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kpop-hive · 3 years

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It Started In Italy

Osaki Shotaro x Reader, Romeo and Juliet based AU.

Warnings ⚠️: Language, Violence, Graphic Scenes, Unprotected Sex, Oral Sex (Female Receiving), Marking, Slight Praise, Slight Cockwarming, Mentions of blood, nausea, vomiting, arranged marriage and pregnancy.

I have arranged for this dialogue to be written Shakespearean language. Sorry if some of the dialogue is confusing I tried my best. 😊

Word Count: 10.4k Oops 🤭

Act I

Scene i

8:42 a.m. The sun kissed your skin as you awoke from your slumber. The white bedsheets spread across your skin smoothly as you rolled over, looking towards your bedroom door, there lay your big black suitcase packed and ready for placement in the car along with the silk dress you were ready to wear for the long flight to the Almafi Coast. You’ve always wanted to see Italy. Your father never took you and your mother with him when he went there for business. You’ve dreamt of going to Italy since you were litte, you always heard of stories about the food, clothes, structure and beautiful people. You’ve always thought about what you could find in Italy, your future, estates, love, your possibilities were endless. Now, the dream you’ve dreamt up for so long is finally coming true.

“(Y/n)! Why is my daughter still lay in her slumber!? We have to leave the house in thirty minutes and here thou are still in twilight’s clothes. Are thou not ready for Italy?” Your mother spoke. “Yes mother, has my own mother think slothfulness has been bestowed upon me? I will be ready for our departure quick and swiftly.” “Well, hurry up, thou father gets mad when thee is tardy.” Your mother says before exiting and closing the door. You sighed to yourself before getting up and headed to your bathroom for your morning routine.

You headed down to the kitchen to have some breakfast before you leave. Grabbing a bowl and some oatmeal, you pour it into the bowl, add some water, and throw it in the microwave. You went to the fridge to get some fruit to have with the oatmeal, and then your mom walked in.

“Darling, make sure thou doth not eat too much, bloating will not be accepted when there are so many young men that would adore being thou spouse.” Your mom commented. It was the dreaded marriage talk, your parents got married at a young age to secure their assets as a way to be set financially for life, and now your parents expect you to do the same. They didn’t really care about love in the relationship, it was only about partnership and favors, you hoped that if ever got to marry someone, it was because of love, regardless of money.

“Mother, dost thou not believe in mutual feelings?” You ask. “Mutual agreements are supposed to be in order dear, never feelings, thou needs to be presentable, and not fond of sloppiness. Thy image is everything, thou needs to be pure as heaven, kind and graceful, and thou will then have the perfect husband.” You rolled your eyes away from your mom, how is it that you have to be attractive to get a husband, but the marriage is not out of love at all, only lust, greed, and pride.

“Come hither my wife and daughter! We are all ready for thy departure.” Your father says. You finish up the last of your breakfast before cleaning your area, and leaving for the airport.

Scene ii

The Osaki Residence was quite different. They were filled with chaos, and humor. They lived life fully, and rarely conformed to society’s expectations. They had life long riches, but never acted as if they had it. Their life consisted of endless travel, fun and living life at full potential. In this residence, it consists of three family members as well, Mr and Mrs Osaki, and their son Shotaro.

“Shotaro, boys come forth, or we will miss thy flight!” A voice called. “Mom, we are ready, bags are together and all.” Shotaro responded. “We are fine, I thank thee, Mrs. Osaki.” Haechan said before bowing. “I’m sure we are all grateful for thee letting us come along on the trip to Italy.” Sungchan spoke. “Yeah, we are gonna have so much fun, partying, drinking, beautiful girls.” YangYang chimed in. “I know that all sounds fun, but have thou boys ever thought about settling down and finding a beautiful girl that thou would want to marry someday?” Mr. Osaki asked. The four boys all gave gagging faces. “Trust me boys, I was like thee at thou age, charming and could get many girls but remember, there’s nothing like being in love.” He said before kissing his wife’s cheek. “Now let’s go we don’t want to miss thy flight.”

Scene iii

The (L/n) family finally arrived in Italy. Almafi Coast was beautiful to say the least, and the villa that they purchased for the occasion was apart of the perfect scenery, quiet, serene, and tasteful.

“Oh! This exquisite, (Y/n), isn’t this lovely?” Your mother asked. “Yes, quite.” You spoke. You were still experiencing jet-lag, so you have answering as you went along. “(Y/n), come now, thou should go look at thou room.” Your father commented. You walked through the hallway and upstairs to get to your room at the villa, and you were astound at how beautiful the room was. It contained nude pink renaissance themed wall paper, a yellow canopy bed with gold bedding, and a large balcony that you could walk out to to see the coastline. You were honestly impressed with how well the room was put together. You definitely felt like your dad payed good money for this villa.

“(Y/n), how dost thou like thy room?” Your mom asked. “Very beautiful I thank thee, mom.” You replied. “Don’t forget, we mustn’t wait around, we have a party with thou father’s business partners and a few guests tonight to celebrate their new deals.” “Oh most certainly! I remember a few of father’s partners, Mr. Lee, Mr. Jung, Mr. Nakamoto, Mr. Huang, and Mr. Osaki.” After you mentioned that name, your mother’s reaction went from nice to brutal. “Do not speak of that scum that infiltrated our family do thou hear me!? He is not fit to be here! He has almost shunned our family’s honor, and I am glad that he will not be attending.” She exclaimed. You were awfully confused, your father and Mr. Osaki were really good business partners, you don’t know what happened, but due to the recent outburst, you thought it would be best to not bring it up again to your mother. She sighed before walking out of your room to calm down for a bit. You shrugged it off and began to get ready for the party.

Scene iv

After a long flight, the Osaki family and Haechan, YangYang, and Sungchan finally arrived. As they all were situated in their villa, the family and friends all caught up on the excitement that they all wanted for the trip.

“So, what is the one thing that thee would like to do?” Mrs. Osaki asked. “Well, there’s a pretty big coast, I do plan on going to thy dock one day and sail a little bit.” Mr. Osaki spoke. “For me, three words, girls, girls, and girls.” Haechan joked. “I definitely want to see the Sistine Chapel for sure, as well as some of Italy’s infrastructure and history.” Sungchan explained. “Are you kidding me, I came here for two things and two things only, parties and football.” YangYang smiled. The family continued to murmur on what they wanted to do until Mrs. Osaki questioned her son. “Shotaro, what about thee?” “I don’t know, I’ll go where thy wind takes me.” Shotaro shrugged. Everyone nodded. “I’m just glad we all get to spend time with each other, just my loving wife and son, his friends, and no one else that could ruin this vacation, besides I’m finally away from thy man who caused all this stress upon me.” Mr. Osaki said. “Are thou talking about Mr. (L/n) sir?” Haechan asked, but got glares from Mrs. Osaki and Shotaro causing him to look down. “Sorry.” He said. “No it’s alright, I guess I can explain what happened so thou boys could learn a life lesson from this.” Mr. Osaki spoke up. “Mr (L/n), and I were both working together on a co-partnership deal that we put a lot of money into. If we made this deal work, we were gonna make so much money that we didn’t know what to do with, luckily the plan was approved and we were all ready to go into action, but there was a flaw. In order for this plan to work we needed to leave home for a very long time, your mother just gave birth to thee Shotaro, and I didn’t want to leave her by herself so with rational thinking, I told Mr. (L/n) no, but that caused chaos. He was mad because I chose to stay with my family instead of going along with thy multi million dollar deal because I already have money, but I also have a family that loves me. He was very angry at me for backing out of thy deal because of money that he already has, and has a family so I asked, ‘what about thou family?’ He then replied ‘As long as I’m making money, they don’t have to worry about where I go.’ After that he came up with his own deal, and made even more money, he stopped talking to me after that. It made me realize that he wasn’t a friend, he was a cruel businessman who only worried about deals in life, and I’m pretty sure he’s teaching his wife and child thy same way, so boys let this be a lesson to not think about wealth and power over love, it shows how heartless thou are as a person.

“Wow.” The boys said in unison. “Yep, I don’t tell people this story, because it’s quite boring, I’ll do it for thee, because thou all are my rock.” Everyone smiled before looking at the time. “Oh! We have to get ready!” Shotaro said. “Where are thou boys going?” Mrs. Osaki asked. “There’s a beach party a miles along the coast. It said open invite, so we just decided to try it out.” Haechan replied. “Well okay, as long as there’s no trouble, then thou boys can go.” She replied. “Awesome.” YangYang said.

Scene v

The decor for the party looked nice, the food looked good, everyone was dressed in formal-casual clothes, and there were all kinds of guests, the business partners, their kids, younger mentors, and respectable people.

You walked up the stairs to your room to get something from your room when you overheard your father from the other side of the door of your parents room.

“I don’t care if they were accidentally written to attend this party, the Osaki’s are not invited! They are spineless saps who don’t care about there livelihood or reputation at all, they will just ruin this party, especially with that reckless son of theirs, he’s just like his father, they are not invited, and if anyone of the Osaki’s or their acquaintances try to attend this party, I command thee to use force at once!” Your father spoke to who you assumed was security. Your father sighed before you heard footsteps going towards the door causing you to walk downstairs quickly towards the party. You thought to yourself how are the Osaki’s that bad, not only was your mom upset, your father reiterated in the same tone, it was very confusing. As you walked around the villa, your mom stopped you in your tracks along with a gorgeous man with long hair.

“(Y/n), this is Nakamoto Yuta, Mr. Nakamoto’s son, he spoke very fondly of thee, so I brought him over to chat with thee, so thou two enjoy yourselves.” Your mother spoke making you side eye her. “Hi, I’m Yuta, it’s a pleasure to meet thee, (Y/n).” He said before shaking your hand and bringing it up to his mouth to kiss it. You have to admit, Yuta is quite handsome, long hair, soft yet seductive eyes, and a sharp jawline, you were intrigued. Maybe you could stay with him for a few minutes and get to know him.

Scene vi

On the other side of town there be another party, this one at the beach, and all kinds of fun, it nothing but young adults, sand, the sea, a bonfire, and fun. Haechan, YangYang, Sungchan, and Shotaro started having fun until they realized that almost half of the partygoers left due to the mildly cold waters, fire almost dying down, and open winds picking up.

“Damn, where’d all thy people go?” Haechan asked. “Probably indoors, it’s freezing.” Sungchan mentioned. “Yeah, and so is the water.” YangYang commented as he left the cold, dark ocean. “Thou guys wanna head back to thy villa?” Shotaro asked. “I guess, but I thought our main point of this vacation was to have fun? Going back to thy villa defeats that purpose.” Haechan shrugged. “What if instead of going back to our villa, we go to another?” YangYang suggests. “Elaborate.” Sungchan said. “I heard a few people say that thy guests of the Royal Renaissance villa is having a party tonight that started at 8:00, it’s 9:00 now, and I highly doubt that thy party would be over in an hour.” “What about security?” Shotaro mentions. “Please, with Sungchan’s legs, and YangYang’s and I’s sneakiness, we can easily get in there, I’m down.” Haechan spoke. The boys all agreed before pouring some water over the fire, threw on the shirts, and left the beach to head to the villa.

Scene vii

As the cab fare pulled up to the high class villa, the four boys were in awe, it was definitely high class due to the vintage yet modern architecture, pastel color palette, and array of organized flowers and lights along entry. The boys proceeded the villa with caution, taking in every detail and scoping out how they would get in.

“Okay, so what’s thy plan?” Sungchan asked. “I don’t know, but we need to figure it out to get in.” Shotaro replied. “Well, I hope we figure it out before that finds us.” Haechan said, referring to the tall and buff stone faced security. “I got it! Do you guys see that gate where the pool is? What if Haechan distracts thy guard in front of it away from the gate, we all climb thy gate, hide behind thy shack, and walk up thy stairs to thy party?” YangYang suggested. “Not a bad idea, but what about me, how will I get in after distracting him?” Haechan questioned. “I guess one of us will have to hide in that shed to let thee in. Sungchan and Shotaro are too tall to not be noticed so I guess it will be me. Just make sure you run faster than the security so he doesn’t see me open the gate. Is everyone down?” They all agreed to YangYang’s plan and kicked it into effect.

The plan was slightly conspicuous. The three boys hid in the bushes before Haechan began to insult the security guard making the boys chuckle. As Haechan took off running, the boys swiftly made their move. Considering that the gate could only be open by a key from security, and no key on the inside, they used Sungchan to leverage themselves up over the gate. With all the three inside, they knew they didn’t have much time before security came back.

As Sungchan and Shotaro moved upstairs towards the main door, YangYang hid in the small peach colored pool shed peeping out the window before seeing tuffs of brown hair flopping up and down quickly. He looked carefully to make sure security was nowhere near Haechan as he opened the shed and hid behind it before finally seeing Haechan near the gate. He moved to open the gate allowing him in as they could both tread heavy footsteps while running. The two boys ran at the speed of light, and hid under the stairs that led to the main door where the party was. Finally when the security got there, he looked around while catching his breath, and saw no sign of Haechan anywhere. Thinking he was gone, he got back to his job attending the gate.

The two boys tiptoed up the stairs as they saw the gold lighting inside. They opened the door quietly before ducking in. They assumed Shotaro and Sungchan were somewhere off browsing, but to their surprise, they were still waiting for their two friends and stunned at the decor of the party. Arranged table for Hors d’oeuvres, another table that set out wine glasses and champagne, and another one that had tons of gift bags for the guest. As they looked at the guests, they noticed their attire, laid back, but nice and formal wear, and then looked at themselves in their beach attire, getting a few looks from some of the guests, but to them, they didn’t care, a party was a party. “Guys, we made it.” Shotaro spoke.

Scene viii

As the night continued, the guests partied, some slightly tipsy as they stumbled upon their words. Laughter and chatter filled the villa well, many were happy, and were glad to be there, except (Y/n) who didn’t feel like talking to the handsome guy that irritated her.

“So my parents bought me a helicopter that I rode around in, it was worth $500,000, but I was with my friends, we were all wearing shiny Rolex watches, and my friend lost his off thy helicopter because it was too loose! Luckily my dad bought him another one, it was worth $60,000.” Yuta explained. “Uh huh.” You say nonchalantly. “Maybe, I could buy you one too, that is if you stay with me, maybe a pretty pink one with diamonds, hmm?” Yuta asked. “Yeah, that be great.” You shrugged. At this point, you were tired of Yuta, it was bad enough that you had to deal with your mom trying to match you up with him, but it was worse when all he would talk about was how rich him and his family was. “Hey, Yuta, do you mind if you could get me something to drink from thy table please?” “No problem.” He answered. He slowly walked towards the table, a slight arrogance to his walk. It was the perfect time to make an escape.

You hurriedly walked away from the people at the party, scurrying to the stairs trying to get away from anybody named your mom, your dad, or Yuta. As you walked fast you ran into somebody that was definitely taller and more broad than you. Hoping it wasn’t Yuta, you swore under your breath not wanting to see him. “Are thou okay?” A voice asked. Your ears perked up hearing a sweet voice that didn’t belong to Yuta, as you slowly looked up, you were struck with the most beautiful person you’ve ever met in your life.

Scene ix

“Shotaro, can we go somewhere else, this party is no fun, and thy alcohol and food are bleh.” Haechan whined. “Yeah, I agree with Haechan, everything here is so snotty and bratty, I tried talking a cute girl, and all she wanted to know was how much is my family’s worth.” YangYang replied. “If we find another place we could probably go to a club near here.” Sungchan spoke. “Looked it up, clubs aren’t near here, we have to travel to the city for clubs, we’re on an island coast remember?” Shotaro said. “Fuck.” Haechan swore, getting a few stares from random guests. “Okay well look, if thou guys want to leave that’s fine, but if we leave, we’ll have to back to the villa.” Shotaro mentioned. “That’s fine, at least the chefs could whip up some awesome Italian pizza for me.” Haechan joked. “You’re full of it Haechan.” Shotaro said as he walked into you. “Are thou okay?” He asked as he held you in his arms to keep you from falling. He took in your visible features like your height, hair, figure, and white dress. You finally looked up, and he thought he saw an angel, you were beautiful to him, had a very soft look in your eye, one that showed sweetness and caring personality, something that he has never seen in his life. The boys looked at his friend and the girl, and questioned the scene, both frozen, looking into each other’s eyes, as they held onto each other not letting go. Haechan, YangYang, and Sungchan all looked at each other and thought to themselves, did their friend find someone that infatuates him?

Act II

Scene i

Some people believed that there was a time and place for everything, others believe fate, in this case Shotaro and (Y/n) realized that their fate may be the best thing that has happened to them at this party, but what they don’t know is that there may be a catch to this lovely fate.

“Are thou okay?” Shotaro asked. “Yes I’m fine.” You replied still holding onto his grasp. You stood up a little showing your true height and form, even then you were still shorter that him by a few inches, but could finally see everything in view. His gorgeous smile, bright brown eyes, soft skin, You stared deep into his eyes, looking into the windows showed that he was kind, someone you could trust, you never saw that before, not even in your parents. “What is thou name?” He asked. “(Y/n), and thee?” “Shotaro.” You smiled. You felt warmth cascade through your body, you both were still into each other’s grasps, not wanting to let go, you felt safe, and secure, you didn’t know that a stranger could make you feel this way at all.

“We’re still linked.” Shotaro chuckled. “Well, it’s hard to remove yourself from someone who has such a hold on thee.” You smiled. “If it makes thou feel any better… I don’t want to let go of thee.” He whispered. “I don’t either.” Shotaro felt someone tap his shoulder, and sighed. He was annoyed at how someone could ruin such a beautiful moment. As he turned around, there stood his best friends ready to depart from the slow party. “Thou guys go ahead, I think I’m gonna stay here for awhile.” Shotaro spoke. “Are thou sure?” Sungchan asked. He looked back at you and smiled. “Yeah thou guys go, I’ll be fine.” He replied. They all smiled before patting his back and leaving from the exit.

“So what brings thee here to this party?” You ask. “Nothing but sheer boredom, I was ready to leave, but I found someone to make me stay.” He replies, making you smile. “I appreciate the gratitude, I guess I’ve become the life of the party?” You joke. “You definitely have.” He smiles. “How about thee? Is this a party thou wanted to come to tonight?” “Actually no, this is my parents party, they are hosting it.” You sighed and looked down. “You don’t seem happy.” He grabbed your chin with his thumb and index finger lifting it up to keep your eyes focused on him. “Why are thou upset?” He asked with sincerity in his voice. “I’m not into this whole putting up a front for guests type of thing, I want to be my own self, not someone who is thy perfect daughter. Thou are the first person I didn’t have to lie to tonight.” You said. “If this is thee true self, I wouldn’t want thee to be any other way.” He commented. You both looked into each other’s eyes, his holding a truth to every word about you being your true self. Within seconds, your lips connected. The soft skin of his lips gave you tingles, never leaving the spot you were in, you both melted into it, you felt like your feet lifted off of the ground, and were transcending towards heaven. You loved every moment. As you both pulled away, you stared into each other’s eyes, smiling wide. “Sorry for stealing such a sweet kiss.” He spoke. “Why doth thou have to be sorry, I’m not upset, my lips feel happy to graze thee so nicely.

Not long after, your name was called, and it didn’t sound pleasant. Worried you hurried up to the stairs, with Shotaro behind you, hands intertwined. “We must hurry. I think my parents are calling me.” You said worriedly. As you both huddled towards the stairs, you saw your mother in trying to look for you with Yuta in her peripheral. You ran up the stairs with Shotaro and instantly made it to your bedroom, shutting the door and locking it afterwards.

“That was close.” You huffed. Shotaro looked around your room looking at the beautiful decor. “Nice room.” He commented. “Thank thee, thou can sit if thou want.” You replied, signaling him to the bed. “Can I ask why we were running away from thou parents?” You sighed. “It’s because of a lot, my parents hosted this party, I didn’t want to be here, and now my mom found this nice, but incredibly arrogant guy for me to talk to, but I’m not into him at all.” “Arrogant? He sounds horrible already.” Shotaro comments. “Yeah he is, they only want me to date someone who has a great status to keep up with the family name. They said that marriage is only an agreement, and should be used as such.” “That’s nothing like my parents, they fell in love when they first met.” “Well, thou parents sound lovely. I think my parents only want me to succeed at wealth and family and it’s just that I’m tired of trying to be… perfect.” “…Perfect?” You and Shotaro said in sync. You stare into his eyes lovingly, before you both leaned in and kissed again. The same feeling you had downstairs coming back to you, this time with more courage and understanding. You didn’t know what to call this feeling, but from the small comment from Shotaro about his parents, you felt like it was nothing other than love. You two were so enamored by each other so infatuated, the fact that you two couldn’t get out of each other’s grasps downstairs, and now you two have been kissing for as long as you could count, it all made sense to you.

Just then, there was a knock on your door that startled you and Shotaro. You both pulled away, you groaning in annoyance, but your emotions changed when a tone in voice replaced the knocks. “(Y/n), open this door, thou mother and I need to talk with thee it’s urgent.” Your father spoke. You began to panic, you knew your father didn’t want you to have a boy in your room, even on vacation. “That’s my father he can’t know thou are here, thou has to leave!” You whispered at Shotaro. “But what about thee? I want thee with me?” He asked. “Come by tomorrow, and I’ll see thee then. There’s a stairway under my room that is an emergency exit, thou can go through there from the balcony.” You kissed him one last time hands tucked in his hair. “Goodnight, I’ll see thee again.” You said. “Thou as well, be safe, goodnight.” He says before leaving you see him climb down safely before closing the balcony doors a little to allow some air, and finally opening the door to your room.

“Hi mother, father, what brings thee here?” You ask. “(Y/n), was there any boys here who were in swim attire that attended this party?” Your father asked. “Not that I’ve seen, is something wrong?” You asked, playing it coy. “Well one, they weren’t on the list of guests, and two, one of them was the only son of our enemies thy Osaki’s. His name is Osaki Shotaro.”

Scene ii

With night in place, everyone was happy, all except (Y/n) who now found out that her lover whom she loved relentlessly, was now the son of her parents enemies.

In that moment, your heart sank, Shotaro, an enemy, you hated to think that. “(Y/n)?” Your mother asked calmly. “N-no, I haven’t seen anyone of thy sorts.” You said sadly. “Well, just in case, we’ve upped security around just so no one with thy surname ‘Osaki’ Can step foot in this villa.” Your father replied. Your mother moved closer to you grabbing your hands as your dad stared at you as well. “Sweetheart, I know thou may not know much about thy Osaki incident, but just know that they are not good people to be around, they are untrustworthy, shallow, leeches, and one decision that Mr. Osaki made years ago with thou father, almost cost us our entire source of income and could’ve tarnished our names, we have swore to this day that no one with thy name Osaki shall cross our paths and we won’t let them.” Your mom said. “And we advise thee to do the same.” Your father said, staring at you. “Is that clear?” You nodded your head, making your parents smile. “Well good, now come along, we’ve got an hour left of the party, and Yuta would like to get to know thee more.” Your mom said dragging you out of your room and downstairs.

You looked back at the balcony thinking about Shotaro and his escape, upset that your lover is now thought of as an enemy, but one thing you didn’t know was that he was still on the steps, frozen after hearing every word your parents said about him and his family, and is also in the same sudden realization that hit you moments ago that you are a (L/n), his family’s worst enemy.

Scene iii

As dawn awakens, sunlight shines through the windows, by now, the Osaki family and friends have awaken, while the (L/n)’s are still in slumber. Shotaro smiles to himself, now happy to know he’s in love regardless of the baggage that his and her family holds to each other.

“So, let me get this straight, thou fell in love with a girl who is thou enemy!?” Haechan asks Shotaro while laughing. “Dost thou knoweth when to hold his jest laugh? She was beautiful, more than thy heavens that sit above earth. Her smile brighter than thy sun, and her sweet voice could not even compare to calming birds.” Shotaro speaks, staring in a distance. “How are’t thou so radiant in a lustrous love, that he hath forgotten thy disdain of thy families?” Sungchan asked. “Why thou question my love, thus this love can not grow without pandering to thy heart, less’t be thy heart that be so drugged in her.” “Why must we gossip? If thou love her, then thou shall seek her.” YangYang spoke agreeing with Shotaro. “I, but alas, the savagery that keeps us disheartened, also keeps us discontent.” Shotaro replied. “Her father who is thy conflict has released obsequious men who come to seek me if thy enter thy chambers. I ask of my three companions, dost thou not want me to be happy, shall I stay in isolation and remain frugal? I seek of my mates to help me through my journey, and keep me satisfied day by day forever as I live.” Shotaro pleads. As the three boys elaborate with thoughts, they all agree to Shotaro’s cries for help. Within minutes, Shotaro will see to his one true love as soon as possible.

Scene iv

Throughout the day, (Y/n) is infatuated by her lover Shotaro. As sunset falls, she dreams peacefully about the boy who was kept in her room hoping to see her again, sadly, news awaits her that she doesn’t want to hear.

“(Y/n), I come with grave news for thee!” Your mother exclaimed. “And what news shall thou bestow upon me?” You ask. “Yuta, has fallen in love with thee, and would respectfully take her hand in marriage!” You looked at her with shameful eyes, how could he want to marry you after a failed conversation? “Why must thou present this news to me now? Was said man so lustrous, he be willing to give vows so easily after a talk so lackluster?” You ask. “Oh stop being dramatic! Can’t thou see how infatuated he is of thee? If he not, then why is thy man so generous with words he cannot take back?” She replied. “But why now? Why cans’t thou wait for fate to cross our paths?” You ask. “Because fate is flawed, sometimes thou works fate in one’s favor.” “But what dost Yuta possess that no other man cans’t satisfy?” You question. “Wealth and a status that won’t besmirch thy name. Why would thee want someone worthless, when thou could have good courtship with a satisfying label? Vowing to thee would be monumental to thy family name, and help with accusations thy family has been wrongly shunned for.”You looked down, you hated to have to make a choice between your family and your lover, it was hard, but it seemed like your mother already gave you your option. “Thy ceremony is in a few weeks. That gives thee time to know Yuta in a more vulnerable state.” She says then exits. You sigh before laying back in bed, a tear rolling down your cheek.

Scene v

With forced marriage in one hand and love in the other, (Y/n) is torn. Luckily, with the help of his three friends, Shotaro might make her night feel much more secure.

“What scuffle is thy friend about to get us into now?” Haechan asked. “With maximum protection, thy can’t help thy self to (Y/n)’s chambers.” Shotaro explains. “Well, what shall dost thou need for help?” Sungchan asked. “With one dauntless armed guard near the gate, thou needs to throw something unbeknownst to him to excel on, with swiftness, thou noiselessly move past thy gate and into her chambers.” Shotaro explains.

As the three friends nod in agreement, they follow with the plan. YangYang and Shotaro promiscuously throw two rocks in a different direction making the near guards run towards the sound. They all erupt from the bushes before Sungchan lifts his friend up and over the gate to meet his fair maiden. Shotaro thanks his friends before ushering towards the balcony to climb, as the other three boys quietly walk back to their villa. With Shotaro in a great state, he climbs up until he finally meets the balcony door of his lover’s room.

Scene vi

Unknown to her, Shotaro pays (Y/n) a visit like he said he would, but is sad to hear the news from his lover that fills her heart with dread.

“(Y/n)! (Y/n)!” Shotaro whispers from the balcony before knocking. Hurriedly, she rushed to the door to see Shotaro, and opened the door finally seeing his brown orbs staring at her with all the love he had. He entered her room before kissing her lips with so much passion, not wanting to break away from her, but she had to in order for her to bare bad news.

“I missed thee so much.” He whispered. “Me too, but I sadly have horrid news.” You said. You could sense the worry in his body as you looked at him. You let in a huff before telling him. “My parents have arranged a marriage upon me.” Anger filled Shotaro’s body. “To whom will thou be exchanging vows with!?” He asked. “Y-Yuta.” You replied. With heavy hands, Shotaro pounded the desk behind you, rage in his eyes. You wanted to calm him down, but you were very worried about what could happen if you did.

“I have no intention to be courted by him. He is not who is here right now, only thee, I love thee.” You spoke up. Shotaro calmed down looking at you. “Thou doth not wish to be courted by him?” He asked. “No, only thee, I would gladly take thou courtship from thee. I love thee.” You repeat. He came up to you and kissed you passionately. “Then by night…and stars…take thee…and make…thee satisfied…until morn.” Shotaro said between kisses. You nodded your head before replying. “I take thee.” You whispered as he moved you to the soft and comfortable bed.

“Don’t leave…Don’t leave…Don’t leave.” He whispered as his kisses trailed down to your neck. “I’m here Shotaro, I’m here.” You moaned.

Shotaro kissed your neck softly making sure to be gentle with you, not wanting to mess this up for you. He kicked off his shoes before completely moving up onto the bed above your sprawled out body. He looked up at your state, in nothing but a silk robe almost ready for bed before he showed up. You smiled up at him wanting him to continue, his eyes fixated on your silk covered body long enough. “Please Shotaro, please.” You whined. He licked his lips, lust now clouding his thoughts more than ever. He leaned back down to place more kisses against your neck before finally giving in and marking up your soft skin. The suction was a foreign feeling, it was slightly painful, but arousing. You whined in response, making Shotaro smile against your skin, he moved away from the purple mark making sure to kiss it before moving to another part of your neck to deliver another mark near the first one and kissed it as well, he continued this action two more times before removing your robe of your shoulder to expose your collarbones to repeat the same action.

He kissed and marked them up making you sigh into his touch. Loving the way your collarbones looked covered in his marks, he pushed the right side of your robe off your shoulder to expose your right breast. He gasped at your breast, not even thinking that you two would get this far. He stared at round mound, while a small part of your nipple on your left breast peeked out of the remaining piece of the robe left on your chest. Obligated, he removed the left side as well, now your full chest on display for him. He cupped your breasts in his hand before leaning down to kiss and suck at the supple skin on your right breast leaving marks on it, while repeating the same moves to the left. His thumbs grazed over your nipples making you shudder. Finally, he took your nipple into his mouth making you whine.

He sucked the sensitive nipple eagerly, tongue rolling over the bud and flicking it up and down as you gripped his hair, playfully running your fingers through the brown locks. He moved to the other nipple to do the same actions. “Shotaro.” You moaned. You couldn’t bear it, your arousal got the best of you, you needed some sort of friction for your almost practically soaked heat. “Please go f-further.” He gave you a nod before removing his shirt showing his toned body, not making your arousal any better.

He untied the loose belt on the robe as you sat up to help him. You grabbed the robe when it was completely open, and moved it out of your way. Shotaro happy to finally have your body on full display. “So beautiful.” He groaned, his bulge now strained in his pants as he caught a glance of your soaked pussy.

He bent down to kiss the top of your thighs, not wanting to waste any time pleasing you. He kissed towards the inside of your thighs, moving your legs apart to get more access. He was now face to face with your pussy, he looked up at you to make sure it was okay. “Is this good?” He asked. “Yes, please, I need something there.” You replied. With no hesitation, Shotaro wrapped his supple lips around your clit. You threw your head back, eyes closed with pleasure going through your body. He sucked on your sensitive clit, getting you used to the feeling. Your body jolted at the immense sensation that coursed between your legs.

Continuing his movements, Shotaro trailed his tongue to your sopping entrance, licking around it teasing you before using his tongue to lick aggressively at your slit. You felt so violated, how could a tongue have so much control over you? You craved it more, your carnal instincts coming out when he pushed his tongue into your gaping hole. “Ahh, Shotaro!” You moaned. You moved your hand to his hair, while the other one laid on the sheets, bunching up the material. He pushed his tongue in and out of you, preparing you for what was about to come later on, you loved how gentle he was with you, but also liked his initiative to please you.

Shotaro removed his tongue from your entrance and moved up to suck your clit, his finger replacing his tongue from your entrance. “That feels good.” You moaned. You could feel the soft smile spread across his face in between your legs, loving the praise you gave him. He sucked harshly at your clit, trying to build up your release, he knew you were close by the way your toes curled, and your body tensing up, you didn’t even realize you’ve been grinding against his face for the past minute. “Shotaro, close!” You whined. With a groan from his voice, he was ready for your release. With the curl of his digit, and his mouth sucking your bundle of nerves, he used his tongue to claim what was his, he spelled the seven letters into your clit that sent you over the edge. ‘S,H,O,T,A,R,O’ you were his. You convulsed around his finger, his lips still doing a number on you as pleasure took over your entire body. Pants and gasps left your mouth with small whines made you sigh. Shotaro let out a smile, seeing your body go through that much pleasure. Your body sent little shockwaves as you tried to calm down, he removed his finger and mouth that were now covered in both your arousal and release. With the satisfied look on Shotaro’s face, you knew you did well.

“So beautiful.” He comments making you giggle. Not wanting to waste another minute, Shotaro unbuttons his pants to remove them, releasing some of the tension on his strained hard on. You looked at the boy who stood tall above you, nearly naked, only a piece of thin underwear stood in the way. Slowly, he removed his underwear, his length now standing at full attention, his tip leaking precum from how long it’s been confined for.

Your breath hitched as your pussy clenched around nothing staring at his impressive length. He noticed your staring before he moved back up to the bed, and kissed you again while pumping his length in his hand. He looked at you making sure you were ready as he lined himself up with your entrance. You issued him a nod before he rubbed your slit with his tip before entering in slowly.

You gave a choked sound, the pain a little overwhelming. He took in your expression that showed pain, halting his movements into you. “Does it hurt?” He asked. “A little.” You sighed. He held your waist firmly before kissing you to help take away from the pain, after every few seconds, his length inches inside of you. Finally sheathed in you, the pain subsides. “Shotaro…move.”

Shotaro began to move in and out of you slowly, moans soon taking over yours and his throats. The feeling was amazing to you, you felt so secure, and so full, you didn’t think you could feel this way. Each thrust he gave was slow and meaningful, they were also precise enough to hit you at a good angle. Your hands gripped his shoulders, for leverage, holding onto him as his thrusts went harder. Giving more pleasure between the two of you.

Shotaro’s hard thrusts we’re so good that he was able to hit a spot in you that you didn’t even know you had. “Shotaro, there!” You moaned out. Shotaro moved down to your neck hiding in it as he continued his harsh thrusts, moaning into your neck as you clenched around him. “So good (Y/n).” He moaned. You moved your legs to wrap around his torso, feeling a bundle of nerves move from your stomach to your pussy, you were close again, and Shotaro was too. His dick twitched inside of you as his thrusts became sloppy. Only moans could be heard in the room as you both chased your orgasm. Shotaro removed his hand from your waist to vigorously rub at your clit throwing you off the edge. “Let go angel.” He groaned. You released around him. A cry of his name was all that you could utter in the moment. Your pussy clenching hard on his dick making him satisfied before releasing as well. Thick spurts of cum filled you up as you both rode out your highs together giving each other one final kiss as you both began to calm down. Still fully sheathed inside of you, Shotaro flips you two over, as you now lay on top of him. With his hands wrapped around your waist, Shotaro kisses your temple before you both fall into a deep sleep.

Act III

Scene i

As the two lovers awake from their slumber, they are in peace. Tranquil sounds fill the room as they recall last nights’ endeavors.

“Good morn.” You giggle. Shotaro kisses your head and nose before responding. “Good morn, love.” You and Shotaro both cuddle each other, still tight in each other’s embraces as you and your bodies were still tangled within each other from last night.

“We’re still intertwined.” You say, your warm heat still enclosed on Shotaro’s cock. “Yes, we are, doth my love wish to remove herself?” “It depends on if thou can’t take it anymore.” You reply. “Oh, I can handle it, thou feels so warm.” He comments. “But Shotaro, thou has to leave before my mother and father find out.” You said. “Mm, give me a minute, never a morn person.” You giggle at his reply. Even though it’s only been two days, you never realized how easy it is to love a person so much, it felt amazing.

“Come on, let us take a shower to clean off thy sins of last night.” You say removing yourself from his grip and standing up completely bare. Shotaro puts his arm behind his head, and smirks. “I’d rather watch the view, thou looks gorgeous.” You roll your eyes before walking off. “If thou wants to see this, thou should get up and come to the shower.” In a flash, he scurries to the bathroom door as you turn on the shower. You both clean yourselves off, scrubbing each other’s bodies, sharing kisses in between as you hurry to get out of the shower. After a few minutes, you and Shotaro both walk out, towels covering each other’s frames, hair wet, with the same smiles plastered on each other’s faces.

“I needed that.” Shotaro commented. “Me too, now we can get dressed, and find a way to hangout today.” You reply. “I know a way.” Shotaro smirks. He began to kiss your neck, licking at the love marks he left on you last night. “Mm, Taro.” You whimpered. He couldn’t help himself, you looked good coming out of the shower with nothing but a towel on. He removed your towel and you removed his, as you were both about to take it to the bed, but you felt your heart pretty much drop at the sound of a door opening.

“(Y/n) dear, it’s time for, Ahhh!” Your mother shrieked, dropping the glass of juice on the floor. You and Shotaro completely bare, sitting on the edge of the bed was the image your mother had to endure. Frozen, you didn’t know what to think, but Shotaro did, throw on his clothes and go, he hurriedly threw on his pants as your mom stood there anger in her face. As she charged towards you, you sprung for the covers, shielding your body from the open.

“Thou wretched boy how dare thou approach our sanctum!?” Your mother exclaimed as she moved to you. Shotaro was trying to find his shirt from the floor to hurry and leave, but the situation was worse when someone who you did not want to see showed up in your peripheral. “I heard screaming what has happened, OUT!!!” Your father exclaimed, not even giving a second to check out the entire situation. Your father began to charge at Shotaro full speed, luckily Shotaro managed to quickly climb down from the balcony, his chest pounding with adrenaline.

“Don’t you dare come back, if thou do, thou will face thy fury of thee, and surely view thy fiery depths of hell for thy sin put upon thy fruit of my loins!” Your father yelled towards Shotaro. As your dad turned around, you saw how angered he was. His face flustered, veins visible with his temple, eyes seething with rage. You wanted to say something, but you were too scared to. He finally saw the glimpse of the scene in your bedroom, messy sheets, your body only covered by the sheets that lay on top of your bed, a few fixtures from the room out of place, and the discarded clothes on the floor, especially Shotaro’s shirt and underwear finally made him put two and two together, you slept with each other, now even madder than before, he wasn’t going to let bygones be bygones, he needed to get some aggression out, and the only for that to happen was to visit the people who fueled that aggression.

“As I swear by thy world today, if I don’t get my hands on that boy who take away my daughter’s purity, rage that is built up in me shall be as hot as thy wicked in hell.” He seethes before walking out.

Scene ii

Tension has arose within the (L/n) family, now with the unforseen circumstances, their entire vacation now feels like a nightmare, especially for Mr. (L/n).

In a flash, Shotaro has made it home with no questions from his family that is until they overhear a light comment from Haechan that sparks suspicions.

“Oh look who’ comes about, thy man of thy hour, how did sulking in your own love and sin feel?” In that moment, Shotaro wanted to attack Haechan quickly, but was stopped by his parents. “Love and sin? What is thy boy mumbling about?” Mrs. Osaki asked. “Isn’t it obvious honey? Our son has found love, I’m proud.” Mr. Osaki replied. “Well who’s thy beautiful girl that you spark interest with, she must be intriguing.” Mrs. Osaki said. “Quite.” Shotaro commented. “Well don’t purse thy lips together, who doth she be?” Mr. Osaki asked. Haechan, YangYang, and Sungchan all looked at Shotaro with wide eyes, waiting for his answer. “Well, she’s, her name is…” Just then three loud bangs erupted from the door, the Osaki’s and the boys confused as to what the commotion was about. As they looked around noting that they heard the same thing, the banging happened again this time louder, not wanting to anticipate any longer, Mr. Osaki went to the door before opening it, and much to his dismay, was shocked to see a person he wasn’t ready to see.

Scene iii

There stood an angry Mr. (L/n) eyes scanning Mr. Osaki. Both had despised each other deeply, and to even see each other face to face was very surprising to say the least.

“Doth thou son not knoweth of the rules of fondling with my family!?” Mr. (L/n) asked. “What are thou uttering now?” Mr. Osaki replied. “I am talking about thy sins thou son has placed upon my daughter!” Everyone in the Osaki villa looked back at Shotaro anger or shock upon their faces. “Why would thou come up with a preposterous accusation of that nature!?” Mr. Osaki questioned. “Why!? Because thou son has been seen by my and my wife’s eyes for thy matter! They have been bare together, and have laid up through the sins of lust!” “Not lust, love, it is love that binds our young hearts together.” Shotaro speaks up. “Love!? What do thou know about love!? How could my daughter even love such scum that walk!? You’re ridiculous, you’re just as incompetent as your father!” “How dare thou speak to my son! Thou has no right to speak of thy relations that spill from thou mouth, thou is a pretentious hob knob that cares about nothing in thy world but thou own’s personal gain, do not blame my son for this mess, when thou daughter could be a glorified rich earned whore!”

With that there issued a punch to Mr. Osaki’s nose, the rage and fury finally drove Mr. (L/n) to his breaking point. Mr. Osaki stumbled back, the boys and Mrs. Osaki frozen at the scene. Mr. Osaki went and lunged at Mr. (L/n), punching him across his jaw. Eventually the fight continued, both men throwing punches left and right at each other, blood and bruises gathering on their faces. Mr. (L/n) took one hit to Mr. Osaki making him fall to the ground. “I always knew thou was a weakling, couldn’t even say no to others, and now look at thee, scattered across his own floor.” Mr. (L/n) scoffed. Suddenly, Mr. Osaki stood back up and gave Mr. (L/n) a really hard punch giving him a bloody nose. “I may be a weakling, but at least I don’t put up a facade of money and status to hide mine.” Mr. (L/n) then attacked Mr. Osaki by pushing him down, now punching him multiple times at once, his knuckles were covered with blood, while Mr. Osaki grunted from the pain. The boys and Mrs. Osaki pulled Mr. (L/n) off of his body, holding him steady as Mrs. Osaki went to check on her injured husband. Sadly, the strength of the four boys was too weak to hold Mr. (L/n) and with that he punched Shotaro across his jaw. Shotaro covered his mouth making sure there was no teeth or blood involved. “Stay away from my daughter.” He threatened. Mrs. Osaki saw enough and was ready to combust, this man has interrupted their vacation and has now beat up her husband and punched her son, she was pissed. “Get out! Thou shall be banned from our place immediately, go go!” She yelled before following him and closing the door after his way out.

Scene iv

As the fight and eruptions calm down, the Osaki household has some issues to resolve. One being of how to resolve the complications that came from Mr. (L/n).

“Thou are not to speak of this matter understand!? All four of thee are to go upstairs, thou three help Shotaro, and Shotaro, thou are not to interact with that tramp ever again! Do thou understand!?” Mrs. Osaki exclaimed. The boys nodded quickly before following orders.

“That was some blow thou took!” YangYang spoke. “Can we not talk about that right now, my father was almost murdered by a psycho!” “What is thou about to do?” Sungchan asked. “Nothing. We are still here for almost two weeks, I can make up with (Y/n) before we leave, I love her, and I won’t let that crazed man stand between us. “Thou is brave.” Haechan comments.

Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Osaki barge into Shotaro’s room. “I-, I just- WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? Did thou not listen to my orders when I say the (L/n)’s are bad people!?” Mr. Osaki yelled. “I’m sorry, but thou shouldn’t be mad about love, thou said it was a wonderful thing.” Shotaro replied. “Well maybe thou loves the wrong person, this time.” Mrs. Osaki said starkly. “Well at this point it doesn’t matter anymore because we are leaving right now! Pack your bags!” Mr. Osaki commanded. “W-why?” Haechan asked. “Why!? Because a foul creature has evaded my vacation home and has shunned me and my family, that’s why. Shotaro, thou will never speak to her again, and that’s final, if so, then thou should drop the name of Osaki till thou’s last days.”

At that moment, Shotaro’s heart sank how is he supposed to leave without saying goodbye, he wouldn’t do it. “No, why should I leave just because thou two hate each other!? I’d rather die a thousand deaths before leaving my one true love!” “Shotaro thou are leaving with us and that is final!” Mrs. Osaki said, putting Shotaro back in his place. He didn’t say another word, and began to pack, his friends showing worry in their eyes as Shotaro aggressively packed his bags, a tear slipping down his cheek. “I’ll miss her. I love her.” He mumbled.

Scene v

As the afternoon came along, you sat and waited for everything to settle down, not even thinking about your parents, only Shotaro and when he would come back.

You looked out your balcony. Hopefully Shotaro will come back, you had to see him again. The anticipation was driving you crazy. Everything here was very rough when your father walked out for a few hours. Your mother scolded you, explaining how wrong it was to sleep with someone they despised as well as sleeping with someone while you were engaged. She even tried to scrub the love bites that Shotaro left on you last night, it only made your skin dry and irritated with how hard she was scrubbing.

Suddenly, the door opened, hoping it was Shotaro, it was your parents, you looked at your father, his face was covered in scratches, bruises, and dried blood making you gasp. He noticed your worried expression before answering.

“It was Osaki, he did this, I confronted him about his son, and he just attacked me, I tried to fend for myself, but I was useless. He obviously hates us because of our previous issues, but now it’s worse since thou have sinned with that boy, therefore thou is forbidden to see him.” Your father spoke. “What, no thou can’t do that, I love him!” You exclaim. “Well, then I guess it won’t be hard for thee to love Yuta when thy marriage complete. It happens in three weeks, a week from when we go back home.” Your mother explained. “No, I don’t want to be married to anyone other than Shotaro!” You yell, tears welling in your eyes. “(Y/n), this marriage is binding and that is final! And if I so hear one word about that Osaki kid coming anywhere near thee again, then so help me I will make it be his last.” Your father commented. “And just so thou doth not get any ideas… she will have these doors locked shut for her well being.” Your dad said before locking the balcony doors and walking out with your mother before shutting the door and locking it as well. “No! Thou can’t do this, let me see him please!” You sob behind the door. “Goodnight my daughter.” Your parents both said in sync. You silently sob into your pillow, wanting to see Shotaro again.

Shotaro Epilogue

The Osaki’s and the boys boarded the plain swiftly, all upset that their trip had to end over petty drama. The only ones sympathetic about the situation was Haechan, YangYang, and Sungchan who have never seen their best friend so crushed before, they knew that he obviously loved you and couldn’t let go, but he had to. All the stuff that he did was for you, and he’d be willing to do it all again if it meant to see you. He clutched his heart the entire time, completely heartbroken, eyes bloodshot from how much he cried about missing you. His only regret was never kissing you goodbye. But he has also learned a pretty good life lesson, love at first sight is real, but don’t be a fool enough to fall for it. As the plane began to take off he shed one final tear before the plane left the ground. “Goodbye my love.” He whispered quietly.

(Y/n) Epilogue

You had come to find out that the Osaki’s left the night of your father’s fight with Mr. Osaki, you were crushed, how could he leave? How could Shotaro leave. What was worse was that you found out one week after they left, depressed about your lover, you were crushed. He was the one you wanted to marry, the one you wanted to start a family with, live with him together forever. Now, you sit at home getting ready for the wedding reception for today, but you were very nauseous. Throwing up left and right since last night, once you peed on the small blue stick, it made sense, no period, the vomiting, and mood swings, you were pregnant, so now, you are getting married to the wrong man, you’re pregnant, and now, your lover and father of your child has departed from you, what a way to end all that you and Shotaro have stayed together for. “(Y/n) darling, are you ready?” Your mother asked. “No, but if it makes everyone else happy, then sure.” Everyone gets happiness but you and Shotaro, the boy who you will always love.

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wrenhyperfixates · 3 years

Text

The Problem With Birthdays

Pairing: Loki x reader Summary: You want to enjoy your birthday with Loki, but your fears that one day no one will love you are keeping you from having fun. Warnings: a bit angsty; fluff A/N: 1/2 Happy Birthday to my best friend @lokistan!! 🥳🥳🥳 May you have the most wonderful day ever. As requested, here’s a birthday fic for you! I hope you enjoy ❤️ 2/2 This is technically a sequel to The Secret Admirer, but you don’t have to read that to enjoy this 😄

Tag List: @lucywrites02 @frostedgiant @lunarmoon8 @twhiddlestonsstuff @lokistan @lowkeyorlokificrecs @gaitwae @whatafuckingdumbass @castiels-majestic-wings @kozkaboi @cozy-the-overlord

Disclaimer: Gif not mine

“Darling?” Loki called, walking into the common room where you were on the couch, book in hand.

“Right here, my love. What’s up?”

“We need to talk.” He came and sat beside you as set your novel down. He took your hand in his and pressed a quick kiss to the back of your knuckles. “About your birthday.”

“You know how much I love talking to you, but I actually have to go meet Carol and Lauren in the lab. Talk later?”

“You are avoiding this,” he replied simply as you stood up. “You know you can tell me anything, right my darling?”

You stood before him and fidgeted with your charm bracelet, a nervous tic you’d picked up ever since you started wearing it. It had been a gift from Loki back when he’d been your secret admirer, not your boyfriend. You were beyond happy with how things had worked out, and your relationship was the most pure, perfect thing you’d ever experienced. Still, doubts filled your mind. You’d never dared hope he was actually your secret admirer those many months ago, but you’d fantasized that he was. It was an understatement to say you’d been pleasantly surprised when he came clean. The smile he’d given you that night was perhaps the most radiant one ever.

“I know,” you finally replied. “Just, later. Ok?”

“As you wish.”

He pulled you back down for a kiss before letting you go to the lab. He had a feeling you’d made no plans to meet up with your friends, but if you wanted to go, he’d never hold you back. And that extended to if you wanted to leave the relationship, which is what he feared was happening now. With a sigh, he stood, too. He had a party of sorts to plan. Nothing big, just a small dinner for the Avengers. He knew that’s what you would want, considering how you seemed to wish to avoid anything to do with your birthday in the first place.

Meanwhile, you arrived at the lab where your two best friends were testing a new invention. You smiled as Lauren, Tony’s newest lab assistant, tested what you could only figure were jet pack boots of some kind. Kind of like the ones on the Ironman suit, but disguised to look like normal shoes. Carol flew beside her, making sure she didn’t fall and hurt herself. Captain Marvel was in between intergalactic missions at the moment and was staying at the Tower to help keep an eye on things here on Earth. You didn’t know what it was about the two of them, but the three of you just clicked, and were now an inseparable trio.

“Hey! What’s up?” Lauren greeted once she had both feet planted firmly on the ground again.

“You look upset. Everything ok?” Carol asked, propping her elbows on one of the lab tables.

“Relatively ok, I guess,” you replied, playing with your bracelet again. You were holding the horse charm in between your thumb and forefinger. Loki had given it to you as a gift, a reminder of when he’d confessed his feeling in a horse drawn carriage. “Just not looking forward to tomorrow.”

“But it’s your birthday,” Carol said. “What’s wrong with that?”

“It doesn’t matter,” you mumbled with a shrug of your shoulders. “It’s silly.”

“Look at me,” Lauren said, gently gripping your arms and giving you a light shake. “Don’t say that. Your feelings always matter; they’re not silly.”

“Thank you,” you said. “That means a lot to me. But, really, it’s alright.”

“Fine. But we’re here if you need us,” Carol said as they captured you in a group hug.

As you thanked them again, you could only hope that tomorrow would come and go without much fanfare.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning you woke up so cozy in your bed, you didn’t want to get up. Maybe you could while away your birthday in bed, pretend you were sick. But, no. You knew that would only push celebrations back, not stop them.

“Good morning, darling,” Loki said, knocking on your door. “Are you awake?”

“I am,” you called in reply. “Come in.”

“Happy Birthday, my sweet,” he greeted, walking in. He sat next to you on your bed and planted a kiss on your forehead. His lips lingered close to your skin as if he was hesitant to let you go, as if he thought he’d never be allowed to kiss you again. You looked up, your nose brushing against his, and kissed him on the lips. He smiled. “And how are you doing today?”

You’d never actually told him what was wrong yesterday. You wanted to talk to him, you really did, but you worried that by telling him your fears, they would come true.

“I’m ok, I guess.”

“Just ok?” he gasped. “Well, I know what will make that better.”

He waved his hands and trays of foods came flying in. There was bacon and pancakes and pastries and fruit bowls and just about everything else you could want. Honestly, it was far more than you could eat, but you definitely planned on sampling everything. You beamed at Loki, hugging him as he pulled you onto his lap.

“Breakfast in bed, darling?” he asked with a smile.

“Yes, please,” you grinned back.

You sat for a while longer, eating and watching your favorite show. Eventually you decided you might as well get up and face the day. Loki left to go make the final preparations for dinner while you showered. A little less than an hour later, you reluctantly got out of the warm water, and sat on your bed once more in a robe, just staring at a wall. You don’t know how long you stayed there for, but it took a great effort to stand up and get dressed.

Once you had on your comfiest pants and favorite sweater, you tried to leave the room. You ended up flopping down on the bed again. You wanted to spend the day with your friends, not to mention Loki, the love of your life, but your worries were petrifying you.

“Is everything ok in there?” Loki asked, at your closed door once more.

“Sort of.”

“May I come in?”

You got up and opened the door for him. If only it was as easy to do that metaphorically as it was literally. He gently cupped your cheeks, his thumb gently stroking your warm skin, an unasked question in his eyes. You looked down, unable to bear disappointing him. It hurt you to shut him out like this; you’d always been honest with each other. You gave him a shy smile as he carefully tilted your head up and kissed you again.

“I, uh, I guess I promised we’d talk,” you said.

“You did, but I will not hold you to it if you are uncomfortable sharing.”

Gosh you loved this man. “I want to talk, it’s just...” you sighed, and pulled him back over to the bed to sit again. “Birthdays are supposed to be a day to celebrate, right?”

“Indeed they are.” He softly caressed the side of your face, looking very much like he wanted to kiss all your troubles away. “Because we all love you.”

“Well, that’s just it,” you whispered, your voice soft as you turned away so he wouldn’t see the tears in your eyes. “What if one year everyone realizes that they don’t love me? Then I’ll be spending every year, every day, every minute alone. I... I don’t want to lose you.”

Loki held you to his chest as you began to sob, wiping the now fallen tears from your cheeks. He cooed and kindly shushed you as you got it out of your system. You’d held it in so long you’d grown numb to the pain, but now you were feeling it full force.

Loki moved your sweater out of the way and kissed your shoulder, moving up your neck and to your wet cheeks. His heart broke a little bit as he tasted the salty drops on his lips. He so wished you hadn’t kept this bottled up, that you’d shared with him. Perhaps it was a little selfish, but he did also feel a spark of happiness at the moment of your confession since he thought you were about to say you didn’t love him anymore. Your thoughts were quite the opposite, in reality, and he cursed himself that he let you think that way for even a fraction of a second.

“I will always love you, darling,” he said as your cries slowly came to a stop, leaving hiccups in their wake. “And when I say always, I truly do mean forever and beyond the constraints of time. It was like a dream when you told me you felt the same way. My very own heavenly angel loved me, too. My heart, my soul, my passion, my darling. My love. Your insecurities are valid; everyone is allowed to have them. But I beg of you, come to me next time. We can work through them together.”

You sniffled to stop another set of tears. “I know. Thank you, Loki. I was worried that if I told you, you’d realize that you didn’t love me. But I know you do, really. And I love you so, so much, too.”

He pulled you down to be laying on the bed and wrapped his body around yours. When you were feeling better, you chatted a bit, keeping the conversation light after the heavy topics you’d been discussing. You finally told Loki you felt ready to go out and face the day, which was more then halfway over at this point. He checked to make sure you were certain of your decision, and after a kiss to each of your eyelids and the tip of your nose, escorted you out of your room.

“Happy Birthday!” the Avengers greeted you as you made your way into the common room.

Loki had taken your desire to keep celebrations simple to heart. There was a banner and some balloons, but that was it in the way of decorations. As for the team, they gave you kind hugs and thoughtful gifts, but no one made too big of a deal out of it. No shouting or crazy partying, just some quality time spent doing puzzles and playing board games and watching movies. Carol, Lauren, and a few of the others even hilariously recreated some of your favorite scenes from the films you’d picked. Of course, they were all making sure you knew you were loved and appreciated, too. In other words, it was perfect.

Dinner and dessert, your favorites served at both, were also amazing. You spent the time reminiscing and sharing stories from your childhood. Soon after, you retired to your room. After you got changed into your pajamas for the night, you met Loki in the living room of your large quarters. He was fiddling with something you couldn’t quite make out.

“What’s that you got there?” you asked, perching on the couch next to him.

“It is another gift for you, my darling,” he replied, presenting it to you.

You opened up the small pouch he’d handed you and pulled out a charm. It was a key, and you immediately added it to the growing collection on your bracelet.

“Thank you, my love,” you said. “It’s perfect.”

“And that is not all,” he grinned as you looked at him with excitement and surprise written plainly across your features. He pulled out a charm of his own on a necklace, hidden by his shirt. It was a heart with a lock carved into it. You looked again at the key and realized it would fit perfectly. “I want you to know that you have the key to my heart. I love you, my angel.”

“And I will protect it with everything I have in me. Because I love you, too, Loki. More than I can ever say.”

“Happy Birthday, darling.”

It may take some time, but you think you could grow to like your birthday. At very least, as Loki kissed you again, you knew you never had to worry about being left alone. No, not when Loki would be there for you until the end of time and every moment after.

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markleesthighs · 4 years

Note

Hotel! AU With Lucas~?? 👉👈

-idk what you meant by hotel, but umm manager lucas makes me think, so like crazy rich!y/n x hotel manager! lucas

[7:27 PM] Your finally got off your long plane ride, landing in Seoul. Your sister was getting married to her longtime boyfriend, which was a wedding the talk of all of Seoul. Your sister was an actress and her boyfriend was a famous director, both winning oscars overseas. You, on the other hand was a world class fashion icon, showing up at multiple fashion weeks and constantly having high class brands beg for your to wear their pieces. It would be no shock that once you stepped off your family’s private jet, there was paparazzi active, asking who you were wearing and what you were planning on wearing to the wedding. Your sisters wedding was in one of the most exclusive and expensive hotels in all of Seoul, and they rented out the entire hotel for its guests. Your limo pulled up to the gates where you stated your name and verified your identification to let the guards open the gates. As you pulled up a handsome man who opened the limo door for you and held your hand. You felt some sort of warmth to his touch and his eyes made your heart melt. You hadn’t felt this way about someone since your ex boyfriend 2 years ago. What were you thinking? Someone like you? Dating someone like him? It would be the end of the world for the both of you. You looked down at his name tag as it read “Lucas” An interesting name you thought.

“Hello I am Lucas, the manager of the hotel, let us help you with your luggage and any accommodations you will need.” He said as he graciously held your purse for you.

“Thank you.”

You walked into the hotel to be greeted with your sister squealing bringing you into a hug. You hugged her fiancé as you caught up with her while Lucas checked you in.

“Miss y/n, you are checked in for the presidential suite at the top floor, let me also show you to your room and give you the tour.”

“T-thank you”

You sister noticed your stutter, something that generally can back when you were flustered or around someone you liked. She gave you a smirk and winked as you rolled your eyes and glared at her, hoping Lucas didn’t see.

You walked into an elevator with only you and Lucas as it was dead silent. You looked at him looking at his fashion choices, which you generally judged people on. He had Cartier studs, a perfectly fitted Hermès suit, a shiny new Rolex, and shiny Gucci loafers. He had good taste you thought to yourself. As the elevator door opened you tripped on elevator crack with your heel as he caught you hold you firmly and supporting you.

“Are you alright? You must be more careful when stepping off with such beautiful Louboutin shoes, I wouldn’t want to scuff those.”

You were starstruck, he smelled like Versace cologne and it mixed beautifully with your Chanel No. 5 perfume as you saw he also took a liking to your perfume. He helped you stand back up with his arm now supporting you as you both strolled to your room. You noticed that Lucas was still taller than you with your heels on which was rare since most guys wouldn’t dare approach you with your reflective sunglasses and intimidating behavior. Lucas unlocked and opened the door to one of the most luxurious hotel rooms you’ve seen. You’ve traveled and stayed at expensive hotels overseas but nothing compared to this suite. It smelled like fresh cotton and flowers, and everything was perfectly polished and cleaned. You were marveled, you would usually have at least a complaint by now but you were left speachless. Your clothes were already placed in the closet, color coded perfectly. All of your skincare and makeup of beautifully organized on the sink and vanity.

“Is everything up to your standards, miss y/n?.”

“Y-yes...h-how did.”

“We consulted your assistants, butlers, and maids overseas about your standards and wanted to make sure they were followed accordingly.”

You looked over at the vase of violets.

“How did you know violets were my favorite?”

“I didn’t. I always think violets have a calming scent and look, that can make any place feel like home.” He said with a smile.

“If theres anything else we can do for you, you can give us a call on the phones or use the PA systems located around your room. Enjoy your stay. “

As he walked out you took a look around your room, hoping to find a complaint (to see Lucas again) but you had none. You even noticed your bed was folded perfectly so a flap would be open on the side of the bed you slept on. As you sat down you got a call from your sister who was begging you to come down to the hotel’s restaurant to go have dinner with her and her fiancé, to catch up and go over last minute wedding decorations (since you had one of the most detailed eyes in the world). You agreed as you changed into a Dior sundress, Hermès sandals, and a Prada clutch. You opened the elevator to the entrance of the restaurant where your sister was exitedly waving you down at their table.

“It’s so lovely to see you again, I love that dress!”

“Thanks, it’s from Dior’s 2021 spring line.”

“2021?? Darling that’s a year away how did you get your hands on this piece?”

“I didn’t most brands send me their upcoming lines to see if it meet my approval and will curve with current fashion trends.”

“You never fail to amaze me, y/n.”

As you were about to speak a waiter came by and dropped off some warm green tea for you. It was your signature drink, so it wasn’t a long shot, until you took a sip. It was made to your liking. It was seeped from the Da-Hong Pao brand with a teaspoon of Elvish honey. They even got the temperature exactly right, at 175 degrees. You suspected Lucas. He made everything perfect for you, it was nice, but you assumed he did that for all of his guests. You all continued to talk over dinner, creating conversations from cute dogs on Instagram to which way bridesmaids should present themselves at the wedding. After dinner you all transitioned to the grand ballroom, the main stage for the wedding. Your sister was nervously twiddled her fingers as you gazed at the decor. Lucas came in short after following you around taking notes, hanging on your every word.

“These flowers aren’t fresh replace all of them by tomorrow, make sure all of the silverware is perfectly straight next to the plate, turn the centerpieces by 35 degrees so the lights hit them better, the goody bag bags look tacky, replace them with Louis Vultton bags and put in Louis Vultton, Gucci, and Channel accessories, with each bag with different ones so they never match.”

“B-but, y/n, we can’t possibly purchase that in time!”

“Don’t worry sis, Lucas please charge any additional items that I’ve adjusted onto my card.”

“y/n please! You’re our guest!”

“Stop it. What else am I going to blow with all money? It’s worth it for your wedding.”

You handed Lucas your card as he wrote down your information. You continued on your purge to the point where your sister and fiancé got tired and went up to their room exhausted and they definitely needed some rest. So now it was just you and Lucas in the ballroom, alone.

“Miss, y/n, I know you want everything to be perfect for your sisters wedding, but I think you’re beating a dead horse at this point. “

“I am not!”

“Do you really think moving the chair in by one centimeter it really necessary?”

You sighed as you looked at your sandals.

“No, it’s not.”

“Why are you so punctual about this, miss y/n, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“It’s cause, this, was supposed to be my wedding. I was engaged two years ago, to a man who only wanted me for my money. I had all the wedding planning set until I was informed he was trying to sell my stocks and take everything from my bank account and runaway with some other famous B lister model. So once I heard my sister was getting married, I let her have my wedding plans. So now, I’m being overly punctual, since I know I would be like this on my wedding day.”

“Well, sometimes imperfect things allow the world to let it be perfect in ways you’ve never known. If this were my wedding, I wouldn’t care how lavish or perfect it was, as long as I was marrying someone I loved.”

Lucas’ words resonated into your mind, maybe you needed to let things be imperfect, even for your sister.

“So be it then, I’m done ‘perfecting’ for the night. Afterall, it’s not my wedding.”

As you walked out Lucas called out your name, and asking for your number. You hesitated asking him why and he said to discuss any issues that occur on the day of the wedding so he can contact you and discuss any certain changes. Right, he wasn’t trying to hit on you, why would he want to, he probably has a girlfriend or something right? You gave him your number and you walked into the elevator back to your room. You fantasized what it would be like to date him, going out on lavish dates, not worrying about who was going to pay for the check, and you felt that you would have a fun time with him. You took your shower and came out of the bathroom to see that you’re missing your roller from your skincare routine. You called Lucas up in your robe and wet hair to ask him for your cold Jade roller you used to smoothen and contour your face. He brought it up and gave it to you. But as he left, you grabbed his arm and asked him to roll your face for you, since your maids would do it for you. He chuckled as he submit to your request sitting down on your bed with you as you watched him gently roll your face. His eyes looked so delicate carefully not trying to put too much pressure on your face. You felt your heart beating faster every time you were around him, he was unpredictable to you and he was never intimidated by you either. You had never been able to open up to someone as easily as him.

When he was finished you noticed it started to thunderstorm, which worried you, since you had a secret fear of thunder and lightning. Lucas looked at you and gently caressed your face, making sure everything rolled correctly. But as he was about to get up a loud clash of the lightning struck and you squeaked as you fell into his arms holding on to him tight.

“P-please, d-don’t leave yet...”

Lucas looked at you in sympathy but got up leaving you in the dust. You were disappointed, knowing things like this would happen, even if you did like him. Who would even want to date- But Lucas returned dressed in his comfortable clothes which he received from the cleaning maids on your floor. He quickly came back to your shivering state hearing another clash of thunder. Lucas pulled you into a cuddling embrace in your bed. He also came back with some Airpods and played your favorite music to drown out the noise of the storm. You soon fell asleep on his chest, feeling warm and safe in his arms.

-pt. 2?? wedding day?

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dropsofletters · 4 years

Text

what lovers do

title: what lovers do pairing: johnny seo/reader genre: married in vegas!au/accidental marriage!au/strangers to lovers!au summary: the eve of new year’s is ruined when she realizes that one drunken night makes her a married woman. johnny seo doesn’t sound like a bad option to have as a husband, but she barely knows the man! could she get a divorce before new year’s eve? type: fluff/humor/angst word count: 22,090

December 5th

The taste of alcohol lingers on the back of his tongue, permeable through the room as he folds another one of his pieces of clothing. The early call of the morning burns on his eyelids, the comfort of his disheveled and fluffed out sheets seemingly too close for him to even fight back the desire to go back to bed and let his endeavors from last night talk through his dreams. However, the practical procrastinator that Johnny Seo claims to be would be offended by such antics, and it would also lead to a terrible headache later on the day when he actually has to get prepared to take a flight to Las Vegas.

The promise he makes inside his head is that he is going to finish packing as fast as he can before going back to bed and basking on his night out of drinking, the aftereffects buzzing through his skin and body.

Though, the excitement that settles on his chest is far stronger, welcoming December with its cold weather but also looking forward to the amount of memories he is planning to make during the month. Not only does he get to spend time with her childhood friend before she gets married to her high school love, but there is also the fact that this is his first big break after a long while of working as the party planner of the biggest events happening in Seoul at the moment, that has taken every ounce of energy away from him. Surely, the weight of his job would only be present as he takes pictures of the gorgeous decorations or the landscapes that he never wants to get out of his brain, but long forgotten will be the hours of being called endlessly to fix something in the list of invitees to a party.

His weight settles on top of the navy blue luggage he had just filled with his clothes, trying his hardest to remember how to properly organize clothing in order to have more space, learned from that one video he saw earlier on the week, but his mind comes up with absolute blankness. Instead, Johnny’s long legs bounce slightly, his fingertips gripping the zipper on the side to get it to close, using his other hand to push any pieces of fabric that may appear from the sides, only to hear the sound of someone groaning after the door to his room opens.

“What exactly are you doing, Johnny?” That tone comes from a hungover Taeyong, looking like the epitome of a surfer boy, with the way his blonde hair parts in the middle, soft strikes of his natural jet-black hair appearing at the roots. Being the one to take drinks better from the entirety of their group of friends, he remembers Taeyong undoing the buttons of his shirt the moment the contents of his third bottle of beer were down his throat and sooner than later, he started to snooze. Now his eyes are squinting thanks to the filtered lights through Johnny’s curtains, all effects from the sun, moving forward to push his friend away from the luggage to take a look at the mess he’d made.

“I was packing.”

Cheeks puffed out in annoyance, Taeyong looks at Johnny from over his shoulder before taking out the t-shirts the taller man had packed. “It’s impressive that you even dare to call this packing.”

Seoul does include some of his best memories, even when he is actually leaving for a month and a half to spend time with the people that had watched him grow up, from the basketball player of a high school student he was to the party planner he is today. Somewhere in college, he met Taeyong—always the protector of everyone surrounding him, his roommate at his dorm that got one too many headaches from the mess Johnny likes to leave around his room. Mind him, he thinks it is an organized mess. Soon after, there came Yuta as an exchange student that never actually left, working alongside Johnny to be the cause of Taeyong’s quickened heart palpitations, and not for a good reason, most of the time with their morning adventures and their sneaky jokes thrown to their sweetest of friends.

Someone else plops down on the bed, the mess of bleached blonde hair noticeable in the sunlit room. Jungwoo came to his life in the form of softly spoken words, his pupil throughout his beginnings as a party planner, cousin of one of his closest friends and for a reason, one of his best friends nowadays. Something about him is incredibly and naturally pure, until liquid courage goes visit him and Jungwoo becomes a more outstanding version of himself. After all, it had been his idea to go out drinking as a farewell to Johnny—not permanent, of course—and his idea developed into even worse decisions throughout the night. All made in good fun, of course.

“Why is everyone talking so loudly?” Jungwoo speaks softly, his eyes closing immediately after his cheek presses tightly against the surface of Johnny’s bed. The man takes this time to change his clothing from last night and take a shower before he even forgets to do so. His shirt is over his head by the time Taeyong speaks up.

“Because Johnny was jumping on the bed and he woke me up.” Taeyong argues, squinting his eyes at his ex-roommate. While all his closest friends are here at that exact moment, it isn’t always like this. In most occasions, Taeyong just goes over to check on Yuta’s and Johnny’s place, saying that he has to make sure there is something more than noodles on their shelves and that they keep their place tidy enough to walk through it. “Why are you taking so many t-shirts to Las Vegas, by the way? I thought you were just going there for a few weeks because of your friend’s wedding.”

Opening the door to his bathroom, his pants obviously still on, he leans against the doorframe as he speaks. “Because I’m going to Chicago a few days before Christmas.”

“Oh, right. I had forgotten.” The least blonde of the pair speaks, closing Johnny’s luggage expertly and in an efficient manner. “Come on, Jungwoo. I’m going to give you some painkillers and I’ll prepare some breakfast.”

The thought of fulfilling breakfast after a long night out with his friends is enough to have Johnny’s hand reaching for his stomach, smiling at the sight of Jungwoo sitting up in a hassle. “How come you two don’t have a headache?” The youngest asks, earning a puff from Taeyong.

“I have one. I’m just not projecting it.”

Johnny scoffs at his friend’s words. “You think you’re not projecting it? Look at yourself in the mirror.” A brief smile appears over Taeyong’s face, watching as the tallest takes a few steps forward, bringing his phone up from his bedside table to unlock it and show something to the people he is not going to be able to see as much as he is used to. They have been there for him almost every day of the past few years and it would be a lie if he says he is not going to miss them. “And you have such terrible headaches because Yuta and I were taking care of you when you decided to take us to Victoria’s Secret and buy a pair of bras for you guys.”

Jungwoo is the first one to lean forward, looking over Johnny’s shoulder to gasp at the picture of the two drunkest people of the night, both wearing exactly what Johnny had talked about. “Why did you take a picture of that?!”

“You asked me to!”

Taeyong’s face basically merges into a frown, laughing at his own antics before shaking his head. “I did that?”

“Yes, but don’t feel bad about it.” Pushing his phone away towards his bed, Johnny takes a breath in. This is the life that he is going to miss for a while; the calmness of such a place, the friends that make him feel like there is not a funnier moment to live than the present. This, even though he doesn’t say it, is also his home. “I’ve been there. I’ve done similar things.”

Two of Jungwoo’s fingers press to his temples, softly groaning at the pain. Hesitantly, he opens his eyes to correspond to the conversation. “At least they looked good on me. I have better tits than Taeyong.”

Wrapping his hands around Jungwoo’s shoulders to bring him out of the room, the two men leave by the time Taeyong says: “Let’s just get you those painkillers before you say more stupid stuff—”

With his towel tossed over his shoulder, the fabric carefully touching his skin, Johnny wonders what exactly will wait for him after he gets on that plane later on the day. Something within him settles comfortably, the feeling of warmth coming from beneath him speaking wonders to his sixth sense. Nothing could go wrong as long as he gets to see his best friend.

💍

December 7th

Digging in the depths of his white, puffy jacket, he tries not to grasp on to his phone to entertain himself further in the thoroughly planned welcoming breakfast getaway that his friend, Sam, had invited him to. The hotel bed still calls out for him, a reminder of the long trip he had and a memory of jetlag, profoundly living beneath him in the confusion he feels between time and space. Nonetheless, he can appreciate the smell of food being cooked near him, the backyard of Sam’s fiancé house far bigger than what he had ever imagined.

Well, Sam’s list of wishes in a man had always involved at least a few thousands in his back account, but that is just her preference. Valid, though harsh.

Fixing his faux glasses falling on top of his nose-bridge, Johnny takes the time to look at the masterpiece that Sam had prepared, not as excellent as a party he would host, but it’s damn near close. The backyard is decorated beautifully, shades of cream, brown and white covering all the small tables that keep their closest friends and families divided in groups that were not uncomfortable with one another. There is a buffer with thousands of sweets, all waiting for him to try once he gets some food in his system and a small place for the children to play around. He shall be seated by the table that includes Sam’s high school friends, but he has already embarked in enough conversations about jobs, marriage and kids to get bored. What he wants to do, however, is just take a nice breath in and relax.

He deserves this. He has worked damn hard for years without a break to earn himself a title in between the richest of individuals, and naturally, he simply wants to relax while far away from the groups of people, drinking on the smoothie that he had gotten from one of Sam’s family members—the contents, he doesn’t remember, but he is guessing there is papaya and banana somewhere in there.

Squatting down near the bushes, taking pictures of Sam as she talks to her fiancé and his family, there is a woman holding a camera. Her eyes are completely focused on the device in front of her, hair tied away from her face, body cladded in casual clothing, far less elegant than the majority of the people there. She is an outsider, he can tell, for she has not taken a break from taking pictures. The shape of her legs when she stands up is what catches his attention first, a small smile playing on his lips when he pushes the glass filled with fruity mixtures up his lips.

A blessing in disguise, really, that is exactly what she is. A rose hiding in a sea of thorns.

Following after Sam when she walks over to him is what the photographer does, and he knows exactly she is one just by taking a look at her. Overly serious with that hint of awkwardness because she is taking pictures of such an important moment in a person’s life…as a complete stranger. He hires them for his parties, more often than not calling one of Jungwoo’s friends—they need the boost in their curriculum, and Johnny desires for different styles depending on the scenery of the event.

“Johnny!” Sam greets him, long and brown locks falling behind her tanned shoulders, a memory of the plenty of travelling she has done during the summer. Johnny keeps up with his high school best friend as often as he can, but the past few months have been much too involved with exotic islands from her part. “What are you doing here? Are you getting too hungry? I promise the food will be finished soon.”

“There is only so much marriage talk I can stand before I get bored.” His eyes lift up to see that, from a bit far away, the photographer is taking pictures of them, his lips enveloping one of his famous smirks. “You know I take excellent pictures, why hire someone else?”

Looking over her shoulder, Sam waves her hand at the photographer, who simply waves back before going back to take pictures of other individuals. “She is one of the best photographers I have known. Sorry.” The woman jokes around, pushing her plush lips forward. “Besides, Orlando has known her for a long time…and he wanted me to hire her, too.”

Raising an eyebrow, Johnny chuckles. “I’m not complaining.”

“Johnny!” Sam whines, pushing her friend’s shoulder before joining in his laughter. “She is pretty, though. Not my style, but pretty.”

“You like the rich style.”

“I do.” The giggle that leaves her shows her materialistic side, the one that covers the majority of her good traits. Sam has been nothing but supportive of him, a woman made to take over the world. Leaning forward, Sam grips the edge of Johnny’s coat, bringing him closer to her to whisper to him. “Do you want me to talk to her about you or…?”

Johnny simply knows he has it under control. Flirting has always come naturally for him, seeping through his words, dripping like honey from his plush lips. In the past, he used it more often—when his job didn’t take up a big chunk of his life away, leaving him to useless small talk and brief dates that end in nothingness. “I have it under control.” He confirms his thoughts, watching as Sam’s lips wrap in a weak whistle. “What?”

“Go get her, tiger.” Sam indicates, turning around when she hears someone calling her name. “Oh, hi! Oh my God, you’re pregnant?!”

At least, he doesn’t have to feel bad for leaving his friend alone.

Eyes lingering on her presence, Johnny tries to approach her endlessly, only to come up with nothing. Her feet bring her to one side of the backyard to the other, complying to the people who want to get their pictures taken and repeating them over and over again for those who are not pleased with the outcomes. The first few times, he simply stands back and accepts it is her job that is in the line and while Sam must look like the epitome of serenity on the outside, she can get a little bit petty when it comes to the dream day of her upcoming wedding, even when this is just a welcoming party for those who had to come from different parts of the world. However, the more he looks at her, the more he feels like he need to spark some conversation.

Normally, Johnny is a very pleasing guy to talk to, but he doesn’t pride himself on his teasing behavior, at times. It exudes in his actions, too, when he decides to photobomb every picture that she has taken, standing in the back, ruining a perfect background or simply making a silly face. It goes unbeknownst to her for at least an hour and Johnny decides that enough is enough, sitting down with his friends and enjoying a fulfilling breakfast after the couple’s long speech about their welcoming wishes and their impending wedding.

It is when he is looking through his phone, pondering if he should go back home to rest his headache away, that he feels someone tapping him on the shoulder rapidly and when he turns around, he thinks Santa gave him an early visit and gifted him the most precious of gifts. On her face, there is an impending frown, household of her frustration towards him and it has never looked better on anyone else.

He can’t help but smile when she says:

“You photobombed all my pictures!”

“Yeah, so?”

He is aware of what he is doing, of the terrible aftertaste of his words when he smiles at her because she suddenly realizes that his intentions were to do such thing. “Why would you do that? Now I have to edit all of them!” The groan in her voice has him feeling a bit bad, but partially, he is just happy of getting her attention. Instead, he shrugs his shoulders.

“You could always send some my way. I’m also good with photography and editing.” The proposal is supposed to bring them together or make her feel better, but there is something in the glare that she gives him that means the exact opposite. Still, she continues talking to him.

“You never told me why you did what you just did.” She presses, earning a sigh from Johnny from simply looks up before standing up from his seat, crossing his arms over his chest to show his confidence in the situation. Now that she is not hiding most of her face with a camera, her features become even more beautiful under his gaze.

“I wanted to get your attention.”

Scoffing, she looks through the set of pictures. “And you did, in the worst way possible, by the way.” Taking the memory card out of her camera after a few clicks, her fingers touch his palm when she puts it inside his hand. “I just made a backup. I need you to edit them and give them to me on the wedding day. My last hour of work was ruined just because of you and I am not letting you go easily.”

Johnny plays with the memory card in between his fingers, pressing a kiss to the surface before nodding. “I’ll have them looking like I was never there to start with.”

“I wish.” She mutters, earning a hum from the man.

“What’s that?” He asks, knowing exactly what she said but instead, he is welcomed by her strong stare.

“Don’t disappoint me, or I’ll make sure to kick your pompous ass once I finish this job.” The threat in her tone doesn’t scare him, not that it should when in reality he is going to edit himself out of the pictures to make them look as tidy as possible. Before he can say anything to her face, he watches her turn away, his eyes looking up and down her body before he speaks a bit louder for her to listen to.

“It was nice to meet you! Can I have your name?”

Stopping on her tracks, she tells him a name quickly, huffing out a breath before sparing him a glance. “What about you? I have to know your name so I can know where you are the day of the wedding.” He has a little bit less than a week before the day comes by, so he is sure he will be able to complete the task with his laptop and his Photoshop skills.

“The love of your life.”

“Listen, pretty boy, don’t play with me. I’m not in a good mood.”

“The love of your life or Johnny, either one works.” He corrects himself, earning a sharp nod from the woman before she leaves with her camera towards another place.

Feisty is the first thing he thinks when she slips away from his line of vision.

💍

December 13th

Putting the memories of the previous night back together is difficult for Johnny as he sleepily lays back on his hotel bed.

The memory card was placed inside the pocket of his jacket, pressing against his skin as he watched Sam going down the aisle hand on hand with her stepfather, followed by the photographer who had gotten herself dressed up for the occasion, wearing a somewhat average length dress in the softest shade of pale blue. That much is clear in his head, reminiscent of the big hug he gave the couple once they were out of the church, the smile he gave to the camera when the photographer got closer to take a picture of them and the eye roll that followed soon after when he beamed even brighter at her.

Soon after came the party, a nice event salon filled with people, black and white decorations and the most noir of concepts, elegant and vintage exactly like how Sam wanted. His first drink came when the speech Sam gave continued with a video of her youthful years, pictures of Johnny and Sam along with their group of friends appearing in the big screen, and damn him for passing on the expensive treats that Sam was serving for her wedding—all made exactly by the ingredients he didn’t like, too bitter for his taste, and the fact that he drank that second glass of whiskey before it actually downed on him. Now, Johnny is not much of a drinker in a daily basis, but in a celebration…it was normal to have one drink or two. Maybe, he had just gotten used to having soju and beer in most occasions, in the few times he does drink, or perhaps the whiskey was far stronger thanks to its age.

The point is that everything is a blur after that; he remembers eating something from the hands of Orlando himself and of course, he remembers giving the memory card to a smiley photographer, unlike anything he had seen her be like in the wedding rehearsals, when she wouldn’t even utter a word his way. They had known each other for almost a week, and yet, they hadn’t crossed the line of absolute hatred from her part and his stupidity coming from his. Instead, he closes his eyes tightly, trying to remember why she was laughing in his memory, but his mind goes blank.

Turning on his bed, he realizes that the curtains are opened and that there is a baby blue fabric glistening somewhere in one of the seats in his expensive hotel room, but he doesn’t pay much attention to that. Yet, his chest heaves at the reminder of the conversation progressing and he remembers a few facts about what she had told him around the time two in the morning neared the clock. She is a professional photographer, she can’t stand her siblings, she loves how pink roses look in the background of some pictures and most importantly, her dream is to be able to leave the awoken city of lights sometime in her life. She wants more than the city and the quickness of it all; she wants tranquility.

The memories after that come flashing back to him when he sits up on the bed, reminding the time he cried on her arms for some reason, reminder of how he wonders if he really made the right choice to live in a never-ending party with his job; as well as a few tears because his best friend is getting married, and he couldn’t be more proud. At the time, the clock read four in the morning and she had kissed the tears away with her red lipstick painting his skin in color. The lights of the sun cast down on the vanity in front of him, large mirror showcasing the length of his body, how his collarbones are decorated cherry blossoms and his lips are a thousand times redder than they naturally are.

The last slice of recollections that he grips on to is his hands on her waist, dragging down her thighs and her hips, lifting her dress as she clutches on his biceps, clinging to his necktie to bring him closer and closer, a cheap ring carving his jaw with her touches—

A pinch on his cheek makes him open his eyes entirely, blinking the sleepiness away when he realizes that the trip could be lethal with how much anger is put into it. His fingers grasp the wrist of the person that touches the skin far too harshly, turning around to come face to face with the photographer he had been trying to seduce. Granted, she is wearing the button down he had worn to Sam’s wedding, her makeup smudged at the edges but mostly erased away from her face, but the look of anger is there.

Where was the smiling woman from last night?

“What the fuck is this?!” Her voice is hoarse, an indicator that she is feeling quite as wronged as him. The beaming lights touch the surface of her ring finger, showing the exact same ring from his memory, wrapping around the surface snugly, nothing too special like a diamond ring or even a decoration fitting the jewel. Instead, she reaches down for his hands, taking his right one in between her fingers before gasping at the sight of a ring, matching in the versions they picked and the same silvery color blinking at them mockingly. “Oh…no…” She starts, letting his hand fall down on his lap before sitting beside him. Her weight practically drags itself into the bed, covering her face with her hands, limbs shaking from something he doesn’t know. “Then, this is true…”

Johnny squints his eyes at the two rings, raising his eyebrows before leaning down to try to look at her in the eyes, but her hands keep the sight of her away from him. “What do you mean? I don’t remember anything.”

“Because we got drunk!” She tells him, voice totally enraged with something that goes unknown to him.

“No shit,” Johnny mumbles, taking the time to grasp her hands in his bigger ones to pull them away from her face. When she stares back at him, he can see that there are some tears caressing the corners of her eyes, creating terrible shadows upon her saddened expression. “Hey, they are just rings and I think we slept together, but I am so sorry if it makes you feel bad. I, uh, I don’t know what to tell you. If this is a mistake for you, I am so sorry. I can call you a taxi and, fuck, I don’t know? I am extremely sorry.”

“Sleeping together was not the problem, dumbass. We both knew we were doing that, or were we not flirting the entire night?!” She tells him, using her knuckles to rub her angered tears away before looking for something in the pocket of Johnny’s button down.

“Then, uh…care to enlighten me here? I don’t know what’s going on…”

The smack of her hand against his palm presses a sheet of paper there, rolled up until the contents were hidden. His fingertips reach for the edge, unfolding it until he is met by black, thick and elegant letters, all reading in capitals the worst words that one would want to see after a drunken hook-up:

Certificate of Marriage. And not one with an Elvis Presley picture imprinted on the cover, but one that looks both legitimate and legal, showing her full name and his and a bunch of paragraphs reading their new status as husband and wife.

So, Sam was not the only one to get married yesterday…

He got married, too.

The reminder didn’t stay in his brain long enough for him to process, but the first thing he does is check for a stamp, a signature, anything that indicates it is fake. A written part that simply gives away that this is not meant to be done by drunken individuals, but everything points to be of correct jurisdiction and now, he has a crying woman on his hotel bed, wearing his clothing and specifically, now going after the name of his wife.

“I just fucking ruined my life.” She sobs, choking on her own words while she brings her knees up her chest to press down, wanting to find solace in anything and everything around her. Johnny leans back on his calves, taking the time to sit straight just to carefully wrap his arms around her, feeling her shy away at the touch. “The first time I get shitfaced in my life and the time I finally give in to a hook up and this happens.”

Johnny’s heart softens, imagining that if this is difficult for him—who has been on a stranger’s bed and definitely has been drunk before, then it must be even more complicated for her. His big hands rub at her back, factual on how much he wants to support her…or how he needs to feel like he has some kind of control over the situation. “Hey, don’t mind it—”

“How are you so calm?!” She asks, placing her hands over his chest to push him away gently, only to get a look at his bothered expression.

“I am not calm, but I know this has a solution.” His voice shakes slightly before taking both of her hands in his, grasping them delicately as if he would be able to break her with such touch. “We are in this mess together and we can get out of this together, as well.”

The words spark her interest, sniffling through her runny nose before rubbing at her moist cheeks, quirking her eyebrow at his words. “Yeah? Tell me what you have in mind.”

Giving a brief smile, Johnny pushes her messy hair away before blowing out an unsteady puff of air. “Divorce.” He says, quick and simple and easy, and it is the most rational thought. If this marriage certificate is real, then they only have to find the divorce papers and get it over and done with as soon as possible. If they are lucky, they won’t have to go through much paperwork—after all, they haven’t been married for more than a few hours. “We go to the address of this place,” He points at the small letters at the end of the certificate. “And we tell them we want to get a divorce. That’s simple. We can do it right now if you want.”

She nods her head before her eyes widen, reaching for Johnny’s phone and looking at the time before she stands up from the bed rather quickly. “I’ll try to get out of work early, but I kind of forgot I had a gig today—”

“No way.” Johnny groans, throwing his head back and blinking up at the ceiling. “Can’t you cancel? This is kind of important. You’re my wife and we have only known each other for, like, a week.”

“I really can’t. The only way I could cancel is with a doctor’s note and we’re not going to the doctor’s, are we?” She rushes towards her dress, pushing it up her body and bringing the straps up her shoulders before taking off the button up, throwing it at Johnny’s face for him to catch.

“And what time do you get out? We have to do this as soon as possible—”

Hissing, she moves her hands up and down to calm down her nerves. “I know. I know! I think I get out at seven, if the even goes fine, it’s already three in the afternoon and I have to go my apartment and get everything from there.” Her hands hook at the edges of her shoes, placing her feet inside before standing as proudly as she can with such a situation in her hands. “If I don’t manage to get out early, we can always go at eight in the morning tomorrow. Even earlier, if you want.”

Johnny sighs, placing his arm over his eyes before moving his phone in between his fingers. “Kay. Give me your number so we can communicate.”

“You have my number.” She indicates, sounding a bit out of breath as she speaks. “…You don’t remember anything about what happened last night? We exchanged numbers before we decided to go out for snacks and then I don’t remember, but I remember that.”

“I don’t, sorry.” Annoyingly, he adds, hearing the sound of her quickened footsteps as she walks out of his room. As always, she looks at him from over her shoulder before letting out a sigh.

“…I can’t believe we got married.”

“Well, that makes two of us.” Johnny complains, giving her a once-over before pressing his lips together. “But we can always get a divorce. Don’t worry. We won’t have to be married for long.”

“I sure hope so.” She says, licking the side of her lips before looking up at the sky. “God, please tell me the condom didn’t break. That’s all I don’t need right now.”

He chuckles at her antics, standing up from the bed and extending his arms over his chest, catching her stare that lingers on his stretched muscles. “Just go to work before you get fired.”

With a quick nod and the resonating noise of the door closing, Johnny’s front finally falls into complete turmoil. What kind of decision had he made?!

The cheap diamond ring only glistens under his gaze, mocking him for his uselessness.

💍

December 14th

Turns out, he gets a message at nine at night, saying that the event had been extended and she couldn’t make it to their petition for divorce. That leaves Johnny with little to no hours of sleep, as well as a terrible bad mood mixed with uncertainty by the time he does decide to leave the hotel for the day.

The city looks less bright once it is the morning, the weather changing to a colder state and while he drives through the streets trying to listen to both the GPS of his rented car and the radio, he starts to feel like coming there was the worst decision he could have made. Surely, Sam had gotten married and he should be happy to have been able to see such a beautiful moment in the life of a person he adores eternally, but their soul bond came to chase after him and made him a married man, the ring on his finger basically glued in place, reminder that he became exactly what he had despised. He tries not to be pessimistic, originally thinking that is such a wrong mindset to have at that moment, but he is running low on energy and definitely not expecting to get a text at six in the morning to meet up with his ‘wife’ at some diner that she calls her ‘favorite’.

His fingers thread through his black hair, pushing the long strands away from his face by the time he walks inside the diner. The aesthetics, like she had said through the text, are indeed without a comparison taken out of the eighties, exuding the atmosphere by the workers in roller skates, the tall seats and the hints of pink, black and white. The good thing is that the eggs smell delicious and that Johnny is practically starving by the time he sees someone wave her arms at him. Indeed, she is waiting there for him, wearing way more professional clothing than what he had seen her in the last day and a small smile plays on his lips when he walks towards her.

So, indeed, he didn’t want to get married…and he still wants the divorce, but there are worst people he could have accidentally gotten married to.

“Hello.” Johnny greets, going over to where he is and giving her a quick hug before taking the seat in front of her. His eyes immediately go down to her fingers, seeing that she still sports their shared bond. “I see you’re ready for divorce.” He jokes, earning a soft laugh from her.

“I swear I am.” She says, rolling her eyes slightly before giving him the menu, watching as his eyes trail over the set of words. The ring is uncomfortable in his finger, though it does match with the thick clothing he is wearing in such cold weather. “But we can’t get divorced with an empty stomach.”

“I have never heard something truer,” The honesty in his voice is clear, the corners of his lips lifting when he leans forward slightly, their legs carefully slotted together under the table. “But we’re going to have to share some coffee as Mr. and Mrs. Seo before that.”

“Seo?” She asks, scrunching up her nose before resting her head against her palm. “Oh, no. I forget I may be called that legally now…”

“Not for long.” Johnny says, bringing his hand forward to caress the skin of her palm with his thumb. “We are breaking Kim Kardashian’s record of short-lasting marriages.”

Even though it is not a matter to joke around, she chuckles at his words, shaking her head at them. “If that will give us as much money as she has and a reality show, deal, let’s do it.”

In reality, they may have been united by the most terrible of circumstances—something Johnny may probably wish upon his enemies, but sincerely doesn’t want to go through anymore—, but he doesn’t hold any harsh feelings towards the woman. Oddly uncomfortable, it feels, for he doesn’t know her for enough time to even consider marrying her…but there he is, being the husband of a person who he doesn’t know entirely, all a mistake made by what he vows to never touch again. Alcohol, and Las Vegas, two things that should have never gone together in the first place.

He does get to know a few things about her in this little kingdom of hers, bathed in an era that she longs for and misses more than the present. Like how she dusts her fingers in the air after picking up a slice of her food and how she can handle drinking hot coffee as a champion. The beauty of her is incomparable and yet, Johnny feels the shyest he has ever felt with any woman in the past. He was once a teenager, too, and he never had this bad of a case of clammy hands and uncomfortable laughs, but he knows just how tender their situation is. As far as he knew, she only wanted to experience the burning sensation of a pair of lips trailing down her body in her first hook-up, and Johnny had been thrilled to try to break the shell of such a serious and strict person.

And then, they got married. No timeline would be able to pinpoint how that decision came to be true…but this is their reality now, as sad as it can get.

For someone who has lived a big chunk of her life in Las Vegas, it is rare to hear she doesn’t have a car…but strict as she may be, she doesn’t want to hold the responsibility of being behind the wheel. That leaves Johnny to drive them towards their divorce, both aching to say something but also to keep his mouth shut. What kind of things would a normal person say in such a situation? As far as the morning has gone, they have only gotten to know each other further—like two people who are visibly attracted to each other, but that are married, as well.

This is definitely something Johnny will have to keep from his parents, friends, family and even his children. He doesn’t want to ever speak about what happened in Vegas.

The sight of the building in front of them is a relaxing matter, making Johnny sigh of relief when they step out of the car. His keys dangle in between his fingers as they walk, hearing the sound of her voice while they near such a serious place. “Well, we’re going to fix this.”

“We are.” Johnny indicates, a short laugh leaving his lips soon after. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a divorced man after this.”

“Ugh, right.” She groans, shaking her head in distaste of her drunken endeavors. “This is the worst thing I have done in my life. Period.”

“Is it really?”

“Well, it’s definitely the most irresponsible.”

Johnny smirks at that, his knuckles knocking on one of the doors inside the building, reading the name of what he supposes to be the place in which they got married, most likely an office. The humidity of such a spot has him sniffling softly, suddenly the atmosphere is far more distasteful than it was at the beginning. “That’s because you’re one of those good girls that never did anything in their lives.”

Nudging his side, she rolls her eyes at his words. “Come on, even this is bad for you.”

“Oh, trust me, this is bad.” He continues, earning a nod from her when they hear the sound of the door opening quickly. There is a woman with thick glasses in front of them, blonde hair tied snugly and up in her head, wearing an office suit in the cramped space. Even the sound of a needle falling to the floor would be noticed that time with how tranquil everything was. “Good morning, Miss, how are you? I am sorry we are disturbing you…but my wife and I got married two or three days ago and we would like to get a divorce.” This is laughable, definitely something that he would have never imagined himself doing, but there he is, talking to an office worker or a lawyer of sorts who will probably close the door loudly on their faces for taking her job as a joke.

“Hello,” Lowering her glasses down her nose, her eyes seem significantly bigger now. “Is this a joke?”

Now it is her time to help him, clearing her throat after the question. “Not at all. We definitely took an irresponsible decision and we want to spend our holidays in peace without having to think of this union, so…we can find any papers we need for the procedure, but we need to get it done today or tomorrow at most.”

“Listen, younglings, I know that this may seem like an easy job, but it really isn’t.” The office worker indicates, leaning her weight against the doorframe as she crosses her arms over her chest. “And I would love to help you out…and I could, if I wasn’t the only one here today. My apologies…but we’ve started out holidays a bit earlier thanks to a petition we signed and I am just here to accommodate my office before I have to leave.” Those words fall upon Johnny’s chest like an anchor, making him tighten his hands when he leans forward to try to reason with the office worker.

“We’ll help you out with anything, we’ll find the lawyers if necessary…come on, we were drunk when we got married!” The plea in his voice is insufferable to listen to and he swears he hears his ‘wife’ swear at him from behind his back.

“I wish I could help you, but we need to go over a lot of things for your divorce to come through. The quickest divorce I’ve managed to pull through with my whole team took four days to fulfill.” Once again, life is meeting him with a wrong set of news and he feels someone clinging to his arm when a shaky voice fills the air.

“Please—”

“I will be here on the thirteenth of January with the rest of my coworkers and I promise you to take care of your divorce as soon as possible.” Something within the office worker must have turned softer at the sight of them, two people who did not even know each other and had gotten married out of nowhere. She looks for something inside her office, coming with an introduction card that included her number and her name. “Call me a day before that and we’ll talk about what you need, not sooner though, I don’t like when clients pressure me. I am so sorry I can’t offer anymore help.”

“Please, I beg you.” The woman adds in distress, her hands shaking as she talks. “I don’t know how to explain what I did to my family and I don’t know what to do.”

“There’s nothing I can do.” The office worker finishes, giving a curt nod before returning to her office and closing the door in front of them, locking it and making it audible so they wouldn’t bother her anymore.

His gaze settles on her and he thinks he has never seen such disappointment; the loss on her features visible through every breath she gives. The first thing she does is scoff, rolling her eyes at the world before turning around. Hot at her feet, Johnny trails behind her, the swoosh of the entrance door opening and almost closing on his face when he continues to follow after her.

“Wait!” He calls out for her, adding her name various times in the sentence before he tugs at her arm, bringing her back to him. “Let me drive you home. She said that we can get the divorce in January, it’s okay, we can wait—”

“How are you not totally angry and out of your fucking mind?” She questions him as if he is the only one at fault, making Johnny raise his eyebrows before letting go of her skin.

“Because there is a solution to this. We’ll get a divorce and it will be over. It’s only a month until then.” Though he is still fearful, he wants to make the situation sound simplistic. His life has always been about finding a solution to everything, and now one of the biggest hardships in his life smacks him with a wrong decision. “I’ll push my trip back to Seoul if we need it. It’s okay.”

“How am I going to tell me family I got married? Johnny!” She whines, pressing her entire palms to the sides of her face, fingers digging on her temples. “I don’t know what took over me. I’ve always been responsible and then you came into my life.” Pressing her hand to his chest, she frowns at him. “You had to seduce me, didn’t you?”

“You played along as well!” Johnny defends himself, raising his hands in the air before giving her a part of his factual reminders. “And you also signed the papers. If you didn’t want to do this with me, then you wouldn’t have signed.”

“Because you were so sweet that night of the wedding!”

“Well, you’re welcome.” Sarcastically, he finishes, watching the look of distress in her face that absolutely breaks his heart. His arm wraps around her shoulder…simply because he knows that he has made a hundred mistakes in his life and he always feels invincible, like there is nothing that could stop him, and yet, someone like her had to come into his life and become united to him in such a non-understandable way. The coldness of her body presses to his chest, her knuckles clutching at the fabric of his coat. “Hey, we’ll figure it out. Good thing is that you have a hot husband.” The joke falls into deaf ears, worry overtaking him when he pulls away the slightest. “I mean it.”

“My family is going to be so pissed…” She is too lost in her thoughts for her to listen to his advices.

“Well, then you’ll spend the holidays with me.”

“Johnny, I just— I need to go back home and just…” Her fingers come up to rest at her chest, as if it pains her to even talk about such a mistake.

With widened eyes, he reaches for his pocket to grab his keys. “Okay, let me drive you. I feel like I can find the place from the address you gave me—”

“I want to go alone.” The finalization of her statement has him staring bewildered at her, watching as she turns on her back and starts to walk away from him. The entirety of his body is unable to move when he sees her shoulders shake, her fingers coming up to her face to muffle her sobs and he immediately closes his eyes tightly at the sight he doesn’t even get to see entirely.

What a fucking mistake.

But he’s going to fix this, maybe more as a friend rather than her husband, as someone who realizes that they made this mistake together…and it’s their turn to fix everything.

💍

December 16th

“Hey, it’s Johnny. Uh, I want to know if you got home safe. Let’s talk when you feel better, okay? Bye.”

That’s the first voicemail he leaves, and then, there came plenty of more.

“It’s Johnny again. You must think I’m annoying but…I’m having breakfast at the hotel and I wanted to know if you’ve eaten. Didn’t you tell me your holiday vacation starts soon? Well, I’ll save you a bit if you want.”

Once again, the answer was the dullest silence that carved in the skin of his ears.

“Hey, for real, I need to talk to you. I want to help you out. What do you think of going to Chicago for the holidays?”

“Are you okay?”

“Please, answer.”

By the time the night came, the only answer Johnny got was a text that read that she had been locked in her room and that she did not feel like going out today, but that she thanked him for worrying. It did not settle nicely within him and he blamed jet-lag from waking him up constantly during the night, bringing a few obnoxiously recurrent nightmares in his sleep. By the time the morning arrives, Johnny is already ordering the biggest breakfast he can manage and the hottest cup of coffee to wake himself up, wondering what exactly he is planning to do for a whole month of being someone’s husband. Indeed, he is trying to sound like he has everything together, for she is far more heartbroken than he is, but he has absolutely no idea what he could do. Going to his parents’ for the holidays was already in his plans at the beginning of the trip, but bringing a plus one along would raise suspicions, much more to his mother who claims to know Johnny ‘better than he knows himself’, and it’s true. Johnny is not the most unreadable of people.

With a toast coated in jam dangling from his lips, Johnny’s fingertips move quickly on the screen of his phone, deciding to speak all his worries away to the one person he knows would be unable to criticize him. Had he been mindful of the time, he would have reminded it was around eleven or twelve at night for Taeyong, even when it was an early morning for him. Licking his lips to keep the substance away, his ears form the sound of his friend’s sweetened tone.

“Johnny?”

“Hey, Yong. What’s up?” He hadn’t realized he needed that bite of reality…of consistency and softness. What Johnny needs right now is a piece of advice, coming from the voice of a man that has gone through his own version of hell and yet, he manages to look at the world with all the saccharinity of his heart. Had his soul been drenched in malice, Taeyong would have hung up by then.

“I was about to go to sleep.” He speaks softly, a yawn continuing after his statement. “You never call…is there anything going on?”

“I always text you.”

“Yes, but you never call. Much less if you’re in the States.” Always a man of knowing his friends to their deepest habits, Taeyong doesn’t take him by surprise with his statement. “So, is there anything bothering you?”

A shaky breath leaves his lips, placing the toast down on his half-eaten plate of food. He wants to pretend there is nothing bothering him, like his heart isn’t wondering just how badly he had destroyed both his life and his wife’s, that his bones are not practically glued to his seat as he fears what to do next. One day, he is going to have to face reality. “…I got married in Vegas.” Those words have Taeyong scoffing, insisting on him to tell the truth in the matter of seconds and he repeats the same five words. “I got drunk and hooked up with a girl, well, we both got drunk and…we got legally married. We can’t get a divorce until a month from now.”

A loud shout is what follows after Johnny’s statement. “Why did you do that?!”

“I promise not to drink again, but I wasn’t thinking straight. We, like, were too into each other for a night.”

“That’s one thing,” Taeyong points out quickly. “Another thing is getting married.”

Taking a bite of his, now soggy, toast makes him jot out his lip slightly. This is not the type of person he considers himself to be; he doesn’t sit down and wait for the world to figure out what to do next. He takes matters in his hands and makes the best situation out of the worst. “…She’s a nice person, but I don’t know what to do now. We basically have to be husband and wife for a month before we can get the divorce and she has been complaining about how she has ruined her life—”

“And for a reason.”

“Well, the blame can’t be all on me!” Johnny complains, reaching for a handful of almonds before placing them inside his mouth. “I know we both made a mistake, but it can be fixed. The problem is that it’s been two days since I’ve seen her last and she has been ignoring me completely.”

“For a reason, the sequel.” Taeyong enunciates, the man on the other end leaning his weight back on his bed before looking up at the ceiling in distress.

“Taeyong, what do I do?”

He may nag a little—or a lot—, but Taeyong is the complete opposite of the devil. “You may make wrong decisions, but you never come up with bad results. Show her your support and listen to what she has to say. If she doesn’t want to be friends with you, keep it as is.”

That is how he finds himself standing in front of her house’s door, feeling strangely like he is picking someone up before going to prom, but this is an entire different era of his life. The hard density of the cold air is pushing through his jacket, leaving his knuckles reddened and seeking for the warmth of his pockets, instead they bruise the surface of her door, knocking once and then twice before giving a few steps back. The locks slice open, welcoming him with the sight of the shell of the person he had met before. Still as beautiful as ever, but physically drained of all energy, her body cladded in an oversized white t-shirt and her legs dangling the fabric of her equally as big gray sweatpants.

“I told you I didn’t feel like going out.”

“…I wanted to check up on you.” Johnny confesses, hiding his hands in the depths of his pockets before humming softly. “In retrospect, it’s a stupid decision, but you said you didn’t want to go out and I remembered your address…kind of got here by luck.” The shrug he gives her is enough to have her sighing, pushing her body away from the doorframe to invite him in, an arm sprawled behind her to welcome him inside. His spine hunches a bit when he passes by her, taking a good look around her living room to see the simplicity of it all, definitely a clean mess, with pictures everywhere, some framed, some laying on her coffee table. Everything is held in a picture for her.

The crooking sound of the heels of her feet digging on to the wood in her flooring is what starts the conversation again. “I haven’t been feeling well. I have been getting constant calls from my family and I’ve been editing some stuff. Excuse the mess.” She moves over to her living room area, closing her laptop in a swift motion before resting it on top of the only clear space in her coffee table. Once she sits down, she realizes that there is a visitor in her home—after all, he is not exactly her husband…in reality… “Oh, I haven’t even prepared coffee. Do you want some?”

“Only if you get some for yourself.” Johnny declares, earning a curt nod from her as she goes over to the nearby kitchen. Over all, the place is rather small, not exactly homely, but it feels like her. Strange, inviting, unknown. His long fingers trace over the counter, looking at the shadow of her as she starts the coffee machine, an expert at the task from long hours of working. “What did you tell your family?”

“…Nothing. I went around the subject.” She says in between a sigh, pushing a few buttons on the machine before the engine starts, roaring in delicacy to serve as background music. When she turns to look at him, he is already seated by the counter, his hands splayed on top of the surface. “Now that you’re my ‘husband’, I may have to explain.” The quotations in the air have him smiling in a tight lipped notion. “I never talk about these subjects with everyone. My private life is mine for a reason, not a lot of my friends know about this either…but I come from a very strict household. I don’t think I ever got permission to date as a teenager, or I couldn’t stay up past certain time without getting scolded. I would have to act like the perfect child.” The explanation is something he had expected; given that she had talked about the fact that she lives life in such a serious way that it tires her. “I don’t normally visit them, but when I do…I always get questions about the way I live. Photography is not exactly what they thought I would be doing…”

Johnny raises his eyebrows at that, shaking his head at her words. “Photography is a valid job.”

“Not for my family.” She adds, reaching for a few mugs before placing them on top of the counter. Now that she is closer, he gets to see the beauty of her under the dimly lit kitchen. “That’s what I’m telling you. I have never fucked up this badly in my life, and I am going to be dead for them if I just tell them I got accidentally married.” A brief moment of silence fills them and the only thing he wants to do is apologize to her, but she cuts him off before he can even say anything. “And don’t get me wrong, Johnny, I know that you’re attractive and probably one hell of a guy, but if I tell them I’m married to a party planner from Seoul…and that I didn’t even know him for more than a week when we got married, we’re screwed.”

“We could always pretend we got to know each other for a long time or whatever…” Though the idea sounds terrifying to him. He can’t identify what kind of family he is going to meet, let alone because he has never met the family of any of his exes. “If you really want to go visit them, that is. I’m up for accompanying you through this time until we get that divorce.”

The weight of her hand resting on top of his and the smile on her face comforts him in such a dull atmosphere, like she is feeling the same fear as him and yet, they are there to support each other. “That’s the thing. I don’t really feel like going.” Biting down on her bottom lip, she rolls her eyes. “And they would kick you out. They were planning to invite one of my childhood friends to see if we would start dating.”

The world becomes a freeze frame at that moment, making Johnny lean forward as he imagines such an atrocious situation. “Excuse me?”

She chuckles at his reaction, blinking momentarily before continuing. “There’s this childhood friend I had, Simon. He’s…nice, I guess. He’s a lawyer, so my family want me to date him and marry him. I don’t know. I’ve never given two shits about Simon.”

“That’s more of a reason for not going.” Johnny points out, now taking the decision to save her from whatever mess she is tangling herself into. His mind seems to be going too fast for him to understand, enough to give him whiplash when his big palm smacks the surface of her counter when an idea takes over his head. “Tell your family that you’re going to spend the holidays with a friend, and we’re going to Chicago. I have to leave tomorrow, too…so…” Taking one look into her eyes, she sees the gaze of uncertainty that has taken over her since the moment they got married. His hands reach for hers, gripping to keep her grounded when he speaks a bit less quickly, taking his time to treat her with utmost tenderness. “I mean, if you want. My family would take you in nicely, and we’ll probably get an earful from my mom, but…we’ll be okay. We’ll have my old room to sleep in and we’ll get to play with snow, maybe become friends until we can get a divorce.” Once again, he stops on his train of thought. “Only if you want. You can go back home if you want to.”

The dinging noise of the coffee maker finishing its course is not enough to take her away from her trance of looking into his eyes. Her eyes are windows to the soul, he has heard, but hers is so meticulous it takes him the longest while to understand what she is feeling. Had he not seen her cry twice, he would have thought that someone like her doesn’t even allow herself to feel, and that is probably a reality. All she wants to do is be her own idea of perfection, seriousness becoming so attached to her that in the slightest moment she had let go, everything went wrongly. It didn’t help that she encountered Johnny along the way, one to take decisions in a hassle.

“You know what? I’m tired of crying here and wondering what I’m going to do with my life.” She mumbles, scratching the side of her head before nodding to herself. “I could go to Chicago, but if things get awkward or your family doesn’t want me there, I’ll stay in a hotel or something.”

“Sounds good to me.” He prompts, leaning forward to hold his pinky out to her. “Let’s say this right here and right now. We’re going to help each other until the day we part ways with that lovely divorce, okay?”

Wrapping her pinky finger around his, their wedding rings basically touch, a memory of the fact that neither of them has taken it off. Would it be wrong to, after all? “Together until the day I finally can have you out of my life.” She adds, though the joke remains in her face when she laughs at his face, watching as the man feigns a gasp.

“A lot of women would love to marry me!”

“…Sure, name one.”

“I can’t think of one yet,” Johnny claims, watching the brown coffee dropping inside his mug when she pours it down, the smell of fresh beans hitting his nostrils deliciously. “But I am sure there are many.” He finishes, earning a hearty laugh from the woman in front of him, throaty from the lack of use of her vocal chords.

Their lives are made a mess and conversely, they try to figure it out while helping her pack, his ears picking out the sound of her annoyance at the lack of preparation for this trip, reaching for her agenda to scribble down the major necessities and it is at that moment that he wonders how in the world their drunken selves had fallen for each other so hard that they had decided to get married. They are so different in their ways of living, even in the core of their souls, and still…still, one look at her makes him want to stay by her side, share his thoughts away like there had never been a barrier in between them. Conversation changes to laughter and ends up in silence, a cycle for them to continue evenly throughout their journey together.

Or not, because they are not really together.

💍

December 17th

“If you continue to grip my hand that tight, you’re going to cut my circulation off.”

“It’s what you deserve.”

Though the mumble she gives him is scared, nervous, terrified in its absolute definition. Nothing about her screams poised and steady, not that anyone would notice in the mid-December hustle of getting to their desired parts of the country or the world, all looking to connect with their loved ones…or even find new horizons for them to explore in such a packed time of the year. Johnny is snugly placed over his seat, relaxed and ready to take the short flight at the mere hours of the night—for he is always a lover of a nightly travel—, but his companion doesn’t look like she is even ready to be there. Period. There is no punchline.

The plane has barely lifted off the floor when she starts to grip his hand, clinging into his skin for dear life and when his widened eyes figure out the sight by his side, he realizes just how tightly she has closed her eyes and how her breaths are labored and quick. As they were waiting for their time to take off, she had mentioned in between a smile that she is a little bit scared of flying and heights and whatever else can be interfering in this moment of her life, but Johnny had never thought it would be this bad. Instead, he doesn’t ponder on his teasing, but he turns on his seat slightly, his face closer to her side in the need to start a conversation.

“Do you want me to talk about something so you don’t have to think about…you know, the plane?” In the glimpse of her thankfulness, she opens her eyes slightly to stare back at him and anyone who were to look at them would think that they are two lovers in a flight, one more scared than the other. The nod she gives him is enough confirmation, mouthing what seems to be a plea before Johnny makes it his mission to make her feel at ease. “Uh, so, this is something we actually haven’t talked about…” In reality, there is a plethora of things Johnny does know about her, some recently refreshed from her drunken night and others that he has gotten to hear directly from her gorgeous lips. All interesting, but never diving in her thoughts about romance. “Did you ever think about getting married?”

She battles a smile back, her lips puckering up slightly to let out a calm breath, only to close her eyes once again. “Way to go. Ask me about the thing that has me the most stressed out lately.” Johnny chuckles at her response, always one to remember the extreme decision they made.

“I’m taking your attention away from something slightly stressful so you can stress out about something else.”

Gripping his hand even tighter, now she takes the time to slot their fingers together, as if a collision of worlds suddenly pulls them together. They are two lost meteors in the universe, looking for a place to land on and destroy, but instead, they collided against each other and created a mess of speckles of dust around their universe. “To answer your question: yes, I thought about it, but I never wanted to get married.” Before Johnny could ask yet another question, she developed her answer more. “At the beginning of my life…I guess I did because it’s what I was raised to believe was proper,” Opening her eyes once again to look at him, she leans over a bit so she is partially feeling Johnny’s presence in her skin, wanting nothing more than for that flight to be over. “But then, I just hated the idea of it.”

“Me too!” Johnny agrees, nodding his head as if he has found his other half in such an enigmatic belief. “I think it’s just laughable. What’s the difference between just living together and getting married?”

Chuckling, she traces the outline of the veins in his hands with her free hand, probably to distract herself. “The wedding preparations, the actual wedding, the after-party, the pictures and the wedding rings.”

“We only had one of those out of that list.”

“I feel like you’re forgetting something, Johnny.”

Warm is the smile he gives her, moving the slightest bit as well so their faces are standing up close. Anyone would think that they are a couple spending their honeymoon in Chicago, but that is…not too far from the reality, actually. This probably counts as their only honeymoon and the last few bits they are going to have of marriage. He wonders, then, if there was ever a couple that divorced right after their happiest trip, but that is not important when he can count the moles around her face with his gaze and stare at the now more tranquil expression on her face. “What would that be, wifey?” The name makes her groan, hitting his shoulder various times as he tries to muffle his laughter.

“Don’t call me that.” She complains, though her eyes shift down to look at their interlocked hands. “What I was going to say before you said the most disgusting, fuckboy-ish thing you could say…” He can’t help but laugh at her, so stoic in her own way of living that he just loves to come by and destroy it. “We did have rings. I don’t even know where we bought them from…and I sure hope they weren’t too expensive—”

“They don’t look expensive.” She points out, staring at the gem-less rings wrapped around their fingers. “Should we take them off by now?”

Never in a million years would he have thought that he would give such an answer to a question, but maybe he just really lost his mind in Las Vegas and he is never going to hear back from it. “I think we should keep them on and be that gross couple that just holds hands to show off their rings.”

She chuckles at his words, shaking her head before leaning back on her seat once again. “Why are you so okay with this marriage if you hated the thought of it, too?”

“I like to believe this is life giving me a taste of my own medicine for making fun of my friends whenever they thought about marriage.” Johnny counterparts, earning an eye-roll from his wife, whose lightweight mindset shows in the way she breathes out with simplicity now, as if she is not in the middle of the sky and will be for three more hours or so. “Besides, life could have given you a worst husband. You got me.”

“That’s bad as it is.”

“Oh, come on. I was going to say you were pretty okay as a wife!”

“…You could be worse.” She teases, earning a nudge from Johnny before she reaches for his arm when the slightest bit of turbulence happens. The grip she has on him has her fingernails digging into his skin lightly, harsh breaths leaving her lips when she rests her forehead against his shoulder. Their hands remain together, looking at her when she lifts her gaze and licks her bottom lip. “Okay, you’re pretty good. I would have died if I was in this flight alone.”

“That’s what I’m here for.” Instead of his usual joking tone, she receives the warmest of memories in such a full and cold plane. Finally, she wraps the entirety of her arms around his, bringing her body closer until she hears him speak again. “I think we could watch a movie—”

For someone who did not want to get married, Johnny is not half a bad husband, not even a quarter of what would be considered terrible.

💍

December 18th

The sunrays had started to settle in their first morning in Chicago, stomachs full with whatever meal they found in a twenty-four-hour restaurant, eyes itching thanks to the everlasting pain of having to wait for their luggage to be given to them, taking even more time than what the flight from Las Vegas to Chicago had lasted. Johnny’s coat is draped over her shoulders even though she was wearing a cardigan when they had arrived to the airport, hands getting lost in the length of it, seeking for warmth as the cold breeze hits their skin, welcoming the dryness in the matter of seconds. Snowflakes fall upon their eyelashes, collecting the tiniest bit of coldness, more often than not he sees her wipe her eyes with the sleeve of his coat as they walk towards Johnny’s old house.

Or rather, the house in which his parents live in—no siblings, he had told her, but a lot of cousins he gets to see during the holidays. He even takes the time to point at the houses in the street, explaining his eventful stories from when he was younger and giving out the juiciest gossips about who dated who in the street or which families were the weirdest ones. Nonetheless, Johnny is enchanted to see her feet digging in the snow with each step, nervousness being casted upon their bodies but relaxed with their presence slowly and surely. Johnny knows that whatever the outcome is—and it will most likely be nice—, they are going to be together.

“Did you ever bring a girlfriend home for the holidays? Or just to introduce her to your parents.” The sound of her voice fills the air one again when he finally gets a glimpse of the front of his house, remembering the amount of times he had gotten home from school or simply sneaked out of it to go to a party. In reality, Johnny holds the best memories in that place.

He tilts his head to the side. “Not really.” He stops in his tracks once they are in front of the entrance door, turning to look at her with his hands pushed inside the pockets of his jeans. “There was one girl I brought home…my third girlfriend. Chelsea.” The reminder of such day has him cringing slightly. He was young, merely a teenager and far too enamored to even be real. “She was a cheerleader. My mom treated her nicely, but boy, did I get scolded. She didn’t like Chelsea all that much.”

Nervousness takes over her face for a few seconds, speaking lowly for them to hear. Even though he would be surprised if his mom is awake, given that it is six in the morning and the holidays are nearing. “…Do you think she will like me?”

“I think so, yes.” He doesn’t know why he thinks that way, but there is a fluttering in his stomach that tells him she is going to be liked by his entire family.

“Wait,” She stops him in his tracks when he is about to press his index finger to the doorbell, watching as he turns around to look at her. “You dated a cheerleader?” Johnny gives her a mere nod, a smirk appearing over his features when her frown marks down even more. “I don’t know why I expected otherwise. That just screams Johnny Seo.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he stands powerful and prideful, simply because he knows there is a tint of jealousy in her voice. “Are you jealous because you’re not the first person I bring to my parents’ house?”

“What? No!”

“Chelsea was amazing, let me tell you.” Johnny continues teasing, laughing when her expression falls into one of slight frustration. Leaning forward, he speaks softly, the smoke that comes out of his lips a conclusion to the snowy day. Even when he is freezing, he is not going to lose the opportunity of feeding her a bit of her own plate. “Just like that Simon guy of yours. Lawyer,” He scoffs, watching her raise her eyebrows out of amusement. “Lawyer, my ass. He’s probably boring.”

“That’s a stereotype.” She adds, though a smile is plastered on her face and that is enough of an indication that he may be right. When he goes for the doorbell again, she interrupts him, as if she is looking for an excuse just so the meeting with his parents is pushed back a bit. “I can be a cheerleader.”

“I don’t see you as the type.”

“Yes, just watch.” One of her arms lifts up in the air, the other one resting on her waist with the most unexpected turn of events from someone as serious as her. The pose is not technically correct, but it definitely has him laughing and looking at her in admiration. “Give me a D!” She adds in a faux high voice, earning a chuckle from Johnny.

“D!”

“Give me an I!”

“I!”

“Give me a C and K!”

“C and K?” His laughter only doubles when he realizes what she is spelling, pressing his hand against his forehead when his eyes close. His stomach is starting to hurt a bit from his laughter, too.

“What does it say? Johnny!” When he meets her gaze again, he swears he sees embarrassment imprinted all over her features, shaking his head as he speaks.

“You’re just jealous.”

“You’re jealous of Simon, then.”

“Me? Jealous of Law and Order wannabe? No, baby, I’m not.” Johnny continues, finally pressing his finger to the doorbell, repeatedly doing so until he pulls away from the door. The sound of quickened footsteps makes his heart race, not exactly because he is nervous—though, there is a glint of that in his soul—but because he genuinely missed Chicago, his family and most importantly, his mother. The light of his eyes, the woman whose arms would wrap round him and give him the softest of hugs, who had loved him with such selflessness that he could only pay her back with pride.

…Not that getting married in Vegas is one of the things he prides himself in.

Opening the door quickly, the sight of his mother’s smile is the first thing he sees, followed by the auditory sense when she exclaims loud and clear. “Johnny, my boy! Welcome back!” It takes him two steps to reach her, hugging her tightly, wanting to feel like he is back home. Once he pulls away, he receives two pinches to the skin of his cheeks, his mother’s happy gaze turning to the woman now uncomfortably standing by the door. “Who is this lovely girl over here?” Well, that is an initiation…maybe, she will like his ‘wife’ after all.

Clearing his throat, Johnny rubs his nape in hopes of not getting kicked in the ass for what he is about to say— “A friend.” He starts, though one look at the rings on their fingers has him sighing. “…And my wife, but that is to be sorted.”

The smile on his mother’s face falls, the hand that was shaking the visitor’s coming to a halt when she takes a look in between the supposed couple, taking a deep breath before breathing out a low: “Your what, Johnny Seo?”

“…My wife, but I’ll fix it!”

That is how Johnny, his mother and his friend-but-also-wife end up seated on the kitchen table, with the apparent couple doing most of the talking as they explain the situation from their first meeting to their rendezvouses on trying to get their divorce, also the part in which she is scared to talk about this with her family and how Johnny wants her to have a nice, homely place to stay after bounding themselves together accidentally. Even when his mom served them coffee, exactly how he likes it with the one and a half teaspoons of sugar, he can’t find it in him to relax. His companion must be a thousand times worse.

Seeing the look of disappointment in his otherwise very warm and loving, extremely dotting, mother, feels like going through hell, his fingertips tracing the outline of the mug as he hears yet another earful from her. All she has to say are things that he already knows, irresponsibility creating a stain in his life, something that will never leave him no matter how hard he tries. Married in Vegas may be his new nickname by now.

Unexpected is the braveness that takes over his latest hook-up…or relationship, if that even counts anymore. Placing most of her weight on her forearms, resting on the table as her hands wrap around her mug, she takes the time to speak—better than Johnny could ever have, more poised, definitely the voice of reason in this apparent relationship. “Mrs. Seo…I know this must be very hard on you, just like it is difficult on us. We have talked about this endlessly and have cried, too. We…know just how wrong this is and we wish there was something else we could do, but for now, we have decided to be each other’s good friend and support the other through these hardships.” Even he is surprised by the tone of her voice, the relaxed expression on her face and that depth in her eyes that has his mother blinking away any kind of anger that had blossomed within her. Not completely, of course, but she is pleasantly surprised, as far as Johnny can tell. “I wholeheartedly apologize for, you know, marrying your son and coming here without your permission and I am extremely sorry this is the way we get to know each other, considering Johnny has talked wonders about you, Mrs. Seo.” And he has, something that he doesn’t do a lot with his hook-ups, but there is something about her that touches the verge of friendship, even though they haven’t known each other for long. Then again, the circumstances had pushed them to have to get along with each other. “I can find a hotel to stay, that’s the least of my worries, but I don’t want to ruin your holidays with your beloved son thanks to my ignorance in a drunken state. I want to apologize and promise that I am going to solve this, alongside Johnny, and get the divorce as silently and…efficiently as possible.”

“Whoa, okay.” Johnny’s mother mumbles, blinking a few times before gripping her son’s hand over her table. “This boy you see right here is the love of my life, and I could never stay mad at him for long…but what you two did is irresponsible.”

“We know.” Johnny speaks, soon after looking down at the ring on his finger. “But we’ll hide it! All I want is to be able to be there for her.”

“No, that’s nothing you should worry about—” His supposed wife adds, shaking her head after taking a sip of her coffee. “I am happy I am here already and I can find something to do for the holidays. You already gave me an excuse not to have to meet my parents after such a…crazy decision, and that’s all I needed.”

Something within his mother must have changed, perhaps the warmth in Johnny’s eyes when he looks at her—the worry, the plea in his gaze for her to stay, as if he wouldn’t be able to rest if he doesn’t accompany her. Maybe, he is scared of the kind of disappointment that will settle on her soul, thinking of herself as less for making such an irrational decision, or he really wants to spend the littlest time he has with her. Nonetheless, Johnny continues pushing his thoughts forward, enticing her with a description of how good the holidays must be, how such a precious time of the year must be spent with people she feels comfortable with—

“Johnny, stop being so pushy. Let her breathe.” His mother indicates, standing up from her spot and rounding the table until she is able to wrap an arm around Johnny’s slender shoulders, pressing a taut kiss to the top of his head before sighing. “I know you’re a troublemaker. I definitely didn’t expect this kind of trouble to come from you, but you’re being responsible…and at least, you didn’t marry a bad person.” One look is given to the woman seated by his side, earning a small smile from his mother. “What we’re going to do is simple. I want to spend the holidays with my baby, as you may know…”

“Yes, absolutely. That is exactly what I wanted.” She corresponds, only to earn a tut from Johnny’s mother.

“…But you can also spend the holidays with us, and hotels are too expensive at this time of the year, you can stay in Johnny’s room with him. Only and if only, listen here well kids, only if you don’t speak a word about it to your relatives.” The narrative from his mother doesn’t sound too off, most likely wanting to hide such craziness.

“I can do that.” Johnny comments.

“You can say you’re friends.” She finishes, though Johnny feels her fingers pinching his ear lightly, earning a hiss from the man and a laugh from the visitor. “But sleep on the floor. I don’t want any more problems for the holidays. I’m…relaxing. Santa is coming. I don’t need any more trouble from you.” He wants to laugh, though he licks his lips and press them together to muffle his own smile. The feeling of the pinch goes soon after, followed by another kiss to the crown of his head, something that has Johnny’s cheeks tinting red. “You’re going to have to listen to your dad’s scolding once he comes back, you know?”

“I’m ready.”

The truth is…Johnny was definitely not ready.

His mother reacted badly and his father, after giving him an earful about decisions in life and how to make them in a clear state of mind, ordered him to wash his car in the middle of winter simply to teach him a lesson. The feeling of the water seeping through his shirt is enough to have him shivering, feet rushing through the warm living room to get to the bathroom and take the longest and warmest shower he can muster, but his footsteps slow down when he passes by the kitchen, watching his friend and his mother talking to each other and whisking some kind of substance—from the smells of it, Johnny is figuring out it’s eggnog, probably—. They seem to be in joyful terms, smiles plastered on their faces, something that had never happened in the past…and Johnny finds it ironic. Surely, he had been attracted to his…friend at the beginning, but personality-wise, she is not the type of person he would have imagined himself in a serious relationship.

Without thinking twice, his fingers hook around the doorknob of the bathroom, taking a towel with him and embarking in the moment of most glee of the day, the time where his muscles relaxed against the warm water. He would have never imagined himself to be a nervous person, but the twists and turns of life leave him dizzy. He doesn’t know where he is standing, what he will do, but to play pretend is the easiest way of getting everything done and over with. For now, all he has to do is keep at a friendly relationship with his wife and wait for the day their souls are separated in paper, space and connection.

Long is the shower he takes, wrapping a towel around his body and getting dressed in the comfiest of clothes, his thickest sweater and a pair of sweatpants. After an entire day of helping his dad with anything he so desires, he gets to look at his phone, responding the texts from his worried group of friends—Taeyong must have not kept the secret, given that Yuta has made a million jokes about the ‘first man to marry out of their entire group’. Anyone would have thought it would have been Taeyong…but hey, life is a comedy for Johnny nowadays, isn’t it?

With his back laying against his bed, time goes by quickly. His thoughts are interrupted when he hears the creaking sound of his door opening, lifting his gaze to look at his pajama-cladded friend. She looks at him with a shy look on her face, strange considering the extents of their relationship at that point, until the door closes behind her.

“Your mom went to sleep.”

“Good.” Johnny whispers, sitting up and placing his phone on the bedside table. He takes one good look at her before widening his eyes, standing up from the bed and going over to his closet. “I think I have a sleeping bag from when I used to go camping with my friends.” The man adds, not missing the frown on her face and fighting the smile on his features when he reaches up for the sleeping bag. He tosses it on the floor, unfolding it just in time to watch her hands resting on her hips.

“I’m sleeping on the floor?” Her voice is tiny, scanning the length of Johnny’s spacious bed covered in fluffy white blankets, matching the clear color of his walls. Whilst kneeling on the floor, Johnny nods his head, earning a nudge from her knee that collides softly against his shoulder. “You have to be a gentleman and let me sleep on the bed.”

“I had to wash a car, the entire house and help with the snow just because of our marriage. Don’t you think that is enough?” The smile on his face is now clear, a teasing tune in the song of his voice. She sighs deeply, rolling her eyes before sitting down on the floor and getting herself into the sleeping bag.

“You know what? Whatever. I’m not expecting you to be the best man here.” She wiggles around the sleeping bag a bit, the scowl on her face visible. Johnny’s fingers flutter against her waist over the fabric of the sleeping bag, though she moves away from him.

“I thought you said I could be worse.”

“Well, I was wrong. Is it surprising now?” She retorts, earning a joyful laugh from Johnny—that he tries to keep down because of the late hours of the night—. His arms hook around the sleeping bag, bringing it up until he is basically carrying her, hearing a small yelp escape her lips. “J-Johnny— Put me down, you jerk!”

And he does put her down, in the bed, gripping the edge of the sleeping bag to slide her away from it, resting it once again on the floor, just in time to take his covers in his hands to wrap her up nicely. “I was just joking,” He whispers, laughing at his own jokes before he pats the blanket around her neck, sitting down on the spot beside her before smiling. “You can sleep here.”

Her anger dissipates quickly, clearing her throat and breaking her gaze away. “Thank you.”

“I’ll sleep on the floor…alone…” He tuts, getting off the bed and going towards the sleeping bag. “In a small sleeping bag…because I’ve grown, like, twenty centimeters since the last time I used it…”

Rolling on her side, she hums at his words. “Good, suit yourself.”

Gasping, Johnny unzips the sleeping bag a bit more, getting inside it before chuckling. “At least turn off the lights, you.”

“I will, I will.” She retorts, going over to the switch and turning it off. Once the lights are off, Johnny tries to make out the figure of her, get some last words but instead, he is met with radio silence.

Even though they are together…and will be spending the holidays together, there is still such a thick line dividing them, unbreakable at this point.

💍

December 20th

Sleeping during the holidays is the best situation he can find himself in, much more when the bed is emptied by the time he wakes up to pee and he can finally leave that stupid sleeping bag to the side to earn a few hours-worth of sleep. His hands come up to grasp at his head when he hears the sound of keys falling on the bedside table, as well as the feel of the bed dipping beside him and a hand resting upon his face. The delicacy that touches him comes from the fingertips that are running over his cheekbones and the serious voice that comes soon after.

“Johnny,” He knows that voice, he has heard it a lot in the past few weeks, and when she moves his shoulder, he keeps his eyes closed simply to bother her. Caring of her is to keep the curtains closed and to maintain the blankets covering him in such a cold day. His nose is runny thanks to the weather and with how much he has been going out lately, with his family and his friend, he doesn’t think he wants to step out today. Ice skating, grocery shopping, mall visiting, everything has been done in such little time and all energy is drained away from him. It feels like he is grounded. “Hey, wake up. I just came back from going out to run with your mom and we made you some breakfast.”

He expects her to say that his mom made him something, but hearing her add herself to the mix in there has him opening his eyes. She is against the contrast of the light, shadows casted upon her face when she looks down at him. Absentmindedly, his hands reach up to grasp her waist, the touch remaining there even when she would have commented about it in any other occasion. “Look at you, caring about me.”

“It’s not caring. It just makes me feel bad that your dad has made you done a shit-ton of stuff just because we got married.”

Johnny sits up at that, their faces almost touching when he speaks to her, but he backs down slightly at the reminder of morning breath. After all, they may be married…but it’s not actually a real marriage. “You’re just saying that because you don’t want to accept you like me,” He teases, a big smile appearing over his face as he drags his blanket away from his body. “Which you do. You wouldn’t have slept with me during Sam’s wedding if it wasn’t because you…” The man places one hand over his heart. “Liked me.” He ends up in a sing-song tune, a slap being placed over his shoulder soon after.

“You give yourself too much credit.” She replies, though the grin on her face is visible when she stands up from the bed, only to hear him continue speaking.

“I do give myself credit. Not only did I seduce the most serious woman I’ve ever known in my life, but we also got drunkenly married…meaning that I must have been husband material in your big drunken mind.” He is joking around at this point, standing up from the bed just in time to hear the sound of her phone going off. His hands reach for it, looking at the contact asking to video-chat with her only to chuckle. “Ooh, guess who it is.” She takes the phone away from his grasp to look before covering her mouth with her hand.

“It’s Simon.”

“Pick up!” Johnny urges, widening his eyes slightly. “I want to see who I am competing with.”

“Ugh, shut up.” She places her own hand over his lips before picking up the call, directing her camera towards her to smile softly. “Simon! Hey, how are you doing?”

He tries to peek, to get closer and get a good glimpse of this supposed man, but what she does is move the camera away, a brief awkward giggle stuffing the air in its stiffness. “I’ve been doing great. You know, just work stuff…being a lawyer is not simple.” He compliments, more like self-boosts himself but maybe it’s Johnny’s mind speaking. As far as he knows, he may even be a nice guy. “I was on my way to your family’s house today when I heard you were not spending the holidays there. Guess I have to save my poetry book for another time.” Poetry book? Johnny scrunches his face up at the idea of the lawyer reading poetry to get to her heart and by the look on her face, she doesn’t seem too pleased either.

“Yeah, sorry for not communicating. I’m at my friend’s house at the moment. I’m spending the holidays with him and his family.” It is not exactly an excuse, if anything, they feel more like friends than lovers, but Simon doesn’t seem too pleased with the idea.

“You’re not spending the holidays with your family?”

“Uh, no, I figured—”

“That’s not good.” Simon indicates, interrupting her and bringing the biggest sigh out of Johnny. This man sounds like the human equivalent of a blank wall being painted white. “Did something happen with your family?”

“Not really.” She comments, swatting her hand as if it is nothing and she takes one look at Johnny now that her hand is not over his mouth, practically begging him to keep quiet. “I just wanted some time-out, you know, I’m in Chicago and it’s been great.” That should be enough to finish the conversation, but Simon seems to have something else to say.

“…Okay, that’s valid.” Simon continues, a brief chuckle leaving his lips before he asks something important to him: “What’s the name of this friend?”

“Johnny.”

“So…it’s a guy.”

“Yes. Guys and girls can be friends.”

“Not…in most occasions.”

“We’re friends. That’s enough proof.” Although, the man seems to go on a rant about his beliefs and whatever else crosses his head. In the matter of seconds, she is looking around the room to find some type of excuse just to cut the conversation short. “Ah, Simon, I’m going to have breakfast, okay? Let’s talk later.” Before he could even say his final goodbye, she cuts the video-call short, her breathing quickened after lying about something. After all, she doesn’t pride herself in her lying skills and she has said it plenty of times.

Johnny chuckles at her reaction, crossing his arms over his chest after taking her phone from her hand and placing it on the bedside table again. “Poetry and laws. Simon sounds like a whole meal.” He jokes around, a pointed glare thrown his way before a brief smile escapes the prison of her lips. “He sounds as interesting as a boiled egg.”

“He’s a nice guy,” She breathes out deeply, taking a look at her phone. “…He’s just been there forever. My family loves to have him around whenever I’m there.”

“You know, you don’t have to push yourself to like him.” Johnny confesses, now more serious than he has ever been, shrugging his shoulders after his statement. “I think it’s valid that you just want him as a friend, even though he seems to want you for more. It shows a lot that you had more chemistry with a guy you met at your client’s wedding than with someone who has tried to make you fall in love with him over and over again.” Because, in reality, Johnny thinks that whatever friendship they have is mixed with chemistry, this buzzing sensation of attraction that they have pushed away thanks to the situation and tasks at hand. He would be lying if he said he doesn’t find her attractive, even days after their first encounter.

“You’re right.” She accepts, wrapping her arm around his to drag him out of the room. “But let’s just not talk about my romantic life and just go get breakfast. It’s already difficult enough that I’m not single anymore.”

Johnny takes one good look at her before scoffing. “You still didn’t show me a picture of Simon. I need to kick his ass in every way possible.” She laughs at his antics, shaking her head at whatever he is saying. “Is he tall?”

“Not really…”

“Then, I’m already winning.”

Lately, he has noticed how well they get together despite their differences, the fun of bickering and bantering never leaving them as they go about the holidays. The days of their departure only get closer and yet, their souls seem more in synch that they could have ever been.

💍

December 22nd

Johnny is starting to believe there is some kind of favoritism going on in his parents’ household after he realizes the amount of love that is thrown to his ‘wife’ while he is out in the snow, making sure to leave some space for people to walk by, freezing his ass off even when there are fabrics over fabrics of clothing protecting him from the coldness.

His jet-black hair is barely seen under the beanie that covers it, thick and gray, pushing the long strands of hair down. The snow makes home out of the dry skin of his lips, resting upon his scarf even though he is trying to clear the snow as quickly as possible, arms and legs and hands moving in such a hassle that one would think he is working out. His spine connects with his skin in a shiver, making him breathe out softly as a cloud follows after the action, coming out of his lips in its soft nature. Something about this would have made him snap at any other time, but he enjoys the look he gets from his position, directly to the kitchen’s window where he can see her washing the dishes, singing to the tune of some song in such glee that anyone would have imagined she’s a lively person. In reality, taking a smile out of her is a damned task he has grown to love.

In the wake of his body from the coldness and eager to finish his work, he stops looking at her and takes the time to complete the task at hand, greeting the neighbors that pass by him, remembering the name of some and completely forgetting others. He doesn’t mind. Instead, he breathes in the smell of home, even when his lungs are fighting against the weather in Chicago at the moment. Every day there felt better, like this is exactly what he needed after years of working hard.

“Let me help you,” Someone speaks closer to him and when he turns around, he realizes that the woman that was washing the dishes just mere minutes ago is now wearing a big coat and gloves, taking another utensil to help him clear out the snow. If the snow feels like it is part of him in this eventful December morning, then she must be the epitome of winter when she gives him a smile, half-covered by the scarf around her neck. “You’re taking too damn long and I was getting tired of having you staring at me instead of clearing the path.”

“…You saw that?” Johnny asks, unaware that she could even see him when she was supposed to be washing the dishes. She nods her head, humming at his words soon after. “You just look cute today. Excuse me for admiring the art.”

A playful smile splays over her face before she takes a handful of snow from the ground, tossing it at him in a half-done ball for it to hit him directly on his chest, dusting his clothes in the whitest of snow. “Shut up with your cheesy lines. All you have done since you met me is flirt with me, it’s annoying!” Though, she chuckles at her masterpiece created by the snow, painted on his chest and making him kneel down to take two handfuls of snow.

“You are too ungrateful.” Cradling her body to stop the snowballs from hitting her, it doesn’t work because Johnny has already hit her twice, earning a gasp from her when she tries to fight back. “I’m calling you cute all the time and treating you like a princess and you’re complaining?!”

“You’re just too greasy!” She complains, their vision basically white with the amount of snowballs they are throwing at each other. It’s childish, it definitely is, a glimpse of exactly what she has lost in the last few years, when adulthood clouded everything around her, turning it gray, white and black. “Stop it!” By the time he nears her, the smile he sports is hers and only hers, only caused by the sound of her voice. His glove-cladded hands grip at her wrists, the attack stopping just in time for him to look into her eyes.

“Why don’t you let me compliment you?” He asks, voice dropping slightly to whisper to her. Her eyes flutter and snow falls on her cheeks, causing the two to laugh.

“You’re just so…insolent about it.” The comment has him chuckling, his eyes staring up and down her features to catch every glimpse of her. She is shining even in such a gloomy weather, body eager to help him out through his turmoil, lips a darker shade thanks to the weather. All he wants to do is give a kiss and it must have shown in the way she scoffs soon after. “Like this, you’re looking at me so diligently that I’m starting to believe you get paid for it.”

“I wish.” He continues, looking around to see that there is not much more for him to do. “But you can go back. There’s only a little bit of snow left in the entrance and I can clear that out in no time.”

“I want to help you.”

“You’re insolent, too.” His words fight back and she smacks his shoulder, making him look at her with innocence coating his expression. And that’s new, for Johnny is one hell of a tease. “I didn’t hurt you, didn’t I? I was just throwing snowballs and not really looking if they landed on your face or something—”

“I’m okay. I’m not a doll.” She starts to help Johnny out when he lifts his gaze from the ground.

“You sure look like one, beauty.”

“Johnny Seo, shut the fuck up! God!”

With the holidays nearing and the obnoxious sound of Christmas carols playing all around the street, the only source of sanity he has left is to tease her.

💍

December 24th

Pretending is easy. Long gone is his ring in the depths of the vanity in his room as he talks to his cousins, more often than not taking part in a PS4 tournament with that infamous game of FIFA that has him rolling his eyes once or twice. He enjoys it, though, the smell of sweetness in the air, the sound of his littlest cousins cheering and laughing while running around the house, the heat in the room more palpable thanks to his mother’s cooking and just hearing his father laugh and talk to his family is enough to make him feel at ease. Somewhere by his side, always lingering with him, is the woman that now every part of his family knows as his friend…and the worst part is that he thinks he is doing a great job in making them believe that they are just friends. Good, old friends that wanted to spend Christmas time together and he simply decided to bring her over.

The thing is that his most gossip-obsessed of aunts is looking at them as they sit down on the couch, trying to embark in conversation about how exactly they became friends. He has practiced this but he even stumbles a bit over his own words, finding it difficult to create a story for someone who was clearly not his longtime friend. More often than not, he catches a glimpse of her mortified expression, though well dressed and put together with how beautiful she looks.

Surely, Johnny is used to the button downs and making himself look better for the holidays, but the way her dress hugs her body and the up-do in her hair that had taken her far too long to ever be worth it had him taking a few glances at her and wondering if he’s just a lucky man for making such a mistake with a well-rounded person. Serious, nicely spoken, responsible and clearly gorgeous, though just a friend…because if he ever dares to whisper something to her to tell her just how beautiful she looks, then his relatives are going to be suspicious.

His oldest aunt from his mother’s side speaks in a high tone, probably having drunk too much eggnog. “Johnny, can you go look for your cousin’s present? I left it in the storage room and I don’t think I’m able to stand up from this bed.” The cackle that follows her statement has Johnny chuckling, giving the controller of the videogame to one of his teenage cousins before dusting his hands over his pants.

“Sure. Is it the only present there?”

“It is.”

The situation worsens how it shouldn’t have when the woman with the beautiful pink dress stands up from her spot to speak up. “I’ll go with you.” She tells him, earning a glance from the gossip aunt that is now raising her eyebrows at the statement. Johnny is smiling, clearly because she is far too uncomfortable to stay alone with his family—his mother and his father are fine, they have talked to her endlessly in the days that she has been staying there, but his cousins, uncles and aunts are far scarier—. “Two heads work better than one?” She tries to reason, only to make Johnny laugh, nodding his head as he extends his arm to point out where she should go.

“Let’s go, then.”

The storage room is closer to the attic than it should be, small in size and with one dangling light that still scares Johnny to no end. Thankfully for him, he has someone to accompany him in the room that he feared when he was a child. He pushes the door open, turning on the lights and looking around the shelves to see that in the highest one, the present is standing with a thin layer of dust covering it.

“Oh, shit, your aunt probably thinks we’re together now.” She mumbles, closing the door behind her and watching the expanse of Johnny’s back as he reaches up for the present, holding it in his hands once he turns to look at her. He is grinning, though, unbothered by life…like he always is.

“I’m sure everyone in this household thinks we are together by now.” That rips a groan out of her throat, guttural when she steps away from the door to open it, only to be stopped by Johnny’s hand.

“I’m just not a good liar, you know this!”

“I know,” He blinks softly, holding the gift in between his ribs and his arm as he leans forward to stand in front of her. Their breaths are mixing by now, his smelling like all the sweets he has had and hers lingering with something spicy, perhaps one of the meals his mother had insisted on her to try (“I would ask Johnny, but you have way better taste than him.”, she had said in front of his entire family and the only thing he could bring himself to do was argue in between a whine). She stares back at him, all poise thrown out of the window as bewilderment takes place for it.

“What?” She whispers, pointing with her index finger around her face. “Is there something on my face? I didn’t even do my makeup properly because my arms hurt so bad after spending hours doing my hair.”

“You know, I know we are not technically married or together by any means. We’re friends, right?” She nods her head at his words, making Johnny bite down on his bottom lip when he nears her the slightest bit. “But I want to tell you, taking the chance of it being Christmas and having to thank all the things Santa has brought me this year, that you’re truly one of the most beautiful people I have ever met.” Though, it is widely seen on her face that she is about to thank him, brushing it off as a simple compliment about her appearance—Johnny gives her plenty of those, but this one is deeper than that. “You’re the most given photographer, an incredible artist in that part of your life…but you’re so responsible and so careless…it’s amazing.”

“You’re just saying that to say it.” She gives her piece of mind, looking at Johnny’s features up and down. They are so separated by fear, the intoxication that comes not from alcohol—though, that was their beginning—but because there is an electricity between the two, magnifying in the way it makes them dizzy, pulling them together like opposites. “But thank you. I think you’re…great, as well.”

“I’m not saying it just to say it,” Johnny mocks her voice, a hearty laugh reaching his ears. “I mean it. Drunk or not, I thought you were beautiful when we first met and after we got…well, married, I got to know you better and I am not drunk now, neither was I any of those days we’ve spent together after that. I think it’s safe to say I mean it.” Those words are so different from anything she has heard Johnny ever say, straightening his back the moment she asks a big question.

“If we hadn’t been drunk, would you still have hooked up with me?”

Huffing, he answers immediately. “Of course!” Soon after, he takes one look at the door, hearing the sound of music pumping in the background before lifting his gaze. “…Would you?”

“I wouldn’t have gotten married, for sure…but I would have.” As always, she balances out her answer, the pros and the cons and Johnny can’t help himself but laugh, leaning forward to press a soft kiss to her cheek, soon after hearing her groan. “Ugh, Johnny, don’t be sappy!”

“I’m just happy. You thought I was attractive drunk or not!” Johnny adds, his tall height making his head bump against the light on the ceiling. Laughter follows his action, making her eyes shine under the dim light.

“You deserve it for being so cocky.”

Opening the door, Johnny speaks up. “Let’s leave before my entire family thinks we are having sex in my storage room.” She scrunches up her nose, stepping forward and feeling Johnny press a fleeting kiss to her shoulder before walking in front of her.

It is not a surprise when they end up posing next to each other in the family picture at the end of the night.

💍

December 29th

In his mind, even when his eyelids are close, he can still make out the feeling of her side pressed to his chest, the light of the TV in his room casting down on their bodies as they watch yet another Christmas film. It’s far too late, the holiday is changing to one of leaving this year in closure, but he still enjoys the clichés, the terrible plots of most of them and the infamous red and green aesthetic that is imprinted in everything they can muster. Even now, when silence has taken over the entire house, the moon is resting its light upon his curtains and his back is uncomfortable pressed to the sleeping bag, his pillow being the only source of comfort, he can’t help but wonder if she’s just as buzzed as he is from the laughter, the endless conversation, the warmth of such intimacy in the name of friendship.

While his eyes remained close, he fixes the pillow under his head, fluffing it out and turning to the side to face the mattress, the one that she sleeps on—and belongs to him, in reality, not that he doesn’t remind her every single day—. He knows that she just wants to get that marriage over and done with, and so does he; it feels weird to be husband and wife when they are barely getting to know each other and it leaves pressure on their shoulders from an unfound love, but still, he completely enjoys her presence, both romantically and in the sense of their friendly union.

Sometimes, he wonders if life had it planned…something to wake Johnny up from his state of irresponsibility, only to show him that adulthood could also have a fun side to it.

It planned for her to learn that not everything had to be serious, that the worst of outcomes can come with a smile after some time.

The sound of his cranium hitting the floor has him opening his eyes widely, staring at the woman in front of him that is holding his pillow in between his fingers, having slipped it from under his weight. He sits up on the floor, touching his head as pain blossoms in lightness, though she hisses from her actions. “Sorry.”

“Are you taking my pillow away now? Because that’s all I need.” Johnny adds sarcastically. Nevertheless, he watches as her hand extends for him to take, palm opened and showcasing that damned ring that still keeps them together. It is a piece of trash, really, but both of them sport it like a reminder of why they are together and why they should keep supporting each other through hard times. He takes it, gradually standing up from the floor as she speaks.

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t know how to tell you…” She mumbles, looking up at him when he is fully standing next to the bed. “I feel bad for making you sleep on the floor, so I was going to tell you that we can share the bed.”

Though appealing, he doesn’t want to cross any boundaries that she has set for a reason. “I’m comfortable in the floor. I sleep like a log.”

“Johnny—” By this point, she has been seeing him the twenty-four hours of his days for a few weeks and she knows better than to believe him. The blankets are peeled away from the bed, showing the side that she had made for him, now with a pillow for him to take. “I want you to sleep with me, come on.”

He knows what he means when he settles down on her side, sharing the blanket in the space that watched him grow from tall to taller. “That’s what you said and now look,” He lifts his hand in the air, showing his ring. “I’m Mr. Married.”

“It’s not that kind of sleeping, dumbass.” She whispers and silence follows soon after. He hears moving from her side of the bed, limbs becoming uncomfortable until her legs interlock with his and her arms end up draped over his waist. “I’m so sorry for putting the blame of this entire situation on you,” The words are weighty, serious just like her, but she has never been the type to apologize. Instead, he opens his eyes to see her calm expression, closed eyes and tight soul clear to his vision. “You have been nothing but kind to me. You took me to your parents’ house, like, I wouldn’t have done that— And your family is so nice to me, I can’t thank you enough.” She opens her eyes to look at him, blinking the feelings away when Johnny hums, wrapping his long arm around her shoulder.

“You helped me out so much, too. I needed a wake-me-up call. I always think I can go against the world and nothing will happen. You were a lesson, a tough one.” He includes, sweet giggles following his statement before his plush lips kiss the top of her head. “We’re here for each other, okay? Even after the divorce. I’m going to be calling you from Seoul whenever I can.”

“I’ll send you pictures of my real wedding when it happens.” She jokes around, feeling a kick on her leg when Johnny reacts to it.

“I can say I was the first husband, huh.”

“First accidental husband.”

“I sure hope it’s the last. I don’t want you going through this again.”

Though, Johnny would meet her again if the case was given—without the drunken night, but to see the real side of her, apart from a serious expression behind a camera that awakens the lust within him. He would have loved for things to happen differently, to welcome their friendship from the start and see where it leads, but nothing could be changed now and the year only neared the moment in which they could finally pull away, his arrival to Seoul and his goodbye to his marriage.

His goodbye to his friend.

💍

December 31st

“You know, we could always meet during the holidays, even if it’s for one day. I always come to Chicago on December.”

The sight of the man by her side is the complete opposite of what she would have ever thought of Johnny Seo to be like, holding his baby cousin in his hands as he pats the baby’s back, humming a lullaby in between hushed words. The technique is not perfect and Johnny is definitely not the type of man that she ever sees as a parent, but it is definitely surprising…and beautiful, in its own way, to see him care about someone else other than himself. Egocentric is how she imagined him to be, and now he is proven he is a little bit so…but not enough to be the example of the definition.

In front of them, as they are seated in the backyard of Johnny’s house, they watch the lit sky after the fireworks that had waken his baby cousin up from her nap and the only person that was able to get her back to sleep was Johnny, strangely enough. The moon is bright, the stars are dancing and she is trying not to smile in longing as she remembers that in the first week of January, they will have to go to Las Vegas, hope that they can finally sign their divorce and finally, they will be able to simply…forget about each other.

Johnny has expressed just how against the idea of stopping their friendship he is, but she knows that there is this lingering voice in the back of her head, a reminder of the type of person Johnny demonstrated her she can be and the type of person she really is. “I am afraid of becoming attached to this, Johnny.” She mumbles, playing with the grass under her fingertips, looking away from his gaze in fear of the words she is going to say. Everything had been beautiful, from the dinner to the chatter, from the decorations to the warmth atmosphere around the household. It had never been like this; it had always been idle and silent, the holidays are not supposed to be her happiest time of the year. “…You have given me the best time, ever.” She tells him, finally lifting her gaze to see Johnny is gazing at her, his expression tranquil yet puzzled. “And I thank you for that, but…I miss my family and I am not this type of person. I’m serious and I don’t laugh a lot, I don’t play with snowballs and I don’t spend entire evenings watching movies. I learned to suppress that and I am afraid that if I get used to being your friend, I’ll become attached to feeling free.”

Johnny’s eyes soften at that, lifting his hips slightly to sit closed to her, his knees coming up to rest on his cousin’s back for support. “You don’t have to suppress anything. Anyone who likes you as you are will accept you.” The comforting words lift the weight of the night off their shoulders, the midnight of the first day of the year, merging from the past and the future. “And I like you. All I’m saying is…we stayed together because we’re friends, not because it’s what lovers do. Even though I wouldn’t mind a kiss or two…if you ever need me, I’m going to be here. As your friend. Through the phone, from Seoul, attending to my ex girl.” Of course, anything has to end in a joke with him and she reaches up to muffle her laughter, shaking her head at his words.

“I can do that, too.” She confesses, resting her forehead against Johnny’s shoulder, one already taken over by the sleepy head of his cousin. “Now I understand why she likes sleeping on your shoulder. Bony but comfortable.”

“Ah, shut up.” Johnny argues softly, looking forward before sighing. “Just two weeks until we can finally call this off. Are you excited?”

“Yes,” Though, the continuation is the most important part. “I can’t say I won’t miss you once you go back to Seoul, though.”

“I’ll miss you, too.”

💍

January 19th

Gliding the pen with his signature across the divorce papers is far easier than he would have ever thought it was, or maybe that thought came from the fact that he had spent days roaming around Las Vegas and looking for the intended papers for the procedure to be done that had made him so tired he didn’t even think twice to sign down on the paper. His plus one does look at the paper with distress displayed on her face, trying to figure out if this is an ending or a comma, a dot with continuation or just the imminent death of the worst mistake of her life. The answers remain unknown to both of them, stepping out of the office to look back at the city that had watched them like two people who had fallen in love with just one night, so fed up with the feeling of each other that they had to go to the extreme to feel alive. Sometimes, Johnny wonders that if anything would have gone any differently, he would have consequently asked her out on a date and gotten more of a grasp of the situation, but everything happened for a reason.

Fixing the sunglasses that end on the bridge of his nose, Johnny parts his hair away from his face, undergoing small conversation that distracts them from the fact that they are no longer two. They are not anyone’s husband or wife, but they also don’t have a reason to be with one another. There is no one to support, no relationship to fake, no friendship to last. They are two strangers once again, tremendously attracted to each other but with no reason to ever go back to each other. Seoul screams for him, parties are his way of feeling alive and she has to stay here, in Las Vegas, watching the city lights as she locks herself in her room to work in some picture editing.

It shouldn’t feel this…incomplete, like there was more for them to live, more air for them to breathe together, more laughter to give. Johnny’s hands grasp for the keys of his rented car, licking his lips when the silence takes a bit too long to be cut short. “Ah, I think we could go have some lunch to celebrate?”

“Sorry, I have to catch up with work.” The disappointment in her voice is clear, watching as she hides her hands in the pockets of her coat. “You could drive me there, though.” They are trying to hold on to what doesn’t exist, the comfort that they had looked for just for the sake of a ring. A ring that he took off his finger in the early morning, though he can see hers is still snugly placed on its spot.

“Get on, then, beautiful.”

“Here we go again. Divorced, and yet you are trying to seduce me.”

“It never works, just let me live.”

Listening to songs is not far as important as getting a laugh out of her and maybe, this is life really mocking him. He is not in love, far too soon to even call it that, but he definitely infatuated with her, wishing for a last goodbye and a reminder of the woman she likes the most that is not bitter. Taeyong would probably coo at the sight of Johnny’s expression whenever he stares at her, Jungwoo would be confused as to why someone like Johnny would even do such thing and he swears he can hear the laughter of his roommate, Yuta, once he tells him the entirety of the story while sharing bites of their favorite pizza, but as of now…he can only think of the present. The present is everything they have, the only certainty they could grasp, and the future simply reads impossibilities for the two of them.

Watching her get off the car shouldn’t be difficult, much less when she goes over to his side and leans down for him to open the window. She looks at him, inspects his face even though he asks what is wrong, trying to lighten the atmosphere even though his smile doesn’t last long. Something feels unfitting, like all the decisions they took throughout their story were wronged, always thinking too little, never thinking enough.

It comes to him in a blast, electrifying him when her lips press down into his without him even asking. He doesn’t remember much of the only time they kissed, though repeatedly in that night, but it comes crash down on him. The softness of her lips, the taste of her favorite lip-gloss, the feeling of her arms wrapping around his neck as she drags him down, deeper, deeper, deeper. Johnny has never been kissed like this, with so much need but so much patience, like she wants to savor anything and everything that he can give her. Her fingers trace the outline of his jaw, noses bumping softly when he tries to twist his head to the side, grasping the back of her head in hopes to keep her there…because two more days and Johnny will be gone. The memory of Las Vegas will simply be washed in the name of reality.

Is this what he wanted?

“…I expect to see you on December, okay?” She whispers against his lips, caging his bottom lip with a bite when she breathes out softly. “If you’re not coming here, I’m going to Seoul. I…just want to see you again.”

This is what lovers do, real lovers, seeking for each other and longing for the few seconds they have left. When she finally pulls away, Johnny grips on her hand, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it before chuckling. “Told ya you would want to see me again.”

“Can you not ruin the moment for once, Johnny Seo?” But her laughter is far too joyous for him to even consider she is mad, taking a few steps back until she waves at him. “Bye, you dick.”

“Don’t you mean see you later?” He smirks, his hands resting upon the steering wheel.

“I’ll mean I’m glad I divorced you if you don’t stop talking.”

Once she is away from his sight, he catches himself smiling.

Maybe, his time in Las Vegas wasn’t the worst time of his life. He’ll cling on to the next December, and figure out how true that statement is.

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blackswaneuroparedux · 4 years

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Anonymous asked: Don’t you miss London in any way since you are British? Wouldn’t you love to come back especially after Brexit? Do you think London has changed for the worse that its not worth living there anymore?

Yes, I do miss London. I do want to go back....but not yet. I’m enjoying living and working in Paris. Brexit doesn’t affect me as I also have a Norwegian passport and I qualify for carte de séjour (a sort of residential work permit).

It was the wit Stephen Fry who said “The English language is like London: proudly barbaric yet deeply civilised, too, common yet royal, vulgar yet processional, sacred yet profane.” He captures the essence of London it’s so diverse that anyone can fit in. That is its strength and its weakness compared to other maga cosmopolitan cities like New York in the West or Shanghai in the East as its only rival.

But to my mind London has more - arguably the same as New York but definitely more than Shanghai - in terms of energy and vibrancy with a very unique English topping of eccentricity. Something you would never find in Paris for instance where things are quite socially stodgy and snobbish. The dinner parties I attend in London are far more down to earth and vibrant as well as eccentric and very fun compared to the ritualised boerdom of super pretentious dinner parties of the Parisian crowds I get roped in - a caveat, most but not all.

London to me is like city state much in the spirit of a medieval Florence. It has no moorings to the rest of the country or the nation. It’s a bubble. or I should say bubbles within a giant bubble. There a diversity of communities each rubbing up against each other. Mostly for the good but some times not so good. Despite urban problems that affict growing mega capitals London for me still remains a wonderful place to live.

When people ask me about if I enjoyed living in London I have to ask which London? We all live in our concentric social circles in London and people as much as place help define our sense of belonging and happiness. I don’t look at London in an abstract way in terms of favourite places but in terms of the bonds of friendships made and sustained from childhood onwards.

Samuel Johnson said “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” In my case, it’s because I wanted to expand my life experiences that I left London. I get bored easily and I have restless feet. I left London because it became too small for me. Or rather the world I inhabited became too socially claustrophobic for my tastes. I needed to get out and seek adventure and challenges elsewhere at least for the next chapter of my life.

I do love London and I often go back there for work reasons as well as personal ones when I can. I am a member of a few gentlemen clubs (many allow women in now) and its old genteel atmosphere centres me and paradoxically helps me to see London in slow motion even as London around me is fast moving and changing. I also don’t miss key events that I can only experience in London like the ballet and the theatre which is unrivalled in the world. And of course there are some events on the social season calendar which I can’t miss because of family obligations.

Every city has its unique charms but only a few touch the heart and soul. London - or at least the London of my childhood - is one of them. But for how much longer I don’t know.

London seems to be galloping towards a new and uncertain identity, one that puts ‘stuff’ before substance, and more importantly, money before class (as in good taste). Brexit’s impact on London doesn’t bother me in the slightest as London will adapt as it always does. It will muddle through which has always been the English way to solving any problem: just muddle through.

Still, it’s the little things I notice rather than the obvious macro ones. It niggles me and prey on my mind long after I witness the offence.

So let me give you an example of what I mean.

I did a hard day’s shopping in Knightsbridge and was waiting to meet a dear old friend from boarding school to play catch up. She’s always bringing me up to speed on the gossip in our circles and most of it goes in one ear and out of the other as I’m bored by it but interested and polite enough to listen if only to feel happiness and relief that I actually do live away in Paris.

So there I was waiting for her. She was late as usual. I was sitting in a quintessentially English hotel restaurant in Knightsbridge over Christmas. I watched a young man about the same age as me approach the door. He was dressed in a wool long coat with a velvet collar that looked a little snug, although it was beautiful and had the look of Turnbull and Asser about it.

My heart soared, as he held the door open for an elegantly dressed woman who was on her way out, then approached the restaurant and confirmed he was there and waiting for a guest, a living illustration that manners maketh man. When he took his coat off it was to reveal what was the uniform of my father’s generation, right down to the waistcoat, bottom button left open, and polished shoes. The suit he was wearing could well have been inherited from his father - probably Savile Row - but the whole was a thing of modest beauty and seemed to fit with the Christmas decorations and season of traditions. This was a well groomed young gentleman who had dressed for the occasion, and the occasion was a treat, an extravagance, something not of the every day.

I ended up at a table diagonally across from him and his companion, probably his wife or partner, excited to be there and also impeccably dressed and I watched as a party of flashy men of indecipherable East European origin arrived five minutes later. They didn’t speak much English and were wearing a selection of very tight floral shirts with white cuffs and collars. Block printed, purple and lime and many other colours unsuitable for December, but there you have it and while my suited object of admiration sat unserved, the party in the middle of the restaurant made up for their lack of fluent English with magnificent finger clicking skills.

You might say this is and always has been the way of the world, the wallets were on the table, money clips clearly visible through the skintight shirts, but one thing was different about this picture, something unpleasant. The restaurant staff fawned on them, and the couple opposite me sat, waiting politely for the two gin and tonics they had ordered.

Meanwhile, gaudy bottles of Ace of Spades Champagne arrived stage centre, possibly the world’s flashiest wine container, gold and shiny and terribly gauche. They were closely followed by four sets of twins, female ones, who sat down at the table amongst the flowery shirts and were each poured a glass of fizz which they silently sipped in minimal clothing.

Meanwhile in the other corner, the unassuming couple who had come in first were still waiting for their drinks, and I watched while the gloss went off their day, and the pall of poor relations settled on them in the corner.

This scene will be familiar to anyone who lives in Central London and it’s sad. The bottom line has always been a vital consideration in the London restaurant scene, there has always been a special table for regular customers, that’s the way of things. Until recently however there has also been that very British recognition that the chap who has saved up all year to take his wife to a special lunch should be treated as if he is also a regular guest and one of equal value at that.

It’s these little acts of tradition and custom that are the life blood of the civic life of a city. Lose this and you slowly erode the pillars of civility.

This obnoxious veneration of money to the exclusion of everything else has reached fever pitch. Restaurants that used to be just that, dining rooms that you could sit and eat lovely food in, providing a bubble away from the day to day stresses that we are all party to, are now restaurants with private clubs upstairs. Meanwhile private clubs that used to be simply private clubs now have VIP areas – VVIP areas – which is at least a bonus in that you can avoid the more ghastly members as they are all in those bits.

What does this all mean? Does it mean that everything from eating out to where we shop is now Instagrammed or Facebooked, leaving us defined by our purchases and spending habits alone? It is certainly starting to feel like it in London (and worryingly small signs of it Paris too with rich Russians and Arabs buying up most expensive aprtments in the city), where a hundred pounds is the new tenner, and consumption has reached improbable proportions.

Strangely though, no one seems any happier, quite the contrary. Are the new Rich Kids of Instagram really something to aspire to? Is bad taste the new good taste? Strange times are upon us, when 16 year olds sit in a cordoned off areas of clubs and restaurants flashing their cash and getting on and off jets. I see this first hand as I sometimes get to fly on private jets purely for work reasons at the largesse of my corporate clients. I always thought the Euro trash aristocrats girls at my Swiss boarding school were entitled airheads but the present nouveau riche incarnation don’t even have a sense of ironic self awareness or taste.

Human beings love a boundary, well they have for the whole history of mankind to date, anyway. If in one generation we get rid of all the traditional social conventions, from buying our own homes, saving, working hard, not buying whatever we want whenever we want it, where will we be? Perhaps instant gratification will lead us all to a new kind of life, a new place where we all live for experiences instead of taking out a mortgage, where nothing we do is our fault and no consequences to our actions.

I have always loved the quote ‘Don’t give up on what you want for what you want now’ and believe that delaying gratification is the defining characteristic of mature adulthood.

Perhaps values, traditions, less is more and simple kindness will make a comeback. In the meantime, restaurants will empty of customers like the well mannered gentleman on the corner table, and I will continue to feel uncomfortable that we are losing something vital not just in London but increasingly elsewhere in great European cities I travel to.

Thanks for your question.

#question #london #personal #city #civic #civility

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fafulous · 5 years

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Round Two

Pairing: Elijah Mikaelson x Reader

Summary: Reader’s family doesn’t include her in their Christmas plans for the night, leaving her in shreds of sadness until her phone rings from her favorite family of vampires to save her Christmas.

Warnings: LIL ANGSTY??? FLUFFY??? IMPLIED DITTY DO?? HOW?? DO?? YOU?? DO?? WARNINGS?? CHEESIER THAN YOUR CHEESE FRIES YOU HAD SOME WHILE BACK?? DO I MARK 18+??? IDK READ MY FRENS

A/N: AL right. Now the reason I’m writing this sad prompt is because this is what happened to me although not exactly, but the feelings are the same. @heythereelejah gets prompt credits for asking me to vent out through this prompt. ILY ALL

Christmas is the time for endless fun and sloth behavior. It is the time when you're wrapped in woolen clothes warming yourself from the freezing cold while the aromas freshly baked cookies of various assortment filled the room completely.

It is the time to rekindle old traditions and mingle with the already closest members of your home, your sweet family.

But god save you, it will never the same with your family.

While Christmas has it's beautiful merits, the only thing favoring you was the demerits of it.

Being the youngest sibling and the quiet one, you were always foreshadowed by the eldest and her happenings. Not only by her, but it seemed like you were always taken for granted by the rest of your family. But it never bothered you that much, they were family and you loved them no matter what.

And Christmas can make the most dysfunctional family functional right?

Apparently not.

"I still don't understand why Elijah didn't call her Nik."

The Mikaelsons shuffled around the table as they made their last minute preparations and adjustments here and there.

"As I said," Elijah huffed, disappoint me written all over his face, "she told me she had to spend Christmas with her family. And this was quoted by Y/N herself."

Elijah felt a pang of sadness but pushed it away quickly. All of his siblings were bringing their dates for Christmas, except for him. Thinking it was the perfect opportunity to make a move finally, he had asked you to attend the dinner. But you couldn't and he realized it too - she had to celebrate it with her family.

"But we all know how she doesn't like spending her holidays with her actual family," said Kol with a faulty tone.

"Are you accusing me of not inviting sweet Y/N?"

"Enough both of you," stormed in Rebekah as she placed the bottles of red wine on the table.

"Kol," said Freya placing a soothing arm on his shoulder, "we all know that. We also know that Elijah and none of us can go and drag her from her family festivities. Maybe this Christmas she can actually have fun with them, you'll never know."

"On the bright side, we have a table and food as long and as wide as our lives. She can join us anytime," said Klaus as he carried Hope in his arms, silently upset that his friend couldn't make it tonight.

"I have a good feeling she'll be here tonight, Elijah," reassured Rebekah

Elijah wished that too, for he wouldn't have spent half an hour preparing an infinitesimal surprise for the woman he cherished silently.

To his luck, his wish was granted.

After a while, the Mikaelsons' dates had arrived. Marcel, Davina, Caroline, and Keelin made their ways to their loved ones, carrying small packages of gifts for everyone. By the time they sat down one by one after exchanging warm wishes, they were interrupted by the sound of continuous knocks. Elijah swore he heard a familiar whimper and ragged breathing too. All the Mikaelsons' antennae turned towards the door. Before Elijah could get up knowing who it was, Klaus was already out of the dining hall.

"Don't worry brother, I've got this"

The cold outside made your teardrops colder, your cheeks feeling ice bitten by those salty splashes of water streaming down your eyes.

It happened again. Yes, you were quite used being dominated by most of your family members and being ignored by them occasionally, but this time it crossed the line.

When you came out of your steaming shower to get ready for the unplanned evening, you noticed the strange quietness that was never associated with your family.

"Mom? Dad?"

At first, you were foolish enough to think it was a prank in form of a surprise. But later, it was very obvious that your family had gone out somewhere without even telling you. You didn't need to decipher that only by reading a note handwritten by your uncle.

We've all gone to the nearby mall for some quick shopping. Will be back some time.

You clung on to the last sentence like your poor heart depended on it since you never really like being alone most of the times, especially on a holiday like this.

But an hour passed and they were nowhere to be seen. They didn't even bother calling you, which made you cry out loud so loudly thanks to the fact that no one was home.

You went up to your room, slamming yourself into the plushy cushions sobbing and decided to not do anything for the day. So much for the holidays, you wished you were actually in that dreadful college of yours.

It was now that you regretted politely declining the Mikaelson's Christmas Dinner. Elijah had personally made the effort to invite you all the way by visiting during after college hours only for it to be declined by you. How you wished you could be there right now.

But the familiar chimes rising from your phone diminished the regret.

Messages from your favorite family flooded the home screen, one from each Mikaelson.

Kol: Christmas is no fun without our lame jokes being tossed around at everyone. Come home if you can, we have a special Mikaelson kiddie chair reserved for you dwarf size darling ;)

Klaus: Y/N. As much as you know that I'm not a Christmas person, the house feels empty without you. Hope wants you to be here too, and we have a spot saved just for you. See you soon and Merry Christmas.

Rebekah: Bitch you better bring your arse down here no matter what time it is. You promised me you would burn your wishes with me and the family. Even if you don't come by midnight, I ensure that you do.

Freya: Hey come home, we all miss you. Keelin says it's been ages since she saw you, might be the perfect night to rekindle stories. Hopefully see you there tonight :)

And finally from the man who made you nervous and fidgety.

Elijah: I hope you're having a good time with your loved ones this Christmas. Although you declined the invite, it's never off the charts. I wish you were here with us. I really do miss your presence Y/N. Merry Christmas.

You just instantaneously sprang up from your bed, happy tears rolling down your cheeks. All of their messages touched your heart, especially Elijah's, realising they still saved you a seat. The fact that the family missed her, the fact that he misses her made her heart flutter with mixed emotions of happiness and anxiousness.

Rebekah was your college mate, the only one who helps you to get through the educational hell hole. Long enough, she confided in her family secrets, her vampirism and her small aim in life to start a family.

The Mikaelsons, as usual, were very very apprehensive about maintaining an acquaintance with you but this problem was long forgotten. You were able to bring a small amount of cheer within every single one, be it taking care of Hope or assisting Freya with spells or even talking to Klaus about the deepest regrets of his lifetime. All of them took her in like a sibling they've always wanted.

Except for one.

You quickly took a small piece of paper and scribbled something on the lines of:

Waited for 'some time'. Headed to the Mikaelsons for some actual Christmas Cheer. See you tomorrow and hope you have a good one without me.

And right now you stood in front of their beautiful teak wood door engraved with their Mikaelson sigil surrounded by a beautiful Christmas wreathe. Wanting to get there fast, you just slipped on black jeans with a black top, pairing it with a beautiful white woolen overcoat and some black boots.

You knocked the door twice, wiping the last set of tears from your cheeks. You didn't realize how puffy your eyes must've looked as Klaus opened the door with a smile that soon dissolved to a protective glance.

"Y/N"

"Is it too late? If it is-"

He pulled you in with his strong arms, pushing away your statement. "Poppycock. You're right on time."

"Klaus. I look horrible."

"Oh, that will never be a problem when Kol is around, love." He held you by your shoulders as he guided you to the dining. "But besides the jokes, have you looked yourself in the mirror? Cute, small-"

You playfully slapped his shoulders which earned a chuckle from his lips.

"and beautiful," he completed. You hugged him sidewards as you reached the center of attraction.

The hall was decorated beautifully, ornaments stringing the Christmas tree just like in those Christmas movies you've always seen. Presents were wrapped in colors you never knew that existed and it was then you realized as you walked into the dining,

"I didn't bring any gifts."

The table was filled with food and expensive silverware. From a variety of roasted meats to salads and pies to cakes, you were very eager to taste them all with the best company you could ask for. Your eyes scanned at everyone seated around the table, dressed in red, green and white. They finally landed on Elijah, who looked as usual - ridiculously good looking. A jet black suit with a white tie, which you had gifted him for his birthday last month. It was the first gift you had ever given to Elijah and you were glad it was acknowledged.

"As much as you hate my cheesiness, you're our gift darling," said Kol as he came up to you giving a kiss on your cheek.

Wishes and kisses were exchanged as the siblings and little Hope, who loved the woolen overcoat you were wearing and who just couldn't stop touching it.

You then went up to Elijah, awkwardly deciding whether to kiss him on the cheek or give him a hug, but finally, you decided to just wave it out. You swore you heard Kol and Rebekah sigh, for they knew how much you were attracted to him.

"Come on now, here's your kiddie chair," said Kol.

Before you could place your hand on the chair, your hands collided with Elijah's.

"Allow me Y/N,"

Ever the gentleman you wondered, as he pulled out the chair and helped you to sit. Your heart soared, even more, when he sat next to you, feeling the blood rush to your cheeks. Throats were cleared loudly to state the obvious.

Elijah glared at Marcel, Caroline and Kol, who were the culprits of the noise. Everybody knew how you both had a liking to each other, except for the parties involved. Everyone was seated next to their beloved. Klaus and Rebekah smirked at each other, while Kol whispered something into Hope's ear.

A toast was made by Klaus, out of character and emotional, thanking his siblings and guests, especially you for their tolerance and love disposed at him.

"To Family."

There was just merry and only merry in the room, as everyone ate to their hearts' pleasure. Everyone's glasses were red, except for Freya, Keelin, Davina and you for it was not blood but the best red wine caught hold of by Elijah.

Embarrassing Christmas stories were thrown onto the table as everyone ate, only pausing whenever the laugh was too hard to control. Caroline spilled the beans about Klaus' proposal while Rebekah talked about Kol's ridiculous adventures. At this moment, you smiled and laughed forgot what your actual family had done to you and never noticed the occasional needy glances Elijah gave you.

While taking a sip your eyes raked at everyone with no worry plastered on their face, their bond overflowing the conversations. If not for Elijah, you would never be out of your reverie if he hadn't placed his palm on top of yours.

"It really is great having you here Y/N," whispered Elijah, not even audible to the rest of the vampires as they all started calling Klaus as Santa, "I am absolutely uninformed as to your circumstances of you leaving your home and spending the holiday with us, but I'm really really glad you're here today."

Elijah's grip on her palm tightened as he saw another coat of tears brim up your eye, but not enough to roll.

You nodded at his statement of comfort, but then soon joined back to the table's merriment.

"Come on dad please," requested Hope as she conjured a Santa hat on top of her father's head, "It's not really Christmas if you don't say it." You smiled at Hope's magic, improving day by day for such a young girl of ten years old.

"Oh alright alright," said Klaus, "Santa Klaus is coming to town! Ho ho ho!"

The whole table erupted with laughter at Klaus, while he joined as well, laughing at himself.

The Christmas dinner proceeded with Elijah's palm never leaving yours and both of them couldn't have asked for anything else better.

After the hefty dinner, you barely couldn't even move from all the delicacies. Turns out this Christmas, it wasn't team girls but team boys who went all the way down to cook each and every item on the table.

"You favorite gingerbread and sugar cookies wee exclusively baked by Elijah himself love," grinned Rebekah, "Plus the boys wouldn't let us enter so why not?"

Soon Rebekah started to hand out pieces of parchment to everyone so that they could write it down for good luck and burn it.

You involuntarily looked up at Elijah, least bothered if anyone was looking. He turned up and looked at you as well as he held Hope in his arms. To be in his embrace in both good and bad times, to lead a life with him no matter where it takes you, to grow up with this dysfunctional yet caring family was your ultimate wish. But it seemed like a dream, a dream too far to touch, like touching the stars with your bare hands.

But nevertheless, you wrote it down feeling foolish and greedy to want to have the best things in the world.

"Gather around its time!"

After Rebekah's calling, one by one everyone burnt their wishes into the small fire built by Freya.

You sighed as you made you moved away from the gathering, up and away to the room you would always go to every time you'd come here.

In reality, it was Elijah's study. Walls covered with bookshelves with a very huge fireplace giving you the perfect warmth all the time. This was the place where most of the times Elijah and you used to bond reading books in silence and confiding in thoughts and personal matters that wouldn't be heard by any other person. It was getting cold and you might as well thought to get yourself warmed.

But when you turned on the lights, you were in for a treat.

The whole room was dimly illuminated with fairy lights strung upon every tall bookshelf that covered the rustic walls. You even saw huge socks lined up on the mantlepiece of the huge fireplace you've always adored. In place of the couch, a small bed mattress was placed on the floor with a navy blue bedspread covered with fluffy cushions - just the way you liked.

Your heart felt fuzzy, this whole room giving you so much of aesthetic warmth. What made you even curious was that no one used this room except for you both. So that must definitely mean-

"I sincerely hope you like it."

You turned around to see Elijah standing by the door frame with a mug in his hand, his thick accent giving you a small chill. As he walked towards you, you shamelessly checked him out from head to toe - how the suit hugged him perfectly making him look dapper as ever. You took in a deep breath, not being able to stand there without touching him.

"It's really gorgeous Elijah. I love what you've done with the study," you blushed.

"Well, I'm glad. This was a small surprise for you-"

"You did this for me?"

"Of course. I did have a hunch that you'd be here tonight."

You blushed even more furiously, putting your head down. This man could make you go crazy but still remain sane at the same time.

"Here I brought this for you," said Elijah as he handed over the mug to her, making his way to set up the fireplace.

"Oh you're always spoiling me, Elijah," you chuckled realizing he made you Hot Cocoa, something you've always liked to have when you're feeling cold.

"By all means, I am to do that always," he huffed as he removed his coat suit, flinging it to one of the idle chairs. He began to roll up his sleeves, all of his attention on getting this fireplace started, but yours, by all means, wasn't.

Your breath hitched, with heart skipping a few beats probably, seeing his well built muscular arms bulging out of his black inside shirt. He then bent down to place the firewood and start the warm fire, which gave you a perfect view of his backside, which made you cough so loudly because damn it was one fine-

"Are you alright?"

You cleared your throat, prodding yourself for shamelessly checking him out, "Yeah- yeah I'm good."

"Well, come be seated."

You removed your overcoat as it began to slowly get warm. Elijah's eye's lingered to you, as he saw you in the black knitted tank top, as you took your sip from the hot cocoa. You made a pleasing noise after drinking it, which unconventionally turned him on lightly. He cleared his throat just to get the ridiculous thoughts out of his head.

Keeping the mug aside you sat down, removing your boots that stuffed your legs the whole day. You stretched your legs and neck, unknowingly giving a beautiful display of your chest to Elijah, but averted his eyes being the gentlemen he was.

"This is so well put together Elijah. Thank you so much,"

Elijah nodded slightly, loosening his tie from the warmth that was growing in the room. Realizing you were looking too much, your eyes moved to the prickling fire.

"I don't want to sound persuasive, but if I may ask you?"

You cocked your head towards him sighing. It annoyed you that it hurt every time you thought about it. But it was Elijah, the one man who you could express your emotions freely.

"They left me, Elijah," you stopped, slightly getting choked from the emotion.

"What?

"They all went out without calling me."

And like this rambling teen, you went on and on about what happened just a few hours back. A few tears fell here and there while ranting every tiny detail of the evening to him and not did he for even a second lose his attention from all your words.

He wasn't even realizing what he was doing as he cupped one of your cheeks with his hand as you completed, giving a defeated whimper and sigh.

"...makes me feel so unloved all the time Elijah. How much more do I need to prove myself?"

"Shh," he whispered as he came closer to you, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear, "listen to my voice, mine and mine alone. Take a deep breath."

And you did so, focussed on his voice, the only thing you wanted to hear for the entire day.

"Y/N you are so loved, so loved," he came closer you almost inches away from your lips, "I want you to know that very clearly. Do you understand?"

You nodded, your eyes closed from the proximity of Elijah's face. You could feel his hot breath fanning on your face and you were pretty sure he could feel yours as well.

"We're here for you always love," he paused and resumed, "I'm here for you."

"I know that Elijah," you whispered hoarsely, "I'm eternally grateful for you and your family."

"But I don't see you the way my family sees you."

You opened your eyes, the tension finally hitting both of you as you looked at his half-opened eyes. You looked at his soft, supple lips that made you lick yours involuntarily as you felt Elijah's grip on you cheek harden. He made his move and you decided to make yours.

"Yeah yeah that's good," you hesitated, "because neither do I, Elijah."

That one statement was enough for Elijah to slam his lips onto yours.

As both of your lips entwined he could taste the cocoa that was on your lips a few minutes ago and he loved it. You moaned into the kiss as he pulled you onto his thighs. Your palms roamed freely, tugging on to his perfectly styled hair.

In the heat of the moment, you removed your tank top revealing your strapless lace black bra you wore. It was a delight for Elijah, kissing you sensuously right in the middle of your breasts. He made his way kissing you all the way up to your neck. From the sounds, you were making he figured it out that this was your sweet spot.

He then made his move, ripping his own shirt for you to devour. You traced his torso with your finger, checking if it was really true if you were about to do it with a living sex god in front of you.

You peppered up kisses up his neck, just like he did and finally found your way to his lips. You let your tongue explore him, as you both fought for dominance. And in the heat of the moment after pulling away your tongue from his, you bit his lip, which produced a loud growl from Elijah.

Getting hot and bothered as Elijah noticed, you were grinding his hips, where you felt him bulging from his pants.

"Elijah please," you cried.

"What do you want my love?" he whispered huskily, which made you go high.

"I want you, please," she begged, as she traced down her trousers.

As his arms snaked up to unclasp your bra, exposing your breasts, he came up to your ears whispering thickly as he pressed his chest onto yours.

"And so you shall my love."

Back down there everyone was opening presents while drinking wine. There was Merry all over until after a point of time Caroline noticed something.

"Hey! Where is Y/N?"

Everyone looked around in confusion realizing they were missing a member from the festivities.

"I think Elijah has gone in search for her," said Freya as she cuddled Keelin in the living room.

"Oh oh alright that's good," she said content with the reply.

"Y/N"

"Oh, that sounded like him. I think he found her. They'll join us at any momen-"

"Oh Elijah"

Everyone just stopped, as all the vampires dropped their jaws and the gifts they had in their hand since they heard something that was something extremely inaudible to Freya, Keelin, and Davina. Rebekah gasped but secretly proud of her girl.

"What's wrong? What happened Kol?" Asked an extremely worried Davina, apprehending they must have heard something that she wouldn't have.

"Elijah. Y/N. They're um-"

Kol stopped Caroline Midway. "It's about time if you ask me. Was this the surprise Elijah was talking about? The surprise of Christmas Sex?"

Klaus hit him hard on the head on account of little Hope who was unwrapping her gifts, fortunately not paying attention to what the adults were talking.

Everyone blushed and let out small fits of laughter. They were happy that finally, those two got to know how much they actually mean to each other.

Davina whispered something and snapped her fingers, knowing that the vampires feel more silence with her magic.

"Now now let's give them privacy," smirked Davina.

"Atta girl", said Kol as he kissed her forehead, "Rebekah I think you owe me a 100 dollars for predicting Elijah’s Christmas Sex."

Klaus almost chopped his head off in a moment’s fury.

Elijah pulled out the extra navy blue sheets covering both of them. Right below his arms, you lay down covered in a thin film of sweat beads, staring into the fireplace and then looked right at him into his chocolate colored eyes.

He leaned down to give you another kiss, devouring your lips slowly as you placed your palm on his cheek.

"Talk about the best Christmas, this was way out of my league," you whispered

"It was nothing love," he said grinning as he lied down next to you, kissing your forehead and pushing away the strands from your face.

You snuggled closer into him, wrapping your arms around him, your head on his torso. "This was the Christmas gift ever. Thank you, Elijah,"

"Oh no my love, that's not all I have for you," he whispered as he got up instantly, making you follow suit as well.

Gripping the sheet to your chest, you saw Elijah reach of for something in a medium sized box green box with a red ribbon on it.

Taking it, you looked up at him smiling with curiosity and back at the box and decided to open it.

Inside it was a small silver chain with a pendant on it. It was so beautiful at a glance you were smiling so hard at Elijah without even discerning what it was.

The pendant was the Mikaelson sigil, a beautiful M calligraphed onto a coat of arms. And on the backside of the pendant was a small letter, that denoted the first letter of your name.

The emotional wreck you are made your eyes a tad bit watery.

"Elijah. Th-this is beautiful. You didn't have to."

"No," he simply said taking the chain from the box and nudging you to turn around, "it's of utmost importance that you know this truth Y/N."

He helped you put the chain onto you as he brushed your hair away gently and placed his chin on to your shoulder, whispering something you never thought you will hear.

"You will and always be family, no matter what the path takes us to. You are and will undoubtedly be the one who I cherish my life with Y/N. You must know that I-"

"I know," you turned around to him, inches away again from his lips, "I love you too Elijah."

Both of you feverishly kissed again as your hands found your way to his hair, completely forgetting about the sheet you were holding onto.

When you let go of his hair briefly your soft supple breasts were left on display for Elijah. He looked at them, his eyes going darker which you identified as lust. Without any warning he tugged you to him, feeling his well-built torso on your chest, which made you giggle incoherently.

"It's not a Mikaelson Christmas if there is no round two love," whispered Elijah as he began to do what was meant to be done.

And that's when you wondered: What more could you ask on a Christmas Day?

I warned you that it was cheesy. Your loss xD

Also, I’m taking this opportunity to wish all my lovely followers a very very Happy New Year. Hope all your wishes come true :’)

Tags: @heythereelejah @evyiione @idkhaylijah @dendrite-lover @elejah-wonderland (this is a random taglist ahahah ;___;)

#Elijah Mikaelson #the originals #elijah mikaelson imagines #elijah mikaelson x reader #klaus mikaelson #vampire diaries #tvd #the originals imagines #kol mikaelson #freya mikaelson #rebekah mikaelson #hope mikaelson #reader insert #to #daniel gillies

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