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youngbeezer · 3 years

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hi!! can I please request something?

going to a lake house, maybe friends to lovers with bowen byram?

thank you! 💗.

A/N: HI IM SO SORRY THIS LITERALLY TOOK 4 EVER!!! i was having such bad writer's block with also zero motivation, but i eventually put a little something together and i hope whoever requested this first off actually sees this bc seriously its been a good month of this sitting in my inbox but also i hope you like it :)

Word Count: 2940

Warning(s): kinda angsty in beginning, curse words, ends fluffy !!!

masterlist || join my taglist

These next few days is either going to turn out to be the best week of the summer, or the most awkward week of the summer...

I’m currently stuck in a car surrounded by couples on our way to a lake house in Colorado. Somehow I ended up being lumped into this chaotic group of professional hockey players and their drop-dead gorgeous significant others.

About a year ago at my local salon, I just so happened to be seated right next to a woman named Grace, who I immediately hit it off with. We became fast friends and are now basically inseparable at this point. Her boyfriend just so happens to play hockey for the Colorado Avalanche, Cale Makar. Now I have also grown quite close with Cale as well, since I am always at their shared apartment for Grace. At this point Cale is basically third wheeling us, instead of it being the other way around. Therefore I was also always invited to team parties and get-togethers, which prompted more friendships with most of the guys on the team and their respective partners.

Someone I have surprisingly grown super close with is Bowen Byram. As soon as Cale introduced us two, his blue eyes and raspy voice immediately drew me in. Straight away we bonded over common interests and that night we talked for almost three hours. After that, we were thick as thieves. So thick that recently I have come to the realization that I have caught major feelings for him along the way.

It has only been a few weeks since I have come to this realization and it has already started to affect our relationship. I definitely started to ignore Bowen a little bit when I first figured out my feelings because I was scared he would somehow find out or I would just end up blurting it out at some point. And the last thing I want is for my silly feelings to ruin such a great friendship.

Thus why this week can either turn out to be the best or the worst.

I’ve decided that at some point during this trip I need to confess my feelings for Bowen. He’s also seemed to notice the shift in my attitude towards him. I have become more closed off and not as touchy as we used to be. Bowen and I are both very touchy/feely types of people. So what seemed like just some harmless cuddling and play wrestling with each other, to me did very little to quell down my feelings.

For example, this morning when we were packing up the cars for the trip a group of us are taking to Tyson Jost’s lakehouse, Bowen went to wrap his arms around my middle from the back and I subconsciously flinched away at his touch. I know he definitely noticed my mood shift from the defiant pout that was resting on his face. After that I did what I do best, and ran away to the other car that was driving up and basically begged Nate to switch seats with me.

Which now leads to my current thoughts. The entire car ride up I have been contemplating on ways I could tell him, but each scenario just ended up with him telling me that he doesn’t feel the same, and our friendship essentially being over. Obviously I was just overthinking just a little, but I’ve never been stuck in a situation like this before-- and now we are going to be stuck in a lake house together for an entire week, so I am going to be forced to face this situation whether I want to or not.

“Yo. Earth to y/n?” Tyson draws, trying to gain my attention. I snap out of my thoughts as soon as I hear my name, and bring my gaze to the rearview mirror to meet Tyson’s questioning look. “We’re here.” He announces.

Susanna, Mikko’s girlfriend, adds on, “You alright? You seemed kind of out of it the entire car ride.”

I shake my head to try and clear my thoughts and notice that we are indeed here at the lake house we will be staying at for the next week. I clear my dried up throat before croaking out a weak, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just don’t like long car rides.”

Both of them nod, content with my answer and exit the car to join Mikko in unloading all of the luggage from the trunk. I take a few more moments to fully get my head together after dealing with all my jumbled thoughts throughout the entire three hour car ride.

Jumping out of the car, the first thing I see is Bowen letting out a yawn and stretching out. As his arms raise over his head, some of his shirt rises up with it and immediately my eyes are drawn to the small portion of skin and v-line that is in front of me. Bowen then notices my presence and makes eye contact with me, giving me one of his adorable little smiles. I advert my gaze as quickly as I can so my obvious ogling isn’t as obvious and go to finally retrieve my luggage.

Yeah this was gonna be a long week.

…

After everyone got pretty much all settled into their rooms, we all ended up coming back together to sit around the firepit to chat and enjoy some drinks. For this trip that Tyson orchestrated there are in total ten people staying in the house. Me, Tyson, obviously since it’s his house; Bowen, Cale, Grace, Alex Newhook, Mikko and his girlfriend Susanna, and lastly Nate and his supposed new girl who will be joining us later on in the week.

Apparently a group of the guys and their partners have been taking trips together at the end of the hockey season for a while now, and since growing closer with the team this year, I graciously got an invite.

Since it was getting later and a little bit more chilly, I grabbed a random sweatshirt that I saw already laying around in the living room before making my way outside to join everyone by the firepit. Getting closer I noticed that the only seat available just so happened to be next to Bowen.

Cale and Grace give each other a not so inconspicuous knowing look when they see me approaching. As soon as I sit down, a question is being thrown at me.

“Whose sweatshirt is that y/n?” Cale brings everyone's attention to me with a growing smirk on his face.

“I don’t know, I just found it in the living room.” I give Cale a questioning glare, trying to figure what his endgame is right now.

“It’s mine.” I hear that same raspy voice that I love and know so well. I feel my face start heating up at the idea of wearing Bowen’s sweatshirt. Am I wearing his name on my back right now, and I just didn’t even think to check earlier?

“Oh, uh. Sorry, I can give it back to you, if you want it.” I stumble out, now feeling awkward and a little embarrassed about how flustered I am getting over a simple sweatshirt.

Bowen gives me a little smile before replying back, “Nah, it’s fine. It looks better on you anyway.”

I clear my throat and stumble out an awkward ‘thanks’ at Bowen and then turn my attention to Grace right next to me so I don’t embarrass myself even more. What I don’t see though is the way Bowen's face immediately falls when I turn my back on him.

…

Around midnight is when everyone started to make their way back inside the house to start getting ready for bed. I was mindlessly scrolling through my social media, so I didn’t notice that mostly everyone had already gone inside.

“Y/n.” I look up at the mention of my name to notice that Bowen and I are the only ones left outside.

Also noticing the intense gaze I am receiving from Bowen, I quickly gather my things and stumble out, “Oh my gosh I didn’t notice everyone left already. I should head inside as well.”

Bowen is quicker though because he grabs ahold of my wrist, halting me in place before I make my very obvious escape.

“Hold on, please. Can you please talk to me?” Bowen pleads out.

“What do you mean? We’ve been talking all night.” I countered, trying one last time to get out of this conversation.

“We’ve been talking as a group all night yeah, but you couldn’t even make eye contact with me. You know what I mean. What’s been going on? Did I do something?” Bowen frowned.

At that moment I felt so guilty. I’ve been so focused on trying to ignore my feelings that I have developed that I ended up pushing my best friend away and hurting him in the process. I close my eyes and let out a deep breath. I knew I would eventually have to have this talk with Bowen during this week, but I just didn’t expect it to be on the very first night.

“Okay. Yeah, let’s talk.”

I lead the way down to the dock overlooking the lake and sit down to dangle my feet into the water. I know for a fact that Grace and Cale realized that we both haven’t come in behind them, so they are most likely snooping by the backdoor wondering what we are doing.

Bowen joins me, after slipping his shoes off and dangling his feet in as well.

“What’s been going on y/n?” Bowen asks again.

“I-I think I’m in love with you.” I blurt out. I can feel my heartbeat pounding in my ears as I await any type of response from Bowen. Taking a peek over at him, I see the pure shock on his face. Probably wasn’t the best idea to start off the conversation with that.

Taking his silence as a bad sign, I start spewing out whatever I can to try and calm the anxiety coursing through my veins. “I-I think I have known for a while and I just tried to ignore it, I guess. But then I realized that I was just pushing you away, an-and I never wanted to do that. Our friendship means that absolute world to me, and I would hate myself if anything I did, or-or my stupid feelings jeaporized that.” At some point during my little rant, a few tears escaped. I turn my head away as I try to hold back on a full on sob breaking loose.

“You think?” He eventually breaks the silence.

Confusedly, I turned my head back around and let out a strangled, “Huh?” I see the corners of Bowen’s mouth start curving up into a tiny smile, confusing me even more.

“You said, you think you’re in love with me.” He pointed out.

My eyebrows raise in question and I give him a little shrug, prompting him to elaborate more.

“Well… I’m pretty damn sure I’m in love with you.” Bowen softly declared.

My breath catches in my throat and my mouth turns as dry as the Sahara Desert. Those were definitely not the words I was expecting to come out of his mouth. He chuckles at my surprised face and scooches a little closer to my body to wipe a stray tear on my cheek.

“Are you serious?” I whisper out.

“Of course.” He whispered just as softly back to me as his head inched closer to mine.

My heart pounds in my chest as Bowen’s hand comes up to cradle my cheek. All of our pent up feelings and emotions that we both have been too afraid to admit all come crashing together as our lips finally meet. He kissed me gently, almost carefully, but after all this time gentleness was not what I wanted right now. Bowen let out a low groan as I pulled him flush against my body, my fists bunching up the collar of his shirt.

Before this could go any further, we both pull away breathlessly, basking in what truly just happened-- just now realizing how much our relationship is about to change.

“Fuck.” Bowen breathed out, running his hands over his face. “If I knew that was what it was like to kiss you I would’ve blurted out my feelings the day I met you.”

My ears perk up at his last few words and it seems like he also realizes what he just admitted, as his cheeks immediately turn a rosy color.

“You’ve liked me for that long?” I bashfully question.

Bowen runs his fingers through his hair and blows out a breath of air before answering, “Yeah, I-I mean… yeah I have.” He stumbles out, awkwardly letting out a laugh.

I lean my head on his shoulder and connect our hands, feeling super content and never wanting this moment to end. We take a moment to just sit on the dock-- with our feet hanging in the water, hands intertwined; and bask in the feeling of finally letting our feelings out into the open.

“You know everyone in that house is going to have a field day when they find out.” Bowen mumbles against my shoulder, before leaving a lingering kiss on the exposed skin.

“Oh I wouldn’t be surprised if they all had a bet going or something.” I chimed. I raise my head that had previously been resting on Bowen’s shoulder back up to look at him, and see that he is already smiling at me. “What?” I drawled, feeling my cheeks heating up under his gaze.

“You wanna sleep in my bed tonight?” He asked hesitantly.

My cheeks now feel on fire as I ponder on how I want to go about this. I raise my eyebrows up at him in question as I ponder out, “Do you want me in your bed tonight?”

Bowen gives me an almost incredulous look as he voiced, “Of course I want you in my bed.”

I just give him a simple nod and push my body up in a standing position, reaching out my hand to prompt Bowen to join me. “Okay, let’s go.”

Bowen immediately shoots up from his sitting position, clinging onto my hand as we make our way back up the yard to the sliding glass doors of the lake house. Just as I predicted earlier, Cale and Grace were totally snooping. Actually, the entire house was snooping. Everyone was gathered in the kitchen trying to act casual as we walked in, but as soon as they noticed our conjoined hands, all hell broke loose.

“I fucking knew it!”

“Aw you guys look so cute.”

“Bout time.”

“Ha! Nate, you owe me fifty bucks.”

I looked over at Bowen with an unimpressed look, “Told you they probably had a bet going on.” Meanwhile Bowen has an incredulous look coating his face watching his friends freak out over his newfound relationship. Instead of questioning our oddball friends, Bowen just simply shakes his head, letting out a little chuckle.

“Alright I’m heading up, I can’t deal with these idiots right now.” Bowen gives me a quick peck on the lips before announcing his departure for the night. Most of the others also start making their way up to their respective rooms for bed, the guys putting on a show of making kissy noises and making a few chirps as they follow Bowen up the stairs.

Grace joins me by the counter, making a show of wiggling her eyebrows at me. I’m smiling like an idiot as Cale also joins us, chuckling at my lovesick expression.

“You’re welcome.” Cale smirked.

I scrunch my face up in confusion as I question him back, “For what?”

“For introducing you two, duh.” Cale teased. Grace smacks him on the arm with a tut, making a show of rolling her eyes at her boyfriend. “Alright, seriously I am happy for you guys though.” He eventually relents.

My cheeks heat up from the attention but also from the thought of Bowen and I’s new relationship. Grace grabs me by the shoulders and starts pushing me in the direction of the staircase.

“Obviously I’m happy for you too. All I’ve wanted is the best for you and I think Bowen is just that. And with that being said, go get your mans!” She sends me off with a quick smack on my ass. I giggle the whole way up the stairs on the way into Bowen’s [now our] room feeling extremely giddy and content.

When I enter the room, all the lights except for the bathroom are already off, and it looks like Bowen is already settled into bed. So, I quickly do my night time routine and change into my pajamas before making my way over to the bed I will now be sharing for the week.

Bowen is awaiting me with his arms wide open, which I happily cuddle into the second I am under the covers. He buries his head into my neck, leaving featherlight kisses here and there.

“I love you.” Bowen mumbles into my neck. I card my fingers through his hair and kiss the top of his head as I mumble back those same words, in complete awe over how fast my life has changed in one night. We both knew that we would eventually be together, it just took a little time and a trip to Tyson Jost’s lakehouse for us to figure it out. This week will definitely be one for the books.

Taglist: @barzysandmarnersbitch @handwrittenheroes @hockeyplayerstories @barzy-xoxo @gnemgn @joelsfarabees

Tagging some mutuals as well so this doesnt flop,,,

@2manytabsopen @bb-nhlqueen7 @frederikanderson @simon-edvinsson @coltonndach @carepriceisgoodathockey @lovereadinghockeyy @pettypeteys @kentjohnsons @joekellys @mattybenierss

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gallavictorious · 3 years

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I was delighted to be tagged by Our Lady of Words and Joy @howlinchickhowl Cheers, dear!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

Earlier today it was 40. Now it’s 39. WHAT GIVES? Did someone eat a story? Which one? I am so confused.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

137 098. At least that hasn’t changed...

3. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

Highs, and Your Lows (i will weather them)

This Time (We'll Be Fine)

Teenage Tales

To Keep Your Gentle Heart

Captive Look

Huh. Would you look at that. All Gallavich stuff!

4. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

Eh. Well. Listen, I always want and mean to respond to comments, because as a commenter I always love a response from the author, but I am procrastinator supreme so a lot of the time I just... don't. Not for a great long while at least. Then, two years AFTER you left a comment, you might get an e-mail notification about me responding. It's horrible, really, because I keep the comments in my heart and treasure them so much and the lovely people taking the time to leave a few words on my silly stories really do deserve better.

5. What’s the fic you’ve written with the angstiest ending?

Life, Still to Come has the one main character Jim Moriarty killing himself and his lover Sebastian Moran after he's diagnosed with incurable brain cancer, so I guess that's pretty angsty? The tone of the fic, however, is... kinda soft and peaceful, really. It doesn't feel so very sad, I think.

For Gallavich, I've got Chapter 7 of my ficlet collection Highs, and Your Lows (i will weather them). It's an Wild West AU kind of deal, where Ian Gallagher is visited by the ghost of the young fiend Mickey Milkovich after his dad beats him to death. That one is sad, but there's the glimmer of a promise that they might meet again one day, in a better world.

6. What’s the fic you’ve written with the happiest ending?

My fics mostly end on a happy note, and I have a hard time pinning down which is the happiest. Hm. I'm gonna say Pressure or possibly Foreign Country, if only because the happy endings there are offered in contrast to the otherwise angsty story and so seems all the happier for it.

7. Do you write crossovers? If so, what is the craziest one you’ve written?

I have, once. Well, started one, really. Notes Regarding the End of the World is a crossover between Sherlock BBC and Mark Lawrence's The Broken Empire trilogy. I still feel there's a bunch of potential there, but I'm very hesitant I'll ever finish it.

8. Have you ever received hate on a fic?

Not to my recollection, no. Back when I posted my SW fic on the Jedi Council forums you might receive critical comments at times, but no hate.

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Not really, no. I'm not very interested in reading it, and so see very little point in writing it. There's been a few semi-explicit depictions of sexual acts – most notably in Claim – and I'm not averse to writing kink fic, even if they don't typically include actual sex when I do. For instance, I did The Ways We Bend and Break and Mend for X-Men, and the whole point was Charles first whipping Erik and then cuddling him – except in the end it turned into a character study with lots of emotions, and I think any attempts to write smut would be like that for me. Accidental character drama. XD

I might have a Gallavich thing for kinktober that is likely to be pretty explicit and kinda messed up. We'll see.

10. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

I don't think so. There have been a few instances of stuff popping up bearing a strong resemblance to things I've written, but there's also been times when I realize that things I have written bear a (very much unintentional) strong resemblance to other stuff that predates them, so I really think that's the nature of the beast. In any big fandom, the same ideas are likely to occur to multiple people, and we are all, often unconsciously, inspired by the same things and by each other.

11. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Yeah, to Chinese and Russian.

12. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes! Pathoftheranger and I co-wrote (How to Break the) Alibi Armistice, which was fun!

13. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

I'm a creature of ever-changing affections, so I'm not so good with ”all-time favourite” and to be honest, I mostly tend to have favourite characters and ship them with everything in sight... Currently it's all about Gallavich but pretty much all ships including Jim Moriarty is forever gold to me (though MorMor is The Best. Or is it Sheriarty? Or maybe Mormorlock? Or Moriadlock? Or Johmlock – notice the 'm'?). Cherik's a big one too!

Ask me again in six months and my answer might well have changed!

14. What’s a WIP that you want to finish but don’t think you ever will?

The aforementioned Notes Regarding the End of the World. And I have this superlong Star Wars fic I started writing when I was 16 and wrote for years and years and then just... stopped writing, when I was maybe 20 pages from the end? It's currently at 180k words. This one I DO have some hope that I will go back and finish one day, although it's likely to be a jarring experience since I'm very much not 16 years old any more and my ideas about writing and the characters and everything have shifted quite a bit.

15. What are your writing strengths?

I do pretty well with the short format, I think. And with dialogue? Finding the voice of the characters (some more than others, certainly). Writing in my native Swedish, I think I'm pretty good at offering decent prose – I'd like to think I have a fairly developed ear for the flow of the text, and the melody of it? But when writing in English, that gets quite a bit harder. This really annoys me, because I'm rather preoccupied with the stylish elements of writing – though I've found that a lot of people seem happy enough to overlook clunky writing as long as they find the story otherwise engaging, which is a huge blessing for me. I believe I can build a decent plot, but since I can't write anyting longer than a few K these days there's no telling, is there?

16. What are your writing weaknesses?

Primarily getting any writing done at all. Mostly, I stare at a blank page and despair and then I give up. This is why I no longer write long fic. I also tend to reuse favorite phrases or themes far too often. And there are so many subclauses... Proofreading happens to other people (I'd like it to happen to me too, but I'm terrible with it). I'm not good at accepting constructive criticism, even when I ask for it. I will often favour style over efficiency, and I'll stubbornly refuse to admit that this can be a problem.

17. What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

This question makes me feel like I ought to have developed thoughts on this, but I don't so much... I don't mind it? I've used it. Uh. It's a good idea to do a bit of research and not just rely on Google translate for it? If you don't like it, don't use it. Those are my thoughts.

18. What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Star Wars. <3

19. What’s a fandom/ship you haven’t written for yet but want to?

Buffy/Angel/Spike. The Book of All Hours. Heroes. Maybe something based on The Coldfire Trilogy... ? Oh, and the Bible. I'm sure there are others.

20. What’s your favorite fic you’ve written?

I really don't have one. There are a few I'm particularly happy with, but no one that truly stands out... That said, I was quite chuffed with how the first ficlet in Or Else Into the Light, my (tiny) collection of Anakin redemption one-shots, turned out. And Claim. I’m very pleased with Claim.

Tagging @dreamylyfe-x @fiona-fififi @pathoftheranger @abundanceofnots and @captainjowl

#tag games

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soobiniebaby · 4 years

Text

Angels & Devils Part III: Give Me a Highlight

Tomorrow x Together Fanfiction

~ p a r t s : main post || prologue || part 1 || part 2 || part 3 || part 4 || part 5 || part 6 || part 7 || part 8 || part 9 || part 10 || part 11 || part 12 || part 13 || part 14 || part 15 || part 16 || part 17 ~ p a i r i n g : love triangle involving choi soobin and choi yeonjun ~ g e n r e : high school au | some social media au | some fluff & angst | childhood friends | love triangle ~ l a n g u a g e : English ~ w a r n i n g : contains swearing, alcohol, kissing (?) and may contain mature themes (angst, etc.) ~ a / n : This will be my first fanfic (go easy on me pls) and i’m just writing this as I go along, so bear with me juseyo The setting (place/country) of the story is up to the reader’s interpretation ~ s u m m a r y : What should she choose? Han Baby: the new girl with a troubled past MO Academy: her new high school Choi Soobin: student council president, member of the Ecosave club, volunteer at the Humane Treatment of Animals, member of the Honor Society, a vocalist in the Jazzed club, the school’s all around golden boy Choi Yeonjun: leader of the Dance club, star of the Jazzed club, the school’s it boy with a bad rep 5 best friends, 1 new girl, 1 childhood friendship, 1 epic love triangle? What will this school year bring?

Being a new student on the first day of a new academic year was a bit of an experience for B, especially since she always had at least one member of the student council by her side throughout the day.

After lunch, Beomgyu had walked with her to their French class. She was used to getting looks as she passed by, because even at her old school she knew that people knew who she was, but the looks she was receiving at MOA were different. No one really knew who she was yet, or what her family was like. They weren’t looking at her with cold judgement, they weren’t whispering about her family background, but rather they were staring at her with bright curious eyes, and a bit of, dare she say it, jealousy?

When she was walking with Kai, she didn’t mind the stares too much because 1) she knew that her best friend was popular so it was only natural for people to stare at him and 2) she had enough history with Kai and felt comfortable enough with him to know that no matter what people may think, he was her best friend and no rumor or speculation could change that.

But as she walked alone with Beomgyu and sat beside him in class, the stares felt different. As comfortable enough as she was around Beomgyu, she realized that the level of comfort she felt with Kai was on another level. With Kai by her side, she felt like she had a shield that could block out what other people might say, but being alone with someone like Beomgyu, she felt bare and prone to judgement.

It wasn’t Beomgyu’s fault. He was warm, he was charming, and she felt at ease talking to him and enjoyed his company. He cracked funny jokes and made her feel close to him so effortlessly that if it weren’t for the stares, she would’ve felt like he was a close friend already.

But she was always super conscious of getting stares, so much so that it had a tendency to affect how she acted when she felt them. And Beomgyu seemed to notice this.

“Hey, B, are you alright?” he asks her as they occupy a couple of empty seats in their French class.

B nods. She wasn’t very good at hiding her feelings, so she simply said “Yeah I’m fine, I just don’t like it when I see people staring. It really makes me feel uneasy.”

Beomgyu looks at her with concern then and lays a hand on her wrist. “Hey, don’t mind them, alright? It’s probably just cause you’re the pretty new girl, so everyone’s probably just curious, that’s all.”

“The pretty new girl? Really?” B says looking at him with her brow raised.

Beomgyu holds his hands up defensively. “Well, you are? Pretty sure that’s how everyone sees you. To be honest, I’ve had a couple of guys from my last period ask about you. Looks like someone’s popular.” he says, nudging her arm teasingly.

B laughs, surprised. “You’re joking, right? What did they ask? Were they cute?”

“They wanted to know about you, I just told them you were pretty nice and cool. As for their looks, well, I guess you can say that MOA has a fairly attractive student population. Take me, for example.” Beomgyu says, rubbing his chin and making faces. “I mean, if you ever feel bad about the stares you get, just imagine that they’re all focusing on my handsome face.”

B hits his arm playfully, laughing out loud. “I can’t argue with that! Thanks Beomgyu, that actually made me feel a lot better.”

Beomgyu laughs along. “Don’t sweat it. Call me Gyu, by the way.”

Just then, their teacher for the period walks into the room, and everyone settles into their seats.

“Bonjour, je m’appelle Jackson.” Their teacher begins, addressing the class.

Beomgyu groans quietly. “Aw shit, why did my parents want me to learn French. Do you know any French?” he whispers to B.

B shrugs and says. “Ah Cher Monsieur Gyu, Je parle un petit peu de français.”

Beomgyu’s eyes widen. “Well then, um, mademoiselle B. Uh…Omelette du fromage?”

B whacks his arm and lets out a laugh, then immediately shuts up and sits up straight as their teacher glares at the pair.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you with French.” B whispers. Beomgyu squeezes her hand under the table and whispers back “Thanks, B.”

•°•

“Is it just me, or are the stares and whispers getting a bit ridiculous?” B asks Soobin as they walk into their English class, the last period for the day. She could feel the stares throughout the day and was starting to get used to them, but as soon as she and Soobin entered the classroom, the stares now came with whispers, which made it so much more uncomfortable.

“Don’t worry about it. As much of a hot topic you are, being the new girl and all that, I think everyone’s whispering about Yeonjun’s absence. It was also like this at my last class. Everyone wants to know why he skipped his first day of class after being suspended last term.” Soobin says, leaning in close and keeping his voice low. “By the way, where do you wanna sit?” he asks politely. The teacher wasn’t in the room yet and a lot of the students weren’t seated yet, so they had a lot of seats to choose from.

“Anywhere’s fine, really.” B says. Soobin nods as he leads her to a couple of seats to the side close to the windows.

“I can’t say I blame them. I mean, I know the reason why but my head’s still spinning with questions about the whole thing.” B whispers to him as they sit down. “You guys weren’t very helpful about it, either.” she huffs as she recalls how their lunchbreak ended.

It was like they had a script prepared for whenever anyone asked them about Yeonjun and his strange disappearances from school.

“It’s complicated.” “It’s not our story to tell.” “He has a lot of family issues.” “He’s a very busy guy.” “It happens a lot.”

Soobin laughs. “I’m sorry, but it’s not our story to tell. If you really want to know, you can just ask Yeonjun himself. I’m sure you’ll appreciate it more coming from him, and I’m sure that he’ll appreciate you talking to him directly rather than asking other people about it as well.”

B pouts, knowing that Soobin was right. “Can’t argue with that. Plus, no matter how much I’ve heard about you guys, I think it would still be different if I got to know you all on my own.”

“Oh? Just how much have you heard about us guys, exactly?” Soobin asks with a raised brow.

B bites her lip as she realizes her slip up. Whoops. She couldn’t take it back now, so she replied honestly. “I promised Kai I’d stay quiet about it because he didn’t want me to weird you guys out by asking questions, but I’ve heard quite a lot about you guys from a couple of girls in my Biology class.”

“Don’t worry about it, I guess it was bound to happen. When you’re a member of the student council, people are bound to talk about you I guess.” he says lightheartedly.

Yeah, and when you’re a group of 5 attractive, tall, and insanely talented nice guys B thought to herself.

“I’m really curious though, what have you heard about me? Good things, I hope?” Soobin asks with a hopeful look on his face.

“Actually, the girls told me all about the other council members, but I didn’t hear much about you.” B says.

Soobin’s face fell as he looked at her with puppy dog eyes. “Is that so? Damn being the council president isn’t as big of a deal as it used to be, I guess.” he said dramatically, feigning hurt as he put a fist over his heart. “Maybe I should stir up some drama to get people talking about me on the first day.”

B laughs at his antics. “No, silly. We didn’t get to talk about you because the bell rang just as your name came up in our conversation.”

He laughed along sheepishly. “Well, I feel silly now.” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I mean, not that it’s important to me, but you know, it would be nice to feel included since you’ve heard so much about the other members already.”

“Well, I’m sure I’ll be able to get to know a lot about you soon enough.” B says, just as their teacher walks in and everybody takes their seats. B notices that no one takes the other seat beside Soobin, as if they collectively had an unspoken agreement that it was reserved for the absent blue-haired boy.

The teacher makes a quick scan of the room and looks at his notes before facing the class. “Ah, yes, I’ve been informed that Mr. Choi has been excused from classes this afternoon. Let’s hope no one else will be making any more absences than deemed necessary.”

A few whispers are heard around the room before the teacher proceeds. “I also understand that we have a new student, and she’s a Sophomore too, so I hope that as seniors you will treat her well and welcome her warmly to MO Academy. I’m Sir Kim, your teacher for this term, and I hope you’ll enjoy my class, Ms. Han.” he says directly to B. He smiles when he realizes that Soobin is seated next to her. “And who better than our student council president, Mr. Choi Soobin himself to ensure that you’ll be comfortable and feel right at home here with us.”

Soobin smiles back at Sir Kim sort of shyly, not expecting his name to be mentioned. “I’ll make sure of it, Sir.” he promises.

Sir Kim nods approvingly. “Now, I want to give you a short introduction to our class, which is Creative Writing 101. I think the title speaks for itself, but I’d like to do things a little differently, starting with giving you your first project for the term, which will be worth 25% of your grade.”

B whispers “Damn.” under her breath while other students gasp audibly and some whispers start up again before Sir Kim quiets them down. “I know it’s only your first day of school, but for most of you it’ll be your last year at this school, so I want to maximize the time you have left here. For today, I will simply present the project to you and allow you to discuss and plan the output amongst yourselves so it won’t be too heavy. This project will be done by pairs of your choosing, which we will settle within the day. Those absent today will be given consideration.”

Soobin and B share a look then, and they smile when they realize they looked at each other at the same time.

“Partners?” B asks, knowing he was about to ask her the same thing.

“Sure.” he says, and they shake hands before turning their attention back to Sir Kim.

“For your first project, not only will you be doing creative writing, but you will be forming a narrative. Telling a story in a different way, through a different medium.” he begins, doing his best to make the project sound interesting. “I will be asking you to use social media platforms of your choosing to create a narrative, to tell a story, to develop characters, and to show creative writing in a creative way. You have a month to work on it, and I expect at least one entry, rather one social media update, every week. Each social media update should feature you or your partner. And all pictures or messages have to be taken by and composed by either you or your partner. Now, go into pairs, discuss it amongst yourselves, and if you have any questions feel free to approach me.” Sir Kim finishes, then he starts walking around the room as the class excitedly begins to pair up.

B turns to Soobin, caught up in the excitement along with the rest of the class. “Wow, I haven’t had an assignment like this before. It seems pretty interesting.”

Soobin nods. “Sir Kim is one of the well-known teachers at MOA, they say his classes are always fun, so I’m really excited to be taking it.”

“Well, do you have any ideas on what we should do for our project? It’s worth 25% of our final grade, so I think we should really put effort into it.” B asks.

Soobin looks at her then and he can practically see the gears turning in her head. “I was thinking we should decide on what social media platforms we should use first, and what sort of story we should tell with each post, but it looks like you’re full of ideas.”

“Yeah, my mind’s going a mile a minute.” B admits. “I like stories, but I’m not much of a story-teller. My idea sucks anyway, since we’re a boy and a girl, the first story idea that came to mind was me and Kai, which now that I think about it seems pretty boring considering we’re basically just childhood friends.”

“That doesn’t seem boring, really. A lot of things could happen between childhood friends.” Soobin interjects. “They could grow old together, they could drift apart.”

They could fall in love, he thought, but fortunately he was able to stop himself from saying the sudden idea out loud, not knowing where it came from.

B wrinkles her nose. “I mean yeah, I guess that hadn’t really occurred to me since I was just thinking of what my relationship with Kai is like. I don’t think we’ll be able to show us as childhood friends growing old together though considering we only have a month to do the project, unless we could make ourselves look years older with every post.” she says.

“That’s a fair point.” Soobin agrees. “I like the idea of us being childhood friends though, so our posts can start with us already knowing each other instead of us meeting each other for the first time.”

“Ooh, how about this.” B says, turning to Soobin excitedly. “Okay, we could appear as childhood friends in our project, but in real life we’re just getting to know each other, right? So maybe while we’re getting to know each other, let’s just document each other and create posts around what pictures or information we gather about each other? Basically, we just take pictures of each other every time we hang out or see each other, then we’ll make stories out of them.” she explains, trying to convey her ideas as clearly as possible.

“That would be a win-win, I think. We’d be getting to know each other while creating content for our project at the same time.” Soobin says. “Be ready for a lot of candid pictures though, I’ll be taking pictures of you like I’m paparazzi.” he jokes, pretending to hold a camera in his hands and clicking his fingers together.

“That’s gonna be hard for me since I’m really camera shy. I’ll feel like paparazzi taking pictures of you all the time, too.” she says, laughing.

Soobin scoffs softly. “Psh, you? Camera shy? You don’t seem shy at all.” he says. “I bet I’ll be able to get a lot of good photos of you for this project.”

B raises a brow. “Good luck with that. And yeah, I’m not really a shy person but everytime there’s a camera on me, I have a tendency to hide my face or look away.”

“Oh really? We’re opposite then, since I regard myself as shy but for some reason I’m fine with being on a stage or having my picture taken.” Soobin says.

“You? A shy person?” B says, looking him up and down. She shakes her head as she says, “I don’t believe it. I mean, you’re a giant so you automatically stand out in crowds, plus you’re the president of the student council, which doesn’t sound like something that a shy person would do.”

Soobin laughs at her analysis. “I mean I didn’t ask to grow this tall, and I’m fine with stuff like that, but it’s still a struggle for me sometimes. To talk to people and stuff.” he finishes a bit awkwardly. “If you don’t believe me, just ask Hyuka and the others.”

“Oh, I will.” B says skeptically. “Speaking of Hyuka and the others, I was thinking we could go grab a snack or something later after school? We could get started on our project, plus I’m sure Kai is curious to know how my first day of classes went, so I thought he and the others might want to come too.” B asks him. “I mean, only if you’re up for it.”

“Sure thing, we should start taking pictures as soon as possible so we’ll have a lot to choose from every week. Let me just ask the guys about it real quick.” Soobin says, whipping his phone out.

“Are you sure you’re allowed to be using your phone during class?” B whispers as Soobin puts his phone down.

“Everyone’s doing it, so…” Soobin shrugs. “And it’s settled, we’re going to Taehyun’s café later and the others are coming as well.”

“Oh wow, Taehyun has a café?” B asks, amazed.

Soobin nods. “Actually, it’s his family’s café but he helps around a lot, so we hang out there all the time. He works really hard, not just in school but outside of it as well, so he hates wasting his free time. It’s very admirable.”

“He sounds amazing.” B says, agreeing with Soobin.

Just then, Sir Kim approaches the 2 and says. “Hello Ms. Han, I hope you’re enjoying your time at MO Academy so far.”

B nods. “Yes, it’s an amazing school, I’m glad to be here. Thank you, Sir Kim.” she says, smiling brightly at him.

Sir Kim smiles and nods back before turning to Soobin. “That’s good. Now, Mr. Choi, I’m assuming that you and Ms. Han have been able to come up with a concept for your project? Would you mind giving me a brief outline?”

Soobin shares a look with B before he nods and smiles at Sir Kim. “Alright Sir, this is what we’ve come up with so far…”

•°•

“Okay, when you said we were all heading to the café together, for some reason, I thought we’d be walking.” B says, eyeing the big black vehicle parked close to the front steps of the school entrance.

Soobin scratches the back of his neck. “Well yeah we could walk, but walking there would take 15 minutes and driving there would only take 5, so…” he shrugs, and opens the passenger door for her. “Hop in?”

“But I called shotgun.” Kai whines, pouting. “I always sit shot gun.”

“Hush, let someone else have it, just this once. It’s her first day, after all.” Beomgyu says, dragging Kai with him into the back seat of the car with Taehyun following them.

“But I don’t like sitting at the back. It feels so crowded.” Kai continues to whine.

“It’s not crowded when it’s just Gyu, Yeonjun and I.” Taehyun remarks.

“…are you calling me fat?” Kai asks, while Beomgyu snickers.

“I mean, you can always sit in the back seat, Hyuka. My car can fit at least 7 people.” Soobin offers, shutting the passenger door and making his way over to the driver’s side.

Kai sighs, admitting defeat. “This is fine.”

“I’m actually not surprised that you have a car.” B says as they exit the school’s parking lot and head to the café. “It’s very convenient and I’m sure you’re more than capable of owning one. I should’ve asked my parents if I could have a car, or at least a bike. It would be so much easier than running to school everyday.”

“Did you run to school today, Baba? No offense, but you looked a bit flustered when we saw you this morning.” Kai asks.

“Yeah, I woke up late. I slept through 5 alarms.” B says, groaning. “I hope it doesn’t happen again tomorrow.”

Kai laughs out loud. “Why am I not surprised? You always were hard to wake up. I see you’re still a heavy sleeper. Do you live alone?”

B nods even though Kai probably couldn’t see her from the back seat. “Yeah, I convinced my parents to let me move into an apartment near the school. I’m surprised they actually agreed to it. I mean, you know how my parents are.”

“Ah, auntie and uncle still being overprotective?” Kai says knowingly.

“More like overbearing.” B says. “Thank god they let me transfer schools, too. I feel like for once in my life, I’m finally in charge.”

“I’m happy for you, Baba. You’ll have to fill me in on how you did it later.” Kai says, reaching over to squeeze her shoulder. B puts her hand over his and squeezes back. “Thanks, Ningning.” she says.

“Speaking of which, where do you live? If your plan is to walk to and from school everyday, then it must be pretty close.” Taehyun asks.

“Oh, it’s pretty near. It’s, oh-” B says, surprised when she looks out the window. “It’s actually that building right there, on the second floor.” she says, pointing to a building across the street.

The boys all turn to where she was pointing to while Soobin parks the car in front of the café. The building she was pointing to was right across the café.

“You live in that building right there?” Soobin asks, glancing along with the other boys.

“Yup, the second floor. Apartment 2B.” she says. “I chose it myself, made sure it was at a nice location and everything. Why do you all seem surprised?” she asks when she realizes that they were all staring at the building.

Taehyun laughs a bit shyly. “I actually live there too, with my parents and my older brother and sister. We’re in apartment 1D.”

“Oh wow, we’re neighbors! How do you get to school everyday? Maybe we could go together?” B asks excitedly.

“I usually just walk. And sure, I’d like that. Just make sure you’re out your door by 7 AM though, I’d rather have a relaxing walk than a panicked run on the way to school.” he says, half joking and half serious.

B laughs as she says. “Deal. I promise I’ll wake up on time. I just had a hard time waking up earlier today cause we had to be there earlier for the tour.”

As they step out of the car and head into the café, B looks at the interior. It was simple, spacious, and cozy. Even though there were several seats and different settings all along the interior, a lot of the seats were occupied. There was also a set of double glass doors that led into a small outdoor area with more seats. It was a nice café, and B could tell that it was frequently visited by students and workers alike.

“Hyunie, there you are! Quick, I saved you and your friends a table right here.” A woman says as she approaches the boys and gives Taehyun a quick kiss on the cheek. The boys smile and greet her.

“Thank you so much, auntie Kang.” Soobin says, giving her a quick peck on the cheek as he takes a seat. The other boys line up to follow suit.

“Oh hush now, no need to thank me. You boys are always welcome here. Speaking of, looks like you’re missing one? And you replaced him with a pretty girl!” Mrs. Kang says, opening her arms in B’s direction.

“Mom, this is B. She’s a childhood friend of Hyuka’s, and she just transferred to MOA.” Taehyun says, formally introducing B to his mom.

“Hello, Mrs. Kang. It’s really nice to meet you.” B says brightly.

“It’s nice to meet you too, dear. And it’s auntie Kang, to you.” Mrs. Kang says, pulling her in and giving her a quick peck on the cheek as she did with the boys. “It’s refreshing to see a girl around these boys. A rose among the thorns. May I ask where Yeonjun is today, though? I’m sure those girls sitting in the corner are crushed to see you walk in here without him.”

B looks confused for a moment before she scans the café and spots the group of girls Mrs. Kang was referring to. There was a group of girls sitting at a table that kept stealing glances towards them. They were wearing a school uniform that looked unfamiliar to B, and when they caught her looking at them, they quickly looked away and started whispering amongst themselves.

“Wow, you boys. Your popularity knows no bounds.” B says, shaking her head as she takes a seat.

“It’s highly understandable dear, you can’t blame them. My Hyunnie and his friends are a handsome bunch.” Mrs. Kang says, ruffling the top of Taehyun’s hair. “I’m guessing you’re all having your usual?”

The boys all nod. “Thanks, Mrs. Kang. Let us know if you need any extra help.” Beomgyu says, smiling at her sweetly.

“You just stay put, sweetheart. I’ve got all the help I need.” Mrs. Kang says. “And what will you have, dear?” she asks, turning to B.

“Oh, I guess I’ll just have what Kai’s having?” she says, not really knowing what was available but trusting that Kai’s regular order would be good.

Mrs. Kang nods as the other boys snicker. “Coming right up! Hyunnie, meet you back there in a few?” she asks. Taehyun nods just as Mrs. Kang disappears behind the counter.

“This place looks amazing, Taehyun. And your mom is lovely.” B says as they all settle in.

“We come here every day for a reason!” Kai says, putting an arm around B’s shoulders. “Plus, their egg tarts are the best. They’re my favourite. I order 5 almost every time I come in here.”

B laughs as she realizes what she just ordered. “Are you telling me I’ve got 5 egg tarts coming up, too?”

The other boys laugh. “You could’ve looked at the menu first.” Soobin says pointedly.

“I know I know, but I trusted you!” B laughs, looking at Kai.

“Trust me when I say that you won’t be disappointed then. You’ll love the egg tarts, I promise.” Kai says reassuringly.

B is about to say something back to Kai just as she notices Soobin has his phone pointed in her direction. She quickly buries her face in Kai’s shoulder as she realizes that Soobin was taking a picture.

“Hey, don’t hide your face!” Soobin says. “That would’ve been such a good shot!” he says, pouting.

“Um, Soobin? What’s with the pictures?” Beomgyu asks.

B and Soobin share a look before Soobin answers. “B and I are partners for this project in our creative writing class.”

“Ooh, tell us more. And tell me, why do you have to take pictures of my dear best friend?” Kai says, squeezing B’s shoulders.

B laughs as she realizes he was being a bit protective. “It’s a bit weird, but okay. Soobin, you tell them.” she says.

And so he does.

•°•

“Thanks for walking me home. You know you didn’t have to.” B says as they climb up the stairs of the building.

“Anything for you, Baba. I want to be able that I was here for you all throughout your first day at MOA. Plus, I missed you and I don’t mind squeezing in a few extra moments of Baba and Ningning time.” Kai says as she leads him up the stairs. “And of course, I want to make sure that you get home safe.”

B laughs. “The café is right across the street, so you didn’t really have to worry about that.”

Kai scoffs. “I know, but still. It’s your first time living on your own, right? Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if auntie and uncle hired private security guards to watch over you from a distance.”

“That does sound like something they would do.” B says, a bit worried. “I mean it sounds creepy and a bit stalker-ish, but at least I know I’d be safe.” she says rationally.

Kai laughs. “That’s true. Letting you live on your own is a big step for them though, and you must feel pretty good about it too.”

B nods. “I feel free.” she says, letting out a sigh. “I still can’t believe they let me do it after everything that happened last year, but I think that’s also partly why they let me do it.”

There’s a moment of silence before Kai says “You know, you never really got to tell me the specifics of what happened. I mean, I know things were bad, but-”

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about it soon. But this is my stop.” B says as they stop in front of a door labeled 2B. “When it’s just us two, and when we have loads of free time, I promise I’ll tell you all about it. I promise.” she says, when Kai looks hesitant to let it go.

Kai lets out a defeated sigh before saying “Fine, but we have to catch up soon. Maybe this weekend? You know my birthday’s coming up, right? Maybe we could do something then?”

B grins and says “How could I forget? And sure, anything you want. Do you wanna come in, by the way? You thirsty? Want anything?” she asks as she unlocks the door and opens it a crack.

Kai shakes his head. “I’m good for now, thanks. You should rest anyway, I’m sure it’s been a long day.”

“Thank you for walking me home, Ningning. And thanks for today. I couldn’t have asked for a better first day with a better best friend.” she says.

Kai smiles. “No problem, Baba. Anything for you. See you tomorrow!” he says, giving her a quick hug before turning around and leaving.

B enters her apartment and locks the door behind her. Just as she makes her way to her bedroom, her phone pings with a few notifications.

She smiles as she sees the messages from the boys. They had exchanged contacts details at the café, but she was surprised to see that even Yeonjun had sent her a message even though he didn’t get to hang out with them.

She and Soobin also set up new Instagram accounts to use for their creative writing project, but she was surprised to see that he posted something so soon. She makes a mental note to herself to check and reply to each boy’s message later, but first she checked the Instagram notification from Soobin.

She laughs when she sees Kai’s comment and wonders how he was able to see the post so fast. She then decides to like the post and leave a comment of her own.

19 notes · View notes

staticscreenwriting · 5 years

Text

casual moths - chapter five

Due to Tumblr not showing my stuff in the tags whenever I add links, I had to delete the links to previous chapter. Find them by adding /angel-reyes-fanfiction after my URL :)

If you liked this part and wanna help me out, please consider a reblog. Thank you.

Chapter five - mornings & myths

“ That is not right, who does that ? “

“ I do “

“ That’s ridiculous. That’s not how it works. “

“ Who makes the rules ? “

“ I uh — no one but it’s common sense. “

“ I’m 4 I don’t know what that means “

The bickering of voices wakes Callie from a deep comfortable slumber. Looking around, she’s met with the sun shining through the curtains and onto the couch. She must’ve fallen asleep here once her and Angel had gotten too cold on the balcony and decided to move it inside.

They just talked. For a long time about a lot of stuff. And though he managed to stay away from all club related business, he did allow himself to get vulnerable with her. He talked about his mother and EZ and how unappreciated and lonely he feels most of the time. And it broke her heart. It still breaks her heart.

He’s been nothing but wonderful to her and Daisy and to know that he doesn’t receive all the love he deserves, not even from his own family, sends a metaphorical dagger straight to her heart.

Talking about Daisy.

Her little giggles carry from the kitchen and echo through the house, followed by Angel’s low chuckles.

As Callie gets up and leans against the doorway to the kitchen, she is faced with a sight that makes a warm fuzzy feeling spread throughout her entire body.

Daisy is sat on a chair by the kitchen isle, big bowl of cereal in front of her and smile on her face as Angel leans against the opposite site of the counter making silly faces at her.

“ I don’t know who told you this but putting milk before cereal is coo coo crazy. “

“ It’s delicious ! “ Daisy replies and furrows her little eyebrows in mock offence.

“ It’s wrong, girly. Sorry but It’s wrong. “

“ Mommy says it doesn’t matter as long as I eat my breakfast “

“ Ya know what ? Your ma is probably right “ Angel agrees and there’s a smile spreading on his face, so warm and welcoming, as he looks at the little girl. It makes him look so at peace with life. He looks so soft and loving and much younger than his usual frown makes him look..

Callie finds herself wishing she could put that expression of ease and comfort on his face more often.

The scene before her make her wonder if things could ever be like this permanently. If maybe somewhere down the line, if things with her and Angel go that way and work out, she gets to wake up to this more often. To her kid smiling and her — her Angel smiling along.

This is something she never thought she’d get. Ever. And maybe the universe is feeling generous right now but if this is as good as it gets, she’s not going to complain any time soon.

Angel spots movement from the corner of his eyes and as his gaze lands on Callie.She looks at him in a way he hasn’t been looked at in forever. He can’t tell exactly what it is but there’s a warmth and a familiarity that he’s missed so dearly for so long.

“ Look who’s up “ Angel exclaims and nods his head towards Callie and making Daisy swing around in her chair to see who he’s talking about.

“ Yeah, you two are bickering so loud I had to come investigate. What’s the issue here, huh ? “

There’s a smile on Callie’s face as she walks into the kitchen. One that she can’t wipe off no matter how much she tells herself that this is silly.

“ Angel puts the cereal first, then the milk. “

“ Uh yeah, because that’s the only right way to do it. Do you know that your kid eats cereal all wrong ? “ Angel asks, lightly brushing his hand against Callie’s back as she passes him to pour herself a mug of coffee.

It sends little tingles down her spine. God, she feels like a teenager again.

But at the way Angel’s eyes sparkle. At the subtle shimmer they hold, she can tell those feelings of giddiness are more than reciprocated.

“ I know this but honestly, I’m happy she’s eating at all. There was a phase when she refused to eat anything that wasn’t red so I’m not complaining “.

Angel just nods his head at that. Makes sense really.

“ Sooo, what are you ladies up to today ? “

He can immediately see the flicker of excitement in Daisy’s face at those words.

“ Going to grandma’s “

“ Grandma’s huh ? Is it fun there ? “

“ So fun. Grandma has a dog and a pool. “

“ No way !”

“ Uh huh. Right mommy ? “

Callie mulls her next words over in her head. Maybe it is a dumb idea but maybe — maybe it is just what both her and Angel need.

“ Yeah we’re having a BBQ. Bunch of friends and family coming over. It’s a thing we do every other month. Just a small chill get together. Kids play in the pool, adults collectively make fun of my uncle or sister. You should — you should come “.

Angel is glad he isn’t taking a sip of coffee in that moment cause it sure would’ve come right back out in a great spit-take.

“ To your mom’s ? “

“ Yeah. Is that weird ? Oh god, it’s weird. I’m sorry. I just thought it would be fun and my family is great so I’m sure they would welcome you with open arms and I — god I’m sorry. “

To be honest, he feels flattered. No one’s ever liked him enough to take him to a family gathering. Hell, even his own family seemed more at ease whenever he decided not to show up to their family reunions. But it means a lot to hear Callie invite him. To know she wants him there.

“ Nah, it’s not weird it’s nice. I just — I can’t today.“

“ Angel you neeeed to come. You can see me swim and meet Lola. “ Daisy exclaims loudly.

“ The dog ? “ Angel assumes.

“ Yup. She’s a Labragor. “

“ A Labrador, baby. “ Callie corrects her daughter, unable to keep the smile off of her face.

“ You know what ? “ Angel says, though his words seem to be directed at Daisy, his eyes are solely focused on Callie’s, “ I’d really like that “.

And the both know he’s not talking about the dog.

“ Next time you let me know a bit earlier and I’ll clear my schedule. ‘kay little lady ? “

At the way she’s pouting slightly, Angel can tell Daisy isn’t 100% happy with that, but she’s nodding slightly so that’s a good sign. Knowing she’s upset he can’t come, makes him feel both bad and slightly flattered.

And then there’s that look on (Y/N)’s face and the was she says “ We’d really love that”. Like it matters. Like him being there makes all the difference to her. And maybe it does.

So he’d be there next time.

Promise.

-OOO -

Angel leans against the porch railing, beer in one hand, cigarette in the other. There’s music loudly blasting through the clubhouse and it’s packed with people.

He’s still covered in grease and dirt from working at the scrap yard all day. When he said he couldn’t come to Callie’s family thing, he really meant it. Bush had been on his ass for a while now, telling him to put in more work and run off less often. And to anger his Pres is the last thing Angel wants to do. So all day has been spent fixing up cars, finding certain parts to sell to customers and getting increasingly more dirty and covered in grease.

Now that day has turned into night, the clubhouse is buzzing. There’s people everywhere. Dancing and drinking and making out and when usually he’d be one of them, right in the middle of it all, now he sits by the sidelines and watches. This has been the family he’s come to love so dearly for so many years. He never ever felt like he wanted to go home. There was nothing to go home to.

But as he sits there now, his mind wanders towards Callie and Daisy and he wonders what they’re doing now. Probably sleeping already or sitting on the balcony watching the stars. The same stars he can see from his place on the porch. And maybe they’re thinking of him too and wondering what he’s doing.

For the first time in a long time, Angel wants to leave the party early. To go and be with someone who’s door will be open. Whos arms will be open.

His eyes wander around the scrap yard. This life, his life, is so different to the little piece of heaven he got to experience with his girls lately. It’s loud and hard and rough and nothing like the soft touches,the small giggles, the affection and love that’s been poured onto him.

He wonders if there’s ever a proper way to combine the two worlds. To make Callie understand this part of him. To bring her around and introduce her to everyone. A single mother who owns a flower shop, really isn’t the kind of person to spend her time at motorcycle club parties. And yet, he so desperately wishes that there’s a solution to his problem. That somewhere in the future lies a path where he doesn’t have to choose between the two eventually.

The touch of long slender fingers against his shoulder, takes him from his daydream. And as he glances towards his left, there’s a girl he’s never met before, with eyes full of lust and longing.

“ Hi, I’m Lilly. “

If this was any other day, he would’ve had her on his lap by now, tongue touching her tongue. But it’s not.

Today he’s woke up cuddled to a woman he assumes must be an actual angel. He’s has breakfast with her and her kid who is as adorable as can be. He’s felt home. Felt it all the way to his heart.

There’s nothing Lilly can do for him.

“ Yeah? Well see that guy over there ? That’s EZ, he’s a prospect. He could use a good time.”

He doesn’t wait for her response, just finishes his drink and stubbs out his cigarette and moves through the clubhouse towards his room. He can still hear the music and the laughter but with his door closed, the world seems to slow down a little. Fumbling his phone from his pocket, he considers his next move for a moment. Surely Callie is asleep or at least lounging on the couch. Would she even want to talk to him at this time of the night ?

But then again, she hasn’t given him a reason to doubt it. She’s always welcoming, always warm smiles and soft touches and sunshine personified. Always.

He dials the number before his insecurities can rear their ugly heads and talk him out of it. God, he’s being ridiculous. This is straight up teenage behavior.

“ Hello ? “

Her voice sounds tired and raspy. Like she’s just woken up or at least has been close to sleep when the phone rang.

“ Hey, it’s me. Did I wake you ? “

“ Hi, Angel. Oh no, don’t worry “ she says and lets out a small laugh, he’s not sure he fully believes her but hearing her laugh makes all his guilt disappear. Hearing her laugh is worth it all. “ I was just sitting on the balcony, reading a book. “

“ Yeah ? Any good. “

“ Meh. Why are you calling ? You okay ? “

“ Yeah. Just — wanted to talk to you. “

He’s never felt like this about a woman before. Like he is missing something when she isn’t around. And maybe it’s delusional to feel like this after such a short time. But life is fucking ridiculous during the best of times. Maybe a little bit of disillusion and disregard for what people expect isn’t all that bad.

“ Oh that’s sweet. We really missed you today. Daisy has been talking people’s ears off about you. She adores you. “

His heart soars at that. If he can make Daisy love him. If he can win her over. If she, of all people, thinks he’s a good one, than that counts for something. She’s all good things. Sunshine and happiness and flowers and love. Making her like him, makes him insanely proud.

“ You girls had a good time ? Did she get to swim? Get cuddle the Labragor ? “ Angel asks, a low chuckle following his words.

“ She did. It was nice. My family can be a lot but I love them dearly. Technically Daisy can’t swim properly but she’s learning. She’s always wearing floaties and someone’s in the pool with the kids at all time so, yeah. I think she’s had a good day. ”

“ I’m glad. ‘m happy you’re happy.

“ I wish you were happy too. “

“ I am. I’m getting there “ … and it’s mostly because of you. He wants to add that but doesn’t instead his brain conjures up a mush of words and thoughts and ends up with:

“ Can you see the stars ? “

It’s a terribly cheesy thing to say and Angel even scrunches his face in discomfort as the words leave his lips. It felt like his heart had a grip over his mind, over his mouth. His heart was speaking and the rest of him just had to sit and hope for the best.

“ I am yeah. Sky’s clear tonight. What about you ? “ she doesn’t take the piss. Doesn’t judge. Doesn’t even wonder about his question. Callie just acts like that’s a conversation they have every day. Maybe they should.

“ Nah I’m inside. I did earlier though. Wondered if you were watching them. “

“ Is this out thing now ? Watching the stars ? “

“ It could be. You know any cool star facts ? “

Callie is quiet for a moment before she speaks up again “ actually, I do ! “

“ You do, huh ? “

“ Yeah, well. It’s more of a story than a fact, really. You wanna hear about it ? “

“ Sure. “

“ Well, “ Callie starts, Angel is already hooked, “ I’m not sure if I have mentioned this before but my full name is Callista. And that name comes from the name Callisto. Callisto was a nymph from ancient greek mythologie. Zeus fell in love with her and they had a son. But you know Zeus, dude was already married to Hera. Hera got so angry she turned Callisto into a bear. She wandered the woods for years and years. Then one day Arcos, her son, went on a hunt and when she was him she got so excited that she ran up to him, completely forgetting that she’s a bear. Arcos was frightened, understandably, and drew his spear. Though Zeus saw all of this and wanted to prevent disaster. So he swooped down and lifted both of them up into the sky and turned them into constellations. That’s the ursa major constellation, the great bear. “

She’s a star. A constellation. Lighting up the sky when things seem dark and scary. It’s oddly fitting, he thinks. When that’s all she’s done to his life since she’s walked in.

“ You’re a star. “

“ I guess “ she giggles, only to be interrupted by a yawn forcing it’s way out.

“ And you’re tired. Go to bed, baby.”

“ Will I see you soon ? “

“ Sure. How about lunch tomorrow ? “

“ Sounds good. Come by the shop and we can decide on where to go. “

“ Alright. See you tomorrow, night babe. “

“ Night, Angel. “

When they hang up, he’s left in a comfortable silence. The party is still raging around him though Angel doesn’t really acknowledge it. All he can think of is her voice and her smile and the fact that she’s watching the same stars.

A little while later, Angel walks outside to get a drink. There’s a bunch of guys sitting around the table, getting tattooed by one of the club’s friends.

Ricky isn’t a good tattoo artist by any means but to most of the guys it’s not about the artistry. It’s the meaning behind the piece. It’s status. It’s sending a message.

And then a little bell chimes up in Angel’s head. It’s about meaning. About status. About wearing symbols of the things you like. The thinks you fear. The things you love.

“ Hey Ricky ? “ he calls out.

“ Yuh ? “

“ You any good at drawing stars ?

-OOO-

Callie Cordell goes to sleep with a smile on her face that night, longing for the sun to ride above to horizon and turn the night into day. Butterflies already swarming her tummy at the thought of seeing Angel again the next day.

Her mind is occupied with all things of happiness and joy. With thoughts of Angel’s eyes and the way he makes her blush.

All there is on her mind is him and the stars.

And not a single thought is given to the silver car parked just a few houses down the road. The one hiding in the shadows, sheltered between two houses and a big oak tree, engulfed by the night and untouched by the starlight.

- A note from Jo -

Hi guys, sorry no taglist this time. I’m assuming links are what’s caused my stuff not to show up in the tags. I will try and figure out a way to let people know when a new part is up though. The easiest way to stay updated is to follow my tumblr though, just sayin’ ;P

#angel reyes fanfic #angel reyes imagine #angel reyes fanfiction #mayans mc fanfiction #mayans mc imagine #mayans imagine #mayans mc fanfic #mayans fanfiction

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high-queen-margo · 5 years

Text

Promises

Summary: It's Fillorian tradition to propose with a knife, so Margo takes the first opportunity she gets to bring one to Fen. Pairing: Margo/Fen AU: After season 4, everybody lives, magic and time are unfucked. No realism or drama, just happy wlw. Inspired by this post. Length: 1,203

Read on AO3

Margo studied the dagger in her hands, all polished silver filigree and dark-stained mahogany. She’d had the handle engraved with floral patterns and a pearl set into the pommel. It was, by far, the most ludicrously beautiful piece of weaponry she had ever seen.

She slid the blade back into its matching scabbard and hid it in the folds of her tunic. It had been several pains in the ass to get unbanished from Fillory, including searing the still-tender brands off of her wrists, but none of that really mattered. She’d been through worse, and it was all made easier by the return of magic, so who really gave a shit?

That, of course, is how Margo came to be standing in Castle Whitespire’s entrance hall before Fen even knew she was there. It felt good. The sunlight and the breeze, laden with magic and the slightest hint of opium, sifted through the latticed windows along the hall, and there was no whimsical Fillorian threat, no threat from the Gods, no threat from the Library. It was just her and her former castle and the woman she’d come to see at the other end of it.

It was a fast decision, maybe, but it was one she was certain of. Quentin had suggested that she may not be giving it its full weight because she was used to the idea being tied to a ring, not a blade, but she knew better. Of course she did; she’d run the goddamn kingdom long enough to know its basest traditions.

So she strode through the doors of the throne room without a second thought, ignoring the new guards stationed who clearly didn’t know the situation. Fen looked up from the table she sat writing at and immediately waved the guards away, dropping her quill and bounding up from her chair.

“Margo!” she called. Margo couldn’t stop her from wrapping her in a tight embrace but, despite her usual distaste for physical affection, she relaxed into the hug and let Fen’s welcoming earthy scent wash over her. “It’s so good to see you back here,” Fen said when she finally released her, though she kept Margo’s hands caught in her own. “I was going to visit soon to see if you wanted to come back. The castle’s not the same without you.”

“Of course it isn’t,” Margo said. “I’m a gift. And speaking of gifts…”

Fen tilted her head as Margo reached into her tunic for the dagger. The High King may have come into her kingly fashion sense—pants, mostly, and clean cuts and bold, royal colors—but she was still so gentle underneath it all. Unless someone really pissed her off, every one of her movements exuded softness and kindness. It had sickened Margo at one point, when she’d been playing docile housewife to Eliot, but after realizing what Fen was really capable of it was endearing. A woman who could go through so much and come out just as sweet as any innocent farm girl was worth admiring.

So Margo drew the blade from its hiding place, unsheathed it, and presented it handle-first to Fen. Back in the dark ages (the Fillorian dark ages, that is—much darker than present Fillory), the receiver of a betrothal knife would be free to use it to kill the proposer if they felt the proposal inappropriate. Now, keeping the blade pointed back toward her was more of a symbolic gesture, but she liked the idea.

Fen’s mouth gaped a little as she took in exactly what this dagger stood for. “Margo, this…” she shook her head. “Do you know what you’re asking me?”

“Uh, yeah,” Margo said. “Why do you think it’s so fancy? It took me three days of spellwork to get all the details right.” She sheathed the blade again and set it on the table. “I know it’s sudden, and I don’t really do all that big sappy speech bullshit, but after everything we’ve been through I need you to understand how I feel. No presh or anything, but the offer is there.”

To an onlooker, Margo would look as cool and collected as ever, chin high and a lazy air of confidence about her, but in truth she hadn’t given much thought to what it would be like waiting for Fen to consider such a grand decision. She’d never admit to anyone the anxious, uncertain nerves buzzing around her chest.

But Fen grinned like she knew a very good, deeply funny secret, and she leaned forward to place a chaste kiss on Margo’s lips before turning toward the bird cage on the other side of the room. There was a heavy oak chest inside between the cushioned benches that Margo had once used to store her crown during her Earth visits before she’d become High King herself. When Fen produced the key to open it, she could see the three remaining crowns still inside, but there was something else.

Fen presented the dagger handle first as Margo had, somehow smiling both sheepishly and unabashedly in a way Margo adored. It was an elegant blackened-steel kris blade with a pearlescent handle, gold accents shining on the cross guard and creeping down the center of the blade.

“I forged this during your banishment,” Fen said, and Margo blinked. Was she crying? “I didn’t know if you would ever come back to Fillory with everything going on, but I promised myself that if you did, I would ask you to be my wife.” She paused to wipe her eyes and let out a small laugh. “It’s traditionally the royalty who proposes, you know.”

Margo grinned. “When have you ever known me to play by the rules?”

They both dissolved into laughter for a moment before Margo retrieved the silver dagger from the table. In what world would something so good play out by chance? Not any she was familiar with, but she found herself wanting to accept it, to take a turn of good fortune at face value. Why question it?

They presented the daggers at the same time and accepted them in unison. It seemed almost silly at first, like they were children playing a game, but the weight settled in Margo’s chest when she held the black blade, the product of Fen’s skill, of her love, in her hands. She didn’t bother wiping away the wetness in her eyes.

“God,” Margo said, “I really fucking love you, you know that? But don’t you dare tell anyone you’re seeing me like this.”

“Oh, no, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Fen said. “I just gave you a knife! I’m not ready to die just yet. Not to mention—” Her voice lowered to a dramatic whisper— “the one you gave me would snap off at the hilt if I tried to stab back.”

Margo snorted. “Hey,” she said, “it’s pretty! Looks beat function when it comes to betrothal knives, okay? New rule I just made up.”

“It is beautiful,” Fen said. “Shall we go tell everyone?”

Margo shook her head. She pulled Fen forward by her lapels and kissed her. “Later,” she said. “Right now it’s just you and me and this castle. Let’s use it.”

#the magicians #magiciansfemslash #margo hanson #the magicians fen #fargo #my writing

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the-observant-frisbeetarian · 5 years

Text

Chapter 4 (Revised)

The Tiger and the Dragon by George deValier

The next morning, Yao was harshly woken by what sounded like a buzzsaw drilling into his head. The first thing he realised, with a small wave of relief, was that he was in his own bed. The next was that he was very, very hungover. The third thing Yao realised was that the buzzsaw was, in fact, his cell phone, and it had been ringing insistently for around five minutes now. Groaning huffily, he emerged from under a pile of pillows, reached for the offending phone, and squinted at it through bleary eyes. The words leapt off the screen: Incoming Call… IVAN. Yao was suddenly very wide awake. His chest fluttered, his stomach flipped, and he answered hurriedly. "Uh… hello?"

"Good morning, little Dragon!" That accent and cheery tone were unmistakable. After only one night, Yao was surprised by how intensely the mere sound of Ivan's voice affected him. His heart pounded and his breath stuttered… but he still felt his eyebrows draw together in confusion.

"Um… I don't remember adding your number to my phone."

"I took liberty of doing this last night when you were sleeping." Ivan sounded like he was about to laugh.

"You… oh." Yao dragged himself upright against the pillows. The room immediately spun around him. "Well, as long as that's the only liberty you took."

"I am sorry?"

Yao put his hand over the receiver, swore softly, then placed the phone back to his ear. "Nothing!"

"Silly Yao! I will be taking you out tomorrow afternoon."

Yao nearly fell out of bed. "Taking… wha… you will?" He felt something around his neck and pulled at it in confusion. The warm scent of leather and spice surrounded him - he'd fallen asleep in Ivan's scarf.

"Da, I will."

"Why? I mean… I have to work."

"No, you do not." Ivan's accent sounded even stronger on the phone. It sent strange, tingling shivers down Yao's spine. "I will pick you up at three."

"I… um… okay." The words were out before Yao was sure he meant to say them.

"I will see you then, Dragon!"

The line went dead. Yao sat still for a moment, holding the silent phone against his ear, unsure what he had just agreed to. Had he just been asked on a… a date? Not that 'asked' was really the right word for it. He'd basically just been ordered on a date. Yao wasn't quite sure how he felt about that. He drummed his fingers against the phone for a second, finally hung up, then realised that he hadn't given Ivan his address. He was just debating whether or not to ring the Russian back when his phone rang again. Incoming Call… ALFRED. Yao groaned. "Hello?"

"Yao!" Alfred shouted down the phone. "You gotta come downstairs now and cook me pancakes! Arthur tried but he's a shitty cook and he burnt them and…"

"You wanker!" Arthur yelled in the background. "Just see if I ever cook for you again!"

"Oh Lord, I pray for the day!" Alfred cried, followed by a loud bang and an incoherent scream.

Yao paused briefly. He was quite used to Alfred's demands for food, but he was a little concerned about seeing his friends this morning. He hadn't really known what to say to them last night. Alfred seemed to think Ivan was some sort of Russian spy, Francis was fixated on Yao's future chances of sleeping with the man, and Arthur had been too drunk to really participate in the conversation. But judging by the shrieks on the other end of the phone, Yao wasn't going to get any peace until he cooked his demanding friends their blasted breakfast. He sighed wearily. "I'm coming down now. Please stop shouting." He hung up again, noticing as he did that the time on his phone read nearly midday. Yao had to blink at the clock display a few times. He really must have drunk more than he thought… he never slept that long.

The night before was like a blur in his memory. Of course, certain things stood out more than others. Things like Ivan grasping his hand; touching his fingers with his tongue; kissing him on a balcony… Yao felt very warm as he kicked his clothes aside on his messy floor and headed for his small dresser. Its surface was covered in socks and comic books and cooking magazine clippings, while a Hello Kitty picture and a horoscope chart were taped to the little mirror. Yao inspected his reflection carefully. He wasn't too bad-looking, he supposed, apart from the dark circles - he had good skin, unusually changeable brown eyes, and he'd always been quite proud of his hair. But he still couldn't quite see what had made a man like Ivan call him beautiful. He certainly couldn't see anything extraordinary about himself. He felt confused about it all, a little embarrassed - and secretly, quietly, a bit thrilled.

Yao breathed out heavily, tried to ignore his pounding headache, and headed for the bathroom to get ready. His little apartment only really consisted of three rooms. It was on the second floor of a narrow three story converted townhouse, while the larger apartment on the ground floor belonged to Arthur and Alfred. Francis lived in the apartment on the top floor, and was not the easiest neighbour to deal with, what with him bringing home a steady stream of one nighters at ungodly hours and constantly having his two very loud, possibly insane best friends over. But he was also fun, loyal, and had secured Yao a great apprenticeship at the restaurant where he worked. Besides, the noise from Francis' place wasn't much worse than the alternating screaming arguments and screaming sex sounds that often drifted up from the apartment below.

Yao knocked on Arthur and Alfred's door, received no answer, and opened it hesitantly. He wasn't surprised by the scene he walked into. The kitchen walls were splattered with batter, the benches covered with dirty dishes. Arthur stood in the archway to the living room, throwing pancakes and verbal abuse at Alfred, who hid behind the kitchen island defending himself with a frying pan. Yao rolled his eyes. Just a regular day in the Kirkland-Jones residence.

"Morning, Yao!" Alfred grinned from behind his pan. He didn't seem too troubled by Arthur's tirade.

"Afternoon, more like." Yao fumbled to catch a flying pancake and inspected it closely. It had the consistency of a slightly soggy piece of wood. For politeness sake, he bit the corner cautiously. It tasted about the same. "I don't know what you're talking about, these pancakes are fine," he lied.

"Of course they're bloody fine!" Arthur shouted, his face twisted with rage. "You ungrateful little tosser!" He narrowly missed Alfred's head with the last pancake, then dropped the empty plate onto the bench. "Good morning, Yao." Yao just waved as Arthur turned and flopped onto the living room couch, his back to the kitchen and his face in a book. Yao snatched the frying pan from Alfred's hand, placed it on the stove, and got to work making pancake batter with the ingredients left on the bench.

Alfred immediately raced to Arthur and leant over the back of the couch. "Arthur, sweetheart, don't be mad. You know I love you, even if you can't cook."

"Sod off, I'm studying." But Arthur's voice didn't sound as angry as before.

Alfred laughed, ruffled Arthur's hair, then fell into a stool by the kitchen counter. He leant his chin on his hand and studied Yao for a moment as he worked. "You look like hell," he said finally.

Yao looked up and glared. "Thank you. I feel like hell. Now I remember why I don't drink."

Alfred scoffed loudly. "You need reminding? Between you passing out, Francis stripping off, and Arthur trying to fight anyone in a five mile radius, drinking with you guys is like an extreme sport."

Arthur flipped him off over the back of the couch. Yao just continued stirring the batter in silence. Silence would be best. Surely it wasn't a good idea to mention this date to Alfred. But after only a few seconds, Yao couldn't hold it in anymore. "Ivan called me this morning."

Alfred straightened up incredulously. "You gave that Russian your number?"

"No…" Yao paused his stirring. "No, I didn't." That was a little odd. But then, he'd probably just taken the number from Yao's phone… except that Yao didn't keep his number in his phone… "Huh." Yao shrugged. "Pass me the milk, will you?"

"I told you! He's a spy!" Alfred hurled the milk bottle across the counter. Yao barely managed to catch it. "You need to cut all contact immediately or before you know it you'll be defecting to the Soviet Union!"

Yao gritted his teeth. Yep – silence would have been best. "Ivan is not a spy. And there is no Soviet Union. This isn't the nineteen-fifties, Alfred."

Alfred did not look convinced. "What did he call you for, then?"

Yao looked back into the bowl of batter and tried to keep a stupid grin from his face. "To ask me out tomorrow."

Alfred's eyebrows shot up and Arthur twisted on the couch. They both spoke as one, their voices astonished. "You've got a date?"

Yao's grin fell immediately. Instead, he frowned huffily. "Don't sound so surprised. He's picking me up at three."

"I'd be very suspicious if I were you," said Arthur. "As Jean-Paul Sartre said, 'Three o'clock is either too late or too early for anything you want to do.'"

Yao ignored him and opened the cupboard to get the sugar. Why was he even cooking breakfast for these people?

Alfred snorted. "Yeah, well I think Jean-Paul must've been a pretty boring guy, because I can think of plenty of things to do at three o'clock. None of which involve going on a date with a Russian spy."

"He is not a spy!" Yao slammed the cupboard door loudly. Was it too much to ask for a bit of support? Yao had enough reasons to be nervous without his friends making it worse. Thankfully Arthur discreetly turned back to his book. Alfred, however, did not take the hint.

"Please tell me you didn't say yes." Alfred clenched his fists anxiously, his eyes wide.

Yao just shrugged. He added a little sugar to the bowl and stirred it in with more force than necessary.

Alfred closed his eyes, let out an exaggerated sigh, and flopped forward onto the counter. "You said yes," he groaned.

Yao took the opportunity to flick a bit of the batter into Alfred's hair. "Yes, Alfred, I said yes. Look, I like this guy. He's... nice. Besides, when was the last time someone asked me out?" Yao paused. "Wait, don't answer that."

Alfred lifted himself up and rested his chin on his hand. "Yao, be careful. Spy or not, this guy's gotta be a bit dodgy. I mean, he's a huge Russian who wears a trench coat!"

Yao tried to look insulted. There was a tiny part of himself which agreed that yes, Ivan did seem dangerous. But Yao's struggling sense of pride was doing a really good job of ignoring that part. "So your only problem here is Ivan's nationality, his size, and his dress sense? That is incredibly judgmental, Alfred. You are completely overreacting. Ivan is just a businessman."

Alfred looked horrified. "A middle-aged businessman, Yao? Next thing you know he'll be getting you to dress like a Japanese schoolgirl!"

Yao stared blankly for a few moments. "Alfred, I… don't even know if you're being racist anymore."

Alfred ignored him. "Did he say what business he was in?"

"I didn't ask," Yao lied. "But I suppose I can find out tomorrow, can't I?" Yao poured the batter into the hot frying pan. He'd given up asking himself why he was still cooking Alfred's breakfast.

"Fine," Alfred sighed resignedly. Then he leant forward and continued earnestly, "But if anything feels weird, you call me immediately, okay?"

Yao paused briefly. He supposed that, for all Alfred's ignorant offensiveness, he really was just trying to look out for Yao. It was slightly insulting, yet kind of sweet… in a sick sort of way.

"And I really can get you that can of mace, you know."

Yao clenched his fist around the frypan handle. But still insulting. "Okay, sure, and if that doesn't work I'll just hit him with my handbag," he replied sarcastically.

"Men carry mace!" Alfred cried indignantly. "It's totally manly! Arthur carried it all the time until he got banned after spraying his literature professor!"

Arthur snorted, turning a page of his book and muttering, "That'll teach him for calling a speech on embroidery in the time of Jane Austen 'tedious and uninspired.'"

Alfred put his hand to his forehead. "You're not exactly proving my point, sweetheart."

Yao shook his head in frustration. "Look, Alfred, you're the one who told me I should be less predictable and boring. Now you're getting all insane and irritating when I do just that. Ivan has been nothing but a perfect gentleman." Well, that was true, after all… "And may I also remind you that I am perfectly capable of looking after myself."

Alfred looked infuriatingly doubtful. "But…"

"Alfred!" Arthur snapped. "That's enough. Let Yao be happy about his date before he fucks it up."

Yao just sighed. In the end, he hadn't really expected his friends to react any other way.

That afternoon, like always, Yao managed to drag himself into work despite the hangover. Sure, he loved cooking, but sometimes Yao felt like he lived his entire life in the restaurant where he worked. Fusion was a few streets away from his apartment, in the busiest part of town; it was only small, but very popular, and incredibly busy. Yao knew that was because it served the best modern cuisine around, and had the best international chefs in the city. Yao hurried through the quiet front dining area, past deep red walls and stark black tables, waving half-heartedly at the wait staff as he went. Most barely acknowledged him, but Yao was used to that by now.

"Yao!" Francis cried cheerfully as Yao entered the small, sparkling-steel kitchen. He was the only other chef working at this time of day, and appeared to be dealing with about six meals at once. He placed a tray in the oven, tossed his hair from his forehead, and twisted his face distastefully. "Mon Dieu, you look like hell."

"So everyone keeps telling me," muttered Yao, throwing his bag in the corner and pulling on an apron. "It's called a hangover. I'll survive."

"What are you doing here anyway? I thought you had the day off."

A day off… what's that? "I'm filling in for Feliciano for a few hours. He's going to be late."

Francis scoffed and slammed the oven door shut. "You need to stop covering that lazy Italian's arse. Tell him to shove it next time."

Yao shrugged as he turned on the tap to wash his hands. "I don't mind." That wasn't entirely true. Although their first year apprentice spent most of his time slacking off, turning up late, and asking Yao to cover for him, Feliciano was also best friends with Yao's brother Kiku and almost like a brother himself. No one could stay mad at Feli for long.

Francis shook his head. "If that little slacker didn't make the best pasta in the city he would have been fired months ago." Yao scoffed at that. Francis doted on Feliciano worse than anyone. And besides, as long as Yao had known Feliciano there had been the implicit and unspoken knowledge that his Italian family were involved in dealings that were… less than legal. It guaranteed great protection for the restaurant, as well as the understanding that Feliciano was pretty much able to get away with anything he wanted.

"Actually, Francis, speaking of filling in…" Yao turned, leant back against the bench, and shot Francis his best pleading look. If anyone was going to be happy for him, it would be the perverted Frenchman.

"Hmm?" Francis barely noticed, absently reaching up to take a heavy mixing bowl from the cupboard.

Yao continued determinedly. He'd gotten this far, and he was going on this date with Ivan, no matter what it took. "I need you to cover my shift tomorrow."

That got Francis' attention. He swiftly spun around and stared at Yao warily. "Cover? Why?" Yao didn't blame Francis for being suspicious. Yao had never asked anyone to cover for him.

"Okay, don't make a big deal or anything, but…" Yao took a deep breath and braced himself for Francis' reaction. "I'm going somewhere with Ivan."

"The Russian?" Francis practically shrieked in excitement and immediately dropped the bowl on his foot. "Ah la vache!" he cried, hopping in pain. "I mean, Yao! That's fantastic! Good for you! Merde that hurt…"

Yao narrowed his eyes. Why is everyone so surprised by a simple date… Still, it was a better reaction than Alfred's. "I said don't make a big deal of it." He bent down to pick up the bowl.

"This is a big deal!" Francis was almost breathless, whether from excitement or pain Yao could not tell. He rubbed his foot as he continued. "The lucky Buddha I bought you must be working… this must be the first time you've ever made it to a second date!"

Yao promptly dropped the bowl again. This time Francis hopped out of the way.

"Oh mon cher, I didn't mean it like that..."

"So, you can work my shift?" Yao felt odd asking for the day off for no reason other than that he had a date. Maybe the little Buddha was working… he was certainly being more unpredictable than ever before.

Francis just seemed delighted. "Are you serious? This is the biggest occasion of the year! I will drag Feliciano in here by his ridiculous hair curl and make him work your shift. Oh Yao! A Russian! You are one lucky boy, non?" Francis winked. Yao just smiled politely and turned away. Francis really worried him sometimes.

The afternoon passed quickly enough, until before Yao knew it Feliciano was bouncing into the kitchen, grinning madly and carrying an enormous bunch of yellow sunflowers. "Buona sera!" he cried. "Yao you are soooo awesome! Thank you a million times for being the best big brother in the whole world! Don't tell Lovino I said that though, but it's true, because he's always cranky and nasty to Ludwig and he doesn't help me out at work like you do and hello Francis! Your hair is looking fabulous today! Did you try that new shampoo I told you about? Not that you need it your hair always looks fabulous and oh, Yao, these are for you." Feliciano thrust the bright flowers at Yao.

"Don't think you can get out of trouble with flattery, Feli," Francis muttered, even as he flicked his hair vainly.

"Oh, um, thanks Feliciano." Yao took the flowers bewilderedly. "A thank you present?" The little Italian's greetings always left him a little dazed.

"No, someone was dropping them off for you out front so I said I'd take them." Feliciano bounced to the cupboard to fetch his apron.

"Someone was dropping them off?" Yao's heart leapt to his throat. Could Ivan have delivered them? Could he still be here? "What did they look like?"

"Some little kid." Feliciano wrinkled his nose and giggled. "He looked far too young for you, Yao."

Ah. Yao felt a little disappointed – it must have been Raivis who delivered the flowers. He tried to appear indifferent. "Don't be absurd." Yao searched the flowers for a note, eventually finding one lost somewhere in the middle of the huge bunch. He practically tore it open, devouring the words as Francis and Feliciano both hung over his shoulders.

Dear Little Dragon, I hope you are not too unwell feeling today. Russian wine is very strong! I enjoyed talking with you last night and I look forward to see you tomorrow afternoon. Yours, Ivan. :)

Yao laughed at the little smiley face. How appropriate. He read the words over and over… look forward to see you tomorrow afternoon… Yao could not keep from smiling himself. That short sentence alone was enough to flood Yao's mind with images from last night - Ivan's unfathomable smile; his consuming presence. Yao's chest ached to see the strange Russian again, to experience that vivid intensity he had felt while with him.

"Ooh, Yao, what's going on? Do you have a date?" asked Feliciano in a singsong voice. "Is he cute?"

Francis placed a hand to his chest and sighed dramatically. "So cute, Feli. Your type, actually - big, tall, blonde..."

Feliciano clapped his hands together and actually squealed. Yao's chest felt like it was filling with air. This reaction he preferred. But suddenly his grin faded. He looked at the flowers, glanced towards the front door, then looked up at Francis with furrowed eyebrows. "But... how did Ivan find out where I work?"

Francis raised an eyebrow, but he didn't seem too concerned. "You didn't tell him?"

Yao tried to remember. The end of his conversation with Ivan was something of a blur. "I don't think so…" Okay, slightly weird... Yao shrugged off the uneasy feeling. He probably had mentioned it somewhere along the way. "Look, do me a favour. Please don't mention the flowers to Alfred."

Francis winced sympathetically. "Playing the hero again, is he?"

Yao rolled his eyes. "You have no idea."

Francis placed a finger to his lips. "Not a word." Then he snatched the note from Yao's hand and read it over again. "Little Dragon, hmm?"

Yao could feel his cheeks burning. "Uh… yeah. He seems to call me that."

Francis looked impressed. "This Russian may be quite serious about you, mon cher."

Feliciano nodded in agreement. "That's true, you know, because you only give flowers to someone you like, so he must like you, and he wrote you a note too, and yay, Yao!" Feliciano threw an arm around Yao's shoulder and squeezed far too tightly. "I can't believe you actually have a date!"

Yao's stomach turned in fluttering knots. He ignored the tiny worry in the back of his mind. Everyone he knew seemed amazed that he had a date. And yeah, okay, that was kind of amazing – but what was more amazing was that Yao was actually really, really excited about it. Yao just smiled superiorly at Feliciano and placed the sunflowers in a glass by the sink. "Believe it, Feli," he said simply. "I have a date."

Next Chapter (Original)

Disclaimer: This story belongs to George deValier. Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya. I own nothing.

#the tiger and the dragon chapter 4

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jiminwreckedme · 6 years

Text

Gyve (5)

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4.5 | Chapter 5 |

Member - Hoseok x reader

Genre - Angst, Drama,

Word count - 12.2K

Summary - On the occasion of your best friends’ wedding and high school reunion, you happened to meet once again, one of the richest heirs of the country, famous fuckboy Jung Hoseok.

While the world saw him as a cocky arrogant person and you, as a confident, strong woman, only the two of you knew the scars that were hidden, and things you both were unable to fix.

Only the two of you could see right through each others facade.

But could you and Hoseok finally break the gyves holding you back? Or were you the ones who shackled each other in the first place?

TAGS - @melodylikemusic @madhatterxd @ficcanasope @gwynethjodie - all amazing people!

Warnings - Drinking, slight mentions of implied smut.

The last three days had gone by way too quickly.

With the weekend getting over, most guests of the wedding were thrown back into business - holding meetings over conference calls, signing deals and documents - there was a lot of work being done around the hotel by those gracing Jin and Mia’s marriage. Namjoon also took the opportunity to stay in and finish most of his meetings. Though he expected Emma to walk in every time he got some time free on his hands but ever since their argument in his room after coming back from the police station, Emma didn’t make the effort to talk to him. Even after Namjoon apologized and attempted to make conversations with her, she halfheartedly answered him and didn’t sound too keen when she spoke. Eventually, annoyed at her lack of interest Namjoon gave up and stopped talking to her as well. He was fine for a couple of hours but eventually he began to miss her. He missed her giggles and her presence around him and just her in general. He didn’t know what to do to rectify the situation though. He had done enough and now it was her turn. But she still seemed to make no effort and that was hurting him.

On the third day after their fight, Namjoon was forced to confront her because of the formal dinner and dance Jin had organized that night. As all the guests laughing and chattering ate their food, only Namjoon’s table was silent. Sitting with him were Emma, Y/n, Jungkook and Kate but all of them silently ate their food not even making eye contact with each other. Namjoon could understand the silence between Emma and him but he failed to fathom why the three best friends were finding it so awkward with each other. The other table where Jin, Mia, Yoongi, Hoseok and Jimin sat though was filled with chatter and laughter. Everyone seemed to be having fun except…well except Hoseok. Of course he was talking and making conversation too, in fact he was the reason for most laughter on that table, Namjoon knew that, but it didn’t seem like his heart was in it. He would keep glancing over at the table Namjoon was sitting at and it took a while for Namjoon to understand who he was really looking at. Because just like Hoseok kept glancing at his table, Y/n kept glancing at the other table too. Namjoon could practically taste the thick tension between them in the air, something he only noticed that day when Y/n walked into Jin’s room looking for him and ended up finding all the boys casually chilling there.

“I’m so sorry.” She frowned a little at him. “I was looking for Jin?”

As Namjoon held the door half open she looked in to the room to see Jimin, Yoongi and Hoseok in a weird tangle of limbs, momentarily pausing their silly fight on the bed at her arrival. She quickly turned to look at Namjoon who explained to her than Jin had just stepped out with a bit of work and would be back soon.

“Oh. He just asked for some help regarding tomorrow’s party so I just…it’s alright I’ll try to catch him later. Thanks.”

“I can pass him a message from you if needed.”

“Oh no he asked me to help him remember the steps of the first formal dance we always have during dinner and dances. He said he didn’t want to make any mistakes this time.” She smiled fondly at the thought.

“You dance?” Jimin untangled himself from the two older boys as he looked at her curiously.

“Yeah, kind of. I mean I’m not good but-”

“You’re pretty good.” Yoongi brushed her claims aside “I’ve seen you dance hundreds of times. Even dance king Hoseok would approve if he saw you.”

Y/n uncomfortably stared at Hoseok who had been looking only at her the whole time before she turned to Namjoon, uncharacteristically ignoring what Yonngi had said. “Can you give me a message or a call after Jin is back?”

“Uh yeah….Sure thing.” Namjoon nodded as she stepped back letting him close the door but Hoseok got up on his feet and stopped. “Wait!”

Y/n turned around at his voice looking confused.

“Can I talk to you for a second?”

She gulped a little before nodding as Hoseok stepped out.

“I…uh….” Hoseok hesitated. “I wanted to say thank you for that day.”

“Sorry?”

“For telling the officer you saw me at the beach even though you didn’t. I wanted to thank you for saving me. More like trusting me to not be someone who would do that-”

“Of course I trust you not to do that.” She spoke too quickly raising everyone’s eyebrows in the room. “I mean….I would do the same for anyone else. I don’t think anyone of us would ever do something like that.”

Hoseok blinked stupidly before nodding, biting his lip. “Yeah….yeah you’re right.”

As the two of them stared at each other awkwardly, Namjoon for the first time sensed the underlying tension. When he turned around to look at the two other men, it was evident that they sensed it too.

“I…I’ll get going.” She pointed behind her.

“Yeah you should-”

“Got to do some work before the party-”

“Mhmm that’s more important-”

“I’ll see you guys around-”

“Yeah sure.”

And with that she quickly walked away and Hoseok quickly shut the door behind breathing hard till his eyes fell on the three men in the room gawking at the sudden rushed conversation between the two of them. Hoseok cleared his throat and stammered. “I’ve…..I’ve got a phone call to make. Yeah, a phone call. Shall be back in a bit.” Without waiting for a response he turned around and slammed the door behind him, the remains of the strange tension still evident in the air.

Though, Namjoon hadn’t understood the reason behind the weird awkwardness between the two of them. It wasn’t like Hoseok to be awkward with women and a common friend more than anything. But like everyone else who noticed he kept quiet and let it pass, hoping they could solve whatever it was between them and not let it affect the rest of them. He was one to think that, when his own relationship was also equally awkward right now. Pushing his thoughts aside he simply continued to eat.

Once the most silent dinner of Namjoon’s life came to an end, all the guests got up and walked around talking to each other as the waiters started clearing the tables, making room for the dance that was to follow. As a large space was created in the center for the traditional first formal dance, Namjoon watched as Jin tested the mic ready to announce. But right before he could say a word, Jungkook walked up to him whispering something in his ear and Jin nodded smiling a little as he handed the mic to the other man and walked towards Mia, standing next to her.

Jungkook cleared his throat, tapping the mic before looking around and taking a deep breath.

“Well that was an amazing dinner wasn’t it? When Jin and Namjoon put something together of course you can only expect the best.” Namjoon and Jin smiled at each other and raised their glasses at Jungkook who reciprocated with his. “I know everyone was getting ready for the dance but I’m just going to take a few minutes to say something.” He swallowed on nothing preparing himself. “As most of you might know I am of course, a Jeon but I’m the only surviving one in the world. My parents died when I was really young and I don’t have an siblings. Of course Y/n has been the closest to family I have ever had, and that’s why I always say this, she means a lot to me.”

Y/n smiled fondly at Jungkook as Namjoon let out a sigh of relief glad that everything was alright between them at least. “My parents had a legal counselor, a woman who used to take care of everything - their money, their properties etc etc, much like she did for a lot of other families in Seoul and she was none other than Y/n’s grandmother, a woman I owe so much to. She merely had to look after all the inheritance I was supposed to receive when I became legal and hand them over to me. But she did way more than that. She kept me in her house, she fed me with her hands, she brought me up. But I wasn’t the only child she was gracious to. There was another girl who was also like me, lost her parents at birth itself in fact, and had grown up with grandma from as far as she could remember- Kate.”

Kate smiled back at Jungkook whose eyes lingered on her for a moment. “To me, to Kate, to Y/n, this woman is more important than anyone and today on the anniversary of her death, I want to thank her once more for all the things she’s given us, for all that she has taught us.” Everyone clapped at his words as Y/n and Kate looked emotional at the thought of the old lady. Namjoon knew her too. She was one of the sweetest and most charismatic woman he ever knew. When they were away of their school trip to Switzerland Namjoon had got to know about her shocking passing away due to which Y/n had immediately left and after that day he didn’t see her for a long time. Till they met in London to be precise.

Jungkook sniffed hard like he was controlling his tears as he continued talking. “There were a lot of things she taught us to make us better people. She always had a life lesson for us out of every situation. More than anything she taught us how to value the people there for us. That’s why I valued her so much. That’s why keeping her granddaughter safe and sound and happy became my first priority - it’s not because I love you or anything you dumb idiot.” Y/n let out a short breath, shaking her head softly at her best friend who pointed at her. “But there was one person I was unjust to.” Jungkook’s smile faltered a little. “One person who was there with me longer than grandma, longer than Y/n, longer than anyone ever. One person who was with me everywhere I went, one person who silently supported me with everything I did. One person who was there with me so much I never even realized when and how I fell in love with her.”

Everyone looked around confused but Jungkook looked like he had all the clarity he ever needed. “Kate.” As Kate looked at Jungkook in pleasant surprise he continued. “When I was leaving to Oakland with Y/n and you refused to come, it was the first time I ever felt hurt. I never understood what that pain really meant. When I didn’t see you for the last year and a half, but talked to you every other day, I never understood why I was so happy just listening to your voice for a few minutes. I always thought you were beautiful but when you walked to towards me in the lobby that day when I arrived, I didn’t understand why all of a sudden you affected me so much. Why my heart started racing fast around you, why I started feeling nervous with you. I thought that so many days of distance had made me….I don’t know…feel attracted to you? I kept quiet, kept it all in, didn’t say a word because I thought you deserved a man who’d value you for more than just how you looked. But whenever I heard you laugh, whenever I saw you smile, even when I saw you with your messy bed hair and drool leaking from the corner of your lips and you looked close to last most elegant thing on the planet my heart was still beating equally fast.”

Jungkook walked up to Kate who was visibly tearing up by now, and held her hand. “It was never attraction, never infatuation, never anything but love. From the day I first met you and saw you hiding behind grandma’s skirt till now, it has always been love. Of course it took the help of an extremely talkative chirpie for me to finally understand.” Kate turned with her mouth slightly open in shock towards Y/n who was holding her ears in an apology.

“Point is, I don’t know if I deserve someone like you, if I’m even worthy. But I want to take my chances and I want to try. I probably should take you out on a coupe of dates and then ask this but I don’t want to wait that long. I’m sorry this took so long already. I’m sorry it took so long to realize what all this meant and I want to make up for it. For all our wasted times, for all the moments we could have had, I want to make up for with a lifetime of such things. And I really wish you will allow me to, I really, really do. And if you don’t want to, honestly I will understand-”

“Yes!” Kate covered her mouth with her hands as the crowd cheered. “Yes, yes, yes.” Jungkook let out a relieved sigh as he held his arms out to her and she threw herself in them hugging him tight as he swept her off her feet, laughing. Everyone clapped, happy for the newly found love as Y/n too launched herself at her two best friends, wrapping them in a hug. “Finally! Fucking finally!”

As they all broke from their hug, Jin grabbed the mic from Jungkook before giving him a half hug. “Well congratulations to you two! I’m so happy for you guys!” As Kate and Jungkook smiled still half in each others arms, the lights dimmed as if on cue and the orchestra shined at the corner ready to start.

“Ah I guess we are all set for the first dance of tonight, so find your partners and we shall begin shortly!”

Namjoon sighed as he turned around wondering what to do when Emma walked up to him, nose a little redder than usual, perhaps from all the tearing up that happened earlier. Namjoon looked at her as she smiled for the first time in days and his heart instantly melted as she held out her hand. “Shall we?”

Namjoon took her hand and pulled her towards him as he wrapped his arms around her waist and she held him tight too whispering a string of I’m sorry’s and I shouldn’t have been so stubborn’s. He didn’t care. He didn’t want to hear it. All that mattered was here she was with him, in his arms and everything else was forgotten and forgive.

That was love after all.

When you heard that Jin was organizing a dinner and dance with all guests of the wedding, you sort of internally groaned especially because of the first formal dance. The first formal dance was a tiring, traditional practice where all eligible bachelors stood in a circle and all eligible bachelorettes danced with each of them, changing partners as the music indicated. It was a customary practice of all social gatherings and all heirs knew this dance by heart after hundreds of times of doing it. Jin was the most excited when he realized this would perhaps be the last time he would have to dance to this because he hated it. He hated remembering the steps and consequently, he could never pull off a single perfect dance. But over the last two days he trained very hard with you for Mia’s sake - to make her last dance the best ever.

You had been half expecting Jungkook to be your first dancer tonight. According to the rules of the dance, the first dancer is also your last dancer, which meant you spend the most time with whoever takes you to the dance floor first. But now with Jungkook already finding himself a partner, you had to wonder for the first time, what to do. Your worries though had the immediate solution standing right behind you.

“Well.” You turned a little startled to find Jimin walking up to you, purposely making a deep voice. “Has this lovely woman not found a partner yet tonight?”

You blushed slightly at his prince like poise. “Not yet, I’m afraid.”

Jimin held his elbow out, expression slightly uncertain. “Then I guess this it is up to this chivalrous young man to save the damsel in distress.”

You looked at his arm and then back at him before laughing and linking it with yours. “I’d be honored.”

As Jimin and you walked to the dance floor, the conductor counted the number of couples aligned for the dance -“eight couples, nine stanzas.” and turned his back to the audience arranging his sheets. You were not very close to Jimin but you knew him decently well. He hadn’t studied in the same middle school as you but you saw him in high school for about a year and a half till you shifted to Mia’s place in London. The next time you saw him was when you went to university in London and he had arrived on a exchange program. Other than some outings and dinners with the whole group, you never got to know him much personally and just talked to him very casually.

With the indication from the conductor, all the pairs moved to form a circle at the center of the crowd and you glanced to your right to see your next partner, immediately spotting Jungkook and Kate talking, as they stood ready to dance in each others arms. You could hear slight whispers and short laughters and they looked happy which was enough for you. Though you had been sort of dreading this day for years - the day that would determine you officially as the third wheel of the new couple - it didn’t seem so bad now. Seeing them in love it didn’t seem so bad at all. Maybe love wasn’t as bad as you thought it was.

When you casually turned to your left though, you were not expecting the person whose eyes you met. Hoseok. You didn’t realize till now that you had to dance with him as well, perhaps even make conversation while you were at it too. You turned back to Jimin at the sensation of his hand finding its place on your lower back, startled by the sudden touch.

“What happened?” Jimin frowned at your expression. “All good?”

“Huh?….yeah yeah all good.” You brushed away his concern gently as you placed one hand on his shoulder, your other hand interlocking with his. Jimin raised his eyebrows looking at you for confirmation, to which you simply nodded smiling at him again so he relaxed and looked around. With Jimin’s attention away from you, you slightly turned to see Hoseok again but he wasn’t looking at you anymore.

With a small warning the music began to play and all the inhabitants of the dance floor collectively moved in synchronization, years of experience making them move gracefully. Jimin was one of the best dancers you had partnered with and the grace that he moved with literally swept you off your feet. Making light conversation, you enjoyed dancing with him and you didn’t even know how fast time went until you noticed the change in the music and your disappointed expression met with Jimin’s pouted face.

“I believe you and I will meet again to close the dance. So, until later, My Lady.” He winked at you and spun you around as you turned, being caught by Jungkook’s arms, still laughing at Jimin’s exaggerated royal behavior. Jungkook smiled at you, more like beamed at you, when the music changed again and you began dancing with your best friend.

“You look happy.”

“And you are happy.” You smiled fondly at him. Jungkook blushed (which of course made you highly uncomfortable because you had never seen him blush before).

“Yeah. I am very happy, thanks to you.”

“There would have been no need to thank me if you weren’t such an idiot.”

“But I am an idiot Y/n. And you’ve got my back so I have nothing to worry about.”

You smacked his chest a little shaking you head at him.

And then he spoke about a lot of things. About Kate, about his plans, about the past. Jungkook was never one to talk so much, it was mostly you who did the talking and him the listening. With the tables turned today though, you didn’t mind, you were enjoying listening to him. And he was so immersed in his monologue that you had to remind him when the music changed that it was time and he was supposed to pass you on to the next man. Jungkook’s eyes widen in realization as he nodded his head quickly and the next minute you found yourself in Jin’s arms and had to look up to him to meet his twinkling eyes.

“Kim Seokjin. Son of Kim Joon Woo and Kim Ha Yoon. Heir of Kim Industries-”

“Wow wow hold up.” You snickered a little at his typical formal introduction. “I know all that Jin.”

“But its protocol Y/n!” He whined. “All bachelors and bachelorettes need to introduce themselves like this.”

“All eligible bachelors, Mr. Kim. You are not eligible anymore, you are engaged and to be wedded in less than two weeks.”

Jin looked thoughtful before agreeing with you. “You’re right! I mean you do have a point. But you are still eligible so you should introduce yourself.”

“You do know these introductions are only done so these ‘eligible’ people might find their better half in each other? That in fact is the purpose of the dance Jin. So all eligible men and women can be introduced with each other and maybe start developing an interest leading to marriage. You and I need to develop no such interest.”

Jin let out a sigh. “That makes so much sense….and it also means all this while me introducing myself to all the women was stupid. I messed up as usual again.”

You laughed at his inner child and patted him on the shoulder. “No, in fact you are doing amazing. Your dance is perfect today.”

“All credits to this amazing teacher.” He smiled as you shook your head.

“All credits to your hard work.”

Jin grinned proudly as you continued dancing for a while in silence as he focused hard on his steps before the music altered again and he whispered a thanks again into your ear and sent you off to Namjoon next to him. As Namjoon greeted you with a hello you smiled back at him, hand on his shoulder but as you looked just over it you could see the Hoseok’s back right opposite to you in the circle as he danced with his sister, the tension between them still evident. You could see them making light talk, a little awkwardly, a little politely, but keenly avoiding each other’s eyes. As you casually spoke to Namjoon, you kept your eyes fixed on Hoseok, looking away only before you turned sideways in the dance so he wouldn’t catch you looking at him. Your every move, every act, every thought was so dependent on Hoseok these days that it was starting to frustrate you.

And from then on you became less and less interested in the dance. After Namjoon you barely remembered the two other men you danced with until the next man’s voice rang in your ears.

“Well well, hasn’t the most eligible bachelorette finally arrived to dance with the most eligible bachelor.”

You only smiled at Yoongi not saying much, already growing tired with the long dance as he continued joking.

“With even Jeon out of the picture I guess you and I are really going to get married huh?”

You played along with him, smirking slightly. “Mhmm, I guess you really are a very fortunate man, Mr. Min”

Yoongi laughed as he almost tripped over your foot in the process. “I would have been even more honored if you started the dance with me. I thought you’d dance with Jeon but then I remembered he’s not single anymore but Jimin had approached you before I could.”

You laughed at his slightly pouted cheeks. “It’s okay, you and I have a whole lifetime together remember?”

Yoongi snickered before growing slightly serious. “Does it bother you though, now that your best friends are a thing?” he asked as he spun you around once, then took you back in his arms.

“No.” And this was a very honest answer. “Not really. I am very happy for them in fact.”

“Of course you are happy for them, but what about yourself? Are you happy with yourself?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean….I know you and I know you are terrified of commitment but….but don’t you think you should give yourself a chance and see first Y/n?”

“I would Yoongi. I would give myself a chance if it was I who was afraid of being committed.”

Yoongi frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Yoongi….It’s not that I’m afraid to fall in love. I’m afraid to fall. I’m afraid that the one who catches me while falling won’t hold me long enough. That one day he will drop me and I will break.” You looked up at Yoongi who was curiously glancing at you. “I’m afraid of being broken Yoongi. I’m afraid of not being loved back.”

“Nonsense Y/n. A man must not be in his right mind to not love a woman like you.”

You laughed a little at the confidence in his voice as he rolled his eyes, stating what he thought was the obvious.

“That’s…well that’s really nice of you Yoongi but…..there are more reasons to not be in love with someone…..Maybe they have too many of their own devils to fight so they have no time for love? Or they have a past that already has someone so there is no room left for another? Or they are running……They could be running hard and fast away from something, and I can’t keep up so I am left behind? There are hundreds of reasons to not be in love with someone Yoongi. And that’s why I say if I was the one afraid to commit, I can take a chance and test myself, see if I can truly do it when I really like someone, but if it’s the other person I am afraid of, then how many chances can I give and to who all can I give them to?”

Yoongi nodded understandingly. “I get where you are coming from Y/n, I really do. But not everyone is like that. Not everyone is running, not everyone is fighting, not everyone has a past. You can still-”

“Name one. Name one person who doesn’t. Look around here Yoongi, everyone is harboring something or the other. Everyone has decked some or the other facade. Why look at others Yoongi, look at you. Do you not have a past? Are you not hiding anything? Is there nothing you are running from?”

Yoongi’s lips slightly parted in confusion till you glanced over at Mia dancing two people away from you and his eyes widen as he understood that you know everything.

“Look Yoongi, everyone is like that. Everyone has some or the other story. You do, I do, we all do. Question is if I love a man, can he put everything behind him so he can make room for me? Even if he is not being honest with himself, if I want him to, then can he honest with me? Even if he is wrong, can he own up to me and trust me enough to forgive him? Because what is love when there is no trust, when there is no honesty Yoongi?”

Yoongi slowly nodded as his eyes met yours. “You’re right. Love needs trust and honesty. But it also needs effort. It needs you to make the effort as well Y/n, not just the other person. If he cannot make room for you, love means you teach him to give you that space. If he cannot be honest with you, love means you strip your defenses and be honest with him so he can do the same. If he cannot stop running, love means you run with him till he can learn to stop.” You stared at him as his words sunk into your head. “Don’t put so many conditions in love Y/n. Don’t think so much when you love someone. When you fall in love, you fall yes, but whether you break or not…that depends on you. Think about it.”

You were so immersed in his words you didn’t even hear the change in the music as he spun you into the arms of your next partner and out of nowhere you were suddenly standing before Hoseok. You blinked at him, surprised at suddenly being at such a close proximity to him as he stared back and you quickly looked away unable to meet the intensity he was radiating.

Over the last two days, after your awkward encounter in Jin’s room, you had thought a lot about Hoseok. You didn’t understand why he was affecting you so much. Why did you have to be so awkward with Jung Hoseok after all? What was it between the two of you, what relationship did you even share?

You didn’t know each other long enough to be friends, and you had no sort of crush on him. Yes he was a childhood crush, but at that time he was the popular guy of the school and literally all girls were swooning over him. It was just a silly, immature thing, and so irrelevant that six years later you could barely remember the face or name of the man. You weren’t in love with him, of course not, but at the same time you didn’t like him, not as someone you’d ever consider dating. When you first met him honestly, you were slightly repelled by his mannerisms. He didn’t seem very elite and gentlemanly with his words and actions. When you first talked to him you were annoyed by how confident he was about himself. You hated how much pride he took in his ability to fluster the women he talked to so you talked back, not letting him get the upper hand over you.

But the more you saw him, the more you saw how people smiled in his presence, how they laughed at his exaggerated self, something inside you melted a little. It was the way he smiled more than the way he smirked that made you more interested in him. The simplicity with which he decked himself was what made him stand out. The way he handled his pain was different, the way he was hurt was different. You wanted to help him ease the pain for some reason maybe out of humanity of because you were fascinated by him……fascination.

You were fascinated by him. That was what this was. That was strange attraction that you had towards him. Jung Hoseok - a man with a mysterious past, a man who ran away and returned after so long, a man who was a mystery to everyone. Of course you were fascinated by him, anyone would be. As far as the the awkwardness was concerned, it only started after that night in the car. Yes, the kiss affected you a lot. That spontaneous, momentary act affected did affect you a lot but you had shared such close intimacy with another person after so long, it was bound to affect you. It would have affected you regardless of who it was with. Besides it was something that happened in the moment, given the kind of situation you both were in that night. It was nothing you had to be so awkward or stressed about because there were of course no feelings involved. You absolutely convinced yourself over the last two days there were no other feelings involved.

But the intensity with which he was looking at you right now? It was the same intensity with which he was looking at you that night in the car. You had reached the conclusion that you personally felt nothing for him, but Hoseok? Did he feel the same way or did he feel something more? Could a man like him feel something more in the first place? You should’ve talked to him. Instead of dancing with him trying to avoid his eyes as much as you could you should’ve talked to him and sorted it out without making things this weird between the both of you. You should have told him that what’s done is done but they should draw a line so nothing like that can happen again.

But before you can even gather the courage to finally talk to him you could hear the swell in the music as it marked the change in partners for the last set of dance as you spotted Jimin next to Hoseok. Great, when you finally wanted to talk you were not being given the opportunity. Hoseok spins you as you inwardly sigh, ready to find yourself in Jimin’s arms again but to your surprise you are back in Hoseok’s arms again. You look around shocked to see Jimin and Hoseok with their spots exchanged and Jimin just shrugs at you mouthing ‘He just suddenly pulled me.’

“Hoseok.” You looked around worried to see everyone talking about the sudden change. It was only girls who moved around in the dance and guys who stood fixed. Hoseok taking Jimin’s place like that was raising eyebrows. “What are you doing, everyone is watching.”

“I…I needed to ask you something.”

“Well you could have said something when I was dancing with you earlier?” You met Jungkook’s eye beside you. From the expression on his face, you could tell he wasn’t happy with whatever was going on.

“Look Hoseok-” You turned to look at him and quickly looked down unable to meet his gaze. “Whatever it is you-”

“Why is it so hard to meet my eye Y/n?”

You look up to see him searching for an answer but you’re done trying to answer. Now you want some answers yourself. You were whining just minutes ago about not having the opportunity but now when opportunity has created itself you were not going to step back.

“Why are you running away Hoseok?”

“Because you look like you are ashamed or disgusted, I don’t know which but I do know I can’t bring myself to see it on your face.”

“I’m confused,” You confessed thoughtlessly. You didn’t know what answers you’ll get today, if you’ll get any or not and what they will mean. But you asked anyways. “What does this mean? What do you and I mean now? When we met, we were flirting and having fun and all that was fine -”

“You….you aren’t feeling anything more are you?”

You blinked surprised. The ease with which he said it took you aback. “W-what?”

“‘I’m sorry if I ever gave you the impression I was looking for something else…I don’t do the whole liking someone and falling in love and all those things Y/n, I’m the kind that sleeps around. For me, kissing someone doesn’t mean much, so its nothing I am worried about and neither should you be. It meant nothing’”

You somehow couldn’t find words. You were expecting this ang you should have been expecting it as well. Then why was it hurting? “It meant nothing?”

“Nothing.”

It meant nothing to him. Then all these days why did you let it mean something to you? It was only fascination right? That’s what you had concluded. That’s what you told yourself again and again. And now even Hoseok was clear about what he felt - he felt nothing. So the only thing this was ever about, was limits. Why was it so hard to accept that now?

“Exactly. If we were going to just flirt around and have fun then we need a line to be drawn. That day, you crossed the line Hoseok.”

“And I’m more than sorry about it.”

His apologies weren’t enough. You had to sort out whatever this is today.

“What does it make us now Hoseok? We are not strangers, or no longer just acquaintances-”

“Is it necessary to define a relationship?” He looks tensed again, like he did that night all this started.

“For me yes. So I know where you stand in my life. So I don’t make myself as vulnerable to you as I nearly did that night.”

Hoseok looks like you just slapped him on the face.“You regret me being by your side?”

“I’m glad you were. But I don’t always want it to be you. I can’t burden you with miseries that aren’t yours.”

“I wasn’t burdened. I didn’t mind. We are all made of broken things Y/n. I didn’t mind being seeing that part of you-”

“But I did. Especially because I don’t know who you are to me and what all this means.

“I myself don’t know Y/n. I just know I don’t like giving relationships labels. It burdens you with responsibility.”

His words shut you up. What were you supposed to say now? You started off with wanting answers and ended up having more questions. Questions you know won’t have any answers.

“You aren’t saying anything.”

“I don’t think there’s anything left to say.”

“I’m sorry Y/n. I don’t know what you expected me to be but I will have to disappoint. Seems like its the only thing I’m good at.”

“I don’t think that’s true. I think there’s much more to you than that Hoseok.”

“How would you know that? How much about me do you really know Y/n? Don’t people tell you,” He somehow looked like it pained to say those words. “I am not who I seem like?”

“Then who are you? I want to know who you are. I want to know why you have pretend to be someone you are not. Or why you need to put up a facade?”

“I’m afraid that’s another answer I don’t think I have to give you.” You sighed miserably at how the conversation was going nowhere but Hoseok didn’t let you talk. “It doesn’t matter Y/n. Who and what I am doesn’t matter. 2 weeks and this wedding is going to be over and you and I will return to our own worlds, with nothing to do with each other anymore. There is no point in trying to know someone you have to forget later.”

“I don’t think I’ll forget you Hoseok.” You blurted as he raised his eyebrows. “One rarely forgets someone they encounter when in pain. Especially when that someone helps ease it. You may forget me once all this is over but I-”

“I won’t.”

He didn’t even think for a second before saying it. There was so much confidence in his voice it took you aback.

“Y-you wont?”

“You’re right…….One rarely forgets the people who ease their pain.”

It made you smile. Not the fact that he would remember you but the reason. The fact that he would remember you in a way you never thought Hoseok would think of other people. The fact that he wouldn’t remember you like most people in his life.

“Then you know what? I think I found the perfect way to define our relationship.”

Hoseok waited for a terrified second before whispering. “What?”

You took a deep breath. Yes, this was the only way and the right way too. “Painkillers.”

Hoseok burst out laughing before composing himself and looking at you, still slightly snickering “Painkillers?”

“Yeah I think its a relationship which gives up what we both want.”

“And what is that exactly?”

“Me, a way to define what’s between you and I, and you, and a way to not feel responsible to maintaining whatever this is.”

Hoseok looked confused as he spun you around, taking you in his embrace again. This time you noticed, you were much closer.

“You said we are all made of broken things. I am, and you wont say it but I know that even you are….and somehow, you and I we were able to help each other, to ease our pain a little, help heal maybe just a bit. And like you say after this wedding, we probably will never have anything to do with each other, but every time we get hurt, maybe just some memories we have already made can lessen how much it hurts. Memories which don’t need us to be there for each other or be responsible for each other, or need us to have any expectations from each other. Just something that we store in a reachable place in our hearts so we can just sit and hold on to it every time we feel broken.”

Hoseok looked at you for an entire minute with a blank face. Did he think you were stupid? But you weren’t. You thought this was the best way.

“That is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard.” Hoseok smiled so warmly, something inside you definitely melted. “And the most beautiful kind of relationship two people can share”

You smiled back at him as he spun you again but this time when you looked at him, it was a familiar look on his face. The mischievous twinkle you had missed.

“But honestly its funny being called a painkiller. Most people usually call me a pain in the ass.” He leaned in, whispering into your ear. “and this may be too much information, but they mean it quite literally.”

You burst out laughing as the music slowly came to an end and Hoseok took a step back bowing to you with a wink.

“What? You can try me if you don’t believe it.”

And with that the of you parted, smiles decorating both your faces this time, hiding the real pain the outcome of this conversation gave.

Hoseok walked through the corridors of the hotel aimlessly past midnight.

The dinner and dance really had tired him out physically and emotionally as well, something Hoseok was really not used to. As he wandered about his mind could only think about what he overheard Y/n tell Yoongi during the dance.

Maybe they have too many of their own devils to fight so they have no time for love? Or they have a past that already has someone so there is no room left for another? Or they are running……They could be running hard and fast away from something, and I can’t keep up so I am left behind?

Those were the reasons she said she was afraid to love. And somehow it was everything Hoseok was. He was a man still fighting his devils, a man who would never cease to run. After hearing what she said Hoseok could not bring himself to accept it anymore….he couldn’t accept he was starting to like her, that he was starting to look at her differently, a way he never looked at other women. He couldn’t accept anymore that over time, the more he saw her the more he wanted to do more than just sleep with her. He wanted to watch the stars with her, dangle his legs in the swimming pool and listen to her talk all night, he wanted to hold her hand and walk down the alleys, he wanted to do so much. He even spent hours imagining it. Imagining taking her out on a date, maybe eventually falling in love with her, having a life with her, a family perhaps? Hoseok had gone really far with his dreaming, all these things were only possible in an alternative reality. A universe where he wasn’t guilty of what he did, a universe where he wasn’t punishing himself for himself by not allowing himself to fall in love.

Hoseok wasn’t worthy of her. He would never allow himself to love her. And she was right. He was the kind of man who would break her in love. He had to stop it all, stop his own feelings, stop hers from even starting in the first place. Which was why he said all that. Why he said it didn’t matter when the truth was that it mattered more than anything. With her harboring no such feelings for him while Hoseok did feel relieved, he felt hurt as well. But maybe that was for the better, maybe everything that happened today was for the better. At least now he was talking to her, now they were laughing together as well. If he couldn’t make you his he could at least be with you while he could.

And it was occupied in thoughts like this that made him walk all night.

Hoseok walked into the empty dining hall eyes fixed on the gorgeous piece of art which was alone illuminated under the spotlight in the otherwise dark room. Walking around the piano, feeling the wood run against the material of his pant, he sat down on the stool, letting his fingers graze the black and white keys, their touch foreign yet so comforting. The piano for him was like that old friend who even years later was waiting to listen to the stories he had to tell. He had so much to say today. So much he wanted to let out. Hoseok pressed a key, the sound pleasantly echoing against the velvet lined walls, the vibrations of the string evident under his finger. As his other hand placed itself on the piano ready to run along the keys, his heart somehow felt uneasy. As though playing the piano today might change things. What things and how he didn’t know. He just felt things would not be the same after this.

But the bulky yet delicate piece was calling out to him so he gave in, letting his fingers form a melody that filled the room, it’s soothing sounds like a liquor for his aching soul. Music was never something superfluous to Hoseok, it was a medicine delivered in the most divine way.

And he was only just beginning to get lost in it when he raised his head to see a certain somebody far away, leaning against the door. Her eyes closed and her arms crossed, she was engrossed in the song, her fingers tapping against her elbow, matching the rhythm perfectly. Her hair was open, falling over her shoulders, not so gratefully yet it looked so alluring.

And once more Hoseok found himself truly lost. Lost looking at her. At the small smile that was dancing on her lips. At her presence there so late at night when he thought he was all alone. Somehow she was always around. With how things changed between them, he didn’t know if that was a good thing or not but he liked it. He liked having her around. He liked that the smile on her face was because of him.

So of course it disappointed him when the song was over and her eyes fluttered open, her vision landing on him. The moment she saw Hoseok looking at her, she straightened out looking apologetic

“I was just leaving.” She said pointing behind her.

“Do you want to…you know…come in?” Hoseok found it so hard to find his voice.

“Do you mind if I do?”

He shook his head, clearly lying, because he could feel the sweat making its way down his neck despite sitting in a perfectly cool, air-conditioned room. She walked towards him slowly and looks around for a place to sit. Hoseok shifted a little on the stool, making space for her as she looked at him. It seemed like she hesitated or was thinking twice, but before his heart had the opportunity to sink, she sat down next to him. As she looked fascinatedly at the piano Hoseok watched her, wanting to forget anything and everything else that existed, wishing there was a world where it was just him and her.

“That was beautiful.” She pushed a key down with a single finger and smiled. “I didn’t know you could play the piano.”

“Perks of having Yoongi as and best friend.” Hoseok grinned, remembering all the lessons he got from the other man.

“He plays really well doesn’t he?” Her eyes are shone with a memory.

“You’ve heard him play before?”

“Mhmm.” She nodded, tracing circles and squares on the keys. “Back in our college days, Yoongi and I were forced to tag along to a lot of boring frat parties. There was a jazz club near the building, a pretty decent one, not too old, not too new. The two of us used to sneak out and run off there once people started noticing us less. He used to play the piano there, to show off I presume.” She smiled at the thought.

“Yoongi in a Jazz club is hard to imagine.” Hoseok frowned.

“Isn’t it? It was the piano he went there for. And he played everything but jazz on it.” She laughed, her shoulders shaking as she did. “After a while the owner started kicking us out and we used to just wander along the streets.”

“You seem to know him really well.” Was that jealousy? No of course not. But Hoseok could feel the bitterness at the back of his throat.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so.” She looked far away, lost in thought. “He’s just….someone like me. Someone I felt I could relate to. Someone I found myself talking to about a lot of things….But a lot of things that were not related to us. We never spoke about our personal lives or problems or anything like that. It was always everything else. Maybe that’s why it was so easy to strike the deal with him.”

“What deal?”

“You didn’t know? We made an agreement to get married if neither of us fall in love by the time we turn 35.”

“Do you think you’ll fall in love by then?”

She turned to him as he looks at her questioningly. She seemed to have so much to say like she spoke to Yoongi during the dance, but she just shrugged.

“I don’t know. Falling in love is not so easy.”

“It is.” Hoseok nodded, looking away. “Falling out of love is not.”

Hoseok could feel her eyes on him as pressed the keys, trying to be casual. She let out of breath. “Falling in love is not in our hands Hoseok, but falling out of it is.”

“Should that mean it’s easier?” Hoseok dragged his finger against the white key.

She raised an eyebrow, tilting her head. “I guess not.”

And then there was silence. An occasional press on a key, a small note, or the clearing of the throat. But things aren’t supposed to be awkward between the two of them anymore.

“Uh…Can you play the piano?”

She shook her head. “Yoongi always refused to teach me, I wasn’t as lucky as you.”

“Even though he taught me grudgingly I’m glad he did. It saved my life in so many ways.”

“It did?”

“When I….” Ran away. Those were the right words. “When I left after high school, I was wandering around doing odd jobs. One of them was playing the piano for the choir at church weddings. It healed me, paid me, and filled my stomach.”

She leaned back looking at him keenly. “It’s quite hard to imagine you as someone like that.”

“Why?” Hoseok raised his eyebrows. “What did you imagine me as? A playboy? I thought you said I was more than that?”

She slowly nodded her head. “Of course you are.” And then looked back into his eyes, as though she was still searching for something. “ I know you are.”

And the two of them looked at each other in that strange silence. So many things went through that silence that neither of them understood. They should have been let out as words, not as fast heartbeats locked away in their cages. She broke the contact first, licking her lips uncertainly.

“Why don’t you teach me something then? I’d love to learn.” She propped her elbows on her knees, and rested her face in her hands looking at him cutely, as though she was trying to convince him. Hoseok could only laugh at her childishness but he nodded, agreeing to. She immediately sat upright, her eyes shining like they do when she’s excited and placed her delicate hands on the piano. Hoseok took a deep breath, letting the melody flow out of him. She followed, mirroring his actions. Perhaps more than hour went by like that, drowned in the soft notes of the piano, she following him, he taking the opportunity when she was immersed in the sounds to watch her.

“This sounds really sad though.” She lifted her hands from the ivory keys and placed them on her lap. “Really sad.”

“It’s not the music which is sad. It’s what we associate with it that makes it so.” Hoseok justified. He always thought this piece was a beautiful one. A pleasant one. Now it seems so sad to him too. Maybe because he connected it to her. And maybe she equated it to him. He didn’t know. He didn’t want to either.

“It’s beautiful though.” She smiled. “Sad, yet so beautiful.”

“Do you want to try playing it again?”

“I want to listen to you play it alone.”

Hoseok swallowed nervously. But she was looking at him with so much admiration. He didn’t know if he’d ever have the chance to see that on her features again. So casting his eyes on the piano, his fingers got ready determinedly and he moved to make the instrument sing, sing the sad song, its tune hurting his heart in an unexplainable way. Hoseok got so lost in the tragic music that he did not even realize when she her head slowly leaned against his shoulder, her hair falling onto her face. Hoseok leaned forward, only ever so slightly and pushed the strands back to see her eyes gently shut. She was asleep.

Hoseok found himself laughing strangely at that. Nights with this woman were so different. Being halfway across the city playing in the arcade with her. Watching her work by the pool side from the balcony all night. Teaching her to play the piano till she fell asleep exhausted. Nights with her were like never before. Hoseok wished he could stay like this. He wished the sun would never rise and she would never wake and eternity meant the two of them just being like this. But reality was different.

He put an arm around her shoulders and another under her knees and lifted her into his arms, her nose grazing his neck as her face adjusted against the crook of it. She looked so deep in sleep, Hoseok smiled at the sight of her against him. It seemed so surreal. So desirable. Yet so impossible. He walked out of the hall, slow enough to not wake her up, towards his room. But he stopped just outside it. That was not where she belonged. That was not where she should be. Changing his mind for the better Hoseok knocked on the door of another room, hard enough to be heard but soft enough to not disturb her.

Yoongi opened the door looking half asleep but his eyes widen slightly looking at Hoseok.

“Is she okay? Do we need to-”

“She merely fell asleep Yoongi.” Hoseok walked in as Yoongi held the door open for him. Hoseok heard the sound of a flush and realized Jungkook was not in the room. It was better he left before Jungkook returned. “I didn’t have the key to her room, and I brought her here so Jungkook can look after her.”

He placed her on the bed slowly and pulled the covers over her. The whole time he could feel Yoongi’s eyes on him, watching him as he tucked her properly, pushed her hair behind her ears, and silently stepped back. But she held his hand in her sleep, as she turned, curling to her side, his hand in hers, placed under her cheek. Hoseok smiled slightly but gently took his hand back, sliding it from her grip, careful to not wake her.

When he turned around to leave, Yoongi was in his way. He didn’t say anything, just looked at him pointedly.

“What?”

“You know what Hobi.”

“I don’t seem to Yoongi.”

“You do don’t you.” He tries to meet Hoseok’s eye who is refusing to, afriad of what they might show. “You lik-”

“Don’t say it.”

“How is saying it going to change how you feel Hoseok?” Yoongi is looking at him with so much pity.

“Saying it is only going to make it harder to forget Yoongi.”

“But why do you have to forget Hobi? Why can’t you -”

“Because look at her Yoongi. Isn’t she worth so much more? So much better?”

Yoongi is silent. It’s another voice that replies. “Yes. Yes, she is.”

Jungkook walks out from behind him, the expression on his face unreadable. Hoseok gives a short nod greeting him, agreeing and saying good-bye all at once. Because he was right. Hoseok knew he was right. And now that someone has confirmed it for him, Hoseok staying here made no sense anymore. He simply turned around and walked out, shutting the door behind him, leaning against it and taking a deep breath.

This was getting harder day by day.

You stretched your legs on the beach chair by the poolside the next evening where everyone had gathered to casually hang out after a long time. You had been sleeping all morning in Jungkook’s room when he finally woke you up for lunch as you sat confused as to how you landed up in his room.

“Hoseok dropped you off here last night.” Jungkook wouldn’t even look at you as he fiddled around with his charger wire. “Where were you?”

“I was listening to him play the piano and I…..I must’ve fallen asleep there I don’t remember.”

You instantly regretted telling him the truth though because you knew you were up for a long lecture but thank god for Kate who arrived just then to take you both for lunch and Jungkook momentarily forgot what he needed to say.

After a happening lunch where everyone was finally talking normally, no one sharing any sort of awkwardness or hesitancy, you headed back to your room, freshened up with a long bath and when you came out the sun had set already. As you roamed around drying your hair wondering how to spend the rest of the day, someone knocked on your door and you opened it to see Hoseok standing right before you.

“Everyone has gathered by the pool side, care to join?” He leaned against the door frame clad in his leather jacket looking sinful as ever, instinctively making you lick your lips.

“I’m really not in the mood for a social event right now.” you sighed remembering all the chattering during lunch. You wanted some peace and quiet for a while.

“Why, would you be up for a more private event? Say in my room, something along the lines of pain in the- Ow!” You smacked his shoulder slightly in contrast to his overreaction to shut him up. He laughed and you laughed along because that was how it was supposed to be now. Him making the same old flirtatious jokes again like he initially did and you rolling your eyes at him. Only difference was now a line was drawn and he knew not to cross it. All these were just jokes now. Nothing between both of you was more than a joke.

“Get lost Jung Hoseok” You walked back into your room, rubbing the towel through the wet strands of your hair. “I don’t like you enough for it.”

“What has liking me got to do with sleeping with me? Both are barely related.”

“Hoseok, just shut up please.”

“But I’m serious! You never even let me show the ‘climax’ I was talking all about.” You rolled your eyes, sitting on the edge of the looking at his fake pouted face.

“If I come along with you will you shut up?”

“To my room?” At this point Hoseok looked genuinely terrified. You smiled sadly to yourself at that before turning to him. You don’t know why the smile had to be sad. You should be glad that whatever you talked about during the dance finally got into his head.

“No you idiot to the poolside.”

“Oh….” He visibly relaxed and momentarily it seemed like he was sat a loss of words but he quickly changed his demur as he raised his eyebrows. “I was worried you were going to cross the line we hadn’t even drawn yet.”

You frowned at him. “What do you mean ‘haven’t even drawn yet’?”

“Well you know.” He ran his hand through his soft hair. “We haven’t talked about what’s allowed and what’s not. We haven’t defined what crossing the line exactly is yet.”

“That’s silly Hoseok, everyone knows what ‘not crossing the line’ means.” You threw your damp towel behind your shoulder onto the bed. Didn’t crossing the line just mean…well…no touching inappropriately, no kissing, and definitely not anything more than that. Basically nothing suggestive, nothing sexual. Did Hoseok really not understand that or was he faking it? “Do I need to explicitly explain what it means?”

“Yeah you do. Because I’m not the kind who likes doing things the way everyone does, I’m not going to follow everyone’s definition of crossing the line….We are going to have to make our own. Aren’t you the one who said defining everything was important to you?”

You narrowed your eyes at him as he shrugged.

“I did not mean it like this Hoseok.”

“Exactly. I want to know what you meant it like.” He sighed, straightening up, turning serious now. “Look Y/n, the last few days between us have been…..” Have been what Hoseok? “….have been highly unpleasant. I don’t want to ever feel something like that again. When you defined the relationship between us, you did it respecting my choices and making it comfortable for me and so I want to do the same. I want to be respectful of what you want when defining the boundaries between us. I want you to tell me what is okay and what’s not.”

You smiled at how thoughtful he was. Him making an effort like this was truly touching. All those people who though Jung Hoseok didn’t have a heart because he fucked around were so wrong. He had one. When you saw the way he was with his friends, the way he handled your pain and the way today he stood at your doorstep, eyes filled with reassurance, you could tell he had a heart. That he cared and that he loved. He loved the people around him, he loved those he cared for. Just differently. The way he loved was just different.

“Why are you quiet?” Hoseok spoke uncertainly. “Did I-”

“Oh no it’s a….a good idea.”

“Really?” His eyes shone with a satisfaction that made you want to kick yourself for giving him it.

“Yeah I mean I guess it’s not bad.” You corrected yourself with the wave of a hand as he smirked at your attempt to not let him get the upper hand. It reminded him of all the times you didn’t let him get better of you.

“Okay then, so tell me, am I allowed to cross this line-” He pointed at the line by his shoes marking where the tiles of the corridor ended and the carpet of your room started. “-and enter your room?”

You let out a short laugh and nodded at which he smiled and put his foot in but quickly retreated. “Am I allowed to walk in your room with shoes?”

“It’s a hotel, not my room exactly so-” Shrugging, you made a sweeping gesture with your hand. “-please, help yourself.”

He walked in looking around casually as he pointed to the sofa a few feet right across you. “And is it okay if I sit on your couch?”

You rolled your eyes at his endless, meaningless questions and hummed a yes in response as he sat down quickly letting out a relieved breath. “Thank god, my feet were killing me…We danced too much last night for our own good.”

“Mhmm.” After the first formal dance, everyone hit the dance floor for nearly 3 hours after, all the way till midnight. Though you didn’t get the chance to dance with Hoseok again that night. With people stealing you around one after the other, you only watched Hoseok dancing with other women over your partner’s shoulders. “We all did dance a lot.”

Hoseok grew silent looking at you but trailing away into his thoughts.

“What that’s it? You have nothing else to ask?” You frowned at him. What, was this all drawing the line was about? What about, touching and holding and hugging and kissing and all the other things that were not allowed? When was he going to talk about that? “You didn’t even come to the point.”

He leaned back looking interested. “Really? What is the point?”

You narrowed your eyes at the smirk he was trying to hide. He was back at it. Trying to fluster you and all, trying to get you to say the words.

You got up huffing and began to walk away as behind you Hoseok started to laugh, “You are impossible Hoseok, I’m not doing this.”

“Okay sorry sorry I’ll-”

He suddenly stutters to a stop and so even you halt, not taking a step forward. Glancing over your shoulder you saw him reaching out for you, fingers inches away from your wrist to hold it and stop you, but not touching, just hovering.

You looked at him curl his fingers back in, leaving just one out as though pointing at you. “Is…..is this okay?” He looked up at you still seated on the couch as you turned to fully face him. “Is it okay to touch?”

You took a step closer towards him, slowly extending your hand, briefly touching the tip of his outstretched finger with a slight tap of your finger, smiling. “It’s allowed.”

Hoseok smiled at that, raising his hand midway up in the air, palm towards you. “And this?”

You laughed shortly giving him a five, nodding. “This too.”

Then he held his hand out, as though asking for your hand in his. You slightly raised your eyebrows not understanding and he quickly got off the couch onto one knee, hand still out, waiting for you.

If ever in life you felt your heart truly stop it was at that moment, at that sight. At the sight of Hoseok before you like that on his knees, looking at you with the kind of hope that knocked the breath out of your lungs and trampled the words in your throat. But before you could even properly comprehend what his act meant and why he was doing it, he spoke up,

“You didn’t even dance with me properly yesterday.”

“What?”

“We barely danced properly during the first dance and after that I didn’t get the chance to dance with you.” He remembered that? Was he bothered by it too? “I was wondering if dancing was okay.”

That’s why he was like this. He wasn’t in his knee, dropping the question, he was just asking for a dance. You mentally slapped yourself to your senses. Why would you even think he was proposing to you, could you get any stupider?

“Why?” Hoseok cocked his head looking at you through your silence. “Is this man unworthy to ask for this maiden’s hand for a dance?” He dramatically got up looking away with the back of his hand against his forehead as you could feel laughter build inside you. “Is this it? Is this where the line gets drawn, with you so far away from me? With you so unreachable that I-”

“Not, yet.” You shut him up by quickly stepping closer to him and reached out for his hand, placing it on your lower back as you gripped his shoulder lightly. Hoseok blinked at you softly in surprise as he laced his fingers in yours and you ignored the knot in your stomach and continued. “The line doesn’t get drawn yet Jung Hoseok.”

“Sure?” He took a step forward making you take one back, as both your bodies moved together on a non existing rhythm. “We can stop if you don’t want.”

“I don’t.” And you really didn’t want to stop. “I really don’t.”

You noticed how he smiled a little at that. And as you moved a little less elegantly than he did, he steadily quicken the pace, taking up more space around the room with your private little dance. You caught him smacking his lips before he dramatically spun you around and the giggles you were controlling erupted from your chest as the pace got faster and faster, the dance more and more lively, the music now was both your laughters, and as usual you were losing your breath with him but this time, because you were so happy. Just so happy to enjoy a moment like this, to love how hard and fast your heart was beating, to cherish how the movements made your feet ache, to finally, finally let yourself laugh with Jung Hoseok, till even he found it hard to find his breath again and he finally halted with one last spin. And the exhausting dance ended with him taking you back into his embrace as both your arms found their place on his shoulder and his, around your waist.

“You sure that was okay?” He looked at your red face still half laughing as the two of you continued to sway lightly together. “You don’t look too good though, was it too much for you?”

You rolled your eyes at his mocking comments because clearly, he was panting as much as you were. “I can handle more Mr. Jung.”

“Do you want more?”

You did want more. But you didn’t want to just dance, you wanted to dance with him. You wanted to dance feeling him, just like this, when silence was the only song, when there were no eyes but the two of yours and feet moved in small steps subconsciously because both of you were too lost to know where you were going.

During the formal dance with Hoseok you were either too preoccupied with your thoughts or with the conversation you were having. You never really got the chance to feel how it was to just move with him like this. To stand this close to him with his hand so delicately around you like he never want to let go. To smell the scent of him, the faint traces of detergent mixed with cologne that you smelt last night as he gently played the piano beside you. To feel your breaths mingling in the little space your pressed bodies left as the both of you moved agonizingly slow as though neither of you wanted to run anymore. Neither of you wanted to bother about anything else but wonder about how to make this moment last longer. You finally took the opportunity to look into his eyes without looking away, to look at how he so intently looked into yours and trying to say so much you weren’t able to understand. You didn’t want to either. You didn’t want to focus on anything but observing the little details now, things you might never to get to feel again.

This and the way he taught you how to play the song last night will perhaps always be your most memorable moments with Hoseok. Not the Hoseok who did silly things to make people laugh and flirted shamelessly but the Hoseok who was slowly breaking the fort around him and letting you in. Letting you in on small things about himself and even though they were insignificant and didn’t matter, you were still glad you got to see the side of him that you never knew or even thought that existed.

And everything was going well till the both of you slowed down enough to come to a complete halt and just stood like that in each others arms not making a single move, not taking a single breath. Everything should have ended there, it would have been perfect if it ended there but you could feel the self control he was exhibiting so long wearing off as he leaned closer.

You panicked because if he got any closer to you, history was to repeat itself again and that was such a tough place you didn’t want to find yourself there again. So you this time, you don’t let him. You don’t let your self control lose to the lack of his and so you answer his question abruptly, making his advances freeze.

“I don’t want more.” You lean back, your hands slowly trailing down his shoulders to his chest, placing a slight pressure on them, telling him to stop. “I…I think this is it Hoseok. We are nearing the line.”

His face was expressionless in response. You couldn’t make out what he was thinking. You couldn’t tell if he was hurt or relieved. He just smiled at you but was it sad or was it understanding, you couldn’t figure out.

“Don’t worry Y/n, I won’t cross it.”

And he suddenly let go, your body suddenly losing all the physical contact it had with him, losing all that warmth you were beginning to bask under as he took a step back. It was the right decision though, because any closer it would have become too hot and the only thing that you would have been was burnt and hurt and pained. It was better this way.

“You should come down soon.” He walked away towards the door, pausing there for a bit. “Don’t come down with your hair wet though, you’ll fall sick.”

With that he walked away, leaving you alone and 9 and a half minutes of staring into blank space, with your heart beating too fast for its own good and half a minute of using the dryer to dry the wet strands of your hair later, you found yourself here, with all your thoughts and all the memories of what happened the last ten minutes tucked away and stored far away at the back of your head, everything forgotten till you could regret about it later. You sat with your legs stretched out before you as you slightly massaged them with your hands as you listened to everyone talk about the bachelor party they were planning on organizing soon. And since the girls sat joblessly, Mia turned to you.

“Feet aching?”

“Yeah.” You nod miserably. “I don’t even know why we have to wear heels and dance.”

“Do you need a pain killer or something?”

You found yourself slightly smiling to yourself at that but before you could shake your head Hoseok spoke up. When you looked at him it seemed as though he had done the same. Forgotten your last encounter for good as he spoke with a slight smug expression dancing on his face

“Painkiller? I’m familiar with that stuff Y/n. You can come to my room if you want an Ass……”

Your eyes widen at him as you shook you head in shock. “Hoseok!”

“….Asprin.” He smirked before pretending to be confused. “What were you thinking Y/n?”

As you shook your head and forced a smile resisting yourself from punching him as he one up-ed you, the rest of your friends looked utterly confused.

“It’s getting boring.” Emma looked at the four boys who were immersed in their discussion. “You guys are pretending like the girls aren’t even here.”

“Yeah let’s do something more collective guys.” Kate who was sitting next to Jungkook instead of you like she usually did, whined. “Besides there’s so long till the wedding, why do you have to discuss the party now?”

“Because there isn’t long before we have the party. We are going to have it in this week itself.” Namjoon explained. “Next week parents start arriving and it would be inconvenient.” You could feel Hoseok stiffen next to you at the mention of parents.

Eager to change the topic you spoke up. “Anyways, since it’s a bachelor party technically you aren’t supposed to discuss it before the girls.”

The boys nodded as though it made sense as the all sat down but no one knew what to do now.

“Alright let’s spice things up a little.” Jimin slammed his hand on the table getting up. “Let’s play never have I ever.”

Taking a bottle of absolute vodka and placing it on the table he smirked. “Every time you haven’t done something take a shot.”

“But it’s more fun to take a shot when you have done something” whined Jin.

“There isn’t enough to go around for 10 people.” Jimin pointed at the bottle. “I know you crazy bunch of people have done a whole lot of crazy things so, no shots if you’ve done it.”

Everyone groaned but eventually nodded settling down in groups comfortably in the couches. Jimin poured a shot in the glasses and handed out one to each of them before taking one himself and sitting down.

“Who wants to go first?”

Emma raised her hand as you saw Hoseok raise an eyebrow at his younger sister. She simply shrugged in response and hummed. “Hmm never have I ever drunk driven.”

Hoseok looked around as a couple of them took a shot. He noticed from the corner of his eye that so did you. He watched smiling to himself as you made a disgusted face at the bitter taste before biting into the lemon slice. As Jimin poured the next round of shots, Namjoon spoke up this time.

“Okay, never have I ever slept with two people on the same night.”

“A threesome?” Yoongi frowned questioningly.

“Oh no. Separately.”

And as everyone took a shot laughing and muttering away as Emma smacked Namjoon on the arm, Hoseok was the only one who didn’t take a shot. And surprisingly, no one but you noticed it as you raised an eyebrow and Hoseok simply shrugged whispering to you. “I don’t like lying and to be honest I actually don’t even remember the first one’s name-”

“Oh-kay!” You held up her hands looking horrified. “I didn’t ask for details.”

“If you are ever interested you can always ask though.”

You rolled your eyes at him as Jimin asked the next question. “Never have I ever kissed one of the other 9 present here.”

As everyone looked at their partners, you looked at Jungkook and Kate who were visibly blushing at each other and turned towards Hoseok taking a shot and snickering at their newly found discomfort. Hoseok shook his head smiling at you when you noticed his eyes fall on Yoongi who was looking at Mia who looked back at him guiltily before turning to Jin. Hoseok frowned eyes flickering between the two of them. You turned away before he saw you looking too and could ask what that was all that about?

And like that questions went around. “Never have I ever been kicked out of a bar.”, “Never have I ever drunk texted my friends.” “Never have I ever sneaked into an uninvited party.”, “Never have I ever hooked up after a first date.” and things of that sort. You noticed though that for every round you took a shot and since the game began Hoseok didn’t even take one.

And then the final round of shots came along and by now the most innocent ones in the group were already slurring. This time everyone looked at you as you thought hard about what you could possibly say.

“Never have I ever…….fallen in love.”

Everyone looked at each other, for the first time, the only one who took the shot, was Hoseok. You smiled a little victoriously to yourself for finally having made him drink but it faltered quickly when you realized what it meant.

“You’ve never been in love?” Jimin frowned at Hoseok before laughing to himself a little. “Learn from me Hobi, I fall in love with a new person every other day.”

Hoseok snickered at unstable Jimin before confessing. “I don’t believe in love.”

“You don’t?” This time it was Yoongi, who was completely sober only having taken a shot or two.

“No. I don’t. I don’t believe in love. I don’t believe in the promises people make in love….What did promises did you make to each other? That you will never look at another person? That you will love each other for the rest of your life? That you will never leave each other?”

The look in everyone’s eyes gave the answer. Those were the exact promises they made.

“How is that love? How is binding a person in a relationship called love? Where there is love shouldn’t people be set free, shouldn’t there should be freedom? Freedom to be who you are and who you choose to be. And people choose to be someone new everyday, people change everyday. No one is obliged to be the same person they were a minute ago. We are always meeting new people, seeing new things, gaining different experiences and opinions. How can you be in love forever if neither you nor the one you love are the same people forever?”

Everyone looked at him silently. Half of them had no idea what he was saying, the other half was thinking deeply about it.

“So you say people change.” You turn to Hoseok barely aware of whether you were making sense or not. You were just hoping you did. “So you can change too….What if you change? What if you meet someone who makes you believe in love, you makes you want to fall in love?….Will you fall in love then?”

Hoseok looked at you through his sad eyes…Where they sad eyes? You couldn’t really tell clearly. He shook his head whispering softly. “No, I won’t fall in love Y/n.”

And as you looked at him not knowing what to say now, his phone rang and he looked at the screen excusing himself and walked off. You watched the direction in which he left, his words still ringing in your mind as he disappeared from sight. I won’t fall in love.

The alcohol in your system made you think hard about his words and finally gave you the courage to even admit something to yourself. You liked Jung Hoseok. More than you could tell in fact. You had only properly realized this when Hoseok said those words. It meant nothing. Because they hurt you. Because those words felt like they sliced your heart right in half into two pieces. Because Jung Hoseok didn’t feel anything for you.

But now when you heard what he said, you got thinking. Hoseok didn’t believe in love and you didn’t want to fall in love. You liked Hoseok and even if Hoseok didn’t admit it, he was definitely attracted to you. As a woman you could tell that by the way his eyes wandered along your body, or rested on your lips. The way he watched you with hooded eyes when you walked past him. The way he reacted when other men were near you. They all meant somehow somewhere, Hoseok liked you too. If you both liked each other, if you both didn’t want love, if you both could sense the electricity stark between each other then why were you thinking so much. Why were you not giving yourself a chance with this?

You got up, though staggering a little, determined with the idea you had in your head. This was the right thing. This was what you both wanted and this was what was going to happen tonight, you were not going to lie to yourself and pretend you didn’t want it anymore. Vaguely remembering the direction he walked in, you followed him eyes searching for and it took a good whole hazy 5 minutes to find him finally done with his phone call, just turning around to walk back to the poolside.

“Hoseok!”

“Hey Y/n.” Hoseok smiled at you before it slowly faded to be replaced by a frown. “Okay…I think you’ve gotten drunk”

“Me?” You pointed at yourself and shook your head. “Nope just a little tipsy, very little I promis-”

“Wow wow careful there.” Hoseok rushed to hold you as you stumbled, tripping on your own feet. You gripped his shoulders to stand upright, looking at him watching you a little worriedly. “Y/n you should head back-”

“You and I.” You jabbed him softly in the chest. “What are we?”

Hoseok let out a tired sigh. “I thought we talked this out, why are you-”

“Oh yes.” You pretend very obviously as though you just remembered. “We did talk it out didn’t we? We did conclude we meant nothing to each other-”

A look of hurt flashed across Hoseok’s face. “Not exactly-”

“It meant nothing.” You repeated his words, the same hurt feeling reflecting on yours. “That’s what you said.”

“I don’t mean you mean nothing to me, of course not-”

“Then what do I mean to you?” You held on to the collar of his shirt, holding him close to you.

“I am not having this conversation now with you Y/n. Especially not when you are this drunk-”

“Tipsy.” You corrected him.

“Okay tipsy. Not now Y/n.”

You stared at him hard for a minute. He was doing this again. Like he did always. “You are so fond of running Hoseok.”

“Don’t say things like that.” His voice left him like a growl. “Not when you know nothing.”

“That’s exactly the problem!” You threw your hands in the air exasperated. “I know nothing. You won’t tell me anything. But you say I don’t mean nothing to you. Yet you behave like I’m nobody. What is this-”

“Ok that’s it.” Hoseok shut you up placing his mouth on your hand. “I’m taking you back to your room-”

You pushed his hand away and moved back. “No.”

“Y/n you need to-”

“Take me to yours.”

Hoseok who was reaching out for you immediately stopped. “What?”

“Aren’t you the one who says sleeping with someone has nothing to do with emotions. If it has nothing to do with emotions, then it has nothing to do with relationships either. So nothing between us that’s there - or not there - is going change.”

“Do you have any idea what you are saying?” His voice was soft, barely audible.

“Yes.” You stood upright, confidently. “Why, don’t you?”

“No.” Hoseok shook his head carefully. “No, I don’t get it.”

“I am asking you for something. Something I want and something I know you do too.” You walked up to him as close as you could get, tip toeing, whispering into his ear, something you wanted to be your little secret.

“Sleep with me Hoseok.”

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