#please please please enjoy and PLEASE let me know if this messes with anyone's plans
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Darkness prevails
᯽ Author: bvidzsoo
᯽ Pairing: Jeong Yunho x female reader
᯽ Warning: suggestive, cursing, violence (lots of it), maiming/marking, extreme possessiveness, manhandling, blood, beheading, death, dubious consent, morally grey subjects (you'll see what I mean, but I promise nothing like that actually happens), let me know if I forgot something cries
᯽ Word count: 25.6k
᯽ Genre: Fantasy, Royal, Dark Romance, Gore
᯽ Summary: King Jeong Yunho, first of his name, was a ruler everybody feared and nobody dared mess with. Anyone who didn't oblige to his laws, suffered the consequences. Perhaps stealing an apple seemed like a misstep that many would've overlooked, but not Jeong Yunho. Go against the laws: get punished, branded, humiliated, forever outcasted by society, and the King himself. Unfortunately, you were way too familiar with the King's tyranny, having been the subject of his torture more than once. But what happens, when once and for all, Prince San, his brother, finally decides to get rid of the cruel monarch? Will you succeed with your mission? Will you kill King Jeong Yunho? Or will he wrap you up even deeper in his sick web of lies and threats.
᯽ A/N: My wrists are about to fall off and my eyes are dry despite the eye drops I'm using, but here it is my lovelies, the first part of the Beyond the Obscure series! Guys...it's dark, I'm sorry, so yeah, take the warnings seriously, I promise I haven't written them very in detail (imo) but they are there. I think this is my darkest work so far (even worse than San's part in my pirate series) and y'all have no idea what I have planned for Seonghwa and Yeosang's part (clawing at the wall because that one will be even worse NAUR). I'd like to point out a few things before you start reading:
∞ Yunho is continuously mentioned as the King in the story or Your Grace
∞ perhaps keeping in mind the interaction between Mingi and the redhead will come in handy for future purposes *wink wonk*
∞ I hope I did a good job with this story, and I'm sorry if it sucks, I really tried to tackle this beast of a piece...and sorry for any mistakes, I always proofread but some just slip past me *sighs*
Enjoy the story and let me know what you thought of it, I'm always so grateful to all the feedback I get!! Taglist is open, so just comment on the post if you're interested in the future parts (check out the series' masterlist too to understand how the series works, thank you!) (divider)
᯽ Taglist: @seonghwaddict @thunderous-wolf @simpforyunsangho @kitten4sannie
─═☆Series M.list☆═─
At such an ungodly hour no lady was supposed to be roaming the streets alone, unguarded, exposed to the horrors of the slums. But some ladies had no other choice but to do so if they wanted to survive, to see tomorrow’s sunrise. Not that there was anything to anticipate or love in the Kingdom of the Fallen, ruled by a ruthless and malicious King, who slayed his people left and right whenever he pleased to do so. And perhaps that’s what ebbed me on to keep on walking, made me straighten my back to the point my muscles were straining as I made sure to become one with the shadows as I passed by the long fallen asleep households, headed towards the outskirts of our well-guarded burgh of Aurora. Don’t let it fool you, despite its name, there was nothing beautiful nor welcoming to this place, only terror, fear, and darkness. Our King made sure of that.
I tried to ignore the trembling of my fingers, but it became harder and harder to do so the closer I got to the well-concealed mansion. Large trees loomed over the gravel pathway that led to its enormous marble stairs, not one light was on inside. One would think the mansion was abandoned, but as soon as you stepped foot inside, its well-maintained state gave away the truth. Perspiration had started gathering on my brows, and I realized that underneath my pricey leather glove the skin of my right hand had started itching, begging to be scratched, but I knew doing so would cause my freshly healed wound to open up again. That wound was something I would have to live with forever, maimed, tainted for life. Marked for a wrong doing that cost the life of my little brother. It was hard not to blame or hate yourself when your sickly brother died in his sleep after you failed showing up for three days, begging and screaming to be let out of the dungeons of the wretched Castle, but my pleas fell to deaf ears, unsurprisingly.
King Jeong Yunho didn’t care about his people, and he never would. Famish and crime were at its peak despite the harsh punishments and executions. Despite the King having ears and eyes everywhere, some people managed to get away, escape unscathed, and one of those people just so happened to be Choi San, the crown prince. He fled the night his brother killed King Choi, aware that he would be next to suffer the same faith as their beloved father if he stood in his older brother’s way. Nobody really knew where Prince San went, but upon seeing his most trusted servant and Royal Guard, Sir Jung Wooyoung, around town, it became obvious that Prince San and Sir Jung were still lurking around. And despite what it seemed like, despite King Jeong being awful and vicious, Prince Choi wasn’t like him. He loved his people, he mourned with his people, he laughed with his people, and he lived for his people. Many hated him for disappearing, thinking he had abandoned us and was letting his older brother do however he wished, but many failed to understand that Prince San was powerless if it came down to a war between the brothers. Prince San didn’t have enough men to fight back against King Jeong’s tyranny. And that’s when I was summoned. Barely a day ago, a black envelope with a crown stamp on it had been slipped in my pouch without me noticing. Having opened it, I was rather surprised to find myself being summoned to the abandoned mansion, which belonged to the Royal family, on the outskirts of the burgh.
And when a royalty summoned you, you showed up without asking questions or making them wait too long. The roads were drenched in darkness, mist surrounding the narrow cobblestone streets, and smog escaped my mouth as little puffs left through my lips, heart beating even faster now that I stood in front of the dark mansion. I never fully showed my face in public, but being well past midnight without another soul out on the streets of Aurora, I offered myself the luxury of breathing in the chilly air of the night. The moon was in waxing crescent, and averting my eyes from it, I stared up at the massive mansion and steeled my nerves, pushing away all the swirling thoughts threatening to turn me back around just to run off in the night, far away from Aurora. But even if I ran, I had nowhere to go. And even if I ran, the King’s men would find me and bring me back. I never had a choice, nor the freedom to indulge in my dreams and wishes. So, I took a deep breath, fixed the sheer scarf around the lower half of my face, and ascended the marble stairs with chills running down my spine due to the biting cold. It felt like it had seeped through my clothes, nagging at my skin, injected straight into my bones. But if I dwelled more on this feeling, I knew it was mostly the fear spreading through my blood system that made me react so strongly. And there was no place for fear tonight.
When I reached my hand out to push the front door of the mansion open, I found it already slightly ajar, beckoning me inside. My heartbeat was loud in my ears as I cautiously ventured inside, closing the heavy door behind myself, needing a second to take in the majesty of the interior of the mansion. The floor and walls alike were covered in white marble, glinting under the moonlight as the large windows had no curtains in the large entrance hall. A sturdy round table sat in the middle of the chamber, a large vase filled to the brim with flowers of all kinds sat on top of the table, in the center of it. There was a sweet scent wafting through the air, and as I ventured further inside, the cold chill present in the entrance hall slowly turned into blush inducing warmth, making me shiver as I finally started feeling my frozen limbs.
I was wandering around mindlessly, having no idea where I was supposed to go as nobody seemed to be waiting for me, my eyes straying to the walls, admiring all the expensive paintings. They were brought from lands far from ours, from a land where life was easier and happier. The Kingdom of Light, much like its name, was ruled by a Queen that loved her nation and thrived to unite the two Kingdoms. However, as long as King Jeong was our monarch, that would never happen. Faint whispers caught my attention as I came towards the end of the hall, a large door separating me from the next room. A huge painting was hung up on the wall to the left of the black door, and my jaw clenched as my eyes fixated on the family portrait, more specifically, on King Jeong Yunho. Despite him looking a lot younger in the photo, the evil glint was still present in his sharp stare, and suddenly the skin of my right hand itched again, prompting me to mindlessly try and scrape at it through the leather glove. But the whispers coming to a sudden halt from inside the room, and the faint yellow glow coming to life through the little gap under the door ripped my attention away from the young King and made me tense up as footsteps neared the door. And then, there was a click and the door was pulled open, an emotionless man, with asymmetrical eyes, stood in front of me, taking me in just as closely as I took him in.
“Sir Jung Wooyoung.” I bowed my head, keeping my eyes on the marble floor until the man made a sound of approval.
“You have arrived,” He said, voice sharp and impassive, “Come inside.”
The door was further pulled open and as Jung Wooyoung stepped aside, I stepped forward, hands clenching into fists as I tried to fight the desperate need to turn around and just run. Far away from here, from the crown prince and his loyal guard, far from Aurora. But the King would always find me, and he’d bring me back, matter not if dead or alive, he’d bring me back.
As the door slammed heavily shut behind me, I fought the need to jump at the loud sound, and instead made eye contact with the crown prince. He sat in a large chair, straight across from me, at a round table. The table was massive and could fit at least twenty men if gathered around it, but now, it was just Prince Choi, Sir Jung, and myself in the room. The blackout curtains were drawn together, its color a blood red, shutting out the gentle moonlight, masking whatever would go down in this room from the celestial. Nobody had to know what would conspire in this room soon.
“Your Highness,” I bowed forward, keeping my eyes on the carpeted floor as a low hum traveled through the otherwise quiet room, “you have called for me.”
“I have, yes.” Prince San’s voice was low, and quiet, his sharp eyes narrowed as I straightened back up. We made eye contact as there was movement behind me, Sir Jung walked past me and came to a stop behind Prince San, placing a hand on the chair’s back, grip tightening instantly, “Do you have any idea why?”
“I do not have the power to assume anything.” I answered, eyes quickly seizing the room I was in. It wasn’t awfully big, like the rest of the mansion, and it was a lot less warm in here. Bookshelves aligned the tall walls behind the prince and his guard, and a comfortable sofa was pushed up against the left wall, drenched in shadows as the candlelight didn’t reach there.
“You may speak freely with me, Miss Hong, I am not my brother.” Prince San said, teeth gritting at the mention of King Jeong, “And I do not wish to be ever like that, which is why I have called you here.”
“Don’t you deem it dangerous, Your Highness, calling me here?” I quirked an eyebrow and walked further inside, approaching the table, “King Jeong knows you are still residing in Aurora, and now you’ve given your location away to a mere civilian.”
“Are you threating the crown prince right now?” Jung Wooyoung’s voice was rough and words biting as he leashed out, vein close to popping on his forehead, eyes ablaze. He looked menacing, especially with the long sword sheathed at his hip, handle hidden by the red wool jacket decorated with golden accents falling over it.
“Wooyoung,” It was strange how soft the prince’s voice became, eyes finding the guard’s, “she’s not the enemy. You don’t have to be so on edge.”
“How do you know?” Sir Jung hissed back, eyes still on me, glaring me down. I gulped, but didn’t look away. I didn’t want them to think I was scared, even if I was.
“Miss Hong,” The prince’s attention was back on me, expression losing its coldness for a second, “May I ask you show us your hand?”
My jaw clenched as I remained silent, heart thumping fast. I wanted to tell him no, that he had no right asking such thing of me, but I couldn’t deny the crown prince’s request. And despite detesting what I had to do, with shaky fingers, I still ripped the leather glove off my hand, breathing hard as I threw the piece of fabric on the table, letting my arms fall limply next to my body. Nobody said anything nor moved for a few seconds, Sir Jung’s gaze hurriedly falling onto my exposed right hand. The room was poorly lit, yet it wasn’t hard to miss the discoloration on the top of my right hand, the skin raw and burgundy despite the long-healed wound. It was just a scar now, yet it remained fresh looking, forever a reminder of who I belonged to.
“You don’t have to trust me,” I found my voice, and perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised to hear myself sounding so cold and harsh, “but you can trust one thing. I, in no universe, serve King Jeong Yunho. And I never will. If the scar isn’t proof enough, send me out to kill him, and I will do it with a smile on my face.”
I didn’t expect any reaction from the two males across from me, and so it surprised me when the two held matching smirks, sharing a quick look before Jung Wooyoung slowly approached me again. My eyes stayed on him, and I flinched as he gingerly grasped my right hand, raising it up. I couldn’t bear looking at the skin, so I looked at Prince San instead.
“I’m sorry for what my brother has done to you.” And his words were sincere, there was pain in Prince San’s eyes, and I knew he was sincere. I don’t know why, but despite Jung Wooyoung’s calloused hands, the way he traced my scar with the tip of his finger gingerly, made me relax a little. If they wanted me dead, they would have killed me the second I approached the front door of the mansion.
“You shouldn’t apologize for something that’s out of your control, Your Highness.” I muttered, looking at Wooyoung alarmed when he pressed his lips against my scar, the warm and plush skin lingering against mine for a second. Nobody has every touched my scar, let alone kissed it. When Sir Jung looked at me, he held the same guilt and pain in his eyes as Prince San. It was overwhelming, and so I ripped my hand out of Sir Jung’s gentle hold, and scurried to wear my glove again. I didn’t need their pity, what’s done is done.
“How many times has that devil seen you?” It was Sir Jung asking this time as he slowly stalked back towards Prince San, stopping next to his chair this time. I didn’t fail to notice the way the crown prince grabbed onto the back of his royal guard’s thigh, thick fingers digging into Sir Jung’s skin. They seemed used to the contact, both unphased, so I averted my gaze from it.
“Twice.” I answered, lowering the sheer black scarf from the lower half of my face, “I always wear my scarf in public.”
“And do you think he’d recognize you if he were to see you again?” Prince San asked, his hand slowly sneaking up towards Sir Jung’s ass. My eyebrows furrowed before I shook my head.
“No, he never got a good look at my face the second time, and I was branded three years ago.” I answered truthfully, “There’s not a world in which the King remembers the faces of those he torments.”
“You’re underestimating my brother,” Prince San’s lips pulled into a sneer, “he’s a sadistic man, Miss Hong, you’d be horrified to find out just how much he remembers and gets off to.”
I gulped, but remained silent as Sir Jung bit his lower lip when Prince San’s hand traveled even further up. There was movement to my left, but when I looked over to the sofa, I couldn’t see anything, so I focused on the males again.
“Are you willing to kill him?” Jung Wooyoung seemed to have gotten tired of going around and not getting to the point as he spat, eyes watching me closely. I didn’t hesitate with my answer.
“Yes.” I hissed, eyes turning steely as Sir Jung just smirked, leaning forward as he placed his hands on the sturdy table.
“Then I, Jung Wooyoung, Royal Guard of the Crown Prince Choi San, third of his name, task you with killing King Jeong Yunho, and ridding this Kingdom of his cruelty and horrors.” Sir Jung’s voice was laced with passion, eyes burning with an insatiable fire as Prince San rose from his seat, his strong physique making Jung Wooyoung look small for the first time.
“I promise you immunity and a respectable life once you’re done with your task. You won’t be suffering any consequences, and I will fulfill your biggest wish.” I chuckled, but it lacked humor as my eyes bore into the prince’s.
“I doubt you can bring back the dead, Your Highness.” Tense silence fell upon us, both looking like they understood what it meant losing someone dear. And if Prince San was being honest, then this would be my way out of Aurora, out of the Kingdom of the Fallen, “I shall proceed with the task, Your Highness, Sir Jung. Give me at least a month.”
“You can take even a year as long as you do your task.” Prince San said with a chuckle, looking like a stone had been lifted off his chest.
“Don’t fail us, Miss Hong.” Sir Jung didn’t let his guard down as easily as the prince, however, and the subtle look he sent my way was threatening. I understood. Failing meant death. But I wouldn’t let that happen.
“I won’t.” My voice was strong and I bowed, out of respect and a way of letting them know that I would be leaving now, I wouldn’t want to overstay my welcome.
“Take care, and send us a letter if you need anything,” Prince San smiled, just barely, “I will be keeping an eye on you still, just to make sure you’re safe and everything is working out.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” I bowed my head again, and was slightly startled when a girl, who was smaller than myself and frail looking, emerged from the sofa. How did she manage to conceal herself so well? She looked shy as she avoided looking at me, eyes fixated on Sir Jung as she hurried towards him, “I’ll be on my way.”
“Safe travels.” The prince’s voice carried over the faint whispers of Sir Jung as I turned and stalked towards the door, intrigued by the gasp I heard. I gripped the heavy door and as I went to push it open, I dared a glance backwards, finding the girl seated where Prince San had been previously sat, her eyes round as she stared up at a smirking Jung Wooyoung. And Choi San sported the same expression as he walked behind her, hands slowly slipping over her shoulders, towards her chest. I didn’t want to witness something that wasn’t for my eyes, so I hurriedly fled the room and then the mansion altogether, mind a mess as I tried to work out the best plan to approach the King, and kill him. The waxing crescent moon witness to my new turmoil.
The streets of the burgh of Aurora in the daytime were a big contrast compared to its nighttime shenanigans. It was lively and filled with people going on and about their day, trying to catch the last paper at the printing house, buying resources or selling their best products at the market. Despite the wind being harsh today, it didn’t deter people from coming out to bargain, with the occasional fight breaking out in the square, rowdy men desperate to showcase who was most domineering. I remained inconspicuous as I stood behind the stand of a herbal stall, the vendor a very lovely old lady that would let me work for her while my brother was still alive. I rarely came to the market anymore, having found different ways for survival. Perhaps I was dumb for testing my luck day after day, but three years ago, I lost the reason I had been living for. And on that same day I was branded, forever belonging to King Jeong Yunho. I wasn’t afraid of death anymore; it was only a matter of time until it would catch up to me. Stealing and getting caught only resulted in a severed hand, I would still have my other one if King Jeong felt generous that day. But in order to observe the King and follow through with the task Prince San had tasked me with, I needed to be in the most populated areas, areas which the King often frequented. And the market and square were those places. The King would parade around every day with his Royal Guards, surveying the place and taking anything he liked without as much as a ‘thank you’. Everything belonged to him, he could take whatever he pleased without any consequence. It was something we had grown familiar with quite soon after he proclaimed himself the new King of the Kingdom of the Fallen. It was no secret that Jeong Yunho killed his own father to become King much faster, to assert a regime that his father, the late King Choi, would have absolutely hated and refuted. But as long as Prince Choi San was alive, there would always be a glimmer of hope for better times. Times that would perhaps come sooner than expected if I was successful with my mission.
I had been arranging the spearmint when an old lady stopped in front of the stand, leaning on a cane, face wrinkly, her sniffing loud as she stared at all the herbs displayed on the wooden table. It was cold today, yet the old lady lacked a coat that would protect her from the harsh wind. My eyebrows furrowed, and after checking that my black shawl was in place and covering the lower half of my face, I stepped forward.
“Good morning,” I greeted the lady with an easy smile, “How may I help you?”
Her eyes slowly travelled up to my face, and I was greeted with an unfortunate sight. Her eyes were clouded with cataracts, yet they fell perfectly on my own eyes, “Dear one, please help me out a little.”
Her voice was raspy and airy, so I nodded and went around the stand to approach her, the cacophony of the market too loud for her to properly hear me.
“What would you like to buy?” I asked once I have stopped next to the lady, her grey eyes focused on the herbs.
“I’m too old for my own good,” The old lady muttered with a sad chuckle, “my joints aren’t in their best shape. Do you have something to soothe the ache? Something strong and efficient.”
I hummed and glanced at the wooden table, knowing very well what would help ease the old lady’s pain a little, “Nettle will be great for your painful joints, ma’am. Would you like some?”
“Yes, please.” She nodded, eyes falling on me again, “Could you give me five leaves? That wouldn’t be more than two shillings, right?”
“No, it wouldn’t.” I reassured her with a smile as I walked back behind the stand and crouched down to grab a smaller brown parchment roll. I stood and grabbed five leaves as the loudness of the market seemed to get even louder at once, until it slowly started turning into a low murmur, becoming a mere hum. I paid it no mind as I carefully packed the nettle leaves the old lady asked for, slipping in three more without anyone noticing, before I wrapped the parchment up, making sure the leaves wouldn’t slip out, “It’ll be one shilling, ma’am.”
Despite speaking softly, my voice sounded almost too loud in the sinister silence falling upon the market, and it took me a little to realize what was happening. The old lady seemed unfocused as she had turned around, stepping back to the point she was almost pressed up fully against the wooden table of the stand. Nobody moved, nobody blinked, nobody spoke, nobody breathed. My hands clenched into fists and my leather gloves crunched at the motion, almost too loud in the deafening silence. The hooves of the horses were loud against the cobblestones and the crowd parted in the middle, scurrying to make way for the King and his Royal Guards. Despite not wanting to see them, I couldn’t help but turn my head and watch like the rest of the market, as the tall black horse rode at the front, a Friesian, carrying the King proudly on his back. Nobody would’ve been able to guess the horrors caused by the soft featured King, whose cheeks were full and tinged red due to the cold air, lips full and a dark red, eyes rather round than sharp. And yet, the emotionless expression on his face and the constant leer present on his features would make anyone reconsider their perception of the King, cowering in fear as his dark eyes would settle on you, lips pulling up in pleased smugness at the blatant fear displayed by his people. Everybody hated him, yet nobody was brave enough to finally stand up to him.
Four guards followed after him, a man with silver blonde hair and a towering height that matched the King’s following close behind with his own horse on the King’s right side, with his left side being claimed by a long-haired redhead, with eyes so haunting that they always stared right into your soul. Those two were the King’s Royal Guards, always by his side, his right hands. The King went nowhere without the two, and the silver blonde haired man was like a hound, always breathing down the King’s neck, possessive and murderous at the slightest hint of threat. One would think his obsessive behavior was concerning, but he took his job too seriously, having vowed his life to the King a long time ago. The woman wasn’t much better, but she at least was sly and coy about it, always surveying everyone and everything, sensing danger before it would happen.
The King and his guards passed by the herbal stall, and the poor old lady jumped and covered her eyes as she hung her head low, making sure she didn’t look at the King for too long. Nobody dared look at him for more than a few seconds, afraid that he’d misunderstand their curious stare and sentence them to a painful death. It wouldn’t have been the first time. But I wasn’t scared of death nor the King, and I allowed my eyes to follow his form as he came to a halt just a few stands down, where a loose-mouthed man sold jewelry. They were one of the finest you could find at the market, pricey too if you weren’t on good terms with him. I watched as the silver blonde haired guard got off his horse the second the King’s stopped, and hurried to stand next to the tall Friesian as King Jeong released the reigns, turning his head left and right slowly. The redhead followed close behind, stopping mere millimeters behind the tall guard, the two sharing a sharp glance as the male extended his hand to help the King down. The other two older guards remained on their horses, eyes surveying the market as their faces remained emotionless. I glared at the back of the King’s head sharply, his blood red gown decorated with golden accents too bright and contrasting against his otherwise black attire. His black riding breeches were tucked inside his tall riding boots, covering and protecting the King’s calves, reaching almost up to his knees, the fabric of the pants no doubt worth more than everything I’ve ever owned altogether. A thick looking black shirt clung to his broad body tightly, top buttons threatening to pop as the King rolled his shoulders a few times backwards, patting the silver blonde haired man on the back a little forcefully. The guard adorned a coat that reached mid-thigh, colors similar to the King’s, however his was rather black than red and it was adorned with red and golden accents showing his rank, and that he belonged to the Jeong Royal Court. The redhead’s coat reached down to her ankles and had intricate designs of red and golden down the back of the fabric, hair tucked under the coat.
The King moved, and I found my eyes fixating on him again, sneering to myself as he walked towards the vendor with the gemstones and jewelry. My body reacted instantly at the sight of his right hand, memory burned into my skin, quite literally, for the rest of my counted days. The King’s left hand was protected from the cold with a glove that looked like it was a soft material, however, his right hand was bare of such protection. Instead, his right hand was adorned by rings, claws, that I still could feel in my worst nightmares pressing into my skin. They were made of steel, and they were sharp, the jewelry on his fore- and middle finger sharp to the point they could cut your flesh. The ornaments clung to his long fingers like they were his second skin, part of him. The ring on his middle finger adorned a huge ruby, an addition to the piece made by King Jeong himself. His ring finger was decorated by a ring that curved to the side, caging his pinky finger in as well, which was decorated by a piece that could be compared to a miniature spear. The King’s right hand was a weapon in its own, easily able to stab and kill you just with his bare fingers. The ornaments were a family heirloom, one that only the King was allowed to wear, yet they haven’t been this sharp until they fell into the claws of Jeong Yunho. Their intricate design made them beautiful, but they carried too much terror with them for one to appreciate their beauty.
My eyes snapped up from his hand upon hearing his voice, a sound I still had nightmares about, “Chwe, did the gems arrive?”
“Your Grace,” The vendor called Chwe Hansol quickly bowed his head deeply, “yes, the gems have arrived this morning.”
���Perfect.” The King’s lips pulled to the side, the smirk making his whole demeanor more predatory. Despite only being able to see the side of his face, I knew he had a hungry glint in his eyes as the vendor grabbed a small wooden chest and opened it for the King. The redhead had started walking around while still remaining close to the King, inspecting the items the neighboring vendors of Mr. Chwe had. Everyone was tense as the King wordlessly grabbed the gemstones and inspected them from close, face becoming devoid of emotion again, eyebrows pulling into a frown slowly. I was sneering before he spoke up, well-aware that nothing would please the King, no matter how high quality it was.
“You call this a gem?” The King scoffed, irritation lacing his voice as he threw the gemstones back inside the little wooden chest harshly. Nobody would’ve handled the pricey gems like that, but when you had all the power and money in the world, one wouldn’t care, Jeong Yunho certainly didn’t. I couldn’t help the dark expression that crossed my face, eyes boring into the side of the King’s face, wondering suddenly that if I were to throw my dagger straight into his neck, how many more seconds I’d have left on this Earth before his loyal dogs would murder me in cold blood. Scarily, almost as if the silver blonde haired man was a mind reader, his head whipped around and his sharp eyes found mine, small eyes narrowing and making them appear even smaller. His impassive expression would’ve been nerve wrecking to one that appreciated their life, but I didn’t care for my safety. I had nothing left for me in this world anymore. The redhead was still roaming around, commenting at times about the quality of products, and she took a scarf without dropping any shillings to the poor vendor, her face twisting for a second before she fixed it and thanked the redhead for appreciating her merch.
“Your Grace,” Mr. Chwe found his voice, yet it sounded terrified, “These are from the Kingdom of Light, finest of its kind and most sought after—”
“Are you saying that I am stupid and can’t recognize real gemstones?” The King spat, leaning over the stand, his glaring eyes boring into the vendor’s. The man started to shake, and I grit my teeth to stop myself from interfering. If I got killed right now, I would fail the crown prince, and I couldn’t do that.
“No—no, Your Grace!” The vendor exclaimed, shaking his head furiously, “Your Grace knows better than I will ever know! I was merely say—saying what has been relayed to myself as well, Your Grace. I am ashamed of ever suggesting such thing, and I will never show my face around—”
“Now, now,” The King snickered, lips pulled into an amused, yet irritated, smirk, “don’t be a yapping little boy, are you going to cry?”
My jaw clenched and I found myself gripping onto my skirt tightly, breaths coming out shallow as the silver blonde haired man was still staring into my soul, watching my every move. His lips were pulled into a sneer, and I didn’t fail to notice his hand tightening around the handle of his sword.
“N—no, Your Grace.” Mr. Chwe lowered his eyes and shook his head, lips pulled into a thin line as his whole being shook, “Unless it’s what Your Grace wants me to do—”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” The King threw his head back and laughed, yet it lacked amusement and was laced with sheer craze, the sound sending shivers down my spine, “You’d cry for your King?”
Mr. Chwe’s head was shaking as he nodded, still staring at the ground. The King suddenly hissed and I almost took off towards the two as his right hand sprung forward, gripping the vendor’s jaw so hard his claws practically tore into his skin. The man’s face contorted in pain, yet he made no sound except the quiet gasp he accidentally let out, “Then cry for me, you pathetic fool.”
The King leered in the vendor’s face, tone laced with venom, eyes wide as Mr. Chwe watched the King stunned. I bit my lower lip as my eyes switched between the King and his royal guard, whose stare would have long killed me if that were possible. I knew what my eyes conveyed, they were laced with pure hatred and disdain, boring into the King’s profile as my hands shook in anger, threatening to bubble over any time. I was playing a dangerous game; I knew the shawl did little to nothing to conceal my raw emotions pulsating through my eyes.
“Bastards like yourself shouldn’t handle gemstones.” The King hissed just as the silver blonde haired man took off, jaw clenched and eyes set on me, ablaze. I have run out of luck, so it seems. But before he could even come close to the stall I was at, the King’s venomous tone turned to a light and almost airy tone.
“Song Mingi.” It wasn’t a question, nor a chastising, yet the guard froze instantly. His eyes never left my face as the King lazily tuned his head, dark eyes falling on his tall guard. The redhead was by the King’s side instantly, probably thinking that her fellow guardian sensed danger, ready to protect her King. The market seemed frozen in time as nobody spoke or moved, wide eyes now switching between the royal guard, Song Mingi, and myself. For a second, my heart skipped a beat thinking that I have been discovered, recognized, my right hand burning under the leather glove. But as the King’s eyes slowly trailed from his guard onto me, there was no sign of recognition on his face. I gulped, not due to nervousness, but because my throat suddenly felt dry, lungs tightening as the King’s dark eyes burned my skin, tearing me apart. The memory was too vivid in my mind despite it happening three years ago, and I realized that even if I tried my best, I wouldn’t be able to mask my hatred towards Jeong Yunho. But perhaps he was so used to that reaction that he didn’t care anymore as a sinister smile suddenly tugged at his red lips, hastily releasing Mr. Chwe, who fell back with a loud gasp. The King slowly stalked towards his loyal guard, yet his eyes never once left my face, amused smirk tugging at his lips. He was amused at the blatant hatred in my eyes, and I had to steel myself to stop the shaking of my hands at the sudden flare of anger I felt coursing through my veins.
“Stand down.” The King hissed in the guard’s ear as he walked past him, sharp claws grazing against the other tall man’s neck, but he didn’t flinch nor react at the contact. My eyes remained on the King as he neared the stand I stood at, the poor old lady gasping and stepping away with a low bow, probably bad for her already hurting and crooked back. I dared say nothing as Jeong Yunho stopped right across me, the table suddenly not enough to put the much-needed space between us. It felt like he had invaded my personal space, dark eyes boring into mine, narrowing into a blazing glare when I didn’t back down. Everyone cowered before the King, and just last minute, to try to make myself seem less suspicious, I finally lowered my eyes at the various herbs on the table, but I refused to bow. The King chuckled, but it sounded more vexed than amused. I didn’t care.
“Mingi,” He called out, voice low and dark, “grab those gemstones for me, will you?”
I didn’t glance up as I heard Mr. Chwe whimper and mutter apologies, a sharp cry leaving his lips. I could only hope the wound the King’s royal guard left wouldn’t be fatal. The King’s gloved hand suddenly entered my vision as he started touching the herbs displayed on the table, humming lowly in the back of the throat. I followed his hand with my eyes, jaw clenching when he scoffed, probably not satisfied by the scarce display of herbs. Of course, it couldn’t be compared to what he was aided with at the Castle, yet that was a thought Jeong Yunho wouldn’t be able to wrap his mind around.
“You’re running low on spearmint, little dove.” His velvety voice was mocking, and I felt his sharp gaze on my face as I gulped down the retort I had in mind, and slowly looked up.
“I will stock up on them today, Your Grace.” I couldn’t help but allow my tone to turn venomous when saying his title, “Had I known you were visiting our humble market, I would’ve brought out a wider range of herbs.”
The King chuckled, incredulity crossing his features at the blatant mockery and sarcasm dripping with every word I said, “Can you afford a wider range of herbs?”
“Yes, if those who are taking pay me for my services.” It was dangerous saying such things to the King and so openly, and I couldn’t help but glance at his royal guard as his jaw was clenched, the redhead next to him also throwing daggers my way. But surprisingly, the King just laughed, however, it didn’t sound genuine at all.
“Tell me, little dove, if I really hate a person, would this herb help with getting rid of them?” He cocked an eyebrow as he traced his gloved fingers delicately against a green leaf, slightly bigger than most. It was tucked almost underneath another plant, and I had missed that we had it displayed. It shouldn’t even be there; the plant was dangerous and poisonous even at the softest touch.
“Using a Dieffenbachia would lead to a painful and slow death, Your Grace.” I answered as the King grabbed the leaves with his gloved hand, a crazed grin decorating his lips.
“Nothing more entertaining than a slow and painful death, little dove.” The King whispered, dark eyes boring into mine as a harsh gust of wind blew through the market, pushing the shawl off my head, exposing my dark curls. Thankfully it was tied around my nape and it didn’t fall off my face as well, yet I didn’t miss the way the King’s eyes quickly racked over my newly exposed features.
“If you want them to choke to death, you can let them drink the tea ground from its leaves.” I found myself saying, my tone challenging, wondering where this conversation was leading to. The King bit his lower as he looked down at the leaves, chuckling to himself before placing them back down and holding only one still as he raised his hand up, directing it towards my face. I didn’t flinch away, I didn’t even blink as my eyes bore into Jeong Yunho’s, an intrigued glint in his.
“Would you eat it if your King asked you to?” His tone dropped to a low baritone as he tilted his head to the left, features becoming cold. My jaw clenched, and I fought my instincts of turning around and running away as a chuckle left my lips.
“I would like to know how I have wronged you, Your Grace, that you seem to hate me so much you want my dismay.” I raised an eyebrow, the King’s lips slowly pulling into an amused smirk, eyes widening as he tapped the leaf against the tip of my nose, making my palms ball up into fists at my sides. My heartrate had picked up, but I forced myself to remain calm. He could force it down my throat, of course, and then the whole mission would fail because of me.
“Killing people doesn’t always need to have a reason,” Everything in my screamed to break his face in half, but I just bit my lower lip underneath my shawl and tried to regulate my breaths, “I’ll spare you today, little dove. You could be a green witch instead of wasting your life away here, behind a stand, selling herbs to useless people that have no idea how to use them.”
The King placed the Dieffenbachia leaf back to where it initially was and leaned just slightly forward, his eyes searching mine. I huffed, smiling underneath my shawl sarcastically, tilting my head as I raised my eyebrows at him, “So that you’ll have a reason to kill me because I’m a green witch?”
Not that the King needed an actual reason to kill someone.
“No, I wouldn’t kill you if you were my little green witch, little dove.” His voice darkened just as his face did, eyes turning cold and lips turning into a hungry leer as his eyes took in my face, traveling lower, all over my body. I hated the possessiveness he displayed, even more so because I was his, he just didn’t know it. The scar burned on my hand, and it felt so hot that I almost subconsciously yanked my leather glove off my hand. But if I did that, he’d know, and I’d rather die than let the King know.
Just as I opened my mouth to refute such scenario, his royal guard stepped in, looking completely fed up with the exchange between the two of us as his expression was dark, very clearly fuming while the redhead stood a little behind, smirking at the silver blonde man. We made eye contact for a second, and she subtly nodded her head towards me, prompting me to avert my eyes and look at the King again.
“My King, we should get moving.” Song Mingi’s voice was gruff, low, and raspy as his sharp eyes pierced my skull, “We have what we came for.”
“No need to rush, my Mingi,” The King chuckled, grinning at his guard, “I think we should look around today, make sure everything is as it should be. That everyone respects their duties, and King.”
I smirked as the King threw me a glare, for some obscure reason letting me off the hook despite disrespecting him so clearly and constantly.
“Keep your eyes wide open, little dove,” He sneered, jaw clenching, “you might just fall prey to a big, bad, terrifying hunter.”
I bowed my head deeply in plain mockery as the King hissed, turning around and stalking towards his Friesian. To my surprise, and everyone else’s, the redhead walked up to me and tossed a pouch filled with shillings at my chest, smirking in amusement before she was headed for her own horse. Song Mingi seemed displeased and mad, his shoulder knocked against the redhead’s when they crossed paths, and as he mounted his horse, he threw me such a murderous look that it easily rivalled the King’s. And before anyone could even digest the fact that I just got paid by the King despite him not buying anything from me, the King and his royal guards took off, horses neighing and hoofs loud as they galloped away.
Despite the sun settling high up in the sky blazing down on Aurora, the mist settled upon the market never quite went away, the mood of people rather gloomy to after the King’s visit. It had been only a few hours since he had waltzed in with his royal guards, yet it felt like mere minutes. The King’s presence was everlasting and blood-curdling, you couldn’t escape it even if he wasn’t there anymore. It shouldn’t have been surprising, upon one glance, he could make anyone cower in fear, even the bravest and strongest soldier. I had gone about my day, selling and conversing amicably with other vendors while making sure I paid attention to the smallest shift in the atmosphere, so, I wasn’t too surprised to hear a spine-chilling scream cut off the conversation I was having with Mr. Chwe. After the King had left, I rushed to his side and patched him up, the cut on his cheek the only damage done to him, thankfully, and it wasn’t too deep either. Song Mingi had been lenient this time, it was rare. But I suppose the King needs its gemstone supplier alive if he plans on importing more treasures at a low, and illegal, price. What the King wanted, he got, no matter whether it was just or wrong.
Everyone froze as more shouting came from the square, and as the horns were blown, my muscles tensed and my stomach dropped. An execution would take place. The air was charged with suspense as everyone seemed to be at a standstill for a second before they started rushing towards the square, vendors leaving their stands unattended, civilians pushing each other aside to reach the square faster. I wasn’t in a rush, but when the King’s royal guards started shouting at everyone to move to the square while shoving people forward, I knew I had no choice but to actually attend the execution. Not that I had a choice, everyone had to attend these shenanigans of the King. My heart started racing as a man stood on the raised platform in the middle of the square, held by none other than Song Mingi and another guard, who was gruff and angry looking. I gulped as I made sure my shawl covered my face and hair, adjusting my leather gloves as suddenly they felt like they were slipping off my hands. My scar was itching, I knew it was just my brain making me believe that the wound was fresh again, but I couldn’t force myself to stop when my eyes fell on the King, the malicious smirk on his lips morbid. He stood at the side of the platform, looking like he had never been more entertained in his life before as the man his guards held on to was wriggling around frantically, whatever he was shouting didn’t make sense anymore.
I gulped hard as the King’s eyes surveyed the crowd, but when they moved past me, I felt myself relaxing just slightly. The crowd that had gathered around was murmuring lowly, everyone wondering the reason for this execution as there were some people pushing around others in order to get to the front. I did not understand the morbid need of humans to see such gruesome scenes that were to follow in a few minutes, but I couldn’t fight against the wave as I was shoved to the front. My jaw clenched and my hands turned into fists as a man was mumbling to himself behind me, urging the King on to kill the poor civilian.
“Residents of Aurora!” The King’s deep voice boomed over the masses, crazed eyes setting on the crowd. His cheeks were tainted red still, lips redder than they were in the morning, and his black hair seemed dishevelled, “We have gathered here to teach you a lesson, again.”
The crowd froze as the King leered at everyone, stepping up onto the platform, making the civilian scream that he wasn’t guilty, that he didn’t do anything wrong. The King walked past him, but turned sharply and threw such a hard blow against the man’s jaw that I heard something crack. The crowd gasped loudly and I exhaled sharply, trying to calm the rage that was slowly bubbling up in my bloodstream. I couldn’t act out right now, it would bring my dismay, the mission would be over before I could have even started it.
“This man here,” Jeong Yunho’s gloved hands slipped through the strands of the man’s matted hair, and he yanked the man’s head back harshly as he faced the crowd, the King’s neck and ears red from rage, “tried to take something that doesn’t belong to him.”
“Your Grace, I—”
“Silence!” Song Mingi hissed and threw a blow to the man’s gut. He would’ve toppled over if it weren’t for the two guards holding him up. The redhead had sat on the raised platform, shoulders hunched forward as her eyes watched the crowd closely, uncomfortably settling on me for a second too long. I ignored her haunting gaze, and instead looked at the King.
“Will you try and lie your way out of this, peasant?” The King hissed as his ablaze eyes snapped towards the man, who had started whimpering and shaking his head, “You tried to take my riches, peasant. The King’s possessions, more specifically.”
“I—I wasn’t, I swear—” Jeong Yunho’s face twisted into something dark and sinister as he leaned down and got all up in the poor man’s face.
“Were you really not?” The King’s voice was barely above a whisper, laced with calmness. It was frightening, the whole square went silent as the wind howled between the buildings and abandoned stands. The redhead was swinging her legs back and forth, Song Mingi’s face twisted in disgust as the man he was holding had tears streaming down his face.
“I’m sorry, Your Grace.” He averted his eyes to the ground, lips shaking. It was foolish of him trying to take the King’s ornaments, but I could understand him. He was probably so hungry that he was desperate enough to do something like this. Unfortunately, it would bring his end…or perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, a way out of Aurora forever.
“Shame your apology means nothing to me.” The King whispered, releasing the man as he walked forward to the edge of the platform, the redhead’s back straightened and she stopped swinging her legs. The King briefly glanced at her and she got off hastily, standing to the side as Song Mingi directed the smallest of smirks at her, visibly pissing the redhead off. It was slightly frightening how her height almost matched the King’s and Song Mingi’s, barely a few inches shorter than the two men. She was a powerful warrior and a strong soldier of the Royal Guard.
“There’s order in this world,” The King started, voice eerily steady as a slow grin stretched over his features, “There’s laws in this world, and they have to be respected. They will be respected as long as you all are under my watch, bevans. It’s hilarious how dumb you all are to think that you could touch something that belongs to your King, let alone try and steal it. Such behaviour will not be forgiven, and thus it will be punished accordingly.”
The King paused, licking his lips, right hand settling on the handle of the sword he had sheathed around his hips. My body was tense and my heart was beating loudly, almost so loud that I couldn’t hear the King’s words anymore. Goosebumps covered my skin everywhere, and suddenly the shawl around the lower half of my face made it hard to breathe, it felt like panic was overtaking my whole being. I felt like Jeong Yunho could see through me and I’d be the next one executed today. What if he somehow just knew that his brother sent me to assassinate him? What if the redhead and Song Mingi also knew and were only waiting for the right moment to snatch me away and kill me in the most antagonizing and slow way? My breath stuttered in my throat when the King’s eyes suddenly fell on me, as if he remembered who I was after all those years.
“Usually, severing the hand you had stolen with would do the deed,” The King tsked, dark eyes boring into mine as my right hand was burning up, “But this time it won’t be no good. I have been too lenient with my people lately; I fear you are forgetting the rules.”
The crowd muttered in discomfort as everyone hung their heads low, not wanting to be the next targeted by the King. But I couldn’t look away as Jeong Yunho smirked, narrowing his eyes challengingly at me. I would be next if I didn’t succumb to him, so, I gritted my teeth and lowered my head until the cobblestones were the only thing I could see. The King chuckled as I heard his sword being drawn.
“Good,” He leered, tapping his sword against the wooden platform, “Now, watch.”
Almost at an instant, the crowd whipped their heads up as the King walked towards his two guards, nodding once at Song Mingi as the poor man started frantically begging the King to let him off this time, that he’d serve him for the rest of his life, that he could take both hands if he wanted to. Song Mingi and the other guard holding him down suddenly forced him forward, pushing his head down onto the long table, his chin hitting the table loudly.
“No, please!” The man started shouting, trashing around, but the redhead was up on the platform in an instant, pushing his back flush against the table so that he wouldn’t move around so much, “No—no! I swear! I swear I will do anything! Please, please, be merciful Your Grace, I regret what I had done, I really do! Spear me this one time! Your Grace!”
But the King stood by the edge of the table, next to the man’s head, staring down at him with dead eyes, expression soulless. Because he didn’t have a soul, because Jeong Yunho was the Devil himself, not even trying to disguise it anymore.
“You seem to have forgotten that you are my property, bevan, and I do whatever I want to you.” The King hissed, raising his sword up high, held by both hands. My heart was beating out of my chest, and there was a collective gasp as time seemed to slow down. It wasn’t my first time seeing a beheading, and I knew it wouldn’t be my last either, but the ear-piercing shrill scream the man let out before the King’s sword came harshly down on his neck, slashing his skin, was deafening, and it made my ears ring. The sound of skin splitting open, blood gushing out, the crunching of bones, and then the hard thud of something heavy made me so nauseous that I was afraid I would throw up right then and there. My eyes were glued to the headless body that now lay limply on the table, the three guards releasing it as they stepped back. My eyes were frozen on the stray head that fell onto the platform, slowly rolling forward. It brought blood in its wake, oozing out of it, out of the headless body, his once soulful eyes now wide and unblinking, and mouth open in a silent scream. The man’s eyes were now glossed over and empty, mouth making no noise anymore, yet I could still hear his scream. My body was shaking, my mind was numb, and my right hand felt like it was slowly melting off around the scar. There was someone crying in the crowd, loudly, then there were people who were gagging. Nobody was looking at the head, nobody but me. I couldn’t look away, the rage in my bloodstream forced me to keep looking at it, to lament at the feeling, to gather it deep inside myself and channel it into every particle of my body that wanted to kill the King.
I flinched as the head fell off the platform and continued rolling towards the crowd, towards me. And despite how gruesome it looked, I couldn’t look away, I didn’t want to anymore. My body and brain weren’t working in sync anymore, my thoughts were a bit hazy as my leg raised and stepped on the left cheek of the man’s head, stopping it from rolling forward anymore. A woman next to me toppled over and threw up, everyone else gasping and rushing away from us. Everyone watched, yet nobody wanted to touch it. What was so different about it now? Weren’t we all partaking in the man’s ruthless death either way? A floorboard creaked and my head snapped up, greeted by the tall form of the King as he closed in on me, eyes burning and face covered in droplets of blood. It dripped off his chin rhythmically, soaking his black shirt underneath his gown covered in the Royal colours. The smell of iron flooded my nostrils at once, almost as if the King reeked of it himself, and a sudden dizziness hit my head. But I didn’t look away, I didn’t move. The square was dead silent as the King crouched down without breaking eye contact, he was breathing through his nose hard, jaw clenched. I kept my eyes on his as I looked down at him, left hand fisting my long skirt, brushing against the metal handle of my dagger hidden underneath my thick belt. It would’ve been so easy to kill him, but the risk of failure was too high.
Suddenly, something was yanked out from underneath my foot and it hit the ground harshly, rattling my ankle, making my eyebrows furrow as the King stood to its full height, looming over me. The smell of iron was strong, but something even stronger clashed with it, the smell of vetiver. The King’s lips were parted as he breathed through his mouth, tongue poking out to wet his lips, his chocolate brown eyes blown wide with a darkness I didn’t understand yet. He looked like a man who was crazy, ready to annihilate anything in its path. I was in his path, and he would get rid of me just for the fun of it. I didn’t even realize I had been holding my breath until the King’s eyes finally left my face, he looked over my head at the shocked crowd, holding the dead man’s head up high.
“This,” His harsh voice boomed over the silent square, “is what happens to those disobeying their King!”
I felt eyes on me, I was aware of everything around myself, but I could only stare at the King’s face as everyone else looked somewhere else. Everything was too fresh in my mind, that day when he maimed me, the day I lost my brother…it was suffocating, it was eating me up. I couldn’t breathe anymore, I needed to get air despite being out in the open square. The harsh wind wasn’t cold anymore, my body had become numb to it. My figure was trembling so hard I could hear and feel my teeth clattering against each other, my lips quivering. Yet no tears clouded my eyes, heart too stale and dry to cry anymore. There was nothing except rage and fright left in my body, and the desperate yearning for freedom. The terror wouldn’t stop as long as Jeong Yunho was alive. And when I looked up at his face again, eyes shaking in blind rage, I was surprised to find the same expression on the King’s face. He was sneering, cheeks red and nose flaring as he glared me down, his hand holding the head shook. He wanted all of us dead, and all of us wanted him dead.
My hand tightened around the handle of the dagger, and if I closed my eyes, I could everything play out in front of me. All I had to do was yank the dagger out from underneath my belt, grab onto the King’s gown and yank him closer to myself, pull him down so that we’d be eye-level so that I’d stare into his eyes full of hatred while I plunge the dagger deep inside his neck, cutting his artery. Blood would gush out, spraying on me, coating me in his royal blood, one that was red instead of blue and tasted of iron, just like of the man’s he’s killed. I wanted to stare him in his dark eyes as the life left his, wanted to hear him gargle on his own warm blood, wanted to hear his gasp for air helplessly as everyone watched him fight for his stupidly mortal life. I wanted him to suffer, to feel like everyone he’s ever hurt or killed. I wanted him to shake in terror as his life slipped away from him without him being able to do anything about it. I wanted him to beg to be speared, to be saved, to be forgiven. I wanted him to crumble at my feet and clutch at my legs, grip loosening the harder he fought to stay alive. What a stupid mortal this King was.
Powerless, defenceless, helpless.
“Scatter around everyone!” Song Mingi’s harsh and raspy voice boomed through the square, sharp eyes frightening everyone away, “Go back to your stands!”
There was a promise in the King’s eyes before he turned and threw the head onto the platform, some men from the pub rushing over to clear the platform. And I was walking away stiffly, hand still clutching my dagger as I tried to ignore the painful itch of my scar. It felt like daggers were thrown towards me, and I didn’t have to look back to see the King, the redhead, and Song Mingi stare at my retreating form. I didn’t have to look back because I knew I had made myself the King’s target, a price on my head if I were to misbehave even in the slightest bit. And I didn’t have to see or hear the King as his lips moved, words hushed as he instructed his trusted royal guard to keep an eye on me, suspicious of my identity and intentions.
Once the devil catches you, you can’t escape its clutches ever again. He holds you down, robs you of your soul and sucks the life out of you until you’re nothing but a shell of what you once used to be. He sucks you dry of your life essence; he robs you of the light in your eyes, of the love harboured inside of you, of all of your joy, of the will to continue living. And once he’s done with you, he leaves you alone in this world to rot away, to suffer, to cry, to hate, until your heart is nothing but a rotten fruit. A damned fruit.
Forbidden, tempting, dangerous.
If famish wasn’t such a strong state of mind, so strong that it consumes your thoughts in its entirety, the damned fruit would’ve remained untouched. But when famish mingles with fear and pain, it leaves you desperate enough to go to lengths that you know once caught would make you suffer.
There was nobody but myself to blame as I was veered inside the cold Throne Room, heart pounding and eyes tear filled as people moaned and groaned in pain, a line consisting of five people in front of me. The grip on my right arm was so painful and so tight that it probably had already cut off my blood flow, and I couldn’t fight it off. I was frail and small, a man twice my size and height could easily do whatever to me. And yet, despite knowing that I might not see another sunrise, all I could think about was my sickly brother laying in his bed, struggling to breathe while hungry. I had almost made it outside the market when I heard someone chase after me, shouting as they closed in on me. Somebody saw me take the damn apple, and they snitched to the Royal Guard, to Song Mingi. All I wanted was to feed my sick brother, to prolong his time in this world and fulfil one wish of his. He just wanted to eat an apple.
My body trembled as the lady at the front of the line wailed in pain, choking on her own screams as the smell of burnt skin was horrid in the room, bringing acid into my throat. I was nauseous, I felt like passing out. I tried to yank my arm free again and bolt out of the Throne Room, but the guard holding me just hissed and yanked me forward as the sobbing woman was dragged away, hand cradled to her chest. I couldn’t look, I was too afraid. I knew what would happen to me, everybody knew what would happen to them if they dared steal, but I didn’t want to accept it yet. I just couldn’t. If the King branded you, you were his for eternity.
The Devil would find you in his next life, and he would claim you again as his. He would make you suffer; he would torture you and laugh while you beg for forgiveness.
I jumped as a man at the front started begging loudly, falling to his knees as his arm was forced onto the marble table, the fireplace blazing the closer we got to it. There were only three more people in front of me. The man started crying, trying to free himself, but the King’s laughter echoed in the vast Throne Room, and then the man’s scream was so loud it made my ears ring. I fought against the grip on myself again, breathing getting shallow as my heart was beating so fast, I thought I would die from heart failure before the sizzling metal rod could even touch my skin.
“Stop whimpering, you stupid bitch.” The tall man holding me hissed, sharp eyes boring into mine as he loomed over me with his lanky form. He was frightening, he was the Devil’s right hand, he was his Beelzebub. It felt like the room was closing in on me despite its grandiose size, like it was about to swallow me whole as perspiration gathered on my brows, slowly dripping down my temples. I couldn’t breathe when another man was maimed, marked for life, screams echoing in the vast chamber. My captor just smirked as the fear I felt reflected off my face, pulling me closer towards my tormentor. I wanted to run away, I wanted to save myself, I needed to return to my brother, but I wasn’t strong enough.
The King’s face was twisted in a sick expression as he pressed the metal rod into another man’s hand, his victim having long fainted. The man lay limply on the floor when the guard holding him up released him, and the King kicked him, but the man didn’t budge. The King’s jaw clenched and he groaned, looking at the guard who had held the man as if he was exasperated by his incompetence.
“Take this scum away, you fool!” He hissed, dark eyes settling on his guard as he bared his teeth at him. The King was even scarier in person, from up close, in the Throne Room. His red cheeks and burgundy tainted lips could’ve fooled anyone who didn’t know him. Why did a Devil like him have such soft features when all he did was hurt and hurt others, terrorize them and make them wish they were never born? Why was someone with an Angel face a creature so dark everyone feared its name and existence? My body shook uncontrollably as I realized I was next in line. Time stood still for a second, everything disappearing around me as my ears rung and eyes saw white only. And then, as my captor tugged on my arm, everything hit me at full force.
My rapid heartbeat, the thumping of my head, the desperation crawling up my throat, the need to save myself, I had to get out. I had to return to my brother, he just wanted an apple. Why was life unfair? Almost as if awoken from a dormant sleep, adrenaline kicked hard through my system, flooding my whole being like I didn’t know it was even possible. My lungs expanded and muscles tensed, and when Song Mingi tugged on my arm again, barely three steps away from the marble table, I jumped. I jumped and I kicked at the man’s chest, scratching his neck and making him yelp in pain. Yet he never released me, but I wasn’t giving up. I had to save myself, nobody else would do it for me. And so, I kicked when I was hoisted up by my waist, I screamed at the top of my lungs, I even punched whoever dared touch me. But as if I weighted nothing, I was thrown on the marble table, back hitting it hard, head crushing into the cold table. I gasped, vision fuzzy for a second, until a dark and sinister laugh snapped me back to reality. I froze when I realized I was being held down against the table by Song Mingi, expression so dark I would’ve recoiled if I could’ve. His jaw was clenched and his gaze was so sharp it could’ve cut me if it were possible. But the King, Jeong Yunho, he was calm. He looked the opposite of what his Royal Guard looked like, and something dropped deep in my stomach.
The King looked entertained by the fight I was putting up; he was enjoying it. My lower lip quivered as a hand decorated with rings, metal ornaments, reached out and lightly traced my bottom lip. I couldn’t breathe as my eyes were captivated by Jeong Yunho’s dark ones, pupils dilated as he sneered, a crazed look crossing his features as I gasped for air, trying to catch my breath. The King gripped my jaw tightly, so tightly that I thought he’d break it in two, but what was even more painful were the sharp ends of his rings cutting into my skin. I whimpered as I tried to pull my head away, but I was immobilised by Song Mingi, who was smirking as he watched the exchange.
“Oh, little dove,” The King whispered as his eyebrows furrowed, mock concern crossing his features, “Look at how frightened she is, My Mingi.”
The royal guard’s eyes turned even darker, a predatory look crossing his features as he chuckled, hold on me tightening just a little more as my body started shaking more violently, breathing loud as I breathed through my nose. The King’s smirk matched his guard’s, and he released a long sigh, making me whimper when he dug his sharp claws more into my skin, something hot prickling down my jaw and my neck, disappearing underneath the neckline of my black dress. The King’s eyes followed the drop of blood, and he closed his eyes for a second as he took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, a look so evil was present in his eyes that I shook my head at him involuntarily, begging him wordlessly to spare me, to let me go just this time.
“Oh, little dove,” The King whispered, pursing his blood red lips, suddenly releasing my jaw as he grabbed something. My heart raced faster than before, if that were even possible, and I shook my head as I felt sobs bubbling up my throat.
“Please, please, please,” My voice was hoarse and shaky, my mouth struggled to form the words I so desperately tried to speak, “My brother is sick, please.”
“You know the rules, little dove.” There was almost something like sadness tinging Jeong Yunho’s voice as his mouth pulled to the side, eyes staring off into the blazing fire. My jaw clenched as I looked at what he was holding, and my stomach coiled in even more fear. I couldn’t let this happen, I just couldn’t.
“Let me go, I promise I will never do it again, Your Grace.” I begged, hoping that I could get to him somehow, but the King just hummed as if he wasn’t truly listening to me. I was terrified, but I couldn’t help but feel wronged. If the King provided us with everything we needed, with sufficient food, then we wouldn’t have to go out and steal as a means of survival. He was the one forcing us into doing these things, and yet he was the one punishing us for something he would never change. It was unfair, and I couldn’t help but soak in the sudden anger that flared through my body, making me fight against the royal guard as he pinned my right against the marble table, holding me down by my shoulders with his other hand.
“Why should I pay for something I’m forced to do because you have never once helped your people, Your Grace?” I snapped, glaring at the side of the King’s head. He didn’t react, and I couldn’t remain silent anymore, “Why are you punishing me when you’re the one forcing us to live in poverty and famish, My King?”
I winced when Song Mingi’s elbow dug into my shoulder painfully, but I didn’t stop glaring up at the King as he looked borderline bored, uninterested in what I had to say.
“My brother is dying because of you!” I screamed, losing my sanity as the King didn’t react, only chuckled quietly, “My brother is dying because you took away everything from us and forced us into the slums. My brother is dying because you hold people in such terror that not even an apple can be gifted anymore. I stole that apple, because nobody would give it to me anymore out of kindness. While King Choi was alive, the Kingdom was flourishing. Everyone was happy and content, everyone enjoyed life. You—you are no King, Jeong Yunho—”
“Shut up, wench!” Song Mingi’s face was suddenly looming over mine as he screamed in my face, his whole face red and enraged as I stared back at him wide eyed. My heart was racing and I started trashing around violently, trying to fight the guard off again, but to no avail.
“My Mingi,” The King’s voice was light and soft, head turning to glance down at us, “don’t rile yourself up over the words of a poor peasant.”
“But—My King, she’s—” The guard looked shocked as he stared at the King wide eyed, seemingly confused.
“A stupid, confused, little girl,” The King chuckled, looking down at me with pity on his face that made me sick to my stomach, “she doesn’t know better. Perhaps this will teach her a lesson for once and for all.”
My eyes widened when the King’s hand moved, the sizzling hot rod pulled out of the fire, getting closer and closer to my body as the King moved agonizingly slow, taunting me by the large grin on his face. I whimpered and bit my lower lip, aware that Song Mingi was holding me even firmer than before, jaw set tight as his eyes were glued onto the King.
“No—” I stuttered, gasping for air as the King lightly grazed my hand with his gloved hand, “No! Don’t—don’t touch me!”
A serene smile appeared on his lips, looking into my eyes with a look that made me feel like a small child who had misbehaved and was now getting lectured for it. My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to wriggle myself free, trashing my legs around and trying to push Song Mingi off myself, but his strength was incredible, and I was too frail to even as much as make him budge, “Let go of me! I didn’t do anything wrong! Don’t touch me!”
My throat hurt from my screams, but I wouldn’t give up. I would never, I had to get back to my brother. I couldn’t let that iron rod touch my skin; I’d be the King’s forever. I couldn’t let the Devil bound me to himself, I just couldn’t. I’d never be free again, I’d never be able to leave Aurora, “Now, if you stop throwing a fuss it’ll hurt less, little dove—”
The saliva that had gathered in my mouth landed on the King’s cheek as I spat at him, nose flared and eyes wide in rage and fear as my lungs heaved for air, “You’ll burn in the depths of Hell for—”
The iron grip around my throat rendered me speechless in seconds, before I could finish my curse. My eyes bulged as I clawed at the large hand wrapped around my neck with my left hand, Song Mingi’s grip the last thing I’d feel before I’d meet my death. The King just watched us, he didn’t blink, he didn’t react. His lips twitched, but he said nothing as my spit slowly dripped down his cheek, “My Mingi.”
And before I could even wrap my mind around the sudden oxygen rush in my lungs, a searing pain shot through the top of my right hand, so hot and so painful that a scream was instantly ripped from my hoarse throat. My back arched and fingers scraped at nothing as my right arm was still held down by the guard, the King’s eyes boring onto my face as he watched me frail around in excruciating pain. The smell of burnt flesh was disgusting and it made me gag knowing that it was my own flesh burning, branded by the Crown’s emblem for life. My vision went white for a second as the rod was still burning into my flesh, it felt like it would go through my hand at any given moment, creating a gaping hole in it. I heaved for air as I couldn’t scream anymore, body shaking in shock as suddenly the King smirked, yanking the rod off my hand. A loud sob ripped through my body, right hand shaking so badly that it felt like it was an alien limb, not controlled by my own body. The restricting hands were gone from my body, and I was afraid to look at the damage done. I was on the brink of passing out and throwing up at the same time, when suddenly the King’s gloved hand was in the air, and the next second it was connected to my cheek, sending my head flying to the side. The slap echoed in the vast room, and my sobs instantly stilled as my curly hair fell over my face, shielding it from the eyes of the two tyrants. My body stilled, yet my right hand never stopped shaking. The pain was searing, pulsing, traveling from my hand up to my wrist and my whole arm, making me grit my teeth as I tried not to cry out. It hurt so badly that it made me want to claw at the scorched skin.
“You’re mine, little dove,” The King’s dark words were whispered in my ear, voice deep, “and if you try to run, I will find you, and I will kill you with my own hands.”
“Burn in hell.” I managed to grit out through my teeth, throat feeling like sandpaper. The King chuckled; sound high pitched as I heard the metal rod being thrown onto the marble floor of the Throne Room.
“She’s a handful, My Mingi,” The King mused, and I felt a gloved hand grip my right thigh as I was veered off the table. I managed to sit up last minute and save myself from tumbling onto the floor, “Take her to the dungeons, let’s teach her another lesson for being disobedient and trying to curse her King.”
My eyes widened, desperation clawing at my bones as I tried to push the guard off, but he just grabbed my arms and tied them behind my back before I could even as much as protest. My head was spinning and it was a little hard to realize what exactly was happening, the pain coming from my hand the only thing I could focus on as Song Mingi made me walk, veering me towards some stone stairs at the back of the Throne Room. Yet, I was aware that I needed to go back to my brother.
“No, no, no—my brother—” A sob cut me off as I tried to plead with Song Mingi, but he wasn’t looking at me anymore, expression stone cold as I cried harder, “He’ll die, please!”
I was yanked back by my hair and forced to stop as Song Mingi breathed hard through his nose, eyes burning as he glared at me sharply, “I do not understand why My King spared you, but if you won’t shut your fucking mouth, I will gut you right here and right now. Then, you’ll join your brother you keep wailing for in Eden.”
I gasped as I shoot up, clutching at my chest and right hand shaking from the dull ache coursing through it, sweat covering my face and neck. My heart was beating frantically as I gasped for air, eyes searching my surroundings wildly. It was dark around me, but the moonlight shone through the opened curtains. The little candle I had lit before going to bed had burned out, and the sturdy wood of my bed made my back ache. I was safe. I was in laying in my bed, in my pathetic excuse of a cottage, far away from the Castle and the Throne Room. I tried taking deep breaths, tried slowing my heartbeats, tried to reason with myself that all of that was just a dream. But it wasn’t, it was a reoccurring nightmare of that cursed day. It made me miss my brother even terribly more, and as my eyes shifted towards the small dresser I had across from my bed, my eyes landed on the sketch of the King given to me by Sir Jung. Fury flamed inside my chest as my left hand slipped underneath my cold pillow, and in a swift movement, I pulled my dagger out from underneath and flung it at the sketch as a scream ripped through my lips. Jeong Yunho will pay for everything he’s done.
It had been two weeks since the beheading in the square, two weeks of me spying on the King to my best capacities. It wasn’t easy to remain unseen, but I managed to sneak by his Royal Guards just fine each time. Song Mingi and the redhead weren’t as attentive as they thought they were. Perhaps the King wouldn’t sleep so well at night knowing that his most trusted guards were incapable of sensing danger and noticing the littlest changes around themselves.
The King’s schedule was quite simple and easy. He left the Castle grounds early in the morning to go on a hunt in the forest surrounding his estate, then he’d go down to the market and parade down the wealthier parts of Aurora. It wasn’t too often that he went anywhere else but straight back to the Castle once he was done agonizing his people in the streets, however, he had gone once or twice dangerously close to the mansion Prince Choi and Sir Jung inhibited now. There was also a time when the King was headed to the slums, to a shop famous for its otherworldly businesses, meaning witchcraft. The King wasn’t opposed to it as long as the witches served him, and him alone. Anyone who dared use their knowledge against the King would be burned on a rug, in the square. There had been witch hunts before, they used to be more frequent while King Choi was the ruler as he was opposed to anything that dealt with darkness, however, Jeong Yunho wasn’t like that. He embraced the dark and he craved the power that came with it, a false sense of immortality laying within him. It only took me two days to realize that the King was plotting something, something that was kept hush-hush and a secret from even his two most trusted guards. The King had let them go back to the Castle one afternoon and then he galloped out of Aurora, only returning the next day. I couldn’t go after him, and curiosity ate me up when the next day the King had gone to the same witchcraft shop, staying in there for hours, looking pale and almost ghostly by the time he finally left the shop. If it weren’t for Song Mingi, who was at an instant by the King’s side, he would’ve crumbled to floor and fainted. The King was doing something very highly illicit, and I needed to find out just what. Both for my own sake, but also to help Prince Choi and Sir Jung in taking the Crown from Jeong Yunho.
Tonight hadn’t been different from the King’s daily shenanigans, however, for a change, the King had gone to a run-down pub, located a little bit too close to the slums. He was joined by his two loyal guards, Song Mingi and the redhead. They wore long black gowns to hide their identities as they slipped past the dark shadows coating the streets, the lamplighters not bothering to light the candles in this part of Aurora. Of course, that did not come as a surprise. The only adequately lit parts of our burgh were the market and square, where the royal guards would march around to check if the lamplighters were indeed doing their duties. Nobody cared about those suffering outside of the richer parts of Aurora, nobody cared about people like me.
I pressed closer against the cold brick wall of a rickety hut, barely holding itself up. Many houses looked like that in the area, and it was a truly saddening sight, especially when families with lots of children were forced to live in such conditions due to the King taking everything from them, leaving them to the rats. I tried not to think of those people, it made me remember my brother, and tonight I had to focus. I needed to get closer to the pub somehow, to gain more intel on whatever was going on inside, of what the King was up to once again. But by the time I gathered my courage and came up with a flawed plan, the door to the pub was kicked open and a drunk man stumbled outside, followed by two tall gowned figures. The drunk man was loudly whistling and he stumbled on a misplaced cobblestone, roughly crashing into the side of the pub. He howled in pain, but I paid him no mind as the tall figures turned the opposite way of the drunken man had started tumbling towards, and started walking. Their pace was fast, almost as if they were trying to get away from something.
I took a deep breath and remaining in the shadows, I crept after them, eyes fixated on their tall figures. I kept a few good meters between us, and I made sure to keep my footsteps light, so that they wouldn’t accidentally hear me. The sky was clear for once, and the moonlight was your only guide through the dark streets. For once, I was grateful that the lamplighters didn’t perform to their full capacity and left the slums unattended, making my job so much easier right now. I tried to decipher who was who, but the King and his Guard’s similarity in physique was a scary realization. Perhaps Song Mingi’s shoulders were wider and stance firmer, but I couldn’t say for sure. Especially when their strides seemingly were the same. I couldn’t tell the King and his Guard apart from behind, and I felt anxiety crawl up my throat as I prayed to God that the two wouldn’t separate.
The long street we had been walking down came to a crossroads soon. Going to the left would lead you back to the prettier and cleaner district of Aurora, however, turning right would take you towards the dense and haunting forest, towards the mansion Prince Choi and Sir Jung inhabited. As the two men took a left turn, I came to the alarming realization that the redhead was seemingly nowhere, and she had arrived with them to the pub. Could she have stayed back? Had the two men gotten rid of her? That sounded absurd, everybody knew those in the Royal Guard gave their lives to the King, and the redhead was one of his most devoted soldier, she surely wouldn’t have committed treason against someone she so blindly worshipped. But then where was she? My heart was thumping wildly in my chest as I had started glancing behind myself, paranoid that I was also being followed, probably by the redhead. If they were to catch me now, I would most certainly die as they outnumbered and outpowered me easily. I might have gotten stronger over the past years, but I still remained with a smaller built. And I was no warrior, I lacked the skills they have mastered a long time ago.
The streets turned narrow once again as we got closer and closer to the richer area, cottages in better conditions littering both sides of the street. There were very few candles still alight in the houses, and I had to be more careful as the candle lighting of the streets was better in this area. I pulled the shawl tighter around my face, and made myself smaller as the two men continued walking, but faster than before. I had to run, almost, to keep up with them. My breaths left my mouth in short puffs and as the two men rounded the corner, the main street leading them back to the Castle, I followed suit. However, I almost yelped as I crashed against a hard body, sending me backwards. I instantly panicked, eyes wide in fear as my left hand went to grab my dagger, but the man that I had stumbled into was neither the King nor Song Mingi. It was just a drunken civilian, looking borderline sick. His eyes were squinted and as he tried leaning closer to get a better look at my face, I grabbed his head and pushed him to the side, making him stumble. If I wouldn’t have caught his arm quickly, he would’ve stumbled to the hard cobblestone covered road. I have underestimated his state, and I took pity on him as he looked confused.
“Go home, old man, it isn’t safe out here.” I snapped at him; eyes boring into his. The man just blinked and then nodded once, clumsily taking off again, stumbling into every possible bench and bush he could. I shook my head and quickly rounded the corner, hoping that the distraction wasn’t long enough to make me lose my targets. But, to my misfortune, there was only one tall figure walking down the long street, their pace a lot slower this time. I gulped and pulled the neckline of my own gown tighter around my shoulders, heart beating fast as I hoped the man I was following was indeed the King himself, and not Song Mingi. But I couldn’t be sure, and I was helpless as I followed after him. He was a little ahead, a few good steps, and I refrained from closing the gap again, hesitant to give away my presence just yet. If it wasn’t the King, then I had no reason to follow his Guard, he was of no use to me. My eyebrows furrowed when the tall man took a right turn, going down a street that wasn’t leading towards the Castle anymore. What had they planned? Looking behind myself, left and right too, I made sure I wasn’t followed as I quickly ran down the rest of the street before rounding the same corner the man had, gripping the handle of my dagger. It was a narrow backstreet that connected to a dirt road which led down to a small field if you continued walking left, however, it met with another even shorter path, which was a dead-end behind a fancy Inn. The man continued walking, pace once again hurried, until suddenly a black shadow leaped from the side of a building, knocking the tall man into the narrow dead-end. My eyes widened as I froze in the middle of the street, heart pounding in my chest. What was happening? I should’ve turned around and left, but I had to know whether it was the King or Song Mingi getting attacked in the middle of the night. And so, I pressed myself against the brick wall of the Inn and crept to the edge of the building, peeking my head around the corner, just barely.
The unmistakable silver blonde hair was glinting underneath the moonlight as the hood of Song Mingi’s gown had fallen down, and I hissed in displeasure. I had been fooled. I wasn’t following the King, but Song Mingi. So where had the King gone then? What was he up to again? Or was Song Mingi just getting frisky behind an Inn after a night spent at a pub getting drunk? My question was quickly answered as a hard blow was thrown against the guard’s jaw, sending his head in the opposite direction. The guard hissed and suddenly sprung forward, hand wrapping around the throat of his attacker. But the attacker was quick to fight back, and the person’s nails dug into Song Mingi’s wrist until he was forced to release his attacker. The person grabbed the collar of his gown and pinned him against the wall, face leaning dangerously close to Song Mingi’s. The height difference was minimal between the two, and my eyes widened as the person’s hood slipped from her head, revealing her red hair. What were Jeong Yunho’s royal guards doing in a dead-end, mauling each other around?
“You complete scum!” The redhead’s voice was shaky, laced with venom, “How dare you go to our King and say such lies about me?!”
Song Mingi remained unmoving, finally having given up fighting the redhead. Instead, he leaned his head against the tall cement fence he was pressed up against, and smirked.
“I see My King has let you know about the little change that’s happened.” I watched as the redhead’s grip tightened even more around Song Mingi’s gown.
“I was supposed to go on that mission, Mingi.” The redhead pressed; tone hard.
“And now it’s me going, foxy.” Song Mingi chuckled in amusement, and I heard the redhead let out a frustrated yelp. I pressed myself against the brick wall, turning away from the scene. I could hear the two guards throwing insults at each other, their voices gradually getting louder, but I wasn’t interested in their quarrel. I was here for the King, and I had lost him. Now I wouldn’t know if he was headed back to the Castle or off to doing something unlawful again.
I sighed and rubbed my eyes for a second, gathering my thoughts and energy to head back to the slums, to my pathetic excuse of a hut. The air was chilly again, and I was thankful for the thick gown Prince Choi had sent me three days ago, a small note saying to ‘dress up well, it’s getting colder day by day’ placed on top of the heavy garment. I was thankful, and more than grateful for the gift sent by the Prince. I had nothing to repay him with, but perhaps getting rid of the King was the biggest treasure I could offer to the Prince right now.
I was headed down the short alleyway I had just followed Song Mingi down, meaning to go back onto the main street and then head back home. However, before I could even round the corner fully, gloved fingers curled into the fabric of my expensive gown and yanked me around the corner, throwing me against the bricked wall. I gasped as the wind was knocked out of my lungs, head hitting the wall loudly, making me groan as it shook my skull. As I tried to regain my bearings, I felt the gloved hand slip up towards my throat, long fingers wrapping around my throat and squeezing. I froze, left hand shooting up to hold onto my attacker’s wrist as my eyes finally cleared and were able to focus on the one holding me. And it was none other than Jeong Yunho, the King himself. His jaw was clenched and his eyes were mere slits as he glared down at me, towering over me due to his great height. The pressure around my neck grew stronger and I gasped for air, eyes widening just a little, trying to control the panic raising in my whole being. Being immobilised by the King felt too familiar, I couldn’t help but respond with panic as memories of the day I had been marked by him tried to resurface, remind me of the pain I had felt under his hands.
“What do you want?” The King hissed, lowering his head until he was eye level with me. I tried to gulp, but it was hard. My grip tightened around the King’s wrist, nails digging into his leather glove. I didn’t answer him, and even if I would’ve tried to, the way his hold was tightening stopped me from doing so.
“Who are you, peasant?” The King snapped and leaned even closer; eyebrows furrowed as his eyes travelled all over my face. He wasn’t able to see much of my features, but I knew he could see my eyes just well, and so I glared at him. My heart was racing and I tried to push his hand off, but it only made him squeeze tighter. My lungs started burning, the King was slowly choking me, antagonizing me even now.
“Speak up, wench.” It seemed he had realized I was a woman, disgust coating his features as his hot breath fanned over my cheeks. I grit my teeth and tried to push the King backwards, but he wasn’t budging. Dark sports started covering my vision, and I tried not to gasp for air, refusing to show weakness in front of him again. But as his right hand raised, the sharp edges of his ornaments grazing against the little exposed skin I had, I knew I had to do something. His ring clad fingers gripped at the shawl and my eyes widened more as I realized he was about to yank it off my face. I couldn’t let him see me; it would compromise the whole mission. In my panicked state, I did the next best thing I could that came to mind. I turned my head and bit his exposed right hand, biting through the material of my shawl. It probably wasn’t as painful as it would have been if my shawl wasn’t in the way of my teeth, but the King still hissed and ripped his right hand back, looking surprised. It allowed me little momentum to shake his grip off my neck too as it had loosened, and I lived with the opportunity, grabbing his arm and yanking it off myself. Before the King could fight back, I sprung forward and pushed at his strong chest, making him stumble back a few steps as he didn’t expect my attack.
“Who sent you, little dove?” He leered, eyes ablaze as a smirk slowly slipped onto his lips, looking like he had no intention of holding me again. Yet, he took two steps towards me, watching me like a predator watches its prey. I gulped, suddenly feeling helpless, just like the day I had been held down against the marble table, marked and maimed. I felt like that little girl again as my hands started shaking and mind got clouded with memories, making it harder to breathe through the shawl. The pain I had felt that day suddenly felt too vivid, too real, as my right hand burned, the Crown’s emblem forever burned in my skin. All the King had to do was yank my glove down and see for himself. He would’ve taken me back to the Castle and killed me, or worse, tortured me until he became bored of me.
“If you don’t speak now, I’ll kill you.” The King said in a light tone, smile spreading into a wide grin as his eyes glossed over with darkness. I gulped and steeled my nerves, reminding myself that I wasn’t that defenceless little girl anymore. I wouldn’t sit around and mop as I wait for Death to take me away. I have become stronger, both physically and mentally, and I had a mission. A mission which placed the fate of the Kingdom of the Fallen in my hands.
“You’ll kill me even if I speak.” I hissed, glaring at the King as he started laughing. There was nothing amusing about what I said, it was the mere truth. And as he extended his ring decorated hand towards my face again, I pulled my right arm back and swung it towards the King’s cheek with all the force I could muster. I was breathing hard as my gloved hand made contact with the King’s cheek, and I’ve never felt anymore more satisfying than having the King’s head snap to the side as my fist connected with his red tinged cheek. The night was quiet and my punch was loud. My heart was racing as a huge grin spread onto my lips, a grin the King couldn’t see and wouldn’t see as I suddenly took off, sprinting away. I was fast, but I knew they would catch up with me sooner than later, so, upon spotting vines coming down the side of a smaller cottage, I gripped onto them and climbed the wall as fast as I could. My heart was racing as I took off running again, hopping from roof to roof, praying that it wouldn’t give out underneath me as some felt a little too loose. I was also praying that the roof tiles wouldn’t slip underneath my weight, sending me tumbling to the cold and dirty ground.
I could hear the King and his two loyal guards chase after me, but it seemed like neither could climb onto the cottages, offering me the little advantage I needed to get away tonight. And knowing that I managed to instill even a little pain in the King would help me sleep better tonight.
Tonight had to have been the most nerve wrecking night of my whole life as I walked past the tall guards at the heavy front doors of the Castle. The air was warm as I stepped further inside the vast hallway, scenery way too familiar. I tried to remain calm and collected as a butler stepped closer, an inviting and warm smile on his lips, as he helped me slip out of my expensive fur coat. The dark brown fabric reached down to my ankles, shielding me completely from the biting chill the late autumn wind brought with itself. My heart felt like it would leap out of my chest anytime now as I clutched the white envelope tightly in my hands, the stamp of the Crown a blood red, asking for attention against the snow-white paper. I forced a small smile onto my lips as I followed the crowd towards the ballroom, gut twisting as we were ushered past the Throne Room, a room that had witnessed so much horror ever since Jeong Yunho had become King.
Despite completely fitting in with the rich crowd surrounding me, curtesy of Prince Choi, I still felt like everyone could spot that I didn’t actually belong here. The fabric of my white dress was soft against my pale skin, the best I had ever had the chance to wear, and it fell loosely around my body. There wasn’t anything too eye catching or special about the dress Prince Choi had sent for this specific occasion, and that was the purpose. I was supposed to blend in with the rich crowd and lure the King away from the masses, where I would make sure he’d never again see tomorrow’s sunrise. It wasn’t an easy task, but tonight was the perfect timing. There wouldn’t be another one like this anytime soon as these balls were organized on full moon’s only by the King, whispers about a ritual practiced by him resurfacing every time the ball took place.
The top of my dress was low-cut and it made me feel uncomfortable for exposing so much of my skin, the tops of my breasts quite visible to anyone who looked my way, the slit in the ruffles of the skirt at least decent enough that it didn’t reach too high. The straps around my shoulders were puffy but delicate, the prettiest V line I had seen a dress have so far. Thankfully, the design of the expensive dress allowed to match gloves with it, and so, I was delighted when I saw the matching white silky gloves placed at the bottom of the box this dress had arrived in. The gloves were delicate and soft, a little cold when I have tried them on, and reached just above my elbows, the rest of my arms exposed. It was warm inside the ballroom; therefore, I didn’t worry that I would catch a cold accidentally. I have smoothed down my hair, the long curls reaching down the middle of my back, and kept it minimal when applying a little beauty enhancer to my face. The blush on my cheeks was artificial and so was the glitter on top of my eyelids, and the redness of my lips. I couldn’t do much about my pale complexion, and could only hope that the rich people wouldn’t think that I looked sick. The goal was to catch the King’s eye tonight.
When I had finally reached the top of the stairs that would lead down to the ballroom, further inside the lively chamber, a man dressed elegantly smiled widely and extended his hand towards me. I could only hope he wouldn’t pay enough attention to notice the nervousness on my face as I handed the envelope to him, watching as he delicately opened it. Inside it, there was a letter addressed to a respective Bae Joohyun, who happened to be fourth cousins with the King and the Prince. I found the idea crazy, to come to such an event under the pretence of being someone else and someone so close to the Royal family, but Prince San had assured me that they hadn’t seen their little cousin since they were five, and so, the King wouldn’t know what she looked like now. The pretence was perfect in the Prince’s head as he said my looks fit exactly that of their cousin: pale, petite, black haired, and dark eyed. Apparently, she was beautiful beyond comprehension, and I oozed a tenderness their cousin also had. I didn’t dare refute the Prince’s claims and just thanked him for helping me out once again. After all, if he wanted my mission to be a success, he had to play his part from the shadows.
“Miss Bae Joohyun, first of her name, eldest princess and head huntress of the burgh of La Rouge.” The man announced loudly to the ballroom as he read off my fake title from the invitation, and I tried to keep an amicable smile on my lips as a servant quickly rushed to my side, helping me down the marble set of stairs. It felt like everyone was staring at me in the room, which they were, and I tried to slow my heartbeat with deeps breaths in order to keep myself from fainting. I couldn’t even blame it on the restricting dress as I didn’t wear a corset, unlike many of the ladies present here tonight. It made me feel out of place, but trusting Prince San’s words, the actual Bae Joohyun wouldn’t have shown up in a restricting and puffed-up dress. She was a free spirit and often times went against the rules in order to live her life the way she wanted. Her parents weren’t too keen of her attitude and the choices she had made so far in her life, but they’d rather keep her close and not her younger sister, who apparently was a rascal and everyone’s nightmare in the burgh of La Rouge. The burgh resided on the other side of the Kingdom of the Fallen and was a lot more lenient compared to Aurora, that is, until King Jeong manages to expand his believes that far out, poisoning the innocent people of La Rouge, like he had done to us in Aurora.
And just like that, the night seemed to go on uneventfully, besides the unwanted attention men, and women alike, seemed to offer me. I wasn’t looking for anyone’s company, but I knew if I kept to myself, hidden in a corner, I would get nothing done tonight, and I couldn’t let that happen. I had to raise attention onto myself if I wanted the King to find me appealing, and that was only achievable if I was surrounded by men who made me laugh loudly, even if it was forced often times. I had managed to come closer to the King more than once, but so it seemed he was too busy staring down the cleavage of the dress of whatever lady he had been talking to at the moment, clearly uninterested in whatever they had to say. His loyal dogs were around too, of course, both dressed to the nines as they surveyed the crowd, mingling with the people at times. Song Mingi remained close to the King, however, but wasn’t breathing down his neck like usual, his outfit a lot more casual than one was used to seeing him wear. His body was littered with accessories, and I accidentally had caught sight of the redhead ripping the silver chain off as it hung around the man’s narrow waist over the tight vest Song Mingi was wearing. A heated exchange between the two seemed to happen afterwards, with the taller guard backing the redhead against a pillar, sneering into her face, until the King showed up and merely tapped the two on the shoulder before walking away, beaming at a blonde woman with a dark look in his eyes.
The longer I watched the King, the angrier I became that nobody could see through his obvious façade, of the fakeness in his laughter and smiles, that they couldn’t see his eyes darkening and a sick twist crossing his features any time someone said something he didn’t enjoy. Everyone remained oblivious to his so obvious show of dominance whenever a man managed to capture the attention of those around themselves. It was pathetic really, how badly the King needed to have all the attention in the big room on himself, yearning for the praises and ass-licking these rich people were doing. It was sickening and so infuriating as I watched him throw his head back in delight, laughter melodic but loud enough to have others glancing his way, flocking towards the small group, because it was the King. And if the King found something hilarious and worth his time, everyone else wanted to know what it was about, striving to capture his attention like that. My jaw was clenched as I watched another woman wander towards him, looking abashed when the King so much as glanced her way in passing, batting her eyelashes at him. I couldn’t even fathom the thought of wanting the King’s attention purposefully, not when so much blood lay on his hands, so much terror and horror committed under his reign, under his command.
I nursed a tall glass of champagne in my hands as I surveyed the crowd, searching for Song Mingi and the redhead, finding them in different parts of the ballroom, both seemingly busy with the people they were respectively talking to. The King, however, happened to be closer to me as he was talking to two gentlemen, face impassive as he only hummed and nodded at whatever they were saying. For a second, he glanced ahead, and our eyes connected. My breath hitched and I fought every fibre in my body wanting to look away, knowing that the King liked a good chase and a little provocation. If I looked away, I would admit defeat, and he didn’t like women who weren’t a little fiery, harder to break. The thought made me sick but I quickly disregarded it and hid my fake smile as I took the smallest sip I could of my champagne, knowing that my plan was working as the King’s eyes bore into mine, narrowing. It wasn’t the first time our eyes accidentally met during the night, and I was completely convinced that his curiosity was growing the more I seemed to be teasing him. Always around, yet never approaching him. Always around, yet never actively asking for his attention. I could see his fierce eyes on me every time I laughed a little too loudly, or anytime I playfully touched a gentleman’s bicep for a second too long. The King might’ve thought I wasn’t looking, but I was. And my plan was working just perfectly. The mission would finally turn out to be a success tonight.
“Miss Bae,” My attention was ripped away from the King as a moderately tall man stopped in front of me, lips heart shaped, and kind eyes sharper rather than rounder. The man’s voice was rather deep, yet soft, and he looked almost a little shy, “I did not know you would be attending tonight’s ball.”
I plastered on a soft smile and tried to act like I knew the man in front of me. Prince San didn’t really tell me who I was supposed to know tonight, and so I had to be creative when catching other people’s names, “It came as a surprise to me as well.”
The man chuckled as he covered his mouth with a soft looking hand, eyes glinting in amusement. He didn’t look like he had dubious reasons for talking to me, unlike many other men so far tonight, and his eyes had not even once fallen onto my cleavage, “Did your father send you in hopes of finding a suitor?”
“Perhaps that was the reason,” I mussed as I took a sip of my champagne, aware of the King’s eyes on me as I continued talking to the kind man, “it seems like he won’t accept the fact that I do not wish to marry.”
“Perhaps you haven’t met the right man yet.” Ah, the likeableness of this man just plummeted as my eyebrows furrowed, and he seemed alarmed as he realized what he had said, “Oh! I was not suggesting that you should marry or anything else, Miss Bae! It is completely alright to not want to marry, I do not wish to marry either.”
“Lovely,” I hummed, not interested in the conversation anymore. The King was moving away and I had to remain close to him, “I didn’t catch your name, sir.”
“Do Kyungsoo, Miss Bae, I see the passing of the years made you forget about me.” I gulped, nervous all of a sudden as Mr. Do chuckled. I had no idea who he was, but I was sure the real Bae Joohyun would know. So, I chuckled abashed, looking down in fake embarrassment.
“My apologies, I haven’t been to Aurora in so long…” Mr. Do nodded in understanding, downing the rest of his champagne in one go.
“Then I must leave you alone to mingle some more, right?” He sounded slightly disappointed, and I couldn’t help but think that the bond between Miss Bae and Mr. Do once had ran deeper than it seemed. I cleared my throat and excused myself with a bow of my head, looking for the King. The crowd was large and as the music had gotten louder, a dance floor had formed in the middle of the big room. Everyone was loud as more champagne and expensive wine was consumed, both men and women getting bolder and handsy with each other. I tried not to see the disappearing couples behind pillars and curtains as I walked past them, quiet moans or groans alarming to hear. I was no prude, but doing anything like that just felt wrong in a place like this. Besides, I wouldn’t have dared doing anything relatively inadequate in the house of the King, under his watchful eyes.
“Miss Bae.” I jumped as the velvety voice whispered in my ear, almost making me punch their gut as I whirled around, “You’ve been alone ever since I have left your side.”
Mr. Byun wasn’t exactly the man I wished to be around right now; eyes hazed over as his breath reeked of alcohol. He had set his eyes on me the second the servant had announced my name and title, lurking around me after presenting himself and talking to me.
“You are quite wrong,” I chuckled, trying not to glare at him as he reached out a hand and twirled a dark strand of my hair between his fingers, “I have been talking to others too, Mr. Byun.”
“None as promising and handsome as myself, right?” The man smirked, overly sure of himself, making my jaw clench as I forced a chuckle to leave my lips. All this unwanted attention certainly hadn’t been part of my plan, I thought nobody would give me even as much as a second glance, busy with others, with people they already knew. All these men were making this experience even less pleasant, as if being in the lion’s den was pleasant in the first place.
“What a confident man,” I smiled widely, placing my empty glass on a tray as a servant walked by us, “I bet the ladies love being around you, Mr. Byun.”
“Hopefully you are one of those ladies yourself, Miss Bae.” Mr. Byun winked and suddenly bowed, extending a hand towards me, “Would you offer me your first dance of the night, love?”
No, I would not like to offer you my first dance of the night, but I didn’t have a choice. I couldn’t refuse a dance, whether I liked the idea or not. I had started thinking that my plan had been flawed from the very beginning and that I wouldn’t succeed in fulfilling my mission, that is, until I felt a gloved hand sneaking around my waist, firmly yanking me into the side of a body. My eyes widened as I gasped at the sudden feeling, head snapping up, dread filling my whole being. The King was glaring down at Mr. Byun as his hold tightened around my waist, and I almost flung myself out of his grip, skin burning through the fabric where the King had touched me. Despite my goal being exactly this, to find myself in the arms of the King, it felt wrong. Very wrong. I wanted nothing more than to run away, but I steeled my nerves and hushed the thoughts that were screaming to run far away from the tyrant, and managed to ease a soft smile on my lips.
“Mr. Byun,” The King grinned, however it didn’t reach his dark eyes, “already drunk and close to passing out? It’s been only two hours since the ball started, you fool.”
Mr. Byun’s jaw clenched, but he had no choice but to bow his head in respect, “My apologies, Your Grace, I might have gotten carried away.”
“Most certainly if you thought you could dance with such beautiful maiden.” It was my turn to clench my jaw at the King’s insinuation, but I willed my heartrate to calm down and muscles to relax as the King’s dark gaze was directed onto me now, “Shall we dance, gorgeous?”
“Yes, Your Grace.” I bowed my head and forced a timid smile onto my lips as the King’s ring, claw, decorated hand found my waist too, grip firm as he veered me in front of himself and made us walk towards the dance floor. My back straightened as I tried to calm down and not tense up when the King’s hands squeezed my waist just a little bit more, narrowly avoiding a couple as they were dancing around a little too wildly for the King’s liking as he leered at them. I closed my eyes when I felt ourselves stop in the middle of the dance floor, and took a deep breath. I could do this, for the future of the Fallen of the Kingdom, for our nation, and for Prince Choi San. I could do this, and I would do this.
When I blinked my eyes open, the King was stood in front of me, a dangerous smirk on his plush red lips, staring down with hunger in his eyes as they racked down my body. I gulped and gasped when I was forcefully yanked against his broad and strong body, ring decorated hand curling into my hips as his gloved hand took mine in his, holding it a lot gentler than I expected him to. As I looked up, making eye contact with the King, he took a step forward, slowly easing us into a waltz that matched the pace of the orchestra and of those dancing around us too.
The King wore fine garments, moulded for his body, almost like a second layer for his venomous skin. His black trousers with fine white stripes clung to his long legs perfectly, enunciating his proportions even more as they were tucked into shiny tall boots that reached just bellow the King’s knees. The brown belt was hidden by the black vest clinging onto his upper body, the same fabric of his trousers seemingly sewn together with the vest’s fabric on his left shoulder and the lower right side of it. However, the back of the vest was completely different, a white fabric with black swirls on it. A black necktie was tucked underneath the King’s vest, a fine necklace with beads and a silver cross sitting on top of it, with a matching rosary hanging on top of his vest and necktie altogether. There was nothing holy about the King, it was a mere display of mockery in the Lord’s name that even such dark creature could wear and touch something so holy. The white shirt’s right sleeve was rolled up to the King’s elbows, bracelets that matched his rosary hanging snugly against his thin wrist, his metal rings, claws, eye-catching and on display for everyone to see. The left sleeve of his white shirt was tucked underneath his black leather gloves, crunching quietly as the King’s fingers tightened around mine. I tried to remain calm as the prolonged eye contact put me on edge, and I fought to stay confident and repress all the nightmarish memories of the King.
“It’s been a while, cousin.” I couldn’t completely read the expression on the King’s face, and so I only gulped. Words seemed to have escaped me, and it only made my stomach clench more when the King’s eyes fell onto my cleavage again, all too aware of how exposed I was. But it was on purpose, Prince San knew the King’s vices, and he was using it to our advantage when he had gifted this dress to me, “I don’t remember you being this quiet, Joohyun, dear.”
I gulped and scoffed, irritation not so fake anymore, “People change, Your Grace, and I have too.”
“Did your daddy tell you to behave well tonight?” His question didn’t sit well with me, especially the tone he had said it with, but I just ignored it as I rolled my eyes at the King, “Did he think you’d be rewarded for it?”
My face flushed at the implication, and it took me everything to not rip myself away from the King right then and there as I felt the sharp ends of his ornaments dig into my skin through the thin fabric of my white dress, “I’m not looking for anything, Yunho, I’m merely here to socialize, see what my cousin is up to lately.”
“I’m doing just fine, dear, as you can see.” The King chuckled, and I felt him pulling me flushed against himself, making my heartbeat quicken as I had to crane my neck to look up at him, “The Kingdom is flourishing and Aurora is doing better than it had been under King Choi’s regiment.”
“You’ve certainly brought some changes to it, Your Grace.” I couldn’t contain the snarl in my tone as I averted my eyes, staring at the rosary instead while the King just chuckled. There was nothing hilarious about what I had said, but of course, it would’ve been alarming if the King thought the way he ruled wasn’t right, “Do you plan on ruining the Kingdom of the Fallen even more?”
The King’s eyes hardened as I looked back up in his eyes, jaw clenching as I felt his right hand slowly slip lower, pressing flat against the small of my back. The action made goosebumps erupt on my skin, and I tried not to shudder as the King merely smirked, no doubt noticing my reaction to his undesired touch.
“I see your passion for the wellbeing of my Kingdom hasn’t changed, dear Joohyun.” The King smiled, but it was far from genuine, he looked irritated, “Why don’t you become Queen and mould it to your own likes?”
“Is that what you are doing right now?” I cocked an eyebrow and chuckled, “Playing with your people as if you were playing chess? What’s next, a war against the Kingdom of Light? You know their Queen can’t wait to destroy you, Yunho.”
“How saddening she’ll never get the chance to do so.” The glint in the King’s eyes was scary, they held a secret so dark I probably didn’t want to know, but I was curious. He was planning something, something dangerous and big, and I needed to find out what. But that would take time, and if I managed to kill him tonight, that dark secret of his would die with him.
“Indeed,” I chuckled and tried to ignore the way the King’s hand slipped further down, fingers barely brushing against my ass. Why was he doing this? He surely could’ve found other ladies that weren’t related to him, since he was under the impression that I was his cousin, even if not a close relative, still blood-related to him, “I see your goons never leave your side, Your Grace.”
The King’s head fell backwards as he laughed, chest shaking with the motion, the first genuine reaction I had ever seen on him. It stunned me, but I tried not to gape. I glanced to the side, unsurprised as I found Song Mingi staring daggers our way, twirling a knife in his hands. The redhead was dancing, but her eyes were solely fixed on the King as well, probably deaf to whatever the man holding her was saying to her.
“My goons, are my most loyal guards, dear, of course they never leave my side.” The King finally seemed to get over my words as he had stopped laughing and was instead grinning, glancing to the side like I had done so. His eyes softened for a second as they fell on Song Mingi, and then his cold exterior was back on as his eyes fell down on me, “It’s their duty, after all.”
“It looks like a little bit more than just duty, Your Grace.” I smirked, heart stilling when I felt the King unashamedly squeeze my ass. I jumped and tried not to sputter as he flushed me fully against himself, a sickening smirk pulling at his lips.
“Perhaps it is more than just duty.” The King whispered, winking as he lowered his head just a little bit, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. I tensed, eyes wide as I continued staring at him slightly frightened, “You smell like fresh roses, so sweet.”
I tried not to show how disgusted I felt, and instead chuckled lightly, “Thank you, Your Grace. Tell me a little secret…do your loyal dogs follow you everywhere?”
The King quirked an eyebrow, prompting me to continue as his clawed fingers pressed a little harsher into my clothed ass, “Or do your guards offer you privacy when times call for desperate measures?”
The King chuckled, leaning down so that he’d be able to whisper in my ear. I tried to remain relaxed as his hot lips brushed against my ear, tone low and words dripping with allure, “They know when not to follow, dear, would you like to see for yourself?”
As the King pulled back, bottom lip between his teeth as his eyes dropped to my cleavage again, I knew this was it. I wouldn’t get a better chance where the King and I were alone, “Since you offered so nicely, My King.”
The King’s eyes darkened significantly as he released his bottom lip and licked his lips, nodding once. Before I could change my mind about what I had agreed to and flee, the King took a step back and released my body, however still kept a firm grip on our intertwined fingers, our gloves a clash of colours against each other. The crowd seemed to part as the King walked through it, curious eyes watching closely as I followed after the King, struggling to keep up with his long strides, but he wouldn’t slow down for me. I gripped the skirt of my dress and raised it above my ankles in order to not trip, paying close attention to my surroundings for when I needed to escape. It wouldn’t be easy as we were on the third floor and all windows seemed to be locked in the long corridor, and I could only hope I would find a hidden door that would lead through a passageway, helping me escape once I had killed the King.
I didn’t expect us to stop so soon, and so I ran into the back of the King, making him chuckle. He wordlessly pushed the door open for us, and allowed me to walk in first, releasing my hand. I took a deep breath before I stepped through the threshold and tried not to gape at the size of the library I had just stepped foot inside. The walls were covered in nothing but endless shelves of books upon books, a room that had two floors, ladders pressed up against the tall bookshelves for when you needed something from a higher shelf. The room was beautiful, and something vexing like jealousy plunged deep in my gut, jealousy that the King had all of this beauty at his feet while others had to suffer out in the cold streets, begging for a shilling as nobody had much money to pay up. But before I could marvel at the beauty of the library even more, I felt myself yanked backwards. The wind was knocked out of my lungs as my back collided against the sturdy bookshelves, and I panicked thinking that my identity had been discovered, that the King finally had enough of me. I was ready to fight him, grab my hidden dagger and stab him in the heart, fight and flee afterwards, but what I didn’t expecting was to feel his blood-red lips pressing against mine. I froze, eyes wide in awestruck as the King’s lips were warmer than I thought they would be, and really soft. It was a crime that somebody like him had lips like that. Out of distress, I grabbed his biceps and went to push the King away, but I realized that would be a mistake. How else could I distract him if not like this? He’d have his guard down, offering me the perfect chance to stab him. And so, I swallowed the disgust bubbling up my throat and forced my eyes to close as my fingers dug into the King’s skin through the soft fabric of his white shirt.
His right hand grabbed my jaw to tilt my head up, making it easier for him to continue leaning down to kiss me, his rings not quite digging into my skin, but dangerously close to doing so. My heart was racing as the King’s lips started moving against mine, not soft at all, not careful nor patient as I forced myself to reciprocate it. It was hard, every fibre in my body was screaming at me to stop this, that I could distract him somehow else, but a more logical side of me knew that I just couldn’t. I was doing this for Aurora, for the Kingdom of the Fallen, and so I relaxed against the King’s strong body and forced my thoughts to silence. My arms raised and I wrapped them around the King’s shoulders, pressing up on my tip toes to kiss him better, opening my mouth for his lips to fit better against mine. The King didn’t waste time as his tongue slipped past my lips and lapped at my mouth furiously, a moan slipping past my lips as I fisted the black strands of hair sitting neatly on his nape. The King seemed to enjoy that as his claws suddenly dug into my skin, making me whine as his tongue brushed against mine, licking at it in a way I didn’t know was possible, my knees weakening involuntarily as the King’s body pinned me against the bookshelf, immobilising me, caging me between himself and the bookshelves. It was a little scary, but I didn’t dwell on it as the King sucked on my tongue, completely dirty and nothing like I have experienced before, my cheeks flaring as I felt his gloved hand settle at the base of my throat. My heart picked up thinking that he would try and choke me, rob me of my already waning air, but instead, it slowly slipped towards my breasts, cupping my right one harshly. I moaned and chased after his mouth as he pulled slightly back, slotting my upper lip between his, suckling on his bottom one as the King started massaging my breast through the thin fabric of my dress, groaning loudly into my mouth.
It was starting to get hot around me, our actions affecting my body in ways it long hadn’t been affected like, the touches of the King igniting a dormant fire deep in the pit of my stomach. It wasn’t fair that he could elicit such a reaction out of me, not when I bore nothing but hatred towards him. It wasn’t fair that I had to go out of my way to do something I didn’t wish to do in order to get rid of the tyrant, and it only fuelled the fire in my veins as I latched onto the King’s lips furiously, setting a pace that was bruising to our already swollen lips. Low groans slipped past the King’s lips as our noses kept knocking against each other, his right hand leaving my face as it went behind my body, grasping my ass painfully. I gasped and tried not to recoil when the King suddenly licked at my bottom lip, humming lowly in the back of his throat as he flushed our lower bodies together, rutting into me. My heart was hammering against my ribcage and I felt like I couldn’t breathe, but I refused to open my eyes, scared that I would run away if we made eye contact. The King groaned as he massaged my flesh through my dress, and the hand still squeezing my breast finally disappeared and grabbed onto the other cheek of my ass before it slowly slipped back onto my lower back, fisting my dress. My chest was rising and falling quickly, and I tried to regulate my breaths and clear my mind, assess the situation in order to be able to proceed. But suddenly, I felt cold metal pressing into my skin, grabbing my jaw firmly.
“Open your eyes, little dove.” My heart did a somersault and I froze, thoughts running a million per hour, panicking. Had he finally realized who I really was? I felt teeth sinking into my bottom lip painfully and I whined as my eyes snapped open, freezing as the King’s dark eyes were right in front of mine. His neck, ears, and cheeks were flushed red, lips swollen and glistening with saliva. His pupils were dilated and he smirked as he massaged the small of my back, suddenly his thumb swiping across my lower lip. I couldn’t look away, it felt like he had bewitched me, locked me into place as I struggled to fill my lungs to the brim with air. I was scared, waiting for the predator’s next move, trying to anticipate what he’d do next. But I certainly didn’t think he’d slip the sharp metal ring inside my mouth, forefinger pressing against my tongue, “Suck.”
I gulped and maintained eye contact with the King as I licked his finger, trying to ignore the animalistic look on his face as I hollowed my cheeks and sucked on his ornament decorated finger slowly, swirling my tongue around it. The King leaned closer, lips hovering dangerously close to mine, brushing against his own knuckles. The King was panting hard as he slipped his middle finger too inside my mouth, and I tried to remain calm as I became aware of the ache in my right hand, the mark he had given me three years ago suddenly burning as if it were freshly made. I wouldn’t be able to handle this for much longer, gut twisting in sickness, yet my body was pressing harder against the King’s, aware of the neediness that had suddenly overcome it. I pushed my tongue between the King’s two fingers and sucked on them, making the King’s jaw clench until he suddenly pulled them out of my mouth, making saliva drip down my chin. I was embarrassed and my cheeks burned as he grabbed my left thigh, lifting it up and around his hips, pressing his body into mine, the hardness all too obvious in his trousers as he rubbed himself against me. My breath hitched in my throat at the friction, the King’s eyes glossed over as he released my thigh once he was sure I’d keep it there. My fingers tangled tighter into his locks as he allowed his metal decorated fingers to travel up my exposed thigh due to the slit in the skirt, only stopping when it reached my clothed core. I tried to stop the whimper from escaping my lips as I bit down on my bottom one, completely at the King’s mercy as he started rubbing small circles against my clothed clit, embarrassed of how reactive I was to his ministrations. I was aching, clenching around nothing, but I forced myself to stay level-headed as I fisted the collar of the King’s shirt and yanked him down, pressing our lips together once more, forcefully. I locked his hips against mine with my left leg and rolled my hip against the King’s hand, whining as he kept the slow, antagonizing, pace. I made sure he was busy with working me further up as I slowly slipped my left hand out of his hair, down his shoulders, stopping at his narrow waist to squeeze before I carefully removed it from his body, leaning a little forward and into the King in order to reach the top of my white boot.
My dagger was hidden just inside of it, the cold blade pressing against my shin all night long, waiting for this exact moment. I could feel the triumph in my bloodstream as I gripped the handle of the blade, moaning as the King cupped my clothed core, but stopped his ministrations altogether. I didn’t stop kissing him, however, as I raised my dagger high, ready to plunge it deep into the King’s back. But before I could even as much as move my arm, suddenly, my head was slammed to the side, making me hiss loudly at the dull ache in my jaw as it crashed into the bookshelf painfully, my left arm pinned to the bookshelf above myself. I froze, blood turning ice cold as I was afraid to even as much as breathe despite my lungs heaving for air. The King’s nose suddenly was pressing into my left cheek, his sweaty forehead resting against my temple as his breathing was loud and shallow. I didn’t dare move, frozen to the spot. I had been discovered, and now I would die. I would fail Prince San and bring shame to my name. I was nothing but a failure, soon about to meet my brother in Eden.
“Bae Joohyun, you say,” The King chuckled, sounding actually amused, “I didn’t know my own cousin hated me so much she wanted to kill me herself?”
I took quiet breaths, but didn’t speak up. It seemed like the King still had something to say, I didn’t dare interrupt his monologue, “I didn’t think your unrelenting support could turn into hatred in two weeks, cousin.”
Ah, so this is where Prince San had made a mistake. Bae Joohyun and Jeong Yunho had been in contact all this time, and apparently, she was on his side. Prince San should’ve known better, but so should have I. I should’ve trusted my gut feeling this time, and I didn’t, and now I would suffer the consequences. Because darkness always prevailed, no matter how much the good and kind fought for its disappearance.
“People change.” I managed to mutter, right side of my face digging painfully into the shelf. I wasn’t panting anymore, but my frantic heartbeat made it hard to actually breathe, and so I was still struggling to calm down.
“Not you, little dove.” The King whispered, and suddenly I felt lips pressing against my ear, making me jerk. The King was frighteningly strong, and I finally started pushing against him, trying to free myself, but it was futile…as always, “Stop fighting against me, you’ll only make it worse for yourself.”
“Burn in hell, Jeong Yunho.” I hissed, trying to look at him from the corner of my eyes. The King chuckled, trailing kisses from my temple down to my jaw. I tried to push him off again, but it did nothing.
“Still trying to curse me,” The King muttered, nuzzling his nose against my cheek again, “I suppose you didn’t change, my little dove. Did you think I’d forget? Was it worth that apple?”
My eyes widened to the point of falling out as the King suddenly released me, my head snapping forward as my heartbeat stilled. I went to throw a punch at his jaw, but he completely took me off guard as he grabbed my right thigh too and hiked me up, pressing me into the bookshelf again as he pinned my wrists above my head, the dagger clattering to the floor from my grip. Out of reflex, my legs wrapped around his hips tighter, knowing that I would slip down despite the force the King was pinning me down with.
“You killed my brother.” Was all I managed to whisper, eyes filling with tears. The King shushed me and leaned his head close, his soft features scary all of a sudden as his blank mask slipped back on.
“You killed your brother by stealing that apple and getting caught for it.” The King whispered, eyebrows furrowing, “If you wouldn’t have put up such a fight, I wouldn’t have thrown you in the dungeon, in fact, I would’ve allowed you to take the leftovers from the kitchen for your brother—”
“Screw you!” I screamed, fury lacing every part of my being, heart hammering in my ribcage, “Curse you! Burn in hell for everything you’ve done! You dare mock me to my face about my brother?! I promise you I will make sure you don’t see tomorrow’s sunrise!”
“Bold words coming from such a frail dove like yourself,” The King mocked, pouting as my body started trembling, “I could behead you right in the middle of the ballroom, my little dove.”
I didn’t care anymore what he did to me. He could kill me right here or right in front of an audience, I didn’t care anymore as long as I was free of this miserable life.
“Do it.” I gritted through my teeth, leaning into his face, lips ghosting against his, “Do it, you fucking coward. You could’ve easily killed me in the alleyway that night or in the square, even now, yet all you do is run your mouth with empty threats.”
I knew they weren’t empty threats, that the King would actually kill me in the following minutes, but I wasn’t afraid of him anymore. I have seen all grey colours of his, I knew who he was, what he was capable of.
“If I had killed you, where would be the fun in that?” The King raised his eyebrows, pressing a light kiss against my lips, making me jerk my head back, “You think I don’t know my brother and his pathetic of excuse of a guard sent you to kill me? Little dove, if they wanted me dead so bad, why didn’t they come after me? Why did they send you?”
I froze, eyebrows furrowing as the King continued with a small amused smile, “They sent a poor girl that is desperate to avenge her brother’s death, a girl that is so weak she can’t even free herself right now, yet all I’m doing is pin you against a bookshelf, little dove. My brother, Prince San, and his pest, Jung Wooyoung, merely sent a weak and poor girl to kill a King that holds twice the strength she does just because they wanted to use you, because they knew you hated me strong enough to actually do what they asked of you. They knew you had nothing to lose anymore, and they know you do not care for your safety or life anymore, my little dove.”
I was stunned listening to the King’s words, slowly shaking my head no, refusing to accept such words. No, that is not why Prince San and Sir Jung had chosen me to eliminate the King, it couldn’t be. That’s not who those two were, and I would’ve been a fool if I succumbed to the King’s words, letting his poisonous words infect my brain with lies.
“No, you’re wrong, My King,” I whispered, eyes boring into his with such hatred that it ricochetted off my whole being, “Prince Choi and Sir Jung aren’t like you. And if I’m just a means to an end in their grand plan, I do not care as long as they manage to rid the Kingdom and this world of you, Jeong Yunho.”
The King hissed, obviously displeased by my retaliation, by my fervorous belief in the Prince and his Royal Guard, “I see you refuse to see the truth just yet, my little dove, so let me give you two options.”
My eyebrows furrowed as the King leaned so close his breath fanned over my face, dark and piercing eyes boring into mine, his cheeks still tinged red, “The very obvious first option is death, but I don’t feel like getting rid of you just yet, my little dove, therefore, I have a second option for you.”
He paused, a sick smirk twisting his lips to the side, making my stomach drop in dread, “You become my good little obedient spy, my ears and eyes in Aurora, and in return, I shall reward you with immunity.”
“No—” I was shaking my head before he could even finish what he was saying, but the King’s sneering face quickly made me shut up.
“I wasn’t finished talking, Y/N.” My breath hitched, he even knew my name, “You will go back this instant to the pathetic mansion those two idiots are hiding in, and tell them, that if they even as much as dare to think to send someone to assassinate me again, I will dismember Jung Wooyoung in front of Choi San after I dissect their whore of a maid, leaving my dear brother for last, publicly executing him in the square, calling all of the Kingdom of the Fallen together to witness the fall of the Crown Prince. Understood?”
My lips quivered as my eyes filled with tears, my voice merely above a whisper, “No, Your Grace, I won’t—”
“I’m not giving you an option, my little dove,” The King suddenly released my arms, which fell limply next to my body as the King cupped my left cheek with his sharp metal rings, “I’m giving you an order that you will execute.”
I tried to blink the tears away, recoiling when one slipped down my cheek and the King kissed it away, “And once you have delivered my message, I expect you back at the Castle, my little dove.”
My breath stuttered in my throat, wide eyes looking into the King’s dark ones. Suddenly, he bucked his hips and I gasped as I realised he was still as hard as mere minutes ago, making my heart race, “Because little doves like you deserve a reward, and you’ve been awfully pliant tonight, so I will fuck you senseless and teach you a lesson afterwards.”
My blood froze, the colour leaving my face as the King snickered, pressing a soft kiss against the bridge of my nose as he suddenly stepped back, gently placing me back down against the floor. I felt abused, thrown around and mauled, skin burning everywhere the King had touched. I was disgusted, and yet I knew I had no choice but to do as I was told. I belonged to him, and even if I ran, he would find me. I gulped as the King’s gloved fingers danced up my gloved arm, slowly slipping the silky fabric down my hand, making me shiver. I clenched my jaw and refused to look down as the King raised my hand, staring at the damaged skin in awe. His lips were parted and he took a deep breath, slowly leaning down and kissing the maimed skin he had caused with his own hands three years ago. I closed my eyes shut tightly, trying to fight the tears that threatened to escape.
“So beautiful,” The King whispered, hot lips brushing feather-light against the skin of my right hand, “Mine, little dove, you’re all mine. You always have been.”
I gulped as I looked at the King, jaw clenching as I yanked my hand out of his and quickly wore my glove, hiding the atrocious scar that he had caused. The King seemed to be in a trance as he stared at me, making my heartbeat quicken even more when he didn’t say anything.
I needed to leave, I felt like I was suffocating.
“My Mingi will meet you in the back gardens, my little dove, ready with a horse.” My blood ran cold, hands turning into fists as the King turned away from me, walking towards the massive oak desk he had in the middle of the library, “I expect you back in an hour, my little dove, and if you don’t come back, I will burn down everything in my way to find you. Understood?”
I grit my teeth, staring daggers into the back of his head, “Understood, Your Grace.”
And if finding a different way to kill the King would be the cause of my last breath, I would still do it. This wasn’t the end, he hadn’t won yet, because I would always remain on Prince Choi and Sir Jung’s side, always. In fact, the King had made is easier for us to find out all of his weak points, easier to stab him in the back when he least expects it.
If I had to dedicate my whole life to bring down such evil, I would do it over and over again, because in the end, goodness always wins.
❱❱ Next part
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[2:36 PM]
"Holy crap, I'm stuffed! I feel like I've eaten enough to last a week," you exclaimed, embracing your bloated belly in amazement as you glanced at Seonghwa, who was still happily devouring his meal. You'd been indulging at the all-you-can-eat buffet for hours, yet he showed no signs of slowing down. "Thank god one of us has a black hole for a stomach; I swear, Hwa, you make every buffet meal so worth it."
Your boyfriend chuckled, "You say that now, but I bet you'll be craving convenience store snacks by tonight like always," he teased, feeling a rush of affection for you as you stuck your tongue out playfully.
It was your fourth anniversary together, and he had let you choose the venue for your date. You opted for the Japanese buffet near your shared apartment, knowing it would make him happy. And it did; he was over the moon, utterly in love with you for your thoughtfulness. So much so that he could propose to you on the spot. In fact, he had a ring ready and was eagerly planning to seize this perfect moment to pop the question.
As he finished his bowl of ramen, his heart warmed at your immediate response—reaching over to delicately wipe the corner of his lips with your napkin. You smiled, asking, "Was it good?"
He nodded, holding your hand and planting a kiss on your wrist after you finished cleaning his mouth. "Everything tastes better with you around, my love. Now, be a good girl and wait here while I go get us some desserts."
You giggled before exclaiming, "Ooh yes, I want to come with you!" as you began to rise from your seat. But he panicked and stopped you, "N-no, please, let me take care of you today. I'll be back real quick, I promise," he said before darting out of the private room you had reserved. He had plans to hide the ring in one of the cakes for you to discover later, and if you were to go with him now, he wouldn't be able to execute his plan.
With a satisfied hum, he admired how perfectly he had hidden the ring in one of your favourite cakes. Oh, he couldn't wait to see the look on your face when you realised what was inside. Walking back to the room, his heart raced and his mind swirled with all the possible romantic outcomes of this surprise. If all went well, you'd be his fiancée by the end of this meal.
It's going to be perfect.
"Yay, you got all my favourites! Thank you, Hwa, you're the best," you cooed, pulling him down by the collar to give him a chaste kiss on the lips before allowing him to return to his seat across from you.
He grinned, biting his lip excitedly as he watched you begin to eat, "Anything for you," he murmured. His attention was momentarily diverted when his phone chimed with a few texts from his friends in their group chat. He clicked open to find a couple of silly memes, offering a quick 'Haha' reaction before returning his focus to you.
"Hwa, say ahhh," you said, holding out some cake to feed him. Absentmindedly, he looked up from his phone and accepted the bite. "Thanks, babe. You enjoy it, I'll get more later," he said, his words slightly muffled as he spoke with cake in his mouth.
Wait a minute, I—
His eyes widened in horror as he realised the ring was in his mouth. He was dangerously close to swallowing it when he attempted to push it back out, causing him to choke violently and startling you in the process.
"Oh my god, are you okay?" you rushed over to his side immediately, lightly slapping him on the back. Your concern intensified as his body shook. "Cough it out, Hwa!"
And he did, eventually spitting out remnants of the cake onto his trembling hand. In the midst of the mess lay a shiny object. You didn't know what it was, but one thing was certain: it clearly was not meant to be in a cake. "Wh-what's that? Why would they put something like that inside a cake? Are they trying to harm someone? This is unacceptable; I'm going to file a complaint."
"N-no, babe!" he called out, gently grasping your wrist and pulling you close before you could scold anyone for his own mistake.
"But Hwa, you could have died—"
He sighed, "It was me, I put it in there." He grabbed a few new napkins and cleaned up the mess in his hands, and your eyes rounded, your breath catching when you recognised what was in his hand. It was a ring you had once jokingly shown him, telling him how pretty it was and that you would love it if he could propose to you with it. You didn't think he would actually do it.
"God, this went way differently in my mind. You were supposed to discover it on your own; it was supposed to be so romantic, and I ruined it all because I'm an idiot—"
You silenced him with a kiss, pressing your lips to his and cradling his face while you caressed his cheeks, tears tracing down your own. Pulling back slowly, you rested your forehead against his with a soft chuckle.
"Well, I think it's rather romantic."
"I swear, I'll redo it properly—wait, really?"
"Mhm. Oh and, yes, I do."
ATEEZ Masterlist
Look what you made me do, @itstheghostofmypast😭 this was a little something my pookie and I came up with while we were talking hehe ilysm istg pls never stop feeding me these ideas.
Anyways, hope y'all enjoyed this random little timestamp and as always, let me know your thoughts! <3
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Sick
Alastor x Reader
Summary : You get sick and Alastor keeps you company <3
Warnings : Swearing(lots of it)
Pairings : Alastor x F!Reader (M!Reader here)
Additional Tags : ALASTOR POV CUZ YES. Sick reader, implied relationship, h/c, fluff, comfort
Word count : 1.01k
“Hey, you alright, kid?” Husk tilts his head to the side, wiping down the last glass of the day.
You don’t respond. Instead, you’re staring off into the distance, dozing off in your own world.
“Kid?”
“Huh? What?” You finally snap out of your thoughts.
“Geez, ya’ look like hell.” Husk acknowledges. “Are you sick?”
“I don’t know.” You shrug. “I don’t think so?”
“Go rest. I’ll work alone today.”
“What? No! I’m fine I swear-” Before you’re able to finish your sentence, Husk flips you off.
“Bullshit. Go find your radio boyfriend.”
“Don’t bullshit me-”
You try arguing but Husk only smirks when he catches a glimpse of Alastor who’s appeared right behind you.
“Well, I just did.” He says. “Now stop being so stubborn.”
“I’m not being stubborn I-”
You feel a hand being put to your forehead and try to fight back, only to realise it was Alastor.
“High fever.” He lets go. “You’re being stubborn.”
“Oh, fuck you, Al.”
“We’ll fuck when you’re better, darling.”
You blush. Alastor grins. Husk tries to hold in a laugh but ultimately fails.
“You’re sick and you need rest, my dear. Come along.”
“I’m fine-”
Alastor can only sigh, picking you up as you yelp.
“This is completely, and utterly, your fault single-handedly.” He smiled as you pouted. “You're very much welcome, darling.”
“Whatever.”
-----
You managed to escape Alastor as he leaves to mess with Vox. (Ep2 lmao)
Upon returning to the bar, Husk was not pleased to see your ass out of bed, emphasising on how important sleep was to someone sick.
You couldn’t care less.
Though, after wiping down a few more bottles with him, your eyes doze off and your eyelids feel droopy.
“Kid?”
The world spins and fades away.
“Fuck! Kid, ya’ alright?! Alastor!”
-----
[Alastor’s pov]
I heard a little groan as my eyes widened.
"Darling." I whispered, hoping not to startle her.
"Al..?" She breathed out.
"Good morning." I joked, though so grateful she was now awake.
"Wha.. What time is it?" She asked, struggling to get up.
"Be careful." I ushered, helping her sit. "I'm not so sure myself. It's very late at night."
"Where am I?" She asked, finally waking up as she stopped slurring through her words.
"My room. ‘I’m not sick’ my arse." I replied.
"Oh. Well, I guess you and Husk were right. I just thought I was a little sick." She murmured.
"You are sick." I replied. "Just worse than you expected."
"Real humorous, Al." She gave a small, yet weak, giggle.
Silence filled the air between us, and we didn't say anything else after that. That was, until she gave a small sneeze. I could tell she tried to suppress it, but seeing it was late at night and so quiet, it was hard not to notice.
"Are you cold?" I asked. I could barely make out the silhouette of her nodding lightly. Without hesitating, I took off my coat and handed it over to her. "Better?"
"A lot. Thanks, Al." She replied. After another few seconds of silence, she spoke up once more. "Why aren’t you asleep?"
"You do remember your dear partner does not need, nor does he enjoy, sleep?"
"Excuse, excuses." She joked, earning a chuckle from me.
"I can't really sleep now." She suddenly says out of nowhere. One thing I really like about this girl, she says the most random things in the most random situations. "Could we do something else?"
"Are you trying to get me killed?" I laughed. "You need to rest."
"I'm aware. That's the initial plan, anyways." She joked. At least, I hoped she was joking.
"You sneaky little deer."
"Yes. That's me. Hello." She replied, sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed as she proceeded to look at me in the dark room. “Besides, it’s not like anyone here at the Hotel is actually powerful enough to kill you.”
"Very well, then. What do you have in mind?"
“Some jazz and cuddles would be nice.”
-----
She chokes on another cough.
"Are you sure you're alright? You should really rest in such vulnerable state."
"I'm," Another cough. "Fine. I swear."
"If you insist."
After a while, I turned to face her, worried she wasn't enjoying herself anymore, only to find her sound asleep, clinging lightly to my shirt. See? I told you were sleepy. You just refused to listen to me. I stopped and watched the girl, moving little by little, afraid of waking her up.
She looked so peaceful. Though, it wouldn't be the first time I find her sleeping in my presence. I tugged a small strand of hair behind her ear as she shifted a little. I immediately paused. Shit, had I woken her? Though she soon returned to her slumber and she curled up into a ball in front of me.
I suppose this would suffice.
"Goodnight, darling." I whispered softly, laying next to her in the bed. "See you in the morning."
-----
[2nd person]
You awoke early in the morning, feeling well rested. Your bed was awfully more comfortable than you had remembered. You sat up and rubbed your eyes, finally opening them for the first time, only to find that you weren't in your own room. It took you a while to let things simmer in.
That's when you heard snoring next to you.
You turned to find the Radio Demon cuddled into a ball next to you in bed sleeping oh so soundly. The poor man probably hadn't had sleep in days. Before you could process what was happening, you checked the time and realized you had to be back at the bar for work in 5 minutes. Not wanting to wake Alastor up, you left him a quick note to thank him and left.
----
The whole day passed and you never caught sight of Alastor. After closing the bar, you headed to Alastor’s room,hoping to find him there.
You stop at his door and break out a tiny laugh.
On the door, a rushed sign saying — Sick. Keep out.
#hazbin hotel#hazbin#alastor#hazbin hotel season 1#alastor hazbin hotel#hazbin alastor#hazbin hotel 2024#hazbinhotel#hazbin hotel alastor#alastor the radio demon#alastor hazbin#alastor x reader#alastor altruist#alastor fluff#alastor x you#alastor headcanons#alastor hartfelt#alastor hazbin x reader#hazbin hotel husk#husk hazbin hotel#husker#husk#alastor x y/n#sick reader#alastorpov
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Top, Bottom, Switch? - BSD Men
Hello! I'm back. (finally) I've been back on my bsd brainrot. I can not get enough of them. That being said, enjoy these Headcanons of some of my bungo stray dogs favs! ( I plan to update my layout soon! Any ideas would be appreciated! )
Characters included: Dazai, Chuuya, Kunikida, Ranpo, Poe, Akutagawa, Atsushi.
Reader is non-gender specific!
Warnings: Mention of sex, bratty characters, kinks, whining, etc. (Let me know if I missed any! )
Dazai:
Switch, a preference for top.
I feel like when he was laying low for a year or so after leaving the PM he got around a bit.
He’s been with multiple people and he’s definitely well experienced in bed.
Dazai loves having power over others, resulting in his need to be a top.
HIGH stamina, multiple rounds.
Sex with him is wild, he’s very experimental.
Rarely ever gets romantic during sex.
On occasion he’d love to bottom!
Definitely a bratty bottom, really into overstimulation.
Loves being teased in public, such a big turn on for him.
Always down for quickies anywhere.
Chuuya:
Switch, reference for top.
He’s definitely not as experienced as Dazai, and hasn't had the chance to get around a ton.
He claims to know what he’s doing but definitely needs advice/teaching when it actually comes to it.
I like to think he’s surprisingly soft when it comes to sex.
Slow and gentle thrusts, poor baby is afraid of hurting you.
When he’s on bottom, adores being ridden.
He’s so sensitive and whines a bunch, whether he likes to admit it or not.
Prevent him from touching you, it’ll drive him mad.
Kunikida:
He’s a top.
I’d like to say he’s a switch but I can’t see him being on bottom.
He’d be way too embarrassed to even admit it if he wanted to try it.
He’s very straight to it, minimal teasing, although will take the time to prep you as needed.
First few times were definitely awkward, although the more used to it he got, the better it got.
Handsy.
Hands are roaming every part of your body, he’s surprisingly skilled with them as well.
Definitely into more sentimental sex, not into spur of the moment sex.
Wants to make it as romantic as possible.
Loves making you feel good <3
Ranpo:
Switch, preference for bottom.
He’s adorable, loves to be on bottom
He’s lazy, and wants to do as minimal work as possible.
BRAT!
It’s so easy to break the poor boy, purposely misbehaves because he loves how possessive and angry you get.
He turns into a brainless mess who can’t even speak :-((
Babbling incoherent words while letting out whines.
Begs! Deny him an orgasm and get the most precious mewls out of him.
Very lazy if he tops, he whines and makes exaggerated sighs the entire time.
Poe:
Bottom, you can't change my mind.
Nothing screams bottom as much as this man.
He’s very submissive in bed, always behaving.
Melts when called “good boy”.
He doesn’t make a bunch of noise, but if he does he’s definitely whiny.
Very shy!
Reassure him, tell him how pretty he is and how he’s doing such a good job.
Sex with him is always different.
Experimentalist.
Although shy, always willing to bring up new ideas and try them!
Akutagawa:
Another bottom.
This boy has never had sex a day in his life, so when you first did, he was clueless.
Didn’t even know the aspect of top and bottom.
When educated on it, he wasn’t sure what to do, although did as he thought pleased you!
Him being on bottom is like stress relief for him.
He’s always trying to please, so someone else is pleasing HIM? He’s signed right up.
Doesn’t make much noise, maybe a few grunts here and there.
His entire body is sensitive, shivers anywhere you kiss him.
Secretly adores marking. Loves having a reminiscence of the night before!
Some of the PM notices said marks, although he never elaborates on his sex life to anyone.
Atsushi:
Switch, no preference.
Where do I even start with him? He’s such a sweetheart.
Soft and caring during, willing to try out anything you suggest as long as he doesn’t think he’d hurt you!
Gasps a ton.
Easily flustered, tease him during work and watch his face heat up!
Stumbles over his words when teased.
Like kunikida, he’s not into spur of the moment type sex.
Into sentimental and romantic sex :-))
#bungo stray dogs#bsd headcanons#bsd#bsd smut#bungo stray dogs smut#bsd x reader#bungo stray dogs x reader#akutagawa x reader#akutagawa smut#dazai x reader#dazai smut#chuuya x reader#chuuya smut#kunikida x reader#kunikida smut#ranpo x reader#ranpo smut#poe x reader#poe smut#atsushi x reader#atsushi smut
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could you pretend to be in love? (02/10)
The Contract
pairing: modern!aemond × fem!reader (fake dating)
summary: there is no turning back now and now you and Aemond set the rules and conditions to start the whole farce.
word count: 4.6k
previous part • next part • series masterlist
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!🥳
I thought this would be a very nice way to wish happy new year to all of you beautiful people who support me and like what I write, you don't know how much that means to me🥺
thank you for so much support and for so much love, I have loved being here and I definitely plan to stay for longer, seeing how that love evolves and my place here as a writer🥰 so enjoy a lot this new chapter that I really hope you like it a lot❤
many blessings to all of you, my best wishes for your lives in this 2024, I love you all so much!😊❤
enjoy!
It's the first thing you see after turning off the alarm and you curiously enter to read the recent messages from an unknown number, not having the slightest idea of who it might be.
But you let out a long sigh of frustration when you read them and see that it's Aemond, who you don't understand how the fuck he got your number. Of course, it shouldn't have been hard for him, just a few questions and anyone can tell him what he wants to know.
And knowing that you have a long day ahead of you today, you already feel the pressure all over your body when you haven't even left your bed, where you also feel the frustration and all this uncertainty that you thought you had already overcome, but no.
You barely accepted yesterday and suddenly putting the plan into action from one day to the next, it's too much. But without really having a choice, you reluctantly force yourself to get up and start getting ready.
After an hour, you leave your house with the nagging feeling of carrying a weight on your shoulders to school. And all the way there, not even the music in your ears can make your mind calm down for a moment.
Knowing very soon that your whole social life will be a mess and you will no longer be invisible, since after all Aemond was right in that respect, causes you even more uneasiness and also nervousness because you are going to pretend to be the girlfriend of the most popular guy in school.
And once the bus makes its stop, you soon enter the halls of the bustling school. And knowing that a certain silver-haired guy is waiting for you right now, every heavy step you take towards the schoolyard echoes loudly in your ears, increasing your nervousness and anxiety.
You're even tempted to back up and tell him to forget it, but you resist and keep moving forward.
As you walk through the huge doors of the backyard, it's only a matter of time before you make out the figure of Aemond sitting at the same table as yesterday in the distance. Your heart skips a beat and you feel more nervous, but gathering your courage and taking a long breath, you advance towards him, ready but with uncertain steps.
Every step seems heavy, as if you are walking into the unknown and you try to hide the nerves in your gaze, especially when Aemond notices your presence. He watches you and slowly turns to you, a subtle smile on his lips.
Again there is that feeling of telling him to forget it, to find someone else, that you can't do this. But... your mind stops you and screams at you not to be silly, that at the end of it all there will be a reward, a very good reward that getting it by faking a relationship with him, is nothing.
And it's definitely worth it.
So resigned, you reach out to him.
"Hey," he says to you without wiping off his little smile, as you take a seat in front of him and he waits for you to finish settling in, "So you've come."
"Don't bother me," you tell him without humor, definitely contrasting his mood to yours.
"Now what did I do?"
"That," you point to his face, "You're enjoying this, seeing that I haven't backed out."
"Oh, please, I actually thought you wouldn't come and tell me to fuck off after you thought better of it," he justifies himself.
"Yeah? Well, nothing a free admission to your dream college won't do," you say with a slightly sarcastic tone, though implicitly admitting your reasons, "And it's actually not like I like skipping classes, so could we get this started?"
Aemond exhales long, averting his gaze from yours for a moment before returning to watching you.
"You know you'll have to be charming and act like you're completely in love with me in public, right?" he poses, expectantly.
"Yes, I know... in public," you point out to him, "Just now no one knows we're 'dating' genius," you add, underlining the falsity of the situation.
He places a small, amused, smirk on his lips.
"Yet."
He adds with a slightly defiant tone and you roll your eyes.
"Don't get too excited either."
"Are you not?"
"Oh yeah, I can't handle the excitement," you feign in a high-pitched, ironic voice, making exaggerated hand gestures.
Aemond lets out a short but genuine laugh at your gesture. He leans back slightly, his eye revealing a mischievous glint as he watches you.
"Glad to see you're keeping your sense of humor in this," he says with his tone changing slightly to a more relaxed one.
"I don't have much choice, do I?" you reply, accepting his change of mood, but still maintaining a certain emotional distance.
You figure it's just a matter of the two of you getting more into trust, and if you're going to do this with him, you're definitely going to do your part. But for now, this is still a little awkward and unexpected. And the sooner you do this, the better it will be for you.
So you shift your focus and lean forward slightly with a more serious expression on your face.
"So let's get started?"
"Well, making a contract will take up a lot of our time, so I thought it would be easier to just say and agree between us-
"It will be easier this way, to write down and establish the rules and the conditions we want to do during all this, just to have everything clear and not miss anything, Aemond," you interrupt him, taking out a notebook and a pen to start writing.
"Okay, fine," he says, shrugging his shoulders.
"So?" you watch him expectantly with the blank sheet of paper in front of you and your pen in hand, "What do you suggest first?"
"Well... first we need to know when this will all end," he begins to say, adopting a relaxed but firm stance, "And I would say that it may end when it is no longer necessary for both of you to continue pretending. But I think it's a better idea for us to last until graduation."
He proposes, looking at you intently, waiting for your reaction and you can't help but be a little surprised to hear that.
"Until graduation?" you repeat and he nods, "But you really want to do this for almost five months?"
"I know it's a long time, but that time can be beneficial for both of us," he explains, "That's enough time to give our relationship credibility and authenticity and it's also enough time to handle any problems that arise."
He says and you nod cautiously, evaluating his words.
"But if you disagree, tell me," he hurries to say.
His calm tone and your reasons contrast with the uncertainty and indecision you feel. And the two of you have barely started.
Five months is such a compromising situation and it generates some concern, because you know you will face so many things you still have no idea about and every day it could become more complicated to maintain the farce.
"I guess it's okay," you cautiously admit, trying to see the big picture, "But I feel like it's still a long time. But also reducing that time might not be enough," you agree.
"Yes but I'm sure we can handle it. And don't worry, if at some point we feel it's too much or we don't have enough reason to keep pretending anymore, we can talk iand end it."
You remain pondering, considering his words and after a few seconds you nod in agreement, and write it down as the first point on the sheet. But this alone is the first piece of a much more complicated puzzle.
1. Duration of relationship: Until graduation.
And Aemond also brings up the next point of the contract, expressing his ideas with quiet but evident assurance.
"Now, second..." he begins, "As for behavior in public, we should genuinely show affection in the hallways, cafeteria, and at any school activity and event. In a relationship people don't take their hands off each other, so we should smile at each other, hug each other, make subtle gestures, hold hands-
"Don't say kissing, please," you interrupt him, pleading, taking him by surprise.
"Of course, Y/N," he tells you instantly, incredulous, "Obviously we'll have to kiss."
As if having to act completely in love with him and be every moment touching him isn't enough. But the idea of kissing seems a bit much to you.
"I agree about showing affection and all that, but that kissing thing might be awkward and... weird," you say, trying to be sincere but not seeming completely closed off to the idea.
Aemond looks at you incredulously.
"So you don't want us to kiss?"
"I don't think it's necessary, honestly."
"Are you crazy? How are we supposed to pretend if we're not going to kiss? No one's going to believe us if we don't kiss and that's what will literally make the whole relationship believable," he insists, visibly concerned.
"Yeah, I get that it might seem necessary, but...at least I don't want to be having to kiss you every single time."
"You don't want to kiss me?" he asks you, visibly surprised, confused and... maybe a little hurt?
You watch him silently for a moment not understanding his reaction and then watch him with a small amused smile.
"I'm not one of your fans, Targaryen."
"Oh come on, everyone wants to kiss me," he says confused and incredulous, proving his point.
"Even the guys?"
"Well... yeah, I don't know, maybe some of them," he says with a shrug.
"Seven Hells," you mutter, averting your gaze for a moment, "I-I really don't want to do that," you say, speaking seriously and then you let out a sigh, "But you're right that no one's going to believe us-
"Obviously. I always have," he is quick to say.
"So my proposal is this... we'll kiss, yes, but only when it's extremely necessary, and when I say extremely necessary I mean extremely necessary."
You watch him intently, keeping yourself willing with your proposal, waiting for his opinion, which judging by his face, he doesn't quite agree with.
"And what would those extremely necessary moments be exactly?" he inquires, attentive and interested, also still looking slightly worried.
"In the cafeteria or in the hallways when everyone is obviously looking at us and we're attracting attention. Just don't abuse it."
Aemond lets out a long breath.
"Well, let's limit them to extremely necessary moments," he finally says resignedly and you quickly note the second point.
2. Behavior in public: Show affection as genuinely as possible in public, such as gestures, hugs, and holding hands. KISSING ONLY WHEN EXTREMELY NECESSARY.
"But then that second point is also going to apply to the parties you'll be going to with me and my lacrosse games you'll be going to."
You quickly raise your gaze to him.
"What?"
"Yes," he nods, "Going to the parties together will also lend credibility to the relationship and obviously we have to be very close to each other. And it's the same in my games, you must go to support and encourage me, like any girlfriend in love with her boyfriend would."
Aemond's words provoke an instant reaction in you, that confusing you and taking you by surprise.
"But I don't go to parties."
"Now you will," he says with a calm expression, reaching out his hand and taking the pen and your notebook.
"But-
He is already writing in a section further down the sheet which he lists as; 'additional conditions'.
Parties.
Lacrosse games.
"Aemond, I'm not a big fan of parties, really," you insist, "You'll have a bad time if you take me with you and I'll probably ruin everything."
"Don't worry, I'll teach you the trick to having a good time and change that mentality you have. Besides I won't take you to every party, just a few," he assures you, "All while keeping up appearances," he hands you back your notebook and pen, "With me you'll never get bored, I promise," he says with a small smile on his lips.
You let out a sigh, placing the notebook back in front of you, still undecided.
"Yes? Well, we'll see about that. I warned you though."
He lets out a soft little laugh.
"Come on Y/N, you can't be that bad."
"I assure you I can be."
"And so what do you do for fun?" he asks you, keeping his smile, curiosity evident in his gaze.
And there it is, the question that totally describes your personality and that in fact you don't like to answer to just anyone, because then they call you boring. But you can't lie to Aemond, he is astute enough and would notice.
So you decide to be honest.
"I like to read," you reply, lowering your gaze and feeling slightly embarrassed, "And I love going to the movies or watching movies and shows at home, either one is totally fine with me. Oh... and... hm... I also like ice skating, although I don't do that as often but... it's something I like too."
And even though it's only a bit of the world of things you like, Aemond listens to you attentively with a soft expression, saying nothing afterwards, as if he's processing every word you've said, while you only feel more embarrassed by the silence.
You know there's nothing wrong with it but it always made you insecure to share your hobbies, mostly because you know that many girls your age enjoy their teenage years going out with friends to parties and getting drunk.
That didn't and doesn't appeal to you now. You have long been more comfortable with the idea of staying home or going out somewhere else instead of going to parties.
It's not as if you don't attend or avoid every social event, yes you can attend and have a good time depending on who you are with and where, but not as often as every weekend.
However, you understand and recognize the logic behind Aemond's suggestion and that is that attending parties, is essential. And just as he is about to finally speak, you do so first.
"I know they are simple things and are not very exciting for most people. I also know they can be very boring but for me... that's what I like," you shyly confess.
"Hm," he says, taking a small moment, watching you softly, only causing you even more embarrassment, "Well, that's not what I was going to say," he says, catching your attention, "Sometimes it is the simple things that mean the most to everyone and, being honest... I find them interesting," he adds, trying to evaporate any awkwardness and embarrassment you might feel.
You raise your gaze, meeting his bright blue eye watching you softly and with his gaze full of genuine understanding, along with that hint of curiosity. And that gets your attention too.
He's not judging you. And even though it's not something he would do or at least hasn't tried to do yet, he's not judging you for it and you see that genuine interest in his gaze.
"Tell you what, for every party you go to with me, I'll read one of your favorite books or a movie or shows you want me to watch," he says, picking up the notebook and pen again.
"What?" you look at him confused, unable to help but smile in bewilderment, "Are you serious?"
"You must set your own conditions too," he states as he writes, "I already dragged you into my world, so now you're dragging me into yours," he looks up at you, "What do you think? Is it a fair exchange or not?"
His proposal takes you by surprise and also confuses you a little, however, the small smile remains on your face.
The genuine expression of openness on his face and the determination with which he wrote definitely makes you feel more comfortable. His willingness to immerse himself in your interests was not something you had agreed upon from the beginning, nor is it something extremely necessary to fake a relationship.
But it's for the simple reason that you both feel comfortable if you're going to pretend for almost five months and it seems like a nice gesture from him to include it, something you honestly didn't expect from him.
And when he gives you back your notebook, you see the new rule under 'additional conditions'.
For every party Y/N goes to with me, I will read a book or watch one of her favorite movies or shows.
"Yes," you nod, "Sounds like a fair deal to me."
Aemond smiles, pleased with your answer and also seeing the expression on your face.
"Great. We'll see if I discover something new I like. And you too..." he points at you with his index finger, "You won't regret it after you have a great time at my parties," he says enthusiastically, with a sort of complicity in his tone.
"Well, we'll see if you manage to impress me."
And right there, the two of you exchange complicit glances, Aemond having that little smile on his lips while you don't understand this strange new alliance the two of you are building.
But even though you didn't expect it, it's definitely to your liking.
"Now, third..." you point to the notebook with your pen, "Reinforcing the second rule, public appearance," you say, observing him, "We must act as a committed and attentive couple to each other at school and to these parties you want us to go to."
Aemond nods determinedly, thoughtfully.
"Yes, commitment at all times," he states seriously.
"So, that also means that neither of us can be with other people for the duration of all this, not even secretly," you add, making the point clear.
"And you want to write that as a rule too? It's obvious that neither of us should-
"I'll write it as the fourth rule, just to be clear about everything as I told you."
"Oh, fine."
3. Public appearance: Act like a real couple in love, be committed and attentive to each other at school and social events.
4. No involvement with other girls/guys: No casual encounters or texting with anyone else for the duration of the fake relationship.
"Oh and also..." says Aemond, reminding, "Since we're at that point, on additional conditions write that we should both upload photos and videos together on our social media. It's another way to lend credibility to our relationship."
"Photos and videos together on our social media," you repeat, looking at the notebook.
And this catches Aemond's attention.
"Don't tell me you don't use your social media," he says beginning to sound alert and concerned.
"No, no, I-I mean, yes," you hasten to say, "It's just... I don't know, I most likely don't use them as often as you do, besided I have very few followers."
"Don't worry, whatever followers you have are fine. Besides, I'm sure they'll increase when I upload my first photo with you."
You roll your eyes with an amused smile.
"Okay, Mr. Popularity."
"And speaking of that, hand me your Instagram and all your networks," he says instantly, grabbing his cell phone from his front pocket, "We better have that all figured out now."
Obviously Aemond's accounts had to be public while you maintain your privacy, with barely thirteen hundred followers while he has almost the entire school following him and probably from other schools as well.
In fact, your numbers compared to his are embarrassing. But you never really had the interest of having more followers on Instagram or more friends on Facebook, Snapchat is the same and apparently that doesn't matter to Aemond.
Upload photos and videos together to our social media.
"And well, I also think another very important thing is to maintain privacy," you suggest, lifting your gaze to watch him and Aemond gives you a confused look.
"Do you really want to write that down too? It's obvious we can't tell anyone-
"Let me enjoy this, Aemond. It's actually fun and I want to write it all down. So act serious," you ask.
He lets out a choked laugh.
"Well, yes, we must be discreet, no one must know that all this is false, only we know the truth and we must keep it that way," he says and you excitedly write it down.
"We mustn't involve our families in this either," you add, watching him intently, "But that will be difficult because your siblings are here," you grimace.
"We can keep up the farse with them for a while too, I'll convince them not to say anything to my mother or the rest of my family. And once everyone here at school is convinced enough, I'll tell the truth only to them," he say sure and confident, solving the problem.
"And you're sure you'll manage to keep them that way?"
"Yeah," he says with a shrug, "They're my siblings. I know how it works with each one."
5. Maintain privacy: Tell absolutely no one about the fake relationship or involve each other's families in it.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot..." Aemond says as he points to what is already written, "You must also go on each year's trip to Dragonstone with me. That's another additional condition of mine."
"What?" you inquire again, surprised and confused.
"Yes, the trip to Dragonstone," he affirms.
Oh God, the trip to Dragonstone.
Dragonstone is an island not far from King's Landing, where there is an ancient castle with a lot of history but has been modernized with the same name and is open to every visitor.
The school makes an annual trip for educational purposes as the castle has relics and structuring from thousands of years ago. You have seen pictures and videos where everything looks really beautiful, ancestral and almost royalty.
In addition the castle offers other activities, such as rides on its huge luxury yachts, surfing, diving and swimming lessons.
You always had the spirit to go but have always known that the trip is anything but educational. You've heard stories that happen with the students, such as getting drunk, partying on the yachts, hot tubs and obviously you've heard stories of who slept with whom.
Even the most reserved get to have fun and it's not something you're interested in. You know you don't fit in that environment, especially since everyone has to share a room and you're sure that if you go, you'll have to share a room with girls with different tastes and perspectives than yours. They probably won't even let you sleep.
"Come on Y/N, you've never been to Dragonstone?" asks Aemond incredulously, noting the grimace on your face for wanting you to go there with him.
"Well, yeah I've wanted to go but... I-I, I don't know, I've heard that instead of learning about the place, everyone goes to having fun, they party, they get drunk and I-I don't...
"And what do you expect us to do in a modern castle on the shore of the beach with yachts and hot tubs?" he inquires again, expectantly, "The trip is planned for the middle of the last month of these five months and you can't let me go alone with the things that go on in that place."
You make your grimace more visible, revealing your clear indecision. And even though you and Aemond have been at odds lately over the matter of tastes, he still places a soft smile in your direction, understanding that you are not like him and prefer to do other things.
"Look, you don't have to go to the parties and drink if you don't want to," he starts to tell you, "But we can at least go to one of the parties on the yachts and then do the activities they offer on site, swimming, diving and all that," he proposes, "We'll take pictures, tour the castle and we'll both be equally satisfied."
You ponder for a moment, considering his proposal. You know you only have to get your father's signature on the permit to be able to go to the island and it's not like you've gone before so... you can do it now.
"Well, I guess that's fine," you nod, "But really promise you won't leave me alone and we'll take the time to do other activities that aren't related to partying on yachts and hot tubs."
"Please, we'll go as a couple, so of course I won't leave you alone. You'll be stuck with me," he assures you, "And I also promise you that we'll do other activities, not just the parties."
"And..." you start to say, in a serious, warning tone, "Also promise you'll pick me up every morning to bring me to school. That's another one of my additional conditions. The bus isn't very comfortable anymore."
He nods, shrugging, completely unconcerned.
"Sure, it's no problem. Besides it will make the relationship more credible," he says softly.
Despite your doubts, you feel a sense of relief at seeing and acknowledging his commitment. And you also feel more confident knowing that you have his support in all of this, even in your conditions. So you write down the two new additional conditions.
Drive Y/N every morning to school.
Dragonstone trip.
At the end you both sign the sheet, looking honestly ridiculous but being funny, then both seal the whole contract by shaking hands.
"So when do we start all this?" you ask him, putting away your notebook and pen.
"I say tomorrow," he gives you a look of understanding, "But we need to talk now during classes in the hallways or in the cafeteria, so that when they see us together tomorrow, it won't be so surprising and will seem more believable."
You give him an unsure look.
"I think it will still be very surprising, Aemond."
"It doesn't matter, we just have to start showing together today, just talking. But tomorrow is when we really start."
And just as he says those words, with that determination, you feel again those nerves in your lower abdomen and that insecurity. But at least you still have all day today to mentally prepare yourself, and you're grateful for that.
"And before I forget this too..." he says again, "I need you to send me all your academic information to work on your college application now," he tells you seriously and you watch him completely attentively, "The five months will go by fast and during that time college applications will start. So it's best to get it all in now."
At this, you feel your heart start to beat fast and you don't know why, you guess because it's a very important issue for you. And more than anything else it's the reason you agreed to do this with him.
"Yeah, yeah, sure," you say softly, "I-I'll email it all to you."
He smiles softly in your direction.
"Very well," he nods at you, "I'll text you my email."
Despite your slight doubts about whatever is going to happen next, the idea of starting a fake relationship leaving you with a knot in your stomach and feeling your emotions mixed, you know this will all be worth a try.
So you pick up your phone and you start to write in an email all your personal and academic information. While at the same time all is said and done and the fake relationship contract is over.
THE CONTRACT
Duration of relationship: Until graduation.
Behavior in public: Show affection as genuinely as possible in public, such as gestures, hugs, and holding hands. KISSING ONLY WHEN EXTREMELY NECESSARY.
Public appearance: Act like a real couple in love, be committed and attentive to each other at school and social events.
No involvement with other girls/guys: No casual encounters or texting with anyone else for the duration of the fake relationship.
Maintain privacy: Tell absolutely no one about the fake relationship or involve each other's families in it.
ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Parties.
Lacrosse games.
For every party Y/N goes to with me, I will read a book or watch one of her favorite movies or shows.
Upload photos and videos together to our social media.
Drive Y/N every morning to school.
Dragonstone trip.
general taglist
@melsunshine @at-a-rax-ia @jxdegodfrey @ttkttt @yentroucnagol @kate-to-the-ki @iamavailablesstuff
#aemond targaryen#aemond fanfiction#aemond targaryen x reader#aemond targaryen x you#hotd aemond#aemond x fem!reader#aemond x oc#aemond x reader#aemond targaryen fanfic#aemond targaryen x y/n#aemond x y/n#modern aemond#modern hotd
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𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓪 𝓬𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓪𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓹𝓽.3 - 𝓛. 𝓗𝓮𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓾𝓷𝓰
📞 Pairing: heeseung + female reader!
Warnings: smut, phone sex, mutual masturbation, dirty talk, cursing.
Genre: PSO (phone sex operator) heeseung.
Summary: too lazy to make one honestly :/ but y’all know the drill probably a couple errors in here too my bad 😣
Number of words: 1,981k
Feel like this is turning into my other work “cyber sex” and I’m highkey disappointed but I hope y’all will still like it
Pt.1 pt.2
Find your way around!
“You always make me feel so good, angel.” You hear Ethan panting on the other end after what had been nearly two hours of being on the phone doing and saying things that you never even dreamt of
until you found him.
Despite your initial plans of not calling him back, you found yourself coming home from school the very next day and doing just that. You felt pathetic about it, using what little money you had scraped up from your part-time job just to have phone sex with a guy that was probably millions of miles away, and to top it off, he was probably also laughing all the way to the bank with the ridiculous amount of money you had already spent on these risque calls.
You shifted uncomfortably on your bed, pulling up your soaked panties and fixing your disheveled skirt.
“You had a good time, too, right?” He asks a bit hesitantly because of your sudden silence. He knew it always got a little awkward after you both came together, but you’ve never been this quiet after.
“Yes, Ethan. It always is,” you reply quietly, and he smiles from ear to ear on the other end, happy that you’re just as satisfied as him. You cleared your throat softly before speaking again. “Ethan, you don’t always have to pretend that you’re into it too. I’m fine with you just guiding me,” you say shyly, but it was the truth. You didn’t want him pretending that he was enjoying himself when he clearly wasn’t.
“W-what?” He asks, completely and utterly puzzled by your statement.
You giggle softly, finding it amusing how he tried to act like he didn’t know what you were saying, but it didn’t surprise you cause he’d always been professional at his job. “Ethan, I know you’re not really enjoying it, and that’s fine.”
He just laughs on the other end. “Angel, I think enjoying would be an understatement. I fucking love it when you call me. Love how sweet your moans sound in my ear, and you know what I love most?”
Your face feels hot from his words alone, but you’re still not convinced he’s telling you the truth, especially cause his job was all about pleasing people. He was probably just saying what you wanted to hear. “What, Ethan?” You ask him.
“Love hearing you cum for me,” he sighed softly, looking at the mess of cum all over his chest and stomach. “More than you know,” he whispers.
“Ethan, It’s fine if you do-“
“Angel, let me prove it to you, yeah?” He cuts your words, his voice sounding a little desperate to get you to believe him.
“How?” You question, not taking a moment to stop and even process what exactly is happening, only curious to figure out how he’s gonna prove to you that he’s telling you the truth.
“Do you have any socials? I would ask for your number, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” he chews on his biting lip, hoping he wasn’t coming off as some type of creep, but this is the only way he could think of to prove it to you.
Your heart rate picks up as you mutter your social to him, hoping it wasn’t a mistake giving your account to some random stranger. Well, not exactly random, but a stranger nevertheless.
“That’s my Angel,” he said softly and quickly typed in your account, following you at light speed.
Without thinking rationally, you immediately accept his follow request and open up a DM from him, anxious to see what it says.
Ethan: Hi angel!
You smiled when you saw what he sent. It was a picture of his palm that read angel on it with a little heart drawn next to it.
But before you swooned over him too hard, that could have been anyone’s hand, so you weren’t so quick to believe him just yet.
You: 🤨.
You typed out your reply, and you hear him laughing softly on the other end.
“Still not convinced, huh, angel? Fine, tell me what you want. I’ll do anything to prove it to you. You have every right to be apprehensive.” Your timidness wasn’t at all surprising by now. After a few calls with you, he was well aware that he had to take things slow, which was fine by him.
“Uhh, maybe a picture of your face?” You say more like a question, and it comes out sounding more than offensive. “I-I mean, n-not like- I wasn’t trying to be rude or anything, it’s just- ” you sigh, deciding to just give up on trying to explain yourself, and you hear him laugh once again as you whine in defeat.
“You’re so cute. Fine angel, my face you shall get” he opened his front-facing camera and put his hand in front of his mouth, palm open so you could see the word that he had written prior, and what better way to prove that he was l telling the truth than to show the residual cum coating his upper body from your guys not so quick session earlier.
Your breath hitched the moment you saw it, and your hands fumbled on your phone, trying to exit the screen, shocked by the image you saw. It’s not that you didn’t like it, but it was so unexpected.
So unexpected that not only did you accidentally screenshot it, but you hung up on him as well.
He heard the rustling on your end before everything went silent. “Angel?” He peeked at his phone, seeing that the call had been disconnected. He almost had a heart attack before he realized he could quickly get a hold of you because of your shared socials.
Ethan: Hope I didn’t scare you off ☹️
He anxiously awaited your text. Minutes passed, and you still hadn’t replied. He wanted to say something, but he didn’t want to pressure you into responding if you didn’t want to.
You clutched your chest, face completely on fire from the picture he sent, and you shamelessly eyed every single last inch of his body that was in the frame, and he looked so hot.
While you were having your fun, he was having a complete meltdown, especially cause he saw that you had saved the picture.
Were you sending it to your friends? Were you laughing at him because he looked stupid? Did you find it disgusting?
Ugh
You probably did. Why did he think sending you a picture of him covered in his cum would be attractive?
Speaking of, he got up and went to the bathroom, wiping himself completely clean. Hopefully, by the time he was finished, you would have responded.
That was wishful thinking cause when he looked at his phone, he could see that his message was left on read.
He had the right mind to just block you and save himself the embarrassment, but it kinda was too late for that already.
Ethan: You there? 😬
The ding on your phone finally brought you back to reality, and you quickly typed a reply.
You: Yes
You felt bad you just left him waiting, but how could you be calm and collected enough to type a coherent reply after what he had just sent you?
He sighed in relief now that you had finally replied.
Ethan: So, is that proof enough that I’m not faking it?👀
You cupped your mouth, head hanging low in embarrassment because you practically called him a liar earlier.
You: Yes, sorry for not believing you 😞
Ethan: It’s okay, my angel girl 😘 so I saw you took a screenshot of the picture.. does that mean you liked it👀
You: Screenshot?
You reply confused
Ethan: Angel, you don’t have to pretend you didn’t. It’s fine
Your eyes nearly bulged from your sockets when you saw his reply because you didn’t screenshot anything.
You: Ethan, I didn’t
You told the truth you’d never screenshot anything without his consent.
Ethan: You sure? 🤨📸
He took a screenshot of his screen, clearly showing the part where it said you had taken a screenshot.
You: No…
Ethan: 🤥 yes
He sent back, laughing hysterically because why were you lying over something so trivial? Sure, if anyone else had taken a screenshot, he would have minded, but it was just you, so he wasn’t mad about it. He even thought it was kinda cute, in a way.
You: You calling me a liar? 🧐
Ethan: I never said that. I said, “🤥”
You: That’s the same thing!!?
Ethan: No, it’s just 🤥
You: I didn’t.
You stood your ground, but that screenshot of you clearly saving the picture was not helping your case. It was clear evidence.
You: You know what? fine, I’ll screenshot my gallery and send it to you.
Ethan: K 😌 I’ll give you time to delete it.
You ignored him and went into your gallery, and low and behold, that picture was the most recent one, and the pieces slowly came together.
Fuck.
Ethan: I’m waiting 🤥
You: Umm… so about that
Ethan: You did, and it’s fine, Angel. I’m not mad. I’m glad you liked it enough to want to keep it forever 🙈
You: Hear me out, I took it on an accident.
Ethan: 🥱🤥
You: STOP 😩 When you sent the picture, I was fumbling with my phone and accidentally took it. It was never my intention to save it. I’d never save a picture of you.
Ethan: Never? OUCH 😔
You: No, no, no, that’s not what I meant. I meant without your consent, of course.
Ethan: So you would? 😃
You: Yesn't?
Ethan: Yes or no?
You: I mean, I wouldn’t be opposed to it…👀
Ethan: So yes? Okay then!
Before you could reply, he had already sent you another attachment, one that made your face heat up by a thousand degrees.
Ethan: You can save that one, too, angel. I like the idea of you having me in your phone 🥰
You hesitated for all of a second to save it, not thinking about the fact that you’d have a random bulge pic in your gallery, but who cares? That would only be between you and him.
Ethan: That was fast. You’re making me blush🤭
You: And you’re turning me on 😶
Heeseung had to look at his screen again, a blank look on his face as he blinked a few times to make sure he was reading that correctly. That wasn’t the angel he knew. How the heck were you so shy over the phone and so bold over text?
Ethan: I can show you more, you know? That’s if you want it.
He’d be lying if he said his boxers weren’t becoming taut. He’d also be lying if he said his heart wasn’t racing in his chest cause it most definitely was cause he was literally about to bare it all to you.
You: More of what?🫣
Ethan: More of this
He took another pic. This time, his underwear around his thighs, his semi-hard cock resting in his palm while he turned the flash on so you could see the scribble of your nickname next to his cock, which had already grown more than an inch.
You: 😳
Ethan: Don’t get shy now. That’s exactly what you wanted, and we both know it, Angel.
You: I know, it’s just so….
You can’t believe a single picture of his cock could have you so turned on. You were heating up down there, and the faint pulse between your legs only amplified the longer you stared at it. He was so big and thick you nearly drooled at the sight on your phone screen.
Ethan: So???
He pulled his underwear back up while waiting for your reply.
You: Big 🫣
He smirked reading your text, and he swears you were the cutest little thing ever, so shy yet so bold he liked that about you a lot.
Ethan: That’s not even as big as it gets 🤫
You: Oh? So, just how big does it get, Ethan? 😝
Ethan: FaceTime me and find out 👀
Thank you for reading. Please reblog and leave feedback. - 🐹
Permanent taglist🔖 @hee-pster @hoyeonheeseung @furious-eagle @heehoonsnemo
Just a call away taglist🔖 @heeseungshim @rayofsunshineeee @fakeuwus
#heeseung smut#enhypen smut#enhypen heeseung smut#enhypen heeseung#heeseung#lee heeseung smut#enhypen#lee heeseung#smut
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Replaced MC AU
Authors Note: the amount of support I’m getting is insane and I am so thankful! I didn’t expect my first series to blow up like this! Comment if you would like to be added to the tag list (which is something I never expected to have) and of course, enjoy part four!!
TW: none really except MC and ??? Shit talking the brothers and royals
Part 1-Part 2-Part 3-Part 4(you are here)
Someone who feels the same way
??? POV
“Chef! There is someone sleeping in the alleyway next to the restaurant!” A demon said, “if you let homeless people just sleep outside people are going to stop eating here. This is a prestigious restaurant, not a homeless shelter.” The noble demon scoffed at the other
“I will go take care of it.” The chef sighed, grabbing his coat and umbrella from his office before exiting the restaurant and checking the alley beside it. Sure enough, there lays a boy, looking to be physically around the same age as the chef, and he looks like shit
“How long do you plan on sitting in the alley? Humans get sick easily.” The demon spoke, moving his umbrella to cover the soaked boy
“You gonna eat me?” the human asked, not even moving his head up to look at the demon
“Eat you? Ew.”
“Don’t mess with me, I know how demons are.” The chef shook his head, leaning against the wall across from MC
“If I was going to eat you I would have done so already. Aren’t you the precious little exchange student? Weird to see you without one of your guard dogs.” He scoffs as he mentions the seven lords
“Please don’t bring me back there. Who knows what they will do if they found out I was causing a noble demon trouble” MC sputtered, still not making eye contact with the mystery demon
“Ew.”
“Ew?”
“Those lords are as incompetent as the young prince who rules them.” The demon replied with a roll of his eyes “I’m Lawrence by the way. Why don’t you come into the restaurant and get cleaned up, the back room should have some spare clothes since yours are… gross”
“Are you sure your boss would be okay with that?”
“My boss? No, he won’t mind” Lawrence tosses his jacket at MC, still covering both of them with the umbrella
“If you’re sheltering me with an umbrella why do I need a jacket?”
“Put the hood up, hide your face and, since I wear this jacket often it should mask your scent as a human. A lot of noble demons are dining here, if you don’t want the lords knowing you’re here you best hide.” Lawrence explains, helping MC up off the ground
“Why are you helping me? You could have killed me at least five different times now”
“Because you looked pathetic. And I can’t have homeless people outside the restaurant, it will make it look… poor”
Small time skip
MCs POV, first person
I finished getting changed after successfully sneaking in… but now what? Sure I’m all cleaned up but was it all just to go out onto the streets again? Sure I could go to Purgatory Hall but who knows if they have been manipulated by Amelia too. I need to get a job and find a place to stay, even if I just hotel jump until the end of my time here…
“The uniform looks good on you.” A voice spoke from the door behind me “ready to get working?”
“What? Your… offering me a job here? But how will I go unnoticed!? And I’m a human, so won’t the demons be inclined to avoid this place with me working here!?” I ask, shocked at the sudden declaration that he was giving me a job
“An illusion spell, I put it in the uniform before you get changed. To me and any other demon you look and smell like a demon. No one will recognize you like this.” Lawrence explained, it’s as if he was prepared for this
“Oh… well I guess that makes sense, but why offer me a job? This just doesn’t seem right, you are a demon correct? Why help a useless human this much?” I asked, not fully trusting in this random demons intentions
“You ask so many questions, it’s annoying. I just felt like it, that’s all. This is my restaurant so I can give anyone I please a job.”
“Your restaurant!? You own this place!? The lords came to eat here many times, saying this was the fanciest restaurant in the Devildom!”
“If I could ban them from coming here I would. I had to work overtime any night you all came. That gluttony demon is a real problem for any restaurant he comes to. And don’t get me started on that prideful fuck, he can rot for all I care, he had the gall to tell me I was being too conservative with the serving sizes, at my own damn restaurant” Lawrence rants on and on, it was almost comforting to find someone who hates them as much as I do now “the only tolerable one is the young lords butler, at least he seems to have a shred of respect, unlike the other eight. Not even the prince can respect other people enough to not shout everything he says like he is the most important being in the three worlds”
“You seem to really hate them, don’t you?” I chuckle a bit at his tangent, not expecting someone who looks and acts like he does to go on such a heated rant
“Hate is such a… gentle word. I loathe them, they think they are the best demons ever because one of them was born into power and the other seven used to be angels. Well that doesn’t mean shit in the long run, and they will learn that sooner or later when their little exchange program backfires and the Celestial Realm fucks over both the Devildom and the human realm by extension. If there is one thing I loathe more than the nobles here in the Devildom, it’s the celestial realm” he sighs “we have gotten off topic, do you want the job or not? I live in a two bedroom apartment above the restaurant that you may stay in until you have made enough money to get your own place out until the exchange year comes to an end. Truthfully it would be foolish of you to refuse” he was right, it would be incredibly stupid to turn down this offer.
Tag list; @t-misaki @melpomenelurks @gallantys @skei2p @terodactu @atomsminecraft @cutest-tenshi
#obey me#obey me angst#replaced mc#obey me replaced au#obey me oc#obey me mc#obey me lucifer#obey me mammon#obey me leviathan#obey me satan#obey me asmodeus#obey me beelzebub#obey me belphegor#obey me diavolo#obey me barbatos#obey me simeon#obey me solomon#obey me luke
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[intro] new notification!
msby!atsumu x reader || w/c: 560
Atsumu discovers that the only thing worse than online dating, is dating advice online.
a/n: oh look at that, another atsumu fic!! this one is less stressful for me though. its pretty short, with a cute little plot that won't cause me planning paralysis. making edits for atsumu is always so fun <3 i hope you'll read it!!
[chapter 1->]
r/relationship_advice • 3 hours ago
u/fattytuna95
I want to ask out my twin brother's girlfriend.
It's not as bad as it sounds. She's not really his girlfriend.
I'll try to explain.
We're colleagues, sort of. (Me and her— I'd rather starve to death than work for my brother.)
Last month, someone took a picture of us leaving the office. I was only walking her to her car but the person who took the picture wanted to imply that we were dating.
And that wouldn't have been an easy rumour for her to handle, so I got my brother (identical twin) to post a picture with her on his socials.
Obviously, just one picture wouldn't work to convince anyone, so they've been meeting up a couple times a week (they have similar interests, so they were friends already) to be seen together.
Now here's the issue— I never saw her like that before, and I thought it was just fucking annoying to watch people be lovey dovey, fake or not... but one of my other colleagues said it sounded like I was jealous.
And fuck, I am.
Do you think she'd be mad if I asked her out? I reacted pretty badly to the original picture. And I'm worried my brother likes her for real (those photos they're posting are kind of convincing...)
Edit: for everyone asking, no, I can't ask my brother. he'll know why, and if he really does like her I don't want to mess with it. and if he doesn't he won't let me hear the fucking end of it. i can hear the best man speech already.
↑ 25 ↓ •••
u/unicornpoodle • 2 hours ago
lol dude (I'm assuming you're a dude, unless you're a girl who unfortunately is built exactly like your brother) are you sure you like her and aren't just jealous of your brother being happy? fake or not
↑ 50 ↓ •••
u/fattytuna95 • 2 hours ago
yeah i'm sure. I cut out a picture of one of my teammates and pasted it over his ugly mug and it made me even angrier.
↑ 35 ↓ •••
u/msbygirlie_13 • 2 hours ago
Oh hey!! I recognise you from the atsumu miya subreddit!! That's so cool you have a twin just like him!! And his brother got a gf recently too!!! (I think they're fr tho lol.)
Okay hmmm this is a tough one. wdym when yuo said 'reacted badly'??? and what was so bad about the rumour in the first place if it's an option for you now???? this is kinda weird ngl.
↑ 42 ↓ •••
u/fattytuna95 • 2 hours ago
do you really they're the real deal???
I kind of laughed. And now that I look back at it, I think I might have looked way too eager to put it out there that we weren't dating. like I was disgusted or something. :( I wasn't, I just didn't want her to have any trouble. :( :(
I'm sorry, I can't explain the situation any more for privacy reasons.
↑ 20 ↓ •••
u/guiltyassassin_ • 1 hour ago
well you don't have to talk to either of them... you said someone took the original photo. maybe they're still stalking?? ask them what they think?
lmfao you guys are either celebrities or highschoolers with this kinda drama
(also you keep calling your brother ugly, but then say you guys are identical? huh????)
↑ 5 ↓ •••
u/fattytuna95 • 55 minutes ago
This is kind of an insane idea, but it does make sense. Maybe I'll do it.
(and you wouldn't get it.)
↑ 2 ↓ •••
first chapter tomorrow! please like/reblog/reply/send me an ask if you enjoyed it :) it keeps me going lol
[my other fics->]
divider: @/cafekitsune
#atsumu miya x reader#miya atsumu x reader#atsumu x reader#haikyuu x reader#hq x reader#fluff#my fic
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YOU’RE THEIR LOCK SCREEN — ft. MSBY 4
warnings — none
⨳ATSUMU had left his phone on the counter face up. you weren’t planning on peaking at it until he got a notification and his phone screen flashed in. you glanced it at from the corner of your eye. at first, you didn’t fully process what the photo was then you reached for the phone and turned it on. it was a photo of you. the day the two of you went to a fair. you were laughing and pointing at something when he took the photo, this was your first time seeing it. “babe, have ya seen my phone?” atsumu asked as he entered the kitchen. he stopped in his tracks when he saw you smiling at him with your phone in hand. “why have you never shown me this photo?” you asked. “i look so good.” a chuckle escaped the setter's throat as he approached you with his hand out for his phone. “you always look good.” he grinned sending you a wink.
⨳BOKUTO showed you it when you asked why he was smiling at his phone so much. every single time he picked up his phone he spent at least thirty seconds staring at it with a huge grin on his face. it was a photo of you asleep on his chest with your mouth slightly open. your face scrunched up in disgust as you turn to your boyfriend. "really ko?" he had an offended look on his face as he pulled the phone back into his arms. "i think you look amazing!" you couldn't help but smile, arguing with him would be pointless. he continued to talk about the photo for five minutes.
⨳HINATA and you had matching lock screens, you had opposite halves of the same photo. it was a picture the two of you took when you went to disney world. (photo creds to bokuto). you were wearing matching MSBY jerseys, obviously shoyo's and mickey mouse ears. the two of you had huge grins on your faces and your arms around each other in front of the cinderella castle. you two enjoy showing off the matching lock screens to your friends.
⨳SAKUSA showed you his right after he took it. it was a photo of you that morning, next to him on the couch, hair a mess, and eyes barely open. he took it with a faint smile on his face before deciding to show you. "look," he said tapping your leg to get your attention as he held his phone out toward you. your eyes immediately widened at the sight of the photo. "kiyoomi! seriously!?" you whined dramatically. "what? you look great." he said cooly as if he didn't know what you were thinking. "I'm gonna make it my lock screen." he stated as he began to set it. "please don't let anyone have your phone!" you begged. he scoffed and turned to you briefly. "do you hear yourself? you have nothing to worry about." he said reassuringly.
reblogs are appreciated
#haikyū!!#hq msby#msby 4#msby four#hinata x reader#sakusa x reader#atsumu x reader#bokuto x reader#hinata shōyō#sakusa kiyoomi#atsumu miya#bokuto kōtarō#haikyuu fluff#hq fluff#hq drabbles#msby fluff#msby black jackal#karasuno#inarizaki#fukurodani#itachiyama#kiyoomi sakusa#miya atsumu#sakusa fluff#sakusa drabble#hinata fluff#hinata drabble#bokuto fluff#bokuto drabble#atsumu fluff
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Muggle Activities
masterlist
pairing: tom riddle x female reader
warnings: fluff, kissing, a snippet of protective/jealous tom
summary: you finally convinced tom to go to a carnival with you
a/n: guyss i have a small something planned when i get just a few more followers and im excited :) also i have no clue what the cost of the wristbands are so i just made up a price.
song: best song ever - one direction
"I cannot believe I agreed to this," Tom aggressively sighs.
"You did it because you love me." You stand on your tippy toes and kiss his cheek.
He lowly grumbles something along the lines of, "Yeah, yeah."
You were wearing a pastel blue, knee length sundress. Along with a matching pastel blue ribbon holding your hair back behind your head.
Tom was dressed in black dress pants and white button up. His put his hands in his pants pockets and you grabbed his elbow, pulling him to the ticket stand.
The elder woman looks at you two, "Hello."
You smile at her and fidget with one of the rings on Tom's finger. "Hi! Um, may we please have two wristbands?"
"Sure, that'll be $65."
You go to take the money from your purse but Tom grabs your wrist and shakes his head. He pulls his wallet out and hands her the money.
Before you came, you and Tom went to change some of your wizard currency into muggle money.
You sigh and look at him, "Why do you never let me pay. I feel bad, you're always spending money on me."
He leans over as the lady moves to grab the wristbands. "Who's to say I don't enjoy spoiling you, darling?"
You blush and mumble, "Well, thank you."
"Alright, here you go, enjoy."
You thank the woman and excitedly move away from the stand to put the bands on. "May I see your wrist, sir?"
"Yes, ma'am."
He holds out his wrist and you put it on, he then does the same for you.
"Alright! Where should we go first?"
Tom looks around and shrugs, "I don't know, you're the one who's familiar with these things."
"Hm, let's start with... Zero Gravity!" You grab his hand and start walking towards the ride.
"Do we have to go on rides?" Tom practically whines. "Why not those things over there?" You look at him and see him watching the carnival games. "Muggles think this stuff is fun?" Tom asks as he looks at the ride that swings back and forth as people scream.
"Yep! Oh and don't worry we'll do the games. After a few rides," you grin. "Come on."
You make it to the line and to your surprise, the line was decently short, so you were able to get onto the ride quickly.
You two stand next to each other and the ride starts a minute later, spinning so fast that you two are pushed back against the padding behind you.
After it stops, you two walk off and stand out of the way. "So! How was your first ride experience?"
"It was... nauseating. I don't know what the point of that was."
"I think it was fun!" You bounce on your feet and look up at his hair which got a bit messed up.
You reach your arms up and comb your fingers through his hair, neatening it.
"If anyone else were to touch my hair, I-"
"You would use an unforgivable curse, blah blah blah."
"You know me too well," he gives you a boyish grin. He puts his arm on your shoulders and turns you. Running his fingers through your hair and tightening your bow.
"Thanks, love," you kiss his hand. "Okay, next let's go on the swings!"
He nods and follows you like a lost puppy, although if anyone were to say that they wouldn't have a tongue to say anything again.
You two show your wristbands and find your seats. The ride begins and the swings start going around as it rises into the air. Tom has to admit it's a good view since it's nighttime and everything is lit up.
It spins for about two more minutes before slowing and going low again. When it's stopped you turn to Tom, "That was great, wasn't it?"
He shrugs as you both unhook the straps, "I don't know if I would use that word, but it wasn't bad." You walk over to him and take his hand in yours, walking through the exit. "Where to now, angel?"
You bite the inside of your cheek. "How about that roller coaster?"
He looks at where you're pointing and starts to shake his head immediately. "No. Abso-bloody-lutely not."
"Come on Tom! It's not that bad." You start pulling him and you look back at him, "It's practically the same things as the Gringotts Mine Cart."
"I suppose."
You wait a bit on the line and get put in your own cart. You hold his hand and put your free hand on his bouncing knee. "Don't be nervous, love."
He scoffs, "I'm not nervous."
You narrow your eyes at him, "Mhm."
The ride starts and you go all directions at a great speed. It goes in loops and goes up before it drops.
You look over at Tom and see his eyes closed. You smile and poke his cheek. He opens his eyes and looks at you when you laugh, "You're so cute."
He doesn't have time to scold you for calling him cute because the cart takes a sharp turn before going back to where you started.
The man running the ride comes and lifts the bars. You two step out and go down the stairs. "That was amazing," you lean against Tom's side.
"Whatever you say, darling."
"Okay, why don't we get some cotton candy and then play a few games. It's already 10:45."
"Okay," he kisses your head. You two walk over and purchase two cotton candy and then walk to one of the games.
"Tom! I need to win a fish! The poor things are probably miserable in those tiny bags."
"Okay only one though because I don't think Hogwarts allows pet fish."
"Bloody hell," Tom says holding two large buckets full of bagged fish.
"I can't leave them to die in there!"
"As much as I love how caring you are, was winning thirty-four fish necessary?"
"Yes, Tom. That lady was nice enough to let me play for almost twenty minutes. Okay! Next game."
You two walk up to the game with darts you throw to pop small balloons on the wall.
You smile at the guy working the game. He seemed about your age. "Hi!"
He looks up from his phone and Tom places the buckets on the ground. "Hey," he says, lips curving into a small smirk.
"Mind if I play once?" You ask, handing him a five dollar bill.
"Not at all," he winks and hands you three darts. You hand two to Tom and keep the last one.
Tom throws his, popping two balloons. You throw the last one and pop a balloon.
"Great aim," the guy says. "Pick whatever."
You glance around, spotting something before turning to Tom. "That looks like Novalie," you beam at him, referring to your owl. Tom looks behind you and sees the guy looking quite low in a place he certainly shouldn't be.
He turns you around and wraps an arm around your shoulder while he glares at the guy, "We'll take the owl," he says coolly.
The guy grabs it and hands it to you with a charming smile. He opens his mouth but Tom cuts him off, starting to walk away. "Let's go, sweetheart."
You glance back at the guy who's watching you two walk away. "Bye, thank you! Oh, the fish!"
"I'll get them, wait here." Tom walks over and picks up the buckets. You see him lean over and mumble something to the guy who looks like he's seen a ghost.
You hit his arm when he gets to you, "What did you say to the poor guy?"
"Nothing," he says.
"Didn't look like nothing to me."
"Nothing that you should hear."
"Tom."
"Don't 'Tom' me. We should get going, don't you want to get the fish a thing to live in?"
"A fish tank?"
"Yes."
"Yeah, luckily I saw a place called 'PetSmart' on our way here. I'm going to buy so many decorations for it."
You two walk to the car and put the fish on the floor in the back. You two sit down and as soon as you put your seatbelt on, Tom's lips are on your.
He puts his hand on the back of your neck and holds you in place.
You put a hand on his arm and the other on his shoulder. He bites your bottom lip and you lightly gasp. He slides his tongue in your mouth and slides his against yours.
You kiss him for another few seconds and then pull back breathing heavy. "Goodness me, Tom."
"I love you, you know that?"
You furrow your eyebrows, "Of course I do. I love you, too."
"You wouldn't leave me, right?"
"Tom," you peck his lips. "Never in eternity would I leave you."
"Okay. Let's go get that fish tank," he puts a hand on your thigh and starts driving.
#nina writes 🤭💗#tom riddle#tom riddle fluff#tom riddle x reader#tom riddle x you#tom riddle oneshot#tom riddle blurb#tom riddle fanfic#tom marvolo riddle#harry potter#fluff#tom riddle imagine#harry potter x you#hogwarts#harry potter fanfic#harry potter oneshot#harry potter fluff#harry potter x reader#harry potter imagine#harry potter fanfiction
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"Wanna play a game?" (Luffy, Zoro, Sanji x reader)
Description: One shots with the monster trio. In each fic you play a "game" with one the boys from the monster trio. Who knows..? Something spicy might happen..
Side Notes: Hellooo loves! Please enjoy these oneshots with the monster trio. <3 ..⚆ _ ⚆ (Most likely spelling mistakes + my requests should be open.) Ps: The Zoro oneshot is my absolute fav.
Consider following for more..?
~~~
Luffy:
It was a casual and rather peaceful day on the Thousand Sunny. The Straw Hats, including you, had just left a port from a short supply run… already off to find another adventure.
However, it was a rare occasion for it to be this peaceful.. Zoro was napping, Sanji was cooking, Nami drawing her maps, Robin was reading her new books, Franky fixing the ship with Ussop’s help, and Chopper making his medicine.
That just left you and Luffy..
You were just resting on the deck with a chair when you heard one of the Sunny's doors open. To your surprise it was Luffy.
“Ughh.. im hungry and bored and sleepy..” Luffy said, walking sloppy.
Well he was, until he saw you.
“Oh hey y/n!” His eyes and posture snapped into place.
“Hello Luffy..” you raised your glasses and rested them on your head.
“Wanna play a game?” Luffy’s voice also sounded like it got a little happier and excited.
“Sure I guess..” you gave him a smile anyone would fall for.
His gaze was stuck on you. He just blinked a few times before a slight burning sensation on his face struck him.
“U-uhm.. So how about like.. two truths one lie..?
It shocked you that Luffy actually knew that the game existed and let alone how to play it.
“Sure” you gave him a puzzled look.
“Me, Ussop, and Chopper played it once!” Luffy smiled.
Oh, well that explains how he knew.. Ussop always made up fun games for them to pass the time on the ship.
“Ok I’ll go first!” Luffy plopped down next to you on the floor, a look of confidence and blush showed on his face.
“So.. one is I hate meat, two is I want Sanji to cook, and three is I like y/n..”
“W-wait what!?” your eyes were practically popping out of your skull.
“Uhm..” he smiled and then looked down.
He covered this face with this hat slightly and muttered something out..
“Yeah, I like you.. So?” he continued looking down.
“I do too..” you looked away.
Then he looked up immediately after you said those words. His eyes sparkled brightly.
“Really!? You do!?” then he leaned his head on your thigh.
“Yeah..”
You both were a blushing mess but eventually as the days went by you shared a passionate kiss on the deck in front of Nami which made her choke and spit out her water.
It was safe to say you belonged together. ~(˘▾˘~)
~~~
Zoro:
For Zoro it was like any other day on the Thousand Sunny, minus the fighting parts.. Today you decided to get your moss head and play a game. Now what game exactly you ask?
Let’s backtrack really quickly..
You, Nami, and Robin were speaking about Zoro, you simply didn’t know how to get closer to him. It didn't help that he was reserved and always grumpy, as you like to call it. So Robin, being the brightest in the group of girls suggested to you that you should ask or more so “bribe” the moss head into playing a memory game with you. It sounded harmless but it would definitely have the moss head interacting with you. So you thanked Robin and ran off to put this idea to the test.
Eventually, you found Zoro dozing off into a nap. However you’d have to get to him before he slept because waking up a grumpy man isn’t a pretty sight.
“Hey Zoro! Wanna play a game with me?” you smiled and sat down in front of him on the deck of the Sunny.
“Huh..? No, why would I..? That’s for kids like Sanji and I want to rest.”
He looked back down and was about to doze off again.
This is exactly what Robin, you, and Nami anticipated so it was time for plan-b to be put into action.
“Oi, moss head I’ll give you buckets of booze, but only if you play.” You said smiling, sure of your plan bound to work.
Then his eyes popped open immediately.
“What’s the game..?” Zoro’s face slightly changed to a smile.
“It’s a simple memory game.. k?” you prepared the rules in your mind.
“Fine, get this over with… or..”
You could have sworn he muttered “..or…”, but after all it wasn’t your place to ask him what he had said when you randomly intruded on the man’s peaceful napping session.
“Ok so I'm gonna make up three hand signals in a random order and I'll add to it each time, your job is to copy me. Plus if you fail once you lose and we switch places.”
His mind took a second or two to process all of that info but it seemed like he understood, hopefully..
“Alright..” he looked up at you, now he was giving you his undivided attention.
Robin's plan was working.
After a couple of rounds he eventually failed and snickered at you. Now it was his turn to make up the hand signals..
“Watch me, I'll win!” you smiled confidently.
“Yeah, yeah totally.” The look he gave you was mischievous, like he was planning something you couldn’t predict.
And so he did..
His first movement was to grab your collar and pull you in closer, his second was to lift your chin and lean in on your soft lips, and by movement three..? Well let’s just say you and him were a blushing mess. He assumed that you knew what movement three was already supposed to be..
“Repeat that.” He smiled at you with a deep look.
“Fine I wi-” he cut you off..
“And the third movement too. Unless you don't wanna win..”
“Deal, watch me!”
You repeated the steps of grabbing his collar and lifting his chin. You pulled him in closer and looked up at him unsure about this whole situation.
“Do it” he said while looking at you.
You slowly brought him in closer and kissed him. The kiss lasted for a while until you eventually broke apart.
You were a blushing mess, as for Zoro?
“So where’s my booze at..?”
(I was literally screaming when I read this over, this is my fav)
~~~
Sanji:
Sanji, as being chef of the Straw Hats was usually always in the Thousands Sunny’s kitchen, either he’d be taking orders from Luffy to cook something tasty like meat or be making special drinks for the lady’s around him.
However, today was different, he decided to finally take a break that he needed. He was walking around and wandered into the Sunny's library. There he found you, studying or reading. Either way he found it cute. When you noticed him and smiled, his heart fluttered.
So as bold as Sanji is, he sat in the seat right in front of you, staring you down intently.
“Whatcha reading there y/n?” he gazed at your book.
“Oh.. nothing much, Robin told me if I had any free time to read it because it was really good. I believe it’s alright.. I’m not too crazy over books.”
He loved the sounds of your voice. The way you talked and looked at him while you glanced at your book at the same time. It was all too much and too perfect for him.
And then all of sudden his day dreaming was abruptly ended by a wave. This wave shook the library and luckily only some books fell out of their place.
“Awh man..” you looked disappointed.
“Sanji, if it isn’t too much to ask, could you help me clean this up..? ..I think Robin would really appreciate it.” you smiled softly.
He took no time to accept your offer and helped you clean up.
As you two were busy cleaning and placing all the books back into their spots, Sanji came around a weird box named “Twister”.
“Hey y/n, look at this.” he faced you with the box in his hands.
“Oh, that’s interesting.. That’s a fun game, I wonder what it’s doing in the library though..” you seemed puzzled.
Sanji adored the face you made when you were confused. Then a great idea popped into his mind.
“Would you wanna play?” he smirked at you.
“I suppose it wouldn't hurt to, do you know how to play though?”
“Not really.. But I wouldn’t mind you teaching me~” He chuckled.
After a long 15 mins of reading the rules over to Sanji, he finally grasped the main idea of the game. This was really his kind of game.
“Ahh.. I see, let's start then~!” He began setting out the mat on the wooden floor of the Sunny.
Then you both began to play and spin the spinner, further and further into the game your limbs both got tangled and tangled.
“Right leg on blue, left arm on red…”
Sanji was trying with all this might to not look up at you with your ‘interesting’ position balancing over top of him. Eventually your muscles both gave out at the same time and you landed on top of Sanji.
Since Sanji is the Sanji we all know and love he automatically nose bled and proceeded to pass out.
With Chopper’s help he was just fine, but those newly discovered feelings he had only for you weren't.
~~~
Finish line here!
Comment your fav Oneshot! <3
Consider following..?
(This is probably one of my fav posts of all time. ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ)
#one shots#fan fic writing#fanfic#one piece strawhats#one piece#monster trio x reader#roronoa zoro#blackleg sanji#sanji#straw hat luffy#monkey d. luffy#one piece luffy#luffy#sanji x reader#vinsmoke sanji#zoro x reader#luffy x reader#fluff#fluff?#one piece anime#anime#follow4follow
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Dirty Laundry
Wasn't a request, but thought of this tonight! This is my first fic so please bear with me!
Warnings: Slightly suggestive
Description: Daryl and Fem!Reader have been secretly hooking up for a few weeks now. After a late-night rendezvous after a party Deanna throws, you two end up getting caught by a familiar face on all days, Laundry Day.
pabtsblueliving © 2023
Daryl had rolled over in bed to see your nude figure lying flat on the bed on your stomach, arms tucked under the pillow, hair awry, face titled and facing him. Your eyes were still shut, as he grazed his hand over your shoulder. He felt the warmth that gathered under the covers over the night as the sun shined slightly through the window in his basement room.
It was early in the morning, 6 am. He had planned on going on a solo hunt to get out before anyone was awake to join him. As he pulled his hand away and began to undo himself from the tangle of sheets that had billowed after your late night activities, he heard a low whine come from the warm figure beside him.
You haven't even opened your eyes, only burrowed further into the pillows. You spoke while yawning, “Where you goin’ D?” you asked. He gave a gentle smirk to your sleepy demeanor and rubbed your hair out of your face. He kissed your cheek as he arose from the bed, “Goin’’ ou’ on a hunt, remember? Tol’ you last night.” He searched for his jeans. “You said lots of things last night” You spoke, implying to the behind-closed-doors activities you two got into when you managed to sneak away from everyone else. He gave you a look and scoffed lightheartedly as you peeked one eye open.
You propped yourself up on your elbows, your nude back being revealed as you covered your chest with the sheet. “Want me to go?” You said shyly as he began to button up his shirt. He saunters over, you grow nervous, expecting him to say something you didn't wanna hear. He propped your chin up with his knuckle and planted a gentle kiss on your lips and cheek. “Sleep in. Stay as long as you wan’, just make sure you go out this door and not the front, don’ want anyone seein’ you leave and ruinin’ our peace.” You looked up at him and then lowered yourself into the mess of sheets, sleep not far. “See you later then?” You smiled, and he gave you a smirk and nodded.
A few hours pass, its 9 am. Daryl is well into his hunt, and youre still enjoying the sweet slumber of a sunday morning. Carol is upstairs, already been up for an hour as she began her daily chores and responsibilities. “Laundry day.” she thought, and gathered her dirty clothes and a laundry basket. Before she walks out the door of the shared home, she thinks of just going into Daryl’s basement space and taking some of his laundry. She has an idea that it won't get done so she might as well gather the dirt caked clothes and get them fresh. She knocks on the door, not knowing Daryl was long gone, unsuspecting of the guest downstairs. “Daryl? Laundry. It's Sunday, let me take your clothes for you!” She yells behind the door. She listens for footsteps, nothing. She decides he's still sleeping and opens the door, and begins the descent.
She turns the corner and sees a familiar face and hair in the sheets of Daryl’s bed. She gasps and turns around, flattening against the wall as if you were awake and could see her. She looked again to make sure she was not mistaken. Nope, it was 100% you. She tiptoed off the wall and got a closer look. “Oh my gosh everyone is going to die!” She thought to herself, lightly covering her lips with the tips of her fingers. She shook her head and quietly grabbed Daryl's dirty clothes off the floor and quickly made her way back upstairs, still in shock.
Daryl returns from the hunt around noon. You had already been up, out of his room, and back at your porch drying out herbs before he returned. Carol stood on her porch looking at you. “How could she not say anything to me about him, she tells me everything.” She thought as her eyebrows furrowed. Daryl had parked the bike and walked up the stairs to an unsuspecting Carol. “Your face is gon’ get stuck in a scowl if you keep yer’ face like tha’ any longer.” Daryl gruffed, he squinted to see what she was looking at. “You're too talk…” Carol mumbled. “So what’s up why you got’ the face’?” Daryl asked. “Uhm…” Carol put on her best smile “I took your laundry from your room this morning, and uh, washed it” Her smile got more mischievous, trying to let Daryl know what she saw.
He froze slightly, looked at you across the street, grimaced, and started to walk into the house. “You’re being weird today.” He grumbled. He placed the rabbits he caught, a crossbow, and a bag on the counter. He walked off and made his way across the street, Carol decided to prop next to the window to look on. Daryl sauntered over to you as you completed hanging herbs to dry on your porch railings.
He comes and leans on the banister on his elbows looking at you. “Hi.” He said, “Hi” you smiled. He sniffed and squinted. “Carol knows,” he said. “What are you talking about?” You panicked. “She told me she did my laundry this morning.” He emphasized. “I slept in, she totally saw me.” You sighed and groaned. Daryl turned his head over his shoulder to his shared home, Carol fluttered her fingers hello to the both of you. “Oh yeah she knows.” You chuckled. Daryl waved back and gave you an awkward smile, you said “Is this ok?” You said, nervous for a possible rejection of some sorts. He bit his lip, smirked and looked at you. ‘Yeah, this is good.”
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Imagine this:
accountant!reader x IT tech!Jensen x manager!Andy x CEO!Lloyd
The intent was to write something short and sweet but smutty. The result is approximately 2200 words with a ton of smut! I blame Lloyd.
Warnings: Power dynamics; Creepy boss; Smut, smut, SMUT! Minors DNI!!!!
“Thank you, Jake,” you half whisper, half moan into his ear. “I really needed this.” You’re not normally one for hookups in the supply closets but you’d had such a stressful day you really needed to let off some steam. Thankfully Jake was always happy to help you out. And he was very good at helping you feel good.
The two of you had a friends-with-benefits situation that had been carefully negotiated and navigated. Sometimes you got the sense that Jake wanted more and that’s why he was so eager to please. But you were both quick to talk if either of you felt things were getting too serious. It definitely made office parties a lot more fun. Everyone else was enjoying the cheap food and you and Jake got to go to a private office and actually take your time together.
You both do try to be careful at the office but your manager, Andy, has been really ramping up the sad sack shtick with all the women in your department, desperate for a date or some feminine attention and pity. You could only take so much, especially when your coworkers pointed out to him that you’re single. Traitors.
Every day he would ask you about your plans. You tried being polite and got nowhere. You finally told him, directly, that you weren’t interested in him last Friday. Today you were called into a meeting with HR about “appropriate workplace behavior”. They told you they’d received complaints from your manager about flirting with him despite him telling you “no”. You smiled tightly and nodded, staying quiet and signing the documents saying you’d been talked to.
You texted Jake on your phone to meet you in the hall closet. One of the things you appreciated? He didn’t ask questions, he just showed up and gave you what you needed. He really seemed to like it when you would repeatedly whisper “thank you’s” into his ear. It’s only a quickie but it definitely helps. You kiss Jake’s cheek and thank him as he blushes. You leave at different times and head back to your respective desks.
You check your email and find yourself looking at an appointment with Lloyd Hansen, the company’s CEO. Thinking it must’ve been in error you hit the “Decline” button and add the most polite note that you can think of. Just a few minutes after you get yet another appointment notice with Mr. Hansen. No explanatory note. You’re extra grateful to Jake because your brain immediately jumps to Andy complaining about you to Mr. Hansen because your HR visit wasn’t enough of a punishment.
The appointment is for tomorrow so you silently stew for the rest of the workday. At home you treat yourself to your favorite meal and shows. Your sleep is full of stressful dreams and you wake up more exhausted than when you went to bed. Not wanting to look like a mess in front of Mr. Hansen, you make sure to take extra care of your makeup and clothing choices. Working as hard as your caffeine deprived can to balance “I’m okay” with “I’m not trying to flirt with anyone”. It’s never an easy task.
As you log on to your computer you smell Andy’s cologne and internally wince. You turn to face him, “yes, Mr. Barber?”
“Easy there, tiger,” he chastised. “I just want to make sure that you’re doing okay after that HR meeting.”
Gritting your teeth you reply, “why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well I know a lot of people can have a kind of whiplash when they realize their behavior isn’t acceptable,” he explains in an obviously condescending tone. “I’ll understand if you want to take some vacation time.”
“Mr. Barber,” you seethe, “I think what would help me the most is keeping some distance between us at all times in the office.”
“Okay,” he scoffs. “Just remember who it is that HR listens to.” He walks away and you find yourself trying to not throw or break something.
As soon as you can you head straight to Mr. Hansen’s office. His secretary lets you in, though he is not yet in. You should probably be upset that he’s late for the meeting he insisted on having with you but it’s better than sitting in your cubicle waiting for Andy to strike.
The quiet is broken by Mr. Hansen storming into the office, yelling at someone on the phone. You recognize him immediately if only because of the mustache. “And I told you to handle it, Six! Get your head out of your ass and fix it!” He lets out a small huff as he listens to the person on the phone. “I don’t give a shit. It should’ve been handled weeks ago. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a meeting.” He hangs up without waiting for a response and turns to you with a smile that makes you feel like prey caught in a trap.
“So you’re the girl Barber was complaining out,” he starts. You’re unable to hold back your grimace and he laughs. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I don’t give a shit about that cuck.” You tilt your head in confusion. “See, he tried to play up the whole “women don’t know how to take a compliment” thing but I was able to see through him. He’s pathetic and you weren’t having it. Even flat out told him, “no”. That’s something I respect. Not everyone would do that to their boss.”
He sits down in his chair and continues, “so I started looking into you and imagine my surprise when I find out you and Jensen are hooking up!” Your eyes widen in shock and you start stammering before he holds out a hand, gesturing for you to stop. “You’re not in trouble for that. Hell if I could get laid instead of attending those lame work parties I absolutely would. Which is why I brought you here.”
He leans his elbows on the desk, “I want in on whatever fuck-buddy deal you and Jensen got going on.”
“S..sir, I,” you’re at a loss for words.
“Tell you what,” he slaps the desk and stands up, “I’ll make it easy for you. Either you agree to be my own fuck-buddy, occasionally still get some good stuff from Jensen, or I’ll make you Barber’s personal secretary.”
“What if I quit instead?”
“Then I’ll go ahead and fire Jensen,” he quips. “It would be a damn shame, though. Jakey is one of the best IT guys we got. Likely up for a promotion that would get him a private office.”
“Can I talk to Jake first,” you plead. “It is part of our arrangement that we communicate changes before they’re implemented.”
“You know what, sure. I can respect that a deal is a deal.” He goes to the phone on his desk and tells his secretary to send Jake up.
When Jake does arrive he’s shocked to see you. At Lloyd’s gesture he closes the door behind him. Lloyd doesn’t let you speak and lays everything out for him like he did you.
Jake looks at you, “it’s…umm…I appreciate you looking out for me and my job,” he starts. “But it’s also your body and I would never want you to accept something like this just for me.”
“You know, Jakey here has a point,” Lloyd interjects. “You really don’t know what you’re in for with me. How about a demonstration? I’ll even let Jake join in to help keep you comfortable.”
Knowing that you were being watched shouldn’t excite you so much. The fact that both of these men wanted you was making you wet. You straddle Jake in his chair and start making out with him while taking off your clothes and grinding your hips against his crotch.
Jake moans as he takes off your bra with practiced ease, “you’re sure about this?”
“Feel how wet I am, Jake.” He obliges and sticks his fingers inside your panties. He rubs your clit and you arch your breasts into his face as his eyes widen at the wetness he finds there.
“Holy shit,” he breathes. He gets a dark glint in his eye that you don’t entirely recognize. He removes his hand and starts to unbutton your pants. “You gotta taste her, Mr. Hansen. Sweetest pussy and it’s already drenched.”
You hadn’t realized Lloyd was standing behind you until he grabbed your breasts, lifting you a little as he nibbled your neck. He pulls you off of Jake and the two of them finish undressing you before setting you on Lloyd’s desk. You’re on your back, your head hanging over one side, your legs spread wide for the both of them.
Lloyd doesn’t hesitate and dives tongue first into your pussy. Your reaction is immediate as he uses his mustache to tickle your clit. You throw your head back and moan before you’re able to stifle it.
He pulls away from you, “don’t worry about noise, sweetheart. My secretary is gone for the afternoon and no one else would dare be on this floor.” He turns to Jake, “you were right! This is a damn tasty snack.” He gets back to it and you don’t hold back your sounds. It was such a relief to get to be as loud as you wanted.
“Fuck, I love those sounds,” Jake groans.
You reach out to him, “your cock, Jake? Please, can I stroke your cock?”
“Love those sounds, too,” he grins as he undoes his belt. You look to Lloyd to see if he has any objections but he’s too focused on licking up all of your juices. Jake is already half hard and your hands know just how to get him fully erect. His hands start playing with your tits, gently pinching, pulling and fondling.
The two of them quickly bring you to the brink of orgasm, then Lloyd sticks two of his fingers inside you and it pushes you over the edge. You cum loudly and Lloyd keeps scissoring his fingers while sucking on your clit, enjoying the show. When the aftershocks fade, he removes his hand and backs away just a little.
“Jensen, you take her mouth,” he orders. “I’m gonna make a mess of this pussy and I want to hear her choking on your cock while I do.”
You let go of Jake’s erection and he starts pushing himself into your mouth, grunting and moaning as he does so. He’s careful with you, like always, and places your hand on his thigh so you can signal if it gets too much.
Lloyd, however, lines himself up with your opening and quickly thrusts himself fully inside. If your mouth wasn’t so full of Jake’s cock, you’d likely have screamed. They fucked both of your holes with abandon and you were loving every second of it. Occasionally Jake would ask for a status and you’d tap his thigh twice for “all good”.
“Not gonna last much longer,” Lloyd admitted. “This pussy is so fucking tight. I see why you risked your job for her.” He started rubbing your clit and you careened towards another orgasm. As soon as Jake came in your mouth you were done for. You tightened your legs around Lloyd as you came hard and swallowed all of Jake’s spend. You heard Lloyd mumbling, “fuck, fuck, fuck,” before he came with a yell.
You’re still in a daze as both men pull out of you. Lloyd whistles, “now that’s a pretty picture. What say we get you cleaned up?”
“What the fuck?!” A voice from the office door crashes your post-orgasm euphoria. You look up and see Andy, standing in the doorway.
“Ah, Barber,” Lloyd says as he zips his pants back up. “Right on time.”
“What?!” Jake exclaims as you look, wide-eyed, at Lloyd.
“You see, Andy,” he walks over to your manager and claps him on the shoulder. “You’re a complete cuck and we both know it.” Andy tries to protest but Lloyd cuts him off. “This is the closest you’re ever going to get to some pussy. Now be a good boy and clean up the mess I made.” He throws Andy to his knees in front of your spread pussy.
Andy groans at the sight and you feel a stir of courage. “Well,” you scold. “Are you going to be a good boy and do as you're told or am I going to have to clean myself up?” His eyes darken but you don’t back down. He dives into your cum filled pussy and starts cleaning you up.
“Good boy,” Lloyd smirks. “Probably the only way you can actually please a woman.” He looks at Jake, “whenever you’re done with her, call her cuck over to clean up. Sound good?”
Jake looks to you and sees you writhing with pleasure, “I think so.”
Tagging @alicedopey because I promised I would.
#jake jensen x reader#lloyd hansen x reader#andy barber x reader#jake jensen smut#lloyd hansen smut#andy barber smut#boss!andy barber#ceo!lloyd hansen#fwb!jake jensen
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Compass of our hearts
Author: bvidzsoo
Warning: smut, violence, blood, murder
Pairing: Park Seonghwa x female reader
Word count: 20,7k
Summary: Park Seonghwa was an orphan. The day Captain Kim found him on the shore the only thing he had with himself in the little basket was a golden compass, his mother's name craved inside it. Seonghwa cherished it dearly and worked hard to find out where he belonged to. However, as a pirate, you make a lot of enemies and you decided to make Seonghwa yours the day you stole his compass. It was your first mistake, you messed with a feared pirate. Your second mistake was not realizing that Seonghwa would find you, and take his compass back as well. (Reader is called Kim Bora in the following oneshots.)
A/N: Helloo everyone, the first part of the Black Ocean series is here!! I hope the fight scenes aren't as bad as I personally think they are lol. I'm not a master smut writer either, but I tried my best, so I hope it's not horrible. If anyone wants to be added to the taglist just let me know, there will be seven more oneshots with the other members in this universe. Please leave feedback, reading your thoughts about my work is the best feeling ever. I hope you'll enjoy this little oneshot, happy reading!
Taglist: @pingyu-in-wonderland @marievllr-abg @lelaleleb @loveforred @horanghae8 @jeonghanscarat7 @orshii
Series Masterlist
I was breathing hard as I tried to gain focus, having been thrown against the wall, again. It was starting to take a tool on me, the pointless tousling and teasing. I did not like fighting this way. I liked getting straight to the point, getting what I wanted. I never played around with my prey, but Seonghwa seemed to enjoy it as a wide smirk decorated his lips, his strides long and slow as he came closer, almost caging me against the wall. I huffed in irritation as he raised my chin with the tip of his very sharp knife, our eyes finding each other’s. Seonghwa was breathing hard too, lips parted and forehead sweaty as his long wavy black hair fell into his sharp eyes, his ponytail messy. His eyes held an intensity which was capable of making me surrender to him, but I stayed collected. Not this time, I wouldn’t give in. My lower left arm was burning from the huge gash Seonghwa’s knife made and I couldn’t ignore the blood dripping down his cheek where I had cut him just minutes ago.
“You could have made this so easy and quick for yourself, Y/N.” His voice dripped with venom and I gulped when his knife pressed harder against my skin, lightly grazing against my neck.
“I like to play around,” I muttered and forced out a chuckle, ignoring the quick pounding of my heart, “But you know that already.”
“Too well.” He snapped and I gasped when I felt blood trickling down the side of my neck, skin slightly burning. He really meant it this time that he’d kill me if I didn’t give back what was his. All of this fiasco for a damned compass. I glared at him and in a swift moment pressed my own dagger against his torso, ripping his shirt open and making it clear that if he were to slice my throat I wouldn’t hesitate in sticking my own weapon into him.
“How are you going to find the compass if you kill me, Seonghwa?” I taunted, mimicking his tone when he said my name. For a split second his eyes turned into slits and I was sure he would kill me right then and there, but the pressure of the knife from my neck disappeared and I felt the lump in my throat disappearing as well. It didn’t mean I was safe, it just meant I wasn’t getting my throat slit open. I lowered my dagger from his torso as well and tried to come up with an escape plan fast. The window was open, if I kicked him hard enough to get him to double over, I could run to the window and jump out. I knew where my sister’s friend lived, I would go there and take her with me. Going into hiding was a must right now.
“Where is it?!” Seonghwa’s voice slightly trembled from anger and I looked behind him, eyeing the window.
I shrugged before looking back at him, having decided what my next move would be, “I don’t know, want to play a game to find out?” And before he could answer, I punched him hard in the jaw, making him stumble backwards. He was flabbergasted as he looked back at me, wiping the blood from his lips, but before he could charge at me, I kneeled him in the stomach, hard. Seonghwa doubled over instantly and started wheezing, face contorted in pain. I didn’t necessarily liked hurting him and I found myself hesitating for a second before I snapped out of it and made a run for the window. The room wasn’t big, I could easily make it out and get away from Seonghwa. But I heard groaning from behind and as I latched onto the window sill, ready to jump over, a hand was suddenly in my long hair, fisting it. I was yanked back harshly and I yelped, eyebrows furrowing as Seonghwa held me flushed against his body, pulling on my hair so hard I thought he’d leave me with a bald spot. I went to fight back, but he grabbed my neck from behind with his left hand, but he didn’t squeeze. He secured me in a firm grip, warning me. I gulped and listened to our rapid breathing, Seonghwa’s chest rising and falling quickly against my back. His body hadn’t changed at all. He was still as sturdy as before, even felt like he had gotten stronger.
“Let me go.” I snapped and turned my head to the side, trying to look at him. Seonghwa watched my face for a second, taking it in, before he blinked and his gaze turned cold. I couldn’t pretend like the warmth of his body and the grip he had on me wasn’t affecting me, but my self-respect would never let me tell him. I had already admitted to thinking about him often back at the Inn.
“I prepared a little surprise for you,” Seonghwa whispered in my ear, my eyes fluttering for a second, before he harshly turned my head towards the window, making me watch what was happening outside. And my whole blood ran cold in me. I froze, almost unable to breathe. My little sister was walking outside, singing to herself as she played around with a pebble. The sight that terrified me wasn’t her being home despite her saying she’d spend the day at her friend, it was the man dressed in all black with a rag covering his lower face following her, knife held very obviously in one hand. Nari was oblivious to him and he was getting closer and closer to her.
“Stop!” My voice raised and I tried to wriggle myself free from Seonghwa’s grip. The man following my little sister, Nari, was Choi San, a ruthless mercenary. She stood no chance against him, I couldn’t stand here and watch as San kills my little sister, the only family I have left.
“Stop him,” I begged Seonghwa as I stopped trying to get away from him, “please tell him to stop. I will give you anything you want, Seonghwa, please don’t let him hurt Nari.” I knew now the two worked together. Seonghwa was the Quartermaster of a very infamous pirate crew whom had been terrorizing the four kingdoms and four seas for a decade now and everyone knew what they were capable of. Even I did now. I would’ve never thought Seonghwa was smart enough to find me as I barely came home, once a week every month, but seeing San trailing my sister woke me up to the reality of the predicament I found myself in. I was careless and dumb; I stole from someone whom I should’ve never messed with.
Seonghwa chuckled and I felt his hot breath on my cheek before he whispered in my ear again, “Never thought I’d hear you begging, love.” And without another word, he whistled loudly and I watched as San placed his knife up his sleeve and turned around, walking off, my sister oblivious to everything that could’ve happened to her due to my stupidity.
“Now, give me my compass.”
One year ago business wasn’t going as well as at the moment, so I was forced to earn money in questionable ways sometimes. Nari, my little sister, was attending a quite well-known school in our humble city and it cost us a lot. I never complained, I wanted her to have a good life. A life better than mine. We are seven years apart and after our parents one day just mysteriously disappeared, I had to take things in my hands. I had to keep the two of us well fed, clean and I had to earn enough money to pay our monthly payments and schools. However, when things got hard I had to give up some luxuries and one of them was my education. I was only fifteen, but I had no choice. Nari started going to school that year and we wouldn’t make it if I didn’t start working full time. It was a hard choice, I loved what I was doing, I always loved studying. I dreamed of becoming a historian one day, but I placed my dreams aside and worked hard so that my little sister would have a nice life. But even that wasn’t enough, so I decided to try out something new. I wasn’t proud of myself at the beginning, and I was scared too that people would realize I was the one stealing their jewelry. However, nobody seemed to find the thief, and I continued on with my antics until I was almost caught. It was the wake-up call that I needed to move to a bigger city, where everyone didn’t know everyone. And that’s when my hard work started paying off. I became a merchandizer of sorts; I exchanged the stolen goods for gold or money if the buyer paid me well. It was a shady business, but everyone knew how I got the expensive jewelry, it’s not like I had anything to hide. Besides, usually pirates or other criminals were interested in what I had to offer and it was rather easy to trick them into paying me more than the jewelry was actually worth. And just like that, I had enough money to bring back to my sister to pay her school and the utilities at home. She always thought I was working for a wealthy family; I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the money I earned wasn’t rightfully mine. Perhaps one day, when she’d understand why I did the things I did, I would tell her the truth. But the business didn’t always go smoothly, sometimes I needed to do some extra work here and there, that’s how I found myself working at an Inn, dressed in a silk dress with a corset accentuating my waist and pushing my breasts higher up for the pleasure of mostly disgusting men. I refused to sleep with any of them, no matter how many times I was offered a large amount of sum, I wasn’t that desperate. I was just a simple waitress who liked to trick men into paying more for their drinks than the actual price was. But of course, nobody had to know about that.
“Welcome, Sir Edwards!” I plastered on my brightest smile as the constable walked inside, wearing his very expensive fur coat he bought last week from the boutique down the street. I bet he didn’t know it was stolen from a very wealthy man who stopped by here two weeks ago. I was the one who stole it and then sold it to Madam Joy, her clothing was the best of the best, even the royal family would come here to buy her newest gowns. A wide smile appeared on Sir Edwards’ lips, his eyes lighting up at the sight of me. I happened to be his favorite waitress, always humble and sweet; the man loved compliments and a person who would listen to his gloating.
“Ah, Y/N!” He exclaimed and I rushed to his side, helping him out of the fur coat. It was still as soft as last week, however once its white fur was now brown, Madam Joy thought a little change was necessary to it, so its real owner wouldn’t recognize it, “I haven’t seen you here in over a month.”
I looked away, blinking quickly, hoping I looked abashed, “How attentive you are, Sir.”
Sir Edwards chuckle and leaned a bit too close for my comfort, “With my favorites I always am.”
I giggled and grabbed onto his arm, starting to lead him towards an empty table. The other girls I was working with gave me amused looks before turning their heads away, not wanting Sir Edwards to notice them. If he was here, his little officers would be also joining him, and that meant we’d make a lot of profit tonight. These wealthy men always ordered the priciest wines and scotch. The table I led the constable to was close to the opened window and furthest from the bar, he didn’t have to see if we mixed anything into their drinks. Sometimes these men would get rowdy and really loud and since we were forbidden from kicking anyone out as long as they were buying, we’d put a little powder into their drinks which would make them sick or sleepy, depending on how much they’ve had to drink.
“I hope you don’t mind this table, Sir, it’s a bit far from the bar but it’s close to the window and that way you can always catch a whiff of fresh air.” I smiled at the man sweetly as I pulled out a chair for him.
“It’s almost as if you read my mind,” He chuckled loudly as he sat down, placing his hand on mine, making my stomach churn. Sir Edwards was by no means attractive or young, but he paid well and he came in just when I needed it most, “I’ve been craving fresh air all day long.”
“It must get stuffy sitting in your office all day long,” I said with pity lacing my voice, slowly pulling my hand out from underneath his, “May I bring you your favorite, Sir Edwards?”
“Bring five extra glasses too, sweetheart, my boys are joining me soon.” Just as I thought, he was bringing over his favorites from the night watch. The other five guys were regulars too and every waitress hated them. They were relatively younger than Sir Edwards and they were nastier and ruder as well. I usually turned a blind eye to all of their snide remarks, but I promised myself that one day I would punch all of their teeth out. But first, I needed to scam them into giving me all of their money.
And the night went accordingly to my plan. Currently, there were fifteen extra pennies hidden in my little pouch, all from charging our buyers with some extra pennies. It was hilarious how easy drunk people were to scam, they didn’t even care about the money as long as they had something to drink. During the night, a few women had stumbled inside the Inn as well. Few were wearing quite eye-catching rings and bracelets. That was their first mistake. Their second mistake was letting me fawn over them and touch them, testing whether it would be easy taking it from them or not. And their third mistake was getting so wasted they could barely speak. The musicians were playing a catchy song and a few people were dancing and singing loudly as I made my way through the crowd, almost spilling the expensive wine on my white silk dress. I glared at the man, but he wasn’t paying any attention to me, of course. Fixing my expression, I smiled sweetly as I made my way to Sir Edwards’ table, hearing the front door squeaking as it was opened, nobody wanted to fix it and it was bloody loud.
“And here is your glass of wine, imported straight from France, a little sweet but not too much.” I announced loudly once I reached the table, carefully pouring wine into the six glasses. The men stopped conversing and watched me, some too drunk to actually see me and some merely tipsy. Sir Edwards was clapping excitedly and he placed a ridiculous sum on the table for me, thanking me for paying so much attention to him that he didn’t even have to tell me the previous glass was empty now. I took the pennies while bowing my head at Sir Edwards, thanking him for being so generous, but he just laughed it off and offered me his glass.
“Why don’t you try it yourself? Tell us whether it’s good or should we just ask for another one?” I blinked surprised at Sir Edwards as he has never offered me his glass previously. I gulped and smiled a little as the six men from the table watched me with curious eyes. So, I brought the glass up to my lips and slowly took a bigger sip, expecting it to be sweet, like I was told. But it was rather bland and strong. I tried not to cough and plastered a wide smile on my lips, acting as if I had tasted the best wine in the whole world.
“Now I understand why these cost so much!” I exclaimed, acting rather daft, making the men laugh. They raised their glasses in the air as I handed his back to Sir Edwards and went to head back to the bar, when I felt a grip on my wrist. I looked down at the man holding me, he was the newest recruit of the night watch. He was rather young, I heard he comes from a wealthy family, probably bought his way in, but he was very rude and violent. I witnessed him beating someone to a pulp one evening, when I was headed home, because they dared bumping into him. I know the man he beat up; he was blind, how could he possibly see him?! Thankfully he survived and was at the infirmary, recovering.
“I’ve got enough money to buy this whole building,” The young officer started, eyeing me up, “How much would it cost to have you for one night?”
I scoffed and looked off in the distance, trying to collect myself. Men would say ridiculous things here, but nobody was as shameless as this disgrace of a man gripping my wrist. So I yanked it out of his hold and leaned down, whispering in his ear, “You could be the richest man of the four kingdoms and four seas, and you could still not afford me for one night.”
The young officer was outraged as his eyes widened and lips downturned, raising to his feet at lightning speed. He wasn’t even taller than me. I smirked at him before starting to walk off, hearing Sir Edwards telling him to sit down and have some manners when his seniors were talking. I probably shouldn’t get on the police’s bad side, but a young officer like him could do nothing to me. I went back to the bar and sighed loudly, pointing at a glass and a cheap scotch for Jongdae to pour. He chuckled and poured just a little bit as the waitresses couldn’t get drunk while working.
“That’ll be five pennies, young lady.” I chuckled as I downed the liquid in one go, cringing at the foul taste of it.
“I’ll give you eight if you pour me another one.” I playfully bargained with my colleague and he chuckled.
“Nine?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Eight, take it or leave it.”
“Fine.” He poured me another one as I placed eight pennies on the surface of the bar, making Jongdae chuckle.
“You sure these are real?” I gave him a look before downing the alcohol again.
“Go ask Sir Edwards if they are real, dickhead.” Jongdae started cackling and I shook my head at him, fixing my apron.
“I’d rather stay here; they look like awful people.” He wasn’t wrong, but to be fair, they could’ve been worse.
“Sir Edwards is alright; the others are the problem.” I muttered.
“It’s always the younglings which are rude,” He said that as if he wasn’t only seventeen years old, making me chuckle, “By the way, that man walked in like five minutes ago, you should go serve him before he leaves.”
I let out a quiet groan as I turned around, looking for the client Jongdae was talking about. My feet were killing me and the corset started being a little too tight, I couldn’t wait for my shift to be over. And just to my luck, the man had to sit the farthest from the bar, right next to the exit. Jongdae poured me a glass half full of scotch and I took off towards the man. He was alone, sitting at a table for ten. I eyed his surroundings, wondering whether he was here by himself or with others. But it seemed like he was alone, looking down at something he was holding, deep in thought. I stopped next to him and cleared my throat.
“You seem like a scotch lover.” I spoke up, a pleasant smile on my lips as I caught the man’s attention. He wore clean but slightly scruffy looking clothes. His waist high pants were of black leather, it was quite obvious he’s been wearing them for a long time now. And his unbuttoned shirt at the top seemed faded in its color. When he looked up, I was speechless for a second. His face was mesmerizing, I could confidently say he was the handsomest man I have ever seen until now. His sharp eyes were dark but they held a soft intensity, rather friendly than intimidating. The bridge of his long nose was straight and his red plump lips formed a small smile.
“I actually hate scotch,” He said softly with a chuckle. His voice was smooth and melodic, I was taken aback by the appearance and aura of the man sitting in front of me, “Do you happen to have beer?”
“We do.” I had to clear my throat as I sounded rather breathless, I tried not to blush out of embarrassment, but the man’s cheeky smile had my heart somersaulting.
“If you could bring me that, I’d appreciate it.” He was so polite, very rare around here, “And you can have my scotch, you look like you need it.”
That made me chuckle as I looked around the Inn, taking in the chaos and drunk people, “Yes, I do.”
But the scotch wasn’t free and I wasn’t about to pay for it, I just gave Jongdae eight pennies, “It’ll cost five pennies, though.”
The stranger’s smile got wider, amused, “Other Inns sell it for three—”
“Quality over quantity, you know.” I cut him off with a nonchalant shrug. The man chuckled and shook his head a little, easing his hand into his pocket before he placed five pennies on the table. I looked at it for a second before I downed the half full glass in two big gulps, instantly regretting it. I shuddered and closed my eyes tightly, waiting for the burn to pass.
“Oh, yeah,” The man chuckled as if he read my thoughts, “I don’t drink scotch for exactly that reason.”
“Noted.” I managed to say hoarsely, taking the pennies and placing them in my pouch, “I’ll be right back with your beer, but that’ll be eight pennies.”
And before he could complain about the cost again, I walked off, shaking my head and massaging my stomach. I haven’t eaten since lunch, one more glass like this one and I’ll be drunk in no time. Jongdae spotted my expression before I arrived at the bar and laughed loudly as he poured water in a tall glass. I took it without hesitation when he handed it to me and cursed loudly after downing it in one go.
“One beer, please.” I placed the glass inside of the bar, where Jongdae worked, and he chuckled, handing me the beer meanwhile I handed him four pennies for it. Yes, I charged everyone double the amount so that I could still gain something. Being smart was necessary at crucial times. Once arriving to the handsome man’s table, eight pennies were waiting on the table for me and I handed him his beer without a word, focusing on other clients in need.
The handsome stranger ordered five more beers before I was finished with my shift and I threw my apron at Jongdae when he mentioned how my pouch looked heavier than usually. He wasn’t wrong, but it was none of his business, so I waved at him and bid goodbye to my other colleagues before taking off. Sir Edwards and his boys left an hour ago, the Inn was starting to finally quiet down, eight waitresses weren’t needed anymore. But as I was making my way towards the door, the handsome stranger noticed me and smiled at me. I was about to bid him farewell too, but he called me over. I apologized and told him my shift was over but he could ask Yoona for more drinks, and to my surprise, he asked me to join him. I debated on refusing, but my curiosity got to me. I haven’t seen him around here until now, and not many new people frequented our Inn. The compass he kept clutching from time to time caught my eyes and I was curious to see it from up close, but it looked like it was very significant to the stranger, I knew I had to get close if I actually wanted to see it. Besides, he was handsome too and well mannered, I figured sitting down and talking to him wouldn’t hurt anyone. Except that we got extremely drunk, the both of us. The stranger, who’s name I learned was Seonghwa, kept buying beer after beer, he was downing them as if they were water and at some point, we started mixing the scotch with the beer, which was a big mistake. It hit me like a truck and I found myself unable to form coherent sentences. My head was spinning and my eyes were struggling to stay open, but I wasn’t sleepy, it just felt better if I closed them. Anything that Seonghwa was saying sounded funny and I kept giggling as I tried ignoring how hot I was feeling. Seonghwa and I had moved closer to each other sometime during our drunken story-telling and I tried to keep my eyes off his red lips, but they were really plump. And looked really soft. And kissable. And warm. And before I could blink again, those red limps were pressing against mine, not too harshly but not softly either. I was surprised at first and didn’t react, thinking that my intoxicated mind started hallucinating, however, when Seonghwa pulled back I realized it was very real and I quickly leaned forward, pressing my lips against his. He kissed back, his lips warm and soft and as kissable as I imagined them to be. The sounds of the Inn seemed to disappear around us and Seonghwa’s sudden hand on my thigh definitely made me feel hotter. It wasn’t the alcohol only anymore making me feel warm all over. Our lips moved cautiously against each other, curious of the other’s rhythm, slow and exploring.
Before I could form a sentence, I felt myself moving, standing from the chair and walking away from the table, Seonghwa’s arm around my hips guiding us up the stairs, towards one of the many room’s the Inn had upstairs. I was probably the one who mentioned it to him, but I couldn’t be sure as my mind was in a haze, barely registering what was happening around us. It felt like ages, but it were probably just a few minutes before I felt my back pressed up against a cool material, it was the wall of the room we had walked inside. Seonghwa was standing in front of me, taller with a head and it made me giggle as I looked up at him and started playing with his black, wavy hair. It was longer than most men wore it and I liked it as I let my fingers run through it. Seonghwa’s hot breath kept hitting my face as he was leaning down, taking in my face. I didn’t realize it, but he caged me between himself and the wall, acting as if I had in mind to run. When our eyes locked, my giggles died out and I bit my lower lip, taking in the intensity in his eyes. He was insanely attractive and I could feel my body heating up once again as I pushed his head closer to mine, very slowly connecting our lips. There was no softness and curiosity in this kiss, it was needy and feverish as Seonghwa devoured my lips, holding the back of my head as if his life depended on it. I followed his pace and explored his wide shoulders with my fingers, lightly tracing his neck before he suddenly gripped my chin and pulled away, pupils dilated. He was gasping for air and my heart was beating like crazy. His lips opened and quietly whispered if it was alright and I nodded, fingers already unbuttoning his shirt, eager to see what was underneath. Seonghwa’s fingers made quick work with my corset as he quickly undid the string and I was finally able to breathe regularly, that is, until he grabbed my thighs and lifted me up, my legs securing around his hips. I pushed his shirt down his shoulder, biceps, and arm, allowing my hands to roam against his blazing skin. Seonghwa’s lips found mine again and we started kissing as I held onto him tightly, poking my tongue in his mouth. He started sucking on it as he walked us towards the bed, making me sit as he pulled away, my lips desperately following after his, but he stopped me with his finger.
I gulped and watched as he took his shirt off, followed by his leather pants, standing in nothing but his undergarment. His body was lean and smooth, muscles bulging everywhere, showing off the physical effort his work required. I reached out and grabbed his waist, feeling his soft skin. Seonghwa closed his eyes as I leaned forward and started pressing soft kisses against his torso, following his V line, but he stopped me before I could reach his undergarments. His fingers hooked underneath the thin straps of my silk dress and he pulled it over my head as I raised up a bit to help him. Suddenly the cool air of the room hit me, and only now did I notice that the window was open. The salty breeze entered the room as I moved back on the bed, allowing Seonghwa to crawl towards me, eliciting a chuckle. My breasts were perky from the sudden temperature change and I laid down as Seonghwa crawled above my body, a hand grabbing my left breast, kneading it carefully. I closed my eyes and sighed, running my hand up his arm as his other hand trailed my thigh up to my stomach, slowly massaging it. I gripped his nape and pulled his face down, kissing his lips feverishly, allowing his tongue to explore my mouth as he pinched the bud of my breast, making me gasp. My legs went around Seonghwa’s hips and I pulled his body close to mine, as he slowly started grinding against me, building the tension more and more. My mind was hazy and foggy from all the alcohol, I could only remember bits and pieces, but Seonghwa’s groans and moans followed by his rhythmic thrusts were forever drilled in my brain. His pace was slow at first, allowing me to accommodate to his size as I hadn’t done this in a while, but when I faintly whispered to him that I wanted him to go faster he picked up his pace, pulling out and pushing back in, one hand holding my hips fiercely, leaving little fingerprints for me to later find. His other arm rested next to my face and his head was next to mine, lips grazing against my ear from time to time as he whispered sweet nothings to me, my moans getting gradually higher the faster and stronger he slammed back in. My head was thrown back as I whispered his name, but it wasn’t enough, I needed to feel more, so without much thought, I flipped us over, making Seonghwa’s eyes widen.
I groaned at the new feeling, his member reaching deeper inside in this position. I adjusted my knees a bit, making my hips move and Seonghwa’s hands flew to hold them, a whine leaving his lips. I watched him as I slowly started moving, dragging out my movements as best as I could, watching as Seonghwa’s eyes closed and his mouth opened, cursing quietly to himself. Pleasure racked my body as I fastened my pace, gyrating my hips, gasping when I hit the spot I much needed to. Seonghwa’s eyes snapped open and he started thrusting upwards, watching me as I matched his pace, moans getting throatier and whinier as I was chasing my high, stomach tightening and toes curling from the pleasure. We were a mess of moans and groans, chests falling and rising rapidly, holding onto each other desperately, moving messily, chasing our own release. Seonghwa’s head was thrown back as one hand held my breast and all I could remember was the knot exploding in my stomach, making me moan his name again and again, feelings his hands guide me through my high as he came undone inside me, lips parting in a loud moan, hips stuttering for a second before stopping their movement altogether. I was panting on top of him and ran a hand through my hair, missing the warmth of his hand once he release my breast. As I opened my eyes he pulled me down and captured my lips in a passionate kiss, slowly pulling out, and flipping us over, lips never leaving mine for a second. I ran my fingers through his hair lazily and felt the fabric of the blanket being pulled over my body as Seonghwa pulled back, pressing a soft kiss against my lips, then my eyes and my forehead before settling on his back and pulling me into his side. I bit my lip and fought the smile that threatened to appear on my lips, but when he wished me good night, I could hear the smile on his own lips. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I wouldn’t be here when he’d wake up because I wasn’t planning on staying the night. I had to go home and hide the stolen jewelry and money before anyone could come back to the Inn and accuse any of us from stealing it. So I promised to close my eyes and wait until Seonghwa fell asleep, except that I also fell asleep and when I opened my eyes again, the sun was just about to rise. I panicked and groaned when my headache hit me like a hammer, head pounding viciously. I had too much to drink last night, my mind was still hazy, memories after I sat down to drink with Seonghwa unclear.
Slowly, I became aware of the naked body I was sleeping against, of an arm holding my middle lightly and of my own naked body. The activities of last night hit me suddenly and I gasped, carefully getting out of Seonghwa’s grasp. I did not intend on sleeping with the handsome stranger, yet I couldn’t complain. I clumsily dressed myself, struggling with the string of my corset, so I didn’t even bother to pull it together as tightly as I normally would. I looked around for my pouch and found it on the floor, next to the nightstand, where Seonghwa’s pants were thrown. As I bent down and grabbed my pouch, making sure nothing fell out of it, my eyes fell on the golden compass I had seen Seonghwa clutching. He wore it around his neck, but while he was undressing, he took it off and placed it in his pants, it probably fell out when he threw it around carelessly. I took the compass in my hands and stood up straight, examining it from up close, realizing it was made out of gold. I bit my lower lip and opened it, examining it. It was in perfect condition, it looked old and like it cost a lot of money. Squinting a little bit and bringing the item closer to my eyes, I could make out a name on the inside of the compass, Bu Seolhwa. I wondered who that was, but my attention was quickly back on Seonghwa as he sighed in his sleep and shifted, turning around, onto his stomach. I probably shouldn’t have taken an item which looked so personal, but when did I care when stealing from innocent people? Now really wasn’t the time that I would start caring, although I probably should have been wiser and placed the compass back inside his pants pocket. But back at that time I didn’t know who Seonghwa was. I didn’t know the danger I’d place myself and my sister into by stealing his golden compass.
I pulled on the reins, slowing my horse to a trot as we entered through the gates of the city to which I haven’t been to in six months. There was nothing wrong with it, I loved it here, but for some reason I couldn’t find the power in me to return. It was weird, it’s never happened to me. Suddenly, as if it burned me, I was reminded of the weight of the compass around my neck, indirectly making me think of Seonghwa. There was something particular about him that I couldn’t place my finger on. Perhaps it was his constant politeness while we conversed, his softness and carefulness. It stayed with me, and I often times found myself thinking about him, wondering where he was. I didn’t ask what his occupation was or where he was from, therefore I basically knew nothing of him. He mentioned something about the Black Ocean and then about the Barren Sea being the most chilling experience of his life so far, but I couldn’t be very sure, my intoxicated mind couldn’t pay much attention to his words. Perhaps it was the compass I kept on myself at all times that kept him so alive in my memories or perhaps it was the way he made me feel. Shaking my head, I focused back on my surroundings, slowing my horse to a walk as we entered the heart of the city. It was buzzing with people, merchants shouting and trying to charm people to their stalls, selling their products. Little cafes were opened, ladies in beautiful dresses were enjoying their teas while giggling and gossiping, meanwhile men either read the newspaper or hurried back to their work places as lunch time was over. I pulled the reins to the left and my horse took down on a smaller street, walking us away from the madness. The shop I was headed to was by the heart of the city, but not quite at view as the owner tried to stay away from the watchful eyes of Sir Edwards; the two have always had the ick for each other. I stopped my horse and carefully got off, petting its head before tying her reins against the lamp post in front of the shop. She looked at me and neighed loudly, making me chuckle as I took off the smaller bag from the saddle I carried with myself. From the outside it looked as if the shop was closed, but I knew Mr. Jung kept his shop open at all times, too greedy and desperate for any kind of stock. I pushed the door open and walked inside the dimly lit place, looking around. It hasn’t changed at all. The shelves were still covered in dust and the chandelier hung way too low in the middle of the room; a few candles unlit. I walked around it, eyeing the desk and the empty chair behind it. There were papers scattered around the table and a pen lying messily on a bare paper, the ink creating a small black circle on it. I stopped in front of the desk and knocked on it loudly, waiting for a reaction. And it came instantly as there was commotion behind the door I was facing. After a loud grunt and a crash, the door flew open and out came a middle-aged looking man, beard long and already white, a funny hat resting on Mr. Jung’s head. I chuckled as I watched him stumble through the door, shoe catching in the doorway, and for a second I thought he’d faceplant on his own desk, but he caught himself last minute and puffed loudly.
“What a particular way of greeting your customer.” I muttered amused, throwing the small bag I carried with myself on the desk carelessly. Mr. Jung’s eyes lit up and he was quick to sit down, pushing the papers off his desk and onto the floor. Seems like his business hasn’t been flourishing lately.
“Good morning, Miss Kim.” He said with a sweet tone, his golden tooth showing as he grinned. I rolled my eyes and opened the bag, knowing very well he was being nice only because I had something to offer him. Mr. Jung was a cranky and unpleasant man to be around.
“No need for fake kindness,” I said as I held the bottom of the bag and raised it up, emptying it’s contents onto the table. Mr. Jung’s eyes grew wide and he gasped, hands flying to touch the golden coins. Indeed, I did bring a lot, but not all was his. Unless he paid me well, of course, “How much for these?”
He didn’t hesitate with his answer, “Your bag filled with pennies and two bars of gold.”
I chuckled, crossing my arms in front of my chest. My bag was not a big bag, it wouldn’t work, “Johnny from the little town just two hours away offered me more, Jung.”
“Perhaps Johnny is easily fooled.”
“Perhaps Johnny isn’t on the verge of closing his shop due to losing clients—”
“I did not lose clients!” Mr. Jung exclaimed, cutting me off, pointing his finger at me accusingly.
“Did you not, really?” I raised my eyebrows, taking a coin in my hand, “Because that’s not what Madam Joy said to me last night.”
“Madam Joy doesn’t know anything!” Mr. Jung stood appealed, face going red, “That woman gossips all day—”
“That woman is smart for knowing at all times what’s happening in the town,” I cut him off, throwing him a glare, “your pathetic reasoning leads me to believe that you did lose clients, Jung.”
The man opened his mouth to say something, but quickly closed it and sat back down, rubbing his chin. His reaction said it all. Business was awful and without stock he’d be closing his little shop in no time.
“Give me two bags, full bags, of pennies and I won’t ask for any gold—”
“Outrageous!” He exclaimed again and I chuckled, playing with the coin in my hand.
“Take it or leave it Jung, I can always find a dealer who’ll pay me better than you have been paying me throughout all these years.” I snapped and threw the coin back down on the desk, leaning forward to grab my small bag to start putting away the goods I had to offer. Mr. Jung’s eyes widened in panic and he started stuttering as he tried to stop me from putting the coins away.
“I guess Sir Edwards won’t have to keep an eye on you for too much longer.” I muttered as I made eye contact with Mr. Jung, infuriating him.
“I am not closing my shop!” Mr. Jung slammed his fist on the table and I chuckle, muttering a small ‘sure’ as I closed the bag, tying it tightly and turned to walk away without a word. A shuffle and then the crash of something, probably his chair hitting the floor, echoed behind me before hurried footsteps followed after me. I wasn’t even close to the door when Mr. Jung grabbed my wrist, stopping me from leaving his shop. I looked back at him uninterested, watching him fumble for a second before his eyes fell to my collarbones, eyes narrowing slightly.
“I fill your bag with pennies, give you two bars of gold for now…and in two weeks you can come back for another penny fill, what do you say?” I took a second to think, knowing that this offer was the best. Johnny offering me more was a lie, he didn’t even want to fill my own little bag with pennies, “And…I sell that beautiful compass ridiculously overpriced, giving you half of the money.”
“No.” My answer was instant; I didn’t need to think about his second offer. The compass was not up for sale. It was mine, and I wasn’t giving it to anyone. They could tell me they’ll make me Queen and I’d still not give it away, “The compass is not for sale.”
“But—”
“I said,” I snapped, stepping closer to Mr. Jung menacingly, “It’s not for sale.”
His eyes narrowed again as he looked down at the compass, nose flaring in anger before he shook his head, “But the other offer?”
“That one’s good.” I said with a smile, pulling my wrist out of his grip as I offered him my hand. He didn’t look pleased as we shook hands before he took my bag full of coins, a few watches, and women’s jewelry, “I’ll be back in two weeks.”
“I’ll make sure to have the money.” Mr. Jung grumbled, still eyeing the compass, making me glare at him. I grabbed it and pushed it underneath my white shirt, pulling the collar of the jacket over it, hiding my little treasure from him, “I have seen that compass before, Miss, you should be careful.”
His eyes held no emotion, but his words were threatening as Mr. Jung continued, “Ateez has been asking around about you. Not only here, in neighboring towns as well…”
Ateez? The name sounded familiar yet I didn’t know from where as I racked my brain, knowing that I’ve heard it from Sir Edwards once in passing. He was saying something about a tiara and a ship, pirates too even?
“You should be careful too,” I spoke up as Mr. Jung walked back to his desk and I headed for the door, “Sir Edwards was saying last time I was in town that he’s caught a link of yours, another dealer. Perhaps he’ll catch you before you could close your shop.”
I didn’t wait for Mr. Jung’s reaction as I pushed the door open and walked outside, the closed door behind me muffling his angry shouts. The man had terrible mood swings; he was never able to deal with his anger properly.
I approached my horse and petted her nose again, kissing it before I whispered to her that I would be back. There was a little bakery down the street and I haven’t had breakfast yet, I was craving some freshly baked bread. The weather was pleasant despite it being the beginning of September, if my coat wasn’t so thin I would’ve felt hot by now. I greeted a few people I knew as I walked, smiling and stopping to exchange pleasantries with an older lady who sometimes played the piano at the Inn I would work at when in need of more money. She was always nice but very nosy, I made sure to tell her as little as I could about myself. The bakery was in sight when I heard rapid footsteps approaching me from behind. When I turned my head to see what was happening, it was already too late as my mouth was covered by a rough hand and I was pushed into the dead-end alleyway to our right. I came face to face with three men as I was pushed forward by the one holding me. I glanced back to see two more there. This was bad. I was a skilled fighter, but I was alone and they were five. Two would’ve been good enough already. Damn Mr. Jung. He really hated it when something didn’t go his way. All of this for one stupid golden compass? I sighed and grabbed the sleeves of my coat, the man around me tensing. There was one really tall and really muscular one, I hoped he’d attack me last or at least knock me out fast if he decided to come at me first.
“Relax, boys,” I said with a chuckle, taking the coat off and throwing it to the side, not wanting it to get in the way, “I’m just taking my coat off, why so tense?”
I knew teasing and talking would do nothing right now, but I tried to stall and think of a way of running away. I was quite the fast runner, too many close calls of getting caught do that to you.
“Give us the compass.” The biggest said and I sighed, grabbing the handles of the two daggers hidden in my thick belt.
“There’s really nothing special about it,” I said with a shrug, its weight reminding me of Seonghwa again. Now really wasn’t the time to think about him.
“Boss wants it,” The same man said, “give it to us while we’re asking nicely.”
“No, because it’s mine.” I snapped and the first guy to my right took off running towards me. I quickly took my daggers out and sliced his arm when he reached out for me, making him scream out in pain. I kneeled his stomach and kicked him to the ground as hard as I could. The next one was by my side in an instant, grabbing my arm and hauling me around, making me scoff. I elbowed them in the stomach and sunk my dagger into their thigh, his cries of pain loud as he fell to the ground. I ripped the dagger out and attacked the next guy straight away, not waiting for them to attack first. They had a knife, this time, and he was successful at cutting my cheek, making me hiss. I tried to punch him, but he dodged, when I was whirled around and punched in the face. I groaned loudly, holding my nose in bewilderment. But again, my leg was kicked and I almost lost my balance, turning around in a furry and punching this time successfully the guy in the face not just once, but twice. They stumbled into the wall and as I was about to stab them, my hair was grabbed and my head was yanked back, making me yelp.
“Don’t touch my hair!” I screamed, stepping on the man’s toes hard, twisting my heel and leaning forward to elbow them in the jaw, making them stumble back. I turned around and stabbed them in the stomach, making the man gasp. But I didn’t even have time to pull my dagger out as the last guy standing, the really big one, had me by my shoulder and threw me against the stone wall. I groaned as my shoulder crashed into the wall rather hard, pain spreading through my right arm. Great, now I’ll have to get that fixed probably. But as I looked at him, I was slapped rather hard and accidentally bit my tongue, making it bleed. What a perfect day I was having…and it was only Wednesday. I groaned and straightened up, attempting to punch the guy, but he grabbed my fist and twisted my arm, turning me around as I was pushed into the stone wall, left cheek crushed against it. It was rather painful and I scoffed at how weak I seemed to appear next to this big man. It was really comedic; I could usually protect myself.
“All of this for a compass—”
“Shut up!” It wasn’t enough that I was struggling to speak due to my face getting crushed, he proceeded to smash my head against the stone wall, making me lightheaded too. I huffed loudly, squeezing my eyes shut for a second as I felt so dizzy I could throw up. The man’s right hand raised, leaving my right arm free and despite me trying to push him away with it and wriggling around, he still held me pressed against the wall, hand grabbing the compass around me. I started writhing around more aggressively, trying to squeeze the chain between my chest and chin, thinking it would do anything to stop the man from taking it. I really couldn’t lose the compass; I would never forgive myself. I shouldn’t even have taken it in the first place. The name on the inside made it seem really personal. I had no idea who Bu Seolhwa was, but assuming by their name, it could be a sister or other relative of Seonghwa’s. Perhaps a lover too. I yelped when the man tugged on the string harshly and thanked the Heavens for putting the compass on the hardest metal I owned at home, as it didn’t break right away. The man was grunting as I was fighting against him, trying to get him off pathetically, when suddenly he just stopped moving. The grip around me disappeared instantly. I was released in a blink of an eye; the action startled me. I turned around swiftly, still holding one dagger and pointed it forward, thinking that the man was playing games with me, but he wasn’t. He was dead. Eyes wide with blood pouring out of his jugular. My mouth dropped open when I took in the scene in front of me, all the other four men having suffered the same fate. My eyes fell on the man standing to my left, a thin, little knife in hand as he watched the men on the ground. He was dressed in all black, hands glowed and a hat on his head as the lower part of his face was covered by a black rag like thing. I stepped back when their head snapped towards me, crashing into the wall. I held the dagger firmly, ready to fight them at any given point. When our eyes met, I gasped, holding the dagger higher up, pointed at the person now. The man’s sharp eyes watched me with intensity, rage mixing with bewilderment. His eyes…they looked exactly like…Seonghwa’s? I gulped when he took a step towards me, eyes falling to my neck, but I stood ready to defend myself. When the man and I made eye contact again there was nothing but hatred in his eyes and I felt confused as they approached me, gripping my wrist so hard that I dropped my dagger. I hissed and grabbed his wrist with my other hand, trying to pry their fingers off myself, but the person tugged on my wrist and I looked up at them, eyebrows furrowed. The person looked and felt so familiar. Have we met before?
“Seonghwa?” I whispered startled as the scent of salt and lilies engulfed me. Not many people walked around here smelling like lilies and Seonghwa was the only one I could remember recently meeting who smelled like it. Well, six months ago, that is. But the man said nothing and released me abruptly, turning around and running off, making me run after them, but I realized I couldn’t leave my daggers at the crime scene. I had to leave now if I didn’t want anyone to see us. I was sure someone has already reported to the constable about weird noises, I couldn’t let myself be seen by Sir Edwards here. So I grabbed my daggers and coat and ran off, having long forgotten about fresh bread, as my mind was reeling at the thought of having just seen Seonghwa. Was it really him? Why would he save me after I stole his compass? Right, so then it couldn’t have been him. And who were these Ateez people looking for me? I had to figure it out fast, before I could put Nari in even more danger.
I barely made it to my horse when the constable came hurrying down the street with a few of his men, searching for the people creating the disturbance. I concealed my face in order to avoid getting seen by him and got on my horse, directing her towards the Inn I was staying at. It was the same Inn I work at, but today I was their client. After making it back there I realized how shaken up I was and the violent thumping of my head. That huge man didn’t go easy on me, I figured I had a mild concussion. I had enough strength to bring my horse to the stable and ask the little boy to take care of her until tomorrow and I’d pay him generously before I made my way inside the Inn, struggling to walk up the stairs. My vision was blurry and the coat around me made me feel hot. The compass seemed to be a screaming reminder of Seonghwa right now, and without thinking much, I took it off, glaring at it.
“Oh my goodness,” I heard a female voice muttering worriedly, coming from the top of the stairs, “Y/N you’re so pale—”
I felt hands gripping my arms and I looked up, but couldn’t see well. It was one of the girls working at the Inn, Yoona. I tried to tell her that I was alright and I just needed to sleep, but my mouth wouldn’t move and my vision was darkening second by second. All I could hear was Yoona’s panicked scream before I felt my body falling towards her.
When I came to it the sun was setting, and there was a damp cloth on my forehead. I rubbed my eyes, and groaned, my right shoulder quite numb at the moment. I looked around and realized I was in the room I was staying at and sighed, closing my eyes for another second, noting that my head was still thumping, but not as violently as it had been previously. There was knocking at the door and then it opened, Yoona walking in with a tray of food. My stomach churned at the smell and I grinned at her, slowly sitting up.
“Figured you’d be hungry,” She muttered, placing the tray on my lap as I thanked her, “How are you feeling?”
“Ugh,” I groaned, grabbing the bowl of rice and the chopsticks, “like I was slammed against a brick wall more than once.”
Yoona chuckled and grabbed the damp cloth off my forehead, “You looked very bad in the morning. I thought you were about to die or something, you’re lucky Jongdae has some little knowledge about diseases.”
I chuckled as I munched on my dinner, looking at Yoona, “I’m not sick, I was beaten up.”
Her eyes widened and she gasped quietly, coming to sit on the bed, “What? By who?”
I shook my head and bit into the chicken wing, “Don’t worry about it, they’ve been taken care of.”
“I heard they found five dead men in an alleyway close to the market…” Yoona’s voice was quiet and I looked up, our eyes meeting.
“It wasn’t me,” I shook my head quickly, “They were the ones who attacked me, but I didn’t kill them—”
“You’re so fragile, how could you kill them?” Yoona chuckled and ruffled my hair, making me glare at her, “I’m just glad they didn’t get to kill you.”
I hummed and drank some water, placing the cup by the bed, on the floor, as Yoona stole some bread from my tray, “What did they want from you?”
Her question made me pause and I looked at her as I swallowed the food I had in my mouth, “A compass—”
When I touched my neck, there was nothing. And it registered that I couldn’t feel the weight of the golden treasure anymore. I panicked as my eyes widened and I placed the tray on the bed next to me, heart racing as I turned to my bedside table, searching my coat for it. Yoona watched me grow more panicked before she placed a hand on my own, stopping me from getting out of bed, “Stop, you didn’t lose it.”
I looked at her confused, and slightly desperate, as she grabbed something out of her pocket and handed it to me. It was the compass. I let out a long breath, opening it and checking the name inside, making sure it was mine, “You dropped it when you fainted and while Jongdae carried you to your room I went back and got it—”
“Thank you!” I whispered as I offered Yoona a quick hug, taking her off guard. She chuckled and patted my back, pulling away.
“I figured it had a sentimental value when I saw the name on the inside.” Her words made me feel bad all of a sudden, making it clearer that I had stolen something from Seonghwa which was very significant to him. Mr. Jung’s words rang through my head for a second and I watched Yoona stand and take the tray with her.
“Wait, do you know anything about—Ateez?” I stopped her with my question. Her eyebrows furrowed and she slowly shook her head.
“I’m not sure, but—” She hummed, pursing her lips, “They might be a Pirate crew.”
“Pirates?” I muttered surprised as she nodded before walking out the door, leaving me alone. I placed the compass around my neck and got out of bed, opening the window to allow the fresh air inside. I leaned against the frame and started thinking. The man which saved me today made no sense. What was his reason? He was clearly hostile towards me so I don’t understand why he ran off. Perhaps he knew the constable was coming and didn’t want to get caught. His eyes flashed in my mind and I sighed, shaking my head. I was confused. The eyes reminded me of Seonghwa, but it couldn’t have been him. The scent was another giveaway, but still, his demeanor and the intensity behind his eyes weren’t like Seonghwa’s. They were menacing and filled with hatred, the man wasn’t gentle nor careful. I glanced down at my right wrist and realized I had bruises from the harsh grip he held me by and I groaned, realizing my right arm and hand were of no-good use for the week. I convinced myself that it couldn’t have been Seonghwa and I was probably hallucinating from getting my head bashed against the wall so many times.
After washing up and braiding my long hair, I dressed in clean clothes and applied a little bit of blush on my nose and cheeks, making them appear sun kissed. I was feeling better by the evening, having eaten and taken a little medicine for my head, the only give away that I was in a tousle was the cut on my cheek, now all cleaned up, and the bruises around my wrist. My right shoulder looked fine; however it didn’t feel exactly fine. But all in all, after a jug of beer I knew I wouldn’t be feeling the discomfort anymore. And the night was young, I had to use it to my advantage as the Inn downstairs was already filled with drunken people, so easy to trick. After walking around, I found myself sitting down at a table with six men who were playing some card games. They eyed me curiously as I placed three pennies on the table and asked for some cards too. Upon realizing what the stakes were, they each dropped some pennies on the table, the winner would take it all. At the beginning I allowed myself to lose, pretending like I needed to be taught the rules of the game, also waiting for them to get drunker and less aware of my cheating. Yoona came by to give us a new round of beer, I only drank one as I wished to stay sober, and as she was passing by me she whispered that the man next to me had a red heart. I grinned and as it was my turn, I asked the man if he had that specific card, having him hand it over to me. I was the first one this round to have no cards in my hands, therefore I won. The men groaned as they watched me take the pennies, making me chuckle.
“Seems like you learn fast, young lady.” The man to my left said with a loud laugh, patting me on my back. I chuckled and made sure I closed my pouch before taking the cards in my hands to shuffle them.
“The secret is to pay close attention for two or three rounds, mister.” I said as I started handing out the cards for everyone, the six men placing each five pennies on the table. The sum was getting bigger and bigger as the game progressed and I was enjoying it. One of them seemed to be rather cunning and he was always very close to winning, and probably would have, if I wasn’t cheating by Yoona’s help. She’d pass each round by us, when I subtly signaled it to her, and would look at the cards of the men in passing, whispering the missing card I needed. At the beginning it was all for fun, we did this to frustrate men, until we realized we could actually make some plus money by it. So now, the pennies I earned throughout these games were always half mine and half hers. The men I played with got louder and louder the more jugs of beer they kept drinking, and I found myself enjoying their company. They were middle aged men, all happily married and five of them making their living by fishing. The cunning man made jewelry with pearls, he liked going out on the sea with his friends, always bringing them food and more water to drink. I found myself telling them about my sister and how good she was at school, poetry being a passion of hers. They advised me of letting her live her life freely because once she gets married she won’t have the time anymore. While the man sitting in the middle was shuffling the cards for us, I smiled at the cunning man and told him that if he ever needs pieces for his jewelry to make them fancier and pricier, he should let Yoona know about it and I would get back to him. The men were surprised to hear that I was a merchandiser myself and still single, a woman at twenty-four years old was expected to at least have one child. However, they seemed nicer than most men as they just made a joke about it and carried on with their tales about the sea and their fear of pirates. That perked my interest and I found myself focusing more on the conversation than on the game, which wasn’t the smartest as I had placed the compass on the table as prize instead of coins. When the men saw it their eyes had a new glint in them, all wanting it probably.
“Why are you afraid of pirates, mister?” I found myself interrupting their conversation, almost missing my turn to ask for a new card. Thankfully, I got it right and I was still ahead of the cunning one.
“Have you never met one?” The man to my left asked and I shook my head, peaking at the cards of the man sitting on my right as he accidentally placed them on the table. He was rather drunk, he probably didn’t even care about the game anymore.
“I haven’t.” I answered with a shake of my head, “I’ve never sailed out onto the sea…or the Black Ocean.”
“Perhaps that’s better,” The man next to the cunning one cheered as he got one pair of cards right, having to get rid of only two more, just like me. I bit my lower lip and looked around, checking the others cards. They still had plenty besides the cunning one who only needed to get rid of one more before he equals us. That wasn’t the best, but I could still make it, “The sea isn’t for everyone, child, especially not for a lady like you.”
“I’m quite the fighter, mister.” I said with a chuckle, watching the cunning man as he looked around the table and asked the really drunk one if he had the card he needed. I smirked to myself, he probably must’ve also checked his cards while they were on the table as he got it right and the drunk one had to hand it over.
“It’s good to know how to protect yourself,” The cunning one said, giving me a small smile, “Pirates are different, however. They are violent and ruthless. More people die at their hands than at the Justice Court.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I hummed, noticing that he has equaled me and the other man in the cards. Now I really needed to pay attention, so I looked around for Yoona as the front door opened, still squeaking as loudly as ever. My back was facing it and I wasn’t curious to see who entered, I needed Yoona to help me out in these next two rounds. Thankfully, she noticed my stare and started walking towards us, watching for the signs I made. I needed a black leaf in this round and a red clover in the next one.
“Have you met a pirate?” I asked the table, all men nodding grimly. The one next to me, the really drunk one shivered and looked at me with wide eyes.
“This scar,” He pointed at the scar on his chin, it was quite wide, “was made by one of them. Just because they were asking for the fish I caught and I refused to give it to them…I still remember them, Ateez—”
“Ateez?!” My voice raised, which made Yoona look at me as she found the card I was looking for and motioned that it was at the cunning one. She shook her head at me and smiled when she was noticed by one of the men, asking if he needed anything. He said the music should be louder and Yoona walked off with a chuckle, giving me a warning look.
“They are quite known, child, have you never heard of them?” The man to my left said as the one to my right slurred his words, asking for some cards from me, which I didn’t have. I shook my head as an answer to the question and looked at the cunning man, asking if he had the black leaf. He nodded and handed it over, now I only had to get rid of the clover pair and I’ll win.
“It’s said that their initial Captain died when his son was only fifteen and ever since then he’s been the Captain of the ship. He’s called The Slayer, and child, if you ever come across them, just run the other way. They traffic women and not only, steal, and commit crimes no human should—” The man to my left shuddered and took a big gulp of his beer, checking his cards and asking me if I had the black heart, but I didn’t, “They’ve been the kings of the four seas for ten years now, many ships have sunken in the Raging Sea and Icy Sea…yet they somehow always come out unscratched. Constables hate them in each kingdom and people fear them everywhere. You should look for a golden ring with the letter A engraved in it if you want to know it’s them.”
“Didn’t—” The man to my right hiccupped and closed his eyes for a second, “Didn’t their Quartermaster—have a compass?”
“A compass?” I asked surprised, my eyes falling on the one on the table.
“He’s an orphan, child,” The man to my left explained, eyes barely open as he looked at his cards, these men were finished, I had a feeling this would be our last round playing, “The compass he always carries with himself is the only thing he had on himself when the initial Captain found him.”
I gulped and felt a bile rising to my throat, impatiently waiting for it to be my turn, so that I could finish this game and get a fresh breath of air. My heart was beating faster than before and the longer I looked at the compass, the worse the feeling in my gut was getting. It couldn’t have been Seonghwa. He looked nothing like a pirate. And he wasn’t wearing any rings the night we met. It surely must be a coincidence that he has a compass just like the Quartermaster of Ateez.
“Mister,” I smiled at the man to my left, eyeing his cards, “Do you happen to have a red clover?”
The man looked down at his cards with a frown, lips turning into a pout when he had to hand it over. I thanked him and placed my last cards down on the table, raising my palms in the air, showing them that I had finished the game. All men groaned as I pulled the pennies towards me, placing them in my pouch and quickly wearing the compass again. It felt uncomfortable to not have it around my neck, these past six months I have grown quite fond and protective of it.
“I’m afraid I have to say no to a next game,” I said as I stood and waved Yoona over, “But the next round of beers is on me.”
The men chuckled and nodded, one telling me that was only fair after I took all of their money, “Yoona, please serve each one of them a jug of beer, I’m paying.”
“Yes, of course,” She said with a pleasant smile and after biding farewell to the men, I followed Yoona to the bar, “Y/N, listen, there’s a man—”
I looked at her with furrowed eyebrows when she gripped my arm harshly, “He’s been staring at you quite—murderously ever since he entered the Inn, I think you should go.”
“Where’s he?” I muttered and Yoona turned her head, muttering quietly in which direction to look. Following her instructions, I turned my head and gasped. In the same spot where six months ago he was sat, it was Seonghwa sitting again. His eyes were narrowed and a scary smirk formed on his lips when he saw how wide my eyes were. I sucked in a harsh breath and ripped myself away from Yoona, “I’ll find you after your shift is over to pay you, I have to go now.”
Yoona said nothing as I hurried away from the bar and from the following eyes of Seonghwa, up the stairs and straight to my room to pack all of my belongings and leave earlier than planned. But first, I had to wait for the bar downstairs to close and for Yoona’s shift to be over. I couldn’t leave without keeping up my end of the deal.
I had been a nervous wreck for the past few hours, pacing up and down in my room, checking the door every five minutes to make sure I had locked it. I even closed the window and drew the curtains closed, too paranoid of Seonghwa possibly watching me from the outside. There was one single candle lit in the room, barely creating any light, but it was more than enough. I couldn’t give away which room I was staying in, scared that Seonghwa was here, watching, listening, waiting for the right moment to attack. I had taken the compass off and hidden it deep inside my bag, tucked away in my other pants’ pocket. I knew what he was here for. The sailors tales about the Quartermaster of Ateez kept ringing through my mind and I jumped every time there was the lightest sound outside my door. I knew I was overreacting, but I couldn’t help it. If Seonghwa was here, he was here to take his compass back and possibly kill me. It must’ve been him in the alleyway who killed those men, and he was brutal. He stabbed the jugulars of five men without batting an eye to it and I knew he could do worse to me. I sucked in a deep breath as the clock hit three o’clock in the morning, Yoona’s shift was over and I could finally leave. The bar wouldn’t close for another one or two hours, but that wasn’t a problem, at least I didn’t have to sneak out. I quickly rolled up the tail of my braid in a low bun and pinned it up, making sure it wouldn’t annoy me while riding my horse back home. The ride took about four hours and then I needed a boat to cross to the small island my sister and I lived on. I looked in the mirror and made sure my pouch was secured against my belt before I walked up to the door and paused. I took a deep breath and opened it to a dimly lit hallway. It was quiet and nobody was standing in front of my door, so I allowed myself to relax a little bit. Perhaps Seonghwa wasn’t here for me. I stepped outside my room and turned to the left with the intention to go to Yoona’s room, but my body crashed into a solid one. I gasped at the familiar scent and jumped backwards, body moving on its own before my brain could even register what was happening. For a second, Seonghwa and I stood staring at each other, until both of us snapped out of it at the same time. I jumped back inside my room and went to close the door and lock it, but Seonghwa pushed it open before I could even place my whole wight against it. The door slammed against the wall loudly as I let go of it, grunting due to the force he was using. I walked backwards further inside the room, hand gripping my dagger’s handle. Seonghwa watched me menacingly as he very easily pushed the door closed with his foot only, lips pulling up into a bone chilling smirk.
“Long time no see, Y/N.” The way he said my name made me shiver, I found myself unable to speak, “Six months, to be exact.”
So he was counting the months too. Perhaps he was awaiting our next meeting. Perhaps he’s been planning this for a long time. Perhaps I’d be a dead woman once Seonghwa walks out of this room. I couldn’t let that happen, I couldn’t leave my sister alone. So suppressing a shudder, I tried to gather myself and act fearless.
“I see you’ve been patiently waiting to see me again.” I mocked, body tense as Seonghwa made no moves, just watched me like a predator watches its prey before pouncing on them.
“I wouldn’t say patiently,” He chuckled, eyes taking in my form, searching for something, “you move around a lot, so it was difficult to find you.”
So this would’ve happened sooner if I didn’t travel around the South Kingdom so much to steal, “Why would you want to find me?”
Perhaps playing coy wasn’t the smartest right now, but it seemed to stop Seonghwa from attacking just yet. He chuckled and massaged his forehead for a second. He didn’t look much different since the last time I had seen him. If anything else, his shoulder seemed to have gotten wider, or perhaps it was just the corset hugging his torso perfectly creating that illusion. His wavy hair has gotten longer, though, and it was tied up, the shorter strands falling in his face. I tensed when Seonghwa suddenly approached me with slow steps, and almost took my dagger out when his fingers touched my left cheek. I stared up in his eyes, missing the gentleness in them from last time, now only seeing anger and hatred. I never thought this man was capable of looking at me like that.
“Was it you—” I found myself whispering as his fingers traveled down my cheek and then jaw, “who killed those men in the alleyway?”
Seonghwa smirked again, raising an eyebrow, “What do you think, love?”
Before I could answer him, his fingers just barely pressed against the skin of my neck before his hand wrapped around it, holding it firmly. I reacted instantly, dagger in hand and pointed at his own neck. Seonghwa chuckled, but didn’t squeeze me or even move.
“Where is it, love?” He asked quietly, eyebrows raised as I tried to control my body and stop it from shaking.
“Where is what?” I managed to ask breathlessly, finding myself lost in his eyes. Seonghwa hissed and his grip suddenly turned tighter around my neck, yanking me closer as I pushed my dagger harder against his neck too.
“Don’t act like you didn’t take my compass, Y/N,” He hissed, voice dangerously low and dark eyes boring into mine, “I saw it around your neck earlier.”
“I don’t have it—” His free hand gripped my wrist and twisted it so suddenly, that my dagger fell from my grip as I cried out, a stabbing pain travelling up my arm. Seonghwa looked furious and I tried to free myself, but he started choking me as he whirled us around and walked me backwards until I was slammed against the wall, head crashing against it harshly. For a second my vision blurred and I knew this wasn’t good for the small concussion I got just this morning, and as if a reminder, my head started thumping lightly. With my left hand I tried to push Seonghwa off but he was like a rock, way stronger than I was.
“Stop it!” I choked out somehow as my left hand made it to his face and I started pushing him away by it, turning his head away. Seonghwa still didn’t budge, but when I tried to push his eye with my thumb, he released my right hand and slapped my other hand off his face, allowing me to grip his neck back with my right hand, squeezing as hard as I could. Seonghwa’s jaw clenched as we stared each other in the eyes, both of us fighting to suck in an ounce of air, lungs burning from the lack of it. Of course, I started seeing black spots already, having been restricted for longer than Seonghwa, but I still tried to squeeze him harder, which wasn’t working out too well. He suddenly released me, making me cough as I sucked in a deep breath, glaring at him. Seonghwa had a crazy glint in his eyes as they had widened and he looked at me with a grin that made my skin erupt in goosebumps.
“Stop it?” He asked with a chuckle, getting all up in my face all of a sudden, making me recoil from him as I avoided eye contact, “You took my compass. For six months I’ve been trying to find you to take it back and you’re still playing games with me. I should’ve killed you in that alleyway.”
My jaw clenched and I mustered up the courage to look at him, “Then why didn’t you? The compass was right there, around my neck—”
I jumped when he punched the wall next to my head, face so close to mine our lips were almost touching, “Where did you put it?”
“I don’t have it with me—”
“Don’t lie to me!” Seonghwa shouted, making me jump as I cursed myself for only have one dagger on me.
“I’m not lying!” I screamed back, “Do you see it around my neck?!”
“No,” Seonghwa chuckled, his demeanor suddenly changing, “because you’re not wearing it.”
“Because I gave it—”
“Don’t make me torture it out of you, Y/N.” The sudden sweet tone mixed with the look in his eyes and the caress of my cheek rendered me speechless as a chill ran down my spine. I gulped and opened my mouth to say something, but I couldn’t. Why would I think he wouldn’t harm me just because I was a woman? Just because he slept with me once. If he was who I feared he was, I needed to get away right now.
“Who are you?” I asked in a whisper, flinching when he gripped my chin and raised my head.
“Park Seonghwa,” He leaned down to be eye level with me, “Quartermaster of Ateez.”
I tried to keep myself composed, not give away anything, but for the first time in my life after the disappearance of my parents, I was scared. Seonghwa watched me closely, a smirk appearing on his lips as I gulped and glared at him, calculating my next move. I didn’t miss the subtle glance at my lips and I couldn’t help but glance at his, trying to distract him in any kind of way, but Seonghwa seemed unimpressed.
“Is that supposed to tell me something?” I feigned ignorance, making Seonghwa chuckle. He looked at the wall past me, sucking in a deep breath, and it was the little momentum I needed to take action. I suddenly gripped his head and headbutted him, making Seonghwa yelp as he stumbled backwards. I pushed him roughly and ran to my bed to grab my bag and leave, but Seonghwa recovered faster than I thought he would. I barely grabbed the bag when Seonghwa composed himself and gripped onto my bun, yanking me backwards. I yelped and held onto his wrists, his tug on my hair making my scalp hurt, but he just pushed me forward, making me fall face first into the bed. I tried to break free, but Seonghwa kept me pinned down by my head.
“It’s in your bag, isn’t it?” He asked amused as we both looked at the disregarded bag on the floor.
“No, it’s not!” My answer came too quickly, making it very obvious that it was there. Seonghwa just chuckled and pulled me up, still holding me by my bun. I took my chance and elbowed him hard in the stomach, but he still didn’t release me. My other dagger was on the nightstand table, so I tried to tug us in that direction, but Seonghwa realized what I was trying to do and stopped me, pulling me against his body.
“Love, will you stop fighting back? It’s quite obvious I’m stronger.” He whispered in my ear and I huffed, stepping on his toes, making him hiss. His grip loosened a bit on my hair and I yanked myself free, whining at the harsh pull of my scalp, but at least I was free. I turned swiftly and slapped Seonghwa hard, making him chuckle as he pushed me with such force that I fell backwards on the bed, him instantly straddling me. My hands went to hold his neck, but he pushed them away and pinned them on both sides my head, chuckling. I tried to kick him or do anything with my legs, but it didn’t do much as the position wasn’t favorable for me.
“Will you give up now?” He asked smugly, leaning closer to my face, “It’s embarrassing how many times I overpowered you in the past few minutes.”
“Aren’t you such a gentleman?” I scoffed, lifting my hips and trying to throw him off balance, but it literally did nothing.
“I would be…if only you deserved it,” He said with a shrug, eyebrows furrowing for a second, “Do you know what we do to those who steal from us?”
I remained silent and just glared at him, making Seonghwa roll his eyes, “We cut their hands off—and then feed them to the sharks.”
I scoffed but said nothing else as I stared up at the ceiling, ceasing my resistance. I had to outsmart him somehow, but nothing I seemed to do was good enough, “Did you ever take your sister to the mainland?”
My eyes snapped to his, mouth falling open at the mention of her. How did he know I had a sister? My heartbeat picked up and I started wriggling around again, huffing and letting out a silent cry when he didn’t budge, “Don’t you dare touch her!”
“Oh, she’ll be safe as long as I get what I want.” Seonghwa said nonchalantly, smiling sweetly. I really needed to give the compass back to him, didn’t I? This was embarrassing. I have never been caught by the person I stole from before. I should’ve just given that damned compass to Mr. Jung when he asked for it, then I wouldn’t be in this predicament.
“I sold it already, Seonghwa.” Yet, I still found myself lying to the man holding me down, “A wealthy man is probably sitting at his desk, marveling at the beauty of that golden compass, meanwhile my pockets are filled to the brim with coins.”
“You didn’t sell it.” Seonghwa muttered, eyebrows furrowing.
“Yes, I did.” I taunted him more, smiling when his eyes darkened and he leaned closer. Just a little bit more, and I could execute my new plan. If brute force wasn’t working on him, I had another way of distracting him.
“No, you didn’t.” Each of his words was sharp, eyes narrowed into slits as he stared at me with hatred and I chuckled, abruptly leaning my head up and smashing my lips against his. Seonghwa made a surprised sound and didn’t kiss back, pulling back instantly, but I caught his lower lip between my teeth, refusing to let him go so quickly. Seonghwa hissed and pulled his head away swiftly, glaring down at me as I licked my lips, looking up at him smugly.
“What?” I chuckled, suddenly easing into the bed, releasing all the tension from my muscles, he looked at me as if I was crazy, “Don’t tell me you didn’t miss me. What else would you be here for?”
“I’m here for my compass!” He exclaimed annoyed and his grip around my wrists turned stronger, but I continued to smile innocently.
“Are you, really? Then why didn’t you take it from me in that alleyway? Why are you here, in my room, on top of me, pinning me down against my bed?” Seonghwa’s eyebrows furrowed as he watched me.
“I’ll tell you why,” I whispered, leaning my head up again, looking him in the eyes with the most alluring expression I could muster up, “because you missed me. Because you’ve been thinking about me just as much as I have been about you. Maybe it was because of the compass at first, but then you remembered the way I felt around your body. The way my lips tasted. The way I moved against you and the sounds I—”
I couldn’t even finish my little taunting because Seonghwa crashed his lips against mine, pushing harshly and kissing me urgently. There was nothing soft in this kiss, just us fighting for dominance and teeth crashing against each other occasionally. I moaned into his mouth when his tongue pressed against mine and noted how his body seemed to soften, rather than pinning me down, he was just keeping me in one place. Taking that to my advantage, I sucked on his tongue, making Seonghwa moan into the kiss as I buckled my hips and swiftly pulled my legs out from underneath him. Seonghwa went to pull away, but I didn’t allow him as I sucked his lower lip between my teeth again and he just pressed his body against mine, melting into me. I hooked my legs around his hips and knew the next thing I needed to do was get him to release at least one of my hands, so I started slowly moving my hips against his, moaning to distract him even more. Seonghwa’s lips moved against mine urgently and I started getting affected by his quiet noises and obvious bulge in his leather pants. But I willed myself to stay focused, and thankfully he fell right into my trap when he went to hold my hips down with his left hand, releasing my wrist. I quickly held onto his nape and pressed our lips even more together, lips slightly hurting from his feverish kisses. I didn’t need my other hand as I held onto his hips tightly with my legs as I suddenly pushed him backwards, flipping us around. I tried to continue kissing him, but Seonghwa gripped my neck firmly, pushing me away. Our lips were touching as we breathed out through our mouths, our breaths hitting each others faces. He held my back with his other hand and sat us up, eyes ablaze as he watched me. I couldn’t escape if he held me so close to himself, so I just kissed him again, waiting for him to let his guard down completely. His soft lips fit perfectly against mine and I found myself moving against him once again, subconsciously this time. Seonghwa whined quietly and I pulled back, but he started kissing down my jaw towards my neck, making me suck in a sharp breath when he bit into my neck, probably cracking my skin. I could feel his body getting comfortable, forgetting what he was here for in the first place, but I didn’t. He’d take the compass whether things continued or not right now. So I did the right thing and allowed my hands to trace his shoulder before they settled around his neck, pretending I was just resting them there.
“Seonghwa.” I whispered in his ear when he started kissing my collarbones, making him look at me. His eyes were hooded and I kissed him again, slowly pushing him down against the bed, stroking his jaw with my finger. His hands held my thighs and he adjusted them before he gripped my bottom and harshly pressed me down against him. I moaned again, body begging for any sort of friction as he started grinding my hips against his, panting against my cheek when I pulled away. This was the perfect timing, I had to do it now or else we’d go further. Seonghwa’s fingers were already undoing my belt, lightly biting my cheek and jaw as I slowly started tightening my grip around his neck, hoping he wouldn’t notice. I kissed him again when his hand made it inside my pants, and suddenly he was caressing my clothed core, making me whine into his mouth. I pressed my forehead against his as he slowly started stroking through my undergarments, cursing in my head and wishing I could continue, but he’d still kill me after this. He’d still take the compass. So, without hesitating anymore, I squeezed my hands around his neck harshly, restricting his airway. Seonghwa’s eyes widened as he looked me in the eyes and quickly held onto my torso, trying to push me off him, but I made sure I was placing my weight in all the places where I knew I could pin him down, render him unable to move. Seonghwa’s eyes filled with hatred again and I bit my lower lip, hating that I was doing this to him, but he gave me no choice.
“I’m sorry.” I whispered, but his eyes conveyed the message that I was dead once he’d wake up. He realized I had overpowered him this time and stopped fighting back, accepting his fate making me almost let go of him out of pity, but I quickly reminded myself that I would be dead if I did so. And if I wasn’t alive, Nari would suffer. So I squeezed until I felt his body going limp and eyes closing, face red from the lack of air. I released him quickly and sat on top of him, checking for a pulse. He was alive, I didn’t have it in me to kill him. A part of me would be devastated if he were to die, and I didn’t know why. There was something different about him, I still remembered his aura the first time we met and perhaps if I hadn’t wronged him, we’d be in a different predicament right now. But I knew I had to leave right now and get as far away from Seonghwa as I could. If he was a part of Ateez, he'd find me no matter what and all I could do was brace myself for when the time comes. And of course, protect my sister from any danger. I got off of him and quickly fixed myself, taking my bag and daggers, and hurrying out the door. I entered Yoona’s room without knocking, she was already asleep and placed her payment on her little desk, taking off next towards the stable to get my horse with only one person in mind. Nari. I had to go back home right now and make sure she was alright, possibly hide her so that Seonghwa wouldn’t find her and threaten me with her ever again.
I was lucky enough to get to the first boat going to my island in time. It was a man I happened to know, a baker who always traveled between the mainland and our island, bringing freshly baked goods for the people living in the town by the shore. He looked surprised to see me so breathless and tired, but asked no questions as he allowed me on his boat. I had to part from my horse, unfortunately, but I knew the stable boy here would take good care of her, I always left the horse with him when I came home. The poor baker tried to make conversation with me, but he realized I was in a sour mood, restless to get to see my sister so he stopped talking…that is until I asked him if he knew anything about Ateez. And the man knew. He knew a lot about them, in fact, and all the tales he told me about them made me feel sick to my stomach. They were ruthless people. They killed without a reason and they enjoyed taunting people. I couldn’t believe my stupidity. Once Seonghwa found me, I was finished, no doubt. I had heard of the menace Choi San was before, but I never knew he worked together with the pirates. I shuddered when the baker told me they killed his best friend too for refusing to help them out with a little food. They killed him, took all of his belongings and then placed his head on a stick for the whole village to see and know how to act when Ateez asked for something. The incident made the baker move to our island, hoping he’d be free from their terror, and so far, he had never seen them. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that they were closer than he thought, thankful that he gave me a ride. I handed him five pennies when we got off the board and I instantly took off, the walk to my town taking two hours by feet.
The sun was blazing by the time I made it home, well around noon, Nari wouldn’t be home and I couldn’t go to her school to check if she was alright, they didn’t accept visitors during teaching hours. I walked inside the house cautiously and took in the surroundings. Everything was in its place, showing no signs of anyone breaking in. I walked to Nari’s room and saw it was clean, bed made and papers full of poetry scattered around her desk. The house still smelled of omelet, so I knew she was home this morning. I walked to my room and made sure it was empty too, releasing a sigh of relief when everything seemed to be just alright. I unpacked my things and took the compass, walking back into the living room and placed it in a vase sitting on top of the fireplace. I started smelling, so after opening the windows to air out the house and eating some leftovers Nari left in the fridge, I walked outside and prepared some water for me to take a bath in. Our house was the furthest up the hill, nobody was close enough to see or hear us, so sometimes Nari and I would take a bath out in the open, behind the house where a few trees still concealed us. It was rather calming and comforting to take a moment to relax and enjoy that you were alive after tonight’s happenings. We still weren’t safe, but here, at home, I felt safe and protected. Seonghwa had no idea where we lived, so we were good for now. After washing up, I dressed in a white simple flowy dress, allowing my long hair to dry by itself, the wind and warm air drying it quickly up here. When I walked back inside the kitchen, I sat down at the table and noticed a note on the table, left for me. I always returned home the second to last week of the month, so Nari would start leaving notes for me a few days prior in case I returned earlier and she wasn’t home. The note said that she wouldn’t return home today as her and her friend planned a sleepover at her house, the mother inviting Nari over for dinner. I smiled and sighed, glad that Nari was living a simple life, filled with happiness and friends. I never wished for her to live the life I was. Constantly in danger and mostly unhappy. Don’t get me wrong, it was a life filled with adventures and treasures, but sometimes I wished I had someone who supported me and offered me comfort. A person whom I could return to and cuddle up to, rant about my day to and laugh about silly things with. Sometimes I just wished to be loved by someone. I sighed and started cleaning my daggers, pushing my wandering thoughts to the back of my mind, because I couldn’t help but picture Seonghwa as the man who would offer me all of these things. He probably hated me and wanted me dead at the moment, yet here I was fantasizing about us living a regular life.
Once my daggers were crystal clean and shiny, I stood from the table and twirled them around in my hands, gripping them firmly and pretending that I was stabbing someone. I rarely killed people. Only if the situation was dire and I truly had no other choice. So far I had only killed three people and I always felt awful. Sometimes I’d go and pray afterwards, but I knew it was fruitless as the sins I was committing wouldn’t allow me to have a happy afterlife. Shaking my head, I held the daggers and walked out of the kitchen with the intention to head inside my room and take a nap, but I froze once I reached the living room. Seonghwa was leaning against the wall in the doorway of our front door, arms crossed in front of his chest, face pulled up in an irritated expression. My heart started beating quickly and I felt at a loss at the sight of him, all feelings of security disappearing. He found me. It didn’t even take him a day, just merely some hours. The grip on my daggers tightened and I stood up straight, looking at him defiantly.
“Thought you’d never return from your daydreams.” He said mockingly as he pushed off the wall and walked further inside the room. I remained quiet and with my guard up, expecting him to attack at any given moment, “That was a nice little escape method you pulled a few hours go, Y/N, render me speechless.”
I gulped, averting my eyes from his as they burned into mine. My body felt hot all of a sudden and I was ashamed that I still wanted him despite of everything.
“I see you’re not wearing my compass anymore, what a shame…” He offered me a smile, menacing, “I wanted to cut off your head while you were wearing it.”
I tensed, shivering at his words, the scene playing out in my head. The whole living room covered in my blood, head separated from my body, Nari’s screams once she found me dead. I bit my lower lip to try and stop it from trembling and willed myself to try and looked fearless, but I was sure Seonghwa saw right through me as he sat on the sofa.
“So…where’s my compass?” He raised his eyebrows and groaned when I remained silent. His leg was bouncing up and down, he was getting restless. I was playing with fire, prolonging my anguish before my death, “Don’t tell me cat got your tongue all of a sudden, love?”
“I don’t have it, I told you already.” I spoke up, voice low and eyes glaring at him.
“Do you want to watch me destroy your house until I find it and kill you after or do you want to die first and for your sister to return while I search for it, only for me to offer her the same fate I offered you—”
“Leave my sister out of this!” I said menacingly, body shaking from anger as I walked closer to him, my grip turning painful on the daggers.
“It’s dangerous to have weaknesses in a world like ours, love.” I scoffed at his words, smirking at him and pointing a dagger at him.
“You should take your own advice, love.” I snapped back and Seonghwa’s jaw clenched as he stood up, slowly pulling his big knife out of its sheath. He came closer but I kept my distance, and soon we found ourselves walking in a circle.
“So…where is it then?” Seonghwa asked, glancing around the room.
“I don’t know,” I answered, pointing my dagger towards him, “Since you think I still have it, why don’t you go find it yourself?”
Seonghwa chuckled humorlessly, “I’m not in the mood for games, Y/N.”
“And I’m not in the mood to be tormented by you, but I guess we can’t have everything we want in life, Seonghwa.” That seemed to tick him off as he lunged forward, aiming his knife towards my abdomen, but I blocked it with my daggers. I pushed back and slashed towards him, narrowly missing cutting his hand. Seonghwa seemed unimpressed as he attacked again, aiming for the same spot, pissing me off. He was playing with me. He wanted to tire me out so that he’d gain the upper hand, but I wasn’t having none of it and charged towards him, fiercely attacking him with my daggers. He was quite good with his knife as he blocked all of my blows, fast on his feet and somehow always knowing my next move. He was pissing me off and I was starting to get frustrated as he managed to make a small gash on the skirt of the dress. He smirked when I huffed and as I jumped forward, his knife suddenly disappeared from his hands and he blocked my blows with his arms, managing to push me and take me off balance ,as I fell against the wall. I gave him a glare and jumped forward, attempting to strike him again, when suddenly the knife was in his hand and all I felt at first was the burn of my skin on my left lower arm, blood slowly oozing out. I gasped at the pain and looked down, blood dropping on the floor and even tainting my white dress. When I looked back at Seonghwa he was smirking and I jumped forward, only one dagger in hand as I dropped the other one due to the pain, and managed to slice Seonghwa’s cheek as he wasn’t fast enough when he tried to dodge my attack. He wasted no second jumping towards me and slamming me against the wall, making me groan loudly when my shoulder got hurt again. I swear to God, nobody even needs to kill me, at this point my injuries will do just that. But I reacted quickly and punched him in the jaw with my left hand, ignoring the pain, making Seonghwa hiss as his head turned in the opposite direction from the blow. He was breathing hard as he turned his head to look at me and he slapped me back, making me gasp.
“What? You can punch me but I can’t slap you?” He mocked and I clenched my jaw, ignoring the slight sting of my cheek, “I thought we were playing fair.”
I growled and kicked his hip, making him stumble backwards and almost fall, but he managed to catch himself in the wardrobe, pulling himself back up. I charged toward him and raised my dagger, but he blocked it with his knife, our faces close when he grabbed me by the hip and pulled me in, eyes falling onto my lips. I scoffed and pushed him off, but he grabbed my arm and squeezed hard as he flung me against the wall, my forehead crashing into it this time, making me hiss as I saw dark spots all around me. My concussion would beat Seonghwa to killing me. I was breathing hard as I tried to gain focus, having been thrown against the wall, again. It was starting to take a tool on me, the pointless tousling and teasing. I did not like fighting this way. I liked getting straight to the point, getting what I wanted. I never played around with my prey, but Seonghwa seemed to enjoy it as a wide smirk decorated his lips, his strides long and slow as he came closer, almost caging me against the wall. I huffed in irritation as he raised my chin with the tip of his very sharp knife, our eyes finding each other’s. Seonghwa was breathing hard too, lips parted and forehead sweaty as his long wavy black hair fell into his sharp eyes, his ponytail messy. His eyes held an intensity which was capable of making me surrender to him, but I stayed collected. Not this time, I wouldn’t give in. My lower left arm was burning from the huge gash Seonghwa’s knife made and I couldn’t ignore the blood dripping down his cheek where I had cut him just minutes ago.
“You could have made this so easy and quick for yourself, Y/N.” His voice dripped with venom and I gulped when his knife pressed harder against my skin, lightly grazing against my neck.
“I like to play around,” I muttered and forced out a chuckle, ignoring the quick pounding of my heart, “But you know that already.”
“Too well.” He snapped and I gasped when I felt blood trickling down the side of my neck, skin slightly burning. He really meant it this time that he’d kill me if I didn’t give back what was his. All of this fiasco for a damned compass. I glared at him and in a swift moment pressed my own dagger against his torso, ripping his shirt open and making it clear that if he were to slice my throat I wouldn’t hesitate in sticking my own weapon into him.
“How are you going to find the compass if you kill me, Seonghwa?” I taunted, mimicking his tone when he said my name. For a split second his eyes turned into slits and I was sure he would kill me right then and there, but the pressure of the knife from my neck disappeared and I felt the lump in my throat disappearing as well. It didn’t mean I was safe, it just meant I wasn’t getting my throat slit open. I lowered my dagger from his torso as well and tried to come up with an escape plan fast. The window was open, if I kicked him hard enough to get him to double over, I could run to the window and jump out. I knew where my sister’s friend lived, I would go there and take her with me. Going into hiding was a must right now.
“Where is it?!” Seonghwa’s voice slightly trembled from anger and I looked behind him, eyeing the window.
I shrugged before looking back at him, having decided what my next move would be, “I don’t know, want to play a game to find out?” And before he could answer, I punched him hard in the jaw, making him stumble backwards. He was flabbergasted as he looked back at me, wiping the blood from his lips, but before he could charge at me, I kneeled him in the stomach, hard. Seonghwa doubled over instantly and started wheezing, face contorted in pain. I didn’t necessarily liked hurting him and I found myself hesitating for a second before I snapped out of it and made a run for the window. The room wasn’t big, I could easily make it out and get away from Seonghwa. But I heard groaning from behind and as I latched onto the window sill, ready to jump over, a hand was suddenly in my long hair, fisting it. I was yanked back harshly and I yelped, eyebrows furrowing as Seonghwa held me flushed against his body, pulling on my hair so hard I thought he’d leave me with a bald spot. I went to fight back, but he grabbed my neck from behind with his left hand, but he didn’t squeeze. He secured me in a firm grip, warning me. I gulped and listened to our rapid breathing, Seonghwa’s chest rising and falling quickly against my back. His body hadn’t changed at all. He was still as sturdy as before, even felt like he had gotten stronger.
“Let me go.” I snapped and turned my head to the side, trying to look at him. Seonghwa watched my face for a second, taking it in, before he blinked and his gaze turned cold. I couldn’t pretend like the warmth of his body and the grip he had on me wasn’t affecting me, but my self-respect would never let me tell him. I had already admitted to thinking about him often back at the Inn.
“I prepared a little surprise for you,” Seonghwa whispered in my ear, my eyes fluttering for a second, before he harshly turned my head towards the window, making me watch what was happening outside. And my whole blood ran cold in me. I froze, almost unable to breathe. My little sister was walking outside, singing to herself as she played around with a pebble. The sight that terrified me wasn’t her being home despite her saying she’d spend the day at her friend, it was the man dressed in all black with a rag covering his lower face following her, knife held very obviously in one hand. Nari was oblivious to him and he was getting closer and closer to her.
“Stop!” My voice raised and I tried to wriggle myself free from Seonghwa’s grip. The man following my little sister, Nari, was Choi San, a ruthless mercenary. She stood no chance against him, I couldn’t stand here and watch as San kills my little sister, the only family I have left.
“Stop him,” I begged Seonghwa as I stopped trying to get away from him, “please tell him to stop. I will give you anything you want, Seonghwa, please don’t let him hurt Nari.” I knew now the two worked together. Seonghwa was the Quartermaster of a very infamous pirate crew whom had been terrorizing the four kingdoms and four seas for a decade now and everyone knew what they were capable of. Even I did now. I would’ve never thought Seonghwa was smart enough to find me as I barely came home, once a week every month, but seeing San trailing my sister woke me up to the reality of the predicament I found myself in. I was careless and dumb; I stole from someone whom I should’ve never messed with.
Seonghwa chuckled and I felt his hot breath on my cheek before he whispered in my ear again, “Never thought I’d hear you begging, love.” And without another word, he whistled loudly and I watched as San placed his knife up his sleeve and turned around, walking off, my sister oblivious to everything that could’ve happened to her due to my stupidity.
“Now, give me my compass.”
And I knew I had to do just that. No more games, no more taunting. Pride placed aside, I waited patiently for Seonghwa to release me and after a second of silence, he did just that. I sucked in a shaky breath and turned to face him, our eyes meeting. My heart was beating like crazy and I was terrified for my sister, but I still managed to give him a glare for even daring to threaten me by harming her. Seonghwa looked back with the same intensity, wanting his compass back right now as he watched me closely when I started walking towards the vase I had hidden it inside. I placed my dagger on the fireplace, not needing it anymore, before I reached inside the vase, fingers touching the golden treasure.
“Will you kill me once I hand you the compass back?” I found myself wondering out loud, hands slightly shaking. Seonghwa remained quiet but I could feel his gaze burning the back of my head, so I just gulped and spoke up again, “Whatever, I don’t care what you do to me as long as you leave my sister out of this. She doesn’t even know I’m a thief, she thinks I work for a wealthy family on the mainland.”
I gripped the compass and took it out of the vase with a sigh, turning around to hand it to Seonghwa, but he was already standing in front of me, making me jump. He looked down at my hand and gripped the compass, ripping it out of my hold. I gulped and watched his expression closely as his eyebrows furrowed, clutching the compass with both hands. He raised it up to his eyes and consulted it closely, hands slightly trembling as he opened it. A sense of relief seemed to wash over his face as he touched the inside of the compass and then suddenly looked at me. I tensed and averted my eyes from his.
“Why did you steal it if you didn’t sell it?” He asked in a whisper and my eyebrows furrowed, feeling uncomfortable by his question. I noticed how numb my lower arm started feeling from the big cut and that the back of my head was thumping violently again.
“I don’t know—” I muttered, wetting my lips as I looked back up in his eyes, “I just—I couldn’t. When I saw the name on the inside I just—I just had a feeling it was a very personal item. I guess…I didn’t have it in me to get rid of it.”
Seonghwa remained silent as he looked down at me and I felt even more guilty when his eyes filled with tears. Why was he the one on the verge of crying? He was about to kill me any minute.
“You have no idea how much this compass means to me, Y/N.” He muttered with a sigh, closing it and placing it around his neck. It looked beautiful. It complimented his complexion and I found myself mesmerized by the man standing in front of me. All the hatred and roughness was gone, the Seonghwa I met the first time was the one standing in front of me. Soft and kind.
“I’m—” I gulped, feeling weird for apologizing, “I’m sorry.”
Seonghwa’s eyes widened slightly and his jaw clenched as his eyes traveled over my face, analyzing whether I meant it or not. And I did, I was genuine with my apology, I shouldn’t have taken it.
“You could’ve given it back the first time I asked for it, you know.” Seonghwa’s eyebrow raised and I looked away embarrassed.
“A thief getting caught and then forced to hand back the treasure is quite humiliating, Seonghwa.” I muttered, looking at him startled when he gripped my chin and turned my head to face his, “When I took it I had no idea who you were, so I thought I could get rid of you fast.”
Seonghwa chuckled and leaned down, eyes at the same level as mine, “I would’ve never thought you were this silly, love.”
“Are you going to kill me?” I whispered as I bit my lower lip, Seonghwa’s eyes falling on them. He shook his head wordlessly, looking back in my eyes when I gasped quietly, “Why not?”
“For the same reason you didn’t sell my compass.” He whispered back and my heart somersaulted when he pressed his soft lips against mine, holding the side of my neck firmly as I kissed him back feverlishly, holding his nape to pull him closer. I had no idea if he figured out that I had taken a fancy to him, but his kiss felt weirdly loving. I allowed this unknown warm feeling overtake my body as Seonghwa proceeded to pull me into himself, almost engulfing me in a hug as he pulled away only to press two more kisses against my lips, making me blush against my will. I refused to open my eyes, embarrassed and shy at the same time, when Seonghwa chuckled and stroked my lower lip with his thumb.
“Who’s Bu Seolhwa?” I whispered, making Seonghwa sigh.
“My mother.” I opened my eyes and looked at him surprised, the rumors said he was an orphan, “I found out five years ago where I come from and who she is. But that’s all I know.”
“Let me help you,” I blurted out before thinking more about it, making Seonghwa raise his eyebrows in surprise, “I mean—I know a lot of people from different circles and ranks. I could help you find her…if you want me to, of course.”
Seonghwa smiled and pulled away, making me yearn for his touch, it was so silly, “Alright, love, at least I’ll have an excuse to see you each month.”
I chuckled and looked away embarrassed, watching him collect his knife as he walked towards the front door, “I’ll see you second to last week of the next month here, love, don’t do anything crazy until then because I won’t be able to save you.”
My jaw dropped as I ran up to the door, watching him leave. He turned back with a cheeky smile and winked as Nari and him crossed paths, she was rather close to the house, good thing we stopped fighting. But how did Seonghwa know when was I home? For just how long has he been keeping an eye on me?
“Y/N?” I heard my sister’s excited voice call out, “You’re home early!”
And I allowed my eyes to fall on my little sister as she ran up to me, completely ignoring the state I was in as she hugged me. My body felt frail in her arms and I allowed myself to breathe in and breathe out, thankful that she was safe and in my arms. My eyes fell back on Seonghwa’s retreating form and I found myself smiling, curious of what the future held for us.
“Who was that man?” Nari asked as she pulled her head back and looked up at me, she was at least two heads shorter than me.
“Just a friend.” I answered her and ruffled her bangs, stepping out of her embrace, “The house is a mess because—”
“Don’t worry, you can clean that up yourself,” She grinned cheekily as she ran inside the house, “I’m only home because I forgot Joohyun’s bracelet at home, I’m still sleeping over at hers.”
“I see.” I muttered and shook my head, cursing the heavens for letting her forget such thing today of all days. But it was alright, because in the end I took care of it. Because in the end, I would do anything to keep her safe and myself alive.
And because maybe Seonghwa would kill anyone who dared harm us.
Next part (divider)
#bvidzsoo#ateez series#ateez smut#seonghwa x reader#seonghwa smut#park seonghwa#seonghwa angst#seonghwa fluff#seonghwa ateez#ateez angst#ateez fluff#seonghwa oneshot#ateez x reader#kim hongjoong#jeong yunho#kang yeosang#choi san#song mingi#jung wooyoung#choi jongho#ateez pirate au#ateez fanfic#ateez imagines#ateez scenarios
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⏳💫Congrats Stardust! You got Memory of Dreaming!💫⏳
I’ll make sure you won’t forget this!
…
Teehee! Sweet dreams, Siffrin!
…
If you got One Hat at the ending of the game, DO NOT READ THIS AFTERMATH! Get the secret in Act 6 and then you can enjoy this aftermath! If You got Two Hats, read on head! ;)
v Aftermath v
*…
*He should be here any minute…
*You can imagine them right now.
*The poor little thing probably is so confused…
*Their most likely aimlessly searching for the party, thinking the worst is happening!
*…
*You can’t help but pity him…
*…
*Finally, You see them come to the foot of the Favor Tree.
“H-Hello, guys? The villagers said I should go here… Is… Is anyone here?”
*They forgot their eyepatch and still wearing their undershirt and pants…
*…
*He looks so small…
*Were you this small? Back when it was you?
*Stars, has it been so long?
*That you don’t even remember what you look like?
“Mira? Isa? Madame? This isn’t funny!”
*You can’t help but stare.
*…
*Okay, you’re wasting the time you have…
*You did your part! Now, it’s their turn.
*It would be silly to ruin all your hardwork!
*You hop of the branch and put on your best performance!
“Oh! You finally found your way, Stardust?”
*They jumped at your voice.
“What the-?! Who… What?!”
*You put your hand to your face…
“Oh my, Stardust! That’s no way to greet someone! Especially someone who has been helping your friends!”
*That gets their attention, of course it does…
“You’ve seen them? Where are they? How can I get to them?”
*… Stars, you forgot how clingy you were…
“Stardust, you know where they are…”
*After all, They should remember now! Remember what they did to the others…
*They can no longer hide behind their ignorance anymore!
*They know it’s all their fault…
“B-But! W-will they be okay? Without me?!”
*What a stupid question.
*You imitate picking your nails…
“They were doing just fine without you before… Besides, are you really in any condition to do anything useful? Hm?”
*Ha! Even now… You can see how much the loops destroyed your body…
*No, it’s not your body anymore…
*They look down on the ground, ashamed…
“But… I’m the reason why we’re suck here… Shouldn’t I be the one fixing it?”
*That’s exactly what you were thinking…
“And how exactly do you plan to do that?”
*They rub their left elbow, looking defeated…
“I don’t know… I didn’t think that far…”
*…
*It’s amazing, how clueless they are…
*But it’s fine…
*That’s why you’re here!
“Well, I have an idea… You might want to try it!”
*They look at you, confused.
“Why? I barely know you, yet you somehow have me already figured out?”
*Ha, of course!
*How could you forget how paranoid you were!
*You roll your eyes.
“Believe me, I’m probably the only one who could understand how that silly little brain of yours… Unless, you want the others see how awful you really are?”
*Yea, that shuts them up.
*So eager to please, in hopes of getting people to stay…
*It’s funny how easy you are able to shift him into place…
*How pathetic…
*How disgusting…
“Hm… They should be nearing the third floor by now…”
“Hmm…”
“You want to hear my plan, now?”
*They chew on the inner part of their cheek.
“Hmm, okay… If it can help the other’s, okay…”
*You take a deep breath.
*Mira asked you not to do anything stupid.
*She made you promise to watch over them…
*She would be heartbroken if she knew what you were planning on doing…
*The others too…
*You would be betraying the little trust they had with you…
*…
*But…
*But that promise was for this Siffrin, wasn’t it?
*She’s not your Mirabelle…
*She could never be your Mirabelle.
*Your Mirabelle is long gone, you think about that every blinding loop...
*Just like your Isabeau, your Odile, your Bonnie, they are all gone!
*Why should you care about that mere copy of your precious family that you destroyed?!
*IF ANYTHING, THEY SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO YOU.
*For the fact that you’re letting them escape…
*For fixing this mess…
*Once and for all…
“You could… Make a new wish…”
*His eye grows wide…
“But-”
*You take the coin from their pocket.
*You roll it across your hand.
*They stare at you…
“You can use this…”
“How did you-”
“You know how. Stars, you can be so annoying…”
*You can’t hide the venom in your voice.
*Sorry, Odile…
“Come on, Stardust…”
*You hand them the coin…
“Let’s take this from the top, and get it right this time!”
*They look at the coin, conflicted…
“After all it’s the least they deserve,”
*You make sure that they can hear you.
“After what you put them through…”
*You see their face crumpled as you say that.
*Yep, that got them…
*They take the coin and looks at them…
*Looking at you for any guidance.
*They only have you.
*…
*How tragic…
”Make your new wish, Stardust, and free your family…”
*He looks at the coin, cautiously…
*…
*They close their eyes…
*Breathe into the coin.
*Repeat the wish three times.
*Holds it to his chest, to keep it safe…
*Then… They flip it to you.
“So… Now what?”
*You see them yawn… The affect of your wish beginning to show on their face…
*Part of you feels guilty, on how easy this plan went…
*How all your little actors played directly into your hands.
*But you in to deep now, are you?
*This is what the Universe wanted from you…
*…
*They should be near the king now…
*…
*You can’t help but laugh!
“Now we wait!”
#in stars and time#isat#isat spoilers#isat au#switch a loop au#isat fanart#isat siffrin#isat loop#creamie's art#uh oh#who could’ve seen that coming?
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,, Babysitting With A Stranger ‘‘
PAIRING . . . babysitter!Riki X babysitter!gnReader
GENRE . . . fluff , crack !
WC . . . 1.9k+ !
SYNOPSIS . . . oops! there was a mistake with your babysitter and now you’re stuck with another babysitter…how are you going to survive?
WARNINGS . . . mention of children (again im sorry TT) , mentions of food!
“so i’ll come around 5pm tomorrow” you held your phone close to your ear, waiting for an answer, “that’ll be great, thank you!” on the line was the mother of the children you’re about to babysit the other day.
“gladly, i’ll see you tomorrow!” you happily replied and hanged up.
it’s your fourth babysitting for this week so far, ever since you heard your favorite group is going on a tour, you’ve been determined to collect enough money to buy a ticket.
“i’ve got another one for tomorrow!” you said to your mom and she pat your head, “im proud of you for starting to work your ass off”
you woke up happily the other day, going to school as usual and rejecting any plans for the afternoon.
“let’s go karaoke today!! i feel like losing my voice today” your best friend requested. “sorry, can’t today, im babysitting” you replied.
“again? it’s like your fifth time this week” “fourth to be exact, but what can i do? i gotta get that ticket” you shrugged as she rolled her eyes.
school ended up faster than you expected, and it was already time for you to get mentally prepared for at least seven hours with two children.
you arrived at the house and knocked at the door, “Y/N? come in!” you heard the mother’s voice calling you in.
you opened the door and saw the mother sitting with her children on the ground, playing with them. “meet minho and minji!” she said and the kids cutely waved at you as you smiled at them.
“it’s nice to meet you! how old are you?” you asked them, “we’re six years old” they both answered, “i was born before you though” minji teased, “only by one minute!” minho said annoyingly.
“i think we’re about to enjoy the rest of the evening together!” you said excitedly.
“i will be back around 12am, of course i will be paying you as soon as i get back” the mother smiled and you nodded, “don’t worry, have fu-“ you were about to continue but a knock on the door interrupted you.
“that’s weird, i don’t expect anyone else” the parent said and opened the door.
“hello! i’m riki,” he said, “we’ve talked on the phone three days ago and we agreed i’ll babysit the kids today until 12am”
you stood there in shock as the mother froze, “oh i’m so sorry! i forgot i talked with you on the phone and i called y/n as well oh my god this is such a mess i don’t know what to say” she held her head down.
“it’s okay ma’am! i can go back and-“ you were about to continue but she cut you off, “no no! i’m sure you two had a long way here,” she sighed, “it’s a bit weird of me to request but, is it okay if you babysit together? i’ll pay you even double as an apology”
“it’s okay really-“ “please, let me do it” she pleaded.
you and riki both sighed and nodded, “great, thank you so much!” she smiled, “i really got to go now, thank you again”
before she closed the door she looked at her kids and blowed a kiss, “bye angels, i’ll give you a kiss when i get back!”
riki got inside the house as the kids’ mother left. “so umm, i’m riki” he introduced himself, “yeah i heard your introduction from before” you awkwardly replied.
“uhhh so um” he awkwardly coughed a bit and you zoned out, “right, um im-“ “y/n, i also heard her saying your name before” he chuckled and you nodded.
“can you two stop being so awkward and play with us?” the two kids, who were watching you two standing there like the other furnitures they have at home, dragged you and riki into their bedroom.
“that is where i sleep and that’s where minji sleeps” they both pointed at their beds and you both nodded.
“minji let’s take them to our play room” minho added and minji nodded.
“let’s pick one game and play!” they said and you all sat down to discuss which game you’re going to play.
“i say we should try monopoly! we can team up and play two against two” you suggested and they all nodded.
“then i want y/n in my team” minho said. “not fair! i wanted y/n to be in my team!” minji angrily scoffed, “but i said it first!” minho teased.
“i’m here too, hello hi” riki waved at minji, “i’m good at this game, i promise we’re going to win” he opened his arms for minji to hug him. minji looked at him weirdly but as she saw that he was not going to give up, she went up and hugged him, “you better be good at this game” she said, almost sounding like a threat.
“then let’s start to play!” you rolled the dice and the game started.
“we don’t have any money left!” riki finally called out after a long game, “the bank cant give you more money than you already took, sorry” you replied teasingly, “which means we win!” you high-fived minho and you both hugged each other.
“‘im good at this game’ you said” minji glared at riki, mimicking him from before, “i didn’t know they’re going to make a good team” he whispered back.
“look at the time! it’s already 8pm!! your mother told me you need to go sleep around 8:30pm” you said.
“did you shower yet?” riki asked and the kids nodded, “have you eaten anything?” you asked and the kids shook their heads.
“let’s make some dinner!” you and riki both said and went to the kitchen.
“their mother told me they usually eat scrambled eggs and a salad before they go to sleep, let’s just do that” you smiled at riki, “i’ll make the salad” he replied.
after something like fifteen minutes, you sat the kids down at the table, and served them the food you made, “eat well, don’t fall asleep on the food” riki smiled at the kids as you both watched them starting to eat.
after a few minor fights and jokes, the kids finally finished eating and it was time to put them into sleep.
“good night!” you and riki said. “riki! can you read us cinderella?” minho requested before you could close the door. you and riki shared a few seconds of and awkward eye contact until he broke it with a sigh, “of course!”
as riki got back inside their room, you started cleaning the kitchen from all the mess they created.
riki got out of the room just when you finished your cleaning, then you both flopped on the big sofa. “it’s been a tiring day” you said. “yeah” he shortly replied and it went back to silence.
“so,” riki started talking, “why did you start babysitting?”
“it might sound funny, but i’m actually collecting money to buy a ticket for a concert of my favorite group” you replied, “how about you?”
“the same reason as you actually” you then popped your head up to see his face to look if he’s serious or not, “what group are you planning to go to?” he added.
“wait let’s say the name on the same time” you both sat up and looked deeply into each other.
“one”
“two”
“three”
“(name of your fav group)!” you both said at the same time. “no way” you said.
“you know them?” he replied shockingly, “they’re like my favorite group”
“you’re lying” you said jokingly, “how much money did you save so far?”
“i have around 200$” he replied, “no way me too!” you cheered.
“what should we do while the kids are sleeping?” he asked and you smirked, “i think you know what i’m about to say”
you both spent a whole hour playing your favorite group’s songs and dancing like there’s no tomorrow. even though he was a complete stranger a few hours ago, you felt the most comfortable around him than you’ve ever felt, and it was the exact same feeling for him.
after a tiring dancing session, you and riki flopped on the sofa again, breathing heavily, trying to catch your breath. “i’m kinda hungry” you said and riki nodded in agreement.
as soon as you said that, riki got a notification, he opened his phone and read the text, “i left you and y/n some extra money if you’d like to buy yourself something to eat :) these kids are tiring so i bet you two are hungry”
“is that…” “the kid’s mom? yeah”
“damn those rich people” you both said at the same time and giggled. you decided to order pizza, it wasn’t too expensive but it’s more than enough for you both.
“y/n look! they have nintendo!” riki pointed out, “are you sure we should play in it? i dont want to touch anything that isn’t ours” you replied.
just then, riki got another notification, “p.s, dont be afraid to touch anything around the house, i know how boring it can be when the kids are sleeping ;)”
“she’s so nice i want her to adopt me” you said. “let’s play mario cart, im not better than you in monopoly, but i bet i can win in mario cart” riki said teasingly.
you nodded and grabbed the remotes, “let the games begin” you gave one of the remotes to riki and you started playing.
“so now we’re even” riki smirked, after something like five rounds, you realized you’re not going to win over him and gave up super fast. “yeah yeah i guess so, next time i’m gonna win though!”
“you think there will be next time…?” he asked. “uh well-“ you were about to continue until you heard a sound of keys outside of the door. you and riki turned off the tv and waited for the person to come in.
“hello!” the mother appeared behind the door with a huge smile on her face. “hey!” you and riki greeted her back.
“i’m so sorry again for the huge mistake! how was babysitting my little angels?” she asked, “it was great, we enjoyed doing it together as well” you both said, “your kids are the cutest!” you added.
“thank you! here’s the promised money” she held out the money for you two and you took it. “thank you so much! hope you have a wonderful night!” you and riki bid goodbye to the lady.
“that was fun” you said as you walked out of the door with riki. “it was” he replied, smiling.
“so i was thinking,” you both said at the same time, “you first” you said.
“um so i was thinking,” he said and stopped for a second to take a deep breath, “maybe i’ll be able to get your number and we could go to the concert together?” he asked, “consider it as a first date” he added.
“i would love to” you smiled at him and handed him your phone.
he put his number in your phone and gave it back to you, “hopefully i’ll get to babysit with you again,” he chuckled, “before the concert i mean”
you nodded and smiled, “that would be nice”
as you both exit the building, each one of you had to go to the other side, but not before you gave each other a short hug.
“i’ll contact you as soon as i get home” you said and he nodded. as soon as you let go from the hug, you gave him a peck on his cheek and ran away, leaving him all blushing.
you smiled to yourself, who would’ve thought that babysitting with a stranger wouldn’t be so bad after all?
© srjlvr , pls don’t copy/translate any of my works without permission ! | reblogs and comments are very appreciated !
#enhypen imagines#enhypen drabbles#enhypen#enhypen oneshots#enhypen fluff#enhypen headcanons#enhypen x reader#enhypen scenarios#enhypen riki#riki imagines#riki drabbles#nishimura riki#riki oneshots#riki fluff#riki x reader#riki scenarios#niki headcanons
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