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ikeuverse · 3 days

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YOU'RE MY PROBLEM — l.heeseung

PAIRING: heeseung x fem!reader GENRES: angst, fluff, humor, suggestive WC: 11.6k+

WARNINGS: swearing, arguing, cheating, divorce, mention of drinking. slightly smut in that there is a section (albeit brief) describing almost – very almost – sex.

NOTES: idk what's going on, but heeseung's been on my mind a lot these days. 2nd plot in less than two weeks and he's the owner of everything! at first this was going to have a smut, but i felt it would be too long and idk if it turned out that well, so maybe it could happen in a second part that isn't even final. but that's it for now, i hope you like it!

masterlist

"What's your problem?" that intonation was already typical when directed at you, but it still never failed to send a chill down your spine.

Sighing, you got up from the living room floor and smiled at the little boy in front of you, trying not to focus your gaze on the man next to the sofa.

"Can't you do your job properly for once?" he said to you again as he followed you into the downstairs bathroom, and you tried to ignore him as much as possible to put the first aid kit away in the drawer and leave the room. But he blocked the door.

"Can you come out, please? I want to go through" you asked, looking at him for the first time.

"I asked you what your fucking problem is" he leaned over and gritted his teeth, now he could cuss since he wasn't next to his younger brother.

"And I asked you to leave" you leaned in too, almost touching the tip of your nose to his chin because of the height difference. This caught the man completely off guard and he took a few steps back, clearing the way for you to leave the bathroom and walk into the living room.

It wasn't a horrible accident, you weren't a terrible babysitter for nine-year-old Hajun. But his older brother, Heeseung, had been a pain in the ass ever since you first set foot in the Lee house.

And it wasn't as if you'd done anything because Mrs. Lee always praised your work highly and you even did a few extra periods just to play with Hajun or stay with him when there were family problems. These, more often than not, were your suspicions as to why the Lee family had hired a nanny for their youngest, and also why Heeseung seemed so down on life. Especially with you.

It was typical for him to make some sarcastic comment, and roll his eyes when you excitedly answered something his mother had asked. Or even mutter a swear word when Hajun chooses to go out with you instead of his own brother. Jealous? Or that intensified the anger Heeseung felt even more, you just didn't want it to be directed completely at you. In your mind, Heeseung was already like that because of something that happened in the family – and you'd always been curious to ask, you just didn't have the courage – so, because you were the only person who was easy to get along with apart from his mother and younger brother, the boy only had you to put it all out there.

You weren't such a bad listener, you could call Heeseung to sit down after your babysitting shift and tell him everything that was bothering you. Why he was so angry and, most importantly, why did he seem to hate you? Your memory tried to capture a moment when you could have given him a curt reply, a grimace or simply been rude, but no.

As soon as you arrived and introduced yourself as Hajun's new nanny, Heeseung just rolled his eyes and left the room.

"Don't worry about him, Y/n" Mrs. Lee smiled lovingly at you "Heeseung is going through a difficult process, I think he'll get better soon. He's sweet."

You hoped he would be. And you waited for months to see that Heeseung was still the same... Maybe his process would take forever and you would have been chosen to be his punching bag.

But one day it would get tiresome. Surely you knew that you would respond in full, even if you were afraid of losing your job because he might be able to get his mother's head around firing you.

Back in the living room, you smiled at Hajun when you saw the little boy smile at you too. Your gaze completely ignored Heeseung sitting in the armchair next to his brother.

"Come on Y/n, I was telling Seungie how I fell in the park earlier" the little boy had no idea what had happened minutes ago between you and Heeseung, and you preferred it that way. Your priority was always to protect Hajun and be with him.

You sat down next to him, feeling Hajun's small hands wrap around yours.

"So I went to play ball with some boys, but Y/n told me not to go barefoot because it could be dangerous for me" Hajun formed a pout on his lips as he looked away from Heeseung to his bruised knee, now completely clean and bandaged "And I didn't listen" Hajun looked at you now, showing his newly grown teeth "Do you forgive me, Y/n?"

"Oh, of course" you hugged him as he laid his head on your shoulder.

Heeseung huffed from the other side of the sofa, running his hand through his hair impatiently.

"Anyway, do your job properly next time" he got up and left the room, leaving you with Hajun as he climbed the stairs with his feet tapping.

You felt the younger man move beside you, looking into your eyes while still smiling. Hajun was an amazing child and you felt your heart sink every time you thought that, if it wasn't for you, he might be alone in this house.

Not completely alone, Heeseung worked in his room a few days a week and Hajun could ask his brother for help with anything, as he was extremely protective of the youngest. But if it wasn't for you, the little one wouldn't do his homework. He couldn't go out to the park in the next block, let alone go to the movies in the late afternoon because he was too bored to do anything indoors.

Thanks to you, Hajun had company every day. And that was the thought you had when Mrs. Lee hired you to keep him company.

"Ignore him" Hajun's voice brought you out of your thoughts and back to the reality you were in at that very moment. The little boy was already standing in the middle of the room "Heeseung is a pain in the ass when he wants to be."

"Hey, watch your mouth, young man" you laughed when he grimaced.

"Seriously, after—" Hajun sighed, looking at you "Never mind."

"You know you can tell me whenever you want, right?" you stood up too, walking over to him to ruffle the younger man's dark hair.

Hajun nodded, smiling at you and asking you to make him a brownie. Because he deserved it and he was hurting. This made you laugh because, although the mood changed drastically in that house, you knew that he always tried to take everything in good humor.

Hajun's slip in the previous few minutes only made you even more certain that something was going on, and your heart squeezed to see that he was aware of the problems within his own house even at his young age. So, more than ever, your determination to take care of him spoke louder. Because Hajun was your priority in that house. And that would always be the case.

With your head in your hands, you felt like screaming as you stared at the computer in front of you. Life as a university student was complete shit, even more so when you were forced to start a project and didn't even know where to begin.

Your two best friends were sitting right in front of you with their projects very well developed, but it was as if only your head was short-circuiting because nothing was good enough.

"You're going to tear your hair out soon" Jake leaned over the table to pull one of your hands away from your face, taking his attention away from his project.

"Can I rip my head off?" you almost cried as you looked at him, both of you looking away to Ryunjin sitting next to you.

"Why are you like this?" she asked.

"Is it because of the project?" Jake was already sitting properly in his seat, his eyes still on you and Ryunjin too. You nodded in agreement, swallowing dryly when the girl sighed.

"Or is it for someone else?" Ryunjin emphasized the question when she looked at you.

The table was now a little chaotic with Ryunjin peeking out with a smile on her lips, you trying to wiggle out of it and Jake looking between the two friends like a lost puppy.

"What the fuck is going on? Because I think I've lost something" the boy finally said.

"Heeseung, again" Ryunjin answered for you "He's still being an asshole to Y/n. Hasn't your little friend said anything worthwhile to let us know what happened?"

Jake opened and closed his mouth to answer but to no avail. He was a friend of Heeseung's, fortunately, or unfortunately, the boy went to the same university as you. Being Jake's friend, he once let slip that his mother was looking for someone to look after Hajun. And since you needed money... you could just combine the useful with the pleasant.

But your friend seemed to be as lost as you were, or at least he pretended very well. As one of Heeseung's best friends, it would be difficult for him to tell you if something was going on that could involve you. But he was also your best friend. This standoff with Jake could leave you confused and feeling bad on both sides, which is why you never pressured him to tell you anything.

"He's just having some problems" Jake tried to be vague on the subject.

"He's the problem, Jake" you closed your computer, giving up on working on a project you knew would come to nothing. Your head was full – unfortunately of annoyance about Heeseung – and nothing could make you concentrate on the moment "He was really rude to me last time, you know?"

He knew.

He listened to Heeseung swear for ten minutes about how you could let Hajun get hurt. Then he let his friend cool off and tried to argue that it wasn't your fault. Heeseung understood and even pondered whether he had been too hard on you.

"I... No, what did he do?" Jake nibbled his lower lip to suppress a sigh as he began to listen to everything he had to say.

From his perspective it wasn't your fault, Heeseung was too hard on you and anything you did. Sometimes Jake felt like telling you everything, telling you how many times he'd lost count by cursing Heeseung for his behavior. Or wanting to punch him just because his friend took out his frustrations on the wrong things.

"You need to talk to him to stop being like that with Y/n" Ryunjin caught Jake's eye, making him look at her "Or I'll shove some architectural material up his ass. Name one."

"A piece of concrete?" Jake frowned. He had no idea which materials were architectural, Heeseung did that course, not him. Jake was a computer scientist, just like Ryunjin.

She smiled with satisfaction at the answer and then looked at you.

"Now don't think about him and focus on your project, my love" Ryunjin reached out to touch your hand gently "I bet your designers are going to be amazing."

"We can't wait to see it" Jake also celebrated, taking your other hand and running his thumb over the back of it in affectionate contact.

Even with all the stuff going on in your life, the daily stress of dealing with the older brother of the little boy you were looking after, being in the presence of your friends seemed to cure everything and then some. Even though Jake was Heeseung's friend, that didn't change the way your friend treated you or how much he wanted to see you well.

Ever since these disagreements between you and Heeseung started happening, Jake made it clear to both parties that he didn't want to be a part of it. Ryunjin even complained once that she would be part of it and still defend you, but no one listened – thankfully.

After some time exchanging glances with your friends and smiling, you decided to focus on your project because, even if time was in your favor and the deadline was a month away, being prepared and ahead of schedule was your motto.

Taking advantage of a few vacant classes at college was perfect for going to a remote table on campus and working on whatever it was. These get-togethers with your friends were what got you out of stressful and bad times, even if you saw them on some weekends or in some classes. Just sitting there, chatting away regardless of the subject, made you feel a little better.

"Jake, dude, I finally found you" the voice took you away from your more peaceful thoughts and gratitude for your friends to focus forward. The boy whose name had been called stared after you with soft eyes, but as soon as he noticed your gaze on him, Jake's eyes widened slightly "Are you studying?"

Heeseung's voice was unmistakable to you. And at that moment you wanted to dig a hole and hide, or run out of there just so you wouldn't have the pleasure of bumping into the boy at his study table.

"Tidying up projects" Jake hissed, squeezing Ryunjin's leg under the table when he felt his friend move in her place. Her gaze was locked on Heeseung so angrily, yet the boy didn't notice, too distressed to find Jake.

"Can I join you here?" he asked "I need to finish some university homework and then we need to meet Jay for a game of basketball."

"Sure" Jake gave a small smile and beckoned Heeseung to sit down.

No. Not. Jake and Ryunjin were sitting next to each other, so the only vacant seat was right next to you.

Heeseung sat down without looking in their direction. He smiled at Ryunjin as a silent greeting, but she took it in her stride and ended up nodding at him politely after looking at you at the same moment Heeseung did.

The boy's eyes could come out of their orbs if it were possible, the way he opened them. Fidgeting uncomfortably on the bench next to you, he was in a bit of shock, even looking a little vulnerable given the circumstances that Heeseung always looked fierce when he was around you at his house.

"Y/n?" he asked, afraid that you were real.

"Hey" you said quietly.

He didn't know what to say, how could he forget that Jake was always with you on campus if you weren't with him? Why didn't Heeseung check out the people at that table before he sat down?

There were so many questions circling his mind that, as the boy saw you ignore him to open the computer and focus on your study, maybe he should do the same.

Focusing on his university homework while he waited for Jake to finish his project and then meet his other friends was what he had to do. All Heeseung had to do was answer a few questions that the teacher had given him in class and hope that his friend would finish as quickly as possible.

"Heeseung" Ryunjin called out after a while, her gaze flicking between him and you. You both looked very uncomfortable next to each other and it was so clear. Even more so after he arrived and didn't greet you properly, it wouldn't go unnoticed by your best friend.

"Hey, Ryunjin" he tried to smile amiably, almost feeling a shiver run down his spine when she leaned over the table, resting her elbows on the stone. She smiled strangely; he had seen it before when the girl was sarcastic or about to fight with someone. Was she going to fight with him?

"Is there concrete in your course building?" she asked.

Heeseung frowned in complete confusion. That question had no basis in fact, but at least she wasn't angry with him, so he could relax a little and not feel any more chills as the girl still stared at him.

"We have several, will you need them?"

"Yes" she said.

"Sure, but what for?" when Heeseung asked and Ryunjin was about to answer, you quickly closed your computer. Praying that everything was intact even with the small bang.

This startled the three at the table – even you – so you got up and grabbed your backpack.

"I remembered that I need to go with Ryunjin to the library, now" your emphasis was a complete answer to the fact that your friend would have to follow you. Jake was grateful that she obeyed, even if it was against her will, putting her things away as she picked up the backpack to leave.

"Why did she want concrete?" Heeseung looked at Jake after you and Ryunjin left, laughing quietly and focusing on the questions he needed to answer, missing his friend's gaze, which was a little shocked.

"I have no idea" Jake lied.

Or omitted, exactly. Heeseung didn't need to know the intentions of the girl who had ranted at him minutes before he arrived at the table.

Of all the things Heeseung wanted to put out of his mind, one was to know exactly where to find the person who had hurt him the most. Who broke up the perfect family he thought he had.

Heeseung wanted to be able not to remember the bar his father frequented, but here he was. Across the street watching the large glass windows, and inside the establishment, people were drinking and celebrating something.

He was drinking too. He was already on his third bottle and brought the glass up to his lips to finish off the bitter liquid which, at this point, no longer had any effect. Heeseung was focused on the male figure who was laughing and raising his glass of alcohol to talk to some other men. So this was how his father looked every Thursday night before going home. That's how Heeseung followed him one night, tired of seeing his father come home late only to catch him drinking in that damn bar, with a woman sitting on his lap who must have been Heeseung's age.

His father didn't see him he didn't want to cause a fuss and make his mother even more worried because, frankly, Heeseung was on the other side of town and late at night. But he couldn't hide it when he got home and told his mother. She was an amazing woman and didn't deserve the kind of thing that was happening right behind his back and that of the whole family.

Heeseung didn't know that he could feel as strongly repulsed by someone as he did by the man who, at that moment, staggered out of the bar with another woman hanging around his neck.

He felt nauseous, wanting to throw up the beers he had bought while his eyes stung and blurred. But the figure of the man on the other side who was dialing something on his cell phone was clear, waiting for the app car together with another woman. She was different from the woman Heeseung first caught him with, so his father was with a different one every time. That was even more disgusting.

"Let's go to my apartment, baby" he laughed out loud as soon as the car arrived, letting the woman get in first and him follow behind. Leaving Heeseung's sight as the car pulled away.

"Fucker" Heeseung kicked the glass bottle against the sidewalk to break it instantly.

The tears were already rolling freely down his face and he didn't care that he was crying, he'd held it in for so long since the last two days. He stayed in his room so that he could cry in peace without his mother or Hajun noticing. He didn't want to worry them because he was now the oldest male figure there. While his mother worked all the time at the company, Heeseung needed to be there for Hajun even if you were with him.

His thoughts were soon interrupted by the sound of Heeseung's cell phone, startling him briefly as he picked it up to see who was calling. His mother.

Involuntarily, a sad smile formed amidst the tears and he didn't think twice about answering the call.

"Hi son, where are you?" she asked on the other end of the line.

"I came for a walk" he struggled to keep his voice from sounding so sad and tearful, clearing his throat as he sniffled "Is everything all right? Do you need anything?"

"Everything's fine, don't worry" she laughed, making Heeseung laugh too. That laugh that he missed, knowing that it was slowly coming back "It's just that a great opportunity has arisen to close a deal with another partner in the company and I'm going to have to travel to the neighboring city for a week."

"And Hajun?" he asked.

"I've just spoken to Y/n, she's going to sleep at home" his mother just passed on the information, showing that the decision had already been made. And even if it wasn't, Heeseung couldn't do much since he knew that his younger brother needed the nanny's care. He couldn't be available to look after Hajun.

"All right" he said afterward, "I'm coming home."

"Okay, my son. Come back carefully, okay?" she seemed to be smiling as she spoke, which warmed Heeseung's heart "Be a good boy with the two of them at home, please."

"I will" he replied "Bye mom, I love you."

"I love you more, my boy" and saying that, she hung up.

Heeseung felt less bad about his mother's call, but he still couldn't forget the scene he had seen a few minutes ago. He knew that his mother was moving on and accepting the divorce as best she could, but Heeseung couldn't forgive the betrayal. The way his father had acted in the face of everything. He hadn't spoken to the man since he found out, choosing to ignore his calls and messages and telling his mother not to go to the university. Heeseung didn't want to see him. He'd rather pretend he'd never met or lived with a lying father than have to say anything to the man.

Maybe he needed to go home like he said he would. His head was already beginning to buzz with disparaging and angry thoughts, which he wanted to get rid of quickly.

A hot bath and a video game were all Heeseung needed at the moment to feel cleansed of everything he had witnessed that day. Not that it had been much, but he hadn't come home from university. He hadn't arrived at the same time as Hajun from school so that he could have lunch with him. Heeseung wandered around every familiar corner until he stopped at an app car and went straight to that damn bar. Now it was time to get another app car and go home.

Heeseung felt angry with himself for letting anger take over every fiber of his body, while he could do the same as his mother. Or even Hajun, who was already asking less about the man daily. Perhaps the younger brother wouldn't even remember his father if he wasn't mentioned, and the elder wanted it that way. He wanted his brother not to have the proximity he had to see how disgusting and untruthful the man who once lived with them was.

"Thank you" Heeseung thanked the driver as soon as he pulled up in front of his house, getting out of the car and waving quickly.

He took slow steps to the front door to see that everything was dark, you had probably already put Hajun to bed and that would be a relief. The two of you would be asleep and you wouldn't see the deplorable state that Heeseung had arrived home in.

In as much silence as he could manage, he unlocked the door and opened it, then locked it and looked around. Absolute silence inside the house. It brought Heeseung a little peace to think that the motherfucker he had seen earlier would never set foot in his house again.

He took off his shoes and the jacket he was wearing, throwing the garment on the sofa and feeling his body begin to tire. His throat was dry from the beers and from crying, his eyes would surely swell up because of it and Heeseung always forgot that fact. It was a pain. So maybe a little water would at least save his throat; he'd deal with his morning appearance later.

Heeseung walked to the kitchen only to feel a scream escape his mouth as the fridge door slammed shut.

"Fuck" he put his hand over his chest as he looked at your equally frightened figure. You had also let out a little scream, but he only heard his own because his ears were ringing "Why is everything out?" he asked when he saw you moving away from the fridge.

"I thought you'd already arrived, I didn't want to disturb you" you held up the bottle of juice, probably something you'd drink while you were there until you fell asleep.

Heeseung just nodded and walked over to the light switch, squeezing his eyes shut along with you when the brightness hit. It didn't take long to get used to it before he looked at you, swallowing dryly as you looked back at him.

"Is everything okay?" you asked. Heeseung was going to ask why but forgot that his eyes and the tip of his nose were probably red because he had been crying.

Shit. Continuing with the light off could have been better.

"I don't want to talk about it" he replied immediately, his nervous tone returning as Heeseung looked away from you.

"Heeseung—"

"You're here to look after Hajun, right?" turning to look at you, Heeseung felt his eyes misting up again. He didn't know why he felt like crying while standing in front of you, one of the only people he didn't want to show himself vulnerable to apart from his younger brother and his mother "So why don't you do your job, and stop asking questions?"

For a split second, Heeseung saw your shoulders slump, the bottle of juice resting on the sink and your lips parting to say something. He blinked a few times to keep the tears from falling.

"What's your problem?" you finally said to him, your chest aching and your heart beating fast from nervousness "I have no idea what's happened to you" with each word, you took a tiny step towards him because Heeseung was blocking the passage from the kitchen worktop to the main door to leave the room. You had no choice but to approach him "But don't take your frustrations out on me!" you wanted to shout the last sentence, but out of respect for Hajun and for him being asleep, all you did was poke his chest a little harder. Pushing your index finger in there.

Heeseung closed his eyes as he felt your finger pushing him, but before you could push him away, he grabbed your hand.

Your eyes widened at him because that was the first touch the two of you had shared since you started working at the Lee family home. His fingers were warm against your wrist and you wanted to struggle to get out of his grip, but without a doubt, Heeseung was stronger and faster. Pulling your body against his and wrapping his other arm around your waist.

It would be foolish to ask what or why, and even more foolish to try to get out of there because with every reluctant movement you made, he pulled your body even tighter against him. He tilted his face towards you, lowering it enough to touch his forehead to yours, and you took the opportunity to lean in and meet his lips halfway.

The touch of Heeseung's lips was soft, his tongue pressing against your bottom lip was electrifying and when he wrapped the muscle around yours, you could taste the lingering taste of beer in his mouth. It wasn't as if you'd never drunk before, but feeling the alcohol in someone else's mouth, Heeseung's had made your whole body shiver.

He pulled your body closer until his big hands and firm fingers pressed your waist to your butt. Giving small touches to your thigh, he wanted to signal you to jump into his lap, and without disobeying you did so, already knowing that your butt would be in contact with the cold marble countertop in the kitchen.

Your legs wrapped around Heeseung's waist and body to pull him closer while you lost yourself in his lips. It would be a lie to say that he didn't notice every detail of your face, and you would also be a hypocrite to say that you didn't look at him a little more closely when he wasn't looking at you. But feeling the softness of those lips that were always frowning in your direction was wonderful.

Heeseung lowered his lips to your chin and kissed down to your jaw, then down to your neck, and like a damn pro, he hit exactly the spot that made your whole body shudder. Your reaction couldn't have been different, letting out a sly moan and clamping your legs even tighter around him. When Heeseung's body tightened between your legs, he instinctively moved his hips towards your, thrusting his hips to give your better friction between his legs.

Your fingers tangled in his hair, tugging at each strand while your mouth worked wonders on his skin down to his collarbone.

He moved his hips again, this time you could feel Heeseung's semi-hard cock pressing against your pajama-clad pussy. Moaning once more, you tugged on his hair as he lifted his head to kiss you again.

It was breathtaking how he felt between your legs, taken by your lips and touching your body with his fingertips. Your waist was perfect, fitting exactly between his palms as he pressed you even tighter against him. It was Heeseung's turn to moan against your lips when you planted your feet on his lower back to press Heeseung's hips even tighter against yours, nibbling on his lower lip to catch your breath.

"Y/n" he moaned your name and you almost whimpered and asked him to rip off all your clothes and fuck you right there. Heeseung would do it for sure, you wouldn't even think of denying it because of the way he was squeezing every curve of your body and chasing his lips to kiss you again.

If it hadn't been for the incessant crying upstairs. The two of you separated for a few seconds to see if you had heard the same thing. Heeseung's eyes traveled to yours and then to the kitchen door, hearing Hajun's crying again.

With great difficulty, he climbed out from between your legs, feeling the loss of contact grow cold between his fingers as he took a few steps back and took your hand to help you down from the worktop. Heeseung looked at you a little better this time. Lips reddened and the skin on your neck the same, a few bite marks he'd left while kissing there made him smile a little sideways as he saw your eyes go down to his cock.

"Oh" Heeseung threw his oversized blouse over it, even though it only covered half of his lower body, but he couldn't stop it.

You'd even tease him about how beautiful he looked with his hair messed up – by you – and his red mouth too inviting to keep kissing. But Hajun had called your name, taking you away from all the unholy thoughts you were having in the kitchen with Heeseung.

"Shit" you turned away from Heeseung and watched him throw his head back, as frustrated as you were to get it over with as the two of you ran to the top of the stairs. Climbing each step a little faster until you entered Hajun's room and were followed by his older brother "Hey, I'm here."

"I had a bad dream, Y/n" he was crying, hugging your body quickly as soon as you sat on the edge of the bed.

You kissed the top of Hajun's head and looked at the door, beckoning Heeseung to come in too. And so he did.

"Hey buddy, are you okay?" Heeseung knelt beside the bed where you were sitting with Hajun.

"Seungie" the younger man pulled out of your embrace, this time choosing to hug his brother, "I had a bad dream."

"Do you want to tell us what it was like?" Heeseung asked.

Hajun remained quiet for a while still hugging Heeseung, probably calming down from the fright he'd had as he got out of his brother's arms and lay back on the bed. You dried the stubborn tears from his face with such a gentle touch, that it made Heeseung wonder if you would have done the same for him if you had seen him cry earlier.

What kind of fucking thought is that, Heeseung? He pushed any thoughts of this aside and focused on the scene in front of him, seeing that Hajun looked a little calmer as he sighed.

"I dreamt about my father" the mention of the man, made Heeseung's jaw clenched, and he wanted to curse himself so much for seeing that your eyes were on him now. Surely this could come up as a topic of conversation or, worse, now you could find out about his father. And that was a subject Heeseung didn't want anyone to know about.

"And do you remember what it was like?" you asked.

"Never mind, Hajun's tired—"

"He fought with me in the dream" Hajun interrupted Heeseung who was already on his feet, he didn't want to pace around while listening to his brother's dream "And then I saw him beating up Seungie and leaving the house with my favorite teddy bear."

Before Hajun could cry again, you grabbed one of his hands and kissed it.

"It was just a dream, it won't happen, Junie" trying to reassure the little boy that it would never happen was easier than you thought. He smiled at you.

"Promise you won't let it happen? That you'll look after me, but Heeseung too?"

Hajun's eyes were so pleading and piteous. You wondered if Heeseung did the same thing when he wanted something. But also, you wondered why that had been said. Why had Hajun asked you to do that kind of thing?

Your lack of words made Heeseung restless, moving from side to side until he went to the bedroom door. Perhaps you had been clear in your attitude that you were only there to look after Hajun. He just didn't know why it was bothering him so much, leaving a slight tightness in his chest. It could be because of his brother's dream, of course! That was it, wasn't it? Or was it his lack of an answer?

Heeseung didn't want to think too much, he didn't want to let anything get to him. But he was completely wrong when standing in the doorway of Hajun's room, he heard you.

"I promise, Junie."

If before it was inevitable not to look at you while you were around, now it seemed impossible for Heeseung to look away from you. Even having to spend a whole week with just you, him, and Hajun.

The boy had the vivid memory of your lips against him in that kitchen every time he saw you say something. Your mouth moved to answer something his younger brother or talk on the phone to his mother because she called and wanted to know if everything was okay. Heeseung wanted to curse himself for remembering the sounds you made and how he felt when he got between your legs. It might have sounded pathetic to any guy who said it out loud, especially if it was about you.

He'd certainly heard half an hour of Jake's lecture about what had happened, especially as he didn't dare to say much afterward.

"She thinks I'm an idiot, then?" Heeseung asked.

"More than usual? Absolutely" Jake wanted to throw anything in his hand at his friend's head, especially after he saw the gleam in Heeseung's eye when he talked about you.

It was clear that all that denial was turning into attraction and Sim knew it would, he didn't read the silly novels that Ryunjin pushed at him for nothing, something would have to do and sure enough, it was the analysis he'd done on your – unofficial – relationship with Heeseung. Something he kept quiet until his older friend opened his mouth and told him everything.

At first, the kiss had been something that had shocked Jake, after all, Heeseung couldn't spend two seconds next to you without an argument breaking out. But as he went on to tell you about the events and how he had been acting around you during that week, something in Jake clicked. It wasn't necessarily a crush, but something in Heeseung about finding you attractive or starting to take a romantic interest in you.

"That's got to be a joke, doesn't it?" Heeseung turned to Jake and then looked at Sunghoon, another friend of the two of them who always listened to the lamentations and frustrations about how Heeseung had argued – again – with you.

"Firstly, you didn't deny it at any point when Jake talked about you being attracted to Y/n ever since we arrived" Sunghoon leaned back even further in the café chair, holding back a smile when he saw his friend's eyes go wide "Secondly, you kissed her, like, do you do that with someone you can't stand?"

Heeseung wanted to say yes, that was exactly it. It would be normal to kiss someone he can't stand, right? But the question would be... Why can't he stand himself?

After keeping quiet for a while, he tried to forget how right his friends were because he didn't want to dwell on something he was struggling to forget, especially since his mother's week away was over and that meant you'd be going back home. No more seeing you at home all the time, at least not alone. This would give him time to think more calmly and put all his thoughts in order, which could make him even more confused if it were possible.

Sighing heavily after returning from university, Heeseung just wanted to throw himself on his bed and forget about all that mental confusion for the next few days. Isolate himself, do his homework, and pretend you weren't downstairs in his house. Maybe that would be easy. Maybe he could ignore it a little and try not to run around looking like an idiot in front of you because he's had a whole week, uninterrupted, to say a single word to you. But no, Heeseung couldn't.

At least he said good morning and smiled at you every day while you were with Hajun, right? You shouldn't smile back, you shouldn't make him almost scream internally because you were being nice to him.

Shit, Heeseung. You sound like a teenager, you idiot. He might even have continued talking in his head if it hadn't been for the voices coming from the living room.

Heeseung didn't want to think that he had arrived at his house after you and that he would see the scene of you fooling around with Hajun. He tried to run as far as he could when Jake gave him a lift so he wouldn't have to wait for you to get home and have lunch with you. At least not that day. But to the boy's surprise, the voices were much more different than his own.

And he knew – unfortunately – who it was.

"Look, you're here" in the old days, Heeseung would have given anything to hear that voice cheerfully after coming home from school, perhaps if he were in eighth grade again. But coming home from university with a sick feeling in his stomach, he just wanted to throw up as he looked at his father.

"Son" his mother got up from the sofa where she was, not so close to his father, and they both seemed to be having an amicable conversation before Heeseung arrived.

"What are you doing here?" he asked directly to the man who was trying to smile in his direction.

"Your father called me yesterday, he misses you and Hajun" his mother had the sweetest voice of all, and on any occasion. Heeseung wanted to ask her how she was feeling in the presence of that man. It was impossible to have such a beautiful smile and calm voice after everything he had done.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" he knew that his pent-up anger would come out somehow, he just didn't want to explode in front of his mother. At least Hajun wasn't there.

"I asked your mother to spend a weekend with you and Hajun" he took a step forward to try to get closer to Heeseung. The boy did the same, mustering the only ounce of sanity he had not to slam his fist into the man's face. Unfortunately, it was still his father.

"I won't, and you won't get Hajun out of this house."

"Heeseung" his mother called out.

"What's your problem, Mom? Really?" Heeseung turned away from his father and walked to the middle of the room to approach his mother. It was almost like a plea when he let out, "After everything he's done, you still have the nerve to let him in and allow this? No!"

"He's still your father, my son" she smiled weakly "And it's only a weekend..."

"No" he said.

The protests could continue, Heeseung knew that this discussion would be so long that they would spend hours in that room. They shouted and protested that they wouldn't leave, but the door opened quickly.

Hajun's hurried footsteps and the conversation he was having with you were the reason the three of them shut up immediately.

"I can't do without this ice cream, Y/n. Please" Hajun whined. When you laughed, it was the only thing that could make Heeseung relax his shoulders, even if he didn't want to admit it. The sound of your laughter so close up awakened something in him.

"We can go to the other side of town after you've done your homework" you said, making the little boy giggle. Okay, maybe you were right, but he'd still convince you to go across town to the best ice cream parlor you and he had visited last week.

"Dad?" Hajun was the first to enter the room, looking at the scene before him. Upon hearing this, you took a few more hurried steps behind the little boy to be equally shocked by what you were seeing.

The father of the Lee family was there, for the first time since you started babysitting Hajun. Mrs. Lee had a small smile when she saw the little boy go towards her to hug him affectionately. But what caught your eye was Heeseung's furious look. That look you knew because it was the only thing you saw all that time, except when he looked at Hajun or his mother.

So Heeseung was angry at his father, the man who was smiling at you at that moment.

"Hello, you're..." he tried to make conversation when he saw that no one would say anything.

"Oh, I'm Y/n, Hajun's nanny" you approached to greet the smiling man, smiling too. But as soon as your hand almost touched him, a strong tug on your wrist made you stagger backward.

Your eyes quickly searched for the reason to find Heeseung already looking at you.

"Come up with Hajun, please" he ordered.

"Heeseung..."

"Not now, just go up with him" he whispered when he saw that Hajun was engaged in an awkward conversation with his father and mother "And stay there as long as you can."

"Are you okay?" Heeseung didn't want to have another clash of feelings at that moment, especially with your gaze so intensely on him. So he just nodded quickly and looked away to the other three.

"Junie, go upstairs with Y/n. I heard you need to do your homework..."

"But I wanted to meet the babysitter and, well, spend some time with your brother" the older man seemed quite nice, but if that was the reason Heeseung was clenching his hands into fists, it was certainly a false front.

"Hajun, go with Y/n" was the older brother's final word, and from the way the little boy didn't even question it, you knew it was something much more delicate.

As a silent apology, Mrs. Lee waved to you and Hajun before going upstairs to the youngest's room.

"Do you want to take a shower before you start your homework?" you asked, going to his closet to get some clothes that were more comfortable than his school uniform.

Searching for some sweat shorts and a T-shirt, you turned towards him to see Hajun's eyes redden and shine. Running up to the little one, you knelt in front of him before feeling little arms encircling your neck.

"Hey, hey, hey... Are you okay?" you whispered as you hugged him, sitting down on the floor to welcome the little one into a tight embrace.

"I don't like it, Y/n... I don't like it."

"What? What don't you like?" as you asked, your hands went straight to the little one's hair to stroke it as you let him cry in your embrace.

Hajun cried silently for a few minutes, sobbing softly as he felt a little safer in your arms.

"The last time Dad was here..." he sighed between whimpers, lifting his head a little to meet your face "He and Heeseung had a nasty fight, but neither of them knows that I know."

"Your mother knows?" you asked, Hajun agreed.

It was the night the betrayal came to light that Heeseung didn't want to put his mother through all that lying to sustain a marriage that was only for her. His father had been gone for a long time, or at least trying to maintain an appearance that didn't exist.

Hajun was supposed to be asleep that night, but Heeseung's furious shouts woke him up, causing him to get out of bed and open the bedroom door with a crack. Hearing the swearing and shouting, he also heard something. It sounded like a struggle. Mrs. Lee's crying aroused Hajun's despair and he almost went downstairs to see what was going on, why Heeseung was cursing his father. Hajun had never heard his older brother swear like that.

But before he could go downstairs, his mother stopped midway with watery eyes and a silent plea for him to go back to his room.

"Stay here, okay? And don't tell them about it" Hajun knew something was very wrong because he had never seen his mother cry. And after a few minutes, the fighting seemed to stop.

The front door slammed hard and then Hajun tried to forget what had happened for so long until he only remembered after seeing his father's figure standing there in the middle of the room. They were flashes of the small event that was much bigger, and it made you even more curious because Hajun's words were few, even though they contained a lot of information since you were left in the dark when you arrived.

At least there was something to know, but it wasn't as if you needed to ask him everything either. You just wanted to protect him and you would do that, the questions could come later.

"God, dude, stop drinking" Jake whined as Heeseung poured himself another glass, ignoring his friend's protests.

"Why?" he asked "As far as I remember, we came here because I'm sad and I need to get drunk."

"Drunk is fine, but not to the point of vomiting" Jake took another glass away from Heeseung "I'm taking you away and I don't want anyone vomiting in my car."

It was a fair point, but Heeseung didn't want to make a big deal out of it. He wanted to forget the last few weeks.

He wanted to forget that, unfortunately, his father had had a shitty, friendly talk with his mother, agreeing that he would take Hajun away for at least one weekend to go for a walk or do something nice. Even if the boy's fights and constant swearing came to nothing. He knew he couldn't stop it, not legally, so as long as nothing happened to the little boy, Heeseung vowed not to speak a word to his father.

Then he became even more frustrated by your presence in his home, and this was because, as the days went by, he realized that he could feel something. Not even the slightest something for you. But what he didn't count on was the fury that went through his whole being when he saw you laughing with a boy in the university cafeteria. Heeseung hardly ever saw you there, or if he did, it was always with Ryunjin, so why did it bother him so much?

The last fact had been a state secret, none of his friends knew anything about it. So they attributed Heeseung's bad mood and sadness to the events with his father and how powerless he felt to let Hajun meet the man he hated most on the face of the earth.

"I might as well go home alone" Heeseung flashed all his pearly teeth in a childish grin when Sunghoon arrived with a few more glasses.

He was such a savior of the fatherland, making his sad friend, who just wanted to get drunk at that moment, happy.

"So why did you ask me for a ride?" Jake raised one eyebrow, smiling "Why did you say you wouldn't drive and I was supposed to take you back home?"

"Because you love me and would do anything for me" Heeseung picked up another glass and turned away from Jake to drink.

There was no point in arguing or stopping the tallest boy from drinking that night, not even Sunghoon could do it. The only way out was to surrender and let Heeseung enjoy as much as he could, even if Jake sneered every time the glass was against Lee's lips.

He wondered what the car would look like if it swayed too much while he was taking Heeseung home, or what he would look like in the back seat or even in the back if he had to take Sunghoon too.

And it was this scene that Jake found himself in, a few hours later, as he carried his two best friends out of the bar. Sunghoon was in the driver's seat to guide the way while Heeseung sat in the back seat, his legs wide apart and his head resting against the back of the seat.

Jake looked in the rearview mirror, afraid that some fluid would come out of Heeseung's mouth or that he would have to stop abruptly so that his friend would run off and vomit. But no, the journey continued normally until the three of them stopped in front of Lee's house. Meanwhile, Heeseung's mind was far away. Closed eyes had been a plague on his life for the past few weeks because every time it happened, your face would appear in his mind. It was something Heeseung tried at all costs to ignore. Something he swore to himself that if it happened again, he would have to take action.

And it was impossible not to think about you after the last scene he saw, your smile at that other boy still played like a memorized movie in his mind and even if you hadn't meant it, Heeseung had no right to feel that way. He was the one who had been a jerk to you all along, you couldn't be expected to be sweet to him about it.

"Heeseung" Sunghoon called out, turning back to touch his friend's knee. He opened his eyes slowly, getting used to the idea of seeing his friend's face and not his own in his thoughts.

"What's up?" he asked as soon as he was off the bench and sitting properly.

"We're here" Jake said, turning off the car "Do you want us to go in with you?"

A while of silence was enough for Heeseung's mind to wander even further and, without realizing it, it had already come out of his mouth without giving him a chance to regret it.

"Take me to Y/n's house."

"What the fuck?" Sunghoon almost shouted. Jake turned around abruptly, almost hitting Sunghoon head-on.

"Dude, what the fuck? Why are you asking me this?" he asked.

Really, why was he asking this? Heeseung didn't have an effective explanation for it, much less did he think he should. He just felt like it.

"I don't know, I just need to see her now and..." a long sigh came from his lips, Heeseung allowed himself to run one hand through his hair as he looked at Jake and then at Sunghoon "I need to make up for the shit I've done and tell her that I can't stop thinking about her."

"Oh" the two friends said at the same time, Jake swallowing down the urge to shout and say that it was all part of the little novel he'd written in his head about you and Heeseung. But that would be something for future conversations.

"Only if you tell me something" Jake said.

"Whatever you want to know" since everything was screwed up, there was no point in hiding anything from his best friend.

"Your father wasn't the only reason we were at the bar hours ago, was he?"

The shy smile that Heeseung tried to hide by biting his lower lip said it all, he didn't need a specific word for Jake or Sunghoon. It was clear how exactly that said that you had also been a reason, even if neither of them knew what it was.

Seeing Heeseung like that was new for the two boys sitting in the driver's and passenger's seats, so all that was left was for Jake to start the car again and drive to your apartment. Without asking Heeseung any questions about it.

But nothing stopped Sunghoon from making fun of him the whole way.

Words of encouragement were a mantra in the boy's mind who, with every step into the building where you lived, felt his whole body tremble. It was strange to be feeling this way, even more so for him who had never been this attached. Heeseung had never really thought that a girl could make him so nervous that he almost tripped over his own feet as he entered the elevator.

What could he say to you when he knocked on your door? That he wanted to see you? That would be something you wouldn't believe, even if it was the only truth he could tell you.

It made Heeseung rethink everything he'd ever said to you and the way he'd treated you since he met you. He didn't mean to be rude and he knew that it was all a reflection of what he had experienced with his father's disagreements. You, unfortunately, were the only person around and he didn't want the sight of someone new coming into his house. Because the last person to come out from under that roof had made a huge stranger in his life.

Heeseung didn't want to give in to someone like you, who came so easily into the Lee family's life and won over even his mother. The way she talked to you, the way she treated you like a member of the family. Heeseung rolled his eyes every time his mother brought the same candies, but not just for him and Hajun, she brought them for you too. Or how affectionate she was with you when you were at his house, chatting like old friends and laughing at things he didn't understand. He didn't want to understand why his mother was so happy after finding out she had been betrayed while Heeseung was suffering and disgusted by his father's image.

It was something he hadn't understood until recently. Maybe all the answers were right in front of his eyes, he just didn't want to accept it yet. So he needed to throw his hands up in the air and knock on your door right then and there, and that's exactly what he did.

He didn't know how you would react and he didn't want to, just looking at you would be enough for him to smile and walk away. Maybe apologize and say some lame excuse the next day and hope you believed his words.

Heeseung heard footsteps from inside the apartment and some mumbling that you were already on your way, indicating that you weren't ready for visitors or were far enough away to answer the door. Apprehension gripped his entire body as he took a few steps closer to hear what was going on inside.

As soon as you opened it, finishing putting on one of the sleeves of your long coat, Heeseung's world seemed to stop right there.

You were beautiful. More beautiful than he'd ever seen you before. Sharing the same roof with you for a week when his mother went away gave him the right to see you in your pajamas practically every night, but he didn't know that you looked even more beautiful in light silk pajamas and wearing a wool coat to cover your exposed arms.

"Heeseung?" your voice snapped him out of his thoughts as he looked at your face, the shock and curiosity screaming in your eyes making him feel euphoric. He didn't know what to say as he saw that you were still standing there, slightly startled by his presence.

He opened and closed his mouth for a few seconds to say something, but nothing seemed to come out. It was as if Heeseung had unlearned how to say anything because your gaze was making him shy.

When you took a step towards him, as if to get the attention of the boy in front of you, Heeseung didn't reason enough. He just raised one of his hands to touch the wool of your jacket and pulled you forward. The slow thud of your body against his made you let out a startled cry, which soon calmed down when Heeseung looked you in the eye.

"Jake gave me your address," he whispered "I needed to come here."

"Why?" your low voice sent all kinds of sensations through Heeseung's body and he wanted to be able to run away, but he limited himself. Squeezing his fingers against the wool of your jacket and loosening the fabric little by little.

"Because I want to talk to you, can we?" it was your time to deny it, tell him to go home and carry on without talking to Heeseung because a conversation with him would never end well.

But it wasn't like you to do anything you really should, so you gave him the go-ahead to enter your apartment and guide him to the sofa. Asking him to sit down before disappearing down the corridors. Just long enough for Heeseung to take off his jacket and put it on the armchair next to him, then sit down on the larger sofa and look around. Trying to get as many details as possible in case one day you asked him what he thought of your apartment.

Not that it mattered, he could say he'd need to go there more often to notice anything different. But remembering the first time you were here could be something useful and nice, perhaps.

"Here" you came back into the living room with a glass of water in your hands, walking over to the sofa where he was sitting and handing him the glass.

"Thanks" he said after taking the glass, drinking almost all the water in a matter of seconds. This was an indication of how nervous he still was after feeling your weight next to him on the sofa, the closest you'd been since the kiss you two had shared in the kitchen at his house.

Heeseung placed his glass on the coffee table and continued to stare at his own feet as he sighed slowly, clasping his hands together and playing with his fingers.

"My relationship with my father is the worst of all, and you've realized that haven't you?" you mumbled when he asked, albeit rhetorically, letting him continue his train of thought when he looked at you straight away "He cheated on my mother and ruined our family."

Oh. So that's why Heeseung was so harsh in his father's presence. And you couldn't understand how someone could betray Mrs. Lee, even if she was such an incredible woman.

"When my mother hired you, it was because she wanted to keep Hajun entertained most of the time and she knew I wouldn't be able to do that because I signed up for everything the university offered. Just so I wouldn't stay at home and have to deal with my father showing up."

Heeseung hated to lie that he had been neglectful to his younger brother about this, but he also couldn't risk bumping into his father and ending up fighting with the man in his younger brother's presence. That's when Mrs. Lee hired you as a nanny. Having someone to give the little one the attention that neither she nor Heeseung could be her priority. Someone you knew – even if you and Heeseung didn't speak to each other at the time – made the woman feel relieved because you seemed to have hit it off with the little one straight away.

"Seeing you integrate into the family made me feel angry because no one could like such a broken family with a false front" Heeseung was still looking at you, but his thoughts were a little more distant when he rambled "My mother wasn't happy when she hired you as a nanny. Hajun wasn't so happy when he met you and he only did it because my mother asked him to be nice to whoever was going to take care of him" a long sigh came from Heeseung's lips, looking away from you. "And I didn't accept that someone would be so nice to us because the last person who treated me, my brother, and my mother, so well, betrayed all of us."

You listened intently, seeing how broken Heeseung was inside your home. Opening his heart to you and asking for nothing in return.

He spoke for the first time about what it was like to have caught his father that night at the bar, how he felt the anger consume his body, and how he fought so many times until the man finally left the house. The divorce proceedings were kept under wraps because Hajun couldn't have known that something bad was going on, and your role was important in distracting him.

Heeseung admitted everything. And all the bad treatment he's given you since he met you was because he didn't know how to separate what was bad with his father, and that it shouldn't show to anyone. You wouldn't be like his father to anyone in the family, but amid the whole divorce process, you were there. Doing good for the Lee family without even knowing it.

And he didn't think he deserved it. I knew that Hajun deserved everything wonderful because he would spare his brother any bad feelings, but when you started being nice to Heeseung, he only knew how to be defensive.

You weren't supposed to greet him every time you were at home, you weren't supposed to flash smiles in his direction, let alone wave after a short answer he gave. Heeseung was rude – even for no reason – and you were still nice to him. Or at least polite. He wanted to believe that it was out of pure politeness and because Hajun was almost always around.

"I know I was a complete idiot and you never deserved that anyway" he slid his hand up to rest on your knee, feeling the slow touch of your fingers against his. Hesitantly, you took Heeseung's hand to intertwine your fingers in each other's "And that day in my kitchen..."

"We don't— Don't need to talk about..."

"I want to talk about it" he interrupted you, squeezing your fingers lightly and looking at you. This forced you to look at him too and maintain eye contact as you listened to every word Heeseung had to say "It was the day I saw my father in the bar, I left very angry."

You wanted to ask why he had gone after his father because Heeseung liked to beat himself up about it. But perhaps that was a conversation for another time, his gaze was so intent on you that all you could think about was every word he said.

"When I got home and you were in the kitchen, arguing was so unbearable that I acted on impulse when I kissed you and..." Heeseung's gaze dropped to your mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing with a dry gulp as he swallowed his saliva nervously "I didn't regret it, because I wanted it again."

"You—"

"I don't know what you did, Y/n, but I can't stop thinking about that day" neither can I, you wanted to answer, but hearing you say everything without a hint of pressure was wonderful. Maybe you'd confess later, but hearing his confession first was much better "You make me nervous, and want to kiss you every time we're near each other."

It was your turn to swallow. Heeseung was still staring at your mouth as if he were mesmerized by every detail of your lips when he felt your hand break away from his and go to the face next to you. You pulled him by the chin and felt Heeseung's breath against your skin from the sudden contact.

"We're too close now, what can you do?" you whispered.

He knew very well what to do and he wasn't going to waste any more time as he had done in previous weeks. Heeseung allowed his lips to touch yours slowly, but showing the urgency he had to feel you like that again.

You completely surrendered to the moment of having to kiss Heeseung again, this time knowing the exact moment when he asked for permission to enter your mouth with his tongue and how much slower his lips were now. Each movement was well appreciated as his hands slid down to your waist and yours ran to the back of his neck. Pulling Heeseung close, almost as if he wanted to fuse him against your body. And he would certainly do that if necessary.

But all he did was lay you back against the sofa while still maintaining the slow rhythm of the kiss, sighing against your lips as you spread your legs to accommodate Heeseung's body between them. It was a scene from heaven to be there again and in a slightly better position than sitting on a kitchen worktop. Heeseung could have sworn he cried in the middle of that kiss at being so close to you again.

Like a memory from last time, as soon as you both felt the need for air and he slid his mouth over yours, a moan came out of his throat. As sly as if he was really inside you when Heeseung kissed a specific spot on your neck.

That sound triggered something in him that, at the same moment, Heeseung pressed his hips against yours so that you could feel the full effect that just one kiss had on him.

"Hee..." you whispered as he returned with kisses all over your skin until he reached your earlobe, nibbling the skin slowly before aligning his face with yours again.

"You wouldn't be able to stop me now, would you?" he whispered back, kissing your mouth as slowly as he moved his hips against yours. It was torturous and at the same time sensual to feel Heeseung's tongue slide against yours at the same pace as he pressed his hard cock between your legs.

You moaned once more, anchoring your legs and holding his body there. Helping with the pressure and making him moan this time, biting his lower lip to break the kiss.

"You're going to be the death of me, Y/n" he gasped as he looked into your eyes. The fucking beautiful expression with the disheveled hair and droopy eyes, red mouth and chest rising and falling to normalize breathing.

"My room isn't too far from here" you pulled him back to you, feeling his lips hover over yours. Heeseung's smile widened even more.

"Good" he sealed his lips to yours "I haven't stopped wondering how this would end since the day I kissed you in that damn kitchen."

He wrapped his arms around you, lifting you off the sofa to pick you up and carry you to your room with your instructions along the way.

Heeseung just didn't know that you were also thinking about it, about to unravel all that thought.

#enhypen smut #heeseung smut #enhypen #enhypen fluff #heeseung fluff #enha smut #heeseung #enha fics #lee heeseung #enhypen heeseung #heeseung x reader #enhypen x reader #enhypen masterlist #lee heeseung fluff #lee heeseung smut #heeseung fanfics #lee heeseung x reader #heeseung imagines

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bueckerslover · 2 days

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SWEET LOVE - CAITLIN CLARK

summary𞠬: hiii could you write caitlin clark x reader where she has a crush on a singer in the same level as taylor swift (like super famous, eyes on them all the time etc etc etc) pls and thank u!!

- warnings: none? at least i don’t think so

-taglist: @patscorner @wintersstan @bernardsbendystraws @junnniiieee07 @raysmayhem-72 @worldlxvlys @breeloveschris @endereies

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THE FLASHING LIGHTS of cameras being as blinding as it could be, people were shouting your name to get your attention and snap pictures of you.

as you made your way to the entrance of the building you were stopped by an interviewer “y/n! i’m john winston, is it okay if i ask you a few questions?” he asked pushing the microphone towards you.

“of course!” you replied with a smile “alright first question, who did your hair and makeup today?” he started “my stylist linda did my hair and makeup she really knows what she’s doing” you replied with a smile.

they asked you typical questions you’d always get in these events. “okay one last question before i let you go, we’ve noticed recently that you have been watching women’s college basketball who would you say is your favorite team and players?” he questioned looking up from his paper.

“my favorite teams and players?” you repeat the question “that’s a difficult question for players i would say either caitlin clark or kate martin, now for teams i don’t know actually i don’t have a favorite just yet” you replied with a smile and nodding your head. “there you have it guys she doesnt have a favorite team yet! thank you so much for your time y/n” he replied with a smile before walking off.

caitlin was scrolling through tiktok when she came across clips from last night’s interview, she paid attention to everything you had to say until the last question “that’s a difficult question for players i would say either caitlin clark or kate martin, now for teams i don’t know actually i don’t have a favorite just yet” your voice rang from the phone in her hand. “woah what” she said sliding her hand to go back to that specific question.

“i’m her favorite player? wait she knows who i am?!” she thought a smile creeping into her face. this was something big for caitlin you’ve been her crush since 2018, she loved everything about you from your music to how you interacted with your fans.

this was her chance, “should i dm her? no she probably gets too many dms and mine would get lost” she said responding to her own question before she could do anything she got a notification; “your.username just posted.”

liked by madisonbeer and 1,200 others

your.username: thank you toronto! 💕

user: best concert ever 🫶

user: i think i lost my voice 😭

↳︎︎ user: frrrr my throat hurtsss 💀

user: come to iowa next !

↳︎︎ your.username: 👀

user: what city/state next??

︎︎ ︎︎ ︎︎ ↳︎︎ your.username: cleveland, ohio 😛

↳︎︎ user: doesn’t iowa have a game there ??

you arrived at your hotel room, dropping all your bags by the tv jumping on the bed. a loud sigh escaped your mouth, the flight was so long and there was a kid behind you kicking your seat like his life depended on it.

you were slowly falling asleep but your phone buzzed then lit up with a notification.

“we’re getting food downstairs, join us we have a few things to speak to you about”

your manager texted, you sighed getting out of bed and putting your shoes on. you head to the elevator, clicking the button that heads to the first floor you send back a quick “omw” text to your manager the door opens you accidentally bump into someone who was getting out.

“i’m so sorry” you say looking up to see those dazzling brown eyes, the ones you’ve only seen on tv. “it’s okay don’t…worry” she said softly looking down at you.

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

a/n: surprise surprise this is me introducing a new mini series for caitlin i hope yall enjoy this one:)

#caitlin clark #caitlin clark x reader #wlw post #wlw #wlw love #lgbtq #lesbian #wcbb #wcbb x reader

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dr-felitas · 2 days

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cellphone love story — osamu dazai

*+ﾟsynopsis: recently, someone's been spam calling you to the point that you’re fed and pick up the phone, only to be greeted with someone by the name dazai who has been continuously trying to reach his dead friend. the calls however don't end here, rather, your (call) history with dazai starts to extend - slowly but surely forming a bond over time; the phone.

pairing: dazai x reader (gn) |wordcount: 2.5k (this was my personal hell) | content & warnings: fluff, mentions of odasaku and very very very small mention of chuuya, more than friends less than lovers at the end (can also be interpreted as lovers, but that's just what i had in mind yall), brief mentions of drinking, light angst if you squint, not proofread its 5 am yall…. ; oneshot

a/n: sorry that i havent posted anything in the past few days (eight days to be exact i think..) i hope this will somehow make it up :,)

you can't keep count anymore.

this is the third - no, maybe fourth time today the unknown number has called you. at some point they have to realize that they’ve gotten the wrong number, right?

it all started about one and a half weeks ago when you changed your phone number and received a new one. ever since that day someone has been continuously trying to call you. unfamiliar digits lit up on your screen as you were out with your friend, you ignored them, after all who were you to accept a call from an unknown number?

but, over the course of the evening the calls didn't stop, eerie and annoying ringtone constantly piercing through your ears until the calls took a halt at midnight. relief washing over you.

to your mishap the calls didn't stop there. sometimes they’d wake you up from a peaceful slumber, groggily pinching and rubbing your eyes before swiping the call away. other times your phone would ring at a work meeting where you had to awkwardly excuse yourself and turn off your phone.

admittedly, you're at fault for not blocking the number. all of your friends suggested that you should, reasoning it with the fact that the caller probably has some dirty schemes and motives and that you should just try and not get in touch with weird people like them.

which brings you to your current predicament, sitting on the couch with your favorite show playing in the background as you text a friend, until a certain but familiar series of digits show up on your phone screen. do they never know when to stop?

your fingers hover over the decline button and then over to the accept button, debating and contemplating if you should decline the call but you don’t. the pads of your fingers press down on the accept button and you wait.

you’re greeted with silence, what the hell? your patience runs thin, streaming like arid sand grains through an hourglass until they meet the bottom and gather there together with the others. it's been like thirty seconds into the call now, at this point they should've probably said something, at least a quiet hello. an exasperated sigh leaves your mouth and you begin “seriously? you’ve been calling me for the past week now and suddenly i pick up your calls you don’t say shit?” you complain.

“goodbye odasaku.” a sigh leaves the strangers mouth, a man you notice. “i suppose this is my sign to stop grieving and mourning over you.” his voice slightly quivers and the male chuckles sorrowfully. you can’t distinguish if it’s melancholy or relief that lace the bitter words.

you’re left with confusion, so many unanswered questions lie at the tip of your tongue but you don’t dare to utter a word. “apologies.” he speaks up once again, this time with a steadier voice. “you’re probably confused, my name is osamu dazai.” he politely introduces himself. even though you’re unable to see him and can’t see him nor his expression, your intuition tells you that he’s slightly grinning, that a ghost of a smile graces his lips, although a rather sad one.

“this phone number belonged to an old friend of mine.” dazai respires. a shaky “odasaku?” you whisper and let out a breath you yourself didn’t know you held in. “yeah, sakunosuke oda.” he hummed smilingly. “he’s gone.” dead, dazai wants to add but he refrains.

“his voicemail always played when i dialed his number and called.” he whispered. “it was pleasant to hear his voice, knowing that there are still fragments of odasaku out there. he understood me like no other, i miss him.” dazai meekly confessed in a hushed tone. “but those days are over, i suppose it’s for the better.” the male on the other line sighed.

an umpteen amount of words prickle on your tongue, they itch to be released and said, you wanted to say something - anything. but before you’re able to properly gather your words and form a sentence, dazai cuts you off.

“please excuse my intrusions in the past week. have a good rest.” a shrilling sound echoing through your living room symbolizes the end of the call and you’re left dumbfounded.

strident noises awake you from your sleep. you toss and turn in your sheets as you mindlessly try to find your phone, rolling over to lay on your side as you find it and tightly clutching it, gripping your phone as you’re greeted with a bright screen and a row of digits. dazais number, you realize.

no, you didn't save his number nor did you memorize in which order the digits were aligned but his phone number's unfamiliar digits have become quite familiar now. you check the time: 0.52 a.m. what was dazai doing at such time and why was he calling you out of all people? especially after he hung up on you a month ago.

“hello?” you groggily yawn. “ah.” a female voice on the other line yelps, she sounds relieved. “are you odasaku by any chance? could you pick up mr. dazai please?” the woman asks in a demure manner. “what’s the situation?” you rub your eyes, trying to stay awake. “well, mr. dazai is intoxicated - he’s drunk and is currently slumped over the counter.” she whispers into the phone.

“if that doesn’t bother you of course, i can also call someone else!” she hurriedly says. you're slipping out of your sheets to get out of your bed and move towards your hallway, loosely throwing over a thin jacket and checking its pocket if your car keys are in there. “it’s fine, can you tell me the location?” you tiredly ask. “yes of course. it’s bar lupin.” she replies. you check your phone and step outside your door moving towards your car “got it, i’ll be there in 20 minutes or so.” with that you end the call, get inside your car and put your hands on the steering wheel.

carefully you take a step inside the narrow bar, taking off your hood and immediately spotting dazai whose head was currently laying on the surface of the front bar. he was poking at his glass of whiskey, the ball of ice being almost fully melted. “dazai.” you call out. he turns around, hazel eyes meeting yours.

only then can you admire dazai for the first time. his dark brown is tousled and unkempt but it continues to gleam in the orange light. his arms are wrapped in bandages and there's a long beige, almost khaki, coat draped over his body. you can’t help but think that he’s kind of pretty.

“what are you doing here?” dazai asks in a fatigued tone. you show him your car keys and wag them in the air “here to pick you up.” you reply nonchalantly. “why?” his question is barely above a whisper.

why are you helping him? he doesn’t understand - he wishes to understand. the first impression you’ve received from dazai was when he was calling you non stop and now your second impression is him slumped over bar lupins front bar. dazai can’t tell if you’re just naive or really trying to be helpful out of politeness or rather out of kindness.

a certain kindness he’s only ever received from odasaku. helping someone like him out of kindness with no hidden intentions, offering a helping hand, smiling with utmost fondness.

“as if im leaving a somewhat nice drunkard alone. i’m not inhumane.” even though your answers are full of nonchalance, dazai can make out a certain sincerity that lies in your words.

his eyes can only follow as you tilt your head towards the door. “let's get you back home.” you gently smile.

dazai wakes up to the sound of birds chirping and sizzling oil. he’s warm, a soft blanket covering his body only then dazai realizes that this isn’t his bed, that he’s not lying in his futon. he looks around before his gaze lands on the bedside table which had a glass of water atop it, marked with a little sticky note that said “drink this, you’ll feel much better and come find me in the kitchen :)”

he can’t recall everything that happened yesterday, it all went past him like a blur the only thing he remembered was that you came to pick him up. dazai grabbed the glass and gulped it down in one go, some of its content seeping down his chin and wiping it away with his sleeve before sliding out of the bed with the glass in his hand to return it to you.

finding your kitchen wasn’t hard, it was located right next to the dining room where a variety of dishes were placed on the dining table. dazai enters the kitchen, without you noticing and sees you whisking up two eggs with a pair of chopsticks before speaking up “here.” dazai coughs and places the glass on the counter near the sink to express his gratitude.

“oh, it’s no problem.” you shoot him a small smile. your hand reaches over to the salt and pepper to season the eggs with before carefully putting the egg mixture into the hot greased pan. admittedly dazai feels a bit out of place - useless (when was he ever not) so he offers to wash your dishes which you happily agreed to.

besides the sound of sizzling fat and water running down the faucet, it's quiet in your kitchen. “how’d she know whom to call?” you’re the first to speak up, eyes still concentrated on frying the eggs as you hum a small melody.

“the bartendress?” dazai asks in response.

“yeah.”

“well, odasaku’s number, which is your number now, is one of my emergency contacts, i suppose she just called you first.” dazai shrugs his shoulders, his hands still focused on rubbing away the dirty spots on your plates.

“i see.”

“if the old man, my favourite bartender by the way." dazai winks. "if he would’ve been here he would’ve called mackerel.” dazai lets out a small laugh, probably the most sincere laugh he let out in the past few weeks.

“mackerel?” you ask, soft voice laced with confusion.

“an old friend of mine.” dazai smiles sadly. “odasaku and him are both my emergency contacts.” he chuckles.

dazai doesn’t talk about the topic much further and neither do you, assuming it’s a sensitive topic for him. “i’m done, how about you?” you look over to dazai who’s currently washing his hands off with lavender soap. “mhm, me too.” he hums in agreement at which you can smile at.

dazais eyes trail after you as you leave the kitchen and move to the dining room, setting down all the plates and pouring two glasses of water. “sit down and eat up.” your eyes sway from his eyes over to the chairs. only then does dazai notice that his beige coat is neatly folded on one of your dining chairs. it makes his heart jump lightly.

he sits down and takes a sip out of his glass, waiting until you start to eat first before he gets to. he smiles contently as you happily chew on your food. “does it taste good?” he cringes at himself when he realizes just how awkward that question is, he feels like a teenager again that was always wary of what people thought of him.

“it tastes amazing! wanna try?” you slide the plate over to dazai, offering him to take a piece. “sure.” he agrees before taking a small bite. you weren’t lying when you said that it tasted amazing. “you're right, it tastes so good.” dazai says ecstatically. “told you so! my cooking is not to be underestimated.” you laugh and dazai can’t help but laugh too which makes him cough uncontrollably, putting a hand over his mouth so he doesn’t spit out anything on your table cloth but continuing to laugh.

“oh god dazai, are you okay?” you rush over to his aid and put your hand over his back to slide over it, hoping that it’ll somehow soothe his coughing. dazai manages to muffle out a “i’m fine, really.” between his coughs and laughs which you can only sigh at but can’t help the smile that finds its way onto your face and plasters itself on your lips.

calls with dazai have become more frequent now, although he sometimes still remains a mystery to you, it feels like he’s grown quite comfortable around you.

he told you more about himself (vice versa), talks about his work at the armed detective agency and sends you recipes the both of you could recreate. not only calls with him became more frequent but also visits.

at least four out of seven times a week dazai rushes to your place after work (you should probably call it your shared home now due to dazai leaving his stuff at your place like scattered objects on the floor).

for example, today: dazai walks into your kitchen like he owns the place. he sets down his belongings onto your couch before stepping towards the kitchen where he already finds you chopping the vegetables for the curry.

he notices that you’re on the verge of tearing up as you continuously chop the onions into small bits and grabs a tissue before sneaking up behind you and scaring you. “boo.” his mouth forms a little “o” and you slightly jump before setting the knife down and putting your hand over your heart. “you scared me!” you complain even though dazai can see the playful glint in your eyes.

“sorry, sorry.” he laughs before wiping away the small droplets of tears that managed to escape your eyes.

his calloused hands brush over your soft skin, it’s intimate - romantic even. you softly sigh against the tissue, the object that separates the two of you. the action makes your face lightly heat up and you’re sure that dazai noticed it too from the way he’s smirking.

“aw, was i able to fluster you?” he coos at you smilingly, which in response you can only huff at, eyeing him with a look that says “you already know the answer.” before turning around to continue where you left off.

in the meantime dazai pulls out another cutting board and starts to chop the carrots. it’s quiet, it’s always quiet when the two of you cook together, but neither you nor dazai mind. the smell of aromatics that nip and continue to linger in the air and the sound of your jazz playlist which sometimes gets outplayed by the sounds of cutting or frying food, are more than enough. it’s just like the first time the two of you shared this space together, a certain nostalgia suddenly washing over him.

“thank you” he whispers, barely loud enough to not get overplayed by the music playing in the background.

“for what?” you ask, longing for an answer.

for the times you’ve picked me up at bar lupin, for the times you’ve cooked me warm meals, for the times when you took care of me.

“for everything.”

this is dedicated to my odasaku person @azullumi (don't die pls i need u and ur fics HHDDISISISIS). you've always told me that you liked odasaku a lot and that some day you also want to open up an orphanage which i find really endearing. what i mean by "you're my odasaku person" is not "wow we're literally so odasaku and dazai coded" but no rather it's because you also play such a major role in my life (not just cause of the age gap between oda and dazai and u and me..). you're always there when i need you, you're always there when i needed you and i hope that you'll always be there when i need you. but the same thing goes vice versa; goes for me. azul you're someone whom i've randomly met and if i never made that one comment or sent that one ask or if you never sent that one dm i would've never written this. you're someone who reassures me and soothes my worries with simple words, when i'm feeling down you're the person i turn to because you're the only person who really understands and somehow relates and thus i'm always able to trust and follow your judgement and advice. i never feel judged or belittled by you or treated as someone whose only an immature kid, no you treat me as a normal person, like a friend. which makes me feel seen - acknowledged even. to be loved is to be seen. i could go hours when it comes about talking to you and what impact you have on my life, but i suppose that's for another end note dsjsdsuusus. you're so dear to me. i love you a lot azul <3

#toorurs #bungo stray dogs #bsd #bungo stray dogs x reader #bsd x reader #bungo stray dogs fluff #bsd fluff #bsd imagines #bungo stray dogs imagines #bungo stray dogs x you #bsd x you #dazai x reader #dazai osamu x reader #dazai fluff #bsd dazai #bsd dazai osamu

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jinwoosungs · 2 days

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{ 166 }

too sweet.

jinwoo sung x fem.reader

{ you know, you're bright as the morning, as soft as the rain | pretty as a vine, as sweet as a grape | if you can sit in a barrel, maybe i’ll wait until that day… }

@nyashykyunnie said: HELLLOOOO. Since you granted me permission to request a daydream uhm… Jinwoo with a reader who hyperfixates on a lot of things! The fungi, the stars and most especially the sea!! Reader lovesloves whales and jellyfishes and sharks lots!! She loves the sea so much,,!!!!, She also draws a lot><!!! Art is her biggest passion most of all!! She’s like a free bird always so cheery and happy!! Loves all things pretty and cute! A very very childish reader who is just a ball of sunshine and energy!! Loves messing ariund with Jinwoo by putting little dabs of paint on his face heheh… And loves comparing hand sizes and cuddless><!!! Sorry it’s so long ueueueu

there were times when jinwoo sung had to wonder just how he got so lucky to be with someone as bright as you.

whereas he was the pure and true embodiment of darkness-

jinwoo was certain you were light personified.

everything about you was achingly sweet to the core-

too sweet, actually.

the moment he had fallen in love with you was one that happened so… naturally. that day, he had taken some time off in order to take his mother and sister to the nearest beach. he rented out a tiny cottage by the sea, giving them the perfect view of the ocean.

while his mother and sister spent some time walking on the beach together, jinwoo wanted to give them a chance to have the much needed mother-daughter moment they both deserved, deviating from the mainland beach when he sees rugged rocks with tide pools settled beneath the harsh terrain. he thinks about all the fascinating creatures that lived within such little pools and steps closer to the area.

however, the closer he got to the tide pools, the quickly he realized that he was not alone.

for settled against one of the rocks was a young woman that was sketching within the confines of her sketchbook-

it was you.

jinwoo was suddenly rendered speechless at the mere sight of you, taking a moment to admire the way your hair shone from beneath the sunlight. your cute features were turned into a look of concentration, with your lips pursed and your eyebrows furrowed in response.

as you inched closer to the shallow pool, you had somehow lost your balance and nearly face-planted within the waters-

had it not been for jinwoo’s quick thinking, making a mad dash toward you as he captured your frame within his arms. his eyes were glowing with amusement, fighting back a smile when he sweetly asks, “are you alright?”

jinwoo helps you safely lean back against the rock, with your hands gripping on tightly to his wrist before meeting his gaze.

not a hint of fear was seen settled in your eyes, and jinwoo found that he couldn’t look away from you. your smile goes wide as you eagerly introduced yourself to him. already mesmerized by your bright and sunny nature, he repeats your name, ready to introduce himself as well when you suddenly beat him to it.

“you’re jinwoo sung, i know.”

you know?

“that’s interesting.” jinwoo couldn’t stop himself from letting out a chuckle. usually, those that met him treated him like some celebrity or idol, getting tongue tied as they bowed down to him, stuttering out their greetings while avoiding his gaze-

but you-

you were oh so different.

your gaze met with his in an unflinching manner, with your lips tilted up in a smile that manages to make his heart pound in response. the more he looked at you, the more he could feel his heart becoming filled with your sweetness and light.

after trading pleasantries, he helps you down from the rock, walking along the beach with you while softly asking if he could see your sketchbook. you would give him a sheepish expression, your cheeks being filled with heat before giving him your sketchbook as you told him your sketches “weren’t much.” as he flips through the pages, you were clearly downplaying your talents as each and every sketch was filled with a vibrancy he had never seen before.

but that all changes when jinwoo sees a sketch of himself hidden amidst the pages.

your gasp and the way you immediately tried to take the sketchbook away from him was amusing, with jinwoo holding the book up high, his eyes glowing while they took in the sight of the drawing you had made of him.

from the soft expression to the way his hair was carefully layered, jinwoo couldn’t help but feel a hint of pride, seeing how pretty you had made him.

“beautiful…” after ensuring that your sketch of him was burned into his very memories, he returns it back to you, basking in your shy expression and the way you suddenly couldn’t meet his gaze.

“you weren’t supposed to see that. now, i’m sure you find me… strange, right?”

yet instead of teasing you further-

he asks you out on a date later that night.

and the moment you accepted his offer for a date-

the rest was history.

a single date meant as a simple thank you for allowing him to see your sketches turned into something a bit more frequent; a bit more permanent.

jinwoo would find himself spending every weekend to visit you, allowing the seemingly simple and innocent crush to grow into something much deeper.

and truly, how could he not fall in love with you?

each time you spoke passionately about your interests-

(of the sharks and colorful jellyfish that lives within the crystal blue depths of the ocean;

of the strange mushrooms seen growing within your backyard, seeming to have a life of their own as they lengthened and grew beneath the emerald green grass;

of the constellations seen shimmering within the night sky from beneath the light of the full moon…)

never once did jinwoo get tired of hearing your musings and rants that pertained to your current hyperfixations, and more often than not, he would find gifts for you that further helped strengthened your love for each and every one of your interests.

(an encyclopedia for the ocean creatures and various fungal life; a book that goes into each legend of each constellation seen within the night sky and a telescope…)

in jinwoo’s eyes, no gift was ever too much for you. for you were the sole person that stole his very heart at first sight.

when he finally put a label on his relationship with you, he swore he would never forget the look of utmost joy within your eyes. your sweet voice would call out to him before you wrapped your arms around his neck, already planting a kiss against his parted lips.

a choked sound of surprise escapes from jinwoo, making you gasp as you quickly pulled away from him. a slew of apologies were heard coming from you-

and jinwoo wasn’t having it.

with a grunt of your name, he keeps your head still before diving in for another kiss, basking in the way you momentarily let out a gasp before practically melting against him. in mere seconds, jinwoo quickly became addicted to the soft and sweet taste of your lips.

already so enamored with you, he pulls away from you, only to murmur against your lips, “you’re too sweet for me… but… i have a feeling i could get used to your taste…”

it came as no surprise when jinwoo decided to move in together with you, not being able to handle a single moment spent separated away from you. each and every day was spent in an almost blissful manner, with the s-rank hunter cherishing each and every part of you.

and tonight was no different.

for your one year anniversary, jinwoo had taken you back to the beach where you had first met, preparing a home cooked dinner that consisted of all your favorite foods. after your meal, you had laid against jinwoo’s chest while resting on the blanket, simply enjoying the colors that seemed to set the sky aflame while the sun began to set over the horizon.

jinwoo’s eyes were closed, simply basking in your warmth and the way the setting sun had painted his whole world in hues of a gentle twilight. while he was resting, he could feel your hand inching closer to his as you carefully held on to it. jinwoo could feel a smile begin to spread across his full lips as you flattened the palm of your hand against his, clearly measuring the size of your hand in comparison to his.

a soft chuckle escapes from him, “sarang, silly love of mine, just what are you doing?”

he opens up one eye to look at you, a half-smile painting his handsome features as he allowed an arm to wrap around your waist, bringing you closer to his chest as he remained laying down. basking in your giggles once more, he feels his heart began to race again the moment you lean down to press a kiss against his chest.

“i love you so much, jinwoo.”

“heh, i love you more, sarang.”

jinwoo presses a kiss against your hair while letting you play with his hands. he watches you with adoration, seeing you pick up his hand before interlocking your fingertips together. a wide grin paints his features when he gives your hand a squeeze before turning you around so that you were now settled with your back against the blanket.

your breathing comes out as gentle giggles, and jinwoo takes this chance to press several, audible smooches against your features. the more you let out those melodious sounds of your laughter, the more he kept littering your face with those achingly sweet kisses.

jinwoo successfully distracts you, and you couldn’t help but frown when you felt a sudden weight against your left ring finger. catching your shocked expression, he allows you to sit up while looking at the ring settled against your finger.

it was an incredibly cute and endearing ring, with your favorite gemstone shaped into a heart as you met jinwoo’s gaze, eyes going wide with your lips parted in response. “jinwoo… what’s this?”

“a promise.” his reply comes out as hoarse and shaky, taking your hand as he presses a kiss against the ring he had just gifted you. “i know it feels… a bit too soon to propose any… ah… commitment. but still, i wanted you to know that i’m completely serious about you.”

“this ring will serve as my promise to you… of what is to come.”

with a choked sob of his name, you lean forward to kiss him once more, perfectly slotting your lips against his as jinwoo kissed you back with just as much passion.

jinwoo knew right then and there that he had made the right decision of keeping you; for you were (and always will be) his sole light.

a.n. - when kyunnie made a second part to her most gut wrenching angst, i was so elated and happy that i wanted to write / make a daydream of hers come true. i hope i wrote your daydreams well enough! 🥹

all stories are written by rei; reposts, translations, and plagiarism are not allowed.

#sung jinwoo x reader #jinwoo sung x reader #sung jinwoo x you #jinwoo sung x you #solo leveling x reader #.stories

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clavissionary-position · 3 days

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(Translation) Gilbert Gets Jealous of the Military Pets ...Again [Part 1]

Collection Event: I've Sinned Out of Love For You Story Title: "I'd Like a Normal Confession" [Part 1]

I apologize in advance if I accidentally wrote "Azel" instead of "Adele" somewhere.

I was enjoying a moment of relaxation early one afternoon after I'd gone to see the military dogs they kept at the castle.

Adele: Woof!

Emma: Hehe, oh Adele, you're as cute as ever.

Clara: Arf! Woof! Woof!

Emma: Hmm, you're so soothing, Clara.

Adele and the others had grown very attached to me ever since Gilbert first introduced them to me as candidates for being my friends.

The way they'd plop down and present their belly for more rubs, and the sight of them running round and around was just too cute for words.

(But the fact that I'm meeting with Adele and friends today is a secret from Gilbert. Because―)

Elise: Meow.

Emma: And what a good girl you are too, Elise. Have some scritches.

Elise was a cat who happened to be with the two dogs every now and then. She came over too and rubbed her body against my leg while she purred.

???: It looks like they're also in high spirits from receiving your pets, don't you think?

???: You're smiling so broadly, little rabbit.

Emma: That's because they're just so adorable. And I know all their preferences by now and exactly where to pet them to make them happy.

???: Wow... So your friendship's already reached that point, has it.

(Hm? Wait, who am I speaking to right now...?)

I was so absorbed in minding Clara and the others that I'd unconsciously ended up responding to the dialogue coming from behind me.

But the next thing I knew, both Clara and Adele were sitting up with their backs straight in a show of obedience.

Elise, too, laid flat on the ground.

(Don't tell me...)

When I timidly turned around, I found Gilbert standing there without my knowing.

Gilbert: How heartless of you. Cheating on me in secret.

(...This is the last thing I wanted to happen.)

(The reason I kept this a secret from Gilbert was because I knew he'd get jealous of Adele and others, just like this.)

Now that I'd been found out, my spine froze up with apprehension.

Emma: Um, I'm so sorr—

I tried to apologize upfront but he suddenly yanked me towards him before I could even finish my sentence.

Gilbert: You know full-well that those words aren't what I want, right?

His red eye regarded me with no intention of letting me talk my way out of this one.

At the same time, my heartbeat thundered so loudly that I could practically feel it transmitting through our bodies pressed tight.

I stretched up and tried to kiss him gently on the cheek but Gilbert only gave a small shake of his head.

(I guess that's not going to work... But... Adele and the others are watching us...)

Gilbert: Hehe. Except there's no need to fret about that.

Emma: Mrmh... !?

Just as he cupped my chin, his beautiful face drew close and then we were mouth-to-mouth.

Normally I'd be overjoyed at a kiss from Gilbert, but...

(It's so embarrassing doing this kind of thing in front of the animals...!)

I couldn't help but feel my cheeks grow hot as I caught them out of the corner of my eye, sitting stock-still and watching us intently.

Emma: If we go any further than this...

Gilbert: Just where are you looking? You have to keep your eyes on me and me alone.

This time, after he wrapped his hands around the back of my head to prevent me from looking away, he set about gently biting my lips.

I sensed that we were on the cusp of a much fiercer kiss, so I immediately pushed back against his chest and put some distance between us.

Emma: Gil, wait.

Gilbert: Even if I wait, the only thing I'll get from you is a verbal apology, right?

Gilbert: And not even you believe that I'd ever be satisfied with something so dubious.

Emma: Even so, I'll apologize sincerely again and again until you have your fill.

Gilbert: No way, you've gotta show it with your attitude.

(I feel like you won't let me off with the mere touch of a really gentle kiss either.)

Emma: Then let's at least change locations.

Emma: Once we're back in your room—

Gilbert sidled up to me, cutting off my words, and when I tried to retreat he pinned my wrists against the cold wall behind me.

Gilbert: Do you really think you have that much power to refuse right now?

---------- To be continued in Part 2 where, according to the teaser, Gilbert has a line that goes "I'll lock you up completely naked in a tower and make it so you physically can't keep secrets from me." ��

The English versions of event titles tend toward being more cheesy and snappy, and so I totally see them calling this event something like "Guilty Love, Guilty Pleasures" lol. I'm gonna call it that in my head, please ignore me.

Disclaimer: I’m neither a translator nor fluent, so accuracy is not guaranteed. Please be aware that I use online translators.

#ikemen prince #gilbert von obsidian #ikepri translation folder #ikepri spoilers

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hart269 · 2 days

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A Pen

Pairing : Regulus Black x reader

Summary : Regulus gets introduced to a pen.

A/N : Just a short one on pureblood wizards witnessing muggle inventions.

Masterlist

You were scribbling away at your charms homework, when you felt two arms snaked around you, a plop of curly black hair nuzzled into your neck. You giggled at the ticklish sensation, leaning back into his arms. Regulus kissed your cheek, moving to sit beside you.

"I missed you" Regulus groaned wrapping his arms around your shoulder, pulling you closer.

"I missed you too" you smiled leaning to kiss him. You felt him smile against your lips. "You won't beleive how annoying people are"

You laughed, "Did someone came within 2 inches of your personal space?"

"Hey, I love my personal space and you love it too"

"I do" you agreed, going back to work. Regulus hummed, then noticed something or lack there of, "Where's your inkpot?"

"Huh" you noticed his apparent confusion, and realised ,"It doesn't need an inkpot, it's a pen" you exclaimed waving the said thing over his face.

"A pen you say" Regulus took it from you shaking a little to see if the ink would drop, then scribbled with it on a spare page.

"And it doesn't require an inkpot?"

"No, the ink stays inside, so you don't have to dip it in continously"

His brows furrowed, his fingers examing its part, "Is this a new invention?"

"No, it's been around since a long time, I was surprised when I found Hogwarts didn't have it. Surely the quill was fun at first but then it got tiring" you exclaimed.

"It's wonderful, why isn't it popularized". he wondered out loud. You shrugged. "Do you want one?" you asked opening a packet at his enthusiastic nod.

"Ok, so which colour do you wanna write in?"

"There are colour options"

"Yupp, black, blue, green, red, basically most of thre basic ones". You laid down the packet infront of him.

He carefully picked one, examining it, "It's wonderful" he exclaimed, looking at the shiny plastic. You chuckled at his joy. He immediately began writing, maveling at the colourned inks. His hand habitually moved for the pot before coming back. "It doesn't even spill"

"Yes, it doesn't"

"I'm definitely gonna show it to Barty" Regulus smirked continuing, "But I won't tell him what it is"

"He's gonna try to steal it eventually"

"As if" Regulus scoffed, knowing very well Barty will continously pester him to hell. Still, he isn't gonna let him take it, not when you had given it to him. It's gonna be among his most prized possessions, even though you told him you'll get more.

"It's wonderful"

"It is" It felt like you had given a child a pack of crayons. Wait,

"Have you heard about crayons?" you exclaimed pulling out another packet from your bag, while his eyes only widened.

#regulus black x reader #regulus black fluff #regulus black fanfiction #regulus black #regulus black x y/n #regulus black x you #regulus black x female reader #regulus black x gn! reader #timothee x reader #timothee chalamet x reader #timothee fanfic

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blueraineshadows · 2 days

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Blood Bound Part Ten

Sebastian Sallow 🔺️ F!MC 🔺️Leander Prewett

Sebastian finally has MC all to himself, but is she the same girl who was taken from him all those years ago? Leander is struggling with his feelings as he reveals shocking information.

12.6k Tags: NSFW / angst / trauma / anxiety and depression / mentions of death and murder / pining and sexual tension

Chapter Master List and Ao3

Reading tag list at the end. Let me know if you would like to be added ✨️💕

Ten: Only Love Can Hurt Like This

“I’m all ears, sweetheart.”

The first time MC saw Sebastian Sallow, he had been beside the fireplace in the Slytherin common room with his nose stuck in a book. His comment about her being the new fifth year had been borderline dismissive, and then he had taken a moment to really look at her, and he had put down his book to introduce himself. To this day, she still wasn’t sure what had made her pause and look at him in the first place, only that she had hesitated, lingering there by the huge fireplace until he had noticed her.

Their conversation had been brief, but his charm and charisma had stuck with her for a long time afterwards. When she had placed her head on the fresh, clean pillow in her dormitory, the image of Sebastian’s beautiful, brown eyes had drifted through her thoughts.

It was safe to say that he had made an impression upon her.

So much had happened since that day, years had passed, and they had both changed in that time, but his eyes still had the power to render her almost boneless. Smooth like chocolate, flecked with golden caramel, and surrounded by enviable long, dark lashes, they were beautiful eyes indeed. Paired with his irresistible charm, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a devastating smile. She felt that familiar feeling as she stared down at him. She was falling, diving head first into those eyes, and she would be utterly lost if she wasn’t careful.

Words were backed up behind her lips, her throat constricting against the burst of longing and frustration that threatened to spill out from her, but she kept still, her hands still wrapped about his throat. For so long, she had tried to imagine what it would be like to face Sebastian again, long hours spent in her cell just waiting for the day to come, and here he was. Flat out on the ground beneath her, at her mercy and being surprisingly submissive, and yet she seemed incapable of speech.

Loosening her grip on him, she felt his throat bob under her palm as her hands traced against his skin, the roughness of stubble grazing against her soft fingertips. He was thicker, his neck strong, his jaw more defined. Her fingers trembled as they examined a slim scar that was new, ghosting up over cheeks that were no longer round but still smothered in freckles. She knew this face so well it appeared regularly in her dreams, and yet it was like she was discovering him all over again as she traced the lines of his face, his dangerous eyes never leaving her for a second.

His smile slowly faded, his eyes darkening as she explored. Her thumb grazed close to his mouth, and his lips parted, her gaze lingering on the softness as she remembered a time when all she had wanted was to kiss him.

“It’s so good to see your face, MC,” he said, his voice low and rough about the edges. “I missed you.”

Her hands stilled, and she slowly met his eyes. Reality slammed through the intimacy of the moment, snapping her back from her memories of what came before, and the darkness rushed into the cavern in her chest. The chill breeze cut across her face, lifting strands of her hair and making the branches of the surrounding trees creak and groan. Glancing about them, the shadows were long through the woods, their surroundings so nondescript that they really could have been anywhere. Sebastian had ripped her away from the smog and bustle of London, and now they were seemingly alone.

“Where are we?” She asked, removing her hands from his face as though he burned her. She shifted, climbing off the expanse of his chest, scuffing her hands and knees as she scrambled away from him. “Where have you brought me?”

He looked confused, hesitating before he sat up. “We are in woodland not far from York,” he said.

Her stomach dropped, and she glanced around in panic. “York? That’s so far away,” she gasped. Her hand sought out her wand, tugging it free from her holster and gripping it tightly.

“Hey, easy,” Sebastian said, holding his hands up. “I’m not going to hurt you. MC…it’s me. You know me.”

Did she? Looking at him now, he was both familiar and yet a stranger. It didn’t make sense, but the panic in her chest was real, and a sudden twist of longing pierced through her. Breathing faster through her shock, she realised she wanted the reassuring and comforting presence of Leander. She aimed her wand at Sebastian, wincing as her blood quickened with a slow burn. The blood pact.

“Take me back,” she demanded. “I can’t travel long distances yet. You have to return me to London. Now.”

The look of dismay on his face almost made her falter, but then his expression tightened, a muscle working in his jaw as he got to his feet. “No,” he said firmly.

“You have to!” She demanded, standing up to keep at his level. She shifted, side stepping as she kept her wand at the ready. “You shouldn’t have taken me like that.”

“Are you saying you would have rather stayed in that tunnel with the Aurors?” Sebastian curled his lip in disgust. “Harrington is a first class prick, and as for Perfect Prewett, I’m not going anywhere near London all the time he has that active tracker for me. We need to keep moving for the next few hours in case they try to follow us.”

Her lower lip trembled as she stared through the darkened mass of trees. She had no idea where they were and had nowhere she could visualise close enough to Apparate. The fear of messing it up, or getting Splinched, made her reluctant to attempt getting herself back to London. She could try running, but Sebastian would no doubt catch her, and fighting him off would run the risk of her blood boiling until her death because of their blood pact.

“Just take me close enough so that I can travel the rest,” she said, holding her head at a confident angle despite the panic gripping her. “I know where to go once I’m in London.”

He stared at her through his lashes, his face dark and dangerous in ways that made her shiver, her heart hammering behind her ribs. “Why are you so desperate to get back? What is the attraction?”

He stepped slowly to one side, but subtly closer, his hands hanging loose at his sides, but she was not fooled. Lessons learned long ago had her tracking his predatory movements, and she counter-stepped, adrenaline spiking as she slipped into old habits. She may not be as quick as she once was, but she knew not to let him gain the advantage. He was like a coiled snake when confronted, and his bite was dangerous.

“Not that it’s any of your concern, but I have business in London,” she said, tilting her chin upwards as she adjusted her sweaty grip on her wand. “You can’t just snatch up people whenever you feel like it. What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that I was about to gain a one-way ticket to Azkaban for murder, and I needed to get out of there,” he said carefully, dark eyes flashing. His head tilted to one side. “Once upon a time, you wouldn’t have thought twice about fleeing alongside me. Are you saying that’s not the case anymore?”

It felt like she was being torn down the middle, her chest filled with the longing to throw herself back into his arms and just forget everything else, but the tension building up along her spine had her holding back. If she made the wrong move, it could jeopardise everything. Could she trust him? It made her pulse dip and skip, and her lungs felt tight as she tried to steady her breathing in an attempt to appear calm and controlled before him.

“What are you doing with Rookwood?” She demanded, holding her aim true. The fire licked in her blood, heating with intent to burn, but she kept her wand arm steady.

His lips curved into a sly smirk as he slipped his own wand free with a graceful twist of his wrist. “What are you doing with Prewett?”

“I trust Leander with my life,” she said, a warning edge to her voice. “I can’t say the same for a man who is supposed to be dead. I watched Rookwood die, Sebastian, and now he is very much alive. What are you doing with him?”

Seeing Rookwood standing with Sebastian had confirmed everything the Auror’s had told her. Dressed in a smart coat and top hat, his cold, blue eyes narrowed in a way that brought shivers of memory to her, it made a mockery of the desperate fight she’d had to endure in the darkness of that ruin. Seeing Sebastian beside him, another soldier to do Rookwood’s dirty work, had her defensive barriers slamming into place.

Sebastian paused, brow creased in thought as he stared at her, his wand pointing down towards the ground. “You think I am on Rookwood’s side?”

“I don’t know what to think,” she said carefully. “It’s been four years, Sebastian. I’ve been hidden away from the world. From the little I have seen, you appear to be rather comfortable within his ranks.”

Dismay made his face crumble, and he looked away from her, almost turning his back on her aim as he pushed his wand back into its holster. Her grip slackened slightly as she watched him, her nerves stretched taut with uncertainty.

“You don’t trust me,” he murmured, pushing his hand through his hair. He glanced upwards, the boughs of the trees shifting in the wind offering glimpses of the night sky. “You don’t trust me, but you can trust an Auror. Someone who could throw us both into Azkaban without a second thought.”

Anger began to simmer in her belly, her hand tightening once more around her wand. “The only reason I am standing here at all is because of Leander,” she snapped, her hand beginning to shake with the effort of holding her aim. The pact was screaming through her blood now, blending with her anger in white hot sparks. “Without him, I would be dead, my skin blistered to death because of this fucking blood pact. But you, Sebastian, you get to murder your way across the country while I rotted away in that black hole.”

Her blood seared through her veins and her heart hammered with lightning sparks as her temper flared, a guttural cry of pain escaped through her gritted teeth and she swayed on her feet, a red haze crowding in on her vision. Her feet dragged across the carpet of leaves as the horizon wavered out of focus. Hissing in a breath, she jolted as hands grasped her upper arms, her eyes clashing with blazing brown ones.

“MC, what’s wrong,” Sebastian demanded, panic twisting his face. “Why would you be dead?”

She closed her eyes, unable to look at him as she fought back her anger, shocked at the strength of it surging through her. Bitterly, she felt the tremble in her legs and knew that if he let her go, she would likely stumble and fall. At the same time, she wanted to rip herself out of his grip and run.

“You’re right,” she gasped, her head dipping forward as a wave of dizziness washed over her. “I don’t trust you.”

Arms encircled her, crushing her against the expanse of his chest as the darkness closed in, and the sensation of her stomach being pulled sharply behind her belly button told her they were Apparating again before everything faded to nothing.

Leander

The pale dawn was creeping across London, the air chilled and threaded with a smog so thick that the view from Leander’s kitchen window was like a ghostly wasteland. Sitting at his table, a cup of tea cold and forgotten beside him, he stared out at the new morning with eyes tight and aching with exhaustion. He hadn’t even tried to sleep, his bed cold and vacant, untouched. The thought of climbing under blankets still touched by her scent made his throat feel tight. The sudden tearing away of her presence had left him reeling. He knew he had grown attached to MC, but seeing her vanish in Sallow’s arms last night had hit him harder than he had expected.

Sighing, he rubbed his face with both hands, fighting against the darkness that seemed to hang heavy over his head. Not only was MC gone, but the image of Odessa’s empty, glassy eyes seemed to be branded behind his eyelids, the shock of her betrayal seemed to shake the foundations of his belief in the wizarding justice system.

Her quick mind and feisty wand handling had made her an outstanding cadet, and they had shared experiences through their training together that he had thought meant something. It made him cold to the bone that Odessa had been sneaking around behind his back all that time, perhaps her flirting had been a means to an end rather than genuine interest, and he felt like such a fool.

There would be no more playful smiles across the office. There would be no need to find an excuse to get out of the date she had set for Friday evening. Odessa was dead. Cut down by Sallow. MC was gone. Taken by Sallow.

His gaze fell upon the table top where he had placed the file Andrew Larson had given him. There had been no opportunity to hand the information over to MC, and it sat there on his table, another weight pressing down upon his head. Beside it sat the tracking compass, the needle pointing towards the north. It had shifted slightly a few times during the course of the night, which meant that Harrington had been right.

After Sallow and MC had vanished before his eyes down in the tunnel, he had been so enraged that he had lost his temper for a few moments, losing his grip on his careful control as his own personal feelings swamped his professional role. Harrington had calmed him down, and when he had pulled out the compass, realising he could track Sallow and hunt him down, it was calmly pointed out to him that they could be anywhere. Sallow was strong. He would take her miles away and keep moving to avoid being found. He wouldn’t give up easily.

Harrington had also pointed out that MC hadn’t really put much of a fight up, either. Of course, she would let Sallow take her. Leander hadn’t wanted to admit it, but it was possible that MC had planned for something like that to happen all along. She had promised to stay hidden, and yet she had revealed herself. He had known she would go back to Sebastian eventually, but it felt all too soon.

But, when he had held his hand out to her, she had stepped forward. She tried to come to him before being pulled back, and it was that one hopeful moment that Leander couldn’t let go of as he sat at his kitchen table. Her eyes had met his, a flicker of uncertainty, a flash of that warmth he had become addicted to, and it had torn his heart in half as she vanished with that look on her face.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the enchanted parchment, one edge ragged where he had torn off the other half to place in MC’s hands. Smoothing it out on the table top, he dipped his quill in ink and thought for a moment, choosing his words before he began to write. Authoritative Auror, or concerned lover? Who should he be when he reached out to her?

He wrote a few lines, just wanting to remind her that he was here and that they still had a job to do despite the tangled emotions they seemed to have woven around them. As the ink began to fade, soaking into the parchment as it found its way to MC’s half, Leander rubbed his face with his hands and took a steadying breath. He had to wash up and change, refocus his head, and go into the office. There was work to be done, and there was nothing more he could do for MC other than trust that she would find her way back to make her report. Dare he hope that she would want to find her way back to him.

Sebastian

Hogwarts valley was spread out below them, the castle itself standing proudly, the windows lit with a welcoming glow, the night sky littered with thousands of stars that were beginning to fade as dawn crept up over the surrounding mountains. It had been a long time since he had laid eyes on this place, the comfort drawn from seeing it was almost as powerful as the warming charm he had cast around himself and MC. These Highlands were home, they always would be, and he had to bring her back here. This is where they first met.

Sat against an old, fallen tree, Sebastian held MC in his arms. She hadn’t woken up since she had passed out. The sight of her in so much pain, her eyes bloodshot and her skin deathly white, had filled him with a fear so tangible he had almost screamed. He had Apparated her into Cumbria, a spot near the lakes he had visited with his parents as a child. Her body had remained limp and unresponsive, and he had felt his eyes burn with tears at the thought that he might lose her after only just getting her back. Not wanting to risk being found, he had waited an hour, and then he had brought her here to the hillside overlooking Hogwarts.

He carried emergency supplies in the enchanted pocket of his jacket for times when he could be caught out on a job. Wrapping MC in a tartan blanket for warmth, he had settled with her in his lap, reluctant to let her go. It pained him to replay the last words she had uttered to him, hearing that she didn’t trust him anymore ripped through him like a cold blade. Nothing else could have disarmed him quicker.

Blinking back his tiredness, his fingers sought out the pulse point at her neck again, the delicate flutter of life under his fingertips reassuring him that she was alive. To look at her, you couldn’t be blamed for fearing the worst. Eyes closed and utterly still, her face was deathly pale, dark smudges under her eyes hinting at the lack of sleep. Her jaw and cheekbones were still too defined, her limbs so slender. She made him think of a tiny bird that had been held in captivity for so long that she had forgotten how to fly. Her distress hung heavy about his neck, guilt almost choking him as he brushed strands of hair from her face, his hands stroking her soft skin as the fear of losing her loomed above all else.

He sought out her left hand, turning it over to smooth his thumb over the red scar that matched his own. The bitterness with which she had mentioned the pact they had made stung him. He had clung to that bond like an anchor as he had tried to find his way. To think she hated it added to the fears clawing up his throat.

Cupping her face, he stared down at her, his thumb stroking softly against her cheek. If only she would open her eyes. She had such pretty eyes, and they sparked with such energy and fire. He had always been drawn to them, losing himself in her gaze and feeling like he belonged. To see the uncertainty and the guarded look she had given him earlier made him feel cold, his loneliness shrouding him and making him shiver.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, feeling his eyes begin to sting. “I should have tried to come for you sooner. Forgive me, please. I love you.”

Bending down, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, her skin chilled beneath his lips. Holding her closer in an effort to keep her warm, he swallowed down the urge to cry, blinking away the wetness gathering in his eyes. He needed to stay strong for her. Closing his eyes, he rested his head atop hers, feeling drowsiness sneaking up on him as the first faint glow of morning crested over the peaks.

“Lee,” she mumbled, stirring against him.

Sebastian’s eyes flew open, the name slipping from her lips hitting him like a punch to the gut. It was the name she had uttered in the memory Black Dahlia had shown him of her prison cell when she had looked so lost and broken. Rousing from sleep, she was asking for Prewett again, suggesting that he was often with her when she woke up. The thought made Sebastian tense, his jaw clenching in envious fury as he watched her eyes flickering open. Smoothing his face into a careful mask lest she see his anger, he kept his arms around her, but was poised ready to move if she flew into a temper again.

Her fingers curled into the front of his jacket, her lips twitching upwards in the corners, and then she froze as her eyes met his gaze. Her lips parted in surprise, a crease appearing on her brow. “Seb…”

“Sorry to disappoint,” he said dully, feeling his cheeks burn as he dipped his gaze away from her.

She sat up, rubbed her eyes and peered around them, a soft sigh leaving her mouth as her gaze landed on the castle in the distance. Her eyes swung back to him, searching his face as myriad emotions crossed her features. “You brought me to Hogwarts.”

“Back to where it all began, sweetheart,” he said, leaning back against the log and pushing his hands into his hair. “The place where we first met. Sometimes I wish we could go back to that day, get our hands on one of these time turner things I’ve read about, and go back to that moment in the common room when you came up to me by the fireplace.”

“You remember that?” She asked, pulling her robe tighter around her body. The blanket had slipped down behind her, and he reached for it, wrapping it about her shoulders.

“How could I forget?” He smiled, daring to brush his fingers under her chin before sitting back again. She was still seated between his thighs, her legs draped over one of his. “There you were, so eager to start your Hogwarts adventure, and so beautiful. I think you turned the head of every boy in our year and the years above, with your smile. I was honoured that you chose to spend your time with me.”

Staring out across the valley towards the castle, the breaking dawn lighting the sky behind her, she had never looked more beautiful to him. He ached to hold her closer and wished he could just disappear with her forever.

“Do you regret knowing me, MC?” He asked, a slight tremor in his voice. “If you could go back to that day, would you walk past me instead of stopping? I would walk past me given the choice.”

Biting her lip, she frowned, thinking over the question before turning to look at him. “So, if we went back to that day, what would you do differently? Let’s say I still approached you, and I chose you to accompany me to Hogsmeade when asked by Professor Weasley. Between then and now, what would you change?”

“I wouldn’t wait so long before plucking up the courage to kiss you,” he said, biting back a grin. “I wasted so much potential snogging time by being a coward.”

“That's the first thing that comes to mind?” She arched her brow as she looked at him.

“Kissing you is one of my favourite things, MC. Why wouldn't I wish for more of it?”

A glorious blush deepened across her cheeks as she rolled her eyes and turned her face back towards the view, tugging the blanket closer around herself. “Still a smooth talker, I see.”

His smirk faded as he considered her. She hadn’t answered his question about any regrets having him in her life. “What would I change?” He said quietly, reaching out to brush his fingers across her shoulder, trailing them lightly down her back.

“I wouldn’t let anyone take you from me if I could have that time again. You shouldn’t have gone to Azkaban for my mistakes, and I know that I can never get that time back for you, but I want to spend the rest of my life making it up to you, MC.”

Keeping her gaze averted, she plucked aimlessly at the edge of the blanket. He could see the uncertainty on her face, the stiff way she held herself under his light touch. Swallowing down the ache in his throat, he withdrew his hand.

“Do you really not trust me?” He asked, his voice pained.

“It’s been a long time, Sebastian,” she murmured, finally turning to look at him. Sadness darkened her eyes. “I’m not sure I even know you anymore. I mean, look at you, running from Aurors and keeping company with Ashwinders. What are you doing with them, Seb?”

Absently, he rubbed his hand along his forearm where his branded marks were, his dark deeds hanging over his head as he looked at the only girl who could squeeze his heart and leave him breathless. Ominis and Anne had been lecturing in his ear for years about his choice of company, and he had shrugged it off without a second thought. Seeing the sadness on MC’s face and hearing her say that she didn’t know him anymore cut him open in a way that made his cheeks burn with shame.

He hung his head, his hands coming up to cover his face as years of dancing on the edge of the law caught up with him.

“When I found out Rookwood was alive, I wanted to kill him,” he said, rubbing his face before letting his hands fall into his lap, close to her leg. “The only way to get close to him was to work for the Ashwinders, and so I began to infiltrate the gang. It took so long to get close to Rookwood, and as I did rise through the ranks, I discovered that he collected rare spell books and artefacts. I realised that if I could get my hands on his collection, I might be able to find out what curse he used on Anne or find a way to help her.”

“She’s still alive, then,” MC muttered, her face tightening.

Sebastian nodded, noting the flash of fury in her eyes. “It took me so long to get into Rookwood’s inner circle, but I still haven’t found out where he keeps his rarest collection,” he said, his mouth twisting with regret. “And then, he started talking about you.”

“Me?” She frowned. “What about me?”

“I think he wants to collect you, MC,” he said carefully. “He wanted to break you out of prison so that you could join the Ashwinders. That Auror I just took out told us your cell number and gave us a way to get into Azkaban so we could sneak you out.”

Her mouth fell open in shock. “McKinnon did what? That bitch!” Her eyes widened and she put her fingers to her lips. “Merlin, she came to my cell in her disguise. She appeared at my cell door, and I thought I was imagining it.”

“I know,” he said, nodding. “She had to show me the memory to prove it was you before I entered the prison.”

“You came for me?” Her eyes swung to him, her face a mask of pure shock.

He nodded. “I did. I entered Azkaban, but you were already gone. Some crazy, old crone said you left with a man, and then I barely made it out after the Dementors realised we shouldn’t have been there.”

“I can’t believe you did that…” Her voice cracked, and she looked away, tugging the blanket even tighter around herself. She shook her head. “I can’t believe that bitch, McKinnon. She sent you into Azkaban even though she knew I was getting out of prison. I was taken to a safe house, and she was one of the Aurors guarding it.”

“I knew she was double crossing us,” he seethed, his hands clenched into fists. “I had to take her out, MC. She was meeting Rookwood to tell him more information about you, and I was worried that she might tell him…”

He paused, biting his lip, and she met his gaze with a curious frown.

“Tell him what?”

“I know what you’re doing, MC,” he admitted after a pause. “I know they let you out to spy on the Ashwinders and Rookwood.”

She shook her head, shifting position as she began to back away from him, her face bone white. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, letting the blanket slip from her shoulders.

Sebastian reached for her, his hand clamping around the wrist of her wand arm before she could grab it, his eyes determined as he stared at her. “Oh, you know exactly what I’m talking about, sweetheart. You’re a spy for the British Auror Office.”

The flash of fear in her eyes was very real before she hardened her face, yanking against his grip with urgency. “Let me go!”

He could move lightning quick when he wanted to, and she was a dangerous little witch given the chance. He had her on her back in an instant before she could even think of running from him, pinning her hands easily against the soft grass of the hill. The sun was flooding the valley with its early morning rays, a low lying mist lingering over the lake and river below.

MC looked up at him, her face so pale, her eyes darkening with fear. It stabbed at him, made his heart ache to feel the tension in her arms as she resisted his grip. He needed her to trust him again.

“Why do you think I killed that Auror, MC?” He said, leaning over her, his eyes burning into hers. “I couldn’t let her tell Rookwood what you were doing. I couldn’t put you at risk. I’ll kill anyone who dares to hurt you, MC. I can promise you that.”

“I don’t understand,” she said, her voice breathless as she stared, wide-eyed.

“You’re going to spy on Rookwood, and I’m going to help you,” he said. “He doesn’t know why you’re out, only I know the truth. We are going to get our hands on Rookwood’s collection, and we are going to bring that bastard down together. You and me.”

“Are you serious?”

He smiled, feeling the tension slipping out of her, but he maintained his hold on her wrists. He bent his head lower, his nose almost touching against hers. She really did have the most intoxicating eyes. “Deadly serious,” he whispered. “I’d do anything for you, MC. I know it’s been a long time, sweetheart, but I never stopped loving you. Not once.”

Her gaze dipped to his mouth, so close to hers, and he felt his blood fire with want. Was he breaking through to her? Was he reminding her of how it had been, how it could be again? All the time turners in the world could take them back to the start, but he was certain they would always find each other. Their fates were entwined. They had to be. She felt like a part of him, and she had to feel that, too.

He tilted slightly, daring to lower his mouth closer, desperately hungry to taste her kiss. He could hear her quickened breaths, her fingers flexing against the grass under his grip, but her eyes remained hesitant.

“I wish I could believe you,” she said, her eyes filling with tears.

“It’s the truth,” he promised, releasing one of her wrists to cup her face. “It will always be you.”

He pressed his lips against hers in a soft kiss, savouring the feel of her before trailing his lips down over her jaw, mouthing against the velvety smoothness of her throat.

“Seb,” she whimpered, her fingers gripping at his shoulder.

He kept kissing her, more firmly now, his breaths coming harder and faster as he worked his way towards her ear. It had been so long, and his hunger was near insatiable.

“Seb…please,” she gasped, pushing against him with her free hand. “You need to stop. I can’t do this…stop.”

He stopped, lifting his head to look at her flushed face. “Why not?”

She winced, looking away from him. “It’s been a long time, Sebastian. I can’t just pick up where we left off…”

“You can trust me, MC,” he insisted, his grip tightening on her, the feeling that she was slipping away from him becoming fiercer. “I promise you. I stand by the oath I made.”

He pushed himself up onto his knees and held out his left hand, revealing the scar that was a twin of hers. “This pact means something. We are bonded by our blood, you and me. Forever. I can’t…I can’t lose you.”

“We were kids when we did that, Sebastian. So much has changed since then,” she said, her brow creasing as she studied her own scarred palm. “This pact almost killed me in Azkaban. They shackled me to a chair and poured Veritaserum into my mouth to get information out of me.”

His eyes widened, and panic ripped through him. “What did you tell them?”

Her eyes narrowed to furious slits. “Oh, don’t you worry. Your secrets are safe. You have Leander to thank for that, by the way,” she spat, getting to her feet and brushing loose grass from her robe. “If it wasn’t for him, I would be dead, and your name would be marked up ready for my empty cell. He swapped the serum out so I wouldn’t die because he actually fucking cares what happens to me. The only thing this pact is good for is your own preservation, Sebastian. So far, all it has done is hold me just as much of a prisoner as those black stone walls did.”

“Don’t say that,” he said, his throat closing up with fear. He moved towards her, and she backed up. She was going to disappear. He could feel it. “I’m sorry. Please, don’t leave like this. Let me make it up to you. I’ll do anything. Just don’t leave.”

“I can’t stay here,” she said, wiping a stray tear that slid from her eye as she backed away from him. “I need to think, or maybe I need more time, I don’t know. But, I do have to get back to London. I can’t stay here.”

Clenching his hand into a fist, Sebastian felt his jaw tighten, envy twisting him up inside. “Back to London. More like back to Prewett, right? Your white knight. He isn’t the only one who cares about you, MC. You have to believe that.”

Her cheeks flushed pink, and she averted her gaze again. “I have to meet with Leander, or I will be breaching the terms of my probation,” she said, tilting her chin upwards in that stubborn way of hers. “I won’t go back to Azkaban, Sebastian. Not for you, not this time.”

“So, what happens now?” He asked. “Back to London, and then what? You report back to your precious Auror, and tell him what a fucking disappointment I am. What about us?”

“I don’t know,” she said, shaking her head, and he felt his heart rip open. “But, I will come and find you. I agree that we need to work together.”

“MC, wait,” he pleaded, stepping towards her.

More tears slid down her cheeks and she wiped them away quickly with the back of her hand. She met his eyes. “I did my waiting, Sebastian. Four years of it. In Azkaban. It’s going to take more than a few sweet promises to make up for it. If you love me like you say you do, then you’ve got to prove it.”

Her face was so hard, so cold, flickers of ancient magic flaring in her eyes as she stared at him. She was terrifyingly beautiful, and all that power was raging inside her tiny frame, held up by the iron of her spine. She had always been spirited, it had been one of the traits that had drawn him to her, and maybe he had become complacent in her absence.

“I do love you,” he said fiercely.

“Does Luella Rookwood know that?” She asked, her eyebrow arching upwards.

His stomach plummeted, and he almost choked as the blood drained from his face. She couldn’t possibly know about that. “I…”

“I guess I’ll see you in the Black Rose, Sallow,” she said. “Save me a seat at the top table.”

The air around her flickered and then she was gone. He gulped, staring at the spot she had been in as his head crashed with a jumble of thoughts, fear gripping him like never before. Had Luella got to her? Rosier wouldn’t have blabbed. What did she know? His head spun with questions, and he was furious that through all of this, Leander fucking Prewett had once again saved the day.

His scream of fury cut through the air, a flock of birds taking flight from some nearby trees as he fell to his knees, his eyes clouding with tears as he gazed across the valley towards Hogwarts. Why was everything so hard? And why did he keep losing the people that he loved? What was wrong with him?

Solomon was right. He really was a disappointment, and all he ever seemed fated to do was fail.

A blast of light shot up into the sky and he turned his gaze beyond the castle where the murky dark of the Forbidden Forest spread out like a shadowy carpet. Right in the centre, a column of blue and white lightning seared up into the pale blue of the morning sky, crackling and flickering with astonishing power. He stared in awe, his chest heaving with a steadying breath as his heart pounded. It was her. It had to be.

Pressing a hand to his chest, he wondered if it was anger or pain, or maybe it was both that had her blasting her magic into the heavens. It made his eyes burn, and he blinked away the tears, fear replacing his fury as he watched the powerful display of magic.

If Rookwood managed to get his hands on that magic, there would be no stopping the terror he could unleash on the world. That could never happen.

Whatever happened between him and MC, Sebastian would do everything he could to protect her and her magic. He did love her, and he vowed to prove it. He wasn’t entirely sure how yet, but he would. On this, he refused to fail.

The cool dark of the Forbidden Forest welcomed her as she landed on the compacted dirt. Not even bothering to catch herself, she let herself tumble down to the ground, rolling until she faced the canopy of twisted trees. She could barely see the sky through the thickness of the forest roof, a chill mist clung to the air and kissed her hot cheeks, and the croak and rustle of all manner of critters could be heard in the surrounding flora. The pressure in her chest was monumental, and it needed a release.

Sebastian’s face when she had said Luella’s name. His pallor had paled so quickly, his mouth gaping in shock, lips moving as he tried to answer her. Guilty as sin.

Her scream ripped from her throat as she reached for the sky through the gnarled branches, the release of pressure so fierce and sudden that her back arched up from the dirt, her ancient magic manifesting into bolts of lightning. Much like when she had saved Leander from the Dementors, the raw emotion of the moment charged the magic to its full potential, and there was no need for a wand. Her body was the conduit, and she unleashed her roiling mass of turmoil into the atmosphere.

The storm raged through her body, screaming along her bones and flooding her soul as she tried to manage the whirlwind of suppressed feelings that tore up her insides. While she had been enclosed in terror and darkness, Sebastian had been seducing the enemy. It was like feral blows to that tender place behind her ribs, and she began to sob, her magic faltering and sputtering out as she curled up and bawled.

Why was everything so confusing? Seeing him again had opened up the desperate longing she’d hidden so carefully from the Dementors, all those precious memories of their first kisses, the excitement of falling for him. She had wanted to throw herself into his arms and believe the sweet words that fell from his lips. She ached to feel that fire and longing that only he could spark into life, but she had fought against it, tangled in her guilt over finding comfort and pleasure in the arms of another.

She had almost told Sebastian the truth, knowing the petty jealousy he clung to over Leander would make her words strike like blows. She wanted him to hurt as she did.

All that her Auror had ever done was take care of her. Had it been so wrong to seek comfort from Leander? The little pocket of warmth she had discovered held back the devastating loneliness. Burying herself in that glow had given her the strength to stand on her own feet and take those first steps into freedom.

Letting her tears fall freely, she wrapped her arms about herself and realised how deeply she had come to care about Leander. The shock of missing him slammed into her, stealing her breath as she gulped through her tears. Maybe it wasn’t a passionate love or an all-consuming love, but she suspected she loved him for being the caring gentleman that he was. He meant safety to her, and the urge to run to him was very strong. Was it so terrible to need someone to be her safety net? She seemed to free fall into nothing, and the longing to have someone there ready to catch her was so strong it was almost a pain.

She was falling again right now, spinning through chaos and feeling lost. Leander would catch her. She didn’t doubt it. She could get herself to London, and he would wrap her up safe and warm. But, surely, she needed to catch herself. If she didn’t, then life was only going to get harder.

Or, she could run.

If she ran hard and far enough, she could escape all of the trauma and danger. Somewhere out there in the world, she could carve a new life for herself. Who would miss her if she ran? Not her old school friends. They would stay well clear of a murdering ex-convict. They wouldn’t want her around their busy lives. Sebastian had clearly found a path to walk with another woman to warm his bed, and Leander would move on and find himself a lovely wife to come home to eventually.

Nobody would miss her if she were to just disappear. Alone, there was no danger of being abandoned or let down. Alone. Always alone.

Closing her eyes, she tried to calm herself, remembering how devastating it had been when Leander had kissed her goodbye and left her in her cell that day. She had screamed and fought against it, almost on her knees begging for him not to leave her alone. It must have been the lowest she had ever felt, and yet, she had come back from that.

She had to keep fighting. She was stronger than she looked.

Sniffing back her tears, she sat up, glancing around the clearing in the forest, the glow of fireflies dancing around the lake catching her eyes. Beside her was the stone birdbath that she had used to open the secret chamber behind the swirling stone wall behind her. That had been years ago, when she had been a naive girl ready to walk into all sorts of danger, thinking that she could manage whatever horrors awaited around the corner. Perhaps not that much had changed in that respect, although she hoped she was wiser.

Standing, she wiped her cheeks and moved closer to take a look at the birdbath, remembering the dead boy who had led her here through the dark forest back in her school days. She wasn’t sure what had made her Apparate to this spot, only that she had remembered the shadowy dark under the trees, the cool air and mysterious atmosphere giving you a feeling of isolation as though you were in another world. All she had wanted was to flee Sebastian and the allure of his eyes, his strong arms, his tempting words. The temptation to give in to him was all too real, and she had to fight it.

A shimmer to her left made her look up, her eyes widening as a spectral form floated through the trees as though summoned by her memories of this place.

“Richard?” She whispered.

“Oh! It’s you creating the storm!” The ghostly vision drifted closer, his face lighting up in delight as he approached. “I did not expect to find you here at the root of all that lightning. Although, now that I think of it, I suppose it does make sense.”

MC wiped harder at her cheeks and tried to summon a smile, but her lips only wobbled as she looked up at Richard Jackdaw. He looked just the same, his curling hair framing his boyishly handsome face, his hands clasped behind his back as he floated gently beside her.

“Hello, Richard,” she greeted, her voice husky and raw from her tears. “I’m surprised to see you here. I thought this place was too upsetting for you.”

“Ah, yes, well. I have been attempting all manner of bravery, and I have been coming here every now and then to ponder my unfortunate fate. I suppose you could say that you inspired it in me, dear girl,” he said, floating a little closer and making a slight bow as he studied her face more closely. His transparent features dropped in dismay. “My goodness, you appear to be in some distress. What happened? May I be of any assistance?”

The well of tears had clearly not run dry, and fresh ones began to fall onto her cheeks at the simple kindness of a ghost, her shoulders shaking as she clamped her hand over her mouth to hold back her sobbing. Almost choking through the tightness in her throat, she managed to fight off the tears, wiping them away with a shaking hand. Poor Richard looked utterly lost, his hands unclasping from behind his back and wafting uselessly around her, his eyes an echo of pained frustration.

“If only I could offer you an embrace, my dear, but alas, I am rather useless for such warm and comforting gestures,” he sighed. “What terrible thing has caused you to be so distressed? Perhaps if you talk to me, I can lend a sympathetic ear. I can not promise that any advice I should offer would be helpful, though.”

Looking at his concerned face, MC took a steadying breath. “You are kind, Richard, but I will be alright in a moment. I just managed to get myself caught up in a predicament with someone.”

“Oh, I see. Matters of the heart, I assume?” He winced as she reluctantly nodded. “Hmm, yes. Those can be tricky.”

“He is unbelievably stubborn and reckless. He tends to walk a darker path, and trouble is always not far behind him, and yet I find myself stupidly drawn to him,” she said, a frown darkening her brow as her tongue seemed to loosen. “He stole my heart so young, but I had to go away for a while, and now that I am faced with him again I’m not sure if I know him anymore.”

“Absence didn’t make the heart grow fonder?”

She gave him a wry look. “I’m afraid it’s rather complicated.”

“I see,” he said, his face thoughtful. “How complicated, exactly?”

Richard had an innocent look about him. His features remained those of the boy who had lost his head whilst adventuring into places he really shouldn’t have been. In the few conversations she had shared with the ghost, she deemed him quite sensitive and youthful despite many years roaming in spirit form. It didn’t feel right to tell him all of her woes, especially the part about her serving time in Azkaban for murder. She feared the judgement she might find on his boyishly handsome face. Perhaps sticking to the confusing conflict in her heart would be enough.

“I wasn’t supposed to develop feelings for someone else,” she said, her voice wobbling slightly. “This man is warm and kind. He represents safety and stability. He snuck up on me a bit, and now I feel rather guilty about it all, despite discovering that my childhood sweetheart has seemingly replaced me with another as well. For two people supposed to be madly in love, we seem to have failed at it quite terribly.”

Drained and exhausted, MC found a large tree root to sit on, rubbing her tear stained face with her hands as Richard floated before her in a manner much like pacing.

“So, you fell in love with a scoundrel who dabbles in dark magic,” he said, tilting his head as he pondered this. He nodded and his face took on a look of resignation. “I can understand the allure of such traits. I, too, loved a devilish creature, and suffered the torment.”

“The thing is, underneath his tendency to stray into trouble, there is someone worth loving. It’s a side not many people get to see, and I found it,” she said, that deep ache flaring within and making her sigh. “I’m scared he has lost that part of himself, though.”

“But, what of this new gentleman you speak of? Do you think you love him, too?”

MC blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear. “It’s a different kind of love,” she hesitated, her eyes growing fond as she thought of Leander. “You cannot compare the two, only in that they both mean something to me. I’m not sure that even makes sense.”

“You would be surprised how much it makes sense to me,” he said softly. He pursed his lips and gazed thoughtfully off into the trees with a small sigh. “It is said that if you truly love a person, you could never fall in love with another, but it’s interesting how you describe it as a different kind of love. That throws a whole new light on the situation. They do sound like opposites of one another, so I suppose it all rather depends on what you want, my dear.”

“I don’t know what I want, Richard,” she said, shaking her head sadly. “It’s all so confusing.”

“Why did you seek closeness with this other gentleman?” He asked.

“I was…lonely,” she admitted, heat flooding her cheeks. “I was in a very bad place, and he helped me. He saved my life.”

Richard hummed and tapped his fingers thoughtfully against his chin, a parody of movement really, because his fingers merely drifted through his ethereal form. “This rogue of yours, what is it that makes you love him?”

MC thought about Sebastian, his devilish eyes floating through her thoughts, along with his dangerous smirk and cocky charm. Being so close to him again had reignited the old spark of excitement, despite the bickering and emotional uproar that came along with it. She sighed and shook her head.

“He is dangerous and exciting,” she admitted. “There is always an adventure to be had when you’re with him, but with that also comes the drama and the clashing of wills. He doesn’t do half measures, he is all in. It’s exhilarating and exhausting all at once. He’s trouble, for sure.”

“Adventure can certainly lead to trouble,” he nodded. He put a hand to his neck and grimaced. “Unfortunately, I know about that all too well.”

“Do you have any regrets, Richard?” She asked, thinking about Sebastian’s mention of going back in time and changing things. “If you could have your time again, would you make different choices?”

“I’ve had plenty of time to ponder that very question,” he said. “And, no, I don’t think I would change very much. Perhaps I would take a companion along with me, or at the very least, duck upon entering the caves. I might get to keep my head that way.”

“You may have lost your head, but I’m glad you still have a sense of humour, Richard,” she said, a smile curving her lips. “A companion does make a difference when adventuring. He may be a rogue, but I know that my childhood love would always have my back in a fight. He is very brave, and fearsome when challenged.”

“It makes you feel alive, doesn’t it?” He said, drifting closer and looking down at her with a kind smile. “He makes you feel alive, despite all the danger.”

“I’m not sure I am the same girl I once was,” she said, her face darkening with cold memories. “I’m not sure how brave I can be anymore, or if I fit into his world like I used to. I was away for a long time.”

“Maybe you don’t need to decide right away. Give yourself some time to adjust to this new version of yourself. After being away for so long, you may see the world differently, but I bet you are as brave and fierce as you were before. Perhaps even more so, you just haven’t realised it yet. You just need time to let yourself breathe and find your feet.”

“You are wiser than you give yourself credit for, Mr Jackdaw,” she said, a small smile curving her lips.

He seemed to rather like that comment, his chest puffing out rather proudly and a smile appearing on his ethereal face. “When you have forever to ponder and discover, it’s surprising what you can pick up along the way.”

“Thank you for listening,” she said, getting to her feet.

“Trust what you feel in here,” he said, reaching out to point towards her chest, a shiver travelling over her skin as his finger disappeared through her sternum. He pulled his hand back rather quickly, embarrassment flooding his face. If he had skin, she fancied he might have blushed. “Oh my, do forgive me, MC. That was…rather rude of me.”

She chuckled, and wished she could hug him to say thank you. The weight on her shoulders did feel somewhat lighter, and she knew what he was trying to say. It was rather similar to the advice Ominis had given her. She could choose her own path, and she had to give herself time to find the one that felt right. “Not to worry, Richard. You have been most kind, and I appreciate your time.”

“Time is something I have at my disposal, my dear. You are most welcome. What will you do now? What new adventure awaits?” He asked wistfully, clasping his hands behind his back again.

“I shall return to London,” she said with a nod. “It’s time to take the next step forwards.”

“Ah yes, our glorious capital,” Richard sighed, drifting off slightly. “I do miss trips into the city. Mind you take care now, my dear. Perhaps you can come and visit again sometime. You can tell me about your adventures. I do love an adventure.”

He floated aimlessly across the clearing, his head bowed and his hands clasped at his back, a lost soul destined to haunt this Highland valley because he dared to take a risk and love with all his heart.

Could that be in her fate someday? Would she choose a path that led to her downfall? She shivered and rubbed her arms.

“Goodbye, Mr Jackdaw,” she called.

Richard gave her a little wave before fading through the trees, roaming at will. He had given her plenty to think about, and he was right. She didn’t need to decide right now, but she did have a job to do. She had meant what she had said to Sebastian. There was no way she would mess up this chance at freedom. She would not be going back into that cell.

The fear of letting anyone get too close blended with the fear of being alone. There was a war going on behind her ribs, and as much as she needed to protect herself, she didn’t want to hurt anyone else either. Least of all, Leander. He didn’t deserve that.

She wouldn’t run. It wasn’t really her style.

Dipping her hand into the pocket of her trousers, she pulled out the piece of enchanted parchment that had one ragged edge. It was her link to Leander, and she knew he would be worrying about her after just disappearing like that. Unfolding it and tapping it with the tip of her wand, she saw neatly scribed words appear, and a small smile curved her lips.

I trust you are safe. I shall be in London all day. I know you can do this.

Lee

Taking a deep breath, she took a moment to gaze around at the gloom of the forest, still feeling separate and disjointed from the rest of the world, but ready to get back up and face things again. Sitting back on the tree root, she pulled out her quill and wrote a reply on the now blank parchment.

I am safe. On my way to you. Put the kettle on, I’m parched.

Apparating out to an old Floo point at the edge of the forest that she remembered from her days at Hogwarts, MC took one last look around at the beauty of Scotland before stepping towards the green glow of the travel network. It was time to go back to the crowded city.

“Diagon Alley,” she said clearly, feeling the pull of being transported miles across the country and landing effortlessly at the Floo on the bustling street. Moving into a quieter corner, she closed her eyes and tried not to think about the broken expression on Sebastian’s face as she had left him. There would be time to revisit all of that drama later. Instead, she pictured the comfort of Leander’s home and vanished from Diagon Alley in a swirl of black.

Leander

He was at his desk when MC’s reply came through, their parchment placed where he could see it whilst he completed his statement about Odessa’s death. It hadn’t been easy putting the words to paper, finalising in ink her betrayal to the Auror Office, his gaze drifting to her empty desk that had already been cleared of her personal belongings. Taking out his own Auror badge, he had tried to imagine what it would be like for Odessa’s family to hear of her fall from grace, his fingers smoothing over the polished metal of his badge as he pondered his own moral conduct.

Breaking the rules for MC didn’t exactly stack proudly on his list of achievements, and his parents would be outraged if they knew the risks he had taken after working so hard to earn his badge. Swapping the truth serum had been crazy and foolish, but he couldn’t help but feel like he had served justice by saving her from death. Whatever truths it pulled from her mouth would have killed her, and the sneaking suspicion that she was, in fact, innocent of her charge of murdering Solomon Sallow still lingered. MC had been so fearful of what she might say in that interrogation room, and the more he thought about it, the more convinced Leander became that it had been Sebastian who had killed his uncle, and not her.

In helping her, he was doing his job, protecting a citizen of the Wizarding World, and seeking the truth. Taking her to his bed was a whole other matter entirely, and one he couldn’t regret, not for one moment. Even if it did need to remain their secret.

When her reply had appeared on his half of the parchment, he had snatched it up, her words making a smile form on his lips. Finishing up his paperwork, he abandoned his desk, sending off his statement before hurrying home to put the kettle on.

There was an edge of anxiousness upon entering his flat, his eyes glancing around the main room and noting the opened potions case on the table, MC’s discarded cloak slipping from the back of a kitchen chair. Putting his wand away, Leander checked the empty potion bottles to see if any were for healing or pain, but it seemed she had only taken her usual restoring ones. The stove was lit, and the kettle was hot, two tea cups set on the side ready, and the sound of movement came from the bedroom.

Calling her name so as not to startle her, Leander lingered in the doorway, his gaze moving over the trail of discarded clothing before arriving at the privacy screen.

“I’m in here,” she called, the sound of water splashing, suggesting she was bathing.

Despite long nights sharing a bed, Leander felt the blush warming his cheeks when he realised she was naked behind the screen, his teeth catching at his full lower lip as he fiddled nervously with his tie. Desperate to see her and ensure she was alright, he hesitated, his awkward shyness keeping his feet rooted to the spot.

“Sorry…I’ll er…I will give you a moment,” he said, swallowing hard. She might not want him to get too close after spending the night with Sallow, unbidden thoughts intruding into his head and making his stomach twist with envy. “I just wanted to check that you’re okay.”

He turned, one hand on the door ready to pull it closed behind him, when her head appeared around the side of the screen. He paused, his eyes devouring the bare, delicate slope of her neck and shoulder, her hair pinned up off her neck. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she smirked, her skin damp and glistening as she held up her finger.

“Wait there,” she said, tugging a drying sheet free from where it was thrown over the privacy screen and wrapping it around herself. Stepping out towards him, he couldn’t help sweeping his gaze over her, checking she was alright. “How are things this morning? Is Harrington pissed at me?”

He huffed air through his lips. “Harrington is always pissed at someone. He has put Sallow at the top of his Wanted list next to Rookwood for the murder of an Auror.”

She frowned. “McKinnon was a snitch,” she said, her eyes dark. “She was in deep with Rookwood it would seem, telling him details about me. If you dabble in darkness and danger, you have to be prepared for what it brings down upon you. I can’t believe she faced Sebastian without her wand at the ready. She was a fool.”

“She needed to face the consequences of her actions, MC, not die,” he said.

She stiffened, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You mean put her into Azkaban,” she said quietly. “One could argue that’s a consequence worse than death.”

“So murder is the answer?” He asked, his expression pained. He shook his head sadly. “You can’t just go around killing people to solve problems, MC. Dead, Odessa can’t answer for her crimes. We can’t question her and find out more information.”

“Silencing her is exactly what Sebastian needed to do,” MC said, holding the drying sheet more firmly around herself. Her face had turned hard and cold, her eyes shutting off any of that earlier sparkle as she defended Sallow's actions yet again. “She was going to blow my cover, Leander. She had already told them restricted information about me. Did you know they tried to break me out of Azkaban?”

His eyes widened, remembering Harrington’s concern that something like that was planned. “They actually tried?”

“The disguise McKinnon used, I recognised it,” she said, hunching her shoulders, a grimace on her face. “She came to my cell door and stared at me. She said someone wanted me, and I thought I was imagining it at the time, but it was her. She was creating the memory so she could give it to Rookwood. They came for me, but I was already gone.”

Leander shuddered, the horror that Azkaban had been breached made a cold sweat break out on the back of his neck. The thought of MC being snatched from her cell under his watch made him feel ill, and he pressed a hand to his face, turning to pace the floor as his mind raced. “Fuck, I need to warn the office,” he muttered. “What if they try and break out someone like Harlow? He is crazy.”

“I think it was just me Rookwood wanted,” she said, her voice low and tight. “It seems he wants to collect me like some rare artefact. I suppose that will make infiltrating his gang easy for me.”

Her cold humour didn’t hide the tension in her voice, and he turned back to her, noting the tight way she held onto herself, the way she was almost curling inwards as though trying to disappear.

“I won’t let him collect you,” he said firmly, reaching for her. He gently took hold of her shoulders, his thumbs grazing against her damp skin. Fear tightened his stomach. “Did Sallow try to take you to him?”

She shook her head, avoiding his eyes. “No,” she whispered. “We were alone.”

Her pale skin was unmarked from what he could see of it, no signs of harm, and no signs of passion. But that didn’t mean Sallow hadn’t touched her. He didn’t like the way her gaze lingered over his shoulder, distant and guarded as though she was avoiding him. They hadn’t talked about their intimate situation, and they certainly hadn’t made any promises to one another, but he was attached to her all the same. His envy was bitter. It made his fingers grip her a little tighter. “Did he…did you…”

He couldn’t finish the question, his throat closing as he shook his head. Her answer might just be enough to sever whatever bond they had found together, and even though he knew it had been a fool’s dream to begin with, he couldn’t believe that he meant nothing to her. There had been glimpses of something warmer in her eyes, and her touches had been lingering for longer.

He couldn’t bring himself to form words that would shred all of that. He didn’t want to know what had happened with her and Sallow during the night, despite the torment such thoughts could provoke. Letting her go, he turned for the door. “I’ll let you finish getting dressed,” he said tightly. “I’ll make some tea.”

He couldn’t resist one more glance her way. Her face was pale and haunted, her fingers gripping the sheet to her breasts, but her spine was straight and determined. She remained silent, her eyes guarded. The feeling of separation was already beginning to seep into him. She would drift out of his reach and leave aching emptiness in her place.

Keeping his hands busy, he made the tea and put the tin of biscuits on the table, his eyes constantly drawn to the bedroom door. When MC finally appeared, she was dressed in black clothing fit for travel, her hair pinned back from her pale face. She looked drawn but determined as she came to the table and took a seat.

“You look like you’re ready for a match in Crossed Wands,” he said, attempting a smile.

“Only this time the fight has higher stakes,” she said, wrapping her fingers around her tea cup as he poured from the pot. “I’m going to approach the Ashwinders today, Lee. Sebastian can be my ticket in. I know where to find him. It’s time we got started.”

This had been the plan all along, and yet he felt the anxiety tighten behind his ribs, wanting to scoop her up and run away with her. The matter of her birth family still weighed over him, and the consequences that might come into play should the truth come out. He nodded in agreement at her decision to leave and sat adjacent to her with his own tea. “Do you have a plan?”

She shrugged. “I need to scope out what’s happening with the Ashwinders and talk to Sebastian. I need to see if I can trust him. He told me those things about McKinnon, so I’m hoping he can tell me more that I can pass on to you.”

“Keep in touch through the parchment. You’re also welcome to come here whenever you like,” he reminded her. “All I ask is that you don’t tell anyone else.”

She met his eyes this time, her hand sliding tentatively across the table top towards his. “I wouldn’t bring danger to your door, Lee,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “You know I can’t give you what you really want, but I do care about you, more than I should.”

Her eyes dipped down to their hands, her fingertips ghosting over his skin and making goosebumps spread up his arm. She was warning him not to get attached, but it was too late for that. He studied the shape of her face, the colour of her eyes, committing how she looked in the light of his home to memory in case she never returned. For the first time, he found himself looking for the similarities and features that might link her to the bloodline she came from.

Taking hold of her hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze. “Before you leave, there is something I need to show you,” he said, his heart thumping harder behind his ribs as he used his wand to summon the file from its hidden place in his desk across the room. It landed gently on the table top in front of her.

“Andrew Larson found a file in the Ministry archives whilst tracing bloodlines of ancient magic. The file contained records of those who would be monitored by the Ministry for any signs of ancient magic emerging. It seems they assume it runs in bloodlines. Surprisingly, these files have not been swallowed up by the Department of Mysteries, and he was able to make a copy for me to show you. Your birth is one of those recorded, MC.”

She had been reaching for the file as he spoke, but paused and stared at it, her fingers beginning to tremble as she turned wide eyes on him. “My birth record?” She swallowed, eyeing the file with apprehension. “You mean, the Ministry has been watching me my whole life?”

He nodded, giving her hand another reassuring squeeze. “It would seem so. I can’t stress enough how restricted this information is, MC. Andrew and I had to smuggle this out of the Ministry. But, you need to see it. Just so you know, whatever you decide to do, I’m here to help if you need it. I’m on your side, MC. Remember that.”

“Bloody hell, Lee,” she said, her fingers gripping his hand back. “Do I even want to see what’s inside here?”

“Oh, you’ll want to see it,” he assured her. “I doubt you would believe me if I told you. I had to read it more than once to believe it myself.”

He saw the grit and determination light her eyes as she turned her attention back to the file. The subtle tightening of her jaw and the way she held herself as she took hold of the corner and opened the cover, proving that she was a lot tougher than she looked.

He wished things could have been simpler. He was just a normal Gryffindor, and he always doubted the Sorting Hat for placing him in that house. All his school life, he had tried to prove to everyone that he deserved that red and gold robe, that he was worthy. It was just his luck that he should fall for a girl in a rival house, and not just any rival, but a Slytherin witch born to be the most powerful, the most dangerous.

Leander held his breath, his heart beating double time as her eyes scanned the page, darting from side to side as whatever colour she had left in her skin drained away in her shock. He hadn’t been sure what her reaction would be to the revelation of who her family were, maybe he thought she would cry, or even throw the file back in his face and declare it a lie. She did none of those things, though.

Slowly, her lips began to curve into a slight smile, and when her gaze lifted to him, her eyes shone with unshed tears, but she didn’t look sad. Not at all. In fact, she looked almost happy.

“My mother…she…she’s alive,” she said, her voice tight with emotion. Her hand squeezed his so hard, it turned his skin white. “I always believed she was dead, but she is alive. I actually have a family.”

He nodded, slightly baffled at her optimism. “Did you see this part?” He prompted, gesturing towards the other parchment in the file. “It’s the record of your arrival at the children’s home in London.”

Her eyes dipped back down to the file, and he felt her stiffen as she saw the name of the person who had signed her over to strangers. She had been two years old when she had been signed in, the notes suggesting that she had been handed to the Aurors as an abandoned child, possibly orphaned. There were no death records for her mother, and given the family, it was highly suspicious.

“How can that be? I don’t understand…” She looked at him, her face so pale, the dark look in her eyes making him reach for her. “Why would Solomon Sallow sign me into an orphanage if my mother is alive?”

“I don’t know,” Leander said, shaking his head and wishing that he did. “Perhaps we can find out. We can do more digging. Andrew said he would keep searching.”

Tears flooded her eyes, and one escaped, rolling down her cheek as she stared down at the file. “Solomon knew who I was,” she croaked, licking her lips as another tear fell. “He knew.”

“I’m sorry, MC,” he whispered, holding her close and kissing her head. She clutched onto him as though fearing she might fall, her face so tight and haunted.

“Maybe that’s why he tried to kill me,” she said, her voice hushed, her eyes glassy as she stared at the form. “Oh Merlin, Lee. What if Sebastian knows as well? Maybe that's why he…”

Her words cut off abruptly, a violent shudder shaking her frame as she opened up her left palm to stare down at her blood scar. All Leander could do was hold her as she crumpled in his lap.

To be continued...

Tagging: @eternalremorse @slytherin-paramour @evaslytherpuff @writing-intheundercroft @marketfreshfics @loving-him-was-red13 @sevprince-91

#hogwarts legacy fanfic #sebastian sallow #mc x sebastian sallow #leander prewett x mc #leander prewett #blood bound #blueraineshadows

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w2soneshots · 7 hours

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I’ve missed you -W2S

Words: 0.9k+

Warnings: none.

In which Harry comes to pick you up from the airport after a week with your family in Norway. Then he brings you to dinner with his friends to meet them for the first time.

a/n: this fic was based off of this request!🙂 I hope you enjoy my lovelies💗🫶🏼

I met Harry four months ago. We immediately hit it off and have been together ever since. We're still in the early stages of our relationship, so I'm yet to meet his friends. Last week I left to go and see my family in Norway, which is where I've lived my entire life until last year when I moved to London. Me and Harry have spent most of our time together these past few months so it was really weird not seeing him for a week. Though we face-timed every night and I was constantly texting and sending pictures to him.

Today I'm flying home. My dad dropped me off at the airport and with one final hug we said goodbye. I checked in, went through security and was soon sat on the plane waiting to take off. I made sure to text Harry that I'd be landing in around two hours, since he insisted on picking me up. I listen to music and read for the entire time, so before I knew it we were landing.

I walked out of the huge glass doors and stopped as I looked around. When my eyes caught Harry's my heart rate began to speed up. A smile spread across my face and he quickly made his way towards me. "Hey!" He pulled me into a warm embrace. I wrapped my arms around his torso. "Hi." As we pulled away he smiled at me, then pulled a white bouquet of flowers from behind his back. "Oh my god Harry, they're beautiful!" I beamed. "I've missed you." He placed them in my hands. "I've missed you too, and thank you." I pushed myself onto my tip toes to peck his lips.

Once we got in the uber Harry had booked (since he absolutely hates driving, especially in London) we headed back to his apartment. When we got inside I took a shower to wash the plane smell off of me. Then I got ready because tonight I'm going to dinner with Harry, Ethan, Faith, Simon, Talia, Josh, Freya, JJ and Tobi. Harry has already given me the rundown on their names, what they look like and who's with who. I'm really excited to meet them and take the next big step in mine and Harry's relationship.

After making myself look presentable with, makeup and a nice outfit I left the bathroom. Harry sat on the bed and immediately looked up at me. "How do I look?" I asked jokingly with a twirl. He stood up "you look incredible." He complimented. "Why thank you." I smiled.

My leg shook slightly and I picked at my nails as we pulled up to the restaurant. Harry noticed this so placed his hand on my knee. "Everything's gonna be fine they'll love you." He soothed. I nodded then took a deep breath, intertwining my hand with his.

When we got inside we were quickly taken to our table where almost all of Harry friends sat. I politely smiled and immediately the girls stood up to greet me. "I'm Faith. It's so nice to finally meet you!" She pulled me into a quick hug. I introduced myself to the rest of the girls then looked back over to Harry who was already fondly observing at me. Unbeknownst to the both of us Ethan and Josh were nudging each other and whispering about how 'in love' Harry looked.

Once we sat down (me between Harry and Talia) we ordered some drinks. "So y/n how did you n bog meet?" Tobi asked. Harry had already forwarded me about his "stupid nickname" as he'd put it. "Um, well we bumped into each other and he knocked my bag out of my hand. Then we knocked heads as we both bent down to get it." I laughed lightly as I remembered the awkward interaction. "That sounds like it came straight out of a movie." Freya added.

Harry's hand sat comfortably on the top of my thigh as we chatted. I was soon fully comfortable around everyone and was having a great chat with Faith about her and Ethan's daughter, Olive. When our food arrived, all of the girls (including me) told the boys to "wait!" while we took a picture. The boys all groaned and then burst out laughing at the synchronised annoyance.

While we waited for dessert everyone was having their own little conversations. "So what's toffee pudding in Norwegian?" He asked. I giggled "it's just toffee pudding." "Oh. Well then what's," he took his time to think "thank you?" "Takk skal du ha." I replied. "Takk skal du ha." He repeated. I nodded "ye pretty much." I lifted myself from my seat "I'm just gonna go to the toilet, I'll be two seconds." Harry smiled "ok see you in a minute."

Harry's pov:

I watched as y/n walked away then turned back to the table to see the boys giggling. "What?" I asked, with my brows furrowed. "Harry you're so whipped." Simon stated. My face softened "well I really like her so... I don't mind." "I'm really happy for you bog, she seems really lovely." JJ said sincerely. "Ye it's nice to see you finally with someone." Ethan added. "It's not been that long has it?!" I asked, referring to Ethan's "finally". He chuckled "It's been like four years mate."

Your pov:

I returned to the table a few minutes later and sat back down next to Harry. "Did I miss anything important?" I asked. "Not really, the boys were just reminding me how long it's been since I've been with someone." I raised my brows "oh, why?" "Because they're glad I've finally found someone amazing as you." He whispered into my ear. A pink blush spread across my cheeks. Harry chuckled then placed his hand back onto my thigh.

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sapphicvalentines · 1 day

Text

☆Baby,the stars shine bright☆ pt4

pt1 , pt2 , pt3

inspired by the 'kamikaze girls',♡ always had unconditional love for lolita fashion and nothing else but when she met ellie,an auburn haired girl whos part of a gang with a dad's fashion sense ,her love for clothes begins to compete with her growing feelings for ellie

strangers to friends to lovers,love-hate friendship,ellie is into reader♡ but reader♡ shows no interest (in the beginning),opposite aesthetics,early 2000s

wlw,fluff

wc:5k

warnings: none except violence

On a rainy Friday night, when a storm was raging, you were more worried about your father than yourself, even as the whole house shook violently.

He finally came back home, soaked clothes clinging to him, and bruises marking his face.

You felt relieved that he still had all four fingers, after his gang had taken one for letting an enemy escape.

As tears streamed down his face, you quickly wiped them away as he sat before you.

It was clear to you, even then, that you would never choose the same path as your father.

"I'm not interested" you responded to ellie standing in front of you.

The way you beat up the man who stole your purse surprised Ellie, but the fact that you stood up for yourself and didn't ask her to make him pay got her even more interested. It felt like a waste not to have you in Dina's gang, but she still respected your decision; she knew she couldn't force you into criminality.

Also, who the hell would fight in a frilly dress?

Ellie understood that you had your own reasons (she thought you couldn't bear wearing anything other than Lolita dresses).

You couldnt perfectly hear the low whispers from Ellie's friends, but you guessed they wondered why Ellie was asking you to join the gang.

Ellie turned to them and introduced you, saying, "she sells really cool stuff,i got a new jacket for Himeko."

The gangsters shot you a more appreciative glance before talking with Ellie. She explained the whole thing about your stolen purse to them while you were just standing there like this 🧍‍♀️.

After a while, Ellie turned her attention back to you, telling you she has to go do what she usually does while out with her gang.

The girls' motorcycles roared once again, with Ellie sitting behind one of her friends since she had left hers at home. They respectfully said 'goodbye' and left, disappearing into the dust.

Suddenly, you felt self-conscious about the idea of Ellie finding out you had sold her fake brand clothes. If she ever told her whole gang, they would certainly not spare you any trouble and might even do worse than chopping off your fingers...

☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°

The next day, you were met with peace, but you also had mixed feelings.

You hadn't seen Ellie all day, but out of sight didn't mean out of mind.

Every time you'd do anything, it felt like you were trying to distract yourself from thinking of her.

You kept thinking about how she was willing to help you catch the thief and find your purse, how she tried to lift your spirits up no matter how tired you were, and how proud and impressed she was when you made the thief pay.

It was cloudy that day, but her smile was outshining the sun.

The 200 bucks she helped you get weren't used to buy a new purse; you looked at it and put it in your wallet. Instead of saving up, you thought about giving it to Ellie as a sign of gratitude.

After all, you would probably still be waiting for the police to find your purse if Ellie hadn't been here for you.

Ellie also gave you her phone number,

'just in case you need my help.'

You saved it in your contacts; in fact, she was the only person you've ever had in there.

As you were thinking about texting her, you were also contemplating your emotions.

Bitter, but also sweet; you've never felt lonely before meeting Ellie.

Perhaps it was because you spent such a great time with her that you finally acknowledged a hole you didn't even know was there in the first place.

A hole that was created when you made the mistake of getting attached to people who weren't worthy of your love.

You only realize it now that she's gone, that it actually felt pleasant being around her.

You closed your glittering flip phone, making a 'clap' sound as you sighed. You were comfortable being alone but uncomfortable feeling lonely.

"she's probably having fun with her friends," you thought. So instead of texting her, you tried to distance yourself.

And it started with getting rid of your thoughts about her. So you cleaned your room, baked with your grandma, had tea time, listened to classical music as you sewed a brand new headband, and tried on different outfits for the next time you go out. However, you were spending more time trying to distract yourself than actually enjoying yourself.

You fell into a restless sleep after this long, tiring day, still with the feeling you failed to make go away.

☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°

One, then two, then three rocks were thrown at your window. You were already awake, lying on your bed, but too lazy to start changing.

Or just start this day, in general.

Then another rock hit your window. The rocks were too small to break the glass, but you still wondered why this person kept persisting at getting your attention.

Although you already had your own idea of who that person was.

After slipping out of the covers, you walked towards your windows and opened them, pushing out the curtains, letting the morning sun enter your bedroom.

You weren't surprised to see her once again.

Ellie looked up at you with a faint smile and waved at you without saying a word.

You had no idea why she showed up in front of your house, but the reason was probably not as important as buying your fake luxury clothes.

After a moment of silence, you started to close the windows, making the auburn-haired girl scream to stop.

That was not so discreet of her.

"i'm just going to change, I'll be right back," you reassured her before closing the windows and putting on the curtains.

About 15 minutes passed by before you showed up in front of Ellie. You didn't wear something extravagant, unlike other days, just a simple baby pink and white dress matching with your old-school lolita bonnet.

To Ellie, you took a lot of time to dress up just to put on a simple outfit. "you know, that's kinda rude", Ellie referred to you closing the windows when you saw her.

"I was going to sleep in, but you interrupted me".You didn't only close them for changing, but mostly to annoy her. Her reactions were so funny.

"sleeping that much is bad for your health though",Ellie replied, looking at your face. You looked like you had enough beauty sleep, unlike her and her eye bags.

On the other hand, you didn't mind her eye bags; they looked cute. But the cute freckles adorning her face were adorable.

"what do you know about health? you smoke", you retorted. It was enough to make her face instantly turn as red as a tomato. She was thinking of a violent comeback but couldn't reply. "anyways, why didn't you just knock at the front door like a decent human?"

"your grandma's there"ellie pointed at your front door where your grandma was. You suddenly remembered when your grandma was trying to tear her ear off; it was hilarious now that you think about it.

"oh yeah, I forgot, she's guarding the house from people like you",you said, holding back your laugh. But Ellie wasn't pleased by the slight insult/teasing. You didn't forget when she revealed she stalked your dad though.

"hey, who gives you money? you better watch your mouth," Ellie said, half-jokingly, but you still enjoyed teasing her; it was like a guilty pleasure.

You wanted to ask her why she hadn't come to see you at all yesterday, but Ellie suddenly grabbed your arm, remembering why she came here in the first place. "come with me, I wanna show you something."

Her touch was as warm as the weather. You couldn't explain why, but it brought you a feeling of comfort, knowing that today was going to be as pleasant as a few days ago, or maybe even better.

However, you still felt reluctant.

What's with the excited look on her face?

Ellie didn't directly voice her intentions and it didn't convince you to follow her. "what is it?"

The fact that you spent a whole day with her, even if the reason was looking for your purse, was enough for Ellie to consider you as a friend.

Ellie wanted to keep it a surprise, but she also knew you wouldn't go with her if she told you what she had in mind. "do you trust me?"she asked.

She looked deep into your eyes with a faint smile, she couldnt convince you , so she tried persuasion.

"absolutely not",you replied honestly. The last time she told you to trust her was before the spicy food contest, and this girl couldn't eat spicy noodles to save her life!

The truth was that she just wanted to help. If lying about the most random things could get you to do fun things with her, she would certainly do it.

And that's exactly how she managed to get you behind her on her black bosozoku. You were gripping the sides of her motorcycle for dear life, not having any seatbelt on.

Ellie pushed the key, turning on her motorcycle, before looking at you to make sure you felt safe.

You caught her smirk before she turned her head back to look at the road; the gangster could tell you've never been on a motorcycle before.

"gimme your hands," Ellie said.

You did as Ellie said, and she placed your arms around her waist. You didn't mind being this close to her since it was for your safety, especially when she smelled so good.

You felt safer holding Ellie like this than wearing helmets and protection from head to toe.

But that quickly changed as soon as she drove off, speeding as if she owned the road.

Many drivers honked, surprised by how fast and how close Ellie was approaching them. You could swear you would have died right there if she wasn't used to doing this.

It was almost miraculous that both of you arrived safe and sound in Shibuya, but not without feeling so dizzy that you couldn't walk straight.

"c'mon, was I really that bad?" Ellie complained at your reaction. She forgot it was your first time on a motorcycle as she was driving; she was purely guided by adrenaline and kind of felt bad about it.

"are you expecting me to praise you after driving like this?" You left home without eating breakfast, and Ellie promised you'd eat once you guys arrived in Shibuya. However, you were too nauseous to put anything in your mouth. You wondered if it wasnt part of her plan

The worst part is Ellie wasn't even drunk,she was driving like this sober !

As she was driving, you forced yourself not to blink, too scared that you would see your life flash by at any moment.

"you're such a drama queen. also, I like physical touch over praises if that helps," the auburn-haired girl chuckled. She saw how nauseous you felt and decided to get you straight to the place she had in mind, skipping breakfast.

"shut up"you retorted but you didnt let this information unregistered in your head.

☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°

Entering this luxurious building felt like stepping into a hidden world. You felt excited, but it also felt wrong.

Everyone gathered around everything. Younger adults were drawn towards slot machines, whereas older people gathered around tables playing games you knew your dad had played before.

You immediately recognized you had entered a casino when you saw the elders playing roulette.

It was during this game that your dad met his ex-gang for the very first time, managing to befriend the members despite losing all his money to them.

That must be a gangster thing because Ellie was literally the one dragging you here. You had passed in front of the building multiple times but never entered it due to lack of interest.

Ellie walked towards the back of the room, holding your hand to make sure you wouldn't run away.

You felt eyes on you as Ellie continued towards a colorful door at the back of the room, its colors contrasting with the white-beige walls of the room but blending perfectly with the one she led you into.

The pink and yellow machines immediately caught your eye.

Ellie knew what she was doing.

Upbeat music played, setting the atmosphere, and unlike the other room, these games attracted both elders and younger people.

"what game is that?" You turned to Ellie, who was already taking a seat. There was no way you could refuse playing pachinko after she had won you 200 bucks last time.

"just another way for us to make money,who knows...we might even get rich by the end of the day." Ellie had played pachinko multiple times before bringing you here for the first time. Luck wasn't something she believed in, but she had learned tricks that often made her win—maybe not every time, but more than everyone in the room combined.

It was also the occasion to see you and make up for her absence yesterday since she was busy kicking ass with her friends.

But mostly, she wanted to show off after losing the spicy eating contest to you. She still hadn't recovered after this, being the bad loser she is...

"sometimes your confidence is kinda tricky," you replied, looking at her hands taking out shiny balls from her pockets.

This girl never carried a bag, so she had the most random things hidden in her pockets.

"just sometimes, not every time" Ellie took your hand, giving you a handful of pachinko balls without giving you the choice but to play with her.

It's not like you would say 'no' after making all this way here, and especially after she helped you find your precious purse.

Her finger softly grazed next to the silver bow ring adorning your middle finger.

"did you know that you can make jewelry out of pachinko balls?" Ellie asked as she pulled a lever, launching the balls in the machine. Colorful arrows of lights flickered on the Pac-Man backboard as upbeat music started to play.

"really?" You mimicked Ellie's action with your Dragon Ball Z-themed machine. You weren't particularly into shonen anime, but the other machine to Ellie's right was already taken by a young guy.

Ellie elaborated as she adjusted the pressure on the lever, launching the shiny balls in the machine, trying to get them into the winning pocket. "you can drill small holes into the balls to string them together for necklaces or bracelets. I've seen some girls adding beads and charms, it's kinda cute."

Your eyes followed the balls bouncing off pins and obstacles as you pressed the button, trying to control their trajectory. Too focused on the machine in front of you, you nodded in response to her random facts.

Ellie then closed her mouth, fully dedicating her attention to putting the small balls in the winning pocket. The balls kept launching in the machine as she applied pressure on the lever, but not a single one would hit the jackpot. She considered this as a warm-up, hoping she would quickly get the hang of it.

On the other hand, despite having absolutely no experience in playing pachinko or gambling games, you were doing perfectly, having each single ball thrown straight into the winning pocket as if you'd been playing for years.

It was not strategy nor how many times you were pressing the button that would make you win; there was simply no other explanation than luck. You never went outside without putting on your favorite silver ring, convinced that it would bring you luck. And here you were, getting more balls in the tray ready to be exchanged for money.

Ellie looked at your machine, purely intrigued. She thought she was going to impress you and not the other way around.

Not a single ball missed the winning pocket!

"hey, did you know why the pachinko ball went to school?" Ellie went back to playing but not without trying to distract you.

"I have no idea." You knew what Ellie was doing; you were starting to know her a little better. Her stupid jokes weren't something that would easily distract you; in fact, you kept accumulating new balls in your tray.

"because it wanted to be a little brighter." She was the only one laughing, but she managed to make you smile, which satisfied her.

She was convinced she could make you laugh out loud soon.

"trying to distract me won't make you win." You would occasionally glance at her, desperately trying to get at least one ball in the winning pocket, noticing how her confidence disappeared instantly from the minute she started to pull the lever.

You almost pitied her. (you kept playing anyway.)

Ellie thought there was no other explanation than a machine problem; maybe she picked a defective machine that would only make her lose.

After a few minutes, you noticed Ellie wasn't beside you anymore; the seat on your right was empty, and instead of her, you caught the envious gaze of a guy looking younger than you.

The sound of people whispering behind you, along with balls aggressively flipping at every corner of the machine, made you turn around; Ellie was behind you on another machine.

Luckily winning, she'd get new shiny balls in her tray after 30 minutes of playing, already imagining how full of cash her pockets were going to be.

However, if money could bring luck, it could also do the opposite; you were too focused on your game to notice how much attention it gathered.

"It's her, right over there with the child's clothes," the door in the back of the room opened before loudly being slammed. Two men in suits walked straight towards you.

Ellie noticed them and stood up before they could try anything.

"she's cheating, sir! I saw her with my own eyes!" It was the same guy looking at you with pure envy from earlier, now talking. You didn't even notice him leaving. You wondered how he was going to prove it.

"miss, stand up and step aside," the taller guy ordered, not even considering the younger guy lying.

"how is winning cheating? this dude is just mad that I have good luck," you defended yourself, but you could tell the taller guy didn't want to hear anything from a woman like you, even if you were telling the truth.

You desperately wanted to keep your jackpot, so you had no choice but to do as he told you, hoping this misunderstanding would quickly end.

Suddenly, you felt a hand forcefully pushing you towards the two men. The three of you fell to the floor like bowling pins, with the two men's heads bumping into each other as yours was cushioned by the tall guy's abdomen.

You didn't even want to apologize when the younger dude yelled at you for trying to kill them, claiming it was an attempt to get away with your 'cheating'

You sighed at how chaotic the situation had turned in just a split second and noticed Ellie behind you.

The two men slowly stood up, and the taller guy pushed you away before he went to check the pachinko machine.

There was no proof that you were cheating, and the look of envy on the guy's face was now mixed with jealousy.

He added another lie, determined to make you lose your jackpot. "aren't minors forbidden in this place, sir?"

His tone was so cocky; you were more trying to control yourself from punching him in the face than keep explaining yourself.

"shut the fuck up. I bet your pubic hair is still growing for the first time," Ellie walked towards him as she cracked her fingers, her patience quickly wearing thin.

The guy stepped back anxiously as he recognized the golden signature on Ellie's jacket.

You've never seen anyone get in such a state just by looking at someone's jacket, but this also explained why everyone would give Ellie a 3-meter of private space in public.

"excuse me? watch your mouth, otherwise not only her, but also you will be expelled," he wasn't even denying what Ellie had said.

The tall man looked you up and down, wondering how the guards even let you enter the casino. You and Ellie didn't even see anyone controlling people at the entrance.

Ellie's gaze shifted from the young guy's face to the tall man's, coming up with a quick lie too, even though both of you were legal. "no, seriously, she's uh... she's my mother. she's just dressed in child's clothes."

Both of the guys looked at each other before looking at you, searching for any sign of old age.

"Yeah, I brought my daughter here so we could get money and get a lawyer for divorce." Your brain worked faster than you'd think. You glanced at Ellie before looking at them, hoping to make this lie sound like truth to the stupid men.

Unfortunately, their level of stupidity was so high that they would only believe men lying, but never women, regardless of whether they'd lie or tell the truth.

Because you had tried both,but it didn't stop both you and Ellie from being expelled from the casino, thrown outside of the building like useless trash.

You brushed the dust off your dress as you stood up with Ellie. "I hate men," you complained as you looked at the front of the building.

The reason both of you got kicked out wasn't because of your age, but because Ellie violently headbutted the two men who were going to call the police on them.

You didn't blame her though; you got kicked out without your jackpot, but she did what you restrained yourself from doing.

Ellie looked at you, making sure you weren't hurt or anything. "same, they didn't have to throw us out like that", her voice dripping with annoyance as she looked back at the building.

Although you were safe, with no police to track you down and no men trying to threaten you, you still felt bad and for losing the jackpot you won.

But you stopped worrying once you recognized the shiny balls Ellie was taking out of her pockets. "no need to be grumpy now,i got these just in time" Ellie said proudly as she handed them out to you. Ellie was usually chill and carefree, but in serious situations, her brain would always work faster than she'd think. That's how she got the quick reflex to push you to the two douchebags so she could put your pachinko balls in her pocket.

There was no way you were going to get in trouble AND lose what belonged to you.

☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°☆°

Impatiently, both of you went to exchange the pachinko balls for money secretly. It wasn't your first time doing something illegal for your own interest; in fact, it was starting to become a habit.

Ellie counted up all the money while you stood next to her, ensuring there was no one watching around, but your eyes would always turn back to Ellie with a focused look on her face.

You couldn't see her beautiful freckles because the roofs of the houses were blocking the sun, casting their shadows on the ground.

The darkness reflected the mystery of Ellie's mind to you.

You wondered what her childhood was like, why she liked darker colors, how she always appeared tough and fearless. You wondered if she ever showed her vulnerable side to her gang members.

But mostly, you wondered why she kept helping you. Was there a deeper meaning behind her smile, a message conveyed through the way she looked at you, and why was she desperate to hear you laugh at her jokes?

Ellie wasn't an attention seeker, but she loved it when you would give yours to her.

The way you stood up for yourself and kicked the ass of the asshole who stole your purse that day was undeniably attractive.

Ellie was still thinking about it; she also imagined how it would be if you joined her gang. The day after that, although she hadn't seen you all day, it didn't mean that you didn't leave her mind.

You realized you hit the big jackpot when Ellie gave you the amount of money your luck was worth; those 500 bucks were easy money for you.

Ellie had a bit less money than you, but when you handed her half of what you had, she refused respectfully.

"we said we'd split up," you insisted. You still had the 200 bucks she got you doubled up in your purse. They were the first thing you grabbed before she drove you to the casino. You never had the occasion to properly thank her for helping you find your purse until now.

Ellie looked at you. She knew your intention but still refused, though she appreciated the act. "you won this because you're a good player. It's yours," her tone softer than usual.

So you softened yours too. "at least take it as a gift." You took her hand, but she closed it before you could give her anything.

You knew Ellie preferred actions over words, so why wasn't she accepting the money?

"I swear I'm going to shove it in your mouth if you keep refusing my act of gratefulness."

Ellie just laughed at how quickly your tone changed, insisting for her to take the money you offered her. She liked how fast you started to understand her.

"Wow, so kind of you, but-"Ellie replied sarcastically, but suddenly her phone rang, interrupting your moment.

Slipping the money into her pockets was far from discreet, so you decided to wait.

You weren't listening, just hearing.

You assumed the deep raspy voice talking to Ellie was Joel. He was telling her to come back home soon since the sun was going to start setting, which she agreed to. She couldn't say 'no' after he said he made pizza.

Ellie talked to Joel as she kept eye contact with you, making the call quick.

"' 'mkay, see ya," she closed her flip phone, making a 'clap' sound before fully focusing her attention back to you.

"kiddo..." you muttered. The way Ellie and Joel conversed told you a lot about their relationship. Joel had a caring yet friendly tone, while Ellie would give short and direct responses. Something felt off between these two, but what caught your attention the most was the nickname Joel would call Ellie. "he calls you kiddo, how cute."

Ellie put her phone back in her pocket, giving you an unappreciative side eye. "don't call me that."

"I was just saying that the way he calls you kiddo's cute." You noticed how embarrassed Ellie got; it showed all over her face with how fast she blushed.

Ellie sighed. She regretted not lowering the volume of her phone during her call; she knew you would tease her about it. "yeah, but he's the only one allowed to call me that."

"but I wasnt calling you kiddo."

"say that one more time and I'll kill you." Ellie shot you a glare as she playfully threatened you. You forgot this side of her for a moment. It wasn't the weed making her chill and goofy whenever she's around you; it was just the way she was with you.

You smiled playfully before leaning your face toward her,you knew perfectly how to annoy her "kiddo"

You ran as fast as you could away from her, with her chasing you.

The wind was blowing against you, making your hair fly as you ran.

Ellie was catching up to you, but before she could grab you ,you stumbled and slipped headfirst on the floor !

Too embarrassed, you stayed on the floor when you heard Ellie exploding into laughter as if she had been holding her laughter in for centuries.

"you don't even wear platforms, how the fuck did you slip like that?" Ellie walked closer to you still refusing to budge. You wanted her to feel guilty

Ellie noticed the lack of response and instantly got worried, already imagining the worst scenarios. She crouched down, gently moving your hair out of your face. "hey ♡, are you ok?" Her voice was caring and gentler compared to earlier.

If she only talks to you like this when worried, you'd stumble on the ground more often.

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