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myforeverforlife · 4 years

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the way to your heart.

For another anon! Chanyeol and 62. "You're not as quiet as you think you are." + 103. "Sharing is caring." (I hope you like it! 💕)

Pairing: Chanyeol x Reader

Word Count: 3,374

Masterlist

You watched with bated breath as your coworker, Minkyung, finished filling the newest batch of cream puffs. The bakery kitchen was warm from the ovens, but you didn't mind — not when fresh desserts were close by.

"Oh my god, you're so good at this," you praised. Just as you tried to pick up one of the round puffs, Minkyung reached out to swat your hand away.

"Don't even think about it. You want one, you have to pay. Being part of the staff doesn't mean you get to eat everything."

"Auntie won't mind," you wheedled. "And it's just one teeny, tiny cream puff."

Minkyung sighed, eyes roaming over each bit of pastry as she tried to figure out which was the least fit to be sold. "Here," she finally said, picking up a slightly-lopsided puff and holding it out to you.

You popped it into your mouth eagerly, humming blissfully as a burst of strawberry-flavored cream exploded in your mouth. "These are amazing!"

"Good." Minkyung sent you an appreciative smile. "I'm going to finish decorating, then you can take these out to the front."

At that moment, you heard the sound of the bakery door opening. The customer went the extra lengths to ring the bell on the counter, two sharp dings echoing in the air.

Sneaking a quick look at the clock, you rolled your eyes with a smile. "Coming!"

You pushed the kitchen door open, wiping your hands on your apron. "You know, you don't have to ring the bell every time."

The man at the counter grinned, leaning forward on his arms. "Sorry, was I too loud? I tried to do it gently, I swear."

"You're not as quiet as you think you are, Chanyeol. Sehun didn't come with you today?"

Chanyeol frowned at this. "Hey, what about me?"

"You always come here after your last class, Yeol. Plus, your mom owns the place, why wouldn't you come here? I rarely see Sehun, though." You copied Chanyeol, leaning on the counter as well. "How is he doing?"

"He's okay. How have your classes been?" he asked, eager to shift the conversation away from his best friend.

You shrugged. "The usual. I still hate the fact that I have to take Stats."

Chanyeol smiled sympathetically. "That sucks, sorry about that." He hadn't taken a math class since high school, which brought him no end of relief. As a student at K-ARTS, Chanyeol only had to worry about music. "What about your history class?"

You perked up at this, a glimmer coming to your eyes. "Oh my god, it's amazing. We started learning about Japanese feudalism this week, and there's so much to cover."

As you launched into what you had learned, Chanyeol couldn't help but chuckle at your enthusiasm. He wondered if this was what he looked like whenever he was talking about music, or writing and composing songs with Sehun. You and Chanyeol were in two completely different majors, and at different colleges, nonetheless. If it wasn't for this bakery, you probably would have never met.

"Sorry," Chanyeol heard you say. "Am I boring you?" He glanced up to see you rubbing the back of your neck in embarrassment.

"No!" he shouted, cringing when you flinched. "No," he tried again, at a normal volume this time. "Sorry, I think I'm just tired from classes."

Thankfully, you bought the lie, eyes softening in sympathy. "Stop staying up late and gaming online. Sehun always tells me you guys play League for hours when you should be sleeping instead!"

Sehun, again? Every time you mentioned his best friend, the envious green-eyed monster hiding deep inside Chanyeol tried to climb out. It was a juvenile emotion, yet like with every other emotion, Chanyeol felt it strongly. You didn't even think of Sehun in a romantic way, and Chanyeol knew that Sehun fet the same way.

His mind knew better, but why wouldn't his heart listen?

The front door opened, a familiar permed figure entering the bakery. "What are you doing here?" the woman asked, addressing Chanyeol as she kissed him on the cheek.

"Hi, Mom. Just keeping Y/N company."

"Hi, Auntie." You waved at Chanyeol's mother. "I didn't know you were coming in today?"

"Yoonha called out sick, and I know that the neighborhood kids usually come here after school. I didn't want to leave you here by yourself," Chanyeol's mom said. She let herself in behind the register, searching for a clean apron.

"You didn't have to," you said. "I can stay longer, if you need me to."

She waved this off, tying the laces of her apron around her waist. "Don't trouble yourself. You're a college student, you need all the rest you can get. Dowon will be coming in half an hour earlier anyways, so we'll be okay." Chanyeol's mom left for the kitchen, the door swinging shut behind her.

"What time do you finish today?" Chanyeol asked.

You glanced down at your watch. "I'm off in an hour, but I have to run by the store for some more pens." A few wrinkles appeared on your forehead as you frowned. "I've used up almost all of my favorite pens with note-taking, and the others just aren't the same."

Chanyeol grinned, amused by how particular you were with your stationary. "You wanna grab something to eat with me after? There's a really good pizza place that I've been hearing about."

"Do they have chicken wings, too?"

"And cheeseballs," Chanyeol added.

"Count me in! You don't mind stopping by the stationary store with me, though?"

"Of course not, I love hanging out with you." Chanyeol froze, surprised by his own boldness. But you didn't seem to notice, beaming brightly.

"You're sweet, Yeol. Now I can't wait for my shift to end! Are you gonna wait here?"

"Yeah, I'll get some homework done. I brought my guitar too, I was gonna see if Mom could take it home for me." Chanyeol reached down, picking up his guitar case from where it had been hiding out of sight on the other side of the counter.

"I'll make sure to bring you some snacks while you're waiting then."

At the mention of snacks, Chanyeol began looking over all of the pastries and cakes in the display cases, round eyes wide as he looked for the perfect, sugary after-school sweet.

The students in the neighborhood began to flock over to the bakery as school let out, children of all ages coming in to make the most of their free time. Most of the customers were high school students, groups of friends giggling over inside jokes, and the occasional couple out on a date. Other students came with their parents, as a special treat for a good grade on a test, or just to spend some time bonding together. It always warmed your heart to see how happy the bakery made these customers. Some of them came often, and you easily greeted them by name whenever they stopped by. The customers were just as happy to see you, always glad to see a familiar face.

As much as they loved you, there was no denying that the neighborhood had a special spot for Chanyeol's mother. She was a social butterfly, much like her son, and was able to recall even the most specific of details about her customers. She came out to the front to help you as things got busier, seamlessly taking on tasks at the counter with you or going to help Minkyung behind the scenes.

Every so often, your gaze wandered over to where Chanyeol sat in his corner, guitar propped up on his knees as he worked. Although there was music playing in the bakery, you could still hear the strumming of his guitar as he played with ease. Soon enough, you weren't the only one who was paying attention to him.

Chanyeol strummed away at his guitar, pick in his mouth as his foot tapped against the floor. You recognized the chords of a Crush song, something he often played whenever he was in a good mood. As he finished playing, a few of the customers began clapping. Chanyeol's head shot up in surprise, almost identical to a meerkat.

You joined in the applause, smiling proudly when Chanyeol looked over to you.

His large ears started to turn red at the tips, a bashful grin appearing on his face. "Thank you," he said shyly.

"Do you take requests?" one boy asked, moving around in his chair to face Chanyeol.

"I can try."

You watched in awe from the counter as Chanyeol took on song requests from a variety of genres. Most of them were pop songs, others more R&B or alternative. But with each request, Chanyeol managed to play them almost perfectly, only hitting a few snags a couple of times. You knew that Chanyeol was musically talented, but not to this extent. The customers were just as transfixed, many of them staying longer than they usually did. No one was able to resist being drawn in by Chanyeol's aura, by his friendliness and cheerful attitude.

Before you knew it, your other coworker came in. You couldn't believe how much time had passed, but you were also glad that your shift was over.

Chanyeol noticed how you took your apron off, heading to the back as you got your things ready to leave. He finished the song he was playing with a flourish, smiling at the student who had requested it.

"It's time for me to head out," he said, much to the disappointment of some of the students.

"Will you come play for us again?" one of them asked.

"Definitely! I'll keep practicing until then." Chanyeol winked, packing up his things and going to the kitchen. He ran into his mother as he opened the door, barely avoiding bumping into her.

"Are you leaving? Y/N's about to head out too," she said with a knowing look.

"I know. We're gonna go shopping and grab some food together."

Chanyeol's mom held up a finger, turning around and going into the small room reserved for her office space. Chanyeol dutifully followed along, placing his backpack and guitar case on a chair. "Mom, can you take my things home for me?"

"Of course." His mother took out a few bills from her wallet, giving them to her son. "Make sure you pay for Y/N's food too. Oh, here's some extra!" She pulled out another bill. "And grab some more dog food for Toben on your way home."

"Mom," Chanyeol whined.

"He's your dog. After all the begging you did to get a dog, you won't take care of him?"

Chanyeol knew it was wiser in the long run to just suck it up if he wanted to avoid a long lecture from his mother. "Fine." He accepted the money, smooching a grateful kiss to his mother's cheek. "I'll text you when I'm on the way home," he said over his shoulder as he left.

You were just saying your goodbyes to Minkyung, already changed out of your work clothes and back into your regular clothing. Chanyeol couldn't help but notice that you were wearing the hoodie he gifted you for your birthday a few years ago, the same year you came to work at the bakery.

"Ready to go?" you asked him, moving the strap of your bag onto your shoulder.

Chanyeol could hardly believe it — this was an outing for just the two of you. It wasn't a date, but Chanyeol still felt the exhilarating rush of butterflies in his stomach.

He nodded, moving past you to hold the door open. "Let's go!"

One subway ride and a few minutes of walking later, the two of you found yourselves in one of your favorite shops. Chanyeol felt out of place, a giant among the colorful pens and rolls of washi tape. It was easy to get distracted when everything was so pretty, and you were no different.

"Look at this bookmark," you exclaimed holding one up for Chanyeol to see. It was mostly translucent, covered in delicate drawings of flowers.

Chanyeol came over to stand by you, picking up a similar floral bookmark and sticking it behind his ear. "What do you think? Do I look pretty?"

You burst into laughter, the perfect reaction that Chanyeol had been hoping for. "Yes, very pretty," you agreed. Reaching up, you placed your bookmark behind his other ear. "Now you're twice as pretty."

Placing his hands underneath his chin, Chanyeol blinked innocently.

"Wait, I need to take a picture of this," you said between giggles.

Chanyeol gave you various poses, both of you finding the impromptu photoshoot more hilarious with each passing second. You hurried to find your pens before the shop employees could get annoyed with you for being too noisy, leaving with a paper bag of goods.

"So where's this famous pizza place?" you asked, putting your purchases into your shoulder bag.

"It's not too far away. I didn't realize that store was so close to it until we were on the subway." Chanyeol switched places with you on the sidewalk, taking the spot closest to the street so that you were walking on the inside. It was a simple gesture, but it still warmed your heart nonetheless.

Had Chanyeol always been this considerate? You had known him for a couple of years, but you only ever saw him as your goofy friend. It was strange to realize that Chanyeol could be such a gentleman as well, your thoughts drifting back to the way he had taken song requests without a complaint back at the bakery.

"Y/N?"

You looked up, eyes wide. Sometime during your reverie, the two of you had come to a crosswalk. The light was still red, people on both sides waiting to cross. "Sorry, what?"

"Do you want to sit inside, or outside?" Chanyeol pointed across the street at a restaurant. You could see groups of people eating inside or out on the patio, each caught up in their own conversations.

"How about outside? It's such a nice day today, it'd be a waste not to enjoy it."

Chanyeol grinned from ear to ear, pulling the beanie off of his head as he ran a hand through his silver hair. "You're right." He nodded towards the street as the light turned green, stepping off of the curb once it was safe to cross.

Ordering was simple, and even considering how busy the restaurant was, your food still came out fairly quickly. Your mouth watered as you looked at all the food, spicy chicken wings piled up on a plate, a large pizza taking up most of the table. Chanyeol was already biting into a cheeseball, stretching out the stringy mozzarella cheese inside.

You soon found that the restaurant really did live up to its praise, falling in love with the pizza as soon as you took a bite. "This is so good," you gushed.

Chanyeol smiled, reaching for a slice himself. "I'm glad you like it. I figured we could deserve a treat, you know, with the new semester starting and all."

"Don't remind me," you groaned. "I rarely have time for myself, nowadays."

"Same here." Chanyeol took a long sip from his soda before speaking again. "School just gets harder as we get older, huh? I miss the times when we were young and we just had to turn in a packet at the end of the week."

"Now it's just endless amounts of assigned readings and papers. And making music, in your case. What's it like this semester?"

"I did a lot of acoustic music last semester, but someone I worked with let me try out his electric guitar and god, it was awesome. The way it feels just to hold one of those, Y/N, it's insane. We've been trying to write a few songs together." Chanyeol grabbed a piece chicken, taking a huge bite out of the small wing.

"With your senior, right? The lizard guy, Gecko?"

Chanyeol choked on his food, coughing as he reached for his water bottle. He gulped down half the bottle in a flash, eyes still sparkling with mirth. "Gaeko," he corrected with a laugh.

"I was close!"

Chanyeol nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "I gotta call him that next time — Lizard Guy."

"No," you pleaded, shoulders slumping. "You know what I meant. Anyways, didn't you work with him before too?"

To your relief, Chanyeol went along with your attempt to brush off your misunderstanding. "Yeah, Sehun and I worked with him before. He's really — he lives, breathes, eats music. I've never seen anyone as passionate about music as him."

"Wow." You lifted your eyebrows, clearly impressed. "I already thought you were like that. No wonder you two get along together."

The rest of your meal passed by as you and Chanyeol talked about other things on your mind. From talking about Chanyeol's latest compositions and favorite songs, to your anthropology class and latest drama you were binge-watching, there wasn’t a dull moment in between. There was never a boring moment with both of you, even in lazy, restful times like this.

"Ugh, I don't think I can eat any more." You leaned back in your seat, both hands on your stomach.

"We have one slice still. Someone's gotta finish it." Chanyeol wiggled his eyebrows, pushing the slice closer to you.

"Fine, but only if you help me out — sharing is caring." You ripped the slice in half, leaving the other piece for Chanyeol.

"Does this mean you care about me?"

You paused, the pizza slice halfway to your mouth. "Of course I do, Yeol."

Chanyeol brought his elbows up onto the table, thumbs fiddling with each other as he mustered up the courage for his next words. "Uh, I have a performance coming up in a few months. Sehun and I are gonna perform some songs that we've been working on since summer. Do you want to come?"

"Yeol, I'd love to! I'll be there, no matter what."

Your friend cleared his throat, suddenly finding it hard to look you in the eye. "I mean as a date. But it doesn't have to be," he tacked on, worried that you'd be scared off. He took a brave peek at your face, noticing how you were shocked into silence.

"A date?" you repeated. Your breath started to quicken as it finally started to make sense — Chanyeol had been acting weird around you because he liked you. The revelation made your heart race.

Chanyeol nodded, chewing on his lips as he waited for your answer.

"Okay," you replied, completely taking him off guard.

"Really?!" Chanyeol's voice boomed, garnering the attention of a few customers close by.

"Yes," you said with a laugh. "It's a date, Yeol."

He stretched his hands out high into the air, a relieved smile on his face. "Oh my god," he breathed out. "This is great."

"Chanyeol, people are starting to look." You trued to hide your face with your hands, unable to stop yourself from giggling.

"Let them look! I'm going on a date with Y/N!" His happiness was infectious, quickly taking over you as well and leaving a warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of your stomach.

Chanyeol gobbled up the last piece of pizza left for him, and paid for the bill without letting you pay for a single cent. It was still light out, but the streetlights were just beginning to turn on.

"I'll walk you home," Chanyeol announced, proud to have the honor of doing so.

"Are you sure? Your mom will worry if you're home too late."

"I'll let her know, don't worry." Chanyeol started walking, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket.

You hurried to catch up to him, your bag bumping into your hip. Once you were by his side, you wrapped an arm around his.

Chanyeol jumped slightly at the sudden contact, smiling shyly as he realized it was you. One of his closest friends, his longtime crush, and now the possibility of something more.

Somewhere, after years of getting to know you, he had found the way to your heart.

A/N: this was very loosely inspired by exo-sc’s “rodeo station”! It’s definitely one of my favorite tracks off the album! I figured a couple of college kids would probably hang out around smaller, more casual places than a luxury department store like the apgujeong galleria haha, but I really love getting to write college chanyeol who’s loved by his neighborhood. also, I was eventually going to write sehun in during his performance with chanyeol, but the fic was already at 3k+ words, so I had to stop myself 😂

#exo #chanyeol #chanyeol scenario #chanyeol fanfic #exo scenario #exo fanfic #writings

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heartbeatan · 4 years

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Damned Royalty (Chapter 1)

Return to Table of Contents.

Return to Desperado Series.

Return to Jimin Fanfictions.

Return to Masterlist.

Chapter 1

Excitement. Trepidation. All these things coursed through your veins as you strode down the long halls of the office building. The building you knew like the back of your hand. The building you practically grew up in.

Employees left and right bowed as you passed them, just as they did everyday and had for the past few decades of your life. You cheerfully smiled and nodded back to them – to these people – these people who after today would be one step closer to becoming your people.

Despite having all the preparation one could hope for – this career, this education, these connections – you still felt an unimaginable weight upon your shoulders. You hadn’t earned your place at this conglomerate the way “your people” had. You hadn’t come up from nothing and proven your worth the way your father had asked them too. No. Because you were the heir. This life, these opportunities were handed to you on a silver platter.

You were the princess to an empire. An empire for which their livelihoods hinged. And when the time came, and you were fully at the helm, it would be you responsible for them and for your parent’s legacy.

That’s why today was so crucial. Today was the day you finally stepped out from underneath the wings of your parents and showed them and all these people what you could really do with the privilege you had been given.

As your heels clicked along the tile towards your father’s office, you mentally reviewed everything you had been reading for the past several days. Numbers. Figures. Politics. All which was relevant to todays big meeting. Your first major account and first swing at managing the business.

You turned the corner to your father’s office and were greeted by a secretary dressed sharply in a grey pencil skirt and white blouse.

“Ms. Y/N,” she stood up when she saw you.

“Is my father in there, Yoonha?”

“Yes. He’s waiting for you.”

“Thank-you,” you nodded as you marched past her desk and entered the office.

The room was as it always had been. Dark. Wood. Studded Leather. All the signs of power and old money. Your father was seated, as expected, behind his massive mahogany desk, his face buried in his work. He peered up at you over his glasses as you entered the room but didn’t greet you as you took your place in the leather wing chair across from him.

“There’s been a change,” he finally spoke as he placed his pen down and folded his hands across his chest. “The meeting has been postponed until next week.”

“What?” your voice rose as your heart sank. How could it be postponed? Did something change? Were the clients backing out? Had you screwed something up in the proposal? “What happened?”

“Nothing is wrong. Something came up with another client that we need to address immediately, so your account has been shuffled to next week.”

“Which client?”

“No one to concern yourself with.”

“Well, surely it is if they’re important enough to postpone one of our largest accounts.”

His lips pressed into a firm line, the way it did when he was debating about what to say next – what to say to you. The gesture infuriated you. Your father had always been… protective of you. Over-protective of his “little girl” the way he thought a father should be. But you weren’t his little girl anymore. You were a woman, preparing to take his place. He couldn’t shelter you from the world anymore the way he did when you were a child. There was no all-girls prep school he could shuffle you off too the first time he saw you talking to a boy; or personal coach he could hire to be sure you made the softball team. Not this time.

“Dad, please,” you pleaded with him. “If I’m going to be running the business one day, you need to let me in on what’s going on around here.”

“I’m just not sure you’re ready for this part of the business.”

“Then help me get ready. Let me sit in. I’ll be quiet and just observe. You won’t even know I’m here.”

His expression didn’t waiver. Whatever it was, he didn’t want you around. But you weren’t willing to give up just yet. So, you pulled out your secret weapon.

“Please. You know how much I love to watch you work. I learn so much from you,” you rounded your eyes and your lips formed into a pout. It was the one advantage you had over an adoring father – he could often be manipulated into giving you what you wanted.

He didn’t speak for another moment, but you could tell this time you had worn him down. He just needed one more push.

“And when the business is mine to run, I want to make you proud. Please let me sit in?”

Your father let out a sigh and rubbed his palms together.

“The thing is, Y/N,” he began. “The people we’re dealing with are dangerous people.”

You furrowed your brow, confused. “Dangerous in what way?”

“They have a lot of money and a lot… a LOT… of power and influence.”

“Is it Kim Enterprises? Or some government official?”

“No,” he sighed again. “It’s the Park’s.”

You cocked your head. The Park’s? Growing up as one, you thought you knew every chaebol in the country, - but you had never heard of the Park’s before.

“I… I’m sorry, father, I don’t think I know the Park’s.”

“I’m sure you have heard of them, sweetie. Stanford Park.”

The name was familiar, but you couldn’t figure out why you knew that name. Stanford Park? you repeated to yourself over and over again until finally it clicked.

“You mean the mob boss? Stanford Park?”

Your father nodded grimly. You felt your jaw drop as he did. You had so many questions, yet you were stunned into silence.

“I’m sorry, Y/N, I should have told you long ago.”

“We do business with the mob?!” you nearly shrieked. “Nonetheless the Park’s of all of them?”

“We have no choice, sweetie. This is the way of the world. They rule this city. If you aren’t in bed with them then you’ll find yourself in a position you really, really didn’t want.”

You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. Your father, of all people – the man who raised you, to whom you looked up to as a beacon of strength and character – had been in business with the most powerful crime ring in the country.

“For…” your voice croaked. “For how long?”

Your father looked guiltily back at you over the rims of his glasses and your heart sank. You knew then it had been for a long time…

“I’m sorry. I was afraid to tell you. But, you’re right. I need to let you in on all aspects of the business. This one, is unfortunately a key to our survival – whether or not we like it.”

You were in shock, really, but at the same time you scolded yourself for being so naïve. You had always heard the rumours. The rumours of how interlaced so many of your peers were with crime. You knew the Park’s especially had their fingers in nearly everyone’s business, but for some reason you innocently thought yours had been safe.

“Are you disappointed in your old dad?” your father broke you from your thoughts.

“No,” you sighed. “I’m just surprised, is all. I do wish you had told me earlier.”

“I’m sorry. I should have. But, now do you see why I don’t want you sitting in with us? I don’t want you involved with those kinds of people.”

“Well, if what you say is true, I already am involved with them. I might as well get a handle on the relationship sooner than later.”

He nodded. But you could tell he was no more happy about this than you were.

“When are they coming in?”

An hour passed and you were waiting anxiously in your father’s office for your clients. In that time, you had managed to review the file and prepare yourself as much as you could before their arrival. You really, really wished then you had known about your father’s relationship with the Park’s long ago. If you had, perhaps you would feel more confident and competent than you did at this moment. Regardless, who were you if not someone who was quick on her feet and adaptable. This meeting would act as your first big test.

You heard a noise outside the office, and your throat knotted. They were here. You stood up from the couch, smoothed your skirt and waited for the knock at the door. But a knock never came. Instead, the doors swung open and in strode two large men in dark suits, clearly security types. Behind them strode in an older man, about your fathers age, his head held high and his shoulders pulled back. You assumed that was Stanford Park.

Behind him in walked another man. A younger man – perhaps about your age - dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit. He had thick, smooth locks of honey-blonde hair, and a creamy, clean complexion which pulled tight over his remarkably chiseled features. He was handsome - you couldn’t deny it. It was the first thing you noticed about him, but it was those eyes of his were what really caught your attention. They were a dark, but warm, shade of brown, yet somehow, they were icy cold. His hands dipped into his pockets, he sashayed casually into the room with the aura of a man who owned the place - and for a second you may have believed that he did. He looked insouciantly around the room, at the walls, the décor, the faces as he made his way to the chair seated across from you.

“Gentlemen,” your father smiled and gestured his hand towards Stanford. Stanford took his hand and shook it firmly, before taking a seat. As if rehearsed, the room followed suit, unbuttoning their jackets as they too sat down. You watched the striking blonde man across from you as he did - you couldn’t take your eyes off him. Who was he?

Then, suddenly, his eyes snapped up to catch yours staring at him. In that moment, you could have sworn the air was sucked out of the room. Those eyes – the way they pierced through you, like you were a sheer curtain. You quickly averted your gaze towards Stanford.

“Can I offer you anything before we start, sir?”

Stanford turned to look at you, a wave of concern and confusion washing over his features.

“Forgive me for my manners,” your father spoke. “This is my daughter, Y/N.”

“Ahh,” Stanford nodded in relief. “You’ve grown up so much, Ms. Y/N.” You smiled politely back at him – a bit shaken that it seemed like this wasn’t your first meeting. Then Stanford turned back to your father. “I see we’re both trying to groom the next generation. Meet my son, Jimin,” he gestured towards the honey-blonde in front of you. So that’s who he was… Park Jimin. The son and heir to the Park family. The prince to a mafia empire.

You turned back to Jimin and stuck out your hand. His gaze was locked on you – it was intense – intense enough to send a shiver slithering down your spine. Was this just how he looked at people? He didn’t take your hand right away – or, at least it felt like it wasn’t right away. Instead, he just watched you. You felt more than self-conscious, but you kept your eyes locked on his to be sure you remained as in control and as professional as possible. After another moment, you were sure you could see the corner of his mouth curve upwards ever so slightly, before he leaned forward and took your hand in his.

Palm to palm, he gripped your hand firmly, and held it tight, as if he had no intention of letting it go.

“Pleasure to meet you,” he finally spoke. His voice rung through your ears. There was something in his tone… something almost salacious about the way he greeted you that had your heart pounding in your chest and your body on edge. He released his hold on your hand and you were sure you gasped for air. Whatever it was about him, it shook you to your core.

Get a grip, you scolded yourself. You turned back to your father and Stanford and smiled, but you could feel in your periphery that Jimin was still watching you.

“Let us begin then,” Stanford prompted, so, you opened up your file.

The meeting went on forever. The Park’s were in the process of “going legitimate” as they called it. Or, at least they were trying to open up several fronts to make them appear legitimate. For hours you discussed their existing assets, their future plans and goals and their potential. Your father and Stanford did most of the talking. Jimin seemed indifferent – or, he at least seemed indifferent to the business discussions. Something else was clearly on his mind, and that something else was you. As much as you tried not to notice or acknowledge it, Jimin stared intently at you basically the whole time. It was unnerving. He looked like he was sizing you up. Like a predator about to attack its prey. You shuffled uncomfortably in your seat, crossing one leg over the other. Jimin’s seemed to like when you did. His gaze would wander down the length of your legs then back up to the hem of your skirt, before his eyes would lock back in on your face. It was more than distracting.

By the second hour, it had become less unnerving and more irritating. Part of you wanted to screech in the middle of the room “What’s your problem?” but you didn’t want to make a scene in the middle of such an important meeting. Finally, when enough had become enough, you turned your head to face him and look him dead in the eye. He didn’t waiver. He didn’t dart his eyes away the way a normal person would when they were caught staring. No. He wanted you to know he was watching you. You cocked your eyebrow at him, giving him a sort of silent “What’s your deal?”

The pads of his fingers danced across his lips, and you could see the curve of a smile begin to form behind them. He knew he was getting to you and he liked it.

“I’m very curious to hear what you have to say, Ms. Y/N,” Stanford’s voice broke your attention from Jimin back to the room. “Since you’ll be who we deal with in the future, and all.”

The room went silent, and you could feel all eyes – at least the ones that weren’t already on you – turn to watch you in anticipation. You could feel your father’s worried energy radiate off him. You had only been introduced to this account an hour ago.

“Well, forgive me, Mr. Park, I’m new to your file,” you began. “But I do see one area we can improve.”

“And what is that?”

“Well, since you want to open up a new restaurant, I see you already have a strip club located in Guri. The thing is, that neighbourhood is in an upswing. New, swanky buildings are being constructed every day. It’s going to be a really posh area soon. The residents aren’t going to appreciate having the club around. However, it would be the perfect place for a restaurant. Given that you already own the real estate, you’ll be ahead of the game in terms of profits.”

The room went quiet again and your heart began to pound in your ears. For a moment you feared you had stated something all too obvious, or something that had already been discussed that you missed while you were distracted by Mr. Park’s insufferable son. But before you could flush red in embarrassment, Mr. Park began to nod his head.

“I like that idea. We can move the club to a new area were real estate prices are still low.”

“Yes, of course, sir,” you smiled.

“And we’ll convert the existing club into the restaurant,” Jimin spoke again for the second time.

“Yes,” you nodded, turning back to him – relieved that this time he had a reason for looking at you.

“Great,” Jimin leaned forward towards you as he spoke. “Let’s do that. I’ll oversee it.”

“Perfect, son,” Mr. Park gave Jimin a pat on the back.

“Great, then,” said your father. “I’ll have a team put on it and we’ll draw up the plans and the proposal to your liking.”

“I want to work with her,” Jimin nodded his head in your direction. “It was her idea. I want her on the project.”

Once again the room felt as if the air had been sucked out of it. You weren’t sure why. On one hand, it could be the excitement of overseeing your first major account, on the other, however, it could have been the unease you felt about having to see this Jimin character more than once after today. You knew your father would hate that – hate that you were working with these people, but if they were as influential and powerful as he said they were, you and he may have no choice.

“Forgive me,” your father spoke. “She hasn’t handled something of this scale yet – I’ll have my best people put on it.”

“No need,” Jimin sat back in his chair and straightened out his jacket. “Her and I will be working closely in the future anyway. Might as well start now. We can get to know each other.”

We can get to know each other. Something deep in your gut tingled at the way he said it – as if he was implying more than simply work. The thought should have frightened you, but something about it only intrigued you.

What was wrong with you?

#bts smut #jimin smut #jimin imagine #jimin x reader #jimin x y/n

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wintryethereal · 4 years

Text

Shift: Captured Memories

Captured Memories — 2

Description: Kim Hongjoong was completing his road trip to his friend Park Seonghwa's house in Chuseok city and stopped to fill his car with fuel and ask where Dawny Road was. He was given false directions and trespassed on the property of Ha Minkyu and kidnapped. Minkyu sent a message to Seonghwa the next morning: he would leave Hongjoong's corpse at Seonghwa's doorstep the morning of the following Friday, if Seonghwa didn't surrender. Seonghwa sent one of his best Stars to infiltrate. The information the member came back with made Seonghwa's decision to free Hongjoong clear, but the catch of becoming the owner of the estate revealed Ha Minkyu's secret to Seonghwa and made him unsure if he could win with his Stars alone. Luckily, he had also been informed about the wishes and secrets of Minkyu's servants and fifteen year old son.

Genre: Supernatural x Mafia ATEEZ

Pairings: Seongjoong, Seonghwa x OC, San x OC

Story Rating: 18+

Chapter Content Warnings: Violence, course language, non-consensual sexual contact (off camera this chapter).

Word Count: 9346

Note: The language Master (I ain’t spoiling anything, folks) speaks with San is the Elvish of my own Nursery series. This will be explained in a later chapter, but I thought it was worth bringing up now. The Elvish a pig Latin language. It, like other parts of the Nursery canon, is something I love practicing and playing with in fanfictions. You might be able to figure out what they’re saying before the language key is implemented into the story. Good luck if you decide to decipher it, and don’t worry too much if you can’t understand what they’re saying until then! If you want to come back and translate what they said for yourself, have fun.

ALSO POSTED ON AO3 AND WATTPAD BY AUTHOR AS wintryEthereal

Hongjoong drove down the highway in the late morning of Friday, November 20. He was a little too warm, so he turned down the fan to a lower setting. His eyes flicked down to his dashboard. The hand on the fuel gauge was about where it should be for Hongjoong to stop for gas without being in a panic. He thought about whether he should stop at the gas station that he would be coming upon soon, or if he should keep going and refill later. He decided the first option was wiser. He saw the Petro-Canada building on his left, a few minutes later.

Hongjoong turned on his blinker, looked to make sure the road was clear, then steered onto the dirt road and pulled into one of the aisles. He turned off the ignition, grabbed his wallet from the console and exited his vehicle, closing the door behind him. He stuffed his wallet in his jeans and lifted the gas tank door, grabbed the nozzle from the pump, fit it in his car, and interacted with the pump. Hongjoong watched the screen, and once the tank was full, he removed the nozzle and returned it to the pump. He closed the gas tank and went inside the convenience store.

Hongjoong stopped at the till and said to the male employee who was there, "$116 on pump 2, please."

"OK. Will that be all, sir?"

"Yep."

"How will you be paying?"

"Debit." Hongjoong answered. The employee nodded, then slid the machine slightly. Hongjoong tapped his card, and the machine made a noise.

"Thank you."

While putting away his card, Hongjoong asked, "Could you tell me where Downy Road is? My friend said it's after this gas station, but he didn't tell me which side of the road he said it's on, and I'd hate to drive past it."

"Take the first right. Downy Road is linked to Bawdy Road all the way down at the end."

"Ah, OK. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Have a safe drive!" The man waved.

Hongjoong waved back as he made the short distance to the door. "I will! Bye."

"Goodbye." The employee replied, as the door closed. He watched Hongjoong reach his car and turned his back to the door of the store, picking up his cellphone from the table across the till. He opens his messages and texts the person registered as 'Boss':

A gullible friend of Star is coming to what he thinks is Sir's house. Bright red hair, green eyes, short. Drives a silver Hyundai.

He watched his phone for a short time, then heard the tone of his conversation partner typing and saw the bubble with moving dots. The message read:

Thank you. I'll make sure he's met well.

The man smiled wickedly and turned the app off before turning off his phone and pocketing it.

—

Hongjoong only had to drive for another two minutes to find Bawdy Road. He switched on his blinker before turning, then steered into the gravel road and drove onwards. Both sides of the road were heavily forested with pine and a surprising amount of saskatoon bushes. Seonghwa had told Hongjoong that there were lots of bears around Chuseok because of the abundance of berry bushes that could be found in its forests. 'It must be dangerous to have his house so close to a forest, but probably appreciates the seclusion.' He thought.

Hongjoong came to the end of the road, which turned left into a paved half-circle. The two-story house was mid-olive green with a black roof, the windows and shutters black and the door and balcony that wrapped all around the second floor also black. Two black cars were parked in the lot, close to the door. Hongjoong stopped before the curve. That was not Seonghwa's house. It was much too big, and it was the wrong colour.

He'd been lied to. But why? Hongjoong's stomach churned in worry. He looked away from the house and was turning his head to look out the rear window and leave when he saw a seven foot tall creature with dry, golden skin in the passenger window. White strings of hair hung from its limbs and head like an elderly man. Its body was malnourished with a depressed belly and ribs that looked ready to puncture through the creature's skin. Its giant eyes were black and didn't reflect the sunlight. Its chapped lips formed an evil grin as the boy met the monster's eyes.

Hongjoong screamed. His hand scrambled to put his car in reverse. He heard the passenger window break and winced, closing his eyes so that glass wouldn't come into his eyes. He felt a bony hand grasp his nape and pull his head up. Hongjoong tearfully looked at the monster, its face inches away from his own. It smelled like gold and semen.

The creature's other hand suddenly reached for Hongjoong's neck, and its index finger dug into the boy's trachea. His reaction to the monster's scent turned into pain that he was unable to vocalize. The creature hummed a few notes in a low register. Hongjoong's eyes became heavy, and his head dropped. The monster stopped singing, pulled out his finger, and blood gushed out of the wound.

"Sahikto." The monster cursed, covering the injury with his hand. Its voice was thin yet loud, and sounded parched. "Dinikdin'ni'to moeani to'o peokhre tohato dineep. Saorryi abouto tohato."

It fished Hongjoong's body through the window. "San. Chomoe outo, peheasae." A boy with brown hair with a blonde streak who wore black jeans and a black blouse stepped out from the cover of the trees left of where the car idled. He hurried to the monster and walked with him to the house. "Run'ni aheadin anidin perepeare tohe toabhe phor tohisa boyi. He waaikhh nieedin saunrgeryi."

"Yiesa, Moastoer." Replied San. He ran to the door, entering the house and leaving the door open for the creature. San proceeded in the foyer past the silver stairs dressed in red carpet that came down on both sides in an arch. The light grey polished tile squeaked under his shoes. The white drywall flew past his vision like a child racing their toy car.

San threw open the door to the small room and flew to the cabinet right of the metal operating table. There was a chair on the left side of the room with leather straps attached to the arms and legs. The floor was white tile, and the room had no windows or decorations. San snatched gauze, medical tape, the bottle of sterilizer he knew was open, an encased needle, a rubber tourniquet band, medical tubes and a clear bag of anaesthetic from the cabinet. San closed the locker as the monster entered the room.

San placed the gauze, tape and sterilizer on the cabinet and hung the bag on the IV stand. The monster laid Hongjoong on the table and placed his left arm on the adjustable metal table. "Ik torunsato yioun cani toakhre tohisa phromo here." Said the monster.

"Yiesa, Moastoer. Sahahh Ik peunto hikmo ikni tohe basamoenito?" San asked. He had connected the bag to the tubes and was linking the tubes to the needle.

"Yiesa. Moakhre saunre he waaikhh be comophortoabhe." The creature said. San wrapped Hongjoong's left arm with the rubber band poked the nerve of his elbow, pushed the catheter, and removed the needle, leaving the catheter behind. "Toreato hikmo hik'khre a gunesato." San nodded, dropping the needle in the garbage bin beside the cabinet.

"Heto hikmo khrniowaa hiks saiktounatoikoni." The monster said. San held his right hand on Hongjoong's wound. An azure blue light came from San's skin, mingling with Hongjoong's and stopping the bleeding. "Ik waaikhh tohiknikhr abounto waahato to'o rehayi to Saikr."

"Yiesa, Moastoer." San replied. The creature hummed, then left the room. He heard its thudding steps go to the foyer. His mind recalled the broken groans of pain and the grotesque sounds of the shrinking skin of his master. In particular, he remembered literal gold falling from the monster's skin and collecting on the snow covered stone balcony on the roof.

San's eyes drifted to a near close as he thought his then fresh wound. His master started to cry when he saw he had hurt San, and he reached out a hand. Master stuttered, “I'm so sorry… you have… permission to go where you want to heal, tonight.” San went inside the house without another word. His master's bedroom felt especially massive and empty, in the moonlight.

Yoonha started to sing. She had waited until the end of their fight to begin her nightly serenade. She had a lyric soprano voice type. Although ‘Phorgikvniesa’ was sung in mezzo piano largo, Yoonha’s voice carried through the hallway and echoed in the foyer, a little. San walked past her room and rounded the corner two doors down, leaning against the wall and letting his body slide down until he sat on his rear. San began to heal himself, the blue light brilliant in the shadows.

Master’s footsteps came down the hallway and stopped at Yoonha’s open door. San heard him enter the girl’s bedroom. He tried not to imagine Master touching Yoonha as the girl softly moaned through her song. Master was using her powers to heal himself as he couldn’t do it himself. San couldn’t picture himself touching Yoonha so that he was the one causing her to make such pretty noises. He couldn’t with the knowledge that Master was the one creating those reactions, at the time.

Soon, Yoonha stopped singing. Her groans became short and quick, and then she let out a longer noise. San clearly heard her pant once, and the following breaths were softer. Master hummed with content and said, “Goodin’nighto.”

Yoonha replied, “Goodin’nighto, Moastoer.”

“Khreepe saiknigiknig, peheasae.” Master said. Yoonha made a noise of reply, then Master left her room and returned to his own, sighing. San heard the man’s bones crack as he raised an arm to soothe his face. Yoonha resumed singing. San waited a few seconds longer, then walked to the doorway of her bedroom and stood there.

Yoonha was dressed in a light grey, furry bathrobe, its string tied around her waist and its collar dipping low to partially expose her chest. Her thin black hair went almost halfway down her back, and her skin was a gorgeous dark tone. She was eight centimeters shorter than San. The left wall and the one where the door came from were full of theatre posters, some framed and hung on nails and others thumbtacked. Her bedding was white and yellow, the bedsheet brown to match her furniture and bed frame, and the chair at her desk where a computer was set up had a yellow cushion.

Yoonha felt San’s presence and turned her head away from the window to look at him. She beckoned with a hand for him to come closer, and so he did, coming to a stop beside her. Yoonha took San’s hand that was on his chest and lifted it to see. His wound was almost gone. Yoonha bobbed her head upon seeing this and let San’s hand rest on his body again.

She put her hand on his, and a daffodil yellow light came from her skin. The colours mixed and became a warm green, and both let out a sigh, Yoonha’s vocals tenderizing with her breath. They gazed into each other's eyes and smiled, enjoying the energy between them. A break came in the song where Yoonha was required to sing ‘la’, and San heard her voice in his head.

‘Are you feeling OK?’

‘Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for your help. You must be tired, now.’

‘Yes, I’m a little sleepy. You know how much energy it takes to heal Master.’

‘I do. How is Chankyu?’

‘He’s fine. He was heating up so quickly, I wasn’t sure I could calm him down in time. But he heard me, and now he’s asleep.’

‘That’s good. Have you heard anything, tonight?’

Yoonha shook her head slowly. ‘No. This isn’t good. You know what this means for us, and for Master and Chankyu.’

San sighed. ‘Yeah. At least we have plans for when it comes to that.’ The break of the song ended, but rather than continue singing, Yoonha stopped. ‘I’m still worried, though. Do you really think our new Master will be better to us, and everything?’

‘I do, yes. Have faith, San. We’re good creatures, and Chankyu is a good boy. We’ll be alright.’ Yoonha said.

San nodded. “Sing with me?” Yoonha asked, tilting her head with a small smile. San beamed, nodding. “Two, three…” Together, Yoonha’s voice served as the structure for the melody, and San’s fluttering voice served as the decoration.

“Ik waaikhh rechahh yiounr vikoche,

Andin ikni tohe saunriksae, Ik waaikhh have hearniedin oph hove.” Their song complete, the friends smiled, removing their hands from San’s chest. The light went away instantly. They hugged for a long moment, then they said ‘goodnight’ and San left the bedroom.

San cleared his throat and brought his thoughts back to the present. Hongjoong’s wound had healed during his space-out. San’s magic was still active. “Oops.” He yawned and ceased his powers. He gently felt Hongjoong’s neck to make sure his windpipe was fixed.

Nodding, San took a shallow dish from the cabinet and put it on the table. He poured sterilizer into it and dipped the gauze in the liquid. San cut off a bit of tape with scissors from the cabinet that he put back in the container it came from as soon as he was done with them. He removed the catheter, covered the tiny hole with the gauze and taped the piece of cotton on Hongjoong's arm. San took the anesthetic down, sealed the bag and disconnected it from the tubes, and put it away.

San went to the sink left of the door and washed the tubes thoroughly with water, followed by sterilizer. He closed the bottle and put it and the tubes away, then lifted Hongjoong onto his back, draping the boy’s arms over his shoulders and holding his legs close to his ribs. San left the room, closing the door behind him, then went across the hall and opened the door. He flicked the switch up, and the lights of the basement came on. San did his best to go down the stairs gingerly so he wouldn’t wake Hongjoong, though he knew the anesthetic wouldn’t let him wake up that easily.

The laundry machines were across from the stairs, a large freezer left of them. A cold room made the wall that was on the left side of the stairs, if one was coming down. The cell on the remaining wall was ten meters long and five meters wide. A reasonably comfortable looking mattress with a black fleece blanket was against the wall, and the concrete flooring was covered with a grey wool rug. The basement was clean and quaint, even if the cell stuck out like a sore thumb.

San stopped at the right side of the cage where it faced the stairs and held out his palm. Its door swung outwards, then San stepped inside and laid Hongjoong on the mattress. San left the cell and closed the door, which clicked into place. He squatted by the freezer and plugged in the night light that was on the floor by the vacant outlet. San sighed and got to his feet, then marched upstairs, turned off the light and departed the basement.

San knew that Master would want to be alone in his office, and that Yoonha was occupied with her duties in the forest. Mingi was probably tending to his plants and might appreciate some company, and Jongho was probably taking a nap in the barn. He hadn’t heard anything from the barn in hours. He decided to check on both his friends. San went to the end of the hall, passing the open library on his right and its white wicker chairs and couch that had rose red cushions, its glass coffee table, its white oak bookshelves and the ivory that hung from the ceiling in white plastic pots near the windows that had light, white curtains. There was one door following the small medical room, and that room was a bathroom.

San came outside and breathed in the mild, fresh air deeply, closing his eyes to absorb the scent of the forest and garden. The fifty by eighty meter lawn was occupied by flowers with a path leading from the door and around the curves of the flower beds. To the left were six white wooden boxes with strawberries, raspberries and carrots. Chicken wire was attached to a lid on each box to help stop animals from foraging. The white framed greenhouse with plastic walls and a wooden door was on the other side of the yard.

The white and green barn was on the far side of the property, left of the circular flower bed in the middle of the yard and ten meters away from the white gazebo with a black roof. The gazebo was big enough to house a wooden swing on the right and a glass table with four metal chairs that had green cushions. There was another twelve acres of forest that belonged to Master. A 250 by 200 meter section, to be precise. San spotted Mingi in the greenhouse and walked there, opening the door and grabbing the tall boy’s attention.

“Hi, Mingi.” San said, closing the door behind him.

Mingi wiped his brow with the back of his hand, smearing a bit of dirt onto his skin. “Hi! I heard screaming. Did Master kidnap someone? Their car was still running when you went in, so I turned it off. The keys are in the basket with the others. I labelled them ‘stranger’s keys’.”

San laughed. “Thanks Mingi.”

“No problem.”

“But yeah.” San sighed, stepping forward and cleaning Mingi’s forehead with a few gentle brushes of his fingers. “He got a text from Seojoon. This guest is a friend of someone in Star and wanted to know where Dawny Road is. Seojoon gave him the wrong directions, for some reason.”

“Seojoon is gay, you know. He probably wanted to impress Master in hopes that they might get together.” Mingi chuckled. “Ambitious little demon, that Seojoon.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.” San sighed again. “I feel bad for Sir. He’s in over his head, and he doesn’t even know about our guest, yet.”

Mingi nodded. “Me, too. It would be nice to have someone like Sir as our master, though.”

San quirked an eyebrow. “Do you think Sir would even want to be our master?”

“That’s a good question. Sir is busy as is. He might not even survive.”

San shook his head. “No, I think he’d survive.”

“You do?” Mingi replied, leaning his arms against one of the boxes.

“Yeah. Sir has to be at least a decent person, to have a gang that does good things. But like you said, he might not be able to because of his existing responsibilities.”

“But then…” Mingi’s face fell. “We won’t have a home. The imps are one thing, they’ll go back to Hell. But the pond is broken, so we can’t leave. San, he’ll have to become our master. It’s life or death for us.”

San lowered his eyes and frowned. “You’re right. I forgot about that.” He ran his hands down his face. “What can we do to let Sir know that we need him?”

“Master is thinking of what to trade with Sir for our guest, right?” Mingi questioned. San nodded. “I bet that Master wants to own everything that Sir has, for Sir to completely surrender. It’s in his nature, his sin. Is there something we can slip into the message to warn Sir about Master?”

“Warn him, and then what? Master isn’t weak to bullets or blades. Sir would have a death wish, if he were to seize our house. Sir would have to…” San’s face stilled, his mouth open.

“What?” Mingi asked, quietly.

“Infiltrate. Mingi, that’s it!” San hoarsely exclaimed. “Sir will decide to infiltrate our home to scope it out, right?” Mingi bobbed his head.

“Sir will send his scout out at night; that’s just common sense. One of us will sneak out and wait for the scout to arrive. Our person will tell our story as much as necessary and convince the Star to go home with the information. Master won’t be able to interfere if…” He swallowed. “If Yoonha agrees to help distract him.” He groaned and made a face. “Ugh, I hate that part.”

“I understand your feelings for Yoonha.” Mingi shook his head. “I don’t like the idea of her asking to please Master.”

“Me either. She’s never done it before. Master would become suspicious.”

“But she’s so good at comforting him. She’s one of his only comforts… maybe she can come up with a lie so Master will be more likely to accept?”

San nodded. “Maybe so, yeah. She has the right kind of personality for it, definitely.”

“So that’s settled, unless Yoonha says ‘no’.” Mingi said, and San nodded more. “Which one of us do you think should meet the Star?”

“Chankyu. He’s the only one of us who Master won’t suspect. He goes out at night sometimes, remember?”

“Right, yeah! Yoonha does, too, to stargaze.”

“Right.” San nodded firmly.

“Hey, wait! She might be able to come out, after she’s done with Master. The Star might want to hear her out, too.”

“Mm, yeah. But what if the Star doesn’t trust either of them?”

“Then…” Mingi stared at the floor. “That part of the plan fails. Then what? And what if Yoonha doesn’t want to help out with Master?”

San grumbled and rubbed his eyes. “I don’t know, right now. I’ll have to think about it, more.”

“I’ll try to think too, but if I think too much about something that serious, the garden will look weak in the morning and Master will want to talk to me. But I’ll try.”

San gave a small smile. “Thanks, Mingi. Don’t worry about it too much, OK? I really don’t want you to get in trouble. It’s fine if you focus on your garden.” Mingi bobbed his head, smiling a little. “I’m going to talk to Jongho about this, and then I need to see if our guest is awake. Have fun with your plants!”

“I will! Have fun too, I guess.” Mingi laughed. San giggled back, then the two waved and San left the greenhouse, closing the door. San travelled to the barn and opened the rightmost door just enough so he could see inside.

Jongho, who had California blond hair, was asleep on the top of the hay bales at the back of the barn. If he were to try and stand, he would only be able to straighten his back halfway. San smiled upon seeing the sleeping boy. “Cute.” He mumbled.

The four horses welcomed San to their home with their eyes. The chestnut close to Jongho, on the left side of the structure, whinied. Jongho stirred, quietly mewling as he sat up, rubbing one eye and looking at San with his other, half-opened eye. “Hi, hyung. What’s up?”

San walked further into the barn, coming to the hay. “I need to talk with you about something. I just came from the greenhouse.”

“Oh? Is everything OK?” Jongho shuffled forward on his knees and swung his legs over the edge. “I kind of heard something, outside. Did Master kidnap someone, again?”

San nodded, chuckling silently. “Yep. A friend of someone in Star. Seojoon gave him the wrong directions. Mingi thought it was because Seojoon wanted this to help him start a romance with Master.”

Jongho guffawed. “Fat chance. Master isn’t gay.” San laughed loudly.

“OK, we didn’t think about that. Anyway, since Master is thinking of what to tell Sir he wants in trade for our guest, we know that Master will want Sir’s everything.” San said. Jongho nodded softly, humming. “Sir will send someone to scout our home at night, so our plan is to send Chankyu out to meet him.”

“Who’s going to distract Master?” Jongho threw up a finger. “Wait, no, let me think…” He made a face. “Ew, Yoonha? Do you really think she’ll agree to that?”

“Maybe. Probably. I know how fed up she is with doing favours for Master, already, so that’s the only counter to her agreeing. But we all want him gone, and Yoonha’s a smart girl, so I want to believe that she’ll say yes.”

“Chankyu will say yes, for sure. It’s worth a shot. Asking Yoonha to help, I mean.” Jongho said. San bobbed his head. “So what are we gonna do if the Star panics and tries to shoot Chankyu?”

San quirked an eyebrow. “Did your brain forget that Chankyu is Master’s son?”

“Oh yeah…” Jongho replied. San giggled. “The plan has to work. At least on Chankyu’s end. If Yoonha can’t distract Master for long enough, we’ll have to step in.”

San made a small noise, shaking his head. “No. I’ll have to step in. You and Mingi have never fought Master before. You wouldn’t last two seconds against him.”

Jongho looked offended. “Are you forgetting my faces?”

“That’s not what I meant, Jongho. I’m not saying your lion face is incapable of fighting. Even your ox and eagle faces could fight. But Master is stronger than you are. It would break my heart, and Mingi, Yoonha and Chankyu’s hearts, if he hurt you.”

“Like how he hurt you, two winters ago?” Jongho shook his head. “I already have scars, hyung. Our world is hurt, just like you and me. Actually, so is this world.”

“I appreciate your worry for me, but if our plan goes wrong and Master tries to go outside and hurt the Star, I won’t let you fight Master alone.” Jongho’s face was red with warmth. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. He spoke with a dry mouth. “Maybe, if we work together, we won’t get hurt so bad.”

San kept eye contact with Jongho for a moment. He knew Jongho would keep his word and come out and fight Master with San, regardless of what he said next. San sighed tediously and nodded with a heavy head. “OK. I’ll fight with you, if it comes to that, Jongho. We won’t even need to practice, since we know Master so well.”

Jongho said, “I think the only thing we’ll have to worry about is Yoonha. She might accidentally get hurt by Master or us.”

San nodded more leisurely. “I agree. We’ll have to be wary of where she is. We should try to take it to the forest too, so we don’t have to fix the house.” Jongho bobbed his head. “I think that’s everything I need to tell you?” San turned his eyes to the ceiling in thought.

“I can’t think of anything else we need to talk about, either. But I’m sure you’re going to talk with Yoonha and Chankyu to get more ideas, so we’ll talk later.”

“Of course. The five of us will have a chance to talk together this evening, anyways.” San said. Jongho jerked his head. “I’ll let you get back to your nap.”

“Nah, I shouldn’t sleep for any longer, if I want to sleep tonight. I was going to take Seungmin out for a ride after my nap, too.”

San giggled. “How long were you planning to sleep in here?”

“Only an hour. I fell asleep at nine.” Jongho pouted. “Why?”

San laughed. “It’s twenty to twelve, Jongho.”

The younger boy gave an exasperated sigh. “I guess I’ll take Seungmin out after lunch, then.”

“Why don’t you head inside and see if Yoonha wants to start making food? She’ll give you something to do, at least. I’ll walk you there. Need to check on our guest.”

“Sure.” Jongho replied, his voice strained from motion as he dropped two rows down. He stepped onto one bale of hay before he was safe to skip the partial row of hay onto the concrete. San led Jongho out of the barn, though Jongho paused to give the chestnut’s muzzle a pet. “I’ll be back in an hour, and then we’ll go for a ride, OK?” Seungmin whinied in response.

The boys left the barn, San closing the doors. He picked up the white wooden plank on the ground and dropped it into place on the doors. The two glanced at the greenhouse, wondering if Mingi would notice them. After a moment, he did, waving excitedly to his friends. They waved back, laughing.

San and Jongho reached the back door and came into the house, San opening the door and Jongho closing the door behind them. They scuffed their feet on the mat, then proceeded to the foyer and looked left into the kitchen and right into the dining room. The kitchen counters and tiles were white and the appliances steel, everything spotlessly clean. There was a pair of transparent glass vases with fake red roses and baby’s breath on the island, and another plastic white pot of ivory hung in the window that faced the front yard and dressed with curtains matching those in the library.

“She’s not in here.” Jongho stated. “Must be in her room.”

The dining room furniture was white oak with red cushions. The long table had ten chairs with simple back railings plus two with taller back railings on the ends. A red table cloth ran along its polished surface, and three more transparent vases with red roses and baby’s breath were on the cloth. A grandfather’s clock was in the far left corner, beside a window with the same curtains as the room across the hall. A beautifully crafted white chest was against the left wall, two meters behind the chair.

Jongho and San went up the rightmost staircase. San rounded the right corner and came to the door on that wall, while Jongho went to the other end of the hall. San knocked twice and said, “Chankyu? It’s San. Can I come in?”

“Yeah, come in.” A teenage boy with a lyric tenor voice answered. San opened the door and peeked inside. Chankyu’s black hair was fringed and had long, split bangs. He had a small nose and dark blue eyes.

Chankyu sat on his bed reading a hefty book. His bed was red with furry throw pillows and black metal framing, and it was six meters away from the door. His walls had colourful, graphic murals of a man and woman fighting dragons and monsters. The large window behind his bed had light filtering red curtains. His wooden nightstand on the right side of his bed was black, and so was his desk, where a computer was set up.

Chankyu reached over to his nightstand, grabbing the shiny, black bookmark with a black string and placing it in his book. “What’s up?” He sat forward and dropped his book on his bed as San entered the bedroom and politely shut the door behind himself. “Oh…” Chankyu pursed his lips and lowered his volume. “Something Dad shouldn’t find out, eh?”

San sat on the end of his bed. He spoke at a low volume, as well. “Yeah. You saw what happened outside, right?” Chankyu nodded. “Our guest is a friend of someone in Star. We think Master is going to ask Sir to surrender everything he has in trade for him.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me. His sin is greed, and Sir has a lot of things for Dad to take.” Chankyu said with a blunt tone, reaching over to grab his red water bottle and taking a long drag from it. He licked his lips and put the bottle back.

“Sir is likely going to send a Star to look at this place. We’re hoping that you’ll go out and talk to him about our situation while Yoonha distracts Master.”

Chankyu raised his brow. “Has Yoonha agreed to this, already?”

San shook his head. “We haven’t talked to her, yet.”

“So if she says ‘no’, you’re just gonna fight Dad so I can talk with this guy?”

“I guess so…” San’s eyes fell to the blanket. “We haven’t talked about what to do if she says ‘no’, yet.”

“Is it just gonna be you fighting him? Is Jongho going to help?”

San nodded. “Yeah, Jongho will be helping.”

“Oh, OK. Well, I know just what to tell whoever comes here, so you don’t have to worry about that. But Yoonha…” Chankyu hissed. “She might say ‘no’. You two have a special relationship. Everyone in this house knows that.”

“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that.” San tucked in his lip.

“But she might say ‘yes’. Out of all of us, she’s the best liar. Dad can’t detect lies with his powers, so that’s a plus for us. You know what? I’m not worried about her saying ‘no’, now that I’ve said that.” Chankyu said. San nodded.

“I am worried about how badly Dad’s gonna hurt you and Jongho, if something goes wrong on her end. Especially since Star is kind of on my ass about my little crimes.”

San’s eyes flew open. “Chankyu, no. You don’t have to go on a killing spree just to help us.”

“I will have to, if he hurts you badly enough. You can’t use your powers if you’re like that. You’ll black out if you try. This is one of those times where we have to trust each other, right?” Said Chankyu. San bobbed his head reluctantly.

“Then, let’s trust each other.” Chankyu threw himself back to lay on his bed. “Maybe Sir will overlook my criminal record and be my friend, as our new master. Heh heh.” San chuckled and laid on his side, at Chankyu’s left.

“Aw man, that’s gonna be a hell of a surprise for Sir, isn’t it?” San said. Chankyu hummed, nodding. There was knocking on the door. San turned his body to see. “Who is it?”

“Jongho.”

“Come in.” Chankyu said. Jongho entered and closed the door behind him.

“She’s in.”

“What?” San responded, sitting up rather quickly.

“For real?” Chankyu propped himself up on his elbows.

“I know, I was shocked, too.”

San said, “I didn’t think you’d tell her about our plan, right away.”

“Oh, you thought I’d just ask her to let me cook with her, huh?” Jongho replied, and San bobbed his head. “Well, I did, and she said ‘yeah’, but she knew I had more to say ‘cause I never come in her room.”

“True, you don’t.”

“It smells so nice in there.” Jongho said, scratching his head with a flushed face.

“Just like daffodils, huh?” Commented Chankyu. Jongho jerked his head enthusiastically, a little smile on his face. San giggled at his reaction.

San inquired, “So how did you ask her about… what she’s going to do?”

“I told her about what Chankyu was going to do and what we wanted her to do. Before she could answer, I told her what would happen if she wasn’t able to distract Master for long enough. She said ‘I hope you’ll take it outside so we don’t have to repair the walls and stuff.’, and I said ‘Well yeah, of course.’ ”

“Did she look… troubled, when you told her about her job, in our little mission?”

“For a second, when I was talking about ‘plan b’, she looked angry. Or frustrated. She tucked in her lips and closed her eyes.”

“Ooh, she was angry, all right.” Chankyu said. San and Jongho gave him puzzled looks.

“How are you so sure?” San asked, his sentence broken into sections.

“Really?” Chankyu looked surprised. “Do you not remember the look on her face, whenever Dad leaves the room after playing with her?” San nodded slowly. “She’s pissed at him. She wasn’t angry at you, Jongho.” Jongho bounced his head up and down.

“I know the way she looks at you, San. The way she looks around when she talks about you. She’d be happier than a cannibal with a pile of warm corpses if Dad was dead. You know how much she yearns to be with you, San.” Chankyu said.

San spaced out as Chankyu talked, envisioning an autumn day, last year. Yoonha was outside with Chankyu and had squatted to cry, her body mostly concealed by the flowers. Chankyu rubbed her back and looked up to the windows of the library to meet San’s eyes. The boy’s stare was intense and expectant. His power surged forth redness in his irises as Chankyu relayed a message: “This can’t go on forever.”

San shook his head and replied: “But it might.” Chankyu frowned and looked at the grass to lose himself in his memories. San bit his lip and went away, retreating to his room to cry. Along with other futilities, San and Yoonha’s romance was impossible because of Master.

Master had forbidden Chankyu from exploring his powers, so there were only Warm Embers and a dog bored in Hell. Furthermore, Master’s weakness was hidden somewhere none of them could find. Master had wounded the boys, even Chankyu, when they searched for the treasure. Master had yet to have sex with Yoonha, but it was a matter of time before Master got bored of favours and wanted her virginity. It was a wonder he hadn’t done so, already. But that was because lust wasn’t Master’s sin.

San shut his eyes tight. He knew that turning point was what he was afraid of. Yoonha’s body would be strong enough to grow a nephilim full term. The possibility of her surviving labour, however… San groaned and let his body fall flat on Chankyu’s bed. He covered his eyes with one arm and closed his eyes.

“Deep in thought, I see.” Chankyu said, but San barely registered his voice. Yoonha had needed San since the first time he had embraced her after Master had used her. San had been brought to the estate that day. Yoonha had bawled in his chest and found comfort in him from that night onwards, even after Yoonha became accustomed to her role in Master’s life and told San that he didn’t need to come and check on her, anymore. San liked to hold Yoonha. It was his own comfort. A pure one, immeasurably far from the kind Master had with her.

He knew their love, no matter how early in bloom, would help Yoonha’s spirit fight against evil, if Master impregnated her. But San knew it would only protect her so much, because they hadn’t made any milestones, hadn’t made any memories. And that was where the powers of Heaven came in, that was what separated the servants, and, in part, Chankyu, from Master. Master was forgetful and lowly, simple minded and pathetic with sparks of brilliance and terror. Even as a human, he slept almost all day and only woke to fulfill his body’s basic needs.

Now and then, and at times like this, San was reminded that Heaven was technically on their side. The Fourth Circle was pitiful, its demons predictable and ugly. God would be thankful, if Master was returned to his place. He might fix the pond, and then they could go home. San’s fretful face changed into bliss as he thought of the Garden.

It was so beautiful, and went on as far as pangea had. He missed the saints, especially Faith and Emmanuele. San thought of his herd and the passage of rite he had been torn from right under the watch of Chente. His lip quivered as he recalled how his heart raced as Master pulled him through the pond. He saw Master and screamed. San tore at the grass helplessly. His ankles were sore from how the demon held him.

Chente rushed forward with his lucid power, within the fraction of a second it took San to blink. Chente grabbed San’s hand, and suddenly the saint’s panicked expression turned solemn. He said, “You will come back, so have faith and be good.” And let go, the damn sheep.

San’s face became heated, and he spun around on the bed, grabbing one of Chankyu’s pillows and burying his face in it. Chankyu and Jongho glanced at each other. Jongho quietly sat on the edge of Chankyu’s bed. Chente could have saved him! He must have heard Raphael and been told to let go. San had realized this was fate long ago, but he still hated it.

He should be travelling the Garden with his friends or courting the pretty doe he was dotting on. He deserved that life. He had dreamed of his home and singing just to sing, of dancing with his friends and sitting by the river with the doe, but Master and Hell always ruined the peace. The waking world was kinder, even though Master was there. Mingi, Yunho, Chankyu and Yoonha were there, and Earth wasn’t all that bad.

San would have been able to choose where he wanted to spend his life, had it not been for Master. His choice had been made for him. God’s law had been disrupted, and the saints were capable of correcting that. But San had been let go to… what? Again, right now, San was frustrated because he didn’t know where all of this was going.

“Dad’s going to die.” Chankyu said, frankly. San moved his head to look at the teenager. “That’s where all of this is going.”

Jongho choked on his breath. “You shouldn’t say that so loudly, Chankyu…”

“So?” Chankyu shrugged. “He knows that I hate him.” He lowered his voice. “The only risk is if I talk about you guys so loudly.”

“I thought you couldn’t read minds?” San questioned, pushing himself up to sit.

“Me too, honestly. It must have been because you were thinking so hard about your anger.”

“More evidence to suggest that your sin is wrath?” Replied Jongho, tilting his head.

Chankyu shrugged. “I guess so. Anyway, San: if Chente said you’d come home, to have faith and be good, I’d say you’re on the right track. So far as I know, you’ve been good to everyone here.”

“I’m positive he has been.” Jongho stated, shaking his head and shrugging.

“In that case, you’re sure to go home, after all is said and done. Which means Mingi, Jongho and Yoonha will get to go home, too. Your species don’t interact much, if at all, but now that you’re connected through memories, you’re sure to meet again, yeah?” Chankyu said. San jerked his head up and down. “Then that’s that! I know how hard it is for all of you to be so far from home. Hell, even I don’t feel at home here.”

“You wanna go to Hell?” San chuckled, blinking.

Chankyu shrugged with pursed lips. “Never been there, before. I hear it’s fun to explore, beyond the Circles. Maybe I’ll find some pals to journey with. Battle buddies, ya know? I don’t care what Circle they’re from or their gender and etcetera, so long as they’re decent.”

“That makes sense, for you, Chankyu.” Jongho said, looking around at the murals.

Chankyu smiled a little and looked around his room. “Yeah. It’d be nice to be free, like that. It’ll be good for all of us, when Dad’s gone. Let’s be hopeful, even if parts of our plan aren’t guaranteed.”

San and Jongho nodded. “All right, that’s all there is to say. Leave me alone now, will ya?” Chankyu reached for the book on his nightstand, opened the book and put his bookmark on the table. San and Jongho laughed while they crawled out of Chankyu’s bed and started towards the door.

“Thanks for talking with us, Chankyu.” Said San, turning his body to the boy.

Chankyu nodded with a tiny smile in response. “See you in a minute. Yoonha must be almost done with lunch.” San nodded, then he and Jongho left the bedroom, Jongho closing the door.

“Wait here, hyung?” Jongho requested. “I’ll run down to the kitchen and ask Yoonha if she’s close to being done.” San nodded again. Jongho trotted down the left side of the stairs.

San leaned forward against the railing, attention on the chandelier that hung in the foyer. It had a black frame, nine lantern shaped bulbs on the bottom circle and five on the second circle. It was the fanciest light fixture in the house. Every other was an unpatterned dome with a black frame. San sighed and scratched his brow.

This little mission of theirs was going to be unnecessarily bothersome. He consciously tried to push his worries about his friends to the back of his mind, but it only made his head ache. San rubbed his temple and leaned further into the railing. He wanted to just snap his fingers and solve everything in an instant. But he wasn’t that strong of a demon. He wasn’t even a demon.

San held out his arms and looked at his hands: pretty and soft yet, veiny and sexy. His species believed that those with hands like his were perfect, most desirable for breeding and service to God. At the time of his kidnapping, San had scarcely practiced his skills and had only recently begun to talk with the angels and saints about the House and what he could do to achieve higher living. Controlled blind faith, like controlled blind magic and love, was the most he knew. Because God gave freedom to mankind, their choices were both purposeful and random. The strength of one’s actions and words were dependent on one’s understanding of that freedom, it’s connection to God and all living things.

One didn’t need to believe in God to achieve that strength. The connection was faith in oneself and others, it was love, acceptance and the will to protect oneself and others. The ways of life in fairy tales and epics was, in those ways, the way of God. Those who could realize the endless freedom this meant would find happiness, regardless of fate and consequence, because the power of God would rescue the good from evil, no matter how long one had suffered. This meant that one could cheat their fate, and this was how Faith had discovered the way to defeat Benajah.

The most painful thing of all was not abuse or abandonment but time. One must understand that faith and the other links to God in order to withstand that pain and overcome it. Sorrow, anger, fear and loneliness were needed to reach joy, empathy, courage and company. Some could live their entire lives without experiencing the poor side of life first-hand, but others would live and die with that life. The role of those who knew people from both paths was also important, as their actions and words had the power to encourage or discourage change, positive or negative. But the goal was to see all of this and guide oneself and others, as much as possible, to goodness, so that victims, suspects and witnesses could reach utopia, even if that was not in life on Earth but in the technically non-existent afterlife.

The Nursery and Basement made the afterlife a reality, even if the Judaist way of God meant it wasn’t wholly true. Death was a blank slate of peace unless one had sinned or done a great thing, and then one would be damned or sainted. But the Nursery and Basement was created by the imagination of man, in a wonderful way. Dante Alighieri had created this canon, this place for the dreamers of man to be sent to after death. There were two canons, and both were good and filled the House with life.

“San-hyung!” Jongho called, spooking the boy so badly that his heart jumped in his chest. San lost his grip and threw his hands out to grab the handrail, spreading his legs. Jongho laughed. “You’re daydreaming a lot today, aren’t you?”

San cleared his throat and rubbed his chest. “I guess so, yeah.”

“Lunch is ready. Go and tell Master and Chankyu, please?”

“Wait, already?”

“San, I left you, like, three minutes ago. Yoonha only started cooking ten minutes ago.”

“Oh.” San heaved, bowing his head. “I’ll go and tell everyone.”

“Thank you, hyung.” Jongho smiled, then went up the hallway towards the library. San guessed he was going out to get Mingi. San went back to Chankyu’s room and knocked.

“Yes?”

“Lunch time, Chankyu.”

“OK, thanks.” Replied the teen. San went to the other side of the hall, stopping at the door that was attached to the wall that made the other corner. He knocked, then waited three seconds. He knocked louder. He heard Master stir with surprise.

“Yes?” The man’s dramatic tenor voice croaked.

“Lunch time, Master.”

��Thank you.” San went downstairs and entered the dining room. Yoonha sat at the very left end, her back to the corridor. The table was set with white plates with sandwiches, white bowls of what San’s nose determined was beef and potato stew, tall glasses and a plastic pitcher of water, and silver cutlery. San stopped behind Yoonha’s chair, and as the girl smiled, craning her neck to look at him, San smiled too, resting his hands on her shoulders and rubbing her joints.

“Hi, San.” She said.

“Hi.” He answered. “How are things, now?”

Yoonha blew air through her lips. San heard Jongho and Mingi come in through the back door. “Fine, I guess. Armaros was playing dirty, as always. He almost had my ass in his palm, but I got an assist from Titan and made it out fine.” San gave a noise of surprise.

“I thought you were going to get our guest?” Jongho asked, as he and Mingi walked into the room.

“Oh, shoot!” San jumped where he stood, pecked a kiss on Yoonha’s head without thinking, then dashed into the hallway and went to the basement. Yoonha tucked in her lips and gingerly touched her head. Mingi and Jongho had also sucked in their lips and glanced upstairs to make sure Master wasn’t there. Chankyu came down the stairs while the two looked that way, his head bowed.

Once he stood before the boys, he said, “I just felt Dad snap his head one way. He was looking at the floor so intensely I swore he was going to start firing lasers like Superman. Where’d San go?”

“To get our guest.” Mingi and Jongho lowly answered, peeking in that direction.

“Let’s excuse San’s slip-up by saying he was in a hurry and wasn’t thinking, yeah?” Chankyu said. Mingi and Jongho nodded shortly. Chankyu led them into the dining room. “That’s probably the truth, anyway.”

“I think so, too.” Yoonha added, clearing her throat and relaxing her posture. San almost slammed the basement door behind him. He regained control of his strength during the motion and closed it politely. San coughed twice and jogged downstairs.

He turned his head to look at the cell as soon as he passed the wall and saw that their guest was awake. Hongjoong was sitting stark upright on the mattress, his pupils blown wide. San came to a stop at the cage and opened it with his powers. The guest’s chest jolted back in shock.

San bowed his head slightly, folding his hands over his abdomen. “Hi, I’m San. What’s your name, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Hongjoong.” No sooner had he said it than he bit his tongue and moved his eyes to the ceiling. He asked himself if he should have lied.

“Nice to meet you, Hongjoong.” San bowed his head again. “Sorry I had to put you in here. It was an order, you see. How’s your throat feeling?”

Hongjoong’s eyebrows jumped, and he touched his throat. His eyes widened in realization. “Did you do this?”

San nodded. “I was hiding in the trees. Master didn’t mean to poke you so deeply. He carried you into our medical room, and I healed your esophagus, then took you down here.”

“I see… what is your Master, if I may ask?” Hongjoong narrowed his eyes a tad.

“Master, as the audience have probably guessed, is actually Ha Minkyu, the owner of this estate.”

Hongjoong looked surprised again. “That was Ha Minkyu? I had no idea… Seo—” His mouth hung open for a moment. “—Sir probably doesn’t know either.”

“No one knows, except for the audience and those watching from Heaven and Hell.”

“The… audience?” Hongjoong repeated, almost closing his eyes in bewilderment. “You’ve said that twice, now.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it.” San threw his hand. “This Story must be consumed in sections, rather than all at once, by people like you who don’t know about the House and are not mentally ready to chew on that canon.” Hongjoong squeezed his eyes and slowly shook his head. “Let me just talk about Master, a little.”

“Please, yes.”

San chuckled. “Master is a demon of greed. We expect him to offer you to Star in trade for everything Sir has.”

Hongjoong raised his eyebrows. “You realize Sir is going to send someone to look at this place, right?”

San bounced his head a little. “Yes, we do. We have a plan, but I can’t explain right now. Master will suspect I’m plotting something, if we stay here much longer. Come with me, please?” He nodded to the exit. ”We’d like to have lunch with you.”

“You’re going to trust me not to run?” Hongjoong replied, lifting his brows.

San nodded again. “Yes, I am. Minkyu’s son is half-demon. Master has ordered him to stop guests who have tried to flee many times. Chankyu has Warm Embers. We don’t know much about his powers because Master doesn’t allow Chankyu to explore them. In any case, it would suck if I had to heal you again, right?” Hongjoong nodded.

“Then trust us.” San said. Hongjoong bit his lip and closed his eyes in thought. “I’ll talk more about Master and our world, when I bring you back here. Master is fine with us talking to our guests. He trusts us because we have been good to him.”

Hongjoong opened his eyes to look at San, huffing and smiling. “You sure are talking a lot, for someone who doesn’t have much time to explain.”

“Ah, you’re right. At least we can say I was talking about Master. Are you good at acting?”

Hongjoong swayed his head from side to side. “I’m all right, I guess.”

“Then act terrified of Master. He’ll stop asking questions and start talking about things we might not have predicted, then.” San said. Hongjoong nodded firmly. “OK! Let’s go.”

San led Hongjoong out of the cell, leaving the door open. As they came to the stairs San said, “The stairs are safe, don’t worry. No ankle stabbers.” Hongjoong laughed.

San opened the door and held it open for Hongjoong, who instinctively looked left into the dining room and found the scrutinizing stare of Minkyu. His eyes were a dark brown that seemed black, from a distance. His black hair had a slight fringe, his face, long and mask-like, bare of wrinkles. An unnatural thing for a middle aged man. San lightly bumped Hongjoong’s arm with the back of his hand, startling Hongjoong a little. Hongjoong heard a sound of amusement from Minkyu.

He followed San into the room, and Minkyu gestured for Hongjoong to sit to the right of the girl, who Hongjoong decided was Yoonha. A blond boy was on Hongjoong’s other side. San sat across from Yoonha, a tall, peach haired boy beside San. Hongjoong guessed the black haired boy at the other end of the table was Chankyu from his hair. The father and son’s faces were nothing alike, but their round ears were similar. Hongjoong wondered what else was different between the two.

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narniadreams · 4 years

Text

hello lovelies !!

i was tagged by my dearest angels @highqueen and @lucypcvensie thank you both for always tagging me xxxxx <3

i will make these top 10′s out of things that i have been enjoying lately

movies!!

the chronicles of narnia, the lion, the witch and the wardrobe

后来的我们 (us and them)

room

how to train your dragon

天気の子 (weathering with you)

사냥의 시간 (time to hunt)

기생충 (parasite)

少年的你 (better days)

37 seconds

all the bright places

books!!

the kane chronicles, the red pyramid

the kane chronicles, the throne of fire

all the bright places

room

de wereld van- van gogh (it’s a dutch book)

the hunger games

the chronicles of narnia, voyage of the dawn treader

the signs (astrology book)

de verborgen kamer (a dutch book i hadn’t read again since highschool !)

korean from zero 1 (lol does this count?)

music!!

용서 - 주윤하 (forgiveness - ju yoonha)

cilla - 설 (surl)

where are you now - 하현상 (ha hyunsang)

weak - AJR

falling in love - 유니크 (uniq)

aisha - tony anderson

fall back into you - saltnpaper

life sucks - 핫펠트 (ha:tfelt)

stand up - 超特急 (bullet train)

金曜日のおはよう- HoneyWorks feat. Gero

tv shows!!

avatar the last airbender

brooklyn nine-nine

킹덤 (kingdom)

반의 반 (a piece of your mind)

???

a dutch baking show??

a dutch farmers searching for love tv show??

a dutch show where problematic teenagers go to a special school to give them another chance to better themselves and their lives????

i don’t watch many tv shows

sorry???

hahahaha i’m sorry my answers are all over the place.. anyways !!

i’m tagging these dear people: @narnianfarmer @lasaraleen @c0ffeebee @edmundforpresident @professorkirke @digorykirke sorry if you have already been tagged ! (or if i tag u too much TT_TT)

#this is a big mess #this is not even my all time favourite top 10 #its just stuff i've recently liked ngnfddh #about me

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euphorianyx · 5 years

Text

Daddy Issues [Sunset] -29-

Pairing: JungKook & Reader Genre: Smut, Fluff, Angst Summary: A top student, marks always high. College was not a dream for her…Except she didn’t have enough money. Her parents never earned much so they literally took care of themselves. Her boss acting like a dick towards her she quit her job. Even though she had no idea what she let herself into this was her only option.

Other Chapters

Cha Kwon raised from his seat.

“Us dealing white is already the talk here and Kim NamJoon has evidence so we are done!”

Soon police started to walk around their side of the building and people were side-eyeing Kwon Cha and Kwon YoonHae. They were being taken to the police station and the press was already lined up to take pictures of them. The social media blew with their news. Pictures and thoughts were everywhere.

Seeing the mess and being informed about everything Father Jeon stormed into JungKook’s room. He was shooting bullets from his eyes.

“Care to explain what the hell are you doing?”

With the victory, JungKook had a big cocky smirk on his face.

“Why father? You did not like the way I took care of things?”

Father Jeon slammed his hand on JungKook’s mahogany desk.

“There is no way this will not rub on us. The kingdom will be ruined because of your impulsiveness.”

Trying to please his father literally all his life JungKook learned a lot. If he got the company into this he might as well get it out. He did not lose the smirk on his face which made his father even angrier than he already was.

“Do not worry father. Trust me for once, will you?”

Not being able to follow JungKook, Father Jeon arched an eyebrow at him.

“Don’t do anything reckless.”

It was the only threat he could throw since he had no control over this. JungKook called YugYeom to arrange a press conference. Sooner than expected reporters took their seat in the room. They left their microphones on the stand one by one. Standing by the door JungKook fixed his tie then casually walked in. Within his dark grey suit and black shirt, he managed to look chill yet intimidating. As soon as he stepped in, the room fell silent.

“Following the current events in the name of our company I felt the pressure to clarify a few things. We are surprised as much as everyone else. As an honest citizen of this country, we have done anything with utmost care but even we made mistakes. We could not notice the dirty games that were played beneath the surface. Trust is a crucial point in our work and sadly we trusted the wrong people. To assure you I would like to remind, we have everything under record and will accept to go under investigation if its seen necessary. I hope everyone understands and keeps in mind we are not related to alleged crimes. Thank you for your consideration.”

When he returned from the press conference his father greeted him by the door with his hands in his pockets.

“Playing the victim, huh? I really underestimated you but have you ever thought what if society wants an investigation? What are we going to do?”

JungKook arched an eyebrow at him.

“Did we do anything that we would be ashamed of?”

Without waiting for any response JungKook walked past his father.

NamJoon was all prepared when the investigation started. He worked with police and pointed out every single fault one by one. Soon he was meeting with YoonHae. With handcuffs and no make up on her face she lost all her glory.

“I know why you did this NamJoon.”

Fixing his light beige jacket NamJoon stared down at YoonHae behind his glasses then sat down across her. The small square table was the only thing separated them.

“For revenge, you think?”

YoonHae simply nodded.

“Ever thought things could be all different?”

YoonHae looked down.

“I should not have played with you.”

NamJoon bit down his lip.

“Have you ever loved anyone other than JungKook?”

Not like her usual bossy self, she tore her eyes from NamJoon. They were all teary when she looked up again.

“Listen if there is a way for you to bail me out I will do anything you want.”

NamJoon squinted his eyes. It was the first time YoonHae seemed this desperate. NamJoon paid a cold stare with no sign of pity.

“Funny because you are exactly where I want you to be so I would rather you stay there.”

With that NamJoon left his seat and YoonHae behind him as he walked out.

The council requested an emergency meeting which JungKook was going to lead. Hair perfectly pushed back and glasses fixed JungKook was all ready. He checked his Armani watch before it all started. When he walked inside the elderly men were all sat by the oval glass table inside the meeting room.

“Gentlemen”

JungKook greeted them all with his deep voice. Their eyes sharply followed his every single move like a hawk.

“In the light of current events our companies are all under the pressure but I suggest you stay calm.”

Jang Ahn Hyo spoke with a mocking tone.

“Calm?! Our stocks are all dying...”

JungKook let out a cool smile.

“I reassure you it will not take long.”

Jeon Sang let out an annoying chuckle.

“Even if they go back to their old rate our economic loss is nonnegligible.”

JungKook kept his poker face but reminded himself to get rid of them as soon as the storm died down. Voice calm he explained.

“If your brilliant idea is splitting up I suggest you think twice. Our stocks support each other and if we split them up there won’t be a pool for support.”

With the endless complaints, the meeting was sure tiring for JungKook. When the elders were finally convinced and the foxes still thought their benefit is keeping the chain, he sighed in relief. The weight was not completely gone but you were waiting at home to take the rest off.

Greeting him by the door you could tell he was tired. You have seen the news and it was easy to tell it has been rough. When you walked towards him JungKook wrapped his arms around you and buried his head to your neck. You could feel his deep inhale.

“How about a massage?”

You asked as your melodic voice filled his ear. JungKook simply nodded without talking. Taking his hand you led him upstairs. Making the way to your so-called room you gently sat JungKook down on the bed. Undoing his shirts buttons one by one you peeled it off. His eyes were following your every single move as you unbuckled his belt. Letting your fingers ghost on his thick thighs you pulled his pants down.

Licking his lips JungKook, faced down on the bed. Grabbing some oil from the drawer you let a few drops of it lubricate your hands. When your fingers touched his shoulders a small smile took place on his lips. With slow yet steady moves you felt his muscles relaxing under your fingertips. Utmost care on his strained shoulder blades you slowly made your way down.

With kisses on his shoulder, your hands slowly moved down to his waist. Soon it was hard to keep his eyes open. You stopped for a moment then realized he fell asleep. Seeing him in peace next to you was a relief. You let your fingers travel within his dark hair.

With a sigh, he turned and literally threw his arm around you. Making yourself comfortable under his weight you drifted into a sweet sleep. By the morning the sunlight woke you up only to find JungKook watching you. His hand was on your hip while the other was supporting his head. Confused you arched an eyebrow.

“This bed seems more comfortable than mine lately.”

He kept a poker face but your bright smile still touched his heart.

“I hope you do not mind having breakfast here.”

JungKook shrugged but was surprised when you slipped away from him. His hand grabbed the empty air while you giggled.

“I will prepare.”

With that, you rushed out. Swaying around the kitchen you cooked eggs with bacon, sliced some tomatoes and cucumbers. Picking three types of your favorite cheeses you put them on a separate plate. Picking two small bowls you put honey and strawberry jam. Lastly, you added black and green olives.

JungKook had his breakfast regularly but he was surely picky. You were not sure if he would like what you have prepared but hoped he would. Placing his coffee next to the plates you grabbed the tray but were almost dropping it when you saw JungKook by the door. You pouted.

“I told you to stay in bed.”

JungKook arched an eyebrow.

“Should I remind you are the one that will listen to what I say.”

Then he grabbed the tray to place it on the table. When one of the maids saw him like that her eyes were twice their size. She literally runs towards you, looking down in embarrassment.

“Sorry, sir we were going to prepare breakfast.”

Her fear was flowing from her pose. Though JungKook just told her to leave so you could be alone. The breakfast passed within a comfortable silence until JungKook broke it.

“I still don’t know how this all will end Y/N.”

You placed your hand on his.

“I am sure you will find a way.”

JungKook played with your fingers as he sighed.

“What if I can’t”

He was surprised to see a small smile playing on your lips.

“Then we will leave. A small house in a quiet town is more than enough.”

He placed a kiss on your forehead then wrapped his arms around you. In the end, you were still the woman he fell in love with. Not even thinking of losing anything and ready to go anywhere with him.

Watching the news Jimin caressed his jaw. Not drifting his eyes away from the big screen of the tv he grabbed his phone. When he checked the stock he realized Jeons’ were still high. Not pleased Jimin pulled his tie harshly.

“He found a way out huh?”

Hugging him from the back Ji Hyo tried to calm Jimin down a little bit.

“Don’t you think its time to pull out the old weapons?”

Jimin arched his eyebrows.

“The contract is terminated already its no use.”

Ji Hyo sighed.

“Legally yes but imagine if it spreads around that he practically has a slave what would people think?”

Jimin grabbed his phone to call someone so he could give the big news.

Next Chapter

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bbykpoper · 4 years

Text

Bitter Sweet Symphony

Jae x reader

part 24 - mapple syrup

A/N: I'm throwing out parts like they're presents cuz I'm really inspired and don't wanna write my paper and want to finish this series by the end of the year lol... I'm a mess!

tag list: @softminygi @zico-aesthetics @thealexalcala

The Ravenclaw prefect who was in charge of the Astronomy tower as well as the whole floor blinked twice at seeing his quidditch captain standing along with the 6th year frog choir princess, waiting for someone. Suddenly a young Hufflepuff joined them and all three turned to look over at him and he gulped.

“You asked Dowoon to help us?” Y/N whispered over to Sunmi when she saw the boy making his way over to them.

“I’d ask Brian, but he’s too big of a sissy.” Sunmi shrugged her shoulders. “The prefect’s here.”

Y/N turned over to face the older boy her eyebrow raised awaiting any type of comment he has for them. The boy was slightly shaking at seeing her but somehow managed to say his words out.

“You can’t be here...”

“If you tell on us I’ll make sure to give you extra laps at practice and place you ass the goal keeper.” She smiled at him.

“I saw nothing.” The boy said and continued on his path.

“So he’s in the quidditch team... That’s why you said she’d take care of him.” Dowoon nodded in understanding.

Both girls nodded and followed after Dowoon towards the kitchen of the castle. Carefully avoiding the on duty prefects and professors they safely made it to the stack of barrels in the nook of the kitchen’s corridor. Dowoon tapped the barrels in an interesting rhythm and soon the door to a crawlspace opened before them through which they went to reach the basement. Dowoon was the first to make it to the common room and safely showed the girls the way to the two 7th year students room. Sunmi got spooked when a flower began dancing and clung to Y/N for dear life. They opened the round door slowly and as quietly as they could peeking in to see four beds, all occupied and four girls fast asleep.

“I mixed in a sleeping draught into their drinks at dinner tonight. All four should be fast asleep even if you break a window.” Dowoon whispered behind them. “I’ll be in the common room as a look out, good luck.”

“Nice one Dowoon!” The girls both gave them a thumbs up and smiled at him.

They moved towards the beds where both Yoonha and Dahye were sleeping. The two Ravenclaws were halfway through a whole anger attack when they calmed down and smirked at each other. Y/N moved to change the doorknobs on the door and jinx them to bit whenever one of the two girls tried opening it. She also added those bitting doorknobs to their dressers. In the mean time Sunmi set some sweets as well as food up as an offering to the poltergeist Peeves who soon joined in on the fun.

“Hello Peeves.” Sunmi smiled at him.

“What’s this? What’s this? Two Ravenclaw’s wreaking havoc?” The goblin smirked. “Are you offering these up so I help you?”

“Kind of.” Y/N spoke up. “Can you go around making their life a living hell for the next week? We’ll pay you anything you want for the service of pranking them and keeping quiet Peeves.”

“I could, but I could put you lot in trouble as well.” He cackled.

“Do it and I’ll hex you for life.” Y/N cackled back setting the fear of Merlin into Peeves.

“Alright. But you two better not be lying about the payement!” The two girls made a pact with the poltergeist and quickly left the room.

Dowoon let the girls out and wished them luck making their way back to the Ravenclaw tower. The giggle they produced made one of the deputy teachers turn around to look for them but found no one.

They were already long gone to the tower.

The two walked into the Ravenclaw common room both stretching their aching limbs seeing as they had to outrun Snape down five different corridors. Wonpil sat in one of the chairs with a book in his hands. When both the girls noticed him he only smiled at them.

“She left her room 10 minutes ago. I don’t know where, but you have about 5 minutes to do whatever you can before her roommates come back.” He simply said and both girls ran up to Suzy’s room.

Quickly getting in, Sunmi poured mapple syrup she picked up out of the Dinning Hall all over the mattress and hid it skillfully.

“That’s nasty.” Y/N almost hurled. “I ran out of bitting doorknobs...”

“Wanna mix up her make up so she comes out as the Grinch?” Sunmi asked pulling at the make up on the table.

“I really need to get Mark to lay off with the muggle shit.” She laughed jinxing the makeup, but not before her eyes caught the sight of a rather peculiar instrument behind Suzy’s bed.

She pulled out the guitar and her eyes went wide when she found Jae’s initals carved on the neck. Wonpil’s sudden burst of eagle screaming had the two girls drop everything and take a hike somehow managing to make it back to their room. Their roommates were dead asleep as they ran in a soft knock on their door had them peeking with their wands at the ready.

“It’s me.” Wonpil sighed. “She got back but I had to use means unknown to get this.” He handed Sunmi the mapple syrup bottle. “Get a goodnight’s sleep. I feel tomorrow will be hellish.” And with that he left.

“You okay?” Sunmi asked her friend.

“No, not really. But I’ll survive.” Y/N looked out the window and sighed.

#day6 #kpop #day6 wonpil #day6 young k #day6 sungjin #day6 jae #day6 dowoon #social media au #hogwarts au

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bachye · 5 years

Text

thank you for liking the “starter call” @sonvoeux

Ouija board was placed in between her and Yoonhae. Well, if you can even call it an ouija board because it was made of paper and Chaeyeong used her hidden artistic skills to write the letters and draw the things you would see in an actual board. Or at least on boards they have in movies. “Because, I don’t know any stores where they sell these, I decided to make one. And I heard you can use a glass as well.” She actually had no idea if a glass would help them to have contact in the spirit world. Then again, the set up already looked like a failure. They were not going to contact any spirit with the stuff she has placed in between them.

#sonvoeux #( -- ' thread for you )#( thank you for liking the post!

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my-dear-jktnp · 7 years

Video

youtube

윤하 (Younha) - Take Five MV

#younha #go younha #go yoonha

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shutupkimjongdae · 6 years

Photo

[TRANS/ARTICLE] Korean vs Chinese Fans on Gift-Giving Culture; Chinese Fans of Chen Participate in Adoption Programs This is a compilation consisting of the four related written works below:

Title 1: 140530 "From subway ads to a dolphin" Chinese fans' gift-giving culture is on a-whole-nother level

Title 2: 130904 Kim Jongdae received a dolphin as a birthday present from Chinese fans

Title 3: 180628 Evolution of fans’ love, everything about the gift-giving culture

Title 4: Notable animal adoptions made under CHEN’s name by Chinese fans; Adoption programs under World Wildlife Fund - Hong Kong

140530 "From subway ads to a dolphin" Chinese fans' gift-giving culture is on a-whole-nother level

(picture shown above) Caption: Adoption certificate of a dolphin that was adopted by a Chinese fan for member Chen (real name Kim Jongdae) of the group EXO Hallyu (Korean Wave) has almost become a familiar word to us now. Especially in our neighboring country, China, Hallyu has become very popular. China is the second largest country by total area and has the largest population; it's truly a 'continent'[1], and they're huge compared to us. Proportionally, the number of fans in China who love and support K-pop stars is huge. What is the difference between Chinese and Korean fan culture? Then, how does the fan culture in China differ from that in Korea? In order to find out more about the fan culture in China, we conducted both online and in-person interviews with 15 Chinese fans, who are either fans of a K-pop idol or have high interest in K-pop. Surprisingly, the Chinese fan culture seems to be not much different from the Korean fan culture. Fans from both China and Korea are more than willing to follow the idol no matter where they go, frequently interact online, and sometimes even meet up in person. They sometimes buy a gift for the idol together. And most importantly, most of the fans are young women of ages between 12 and 25. We are guessing the fan chants and different ways of supporting an idol that are popular in Korea may have affected the Chinese fan culture since (most) K-pop stars are from Korea. "We are jealous of the Korean fans who have better chances of seeing the idol in person" (ID: zhuangyixinge). "If we like the same idol, that means we are family" (우치[2], 12, Sichuan). Some of them expressed jealousy and a sense of comradeship/relatability towards Korean fans. While doing the interview, the most interesting and noteworthy thing we discovered about China's fan culture is the huge gift-giving culture. "There are two traits that Chinese fans have. First, they're rich, and second, they're rich" (거이몽[2], 23, Henan). "The Chinese fans really give a lot of gifts to the idols" (구이쩐[2], 21, Sichuan). As though proportional to the size of population, the number of wealthy fans among the Chinese fans is also large. In Korea, they call gift-giving to an idol as "paying a tribute", but it seems silly to call the gifts given by the Chinese fans as "tribute" since they are on another level. They even spent tens of millions of wons to put up birthday ads for an EXO member in Korean subway stations The second generation K-pop group who is gaining a lot of popularity in China, EXO, has also received many interesting gifts from Chinese fans. Chinese EXO fans are famous for putting up members' birthday ads in subway stations or bus stations, which usually costs several million won.

Caption: An EXO member Xiumin's birthday ad on a subway station wall Just like the fans of other popular K-pop groups like Super Junior[3], EXO's Chinese fans celebrate the members' birthdays through a bus or subway ad. This March[4], member Luhan had his birthday, and the Chinese fans have put a birthday ad on the 420 bus in downtown Beijing, which costs around 20 million won, for two years in a row. Besides this, EXO is famous for having received unique gifts from their Chinese fans. They used hot air balloons and trucks to celebrate LAY's birthday and to celebrate the member CHEN's birthday, they adopted a dolphin living in the Northern Scotland region under his name, which is very unique. Ultimately, the fans' love for their idols is the same no matter where they are from. There is a small difference in their fan culture, but it could be that the Chinese fan culture was also influenced by Hallyu; there is no striking difference between the Chinese and the Korean fans. However, because there are many fans from China who are well off, some Chinese fans will give such fancy gifts that we can't even imagine. But recently, many K-pop idols have stopped accepting gifts that are too expensive. Even in Korea, instead of physically buying idols expensive gifts, the fans have started to do things like donating money under the idol's name or doing volunteer work, and the fan culture is becoming more about giving back to society and is changing in a positive way. We are guessing the Chinese fans will be influenced by this too, and the idols will be receiving less "tributes" in the future and will be given more heartwarming gifts.

130904 Kim Jongdae received a dolphin as a birthday present from Chinese fans[5]

It looks like they didn’t buy the ownership, but are financially supporting a wild dolphin[6]. Its name is SUN DANCE, meaning dancing in the direction of the sun. I also heard they are building a 'Jongdae library' in Mongolia. Amazing. Chinese[7] fans are another level. Last time they gave him a star as a birthday present.

180628 Evolution of fans’ love, everything about the gift-giving culture

Summary: Interview with Kim Yoonha, a popular culture critic, regarding fan culture. Mentions various idols and what their fans have contributed to the culture. Unrelated parts omitted. Recently, there have been more cases where the fans do volunteer work or other acts of kindness as a gift to their artists. Especially since more celebrities[8] are telling the fans directly that "the love you give us is enough, we will not accept gifts and hope you will use the money on something better". For example, there are many fans who have helped build things like wells and libraries in (financially) struggling areas like some countries in Africa to show their love to the artists[9]. Recently, there were some really interesting gifts. You know, the endangered species[10]. Animals such as dolphins. EXO CHEN's fans, they sponsored wild animals and gifted (Chen) the adoption certificate of a dolphin[11]. Another interesting and popular way of showing love to their artists is buying a constellation under their names.

Notable animal adoptions made under CHEN’s name by Chinese fans; Adoption programs under World Wildlife Fund - Hong Kong

Chenest (2013): Bengal Tiger under Kim Jong Dae

SmileKJD (2014): Giant Panda under Kim Jong Dae

TwinklingChenstar (2014): Chinese White Dolphin under Chen from EXO

far more endangered than pandas and thus is called “panda of the water”

motivation: nickname “one who came from the star of the dolphins” (pun on 2014 K-drama “You Who Came From the Stars”) given to Chen by Korean media because of his high notes of the whistle register (often referred to as dolphin sounds)

also known as “Pink Dolphin” since upon adulthood, their skin turns pink, which is fitting as “our Jongdae likes pink the most~”

Chenest (2014): My Baby Shark Project under Kim Jong Dae

6 young sharks as well as their mother

the sharks’ locations can be seen via Google Maps or Google Earth (location IDs stated on certificate)

5 baby sharks have been named as various forms of Chen’s name: Kim Jongdae, Chen, Chen Chen, 金鐘大 (his Chinese name),, Jongdae; the 6th one is named after Chenest (meaning: hoping Chenest can accompany wherever Chen goes)

Notes: 1. ‘continent’ = slang expression some Koreans use to refer to China even though it’s not actually one; as neighboring countries, both China and Japan often come up in conversation and are referred to by their distinct landforms: Korea as the peninsula, Japan as the island, and China as the continent as it is neither the aforementioned nor landlocked) 2. Names of Chinese fans have been left in their already translated Korean forms due to irrelevance and possibility of inaccuracy. 3. Unrelated (non-EXO) parts omitted. 4. The article said March, but Luhan’s birthday is 4/20 (and thus the 420 bus). 5. Redundant parts omitted. 6. This particular dolphin adoption (by fansite C-C Lemons) is mentioned again in following article. 7. Following from previous note [1] above, this post also refers to Chinese fans as “continental” fans. 8. Chen is one of these idols; he announced on 160719 that he will no longer accept fan gifts. 9. Some known fan donations under Chen’s name: UNICEF, Korean Animal Welfare Association, Save the Children, The Snail of Love, Korea Childhood Leukemia Foundation, ALS Association, “Chen” Forest, Siheung Jungwang Social Welfare Centre, scholarship for students attending his alma mater (mentioned on 160921), etc. 10. Other animals adoptions have also been made under Chen’s name. See next part. 11.. We are not sure if there is a particular “recent” dolphin adoption the critic is referring to (as this article was published recently in June 2018). All related information that was found is on adoptions made in 2013-2014, mentioned above already.

source: x x x x x x x translator: jen + phyl please do not repost without permission!

#chen #exo m #exo #translations #t: article #trans: korean #shutupkjdsubs

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tuwam · 5 years

Note

'Care to dance?' andrei + hyungwon

SEND “CARE TO DANCE?” TO OFFER TO DANCE WITH MY MUSE | accepting!

@rosaeau B|

‘you must not like weddings.’

it’s not that. and hyungwon makes a motion to say it, but his sister is giving him a look like she dares him to argue.

it’s the first time they’re all together, his sister, andrei, both of them scrambling about his apartment as he helps them get their things together for the wedding. his cousin’s getting married and both hyungwon and minkyung have been on edge about what this wedding entails. that’s why he makes no excuse to argue with her about it. he doesn’t dislike weddings, that’s not the issue at all.

she knows she’s just being a brat.

and for what, he’s the one sitting here doing last minute alterations to her dress.

“i have a needle and thread in my hand, do you want to continue?”‘be nice won.’

here’s the upside. andrei’s coming with them. an upside but also a fact that he tries not to think too much about. because this will be a first of a lot of things, the first time hyungwon’s parents meet andrei. if it’s directly or indirectly, even if it’s just as a friend he’s bringing to an event, they’re meeting him and the thought makes hyungwon’s insides churn. but it’s andrei, and while it took months for him to finally ask the other to be his plus one, the small kiss andrei places to his temple is enough to reassure him.

for the moment.

‘yeah be nice won.’ it doesn’t mean he’s dealing with his sister’s sass. so if she’s yelping at a small poke by her ankle, he’s whistling and calling for andrei to brew another cup of coffee.“this is why I told you not to decide if you’re coming the week before.” another prick, another yelp, and andrei is laughing from a good five feet away from the fiasco.

he doesn’t hate weddings, he doesn’t like what comes with them.

some hours later, her and her girlfriend’s dress are done and andrei cooks while minkyung kicks her feet up and picks a movie for all of them. andrei greets him with a kiss the minute he enters the kitchen and he responds to minkyung’s gagging by tossing a safety pin at her head. he gets another kiss at that, andrei’s hand in his and words telling him to relax. and for the moment he does.

or he tries.

‘this is a big deal wonnie.’

he’s been busy scrambling around. if he hates that his sister is deciding so late, he hates even more that bridesmaids are still asking for alterations. hates that his staff all seems too caught up in the grandeur of things that they’re moving slower than usual. he hates that the tidiness of his working space at the company is now compromised and cluttered with moving bodies and whining bridesmaids, the grooms who are across the way getting last minute checks to their tuxes.

he’s not worried about them, they’re in capable hands.

the bridesmaids are too, it’s just they don’t seem to think so. that and his sister has come to check out the progress. not minkyung no, an older one. not the eldest. miyeon, now married for four years and going strong. he doesn’t see her often but apparently it’s often enough for her to call him by his childhood nickname.

“i know.” said with a pin between his teeth and his fingers working against the bottom of a dress. ripped through by the damn heels he’d told these girls not to wear. he’s marking it to make a note for where he’ll need to run it through the machine later. “next.” whispered but emphasized with a pat to her leg. she’s trotting off to get changed, an assistant behind her to make sure the dress doesn’t get destroyed on the way there.

‘the dresses you’ve designed are exquisite.’

they’re pretty simple. lucky for him, the only fancy one in this wedding, is his damned cousin. she gets it from his eldest sister, that much he knows.

‘i would’ve loved for you to design mine now.’

there’s irony in that. in how, they didn’t believe in his ambition before but put him here to see if he could grow after getting his feet wet. now as the creative director and head designer he’s done more than get his feet wet. but all he does is smile as he stands up, and hold his hand up for the bride’s veil. miyeon whistles at the length of it, the extravagance as well.

a diamond encrusted flower crown design, white lilies wrapped around that travel down into softer, bluer flowers. everything blue. it takes four of them to carry and make sure it doesn’t tangle as he places it on the desk.

he knows what this means, to be able to co-design on a wedding. the design wasn’t his full creation but he’d helped with the alterations and personalizing it for the bride. he did all the tuxes though people never look too closely at that. the customization of the gown though, all his idea. his family won’t get it, they’ll just stand and gawk as miyeon does now. that’s fine.

‘hey, the groomsmen are done.’“great, soohyun get them out before the girls see them.”‘already done, relax.’

his shoulders that are bunched up and tense start to unravel at the sound of andrei’s voice. he’s helping spread the veil over the table but the whisper is quick, behind hyungwon’s neck as he walks beside it. instead of flashing a smile hyungwon takes to arranging the veil neatly and grabbing the next gown to sew back up.

‘the bride’s on her way over!’ another assistant comes barreling in and hyungwon could chuck him out the window but he’s focused on setting up the machine. ‘well then, I’ll catch you on the big day?’ he’d almost forgotten miyeon was in the room. he gives her all he can manage, a wave as she makes her way out. ‘don’t work yourself too hard wonnie, make use of everyone around you.’ he doesn’t take the time to dissect that, instead he’s going at the dress with fervor, not wanting the bride to come in and see him working on a bridesmaid gown a week before it all.

well, sue him.

‘breathe.’ andrei’s words are a mere whisper, trapped between them and the noise of the machine. everyone else too occupied with getting dresses and ushering the women out. dress bags being passed back and forth from person to person and bridesmaids running around with half a shoe on and almost tripping on garments. hyungwon reaches under the table to grip andrei’s hand in his. it’s meant to relax him but andrei’s laughing as he gets the words out.“if you don’t get those bridesmaids out, they won’t be breathing.”‘roger roger.’

he doesn’t hate weddings though, this adrenaline is one of the best parts.

meeting with the bride isn’t bad, because it’s his cousin. hwang yoonha, as beautiful and boisterous as they come. intimidating to some, but only those who don’t know his family. she knows what she wants and goes after it, says what she wants and doesn’t hold back. it’s the reason they’ve been able to come to the wedding design so quickly. it’s the reason her veil is as extravagant as they come.

hyungwon quite likes his cousin. he likes even more that she doesn’t meet him asking for any alterations and is thoroughly satisfied with the state of her dress and her veil. she doesn’t as about the bridesmaids, because as put together as yoonha is, her friends aren’t the same.

they make it work. and it’s the joy when she walks around in her final gown that makes it worth it to him.

it’s afterwards when he’s sitting in lounge with her, two bottles of wine and yoonha much too excited, much too stressed to hold her tongue.

‘i haven’t met your plus one yet wonnie.’ hyungwon’s nursing his first glass, swirling it around as the weight of the words hit him. “you’ll see them at the party.” is all he can manage.

he’s got a text from andrei asking when he’ll be home, and his heart warms so easily.‘you must really like them.’ he realizes then that it must show on his face.“i - who?” yoonha’s gaze hasn’t left him, even as hyungwon slips is phone in his pocket. even as he wonders if that’s how quickly he’d hide it all. if his fear is too much.‘can’t wait to meet them.’ after another beat. ‘they are your plus one aren’t they? this person your parents say have put that little grin on your face.’ he wonders if he’ll ever be able to shake this. he feels his fingers tighten around the glass, hands shake as the wine continues to swirl.

later when he gets home, his cousin’s chauffeur having dropped him off, andrei catches him three steps into the house. hyungwon’s not sure what he’s whispering, he’s not sure if he was crying before he reached the doorstep or after andrei’s arms held him. he’s not sure if andrei held him the entire night, but it felt like it. felt like he could tackle the world.

he’s sure that half of the night was kissing, the other half was reassuring, all written into his skin as many times as andrei felt the need. he’s sure that andrei won’t let him go, not like this. and for the night, that’s all he needs.

“i hate color schemes.”

‘you don’t.’ is andrei’s hearty response. something gentle, something shared in the only time they’ve had together since he’s been finalizing for the wedding. they haven’t brought up the other night yet, hyungwon’s figuring out how. so for now, he focuses on the little things that can keep him together. like andrei and how he laughs and makes this entire ordeal easier. hyungwon casts him a look, an array of ties in his hand as he surveys his boyfriend. he’s ready to debate this even if the look in andrei’s eyes shows he knows how to win. even if he might be right about that.“i do.” blue and white. for whatever reason that was the color scheme his cousin had decided on since the conception of the wedding. knowing his family and his cousin especially, she’d probably decided on it long before. but that was the idea. “she couldn’t pick red or something?” he’s alternative ties up against the dress shirt andrei has on and the vest that’s on the bed.‘red for a wedding?’“complaints?”

he’s a little on edge, just a little. because as much as he’s tried, he’s been coming back late with all the callbacks he’s had on the outfits. not just the bridesmaids but the groomsmen, the ring bearers, the flower girls, every detail down to making sure her bouquet matched the colors on her veil perfectly. relaxation that he was promised this season is starting to fade.

andrei though, doesn’t seem to mind. in fact, it probably makes him a little bold, hands reaching to take hold of the ties, one hand removing them from hyungwon’s hold, the other intertwining their fingers. andrei’s got that look in his eye, like he knows how to tame the beast with one word. with a smile so calm among the chaos that hyungwon’s thoughts are going through. alterations among alterations, the wedding in it’s entirety. he finds his hand clasping andrei’s as quick as their fingers lace, and his lips lacking protest when he’s pulled closer. close enough for satin cuffs to tickle his arm, and cologne to wrap around his senses. if he wants to speak he doesn’t, because he knows what’s coming.‘you, need to relax.’ and hyungwon knows that, he understands it well enough.“you’re going to wrinkle your shirt, and i’m going to iron you into the ground.” but he can’t seem to execute it how he should. andrei doesn’t react to the words, other than a lift of his brow, hands still holding hyungwon in place (as if he’d try to move). because hyungwon’s saying the threat with his head laid in andrei’s chest, exhaustion slowly starting to wash over, body seeking the only comfort he’s been needing these past few days.‘you really don’t like weddings.’

that’s not it.

and when he looks up to make a rebuttal, he realized andrei must already know. because he’s smiling something soft and knowing and hyungwon’s knees go a little weak. and he thinks he should just let them, should let andrei hold him like this until all the fear and fight about the big day has left. until he’s sure he can walk in head held high and not with all the fear that’s bottled up in him.

“if you wrinkle this shirt - i’m really going to -”‘relax, won.’ the closer andrei’s lips get to his, the harder it is to stay composed. the kiss comes to his forehead first. ‘if the shirt wrinkles i’ll take care of it.’ down his nose and to his cheeks. ‘if anything happens,’ and when he pauses at hyungwon’s lips he’s sure any rebuttal is left caught in his throat, nothing but fear and relief fighting in his chest. in the look he gives andrei. ‘i’ll be right here.’ in how he searches and tries to pull the truth from the words, pull and latch on. his fingers now tightening in the shirt, holding onto the one thing that makes him ready to fight all.“i told you not to mess up this shirt,” his voice comes out better than he’d thought it.‘i didn’t.’ said with a hands cupping his cheeks, hyungwon’s own hands on his elbows. ‘it’s not my fault you can’t keep your hands off me.’ to which hyungwon swats at his arm and steps away to wipe at his face. he’s back in andrei’s arms, laughing and squirming to get out the hold. for the sake of the shirt he says.

‘the shirt you wrinkled.’ andrei says after hyungwon’s free and rearranging the set on the bed.“hush and take it off.” he gets a whistle at that and hyungwon is tossing the entire stack of ties.

when the day comes, hyungwon spends the morning making sure the bridesmaids don’t tear their dresses and everything fits as it should. he spends it adjusting the crown and watching his cousin take her photos, also making sure she doesn’t kill her bridal party in the process. the groomsmen are no better, nearly losing the parts of their tuxedos and having issues fixing their bow-ties.

between all of this he barely sees his family, he knows they’re there. but he barely sees them. between fixing a bridesmaid’s dress ( the same fool who keeps tearing it with her heels ), he’s looking around for a pin, one in his mouth and his hands occupied. he can’t quite voice it but he needs to hurry before they file in.

without even asking he gets the extra he needs and doesn’t need to look up and see who it is handing it to him.

“you’re supposed to be with my sister.” is all he whispers once he’s standing up.

andrei looks gorgeous, which doesn’t surprise hyungwon. it does knock him a little speechless, but it should. it’s his boyfriend for crying out loud. and he gets a swell of pride whenever andrei wears a suit he helped design. and it’s got blue accents - blue and andrei are a match made in heaven. much lick andrei and tuxedos and - he should probably focus on the wedding and not how great he looks.

‘she thought you’d be dying back here. and i knew you would.’ hyungwon gets half a smile in before he’s being called off to fix the morons trying to carry the veil as the bride walks down.

“you look beautiful, please don’t cry you’ll smudge your makeup. walk slow, breathe. he’s waited this long for you he can wait for you to shine down that aisle. breathe - breathe,” he’s holding her hands, blind to the smile he’s getting from his boyfriend who’s slipping quietly inside. yoonha is gathering herself, for all the times he’s seen her ahead of her game and put together, she’s starting to break. but he knows the weight must be something different. it’s the heart beating to get to the one it loves, it’s the overwhelming feeling of all they’ve done to get there.

the doors open and she’s off.

hyungwon joins after she’s walked fully down the aisle, slipped in to the back of the venue and andrei beside him. he catching sight of his parents, near the front with his aunt and uncle and the in-laws. their eyes are all on yoonha and for the first time, hyungwon takes a breath of his own.

the wedding goes off without a hitch. tears and his cousin’s bold vows compared to her husband’s heartfelt ones.

they both cry. the entire front three rows are crying. he sees minkyung dip her head into her girlfriend’s shoulder, the only time they’ve made physical contact since arriving. they’re playing it safe, but hyungwon smiles nonetheless.

the reception comes and he dreads the meeting to come. it must show because andrei’s hand rests on his thigh. the lights are off in order to usher in the welcome, but so far everyone is mingling. hyungwon’s found his parents but andrei is nowhere to be found. he thought minkyung might have pulled him aside but minkyung is with him.

the gang’s all here. the eldest, chae hyuna and her husband junho. miyeon and her husband sungmin. his parents, aunt and uncle who are now busy entertaining their new in-laws.

‘the dress is gorgeous wonnie.’ his mother speaks first when he walks over and he greets her with two kisses.‘excellent job son.” his father gets the best hug he can manage with the other hand still holding the wine.

they talk nonsense for a while, asking about business, talking about the grandeur about the wedding and a little gossip about yoonha’s husband. all normal, usual conversation for the family even after a while of not being together.

‘minnie, did your date arrive yet?’ and then it begins, with their mother looking around. hyungwon’s not sure what his sister told them regarding her date but she’s starting to pale at the question. all eyes are on and the fears they’ve both imagined up start to come through.‘did you bring a date?” is their father’s question to her and minkyung stiffens so visibly that he has to throw an arm around her shoulder. minkyung, who their parents has been pressuring to get married last, minkyung who doesn’t get the option of inheriting the company like hyungwon had. minkyung who, claims she’s found love, but not in the business tycoon or an established lawyer the way their siblings have.

‘i brought my friend.’ is the nonsense that manages to fall from her lips.‘just a friend?’ is their father’s response.

he knows minkyung. knows how easily she’d want to correct him and say, not just a friend. but she becomes meek, and silent into the hold that he has around her.

‘hyungwon what about you, where’s this girl we’ve been hearing so much about?’ it’s his turn to stiffen, but he tries not to make it so visible. because there is no girl, there will never be a girl.‘you should see him, he’s completely changed, and you guys said I was wrong, told you he was dating someone.’

slowly, hyungwon’s reminded why he doesn’t like weddings as what he’s dreaded starts to unfold before him. he tries to distance himself from it.

unconsciously he finds himself looking elsewhere with each sip of wine. minkyung’s about gone at this point, having excused herself to the bathroom a trip she’s probably not coming back from. when his eyes land on andrei, he’s across the dancefloor, the bride having already done her entrance and the dance floor starting to fill.

they lock gazes and hyungwon starts to block out his family. block out the questions. andrei, who’s looking at him in a way that’s too soothing, too loving. it makes hyungwon want to rush over to him and kiss him silly, muss up his hair and his tux for all everyone to see. he doesn’t move though, because his parents are still talking among themselves, still asking, speculating among themselves.

more and more questions start to flood through, among laughter and gossip.

what’s she like?what’s her family do?when will we meet her?is she here?is she? is she? who is she?

that’s when hyungwon mouths as quick as he can, as he feels his hands start to shake again. it’s a pause, a flurry of movement and andrei is beside him. hyungwon feels the panic rise but minkyung’s with him, minkyung and soo ah, and he thinks he gets it. thinks he can understand what’s going on with the way andrei’s mimicking movements but whispering reassurances into his ear. it must be convincing because the table looks as complacent as before.

‘mom, dad, sorry to run. yoonha needs hyungwon to pack up the dresses, the bridesmaid have all changed and he has to run them to storage so they don’t get messed up.’ minkyung’s words are a hurried mess, but no one notices as the party has started to pick up.“these two are with me, they’re going to help me with the load.”

‘so soon, won we barely see you.’ he has to pull from andrei to plant another kiss on his mother’s cheek, wobbly as he feels himself he manages.“i’ve been busy lately, my apologies.” he thinks, that’s all he can get out for now and soo ah’s making rapid gestures, everyone giving the best performance they can. “we’re in a hurry, I’ll see you all later.” waves to his family that he doesn’t even remember executing, kisses to all his siblings and proper goodbyes to his brother-in-laws. hyungwon makes his exit from the reception and the moment they leave the doors, andrei’s hands are in his and they’re headed to the car. he remembers minkyung mouthing an unspoken ‘i’ve got this’ hand in hand with her girlfriend.

they drive. and drive and drive.

andrei’s hand never letting go of his, hyungwon not once speaking. he’s composed for the most part, no tears, just a squeeze of andrei’s hand until the car parks and he has to let go.

still in their tuxes, and still nowhere near home. somewhere on seoul’s outskirts. andrei opens the door from him and hyungwon has no energy to ask but all the will to stay by andrei’s side.

they don’t say much as they walk out, as he looks around the park, tries to block out the thoughts of tonight and the words that cause his chest to tighten and words to lock. tries not to think of how he’d thought he was so brave and he couldn’t do it, how he hasn’t been able to do it even in his dreams. how it’s still a nightmare and will be a nightmare for a while.

he has no idea what andrei has in mind, or why he hasn’t spoken either, but hyungwon feels his chest start to sink through the floor with each step they take. feels every bit as cowardly as the chilly wind makes him feel, as the silence starts to squeeze in on him.

the walk is brief and they come to a gazebo.

andrei stands towards the middle and hyungwon watches him. watches as andrei backs up, light catching his eye and reflecting the way he looks at hyungwon back towards him. that, calms him before anything else does, gives him courage to step in. because since the wedding started, the look is one thing that hasn’t changed. it’s the same look andrei gives him when he’s smiling and forcing a grumpy hyungwon from his bed. it’s the same look when hyungwon fusses and tightens that same scarf around his neck, or the blasted tie he spent hours choosing. it’s the look that hyungwon can feel across a room, among crowds of people. the look that makes him wants to run to him.

he doesn’t run though, but approaches with the confidence he’s lacked since this night began.

it’s andrei’s hand though, held out and waiting for him and the words that leave his lips, that helps him breathe again. helps him set aside whatever thoughts he has about tonight, aside.

‘care to dance?’

and hyungwon wants to make a comment, has half a mind to. but andrei’s hand is holding his and he doesn’t want to think. just wants to remain here for as long as he can. for as long as time will still and allow him the space he wants.

'still hate weddings?’“maybe not so much.”

not as long as andrei’s there.

#rosaeau #{ inbox: hyungwon. }#( i've been meaning to do this for you so i killed two birds with one stone you're WELCOME #( i need a nap i'll proof later

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kpopeo-blog · 6 years

Text

무한대

Prompt: Everybody needs closure with somebody. The right, proper closure they deserve. And Valentine’s Day was a good day to start working on that.

sequel to 하나, 들, 셋 // sad // fluff // 7.4k words // unedited

a/n: this is it. the sequel. damn it. i spent so much time on this. too much, i bet, and for a good reason. i feel like i went too much with fillers and backgrounds on too many original characters, but honestly, i don’t mind. i’m just happy this is done. i might do an epilogue, but that’ll be pushing it?

enjoy, people. it might be long, but i hope i made it worth the read.

“You didn't tell him how you truly feel?”

Yoonha looked at you, disbelief plastered on her face as she absorbed the short summary you made about the reunion that happened two or three weeks ago. You exchanged numbers with Hansol, but the both of you were still too busy to even meet up and talk to each other personally. You sighed, rolling your eyes at her words.

“Do you think he wants to know how I feel?” you snapped, a certain edge to your voice as you sipped on your drink aggressively. You didn't want to deal with the feeling of regret that washed over you, but Yoonha was really testing you this time. “I'm sorry, but I'm disappointed too. I just don't know how to... cope with it. I'm freaking out over this.”

“I know,” Yoonha said. “I just don't get why you didn't tell him. Was it out of fear?”

You nodded. “You know how I am with rejection and breaking up and losing things,” you said, swirling the straw in your milkshake. You watched as the surface of the drink was slowly distorted, comparing it to your life right now. “It only makes sense that Hansol doesn't like me anymore.”

“Pfft, that boy still loves you, I bet,” Yoonha said, giggling as if you just told her a joke. You could only stare at her, not knowing what to say anymore, and she met your dead gaze with an excited one. You raised an eyebrow the mischievous smile that she flashed at you. “Hey, what if I make an effort to make you confess?”

“... no,” you said, standing up with your drink in hand. Your mind was set on leaving when Yoonha grabbed your hand from her seat, looking up at you with widened eyes and a pouting expression. You continued to stare at her before looking away, wondering why you were friends with her. “Don't start dragging Hansol into this.”

“Sure,” she said instantaneously, and you almost questioned her quick agreement when you let it drop. She didn't try to stop you the second time you walked away, and you left with a doubtful mind and heart.

> hansol, a few days later

The phone in the corner of the practice room rang, distracting the thirteen boys as the ring tone mingled with the current song. A lot of them yelped, making mistakes as the song kept on playing, shocked by the unexpected sound as Hansol made his way to the back to answer the song.

“Hello?” he didn't mean to sound so irritated, but it wasn't even his parents' or Sofia's or your ring tone, and that just meant that this call wasn't that important. And he was in the middle of dance practice, and he felt bad that he didn't put his phone on vibrate. He was about to hang up after a few seconds of silence when a giddy-sounding Yoonha was on the phone.

“Hansoool,” Yoonha giggled on the phone, and Hansol raised an eyebrow. The girl didn't even talk to him regularly unless it was to ask about you, and as far as he knew, you were supposedly with her. But no one was stopping her from calling him, so he figured you must've left. “I know you're busy, but please hear me out.”

“Is this about (Y/N)?” Hansol asked, letting out an exasperated sigh when Yoonha said a brief 'no'. “I'm a bit busy right now, Yoonha. Do you think we can talk later?” he said. Seungcheol was keeping himself busy with the others on improvements, but Hansol knew that it was to make the pause productive.

“Sure! But make later like, five minutes later. Let's meet up at the nearest cafe to the Pledis building, 'kay?” Yoonha hung up before Hansol could even say anything, and he can't be rude to Yoonha by standing him up. Then again, he wasn't even given a chance to say anything, but he was just doing this to stop Yoonha from bothering him in the future.

“Hyung,” Hansol approached Seungcheol, who just ended his conversation with Jeonghan. “I know this is odd, but can I go after one round of practicing? I just have to meet up with someone.”

A few minutes later, Hansol was jogging out of the building with his usual mask and cap on and heading to the cafe just like what Yoonha instructed him to, grumbling about “how Yoonha was abusing his kindness”. The familiar cafe came into view, and he quickly came in so no one could be suspicious of his appearance. Yoonha was at the back portion, hidden in one of the booths with tall divisions.

Yoonha was busy playing a game on her phone, not noticing that Hansol already slid into the booth until he cleared his throat, resting his hand on the smooth surface of the table. The woman looked up, briefly looking at him before pushing one of the two drinks towards him. “Here, an apology drink for bothering you during your work.”

“Did you poison this?” he asked, poking at the whipped cream with his straw before taking one of the cinnamon packs and opening it, letting the brown powder fall over the ruined cream. She narrowed her eyes at him before taking a deep breath.

“Valentine's is coming up. Do you have any plans on that day?” she asked, skipping the pleasantries and going straight to the point of the whole conversation. Hansol raised an eyebrow at her question, and she took it as a sign of curiosity. “I just wanted to know if you were willing to do something...”

“Don't you have Jwaeho to do things for you?” he quipped, sipping on the cold drink through his straw. Yoonha sighed, rolling her eyes and pretending that her newly-manicured nails were more interesting than where the conversation was headed. He picked up on the dismayed look in her eyes, and he was quick to say an apology.

“Thanks for the backhanded apology,” Yoonha said, avoiding his gaze as she stared into the cappuccino frappe on the table. “Yeah, I have Jwaeho to do things for me, and no, I am not about to ask you out. That's reserved for someone else...”

Hansol turned a soft shade of pink, the pastel color dusting over his skin as he bit the inside of his cheek. It was her turn to raise an eyebrow at his flustered face, frowning at the reaction that he gave. “So, there is someone else? You're taken now? Why didn't (Y/N) tell me yet?”

Before more questions could keep on coming in, he shook his head. “You got it all wrong. Yeah, my heart is reserved for someone else, but I'm not really taken... I still think she doesn't feel the same way for me.”

“'Still'?” Yoonha repeated, cocking an eyebrow and nodding slowly, as if she was trying to interpret his words. “Then you must've liked her for a long time now? Is that it?” she asked, hope starting to blossom in her heart.

“Yoonha,” Hansol said, looking down on his drink as he swallowed, thinking if he should really say this to her, a close friend of yours. Yoonha hummed in acknowledgment, waiting for the next words from him. To be honest, she was getting nervous, because what if he didn't really like you anymore? What now?

“She's the only one who's been able to hold my affections for so long, even if she rejected it in the first place,” he mulled, feeling embarrassed that he only loved one girl his entire life, and it was still unrequited up to now. Or so he thought. “Please don't tell this to (Y/N). She looks like she's in love, but I don't think it's with me.”

He looked at Yoonha oddly when she started to choke on the drink, asking her if she was okay, and she sputtered out a, “I'm fine, thank you,” before bringing a square of tissue to her face to dab at the coffee residues on the edges of her lips. She pretended to hide her mouth a bit longer to hide the smile that was forming.

“I won't tell her, or anyone,” she said, winking at Hansol before putting the table napkin down, her face completely clean from any of her previous feelings. She was calm, and it made Hansol more nervous than he should be. “So, you don't have plans for Valentine's?”

“Uh, I have practice with Seventeen...?” he said slowly, unsure of his words. He could be given the schedule for Valentine's later than expected, but he was sure that he was going to do something with Seventeen for that day, Valentine's or not. “I'm not sure, though. I haven't been told to do anything for that day, yet.”

“Fantastic,” Yoonha muttered before flashing him a bright smile, and Hansol was really getting anxious, feeling as though the smile was hiding secrets from him. “Do you think you can take the whole day off for me?”

Now it was Hansol's turn to almost choke on his drink, looking at her with skeptical eyes. “I admit, I think I can be given a half-day, but a whole one? Are you serious?” he asked. Knowing Yoonha, she probably was, and he could only groan when she nodded. He stayed stilent for a moment, taking time to drink before answering. “What do you need it for?”

She rolled her eyes. “That's a secret, Hansol,” she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Just clear your day on Valentine's, and we'll all live happily ever after.”

“The managers are going to kill me,” he said, incredulous that she was asking such a weird favor from him. Then again, Yoonha barely asked anything from him unless it was for you. But she didn't say anything that this was for you, and he didn't want to start making assumptions. “Also Seungcheol hyung. And everyone else.”

“Are they bitter because they don't have a love life of their own?” she questioned, giggling a bit when Hansol looked at her with eyes that had pure disappointment in them. He was sure that Yoonha can't do anything without you or Jwaeho to sober her up from time to time, and he was thankful for Jwaeho's and your presence in her life. “Whatever. Just really make sure you have time on Valentine's. I'll make sure it's worth the fight.”

Yoonha excused herself after her boyfriend called her, asking her about something and somewhere and she had to leave already. She gave Hansol an amused smile after Jwaeho called her, saying she had important business to attend to, and he didn't even hear the rest that he tuned out. His mind was on you, now, and his curious little heart was dying to know if Valentine's had something to do with you this year.

> you

“He's dense! Hansol is fucking dense!” Yoonha exclaimed once she opened the door, coming inside unceremoniously and unannounced. You jumped in your seat, almost spilling the iced tea in your hands. You glared at her when she came in the dining area, setting down a lunch box on the table and sitting across you. “(Y/N), you have to do something for Valentine's!”

“Are you mental?” you asked, checking to see if she had a fever or something. She swatted your hands from her forehead, and you narrowed your eyes. “Wait, what do you mean Hansol is dense? I mean, everyone knows he's dense, but is he, like, special dense this time? Did you talk to him?”

“Yeah, and made sure his schedule is cleared for Valentine's so you can be forced to do something for him on that day, and then confess, and then you'll have that perfect happy ending that's only achieved in fairy tales,” she said, pausing as if she wanted to say something else. “Also achieved in Yoonha and Jwaeho love story, too.”

You rolled your eyes, waiting for the inevitable fangirling about her boyfriend, but nothing came out of her mouth. She was waiting for a reply from you, and your jaw dropped when you finally registered the entirety of the thing in your head. “You did what? Yoonha, that's insane! A whole day? And what am I supposed to do with him for a whole day?”

“Remember senior year of high school? My god,” she asked, and you stared at her for a moment before you nodded slowly, unsure of where this was going. Yoonha was so unpredictable at times that it was either scary, annoying, or amusing, and you sometimes wonder how your friendship came to last this long. Oh, well. You still loved her anyway.

“Yeah? What about that?” you asked, and you didn't mean for your voice to come out so shaky. You remembered that day clearly, and ever since then, you wished that it ended differently. But no, you had to be proud just like that. And the reunion at the fanmeet got you wondering what would life be if you just told him how you felt.

“How about imitating it? But instead of the little treasure hunt or something, go to Jeju for a relaxing vacation?” Yoonha said, laughing at the expression you wore. She waved her hand dismissively before continuing. “I really want for you to do the same thing for him, but we can't have him going around Seoul while expecting he won't be found out.”

“Yeah, so how about we don't do this?” you deadpanned, and she scoffed at your idea of a romantic Valentine's day.

“You've gotta tell him how you feel, you know,” she said, a strangely blank look on her face. You didn't say anything else, and she pressed on. “He deserves to know how you feel about him.”

“What if he accepts?” you asked. Yoonha raised an eyebrow at your statement, and you explained the danger of the situation. “What if he accepts and now we're going to go on dates, because that's what people who like each other do, and we have to go hide from fans? I'm not even sure if Hansol is willing to go through that.”

“And you think he isn't?” she said, considering the possibility but also analyzing the situation. “Look, Carats are nice, amazing people, and they won't mind Seventeen dating other girls! Hell, they really shouldn't mind because their idols should be able to date whoever they want. You don't have to go hiding from the fandom because you and Hansol love each other.”

“But Hansol will get bashed for going into a relationship while his seniors were able to stave off the desire to start relationships, and I'm pretty sure his seniors had their first loves as well,” you said in a defiant manner. “And don't start on Pledis itself! They won't allow it, and we both know that.”

“Screw the people who won't allow it, then!” she snapped back. “You know, I'm getting really tired of us fighting all the time, and it's even worse that the reason why you're getting so snappy is because of your lack of courage to confess to Hansol! Know what? When he confessed to you, he was so nervous. I said I didn't know anything, but I knew he was. You know what he had at risk when he confessed? Your own friendship!

“I know you're concerned for him because all the possible outcomes are mostly risky, and there are only a few chances where you'll be able to live a peaceful life, but seriously! He's an idol, yeah, but he's also a human being, and he needs to know how you feel about him to confirm it or else you'll both be condemned to live a life full of doubts and regrets, and we all don't want that!”

The two of you stayed silent after Yoonha's outburst, the other one panting lightly while you sat still, tears forming in your eyes after she explained everything in the perfect manner that made you feel the pain coming from both parties. You and Hansol were just the oblivious messes of human beings, and you were in love with him, and you still would even if he didn't return your feelings.

You and Yoonha had a staring contest before you broke down before her, and she let you cry out all the stress you've been feeling for the past few days all because you met Hansol again, and the pain from those years ago came barreling back into you. Love was making you feel awful things, and you were so blinded to see that you were making the same mistake once more.

There might be the perfect time to tell him, and it might be on Valentine's or the day after that or maybe a month or so, but something was telling you to tell him before it was too late. Again. And you had the feeling that the day that was reserved for love had the perfect amount of charm to it that was good for confessing.

If you planned to confess, anyway. You almost laughed at yourself. Your close friend just came in, shouting and reasoning perfectly on why you should finally express your thoughts and feelings to Hansol, and here you were, still in denial.

Once your tears were subsiding and you were starting to feel a little bit better, she approached you, dragging you out of your chair and into a hug with you, because that's what you needed at the moment. You hugged her back, tighter than her hold on you, and you thanked her for everything she had ever done for you.

“It's alright, (Y/N),” she cooed, patting the top of your head with her hand. “Do you think we can go planning the Valentine's date now?”

“Do you think Hansol would like this?”

Yoonha looked up from the selection of dresses in front of her to stare at you, appreciating the mint green dress you chose. It was a cute one, and you happily twirled around in it while your friend smiled at you. “Yeah, it's a cute one. Imagine his surprise when you, (Y/N), who usually wears a hoodie and a pair of jeans, is finally seen wearing a dress to something that isn't even a formal event.”

You stuck your tongue out, going back into the dressing room to take it off. You liked that dress in particular, the mint green color catching your eye and the design was cute enough, and it suited your style perfectly. You bought that one, and you were getting ready to do Valentine's tomorrow in Jeju.

“Yeah, so like, I'm going to go to Hansol tomorrow?” Yoonha asked again for confirmation. Your plan was to go to Busan, and Yoonha argued that the car ride was more stressful than a flight (which you had an argument to reply with, but you kept quiet) and that Jeju was more romantic, anyway. “At 9 am? He's going to love this. Wait, how can he be ready?”

“I texted, um, Seungcheol,” you confessed, showing Yoonha the chat between you and the SVT leader. Seungcheol agreed to wake Hansol up early so he can get ready for the flight and a day to spent with you, and the older one said he'd tell Hansol to dress up as nicely as he could. “He said he's going to take care of Hansol.”

“Okay, plus we printed the tickets out already,” she said, checking her purse again for the wallets. “Don't forget the passport, you idiot. I know you've got a bad memory, like a goldfish's, so I'm going to remind you now. You said you're going there early, so I won't see you in the morning, then?”

“I gotta be there early to check the reservations physically,” you explained. You didn't want to talk about all the technical details, so you moved on from the subject as soon as you can. “Thanks for all this. Especially for giving Hansol the ticket.”

Yoonha grinned. “No problem, (Y/N)ie. I'm glad you finally have the courage to give Hansol the revelation he deserves.”

> hansol

He was so confused when Seungcheol woke him up at 7:30 am to get ready for “a special something” at 9 am, and the other members were nowhere to be seen except for Jeonghan who was currently napping in the bedroom. The leader shook him awake and told him to take a revitalizing shower and to wear nice clothes, and to be ready by 8:45.

He groggily went around to do the things Seungcheol told him to, only truly waking up fifteen minutes after the shower when he went to pick out his clothes. He was standing in front of the closet, staring at the selection of clothes when he felt a presence beside him. Jeonghan was standing beside him, also looking at the available clothes.

“Are you getting ready for a date?” Jeonghan asked, smiling at Hansol warmly. Hansol always appreciated Jeonghan's warmth, and he smiled back as he nodded. Jeonghan hummed in response, taking out articles of clothing that turned out to be a fashionable set of clothes. “I think this will look good on you.”

“Thank you, hyung,” Hansol said as the older one laid out the pieces on the bed for Hansol to wear. “I, uh... don't even know who I'm going with.”

“Really?” Jeonghan said, laughing. “Well, it's going to be a pleasant surprise, then. Who do you suspect it is, hm?” he asked, teasing the blushing Hansol who had one girl in his mind, and he really hoped it was that person.

“(Y/N),” Hansol said in a small voice, and Jeonghan met Hansol's embarrassed eyes with his widened ones. “Yoonha asked me to clear my schedule out today, yeah? It's such a miracle that the company approved. They thought I was going out to see a girl, and they let me off today.”

“Manager hyungs are nice people if you think about it. We're humans, too, and we all need a little bit of love in our life,” Jeonghan said, humming a tune to a random song. “I wish you good luck with your date. I have a feeling it's your (Y/N), too.”

Jeonghan left the room, and Hansol was left to his own devices as he put on the outfit. His hyung was right, it was a good match for Hansol and it was his style as well. He was getting nervous, and when Seungcheol told him to come to the living room, he didn't expect Yoonha to be getting all comfy on the couch.

“Oh, Hansol looks lovely,” Yoonha commented, looking up from the game she was playing on her phone. Hansol noticed that Yoonha was playing that game a lot lately, and he mentally wished her good luck on the game. “He should, though, or else he's going to get acquainted with my foot.”

“What are you doing here?” he asked, and the girl pulled out a strip that Hansol recognized as a ticket. A plane ticket. Seungcheol apparently wasn't expecting it, too, judging from the widened eyes. Yoonha waved it around.

“It's for you, Hansol,” she said, handing it over to the shocked boy. “It was a lot of money, too, so don't let it go to waste. The flight is at 10:30, so we better get going as to not be late. I'm driving you there,” she explained. If he thought this wouldn't be any more shocking, he was wrong when he saw the word “Jeju” on the ticket.

“Did (Y/N) plan this out?” he asked, and Yoonha pursed her lips before standing up.

“Let's pretend I didn't hear that question, yeah? Now, let's get going,” she said, suddenly all snappy. “Ah, Jwaeho better do something like this for me, too!” she mumbled under her breath as Hansol followed her to the car in the parking lot.

The trip to Jeju made him more nervous than he liked to admit. These days, though, he seemed to get nervous a lot more often, and he always thought it was somehow linked to seeing you again. He wondered what he would see when he got there, and he did not really expect someone holding up a “Hansol Choi” sign in the airport. The people didn't seem to care that he was part of Seventeen, and the island has received countless other famous people, anyway.

He approached the man holding up the sign, and the corner of the man's eyes crinkled in delight as he smiled. “Oh, it's Mr. Choi! Come to the residence that miss (Y/N) has reserved for you. Don't worry, it's only a twenty minute drive, so you don't have to worry about missing your date with her.”

Hansol blushed, thanking the old man as they drove to the residence that the man was talking about. It was a small villa with a collection of rooms that people would rent for as long as they could, and he appreciated the greenery that surrounded the villa. There were other people, too, but he was promptly brought to the room that you got for him.

It was a one person bedroom, and he sunk onto the mattress, relishing in the plush feeling of it. He almost missed the letter on the bedside table before he dozed off, and it was accompanied by a single red rose. Heart beating rapidly, he sat up again and took out the letter from the envelope, eyes widening as he remembered the painful memories that came along with the anxiety.

“Hansol,

This is... a bit uncalled for, to be honest. Yoonha was screwing around, as usual, and she came up with the idea of... whatever this is. Wait, it doesn't mean I don't like it, but maybe you think this is a hassle? I don't know.

There's lunch at noon. Mrs. Byun (the head of the staff, apparently) offered to bring you to one of the best views that the villa can offer, and it was a Valentine's special. So be ready at noon, okay?

(Y/N)”

Hansol almost fainted from the concept of this, the thing he did when you were much younger, and you applied it to a larger scale. He knew that you weren't doing this to mock him, but he was hoping that you were doing this to finally confess at the end. He was excited at the thought, and his heart almost bursted when he saw the rose again. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up.

God, he couldn't wait for the woman to come over. When the doorbell finally rang, though, he almost jumped from the bed. An elderly woman was standing in front of the door, and introduced herself as Mrs. Byun and led him to a gazebo that was overlooking the ocean. It looked surreal, and he wondered if you really planned all this.

The lunch was served and it was delicious, but by the end of the meal, he was told that it was already paid for and left another envelope on a small plate with a bunch of chrysanthemums tied together.

“Hansol,

I'm a college student, where the hell did I get the money from?

Honestly, my parents liked the idea of this and decided to pitch in, and Yoonha and Jwaeho supported this, and so did some of my other friends. Soon, though, I had enough money for the frivoulously lavish Valentine's idea. Thanks to them, I was able to get through with this.

Have you ever heard of the gardens in Jeju? They're enchanting. They're amazing. And a guy named Kyun is going to take you to one of them. You can stay there, or you can go around Jeju. Just make sure to get my next letter, hm?

(Y/N)”

Oh, of course he has heard about gardens in Jeju. There were winter blossoms that were covered in snow, and the branches of the trees were taken over by ice, giving the appearance of frozen plants everywhere. He was mesmerized by the beauty of Jeju even though the ground was hidden underneath the light snowfall, and he was a bit jealous that Seungkwan got to grow up on the island.

“Hello? You look like Hansol Choi, so you must be Hansol Choi,” a male voice said, clearing his throat and breaking Hansol out of his trance. He turned to look at the new company, and his eyes were met with lively, brown hued eyes. The man bowed, and a smile crept up his face. “I'm Park Kyun. (Y/N) said I'll be here to escort you to a garden. I don't think you've heard of me before, but me and (Y/N) are friends.”

Hansol raised an eyebrow. So did some of my friends. He recalled your words in the letter and he smiled at Kyun, nodding his head. “She hasn't talked about you, but she did mention you in her letter.”

“Oh, yeah. She was pretty pumped about the whole letter thing,” Kyun said, whistling a tune before sticking his hands in the pocket of his hoodie. He was standing there awkwardly, and Hansol realized it a tad too late before he got up, finishing the rest of his drink and apologizing. “Aw, we're in no hurry, man. You've got a lot more time.”

“I'm sorry about being so slow,” Hansol said, gathering the letter and the flowers before going back to his room, Kyun walking beside him. Kyun attempted to make small talk, and Hansol answered the best he could before going in the room to freshen up. Once he was out again, he caught sight of Kyun looking at a photo before putting it away.

“Nice, you look like you've done some prepping up,” Kyun said, humming in approval even though Hansol didn't even do much to change his look. “Sadly, I don't think (Y/N)'s in the gardens, but good job for the effort. She's lucky to have someone like you.”

“We're not...” Hansol didn't finish the sentence, opting to let it fade away into silence as he thought about Kyun's words. Was this going to end in a happy ending? Were you finally going to get the closure you needed? Hansol was unsure about the answers, but he had a happy little bloom of hope in his chest, and that was all he needed.

Kyun drove Hansol to the garden you chose, and told him that he'd wait in the car as Hansol would go inside the maze. The maze was designed with shrubs and bushes of the winter flowers, and the greenery made it almost impossible to see through the divisions and into the other side. He was confused about it, not knowing where to go until he found a woman coming out of another side.

“Hm, another lost person?” the girl called out, and he turned to her, cheeks red with embarrassment as the girl giggled. “Don't worry. I'm not lost, but I can see that you're trying to get to the center of the maze. The fountain is frozen over, but I guess it's still a sight worth seeing.”

“I think I need to get to that fountain,” Hansol admitted, because your letter left him with no ideas on where to go. The woman smiled at him, a soft one that made Hansol easily open up to her.

“I'm Miyeon, nice to meet you,” she introduced herself, and Hansol also gave her his name. The two walked around, and they both stopped from time to time to appreciate the amaryllis that decorated the walls of the maze. “You know, I saw a lot of couples today, so it's strange to see a single person walking through this.”

“Oh, it was a surprise for me, too,” he said, taking a flower from the wall and holding it between his finger, and eventually pulled it away from the wall. He was planning to give an amaryllis to you if he didn't manage to stop by a flower shop that sold flowers during the winter. “I came here by myself, but I was following the directions of another.”

“A treasure hunt?” Miyeon giggled at the thought, plucking another flower for herself, too. “That sounds romantic. I think I saw a lone girl this morning, freezing in her coat but determined to make it to the center. Maybe she's the one?”

“Maybe,” Hansol said. The frozen fountain greeted them, and Hansol was relieved to see a few couples here and there, but a barely visible sky blue envelope was on the edge of the fountain, surrounded by a handful of amaryllis. “There. That's the one that I was looking for.”

“A letter?” she said. “You're lucky to have such a cute girl doing all this for you,” she teased, and her hand dug into her purse to retrieve a letter from it, looking similar to the one he got. “You went with Kyun, didn't you? Can you please give this to him?”

“You know Park Kyun?” he asked, bewildered when Miyeon bit her lip, nodding. He took the letter, placing it under your letter for him, and he was dying to know what it was about when he felt bad, knowing that it was a letter for someone else and he shouldn't be nosy about other people's stuff.

Miyeon laughed. “I know Kyun very well, I suppose,” she said, a faraway look in her eyes. “I'm going to take my leave now, then. I have to help other confused and lost people to find their way through this maze. It is rather big.”

Hansol parted ways with Miyeon when she got back into the maze and he exited it, finding Kyun's red car easily in the parking lot. As expected, he was waiting inside the car, enjoying the heat that the vehicle provided. Hansol slid in, and Kyun took out the earphones. “Hey, did you find it?” he asked. Hansol nodded, and he gave Kyun Miyeon's letter.

Kyun received it with a raised eyebrow. “It's from a girl called Miyeon. Said she knew you very well,” Hansol explained, and Kyun froze in his seat. Inside, Hansol was slowly beginning to panic, and he continued to stare at the older man's still frame until something dropped on the letter, the ink starting to smudge inside the envelope and beginning to bleed into the casing.

“Miyeon, that silly girl,” Kyun whispered to himself, gazing at the letter with a longing look that replaced the liveliness of his eyes. He opened the compartment, sliding the letter in and closing it softly. Hansol looked at him in shock, not used to see the man he knew for a few hours in tears. Kyun quickly wiped the tears away before it was obvious.

“Are you okay?”

“Miyeon was my girlfriend,” his use of the past tense got Hansol's mind working, and he thought maybe they broke up when Kyun spoke up again. “Until two years ago, we went to this maze on Valentine's. We split up, and we promised to meet again in the center. I waited for thirty minutes until she didn't show up. I was panicking, and the snowfall got heavier even when the forecast said it was only a light one.

“She didn't wear warm attire, and she was just covered in her light, fashionable clothes that she favoured over the dark, heavy ones. She was a bit picky, and I let her wear the clothes she wanted because we didn't want to have a petty fight over it. Anyway... we got a search team for her. It was horrifying,” Kyun paused, and Hansol was amazed at how well the older man was able to hold his tears.

“I think you could guess what happened to her when we found her,” Kyun ended, giving Hansol a small, apologetic smile. The younger one was speechless, not knowing what to say except for the condolences he gave. “I'm sorry for rambling. Where do you want to go next?”

Hansol's eyes landed on the envelope on his lap, and the question brought him back to his senses. Opening the envelope gingerly, his eyes scanned the contents of the letter.

“Hansol,

Wow! This was such a big maze, and you managed to get through all that? The center was the most reasonable place to put this, and I also want to apologize for the amaryllis. I really want to know where you get the flowers when they're not in season. Amaryllis isn't exactly what you get someone for Valentine's. They're the aphrodite variant, so they're pretty.

I'm not going to be like you, saying I have one more letter to give. Kyun knows the way, the time, for the next place. Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of the day before he tells you that it's time to go.

(Y/N)”

“She said I can go anywhere,” Hansol said, looking at Kyun with curious eyes. Kyun raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response to his previous question. “You're the local here. Do you know of any good place to spend some time in?” he asked. The older one looked outside, thinking of what to recommend when a mischievous smile spread on his face.

“Ever heard of Jeju Loveland?” Kyun asked, and the younger one immediately turned into a bright shade of red. The other, however, laughed at Hansol's reaction, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Come on, you should go to Loveland if you're visiting. Maybe even visit with (Y/N) sometime in the future.”

“N-no thanks,” Hansol said, shaking his head as if that would erase the question from his mind. Kyun's words put something else in his imagination, especially the last statement. Going to such a theme park with you sounded exciting, but he was not ready to go to that theme park with you. Nor anyone else. He was reminded of what he wanted to do when he looked at the chrysanthemums, rose, and the amaryllis.

“Hm? A place on your mind?” Kyun asked, tapping his fingers against the car's dashboard.

“Do you know any flower shop that's... open in winter?”

> you

“I'm so nervous, Yoonha,” you muttered into the phone as the girl on the other end hummed, trying to soothe you as you sat on a chair, enjoying the heating that the restaurant had. You were already on your third glass of water, and when the waiter came around once more, you had to stop or else you'd have to go to the comfort room again.

“You'll be fine, I swear. Kyun's a good guy, I don't think he'll let Hansol be late or whatever,” Yoonha replied, and even though her words were supposed to be comforting, you were still restless in the dining room you have reserved. It wasn't the actual dining area, which was under a roof of a dazzling pavilion. The afternoon snowfall had receded, and the winter night was reaching a mild, perfect temperature.

“I know he is! I just... I don't know how Hansol would react,okay?” you were absolutely frazzled, and you stepped out of the increasingly warm room to get some fresh air. The mint green dress you chose was of a good material against winter air, and you were thankful for that. “I feel like I'll collapse right now.”

“If Hansol doesn't appreciate all this, I'm going to scream,” your friend said, and you almost dropped your phone when it vibrated near your face. Yoonha hung up without saying goodbye, and your heart almost skipped a beat when you saw Kyun's message.

From: Kyun

Delivered him safe and sound. I'll tell you something later. Good luck, (Y/N).

You felt like you were in a dream, and that your body was disconnected from yours when you heard muffled sounds from behind you. You moved far too slowly, and you knew that you couldn't escape from this as you put away your phone. You braced yourself for the worst, and when the door opened behind you, you could only turn around.

Hansol was standing there, a bouquet of ranunculus in his hands and a dopey smile on his face, and you remember the first time Hansol made a mess out of your locker because of flowers. And the fact that it was happening again, this time without the mess, made you feel frustrated and giddy at the same time. It really was supposed to be you who was surprising him, not the other way around.

Focus, (Y/N)!

You smiled at him and at the bouquet, and awkwardly, he held them out to you. “I, uh, couldn't find peonies, so I hope you like the ranunculus...?” he said, and you took the flowers from him without question. There wasn't any fancy for you to give him, except maybe the exhaustion he had for the whole day, and you felt guilty for it. All of the sudden, you felt like an idiot.

Yeah, sure, you loved him, but he was still the same headstrong yet easily scared friend you've had since childhood. He's still the same guy who eats Twix too much, and still the same guy that performs in front of huge crowds. He's still that kid who shows you updates on that cat, and he's still that guy who's an idiot with a big heart.

He's still Choi Hansol, that guy from years ago who you stupidly rejected.

Hansol stared at you and your distant expression, scared that you might've hated ranunculus over the years or that it reminded you of a bad memory. Instead, your eyes came back into focus, and they were transfixed on his face.

“Hansol...” you mumbled, not caring if your eyes showed everything you were feeling right now. You gently set the bouquet down, and you could see a brief flash of panic in his eyes before you snaked your arms around him, pulling him closer to your body and taking him by surprise. You were glad that he didn't try to push you back, but instead ran a hand through your locks.

“(Y/N), how are you?”

Those were the same words he spoke during the fanmeet, during the time you were supposed to confess. It felt familiar to you, yet you swore that this time, it would end in a different manner. You pulled away from him, looking straight into his eyes and opening your mouth to say something, but closing it again.

Hansol anticipated your words, but he did not anticipate you leaning in closer and giving him a soft peck on the lips. And you didn't really expect this, but you just went with what your heart wanted. Your brain was dysfunctional now, anyway, and it wouldn't work even if alarm bells were going off in your mind.

But there were no alarm bells, and it was just you and Hansol enjoying the feeling of your bodies pressed together before you pulled away, the lack of oxygen becoming too much. You wanted to avoid his gaze, but they captured yours in a stare that you couldn't tear your eyes away from. It was exhilarating, and you briefly wondered if you could stay in this state forever.

“I'm fine, thank you,” you replied to the question that was almost forgotten, and he smiled at your words, looking at you with a look that urged you to say the things that were supposed to be said a long time ago. “And I've realized something, and I hope I'm not too late to share it with you.”

“You know I'm always willing to listen, (Y/N).”

You giggled, going in for another peck that didn't hold for so long since you had the words on the tip of your tongue, just more effort and--

“I love you, Hansol. I always have,” you said, still not breaking eye contact with him except for the occasional blink. Your chest felt a little lighter, and you almost felt tears form in your eyes when he, too, smiled right back at you. “I'm sorry I didn't say this sooner.”

“I'm okay with accepting a confession any time, as long as it's from you,” he said, and you hit his chest playfully. His eyes were in those cute crescents again, and he laughed along with you. “Was I too cheesy?”

“Yeah, you were.”

“But you still love me, don't you?” he hums, and you don't realize he'd never taken his arms off from your waist until a hand started to run up and down your back, making you feel shivers from the actions. “I love you too, (Y/N).”

Finally.

The two of you were able to hear the words that you both longed to hear from each other. Even if it took a while, even if it took the whole span of what seemed like forever to you, you were able to get what you wanted.

Valentine's Day did have the right amount of charm to it, enough for a confession under the stars.

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