#but it still bothers me bc no matter how advanced you are you’ll never top a native | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

baepsaesbae · 3 years

Text

None of Your Business

Pairing— Jung Hoseok x reader

Genre— SMUT, enemies to lovers au, business/professional life au, slight angst, slight fluff, mutual pining bc im a slut for that

Warnings— inappropriate workplace behavior, explicit unprotected sex, face sitting, slight biting, one (1) butt slap, dirty talk, swearing, switch!Hoseok, Hoseok being a god damn nuisance, (also I’m not a business person so if you are and I state inaccurate/dumb things I apologize in advance)

Word Count— 8.9k

Summary— You have a shot at attaining a huge promotion at your company. The only problem standing in your way is the same one that annoyed you in college. Jung Hoseok. How will you manage to spend an entire weekend at a conference juggling impressing your supervisors while simultaneously battling Hoseok?

A/N— This super cool banner was made by the one and only @kimtaehyunq, thank you so much! Please let me know what you guys think. Feel free to leave a comment or send an ask!

The business world has always been mercilessly cutthroat; that’s one of the first things business students learn when they enter college. The competition to get an internship at a top company was fierce. Recruiting has to start at least a year in advance if you even want to give yourself a chance.

Luckily for you, you were the top student in your program. Well, one of the top students. Over the past four years, your position had been flip flopping with some surprisingly competent bonehead who annoyingly plagued your life.

“Excited to be graduating this semester, ___?” an all too familiar voice interrupted your studying.

“Excited to graduate as top of the class? Yes, of course,” you replied coldly.

“Top of the class? That’s a little presumptuous, don’t you think?” the handsome boy sat on your table.

“I think it’ll be pretty much set in stone after this last final,” you returned your attention to your notes.

“Well, even if you’re number one, I think experience matters a lot in this field,” the boy refused to leave you alone.

“Then it’s a good thing I did an internship with one of the top companies over the summer,” you glared at him.

“Oh yeah, how could I forget about the internship that you stole from me?” the boy pouted.

“I was obviously more qualified. And how could you say that when you stole my opportunity to go on a study abroad trip with my favorite professor last Spring Break? I’m still furious that he chose you over me solely because you were sleeping with his daughter,” you retorted.

“That was a coincidence! I don’t know how many times I need to tell you that,” he tried to defend himself.

“Whatever. Do me a favor and leave me alone, Hoseok. Hopefully today will be the last time I’ll ever see you.”

“That’s kind of sad to think about. Who else will get under my skin and annoy me every time they open their mouth?” Hoseok bantered, “Also, I told you to call me Hobi.”

“That would imply that we’re on friendly terms. I don’t like lying, Hoseok.”

“Fine. Good luck on that last final. See you around,” Hoseok hopped off the table and patted your head.

“Don’t touch me,” you grumbled as he walked away.

That was five years ago.

The company that you interned with gave you a job offer immediately after graduation. Quickly moving up through the ranks proved to be an easy feat since your tenacious nature made you the ideal employee.

You were currently waiting outside of the CEO’s office. Seconds felt like hours as you mindlessly bounced your leg. It was eerily silent, and all you could hear were the click clacks of the receptionist’s keyboard as she worked. You looked around at the bleak décor that was a sorry excuse for modernism as you racked your brain. Were you in trouble? Did something happen? You were summoned up for a meeting but had no clue what it was going to be about.

Once you were finally called in, you were greeted by both the CEO and VP of the company.

“___, please take a seat,” the CEO politely smiled, “As you know, I am getting old. I am unmarried, so therefore I have no one to oversee the company after I’m gone. The executive council and I have been looking for people to fill my shoes. Or at the very least, take a seat on the executive council if one of them were to take my place.”

“Your numbers have been exceptional this month,” the VP chimed in, “And every month prior. After much deliberation, your name has been cast into the lot.”

You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. Being a member of the executive council at your age was almost unheard of.

“There is one other candidate that has also been hand selected at the other branch. You both are to attend a conference in which you will mingle with executives from other companies. There will also be a time in which you will pitch an idea to me on how to make this company better,” the CEO continued when he saw your loss for words.

“First and foremost I would like to thank you for this opportunity. I will do my best to live up to your expectations,” you bowed to show your gratitude.

“Perfect. The conference is in two weeks. I believe that should give you ample time to prepare your presentation,” the VP shook your hand.

After shaking hands with the CEO, you turned to leave. However, something was nagging you.

“May I ask who the other candidate is?” you inquired.

“Jung Hoseok from the northern branch,” the VP answered without missing a beat.

“Ah,” your brain exploded.

“Do you know him?” the CEO asked.

“We went to college together. I know of him,” you said curtly.

“Well you’ll finally get your chance to meet him. I’ve heard he’s very popular with the ladies at his branch. That’s not pertinent to his skills; however, you can’t blame an old man for wanting to know the gossip of his own employees,” the old man chuckled.

“Of course,” you smiled politely as you excused yourself from the office.

Jung Hoseok? That douchebag? Just your luck to run into him again (to fight for the next step in your career no less!). You think back on all the run ins you had with him during your collegiate days. Nothing but irritating memories of the two of you competing for the top spot came to mind.

Whatever. It didn’t matter who the other candidate was. You had to get to work and come up with a brilliant plan that will impress the CEO. You brushed the thought of Hoseok aside. It had been a couple of years, maybe he wouldn’t even remember you. There’s no need to stress out over something so trivial.

The weekend of the conference had finally arrived. You were instructed to travel together with Hoseok. You waited alone at the airport terminal. If you were lucky, Hoseok wouldn’t show up at all. You weren’t.

“___!” Hoseok called out your name in a sing songy voice.

“Hello Hoseok. Glad to see you haven’t changed,” you were already irritated.

“How are you? It’s been so long. You look great!” he went in for a hug but you turned away.

He stood awkwardly with his arms in the air for a second until he bounced back. He took the seat next to you and began chatting. You answered his list of questions apathetically.

“Did I do something to offend you?” Hoseok finally asked.

“I just think it’s funny that even after all these years, I still have to compete with you,” you retorted.

“Still hung up on that? It doesn’t even matter anymore. We got good jobs and now we’re here. Together! Isn’t that cool?”

“No, not at all. Although I guess it will be nostalgic coming out on top once again,” you smirked.

“Your competitive nature always amused me. You’re so cute when you lose,” Hoseok teased.

“I never lost to you,” you gasped.

“That’s not what that one study abroad trip with Professor whatshisname says,” he cooed.

“Professor Namjoon! You knew he was my favorite, you prick. At least I graduated as top of the class with honors,” you argued.

“My GPA was off by thousandths of a point. That doesn’t really bother me. But I’m glad you have something that makes you happy,” Hoseok shrugged.

‘This is gonna be one long fucking weekend’, you thought.

The flight was short and pleasant since Hoseok left you alone. You wanted to see as little of him as possible during this trip. You intended to get that promotion no matter what.

After the plane landed, the two of you made your way to the hotel that was hosting the conference.

“Hi, last name ___ and Jung?” you smiled at the hotel concierge.

“Ah yes, you guys are here for the business conference?” the concierge asked.

“Indeed we are!” Hoseok chimed in from behind you.

“Alrighty, I got you guys all checked in. Enjoy your stay!” the concierge handed you a singular set of keys.

“Oh, I’m sorry, there must be a mistake. We’re in two separate rooms,” you politely tried to hand back the keys.

“The reservation is for a singular suite,” the concierge explained.

“Probably cheaper that way,” Hoseok reasoned while nodding.

Your fake smile faltered for a second. How the hell are you supposed to spend an entire weekend sharing a room with the most despicable person on the planet?

At least the hotel itself was grand. There was no way you’d ever be able to afford to stay in such a swanky place. The lobby was decorated with ornate marble pillars that were laced with gold trimmings. It even had a fancy fountain in the middle to greet incoming guests, which you thought was a bit overkill.

“Excited to sleep with me, princess?” Hoseok teased, obviously picking up on your annoyance.

“Fuck off. Stay the hell away from my bed and my things,” you spat.

“Who’s to say that you won’t be able to stay away from my bed?” he smirked.

“You wish,” you rolled your eyes as the elevator finally stopped on the top floor.

You led the way to your shared suite with Hoseok. The trip was exhausting; you couldn’t wait to take a nap on your large luxurious bed that was probably topped with Egyptian cotton (one can dream).

You immediately dropped your bags on the side of the room and flopped onto the bed, shutting your eyes.

“Interesting,” Hoseok said.

You ignored him.

“Very interesting,” he continued.

“What? What is so interesting?” you sat up and glared at him in frustration.

“Take a quick glance around the room,” he suggested.

Your heart sank, “No fucking way.”

You loved this trope in fanfics, but in real life? Fuck no, not with this asshole. Yes, there was only one luxurious king sized bed in the room.

“Well, looks like you're going to sleep on the floor,” you smiled sweetly at him.

“The bed is huge, we can definitely share,” Hoseok argued.

“I think the fuck not,” you dropped back onto the bed, “I’m sure you’ll whore your way into someone else’s bed each night anyway.”

“I don’t think I need to, not when I’m already sharing a bed with you,” he flirted.

“Bite me, Hoseok,” you sighed, not in the mood for a tit for tat.

“Are you into that? I’d happily oblige,” he responded as he sat on the other side of the bed.

“I’m afraid that’s confidential information that you are not privy to,” you huffed, turning away from him.

“Are you really going to make me sleep on the floor?” he asked quietly.

“Would you listen to me if I said I wanted you to?” you were curious to know.

“Look, I’ll admit that I can be an asshole, but I’m not a creep. If you’re really not comfortable with sharing a bed with me I’ll sleep on the floor. All I’d ask of you is to spare me a pillow.”

There was a short silence as you mulled over your options.

“Fine, we can share the bed. But I demand a pillow divider to be set between us,” you caved.

“Wahoo! Thank you so much for your generosity, ___. Do you want to use the bathroom to get ready for bed first, or shall I?” Hoseok celebrated.

“I’ll get ready first,” you lazily rolled off the bed and trudged to the bathroom.

You were so tired that you missed hearing Hoseok’s soft chuckle as he watched you stumble to the bathroom. He patiently waited for you to finish before it was his turn to get ready for bed. You were sound asleep by the time he was done.

The blankets were haphazardly sprawled out on your side of the bed. One leg was under the covers while the other was completely exposed. Your mouth was agape with a bit of drool seeping out, and your shirt lifted up to expose some of your tummy.

Hoseok smiled at the sight. Never in a million years did he think he’d ever be lucky enough to see you like this. He pulled down your shirt in an attempt to make you look decent, but there was nothing he could do about your drooling. He tucked you into the sheets properly, making sure that the blankets covered you up to your neck.

He settled into his side of the bed. You forgot to put up the pillow divider. Hoseok stared up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. He turned over to face you in an attempt to get comfortable.

‘She looks so sweet. Almost cute,’ Hoseok thought.

He quickly brushed the thought aside. You were his rival, and have been since the first day of college years ago. He sat up and created a pillow barrier. Bickering with you first thing in the morning was the last thing he wanted.

The first day of the conference was filled with attending various meetings while attempting to make as many networking connections as possible. You got up early and left the room before Hoseok was even awake. The less time spent with him, the better.

Of course, completely avoiding him was impossible. You were to sit with your respective company during the meetings and presentations. The VP sat between you and Hoseok, while the CEO switched between sitting on either side. You were thankful for the separation, but nervous nonetheless.

The CEO would occasionally lean over to ask you questions about the presentations, and he intently listened to your responses. The VP would merely look over occasionally to give you a smile or wink; he acted more like moral support. You knew the entire weekend would practically be an interview, but you underestimated how anxiety inducing it would be.

The higher ups finally left you alone when lunchtime came around. You picked up your lunch in the hotel’s decadent ballroom that had been turned into an eating area. You scouted an empty table in the far corner of the room in the hopes of finding some peace and quiet.

Hoseok had other plans. He saw you sit down at the table and happily followed you.

“Hey there buddy!” he greeted you as he sat down.

“Shouldn’t you be networking with new people?” you rolled your eyes at him.

“I could ask you the same thing,” he retorted as he took a bite of his sandwich.

“I’ve been doing that since before you were awake. I think I deserve a break,” you replied.

“I forgot that you’re quite the hard worker. I couldn’t have asked for better competition,” he said.

“Was that a compliment?” you asked with an amused grin.

“Yeah, and it’s the only one you’ll ever get from me. Is your pitch to the CEO ready?” Hoseok inquired.

“It has been. And no, I’m not going to tell you what it is,” you proudly answered.

“Oh c’mon! Mine is ready too! You’re a damn fool if you think I’m gonna steal your idea. I’m just curious,” he pouted.

“Fine. I’ll tell you if you tell me yours first,” you offered.

“So distrustful,” Hoseok feigned offense, “Okay, so I think offering higher bonuses for working overtime would be a good start. There could even be competitive bonuses in each department for the person who gets the best numbers that month.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” you said at first, “But don’t you think that would just create more animosity between coworkers?”

“I think competition is a healthy motivation factor. It worked for me in college,” Hoseok defended his idea.

“Everyone is competitive in college. Especially in the business schools,” you argued.

“Yeah, but not everyone is you,” Hoseok stated.

“Excuse me?”

“Honestly, I probably wouldn’t be here today if you weren’t always on my ass,” he admitted, “Being your rival was kinda fun. You got flustered so easily, it was almost cute.”

“I do not get flustered easily! Plus, it was always you who was on my ass,” you huffed.

“I see that you still do,” Hoseok laughed, “But seriously. The universe brought us together again so I guess it’s telling me to thank you.”

“That’s uncharacteristically nice of you to say,” you looked away from him to hide your reddening cheeks, “You pushed me too, so thanks for that...I guess.”

“Mhm, no problem buddy. I’ll see you in the next presentation room,” he got up to leave.

“Wait Hoseok!” you called after him.

“Yeah?” he turned around quickly.

“I didn’t tell you my idea--”

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to. Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s brilliant,” he winked before walking away.

The rest of the day passed by quickly. You retired to your room, exhausted from all the forced socialization. Your mind was stuck on what Hoseok said earlier. Maybe he wasn’t as big of an asshole as you thought. Perhaps you mistook a friendly rivalry for toxic competition.

You were sprawled out across the bed in your pjs when Hoseok entered the room.

“Are you gonna sleep like that?” he asked.

“You’re gonna have to forcibly remove me from your side if you want it that badly,” you replied with your eyes still closed.

“That’s fine,” Hoseok said as he abruptly rolled you over to your side.

“Hey!” you squeaked out in protest.

“It was either that, or I laid on top of you and suffocated you.”

“Hmph,” you let out a displeased noise.

“Oh my god, you’re so bratty. How old are you?” Hoseok chuckled.

“Old enough to know that you’re a meanie,” your response was muffled by the pillow you buried your face in.

“Sorry I’m a what?” Hoseok teased.

“A meanie!” you quickly got up and slammed a pillow into Hoseok, catching him by surprise.

“I’m the meanie? You just pelted me with a pillow!” he cowered away from you.

“And I’ll do it again!” you threatened.

“I don’t think so,” Hoseok suddenly lurched forward, tackling you back onto your side of the bed.

You’re both laughing at this point. Seeing Hoseok up close and personal made you realize how handsome he truly was. Had he always been this attractive? Hoseok’s cheerful laugh echoed throughout the room as he loomed over you, pinning you down.

“I’ll get off if you promise not to hit me with a pillow ever again,” Hoseok tried to say in a serious tone, but his smile betrayed him.

“Sorry, I can’t make such a ridiculous promise,” you sassed.

“God, you really are so bratty. Kinda cute, kinda naughty,” Hoseok tsked.

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” you stuck your tongue out at him.

Hoseok leaned down to whisper in your ear, “Oh, I’m sure there’s something I could do.”

That sent chills down your spine. This was perhaps the most intimate moment you’ve shared with someone in a long time.

“Keep dreaming then, lover boy,” you said. Truth be told, just that one sentence turned you on, but you couldn’t let him know that.

“As you wish,” Hoseok released you and retreated back to his side of the bed.

“Maybe you aren’t as big of an asshole as I remembered,” you chuckled.

“You thought I was an asshole?” Hoseok laughed.

“I did. Maybe I still do. Not that it matters, we’ll never see each other again after this stupid conference.”

“That’s not true,” Hoseok disagreed, “I’ll be on the executive council, so you may see me from time to time.”

“I like the confidence. Too bad it’s in vain,” you teased, “I’m going to bed. Our day starts early tomorrow.”

“Our?”

“The. The day starts early tomorrow. Just go to bed Hoseok,” your turned over to conceal the faint smile on your face. Maybe he wasn’t so bad afterall.

The second day of the conference started off as boring as the previous day. The various presenters droned on about different strategies regarding the improvement of a company with a plethora of charts and numbers to back it all up. The CEO wasn’t as talkative today to either you or Hoseok. The VP still made his reassuring gestures to you, flashing smiles and winks here and there.

“Can I see you privately after the last morning presentation?” the VP whispered to you.

“Yes, of course!” you excitedly answer. Currying the VP’s favor may come in handy later.

After the last presentation, the VP discreetly led you to a vacant corner. His tone became serious as he began to speak.

“The CEO discussed his initial thoughts with me last night. I know I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but he’s currently leaning towards Hoseok,” he explained.

The news made your heart sink.

“I’d rather see you on the executive council, if I’m being frank. My pride is on the line since I recommended you,” his voice lowered, “However, I think there is a way to sway his opinion.”

“Which is?” you eagerly asked.

“Someone might overhear here, meet me in my room in an hour,” the VP covertly handed you his room key.

He walked away without another word. The fact that the VP was on your side gave you a faint sliver of hope. The next hour of free time was spent frantically networking while your mind was obviously elsewhere. Every now and then you heard Hoseok’s voice, and just the sound of it spurred you on to make even more connections. By the end of it, your face began to hurt from all the fake smiling.

You were standing in front of the VP’s hotel room exactly an hour after your secret rendezvous. The door opened immediately after you knocked.

“You’re extremely punctual; that’s wonderful,” the VP observed as you entered, “Make yourself comfortable.”

You scoured the room to find a place to sit. Your uneasiness must have been obvious, as the VP gestured towards the bed.

“Thank you,” you said as you awkwardly sat at the edge of the bed, “What is your plan?”

“It’s quite simple actually,” the VP sat beside you, “I just need to get to know you better. That way I can give an authentic and flawless review to the CEO.”

“So, you’re going to conduct an in-depth interview?” you asked timidly as you noticed him scooting closer to you.

“You could say that,” he voice lowered as he rested his hand on your thigh, “We have about 45 free minutes remaining. I believe you should make the most of this interview, Miss ___,” he smiled slyly as his hand began to travel upwards.

“How dare you?!” you yelled as you abruptly pushed him off of you, “I’m going to report you to HR!”

“Then say goodbye to your promotion. You really think you were chosen just because your numbers have been decent? You definitely were not the CEO’s first choice. He didn’t even know who you were. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t even be here,” he explained with a shit eating grin.

“Then why the hell would you even bring me up to the CEO? Just so you could try and sleep with me?” you were enraged.

“Don’t blame me for wanting some eye candy to entertain me during this god awful convention,” he smirked.

“Fuck you, you fucking pig,” you spat.

“Ohhh feisty. I like that in a girl. If you leave now, you can kiss that promotion goodbye,” the VP called out to you as you stormed towards the door.

“And you can kiss my ass, and shove that promotion up yours,” you snapped, flipping him off before slamming the door behind you.

Tears welled in your eyes as you made your way to your room. You were absolutely distraught. Had all your hard work been for nothing? Had you been nothing but a pretty sight for men to stare at for the past five years?

You entered your hotel room to find Hoseok laying on the bed. You quickly wiped away your tears; you hadn’t expected him to be there. He appeared to be taking a nap. You watched his chest rise and fall slowly as you snuck into the bathroom. You freshened yourself up to the best of your abilities. Maybe a little power nap would help calm your nerves. Too bad Hoseok was taking up the bed. Fuck.

You left the bathroom to see if maybe you could curl up in one of the corners of the bed. Luckily, Hoseok was on his side of the bed. You set a timer for half an hour and slowly crawled under the covers. Your eyelids felt heavy as you closed them.

“If you wanted to cuddle you could’ve just let me know,” Hoseok’s voice surprised you.

“Well, I don’t. Leave me alone,” you responded.

“What if I want to cuddle?” he asked.

“There is an abundance of perfectly good pillows for you to use,” you sighed, then sniffled a little.

“Are you sick?” Hoseok asked with a worried tone.

“No, I’m fine,” you answered quickly, panicking.

“___, what’s wrong?” Hoseok was sitting up now.

“Nothing, leave me alone,” you turned away.

“If you insist, I won’t push it. Just know that you can talk to me if you need to,” he offered.

You heard him get off the bed. You pulled the sheets over your head to hide your face. You cried silently as Hoseok shuffled around the room, presumably getting ready to leave. Suddenly, he pounced on you.

“Hoseok! What the fu--” you cried out as he yanked the sheets off of you.

“Surprise attack!” he gleefully exclaimed.

His expression quickly changed when he saw your tear streaked face. You looked up at him with puffy eyes. You were too exhausted to hold your cold stare. Instead, you looked away in embarrassment.

“___, what happened?” he asked softly.

“It doesn’t matter. But congrats, you basically got the promotion,” you laughed in defeat.

“You spoke with the CEO?” Hoseok was shocked.

“No, with the VP. That stupid son of a bitch. He--nevermind. I blew my chance, so the job is all yours. I am almost positive that I am unemployed now as well,” the tears returned and you couldn’t stop them.

“Hey, ___, it’s okay,” Hoseok tried to comfort you, “If the CEO didn’t tell you himself, then you can’t be 100% certain.”

“I was literally only invited because the VP tried to get in my pants!” you blurted out.

“What?” Hoseok was dumbfounded.

“He just told me that I’d have the job if I had sex with him. Can you fucking believe that? How long have I not been taken seriously? This has been so demoralizing,” you let it all out.

“Aw, c’mere,” Hoseok pulled you up and gave you a warm embrace, “What did you say to him?”

“I told him to shove it,” you sniffled against his firm chest.

“There’s the you I know. You haven’t changed a bit,” he chuckled, “We can talk to the CEO together tomorrow about this.”

“Why would you help me? The promotion is basically yours because of this,” you sighed.

“I don’t really care for it, if I’m being honest. I’m satisfied with my job now. I don’t want any more responsibilities,” he answered while stroking your hair.

“Then why are you here?” you looked up at him.

“I only agreed to come after they told me that you’d be here,” he admitted.

You didn’t know what to say. Too many things have happened in the past hour alone.

“Don’t get it twisted, I was just curious to see how you’ve been after all these years. Plus a free trip is always enticing. Getting to share a bed with you has just been an added bonus,” he smiled.

Your timer rang, causing you to break away from Hoseok’s arms.

“Guess it’s time to go to more boring meetings. Yay,” Hoseok feigned enthusiasm.

“I’m gonna stay here. There’s no point in me attending anymore,” you stated.

“Nope, you’re going. I’m dragging you with me! You gotta show the VP that he didn’t frazzle you at all. Fuck that guy. Well, not literally,” Hoseok was pulling you out of bed.

Hoseok subtly made sure that you sat between him and the CEO the entire time. You caught him giving the VP dirty looks, which made you feel a little better.

You quickly excused yourself after the last meeting and tried to make a break for your room. Unfortunately, Hoseok prevented you from doing so.

“You got a date for the banquet tonight?” he asked.

“No. It shouldn’t be too much of a problem because I’m not going. Have fun with your date though,” you shook your head.

“Who said I had a date?”

“I’m sure women were basically throwing themselves at you.”

“You’re not wrong, but I turned them all down. I have my eyes set on one gal.”

“Lucky her, I guess,” you rolled your eyes.

“Indeed. Although I still gotta ask her,” he looked around the room as if he was searching for her.

“You better hurry. Isn’t it in a couple hours?”

“Yep. Alright, here goes nothing!” Hoseok rushed off, finally giving you the chance to disappear.

You let out a sigh of relief as the elevator doors start to close. However, someone’s hand shot through at the last second. Hoseok stumbled in as the elevator doors reopened. You groaned. Why can’t you escape him?

“Did she say yes?” you asked with an indifferent tone.

“Not sure yet. Will you go to the banquet with me?” Hoseok asked.

“Fuck off.”

“Alright, well she just said no. Ouch,” Hoseok clicked his tongue.

“Wait, are you being serious?” your eyes widened.

“If the word ‘date’ threw you off, then I’m happy with going as friends,” he proposed.

“I’m flattered, but I’m really not in the mood to party with random strangers.”

“You don’t have to. Just party with me. Why would I let you be sad and mopey all alone in a hotel room when you could be drinking free booze?”

“Is the alcohol is free?”

“Duh, it’s all being charged to the company. Plus dinner is served.”

“Ok fine, I’ll go. I guess I didn’t pack that stupid dress for nothing.”

“Let’s not allow a gorgeous dress to go to waste,” Hoseok agreed.

“You haven’t even seen it,” you suppressed a smile.

“Anything can be gorgeous if you’re the one wearing it,” he winked.

“Oh, shut up,” a small smile cracked on your face.

Hoseok was the first to get ready for the banquet. He wanted your look to be a surprise so he insisted on going first. You were beginning to find his weird yet endearing antics kind of cute.

You weren’t prepared when he came out of the bathroom. You were well aware that Hoseok was a handsome guy, maybe even handsome enough to model. However, you weren’t ready when Hoseok emerged in a grey suit with his hair styled to reveal his forehead. His radiance was comparable to that of the sun, and he only shone brighter when he smiled at you.

“You look good,” you tried to act cool.

“Thank you! I’ll admit I do enjoy dressing up from time to time. But who doesn’t, am I right?” he beamed.

You nodded as you hauled your things into the bathroom. After about an hour, you were ready: fully dressed, makeup done, confidence soaring. You had forgotten how therapeutic dressing up could be.

Your dress was a deep emerald green that was elegant yet seductive. It had a side slit that flirtatiously showed off one of your legs. The neckline gracefully outlined your cleavage while still remaining on the classy side.

“Holy shit. You look amazing!” Hoseok praised you as soon as you stepped out.

“I was only trying to match you,” you said shyly, trying to hide your flushed cheeks.

“I think it’s safe to say that we’ll be the most breathtaking duo there. Shall we depart?” he extended out an arm.

The dinner started out with boring speeches by people you didn’t care to remember the names of. Hoseok elected to sit at the table furthest away from the stage, which was an excellent choice. That allowed the two of you to chat the night away in hushed voices. You both had already gone through five glasses of wine by the time the speeches were finally over.

“The dance floor is now open! Enjoy the rest of the night, and don’t forget that there’s an open bar!” the MC shouted through the mic.

The lights dimmed and a disco ball lowered in the center of the room. People began to crowd the dance floor. You laughed with Hoseok as you both observed various awkward shuffles and sways.

“Wanna dance?” Hoseok yelled over the music.

“I can’t!” you yelled back.

“I’m sure you can! Let’s go!” Hoseok didn’t wait for a reply.

He dragged you to an empty space on the dance floor. The two of you began drawing attention to yourselves as soon as you stepped out. Two beauties were dancing in the open for everyone to see. You shyly swayed to the rhythm of the music and laughed at Hoseok’s silly moves. However, Hoseok began to move in a way that was absolutely bewitching. He looked like a professional dancer with the way he commanded his body to hit every beat. Hoseok had drawn a very large crowd as people began cheering him on.

You were amazed by his stage presence. You’ve always had a thing for dancers, and he looked downright sexy. The song ended and Hoseok gave his audience a dramatic bow, awarding him deafening applause.

“I didn’t know you could dance!” you shouted when he returned to your side.

“I like to dance in my free time! Did you like it?” he shouted back.

“I’ll admit it was sexy,” you laughed.

“You think I’m sexy?”

“Maybe I do,” you winked.

You had more fun than you expected while dancing with Hoseok. He made you feel secure, so you were able to let loose. You didn’t care what you looked like, as long as Hoseok was there with you.

The night progressed and you began to feel bold. A particularly raunchy song came on, as if it were asking you to grind on Hoseok. And that’s exactly what you did. You guided his hands to your hips as you grinded into his crotch

“You sure you wanna be doing that?” Hoseok spoke into your ear with a low voice.

“Absolutely,” you replied.

Hoseok spun you around and gazed at you intimately while he brought you closer into his body. Various body parts were rubbing against each other now. The sexual tension was palpable.

Hoseok’s hands were running up and down your body, and your mouth was dangerously close to his neck. The scent of his cologne was intoxicating. You couldn’t help yourself; you leaned forward to plant a soft kiss on his neck. His low growl was an indication that he liked it, so you kissed him again with more vigor.

“You’re going to have to stop,” he scolded.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Did I overstep your boundaries?” you were embarrassed.

“Absolutely not. But I can’t fuck you out here in public now can I?” he towed you off the dance floor and made a beeline for the elevators.

Thank god no one else was in the elevator, neither of you could keep your paws off of each other. Hoseok’s hands were unabashedly feeling you up and down while his crotch was slowly grinding into yours. Your arms were wrapped around his neck as you planted kisses along his sharp jawline.

Hoseok couldn’t stop whispering naughty things into your ear during the entire elevator trip up to your shared room. His lowered voice sent chills down your spine as he expressed just how eager he was to finally have you. You felt yourself getting wetter by the second.

“I wanted to strip off that dress the moment I saw you wearing it,” he cooed, “God, I can’t wait to see how beautiful you’ll look underneath me.”

“Hoseok, do you ever shut up?” you teased with a coy smile.

“I dunno, you might have to make me,” he played along.

“Maybe sitting on your handsome face will do the trick,” you said as you nipped his ear.

“Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

The elevator doors finally opened, and Hoseok quickly dragged you out. He immediately tore off your dress the moment the hotel room door was closed. You did him the same favor as you frantically unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his toned body.

“Why don’t you be a good boy and wait for me on the bed?” you suggested.

“Yes ma’am,” he complied, his eyes never leaving your body.

“Like what you see?” you asked, turning around slowly to fully show off the lingerie that perfectly complimented your body.

“You are so fucking sexy, ___,” Hoseok smiled in awe.

“I’m so glad you think so. You’re not too bad yourself,” you winked at him.

You finally joined Hoseok on the bed. You kiss his body from his abdomen all the way up his chest before stopping at his mouth. You took a second to relish the feeling of his plush lips against yours before he deepened the kiss with a ferocious intensity.

“Wanna try and shut me up now?” Hoseok lifted his eyebrows suggestively once the kiss broke.

“With pleasure,” you responded as you began to position yourself above him, “Wait, do you want me to take this off?” you gestured to your undergarments.

“No need,” he said before abruptly pulling aside your panties.

You slowly lowered yourself onto his face and stopped when you felt his breath on your pussy. Hoseok impatiently gripped your hips and pulled you directly onto his tongue. The sudden contact made you gasp. Hoseok didn’t waste any time getting down to business.

He flattened his tongue out to cover as much area as possible as he licked across your folds. He expertly flicked and lapped your pussy in the perfect places. Your legs began to tremble, and you had to grip onto the bed’s headboard for support.

You looked down to see the beautiful man’s face buried in your pussy; that sight alone was almost enough to bring you over the edge. Hoseok’s hands slithered their way up to your chest, where he began to twist and pull at your sensitive nipples through your bra.

“You taste--so good,” Hoseok panted out from underneath you.

“Should I get off--fuck!” you were interrupted by Hoseok sucking on your clit.

His mouth was heaven sent. Your body began to heat up and soon you lost the strength to hold yourself up even against the headboard.

You cried out as you came all over Hoseok’s face. His face was glistening with your juices as he smiled up at you. He seductively licked his lips to taste you again.

“Your turn?” you asked.

“As much as I wanna see your pretty lips wrapped around my cock, I think I need to be inside you more,” he replied as he repositioned himself.

He stripped off the rest of his clothing. You watched with admiration as more of his skin became exposed.

“You can take off the fancy underwear now,” he said once he caught you staring.

“You don’t want to see it anymore?” you fakeed a pout.

“___, you’re drop dead gorgeous in it. However, I advise you to take it off yourself because I won’t hold back. I don’t want to ruin your underwear, just you,” he replied.

Hoseok mixed in little nibbles while he kissed along your neck. Your voice dripped with bliss as you quietly moaned.

“I guess you do like being bitten, huh? What about this?” Hoseok licked your neck, causing you to squirm underneath him.

“I think I like that too,” you whispered, biting your lip.

You wriggled out of your undergarments, leaving yourself completely naked in front of Hoseok. You pull at the hem of Hoseok’s underwear, eager to see what he was packing.

You were not disappointed. Although he was well endowed, what he lacked in length was made up for in girth.

“Do you want me to use a condom?” he asked.

“I’m on the pill, and I’m pretty sure I’m clean. I haven’t been intimate in an embarrassingly long amount of time,” you admitted, blushing.

“I find that hard to believe,” Hoseok said while kissing around your face, “Since you’re so damn beautiful,” his lips found yours and led you into a passionate kiss.

His hips began to grind into yours, his dick rubbing against your bare pussy. You wrapped your legs around him, bringing him closer.

“Please don’t tease me,” you pleaded.

“What are the magic words?” Hoseok teased.

“Fuck me, Hobi,” you begged.

“Oh my fucking god,” he growled.

He slammed his hips into yours, not giving you enough time to adjust to him. The stretch was intense at first, but it soon turned into nothing but pleasure. Your euphoria grew as he rhythmically bucked his hips into you.

Hoseok spread your legs out as wide as you could go, giving him quite the erotic view that only aroused him more. You tried to stifle your moans, but were failing miserably.

“Don’t hold back baby, let me hear you. Show me how good I make you feel,” he leaned over to whisper into your ear.

You complied instantly, your moans resounding around the room. Hoseok’s position allowed him to hit you deeply with every stroke. Without a word, he pulled out of you and flipped you over onto your knees. He roughly forced your chest down, leaving your ass in the air for him.

“Your ass is so fucking fat,” he said as his hand connected with your bare skin, causing you to shriek.

He kissed it afterward while his fingers teased your clit. He realigned himself with your entrance. This new position was even better than the last. You could no longer hold in your moans even if you wanted to. Hoseok repeatedly hit your g-spot, and you could feel another orgasm welling up within you.

“Hobi, I’m gonna cum,” you cry out.

“Say that again,” he demanded.

“I-i’m gonna cum!”

“No, not that. That’s hot but call me Hobi again,” he chuckled.

“Hobi!” you said with an exasperated tone.

“Yes princess? Fuck, I’m close,” Hoseok’s movements were becoming more haphazard by the second.

“Hobi, right there oh my god keep going please,” you begged, “Hobi...ah shit!” you came undone.

It wasn’t long after until Hoseok followed suit, pulling out to cum all over your ass. He rolled off the bed to get something to clean you up with.

“How are you feeling?” Hoseok asked.

“Better. You?” you answered.

“Doing pretty well. I fucked the girl of my dreams,” he said gleefully.

“Shut up,” you playfully pushed him.

“I’m serious. I’ve adored you since college. I lived for your playful banter,” he began to explain.

“It wasn’t playful,” you interjected.

“Yeah, I know. But that’s what made it fun! All the other girls just wanted to be with me for my looks or whatever. None of them knew the real me.”

“And I did?”

“More so than most. You always pushed me to do my best. I really just wanted to be good enough for you. Kind of silly huh? I even dated that girl in an attempt to make you jealous. Which backfired since her dad was Professor whatshisface who took me on that trip,” Hoseok opened up.

“Hobi I...I’m so sorry. I was such a bitch to you back then. And now too I guess. My competitive side gets the better of me. I was always annoyed by how you were seemingly good at everything. It even irritated me that you’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen in my life,” you began to apologize, “Oh, and his name is Namjoon. Professor Namjoon.”

“Thanks for reminding me. I hate to admit it but he made me a little jealous. I wanted you to praise me the way you praised him. Anyway, things can change now that everything's out in the open,” Hoseok smiled, “You’re even calling me Hobi! I’ve been dreaming about this moment.”

“Was it everything you ever hoped for?” you joked.

“You said it when you asked me to fuck you, then you said it multiple times while I was balls deep inside of you. So yeah, I would say it was everything I could’ve hoped for, if not more,” he pulled you into his chest.

The two of you continued talking for what felt like hours while cuddling. You hadn’t been this relaxed in ages. You were nearly asleep on his chest when he stroked a strand of hair from your face.

“Tomorrow will be interesting, huh?” he said softly.

“I guess I still have to pitch my idea to the CEO,” you sighed softly, “What a waste of time.”

“It’s not a waste of time if you’re gonna get the promotion,” Hoseok reprimanded.

“I already told you, I’m not. The VP will make sure that you get it. This is good for you. Don’t worry about me,” you kissed his cheek, “We should get some sleep now.”

“Alright. Goodnight, ___,” he kissed your forehead.

“Goodnight Hobi.”

“Fuck, I really love when you say that.”

It was time. Time to pitch your idea to the CEO for no damn reason. You were beyond nervous, and Hoseok could tell. He tried to ease your nerves by giving you a firm shoulder massage as you both waited to be called into a small conference room.

The VP emerged, ignoring your mean scowl, and called Hoseok in to present first. Of course he would go first, no need to waste time hearing your proposal.

It was an anxiety riddled wait. You recounted the previous day’s events, which was a mistake because that only infuriated you. The whole situation was an affront on your character, and you will not stand for it. You debated giving the VP another piece of your mind at the end of everything.

“___, you’re up,” the VP called you after Hobi finished.

“You’re gonna kill it,” Hobi encouraged you, coupled with a pat on the back.

“This is pointless and you know that,” you sighed.

Hobi shook his head in disagreement. It was heartwarming to see how supportive he was being. Maybe it was due to the fact that the job was practically his already. It doesn’t matter now.

“Good morning gentlemen,” you greet them.

“The floor is yours, Miss ___,” the CEO responded cordially.

“I’ll keep it short and simple. I propose that the best way to improve the company is to shorten work day hours and increase PTO days,” you said confidently.

“Is that it? Can you expound on that?” the VP cynically asked.

“Yes, I’m so glad you asked,” you smiled coldly, “Studies show that employees are exponentially more productive when they are happier. Not only will the company become more efficient, but the overall company atmosphere will become more positive. Interpersonal relationships between employees and bosses will improve in an appropriate professional manner,” you glared at the VP.

“That’s a very interesting take,” the CEO said thoughtfully, “Do you have any suggestions regarding the actual work that the company does?”

“No sir. The company has been thriving, so I believe that the way things are running now are proficient. However, as a company, we should always be willing to listen to our employees’ concerns,” you stated.

“You’ve brought up interesting points to the table. As an employee, do you have any concerns you’d like to express?” the CEO asked.

“There is one pressing matter that comes to mind,” you stole a glance at the VP to see him shift uncomfortably in his seat, “I firmly expect that employee/supervisor relationships should be strictly professional.”

“Are you just giving us your opinion on office romances?” the VP sneered.

“I believe that trying to use intimacy as leverage is highly immoral, if not a fireable offense,” you held your ground.

“Of course,” the CEO agreed.

“Then said employee would simply need to file a complaint with HR,” the VP dismissed you.

“What better way to get my complaint heard than speaking directly to the CEO?” you smiled sweetly, “Sir, yesterday the man sitting beside you crudely suggested that I sleep with him in order to gain the promotion. He also alluded that all of my accomplishments are for naught, and that I am purely ‘eye candy’.”

“Is this true?” the CEO asked his VP in dismay.

“Of course not. She’s grasping at straws. Look how desperate she is to get the job,” the VP quickly defended himself.

“I am not lying. I am fully prepared to be fired on the spot. I cannot continue to work at a company that allows this kind of sloppy behavior to go unpunished. Thank you for your time,” you bowed and quickly took your leave.

You released a huge sigh as soon as you were outside of the room. Hobi rushed over to your side. Suddenly, you began to laugh hysterically. Hobi looked at you nervously, obviously concerned about your mental state.

“Isn’t it so funny? All my hard work had just been flushed down the toilet by a stupid man drunk on power. I love that!” you wheezed.

“___, ___ calm down. What happened?” Hobi inquired.

You told him what just went down. A smile crept across his face as you got to the part where you put the VP on the spot.

“I wouldn’t count yourself out just yet dude,” Hoseok shrugged, “All we can do is wait.”

“Yeah, I’ll be the first one to congratulate you on your new job. Then I’ll begin my search for a new one,” you gave him a thumbs up.

The VP stumbled out of the room and angrily stomped towards the both of you.

“You fucking bitch! Who do you think you are? Do you even know what you’ve done? I know people. I’m gonna make sure your life is hell!” he yelled at you.

“That’s enough! You have been dismissed. I do not want to see your face around here again. Clean out your office on Monday,” the CEO ordered, “Would the both of you please follow me back into the room?”

You both timidly followed him, curious as to what he had to say.

“I apologize on behalf of the company for this incident. This isn’t the first time a complaint has been filed against him. Unfortunately, he always told me that they were just futile grasps for leverage and I foolishly believed him. However, his loss is your gain,” he smiled, “How would you like to be my new Vice President?”

You were agog. Hoseok’s eyes widened as he stood beside you.

“Surely there are more qualified people,” you stammered in disbelief.

“There definitely are. But none of them are what this company needs. It takes a special person to have their rival pitch all the reasons why you are a better candidate than they are,” the CEO happily nodded.

“I- he what?” you cast a surprised look at Hobi.

“Oh yes. He spent all his time highlighting your best qualities as an employee. It was quite a shock,” the CEO smiled.

“I will humbly accept your offer. Thank you so much sir, I will work even harder!” you bowed gratefully.

“That brings me to Mr. Jung. The position on the executive council is yours, if you want it,” the CEO offered.

“If the offer is unopposed, then I have no choice but to accept. I will do my best!” Hobi joined in your bowing.

“Wonderful! It’ll be refreshing to see some lively young faces at those atrocious meetings,” the CEO laughed, “Oh, and one more thing. The two of you will have to relocate to the main branch, I hope that’s okay. I look forward to working with both of you.”

You both nodded gleefully. After the CEO dismissed the pair of you, the trip back up to your hotel room was nothing but joyous. It was like you were in a dream that you never wanted to wake up from. You even pinched each other to make sure it was all real.

“I can’t believe you were advocating for me,” you hugged him.

“You deserve it. Your impressive diligence should not go unrewarded,” he squeezed you tighter, “Plus, this ended up being pretty sweet! Congratulations to both of us!”

“We need to go out to celebrate!” you wiggled.

“Yes! Let me take you out,” Hobi tackled you onto the bed.

“Where shall we go?” you playfully ask.

“Maybe we should go explore our new city together?” he suggested.

“Our?”

“Yes, our. And when I say I’m gonna take you out, I mean as a date. Because I want to date you. And have been wanting to for years,” Hoseok charismatically emphasized.

“I’m looking forward to starting this new chapter of my life with you then, Mr. Jung Hoseok,” you press your forehead against his.

“Imma be all up in your bidness girl,” he joked.

“Your business is my business now loser,” you teased back.

Looks like all that hard work had paid off, and there’s no better reward than finally being with Jung Hoseok.

#bts smut #bangtanarmynet #btswritingcafe #btscreatorscorner #ksmutclub #jung hoseok smut #bts angst #jung hoseok angst #bts fanfic #jhope smut #jhope angst #kpop fanfic #jhope fanfic #jung hoseok fanfic

330 notes · View notes

alwaysanotherrainbow · 4 years

Text

my boyfriend never texts first

Remus just wants to not be the first one to send a message every once in a while. That’s not too much to ask, right?

relationship: romantic remrom, background remy and emile (also romantic)

warnings: major character death, extended mourning (secondary warnings- brief discussion of religious holidays, brief underage drinking mention, a lot of all-caps) notes: unrelated, human, hs/college au. virgil, emile, and remy are here too. If you need anything in the secondary warnings (or one of those latter three characters) edited out, please let me know and I can put that up for you!

____________________________________________________

Remus always texted him first. Always. It didn’t matter the situation, didn’t matter the time date place name face. Who what when where why. It first started when he texted hi roman :) when they first got phones; for whatever reason, Roman just never texted first. Either he’d call or they’d talk in person.

No matter. Remus could cope.

May 1:

8:37 PM tody i saw you by my locker 8:39 PM *today 8:42 PM why didnt you say hi?

May 2:

9:30 PM a teacher talked to me today 9:30 PM wanted to talk about how i’m doing after 9:52 PM well you know. he’s a sick bastard

Really, it wasn’t too much to ask for, was it? He just wanted to see him text first once in a while! May 7:

3:32 PM: by the way idk if you got this last time 3:36 PM: my class ring size is the medium 3:44 PM: hopefully you order it by the deadline :P 4:03 PM: no idea when the deadline is 4:20 PM: bLAZE IT 4:24 PM: sorry i have like 0 money so i got it from the consignment shop 4:31 PM: i hope you like synthetic rubies!! leaving them with ur dad 10:40 PM: update. i cried for four hours with your dad.

June 2:

7:30 AM: gRaDuAtIoN dAy!!! 7:32 AM: there’s cookies in the reception menu 7:35 AM: snickerdoodles your favorite [eyes] 10:02 AM: i’m getting some for u 10:05 AM: [kissy face] 7:40 PM: the announcement was Weird 7:43 PM: anyways i have the snickerdoodles (Remus couldn’t go over to where Roman was staying, so he left them in the living room. He knew Roman would appreciate them. Hopefully he’d come over (wait, probably not, given...))

Well, actually, he could understand why he never texted first. June 11:

12:14 PM: roMAN 12:16 PM: [Attachment: Remus_Picani-Kleitman_Acceptance_Letter.pdf] 12:18 PM: YEAHHHH 12:24 PM: I’m sure you got in too SEND ME YOURS WHEN YOU GET IT 12:32 PM: WE MIGHT SHARE A ROOM YEA 12:35 PM: [Attachment: celebration.jpg]

Everyone was probably saying that he ought to just move on, but to be honest, he couldn’t... Actually, to be honest, no-one had told him to move on to his face yet. In fact, everyone was surprised he was doing so well, given how bad the circumstances were! The situation was stressing him out so much, even his dads were gently advising him to rethink things. (Well, that was part of the territory with one of them being a therapist and the other being a barista.)

“I got y’all some kouign-amann from the cafe,” said Dad, putting it down on the counter. His shirt had SLEEP scrawled on it with a Sharpie; it was the one that Remus had made for him as a joke. He still wore it. Huh.

“Sweetie, what’s a queen amahn?” asked Papa.

“It’s a... er, it’s like a... this is kinda like a croissant that had dreams of a muffin tin and salted caramel. One for you, babe.... then one for Doodlebug-”

“Can I leave some for Roman?” asked Remus.

They exchanged a glance.

“Of course you can,” said Papa with a smile. “Your candle’s on the table. Also, I got the news about being accepted into university? Good job, kiddo. You know, that was your father’s alma mater.”

“Are you sure you want to go to school right away after...? No problem taking a gap year.”

Papa glared at Dad. “Be nice.”

“I’m sorry, Remus, it’s just...” Dad put down his coffee. “If you’re not ready, if you need more time-”

"I’m sure,” said Remus with a grin, trying to get rid of what he just remembered. “Trust me.”

“Please find a good way to put away the snickerdoodles, they’ve been there since last week!” shouted Papa.

June 12:

12:12 AM: its twelve twelve make a wish 12:15 AM: hey when does your phone bill go out? 12:20 AM: im just saying that would Explain some things 12:22 AM: i know your dad pays Everything like a year in advance 12:34 AM: tell him i say hi 12:34 AM: 12:34 MAKE A WISH

July 12:

3:30 PM: guess who’s a double major in bio and theatre!! 3:32 PM: marine biology babey 3:53 PM: it’s good for the SOUL 4:04 PM: this cute octopus reminded me of you by the way 4:10 PM: [Attachment: for_roman]

August 14:

6:24 PM: moving in is the Worst 6:32 PM: by the way i got a single 6:35 PM: no roommates 6:41 PM: still have the bunk tho 6:44 PM: also got ur favorite pillo

August 30:

2:12 AM: roman it is like two o’clock in the morning what the Heck are you doing here, 2:15 AM: if u see me wave Hi 2:32 AM: ok >:c 2:42 AM: dont mind Me just studyin on top of the planetarium 3:15 AM: tbh i didn’t even know we go to the same campus? haven’t seen you around or anything 3:17 AM: shit phones gonna di

September 28:

2:20 PM: i failed my test 2:22 PM: idk what to d 2:24 PM: *do

September 29: 7:30 PM: remember that octopus you gave me that eats negative emotions? 7:32 PM: it works!!

October 3:

1:10 PM: You’d like the theatre program, really 1:15 PM: just so u know they’ve listed your name as an ‘honorary member of the class of’ 1:19 PM: that’s really nice of them. idk if your dad knows

October 23:

9:45 AM: i had to explain one of our inside jokes 8( 9:52 AM: i can’t Explain the deodorant thing that was One Time 9:55 AM: also why i’m called The Duke 9:56 AM: its bc you said it. not my fault 9:58 AM: its still cute pls call me that still 9:59 AM: pancake brunch pancake brunch pancake brunch October 31: 6:12 PM: sun’s down! joyous samhain 6:15 PM: i remember when you sewed me that octopus btw, the one that eats ucky feelings 6:19 PM: how long did it take you to get the laurel sachet into it?? 6:34 PM: also thank you thank you thank you for helping me find a friendly church to celebrate all saints day 6:47 PM: that year was a NIGHTMARE because you forgot to get your white candles and carnelian, and i forgot my holy water, so we were driving around town like Madmen 6:59 PM: it was worth it though 7:03 PM: i left you a script, i think you’ll like it.

November 9:

11:19 PM: i miss you so so much.

November 10:

12:20 AM: ignor this i drank like 12:24 AM: a lot 1:15 AM: i’m sorry i should’ve been with you 1:22 AM: i shouldve been there With You. 1:45 AM: but i wasn’t 2:20 AM: i didn’t know thered be a 4:11 PM: shit i just saw these. Sorry to bother you December 2:

10:10 AM: hey roman, been a bit. yea sorry about last time. too much of the Alcohol 10:13 AM: gonna go over to my parents’ house 1:00 PM: if you wanna come over, you can. dad’s making snickerdoodles and papa’s gonna watch atla (yes i still have that dvd you got me do not @ me it’s with your candles on your table just like everything else) 1:03 PM: that was on the dot, i’m happy.

December 21

8:34 AM: hey, it’s snowing 9:13 AM: couldn’t help leaving you some hot cocoa. and snickerdoodles of course 10:12 AM: i love you Remus went to go help his dads with making breakfast, but by the time everyone was done cleaning and they had finished watching some shitty Hallmark movie, he remembered that he had left his phone upstairs. Going upstairs and looking at it, he felt something in him break.

[2 Unread: Roman <3, bf’s dad]

10:22 AM, Roman <3: Why are you texting this number? 11:15 AM, bf’s dad: Remus, disregard that last, I’m so sorry. I just found his phone and I saw only the recent message first

The phone started ringing. Remus answered it as quickly as he could.

“I’m so sorry Mr. Sanders I didn’t know that someone was actually getting these messages I thought the line was out,” he said within a few seconds before the person on the other side sighed.

“No, it’s quite all right. And Virgil’s all right, by the way, if you prefer. I... I was just looking through his things for the first time. You know, it being a holiday and all... Memories, things like that.”

“Yeah, I understand.”

“I just turned the phone back on, I’m getting a lot of messages.”

“Oh.” Remus stared at the wall, trying to come to terms with everything. “Well, I--”

“I’m not going to stop paying for his phone. I’m sorry, I just... I still have his voicemails on it, and I can’t stand the thought of it going offline either.”

“Right, I... I listen to it too.”

“I happened upon the last one he sent to you.”

“You looked at the messages?”

“I only looked over when I stopped getting new ones, but I saw the last question he sent you. For your ring size.”

“Yeah? He asked my ring size so that he could--”

“There’s no easy way to say this, but.. I found something of his. Can you come over?”

“I’m sorry, I can’t, but can you please tell me what it was? Please?”

“I really think I should tell you this in person.”

“Please, Mr. Sanders. Please, I... I can’t manage that.”

He sighed. “All right, Remus. I found an early acceptance letter to SJAU, and... and a ringbox.”

Remus felt his grasp on the phone grow weak. It fell onto the bed, Mr. Sanders’ voice still clear.

“I think he was going to ask for you to....”

“No, we... We were just out of high school, I-- that doesn’t make sense.”

“He always was one for those romantic gestures. There’s some poems here, too. A life-plan. I’m not sure exactly what malacology is, but--”

“Mollusks. Like octopi and squids.. Sorry for cutting you off, what was that?”

“Some of it’s in your handwriting, but one of the entries is ‘ask him’, for the day after... you know.”

God, he could hear his sad smile through the phone. He knew exactly how Mr. Sanders looked right now just talking to him, probably wearing that hoodie that was too big on him, in a dusty room full of things that used to belong to the most vibrant person that Remus had ever met.

But then Roman had died.

He was the most wonderful person, and he had just died.

“I’ll come over to deliver the ring to you. Is that okay?”

“Yeah. Yeah, that’s... that’s fine. Uh, call my dads first, though. They’re still not convinced I’m doing okay.”

“I understand. I’ll talk to you later, Remus.”

“Thank you, Mr. Sanders.”

The line went dead in his hands.

Remus held himself and wept.

December 28:

12:30 PM, Remus Picani-Kleitman: Mr. Sanders, would you like to come over for our New Year’s party? 12:34 PM, Remus Picani-Kleitman: It’s a tradition we had. You don’t have to if you’d rather not. 12:45 PM, Virgil Sanders: I’d love to go.

January 1:

12:00 AM: HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 12:05 AM: [Attachment: :)] 12:07 AM: we are all smiling in this photo and for that i think we deserve a hug. 12:10 AM: this rings the most beuatifl thing i’ve ever fuckign seen. thank you,, 12:14 AM: never gonna get rid of it <3 12:16 AM: it looks Good on my finger 12:30 AM: jsyk your dad’s asking my dads for the kouign amann recipe 12:32 AM: thats a pastry, i left those for u a while back 12:39 AM: okay i’m crying a bit but honestly, i love u 12:44 AM: I love you so so so much, Roman

Somewhere out there, whether it was from some wonderful paradise or beyond the veil or even only in wishful thoughts, Remus knew that someone was saying I love you too.

#remrom #remrom writing #my fics

26 notes · View notes

stardust-and-blades · 5 years

Text

Bloody Violets

A hanahaki story bc what writer hasn’t done one of these

as always, it’s klance :3 -------------------------

To most, it is slow. Painful. A long process of weighing the pros and cons of treatment, continuous nights of rolling around in the sheets plagued by insomnia and anxiety, a fine cocktail fit for one destined to be heartbroken to the point of death, to becoming a mindless zombie in the emotions department.

To most, it is an unfortunate occurrence, but one people usually extract from their lungs because they would rather fall in love with someone else than die for a person who may never love them back.

But Keith is not like most. Keith is his own person. That kid who kicked ass in the garrison despite being told otherwise. The mystery boy who blew the desert ground to bits in order to reach Shiro. The reluctant soul of the black lion, wishing to stay in the past but forced into the future.

The angry, frustrated, annoyed child of earth who was deemed to never love someone outside of a platonic setting.

Yet, here he was, doubled down a toilet coughing out bloody violets.

He did not think this would happen. Sure he had some feelings living inside him, but he never thought it would get this bad. This...life threatening. Who would have thought love--something covered in chocolate hearts and sweet embraces--would be tinged with crimson-stained thorns.

Keith rested his head against the porcelain, sweat coating his forehead and neck.

God. What is he going to do?

Yes, there is a procedure. A way of extracting the deadly vines and flowers from his suffocating lungs. But with it they would take his actual love. His feelings and memories, thrusting them into a fire and permanently extinguishing what gave him life. Even though it was physically harming him, even though it made breathing difficult and coughing agonizing, the worst pain Keith could imagine is a part of him being stripped away. A natural part of his life; the essence of what made him smile at the boy who goofily told many stories of his family back in Cuba. What caused his steely indigo eyes melt into adoration as the boy’s lanky arms fly up in a gesture of success over beating another level on his and Pidge’s video game.

What made him laugh full heartedly, bathing in the shock of the other for Keith’s easy-going attitude when, in the past, they butted heads almost every day.

He did not want that taken away from him. He did not want that yanked out of his grasp, his hands reaching out for what was destroyed.

Just like when the fires consumed the one parent who smothered him in parental love.

Just like the stars sucked in the brother he grew to trust and acknowledge, and the mother he never got the chance to meet until he was already carved out of stone.

He could tell him. Tell the man of his affection, but with his consistent hitting on Allura, Keith would rather not advance the progress of his affliction. It would give him away. Would expose what he is riddled with and no doubt be shoved onto a table for them to extract the seeds and vines.

No, this is his. His little secret. His treasure, for while it caused him great pain, dreaming of the boy he loved every night was worth the strenuous days of him jolting awake and running to his bathroom.

It may kill him. But at least he would die happy.

So he got up, wiped the blood from his lips, and put on his gloves. He is a soldier, and he will handle this like a soldier.

----------------

A month later, the disease has drastically progressed. And it did not help it acted up on a mission.

The alarm blared that morning, Keith being forced awake from his safe haven that eased the ache in his chest and the tickle in his throat, his limbs acting on impulse and shooting up to put on his armor. Everything hurt, but not to the point where he couldn’t function. He was able to plaster on a brave face, fly the black lion, and sneak into the base where they were to gather intel on some prisoners to free for the voltron coalition.

It wasn’t until Lance, Hunk, and him were facing off some sentries did it severely act up, Keith’s lungs taking on a new branch of pain. He tried to ignore it; tried to focus on the enemies and cut them down. But it only grew worse, never subsiding into a dull ache. It was as if someone cranked the pain meter to 100 rather than the normal 40.

He was breathing hard. Hard enough Hunk asked if he was okay.

“I’m...fine...” Keith pushed out. Was the room always this fuzzy?

He felt a hand on his shoulder. Purple met concerned blue, Lance’s brows furrowed deep enough Keith could make out his features through the dumb helmet.

“Hey man, you don’t look so good. We can handle the rest of the mission if you need to head back.” Lance said, gentle and kind.

Keith weakly shook his head. “No its oka--”

Just then he noticed a sentry pointing a gun at Lance’s head, the robot’s body shielded by the wall but his weapon in full view. If Keith weren’t standing where he was, no one would have seen the red light zoom in on the center of Lance’s clueless head.

“Look out!” Keith cried, tackling the new appointed red paladin to the ground. A shot is fired, hitting Keith’s shoulder but definitely missing its kill shot. With all his strength, Keith chucked his sword bayard at the sentry and hit him square in the head, its gun clattering to the ground with its body. It didn’t move again.

“Holy shit!” Lance yelled, looking behind him. “He came out of nowhere. Thanks Keith--buddy? Keith? Keith!?”

Keith was on his knees, coughing up a storm. His hands circled around his neck, as if he could staunch the coughing with sheer force. It is useless. He coughed and he coughed, bundles of flowers overflowing his helmet to the point where he couldn’t breathe past the petals. Violets covered his vision, tears swimming in his eyes. It hurts. It hurts so bad he doesn’t know what to do. He has been stabbed, crashed into a planet, broken bones, electrocuted, and beaten the shit out of by an altean robot. Yet here he was, being taken down by flowers.

He didn’t feel it, but his body collapsed on the floor, still clawing at his throat but also attempting to hide what is clearly shown in his helmet. Against his wishes, Hunk yanked it off and Lance bent to his level, moving Keith’s hair from his face to get a better view at what is causing Keith’s state.

No. No do not look. DO NOT--

“Oh my God.” Lance said, sounding as if the air left him. As soon as they got the helmet off, he was covered in violet petals, the blue and purple combination painting parts of Keith’s face and suit red. Knowing the jig was up, Keith gave into the coughing, not bothering to suppress it anymore.

Keith couldn’t see anything since his eyes were closed, but he felt Lance’s hands on him, Keith’s body being shifted onto what he assumed were someone’s lap. Lance’s lap most likely, since Hunk was standing in blatant horror a few seconds ago.

“Oh my God oh my--Hang in there buddy. We will get you back to the castle.” Lance said shakily. Keith peaked up at Lance to see his panicked expression move to Hunk. “Did you have any idea about this? Did the team?”

Hunk shook his head. “No, I’m just as shocked as you are. He-he seemed alright the past few nights, albite a little pale. But he is usually pale. He’s a pale guy--oh no oh no what are we going to do?”

Hunk also got on his knees to talk to Keith.

“Stay awake, Keith. Don’t die on us, we are going to help you.”

“He’s not going to die.” Lance said all too defensively. A hand moved to the comms, contacting the rest of the team. “Pidge. Allura. Do you copy?”

“Yeah, I’m almost done downloading the information we need. We stumbled into a few Galra but Allura handled it.” Pidge replied. “What’s up?”

“It’s Keith. He...” Lance opened and closed his mouth, the shock of what he was witnessing not settling well. “He...”

“Lance?” Allura said. “What’s wrong? Is Keith alright?”

“You...You know that disease that was plaguing the last planet we visited? The flower disease?”

There is a pause. Allura spoke slow, steady. As if she too were beside them and knew first hand what Lance is getting at. “Yes. Hanahaki disease. It drastically decreased their population in a matter of months.”

“I think...I think he has it.” Lance’s voice was a ghost of a whisper, his throat closing up at Keith’s body is wracked with incredibly violent and hoarse coughs. Blood leaked from his lips, the petals thinning out for the red tear drops. Keith wanted to talk, but the sensation was sharp needles against tender flesh. “Blue-ish purple flower petals. I don’t know for sure how long it has been going on, but Keith can’t breathe well. He can hardly move.”

Allura swore in Altean. She called for Pidge to wrap up, boots and metal echoing through the speakers. “He is in the final stage. If we don’t take out the seeds and thorns as soon as possible, there will be no saving him.”

Keith’s senses had been dulled, but the part about the surgery zapped him from his despondency.

“NO!” He screamed, the black paladin raising himself on his elbows before he collapsed again, he strength nonexistent.

“Don’t move!” Hunk ordered by Lance. “You’re going to hurt yourself further.”

“I don’t--I don’t care!” Keith said, glaring up at Hunk. “I’m not having the surgery. You cannot make me--”

“If you don’t you’ll die, you stupid mullet!” Lance seethed, forcing the other to look at him. If Keith wasn’t so weak, he would have jumped from Lance cupping his face just to make eye contact. There is cold fury in his eyes, the calming waves of the ocean swirling into a storm of wrecked ships and destroyed homes. “You’ve made some really shitty decisions, but this is by far the top of the list. No one is worth this outcome!”

“I. Said. No.” Keith enunciated the syllables to prove his point. Just as Lance’s storm thrashed and drowned its victims, Keith’s glare was all fire, burning everything in its wake. Covering the atmosphere with ash, leaving nothing behind for the birds to pick at.

And Keith was about to flick another match.

“As your leader, as your black paladin, I order you all to stand down.”

Once the words left his mouth, he succumbed to the darkness feathering him with temptation. He doesn’t hear anything else besides the intake of a sharp breath and Hunk calling his name.

------------------

Keith was out cold. No doubt from the stress of the mission and the fact a literal flower bush was growing inside him, piercing his lungs and destined the puncture his heart. Lance nearly threw his bayard at the wall, choosing instead to hit oncoming sentries from the distance. Hunk did not think he would have the strength to fling his paladin bayard so easily, especially when it turned into a sword. Lance was the sharpshooter, not the samurai. But then again, everyone has evolved through time.

They had to think fast. While they were conflicted on the choice Keith made abundantly clear, they had no time to mule over it where they stood. Hunk picked up Keith’s limp form and told Lance to cover him, the two dashing for their lions, as well as Allura and Pidge. Since Allura stated they had to act fast, Lance took Keith in the red lion to meet Coran in time.

Coran took him to the med bay, Lance carrying him to a bed as Coran hooked him up to altean machines and an oxygen mask. He injected some sort of serum Lance cannot pronounce, but it seemed to have taken the edge off of Keith’s groans of pain. His grimace smooths out after the liquid enters his bloodstream, Coran patting his head like a father and turning a grim expression to the team.

“I gave him a sedative that will stop the progress of the disease in its tracks temporarily. 72 hours I give it. But if he does not confess his feelings and continues to reject the procedure, there is no saving him.”

Allura hummed in thought, frowning. Her arms are crossed, shoulders tense and white hair in a loose, messy heap. “There has to be another way. It has been 10,000 years. Surely there has been progress in the treatment of the disease.”

Coran gave her a sad smile, but nevertheless, did not change his intel.

“I’ve scoured as many archives as I could on surrounding planets. Nothing. Not even the galra have a better cure.”

“There must.” She turned away from him, no doubt heading to the control room. “Coran, come. We have some research to do.”

“But princess--”

She stopped in the doorway, her hand resting on the cool exterior. She did not look at Coran, but he and everyone else could see her shoulders trembling. “Please, Coran. I cannot stand by and lose another friend.”

They left, hearts breaking in two, plastering a facade of hope and determination to counterattack the demand they wanted to dismiss, but were bound by honor. By respect. Though Keith’s wish and the team’s do not align, they were raised to honor a dying person’s last request. Even if that request is destructive in all senses. Hunk and Pidge watched them go, sincerely wishing Shiro were around to guide them. To tell them what to do about Keith. Maybe if he were around he would be able to speak reason to Keith.

But he isn’t. It is only them.

They felt so helpless.

“Where is Lance?” Pidge hesitantly asked. Hunk pulled out a chair to sit by Keith. Lance had ran off as soon as he laid Keith down, Hunk noticing him hold onto Keith’s hand seconds too long and, as if it physically hurt him to do so, ripping himself away and left.

Hunk couldn’t read him perfectly, yet a hunch told him he was the most emotionally affected by the turn of events and Keith’s choice. His face may have been blank, but his eyes screamed the opposite.

“He is doing what Allura is doing.”

-------------------------------

Who would have thought Lance would be angry enough to break down a door.

Normally one to open at its owner’s command or handprint, Lance pried at the door until his fingernails bled, him ultimately giving into temptation and shooting the damn system with his bayard.

It worked. But Lance did not dally about and dance around at his success. Rather, he stormed in Keith’s too clean room. From a first glance, there really wasn’t much. A bed. A closet with his earth clothes. A bathroom with the bare essentials for a shower. a desk. A pouch thrown to the side, the only indication of Keith being some semblance of a slob.

“As your leader, as your black paladin, I order you to stand down.”

Lance clenched his teeth so hard, he was sure they would crack.

With a flick of his wrist he overturned the mattress, the blanket and sheets fluttering about. The soft cushion landed with a dull thud, Lance throwing the pillow next. Seeing nothing beside the floor, he moved to the pouch. He ripped it open, anger and frustration tearing at the zipper’s seems. He flipped through random scrawls of paper to earth receipts, nothing of vital information popping up on who Keith loves. On who Lance could track them and convince them to help Keith. Yeah Lance and him butted heads in the past, but that doesn’t mean he wants him dead.

He’s his friend.

He’s...He’s one of his close friends. Though he hasn’t said it out loud. He has a temper and can make terrible decisions, who doesn’t? They are kids, for crying out loud. They are just teenagers trying to get by. Trying to LIVE.

His eyes began to sting, Lance working to shake it off and focus on the objective. Nothing in the damn pouch. Desk, maybe? A journal of some kind? He wasn’t one to peak in on someone’s private thoughts but this is a legitimate emergency.

He lifted the top of the desk, the hinges creaking from the lack of use. There was stacks of papers with haphazard scribbles, many with only notes on what Keith needs to improve on in terms on combat and crumbled pieces of his search for Shiro. There was one slip with a doodle of the team members, yet as Lance sifted and threw them all around, he couldn’t find some type of entry elaborating on the mystery person.

Keith took the expression "take the secret to your grave” too literal.

Lance was practically pulling his hair out by this point. There is nothing. Nothing to indicate who it is. Nothing for him to do. Nothing for him to fucking act upon and save his friend’s life.

Was he really this goddamn useless? Was all he could do is stand by and watch as his leader--his teammate--be swallowed up and suffocated by unrequited love?

Would he have to stand by and watch as his heart monitor go straight, unleashing the monotonous, infinite screech of death’s timestamp?

“Come on...Give me something. Anything...” He said to himself. Begging the universe in some way. “Give me a clue. We already lost Shiro. We can’t lose anyone else. Please.”

His knees buckled, a hand flying to his eyes as he physically pushed the tears away. Shoved the heel of his palm against the onslaught of emotions, it gushing out in slow currents. He wasn’t sobbing--wasn’t wracked with grief, but stressed. Stressed and upset enough to start crying, remembering the last time he did it was when he failed to become a fighter pilot the first time.

At the time, he lost something so trivial. Now, he was about to lose someone he considered family.

He was surrounded by Keith’s few belongings, but Keith left nothing for the team to find. Similar to how he disappeared from the garrison, talk of a legend, absence of a fact. It was like the desert whisked him away into a far away land, never to be heard from again like his mother.

If nothing is done, this will be what remains of him.

Lance sniffed, ready to get up and see with Allura if she had any luck when, form the corner of his eye, he saw a cylinder basket.

There was hardly anything in the trash can except a crumbled piece of paper.

Intrigued, Lanced wiped his eyes and walked over, gingerly picking up the wrinkled paper and unfurled it.

To the boy I love, was written in small cursive letters at the top. The rest of the page was a drawing. A sketch not old enough to be withered with time; the fine paper crisp and new. There was no color, but that didn’t matter. The drawing itself was a masterpiece in of itself, Lance having no idea Keith was an inner artist.

That isn’t what causes his mouth to hang open. What does is who the boy is.

It was Lance. Lance with his signature, happy-go-lucky grin, his eyes crinkled in glee and eyes lit up by a faint blue pencil. It was as if he were peering into a photograph, not a flaw in sight. Lance is speechless. Absolutely speechless. He never--when did he--what--

As he he mulled over the sudden realization he was the object of Keith’s affections, he noticed another feature. Something he would have missed if he wasn’t staring for so long.

It was dated a couple days ago. Judging from how the paper was the one thing in the trash, Keith most likely chucked it yesterday. But why--

It hits him like a truck.

“Another mission tomorrow?”

“Yes. Word from the blade there is intel at this facility detrimental to taking down Zarkon’s empire and finding Pidge’s family.” Allura said. “Keith, Lance, you will be partnering up.”

“Ugh, really?” Lance griped. “I have to work with our crappy leader again? I hate this.”

Keith stopped drawing what he had in his hand, his whole body covering the sketch book. He stilled, glanced at Lance with a blank stare, got up and left. As he did, a hand went up to his chest, Lance noting how he rubbed the area as if to alleviate it.

Keith wasn’t seen until the next day, skipped dinner from the night before and late to breakfast.

Moving with break neck speed, Lance long legs scampered to the bathroom and shoved the shower curtain aside.

Lance let go of the drawing as he slid to the floor.

It was covered in copious amounts of dried blood and shriveled violet petals.

---------------------

Allura slammed her hands against the monitor, the screen floating above her head glitching from the assault.

“By the goddess, how is there no advancement after the fall of Altea? We awaken thousands of years later, yet we might as well still be in the pods.”

“There are a couple more planets who were afflicted by the disease we can look at, but princess,” Coran said, a tone of fatherhood and concern for her well being. “You can only do so much. I do not like Keith’s decision either, but we must honor him as a soldier and a friend.”

Allura whipped around, ice fury meeting reserved orange. “Honor? There is no honor in this. There is nothing honorable about throwing your life away for something so...so...”

“Heartbreaking?”

Allura didn’t reply. She moved her attention back on the screen, rapidly typing and deleting pieces of her research, analyzing every detail until she was out of clues and had to move on to the next. Coran watched, reflecting on the time long in the depths of time where a similar person was doing the same for a friend, searching countless of galaxies before he shut down the operation upon their death.

-------------------

Keith didn’t wake up until the 24 hour mark, his consciousness gradually rising to the surface. There was still an ache in his chest. Like a snake constricting his chest until it was bound to break. But it wasn’t so bad he couldn’t stay awake.

His eyes glazed over his surroundings. He couldn’t get up, he was at that stage in his disease. Moving would make it worse. The tickling in his throat subsided, save for the couple of petals slipping through his lips every few minutes. His eyes are tired and foggy, seeing nothing but white walls and white sheets.

He spat out another flower and debated on going back to sleep. Sleep was nice. Sleep was endless and tolerable. The sheets over him were usually scratchy and uncomfortable, yet at the moment they were fluffy clouds tempting him into closing his eyes once more.

“Hey, bud.” A voice said beside him, quiet. Keith looked over and saw Lance sitting on a stool, mirroring Keith’s exhaustion. When was the last time he rested?

“Hey.” Keith said. His throat was torn apart, his speech shattered glass and loose gravel.

“How are you feeling?”

Keith shrugged. Kind of. “like shit.”

Lance’s mouth twitched. “Yeah. Coran had to give you a sedative to help. It’s temporary, though.”

“Mmm.”

Lance poked his cheek. “Hey, no falling asleep. I’m talking.”

“I’m tired.”

“That’s because you have been coughing your lungs out.”

“That’s what happens when you have a literal flower bush growing in your body.” Keith commented, not fully aware of the impact they had.

It went quiet, Keith closing his eyes and taking slow, even breathes, ignoring the thorn really digging into his left side and listening to the beeping drone of his heart monitor. His heart rate was slower than a normal beat, most likely due to the branches at the point where they are wrapping around his heart. Keith should care more. Should be freaking out. But he was so tired.

“Keith.”

“...”

“Keith.”

“What?”

Lance fiddled with a folded up paper, eyes in any other world but this one. “Why don’t you want the surgery?”

“Reasons.”

“Can you elaborate?”

Nothing.

Lance set his head in his hands. “Keith, please tell me why. Explain to me why you would rather refuse both methods of helping you. I know this may sound hard to believe, but we care about you. Including me. Allura is running herself ragged on finding a different cure, Pidge and Hunk are breaking into galra tech, and I...I’m trying to work with you. It’s hard to do that when you keep shutting me out.”

“It’s...It’s complicated.” Keith rasped, hesitating on his answer. He doesn’t want to die, but to Lance he might as well be signing his death wish in ink right in front of him.

“Try me.”

Keith let out a pained sigh. He fought down the cough scratching at his mangled throat, choosing his words carefully.

“It’s not because I want to die, it’s actually the opposite.” He said, soft. “You know how when they do the surgery, you come out of it...different?”

“Yeah. Most of the time you lose your feelings for the person, but in rare cases you can lose all your emotions.”

He did know. Good. “Well, to me I’d be killing what I value in myself. I know you see me as nothing but a hotheaded idiot who runs us head first into trouble. And you’re right, that is me. It’s the reason I didn’t want to be the leader of voltron. To be honest, Allura should have been the leader. Or you.”

“You’re not that bad...” Lance said. “I mean, we are still alive.” Lance made to joke, but it fell flat. Strangely though, Keith chuckled.

“Thanks.” He had a coughing fit for a couple of minutes, Lance running to grab water and giving it to him straight away. As he finished, he settled back down and picked up where he left off.

“Anyway...That spark in me, the part of me making me human, those are my emotions. Not just my love for the person, but the thing known to make me laugh, cry, scream, fight, hope. All those pieces come together to form a picture. To create someone who is real and genuine, and if those pieces are taken away, the puzzle defining me falls apart. I lose what I value the most: my humanity. my soul. I lose what makes me, me. Yes, it sucks knowing the person you love doesn’t love you back, but what is worse is losing yourself just for the sake of survival. The surgery is not a means of going back to how things were in my mind, but a way of keeping a broken being in commission.”

Keith turned his shining eyes to Lance, the indigo irises wet with either sadness or acceptance of his fate. “Lance, I don’t want to be a husk of who I was. I want to be me. If that means dying to stay true to who I am, then it’s okay. I know the team took a blow when Shiro disappeared, and I know this is no different. But you guys will manage.”

Lance understood, yet at the same time the mention of Shiro and the fact they would be left with four paladins rather than five awakened the storm brewing in his belly. Manage? MANAGE? They did not just lose a black paladin, but a hero on earth. Lance’s hero and a mentor they all cherished close to their hearts. And Keith wanted them to simply “manage” his death, throwing care to the wind and go out scouring for another black paladin. As if it were some sort of job title they could advertise on a newspaper. As if he were as disposable as the broken castle parts Coran threw in a random bin. As if he had no effect on the team whatsoever, assumed to be hated when really, really he--

“How can we manage when we are seeing a friend kill himself and there is nothing we can do?” Lance snapped, casting away the tears for white hot anger. “Do you not realize how important you are to the team? We would be crippled; feeding fodder to Zarkon and his army. Play toys for Lotor and his generals. I know I have said some pretty shitty things in the past, but please believe me when I say we cannot lose another paladin. We can’t...we can’t lose another team member.”

“Lance...”

“Allura and Coran lost their family and species. Pidge lost her father and brother. Hunk never wanted to be a pilot, and I--” His head bent down low, his body losing its stance as he slumped and breathed a sigh. “I lost earth. Now I’m about to lose more.”

Keith took a few seconds to respond, coughing into his fist but suppressing it when he wanted to talk. He wondered how much time he has left.

“What do you mean by that?”

“By what?”

“You...losing more. You hate me, don’t you?”

Lance felt as if he had been electrocuted. “W-Hate? I don’t hate you! What gave you that idea?”

Keith gave him a look.

Lance scratched his neck. “Okay, so I haven’t been good with our relationship. I just...I do this thing where I get jealous of someone cooler than me and find reasons to see them in a negative light. I keep doing it. But...I don’t want to anymore. Not as I realize your as normal as the rest of us. Minus the whole galra part.”

“Being galra threw me for a loop too.”

“No shit.”

The two laughed, their inner walls crumbling to bits as they came to a mutual understanding. It was nice. Sweet even. Something Keith didn’t think he would be able to experience, and Lance relieved to see Keith isn’t a God or a demon. He is a boy. A regular boy thrown into a random war as much as Lance and the others. If Lance could pick a moment and stay there for an indefinite amount of time, it would be this. Because it is where they meet each other half way, extending their hands to conjoin an alliance Lance had been throwing away. One Keith kept working to ignore.

But as the distance closed, Keith’s outstretched palm turned to stone and crumbled. For Keith’s serene expression twisted into agony. Coming out of nowhere, the branches and thorns and flowers shot up through his ribcage, his heart monitor going off the charts as he is flung into a violent coughing fit. Specks of blood turned into puddles, crimson flushing away the clean white sheets. Keith held his hands against his mouth, as if it could ward away the blood and pain. It spewed from the cracks, his fingers dripping with purple and red.

Lance stood to go run and grab Allura and Coran. Keith stretched out and seized Lance’s wrist, a gesture expressing he desired not to be alone. Lance stayed, rubbing soothing circles on his back and gathering some Altean paper towels to capture the blood. For a good moment Lance thought he was going to die right there, but Keith’s coughing eventually stopped. When it did, he leaned back against the bed, aging a couple of years by the exhausting action.

“Keith--”

“Lance?” Keith said through a raw throat. He looked so tired, it twisted Lance’s chest. “Will you...will you tell me a story? About your family in Cuba?”

Lance blinked. “Why?”

Keith smiled weakly at him. “Because it makes you happy. And I always wanted to hear one of your stories. You make earth sound so...loving.”

Lance didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, because not only did he sound so quiet and fleeting, but he was asking something from the person who put him here in the first place.

“But--”

“Please? You are sad. I want you to smile at least once before I fall asleep.”

Lance bit down on his wobbling lip. Why did it hurt so much to see Keith smile like that? Why did his heart skip a beat, bleeding for someone he didn’t expect to effect him in his life? Why did he stare at the bloody bathtub for hours on end, telling himself he could fix this. Why does he care so fucking much if he has another day with the person he deemed his rival; his enemy.

Why did he feel his own thorns grow inside him?

Shoving his feelings aside, he hung a mask of happy and opened up a time in his life where he smiled the most.

“Okay. So it was my first trip the Varadero beach, and my cousins were scared of water...”

By the end, Keith had fallen asleep peacefully. Lance rested his arms on top of the small slip of the bed Keith did not take up and joined him in slumber, knowing he wouldn’t be able to be content in his room. For if he stayed by Keith, maybe he won’t wake up to the sheets being empty and a lion asking for another paladin.

By morning, it clicked.

--------------------

Lance was awakened by harsh whispers and ragged breathing.

He stretched out, his back and neck aching from the position he allowed himself to sleep in. He was pretty sure he heard a few pops and wondered if he snapped his back. It didn’t help he took the brunt of an explosion in the past.

“The serum isn’t working as well as it should. It’s growing at a rapid rate.”

“Can’t you give him another dose? Twenty-four hours should be enough for it to leave his system.”

“Not this kind of medicine. If we give it before 72 hours he could go into cardiac arrest. It affects the heart as much as the disease.”

“Lets say fuck it to his stupid fucking order and give him the surgery. He’s too stubborn to be convinced otherwise!”

“Pidge!” Hunk admonished. “What would we do once he wakes up from the surgery? He will be angry. That’s if he still has any emotions left.”

“So he throws a temper tantrum.” Pidge cracked back. “Better than finding a grave sight.”

“This isn’s about you, Pidge!”

“And this isn’t about doing what he wants, but what is right!”

“For the love of--”

Lance was still trying to distinguish the developing voices as he wiped sleep from his eyes when there is a sudden crack and a high pitched scream. Lance jumped up, fully awake and looking at the source.

Pidge, Hunk, and Coran went silent as they followed Allura, who ran to Keith’s side. Keith was writhing and squirming, his arms surrounding his middle as worked to turn himself into a ball. Screams and howls of pain ripped through his throat, more blood bursting from his lips as full flowers followed one after the other. Allura grappled with Keith’s arms, snatching the restraints connected to the bed so he would stop flailing. If he moved too much he could puncture and collapse a lung.

But Keith rivaled Allura’s strength, Altean and Galra blood near similar in combat and physical force. She managed to seal the restraints around his ankles and wrists, but it did little to ease his wails.

Lance, finally processing everything, picked himself up and worked to make Keith look at him.

“Keith, Keith I need you to look at me. I need you to open your eyes and stop moving, you’re going to worsen your condition.”

Barely hearing him through his screams, Keith made his body still little by little, his eyes squeezing shut as tears leaked from the corners of his eyes and his hands balled into fists. He moved his head away from Lance’s grasp, needing to vomit out more flowers and blood on the floor. The branches coursed past his ribs and up his throat, tearing open new wounds. Beautiful flowers withered into deformity, blood and fragile petals breaking as soon as they reached the surface, sapped of its water and aged from grief. They were no longer a vibrant color, but dried brown mixed with blue.

Lance angled his head to the side so he doesn’t choke from his own blood.

“Keith, please look at me. I need you to see how serious I am.” Now was not the time to have a breakdown. Now was the time to get through to Keith and fix this.

Keith, fighting the impossible, opened his eyes, trying to keep somewhat still as the dead flowers built on one another.

“I know about the picture. I know the person you love is me. I know this and I need you to hear me out when I say I feel the same.”

There are gasps from the others, but Lance paid them no mind.

“I know you were hiding it because you thought I hated you. Let’s face it, I wasn’t aware myself on how I felt about you. All I could comprehend is it was passionate and fiery. I thought it was jealousy, and for a time it was. But now I’m sure of how I feel.”

Keith pulled away from his grasp, violently heaving out worse dead flowers on the other side, the hue a light brown and the stems breaking off into dust.

“You...Lie. You love...Allura.” Keith said, gruff and waves of flowers wracking his body as the branches around his heart tightened.

Lance followed Keith’s gaze, Keith unable to turn away because of the pain rendering him immobile. His eyes began to take up a sheen of dullness, Lance fearing he was reaching his breaking point.

I know, I thought so too. I told myself it was Allura I loved, told myself she was the one. But I love Allura like I love the others: as a friend.”

A lung was punctured.

Keith gasped, his movement ceasing all together. His heartbeat monitor went from crazy beeping to a slowing pulse, the lines taking longer to show a spike. Lance glanced at it, panicked, and turned back to Keith. He was so pale. He was fighting to breathe and keep their eyes interlocked, but the shine in his eyes seemed to be flickering out by the seconds.

Why wasn’t it working? If the feelings were mutual, shouldn’t the flowers and branches dissipate and go away on their own? Wasn’t the third option actually loving the person back, ending the nightmare both parties were experiencing?

Can’t Keith see Lance is genuine?

Lance grabbed his hand, attempting to tether Keith back to him. It was limp; clammy, his skin cold to the touch.

He brushed the bangs out of Keith’s eyes, wanting to at least see those dark eyes one last time if it meant his wish was not met. This as the least he can do.

“Hey samurai,” Lance spoke, gentle as droplets of tears kissed his cheeks. “Remember the first time you jumped from the cliff as we were being chased down by the garrison? Remember when you fought Zarkon by yourself, despite Coran advising you not to do it? Remember when we scoured the galaxy for Shiro, you never giving up even when you were tired and dehydrated? Remember how determined you were to find out about your mother and who you are? You made countless leaps of faith. So many I thought you were invincible, regardless of the moment you returned from the blades with a concussion and many bruises. You took those leaps of faith and whether you succeeded or not, you never backed down. And you didn’t back down from trusting me when you realized you messed up with the Lotor mission. Now I need you to make one last leap of faith and please, please for the love of all you hold dear, believe me when I say I am just as in love with you as you are with me.”

Lance rested his forehead against Keith’s. “I love you. Now, come back to me. Come back to me so we can look at the stars together. So I can take you to Varadero beach when we return to Earth. Come back.”

The monitor flatlined.

But in mere moments after Lance bore his heart and soul to Keith in the last seconds of his life, and as Lance began to take in the continuous screech of the machine, it stopped. stopped, then a beep happened. A second beep. A third. A fourth and a fifth and a sixth and--

Keith gasped for air, gulping down oxygen as if it were water and he had been left on a desert without any for days. The branches and flowers subsided, the grip on his heart loosening and the remaining lung freed from its prison. They grew smaller and smaller, going back in time to when they were seeds, and soon enough those too were gone.

Keith stared back up at Lance in awe. He didn’t pull away, but neither did he lean in, waiting for the illusion to shatter. Waiting for him to wake up and find himself back to square one, still coughing up petals.

But it didn’t happen.

“You...Love me?”

Lance, after what seemed like a lifetime of stress and misery, smiled big, his cheeks pink and his eyes flooding with relieved tears.

“Yes. Wholly and unconditionally.”

Everyone cheered in the background, Hunk lifting Pidge up and spinning her around while she screamed for him to put her down. Allura sniffed and dried up her tears, happy to see her newfound family not to be consumed by grief a second time. And Coran, being Coran, whipped out a bottle of nunvill to celebrate.

Allura used her Altean powers to heal the puncture in Keith’s other lung, and after he was discharged from the bed, took a shower to wash off all the blood (as well as the room he was stuck in), and everyone retreated to their bedrooms for a well earned nap, Lance and Keith gathered some blankets and pillows and set up in one of the vast rooms overlooking the stars.

All night they stayed up, pointing out constellations and making up stories, sometimes talking about home.

When they had nothing else to say after long hours of talking and Lance keeping Keith close a to make sure he really was there, they leaned on each other. For the first time they were alone together, happy and content.

And for the first time, the two kissed, sweet and soft. Glad to be in a reality where all was well, glad to know the universe had blessed them in the end.

“Oh, about that picture. You can throw it away. It really...It isn’t exactly done.”

“Are you kidding? It’s a masterpiece. And mine now, no take backs!”

Keith laughed. “Alright, goofball.”

Lance rested his head on Keith’s, the picture in his pocket, the boy planning to frame it when he is able.

It’s important to him. Just like the dark haired boy beside him.

#shania writes #klance #klangst #keith kogane #lance mcclain #hanahaki disease #VLD #voltron #im back on my bullshit #wow this is longgg #oops

148 notes · View notes