Tumgik
#setting them in modern day so that light can look up the lyrics on his newfangled smartphone
spookysteddie · 3 months
Text
Studio Sessions
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
18+ MINORS DNI
Modern!rockstar!Eddie x influencer!fem!reader
Series masterlist here
cw: voice recording during sex, reader gets insecure, studio times, fluff, flirting, pet names, oral (fem! receiving), unprotected penetrative sex, creampie, dirty talk, reader gets what she wants.
wc: 3.6k
a/n: this got away from me... I hope you all enjoy it! Feel free to send in requests for these two if you have them!! ALSO: this is the last post for them I'll have with a tag list... it's so much work and not that I dont love y'all ( I do) it's just hard. I hope y'all still love me and understand ❤️.
...
Is it normal to miss someone you just met? 
Is it normal to go on a few dates, sleep over their house like every night and still miss them immensely when they're gone? 
You and Eddie have spent every moment together since that first real date. Has he asked you to be his girlfriend yet? No. But you really don’t like to think too far into that one because then you’ll spiral, which is no good for anyone.
It didn’t matter too much. You knew it didn’t matter and you knew that he wasn’t fucking anyone else because he was either in your bed at night, or you were in his. I mean he could be fucking other people during the day, but you doubted it. 
Back to the missing him part. It feels weird to miss someone who is a few feet in front of you, who you can literally see. But here you are, Eddie standing on the other side of some glass gathering things, and you miss him. You can’t help your thoughts from wandering back to if he feels the same way. But also, why would he? Men don’t act like that, right?  
“Sweetheart, you ready?” Eddie's voice cuts through the fog of uncertainty. 
You nod, a small smile playing on your lips. You were in the studio with Corroded Coffin, getting to watch their recording process. Eddie is right, there is something missing from a few of those songs, but you’re unsure if your voice is what is missing. You’re willing to try, though, still honored every agreed to this.
Eddie sets you up, putting headphones on you so you can hear the music. “Okay, sweet angel, don’t get too close to the mic because it can cause the sound to get a little weird. Got it?” 
“I got it.” You grin up at him. He kisses you sweetly, your body growing hot. 
He leaves, going to stand outside the booth with the rest of the band and his producer. He gives you a thumbs up, smile lighting up his face. He’s been more than excited that you agreed to do this. 
You hear a count before the music starts, you quickly look down at the lyrics sheet in front of you. When you get the cue you start, turning on the most bedroom voice you can manage, eyes locking with Eddie’s as you speak. “Mine, be mine. Love me. Never let me go.” 
You smirk at him as he squirms, his friends hitting his arm. You aren’t sure why it makes you happy to watch him squirm but it does. You let out a laugh, real and loud, instead of saying your next lines. 
The producer perks up, cutting off the music, “oh my god, that was amazing! I need more of those.” 
You feel your face get warm, a small and shy giggle leaving your chest. You don’t hear Eddie enter the room, but you can feel him. His energy calling to yours. You hum, not caring that they’re still recording you. 
He pulls your headphones off, “great job, sweetheart.” 
“Thank you, baby.” You lean in kissing his lips. It’s quick, just enough to get a taste of him. “This is a lot of fun. I like this!” 
“You sounded very beautiful.” 
You giggle, looking up at him grinning, “I was just talking.” 
He kisses your forehead and whispers to you, “no. You were using that voice you use when you’re desperate for me to fuck you.” 
You freeze, looking up at him. He’s looking at you with that sexy smirk on his face, making your stomach flip and clit pulse. God, he’s so hot when he’s doing absolutely nothing, dressed in black sweatpants and a sweatshirt, dressing comfortably for the long day in the studio. You could kiss him, right now. 
No, scratch that, you could fuck him right now. You would if there weren’t six other people looking at you. 
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” you whisper, winking up at him. 
He kisses you quickly, leaving you wanting more as he pulls away. “Ready for the next one?” 
… 
You’ve been here for 8 hours. 
Between adding little snippets of your voice, the band recording the rest of their songs, adding background vocals and putting in instruments, it takes a while. And you are tired. So tired in fact that during their last two songs, you fell asleep on the little couch in the studio. 
You know this because you’re woken up by a soft voice and a hand brushing your hair out of your face. 
“Sweet angel? Hey, baby.” You know it’s Eddie's voice based on the softness and sweetness he reserves only for you. 
You stretch, groaning just a little as your joints crack, “m’sorry for falling asleep. Didn’t mean to.” Your voice sounds small and a little crocky with sleep. You cover your mouth as a small yawn slips out, “s’cuse me. I’m sorry.” 
He laughs, kissing your free hand, “don’t apologize. We had a long night and early morning. Could’ve gone back to my place and slept?”
You shake your head, “mm-mm. Gotta be supportive. It sounds great and your fans will love it.” 
His grins widens, lips meeting your knuckles. He looks tired too and you sort of regret keeping him up most of the night. Well, actually, it was a mutual thing. You’d tried getting him to go to bed but he just ‘couldn’t get enough’ and then when you tried again, while he was still inside you and growing soft, but the second he shifted, you were pushing him on his back and riding him. See, mutual. 
“I’m glad you think it’s great, sweet girl. But you won’t upset me if you go home.” 
Home. The word clangs through you and makes your head spin. It shouldn’t because he definitely didn’t mean anything behind it. It was his home so of course he’s called it just ‘home’ and you are for sure overthinking it. 
You shake your head, both to clear it and to answer him, “no. I can wait. How much longer?” 
“Like another fifteen minutes? I just need to listen to that last take and the boys need to add some background stuff. Then we can go.” His thumb is rubbing along your knuckles, his touch soft even if his hands are calloused. 
“I’ll wait.” 
And you do, this time staying awake. You post some instagram stories, making extra sure to mute it so you don’t spill a single note. Everyone loves the little insights to your time with Eddie, his fans enjoying seeing a different side to him. Of course, your parents still aren’t happy. 
You haven’t spoken to them since that phone call. You don’t need their opinions and Eddie has yet to be a bad person when it came to you. 
In fact, he’s good at planning dates and making sure no one follows. Blocking the paparazzi from getting unflattering photos of you. Sending you with security if needed. He cares. He cares more than anyone else ever has. 
It feels nice to date someone who doesn’t see you as a ticket to their fifteen minutes of fame. Who didn’t look at you as a way to further their own career. Sure, Eddie was more famous than you were, something the press loves to point out. But in some way you were on the same level. It was more than refreshing. 
“Ready?” 
You look up at his brown eyes and nod, letting him take your hand to help you up, your coat already in his hands. 
Once you both are ready to brave the slightly chilly weather, he takes your hand and leads you out. “There’s going to be people out here okay? Just so you're prepared.” 
You grin, looking over at him, “I am prepared, Eddie. I know the cost of dat- um, being seen with you.” 
If he catches your almost slip up, he doesn’t say anything. He just smirks, squeezing your hand as he opens the doors to the outside. Cameras flash and people scream, you’re practically blinded by the flashing bulbs. It doesn’t last long though, Eddie helping you into the car before getting in himself and closing the door, the sounds of screams muffled slightly.
“God, I love them but the screaming kills my ears,” he presses his finger to his ear, blocking it slightly before releasing it. 
You giggle, raising a brow, “aren’t you used to it? You hardly wear your ears on stage.” 
It was true. Eddie had this habit of taking out the ears he wears on stage, usually used to help keep beat as most artists can’t hear the music coming from the speakers. 
He shrugs, “ya aren’t wrong but I feel like I’m far enough away that the sound doesn’t hurt that bad? I really should keep my ears in so I don’t like lose my hearin’ before I’m 32.”
“Should hear it from the crowd,” you tilt your head slightly. “I had to get little ear plugs after the first time I saw you guys live. My ears rang for a few days after and I was yelling cause I couldn’t hear.” 
His eyes get wide, “that sounds awful. I should get ya some custom ears so you can hear what we’re doing on stage.” 
That makes your heart flutter a little, the fact that he wants you to hear all they do. “I don’t think I could deal with the metronome ticking.” He looks at you, “how do you know that happens?” 
You playfully roll your eyes, scrolling through your phone till you find a post you liked a little bit ago. “This. It’s a video of what Taylor Swift’s sound like inside. It was very interesting.” 
He watches it, three times actually. And then he giggles and scrolls, some familiar music starts to play and you already know what he’s looking at. Your face flames as you move to take your phone back. Unfortunately, he’s faster, moving so you can’t grab it from where you sit. 
He scrolls again, “you like these edits of me?” His tone is teasing and you feel like you’re going to die. He was never supposed to know you like thrist traps of him, most of them to his own songs. 
“E-Eddie give it back,” you plead with him. 
But he shakes his head, scrolling again and again and again. “These edits are actually really good. M’impressed. I also think it’s cute you like them.”  
You finally reach your phone, tugging it from his hands, “it’s rude to go through someone's phone, Eddie.” 
He fake pouts, “awww, are you embarrassed baby?” 
You don’t say anything as he coos at you because you are embarrassed that he saw those. But fuck, he looked so fucking hot in those edits. They make you feel things deep inside you, things you’ve used your vibrator to take care of. 
He leans forward, his hand reaching out and cupping your chin, forcing you to look at him. “Don’t be embarrassed, baby. I think it’s kind of hot you have those liked.” 
He pulls you closer, his lips meeting yours in a sweet, soft kiss. That feeling comes back, the one with a voice that questions why he hasn’t asked you to be his girlfriend yet. It’s been some time and you spend a lot of it together. You don’t want to push him, to make him look at you as needy or too much or annoying. That’s the last thing you want. You’ve heard it enough, from boyfriends, from your parents, from the people in your comment section. And the last thing you wanted was to hear it from Eddie. 
He breaks the kiss, his eyes scanning your face. Fuck he knows. 
“Are you okay?” He asks you with worry in his eyes. It kind of makes your chest hurt to worry him. 
“Oh yeah! I’m fine. Just… tired.” 
But, of course, he sees right through it, “no. You’re in your head. Come on… spill it.” 
You can’t. You want to express to him how you feel, to ask him to not waste your time. If he isn’t interested in you then you need him to tell you that so you can move on. But you know he is interested, you just sat and recorded bits for their album for fucks sake! He calls you sweet names and listens to what you have to say. He fucks you in a way you’ve never been before. He’s in tune to you and your needs, so the idea he doesn’t want you is absurd. 
But… “nothing. I just have that photo shoot coming up and I’m just nervous. It could make or break my career.” 
Half truth. You were nervous about the campaign. It could make or break your career if you didn’t do a good job or if people didn’t like it. 
He looks like he doesn’t believe you but he doesn’t push you further. You wish he would. 
… 
Eddie’s lips kiss along your chest, nipping a sucking sweet marks into the skin there. Marking you. Owning you. His hand moving up to tease your breast while his mouth sucks on the neglected one. 
His phone is set up beside you, the little red dot indicating he’s recording. It definitely catches the gasp you make as he works your chest, but he just feels so good you don’t think about it. 
He asked you six times before hitting record if you were okay with this, him voice recording. And you were, truly. He wanted your moans for his music but wanted some variety in there. So, he’s recording the entire round of sex. You’d be a dirty little liar if you said it didn’t turn you on. The idea that he’ll have this on his phone and in his music. Your moans immortalized on tape? It was hot as fuck. 
Eddie swaps sides, eyes meeting yours as he licks and sucks and bites. It hits you right at your center. He was hot as fuck, actually. Looking slightly feral as he kisses down your body. You can’t take your eyes off of his when he settles between your legs, putting them over his shoulders to give him more room. 
 “God you’re so wet for me, sweetheart,” he runs a finger through your slick, making you moan. “So pretty. Was so hot watchin’ you today.” 
“But I-” he licks up your slit, cutting you off what you were about to say. 
He sucks on your clit, making your back arch. It was insane to you how well he knew your body. He’s learned every dip, every curve of your skin. He’s learned exactly how to drag deep moans from you with his mouth, tongue and cock. Memorized them. He did it quickly too. 
“B-but I didn’t really do anything.” He slips two fingers inside you, stretching you out. “God! Fuck that feels good.” 
He doesn’t say anything, just laughs and curls his fingers. Eddie knows exactly what he’s doing, turning your brain off with every thrust of his fingers.
“J-just like that, baby! Oh god, don’t stop.” You can feel the orgasm building deep in your belly, your whole body growing hot as you squeeze his fingers. “M-more. Eddie, I need more.” 
He adds a finger, the burn from the stretch feeling incredible. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh my god.” You don’t even know what you’re saying, just a babbling mess. This was typical when it came to the way Eddie worked your body. He’s the only one who’s worked you like this. 
Your orgasm hits you, mouth dropping open as your back arches on the bed, “Fuck! Fuck, fuck fuck!” 
You ride it out with Eddie’s help, his fingers slowing and his mouth coming off your clit with a soft pop. And when he finally removes his fingers, sucking them between his lips and moaning, you feel empty. You need him to fuck you, to feel him inside you. 
“Taste so fuckin’ sweet, baby. Just can’t get enough,” his voice drops a few octaves and you swear your heart stutters for a moment. 
“Please…” you whine. 
It hits you then that he is fully clothed and you are as naked as the day you were born. The dynamic is hotter than it should be, you might need to talk to your therapist about that. Or not. That’s an issue for another day. 
He pulls off his shirt, stomach flexing with the movement, “please what, angel?” 
His hands pull at his belt, tugging it through the loops before meeting the same fate as his shirt on the floor. Your tongue sticks to the roof of your mouth and you forget the English language for a moment. He pops the button on his jeans, sliding the zipper down as he waits for your answer. 
You manage to find it, “please fuck me. I-I need it.” 
He slides his jeans and boxers down his legs, his hard cock bobbing free. You squirm, licking your lips while your eyes rake over him. You need him, need him in many more ways than just sexually. You need him as yours, need him to love you. You can see the life you’d have if he called you his. Your babies would be beautiful thats for fucking sure. 
You don’t really have time to think further on it because Eddie slides inside you, his lips meeting yours and swallowing your moans. He tastes like you, cigarettes and weed. An odd mix but you love it anyway. 
“Shit, pretty girl. This pussy feels amazing. S’like you were fuckin’ made for me.” 
Your heart pounds and you know he can feel it, you can feel his. “I-I was. I was m-made for you, Eddie. Made for you” You kind of don’t mean for it to come out, but it can easily be brushed off as heat of the moment dirty talk. 
But there is something in the way he’s fucking you right now, something different. It’s slower than it has been, sweeter. Like he wants to take his time here, like he wants to feel every inch of you. His eyes shine with lust and something else, something he blinks away before you can decipher it. You have a feeling you already know what it is, because you feel the same way. 
“Yeah? You think so?” He lets you wrap your legs around his waist, keeping him close. “Think we were supposed to end up here?” 
You’re going to die if he keeps talking like this. He’s actually going to kill you. More so because you do believe in the invisible string theory. Everyone can say you’re going too fast, but you think your string is attached to him. Everything about him screams it in confirmation.
“Y-yes. I do.” 
He kisses you soft and sweet, adjusting slightly to hit that sweet spot inside you. You gasp into his mouth, hands coming up to his cheeks to hold him there while you kiss him. Again, it’s all slow and sweet and filled with emotion. 
“Glad we’re on the same page, baby.” 
He fucks you just a little faster, hitting all your sweet spots and making the coil in your belly twist tighter. “I- oh my god, Eddie.” 
He laughs, not straying from your lips, “I love when you pray to me.” 
Your orgasm takes you by surprise, a deep moan falling from your lips as your velvet walls squeeze him. It makes your head spin and you kind of feel like you’re going to pass out from how good it feels. You don’t, of course. 
“That’s it, baby. Such a good girl coming for me. My pretty angel.” 
“Y-yours.” 
He nods, “mine.” 
Mine
Mine
Mine
Mine 
The word cycles through your head over and over, making you clench harder around him.
“Fuck, baby. Gonna cum. Fuck fuck FUCK!” 
He spills inside you as he moans your name. It’s angelic when he does it and you’re gonna make him send the recording to you immediately so you can hear it again and again. He collapses on you, being careful to not crush you with his weight. 
“I s-swear on my life, you’re the best I’ve ever had.” 
You giggle, shaking your head, “i bet you say that to every girl you fuck.” 
He lifts his head, his face serious, “no. I don’t. You’re the first person I’ve ever said that to.” 
You just stare at him, not knowing what to say.
“Did you mean what you said? About us being made for each other?” He asks it quietly, like he’s afraid of anyone hearing him. Anyone but you. 
You swallow the lump in your throat. You can do this, tell him how you feel. Right? “I-I did. We fit together so well. Don't ya think?” 
Now it’s his turn to swallow, “I do… I meant it too.” 
You aren’t sure where this is going, but you hope to whoever the fuck is listening that it’ll go your way. 
“You did? You haven’t known me that long.” 
He shrugs, “so? You spend every night here, or me at your place. You get to know someone pretty quickly that way.” He laughs a little, pushing some of your hair out of your face.
Ask me 
Ask me 
Ask me
“I would agree,” you say as you run your fingertips up his arm.
“Would you agree to stay forever if I asked you to?” 
You hold your breath and nod. He gives you a look that makes you squeak out a small “yes.” 
A huge grin breaks out across his face, bright white teeth showing, “then stay. With me and be mine. And I’ll be yours. No more wandering around lookin’ for each other.” 
You blink away the burn behind your eyes, you cannot cry at someone asking you to date them, “n-no more wandering.”
408 notes · View notes
mint-yooxgi · 2 years
Text
Hotel California - Yandere!Demonic Entities!Ateez X Reader
Tumblr media
Yandere AU & Demon AU - Based off of This ask and Hotel California by Eagles
Genre: Mature, Horror, Angst, Slight Humor
Pairing: Ateez X Reader (Yes, all 8 of them)
Words: 13,318
Warnings: One stabbing mention. Seonghwa gets a little handsy at one point. The boys are very horny for the OC. I make too many direct references to the song and its lyrics, don’t at me please. This is a Yandere story, it will contain themes such as stalking, violence, obsession, possessive natures, and just general overall creepiness and swearing. You have been warned.
A/n: You know, I never expect a simple Drabble to turn into this beast right here, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. Not gonna lie, this fic is a bit self-indulgent at certain parts, but what fic isn’t? Lmaoo anyways, I do not believe Ateez would ever act like this. This is just my interpretation of this particular Drabble request and the yandere archetype. I really hope you all like this one; feedback is greatly appreciated! Enjoy~ (Seriously though guys, please don’t let this flop haha)
Extra: The whole time I was writing this, I had a chubby!reader in mind, but I don’t explicitly describe anything that would indicate that so I don’t feel right tagging it as such. Just know it’s heavily implied, but anyone can read this!!
Mini Masterlist
Driving down the dark desert highway, cool wind whips through your hair. The sun has slowly been setting, its last few rays of light drifting over the land and casting shadows in their wake.
You've been on the road all day, having had the urge to take a spontaneous road trip by yourself. Work has been really hectic lately, so since you have the next three days off, you decided to use them to your advantage.
The only problem is, the last sign of civilization you passed was forty minutes down the road, and you're not quite sure when the next hotel, or even a place to stop for the evening might pop up. Luckily, within the next five minutes, it seems as if your thoughts have been answered, for a hotel appears in the distance.
Pulling into the parking lot, you eye the place skeptically. For a building right smack in the middle of the desert, it sure doesn't look like one. The bright stone walls practically shine beneath the light of the now risen full moon, the place looking more like a resort than anything. Hopefully it's not too expensive then.
Cutting the engine after rolling up the windows, you let out a long breath through your nose. Slowly, you step out of the car, rolling your neck all the while. Standing only makes you realize just how stiff your entire body is, stretching your arms and back out slightly before you slam the car door shut.
Oddly enough, there are no other cars in the parking lot, save for your own. Your brow furrows slightly as you make your way towards the front entrance. Though, you suppose it makes sense. You are in the middle of the desert.
Pushing open the door, you immediately feel the affects of the air conditioned lobby, your shoulders subconsciously relaxing as you step inside. Your eyes skim the name of the hotel as you enter- HALA HALA- it's modern design seeming to fit it well.
Walking up to the reception desk, you notice that no one seems to be in sight. Perhaps you missed someone on your way in, so you opt to turn around, giving the lobby a quick sweep with your eyes. Still, you fail to see anybody, so you turn back around. Maybe there’s a bell you can ring or something.
Your whole body jumps as you see a man now standing behind the counter, seemingly having appeared from nowhere. His split dyed black and blond hair is slicked back and a smile rests on his features.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." He says. "My name is Hongjoong, and I'm the manager of this hotel here. How may we be of service?"
You blink, needing a moment to collect your thoughts before you're able to remember the reason why you're here. 
"Oh, right." You chuckle, somewhat awkwardly. "How much is a single room for the weekend? Two nights in particular?"
"Hmm, let's see," Hongjoong hums, typing something into the computer in front of him. His eyes scan the screen, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're in luck. We're having a special this weekend only on our single rooms. Two nights for the price of one."
Your jaw nearly drops at the amount he tells you. "Seriously?"
"Of course." He smiles.
"Great." You say, shock still clear on your face at the outrageously low amount he's quoted you. "I'll take it."
"Perfect." Hongjoong purrs out, eyes becoming hooded as he gives you a quick once over.
Again, you blink, and as soon as you do, his expression is back to being chipper once more. Without another thought, you're reaching into your purse to pull out your credit card, handing it over to Hongjoong in the next moment.
It only takes him a few minutes to ring you up, handing you your card back in the next moment.
"If you have any bags, Wooyoung will be more than happy to help you with them." Hongjoong smiles at you yet again, to which you return.
Thanking him with a nod of your head, you take the keycard he hands you. A shiver runs down his spine as his fingers graze yours, but luckily, you do not seem to notice. 
In the next moment, you go to turn around, coming face to face with yet another man who seemingly appears from thin air.
"Need any help with your bags?" The new male asks, completely oblivious to the startle he just gave you.
"Oh, uh," you stammer out a reply, eyes drifting to another man who now sits on one of the front couches reading a newspaper. You swear he snorts out a laugh at the scene that's just played out before him. Weird, you could have sworn there was no one else in the lobby before. "I think I'm okay, but thanks for the offer."
"Really, it's no problem at all." He insists, already following you out of the front doors and back to your car.
"No, really," you huff out a faint laugh, reaching into the front seat to grab your backpack. "I only have the one."
What you fail to see as you lean into your car, is the way Wooyoung eyes you up and down. Licking his lips, his gaze settles on your ass, thoughts already running wild with what he wants to do with you. Finally, you’re here.
Blinking to clear his thoughts as you pull yourself back out of your car, he grins. Before you can protest, he's slipping your backpack out of your hand and slinging it over his shoulder.
"After you." Wooyoung's eyes shine as he watches disbelief paint your features, followed slowly by acceptance.
Pride fills his chest as you begin to lead him back into the hotel and to your assigned room for the weekend. He can feel Yunho's eyes piercing into his back as he walks past with you in front, the jealousy clear as day within the older male's gaze. The sound of paper rustling from behind him has a smirk pulling on Wooyoung's lips.
Reaching your room, you go to unlock the door.
A gasp escapes your lips as you step through the threshold, and Wooyoung knows that he's going to have to share with his brothers later the memory of that beautiful awestruck expression painting your face. Only, in the next second, worry takes its place.
"I don't think your boss gave me the key to the right room." You say, eyes taking in the grandiose space. "This looks like the Presidential Suite."
"It is." Wooyoung hums, placing your backpack carefully onto the chair beside him once he fully steps into the room.
"This can't be right." You shake your head, moving to rush past him and back into the hall.
"You asked for the single room, didn't you?" He quirks a brow, stepping in front of you to block your path.
"I did, but-"
"Then this is the right room." He assures you. "It is what you payed for."
"I don't think it is," you say, sidestepping him and moving into the hallway.
You manage to make it all the way back to the lobby in no time, walking straight up to the reception desk to see if you can catch Hongjoong once more. Unfortunately, he doesn't appear to be anywhere in sight, nor does that man from earlier that had been sitting and reading the newspaper on the couch. Wooyoung has up and disappeared on you, too. You sigh.
"How may I help you?"
"Holy-" you startle, spinning around to see another unfamiliar man now standing behind the reception desk. Yet again, it's like he’s appeared out of thin air. You clear your throat. "Uh, is Hongjoong around? I need to speak with him."
"He's busy at the moment, unfortunately." The man smiles kindly at you. "I'm Seonghwa, the assistant manager. I'm more than happy to help if there's something wrong. What seems to be the problem?"
"Oh, uh, there's no problem, really," you clarify, a nervous pull to your lips. "I just think Hongjoong gave me the key to the wrong room."
"Did he?" Seonghwa hums, somewhat amusedly. He doesn't blame Hongjoong one bit. The poor male was probably too distracted by your beauty, and the fact that he was finally seeing you in person for the first time. "Let me check for you."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." You smile, handing the key card to him over the counter. This time, it’s Seonghwa who shivers as his fingers brush your own. ”I think he accidentally gave me the card to the Presidential Suite or something."
Swiping the card through the reader, Seonghwa types a few things on the keyboard. A few moments later, he's placing the keycard back in front of you on the counter.
"No, everything's right on our end. That's the correct key." He informs you.
Your eyes widen, lips parting as clear disbelief takes over your features. "You're sure?”
"Positive." Seonghwa smiles, purposely sliding the card closer to you. "Our policy here is to always put our guests' pleasure above anything else. So really, your reaction to the room is the highest compliment you could give us."
"I- uh-" you blink, taken aback by his words. "Sure?" You don't quite know how to respond, but you take the keycard back, nonetheless. "Thanks."
"Of course." Seonghwa straightens the front of his blazer out, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "I live to serve."
Though he fails to add a key word to the end of his sentence. Most certainly does he live to serve, to please. Most importantly, though, he lives to serve and please you.
“Okay…" Brushing off his words, you turn back around, shooting him a subtle side eyed look at his last comment once he can no longer see your face. 
Heading back to your room, you shake your head, muttering about how odd this place is. First, it's literally in the middle of nowhere. Secondly, the exterior and interior looks brand new, much too pristine for the likes of the desert. Third, you've barely seen another occupant in this hotel besides the staff and that one guy from earlier. Fourth, a single room means the equivalent of a Presidential Suite. And finally, the prices are apparently dirt cheap.
Seriously, just what is going on here?
Shaking your head to clear your thoughts once more, you reenter your room. Well, if you’ve technically payed for it, you might as well enjoy it.
Ten minutes later and you finally figure out how the jacuzzi tub works, allowing your body to sink into the frothing bubbles. The scent of lilac and honey drifts through the air, the complimentary soaps feeling fancier than anything you've ever experienced in your life.
Soaking in the tub for a bit, you allow yourself to relax, basking in the way the water seemingly eases the tension from your body. The only thing that could make this better would be a glass of wine, and maybe a massage, but that can wait for another time.
You close your eyes, letting your head fall back against the headrest as a content sigh leaves your lips. You haven't felt this relaxed in a long time.
Unbeknownst to you, a pair of lustful eyes watches from the shadows. More than anything, wanting desperately to join you. To truly help you relax, in any and every way you desire.
Once you're done, you're quick to dry off, changing into a fresh pair of clothes. Smiling at your reflection in the mirror, you wink at yourself, blowing a kiss in the next moment. You need to start appreciating yourself more. Besides, you look damn good, if you do say so yourself!
Immediately, a thud sounds from behind you, making your heart skip a beat in your chest. Whipping around, your eyes scan the bathroom, searching for anything that could have made that loud noise. Nothing seems out of place, so it doesn’t look like anything could have fallen.
Odd. If you didn't know any better, it almost sounded like someone ran into something, or even stubbed their toe.
You frown, shaking your head. You've had a long drive, and an even longer day. You're probably just imagining things. Besides, you could really use that drink now.
Making your way back towards the lobby, you wander aimlessly, not really sure where to go. You're sure this hotel has a bar somewhere, you're just not sure which direction it would be in. Luckily for you, a plaque that you hadn't noticed before on the wall points you in the direction that you're looking for.
Stepping into the bar area, once again you're taken aback by how empty the place is. Well, empty except for the lone man standing behind the counter wiping at a glass with a cloth in his hand.
Walking up to the counter, you sit down at one of the stools, returning the kind smile the bartender sends your way.
"What can I get for you, pretty one?" The man asks, placing the glass onto the counter in front of himself.
You look down at the pristine wood beneath your hands as a warmth blooms on your cheeks. "Surprise me."
The man takes a moment to observe you carefully, his lips twitching upwards at the corners from seeing the affect his words have on you.
"I know just the thing," he replies, already moving to grab all of the ingredients he'll need to make you a drink. Two minute later and he pushes the now full glass towards you. "Et voila."
"Wow," grabbing the glass with a wonder filled expression, you take a sip. "This is my favourite drink. You must be a mind reader!"
You fail to see the way his brow quirks ever so slightly at your words, his smile turning nervous in the blink of an eye. Just as quickly as the expression appears, it's gone.
"So, what has you here on a Friday night?" He leans against the counter, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbows as he rests his forearms on the edge of the wood. "Lover got you down?"
Your eyes widen, and you're quick to shake your head. "Oh, no. Definitely not."
"Huh," he has to hide the pleased smirk that threatens to pull onto his lips as he confirms what he and his brothers have only hoped. This makes things so much easier. "That's hard to believe, given a pretty one like you."
For the second time this evening, pride swells in his chest at seeing the affect his words have on you.
"Thank you," you mutter, not quite used to men being this bold with you upfront. "You're very kind, uh-"
"Mingi." He replies. “Please. Call me Mingi."
"Well, Mingi," the way you say his name has a pleasant shiver running down his spine. "You're sweet."
The smile that radiates from him nearly knocks the breath out of you.
"Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you," he says, and his eyes flash. "Anything at all."
"Yeah, actually," you nod a few times, looking around the room as if you’re afraid of being overheard. "Be honest," you lean in slightly and he can feel his heart beginning to race in his chest, "is the room service here good?"
"Uh," his brain malfunctions as his eyes glance down to your lips, a completely different form of room service other than what you probably intend flitting through his mind. One which he and his brothers would be more than happy to provide for you. 
He swallows the sudden dryness in his throat. Thank fuck you don't seem to notice.
"You know, since you probably have an in with the cooks cause you're the bartender, and all." Your voice manages to pull him back to reality, and out of his all too vivid thoughts of what kind of room service he could provide for you. "Anything you would recommend? I'm starving."
"Oh, if you're hungry, why didn't you just say so?" He chuckles. "I'll order something for you, and have them bring it over to you here."
"That'd be great, thanks!" You reply happily, taking another sip of your drink. "I don't have any food allergies, by the way. Well, except for lactose, but it's more of an irritant than anything. No heavy creams or full glasses of milk."
Mingi blinks at you, and your mouth parts, a heat once again rising up your neck and all the way up your face. You can't believe you just said all that. To a stranger, no less. 
A smile spreads across his lips, "got it. Thanks for letting me know."
Of course, they all know everything about you. Well, not everything. Yet. Still, it means so much to him how open you already are with him. Mingi knew you'd be perfect for him, for all of them. This just proves it even more.
Heading over to the tablet that he's left at the end of the bar to place an order for you, Mingi's heart warms. Already, he and some of his brothers have been able to show you how well they can take care of you, how well they can provide for you. All so that you will become theirs. And you will be, all in due time. After all, once they have you in their sights, you’ll never be able to leave them again.
"Lucifer Morningstar!" Mingi curses as he rounds the corner of the counter, the thud echoing in your ears as his knee makes contact with the side of the bar.
"Oh my god! Are you okay?" Your eyes widen, watching as he hunches over, hands placed over his one knee as he balances on his opposite foot.
You fail to see the way his eyes flash for the briefest of moments at your own exclamation.
"Yeah," he lets out a breath, easing into one of the barstools beside him. "I'll be fine."
"Ouch," you wince, thinking of how hard he must have banged his knee to have exclaimed that loudly. Speaking of, his words echo through your head, and you cannot contain the laugh that escapes you. When you see him turn his attention from the tablet to look at you, you wave a hand apologetically in the air in front of you. "Sorry, I've just never heard anyone use that exclamation before. Usually, they swear, or say ‘Jesus Christ’, or something like that."
It's low, but you swear you hear a growl reverberate throughout the room.
"Oh," Mingi laughs awkwardly, a nervousness to his demeanour all of a sudden. "Yeah, it's just something my brothers and I always say instead of your typical exclamations."
"Huh," you nod, turning back to the drink still held in your hands. "Interesting."
Not even ten minutes later, another man is entering the bar area with a plate of steaming food in his hands. Jealousy flares within him as he sees you conversing so casually with his brother, a soft smile he's only ever dreamed about being directed towards him resting on your face.
You hardly notice the new presence in the room, but Mingi does, causing a smirk to subtly pull at his features. You're simply too busy conversing with him at the moment. That is, until movement out of the corner of your eye catches your attention.
"One freshly cooked meal for the lovely lady," the man says with a flirty smile as he places the plate of steaming food in front of you.
Thanking him politely, you're quick to turn back to Mingi once more. The men at this hotel certainly are something else.
"Okay, have we met before?" Your eyes narrow teasingly at the bartender who sits a few seats away from you. "Twice now you've made my favourite things."
"Hey now," the other man chimes in, a teasing lilt to his voice. "I was the one who cooked it. He didn't make squat."
He continues to stare at you, almost expectantly now, and you're quick to avert your gaze. Turning back to your food, you grab the fork that's been provided, and take a bite.
"Holy shit." You say once you've swallowed the food in your mouth. "This is incredible."
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Lovely." The man replies, eyes shining with a certain fondness as he watches you eat what he’s prepared for you.
"Seriously, this is best dish of this that I’ve ever had," you say, placing another forkful into your mouth.
He chuckles, loving the way your praise has Mingi glaring dagger at him. Serves him right.
"Oh, where are my manners?" He tuts at himself. "My name is San, and I am very pleased to meet you."
Suddenly, your hand is in his, and he's bringing his lips down to place a gentle kiss onto your skin. Tingles erupt throughout his own body wherever he makes contact with yours, and he has to stop the rumble of contentment that builds within his chest from escaping.
Again, you're taken aback by his boldness, and you swear you see something in Mingi's eyes flash black as San does this. Only, when you blink, it's like nothing ever happened. Weird.
The next hour is spent with the both of them at the bar, simply conversing with each other. You can't count the amount of times they've successfully made you laugh, or even shy at some of the things they say, but they are. 
Purposefully, each time one of them does something that has you reacting a certain way, the other is sure to do the same. There's no way they're letting each other one up them. That is, until Hongjoong is scolding them within their mind's link to knock it off.
All too soon for their liking, you're heading off to bed, much to their disappointment. It is late at night, and you have had a long day. Needless to say, it's starting to all catch up to you. You can feel the exhaustion beginning to claw at your mind.
Falling into the plush bed, you're practically out as soon as your head hits the pillows. Funny, you could have swore you saw something shift within the darkness of your room just before you closed your eyes. Only, you find you're too tired to care, quickly falling into the realm of your subconscious as sleep takes hold.
Within the confines of your room, two figures materialize from the shadows. Carefully, one moves to stand beside you while the other gently sits on the opposite side of the bed.
"I still can't believe that she’s here," Jongho says breathlessly, hand reaching out to caress the side of your face.
"Finally, we have her," Yunho replies, feeling as wonderstruck as Jongho right now.
You shift slightly, breath hitching in your throat. 
They both freeze. Luckily, you don't seem to wake, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief as they continue to watch over you as you sleep.
“She's so beautiful," Jongho watches you in awe, thumb stroking over the skin of your cheek as his heart soars in his chest.
Yunho hums his agreement, his eyes flashing briefly in the darkness. "Ours."
"Ours." Jongho confirms, a content smile pulling at his lips as his own eyes flash, watching over you like he always should. Like he always will be. From now, until forever.
Morning comes with bright light streaming in through the large windows, the sun's rays warming you as you stretch your body out on the bed. A yawn escapes your lips as you rub at your eyes. Sitting up, you throw off the covers, making your way to the bathroom to freshen up for the day.
One look outside the windows, and at your weather app, has a sigh escaping you. It's going to be awfully hot today, the sun shining unapologetically in the sky with few clouds drifting along. In the back of your mind, you begin to wonder what else there is to do in this hotel.
Opening the door to your room, you go to step into the hallway, only for your path to be blocked. Sitting there in front of you is a trolley, what appears to be an extravagant spread of food placed precariously before you. At least, you're hoping that that's what's beneath all these trays with metal food coverings on them.
Leaning out into the hall, you shift your head from side to side, attempting to see if this cart was meant for anyone else. When you don't see anyone around, you look back at the cart. This time, your eyes catch on a folded card placed just beside the small vase with a single red rose held within.
Picking up the note, you're quick to open it, seeing as it's addressed to you. You blink as you read the note over a few times, a soft smile painting your features, yet still surprised, nonetheless.
Please enjoy this complementary breakfast from us to you.
~ Your friends at HALA HALA
Rolling the cart into your room, you're quick to remove all of the coverings. The smell of your favourite breakfast foods greet you as you take in the fresh spread before you. Your jaw nearly drops, torn between thinking that this is incredible, and that something strange is going on here.
Oh well, at least you're getting free food out of this.
Once you're finished eating, you clean up as best you can and head downstairs for the day. A book rests in your hand, figuring that you can find someplace quiet to read and pass the time. Maybe you’ll even listen to music while you do so. 
Reaching the lobby, you figure you can ask Hongjoong or Seonghwa where the best place to read in the hotel might be. Someplace that’s quiet. Someplace that’s comfortable. Luck seems to be on your side this morning, too, for you see both Hongjoong and Seonghwa standing behind the reception desk. They seem to be in a pretty heated discussion, their voices too low to hear even as you approach them. Once you get close enough, they're both turning to you with fond smiles on their faces. You didn't even know they saw you approaching.
"How can we help you, dear?" Seonghwa is the first to speak, meeting your gaze.
"Uh, a bit of a weird question, I know," you begin, somewhat nervously, "but where's the best place to get some reading done around here? You guys don't have a library, do you?"
Even though you say it jokingly, Hongjoong's response surprises you.
"We do," he hums, and seeing your mildly shocked expression, eyes widening and all, has a warmth flooding his veins. He knew he'd be able to impress you with the amount of time and effort they put into this place. "Unfortunately it's closed for cleaning today."
"Aw," your expression falls slightly, "darn."
"I would recommend our outdoor seating area beside the pool," Seonghwa motions a little ways off to the side, and you can see a set of glass doors leading to a courtyard of sorts. "It'll be warm today, so you can also benefit by taking a swim if you'd like.”
"Oh, no, I don't think I'll do any swimming," you shake your head.
At this, they both frown. Your words manage to pull them from their thoughts of holding you in their lap with their arms around you, their head resting on your shoulder as you read.
"Why not?" Before Seonghwa can stop himself, the question escapes him, and even the younger male beside him shoots him a look. Though, where yours is of confusion, Hongjoong's is of warning.
"This is really the best I have," you reply sheepishly, motioning down towards your outfit- a simple t-shirt and shorts- with a tilt of your head.
"Go ahead and at least dip your feet in." Hongjoong replies, softly assuring you with his next words. "No one will judge you here."
"Okay," you smile softly, "maybe I will, then."
Again, you thank the two men before you as you begin to head towards the glass doors Seonghwa pointed out to you. 
Stepping through the archway, the heavy desert heat surrounds you immediately. You let out an exhale through your nose, taking in the sight of the tropical plants around you. There's a small path leading further into the courtyard and to the pool which you can see sitting right in the centre of it. At least there appears to be tons of shade. Just how you like it.
Setting yourself up in one of the plush outdoor chaises, you kick off your sandals. 
Leaning back onto the comfortable pillows, you bring your feet up to rest on the cushion, keeping your knees bent so you can hold your book on your lap. You smile softly as a gentle breeze flits passed. 
Opening your book, you begin to read.
Not even five minutes later, a man approaches you, a glass held in his hand. You tense, worried that something's about to happen considering you're the only one sitting outside by the pool. Or so it seems.
"Here, I thought you might like a glass of water," he smiles kindly at you as he hands you the glass. "You should stay hydrated in this heat."
"Oh," you reply, placing your book down momentarily so that you can take the glass of water he's offering to you. "Thank you."
"Damn, beat me to it already," another voice says from the opposite side of you, successfully managing to startle you as you hadn't heard anyone approaching. "That's our Yeosangie for you."
"Yunho," the man you've now learned is apparently Yeosangie says, his eyes narrowing slightly at the taller male, "what are you doing here?"
The man - Yunho - is one that you recognize form last night. He was the one reading the newspaper in the lobby.
"Seonghwa told me that our very special guest here was sitting by the pool, and that I should bring her some water to help keep her hydrated." He replies, and sure enough, you see another glass of water being held in his hand. "Like I said though, it looks like you beat me to it."
"One can never have too much water," you say, catching both of their attention, and snapping them out of the pointed looks they had just been sharing.
"Right you are, gorgeous," Yunho grins, handing you the second glass.
Your brows raise slightly at the name he calls you. Hell, it seems almost all of the male workers at this hotel have called you some variation of a nickname or pet name at some point or other. Needless to say, it's a bit odd; you aren’t used to this kind of attention.
"Anyways, I'm Yunho," he says with a grin, pointing over at the shorter male in the next moment, "and that grump over there is Yeosang. If you look over there," again, Yunho points in a specific direction, drawing your gaze to the two men that have appeared on the opposite side of the pool, "that's San and Jongho. Though, I heard you already met San last night."
You nod in response, noticing how the one you've recently been told is Jongho waves quite enthusiastically at you with a large smile on his face. You huff in amusement, lips quirking upwards as you send a polite wave back. If you didn't know any better, from the way the male averts his gaze in the next moment, you'd say that you've just made him blush.
"If you need anything, do not hesitate to let us know. " Yeosang draws your attention to him once more, a certain spark lighting behind his eyes. A spark which you do not understand, but the other males do. One that is practically begging for you to come to them, to seek them out for anything and everything you might need. Anything at all.
"Thanks," you smile. "I appreciate it."
Really, you'd just like to be left alone to read your book now in peace.
"Well, we'll leave you to read in peace now," Yunho grins, walking over and wrapping his arm around Yeosang's shoulders. “Enjoy.”
Blinking in shock, your whole body tenses. Okay, this is starting to get a bit freaky. It’s almost as if Yunho just read you mind.
Shaking your head slightly to clear your thoughts, you grab your book once more. No, that isn’t possible. You’re just overthinking things due to the stressful week of work you’ve just had. This is your chance to relax, and you have every intention to do so.
Opening your book once more, you begin to read.
Across from you, the four boys converge. 
Jongho is still reeling from having you smile so brightly at him, and you waved back. Yeosang, on the other hand, crosses his arms, his eyes narrowing at the three males before him. Yunho watches you carefully from across the pool, his eyes subtly trailing over your form. Even San cannot help but drink in the exposed skin of your legs on full display, the sight of your bare thighs making his mouth water.
What each wouldn’t give to be between them right now…
“Control yourselves,” Yeosang hisses through his teeth, sending pointed looks towards San and Yunho, “the both of you.”
“Like you haven’t been thinking the exact same things since you saw them.” San rolls his eyes, keeping his voice low while Yunho just chuckles from beside him.
“At least I have some subtlety,” Yeosang huffs, annoyance clear on his face as he crosses his arms over his chest. “The decency to not have my thoughts project themselves into everyone else’s subconscious.”
Well, I for one, was rather enjoying the mental image of her lounging in that chair by the pool. Wooyoung’s voice echoes through all of their minds. I’d much rather be out there spending time with her, you lucky bastards. Instead, I’m stuck inside on cleaning duty.
Stop complaining. They can all practically hear Hongjoong roll his eyes. You’re the one who begged to be the one to tidy up her room.
That I did. Wooyoung hums. Really, you guys are missing out. Her scent is everywhere.
Now you’re just rubbing it in. Mingi sighs, and they can all hear the pout in his voice.
Oh, panties! Wooyoung cheers, and they all practically let out a groan in need. And they’ve been worn! Don’t mind if I ‘yes’.
Wooyoung. Seonghwa’s voice echoes through their heads, serving as a warning. That is, until they hear his next words. Save some for the rest of us, yeah?
You’re all despicable. Yeosang has to resist the urge to shake his head.
Says the one who was peeping on them having a bath last night. San adds, hiding his smirk behind his drink as he takes a sip.
Immediately, Yeosang’s cheeks flare, his harsh gaze landing on the aforementioned male. That’s different!
Relax. Yunho chuckles, leaning back in his own chaise as he watches you turn the next page of your book. So beautiful, and so oblivious to the desire swirling within each of them for you, and you alone.
We’ve all thought about it before. Jongho adds.
Well, some more than others. Hongjoong’s laugh reverberates through all of them. Let’s just make sure everything is ready for tonight. Then we can really have our fun.
Without hesitation, they all agree, and unbeknownst to you, four pairs of eyes turn to look at you from across the pool. You don’t even look up from your book. At least, not until movement catches your attention. Then, you cannot help the way your eyes widen, gaze flitting between the pages of your book and subtly attempting to check out the male making his way over to the edge of the pool.
"Put a shirt on, you heathen." Yeosang hisses at San. "You're making them uncomfortable.”
San simply quirks a brow, turning to face Yeosang in the next second. His expression says it all. 
A smugness soon settles over his features as he feels your gaze trailing over the expanse of his back. The skin of which he knows would look even better if it were covered in your marks. He rolls his shoulders.
Turning back around, San watches you quickly avert your gaze, focussing a little too intently on the page you’re now on in your book. He smirks, slowly sitting at the edge of the pool so that he can lower himself in. Purposefully, he tenses the muscles in his arms as he sinks in, wanting- no, needing- your gaze on him. As soon as he feels your stare, he knows he’s captivated you once more.
See? See how toned his arms are? How well they would look wrapped around you, pulling you closer to him as he whispers sweet nothings into your ear? San bets you would sound so divine as he makes the sweetest love to you, but he knows that you’ll taste even better.
He doesn’t even need to probe your mind to know you’re thinking about him, too.
Okay, now you’re just showing off. Mingi whines.
Not my fault you got caught having to set up for tonight. San smirks, and he watches as you seemingly come back to reality, only to see that smug expression on his face. 
You avert your gaze, embarrassed you got caught staring yet again. Reaching for one of the glasses of water on the table beside you, you suddenly feel your body going hot. All of these attractive men will be the death of you, you’re sure.
You fail to see the way their lips quirk upwards as a result.
Taking a sip of water, you feel yourself start to relax at the coldness that meets your tongue. Carefully, you tilt your head to the side, placing the cool of the glass onto the skin of your neck. You let out a content hum, eyes fluttering closed as a result. At least this is helping to cool you off.
Jongho swallows the sudden dryness in his throat, and he’s knows he’s not the only one affected by your actions. The sudden display of your neck as you tilt your head back, so open and vulnerable, is practically begging for them to have a taste of your delicate skin with their tongues. Perhaps a few bite marks would suffice as well…
Thoughts of tonight, and what is still yet to come fill Jongho’s head, and he can feel the anticipation eating him alive. Making you theirs could not come soon enough.
Speaking of… Hongjoong’s voice resounds through the younger’s head. Jongho, it’s time.
The other three watch as Jongho stands from his spot, beginning to slowly make his way over to you. There’s a sort of nervousness to his steps, one which they all understand. Your answer right now will depend on how the beginning of this afternoon and evening with them will begin.
Glancing up from the pages of your book, you notice Jongho now hovering near you.
“Do you mind if I sit with you?” A soft smile rests on his features as he meets your gaze, an air of nervousness surrounding him.
“Uh, sure.” You blink, quirking a brow at him in curiosity in the next second. “Those guys bothering you too much, or something?”
Even though you say it teasingly, Jongho lets out a chuckle, “you could say that.”
Slowly, and with each move deliberate, Jongho takes the seat directly beside you. It’s the closest he can get to you currently without sitting in the same chaise with you, and pulling you into his lap like he so badly wants to do.
Soon. He tells himself. He’ll be able to do that soon.
A few minutes pass by, and it kills him not to have your direct attention on him like his is so attuned to you. No, you’re still much more focussed on your book for the moment. That is, until your tongue clicks loudly, your book slamming closed once you place your bookmark carefully back inside.
“That bad, huh?” He jokes, one of his eyebrows raised in amusement as he looks at you.
“You don’t know the half of it,” you roll your eyes. “But it’s the last book in the series and I’ll be damned if I don’t see it to completion.”
“Why do you continue to read it if it’s that horrible?” Jongho’s head tilts, genuine curiosity shining in his eyes.
“Spite.” You reply immediately. “Pure spite.”
Jongho blinks, intrigued. “What’s it about?”
So you tell him, and fuck, if Jongho doesn’t fall harder for you right then and there. The passion in which you speak with, the fire he sees light behind your eyes as he watches you wave the book around in your hand, even going to far as to hit the cover a few times to emphasize your points, has him hanging on to every word. 
You’re so captivating; mesmerizing to watch and listen to, that he doesn’t even realize just how much time has passed since he first came to sit beside you. Plus, he’s gotten to learn so much about you in such a short period of time. Ecstatic doesn’t even begin to describe how he’s feeling at the moment.
The only thing that would make this moment better would be if you agreed to what he’s about to ask you.
“Anyways, sorry for the long ass rant,” you apologize, somewhat sheepishly. “There’s just so much I could say about these books and this author.”
“Never feel like you should apologize for something you’re passionate about.” Comes his honest reply. “Especially not to me. I could listen to you talk for hours.”
Jongho’s words catch you by surprise, stunning you into a shy silence. In the back of your mind, his bluntness makes something within you question his words. You’ve only just met, and he’s being very forward. Still, his smile is kind, and it causes you to crack a small one of your own.
“Really, though,” he adds, a calculating look to his gaze now. One which you miss. “We’re hosting a special dinner tonight for everyone. You should join us.”
“Everyone at the hotel?” You question, a minor furrow to your brows.
“You could say that.” Jongho nods. “We’d really love it if you could attend.”
“How fancy are we talking here?”
Jongho smiles. You seem interested, and he could not be happier. “Wear you finest.”
“Oh.” Immediately, your expression falls. “I don’t think I’ll be able to attend, then. I’m afraid I don't have anything with me that’s appropriate for a dinner like that.”
“No need to worry,” Jongho assures you. “There’s a tailor’s shop that Seonghwa runs at the far end of the hotel. I’m sure there’s something there that you can wear for the evening.”
“That’s…” you try and find the right word. Suspicious. Convenient. “Interesting.”
“Great! We’ll be expecting you around eight.” Jongho stands, and it’s only now do you realize that the other three males have vacated the vicinity, leaving the two of you utterly alone. Something in his eyes flash, the smile that paints his lips serving to unnerve you slightly. “Don’t be late.”
Without another word, or even giving you the chance to respond, Jongho is leaving you to yourself by the pool.
Glancing around, you blink a few times, hardly able to wrap your head around not even seeing the others so much as leave. Checking the time, you see that it’s about halfway past two in the afternoon. Perhaps you should go check out this tailor’s place Jongho had mentioned earlier. The last thing you want to do is be stuck without an outfit for tonight, especially if they’re now expecting you for dinner.
A few minutes later, and after dropping off your book back to your room, you’re standing in front of the doors to the tailor shop. Taking a breath, you step inside.
Quite a spacious room greets you, fairly open concept in design with clothes scattered along the walls on different racks. They seem to be organized by type, and a part of you wonders if some of these clothes have been accidentally left behind or forgotten by previous patrons of the hotel.
The sound of a curtain sliding on a rail catches your attention, and your eyes are drawn to the back of the shop where Seonghwa seems to emerge from.
“Ah, there you are. I’ve been expecting you.” He smiles, and at your questioning look, he adds, “Jongho was just here to fill me in on what you need.”
“Uh,” there’s a certain drawl to the way he says those words that have your lips parting slightly. You clear your throat. “That was quick.”
“Come.” Seonghwa seemingly brushes off your statement, turning around to step back through the way he came. “I’ve got a few options you might like.”
Following him into the back of the shop, you realize that there’s a small fitting area with a large panelled mirror positioned around a raised circular stand. A dressing room rests just beside it, another curtain drawn in front of it for some semblance of privacy. To the opposite side of the mirror, a rack rests with eight different dresses hanging delicately on silk hangers.
The awe filled expression that rests on your face has his heart racing in his chest, a soft grin tugging at his lips. “Pick out your favourite, and then you can try it on.”
You step closer to the rack, hands ghosting the material of the gowns.
“Are you sure these aren’t too…” you hesitate, searching for the right word as you turn to meet his gaze, “extravagant for me?”
“If anything, none of them could ever do you justice.” His honest reply has a heat rising to your cheeks, and even though you turn to continue inspecting the dresses, you can feel his gaze piercing your back. 
Saying nothing, your gaze lands on one dress in particular. Pulling it slightly out from the rack, you examine the lace material. The black colour which starts at the swooped neckline slowly transitions into a navy, until it fades into a royal blue at the very bottom of the floor length skirt. Plus, as an added bonus, there are lace sleeves which look as if they’ll reach all the way down your arms and to your wrists. You’ve never seen a dress more perfect for you, or that you’ve loved more at first glance.
“Do you like that one?” Seonghwa’s voice manages to pull you out of your own thoughts, an eagerness to his words. He knew he picked right when he grabbed that gown for you. The thought alone of you wearing it nearly sent him to his knees, and it’s in his favourite colours, too.
“I do.” You confirm with a hum, looking over the dress for another time.
There’s only one slight issue that you can see. The dress appears to be slightly form fitting, and you’re not sure how it may look on you.
“Well, go on then,” he encourages with a smile, motioning to the dressing room behind you. “Try it on.”
For a brief moment, you hesitate, your hand pausing halfway when you go to reach for the hanger. That is, until you decide that there’s really no harm in simply trying it on. If you don’t like it, there are several others you can choose from. Besides, the red one you see hanging right next to it is definitely not a bad second choice.
Gently, you remove the dress from the rack, stepping into the small dressing room in order to change. Fortunately for you, the dress seems to fit like a glove - having no issues slipping into it, and pulling the zipper up with ease. Unfortunately for you, there’s no mirrors in this little dressing room, which means you have to step outside in order to see how you look wearing the gown. 
Really, in hind sight, you saw this coming. However, faced with the prospect of stepping out in a slightly form fitting gown in front of a man you don’t know, a handsome man who has complimented you, nonetheless, you find yourself feeling a bit self conscious. Perhaps this dress wasn’t the best choice after all. Still, you really do want to see how you look.
Taking a deep breath to steel your nerves, you slide the curtain open.
“Wow,” Seonghwa’s breath gets stolen right from his lungs as he sees you step out in his dress. His desire for you, which roars unashamedly beneath the surface of his skin, becomes the most difficult it’s even been to hold back. So much so, that he lets his eyes slip for the briefest of moment, the darkness swirling within.
Thank fuck you don’t seem to notice, too busy smoothing out the front of the material as worry seems to tug at your features.
“That bad, huh?” You grimace, fingers twitching at your sides as you stand there in front of the mirror, tense as anything. “I knew I shouldn’t have-“
“You look beautiful.” His raw voice- a few tones deeper than usual and on the verge of sounding strained- rumbles out from his chest.
So badly does he just want to walk over to you, rip that dress right off, and pull you into his arms as he pleases you in any and every way he knows how. He’s glad he blocked off his mind link with the others for this occasion, otherwise they’d receive his much too vivid thoughts about taking you up against the wall right now and claiming you as his like he’s always longed to do.
Besides, they wanted who’s dress you wore tonight at dinner to be a surprise.
Seonghwa’s lips part as he swallows the dryness in his throat, attempting to at least control his breathing to no avail. You really have no idea the effect you have on him, on all of them, do you?
Lifting your head to meet his gaze through the reflection of the mirror, you’re caught off guard by how dark his eyes have become. Even his breathing has gone irregular, his chest rising and falling dramatically with each inhale that he takes.
When you blink, you expect it to all just be your imagination. Only, this time, that does not seem to be the case. Seonghwa is still looking at you with those eyes when you reopen your own - dark eyes filled with an undeniable lust for you.
Slowly, Seonghwa begins to close the distance between the two of you, stalking towards you like a predator would its prey. You cannot help but freeze, eyes following his every movement as he comes to stand behind you. The way he places his hands tenderly onto your waist, holding onto you so gently, completely contrasts the darkness continuously swirling within his irises.
Tilting his head forward, Seonghwa presses the lower half of his face against your shoulder, placing his lips onto your bare skin. His eyes flutter closed, nose slowly trailing up the side of your neck as he shifts to breathe in your scent.
A shiver runs down your spine as you feel the ghost of his breath tickle you right below your ear. Your heart jumps into your throat.
Of all the words he could use to describe you right now - sinful, breathtaking, gorgeous, his - he finally settles on the perfect one.
“Divine.” He exhales, voice low as he leans forward to rest his head against your own.
Your breath hitches as you feel his grip tighten around your waist, fingers sinking into the softness of your skin as he scents you once more. The uncertainty he can sense coming off of you has him halting in his tracks, a sense of dread washing over him. He might have taken things a bit too far just now. You’re not even officially theirs yet. 
He silently curses himself. What good is control when he apparently doesn’t seem to have any around you? You make him go crazy. You’re just so irresistible.
Feeling his grip slacken ever so slightly, you move to turn around in his arms. Only, when you twist your body to face him, he’s no longer standing behind you. Instead, he seems to be rummaging around in a box off to the side, not even looking at you.
Did you just imagine what just happened?
You shake your head. That can’t be possible. You aren’t that touched starved so as to imagine intimate scenarios with the first handsome man who gives you an ounce of attention. At least, you don’t think you are.
“Oh, are you finished looking over the dress?” Seonghwa hums, head lifting to meet your gaze. Straightening himself back up with a small smile on his face, you notice  an elegant pair of shoes in his hands. “You’ve been staring at your refection for quite a while. Is everything okay?”
You blink. Did you really just zone out for the last few minutes?
“Yeah-” you clear your throat. “Yeah. Everything fine.”
“If you’re still not sure if you like the gown, why don’t you try it with these?” He offers you the shoes that he holds in his hand. “They should fit.”
“Oh,” you take the shoes from his outstretched hand, “thanks.”
It was only for a second, but his fingers grazed your own. Immediately he felt that all too familiar beast stirring within him, and after he had just managed to calm it down, too. His hands are still burning from being able to feel you beneath his touch.
Slipping the shoes onto your feet, you turn to your reflection once more. This time, a smile rests on your features as you take in your appearance. You really do look stunning.
“Are you really sure I can wear this tonight?” Your voice manages to call Seonghwa’s attention once more. “I mean, is it really okay if I borrow it?”
“Of course!” His answer is immediate, eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles at you. “In fact, why don’t you keep it? It looks far better on you than the hanger, anyways.”
Again, a warmth spreads itself across your cheeks as you glance away shyly. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, Darling.” He hums, a fond look shining within his eyes. “Now, why don’t you change and I’ll wrap up that dress for you?”
“Alright,” you reply softly, already heading back into the little dressing room and sliding the curtain shut behind you.
In no time at all, you’re back into your regular clothes, gown resting on the hanger once more. You take a moment to admire the material again before exiting the dressing room, the dress draped over your arm.
Handing it over to Seonghwa, he places it into a carrying bag for you, careful not to damage the material. The sound of the zipper closing pulls you out of your thoughts, many of which you’ve been attempting to sort through in the past few minutes alone.
“If you need any help with your makeup, I’m sure Hongjoong would be more than happy to assist you.” Seonghwa tells you, handing you the bag with the gown held within.
“I didn’t know he could do makeup,” you hum, impressed. “That’s pretty cool. I think I’ll be okay, though.”
With a nod of his head and a final farewell until tonight, Seonghwa watches you leave the little tailor’s shop. His eyes follow you for as long as he can, and as soon as you disappear from his sight, a sigh is falling from his lips. 
Running his fingers through his hair, he shakes his head. 
You really have no idea what you do to him. To all of them. How long they’ve waited just to catch a glimpse of you in person, planning everything out perfectly down to each and every last minute. Nothing is going to stop them from finally claiming what they’ve all long since desired. 
By the end of the night, you will be theirs.
Making it back to your room, you’re quick to step inside. Carefully, you hang the dress off to the side for later tonight, a soft smile tugging at your lips. Glancing at the time, you see a few hours have passed already, and your eyes nearly bulge out of your head. 
There’s no way time should have moved that quickly! It should have only taken you an hour, maybe an hour and a half at most to have tried on that dress with Seonghwa. You could have swore it was only half passed two when you first made your way over there. So, how can it already be five o’clock?
You huff, shaking your head to clear your thoughts. Maybe you really are losing it. First, you’re missing seeing people that are apparently right in front of your eyes. Then, you keep swearing you’re hearing things, like that weird thump in the bathroom last night. Now, you’re pretty sure you’re starting to hallucinate things.
Perhaps it’s best if you leave this place after dinner tonight instead of in the morning like you originally planned. You would leave sooner, but they’re already expecting you for the evening, and you do not want to be rude. Especially given everything they’ve done and provided for you in the past twenty-four hours alone.
Either way, you just hope this evening passes quickly, and without a hitch.
An hour later and you begin to get ready for the evening. You’re just glad you remembered to pack your makeup bag. Once you’re finished, you still have a bit of time to spare, so you spend the remainder reading some more of your book while you wait. Around five to the hour, you head to the lobby.
Emerging from the hallway, you actually see someone standing in front of the reception desk wearing a finely tailored suit. You watch as the man turns around, and you come face to face with Yeosang whose eyes light up as soon as he sees you. You return his kind smile with a polite nod of your head.
“I’m here to escort you to dinner.” He says, extending an arm out to you. “Shall we?”
You loop your arm around his, “we shall.”
As Yeosang walks with you down a separate hall and to a section of the hotel you have yet to traverse, he revels at your touch. The feeling of your arm wrapped around his is like no other, skin tingling beneath the material of his suit wherever you touch. The whole time, he cannot help but steal glances at you from the corner of his eyes.
When he first saw you emerge from the hallway, his breath got caught in his throat. You look absolutely divine, even if you’re not wearing the dress he had picked out for you in hopes that you would wear it. 
His jaw had twitched at that, slight irritation flooding his veins at the thought of you wearing Seonghwa’s gown tonight. Well, let’s see what the others make of it, and if they think the eldest might have influenced your decision as well.
After a solid minute of walking, in which you make idle smalltalk with Yeosang, you reach a set of intricately carved wooden doors. You marvel at both the size and design as they open, seemingly on their own, to reveal a finely decorated room. A room which looks much too small to house all of the guest that you were sure were going to be joining you for dinner. 
A single table with nine place settings sits in the centre of the room, lit candles lining the middle.
Around the table, the other seven stand precariously placed throughout the room. Some converse with each other while a few others sip on the drinks they all seem to be holding in their hands. Each wears a finely tailored suit, wanting to look their absolute best for you.
As soon as those doors open, and they see you walking through the threshold being escorted by Yeosang, all of their focus immediately belongs to you.
Heartbeats accelerate all around, shivers running down a few of their spines as they take in the ethereal being that is you standing before them. Each man takes his time trailing his gaze over your body, drinking in the image that is you, and searing this moment into their memories for years to come.
Finally, after all of their planning, after all of their efforts and hard work, there you stand. Ready for their taking.
A few send pointed looks in Seonghwa’s direction at seeing the choice in dress you’re wearing, but they can deal with that later. Even if you are not wearing their own chosen gown for you, there is no denying your beauty.
Mingi is the first to seemingly snap out of the spell you’ve captivated them in at your arrival. Instantly, he’s appearing at your side, offering you a glass similar to all of theirs. You take it with a small nod in thanks, noticing how Yeosang already seems to be holding one of his own. You didn’t even notice him take one.
Taking a sip of your drink, your eyes search the room once more.
“Not to be rude, or presumptuous, or anything,” you begin, a look of mild confusion on your face, “but isn’t this dinner supposed to be for everyone staying at the hotel?”
“It is,” Hongjoong confirms, a gentle expression taking over his features. “Everyone is already here.”
He seriously cannot be telling you that you are their only guest at this hotel. It’s impossible.
“I know,” Yunho chuckles. “It’s hard to believe that you’re our only guest.”
There he goes again, seemingly reading your mind.
“Please,” Hongjoong motions to the table before you, “join us.”
A smile that you’re sure is meant to assure you appears on his face, only serving to unnerve you at the way his eyes lock onto your figure, watching your ever move.
Stepping towards the table, you see Seonghwa already pulling a chair out for you to sit in. Of course it would have to be the one right in the centre of the set of three. 
Four chairs rest across from you, while two more sit at each head.
Slowly, you take your seat, allowing Seonghwa to tuck you in while thanking him politely. 
As if they’ve done this countless times before, the eight men slide up to the table beside their own respective seats, moving fluidly as one to sit down. Hongjoong sits to your left while Seonghwa takes the seat to your right. Mingi sits at one head of the table, while San takes the other end. Across from you rests Yunho, Yeosang, Jongho, and Wooyoung in that order exactly, starting from your left.
You’re starting to think you stumbled upon a cult or something by accident.
Wooyoung has to cover up a snort of laughter just as he goes to take a sip of his drink, choking on the liquid in the next second. Jongho pats his back comfortingly.
“Are you alright?” Your brow furrows in concern as you look at the male across from you.
“Never better.” He clears his throat, offering you a cheeky grin in response.
In the next moment, Yunho is drawing your attention onto him as he asks you a question, a casual conversation soon starting between the nine of you. The more time you spend surrounded by these eight men, the more you start to relax. You don’t necessarily feel uncomfortable around them, it’s just the hotel that’s giving you such an ominous feeling.
Perhaps that’s where you go wrong.
It happens so suddenly, that you almost miss it. One second the place settings in front of you are empty, and the next, a steaming plate of food appears before your very eyes.
You startle in your seat, pressing yourself as far into the back of it as you can. With wide eyes, you stare down at your meal.
“Is something the matter?” Hongjoong asks, and you look up to find eight pairs of eyes all staring at you.
“Uh-” your voice catches in your throat, not quite sure how to describe the phenomenon that has just occurred in front of you.
“San worked very hard all evening on the meals,” Hongjoong adds, a glimmer in his eyes.
“I hope you enjoy!” Said man calls from just off to the side.
“Right,” you reply, somewhat warily. How can they all be acting like nothing abnormal just happened? “Thanks.”
Picking up your utensils, you clutch the steak knife tightly in your hand. Intently, you stare down at your food, half expecting your asparagus to come alive in the next second and start swishing from side to side like dragon tails.
“Go ahead,” Jongho catches your gaze from across the table, a piece of steak already speared on his fork and poised in the air halfway to his mouth. “Dig in.”
Immediately, you comply, worried you might appear rude for hesitating for so long before taking a bite of your meal. Softly, you chew the bite of your steak, the flavour melting on your tongue.
“Well?” San looks to you, almost expectantly.
“It’s delicious,” you reply, your whole demeanour calming as you see that look of joy take over his features. “Like always.”
“Our Sannie really knows how to cook,” Mingi says, a teasing lilt to his voice despite his praise.
“He’s the only one who won’t burn down the kitchen if left alone in one.” Yeosang replies, and you notice the way Mingi looks almost scandalized at his words.
“I would never!” He gasps dramatically.
The laugh that they all hear fall from your lips is like music to their ears.
The more they continue to bicker, the more you seem to ease back into your own comfort around them. You even go so far as to chime in here and there once again in the conversation, much to each of their pleasure, and relief in some cases. Just as you’re beginning to converse with Yunho, Jongho, and Yeosang about your favourite books, Wooyoung spares a glance around the table, locking gazes with the man sitting across from him.
So, are we going to discuss how our eldest here influenced our beloved to wear his dress? Wooyoung’s eyes narrow ever so subtly at the man before him.
Do you really think that little of me, brother? Seonghwa hums in response, quirking his brow slightly in challenge.
He’s not the only one suspicious of what your intentions were. San chimes in, resting his elbows on the table in front of him and clasping his hands beneath his chin, seeing as he’s finished his meal for the time being.
I had no influence over her decision what-so-ever. She made that choice all on her own. Seonghwa replies. It’s not my fault you all seem to lack taste.
Mingi chokes on his drink, blood rushing to the tips of his ears as annoyance floods his veins. At least you spare him a concerned glance, your inquiry into whether he’s okay or not immediately soothing his anger.
Watch it, Hwa. Hongjoong warns, sparing a glance at the male from the corner of his eyes, only to get enraptured by your excited expression in the next moment.
What happened in there, anyways? Yeosang adds without so much as breaking eye contact with you.
Wouldn’t you like to know? Seonghwa leans back slightly in his seat, a certain smugness surrounding him.
Yes. Jongho’s voice echoes through their heads. I think we’d all like to know that.
What did you do? Yunho asks, somewhat accusatory. He’s still suspicious that the eldest had something to do with which dress you picked for this evening, just as the rest of them are.
Fucking hell. Seonghwa lets out a small puff of air, low enough that you do not take notice. In a flash, Seonghwa is sharing his memories with the rest of them. Well, only certain aspects of them. There. Happy now?
No. Mingi grumbles. Now, I just feel worse.
Somehow knowing you were telling the truth makes my blood boil. Yeosang adds bitterly.
Can we not focus on how wonderful she looks instead? Jongho questions, a glint of awe shining in his eyes as he looks across the table at you while resting his head in the palm of his hand.
Has anyone thought to compliment her yet tonight? Hongjoong’s brow furrows only slightly as he doesn’t recall any of them showering you with any of the praise you deserve.
“By the way, I must say,” Wooyoung speaks, drawing your full, undivided attention towards him, “you look absolutely riveting this evening. That dress looks wondrous on you.”
“Oh, uh,” instantly, heat flares to your cheeks and your eyes go wide. A mental image of your little escapade, or rather, what you think you had simply imagined in that shop with Seonghwa flits through your mind. You blink, unaware of how the males around you all stiffen, the air in the room shifting in intensity. “Thank you.”
Park Seonghwa. The way Hongjoong drawls his name out has the elder male holding his breath in anticipation. Is there something you’d like to share with the rest of us?
Not particularly. Either Seonghwa is incredibly brave to continue hiding this from his brothers, or incredibly stupid. As soon as he feels seven mental spears probing at his mind, he knows it’s the latter.
A thwack resounds around the room as Yunho bangs his knee from beneath the table, the sound enough to make you jump.
“I thought we agreed not to touch her, to indulge in her until she was finally ours.” Hongjoong’s voice is low, ominous, as he stares right past you to the male directly to your right.
“You can’t blame me!” Seonghwa replies. “I know any of you would have done the same if given the chance. Don’t act so innocent here.”
Your eyes widen, heart hammering in your chest at his words. You have no idea what’s going on now, and you don’t think you want to stick around to find out.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Mingi warns, making eye contact with you just as the thought of fleeing crosses your mind.
“Okay, just what the hell is going on here?” Your voice draws all of their attention to you once more, and you end up shrinking back in your seat when you suddenly find yourself beneath the gazes of all eight men’s stares.
“There’s no point in keeping it from you any longer. You were bound to find out anyways, this is just not how we planned on telling you.” Hongjoong sighs, leaning back in his chair as he closes his eyes for a brief moment. “I’m sure you’ve noticed something’s amiss by now.”
“Tell me what?” Fear spikes within you. “That you guys are all part of some weird cult?”
Wooyoung, Yunho, San, and Mingi all burst out laughing at your words.
“You could say that,” Yeosang sighs. “It certainly feels like it sometimes.”
Your heartbeat rings in your ears.
“Stop that, you’re scaring her.” Jongho frowns.
Before you can say another word, someone is beating you to it.
“No, we’re not cultists.” Seonghwa sighs. “Though, I don’t think you’re going to feel much better learning what our true nature is.”
“Your ‘true nature’?” The furrow in your brow deepens, panic clear now on your features. “Don’t tell me you all think you’re vampires, or some shit like that.”
“Not quite,” San chuckles from the end of the table.
“More like demonic entities, if you will.” Again, that unnerving smile is back on Hongjoong’s features.
Your heart jumps into your throat. “You’re demons?”
“More or less,” Yunho shrugs casually, as if this is a conversation they have every day.
“No.” You state, placing a hand onto of the table to brace yourself with. “No. This isn’t possible.”
“Anything is possible, my dear,” Seonghwa grins. Truly, a chilling sight which sends a shiver right down your spine.
“This is insane.” You hiss, shaking your head as you stare at your hand placed on the table. Your fingers brush against something familiar.
“The first step towards sanity is embracing the insane.” Hongjoong replies, and you turn to see him stand from his chair.
“Do you really think that everything that’s happened to you within the past thirty-six hours has been natural?” Hongjoong cocks his head at you as he tilts your chair slightly to face him. “We have powers that you cannot even begin to comprehend, Love.”
You swallow the dryness in your throat. “I don’t believe you.”
“It wasn’t some random force that compelled you to take a road trip on your one weekend off,” Hongjoong grins, his eyes flashing black. “It was us.”
A gasp escapes you as his dark eyes lock onto yours. So you haven’t been imagining things. Their eyes really do shift black.
With your heartbeat ringing through your ears, you lean as far back in your seat as you can to get away from him. Your one hand still rests firmly on the table beside you, and you can feel the other’s eyes on you, watching your every move. Waiting with bated breath. For what, you’re not quite sure, but if they have strong powers, and what you’ve been experiencing- been assuming- is all true, then they can also read your mind. Your thoughts are no longer safely your own.
“What is it that you want from me, then?” You meet Hongjoong’s gaze, and you watch as it softens.
“I thought we all made that obvious by now,” he shares a quick glance with the males all sitting around the table, grins pulling onto all of their faces. “We just want you.”
“Me?” To say you’re caught off guard would be an understatement. “You mean you want my soul?”
“Sure, your soul would be nice.” Mingi nods.
“To have and to hold,” Jongho agrees with a nod of his own.
“To cherish and protect,” Wooyoung adds.
“To love and to care for.” San hums, taking another sip from his drink.
“Only if you give it to us willingly,” Seonghwa’s voice is surprisingly soft; tender.
“But never for us to take.” Yeosang shakes his head slightly, as if to emphasize his words.
“Or to keep.” Yunho assures you.
You spare a glance around you as best as you can, confusion clear in your eyes. “I don’t follow.”
“What we’re saying is,” Hongjoong takes a moment to meet your gaze, a tender look shining behind his irises as a smile tugs at the corner of his lips, “we want you. All of you. Mind, body, and soul.”
You can do nothing but stare at him, words failing you as your lips part. You swear your heart is about to burst with how intensely it thunders away in your chest.
“Of course, we would love it if you agreed to become ours willingly,” Hongjoong adds, and you can hear the underlying threat beneath his words. At the sense of fear that spikes within you, he’s quick to assure you. “I promise you that we would never hurt you.”
“We only want to love you,” Seonghwa adds softly.
“To cherish you,” Mingi breathes.
“To protect you,” San voices gently.
“To worship you,” Wooyoung says, voice barely above a whisper.
“To live out the rest of our lives together,” Yeosang’s breath catches slightly in his throat.
“To always be there for you,” Jongho nods his head assuringly in your direction.
“You are everything to us,” Yunho whispers, voice raw with the honesty of his words.
“So please,” Hongjoong draws your attention back to him, his forehead coming to rest against your own as he stares deeply into your eyes, “won’t you let us?”
A small silence settles over the nine of you as you allow their words to sink in. You can barely form any cohesive thoughts, sitting as still as you possibly can as you attempt to wrap you head around this turn of events. Never did you expect for this to happen.
Your lips part, and they all find themselves holding their breaths, greatly anticipating your answer.
“No.”
Hongjoong blinks. This time, it’s his turn to be stunned by your response, pulling away slightly in his shock. “No?”
“No.” You repeat, much firmer this time.
Before any of them can say anything, or even react for that matter, you’re stabbing Hongjoong with your steak knife and pushing him off of you. Standing from your seat with enough force to knock your chair off its balance, you send it toppling to the floor. Not even a moment later, you’re sprinting for the door and out of the dining room, fleeing down the hallway in which you first arrived from.
Your footsteps echo down the corridor as the eight men can only sit there, stunned for the moment at this turn of events. Well, that didn’t go at all how they had planned.
In the blink of an eye, San, Wooyoung, Mingi, and Yeosang have disappeared, chasing after you without a second thought.
“She stabbed me.” Hongjoong voices incredulously, disbelief clear on his face. “She stabbed me.”
“Yes, and?” Seonghwa quirks a brow, amusement dancing in his eyes as he watches Hongjoong pull the knife out of his shoulder, blood dripping onto the floor as he stares intently at the weapon in question. “How does that make you feel?”
“Honestly?” Hongjoong looks over at the older male, nodding his head slightly in awe. “Impressed and horny.”
“Come on,” Seonghwa rolls his eyes at his leader. “Let’s go get our girl.”
Nothing but the sound of the knife clattering to the ground echoes throughout the room as the remaining four of them teleport to where you managed to run off to. You didn’t get very far, only able to reach the lobby before the first half of their group found you. They had appeared in an instant, surrounding you on all sides, and preventing you from escaping. Your pleas to let you go fall on deaf ears.
As soon as you see the other four appear out of thin air, your panic rises. Any and all chance of escape that you had had just now becomes slim to none.
“That wasn’t very nice,” Hongjoong pouts. “And after all that we’ve done for you, too.”
“Just let me leave, and we can pretend that none of this ever happened.” Comes your reply, noting the way a small blotch of red stains the front of his shirt where the knife had pierced him.
“I don’t think you fully comprehend your situation right now,” Hongjoong shakes his head, tutting all the while. “I already told you. You’re ours, and we’re not going to let you go so easily.”
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” you explain, voice coming out much firmer than you thought it would. “I’m going to grab my bag from my room, and then I’m checking out of this godforsaken hotel. I’m going to get into my car, drive home, and none of you will ever see me again.”
“Sure, you can check out of here any time you’d like. This isn’t even a real place,” Hongjoong chuckles as he watches your expression fall, horror at the realization of what his words mean painting your features. “We tried to be reasonable, to give you a choice. Now, you’ll just have to accept the terms you’ve signed yourself up for. You’re ours, and you’re in our domain now, Love. You can never leave.”
2K notes · View notes
ransprang · 3 months
Text
thank you to @magnitude101999 for your support <3 we hope you like your match up
if anyone else wants a match up this is our ko-fi
your match up is....
WYLL!!!
Tumblr media
How you met: You were a bard at the Blushing Mermaid, a tavern which Wyll, still the son of a nobleman often frequented. He heard you sing one night and was enchanted by your voice so much so that he sought to have a drink with you afterwards. You were too shy to speak much to him that day, but he was polite and charming so he stuck in your memory. You began to look for him in the crowds, and he would always give you a bright smile whenever you caught his eye. You both began to chat after your performances since he always made it a point to compliment your singing. One night, you noticed Wyll looked troubled. When asked, he confessed that his father was set to disown and exile him for becoming a warlock. You refused to believe that kind man would do anything evil intentionally. Wyll heartened by your faith in him, invited you to accompany him in his travels. And so the pair of you roamed the Swordcoast, a traveling minstrel and the Blade of Frontiers.
When resting at camp Wyll performs his dances in private along with his sword practices. In those serene moments you love drawing him. And if you choose to show him the pages of drawings he'll be so pleased and a bit shy, “Wow darling, is this how you see me?”
He’ll pepper your body with innocent, light kisses on your hands, fingers, cheeks, forehead. He’s slowly build up his way to your lips like a gentleman
Wyll loves to caress your hair, admiring the color and beauty after a long day. The gentle touches turn into a head massage which helps you destress.
As a bard you have very weak capabilities in fighting with weapons, so Wyll teaches you the art of the sword. Similar to the modern world of teaching one to play golf, Wyll stands behind you and clasps his hands on top of yours. Guiding your hands
You would sing some funky tunes and Wyll would dance to them. He would drag you into a dance too once his solo performance was over.    
Wyll and you are both 6 feet. You both could exchange clothing if you wanted. Some nights you put on his little black crop top before going to bed. 
Wyll would appreciate your bubbly and cheerful personality in dark times, especially with a worm stuck in his brain. He has been through some difficult times but always tries to keep an optimistic outlook. He would admire your ability to stay positive.
It would be ages before you guys would do more than kiss and Wyll would be all the more happy to go slow with you. He wants that storybook romance, and is happy to play the part of Prince Charming.
Wyll often waxes lyrical about his partner. He would give you all the sappy, romantic words of affirmation you needed. "Your red hair dances like flames in the sunlight.” “For me, Y/n, your eyes hold the entire universe, and when our eyes meet, it feels like getting lost in a beautiful, enchanting night sky.
N/SFW
Wyll teaches you the way of his sword. Since you are shy, he’ll slowly teach you what he likes and how he likes it. At the beginning he’d let you pump it and put his cock in your mouth however you please. The longer into your relationship the more comfortable he grows teaching you what he prefers.
He’ll never pressure you into anything you don’t want to. He’d be the king of consent asking you if he can remove your blouse and panties.
Absolute praise kink and body worship enjoyer. He’ll tell you how gorgeous you look clothed, topless, between his legs, sweaty, full of his cum, and more. He is wholly devoted to you and only you.
Wyll takes it slow, he caresses your body softly with his finger tips, feeling your skin, curves and bends. You can see him breathe heavier, the more he feels. His pants get tighter, pushing against his zipper. His hard erect cock fully visible to you.
Wyll pleasures then gets pleasured. He would give your naked body soft kisses all the way down to your clit, while he lets his hands and arms roam freely around your chest and hips. Skin to skin contact already has him on cloud 9.
Wyll would slowly and steadily take you from behind as he would squeeze your breasts. He also brings himself close to your neck and ear while pumping to whisper about how much he loves you, and how you are his everything.
Wyll would take your hands and move them around his body, feeling your fingertips against his abs. Tracing his v line, smooth against his skin, that man would be dripping with precum.
He would have sex to classical music playing in the background. As the music and the instruments would get more intense, so would he. Wyll would pump faster and breathe with the rhythm to songs like fur Elise,
Wyll is going to look after you so well. He would play with your red locks, tangling them around his fingers, and kissing your forehead. He would say I love you at least 10 times after sex.
Wyll will make you lemonade to make up for all the sweating, especially if you’ve sucked him off. He will offer to cook you dinner or take you out for a meal. You are his princess and you’ve given him so much pleasure, so he must thank you.
yours wyllfully,
admins sar, san & sav
34 notes · View notes
piratefalls · 3 months
Text
Tumblr media
a bonus list! for the longest time i did not read wips because it seemed like the second i hit subscribe they stopped updating, but! this fandom has, for the millionth time, awakened something in me, so here's a super delayed wip wednesday in which i tell you the wips i've been following and enjoying.
masterlist.
(make me) misbehave by r_holland
Alex Claremont-Diaz has done it again. The Texas-born singer-songwriter released his fourth studio album second skin Thursday at midnight. Full of Claremont-Diaz’s signature lyricism, critics are praising the album for the cohesive image it paints. second skin is the result of a young writer at the top of his game, and every lyric depicts for the listener a picture of a sun-drenched secret romance. Fans are clamoring to be the first to uncover the mystery girl at the center of it all, although Claremont-Diaz remains tight-lipped on the subject… *** Or: Alex Claremont-Diaz is a singer-songwriter rising up in the music industry. Henry Fox is the shining star of an acting empire. This is a love story.
A Man Born To Lead A Nation by BisexualChaosDemon
Henry was born to be a spare. A spare of a spare, in fact. He would never need to wear the Crown, so he was allowed to build his life with Alex in the States. New York, Texas, marriage and soon maybe kids, it is everything Henry throught he would never have and better than he could have ever dreamed. But, what will happen when Philip tells them he won't take the Throne after Catherine and the line of succession ends up in tatters?
Binary Light by Leaves_of_Laurelin
In the sci-fi smash-hit movie Binary Light, Dev Creehil (played by Alex Claremont-Diaz) and Qindeli (played by Henry Fox) go from enemies to reluctant allies to friends. While a legion of on-line fans believe that arc should have included a ‘to lovers’ at the end, the behind the scenes truth is that the lead actors stayed firmly enemies to enemies throughout filming. Fresh off a brutal breakup, Alex is back for the sequel and back to dealing with Henry—the asshole Hollywood nepo baby who has failed to conceal his disdain for Alex ever since their first chemistry read. In the script the shippers will finally be getting what they’ve always wanted, but, as some of Henry’s ice begins to thaw, what Alex wants has become decidedly more confusing.
Burning Love by absoluteaudacity
“You’re such a wanker,” Henry says emphatically, but there’s no heat in it. “You love me,” Alex counters, because Henry does and he knows it, but Henry makes sure to roll his eyes anyway so Alex’s already impressive ego doesn’t get too much bigger. -- The Ignite My Heart sequel
Every Time My Heart Swings Back to You by TheLastKnownSurvivor
"Promise me," James says, gaze firm as he looks into Gabriel's eyes. "Promise me. Let's meet again." Hundreds of years ago, Prince James and Sir Gabriel fell in love following several chance encounters despite their very different stations in life. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before the two star-crossed lovers met a tragic end due to the anti-sodomy laws of the time, desperately wishing for the chance to meet once more. In the modern day, Alex and Henry are college students who have been haunted by mysterious visions for years. Despite a poor first meeting, the two are inexplicably drawn to each other and the visions grow in number and intensity. Slowly, they try to piece together the story and discover it is that of their past lives. Yet the question remains as to whether it's a past worth remembering and if they can disentangle themselves from the tragedy in this life.
Heist Society by OrchidScript
“Don’t sound too giddy, sweetheart,” Alex answered. They turned a corner up onto Fifth and descended the first set of stairs down onto the F line, the bright orange bubble a welcome sight. “I have half a mind to put your hands in cuffs where I can see them before letting you into that store.” “That threat is more tired with every turn, Alex.” Henry followed, hands in his pockets and a half step behind. “You know as well as I do that diamonds don’t interest me.” “But they are a girl’s best friend.” “If Marilyn is to be believed,” Henry hummed. “I also hear gentlemen prefer blondes.” “You’d like that wouldn’t you?” Alex rolled his eyes. ____________________________________________________________ After two months of proving their partnership's value, Alex and Henry are asked to consult on a jewel heist by Alex's mentor, Rafael Luna. Facing unfamiliar territory and a questionable undercover plan, will their effort make or break their burgeoning relationship -- or turn it in a new direction entirely? Part of the Portrait of a Thief series
Ho, Then Make It Fashion by TuppingLiberty
Alex is an in-demand model who has been modeling since his teens. He knows how to use his body, he knows how to wear clothes. But he has barely any time for friends or anything else. He and Henry cross paths a different way, but still end up in the same place. ;)
my every road leads to you (it's to you, i'll always belong) by blackrose1002
Right there, on the other side of the room, sipping something that looks like gin and tonic, watching the room just as discreetly as Alex, is an MI6 agent. One that Alex last saw about a year ago, during a mission in Madrid – a mission Alex would very much like to forget. Henry Monte Cristo fucking something. The ridiculously attractive British spy that screwed Alex over so spectacularly he thought both Zahra and his mother were going to kill him. (Or the one where agent Alex Claremont-Diaz needs to work with agent Henry Mountchristen-Fox, but there's just one little problem. Alex can't fucking stand him.)
Salt Follows the Moon by Pondermoniums
Vampires exist, and it's no secret. What is a secret, is that Henry Hanover-Stuart Windsor needs a blood donor. Alex Claremont-Diaz just can't leave well enough alone.
Rule Britannia by DuchessdePolignac
“Understand what? Are you anticipating there being an interview question on the number of men Prince Henry has gone out with since he came out? Or do you think the Ambassador is going to ask you questions like, ‘Hey, Alex, why do you think he’s such a serial dater who can’t keep a relationship? Do you think he cheated on his age-appropriate hunky Brazilian boyfriend with that sixty year old oil tycoon with a face like raw leather? Is he a greedy gold digger or does he just have questionable taste?” ** Philip is King and Prince Henry is living his best, openly gay, tabloid-fodder life. But something doesn't feel right to Alex about the progressive fantasy the Hanover-Stuart-Fox's are selling. Or: where Henry is a political courtesan fucking for King and Country, and Alex is the diplomat who foolishly and earnestly falls in love with him. Can Alex understand Henry's motivations, and can he live with the reality of being in love with a high-power courtesan with dangerous clientele? Or: A long and long-winded meditation on sex and power, and power and sex.
Something Borrowed, Something Blue by anincompletelist
When June gets engaged, Alex, her brother, and Henry, her best friend, are asked to be the official Guys Of Honor. There’s a month to plan the whole thing, which would be near impossible anyway, only made worse by the fact that being around each other the last several years has only ever led to petty fights and useless competition. Unfortunately, as the two most important men in her life - aside from her fiancé - they don’t really have much of a choice. Alex has a lot of feelings about this. As it turns out, Henry does too.
The Haunting of Cursed Hearts by wordscavenger
Moving to a new city can be difficult. Moving to a new city known for its tragic history involving witchcraft and murder can sometimes involve more difficulties than one bargains for. When Alex takes a job in Salem, Massachusetts to teach law classes at a local university, he ends up renting a room above a lovely little bookstore run by his very handsome, and very British, landlord. The more time he spends in this quaint New England town that is more popular than he had ever realized, and the deeper he gets into its haunting season, the more he can’t help falling for the secretive man with a sweet little dog and even sweeter kisses. If only a centuries old curse wasn’t hell-bent on keeping the two apart. -- Or, a cozy seasonal supernatural mystery about new beginnings, falling in love, and learning that magic may be more real than one would think.
The Story of Us by princebutt
Henry Fox is only attending this American football game as a PR stunt. That's all it is. He's definitely not fatally attracted to the brash quarterback Alex Claremont-Diaz who had the audacity to publicly call him out for not taking his number at a concert... that would be absolutely idiotic of him.
as always, if you want to be tagged in the future just let me know! i am uncomfortable taking tagging liberties - especially if we have never interacted - because i am horrifically shy lol.
24 notes · View notes
happinessismusic · 2 months
Text
Several times throughout his performance last night, Blake Shelton held his arms wide open towards the audience, as if he wanted to give everyone a big bear hug, thanking them for the love, energy, and applause. This would be Shelton's sixth time on the rotating RodeoHouston stage, and his first time back in six years.
"I've been here a bunch of times" said Blake as he smiled wide to the crowd. "I try my best to soak up the experience every time!
It was a gorgeous evening for the opening night of RodeoHouston 2024. Guys and gals dressed in their best western outfits came out to see the rodeo, eat corn dogs and turkey legs, and see a great show. The paid attendance of last night's event was a respectable 59,461.
The set list began with the trio of "God's Country," "A Guy With A Girl," and "Neon Light." Shelton lives on the edge of several worlds: country and Hollywood, traditional and modern. He took a swig of his whiskey (or tequila) and raised his glass towards the crowd. "Let's have some real fun out here!"
It was then that Blake's wife made a surprise appearance. The superstar Gwen Stefani joined Shelton on stage for the duets "Nobody But You" and "Purple Irises." She looked like an angel dressed in a purple shawl with fringe, her blonde hair flowing over her shoulders. The country boy married the California girl, and now they make beautiful music together.
"I was holding on to that big secret, and it was so hard to not tell anybody!" confessed Shelton. "By the way, Houston..... You're welcome! That was my wife, Gwen Stefani!"
"Now let's play some of my old ones," he followed, continuing with "Ol' Red," "Austin," and "Honey Bee." Although Shelton is not quite on par with the great country music storytellers of the golden era, he is a talented songwriter, and sure can paint a pretty picture with his songs.
“Well look at that! They're doing the cell phone light thing that I like so much" he said during the song "Austin." That track was Shelton's first hit. "This is the song that got me here!"
Shelton's current tour is entitled "Back To The Honky Tonk," and which was most evident with his last songs of the night, "Hillbilly Bone" and "Boys Round Here".
"We all have a hillbilly bone down deep inside," sang Blake to the bluesy rock track. "You can't help but hollerin' YEE-HAW!" These lyrics definitely represent what Houston feels during Rodeo cook off and the 20 days of concerts that follow.
The track "Boys Round Here" has always been very humorous to me as it leans on a country rap motif that references the 2010 rap classic "Teach Me How To Dougie" by Cali Swag District.
“I love Texas!" proclaimed Shelton near the end of his set. "I love Houston and I love this place!"
He then hopped offstage and onto a black Ford F-150 and rode away into the belly of the arena.
What a great way to kick off the 2024 RodeoHouston season. The lineup is interesting and exciting this year, and we will be back a few more times for more music, more fun, and definitely more corn dogs!
9 notes · View notes
ragnvdnir · 2 years
Text
GENSHIN MEN WITH LYRICS FROM ALL TOO WELL (10 MINUTE VERSION) (TAYLOR'S VERSION) [PART 1]
Tumblr media
SYNOPSIS — various scenarios with genshin characters and lyrics from all too well (part 2 soon!)
CHARACTERS — albedo, ayato, childe, diluc, kaeya, kazuha, xiao, thoma (w/ gn!reader)
INCLUDES — angst, fluff, breakups, domestic life, deaths, a mix of modern au and original setting, failed proposal, albedo losing control, reader aging old, secret affairs, reader settling in for less, noble!reader at one scene
NOTES — i added a little bit of champagne problems with dilucs second part, i hope you don't mind :")) and i also decided to split this in half since its getting long. oh and every character has two scenarios each, the others are on the part two.
Tumblr media
“I walked through the door with you, the air was cold. But something 'bout it felt like home somehow.”
Snezhnaya was cold, you thought. It was a whole new environment for you after living in liyue for your whole life. But seeing CHILDE's smile and excitement somehow made the coldness dissapear in an instant.
He have always wanted to take you here, in his homeland, and now, it is finally happening. He can't help but grin widely at the thought of his family finally meeting you after knowing you from his letters.
“You seem happy, 'jax.” He turned to look at you before letting out a small laugh. His cheeks were rosy pink from excitement and coldness.
“I am definitely happy! I can't wait for you to meet my parents and siblings. Im sure they'll love you too!” He answered as he held your hand and warm them up then fix your coat.
Just the thought of meeting his family got you all nervous. But when you finally met them, all of the worries seems to fade away as they happily welcomed you. Asking you questions and telling stories about the younger Ajax.
You feel loved and warm by his family. They're full of bright people.
Ajax smiled to himself as he watched you chattering with his family. He leaned on the door and let out a sigh of relief.
This is what he want, for you to be one with his family.
“Oh, your disposition and my wide-eyed gaze. We're singing in the car getting lost upstate.”
KAZUHA is an awestruck prose. He seemed to be always held your heart captive whenever he open his oh so sweet lips, and he seem surreal to you.
He can always make you feel fine in a second, and he always go with the flow with you like right now, he hums along the song that is playing in your shared earphones while you sing quitely under your breath. He finds it adorable as he continued humming along the tune with you. He wished the moment to last more.
“And I know its long gone and that magic's not here no more and i might be okay, but I'm not fire at all.”
Your relationship with the calvary captain, KAEYA, has ended weeks ago, the reason for the said separation is falling out of love... He said.
You don't want him to feel forced in this relationship that's why you chose to let him go and be free on his own.
Your sudden break up with the young man has caused a gossip in the city. After all, he is very well known and your relationship with him was not that really private. Everyone just seem to find out and neither of you denied it.
For days and weeks, people keep asking you ‘why did you break up’ and ‘are you okay?’ You can only nod at them for them stop asking you already because you were getting tired telling people that you're okay.
truth to be told, you might be okay but you're not fine at all.
You also don't know why he suddenly proposed a break up with you. You don't believe that he just fall out of love like that. There must be a deeper reason behind it that he won't tell you.
“Cause there we are again on that the town street. You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over me.”
DILUC was always clumsy when it comes to you. He seem to cant take his eyes off you. Even now, he didn't noticed that the traffic light went red already. He only stepped on the break when you shouted at him to.
Oh archons, he was whipped.
He apologized many times to you and promised to be more careful. You can only laugh at the blushing red-haired man and pinched his cheeks which made him burning red.
“I'll accept your apology once you stop looking at me while driving, okay?”
That one... he can't promise.
“Photo album on the counter, your cheeks were turning red. You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin-sized bed. And your mother's telling stories 'bout you on the tee-ball team.”
THOMA's cheeks turned red when he saw you focusing on the photo album that his mom showed you. He sighed before sitting beside you while he placed the tray that contains snacks on the table.
“Are you done looking at it?” He asked as he closed the photo album and placed it on the table.
“Oh come on! I wasn't even done!” You exclaimed at him.
“It's embarrassing, okay?” He murmured while he took a bite of cookies that his mother made and subconsciously pouted at you which made you coo at him.
“What's there to be embarrassed about? You're adorable as a child!” You protested as you opened the photo album again and pointed at the picture of him grinning widely with his rosy chubby cheeks at five years old. “Look!”
He shook his head and continued eating while trying to calm down his pacing heart and flushed cheeks.
“Oh dear, do you want me to tell you the story of when he cried because his plant died and how he tried to revive it at the age six years old?” His mom entered the view and smirked at you and your lover.
“Ma!”
“Really!? Please do!”
“You told me 'bout your past thinking your future was me.”
When DILUC told you about his past, he was sure that he loves you beyond anything and all he really wants is to have a future with you in it.
He let you see the vulnerable and broken parts of him that he never let anyone see, except you. He wants to be bare open to you about everything about him; his life and him. He believes that being true to your lover is one of the fundamentals of a happy future.
He is happy with you. He loves you. He wants a future with you in it. Everything was already planned and all he needs to do is to ask your hand for a marriage.
But what he didn't expect is for you to ask him to separate ways. You told him there were alot of things that needs to be fixed and that includes you.
You believed that you're unworthy for him after hearing about his past. You believed that there is someone that can heal him and that someone isn't you. You saw as his world slowly revolves around you to the point that he can—and will—sacrifice his life for your eternal happiness.
And you don't want that. You don't want him to lose his life for someone like you... But now, it is slowly happening.
Unbeknownst to you, you didn't see that you are his last hope. That you are more than important to him. That you are his eternal happiness. That you are the one who keeps him sane. That... you are his life.
With you, everything is possible.
However, none of it matters right now as you dropped his hand and left him out there standing as crestfallen slowly lands on him...
“And then you wondered where it went to as I reached for you but a felt was shame, and you held my lifeless frame.”
ALBEDO can only have himself to blame for everything that happened to you. He blamed himself for allowing a relationship to sprout between you two. He blamed himself for not giving you enough time and love. He blamed himself for not paying attention on you. He blamed himself for neglecting you a lot of times.
He blamed himself for losing control...
The times that you tried to reach out to him after realizing that your relationship is slowly crumbling. The times that you were left sobbing at his outrage and ignorance. But you endured it all because that's always how Albedo is. You kept everything to yourself.
He regretted it. He regretted it all as he now held your lifeless body that he caused. He shouted and screamed for you to wake up. But you never did...
Everyone watched as he continued to lose control of himself more that is about to destroy mondstadt; to destroy everything as no one can stop him now that he lost you by his own hands.
He killed you, and he can't forgive himself even if he repented and atoned for the things he did to you.
“And I forget about you long enough to forget why I needed to.”
Loving XIAO was something that you told yourself you won't forget, ever. He was an enigma that you wanted to know. You are a curious being that pestered him every day.
He would have treasured you dearly if everything was at the right timing. He would have given you enough time if he only knew you'll forget him soon too as you grew older and older each day; your hair turning gray as wrinkles started appearing on your face in a blur.
He always keeps his eye on you even though he is slowly slipping out of your memories. Old age is making it hard for you to remember the sacred times you shared.
And when the time came that you asked for his name and who he is, he just knows this feeling is worst than his karmic debt.
To hate is something he can accept, but to forget... That is even worse than losing you. He wished that you hated and resented him instead.
Forgetting him is forgetting the love you had.
“'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night. We're dancing 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light. Down the stairs, I was there, I remember it all too well.”
THOMA is everything you could have asked for. He is the type that everyone will want as their loyal and doting husband. That's why you feel so lucky to have him by your side.
It was 3 am when you and thoma decided to bake together. You opened the fridge open to gather some ingredients when you heard both of your favorite song started playing in the background. You glanced behind your back and saw him smiling at you. He reached out his hand to you.
“May you give me the pleasure of dancing with you?” He giggled. You can't help but do the same and gently placed your hand on his.
“I would love to,” You uttered.
It was then when the both of you got lost in the moment, forgetting the placed ingredients and bowls on the counter. Dancin’ and smiling like fools as you two laughed and twirl around the kitchen.
You won't ever forget how Thoma beamed as the refrigerator light shone behind him. You don't want this to end. You want to be with him like this for ever and ever.
“And there we are again when nobody had to know. You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath.”
Being with AYATO was hell upon heaven. Happiness exist, of course, but only behind closed doors. He was a venom, but he's also an elixir. He's a sin but a blessing at the same time. His attention was short-lived but worth it everytime. Just one touch from him and you're gone... Softly melting into his fingers.
However, having an affair with him behind everyone's back was not that easy either. Your times with him are always limited and scheduled. And you can't see how much it's damaging you. You can't see how much you've become desperate for him.
The only thing you know is that he consumes your heart, body, mind, and soul. You were ready to fall from grace for him. Everything else won't matter anymore to you if you have this thing between you and him to last for eternity, to be seen by everyone, and for you to freely shout that he is yours and you are his.
But since when did you start thinking that he is yours?
You were always his, but he will never be yours. Your heart is his to keep. His heart isn't yours to feel.
Thinking too much is slowly making you out of your rationality. You watched as he happily conversed with a fair noble lady. You watched how he smiled and complimented her. You watched as he tried to make her smile and laugh with a few jokes here and there.
The flower he gave you earlier crumpled at your raging fist. Your heart was beating faster and you couldn't think straight. The jealousy was eating you up.
Just as you were about to storm towards them and make a scene. Another noble approached you and started a conversation. You didn't have a choice but to engage in and set all the feelings aside.
Later that night as everyone was seated around the big dining table. You were seated on Ayato's left side as an idea came into you that will prove if he's really committed to this thing between you two and if he can take risks and sacrifices for you.
You gathered courage as your right hand slowly approached his left hand that is resting on the table. Just as you are about to fully take his fingers, he smoothly brushed them off by using that same hand to grab his cup.
You felt your heart slowly shattered at this actions. You immediately drew back your hand to grab your chopsticks to eat. As you were chewing the food, you felt your eyes watered and you excused yourself. Ayato didn't even bother to send you a glance as you went out with a broken heart.
It was then that you realized that you are the only one who's willing to go far for this thing between you and him to progress. You cherished him, and he does too, he said, but not much as you do.
To him, maybe you're just a thing; an affair to be kept as a secret. But to you, this is love. He is the love that you oathed for.
Tumblr media
© kazu-topia, 2022. do not copy, repost, take heavy inspiration or translate my works.
146 notes · View notes
obstinaterixatrix · 5 months
Text
so something sondheim did was he’d sometimes ask the book writer to write a monologue that sondheim would use as inspiration for a song, and that’s what happened for ‘talent’ and it’s really cool being able to see that in execution, here’s the monologue that weidman wrote for paris in an early draft of the script:
Ever since I was a boy, I've had a passion. For the arts. The theater, the ballet. When I was still at school, I was convinced that I'd grow up to be a painter. Turned out I didn't have the—I don't know, the talent, the dedication, it doesn't matter. Because when I stepped off that train in Palm Beach and looked around, I realized what I was meant to be. Not an artist, but a patron of the arts. I had a vision. I saw it all, right there in front of me. An entire community, spread out along the seashore. The finest artists colony in all the world! And do you know what had revealed it to me? It was the light. The light off the Atlantic. It was like no light I'd ever seen before. Hard-edged. Unsentimental. It was ours. It was American. And in that light—in that luminescence—I saw painters, sculptors, artists of every type, working at the absolute height of their powers, laboring to bring forth a new art for a New World. And I saw myself, too. Wandering among them, urging them on, setting their genius free. Me. Paris Singer. Savoring the satisfaction of delivering their brilliant work into the brilliant light... That was my dream. It still is.
youtube
I'm linking the version from wise guys because I'm biased, here are the lyrics for ‘talent’, unchanged through all three iterations of the show:
When I was a tyke I said, "What I like Is art I know I'm a boy But what I enjoy Is art."
Looking at paintings, going to plays Music and books informing my days Filling my mind Flooding my heart With art!
I had this dream of becoming an artist A painter, a poet, who knows? I had a nice little talent for drawing And a natural feeling for prose I even began to compose
So many talents Wasn't I blessed? All of them good A few of them better None of them best
Just enough talent To know that I hadn't the talent So I put my dream And my self-esteem To rest
I couldn't decide Then one day I spied Palm Beach A speck on the map No more than a gap Palm beach
Jungle and seashore, muddy and raw But in a flash I suddenly saw What it would take What I could make Palm Beach!
I had this dream of a city of artists Versailles by the Florida sea A sort of world congregation of artists All encouraged to set themselves free I knew what I wanted to be!
I'd be their host and supporter The patron saint Of the things that they'd write And compose and paint
I shall wander among them with lavish praise As they carve their statues Construct their plays Design their buildings Recite their rhymes Making modern art Fit for modern times!
So many talents Gathered en masse! Painters and poets Artists and dreamers Watered like grass
And if the talent I have Is for nurturing talent Then succeed or fail I will see they sail First class
And my father can go stick it up his ass!
I think it's really interesting to compare the monologue with the lyrics, and it's super cool to get the chance to... weidman's monologue briefly touches on the talent aspect but mostly centers The Vision whereas sondheim spends a lot more time on that idea of lacking A Certain Something to truly achieve (perceived) greatness in art. another thing that sticks out to me is that the song is composed to evoke a train, so it makes sense to me why sondheim would center more of the momentum of paris' dream rather than the visuals or american ideals. (sidenote, it's interesting that both of sondheim and weidman's shows has a deeply American(tm) core to it, assassins links the various assassins through the [distortion of?] american ideals they represent while wise guys has the dogged pursuit and--to some extent--failure to realize the american ideals expressed by their parents) (actually, tangentially, when I say 'distortion' of american ideals, I don't think it's a *true* distortion per se--manifest destiny is a core american ideal and the assassins essentially carry out the logical conclusion of the idea that Everything Belongs To Me As Is My Divine Right) (so 'distortion' as in going beyond the 'benign' or any positive interpretation of american ideals) ok as I was typing this, I think rather than de-emphasizing the american ideals exhibited in weidman's monologue, sondheim works it into the music and lyrics (train motif, emphasis on forward momentum)--which is ALSO interesting because while paris is initially presented as a down on his luck ex-heir striking out on his own to follow his dream, when things get tough paris goes back to his father (lol). I really like this song, it's a great introduction to a character that's completely sincere but also. a huge misrepresentation by the character of himself.
4 notes · View notes
existentialmagazine · 3 months
Text
Review: Abandon the Fall & Dreamhouse collaborate for powerful alternative single ‘Matches’, an anthem that provides a guiding light in the dark
Created as a solo endeavour, the emerging at Abandon the Fall finds itself fronted by Juan Espinoza, taking hold of his musical inspirations and turning them into collaborations with other artists on the scene. Reigning out of Houston, Abandon the Fall sounds reminiscent of icons like Linkin Park and Deftones, as well as an even wider range of influences under the rock umbrella as of late.
Their newest single ‘Matches’ looks to continue the momentum they’ve already so heartily began, working alongside the group Dreamhouse to bring their joint visions to life. With a bright introductory electric guitar riff that reverberates through the vast open sound, ‘Matches’ resonates through straight to the soul, solitary and atmospheric in a way that lingers in the air untouched. Easy-going thudding drums add a soft tempo pushing forward, championed by a female vocalist that dances through the gently stripped-down sound with an instrument of her own. Gliding into airy higher tones, her cascading vocals fill you with such a comforting serenity, offering a respite to shield you from the world’s constant turmoil.
The chorus sets things alight from this calmer core, breaking free and thundering through crashing drums, gritty electric guitar strums and a bright backing riff, delivering an amalgamation of both pop and modern, alternative rock. Their vocalist shifts her tone to match, angstily bearing attitude in lower-toned spoken-sung lines before rising back to the heights of her impressive range. It’s hard not to hear the influence from acts like Paramore to We Are The In Crowd, but together Abandon the Fall and Dreamhouse delight with something impressively individual.
A poetic lyrical narrative is weaved between this ebbing and flowing auditory journey, finding comfort in the metaphorical comparisons of our hearts to matchboxes, a tangible way to express the cold and empty aches that stir from within when left without a flame. With the matches that fill our hearts desperate to be set alight, ‘Matches’ sings of everything from loneliness to rejuvenation in a way that anyone and everyone can relate to. Opened up by the admissions that ‘I feel no motivation, I can’t be awakened from a state of being still’, ‘Matches’ at first finds itself tender and fizzled out like a worn-down campfire left to freeze in an abandoned woods. Struggling to push through alone, the hook of it all yearns for more: ‘It’s so cold I don’t know where to go, so light me up 'cause I need the heat and help me get back on my feet.’ As mental health issues become all the more common in our modern day, ‘Matches’ really powerfully touches on the impact that can be found in simply leaning on a friend, finding ourselves kept sheltered from the storm by a guiding hand.
The music video is just as gorgeously depicted, carrying through natural, outdoor imagery while incredible shots performing the release are scattered throughout. Added snippets of burning matches and buildings alight keep the core themes carried through, marking this single as one that doesn’t just deliver an incredibly integral message, but also a solid sound and video to match. Don’t forget to give it a listen fully yourself here!
Written by: Tatiana Whybrow
Photo Credits: Unknown
// This coverage was supported and created via Musosoup, #SustainableCurator.
0 notes
egoarc4de · 2 years
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
rip these two they wouldve loved party rock anthem
4K notes · View notes
svchengss · 3 years
Text
hey barista! | l.dh
Tumblr media
summary | befriending the barista from your local cafe doesn’t seem too bad
pairing | lee donghyuck x fem!reader ft. jaemin who’s a rlly cute side character in this :(
genre | fluff, angst, slight humour (?)
warnings | a kiss?? i don’t think there’s any but if i missed anything do lmk !!
word count | 3k+
s. tg | @hyuckefi [my apologies since i didn’t release a proper teaser for this 🙏🏻]
author’s note | this is my first fic exceeding 1k words so if u enjoyed reading this, please leave some feedbacks !! rb’s are also appreciated :D ALSO I SUCK AT SUMMARIES LMAO PLS IGNORE THAT
Tumblr media
just another day of working at palm coffee, the same old routine. cleaning the countertop and tables before opening up the cafe, prepping the ingredients - more for top favourites! - and examining the machines to make sure they’re working properly. that’s some of hyuck’s daily routines as a barista. he didn’t mind them though, he loved his job. he couldn’t specify the reason why but all these tasks are genuinely interesting to him.
seeing you drop by the cafe is a normal occurrence for him. since you are a regular customer after all, the rest of the staff already know you well. heck, they’re even good friends with you. jaemin hangs out with you more than he does despite being jaemin’s childhood friend. except for him, he doesn’t really know why. he’s not really shy, considering the fact that he’s a social butterfly. he just couldn’t bring himself to say anything to you, the only times he did so was to take your orders when the rest of the workers were busy in the store.
upon hearing the doorbell chime which signals a new customer entering the cafe, hyuck blurted out the usual line. “hello, welcome to palm coffee! how can i help-“, looking up from the cash register only to find you in a disheveled state. “-you?” he eyes you up and down, noting how a few strands of your hair were out of place, the nude lipstick smeared on the left corner of your mouth and your outfit looks really rushed. 
“sorry, what was your name again, hyuck right?” you quickly glanced at the nametag hanging nicely on his apron. “i’m in a rush right now, can i get a,” you scanned over the menu behind him, “uh, white coffee, please?”. 
“that will be six dollars. you can use the restroom in the meantime to, you know, touch up your makeup and stuff,” he takes the bills from your hand, putting them in the machine in front of him before flashing you with that warm smile of his. you wished him a quick thanks before disappearing into the back of the place.
now that was embarrassing.
Tumblr media
your eyes scanned over the hall to find your friend before hearing her shout your name from across. damn, why does she have to be so loud? stares were directed towards you as you walked up the stairs to your designated seat. all the chatter going on in the lecture hall became quiet as soon as your professor placed her things on the desk, which means class has started. 
after hearing a two-hour lecture and writing some notes - where suddenly song lyrics and scribbles appear - the words you’ve been waiting to hear finally echoed through the speakers. 
“class is dismissed, thank you everyone for listening,” mrs. hui’s voice later being flushed out by the buzzing voices of the students walking out the hall, determined to finish their own activities. you stuffed your ipad and papers into your light yellow jansport backpack before going out to meet vic who’s waiting for you outside. 
“i’m exhausted, what did she even teach just now?” vic sighed to her heart’s content. you can’t blame her, today’s topic was quite complicated. circuits analysis or something? you can’t really wrap your head around it, your brain being stuffed with all the information. vic kept on ranting  about the problems she faced from the moment she woke up, making you giggle at some comments she made. 
Tumblr media
“wait for me, i’m almost done,” he folded his apron neatly before shoving it into the drawer and grabbing his bag from the counter to join jaemin, who’s waiting at the front door with the keycard. hyuck accepted jaemin’s request to help him with some shopping for his sister’s birthday party next week. obviously, the rest of the staff were also invited. 
jaemin divided the shopping list into two, allowing hyuck to find the rest of the things with ease.
“now where are the streamers…” he muttered out loud enough for himself to hear, crouching down to browse through the party decorations on the shelf. or he thought so, as you could hear him sighing clearly in dire need of the certain decoration, that you decided to help him out. 
“um, hyuck? i think the party streamers are in the aisle beside this one? you look a bit troubled there,” you chuckled lightly. the heat flushed to his cheeks, feeling dumbfounded. 
“really? uh, thank you for the help,” he gave you a small grin that could hardly be seen if you didn’t spot the corner of his lips. and with that, he’s long gone with his shopping basket.
Tumblr media
you are fond of the atmosphere you’re in right now. the decorations left you in awe - white and pink silk hanging from the wall with silver letter balloons spelling out happy birthday stitched onto them. you can see jaemin’s sister, eun-ji, being carried out of her room with a small flowy white dress and wearing a golden bow on her head, her brunette hair being tied into ponytails. the na family really adore their youngest girl.
meanwhile, there are only a couple of adults your age attending the party -  jaemin’s co-workers, some of his other friends which you aren’t familiar with and hyuck. he looked rather chill, with an oversized beige sweater and white jeans to suit the party’s theme. you’re not quite bad as well, your hair combed nicely and kept neat with a headband, a white sundress with strawberry patterns on it fit nicely on your figure, complemented with a heart-locket necklace placed on your collarbones. before reaching jaemin’s house, you made sure to drop by a local store to get some gifts for eun-ji. she’s a very well-mannered kid which made you adore her very much.
“y/n? very glad to see you here,” hyuck said as he approached you, offering you a plate of cake which he cut.
“i could say the same to you too, mr. lee,” you let out a soft laugh. he made sure to keep a mental note over how pretty you looked today.
“y/n, hyuck! glad you two broke the ice, did you know how hurt i was seeing you two act like strangers whenever y/n came by the cafe?” jaemin enveloping you into a small hug before fake pouting. you can only laugh at the fake debate the two guys in front of you were having. after conversing with hyuck and jaemin for quite some time, you realised that he’s a cool person to talk to, where all this time, you thought he hated you for some reason. before leaving, you made sure to thank mrs. na for hosting the party and off you went home. 
Tumblr media
following the previous encounters, hyuck felt much more comfortable around you - even hanging out with you during his shift where you would do your assignments at the cafe he’s working at. every now and then, he would also invite you to hang out with him and jaemin. however, what he didn’t realise was how he slowly pent up feelings - romantically. 
ding dong!
he pressed on the doorbell button with a box of doughnuts in his left hand. the three of you were supposed to be having a movie night, but jaemin got caught up with his groupwork which leaves the two of you alone. 
“hey hyuck! come in,” you gestured, arranging the cushions on your sofa to make it look more organized. the interior of your rented apartment is calming, the light grey walls suiting the navy blue sofa and furniture with darker undertones. the walls are also not left empty, with modern art portraits hanging from it. 
“i brought donuts, your favourite, right?” he opened the box, placing it on the coffee table while you set up the television. you wished him a quick thank you before grabbing two canned drinks from the refrigerator, handing one to him and pressing play on the remote control. you two weren’t quiet throughout the whole movie, with snarky comments on how hot the actors were or how stupid they were being were made. 
he didn’t know you were sleepy though as all of a sudden, he could feel the weight of your head on top of his shoulder. it was a rather awkward situation as he didn’t move at all so you could sleep comfortably. before long, he joined you and dozed off to wonderland. the next morning, you were more than embarrassed to find yourself cuddling up to him, with the next movie still playing on the screen.
Tumblr media
seeing your figure outside the front door made hyuck more excited to greet you today. after making a quick order for a green tea latte, you fished out your purse from your handbag, feeling frantic if you’ve lost it outside. luckily, you were the only customer in line as the rest of them were already seated and carrying out their own businesses.
“sorry, but i think this might be yours,” you turned around to find a tall-looking guy handing out your black purse. a wave of relief washed over your soul, thanking the latter profusely.
“mind if i buy you a drink? i hate feeling like i owe someone,” you offered, which he gladly accepted. 
“i’d like a double espresso, please,” he kept his hands into his pockets. 
“and your name, sir?” hyuck looked mildly bothered.
“yukhei,” he ran his slightly blonde hair through the slender fingers. hyuck hated how cocky he looked, feeling more annoyed than ever over the scene that was played in front of him just now. he hated how yukhei looked at you. 
why should he get jealous? he’s just a mere friend to you, that’s all. you have to stop overreacting, hyuck. 
those words kept running through his mind all day.
“dude, are you okay? you looked-” jaemin opened the staff room, interrupting him from the self-talk he was having, “-distracted,” finishing up his sentence. 
“nope, i’m just fine,” he said, bringing the honey smile back onto his face. jaemin nodded before disappearing back to the front to serve the customers. 
stop being so jealous, hyuck. you’re just a friend. not more, not less. 
“jaemin, how do you know if you like someone?” that question is kind of shocking to him, especially if it’s coming from hyuck. of course, he’s had a crush before but it was during middle school. just a silly, little crush. growing up, he’s never had one - not even in high school.
“you’ve asked the right person,” jaemin managed to do his obnoxious voice, even while driving the car. he’s right, he is the matchmaker of the friend group, just how many relationships worked out because of him? eyes still focused on the road - he’s a responsible driver of course, he began to explain the feeling to hyuck, making his points loud and clear.
“first of all, you start feeling a little too happy whenever you’re around them. and no, this is not the oh-we’re-best-friends-forever type of happy, it’s the i’ll-make-you-the-happiest-person-on-earth one. not to forget, you will also experience some kind of turbulence in your heart, expect them to be jumping around a bit. or a lot, whichever suits you the best.
you also tend to feel nervous around that person. like, stuttering your words in obvious or non-obvious ways, feeling faster heartbeats than usual, you name it. oh! if you’ve ever felt jealous whenever they are around someone else, i mean, in affectionate ways, you might have one. however, my tip is for you not to act out of your mind. you don’t want to ruin whatever relationship you have currently, do you?” even when driving, he still managed to deliver his points with full precision and accuracy. 
nodding his head, hyuck took some mental notes to be thought through when he gets home. 
Tumblr media
hyuck stared at you, whose figure is snoring soundly on his lap. he assumed you must be feeling exhausted, mid-terms just ended after all. while threading his fingers through your hair, he remembered what jaemin said to him weeks earlier.
1. being happy around them
like jaemin said, it is normal to be happy around your friends. but being with you, it kind of gave more joy for him. not to mention that he started to catch himself smiling over your texts and being reminded of you over small things - your favorite donut topping, the name of that one stray puppy you gave. 
2. feeling nervous around them
his heart would beat a lot faster whenever you get closer towards him, whether accidentally or to mess with him. 
3. getting jealous over someone else
he shouldn’t be jealous of how yukhei looked at you. but he seriously can’t help it. and the way he’s always there during your hangouts. he doesn’t care if he seems petty, yukhei just isn’t in his favour.
his deep thoughts came to a halt when you called out his name, eyes still half-closed, attempting to open them a bit more. 
“did i interrupt you or something? gosh, i’m so sorry,” you quickly stood up but he pulls your body back onto his lap, asking for you to stay.
“what are we?” that question caught you off-guard. the same one that has been at debate in the back of your mind these days. 
i don’t know hyuck, it’s complicated. 
“what do you think we are, hyuck?” you shot the question back at him, your gaze piercing through his soul.
“i don’t know. it’s just-” 
“are you sure?” a deep sigh left your lips. have you been interpreting his body languages wrong? did he only see you as a normal friend, nothing more? 
“sorry, i’m not feeling well. see you later hyuck, bye,” you tried your best to shoot the sweet smile of yours but only a faint one seemed to appear. once you stepped out of the room, he buried his face into his hands. 
god, what have i done?
Tumblr media
“don’t feel too down, y/n. maybe there’s something more that he couldn’t bring himself to say?” vic suggested, handing you some tissue.
“i don’t know, i seriously have no idea. why can’t he just say it?” you continued to sob into her arms, she pitied you, especially in your condition right now. but she can’t do anything to help you, other than consoling and listening. 
jaemin knew something was wrong, from your rare visits to the cafe to hyuck not being himself lately. something was definitely wrong and it’s between the both of you. sure, hyuck might be saying that he’s fine again and again, but his expressions can’t lie. the sweet smile of his is long gone and his jokes are no longer heard. whatever it is, jaemin is determined to solve it. he just wants his best friends back. 
looks of dismay can be read all over hyuck’s face when the person facing him is no other than the guy himself, yukhei. still, he tried to control his composure, not making his inner feelings any more obvious.
“so what brings you here?” he took a sip of the mineral water, still making his throat rough from the tension hanging in the air. 
“look, i’m not here for any fights. i know you like y/n, everybody can see it. and honestly, you were oblivious to your own feelings,” he rubbed his hands together. the latter’s puzzled face made him continue his words.
“i’m not trying to make her like me, or whatever you’ve been assuming. sorry if i gave the wrong message but you are the one who should make a move. i can see from the way she looks at you, the feelings are mutual,” he straightened up the denim jacket outside the white shirt wrapping his figure. 
letting out a heavy sigh, hyuck’s face begins to soften up. “no, i should be the one who’s sorry. i’ve been such a prick to everyone around me lately, especially you,” he took of the cap from his head, messing up his hair. 
“no problem, bro. it’s understandable, i guess. now good luck with her, please treat her well,” the two guys exchanged a fist bump for the problem solved. jaemin leaned his back against the wall, smiling and feeling satisfied.
Tumblr media
you called out jaemin’s name but to no avail. he invited you to his apartment but seeing that the lights are out, it’s clear enough that he hasn’t finished whatever he was doing yet. just as you were about to leave, you saw hyuck at the other side of it, both your faces mirroring the same look of confusion.
“so, uh, how have you been doing these days? it’s been a while since we talked,” he chose to break the silence. now, you two were sitting facing each other by the balcony. inhaling the breeze, you paused for a moment before responding to his question.
“i’ve been feeling, not as usual. definitely not happy but not that sad,” you pushed some of the loose hair strands hanging on your forehead behind your ears before asking about his.
“you know what, i’m just going to be direct with you. i, lee donghyuck have been holding feelings for you since i don’t know when. yeah sure, i wasn’t really sure at first about what i was going through. i guess i was just scared of how you would react,” he scratched his ears which are not feeling itchy at all, but rather an attempt to distract himself from the overwhelming emotions deep inside him. 
not wanting to waste time any longer, you placed your right hand onto his cheek, standing on the heels of your feet to bring your two lips together. the kiss was short before he pulls you back in for another, this time a more passionate one. he could feel you smile against his lips before enveloping your body into his arms.
“i’ve missed you, you know?” he whispered, his voice tender, directing right into your ears before you replied with how you missed him more. the both of you continued to whisper sweet nothings while embracing each other’s presence. 
jaemin looked at the both of you from a distance, his heart swelling with pride. 
— another pair of lovers matched, cupid jaemin signing out.
165 notes · View notes
oioinanami · 3 years
Text
routines. (ushijima wakatoshi x f. reader)
Tumblr media
word count: 1.9k
synopsis: ushijima had never considered himself to be a „relationship person“ - until he met you.
contains: fluff, acquaintances to lovers, very slight sexual suggestiveness if you squint
Tumblr media
Ushijima Wakatoshi had always considered himself a stoic and reserved man. He lived and breathed for volleyball. He went running every morning, ate three meals a day, showered twice. He had his routines and he liked it like that.
But then came you - and everything suddenly changed. It was his best friend Tendou - charming, loud and fun Tendou - who introduced you to one another, probably not even thinking about Ushijima ever falling for you, or anyone really, it just seemed too ridiculous, too far fetched. Of course Ushijima had his fair share of sexual encounters, but never anything serious, and all of those were mostly just for him to blow off some steam. He had never felt the need for a real and stable relationship before. But you - you felt different to him; like a breath of fresh air on a stuffy day, like rays of sunlight gently warming his cold face, like a soft and sweet scented breeze on the first day of early spring.
The first time he ever had the pleasure of meeting you and seeing you smile up at him, eyes bright and honest, he was absolutely helpless against the blush spreading over his cheeks and entire face until even the tips of his ears had turned red. As soon as his best friend Tendou saw the crimson color on his captain’s face, he suddenly sported the biggest smirk Ushijima had ever seen. The stoic volleyball player immediately knew that he was in trouble, in big big trouble. But it was too late - Tendou’s brain was already beginning to come up with a plan to set you two up.
So to Ushijima, it wasn’t the biggest surprise when Tendou began to invite you to all their volleyball matches, and being the sweet and supportive friend that you simply were, you actually tried to attend as often as possible. You cheered for the entire team, even though you were mostly acquainted with Tendou, knowing the others' faces and names, but none of them personally. Ushijima always tried his best during any game, no matter who was watching or not, but Tendou still noticed the way his best friend and team captain was trying maybe just a tad harder whenever you were present during a match. Should the team win while you were there, which was more often than not these days, Tendou literally dragged you with him to join the team for their celebratory dinners afterwards. Somehow you always ended up sitting beside Ushijima, slowly getting used to his stoic and calm presence, and beginning to try and make him smile by cracking an almost ridiculous amount of jokes around him. More often than not, your sarcasm went straight over his head, and once he even inquired if you were going to therapy after you jokingly said you were ready to kill for another of the extremely tasty Onigiri being served that evening. You only realized he himself was joking when you saw the tiny, private smile tugging at his lips. Maybe that was the moment you began falling for him, and you never stopped tumbling since.
After a few weeks of helpless pining, or as he called it “making sure his feelings were sincere”, Ushijima finally decided to ask you on a date. He just didn’t know how; he knew other people considered him blunt to the point of rudeness, and he never wanted you to see him in that way, he didn’t want to scare you off - even though you had never seemed to mind his directness before. Asking Tendou for help was definitely out of the question, because Ushijima knew his best friend literally didn’t know how to keep his mouth shut in times of need, so he’d probably just instantly tell you everything and Ushijima couldn’t have that.
But as fate would have it, he didn’t even need Tendou’s help - because a situation presented itself, so perfect, at least in his eyes, that Ushijima still smiled about it years afterwards. It was the last and therefore most important match of the season, and Shiratorizawa had not only won the first set, but was also currently in the lead for the second one. Only one point and they’d go to the nationals again. Naturally, you were pretty much at the edge of your seat, one closest to the field, all thanks to Tendou shooing away some younger girls before the match had begun and, unknown to you, making sure Ushijima had the perfect view of you cheering him on. You were currently biting your lips until you tasted blood, knees bouncing nervously while your eyes followed the boys on the field, more often than not landing on Ushijima. By now, you probably should have gotten used to him looking way too handsome in the team’s uniform, but even after months of seeing him wear it, your heart still skipped a beat whenever you attended any game. “Please, please, please, come on, boys, you can do it.”, you were muttering under your breath, the girl beside you giving you the side-eye but you just ignored her, heart beating twice as fast while you watched the game. Both teams were fighting for dominance, no one wanting to back down, the atmosphere thick with anticipation and nervousness. And then, it happened - Tendou’s quick eyes followed the ball, asserting which angle to use to best set it for Ushijima, who was already running towards the net for one of his incredible spikes. Rarely if ever could someone withstand the sheer power of his left hand, so no one was completely surprised when, a second later, the ball hit the ground with a loud smacking noise, resounding around the gym. Time seemed to stand still for a few seconds, before happy yells rose all around you and loud music suddenly started blasting from somewhere behind you. You were out of your seat in a split second, running towards where the team was hugging and high fiving each other on the field. “Ushi, that was amazing-”, you stated proudly, almost breathless with happiness, but were unable to complete your sentence because suddenly, there was a pair of strong arms around you, literally sweeping you off your feet and twirling you around once. You yelped, heart fluttering like crazy while you stared up at Ushijima, who had just set you back down on your feet again, the corners of his lips curling upwards into the tiniest of smiles. “Thank you, Y/N. I really appreciate your support.”, he said, deep voice rumbling in his chest, and you swore your knees were about to give out right there and then. You knew he wasn’t just being polite - he was being honest, his words always truthful, and it made your heart swell to know he liked you coming to his games. You had long learned to love his directness. Other people called him blunt, you called him honest, which was something not a lot of people could say about themselves, not in the modern times of Snapchat filters and Snow Apps. Ushijima cocked his head to one side, looking at you for a few seconds, his greenish-brown eyes almost unreadable, before he took in a deep breath. “I would really like to take you out on a date, if that’s something you’d want too.”, he then stated, and you just blinked a few times, before your face split into a huge smile, which made Ushijima’s heart burst and a deep blush creep onto his cheeks. It was the smile that had made him fall for you in the first place, the one he would never ever get used to - even years from now, when he was nothing more than stardust left behind, every single atom that once belonged to his body would still remember your smile, forever branded into the inner core of his soul, he was sure of it. And then you finally answered him, making his heart soar and his chest puff out: “I would love nothing more.”
For your first day date, Ushijima took you to a farm to pick the first strawberries of the season, shyly asking you to call him “Wakatoshi” by the end of the day and blushing madly once you did. You couldn’t help but stand on your tiptoes to press the softest of kisses against his cheek, feeling his slight stubble and hot skin under your lips, suddenly finding yourself blushing as well. When he took your hand, interlacing his strong calloused fingers with your smaller, softer ones, you knew your heart was long lost, forever his. But the soft, pleased smile he gave you, made you hope that maybe you weren’t the only one feeling like that.
That was just the first date of many, many more to come. Soon, everyone was already used to always seeing you two together; the stoic tall volleyball player and his much louder, much smaller girlfriend, an odd pair that somehow still just fit, like two puzzle pieces finally put back together again.
Tumblr media
Ushijima quickly grew used to your constant presence in his life, and now, it almost feels like you’re part of him. He loves all your little quirks and antics - that you cling to him every morning, jokingly trying to keep him from going on his daily run and leaving you alone in bed; or how you confidently sing along to every song, drawing soft smiles from his lips whenever you mess up the lyrics and laugh at yourself; or that you like to speak to your plants, your green children as you like to call them, convinced it will make them grow quicker and stronger; or the way your eyes light up whenever he enters the room, reaching for him with one hand and making his heart swell twice its size; or your breathy moans and the quiet yells of his name whenever he touches your soft, flushed body in the darkness of your shared bedroom - honestly, there’s just so much to love about you, he sometimes gets a bit overwhelmed by his own feelings.
Ushijima Wakatoshi still considers himself a stoic and reserved man. But you have managed to melt some of his hardness away, your softness settling over all his angles and edges like sunlight reflecting on a still and deep lake. Yes, he still lives and breathes for volleyball - but now also for you, always and forever you. Yes, he still goes running every morning, still eats three meals a day, still showers twice. But now he runs much later in the day, spending the early hours of the morning with you in his arms, soft and warm body pressed flushed against his hard one, nose buried in your sweet smelling hair. His three meals a day are often prepared together nowadays, you singing loudly along to a song playing on the radio while chopping vegetables, smilingly observing him marinating and grilling the meat, sometimes standing on your tiptoes to press a gentle kiss on his cheek like you did on you first date, oh so many years ago. Even his showers are less lonely - all in the name of saving water and the planet of course, or that’s what you always say whenever you join him, happily spiking up his hair with shampoo while he just looks at you, the corners of his lips curling into one of those private smiles he reserves just for you, making you blush at the way his eyes shine with love and adoration for you, even after years of being together.
Yes, Ushijima Wakatoshi still has his routines, but now he always makes sure to incorporate you into them - and he very much likes it like that.
Tumblr media
a/n: this is my first ever haikyuu imagine and also the first scenario on this blog - feedback and reblogs are appreciated, requests are open.
© oioinanami 2021 | masterlist
325 notes · View notes
stavromulabetaaa · 3 years
Text
a playlist of songs from drarry fics
i get a lot of music from fic, whether a song or an artist is influential to a specific scene, or is even just simply mentioned by a character. some of them really stuck with me, so i’ve compiled a short list of my favorites :)
spotify playlist
1. Dreams - The Cranberries
Far From The Tree by aideomai
THAT scene, if you know you know! it’s so hard to talk about this fic without giving away spoilers, but let’s just say Draco dances to this song with a female character who totally stole my heart. it’s impossible for me to listen to this song and not daydream about a certain 90s themed party.
2. Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls
The Ordeal of Being Known by @lou-isfake
of course Harry put this song on a mixtape, of course he did. i just about lost my mind when i listened to it at the same time Draco did. and it just fits the narrative of this fic so well! i could have chosen from the many songs and artists mentioned in this fic, but for me this was a no-brainer.
3. Boy With a Coin - Iron & Wine
and a special mention:
4. You Are A Runner And I Am My Fathers Son - Wolf Parade
The Man Who Lived by @e-sebastian
sometimes an author just has to describe Draco turning up a song on his stereo in passing for me to immediately hop over to spotify. which is exactly how Boy With a Coin became one of my favorite songs! i also became obsessed with Wolf Parade last year after reading about Draco wearing their band t-shirt a couple of times in this fic, which is how i eventually discovered ‘You Are A Runner’ and accidentally made that song a Drarry headcanon. read the lyrics and tell me you couldn’t write a fic based on that song!
5. Ray of Light - Madonna
(Un)wanted by @aibidil
in a fic centered around the theme of loss, this small moment of joy stood out to me. this fic also mentions a lot of music, but i just love the image of Harry and Hermione dancing like idiots to Madonna.
6. Age of Consent - New Order
Criminal by @the-sinking-ship
this is my favorite song from a chapter i consider to be a significant point in this fic. a high point of UST and drunken silliness (aka letting their guards down, i live for those moments), a change in dynamic that sets the rest of the story in motion. this song represents that for me, and gets an immediate hell yeah if it starts playing when i shuffle my entire spotify library.
7. Svefn-g-englar - Sigur Rós
Let It Fall by @buildyourwalls
i honestly read this fic ages ago and it isn’t super fresh in my memory, but i remember how often music was incorporated into the story. it introduced me to this Icelandic band and every time i hear this song i have no clue what they’re saying but i feel Draco’s grief and guilt and uncertainty. i can imagine so clearly Harry’s longing and persistence. this band was only really mentioned in passing but it made its mark on me.
8. Modern Love - David Bowie
Modern Love by @tackytigerfic
i apparently live under a rock and was never properly introduced to David Bowie until i read this fic and looked up the song it’s title comes from. i wanted to put this song at the end of the playlist because it sounds like it could be on the soundtrack of a movie as it rolls to the credits (a quick google search tells me it’s been in a bunch of movie soundtracks lol). god, what i would do to see this fic as a movie. an absolute masterpiece by Tacky, a moving story about friendship with superb world-building. i could daydream about this fic to this song all day long.
202 notes · View notes
n0wornever · 3 years
Text
The Build Up - Luke Patterson x Reader
Could you do a modern day/Alive AU where 5 times Luke and y/n almost kiss and one time they actually do?
Tumblr media
It was only a matter of time before Luke Patterson and his best friend cut the tension between them. There were always signs that they’d fall together eventually, but their soft moments were cut short often by those around them.
1: The show
Tumblr media
The first time Y/N and Luke almost kissed was  after Julie and The Phantoms’ first solo show. Y/N sat front row, as she always did, bobbing her head to the bass that blasted through the speakers. Her arms crossed at her chest, she let a small smile fall onto her face as she watched Luke pour his heart out in the mic in front of him. His eyes met hers for a moment, sending the next string of lyrics right in her direction. She lightly nipped at the corner of her lip as she held his gaze. 
As the boys ended their set, Y/N scurried past the tightly bound bodies around her to rush backstage. She showed her pass to the guard standing in front of the staircase, shuffling quickly behind him. She walked down the hallway toward his dressing room and knocked on the door. The door opened quickly and a hand pulled her inside. Luke stood in front of her, face beaming with sweat and a smile plastered on his face. 
“You’re like a full-fledged rockstar now, huh?” She said, bringing a smile across her lips. 
“Whatever,” He sighed, shoving her shoulder back. 
“Luke, I’m serious, you guys crushed it out there!”
She jumped up and down on her tiptoes as she held his gaze. He let his eyes wander around her elated face as he took a step closer toward her. He grabbed her waist and brought her into a tight hug, Y/N giggling at the sudden contact.  As they pulled away he studied her face again, letting his eyes fall from hers to her lips and back up. As soon as her started to pull toward her again, the door opened loudly. 
Alex beamed at them as he leaned in the door frame. Luke let go of her hips, running his hand through his hair and letting his eyes fall on his bandmate.
“I was going to say that we were going to get food....but you two look busy...” The drummer’s eyes falling between the two.
“No, let’s go,” Luke blurts, grabbing his jacket. 
He grabbed her hand and let her trail behind him, not meeting her gaze again until the made it to the restaurant. 
2: The Park 
Tumblr media
The second time it almost happened, they were alone. Y/N had forced Luke to take a lunch break from studying and eat in the park with her to get some fresh air. 
She interlocked their hands as the walked down the street to the greek food truck. She ordered two gyros for the pair, smiling back at him. He squeezed her hand in response, a smile stuck on his face. She let go of his grip for a moment grab the food. She grabbed it again shortly and led him to a nearby bench. 
Their fingers touched as she handed him his tray and she watched his face grow pink, feeling her skin heat up as well. Y/N let her gaze face forward, her people watching commanding her focus. She felt his gaze on her side and her eyes tore away from the street for a moment with a pensive stare.
“Please don’t watch me eat, you weirdo.” 
But Luke’s eyes didn’t leave hers. He set his food down next to him and she watched as his eyes widened as he moved closer to her. She felt her heart race as he gave her full body a once over. His hand moved toward her face, and her breath caught in her throat. Luke smirked as he brought a tissue up to the corner of her mouth, wiping away excess oil before falling back to his seat.
She felt her cheeks burn as she rolled her eyes at him and kept eating her food. She could hear him chuckle but refused to meet his eyes.
3: Her bedroom
Tumblr media
The third time was when they were studying in her bedroom. Y/N had invited Luke over to help her go through the latest chapter of history, a class the two had together. The two laid across from each other on her floor, textbooks open in front of the with highlighters spread around the carpet.
After 15 minutes, Luke’s head fell onto the textbook below him. Y/N looked over at him, shaking her head at the dramatics. He lifted his face to hers with puppy dog eyes, lip jutting up toward her. 
“Can we take a break?”
“We’ve barely started, Patterson.” 
She pressed a finger to the open page and looked at him with pursed lips. He gave in with a grunt and started reading again. Y/N held her finger on a line that she wanted to remember, letting her eyes wander around the surrounding floor for her pencil to jot down a note about it. 
As she searched, a hand came up toward her face. She looked up and met Luke’s eyes. His fingers reached behind her ear, pulling out the mechanical pencil behind it. She felt an oncoming blush as he giggled near her face. Their gaze hung there for a moment in the silence. 
She noted his hands pressing against the floor, moving his body toward hers. She let her eyes fall to his lips for a moment, before she dropped the eye contact completely. Her eyes hurried to find the spot she left off on in her textbook.
“So, anyway what was that about World War II?” 
She heard him sigh above her and smiled to herself as she scribbled in her notebook. 
4: The Lake 
Tumblr media
The next almost happened when Julie, Carrie, Flynn and Y/N invited the boys to the lake for a cookout one Saturday afternoon. Julie and Luke’s dads recruited Reggie and Alex to help make burgers, Carrie and Julie helped Luke’s mom cut fresh fruit and veggies and Flynn spun new beats on her portable spin table she brought with her. 
That left Luke and Y/N to entertain Carlos. 
Luke grabbed a frisbee and yelled to the boy to run to the other side of the grass. Carlos obliged, sprinting to the right. Y/N watched the boys with a light smile on her face. Luke nodded at her to come over to his end and she lightly jogged in his direction. 
Luke threw the disk toward the young boy, going right over his head. That didn’t stop Carlos from racing to get it as soon as possible. Y/N brought her hand up to her mouth to mask her laughing as the boy flailed through air. Luke pinched her side, forcing her to meet his smiling eyes. 
The two were drawn away from each other as the noticed Reggie race over to Carlos’ defense. The bassist sent the frisbee through the air and Luke prepared himself to catch it. Y/N took the opportunity to jump right in front of him at last minute and grab the disk before it reached him. She heard a frustrated sigh, and arms wrapped around her tightly, spinning her in a circle. 
As her feet hit the ground again, she spun around to meet his eyes wiggling the yellow frisbee in her hands. He quickly grabbed it from her hand, moving in closer to her face with a scowl across his lips. She rose an eyebrow at him, basking in the closeness. Luke’s eyes fell on her lips once more and she took a soft breath in. Before he could lean any further, he heard yelling from the other end of the lawn.
“ARE YOU GOING TO THROW IT BACK?” Carlos cried, his hand on his hip.
The two giggled as Luke stepped away, pushing the frisbee back toward the small boy before shooting a wink her way. 
5: Julie’s Garage
Tumblr media
The last misstep happened during a late night writing session. Y/N had a poetry reading on Saturday she needed to prepare for, and Luke had a song on the tip of his tongue he needed to pen immediately. 
The two sat on opposite sides of the garage as the both wrote silently. Y/N heard the humming coming from his side of the room and smiled, biting down on her pen as she listened. Her eyes rose and she watched him nod his head as he scribbled something down on the paper. 
She lifted herself off the couch and walked over to his chair. His eyes never left the paper as she strolled over to him. Y/N made herself comfortable on the arm of the loveseat, looking down at the boy with a soft smile. After a few seconds, he let his gaze slip over to her. 
“I got curious,” She said, leaning into his arm. “I wanted to see what the powerful songwriter was penning tonight.”
He smiled back at her, placing his pencil behind his ear and leaning back on the chair. 
“Nosey, Y/N you know I won’t tell you that until it’s done.” 
She leaned even closer to him, narrowing her eyes as their faces closed in on each other. She let her eyes fall over his features as a smirk played on her lips, taking in his confused expression. She could hear his shallow breathing as he stared back at her, lips parted and eyes wide.
“I’ll get you to crack one day Patterson,” She said softly, leaning back and lifting herself off the chair.
“I have no doubt about that,” She heard him call after her, bringing a wider smile to her face. 
6: The Dance 
Tumblr media
Luke had never been a school dance fan, but when Y/N asked him to be her date, he accepted the offer quickly. She helped him pick out a suit and tie that matched her peach dress perfectly. Luke consulted his mom about choosing a corsage and ordered it two days after she asked. 
The night of the dance, Y/N sat in the mirror, staring at her reflection. She almost didn’t recognize herself under the makeup. She smiled as she touched her cheek softly, basking in the magic of blush. Julie popped in the mirror next to her with a wide smile on her face.
“You look flawless, I’m seriously in awe of that dress right now,” Her friend said, smiling at her reflection.
“Thank you Jules, I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like it’s our first dance,” She sighed, playing with a bobby pin that was pinching the side of her head.
“It is your first dance with a date,” Julie responded, laying a hand on her shoulder. “A date that we’ve been waiting to happen for like a million years.” 
Y/N rolled her eyes, placing her lipstick in her clutch before turning to Julie. She shook her head and sighed at her friend’s sly grin.
“You know it’s not like that,” Y/N countered, resting her hand on her hip.
“You know none of us believe that anymore.” 
Y/N felt her face heat up under the steady stare, and she pushed Julie forward so that the two could exit the bathroom without any further questions. 
As they walked down the stairs, they met the rest of the group in the living room. Her mom was already capturing photos of the boys, who were posing as each other’s dates for the camera. Alex let go of Luke’s hips and cackled with his bandmates. Luke’s eyes pulled away from the boys as they met hers. 
His eyes widened as he looked down at her dress and back up to her smile. Luke walked over slowly, holding his hand out to her. She nodded, taking his hand in hers and letting him twirl her around. He steadied her again, reaching over to the table to grab the corsage. He slipped it onto her wrist, letting his hand rest on hers. 
“Wow,” He said breathlessly as her bright smile landed on him again. “You look spectacular, Y/N.” 
The two didn't even notice her mom snapping photos of the whole interaction. The girl’s cheeks flushed under his wide eyes and she led him to the rest of the group for more photos. 
As the group dispersed to their cars to head to the school, Y/N took Luke’s hand as he guided her up into his truck. His hands working quickly to tuck her gown in after her. He beamed up at her one more time before shutting the door and moving over to the driver’s side. 
He put the car in drive and sped down the street. As the pair pulled into a parking spot in the school lot, Luke looked over at her again with glossy eyes.
“I mean it Y/N, you look absolutely...incredible tonight. I literally don’t have the right words to describe....” He leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. “Just wow.” 
She didn’t want to know how red she was in this moment, so she waved his gaze off of her, whispering a ‘thanks’ in his direction. Neither of them moved for a moment. Y/N finally moved her eyes back to his, watching as he ran his hand through his hair. His gaze was still set on her as to took off his seatbelt. 
She watched as he leaned closer to her, hovering over her body. She felt her throat go dry at the close proximity they were at in the moment. His gaze shifted from her lips, back up to her eyes and back down. She finally let her eyes fall closed as she felt his hand come up to her cheek. 
His lips ghosted over hers for a moment before they came crashing down. She reciprocated his advance quickly, lips moving in sync with his. As they pulled away, their eyes met again. Luke’s cheeks held a light pink hue as he let go of her face and chuckled to himself. She moved her hand to his lips, trying to wipe off the soft red that had transferred.
“Sorry, I couldn’t take it anymore.” 
She giggled right back, placing her hand on the back of his neck and pulling him in for another kiss. 
.
.
.
Tag list: @xplrreylo @lovesanimals , @anythingandeverythingfandom , @crybabyddl , @oswin05 , @themaddies-obx , @lukeys-giggle , @bumbleberry-pie @kiss-themoongoodbye  @marinettepotterandplagg , @lolychu , @bathtimejish , @dasexydevitt13 @musicconversedance , @txrii  @bestdressedandstressed @daisiesforlacey  @epikskool  @bookfrog247 @carleywhittaker @princessvader15 @rudysbay @spooky-season-bitch  @kcd15  @meangirlsx @itz-jas @parkeret @writerinlearning @calamitykaty ​  @whatever-happens-imma-stand-tall
679 notes · View notes
nalgenewhore · 3 years
Text
good
elide x lorcan, modern/neighbours au, fluff + tension, word count: 3515
There hadn’t been a new resident in the building for a while, but the girl seemed nice enough. Really, he shouldn’t have been surprised that she moved in next door, considering that the unit next to his had been vacant for some time.
When he’d received the email from his landlord, Lorcan supposed he was simply used to only having to share one wall with someone and that with a little time, he’d get used to it.
He met her the day she was moving in, bright and early on a Tuesday morning. He’d held the door open for who he assumed were her friends – a tall blonde with wickedly electric blue eyes and a shorter brunette with upturned emerald eyes. Lorcan had nodded at their thanks and stepped out of the building. Then his sight had set on her, Elide Lochan. It was pure muscle memory on which his feet propelled him forward. He’d been so entranced by her that he’d been too late to prevent her from twisting her right ankle as she tried to save herself from falling off of the moving truck’s ramp, but he’d been able to give her a nudge so that she didn’t eat shit on the asphalt road.
“Ooh, fuck,” the woman said, a grimace twisting her delicate features. She hopped to balance on her other foot and sat down on the edge of the truck bed. She glanced up at him, muted gratitude flashing across her angular eyes, almost as dark as his. “Thanks,” she bit out.
“Welcome,” Lorcan replied. He nodded towards her injured ankle, “I can take a look for ya, ‘m a physiotherapist.”
Her brows arched up and she ran an eye up and down him. Lorcan resisted the urge to straighten his posture and his skin felt like it was tingling beneath his clothes. “Really? Don’t look like one.”
“Yeah? What do I look like, then?”
She shrugged, tilting her chin back to properly assess him. “Hmm… a boxer or something like that. Gang enforcer.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “Nah, s’not me. I mean, I’m a boxer’s physiotherapist, but I don’t fight.”
“Really? Who’s the fighter?”
“Ya got a lot of questions for someone whose name ya don’t know.”
She laughed and extended her hand towards him, “Fine. I’m Elide Lochan.”
Lorcan’s hand dwarfed hers and he could feel his calluses scraping against hers. Interesting. “Lorcan Salvaterre.” They dropped their hands and he gestured towards her ankle again, “Want me to check now, Elide Lochan?”
“Sure,” she chuckled, slipping her faded black Van off and taking off her sock, too, as it covered her ankle. Elide put them to the side and reached down to roll the hem of her overalls up.
He lightly wrapped his hand around her heel and lifted her leg to examine it, fingers gently prodding the already swelling skin. Despite feeling her eyes burn into him, Lorcan didn’t look up. “Alright,” he slid his hand up her achilles tendon and rested his other palm against the sole of her foot, locking it in place, “bend ya knee for me, yeah? Tell me when it hurts.”
Lorcan flicked his eyes between her ankle and face, tracking her pain. Elide grit her teeth as she bent her knee without moving her ankle and stopped after only a few degrees of movement. “There, it hurts there.”
He hummed and nodded, straightening her leg. “‘kay, move it inwards.” Again, she could only move it a few centimetres before the pain made her wince. Lorcan nodded, tilting his head to the right. Elide followed his wordless instruction and was able to move her foot further.
“Is it bad?”
“Could be worse, but yeah, s’not great, Lochan.” Lorcan tapped his finger against the swelling on the outside of her ankle, “See this, s’really swelling up, so probably a grade two sprain, which means there’s a partial tear in the ligament.” He gently put her foot down and looked up at her, her eyes wide. “Hey, s’ok. Sounds worse than it is, promise.”
“You said I tore a ligament!”
“Said partial, and these types of sprains are really common,” he told her, his voice even. “There’s gonna be some bruising later and you’re gonna have trouble walking for a couple weeks, so what you’re gonna do is you’re going to get ya friends to move the rest of ya boxes, you’re gonna sit down and keep it elevated and iced – twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off for the next two days, yeah?”
Elide nodded, the panic melting from her face. “Then what? I can’t just sit around for the next two weeks.”
Lorcan chuckled, shaking his head, “Ya got a compression brace?”
She shook her head, worrying her bottom lip. “No.”
“That’s fine, they’re pretty cheap down the street at Brullo’s,” he told her. “s’a gym, but they sell stuff like that. Get one of ya friends to go and get it, yeah? I really mean rest for the next two days.”
Just then, her friends arrived and their eyes snapped back and forth over the scene they were confronted with. The blonde rose a single brow, her hand cocked on her hip. “Well, this is cosy.”
Lorcan blinked. It wasn’t even nine in the morning.
“Shut it, Aelin,” Elide said, rolling her eyes. “I sprained my ankle and my new neighbour here is a physiotherapist. His name is Lorcan.”
Aelin looked at him as the other brunette shook her head and walked around her to check on Elide. “Really? What qualifications do you have? Where do you work?”
“‘m a licenced physiotherapist. Work for a private client.”
“Hmm.”
He rolled his eyes and stepped back from Elide, deciding it would be better to address her other friend. “I’m Lorcan.”
“Lysandra,” the woman told him as she helped Elide with her shoe. “Please ignore Aelin. She was neglected as a child and now has attention seeking behaviour issues.” Lysandra’s words were light with laughter and Lorcan chuckled quietly. “Is there anything we can do for Elide?”
“Yeah, make sure she rests and ices her ankle for the next two days. I told her, but it’s twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off for the icing and make sure ya get some sorta compression brace.”
Lysandra nodded, “Ok, we’ll do that. What if it’s still this bad in two days?”
“Knock on my door, s’unit 3D.”
“I’ll do that,” Elide said, something in her voice making him pause and meet her stare. “Salvaterre.”
“Yeah, you do that,” Lorcan replied, the tip of his tongue rolling against his lower lip. He caught the way her eyes tracked the movement. “Lochan.”
Lorcan parked his car in front of his building and picked up his bag as he got out. When he stood, he arched his back, hearing his spine pop in a couple different spots. “Fuck,” he groaned in sweet relief. He slung the strap of his bag over his shoulder and locked the car before walking up to the lobby doors.
As he slid his key into the lock, he glanced around, wondering if he would see Elide. He’d learnt a few days after she moved in that she was a baker and owned a local bakery-slash-coffee shop when she’d come to thank him with a box of freshly made wild blueberry and pastry cream tarts. They were easily the most delicious things he’d ever eaten and after the first bite, he swore he fell in love a little bit.
With his late schedule, he had to go to Fenrys’ fights which were always scheduled during the evening, but he would often run into Elide on her way home from the bakery. It had become routine for them to chat on their way up and smile at each other as they slipped into their apartments, their doors often closing with the same click at the same time.
Lorcan didn’t see her and his heart sunk a little in disappointment. He crossed over to the fire escape instead of the elevator and walked the six flights of stairs up to his floor.
The moment he opened the door at the third level, he could hear music playing, albeit muffled. He frowned, it wasn’t like the tenants to blast their music. Elide was silent and kept to herself, except for when they both happened to be out on their balconies. Lorcan liked those evenings, he liked sitting out there and enjoying his dinner while Elide had hers. They’d quickly found that they could talk about anything together and it was as easy as breathing. Within the month, give or take, that she’d been here, her ankle had healed up nicely, but there was still lingering stiffness and an ache if she was on it too long.
As Lorcan got closer to his apartment, the music grew louder too. He quickly realised that it was coming from underneath Elide’s door and figured she had friends over or something like that. Lorcan let himself into his house and the music was louder inside. He toed off his shoes, hung up his jacket, and put his work bag down. He walked down the front hall, pulling the elastic from his hair, which fell out of the high bun he’d shoved it in and tumbled down to his hips.
Lorcan dragged his hand through his hair, shaking it out and massaging the kinks out. The longer he listened to the music, he realised that it wasn’t happy music, not the type of song one would listen to with friends.
He stepped closer to their shared wall and leaned towards it, unable to figure out the lyrics. The melody was still blasting and Lorcan glanced at his oven’s clock. It was almost midnight, so she couldn’t be up for too much longer, surely. Lorcan decided that he’d go to the building’s gym for the next hour and by the time he returned, Elide’s little music thing would be over.
He moved to his room to get changed and in his bedroom, he could hear Elide singing along, loud and angry.
“...lost my mind, I’ve spent the night cry-ing on the flo-or of my bedroom, but you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it, but I guess good for yo-o-ou…”
Lorcan smirked, shaking his head softly. A few minutes later, he was changed and tying his high-top Chucks, winding the laces around his ankles once before hitching a neat bow. He grabbed his headphones and phone from the pants he’d discarded, and he got up, moving towards his door.
As he walked to the stairs, fitting his headphones over his ears, Lorcan glanced back at her door, wondering what had happened for her to be cathartically shouting along to what could only be a breakup song.
He shrugged to himself and connected his phone to his headphones, playing his own music loud enough to drown hers out. Lorcan disappeared into the stairwell and jogged down to the gym.
Exactly two hours later, Lorcan stepped out of the elevator, his shoulders and deltoids stiffening from the workout he’d just finished. He paused his music and pulled his headphones off as he stopped in front of his door, pausing when he realised that music was still playing. Lorcan checked his phone to make sure that he’d paused the song and frowned in confusion when he confirmed that it wasn’t his music.
But if it wasn’t his, then it could only be… Lorcan snapped his head up, staring incredulously down at Elide’s door. She was still playing music and the melody matched the same song he’d heard before he’d gone. Sweet fuck, something was really wrong.
He wanted to go check on her, but Lorcan wasn’t sure if they were there yet in their young friendship.
Sighing, Lorcan just resolved to suck it up for the night. It had to end at some point, he told himself.
<3<3<3
Some point ended up being four o’clock in the morning. At first, Lorcan had thought that he’d gone deaf or something. He’d fallen asleep minutes after and his body, like always, forced him up three hours later.
To wake himself up, Lorcan had gone to the corner shop down the street and bought a cup of their coffee, which was practically tar, and a pack of cigarettes. The man didn’t smoke much anymore, but the nicotine would wake him up like nothing else so he’d given in.
He was sitting on the edge of the planter box outside the building, sipping on his coffee and smoking a cigarette. The smoke was bitter and alongside the coffee, Lorcan was feeling marginally conscious. It was enough to interact with humans, so he supposed it was good enough.
The lobby door opened, but Lorcan didn’t bother looking over until he heard a familiar voice.
“Oh. I didn’t know you smoked.”
“Mornin’ to ya too, ‘lide,” he said, his voice quiet. Lorcan looked up at her, drinking in the sight of her. He’d learnt quickly that overalls were a staple in Elide’s wardrobe. She was wearing a black tank top beneath her dungarees and her black hair was twisted into a bun at the nape of her neck. A red bandana was tied around her head, matching her tote bag.
She chuckled, looking down at her black Vans. “Hello.”
“Hey,” he replied, grimacing as he drank some of his coffee. “And I don’t.” At Elide’s look of confusion, he elaborated and took a drag from his smoke. “Smoke, anymore. I quit a couple years back, but it helps wake me up.”
Elide nodded, running a cursory eye over his slightly disheveled appearance. “Hmm, you don’t look so good. Rough sleep?”
He snorted, tapping his finger against the cig to knock the ash off. “Yeah, had a shit sleep. Some girl was playing her music real loud, ya hear it?”
She squeaked and blush as her eyes filled with guilt. Lorcan smirked and finished his cigarette. He stubbed it and tucked the filter back into the pack, pulling out the gum he’d bought and taking a piece. “O-oh, you, uh, heard that?”
“‘lil bit, yeah.”
“It kept you up?”
He shrugged, “S’not a big deal, I’ve had worse.”
“Still,” Elide said, her cheeks pink, “I’m sorry. If you want- if you’re free, you can come to work with me? I’m sure my coffee is better than whatever that is.” She tilted on her tip-toes, hopeful. “And it’s free.” Lorcan stood up, finishing his shitty coffee. He shuddered as he swallowed it and Elide laughed, tilting towards the sidewalk. “That’s a yes, then?”
“Sure is,” Lorcan grinned slightly.
“Right then.”
They fell into step and walked to her bakery, which was only a ten minute stroll away.
When they got to her shop, Elide showed him to the table closest to the counter so that they could be as close as possible throughout the day. Despite that, they didn’t see each other too much. Lorcan read through a few newspapers and the magazines Elide offered to him. Once in a while, she would come by to drop off a coffee for him, usually an americano with an extra shot in it. She brought him various pastries too, always lingering until he took his first bite and praised her for her talent.
Elide closed her shop at four and let Luca, her employee, go home early. “Wanna help me with the dishes?”
Lorcan grinned and got up, “‘Course I do.” He followed her into the kitchen and he washed the dishes while she dried them and put them away. “D’ya have a good day?”
She nodded, “Yeah, I did.” Elide snuck a glance at his profile, “Did you?”
“I did.” He paused, a teasing grin curling his lips. “All the free shit really made up for last night.”
Elide gasped and hit his shoulder, trying not to gawk when her ineffectual blow was met with pure muscle. “I already told you I was sorry for that!”
“Just teasin’ ya, Elide,” he chuckled, looking at her through the corner of his eye.
“Mm-hmm,” she replied, shaking her head at him.
They continued in a comfortable silence until all the dishes were done and the rest of the kitchen was clean. Elide pushed Lorcan towards the big counter, “Take those stools down and I’ll get something for dinner.”
“Well, shit, Lochan, ya don’t gotta do all that,” Lorcan protested, his eyes wide. “Really, ‘m not even mad ‘bout last night. I wasn’t ever mad, I swear.”
She laughed, shaking her head, “I know, I’m just teasin’ ya.” He narrowed his eyes at her as she cackled, throwing his words back at him. “Gods, man, sit already! I’m starving and it’s not like I’m going to kick you out to find your own dinner.”
He gave in and took the metal stools down, putting them in front of the counter. Elide bustled back with two beers and two sandwiches. The food was from the industrial fridge in the back and the drinks were from the staff fridge.
They sat next to each other. Both of Elide’s feet were on the spindle, while Lorcan only rested one on the bar and his other leg was stretched out, his heel against the floor beneath Elide’s stool. Dinner was a wonderfully domestic, simple affair. Like everything else Elide made, the sandwiches were phenomenal and Lorcan told her so, around a mouthful of said sandwich.
Elide laughed at his muffled voice, her head tipped back. He swallowed and stared, captivated by the sight of her joy. Lorcan didn’t bother to hide the fact that he was staring when she calmed and he smirked at her blush, casually draining the rest of his beer. His eyes tracked the way she watched him, swallowing once.
He put the glass bottle down, now empty. Nodding his chin to her bottle, which was also empty, Lorcan rubbed his fingertips up and down his jaw. “Done there?”
“Yeah,” she said, biting the inside of her cheek.
He nodded again and got up, gathering their trash. Lorcan tossed it as Elide got her things ready to go. He followed her out, flicking off the lights when she told him to. As he waited for her to lock up, Lorcan stood on the curb, head bent with his eyes on her, his hands shoved in his pockets.
Night had fallen and that was the only reason he reached his hand out to her, so that she wouldn’t trip over anything. Elide slipped her fingers through his and tugged him with her. He marveled at how naturally their hands fit together, her thumb pressed against the first knuckle of his index finger.
They didn’t talk much as they walked home. Somehow, their steps matched each other’s despite their not-so-little size difference.
They held hands all the way to her door and when she let go, his hand felt strange, a bit useless, too. Lorcan leaned his shoulder against the wall and tilted his head to the side, one corner of his mouth higher than the other. “How loud is it gonna be tonight? Just tryin’ to plan around ya heartbreak.”
Elide scoffed, flicking her eyes upwards. “It was hardly heartbreak. Don’t you think breakup songs are kind of cathartic?”
He shrugged, “Depends.”
She rolled her eyes at his taciturnity. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, it’d slipped free during the day. “Besides, there’s better ways of being too loud and pissing off the neighbours.” Elide looked up at him, shifting closer to him.
Lorcan arched a brow, making a show of slowly surveying her, eyes clinging to the curve of her hips. “Oh, yeah? Need a partner for that, hmm?”
It was Elide’s turn to tilt her head to the side and shrug, “I don’t think so. I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself.”
His pulse jumped, heart beating faster than it had two seconds ago. Lorcan ran his tongue along the undersides of his teeth and pulled it back to the roof of his mouth as he grinned, “Oh, I’m sure ya can, but I’m tryin’ this new thing, ya see.”
“Really? And what’s that?”
He raised his chin in challenge, delighted to see the heat and desire storming in her eyes. “Bein’ a gentleman.” Elide laughed at that, but Lorcan continued. “See, so I gotta lend ya a hand.”
Elide reached out, her fingers wandering innocently up his sternum. “Just one? And just your hand?”
“Lochan,” he murmured, letting her pull him down when her hand curls in the collar of his shirt, “you can have whatever that ‘lil heart desires.”
She sharply tugged and then they were kissing, weeks of tension and hesitation leading up to this. It wasn’t nice or neat, but neither cared as their mouths fit together. Lorcan’s hand rose to cup her jaw, his thumb on her chin, tilting her head up. Elide parted her lips for his tongue and moaned softly. She reached her hand backwards and twisted the door handle, shoving the door open. “Good.”
<3<3<3
an: i wanted 2 write smthng with good 4 u but im a softie now n i cant write breakup fics 😭
@mythicaitt @eyllweambassador @schmlip-scribble @the-regal-warrior @ladyverena @shyvioletcat @alifletcher2012 @tswaney17 @ourbooksuniverse @flora-and-fae @thesirenwashere @queenofxhearts @maastrash @mynewdreamwasyou @cursebreaker29 @empress-ofbloodshed @b00kworm @hizqueen4life @silversprings98 @amren-courtofdreams @jadeaffliction @superspiritfestival @sanakapoor @ireallyshouldsleeprn @spyofthenightcourt @thegoddessofyou @more-espresso-less-depresso-xx @claralady @neonhellas @darlinminds @readingismyonlyhobby @gracie-rosee @myshadowsingeraz @firestarsandseneschals @elriel4life @always-in-a-daydream @jlinez @hellasblessed @mariamuses @darklesmylove @adelzd-bookblr @rowaelinismyotp @sassyhobbits @swankii-art-teacher @januarystears
121 notes · View notes