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stayinhellevator · 7 months

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Hard To Love

Where Chan was hard to love but harder to not. Pairing: Bang Chan x gn!Reader // Lee Know x gn!Reader Genre: Angst with fluff at the end / friends to lovers Word Count: 4471 Warning: cuss words, implied toxic behaviour, mentions of a girlfriend and ragging. Playlist: Every Road Leads ~ Bette Midler

Bang Chan was hard to love. To you at least.

You had known Christopher Bang all your life. Your parents were neighbours turned friends which naturally passed on to Chan and you; childhood best friends keeping their friendship intact all the way to high school and even through college. And now, even as you both were adults, occupied in your own jobs, your friendship still remained, stronger than ever.

It was safe to say, you had the best memories with Chan. Be it breaking rules or crying over some soppy ass movie on a Saturday night; laughing at weird corny jokes or bawling over a nasty breakup. All your firsts also belonged to each other, call it curiosity or whatever. There wasn’t much to complain about your platonic journey with Chan.

Except when there was. Things weren’t all that platonic on your end, after all. And how couldn’t they? Chan was perfect after all, at least for you. To you. But it was hard to love Christopher ‘Chan’ Bang.

“Hey __!! Where’s Chan hyung? Is he not coming tonight?”

Jeongin’s loud call jerked you back into the present, as you noticed all of their attention was now on you.

“He said he’ll be on time and now everyone’s here while he’s slacking.”

Hyunjin dramatically shook his head, as if to expressly show his disapproval, not that Chan or anyone in the room cared much.

“How would I know? I’m right here, sitting with you guys, aren’t I?”

You tried using sarcasm as a way to ward off their attention from you, knowing that they thought you both must’ve fought and were now grovelling for each other. But the truth was, you really didn’t know where Chan was; you hadn’t known anything about him for a few months now.

“I don’t know, you guys are always attached to each other’s hip so…”

Jisung’s voice, masked with indifference, couldn’t hide the amusement that filled his eyes at the irony of the situation, which made you scoff in annoyance.

As Chan and you got into high school, you befriended Changbin and Minho respectively and together you guys made a lot of memories and unable to part ways, you took admission in the same college where you found Jisung and his younger brother Seungmin, then Hyunjin and lastly Minho’s younger brother Jeongin too joined your group, all of them a year junior to the four of you. The last to join your group was also a junior, another Australian, Felix, that Chan saved from ragging and introduced him to your group. Since then the nine of you are inseparable.

Honestly though, the group was always divided a little by biases towards Chan and you. Changbin and Minho sided with you for some reason. If teams were being formed, they would be the first to pick you, even when Chan wouldn’t and you could now for sure say that if things ever went downhill, they’d be the ones to never leave your side whereas Hyunjin, Han and Jeongin always biased Chan, dare you say revered him for some reason. Felix was the obvious one, Chan literally was his knight in shining armour though your friends always joked that he had some kind of bi-panic towards Chan and you. Seungmin on the other hand, couldn’t be bothered less. If it were casually picking teams, he’d go by whatever team he was feeling that day. But if it were a serious issue, he’d always side with whatever he thought was right. So he never really picked a side.

In his words, “I dislike you motherfuckers all the same.” But you knew that his precious heart would and could never pick sides. And you adored him and this little chosen family of yours, even if they gave you run for your money sometimes, a little less than you adored Chan though.

Chan was for a lack of better words, MIA these days. He used to tell you that he couldn’t survive an hour without you, which was somewhat true based on your history. You guys were indeed always attached to hip, no matter how much you wanted to punch the smirk off Jisung’s face.

“Sorry guys I had an emergency.”

Lo and behold, there he was. The man of the hour, truly. He was on everybody’s mind yet you couldn’t be sure what or who was on HIS mind. Strolling in so casually and effortlessly gorgeous, oblivious to the storm in your head, greeting everyone with that bright smile of his that easily made your heart skip a beat or two. He exuded main character energy; the handsome protagonist that makes all the girls in college swoon, that is adored by children and elders alike, the favourite friend of all the parents, the one that can easily make friends with even the coldest person in the world, the one who got the most roses during valentines and would smoothly reject them with the most innocent face as if he didn’t know the entire female population of the college liked him.

He was annoying and charming and you were just another female in that lot, who failed to resist him. But who could blame you when you were so close to him that you could almost taste the kind of love that you wanted from him. You were not delusional after all, just hopeful.

“Hey sweet girl! How are you doing?”

But it was harder to not love him, especially when he spoke to you like that. The sweet nicknames in his honey like voice, the genuine adoration in his alluring eyes and the way his words seemed to always melt your heart in a mush. You’ve loved him ever since you first understood what love was.

“I’m good. How about you?”

You could feel the squeak in your words, and so did the other seven men in the room, as if someone had wrung your throat and made you answer but Chan only passed you his infamous flashing smile.

“I’m good too, now that I’ve seen you.”

And he said it so casually, oblivious to the heat spreading the entirety of your face and the racing of your heart, that you knew it didn’t mean what you actually wanted it to mean. This was the real him, he had always been good with words, it came naturally to him. Maybe you weren’t a special case to him for he naturally had so much love to give to everyone, even if you selfishly wanted to be the only one.

Maybe, this was all he ever was-oblivious. He couldn’t see what the rest of your friends could, your parents could, the entire college could, heck you’re sure even a stranger would if they were to be in your vicinity. But he didn’t. He couldn’t see the person he said he knew the best. At least, not anymore. You should’ve known. He was the best at obliviousness.

“You were the one who disappeared and are now suddenly back with your cheesy words.”

You rolled your eyes at him, trying to feign nonchalance, pretend that you didn’t care about him, pretend that it didn’t hurt, his actions don’t hurt. After all, this was what you were the best at-pretence.

He sat beside you with a soft, dramatic ‘oof’ and wrapped his arms around your shoulders in a bear hug. You let out a sigh of relief, as if a burden was lifted off your shoulders.

“I’m sorry. I know that’s on me but I was going through something, that I’ll soon share with you, before you say it. You know I’d never abandon you like that, don’t you?”

You did know that, didn’t you? Chan had always been so attentive and caring towards you ever since your first day at kindergarten together. Holding your hands all the way up to class, tending to your physical injuries, lending his shoulders to cry on, memorised all your allergies and actively watched out for you, never letting you walk on the road side, crossing roads with you as if he were protecting a child, having your orders from all cafés and restaurants at the back of his mind and even healing all your mental scars, all but that which were related to him. How could you not love him when he made you feel like you were on top of the world, like you two were the only ones for each other, like he reciprocated your feelings? These little things were what actually attracted you to him.

Only to go on dates with people that could even give supermodels run for their money. His dates made you realise that you would never be close to his ideal type, you’d never be what he wants in life, thereby discouraging you from confessing whenever you mustered up some courage.

“Yeah you’re being unfair to all of us. Do you know how much __ missed you? Kept asking about you all the damn time.”

You glared at Felix with so much heat that he visibly squirmed at his place, beside Seungmin, who though had a blank look on his face, smacked his arm as if gesturing to stop his nonsense.

“The last time I remember, it was Chan’s minions, who were hassling __ for his whereabouts, Felix, wasn’t it?”

Changbin, as always, your saviour took your side and effectively shut the boys up, who were clearly enjoying your plight.

“Ah! My bad, guys. But what’s so wrong with my girl missing me, Bin?”

You jerked up from his hold to look at him but he didn’t let your hands escape his as he stared back at you with a playful glint in his warm eyes. You could hear a lot of ‘oohs’ and giggles around you but you couldn’t care less because he was doing it again; giving you hope that you guys were something more, only to turn around and switch to the same old best friends forever shit.

“No no there’s absolutely nothing wrong with YOUR girl missing you.”

You could hear Hyunjin’s annoying drawl but you held your breath, waiting for him to do just exactly what you expected of him, you knew him better than he knew you after all, heck you knew him better than he knew himself and you knew you couldn’t be wrong about him, even though you kept hoping against hope. You wanted to be wrong tonight.

“Exactly! So stop teasing my best friend about it.”

Yup! There it was; the tag that you once wore with honour gradually turning into a weight holding you down. The giggles quietened as your shoulders sunk and you relaxed back into the couch, you didn’t know what’s on everyone’s mind but you surely expected it to happen once again because you also knew that Chan had always enjoyed attention, you just didn’t expect to be one of his enjoyment sources as well but you slowly learnt that maybe you were too. He liked knowing that he had your heart on the palm of his hands; knowing that he was the only one for you, finding comfort in the fact that no matter what he did and no matter where he went, he could always come back home to you. And you would take him back with open arms, like a fool. Always.

But you had enough. You thought tonight you’ll tell him of your feelings and be done with it, once and for all. You knew he won’t accept them but at least you’d get your closure with his rejection and move on to a life without the hopes of Chan as your boyfriend.

“Then start being my best friend properly. I can’t be the only one in this friendship anymore, could I?”

You knew the weight of your words surprised not only Chan but also the rest of the group, who now looked alert and uncomfortable, knowing it wasn’t a jest anymore for you. Chan’s eyes widened with disbelief did nothing to deter yours filled with determination.

“Baby don’t be like that. For once, think about me and you’d understand why I was gone for a while. Please don’t make a scene tonight, when all of us are here and so happy together; when I’m so happy after a long time.”

His words, as much as had the powers to heal me, also had the powers to destroy me from within. How could he so subtly call me selfish? I don’t think about him? If only he still cared about me he’d know that all I ever thought about was him. Did he also imply that he was so unhappy but all I did was ignore him and make a scene out of everything? I didn’t listen to him? Hah! If he wanted, I could recite everything he’s ever said to me, word by word. That’s how much I paid attention to him.

“That was a little too harsh, wasn’t it Chan hyung? Why don’t you just get straight to the point and save us all the misery of your oh-so-unhappy-life?”

Seungmin, as always the blunt Angel that he was, said with a finality. When all Chan saw was the disbelief on everyone’s face and understood that he disappointed everyone with the choice of his words, he knew he took it too far.

“Okay! I guess it’s time to tell you all. You remember the hot girl I hooked up with in that downtown bar six months ago?”

Of course you did, even if nobody else did because you remember feeling like a 16 year old heartbroken kid all over again when you found Chan making out with a beautiful stranger when you turned to find him after a quick toilet break.

“Well we caught up again six months back and decided to see where it leads us. We took a break off to Jeju and damn I had the time of my life. I think it’s safe to say we’re ready to date now. I don’t think I’ve been happier in my life ever.”

Six months since Chan disappeared on you, leaving you wondering if you did something wrong. Six months since he left you and started thinking of a life with someone else, without informing you. Granted you didn’t have to know everything about his life but he couldn’t even tell you he’d be gone, as a best friend?

Oh! How pathetic you were, truly. When all your happiness only ever relied on him, he didn’t even think you had ever made him feel joyous. Were you jealous, angry, hopeless or heartbroken? You didn’t know; maybe all of it, in that order. Suddenly 24 years of friendship felt suffocating to you, useless even, if he couldn’t share his whereabouts and woes with you.

“Wah! You’re so cool dude. You got two of the coldest and the most gorgeous chicks of our college crazy in love with you. Damn!”

And of course Hyunjin was going to praise Chan, as if he had saved the world. Even Jeongin looked scandalised with the amount of bullshit that came out of Hyunjin’s mouth, then it was fair enough that Minho almost strangled him.

“Wait! Two? Who’s the other one.”

Hah! What a funny guy he was; couldn’t even keep quiet for once and let you silently grovel in your misery. Thankfully though, the chime of your phone from a colleague gave you an excuse to escape. Of course you weren’t going to actually answer the phone because you didn’t think you could form words without a tremor in your voice.

But you couldn’t stop your thoughts from going haywire now. Should you have told him sooner? Was it your fault? Were you not obvious enough? Of course he wouldn’t actually ever pick you, who were you after all? He had so many better choices, someone he would be proud to have by his side. You were never enough, you had always known then why did it hurt so much?

“You can stop blaming yourself now.”

Minho’s sweet voice tinged with sternness infiltrated your thoughts as you saw him take a seat beside you on the patio bench. You took deep breaths, trying to hold your emotions.

“You once told me it was okay to cry and let out my feelings in front of you because you’d never judge me for it. Tonight I ask the same of you. I think you’ve tortured yourself enough.”

An exhausted sigh followed by a stream of tears finally escaped you as you let your emotions wash over you and rest your head on Minho’s shoulder. Never had you ever thought that someone other than Chan would ever be able to comfort you, least of all Minho.

Minho wasn’t the most expressive person, even if you could swear that he was the one who felt the most emotions-the most hurt, the happiest, the most excited and even the angriest. You knew that he checked his emotions so damn much because sometimes they drove him, in his words, insane. While you knew he had your back as did, you his, he wasn’t your closest friend. You had the least amount of memories with him, you both were a weird bunch to be honest.

“This was bound to happen one day then why does it hurt so much?”

You didn’t even think he heard your whisper but he surprised you, not that you even expected a reply.

“Because feelings can’t be helped and you felt too many of them for just one person all your life.”

You buried your face in his shoulders as your cries turned into silent sobs and his arms tightened around you. You could swear it was the safest you’d felt in a while, dare you say like the comfort of a home and you wondered why Minho had never held you before for you swore his hug was soothing.

“I think it’s better this way.”

Your words prompted him to make distance so as to look at your face but you weren’t ready to look at his face, afraid of his judgement.

“He’s perfect in every sense and he seeks perfection in every sense while I can never be even close to perfection nor have I ever strived to be. You know those main characters of a movie who’s rich, good looking, charming, got a gorgeous troublesome ex but somehow ends up with a character that’s completely opposite of them? Chan is that main character to me. I think that even if I confessed to him and he had accepted me I’d always be anxious, trying my best to keep him in my life, make sure he’d never grow bored of me, be his perfect other half and that would’ve ultimately killed the person within me that he liked, or if ever liked.”

You gave a bitter smile at your fate and walked away from the bench while staring at the moon that looked so pretty yet unattainable, just like Chan. So close yet so far.

“He never deserved you any way. You deserve so much better and more than he could give you.”

You let out a sarcastic scoff at Minho’s words as you felt him coming closer to you.

“And who said that?”

“I’m saying that. Changbin says that. Heck, even Chan’s minions know that. If this isn’t enough for you, then all those roses in your locker say that.”

You were sure there was a frown on your face at his reply. Maybe Minho was more delusional than you because no way in hell so many people would ever think that way. You appreciated his efforts to make you feel better but he didn’t have to lie to your face. All of a sudden, you felt his fingers on your jaw, pulling you to face him as you stood wide-eyed in surprise.

“You never noticed these things because you were so busy noticing what Chan needed. You never noticed those roses and letters in your locker because you were focused on his; you rejected all prom dates because you were busy moping as he picked his date; you never noticed how the entire college stoped to look back at you as you entered the campus because you were always focused on what Chan was saying. You never noticed how much I love you because you were busy loving him.”

The only words that managed to knock your breath out after this sudden proximity between you two were the last few words that escaped from him as his eyes softened at your now misty ones while his fingers kept caressing your cheeks as if to ground you to the present.

“Minho!”

And a soft whisper of his name was all you could manage to let out. You were sure that your heart had pretty much skipped an entire rhythm right now. How could he be in love with you? He never even gave any signs. He was always so distant that you even thought he disliked you when you first spoke to him. He rested his head on yours as both of you closed your eyes, feeling an ecstasy that was never felt before.

“I’ve been in love with you ever since I first saw you in the college cafeteria. It was impossible to not notice you when you were practically glowing in my eyes; so pretty, had such a sweet giggle, spoke so passionately about how Toy Story 1 was the best movie and other sequels should’ve never been made, cried over a hurt kitten all in one day of knowing you; all these things made me want to wrap you in a blanket burrito and never let go.”

You let out a little chuckle as your grip tightened on his shirt and more tears escaped you.

“I wanted to approach you, tell you I wanted to date you but you were clearly not interested in anything romantic if it wasn’t with Chan so I settled for being friends. I thought it was better to have some of you than none of you. You said that Chan was the main character in your story but you were the main character in mine.”

This time you didn’t stop the sob that came out of you, thinking about how much you hurt him unintentionally. You also couldn’t stop thinking about a possibility of all that could’ve been if you took off the rose tinted glasses through which you saw Chan, even once.

“Maybe this is my punishment Minho. I kept hurting you, just as much as I kept getting hurt. I kept blaming Chan in my head but what’s the difference between him and I, when I did the same to you?”

He immediately shook his head and held you by the shoulders with so much resolve that it compelled you to stop rambling and listen to him.

“There’s a lot of differences between the two of you. You never gave me any mixed signals, you never played push and pull with my emotions, you always knew what you wanted; I was the one hurting because I couldn’t let go of you. Our situation is different than Chan and yours. How were you to know that I felt this way about you when I kept my distance? But you’ve to understand that I was reserved because I was scared about the intensity of my love towards you, even when we had so much space between us. What would’ve happened if I didn’t push myself out of the frame? Would that have been better for the two of us?"

As you looked at his doe eyes that reflected the depth of his soul, you knew for sure, that this man right here would’ve been able to break through all your walls of false hopes and easily made you love him, perhaps more than you’ve ever loved anyone.

“Maybe!”

Both of you nodded and whispered in a silent agreement but refused to let of each other, needing to believe that this moment was true, that it was really happening.

“Then would you wait a little more for me?”

You could see the glimmer of hope in his eyes that he squashed with confusion, not wanting to get disappointed for hoping about something that he long gave up on without even trying but you were determined to not hurt and get hurt anymore. Maybe this was a new beginning for you, for him and for Chan.

“Wait for what?”

You took a deep breath and clutched his hand that was still unknowingly caressing the back of your neck.

“Please wait for me to get over my heartbreak and let me get to know you as something more than just friends. I know what I’m asking of you is a bit selfish but I don’t want to treat you as a rebound, as a replacement of what I couldn’t have, as an outlet of my heartbreak. I want us to be real and our beginning shouldn’t be formed on the basis of my negative baggage. You deserve the best and while I may not be the best, I want to be at least my best for you; for us.”

His beaded eyes shone with something that you couldn’t really place but you knew that you could travel to the end of the world if it meant that his eyes would shine like that.

“I’ve waited for you when there wasn’t any hope or reason to. Imagine how long I could wait for you now that you’ve given me a reason to.”

Yes, you were definitely a fool to not notice this pure hearted man who might not have stood by your side but always around you, silently protecting you and loving you without expecting anything in return. But what you did notice was how you liked this kind of crying where you couldn’t even stop smiling at each other, especially when his bunny smile looked so endearing on him.

And as you both wrapped each other around in an intimate lovers’ hold you finally felt contentment, as if the last piece of a huge complicated puzzle finally snapped in place. You pressed your nose in his shirt, letting his scent comfort you and could already feel yourself wanting to drift off to somewhere only you and him existed.

While it may have been harder to not love Chan, you think it may be criminal to not love Minho.

What you both didn’t notice was a pair of eyes in the corner of the yard, observing you two since the beginning, overwhelmed but feeling a crack in his heart that he never even imagined he would. Were new beginnings supposed to make your heart twist like that?

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©️stayinhellevator2023: Please don’t repost, translate or copy my work on any other platform.

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leeknowsintrusivethots · 2 months

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A Stray Concubine

| Part 1 | Pairings: Prince!Lee Know/You, Prince!Bangchan/You, RivalNoble!Hyunjin/You? We are all about possibility here. Summary: Entering into a harem choosing was something you have been groomed for since you were young. Your aim is to make Crown Prince Christopher fall at your heels in order to restore your ruined family name and fortune, but games of love are much harder than games of lies and deceit. Content: Angst (is it me if it's not?), slow burn, smut(warnings below the cut), fictional historical universe, dark themes, second person perspective, historical-typical gender roles, imperial harem-inspired concubine system, multi-pov WC: 5119 Minors do not interact. Do not repost my content to other websites. Notes: I'm back to writing again, keyboard slappin' again. Also, I am having trouble figuring out a way to format POV shifts on tumblr that is clean but not intrusive. I am open to suggestions.

Smut Warnings: very brief/very vanilla smut, sex with a stranger, no strings, mentions/illusions of oral, smut is not between leads of the story?(idk, I think some of you might be peeved by that. We do it for the plot.)

You

Powerful was a word that most would not place on a woman.

Women were meant to be demure and delicate. They were meant to rear children and attend to household affairs as their husbands brought in income and fought in wars where there would be no true victors. It was not a woman's place to meddle in affairs of politics and governance outside of securing marriage alliances for unwanted daughters to bring extra wealth and prestige to the family name. That is simply how the world worked.

You never questioned it in your childhood. You wore the pretty, colorful silks. You learned to speak eloquently but never out of turn. You played instruments and studied embroidery and other womanly arts. You were exactly what society dictated you be: a pretty face being prepared to be sold off for the honor of your family name.

It was a single, fateful trip to the capital with your mother and father that had changed not only your perspective but the entire course of your life. Your family name was tarnished and your father was executed by the ruling Bang family for murder and treason. The only thing that had saved you and your mother was the grace of the sex you had been born with and her tears and pleas for mercy. Even as she cried and begged in front of His Majesty, the truths you had known crumbled to dust.

Your father had been a puzzle piece in a generations long game of chess where the kings and queens played with the lives of others to gain power of their own. He had been a disposable pawn, easily lost to the ages as a traitor whom there would be no songs written about. Everyone knew it, and it didn't take long for you to realize it for yourself. You, even at a young age, looked beyond your mother's pretty tears and prettier words.

You knew Princess Mai was set to wed the young lord Hwang.

The Hwangs were a powerful family - rivaling your own in terms of wealth and influence. Hwang Hyunjin was the sole heir to his family's fortunes. A marriage alliance with Princess Mai would tip the precarious balance of power to favor the Hwangs more greatly. It would have been a match that would have been detrimental to your own family's power.

You knew all of this. You also knew the vial of dark purple liquid your mother had hidden under the flowing sleeve of her gown was not nail polish as she had told you. You had watched keenly as she had slipped the liquid into Princess Mai’s goblet as you all supped with the Queen without anyone else the wiser. Your mother's poison had killed the young princess before the physicians could even get through the door. As Queen Bang had cried and screamed for the loss of her child, your mother had secretly smiled.

She had ruined the Hwang’s grab for more power and gotten rid of a Bang daughter in one fell swoop. She was the chess master, and she had outmaneuvered them all with a pretty face and a pretty smile. You don't know if she foresaw any of the consequences of her actions: the execution of her husband, the ruin of the family businesses, and the loss of your family's prestige.

Your mother had broken the mold. She had held your father under a spell with her looks alone. His station allowed him to take other wives if he chose, but he never did. He allowed her the freedom that many women would never get to taste in this lifetime, and she took it with greed and left him in a grave of her making.

“Was the power worth it, Mother?” You asked the carriage window that tottered down the street.

Through the pristine glass, the lush landscape was ruined by the image of heavily armed men on horseback. They wore the colors and heraldry of the Bangs, and they patrolled the road to the palace with keen eyes and sharp blades. Their numbers were more than usual as they surveyed the throng of carriages and ladies on horseback that made the journey in an unlikely parade.

The Selection was the only time that the Kingdom of Miroh would see such an odd assortment of women making their way to the Palace of Kings. It was a rare event, only happening when the Royal family required more women to act as concubines and maids. The needs of the Palace had nobles and commoners alike sending their daughters off for the possibilities of fame and fortune.

Serving the royals as a maid was an honor that most of the peasantry could only dream of, but even nobles would be pleased if one of their younger daughters could secure a spot in the Royal household. It would ensure that they were at least in the line of sight of the many princes, and the maid staff were compensated fairly for their time along with accommodations and food provided for them. There were certainly worse places for a woman to find herself.

You, however, were not sent by your mother with such plebeian goals.

It was not comfort you sought, nor was it the possibility of an affair with the princes. You were to aim higher. You were to become one of the women that history scorned for reaching beyond her station.

Your aim was to ensure that you became Prince Bang's Most Favored. Your mother would accept no less. She wanted the favor, the prestige and wealth that would come along with your rise. It had always been her goal, and it had been fed to you for so long that you weren't even sure how much of it was your own desire over her influence.

Did you want that level of power?

Did you even care to join the Royal family in such a fashion?

Would you ever even come to care for Prince Bang as more than a chess piece on your own board?

These were questions that you could not answer. You often thought of being a young girl again - ignorant to the world and the affairs of adults. You liked your pretty dresses. You loved running through your family's well maintained gardens with your favored hunting hound on your heels. You loved scrubbing paint off your arms and being scolded by your governess for ruining good gowns after a day of painting lessons. You were innocent then, but that was certainly no longer the case.

The frivolities of childhood had to be left behind. You were an adult, and you knew more of the world than you cared to. You knew that as a gently bred woman, you would never be more than a broodmare for a rich and powerful man unless you took charge like your mother had so many times before. The consequences could be grave; you could lose your head if you weren't careful, but great queens had never become so by following the status quo.

As you toiled with emotions far beyond your depth, the King's Gate shadowed your carriage eerily. It was an original part of the palace’s structure, built so solidly that the centuries had done minimal damage to its intricate design. It towered over the road, blocking out the sun with marbled walls inlaid with precious metals and jewels. It was meant to intimidate, and belittle. It was meant to make everyone passing in its shadows feel weak and small in comparison to the glory of the Royal Family. It opened seldomly, and only for whatever family sat the throne at the time.

Its momentous shadow lasted for what felt like an eternity as the line of carriages trudged along the walls of the palace to a more appropriate entrance for those not of royal blood. You and the other women arriving for the selection were being directed to the same gate used for supply carriages and merchants. It was yet another mind game: being delivered like fine cattle to await the murderous whims of a king. It was a way to ensure all women of the selection knew their place - but you saw things through the lens of your mother.

The Gate of Kings was the first thing all arrivals to the palace would see by design, but it would never open for them. Instead of intimidation, you saw a challenge to inflame and inspire your heart. You would enter through the Merchant's Gate, but you knew that the Gate of Kings would open for you one day. It was all a matter of what you had to do to make it happen - consequences be damned.

Prince Minho

Head held high. Feet light and delicate. Body slim and lithe. Features sharp and regal despite station. Gown loose and flowing in bright, ostentatious colors.

She could be a candidate, Lee Minho thought to himself as he watched the dancers practice.

The brightly colored fabric of her gown rode up her ankles as she moved, offering the briefest flash of a pale and delicate ankle. It was inappropriate – bordering on scandalous. Had it been even a decade prior, she might have been imprisoned for her lewdness but times were changing. It was a fact of life as set in stone as the changing of seasons: people evolved and people learned.

Minho liked that concept. He liked the ideas of society shifting and expanding. He liked the change of pace from the monotony, but what he liked even more was the prospect of those daring enough to enact that change. It took an uncommon spirit to go against the masses – to challenge the very knowledge that civilized society was built on.

As if reading his thoughts, the dancer’s eyes found his and held them. Her's were not the wide eyes of an innocent maid. They were heavily lidded, seductive in their intent.

It was another act of impudence, a daring so strong she probably would be locked in a labor camp if his father witnessed the scene. A woman so open in her sexuality was a threat to the masculinity of the insecure men around her who grasped at whatever shred of power they thought was within their reach. She would be scorned – likely punished by her closest male relative had she acted so with any other man.

Lee Minho was certainly not just any man off the streets of Miroh. He was so much more, and arguably so much worse. A Prince of Miroh could easily have her pretty head taken off for such an insignificant slight against social norms. He hated himself for even thinking about it, but he did. He hated himself even as the dance practice came to a natural end and the dancer approached him carelessly.

It was a silent exchange – not a single word passing her rouged lips as he took her slim hand in his and led her from the banquet hall. He knew what she wanted. It's what they all wanted. Motivations differed, but the methods never changed. A fun time with a Prince of one of the most powerful nations in the world. He was never one to reject the advances, never had been.

Lee Minho was many things. He was a Second Prince of Miroh. He was the son of the most powerful man in the kingdom. He was the younger brother of the Crown Prince. He was an intellectual, a graceful fencer, and the official Spare of the Bang family. These were all monikers and titles the public used to describe him, but behind closed doors they sang a different tune.

He was the shame of the Royal family. He favored arts over swordsmanship. He was an alcoholic who frequented ill reputed pubs and discussed philosophy over ale with criminal scholars. He was a rake who lived at brothels and slept with low class whores. They talked as if they knew him. They spoke as if he sat at their tables and discussed with him personally over hot tea – but they had no idea.

They knew nothing of the self hatred that coursed through his veins. They knew nothing of the helplessness he felt due to his station. They would never understand the uncontrollable guilt that never failed to find him.

He was a Prince. He held all the power in the world but that power was wrapped up and presented to him with strings attached ever since he came into the world. He could drink, he could talk and he could sleep his way through the entirety of Miroh but that was as far as his freedom extended. The second he even stepped over the invisible line of what was acceptable, everything could be taken away.

The change he wanted was within his reach – a delicate treasure that would be so easy to share. Reaching up to break it free for the rest of the world would spell the end of everything he had, but he was not brave enough. He was a coward – a coward hiding behind fancy words and under the colorful skirts of women far more courageous than he.

His frustrations often manifested in indulgence in the freedoms he was allowed. He would drink, he would dine, and he would fuck in a vain attempt to fill the deepest pits of his tarnished soul. He never wanted it. He had wanted to change it, but his own desires had twisted him. He became the very thing he feared: a powerful man taking advantage of the luxuries given to him without giving anything in return.

The dancer’s back was pressed against a thin wooden door. Her lithe legs had wrapped around him of their own accord and her hands were threading into his hair and the fabric of his shirt – pulling him deeper into a brief moment where he was not a Prince. He was a normal man without a moral compass, enjoying the pleasures of a woman's body.

There was no foreplay – no kissing or passionate words. He didn't even get her name before he was pushing her skirts up and sinking his sheathed cock into her cunt. It was not an act of love. It was the act of a desperate fool seeking to forget the world around him.

And he took. He took the brief reprieve with abandon. The door shook dangerously behind her. Her nails raked him though his shirt hard enough to leave marks. Her moans and whines intermingled with his hushed pants to fill his ears with sensual distraction as her walls squeezed him.

It was over too fast. The sounds, smells, and feelings of arousal tapering until all that was left was grim reality. Post orgasm clarity was never a good moment sober. Words failed him, and all the truths he ran from distracted him from the beautiful woman who had originally caught his eye.

“Talia,” she spoke as she adjusted her skirts.

“Excuse me?” He questioned dumbly. He had put space between them, giving himself a moment of reprieve and allowing her a moment to collect herself.

“My name: Talia,” she repeated.

“You're telling me now?” He asked in mild amusement.

“Figured you might want to know who just made you cum,” she shrugged nonchalantly.

“Is that any way for a lady to speak?” he asked at her audacity. It was brazen and crass, but he was far from mad about it. Her words had his cock twitching in his pants again.

“M’no Lady. You know as well as me that I'm not gentleborn.”

“Since we're being so frank, relieve me of my curiosity,” he said as he propped himself against an abandoned and dusty desk against the wall opposite of her. He regarded her levelly, but with the easy charisma that he was often praised for.

“Anything for Second Prince Bang,” she mocked with a quirk of her brows. She never shied away from his stare, never let herself be subdued by the power his titles held. He liked that – a lot.

“I figured you knew.” He was not surprised in the slightest. His portraits were few and far in between, but it was highly likely the palace staff had informed the dancers one of the princes was watching in on their practice. She made no comment of guilt, so he continued, “What did you want from this entanglement?”

“Other than being able to brag that I fucked a Prince?” She laughed. It was not a malicious laugh, but a genuine one. She also found their exchange amusing.

“Are you going to join my fanclub?”

“I'll be the leader.”

At her remark, he laughed. It was an honest laugh, one that had him feeling light and free. It was an uncommon feeling for him, one only his brothers had managed to make him feel. He liked this girl, but that's all he ever could do was like her. He was under no illusions that this was just an exchange of banter. She was a passing moment in his life, not a permanent fixture.

“Were you that pleased?” He asked with a spark in his gut. He made to move from the desk, but she put her hands up in surrender.

“So pleased, I fear another round would have me fainting.” She let out a sigh as she fanned herself in exaggeration before letting out a snort of derision. “Isn't that what the gentleladies say when their ladybits can't take it anymore?”

“Even noblewomen like to dabble in the fine art of overstimulation,” he smirked back.

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Are you avoiding my question?”

“I would never dare,” she hummed with a twinkle showing in her eyes. It was teasing – daring on its own.

“Then answer.”

“Is that a command, Your Highness?”

“Would you obey if it were?”

His question had her approaching him, a smirk that mirrored his own pulling at her painted lips as the gauzy material of her dress flowed around her slim figure enticingly. When she was directly in front of him, close enough that he could feel her breath against his skin, she sank to her knees before him. Her hands deftly handled the ties of his trousers to pull them down enough to free him.

“If the Prince commands, I will serve.” Her mouth, hot and wanting, was on him before he could even think of a witty response.

Prince Christopher

As heir apparent of a nation, Christopher Bang was not unaccustomed to worry. He worried about the coming winter and if the provinces had prepared their food stores accordingly. The winters in Miroh could be harsh– deadly even. If the cold didn’t kill the populace, hunger was a certain second contender. If he could help alleviate that in any way: he would. It was his birthright and his duty, and he was nothing if not a man of his station.

Any indication of increasing hostilities in the Borderlands would have him holed up in his personal offices for weeks on end. He would analyze patterns. He would discern strategies. He would rethink choices in generals. He would make plans to advocate for peace treaties with the neighboring territories. WIthout fail, his efforts would be rebuked by the King and the conflicts would continue unchecked. He never stopped trying.

The conflicts never turned to all out war. They were simply petty squabbles with centuries long history over dejure land rights. It was almost ingrained as tradition– sons carrying out the same trite battles as a matter of pride over any true cause. Ofcourse, it wasn’t the Kings or Princes that suffered.

It was the common soldiers with wives and children waiting for their safe return. It was the fishermen who watched warily as flagships came to shore. It was the farmers who worked full days for a meager loaf of bread only to watch their livelihoods be put to the torch in a war they never asked for. It was average people who held no stake nor say in the matters of governance or state. It didn’t matter to them who held the territories they called home. Their lot would stay the same regardless of which Lords called themselves King, but the battles for that title hurt them more than anyone else.

Christopher knew that. He wanted to change it. He wanted to right historical wrongs and be the King his people needed. Alas, he couldn't. All he could do was worry.

It wasn't even just grand matters of state that occupied his mind. Smaller, more personal affairs piled on his already overloaded platter of responsibilities. He was the eldest of his family's sons – even in the circles of peasantry that came with its own responsibility. He had to look out for his younger siblings. He had to ensure they played their parts as royal children and kept the family name clean and as prestigious as ever. Some of his brothers made it harder than others.

Changbin had taken his duties easily as had their younger brothers: Seungmin and Jeongin. They knew their stations and how to conform within the standards that befit them. Felix and Jisung tried, but they were more empathetic. They struggled with their places on the world stage– questioning the morality of their way of life and the responsibilities they held. It wasn't a negative thing, and Christopher could not fault them for it. It was a natural part of being human.

In his youth, it wasn't at all uncommon for his studies and training as heir to lead him down a spiral of questions. He was one of the most powerful men in the world thanks to nothing other than being born a son of the Bang Family. He could make people tremble in fear if he so much as looked at them with ill intent. He held the power of life and death in his hands. How could that possibly be fair? How could he live knowing that he had everything while others had nothing? He was as well aware of the moral quandaries as Jisung and Felix. He would not fault them for floundering – he could not.

The hardest thing – he had learned – was having all the power in the world and still trying to be a decent human.

The duties and power of royalty were a loaded hand cannon given at whim by an unfair creator. Some men would tremble at the burden, and lay it down without problem. Some would take the power to head and heart, and become a terrible beast whose machinations could ruin entire realms with a single shot. Others – a very rare few – had the sense and sensibility to know not only how to shoot, but how to aim.

It was Christopher’s only hope that he ended up in the history books as one of the latter. He would be a good king when the time came. He would care for his people and not let the burden of rule turn him hard and corrupt. He would be the role model his brothers needed.

But these were simply hopes and dreams. In reality, he was simply one Prince amongst many others. His father still held the crown of governance, and he answered to the King as well as anyone else.

“You can not simply force him!” Beauty Lee cried out with as much emotion as Christopher had ever seen her express. She was usually so calm, and collected. She was a Beauty of the King’s Harem, but he had learned far too early that even his father could break the cool facade of the Palace women with little effort.

“And what's to stop me, Woman?” King Bang grunted back with a bite. His voice was not to be forgotten. It was distinct in its unyielding harshness, and it suited his appearance just as well.

He was a hardened man – a King but a true warrior at heart. He was graying and wrinkling in age, but he was still considered a handsome – even fearsome – man. Under the wrinkles covering his face and hands were scars from battle. He had seen war, but his age and dress showed he also knew luxury in equal measure.

“He is your son! You must have an ounce of compassion for your own blood!” Beauty Lee protested.

“Compassion? Is compassion what he needs, now?” The words were not spoken, but spat in frustration. It was a testament to Beauty Lee’s determination that she did not shirk away from the words. “I'd rather a firm beating to undo all the years of coddling you've put the boy through.”

“Is a mother's love coddling? I shall not deny he is flawed. Heaven knows we all are, but he's grown into a good man with a good heart!” Her voice was calmer, but still burning with resolve.

The feeling of dread that had been slowly rising in Christopher’s chest engulfed him until he felt bile rising in the back of throat. He knew he had not been summoned to the King’s receiving chambers to simply witness a lover’s quarrel. They were speaking of Second Prince Minho - Beauty Lee’s only son and the Second of the Bang Sons.

Minho wasn’t like his other brothers. He had always been incredibly brave even if outlandish. He broke tradition: galavanting across the world with intellectuals, keeping the company of whores and artists, and never accepting his duties as a Prince of the Royal Family. He had always done what he wanted, and Christopher admired him for it even if it stressed him out to his wits end.

“A heart our enemies would tear out of his chest and eat for protein. He is soft. Sometimes I question whether he is even my son,” King Bang said viciously. It was a tone that could cut down enemies. I was not a tone to take with a gentlewoman, especially not regarding your own blood.

“You– you can't say such things! He is your true son! I swear it,” Beauty Lee prostrated.

“Ah, bugger off woman! If I had any true suspicions you would be dead and he would be left to rot in a cell.”

“Please, Your Highness. Minho admires you so much, he just needs time.”

“Time? Had I known you and your welp would be so resource intensive, I would have left you both in the whore house you came from.” King Bang said it as if he were discussing the menu for the upcoming festivities. It was as casual a threat as could be delivered, but it was a threat.

“Plea–”

“Save your whimpering. There will be no further discussion. Minho will cease his fruitless adventures and settle down here in the palace with a harem befitting his station – or he will be sent to the Borderlands indefinitely.”

“You would send your own son to die in such a way?” Beauty Lee cried. As if suddenly realizing he was present, her wild eyes fell on Christopher. Before he could even register what was happening, she was tugging the sleeve of his shirt in desperation. “My Prince! He is your brother! Minho will die in the Borderlands! You know it.”

“Unhand the Crown Prince, Woman! I have taken heads for less!” King Bang roared amongst her pleas for mercy.

It was moments like this that Christopher liked to pretend. He was not simply Prince Christopher: he was King Christopher. He held the power. He would never let Beauty Lee be in such distress and he would be content to let Minho live as he saw fit, but those were still dreams. He was but a Prince, and Minho was too. If they wanted to survive for a future, they all had their parts to play. He could not pretend: he had to take action.

“Father,” Christopher spoke up as Beauty Lee clung to him. “I will take responsibility.”

“For Minho?” King Bang questioned with narrowed eyes. He was always suspicious– always seeing a play even if there was none, and truly Christopher didn’t have one.

“Yes. I will ensure he settles down into Court Life,” Christopher assured his dad and the bleary-eyed Beauty. She blinked up at him with hope, and even fondness. She always had been kind to him and his brothers. She would sneak them sweets when they were young and practiced at swords and the King forbade it. She was a kind woman – maybe too kind for the world she had been adopted into. “I will make sure he accepts it, and adjusts appropriately.”

“Sometimes, I fear I have raised no sons, but seven bleeding hearts instead,” King Bang sighed. He contemplated for a moment, his eyes flashing between his concubine and his heir with laser focus. If he were looking for something, he seemed to be content with what he found. “I will let you.”

“Oh, Your Majesty. I will be forever grateful. You are good, and just!” Beauty Lee cried as she dropped Christopher’s arm only to bow as low as possible at the foot of the King’s ornate desk chair he occupied.

“Save your words,” he commanded her. Her words stopped at once at his admonishment. “If Christopher should fail to tame my most wayward son, it will be a statement of his right to rule.”

As he spoke, he stared right into the eyes of Chrisopher.

The young prince was not surprised. He had spent his entire life jumping through hoops to earn not only his crown, but even a shred of affection from the larger than life figure that he shared blood with. His aptitude had never failed him, but he would never feel safe relying on his father’s love for anything in his life.

“If I cannot trust my heir to command his own blood, how can I trust him to command the people of an entire kingdom?” the King added. He let the threat hang in the air before turning his attention back to the sniveling Beauty at his feet. “In other words, if he fails: you will ruin two of my sons.”

It was another threat meant for the woman who had borne him a child.

She was one of his longest lasting concubines. It was rumored that Beauty Lee was the one woman of the harem that held any love from the King, and she had suffered for it. She had been scorned and bullied by the other women of the King’s harem. She had been attacked in countless games of court intrigue. She had outlasted all the attempts to have her ousted from the court and from his favor.

Christopher could only wonder: how would she survive the biggest threat of them all?

#stray kids smut #skz ff #skz smut #lee know fanfic #lee know ff #lee minho smut #lee minho fanfic #lee know smut #stray kids fanfic #bangchan smut #lee know x reader #bangchan x reader #bangchan ff #bangchan fanfic #stray kids ff #stray kids x reader #stray kids scenarios #skz scenarios #skz fanfic

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havenwithleeknow · 7 months

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Right where you left me….

lee know x reader; angst

I’m sure that you got a wife out there, kids and Christmas but I’m unaware ‘cause I’m right where you left me.

You couldn’t think of anything worst happening today; customers being asshole to you, your boss constantly screaming at your face the whole day and accidentally spilling hot coffee in your hands, that’s why there’s a prominent red burnt area in your hands right now.

But you none of these things matter, because what’s important to you right now is you’re currently sitting at your favorite restaurant with your boyfriend, lee minho. All your worries and sadness suddenly disappear when you’re with him. You can’t see yourself without him, especially in the future.

“Let’s stop this. Let’s break up” he said and at that time, his words felt like ringing into your ears and stabbing your chest. “What?” you said wanting to see if he could repeat himself. “I know you heard what I just said, don’t make me repeat myself” “no, I really can’t hear you” he sighed and took a deep breath before saying it again “let’s break up” and again, it felt like your world stopped with just three words.

“But why? Did I do something wrong? Tell me, how can I make it right?” you reached for his hand, ready to beg for him to stay. You couldn’t breathe, your world will collapse if he leaves. You felt lost right now and you will do anything to fix what’s broken. “We were okay this morning when I kissed you goodbye, so what’s going on baby? What happened? Please tell me and i’ll fix it” you didn’t notice your tears streaming down your face and you couldn’t care less about it.

He shook his head and said “it’s not working anymore, I felt like everything is forced. I don’t love you anymore and I can’t keep pretending that I still do” you thought you’re already broken until you hear this sentence that totally broke you into pieces. Everything was forced? He doesn’t love me anymore? You were so speechless so minho took the opportunity to leave you at the restaurant where you used to spend time with him, your favorite restaurant.

That’s what happened four years ago but you still find yourself sitting at the very restaurant where he broke your heart. You laughed at yourself while sipping the wine you used to drink on dates with minho. You feel like a big idiot pretending everything’s alright.

People passing by are looking at you in pity with your current state; spacing out, mascara running yet you’re laughing alone.

After minho left your shared apartment, he blocked you in every contacts possible and made it impossible for you to reach out to him. You never heard from him after he left you hanging, asking questions “what went wrong?”

Four years felt like yesterday because of how still bruised and wounded your soul is. He destroyed everything in you, he made your world crumble.

You’re miserable but for sure, he’s the opposite. He has a wife, and a kid spending christmas, thanksgiving, holloween and every holiday possible together meanwhile you’re waking up alone, lonely and couldn’t move forward no matter how much you tried.

You felt pathetic and you wanted this stupidity to end but what can you do? Maybe the only way to end this is to see him and ask for a closure, but how?

Lee Minho, the man that you love and despise at the same time. You hate him because no matter how hard you try, you still find yourself longing for him and you hope that one day, these damned feelings for him finally disappear. That’s when you know you won. Won the war against yourself, not only just against Minho.

#lee minho #lee know ff #lee know angst #lee minho angst #stray kids fanfic #stray kids fluff #stray kids imagines #lee know #minho angst #fanfic #stray kids angst #skz angst #straykids angst #straykids reactions

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euphroseia · 10 months

Text

Unrequited love, what about it?

Minho x gn!reader

Word count: 2.5k

Genre: non-idol!au, high school au, fluff, angst

Warnings: none that i can think of (please tell me if i missed one!)

a bit self-indulgent, a bit not. i listened to this song while i was writing this. if you want, you can listen to it too as you read ^^

Unrequited love, they say.

But for you, it was all just admiration from afar, making that person an inspiration for your poems, or maybe the muse to your art.

You first laid your eyes on him during your senior year at high school. The school’s dance team captain, who’s not just known for his exceptionally good performance with what he loves doing, but also the good-looking and caring senior everybody admires.

Running through the hallway with your friends for a class you’re all gonna be late to in five minutes, leads you to the direction where the practice room is located. You heard music playing and at first you thought no one was inside, then you took a peek at the small glass of the door; someone was there slow dancing, trying to figure out the rhythm of the music that was playing at a low volume. You can’t help but to watch more because of the way his body was just swaying around, like it was flowing with the sound of the music. Then he turned around and there you saw him—Lee Minho, what a sight for sore eyes, indeed.

That moment was cut short after your friend dragged you, reminding you that you’re almost late for your class.

From that moment, you noted to yourself to always take that route at the exact same time every day.

You thought you’d be fine with admiring him from afar. Watching the dance team on every competition they joined, peeking through the door of their practice room, and taking the long way to your classroom just so you could pass his classroom and see him—until it wasn’t enough.

You knew you had to do something to bring you two closer. Knowing he’s smart, you studied hard just so maybe you could be classmates for the next semester.

Unrequited love, they say.

But how can that be love when you only want to watch him at his element? Your friends beg to differ. They say all you talk about was him. “How come he still looks that good even when he’s sweating a lot?” that, “Have you guys seen the way he smiles and laughs?” this, and the list goes on.

You just can’t help it. How could you? He’s good, great even, with what he does. Always on the top of the class, respectful to everyone, and very patient with teaching the dance steps to his team members.

How can you not love a guy like him, right?

Did you just say love? You never even noticed it. People said at that rate of admiration you had for him, it’ll only be a matter of days that you’ll fall for him; and fall you did—hard, head first, no turning back.

Lucky you, in your last semester as a high school student, your school shuffles the class sections, and just like an answered prayer, you and Minho are in the same class. On top of it all, both of you were elected as the class officers; him as the president and you as the vice president.

Having to do a lot of tasks together as officers of the class brought you closer to each other. Meetings with the officers of other classes sometimes end up late at night. He’d walk you to your bus stop and wait until the bus arrives and leaves with you in it. He would sometimes ask you to watch the dance team practice a new choreography, or help him learn it alone. And at times like that, your brain short circuits and your heart beats faster with the thought of being alone with him.

These interactions made you fall for him even more. Seeing the guy for more than just his looks, and experiencing first hand how good of a person he actually is.

Unrequited love, they say.

For the way you look at Minho is totally different from how he does to you. They say you look at him as if he’s someone you’d willingly risk everything you have for him, and if you’re being honest, they might just be right. On the other hand, they said he looks at you as how a best friend would do—adoring you and being proud of the things you achieve. Platonically in love with you but never romantically.

Your feelings for him gets deeper as months go by. Today, it was one of those late nights after a meeting with the other officers. Everything’s getting busier as your graduation approaches. As usual, Minho walks you to the bus stop.

Your bus arrives and he pulls you into his arms and you gladly welcome the warmth of his hug. It has become a habit of the both of you to hug each other before you part ways. This time, he held you a little longer, and if you’d allow yourself to be a bit delusional, you swear you could feel his lips press a kiss on top of your head.

When you let go, you looked up at him and saw him smiling just as widely as you. “I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” he said. “Of course,” you answered and waved him goodbye as you ran towards the bus.

Unrequited love, they say.

And for the first time, you agreed to them. For you watched it unveil before your eyes as he falls in love with the girl that’s part of his team. The way you see yourself in him as he looks at her with admiration and love. Like he’s willing to give everything to her—just as you would to him.

Your physics teacher is not coming today, he informed Minho through a message just a while ago. So, you have the whole period as free time to do anything. You were scrolling on your phone, watching different videos or reacting to funny memes shared on your newsfeed when you felt someone sit beside you. Not really in the right state of mind to talk to him after you heard the gossip about the “none-other-than Minho” dating his prettiest co-dancer, you decided to just continue scrolling through your phone.

“Hey, Y/N,” he called to which you just hummed in response.

“Can you tell me your opinion about this?” He asked and showed you a bouquet of flowers flashed on his phone screen from a popular shop on instagram.

“It’s pretty. The colors of the flowers compliment each other the same way the wrap does to them.” You said as you really liked the flowers he’s showing you right now. “Why? What’s with the sudden question about flowers?” You asked, knowing exactly you’ll only hurt yourself from the answer he would say.

“Oh, do you remember Reigne?” You would ignore it if given the chance, but you can’t. Not when you notice how lovingly he said her name. Not when he had to pause a little just to smile after her name fell from his lips. “I heard her and her friends talking about how beautiful these flowers are. I’ve thought of giving it to her after our performance this Saturday.” There it is, the sting of pain in your chest. Of course, it’s for her. What else did you expect?

“I bet she’ll love that and make her heart beat faster once you give that to her,” you said in all honesty, because it’s Minho. Who wouldn’t love to receive a bouquet of flowers from him? Who’s heart wouldn’t flutter when you realize the flowers he’s holding were especially for you?

His smile widens and you see the twinkle of his eyes—pure of love and excitement to the thought you had just given him. “You think so?” He asked, smiling giddily.

“I know so,” you respond and return his smile.

“Okay!” He exclaimed and hugged you “Thanks, Y/N, you’re the best,” he said as he went back to his proper seat.

Unrequited love, they say.

When you can watch him become happier each day even if you’re not the reason behind his smiles, then, what about it?

You were fine with watching him from afar just months ago, it wouldn’t hurt to be on the sidelines of his life for the rest of it.

But Saturday came, the day you dreaded the most as it reminded you of his plan. You wouldn’t miss a competition your best friend worked hard for just because of your silly, little, one-sided feelings for him. You hate to be that kind person, so you wouldn’t be that kind of person. You’d want to support him, even from afar, just like before.

They were great, you knew that, everybody knows about that already . After all the competing teams have performed, you had expected their win. So, you went outside to get some fresh air; it was hot inside after all, considering that many people came for this is the last competition for this season.

You heard the name of your school and their dance team gets proclaimed as the champions. You smiled to yourself from the thought that you saw that coming. It was his last competition with this dance team, of course, he would do his best for them to win this—and win, they did.

You stayed outside a little longer than you expected, you saw everyone leave the venue and go home. But for some reason, you stayed there and it was getting dark already. You heard little noises from afar, as if your feet had their own brain, they walked to the direction of the noise.

There you saw Minho, the one you’ve been admiring from afar, the man behind all your love poems, the one whose nose you try so hard to perfect when you sketch him as he sleeps, the person you tried so hard to deny that you love, yet fail miserably—your best friend.

You witness as he takes a deep breath and moves forward little by little to the person in front of him. It was Reign. In his hand, he holds the bouquet of flowers. Oh, so this was how he planned it. You thought to yourself as you watched Minho approach her carefully and give the flowers to her.

Everything unveiling before you wasn’t that surprising at all, after all, he told you about this plan already. It was you who said she’ll like the flowers and indirectly said, she’d love Minho as much as he does to her. Yet, what you didn’t expect was to see him kiss her. You had learned to accept that your feelings would never be reciprocated by him, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. Because a few months ago, when you tried to dance with him in the practice room alone, when you looked at each other a little longer than necessary and faces were too close to each other, you thought that you could actually kiss him at that moment.

That night, you cried so much you actually thought your heart was breaking. You convinced yourself that time would pass and all of this was just part of your silly, little inevitable part of life as high school students.

Unrequited love, they say.

You don’t agree nor deny it anymore.

You just want it all to be over and move onto the next chapters of your life.

Your graduation passed just like the blink of an eye. You and your batch mates are all gathered at the school for the traditional final class picture before you all part ways and go to college or work. You honestly didn’t want to go. You almost didn’t go to your graduation because you didn’t want to see Minho anymore. Thinking about how effective it would be to forget your feelings for him if you avoid him. But, of course, you can’t do that. You have done so much to have come this far. Setting aside your feelings and goal of eliminating them, you attended the graduation.

Today, you really didn’t want to come. Not because you didn’t want to see Minho, but because of what will be the outcome of your plan. You bought the book he’s been talking about to you that he didn’t want to buy because “it’s a waste of money” he said. So you bought it, it’s your money you’re wasting and not his in the end. There, you inserted a poem you made for him. Thought that maybe through this, you’d be over him.

The picture taking was over and all that’s left to do was to give him your present.

“Hey, Min,” you called for him when you saw him standing in the middle of your classroom.

“Hey, Y/N,” he smiled as he turned around and opened his arms inviting you to hug him.

You approached him and hugged him tight. You wanted to savor this moment, scared that it might be the last. When you pulled away, you handed him the small paper bag.

“Got you a little something. A parting gift, you may say,” you said, looking down as you fiddle with your fingers.

“What’s this?” He opened the bag and saw the book. “I-thank you, Y/N!” He said and pulled you in another hug. “I didn’t get you something though, how about I treat you to eat?” He suggested and you’d love to say yea. But you can’t. It’s selfish, you know, but you think it’s for the best.

“I’d love to, Min, but I really have to go now.” Tone a bit down, expressing that you really regret not being able to accept his offer. “I hope you read that well,” you said and looked into his eyes.

Hugging him one last time, and then you waved him goodbye as you ran out the door trying not to spill the tears that’s been threatening to fall when you looked at him.

Still a bit shocked by how fast you ran outside, and he swore he saw your eyes watered. He was left there standing alone again in the classroom as he removed the book from the plastic it was wrapped with. He remembers talking about it to you but never expected that you would get it for him. He opened the book and noticed something was inserted between the center page of it.

It was a small card, he’s familiar with the handwriting in it; it was yours. He read what’s written on it and he didn’t even notice he was crying until he saw the tear fall on the card.

If they ask me to talk about love,

I’d talk about us.

Or more lovingly, from my perspective, I'd talk about you.

I’d tell them how I see stars in your eyes when you talk about the new dance step you learned.

The way you’d smile so brightly, I almost thought I was facing the sun.

The way you passionately do something you love, and show everyone you’re great at it.

The way you excel at everything, but will never forget to still be kind and humble.

If they ask me to talk about love,

I’d say your name in the blink of an eye.

Minho, how lovely your name is.

Even if that’s just how I’ll always be,

I’d tell everyone how amazing being your friend is.

Unrequited love, they say. In an unrequited love, I would choose to stay.

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only111u · 2 months

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a/n: wow I’m alr doing a series 😭 this is probably gonna be like 3 parts long so hope yall are excited for that :] I also pinkey swear to post the Han fic next I’m just a tad bit lazy. I will have it out in like 3 days tho TRUST 🙏🏼

[I] [II]

paring: Lee Know x afab Reader (both hs students)

warnings: reader gets followed home

w/c: 1.4k

0.2- paper ball

Another paper ball was thrown at the back of your head as you tried to write your notes. You already knew who it was. It was that stupid rat Lee Minho. God you hated him so much. He just always knew how to piss you off and what makes it worse is that he was best friends with your brother so he was always over at your house. Even in your own home you never got to escape him. He and your brother always played pranks on you even when you were just minding your own business.

You turned around from your seat that was directly infront of him and you threw your pencil at his head [mainly aiming for his eyes]. He flinches and throws another paper ball harder directly at your face. You were officially fed up and threw your charger head at him. Hearing all the commotion, the teacher turned to look at you two and cleared her throat.

“Are you two fighting again?” The teacher asked in a slightly defeated and annoyed tone.

“Well he started it!”

“Only because she wouldn’t move her big head!”

You turned around glaring at him and throwing a paper ball that he had thrown at you in his face. The teacher being fed up with you two decided to give you both 6 hours detention.

That was basically the end of the world to you. Not only did you have to deal with him during the school day and at your HOUSE but also three hours after the school for TWO DAYS. Your parents were absolutely going to go ballistic. Detention was already bad enough for them but alone with a boy? Oh they were not going to let you live it through.

Sure they did infact love Minho they just didn’t fully know him. Everytime he came over he always acted kind and respectful to them, but you always complained about him being an ass so they were just kind of in the middle with him. Even then they still loved him like a second son. Feeding him, taking him on family vacations, even INTRODUCING him to some of your female cousins to set them up. You never understood why everyone liked him so much.

You almost got excited when the last bell of the day rang when the teacher that gave you detention came to collect you from the class. You picked up all your things and told her that you’d be at her classroom shortly. You slowly walked to your locker hoping that time would go by faster if you just slowed down. Instead you were jumpscared by the face of Lee Minho.

“What do you want punk” you you death glared him as you started decoding your lock.

“The teacher told me to come get you because you were taking too long” he lazily spoke at you.

“Well I didn’t need you collect me”

“Trust me, I didn’t want to either”

“Ugh whatever, I got all of my stuff. Let’s just go” you annoyedly spoke trying to just get this over with.

Ugh he drives me crazy

She’s driving me crazy

You both got to the classroom and the teacher started to speak.

“If you are here today that means that you have acted inappropriately, disobedient, or rudely throughout the week. During this time you will not be permitted to be on your phone or laptop or sleep. You will only be permitted to do academic work. We hope you become better by the end of your detention” she read off a paper in a monotone voice.

You looked over at Minho next to you and saw him mocking the way the teacher spoke. You couldn’t help but giggle under your breath. Look at that smile. He looks at you and smiles lightly. Then you both came to your senses and quickly looked away. After 30 minutes your stomach was already rumbling. You went up to your teacher to ask to go the vending machine for a light snack but she just told you weren’t allowed to leave the classroom during detention. You sighed in defeat and went back to your seat.

Another 30 minutes went by and your hunger was getting worse and you needed eat something. Minho noticed and just ignored you. You went back up to the teachers desk and begged her to at least get something to eat and she reluctantly agreed. As soon as the teacher left the room Minho took out his phone and immediately started playing on his phone.

You too took out your laptop and started to work on one of your essays that was due soon. Minho looked over at what you were doing and laughed at you. You’re so adorable. You just side eyed him and continued to type. “Why are you always doing school work. Don’t you ever do anything fun?” Minho teases you

“Well if you look at your grades and my grades you’d know why” you retaliated.

“Well if you look at your amount friends and my amount friends you’d know why” he spoke back.

You just scoffed at him and went back to work.

How does anyone like him

It had already been 10 minutes since the teacher left and you were thinking she had left the school. You were genuinely feeling nauseous and lightheaded and Minho started to notice. “Jeez are you ok? You look ghostly” he sounded almost, caring?

“Yeah I just didn’t have anything to eat all day so just a little lightheaded” you explained

He reached into his bag and got out a granola bar. “Here, since you’re so desperate for food” he handed it to you and went back on his phone.

You took it from his hand and started eating it. You threw out the wrapper and sat back down. By now you already had one hour left of your detention for the day and your teacher still wasn’t back. Minho had actually put his phone away and started on his work and you continued with yours. You were just ready to go home already when the teacher finally came in. Of course to no one’s surprise, she was empty handed. Her lipstick was smudged and hair slightly messy. “Sorry honey the machines didn’t work.” She was so obviously lying that she didn’t even believe her own lie.

You just told her “It’s ok” and went back to doing your work on your notebook.

Finally the bell had rung letting all the kids at detention go home and you called your brother. The phone was already 4 rings in and he was still not picking up. After your brother didn’t pick up you called your dad, no response. You finally tried your mom and she didn’t reply either. You gave up on finding a ride and decided to just walk home.

You had just made it out of the school gates when a car starts driving slowly behind you. You just ignored it and kept walking. No matter how much farther you went the car continued to follow you and you started to get scared. You looked through your contacts list and for some reason decided to call Minho. He surprisingly picked up within two rings and you started to talk quickly under your breath to him.

“Ok um hi I know this is weird but can you walk with me? Or like drive me home or something? Theres someone following me in a car right now and I just had a weird feel-“ you were cut off mid ramble by the sound of the call ending.

You just stared at your phone in shock and started to slightly tear up. You knew he was an asshole but hanging up on a person who needed help? You never thought he was so mean. As tears started falling from your eyes a raindrop fell on your head and you started to cry even harder. Your day really couldn’t get worse.

The raindrops started to fall more and you just started crying harder. As you kept walking faster the window of the car lowered and a man who looked to be in his mid-50’s started to cat call you. You were just 15 minutes into your 30 minute walk back home and you really started to feel hopeless. You continued to walk in the cold rain with the man still following you when another car pulled in front of him and stopped.

“Get in”

To be continued…

#skz #skz ff #skz scenarios #skz imagines #skz x reader #skz lee know #skz lee minho #skz stay #skz fanfic #stray kids #lee know #lee know ff #lee know fanfic

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jungwnies · 2 years

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ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀masterlist | navigation

n. i use the terms “자기 [jagi]” and “자기야 [jagiya]” which are almost the equivalents to the english, “babe,” “baby,” and “honey.”

2022 © jungwnies

other members : bang chan , changbin , hyunjin , han , felix , seungmin , i.n !

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linos-kitten · 4 months

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babiesss !! i'm working on my angsty minho fic atm :3

those who are interested, tell me if you want to be tagged in the fic! <3

#linos-kitten #lee know x reader #lee know fanfic #lee know fanfiction #lee know ff #lee know angst #stray kids ff #stray kids fanfiction #stray kids x reader #stray kids #skz #stray kids angst #stray kids fanfic

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myjisung · 2 years

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lee know's love language !

content. established relationship, gender neutral s/o — fluff.

warning. none

a/n. please reblog my work if you enjoy it, tumblr's algorithm works best this way. do not hesitate to send in requests or recommend me which member i should do next ‹𝟹

01. ACTS OF SERVICE

you can ask minho anything and he will act annoyed by it. but whatever you ask him to help you out with will be done Every Single Time. he is just built like that: loves to complain but adores being of help to those he loves. sometimes, he gets things done without being asked to. that pile of your laundry that had been laying in the laundry basket? you come back to your appartment one evening and it's on the drying rack. when you ask minho if it's his own doing he'd reply something along the lines of. "well yeah? it was starting to annoy me." but, really, he wanted to help you out and make you gain some time. if the laundry is done, that gives you more time to rest, right? minho believes you deserve that time—and it's definitely NOT because he wanted to cuddle.

02. PHOTO BOOTH PICTURES

dates with minho are a pretty common occurence. he likes to take you out, visit new places and try things he hasn't done before with you. during those outings, he takes lots of pictures—would they be candids of you appreciating the scenery, a portrait of you that is almost uncomfortably too zoomed in or even silly selfies of you both. though his phone gallery is almost overflowing with such pictures, he never fails to make you get into every single photo booth you guys encounter even if he always complains about how pricey they are. he says it's because he finds them funny and the blurry quality makes it all better. but it's above all because these are physical proofs of all the memories he has created with you. minho keeps all of these photo cutouts either hung up on his bedroom's walls or inside his wallet. that way, you're always with him.

03. BAKING / COOKING

one of minho's hobbies is cooking along with baking. he likes to try out new recipes and often asks you to taste test them even if you are making the food together. that's one of his favorite things to do actually: cooking together. because he feels closest to you when you are sharing hobbies and he gets a little giddy when you get involved in the things he enjoys. that's when he feels like you are really interested in him and the stuff he likes. besides all of that, minho often uses his skills in cooking as a gift. by this, i mean that he would gift you whatever it is that he has cooked whenever he feels like it. don't be surprised when minho shows up to your house unannounced with a bag filled of jam filled biscuits.

"i don't know. i made them and i thought you'd like to taste."

#🐈‍⬛ sol writes #stray kids #stray kids ff #stray kids fluff #stray kids imagines #stray kids lee know #stray kids minho #skz #skz ff #skz fluff #skz imagines #skz lee know #skz minho #lee know #lee know fluff #lee know imagines #lee know ff #lee know x reader

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gaonshousewife · 9 months

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Rude Boy

Warnings: Lee Minho/fem!reader. sub!Minho/top!reader smut. degrading, ruined orgasm, foul language, unprotected sex, edging.

Note: hiiii !! this is my first ever story on this platform and my first time writing smut. I kindly ask you bear with me and I'm always open to constructive criticism. Hope you enjoy!!

I’m at home enjoying my night off. No loud and rude customers, no Minho and his bitchiness since he’s at practice. Yes, I love Minho dearly, and he loves me just as much if not more. But as of recently he’s been getting on my last nerve constantly nagging and his extreme sass. Usually, he’s very understanding about me and my new job. Especially with the ridiculous hours, leaving early in the morning and getting home around midnight, at least it pays really well. Unfortunately, that means I can't spend much time with Minho the way we both would like, which also means no time for sex.

Here I am relaxing, a popcorn bowl in one hand and a nice glass of wine in the other. Comfortably seated wrapped in my favorite blanket like a burrito. All while watching my favorite show. Right as I was about to take my first sip of the night I get a call from Chan. Chan hardly calls me unless it’s about something important.

“Uh- Hey yn, i’m sorry to be calling you so late… but uh” he’s cut off by Minho’s loud voice booming on the other side, sounding like he’s yelling at the other members. “As you can obviously hear, Minho isn’t in the best mood right now..” he said before Minho cut him off again, unable to makeout what he said but Chan proceeded. “Do you think you can come get him? I’m not quite sure what’s wrong with him, this hasn’t been the first outburst though. I’m not sure how to help him right now.” he finishes with a worried chuckle. Letting out a frustrated sigh, “I'm so sorry about Minho, I’ll go pick him up right now.”

Ending the call, I unwrap myself from my comfortable spot underneath the blanket placing down my wine, I grab my keys and I'm out the door. Why is he acting like this? Especially with the boys, his own family basically. The audacity of this guy.

The whole drive was spent thinking about what could have possibly started all this. Practically fuming as I arrive at the company. I’m going to give this boy a piece of my mind,

Storming my way into the building and all the way to the dance studio. I slammed over the door catching everyone’s attention and making Jeongin jump. I’m sorry baby bread, I thought before moving my attention to a sulking Minho in the corner.

“LEE MINHO,” I said , raising my voice, “get over here. We’re going home.” I feel the anger starting to boil inside when I see Minho smirk while making way to the door. This dude. He knows what he’s doing. Time to put him in his place.

ʚ・ ୨୧・ ɞ

Unlocking the door to our apartment and stomping in quickly. I drag Minho’s stubborn ass in, slammed the door. Shoving him against the wall, pinning him there. “So you like seeing me like this, huh? Getting after you ‘cause of your stupid tantrums?” I said , grabbing him by the collar only to see that stupid smirk of his. “Ah, I get it now,” I scoffed, “you just missed the attention didn’t you. What an attention whore.”

Minho averted his gaze, trying to find something else to focus his attention. “Hey. look at me when I ’m talkin’ to you.'' I snapped. '' y'know what? Be a good boy for once and go to the room and strip. Be ready by the time I get there.”

Watching him walk off into the bedroom while I go get a glass of water. Cause a bitch gonna be tired. Making my way to the room where I see him already in bed, sitting up, completely stripped. Stripping myself as I question him, “care to explain why you’ve been misbehaving? Or am I gonna have to fuck it out of you?” He lifts his head at me looking somewhat surprised. Slowly walking to him, getting on the bed slightly shoving him down. He’s laying down staring at

me with wide eyes as I hover above him.

“Oh? You didn’t think you could misbehave and there’d be no consequences hm, baby?” I said while I straddle him. “Now listen, You will obey me like the good boy you are won’t ya Min Min?” I continued, “ here are some rules. No touching. No cuming. And stay quiet. Understood?”

Still staring at me in disbelief. Truth be told, this is the first time I’ve shown your dominant side with Minho, I was really nervous to say the least. If I was him, I would be looking at myself like I was crazy too. “y/n- what’re you-” cutting him off, “ah ah ah, i said to stay quiet didn’t I Minho?” I said, slightly tilting my head to the side. “Y-yes ma’am.”

“Good boy.” caressing his face while I slowly sink onto him. My breath hitching trying to adjust to his length. Carefully beginning to bounce on him, going slowly just to annoy him wanting to fall apart. I look up at Minho, he’s biting his lip focused on my hips movement and his arms behind his head. It’s clear he’s having a hard time restaining himself from both touching me and being vocal. I give him a small smirk enjoying his suffering. Feeling a shred of pity I speed up suddenly just to mess with him. His eyes widen instantly, trying to contain the lewd noises he wants to let out. He’s choking up trying to adjust to the sudden change of pace.

Letting him revel in the pleasure for a bit. Noticing his breathing start to quicken and his squirming. Knowing he’s approaching his high, I stop completely. Almost causing myself to whine at the sudden loss of pleasure. Analyzing his face, biting back a smirk, his eyes look as if they’re about to pop out.

“y/n p-please..” Minho begged. “Did I give you permission to talk?” I said, cocking an eyebrow. “Please.. I need more.” he said quietly, looking away. “Huh? I didn’t hear ya?” tormented him. “I said I need more,” he snapped.

Cocking my head to the side while raising an eyebrow. “Oh? And who do you think you’re talking to like that huh bitch boy?” His eyes widened immediately. “I didn’t mean it- I-I’m sorry. ”You better watch how you speak to me, pretty boy.” I said glaring at him. “I’m sorry but please just let me finish.. Please.” watching him clench his fist, looking so frustrated and vulnerable. almost feeling bad for him, “fine fine.”

Starting to bounce on him, slowly speeding up. Lewd noises escape his lips, mine follow shortly. Feeling his tip hit me just right with every bounce. My legs feel weak, trembling while I desperately await my climax. I reach for his shoulder needing something to keep me stable. Nails digging into his skin, leaving crescent shape imprints and scratches as I feel my high coming in. Arching my back in response, clenching around him. Gasping as my climax hits me like a tidal wave, gripping onto him tighter. Riding out my high, I feel him twitch inside me. As he throws back his head, leaning against the headboard I suddenly get off. Leaving him soaked with his own cum. Absolutely ruining his orgasm.

Yawning, I say, “alright, I’m going to take a shower. ‘M getting sleepy.” Leaving him appalled, “wait! Why would you? How-” he stammers unable to form a sentence. You cackled, “you didn’t think I’d actually let you get your way after how you’ve been behaving now did you, Min Min.” He stares at you as if he’s struggling to process what just happened. Making my way to the bathroom but stopping at the door, turning around to face Minho.

“Only good boys get to cum.”

#skz ff #skz x reader #skz smut #lee know #lee minho #skz minho #lee minho x reader #lee know ff

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lilmisssona · 4 months

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⋆˙✮⋆˙ Minho As Your Bf! Insta Stories ⋆˙✮⋆˙

(Cont'd)

(Part 1 here )

Other Members - Bang Chan , Changbin ,Hyunjin , Han, Felix , Seungmin, I.N

AN: There it is! I hope you liked it! (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) More members are on 🔝 Make sure to like, reblog and...

Comment!

If you want to be a part of the permanent tags! -⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

Permanent Tag : @atinyniki 🫶

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doiefics · 11 months

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mean, odd, love

pairing: lee know x gn!reader

prologue: high societies are boring, thanks to minho you could at least have a little fun amidst the dullness

genre: suggestive + fluff + rich kids!au + friends to lovers

wordcount: 1,098

warnings: suggestive content + language + smoking

"Mom, how long will it take us here?" You sighed as you toyed with your white gold Harry Winston.

"Shh!" Your mother hushed you up, like she would any other time.

"Mrs. Hong! It's been a while!" She held her arms open elegantly as she brushed her cheeks with the other lady.

You let out a silent chuckle.

Deep down everyone present in the room knew how fake these interactions were but yet none failed to comply with the laws of the high societies.

This was boring.

The clinking of the champagne glasses, the bragging about the sons, the prices of the pearls and diamonds, everything was boring.

You digested the fact that the whole night was going to get wasted and that chucking more champagne was a far better idea.

At times like these, even the lines of the palms seemed intriguing. You focused on tracing your fingers on your palm in a pattern only until the room started to fill up with more whispers and gasps.

You tilted to your neck to see what kind of Greek god was stepping out for the people to give such a big reaction.

It turned out it was Minho. Okay, maybe it was not boring anymore.

The young man was dressed up in head-to-toe designer. The wine-red Brioni tux, wrist studded with Rolex and expensive leather shoes, so shiny one could see their face on them. Those cold, dark eyes paired with that little smirk on his lips made his aura glow like diamonds.

"Oh my god, Minho is here!"

"The last time I knew, he was still single."

People, young and old alike never ceased with whisper-toned comments as they glued their eyeballs to his figure, he was indeed hot.

Minho always left people in awe of him, this fact wasn't new.

"Hi oddball!" Minho bit his lip and stood before you after a good forty minutes or so when his fan wave went a bit quieter.

Oddball. The nickname he gave you when you were seven.

"Yeah, the oddball that doesn't fangirl over you, Meanie." You thought you could hide the fact that you anyway secretly did.

Meanie, you probably gave this name to him around the same time as an act of revenge, even though he was anything but.

"How long have you been here already?" Minho stuffed his hands in the pockets of his trousers as he raised his shoulders, rolling his tongue on the inside of is mouth.

"Around two hours, I guess." You replied.

"Two hours of acting? Or were you waiting for me to show up?" Continuing the conversation, he teasingly questioned, playing with his earring.

"Ew. Fuck you." Your eyebrows pulled down and your nose wrinkled.

"Right now. Right here?" He ceased his hand movements as his eyes got wider and yet another smirk took over his cat-like face.

"You're not as good in bed as you think. Let me make it clear." Of course you would know that very well, yet your words left him speechless, he tried to open his mouth but could not. He was embarrassed for a second, but you knew he would never take this never-ending banter seriously.

And who knows how minutes later you very taken tackling the same task with him.

"Ahh" Minho hissed when you bit his lower lip, causing his mouth to open wide, providing you with the entrance.

The classical music from the outside could still be heard through the bathroom doors, but it was to be soon muted for the two of you who only focused on earning more whimpers and moans from each other.

"We're so good at sneaking out like this." He growled, running his fingers through your hair.

"It's not the first time." Your focus was at another place.

By now his upper body was naked. The exorbitant blazer was thrown away on the floor, leaving him only with his silvery shimmering neck chain and timepiece.

"Let me show you how it's done right." You whispered against his ear, placing the tip of your finger on the zip of his pants. His body shook from the tingling.

And by the time you both finished, time itself had lost it's tracking. Minho followed you to the basement, where you thought you could get some solace, the bathrooms were busy places anyways.

"That was so filthy."

"They'd be looking for us."

The two of you voiced at the same time.

"Let them, they don't care about us anyways. Anyone could be as precious to them, they just have to be their offsprings and heirs, it's as simple as that." Giving his signature rich kid explanation, he went on to put his arm behind your neck, allowing you to rest your back that was pressed against the car door, more comfortably.

The two of you sat on the floor after what was one wild session of sex. Yet it was not awkward, for again, it was never the first time.

Were you dating? Were you just friends or fuckbuddies? There appeared to be no clear answer to this.

"Are you okay?" He questioned.

"Come on, I could handle much-"

"I meant are you doing okay, you pervert. Aren't you bored of this life?" He cut you off.

"Oh. Well. Yeah. A hundred fucking per cent." You continued as Minho took out his lighter, placing one cigarette between his lips and one between yours as he lit them together at once.

"Let's run away and build a mud cabin on some land near the woods." You suggested.

"Then we'd have to live together." He spoke and dusted off his pants.

"That's what I mean." You held his hand that was hung above your arms.

"I think I love you, Minho." The confession was sudden.

"What? Really?" A tiny grin took over his face before he quickly changed it into an astonished one.

"Don't you love me back?" You asked, perplexed by his reaction.

"Of course I love you. You're like a sibling to me!" He nodded.

"That's not what Jisung told me." You got out of his grip by now.

"Plus, siblings don't do this." The next moment you were straddling him.

"Incest." He giggled as he threw his head back.

"Minho!" You smacked his arm.

"I could've confessed in a much better way. You ruined my plan." He brought his hands to wrap around your waist.

"Oh god, not this meanie again."

"Oh god, not this oddball again." He mocked you, before pulling you closer into his arms.

There was no denial of feelings that this Meanie had for his Oddball.

masterlist please refrain from plagiarising, translating or posting outside of this platform

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leeknowsintrusivethots · 16 days

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A Stray Concubine

| Part 1 | Part 2 | Pairings: Prince!Lee Know/You, Prince!Bangchan/You, RivalNoble!Hyunjin/You? We are all about possibility here. Summary: Entering into a harem choosing was something you have been groomed for since you were young. Your aim is to make Crown Prince Christopher fall at your heels in order to restore your ruined family name and fortune, but games of love are much harder than games of lies and deceit. Content: Angst (is it me if it's not?), slow burn, smut(warnings below when applicable), fictional historical universe, dark themes, second person perspective, historical-typical gender roles, imperial harem-inspired concubine system, multi-pov, lotsa plot/world building, political intrigue WC: 5246 Minors do not interact. Do not repost my content to other websites.

Taglist: @blondechannie @torialefay

Notes: Things got out of hand. Side note, our main character now has a last name to avoid the excessive use of 'Y/N.'

You

“I’ve heard the young Lord Hwang is here in the Capital for the festivities.”

“I do wonder what the the Lord is up to now. 'Twas a nasty business with his parents' death and all.”

A flutter of feminine words carried by the cool breeze of dusk. They were as hollow as the chirping of birds, but with the weight of lords clanging swords.

“I suppose that's why he's here,” the middle aged gentleman said conspiratorially to his companion. He was dressed in the fine, rich fabrics of the upper class, but his dress did not hide the lascivious glances he would steal at the young woman he spoke to.

It was another lesson you had learned: social standing was meaningless when it came to the lustful notions of men. It didn't matter King, priest or commoner; all men floundered their morals when presented with something pretty dressed in silks. This gentleman was no different.

“It's such a shame to have felt such tragedy so young,” the woman said softly. It was another flutter, a fine beating of appropriate sympathy and poise. Whatever lot she had hailed from, she had been trained well.

“Oh,” the gentleman intoned with a glance around him. He seemed to be looking for something, or someone. He scanned the ladies and lords who conversed and drank around him quickly before his eyes settled. He was looking directly at you.

You had been wandering through the throngs, seeing and being seen for most of the festivities. You had to ensure you played your part of a well-bred lady making connections. It also served to listen; gauging the mood of the nobles who inhabited the palace alongside the royal residents. You had expected attention, but none so blatant.

“But I do hear the daughter of the Wicked Witch of House Sterling is in attendance,” the man stated, loudly enough for his feminine companion, you, and everyone within the breadth of the long table he occupied to hear. Lords and ladies alike recoiled as if hit. Some laughed with unease, but most seemed unsettled by the reminder of years past.

“My Lord,” she exclaimed with exaggerated scandal covering her classically attractive features. She fanned herself as if the wave of her hand could rid her of the shock of his statement. “Is it true?”

“It is, my dear. They say The Witch and her daughter ensorcel men with the bat of their lashes, and use their livelihood to keep themselves young and beautiful. I fear for the young bucks of the court.”

The woman saw her cue, and like any well trained woman – she took it. She leaned in with the bat of her own lashes to whisper into the man's ear. At her attention, his own wandered from you back to her and her hands on his weak shoulders. She pulled back just far enough to wink directly at you. She was playing the game, and she was playing it well.

Grateful for her intervention, you gathered your skirts loosely in hand and set off through the crowds.

The banquet hall of the palace was large enough to house the entirety of the nobles in the realm and most of their major retainers as well. It was a grand structure with elegance and richness built into the very walls. Tapestries with the heraldry of the Bangs hung from every beam and nook— The yellow eyes of the black and white wolf following all those who dared their presence with a sly keenness.

The women who made up the King's Harem had their own heraldry, passed down from the families they hailed from and kept if only as a token of fondness from their lives before. They were not permitted to hang in places of state, nor were they permitted to even be within eyesight of the Wolf. It was a threat to their power to place such importance on lower houses, and could be seen as an act of treason to even suggest such.

It was a shame. The banners of houses Seo and Yang in particular were vibrant and colorful. They would have brought life to the white, gray and black of House Bang but nothing could overshadow the crowned wolves.

Your thoughts of banners and symbols were a distraction from what you planned. The beating of your heart had its own flutter, one far less beautiful and flattering than the woman from earlier. It's crescendo sped as you stepped into the line of courtiers that neatly led up to the dais where the royal family sat like pretty paintings. The line moved, but painstakingly slow. It inched forward like the crawling of a slug after a hard rain, and you could only wish someone would salt you and be done with it.

Those in front and behind you chatted and carried about merrily as they waited their turn. They were of two sorts: simple creatures who had neither hide nor hair in the affairs of court or sordid schemers whose flattery and lies were concealed enough to be on the winning end. They had no fears of how their presence would be received by the rulers of their realm. They were safe, while your head was already placed on the metaphorical chopping block.

Your only hope at calm were the banners.

Every time the herald at the head of the procession called out names and titles, you brought their banners to mind. House Jeon, Lords of the Anpanman Woods: a wooded forest with an archer riding atop a monstrous hare at its forefront. House Wang, Wardens of the Southern Border: a thin sword with a snarling hound’s head as the pommel. House Kwon, Protectors of the Treasures of the East Sea: an extravagantly colorful sea dragon dripping in molten gold as it ascends from a deep blue ocean. House Min, Keepers of the Western Jungles: a rare, white tiger stalking amongst a dark green growth.

Every Great Lord was in attendance with their minor counterparts, and every one of them had their proud banners and symbols with deep rooted history and lore. You had been taught all of them by your tutors in your childhood, growing up with stories of their conquests and lineages.

You remembered that House Jeon was one of the youngest of the great houses, rising to power by claiming the timber bounty of their woods. House Wang was older and more storied, a history of mismatched allegiances with the King across the wastes and ancient claims to the Crown of Miroh. House Kwon was even older and as powerful as it was queer: Sea Lords with ties to the Free Isles in the West. House Min was the most shrouded. They were covered in the mythos of legends, with fact and fiction blurring reality.

“Lord Hyunjin, of House Hwang, Keepers of the Heartlands,” the Herald called. Their banners depict a common ferret curling around a brilliant sapphire. They were upstarts who had risen with the Bang's rule; they were no friends of you or yours.

You watched as the handsome Lord smiled and jested with the Royals, even with stern King Bang himself. He seemed to pay close attention to the Princes’ Christopher and Felix. It would not do to dwell, but you noted his connections with a keen interest.

The Hwang's had been close to the crown for more than two centuries, since the House Bang had risen from their ancestral home of the Forded Rivers to claim the throne through blood and war. The Hwang's had been Champions of the cause, steadfast allies of the offensive in the Red Rebellion . Their loyalty had not been forgotten and their rise had been meteoric and quick compared to the lengthy reigns of other Great Houses. In a matter of a few generations, they had risen from titles minor landholders to a major power in the politics of the realm. You had no doubt that Lord Hwang sought even more favors with the friendships he curried with the Princes.

As you continued your wait, you watched the man in question lobby about. He was tall, but graceful and as elegant as any old house could be. Even as he spoke to fellow couriers, he was refined but approachable in a way that most were not. He smiled coyly at another courtier before his eyes met yours and his lips fell flat. You averted your gaze quickly, your mind faltering. You had not killed Princess Mai, but his stare suggested otherwise.

“Young Lady Sterling,” was all you received from the Herald when your time came. There were no titles, no honors, no places of power. All you had was a family name that was dying, connected to a murderous traitor.

Relying on your training in graces and decorum, you dropped to your knees and bowed to the family who ruled the lands you called home and recited words from a distant memory. “Of bravery and courage, of rule and might; blessed and long be your reign.”

“You may rise,” King Bang commanded.

And so you rose to regard the man who condemned your father to death.

He sat in the middle of the dais with his queen to his right and his Most Favored, Beauty Lee, to his left. She was as resplendent as ever in expensive silks with her hair coiffed into the most stylish fashion with a pleasant smile curving her rouged lips. The queen was more somber. She wore the dark purple hues of royalty, and kept a regality that was unapproachable to say the least. She regarded you coolly, but you could see the hostility in her eyes. Princess Mai had been her natural daughter.

“You certainly favor your mother,” King Bang commented gruffly. It was not an exclamation of emotion, it was a simple observation.

“I’m pleased to hear I have my mother's charms, Your Majesty,” you replied with eloquence. You spoke softly, keeping a demure coyness about yourself that you had honed to a fine art.

“She was always a welcome sight,” the King added. Courtly arrogance mixed with courtly love. He too was playing the game. He blessed you with a smile that had the scar at the corner of his mouth standing to prominence before posing a question that had you caught off guard. “Which one of my sons is it then?”

“I'm sorry your majesty, I don't–”

“Is it the laughing and fierce Prince Jeongin? Or mayhaps the shy and courtly Prince Jisung? Or do you prefer the bold and strong Prince Changbin?”

“I–”

“Or perhaps your mother plans to aim higher?” He barreled along, his words never losing the flirting intrigue of courtly love but gaining the edge of a longsword. He glanced down the table of the dais, past his queen and to the silver crown threaded with dark iron wolves that sat atop Price Christopher’s head. He made no comment, but he did give you a look akin to pity. You hated it that look and everything it stood for.

“Your Majesty,” you spoke, inflicting an intentional waver to your voice and forcing your eyes to water with tears. It was not hard to fein being the weak, scared girl that King Bang required of you. “I would never dare to presume any grand intentions. I a humble servant of the crown, and I will do whatever you require to earn your love back for the House Sterling.”

“I owe no love to your family, young lady, and I never intend to. House Sterling is dying, and I will not save the family of Traitors. It's only by the good graces of your Mother that you both were not banished across the northern border.” The edge was dulling. One flutter. Two flutters. A few more until it wouldn't even be able to cut butter.

“My mother has retaken her maiden name, returning to the mantle of the Jeons. I have no such luxury, Your Majesty. I will forever be cursed by the sins of my father, but I will forever work to make amends.” A flutter of a sweet song. Honeyed with the naivety of a girl, and blessed to come from pretty lips. The blade was dulled, but you were set on making it crumble to iron dust.

“And how would you do that?”

“Put me to work, Your Majesty. I will slave as a Maid until I earn your love, or my death.”

A rumble went up behind you at your proclamation. You paid them no mind. Your attention was on the King.

He's the king of a realm. Make him feel like the King of the world. The only man within your sights. The highest of them all– a God.

“The youngest of the formerly Great House Sterling content to scrub floors and empty chamber pots?”

“My House’s pride is nothing to me. I serve the crown before all others. My duty is to to realm, Your Majesty– to you.” You dropped to your knees to peform the formal bow again. It was a sign of respect, a sign of your servitude.

“You may outdo your mother's charms yet,” the King remarked with a hidden smile playing in the shadows his golden, heavily bejewelled crown cast upon his face. “I will discuss your plight with my Councilors, Lady Sterling. Until a decision is made, you are welcome to feast and revel in the glory of the Royal Court.”

“You are most kind and just, Your Majesty.” You stood from the ground with the help of the Herald. He touched you delicately and respectfully as the flutters stirred up the dust of iron. You had won. It was a small victory, the first of many, but it was still a victory.

In the haze of the glittering particles, the court watched.

Beauty Lee regarded you with renewed interest. Queen Bang was stony, her murderous eyes portraying her displeasure but no words leaving her pursed lips. The Princes all watched with varying levels of interest in their Father's affairs, but the only one whom mattered still looked at you with pity.

It stoked your anger. You were a daughter of the Great Sterlings, former Wardens of the war torn Northern Borders. Your family was fierce and proud, tempered by the harsh climate and the even harsher hands of the war torn barbarians. You had the blood of warlords, conquers, and leaders. You may strip your pride to appease the King, but it would always be in your heart. You hated the Princes' pity, but you could use it in the same way you used the King's fondness for beautiful damsels.

His son would be no different. He would fall at your feet, ready to restore you and your family for no other reason than the love of being a hero for a the songs of singers across the continent. It was as simple as playing him like the harp you spent so many hours practicing. His tune would be notes of restoration and riches.

“Lady Sterling!” A boy called as you made for the Hall’s exit for a breath of fresh air and to revel in your victory. He was young, freshed faced with the hint of acne playing across his forehead. He dressed in the livery of House Wang: the metallic glint of iron present on all the accents of his dark clothing. He bowed politely before handing you a scratch of gray fabric.

It was rimmed with shiny silver thread and had intricate wolves with gems inlaid into the fabric for eyes at all four corners. The initials LMH elegantly scrawled along the center in delicate lines and swirls.

It was a royal favor, but not the one you had desired.

Christopher

To the great ire of their father, Minho had refused his place on the dais.

The refusal had led to a screaming match that could be heard in the next wing. The roars of his brother and father filled the halls with curses and anger. It only worsened when Minho refused to attend the festivities all together. King Bang had threatened to have him whipped, to which Minho had laughed maniacally and downed the rest of the fire whiskey he insisted on having on hand with his father.

“Do it! I've learned well how to bear pain, Father,” Minho screamed in rage at the threat.

Christopher wasn't certain on what lengths King Bang would have gone had he not stepped in with a sobbing Beauty Lee at his heels. He wasn't even certain on which had calmed the King; his intervention and promises to handle his wayward brother or the tears drenching Beauty Lee's silks. Either way, he had relented and Minho had avoided the whip.

It was the beginning of a deadly dance. He would have to balance the both of them: his father's hot headed rages, and his brother’s own uncontrolled hatred. The price of losing would not be a simple sore foot. A wrong step could ripple across the floor and disrupt the entire performance; sending everyone toppling to their dooms.

“That was the murderer?” Changbin asked from his side. The third prince had been too preoccupied with his food and the ladies milling about to pay much attention to the King's audiences. He had only taken note when the girl had fallen to her knees to prostrate herself in desperation.

“She's no murderer,” Christopher chided.

“Did her family kill our sister or not, Chris?” Changbin countered with annoyance. Anger simmered just under the surface. Princess Mai was a sore topic even so many years later.

“They did. She did not. She was just a kid when it happened.” They had all been young then. A child's blissful ignorance was no place for the blame of their parents’ faults. All of the Princes' should know that, but Christopher knew it most.

“Mai was just a kid, too. An innocent, sweet, lively and damn charming kid. Had she lived, I would probably be in debt for sweets and dresses. I would have been a beggar proudly for our baby sister, yet you take up in defense for the blood of her murderer?”

“I miss Mai as much as you do, more even, but her murderer was executed. There's nothing else for us to do,” Christopher shot back. He was feeling his own anger rise. There were few things that he wouldn't do for his family, his siblings. Changing the past was not within his realm of capabilities.

“Are you truly that much of a fool?” Changbin asked incredulously. His anger was still held tightly in check.

“Is it foolishness to allow a person to pave their own path?” Christopher returned. He lacked the heat of his younger brother. He could never be mad at any of the boys who shared his blood. They were all young, still finding their way into manhood and rule with the black and white lens of good and evil. If only the world were so simply colored.

“It's foolishness that could end in an early grave.”

It was not Changbin who answered. The voice was feminine, but hard. It was the voice of a woman who had seen too much, been forced to harden her edges at the behest of those in power around her.

Queen Bang regarded her natural son and his brother with a stern stare. The panes of her face were sharp, severe even. Hers was a beauty that didn't often mesh with the other ladies of the palace. It was refined but not delicate; the type of face that would strike fear in a man's heart as much as lust. It had both Christopher and Changbin sealing their lips tight to stave off any protest that bubbled.

“This is not appropriate banquet conversation,” she stated with a final withering stare before turning her attention back to the audiences entertaining the King. He was deep in conversation with a Captain from the Free Isles about some strange sea beast that had been spotted. From the look of the table, he was also deep in his cups as he boasted about hunts from his youth of beasts of yore.

Taking the reprieve, Christopher searched the room for Minho. He had promised he would at least be present, wandering the room discreetly so as not to raise gossip about the Second Prince being excluded from the dais. He was to have his first pick of any Lady that caught his eye, and he had only to choose one– one gentlelady to give his father the illusion that the wayward Prince had been subdued into court life.

Of course, Minho had to make even a simple task an effort in patience and persistence.

However, Christopher could not have patience. It went against everything he knew and everything he was, but he had to act. There was no room for error, nor weakness in the Court of Miroh.

At a look, the page was running towards him. He was well dressed in the colors of his Liege, the fabric glinting in the light like polished iron. With a well placed command and Changbin watching curiously, the boy took off with quick feet and vigor for a promised knighthood.

A future King had to be a man of action.

Minho

The palace library was a place of wonder for any intrepid mind. It was filled with the works of great scholars and war strategists renowned for their taciturn. Works from all across the world, they told of histories, battles, and gentleman's philosophy. It was all knowledge that any young man should know, approved by the crown and kept up by an army of ever present eunuchs who dusted the shelves and kept the sight fit for royalty.

Tomes upon tomes of knowledge lined the high walls with ladders placed at intervals to reach the topmost shelves. The tops of the ladders ended in marbled ceilings that supported the second floor balcony. It was a wide open walkway lined with yet more books that opened up to show the floor below.

Minho had spent a lot of his youth in the brightly lit rotunda. He studied with his appointed tutors, absorbing the knowledge a spare must have like a sponge desperate for hydration. Even when the old men would give him leave, he would stay. Day would turn to dusk as he poured over the words of wise men.

But Minho had learned what the library could teach him. When he had reached out for more, he had been denied. The Library eunuchs had told him that they held all the knowledge in the world in their shelves. His tutors had brushed off his queries with well mannered hands. His father had outright scoffed and berated him to work harder at his swordsmanship instead of wasting his time with yet more books.

Desperate for more, Minho had sought knowledge through travel.

His early years had seen him guesting the courts of Great and Lesser Lords, browsing their own shelves for things he had yet to learn. Each time, he was disappointed. Each time, he moved on with more vigor. It wasn't until his desperation took him to the city taverns, art houses, and lone monasteries in tall, reclusive mountains that he learned the greatest lesson of his life: through understanding of life could never be found until one experienced the people of the world itself.

He had come to hate the palace library, disdaining the time he had wasted learning what was deemed appropriate for a Prince. It was unfortunate that it was an excellent place to find a quiet and unassuming corner with few ears that listened. It was even more deserted with the Selection happening. No Lords browsed the shelves, and few eunuchs were on duty.

“How have you been, old friend?” Hwang Hyunjin asked as he slid into the seat next to Minho. They were cushioned and pushed into an empty corner, meant for spending hours reading.

“Better,” Minho answered. The table between them held a silvered platter complete with three tumblers and a decanter of liquor. He poured them both a drink and took a healthy swallow of his own.

“Does the idea of Miroh court life distress you so much?”

“As much as having my manhood chopped off,” he answered wryly.

“I'm sure our glorious King would love to have that arranged if you don't fall in line,” Jackson Wang joked as he took a third seat. He squeezed in next to Hyunjin, the table separating the Prince from his guests.

“Yes. He would,” Minho agreed grimly. Another sip of the liquor had fire burning in his throat. He poured some for the new arrival in the empty glass.

“It needs not be that way,” Hyunjin stated. “It's as simple as doing what he asks.”

“I will not, and I'm surprised you would even suggest such.”

Minho had spent time with almost all the Lords of Miroh. He had supped in their dining halls, listened in on their councils, advocated for reform favoring the small folk with what attention he curried. He was familiar with them all, but none more so than Lords Wang and Hwang. They were as close to him as his own brothers. They knew his views and he knew theirs.

“We have discussed this before. If you want to seek change, you have to be in a position to do so,” Jackson said. He picked up his tumbler and sniffed the liquid indulgently before taking a healthy swallow.

“And it shall not be by so blatantly ignoring your father's wishes,” Hyunjin added. His own glass remained untouched.

“You wish me to abandon everything I believe and play the part?” Minho was annoyed, but not surprised. This was a normal point of contention in the trio.

“Jackson controls the Southern Border. I have dominion over most of the Midland Plains. We have influence, but with a Prince advocating to our ends, we could scarcely be denied”, Hyunjin said, passion deepening with every word. It was the same old conversation, but never had he pushed so blatantly. Minho's return to Court seemed to heighten his resolve.

“We could not risk altering the realm within a fortnight. We have to play the long Game. Even revealing our cards too soon could lose us royal favor, and power. Your father is not so inclined to a liberal nature,” Jackson added. He had abandoned his seat all together, glass of liquor in hand.

“The long game is waiting until Christopher is crow–”

“Your brother is a strong and moral Prince, but he is a traditionalist. Even in him, you will not find the ally you think,” Hyunjin cut off Minho's protest.

“If you are suggesting we overthrow my brother, you won't have to deal with my father. I'll have your head of my own accord,” Minho spat, sudden anger getting the best of him. His brother's all had their faults, but he would forever be loyal to them.

“We would never suggest such a thing, but he will need the right people around him when he ascends. The current Council, baring myself and Lord Wang, are all bootlicking yes-men with traditionalist loyalties. They would see the same wars and the same laws in place for eternity,” Hyunjin countered.

“Ah, the Late Lord Jeon’s writ on the rights of a nobleman. What a crock of shit,” Jackson hummed as he browsed the shelves. He was sipping his liquor as Minho and Hyunjin spoke, browsing through the tomes on the shelves next to their group as he did. Even though he didn't seem too invested, Minho knew it would be unwise to think so.

The Wang were an old name and had ancestral rights to the Southern Border. Across that border, was an endless stretch of desert ruled by a King shunned and forgotten by all except the Wang’s. It was said the family's outlandish politics were an extension of that King's will, and the Wang's did not hide it. If anything, they flaunted it and were the only Great House to push for liberal reform– at least with any visibility.

“He needs you to be his right hand, but the other Lords would never accept you as you are now,” Hyunjin advised, ignoring his friend's outburst.

“What our ever so serious Hyunjin is suggesting is a mummers’ farce. Do your father's bidding where the world can see, while playing your hand behind the scenes,” Jackson said, still making the odd disproving noise as he browsed the books written by less inclined individuals. “It's not ideal, but it's become necessity.”

Minho did not like anything that was being said.

He had spent his whole life concentrating on the belief that rule and power could never end without corruption. It didn't matter how just and moral you were, the reigns of an entire people would callous and blacken your beliefs until your life revolved around cowing populations into submission with the threat of a sword. That was simply how human nature worked.

His beliefs had not come without cause.

The Red Rebellions had torn the realm asunder. It had been all in the name of ridding themselves of a tyrant King Kim. When the Bang's had won, the Kingdom entered a golden age. Arts and philosophy flourished and laws changed to usher in a new world for the people of the time, but history had proven to be cyclic. Even being his own family, Minho could not deny that the reign of the Bang family was heading in the direction of the Kim’s.

His only consolation had been Christopher. He was a just and upright man, but he had been raised to rule under the constant traditionally forged sword of their father. He had never seen the world outside of the Capital, and likely never would.

He would never see the villages in the dense Jungles of the West. The deeper you went into the verdant green, the more sparse populations got until civilization gave way to angry wildness that had retaken abandoned towns; their peoples forever lost to disease. Many still living remained under constant quarantine, never able to leave their homes for fear of spreading illness and death by the swords of those who held them there. They would not be helped. They would die and be forgotten like the others.

He would never know the desperation of the poachers in the Anpanman Woods. They were injured soldiers who had served the realm only to be discarded when they were no longer of use. They were green boys who were forced to support their families. They were the downtrodden no one cared for until they stepped on the toes of a Lord.

He would never see the sorrow of the wives of the Eastern Coast. Their husbands left them with babes still at the breast to mine gold in the crown controlled Free Isles. For the cost of the Crown's coffers, a lot of them would perish at sea or in the mines. They would never see their children grow.

Christopher would have to connect with his people. He would have to live amongst them to remember that it was not a Nation he ruled, but living humans with lives and stories of their own. Forgetting that was often the fall of a good King. He could not forget. Minho would not let him.

“Give me a script and dress me in motley, damnit.”

#stray kids smut #stray kids fanfic #skz ff #stray kids ff #skz fanfic #skz smut #skz x reader #lee know fanfic #lee know ff #lee know smut #lee minho fanfic #lee minho smut #lee minho ff

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linoluvz · 1 year

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bed 床🤎

-lee know ; fluff <3

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linoluvz 🤍

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A cool breeze hits your back,the loss of warmth wakes you. you look to your side only to find the bed empty, the wind hits you again, making you shiver at the cold and tighten the comforter around yourself. you close your eyes - trying to drift back into sleep - the wind blows at your face again, you got up to close the windows and then went back into bed.

you stay in bed like that for another five minutes until you feel your mouth dry up, sighing, you get up from your bed and walk to the kitchen to get a glass of water. hearing a noise you look to the dimly lit living room and find lee know sitting on the couch watching a random anime series. you take your water and walk up to the couch, sitting down next him.

lee know pauses the show he was watching and turns to you “did i wake you darling?” he asked.. “no~” ,you lay your head on his shoulder, “come back to bed please lee know~ i can’t sleep..” lee know coos at how cute you sounded~. “of course love~ just let me tidy up real quick.”

you whine a bit but reluctantly let lee know get up from where you were cuddling, he throws his food away then goes to pick you up. you wrap your legs around him and he carries you into your bedroom, gently placing you down onto the bed, quick to lay down next to you and bring you in his arms. you press your face into his chest and bask in his warmth, finally feeling sleepy again, your eyes closing. “i love you lee know.”. “i love you too darling, so much” - but you didn’t hear him as you’ve already drifted off into sleep from the comfort of being in his arms….

~end~

hi stays!!~

call me luvz,i’ve decided to start a blog here for writing! <3 i’m pretty new to tumblr so i might make some mistakes please help me along the way!! 🤍. this is my first time writing something like this so it’s not very good but i tried my best!!~~.

hope this made your day a little better 🤍

-luvz

#stray kids #lee know #skz ff #skz fan fiction #lee know fluff #stray kids fluff #skz fluff #lee minho #lee know ff #stray kids imagines #lee know imagines #skz fanfic #stray kids ff #stray kids scenarios #skz scenarios #lee know x reader #skz x reader

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euphroseia · 1 year

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Never Convinced

Minho x fem!reader

Word count: 255

Genre: non-idol!au, angst

Warnings: mentions of self-deprivation (food), implied living together

If you liked my writing, please give me a reblog. I’d appreciate it and it will help me a lot! You can also let me know your thoughts about the story here. Thank youuuu! 💗

Growing up, or passing through teenage life, society has always wanted you to believe that a relationship will only work out if the guy loves the girl more than she loves him—you never believed in that; but, you also didn’t think it would work if it was the other way around. You believed that a relationship is a two-way communication between partners and that one must love as greatly as the other does; not until you met Minho, the only man you’ve loved this way.

He cooked your favorite meal when you feel like you don’t even deserve to eat something, listened to your cries and worries because he knew all you just want is to be heard. That was how things used to be. Now, he cooks for himself only, hell, he doesn’t even come home anymore so you don’t really know if he’s actually eating—you never fail in reminding him to eat proper meals in time tho. Now, he’s the man behind your cries and worries, you don’t want to be heard anymore, you just want the old loving Minho back.

You were never convinced by the society when they wanted you to believe that a relationship will only last if the guy loves you more than you love him. You still don’t believe in it, but God knows how many times you had begged him and wished that even just for a little bit, Minho would love you more than you love him; hoping that this relationship would last a while longer.

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stayinzencity · 1 month

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heroine’s manual S1 E5

GENRE: Romcom, Drama | love triangles, childhood friends, high school au | INSPIRED BY: Heroine Shikkaku (shoujo manga) | LENGTH: ~1.7K | RATING: Teen | WARNINGS: breakup(s) | PAIRINGS: Minho x MC (Reader), Minho x OC (Heather), Jungwoo x MC (Reader) | TAGLIST: @linoscence @elizabeth11moreno (ask to be added) | A/N: we lose some, we gain some. also jungwoo is just a side character here, but he's the focus of the s2 one-shot. han's story would be s3, but it would be different cuz [spoilers], so we'll see if anyone's interested, or it'll just remain as implications. (accidentally posted this part before 3 & 4 and that's how I ended up finally finishing this series)

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FIVE. The time might not be right now, but I'll wait forever if I can be with him one day.

You realise you haven't spoken to Jisung for a few days. He's been around, part of the group. It's only after he refuses to look you in the eyes when you're right in front of him that you realise something is wrong.

It calls for confrontation, but Jisung keeps dodging you. It's even worse than when Minho was avoiding you. Jisung doesn't hide the fact that he's not eager to be around you- he even jumps into a bush one time when you wave at him.

Asking Seungmin if he had any clue what's up isn't helpful either. He's clearly taking Jisung's side, leaving you with barely any clue what all of this is about.

"There's nothing I can tell you. Jisung will let you know when he's ready. Though that might take a while," Seungmin finally says after you use your splendid persuasive skills to get information out of him. "You should be patient with him. He's always respected your feelings and played along with your plans no matter how ridiculous they get. Keep that in mind."

There is a tiny crack between you and Jisung that grows into a great chasm over time. And Seungmin stands on the other of it with Jisung.

They no longer sit with you. Or talk to you. Or even glance your way.

It hurts. Jisung and Seungmin were the closest friends you had after Minho, and now you've lost all three of them.

As for Minho, you're the one who's been actively avoiding him. You can't be sure he isn't doing the same. You hardly see him hanging out with Heather anymore, but that doesn't excite you the way it once would have. You're pretty sure he and Jisung still hang out to watch movies without you, and it stings.

In the end, you lost your friends.

Heather breaks up with Minho.

You find out when Heather tells Hyunjin and you over lunch.

You didn't mean to be there with them. It's just that it was your usual spot at your usual table. Just not the usual people.

"We weren't right for each other," she says. "It was nice with him, but I'm not interested in a relationship right now."

"So, what about this Sunday?"

"Don't worry, we ended on a relatively good note. Even if we didn't, I wouldn't give up on our friendship so easily." Heather pats Hyunjin on the back, reassuringly. "Plan's still on."

She looks at you thoughtfully, sharing a look with Hyunjin. "You should come with us! We're going to the aquarium."

"N-no, I can't-"

"Just come along." Hyunjin rolls his eyes. "You can't stay at home and avoid everyone forever."

"I'm not-"

"It's ok," Heather says. "I know things are still weird with Minho and your friends. But you've always been weird with me and Hyunjin, so it can't get any worse. Maybe we can even get closer, you know?"

Heather does make a good point, and Hyunjin isn't trying to vaporize you with his gaze either.

Maybe it's time to try something new.

"You can't keep pining over a guy. It's pathetic and you're too pretty to waste away like this. Just get it over with."

You don't need to punch Hyunjin since Heather does it for you.

"Don't be mean," she hisses at him. It's kinda nice seeing her comfortable enough to be anything besides excessively polite around you guys. "It isn't that easy."

"Minho broke up with you, and you managed to move on. She's still doing nothing but hopelessly pining after him."

"It's not the same, Hyunjin." She glares at him. "Let's leave this loser alone and find somewhere else to chat."

"Wait-"

"Girl talk. Bye, Hyunjin."

Heather tugs you to your feet and drags you over to a table just out of earshot of Hyunjin. Not out of sight, though Hyunjin doesn't make a move to intrude your space, despite his disappointment at being rejected.

Serves him right. It's slightly satisfying to see him suffer, regardless of it being an exaggeration. If there's anyone who can match your dramatics, it's Hyunjin.

Fortunately, Heather can handle you both. Everyone else has given up, but she's the one that stuck around.

It's kinda funny that the last two people you thought you'd ever be friends with are probably the only ones you still have.

Surprisingly, Hyunjin is the only one you still spend time with from your old friend group. Him and Heather.

Heather. You called her by her actual name, startling her and she admitted she preferred being called Heather- as long as it's you.

Then there's Jungwoo.

You never really talked about Jungwoo to your friends. At first, there was nothing to talk about. Then it didn't matter whether you did, since it wasn't supposed to be anything real. But at some point, it felt like it actually could be something. Except you weren't ready to let go of Minho. You still aren't, so it's no use.

Thankfully, it's not him that Heather wants to talk about.

"You should ask Minho out," Heather says. "That's the only way you'll know for sure. Maybe not even then, but you'll only know if you try, after all."

"How were you able to do it so easily? I always wondered. "

Heather laughs. "It wasn't easy. I had to muster a lot of courage before I could go up to him and say the words. Hyunjin was the one who told me to go for it. And now, I'm telling you the same."

"If I ask him, I risk getting rejected. I always thought he'd end up asking me out himself. Then again, I never thought it'd hurt so much. I used to be happy being in the background, but things changed. I guess now I'm scared of being a background character in his life. I thought I was the most important, but I'm starting to realise that it's never been me."

"I think Minho's confused, too. I figured that he was just staying with me out of convenience as an excuse to keep from sorting out his feelings. I didn't like being used, but more than that, I realised it didn't bother me as much as it should, so I decided to break up." Heather waves away your attempt to apologize for your interference in her relationship. "What I mean to say is that you have a chance. And even if it doesn't work out, at least you know. That's far better than being haunted by what could have been for the rest of your lives."

You decide to take Heather's advice.

Minho seems surprised when you walk up to him, for the first time in far too long, and ask him out.

He doesn't turn you down.

It should be everything you wanted. A magical moment- butterflies, fireworks, flowers and all. Yet it's just another day.

You catch Jisung's expression and he appears distraught, though it's gone before you can put much thought into it. He smiles at you, weak and forced, congratulating you half heartedly.

Something clicks and the way Jisung had been acting strange for a while makes sense.

You aren't cruel enough to confront Jisung when it's clearly something he's not comfortable with. Instead, you corner Seungmin and ask him.

"Does Jisung like me? That's why things got weird once he got a crush on-"

"The world does not revolve around you. Stop asking me about Jisung."

That's not a no, even if it isn't a yes either.

You don't really mean to, but you can barely watch the movie when you're still worried about Jisung. You end up blurting your thoughts to Minho.

"I think Jisung likes me!"

"What?" Minho pushes you off his lap and looks at you incredously. "What? That's-"

"Things have been weird for a while, and I figured it out."

"Ji- you know what, we need to talk." Minho sighs, rubbing his forehead. “Do you even really love me? It feels more like you’re in love with the idea of ending up with me. We’ve been close since we were little. Childhood friends turned sweethearts. You think I'm the hero, so you must be the heroine. Logical, isn’t it? Is it really what you want? Your mind tells you this is your ideal, but what does your heart say? You’ve been distracted the whole time we’ve been dating. I don’t think I’m the right person for you.”

“Are you breaking up with me? It hasn’t even been that long. Give me a chance and I’ll prove that you’re the-”

“Not now. I can't give us another chance for now. Maybe one day. Right now, we need time apart. I'm sorry, I love you. I'm not sure if I'm in love or if I ever will be. And I don't think you are either."

Minho reaches out like he wants to wipe away the tears, tumbling down your cheeks. However, his hand halts a few inches away from your face. He hesitates, eventually deciding to pull away. In the meantime, your crying worsens, and the awkward air grows more unbearable.

Fish must be used to salty water, so they're less likely to judge. Or so, Heather says.

Hyunjin also comes along, of course, and he is likely to judge. Even so, he's been nicer lately.

You're done shedding tears, anyways. You're not supposed to cry over silly things like boys.

"There are more fish out there in the sea. Tall, handsome, black haired fish whose name rhymes with crew."

"It's brown now, actually." You correct Hyunjin without really thinking.

"So you have been looking his way," Heather teases. "Why not give Jungwoo another chance? He hasn't been seen with anyone else ever since he met you. He does seem to be sincere."

"Maybe I will," you say with a smile. "But right now, it's just us amongst the creatures of the sea."

There might be a part of you that'll stubbornly hold on to Minho, but you've come to realise that there's so much more.

Your friendship with Hyunjin and Heather.

The possibility of something with Jungwoo.

The chance of reconciliation with your old friends.

There will always be so much more.

You just have to keep living your story with all its twists and turns, learn from the past, hope for the best in the future, and be happy with your present.

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