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americanopouroverplease · 3 years

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A Rose By Any Other Name - Chapter One

Pairing: Kim Namjoon X Reader

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fluff, Friends to Lovers

Word Count: 3,668

Potential warnings: lots of sarcasm, friends taunting and sarcastically teasing each other.

Please note! This story is in no way an accurate representation of any divination field. Phyllorhodomancy (divination via roses) especially is misrepresented in this chapter.

“Alright, let’s try this again.” You did your best to sound anything but exhausted, but the pile of crushed roses and scattered petals all around your studio apartment just seemed like it was all too much at this moment after four hours of failed attempts. Your practical application partner was just as, if not more spent than you were.

“We could just call it a night, Y/N. It’s getting pretty late and I think your roses are pretty mad at you right now.” Namjoon’s voice was clear, not too deep and not too high, so when he spoke your plants actually leaned into and toward the soft velvety intonations when he was thoughtful and turned to find the source of his excited little sounds anytime he saw a picture of a crab. This was positively endearing, but had absolutely zero impact on the failing grade each of you would get if he wasn’t able to competently divine at least something out of at least one plant. Roses were your last ditch effort after the two of you raided your entire stash of herbs, cuttings, plants, and shrubs. This was all you had left.

“The test is in twelve hours, we don’t have any other option.” You glanced down, refusing to acknowledge the mass casualty of your precious roses in order to look at his palms. The latest rose he used had provided nothing with its death, simply wilting and fluttering to the floor in order to join its companions. As for your partner, his skin was stained pink in some spots, red in others as he had nearly exhausted your supply of blooms. The last bush you had on hand trembled in fear, white petals shaking as you frowned and held back your tears at the thought. You had spent a great deal of time planting, nurturing, and growing your botanical friends.

“What if we tried something else?” You suggested, fingers tracing along the life line of his right palm. You were an herbalist and a green witch down to your molecular level. He, on the other hand, still didn’t know after years of attending the same classes. He came from a bloodline much older, and much more prestigious than yours so neither of you understood why he was so clumsy and inefficient with his powers.

“Like?” If you’d taken the time to look up you would have noticed the blush heating Namjoon’s cheeks as your fingers tickled along his palm and over his fingers. You didn’t, though, and he was safe a little longer from the tumultuous clash of feelings and desires surging through him each time the two of you occupied the same space. “I still think divination isn’t applicable to my abilities.”

“Right, just like dowsing, hexing, charming, conjuring, casting, healing, cursing, or manifesting?” The list you rattled off was hardly comprehensive, and didn’t even cover more than a few paths of magic available to those who harnessed it. You just had better things to do than stand here for the next few hours and make an itemized catalogue.

“What do you suggest?” Namjoon knew better than to argue with you after he sacrificed nearly every rose you had in a failed attempt to grasp the energies and manifestations at hand. He was, after all, the one who came to you for help in passing this portion of Divinary Applications.

“Pluck a rose, remember to ask and be granted permission, then thank it for the gift you are about to receive.” You began, breathing in deeply so that you could ground yourself in preparation for what you were about to do.

“Y/N I doubt any of your roses are willing sacrifices.” Namjoon hesitated, causing you to glance toward your last bush. Immediately you came forward to gently cup each flower in turn and croon words of love, comfort, and apology. You took the time to assure them that much like their fallen comrades, you would use them to make tinctures, healing salves, and other applications so their loss would never be in vain.

“Silly of you to assume that these roses aren’t braver than any man.” You chided the idea so gently as you stepped back and away. “Try now.” Unwilling to watch as he chose, you closed your eyes and began to breathe deeply once more, rooting yourself in preparation. Heat began to build, currents of energy swirling in gentle curls around your form as you took the time to direct your power over toward the bloom in Namjoon’s hand.

Patience came readily to you, an easy skill that felt just as simple as breathing. You could feel his attempt at divination as he breathed over the petals, fingers tracing along the edge of each petal as delicately as he could manage. Whatever he whispered to your doomed blossom was for the two of them to know. Once he took that initial plunge, you could feel when he reached for the well of power he held for himself, it was also apparent his energy was too heavy and too indelicate to gain the insight he was looking for.

Just before his palms clapped together you let your own energy release, directing your intent toward the rose just in time for the warmth to cocoon the fragile petals and urge them to release the knowledge Namjoon sought to gain. While he may consider this cheating, you were more than willing to argue this would save the rest of your poor flowers. Regardless of who would win that argument, both of you saw the gentle burst of energy that drifted and drew upward in a plume of release. Now, after countless attempts, Namjoon’s face and shoulders relaxed as he was able to achieve some measure of success. Half the petals drifted slowly to the ground, arranged neatly into curled pieces intertwined. The rest of the petals either clung to his hands or hovered in the air between his palms.

“There, you just need to cushion your bloom and watch it thrive.” You murmured, unwilling to break the moment as you watched one of your best friends light up with achievement. He took his time, staring at the petals both on his skin and in the air before he took a deep, shuddering breath, and then looked toward you with pure delight.

“What does it say?” The eager tone in his voice was charming as he turned his palms outward to show you. For the moment, you decided to let his complete lapse in memory slide. He was your partner, after all, the two of you had sat together for every class and he took better notes than you did.

“I don’t know Joon, why don’t you tell me?” The opportunity to tease him wasn’t exactly rare, but he was usually the better student of the two of you. It wasn’t his fault divination ran in your bloodlines on both sides.

“It says I’m going to fail applications if you don’t explain it to me.” Namjoon insisted, his expression deadpan as he stared straight into your eyes. If you didn’t know him any better you would assume he was frustrated with you. Thankfully you simply cupped his hands in yours and peered down at his palms.

“We’ve been studying theory for weeks now, Joon. Have you forgotten everything?” You murmured, lost in thought as you contemplated the furls and wisps of petals clinging to his skin. You could feel his breath fanning over your hair, and brushed the feeling aside as necessary due to proximity. You did your best to ignore how it made you shiver.

“I forget everything when I’m around you.” His voice was soft, melodic now. A gentle rasp that caught you off guard enough to glance upward. Your eyes met, and then your fingers tightened around his hands as you drew in a short breath.

“What?” If Namjoon was a good man he would ignore the wobble and catch in your voice. How were you supposed to react to his face so magnificently close to yours? His eyes were wide, warm and focused on your face as his lips curled into a welcoming smile.

“Nothing, Y/N. You just have a very strong aura.” He teased, his nose scrunching up as he pointedly redirected his gaze to your joined palms.

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3 Months Prior

“Stop laughing, it’s distracting.” You pressed your lips together as firmly as possible, doing your best to hold back a snort as Namjoon’s finger traced along the center of your palm. He held your hand tightly in his, with his head bent down so low you wondered if he wasn’t giving himself a back ache.

“You know, it’s not this complicated.” You murmured, endeared by the sight of your best friend hunched over and squinting at your life line as if it were the only thing that mattered in the universe. “The chart is on the table right next to us.”

“The premise is that we shouldn’t need the chart.” He insisted, his voice a little deeper than usual with what you assumed was frustration. “We aren’t like those internet bloggers.”

“Oh? You mean we’re supposed to just know like some mystical clairvoyant?” You pestered him, waggling the fingers of your free hand around his head just long enough that he lifted his other in an attempt to swat you away.

“Yes, that is exactly what we’re supposed to be.” He insisted, not even sparing you a glance as he frowned so deeply you began to worry his face would permanently crease with worry lines.

Enough was enough. You gently tugged your hand free, and then pushed the paper in front of your friend. He was taking this class far too seriously. Not only was this an introductory level but he wasn’t even classed as an oracle of any kind. Why he decided to sign up in the first place was a mystery to you, and you definitely were a seer. Whatever he wanted to gain from this class, it certainly wouldn’t be palmistry.

“Look at the chart, fake it until you make it so you can get a good grade.” You insisted kindly, smiling as Namjoon looked up at you with an expression that belied just how morose he was over his failure. “Besides, this is just the first week of class. There are hundreds of different kinds of divination. If it means that much to you I’ll help you find one that works for you.”

The smile that built and spread across the planes of his face was the only reward you could ever ask for as he heard your offer. Namjoon was clumsy, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, an absolute nerd, and completely clueless when it came to reading the room sometimes but he was your best friend for almost five years now. If he suddenly wanted to abandon the advanced alchemical degree he’d graduated from high school two years early just to get into, who were you to deny him the support he needed?

If only either of you realized the long, winding, and excessively arduous road this put you on.

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Scrying

It was now, after the fifth time you checked your watch, three-and-a-half hours of watching Namjoon stare blankly at a bowl of placid water. Even with the addition of a little ink nothing appeared to happen. When the first hour passed you naively assumed that the two of you could choose from any of a countless array of divination options. Yet here you were, your phone at 4 percent while you texted your roommate in a desperate plea for snacks and the charger for your phone.

Astrolo-Bitch: You can’t pay me enough to cross campus. I’m in my jammies.

I’ll buy you that disgusting ‘coffee’ you like : Radical_Botanical

Astrolo-Bitch: JAMMIES.

Just wear a coat, no one will notice or care : Radical_Botanical

Astrolo-Bitch: I change for no man.

I have a vagina??? : Radical_Botanical

Astrolo-Bitch: Joke’s on you bitch, I bought one off Amazon.

Karma? Is this karma calling from a past life? : Radical_Botanical

Astrolo-Bitch: IDK, my bff Rose?

Who TF showed you that cursed video? : Radical_Botanical

Astrolo-Bitch: A bitch never reveals their secrets.

My phone is about to DIE. -I- am about to DIE : Radical_Botanical

Astrolo-Bitch: Coffee and that cupcake I like.

Are you kidding me that cake is eight dollars? It isn’t even cake?! : Radical_Botanical

Astrolo-Bitch: Do you agree to the terms of our contract?

Do I look like I’m made out of money spells to you? : Radical_Botanical

Astrolo-Bitch: How’s that phone battery treating you?

Hexes are spicy blessings, bring my phone bls T_T : Radical_Botanical

The sad, forlorn little chirp escaping your phone’s speaker was the only distraction you had left until your roommate eventually burst into the campus library wearing an obnoxiously fuzzy, neon yellow onesie with fuschia stripes. This was customary for your second closest friend. The pants were tucked haphazardly into thick boots that absolutely did not match the painfully colorful ensemble and you wondered, not for the first time, if this pajama set was not the result of some sort of lost bet.

“Delivery!” Each step your diminutive roommate took was loud, purposely dropping each foot harder onto the hardwood of the university library than any body had a right to be. The look of pure mischief did not surprise you, though it also did nothing to save you from the embarrassment of the whole situation either. “I brought the condoms you asked for!” Shaking a plain white bag gleefully, and then slapping it down onto the table with enough force to make the bowl wobble, Jimin then took it upon himself to fall gracefully into the only empty seat left.

“Crack? Is it crack you smoke?” You didn’t have it in you to be disgruntled with the chaos witch’s actions anymore. After your first year of living together most of what he did stopped surprising you. For all that Jimin was absolutely wild, shameless, and seductive...He was also exceptionally loyal, exceedingly caring, and more thoughtful than you ever thought he could be. You simply enlarged your vocabulary to include the same taunts and jibes he threw at you as terms of endearment.

“Of course not. I only use the finest kava and mugwort.” Jimin sniffed daintily, sitting up with raised eyebrows as he pushed the bag toward you.

“As lovely as it is to see you again, Jimin, this is very distracting.” Namjoon sounded strained, yet polite as he sat back from the bowl with thinly veiled disappointment. Whether that was due to the interruption of his attempts or the fact that Jimin was now here, remained to be seen.

“Don’t worry, I only stopped by to feed and water my roommate. She’s wasting away here watching you wait for the water to evaporate.” Jimin shifted, hovering over his own chair just so he could reach forward and pinch Namjoon’s cheek. “I brought lunch for you too, because I’m nice and clearly don’t have any ulterior motives such as convincing you to set me up with that extremely buff and soft looking bunny man in your ancestral rites class.”

Jimin’s fascination with Namjoon’s classmate wasn’t even news to you, having watched your roommate watch him for so long. Your friend, on the other hand, never really got the chance to realize there was a budding crush developing near him. His eyes widened, and then a furrow etched itself into his brow.

“Jungkook?” This was definitely a question, but it was also more information than Jimin had available to him. Funny how the energy fields on campus made internet and social media absolutely useless most of the time. Unless you were a skilled telepath it was rather unlikely to gain knowledge or insight on other students without coming up to them and asking. Most magicians on campus, as some unwritten social rule, were not going to risk showing any curiosity or vulnerability.

“Jungkook!” Jimin sounded ready to expire in his chair, his exclamation loud enough to attract several students scattered throughout the library for a second time in less than ten minutes. Your table received multiple glares and more than one hasty shush. “His name is Jungkook! Do you know when and where he was born? I want to do his birth chart if you know what I mean!”

Jimin waggled his eyebrows, all while draping himself across the table next to the scrying bowl as he stared up at Namjoon who looked so utterly confused you almost pitied him. Engaging in the conversation at this point didn’t really offer any benefits, so you turned your attention toward the bag that held your charger.

“I actually don’t.” Namjoon shifted in his seat, blinking over at Jimin as you rusled through the selection of food. You pulled out two apples, cartons of banana milk, a couple of different sandwiches, as well as a large bag of chips and what appeared to be a half-eaten bag of some type of bar mix. “My main focus has been alchemy.”

“Birth chart, I want to DO his birth chart.” Jimin added an even heavier emphasis as he continued to sprawl languorously a little too close to the food for your comfort. “I’d rather do Jungkook but I will settle for even the barest hint of an ascendant or north node, ya know?” In fact, you knew all too well because Jimin’s favorite topic of conversation so far this semester had been Jungkook, Jungkook’s magnificent abs, and Jungkook’s starry eyes.

“I thought you were saving yourself for your twin flame.” You said flippantly, ripping open the bag of chips while purposely neglecting the perfectly nutritious apple offering you health and vitality.

“Twin Flames aren’t what most people think they are.” Jimin responded almost absently. “That’s more of a soul bond where you both have issues and need to get over yourselves together but apart.” This, much like many of the things Jimin learned in his course studies, made absolutely no sense to you. Then again, he was an astrologist with a heavy bent toward celestial mediumship. Just about everything he said was a foreign language to your botanical ears.

“As pleasant as this conversation is, I really need to figure out what I’m doing wrong here.” Namjoon smiled, glancing between you and your roommate as he reached for a sandwich. “Sorry to interrupt.” You internally cooed at his politeness, feeling it was entirely unnecessary since he had witnessed countless situations where you and Jimin threw all caution, and manners, to the wind.

“Try placing your hands on the bowl and using it as a catalyst to feed the water a little bit of your magic.” You suggested, far more interested in the seemingly bottomless chip bag than what would most likely be another hour or so of watching nothing. “Is this bag of chips like Mary Poppins?” You shook the junk food in Jimin’s general direction as he spread out and made himself comfortable along the table even further.

“Does that bag of chips look like a Victorian nanny with a singing fetish?” Jimin queried, his eyes shifting toward Namjoon as the older male cupped the bowl with his hands.

“You meant what I knew, nerd.” The banter between the two of you would always run fairly uninterrupted. Besides, it gave you both something to do instead of staring at Namjoon staring at the water.

“Of course not all-” Jimin’s less than witty retort was cut off abruptly when the water vessel began to glow, the liquid inside taking on a bright sheen. For a blissful, serene second all three of you imagined a world where Namjoon was successful in his attempt. Then, like all good things, this delusion ended with a sharp, percussive little explosion right next to Jimin’s head.

Thankfully the entire library was heavily warded for instances exactly like these. Jimin was fast enough to roll away and off the table when the bowl showed its first sign of cracking. Unfortunately, this was not enough to escape all harm, but the injuries could have been much worse than the bruise on his cheek and small cut crossing his right eyebrow.

The library itself took care of the rest, absorbing the impact as students throughout the open hall ducked below tables and chairs. Namjoon acted just as quickly, reaching forward and grasping your wrist before pulling you down and twisting the both of you in one swift smooth movement. One moment you were staring in wide eyed fascination and the next you were not only cushioned from the impact of the floor by Namjoon’s sturdy body but also covered by it when he rolled both your bodies beneath the table.

Beneath the shrouded shadows of the tablecloth you felt closed off from the world, from your peers and the mess of ‘divination’ scattered about the floors. You found yourself far more comfortable with the idle thought of just you and Namjoon with or without the world. His hands gripped your sides, and you allowed yourself to patently enjoy the sensation of his larger body covering and warming yours. This felt intimate, safe, and cozy.

“I guess we should try something else now, huh?” Namjoon’s smile was winsome, apologetic, but eager all at the same time. How could you deny him?

“Sure Joon, but maybe we should clean up and eat first? I think you owe Jimin a coffee for all you just put him through.” You smiled up at your friend prettily, batting your eyelashes as you did your best to convince him to buy the bribe you offered.

“Is there even any coffee in it? You let out a bark of laughter, relieved that Namjoon didn’t seem to feel too guilty about the mishap. Every student here knew the risks studying in open areas, accidents like these were bound to happen.

“Only one way to find out.” You replied. “Try it yourself. Order two.”

You could only imagine the horrified look on your friends face, but it was still worth it.

#Namjoon #Kim Namjoon #BTS #RM #Fanfic #Romance #Friends to Lovers #Magic #Divination

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americanopouroverplease · 3 years

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Sweat It Out: Chapter One

Seokjin X Reader

Word Count; 5,604

Potential Warnings: Blatantly poor use of French terminology, genuinely bad choice in nicknames, Seokjin making terrible dad jokes at the gym, scene stealing jungkook wearing muscle shirts & generally being an adorable muscle bun.

Thank you to @ksmuttherapy & @shadowsremedy for beta reading for me!

Please Note! -- Reader in this story is plus sized! As such, certain descriptors will be used and if this detracts from the story for you then I hope you are able to find something else that rocks your frock!

If pain had a soundtrack you were certain it would be the incessantly upbeat elevator music blaring through the speakers as you grunted and suffered your way through yet another sweat soaked set of heaving sumo squats. Your thighs were spread wide for all the wrong reasons as the lycra blend of your leggings were being stretched to their absolute limit. The grimace pulling at your lips was inherently reminiscent of the principal from Matilda and you were absolutely sure that in this very moment she was prettier than you.

“Dig deep! 10 more!” The trainer was already getting on your nerves with his ridiculous abs and insanely thick biceps. He was getting paid to stand off in the corner of the room while you wheezed and wailed like a dying animal. There wasn’t a single drop of sweat on his perfect skin while you groaned, dropping your weight low only to huff with the effort of lifting your substantial bulk upward once more. “Don’t let yourself down! You’re almost done!”

“How is this legal?” The screech escaped you before you could even think to stop yourself. Of course the only response your trainer gave was a low chuckle as he crossed his arms over that absurdly large chest of his.

“It’s legal because you pay him.” One of your fellow suffering souls offered as he too continued your joint endeavor in self inflicted torture. “Look at him, he feeds off this.”

“If you have time to complain you have time to do single leg lunges!” If you weren’t so preoccupied with the burning pain consuming your hamstrings and the complete lack of stamina you’ve built up over your years of working a desk job and eating cinnamon rolls you would fire off your best shots at the trainer. Instead, you settled for fantasizing about using your thighs to crush his big gym rat skull.

“Don’t listen to him.” Your agonized counterpart called out. “It’ll only make this worse in the long run.” In between each lunge you chanced a glance away from the trainer and over to your new partner in complaint. His cheeks were full, but his lips were even more generous as he pursed and let out huge puffs of agonized breath. He didn’t seem to be out of shape at all, which made you hesitate in appreciating his finer attributes. The muscles filling out his sweat-soaked t-shirt were clearly defined, but what really took your breath away (besides all these squats and lunges) was the fact that his shoulders would obviously enter any room before the rest of him did. Was he even real? Or were you just swept up in an endorphin and exercise fueled haze of fantasy?

“3...2...1!” The trainer’s voice pulled you out of your thoughts only to force you to realize that this entire time you’d been staring at the broad shouldered giant flexing his thighs almost directly in front of you. If your face wasn’t already beet red from exercise the mortification and sheer embarrassment would do it for you. “That’s time!”

You ran your own business, you were strong and independent. You sank down to the floor, sprawled out, and shut your eyes as you pretended to catch your breath in an attempt to avoid making any potential eye contact with the currently sweaty, also currently gorgeous and far too athletic man for your own good. You were a smart woman who knew how to pick and choose her own battles.

“I regret everything.” The wheezing prattle sounded just beside you, surprising enough to be the perfect catalyst in opening your eyes. “I blame myself. I can’t stop eating, food is an addiction and there is no cure.” Shoulders was flopped on the floor right next to you in all your sticky, sweaty, stinky glory. He didn’t seem phased by your appearance in the least.

“You should regret everything, hyung. How did you eat seven lobsters anyway?” The trainer, at some point, moved to join the two of you on the floor. “I thought you were going to make yourself sick.”

“You know each other?” You were sitting up now, curiosity flaring as you shifted around and began to stretch. Truth be told, you hated every aspect of stretching, but if you didn’t the muscle ache would be that much worse tomorrow.

“We’re related.” Your trainer smiled, big bunny teeth on display as he watched you push yourself forward and reach toward your toes. “That’s a great stretch, you can also lay flat, then draw one leg up toward your chest and rock. It’s really good for your back and spine.”

“Cousins, and how do you even have the energy to move right now?” The breathtaking man was still pressed to the floor, cheeks puffed out as his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. “Jungkook if I weren’t already dead I would kill you for this.”

“You’ll thank me when you’re old and don’t have type 2 diabetes.” Jungkook grinned, “Y/N, the lump on the floor is my cousin, Jin. I’m currently trying to save him from himself.”

“This face will still be handsome even if it has diabetes.” Jin retorted, then dragged himself up from the floor just enough to face you with a smile. “I’m worldwide handsome, but I do answer to Seokjin.” He lifted his hand, only to blow you a kiss and wink. What were you supposed to say to that?

“I see.” Was he used to people staring at him? He didn’t seem surprised or offended when you openly admired his body. He couldn’t be a model if he routinely ate as much as Jungkook implied. The only thought that sprang up from this conclusion was a lurid amount of jealousy over his apparent metabolism. “I’m Y/N. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hyung! She didn’t even blush!” Jungkook wasn’t rolling on the floor with laughter but he was obviously amused by your lack of reaction to Jin’s flirting. He had one hand clasped on his cousin’s shoulder as he leaned exceptionally close to the man’s sweaty face.

“I only have two options now.” Jin responded with an air of solemnity. His eyes were hooded, expression far too serious for a gym floor as he shifted his weight closer to your form. “I’m going to give you my greatest joke, and if that doesn’t work I’m going to beg you to let me take you out on a date.”

“Excuse me?” You felt stunned, not only because the subject matter seemed so scattered but had this man actually just casually asked you out after seeing you at your worst? It was 7 pm on a Wednesday night just after you spent the past forty-five minutes heaving your weight back and forth in an attempt to convince your metabolism to decide it was finally okay for you to go from a generous 2X to a reasonable medium or large size pant.

“What do runners eat before a sprint?” You blinked once, twice, and then realized he actually expected you to give him an answer. When your glance shifted toward Jungkook the overgrown muscle simply shrugged his shoulders and grinned.

“If I say that I don’t know, can we move on?” You pressed gently, not wanting to be rude, but also feeling a little out of your depth. You were well aware that your body type was not considered conventionally attractive. It felt suspicious to have the seemingly undivided attention of someone who could snag any woman or man he wanted with his looks alone. No one flirted with you unless they had a fat fetish, and you always steered clear of those types.

“Nothing, they fast!” The joke was terrible, but the laughter that followed was even worse. You could only describe the sound escaping Jin’s throat as something eerily similar to windshield wipers scraping along the glass. It took a full minute of you staring at him with wide eyes for the laughter to subside.

“She didn’t laugh hyung.” Jungkook was still grinning wide, leaving the rest of Jin’s previous declaration unspoken.

“Do I need to beg, Y/N?” Instantly all signs of humor were gone; replaced by soulful eyes fixed directly upon your face. Jin shifted and knelt in front of you, his palms pressed together as he appeared to be carefully hopeful. “I will.”

“For what?” You hedged, feeling confused at best, and uncomfortable at worst. You had signed up for this exercise class in order to try and lose weight, to build up your confidence. Nowhere in the gym agreement was there a clause including fit men who seemed out of your league flirting with you and asking you out on dates you weren’t ready for. Was he serious?

“Please, Y/N, will you let me take you out for a nice dinner and delightful conversation?”

“Where and when?” As entertaining as it felt to watch a man kneel and beg for your time and attention there was no helping the wariness you felt. Prior experience was a masterful teacher and you weren’t interested in being the butt of anyone’s joke.

“I wouldn’t dream of making your decisions for you.” Jin readily replied, his cheeks full and round as he smiled widely. “I’ll let you choose, anything you want.”

“Anything?” You sounded skeptical, and didn’t bother trying to hide it as you crossed your arms beneath your breasts and stared at the man before you. He nodded, almost eagerly.

“Any restaurant you want, I promise I’ll find something I like to eat. Food is a passion of mine.” You heard Jungkook snort beside you, but chose to ignore him in favor of coming up with the most expensive restaurant you could think of.

“Fine. Take me to Le lapin blanc.” You didn’t feel nearly as calm and collected as you sounded, but he didn’t need to know that. All he needed to know was that he had to shell out serious money to prove his interest.

“Perfect, does tomorrow work for you?” Shock registered, and then disbelief. Le lapin blanc was the most expensive and exclusive restaurant in town. There was no getting into the building without a reservation, and you couldn’t just get one overnight.

“If you can get us in, sure.” You agreed, immediately convinced this was all a joke and you would be canceling your gym membership by the end of the week.

“Perfect, would you like me to pick you up at seven?” He had to play the part until the end, you supposed. With a quick nod, you assumed the conversation would be over and moved to push yourself up from the floor. “Y/N, do you happen to have your phone with you?” That question caught you off guard.

“Yes, why?”

“I’d like to give you my phone number so that I can contact you.” Jin responded affably. “How else will I find out where to pick you up?” Ah. Right. With a little bit of reluctance you fished your cell phone from your pocket and handed the device to him. He smiled once more, patiently waiting for you to unlock it before pulling up your contact list and adding himself to it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then.” You took your phone back once he was done, then gave him a grin of your own. “I don’t split the bill, you’re paying.” Jungkook’s snort was no more elegant than the first upon hearing this and the chortle that followed actually came from Jin.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way, beautiful.”

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You finished work at four the next day, which left you with entirely too much time on your hands when it came to getting ready for this date. What should you wear to an expensive restaurant that had napkins that could cost more than your net worth? You decided to go with one of your favorite thrift store finds that fit tightly beneath your breasts and flared out further down your stomach. A girl’s best friend was always a nice empire waistline...Unless it made her look pregnant.

The cap sleeves looked almost demure, which you appreciated since it was the middle of summer and you were not about to suffocate stuffed into a dress with full length sleeves or a high neckline. Makeup wasn’t minimal, but you also didn’t waste any time lining your eyes when all that would do for you was make you look like an actual trash panda once ten pm rolled around. Instead, you focused on your hair and took the time to style it and smooth out any stray ends or hairs.

The chime of your text tone echoed from your living room, drawing you away from fiddling any further with the upswept style of your hair.

Did he really send you a picture of himself with a cut out heart? What sort of man was this? When Jin asked you out the night before all you felt was suspicion. Now you were convinced he was simply missing at least sixteen of the screws required for his mental clarity to function. You neglected to respond to his text, and elected to grab your purse before locking the door to your apartment behind you.

Were you waiting for him outside? Yes. If you were fair to yourself, which you always strove to be; being early was on time and being on time was considering yourself late. You weren’t looking forward to this dinner, sitting across a table of refined food from a man who was so good looking you felt just a little bit stupid. No, you were just being punctual. Right?

Then again, Jin might not show up at all, even if he did send you that ridiculous text message assuring you that he was already on his way. Assuming that he wouldn’t, you could give it another ten minutes before you went back inside, changed into your favorite pajamas, and settled in for a nice long night of playing Stardew Valley.

Unfortunately all your bucolic hopes and 8-bit dreams were dashed as soon as you saw the cherry red convertible pulling up to your lot. Of course, by this point in your evening you shouldn’t have been surprised that the exceedingly symmetrical Disney prince look-alike also had an expensive car. If he wasn’t even phased by the idea of shelling out for ‘the aesthetic’ it made sense that he would also like to drive fast and live rich.

“Y/N!” The vehicle rolled to a stop, idling as its driver made a quick leap from the front seat just to sweep you up in long arms. You felt the ground disappear from beneath your feet and questioned reality as you gripped broad shoulders so tightly your knuckles turned white. The world spun around you slowly, not fast enough to make you dizzy but noticeable to the point that you didn’t know how you felt about being picked up in the first place.

“Jin, it’s nice to see you again.” You smiled, surprised to realize just how happy you were he did take the time to show up. If nothing else he hadn’t stood you up, and he was so very fun to look at that all you wanted to do was indulge yourself for one night. Especially if that singular night meant ritzy food that you couldn’t actually pronounce on your own.

“You mean it’s wonderful, stunning, amazing, and spectacular to see me again? That’s how I feel about seeing you.” His hands were still settled against your waist, but they were oh so gentle as he set your feet back on the ground. “I was thinking about you all day.”

“That sounds exhausting.” You teased, drawn in by the easy humor he still displayed even after your repeated attempts at dissuading him from showing any interest.

“Not at all, I find every thought of you to be invigorating.” Jin replied sweetly, his soft lips pressed flush to your rounded cheek before he led you straight toward the convertible. “It isn’t every day that I get a chance to see a woman’s thighs in action without being called a pervert.” The joke should have fallen flat, but it didn’t. You were caught off guard as you settled back into the seat and reached for the seatbelt.

“You must have a great poker face if you’re a pervert.” That earned you nothing more than a good natured snort as he pulled away from your apartment complex. The drive itself was short, barely taking more than ten minutes. Altogether, he tried to hold your hand no less than six times. Once the convertible finally pulled into the parking garage you managed to successfully evade his grasping fingers for no reason other than the exasperated and melodramatic wails that filtered past his full lips.

“You’re a heartless woman, Y/N! How can you say no to this face?” The door was already shut behind Jin, and before you could even begin to unbuckle your seatbelt the door to the passenger side was open while your suitor took the time to free you from his vehicle. You found yourself a mere breath away from his face and suddenly realized why every single romance novel was exactly as cheesy as it was.

“Impress me enough and I won’t say no.” You whispered, eyes wide and fixed upon the chocolate and nutmeg brown irises that threatened to overwhelm you. Temptation washed over you, begging you to let your eyes drift downward toward the plump lips curving upward into a knowing smile. Instead, you pulled away and began that short walk toward the seating area.

“Is that a challenge, butterbean?”

“What sort of nickname is that?” You asked, absolutely appalled by the concept of being a butter bean, much less any one specific person’s butter bean.

“My pet name. For you, so long as you’ll let me have it.” Jin purred, his large palm pressing gently and warmly against your lower back as he maneuvered you through the slowly gathering crowd of the early evening diners. If he noticed the shiver his touch sent down your spine he chose not to mention it.

You chose to say nothing as the waitress led you toward a table at the far end of the highest floor. The further you followed the more you questioned just how Jin was able to get this type of reservation on such short notice. The entire restaurant was usually booked out months in advance, and the most exclusive of tables were on the top two floors. By the time you realized you were going -above- the top floor and out onto the roof you felt speechless.

“Right this way, if you please.” The waitress spoke with a heavy accent, one arm out swept toward an enclosed pavilion that reminded you more of a greenhouse than anything else. Fairy lights were strung across the ceiling in a rambling sort of pattern that draped gracefully around the countless flowers filling the room. There was a walkway, but it was surrounded by flowing water with only one bridge that could lead you over the threshold.

“Jin. How?” You were too busy admiring the lush atmosphere, the live quartet playing soft music in the far corner, the sound of the fountain as it burbled and pushed the water through the avenues threaded through the walkway and flowers. The lights, the scents, everything was just this side of too much decadence and opulence. It was perfect.

“Would you believe me if I said I have a few connections?” Jin asked with raised eyebrows. Eventually a table was revealed toward the center of what appeared to be a man made island in a glittering lagoon.

“Well, tell me how to make these connections because this is the manner in which I wish to become accustomed.” You joked, eyes focused on the riot of Peruvian Lilies heaped upon one plate. It came as no surprise when Jin led you directly to the side of the table with the flowers, then proceeded to assist you in sitting down.

“It was all sheer dumb luck, my sweet and precious butter bean.” Your eyelid twitched at the terrible name, but you refused to let it ruin what was otherwise a magnificent night. This restaurant was gorgeous, and you felt like a princess transported into a new and far away realm. The only thing that could make this better would be unlimited dessert. Did Jin have enough money to get you unlimited dessert?

“Would you like to start with a Château Margaux this evening?” The waitress was, apparently, not a waitress for she had all but disappeared and in her place was a seemingly young, also seemingly condescending man who held a bottle of wine over his arm as if it were the most dazzling thing to ever display.

“I suppose that would be fine, Marcus. What else would you suggest?” Jin didn’t sound haughty, necessarily, but he did appear to be a little less concerned with the menu and more interested in staring into your eyes. A point that you promptly avoided by burying your own face in the menu full of letters and words you didn’t quite understand.

“I wouldn’t dare dream of making recommendations to you, Sir.” The bottle of Margaux bobbled, ever so slightly. Jin let out a small, almost imperceptible sigh.

“We’ll have the Pauillac, Château Mouton Rothschild.” Jin replied, his gaze still fixed upon your face as the original bottle vanished, only to be replaced nearly as quickly by the desired red.

“Is the 2005 alright, Sir?” This was met with a nod while Jin’s long fingers slowly but surely wrapped around your own. His smile was for you, though he didn’t completely ignore the man.

“Yes, that will be fine. Pre-fix menu, tonight?” A subtle negative shake of the head, and then a notepad was produced. “Butterbean, my darling, what would you like to have for dinner?”

“If you insist on calling me butterbean it might just be your balls.” You simpered sweetly, smile entirely saccharine as you squeezed his hand as hard as you could. The resulting wince was delicate, though the wink he sent your way was playful.

“It’s an absolute relief to know you aren’t a vegetarian.” His fingers flexed slightly once you released them before he picked up the menu once more.

“Well, I could always eschew meat to spite you.” This suggestion was met with the exact amount of warmth and eagerness you expected. None. The menus were flung to one side of the table as you found your hands clasped in Jin’s fingers once again.

“Butterbean, darling! My wonderful, beautiful, incandescent paragon of virtue!” Your eyes widened slowly but surely with every additional adjective piled onto his sentence. “Don’t break my heart! You’re too great a woman to do such a thing!” By the end of his plea your fingers were intertwined with his and his grasp was so firm that there was no escape.

“We’ll have my usual.” Jin didn’t bother tearing his eyes away from your face, which was almost intimidating even as the waiter cleared the menus from the table. Your erstwhile suitor took this chance to drag his chair closer to yours. Now, instead of sitting across from this broad shouldered adonis, there was barely any space between the two of you. “This is much better, don’t you agree my bean?”

“I will pay you real, actually money to stop calling me that.” You let out between grit teeth. Contrary to your own expectations this man was getting under your skin in the best possible way. He was charming, goofy in a gregarious sort of way that put you at an amused disadvantage.

“You couldn’t pay me enough. Ever.” He hadn’t let go of your hands yet, and merely leaned closer so he could press his face close to yours before performing an exaggerated imitation of a wink. You could feel the echo in your chest as your heart fluttered. Soft was beginning to become an understatement when it came to how you felt about this man. Was that even possible?

“You would force me to resort to blackmail?” Your lips turned downward, plumped into a pout as you failed to extract yourself from his warm grasp.

“I wouldn’t dare to force you into anything.” Seokjin began proudly, his voice carrying as he straightened in his seat. “I am not above letting you ask me to force you though.” Your fingers flexed then, breath catching in your throat at the implication.

“You couldn’t ask me what my favorite color is first?” You did your best to cover your response, though it was hard to tell if Jin was observant enough to catch your behavior.

“I could ask you while you’re breathless and panting beneath me.” The offer came at the exact same time as your appetizers, which caused a distinct flush to warm your cheeks as the waiter set down two plates and multiple dishes. Wine was poured while your eyes drifted firmly to the table in front of you. None of this stopped you from feeling how direct and heated your date’s gaze was as he kept one hand cradled around yours.

“That was blunt.” In all your years of living there wasn’t a single memory of any man wining, dining, and propositioning you so openly and with so much confidence. Then again, there wasn’t any point in which someone as handsome as Seokjin showed any interest in you either. History and experience was enough to tell you this wasn’t adding up.

“You’ve seen me at my worst, bean. I can hardly look any worse so I feel my odds are pretty high for success.” Your hand suddenly felt cold as he plucked his knife up from the table and began buttering some bread. “I know exactly what I want from you. The question is, do you want anything from me?”

You took your time considering this query. The table was filled with various food, most of which looked as if it wouldn’t fit into your calorie count for the day so you reached for the wine glass in front of your plate instead.

“I hardly know you, I doubt I really know what you have to offer in the first-” You paused, eyes widened as you watched your date place little bits of each appetizer on your plate before he ever put a single piece of food on his.

“Yes, my darling butter bean?” Jin’s eyes were wide, nearly sparkling as he smiled at you with all the charm and charisma of a seasoned politician. If he noticed your confusion he didn’t mention it.

“Why did you put food on my plate?” Mortification set in quickly, your hands clasped in your lap beneath the table as you internally questioned every life choice you ever made. Was it just Jin that caused you to ask stupid questions? Or was it the atmosphere?

“It gives me pleasure to do so.” His response was entirely effortless, his attention focused on piling his plate just as high as yours before commencing with a truly astounding performance. His mouth didn’t seem all that big, but somehow he managed to take bites of food that were so large you worried he was intentionally choking himself. The noises that escaped him were an uneven mixture of pornographic and cute. Perhaps you didn’t need to feel embarrassed after all.

“Okay then.” You began to let yourself relax, hoping that tonight’s meal wouldn’t set your goals back too far. Besides, cheat meals were acceptable every now and then, weren’t they?

⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂

“I know it’s cliche but I had a wonderful evening.” Jin’s car was parked in the lot next to your apartment building, his shoulder pressed into the driver’s seat as he leaned further toward your space. “I’m hoping desperately that you’ll allow me to bask in your presence again.” His voice was quiet, gentle and burnished velvet as he nearly whispered.

“This might be a personal question.” You began your response, gaze directed toward your hands as your fingers grasped the seatbelt holding you in place.

“Anything, butter bean, I’ll tell you anything and everything.” His answer was immediate, decisive, and firm.

“Do you have to unhinge your jaw when you fit half a steak in your mouth all at once?” You asked your question, whispering this time so as not to break the hushed atmosphere yourself. He was being entirely too romantic for anyone’s good.

“How is that even personal?” Jin exclaimed, shattering what was once a peaceful and nearly intimate moment. The expression on his face was comical, mouth dropped open and eyes widened in shock as he sputtered. “This is worse than telling me you’re a vegetarian!”

“Oh hardly!” You soothed, grinning as you released the latch on your seatbelt before gathering your purse. “It’s a genuine question as to the mechanics of your jaw. This question is purely for scientific purposes.” You barely touched the door handle before Jin was out of the vehicle and making his way to your side of the car.

“Science, you say?” That soft tone was back, though it clearly carried an undertone of heat to it. “You know the best way to find out is through experience.” He held the door open, his free hand waiting for you to take with his palm held up.

“I’m not even wearing pants, how are you trying to get into them?” With your hand clasped in his, the two of you ambled slowly toward the entrance to your apartment building. You were surprised at how comfortable you felt in Jin’s presence, even if he did insist on calling you butter bean.

“Never underestimate the power of your beauty, Y/N.” Oh. This was unexpected. What were you supposed to say to that? Was this man even real? Obviously he was, but could you really believe what you were hearing and seeing?

Thankfully you were saved from responding by the front door of your apartment. The two of you lingered in front of the steps, the beginnings of an awkward silence beginning to build. One breath, two, and then you opened your mouth to speak.

“I had a great time too.” You mumbled, uncertain now that you were in entirely uncharted territory. You had been on dates before, but never really interested in going on another with the same person.

“Does that mean I can cook for you next time? Or should I resign myself to only being allowed to see you as we suffer the agonies of my cousin’s training programs?” Something akin to mortification settled in your chest at the idea of Seokjin seeing you sprawled out huffing and puffing with a shining, sweating face once more. You would have to switch your sessions if you wanted to maintain any sense of romance.

“Ah, I think I might actually switch my gym schedule.” You hesitated, frowning at the thought before you continued. “When’s a good time for you? For dinner, I mean.” Somehow you felt an absolute sense of shyness take over you. Coupled with the butterflies filling your chest the only explanation was an oncoming heart attack, right?

“And deny me the satisfaction of suffering with you?” Jin’s hand immediately clapped to his chest, fingers spread as he took on a truly legendary pout. This man should have been an actor. He was making it nearly impossible to deny him at this rate.

“Give me one good reason not to.” Your last ditch attempt at maintaining your distance was a good one, or so you thought while the two of you stood in the cool evening breeze. Your door was just a few steps away, your humble yet cozy apartment just beyond a few locks and stairs.

“Will this be good enough?” Jin’s face hovered barely more than a breath away from yours, chocolate eyes centered on your face as his hands traced up over your arms toward your shoulders. You’d barely opened your mouth to ask him what he meant by the time his plush lips made contact with yours.

At first, you didn’t know how to respond. The kiss itself was unexpected, then the soft sound building and releasing in his throat was even more surprising until you felt his fingers threading through the strands of your hair. After that you discovered this was not a one-sided activity. Your arms wound around his shoulders while your head slanted to one side so you could deepen the connection. It wasn’t until he pulled away that you realized both of you were out of breath.

“So, my precious butter bean, did I give you what you wanted?”

#Fanfic #Kim Seokjin #BTS #Reader X Seokjin #Jin

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