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forjongseong · 1 year

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mon soleil // jay (ENHYPEN)

pairing: secretary!jay x CEO!fem!reader (part 10 of the series)

genre: office!au, fluff, smut (minors dni) // warning: older reader; Jay calls reader “Boss”; cockwarming; unprotected sex; oral sex; semi-public sex; mentions of marriage // wc: ~10.7k

previous chapters:

part 1 - carmesí part 2 - mi reina part 3 - millones part 3.5 - hasta los dientes part 4 - vente conmigo part 5 - tusa part 5.5 - apaga y vámonos part 6 - versos de placer minisode part 1 - cuando nadie ve part 6.5 - yo te quiero más minisode part 2 -la niña de mis ojos part 7 - aeropuerto minisode part 3 - falling autumn minisode part 4 - night night part 8 - ambulancia minisode part 5 - subtítulos part 9 - al caer la noche minisode part 6 - after last night part 9.5 - the way you look tonight

next chapters:

click here for the masterlist

summary: you're enjoying life with your boyfriend/secretary, and you're beginning to grow closer to his parents. perfect timing, though, since he seems to have something up his sleeve.

author’s notes: welcome to part 10! and sorry for the delay.

I never measure how fast I finish writing a part, but I know for sure that this one took me longer than any other part I have written. Maybe because I was trying to see from Jay's perspective, and I kept changing how I plan to make him... Wait... I don't want to spoil it for you. You'll see in the end!

the song for this episode is one of my faves, Mon Soleil from the series Emily in Paris. pretty sure it translates to "my sun".

taglist: @jaylaxies @jayked @thots4hee @end-hyphen @nyanggk @yoursjaeyun @maggstar @bucketofhiros @dimplejaehyuncutie

(send an ask if you want to be added)

Weekends were your favorite time of the week, mostly because you get to detach from work and have some time to yourself. For your assistant slash boyfriend, however, weekends do not seem to be any different from weekdays. Jay would take any spare time he had left into doing work, either to catch up on the previous week or to prepare in advance for the next. When this happens, you would find Jay perched on your desk that faces the window, and most of the time it would be hard to get his attention once he was already focused.

You spent the day cleaning up and organizing your bedroom, and once you were done you took a quick cold shower and put on the daintiest night gown you have ever seen in your life. It was purple with a greyish hue, with ruffles attached to the straps, and an a-line cut that would flatter anyone’s body, complete with the mesh details on both sides of the skirt in place of a cheeky slit. You remembered buying it randomly when you were online shopping, and you did wash it, but you never really got to wear it since you did not really have an occasion for it.

But now you do.

Your slippers muffled the noise of your footsteps as you made your way to your desk. Jay was focused on the screen, scrolling the mouse with one hand and typing with another. He stopped to push back the pair of rimless glasses that were sliding off the bridge of his nose, and with a deep breath he started typing again.

“Is that last week’s work or next week’s?” You asked, standing behind the chair and placing your arms on the headrest.

“Next week, Boss,” he answered without taking his eyes off the screen.

“Take a break,” you said, starting to run your fingers through his hair, brushing it back.

Jay chuckled softly. “I just started, not even an hour ago.”

“How long will it take?” You asked again, this time leaning in and resting your chin on the top of his head. You brought your hand down to his shoulders and he gave it a squeeze of reassurance.

Jay hummed as he glanced blankly out the window. “At least another hour, I think. Why?”

“I’m bored,” you stated. You waited for Jay to stop typing before swiveling his chair and making him face you. You didn’t know if his flustered face was because of the sudden movement or because you were wearing a night gown that he had never seen before.

“Oh, wow,” Jay muttered, fixing his glasses in place again. “Is that new?”

“Never worn before,” you said with a pout. “I want attention.”

Jay smiled at you fondly. “I really have to get this out of the way, baby. Give me fifty minutes?”

You continued to pout and stare blankly at the screen before coming up with an idea. “Can I just sit with you?”

“You mean on my lap?” Jay asked to confirm. When you nodded, he nodded too and swiveled his chair back to face the computer. “Hop on.”

With a small smile, you secured your place on Jay’s lap with your back facing the computer. You chose that position so you could rest your head on his shoulder and nuzzle into the crook of his neck. You were both lucky that the chair was big enough and comfortable enough to host you both.

After gently rubbing your back a couple of times, Jay got comfortable and started typing again. You closed your eyes and let your nose touch his neck. You could smell the faint scent of cologne that he put on this morning, already mixed with his natural odor that you liked too. You shifted a bit, and it made Jay freeze for a second before he continued to work.

When he was rereading what he had typed, he made sure his hands continued to be occupied by either caressing your arm or brushing your hair. You snuggled even closer, snaking your arm around his waist and eliciting a soft laugh from his lips. He felt warm under you, and you tried to be as silent as possible even though your mind was racing.

“Why the glasses?” You asked with a squeak, your voice leaving you from being silent for too long.

Jay kissed your forehead before giving you an answer. “It filters the bluelight, darling.”

“No, I mean,” you muttered, bringing your head up to look at him. You caressed his cheek before observing him closely. “Why rimless?”

“Does it look bad on me?”

“It looks great on you, that’s the problem. It makes you look older.”

Jay’s eyes squinted at you before he chuckled again. “Thank you?”

You hummed and rested your head on his shoulder again, but this time you changed sides. Jay continued to stroke your back in between typing, and he could feel your breath becoming heavier with each touch.

“You okay there?” He whispered.

The vibrations of his voice sent a shiver down your spine, and for some reason you couldn’t respond with words. You nodded and placed a chaste kiss on his neck, and you noticed how his breath hitched. Licking your lips, you continued to kiss him where his skin was closest to your lips—his neck, his collarbone, up to his jawline too. The moment you feel him shift under you, you knew you were about to get what you came for.

“Baby,” Jay sighed. “You’re making me hard.”

“Hmm.” You continued to kiss his neck, making sloppy noises on purpose. “That is my intention.”

Jay let out a shaky laugh. “I still would like to get this done, my love.”

“You’re good at multitasking, aren’t you?” You challenged him, pushing yourself away from his shoulder. You rested both your hands on his shoulders before moving one to brush his hair out of his face. He closed his eyes when you touched him, and you leaned in carefully to kiss his lips.

“Sit on my cock?” He asked, his lips grazing yours.

“I’m glad you asked,” you replied, smiling when you saw him smirk at you.

Jay squeezed your waist to make you lift your hips for a bit while he tugged his joggers and boxers down. You bit your bottom lip at the sight of his cock fully erect, and as he slid his hands under your gown, you couldn’t help but smile.

“This was your plan all along, wasn’t it? No panties,” Jay whispered again, and you just chuckled softly as a response.

“I’ve wanted to try this,” you spoke, your sentence halted in the middle as you feel him entering you, “…for a while.”

“You sure you can sit still while I finish work?” Jay asked as he caressed your arm lovingly. You were still wondering how he could still act so angelic while he was fully inside you.

You nodded. “Are you?” You asked back, grinding your hips once as a test.

Jay groaned and threw his head back while you giggled. He cleared his throat and gripped your hips before speaking right into your ear.

“Be a good girl and stay still. I’ll reward you later.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Jay rolled his eyes back at the way you addressed him, and you smiled triumphantly as you nestled your head back on his shoulder. It was fairly easy for you, since by default you did have great self-control. Whenever Jay shifted in his seat, causing his cock to graze your insides, you would whimper once before composing yourself again.

On the other hand, Jay was trying his best to stay focused. The scent of your shampoo and the way your hot breath kept tickling his neck almost made him want to give up working right then and there. He tried brushing it off by clearing his throat, but it was not helping since you could literally feel his dick twitch inside of you.

You were resting on him comfortably, like a koala hugging a tree, and to cure yourself of boredom you would occasionally reach out to his face, caressing his cheek or brushing his hair back. He responded by hugging you with one arm, squeezing your waist before he redirects his focus back to the screen. After what felt like an eternity, Jay sighed as he made a couple of clicks with the mouse and finally closing all the windows.

“Are you done?” You asked innocently, lifting your head up to look at the screen.

Jay took off his glasses in a flash before grabbing your chin and smashing his lips into yours, causing you to yelp into his mouth. The movement was simultaneous with the way he thrusted his hip up, and all you could do was release a loud moan. His arms were still wrapped around your waist, holding you firmly on his lap while you both continued to eat each other’s face off.

You started grinding into him and he groaned, his hands finding the straps of your gown and pulling them down to reveal your breasts. He squeezed them both before diving into you, latching his mouth to your nipple like it was the most natural thing to do. Your moans filled the room, and your fingers were now lost and tangled in his hair.

“Bed,” he whispered on your skin. “Now.”

You stood up and reluctantly let him slide out of you. His cock was tainted with your juices and mixed with his precum. As you swiftly made your way to the bedroom, Jay pulled your wrist from behind you and turned you around before lifting you up against the wall. He slid into you with ease, and you moaned in pleasure as he started fucking you.

With your legs wrapped securely around his waist, and your night gown already halfway falling down your torso, you grasped onto his shoulders for life as he continued his sharp thrusts into you. He was moaning as much as you were, and you were desperate to feel more of his touch. Lucky for you, he seemed to sense it and quickly carried you all the way to your shared bed. He slipped out of you only to take his shirt and pants off, and he did not even give you a chance to undress completely before he entered you again.

Jay made love to you slow and sweet, peppering kisses all over your face and swallowing your moans when they got too loud. You felt the heat of his skin against your breasts, and your hands traveled down to his ass to push him even deeper inside of you. His lips never left yours, not even when you mumbled that you were close. Your walls clenched around him as you chanted his name, and after he helped you ride out your high, he pulled out and cummed on the skirt of your night gown.

You were both panting when you were done, and after a few seconds Jay collapsed beside you. You craned your neck to see how much he tainted your gown, and when you turned your head to look at him, all he gave you was a cheeky grin.

“Do you have any more of these that I can ruin?” Jay asked, his fingers lifting the hem of your night gown.

He wasn’t aware that you would literally buy a thousand more night gowns just to get him to fuck you like that again.

---

For the last couple of days, Jay had insisted to leave for work hours before you, claiming that you needed the extra time to sleep and get ready while he makes sure all is well at the office. You thought it was sweet of him, although completely necessary since you did think you were handling your job well without the luxury of being given extra time.

Settling on the thought that Jay was just a sweetheart for doing so, you walked out of your bedroom fully dressed and ready to go. When you walked to the kitchen to grab your bottle of water, you realized there was a message on the touchscreen of your refrigerator’s door.

Don’t forget your water bottle, and the bowl of acai that I made for you in the fridge. Finish it.

-J

“So bossy,” you commented to yourself as you opened the fridge, finding exactly what the note says.

As you spent the next seven minutes downing your breakfast, you remembered the countless times Jay had spoiled you with his acts of service, from preparing breakfast for you to mopping the floors of your house. After a silent minute, you cleaned up after yourself, grabbed your phone and your bag and walked out the front door.

You got into your car as soon as it pulled up, and as you greeted Mr. Lee, he handed you an iPad that Jay left for you. You checked your schedule and the notes for an upcoming meeting, and while doing so you couldn’t help but notice Mr. Lee eyeing you through the rearview mirror.

“What seems to be the problem, Mr. Lee?” You asked, putting your iPad aside.

“Oh, Miss,” Mr. Lee replied, “I just wanted to ask if it’s possible for me to have a week off. I wonder if the young Mr. Lee could take over for a while.”

“Of course. But what’s going on? Is everything okay?” You leaned into the front seat and even poked your head to Mr. Lee’s side, earning a small chuckle from him.

“My daughter is giving birth,” Mr. Lee answered. He sounded so happy, and you could see the crinkles in the corner of his eyes. “I’m about to become a grandfather.”

Your response was a mixture of squealing, screeching, and a little bit of arm-hitting, while Mr. Lee was just trying his best to drive safely.

“Congratulations!” You said after finally able to form words. “Take two weeks off if you’d like. I’m sure Heeseung can manage. Even if he couldn’t, I can just have Jay drive. I’m so happy for you, Mr. Lee!”

At a red light, Mr. Lee turned to look at you and you reached out to squeeze his hand. Mr. Lee had been a loyal driver, and after having taken care of you for so long, it was only normal that his happiness would be yours too.

---

You were so focused on reading the document in your hand that when you swiveled your chair to face your desk, you almost slid off it out of surprise. Jay was standing in front of you, beaming for whatever reason, with his iPad open in his hand.

“Since when do you have cat feet?” You commented as you placed a hand over your chest, still recovering from the shock.

“I knocked. Didn’t you hear?” Jay pointed his thumb to the door as you shook your head. “Anyway, results are in.”

“The top 10 candidates for the scholarship? Give it to me.”

You almost threw your pen on your desk before eagerly reaching out your hand to Jay. Jay slid the iPad into your hand and pulled the chair beside him to sit across you. You were mumbling the names of your employees as you scrolled down the list, and Jay was observing you closely. When you got to the bottom, your fingers froze, and Jay’s smile grew wider.

“Heeseung,” you muttered, almost in disbelief. “He’s shortlisted.”

“Don’t worry, I doublechecked already. That list is legit. Heeseung is actually qualified. Must be interesting though, since they all have to go through the interview process. You will be overseeing that, right?”

Jay’s endless comment did not seem to bother you as you were busy collecting your thoughts. For some reason, your thoughts snowballed into the far future—what if Heeseung goes abroad? Who is going to be your second driver? What if Mr. Lee decides to retire? Will you even have a driver?

“Boss?”

You blinked twice before focusing on Jay. He was now looking at you worried.

“Don’t zone out like that, you’re scaring me,” Jay sighed. “Is everything okay?”

You nodded. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“We shouldn’t tell him, right? Like, let’s not get his hopes up,” Jay said after clearing his throat. “I’ll start looking for a new driver just in case.”

It was like he read your mind.

“Right. Thank you,” you replied, giving back his iPad.

Jay cocked his head as he observed you getting back to work and picking up the document you were reviewing. He noticed that you were frowning a little too much, and that for some reason you seemed tense. You reached for your pen that rolled off too far from you, so Jay leaned in and pushed it back into your hand.

“Boss,” he started, “I can handle the meeting at 4. You should get off early.”

“Why would I do that?” You asked, not taking your eyes off your document.

“Because it’s time to redo your nails,” Jay answered, tilting his chin towards your fingers. “You never miss a schedule for a new manicure.”

All the attention to detail made you sigh, and now Jay was the one feeling tense. You pushed your chair away from your desk after freeing your hands, and then walked towards your secretary. Out of reflex, he straightened his position and turned to face you, only to have you rest your arms around his neck, pulling him closer to you.

“Why do I feel like you’re trying to get rid of me? What are you up to?” You asked, eyes boring into his.

Naturally, he felt nervous and gulped before licking his lips. “Nothing.”

“I hope you’re not lying,” you said softly as you caressed his face. “You know I hate lies.”

Jay’s response after your statement was enough to make you stop nagging, or whatever it was you were doing. The way he gently captured your lips in his for a kiss, and nibbling it afterwards, made you sigh into his mouth.

“There is nothing for you to worry about,” Jay muttered. He then kissed your cheek. “Boss.”

---

It took you less than an hour to reach your nail salon, and to not have Heeseung wait around for you too long, you sent him back to the office. You had to hold yourself back from spoiling him about the results, so every time he initiated a conversation, you just let him take the lead with the topic.

The lady at the reception greeted you by your name, as you had been going there for years at this point. You did not have to wait for your turn, and they immediately escorted you to your usual spot. After browsing countless colors, you opted for a soft pink for your nails and a chic nude for your toes. The therapist who was handling you very carefully initiated small talk, which you happily reciprocated, and you ended up talking about a lot of trivial things.

When you made your way back to the counter to pay for the services, the receptionist smiled at you as she refused the card you were holding.

“Your treatment today is already paid for, Miss. As well as the next three treatments, whenever you would like to have them.”

You frowned, trying to remember if you asked Hwiyoung to do this or if you did it yourself. Sensing your confusion, the lady continued to explain.

“I believe it was prepaid by a Mr. Park Jay?” She said, looking at the screen of the iPad in front of her.

You sighed and smiled to yourself before thanking the staff and exiting the salon. As you walked, you took out your phone and snapped a selfie of yourself, showing off your nails.

“Thank you for the treat,” you texted Jay.

It did not take a minute for him to reply to you.

“Can’t wait to see them wrapped around my dick tonight. See you at home.”

“My God,” you muttered to yourself as you brought a hand over your lips to cover your smile. Your boyfriend really had no filter when it was just the two of you.

---

It was a sunny Saturday morning, and you woke up with Jay kissing you all over your face, claiming that he wanted to go hit the gym early and do a couple of errands after. You sulked and held his face against your breasts for a couple of seconds before he chuckled and patted your waist, making you let go of him.

Half an hour later, you decided that it was the day to be experimental. You had your mother send you a recipe of her classic mud cake that she used to make for you and your brother all the time when you were little. Since tomorrow was the monthly meetup schedule with Jay’s parents, you thought it would be nice to show up at their house with something homemade.

You had your iPad propped up on the kitchen counter, away from the stove and the sink because you knew that you could not be trusted with the way your hands move. You had the ingredients stocked since two days ago when Heeseung accompanied you grocery shopping again—a routine that had formed ever since that time you spent away from Jay, and whenever he wasn’t available for you to shop with. In the middle of prepping the mixture, you didn’t trust the measurements that you prepared, so you paused and called your mother.

You managed to keep the conversation focused to cooking, and not derailing to any other topic, but once you hung up you immediately forgot what she said, so you ended up texting back and forth with her. Eventually, you managed to put the cake in the oven to bake, and just as you were wiping your hands on your apron, you heard the door unlock.

“Baby?” Jay called from the doorway. You could hear him placing the keys on the counter and taking off his shoes.

Deciding not to answer, you merely waited until he showed up in the kitchen. He froze and stared at you, and since you couldn’t decode what was in his head, you quickly unlocked your phone to check your reflection. Strands of hair were loose and falling from your messy bun, your black tank top had splotches of white from the flour and sugar, and the apron tied around your waist barely covered the short shorts you were wearing.

“Um,” Jay cleared his throat, “is this my birthday?”

You scoffed and turned around to face the oven again, making sure you had set the temperature right. “I’m experimenting.”

“Define ‘experimenting’,” Jay said, walking over to the sink and getting ready to clean up after you.

You moved to block his way. “I’m baking a cake for our visit tomorrow. Don’t clean up!”

Jay put both his hands up out of reflex, startled that you raised your voice. You sulked and pushed him out of the way, knowing very well he had done enough for you.

“If you’re bringing a cake for my parents then that’s even a better reason for me to help clean up.” Jay stepped towards you and rubbed your shoulders. He then brushed his thumb over your cheek to get rid of the bit of chocolate that somehow ended up there.

“You don’t need to clean up after me. I can do it. It takes an hour and a half to bake the cake and you can go shower or whatever,” you whined, pushing him away again.

“I wanna do whatever, and that means cleaning up,” Jay replied. He bent down to kiss your cheek roughly and then pushed you away.

You realized it was pointless to fight Jay when it comes to cleaning, so you got out of his way and started lightly tidying up around the rest of the kitchen. Meanwhile, Jay was quick to wash all the tools you had used for the cake, and even got to washing the dishes from this morning’s breakfast. When he was done, he turned to look at you and found you texting on your phone, your hair was now let down and the scrunchie you used to tie it was on your wrist.

There was something about you wearing an apron that made Jay stare, and you could feel his eyes boring into you after a couple of seconds.

“What?” You asked nonchalantly, setting your phone down on the counter.

Jay eyed the timer you had set by the oven. You had thirty minutes left until the cake is ready.

“You say that like I’m not allowed to stare at you,” Jay commented, leaning back on the kitchen sink and gripping the edges with his hands. “You look beautiful.”

Your eyes squinted in suspicion and Jay just laughed. “What do you want?” You asked, genuinely cautious.

Jay shook his head as he pushed himself forward, walking towards you. “My answer to that is always you. I want you.”

He tilted your chin up to kiss your lips and you immediately sighed. You loved the way he was always so forward with you, and you were grateful that he knew exactly the time and place to be intimate. You felt his arm wrapped around your waist, so you threw your arm around his neck, pulling him closer to you as you continued to make out.

“Jay,” you whispered, almost out of breath. “Not now.”

“Why not?” Jay protested, his lips grazing yours.

You tilted your head to the side, and he instead latched his lips on to your neck. You stifled back a moan. “The cake is almost done and sex with you takes at least an hour.”

Jay chuckled lowly right by your ear, and you hated how it still made you shiver. You could already feel your panties getting damp, and you did not want to give him the satisfaction.

“You have the timer on, it’s not like you’re gonna burn it,” Jay argued, innocently leaving more kisses down your shoulder.

“But I don’t want to rush when it comes to you.”

Your sentence made Jay stop in his tracks. He sighed before leaving the gentlest kiss on your collarbone. He then cupped your face with his hands.

“Just let me show you how much I appreciate you. Okay?”

You frowned but nodded anyway, and before you could form a reply, Jay’s lips were already attached to yours again. His hands moved to your waist, and with one swift move, he picked you up and made you sit on the empty counter. He continued to kiss you, distracting you with his tongue while his hands untied the apron around your waist. When you felt him tug your shorts, you whined a little, but when he pulled back to look at you with a face that looked like he was begging, you eventually indulged.

He pulled you off the counter, making you stand up straight as he carefully took your shorts and panties off. Instead of sitting back on the counter, he turned you around and made you face it. He then pulled you against his chest before his hand traveled downwards, coating his fingers with your arousal.

“You say you don’t wanna rush but look how quick it takes for you to get wet because of me,” Jay whispered into your ear. You moaned and threw your head back, making him gain access to leave marks on your neck.

“Don’t… tease,” you whined in between breaths. Jay smirked before kissing your cheek again and taking his hands away from your core.

You couldn’t form a coherent sentence before Jay gently but very firmly pushed you against the counter. You winced in an instant, feeling the cold against your lower ab. Jay kneeled behind you, your ass right in front of his face, and made you lift your left leg up against the counter. This created the perfect angle for him to stuff his face in your cunt, so that was exactly what he did next.

As soon as you felt his nose nudge against your ass, and his warm tongue pressed flat against your slit, you let out a lewd mewl. Jay wasted no time in making you reach your high, and you could tell from the way he was dragging his tongue up and down your folds as his fingers became busy with flicking your clit. You desperately reached your hands out for something to grip, but with every thrust of his tongue into you, you couldn’t help but moan loudly. For a second, you couldn’t even say his name, your mind clouded by the amount of pleasure he was making you feel.

“Jay,” you whispered, almost inaudible. “Oh my God.”

Jay ignored your pathetic wails and continued to devour you, humming whenever he felt your arousal drip onto his chin, groaning whenever he heard you moan too loud. Whatever he was doing, it was too much and too good, and you easily lost track of time. Your moans became quicker and higher in pitch, and Jay let you stain his face as you squirted all over him. He detached his lips only to rub his fingers along your folds, and when he noticed your legs shaking, he carefully helped you stand up straight.

You turned around as you tried to catch your breath, and Jay was still on his knees, rubbing your thighs and licking you dry. You looked at the mess you just caused on the floor and Jay followed your eyes, grinning at the result of his ministrations. He placed his hand beside you on the counter as he stood up, and as soon as his face was in front of yours you kissed him passionately. He reciprocated your kiss, lovingly rubbing his hands down your hips, and moments later the timer you had set went off.

“Perfect timing,” Jay said with a smile after pulling away from your kiss. You rolled your eyes and he merely chuckled, reaching for your shorts for you to put back on.

Once you did, Jay smacked your ass as you walked over to the oven, peeking to see the cake. “Ugh, I hope it’s good.”

“Even if it isn’t, we just created a core memory,” Jay replied. “I’m actually excited to see you in the kitchen more often.”

“Why, so you can distract me and fuck me senseless again?” You asked, challenging him with your tone.

Jay shrugged as he leaned back on the counter again, a smug smile on his face. “I mean, if that’s what you want.”

---

You waved goodbye for the nth time to Jay’s mom and dad as they both watched you enter your Palisade. Jay was already keeping the engine running, and he had to wait for a couple of minutes since his mother was so happy about the cake you bought and wouldn’t stop thanking you and praising you about it. Once you buckled your seat, Jay lightly pressed the horn and waved his hand out the window, carefully steering the car out of the driveway.

It started to rain when you were still on the highway, and the darkness combined with the soft pitter-patter of the rain made you feel sleepy. You yawned once and quickly reached for your phone to change the playlist into something more upbeat.

“You can sleep if you want,” Jay said, noticing your movement through his peripheral vision.

“No, I don’t want you driving in silence,” you replied. You finally found your dance playlist filled with Latin pop songs, and you sat back and relaxed.

After two songs, you realized the music wasn’t helping you stay awake, but you turned your head and saw Jay tapping his fingers on the steering wheel and bobbing his head to the music.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, looking at you for a split second.

You shook your head. “I’m still sleepy.”

The highway was not completely empty but was not packed either, so Jay settled on a speed that felt like cruising. Since the road was straight, he set his free hand on your thigh and gave you a couple of comforting strokes. The way his grip was firm against your skin surely made you feel awake, and he noticed it by the way you were sighing in content.

Jay trailed his fingers up your thigh, and you regretted not wearing a dress or a skirt. Thankfully, though, the fabric of your culottes was thin enough for you to feel the pressure of his touch. Jay calmly stroked his finger along your core, pressing harder just in case you couldn’t feel him, and you squirmed a little in your seat.

Before you were about to protest, the rain started pouring harder. Jay became distracted, and as he tried to focus on the road, he pulled back his hand to put on the steering wheel again. Now fully awake, you sighed and checked your phone, and you noticed that you weren’t even halfway home. You saw Jay slowing down the car and turning on the fog lights, as well as putting the windshield wiper on a faster setting. The cars around you were also slowing down, with some even putting on their hazard lights for caution.

“Baby, there’s a rest area coming up. Let’s just stop and grab coffee and wait for the rain to calm down,” you said, turning your phone towards Jay. He nodded and began searching for the entrance to the rest area.

You were focused on your phone, searching what stores the rest area had, and when you felt the car stopping, you looked around and found out that Jay picked a secluded place to park. The rain was now pouring even harder to the point that the raindrops completely covered your windows, making it hard for anyone to see outside, or for anyone outside to see what’s inside.

“Let me grab the umbrella,” you muttered, undoing your seatbelt. You pushed yourself up with one knee and squeezed yourself into the gap between the driver’s seat and yours, unintentionally sticking your ass up to the air. “Oh, shit. I forgot to put the umbrella back here. It’s still in my Benz.”

Jay chuckled at your comment before lightly smacking your ass.

“Hey!” You protested as you wiggled your way back to your seat.

“Take the hint, baby,” Jay sighed, undoing his own seatbelt. He brushed his hair back and you hated how good it made him look. “Allow me to finish what I started.”

“What do you—mean…”

Your question was put to a halt as soon as you felt Jay palming your core again. You looked at him in question and he nodded at you reassuringly.

“It’s raining hard. Nobody is here. Don’t worry.”

At the sound of his voice, you calmed down. You let Jay adjust your seat, pulling it backwards and making you lie down so he would have ample room to be in front of you. He tugged the edge of your pants once, and it didn’t take him a second time for you to pull them down to your legs and even taking them off completely.

“Oh, baby,” Jay sighed as he saw the sight of your cunt dripping. “I’m sorry I made you wait.”

He ran two fingers along your slit, and you shuddered, grasping his wrist. He then brought his fingers to his nose and sniffed them before sucking them dry. Your eyes rolled back at his actions, and he found you adorable.

It wasn’t often that you and Jay would fuck with clothes on. When you were in a hurry, or when you needed a quick fix at the office, it would happen. But nowadays, you prefer to keep your intimacy reserved for at home. Now, seeing Jay with his navy collared short sleeve, his hair styled neatly, and his watch around his wrist, made you feel somehow even more aroused than when you saw him completely naked.

Jay took his pants off and carefully made his way to your side, with one hand pumping his length. He leaned in to kiss your cheek before moving down to your neck, licking and sucking on your supple skin because he knows it’s the best way to get you wetter. Your breathing became heavy, and as he continued to devour you, he began massaging your breasts, desperately pulling your top down so he can kiss your tits too.

You felt the cold of his rings and the metal of his watch against the heat of your skin. You were already a whimpering mess, and when he aligned himself with you, you felt the tip of his cock brush your folds.

“Jay,” you whispered, resting your hands around his neck. “Please just do it fast.”

Jay kissed your cheek tenderly at the same time he pushed inside you. Your moan stuttered as you felt him slowly fill you up. He thrusted into you once, and you closed your eyes. You caressed his face and ran your hands through his hair, encouraging him to move faster. For a while, the sound of the raindrops was replaced with the sound of skin slapping, and it echoed in the car. The way Jay was thrusting deeper made you spread your legs wider, and you were grateful that your first car sex with Jay was done in a bigger car, not your Benz.

Determined to get you off fast, Jay kept going faster, and you had to stabilize yourself by holding on to his shoulders. You heard him groan into your ear, signaling that he was also close, so you hooked your legs around his waist and pressed his body closer to you. He came first, shooting his cum inside you, and the warmth drove you to your own high just seconds after.

At this point Jay was panting on your neck, and you gently caressed the back of his head, while your other hand was still holding on to his shoulder. He tilted his head to kiss your jawline and you smiled.

“I don’t want a single drop staining the car,” you whispered. “Don’t make a mess.”

Jay licked his lips before pushing himself up with his palms. He then reached down to grab his dick and began to very carefully, and in an agonizingly slow manner, pull out of you. Your breath began to even out, but then you felt his cum slowly dripping out of you. You gasped when you felt Jay collect his cum with the tip of his dick and pushing it back into you.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

“I know,” you responded.

You grabbed a couple of tissues to clean the rest of it, and in a matter of minutes, you were already fully dressed, and Jay was already buckling his pants on as he sat back on the driver’s seat.

“The rain stopped,” he said, peeking out through the window. “Wanna go get that coffee?”

“Yeah, why not?” You looked for your purse. “I feel relaxed after I have sex with you, so I do need caffeine to wake me up.”

Jay laughed, palming his face and brushing his hair back. “So, my attempt to wake you up sort of backfired?”

You checked your phone before chucking it into your purse. “Hey, at least the driver’s wide awake, right?”

---

You had your lunch at your office while you sent Jay off to the canteen, claiming that he needed to socialize more and get a decent lunch since you never really had your custom lunch order exceed a portion of one. You finished eating in less than fifteen minutes, just in time for you to greet your brother. He knew his way in the office, so even without waiting for Hwiyoung to come back from his break, your brother managed to find you seated comfortably on your chair.

“Knock-knock,” your brother said as he knocked on the door and pushed it open at the same time.

“Who’s there?” You responded, placing your chin on your palm and eyeing your brother from your desk.

“Oh, that wasn’t a joke,” he said. Smiling, he trotted over to your desk. “Sister,” he sighed, reaching out both his eyes to hug you.

“Ugh, stop it, Seungho,” you said as you rolled your eyes. You welcomed his embrace. “You don’t want me calling you oppa, do you?”

“God, no,” Seungho shook his head in horror while hugging you tight. When he pulled back, you began observing his looks closely.

“You got a tan,” you commented.

“You cut your hair,” he retorted.

“Is that a scar near your eyebrow?”

“Is that a hickey?”

You fumbled for your phone and checked your reflection, craning your neck to see the spot Seungho pointed at. Nothing was there.

“Made you look,” he chuckled.

You led your brother to the sofa while offering him a choice of drink from your minibar. He settled with sparkling water, and you commented how it was so on brand of him. You then proceeded to join him, sitting on the lounge chair to his side and leaning closely, listening to all his updates on his life and stories about his husband.

“I mean seriously,” Seungho continued, “Byunghee never cleans up after he shaves. And what does he even shave? The damn beard is still there when he’s done.”

You chuckled softly, mostly at the fact that your brother’s husband’s facial hair was one of the things you remembered most about him. He finished his story, or his rant, and then you heard two knocks on the door.

“Come in,” you said.

Hwiyoung came inside and at the sight of your brother, he immediately bowed. Seungho smiled wide and spoke even before Hwiyoung had a chance to formally greet him.

“Is this the famous Park Jay? Oh, I love your hair. So nice to finally meet you!”

You facepalmed and sighed, and poor Hwiyoung was just looking at you in panic. Seungho was confused at both your reactions.

“Wrong assistant, Sir,” Hwiyoung finally spoke up. “I’m Hwiyoung. The second secretary.”

“Oh my God,” Seungho said as he stood up. “That’s embarrassing. I am so sorry! Forgive me for assuming. Also, are you single?”

“Seungho, you’re married!” You yelled.

“Asking for a friend!” Seungho yelled back in defense, putting both his hands up.

Hwiyoung waited exactly two seconds before breaking the silence. “Anyway…”

He walked towards you and spoke in a lower voice, asking for confirmation about your next schedule. Once you were done talking to him, you looked at your brother, who was busy checking his phone for messages.

“Hwiyoung, this is my brother, Seungho.” You sat back as you finished introducing the two.

Seungho apologized again to Hwiyoung before you sent him off. As soon as Hwiyoung left, Seungho looked at you with a wide grin.

“That was more embarrassing for me than for him,” you stated. “Don’t tell Jay about it.”

“Tell me what?”

You flinched in your seat as you heard Jay’s voice. You realized that Hwiyoung did not close the door behind him since he already saw Jay approaching your office.

“Seungho, Jay. Jay, this is my brother.”

You gestured your hand randomly towards the both of them, and then Jay immediately bowed before reaching out his hand to your brother.

“You’re really handsome,” your brother commented.

“Isn’t that lovely?” You chimed in before giving Jay a chance to reply. “I think you’re handsome. My gay brother thinks you’re handsome. You’re universally handsome.”

Seungho cackled and fell back to his seat while Jay was trying to control himself from blushing. It’s not every day that he gets to hear you say he’s handsome.

You instructed Jay to take your seat and talk to your brother to keep him company while you checked on a couple of documents that Hwiyoung sent to your email. You realized there were a couple of things that need fixing, and since there was a guest in your office, you decided to just go to your staff’s desk.

Jay was a natural at socializing, but he had no idea how to properly behave around your brother. You had never told him much about Seungho, and even when you do, nothing about your stories reflect that much about his personality. It took him a while to finally relax and find a shared interest with Seungho, and soon enough the conversation shifted to the topic of you.

“I’ve been meaning to say,” Seungho cleared his throat before emptying the bottle of sparkling water into his glass, “thank you.”

Jay’s eyebrows furrowed. “I’m not sure I understand…”

“For making my sister happy.”

Jay blinked once, blankly staring at Seungho’s hands. “Oh,” was his only respond.

Seungho smiled. “I’m saying this because all she did in her past relationship was rant about her boyfriends, I mean exes, to me. I haven’t heard anything bad about you, so I guess you’re doing something right.”

Jay scoffed, still searching for the proper way to respond. Seungho calmly waved his hand as he set back his glass on the table.

“I’ve also heard good things about you from my parents. My mom, particularly, wouldn’t shut up about you. And I know it’s none of my business, but… your relationship is serious, right?”

Hearing this question, Jay nodded without a beat. “I’m serious.”

“Good,” Seungho said. “Because if you hurt her, I’m gonna have to unleash all the hidden knowledge I have gained from listening to a lot of true crime podcasts.”

Jay blinked again in astonishment. Seungho laughed.

“I’m kidding! Obviously.” Seungho gently punched Jay on his shoulder, and Jay responded with a nervous laugh.

---

You winced as you felt the cold of the water hit your face. You quickly washed up and put on your skincare, deciding to go extra on the sunscreen for today. It was still dark, but you woke up before your alarm went off, so you figured you could get ready early before Jay wakes up. When you were done in the bathroom, you went back into your bedroom and changed into your workout outfit in the dark. Once you were ready, you turned to see Jay still sleeping soundly.

“Baby,” you called as you sat on the edge of the bed. “We need to leave soon if we want to catch the sunrise.”

Jay stirred in his sleep and shifted to face you. His eyebrows were knitted, and his lips pursed. You chuckled as you tapped your finger to his lips. He then whined and pulled you into him by your wrist. He managed to hug you sideways, and all you did was pat his shoulders in return.

“You smell nice,” he mumbled, lips brushing your skin.

“Up on the count of three, come on,” you replied, getting ready to pull him up. “One, two…”

Jay pushed himself up and into your arms, leaning towards you and kissing your lips but missing his aim. He ended up kissing your chin.

“Three,” you said calmly before properly giving him a good morning kiss. “Now go change. You promised you’d take me to see the sunrise. I wouldn’t have gotten up so early if you weren’t the one taking me.”

Jay merely yawned and stretched his arms. “Okay, Boss.”

You had to tell Jay to chill and not speed since it was quite a long drive to the mountain. Apparently, Jay had done extensive research about the best sunrise spots in the city, and he deemed that the best spot would be the one that was not walking distance from your place. Luckily, you both got there in time. You spotted a couple of people who were also hiking early, assuming they were there to watch the sun too.

Once you reached the perfect spot—away from the people but not sacrificing the view, you brushed the back of your leggings before sitting down on the rocks. Jay followed suit, sitting next to you as he kept his hands inside the pockets of his windbreaker. He froze for a while, running both hands into the pockets like he was searching for something.

“What’s wrong?” You asked, noticing his jittery behavior.

He paused again like he was processing something to say, then he took one hand out and felt the pocket on his jogger.

“Forgot I put the keys here,” he said with a stupid grin.

You chuckled and sat comfortably. With Jay right beside you, it meant you had a nice shoulder to lean on. Jay pressed his head on yours, and as you both sat there in silence, the sun started to peek. You watched as the dark sky turned orange, and although it felt like it took ages to get there, the sun rising ended way faster, and in that short moment the view of the sunrays hitting the forest below you and the rocks around you made you choke up.

Jay linked his fingers with your hand and brought it up to his lips. Kissing your knuckles, he told you he loved you in a voice that was barely even a whisper. You closed your eyes as you nuzzled into the crook of his neck, letting his warmth cover you like a cozy blanket. When you opened your eyes, the sun had already turned the sky a light blue. The slight fog you saw between the trees had disappeared too.

“We’re having dinner tonight at the restaurant that Jake does part-time work,” Jay stated, pulling back to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “Wear whatever you’d like, but I’d love it if you look pretty.”

“Are you saying I’m not pretty now?” You asked. You then pulled up your hoodie to cover your head.

“Hoodie on, hoodie off, you’re always pretty,” Jay replied. He then tugged the edge of the hoodie back to expose your ear as he leaned into it. “You’re the prettiest when you’re naked for me, though.”

His whisper obviously sent shivers down your spine, so you just hit him gently on the chest to combat the sheer embarrassment that was starting to show on your cheeks. Jay chuckled lowly and pulled your hoodie back completely before pulling you into a warm hug.

---

“Babe, can you unbox the two packages that have been sitting by the door while you wait?”

Jay had to look up from his phone to pay attention to you. You were sitting at your vanity table, taking your time to put on makeup since you really did want to look pretty as per Jay’s request. He nodded before setting his phone down on the bed and leaving the bedroom.

“Do you want me to unbox it here in the kitchen, or…?” Jay’s sentence hung in the air as he waited for your response.

You answered him by walking out of your bedroom and meeting him in the kitchen. You were done with your makeup except for your lip color, and for a second Jay thought you were sick because of how pale your lips looked.

“Actually, I think one of those boxes is my order,” you said, hopping to sit on the bar stool. You watched as Jay carefully opened the box with a cutter.

The first box was filled with paper wrap and paper confetti, and you noticed how Jay was already smiling even before he took out what was inside. When he did, you gasped and kept your mouth open as you admired what appeared to be two matching cat mugs—one was light blue with a black cat on it, and the other was baby pink with a white cat one it. When pushed together, it looked like the black cat was grooming the white cat.

“Matching mugs for us!” Jay said with a huge smile. “Do you think it’s cute?”

You were still speechless from the shock and pure adoration, so you said nothing as you unboxed your own package. A second later, you pulled out a dark green mug with a little white cat siting on the handle.

“I literally got this for you,” you said, pushing the green mug to Jay.

Jay was now laughing softly and rendered speechless. You pulled the blue and pink cat mugs and carefully picked one up.

“What made you buy these?” You asked.

Jay shrugged, also admiring the green mug. “I just thought of you when I saw them. I figured, since you can’t hang out with cats because of me, I should make an effort to add more cat stuff to our daily lives.”

“That’s adorable,” you replied. “Thank you.”

“And this?” Jay asked, holding up his mug.

“Bought that on a whim. I thought of getting it for you since it’s your color, but if you don’t want it, I was gonna use it for myself.”

The two of you then just stared at the three mugs on the counter, and then at each other. You chuckled before you stretched out your arms, and Jay walked over to your side to give you a hug.

“Go finish your makeup,” Jay said, kissing the top of your head. “Jake will literally be waiting for us.”

You snorted at his pun. “Funny. You still need to style your hair.”

Jay muttered a soft ‘fuck’ before you cackled and walked away to the bedroom, with him trailing behind you.

---

You and Jay were seated by the window that overlooked the city. The lights from the buildings and the moving cars below created the perfect view, and you had to admit that the night sky was one of your favorite things to look at, second to watching sunsets. You were wearing a baby blue jumpsuit with a matching-colored fuzzy cardigan and your pearl choker around your neck. Jay was dressed in a darker shade of blue, with his navy button-down making his honey skin glow. His wristwatch matched your golden accessories, and if someone were to take a picture of the two of you at your table, it would have looked like something out of Pinterest.

The conversation you were having with Jay was hushed because you did not want to disturb the serenity of your surroundings. The restaurant was not full, but you spotted several couples as well as families sitting quite far from where you were. Jake was already waiting for another table when you arrived, but whenever he had to pass you to get to the table, he would always look to you and give you a wink.

You felt like this had become a routine, for Jay to reserve a table at a restaurant you did not know and to enjoy a luxurious dinner while talking about everything going on in your lives. While Jay was speaking, you lost yourself for a moment, just staring at him while he was looking down at his food and babbling about stuff at work. You realized that you will never get bored of his stories, no matter how long you two had been together. You will listen to him for the rest of your life.

Your waiter cleared out your table once you finished your main course. When he asked what you wanted for dessert, Jay requested some time to choose. It was odd, you thought, since normally he would come prepared with a set of dishes to choose from. The waiter excused himself, and right after, Jay cleared his throat.

“Y/N,” Jay said in a low voice. The change in his tone sort of alarmed you. If you weren’t madly in love with each other, you would have thought he was about to break up with you.

“Jay?” You asked back. It made him chuckle. “Is everything okay?”

You saw Jay shifting in his seat, reaching into his pocket. He then took out a small box. It was black velvet, and from the size it could only be an engagement ring. Or earrings. Your heart started beating so fast. It seemed like Jay could sense it, so to make things clear, he opened the box and pushed it towards the center of the table, showcasing the ruby ring that was planted inside.

“Oh my God,” you muttered, more towards yourself.

“Listen,” Jay cleared his throat, “I prepared a whole speech, so I hope you’d be willing to listen.”

You laughed softly and straightened your position. Your hands were fiddling on your lap, and you tried your best to keep looking into his eyes as he spoke.

“I’ve thought about this for a long time, even before I proposed to you when I was drunk. I rarely get drunk, but when I do, my friends usually tell me I become even more honest than I already am. So, believe me, it wasn’t just me blabbering. I really want to marry you.”

You nodded gently and waited for him to continue. He took a deep breath.

“First, I want to apologize to you. For lying.”

You frowned.

“Whenever I’m away, spending a couple of hours from home, and whatever my excuse was, it was a lie. I was making appointments, planning stuff, seeing the designer for the ring, meeting your parents, meeting my parents, basically taking care of everything I needed to do before I ask you the question.”

Your eyes softened. “You talked to my parents?”

Jay nodded. “I’ve been spending more time with them, together or separately, just so I can get to know them better. It’s nice of them to always meet up with me in the city since they know I’m allergic to cats.”

You chuckled. You felt your eyes slowly tearing up.

“I talked to your dad first. I think he was the one who ended up convincing your mom, you know, that I’m actually a decent guy.”

Jay laughed nervously after his statement, and you continued to look at him, smiling.

“I’ve thought about everything regarding work, too, you know. If this status would change anything, and I kind of weighed all the options before coming to the decision that I do want to marry you and I still want to work for you.”

You nodded again. Jay then reached out for your hand, and you quickly placed your hand in his. You could feel him slightly trembling, and you thought that it was wholesome.

“Damn it, I forgot what else I was supposed to say.”

You almost snorted at his remark, looking down to contain your laughter. Jay pressed his lips together before he looked into your eyes again.

“Y/N, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

You could no longer hold your tears back, so you let them fall. As you sniffed, you squeezed his hand in yours and smiled.

“With all my heart,” you answered.

Jay smiled back at you before taking the ring and putting it on your finger. You did not even take a second to admire the ring before you stood up and took a step towards him. He stood to pull you into his arms, hugging you tightly and whispering words of love in your ears. And at the same time, you heard the dispersed sound of clapping throughout the restaurant.

You felt slightly embarrassed that the people there had to witness your crying face, but you were happy that they shared the joy, so you silently thanked them with a hand over your chest. Jay did the same. He helped you go back to your seat.

Jay sat back and let out a sigh of relief, and you chuckled at him. Your waiter returned, and this time Jay placed the order for your dessert. Just seconds after, Jake walked over to your table.

“Way to go, mate,” he said, bumping Jay’s shoulder with his fist ever so gently. Jay muttered a soft thanks, and then Jake looked at you. “Noona, congratulations.”

You reached out both your hands to Jake and he held them tightly, a huge grin plastered on his face.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got pictures and videos of the proposal. I’ll airdrop them as soon as my shift is over,” Jake confessed. “Now I gotta run before my manager sees me.”

Your mouth was wide open, and you were left stunned, unable to form a response. Jay laughed.

“Does that mean he recorded me crying?” You asked Jay, looking around.

“I’m sure he got it at a good angle,” Jay responded, reassuring you. “Oh, right, I remembered what I was going to say.”

You were taking a sip from your glass of water and almost spat it back out from laughing. “What is it?”

“I was supposed to propose to you this morning when we were watching the sunrise.”

You looked at Jay for a couple of seconds before you blinked. “So, when you were frantically patting yourself down and searching for something in your pocket, it wasn’t the car keys but the ring? You left it at home?”

“Exactly.”

You snorted again and laughed silently, your fiancé chuckling with you.

---

After a hearty chat with Jake as soon as his shift ended, you went home with a bunch of pictures and videos on your phone. Jay was right, Jake knew all the good angles, although it’s a shame he couldn’t capture the audio since he was recording from a distance.

Mr. Lee picked you up with a huge smile on his face, and it made you realize that Jay had given him a heads-up already about his plan. Your driver glance towards you and you held up your hand, moving your fingers and showing off the ring.

“Are you relieved now, Park?” Mr. Lee asked after congratulating you both.

“I am!” Jay replied. “Thank you for driving me around, Mr. Lee.”

“You made him drive you around?” Your eyes widened as you shifted your gaze between your fiancé and your driver.

Mr. Lee waved off his hand. “Only once or twice, Miss. Don’t you worry. The younger Mr. Lee drove him around more often.”

“I can’t believe you’re taking both my drivers behind my back,” you sighed, leaning your head on Jay’s shoulder.

Jay merely shrugged. “I’ll be sure to leave them both a huge tip later.”

The moment you arrived at home you were exhausted. Jay was too, and you guessed it was because the whole suspense and anticipation he had been holding in for the whole day. You decided to take turns showering, and when you finished first, you went to the kitchen to make tea for two.

When you returned to the bathroom, Jay was already done washing up. You did your skincare side by side, and Jay took the jade roller from your hands and made you give instructions on how to use it on your face. You did the same routine on Jay’s face, and throughout the whole process he was closing his eyes and smiling.

You both then slipped into your favorite pajamas—your silky kimono set in green and Jay’s cotton pajamas in black. He made you sit on the sofa to choose a movie for the night while he made sure the tea that you prepared was still hot. You opted for your all-time favorite romcom that you had watched more than five times, and at this point you were able to follow almost all the dialogs in the movie. Jay smiled as he listened to your rambles, alternating between rubbing your shoulders or running his fingers through your hair.

As the end credits rolled up, you turned to look at Jay and started fondly caressing his face. Your eyes fell to your engagement ring, and Jay quickly noticed it.

“Gorgeous, huh?” He asked with a grin on his face.

“It’s breathtaking. And also huge. Would you be offended if I don’t wear it every day? I’m afraid of losing it,” you confessed, fixing the ring on your finger.

“You can do whatever you want, my queen,” Jay replied. He leaned in to give you a chaste kiss on your lips.

“I’m tired and sleepy right now. Can we have sex in the morning?”

Jay chuckled and booped your nose. “I kiss you once and you already think I’m trying to get in your pants?”

“Aren’t you?”

“I am.”

You snorted and lightly slapped his cheek. “In the morning. Not now. Or try waking me up with it. Whatever.”

Jay nodded and saluted you. You pulled his hand down as he laughed. You then threw your body onto his and let him cage you in the warmest embrace you had ever been in your life.

-END-

another author's note: THERE YOU HAVE IT! he proposed. it was cliche but i love it. hope you did too! as usual, if you find any mistakes, typos, or grammatical errors, do let me know! ❤

read the next part: daylight

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kai-ni · 8 months

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The Resurrectionist minisode is easily my favorite of the three in s2.

Partially because the costuming is so good yeah, and silly David is silly, but mostly because it excellently demonstrates the very root of Aziraphale and Crowley's differences / disagreements. It's also touched on in the zombie minisode where Zira sort of starts to question it (sort of) but the main root of their disagreements over heaven and hell is that Aziraphale only sees in black and white, and Crowley has a more nuanced view borne of experience and a bit of trauma (his 'shades of grey'). Aziraphale immediately labels Elspeth as 'wicked' because she digs up graves. This is an Evil activity, Aziraphale has decided, and therefor she's Evil, cut and dry. Crowley asks 'is it wicked, though? she needed the money.' He can see that she's not necessarily a bad or evil person, she's just in a poor situation and hungry, starving, and wanting to keep herself and her partner alive. There's nuance to the situation that he tries to explain to Aziraphale and promptly gets brushed off / ignored. Zira tries to change things so she doesn't dig up any more bodies, and it hurts her. He still thinks he's done well until he talks to the surgeon and realizes what he's trying to do is 'good' - learn about anatomy and help people, cure people. stop little seven year olds from dying of tumors. Aziraphale then decides that digging up graves is Good Actually, because he's found a reason to label it so, but again it's a complete 180 that is only Black and White. It's good now! decreases human suffering. So do it all you like! Which isn't... correct either. His meddling again hurts her and her friend, getting Morag killed, and if he hadn't done anything at all none of it would have happened. But things continue, and Aziraphale again stumbles when Elspeth suggests taking Morag to the surgeon, because suddenly that's different, even if it's for the greater good as he declared earlier, it still feels... wrong. Which again, Crowley points out! 'It's a little different when it's someone you know.' Crowley just kind of goes along with all of Aziraphale's mistakes and points out the nuance, which continually and repeatedly goes over the angel's head. But he's trying SO HARD to let him learn it on his own. At the end Crowley finally snaps, because he can't stand to watch this festival of errors any longer and watch any more humans die, so he snatches the laudanum and stops Elspeth from killing herself at great personal risk. But the thing is, Aziraphale is STILL in this mindset in present day. 'Of course you said no to hell, you're the bad guys!' Crowley has only been trying to tell him for hundreds, thousands of years! Crowley gets it, understands the nuance, and Aziraphale doesn't. And Crowley finally got tired of being dragged along with it / Aziraphale wanted to drag him to the oneee place he isn't willing to go. I dunno what it'll take for Aziraphale to learn, honestly. He's seen plenty... can't wait for season 3 to find out tbh.

#good omens #good omens season 2 #the resurrectionist #ineffable husbands #aziracrow

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hueningsloverr · 8 months

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౨ৎ not your song !

chapter seven : NOT YOUR SONG

pairing : hueningkai x 6th member!reader summary : tomorrow x together, or txt, wasn't always six members, and for some unforeseen reason, it wouldn't stay six either. set in : mid 2022 extra : last chapter 🤧 it's a little longer than my other chapters usually are, and hyuka's a little asshole word count : 1.3k

prev / masterlist

it had been one year, 3 months, and 14 days since (y/n) had left txt. now, they were a group with three years of experience under their belt, and of course, they were popular as ever.

kai still found himself checking her account every day, not that he was her stalker. she was just a girl. the duo never spoke, kai promised himself he wouldn’t waste any words on a girl who abandoned him, and he kept true to the promise.

however, he had kept a voicemail she probably thought he deleted, in which she whined and whined about her new group.

“they’re trying to be txt- isn’t that crazy?” she laughed, her voice as sweet as ever. “they want to be us, well, not us… you. they want to be you guys. i guess there isn’t an ‘us’ anymore, is there? please call back when you get the chance, hyuka, i miss your dumb voice. same company, yet i feel like i never see you.”

it was short, but sweet.

he never did call her back.

whenever kai did check her twitter, he only felt heartache. she clearly missed the group, txt was really all she posted about.

his favorite post was arguably her worst, a stupid one of her on a carousel with some shitty txt reference as a caption. though it was dumb, he loved looking at it.

‘feeling blue this hour’.

“oh c’mon, be more original.” kai laughed to himself, hiding his face in one of his many plushies.

it was a plushie she had gotten him, a gift after surviving the long haul of debut. at the time, kai had no clue the gifter was her, he thought it was soobin.

god, he should’ve asked around sooner.

kai was never one to really check her page for actually updates, he just scrolled through the photos.

she didn’t post much about her members. she didn’t seem to like them.

and she didn’t post much about her music. which she also didn’t seem to like.

she didn’t seem to like a lot about her new life. kai didn’t like it either.

the one day kai decided to actually pay attention to her account, he was shocked.

an official announcement that (y/n) would be releasing her own music, original songs written by her.

when kai asked around, yeonjun had confirmed everything the post had said. it was the ‘lost tracks of the original love machine’, according to her, or so yeonjun said. all seven songs were written by her, and her fellow ex-members, who all came together to agree on finally releasing them. it just so happened she was the only one still a singer at all, so she would release them for the group.

he was ecstatic.

every day, he checked her page, reading updates and listening to teasers she posted.

she sounded young in the audios, and kai wondered if maybe it was the original original love machine lost tracks.

until, of course, there was a shocker.

kai didn’t pay attention to most things about the post - how (y/n) seemingly was in the txt dorm, or how her username had changed to incorporate txt again - all of it went right through his thick skull. the only thing he could focus on was the mention of thursday’s child, a new minisode in the work for txt. there had been no promotion for it, or anything like that. the only ones who really knew about it were the members themselves, the song writers, and few other people involved.

when kai confronted soobin about the post, the older male simply shrugged it off, saying that perhaps she had gotten into poetry, or something along those lines.

kai didn’t buy it. but, he wasn’t going to break his promise to himself and contact her.

rumours started to fly, and as the news got more in more interested in the girls strange instagram post, so did kai.

after dispatch reported on the incident, kai decided to read the comments, wild replies theorising that she was leaving love machine and rejoining txt, or that she was leaving big hit in general.

and ever the stubborn one, kai found himself deep rooted in the fact that she was coming back.

and of course, he was right. naturally, everyone else knew about her rejoining txt, just not kai.

she had begged soobin not to tell the boy, wanting to surprise him instead.

“hyung, please, i don’t want someone else to tell him- he was so upset with me when i left, he might get upset again!”

“he’ll be upset when he finds out we kept this from him.”

“but i want to be the one to tell him. he hated me for so long, and i doubt he’ll trust me for a while, but i need to take the first steps.”

“i don’t like the idea of keeping it from him, you know how sensitive kai is.”

“i haven’t even spoken to him in like, a year, he’ll get upset that i wasn’t the one to tell him.”

soobin, ever the people pleaser, decided to let it go.

“your funeral when he blows up at you for keeping this a secret.” he laughed before walking away.

kai knew he was right and she was coming back when he found her on his bed, in his old green hoodie, playing with the plushie she had bought him those three years ago.

“you never called me back.” she frowned, a playful look lingering in her gaze. “i called you six months ago, and not a word back.”

“i was busy.” he mumbled, attempting to avoid her gaze. it was awkward, like meeting your first love years later by accident. feelings still there, yet so detached - they say you never fully get over your first love. a piece of your heart is always theirs.

“the way you treated me kai - i would’ve never done that to you.” tears were forming in her eyes now as she stared down the boy. the playful look was gone, all that was left was heartache. “i sat awake on my bed in the middle of the night for weeks, hoping to receive just one last text from you.”

kai scoffed, trying his hardest to not care, but he did care. he cared so much it was unfathomable. “it’s hard missing someone who's not gone, so yeah, i never returned your call. because i would rather know i could never have you then live under some false pretence we would work out.” he spat, his eyebrows furrowing as he stared down the girl.

both of them were hurting.

“i’ve missed you, for so long, and you’re telling me you don’t even think of me? of us? i hope more than anything that in another life, you have my photo in your wallet, but god i wish that in this life the same was true."

"well i don't. i never will. you left me."

she shook her head, standing up from her place on the bed.

"i'm rejoining txt. lovemachine won't disband, but i gave an ultimatum. i either rejoin txt, or i leave big hit all together. you can't get rid of me hyuka."

hyuka. god, why did she have to sound so sweet like always?

"it's huening. you're not my friend."

"i saw the songs you wrote - 'dear sputnik'? it's good. taehyun teased me by saying it was about me."

"it's not. and i can't say the same about the song you wrote. i didn't like it."

why was he saying all of this? it wasn't true. both of them knew that. kai loved her music. he loved her voice, and the way he could hear her smile in it.

"i got you to like me once, i'll get it to happen again. i'll write a song about you just like you did for me."

"why? your writing sucks, i don't see why you're trying."

(y/n) laughed, the tears gone but the hurt still visible. as she moved to exit the room, she placed a hand on kai's shoulder and turned slightly back to look at him, "well, kai, it's not your song."

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quillyfied · 9 months

Text

Things I’m noticing on this rewatch, which I’m hoping to take slow and ponder on but we will see how it goes, PART FOUR (obviously major Good Omens season 2 spoilers throughout, specifically for S2E4)

- Lesi?

- Shax really does have creepy down pat.

- Aziraphale not sensing her, though. They really do play Calvinball with the rules of that, it seems.

- “You don’t seem his type at all” mirroring “I am so not your type” between Nina and Maggie last episode ;A; “you have no idea,” Maggie said. Aziraphale thinks. I weep.

- Sometime in the last 18, 19 years…would that have put them square in the “raising the Antichrist” years? Hang on. 4 years past the failed apocalypse…makes it 14…they were working on it for 11 years…no, that would put them before that, wouldn’t it? Wtf is that timing, Shax?

- “This Angel Gabriel, who I’ve never heard of” = “who’s Morales?”

- Shax really is the kind of infernally clever that’s perfect for tripping Aziraphale up when he’s already flustered and panicked. Love to see them interact.

- Opening theme detail today: one of the headstones reads Jane Austen. Wonder if the headstones change every episode too?

- “Here lies the former shell of Beelzebub” reads another, and “here lies Adam” with some text I can’t make out. Went back to the beginning of the graveyard bit now and “Peter Paintball”, and of course, “Every day.” If anyone gets good eyes on the Adam headstone, y’all gotta let me know.

- This episode’s theater feature: Nazi Zombie Flesheaters, with a still of the Nazis from s1 still alive. Nice.

- Seems odd to call the episode “The Hitchhiker” when it seems the literal hitchhiking is done by the time the opening credits roll. Time to refresh myself on why this episode might be called that.

- Did they reuse footage? Or reenact it?

- Yknow…none of the demons are wearing obvious animals this season. I think only Beelzebub, Hastur, and Ligur might have done it tbh.

- I love the details of Hell tbh. The fire cooler. The sheer number of Nazis. The way Shax moves so mechanically but so cool and collected.

- Does Shax actually have any higher demon ears? Or is she baiting Furfur? Hard to tell for her.

- Yknow the teeth aren’t helping in figuring out if Shax has an animal aspect.

- The besotted Aziraphale bit here. I cannot BELIEVE this all happens immediately post church bomb.

- Okay but the Nazis not disputing the fact that they belong in hell, just that they’re dead based on trickery. Nice.

- The tongue bit. Yuck.

- OKAY. Crowley has present day hair color for this adventure. That feels significant. Is this minisode a flashback?

- Okay the signage of Hell. Always a favorite. But the “heaven looks down on you” sign. Hmm. Bit odd.

- Ah. Because I couldn’t see the bottom half of it. “Because you’re…” something. Move it, Furfur XD

- Pathetic. “Heaven looks down on you because you’re pathetic.” …hmm. Still an interesting take, tbh.

- Happy to be in the probable minority that likes the zombies bit XD which is interesting bc I normally hate zombie fiction. They do it the way I like, though. They’re conscious and sentient in their zombieness.

- Also the brain repeating on him XD what a gloriously stupid and delightful detail

- And okay yeah the dead rising from the grave thing from Jimbriel’s prophecy and the Nazi zombies here feels like a big ole clue for s3. I’m Mormon so my upbringing around the Second Coming is probably weirder than other Christians but a big part of it for us is the emphasis on the resurrection of the dead, ALL the dead. Putting a properly macabre spin on it feels like a very Good Omens thing to do tbh.

- There’s the dirty donkey again! It DIDNT move, Crowley LITERALLY planned his heist ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE BOOKSHOP. I WORK IN SOHO I HEAR THINGS INDEED.

- David Tennant what is that voice XD

- Lots of emphasis on sleight of hand this…entire show :P it does make one suspicious of The Final Fifteen Minutes. But also I don’t want to rob them of their power? Because damn. DAMN.

- (The lip reading. It. I. I will wait for the end but GUH)

- He’s so pleased with himself for getting it right XD

- They are SO. IN. LOVE. KILL ME.

- Natural dexterity. Like the magic words, I’m waiting for that one to come true.

- The way Pat tries to have some integrity XD

- THE WAY AZIRAPHALE CASUALLY DROPS THAT HE HAS BOTH A FIREARMS LICENSE AND A DERRINGER. AZIRAPHALE ZIRAPHALE FELL, ARE YOU POSITIVE CROWLEY IS THE JAMES BOND ENTHUSIAST?

- More importantly, does he still have that???

- …does that mean Aziraphale’s fired a gun when Crowley hasn’t? What does this mean for the paintball gun bit? Does your derringer lend weight to a moral argument, Aziraphale??

- Hang on have to squeal for the way Aziraphale just grabs Crowley’s hand in both of his. So excited. So cute.

- HA, the wrong ring XD

- Sad to see Pat get eaten. But the framing of it is really cool actually.

- Fell the Marvelous. That poster. How in the heck.

- Aziraphale having stage fright tho.

- Jiggery pokery indeed XD

- EXPERIENCE USING FIREARMS. AZIRAPHALE THESE ARE SOLDIERS.

- Omg the miracle blocker is a punch card. The worldbuilding implications.

- I wonder at how hell would have taken Aziraphale handing Crowley a rifle tbh.

- “Aim for my mouth, shoot past my ear” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN

- the way they’re both shaking and nervous. The camera itself shaking. CROWLEY shaking

- The feather boa. I WEEP. He’s so happy.

- I know the implication is that Crowley, like Jim, is missing his memories, but. Also. The idea that maybe Crowley is just terrible at remembering people who aren’t Aziraphale. Poor Furfur.

- The sleight of hand is very subtle. Which is the point. But also. Idk man people have said it better and apparently written 16k essays about it, I’m just proud of him for pulling it off.

- Okay but. But they’re zombies. Neil they’re zombies. Aziraphale and Crowley just let three Nazi zombies wander off Neil. NEIL. WHAT IS THE PLAN WITH THEM??

- Dagon is in top form this season tbh

- I CANNOT BELIEVE. THAT THE ONE NAZI REALLY CAN READ LIPS. I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. Peak comedy always.

- I got it right the time that mattered ;A;

- I knew you would come through for me. You always do.

- You said trust me.

- And you did.

- MURDER ME.

- ITS CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE AGAIN ARE YOU KIDDING ME I AM ALREADY TRYING SO HARD NOT TO QUOTE THIS SCENE WORD FOR HECKING WORD

- “If you were truly as evil as you like to paint yourself” the levels of deep seated misunderstanding and flawed foundational concepts I’m CRY

- Though it’s AZIRAPHALE who brings up shades of grey. A glimmer of hope.

- Can someone who knows accents tell me what is going on with Shax’s

- Beelzebub’s thanks and “good work” as a discordant note, but also their command for Shax to take an army to attack the bookshop knowing full well she isn’t going to get that kind of support…wut.

- THE BENTLEY FOLLOWING AZIRAPHALE AFTER HE PATS IT. CROWLEY FEELS WHAT IT FEELS.

- Peter Anderson’s screen effects are my favorite thing.

- Hate to see the way Nina is so broken down by Lindsey tbh.

- Yeeeah…Crowley seems to be purposely living in his car tbh. Retreating directly to it. I can’t tell if Aziraphale never thought to offer cohabitation or if Crowley turned him down but my money is on they’ve never discussed it despite both of them thinking about it very loudly.

- A night to remember! Never bodes well.

Okay. That’s it for tonight. An episode that seems out of place but has many good tasty morsels and I think more than a smidge of s3 foreshadowing. Why is the episode called The Hitchhiker? Maybe for Furfur trying to climb the greasy pole of bureaucracy? For the Nazis hanging onto life? Literally just for the one part at the beginning that sets the whole climax into motion? Who knows???

#good omens #good omens 2 #good omens season 2 #gos2spoilers #good omens 2 spoilers #good omens season 2 spoilers #ugh okay brain is officially mush #this episode is fun but I think its utility is more meta than narrative tbh

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tomorrowxtogether · 2 years

Text

K-Pop Group TOMORROW X TOGETHER Discover How Well They Know Each Other: 'We Know as Much as There Is to Know'

Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun, and HueningKai learn who has the best style, who can sing the highest note and who would survive a zombie apocalypse in this latest round of PEOPLE's K-Pop Quiz

youtube

TOMORROW X TOGETHER debuted in 2019 and have already found worldwide success with hits like "Crown" and "Blue Hour," and their latest EP Minisode 2: Thursday's Child has taken the charts by storm in numerous countries.

Now the bond of members Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu, Taehyun and HueningKai is put to the test in this latest round of PEOPLE's K-Pop Quiz. While Soobin exclaims that "we know as much as there is to know," we check to see if they all agree when it comes to who is the most fashionable, who can sing the highest note and who would win in a dance-off.

First, the guys have to figure out what celebrity Taehyun would be starstruck over. Taehyun jokes that he and Justin Bieber are "already buddies," shutting down his bandmates' first guess. Meanwhile, HueningKai believes the answer is himself. "Aren't you often surprised by me," he asks, to which Taehyun jokingly agrees. The real answer: a toss-up between The Kid LAROI and the founder of their label Big Hit Music, Bang Si-hyuk.

When it comes to Beomgyu's favorite on-stage outfit, Soobin believes "there are too many," HueningKai guesses bomber jackets and Yeonjun thinks it's the outfit from their "I Know I Love You" video. But Beomgyu is quick to shut that down, as well as his look from the "Drama" video. The correct choice: his ensemble from the "LOSER=LOVER" music video.

As for Yeonjun's sleeping habits, the members point out that it "changes every day" depending on their schedule, and struggle coming to any sort of a consensus. After hearing a different response from each of the guys, he settles on 11 a.m., which HueningKai correctly guessed, calling it "a relaxed morning."

One thing they do quickly get right is figuring out which animal HueningKai would be if he could choose. The guys guess penguin and unicorn, both of which he declares as "great animals," but penguin ultimately wins. HueningKai clarifies that he does like unicorns, but as Soobin points out, he "does resemble a penguin."

The TXT performers initially believe Soobin's favorite fictional character is Wanda Maximoff from the Marvel Cinematic Universe before changing their decision to Hermione from Harry Potter, which ends up being the correct answer. "She had my heart when I was young," Soobin admits, despite saying he does still like Wanda a lot.

Picking out Taehyun's ideal superpower is no easy feat, with Beomgyu guessing teleporting, HueningKai leaning towards mind-reading and Yeonjun thinking it would just be "sheer power." He ultimately goes with teleportation because "it's practical," and as HueningKai points out, he already has strength. "Then I'd be able to visit the U.S. within a day," Taehyun explains, with HueningKai noting that they would be able to get American snacks whenever they wanted, like Beomgyu's favorite: Hot Cheetos.

Now for the most important question of all: would Yeonjun or Soobin win in a dance-off? The general consensus is Yeonjun, and while Beomgyu feels "sad for Soobin" because "he gets no votes," he doesn't change his mind. The pair then participate in a battle to prove if the guys are right, which leads HueningKai to confess "they were both great so they both win."

In the lightning round, Yeonjun gets the most votes for being the most likely to survive a zombie apocalypse. Soobin says "he'd survive with his brain" and "would beat the zombies up because he's good, he's a good fighter, while HueningKai agrees Yeonjun "would be the leader type," who "always survives long."

It's decided that Beomgyu is the best at keeping secrets, and he add that "if you have something you can't really say or feel uncomfortable about, message me, contact me, and I'll take some time out." However, he later admits that "it's not so much that I'm keeping secrets, it's more that I forget them."

Meanwhile, HueningKai is declared the most fashionable, although they admit their styling team is "saying no way" off camera. Yeonjun says he does "respect HueningKai's dedication to one specific style" and that "he's a professional when it comes to hoodies." HueningKai agrees, admitting he has "various colors, zip-ups, short sleeves... I love hoodies."

And as for who can sing the highest note, the guys run their vocal scales to see who comes out on top. The member closest to breaking glass with their voice: Soobin.

#txt #tomorrow x together #220608 #article #PEOPLE #soobin #yeonjun #beomgyu #taehyun #hueningkai

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ggukkiedae · 3 years

Text

[vlive 210522] Seri’s Seritonin 🥝🐱

9pm kst

italics = english; seri answering questions!

the vlive starts with seri logging on and waving

she’s playing new rules in the background and staying quiet for the first two minutes

“moa! how are you all?”

she smiles and reads through the comments

she reads a few out loud and sees a few comments asking her to say i love you in different languages, to which she complies to

she turns off her music first and fixes herself in her chair

“bet you guys are wondering why i’m live today, huh? we’ll get to that in a bit. for now, let’s answer questions”

she looks through the comments carefully until she reads one out loud

Seriiiiiii! 5 Beomgyus or 5-year-old Beomgyu?

she laughs at this

“maybe a five year old bammie. he always makes a big deal of being older than me by a few months, so it would be good pay back”

she then pulls out her phone and scrolls through it before turning it towards the screen. it was a picture of beomgyu as a kid

“see this? he sent this to our groupchat the other day. tiny gyu is cute”

how are youuuuuu?

she claps her hands together and smiles at the live

“i’m doing great, thank you! i’ve been practicing harder, and i feel pretty good”

she scrolls through the comments again and takes a sip of her drink. she lightly mixes her drink around and places it back down

“you guys should try peach tea. it’s a godsend. oh, what’s this?”

shall we go on a date?

“you didn’t turn up at our last date”

she pouted a little and laughed

“i waited at the rooftop for a while, but you didn’t show up! but i guess we can go again because you’re moa”

she shifts a little and shakes her head amusedly at her own words

“do i sound like gyu?”

Hi Seri! I have a couple questions 😊 What has been your favorite era music wise and style wise? What hair style/color do you want to try? What's your current favorite song? What are you looking forward to most?

her eyes widened a little before she looks up trying to come up with answers to the series of questions

“oh, wow, i guess you could say i really liked our songs from the minisode album, but my favorite title track is run away for sure. actually, i take that back. i like the songs on dream chapter magic the most! in terms of style... dream chapter magic as well! i really like new rules’ styling especially”

a small smile makes its way to her face as she’s about to answer the last question from that comment

“right now, i’m really looking forward to our new album, and i hope you’ll like it as well! so far, the tracks are amazing!”

any plans for a comeback with the royals?

“i don’t know” she laughs and looks off camera “what do you think?”

yoonmi’s giggle can be heard while seri just laughed

“you exposed me! anyway, we’ll see when the three of us get an opportunity again” “you guys heard yoonmi”

seri takes the live and points it to the side, revealing the magenta-haired girl peacefully sitting in the dance studio near her while working on something on her laptop

“yoonmi is working on school stuff even if she just released a song yesterday” “responsibilities”

Seri baby are you aware that Seri sounds like berry? Therefore you are now berry Seri or Seri Berry 🤔

“oh, that’s cute! seri berry... i love it! i’m a berry now! i can replace strawberries, i don’t like strawberries”

she wrinkled her nose at the thought of the red berries as the sound of a chair moving came up. seri looked off camera and waved to, supposedly, yoonmi

“yoonmi has a meeting right now, so she’s off. anyway, back to our live”

Hiya Seri how are you liking the new building? What do you think has changed the most about you since you became an idol? And out of the members who do you think has changed most since you debuted?

“the new building is actually the best thing ever, i swear! there’s a lot of space, and the facilities are all high quality! honestly, i’m the only txt member who doesn’t get lost, so it’s pretty funny when the others have to ask for my help to walk around”

she then pressed her lips into a tight line while thinking about her next answer

“since becoming an idol... i think i became more confident. the others tell me this a lot. they say every comeback my stage presence gets better, and i look more comfortable? i also became a better dancer for sure. not the best yet, but i’m working on it. also maybe kai? first of all, he’s gotten way taller now. second, he’s been more mature. yes, he’s still our baby, but he handles things a lot more maturely now. sometimes he acts like he’s older than me as well”

hi bestieeeeeee! what do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t an idol?

“hey, bestie! musical theatre for sure!”

seri immediately perked up at this. she jumped back in her seat a little with the biggest grin while remembering her experiences

“i loved it back in school! honestly, my parents were pretty supportive about my involvement in theatre and my little brother kinda brags to his friends that his sister goes on stages to perform. it’s kinda cute”

would you consider acting? or maybe starring in a musical?

“oh for sure if i were given the chance!”

you dance amazingly! your artist of the month video with studio choom was absolutely perfect!!!!

“oh my god”

she covered her face and groaned before pulling out her phone and looking for the video on youtube. before pressing play, she looked back to the camera

“thank you, but i’m a little embarrassed about this. i wore red lipstick on stage for the first time after debut, and i showed a side of me that’s pretty different…”

she pressed play and watched the video, cringing at herself. it took a whole 20 seconds before she gave up and hid her phone behind her

“nope. nevermind, i can’t watch that. thank you, i’m glad you enjoyed it”

thoughts on the people you’re being shipped with? 👀

she burst into laughter upon reading this

“ah, yes. shipping. i see you guys on stan twitter with your little edits and headcanons and aus! honestly, it’s amusing. apparently most of you ship me with gyu and seungmin? and a few other people, too?”

she was quiet for a while like thinking about who moas shipped her with. she shook her head with and began talking again

“gyu... well, bammie’s my best friend, and i love him a lot. it’s been us from the very beginning, so i like to think we’ll be as close as ever until the end”

“seungmin is the bane of my existence”

she laughed at this before waving her hand

“kidding! he’s actually really nice, and i love hanging out with him, it just so happens our friendship is based on bickering. we do support each other though. seungmin, if you see this, you did well on love poem”

she then lit up as if just remembering something

“some of you guys ship me with chaeryoung! interesting considering you all see me as ryujin’s sibling, but please, i’m not worthy of the queen herself. i love chae with all my heart honestly she’s such a sweet child”

her phone buzzed and she glanced at it a little bit before turning back to the live

“perfect timing because hyunsuk just messaged me and some special ship mentions are hyunsuk and jeno oppa. i think it’s because i hang out with hyunsuk’s little siblings a lot. but jeno oppa? we just met earlier this year, it’s a little funny how apparently a lot of people ship us when we haven’t really shown our friendship much”

she typed something one her phone before chuckling and shutting it off once again. she looked through the comments until she found the topic she was looking for

What’s up with you and Dino? 👀👀👀

“ah, this. this brings me to the reason i went live. recently, you guys have seen me and dino oppa hanging out, right? well, we’re not dating. i wanted it to be a surprise, but he’s helping me with something for my birthday, and i agreed to do something with him for their youtube as well”

her phone rang, and she laughed before picking it up and putting it on speaker

“hello? you’re on speaker” “seri-yah! how dare you deny our relationship?” “oh? you’re watching?” “look up, stupid. i’m standing by the door”

she looked off camera and laughed

“yah! oppa, what are you doing here?” “miya told me you were gonna talk about the scandal, so i thought why not come early?”

dino appears next to seri in a mask and a hat. he nudged seri over to the side so they could both be centered on screen, making her raise her eyebrow at him

“meet my new dance partner” dino points towards seri whose eyes widen as soon as he said that

“they don’t know yet!” “you said we were working on two things together!” “but they didn’t know one of them is dance!” “might as well tell them so we can clear up this rumor before i get attacked by moas”

she sighed at him

“i’d get attacked by carats. anyway, fine. dino oppa’s helping me with a song, and he’s making me dance with him for a video. you can look forward to this in july”

dino adjusted his hat and leaned forward a little

“no need to panic, we’re not in a romantic relationship. she’s too tall for me”

“... you’re literally taller than me though?” “not by that much. if you wear heels, we’d be the same height, and i don’t think i’m up for that”

she playfully rolled her eyes

“looks like i’ve discussed what needed to be cleared up now. i’m single. single.” “yes, they get the point” “oh, would you just go already?”

she was pretending to push him away while he laughed at her failed attempts. he moved off camera but stays in the room

“no way, we’ve got to work the choreography out today”

“this is gonna be a while,” she muttered before smiling at the live once again “well, time for me to go. i’ve got a lot of work to do to be on par with a member of seventeen’s performance team”

dino’s groaning could be heard from the side

“this again?”

she laughed

“bye moa! hopefully that cleared things up, and hopefully you enjoyed this little tmi session”

-end-

#seri.live #seri.freeze #txt 6th member #txt female member #txt female addition #seri #yoon seri

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aceofwhump · 5 years

Note

Do you have any Lucifer fic recs? Especially anything involving wings?

Do I!!! I have so many Lucifer fic recs (161 to be precise) and that includes 31 fics involving his wings. This includes him cutting them off, him being insecure about them, his grooming them, team lucifer seeing them, etc.

Free the Devil from Pain by Navaros: “Looks like those sick bastards sewed the prosthetics onto his back.”Sick indeed. Chloe wanted to vomit at that thought, the bile already rising in her throat.��Give me a few more minutes, I’ll free the wings too. I can’t cut them loose in this position.”And with that the young forensic expert was back at work.

The Breakdown by SilverWolf7: Raphael visits Lucifer early in the morning to apologise to Lucifer. Lucifer lets out emotions he has been holding in for a very long time. Wing grooming.

Fluffy Blankets and Crossed Fingers by procrastinatingbookworm: In the God Johnson episode, Lucifer ends up being so high on the haldol that he can’t hide his wings. Besides dealing with this incredible revelation, Dan, Ella, and Chloe have to get a very loopy and not-at-all-helpful winged civilian consultant out of the building before anyone realizes he has wings. Bonus points if their methods for doing so involve a fluffy blanket and a lot of crossed fingers.

I’m Sorry by StrayDevil15: In the aftermath of 3x24, Lucifer is having a really hard time. Ella comes to the rescue. Self harm tw.

Castaway by ariaadagio: The Devil is real. A sentence Chloe Decker never believed until Lucifer Morningstar burned out her skepticism with his hellfire eyes. It’s a “Hell” of a reality shift, but Chloe realizes she may not have time for gradual acceptance when she discovers that one of the bodies in her most recent murder investigation isn’t human. Worse still, the next target might be Lucifer. A story that begs the question: who prays for Satan?

Malediction by orchidcactus: Chloe and Lucifer must face the consequences of 3x24, as well as dealing with new events that unfold around them.

It’s Only Me by mishasan7: She started to back up, back away from him, her eyes never leaving his face, and gasped, “It’s all true.”Lucifer felt a prickle of unease. What was true? She already knew Pierce was the Sinnerman, how could this possibly be a surprise to her now?“Detective?”What was wrong? Why was she looking at him like that?

Lucifer’s Protector by JAKishu: Trixie and Lucifer have been kidnapped, locked in a small cell and used as leverage against Chloe and her case.

Detour (with Jigsaw Puzzles) by HiroMyStory: An accident leaves Chloe and Lucifer snowed in.

Revealing by shadowolfhunter: He’s badly hurt. Chloe’s seen his true face, and Lucifer thinks she doesn’t want to know him any more.Ella’s mapped the scene. She knows what has to have happened. There’s only one answer she needs. She goes back to Lucifer’s loft apartment.

Ashes by theleafpile: Lucifer burned his wings, severing his connection to Hell.And Heaven.He vastly underestimated how much it would affect him.

And There Was Light by ariaadagio: When Lucifer Morningstar is found half dead in the desert, Chloe Decker is determined to find out why. The problem is … not even Lucifer knows the answer. As Chloe’s world is flipped upside down by incontrovertible evidence of the divine, Lucifer grapples with feelings of violation and futility. God’s meddling has started a chain reaction, but to what end?

Cleanse by ScooterThyme: After the chaotic events in the loft, Lucifer flees back to his penthouse. Once she’s dealt with the fallout at the scene as much as humanly possible, Chloe follows.Lucifer changes his mind about his wings.

Domini Canis by WhenFandomStrikes: When a strange and mysterious group of religious zealots known as the Domini Canis come to Los Angeles in search of the divine, they manage to kidnap Lucifer, Amenadiel, Charlotte and Chloe. The results of which brings a lot of secrets out of the dark and into the light.

The Bitter End by lucidwaking: SPOILERS FOR 3.24 this is my take on what happens next. Title may be deceiving this is coming out a lot less dark than I thought it would. I just had Blind Pilot stuck in my head when I named it.

After by apparition: Chloe comes face to face with the Devil. She’s terrified, but it’s his vulnerability that reminds her that he’s still the same Lucifer.

Broken Inside by fandomoverload: Chloe and Lucifer end up at a survivor’s meeting and Lucifer decides to tell a story. He gets a lot off of his chest, and Chloe draws the wrong conclusions. A one shot for now, more notes in the story.

Knives and wings don’t mix, Luciben8615: Lucifer groaned again, then inched the blade further into his traitorous muscle. Nearly there, just a bit more-The demon blade hit a clump of nerves, and Lucifer’s vision whited out as he screamed.

Home by Navaros: After waking up in the middle of nowhere, burned, exhausted and with those stupid, useless, feathered appendages on his back, he had no idea why they were back or who knocked him out. But that wasn’t important right now. He wanted to go home. The long forgotten and atrophied muscles screamed when he tried to move the wings more than just to open them or lay them against his back, and even that was painful.

Devil’s Advocate by Praemonitor: Non-chronological though interconnected ‘minisodes’ to catalogue the misadventures of Lucifer and Chloe, squeezed in-between their respective and occasionally overlapping day jobs. Minisode I - Lucifer babysits. That’s all.Minisode II - Lucifer and Chloe weather a storm.Minisode III - Lucifer earns back his wings in a bloodier fashion.Minisode IV - Chloe learns a thing or two from Dante’s Inferno.Minisode V - Maze and Chloe take on the original she-devil.Minisode VI - The Christmas Minisode. My personal favorite.Minisode VII - Chloe meets the family.Minisode VIII - Enter a certain petty dabbler in the dark arts.Minisode IX - Lucifer fractures a wing.Minisode X - Lucifer and Chloe go to Hell. Literally.

A Mutual Friend by jumble_of_fandoms: Pierce finds out some information about Lucifer that changes everything. If the Devil himself is going to break his deal, then Pierce is determined to do everything he can to break Lucifer. How far will Lucifer go to protect the woman he cares for?And how far is Pierce willing to go to break Lucifer?

Fever Dreams by Antarctic_Echoes: Lucifer isn’t about to let an odd chill stop him from seeing Chloe. He wants to tell her everything…. No more going backwards.And so he reveals himself – just not in the way he intended.

I Cut My Wings Off: A Lucifer TV Fanfiction by Anna_Erishkgal: Irritating, arrogant, and full of himself, Chloe goes to Lucifer Morningstar’s apartment to see if he made good on his promise to set up a meeting, but what she finds there only leaves her with more questions than answers. A one-shot drabble (at least for now).

Sympathy for an Angel by FearTheSpock: In the aftermath of the Season Finale, Chloe wakes in the middle of the night to a very clumsy home invasion.

If I Lose Myself by BurningUpASunJustToSayHello: If Lucifer’s fall from Heaven was a tragedy, then falling for Chloe was a goddamn sin.

Avenging Angel by Chlucifiction: It’s not Lucifer who finds the auctioneer, and his wings. Instead, Chloe beats him to it. (New story - not related to previous works). Comments encouraged :)

Wings are for Chickens by FearTheSpork: When Lucifer does a good deed for Chloe and Trixie, he’s rewarded. Although he isn’t too sure if he likes what he’s got.

Damnatio Memoriae by iceQueen1: Chloe tries to solve the riddle that is Lucifer Morningstar. Dan even manages to help. When mysterious ritualized killings start showing up, Chloe suspects Lucifer may know more than he lets on. Problem is, she doesn’t know what she thinks she does. Eventual Lucifer Whump.

A Walk in the Desert by Yunnaros: After waking up in the desert, Lucifer fly back to Chloe’s house to find a surprising number of people concerned by his disappearance.

Faint by chashkieh: Prompt: The pain of injuries and amputation never really go away. When Lucifer cut off his wings there was likely phantom pains of a lost limb in the immediate aftermath that faded as he adjusted but occasionally rears its ugly head on a rainy or hot/humid like most injuries. One day it flares in the middle of a case and is aggravated by one of Dan’s casual clap on the back. Basica

#theladyoffangorn #lucifer #lucifer morningstar #wings #wing whump #whump #whump fanfics #lucifer whump #mod post #mod replies #fic recs #fanfics #mods fic recs

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ficclique · 4 years

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Fic Clique hosts choices for our top fics of the decade - as featured in our Minisode from Jan 3rd.

Brenna’s choices:

Honorable Mentions:

Worldwide Lonesome by loindexter (BTS)

2018, 39k, Yoongi/Jin

The biggest gut-punch I’ve ever felt from a character confession. The Jin of this fic has stuck with me every day since reading it. This fic examines sexuality in a way that made me feel seen & I love that.

Timeshare by Astolat (HP)

2016, 14k, Draco/Harry

This is sort of a stand-in for all of astolat’s drarry fic, which as a bundle are one of my top fics for the decade. They are fics that feel like instant-classics and the variety of characterizations, stories and tropes helped establish astolat as perhaps my all time favorite fic author. Timeshare won out above the others because it’s one of the fics that helped us decide to do this podcast! Thank you Timeshare!

Top 5 picks:

The Student Prince, by Fayjay (Merlin)

2010, 145k, Merlin/Arthur

A fic that has defined fanfiction for me. Perhaps the fic that first convinced me to love fanfiction. Something I keep coming back to and have reread numerous times. Funny, heartfelt, just different enough from the canon versions of characters. Perhaps the only University AU I will ever fully love.

The Love Song of the North American Douchebag, by Gyzym (Star Trek RPF)

2013, 25k, Chris/Zach

If you want to hear me (and my lovely co-hosts) discuss this fic in depth, then I recommend listening to Episode 6! However, one of our listeners also submitted this as a top fic of the decade, so I’m going to add what the lovely Scout said:

“JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, I HOPE I CAN SWEAR. I'm not even in this fandom. The world building is just THAT good. It's one of my highlights *because* of its power to draw me in as a standalone. So much fucking talent in the transformative work community. The banter, characterization, sardonic-ness of this – international impact baby!”

Not Easily Conquered (series), by dropdeaddream & whatarefears (MCU)

2015, 117k, Steve/Bucky

An incredibly, precise, gut-wrenching trilogy. Each part is astounding both together and apart. A devastating exploration of love and dedication. One of those fics that created a Fandom Moment. I sobbed through the entirety of part 2 when I first read it. Womb to tomb, sweetheart.

Azoth by zeitgeistic (HP)

2013, 88k, Draco/Harry

A stunning exploration of magic beyond JKR’s universe. A timeless coming together of two characters. A frankly genius use of a plot device (and something as simple as a school project) to foster an incredibly touching and meaningful relationship, one in which they are not able to find what they need to complete their task until they find what they need in each other. ALCHEMY BABY!

Honeysuckle Arch by junkshopdisco (1d)

2015, 46k, Niall/Harry

Perhaps the most I’ve ever related to a character in fic. The Niall of this fic lives in my heart, and I feel like reading him helps me understand myself, and everytime I come back to it I understand him better too. It’s a touching portrayal of a character coming to terms with their sexuality in a way that feels completely grounded and who is surrounded by characters who love them, even if they don’t always know how to show it.

Nicole’s choices:

Honorable Mentions:

Protostellar by ninamondays

bts, 64k, pub 2019, Namjoon/Jungkook & Taehyung/Jimin

Space, cryogenics, fate, reincarnation, class struggles, revolution, climate change, character death. Having hope is punk rock. Processing grief is a slow and ugly process. [deep breath] Have I ever felt so profoundly touched by a fic while I was reading it?

the other thing by cornfields

hockey rpf, 16k, pub 2015, Jamie/Tyler

An absolutely unflinching look at personal accountability and internalized homophobia. What happens when your self-hatred has collateral damage? It’s about healing but it’ll fucking hurt first. Bleached out vibes. Makes texas feel very big, and the world feel very, very small. A story I’d only trust a fic author to tell.

Top 5 picks:

Murmuration by fringecity (indiachick)

bts, 167k, pub 2018, Yoongi/Jimin/Taehyung

Film noir/murder mystery meets gritty sci fi and superpowers. Everyone is morally gray. You Will sob about Kim Taehyung. A masterclass in plot. Felt like a trilogy all wrapped tightly into one fic. A kaleidoscope. An unfurling. This fic mesmerizes.

The River and the Deep Green Bend by liquidmeasure

1d, 70k, pub 2016, Harry/Niall

Dark tower au, but only technically. Makes me want to believe in the multiverse. An arid western, a sideways coming of age story, an elegy. The first time I’ve ever cried because an ending was perfect.

the undiscovered country by indigostohelit

hamlet, 56k, pub 2014, Hamlet/Horatio

What else can I say about this fic. What else can I Fucking say.

(note: we discuss this fic at length during episode 5)

All Things Shining by Askance and standbyme

spn, 142k, pub 2013, Dean/Castiel & Sam/ofc

A story about miracles. Literary as hell, with long luxuriant scenes that never drag. Masterful characterization. The thing I wanted from spn fic—connection, plot, and a fic that not only can handle the lore of the show, but is willing to expand upon it.

Who Painted the Moon Black by throughthedark

1d, 95k, pub 2013, Louis/Harry

Hunger games crossover. Doesn’t just use the other fandom for setting, but entirely inhabits it. I had to stop partway through my reread because I knew I’d have nightmares, but this fic never stops hoping. Trauma is not an ending. This fic is certain of that the whole way through.

Reid’s Choices:

Honorable Mentions:

songs from the ash, by explosivesky, 2017

Critical Role, Percy/Vex, Keyleth/Vax, 54k, WIP (sort of)

rockstar/movie star AU

A fantastic example of how fic can just standalone as really good original fiction. A lovingly rendered, devastating and beautifully crafted portrait of four broken people doing their best to navigate through their lives and around one another.

delta, by sharpa, 2019

BTS, rapline ot3, 60k

What happens when you’re a public figure who gets unwillingly outed, and two people you used to love reach out to offer you sanctuary? You make Reid cry, that’s what.

Top 5 picks:

Salt on the Western Wind by Saras_Girl, 2013

Harry Potter, drarry, 60k

Immediately post war, bond

It represents a lot of what I was looking for when I started really getting into Drarry fic, which was an exploration of what canon wouldn’t give me. My favorite Drarry fics have always been the ones that let them dig into their shared trauma, and while this fic isn’t the heaviest one I’ve read, I think the fact that it’s set literally hours after the Battle of Hogwarts ends lends itself well to that concept. I couldn’t have a list of the decade without a Drarry fic, tbh.

The Great Sealand Takeover, by whalehuntingboyfriends, 2015

Roosterteeth/Achievement Hunter RPF, ot6 (gavin, michael, ray, geoff, ryan, jack), 365k

FAHC

When I think about fics that set the standard for a fandom, this is one of the first ones that comes to mind. This fic means a lot to me because it was my introduction to RPF, and in addition to its intricate plot and fandom-constructed lore, also was a take on poly relationships and found families in a way I had never experienced before, with themes of belonging and a love that transcends typical convention.

The Twice-Told Tale by arysteia, 2012

Marvel, steve/tony, 15k

This fic hits a sweet spot for me where it does have some of that 2012 tower-fic nostalgia, but I also think it holds up well in terms of what I (and fandom) find so fascinating about Tony, which is all this grief and trauma that he struggles so hard to process, and the way puts himself at the center of attention to obfuscate the fact that he keeps everyone at a long arm’s length.

There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, by Shoshanah-ben-hohim, 2015

Hockey, Sid/Geno, Canon Divergent, 77k

& the whole series, including There is a Field, I’ll Meet You There, Alex Galchenyuk/Olli Maata, 131k

When I think about this fic I want to scream from every rooftop I’ve ever been on “please read this fic”. The way it weaves together details to provide a level of grounding and realism in what sounds like the most absurd concept for a fic just floors me. The empathy and compassion and fear in this fic just gets at the most tender parts of my heart, and the fact that it’s ostensibly a ship fic, and yet Sid and Geno spend nearly the entire fic with no communication, but instead are just holding on to the innate truth that they know about one another to get them through this crazy endeavour they’re on elevates the entire fic for me.

what comes after, by poppyseedheart, 2018

Roosterteeth/Achievement Hunter RPF, mavinseg (gavin, meg, michael, lindsay), 36k

Dystopia/Spy AU

When I first read this fic, I finished it and I put it down and then I spent a few days feeling like I was just sort of wandering around in a haze because every single thought was consumed by this fic. In addition to its impeccable worldbuilding and the tone work that it does with its setting, I don’t know that I had ever resonated so deeply with fic characters before. Reading this felt like someone had pried my ribcage open one by one and revealed the softest, most tender parts of me and then went “I’m going to write something that targets this.” This fic is an ode to loss and love, to mourning something that you once had and then hesitantly and clumsily opening yourself up to building something new, and recognizing that, impossibly, that new thing you built can somehow be better than what you had before.

And I felt all of these things, I felt like my world had just been shattered by this new author I discovered… and then, somehow, I became her friend. Then through Nic I met Brenna, and now when I think about this fic I not only love it for being a work of art, but also for being representative of the thing that brought me to two of the most important people in my life, and that to me will always make it my favorite fic I’ve ever read.

#fic clique #fic recs #multifandom #minisode #fics of the decade

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bluekayanite · 4 years

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(SU:F Theory - Snow Day) Has Steven REALLY Changed That Much?

...Or is he just still dealing with an old issue?

(I intended to post this last week, but apparently forgot to actually, you know, post it. >_< I’ve got another one upcoming, but here’s this one for now.)

EDIT: Some edits have been made. Not gonna stress myself over the details this time.

My Feelings on the Ep

Okay, I dunno about you, but I actually found the story of Snow Day pretty upsetting. The whole thing was about Steven running from his childhood favorites, and he pretty much stated that it was because he didn't want to be seen as a kid.

Sure, I can get behind not liking when people assume you haven't changed, especially when the changes in question have to do with you learning and growing (been there... -.-), but it didn't feel like that was the real issue. I mean, there's growing up and changing, and then there's more-or-less trying to hide, or to erase the past. IMO, this ep showed Steven trying to avoid "kids stuff" to an extreme. He literally jumped over the edge!

And not just the kids stuff, but it feels to me like he's been avoiding silly stuff in general, like that goofy charm that seemed like an essential character trait throughout the first series.

Even the idea that he could've left behind so much of the goofiness I love was pretty distressing - it really feels like he's trying to run away from a part of himself, essentially killing a part of himself (or at least a version thereof). But that's not the whole of the issue for me.

To me, it really kind of felt like Steven believed the Gems were wrong to still want to appreciate the old stuff with him - not because of “seeing him as a child, still,” but... like they couldn't still appreciate the way he used to be, even in a nostalgic sense. Like he believes that they shouldn't be allowed to enjoy the silly stuff, either. Or the little things in general.

(If you're not taking the time to pet something cute, I'd say it's pretty serious.)

Also: come on!! The Cheeseburger Backpack and Together Breakfast are two of the most iconic things of the series-es! And personally, like I kind of said, I’d say Steven's goofiness is right up there with them! Even the vegetarianism! Remember how big Steven was on hot dogs?

"I think there isn't such a thing as a bad [hot] dog, though. Only bad chefs!" - Steven, Wacky Sacks Unboxing minisode

It was even in the first opening of SU!

I don't mind that SU:F is more mature than SU, but it feels like it's missing a lot of the heart that made SU so easy to love. I’m even noticing that there's been a shortage a star-iris-endings. I’m pretty sure the last iris was used in Guidance... for a fake ending.

Not that I think the star-iris should be forced, but it seems like it's not being used, even when Crewniverse has a perfectly good chance to do so. The fact that they've used it at all suggests that they're not trying to avoid using it - more like they've fallen out of the habit, or something. And I’m really starting to feel the absence of the little bit of lighthearted warmth that it typically brings. It just kinda quietly punctuates just how serious the show has been.

...It's pretty depressing, really.

But yeah, in general, I'm not a big fan of the idea that you have to let go of kid things as soon as you grow up. Doctors believe that play is just as important for adults as it is for children. Heck, that article even mentions reading aloud to someone (and I'd say, by extension, being read to) as a form of play... one of the forms that Steven specifically avoids.

And if you ask me, The No Home Boys sounds like its pretty deep - not just a basic, “silly” kids’ story.

"My favorite story is this classic one where the No Home Boys are chased[...] by a mysterious pursuer, which turns out to be the very fear resting within themselves." - Steven, On The Run

At the very least, it's what led to him having an adventure that led to him learning something important, and to bringing to light - and resolving - some previously-unspoken tension between Pearl and Amethyst.

So at the very least, I wouldn't cast aside childish things so quickly, if only for all the good that they have already brought.

There's also the fact that adult play has been accepted as a pretty important thing in our current society - it's basically our culture now. As said on the YT Channel Lockstin & Gnoggin (in response to COPPA), "This isn't the 1970s anymore[...] Adults are no longer afraid to be interested in things." I mean, heck, I think odds are pretty good that if you’re reading this, you're probably an adult who enjoys “kids stuff.” I know I technically fit in that category - I’m getting old enough that I don't like to think about it. ^_^;

Personally, I believe that the “adults can still like ‘kids’ stuff” thing could really use more representation in mainstream media, ESPECIALLY after the whole COPPA thing. Personally, I’ve always believed that this would be done through Steven Universe.

And personally... I still think odds are good that it will.

Why I Think There's Still Hope for the Subject

The “adults enjoying ‘childish’ stuff” thing isn't just a thing with Millennials and the Internet in general: it's a pretty strong part of the culture of the Crewniverse, what with them actually enjoying Together Breakfast for the release of the ep by the same name. Not to mention donuts topped with Pop Rocks fire salt (exact quote - for Joking Victim), a big bowl of macaroni-and-nothing (for Warp Tour), and even a Rice Krispie temple that promptly got pummeled by a giant hand (technically for Bismuth, but also referencing Jailbreak). And those are just a few examples.

And in general, I've noticed that SU is very Millennial show, featuring values like that the reason for work should be to enjoy life, rather than to make money (Drop Beat Dad), and I've already said that being able to enjoy "kids stuff" as an adult is a pretty Millennial thing.

So to me, it seems like it's probably inevitable that Steven's going to get over the "trying too hard to adult" thing. Heck, if anything, I'd say that Snow Day is just another part of the long-running-buildup.

Steven has a history of trying to cut everything “childish” out of his life, and/or being embarrassed when it's brought up.

This felt like an extension of that history - to me, it feels like this issue leveled up, like he's trying harder than ever before to avoid being associated with "kids stuff." His reaction to Garnet presenting the Cheeseburger Backpack certainly looks like one of embarrassment, and one of not even appreciating the gesture, regardless.

And if you look, this whole thing started when the Gems implied that birthday parties were a "kids thing."

(My apologies for VUDU’s captions - they got better, I promise.)

Since then, he’s been stuck on the idea that he would have to leave things behind as he got older.

Before that, he was trying to convince the Gems of just the opposite.

Little did Steven know that they actually came around, while he was away...

But now? Now that they've obviously come around, he's still having trouble getting over what was once said.

He's even overtly objecting to being called "cute," or like a kid!

I think this is a pretty good example of how one little thing can result in a problem that a person struggles with for a long time afterward; how one idea can result in a person pressuring themselves to try and be something or not, even if the people who gave the idea have changed their minds. I think it's a pretty good example of the kind of baggage - the kind of problems - we carry around with us.

And you know what the official description of SU:F says?

"[A]s [Steven] runs out of other people's problems to solve, he'll finally have to face his own."

I very much believe that this is one of them. =3

Before I saw the movie, I had been spoiled by the “catchup” vid for the last season clearly being narrated by an older-voiced Steven. (So sorry, Hilary, that you want through so much trouble, but the neck wasn't much of a secret to me. XD; ) And spoilers aside, it had been pretty well hinted that he was going to grow up, via both of the “Birthday” episodes.

(Personally, I’m kind of disappointed that we missed the magic growth spurt - I always thought it would've been hilarious. X3)

I’d often thought that Steven was going to grow up when he realized that he didn't have to leave “childish” stuff behind - that he can be grown up without having to "stop being a kid," or worrying about how people would see him if he didn't. I kind of figured it would allow him to feel more comfortable about growing up, and so he would grow up.

But, apparently, that's still a thing he needs to work on.

And sure, I'm glad Steven came around at least a little, but I wonder if it's really enough... especially since he doesn’t even seem sincere on loving that the Gems upgraded the Steven Tag game.

But also, it seems to me like this issue is affecting more of his personality than just his desire to have fun... like he's losing quite a bit of himself. Remember how Pearl once described him?

You have to feel like yourself! Sweet and considerate, and only occasionally obnoxious! - Pearl, So Many Birthdays

It does seem like Steven's been having trouble with the considerate angle, lately. I mean, he kept busting into Jasper's hideout, he took over Amethyst's mentorship program (completely ignoring the feelings of the Gems being mentored), and in general, he's kinda... asserting himself and his opinions more than listening to others('). I'd even say that he's lost a lot of his sweet, and he's... probably more than occasionally obnoxious. ^_^; I mean, Aquamarine and Eyeball certainly think so. X3

Now? Well... I'd say that the Gems have at least as much of a point as Steven does. I have to admit, I feel a lot like Amethyst - I think she has a point about the direction Steven is (or had been) heading, and about what kind of example he was setting.

I agree that the issue is serious enough for Pearl to be justified in being willing to join in (which I really love her doing =3).

(Seriously, I’ve actually been worried for Steven.)

...And now I’d say that her old plea to feel like himself again is even more valid than ever.

In a way, Snow Day felt a lot like So Many Birthdays in reverse: instead of Steven trying to spend time with the Gems and making them feeling awkward about silly stuff, we now have the exact opposite. Now, instead of allowing himself to still be a kid, Steven tries to convince them not to make him be a kid. ...Which, again, is fair, but still. I'd say it goes too far when he hates the idea of "kid."

But yeah... I figure this has gotta be addressed sooner or later. Personally, I can't wait fo the day when it is. XD;

...call me crazy - call me super crazy - but I’m hoping that a certain Pink Doofball* will talk some more sense into him. X3 That, or maybe his dad.

(*If you're not familiar with my blog... well, here's my main theory, in case you're interested. I know it probably sounds insane, but it would mean a lot if you'd give it a look.)

#steven universe #steven universe: future #su:f #su:f snow day #su:f theories #theories

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tardisadventuresminisodes · 4 years

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Emma and D.O. TARDIS Adventures Minisode 5-The Newcomer

Roger and little Eleven set a trap for a genius in an unstable home. They had bought all his stuff. The agenda was to bring it to Emma as soon as they caught him. Emma even talked to the social worker to let her give him a stable home in the TARDIS. Luckily, thanks to Emma’s friendship with Adam Schiff at that point, it was cleared.

So when 13-year-old James Bennett snuck into the Brother Jerome thrift store to get a electroplating set back from there, the trap was then dropped on him and Roger and little Eleven grabbed him.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET OFF OF ME!” James roared out as Roger then turned into his Vespiform side and flew James out of the thrift store and into the TARDIS.

“Don’t be afraid, James.” little Eleven said as he un-netted James from the trap and Roger changed back. “We’re here to help you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What is this place, where are we?” James asked confused.

“Mom says your portrayor may be a Whovian. He likes science fiction and fantasy, but that’s not why she wanted to get you away from your mother.” little Eleven said. “I’m Eleven Theta, by the way. This is my partner, Roger Goodlightly. Don’t listen to him if he hits on you.” little Eleven said.

“Hey, that’s a bit harsh. I’m not Jack Harkness, I don’t hit on just anybody.” Roger corrected.

“Sorry, Rog.” little Eleven said.

“You guys are crazy.” James said in response. But then, James was sent into Emma’s TARDIS as Emma and a social worker were waiting for him, the same social worker who signed off on Emma becoming a guardian for James.

“What’s this? What’s going on?” James asked.

“Ah, you must be James. I’ve heard and seen what genius you possess. I’m Emma.” Emma responded.

“I’m Miss Belcher, I work with NY CPS, I have signed off on Mrs. Theta having guardianship of you until you’re 18.” Miss Belcher said.

“I don’t understand.” James said confused.

“I’m friends with people in the NYPD. I promised I’d get you out of your situation if they let me go back to when you were about to steal back your electroplating kit. Which was unnecessary, by the way because everything has been bought back. Your bike, your radio, your electroplating kit, your family’s TV. Everything was bought back and put into a special room for you in the TARDIS.” Emma explained.

“For me?” James asked as Emma nodded, then showed him the room she put together for him. When they got there, James was amazed by how his room looked. A desk for studying and doing homework, a chemistry set to do experiments, his bike to ride when he got bored from doing homework, his TV to watch all his favorite programs on or even to keep up with the news. A warm bed to rest on, a wardrobe full of all his old clothes his mother donated, his radio next to his cup of pens to write with so he can listen to music while he wrote poems, he was in awe and was beginning to choke on tears. “I don’t know what to say, this is beautiful.” James said as he looked around in his new room in his new home. “But why me?”

“My mom was a latent alcoholic when I was in my early to mid 20′s. She died in 2018 my time, but two years prior, the alcohol didn’t become a problem until she had taken a nasty fall down the stairs of my parents’ old basement of our family home in Vinton where I used to live. That was May 4th, 2016, a month after I had broken my ankle. A little over two months after that, my mom goes into the hospital. Her liver’s stopped absorbing enzymes found in alcohol. She has to stop, but the pain was too much and they refused to give her regular painkillers due to the Opioid epidemic. She was in pain most of her life as a result and then they tried to give her a new pain medication but apparently, it wasn’t enough. So she kept fixing herself drinks. My dad just yelled at her to stop drinking, but she thought he was too mean. So I tried being softer, even begging her to stop. She broke her promise to stop drinking after 24 hours.” Emma paused to take a deep breath and a lump in her throat began to form. “It got so bad that on her 58th birthday, she stopped being able to get up by herself. The next day, she had to be carried off to the hospital. She was there until Halloween, where she was essentially sent home because she kept wanting to come back home. My dad bitched at me, I tried to do my best to help out but he was really making it harder on me than the whole fact that my mom was home when she needed to recover somewhere else. Then the next day, my mom made me help her cut her hair off and then she asked for one more drink. She emotionally blackmailed me into making me get her the whiskey. She said if I didn’t, she’d have to crawl all the way back out to the kitchen.” Emma started to tear up as she continued. “She continued to deteriorate until February 2018, when she died of Liver Cirrhosis.” She took a minute to compose herself before looking back at James. “I’ve seen your struggle before, and your mother is just about as bad if not worse than my mother. She refuses to seek help, she won’t stop doing something she shouldn’t be doing for the sake of her family. You don’t deserve that, James.” Emma said as James nodded understandingly.

“So I get to stay here for as long as I want?” James asked.

“For as long as you want or until Miss Belcher says she has a better place on hand.” Emma said as she gave James a tour of the rest of the TARDIS.

“This is Lucky and Frankie. I adopted Frankie and her two sisters after I felt I needed to help her sister Amelia and her boyfriend, now husband, Rory stay together.” Emma said.

“Charmed to meet you.” James said as he shook their hands. Just then, Sophie came in with Jessica.

“This is Jessica and my second youngest daughter Sophie. She’s one of the adopted girls.” Emma said.

“Jessica Dalswaldek, you must be the newcomer to the TARDIS. Pleasure.” Jessica said.

“James Bennett. Enchanted.” James said. Soon, Emma reached the kitchen with James, who was intrigued by the gadgets in the kitchen.

“We had this craving processor installed when we had a kid named Gray grow up in the TARDIS. His brother was a friend of the Doctor’s named Jack Harkness. We’ll introduce you to the Doctor at a later date. In the meantime, go ahead and test out the machine.” Emma said as James did and requested steak and ice cream like Pollyanna described.

“I just wanted to have that Pollyanna kind of childhood after Mom started giving stuff away to Brother Jerome. All they’re interested is canonizing Brother Jerome as a Saint. Well, one isn’t interested. One day after school, Mr. Sullivan’s son tried to give some of the money back. When I tried to cash it, Mr. Sullivan had the assets frozen.” James started getting mad and cut rather furiously into the steak. Then he took a deep breath. “No one should be living like this. No KID should be living like this. Not in constant poverty because it’s better to give than to receive.” Emma rubbed James’s back as he started huffing in emotional turmoil and he began to cling to Emma crying. “The worst part is I can’t hate her. I know she’s sick, but I can’t help her either. I don’t know how to help her or stop her.” James finally broke down and Emma held him. Then they sank to the floor and she held him like she would comfort Ben or little Eleven when they were young boys.

“Shh, it’s okay. It’s alright, baby. Let it all out. You’re safe now, I know how you feel. Shhhhhhhh, you’re okay now.” Emma said as she began to tear up herself and began to let go of her own emotional turmoil and the two just sat there on the kitchen floor crying their eyes out as the ice cream began to melt and the steak got cold.

After the embrace and the comfort received, James knew he was in a safe, stable environment that he could get used to.

#emma and d.o. tardis adventures #law and order: criminal intent #the saint #james bennett #i feel motherly towards this character and right now mrs. bennett's a bitch #regardless of her illness #also personal #remember: emma is based loosely on myself #the part about emma's mom is about my mom

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forjongseong · 1 year

Text

al caer la noche // jay (ENHYPEN)

pairing: secretary!jay x CEO!fem!reader (Part 9 of the series)

genre: office!au, fluff, smut (minors dni) // warning: older reader; Jay calls reader “Boss”; profanity; making out; unprotected sex; creampie; mentions of somnophilia; another 'ex' appears; handjob; 69 (you read that right) // wc: ~10.1k

previous chapters:

next chapters:

click here for the masterlist

summary: as the days goes by, your relationship with Jay becomes even more domestic, and it's only about time until you both make it official.

author’s notes: welcome to PART NINE! we've come so far, haven't we?

after feeling off for about a week, I finally managed to finish this. I said I wanted it out before December, but it's only December 3rd now so I guess I am not that far behind.

Recently one of my closest moots, @end-hyphen, just had her birthday! So I am dedicating this part to her since she is the official ambassador of this series HAHA

as for the title of this part, it means "by nightfall" and it is taken from one of maye's song, which also happens to be my favorite.

I hope you'll enjoy reading this part too!

taglist: @jaylaxies @thots4hee @nyanggk @end-hyphen @jayked @yoursjaeyun @maggstar

(send an ask if you want to be added)

You stirred in bed and changed your position to face the right side of it. When you felt that the bed was empty, you slowly opened your eyes and let yourself adjust to the brightness of the room. Judging from the sunrays, it was probably close to 9 in the morning. It usually takes you a while to gather your consciousness whenever you wake up, and for a second you thought you were still dreaming when you heard the faint sound of music from outside.

Recognizing that the tune playing was Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, you walked out the bedroom door slowly and found Jay mopping the floor, using the mop handle like a microphone stand.

“Pardon the way that I stare, there’s nothing else to compare.”

You leaned on the doorway and crossed your arms in front of your chest, amused at the sight.

“The sight of you leaves me weak, there are no words left to speak.”

You chuckled when you saw Jay clutching his chest like he was in immense pain, still unaware that you were watching him.

“But if you feel like I feel, please let me know that it’s real…”

Jay started mopping again as he continued to sing, beginning to reach places on the floor that he had missed before. You were sure he was going to catch you looking in a moment.

“You’re just too good to be true,” Jay sang and his eyes finally land on you. “Can’t take my eyes off you.”

You were actually amazed that he was not surprised to find you awake, since he really was the jumpy type, but when he ditched the mop to pull you into him all you could do was laugh. He spun you around to the music and continued to sing, this time right to your face.

“I love you, baby, and if it’s quite alright, I need you, baby.”

The way he moved you around with ease and sang to you with theatrical expressions made you unable to shake off the huge grin on your face. He led you through your moves with utmost grace and only stopped when the song reached the end of the chorus.

“Let me love you,” he sang, dipping you and kissing your collarbones. “Good morning, my queen.”

When he pulled you back up, you smashed your lips into his to thank him for the lovely serenade. He even stepped back from how sudden you jumped into him, but then he placed his arms around your waist firmly as he let you kiss him with passion.

“I feel like I should be rewarding you for cleaning up,” you breathed into his mouth as your hands clenched his t-shirt.

“That’s bullshit. I live here too so it’s only my responsibility,” Jay responded, rubbing your back gently. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I really need to finish mopping.”

You giggled when he attacked your cheeks with kisses, and when he let go of you, you headed straight to the kitchen. Last night, you entertained Jake, Heeseung, and Sunghoon to a lovely dinner, since game night was now officially held at your place. Whenever they came over, Jay was always in charge of cooking, while you were always responsible for cleaning. However, the boys stayed longer than usual last night, and because you were having so much fun with them, you decided to push back cleaning to the next morning.

Staring at the spotless counters and empty sink, you blinked before checking the drawers and cabinets for the clean utensils. You looked back at Jay, who coincidentally was also looking at you, and he smiled and gave you a wink.

“Jay,” you whined, closing the drawers and crossing your arms again. “I already said I would clean this morning.”

“And I’m happy to take care of it,” Jay answered, not looking back at you. He was done mopping and was now about to put back all the stuff to their right places. “Don’t worry about it.”

The gears in your head began turning, figuring out the best way to show Jay your gratitude, and the ideas that popped up in your head ranged from buying him a gift to, well, giving him head. You then concluded you would do everything, but not all at once.

---

The sun was setting and the lighting made your office turn into an orange hue. You checked the time on your phone, wondering why it was taking so long for Jay to return to the office. There were no missed calls or text messages either, so you decided to just call him, thinking that he’d get back to you in an instant if he was unable to pick it up.

“Hey,” Jay’s voice echoed throughout the room as you put him on loudspeaker. “I really was about to call you.”

“Is the meeting over?” You asked, eyes scanning your monitor. You then heard a little bit of rustling and faint sounds of people. “Where are you?”

“I just arrived at the supermarket. It’s on my way back and I figured there were a couple of things that need restocking.”

He’s really a malewife at this point, you thought.

“Okay, so does that mean you’re not coming back?” You typed for a while before clicking save on a document. “I’ll see you at home?”

“Yeah.” You could hear Jay fumbling with the phone. “Hey, can you turn on the camera real quick?”

You picked up your phone and did as he said. You were then greeted with the aisle filled with sanitary products. Frowning, you waited for Jay to give you context.

“I checked last night and I think you’re running out of pads, but I forgot which one you use,” Jay explained, stepping closer to the shelf of pads. “Is it this one?” He asked, pointing to a pink packaging.

You were so touched that all you could do was smile and cover your mouth.

“Baby? I think someone is looking at me weird,” Jay said, voice sounding worried. “Nothing to see here, Ma’am, I’m just picking up stuff for my girlfriend.”

You realized Jay was explaining himself to a lady passing by, and you just laughed silently. “It’s the one to your right, babe.”

“Oh, right,” Jay responded. “You use the one with wings, huh. Why are they so fucking expensive?”

“Because being a woman is fucking expensive, love,” you chuckled as you replied to him. “Now get out of there before someone thinks you’re a pervert.”

“See you soon, Boss,” Jay ended the call with a smooching sound to the phone.

You decided to call it a day and started tidying up your things. You placed your empty glass on the minibar since the janitor would always start cleaning from there, and as you gathered all your belongings into your bag, you heard two knocks on the door.

“Yes, Hwiyoung.”

Hwiyoung peeked into your office while holding up his phone. “Park told me to get your car ready. Are you done for the day?”

The way you did not even tell Jay that you were done with work, and that he just assumed, but did it correctly, made you feel butterflies. It was not the first time he did it either.

“Yes, I am,” you smiled at your second assistant as you held up your bag. “You can tell the others to get off work too if they’re all done for the day. I don’t want anyone staying late.”

“Alright, Miss. Does that mean I can make plans?” Hwiyoung asked you while he texted the group chat.

“Of course you can.” You walked to the door and waited until Hwiyoung was done texting. “Plans with a girlfriend?”

“Huh?” Hwiyoung blinked at you, obviously caught off-guard by your question.

You laughed at his reaction and gave him a pat on his shoulder. “You’re a good man, Hwi. If you’re dating someone, let me know. I need to make sure she’s not taking advantage of my assistant.”

Hwiyoung blushed at your comment and excused himself to go back to his desk. You said goodbye to him as you walked out of the office, smiling because you had never seen Hwiyoung so flustered before.

---

It was still early into the night, but you were already in your bed scrolling through your phone with the lights off. Jay told you he was going to hit the gym for a couple hours before heading home, so you had dinner without him and went on to shower and do your skincare routine. After a good twenty minutes of just laughing at TikTok videos, you began to feel sleepy, so you texted Jay that you were going to bed. His reply came to you late, as he only checked his phone once he was done, and by the time he arrived home, you were fast asleep.

The sound of him walking back and forth and even showering in the bathroom did not wake you up at all, and sometimes Jay was amazed at how you were actually a heavy sleeper. After washing up, Jay carefully climbed onto your shared bed and wrapped his arms around you, spooning you from behind. The coldness of his skin actually made you wake up, and you flinched a little when his skin made contact on yours.

“Sorry, baby,” Jay spoke softly into your ear before he leaned in to kiss your bare shoulder. “Did I wake you up?”

“You feel cold,” you commented, voice croaky from the sleep. You then turned around to face him. “Did you take a cold shower?”

Jay nodded. “Sorry for not spending the night with you.”

“It’s okay,” you yawned, hiding your face in Jay’s neck as he chuckled and stroked your back. “Are you not cold?”

“I’m not because I have you.” Jay rubbed your sides and kissed your forehead. “You’re always so warm.”

You hummed as you brought one hand up to caress Jay’s face. “I got the right temperature to shelter you from the cold.”

Jay chuckled at your statement and began kissing your face. You let him, not bothering to reciprocate because you knew that he knew you were too tired and only half awake. He kissed along your jawline, your neck, and stopped to suck your skin there once he heard you moan. Your grip on his shirt tightened as he moved down to your collarbone. He then grazed his lips over the top of your chest, tugging down the dainty camisole you had on to expose one of your breasts. When he latched on to your nipple, your fingers got lost in his hair, and you whined as he began sucking.

“Jay,” you whispered, “I don’t think I have the energy to do anything.”

He merely groaned at you as a response, too focused on giving your breasts the same amount of pleasure. You felt his teeth graze your skin and you hissed, pulling his hair back so he would look up at you.

“If you want to fuck, you’re gonna have to do all the work,” you said, your eyelids heavy as you struggled to speak. You could already feel your arousal dripping, so you figured he might as well proceed.

Jay moved back up to level with your face, and he touched your chin with his fingers as he kissed your lips. You sighed into him, and you were already feeling cold from the loss of contact from his hands on your body.

“Turn around,” he whispered.

You did as he said, and he quickly pulled you into his embrace again, with one arm under you and his hand cupping your breast, while his other hand pulled down your panties to your knees. You whimpered when you felt his cold fingers palming your core, and when he drew a stripe along your folds, you shivered.

“God, baby,” Jay grunted as he pulled down his boxers. “So wet.”

You placed your hand above his, guiding him to squeeze your breasts while he rubbed his shaft along your folds. He coated himself with your wetness until he felt it was time to align himself with you. You felt his tip grazing your entrance and you arched your back, pushing your ass towards his hip. He held you firmly by your waist as he entered you, bottoming out in one go, and all you could let out was a shaky breath.

“Fuck,” Jay said as he began thrusting in and out of you. “You’re so fucking warm. So fucking tight.”

You moaned in pleasure at the friction he was causing, and you guided his hand to make him rub your clit.

“Do you want me to go slow, baby?” He asked, leaning in to kiss your cheek.

You tilted your head so you could reach his lips and kissed him. “Any way you want,” you answered with a whisper.

Jay began gradually increasing his speed, sliding his dick in and out of you with ease from how much you were dripping for him. His thumb pressing on your clit made you feel like you were reaching your high even sooner, so you did not bother concealing the almost pornographic moans that you let out for him.

“Not too loud, my queen.” Jay kissed your neck and gently sucked on your skin. “I don’t want anyone else hearing your beautiful moans.”

Your hand traveled backwards, cupping his ass and pushing him closer to you, desperate to feel more of him. He chuckled and continued to rock his hips into you, and when he felt your grasp around his wrist tightening, he knew that you were close.

“Cum with me?” He asked, almost like a proposal. You nodded, and with a couple more strokes you arched your back as he released his cum inside of you, with you reaching your high just seconds after. Your walls clenched and milked him dry, and you began to feel the sting on your shoulder from how hard he was biting you there.

Jay’s arms wrapped around your waist, keeping you close to him as he did not show any signs of wanting to pull out of you soon. You stroked his arm lovingly, even bringing up one of his hand up to your lips so you can kiss it.

He chuckled, kissing the back of your head as a response. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, my prince,” you sighed. There was a brief moment of silence before you spoke again. “If you feel like you need me and I’m asleep, you can fuck me if you want. I mean I don’t have to be awake for it, right?”

You could feel Jay freeze when you uttered the last question. “Baby?” You called, tapping on his arm.

“You mean like… somnophilia?” Jay asked. When you nodded, Jay carefully slipped out of you and made you face his way. He pulled his boxers back up and you also put your panties back on during the process. “You can’t be serious.”

“You have my consent,” you stared into his eyes and intertwined your fingers with his. “I don’t mind.”

“Does that mean you would do the same thing to me too?” He asked, genuinely curious. The shift in the subject made you giggle.

“Do you want me to?” You asked back. “Like, if it gets too hard to wake you up, do you want me to try sucking you off while you’re still asleep?”

Jay closed his eyes and bit his lips, almost as if he was imagining it happening. “Please don’t judge me, but that actually sounds hot.”

You chuckled weakly, and it made Jay laugh with you too. He placed his hand behind your neck and pulled you into a kiss.

“Then you have my consent too,” he murmured into your lips. You mouthed a ‘good’, and the next thing you remember was the two of you drifting off to sleep.

---

It was the last week of November, and it had been a routine for you to visit Jay’s parents every last week of the month. Before you and Jay drive to his parents’ house on Saturday mornings, you would always grocery shop with him on Friday evenings. For this very reason, you cut your working day short and sent your employees home early as well.

The moment you entered the supermarket, though, you suddenly felt lethargic. You tailed Jay as he grabbed a cart and started walking towards the poultry section, and before he could grab anything, you tugged his sleeves.

“I’m actually really sleepy right now, I think I need coffee,” you said, voice already sounding weak. “Can I just wait at Starbucks?”

“Of course.” Jay let go of the cart to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. “Are you okay?”

You nodded for reassurance and gave him a smile. He then kissed your forehead before you turned around and walked towards the Starbucks that was strategically located next door. You checked the app on your phone and noticed they had a new menu, and you had a buy one get one free coupon. You decided to try out both the new drinks, figuring that Jay would want one once he was done shopping.

There was a line before you and when you sat down to wait for your order, it took a while for the barista to make your drinks. Once they called out your name, you quickly went to grab your drinks and waddled back to your table, setting the two cups in front of you. One was a gingerbread latte and the other was a red velvet oatmilk latte. You stared at them both, not realizing that Jay was already steps away from you.

“Well that was quick,” you commented, gesturing for Jay to take the seat in front of you.

“I already had a list,” Jay said, showing his phone and the shopping list that all had checkmarks on them. “What did you get?”

“New drinks. I wanted to try both but I don’t know which one I actually want,” you eyed the drinks and Jay smiled at you, noticing how you were already able to get rid of the fatigue even though you had not consumed any caffeine yet. “I’m gonna sip both.”

Jay watched calmly as you unwrapped a straw and punched it through the lid of the gingerbread latte. You gave it a swirl before sipping it curiously, and you stared into a distance. Jay was observing your face, waiting for a reaction. When your nose scrunched up, not in pleasure but in confusion, he chuckled softly.

“That’s weird,” you muttered bluntly, not exactly speaking to anyone. “Let me try this one.”

You used the same straw to sip on the red velvet drink, and your face lit up the moment you tasted it. Jay was now touching the gingerbread cup and looking at how pretty the color of the drink was, complete with the whipped cream and red sprinkles on top.

“This one is better,” you said, taking your straw out of the red velvet drink. You then pushed the cup towards Jay and handed him a new straw before putting your own back into the gingerbread latte and vigorously stirring the whipped cream into it.

Jay frowned. “I thought you said it’s better, why are you giving it to me?”

“Because you should give people the stuff that you like,” you answered, remembering that it was a lesson your parents taught you when you were young. “I’ll finish the gingerbread latte.”

“It’s okay, baby, I’ll drink that one.”

“Let me suffer the consequences of my own choice.” You raised a hand to stop Jay from taking your drink away from you. Jay snorted at your comment.

“Okay,” he said, wiping off the smirk on his face as he could not believe how adorable you were acting. “Can I at least try both too?”

You nodded and waited for Jay to sip the red velvet, and then you reluctantly handed over your gingerbread latte to him. He gave the exact same reaction that you made when you took the first sip and you giggled seeing his face.

“That is strong,” Jay commented after clearing his throat. “Alright, thanks for the drink, babe.”

You just smiled and continued to sip your gingerbread latte, chugging it down like there was no tomorrow since you did not want it to go to waste.

---

You and Jay arrived at his parent’s house early in the evening, when it was hours after lunch and was supposedly the best time for a coffee break. As soon as Jay pulled up in the driveway, you let yourself out and started bringing all the belongings towards the house. Jay’s mother opened the door just as you reached the porch and shrieked in surprise, seeing your face covered with the pile of groceries in your hands.

“Oh, dear Y/N, come here,” she said in a rush, taking half of your load off of you. You then grinned and leaned in as she kissed your cheek to greet you. “Thank God you arrived while the sun is still up.”

“Why? What’s the problem?” You asked as you ditched your shoes for the indoor slippers. You followed Jay’s mother to the kitchen once you checked that Jay has got the rest of the stuff from the car.

“Jay’s father, and yours too, soon, needs to go shopping for this Christmas party we’re attending. His suit doesn’t fit him anymore and I need his accessories to match mine.”

You nodded and finally realized where Jay has gotten his fashion sense from. “What’s the plan?”

“We can prepare dinner while the men go out shopping. Fun, right?”

You caught a paprika that almost rolled off the counter and smiled. “I’d love that, Mrs. Park.”

“Oh,” she waved off her hand at you once she was done setting the groceries on the island. “Enough with the formalities. What do you call your mother?”

“Mom?” You answered but asked at the same time.

“Alright, then just call me eomma so you don’t get confused,” Jay’s mother smiled warmly at you and put her hands on her hips. “So what should we start with?”

You were still in the middle of processing the shift in the way you were supposed to address Jay’s parents when Jay walked into the kitchen with his jacket already off and hanging on his arm, twirling the car keys on his finger.

“Appa just said you wanted me to take him shopping?” Jay asked his mother, kissing her on the cheek.

Jay’s mother merely nodded before looking back at you. “And you can call his dad appa too, okay?”

You smiled sheepishly as you nodded, and then you noticed Jay looking at you and then his mom. Jay’s father then appeared, looking all neat and stylish, brushing his hair back with a comb.

“Ready to go, son?”

“Are you going to make her cook? Eomma, she has zero experience.”

You scoffed at Jay’s remark while his mother roared with laughter. You then dragged Jay by his arm and made him walk towards his father to shoo him away, not forgetting to reach out to Jay’s father for a side hug.

“Kart later when you get back, Appa!” You said as you cheerfully waved at him and Jay walking away.

“Oh, it feels nice to be called appa by a daughter,” he said, placing a hand over his chest sentimentally. Jay rolled his eyes and just dragged his father to the front door.

You returned to the kitchen and washed your hand, noticing that Jay’s mother was already unwrapping some of the produce and laying all of them out on the island. You took the apron that she had prepared for you, and as you put it on you decided to stand strategically next to her.

“So, did he ask you yet?”

For some reason you knew what she meant even without her providing any more context. You cleared your throat before answering.

“Technically, yes, but he was kinda out of it,” you observed how Jay’s mother was chopping the paprika, and once you got it she handed over the task to you.

“What does that mean?” She asked, moving on to prepare other ingredients.

“He was drunk when he asked me.”

“Oh, that punk.”

You let out an unladylike cackle as a response towards Jay’s mother’s unfiltered feelings. You continued to cook with her, following every instruction and trying your best to keep up with the pace. In between activities, you also ended up sharing your biggest insecurities as well as your worries, and by the time cooking was done you were almost a crying mess.

“I just don’t want to let anybody down, Eomma,” you said as you choked back a tear.

“Sweetheart.” Jay’s mother turned to face you, wiping her hands on her apron before she put her hand under your chin to tilt your face up. “You’re not letting anybody down as long as you love him. And believe me, he adores you.”

You pouted and let a tear run down your face. Jay’s mother clicked her tongue and quickly wiped your tears away.

“Whatever your decision is,” she continued, “I’m sure he would respect it. And if he doesn’t, you tell me. So I can beat his ass.”

Her comment made you chuckle softly as another tear fell down your face, and because you were overwhelmed you opted to rest yourself in her embrace, hunching over since Jay’s mother was a little shorter than you. She rubbed your back in an effort to comfort you, and you squeaked a little ‘thank you’ in the middle of your sobs.

---

The drive back home was somewhat calm and comforting. Jay made you put on a playlist that he had specifically made for a night drive, which contained songs that were uplifting enough that it would keep the driver awake, but at the same time chill enough to keep the passengers content. You tapped your fingers on your thigh to the beat of the current song playing, and as the car stopped at a red light, Jay intertwined his fingers with yours and pulled your hand to kiss your knuckles.

You did notice that Jay loved showing you how much he cares for you through physical touch. You didn’t mind, and you did let him know that the way you showed him love was different. So on moments like this, where he would initiate contact, you would always smile to yourself, or to him, to acknowledge his form of expression.

This time was slightly different, though. You shifted in your seat and turned to face him, reaching out for a hug. He embraced you without question, also while keeping an eye on the red light.

“All good, babe?” He asked right in your ear as he stroked your hair gently.

You nodded before tilting your head to kiss him on the cheek. “I talked a lot with your mother today.”

The light turned yellow and Jay pulled back, rubbing your arm lovingly before putting his hands back on the steering wheel. “Is it something I should be concerned about?”

“No,” you answered softly. “But I’m loving the monthly meetups we have with them. Promise we’ll never skip it?”

Jay smiled at your words, keeping his eyes on the road. “Promise.”

When you arrived back home, Jay excused himself to go shower first while you checked your kitchen cabinets to decide on a hot beverage for the night. Your TV was already showing Netflix, and it had become almost a tradition for you and Jay to watch one movie before you go to sleep on Saturday nights, that was if you were not staying at his parents’ house, of course.

You decided on chamomile tea, and by the time you brought the two mugs to the coffee table, Jay walked out to the living room with a towel around his neck and a bottle of micellar water and a pack of cotton pads in his hands. You looked up at him in question, as you were seated on the floor, and he calmly put the stuff right next to you on the table before making himself comfortable on the sofa.

“So you can take your makeup off here instead of the bedroom,” he said, not waiting for you to actually question him.

Your heart did a flip at the simple gesture, so you got up on your knees and shuffled towards him, pouting your lips so he could kiss them. He did, and as you turned back around he slapped your ass playfully.

“I’ve noticed that you’ve been slapping my ass quite often,” you commented, taking a cotton pad and drenching it with micellar water. “Do you like it that much?”

“Can’t really blame me. You’ve got a cute ass,” Jay shrugged, reaching for the remote.

You snorted as you started removing your makeup. “You can do it more.”

“Really?” Jay froze with the remote in his hands. “You mean like in bed too?”

You found it amusing that he became so intrigued at the idea of spanking you. You chuckled to yourself and quickly finished cleaning your face so you could join Jay on the sofa. You snuggled into him and as you predicted, he put an arm around you before resting his palm on your ass.

“Depending on the mood,” you said, looking up to him and placing your hand on his cheek. “You can spank me.”

“Yes,” Jay cheered, emphasizing the S as he leaned in to kiss you, squeezing your ass and making you chuckle into his mouth. After a short game of tug-of-war with your tongues, you rest your head on Jay’s lap and lied sideways facing the TV, telling him to start the movie that you already picked.

---

“Where is it again?”

You looked at Jay through your vanity mirror as you were clearing the table and rearranging your skincare products. He was putting on a shirt and as he popped his head out from the collar he turned to look at you while brushing his hair back.

“At this café at a mall. I forgot but I’ll text you the address later.” Jay grabbed the jacket that he hung behind the door and spritzed his perfume on it.

“How long do you think you’re going to be there?” You asked again, this time not looking at him as you were focused on putting your perfume collection in order of most used to least used.

Jay looked up at the ceiling to think for a split second before replying. “I’m not sure, babe. Maybe two hours tops? I’m pretty sure I’ll just be talking to my inner circle.”

“Did Heeseung go to the same high school as you?” You turned your Diptyque bottle to make it face the front, and then you turned around to face Jay, bringing your legs up to the ottoman you were sitting on.

Jay shook his head. “I met him in college,” Jay said as he put on his jacket and walked towards you. You looked up at him and he leaned in to give you a peck on your cheek. “I’ll keep you updated. Don’t mute your phone.”

He knew that your phone was almost always on mute, and it made you miss a couple of texts from him before. You chuckled and just nodded at him. “Have fun at the reunion,” you said, pulling him in for a hug and resting your cheek on his stomach.

Jay smiled and stroked your hair for a while before pulling away, not forgetting to blow you a kiss once he left the bedroom. You sighed and decided to walk over to your desk outside to do some work in advance before Monday comes.

You played your most upbeat playlist and ended up lip syncing and just swaying to all the songs most of the time, only managing to do a tiny bit of work. The whole time you were also texting Isa and Yoon in your group chat since they happened to be online at the same time. You then realized you had an unread text from Jay, and it was the location of his high school reunion.

It had been almost three hours since he left, and when you glanced outside the window you noticed that the sun was almost setting. You were sure their activity was just late lunch, but you did not know how many people came or how long they were actually going to hang out. You let Jay know that you were going to go see him there, claiming that you had to get something at the mall too.

Just as you arrived at the mall, dropped off by Heeseung, your phone vibrated and you saw that Jay texted you that the party had moved to a different café but still at the same mall. You paused in your tracks and quickly searched for the café location on your phone. At the same time, Jay spotted you from a distance, and he sent you another text as he smiled, keeping his eyes on you.

“Is that her?”

Jay looked at the girl who sat beside him, Lucy, who was eyeing him and his phone the whole time. He shifted in his seat before he nodded, and he caught the glint of disapproval in her eyes.

“Guys,” she said, flipping her hair back to look at the rest of the group. “Jay’s auntie is here to pick him up.”

Some of the people laughed, while Jay’s inner circle looked at him warily from across the table. Jay scoffed and shook his head, knowing that Lucy was just saying that as a joke, but he decided that it would be better for him to go see you, instead of inviting you to the lion’s den.

“I’ll be right back,” Jay said, mainly to his three friends in front of him, before he stood up and walked out of the café.

You still had your nose buried in your phone when you heard Jay call your name. He came running to you and immediately pulling you into a hug, and you were just confused because he was acting like he hadn’t seen you for days.

“Dammit, I swore I was about to locate the café,” you murmured into his shoulders before melting into his embrace and hugging him back. “What is going on?”

“Nothing,” Jay reassured you, rubbing your back before pulling away from the hug. “Give me two minutes and I’ll be with you.”

“I thought you’re still catching up with your friends? It’s fine, I can walk around,” you peered over his shoulder and saw that a couple of people from inside the café were looking at your direction.

Jay moved to shield you from their stares and gave you a warm smile. “I’ve talked with them enough. I’d rather keep you company now. Two minutes, okay? Don’t go anywhere.”

You nodded and watched as Jay basically sprinted back into the café. You decided to turn your back on them and just mindlessly scroll on your phone, waiting for him to come back. It didn’t even take him two minutes to find his place beside you, putting an arm around your waist and kissing the top of your head. You were genuinely curious about the sudden display of affection, but you decided to just ask about it at home.

---

You changed out of your outfit into a comfy lacy bra and pajama shorts, and you used a dainty kimono as a cover up since it was a little chilly. Jay was seated on the sofa with his white shirt and grey joggers, replying to a couple of messages on his phone.

“Anything interesting happened at the reunion?” You asked as you grabbed a bottle of vitamin water from the fridge.

“No, it was just a bunch of reminiscing old memories. Like talking about our teachers and stuff,” Jay replied. He continued to scroll on his phone and did not budge when you sat beside him.

“I would love to say hi to your friends, you know,” you placed your drink on the coffee table before leaning back on the sofa. “Why do I feel like you didn’t want me there?”

You noticed that Jay stopped scrolling and his thumb just hovered over the screen. You fixed your position and pulled both your legs up the sofa, and you made yourself face Jay, leaning your head sideways on the headrest.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?” You asked again, this time with a voice so soft that you almost squeaked.

Jay instantly felt regret and put his phone away on the table. He shifted in his seat before facing you, taking one of your hands and just playing with your fingers as he spoke.

“I know I never ask about your exes, and that you only told me about them when it was relevant. I don’t know if you even want to know about my past, but I feel like I should be telling you anyway.”

You frowned as you stared at Jay, who was completely focusing his gaze on your hands and how his fingers were intertwined with them.

“Aside from catching up with my close friends, I feel like going to that reunion was a mistake. The rest of the kids are jerks anyways.”

You cleared your throat and straightened your position. “It sounds like you’re saying everything but nothing at the same time.”

Jay took a deep breath as he let go of your hands and buried his face in his palms. He then leaned back on the sofa and decided to stare at the ceiling as he continued to speak.

“I mentioned you to my friends, and everyone else were busy with their own conversations, so I really didn’t notice that Lucy was actually listening.”

You calmly listened, resting your head again on the sofa.

“Technically, she’s not my ex, but we were… something.”

And just like that, the image from hours ago became clear. Your mind rewound to when Jay shielded you from their view, and you did catch a glimpse of a girl who was looking at the both of you with the most bitter expression on her face.

“Like friends with benefits?” You decided to just shoot your question.

“No!” Jay almost jerked up in his seat. “No, nothing like that. It was just like a situationship, if that’s what people call it these days.”

You stretched your arm on the headrest, fingers almost grazing Jay’s ear. He tilted his head to look at you, and you tilted your chin to ask him to continue.

“She just made comments that I did not want anyone to hear. Especially not you.”

You scoffed and gently flicked Jay’s ear. He flinched in response. “You think I can’t handle a hate comment?”

Jay looked into your eyes and saw that you were practically angry at this point, and that if he refused to tell you everything, he knew the conversation would end badly.

“Well?” You asked, challenging him.

“She mentioned your age and sort of mocked you, that’s all. That’s why I wanted to leave right away.”

At this comment, you let out a snicker before you moved to stand up. Jay’s eyes followed your movements, and in an instant he already looked worried.

“Baby?” Jay sat up, watching as you made your way to the kitchen.

“I mean if she’s speaking the truth, can you really blame her?” You retorted. You started checking the drawers for nothing, just intentionally making noise. You didn’t know if it was the comment regarding your age, or that Jay had someone special you didn’t even know about that made you irritated. What you did know is that you wanted to be as far away as possible from him.

“Look,” Jay spoke as he walked towards you. “You wanted to know, so I…”

“How long was your relationship with her?”

“That’s irrelevant.”

“I want to know,” you said, leaning on the counter and putting your hands together, expecting an answer.

“Just over a year, I think,” Jay replied as he decided to sit on the stool across you.

“And it didn’t work out because?” You continued to press on him and disregarded the way your brain was telling you to stop the questioning right then and there before it turned into a bigger argument.

“We wanted different things,” Jay answered. “Y/N,” he called on you before you could ask another question. “If this is bothering you I’d rather not continue.”

“Okay,” you smiled, walking past him and heading right into your bedroom.

From your tone, Jay knew that your okay did not mean okay at all. He sighed and brushed his hair back before following you, and when he entered the bedroom you were already lounging on the bed, with a book that you were half-done reading in your hands.

“It’s killing me that you’re acting this way, and I know you don’t like it when I ask questions, but I really need to know,” Jay said, frustrated. He was leaning on the door with a hand in his pocket. “What’s bothering you? Do you want me to tell you everything about high school? Everything I did with her?”

His last question was definitely a mistake, and he knew it the moment it left his mouth. Jay shuffled to your side of the bed and kneeled down beside you, carefully taking the book out of your hands.

“Please,” he begged. “Talk to me.”

“I don’t know, Jay,” you replied with the strongest voice you could muster. You didn’t even realize that you were already choking back tears. “Sometimes I just wonder why you’re with me when you could really be dating someone your age.”

“Are you kidding?” Jay stood up before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Our age gap has never been a problem for me.”

“That’s the thing,” you said, avoiding eye contact. “It is for me sometimes.”

Jay stared at you for a couple of seconds that felt like an eternity for you, and you realized that he was probably searching for the right words to say. He moved closer to you and took your hand, bringing it up to his lips for him to kiss.

“I’m sorry that I never considered it from your side,” he whispered. “But believe me, Y/N, I’ve never felt anything like this before. I don’t just love you, I’m in love with you. I can’t stand being apart from you for too long. I just want to do everything with you. Every little thing reminds me of you.”

You felt a lump on your chest, and you were sure it was because you were overwhelmed. You wanted to return everything Jay said to you because you felt the exact same way, but words weren’t coming out of your mouth. All you could do was let out a shaky breath when Jay scooted even closer to you, hands moving up to cup your face.

“I’ve never brought up stuff about my past because I do not want to even think about it. I just want to focus on the present and the future. And my future is you.”

You failed to hold in the tears you were choking back, so you looked down as they fell to your hands. Jay pulled you into his arms, wrapping you with his warmth as you sobbed into his shoulder. Your hand clenched his shirt and he began stroking your hair gently, shushing you and whispering comforting words in your ear.

Once you stopped sobbing, Jay pulled away to look at your face. He wiped the remaining tears from your cheeks before leaning in to kiss you. You sighed into the kiss, and he didn’t mind the salty aftertaste that lingered on your lips.

“So you don’t have any other exes?” You asked in between sniffles.

Jay chuckled. “Baby, I thought we were over this.”

You punched his shoulder lightly. “Just answer me.”

“I don’t,” Jay said, kissing your cheek.

“Then how do you explain this?” You asked, caressing his cheek and staring into his eyes.

Jay frowned. “What do you mean ‘this’?”

“The way you’re treating me.” You rubbed your thumb across his cheek and he nuzzled into your touch. “And the sex.”

Jay couldn’t help but burst out laughing at your last remark. You pouted as you were sure you asked a serious question.

“For the first part, you can say my parents raised me well,” Jay explained. He put his finger under your chin and tilted your head up. “And for the second part, I just watched a lot of porn and romance movies, to be honest.”

“Pervert,” you commented, earning another hearty laugh from him.

“But you’re reaping the benefits, right?” Jay kissed your nose playfully and you just shook your head in pretentious disgust. “And what about you? Where did you learn how to make those beautiful moans? You drive me crazy when you moan.”

“I read a lot of smut,” you said, matter-of-factly.

“Pervert,” he returned your comment before attacking your neck with kisses. You squealed and fell lying down on the bed, completely accepting the fact that Jay was now attacking you with no signs of backing down.

---

It was basketball night for Jay and his mates, and for tonight you decided to stay at home to catch up on the work you still had because you left the office early. You knew you were going to have a packed Friday the next day, so you decided to go for peace and quiet at the comfort of your own home.

As soon as you got home, you showered and changed into more comfortable clothes. Your dark green kimono outer paired with the black lacey top and shorts as a set was your current favorite. To lift your mood even more, you put on the new perfume that one of your friends bought for you from Paris.

Once you made yourself a cup of hot silver needle tea, you cozied up on your sofa, placing your laptop on top of the cushion on your lap and started typing away. You played Christmas jazz instrumentals on your phone and let it connect to the Bluetooth speaker, so as the setting sun casted an orange shade in your living room, the calming music also made you more focused on your work.

You decided to just wait up for Jay to have dinner since he was going to be home soon and you weren’t feeling that hungry either. You finished your cup of tea, and after checking a couple of notifications on your phone, you continued to work on your laptop, changing your positions once in a while so you would not strain your legs. After a while, you heard the lock beep and as Jay entered, you shouted out to him.

“Welcome home, baby,” you said without taking your eyes off your screen. You turned the music off before you continued to type until you felt a shadow hovering over you. When you looked up, Jay was looking at you with an unhappy face.

“It’s almost 9, why are you still working?” He asked, pulling the strap of his duffel bag off his shoulder.

“I left early today and I wanted to get ahead of tomorrow,” you explained. Your hands paused over your keyboards and Jay immediately took one of them, kissing the back of your hand.

“I’m gonna go shower, and if you’re still working by the time I’m done, I’m gonna get mad,” Jay said. He leaned in to kiss the top of your head before disappearing. You just smiled and continued to work.

You swore only five minutes had passed before Jay returned to the living room, with a towel over his head and his favorite sleeveless black tee paired with his black shorts. He smelled like your soap and shampoo, and you like how it mixed with his own scent. Before you could say anything to greet him back, he yanked your laptop away from you and carefully placed it on the coffee table.

“Jay,” you muttered out of surprise. “I wasn’t done typing.”

Jay pouted as he walked in front of you, threw himself on the sofa beside you, and lied down while placing his head on your lap.

“Your hands can continue to be occupied,” Jay said, his hot breath tickling your thighs. “Please stroke my hair.”

You chuckled but did as he said. You brought up the towel and started rubbing it gently over his hair to dry it better. Jay closed his eyes, feeling content as he faced the TV. Once you were done, you pulled the towel away and set it on the armrest.

Jay shifted in his position and turned around, facing your stomach. He scooted closer and playfully pulled your top up before leaning in and just hiding under your top. He then kissed your belly button and you shook your head laughing. He began blowing raspberries on your stomach and you pinched his arm to make him stop.

“It tickles!” You said when he uncovered his face to give you a look of protest.

He reached out his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear before caressing your cheek. You leaned in to kiss his forehead and he closed his eyes. When you pulled back, he frowned and started sniffing the air.

“Do I smell a new perfume?” Jay asked, opening his eyes completely and looking at you. “It is new, isn’t it?”

You nodded. “It’s a solid perfume that I’ve never tried before. I put it under my ears only. Do you like it?”

Jay groaned in an effort to lift himself off your lap. He sat sideways, an arm beside your thigh supporting his weight. He then nuzzled into your neck and took a quick sniff.

“I like it,” he said, sniffing again. “It’s fresh and subtle.”

He moved to sniff your right side and you just laughed softly, craning your neck.

“It’s so good?” He declared, sounding more like a question. Once he was done sniffing you he kissed your jawline.

“I’ve read that solid perfumes are meant to be sniffed only when you get closer to the person wearing it.”

“That’s sexy,” Jay commented. You just raised your eyebrows and nodded. “You’re sexy.”

You snorted at the sudden compliment, and Jay was just looking at you as he bit his lower lip. He placed his fingers under your chin and kissed you again, deeper this time, making a point that he wanted you. You grabbed him by the neck and pulled him closer, returning the gesture. Eventually, Jay’s arm gave out and he fell on your lap again after a hot minute of just kissing you.

He didn’t want to stop there, so he leaned into your stomach again and started peppering your belly with kisses. You smiled and brushed his hair back, observing him with adoring eyes. His hand made its way to your breasts, and the moment he started massaging your tits it became harder for you to control your sounds.

You brought your feet up to the coffee table, making your thighs tilt and giving Jay enough elevation for his mouth to reach your breasts. He began sucking on your tit, and squeezing the other with his hand. Your breath had become shaky at this point, and you desperately reached down his body to find something to touch.

Lucky for you, and for him, he was already hard. As he continued to suck on your boob, you began palming his crotch, gently rubbing your hands on his clothed erection. He groaned and almost grazed his teeth on your nipple before pulling away to look up at you.

“Can you take your top off for me?” He asked softly, his eyes almost sparkling.

“Only if you get naked for me too,” you said, smiling.

Jay sat up and ditched his t-shirt and shorts in an instant, and you were still in the middle of pulling your lacey top off when he settled himself on your lap again.

“But wear the kimono again,” he requested. “It’s a great color on you.”

“Very well, my prince.” You squished his cheeks together before pulling him for a kiss. Once you donned the kimono again, Jay smiled so widely before licking his lips.

You returned your attention to his throbbing dick in your hand while you let him suck on your tits again. You could see the precum on his tip as you carefully slid your fingers up and down his shaft. Jay began moaning, keeping his mouth latched onto your nipple. Every time your hand squeezed harder, he sucked harder, and the way he looked on your lap just made you fall in love with him all over again.

You can tell from his erection that this simple action was turning him on a lot, so you began stroking his hair and whispering comforting words to him. At one point, he opened his eyes and looked up at you, mouth still full with your boob, and you froze the image in your mind, wanting to remember it forever.

“My sweet prince,” you whispered, letting your hand do its job by spreading his precum all the way down to the base of his cock. He whimpered and bucked his hips up, trying to fuck your hand.

He pulled away from you and you saw a string of his saliva still connected to your breasts. “I’m close,” he announced, and when he looked at you, you nodded.

You pushed his head back into your breasts again and let him leave as many love bites as he wanted, all while your hand began pumping his cock faster. He began moaning louder and without further warning, he cummed all over his stomach. You saw the ropes of white staining his toned abs and you gently guided him as he rode out his high.

Jay began to catch his breath, and you brushed his hair back, chuckling as you saw a bead of sweat trickling down. You kissed his forehead and he reached up to your arm, rubbing his hand up and down. The towel that you conveniently placed on the armrest proved to be useful, as you reached for it and cleaned up Jay in less than thirty seconds.

“Are you still on your period?” Jay asked. The question almost caught you off guard. You folded the towel neatly before putting it away.

“No, it ended two days ago.”

“You made me wait for sex for two days?!” Jay spat. You threw your head back laughing before looking back at him again. “Get naked, now,” he demanded.

“Oh my God, Jay,” you placed your hand flat on his abs before poking him there with your pointy finger. He flinched on your lap. “You just had an orgasm.”

“And?” He asked, raising his eyebrow. “You say that like we’ve never gone for multiple rounds before.”

“I’m saying slow down,” you cooed, your hand caressing his face. “The night is still young.”

“Yeah, and I’m hungry,” Jay said, pouting.

You looked at the time and turned your head around to look at the kitchen. “I can cook you some ramen if you--”

“No, I want to eat you.”

When you stared back into his eyes you realized he was serious. He pouted and gave you his puppy eyes, and you just melted, pushing his face with your two hands and kissing his nose. “Okay,” you said, before tapping his shoulder so he could move away.

He began palming himself as he watched you pull your lacey shorts and your panties down in one go. You look at him and pinched the hem of your kimono. “On or off?”

“On,” Jay answered without missing a beat. You shook your head smiling. Jay then lied back on the sofa and you tilted your head.

“I thought you said you wanted to eat me out?” You asked, a puzzled look on your face.

Jay nodded. “Please place your pussy here,” he touched his lips, “and face that way,” he pointed to his legs.

“If you wanted 69 you could just say so,” you giggled, carefully throwing one leg over his head to get into position.

“Oh, my queen,” he sighed once his face came into contact with your core. “You should have told me you’re this wet.”

You had to admit that Jay sucking on your boobs while you jerked him off aroused you as much as it did him. But at this point, you realized that sometimes words can be set aside and you could let your body speak for itself.

The moment Jay licked a stripe down your folds, you jerked forward from the sudden warmth. You began stroking his dick, which was almost hard again. You took him in your mouth and started to mimic his ministrations on your cunt. When he licked a stripe along your folds, you licked a stripe along his shaft. When he sucked your clit, you sucked his tip. At one point he chuckled into you, noticing what you were doing, and the vibration you felt almost sent you into overdrive.

You moaned when you felt his tongue enter you, and since you had his dick in your mouth you almost choked. You were determined to take all of him and to return every single loving gesture he was making, but it was getting harder with every minute. You jerked your hips away from his lips, but it only made him pull you down harder, his two hands resting comfortably on your ass cheeks.

The choking sound you unintentionally made drove him to dive into you deeper. His tongue ran down your folds before entering you completely, and you whimpered, mouth full with his cock and body shaking from the pleasure. You felt the familiar knot in your stomach and you had to let go of his dick in order to breathe. You kept jerking him off with your hands though, but now your moans were clearer to him, so he continued to eat you out until you came on his face.

Your legs were shaking but you kept yourself up, determined to help Jay reach his second high of the night. Breathing heavily, you were about to take his length into your mouth again, but his hands stopped you and he began to just guide your hand up and down his shaft until he came on himself again. You carefully dismounted and just sat on the floor, buck naked, leaning your head on the sofa and still having your palm wrapped around his dick.

Jay looked at you with a regretful look on his face. “Babe,” he said, licking his lips and tasting your juice. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” you nodded weakly, moving your hand to intertwine your fingers with his. You then sat up to get on your knees, and grabbing the same towel you used earlier, but with a different surface, you began wiping his mouth and chin.

“Babe,” Jay chuckled, stopping you by grabbing your wrist. “Your legs were shaking so much, I can’t believe you’re cleaning me up, right now.”

You shook your head. “Remember when you said that it’s your responsibility to clean up this place since this is your home now? Well, you’re my home, so it makes sense for me to clean you up.”

Jay laughed softly before taking the towel away, and he swiftly wiped away the cum from his stomach. He then pulled you towards him, moving back so there was enough space for you to lie down on the sofa. You did, and immediately turned to face him, nuzzling his neck.

“How was basketball night?” You asked, closing your eyes.

Jay snaked an arm around your waist and began rubbing your sides. “Uneventful. We placed a bet and I lost, again. I have to order late night snacks for them later.”

You giggled and tilted your head to kiss his chin. “Seems like you came home to a snack too.”

“Oh, I did.” Jay smiled. He pulled back a bit to look at you and found you beaming at him. “I got a whole meal.”

You pursed your lips and Jay chuckled before kissing you. He then pulled you closer into his embrace, rubbing your arms to keep you warm. The actual late-night snack can wait.

-END-

read the next part: after last night

#writtenbynana #fic: al caer la noche #enhypen #enhypen hard hours #enhypen jay #jay hard hours #enhypen jay hard hours #jay enhypen #jay smut #enhypen smut #jay park #park jay #jay #jongseong #jongseong park #park jongseong #jongseong smut #nana secretary!jay agenda #Spotify

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seeksstaronmewni · 5 years

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Oh, Joy! The Insanely Amazing Art of Animation Cartooning in Ren & Stimpy

In the era and world of the “modern” cartoon, there’s one show that started and defined most of the cartoons that we watch today... and that show is Spümcø’s/s The Ren & Stimpy Show.

What is there to love about a crazy, wacky, gross, dark and violent cartoon that people say is “ground-breaking”?

The gags. The detail. The sound. The stock music. The design. The animation. The layout artists...

I could go on about a show that was a part of @nickanimation’s/@nickelodeon... although, while considered a “kids” show, it truly is one of those... “cartoons for MEN”.

WARNING FOR HATERS: Before I go on, in regards to the show’s controversial creator, If his wrongs cause you to think hatefully of him, AVOID THIS POST! Don’t associate your hate with my posts and tweets about this ground-breaking cartoon.

Anyway, let’s look deep into the magic of the wackiest cartoon ever created that changed animation--namely “Western” animation--forever and for good...

THE TALENT

Under the creators Lynne Naylor-Reccardi, Jim Gomez, Felix Forte, and controversial creator John K., many gifted artists were a part of this amazing series, including @donshank, Charlie Bean, Carey Yost, Bob Camp, Chris Savino, @stephendestefano, the late and great Chris Reccardi (I began this article prior to his death on May 2nd, 2019 A.D.), Marc Perry, Mr. Lawrence (the “Ooh! My leg! My leg...” guy), Vincent Waller, Donovan Cook, Larry Murphy, Richard Pursel, @gadworks, @ncrossanimation, and many others. These people, many of whom were in the layout department, would go on from Spümcø to work on some of the most popular pieces of “Western” animation in history, like Spongebob Squarepants, The Powerpuff Girls, Samurai Jack, Dexter’s Laboratory, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, Mickey Mouse (Paul Rudish era), The Incredibles, the also ground-breaking The 2 Stupid Dogs/Super Secret Secret Squirrel Show and so much more!

One thing to note about these creatives is that John K.’s production company, Spümcø, was based in Canada, and so were its staff and creatives. I note this as most Canadian cartoons these days have no creatives who work in popular American animation (save for Wild Kratts character designer Alan Stewart, who did character design for some Season 7--or, in “reboot terms”, season 2--episodes of The Powerpuff Girls, as well as Lauren Faust’s My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Season 1 of Johnny Test). Most Canadian cartoons these days are on PBS or Cartoon Network, and some of those are imported from Teletoon or YTV. Such Canadian cartoons as Total Drama’s franchise, The Adventures of Benjamin Bear, My Pet Goldfish is Evil, and the like don’t have creatives who work on more “American” media.

Certain talents of Ren & Stimpy included Michael Fontanelli, Charlie Bean, Vincent Waller and Eddie Fitzgerald (creator of CN’s Tales of Worm Paranoia), who went on to contribute their artist talents in the YouTube Poop-phenomenon Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, which somewhat resembles that art direction of The Ren & Stimpy Show. Such talents also contributed to another insane-looking cartoon, Film Roman’s The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat. Likewise, one of my favorite character designers, Carey Yost, who contributed to The Powerpuff Girls, Uncle Grandpa and Spongebob Squarepants, was a major layout artist on this show. Charlie Bean (Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog) and Don Shank (most of the above, plus Sym-Bionic Titan) also served as layout artists, and they with Carey created a gem of a Cartoon Network Minisode, Buy One, Get One Free*, which reflects the animation and art of Spümcø and features creatives of Spümcø.

THE DETAILS

First thing to note in both art and animation is the barrier-breaking levels of exaggeration. The “wild take” is a common element to slapstick cartoons like The Ren & Stimpy Show, and the controversial creator was a part of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons (which developed the Cartoon Network and its studios). Many Spümcø creatives would work at H-B, too. Hanna-Barbera, who worked with animation legends like Tex Avery, would create some of the wildest takes in cartoons with A Pup Named Scooby-Doo!, but The Ren & Stimpy Show’s Season 2 opener “In The Army”, written & directed by Bob Camp, features what is probably the wildest wild take ever conceived by man in the history of history:

“You don’t want to anger that big, dopey...”

“...sar...”

*( Sound Ideas, BOING, CARTOON - FLAT JEWS HARP BOING )*

*clink!*

*( Sound Ideas, THUMP, CARTOON - TUBE THUNK 01 )* [+12 pitch]

*glass breaks*

*( Sound Ideas, WOBBLE, CARTOON - SAW BLADE WOBBLE, MEDIUM )*

This wild take is really slow, huh?

Wait for it...

“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

As if that weren’t wild enough, his brain pops out of his skull! Now, that’s more than just icing on the cake... it’s GENIUS!

Teen Titans GO! is perhaps the peak in the evolution of the “modern” cartoon that began with Ren & Stimpy, and in the hands of producer/director Luke Cormican, a layout artist on Ren & Stimpy’s “Adult Party Cartoon” episodes. It’s very nice that, in TTG episode “The Streak (Part 2)”, there was the parody illustration of duos in media, comparing Robin to Ren and Beast Boy to Stimpy. Some of the character designers on TTG worked on shows that included creatives from The Ren & Stimpy Show, too, namely Chris Battle.

One of the most popular episodes, of course, is the season one finale, Stimpy’s Invention.

These shots from the scene of Stimpy attempting to invent something are just beautiful! Great attention to detail and the lighting (including effects design) give a very cinematic, theatrical feel to a mere, 11-minute episode of a TV show. The art of the series has the charm of a 1940′s Paramount/Famous Studios “Noveltoon”, the Bob Clampett-directed Merry Melodies/Looney Tunes shorts (a major inspiration for John K.), and the Saturday morning cartoons of the 1960s, and the show’s creatives would become part of certain modern cartoons in the 1990s, some of which were dubbed by @cartoonnetwork as “Cartoon Cartoons”.

Also cinematic to the quality is the authentic film grain, a result of recording the cels (animated frame by frame on their respective backgrounds) on film. The deterioration of the episode’s film masters make it look believably like something out of the 1960s or even The Golden Age of Hollywood, the 1940s! (I personally dislike the quality that the videotape masters add to the picture, though. It may be that, in the future, UHD / HD prints could use the actual film masters, though!)

Some shots of Stimpy in Stimpy’s Invention have a color mistake where, like in the title card of the pilot “Big House Blues”, Stimpy’s nose is red instead of blue. It looks pretty swell on him, though.

The grooves and moves that Ren & Stimpy make during the montage of the song Happy Happy Joy Joy are filled with bouncy, weight-distributing pieces of animation, with lots of squash and stretch.

Speaking of “squash and stretch”, the above pics are of the extremes as Stimpy does a take of joy when he succeeds at making Ren be happy.

The takes of the characters really stretch their design and animation. Aurally, a common sound effect to accent these takes is a quick, loud record scratch, and their shaking/trembling movements often sound like a record rapidly skipping.

Regarding one of my favorite character designers, much of the designs by @cheyennecurtisart and @lynnvwang in early episodes of Disney’s Star vs. the Forces of Evil (particularly “Brittney’s Party”) are highly graphic and detailed, and that work of hers reminds me of the designs by Chris & Lynne Reccardi, Jim Smith, John K. and others. Very similar are the designs of @stephendestefano on Disney’s Mickey Mouse, which are also very graphic and extreme with character takes and injury aftermaths.

In the infamous Happy Happy Joy Joy sequence in “Stimpy’s Invention”, to stop himself from being controlled by the Happy Helmet, Ren whacks it (and thus himself) with a hammer to break it..

...and every hit pushes the extremes of not only the looks of his body, but also the styles of the psychotic-looking backgrounds.

Often in the show is a lot of mental breakdowns, including the end of Stimpy’s Invention as Ren goes from being the angriest he ever was in his entire life...

...to becoming very jovial as he comes to love being angry. That also causes a change in these psychedelic, psychotic backgrounds. The practice of such backgrounds came to other cartoons of the 1990s, such as The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show, in the episode “Night of the Living Shnookums”, with art direction by Lynne Naylor.

Another great episode, one of my favorites, is “The Boy Who Cried Rat!”, directed by Vincent Waller, who, replying to my tweet compliment, described the episode as “a chance to tip the hat to all the amazing cartoonist/ writer/ funny people who took the time to invest theirselves into their artwork for the enjoyment and tutelage of the regular folks and cartoonists to come.” The episode involves a literal game of “Cat and Mouse” and Stimpy tries to make a living for him and Ren by unleashing his inner cat in service to a couple. It probably bases itself, of course, on Tom and Jerry, and Ren’s costume references the fashion of Mickey Mouse.

Eventually, Stimpy is forced into eating the rat whom Ren plays (this reminds me of another classic cartoon, @paramountpictures’s Noveltoon called Cheese Burglar, featuring Herman and Katnip). In terms of cartoon physics, though, how did Ren become small enough to fit inside Stimpy’s mouth?

This episode features a very clever, unexpected visual gag that is the result of being hit with a frying pan.

See? and it’s not even a violent image, either.

Sometimes, the show would feature various segments among the episodes, including their close-out segment “What’ll We Do ‘Til Then”. The Ren & Stimpy Show actually predates Animaniacs (1993), VeggieTales (1993) and Uncle Granpda (2013), which were similar with a variety of segment material.

THE ANIMATION

The animation is certainly something when one considers the defining quality of this show’s animation, which occasionally was produced by Rough Draft Studios in Seoul, Korea, one of the most popular animation studios today. There’s also some great timing directors, like David Feiss (Cow and Chicken, I Am Weasel, All Dogs Go to Heaven 2, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy), Bob Jacques, James Tim Walker (Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls, Tom and Jerry: The Magic Ring), Kent Butterworth (Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog) and even the awesome Tony Fucile (Osmosis Jones, The Iron Giant, Tom and Jerry: The Movie, Inside Out, The Little Mermaid), who was uncredited for a few episodes like “In The Army” and “Ren’s Toothache”).

This scene of animation from the episode “Nurse Stimpy” (frame shown above) is one of the very best pieces of animation ever done in the series. The balance between slow and mostly fast-paced animation/timing, along with weight, looks very cinematic--of theatrical-quality animation (like Don Bluth, Tony Fucile, etc.). The film’s quality is fairly deteriorated here, but film specks and stuff add to the cinematic feel.

THE SOUND

The sound design, of course, done at Horta Editorial and Sound, which became/folded into Hacienda Post at Sabre Media Studios, was also defining for the modern cartoon as an unusual array of sound effects were used to accent all sorts of takes, impacts, etc. The use of Hanna-Barbera & Warner Bros. sound effects (mostly available from Sound Ideas) with Disney sound effects (mostly available from Hollywood Edge’s Cartoon Trax Volume One) became a very common blend for many sound designers, up to today. Hacienda Post’s founder and president, Timothy J. Borquez (Spongebob Squarepants, Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls), served as the Re-Recording Mixer and Supervising Editor, as well as the uncredited sound designer, and considers the groundbreaking show to be “a laboratory for using classic sounds (in different contextual situations); adding Foley and new design to create "hybrid" textures and moments. We conscientiously did this and it opened up a whole new world for us! A lot of this was done on the mix stage.” He worked with talented sound editors like Michael M. Geisler, M.P.S.E., Michael A. Gollom, and sound/music editor William B. Griggs. Speaking of cartoon sound design expert Michael M. Geisler, M.P.S.E., in an Animation World Network article, Michael Geisler described the detailed process of sound design in a moment of the controversially violent scene in “Man’s Best Friend” (which never showed the credits): “Sometimes the eyelid closing and the eyelid opening are two very separate actions, and so each motion, open and close, must have different sound effects. In "Man's Best Friend," the classic Ren & Stimpy episode that introduces George Liquor, Ren smacks George with his own "Prize Bludgeoning Oar" and George's eye pops out of his head like a piece of meat. The eyelid does a wet sounding movement down over the eye until the eyelids meet and blink (splat, wet hit), and then slosh up again.” For some reason, however, on prints of that episode, George’s blink is silent.

The music for the show was usually unoriginal, very much like the series soundtrack to Spongebob, as it was mostly composed of music provided by Associated Production Music (APM). This included classical music, too, just as Tom and Jerry, Disney’s Silly Symphonies and Warner Bros.’ Merry Melodies/Looney Tunes would often use. Someone even created 3 volumes of Production Music from Ren & Stimpy, unofficial collections of APM music from the series. I kind of wish that they made those.

You may wonder at this point: After many years of seeing almost nothing of this series, how found I The Ren & Stimpy Show in my life?

I knew or remember very little of the show as I grew up (at least attempting to watch the episode “Ren’s Pecs” one Sunday afternoon in 2007 on Nick), but on August 13th, 2016 I saw another Spümcø project, the later Yogi Bear (or Ranger Smith) episode “Boo Boo Runs Wild”, on @adultswim. John K.’s approach to a classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon (CN doesn’t even air this stuff on anymore) was very inspiring. Looking the names of the team up on IMDb, I found that they were a part of many amazing cartoons that i grew up watching! In May 2017, recommended on my YouTube user were “disturbing” scenes from The Ren & Stimpy Show, including Ren’s insane threats in Sven Höek (the audio of which I heard in a YTP where the King [of Hyrule] goes psycho and does the same menacing threats) and perhaps a spiritual taste of Hell in Stimpy’s Fan Club. Ren’s acting (voiced then by creator John K) was so hilarious that, from that point onward, I desired to see more of this groundbreaking cartoon on which I was missing out.

On the day that I began to concept this post, June 18th, 2018, in my final visit to Toys ‘R Us (a local one, though I remember visiting the New York one in 2001), I got collectible Ren & Stimpy figures, and at the time of this post’s original concept I placed Ren and Stimpy in the presence of my Aku wacky wobbler.

It’s interesting that a 2018 Google spot regarding how children react to crowd noise used an excerpt from the episode Stimpy’s Fan Club. This practice is like certain phone commercials (namely T-Mobile, I think) that use some brief footage from “public domain” cartoons. Likewise, what Google did with that ad makes The Ren & Stimpy Show feel like a public domain cartoon (and the highly famous Merry Melodies/Looney Tunes and Popeye shorts were often distributed as “public domain” too, though WarnerMedia holds the ultimate rights to the shorts).

From a Christian viewpoint, The Ren & Stimpy Show is sometimes controversial, but its biggest controversy is whether it’s really a kids show or not--perhaps more of an adult show--mostly due to violence and intense situations like the aforementioned mental breakdowns (this excludes the “Adult Party Cartoon” episodes as those were deliberately produced for adults). Of course, classic cartoons of MGM, Warner Bros. and other studios would often show violence, sensuality, smoking, and alcoholics (even though Cartoon Network/Boomerang still rates them “TV-G”), so even those weren’t produced completely with children in mind. That’s why I consider this show and the aforementioned classic cartoons as “cartoons for MEN”.

The humor and heart of The Ren & Stimpy Show isn’t the purest either, given all of Ren’s hate and violent anger, but Stimpy’s Fan Club has an actually touching ending: after attempting to kill Stimpy or otherwise at least upset him, Ren discovers that the one fan letter addressed to him was from no one else but Stimpy himself--and Stimpy meant every word in his letter. Then, Ren is broken to tears.

THE FUTURE?

As a devote cartoon-watching guy, I find great inspiration from the barrier-breaking art and animation, visually and aurally, of The Ren & Stimpy Show. If you love slapstick comedy and cartoons, then this one’s definitely worth a watch--essential viewing. I surely hope that it comes back again; I can agree on one’s opinion for the show to come back (and, if you want the show to be rebooted as I do, share this IMDb list with Nickelodeon/Spümcø or whatever studio’s in charge). Now, if Viacom/Nick is willing, [adult swim]/Turner/WarnerMedia or some other studio may be better off to purchase the rights to Ren & Stimpy, as Nick or at least Paramount no longer wants anything to do with the series (due to the objectionable material in the “Adult Party Cartoon”), according to this article.

There were rumors of an upcoming Ren & Stimpy short that Nickelodeon Animation was producing. IMDb once removed the title, but now the short “It’s Our House Now!” may be in production by Jessica Borutski, also a former layout artist on the “Adult Party Cartoon”; this may be based on a short John K. sketched to promote Sponge Out of Water.

The closest thing to Ren & Stimpy so far is John K.’s Cans with out Labels [WARNING: some strong language and nudity], a dark, edgy Kickstarter short featuring George Liquor, including storyboards & layouts by Jim Smith and amazingly cartoonish, detailed, over-the-top animation, contributed by @gadworks, @mikepelensky and @sandrarivasart (a DVD is available for $25 purchase here). Color cards were made by @kalikazoo too.

In the future, also, it would be swell to see true high-definition transfers of the actual film negatives for the non-digitally animated episodes of Ren & Stimpy. Most filmed cartoons were often recorded onto videotape masters, which lowered the quality, and I suppose that some of the film negatives still exist in Spumco’s/Nickelodeon’s archives. In point of fact, this clip of The Muddy Mudskipper Intro here looks like it came from an actual film negative (of which I tweeted), with brighter colors and no videotape quality. Though the film looks fairly aged, it looks better than usual prints of the scene.

As we come to the conclusion, I have some additional notes: I began this post in January 2019. 5 months later, Chris Reccardi died, so I refer to him in my posts as the Late and Great Chris Reccardi. He and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. A documentary premiered at Sundance 2020 on January 28th, 2020, Ron Cicero’s Happy Happy Joy Joy: The Ren & Stimpy Story; while the controversial creator is known for some terrible things he did due to mental issues in the past, the least people could do is respect the work of both John K and his groundbreaking team. If it weren’t for them, many great Western animation projects for Cartoon Network, Pixar, Disney TVA, Nickelodeon and others would not be the same.

Before I close, whether or not you think negatively of John K., here’s something you should know, understand, and remember about the value of the creatives of The Ren & Stimpy Show: "Brilliant cartoonists like Lynne Naylor, Jim Smith, Bob Camp, Vincent Waller, Rich Pursel, Elinor Blake, Bill Wray, Chris Reccardi, Gabe Swarr and many many more added a lot of richness and personality to the cartoons. Actors like Billy West, Cheryl Chase, Mike Pataki, Gary Owens, Eric Bauza and others inspired us all to capture the subtle nuances in their readings. Henry Porch, Bill Griggs and Tim Borquez contributed much to the wacky new sound design style Ren and Stimpy was known for. We also had some very talented producers like Chris Danzo, Libby Simon and Kevin Kolde who helped me execute the totally new production system that gave the artists ways to express themselves more personally. These people and more are all heroes to me. Think of them when you remember my cartoons." I will always think of these people and pray for them.

For the inspiration, I give thanks to the entire Spümcø staff and creatives who went on to produce some of the best cartoons ever made.

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bellabooks · 6 years

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Jasika Nicole on the finale season of “Alice Isn’t Dead” and what’s ahead

The popular podcast Alice Isn’t Dead is now in it’s final thrilling season. I sat down with out actress Jasika Nicole, who plays the series’ leading character, Keisha, a truck driver on a quest to find answers about her missing and presumed dead wife, Alice. With a book coming out and talk of a possible television adaptation, this final season is far from the end for Alice Isn’t Dead. Jasika shares her experience leading this wonderful story, and how it’s changed her as an actor. Bella Books: There is a lot going on right now with Alice Isn’t Dead. How excited are you for this third season? Third and final season I should say… Jasika Nicole: I’m happy about it… I mean, you know I would love to keep doing it forever and ever. I love that he decided to come up with pretty much a self contained story that had a start and and end, because I think there’s a lot of things that started so amazing and then they just kept it going forever and ever and they kind of drained out all the story out of it, so I love that there’s a specific start and a finish. I have no idea how it’s finishing at all (laughs), so part of me feels like I am, you know, a member of the audience a bit because I don’t know where it’s going or what’s gonna happen, and every episode that he [creator Joseph Fink] sends me to record is, you know, the first time that I know what’s happening with the story, the journey of the characters, so… Bella Books: So you’re only getting one script at a time? Jasika: Yeah, and I don’t get like an overview or an arch of each season, or each storyline, or anything like that, which is fine. Like I don’t care (laughs) because it doesn’t affect my performance at all, but it’s like every time I get a new script I tend to get it with a note, like with the last one, I think it was chapter 4 he wrote “this one is spooky”and I was like, ok, if you’re saying it’s spooky. Bella Books: (laughs) Jasika: I think all of them have a good element of intrigue and spookiness in that, yeah. Bella Books: Oh, absolutely. Well, it certainly helps keep you on your toes and in the moment, right? Jasika: Yeah, it totally does and I love that I get to play around with it, and he really trusts the actor, and their ability to perform in their own expertise. He doesn’t give a lot of direction unless it’s, like, if I mispronounce a word or something like that, and so it’s kind of it. At first, it was really bizarre you know, coming from a background in television and film, I’m used to somebody kind of micromanaging every movement and character decision basically, so this was a lot of freedom to have. It’s kind of strange but I honestly really liked it, and one of my favorite things is reading the script and seeing there’s another character in it because I try to differentiate the voices a little bit. I obviously don’t want to sound exactly like that character I’m reading since it’s an impersonation to her, it’s more like what they sound like to her when she had a conversation with them, or when she saw them, and I think that relationship is being filtered through her own experience of that person. That might not be what the actual person sounds like, but it’s what they sound like to her, and so it’s a really fun thing that I get to do. It’s like you’re going to be voicing a different guy on this one, and when I’m reading it’s like “gotta come up with something, okay.” Bella Books: Also you recently did a live recording of Alice Isn’t Dead, or was it a special episode? Jasika: It’s both, it is a special episode, kind of a stand-alone episode that you could listen to and still be able to follow the narrative if you haven’t ever heard Alice Isn’t Dead before, but they just released… I wanna say the week after, they released the recording of that. We did that script for Seattle and then adapted it for Los Angeles, and it’s such a good episode. It’s one of those things that’s really special if you’re in the room, if you haven’t heard it. I’ll hold the spoilers, but it’s really special because she starts basically narrating what’s happening in real time with the audience there, which is really cool and eerie, and they’re playing this creepy background music, so it’s a really, really special performance that I got to do. I loved it. Bella Books: I know from our previous conversation that recording is usually a very solitary and intimate experience for you. I remember you telling me that basically you kind of lock yourself up in a closet. (laughs) Jasika: That’s exactly like it. Bella Books: What’s it like doing it in front of an audience? Jasika: It’s amazing, I love it so much. I miss being on stage. My background is in musical theater so I always imagined that I would be of course of doing musicals forever. Obviously there’s a very special relationship you get to have recording on stage with an audience, but this was so different from that, there’s no movement, there’s no choreography, so it’s just me with my microphone, and so I have to really trust my ability to capture an audience for like 45 minutes or an hour or something like that. It’s a really long time to be standing there and talking and not doing anything else, you know, with your body. Obviously you’re like doing gestures and stuff like that, but it’s just me and the audience and the music, and it’s so different from Welcome to Night Vale because that show has guests that come on, and this amazing narrator, and also the show deals with a lot of people that come in and out of a story, and Alice Isn’t Dead isn’t like that. It’s just me, or my voiceover and the audience, so I felt really nervous when we did the first performance of a live show which is actually just Disparition‘s music and me because… I don’t know, I guess I didn’t trust that I was gonna be interesting enough for an audience to really sit there for that long… Bella Books: Oh, please… Jasika: I’m serious! The thing is that I was kind of… selfish isn’t the right word. I was kind of thinking all the power is on that stage alone, when really it’s about the words and the story being told, and my goal is just being an instrument for that. And plus, you have the soundtrack, and everything all together is really great, and the audience is justs like right there with me. I mean, they’re in it. They gasp, they laugh. So I had to process that it is not, you know, just me. Again, voice acting is a solitary experience where I sit in the bottom of my closet for 45 minutes, but the live show is so much more than that, and obviously with the audience, they participate in it too, so it started being way more comfortable and less stressful than I initially thought it would be. Bella Books: I’m sure like most people, I was pretty taken aback when we found out that indeed Alice wasn’t dead. How does this change the game for Keisha? Jasika: That is a great question. At the risk of spoiling too much of the second season because obviously, you know, you get to hear Alice’s voice in the very last episode. Bella Books: And you get to hear her do an entire minisode. Jasika: Yeah, totally. So, I will say that in season 3, Alice is going to be a huge part of the story and what is happening, but it didn’t change the set up of the show, the format of the show. But now you’ve got two people that are sharing a story, and it’s really great because you get to hear one person describe what happened, and then you hear another person describe the same thing, and sometimes they’re right on the same page, and other times the two have totally different experiences. Obviously, they’re two very different people, but also because there’s been a bit of a betrayal in the relationship and so with that… everything isn’t happily ever after… Bella Books: Like you do when your wife all of a sudden, is dead, or not dead… Jasika: Exactly. There’s a bit of dissonance between the characters, and even in some aspects, I think the way that the story unfolds in the season which really, I think it’s brilliant, I think it’s so good. And here’s a really funny thing: So we recorded up to chapter 4 in this final third season, and just the other day Joseph was like “well, chapter 5 is next, but I’ve already written chapter 10 so I’m sending that.” So we’re about to record the last one before we get to go back for the rest. I just love it, it’s just so bizarre, and fun! I love that in podcasting you have the freedom to do stuff like that. Bella Books: Oh, I can’t wait. So, I know people say things like this, like “this is just a story about people who happen to be LGBT”, but it’s still kind of a big deal. And this show has a whole lot of queerness, not only are you an out queer woman, but your character is queer. It’s very refreshing to have such a queer-focused project like this! Was that always part of the plan or is that just kind of the way it happened? Jasika: Interesting question. I think that it’s just how it happened. I had gone to do a live show of Night Vale that wasn’t in LA, but it was in the surrounding parts of LA, and this was several years ago. Joseph just came and said “hey, I really wanna write a show for you, and I have this idea, and it’s about a queer person, and that’s all I can really say about that now, but would you be into recording it?” And I was like, “ok, first of all, nobody’s ever written anything for me specifically to perform and that is s huge deal” So I think that because I was the person that he wanted to write it for, he based it loosely around me, but just around the fact that I’m a person of color, the fact that I’m a queer woman. He let me name her, this was, you know, the second season, and he said: “I wanna give her a name if there’s a name you’d absolutely love…” So I was a part of bringing her to life even more, and I wanted to choose an obviously black name. I wanted this to be very clear because I had seen in so many people doing fan art and portraying the narrator in lots of different images. I personally don’t have a problem with that at all, and it think it’s pretty normal to hear specifically voices and see yourself in them. That’s what we do. That’s why stories are so universal, because it allows people to see themselves in them, so I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with drawing the image that we see, but obviously I wanted it to be known that she is a person of color. That you could draw her any way you want to but, the actual story is that this is a person of color. And so yeah, I think, the reason I find this so satisfying is that a lot of the relationships, narratives and stuff like that, you know obviously, for Night Vale a lot of the Americana touches and kind of identifying things the in story, a lot of the things she experiences on the road, and a lot of the stuff that happens between Alice and Keisha are based on the experience Joseph had with this girlfriend at one point, but wife now. I think it’s so true because it’s obviously important to see women in loving relationships in media, but when you get to the bare bones of it, love is a pretty universal theme, and there’s not a whole lot that doesn’t kind of cross boundaries. I think that so often what we see in the narratives in television and film, and in books for the most part, is that you don’t get to see white cis straight men making connections with people outside of their experience. Like they expect everybody to relate to them, and yet with many stories of other people they will automatically ignore or dismiss them because if they’re straight and white or whatever they’re not gonna see how that relates to them. They’re going to assume, well that’s a black thing, or that’s a queer thing, or that’s a woman thing. So I really like the idea of taking someone’s personal experience and showing how they it can expand across communities and identities because the ideas of love and loss, and being deceived, and having anxiety, that doesn’t know a color, it doesn’t know a body type, it doesn’t know a gender. It doesn’t know any of that. It’s pretty much prevalent in every community that I can think of, and so it’s something that’s always been really special for me. I felt a part of the story story, and I felt like I was part of his story, you know what I mean? Bella Books: Yeah. Jasika: Like it felt there’s a lot of hands in the pot mixing everything together and I just think that it worked out pretty well. Bella Books: So there’s also been talk of a TV adaptation of the show. Have there been any updates on that? Jasika: The guy who does Mr. Robot (Kyle Bradstreet) is the one who is going to be at the helm of the Alice Isn’t Dead TV show. It got optioned, I think i twas last year, which is very exciting. I would love nothing more than to be a part of this television adaptation, and there is the clause in the contract that… I forget the exact wording… But it has something to do with like good faith, like “we will cast the originator of this role in good faith.” I mean, I don’t know how much of this exists in Hollywood, so I just kind of take that at face value. I would really like to be part of the adaptation and I’m hoping that I would be, but it’s not… It’s certainly not confirmed or written in stone that I will be, and this also goes for the Welcome to Nigh Vale TV show, which actually got optioned several years ago and is also making the transition into a television show. So as with all the original cast they will hopefully be a part of the show, but maybe not. I don’t know. (laughs) Bella Books: (laughs) Jasika: I’m cautiously optimistic. I can’t tell you how many things I thought were guaranteed in my career that ended up falling through and not happening, so at this point, I’m just like, “well, I hope it happens.” Bella Books: You take a kind of wait-and-see attitude about it? Jasika: (laughing) Yes, that’s exactly right. Bella Books: So, what has been for you as an actor, as a person, the biggest takeaway from Alice Isn’t Dead? Jasika: Well, as an actor, I think I’ve learned in a lot of ways how to trust myself and my craft a little bit better. And obviously I’ve talked about the freedom that Joseph gives with recording by ourselves, but it’s also allowed me to experiment in ways that you’re just not able to do in other parts of this career. Again with most TV you just, you know, you can film 15 scenes and think they were all amazing and you’re so excited about it, but when the final cut airs or comes out you could be edited completely out of it, or you might be edited down to be like a peripheral character. There’s so much that you don’t have control of, but in podcasting it’s really just about you and your voice, and what you decide to do with your voice, and that’s pretty much the end game of it. There’s not much, not a lot of editing after that, except obviously like the music and that stuff. So it’s given me a lot more confidence in my instincts, I think, because again, when you’re in television and film, if you do end up being edited down, you never get to find out why. “Oh, the movie was running too long” or “your instincts were terrible and we had to get you off camera.” Like, you never get that, so you can go down a bit of a spiral. So it’s nice to be part of a project where whatever I do with that microphone, that’s what is going out into the world and people still like it. Obviously some people don’t, but that could be accepted, but for the most part people are really responsive to that, to me, and it just makes me feel a lot more comfortable with my abilities and my confidence. I feel empowered. I feel that I can sort of do this because, for somebody like me in the voiceover world, and I think we talked about this in our previous interview, it has been a rough road. I don’t get cast a lot because my voice doesn’t sound always the way that… Bella Books: Oh, yeah we totally did talk about this the last time we talked. Jasika: Yeah, so I feel like I’ve been able to have such an awesome experience within the voice over world just thanks to Jeffrey and Joseph, and it has got me more work. I’ve been able to do a lot more animated stuff that probably wouldn’t have paid much attention to me because I didn’t have a huge resume, or you know, a lot of voice over stuff on my resume, so that has made a really big difference for me, personally. Bella Books: Ok, so one last question because I know you’re so super creative, and you have so many cool ideas. What are you working on now that you kind of wanna just buzz about? Jasika: (laughs) Well, Let see, career-wise stuff? I’m doing a special short which is cool and I’m narrating the Alice Isn’t Dead audiobook that comes out in about October… Bella Books: Oh, great! Yes, the book! Jasika: I know, it’s really, really cool. I kind of assumed they would get somebody else for the audiobook (laugh) because… This is probably just me, but I thought they would be like “let’s just go another direction, let’s mix it up a bit!” Then I got to actually do it, I got the opportunity, and I’m most excited because you get to read it before everybody else, so that’s the coolest part. The Alice Isn’t Dead novel is available for pre-order now. You can follow Jasika Nicole on Twitter and Instagram. The Alice Isn’t Dead podcast is available wherever you get your podcasts, including iTunes and Spotify. http://dlvr.it/QSPxPL

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