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fettuccinealfred0 · 5 months

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Til Death Do Us Part | Part 1

Masterlist

Astarion x f!reader, Arranged Marriage AU

Word Count: 6.5k

(CW: general vampirism, period typical sexism, neglectful parenting)

Summary:

“I must thank you for your company. I fear you have been the highlight of my night.” Astarion gives your hand an affectionate squeeze before he’s dropped it and disappeared into the night.

You stand there for a moment, dazed and coming back to your senses. Your skin is still flushed and hot as you imagine again what Astarion’s lips might have felt like against the back of your hand. Or perhaps pressed against your own? You think of Astarion and his sweet words and beautiful face. Perhaps it was possible to marry for love, after all. Perhaps Astarion would be your saving grace. For who couldn't resist ending the night in love with that man?

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The carriage creaks and groans as it makes its way up the hill. You feel the stern eyes of your father pressing into you like a heavy weight, a reminder not to forget the importance of the night, a reminder to know your place, girl.

Your entrance into society had been underwhelming, to say the least, and you could rapidly feel your father reaching a point of resentment that he still hadn’t been able to marry you off. Being the youngest daughter and with your mother passing when you were a young girl, you were simply a loose end that your father needed to tie off before he could go back to doing whatever it was noble men liked to do in their free time. You always assumed it was a lot of drinking and hunting.

You didn’t particularly want to be married, so you hadn’t really been entertaining suitors. What was the point of shackling yourself to someone if not for love? What was the point of allowing a man to own you and control you? You’d much rather spend your time alone with a little house, to garden and read as you please.

But, an unmarried woman is a dangerous woman, and that cannot be allowed.

So, you were in the carriage, attempting not to shrink under your father’s gaze as you headed off to a ball that seemed to be a last ditch effort to see you married. You stare down at your dress, instead, intently studying the shimmery embroidery and beadwork. It truly was a stunning dress, perhaps the nicest you had ever owned. The corset was pushing so hard at your chest that your bosom threatened to spill out of the top. You were not an arrogant or boastful person, but even you had to admit that you were breathtaking when you saw yourself in the mirror. A ripe fruit ready to be plucked by a husband, as your father had said.

The carriage rolls to a stop and you would prefer to jump out and take in a deep gulp of air to calm your nerves. But, you must always remember your manners first and so you patiently wait for the door to open and the escort’s hand to assist you down from the carriage.

The manor is fantastical, beyond even your wildest dreams. The entryway is full of candles in gold and gem encrusted candelabras, flowers blooming everywhere you look. The brilliant red and white roses fill the summer air with a sweet, perfumed scent. The House of Ancunin was always known for their opulence and it appears the newest young lord plans to continue the family legacy.

The Ancunins had been around for generations, their secrets and mysteries kept locked away in their manor on the hill, doors only opening for the occasional, extravagant party. It had been a long time since a ball had been hosted at the manor. For many years, it appeared that the noble family line had threatened to die off and fade into obscurity.

But recently, the new Lord Ancunin had made his presence known and celebrated his arrival into society. There were rumors that he was a bastard or that he had bought his title as the last ‘real’ Ancunin had died off. But nevertheless, this was the first time the manor doors would be open to the public again since the days of your grandparents- and everyone will be flaunting their wealth tonight like desperate peacocks.

You try to keep your mouth from falling open as you gawk at the ornate entryway, littered with art that it would take hours to fully appreciate. You would rather stop and admire, but your father rushes you into the ballroom. You’ve been reminded again and again what your job is for tonight- to dance and flirt and stop chasing nice men away.

The ballroom, with its giant windows and chandeliers seemingly floating in the air stuns you when you walk in. You’re immediately swept onto the dance floor as the orchestra swells in a symphony of music. You catch the way your beaded skirt reflects the light in the mirror as you twirl and for a moment, you’re stunned when you see yourself. You look radiant. Perhaps the only person in attendance who seems to match the grandeur of the ballroom.

Your first dance partner is dull, to say the least. And the next speaks only of himself, hardly paying any attention to you. You catch a break every now and then with a man who is at least light on his feet, but your night seems to be doomed to a vicious cycle. Dull and selfish, dull and selfish.

As you continue to lament in your head, you’re glided into the arms of a new partner. It takes a minute to pull yourself back to reality. You had expected yet another brainless Sergeant regaling you with stories of his military prowess that you would be forced to pretend to listen to. When instead, you’re met with silence, you finally turn to look up at your new partner.

Your breath catches in your throat and you feel your heartbeat quicken dangerously. The man’s stunning eyes quickly dart down to your throat before returning to your face. Or perhaps he was looking at your cleavage? He certainly wouldn’t be the first man tonight to fall victim to the wonders of corsetry. And was it just a trick of the light, or are his eyes red?

This man is undeniably the most beautiful person you have ever seen. The light from the room catches against the white curls meticulously framing his face, creating a halo. It seems impossible that this apparition might be human and not some hallucination conjured up in your boredom.

“Forgive me for intruding,” he says, in a sweet, melodic voice that seems to lilt in time with the music. “But I could no longer endure your absence from my arms.”

You’ve somehow managed to keep in step while you’ve been waxing poetry in your head about the stranger in front of you. Perhaps it was a testament to the many years of dancing that were drilled into you growing up, or perhaps it was because this angel was so good at leading you. But your footsteps do falter at his words, only a step or two before he’s guided you back on track. He’s still looking at you expectantly and you remember that you need to talk, that you can’t just keep staring at him in awe.

“Well, now that you’ve caught me, what do you plan to do with me?” You sound ridiculous, you think. Voice timid and tapering off a bit at the end from nerves. This is not who you are, some silly girl, driven half-mad the first time you’re given attention by a man.

But the man looks down at you through his pale lashes, eyes deep and dark with hunger and you think you might drop to the floor and weep and beg for him. A part of you wants to offer up your neck so he can rip your throat open with his teeth.

His voice is low and dangerous, like a predator, and it fills your stomach with a warmth that spreads through your veins. “Darling, I plan on never letting you go again. They’ll have to tear you away from me at the end of the night.”

You can’t quite remember when your throat got so dry, but a breathless, strangled sigh involuntarily leaves you at his words.

“Nor would I want to be anywhere else,” you manage to squeak out and the satisfied smirk that spreads across his face is worth it.

The music swells again, the song coming to an end and you dip as the dance requires. The man bends with you and you feel his breath against your neck. He must be nervous, too, you think because his breath comes out as sharp puffs of air. Deep in your mind, a part of you wishes that he would close the gap and his luscious mouth would make contact with the delicate skin of your neck. You have to remind yourself that would be ridiculous and improper in the middle of a dancefloor.

You stay dipped in his arms for a few seconds longer than necessary, much longer than what is considered appropriate in polite society. Your eyes fall closed and you feel your tongue wet your lips as he breathes against your neck. You savor that moment, locking it away in a secluded part of your mind so you can relive it forever. All too quickly, you’ve been lifted upright again and twirled on your feet.

“You’re an exquisite dance partner, madam,” the man compliments. You realize he’s trying to politely ask for your name and you give it to him. You would gladly give him anything he could ever want. You’re half desperate to rip the heart from your own chest and offer it to him on one of the gaudy platters that waiters are serving drinks on.

The man repeats your name with a wicked grin and you feel said heart stutter in your chest.

“My father would preen to hear your compliment but in truth, I believe a woman is only as good of a dancer as her partner, sir,” you reply, truly shocked at the coherency of the words managing to tumble themselves out of your mouth. “May I ask your name?”

“Lord Ancunin,” he replies and everything connects. So, this is the mysterious lord of the manor. You can see why he keeps himself locked up in secrecy. He could bring the world to ruin with that handsome face.

Lord Ancunin twirls you out and pulls you in close to his chest, his breath a deep whisper against the shell of your ear when he says, “Though, I hope you will call me Astarion.”

“Fitting,” you giggle when you turn to face him again and he quirks a pale brow up in question. You give him a dazzling smile of your own as you say, “A face as beautiful as yours belongs up in the night sky next to all the other stars.”

You did know how to be charming if you wanted to, even if your father never seemed to believe you.

“Ah, so you do know how to spin honeyed words back at me. Have I finally met my match?” The smile he gives you is mischievous and it makes you feel like you’re in on some inside joke with him. You like that feeling, you realize. The feeling of just you and Astarion, wrapped together in a world all of your own.

“If all it takes is a few sweet words to impress you, I am lucky you have found me so early in the night, before the crowd can woo you away from me. For surely everyone here will sing praises meant to dazzle our mysterious host,” you offer him a teasing smile of your own. He lets out a scoff and rolls his eyes.

“Oh, but darling, the words only matter when they come from your sweet lips. The rest of this rabble is nothing compared to you,” Astarion’s hand has dipped ever so slightly lower along the curve of your waist as he speaks in a low, rich voice. His touch, combined with his words, send your head spinning. You’ve received flatteries and had your flirtations like any woman, but there’s something about Astarion that is addicting and leaves you craving more.

Astarion has guided you to the edge of the ballroom floor by the massive windows overlooking the gardens, exploding with all varieties of blooms. Even in this darkened view, they’re stunning and a part of you wishes to go out and explore them. Perhaps you can convince Astarion to join you and you could walk with your arm tucked in the curve of his, letting your fingers ‘accidently’ sneak down to feel the sinewy muscles in his forearms.

Your mind wanders, questioning if Astarion spends much time out in the gardens. Or what he does all day up in his manor on the hill. As any noble Lord, there’s bound to be servants, but you doubt Astarion has any family. The Ancunin line was about to die out before Astarion seemingly appeared out of nowhere to revive it. It’s sad to think of him spending his days up here with no one who loves him, a fate you had grown intimately familiar with yourself after the last of your brothers moved away.

“Is it lonely up here by yourself?” You ask brazenly. Your own voice surprises you as you speak the question you’ve been wondering aloud. Astarion’s mouth opens slightly and he’s silent, as if you’ve managed to shock him to his very core. The shake of his head is nearly imperceptible before he’s schooling his features again, lips curling back into a cutting smile.

“Perhaps I’ve simply been waiting for your company,” he says, but you’re a bit disappointed by his empty answer. Though, you suppose it was rather rude of you to ask a deeply personal question in such a public setting.

“Do you like the gardens?” Astarion redirects the conversation, noticing how you’ve been staring intently over his shoulder at the greenery through the enormous glass windows.

“I’m quite fond of roses,” you tell him, a bit shy at the confession. Your mother used to have a few bushes that she cherished when you were a little girl, but they had died with her.

“Roses are very beautiful, as long as you don’t mind a few thorns.”

The double meaning behind his words is obvious to you in that moment, though Astarion is far more beautiful than any silly little flower you’ve ever seen. His beauty is just as sharp though, just as deadly. You wouldn’t be surprised if people had killed for this man, if people had died for him.

“I’ve always had a special talent for avoiding them,” you give him a teasing smile back and his eyes sparkle with glee at your response. They’re such an unusual shade. In this dark corner of the room they appear an unnatural brown-ish red. They suit him, obviously, as if every feature on his face was carefully selected to create the most perfect man imaginable. But those eyes give him a dangerous gleam that makes you want to drown in him.

“I don’t doubt that at all, little flower,” Astarion says with that low voice that sends arousal pooling deep in your stomach.

Your heart stutters at the endearment. Little flower. Not a practiced, rehearsed platitude, but something just for you. Something based on a moment you had shared together. You hope against hope that you aren’t making this moment up in your head but no, Astarion is here and he’s real and maybe everything will work out alright. Maybe marriage doesn’t have to be a curse that plagues you for the rest of your life.

Before you can speak, a man with dark, graying hair approaches Astarion, whispering quickly in his ear. Astarion’s gentle smile leaves his face as he listens intently. When the other man steps away, Astarion’s blazing gaze returns to you.

“I do apologize, my lady, but I have an urgent matter I must attend to,” Astarion’s lips are still turned down into a tight frown as he sweeps into an elegant, over-the-top bow. The motion looks so natural on him.

When he rises, he takes your hand in his own. You feel your breath catch in your throat as his lips brush against the back of your hand. You really wish you weren’t wearing your stupid gloves and could truly feel the softness of his lips against your skin.

“I must thank you for your company. I fear you have been the highlight of my night.” Astarion gives your hand an affectionate squeeze before he’s dropped it and disappeared into the night.

You don’t know how you’re expected to dance with or entertain anyone else the rest of the night. Not after Astarion. Not after you had met perfection. You spot your father, head bowed and distracted in conversation with a short, greasy man.

You sneak out of a large glass-paned door into the garden. The roses out front were just a preview of the true beauty hiding here. Blooms of every size and color swirl together. You follow the well-maintained paths, entranced, noting the flowers you recognize and staring occasionally at a flower you’ve only seen drawn in books.

You’ve wandered quite a ways from the party when your ears pick up a quiet rustling, compelling you to investigate. Your curious nature had always been a curse: it had gotten you chastised by tutors when you read books that were not meant for a young lady’s eyes, and had earned your father’s ire when he discovered you sneaking in to watch and learn from your brother's sword fighting lessons.

In this moment, your inquisitive spirit wins out again, and your feet move, almost of their own accord, in the direction of the sound. You hear it again. It sounds like a person, or perhaps… was that a moan?

You find yourself in a secluded area of the garden and debate whether you should turn back for fear of intruding on a couple’s private moment. As you turn to leave, you freeze, eyes catching the glimmer of pale silver hair in the moonlight.

Your heart sinks to your chest. Of course. Astarion is so beautiful it only makes sense that he would have lovers clawing the doors down for just a moment with him. In retrospect, it seems rather cruel of him to praise you as the highlight of his night when he was leaving you to meet with another woman.

Unable to look away, you see Astarion holding a beautiful woman in his arms, dipping her just as he had dipped you only a short while ago. But this time, he’s closed the gap and his lips are pressed against her, kissing her neck. Her eyes are closed in what you assume to be ecstasy.

And all you had gotten was a kiss over a gloved hand. An angry, jealous wave flares within you and you have to take a deep breath to calm yourself. The last thing you need is to reveal your hiding spot and make even more of a fool of yourself tonight than you apparently already have.

You’re hidden out of their sight, positioning yourself strategically behind a bush. Not that they would even notice you with how enraptured they are with one another right now. You don’t know why you’re even staying. Perhaps there’s some masochistic part of you that wants you to remember this hurt, remember that this is why you don’t hope, that marriage born from love was a lie that only fools believe.

You watch, ignoring the emotions boiling inside you and the gut wrenching pain that makes you feel as if you’ve been stabbed. Only… the more you watch, the less Astarion seems to be kissing her neck and the more he seems to be sucking at it?

Astarion parts from the woman and when he tilts his head up, the moonlight glints against the dark rivulets of blood running down his chin, his hand reaching up to wipe it clean.

You can’t help the shocked inhale that manages to escape you and you see Astarion’s eyes open and whip over to your hiding spot. You had questioned if his eyes were red before, but you’re sure now as they practically grow crimson in the darkness.

Your mind is reeling, you need to get out of there. You aren’t even entirely sure how you got to this part of the garden, but you rush back toward the direction of the manor as fast as you can on your trippy, heeled shoes, doing your best to only stumble minimally on your flowing skirts.

There’s no way it can be true, but you’re certain Astarion had been drinking that woman’s blood. You had heard the myths and legends about vampires, but it seemed impossible for the creature to exist in real life. Vampires were just scary monsters used to keep children from roaming in the dark, weren’t they?

Suddenly, everything clicks. Astarion’s unbelievable beauty was nothing but a farce, a trait evolved by a predator to draw you in. And of course, you had fallen for it like the silly little girl you were. A few minutes ago, you would have been willing to split yourself open for him to devour. He could have offered you the knife and you would have gladly let yourself bleed for his affections.

Now, your heartbeat pounds in your ears, so loud you can’t tell if you’re hearing the thud of your own heart or of Astarion’s footsteps chasing after you. You think back to the woman. Did he mean to kill her? Did he mean to kill you, too, now that you had caught him?

The doors to the manor are finally in sight when you brave a peak over your shoulder. Sure enough, Astarion is rounding the final curve of the garden as you slip through the glass-paned doors.

You force yourself to focus, to think. You can’t help wondering if this is how a rabbit feels when it’s being hunted. How it must know that its very survival depends on its ability to think quickly and get away.

Attempting to disguise yourself in the dancing crowd, you wind artfully between different partners and move in confusing, zig-zagging patterns so Astarion cannot follow you. But, you keep catching glimpses of white hair out of the corner of your eye, Astarion never falling too far behind.

Your new dance partner is twirling you to the next person when you see the vampire’s red eyes over their shoulder. As he stares at you with a barely stifled rage, you can’t see anything but the red that was dripping from his chin a few minutes ago and it sends a new wave of urgency through your veins.

Your head whips around and loosens a few pins from your intricate hairdo. The strands fall in your eyes as you frantically scan the crowd for an escape, or at the very least, your father. His disappointment and rage at your lack of a marriage prospect tonight is certainly preferable to the death you are certain you will face if Astarion manages to catch you.

When you look up, there’s a silver mirror in front of you. You look rattled and a bit disheveled, but Astarion is nowhere in sight behind you. Finally, you allow yourself to let out the breath you’ve been holding, shoulders dropping in relief.

A cold hand curls heavily around your shoulder, sending goosebumps skittering across your skin and you look up into Astarion’s angry eyes which shine a brilliant ruby red. Your mind reels and you glance between him and the mirror a couple times because he is standing right next to you but is noticeably absent from the mirror’s reflection. You hate yourself for making such a stupid mistake, for forgetting the rules about vampires, the monsters who didn’t have a reflection.

“Come with me,” Astarion’s voice is cold, so opposite of the sweet tone he used earlier while you danced. He uses his grip on your shoulder to start pulling you away from the crowd. To kill you without making a scene.

“No,” you cry out and try to pull away from him but his fingers dig into your collarbone even harder and it starts to hurt. He’s supernaturally strong as he drags you beside him further and further away from the dancing crowd, further and further away from any hope of salvation.

You should let out a scream, alert someone, do something. It’s not in your nature to go down without a fight.

“Stay quiet if you wish to live through the night,” Astarion hisses against the shell of your ear, like he could tell what you were thinking. You hate that his voice still sends a warm tingle down your spine.

Astarion pulls you around a corner to some sort of secluded closet where he flings open the door and pushes you inside. He’s got you crowded against the wall, his forearm angled so it’s pressing against your windpipe. He isn’t pushing hard enough to restrict your airflow, but his arm is a heavy reminder that he could if he wanted to. A reminder of the threat of death looming over you.

“Whatever you think you saw, you didn’t,” Astarion tries to rationalize with you, his eyes hard and unwavering as they stare into your own. Like if he says the words with enough conviction, he might just convince you.

“You’re going through a lot of trouble if I, in fact, didn’t see anything,” you point out, which is maybe not the smartest argument to make in the face of certain death. You always had a bad habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. To keep yourself from making this bad situation even worse, you bite the inside of your cheek to keep quiet.

“Impetuous woman. I was trying to hel- I mean…” Astarion grits his teeth in frustration. He seems to be recalculating in his head, figuring out what to do with you. “I had hoped to settle this civilly.”

Even though you feel like you’re growing to throw up, you close your eyes and force yourself to act nonchalant as you speak, “If you’re going to kill me, I’d prefer it if you didn’t drag it out unnecessarily.”

Your eyes are still closed, but you feel Astarion’s forearm drop away from where it was pressed against your throat, though his body still keeps you pinned tightly against the wall. This is possibly the closest you’ve ever been to a man and a dark part of your mind enjoys how his thigh is pressed against your own, only a few layers of fabric separating you from his pale skin.

You bite a little harder at your cheek to focus your thoughts and are overwhelmed by the metallic tang of blood on your tongue. When you open your eyes, Astarion is staring at you like a man possessed, his eyes glued to your lips, pupils blown so wide his eyes appear black.

Oh, right. Blood and a vampire are not a good mix if you hope to stay alive. You try to quickly swallow the blood down, as if Astarion hadn’t already noticed it. He lets out a sinful noise, something between a chuckle and a groan.

“I’m not going to kill you, darling,” his voice is deep and hungry as he carefully traces one finger along the pulse point in your neck. “Why would I kill you when I can keep you all to myself?”

You blanch at his words, seeing your future laid out in front of you. Chained up in the dungeon as a vampire’s slave. Kept alive, but barely, a source of constant food for a greedy monster. For a moment, it almost makes you laugh to think that of course this dramatic manor would have a gaudy dungeon.

“You’re a monster,” you say to Astarion, an angry sneer across your face.

“Oh, don’t act stupid, pet,” Astarion scoffs at you, his hand now moving up to tuck the loose piece of hair behind your ear and his cheek brushes against yours as he leans in impossibly closer to whisper. “It’s unbecoming of you to pretend to be something we both know you aren’t.”

He presses a gentle kiss to your cheek as he pulls away from you and your mind is in such turmoil, you can’t even revel in the feeling of his lips finally pressing against your skin.

“Tell me, what am I really? A monster, yes, but what kind?” His voice is so smooth and silky as he taunts you, like a spider spinning you into its web. The time for escape has passed.

“A vampire,” you whimper out, the emotions finally catching up to you. You think again of the woman in the garden. “Oh god, that woman. Did you kill her?”

“Hardly,” Astarion replies, with a roll of his eyes. “And I can assure you, she was a very willing, very well compensated participant. The worst she’ll have is a bit of a headache tomorrow morning from the blood loss.”

He didn’t kill her? That doesn’t make any sense.

“For the record,” Astarion speaks again, interrupting your train of thought. “I have no qualms about killing people, but it’s such a hassle having to figure out what to do with all those dead bodies. I’ve found it’s much easier to get blood if you maintain a few snacks for the occasional top up.”

You’re still staring at Astarion, trying to understand how the man you met earlier tonight could be the same man pressing you to the wall and threatening you - when the door handle starts to rattle and turn. Astarion moves impossibly quick as he tilts your chin up and presses his lips to your neck, in the perfect imitation of a lover’s embrace. You can’t help the panicked noise that escapes you when you feel a sharp fang prick against your skin. It reminds you of the thorns of a rose. You know that this is Astarion telling you to play your part if you still want to stay alive.

The intruder clears their throat and Astarion parts from you with an exasperated sigh, as if he’s just been pulled away from a delicious feast.

“We’re busy,” he shoots over his shoulder, but when he turns his head, you can clearly see the outline of your father standing in the doorway, with the greasy man that he was talking to earlier beside him. A shock of recognition flashes in your fathers eyes before the hard mask of anger settles in.

“Lord Ancunin,” your father speaks, and you recognize the tempered fury that’s flowing in his words, threatening to erupt any second. The carriage ride home with him tonight was going to be unbearable if you managed to make it out of this. “Might I ask what you’re doing in this closet with my daughter?”

Astarion sighs again and finally, finally steps away from you, though you can see the reluctance he feigns in an attempt to keep up the act. Simply two lovers caught together at an inopportune moment.

Now that you have your own space, you feel like you can finally take a deep breath. You hadn’t realized how Astarion’s heady scent of bergamot and rosemary had been clouding your senses. Still, deep in your mind, there’s a small, shameful part of you that misses how the hard line of his body felt pressed against you.

“You had said she was a virgin!” The short man next to your father yells, his face an ugly, tomato red.

“She is,” your father swiftly attempts to placate the man. “She’ll still make a good wife, I promise.”

“The deal’s off, I don’t want damaged goods,” the greasy man turns swiftly on his heel and storms away. So, that’s what your father had been up to all night, scheming to sell you off by any means necessary.

When your father faces you and Astarion again, his eyes are flaming with anger. This night was not going to end well for you even if you did manage to escape. Astarion shifts a half-step in front of you.

“Lord Ancunin,” your father hisses again. You can tell it’s taking everything in him to keep his words polite and befitting of his station. You know that what he really wants is to relentlessly hurl insults at Astarion until he tires himself out. “I trust you don’t make it a habit of tricking naive young girls into following you into dark closets?”

“Your daughter, a young woman,” Astarion emphasizes the word. You feel a bit vindicated by this as you had been fighting your whole life for your father to see you as something other than a foolish child. “Is capable of making her own decisions and dealing with the consequences of those choices.”

The second part of his sentence was directed at you. You chose to follow him out into the gardens, to go where you were unwelcome, and you would be expected to accept your upcoming fate with grace. Your heart twists again and you feel hatred for Astarion blooming deep within you. You had not imagined the beautiful man that you danced with would be capable of such cruelty.

“I will not allow this insult on my family’s honor!” Your father’s voice continues to rise. “If the next words out of your mouth are not asking me for my daughter’s hand in marriage, then you will have made a very powerful enemy.”

“Powerful enemy,” Astarion laughs at that and turns to you as if you’re in on the joke. It is rather funny that your father thinks himself anywhere near the same standing as Astarion, but you’re having a hard time finding the energy within yourself to laugh at the moment.

“Oh, this is all going wonderfully according to plan,” Astarion claps his hands together in glee, face painted with a devilish grin. You think you catch the light glinting off one of his fangs in the dark closet. “For I had hoped to come speak with you about marrying your daughter. It seems you’ve already beaten me to the point.”

Your breath catches in your throat as the puzzle finally fits together. So, this was Astarion’s new plan. Keeping you as a slave must be too boring in his eyes, the vampire lord who wants for nothing, who has people falling at his feet for the chance to drink some of their blood. No, Astarion plans for you to keep his secret by controlling you. And everyone knows that the best way to control a woman is to marry her.

You feel like your soul is slipping out of your body. Nearly an hour ago, you would have been weeping with joy to be married to Astarion. Now, it just feels like an extended death sentence.

Astarion’s fingers brush against your arm, pulling your attention back to him, though you can’t bear to look him in his eyes.

“Dearest, would you like to go out for another dance? Or perhaps I can call someone to escort you to a room for the night?”

You nearly scoff out loud at the false choice. Both options presented by him, neither of which you really want to do. Either you go out on the dance floor and perform the act of a happy, loving couple or you’re sent off with one of his servants to be kept under guard. But, the chance of escape does seem higher if Astarion isn’t constantly by your side.

“A room, please,” you manage to choke out and Astarion gives you a polite nod. He grabs someone’s attention in the hallway and another beautiful woman with long, dark hair arrives to lead you to a room. Why is it that Astarion seems to only be surrounded by beautiful people?

Astarion’s gaze follows you until you round a corner and are finally out of his sight. You don’t doubt that he will be returning to the party to flirt and dance and drink blood while you are caged in a room like an animal. There’s an spiteful, jealous part of you that threatens to lash out. You’re jealous of his freedom, you remind yourself. You’re certainly not jealous of the people who get to dance with him the rest of the night.

You keep following after the dark-haired woman, but you can feel your father close at your heels. You curse the world for not just letting you mope in peace and quiet. Why does everything have to end in a fight with your father? Although he hates you, thinks of you as nothing but a burden, you know he is one of your last hopes of getting out of here.

When you’re finally deposited into a bedroom, you turn to him, pleading. “Father, please don’t make me marry him. He’s not a good man, he’s not who he appears to be.”

“No,” your father cuts back. “That is exactly what you will do. You have brought shame to this family. What would your mother think if she knew you were galavanting around like some common whore?”

You stare down at the beautiful embroidery on your dress and try to hold back the tears. Why did you expect this to end any differently? It never does when it comes to your father. And he always does love to bring up how much shame your mother would feel about you if she were still alive. You stay silent, waiting for this to be over, waiting to be left alone.

“You’re lucky” he continues, “somehow this is still better than you deserve. You will have a title and wealth. But do not think I will ever forgive you for this transgression. You will no longer be a stain upon this family.”

With a stern nod, he slams the door shut behind him, leaving you in an eerie silence. You aren’t surprised your father thinks you are undeserving of a title and wealth, though those are of little concern to you right now. You’d rather not be married, not expected to be subservient to some man. And worst of all, what you’d really rather have back is the person you thought Astarion was earlier in the night, the person you thought you might be able to love.

You reach for the doorknob but it has predictably been locked when you test it.

Leaning against the hard wood of the door, you sink to your knees. You can feel the tears burning at your eyes as you pick at the beading on your beautiful gown. How horrible this night had turned out. The tears start with a whimper against the wooden slats of the door and soon you’re weeping, crumpled into a sobbing pile of your skirts. Between hiccuping cries, you mourn the loss of your family, the loss of your life. From now on, you are cursed to be the bride of a monster. A bird trapped in a gilded cage being constantly circled by a very hungry cat.

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Notes: Hehe and that's chapter 1! Get ready for a whole lot of angst, yearning, and misunderstanding as these emotionally repressed weirdos try to navigate their feelings for one another in their new marriage. This is the first fic I've ever actually posted so I'm super nervous, but I have a whole 10-part plan set up for this fic because the Astarion brainrot is real. It's almost like… he's a tadpole that's wormed it's way into my brain…

For reference, I tend to picture everything as regency era since that is my favorite, but I didn't specify because I know everyone has their own favorite time periods they love to imagine!

Hugest shoutout ever to my amazing friend who helped me edit and let me bounce ideas off her. She was the hugest help imaginable and has been subjected to my constant ramblings about my ideas for this fic. Check out her wonderful writing on ao3 at AliensNSuch!

Chapter 2 will be posted next Sunday, 12/24.

#astarion #astarion x reader #astarion x tav #bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #astarion bg3 #x reader #reader insert #bg3 fanfiction #til death do us part

221 notes · View notes

sakkiichi · 9 months

Text

AUGUST.

Glimpses of the departed month go by as you reminisce by the sea.

ft. Kaedehara Kazuha x gn! reader.

cw/genre: fluff, romance.

I honestly don’t know how to feel about this piece… definitely not my best work, but I wrote it, so I’m posting it. I hope someone still likes it.

if you enjoy this, reblogs and comments help more than likes !

Blue.

Said alone, the word might have had a tendency for melancholy, cold, turbulence.

However, if anyone were to ask you right now, you’d deny every negative connotation the color might have ever been related to.

Because to you, blue was dusks by the sea; moments right after the last coppery rays had hidden behind the expanse of an ocean you could only wish to unveil all secrets of.

And perhaps, you liked this moment of day because the infinity of blue before you mirrored the feelings in your heart at ease.

Feelings of unbridled affection, boundless love.

For him.

Fair hair falls over his shoulders, like silk weaved out of stars, its tips illusory rose with the fading daylight. His eyes are closed against the marine breeze, flecks of moondust clinging to his lids, casting enchanting shadows over his cheeks. His shirt has been discarded, droplets sliding down his bare torso, as if he had bathed in a pool of starlight. A black leather cord rests against his tempting collarbones, a vibrant scarlet maple leaf charm dangling tantalizingly over his chest.

A dreamy sigh escapes your lips, mingling with the sounds of foamy waves lapping at the white sand.

Kazuha.

He was always nothing short of ethereal, but something about him in the dimming light of a late summer’s nightfall, felt inherently magical.

“I’m going to miss this, Kazuha.” You finally say, resting your chin on your boyfriend’s shoulder.

He gently leaves a kiss to your forehead, his hand finding yours over the towel you’re sitting on. Scars jut like jagged rocks against which waves break, in the same way lightning snuffed out a life dear to him all that time ago.

And yet, the smile on his lips is almost palpable when he says:

“We’ll be able to come back, my dove.” His thumb runs soothing circles over the back of your hand. “Before we realize, summer will greet us again.”

You chuckle. Kazuha had such a poetic way of approaching things; even when the sun went pitch black, he would forever remain a beacon of hope to you.

“I know, I know…” You clarify. “It’s just… I wish I had more free time to spend with you like this during the year…”

As much as autumn brought found memories and your beloved’s birthday, September always had a tendency to leave you yearning for the long days of summer.

Echoes of August replayed behind your eyelids every time you closed them, reminiscent of stolen instances held in the brief minutes in which the sky was dyed in shades of neither day or night.

Those eyes that held the suns of a million dawns focus on you. Starlight from constellations that will sleep soon seem to frame them, those long lashes fluttering in tune with your heart.

“I know, my angel…” Your lover utters, as he delicately tucks a strand of hair behind your ear. “I’d like to stay with you like this, for all eternity…” His stare of gentle embers takes you in.

His muse, his perfect love, his forever.

The samurai’s free hand reaches to cup your cheek, his touch, a dove’s first flight in its tenderness.

Beneath the darkening skies, you were the brightest star. Every lash, every pore and freckle, the everglow that fueled his verses.

“But we’ll always have the weekends,” He reassures, those fingers that penned the most romantic eulogies tracing your jawline, the column of your neck, your exposed collarbones.

Dilated pupils stare at his lips, images of kisses coated in ice cream and cocktails flashing through your dazed mind.

“And every summer after that.” The poet adds, noses mere millimeters away now, separated only by salt air and dying sunlight’s rust.

“Every summer.” You repeat.

Then, the magnetic force of both your desire-ridden lips reigns over, his kiss, an intoxicating collision.

Your hands lock behind Kazuha’s neck, pulling him closer. The droplets of sea water on him feel cool, flecks of stardust tattooing your skin in every place your bodies touch.

The wandering samurai’s lips are an expanding sunrise, and you, the tsunami that desperately reaches for his light-tinted heavens.

One of his hands sets on the soft sand, keeping him upright, while his scarred one tenderly cups your cheek. Your lean against him is soothing, healing, clear August skies, birdsong written in between retreating clouds.

Behind the undulating horizon, gold dyes silver.

Constellations begin to waltz far above, the lovers by the sea, their directing lyrics.

It’s a symphony about a season that will never die, its score inscribed in indelible blue ink in the heat of yours and Kazuha’s fervent kisses.

277 notes · View notes

lesgetittkookie · 1 year

Text

redamancy - jjk (part iii)

⤖ genre: fluff, future smut, angst, gardener!jeongguk x rich!reader, okay but jeongguk isn't really a gardener like that but you'll see, kinda slow burn but not really

⤖ pairing: jeongguk x female reader

⤖ rating: 18+

⤖word count: approx. 14.1 k words

⤖ chapter warnings: explicit language, angst

summary: jeongguk is just a normal dude with a simple routine. wake up, go to the gym, work his job as a waiter at this posh upscale restaurant in the heart of gangnam before coming home to a night full of video games and ramen (it's delicious and cheap). that routine gets disrupted when he accidentally taps the back of an expensive sports car of one of the richest men in south korea. considering he's broke, he couldn't afford to pay for the damages so the man makes a deal with him by offering him to work at his house as one of the gardeners. jeongguk takes it but wasn't prepared to meet this beautiful young woman who's constantly lounging by the pool, you, the rich man's daughter.

author's note: hi hi hi pls don't kill me yall. i know it's been MONTHS since i last posted. there were many life changing events that occurred in my life and it really held me back from ever completing part 3. i had half of it written in august but it was left abandoned for a while because of my college semester. i also lost motivation to write for so long too. im gonna be honest, i hate this chapter. no matter what i wrote, i was not happy with it at all and im still not. but i didn't wanna keep you guys waiting. the only thing i ask from you is that if you can really give me feedback and thoughts on the chapter, it would be really helpful. seeing you guys enjoy it keeps me motivated to continue writing, the more motivated i am, the sooner i can post future parts. im on summer break so i would really like to finish this story if possible. pls don't be a silent reader. i hope you guys like this chapter. xx M.

taglist:@janedukiesworld@rjsmochii@mwitsmejk@jjeonjjk7@whoa-jo @linda-botello @dewamused @tearsdntfall617 @taehyungseggs @thoudailydeets @hobiiihope @miss-jupiter @petalsofink @imjustreadingig @guksunshine @iheartsvt @rainnyrh @axniyx @kookies-n-spice @carolsummerlove @rievjjks @dopedreamfireparty @

“You’re going to what?” Jeongguk asks, almost dropping the garden snippers on his foot.

Dohyun jumps a little at the older man’s loud voice, almost dropping the flower bouquet. He dusts off his white button-up, fixing the collar.

“I’m going to ask Y/N on a date,” He reiterates proudly. “I got her these chocolates from that fancy chocolate store,” He holds up the white box wrapped in a baby pink bow. “And some roses from my aunt’s flower shop.” His other hand props up the bouquet, plastic rustling when he shakes it.

No way. There’s no way he’s actually going to ask you. Not when you literally just said last night that you don’t have any form of feelings for Dohyun. But you also did mention that you wouldn’t have the heart to turn him down, not wanting to see him hurt.

God, why did you have to be so nice? Are you actually going to accept the date when Dohyun asks you?

He looks at Dohyun who seems to be in a daze, probably daydreaming about you and him together. He shivers at the thought of you kissing Dohyun on the corner of his mouth as you did with Jeongguk last night.

Gross.

There’s no way you’re going on that date with Dohyun. Not when you’ve made it clear that you’re interested in Jeongguk. If that kiss didn’t mean anything last night, he’d be quite upset.

“Uh…I don’t know if that’s…a good idea,” Jeongguk replies, voice honeyed. He’d be damned if he lets Dohyun ask you out first.

The excited smile begins to fade, forming a firm line. He looks at Jeongguk in confusion, “Why?” He asks.

Fuck, what can he say? There’s no excuse coming to mind.

“Listen, dude,” Jeongguk walks up to Dohyun, putting his arm around the younger man’s shoulder. “Girls like Y/N, they’re not interested in guys like us.”

Is he gonna go to hell for lying like this?

“Guys like…us?” Dohyun questions, looking up at Jeongguk with a clueless pout.

Jeongguk nods, pretending to look sullen, “Yeah, I mean look at us, we’re just a bunch of commoners,” Something you’ve made very apparent that you don’t care about. “Y/N’s family…they’re rich. She’s probably into guys who own sports cars and Rolex watches.” Lies. You’ve mentioned how you couldn’t stand materialistic guys.

“So what you’re saying is…” Dohyun stares at the grass thoughtfully, “That I need to have nice and expensive things.” Jeongguk nods in response.

Yeah, he’s definitely going to hell.

“B-But I made reservations at that expensive French restaurant,” He tells Jeongguk, looking a little sad.

Lame. Going to a fancy wine-and-dine restaurant for a date would not impress you, he thinks. You already seem to be sick of your high-class lifestyle. The last thing you would want is to be sitting in a place surrounded by other rich folks.

If it were up to Jeongguk, he would’ve taken you to his favorite street vendor for some tteokbokki and then to the arcade to play games. He thinks you’d enjoy that more.

“It’s okay man. That wouldn’t have been enough,” Jeongguk shakes his head, putting a hand on the other’s shoulder in a comforting manner, “She probably would’ve ordered the most expensive wine on the menu.”

Dohyun’s bottom lip quivers and a look of despair etched onto his face. “I would’ve paid for it.”

Jeongguk raises an eyebrow, “You could afford that?”

Dohyun shrugs, “I made a deal with the manager to pay in installments.” Geez, he really had it all planned out.

“I don’t think she’s worth it, dude,” Jeongguk’s voice is laced with fake sorrow. He hopes you never find out that he’s saying this shit because he does not mean a single damn thing he just told Dohyun.

“I mean I guess you’re right,” Dohyun looks down at the flower bouquet with a dejected look on his face. “She’s just always been so nice to me so I thought there might’ve been something there.”

You are a nice person. So nice that it shook Jeongguk to the core. There wasn’t a single bad body in your body it seems. You would never have any ill intentions towards anyone. He’s witnessed it firsthand. You’re damn considerate of others that you were afraid of facing the day Dohyun confessed to you because you didn’t have it in you to turn him down and witness his heartbreak.

If anything, Jeongguk is doing both you and Dohyun a favor.

“I hear you, buddy,” Jeongguk clasps his hand against Dohyun’s back, making the younger man wince a little. “Guys like us never get the girl.”

Except for Jeongguk. He thinks he might have a chance.

Too arrogant?

“I guess I’ll just cancel the reservation,” Dohyun states in melancholy, and Jeongguk immediately nods.

Yes, cancel the reservation. Please. Cancel so Jeongguk can ask you out on a date instead.

“Well I’m going to go put this stuff back,” Jeongguk tells him, putting the tools away in the bucket. He’s also hoping to catch you sitting outside again. He wonders what swimsuit you’re wearing today.

“I’ll go with you,” Dohyun mumbles, walking alongside Jeongguk.

God dammit, never mind, he prays you’re not sitting outside.

The two men are heading towards the back along the concrete pathway, stopping in front of the shed. Jeongguk looks over at the sunbed where you’re usually sitting but fortunately, you’re not there. His shoulders relax at that and he lets out a sigh of relief. He can’t help but look over at Dohyun, only to see him already staring at the sunbed as well with a gloomy look on his face.

“Come on, help me put these tools where they need to go,” Jeongguk suggests in an attempt to distract the younger man. He’s not going to lie, he does feel a little guilty for lying like this to him.

Jeongguk is never the type to really feel guilty which is why his Jin Hyung calls him a dickhead sometimes. But right now, he can feel it just a tad bit.

Dohyun glances over at the sunbed one last time before hesitantly following Jeongguk inside, placing the bouquet and box of chocolates onto the wooden table. He takes out the tools one by one, placing them onto the hooks. Jeongguk just watches the other, noticing how his frown isn’t going away, eyebrows furrowed.

Once the tools are placed in their respective places, the two of them head back outside. Dohyun leaves first and Jeongguk follows behind only to bump into the other male’s back when he pauses in his footsteps. He clicks his tongue, looking up at Dohyun only to find him staring longingly at something a few feet away.

Oh god, please don’t let it be.

He turns his head and there you are, walking outside of the house in your swimming attire. There’s a book in your hand as per usual and it sounds like you’re humming to a certain tune, earbuds on.

Jeongguk finds himself panicking, ready to steer Dohyun away from the back but it’s too late.

“You know what, I’m still gonna tell her,” Dohyun says determinedly. “I’m still gonna ask her out on that date.” He’s got to be joking. “I’m gonna ask her out on that date and then tell her I’ve been in love with her since we were kids.” Before Jeongguk could respond, Dohyun is already striding over to you, chocolate and flowers in hand.

This is not going to end well.

It’s a beautiful day out, you think. The sky is a bright blue, the sun is out and shining high, the garden is looking colorful and vibrant with the newly planted flowers and there’s a nice breeze blowing through the air. You have a smile on your face as you think about all the things that happened yesterday.

The way Jeongguk kept making you laugh obnoxiously and smile like a fool. He’s unintentionally funny because he’s so honest and blunt. He wouldn’t even try hard to make you laugh, he would just say something casually and actually be serious about it when you think he’s joking. You hope that you can see him again outside of your house soon.

You haven’t seen him yet and you’re hoping he hasn’t left yet. At least not without saying bye to you. Not that he has to but it be nice if he did.

You’re listening to music when you walk outside of the house into the backyard, book in hand, ready to begin your reading for the day. You plan to read just for a little bit, drinking a glass of red wine while you wait for Jeongguk to come to the back.

Luckily, your mother isn’t home, having gone to her company’s building after finding out about some setbacks with the clothing material for her latest fashion line. You have no idea what it was exactly but she was definitely stressed out about it.

Plopping down onto the lounger, you open your book to the page you bookmarked before picking up your wine glass to take a sip. Before you can bring the glass up to your lips, you hear your name being called by a ringing voice.

You flinch, almost spilling the wine on your thigh, and look up to see Dohyun striding towards you, a look of determination on his face. In his hands, he’s holding a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates.

Oh god. You were afraid of when this day would come.

You set down the glass on the circular glass table beside you, closing the book as well. Mustering up your best (fake) smile, you greet him, “Hey,” You clear your throat, “Um you look nice.”

The compliment immediately brings a bashful smile to his face as he looks down at the ground before looking at you once again. “Thank you,” He responds.

“Mhm,” You clear your throat, awkwardly looking away.

God, you were nervous. You already told Jeongguk you were never prepared for the moment when Dohyun was going to ask you out. You always hoped for him to eventually lose feelings and let you go. However, here he is, standing in front of you dressed in nice clothes while holding a flower bouquet.

You felt like you were going to be sick.

“So I uh,” Dohyun lets out a deep breath. “I was wondering if you would,” No please no. “Sorry,” He shakes his head at himself. “I had a whole speech prepared but now I can’t seem to remember anything,” He tells you and a fake laugh escapes your lips.

If he can just get nervous and maybe back out…

“Iwaswonderingifyoudliketogoonadatewithme,” He says it so fast that you almost miss it but you knew exactly what he just asked you.

Your throat feels tight, eyes just staring at him in surprise. What do you say? How can you tell him no? Not when he’s staring at you with those hopeful eyes, hands clutching the bouquet and chocolates.

How can you go on a date with someone else when you have a crush on Jeongguk? A major crush. Though you don’t know him very well, you know enough to like him. A lot. But maybe he doesn’t like you. He’s still a mystery to you. He’s made it clear that he finds you attractive but what if to him this is just some sort of little game to him?

After all, he is only working here temporarily. He could just be trying to get into your pants and then disappear right after he gets what he wants. You don’t know. He genuinely seemed interested in having a conversation with you last night but at the same time, it could just be an act.

“Um Y/N?” Dohyun’s call of your name causes you to snap out of your doubtful thoughts and look up at him.

“Yes?” You say in surprise.

“Wait, that's a yes?” An excited smile grows on his face.

Oh fuck. That’s not what you meant. The smile on his face…how can you say no now?

Letting out a regretful sigh, you gather a fake smile on your face. “Yes,” You can’t believe you’re doing this. “I’ll go on a date with you.” With those words leaving your lips, your eyes immediately snap to Jeongguk who you didn’t realize was standing a few feet away from you both.

The look on his face causes your heart to drop into your stomach.

Did he just witness you say yes to the date?

Your eyes don’t look away from him, a guilty expression on your face as you stare at his now blank face. It went from surprise to blank in a matter of seconds, a way of showing you that he looks unbothered by what just happened.

Maybe he is unbothered by it.

If he isn’t, then he’s doing a great job at not showing it.

You didn’t mean to say yes. In fact, you were ready to say no. But with the excited look on his face, you don’t have it in you to take it away. You just have to come clean later. You can’t get this far.

Not when you know you can’t reciprocate your feelings for the man.

“I’m so glad you said yes!” His smile is vibrant and it looks like he can’t contain his excitement, bouncing on his tiptoes.

With a tight-lipped smile, you accept the bouquet of red roses he hands you along with the chocolates. Your eyes glance behind him again towards where Jeongguk is standing. He gives you a thumbs-up and a pursed-lip smile before heading towards the gate.

You open your mouth to say something but Dohyun speaks before any words can escape you, your attention turning back towards him again.

“So I can pick you up on Friday? How does 7 sound?” He asks you, voice sounding thrilled.

The more you hear him speak, the worse you feel. There’s no backing out of this now. Jeongguk left without saying anything which causes you to question how he might’ve felt. Maybe he did like you back. Or maybe he just doesn’t care.

Again, you don’t know.

The overwhelming feeling of all kinds of emotions fills you and you just wish to disappear but instead, you just give Dohyun another fake smile and say, “Sounds good.”

“Great!” He grins. “I’ll see you Friday!” He says before turning on his feet and leaving. You watch him walk towards the gate, no longer containing his excitement when you hear him whisper yes yes yes.

“Jeongguk! Wait up!” You hear Dohyun shout, eagerness, and enthusiasm loud in his tone.

You wince, looking towards the gate in hopes of catching a glimpse of Jeongguk but you fail to see him at all. He didn’t bother to come to the back and say. But you can probably understand why. You let out a sad sigh, holding up the bouquet of flowers in your hand and staring at them.

Just one date. You just have to get through this one date.

Friday evening

The feeling of dread swirls in your stomach as you stare into the mirror with your hair and face ready for the date you’re about to go on. You’re not looking forward to it at all. Ever since you woke up this morning, you thought about coming up with some sort of excuse to back out of the date. Maybe lie and say you have the stomach flu or something.

Then again, if you lie, you would just be postponing the date because you have a feeling he would reschedule it for another day. So you thought to yourself that it would be better to get it over with.

Your plan is to go on the date, eat and then tell him that you don’t have any feelings for him. You know that if you lead him on further, it will end with a more painful heartbreak for him.

You’re also bummed because, for the remainder of the week, you did not see Jeongguk at all. Even when you sat down at the pool all day, constantly looking over at the door in hopes of catching sight of him, he didn’t come towards the back.

Instead of Jeongguk coming to the shed to drop off the tools, it would either be some other gardener or sometimes even Dohyun who, of course, would wave at you excitedly and remind you about the time of your date on Friday.

You think he might be disappointed in you and doesn’t want to see you. Or maybe he backed off because he probably thinks you’re giving Dohyun a chance when you’re not.

You just fucked up by saying yes.

After telling Dohyun that you don’t have feelings for him, you’re determined to tell Jeongguk you like him when you see him on Monday. And if he doesn’t like you back?

Well then you’re just going to hide in your room in embarrassment until he finishes working his last few days at your estate

You’re wearing a black long-sleeved dress that has a square-shaped neckline and slightly ruffled sleeves. It reaches below your knees, a slit on the left side, revealing the skin up to your midthigh. You left your hair open in soft curls and your makeup is done minimally.

You’re putting on your dangly earring when you hear your phone vibrate on the vanity. The screen lights up with a text from Dohyun telling you he’s out front waiting for you. You exhale deeply, attempting to calm yourself down, feeling slightly sick in the stomach.

Just two hours. You just have to endure this date for two hours.

Fixing the loose strand of hair in your face, you look into the mirror one last time before grabbing your clutch and walking out of the bedroom and down the spiral steps. You nod your head at one of the maids on your way out, giving her a polite smile.

When you walk outside of your house, you see Dohyun waiting in front of the gate with another bouquet of flowers. He cleaned himself nicely, wearing a white button-up under a black blazer with matching pants. His hair is pushed back and he’s not wearing those glasses again.

With an elated grin, he gives you a bow which you return before grabbing the flowers he holds out and muttering a small ‘thanks’ in response.

He nods, seeming proud of himself before he holds out his hand which you hesitantly take. He walks you to his car, a red Toyota Corolla, opening the door for you politely.

Your mind can’t help but wonder when you went out with Jeongguk that night at the bar and he told you that chivalry was dead so he wouldn’t open the door for you. You can’t help but smile at the memory, shaking your head.

Once you’re sitting down in the car, bouquet in your lap along with your clutch, he gently closes the door before jogging towards the driver's side to sit down. His face is beaming when he starts the car again, the sound of a girl group song immediately playing on the Bluetooth loudly, causing you to wince at the volume.

He looks panicked, cheeks and ears red as he quickly turns down the volume dial on the knob and mumbles a shy ‘sorry. You give him a reassuring smile before looking out of the window.

The car begins moving, an awkward silence immediately filling the air since neither of you say a single word. Dohyun is the first to break it, clearing his throat before speaking.

“So how was your day?” He asks, attempting to make conversation.

You shrug, watching outside as he drives out of your neighborhood towards the city. “It was okay. Didn’t really do much.”

Other than hoping and praying for the date to be canceled one way or another.

He nods, tapping his index fingers against the steering wheel as he says, “Cool cool. I didn’t do much either.” You nod, listening. “Well actually, I started this new Korean drama. It’s about this guy who…”

He rambles about the drama, beginning from the first episode and providing you with details on how it all started, and for almost the majority of the car ride, he’s giving you a rundown on how each episode goes down one by one along with his personal opinions. You just nod and add in a few words to make yourself sound interested when really, all you wanted to do was open the car door and roll down the street.

Unable to help yourself, your mind drifts to the time you were with Jeongguk and how you two talked about the most random things. He would tell you crazy stories about the things he’s done with his friends, always having something ridiculous to say which would make you laugh a crazy amount.

Again, Jeongguk is blunt and careless about what he says and who he says it to. He never held back from telling you things that might sound absurd to others.

For this one time when he and his six other friends had a competition on who can eat the most gamja hot dogs at a carnival before they all went on one of those spinning rides and ended up vomiting while the ride was still going. The whole ride had to immediately shut down and people who were waiting in line were not happy and covered in their puke.

To make the night even worse, his friend Jin almost fought a little kid over the last alpaca plushie at one of the games and it resulted in them being kicked out of the carnival.

The whole time he had told you that story, he had a smile on his face at the memories and you remember being enraptured by how beautiful he looked with his bunny teeth on display, the small mole beneath his rose-colored lips visible; the hand gestures he’d make to animate the story.

You don’t realize you’re smiling again until Dohyun calls for your name, causing you to flinch in surprise.

“Yeah?” You ask, smile dropping and you look at him questioningly.

“I was um asking what you thought about it?” He wonders, glancing at you before looking back at the road.

Fuck, what did he ask about?

“I’m sorry,” You shake your head. “Can you repeat the question?” You look at him apologetically, mentally cursing at yourself for being distracted by Jeongguk again.

Dohyun clears his throat, “I was asking what your thoughts were on the show so far.”

Oh right, the show. The one you didn’t listen to a single thing about. God, you don’t know what to say.

Think, Y/N, think.

“It sounds…” You’re looking for the right word. “Like there’s a lot going on.” You slightly wince at that, hoping he doesn’t notice.

Dohyun looks a bit confused, pursing his lips in thought before saying, “Really? I don’t know. I honestly think it’s quite boring. There’s no good drama going on with the characters.” He says and you nod.

“Honestly you’re right,” You quickly add. “I don’t know what I was thinking,” You let out a fake chuckle. “It needs to be more dramatic.”

You have no fucking clue what you’re saying.

Seeming to be satisfied with the answer, he nods with a smile before moving on to a different topic.

For the rest of the car ride, you try really hard to give him your full attention when he talks, chipping in on things when appropriate up until you guys reach the restaurant. You let out a slightly annoyed sigh under your breath when the restaurant comes into view.

Pierre Gagnaire à Séoul.

The French restaurant your mother absolutely loves meanwhile you hate. The food is not bad but it’s not to your taste. You’re also not a fan of the environment, surrounded by all the posh and stuck-up rich people.

The restaurant has valet parking as well so when you guys pull up to the front, Dohyun quickly opens the door and runs to your side so he can open your own door for you, holding his hand out for you to take.

You try not to think about how Jeongguk would probably tell you to open the door yourself because he wouldn’t do it for you.

He hands his keys over to the valet before you both head inside, his hand holding yours. You try not to squirm when he tries to intertwine your fingers, letting out a breath to try and relax.

He opens the door for you, allowing you to go in first and you give him a thank you before walking inside first, internally grateful that your hands are no longer clasped together.

The aromatic smell of the food immediately hits your nose. The sound of chatter fills your ears along with the utensils hitting against the plates. The sight you see with your eyes is one you are used to. Wealthy people dressed to the nines in their extravagant dresses and suits, sipping on expensive wine.

“Good evening,” The hostess at the front greets with a practiced smile. “Reservation?”

Dohyun nods excitedly, “Dohyun at 7:30.” He tells her and she nods, looking at the screen before grabbing two menus from beside her and nudging her head towards the tables.

“Follow me please,” She says, Dohyun letting you go first before he follows behind you. You walk past other people, avoiding making eye contact with anyone you know.

This restaurant is where all of the affluent people go, friends of your family that your parents are close to. You wouldn’t be surprised if you saw any of them here though you’d much rather not which is why you just stare at the hostess’ back as she guides you both towards your table.

Dohyun pulls the chair back for you as soon as you reach the table before he sits himself down. The hostess places the menus down on the table before saying, “Your waiter should be here shortly.” And with that, she leaves.

“I’ve never been here before so I’m excited,” Dohyun says, flipping through the menu with stars in his eyes.

You shrug, pretending to look through the menu though not really because you already know what you’re going to choose. “I’ve been a few times,” You inform him.

“Oh,” He looks at you. “Do you like it?” He looks nervous when he waits for your response.

You give him a pursed-lip smile and say, “Yeah,” You lie. “I like it.”

He grins, seeming satisfied with the answer before looking at the menu again. You look down at your own menu again in order to distract yourself, waiting for him to decide what he wants to eat.

“Good evening, my name is Jeongguk and I’ll be your waiter this evening.” As soon as you hear that husky yet gentle voice, your head snaps up to the person and the menu drops onto the table out of surprise.

And there he is, standing in front of you wearing black slacks that accentuate his strong thighs while he wears a white button-up that hugs his chest. The sleeves are pulled up a bit, his inked arms slightly peaking out. His dark hair is pushed back to reveal his eyebrow piercing and strong brows, a single loose strand slightly falling forward on his forehead.

His large doe brown eyes meet yours, shock evident on his face as he stares right back at you.

“Holy shoot Jeongguk!” Dohyun sounds just as surprised as you look before a large smile overtakes his face.

Jeongguk had no fucking idea that this was the fancy wine and dine restaurant Dohyun was going to take you to for the date.

The whole week Dohyun wouldn’t shut up about it and he didn’t bother asking the younger man which restaurant it was. He wasn’t interested in knowing because quite frankly, he tried not to care.

To say that he was disappointed when you said yes to Dohyun would be an understatement. He knew you were too nice and didn’t want to hurt the guy but he really thought you’d muster up the courage to turn him down.

Instead, he watched you say yes and take the flowers and chocolates from Dohyun with that pretty smile on your face.

Now Jeongguk usually isn’t the type to get jealous. But that’s usually because there’s no one he’s really been interested in. Sure, he’s had a few girlfriends here and there but the relationships don’t last long enough because the girl either ends up batshit crazy or he just couldn’t return the same feelings.

But seeing Dohyun all excited and happy about taking you out on a date would just piss him off. He wanted to be the one to take you out. He thinks his plan would’ve been more solid and fun. Taking you out to the arcade before eating at his favorite fried chicken spot with beer.

Jeongguk can’t deny that he holds these strong feelings of infatuation towards you. You interest him because you’re different. Sure, it might sound like those typical cliche things but he’s speaking the truth. You’re intelligent, funny, and so fucking kind to others. Let’s not also forget how immensely beautiful you are.

Yeah, he’s got a gigantic crush on you.

Too bad he’s standing in front of you as your waiter and not as the date sitting across from you. He can’t seem to take his eyes off of you right now. Taking in your wide eyes and slightly ajar mouth, he tries not to act just as surprised by keeping a blank stare.

“Oh wow, didn’t expect to see you guys here,” Jeongguk says, voice flat and void of any emotion.

Before you can say anything, Dohyun says, “Jeongguk, I didn't know you worked here!” Jeongguk tries not to wince at Dohyun’s loud enthusiastic voice.

“Yeah,” Jeongguk clears his throat, giving his full attention to Dohyun so he doesn’t stare at you. “Usually the evening shifts now since you know…I work at the other place.” He informs him.

Dohyun nods, “Cool cool.” He looks across at you. “Isn’t it funny how Jeongguk is our waiter, Y/N?”

Jeongguk looks at you who’s just looking at Dohyun before glancing at him, “Yeah, it’s pretty crazy.” Your voice is shy of speaking and he thinks it's because of him. He holds eye contact with you, taking in the small pout on your glossy lips. There’s a certain emotion in your eye, almost looking apologetic but Jeongguk tries to brush it off.

“Anyways, what would you guys like to start off with? Something to drink maybe?” Jeongguk asks, pulling out a pen and his notepad.

Don’t fucking look at Y/N, Jeongguk.

Dohyun looks at you first with a questioning gaze, “Y/N?”

You clear your throat as you shut the menu, “I’ll just have water.” Jeongguk nods before looking at Dohyun.

“I’ll also have water,” The younger man smiles at Y/N.

Why the fuck is this guy always smiling? Jeongguk wonders.

And why the fuck are they both just ordering water? If Jeongguk were you, he’d be ordering the overpriced wines for the hell of it. Maybe just maybe…he can make this date a bit more entertaining for himself.

Jeongguk stands straighter and then looks at Dohyun, “Are you sure you guys don’t want to try the red wine? It’s Pinot Noir. A classic.”

Dohyun’s eyes widen for a second before they glance at you and then back to Jeongguk. Jeongguk looks at Dohyun and secretly winks, almost as a way of communicating to the younger man that this is going to impress you.

Jeongguk knows it won’t but he’s bored and sad. Sue him.

Dohyun nods rapidly and says, “We’ll have some of that as well.”

Before Jeongguk can say anything, you cut in by saying, “Are you sure about that? It’s quite expensive, Dohyun.” You’re looking at him in concern, pointing a manicured nail at the price of the wine on the menu.

Dohyun just shakes his head and tries to wave it off, “Don’t worry, Y/N. I can afford it. Order whatever you want.”

You purse your lips, not saying anything else. Your eyes shift to Jeongguk slightly squinting at him almost in suspicion but he just shrugs, turning around to walk away.

Is Jeongguk going to look like an asshole for trying to sabotage this date? Probably. Does he care? Not really. He’s trying to save your ass before Dohyun confesses to you. He needs to make sure that doesn’t happen otherwise you’re going to end up lying and telling the man that you like him back when Jeongguk knows damn well you don’t.

Though Jeongguk only really hung out with you once, he knows enough to say that you will feel extremely guilty for hurting someone else’s feelings. You’ve proven that just by going on this date with Dohyun regardless of the fact that you don’t hold any feelings for the guy. You just didn’t want to turn him down because you knew he’d be heartbroken.

Jeongguk is not going to let you accept Dohyun’s confession. Not when Jeongguk likes you and you like him. At least he thinks you like him because if that kiss on the corner of his mouth didn’t mean anything he doesn’t know what the fuck that meant.

Surely you weren’t leading him on. Or maybe that’s how you say goodbye to your friends?

Wait, but then again you don’t have friends.

This shit is going to give Jeongguk a headache. By the end of this date, if it doesn’t turn into a complete disaster, Jeongguk is going to stop being a pussy and say something. He doesn’t exactly know what yet. But something.

Pouring the wine into the fancy glasses, he puts them on a tray and brings them back out to the table. The first thing he sees when he heads towards your table is your smiling face looking directly at Dohyun.

Hell no.

“Here’s your water,” Jeongguk places down each glass one by one. “And your wine,” He carefully puts down yours, making direct eye contact with you as he does. He notices you gulp and he tries to hold back a smile. When he’s setting Dohyun’s glass on the table, his finger accidentally knocks over the glass, causing it to tip over onto the table and a little bit on Dohyun’s slacks.

Okay, that one wasn’t planned, Jeongguk swears.

Dohyun gasps out of surprise, standing up with his pants slightly soaked in the wine. Meanwhile, you’re just staring with your hand covering your mouth, eyes wide. Jeongguk quickly acts shocked as well.

“I am so sorry,” He picks up the white cloth napkin and attempts to dab it on Dohyun’s pants at the front. “I’m really sorry. I don’t know how that fell over.” He pretends to wince, facial expression feigning guilt.

Some of the people at the surrounding tables are watching, talking amongst themselves as they stare at what just happened. It’s like they’re expecting Dohyun to lash out at Jeongguk or something but instead, he says, “Hey it’s okay. It was an accident.” He grabs the cloth from the Jeongguk, patting the pants himself.

This guy is so damn nice, Jeongguk hates it. Why is he so damn nice?

“You sure you don’t want to go clean up?” Jeongguk hears you ask, watching the whole scene in concern.

“No no,” Dohyun shakes his head and waves off. “It’s alright. At least I’m wearing black pants so it’s not that noticeable.” He laughs and you just nod in response.

“I’ll get you another glass,” Jeongguk speaks, turning around to get him another glass. Once he returns with a new one, he carefully places it on the table.

“Alright, so did you guys decide what you want to eat?” Jeongguk clasps his hands together, looking between the two, gaze lingering on you.

Look away, Jeongguk. Look. Away.

“Hm, I’m having a hard time deciding actually,” Dohyun pouts, brows furrowed as he studies the menu. “Do you have any recommendations?”

Boy, Jeongguk sure does.

Clearing his throat, he slightly cranes his neck to look over at the menu and points at one item in particular, “I recommend this filet mignon. Everyone loves it.” And it’s fucking expensive as fuck.

Jeongguk hears you add to the conversation, “It’s almost 150,000 won…” You’re staring at him in ridicule, mouth parted and eyes wide.

If there’s anything Jeongguk has learned about you, it’s that you’re not dumb. In fact, you are very fucking intelligent and he’s pretty sure you can see right through his actions. But for some reason, that doesn’t stop Jeongguk. Maybe he wants to have a bit of fun with this. In his defense, he’s trying to help you.

“Don’t worry about the price, Y/N. I can afford it,” Dohyun acts nonchalantly, looking up at Jeongguk and confidently saying, “I’ll have that.” He then looks at you. “Y/N?”

You let out a defeated sigh, closing the menu, “I’ll just have the risotto carnaroli de coquillages.” The way you say it so eloquently in French almost makes Jeongguk's dick hard. God, it sounded so hot.

How much more attractive and interesting can you get?

And also, where the fuck did you learn to speak perfect French?

It seems as though Jeongguk isn’t the only one affected by your French speaking because when he looks at Dohyun, the younger man is just staring at you with parted lips and stars in his eyes as if you’re the greatest thing he’s ever seen.

You’re so damn nice that you ended up choosing the cheapest entree on the menu. You were just way too damn considerate. There goes that rich girl persona he was trying to paint to Dohyun.

Trying not to physically drool, Jeongguk looks away and nods, “Got it.” He walks always so fast, almost bumping into another waiter on his way.

You have a feeling that Jeongguk is trying to fuck up the date you’re on with Dohyun. You can see right through him. Having the poor guy choose expensive menu items so he can impress you when Jeongguk knows damn well you’re not about it.

At least this can kind of confirm that he was affected by the whole date thing. That answers some questions but not all.

Also, can you just say that Jeongguk looks fine as fuck in his uniform?

If you had known that he works here as a waiter, you would’ve definitely joined your mother for the sake of seeing him. The sight of him wearing that tight-fitted button-up with those slacks hugging his ass almost had you drooling.

You tried so hard not to just dead-on stare at him the whole time while he was standing right in front of you. You just couldn’t help yourself at times, eyes trailing down from his perfectly structured face to his chest and down to his tattooed covered hands and forearms that were peaking out from beneath his shirt sleeve.

Your mind was steering away to some…unholy thoughts. Especially because of those damn thighs.

Why did he have to be so damn hot?

Okay, you’re getting a little too carried away right now. You need to focus. Focus on Dohyun. The man you came on a date with. You have to try and at least make some sort of conversation with him. He’s always asking you for your opinion and thoughts on what he’s saying but you end up stuttering your way through the conversation since you have no idea what he’s asking you about when you’re not listening.

Jeongguk being here as your damn waiter does not help the situation at all. Although you think he’s trying to help you in a somewhat cruel way you need to get him to stop. You’re beginning to feel guilty as fuck when you see the man do something that is the total opposite of impressing you.

“Um Y/N?” You’re snapped out of your thoughts when you hear Dohyun calling your name.

“Yes? Sorry,” You apologize, feeling bad for being distracted again.

Dohyun shakes his head, a small smile on his face, “No worries. I just wanted to talk to you about something.”

Your heart races at that and you gulp, beginning to feel a little worried at what exactly he wants to say. No no, you didn’t think it be this soon. You need to tell him before he tells you. You can’t let him tell you first.

Before you can say anything more, he continues, “I don’t know if you remember that before you left for college I was going to–”

“More wine anyone?” Jeongguk cuts in, holding up the bottle and acting oblivious to what he just interrupted. Your shoulders relax in relief and you nod rapidly.

You really need a fucking drink to get through this.

“Yes please,” You hold up your glass and he pours it in for you.

“There you go,” His fingers brush against yours which ensures the glass is in your hand’s grip when you pull it back and you try not to shiver at the tinging feeling and his eyes directly looking into yours.

“Dohyun?” Jeongguk looks at him with a questioning gaze, holding out the bottle but the other just shakes his head in response.

“I’m good thanks,” He looks eager for Jeongguk to leave right now, knee bouncing in anxiousness.

“Okay well your food should be here shortly,” Jeongguk says before turning to leave. He looks a bit hesitant to leave, glancing over his shoulder to look at you and you just send him a fake small smile, looking down into your lap.

What the fuck do you do?

“As I was saying Y/N, before you left for college I was going to tell you something,” Dohyun’s voice sounds a little shaky when he speaks. “But you had to leave and I never got the chance but for so long I–”

“Bathroom!” You blurt out, eyes going wide.

Dohyun looks confused, “Huh?”

You let out a nervous laugh, “Um I just really need to use the bathroom,” You stand up, grabbing your purse. “Can you give me a few minutes? I really gotta pee.” No, you don’t. You need to go freak the fuck out and possibly climb out of the window.

“Oh okay,” He nods understandably before flashing you a sweet smile. “I’ll wait.”

You give him a fake smile in response, pushing into your chair before walking towards the bathroom. You maneuver your way around a few waiters, avoiding eye contact and rushing inside. Luckily no one else is in the bathroom so you just stand in front of the sink, taking a few deep breaths as you stare into the mirror.

You don’t know how to turn him down. He’s getting so close to telling you about his feelings. You didn’t have the heart to turn him down for the date. What if you can’t reject his feelings for you either?

If that ends up happening, you’d be absolutely fucked.

You don’t even fucking see a window in here otherwise you’d escape right there.

“You okay?” You hear a familiar voice ask, causing you to flinch in surprise, hand resting on your chest.

“Holy shit,” You exhale. “You scared me.” You look at Jeongguk, wondering how the hell you didn’t hear him enter the bathroom.

The women’s bathroom might you add.

“Yeah yeah,” You try to wave off. “I’m fine. What are you doing in here?” You quickly ask, looking away and pretending to look into the mirror and fix your hair.

“I saw you come in and you didn’t look too good,” He shrugs, hands in his pocket as he leans against the wall. “Just thought I’d check up on you.”

Your heart swells a little at his concern. You’re in awe at the fact that he cared enough to come to see how you’re doing because he thought something was wrong. God, he’s making you like him more and more.

“I’m,” You clear your throat, “I’m good.” You’re not. “I think.” You add before letting out a shaky breath. “It’s not every day that someone is about to confess about being in love with you for years.” You let out a humorless chuckle.

“Well you’re right about that,” Jeongguk says and you look at him with a raised eyebrow. He clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Sorry, not helping.”

“Not at all,” You respond, turning around so you can lean your back against the counter of the sink. “Aren’t you going to be in trouble for being here?”

Jeongguk shrugs, “Not my first time being in the women’s bathroom during a shift,” He smirks and your chest slightly tinges in jealousy at what he’s implying but then he adds, “I once had to help an old lady clean a stain off of her dress.” You relax at that, causing Jeongguk to smirk.

“What did you think I meant?” He teases and you roll your eyes in response.

“Was it a wine stain cus’ you sure seem to be quite clumsy for a waiter,” You ask with heavy sarcasm, watching how he pushes himself off the wall.

“Hey! That was actually an accident,” Jeongguk tries to defend.

“I’m sure it was,” You remark, arms crossed over your chest. You try not to notice how he’s slowly walking toward you.

“It was,” He answers before saying, “Look I’m trying to help you out over here.”

You pout, avoiding eye contact with him by staring down at the pristine tiled floor. “I don’t need help.”

You’re lying. You really fucking need help.

Jeongguk lets out a sigh, “Y/N, why’d you say yes to the date if you knew you didn’t like him?” He asks, pierced brow raised in question.

Unable to meet his eyes, you fiddle with the rings on your fingers and say, “I just felt really bad because he just seemed so excited,” You look up at him, “I just didn’t know how to say no.”

Jeongguk nods and you notice how he’s standing directly in front of you now. You swallow at the sight of how good he looks in his button-up that shows off his small waist and strong chest. The sleeves are snug around his biceps and the black dress pants accentuate his strong thighs.

“Yeah but now look,” His hand gestures towards the door to refer to Dohyun. “You said yes to the guy, making him think he has a chance or that you might like him or something.” The guilt weighs down on your chest and you stare down at the floor in shame.

Jeongguk is right. You made the mistake of saying yes and it probably made Dohyun hopeful that the feelings he has for you are mutual in return. But that’s not true when the man standing a few inches in front of you is the only one you want.

Seeing the uniform hug his body in a way that shows off his toned muscles almost has you drooling and you try not to shiver at how his dark eyes give you a once-over. You know you look good with the way your black dress is hugging your body, the slit reaching your midthigh, showing off your smooth skin. His eyes seem to linger on that area in particular and you try not to smile.

“I just couldn’t say no,” You whine, pouting at the floor with your arms crossing over your chest.

Jeongguk dips his head a bit, bringing it closer to yours with just a few inches of space in between, and asks, “And why couldn’t you say no?”

Your eyes can’t help but wander to his rose petal-colored lips that look so soft at the moment. You’re curious to know how the piercing would feel if you were to just kiss him on the mouth. There’s also that cute little mole he has beneath his bottom lip. Swallowing, you look up to find his doe-brown eyes staring at your own lips as well.

Clearing your throat, you answer, “Because he brought me flowers a-and…” You shyly look away from his intense gaze, cheeks flushing as you look behind him. “And he got those expensive chocolates. I just didn’t know how to say no.”

“What about me?” Jeongguk inquires, causing you to snap your head to look at him in surprise.

“What about you?” You raise an eyebrow in question.

Your heart starts to race when you notice his right hand come up to your face, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. His fingers lightly brush against your exposed neck, causing you to slightly shiver at his touch.

If he can just wrap those hands around your throat you don’t think you’d mind at all.

“What if I brought you flowers and overpriced chocolates and asked you out to dinner?” He asks, eyes watching how you grab his right hand, fingers tracing over the tattoos on his knuckles.

“I would’ve said yes even if you didn’t bring me flowers or overpriced chocolates,” You tell him truthfully, enjoying the satisfied look on his face.

“Well,” He looks down at your joined hands before intertwining his fingers with yours. “Good to know I don’t have any competition.” You snort at that, suddenly feeling brave and pull him closer to you.

You know you shouldn’t be doing this right now. Not when you’re literally on a date with someone who’s been crushing on you since you were kids but you’re in the bathroom with your waiter slash gardener slash friend? Acquaintance? Whatever he is, what you know for sure is that you want to kiss him right in the mouth because he looks too good not to.

So you do.

Forgetting about everything else going on, you make the move you’ve been desperately wanting to make since you saw the man standing in front of you.

You grab the collar of his shirt and tug him down so you can press your lips against his in a lustful kiss. A small noise of surprise leaves his lips but he quickly reacts by putting his hands on your waist and returning the affection.

The feeling of his lips against yours was nothing like you’d ever felt before. They felt almost silk-like and pillowy as they moved against yours in the heated kiss. Sparks ignite, in your chest, buzzing throughout your entire body as his large hands slid up and down your back before moving down toward your hip. He squeezes it softly, causing you to inhale sharply.

His lips move against yours in a soft but sensual manner that has your knees slightly quivering and your heart pounding. You feel breathless when you pull apart for a few seconds with his forehead resting against yours. His right-hand cups your face, thumb playing with your bottom lip.

Jeongguk smirks, “You look good with your lipstick smeared.” You roll your eyes playfully but you can feel the heat in your cheeks at his comment.

“Shut up,” You pull him until your lower back hits the counter behind you, his hands caging your body against it which causes a rush of excitement to run up your spine. You can’t help but give him a once over, noticing how pink his lips look now, hair slightly unruly from your hands. Jeongguk watches as you bring your hands to his chest, fiddling with the collar before letting them trail down his chest to feel his pecs.

The muscles feel hard and firm beneath your hand as you trail them down toward his abdomen. When your hands dip a little too low, he quickly snatches your hand and holds it up against his chest, tugging you close by the waist with the other arm.

“Nuh-uh,” Jeongguk clicks his tongue, “As much as I’m into the idea of fucking you in a public area, you are not about to start this in the fucking bathroom at my job.” Your cheeks flush immediately and you try to shove him away but he hardly moves.

God, you just wanted to devour him right here. You couldn’t handle the sight in front of you right now. You know this is just his work uniform but you never would’ve thought that he can look this good. You just wanted to get on your knees and…

“Y/N.” You immediately snap out of your horny thoughts, eyes wide and face warm. Jeongguk has a stupid smirk on his face as if he knows what you’re thinking about right now.

Despite wanting to tackle him to the ground and have him take you right here, you remember you have a whole date waiting for you outside at the table most likely wondering where you are.

“What?” You clear your throat, pushing those lustful thoughts aside.

Jeongguk holds a teasing smile on his face, “Are you dreaming about my dick?”

“What-no!” You deny, pushing him off and turning towards the mirror to fix your hair. You notice how your lipstick is smeared, courtesy of Jeongguk. You take a tissue and clean it before opening your clutch to pull out the liquid lipstick so you can reapply it.

You can feel Jeongguk’s eyes on you the whole time as you’re bent over the counter, looking closely in the mirror. You try not to make eye contact, gliding the applicator across your bottom lip.

Your breath hitches in your throat when you feel his hand slide on your hip but you pretend to like it doesn’t affect you even though your heart rate starts to increase and a feeling of thrill runs up your spine.

“You were totally dreaming about my dick,” You glare at him through the mirror, elbowing him in the abdomen which causes him to slightly groan.

“Why would I be thinking about your dick when I’m on a date with someone else right now?” You ask.

Jeongguk snickers, “You weren’t saying that when you had your tongue down my throat a few minutes ago.”

Your jaw drops and you turn around, pushing at his shoulder, “I did not have my tongue down your throat.”

He has that smug smile on his annoyingly handsome face that had you contemplating whether you wanted to smack him or kiss him again.

“It’s okay, you’re too shy to admit it right now. You’ll get comfortable eventually,” He shrugs, avoiding the little punch you were about to deliver to his chest. He grabs your hand instead and pulls you towards him once again with his tattooed arm around your waist while the other cups your cheek.

“You’re annoying,” You mumble, playing with the top button on his shirt. You notice ink peeking out from where the shirt is unbuttoned which you somehow haven’t noticed before.

Can this man get any more attractive?

“I’d say charming,” Jeongguk responds before asking, “We’ve been here for quite some time now.”

“You’re the one who followed me,” You retorted.

“I had to make sure you were okay,” Jeongguk defends, thumb stroking your cheek. “What are you going to do now?”

You let out a dreaded sigh, letting your hands rest against his chest as you say, “I’m going to have to tell him I’m not interested.” You shake your head. “I shouldn’t have said yes in the first place. It was a mistake from that day but he just had this hopeful smile on his face. I didn’t have it in me to deny him.”

Jeongguk looks at you with a nonjudgmental gaze, nodding his head. “You can’t let this drag out any longer.”

“I know,” You agree, thinking about how crushed Dohyun is going to look once you tell him the truth.

“He’s going to be heartbroken,” Jeongguk adds.

You pout, “I know.”

“But I’m going to be one happy man.”

“I know–wait what?” You almost missed what he said and he just chuckles in response. “Why would you be happy?”

“Cuz then I can ask you out on a date,” Jeongguk says with full confidence, wrapping both arms around your waist and swaying you side to side.

“And you’re so sure I’d say yes?” You ask, eyebrows raised in question.

He narrows his eyes at you playfully and says, “With the way you were about to get on your knees I’d like to think–”

You slap his chest, “God, you’re so annoying! See if I ever give you head now.”

“I’m kidding,” Jeongguk pouts. “You can’t take away that privilege already. You haven’t even done it yet.”

Rolling your eyes at his response, your hand plays with the piercing in his right eyebrow. His hands rest on your lower back casually as if you guys have done this a million times. Jeongguk is definitely a touchy person but not in a way that’s made you uncomfortable of course. You’ve enjoyed the feeling of his hands on your body and you wonder what it would feel like on your bare skin.

You’d definitely like to find that out.

To say that you’re surprised he’s even talking to you would be an understatement. Especially after the day he saw you accepting Dohyun’s little gifts and proposal to dinner. He had left so abruptly much to your disappointment. And even after that, you didn’t even catch wind of him when working around the garden.

You really thought you lost your opportunity with him but his actions and words say otherwise.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Jeongguk’s statement breaks you out of your thoughts.

“What question?”

He raises an eyebrow, “If you’d like to go on a date with me.” He runs his thumb over your bottom lip, staring at them as if he wants to just devour them again but he’s restraining himself.

You didn’t even realize he asked you that question.

With a snort, you say, “Are you seriously going to ask me this in the bathroom while my actual date is waiting for me outside?”

Jeongguk rolls his eyes at you, “I’m sorry would you like me to shower you with flowers and expensive as fuck chocolates? I can also ask Bill, who is playing the violin in the dining room right now, to play you a song while I ask you out.”

This time you roll your eyes at his response, “No need for flowers and expensive as fuck chocolates,” you emphasize his words. “And his name is Bill? He doesn’t even look like a Bill.”

“That’s what I’ve been telling my coworkers. He looks more like a Marvin to me.” Jeongguk says and you nod your head in agreement after a quick thought.

“Tell you what, give me your number first and then I’ll give you a response,” You don’t know where this confidence suddenly came from

“You know you could’ve just asked me for my number if you wanted it so bad,” He laughs and you ignore him, handing him your phone.

“Hush, I need to leave now so hurry up,” You watch as he types in his number, an amused smile pulling at his lips which causes you to narrow your eyes at him.

He hands you back your phone, an innocent smile on his face while you’re looking at him suspiciously. When you glance down at your phone, you understand why he has that look on his face.

The contact name for his number is My super hot gardener <3 <3

Can he get any more annoying?

“Are you kidding me?” You ask him but don’t change the name anyways.

“Not at all, love.” He pulls you forward once more, cupping your face with both hands this time, causing you to look up at him. “Listen, don’t worry about how Dohyun is going to feel, and don’t beat yourself up about it either.” You nod sadly. “You can’t keep leading him on like this. Neither of you deserve that. So just be honest about your feelings towards him.” Jeongguk tilts your head up to look at him. “You have to put yourself first okay?”

You nod understandingly, hands going behind his neck to pull him down for another sweet kiss because you just couldn’t fucking help yourself. The feeling of his lips on yours was just so damn addicting. The way he was gazing at you with those soft doe eyes and the comforting words he provided had your stomach fluttering with butterflies.

Your lips move in sync, arms tightening around one another as if you didn’t want to let each other go. His tongue prods at your lips, asking for entrance which you grant. His tongue slides into your mouth, hands digging into your hips as he fights for dominance with your own tongue. The kiss becomes more and more heated, your hands tangling in his wavy hair once again while you’re pretty sure your lipstick is smeared over both your lips as well as his own.

The sound of your phone vibrating has you pulling back from his lips with a loud POP. Your chest is heaving, slightly out of breath from the intense kiss. Jeongguk runs his thumb across his lip to clean the faint lipstick while you’re opening your purse to see a message from Dohyun.

Dohyun: Hey Y/N, are you okay?”

Great, he must think you’re fighting for your life in the bathroom or something. It’s probably been well over 20 minutes so you can’t blame him.

“I really have to go now.” You tell Jeongguk and he nods understandingly.

“It’s fine,” He grabs a tissue and brings it up to clean beneath your lower lip. “Your lipstick smeared again.” You smile at the gesture in a thankful manner, letting him clean it for you.

He’s going to kill you.

“Remember what I said okay?” He tells you and you nod in response, your throat feeling tight already at the conversation you’ve been dreading the whole night. “And I’ll be nearby in case you need help.” You nod once again, feeling reassured by his words.

“Okay, thanks.” You give him a sweet smile, leaning up on your tiptoes to kiss his cheek which catches him off guard.

“Yeah…” He clears his throat, “No problem.”

With a small smile, you turn around and walk out the bathroom door not without looking over your shoulder at Jeongguk one last time.

Here goes nothing.

“Hey, sorry I took so long,” You apologize to Dohyun, straightening out your dress before sitting back down on the chair.

Dohyun just gives you a sweet, understanding smile in return and says, “It’s okay. Jeongguk hasn’t even come by with the food yet.”

You cough, taking a sip of your water to hide the flush of your cheeks. If only he knew Jeongguk was too busy with his tongue down your throat in the bathroom. The thought of what just went down in the bathroom had your stomach swirling in excitement. You hope the small smile on your face was not too obvious.

“Is everything okay?” Dohyun’s voice is filled with concern.

You’re snapped out of your thoughts at the sound of his question, looking up at him with wide eyes. You need to focus on the fact that you’re on a date with Dohyun right now and that you only have to endure this for a little bit longer before the food comes.

Then you actually have to let Dohyun down politely. Honestly, you don’t even know why you don’t just get it over with right now.

Jeongguk’s words echo in your head, telling you that it’s okay to think about yourself and turn Dohyun down. There’s no reason for you to be stretching this time out even longer. It’ll save him the heartbreak. It’s not like he was wrong. The further you lead Dohyun on, the more hurt he’ll be in the end when he finds out you do not reciprocate mutual feelings.

You also can’t forget the soft look in Jeongguk’s eyes. It was a look that you’d never seen on his face before and one that you didn’t think he was capable of showing considering his intimidating aura. But if there’s one thing you learned, it’s that Jeongguk is far from intimidating underneath all those piercings, ink, and black clothes.

God, you just wanted this date to be over so you can tell Jeongguk to fuck off his shift for the night and go somewhere so the two of you can spend some time together.

“Uh yeah, I’m okay,” You take a sip of your wine this time. “I’m fine. It’s just a little hot in here.” You’re praying he buys that excuse for your flushed face. You exaggerate it by fanning yourself with the menu listed with the different alcoholic beverages.

“Oh no,” Dohyun looks worried. “Do you want to go somewhere else?” He asks seriously.

“No no,” You wave off. “I’ll be okay. Thank you though.” You reassure him with a small smile. You are not about to drag this night out any longer.

Dohyun nods though he looks a bit unconvinced. You fiddle with your fingers, unsure of what else to say. The silence between the two of you is awkward. You’re staring down into your lap while Dohyun opens and closes his mouth as if he wants to say something but holds himself back.

“So Y/N,” You look up at Dohyun. “You probably already have an idea why I asked you out to dinner.” You try not to make it obvious when your eyes become a little wider, your heart dropping in your chest. “I mean..” He chuckles a bit, scratching the back of his neck. “We’ve known each other for so long. I remember watching you as a kid, thinking you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.” You try to smile but you think it looks more like a grimace.

“I remember when one of the kids your mom would set you up with for playdates was being so mean to me but you just…came to the rescue and told them to leave me alone.” The memory was quite vivid to you only because ever since that day, you noticed how Dohyun would start bringing you small gifts like a flower from the garden or pieces of candy. “That’s when I knew I started to develop feelings for you.”

And there it is. The expression on his face is filled with admiration and love as he stares at you intently, pouring his heart out to you and confessing his feelings. Something you’ve always feared because you knew that by the end of this, he was going to leave with a broken heart. You let yourself get way too far and led him to this point. Now it’s your job to end it.

“I just really want to tell you that I’ve always loved–”

Dohyun gets interrupted when Jeongguk arrives with a tray carrying your entrees. “Alright you guys, the food is here.” Dohyun’s face drops, falling silent at the interruption while you’re filled with relief, exhaling out a breath. You look up at Jeongguk only to catch him already looking at you, giving you a small wink that Dohyun isn’t able to see.

“Filet mignon for you,” Jeongguk sets down the plate in front of Dohyun who thanks him in response with a polite smile. “And risotto for the pretty lady,” Jeongguk emphasizes pretty and you bite your lip to hide the smile that threatens to form on your face.

“Thank you, Jeongguk,” Your foot brushes against his ankle purposely when you uncross your legs and he just looks at you with a certain glint in his eyes, a pierced eyebrow raised at the gesture.

“No problem,” He clears his throat, breaking eye contact so it doesn’t look so obvious to Dohyun. “Is there anything else you guys need?”

Dohyun looks at you in question and you shake your head as a no in response. He then looks back up at Jeongguk and gives him a grateful smile, “No, we’re good. Thanks, man.”

“Yeah, no problem. I’ll be back to check on you guys,” He informed you and it sounded like he was mostly talking to you from the way he looks at you, eyes lingering before leaves. He needs to stop making it so damn obvious.

“So…” Dohyun is about to start talking but you interrupt him.

“Let’s eat, I’m starving,” You immediately pick up the fork and dig into the feed even though you had no appetite to consume food. If anything, you felt nauseous. You’re dreading the conversation that you’re about to have.

“Wow,” Dohyun’s eyes are wide as he chews his food. “This steak is amazing.” He gushes, cutting into the meat with his knife and fork before holding it in your direction. “You need to try this.”

You shake your head, “Oh no, I’m okay. Thank you though.” You politely decline and give him a grateful smile.

“No seriously,” He responds. “You have to try this.” He seems persistent, wiggling his fork towards you with a bite of the tender-looking steak. You gulp, noticing how he’s leaning forward in anticipation with an eager look in his eyes. You’re about to lean forward, lips parted to take a bite but Jeongguk being the savior he is–God, you can just kiss him–comes back.

“You guys look like you’re running low on wine so I brought some more,” Jeongguk chirps, moving Dohyun’s arm back so he can pour into the glass. You bite down on your lower lip to keep yourself from smiling widely, meeting Jeongguk’s eyes with a thankful expression. You opt to stare at his beautiful inked hands pouring into the wine glass as you try not to make it obvious when your hand secretly strokes his thigh. You hold back a laugh when you notice him slightly flinch out of surprise, jaw clenching, and eyes narrowed when he glances at you.

You feign a look of innocence and say, “Thank you for the wine.” You’re grateful that the table is high enough that Dohyun can’t see how Jeongguk takes his left hand while the right is still holding the bottle and squeezes your hand.

Jeongguk clears his throat,

“Thanks, Jeongguk,” Dohyun gives him an appreciative smile, “I was just trying to get Y/N to try the filet mignon.”

“Oh yes,” Jeongguk says, attempting to sound professional and you bite back a laugh, “Many customers rave over the filet mignon. The cows were fed organic grass which is one of the reasons why it’s so delectable.”

Organic grass? What the fuck is he even saying?

You know damn well he’s trying to be funny but the way he said it with a straight face would make one think he’s serious. For example, Dohyun looked utterly fascinated by the thought.

“Wow, are they really?”

Jeongguk snorts but quickly covers it with a cough, “Yeah man. Don’t you know? Those cows are living their best life. Better than you and I,” Jeongguk takes the fork out of Dohyun’s hand and the other boy just stares at him, eyes wide in curiosity. He grabs the piece of steak that was originally meant for you and slides the bite into his mouth before giving Dohyun the fork back. Jeongguk scrunches up his face in delight, almost looking angry as he chews before he lets out a sigh and looks back at Dohyun. “Dare I say the cows are living a better life than Y/N too.”

You cover your face, unable to hold back your giggles while Dohyun just looks confused now. Jeongguk has a small smile on his face as he glances at you, feeling accomplished for making you laugh so cutely.

“I have to ask my uncle about this if it’s true,” Dohyun shakes his head, expression full of surprise as he looks deep in thought. “He owns a farm so maybe he can start doing that too.”

Jeongguk looks like he’s trying not to burst out laughing this time but instead nods, “Yeah let me know what he says, man.”

“Jeongguk, Suho is calling you to the back,” A waiter whispers into his ear, “Like now.”

“Now?” Jeongguk asks and the other waiter nods. He looks back at you and sees you swallow nervously. This means Jeongguk can no longer save you from delaying this any further. It’s either now or never.

You look back at Jeongguk and give him a reassuring nod in a subtle manner to tell him it’s okay if he leaves. He glances over at Dohyun, noticing how the other boy is tapping his foot impatiently beneath the table as if waiting for Jeongguk to leave so he can pick up where he left off.

“Alright,” Jeongguk clears his throat, “Looks like I’m needed in the back. Are you guys good?” He asks, mostly directing the question at you based on the direct eye contact he makes, eyebrow raised.

You give him an appreciative smile, “I’m good. Thank you, Jeongguk.”

“Me too. Thanks, Jeongguk!” Dohyun says a slight eagerness following his tone.

“Okay cool, be right back.” He tells you, sending you a small comforting smile. You let out a deep breath, looking over at Dohyun who’s already staring at you with a nervous expression on his face.

“Y/N, there’s something I need to tell you. I’ve been meaning to tell you for so long but…” Dohyun twiddles with his fingers resting on top of the table. “I would just get so nervous and chicken out,” He chuckles at himself with a shake of his head. “I’ve always admired you and your kindness. Your kindness is what drew me to you more than anything. Comforting people when they’re upset and going out of your way to make them feel better.” Your lips turn up into a small smile at his words but your chest aches out of guilt with what you’re about to do. “Basically, what I’m trying to tell you is that…I uh really really like you. I’ve liked you since we were kids. Maybe even love.” Dohyun lets out a quivering laugh, avoiding eye contact. “I was wondering if you’d give me a chance.”

Your throat feels like it’s closing up as you hear his words, processing them clearly. The feeling of your heart pounding against your chest and beating in your ears, your face feeling warm and flushed. You look down at your hands in your lap, playing with the ring on your index finger as you let out a shaky breath through your lips.

“Dohyun…you’ve always been a sweet guy,” You begin, “So selfless and always thinking of others.” You add and he nods, a smile playing on his lips from your compliment. “But I…I’m sorry,” You feel your eyes stinging as you notice the smile vanish from his face, lips pursing in despair. “I don’t see you that way.” You finally say.

His face crumples a bit, shoulders and head dropping as soon as the words leave your lips. He looks down into his lap and you swear you can hear him sniffling a bit. The silence between you two is almost deafening, the sound of other customers and cutlery being the only thing you hear.

“I’m really sorry,” You say again, eyes welling up a bit because of how bad you feel. “I probably shouldn’t have even said yes to you because it seems like I’ve led you on but I just didn’t know how to tell you no.”

Dohyun just nods in response, not moving a single inch from his position and his lack of words is killing you. You notice Jeongguk peeking at you from behind the door, locking eyes with you. He immediately notices the sorrowful look on your face, stepping forward to approach you but you quickly shake your head.

Not yet, you try to tell him. You think this conversation needs to end with closure. You don’t want to leave without making sure he’s okay. You know he’s not okay and he probably won’t be for some time. He’s had feelings for you for so long, he must feel so crushed by your rejection.

When Dohyun finally lifts his head up to look at you, you feel your chest ache at his red-rimmed eyes and quivering lips. “Y-You won’t even give me a chance? Like… not even if I take you on more dates a-and maybe let you get to know me better?” He wipes his nose with the back of his hand, sniffling.

You shake your head, a sad smile on your lips. “I’m sorry…I just,” You look over at Jeongguk who’s talking to another customer while constantly glancing at you in concern. “I like someone else.” You tell him, feeling like absolute shit. You just didn’t know what else you could’ve told him for him to completely let you go. You had to tell him the truth.

His face shows pure anguish, looking completely defeated. “So I-I don’t stand a chance against him?” He asks, voice hoarse.

“I’m sorry,” is the only thing you think you can say in response to that.

He just nods, head hanging low and lets out a quiet. “Okay.”

“Everything good?” Jeongguk decides to cut in, saving you from this painful moment.

Dohyun just looks up and Jeongguk in response and nods solemnly, “Yeah can we get the check please?”

“Uh yeah sure,” Jeongguk responds. “Boxes?”

“No thanks,” Dohyun immediately says, his voice cracking. “Y/N,” He looks at you properly for the first time. “Do you think I can get a r-ride home? I-I just don’t think I can…” He looks like he’s about to have a breakdown so you immediately cut in.

“It’s okay. Don’t even worry about it.” Your voice is soft, feeling like you need to speak to him in a delicate manner because he may break any second. “I’ll call my driver.”

“Okay,” Dohyun nods. “I’m gonna go. I’ll see you on Monday.” He says quickly before getting up swiftly. There’s a fresh set of tears in his eyes and he nods at Jeongguk. Head hanging low with his feet dragging across the floor, he walks towards the door without looking back.

You stare at the door, never feeling this much guilt and regret in your life. Guilt for turning him down but also regret even accepting this date. You think saying yes to the date probably gave him high hopes that you had feelings for him in return. You should’ve come clean at the pool when he asked you out in the first place.

“Oh god,” You cover your face with both hands. “I feel so awful. I feel so fucking awful. I can’t believe he cried.” Your throat feels tight and painful, unable to get the image of your head.

“Hey hey,” Jeongguk looks around before kneeling beside you, hand on your arm, “It’s okay. You had to do it okay?” You nod but don’t move your hands away from your face.

“I know I just can’t forget the look on his face,” You whisper into your hands. “I just feel so bad.”

“I know Y/N. That wasn’t an easy thing to do,” Jeongguk acknowledges, rubbing his hand up and down your back in a comforting manner.

Not only do you feel like a total asshole right now, you’re a little embarrassed at the fact that Jeongguk is seeing you on the verge of bursting into tears but you cannot help yourself.

“Hey listen,” His voice is gentle and you feel him move closer to you, his chest pressing against your knee. “A lot of these people are looking at us and I don’t know if they know who you are but I don’t want it spreading around that you were crying in this boujee ass restaurant in the headlines tomorrow.” You chuckle a little taking the napkin he’s holding out for you, patting it beneath your eyes.

“Thank you,” You say quietly, unable to look him in the eyes.

“Of course,” He clears his throat. “I’m about to finish my shift soon. Um if you want, I can give you a ride home?” He offers before quickly adding. “Only if you want to. I won’t be offended if you just want your driver to pick you up.”

You finally look at him for the first time, taking slightly widened doe eyes, face looking soft. He’s tugging at the piercing on his lower lip, a nervous habit you’ve noticed from the time you’ve spent with him.

“I would really appreciate that,” You inform him with a grateful smile.

His shoulders visibly relax at your answer, a sigh escaping his lips.

“Thank God you said that,” He pretends to wipe the sweat off his forehead, “I don’t think I was ready to handle the rejection.” He tells you and you feel like there’s some underlying truth to that.

“The dude I’m crushing on is offering me a ride, who am I to say no?” You say bravely and he freezes, eyes wide and full of surprise with how you say that without a single stutter.

“D-Dude you’re crushing on me?” He repeats, bringing his hand up to point his index finger at him. “Am I the dude you’re crushing on?” He asks in disbelief.

You give him an ‘Are you joking’ look, pushing at his shoulder. “Who else is offering me a ride home here?” You ask him.

“I’m sure tons of people would. You’re beautiful.” He says easily and you flush, not expecting that response at all.

“Oh,” You look down at your lap with a smile on your lips. Feeling so flustered by his compliment, you change the subject. “Is it wrong to do all this after I just broke someone’s heart?” You ask him.

Jeongguk shakes his head, “No, you did what you had to do, Y/N.” You nod, a slightly guilty expression appearing on your face once again. “Here,” He pulls out what looks like car keys from his back pocket. “Do you want to wait in my car while I finish up here?”

You nod, grabbing the keys from him with a smile, “I’ll wait.” You grab your purse, pulling the strap onto your shoulder. Jeongguk also stands up from his kneeling position, brushing his black pants.

Once you stand up, you have to peer up to look at him. Even with your heels on you, you’re still barely reaching his damn shoulder.

Are you really that short or is he just super tall?

“By the way,” You start, causing him to immediately pause from picking up the plate and giving you his full attention with the way he turns his body to look at you, eyes meeting yours. For some reason that makes your heart flutter. “Can you charge the dinner on my card?” You open your purse to pull out your tiny card holder. “It’s the least I can do for Dohyun.” You add, handing him the card.

Jeongguk looks down at the card in his hand as if it’s the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen, eyes squinting before widening. He holds the card up to the light as if inspecting it before bringing it back down and closer to his face again.

“Um, is everything okay?” You ask in confusion.

“Did you just hand me a black card?” His voice is full of surprise, mouth slightly ajar.

“Yeah…” You trail off, looking down at your feet.

Great, he must think you’re a spoiled brat.

“Do you know the amount of unnecessary and useless shit I would buy if I had one of these?” He holds the card in his fingers as if it’s fine china.

“I mean you can,” You respond and he just looks at you in disbelief.

“Baby you’re too sweet but I never thought about getting sugar mama.” He smirks before adding, “At least not anymore.” Your heart flutters and you try not to squeal at the fact that he casually called you ‘baby’.

This man is trying to kill you.

You pretend to act unbothered by his words with a roll of your eyes, shoving at his shoulder, “Shut up before I make you pay for this dinner.” You threaten and he immediately closes his mouth, turning towards the table. You laugh in response, shaking your head at him.

“I’ll be out in 10 minutes,” He tells you and you nod, a smile on your face as you step towards the door already feeling a lot better just by talking to him.

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deardev0teddelicate · 1 month

Text

Curiouser and Curiouser

(Eris Vanserra x Archeron!Reader)

Maybe it was the drastic change of scenery from the Night Court, but the Dawn Court Palace was one of the most beautiful places you had ever been to. The Night Court was beautiful in its own right, but the Dawn Court, you didn’t even have the words in your vocabulary to describe such exquisiteness.

Walking beside your sister, Nesta, and Cassian and Azriel, your eyes glanced from corner to corner, taking in every sight you could see, every place the light touched. You were in awe, separating you from the cool demeanors upon everyone else’s face. Your other sister, Feyre, and her mate Rhysand, High Lord and Lady of the Night Court, schooled their faces in complete darkened calm. The others replicating their expressions in their own. You were the only one who’s curiosity had prevailed over your intended composition. You couldn’t help it. The palace was just so angelic.

“Y/N, gather yourself,” Nesta hissed. Your older sister snapped you out of your daze and awe as the Inner Circle arrived in the meeting room. She hadn’t meant to be rude, you knew that, she was just looking out for you. A pit of vipers, she had said, that’s what she told you you’d be entering when you begged the Inner Circle to let you come.

Rhysand and most of the Inner Circle hadn’t had a problem with it, but it was Feyre and Nesta who seemed to be the most reluctant. Being the youngest, you weren’t trained like Nesta was by your mother the art of diplomacy and calculation, you didn’t have a silver tongue, and you weren’t necessarily clever. Your skills aligned more with Feyre’s. When you had lived in the cottage, despite being warned not to, you would sneak out, and observe Feyre when she hunted. Eventually, she had caught you. You convinced her to teach you to hunt, and soon after you were just as good with the bow as she was. Feyre was always protective of you, more so than Nesta even. But you had a reputation of learning fast, and you also had a reputation for not exactly being the best listener. Even if they told you to stay in the Night Court, you would’ve stubbornly, foolishly, found your way out.

“So,” you spoke to Azriel, your silent friend that resided to your right, “Is it likely that the other courts will align with us? What will we do if they don’t?”

The shadowsinger didn’t look at you as he softly said, “It will be difficult to gain every court’s loyalty, but I have no reason to think that it won’t happen.”

You looked at the dark haired male, observing his features, “You’re lying.”

Azriel cut a glance to the young female, but didn’t say anything further, as the High Lords present began to speak to each other before the true meeting started. The meeting. Without a formal agreement since the wall had come down, tensions were high. It was in the High Lords best interest, at least Feyre and Rhys had thought so, to create a Peace Treaty within Prythian. One united force of seven is better than seven warring courts, that’s what they had said as well.

Conversations rose in volume. More people of more courts arrived. You were familiar with Helion of Day Court, for he had visited Velaris many times before, and you were familiar with Tarquin of Summer Court, he, you knew, was a closer ally. The other High Lords you had placed yourself, the male who had first greeted them had to have been the High Lord of Dawn Court, and the male who looked carved out of snow and ice himself was likely the High Lord of Winter Court.

And then-

Him.

You had seen him before, speaking with Feyre and Rhysand. He looked like an older Lucien. Well, you knew he was an older Lucien. The heir to the Autumn Court. Eris Vanserra.

And the most ethereal male you had ever laid eyes on.

You didn’t mean to look at him longer than the others, it was just that he was simply intriguing to you.

“Let’s sit,” Azriel held out his arm for you to take, so he could lead you to your seat. You quietly followed, observing the rest of the room. Spring was here too, Tamlin. Your eyes narrowed at the blonde, subtly enough no one would notice, but pointed enough that when he caught your eye, he shifted in his seat, looking away.

Most everyone was in their seats now. Your seat was between Nesta and Azriel, and you didn’t mind. You felt safe with Nesta, and Azriel, over the past few months, had become your friend.

But across from you, was Eris.

In his seat, he boredly surveyed the room, his fiery eyes catching on you. As he stared, his head cocked to one side ever so slightly before he straightened out again and allowed a minuscule smirk to paint his features. His eyes raked over you, and it was your turn to shift in your seat, feeling the heat of his gaze. Turning away from the red haired male, Rhys, your saving grace cleared his throat.

“Thank you all for coming, and on short notice too. We have much to discuss.”

“Skip the pleasantries, get to the point, Rhysand,” The older male next to Eris interjected, indifference edging his words. You assumed it was Beron, High Lord of Autumn Court, due to the cruelty that shadowed his eyes, the coldness that surrounded him.

Despite the venom dripping from his words, Rhys simply said, “We are on the brink of another war, and Prythian, is especially vulnerable. We’re divided, which makes us small, an easy target. But if we stand together, we might stand a chance. A Peace Treaty uniting us, it could be our only option, our only way of surviving.”

“And what evidence do you have, of war being imminent?” Beron countered. The other High Lords, from what you observed, seemed to be well receiving to Rhys’s proposal. You looked towards Eris, across from you. His eyes were on his father, an unreadable expression donning his face. The fire that had earlier danced in his eyes, dulled. His entire aura had dampened. He seemed less…vibrant.

Curiouser, and curiouser…

You looked closer at him, taking in his features. He resembled a fox, like Lucien, but where Lucien seemed more playful, Eris seemed more mischievous. Calculating, scheming…plotting. What was The Fox thinking?

“Y/N,” Nesta pulled you from your thoughts, you hadn’t realized you zoned out. “Pay attention.”

Everyone else was getting up, leaving the meeting room. You had been distracted.

“Oh, yes, I’m sorry,” You scrambled to stand, “Lost in thought, I guess.”

You followed Nesta and the others to the rooms you would be staying in. It was late, and apparently, the courts hadn’t reached an agreement. Because of this you all would be staying the night. You didn’t mind, it was a new place to explore, if you could get away without being caught.

When you reached the quarters with the others, you noticed you had your own room, like everyone else, which was good for an explorer's sake. Everyone gathered in the common area, however, to eat and drink.

“Feyre,” You called to your older sister, “I’m quite tired, so I think I’m going to head to bed.”

Feyre smiled, “Of course, just call if you need anything.”

You returned her smile, and turned to go towards the direction of your room, only looking over your shoulder when you might have escaped the eyes of the Inner Circle. When you wouldn’t be noticed anymore, you slipped from the quarters and closed the door with a quiet click.

It was darker than it was earlier, shadows longer and drawn out. Orange, yellows, and purples painted the clouds so magnificently, it brought a flutter in your chest. You had never seen such a sight before. Walking around the corner, still staring in-

“Oomf,” you exclaimed as you ran into a wall, shaking your head gathering your bearings. Looking up, your hand pushing the hair out of your face, you realized you didn’t walk into a wall, so much as you had run into a male.

More specifically, Eris.

You started your apologies, “Oh! Lord Vanserra, I’m so incred-”

“Well, seems a little Doe wandered too far from the Night Court’s grasp,” Eris smirked down at you, disregarding anything you might’ve said, or had been trying to say. “And what brings the Doe out here?”

“I,” You didn’t know what to say, but you had to salvage the situation. You were Rhys and Feyre’s unintentional emissary now. “Lord Vanserra, I’m incredibly sorry for running into you.” You tried apologizing again, looking up into his scathing eyes. He was tall, taller than you by a long shot even with your longer, fae legs.

He chuckled, “That doesn’t answer my question, Doe. What are you doing outside of the circle of brutes?”

His question placed a frown on your face due to his word choice, but quickly, you unfurrowed your brows and said simply, “I was hoping to explore.”

Eris’s intense gaze, caused you to wring your hands, sweat beginning to form in your palms. Even getting scolded by your parents when you were much younger hadn’t felt this intense, and your mother could be fearsome.

“Explore, eh? And what do you hope to find, Doe? Secrets? Whispered words from others?” Eris continued to interrogate you.

“I, uh, no. Not anything like that.” You shrunk under his piercing eyes, his charming, handsome fiery eyes. Those eyes that were like the sun through the lense of red and yellow and brown leaves. His eyes, you realized at such a close distance, were multitudes of warm colors, of light and fire. They beheld power, but they also were…comforting.

You straightened. If he could poke and prod your mind, you could too. Hopefully, find information of use for the others.

“And what are you doing outside of your quarters, Lord Vanserra? Why were you close to the Night Court’s quarters?”

He didn’t falter as he said, “Why, to catch you, little Doe.”

Certainly, not what you were hoping for, but you couldn’t let his unexpected words catch you off your guard.

“Curiouser, and curiouser,” You muttered, smiling softly. Eris cocked his head, similarly to how he had done earlier in the meeting. “Lord Vanserra. King of Foxes, it seems. And why do you want to catch me?”

“You seem to be the curious one, little Doe, with all those questions of yours,” He leaned in closer to you, observing you, analyzing you. When you didn’t retort back, he simply said, “Well, I just wanted to get to know you. You intrigue me, Doe. Obviously, you are an Archeron, sister to the High Lady of Night Court, however, unlike your sisters, you were not present at any meetings before the war with Hybern. Nor have I ever seen you during my visits to the Night Court. Why are you hidden? Why have I not seen you before?”

You hesitated. You didn’t know what the right answer was. Was it the truth? Or do you lie? You had heard stories of Eris, of his cruelty, of how wretched he could be. He was duplicitous, sly. You could risk the truth, or what you know, and offer him more than he needs to know, or you could deceive him and risk his wrath.

“Maybe the universe didn’t want me in the same place as you till now,” was all you could say.

“Don’t be coy, Doe, it doesn’t fit you,” He leaned back away from you. You didn’t realize how close you had gravitated towards each other till he moved. He was magnetic, pulling you closer. You wanted to know more, learn more, give more, but that wasn’t smart. “Keep your secrets then.” He turned to move back to where he came from, leaving you in the corridor by yourself. “Till tomorrow, Doe,” And with that he had left.

The corridor felt empty when he did.

You murmured to yourself, “What do you want, Eris?”

#eris vanserra #eris acotar #eris x reader #eris x you #acotar #acotar fanfiction #maasverse #eris x y/n #acotar x reader #acotar x you #eris fanfic #archeron sisters #autumn #autumn court #night #night court #eris vanserra fic

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tokkias · 4 months

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happy (late) new years everyone! i hope everyone had a great start to the new year. i'm ringing it in by recommending some of my favourite nalu fics of 2023! hope you enjoy!

Spring by bumblebeehugs Natsu and Lucy take a break from walking on the way home from a mission.

Summer by bumblebeehugs Natsu suffers from the summer heat for the first time - everything is Lucy's fault, according to him.

Autumn by bumblebeehugs Happy takes a moment to observe his two best friends.

Winter by bumblebeehugs Lucy has the worst morning known to human kind, until Natsu comes to her rescue.

i would say all of this, but i don't wanna ruin the moment by luckymio As he sat on his bed, only the sounds of his fingers clicking against the controller, the monsters in his game groaning, even though the game was paused, and the flipping of pages, he realized that he couldn’t remember a time where he wasn’t in love with Lucy. It had always been him and her, Natsu and Lucy, them. Always them.

night drives by luckymio Those nights were magic. For him, they were magic. Lucy’s face in the side mirror, her eyes gentle, slightly dazed, and trained on the blurry houses and apartments. She would sing softly, close to a whisper, her voice almost drowned out from the sound of tire against pavement. But he heard it, because he never focused on the music, because he only focused on her.

Wise Men Say by Irrelevan in which Natsu is sick and Lucy finds out that she doesn't mind taking care of him actually.

tolerate it by Nostromo13 Jude has watched his daughter grow from the sidelines of newspaper articles and Sorcerer Weeklys, only catching glimpses of her life through her guild and her career as an author. After reconnecting with her, he now has to see where he fits in his now 25 (technically 32) year old daughter's life. Set in a timeline where Jude didn’t die during the seven years.

Time passes by quickly (When you belong somewhere) by Nihilistic_Nomad It’s rather intriguing, how much a person’s life can change in just one year.

Happy Endings by bumblebeehugs What Natsu knew about families had been an ever-changing subject for as long as he could remember. Yet somehow, he found himself free from these wonders one day.

My heart is heavy (With fearful wonderings) by Nihilistic_Nomad It’s always in the quieter moments that her mind wanders.

Gave him her heart by bumblebeehugs Lucy worries about what to get Natsu for his birthday, not knowing how ridiculously easy it actually is.

Impossible Love by natsudragneelswh0re "Someone once asked me what it felt like to love you. They might as well have asked me to describe the taste of water." -JL

a thousand red roses by natsudragneelswh0re Natsu and Lucy come back from a mission that puts pressure on not only them, but also their relationship. There only seems to be one option to resolve their conflict, but the 'only option' seems to be different to either party.

The days inbetween by bumblebeehugs Lucy falling asleep somewhere and Natsu carrying her to bed.

Cymorth by Nostromo13 Following the Alvarez war, Natsu has to come to terms with a new reality.

ready (for a misunderstanding) by ssukidesu When Bisca and Alzack have another baby, a passing comment from Lucy turns Natsu's world upside down.

a dragon's habits by Poteto Natsu is a dragon and as such he needs to have power, a hoard and… what else do dragons do? Why, they kidnap princesses of course!

Marry The Sea by Nostromo13 Usually Natsu felt like he knew everything when it came to Lucy. He knows she loves him but now it's come time to propose and he's not so sure if marriage is something she wants.

Call Me By My Name by StaleCupcakes524 "You're..." Natsu took in the sight of her as his eyes widened. The pretty brown eyes he'd already been watching, supple pink lips that had released those wonderful laughs, braided golden hair that reached near to the ground, and long, pointed ears poking past the strands. "a fae," he finished. She nodded, ears twitching nervously. "Do not tell me your name."

#nalu #fairy tail #natsu x lucy #nalu fic rec list #mya's mumbles #sorry i meant to do this weeks ago!!#better late than never?#better late than pregnant

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carbombrenee · 2 years

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afternoon storms

#photo365 #photographer's choice #rainstorm #summer daze #wild roses #fern #droplets #petals #blossom #canon photography #aperture #macros #backyard

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humanpurposes · 1 year

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My Heart Belongs to Daddy, part iii, modern!Aemond

Series Masterlist // Main Masterlist // Can you read my mind? I've been watching you

modern!Aemond x step-daughter

Warnings: 18+, suggestive themes, nothing too crazy

Words: 4700

A/n: Also available to read on AO3.

The morning after the wedding she, Alys and Aemond met in the breakfast room of the hotel and had a perfectly normal meal.

Perfectly normal.

Alys had met someone from White Worm magazine at the wedding and was keen on discussing a possible partnership. Aemond didn’t seem particularly enthused, but he knew when to hum and nod as he sipped his flat white.

Even at 9am he looked immaculate. White shirt, hair freshly washed, a Rolex on his wrist and no bags or dark circles under his eyes. His eyes were fixed on Alys, sitting across from him, his expression was somewhat blank and perfectly normal.

A hangover pulsed in her head and her skin felt tight. She had about three mouthfuls of her eggs benedict before she felt like she was going to retch it all up again. She downed a glass of orange juice, hoping it would miraculously fix her. It didn’t.

They drove home in Aemond’s car. She sat in the back and kept her window down, which Aemond would usually insist messed with the AC, but he stayed quiet. Once they reached the house she grabbed some painkillers and a large glass of water and retreated to her room.

She downed the tablets and a few gulps of water before she collapsed on the bed.

She’d never considered herself much of a masochist and yet she spent the next few hours replaying the previous night in her head, switching between crying silently and whispering insults to herself. They mostly consisted of idiot and stupid cunt.

He couldn’t even do her the courtesy of an outright rejection. He just left her there, dazed in the afterglow of her orgasm with the feeling of his mouth lingering on every inch of her body.

She didn’t even know why she said it. She was sure she wouldn’t have if she had been sober. But it was done now.

Idiot. Why did she have to go and lead herself on?

She fell asleep before she noticed a text from Alys asking if she wanted to order something for dinner.

On Monday morning, Alys was out the door at the usual time of 7am. She listened to the hum of her car s as it pulled out the driveway, and waited.

Aemond only goes into the office on Thursdays and Fridays. The other three days he’ll come to her room once Alys is gone and slip under the covers behind her.

He’ll run a hand under her t-shirt, gently feeling over her breasts and her stomach, before trailing his fingers between her legs to tease her until she’s wet and needy. He likes to fuck her nice and slow first thing in the morning, peppering kisses over her shoulders and whispering praises against her skin.

“So pretty… so perfect… so tight…”

She likes to feel his breath and hear his grunts and groans, especially when he starts to get restless with his own pace. He tries to hold back but his thrusts get desperate, voice breaking into a whimper as he pushes deeper and deeper.

“Good girl… you make me feel so good…”

She loves feeling his arm hold her tighter as she arches her back against him, until he can’t help but give into the hunger and the urgency. Fingers circling over her clit, hips rutting into her without mercy, both still a little delirious, lost in the heat and the need.

But her bedroom door didn’t open. There was no dip in the bed and no body pressed into her back.

Good, she thought, it was already too warm in her room. To prove that point, she dragged herself out of bed and threw open the window. Her room was at the front of the house, looking out over the fields, water fountains and rose gardens of Queens Park, where Spring was slowly turning into Summer. The blossoms were gone from the trees and the air was mild.

She convinced herself to leave the room with the promise of an iced coffee, not before she brushed her teeth, sorted out her hair and changed into a clean t-shirt.

Aemond was in the hallway, fixing his cuffs in front of the mirror mounted over the dresser. He froze when she reached the bottom of the stairs, his gaze not daring to stray from his reflection.

She took a breath, maybe to say “good morning,” or “what the fuck was Saturday night?” She hadn’t decided and she didn’t have time to.

“I’ve got a meeting.” He still wasn’t looking at her.

“I’ll be home all day,” she said. Classes had finished weeks ago, but he already knew that.

“Good,” he said, throwing his suit jacket over his arm. He stood tall as he finally turned to face her. “You won’t be looking for a lift then.”

“No.”

“In that case, see you later.” He didn’t wait for a reply as he grabbed his keys and disappeared through the front door.

She wondered if she should cry, but she couldn’t force the tears to come. She thought heartbreak was supposed to be devastating, an indescribable and all consuming pain, but she just feels vacant.

Other than that cold encounter, she hasn’t found herself alone with him since. If she walks into the room he leaves before she can say anything, and that’s if he’s in the house. Lately he’s been going into the office more often and staying out in the evenings, meeting up with Aegon and Helaena, so he says.

When she wakes on Wednesday she opens her curtains to a cloudless sky. The sun shines brightly and by 10am it’s practically sweltering. She showers, massages moisturiser into her skin and makes a mental note of which readings she needs to go over for her thesis, when an idea strikes her.

It’s a desperate move really, but she can hear Aemond on the phone downstairs and guesses he won’t be leaving anytime soon for any unscheduled meetings or visits to the office.

She puts on a grey V-neck bralette that shows off her cleavage, pulls on a pair of denim shorts that hug her hips and ass nicely and sprays a sweet, floral perfume on her wrists. Then she reaches for a pair of sunglasses, a throw, a bottle of spf and the book that’s been lying on her desk.

The gentle hum of his voice is muffled through the frosted glass door to the kitchen. She can see his silhouette pacing.

He stops mid sentence the moment she steps into the kitchen. She doesn’t look at him as she walks past him, but she wants to imagine his jaw hanging open slightly and those pretty blue eyes going wide as she sways her hips ever so slightly and slides open the glass doors that lead out to the garden.

She lays the throw out in the middle of the lawn, a good distance from the house but where she’ll be in full view from the kitchen. She takes her position and lathers her limbs in the spf until her skin glistens under the sun. It’s an expensive bottle that smells like tropical fruits, mango, papaya and coconut.

She glances over a few pages of her book but it’s hard to read through the sunglasses and the sun is making her sleepy. So she lets her arms drop by her sides, closes her eyes and crosses her legs at the ankles. She focuses on the heat, her breathing and feeling where her body meets the ground.

It’s almost reviving, but there’s still that infuriating itch in her brain, that restless feeling in her chest. She wonders if he’s looking at her.

Her eyes flutter open when she smells cigarette smoke.

She turns her head towards the house, where Aemond is leaning against the glass door, a cigarette between his fingers, taking slow, long drags and exhaling grey smoke through pouted lips. It’s hypnotic.

He’s wearing one of his nice shirts, pale blue, rolled up at the sleeves, the top few buttons undone but not enough to see the hair at the top of his chest. It’s quite a contradiction to the casual grey sweatpants hung round his hips, one he wears surprisingly well.

And he’s looking at her.

Fucking finally.

Are his eyes following the curves of her breasts through her top? Is he picturing dragging her shorts down her legs and kissing his way up her thighs? Does he wish he’d stayed longer that night? Does he wish he’d said it back?

His chin drops, another puff of smoke billowing from his mouth. He flicks the cigarette away and goes back into the house.

She turns her gaze up to the sky and smiles to herself.

On Thursday she convinces Joanna to meet her at the KLU library. Joanna is one of those people who likes to involve herself in everything and everyone. She’s the societies officer on the student union, takes three electives on top of her philosophy degree and knows most of the student body.

They take full advantage of the weather and find themselves a nice spot in the courtyard that forms the heart of the KLU campus, eating overpriced sandwiches and drinking green juices while Joanna breezes through the latest essential gossip. Breakups, hookups and the like. She seems the most interested in Alysanne Blackwood’s very public breakup with her boyfriend at a houseparty over the weekend. But her explanations are shorter than usual.

“How was the wedding?”

There it is. The wedding that’s been all over Vogue and Vanity Fair and every outlet of social media. Everyone has an opinion on the Targaryens, and anyone would kill to be allowed the slightest look into their lives.

She shrugs. “It was nice.”

“Nice? You got to go to the wedding of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen at the Red Keep and that’s all you can come up with?”

She tries not to roll her eyes. Maybe she could come up with a few better descriptions, but all of her memories revolve around someone she’d rather not think about.

“Did you meet any interesting people?”

She tells her about the dinner, seeing Jace, Luke and Joff again, and mentions in passing that she danced with Aegon and Cregan.

“As in Cregan Stark?” Joanna asks as they make their way to the library. She has all sorts of opinions of him already. He comes from old money up North and his family still owns an old castle called Winterfell. Joanna says he’s a “really lovely guy” and according to Floris Baratheon, he’s also a great kisser. “And an even better shag,” she adds.

The library is one of the oldest buildings in the city, four storeys with a beautiful Greek revival front, full of mazes of bookshelves, reading rooms and hidden corners. It’s packed, as is to be expected this close to exam season, but they find a desk by a window on the third floor, looking out over the skyline of central King’s Landing.

Her thesis is supposed to focus on the role of the Faith on Medieval politics in Westeros. Instead all she can do is stare at the empty space under her chapter titles, checking her phone every few minutes, not sure if she wants the minutes to move faster or for time to stop altogether. In two hours she manages 500 words.

Joanna looks like she’s making good progress, typing away furiously, moving her head between her laptop and her pages of notes almost skittishly, like a squirrel. If she had any sense, she’d be more like Joanna.

Suddenly Joanna leans away from her laptop, stretching her arms over her head. “There’s a Masters fair happening downstairs, I was thinking about checking it out. Have you applied anywhere?”

She only just about registers what she’s saying, and drags her eyes away from the window. “Oh, no, I should probably get on that fairly soon.”

“You’ve still got time,” Joanna says.

“Yeah,” she mumbles.

Joanna taps her sharply on the shoulder. “Hey.”

“What?”

“You seem a bit off today. Are you alright? Like, really?”

She looks down to her hands in her lap, fingers twisting over each other and her nails pressing into her skin. She swallows and whispers, “no, I don’t think so.”

She doesn’t tell her the truth, not the whole truth anyway. She quickly improvises a story about a guy she met on Tinder, keeping the details vague. They met for a few dates, it seemed like they were getting on really well, and then he ghosted her out of nowhere and she’s been down ever since.

She leaves out that it’s her mum’s boyfriend, and that they’ve been fucking for just under a year. She also leaves out those stupid words that had sent him practically running from her hotel room.

“I think it’s the combination of stress,” she says, “you know how it is, exams, thesis and then this whole situation just… isn’t exactly helping.”

Joanna frowns. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Without missing a beat she says, “I don’t know, didn’t seem worth telling anyone.”

Joanna smiles sadly, rubbing her hand over her shoulder, probably to be reassuring. “Well, whoever he is, he clearly has no taste. Any guy should be grovelling on his fucking knees to have a chance with you.”

“Oh stop it,”

“I mean it! You’re too pretty to be dating a self-centred dick and too smart to waste your time moping over one.”

She raises her eyebrows. Joanna’s advice is surprisingly profound, something she might have realised if she wasn’t the one with the problem. “How do you know he’s a self-centred dick?” She asks, raising an eyebrow.

“He’s a guy. And all guys are self-centred dicks.”

“Spoken like a true philosopher.”

“What can I say? Aristotle wishes he was as smart as me,” Joanna giggles and goes to shut down her laptop. “Lets go downstairs and grab some brochures, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

It doesn’t take them long to breeze through the Masters fair in the ground floor hall. Joanna has already accepted a place at Vale to study law. They talk briefly with someone from Sunspear, but the stall for Oldtown catches her eye.

As the name suggests, Oldtown is the oldest city in the country, an impressive blend of old cobble streets, ancient buildings and newer builds alike, where the Honeywine river flows through the city and out to the Summer Sea. The University of Oldtown tops the league tables every year, boasts the best history programme in Westeros and even has links to the Citadel Research Institute.

“Sounds ideal,” Joanna says, flicking through a brochure titled Student Life. “

She nods. It’s also the ancestral home of the Hightowers, and it’s where Aemond did his undergrad.

KLU have a stand too. Assuming her thesis and her exams go well, she’ll be guaranteed a place with a pass. She would already know her course leader and she wouldn’t have to move across the country which is starting to sound like a lot of unnecessary stress.

She listens to Joanna talk about her latest argument with her boyfriend as they head out the main entrance and into the early evening. She immediately recognises a head of black hair in the crowd of first years hanging out on the marble steps.

Cregan calls her name and waves them over to join them. Jace is there too and gives her a quick hug.

Once Joanna’s done introducing herself she goes to strike up a conversation with some of the others, giving her a quick nudge into Cregan’s arm as she goes.

He catches her as she stumbles against his arm, but they both laugh it off.

“Last minute cramming?” Cregan asks.

“What else at this time of year?” She says. “And you?”

“Not really cramming, just looking over my notes,” he says, so casually it sounds rehearsed.

“Not nervous about exams then?”

“I’ve always been good under pressure,” he says, “and if they don’t go great I’ve got two more years to make it up.”

For a moment she can’t quite believe how quickly the last three years have gone. Freshers only seems like it was a few months ago.

She glances over to Joanna. She’s raising her eyebrows and smiles as Jace mutters something in her ear.

Cregan clears his throat and slips a hand into the front pocket of his jeans. “We were going for a few drinks now if you want to join?” He says. His eyes won’t stop moving over her face.

“Jo!” She calls to her friend, and mimes drinking from a glass.

“Absolutely!” Joanna grins.

She doesn’t really get a chance to talk to Jace or any of the others because Cregan seems intent on staying by her side for the whole evening. She walks between him and Joanna as they make their way down Sisters Street to the Tudor front pub that’s especially popular with students. The interior is all black leather booths with a red tiled floor, a beautiful mahogany bar and all sorts of trophies and odd trinkets adorning the walls.

Cregan and Jace order the first round of drinks, and Cregan slots himself into the booth beside her.

She shouldn’t be impressed by it, but she likes that he asks a lot of questions. He asks her about the kind of music she listens to and what her favourite films are. Then he talks about politics and sport, two things he seems quite passionate about so she lets him ramble. She sips her gin and tonic and occasionally steals glances at Joanna, who’s getting just a little too close to a girl with red hair and a pale green blouse.

Then they reminisce about the wedding.

“It’s a shame you left before I got your number,” he says. At some point his arm found its way to the back of the booth behind her.

She holds her breath for a moment, looking up at the intense look in his grey eyes. The only reason she hadn’t stayed longer was because of Aemond.

“Is it?” She asks with a small smile. The gin had left her mouth feeling a little numb.

“I think so, yeah.”

She holds out her hand. “Give me your phone.”

He’s very compliant and hands it over instantly. She smiles up at him as she types her number into a new contact.

“There,” she says, “hope that makes up for it.”

“Only if you agree to get dinner with me sometime this week?” He says hopefully.

She can’t clench her fist because he’ll see. So she smiles again. “I’ll let you know.”

That seems like a good place to make an escape. She nods to Joanna and Cregan stands to let her out the booth. His aftershave smells clean and bright as he pulls her in for a hug. His arms are thick and muscular. Hugging him feels so secure.

He’s not as tall as Aemond. Aemond’s arms are lithe and toned and–

Not the time.

Joanna walks her to the station. One of the pros of dating a Lannister is that she lives with him and his brother in a penthouse right by the station.

“You and Cregan seemed to get on rather well,” she says, “but gods, I didn’t realise how good you are at keeping secrets.”

She doesn’t know what to say to that, so she doesn’t.

It’s sometime before 9pm when she drags herself through the front door and places her backpack at the foot of the stairs. There’s only one car in the driveway, Alys’ black Mercedes. She tries not to spend too much time thinking about where Aemond might be or when he��ll be back.

The kitchen smells amazing. Something rich and tangy simmers in a saucepan, while Alys, having ditched her work blazer but still as glamorous as ever in a black lace top and maroon dress pants, drains a generous amount of pasta over the sink. She smiles over her shoulder, but doesn’t ask why she’s home so late.

She leans over the counter and sends a quick text to Joanna: Home safe and such.

They eat in the dining room, Alys at the head of the table, as always. For the most part they sit in a comfortable quiet.

She almost leaps out of her skin when she hears the front door unlock and slam shut. Leather soles tap through the hall and stop at the doorway behind her. She looks at Aemond through the reflection in the mirror over the fireplace.

“Alright?” He mutters.

“There’s food in the kitchen,” Alys says, “and bring the bottle of red in.”

His eyes meet hers in the mirror. “Drink?”

She shakes her head.

Aemond comes back from the kitchen with the bottle in one hand and balancing two glasses in the other. He sits next to her. She can see his leg bouncing under the table.

He asks Alys about the partnership with White Worm and reminds her about the press release that needs to go out on Friday morning. This time Alys is the one making vague “hmms”.

“How was the library, love?” Alys asks suddenly.

She looks up from her plate. In the corner of her eye she sees Aemond leaning back in his chair, tapping a finger on the base of his wine glass.

“Good,” she says and takes an unsure breath. She can smell his aftershave. “Ran into Jace and some of his mates at the pub.”

Aemond’s finger stops moving.

“Oh that’s nice,” Alys says. “How is he?”

“Since Saturday? Not much different.”

Aemond’s not halfway through his wine when he stands up. “I’m going to have a shower.”

Alys looks up at him, entirely unimpressed by his announcement.

She keeps her head down as she listens to him leave the room and head upstairs.

“You’ve been very quiet recently, love,” Alys says. Her concern tends to come out sharply, like an accusation. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“You can’t lie to me, darling. I’m your mother, I can read your mind.”

She desperately hopes that isn’t true.

She shakes her head slightly. “I’m just stressed.”

Alys sighs and swirls her wine around in her glass. “Aren’t we all, darling.”

She wonders if it was the gin but her mind feels fuzzy and her eyes are closing. Once she’s finished her plate she brings it into the kitchen, says a brief “goodnight” to her mother and heads upstairs. She can already hear the shower running but the sooner she’s in her room the better.

Being in the same house as him is unbearable. She’s on edge constantly, careful of every word, every look, but still wanting, no matter how much she tells herself she needs to stop.

The door to the master bedroom is directly opposite the top of the staircase, on the corner by the bathroom. She keeps her eyes down but stops when she sees the door opening. Aemond steps out in nothing but a towel around his waist.

She keeps her eyes fixed on his face. She won’t look at the toned muscles of his arms, or the lines of his abs, or the light hair that trails below his navel. No.

He smirks, and steps back so she can walk past him.

Her eyes dart to the floor. When she moves past him she’s sure she hears him hum, but it’s faint enough to ignore. She can smell his sweat and the traces of his aftershave.

She stops in front of her bedroom door, and looks along the hall. Aemond looks back at her, chuckles to himself, and closes the bathroom door.

“Smug prick,” she hisses.

She practically tears off her jeans and her crop top, desperate to crawl between the sheets and cry herself to sleep for the third time this week.

But her heart is racing. She can still hear the hum of the shower. She knows every inch of his body well enough to picture him, water trailing over his skin and breathing in the steam.

If she walked into the bathroom right now and begged him to fuck her, would he do it?

Her phone buzzes and she doesn’t hesitate to look at it.

It’s from an unknown number: Dinner? I’m thinking Saturday?

Her thumbs hover over the screen. Joanna would tell her to go on a date with the hot, ruby-playing, politics student. Alys would probably say the same if she knew.

So on Saturday night she paints her nails red and slips on a black mini dress. She keeps her makeup simple, a little concealer, mascara, a shimmery eyeshadow and a tinted lipgloss that’s a little darker than her lips. Aside from the wedding, it’s been ages since she’s had a reason to dress up.

It’s starting to get to her though. The closer it gets to 6:30 the more anxious she feels, even though she has no reason to be nervous. She knows Cregan, and he clearly likes her. She’s determined to enjoy her night.

She grabs a black leather jacket from the wardrobe and heads downstairs, checking she’s got everything she needs. Phone. Wallet. ID. Headphones. Gum, just in case.

Aemond and Alys are in the kitchen. Alys is looking at something on her laptop while Aemond is standing over the stove, leaning on one hand against the marble countertop.

“You off?” Alys says brightly.

“Yeah.”

“Where are you going?” Aemond asks.

She was going to try not to make eye contact, but he’s hard to ignore. His eyes are wide and his brow slightly furrowed. A silent fury that sends a chill down her spine.

“I’ve got a date,” she says.

Alys looks up from her laptop. “Oh? You didn’t say it was a date. Anyone interesting?”

“His name’s Cregan, he’s a politics student.”

Aemond’s eyes drop to the floor for a moment. When he looks up the look on his face is almost endearing, eyes wide with a hint of a smile on his lips. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

Her breath catches in her throat as he comes towards her, close enough that she has to look up at him. “How chivalrous of you,” she says.

“See you later, love!” Alys calls, her nails clicking furiously against the keyboard, as Aemond follows her out of the kitchen. “Let us know if you want a lift!”

Aemond takes a pointed breath that skims over her neck as they walk through the hallway. She pulls on a pair of black boots, grabs the spare keys and reaches for the front door.

But Aemond’s hand covers the handle before she can get there. He leans down into her. The tip of his nose is so close to hers.

“Since when did you start going on dates?” He asks in a low voice that makes her feel weightless.

She glances back towards the kitchen. The frosted glass door is closed. “Since tonight,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Hmm.” His eyes move over her face, and she’s sure he lingers on her lips before his gaze slips further, over the dainty gold chain on her neck and the teasingly low neckline of her dress.

He takes another step into her and brushes a hand over her elbow. Even through the thick fabric of the jacket she can feel him.

His eyes move back to hers and he smiles. “I hope you have fun, baby.”

She almost flinches at his pet name, but before she can think to react he twists the lock and opens the door for her.

She stares at him for a moment. As much as she hates his teasing she can’t deny it excites her. “Thanks,” she huffs and goes to step out of the door.

But his hand closes around her arm and pulls her back into him. She braces herself with her hands on his chest. “What are you–”

He leans into her and places a delicate peck to her cheek. “For luck,” he says, with his lips against her skin.

She wrenches herself out of his grip, marches down the driveway and doesn’t look back.

Joanna’s philosophy only seems more apparent. Self-centred dick.

A self-centred dick she can’t stop thinking about the entire walk to the station and on the train ride into central. She hears him in every song on her playlist and looks for his face in the crowds along Conquest Street.

When she spots Cregan standing outside the restaurant, cigarette in hand, she winces at the smell. In her mind it’s something that will always belong to someone else.

Tags: @marthawrites @randomdragonfires @urmomsgirlfriend1 @aaaaaamond @boundlessfantasy @sahvlren @tinykryptonitewerewolf @arcielee @tssf-imagines @aemondsfavouritebastard @skikikikiikhhjuuh @queenofshinigamis @izzydlb @dc-marvel-girl96 @xcinnamonmalfoyx @padfooteyes @castellomargot @lost-and-founds

#my fics #aemond targaryen #aemond x original female character #aemond smut #aemond fanfiction #aemond x y/n #aemond x reader #aemond targaryen fanfic #hotd fanfic #hotd fan fiction #hotd fanfiction #modern!aemond #modern au #house of the dragon fanfiction #stepdad!aemond #my heart belongs to daddy

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