomach swooped a little at the sight of Grayson towering above her. His cheeks were slightly flushed, hazel eyes wide and scared.

As they should be. She shook her head and let a smirk grace her freshly glossed lips, standing to greet him with a questioning, arched brow. Playing it as cool as she possibly can while dying slightly at (one) the relief flooding her chest and (two) how utterly fine he looked in those casual tailored pants and short sleeved button-down.

“You had me worried for a minute there, Dolan,” she admitted, the heels of her thigh-high boots making her the perfect height to lean up and peck his cheek both in greeting and as a silent acceptance of his apology.

Grayson kissed her back on her own cheek, and took her hand as they both sat down at the table she had been saving for nearly 45 minutes by then. His palm was warm and the perfect mix of calloused and soft, and his fingers squeezed hers as his thumb rubbed the backs of them gently.

“Really, I’m so fucking sorry. I totally forgot they opened a new location a few months ago. I feel like the biggest dick,” he pouted.

She shrugged, secretly enjoying listening to him grovel and watching him almost literally sweat in his seat. While they had hung out casually a couple of times, this was their first official date, and he had named the place... only to leave out some crucial information that left them at the same restaurant, on different sides of town.

“I think the waiter was starting to feel sorry for me. He asked if I was okay and gave me a free margarita about ten minutes ago,” she said, nodding to the mostly untouched glass of frozen slush in front of her.

“Fuck,” Grayson groaned, face-palming and tipping his head back. She finally let a full grin light up her face, biting her lip through it as she watched his Adam’s apple bob in the shadowy light of the restaurant.

He brought his head back to a normal position, and she caught the look of surprise flash in his eyes when he realized she wasn’t that upset. His lips turned up at the corner in a sheepish, crooked smile that made her melt a bit. “Well, if you weren’t gonna let me pay for dinner before, now you definitely have to.”

She giggled and squeezed his hand before letting go, bringing it to the straw of her margarita instead to give the melting ice a stir. “Yeah, I think I might allow it this one time.”

At that moment, the waiter, a jolly middle-aged Hispanic man, returned with two fresh water glasses and an excited shout. “Hey! He’s here!”

She and Grayson both blushed — Gray more so than her. He held up his hands and glanced down in defeat while she laughed heartily.

“He’s here!” she confirmed, resting her chin on her fist and observing the redness in his cheeks subside. “And he’s very sorry for keeping both of us waiting, Mateo.”

“Ay, I knew there was no way anyone was leaving this pretty lady alone on purpose,” Mateo winked. He turned a slightly stern gaze on Grayson. “Right?”

“Oh.. yeah, no, not on purpose,” he blubbered, unprepared for a barrage from the waiter of all people.

Mateo gave him a playful side eye and tutted. “Well, I’ll take care of both of you, and you take care of her, eh?”

Grayson stared, and she had to bite back more laughter at the look of utter bewilderment on his handsome face. “Uh, yes, of course. We were just discussing that, actually.”

The waiter grunted in approval, but left them with a wink after accepting their order of guac to go with the chips and salsa already on the table.

“Why do I feel like I just met your dad?” he asked, watching the man disappear into the kitchen with a shake of his head, slightly dazed.

She swallowed her sip of margarita and smiled. “Oh, you wouldn’t have met my dad if he saw me sitting here alone longer than 15 minutes. He would have been out on the hunt for you.”

“Shit,” he mumbled. “This is gonna take a while to live down, isn’t it?”

“Let’s just say, I can’t wait to tell your brother what an idiot you are.”

“Oh god. That would make ‘a while’ quickly become ‘never.’”

They slipped into easy conversation, as they always did. It was seamless and flowing, made even better by the delicious dinner they had. The little bit of tequila in her system was affecting her in all the right ways by the time Mateo cleared the table and handed Grayson the check without even asking.

They had been sitting across from one another the whole night, but Grayson slid into the seat next to her once Mateo was gone for good. His big, warm palm found her knee, and his fingertips squeezed just enough to send a shock up her thigh, electrifying all of her.

She reached up and swiped at a little drop of water clinging to the inside of his top lip, letting her hand linger on his stubbled cheek so she could stroke it affectionately with her thumb.

“Thanks for not standing me up,” she said quietly, barely audible over the loud mariachi music blasting through the restaurant. She pressed the pad of her thumb into a cute dimple in his cheek.

“You’re welcome,” he joked back, twisting his head and nipping playfully at the digit, eyes locked on hers. “I would have missed out on a pretty awesome date.”

Her teeth caught her lower lip. “And an even better nightcap,” she added suggestively.

She felt as much as she heard his sharp little inhale, and she couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah?”

“Oh yeah,” she said, siding her hand down his chest until it rested on his, interlacing their fingers before she stood up decisively. “I think you’ve redeemed yourself.”

Grayson chuckled, but there was suddenly a heat in his eyes that undoubtedly matched that in her own. He followed her up and turned to lead her out of the restaurant. “Let’s fucking go.”

Mateo gave them an enthusiastic wink and a thumbs up as they left.

“I think you got his approval after all,” she laughed, sliding into the passenger seat of his car. Hers would be fine in the well-lit lot until he could bring her back to it at some point later.

Much later, if she had it her way.

“Oh hell yeah,” he muttered, already reaching across the console to coax her closer with a gentle hand on the side of her neck. “Think he would approve of what I’m about to do to you?”

Before she could answer, he leaned down and pressed his lips to her in a slow, heated kiss that set her whole body on fire. Her hand gripped his veined forearm tightly as she kissed him back. She hummed quietly when they finally separated, both of them breathing heavily. “How about we leave Mateo out of this from now on?”

“Great idea,” he whispered, diving back in quickly, their happy smiles melding together. He pulled back reluctantly after a minute, nodding at her seatbelt as he sat back and fastened his own with a wink.

“One car this time; I’ll make sure we both get to the right spot, at the same time.”

#this may or may not have been based off of an actual first date i had #except he still suggested we split the bill🙃💀 #and then i dated him for 5 months #oops #dolan twins #grayson dolan #blurb #g blurb

[varric-tethras-editor]

HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE BAND!AU MOTHERFUCKERS. This story is the feral brainchild of me and @little-lightning-lavellan imagining our OCs as punk rock babies that play music and sing sad songs loudly and get mad about stuff while living in a modern day Thedas. So far it has been (affectionately) titled "Pure of Heart, Dumb of Ass" which is based off of this meme that I tagged Kissi in which then resulted in this art that Kissi drew for me.

Silvhen Mahariel (my Warden) will eventually be joining in on the drums and they are currently taking suggestions for a band name as Kissi and I have our priorities all backwards.

(Oh also there's a playlist because we are garbage humans.)

I was tagged by @little-lightning-lavellan, @cartadwarfwithaheartofgold, and @emerald-amidst-gold. I would like to tag (with no expectations or pressure) @kantrips, @ellenembee, @pikapeppa, @a-shakespearean-in-paris, @jentrevellan, @kemvee, @dreadfutures, @a11sha11fade, @cciarants, @drag-on-age, @fernaee, @the-dreadful-canine, and ALL THE PEOPLE MY LIL BRAIN IS FORGETTING *MWAH*

✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮✮

Varric shrugged and half smiled. “Alright then, Hawke, how do you plan on making enough money to afford that nice place I hooked you and Melon up in, then?”

“Easy! I’ll just keep being my charming self until someone finally realizes and compensates me heartily!” Liora laughed as she spoke, but silently she was wondering the same thing herself.

Varric had been generous enough to cover the first few two months of rent for her and Mellan while they settled in the city but she couldn’t just mooch off him and his generosity forever. She would have to start contributing, and soon.

“Well I looked into working at Maryden’s Instruments but even the floor supervisor position paid shit wages. Nothing I could ever afford to live on. I get it’s a small family business, but it’s too expensive to live in Denerim these days. And I mean, Mellan and I have been playing again a little lately, so I went over to Skyhold to ask about performing, cause y’know they got new owners and they’re planning to reopen and they’ve been advertising they need performers for like… ever. So I figured maybe they’d be willing to chat. But like the second I walked in, this old bald elf just got all cranky and told me I couldn’t understand the building’s significant history being “who I was.”

Liora said the last sentence mockingly and added some air quotes for good effect.

“What bullshit, right? I mean, yeah, he had no way to know my dad ran their soundboard for years on years but still. I grew up with stories of Skyhold and to just be shunned out of the building automatically…” Liora trailed off in despondence. She understood exactly why the elvhen man had dismissed her on sight.

It seemed Varric had caught on as well.

“Bald man, eh? Chuckles is still all ‘Elvhen Glory’, then?”

“Chuckles? Varric this man couldn’t have smiled if he’d won the lottery. He just glared at me until I couldn’t speak. It was awful. I can usually talk to anyone, but I guess I just got intimidated. I’d never actually been inside Skyhold before so I was a little shaken.”

“It’s ironic, Hawke.” Varric pondered for a second, stroking his thick fingers over his golden-red stubble. “And maybe try sending Melon through. I don’t think it’s a bad idea to get in there, if you can. You just need a foot in the door. Or in this case, a pointed ear.”

“You’ve met Mel, right? I love her but she gets so fucking nervous talking to people! That’s why she told me to handle all of our PR things if we ever wanted to play gigs.”

Liora didn’t mind the agreement she made with Mellan. Liora was social, well spoken, and usually more than happy to network and make new friends, especially in the music scene, whereas Mellan could occasionally be skittish and easily overwhelmed. But maybe for this venue, and for ‘Chuckles’ who seemed like he definitely would not be giving her the time of day, sending sweet, stumbling, beautiful Mellan over would be the better approach.

Maker’s breath, Mellan wasn’t going to look forward to that experience. Liora released a heavy sigh and quickly knocked back the rest of her rum and coke.

“Alright, it’s time to bribe some elves.”

#wip wednesday #dragon age #dragon age 2 #dai #dragon age inquisition #liora hawke #mellan lavellan #varric tethras #dragon age fan fiction #wip #my writing #fanfiction #fanfic #da fanfic

[atths--twice]

Living Past the Pain

There is an AU handle on Twitter, that tweets out ideas and today a friend suggested one with the idea: “Scully just lost a young patient and Mulder is visiting a friend at the hospital... go...”

Well, not being one to turn away from a challenge, I began to write... and cry. 

I hope you enjoy. 

“Time of death… 5:18 p.m,” she said, her eyes on the girl in the bed, her heart breaking. She ripped off her gloves and dropped them to the ground, breathing hard as she hurried out of the room.

She ran past people in the hall, bumping into nurses, and apologizing as hot tears began to fall. She reached blindly for the handle of a door, opened it, and slid to the ground as she leaned against it. Drawing her knees up, she wrapped her arms around them, sobbing heavily.

Why? Why did she have to die?

“God,” she sobbed. “Why?” She cried for all the nights she’d sat with her, checking in and finding her awake, as her mother slept tiredly on the uncomfortable pullout couch.

They’d had conversations far beyond that of a usual ten year old. Discussions of after life, death, religion, her family, and the worry for her mom if she were to die.

“What if I don’t get better, Doctor Scully? Who will take care of my mom? My little sister?”

“Veronica… Ronnie, I’m not gonna let that happen.”

“Everybody dies, Doctor Scully. I know about my disease. I’ve read all I can about it. I’m just glad my sister doesn’t have it. If she was sick… in pain…” She had looked up with tears in her green eyes and Dana Scully, still rather new at calling herself doctor, had stared at her with a wobbly smile. “I’m glad it’s me and not her.”

“Oh, Ronnie.” She had risen from her chair and held Ronnie as they both cried, Dana promising her she would do all she could to help her.

Days of research, even as she had seen Ronnie beginning to deteriorate, she had missed family dinners and even a date with a doctor who she had been flirting with a few weeks before.

It had not mattered though, as she had begun to see an improvement, Ronnie feeling happier and more alert.

But then… a week ago, Ronnie had to be intubated and after speaking to her mother, holding in her arms as she cried, Dana had gone into the locker room, turned on the shower and let the falling water cover the sound of her crying out her fears and frustration.

Ronnie had maintained on the ventilator, waking up and locking eyes with Dana, tears rolling down her face and falling into her ears. Dana had wiped them away, whispering how sorry she was, asking for her forgiveness. Ronnie had nodded, her eyes closing as she weakly squeezed her hand.

That had been the last time she was conscious, and now… now she was gone, despite Dana’s very best efforts to save her.

“It’s not fair,” she whispered into her knees and took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry Ronnie. I’m so very sorry. I tried… I…” Breaking down again, she cried until she felt like an empty shell of herself.

Raising her head, she wiped her face and opened her eyes to find a man sitting on a small sofa staring at her with kind hazel eyes. She scrambled quickly to her feet and shook her head in confusion.

“Have you… have you been here this whole time?” she asked, her voice low and raw.

“Uhh… yeah,” he admitted and she stared at him in disbelief.

“Why would you… I was…”

“I know.”

“You saw… all of that… you heard.”

“Yes.”

“Why wouldn’t you say anything? That was a very… very private moment.”

“I agree,” he said softly with a nod. “I… I was in here, waiting to visit a friend, when you came in and um… I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“In here…” She looked around and realized she was in a waiting area, having blocked the only door in and out. “I’m sorry…” She began to breathe heavily and he stood up, coming to her side and leading her to a chair.

“Sit. Deep breaths. In. Out. There you go,” he said softly, his hand on her upper back as tears started to fall again, shocking her as she was sure she would never cry again.

She closed her eyes and covered her face, shaking her head as his hand rubbed in small circles, and she took in big breaths and cried. He said nothing and when the door opened, his touch left her for a second, before returning again, the room silent.

Wiping her face again, she took a deep breath and sat up straighter, silently asking him to move his hand. He must have understood as she felt the comforting weight of his hand disappear.

She sniffled, her nose stuffy and her head aching. Opening her eyes, she saw him standing in front of her with a box of the thin hospital tissues. She nodded slightly as she took a couple, blowing her nose and wiping her eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispered, blowing her nose again.

“You’re welcome,” he responded quietly, holding the tissues out, and she took the box, setting it in her lap.

“I lost a patient,” she whispered. “She was… I have to speak to her mother. I…” She stood up and the tissues fell to the floor. “I’m sorry. Excuse me.”

She left the room and did not look back, walking down the hall and back to Ronnie’s room, not at all ready to face this part of being a doctor.

___________

She stepped into the elevator, letting out a heavy sigh as she leaned against the wall. Two days ago, she had been at Ronnie’s funeral and today was her first day back, after some much needed time off.

The funeral had been hard, breaking her down many times as she had listened to people speak about Ronnie. Her little sister had run to her, clinging to her as she cried, Dana unable to stop her tears as she had held her.

Her mother had held Dana’s face in her hands and stared at her, telling her it was not her fault.

“You gave us more time with Ronnie. Even one day was a gift. All you did for her, for us, I could never thank enough.”

“But I… I couldn’t… I’m so sorry, Marie. I truly am.”

“Doctor Scully, Dana, we both knew the course of her prognosis. The timeline. It was blind faith in which we placed our hope. You did so much for her. More than even I know. She always spoke so highly of you.” Dana had nodded, tears falling down her face, Marie wiping them away gently before pulling her in for a hug. “Thank you for every day you gave us.”

Tears filling her eyes, she swiped them away as the elevator dinged and stopped. Turning around, she let out a breath and hoped she had gotten all the evidence of her tears as she turned back around and froze.

“Hi,” the man with the kind hazel eyes said and she let out a breath. He searched her face and smiled gently. “How are you?”

“Um… I’m…”

The elevator stopped again and they were forced to stand closer together as a Hispanic family stepped inside, speaking in rapid Spanish and laughing heartily. He held her elbow gently, holding her steady, not even aware she had suddenly become off balance.

“Breathe. Breathe in,” he whispered, his eyes never leaving hers. “Deep breaths. Good.”

He smiled and she felt herself calming, the sounds of the family in the elevator growing quieter as she focused on his eyes, words, and touch. The elevator stopped and the family left, leaving them alone as the doors closed.

“Okay?”

“Okay,” she whispered, nodding as she let out a breath.

“Which floor?”

“What?”

“Which floor do you need?”

“Oh… um three. No.. five. It’s five.” He nodded and stepped to the panel, pressing the five and turning back to her with a smile. “Thank you.” He nodded again and she looked down, thinking of what she should say to this man who she did not know, but who had been there, twice now, when she had desperately needed someone.

“Which… which floor did you need? You didn’t make a selection.”

“I will once I know you’re where you need to be.”

She stared at him and felt something she had not felt in a very long time. A sense of butterflies in her stomach, even as she felt guilty in her time of grief. It did not feel right, but he was kind and attentive when he had no reason to be.

“Why?” she asked, feeling as though she was suddenly drowning, thinking of Ronnie and her green eyes full of laughter.

“Because… everyone needs someone to look out for them.”

“You don’t even know me,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “You…”

“You’re a doctor. You care for others. It’s your job, but it’s also a calling,” he said with a soft smile. “It can also break your heart and pull you down, leave you drowning.”

“Yes,” she whispered as her tears spilled onto her cheeks.

“Yes,” he agreed quietly as the elevator dinged, announcing its arrival to the fifth floor. The doors opened and she stayed rooted to the spot, unable to move. “This is your floor.”

“Right,” she said with a nod, wiping her face. He stepped to the side, allowing her to pass and leave the elevator.

The doors closed as she turned around, realizing she had not thanked him properly, and in fact, did not even know his name. Sighing deeply, she started to turn back around when the doors opened and he was standing before her, smiling as he handed her a business card.

“Fox Mulder,” he said softly, holding out his hand.

“Dana Scully,” she whispered back, taking his hand and holding it gently.

“Doctor Scully.” The doors began to close and he caught them, smiling at her with a nod. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You too. Thank you for...” She sighed, unable to finish her sentence, and he nodded again, stepping back and allowing the doors to close.

Looking at the card in her hand, she saw he was a psychologist, with a practice not too far from the hospital.

It was meant to be, she heard and it sounded like Ronnie, casually discussing kismet and undeniable coincidences, as they had so often in the past.

She looked up and for a second she saw her standing before her, smiling happily, her green eyes positively shining. Dana blinked her eyes and Ronnie was gone, but she knew what she had seen.

Smiling with tears in her eyes, she slipped the business card into the pocket of her lab coat, promising herself she would call him, she let out a breath as she adjusted the stethoscope hanging around her neck.

Carrying Ronnie in her heart, she stepped forward, ready to help the next patient who needed her.

#The X-Files #XF Fanfic #XF AU #The Year of Prompts #AU #Doctor Scully #Sadness #Angst #Crying #Caring #Caring of a stranger #Pain #Help #Understanding #Anxiety #First Meetings

[whatifidontwanttobethesavior]

Bonded

Cadmine slept fitfully the first night in her new home, her brow furrowed and face streaked with dried tears that had fallen from her eyes for a good while before she had finally given in to her body’s exhaustion. She had ached in more ways than one as her new husband had kissed her hand and instead of lying with her in the manner of which a man did with his wife, Vidmir had left her. He had told her she was tired, and that they had all of eternity for such things, but Cadmine hadn’t been able to help feeling a bit… disappointed? She knew that she should have been relieved, that most women would have been glad for the chance to rest properly after such a long day but before Cadmine knew it, she had broken down in tears. Her heart had ached inside of her chest, though whether it was from the beginnings of the change slowing it down or the fact that her husband had decided not to stay the night with her Cadmine couldn’t tell. It could also have easily been homesickness, having to sleep in a new place that she had never been to before or a yearning for her parents who had always bid her a good night before she’d gone to bed. She had stained the satin cover of the pillow beneath her head, the crimson material darkening even further beneath the wetness of her sadness. Eventually she had grown cold without Vidmir’s presence beside her and shifted on top of the covers, fighting with them until she had been able to squirm her way beneath them. It was warmer under the blankets and Cadmine had fallen asleep at last, her hair sticking to one cheek, her hand brought close to her face. She nuzzled against the flannel of  her husband’s pajama sleeve, breathing in the scent of him and causing a fresh flood of crying to be released from her eyes as she felt a sudden yearning for his presence. She wasn’t sure why he had chosen to go elsewhere for the night. Even if he had decided that being with her physically wasn’t something they needed to do right away, she still would have felt better to have him lie beside her. The red room felt much larger, more empty, and a lot more foreboding without him there.

When Cadmine woke it was to the swish of curtains sliding across a rod and the smell of food. She stirred, rolling and rubbing at her eyes, her hair an absolute mess on her head she blinked, trying to take in her surroundings. She was confused momentarily, the place unfamiliar at first until she remembered. She had been married last night. This was the home of her husband, her home now, and this was the room he had given to her. The handmaiden, Gunhilde, had just opened the large velvet curtains, letting in the light of the moon, brightening up the dim settings. Cadmine knew that with the change her eyes would adjust in time so that she would be able to see much better with limited light but at the moment, she welcomed the addition. She was able to more clearly see the room now but even so, she could have done with a few more candles. Or some electric lighting but an old castle like this simply didn’t have such a thing.

“Good morning, my Lady.” Gunhilde greeted in Cadmine’s native tongue, the sound of her words reassuring to the young wife. Cadmine managed a small smile as she began to press back the blankets a bit, but Gunhilde rushed forward holding a bed tray to place over her lap instead. Fine china sat on the gleaming wooden surface, plain white pieces with simple golden rims. Cadmine stared down at her favorite breakfast, a simple piece of sourdough toast with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese and topped with thin apple slices. There were also scrambled eggs and some bacon off to one side, as well as a cup of what smelt like her favorite morning tea. “The Lord said you might be quite tired this morning and to not put you through any unneeded strain. I do hope your night went well, Lady Nezhdanov.”

Cadmine blinked, surprised for a moment as she registered her new name. She had heard it the night before of course, but it hadn’t quite clicked until now that her name was no longer the same as it had once been. She was a married woman and thus, had taken her husband’s surname as her own. How did one even go about spelling something like Nezhdanov? Cadmine would have to learn. Looking up from the tray across her lap, Cadmine’s eyes fell upon Gunhilde, looking all the world like almost every other handmaiden Cadmine had ever had. She wore the usual uniform of a dress and apron, stockings and good shoes made for working in, her hair pulled back into a tight bun. In a way, it was comforting for Cadmine and she felt her nerves easing a little bit, though her eyes flitted towards the door, wondering if her husband was awake yet.

“It was fine.” Cadmine stated simply, turning her attention back to Gunhilde. “Have you eaten? I’m not very partial to eggs if you’d like them.”

“Ah yes. Your parents said that, but the Lord wanted to make sure you got enough of your energy back. Neither of you will be able to partake in any blood except one another’s until after the change is complete, as is the tradition.”

“Oh, right...” Cadmine sighed, looking down at her tray again and noticing the severe lack of her usual blood slushie. It pale in comparison when she remembered the absolute ambrosia that was Vidmir’s blood though. She didn’t know if a slushie would satiate her ever again in the same manner of which it once had now that she knew what it was like to drink fresh from the vein of her husband. “Is he awake, do you know?”

“I’m afraid not. Master Lucero said he was not to be disturbed but you are welcome to do as you wish throughout the castle until you are ready to retire back to bed for the night.”

“Oh.” Cadmine felt a wave of disappointment wash over her, the realization that she probably wouldn’t be seeing Vidmir again until it was time for him to return to this bed. They would drink from one another again and then… what? Was he going to take her as his? Or perhaps he would decide upon that first so they still had enough energy for feeding left. The memory of his lips upon her neck the night before, the way his teeth had sunken into her flesh and then the pleasure that had forced away the pain of his venom. Just the thought of it had Cadmine’s cheeks heating with color, her thighs tightening beneath the red blankets. She had desired him and even now, as she pondered the idea of becoming one with her husband, Cadmine was both nervous and excited. Surely tonight. He had probably just been too exhausted from yesterday’s busyness to continue. And afterwards, he would stay with her. They could lie together, close in that way couples were supposed to. For now, she would simply have to be patient until he came for her.

“After you’ve eaten, I can help you dress and we can do whatever you please, my Lady.”

“Alright then.” Cadmine agreed. She lifted the toast and bit into it, relishing the familiar taste of her usual breakfast. She ate it down heartily, wanting to have plenty of strength for tonight, sipping at her tea. When she was finished, Gunhilde removed the tray and set it off to one side. She moved to the large wardrobe and tugged it open, revealing Cadmine’s usual assortment of dresses. They were pretty things, but very old fashioned if she was to be honest. However, she was still happy to see them at the moment. “May I have the green please? The light one. I do believe that is my favorite.”

Gunhilde appeased her, pulling the sage colored dress from the wardrobe on its hanger, lying it down on the bed. It took time and effort for Gunhilde to figure out how to help Cadmine dress and get into her wheelchair. Cadmine could do most of it on her own, though the many buttons down the back of her dress made things more difficult than they had to be. At least she didn’t have to deal with a rotten corset and back brace today. That had been demolished by her husband in the limo the night before. Her leg braces, however, were more familiar and easy to put on, not making her feel so confined and helping her stay upright easier when she stood up to get her dress down and then, sit in her chair. She leaned back into it with a sigh, letting Gunhilde do up her hair in it’s usual tight bun with a cover. When asked what she would like to do, Cadmine frowned and then shrugged, suggesting maybe they could go exploring a bit. The handmaiden agreed and rolled her out of her chambers, heading down a long hallway that was still more dimly lit than Cadmine would have liked. It was a good hall though and the thin wheels on her old chair moved easily along it, not catching like they tended to on most things.

“Gunhilde, may I go fast?” Cadmine asked after a moment, reaching down to grab at her wheels’ handrails. Gunhilde laughed.

“It’s your house, my Lady. Master Lucero said the Lord was very clear. You can do whatever you desire.”

Cadmine smiled at that and then pushed herself forward, using her arms to get herself going much more rapidly than before. She’d never been allowed to race about back home but it was something she did enjoy. Going slow had never been fun for Cadmine but there was always the worry that she’d fall out of her chair if she raced about. She couldn’t run, so it was the closest she could get. She released a bit of a laugh as she reached the end of the hallway and found herself in the main entrance hall full of paintings from last night. Gunhilde had picked up her own pace to keep up, holding her bun a bit to keep it in place but she had a smile on as well. She wasn’t all too much older than Cadmine to be honest, only in her early twenties. They ended up racing circles around the entrance hall for a bit, Cadmine only getting caught on a rug every now and then when she wasn’t careful and nearly sending herself toppling because her chair couldn’t handle  it. Soon after though, they picked another hallway and started down it, intent on getting the lay of the land for now. Cadmine wanted to figure out where all the main rooms were so she wouldn’t get lost.

[anchoor]

Anchor Tandoor Industries

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For more Info. about our all products visit our website http://anchortandoorindia.com or feel free to connect with us [phone].

[queenoftheworldisdead]

Off Schedule 4

Summary: Slow burn. Brad Pitt is your boss and he is going through a divorce. Smut in later chapters. Warning this is really fucking long(sorry), Kissing, fingering

Brad Pitt x Reader, Keanu Reeves x Reader

Any critiques to make me better are more than welcome.

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6

Jonah asked Brad to come to his office to give him an update on the divorce proceedings. He arrived there late that evening, the mood in the room was solemn. Brad had a feeling that  whatever Jonah had to say wouldn't be good. Taking the seat across from Jonah's desk Brad saw the grim look on his attorney's face.

"So you have news on the trial." Brad spoke first.

"The judge agreed to the expedition" Jonah said defeated. He had tried to call in favors to get the date of the divorce proceedings delayed and to stop the expedition, but he failed in the end. He called this meeting with Brad to discuss a strategy on how to proceed.

"I'm not surprised when she wants something she would be hard pressed not to get it." Brad half-heartily laughed.

"The text messages" Jonah continued with more bad news. "They came from your phone or at least your iPad. The devices are linked to your account therefore if presented as evidence it will look as if you sent them." Jonah was in the works to getting the messages thrown out, but after receiving the technical data of the origins of the texts he knew that would be hopeless.

Brad furrowed his brow. "How I always have my phone. You don't think I wouldn't have notice strange text coming off my phone" he was becoming agitated.

"While you were in the shower, while you slept it could've happened anytime. She must've texted from the ipad and deleted it after. That’s why you didn't see them or notice. The other number could've come from a $40 burner phone or a friend." Jonah tried to explain. "Which would be hard to prove without the other phone."

Brad got up, threw his hands in the air in frustration and paced Jonah's office fuming.

His life was being up rooted and there was nothing he could do. He wasn't sleeping barely eating. The only bit of normalcy he had in is life was work. Once through those doors he drifted into work letting that consume him. He had even taken up a habit of sleeping in his office.

Angelina was staying at the house. He was barely allowed access to his children. The stress was weighing down on him.

"This doesn't make any sense to me. I give her any and everything she could ask for" he lamented.

"Look I know the deck is stacked against us. Jen's baby, the text messages and the past history of impropriety." Jonah exhaled. "The date is set for the end of the month. Which doesn't give us much time to prepare."

"The bright side is we can more than likely get you partial custody, but you won't be the primary parent." Jonah said

"In regards to the company issue we might need to bring Keanu into the conversation." Jonah finished.

Brad knew he was right. He didn't like the idea of bringing Keanu into this mess. But it seemed he had no choice. "Your right. I'll have something setup." With that the two men rose and shook hands before departing.

The day started with a heavy down pour of rain. You hadn't checked the weather before leaving the house that day so you had quite the sprint from the bus stop to the office building.

The velocity of the wind decimated your hair, the rain soaked your outfit making it unflatteringly clingy. Your makeup you were sure was probably bleeding.

Once you get up stairs you hoped that you could salvage yourself before you started your day in the office.

When you got into the building you saw the lobby elevator doors were about to close. Squinting you couldn't make out who got in, but you called to them anyway.

"Wait hold the elevator please!" You shout as you carefully scurried to the closing doors.

A hand reaches out to hold them allowing you to shuffle inside. "Thank you" your words almost die in your mouth when you saw him.

It was Mr. Pitt, bone dry clutching his umbrella. He was smart enough to prepare for the day ahead. He took one look at you an immediately frowned.

Out of all the people to be alone in an elevator with it had to be him. You lowered your chin and walked to the back corner opposite him. He kept his distance and stayed quietly along the opposite wall. You looked like a drowning victim while he looked perfect.

Great another reason to hate you.

The tension was so thick that time had come to an agonizingly slow crawl.

Looking up through your lashes you debate if you should say something. Maybe you just needed to be the one to reach out first. To get things back to normal. Maybe apologize?

You took a deep breath and exhaled. This was it now or never.

"Um Mr. Pitt" your voice cut through the tension like a dull knife. You turn to face him, but he didn't move.

"Congratulations!" the words came out a bit louder than you anticipated.

His jaw clinched and a vein popped out of the side of his head. He was seething. You regretted speaking at all in that moment.

Oh gawd they were keeping it secret? Of course, shit. What were you thinking? Saying something about it without him telling you first, you dumb bitch.

"I-I am sorry I .. I didn't know you weren't telling people yet" You immediately try to correct your overstep.

"What goes on in that fucking head of yours?" He was curt still unwilling to face you.

Water started to prickle in your eyes. Every interaction you've had with this man has gone belly up. What made you think today would be any different.

"I didn't mean to pry I was looking up Jenn's..." You stopped. As soon as Jennifer's name slipped out of your mouth he boxed you in the corner of the elevator. Your spine pushed against the  hand rail of the box car.

It was hard to look at his eyes they burned with a fury that you had never seen. His eyes bore through to your soul.There was a darkness there you never saw before and never wanted to see again.

You yearned for the indifferent glances now or to be ignored by him. You had his full attention and you quivered in it.

"You think its funny" he said. He lifted his arms and slammed his palms against the wall. His arms were level beside your head. You wanted to crumble.  As the elevator climbed up you hoped someone would get on to grant you reprieve.

"I'm so sorry I hadn't told anyone" you started to sob, but he was unmoved.

He tsk’d at that. His lips parted to speak again, but you pushed through first.

You shakily try to continue. "It was an accident your wife's name came up under my 'Suggested Names' in the search bar when I was looking for Jen's baby registry. I'm so sorry I shouldn't have looked" inhaling loudly and powering forward again "I was just curious to see what she had on her registry." Your vision was so blurred from your tears that you hadn't notice his arms drop as he stepped back.

His eyes widened. Wheels were turning in his head.

"What did you say?" You couldn't hear the venom in his voice anymore. Though it was hard to focus as you tried to fight back the tears that begun to trickle down your cheek.

"Shit, shit" stroking his beard he cursed himself.

"I'm sorry" you stuttered and bawled.

"Hey hey" he spoke softly holding up his hands in retreat. Looking at you trembling and crying in the corner. He tried stepping forward again reaching his arms out in an attempt to embrace you. The sudden movement made you wince.

When the doors opened behind him you swerved him, high tailing it to the restroom. You weren't even sure it was your floor. You just needed to get out of there.

Once inside you tried to stop crying, but you couldn't. The rain had ruined your makeup already and the tears only served to make it worse. You lost count of how long you were there. You scalded yourself for speaking to him. You wished that you would've kept your mouth shut and let him keep his indifference towards you.

Staring in the mirror you start to try and save your makeup and  fix your hair. Your clothes had begun to dry a bit within a hour or two you were sure you be dried completely.

Giving yourself one last look over you hear the door open.

He wouldn't come into the Ladies room right?

"Y/N? What are you doing here?" It was Sarah, you must've gotten off on her floor in your haste. "Well you look like shit." She said matter of factly.

"Ugh I know.. I got caught in the rain. I didn't want Mr.Pitt seeing me like this" you lied as you fiddled with your appearance. You thought about telling her about your ordeal in the lift, but you didn't need office gossip floating around.

"Well that explains why you weren't answering your phone or emails. I thought you might be out of the office today or something." She walked over to  examined the state of you.

"Sorry I was just about to head there now" you apologize as you walk out to the door and Sarah followed.

"Well are you excited" Sarah asked

"About what?"

"Admin day duh. The one day a year we get recognition for all are hard work" Sarah reminded you as she walked you to the elevator.

"Oh yeah can't wait" you lied again feigning excitement.

"Me too! Kea is taking me out to lunch. I don't mind telling you that there will be enough left overs to feed me for a week on his dime" she said excitedly.

You both chuckled at her blatantness.

"Look I gotta get back to my desk. I will hit you up for lunch or something later ok" you tell her as you depart through the lift doors.

When the doors open you scan the hall. His door was closed and the coast was clear. You walked carefully as to not have your heels slap against the floor.

Making it to your desk unscathed you gingerly sit and open up your computer to check his schedule. He was going to be in a meeting soon and you didn't want to see him leave his office so you ducked back into the supply closet to wait him out. It continued like that for the rest of the day. When you knew he was getting out of a meeting you hid in the supply closet. When you estimated that he would be leaving for another you hid in the restroom. Thankfully he hadn't bother to email you or call. You just wanted the day to be over. To go home, forget, relax with wine and Netflix.

Brad fucked up and jumped to conclusions with you in the elevator. He had assumed that you too were accusing him of cheating with Jen. So he exploded on you. Of course you had no clue as to what was going on in his personal life he realized too late.

You hadn't even known how much of a revelation you bestowed on him.

Throughout the day he looked for you but seemed to just miss you somehow. Brad needed to find you to apologize for earlier and for how he had been treating you through his drama. He let his personal life affect his work.

Thoughts of your eyes looking up at him pleading flashed through his head. His dick twitched. Another reason he had been so distant was due to something much more primal.

He had hoped to salvage the relationship with his wife, but she had been making it frustratingly difficult and now with this news Brad knew that it was futile. Whenever he was on the edge of anger you seemed to inject yourself into the narrative. Calling him, emailing him, walking past his office.

It took no time at all for his mind associate you with his frustration. Eventually he couldn't even glance in your direction without his dick taking control. To calm down he would clinch his jaw and push thoughts of you back.

Thoughts of you bent over his desk in place of his wife. Spanking your ass raw as you beg for forgiveness. Thoughts of you riding his cock, impaling your tight hole. Thoughts of you on all fours looking up at him with those pleading eyes wiping his cum from your lips.

He desperately needed a release, he needed you. But he knew he couldn't cross that line. Especially now with the accusations of infidelity.

Pushing you to the back of his mind again. He resigned himself in his office. Brad needed to call Jonah and let him know that his soon to be ex-wife was pregnant. That he had not touched her in months. You had given him the key to fix the catastrophe that was his life.

Digging his cell out of his pocket he made the call to Jonah.

Today's administrative assistant appreciation day. One of your most favorite days of the year. Every year you would get flowers, lunch with Mr. Pitt and generous gift card. These days it would've come in handy.

You normally would be looking forward to it, but not today.  Staying home was more appealing than going back to work and seeing him. Reluctantly you got up and got ready for work.

In the building you thought it best not to take the elevator. A nice jaunt up the stairs to clear your head was more appealing. By the time you made it to your floor your legs burned and your feet were screaming at you. Going up the stairs with heels will be a mistake you never make again. Sweating and panting from the stairwell you scanned the hall.

His door was closed. You thought about taking your laptop and hiding in a small meeting room all day.

*Ring You looked at the I.D. it was Sarah. You sighed in relief.

"Soooo what did you get this year?" Sarah excitedly asked over the phone.

He hadn't gotten you anything. Why would he? He hated you. It was only a matter of time before he finally pulled the trigger and fired you.

You sighed "Nothing.... I walked in expecting to see a bright colorful bouquet like every year, but nothing." You lied faking disappointment.

You failed to tell Sarah about the issues you were having with your boss. She was Mr. Reeves assistant and they were close really close. You didn't want her to try to get him to resolve the problem for you. Or possibly make things worse.

"Aw that sucks Y/N." She consoled you.

"Its ok... I think he seems like he has a-lot going on so it might have slipped his mind." you tried making up an excuse. It felt kind of true, you had assumed something was going on with so you tried treading lightly. But after yesterday you didn't care to know what he was going through.  You didn't deserve to be treated the way he had treated you.

"You might be right... Um hold on a sec." Sarah placed you on a brief hold while you got to your daily task.

"Y/N?"

"I'm still here" you answered back.

"OK so I just spoke with Kea" Sarah always called Mr.Reeves that you used to be so envious of their closeness.

"We normally do lunch together on admin day, but since Mr.Pitt has neglected his duties he is treating you, me and Zoe to a long ladies only lunch anywhere we want."

"What? Really?" you perked up.

"Yea. Oooh lets get mimosas. I'm sending a group text now so we can coordinate."

"Your the best!" You say before telling her goodbye. At least you have a free lunch to still look forward to. *Click

All three of you indulged in bottomless mimosa throughout lunch. By the time you got back to the office all of you were a giggling mess. Tumbling into the elevator laughing and gossiping all while trying to compose yourselves and sober up. Riding up the elevator Zoe got off first and then Sarah. You gave them both departing hugs and rode the rest of the way alone.

When you finally made it to your floor you hopped off the elevator and was greeted with the sight of a huge rainbow bouquet. The monstrous bushel sat atop your desk and you squealed. Your heels click clacked against the marble tiles as you dashed to your desk with excitement. You had such a good time you totally forgot about the tumultuous relationship with your boss.

You rounded the desk, leaning down smelling the beautiful aroma. Grabbing the card you read it and your heart hurt slightly. It was from Mr. Reeves. No doubt pity flowers. 'Thanks Sarah' you thought sarcastically. It was a nice gesture but you were hoping maybe Mr.Pitt sent them to apologize. You flopped in your chair and pouted. Trying to sober up and get back to work.

Before you started you thought it best to Thank Mr. Reeves for his wonderful gift.

✉️ To: Mr. Reeves Subject: Thank you! Mr. Reeves thank you so much! The flowers are so beautiful and made my day. Also thanks for lunch it was amazing. I don't think I've ever had anything as delicious in all my life.☺️

Thanks again, Y/F/N

✉️ He replied quickly ✉️ To: Y/N Subject:Re: Thank you!

No problem at all Y/N. Just wanted to make sure you knew how much we appreciate you here.

I'm glad you ladies had great lunch. The food at La Tour d’Argent is OK, but I know a few other spots around town that are way better. I might have to take you there sometime. 😉 ✉️

As you read your thoughts drifted back to the foot massage he gave you a few days ago. If you didn't know any better you would think he was flirting. Compose yourself this man is not interested in you. He is just super nice.

You didn't reply back. Pushing thoughts of him out of your head as you try to focus on work.

"What's the occasion? Its not your birthday I know." His voice came from behind. You went rigid

He knew when your birthday was? Maybe he just had a calendar reminder. You shook it off.

"No its for administrative day" you responded timidly. It was getting harder to speak to him without thinking he would chew you out.

"I'm sorry I forgot"

The apology stunned you. That was the last thing you thought he would say to you. You figured he hadn't forgotten about Admin Day. Just that you didn't deserve it, but he had actually forgotten.

"It's ok Mr. Reeves bought the admins lunch and flowers" turning to him you say forcing a smile. Taking a whiff of the bouquet. He frowned at that and your nerves shot through the roof. He was going to yell at you again. You could feel it.

"Can I see you in my office?" He held the door open.

You were nervous. Were you about to get chewed out for taking a late lunch? Gawd could he tell you were drunk? Fuck!

Rising from your chair he ushers you in.

As you walked passed he caught your wrist and spun you shutting the door behind you. Moving in close, lifting your chin with one hand to look at him. There was a softness there that you hadn't seen in a while. A softness that you missed.

"I'm sorry" there was sincerity in his eyes and a hurt there you couldn't understand. This man was going through something in his mind that his mouth refused to give up. But his eyes were pleading.

You parted your lips to speak, but he leaned and captured your lips with his own. He started off soft but swiftly grew hungrier. Your eyes went wild as his tongue invaded your mouth. You shut your eyes tightly.

You had to be dreaming. Who was this man before you? Kissing you? Surely not the man that had been so mean and distant.  

His arm snuck behind your back and his hand lowered itself on to your ass. Palming it he squeezed it lightly causing you to moan into his mouth. You could feel the warmth building in-between your legs. You kissed him back taking his blazer in your hand you pulled him into your chest.

He bit your bottom lip, pulling it lightly with his teeth before  releasing it. Brad started peppering kisses along your jaw finding his way to your neck. There was a wetness pooling between your legs. You closed them tightly as if to prevent your juices from soaking through your panties and down your leg.

"I'm sorry" kissing your neck. His beard tickled your skin sending goosebumps down your spine "I'm sorry" he kissed again traveling further down your neck to your color bone. Sucking and kissing on your exposed flesh. Brad's fingers grazed the hem of your skirt before he began pushing it up your thighs.

Brad's hand danced along the edge of your panties before moving past your waistband. Methodically pushing a thick digit inside you making you pant. Pushing into his hand you urged him to do more. Taking his thumb he grazed your clit rubbing circles around it. His name quietly slipped from your lips.

Your juices coat his finger as he pulls out. Pushing in again he  adds in another. Curling them inside you as he put his lips to yours again. Swallowing your moans as an orgasm peaked your core.

His other hand crept up your stomach until he found your breast. Cupping one through the fabric of your blouse.

Your back arched and you fell backwards, losing your balance he lost hold of you. The back of your head hit the door with a thud. You hissed on impact. Reaching one hand behind your head to coddle the pain.

Brad stepped closer.

"Wait wait wait!... I'm really confused sir." you screeched. You were stone cold sober now.

The bump had brought you back to reality. The reality were your boss had been so mean to you. Your MARRIED boss. Your thoughts went to Angelina and Jennifer. The weight of them had you panicking. It all felt so wrong.

When he and Jennifer ended you knew she thought you were sleeping with her husband. You didn't want to make her past speculation turn to a premonition. Or for his current wife to accuse you of being some Jezebel.

Shifting your skirt down you moved backwards to grab the handle to his door behind you and turned it. He looked as if he was at a loss for words of what to say. You were too.

When the door opened you backed out without looking. Hands grabbed your shoulders halting your movement. Turning swiftly your eyes fell on Mr.Reeves. You knew that this room was sound proof but the unease you felt of him almost walking in on you made you queasy.

"Whoa" Mr.Reeves exclaimed as he tried to stop you from bumping into him.

"Sorry Mr.Reeves"

"Please call me Keanu or Kea" he corrected you.

"Um yes sure. Um sorry I have to go" you pivoted and walked off down the hall. To a destination you hadn't quite figured out.

Chapter 5 >>>

#brad pitt x reader #brad pitt imagine #brad pitt smut #brad #keanu reeves x reader #keanu reeves fic #keanu x reader #keanu reeves imagine #black writer

[willsimpforanyone]

Buzzfeed unsolved X Sanders sides

Virgil (nonbinary) is the sceptic that is a little too easily convinced

Logan is the real sceptic, easily figures out what makes the creepy sounds (trans man)

Patton (trans man) is a terrified believer that is just trying to keep it all together

Roman (genderfluid) is the enthusiastic believer who drags everyone on ghost hunts

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

"Roman please, you're going to figuratively pull my arm out of it's socket if you tug any harder," Logan sighed at his enthusiastic friend who was holding very tightly to his hand. Roman, blue 'he/him' pronoun bracelet clearly display, was pulling him to the porch of the presumably haunted house, closely followed by Virgil with their camera and a very nervous Patton.

"You really don't need to clarify, we know I couldn't actually pull your arm out of its socket," Roman rolled his eyes, but eased his grip on Logan's hand, slowing his pace so they could walk side by side.

Virgil aimed a kick at Roman's feet. "So what are we actually doing here? Is it ghosts or demons this time?"

"Both, actually," Roman turned back to swipe at Virgil's head. "There are at least three ghosts, and a demon in the attic."

Patton squeaked. "Uh, hey, um, you didn't say anything about a demon, Ro..."

"Roman, I wish you would stop saying things like they are irrefutable facts. There has been no definitive proof that ghosts or demons exist." Logan rolled his eyes, but Roman was undeterred.

The group had been allowed one night in the supposedly haunted house, and Virgil had been commissioned to film the events that could take place. They were secretly grateful that they didn't have to be in the actual video footage at all if they didn't want to be, but outwardly complained that they would get tired of holding the camera, that this house was stupid anyway, they didn't even believe in this crap.

Roman hesitated at the door, and Virgil smirked. "What, getting scared?" They pointed the camera at their friend. "Big Bad Roman is scared of the front fucking door."

That was enough to get Roman to swing open the door and stroll on in like he was merely popping in to a coffee shop. Logan followed, unbothered. Patton clung to Virgil, and the pair entered together.

The bag Roman slung on the table made a loud thud, and when opened he produced an EMF reader, divining sticks, a ouija board and a few other things that he laid out neatly on the table. Logan raised an eyebrow.

"I'll admit, you do seem to be passionate about this, no matter how idiotic this quest may be." Logan picked up the EMF reader and scrutinised it. "I'm not sure if I can call your methods scientific, however. You do understand this entire night is going to yield results only supported by pseudoscience?"

Patton took the EMF reader from Logan's grasp. "Now now, be nice Lo-Lo, this is something Roman is excited about and we should be supportive. And, if we're- lucky? Or unlucky, I'm kinda hoping we don't find anything- we might hear or see something that is definitive proof of ghosts!" Patton smiled encouragingly at Roman, who grinned back.

Virgil was fiddling around with the camera. "Hey, who did I give the batteries to? This one is empty."

"But-" Roman stared, frozen. "That was a new battery, wasn't it?" He took out a new battery from the front pocket of the bag and handed it over. Virgil shrugged, and simply swapped the batteries over, unwilling to admit that it was indeed a new battery, and that they'd double-checked it just before they arrived at the house.

"W-well, we'd better get started, right?" Patton's voice was higher than normal and he'd detached himself from Virgil only to reattach himself to Logan, finding comfort in the unceasing scepticism.

Roman handed out torches to both Patton and Logan. "Indeed, let us at last embark on a quest to uncover the secrets this house holds, let us walk among the dead and speak to those belonging to days gone by!" He grabbed Virgil and started dragging them upstairs. "Come, my friends, adventure awaits!"

The enthusiasm held by Roman was the driving force for the rest of the group as they followed him all the way up to the attic. Patton gave a nervous laugh as Roman placed the ouija board down and gestured for them all to sit on the floor. "Are we sure about this, Ro? I mean aren't ouija boards supposed to be really... scary?"

Virgil smirked from under their fringe. "That's the point, Pat- they communicate with those beyond the grave." They wiggled the fingers of the hand that wasn't holding the camera at Patton and laughed lowly, darkly. "You never know, maybe the demon will possess one of us."

"Please cease from scaring him, Virgil, my arm is starting to hurt from where he is holding it," Logan glared at Virgil, and Patton guiltily let go, opting to sit next to Roman.

"You'll save me, right Ro?"

Roman put his arm around the slightly smaller man. "Indeed I will. Never fear, my dear friend, for it will take more than a mere demon to frighten me!"

Eventually, all four of them were situated round the board- Virgil was exempt from being involved as they were filming the scene, but the others all had two fingers on the plancette that was placed in the middle of the board.

"...do we introduce ourselves? It would be polite, right?"

"Patton, there is nothing to be polite to- demons do not exist."

"Oh hush, Specs-tre... you get it? Like spectre? Like a ghost?"

Virgil sighed, exasperated. "Can we get on with this, please? My arms are starting to hurt."

They decided on spelling out their names, with only minor mistakes, and waiting to see if there was any kind of response. Roman and Patton were eagerly leaning over the board, while Virgil and Logan exchanged glances.

Very slowly, the planchette began to move. Roman scowled at Logan. "If this is you trying to trick us, I don't appreciate it."

Logan raised an eyebrow. "I am not trying to trick you, I am merely sitting here like you two."

Roman turned his gaze to Virgil, who scowled back. "How can I have anything to do with it, dumbass? I'm not even touching the board."

The planchette had moved from the middle of the board where they had put it after spelling their names to the 'G', and was moving to what seemed to be the 'O'.

Inhaling shakily, Patton looked at the camera. "V, I think it might be saying 'go away'."

Virgil quickly wiped the look of worry off their face- they were supposed to be a sceptic, after all- and nodded. "Yes Patton, the demon is antisocial and wants us all to fuck off." They spun the camera around as if looking for a demon. "Understandable, have a nice day."

"Virgil, will you please deign to keep the camera on the board, I fear Roman is going to start yelling any minute otherwise." Logan's even voice brought all attention back to the board, where the planchette was just moving off the 'A'.

Roman looked like he was about to burst. He let out a breath he'd been holding. "Everyone shut up, this is the most evidence we've ever got!"

"This isn't exactly evidence. The planchette moving is due to what's called the 'ideomotor effect', simply meaning your body talks to itself. It's an example of involuntary, unconcious physical movement." Logan was now the focus of attention. "Patton has planted the idea that the so-called 'demon' is trying to spell 'go away', so it is likely the planchette will react to your unconcious movements to spell out those words."

Sulkily, Roman sat back, leaning on both his hands. "C'mon teach, you can't just... take the magic out of this like that."

Logan looked surprised. "I... I'm sorry Roman, I just thought it would be interesting to know the actual science behind the board, especially since we're filming it." He looked sincerely apologetic. "I apologise for taking the metaphorical 'magic' out of this activity."

Roman sighed, but smiled slightly. "Don't worry about it." He fiddled with the pronoun bracelet, and switched it to a green 'they\them' bracelet. "You know, I don't believe the ghosts are biting tonight. I suggest we leave and perhaps try again another day."

Patton nodded enthusiastically. "Yes please, can we please leave, I keep feeling like we should leave, let's leave-" He scooped up the ouija board, only pausing to move the planchette quickly to 'goodbye', and stuffed it in Roman's bag.

The procession downstairs was slightly less upbeat than the procession upstairs had been, but Roman was determined to not make Logan feel bad. "Besides," they said, arm slung around Logan. "I doubt demons would be very respectful of pronouns." Virgil stifled a laugh.

"Yeah, nobody wants to talk with disrespectful demons." The group reached the door and they turned to look at the house once last time. "Fuck off demon, we don't need your transphobia!"

Patton panicked for a second and clapped his hand over Virgil's mouth. "Virgil! It'll hear you!"

Roman laughed heartily. "Don't worry, Pat, I agree with Casper the Unfriendly Ghost here. Who cares if the transphobic demon hears, I refuse to bother myself with the opinions of demon who can't even talk back to us."

Walking back to the car, Logan was nudged gently by Roman. "Hey, teach, you can't say there's absolutely no way the planchette was moved by a demon or a ghost, can you?"

About to retort that yes, he could say that, Logan looked at Roman's face, their eyes showing just a little bit of hope. "...no, I can't say for certain that the planchette wasn't moved by a supernatural force."

Perhaps it was foolish, but seeing Roman's face light up was worth it.

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

i love the sanders sides and i love buzzfeed unsolved so here ya go, have this brain child, hope you enjoy- you're welcome to ask for more!

#sanders sides #sanders sides fic #sanders sides fanfiction #roman #logan #patton #gay sanders sides #trans!logan #trans!patton #nonbinary!virgil #genderfluid!roman #creativity #morality #logic #anxiety #buzzfeed unsolved #bfu au #sanders sides au

[byeoltoyuki]

BREATHE ⇾PJM

↳ Pairing: Jimin x You

❧ Genre : Fluff / Smut / slight angst / angel Jimin

❧ Words : +25k

❧ Warnings : mention of suicide / unprotected sex / riding / 

❧ Summary: Before him, you were unhappy. Before him, you were just so tired, wanting to give up so badly. But then, an angel by the name of Park Jimin came into your life and turned it upside down. Suddenly, the long and dark days turned into something else. And just maybe you finally understood how it felt to be truly happy.

⇢ A/N: It’s finally out! I didn’t expect it to turn out long but it still happened. 

@bts-lune just because I know you’ve been waiting for this ♥︎ and @toddsgirl27 just like I promised :)

                                                      ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

When Jimin suggested a night ride, you didn't really expect him to drive you to the cursed bridge.  Not that the bridge was actually cursed but it did bring back some rather unpleasant memories in your mind. You expected him to drive you to some cute, warm place where he would once again show you just how romantic he could be and how much he cared and loved you. Yes, Jimin was that predictable, or maybe you just knew him too well despite knowing him for only a year. Truth to be told it felt like you have known him for centuries if not more.

And yet, when the bridge came in sight, you couldn't help but fidget uneasily in your seat and glance warily at Jimin wondering what was he up to. You tried to convince yourself that it was a pure coincidence that he drove towards the bridge, it was just part of the trip but your guts told you otherwise. So when Jimin pulled the car to the side of the bridge and stepped out of the car, you simply stared at the poorly illuminated bridge before you.

What's on your mind, Jimin?

You didn't like being here. You didn't like how vulnerable you suddenly felt - you weren't used to it anymore.

As your heart decided on his own to beat faster, you closed your eyes for a moment and pressed your back a little harder against your seat. You inhaled slowly, trying to think about good things, trying to think positively and not let the memories related to this bridge haunt you. Easier said than done, but you were a fighter. When you opened your eyes once more, Jimin stood just before the car, the car lights giving him even more angelic vibes. Snow fell and swirled around him in a harmonious dance.

"You're beautiful." You whispered more to yourself than to him, but Jimin being Jimin of course heard you as his eyes found yours and he smiled proudly. You closed your eyes for a second before sighing in defeat. Whatever he had planned for you, you were ready to face it as long as he was by your side.

The moment you stepped outside, Jimin offered his hand for you to take it. And you did. You always did. He pulled you against him in a warm hug, his chin resting on top of your head, his arms wrapped tightly around your body. Jimin was warm, comforting and felt like home. It felt nice. Too nice even. Jimin rocked you gently while the snow fell on both of you and you snuggled closer.

“What are we doing here, Jimin?”

“Don’t you remember?” Jimin’s arms moved to your shoulders and he pushed you lightly to have a proper look of your face. He was smiling fondly at you, stars shining brightly in his eyes and it made you realize one more time how lucky you were.

He cupped your face, thumbs stroking gently your now bitten by the cold cheeks. Jimin looked at you with so much softness, with so much happiness, so much love in his eyes, it made you melt into puddle right on the spot. “This is where we met.” And with that he kissed your right cheek. "This is where I've met the prettiest of all the girls in the world." And then kissed the left one. "And this is pretty much where I fell for you." And he planted a soft kiss on your lips.

And this is where you changed my life. You wanted to say but instead went for some sarcasm.  “More like this is where I wanted everything to end and a terribly attractive man decided to save my stupid ass.”

Jimin laughed heartily at that. “I like your ass though.” And to add to his words he gave your butt a strong squeeze.

"Jimin!" You slapped his arm playfully and pushed him from you, feigning being angry with him when in fact you were just as amused as he was. "Not the point!" You walked past him but halted to glance at him and smirk. "But I know."

You resumed your walking without waiting for his reaction, without looking back at him - you didn't need to. You couldn't read minds, not like Jimin, but you knew him enough to imagine his reaction. You smiled to yourself before stretching your hand and soon enough you reached for the ledge of the bridge with your fingertips. You brushed it lightly, your fingers feeling the rough  and cold material as you walked slowly till you reached the place.

Just like last year, the river laid dark, silent, half frozen under the bridge. The night was still as cold, as snowy and could have been depressing but many things had changed for the past year. You had changed.

“Are you happy?” Jimin's voice echoed from behind you, so close, all you had to do was to take a step back and you would lean against him. But instead, you just stared at the darkness before you. Jimin's sudden question had taken you off guard. He sounded so serious, his voice rough which was unusual for him. And yet, you caught a glimpse of worry in his voice.

Am I happy? One year ago you would have said 'no' without hesitation. But now? The answer was just as simple. You pressed your back against Jimin's chest and instantly he circled his arms around your waist, pulling you even closer to him. You closed your eyes, your body relaxing, melting against him.

Your life wasn't perfect. Nobody's life was after all. But you got better. You set new goals, you met new friends, you met a man. A man that was willing to give up on everything for you. A man that turned your world upside down and showed you that your life didn't need to be perfect to be happy. You smiled to yourself at this thought and shifted in Jimin's arms so you could look at him.

"I am happy." You said without hesitation. "I truly am."

                                                      ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

One year ago,

It was Friday night when the first snow started falling over Seoul.

When most of people hurried to get home from work - to escape the sudden drop of temperature and the snow; you wandered aimlessly in the streets, bumping into some people, avoiding others. You should be doing the same, go home, warm yourself with a yummy meal, watch a movie or just be with your friends or your family. All those prospects were tempting, inviting, except it didn’t quite work for you.

Being with your family was out of question. Not like there was much left anyway. Your mother passed away five years ago which left you alone with your father. There was a time, when you wouldn’t have minded staying alone with him but the loss of your mother had left a huge hole in your life.

You mourned her, missed her every day, missed her smile, her comforting words, touches.  And yet with time, you accepted that death was part of everybody's life and there was nothing you could do except cherish the memories and keep the person in your heart.

But with her loss, your father changed drastically. At first, he started locking himself in his study, working from home day and night, barely seeing you, barely touching his food. You didn’t mind it, understanding that it was his way of coping with the loss. But then, empty bottles started piling up in your kitchen and by the time you realized what was going on, it was too late.

If only it had resumed to bottles. But no, then came the yelling, the blaming. You were no longer welcomed in your own house and instead he blamed you for his misery. It hurt a lot. You found yourself in a situation where nobody could help you and the only person who was supposed to be there for you, ended up hating you. But with time, like for many things, you became numb to the pain.

And now? Now you were alone, far from your family house and making sure to never come back.

You halted at the red light, squeezed in the crowd, you raised your head to look at the black sky hovering over the city. You admired how the city lights made the snow look like fairy dust falling all over your head and it reminded you of good old times when you would run under the snow, laughing with your mom.

I miss you.

"Watch your step!" Someone pushed you from the side but luckily for you, you didn't fall right on the road. Another day you would have fought back, calling out the idiot who shamelessly pushed you, but tonight you felt so tired, so lifeless which resulted in you crossing the road and holding back your tongue.

                                                   ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Out of all the places you could have chosen to go, a lonely, empty bridge ended up being your only option. At this time of the night, it was completely empty. No people, no cars. It was just you, your pain, your sorrow and the river.

You sat on the ledge of the bridge, contemplating the view before you. The river laid dark and calm under the bridge, frost forming at some places. It looked just as cold as the weather was and without a doubt, taking a swim would highly be unadvised, unless of course you wanted to get sick. However, your rustless mind imagined what would it be like to just lean a little more and let yourself fall in the cold water.

"That would be so easy."  For a second, you really wanted to take the leap and let the cold darkness engulf you, choke you, burn you. You would be free. Free of life that didn’t want you happy. Free of people judging your every move. Free of human selfishness. Why were you the one being fired when all you ever did was to defend your colleague from a pervert? Why didn’t she help you out the same way you did for her? It was unfair and sadly it wasn’t the first time that someone betrayed you.

When was the last time something good had happened to you? When was the last time you laughed until crying? You couldn’t remember. It was long ago.

“Are you seriously planning to jump?” A very melodic, almost angelic voice interrupted your trail of thoughts. You stopped leaning and glanced to the side to see the culprit. A snarky remark was just at the tip of your tongue but it died as fast as it came because before you stood probably the most beautiful human being you had ever met. Ashy hair, pretty, plump (totally kissable) lips, cute nose, absolutely pinch-able cheeks and yet something in his eyes intimidated you. They were pretty of course, just like pretty much everything about him, but the glimpse in his eyes bothered you.

His hands in his pocket he took few steps towards you, his eyes never leaving yours, maybe it was his way of conveying his intentions or maybe it was just to make sure you wouldn't try something funny. "The river is cold. You really don't want to try it."

"What."

"It's freezing." He stated the obvious. "You really don’t want to find out."

"And how is it your concern?" You snapped harshly at him.

"You really don’t want to drown in this river." He ignored your attempt to make him leave and instead kept trying to convince you that it was a bad idea to jump.

As you stared, annoyed, at him, something shifted in his eyes. The gentle look he had given you so far suddenly changed and you swore his eyes glowed. Your mind suddenly felt numb, disoriented, clouded, you couldn’t properly think about anything. Your body felt heavy and foreign to yourself and instead of leaning toward the river, it acted on its own, making you move and change direction.

"Join me." He said without breaking the eye contact. Simple words and yet to your ears they rang like a command. A command, your body followed.

Almost.

"Come on, Y/N."

The fact that a stranger knew your name was what brought you back from your trance. It felt like a slap or like someone had just threw a bucket of cold water at you. Whatever spell this man was working on you wore off, leaving you confused for a second but in control of your body. What the hell was that? You looked at your hands, unable to understand what just happened, how did it happen.

"What are you?" You asked, half scared of what this odd man could make you do and half angry because you had lost control. "How do you know my name?"

If the man was surprised with how easily you managed to recover, he didn’t say a word. Instead, he sighed and decided to answer, "I just know."

An answer that didn’t satisfy you.

You didn't think it could get any creepier - he proved you it could. You got goosebumps just by looking at his (perfect) face. He knew your name, he acted like he knew you and it scared you because you had absolutely no idea who the hell he was and what he wanted from you (well, except trying to stop you of course).

"What-what do you want?" You hated yourself for stuttering, for showing him how badly he affected you.

"What I want?" He repeated to himself. "Isn't it obvious? I want to help you."

You scoffed at his words, not believing him even for a second. "Why would you want to help me?" You paused only for a second before quickly adding "Scratch that. How about you mind your own damn business?"

"But you are my business." He assured you

"I don't see how!"

He took another step toward you, the space between you had dramatically decreased and this time you really panicked. You didn't want him any closer, it was too risky, you felt it deep in your guts.

"Stop!" You yelled and stretched your hand to make him stop. "Don't come any closer."

To your biggest surprise, he actually stopped. You signed in relief, bringing your hand over your chest.

"I could. But I don't want to."

The nerve.

He took advantage of your bewilderment to approach you; in the blink of an eye he was before you, so close you could feel his warmth circling you. Shocked by the sudden closeness, you wanted to take a step back, except you were on the edge and if it wasn't for his hands reaching for you, you would have fallen right into the river.

Your heart leapt in your throat, a silent scream escaping your mouth as you grabbed back, tightly, this odd man’s forearms, holding desperately. For someone who had decided that death was the solution to all your problems - suddenly, you didn’t feel like it was. For the first time that night, you were scared.

I don't want to die.

"Don't let go of me." You begged, your throat suddenly felt terribly sore and dry which resulted in your voice cracking, only adding to your now frail look. If only you could see yourself.

"I won't." His hold only tightened and then gently he pulled you closer to him. "Wrap your arms around my neck."

Ten minutes ago, no, even two minutes ago, you would have fought back. But now? You couldn't remember anymore what made you think that suicide was an option. You couldn't remember what made you think that jumping into a freezing river was a good idea. Your mind had sobered up and you scolded yourself for being so weak, so selfish. Where did you fighting spirit go?

So you listened to this man who despite being a total stranger decided to help you. He didn't make sense. None of it did, but you wrapped your arms tightly around his neck, letting him slid his arms under your knees, lifting you up from the edge. He took few steps back before halting once more.

None of you dared to talk. You, too stunned, too overwhelmed while he silently observed your reaction. You had your eyes shut and your head buried in his chest. Your heart was still thumping hard in your chest but fear had slowly faded away.

"Are you scared of dying?" He asked, his voice back being gentle and his grip around your body tightened, spreading even more warmth around you. God. Why does he feel so comforting?

Were you scared of dying? You thought you weren't. What a silly thought. Of course you were but you were too damn stubborn to have realized it sooner.

"I am."

"Good. You should be." You jolted in his arms instantly, taken aback by his words and yet, there was no trace of wickedness or intention of hurting you. "You should remember the fear you felt when you almost fell in the river. Don't forget it. Don't forget what brought you here in the first place either."

"What-"

"It makes you feel bad, awful and you want to forget. I get that. But instead, I suggest you to make those negative thoughts, feelings into something else. Turn it into your strength. You reached the bottom, didn't you? Then, you can only crawl up, don't you think?"

He put you carefully on the ground, his right hand stayed still on your hip to make sure you wouldn't stumble, to make sure that your legs wouldn't betray you. The moment your feet met the ground, you instantly grabbed for his arms to steady yourself.

Once sure your legs wouldn't give in, you lifted your head to look at him and ponder over his words. His words were a bit too close to home, you felt them deep in your guts, in your heart and no matter how painful it was to hear, it felt right.

"Yes." You managed to found your voice despite being mesmerized by this man. You had been dealing with him for the past thirty minutes, maybe less, maybe more, you weren't so sure anymore, but he had showed you kindness you didn't expect from a human being. He was beautiful and strange. Mysterious and enigmatic. Angelic yet dangerous. But he made you feel something you hadn't felt in years: hope.

"Good." His fingers reached for your cheek. The first brush of his fingertips made you shudder, the second made your breath hitch in your throat and by the third brush you fought yourself not to close your eyes and enjoy the softness of his fingers on your cheek. "I can't promise you that things would get better immediately." He resumed talking while stroking your cheek. "Rome wasn't built in a day. Be patient and I promise it will get better."

"Okay." You nodded your head and pressed your cheek a little harder against his hand. "Ok."

He broke into a dashing, most beautiful smile you had ever seen and it was a contagious one, you found yourself smiling back at him, feeling at ease and in peace.

"You'll be fine."

And then everything turned black.

                                                    ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

You woke up with a jolt, panting and sweating, disoriented for a moment. You looked around you, realizing quickly that you were in your room, in your bed which was odd. You remembered vividly spending most of your night outside, on a bridge with a stranger. The moment the memory of the man hit you, your eyes widened in shock. Had you dreamt about last night? You thought you did, but then, one glance at your clothes was enough for you to understand that no, it wasn't a dream.

But then, how did you end up in your own bed?

You pushed back your blanket only to wrap it around your body and then you left the safety of your room. Your flat was tiny but warm and decorated to suit your taste. The living room had only enough room for a small couch, a low table just beside and a TV attached to the wall. Just in the corner, beside the TV, hung a pot with marble pothos. You loved plants, they made the place look much healthier, warmer and made you feel less lonely. To some it would sound crazy but you didn't hesitate talking to your plants as you would take care of them. You had five more pots of plants in your kitchen and then a tiny completely improvised garden on your tiny balcony.

You opened the door to your balcony and readjusted the blanket around you. The fresh air hit your face, helping your mind to clear up. You had absolutely no idea what time it was but by how the sun was shining brightly it was probably past ten in the morning. You brushed one of your plant, pushing the snow from its leaves.

You'll be fine. His voice echoed in your mind.

Will I? You closed your eyes and took a deep breath, letting the cold engulf you and yet enjoying the first ray of sunshine that stroked your face. I will be. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but you believed you would be alright.

You reopened your eyes, gazing at the busy town before you and a small smile spread on your lips.

"Thank you." You whispered, the man's face still vivid in your mind.

Just as you closed the window behind you, your phone started ringing from somewhere in your living room. You followed the ring, from your window to your couch (why did you always lose your things in this couch?) and just like you expected it, your phone was hidden under a fluffy pink pillow.

You stared at your phone, quirking a brow at the name displayed on the screen. Auntie. A shiver run down your spine. Your aunt happened to be the only person from your family that you still talked to (and cared for). She was your mother's older sister and the only person who supported your decision of leaving the house. She knew how toxic the house had become, she saw the signs, she saw the damages. Just like you, she wanted you to leave and fly by your own wings. Of course, on many occasions, she asked you to come to live with her, she had enough room for you as she was single and too busy with her work. It was nice of her but you didn't want to rely so much on someone. And because you weren't sure you would be able to leave with someone as extravagant as your aunt.

You took a deep breath, bracing yourself for her attack before answering. "Hello?"

“Rise and shine!”

"Oh my god." You cringed at her cheerful and loud voice. You were certain to go deaf. “Hello to you too.” You readjusted the blanket around your body and fell back on the couch with a long and tired sigh. "You sound happy."

“That’s because I am.”

“And do I want to know why?”

“I bet you do.” It was your first clue on what she was about to say.

“So, you know how I work for this IT company? Well, my boss’s secretary is on unlimited sick leave and I gave your resume.”

I knew it.

“You did what?”

“When are you free? They want to meet you.”  

To say that your aunt was eager for you to work in the same company as her would be the understatement of the century. She sounded happy, jumpy even and absolutely convinced that just by meeting you, they would agree to give you the job. You really admired her positivity and optimism but sometimes it wasn't enough.

You'll be fine.

You got startled as his voice echoed once more in your mind.

"Y/N?"

What if your aunt's sudden call was meant to happen? What if it was exactly what you needed? You never planned working as a secretary, it wasn't your dream job but it was a job like any other and it was definitely better than working at a bar. It was your chance, an opportunity you couldn't ignore and you wouldn't.

"Listen Y/N. I understand that it might not be your dream job-"

"I'm in." You cut her before she could start listing all the reasons why you should take your chance. There was no need for it, you had made up your mind.

I will be fine.

"It might be interesting." Then she paused, your words finally dawned on her. "What?"

"I said, I'm in."

"Wow." She chuckled to herself and you heard her pushing a chair and probably slumping into it. "Who are you and what did you do to my rebellious niece? Should I call the cops?"

You actually laughed at that. In her shoes you would have been surprised too with how fast you agreed. Another day, you would have been surprised too.

"Still in there."

"I'm surprised."

"I want things to change." You admitted, pouring all your hope in your voice.

"Oh I believe they're just about to."

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Despite your aunt working for the same company for over ten years, you had never (not even once) set foot inside the building. It was huge, massive, impressive. It was a seventy floor building and without a doubt the view from up there must be breathtaking. People were going in and out of the building, looking all so concentrated but looking like some models. You were impressed, really, and it wasn't that hard imagining your aunt working in such environment, it was perfect for her. But would it be good for you? There was only one way to find out.

"Come  on Y/N. You can do it." You told yourself.

At the reception desk you were given a visitor badge. The woman at the reception was nice enough not to judge your outfit, instead she gave you a warm, reassuring smile and explained you where you needed to go. You thanked her and went for the lift; you had your interview on the fiftieth floor and someone was supposed to be waiting for you.

When the doors opened you were welcomed with your aunt's radiant, eternal smile. "Y/N!" Without letting you time to react, she pulled you in her arms for a tight embrace, almost breaking your bones. From the outside your aunt looked frail, but you knew better than to judge. Yes, she was slim and petite but those who knew her, remembered perfectly her five years of boxing.

"I can't breathe." You coughed and patted her arm which only made her laugh. She took a step back, her hands remained on your shoulders as she eyed you from head to toe, judging your attire.

Here comes the disappointed look. "Stop it."

"Stop what?"

"You look like you're about to scold me."

"Wouldn't dare." She said but her face said differently. You arched a brow at her ready to share a piece of your mind but your aunt beat you at it. She rose her arms in defeat. "Fine. Fine. You win."

You smirked proudly.

"I didn't have anything better to wear." You looked down at your outfit. "It's not even that bad." But your aunt didn't seem to agree.

"Come on. You're going to meet your maybe future boss."

"Boss?"

"Yes. My boss wants to meet you."

You were completely rooted to the spot. It was one thing to prepare yourself for the interview but it was another to know that you would be facing right away your possible future boss. Suddenly, you weren't so confident. What if he didn't like you? What if you were too confident? Too hopeful? With  this realization, your face paled.

Seeing you weren't following her, your aunt stopped in her track and glanced at you. She didn't need to ask what was wrong, it was written all over your face. She smiled fondly at you and got back to you, taking your hands in hers. "Don't worry, dear. You'll be alright." She gave your hands a gentle, reassuring squeeze before resuming walking. And this time you followed her.

Your aunt brought you to an empty meeting room, too big for two. There was a huge round table, a big white screen on the wall and a tall weeping fig in the corner.

"Take a seat. He should arrive shortly."

"Why am I meeting him so soon?" You asked, nervous, as you chose your seat.

"He said that since it would be someone close to him, he wanted to be the one to chose the right person." She explained. "His current secretary is nice." You didn't believe her. "But a tiny bit shallow."

"And how is he? "

Her face suddenly shone brightly. "He's a very interesting young man."

Now you were interested.

"He's brilliant, clever, a genius actually. He seems to know everything and sometimes I wonder if he can read our minds. Nobody can lie to him."

You should have googled him and made some research about the company but you worked more on your experience or lack of it in your case, your qualities and your flaws. You felt your palm starting sweating; you rubbed your hands against your thighs but it didn't help much.

"He's hot too." Your aunt added. "If only I was ten years younger." She sighed dreamily which actually made you chuckle. "Oh mock me all you want. You'll see by yourself."

"If you say so."

"Good luck." Then, she left you alone. Alone with your thoughts and your rising stress. There was absolutely nothing that could go wrong you tried to convince yourself. You came to the interview with your convictions and your being. You had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

You can only crawl up.

He was right.

With this thought on mind, you relaxed a little, your heart slowing down. In your head, you started repeating the speech you had prepared for your self-introduction. You repeated all the arguments you prepared in case of questions about your experiences but all of it was thrown out the window the moment the boss stepped in the room. Your mind froze, so did your body.

This…It can't be. Then thoughts started racing, screaming in your head. How, why was the man from the bridge standing before you?

"Hello miss L/Y/N. Sorry for making you wait. I'm Park Jimin." He introduced himself and you couldn't help but simply stare at him, your brain refusing to comprehend his simple words.

"Park Jimin?" You repeated without really realizing what you were saying until it was too late. You coughed awkwardly before standing up abruptly from your place to meet him. "Sorry- I mean, nice to meet you."

Jimin only chuckled at your reaction and offered his hand that you hurried to shake. You couldn't get any more awkward, you thought, and yet you did. You stumbled on your way to reach for his hand, scolding yourself for being so clumsy when you were supposed to be composed and confident. Failure number one of the day.

"Sorry. I'm usually not like this." You felt the need to justify yourself.

Jimin shook his head, smiling at you. "Happens every time."

Cocky bastard.

He arched a brow and your aunt's words echoed in your mind. "I wonder if he can read minds." You hoped not.

"Relax. I promise, I'm inoffensive." He joked and showed you your seat. "Most of the time." And he sat across from you.

His attempt at making you at ease almost worked. You were of course still stressed, how could you not when such a handsome man (the same man that saved you) was sitting across from you. But it was better. Maybe working with such an easy going person wouldn't be too bad. If what he showed right now was the real him of course.

You stared at him for a while, wondering if you should let him start or if you should do it yourself. You had only two job interview in your life and none of them were very representative of real life. But this? It was even weirder.

"I-" You started but were cut by Jimin.

"What do you like in life, Y/N. Can I call you Y/N?"

You blinked, confused with him and his questions. "Sorry?"

"If it's too much-"

"No." You cut him this time, "Please, call me Y/N."

Jimin's grin widened, satisfied. "Good."

"As for my hobbies…" You paused, thinking about your hobbies. What were they? Nobody had ever asked you about them and you had never really given a thought either. You enjoyed many simple things in life: a good book, when you weren't working you would be spend your time laying on your couch wrapped in a fluffy blanket and a book. You loved music, but then, many people did too. You loved going for long night walks, especially on summer days when after a long and warm (not to say suffocating) day you could finally get lost in the streets and enjoy the fresh air. Cooking was another of your hobby, but did Jimin really want to know such a silly thing about you?

"You're overthinking." Jimin cut your trail of thoughts, his voice still as gentle and soft as you remembered it from that night on the bridge. You got the goosebumps just at his voice but at least it stopped you arguing with yourself and you looked back at him. "Say what comes first to your mind. Nothing is silly."

"I wonder if he can read minds." You wanted to ask how could he know what exactly you were thinking about but refrained yourself. For now.

"It depends on my mood. One week I'd say it's reading. Another week I'd say cooking. And another week I can say getting lost in a city by night. I don't know if those are my hobbies, but those are the things I enjoy a lot."

"Interesting."

"Is it?"

"I saw your resume, Y/N. I don't care about your lack of experience." He crossed his fingers, your eyes followed the gesture, noticing a silver ring on his middle finger. "You will learn the job and I believe you can do it fast. What I do care about is to get to know you. If you're hired, you will spend quite a lot of time with me and I better make it easy for both of us. Would be bad if we don't get along, don't you think?"

"Then, what do my hobbies tell about me?" You asked, genuinely curious.

"A lot actually. You like reading which means you are eager to learn more. You said you like cooking? It means you are a creative person who can improvised, it can be very useful. Does it sound like you?"

"I can say yes and you wouldn't know if I'm lying or not." Maybe provoking your possible boss wasn't your brightest idea but he said himself that it was all about getting to know each other and if he wanted to know who you were then, you wanted to know who he was too.

"I don't think you would lie to me." He deadpanned.

"How would you know?"

"I have a feeling."

"And do you always trust your feelings?"

"I do."

"Interesting." You used his own words against him and it made him smile proudly before leaning back against his chair.

"Fine. You're right. I have nothing to gain by lying." You raised your hands in absolute defeat, nevertheless you were amused. "What else do you want to know?"

"How about, what do you want to know about me, Y/N?" Jimin asked.

Indeed, what did you want to know about him? Many things. Was it really him that night on the bridge? You swore it was. And yet, despite being face to face with him, not even once he showed any sign of recognition. It bothered you, you realized. You wanted to ask and yet you couldn't find the courage to ask him in fear to sound crazy. If it was real, wouldn't he have said so?

"Is your secretary really on sick leave?" You weren't sure where this question was coming from but you were curious. If getting along with his secretary really mattered, then how could he get along with someone shallow? According to your aunt of course.

Jimin quirked a brow, obviously taken aback by your question and for a short second you regretted asking but you remained composed. For once. Then, and to your biggest surprised, Jimin laughed. A big, loud laugh that made your body relax, in relief. Or was it something else?

"What makes you say that?"

"Something about your current secretary being shallow."

He laughed again. A very melodic and a tiny bit contagious laugh. You put your hand over your mouth to hide a smile. "That she is. I guess, since you decided to be so honest with me, I should be too."

"Will you now?"

"Yes. You're right. She's on sick leave but not for long. Once she comes back, she's moving to marketing department. She'll be more useful to the marketing director."

"That's drastic."

"She knows why I'm doing this. She saw it coming."

You bit on your lips to prevent yourself from asking more, it was none of your business and you weren't sure knowing about his secretary would make a difference for your future.

"What do you aspire in life, Y/N?" Jimin suddenly asked, his gaze piercing, making you gulp hard.

This question you didn't need to think hard. "This one is simple." You looked at him, confident. "To be happy."

"Well. Let's see what we can do."

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

"Nervous?" Your aunt met you at the reception desk with a huge grin plastered on her face. Of course she was already well awake, had her coffee and looked fresh in her black dress and too shiny jewelry. Which was definitely not your case.

Did you get any sleep ever since you received the final call? Barely. You were excited, eager, it was a fresh start, new life but at the same time you were stressed, doubting suddenly yourself and your skills. Were you suited for this job? Jimin thought you were and you held to his opinion.

You thanked the lady at the reception who gave you your personal badge and looked at your aunt. Just one look at her and you knew she was excited for you and was probably even more happier than you for this new job. Her smile was radiant and warm just like a very proud mother. She reminded you a lot of your mother, especially today.

"A little." You admitted and joined her to the other side of the barrier.

"Just a little?" She didn't sound convinced and you couldn't blame her, you weren't fully convinced either.

"Fine." You raised your hands in defeat. "I'm hella stressed, happy?" But despite your words, you smiled.

She chuckled. "Is it about the job or Jimin?"

You paused on your way and actually considered her words. "Both?"

"Thought so." She let you get inside the lift first before following you inside and pressing for the last floor. "You don't need to worry about Jimin. You won't see him much this week."

Comforting.  

"Ever since your interview with him, he took the liberty to make some changes." Your aunt started, looking intensely at you and checking for any reactions.

"What do you mean?"

"Well for instance your personal office is on his floor which wasn't Eunhee's case. I guess all this time he just wanted to avoid her at all cost - not like I can blame him. I'm sure he got rid of her because she crossed a line."

"So you really knew she wasn't on real on sick leave?"

Your aunt paused before shrugging. "I talk a lot with Jimin."

"Damn, are you crushing on your boss?"

"If only I was younger!"  She lamented dramatically.

You both laughed at that. Without a doubt, your aunt was really fond of Jimin and it wasn't hard to understand.

"On more serious note, he's very human and understanding which wasn't my previous boss's case." She admitted. "He treats his people right. Everybody likes him."

You kept your mouth shut but silently agreed with her. Jimin did sound very human.

"I'll show you around and will introduce you to some nice people. I'm sure you'll get along with my protegé, Yunji."

"Depends. Is she as loud as you?" She nudged you playfully in response. "Sorry, sorry."

"Oh I know you and your sorry! Doesn't work on me." She feigned being upset but the more she tried to bite back her smile and the more her eyes shone betraying her. "Fine. Yes, Yunji is a little loud but she's very nice and friendly. I'm sure you'll like her."

"We'll see." But despite your nonchalant reply, you were pleased and comforted at the idea of meeting new people and make friends.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Ever since your first visit, you imagined the view you would get from the last floor - and you were right, it was beautiful. You didn't even pay attention the place, instead you went straight for the windows to admire the view. The city laid before your eyes, noisy, agitated but still beautiful. I can get used to it.

"Nice view right?" Your aunt's voice came from behind her. You didn't look back but you nodded your head. "Luckily for you, your desk is just beside so if you ever get bored you can always admire the view."

"I doubt I'll get bored."

You turned to face your aunt but instead of looking at her, you finally realized how huge the floor was. Too spacious for one person in your opinion.

"This is your work place." Your aunt pointed at the desk. Feel free to decorate it. You have almost the whole floor for yourself- obviously the other half is Jimin's." And then she pointed at the door. "And behind the door is Jimin's office."

You nodded, your eyes lingering a little longer than needed on Jimin's door. Was he inside? You wondered.

"He's not in there." She got you startled, caught like a deer. "It's written all over you face."

You huffed but didn't comment, instead your attention was grabbed by a cup of coffee on your desk. You quirked a brow, surprised but delighted at the sight. Coffee was very much appreciated. But then, along with the cup, you spotted a small pink note.

"I'm looking forward to work with you. -Jimin"

All your anxiety vanished at those simple words. You smiled to yourself and took a sip of your coffee. It was strong, without sugar, just how you liked it.

"Well, aren't you lucky?" Your aunt read the note. "Your boss makes you coffee. I'm jealous."

"And a good one."

"Now I'm really jealous." But she laughed. "Are you ready? I guess you weren't told that I'd be the one teaching you this week."

"You?" It was good news, after all, starting at a new place with someone you knew was comforting, but at the same time knowing your aunt, it was terrifying. You loved your aunt, you really did. But you weren't sure you would survive her energy.

But you did.

Hardly.

But you did. By the end of your first week, you learnt everything you needed to know. You learnt as much as you could about the company, met as many people as you could. It was a lot to process but it was interesting and instructive. By the end of the week, you realized that maybe Jimin was right about yourself. You got along pretty easily  with your aunt's colleagues such as Yunji who welcomed you with opened arms (and didn't miss her chance to admit how great you were compared to the previous secretary).  

                                                   ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

On Friday night, instead of going home like you were used to do, you accepted your aunt's invitation to go out for a drink. It was refreshing and relaxing. Your aunt went straight for a mojito, asking it to be strong while you played it safe and went for a beer.

"Cheers." Your aunt raised her freshly made glass and you clinked your bottle against her glass.

You took a sip of your beer, enjoying the bitter taste but what you enjoyed even more was your aunt's company. Not long ago you would have declined her offer, but tonight it felt right. Tonight it felt good.

When you looked around, you spotted few familiar faces; some you met on your small breaks, some you were introduced to. Minwoo from IT was chatting lively with Solji from human resources. Yunji was openly flirting with a guy you didn't remember seeing around but she seemed pleased and pretty much into him.

"Is it me or this is our company's lair?" You asked

Your aunt followed your gaze and her smile widened at the sight of some colleagues. "Yes. We like coming to this bar. Their drinks are always good, the atmosphere is very nice and it's close to the building so we can go straight to the bar after work." She, then, paused to take a sip. "Jimin comes with us from time to time."

You pretended not being interested about this piece of information that was indeed you were interested. It wasn't hard to imagine Jimin among the others, drinking, laughing with them. You tried to hide your smile by taking another sip but you believed it didn't quite work.

"We had a private party here for my birthday."

"Aren't you lucky."

"I know."

Your aunt stared at her glass, deeply lost in her thought which was a rather unusual sight but you let her be and instead turned around on your seat to watch the people around you. Yunji, this time, spotted you too; she raised her glass to greet you and you mirrored her action, smiling.

"There is something I was meant to ask you but I didn't find the right moment to do it." Your aunt started.

You looked at her, curious. "What is it?"

"What made you change your mind so drastically? You changed." You frowned at her question but she was quick to add, "I mean, not long ago you were avoiding me. You were in your own bubble, not letting people in. I know you were unhappy."

You stayed silent and looked everywhere but at her. Her words were true, you knew it but they brought back the memory of that night, the night you first met Jimin. The night your life took a very odd turn.

"I was miserable." You admitted, your voice weak and barely audible but she heard you. "I was tired. Tired of people taking me for granted. I realized I was better alone but maybe I just gave my trust to the wrong people."

"Then what changed?"

"I met someone one night." You had Jimin on mind. You still didn't know if that night on the bridge was real; Jimin confused you as he didn't mention your first encounter. But your tired mind couldn't have made up all of it. You turned to look at your. "I had reached the bottom but he made me realize that I could do better. It was up to me to change my life. I want to get out of my comfort zone and see what I can do for myself."

"Interesting." She hummed to herself and then smirked. "Was it a guy?" You opened your mouth to answer but close it soon enough when her words fully hit you - you blushed. "So it is a guy!" She was all too happy, you realized. She leaned closer, invading all your personal space. "Is he cute? Or sexy? Or terribly dangerous?"

"You're impossible!" You pushed her gently away from you which only made her clap her hands and laugh loudly.

"What? You're young and beautiful! I'm surprised you're single."

"And you're the one talking."

"Touché."

"Hey, I was wondering." You started, trying to distract from a subject you weren't comfortable enough to talk about. Yet.

"Are you trying to change the subject?"

"No?"

"You so are."

"Fine! Fine!" You surrendered.

"What is it?"

"Isn't it weird how Jimin takes a week off at the last minute?"

"Oh that." To your utter surprise, instead of being taken aback with your question, she was nonchalant, almost as if she had expected you to ask. "He does it every now and then. It drove his secretaries crazy."

Odd.

"Probably family business." She added with a shrug. "Did you manage to clear his schedules?"

"Yeah. Some weren't too happy about it." Not to say some were extremely unpleasant but you didn't care; they weren't the one you were working for, their opinion didn't matter. "I'm going to get myself another beer. Do you want something?"

"I'm all good thanks."

You moved from your seat but you made barely two steps before bumping hard into someone. You didn't notice the guy, in fact it seemed he had appeared out of nowhere. Nevertheless the impact was strong enough to make you stumble and you would have fallen on the floor if it wasn't for two strong arms circling your body.

"Shit. I'm so sorry." A very deep and too pleasant voice reached your ears. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. No harm done." That was true until you took a step back to put some space between the man and you. You first noticed that he was taller than you but then when you properly looked at his face framed with black locks, beautiful deep eyes, something in you snapped. Your whole body tensed, your breath hitched in your throat while your heart beat faster, roaring in your ears. His face was all too familiar, a déjà vu. It wasn't the first time it felt this but it still confused you. Who are you?

"Y/N?" His face mirrored your own confusion and doubt written all over it. He opened his mouth and closed it almost immediately too stunned, unable to speak his mind.

"Excuse me but do I know you?" He knew your name and yet you couldn't remember where you had met or seen him before.

I wouldn't have forgotten such a face.

Your question, however, seemed to have woken him up from his trance. He took a step back, alarmed he bit on his lips. His sudden reaction to your question triggered you only more and unconsciously you took a step forward. There was something going on, something you seemed not remember and you didn't like how vulnerable it made you feel.

"I'm sorry." The young man whispered. You didn't heart it with all the noise around you but you read it on his lips. What was he sorry about, you weren't so sure.

"Wha-" But you couldn't finish your sentence; he turned his back and started getting away from you as far as he could. It took you off guard and by the time your body reacted it was too late. You launched yourself on his track, you had unanswered questions and you wanted answers. But it was too late. The young man had vanished from the place.

What was that?

                                                     ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Oddly enough, despite Jimin being away, every single morning you had a cup of coffee waiting for you on your desk. You didn't know how it was possible but your guess was Jimin asked someone to do it for him. It made your heart flutter every single time, brightening your day. A simple coffee was enough to help you to get through the day.

Without Jimin, the floor felt really empty but at least some of your new friends paid you visit every now and then.

"Heard anything from our boss yet?" Yunji asked you during your lunch break on Wednesday. It had been only three days but it seemed like you weren't the only one who missed Jimin's presence.

"Why should I?"

"Why indeed." Yunji wiggled her brows playfully. "I heard from a little bird that he leaves you a coffee every morning. I expected you to see him."

"I didn't though." You sighed, "I'm sure he asked someone to do it for him." Yunji only hummed. "I don't know why he keeps doing it."

"He sees your potential and knows you're a nice and interesting person."

"Is he so nice with everybody?"

"Almost. But especially with interesting people." She smiled proudly. "When I caught the flue, he actually asked his driver to get me home and to bring me medicine."

"Wow."

"There's a reason why he's so appreciated. But he treats you even better."

You closed your eyes for a second, trying not to give her words too much thoughts but they lingered on the back of your mind.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

On Wednesday night, after a long, tiring but interesting day, you were glad to be back to the safety of your home with a warm cup of hot chocolate and Netflix on TV. What else could you wish for? Maybe someone to hug but for now you had your pillow and it was enough.

You were scrolling through the different trending movies on Netflix, looking for what could interest you. Your concentration, however, was soon broken when your phone rang. Your eyes still glued to the TV screen, you grabbed your phone.

Unknown number [8:30pm]: Are you free tonight?

You stared at the message, your face blank. You didn't recognize the number and usually you would either delete the message or wait for the person to send you another one with at least a name. This time, though, you found yourself typing an answer.

You [8:31pm] : Do I know you?

Unknown number [8:31pm]: Shouldn't you have your boss's number?

Your eyes widened in shock, you couldn't believe what you were reading. You reread the message three times, making sure your brain wasn't playing some trick - it wasn't.

You [8:32pm] : Jimin?????

Jimin [8:32pm]: This is how they call me.

You [8:33pm]: I mean, M.Park.

Jimin [8:34pm] : Jimin is fine. Especially when it's only the two of us.

Jimin [8:34pm]: So. Free tonight?

You [8:34pm] : As a matter of fact, I'm not.

Jimin [8:35pm] : Oh.

Jimin [8:35pm]: Too bad. I'm already waiting for you. downstairs.

You jolted from the couch, your phone in your hand, you opened the window-door to the balcony too fast and stepped outside. There was no way Jimin, this man, your boss, could be outside - but he was.

Jimin was leaning against his car, his head raised, watching, waiting for you, he knew you would check. He smirked proudly at your sudden appearance and waved his hand. You couldn't believe he was right there. It was an illusion. But even when you rubbed your eyes, he was still there. You didn't need to think twice before dialing his number. You could have been nice or polite or formal except your mind was going crazy and for a second you forgot that he was your boss - you yelled at him. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Jimin only laughed. "You lied."

"What- Jimin."

"I like how my name sounds."

This was not how you imagined your conversation with Jimin going. Actually, scratch that, you didn't expect him to show up at your doorstep, uninvited mind you, and to ask you out when he was supposed to be out of town (according to rumors of course). His words took you (like it happened on many occasion now) off guard. It shouldn't, but it did.

"You can't say that." You groaned, feeling your heartbeat speed up.

"Why did you lie, Y/N?" He asked more calmly. He was calm but not in a bad way, nor did his question sounded like a reproach, probably because he already knew your answer. You were easy to read and he enjoyed it.

"I- This is just too weird." You admitted with a long and tired sigh as you leaned against the balcony ledge. Your grip on your phone only tightened when you looked back at him. You thanked god and all other divinities for it being dark outside and making it impossible for Jimin to see that despite your calm attitude, your cheeks had turned pink.

"Is it? I don't see why." Now he sounded playful and even from afar you spotted the ghost of a smirk on his handsome face. He was teasing you.

"You're impossible." You huffed before chuckling in defeat. No. Jimin wasn't an illusion, he was really downstairs, waiting for you.

"So I was told." He approved before adding "Are you free?"

A part of you, a very tiny part of you screamed at you to say no. No matter how nice Jimin was, he was still your boss and there was a line you didn't want to cross, unless of course you needed some more drama in your life. But a very big part of you was completely smitten with him, wanting nothing more than to join him downstairs and get to know him better.

You're insane Y/N.  But even that thought didn't help.

"Ugh. Fine." You surrendered "On one condition."

"Anything."

I'm fucked.

"No fancy restaurant. I look like a potato beside you."

Jimin giggled at the comparison, making your insides melt at the sound.

It's a very bad idea. But you were a professional when it came to bad decisions.

                                                 ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Jimin listened to your request and instead of bringing you to some fancy restaurant  he brought you to a small restaurant that according to him had the best samgyeopsal - you were in heaven and suddenly felt all too happy accepting his offer.

You eyed the sets before you, meat, different side dishes and of course he had ordered some soju.

"Are you planning to get me drunk, Jimin?" It surprised you how easily you managed to call him by his name. It shouldn't have been so easy but it was - it felt natural and right.  

"Why would I?" He wiggled his brows playfully at you. "It will just help you to ease up around me. Forget that I'm your boss for tonight."

"You're weird." You deadpanned. That was not what you wanted to say but it came out anyway.

"Am I?"

"In a way, yes. You're too nice."

"Is it a crime being nice now?"

"Weren't you supposed to be out of town?" Instead of answering him you chose to go for another question that was bothering you.

"I never said I would be out of town." He replied while pouring soju in your glass. "I had some business but I thought it would be nice to see you too."

If it was supposed to comfort you, it didn't quite work. You stayed silent, staring at him with a blank face, trying to read through him. But you couldn't. Jimin was a mystery but a mystery you actually wanted to explore.

"Fine." You took your glass and raised it towards him. "Let's do it. Let's talk and get to know each other better."

"Perfect." And he clicked his glass against yours before quickly emptying his glass in one go.

"Do you actually invite all your employees for a drink to  get to know them?" You asked sincerely curious as to why he wanted so badly to meet you.

"We already started? Damn I'm too slow!"

You rolled your eyes, "Jimin!"

Jimin winked playfully, unfazed with your fake annoyance. "Fine. No, I don't."

Then why me you wanted so badly to say but you bit on your tongue. Seeing how playful Jimin was, you were convinced he wouldn't give you his reasons and instead would tease you.

"When you'll meet Eunhee and I'm sure you will, you'll understand why I didn't invite her."

"Are you reading my mind?" You hoped not.

Jimin chuckled at your question and poured some more soju in your glasses. "You're just easy to read, Y/N."

"If you say so." You weren't fully convinced.

Jimin, like a good host, was the one to grill the meat, to fill your glass and at some point was the one who prepared the perfect wrap for you. It was confusing, endearing and you couldn't help but feel flustered whenever he would hand you a perfectly made wrap.

"Whose task is it to bring me my coffee while you're away?"

"Isn't it my turn to ask?"

You sulked in response even if he was absolutely right. You crossed your arms over your chest, waiting for his question, dreading it. "Fine."

"Are you seeing someone?"

You expected everything except this question. Your brain froze as you stared intensely at Jimin. He was not normal.

"Should it be something my boss ask?"

"Why not?"

You lowered your gaze, unable to look him in the eye and instead prepared yourself another wrap. You could feel his intense gaze on you, waiting for your answer - he was really waiting for it. You were tempted to fight back but resisted the urge for your own sake.

"No. I'm not. You?"

"Am not." He replied, surprising you.

You forgot all about your food with his answer and watched him, looking for any sign of lie. "I don't believe you."

"How come?" He laughed

"Have you seen your face?"

"Why yes! This morning."

Without a doubt, he was testing your patience. I'm going to smash his head. You didn't of course. "Don't make me say it."

"But I kinda want to hear it." You decided to shut him up by shoving your freshly made wrap in his mouth. He blinked, surprised with your reaction and this time you were the one chuckling at his face.

Jimin chewed on his wrap, regaining his composure too fast for your liking, his mischievous smile was back. He took his cup and just before emptying it, he added, "I didn't assign anyone to bring you coffee. I did it."

Oh boy. You were in trouble.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Working for and with Jimin was easier than you thought. Yes, your days were hectics and yes you were initially scared after that night at the restaurant, you didn't want you relationship to get awkward. It didn't. Jimin stayed professional, being very official whenever you were among others but once there was only the two of you, he would get playful, teasing you. If at first it bothered you, now you were completely used to it and you played his game.

Jimin [10:40am] : Is there a chance you can cancel all the upcoming meetings for the year with Kang? No. Not a year. Till he retires.

Did you mention that Jimin's new hobby was to text you whenever he got bored at meetings? You chuckled at his message.

You [10:40am]: No. Concentrate please.

Jimin [10:41am]: But I'm bored!!

Jimin [10:41am]: Do you know how hard it is to keep concentrated with what he's saying?

You [10:42am]: M.Park, you're impossible.

Jimin [10:42am]: Are you frowning?

You  [10:42am]: I'm desperate, yes.

Jimin [10:45am] : Oh come on! Entertain me!

You [10:45am]: Excuse you but I have work to do!

Jimin [10:46am] : Your boss won't blame you if you don't do your work.

You [10:48am]: Stop distracting me!

Jimin [10:49am]: If you didn't want to talk to me, you would have ignored me though.

Touché. +1 for Jimin, 0 for you. But you did exactly what he suggested: you ignored him for the rest of the meeting.

                                                   ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

You were going through your mails, concentrated, wanting to make sure not to miss out the most important ones. On the background you heard the doors of the lift opening, but you didn't pay attention to it, after all why would you? Many visitors would come to the floor whenever it was to pay you a visit or to see Jimin. You came, however, to regret not paying attention to your surroundings, it would have spared you to look a tiny bit stupid.

You were peacefully reading an e-mail, an invitation to an event when someone beside you cleared its throat - it was a man, you guessed by the sound of it. Startled, you looked up and regretted bitterly not doing it earlier. You knew this face, this man, you had seen him before and this time you remembered where you had seen him. It was the man from the bar and just like the first time, he looked completely panicked and surprised to see you here. Just like you were. What was he doing here was beyond your comprehension.

"You." You pointed a finger at him, "How - no, what are you doing here?"

The said man only blinked, lost in his own thoughts till you snapped your finger to grab his attention. He jumped at the sound and took a step back to put some more space between him and your desk, scared of what you could do.

"What are you doing here?" You repeated more calmly this time.

"I'm-" He started, not really sure of what he was supposed to say. Fortunately for him, he was saved before he could start explaining.

"Taehyung!"

Jimin came out of his office, looking panicked, his eyes darting back and forth between you and the said Taehyung. You quirked a brow at him, waiting for an explanation but instead Jimin went straight to Taehyung and hugged him tightly.

"I didn't expect to see you so soon!" Jimin patted his back before letting go of him. "When did you get back?"

More you looked at them and more suspicious and weird they were. You couldn't pinpoint what exactly bothered you. "Jimin?"

"I'm sorry, Y/N. I know I have a meeting. Can you tell them I'm going to be late?"

You opened your mouth to protest, to remind him that he was supposed to present his project but this Taehyung's presence clearly disturbed him.

"They won't like it."

"Start without me. I'll be quick. I promise."

"What."

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

The meeting could have been a disaster. It was one thing to follow Jimin around, to help him preparing this project, to prepare this presentation but it was a whole new experience to be thrown under the spotlight. You waited for Jimin to join you but he never did. Only two options were left: cancel the meeting and probably say sayonara to the project that Jimin and you had worked your ass off or you could present it. You wanted to run away, to save yourself but the image of Jimin working so hard prevented you from doing it.

You took a deep breath and stood from your seat. "Let's begin."

Funnily enough, nobody objected. Nobody questioned your ability to present the project. Maybe because some didn't expect much from you, maybe they didn't care but you took it as a good sign and chose to trust yourself.

You were surprised at how composed you stayed through the meeting. Confident, strong. You were able to present the project just like Jimin had planned. But not only that. When it was time for questions you managed, to your utter surprise, to answer most of them. And yet by the end of the meeting, you were relieved it was finally over.

"I must say." Director Kang was the last in the room. "I didn't expect you to nail this presentation."

You halted in your tracks and stared blankly at him, unsure of how you were supposed to interpret his words.

"No offense." He quickly added. "Jimin's secretaries usually are useless which clearly isn't your case. I'm sincerely impressed and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one."

Your heart swelled with pride and you smiled, relieved. "Thank you. Do you think I convinced the others?" Despite his nice words you were worried.

"I bet you did. I'm convinced, so I'm pretty sure many others are too. Don't worry about it."

You exhaled in relief, you didn't let Jimin down. But the only thought of Jimin made you frown. Where the hell was he? You were angry with him for letting you down. You thanked, however, Director Kang, before leaving the room.

When you came back to your desk, there was no sign of Jimin. Or Taehyung.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

"What do you want to have for lunch?" Your aunt asked you as the both of you were squeezed in the lift, eager to head out for lunch.

You thought for a second. "Sushi?"

"Good for me."

Your phone rang before you could get out of the lift, startling both you and your aunt and attracting very unwanted attention.

"Sorry." You apologized and yet when you saw the caller ID, you froze, staring at the name. Jimin.

Your aunt peeked over your shoulder, curious at what made you suddenly so silent and hesitate to answer. "Won't answer?"

You slowly turned your head to look at your aunt. "No." And you put back the phone in your bag, making sure to mute it.

"Did you just ignore your boss's call?" She teased you, not alarmed with your action, instead she was amused.

"Serves him right." You answered with a shrug. "Come on. I'm hungry."

                                               ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Jimin [1:10pm] : Are you ignoring my calls on purpose, Y/N?

Jimin [1:25pm]: Y/N?

Jimin [1:30pm]: Seriously?

Jimin [1:35pm]: I'm sorry.

Jimin [1:45pm] : Please?

You sighed as you went through your messages. Jimin tried his best to reach you but you just didn't want to face him right now. It took you all effort in the world to type your message. Bitter.

You [2:00pm] : See you later M.Park

                                                ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

You knew it was childish and very unprofessional of you to be ignoring your boss. Luckily for you, when you came back from your lunch break he wasn't in his office which only help you to forget about him.

You pressed the cushion against your chest as you watched another episode of You. There was nothing better in the world than a chill night with Netflix. And pizza. A pizza that you were impatiently waiting for.

Despite your attempt at distracting yourself, you couldn't fully concentrate on your TV, your mind kept replaying the presentation and Jimin's message. Were you feeling guilty? A tiny bit. Or maybe more. You sighed and threw angrily away your cushion.

When the bell rang, you were already on your way to the hall. You forgot all about your misery and guilt and instead ran to get your pizza. Except it wasn't your pizza. Almost.

Jimin stood at your doorstep, holding your pizza that didn't look as tasty now that Jimin was here. You forgot to breathe, too taken aback with his unexpected visit.

"Hi." He said, smiling sheepishly at you and yet he looked nervous which was so out of character, you have to admit it.

You eyed the pizza, still hungry, and then looked back at Jimin. Pizza could wait five more minutes. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted - no. I needed to see you."

"It could have waited until tomorrow, no?"

"No." Oddly, you believed him?

"Can I come in?"

"Only if you give me my pizza."

Jimin chuckled but handed you your pizza that was still warm. You gladly accepted and let him inside. Jimin followed your steps, looking everywhere, eyes lingering on frames on the wall - it made him smile.

You put the pizza on the table and then turned back your attention on a very curious Jimin whose eyes were still glued to the pictures on the wall. You took the chance to observe him. He looked effortlessly good in his black jeans and white sweater, red coat, ashy hair pushed back.

How can somebody look that good? You quickly got rid of those dangerous thoughts before it was too late.

"How old are you on this picture?" Jimin pointed at a picture. Without even looking at it, you knew exactly which one it was.

"I was five."

"You were so cute." Then he looked at you. "Not like you aren't now."

Another time, and if you weren't still a little bit upset with him, you would have blushed at his words, but tonight you resisted (your heart, the sneaky little traitor still skipped a beat). "Flattery will get you nowhere, M.Park."

Jimin made a face, pouting that his natural charms didn't work on you. "Still mad huh." He sighed. "I'm sorry Y/N." He got closer to you. "Taehyung needed my help and I know I should have called you. I'm sorry."

"Why are you here, Jimin? Why are you apologizing?" You finally asked, meeting his eyes you shivered. How could you not forgive him when he was looking at you so intensely and with so much sincerity? "Let's be honest. You're my boss and I wasn't very professional with you. It was childish of me."

Jimin stopped your rambling by grabbing your hands, giving them a comforting squeeze. The touch sent a wave of electricity through your body, a touch that felt all too familiar - the image of that night on the bridge was back in your mind. Your eyes darted back and forth between your hands and his face.

"You didn't hire me because my aunt gave you my resume and you were interested, did you?"

Jimin kept quiet at your question which only confirmed your doubts. You weren't completely crazy, you didn't imagine that night, now you were sure of it. Gently, you pushed his hands away from yours. You weren't mad or disappointed. Far from it. But you had questions and you wanted answers whether Jimin was ready for it or not. You smiled at him, silently reassuring him as you went to take a seat at the table.

"Jimin?"

"It's not what you think." He finally said

"Then, enlighten me?" You asked, "Please."

Jimin ruffled his hair in frustration. He wasn't sure where and how to begin. There was so much he wanted to say and yet for once he was at loss of words.

"When I saw you that night on the bridge, you just looked so sad." He started, "I wanted to help you, to make you understand that things will eventually get better and they did, didn't they?"

You chose not to answer and waited for him to continue.

"When Yoojin told me about her niece looking for a job, I didn't expect it to be you. I didn't know until I saw the resume. Isn't it amusing?" He chuckled to himself as he remembered looking at your resume. "I thought it was a funny coincidence. I was looking for a new secretary and I thought why not try with you."

"Is it why you wanted to be the one to do the interview?"

"Partly. I don't regret hiring you. I wasn't wrong about you."

You knew Jimin was sincere about, you could tell it by the sound of his voice and his gaze, but your doubts remained. You looked down, avoiding his eyes just to give yourself some time to think. Jimin, however, was faster. He kneeled before you and slid a finger under your chin to make you look at him. His move took you off guard and you opened your mouth to protest but close it instantly, your voice stuck in your throat.

"I hired you because I knew you'd be perfect for the job." He insisted, frowning slightly. "And look at you. Was I wrong?"

Stubborn as you were, you refused to answer that but a smile threatened to spread on your face and it didn't go unnoticed by Jimin. He smirked in return and taped his finger against your chin before letting go of you.

"Kang called me. He told me how amazing you were during the presentation. Everybody approved of the project. It's all thanks to you."

You closed your eyes, relief washing over you. "I'm glad I didn't fail you."

"Fail me?" He laughed, "Even if you did, it would have been my fault. But you were amazing and proved me I did the right thing."

His words, undeniably, made you feel good. Even more. You felt proud and satisfied. There were still things you wanted to ask him, things he had avoided talking about but for now you accepted it.

"Stop doubting yourself, Y/N."

You huffed in response but a smile spread on your face, you were no longer able to stop yourself.

"And by the way, I don't consider you as only my secretary."

You knew where it was heading and before it could get any more embarrassing (especially for your heart), you took a slice of your pizza and shoved it in his mouth. "Shut up."

                                                 ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

One Saturday afternoon, while you were busy cleaning your flat, you received a message from Jimin. Not like it was a weird occurrence. Ever since that night at your place, when he apologized, things had changed. You were still working for him, still covering for his absences (except this time you didn't need to cancel his meeting, you went instead). You still called him M.Park when surrounded (or when you were mad at him). And yet, you felt both of you had crossed a line. Jimin would text you randomly and most of the time it had nothing to do with work.

Jimin [3:20pm] : I know it's Saturday but I really need your help.

You [3:25pm]: What do you mean?

Jimin [3:25pm]: Well. I found a kitten a week ago and now she, Fluffy, lives with me.

Jimin [3:25pm]: And you know I'll be away for 2 days and I need someone to take care of her.

You [3:26pm]: I don't like where it's heading.

Jimin [3:27pm] : Pleeeeaaaase! Pretty pleeeeaaase!

Jimin [3:27pm]: Photo sent

Dealing with a pouty Jimin was one thing - you could deal with him. But a cute Jimin with a small white and fluffy kitten? Nope. You were devastated.

You [3:30pm]: I'm in.

                                                ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

"Are you going to Jimin's birthday party?" Yunji slumped on the empty chair near your desk and rolled closer to you. She put her elbows on the desk and rested her head on top of her hands, looking at you with too much (unwelcomed) interest.

"Of course she's going. She's his secretary." Mina approached you with her cup of coffee, looking as gorgeous as ever.

"Is there a meeting I wasn't aware of?" You asked knowing all too well what was about to happen. Jimin's birthday party had been the talk for the past two weeks. You avoided the subject at all costs but sometimes it was just too hard.

"You're going, aren't you?" Mina's frown actually scared you more than Yunji's enthusiasm. There was definitely something scary in her eyes and right now you were pretty worried to tell them the truth.

"I don't like your silence." Yunji commented

"I'm not going." You sighed

"Are you kidding me?" Yunji quite dramatically yelled and you flinched.

"You're close to him! And I'm not only talking about you being his secretary." Mina stated

"I can't." That was a big fat lie but they didn't need to know that. In fact, you had absolutely nothing planned for tonight but you didn't want to attend this party. Sure it could be fun with girls around but what terrified you was your newly found feelings for Jimin. It didn't really surprise you, you expected it to happen despite your attempts to prevent it. But Jimin was too strong and too likable. You liked him.

A lot. And not just because he was a charming boss. No, you liked him as a man. A man who made your heart beat faster. A man who made you smile every single day. A man that had changed your life. A man with a beautiful heart and soul.

Admitting to yourself that you liked him was one thing, confessing to Jimin was another - you couldn't.

"What do you mean you can't?" Mina looked truly offended. "You have to go!!"

"Does he know you're not coming?" Yunji asked more calmly than Mina. She glanced at her friend and with one simple look conveyed her message.

Those girls were terrifying.

"He knows."

"He must be disappointed."

"He's not." You lied.

He definitely was.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

You were ready to call it a day when the lift opened and you saw your aunt with a huge black bag in her hand coming out. For once, she wasn't smiling which meant trouble for you (and you could guess pretty easily why she wore such a gloomy face). If Mina and Yunji weren't happy about your decision then your aunt was absolutely enraged at it. You gulped nervously as you let her approach you.

"I suppose, you didn't change your mind?"

"I didn't."

You expected another fit from her but instead she only sighed and handed you the big bag. You took it without looking what was inside (probably because you had an idea of what was inside).

"I know why you don't want to go."

Now that was a surprise. "Do you?" There was no way, you believed, she could know about what was troubling your mind and yet when she crossed her arms over her chest and looked with a knowing, purely motherly look, you hesitated. She couldn't know, you reassured yourself.

"I do." She confirmed. "You're scared he would see it. But you shouldn't worry."

Oh. She did know.

"Anyway.  See you tomorrow."

"What." Your aunt had a bad tendency to leave you speechless. She winked playfully and went her way, leaving you confused and a tiny bit dumbfounded. What the hell was that? Then, you remembered the heavy bag she gave you. You put it on your desk and peeked inside.

Damn.

A dress and shoes. Of course your aunt didn't give up, she still hoped for you to change your mind. You should have known, she wasn't the type to give up without a fight, except this time she didn't argue with you and instead pulled out her last card from under her sleeve. You shook your head and chuckled with resignation.

The dress she chose for you was beautiful, you liked it immediately, love at first sight even. A black long dress, halter neck, sleeveless with a nice split on the right side. Your aunt had great tastes.

You glanced at Jimin office's door, he was still in there, you knew it. He should have left earlier (you were supposed too) everybody received the notice to get home earlier to get ready for tonight. But Jimin was a workaholic and especially ever since his project had been validated.

Should I go? A part of you screamed yes! But you were uncertain. Your determination, however, wavered after seeing the dress and hearing your aunt. Leaving all your belongings behind, you headed toward his door. There was no need knocking, he would know anyway it was you because you were the only one who never knock.

Jimin had his glasses on, running a hand through his hair, obviously  frustrated with his work. You observed him without making a noise. You closed the door behind you and stayed there, your hand still on the handle while you pressed your back against the door. Your heart was hammering in your chest, roaring in your ears as you feared Jimin's mood. You knew beforehand that what you were about to ask him would give you away (if he listened closely). I must be crazy. It was risky but you hoped he wouldn't be able to read between the lines.

"Jimin?"

"Hm?" He hummed without looking at you.

Oh. He's still upset. Unconsciously your grip on the handle tightened and you bit on your lower lip, nervous.

"Jimin." You called for him again.

He ruffled his hair on more time before finally looking at you. At first, he looked upset, annoyed even, but the sight of you leaning against the door and looking anxious made him relax a tiny bit. His eyes softened. "What is it?"

Now that you had his attention, you shivered, your mind clouded, your voice stuck in your throat.

"Y/N?" He asked more softly

You took a deep breath. "Do you really want me to go to the party?"

Jimin blinked, obviously not expecting your question. "I-" he paused and chuckled. '"I thought it was obvious. Of course I do."

You exhaled in relief, a tiny smile spread on your lips. "Ok."

                                                 ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

You had to admit that your aunt was talented in many ways. For instance, she had good taste. The dress she chose was not only pretty but suited you perfectly. You couldn't remember a single time where you looked this chic and felt so good and confident about yourself.

The venue where the party was held, just like expected, was huge and luxurious. You had the whole tenth floor of the hotel for yourself with a nice balcony and a beautiful view. It wasn't so hard, now that you were here, to understand why this party was the talk of the company and why so many people were just so eager to attend it. Free alcohol, free food, a rather pleasant music (though you didn't pay that much attention to the music), and tons of people wearing nice clothes. You were nervous and stood at the main entrance, not knowing what to do with your hands, your grip tightened on your bag and you took a deep breath to calm your growing anxiety. Did you make the right choice to attend the party? You were not so sure yet.

"Oh my god! Y/N!" Yunji almost ran when she spotted you.

You smiled, relieved to see a familiar and friendly face at the party.

"You came!" She looked all too excited to see you but her enthusiasm was contagious - it made you feel better. "Wow. You're so gorgeous! And this dress!" She took your hand and made you spin around, whistling in approval. "You look stunning!"

"So do you. "

"Oh is it Y/N?" You recognized Minhyuk’s voice. He approached you with two glasses of champagne and handed one to Yunji and one to you - you accepted gladly. You didn’t want to get drunk but a little help to relax was very welcomed.

You clinked your glass against Yunji’s while Minhyuk grabbed another one for himself from the waiter and clinked with you too.

"Cheers." He said and you all took a sip. "Jimin outdid himself with this party."

"He did! Have you seen him yet, Y/N?"

"No. Not yet."

"This man can’t be human." Minhyuk started. "I’m straight but I swear he makes me doubt my sexuality."

You actually laughed at that but it was soon replace with something else. You felt your hair standing up on the back of your neck; someone was watching you, intensely seeing how your body reacted.

"Oh." Yunji suddenly grinned at you. "Look at who’s staring."

You didn’t dare to move, too afraid to see the person. Minhyuk smirked and patted your arm half-encouraging you and half-mocking you. "He’s coming your way. See you later!"

You opened your mouth to protest and held them back but Yunji winked at you, wrapped her arm around Minhyuk’s and followed him around. Traitor.

"When you said ok, I didn’t really believe you would come."

You turned too fast, your heart missing a beat. Jimin always looked good but seeing him in a black suit, his hair pushed back - you hoped you weren’t drooling on the spot.

"Hi." You lamely said, mentally face-palming.

Jimin smiled widely. "You look beautiful."

His comment along with his dashing smile made you lose your words and blush. You could take compliments from your colleagues, you could definitely take them from your friends but from Jimin? You just wanted the floor to swallow you just so you wouldn’t make a fool of yourself. You cleared your throat, snapping from your contemplation before answering. "You’re not so bad yourself." When in fact you wanted to say you’re hot.

You thought he couldn’t surprise you anymore. And you certainly thought your face couldn’t get any redder, but when Jimin took a step closer to you and grabbed gently your hand, you felt your face taking an even darker shade of red. Your breath hitched in your throat as you stared at him without blinking, completely rooted to the spot. Jimin looked at you fondly, his thumb stroking slowly your hand.

"I’m really glad you’re here."

"You wanted me here." You managed to say. Slowly your eyes looked down to your hand. You thought it would stop him (you didn’t it to stop) but he didn’t.

"I did. I do."

"Jimin!" Director Kang interrupted you, startling you. You quickly got rid of Jimin’s hold on your hand (not so easily). "Oh. Y/N! You’re dashing, my dear!"

You simply nodded and took a step back to put some space between you and Jimin. He didn’t like it -he glanced quickly at you, frowning and giving you a disapproving look before smiling at Director Kang.

"There’s someone I want to introduce you to, Jimin." Director Kang said, too excited suddenly and looking way less intimidating in your opinion. "If you don’t mind, Y/N."

"Go ahead."

Jimin looked apologetically at you but you didn’t mind - it was his night and he was the host too and he was needed somewhere else.

"Sorry." He mouthed, glancing back at you as Kang led him to another group of people.

"Go." You mouthed back.

You couldn’t help but watch him from afar. Jimin was smiling brightly at people, seeming genuinely interested in whatever they were telling him. You knew Jimin was a very likable person, no sane person could resist his charming personality and his charisma, you couldn’t resist either. But tonight you could see the full extent of his popularity. So many came just to celebrate his birthday, it was lovely sight and all you could do was to smile to yourself and enjoy your glass of champagne.

You glanced one more time at Jimin before deciding to wonder around and maybe see some familiar faces. You emptied your first glass of Champagne but quickly grabbed a second one, thanking the waiter on your way.

You walked to the huge balcony to admire the sight. The night was still young and fresh. Not many ventured on the balcony, probably afraid to get cold. But to you, the temperature was perfect and just what you needed. You enjoyed the light breeze, fresh air and the calmness that this place offered.

"What is a lovely bird like you doing in a place like that all by yourself?" A deep and intriguing voice interrupted your peaceful contemplation.

So I wasn’t alone after all.

"Excuse me?" You looked at the man, confused. But when you saw him, a shiver ran down your spine. He was terribly handsome in his dark blue suit, white shirt with the first three buttons undone exposing a very nice skin.

What’s up with Jimin and attractive people? It was annoying. Kind of.

The handsome stranger smiled at your confusion, adorable dimples showing on his face and you had to fight back a very embarrassing squeal. You weren't supposed to act like a teenager, not at your age, but sometimes it was just too hard to control yourself.

"Rude of me. I'm Kim Namjoon, a very good friend of Jimin." He introduced himself.

"Well, isn't Jimin lucky." You mumbled instead of speaking your mind. "Please to meet you, Namjoon. I'm Y/N, Jimin's secretary."

"Oh you're his secretary? And here I thought you were a friend."

You guessed, in a way, you were his friend too. Jimin and you were spending just too much time talking whenever it was at work or outside. So maybe you were friends but it wasn't something Namjoon needed to know. Actually, it was a secret you wanted to keep for yourself.

Namjoon approached you, holding a glass of champagne too, and once close enough raised his glass to clink with yours. Oddly enough you did without a single moment of hesitation. You smiled at the gesture and took a sip of your drink before darting your eyes back to the splendid view spreading before your eyes.

"Beautiful right?" He pointed at the noisy and shiny city laying before you.

"Yeah."

"So, why are you hiding?"

"Straight to the point huh."

"Not really, no."

"I'm exploring. This place is huge and beautiful and the balcony is just one step." You explained, glancing quickly at the doors leading back to the main room. Your reply was half true - yes you were exploring but the balcony seemed way nicer than the inside.

"Is that so." He hummed. "I'm sure Jimin will join you soon enough. Despite him being very sociable, he likes it quiet too and this place is perfect."

His comment grabbed your attention. It took you a lot of effort not to turn your head and to look at him and ask for what else he was willing to share with you.

"I don't want to play a troublemaker but it seems that Jimin is very fond of you, isn't he?"

If you were still drinking, you would have undoubtedly choked on your drink.  It was one thing your aunt had noticed something but hearing it from a supposed close friend of Jimin bothered you. Namjoon, despite your silence, seemed to have noticed your confusion and panic. "I've known him for a very long time. Don't be surprised. Jimin was never very good at hiding how he feels about someone."

Maybe but you weren't convinced. "Jimin is friendly with everybody." You recovered from your initial surprise but refused to fully face him just in case your body would decide to betray you again.

"That he is. But I've known him long enough to see when he appreciates someone for their good work or for their friendliness. You, however, is a very different case."

You frowned, your heart was roaring in your ears, wanting nothing more than to believe his words but your rational part shoved those hopes away.

"Why are you really here, Namjoon?" You asked, turning your head to look at him. "What are you trying to do?"

"You like him too, don't you?" You kept silent which only made him chuckle. "Don't answer that, I already know the answer. Don't worry, it's not something normal people can see. "

It was nice to hear but it didn't make you feel any better.

"As for what I'm trying to do, let's say knowing Jimin, he won't make a move without some help."

"No." You shook your head. "You're not making sense."

"You'll see." He pointed at you with his glass before taking another sip and averting his eyes to the city. Namjoon closed his eyes and inhaled sharply. It felt too nice outside. "As for what I'm doing here, I have a present for the birthday boy. A present he long deserved."

"Will you tell me what is it?" You asked when in fact deep inside something told you he wouldn't.

And you were right. Namjoon simply wiggled his brows playfully at you and smiled. Those stupid dimples. You huffed, feigning being upset which only made him laugh harder.

"You're an interesting woman, Y/N."

"I'm not so sure about that but thank you."

Namjoon emptied his glass in one go, not like there was much left, and then took another step towards you. It took you by surprise. He took you hand gently, making you gasping at his gesture. He was a stranger and you weren't used to strangers being so nice and touchy with you. And yet, you didn't complain or push him away, you let him.

"I'm glad I could make it tonight. And I'm absolutely delighted to meet you." He took you one more time by surprise when he lowered his face to your hand and kissed it.

You were completely rooted to the ground, watching him silently, not understanding anymore what he was saying. This man was another weird fellow, just like this Taehyung and just like Jimin. No wonder they are friends.

"What are you doing here, Namjoon?" Jimin's voice broke the spell. You blinked madly and instantly took your hand away from Namjoon. You realized too late how it could have looked to Jimin and how rude you were to Namjoon. You felt bad and Namjoon seemed to have sensed it. He didn’t look at his friend and instead smiled at you, reassuring you with his gentle eyes that he understood and you didn’t need to fret about something so silly.

"Oh Jimin!" Namjoon began before facing him, hands in his pockets and looking too smug for Jimin’s liking (at least you thought so when Jimin started frowning and looking a tiny bit nervous which was so unlike him). "Long time no see!"

"What are you doing here, Namjoon?"

You observed silently the definitely weird conversation displaying before you. If at first you thought Jimin looked nervous, now you were positive he looked threatened and for a second you wondered if this Namjoon was really his friend. You looked for Jimin’s eyes, wanting to grab his attention, to understand the situation but his eyes were glued to the man standing next to you.

"Isn’t it obvious? I couldn’t possibly miss your birthday." He explained with a chuckle. "Again."

Jimin’s scowl only deepened. "Really?"

"Relax, Jimin. I’m really here for your birthday. I brought you present too." Namjoon walked toward Jimin, stopping only when he was by his side. He put his hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze, he leaned closer to him. "A present you long deserved." He glanced at you, smiling, before looking back at Jimin. "You’ll see it later."

Namjoon patted his shoulder affectionately and resumed his walking. But before leaving the balcony, Namjoon halted in his track, remembering that you were still watching them. He looked at you and waved his hand. "It was a pleasure finally meeting you, Y/N." And with that he left you.

Jimin stayed lost in his thoughts for a moment. He appeared to be looking at you but his eyes were empty - he was really there. You hesitated. What were you supposed to do now? Your body moved on its own, stopping only when you stood before him. Shakily, you raised your hand to touch him but before you could do it, Jimin grabbed it, his grip strong but painless.

"Ji-Jimin?" You stuttered, tensed with his behavior.

When Jimin finally snapped from his trance, his looks softened and his grip got lighter. He moved his fingers to intertwine them with yours, stunning you before he brought your hand to his face and kissed your knuckles. Once, twice - your heart was ready to explode.

"Can I bring you home?" He breathed and brought your hand to his lips one more time. "Please?"

You couldn’t look anywhere else than at him, heart pounding in your chest, fluttering under his soft gaze and his request. Without hesitation, you answered, "Yes."

                                                ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

You woke up that morning to the feeling of someone playing with your hair. A small smile spread on your lips as the memories of last night came back to you. You turned to the side, wrapping an arm around Jimin’s chest, you moved closer to him, resting your head on his chest.

"Morning." He breathed and leaned closer to peck your lips.

Your grin grew only bigger as you rested your hands on his chest and your head on your hands, you stared a little too much at this perfect man lying beside you. It was really hard not to stare when he looked so sweet, so handsome with his messy hair, such a contrast from last night.

"Slept well?" He kept stroking your hair.

Now that he asked you, you realized just how rested you felt. You never slept that well. You nodded your head and planted a kiss on his chest. "Thank you."

Jimin chuckled, "Is that so?" He looked proud and smug about it and you couldn’t even blame him for that.

You stayed in the same position for a while, enjoying each other’s’ presence. For once, nothing urged you to leave the bed and go back home - Jimin seemed to share your thoughts. He started humming a song, that would have lulled you back to sleep if it wasn’t for your feelings. That night with Jimin was magical and for the first time ever you felt whole and happy. But was it his case? You hoped so.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"I’m thinking about last night." You admitted but avoided his eyes. Maybe you were overthinking but telling him how you felt was pretty terrifying.

"Do you regret it?"

"What?" You raised your head, taken aback while Jimin looked genuinely worried. "No!" It didn’t seem to convince him. You sighed in defeat; maybe it was time for you to be honest with him and with yourself and do the right thing.

With a swift move of your hips you straddled his hips. Not your wisest move since you sat right on his dick. You inhaled sharply at the feeling of his semi-hard cock under you. You bit on your lips, trying to control yourself and not to move, instead you cupped his face with your hands and kissed his lips. "Of course I don’t regret it, Jimin. Why would why when I caught feelings for you?"

Jimin blinked furiously, opened his mouth to say something but closed it right away which only made you chuckle nervously. You kissed his right cheek and then the left one before pecking his nose. "I like you a lot."

"You do?" He asked dumbfounded

"Duh."

"Is that so?" He said more to himself than to you. All traces of worry had vanished from his face. Too fast. Long were gone the frown and the puppy eyes, instead replaced with a proud smirk. His hands found your hips and he held you tightly on top of him. "Good. Because I like you a lot too."

You felt your insides melt at his confession; relief washing over you. You didn’t hesitate for a second to claim his lips. The kiss at first was slow, gentle, tended, you loved the taste and feeling of his lips against yours. Jimin, however, ended up being the impatient one between you two; he bit on your lip making you gasp softly and he took the chance to slide his tongue between your parted lips.

You melted to his kiss, his hands roaming over your body, fingers digging into your skin, a little harder and it would bruise - you wanted him to mark you. You whined softly into the kiss as he gave your butt a strong squeeze before making you grinding on him. You parted from his lips, putting your hands on his chest to steady yourself, you let your body take control over your mind, grinding harder.

You closed your eyes, enjoying every moves of your body, the friction, it wasn’t however enough to satisfy you. Biting on your lips, you grabbed his hard cock, guiding him to your throbbing core, you wanted to feel him inside you and you just couldn’t wait any longer. You sank down onto his cock, letting a soft moan as he filled you, deep, reaching for all your spots.

"Shit," Jimin growled, his hands back on your hips, digging his fingers into your skin, pressing you harder. "You feel so good, babe."

You nodded your head agreeing. Having him finally inside you felt amazing, mind-blowing even. You opened your eyes to stare at him, he looked just as fucked up as you, eyes filled with lust and hunger. Just one stare and he had you clenching around him.

"So do you, Jimin." You managed to say before starting rocking your hips. At first, slowly, relishing the overwhelming sensation. You would be lying if you said you weren’t addicted to Jimin because you were. You were drowning in pleasure and nothing could stop you.

Jimin stroked your hips with his thumb. If you were too intoxicated with the pleasure his cock provided, then Jimin was definitely addicted to the sight of you, riding him, eyes closed, head thrown back, breasts bouncing with your every move - he couldn’t stop himself from reaching for your breasts, squeezing them, pinching, only adding to your bliss.

"Look at you," Jimin started, mesmerized, "Riding my cock like your life depends on it."

You couldn’t even deny it, instead you gasped softly at his words. "I love your cock, Jimin. Feels so good." You bounced harder, faster and with every move his cock reached deeper, hitting all the right spots, making you shiver and shake in pleasure.

Jimin grabbed for your neck and forced you to fall completely on him, hands splayed across his chest. He stared into your eyes, into your soul, hypnotizing you once again. You halted your moves for a second, staring back. He kissed you hungrily, his hand still on your neck, refusing to let go, as he bit on your lips hard enough to make you moan his name.

"Look at you, so beautiful." He whispered and kissed your jaw, "All mine." His lips moved down to your neck, distracting you for a short moment. With a simple yet strong move, Jimin flipped you, pinning you under him. You pouted at his sudden change, overpowering you so simply which made him smirk proudly.

Jimin grabbed your thighs tightly, spreading them widely before burying himself all the way back inside you, making you both of you moan. He groaned at your tightness, his grip on your thighs tightening, bruising your skin. He didn’t let you time to protest, "Mine." He pulled almost fully out before slamming back.

You arched against him, grabbing the sheets beneath you, holding for your dear life. You were far from the sweet and slow pace; Jimin showed you no mercy, moving deep and fast within you. Every thrust made you cry out his name, thrashing under him.

"Jimin." You mewled. "Fuck."

"Yeah?"

"Don’t stop please." You begged

"Look at you." Jimin growled, thrusting deep, making your toes curl. "Taking me so well, so good."

"I’m so close."  You warned him as you felt your release coming closer. Your whole body clenching, burning, ready to explode.

"Come then."

His order was all you needed to let go, shuddering uncontrollably as a shattering orgasm hit you. Jimin leaned over you, grabbing your lips for a bruising kiss as he chased his own release, his thrusts becoming less powerful until he halted pouring himself inside you.

Jimin rested his head against your breast, panting just as badly as you. You wrapped one arm around him and another around his neck, fingers playing with his hair.

"Fine." Jimin suddenly said and looked at you. "I’m convinced enough that you like me."

You tug at his hair but laughed nevertheless.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

You walked from the bathroom to Jimin’s room wearing only your underwear. You grabbed your skirt from the chair and started putting it on without realizing Jimin was awake and admiring the perfect view of your butt.

Jimin cleared his throat, making you glance his way, completely unbothered. "I must say, I will never get tired of the view." He sat on the bed, back against the head of the bed, an arm behind his head, he licked his lips.

"Enjoy while you still can." You laughed and finished dressing. You wore a black pencil skirt with a red silk blouse with a nice v-line.

Jimin groaned at your reminder. He hadn’t forgotten that he was supposed to be out of the country for two days but he preferred not thinking about it and instead enjoyed the moment.

You observed him through the mirror while you were putting some makeup. His eyes were following your every move, he was a predator watching his prey and if you weren’t careful enough, you would get in trouble. A rather delicious trouble too. You glanced at the purple mark on your neck which brought back the memory of last night. It was supposed to be a movie night but somehow you got carried away on his too comfortable couch. You brushed the mark with your fingertips and smiled to yourself before noticing too late that Jimin was no longer on the bed but behind you.

"Jim-" He startled you with one hand on your hip while the other one was on your neck, gently stroking your skin - it sent shivers down your spine. You tilted your head to the side to give him a better access. The moment you did it, he planted a kiss on the purple spot, lips moving higher to your ear, tugging on your earlobe with his teeth. You moaned softly, still as sensitive as ever. You grabbed his hand on your hip and squeezed it.

"You’re such a tease." He grumbled and bit on your earlobe, his grip on your hip tightening and you felt your resolve wavering. "Come with me."

His recent made you snap from whatever spell he had casted on you. You looked at him through the mirror and he was now staring back at you with pleading eyes. God help me. You spun around and cupped his face, staring right into his eyes.

"You know it’s not reasonable." You started - Jimin was ready to protest but you shut him up by placing a finger on his lips. "Uh uh uh. I know what you want to say. You don’t need my assistance, you know it."

Jimin puckered his lips, pouting like a child, looking innocent and young and if you didn’t know better, he would have fooled you. You knew, however, his antics and it didn’t work that well any more. You shook your head in despair.

"Don’t." You warned him too late, the next thing you knew he licked your finger making you jump back. This little shit. Jimin looked smug and proud of him. Of course he was.

"You’re so frustrating!" You complained but not thinking any of your words.

Jimin put his hands back on your hips and pulled you against him. "So I was told. But you like me this way." He smiled sheepishly at you, knowing all too well that he was absolutely right.

"Like you? Now that’s debatable!"

"Take that back."

"Nope."

"Y/N!" He actually whined and tried to kiss you. Keyword: tried. You dodged his kiss and when he tried again you clapped your hand over his mouth.

"What did I say?" You pushed him away. Not because you didn’t want him to touch you - hell you dreamt of him touching you, but right now you needed to finish getting ready and leave for work. Jimin was just a too big of a distraction. But pushing him away only awoke the beast inside and you noticed the shift in the atmosphere when it was already too late. Jimin’s pout got replace by fierce, hungry, clouded with lust eyes - the typical gaze that made your heart skip a beat and your knees to get weak.

Shit.

Your body refused to move, rooted to the ground, you were completely hypnotized.

"Jimin." Your voice cracked when you tried to warn him. What a flirt.

"Say it."

Oh. "Say what?"

"That you like me."

"Or what?" It was a dangerous game you were playing (you shouldn’t) but sometimes you just couldn’t help it.

"Or." He took a step toward you and grabbed your chin, tightly, "My flight is only in three hours and I surely know how to keep you at my place." He touched your lips with his thumb, caressing them before parting them.

His words along with his action made you close your eyes and enjoy the gesture. You needed to get out of here as fast you could before it was too late for your sanity. Fuck it. You took him off guard by suddenly jumping at him, circling your arms around his neck, pressing your body tightly against his. You grabbed a fist of his hair before claiming his lips. Those damn plushy, pink, addictive lips that drove you crazy in so many ways. You conveyed all your feelings through the kiss, pouring your heart, you hoped he would get your message.

Jimin recovered from the shock quickly and returned the kiss just as eagerly, wrapping his arms protectively over you. He closed his eyes and enjoyed your taste. If only he could convince you to come with him.

"I like you." You whispered against his lips, tugging softly at his hair. " A lot."

Jimin broke the kiss only to press his forehead against yours, his warm breath ghosting over your face, he was back at being the sweet Jimin.

"I’m going to miss you." He admitted

"Two days, Jimin." You chuckled. "And then I’m all yours."

"Mine."

"Yours."

                                                ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

It was common knowledge that whenever the boss was out of sight, people would relax and work less and yet somehow you found yourself too busy for your liking. Your phone kept ringing through the whole morning and by lunch time your head was painfully throbbing. You needed a distraction and a break.

The distraction came by the name of Kim Taehyung.

You were once more too immersed in your work to notice that someone had joined your floor until said person cleared his throat and startled you for a second. You relaxed, however, instantly when you recognized Taehyung and not someone else. You smiled cheerfully at him.

"Special delivery!" Taehyung announced and handed you a beautiful bouquet of bright red roses.

You quirked a brow at him, ready to tease him. "Are you my secret admirer now, Taehyung?"

Taehyung paled and hurried to give you the bouquet. "No, no, no! I mean, you’re nice but-"

"Cute." You chuckled at his nervous outburst. "I can only guess from who those flowers are from." You smiled fondly at Taehyung before bringing the flower closers to your face. Jimin just couldn’t not to think about you, even after only a day. It was sweet and your heart melt some more.

"Thank you, Taehyung."

Taehyung relaxed and rubbed his neck, embarrassed and still not knowing how to behave around you. Jimin had told you a lot about his best friend; a sweet, a little lost, childish young man. By the way Jimin talked about him, you felt how important he was to him and now that you observed him, it wasn’t hard to understand.

"Jimin was worried you’d miss him too much."

You scoffed. "More like he’s the one missing me!"

Taehyung giggled. "He so does."

At least you both agreed on this one.

You felt so much better with Taehyung’s presence, some very appreciated company, and yet the headache didn’t go away - it got only worse, feeling like someone was trying to split your head in two.

"Y/N?" Taehyung worried

Despite Taehyung standing close to you, his voice sounded so far away. You tried desperately to concentrate on his voice and let him lead you back. It didn’t work either. But when you thought you were done for good - you heard voices, awfully familiar giggles.

Flashback

"We did it, Taetae!" Jimin jumped on the spot, excited and proud of himself

"We’re the best duo ever!" Taehyung bumped his fist with Jimin’s, a huge grin spread on his face before both of them looked proudly at their work.

"You are a bunch of idiots!" You appeared behind them and cursed at them. You knew when you left your place for your round at the main gates to make sure that demons didn’t damage the doors with their futile attempts to get inside, was a dangerous gamble. Taehyung and Jimin were good angels, probably too good, too innocent but they lived in their own world and sometimes would get in trouble and you were the one to save their butts. You loved them, a lot, but sometimes you wanted to beat the crap out of them. Just like right now.

How they managed to leave Heaven for Earth without getting caught was beyond your comprehension, especially when they didn’t have a proper control of their powers. You huffed in annoyance and grabbed their ears, pulling hard. "What do you think you’re doing?!"

"Y/N!!" They whined in perfect unison which only annoyed you more.

"Don’t!" You warned them. You twisted their ears, making them cry out in pain and if you weren’t so upset you would have felt bad for them.

You let go of them and stood, instead, before them, hands on your hips, you totally looked like a mother about to scold her kids. Which wasn’t that far from the truth.

You pointed at the flower field behind you. "How are you going to explain this?"

"But Y/N!" Jimin tried to calm you down, knowing you had a soft spot for him. "We finally managed to grow plants! Give life to something! It’s huge!"

You slapped his arm and he jumped in fear, rubbing the spot you had hit. "Not the point! Out of all the places you chose to try your experiment on earth!"

"Well. We didn’t want our friends to see if we had failed again." Taehyung defended their work.

For a short second, your features softened. It was true, Jimin and Taehyung were late bloomers among angels, their powers unstable which included not being able to heal or give life to plants, animals. You understood their struggle but their choice wasn’t too smart. You glanced behind you to look at the huge and beautiful field of flowers. It was beautiful and so relaxing.

You sighed in defeat. "Okay." Looking back at them, you saw how hopeful they were. "But a field in the middle of the desert? Really?"

Why did you even decide to take them under your wings?

—-

"Y/N?" Taehyung’s voice felt suddenly closer, deeper and stronger. You opened your eyes to see this same familiar and sweet face. The same face you saw in whatever the flash was about. Except he wore a deep scowl, staring at you, worried. He was on his knees before you, holding your hands tightly. Your throat suddenly felt dry but your headache was gone. "Y/N?"

"Yes?" You managed to say

"Shit. You scared me!" But Taehyung sighed in relief, he finally got a reaction from you. "Are you okay? Should I call someone or bring you home?"

You heard him and yet you couldn’t properly concentrate on his words, too confused with the images you saw, too confused with how you felt. You squeezed Taehyung’s hands, surprising him with you gesture. You both looked at your hands before you averted your eyes and looked back at him.

"Do I know you from somewhere else, Taetae?"

He didn’t say a word but the Taetae made him freeze on the spot.

                                              ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

It took you all the effort in the world to manage to get back to work after Taehyung’s visit that was shortened after your tricky question. He left your office, pale, almost as if he had seen a ghost. His behavior was suspicious which resulted in you overthinking. And yet, what you saw didn’t make any sense either. Angels? Heaven? Demons? There was no such things, you believed strongly. And yet.

You pushed those thoughts away and forced yourself to think about work instead. It lasted till you got home. The moment you stepped inside your flat, your brain went berserk, starting once again overthinking.

You barely had time to change your clothes for more comfortable one that Jimin barged inside, looking disheveled, worried and looking for you. You didn’t have time to react or say something, his arms were already around you, crushing your body against his in a tight and warm embrace. His warmth, his scent spread all around you -he was really back, too early, but he was back. You wrapped your arms around him in return, grabbing his jacket tightly as if your life depended on it.

"Let me guess, Taehyung called you?" You guessed, joking.

Jimin took a step back to have a proper look at you. He cupped gently your face and tilt it from one side to another, making sure you had nothing. He exhaled loudly before kissing you. "I was so worried."

"I’m fine." You were not but you didn’t want to worry him.

"Are you?"

You groaned; of course he would know when you were lying. You put some space between you two and crossed your arms over your chest. "I can’t believe you left so abruptly! Did you even warn them?" His silence made you throw your arms in the air. "Jimin! You can’t do that!"

"Of course I can."

"No." He quirked a brow at you and you knew you couldn’t win this fight.

At least he was back.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

If there was a date you wished you could forget it would be the date your mother passed away. You dreaded the date every year, your mood turning sour every time. Oddly enough, every year the weather was the same too: it was raining.

You woke up this morning alone at your place. It was hard to find a good reason to push Jimin away, nothing worked with him which resulted with you getting angry and venting your frustration and pain and leaving him at his place alone and confused. You regretted your outburst the moment you got home but didn’t find the courage to call and apologize. Not yet at least.

You sat in your bed, blanket around your shoulders to keep you warm. You stared at the gloomy clouds outside, rain pouring, hitting the windows. Another day it would have rocked you back to sleep but today you had something else, something more important to do. You glanced at your phone; four missing calls from Jimin and just as many messages.

Jimin [7:10am] :  Did I do something wrong?

Jimin [7:40am] : I know something is bothering you and I’m sorry if I pushed you too much. I just want to help you.

Jimin [9:30am]: Yoojin told me you took your day off. Y/N…

Jimin [10:00am] : Call me when you’re ready.

It broke your heart to ignore him, to avoid him but it was something you wanted to do alone.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

By the time you got to the cemetery it was two in the afternoon and the raining got only worse. It didn’t stop you. It never did. You walked through the rows, your feet knowing the road to your mother’s grave all too well. With every step you took, your heart got heavier, clenching painfully in your chest. No matter how much you tried to convince yourself that your pain had decreased, it wasn’t true.

You stopped three graves before your mother’s one. A silhouette that you knew too well, was at the grave. It took you off guard. Every year you avoided him but this time you had failed.

Your father, despite the rain pouring, soaking his clothes, stood on his knees on your mother’s grave. You stared at him, face blank and yet your heart cried at the sight. You wished, when you left your father, that he would eventually find peace, that he would get over his loss and resume his life. He didn’t.

"He must have loved her a lot." Jimin’s sweet voice reached your ears and you should have been surprised  - but you weren’t. You simply nodded without even looking at him.

Jimin took another step and grabbed gently your hand, intertwining your hands. His warmth spread around you, warming your pained heart, reminding you that you were not alone and that despite your silly argument he was here for you and with you. You closed your eyes, exhaling sharply, you squeezed his hand, unable to express your feelings, your gratitude. When you opened your eyes, you looked at him, fondly, in love. You stared at each other without a word, there was no need for it, your eyes spoke for you. And Jimin knew. He always did.

"Y/N?" Your father’s voice interrupted your moment, startling you but not Jimin.

Looking at your father’s face, you realized how life was hard to him; he looked so much older than he actually was. He observed your face, how you had changed and looked even more like your mother. He stretched his hand toward you but your body moved on it own, jolting back. His arm remained in the air for a moment, disappointed but not surprised with your reaction, he knew he deserved it.

"Sorry." He chuckled nervously and rubbed his neck.

It took him another second to notice that you weren’t alone. He glanced at Jimin, squinting his eyes - Jimin looked familiar but he couldn’t exactly pinpoint from where. His eyes darted back and forth between your intertwined hands and your faces, feeling how protective Jimin was over you with one glance. He smiled bittersweetly at you.

"I’m happy for you Y/N."

                                                    ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Back to present,

"I am more than happy." You pecked his lips, one time, two time, before Jimin started giggling at your endearing behavior.

"Good. Because I’m happy too." He cupped your face between his warm hands and claimed your lips. His kisses had always turned you into a mess. Sometimes they would be soft and gentle, making your heart swell with love and fondness (just like right now). Sometimes it would turn into a battle of dominance, teeth clashing, tongues battling which would lead to you mainly losing to him.

You wrapped your arms tightly around his neck and pressed your body against his, deepening the kiss and pouring all your feelings into it.

"I love you." You whispered against his lips. "So so much."

Jimin only groaned and bit on your lips playfully.

Yeah, it was perfect.

                                                      ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

"Okay but have you seen this puppy? He was just so cute!" You squealed while walking a little bit ahead of Jimin, still excited with the cute puppy you had met during your late picnic at the park.

"We already have a cat though." Jimin stated, not refusing nor agreeing. Just like you, he loved pretty much every possible animals in this world and if he could (and had time) he would have adopted plenty of them.

"Yes and she’s still young and if we take a puppy, they would get along!"

Jimin halted in his track which made you stop too and look hopefully at him (doing your best puppy eyes). You adored his cat but you wouldn’t mind to have some more company, especially on times when Jimin was away from you.

"How am I supposed to say no when you look at me like that?" He sighed in defeat before chuckling to himself.

"Does it mean we’re getting a puppy?" You hopefully asked and approached him, ready to pounce at him in happiness and excitement.

"Will I get a kiss if I say yes?" He teased. Wrapping his arms around you, he pulled you closer, smiling down at you. "Or more?"

You laughed heartily. "As if we need a reason for that." And you sealed a silent promise with a kiss, smiling against his lips.

"Ok." He murmured. "Let’s get a puppy this week, yeah?"

It took you all effort in the world not to jump on the spot and scream in happiness. really, sometimes you wondered if you were an adult or a kid, but who cared anyway? Jimin certainly didn’t. But before you could convey just how happy you were, not like he didn’t see it, you were interrupted by a tiny sob coming from an alley just beside you.

"Did you hear that?" You asked without looking at him, your eyes glued to the alley. Someone was in this alley, someone young, and was crying.

"Y/N." Jimin tried to stop you but was too slow, you had already started walking toward the noise, your body acting on its own, completely hypnotized - he had no other choice but follow your steps.

Despite the sun still shining brightly, the alley was dark and humid and something ominous was lurking in the darkness. You couldn’t describe the uneasy feeling that took over your body, nor could you describe the pull you felt towards the sobs. It made no sense and yet you didn’t stop.

Until you saw a tiny body sitting on the ground, legs pulled to the chest, thin arms wrapped tightly around legs. It was a little girl. She was no older than ten, looking too thin, too scared. Some still fresh cuts on her arms had dirtied her already torn dress. Your heart clenched in pain at the terrible sight before you. What was this little girl doing alone in a dark alley? Where were her parents?

Without caring for your own clothes, you got on your knees and tried to grab her attention. "Why are you crying, little girl?"

She got startled with your voice, head snapping too hard and too fast to look at you. And what a look. The only sight of you terrified her and her eyes that were already filled with tears widened in shock. Instead of answering you, she tried to hide (not like there was a place to hide in the first place) but she tried to put some more distance between you two. It pained you but you understood.

"Don’t be scared. I promise, I’m not here to hurt you." You reassured her, your voice weak but gentle, you wanted her to relax.

"You promise?" She looked hopefully at you.

You nodded and stretched your hand for her to take. "You really have nothing to fear, I only want to help you."

Shakily, she slid her hand in yours and you gave her a comforting squeeze before smiling at her. "Come on." Slowly, you helped her to get back on her feet, still holding your hand to make sure that she wouldn’t fall back.

She closed her eyes for a second, her breathing slowly returning to normal.

"What’s your name?" Your hand gently brushed her hair.

"Jiah." You felt her relax under your touch. Maybe it was your looks, or maybe it was your behavior that soothed her but she finally dared to have a proper look at you.

The first thing that struck you were her eyes, never in your life have you seen such eyes. Big golden eyes were staring back at you. They were beautiful and you had no doubt that she would become a beauty. The second thing you noticed about her was the bright red mark on her forehead - a red moon crescent hiding under her bangs. Odd, you thought. Why would a kid have such a mark?

You smiled at her and brushed her bangs. "I’m Y/N. Nice to meet you little Jiah."

"Can you tell me what happened?"

Jiah bit on her lips, pondering whenever she should tell you or if it wasn’t worth it because you wouldn’t believe her. And yet, she felt the same strong pull toward you and her guts told her to share her dark reality. She shut her eyes tightly, trying hard to prevent some more tears to spill - you brushed her cheeks gently with your thumbs to wipe her tears.

"I-" Jiah started and stopped immediately when she spotted Jimin behind you. She pushed you hard, surprised you how such a small creature could be so strong, and slammed her back against the wall, trying to make herself invisible.

"Jiah." You tried to reach her but she slapped your hand away.

Something was definitely off. Jiah was warming up to you, you felt it. Then why? You glanced behind you only to see a very saddened and pained Jimin. It took you completely off guard, you had never seen such raw expression on his face. If it wasn’t for Jiah’s presence, you would have launched yourself at him and hugged him.

"He’s one of them." Jiah’s tiny voice interrupted your trail of thoughts.

"What do you mean?" You looked at her.

"He’s just like those people who killed mommy and daddy!" And she couldn’t help but burst into tears, burying her face between her hands.

"What." Now this didn’t make any sense. confused, your eyes darted back and forth between the little girl and the man you loved (who oddly didn’t try to defend himself which only added to your confusion). Jiah’s words troubled you on many levels - you wanted to tell her that she was wrong about Jimin but his lack of reaction and your own guts prevented you from.

"He will take me away too." Jiah started shaking and crouched down, hands over her head to protect herself.

"Y/N-" Jimin started but you shut him up by pointing a finger at him.

"I don’t know who did this to you and to your parents, but I can promise you that Jimin wouldn’t hurt you." You defended him before he could add anything else. You grabbed her arms, leaving her no choice but to look at you. "You’re scared, I understand that, but Jimin is the nicest person I have ever met."

"Is he?" She whispered, her eyes wandering from your face to his. She saw something about Jimin that you couldn’t, you realized, but your words seemed to work on her, you felt her relax under your hands.

"You’re not going to hurt me?" She dared to ask him

Jimin was left speechless. Not because of question but because you managed to make her change her mind on him with simple words. Why am I even surprised? He ruffled his hair before giving a nod. "I’ll never hurt you."

"See." You added

Jiah took a deep breath. "I can do it." She murmured to herself. She freed herself from your hands, gently this time, and looked at Jimin. She didn’t say a word and just stared at him, making sure that he was indeed harmless just like you both pretended him to be.

"Alright." She said surprising you both. She approached Jimin, her tiny fists clenched, her eyes never leaving his face as she tried to look strong before him. "You feel like them though."

"I know." Jimin admitted

"You’re weird."

To that Jimin actually started laughing heartily which made Jiah blink in confusion before joining him.

Jiah stretched her hand, once her giggles stopped, for Jimin to shake, accepting the fact that he was indeed different from what she expected him to be.

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

For someone who didn’t want to bring this child home, Jimin seemed to have completely adopted her by the time you had finished the improvised dinner at his place. Jiah didn’t seem as wary around him anymore, managing to laugh at his jokes and actually enjoy the meal. You were astonished by how fast they seemed to adopt to each other, there was, without a doubt, a bond between them that you couldn’t see.

When you finished cleaning the dishes, you came back in the room to talk some more with Jiah, there was still so many things she didn’t find the courage to tell you (and you couldn’t find the heart to force her either). But what you found instead made your heart miss a beat and melt into puddle. Jiah had fallen asleep while being rocked by Jimin, one arm wrapped protectively over her waist, while his other hand kept brushing her head.

Jimin was completely smitten and you couldn’t blame him - you were too.

You leaned against the door, arms crossed over your chest as you observed them. Jimin looked happy, enjoying this precious moment. You’ll make a great dad, you couldn’t help but think and one more time it seemed like Jimin could hear your thoughts - he raised his head to look at you, surprised at first before smiling fondly at you.

"Come here." He mouthed you but you shook your head, your presence was clearly unnecessary.

He huffed and got his attention back on Jiah. Jimin started humming a song, a song he used to sing to you whenever you wouldn’t be able to sleep. You were tempted to join him in the humming if it wasn’t by the sudden pain, the same strong headache hit you again.

Jimin’s humming became just a noise in the background; you tried to concentrate on him, but nothing worked.

Flashback

"You can’t do it, Y/N." Jimin’s loud voice interrupted you for the first time in centuries (if not more) you saw Jimin’s soft face twist in anger. Never in the time you knew each other had he raised his voice on you; in fact, you couldn’t remember a single time where you would fight. No, this was new and worrisome.

“Jimin.” You didn’t want to fight him, especially not him. Jimin was special to you and not only because you had been friends for so long. No, you loved him a lot but despite your feelings, your duty and sense of justice was more important to you. You tightened your grip around the sleeping child in your arms, frowning in disapproval at Jimin. “You can’t expect me to leave this child to them. She did nothing wrong, Jimin and they want her dead and for what?”

You hated how narrow-minded and unfair heaven was. It was supposed to be the best and perfect place but it wasn’t. angels were blinded by their own unfounded rules and greed. And they say demons are bad. This child’s whole family was decimated because her mother fell for a demon’s trick. Did she deserve her fate? Maybe. Did the child deserve death? Definitely not.

“I know she’s half demon.” You admitted unwillingly, “I can’t unsee her aura. But she’s a human too and was raised by good people. Look at her and tell me she’s evil.”

Jimin wanted to argue but one look at you was enough to convince him to think twice before doing so. He looked at the girl in yours arms; even if she was sleeping he still could hear her thoughts and see her heart. He closed his eyes and clenched his fist; you were right about the Halfling. Yes, Jimin could feel her demonic blood, but her heart was pure and innocent.

“You know it’s wrong.” You said softly

Jimin lowered his head, unable to look at you any longer, scared that he would lose his will to convince you that whatever your plan was, it was pure madness.

“They won’t forgive you. You’ll be punished, Y/N.”

“I know. But I’m willing to take the risk. She’s so young and has nobody left. If I leave her alone”, You paused to get a look at her sleeping angelic face, “Bad people will find her and use her. I don’t want it for her.”

“They’ll find you!” You’re an angel, you can’t hide forever!”

“As a matter of fact, I can. I know a way.”

Jimin hesitated. “How?”

“Do you remember Seolhee?”

Jimin’s face paled at the mention of the name. of course he remembered it, a powerful witch that both angels and demons feared. She was not a good or a bad witch, but she lived by her own rules. Defeated, Jimin fell on his knees, hands shaking as he finally looked at you, desperate. “Don’t. Y/N, please. I’m begging you.”

“Jimin…”

“Don’t do this to me.” He let a sob out, unable to control any longer his feelings.

“Oh Jimin.” You moved gently the tiny body to make sure she wouldn’t wake up. Without hesitation you joined Jimin on the floor, cupping his now wet cheeks. You hated yourself for making him cry and you wished you could do something about it. “Please don’t cry.” You wiped his tears with your thumbs, heart breaking just as much as his.

“Don’t leave me.”

“I’m so sorry.” And you truly were because in two days from now on, you wouldn’t be an angel anymore. In two days, he would never be able to see you again.

“I wish things were different.” You said sadly

Back to present,

You hadn’t realized you were crying until Jimin brushed your cheek with his thumb. You blinked, surprised to find him beside you, heartbroken with what you saw. You were met with the same concerned face, the same face your heart longed for.

Jimin searched your eyes, anxious at your sudden behavior. “Y/N?”

“I-“ You blinked trying to find your words, “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing silly?” He chuckled but all you could do was to think about his teary eyes, begging you not to follow your plan. “Are you okay?”

You wished you could answer that. Truth to be told, you were far from being ok. It took you time to make out what those images meant, but now that you looked at Jimin, no matter how much you didn’t want to believe it, you knew, those images were your memories.

“Don’t leave me.”

You shut your eyes tightly, wishing to get rid of the image of Jimin begging you, wishing to forget it, to erase it and go back to your normal life.

Suddenly, Jimin let go of your face, taking his hand away as if you had burnt him. His face pale, he took a step back. “You-you remember?”

“Remember what?” You asked despite knowing already his answer.

“You thought about me. My words.” He replied a little too harshly, panic in his voice.

Oh. You chuckled tiredly, remembering what deep inside you already knew for a while: Jimin was a mind-reader.

“Can we not talk about it?” You finally asked

“But-“

“Please. I promise, we’ll talk later. But now, I need to think.”

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Except later never came.

Jimin did as you asked: he let you time and space despite his own desire to see you and talk to you. You bet he had a lot to say, a lot to share. If for you it didn’t seem like a long time since you last talked, it was definitely not his case. How long did he exactly have to wait to see you again? You were being selfish, again. But you wanted to be sure about those memories before facing him again, you wanted to make sure you wouldn’t make him cry ever again.

“Y/N! Y/N! Look, it’s for you!” Jiah run to you with a small bouquet of flowers that she gathered in the park. You were pretty sure it was forbidden but how could you possibly scold her when she looked at you with those big pretty eyes? You couldn’t.

“They’re lovely, just like you.” You accepted her gift and smiled at her.

Before you could add anything else, Jiah had wrapped her arms around you, hugging you tightly with her face pressed against your belly. You laughed heartily at her display of affection and put a hand in her hair, stroking it gently.

Jiah was a lovely kid, you knew it from the moment you laid your eyes on her and after spending so much time in her company for the past few days, it confirmed your first impression. Despite her parents’ tragic fate, she managed to smile again and you wished to believe it was thanks to you. You loved her presence that brought back other memories that had stayed hidden in your head for all this time.

There were still things you couldn’t believe were real, but after living for almost a whole week with a child who could move things without touching them (and let’s not forget her eyes changing colors whenever she was upset), it was hard to stay skeptical.

"Thank you." You heard her whisper and she tightened her grip around your body.

"You really have a thing for lost kid, haven’t you?" An awfully familiar voice interrupted (quite rudely) the lovely moment.

Jiah tensed against you, sensing the stranger’s energy and refused to move while you only turned your head to face a now familiar man. You stared at Namjoon, staring right into his dark, deep eyes.

"Hello Y/N, lovely as ever." He complimented.

You rolled your eyes at him. "What are you doing here Namjoon?"

"Aw, come on, don’t be so cold. I’m not your enemy." He whined which was a rather odd sight to witness.

Flashback

"You should meet Seolhee. She can help you." Namjoon told you

"Why are you helping me? You’re a deity, you’re not supposed to help."

"Why?" Namjoon repeated more to himself than to you. He averted his eyes to look at the sky, inhaling the sweet air from heaven. "Aren’t we the same, Y/N? You know Heaven’s rules are wrong on so many levels. Many of your peers perished because they tried to go against them. I’m tired of it. alone, I can’t change the world, but slowly and with help." He stopped to glance at your bloody hands, "My friend got imprisoned for his strong opinions. I appreciate you and approve your ways. So now it’s my turn to help you."

"They will know."

"They won’t. And even if they does, by the time they’ll realize what you have done it will be too late."

"Won’t they know you helped me?"

"Don’t worry."

Back to present,

Oh. You blinked the images away and brought a hand to your head, the headache was back but not as strong as it used to.

"Y/N?" Jiah’s little voice forced you to snap from your trance.

"Sorry. Don’t worry, I’m okay." You reassured her before looking back at Namjoon. "More than okay actually."

Reassured, Namjoon smiled, cute dimples showing on his face. "I’m sorry, I was so slow to find you."

"Don’t be. You chose the right moment to find me, thank you."

Hearing you thanking Namjoon, Jiah decided to stop hiding and peek at the impressive man standing few steps from you two. Namjoon saw her curious look right away, his smile only widening at the little girl which made her blush madly and hide behind you.

"Cute." You chuckled and Namjoon nodded, approving your words.

"She’s adorable."

"She is, isn’t she?" You patted her shoulder, "Come on, don’t hide. He doesn’t bite." To that Namjoon raised a brow, amused. "Hush you."

"Hey Jiah. Do you mind if I talk with Y/N alone?" Namjoon asked, doing his best to charm the little girl (as if she could resist the dimples).

Jiah wasn't fond of his request, sulking, but the moment Namjoon smiled at her, she had no other choice but run away for her own safety.

"Damn Namjoon. You have a way with ladies!" You teased him while watching Jiah running away from you and probably gather some more flowers.  

"It's called talent but you already know that."

"Maybe."

Namjoon took you by surprise by wrapping his arms around you and pulling you against him for a hug. It was new but enjoyable and you hugged him back.

"I’m glad Jimin found you." He kissed your forehead and then put some space between you two. "How much do you remember?"

"Not enough to be satisfied. I have flashbacks here and there and I see the big picture."

"Do you remember what happened with Seolhee?" It was a question Namjoon dreaded to ask, he knew it would be one of the most painful memories you would have to remember and he didn't know how you would face it.

"As in do I remember that I decided to rip my own wings to become human and make sure that angels won't find me? Yes, I remember."  It was, indeed, a painful memory and yet you realized that if you had to do it again, you would. "Don’t look at me like that Namjoon. It was my choice."

"I know. But it doesn’t make it less easier."

"True, but it was the right thing to do and I’m happy now."

"You lost Jimin though."

"Did I?" You wondered, "I don’t think I was ready to give myself fully to him back then but now? I definitely can."

"So are you going to talk to him? Because he looks miserable without you."

You huffed. Of course, Namjoon couldn’t stop messing with you. "I will. Now shut up and tell me how are you?"

                                                  ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

"Are you planning to talk to Jimin or should I just kick your ass?" Your aunt huffed at you on the phone. "He’s moody and kind of scary and I believe it’s your fault, my not so adorable niece!"

"Now I wonder why you’re saying that." You joked. Of course you knew what she was trying to say.

"Did you really think I out of all people won’t notice what was going on with you and Jimin? Seriously?" She sounded offended which only made you laugh.

"Well, you’d be happy to know that I’m actually on my way to see him."

"Are you? He’s been locked in his office for the whole day."

Of course he was. Your heart clenched uneasily at the thought of Jimin being alone for all this time but you regained your composure fast - you were planning to change his life.  

"Yes I just left my place. Don't worry." You reassured her

"You better." She huffed, "I want both of you happy."

She hung up on you, not waiting for an answer and not like you could give her a proper one, too stunned with her confession. You stared at your phone before chuckling and shaking your head in amusement. Your aunt was the best, there was no denying.

By the time you got to what was still supposed to be your workplace, most of people had already left and it was probably for the best. Nobody really knew why you suddenly stopped coming every morning and you didn't have the heart to explain. And what were you supposed to say anyway? Nothing. But the few people you did see, you greeted them with a warm smile and pretended not hearing their whispers about you. You would deal with them another day.

When you arrived before Jimin's door, you hesitated. You wanted to see him and make things right, but it didn't mean you weren't scared. You left him twice without telling him how you really felt about him and you regretted it deeply. You took a deep breath, gathering your courage and knocked at the door.

You opened the door without waiting for his answer, you expected him to know exactly who was behind, he could feel you, hear you.

Jimin was at his desk, pretending, you believed, not seeing you, concentrated on whatever he was reading and yet his body betrayed him as he tensed the moment you stepped in.

You closed the door behind you and leaned against it, your hand still on the handle. As you looked at him, you had a huge sense of déjà vu except this time he had a good reason to be mad with you.

"You asked me how much I remember." You started, grabbing his attention as he looked at you. Jimin was frowning at you, you didn’t need to be a mind-reader to know what was going through his head.

"I remember everything." You took a step toward him and then another. "I remember two lovely boys who spent their times getting in trouble but I still cared for. I remember you. I remember how much you loved me and how I threw everything away because of my own selfishness.

You halted before him, towering him but with a bittersweet smile on your face. You touched Jimin’s face, stroking his cheek. It felt the same, Jimin was still the Jimin from your memories, the sweet and loving man who would have done everything for you. "I’m so sorry, Jimin."

Jimin let you touch him, listening to your words, to your thoughts, eyes never leaving your face. His heart was pounding loudly, relishing in your words. Words he had been waiting to hear for all this time.

"You could have asked me to come with you." Jimin whispered

"Oh no." You leaned over, your face close to his. "No Jimin."

"Why not? I was left alone. Do you know how hard it was for me?"

"I can only imagine. But Jimin, the path I chose was a painful one and I didn’t want it for you."

He didn’t answer to that and averted his eyes from you, looking to the side, battling with his inner demons.

"I loved you back then too and I’m sorry I didn’t find the courage to tell you that." You admitted the painful truth

"And now?"

Your fingers moved under his chin, making him look at you as you stared into his eyes. "I love you."

Jimin sighed in defeat. "You better. You have centuries to make up for."

#jimin #bts #bts fanfic #bts fic #bts smut #jimin fanfic #jimin fic #jimin smut #bts x reader #bts scenario #bts reaction #breathe

[jovialyouthmusic]

Past Times

Here’s my attempt at writing a Regency Period Drama. You can catch up on my Masterlist. My MC Elizabeth and her family are visiting her fiancé at his estate south of Edinburgh in Scotland. House guests are expected for the beginning of a series of balls and other amusements similar to the Social Season normally held in London. I’m not attempting to make this super accurate, I’m just fascinated by social history from this era and am having a little fun. My period AU, my rules! 

Word Count 2983

A/N No smut, mostly fluff, but this is an adult blog and will get more explicit so No under 18s

11 Company

After luncheon, the family gathered in the lounge to await the arrival of the next guests. Elizabeth practiced a tune on the piano, and her sister sat embroidering a sampler. It had been decided that after Amelia had been introduced to Tom and Dorothea, she would enquire as to whether Lady Margaret wished her to read to her. Sir James read his newspaper, and Lady Charlotte and Morag played cards together. John stood by Elizabeth’s side turning the pages as she played. From there he had a view of the driveway, and would see any new arrivals.

‘I see a carriage approaching’ he announced as Elizabeth took a break in playing to sip a glass of raspberry cordial. ‘I shall go and greet them outside – will you come with me, Lizzy?’

‘Of course’ she replied, and stood, smoothing back her hair ‘Do I look presentable?’

‘Always, my dear’ he assured her, but Lizzy turned in question to her mother, who nodded in approval. Together the couple went out to greet the guests while the others made themselves ready in the lounge. They arrived with a few seconds to spare, and the carriage, drawn by two fine chestnut horses, drew to a halt in front of the manor. Tom alighted first, and helped Dorothea out before turning to John, who embraced him and slapped him heartily on the back.

‘Welcome, welcome Tom. We will have a merry time now you and Dorothea are here. You’ve met my fiancé, Elizabeth Dalgliesh, if you recall?’ Dorothea made a little curtsey and stepped forward to take Elizabeth’s hand.

‘I well recall how rude Tom was when we met at Duddingston. I am so pleased that his ill manners did not deter you from accepting John’s suit’ she said, smiling brightly.

‘Not at all Dorothea, my mind was made up already and nothing would put me off, I assure you’ Elizabeth replied, and Tom turned to her and took her hand, kissing the back of it.

‘My apologies for my former misbehaviour, Miss Elizabeth. I am pleased John has found such a determined and forgiving soul to spend his later years with’ John dealt a playful blow to Tom’s shoulder.

‘Less of the later years, you scoundrel. You are but two months my junior, Tom’ he asserted. ‘Come inside, you must meet Lizzy’s family. I fear mother is not available yet, but I believe she may join us for dinner later.’

‘I’m sorry to hear she’s indisposed’ Dorothea said ‘I hope you do not mind if I call you Lizzy, my dear’ she said, squeezing Elizabeth’s arm. ‘I am determined we should be firm friends, for we women should stick together when there are such rascals as my husband about’

‘That is most acceptable’ Elizabeth replied ‘Do you know many of John’s other guests?’

‘I do indeed, for I grew up not far away, and know all the gentry in John’s social circle. I am sure that between us we can name each guest and tell each other their temperament, for I am not often in Edinburgh and you are almost certain to know those who visit from the city’ The four young people went inside the house to introduce themselves to the Dalgleish family, then going up to their room to settle in and prepare for dinner. Amelia was loathe to spend time with Lady Margaret, realising that the arrival of guests closer to her sister’s age might afford more entertaining activities. However, Elizabeth instructed her to make sure and read something uplifting and entertaining so that the Duchess might feel more able to take part in the gathering.

Tom and Dorothea chose to go for a walk in the grounds before dinner, and John and Elizabeth joined them. The conversation was lively, and Elizabeth knew it would be easy to share confidences with her female companion. Her friend Rosanna would be coming for but a short visit for the betrothal ball to be held in a week’s time. She herself now had her own beau and was spending much time with his family, so had little to spare for Elizabeth. However, the two young women wrote to each other regularly and kept each other updated on their love lives and other matters.

After their walk, Elizabeth went to dress for dinner. Amelia came into her room.

‘How did your visit with Lady Margaret go, Melly?’ she asked

‘She seemed more cheerful after I had read to her’

‘What did you choose?’ Amelia smiled mischievously

‘Lady Margaret has a collection of gothic novels. She reads much of Anne Radcliffe’s work, so we have chosen a book called The Romance of the Forest. I fear we shall not be reading it in public, but shall choose poetry should there be anyone to eavesdrop’

‘That sounds most exciting’ Elizabeth laughed ‘Who would have though that Lady Margaret had such tastes?’ The sisters helped each other prepare for dinner before going to their parents’ room for approval, and the family descended together. Truly there was no pressing need to dress grandly in the company of Tom and Dorothea, but Lady Charlotte thought it good practice for the upcoming ball and other dinners.

Lady Margaret was present at the meal, and looked a good deal better, having some colour in her cheeks and being more animated in her conversation. After dinner the men withdrew to the study for Sir James to get better acquainted with Tom. The ladies went to the drawing room, the older ones playing cards while the younger women sat and conversed until the men joined them. Dorothea was prevailed upon to play the piano, but Elizabeth was concerned about John’s agility with his injured leg as she played a merry dance tune.

‘I understand if you are not able to take a turn’ she said in a low tone, as music filled the air. Her hand rested on his forearm, and he patted it comfortingly.

‘I can manage the slower dances if I have had some exercise during the day’ he assured her ‘Our walk in the garden helped to ease it somewhat’ Elizabeth pulled out her fan and deployed it as colour rose to her cheeks.

‘Would that we were in the arbour alone again’ she replied ‘Though I must confess having Tom and Dorothea here has enlivened things somewhat’ John smiled

‘Their company is very agreeable, and it is good to have guests closer to our own age’ He patted her arm and raised his voice to address the room. ‘If Dorothea would oblige me in playing something a little more sedate, I invite everyone to take the floor in order to practice for the ball’ he announced.

Dorothea smiled, and Sir James and Lady Charlotte rose to take part, the furniture already having been arranged to make space. Tom asked Lady Margaret if she wished to dance, but she declined and suggested that perhaps Amelia would partner him. She blushed furiously, but Elizabeth reminded her that before long she would be taking part in dances that might cause her to dance with someone with whom she had very little acquaintance, and it was good practice for her. Timidly she agreed, and Tom promised to make her feel at ease.

Eagerly Elizabeth took John’s hand and the partners arranged themselves. Dorothea started to play a tune for the Cotillion. The dance needed only a very few couples, and they managed very well before they went on to attempt a reel. There were a few hitches in the changeover of partners which caused a great deal of laughter, and after that Elizabeth declared that it was a good opportunity to practice with friends so that they would not be embarrassed in wider society.

Lady Margaret had watched the dancing with a smile, and declared that the hour was late and she would retire for the evening. Lord and Lady Dalgleish politely followed her example, insisting that Amelia would also. She pouted a little but dared not complain in front of Tom and Dorothea, so did as she was told.

That left the two young couples to themselves, though Morag declared that she would be sitting in the hall to await Elizabeth’s lone departure to her room.

‘Oh Lizzy, I well remember the restrictions of a chaperone’ said Dorothea, leaning toward her and fanning herself. ‘Mine was an absolute fright and never went out of earshot if she could help it’

‘Morag did allow us a very few freedoms’ Elizabeth confided ‘but now I have accepted John’s proposal she is more lenient’

‘We should play some parlour games’ Dorothea cried

‘With only the four of us, there are few games we could play, my dear’ Tom said ‘Perhaps when there are more young people like ourselves we may indulge, but I have an idea to put to our dear friends’

‘Do tell’ Elizabeth begged ‘I dearly love my parents, but their pastimes can be dull, and I must be careful not to do anything improper for Amelia’s sake’ John looked wary.

‘Beware, Lizzy – Tom’s ideas of fun can be rather – extreme’ he warned her. Tom looked aghast

‘I was but going to propose a card game’ he protested ‘One in which we play for points’

‘Father will not allow me to play for money’ Elizabeth sighed ‘He always was wary of wagers and gambling, and his fears were realised with my former fiancé’

‘I was not thinking of money’ Tom smiled archly ‘I propose we pay with kisses’ Elizabeth gasped and fanned herself furiously, and Dorothea giggled, putting her hand on her friend’s forearm.

‘We have played this before, my sweet friend. You need have no fear of impropriety, for the person receiving the kiss may choose where it is bestowed. You may have a kiss on the hand or the cheek or wherever you will, and the person doing the kissing can also choose if they are uncomfortable’ Elizabeth felt a little thrill at the thought of perhaps gaining a kiss from John despite them not being alone, but she wasn’t sure just how proper it was. John leaned close to her.

‘You need do nothing you feel uncomfortable with, Lizzy’ he assured her ‘We can play for matchsticks if you prefer.’ Elizabeth sat in contemplation.

‘I only fear that mother and father would not approve, but what they don’t know cannot harm them, and we are engaged, after all’ Dorothea clapped her hands

‘Does that mean you will play?’ she asked eagerly, and Elizabeth took a deep breath.

‘Yes, I surely will. Why sit and be dull and proper when we can have a little fun?’ She looked at John, his eyes darkening and glittering at her boldness. He rose to fetch a deck of cards, and the others arranged themselves around the card table.

‘I propose that  we might be make our own rules’ Tom asserted, and Elizabeth looked dubious. ‘It’s simple – we each are dealt three cards, and count up the points, with aces high, and the highest scoring player will be the one to kiss the lowest. The loser may also choose to play a forfeit if they don’t wish to be kissed.’

‘But there is no skill in the game’ John protested.

‘Indeed, it is all chance, and is not love all a matter of chance?’ Tom laughed ‘We see a pretty face and fall in love, no matter what station or class that pretty face might possess’ Dorothea pouted.

‘I suppose that means you may try for the hand of a milkmaid if she be comely enough’

‘That is where society comes in’ John interjected ‘If one is poor, one is unlikely to marry rich’

‘We are fortunate to be comfortable in our way of life’ Elizabeth replied.

‘Indeed, and I believe in helping those in need’ John smiled ‘It is our duty to help those who cannot help themselves, if we can’

‘Enough of this virtue!’ Tom sighed ‘let us play’ He picked up the deck of cards and shuffled. Elizabeth felt her heart beat a little faster as he dealt. Her hand shook a little as she picked up hers , guarding them from John’s sight. She had a queen, a two and a five, which came to nineteen. She flicked her gaze to her fiancée, who smiled back at her reassuringly.

‘Count up’ Tom directed, leaning toward his wife to look at her hand. She batted at him and laid them down. She had but six points, and Tom had twenty, so Elizabeth sighed with relief. John had seventeen points and Tom rolled his eyes. Dorothea laughed.

‘You must kiss me then, husband’ She offered Tom her hand, which he grabbed and kissed, then proceeded to continue with small kisses up her arm to her shoulder, finishing up on her cheek. ‘Fie Tom, one kiss would have sufficed’ she protested.

‘One kiss is never enough with you, my dearest’ he murmured, gazing deep into her eyes. Elizabeth swallowed, and Tom gathered up the cards, handing them to his wife to deal out. This time John had the most points and Tom the least.

‘My dear Tom, I have no intention of kissing you’ he asserted ‘So I charge you to tell my intended the circumstances of our meeting’ Tom winced

‘That is a sad tale indeed’ he said glumly.

‘Only for you’ John laughed. ‘It is your forfeit, and you must do it’ Tom sighed heavily.

‘Very well. Miss Dalgleish, the day I met John he most likely saved my life, for I missed my step on the gangplank to the ship we were to serve on together, and he dove in to fish me out of the water’

‘That water was not the cleanest either’ John added ‘I swear I came out smelling worse than when I went in, and had to pay extra to have my uniform cleaned’ He took the cards to deal them out. Dorothea had the highest score and John the lowest. Tom frowned slightly as she rose from her seat and walked around the table. She leaned down to John and lightly kissed his forehead.

‘See, it is not so difficult’ she smiled ‘Elizabeth, should you lose to my Tom, this is all you must do’

‘This game will not last very long, I fear’ Tom sighed ‘It would also be better played with more participants.’

‘It grows late, and Lizzie’s chaperone is waiting’ John pointed out. ‘We don’t want to scandalise Sir James, we should retire soon.’ Tom nodded sagely, and the cards were handed to Dorothea. She dealt while Tom refilled everyone’s glasses with wine. Elizabeth felt a little light headed as she sipped, and turned her cards over, squinting a little to read them. She felt a flutter as she realised that hers was the highest count, but was dismayed to discover that Dorothea had the lowest. Tom smiled at the two women and his eyes darkened.

‘Surely you will kiss, my dears?’ he said hoarsely, shifting in his seat a little. Elizabeth felt a little dizzy as she rose to walk toward her new friend.

‘Do not fear’ Dorothea said softly ‘You may but kiss my hand’ Elizabeth blushed and leaned over to peck her on the cheek. A scent of jasmine and lavender greeted her, and her skin was soft. Tom’s eyes glittered as John shifted uneasily.

‘You are bold Miss Dalgleish’ Tom said throatily, and she went back to her seat swiftly, picking up the cards to deal again. She calculated that she had a low count, and scanned the faces of the others as they work out their hand. She turned her card over to show them.

‘I have but five’ she admitted ‘Who of you shall be the one to kiss me?’ All eyes were on John as he revealed his cards one by one, being two kings and an ace. Tom threw his hand down with a heavy sigh, and Dorothea smiled sweetly.

‘You and your sweetheart may have at it’ she asserted, revealing a hand of but two sevens and a two, and Tom with a king, a two and a three. John smiled and beckoned her, pushing his chair away from the table and patting his lap.

‘We should do this properly, my dearest, for I think after this we should retire’ She rose and approached, for him to take her hand and gently pull her onto his lap. After a pang of self consciousness, she threw her arms around his neck, surrendering to his warm solidity and inhaling the scents of leather and musk that rose to her. She pressed her forehead to his.

‘I can barely wait to be wed’ she murmured ‘To have the freedom to touch and be touched is my most fervent wish’

‘It is my wish too’ he assured her, gazing into her eyes before their lips met. Everything around her – the room and its occupants – vanished from her senses and she felt only his firm body and his lips, a little scratch from the stubble on his lip and chin that she had noticed developed over the day.

She snapped back to her senses as she heard a tap on the door.

‘Miss Elizabeth, the hour is late’ her chaperone was heard to say. The lovers broke their kiss and again rested their foreheads together.

‘Until tomorrow my dear Lizzie’ John murmured ‘I may perhaps visit you in your dreams’ Elizabeth rose, looking over at her new friends. Dorothea smiled sympathetically, but Tom looked away, somewhat embarrassed.

‘Until tomorrow, my dear John’ she replied, and curtseyed to the other two. ‘I enjoyed our game. It is wonderful to have you here and I hope we will have more fun in the weeks to come’ She went to the door and turned to blow a kiss before she left to go to her lonely bedchamber.

 @sirbeepsalot​ @camillemontespan​​ @dcbbw​ @rainbowsinthestorm​ @katedrakeohd​ @trappedinfandoms​ @kingliam2019​ @nomadics-stuff​ @texaskitten30​ @princess-geek​ @texaskitten30 @fluffyfirewhiskey

#past times #period drama #regency drama #regency scotland #elizabeth and john #Elizabeth Dalgliesh #Captain John Lykel