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#the burnout from being on my feet the whole day is getting to me oh boy
spoiledmilks · 6 months
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He was so girlboss in the movie
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crazycatsiren · 1 year
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Hello Mother of Cats! I hope you are doing well. This fellow ND and disabled witch is hoping to get some insight about coping with burnout that affects your craft.
2022 was probably the worst year of my life, especially for physical and mental health reasons. Things are starting to get better, though I'm still very fatigued, fragile, and high-strung a lot of the time. The one thing that's been taking especially long to recover is my spirituality. I don't feel capable or powerful at all, I'm plagued with self-doubt, and I feel more lost and disoriented than I did when I first started almost 10 years ago (holy shit, that number is just sinking in...wow). My intuition just feels gone.
I know healing from spiritual burnout isn't something I can force, but I'm hoping it's something I can foster. Have you ever been in particularly rough patches with your disabilities/chronic conditions that deeply impacted your capacity for spiritual practice? Was there anything specific you did—in conjunction with actual medical/psych treatment, obviously—that helped you recover? Spells, exercises, routines; practices to ease into working with the atrophied muscles of the soul?
I think, most of all, I just need to hear that it won't be this bad forever. That healing is possible. Because that's very hard to believe right now.
Sorry for the long ask. I hope you have a wonderful day. <3
Oh dear, this brings back memories.
Near the end of 2020 was when I got sick. And the last 2 years kind of swam by in a blur. Like, what the hell happened. Where did I go. It was 2 years of my life, and it felt as if I wasn't the one who was living it.
I think the last 2 years really tried and tested me all the way down to the core. I'd thought I'd paid all my dues in the first 30 decades of my life. Golly was I an idiot to think that. As my chronic illnesses progressed, and more and more of my previous life became lost to me, it felt as if parts of myself were being chipped away one piece at a time. And I'd thought I'd come to terms with being disabled. Whom was I fooling.
Then near the end of 2022, with some push from my husband, I put my feet down and decided I wasn't going to lose hope after all. I began working with an occupational therapist in a long COVID rehabilitation program, then I checked myself into therapy again. I put myself into a wellness routine, and I kept up with it cussing the whole time. I've never been a fan of the hanged man tarot card, but I allowed it to be my inspiration (you can read about it here). I'm determined to find myself again in 2023. The universe can watch me.
I've been taking it easy and gentle with myself spiritually. I don't love having to take extended time off from my spiritual practices, but I've learned that my health has to come first, because without my health, there's nothing. Sometimes, you just have to step away for a while. Spirituality is not something that can be forced. When you need a break, you need a break. Trust that it'll always be there for you, and when you return to it, you'll feel better and ready again. We spoonies, our recharging needs are different. We need more rests and recuperations from just about everything, and that's ok.
From my personal experiences, healing is very possible. It won't be easy, it won't be comfortable, and you might even feel worse for a while, but it gets better.
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margridarnauds · 1 year
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honesty hour thoughts on the dark academia aesthetic
Oh, I *hate* you for this.
I think...on one hand, I have to be as consistent as I can be with my personal beliefs, and I'm big on free will in general. People can do whatever they want so long as it doesn't harm anyone else.
That being said, I think the entire thing is superficial and pretentious, more about appearing to be well-educated and smart than in anything of substance. It's all about name dropping the right authors, wearing the right clothes, knowing the right artists to name drop. And it's incredibly white, it's incredibly classist, it overwhelmingly glorifies Humanities fields that have traditionally been built upon and benefited from colonialism (....Classics), built upon an idea of academia that hasn't existed for decades at this point, and glorifying the worst aspects of it -- the burnout, the mental health issues, the class issues, the huge, sprawling campuses that we all know have more than a few skeletons in their closets. It's all less glamorous when you hear people from multiple departments around the world, many of them large, prestigious institutions, talk about how they all know their programs are hiding the real suicide statistics. I can always tell when someone actually has experience with this stuff, whether it's at the undergrad level, the MA level, or the PhD level, and whether they got that experience at a community college or at a Grand, Established University, just based on how they talk about it. (Here's the secret, as someone who's been in about every single tier of university you can get and has friends in the ones I haven't been in -- the main difference is money. You can get more resources in those grand old institutions than you can in the community colleges, but no, people are not, in general, getting inducted into any nefarious cults. It's a richer school, it isn't like you're going to Hogwarts or going to school on the moon, even if people there might act like it at times. It's one more program. You have a nice view, that's it. And at my uni in Florida, we even had that, because we had some lovely botanical gardens.)
And I get it, for a lot of people, it's a neat escapist fantasy, it's harmless, but I'm just...too close to it to enjoy it. I've been in those big, prestigious universities, I've done the whole "leaves scattering under my feet as I clutch a warm apple cider in my hand, taking in the first chill of winter beneath my blazer, the pile of books in my backpack a secure weight on my back" thing, and, surprisingly, I was still extremely depressed. There's no escapism for me because it's my every day life. I've seen the classism first hand, I've seen the pressure to dress a certain way or act a certain way, I've seen how much performance goes into it even as grad students are increasingly being recruited from lower and lower middle class families (even though, overwhelmingly, students come from families that have at least one parent in academia) because they need us to fill their programs and do their cheap work for them. I've seen some of the dark things that everyone knows but that we're not supposed to speak about out loud, not necessarily in my own immediate department, but...my field's small. Rumors travel. And it's fairly common for grad students who present as women to be gently taken aside by some of the older grad students and given a List of professors to avoid at conferences, and that's not including all the Nazis in academia historically (and into the present.) And...it's not glamorous, it's not exciting, it's soul destroying. These men (and the odd woman) are never going to get punished, they're going to live their whole lives without being challenged, with many of them being there in the first place because they came from backgrounds that told them they were destined for academic greatness just based on who their family is, and we have to live with the knowledge. And it's hard to be reading the old classics when you're on the line for multiple conference papers + the coursework you're already doing, because you need to get out as much work as possible before you're thrown into the cruel world of the academic job hunt, especially if, like me, you're in a very niche field.
It's simultaneously outdated while also being a little too real. And, again, I get it's good fun, there are parts of it I even like, especially given that I really like when they lean more into the gothic themes of the aesthetic, but it's just...wildly not my thing. Raccoon Academia for the win.
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cloudenthusiast2 · 3 years
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To be a human - Scaramouche x reader - Part 5
You knew committing to a relationship with Scaramouche would be no easy task but you loved him dearly and unlike others, you believed he wasn't evil. But as a mortal and the devoted protector of your village you were too much of a good person, too much of a human compared to him and your differences slowly start to show.
Previous: Part 4
Length: not too long:)
Trigger warnings: blood, fighting
You slowly opened your eyes.
The clouds that were orange and pink not so long ago now had turned dark along with the sky.
You've just realised how long you have been sitting on the cliff.
The chilly weather suddenly felt genuinely cold and a shiver ran down your spine. You wore light clothes not suited for a night in Liuye's mountains.
'I should start heading back' you thought. But you didn't move.
A few days have passed since Scaramouche left but it still felt like the wound he caused was wide open. You avoided every interaction with others and luckily they were considerate enough to let you be. No one gave you requests or tasks, they dealt with their problems themselves so you could be alone for a while.
A little guilt stung your chest. You said you would always protect them yet you were selfish enough to only think about yourself for days.
On the other hand, you also felt a little burnout. You still loved the village as much as you used to - maybe even more, now that it was the only thing left that you cared about - but you didn't want to go back to your previous way of living. Even though Scaramouche wasn't a part of your daily routine, everything felt so empty without him. Just thinking about him made you smile any time and you could always look forward to his visits. And when he was actually there, he made everything feel shiny and wonderful.
He sure was the grumpiest man but that just made his soft moment worth even more. How delighted you felt when he laughed at your stupid jokes or gave you a smile that wasn't teasing or (too) smug. When he first held your hand you couldn't stop grinning for days.
You let out a quiet chuckle as you remembered your beautiful memories together. For a few seconds the grief was gone with your smile but when it finally faded away the sorrow became even sharper in your heart.
But it actually wasn't that painful any more. It still hurt really deeply but now you could at least think of the benefits of the new situation.
Something that you always hated about being with Scara was that the village lived in a low-key but constant fear. They were all afraid of the fatui. And for a good reason, as you realised after their last visit.
Now you could at least keep them more safe. They didn't have to be afraid of your lover and his power any more.
You stared at the dark sky one last time then shook your head. You stood up, getting ready to head back to the village but your mind was still invaded by thoughts of Scara.
The rocks under your shoes jingled as you took a step forward.
Another step, another sound of them tinkling together.
Another step and a scream.
You flinched and immediately glanced at the rocks. But they weren't the ones making the desperate sound.
You stared in front of you, your mind numb and empty without any thoughts.
Another scream. Human voices strengthening and getting louder and louder in the distance.
You looked up slowly, turning your gaze to where the village was. It was pitch black. Until red dots started lighting up.
'Oh no' you whispered to yourself.
The realisation hit you and your whole body froze for a moment.
'Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no...'
You finally moved, grabbing your polearm off your back. Then you started running.
There was no time to safely climb down on the mountainside. You threw yourself off the cliff, slashing through the cold air and landing on your weapon. Running and jumping again like your whole life depended on it.
It probably did. The village was the only thing you wanted to live for after Scaramouche left.
Terrible guilt stabbed your heart. You couldn't believe you neglected the place and people you once swore to protect. You couldn't believe you actually forgot about them and selfishly only cared about your wounds even though they needed you.
And now they were attacked.
Fear crawled up on your spine as you jumped up from a cliff. You were pretty close to the village now.
Out of breath, you heart beating at a crazy speed but you were ready to take any monsters down.
You landed on your spear, slipped and fell painfully. But you were up on your feet in a blink of an eye, sprinting again.
The village was in a worse situation than you had imagined.
You ran through the gates and stopped, looking around to see where your help was needed the most.
It was needed everywhere.
Your eyes grew wide open.
The houses were on fire, burning and lighting up the night. People were running around in chaos, monsters chasing them. Abbys mages sent whole blaze bombs after them. They set everything on fire.
An abandoned child crying on the stairs. Her father fighting a mitachurl with a single hack. Mothers desperately trying to find their family.
The blood red flames reflected in your eyes as you stood there, numbed by the terrifying destruction.
You moved on your own as you clenched your fist around the spear.
You jumped at the speed of the light. One moment you were still standing under the gates and the next you flashed your way through a group of hilichurls.
There were just corpses left behind in your way.
An old man cried for your help when he saw you. He was trying to protect his house from an abyss mage.
You landed behind the monster. It heard the noise and tried to turn around.
But before it could've even moved an inch, your whole body strained then let loose. Hydro bursting out of your veins, it broke through the mage's shield in an instant.
It fell but never reached the ground. Your spear cut through it in mid-air.
'Thank you!' The old man panted, his entire body trembling. 'I...'
'Leave the village!' You yelled through the discord of screams and roars. 'Go to the bamboo forest!'
'But my house...'
'Leave. Now.' You ordered in a way that it was impossible to disobey.
Then you moved on.
Your aura was filled with tense hydro vibrating in the dark. It strangled the monsters with one touch but suffocated you as well.
But you didn't feel the pain at all. Everything inside you focused on the fighting and precise killing. You flashed from one side of the village to another, trying to save the people you swore to protect.
But even though your strength was almost non-human in these minutes of crisis it still felt incredibly lacking.
The whole village was on fire at this point. The abyss mages did not care about their puppets, they burned hilichurls as well as people.
Because there were so many of them.
You stopped for a moment to catch your breath and looked around desperately. There were so many monsters. And so many people you still needed to save.
The heat was unbearable. Sweatdrops streamed down your face despite the constant hydro aura surrounding you.
Suddenly the ground started shaking and you nearly fell over.
A lawachurl slammed his fists down. It let out a huge roar and turned to the closest person to it.
A frightened cry left your lips as you recognised the tiny figure.
Little Yu.
She rose her arms, shielding something behind her. She seemed almost fearless as she looked straight into the gigantic monster's eyes. But it was still a ridiculous try to stop the lawachurl.
It lifted its fists into the air, getting ready to cause another earthquake.
It swang it...
But before it could have reached the ground, you appeared in front of him out of blue.
Your spear cut through its left fist. The monster shook and roared in pain. It tried to grab you but you quickly dodged and sprang back.
The lawachurl let out a deep growl and slowly straightened up.
You couldn't help but feel ludicrously tiny compared to the huge figure. It started to manifest its geo shield. You stepped back in slight panic and glanced at Yu behind you.
'Y/n!' She cried out, grabbing the edge of your coat. 'I'm so happy you're here! Please protect us!'
You finally recognised the figure behind her. It was her wounded mother kneeling on the ground, bleeding out. Yet, the look in her daughter's eyes was brave and now hopeful.
She had faith in you. They all had their faith in you.
This thought was the only thing giving you strength.
You grabbed her arm and leaned closer to her as the lawachurl started walking towards you in the background.
Your heart was beating so fast it felt like exploding, the blood streaming in your veins hot and tense. But you still managed to sound calm when you spoke to the child.
'Listen carefully to what I have to say. Do you remember the spot where you met me and the harbinger a few days ago?' She nodded. 'Collect as many people as you can from the village and the bamboo forest and go there. Hide and don't come out until you're completely sure the monsters are gone. Do you understand?'
'Yes' she answered. But she still seemed hesitant.
'What is it?' You asked hastily for the lawachurl was getting closer to you with every passing moment.
'Will you be alright?' She asked, locking eyes with you.
'Of course' you gently pushed her backwards to her mother who seemed to have regained her consciousness. 'Now go!'
She nodded and helped her mother stand up. You made sure they got out of your zone safely.
Then turned around.
Just in time to see the lawachurl slamming down its fists.
You dodged and jumped upwards. Spun in the air and stabbed your spear infused with hydro into the monster's thick skin.
You landed safely on the ground with the bloody polearm in your grip.
The lawachurl roared so loudly that his voice shook the mountains. It swang towards you blinded by the pain but you dodged again.
You straightened up directly in front of it. Clenched your teeth together before quickly telling a quiet prayer.
You were ready to face all monsters.
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soramei · 3 years
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Intentional - Part 1
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Pairing: Bang Chan x Reader (she/her)
Summary: Landing your first real job at JYPE was something short of a miracle. You were prepared to face the new struggles of this elusive career whilst moving to a new country, however, nothing could have prepared you for him. Will stolen glances, secret touches, and hushed nights spent in the recording room ever be enough for the both of you?
Genre: idol!bang chan au, forbidden relationship, coworkers to eventual lovers, slow burn 
Warnings: none right now, eventual smut,
Word Count: 7.3k 
Masterlist
A/N: hey yall this is my first ff im posting on tumblr :D im kinda scared to post but i hope anybody who stumbles on lil ol’ me will join me along the way :) also important!!! i made oc/reader asian cus i am lol (and this whole thing is basically a glorified self insert) so plz keep this in mind when reading!! oh god i didnt realize how slow this first part was sry... 
The cold silence of the room felt like stabs at your inside. You commanded your feet to stop bouncing up and down as you unconsciously started to bite off the dead skin of your bottom lip. The white corporate light from above reflected off your brand new lanyard hanging delicately from your neck. You felt the coarse blue fabric rub against your neck as you mindlessly fiddled with your lanyard; the newly printed photo of your face stared back at you with a smile. 
The creak of the door to your left was what broke you from your nervous fidgets. Whipping your head up from your lanyard, you immediately stood up ready to bow to whoever came through that door. 
It was a girl. She looked around the same age as you, if not older. Her attire was what gave her away. Her appearance essentially mirrored yours: hair tied back into a ponytail with a white blouse and black work pants. She also had the familiar blue ‘JYPE’ labeled strap hanging from her neck. 
“Hello,” you spoke meekly, scared to disturb the cold silence that had a hold on the room you were in. 
“Hello,” she replied. “My name is Choi Na-eun, I’m the new social media strategist intern and today is my first day.”
This is so relieving, you thought, another newbie to share the stress with me. 
“This is my first day too,” you perked up, “I’ll be starting as the new junior Chinese marketing assistant.” 
Getting the acceptance email from JYP Entertainment was definitely a high point in your life. The feeling of butterflies swarming your insides as you clicked the email open only to see your acceptance was immediately locked as a core memory. All the years of memorizing thousands of Korean and English vocabulary flashcards, the panic attacks before your finance exams, and the many, many late night coffee breaks were worth it the moment you received your first legitimate job offer, and from the esteemed JYP Entertainment company no less. 
“Chinese marketing?” Na-eun asked. “So you aren’t from here, I take it.” 
You shook your head. “I am from China. I completed my degree a while ago with a major in Language and a minor in Business. To be honest, I’ve done internships back home, but it’s been my dream to move to a new country.”
All of what you said was true. Up until now, your surroundings have never changed in all of your twenty-three years living. From the walk with your grandmother to daycare to the vast campus of your university, the view of your city has never changed. Your social circle stayed stagnant since you were able to talk and your love life was — for a lack of a better word — uneventful. 
It wasn’t until the day you decided to start applying for careers outside your home country that you felt hopeful. Hopeful that you could find an escape from your inert lifestyle and escape the burnout and stress that has been building up over the years. And so, on a day when you were feeling unusually confident, you gathered up the courage and spent hours sending out applications to organizations all over Asia that pertained to your specific degree. The applications were mainly for small jobs at small companies, however, your strange spike of motivation gave you the confidence to apply to the everso esteemed JYP Entertainment located in Korea. Of course you knew about this company — you and your friends played songs by ‘Twice’ nonstop back in highschool — but you didn’t realize the full power that this company had on the entertainment market until you did your full research. To say that you thought you had no chance was an understatement. This application was so far of a reach that you purposefully forced your mind to erase all memory of even applying. 
However, with your education, your work experience, and whatever tiny bit of luck you had, you somehow made it through the initial application process. Then the next. And the next. Then the interview. And now, you were nervously sitting in this white painted room with Na-eun, in a completely new country, waiting for your manager to come greet you. 
“So you’re from China? You’ve got to teach me chinese sometime.” Na-eun smiled. 
You giggled in return while nodding your head. You were relieved that you’ve met a potential friend so early in your career in this company. This was one of your big worries. With your social circle being so stagnant for the majority of your life back in China, you rarely had the opportunity to meet new people, much less make new friends. 
You were about to inquire more into Na-eun’s life when the door to your left abruptly opened. In the blink of an eye, three new people strutted in — two women and one man. They seemed to be higher status than you and Na-eun judging by their attire. All three were styled in some type of blazer and dress pants and there was no lanyard to be found on any of them. 
“Hello new employees,” the man greeted. Judging by his face, he looked to be in his late thirties at the least. His hair was styled back neatly and his lips slanted up, giving him a fox-like appearance. “I am Executive Manager Kim. Joined beside me on the left is Social Media Manager An and to my right is Marketing Manager Chen.” 
Both you and Na-eun immediately stood up to bow and introduce yourselves. 
“Hello. My name is Choi Na-eun, I’m the new social media strategist intern.” Na-eun said. 
“Hello. My name is y/n, I’m the new junior Chinese marketing assistant.” You repeated after her, copying exactly what she said. You did not want to screw anything up on your first day, especially your first impression. 
Manager Kim reached over to Na-eun, introducing himself and giving her a firm handshake. He then slowly moved over to you, and reached for your hand. 
“Y/n,” he gave time for your name to settle on his tongue as he gave a sly smile. “You’re not from here, aren't you?”
You shook your head ‘no’. “No, sir. I’m from China where I studied language and business. I hope to do well here as the Chinese marketing assistant.” You replied, mentally cursing yourself for sounding so timid. 
“I’m glad to hear,” Manager Kim chuckled, “I’m sure you’ll treat me and your other managers well.”
You felt an uncomfortable shiver pass through you as he brushed his thumb along your hand before letting go. This feeling was excused as nervousness, after all, this was your first day and your first time meeting your higher-ups. 
You introduced yourself to Manager Chen, assuming that she would be the one you were to assist in your time here at JYPE. Judging by her last name, you presumed that she was Chinese as well. 
“Forgive me for being so straight up Manager Chen, but are you Chinese?” You asked. 
“That is alright, y/n,” she smiled, “I’m not. My Husband is, but I’ve lived in China for more than half my life. I don’t want to brag, but my mandarin has gotten proficient over the past decade or so.”
Proficient? It’s amazing. You thought. This first day was turning out better than you thought. Other than the weird feeling you received from Manager Kim, everything was turning out splendid. A potential friend and a manager that could speak your first language.
“Since it’s about noon right now,” Manager Kim took a look at his watch, “What do you all think about some lunch?” 
The other managers nod their heads in agreement and gestures for you and Na-eun to follow them out of the waiting room you were in for so long. 
The whole building seemed so clean. With every corner lit, by natural light or artificial light, you could clearly see that every room, every piece of furniture and decor had been purposefully placed. You couldn’t help but have a stupid look of awe plastered on your face as you mindlessly follow your superiors over to the cafeteria.  
You turned your head over to Na-eun and gave her a tilt of the eyebrow, silently saying wow, this is where we work. 
With the turn of a corner and several silent strides, your little group made it to the cafeteria. 
The difference between your claustrophobic waiting room and this vast room was astonishing. With countless tables and romantic yellow lighting, this place almost resembled a five star restaurant. You’ve never seen a cafeteria as extravagant and clean as this before. However, to be fair, you’ve never had the experience of working with such a large corporation before. 
The managers led you to the serving station where you grabbed yourself a tray and proceeded to spoon small portions of rice and side dishes onto your plate. This cuisine was different to what you were used to, but nonetheless looked delicious. You were prepared for the small cultural differences, especially with the food, but from everything you’ve witnessed so far, the culture shock would be easier to overcome than what you’ve anticipated. 
“Have this soup y/n,” Manager Kim’s grating voice came from in front of you, interrupting your inner monologue. “It’s good for your complexion.” 
As Manager Kim hands over the bowl of soup, you feel the sleeve of his blazer brush up against your shoulder, causing the pit of your stomach to drop.
First day nerves. That was what this feeling was. You thought. 
You quietly thanked him with a small nod and walked briskly from the service line, trying to find where Na-eun went with the other two managers. Thankfully, they were just a step away and you quickly made your way over to the comfortable spot beside Na-eun. She gave you a small grin and you both followed your way to a table right in the middle of the room. 
Soon, all five chairs of the table got filled and sounds of chopsticks tapping and scraping against plates and bowls filled your ears. An awkward silence dominates your table as you start to pick at your food. 
“So,” Manager Chen cleared her throat, “after lunch I was thinking we should go to a meeting room and discuss Miss. Y/n’s role in our new project.”
“I was thinking the same for our new Intern Choi.” Manager An cut in, “What do you think, Manager Kim?” 
“It all sounds good. I will be accompanying Manager Chen to her meeting room as I wish to also further discuss the preliminary steps for our project.” Manager Kim looked from Manager Chen over to you. 
“Project?” You ask. 
“We’ve had a very successful year with our idol groups and we wanted to ride this success and start marketing in China. Recently, we’ve noticed a very large and growing Chinese audience for this group. I’m sure you’re very curious now, however we can discuss further details once we are in the meeting room.” Manager Chen replies while taking a sip of the water in her glass. 
Manager Chen appeared to be a very professional and respectable woman. With prominent collarbones and wide shoulders, she easily looked the part of a confident and adored manager. She needed minimal makeup to highlight her tall cheekbones, and even with a short heel on her feet she seemed to tower over you. However, her warm and comforting voice was what broke her intimidating demeanour. Just listening to her voice felt like you were back in your high school classroom with your favourite teacher explaining the motif of a sad love poem. 
After some more awkward conversations mixed with a few work discussions, the five of you finished the delicious food on your trays. 
“Please excuse me whilst I head to the restroom” Na-eun spoke up after your group finished clearing the table. 
“Please excuse me as well.” You quickly followed, bowing as you both ventured off to the washrooms. 
I should get her number so I’m not completely a loner in this place, you thought to yourself. And so, after a quick inner struggle to speak up, you finally decided to ask. 
“Hey, should we exchange contacts? I don’t wanna look like the newbie eating in the cafeteria alone after today.” You chuckled. 
“Totally!” Na-eun beamed. “I was actually thinking the same thing…” 
And so, you both quickly exchanged each other's contact as you made your way to the restrooms. 
The hall of the washrooms were narrow, hidden away from the main cafeteria. You walked in, deciding you only wanted to retouch your hair and makeup before your first official meeting. You carefully fix the loose hairs that somehow escaped the confines of your elastic and dab on a fresh layer of foundation before applying your lipstick which rubbed off while eating. Looking over at Na-eun, you see she’s quite in the zone redoing her mascara. 
“Hey, I’ll just wait for you in the hall.” You said. 
Na-eun gave you a disinterested nod back as she kept focusing on her mascara. 
You walked to the end of the hall, leaned against the wall, and pulled out your phone. Smiling, you opened the virtual Tamagotchi app and saw your little friend staring back at you, bouncing up and down. The bundle of virtual pixels happily bounced as you fed and bathed it, making you happier in return. Playing this game, you were so entranced with your phone that the abrupt closing of the washroom doors broke you out of your hypnosis fast, causing you to flinch and drop your phone. 
You looked up, only to see a brown haired man wearing a long sleeved black shirt. The hem of his sleeve fell, covering his hand as he bent down to pick up your phone. He stood back up, fully facing you now and you immediately recognized who he was. You weren’t a fool, of course you did all your research on the artists of JYPE before applying for the job. Looking down at you right now, holding your phone in his hand, was Bang Chan of Stray Kids. 
The wispy tufts of his brown hair bounced over his forehead as he stepped over to you. He smiled, his dimple poking out of his cheek, and handed your phone back to you. “I think you dropped this.”  
Blushing tomato red, you embarrassingly accepted the phone, trying not to make your shaking hands noticeable. It seemed like that failed, however, as you noticed him glance at your hands and dimple grow deeper. 
“Thank you.” You meekly chirped and lowered your head, still in awe that you somehow bumped into a JYPE idol in the bathroom hallway of a cafeteria. 
“It’s good that there’s no cracks.” Bang Chan said, looking in your eyes. 
You looked back into his eyes. His smile never left his face, and you physically felt the warmth radiating off his body like rays from the sun. Some boring, objective part of your brain knew this interaction only lasted a fraction of a second, but you swore that time froze.
“Hyung!” A distant voice called. 
Your trance was broken as Bang Chan looked over to the person calling his name. He turned back to you, politely bowed, and casually sauntered over to the man who called him. 
What just happened? Your inner monologue ran, still trying to process the embarrassing interaction. The scent of his cologne lingered, swirling the atmosphere around your body. 
Thankfully, you didn’t have too much time to dwell on this interaction as Na-eun finally opened the washroom doors and was making her way toward you. 
You and Na-eun trailed behind the managers until you reached the set of elevators. It was there where you had to unfortunately separate from your comfort work buddy as she hopped in the elevator across from yours with Manager An. The other two managers led you to the elevator at the end and pressed the button for your destination floor. The ride in the elevator was silent. You stood there, fiddling with your nails. 
Once the elevator gave the ding of arrival, the three of you headed down a hall where you presumed had the meeting room. 
Manager Kim took a look at the watch on his wrist. “We are a minute late, everybody should be there already. Enter silently and respectfully.” He said in a stern voice.
You reached the frosted glass door of the meeting room and entered through the already opened door. The managers followed behind you with Manager Chen being the last one in and closing the door. 
Your eyes widened at whom you saw.
There was Bang Chan, who sat in all his glory, staring right into your eyes with his mouth ajar. His shocked expression didn't last long, however, as he quickly composed himself to fit with the professional atmosphere of this room. 
But why was he here? You thought. He’s an artist, isn’t this a management meeting? 
Your inner monologue was broken by Manager Kim’s stern voice. “Y/n, why don’t you sit with me for today?” He asked with a slight tilt of the lips. His hand was hovering above your back, almost guiding you to the seat just right of the head chair. 
Your heart rate quickened. There was no way that you could handle sitting right beside a high position manager on your first day. You barely knew what your duties entailed, you definitely could not handle the pressure of this seat today. You whipped your head around to look for Manager Chen. She was already sitting in her seat, looking like she was right at home. 
“Manager Kim, if you don’t mind, I would like to sit in this position for today, '' a voice spoke up, “I have a lot of new ideas I’d like to share that are written in my notes.” 
Bang Chan.
He paused a brief second, eyes switching between you and Manager Kim, and raised his iPad to show the screen filled with words. 
“I don’t mind at all, go ahead.” Manager Kim monotonously replied. He then made his way to the head chair. 
You looked over at Bang Chan, trying to subtly send the most grateful facial expression over to him. He returned your look, slightly grinning as his fingers tapped on the screen of his iPad and sat down to the right of Manager Kim. You looked over to see Manager Chen gesturing you to sit in the chair beside her and swiftly made your way over. At your seat, she handed you a notepad and pen, both adorned with the JYPE logo. 
“Now, as of 1:02 p.m., September first, the meeting will officially begin.” Manager Kim clasped his hands together on top of the table. “As most of you already know, we are in the preliminary stages of planning a Chinese debut for our artist group ‘Stray Kids’. All we have right now is the estimated timeline, which is four months. We have a basic grasp of the concept we are working towards, however, as you all know, trends are always changing and growing. While we are working to create a new and original concept for Stray Kids, we also want the concept to gather as much audience reception as possible.” 
Wow. That was a lot to take in. Your hands struggled to keep up with writing down what Manager Kim was saying. You knew this relatively new group was really starting to explode in the past year, but a debut in another country? This group must work really hard to even have the company consider a step as risky as this. So this is why Bang Chan is also involved in this meeting. 
You peaked your head up from your notepad. Bang Chan sat across from you, one hand on his chin and the other one holding the pen to his tablet. 
Manager Kim then carefully discussed the duties that each group in the room would take. Many of the jobs were directly involved with developing the concept itself, such as producing music, concept art, and theme development. Your pen never took a break from gliding on the notepad as you hurriedly jotted down everything that Manager Kim said. 
Eventually, Manager Kim’s delegations moved to Manager Chen. “Manager Chen, I’ll let you take over from here.” 
“Thank you Manager Kim,” Manager Chen cleared her throat. “While my main job here was to market Korean comebacks towards the Chinese audience, this new project changes things up a bit. Now, not only will I be in charge of marketing to the Chinese audience, but I will also be directly in charge of the concept itself. I will be working carefully with our team in China to monitor the trends which we can incorporate into our debut.
“This is my new assistant, y/n,” She turned and gestured to you. You politely nodded your head. “She will be gathering information on useful trends and reporting back to me, as well as some translating. Please report any ideas that you deem useful to her by the end of every week for her to sort through and deliver to me.” 
You almost want to call Manager Chen crazy for giving you so much power, after all, you were only starting out as her assistant. Despite this, however, you were determined to go above and beyond with the new responsibilities given to you, after all, you knew that choosing to work in an organization as big as JYPE would take blood, sweat, and tears. 
After some clarifications given by Manager Chen and a few more questions directed at her, Manager Kim took the reins back in his hands. 
“Now, as I’m sure you all know, this is Bang Chan: the leader of Stray Kids. Although our management team is in charge of this debut, we like to include the opinions of artists whenever possible. He will make an appearance whenever he can and act as a representative of Stray Kids, sharing their ideas and opinions.” Manager Kim explained. 
Bang Chan politely introduced himself, and quickly went on to express some concerns of his members. He made sure that each concern was answered thoroughly by Manager Kim before moving on to the next. 
“As for our concept ideas,” Bang Chan’s soft brown eyes met yours, “will I have to report to y/n?” 
You felt your ears redden. 
“You could, yes,” Manager Kim straightened his back, “but if you find the weekly deadlines too much of a problem, you may just report to me or at any subsequent meeting.” 
“No worries sir,” Bang Chan’s eyes lingered on yours for a fraction of a second more before grinning at Manager Kim, “I’m always punctual.”  
The rest of the meeting consisted of more introductions and preliminary plans. After about an hour, everybody seemed satisfied with the contents of the meeting and were starting to pack up all their clutter on the table. You looked over at Manager Chen, silently asking what should I do next? 
Manager Chen smiled. “Let's head to my floor. I can give you a quick tour, you can get settled at your desk. I have some paperwork that I’m almost done with; I’m sure you’ll have no problem finishing it for me.” She already was standing up and straightening over the creases of her jacket. 
You stood up as well and followed behind Manager Chen like a lost baby duckling. You both made your way over to Manager Kim to bid farewell. You politely thanked him, said your goodbyes, and were about to leave when he stopped the two of you. 
“Manager Chen, let’s go out for drinks tonight.” Manager Kim took a look at the intricate watch on his wrist. “With our whole team, of course. It’ll be a welcoming night and we can get to know the people on our team better.” 
“That’s a great idea, Manager Kim,” Manager Chen nodded at his idea in approval. She turned on her iPad to quickly get a glimpse at her schedule. “What do you think y/n? Can you make it tonight? I know this is very last moment, but I think it’ll be a great opportunity for you to get to know your coworkers better.” 
“I should be able to make it.” You definitely could make it. You had no plans anyways. 
“Am I invited to this top secret party you’re all having?” A now very distinguishable voice came from behind you. Bang Chan stared at Manager Kim with a very mischievous expression. 
“Would your manager allow it?” Manager Kim questioned, knitting his eyebrows. 
“I’m on a diet, so I can’t drink alcohol or eat anything,” Bang Chan’s nose scrunched up in annoyance, “but I want to be as involved as I can. Just because I’m an idol doesn’t mean I can’t help behind the scenes as well.”
“Very well,” Manager Kim nodded with a fixed expression, “Let’s all meet at that restaurant about a block away west. I’ll go tell the others.” And with that, Manager Kim left you, Manager Chen, and Bang Chan to stand in awkward silence. 
“Well,” Bang Chan cleared his throat and clapped his hands together, “I’ll get going as well to do some work now, but it was nice meeting the both of you.” 
“You as well.” Manager Chen replied for the both of you and Bang Chan left soon after. 
Manager Chen then led you to the elevators again and you headed up yet another few floors to reach your destination. You nervously fiddled with your hair as you silently waited behind your boss, looking up at the smooth lines of her blazer every few seconds. The elevator doors dinged, letting you know of its arrival. The two of you swiftly headed out the elevators and walked to what you presumed was Manager Chen’s office area. You kept following behind Manager Chen in silence before you stopped in front of a set of doors that looked identical to the ones at the previous meeting room. Manager Chen opened the doors for you, and you headed in. 
You paused a step in, looking wide-eyed at the interior. The office was clean. A big glass desk sat right in the middle of the vast room in front of a huge set of windows. There were a couple of soft looking chairs placed right before the desk with a huge rug right underneath it. Over to your left, you spotted a water dispenser with a kettle right beside it. You stared at the room a bit longer before realizing you must have looked very stupid with that astonished look on your face. 
“Is this your office, Manager Chen?” You asked. 
“Yes. It seems that you like it,” She chuckled. You felt the heat rise to your ears. 
“Since you’ll be working so close to me, I’m sure you’ll be happy to come here more often.” 
“Thanks.” You awkwardly laughed. You blamed your bad response on the fact that you still weren’t familiar with the language, not your blatant awkwardness. 
Manager Chen made her way over to her desk, picking up a small stack of papers. “These are some letters I’ve received from several designer companies in China. Since we are still in the very preliminary stages of this project, we would like to keep our options open for the stylists here.” She picks an annotated letter from the pile. “I’ve translated and created a summary of the main points of this letter. There are a few more left which I believe I can trust you with. Just do as I did with this letter and add the sample pictures along with it.”
You quickly complied, taking the stack of papers from her hands. 
“I’ll show you to your new work space.” She led you out of your office and over to a cubicle that wasn’t too far away. It was considerably smaller compared to Manager Chen’s office, but you thought it had a certain coziness to it. Plus, working close to your coworkers could also boost your motivation. “Here is your desk, it’s not the most exciting thing, but you may bring photos or whatnot to decorate it. Now, I’ll let you settle in and get started on your work. You can meet me at my office around six, I can double check your work before we leave.” 
You thanked her before she left and immediately got started on your work. You diligently translated the whole of the letters before picking out the main points that matched with Manager Chen’s example. After this was done, you included the photos that came with each letter and slipped them into their own cozy folder. This work was monotonous, sure, but it was something you needed on your hectic first day here. 
You were so captivated by your work that you completely forgot about the time. The sun was starting to set, and you only remembered to look at the time after you tucked your last letter neatly in its folder. You briefly panicked, praying that you weren’t making your manager wait. Thankfully, it was only a quarter until six. You took the next fifteen minutes double checking your work, making sure to also check the time every once in a while. At exactly six, you left your desk and scurried over to the big doors of Manager Chen’s office. 
Knocking a couple times, you waited patiently to be let in. 
“Come in.” 
You let yourself in, handing the papers to your manager, then sat quietly in one of the chairs before her desk, crossing your fingers together. You fiddled with your thumbs, patiently waiting for Manager Chen to speak up. 
“Not bad, this is some decent work.” Manager Chen announced as soon as she finished glossing over your work. “I’ve noted some places that you can either fix or improve. I’ll scan them and hand you a copy tomorrow.” 
You let out a breath that you didn’t know you were holding. A tidal wave of relief washed over you as you let yourself relax further into your chain. Not bad, this is some decent work. You proudly repeated this moment in your brain. Although you were disappointed with the mistakes that you let slip through, to get somewhat of a compliment on your first day meant a lot to you. 
“Shall we get going now?” Manager Chen asked. 
You grabbed your bag and stood up. “I’ll let you lead the way.” 
                                                         _______
It seemed like all you were doing on your first day was following Manager Chen around like a lost puppy. The situation right now was no exception either, as you tried to copy her confident strides over to the restaurant a block down. You watched the busy rush hour streets and sidewalks fill with people, some people going home after a long day, some people going to party just like you.
Soon, after a few more minutes of walking, the both of you arrived at the small wooden doors of the restaurants. It seemed like the both of you were a bit late as Manager Kim was already waiting in front of the entrance with the rest of the team. Bang Chan was also there, head down looking at his phone. 
“Sorry we’re late, have you been waiting for long?” Manager Chen somehow sounded confident despite making everybody wait on her.
Her voice seemed to have caught everybody’s attention. You watched as Bang Chan swiftly turned his head up from his phone, his eyes making contact with yours. You immediately focused your eyes somewhere else, trying to casually play off the fact that your eyes subconsciously drifted to him. 
“We’ve only been waiting for a couple minutes.” Manager Kim gave a tight smile. “Let’s go in before you all get too cold.” 
Your little group of around ten people slowly entered the doors, filling the restaurant. Manager Kim called over a waitress, signaling that you had ten people in your group, and let the waitress lead you all to a long wooden table. 
The restaurant was nice, nothing too fancy, but that’s how you could tell the food was good. With dim lighting and tightly packed tables, it made you feel fuzzy and warm on the inside. 
However, your thoughts on the restaurant were soon broken by a hand on your shoulder. 
“Y/n, why don’t you sit with me?” Manager Kim’s lips curled up, “After all, this is a work gathering, how good of a boss would I be if I didn’t even treat my newest team member to a drink?” 
Your brain was in shambles. You seriously didn’t feel comfortable sitting with him all night. However, the logical side of your brain was saying something different. He’s just being nice as a boss. You don’t know how people in this country act anyways, stop being paranoid. 
It seemed like your inner turmoil was taking longer than necessary, as you heard another familiar voice speak up. 
“Manager Kim-” Bang Chan called out. 
“You don’t need to sit with me here, Bang Chan.” Manager Kim chuckled as he stared directly in Bang Chan’s eyes. “I’d rather not talk about work outside the office.”
You watched as Bang Chan’s eyebrows furrowed, looking back to you in reluctance. You smiled at him before turning your attention to Manager Kim. It was just one night, right? Plus, there’s no harm in establishing a good impression with your boss. 
“I’ll sit with you, Manager Kim.” You smiled, “thanks for offering.”
And so, you took your seat next to Manager Kim at the table. Bang Chan, who was to your left, looked askance at Manager Kim for a brief second before his facial expression did a complete 180. His familiar, boy-ish smile was plastered on his face like it was the most natural thing. 
When the menus came, everybody at the table — including you — started to order onslaughts of food and alcohol. After brief moments of casual chatter about topics such as the weather or how good the food was here, everything that was ordered arrived at your table.
You grabbed a can of beer and started sipping on it. You’ve drank before — of course — with your old friends at university, but it’s been at least a year since you last did. Better ease myself in. You thought. 
However, your preconceived plans were ruined when a small glass of clear liquor got pushed in front of you. 
“Y/n, surely you aren’t going to sip on that can all night.” The ends of Manager Kim’s lips curled up. 
“Wasn’t planning to, sir.” You replied while tipping the glass up and into your mouth. The bitter liquid burned your throat as it went down. You took a moment to recollect your surroundings. Seems like your tolerance was higher than you thought. 
“Bang Chan, do you not drink? Why not eat something then?” Manager Chen pointed to the food on the table. 
“No can do ma’am, I’m on a strict diet. My manager would kill me.” Bang Chan pointed to his glass of water. 
“In that case,” Manager Chen filled another glass, “Y/n, have another drink.” She slid the glass down the table in front of you. 
You gladly accepted your second drink, downing the alcohol in one go. Your eyes instinctively squeezed together as you felt your throat burn. From the tips of your ears to the ends of your toes, your whole body felt warm and alive. 
You lost track of the time. As your conversations got livelier, your head got fuzzier. You stopped counting your drinks after four, especially since so many people were eager to offer the new employee a drink. Although your vision was starting to blur, you could still think straight. I can still think, you thought to yourself, still — what a powerful buzz.
Your thoughts ran rampant in your mind as you stared at the lightbulb across the room. What a pretty light. So bright. Warm. 
“Y/n.”
Was the light calling your name? 
“Y/n!” 
Your eyes focused again and snapped away from the lightbulb. Where was the voice coming from? You slowly turned your head. Bang Chan.
“Hi.” You smiled. 
“Hi.” He smiled back. So bright. Warm. “It’s been hours and I haven’t even offered you a drink yet.” 
You tried to focus your eyes on his face as he slid the glass over to you. One more drink wouldn’t hurt your buzz, right?  
You gladly accepted, slowly moving your hand over to the glass to pick the clear liquid up. It went down in one go just like all the others. 
Huh? Was this water? 
You struggled to focus your eyes on the person who offered you the drink. “That was yummy.” 
“I bet it was,” the talking blur chuckled, “How about another one?”
You nodded, then took the glass he slid towards you. It’s funny how water flows even when in a cup. Water. You needed to pee. 
“Hey,” your words dragged out, “where’s uh, where’s the washroom?”
“Follow me. I’ll show you.” Manager Kim stood up and reached his hand out towards you. You didn’t want to take it, but it seemed like nobody was noticing his offer. 
Reluctantly, you took his hand and stood up, only to stumble down again. Did your knees not want to listen? 
“Whoa there, better hold on.” Manager Kim said. 
“No, I can walk. I-I can walk.” You let go of Manager Kim and tried to focus all your brainpower on moving your feet in a straight line. This tactic only worked for a second, however, as your knees gave in and you stumbled down. 
“It’s obvious that you can’t.” Manager Kim’s lips turned up. “It’s time for you to go home. I’ll take you back.” 
What? No. You didn’t want Manager Kim to take you home, not after all the awkward events of today and the general vibe from him. You tried to express your thoughts, but nothing came out of your mouth. 
“Manager Kim, you’ve been drinking!” Bang Chan’s voice came from some part of the room. “It’s not safe to drive, I’ll call a taxi for you.” 
“What about Y/n here? I’ll get a taxi for us both.” Manager Kim said. 
“I called my manager earlier to pick me up, we can drop her off along the way. It’s not a good idea to put two drunk people in a car. I’m completely sober right now, so let me do all the work.” Bang Chan grinned, patting Manager Kim on his shoulder. 
“Is that what you want, Y/n?” Manager Kim glared. 
You dizzily nodded. 
“Alright. In that case, I can call my own taxi later.” Manager Kim grimaced. 
“Stay safe, Manager Kim.” Bang Chan smiled. He turned to you. “My manager’s been waiting outside for a while now, do you want to leave now?” 
You nodded. You tried to start walking again, but your damn knees just wouldn’t listen. 
“Do you want to hold on to me?” Bang Chan knitted his brows together and held out an arm.
“I,” you slurred, “can walk.” You tried to start your feet again, only to end up stumbling down. 
“I know you can,” Bang Chan said as he reached his hands out to stabilize you, “but — ah —  I’m really tired after today. Can you hold on to my arm so I won’t fall out of exhaustion?” 
You agreed to help him. Bang Chan waved to everybody still at the table before leading the two of you out to a black SUV. He allowed you to stumble your way in the back seats first before sliding in himself. He asked you for your address, which took many tries for you to accurately type it into his phone. 
You leaned your head against the window, staring at passing blurred lights as Bang Chan’s manager started driving. Just being away from the loud and bright environment seemed to have cleared your head a little, but the pounding would not stop. You cursed yourself for being so irresponsible on your first day, especially because you were still alone in this new country.   
“Hey,” you felt a gentle tap on your shoulder, “want some water?” You looked over to see Bang Chan holding out a plastic bottle with the lid screwed off. 
You languidly reached your hand out for the bottle and gulped down as much water as you could in one breath before handing it back to him. The street lights started getting blurrier as you tried to fight exhaustion, the muscles in your eyelids starting to get more and more uncontrollable. 
“Y/n.” 
“Hmm?”
“Don’t fall asleep yet, we’re almost there. Ten more minutes.” 
You couldn’t hear anything after that, however, as you felt your eyes give up on you and your body fall into a deep sleep. 
“Y/n… Y/n.” A familiar voice called.
You fluttered your eyes open, your head pounding. Not knowing where you were, you surveyed your surroundings in a panic. It seemed as though you were in the back of a car… Parked outside of your apartment building? 
“Hey, you’re finally awake.” Bang Chan’s voice entered your ear. It all came rushing back to you; the restaurant, the drinking, entering the SUV. 
“How long have we been parked here?” Your groggy voice sounded inhuman. You had to clear your throat a couple times. 
“It’s only been twenty or so minutes. I’m not allowed to leave the car, are you able to get home alone? I can ask my manager to go with you.” Bang Chan scratched the back of his neck. 
“I should be fine.” You mumbled, a bit embarrassed to have fallen asleep in the car of a person you just met that day. This wasn’t even his car, it was his manager’s. 
“Hey… can I put my number in your phone?” Bang Chan avoided your eyes. “Just so you can tell me when you get home.” He quickly added. 
“Okay.” You awkwardly handed him your phone with your contacts already opened. He quickly typed his phone number in before handing it back to you. 
“Text me when you get home. Remember to lock your door, okay?” 
You thank both him and his manager before hurrying back to your apartment. Your head was still pounding unrelentlessly as you pressed the elevator button for your floor. The events of today were still unprocessed in your brain. You met a potential friend, which was a highlight. However, you also met two higher up managers and an actual idol, only to get hilariously drunk in the presence of. At least it’ll make a good story to tell my mom. You thought. 
In no time, you made it in your apartment and locked the door behind you, remembering what Bang Chan told you in the car. You texted the new number in your phone. 
Y/n: Hi. It’s y/n. I just entered my apartment.
Not even a minute later, your phone lit up, signaling a new text message. 
Bang Chan: great!! remember to lock the doooor hahaha ( ◕ω◕✿ )
You subconsciously grin at your phone. Cute. Throwing your phone haphazardly on your bed, you begrudgingly began your night routine. After washing up and throwing on a random shirt from your closet, you fell on your bed ready to sleep. You were about to close your eyes when your phone lit up again with a ding. It was another text.
Bang Chan: Hey… Just so you know, if you ever feel unsafe around the office just tell me okay? I’ll always try to help you in whatever way I can.
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profangirllu · 3 years
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10:04 - Conversations
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Pairing: Jake Sim x Fem!Reader
Summary: You and Jake have been friends for years, and it takes a night of long, tough conversations to realize your deeper feelings
Word Count: 1.4k
Warnings: talk of self-deprecation, divorce, I think that’s it
Song to listen to: Saturday Nights by Khalid
A/N: this isn't proofread and high key sucks
Masterlist
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Summer was always your favorite time. Not because of the beach or not having school, but because you had more time to spend with Jake. Like many summers before, Jake had invited you to his family’s beach house to get away from your home town. Away from the idea of school and work and all the drama that life had to bring. 
“Just you and me and the whole beach to relax on,” Jake had said. He was always there to take care of you.
You two had been friends since you were younger, your families knowing each other well from your fathers’ business dealings with each other. You two had been through everything together: happiness, heartbreak. People at your school were convinced you were dating, no matter how many times you assured people you were just close friends.
You two were inseparable, and yet somehow you still kept your own secrets from him.
Truthfully, nothing in your life was going right. School had kicked your ass the previous year, leaving you with severe burnout. You had no idea what you wanted to do with your life, almost all of your friends at school dumped you, and as the cherry on top your parents had decided they were getting a divorce. They had been in some nasty fights with each other for the past few years, and to be honest their relationship had been strained long before then. It was only a matter of time until they were sitting you down and telling you they were splitting up right before you left with Jake. Your parents had been invited as well, of course, but they made up some excuse about a wedding for a cousin you didn’t even have. 
It was all to keep up the show.
So you tried taking your mind off things. In the daytime while Jake’s parents went to their clubhouse you two would take to the boardwalk, shopping and laughing as much as you could. Jake tried to teach you to skateboard for the millionth time in your friendship, and although both of you knew it would never happen, it always ended in smiles. 
But no matter how much happiness you felt during the day, it always crept back when the night fell. 
So you found solace in your best friend as you lied next to him on the sand at 10:04 on a Friday night in July, listening to him explaining another law of physics that you would never understand. Your amazing best friend, who always took care of you and made you smile no matter how badly you felt. Your beautiful best friend, who you had foolishly gone and fallen in love with somewhere down the line. 
You didn’t realize you had zoned out until Jake tapped your forehead gently. You blinked a few times, eyes adjusting to the boy next to you, his warm smile heating your cheeks like the sun had done earlier that day.
“W-What?” you stuttered.
Jake laughed. “You zoned out, lovebug,” he said with a cheeky grin. “I’m boring you with all of this physics talk, aren’t I?”
You shook your head, slightly embarrassed by how you had let down your guard. “No, no, not at all. You know you never bore me.” You looked past him to the stars, reveling in them being so far away from Earth. You sighed, “I’ve just... I’ve got a lot on my mind lately.”
Jake sat up slightly, eyebrows furrowing and concern washing over his features. “Is everything okay?” he questioned softly. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
You sat up to face him, crossing your legs and letting your hands fall into your lap. You swallowed thickly before starting. 
“My parents are getting a divorce.”
It came out as a whisper, so low Jake thought he was hearing the voices of the wind instead of your own. But the look on your face confirmed what you had said, the pained expression a crack in the facade you had tried so desperately to keep up. 
“Oh, love,” he whispered, taking your hoodie clad hands in his (you borrowed one of his sweatshirts to battle against the slight chill in the air tonight).
You didn’t want to look up at him, too ashamed and afraid that if you did you’d have to face your reality for real this time. You didn't want to.
He rubbed the back of your hand gently with the pad of his thumb, allowing a few minutes of silence before speaking up again. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, I just want you to know that I’m here for you, whatever you need.”
You took a deep breath, fiddling with his hands like you always did when you two had a heart to heart.
"I guess I kind of expected it," you started tentatively. "I mean, they've always had a strained relationship and it's only gotten worse over the past few years. I just didn't think it would happen after everything that's been going on, you know? First my friends dump me, then I almost fail chemistry and have to get you to help me through it so I can finish the year. And I feel like I can't even do anything right anymore. I've barely got motivation for school next year, I don't know what I want to do with my life. I'm just so confused, Jake."
You let your head fall into your hands and tried desperately to keep your emotions at bay. Jake scooted closer and wrapped his arms around you, leaning you into his chest and resting his head on top of yours. It was comforting, the safest place you had ever been and it was in another person's arms. You didn't understand how he could make you feel this way, like you were the only thing in the world that mattered.
Maybe it was because to him you were.
"I'm so sorry you've had to deal with all of this, lovebug," Jake whispered gently. "It's not fair that the world you know has come crashing down all at once, but it's okay to feel lost and confused. It's okay to not know where you're going for a while, because I promise you're going to figure it out. And I'll be here every step of the way."
You sighed, hugging your best friend back. You pondered his words, your heart beating slightly faster than normal. Did he really mean that? Would he really always be there for you, even if he knew how you felt about him?
"Jake," you said softly. He hummed in response, looking down at you with those big puppy dog eyes of his. You met his gaze, staring at the boy you had fallen hard for.
You could turn back now, just say something else. You could keep your friendship safe and hide your feelings just like you had promised to do for the rest of your life.
But it was now or never.
"I think I'm in love with you."
Jake's eyes widened. "W-Wait, wh-what?"
You sat up, looking him at eye level now, and took a deep breath. "Ever since we were little, you've always been there for me. You've been the one constant positive thing that I always hold onto in life. I never said anything because I didn't want to lose you as a friend..." You shook your head. "But that doesn't matter now. I want to be able to tell you how I feel and not worry about keeping secrets from you. So, I think - no, I know I'm in love with you."
Jake's stunned expression made you regret everything you had just said. He hadn't said anything, he was barely making eye contact with you.
Good going, (Y/N)!, you thought to yourself. You just ruined over eight years of friendship!
You stood up from your spot next to him, clearing your throat and wiping off your shorts. "I'm gonna... I'm gonna just head back and... yeah."
You turned to leave before Jake sprung to his feet, grabbing your hand. As you turned to face him, he cupped your cheek and pressed his lips to yours softly. It was slow and sweet, yet passionate and loving, just like Jake. When he pulled away, he wrapped you in his arms again, letting out a sigh of relief.
"I'm in love with you too."
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Rain is a Chance to be Touched Ch.1
this arid world has turned my deep heart dry
This is the first chapter in my new ongoing hotchreid fic! Please click here for the fic summary, full tags, trigger warnings, more information etc.
Chapter Summary: follows S5E1 and Spencer's depression and disordered thinking is introduced.
TW: depression, disordered thinking, loneliness, the events of s5e1 (guns and knives)
Word Count: 3.4k
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SPENCER
"She simply said this arid world has turned her deep heart dry, there was just one way she knew of to finally feel like she was free, and it was 1400 feet beneath the cold and stormy sea." — Erin Hanson
Spencer’s entire body feels heavy as he drags himself into work, and it’s not exactly a good sign when he can’t even find the energy to press the button for the right floor; he just stares pitifully at the array of numbers as if the elevator will read his mind and resolve the issue for him. Eventually, he brings himself to move his finger the short distance, cold metal colliding with cold flesh, and the doors shudder close, catapulting him up several storeys towards his fate.
Some might call the emotions Spencer’s experience typical burnout, far too common in the FBI and even more so in units that deal directly with horrific crime on the regular, but he knows it’s more than that. His entire life is operating in a minor key, he’s functioning entirely on auto-pilot, and chunks of his day are a blur, almost impossible to recall. He knows he’s depressed. Knowing such a fact, however, does little to cure the actual problem. He has no idea what to do with information like this except bottle it up and shove it as far down as possible while pretending as much as possible that absolutely everything is fine.
Emily and Derek are laughing about something as he approaches their group of desks. Only weeks ago he would’ve been crushed when they don’t so much as look over to say hello, but now he’s glad to not have to fake a smile, invent a story to tell about his weekend, pretend he’s not currently being held together with slowly peeling sellotape.
Instead, he focuses on feeling grateful that no one’s commented on him arriving a whole hour later than he used to as he unpacks his messenger bag. It’s not like it’s his fault he can’t pull his exhausted body out of bed in the morning, but since he’d rather not disclose such sorry information and finding an excuse is way too much effort, spending the morning in solitude seems the only option.
He doesn’t really understand how he’s gone from being a genuinely happy person, thick as thieves with everybody on the team, to this. It’s almost as though somebody’s cut the rope tying him to the others and now he’s drifting away, sinking without everyone else’s buoyancy to keep him afloat. He can see them all still tied together, barely seeming to notice their drowning team member, clearly not missing his presence.
This misery over his inevitable isolation, though, is his own fault: he can’t believe he let himself forget his place. He’s useful, good to keep around for his intelligence, his reading speed, his problem-solving skills, but it doesn’t go beyond that. Spencer is not friendship material. And he certainly isn’t relationship material.
The day starts off slow, everyone burying themselves in their paperwork, but Spencer finishes it far too quickly for it to really serve as much of a distraction. Depressingly, it’s still miles slower than he’s used to. Since his pile of consults seems too exhausting to even look at, he decides another coffee is very much in order.
“Hey, Spence,” JJ says happily as soon as he pushes his way into the breakroom. She’s leaning casually against the counter as she drinks her coffee, reading through what looks like case notes at the same time.
“Hi,” he says, trying for a smile but he knows there’s no way he could possibly match her relaxed grin. Instead of trying to converse, he just heads straight for the coffee machine, fixing his eyes on the steady stream of coffee pouring into his mug already piled high with sugar.
“You alright?” JJ asks, sounding a little suspicious. Not concerned, Spencer notes, just suspicious.
“Hmm?” He looks up and catches her eye before deciding he should probably answer verbally. “Yeah, yeah I’m good.”
“Are you sure? You’ve been acting a bit off the past few weeks.”
Spencer sighs. Maybe this is an opportunity to actually communicate his feelings. He doubts JJ will be able to help but really he’d just like a bit of comfort: he’s in so much pain that a hug would feel really nice right now. And besides Penelope, she’s probably the team member he’s most comfortable with. If he’s going to share with anybody, it should be JJ.
“I’ve been having a bit of a hard time, I guess,” he admits, looking up as his left-hand fidgets on the hot ceramic side of his coffee mug. He resents how vulnerable his voice sounds, he’s giving far too much of himself over to hands he’s not sure he can trust, but there’s nothing he can do about that now.
“Really?” JJ sounds surprised. Spencer recognises the tone as that of anyone who has a certain perspective on him realising that he also has feelings alongside his intelligence, and it hurts. “I’m sorry, Spence.”
Spencer just presses his lips into a thin line and nods awkwardly in thanks.
“I mean… at least you’re not going through what Hotch is,” she offers, completely unhelpfully. “He’s still trying to cope with his divorce and isn’t seeing Jack as much as he used to. Derek was almost killed by the Reaper just a few months ago, Emily only recently lost a childhood friend — I mean, the whole team has been through a lot. Keep your chin up.”
She smiles at him, patting him on the shoulder, before leaving the break room and heading back to her office, leaving Spencer standing in the middle of the room like an idiot. He wants to shout that he was literally poisoned with anthrax only a month ago, if they’re tallying bad things happening as a method of tracking who has the right to be miserable. The others might be going through a lot, that’s true, but it doesn’t lessen any of the pain thudding in his chest and stirring in his stomach.
As he walks back to his desk, he realises he’s learned one thing: opening up = not a good idea.
As completely fucking miserable as he might be, there’s exactly one person in this world who doesn’t deserve to be burdened with any of it, so he carefully tucks it away in his pockets and plasters on the mask he’d perfected so many years ago. It might be a little rusty, after all, it’s been little used in recent years, but it works just as well as it used to do when he pushes the door open to Penelope’s office.
“I bring blueberry muffins,” he says as cheerfully as he can muster, and something inside him does warm as Penelope’s face lights up, squealing a little as she reaches her arms out eagerly, making grabby hands at the paper bag he’s holding.
“Oh, you have no idea how much I love you,” she moans, keen to rip the bag open as he pulls up a chair next to hers.
“I think I do,” Spencer chuckles, and it’s one of the only genuine reactions he’s given in months, “mostly because you tell me every day.”
“Mm, that’s right,” she concedes through a mouthful of warm muffin, pointing a finger at his chest. “I love you even more than I love coding.”
“That’s a lot,” Spencer says, trying for serious but he can’t stop a fond smile slipping across his face.
Penelope swallows her rather large bite of blueberry muffin and passes him his one. “It is,” she says. “How are you, anyway? You look tired, poor baby.”
Spencer looks down for a moment, schooling his expression for a second before he forces himself to look back up at her. “Yeah, I didn’t… didn’t sleep well last night, I guess.” He tries for a reassuring smile but he knows it’s more of a grimace.
Penelope’s face immediately morphs into one of grave concern. Spencer knows that that’s just the way she is, melodrama and fierce protectiveness is virtually her brand at this point, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t any less agonising to see, or the anxiety of being found out any less paralysing. He decides not to give her any room to actually address it.
“I’ll be fine, Penelope, don’t worry,” he says, turning away to brush some muffin crumbs off the desk and into his hand, purely so he doesn’t have to attempt another pathetic smile. “A good night’s sleep tonight will fix me right up.”
“Are you sure?” she asks, still looking far too worried for Spencer’s liking.
“Of course, Pen.” He feels sick at lying to her, but he has no idea how to broach any of the tumultuous emotions raging inside of him, especially after JJ shut him down so brutally. “It’s only a bad nights’ sleep.”
He’s saved from her inevitable continued line of questioning by Emily poking her head round the door and asking for Spencer’s opinion on a consult.
While getting out of bed in the morning might be an almost impossible task at the moment, the idea of getting into it at night seems rather depressing, really. That’s probably the reason he’s still at the office, despite the time nearing 8 o’clock and exhaustion settling into every muscle fibre of his being. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it’s just a little more time in close proximity to one Aaron Hotchner.
Of course, he’d had to accept the fact that he was maybe, just a little bit in love with his boss a long time ago. He just refuses to admit that he’s this embarrassing about it. Perhaps staying late to spend more time with someone you like this much wouldn’t be so weird if there was a reasonable chance of conversation — if he ever even saw him — but there isn’t even that: Spencer sits and works quietly at his desk, Aaron sits and works quietly in his office.
Today, though, today his lingering finally pays off.
Aaron is on his way back from the photocopier when he stops by Spencer’s desk. He doesn’t see him coming, though, is the thing: he has no time to try and make himself look even a smidge less miserable or to school his surprised yet utterly lovesick expression.
“Won’t you want to be heading off soon, Reid?” he asks, clearly curious as to why Spencer remains at his desk when there’s no real work to be doing, but he cleverly paints it in a light-hearted tone. Even though Spencer is completely aware of what Aaron’s doing, he doesn’t feel attacked or under pressure.
“Oh,” Spencer says unintelligently, stammering a little as he scrambles desperately at a somewhat coherent reply, “yes, yeah, I’ll get going soon.” He doesn’t want to lie when he doesn’t have to, so he doesn’t try and offer an explanation for his staying late, and he knows Aaron won’t push. He manages an almost entirely genuine smile, though, which must count for something, even if it’s only because he’s hopelessly in love with the man leaning casually against his desk.
“Right then,” Aaron says, offering a small smile in response, letting his hard exterior drop in the nearly empty office, and even though it’s nothing special, not really, Spencer carefully files it away as his heart pitter-patters against his ribcage and his stomach pools with warmth. “See you tomorrow, Reid.”
Spencer just nods in response and gathers his things, placing them carefully in his messenger bag and shrugging his jacket on before walking out of the building. When he glances back, just as he pulls the glass door open, Aaron is watching him carefully. He doesn’t turn away but instead offers a small wave, which Spencer returns bashfully, blushing scarlet in the elevator and on the walk out of the HQ and during the whole trek down the street and sat on the metro train and on the final stretch home. He fumbles with his keys and curses himself for being so goddamn pathetic.
He doesn’t consider it for long, though, because he’s utterly exhausted and his tired bones collapse on the sofa, and who is he to try and get them to move again? Sleep is a mercy.
🌧
The case is gruelling and stressful enough without the endless and constant worry about where on earth Aaron is. He never turns his phone off and Spencer can’t think of a time he’s worked a case without him, not properly; he’s always the first one at the office, the first one on the plane, the first to jump out of bed towards the chance to make a real difference in the world. It’s so out of character for him and it’s utterly distressing.
Nevertheless, he focuses all his attention on the job; on protecting Jeffrey and Tom Barton, on bringing justice to the perpetrator when they inevitably find them. He offers lame and desperate excuses for Aaron not being there, all the while knowing full well that none of them are likely. Something is wrong and he’s powerless to help.
Emily tells him why. He sort of forgets how to breathe.
Getting shot in the leg while simultaneously petrified for the livelihood of the person you’re in love with is inconvenient at best when trying to talk down an unsub and protect a victim and eventually fatal at worst, but somehow he half-manages and Tom escapes unscathed, though he isn’t quite as lucky with the unsub.
That’s what matters, really, isn’t it? That others are safe, even if it means he’s in danger? After all, Tom Barton has lives to save and a son to raise, a wide social circle, and a loving family. What does Spencer have? No, it’s much better that he’s the one hurt than anyone else.
Of course, once the adrenaline of the situation starts to wear off and medics arrive on scene, he realises quite how badly he’s hurt. Already feeling woozy, energy seems to seep out of him as roaring, raging agony takes its place. It’s the first time he’s ever been shot and it’s worse than he could have imagined: no amount of studying literature and anecdotal evidence could prepare him for the feeling of a small metal ball tearing through the flesh and muscle and tendons — though, hopefully, and judging by the amount of blood he’s lost, no arteries or large blood vessels — of his thigh.
His team arrives, minus Emily and minus Hotch, and they’re concerned, of course they are. That is, until he presents them with someone they see as much more important, someone whose life is worth something, someone they care about deeply being hurt. And they leave.
He doesn’t get a chance to tell the medics that he doesn’t want narcotics, so the ride to the hospital is a blur of morphine and voices talking to him, though he can’t quite piece together what they’re saying. He wonders vaguely where everybody is, whether Hotch is alright, whether he’s about to die, but no real emotion is attached to any of these thoughts, they just… are.
He’s rushed into surgery almost immediately after he arrives at the hospital, and the next thing he’s aware of is a dull, ever-present, agonising ache in his upper thigh and exhaustion settled into his bones like his body is pain’s home, fatigue’s resting place. The last time he’d blinked himself awake in a hospital bed, blinding pain burning in one part of his body or another, Derek had been sat by his bed, eating jello.
There’s nobody by his bed this time.
A PCA pump is resting by his right hand but he doesn’t touch it. Clearly, nobody from his team has informed the hospital staff of his previous addiction; he doesn’t even know if they’re at the hospital; if they know what’s going on. The morphine he’s already had is going to be hard enough to deal with, he can feel the future cravings itching beneath his skin already, scarred-over track marks simmering away.
It’s over twenty-five minutes of lying helplessly on a hospital bed in a cool, impersonal room, feeling a certain kind of emptiness sitting in his stomach, before a nurse comes by. She looks pleased enough to see him awake, but he doesn’t care about her satisfaction, he cares about his team, about Penelope, about Aaron, and he’s too exhausted to do anything about it.
“Good, you’re awake,” she says cheerily and for once, he doesn’t try and conceal his despondency. It’s oddly freeing. “I’ll get the doctor to come and explain the situation.”
She bumbles out of the room, clearly not fazed by Spencer’s expression, so he resumes staring at the wall, allowing his thoughts to wander, still not managing to attach much emotion to them other than a miserable sort of emptiness.
The doctor is nice enough, making sure he understands his injury and the procedures he’s had done, as well as the recovery ahead of him, but he just can’t bring himself to care. It’s as though this is the last straw; this is the proof, the evidence to win the case he’s been fighting in the court of his mind. His team doesn't care. His life is worthless. He will always, always be alone.
JJ stops by briefly. This feels like it should be a consolation, but it isn’t. He learns of what’s happened to Aaron, what his family is going through, and suddenly he feels selfish: how dare he demand and crave attention when Aaron is far more hurt and injured than he is? When he’s far more important and far more deserving of the team’s attention? Self-loathing creeps up his throat and settles into grey cotton wool that won’t melt in his mouth.
Spencer doesn’t know how to react to the incredibly overwhelming events of the day, and JJ doesn’t seem to have time for this. “Right, Spencer,” she says, visibly impatient with his emotional floundering, his lack of verbal response, “I need to go. We need to sort this out for Hotch. We owe it to him.”
She leaves, and all Spencer can think is how much more worthless not being able to work on his case makes him. If he can’t even work to save the man he loves; if he can’t strive effortlessly to protect him and make him happy, then what is he doing here? Aaron will be furious when he finds out Spencer laid in bed lazily instead of diving headfirst into the case.
No. That’s not true. He’ll be sickeningly nice about it, while on the inside suppressing his disappointment, and Spencer will feel even more guilty, he’ll be even more irate with himself, and life will seem just a little bit bleaker.
He’s discharged a few days later, and nobody has visited, barring JJ’s fleeting, impatient stop by. He goes home in a taxi and struggles up the stairs on his crutches, almost glad he didn’t have many personal items at the hospital. Then again, that was because he was completely isolated. And if he did have people to bring him things in the hospital, then he’d probably have someone to help him up the stairs too.
It’s a moot point, really. He dives straight for the non-narcotic painkillers he’d been prescribed as soon as he sits down on his dusty couch in his messy apartment, desperate to relieve at least some of the agony throbbing in his leg still. Clearly, the universe decided he wasn’t in enough pain already; that the unrequited love and the growing depression and the recurring stomach cramps and clenches in his chest weren’t quite sufficient.
He knows the team is working flat out on the Foyet case. But even Penelope, who probably works the hardest of all of them, has had time to send him an encouraging text message promising to pop round as soon as she can. Other than that, his phone is dry and his heart slowly freezing over.
Truthfully, he’s not sure how much more of this he can stand. He’s feeling the same way he did as a child: isolated, othered, hurt, and utterly, utterly alone. When he’d joined the BAU and was welcomed immediately into the arms of a family, he promised himself he’d never feel like that again. He would never, ever allow himself to sink so low; not when he was surrounded by so many people who proved day in day out how much they loved him. Surely, feeling like this would simply be impossible.
For once, Doctor Spencer Reid is proved wrong. And it burns, festers, and screams like nothing else.
Chapter Two
taglist:@criminalmindsvibez @suburban--gothic @strippersenseii @takeyourleap-of-faith @makaylajadewrites @iamrenstark @hotchseyebrows @reidology @i-like-buttons @spencerspecifics @bau-gremlin @hotchedyke @tobias-hankel @goobzoop @marsjareau @garcias-bitch (taglist form)
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fandomsilhouette · 3 years
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meet me halfway (i hope you’ll stay) part iv
Riposte, parry, advance, slay, watch the fencers fight today. Pull the mask down, keep it tight, one of them will win the fight this very night the darkness shutters, then off the butterfly will flutter onto wristbands and broken hearts, secrets and counterparts that fall apart, don’t start this fight they cannot win, for they don’t know who they have been. 
Happy @felinettenovember​, y’all! This is actually the last of the angst arc, and the last two days of the month will come towards a resolution and cathartic fluff; luckily, the nonlinear timeline means that you’ve read the character development before today’s instigating catalytic event, so we can move directly into the healing. I wrote this entirely on @musicfren​‘s support and baby cousin’s hype (she doesn’t know, but I love talking to her, it gives me so much energy to create), and I hope you feel it in the story. 
Part 1 here. Part 2 here. Part 3 here. Part 4 below. Part 5-6 coming.
Marinette splays out in the playground grass and tucks into his side, and Felix curls up around her near-protectively, except they both know which one is the dreamer, which one is the doer. Felix always argues it doesn’t make sense to assign identities so unilaterally, that both of them dream and both of them do, and Marinette scrunches her nose and says he’s ruining the aesthetic of the ideal, and that they do pick roles in contexts even if they switch later, and she yanks on her ponytail if he agitates her enough. Felix thinks it’s pretty cute and doesn’t let up until she pouts at him in that crinkled nose, scrunched eyebrows kind of way.
She’s making that face now, half annoyed, half wholeheartedly upset, tracking Chat Noir as he races gleefully across the nearby skyline.
“Not a fan of our resident alley cat?” Felix teases, bumping into her shoulder with his head. Her expression sharpens, more pronounced in its disgust, and she shakes her head against the grass until stray leaves are caught up in her hair. Felix laughs and picks them out, one by one. “Why not, then?”
“He’s a bad partner. It shows.” Marinette speaks in clipped tones and impatient, twitchy gestures, like there’s more she has to say and is tamping down the impulse, vicious and unforgiving with her own self.  
“Partnerships take two, though,” he comments idly, “It’s Ladybug’s fault just as much as his.”
Marinette is already scrambling backwards, rolling out of his arms the way she’s never done before. “What? Why would it be? Chat Noir is no hero. Chat Noir is the one who doesn’t keep his word. Chat Noir is the one who doesn’t show up, who doesn’t plan or lead or even follow. He’s a hero under his own agenda and no other, and that’s nothing more than a little boy with eyes too big for his heart and greed bigger than any akuma.” She’s panting as she comes to a stop, shocked to find herself no longer speaking, as if there was more she kept saying that never managed to make it past her vocal chords, a screeching halt directed by long earned muscle memory and desperation.
She’s pushing to her feet, agitated, pacing, so Felix stumbles up to match her. “Ladybug does too much.” He leans back against the tree they’ve been lazing under and crosses his arms to look at her.
“How could a hero possibly do too much.” It’s not a question when she asks and she makes sure he knows it.
“It’s-- Paris is going to collapse one day!”
“Of course it is!”
“So why won’t she just let it?!”
“Why would she?!”
They’re matching each other tone for tone, tomb for tomb, step for angry forward step until they manage to notice where they are, find themselves in each other’s space, crowded in by the anger and frustration.
“...she needs to let Paris crash.” Felix waits, expecting an interruption, but Marinette has settled back down onto her heels and is waiting for him to explain. “She keeps picking up all the slack, carrying a weight that’s not hers,” and at that Marinette huffs a wry agreement, so Felix feels encouraged to keep going. “And as long as she does, no one in the city is ever going to learn to bear their share of responsibility. She’s going to break under the pressure, and as long as the city isn’t prepared, they’re not going to handle it, Marinette, they’re going to break. We need to practice, we need a controlled crash, we-- we’re going to destroy ourselves because some little girl thought she needed to do everything on her own power, like some kind of control freak--”
Marinette snaps. “You would know about that, wouldn’t you! You have no idea the way--” her words dry up in her throat, and Felix crows about this evident proof that she has nothing of substance to say at all, now that she’s finding herself speechless.
“You’re right, I would know about that, because I’ve lived it, you’ve seen me! And I had to learn to fall and get back up on my own, I never stopped until everyone around me stopped cleaning up my messes all the time! And I never learned to trust anyone until I learned to let go, and I felt so. Much. Better. Ladybug should try it,” Felix adds snidely, just because he knows it’ll rile her up.
It does.
“How! How can she try it, when you fell and left a crater with a wreckage diameter the size of your personal bubble of three whole people, and had your mother and your teachers and me. Who do-- does Ladybug have, who’ll hold her hand when she scrambles back up? Hers would level the city and ripple through the country from there and there’s no one around to pick up the pieces.”
“That’s why she has to do it now!” Felix doesn’t realize he’s shouting until he is, and he doesn’t know how to stop. He wants to, he wants to, he wants to; he remembers being the kind of person who shouted and feels the pressure of all the work he’s put in to be better, live up to someone else’s standard of good, and scrabbles for purchase on this improved self.
“That’s why she can’t!” Marinette isn’t yelling. She’s heartbroken, and it’s clear across her face, and Felix cannot find the piece that makes this puzzle make sense. She’s never even been akumatized.
“You have no idea the way Ladybug has destroyed civilians.”
She recoils, struck. Her voice is quiet when she speaks. “Don’t I, though?”
“No.”
“Oh.”
And then: “Okay. You’re right, I’m sorry, please--” Marinette is reaching out for his hand, hurt and humiliated and hating the way she might lose the only support she has left. “Please don’t go.”
But Felix has remembered how much work it is to be the kind of good that someone else decides is valuable, constantly stretching and straining to clear their expectation of good, right, kind. He slips into the same scowling boy he used to be and finds an old chest of tools tucked up against a wall lined with new weapons in his arsenal of cruelty and self-protection. He takes one, and fires.
“You don’t know how to be sorry. Not about this.” He shakes her hand off and stalks away. Felix was so used to holding onto Marinette, gripping her hand or leaning on her shoulder or tucking an arm around her waist, that walking through the places they used to haunt without her feels lost, untethered, like he’s drifting through a graveyard of corpses that have yet to pass away. It feels like he’s come home.
Ladybug spends the night on rooftops, avoiding streetlights and windowsills and her own tempestuous thoughts, trying to flee faster than the burnout can catch up to her and make its home in her body, swinging from one place to another hoping to catch enough height to clear the bar for a city’s expectation to be good, right, kind. The city’s expectations to be a hero, just like she’s always lived up to, always will so long as there’s nothing below her to fall onto. So long as there’s something left to lose.
They don’t look at each other for a week, and avoid each other altogether when cold winter falls and they settle into break. 
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jamilelucato · 4 years
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1.Beautiful [hog. heathers]
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Summary: This story is based on Heathers, the musical. It’s set in Hogwarts, back in the last year Tom Riddle studied there. Y/N is a Ravenclaw student.
Pairing: Tom Riddle x reader (later on)
Heathers Series || Musical Hogwarts List A/N: first chapter! Here you get a vision of this world I built but soon Tom will make an appearance. Hope you enjoy it! If you wanna be tagged, ask!
Tag List: @just-an-outstanding-auror​ @starcrossedyanderes​ @doctorriddle​ @cchris-a​
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September 1st, 1943:
Dear diary, I believe I’m a good person. You know, I think that there’s good in everyone, but—here we are! First day of senior year! And uh... I look around at these kids that I’ve known all my life, and I ask myself—what happened?
Another year back at Hogwarts. Your parents were excited — you, not so much. Not that the school wasn’t great, but you just couldn’t take the other students anymore.
Your family was pureblood and that generally meant some sort of status. Not anymore — the most popular kids in Hogwarts were either half-bloods or muggle-borns, so you and some fellow friends that were also purebloods were generally bullied. They saw you as potential threats, and you couldn’t understand why. It was not like purebloods wanted to see muggle-borns dead; most of you just didn’t want to mix the blood. 
One step inside the train and the gossip started:
“Freak!”
“Slut!” 
“Burnout!” 
“Bug-eyes!” 
You sighed on your way to finding an empty space to sit. You were so tiny, happy and shiny; playing tag and getting chased. Singing and clapping, laughing and napping; baking cookies, eating paste.
You looked inside one compartment and weren’t welcomed.
“Bull-dyke, get out!” screamed a large boy at you.
Well, diary, you continued later when you finally found a place to sit, then we got bigger, that was the trigger, like the Huns invading Rome.
“Oh, sorry!” you said the boy before leaving his cabin.
Welcome to my school, this ain’t no high school. This is the Thunderdome. Hold your breath and count the days, we’re graduating soon. A job will be paradise if I’m not dead by June!
You were almost reaching the end of the train, and you still couldn’t find an empty place.
But I know, I know, life can be beautiful; I pray for a better way. If we changed back then, we could change again.
We can be beautiful...
There were fewer students as you were walking, but still, none seemed so happy with the idea of sitting with you.
Things will get better soon as my letter comes from the Charms Specialization Center in France. Wake from this coma, take my diploma, then I can blow this town. Dream of ivy-covered walls and smoky French cafés...
“Watch it!” shouted a tall blonde boy that had bumped into you. You didn’t even notice, but he was angry, and, as a revenge, he made you drop your diary. “Ooooops,” he laughed.
You looked at the boy. It was Ram Sweeney. Third-year as Gryffindor’s beater and seventh year of smacking kids, and being a huge... “Dick,” you whispered, suddenly angry for having to get the diary from the floor.
“What did you say to me, skank?”
Shit, he listened. “Aah, nothing!” you quickly got out of the way.
You know, diary, we were kind before; we can be kind once more. We can be beautiful...
An empty cabin at last! You sat down as fast as you could, scared it could disappear. A girl walked in just after you, and, for a moment, you were frightened.
“Hey, Myrtle!”
Myrtle was the only one you could call your friend at that place. Both of you were from Ravenclaw and had a lot of fun together, even though you two had some different perspectives on life.
“Hey,” she smiled, sitting next to you.
The train trip wasn’t much fun, but after Myrtle and you found a place to sit — and nobody tried to take you two out —, things were more peaceful.
School, on the other hand, was the same nightmare as always.
Professor Dippet said a couple of nice words before the start of the first feast, kind words about how to treat each other. For a second, it seemed as if everybody listened and were committed to obeying. But as said, it didn’t last the whole second. When the Headmaster finished his speech, people were back at their normal mean behaviour.
Days passed like a blur, or at least, you pretend that was how it went. You tried not to focus on the offensive words the students called you and Myrtle, but sometimes it was just too much.
“We on for book night?” asked Myrtle while leaving the Great Hall and walking towards the dorms.
“Yeah, you’re supposed to be with them,” you replied, smiling slightly. Myrtle had a way to trick the librarian that you never managed to have.
“Got us the ‘The Princess Bride’,” she smirked, making you giggle.
“Ho-ho-ho, again? Wait, don’t you have it memorized by now?”
“What can I say? I’m a sucker for a happy ending” Myrtle crossed her arms and squeezed herself as if she had been hugged by a prince.
So different from you, but yet, the only friend you had.
“Myrtle Crybaby! Hoow!” Kurt Kelly screamed, knocking Myrtle to the ground.
Kurt Kelly was the famous Chaser from Slytherin. The smartest guy on the team, in your opinion, but that was like being the tallest dwarf.
“Hey! How dare you?!” you barked at him, helping Myrtle to get up. She was lived red, ashamed of the situation.
“I’m sorry, are you actually talking to me?” Kurt smirked in a mean way, challenging you.
“Yes, I am. I wanna know what gives you the right to pick on my friend. You’re a high school has-been waiting to happen. A future human house-elf,” you hoped your face was as severe and furious as you were inside.
Kurt waited for you to end your speech before confidently pointing something on your face. “You have a zit right there,” he said and laughed, followed by all the other kids around you.
November 13rd, 1943:
Dear diary, why do they hate me? Why don’t I fight back? Why do they act like such creeps?
Why…
You looked around the room, making sure everybody was already asleep. Myrtle was even snoring, which made you giggle in the dark.
Writing a diary was a private thing for you, but there weren’t many ways to be in private in Hogwarts.
Send me a sign, God! Give me some hope, here! Something to live for!
***
The next day promised to be as tedious as the day before, but something was different. At first, you thought it was just the change of seasons — the cold air of Winter. But it wasn’t all that.
Classes were nice. You liked your Professors, at least when they were teaching, they were neat.
You ate lunch at the Great Hall at the Ravenclaw table, just like all the days before. But that feeling in your stomach of something unusual was still there.
“Going to the toilet, okay?” you told Myrtle before leaving. In fact, there was nothing you wanted to do there except splash water in your face and see if things went back to normal.
That was when the Heathers walked in, and you hurried to close yourself behind a door, too terrified to face them.
The Heathers was a group of girls that floated above it all.
Heather McNamara was the hot witch form Hufflepuff. Her dad is loaded— one of the wizards with more money, but he was a muggle-born, so your family usually didn’t talk about him.
Heather Duke was the head girl from Slytherin, with no discernible personality, but blessed with an incredible body.
And Heather Chandler, the Almighty. She was a mythic bitch from Gryffindor and had everyone at her feet.
They’re solid Teflon—never bothered, never harassed.
I would give anything to be like that, you thought, lamenting in the toilet.
You sit in quiet, listening to their conversation. One of the girls rushed to the toilet, and you heard her vomit.
“Grow up, Heather. Bulimia is so ‘37,” said one of the Heathers, and based on her tone — such leaderlike— you guessed that was Chandler.
“Maybe you should see a doctor, Heather,” the other Heather suggested.
The one vomiting exhaled loudly before answering. “Yeah, Heather. Maybe I should.”
“Ah, Heather and Heather” oh shit, you gasped, recognizing that voice immediately, “...and Heather. Perhaps you didn’t notice the time with all the vomiting. You’re late for class.”
That bossy voice belonged to Ms Fleming, the second in command when the Headmaster wasn’t around, and also identified as the Herbology Professor. And knowing her, she was about to punish the girls.
Noticing you kept your diary in hands, you took a piece of paper out and scribbled on it.
“Heather wasn’t feeling well. We’re helping her,” H. Chandler told the Professor.
“Not without a hall pass, you’re not,” you could feel Ms Fleming was smiling even though you couldn’t see her. “Week’s detention.”
Done!, you thought before rushing out of the toilet.
“Um, actually, Professor Fleming, all four of us are out on a hall pass. Christmas committee,” you informed, getting out of the toilet, keeping a straight face and handing her the paper.
Professor Fleming took her time to analyze the piece of paper, and you held your breath until she finally returned it to you.
“I see you’re all listed. Hurry up and get where you’re going.”
Heather Chandler was staring at you like you were an abnormal animal she had just discovered, but you couldn’t tell if that was good or bad.
“This is an excellent forgery. Who are you?”
“Uh... y/N y/L/N,” you fastly replied. “I crave a boon.”
H. Chandler raised a brow at you as if you made no sense. “What boon?”
“Um, let me sit at your table at lunch. Just once. No talking necessary,” Heather remained silent, so you continued, “if people think that you guys tolerate me, then they’ll leave me alone...”
The first Heather to laugh was Chandler, of course, but it didn’t take more than a second for the other two to follow. It was as if they needed Chandler’s permission to laugh.
“Before you answer, I also do report cards, permission slips, and absence notes,” you added, hoping this would change their view.
Heather Duke widened her eyes, raising her eyebrows at an abnormal height. “How about prescriptions?”
“Shut up, Heather,” H. Chandler’s reprehension came quickly.
“Sorry, Heather,” H. Duke ducked, almost embarrassed.
The three Heathers exchanged a look, planning something. You shivered — your destiny was in their hands, but, unfortunately, that rarely meant a promising one.
Chandler stepped forward, looking you up and down.
“For a greasy little nobody, you do have good bone structure.”
“And you have a symmetrical face,” added Heather McNamara, holding your face with one hand. “If I took a meat cleaver down the center of your skull, I’d have matching halves. That’s very important.”
Heather Duke frowned her brow.
“Of course, you could stand to lose a few pounds,” she was one to talk — always vomiting what she ate.
Heather Chandler pulled the other Heathers away, pulling you by the hand. “And ya know? This could be beautiful,” she seemed to investigate what was lacking on your face. “Mascara, maybe some lip gloss and we’re on our way. Get this girl some blush; and Heather, I need your brush. Let’s make her beautiful.”
McNamara agreed with a smile, but Duke was pretending not to care. She never liked it when Chandler played the helper.
“Okay?” the Gryffindor asked before using the brush on you.
“Okay!” you agreed, a bit too loud.
Heather Chandler took you by the hand out of the bathroom and towards the Gryffindor Tower, with McNamara and Duke following behind. Your heart was beating so fast that you thought it would stop. It was one of your biggest dreams to be with the Heathers, and there you were, walking into Chandler’s room, unable to stop smiling.
She took a long time with your hair — which you didn’t even know needed a makeover. McNamara had the job of applying makeup, and she did it happily.
Heather Duke, however, wasn’t so thrilled to have to get you new uniforms.
“Oh, come on, Heather, just ask the boys — they’ll steal it for you,” said Chandler, rolling her eyes at her best friend.
“Fine,” she sighed before leaving.
According to them, there were more than just the traditional style of uniform, and they’d have lent theirs to you, but since you were a Ravenclaw, they had nothing in your house colour.
Heather Duke appeared half an hour later with the new uniform — all in blue, but so much more fashionable than the one you always used.
You didn’t bother asking from who she stole because that wasn’t the first wrong thing you were doing that day. The first thing was skipping the rest of the classes just to get the proper look.
***
“I reckon we’re ready,” said Heather Chandler, but she didn’t let you look yourself in the mirror. She said it would jinks it. “Now, let’s go. People need to know the new you.”
The new you. They didn’t even know the old you.
As soon as you stepped in the corridors, the whispered started, and this time, they weren’t making fun of you.
“Who’s that with Heather?” you heard someone ask.
The feeling of leaving everyone speechless was something you had never felt before and yet, so good. You and the Heathers stopped at the Courtyard — part of Chandler’s plan of introducing you.
“Y/N?!” you heard from behind and turned only to see Myrtle, holding her book with both hands and her mouth wide open.
She didn’t dare come closer to the Heathers so you could only wave at your friend. She didn’t look bothered, however. She knew once at the dorms, you’d tell her everything.
“You know, we should have found a Ravenclaw before,” said Heather Chandler. “It was the house missing from our group.”
“We were waiting for a girl named Heather though,” remembered the Slytherin Heather.
“Well, yes, but now we’re in our last year. Nobody new is ever coming, Heather,” said Chandler, practically ending the discussion so Duke could say nothing else.
You had never been so close to the Heathers before, so you had no way of knowing, but even though the three of them were at the top of the pyramid, it was H. Chandler who stood at the very top. You’d have to be careful if you wanted to be amongst them more often.
After all, you were a Heather now.
November 14th, 1943:
Dear diary, you know, life can be beautiful. You hope, you dream, you pray, and you get your way! Ask me how it feels lookin’ like hell on wheels... My God, it’s beautiful! I might be beautiful...
Oh, diary... It’s a beautiful frickin’ day!
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itisannak · 4 years
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Let the sunshine in (Calum Hood Fluff)
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Summary: Calum helps his wildflower feel better after a bad grade. (Request) (Words: 1.6k)
(3rd Person's POV) Calum absolutely hates silence in his house. He used to be ok with it when living alone, but since his girlfriend moved in with him, he became a fond lover of noise in the room. (Y/N) could light up the room, give life to everything, a superpower to his opinion. But it has been up to a week now since the house has sunken in silence, deafening silence. Along with her mood, everyone else's seems to have become blue, heavy, which makes no sense to him. Even Duke seems to mirror (Y/N)'s behavior, the usually energetic puppy now looking around in sadness all day.
More than the silence, Calum hates that he doesn't know what causes her to be so sad. His lovely wildflower is wilting and he has no idea why. He has tried to make her feel better, but as many times as he tried, that many times he has failed epically. His first guess was that fans have given her crap about whatever, so he went into a deep Twitter searching, looking up her name, hashtags about her, anything really, all possible combinations. He did the same on Instagram, snooping around fan pages, tags, tagged photos, but no luck on finding anything. Like everyone else in his life, his fans seem to adore his girlfriend, which is no surprise to him. Everyone loves (Y/N), and most of all, him. Then he called Crystal, Sierra, KayKay, (Y/B/F/N), almost all of (Y/N)'s friends, in hopes they would know something he didn't. But again, no one knew anything about (Y/N)'s sudden burnout, so he felt helpless.
(Y/N) has made herself one with the bed. She has been staring at the ceiling for as long as she can remember. She can't remember the last time she showered, only that she forced herself to get into the shower cabin. Her days have been a blur for the past week. It's not that she doesn't want to get up and go back to normal, but her body seems to defy her mind. It's cozy on this bed, she is safe from failure and disappointment there, why would she want to move?
"(Y/N), baby..." Calum calls from the door of their bedroom, but she just waves at him, no response. Calum walks in slowly as if moving faster would scare her away like a hurt kitten. "Hey, honey." He greets her, sitting on the edge of their bed. He leaves the bouquet on the bedside table, before leaning down to press a kiss on her forehead. He knows flowers always cheer his wildflower up. "It is pretty dark in here. How about we let the sunshine in? There is a lovely day outside." He says softly, stroking her hair. "I don't want to." She mumbles sadly, making him sigh a little frustrated. "Baby... What is going on?" He asks, looking at her as softly as she could. "Nothing. I am fine." She replies, but that doesn't convince her boyfriend much. "(Y/N), you are not fine. What is bothering that pretty mind of yours?" He asks her again, only causing her to turn her back to him. "I'll put these in some water." He sighs defeated, getting up from the bed. He doesn't want to push her, they never had the type of relationship where they needed to push each other to open up.
She feels horrible for shutting him down, but she is scared that if he knew, he would lose all his admiration. The thing Calum always brags about his girlfriend is how smart she is, how her brain is the prettiest thing on her. So, she couldn't risk letting him down, especially after she let herself down. She passed each and every one of her classes at once, with great grades too. And now that she is a breath shy from her degree, she fucked up a whole assignment, in one of the toughest courses of her final semester. And she fucked up a lot, only scoring a dooming 33% on the whole assignment. The only way she will be able to graduate with her degree in the upcoming finals month is by getting a nearly unachievable 90% on the finals. It is futile even trying, she knows she can't do that, so she just... gives up.
Calum decides that enough is enough; he is going to do everything to get his girlfriend out of the darkness. He scrolls through his phone, finding the song he is going to blast through the house for her. I've got sunshine on a cloudy day The music blasts through his speaker, and he burst through the door, going straight for the curtains. He opens them in a swift move, letting the rays of sun glaze the room.
When it's cold outside, I've got the month of May (Y/N) is looking at Calum confused, trying to decipher what is going on. Calum picks the flowers out of the bouquet, throwing them around the room. He reaches his hand out for her to take, but she throws herself back onto the soft mattress before he could help her up. But Calum is stubborn, so he takes her hand in his and pulls her up gently. I guess you'd say, What can make me feel this way? My girl Talking 'bout my girl He sings the part at the top of his lungs, dancing around the bedroom with her. For the first time in a while, she lets out a laugh, a laugh that fills the room and his heart.
I've got so much honey the bees envy me He cradles her face, looking at her with his most charming smile. She laughs again, burying her face in his neck. I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees He stretches his arm out letting her unfold away from him, before twirling her back to his chest.
I guess you'd say, What can make me feel this way? My girl
Talking 'bout my girl
He swings her to the rhythm, which only makes her giggle harder. Oh, how he has missed that sound. "There she is... My wildflower. My pretty girl, my happy girl..." He comments as the song plays in the background. "You are the sweetest boy." She comments, smiling at him before bringing her head to rest on his chest. "What is happening to you, my love? You can always talk to me, you know that..." He reminds her, stroking the small of her back. "I can't..." She mumbles, forcing herself not to start crying again. "Nothing you say to me is going to make me love you less. Cross my heart and hope to die." He looks her in the eye, crossing his fingers over his heart. "Calum..." She protests. "I love you, (Y/N). I will love you after you tell me whatever it is that makes you sad, that makes you... Well, less you." He assures her. (Y/N) takes a deep breath, nodding her head before taking a step back, looking at her feet as she prepares herself to share her secret with him.
"I fucked up. Badly. I won't graduate this summer. I won't receive my degree, because I am stupid enough to fuck up the assignment of the hardest course this semester. I will fail because of that. I will fail unless I get a 90% or above on the finals. Which is impossible, because the material is harder to read than Aramaic." She finally admits, sitting down at the end of the mattress. "Baby... Why didn't you tell me earlier?" He asks her, kneeling before her. "You are always boasting about me being smart, an overachiever, an honor student. 'My girlfriend is going to graduate top of her class.' All that. I didn't want to disappoint you by telling you about my failure." She explains to him, making him sigh in realization. "First of all, you have nothing to be ashamed of. It is just a bad grade. Second, if there is anyone who can score 90%, that person is you. I've seen you working, I've seen you studying. You are a fucking boss when it comes to that. And last, but not least, you will never disappoint me. Even if you try your hardest to, you will never disappoint me." He runs his thumb over his thigh in soothing circles, trying to meet her gaze by tilting his head. "I am going to fail." She utters, tearing up. He wipes away her tears, leaning closer to kiss her cheeks. "You might. But that means nothing. You will resit the assignment, or the exam, or both, and you will be superb at it. But before that, you are going to aim for that 100%, because that's what you always do. And I will help you read for the exam. I know I can't help much, but I will be your study buddy. We are going to fight. And I promise, when you get that passing grade, I won't even say I told you so." He says cheerfully, making her smile. "I adore you." She states, covering his hands with hers. "I know, baby. I adore you too. Now, let's get you to shower, put some food in your stomach, and then make a schedule for studying." He suggests, pulling her on her feet.
Calum proved he is a man of his word. So, when she got that 100% on her finals, he didn't tell her 'I told you so'. He only smirked knowingly, and hugged his wildflower, congratulating her on proving the voices in her head absolutely wrong.
--
This story is actually inspired by me nearly fucking everything up. I did get a 30something percent on the assignment of the hardest course on my final semester and really went through a phase of giving up, but I also did get the 100% mark on the final exam, so I ended up passing the course and getting my degree with honors. I hope you enjoy this story.
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191 notes · View notes
bookocd · 3 years
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Light As Air Chapter 4
This is the next chapter in my Fenrys Fanfic! If anyone would like to be tagged or has prompts for future chapters let me know :) 
Thank you for reading!
Tag List:
@wxstedhexrt
Summary:
In the aftermath of Kingdom of Ash, Fenrys finds himself connected with a mysteriously powerful fae female. With the confusion of her past and vast amount of power, the Aelin’s court becomes weary of Fenrys’s involvement.
Fenrys is still reeling after Connall’s death and while joining Aelin’s court has been a dream, his nightmares are still plagued by Maeve.
Vel will do anything to get the help she needs, but her past controls her emotions, and her hopes for the future clouds her judgement.
Maybe together they can mend what has been broken, but Vel’s strange origins will continue to keep them apart.
Links:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4:
Vel felt like death. 
The area behind her eyes was pounding, her throat was sandpaper as she painfully swallowed, and for some reason her neck felt stiff as a fucking board. 
Her back cracked as she tried to sit up, and ended up only getting her elbows under her enough to prop the rest of her upper half up. 
Opening her eyes slowly, and a couple of blinks later, her blurriness dissipated. 
Am I in an adult size bed? Vel thought as her eyes widened with shock. The room she was in was larger than her father’s whole cabin. While the only piece of furniture was the bed she was on, the stone floor was extensive and the ceiling felt miles away. The floor to ceiling windows made her breath catch. 
Moving slowly, she got her legs off one side of the bed and took her time lifting herself up. When she felt confident in her walking abilities she went toward one of the windows. She looked out onto the city bathed in golden light from the retreating sun. 
Wait am I in the palace?
“Oh my gods,” breathing out the words as her panicked body retreated back toward the bed. She knew that she was in the castle, but she had no recollection of how she got here. Her confusion gave way when all the memories of the incident unfolded in her head. 
She needed to get out of here. The thoughts in her head going a million miles a minute. 
They must think I’m either crazy or fucking terrifying, Vel thought to herself as she started to pace, or that I was trying to kill the queen. It was that thought that had her looking for the exits. The two windows were obvious, but the idea of using her powers made a shiver run down her back. 
To the right of the bed, there was a single wooden door. Finding her self in front of it within seconds, she tried the handle, which surprisingly turned. Opening it slightly, voices drifted toward her. Focusing on the voices was easy, but she didn’t recognize the person who was softly talking.  
“She is physically fine. Her hands…” Vel stiffened and knew at that moment the voice was discussing her. The light female voice continued, “Well you’ve seen her hands, and I can’t figure out what or who would have done such a thing. I truly have never seen anything like it and Yrene would need to be called in for further evaluation. I think it would be a similar situation to what was expressed to Lady Elide for her ankle.”
Vel had heard these names many times during her spying, but she was confused as to the situation that was being discussed.
A gruff voice, another that she had never heard, came into the conversation by saying, “We shouldn’t be discussing helping her with past injuries, we should be discussing what to do with her.”
The first voice started taking again, like no one had interrupted her. “The process to fix them would be long, but I want to discuss something else.” The voice changed into something slightly sadder instead of factual. “Have any of you seen her back?” 
Her knees almost gave out at the question. 
Vel’s heart was beating out of her chest and she finally looked down to see that she was in a gown of some sort, one that was only pulled together in the back by ties. Her back was completely exposed. Tears starting to fill her eyes, she still continued to listen to the painful conversation. 
“What do you mean? What is wrong with her back Marna?” The voice wrapped around her like silk, and she knew that it was the golden wolf talking. Her heart calmed and her eyesight was no longer blurred by tears. 
“Um, during the initial exam we noticed that she has scars—”
She was cut off by the obvious voice of the queen, “Whipping scars?”
“That’s what I assumed at first, but upon further inspection they are not from any sort of whip or torture devices. She has two perfectly parallel vertical scars, which look to be many years old and almost surgical in nature. They are completely healed, but both of them are raised, like two mountains. I think something was put under her skin, because they are both hard to the touch, like bone. I was trained at the Torre for over 50 years and I have never seen anything like the injuries presented in this female. I’m sorry to say that this patient is out of my depth.” The breath she let out was tired and she then asked, “Do you have any more questions for me your Majesty?”
Aelin must have shook her head, because Vel could hear faint steps moving until they were too far away to hear. 
Vel wasn’t surprised that the woman was confused and no one except her family had ever seen her back. She had long ago let go of any anger her deformities caused, but she still felt extremely exposed by the whole conversation.
“I don’t care what scars she has,” the gruff voice spat out. “She obviously can’t control her magic and can’t be trusted. I say we get rid of the problem before it gets worse.” 
A growl sliced through the air. “That is not up to you, Lorcan. And if you touch her I don’t care what promises I’ve made or that we are in the same court, I will rip out your fucking throat.” 
She believed in that moment that the golden male would never allow anyone to hurt her. She had no clue what to do with that information, but she smiled all the same. 
Silence. 
Fenrys’s chest was shifting up and down with impressive speed, mimicking his heart, and he had moved closer to the room with his sleeping mate inside. 
He would kill Lorcan if he shifted an inch in her direction. It took all his effort to not kill him as a smirk slid onto his face. 
But the violence ebbed away when Elide smacked the back of Lorcan’s head. The incredulous look he gave his fiancé was fucking hilarious and he knew everyone in the hallway was trying not to laugh. 
“Lorcan isn’t going to get rid of anything or anyone,” Elide’s small but strong voice eased Fenrys slightly. “But Fen we do need to discuss what to do,” she said, with a continuing glare to Lorcan, as if daring him to say something else. 
“She needs training.” Rowan had stayed quiet throughout the day. He was silent after Vel unfroze everyone, he was silent while they brought her to the palace, and he was silent during and after the healer’s exam. He continued, “What happened earlier I’ve only seen one other time in my life.” 
“Rowan what are you talking about? I thought it was just a self imposed burnout, like what I did in Mistwood,” Aelin replied. 
“No Fireheart, you literally let your magic overpower you and take control, but this female forced her power down, so far down that I couldn’t even detect it.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “I knew a fae once that was so scared of her own power that she refused to let it out. She went crazy and in the end her magic killed her from the inside out. The fainting and shaking was one of the first symptoms that her body and mind were deteriorating. Honestly it’s so rare and terrifying to watch,” his eyes turned downcast as he continued. “It was slow moving, but she didn’t have the power that this female has, so I’m not sure what the timeline is here…” He looked at Fenrys and he could tell what he was trying to say. This female would die sooner rather than later. Fenrys’s heart dropped to his stomach. 
“Then we train her,” Fenrys said, like it was a given.
“Fen, what if she doesn’t want our help?” Aelin asked quietly. The question hadn’t crossed his mind. 
“I have a way with female’s Aelin. I mean I got you to give me the blood oath didn’t I?” The smirk didn’t hold its full luster, but Aelin still let out a sharp laugh. 
“You didn’t get me to do anything, only realize that you would be lost without my wisdom and guidance boyo.” 
“Whatever gets you to fall asleep at night sweetheart.”
Rowan, who was pointedly not smiling, said, “Trust me she isn’t thinking of anyone but me when she’s falling asleep at night or should I say losing sleep at night.” 
With that, Lorcan turned away grumbling that no one ever listened to him and Elide followed asking why she hadn’t been losing sleep at night lately. Her yelp bounced off the cobblestone walls as he threw her over his shoulder and patted her ass. Fenrys knew exactly what they were going to do and he gaped at them as they turned for the staircase which led to their bedchamber. 
Turning to his queen and king he saw them with serious expressions, but he spoke before their warnings could come. 
“I’m going to go check on Vel,” he said while walking away. 
Fenrys was forced out of Vel’s room by healers, so he hadn’t seen her in hours. His heart started to race as he reached the oak door and slowly opened it.
Vel was laying in the king sized bed, right where he left her. The sun was setting so the room was slowly darkening. Her skin was near glowing, like it was a product of the moon, and her hair was a living shadow. He found himself at her bedside without remembering moving his feet. 
Taking a seat on the bed beside her shoulder. Bringing a hand up to move a stray black hair out of her face and he allowed himself one second of contact with her cheek. Heat raced through his body and a second turned into a minute. 
Gods she is beaut—, his thought was interrupted by sudden movement.
His hand was suddenly turned in the wrong direction and legs shot out and forced him into the air, landing on the bed next to the female he thought was asleep. Within a moments time he was on his front, face smothered against the pillows with a knee pushing against his spine and hand trapped in a death hold. 
Hair suddenly was tickling his neck and a breath was hitting the back of his ear making him shudder… a shudder she most definitely felt. 
Vel’s voice sounded almost playful as she said, “Didn’t your mother teach you not to touch a girl without permission?”
Fenrys was happy that he was on his front, because his cock started to strain in his pants. He had never been turned on while being overpowered by a female. 
“Let me up and I can show you everything I’ve been taught,” his voice muffled by the pillow.
“I doubt you could teach me anything I don’t already know.”
“Oh you would be surprised sweetheart.”
With another flash of limbs and grunts, Fenrys was suddenly on top of his mate with her arms pinned above her head. The exam gown had bunched at her waist, leaving her upper thighs exposed and his legs were straddling her waist, with ample distance so his hardness wasn’t against her softness.
Her eyes widened when she caught view of his likely hungry gaze. 
“This is a much better position to teach you in.”
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omg-imagine · 4 years
Text
⊱ Sweet Dreams ⊰
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Pairing: Keanu Reeves x Reader 
Request: Ke wants the Reader to get some sleep, she's been working late and he doesn't want her to have a burnout so he tells her to go to sleep and he takes care of her. - Anon
Words: 1.2k
Warning: Fluff, a little bit of nsfw bathing 
A/N: Thank you for requesting this prompt! I decided to leave out the suggested smut after they wake up. Hope you enjoy!
Sitting in front of your laptop’s blaring bright screen, you rubbed your bleary eyes with your hands, sighing heavily for the hundredth time that evening. You pinched the bridge of your nose for a moment or two, conjuring up what little energy you had to finish the quarterly report you’ve been working on for the entire day. Unfortunately, your boss doesn’t quite understand that you had a life outside of the office, deciding to assign the task last minute and expecting it to be completed by tomorrow.
The clock on the wall mirrored the time back to you, realizing then that it was past 2AM, and you still had so much left to do. You tried to focus on the opened document, fighting off the exhaustion as your brain continued to work overtime. With determination, your fingers typed up the words as they came into your head. The information flowed in a steady stream until once again, you got stuck, staring blankly at the blinking text cursor.
You groaned out loud as you contemplated emailing your boss and giving him a piece of your mind. It was unfair that he had put the responsibility solely on you, knowing that it wasn’t even part of your job description. If only he wasn’t such an asshole and had given you at least a week to work on the report, then you wouldn’t be stressed out and rushing to get it done.
In the midst of your self-pity, you didn’t hear the quiet knock coming from outside of your home office. The door then slowly creaked open, and you jumped slightly at the intrusion. Turning around, your tired gaze met with Keanu’s warm chocolate-hued orbs, a small frown appearing on his face.
“You’re still up working?” Your husband asked as he stepped further into the office, taking a gander at the paperwork scattered all over the wooden desk. He came to stand behind your leather chair, leaning his head down to kiss your temple.
“I have a deadline tomorrow,” you answered, almost defeatedly. “I thought you went to sleep already.”
Keanu shook his head. “I couldn’t. I was waiting for you to come to bed, actually. You promised you were going to be done soon.”
Immediately, a twinge of guilt hit you, remembering you had promised him that an hour ago. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Ke. I still have a lot of things left to do, and I’m worried that I won’t finish this in time.”
“Sweetheart,” Keanu began, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. “You need a break. You need to sleep.”
“Not yet,” you sighed out. “Just go to bed, baby. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.”
You heard him release a deep breath that filled the empty silence in the room. “Why don’t you ask your boss for an extension? He gave you two days to work on something that takes more time to do. Surely, he’ll understand.”
“I tried that already, but he refused. He wants this on his desk by the end of the day tomorrow, and I really don’t want him to chew me out again.”
Not waiting for his response, your focus returned to the monitor, reviewing what you had inputted so far. You silently hoped that Keanu would leave you alone for the rest of the night. But after years of being together, you knew well enough that he wasn’t the type of person to give up easily, especially when it came to you.
“Babe, you can barely keep your eyes open right now,” he pointed out as he placed a hand under your chin to tilt it upwards, a finger tenderly stroking the curve of your jaw. “Please come to bed. I don’t want you burning out. You can keep working on this in the morning after a couple hours of rest. Maybe having a refreshed mind will do you some good.”
The pleading look Keanu had on his face made it impossible for you to turn him down. Letting out a resounding sigh, you saved your document before closing the laptop. You then smiled wearily at him as he helped you get out of the chair, nearly stumbling on your feet when you took a staggering step forward.
“I guess my legs aren’t cooperating after sitting for too long,” you joked. Suddenly, you let out a yelp when Keanu swiftly bent down, sliding his strong arms under your knees. He effortlessly lifted you up before carrying you out of the office. “You better not drop me, Ke!”
Keanu chuckled heartily as he headed down the hall, kicking the bedroom door open with his foot after reaching the front of it. You were surprised when he walked past the mattress and instead brought you into the bathroom, switching the lights on before carefully placing you down on the double sink countertop.
“Go ahead and take off your clothes. I’m going to run you a bath,” he instructed softly, pecking the tip of your nose before sauntering over to the porcelain tub.
“I like where this is heading,” you quipped, your fingers unbuttoning your top and letting it fall to the ground, doing the same with your pants and undergarments.
“Calm down, Mrs. Reeves,” Keanu laughed as he waited for the bathtub to be filled with water. “The whole point of this is to get you ready for bed, not to tire you out even more.”
Pouting, you hopped off the counter and approached him. “So, does this mean you’re not joining me?”
You felt Keanu’s eyes raking over your body, his cheeks flushing red at the bare sight of you. “Not tonight, love. You need as much time as you can get to sleep.”
Surprisingly, Keanu was able to maintain his self-control as he bathed you for the next ten minutes. You noticed the stress and tension easing away as he lathered your back, massaging the kinks there and giving you instant relief. 
You had to applaud him for his incredible ability to resist your relentless teasing during the entire time. But that didn’t mean you failed to stir a reaction from him, clearly evident by the bulge in his sweatpants.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to take care of that?” You questioned Keanu with a smirk as he dried off your body with a fluffy towel. “I can spare a few minutes.”
“Tempting, but perhaps tomorrow after you come home from work,” he suggested, smiling before kissing you softly on your lips. “Come, let’s get you dressed.”
By the time Keanu helped you put on your sleepwear and settle under the warm thick covers, you were merely seconds away from dozing off. Resting your head above his firm chest, your heavy eyelids began to drift close as you felt his arms surround your frame, your legs twining with his. 
Snuggling deeper into the warmth of his body, you listened to Keanu’s soft rhythmic breathing. The calming sound of it was lulling you to sleep, a gentle reminder of how lucky you were to have someone as thoughtful and caring as him.
“Ke,” you whispered drowsily. “Thank you. I appreciate you taking care of me.”
“Of course,” he mumbled before pressing a brief kiss on the top of your head. “Sweet dreams, I love you.”
“I love you, too,” you murmured quietly. 
Slowly succumbing to the urge to sleep, you hoped that you could wake up early enough to show Keanu your gratitude first thing in the morning.
Taglist (let me know if you want to be added/removed): @penwieldingdreamer​ @keandrews @feminine-machinegun @fanficsrusz @flaminasteroid
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genuary-fic-event · 3 years
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Harry Potter & Naruto Gen Fics
Almost all of my stories are gen so I picked out a few of my favourites to share! All stories are by FiresFromOurHearts (i.e. me). 
Harry Potter
Graduation - Oliver Wood, Percy Weasley, and Penelope Clearwater have made it to graduation, somehow, against the odds. This is their last time at Hogwarts as students; this is the boat trip you leave on. 
Tags: graduation, final year, last day, memories, Ravenclaw Gryffindor friendship, changes, change, growing up, final memory of Hogwarts, graduating. 
the broken bones of our childhood - blaise thinks about love. about love being shovde down his throat, about a society that makes him think he wants that love, wants to grab it from the stars and let it huddle in his cupped hands. he’s young, fourteen maybe, when he reads aromantic for the first time. reads aromantic, reads asexual, reads queerplatonic relationships. and he thinks, oh, maybe this is it. maybe this is me. he thinks about society’s romance and thinks about friendship, thinks about platonic love, and thinks maybe this is right.
Tags: this could be angst but I don’t think so?, someone let me know about that please, Aromantic, Asexual Character, Asexuality, Aromantic Asexual character, growing up, sexuality crisis, kind of, more like discovery?, sexuality, love, friendship, Slytherin, Sexual Confusion, I don’t know what else to tag, society’s views of love, marriage, but a negative view of marriage, aromantic asexual Blaise Zabini, queerplatonic relationships, character study, I’m so so proud of this work so please give it a try, not really part of the series so can be read alone, don’t copy to another site
she unleashes the magic in her veins - Narcissa has sat alone in Malfoy Manor while her husband is in prison and her son is off on a suicide mission. She sits and she waits and she dares her hands not to shake. Soon, she grows sick of waiting. Narcissa had been a Black once and she still is; her marriage did not take that from her. Perhaps it is time that someone of the Black family shakes the foundations of the world once again.
Tags: BAMF women, BAMF Narcissa Black Malfoy, Slytherins being Slytherins, Mother-son relationship, mother’s love, love, Malfoy Manor, house elves, Number 12 Grimmauld Place, horcruxes 
Never Been A Love Story (Quite Like This) - Charlie Weasley’s soulmates with Draco Malfoy. Over the years, things manage to work themselves out and they end up as friends. The real problem stems from the world around them saying they must be in love with one another since they’re soulmates. Charlie struggles with this. Luckily, Draco’s there to help out.
Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, platonic soulmates, platonic male/male relationships, family, grief/mourning, comfort, second war with Voldemort, post-second war with Voldemort, smuggling, a few crimes, friendship, enemies to friends, to even better friends, romantic soulmates, kinda, dragons, I mean it is Charlie Weasley, asexual Charlie Weasley, Aromantic Charlie Weasley, Aromantic Asexual Charlie Weasley, POV Charlie Weasley, I guess, Charlie Weasley-centric, do not post to another site 
Steady Feet (I’ve Stopped Running) - Or that story where Charlie Weasley tells his family he’s aromantic and asexual and nothing bad happens.
Tags: Aromantic Charlie Weasley, Asexual Charlie Weasley, aromantic asexual Charlie Weasley, Charlie Weasley-centric, dragons, of course, family, comfort, family feels, bisexual Bill Weasley, Pansexual Ginny Weasley, friendship, it’s in the background, familial love, coming out, self-love
United Within These Walls - Blaise Zabini might be a Slytherin. But he’d been a Hogwarts student first. They all had been. It’s time for houses to matter less and the one thing that brings them together - Hogwarts - to matter more.
Tags: Hogwarts seventh year, warnings for the Carrows, interrogation, torture, (kind of), resistance, students, Dumbledore’s Army, these tags sound bad, but it’s not too dark, Hogwarts inter-house unity
Warning: Warnings for the Carrows and the use of the crucio.
Naruto
Everybody Knows (the deal is rotten) - A story inspired by Orpheus and Eurydice, except there’s no romance and no real gods, except there are brothers and death and the Sharingan.
Tags (a number of tags in this one so just doing the main ones): Alternate Universe - canon divergence, inspired by Orpheus and Eurydice, eye-trauma, Uchiha Madara-centric, canonical character death, canon does not follow from that death though, questionable sanity, ghosts, potential mindfuck
Warning: Izuna’s technically dead? Or he dies and then comes back. Warning for eye trauma. Initial note mentions this in more detail.
follow your heart (it leads you home) - After a twelve-hour shift at the hospital, there are few things Rin wants to do. She will, however, listen to rumours from Obito, eat dinner, and then fall asleep as they both wait to see Kakashi. And Kakashi loves to see his partners when he comes home, especially when he’s been missing them. Meanwhile, Obito conspires so that everyone gets to be happy - himself included.
Tags: Alternate Universe - everybody lives/nobody dies, queerplatonic relationships, Nohara Rin lives, medic Nohara Rin, soft, comfort, no hurt, healthy relationships, these kids are so sweet and soft with each other and I love them, Rin & Obito & Kakashi QPR, Uchiha Obito lives, Good Uchiha Obito, feel-good, love, friendship/love, mistaken for dating, rumours, laughing at rumours
stay with me tonight (there’s so much wrong going on outside) - Sometimes you’re stressed and exhausted and burnt out. But you know what? Sasuke isn’t alone. He can relax and rely on Sakura and Naruto. Just take a break and breathe.
Tags: Queerplatonic relationships, alternate universe - Modern setting, roommates, movie night, softness, bad days, burnout, students, casual intimacy, love, friendship/love, hurt/comfort, more comfort than hurt, fluff, domestic fluff
Here’s To Us (Here’s To Love) - Team 7 is a little bit more lonely, their lives a little less harsh, and they are a team. They will remain a team, no matter what comes. (A short fic on Team 7’s friendship and love as it could’ve been. How their family began and how it continues on after everything.)
Tags: Team as family, Team 7 as family, team 7-centric, team 7 feels, found family, friendship/love, loneliness, comfort, hope, alternate universe - canon divergence, lonely team 7, love, friendship, I cannot tell you how much team 7 love each other, so so much love, gentle, soft, the interent quiet of the darkness at night 
Naruto Series
The Overworked Hikaku Chronicles - The Overworked Hikaku Chronicles covers how Uchiha Hikaku accidentally saves the world, creates peace amongst the Uchiha and Senju Clans, deals with Konoha being founded like the normal person he is, and also stops being so overworked and tired with a (slightly forced) nap. It starts with crack and humour, grows to speak of self-care and ends gently and with love.
Notes: Since this isn’t a single work, there’s a number of tags. In total, there are ten works with a total of around 31k. There’s one work with a warning for near-death experience, and a number of the fics deal with burnout and stress, but also focussing on moving past that too. Tags commonly featured include: crack, crack treated seriously, fluff and humour, Uchiha Izuna lives, Warring States Period (Naruto), family, family feels, familial love. 
The Sea Never Dies 
Uzushiogakure is more than a ruin. Her people wander and they hide themselves away, refusing to be who they once were. Uzushio sees this and she refuses to let the world stay that way. Uzushiogakure may have fallen, but Uzushio is far from dead.
Meanwhile, Konoha kills off almost all of the Uchiha Clan, leaving two - Sasuke Uchiha and Toru Uchiha. Sasuke’s survival was meant to happen. Toru’s survival was due to luck, (and something more, something much, much bigger than luck).
The world is not safe or nice or good. It hasn’t been such for a while. That’s alright though. Toru can make things happen with his own two hands and his words. He can change his world, even if it isn’t the entire world. Toru doesn’t like the whole world that much anyway.
Notes: Like the previous series, this one has too many tags to tag individually. This series is still ongoing and is near the end, though, updating frequently. In total, there’s about 600k words at the moment (and an extra 70k of extra AUs and whatnot) so it is massive. I would argue it’s all about found family, love, hope, building a life out of the ashes, and learning to live for yourself/living on when nothing is left. 
Common tags: Uzushiogakure, LGBTQ character, Alternate universe - canon divergence, friendship, queerplatonic relationship, found family, team as family, reincarnation, ANBU, world building, team building, BAMF women, women being awesome, BAMF team 7, friendship. 
Warnings: This series lightly touches on PTSD (but still touches on it) and there are depications of the main characters near-death and actual death too, though these can be skipped. There are scenes of torture too, which aren’t explict but are warned about too. Further questions can be asked and I’ll be willing to answer. Overall, this series definitely isn’t dark however. (Oh, and some bad guys die, so character death too, I guess?)
Additional Notes: It’s a lot of words so I can totally understand not wanting to read it. So there are a few AUs that can be read without reading the main series. One is see hope rise with the tide and the other is Desert Oasis. 
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weltonreject · 4 years
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if someday the moon calls you
|| inspired by this post: years after leaving las vegas, theo’s only companion is the moon. he speaks to it as if it was Boris, his lost badr al-dine || ao3
It wasn’t a ritual, Theo told himself, so it wasn’t weird. It wasn’t obsessive or anything perverse like that. Theo just didn’t have anyone else to talk to on the long days that outlasted Theo’s patience, then left him in an anxious solitude while Hobie turned in early-- and Kitsey was out with her roommate. Instead of picking up the phone and attempting to reconcile the reality that there was no number for Theo to punch in, he just opened his bedroom window and sat along the ledge.
He lit a cigarette and kicked off his shoes, opening a beer for himself and then another for the other side of the window. For the other side of the conversation.
“Hey, Boris.” Theo said, cupping his lighter’s flame. “Work sucked today. Not as bad as last week but still fucking terrible-- I’ve got this fucking asshole after me over a goddamn armoire. Listen man, it’s not my fault you fucking spent your retirement on a place to put your moth-eaten suit jackets. That’s on you.”
Theo coughed on his first inhale, laughing for himself. For them both.
“I’m sure it’ll all blow over soon. It’s a hassle more than anything. It’s so hard to get anything done when he’s always calling me in the shop-- Oh! Speaking of the shop-- you’ll get a kick out of this, Boris.”
The moon was full that night. All the stars accounted for, present and listening.
“This Polish couple came in today looking at some chairs. Kind of sweet, right? Old and married for probably their entire lives.” Theo wasn’t sure when he found such a thing endearing. When he was talking to anyone else, the thought terrified him. “And they’re speaking to each other in Polish, of course. And fuck if I remember anything you taught me now. I missed all of their sentences and what they were actually looking for-- they never told me! It’s not entirely my fault as a shit salesman-- but I did catch what this lady called her husband. It was, uh, it was that cookie thing you kept telling me about when we were cross faded and 'stuck' in your blankets for six hours... Fuck, uh, chrusciki. Is that how you say it?”
Theo paused, trying to remember the woman’s voice. It only came back to him as a very energetic and hungry teenage boy.
Theo took a long swig of his beer, not fully exhaling his cigarette drag. His chest itched, but he kept swallowing and pretending it was simply heartburn.
“And, well, semi-related to that: I had lunch with Kitsey today.” Theo paused again, biting the inside of his cheek. “The engagement party is next week. Yeah... can’t believe it either. I don’t remember asking her-- still not sure I did.”
Theo laughed and wished someone else would too. It was a joke. The world could laugh-- it was funny. Only Theo could tangle himself up so badly even he forgot where the lie started.
“I miss you a lot lately."
That part had gotten both easier and more difficult to say as the months wore on. Easy because it was the only bit of truth left in Theo's life, but impossible to stomach on the days Theo knew admitting it meant nothing except squeezing an already bleeding wound.
"I mean, I miss you all the time but it’s weird, getting married that is. It isn’t until I see Kitsey getting all her girlfriends together for drinks and game nights and shopping days that I... I start to realize that I’m lonely. That what I feel every day is just... loneliness. That it’s disappointment. That I just... really miss you, Boris.”
The moon seemed perfectly aligned with the window pane. Theo shifted the other, full beer bottle to fit more evenly in the moonbeam over them.
“I hope you’re doing okay, Boris. Last time we talked, I guessed you were back in Europe-- Spain, I think I said, right? Well, I hope Barcelona was fun. That you didn’t do anything too stupid, had some really good food, and didn’t wind up in a prison where you don’t know the language.”
Theo smiled, imagining Boris-- in his fuzzy, undefined Adult Way Theo always conjured up-- wandering around during Golden Hour and waving to every person passing by. He always had a persimmon in his hand for some reason, chomping and chewing behind his smile. Theo had no idea how to correctly prepare a persimmon, but he always imagined that it was knowledge New Boris would have and use daily. Something he’d immediately share upon their reunion. 
“I’m sure you had a great time, as always. Can’t wait to hear all about it. Next week you’re going to, uh,” Theo paused. “New Zealand, right? Yeah. Have fun going back Under! I’d ask you to keep a journal or something but. We both know your handwriting is illegible; you’d end up reading it to me anyway.”
Giving Boris a continuing life was comforting-- something to picture when he tried to sleep at night, Kitsey’s arm resting over his chest and trying to still his heart-- but part of Theo knew it was too polished. Theo wasn’t giving Boris the proper life, wasn’t accounting for everything he could be doing out... wherever he was. Theo never considered that talking to the moon was the equivalent of talking to a dead man.
And he never would.
“When you’re finished in New Zealand, if you want to be still for a little, um, I always have room here.” Theo inhaled sharply through his nose-- nearly sniffling. “Popper would love to see you... Me too. Maybe you could talk me out of this mess. Fuck, if Platt or Kitsey or even Ms. Barbour met you they might just call the whole thing off. Name you as my best man and watch them all start freaking out.”
Theo couldn’t laugh. He was too close to crying.
“The wedding’s going to be open bar. You should come. It’s next year, early spring. I already saved you, you know, saved you a seat at one of the tables. Tried to get you as close to the bar as possible-- without being too obvious of course. I know you like to have a little discretion and class. I plan on having neither of those things, let me tell you. God, Kitsey is going to hate me for it but: What can I do? I’m getting married.”
To a woman hung at the edge of Theo’s tongue, being pulled back in as he took another drag from his cigarette. He could hear Boris placating his cyclical panic in the rustling of the trees and quiet breeze: Is not big deal, Potter. Are two boys, yes but-- Potter, would you shut up! Is not bad thing. Keep to self and I keep to mine. All fine. No girlfriends, very normal-- yes?
Even in having a girlfriend, Theo still hadn’t found that particular normal. He only felt it loitering behind him.
“I wonder if you meant all that back then.” Theo put his half-empty beer in front of Boris’s, as if the bottles could stare at each other. “You never let me feel used, you know that? Sure, we were doing weird shit together, but it always had a rationale. It was fine because we didn’t have any girls around, we were happy drunk, I’d had a bad day and you knew how much I liked sleeping close to you-- it was always explainable... It was always okay. I mean, it wasn’t. We were fooling around which, obviously, is the wrong idea about us both but--”
The wind stopped and the night hushed for Theo. It leaned back and let the moon lean in to listen more closely. He looked up to meet its gaze.
“Why is it when I don’t need an excuse or explanation to be with someone that I feel the most used?” The answer was obvious in the silence-- the absence of the answer. “What am I supposed to do, Boris? I don’t think I ever planned this far.”
Everything was just a plan of waiting; waiting until Boris turned up in New York so the rest of Theo’s life could pick up where it had splintered. But the waiting turned into irreversible actions when Theo was at his most destructive.
“This is what I get, right? Running away to be a New Yorker again when I so obviously was a far better Vegas burnout. I mean, I learned from the best after all.”
God, Theo hoped Boris was as far away from that desert as possible. Had a house and a steady income and someone who listened to all his ranting and raving-- and sometimes even put up with it.
Although, sometimes, the thought of Boris being with anyone else made Theo sick. He at least knew his on-coming marriage was a sham. Boris didn’t know how to love people dishonestly; if Boris was with anyone, it was because he had opened his heart and life to them. Just the way he had to Theo-- before he turned around and shut Boris out.
Theo picked up his beer again, nearly finishing the rest of it in one gulp. If Theo had planned better-- at least in this area of his life-- it would’ve been something stronger. He wouldn’t have been speaking in complete sentences anymore. His slurred incoherence would’ve lent itself to a near-livable dream where Theo was no longer talking to himself; he could’ve been staring at the moon and pretending it wasn’t just another light over a bustling city, but instead the same one that hovered over the blankets of sands that tried to soak Theo up when he was too young to know that heat wasn’t always warmth.
“I think I’m going to turn in soon, Boris, I... I think I need to lay down.” The window was going to remain open, beer still on the ledge. “As always I really... really wish you were here.”
Theo placed his feet back on the floor.
“Please be alive. And please come back to me. Soon as you can, okay?”
The muted brightness of the moon remained unwavering, and low, distant rumbling held off on any clouds. The sky was clear, the stillness breathing through the silent pause.
“Okay. Good night, Boris.” Theo stubbed his cigarette out at the feet of the full beer bottle. The condensation surrounding it caused the cigarette butt to hiss as it extinguished. “Stay safe.”
Well, and of course:
“I love you.”
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bts-fic-mania · 3 years
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DAZED DAMSELS
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PAIRING : BTS × Female OC
GENRE : Fluff | Romance | Comedy | Husband AU!
RATING : 13+
WORD COUNT : 11.4 K
SUMMARY :
Balancing between work and home has been quite a tiresome task, but still Min Ji has been managing and juggling through all of those responsibilities thanks to her lovely husband who's always been by her side as her backbone. Will this Wedding, Bachelorette party and a simple shopping trip add in a bit of spice to her life...?? Help her reminisce her past...??
Having the most important responsibility of all time can be nerve wrecking but Soo Jung is determined give her best friend the best wedding a person can ever wish for. But how is she gonna react to the fiasco and the most astonishing revelation of eternity...??
It's the biggest day of Ji Na’s life -'Her Wedding Day'. She never even dreamt that she'll marry the man who ruled the entire world's hearts. Her family and friends didn’t leave any stone unturned to make her wedding more memorable. She wouldn’t have had this much fun in a million years. Little did she knew that the universe had another special thing in store for her...
"Where are the Keys ?" He inquired, looking for them in his pockets.
"Tae, Open the door already !! I'm soo tired... My feet are gonna give out..." Min Ji whined as she slumped down on the floor, her back against the door.
"Yahh! Where did i keep them. " He said, still struggling to find the item.
"Yep. Gotcha." He jiggled the keys, then inserted the key inside the lock to open the door.
Both of them entered their home, tired and exhausted.
Min Ji plonked herself on the couch, face first while Tae went inside to place the packs with their clothings in their bed room, getting himself a bottle of water on his way back.
His phone began ringing the moment he sat down beside his wife.
"Hey Jungkook-Ah !" He let out, rather chirpily.
Min Ji wondered how he could be soo lively after their wearying shopping trip and soon she observed an elated expression plastered on his face.
He disconnected the call, a soft smile on his face.
"What ? What did Jungkook tell you that's making you smile so bad?" Min Ji asked teasingly, her head propped on her elbow.
"Jungkook invited me to his Bachelor's party which is gonna be held in a week. I'm soo excited to meet all my hyungs after such a long time." He sinked back into the sofa, his expressions were enough to reveal how happy he was at that moment.
"That's nice." She grinned, too elated to see her husband so riant.
"Ohh i completely forgot." He remembered. "Jungkook mentioned that his wife wanted you to attend her Bachelorette party too."
"Huh... But... I don’t even know her or anyone there, what will I do alone. I'll stay at home with my bed, my soulmate." Min Ji stated, casually.
"Ohh... So your bed is your soulmate then who am i ?" Tae asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"Uhmm... You're my lovely, adorable and handsome husband." She complimented him.
"Yahh... Min Ji-Ah You need and have to go okay. Get out of this house and just enjoy your life, jagi. There's an entire world outside these four walls." He tried to convince his wife.
"You know how i feel in a crowd full of people I don't know. Even you won't be there. I'd be really bored." She retaliated. "Secondly, I've got nothing to wear and I'm no mood to go for a shopping trip anytime soon."
"I'd accompany you and we'd buy a gorgeous dress for my beautiful wife. Please Min Ji." He pouted.
'His puppy eyes were too hard to resist. Damn, he knows my weak points.' She thought to herself.
"Okay. FINE." She gave up.
'It was easy for him to make her agree with everything he wanted.' She thought, looking at his satisfied smile.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Works been keeping Min Ji and Taehyung pretty busy lately.
Who says a Teacher's Job is easy...? For a teacher like them, who literally put in their whole and soul into their work, it's never been facile. Sadly, being a teacher is the most under appreciated job despite the burnout they go through, every single day.
Min Ji and Tae lazed around after being drained of all the zing.
They worked their asses off, the entire week, since they had to take a few days leave on the occasion Jungkook's marriage.
Min Ji flipped open her journal just to discern that she still needed to go and buy a dress that she'd wear for Jungkook's Wife's Bachelorette party.
' It's Sunday tomorrow and the Bachelorette's gonna be on Monday... So I'm gonna go shop tomorrow and drag Tae along too... YES!! It's Sorted then. ' She planned in her mind.
"Tae, We need to go look for a dress I'd wear to the Bachelorette's. So you need to accompany me tomorrow." She said, unaware that her husband who was sitting on the couch, besides her, his eyes fixated on the TV screen as he played 'Over Watch' did not acknowledge a single thing she said.
No response made her look at him and call him out again.
"Tae..."
"Tae..."
"Tae..."
"Taehyung..."
"Mr. Kim..." Min Ji spoke again, touching his shoulder to shake him, but he shrugged it off.
In spite of Min Ji's repeated attempts of trying to gather his attention, the boy didn't budge.
"YAHH!! KIM TAEHYUNG!!" She shouted, annoyed that her husband ignored her entire existence, completely focused on the game.
Taehyung jumped from the couch, stumbled down to the ground, puzzled and scared out of his guts. The controller dropped on the carpet by his side with a 'thud'.
Min Ji was trying hard to suppress a loud laughter as she saw her husband's pallid appearance.
"Bahahahahaha..." She laughed, hysterically.
Taehyung stood confused, trying to figure out what just happened.
"Min Ji-Ah..." He whined, putting his headphones down at the coffee table, picking up the controller, placing it on it's proper place.
Min Ji cackled while Taehyung smiled lightly, listening to her melodious haa-hee.
"Stop It... It was not that funny." He turned to her.
"I-hh It wah-hh was..." She held her stomach and tried to calm her breathing down.
"It was sooo funny. You should've seen the look on you face... Haha..." She beamed.
"Okay Okay... Fine... Now speak up, What's the matter ? What did you want to tell me ?" Tae inquired.
"I just wanted to inform you that we're going shopping tomorrow and you're coming with me." She let out, straight.
"Oh... Okay... But that's all?" He asked and she nodded.
"Yah!! You disrupted my game because of such a mere thing." He said, crossing his arms over his chest and frowning.
"Tae... Okay... I'm sorry." Min Ji pouted as Tae turned his head to his side, away from her.
"I was thinking that I'd order Japchae for dinner today. But since you're soo annoyed with me..... " Min Ji continued.
"Japchae!!" His eyes twinkled as he drooled, visibly.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
"Tae... Get Ready..." Min Ji whined, her husband still lying down, occupied on his phone, unaffected by what she told him.
"Kim Taehyung, I swear that I'm gonna burn your phone to ashes if you're not ready by next five minutes." Min Ji warned.
She giggled as she saw Tae immediately standing up, dropping his phone at the nightstand, stumbling on his way to the bathroom.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Tae locked the main door as they stepped out of their home.
"T-" Min Ji was cut off by the ringing of Taehyung's phone.
"Hello Bogum." He said, signalling Min Ji to wait for a minute as he went a bit away to talk with his friend.
A few minutes later, Tae returned, apologetic in guise.
"Look... I know that I promised you that I'd help you with the dress but Bogum's father is in the hospital and he needs my help so i need to go. I've got no other option Mini... " He was sad.
Taehyung was really a genuine friend that everyone deserved to have. He was always up for it when his friends needed him.
"It's okay, Jagiya. I'll manage everything, here. Bogum needs you right now so you should go. Don't worry about me." She assured him as she placed her hands in his.
"I owe you one for this, cupcake." He spoke.
"What's up with these nicknames? Huh?" She teased. " And you don't owe me anything." She pecked his cheek.
"What did i do to have you in my life.?" He hugged her and her cheeks flamed up.
" Taehyung-ah, Bogum might be waiting for you... Goooo...."
"Bye. I Love You." He shouted, running towards his car.
"Yahh!!! This Boy!! " Min Ji smiled to herself and shook her head in disbelief.
'Seems like I gotta do this all by myself' She thought as she mentally face-palmed.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Min Ji wandered from store to store looking for a suitable dress she could wear to the Bachelorette but in vain.
She was strolling through the hallway when a beautiful, metal black, bodycon, dress caught her eye.
She immediately entered the outlet, looked for her size in the dress and bolted towards the trial area.
As she was about to enter the corridor, her phone went off. She opened her handbag, looking for it and then,
"Ope!!" Min Ji squealed as she stumbled backwards but managed to retain her balance and save herself from the embarrassment of falling straight on her bum.
Min Ji bumped into another women who was storming out of the corridor, busy taking over her phone and both failed to realise the other's presence.
"Sorry!" The lady said as she bowed and dashed towards the exit.
"It's.... fine..." Min Ji said, which came out as a whisper since the woman was already out of the store by the time she uttered those words.
She shook her head and headed to the trial room.
"Yah!! Soo Jung-Ah!!!" A voice called out, behind a closed door, Min Ji just went past.
"Aye!! Come here and Help me." The voice spoke again.
Min Ji's motherly instincts rose after listening to the word "Help" so before she realized, she knocked on the door.
"Hey! There's no one outside here since you're calling out for them..." Min Ji continued "Are you alright ?? I can help you if you want me to."
There was absolute silence for good few minutes until the voice spoke up again, "Hey!! Could you please help me fix the zipper of my dress..? Since you can see my friend's already bailed out..."
Min Ji stifled a chuckle, "Yep...Sure."
The door opened which revealed the silhouette of a woman dressed in a wedding gown.
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Min Ji couldn't help but remember the day of her marriage and smiled to herself.
"Here... It's Stuck!! " Her voice snapped Min Ji out of her daze.
She moved towards the woman, trying to pull it up but it didn't move.
She took a step away and stood there, analysing it, thinking of something that could be used repair it.
An idea struck her mind almost instantly as she reached out for some Vaseline from her handbag and applied it to both the edges of the zipper before pulling it up with a 'ZIG' and *VOILÀ*, it was fixed.
"Thank you so much." The woman smiled.
That's when Min Ji looked up at the woman's face but she couldn't help but feel that it look familiar.
"Do I know you? Have we met before? I think I've seen you somewhere." She inquired and let out a string of words before she could stop them from rolling off her tongue.
The look on her face turned sceptical as she could practically see the wheels turning inside woman's head.
"N-No... I don't think so." She immediately grabbed her shades before putting them on.
"Oh-Okay then... I should leave." Min Ji bowed and made her way out.
'Weird' she thought to herself.
Min Ji couldn't help but feel that she knew the women she just met.
But the thought subsided as soon as she tried her dress on. And she knew what she was gonna have on for the party.
She rushed towards the cash counter, bought the dress and made her way back home, happy to finally relax after an entire day full of exertion.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Min Ji stepped out of the lift, trudging towards their apartment.
She was about to open the door when she noticed a hamper with a card by it.
She picked it up, trying to figure out who could sent it to them and walked in, shutting the door behind her.
She slouched on the couch and started unboxing it.
It contained Two Exclusive Perfumes: One Chanel and One Jo Malone with an Invite to Jungkook's Wife's whose name as mentioned on the card was KANG JI NA.
It stated that Min Ji had to be ready really early tomorrow (which meant waking up even before that,,,URGHHH....) since it wasn't just the party but a trip filled with activities including all of them staying there.
"OHH GOD... I NEED TO PACK UP EVERYTHING..." Min Ji bolted towards her room, ready to complete another task so she could lay down on her bed at the earliest.
❖ ── ✦ ── ✧ ─ ◈ ─ ✧ ── ✦ ── ❖
Here she was stressed the heck out of her life waiting for what these next few weeks hold.This was it. This was the day Kim Soo Jung, Head stylist of JK's company and wife of the famous actor Kim Seok Jin, was gonna be held at the helm of being THE BEST MAID OF HONOUR. Knowing her best friend Kang Ji Na was gonna get married to the love of her life after a period of creepy stalking and one sided administration (Really pretty adjectives used by Soo Jung to make Ji Na flustered Infront of Jungkook).
She was more than happy and overwhelmed at the fact that her friend's one sided endeavours bore into fruitition and before she knew those two were marrying each other. She has to say this is one of the most happiest moments of her life. She states dramatically to her husband, right after she enters the house with cake samples and seating herself on the couch, not wasting a second to search up her contacts for best wedding dress maker.
"I thought discovering cookies and cream flavour was your happiest moment." Jin retorts while sitting beside her on the couch, with a mischievous smirk on his lips.
"You know me so well Jinnie!!" She says smiling fondly and leaning in to give him a cheek kiss.
"Did you like to rush home from work and Wow... did you bring me some cake!!" Jin says while taking the package placed on the tea table.
"Those are cake samples for Ji Na's wedding" she says while Jin opens the box and gorges over one of the sample.
"Don't knock yourself out with those cakes I too have to try and decide the best one. How do you like that one, though ?" She asks.
"Oh it's soo good I was starving" Jin says with stuffed mouth and reaches in for another sample.
"No!!! Jinnie it's not for you to eat. I have to do the taste test and find the best." She whines poutyly while snatching away the box
Jin's face dulls down with disappointment.
"Okay you can eat those but you will have to tell how each one is and help me find the best." She says.
Jin's face lightens up. "You are the best Soo Jung-Ah!!" He exclaims while taking away the box.
And like that with just a mere snap of finger, Soo Jung's one of her many jobs was done. she pats herself internally while smirking at the victory of having her strategic plan work. She hands him over the taste quality rating list with names of each flavour.
Jin does whine about work given but feels it's worth the delicious cakes he tries.
She calls in the best of all wedding planners who is also Jin's childhood friend, wedding designer whom she worked with for a huge actress's wedding having advantage of discounts and instant work.
Now the biggest deal of all, The Best Bachelorette party.
Soo Jung had planned everything before a week of wedding rolled around. She went in with Ji Na and other bridesmaids for dress fitting, approved and checked up all the wedding arrangements made by Hoseok her wedding planner, mailed all the invitations. Everything was going according to her plan until she couldn't think of a good idea for bachelorette's, which she needed to sent invite for too.
Soo Jung racked her brain while tapping her pen continuously on the edge of her planner. She took few days off and was working continuously towards her maid of honour duties
Being frustrated she thought of going out meeting other friend as she was feeling coerced and needed air to breath.
She went in and waited in the café while ordering a sweet Caramel Frappuccino.
"You know I recognised it was you just by seeing that overly creamy drink on the table without even looking at your face." Yoongi teases her while settling himself before her in the small cabin.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Soo Jung says while enjoying her drink and humming in contentment.
Yoongi just chuckles and gets himself a simple Iced Americano.
"So how is your Best Maid of Honour campaign going? " Yoongi asks.
That's when she starts to worry again about something she came here to avoid.
"I am facing an idea block for the bacherollete party." Soo Jung sulks while worrying maybe her coming to this café only wasting the precious time she has.
"Just do as we boys are doing." Yoongi remarks while looking at his phone.
"Oh yaa I forgot to ask Jinnie. What are you guys doing?" Soo Jung asks expectantly.
"Las Vegas baby!!! We always teased our youngest about taking him to Las Vegas and getting him wasted before his wedding. We know he likes Hangover movie too much. So we had to fulfill his fantasy." Yoongi lets out with excitement.
Soo Jung deflates and starts to rack brain again for ideas.
"You don't seem to like that idea..?" Yoongi claims after lifting his gaze from to the phone and meeting Soo Jung's disappointed face.
"Nah that's too typical and so unlike Ji Na she hates clubbing and getting wasted. I want to do something she loves and something she can relax with as it's gonna be her big day." Soo Jung says while sipping her coffee.
Yoongi smiles at her thinking how she cares so much about the ones she love.
"I am sure you will find something." Yoongi says while patting her head.
"I hope so." She returns him a smile.
"Oh why don't you ask Namjoon as he is Ji Na's best friend and knows her for long time too." Yoongi suggests.
"Yahh! I am Ji Na's best friend, can't you see who is the maid of honour. I don't see Namjoon picking out dresses and bouquets for her." She remarks offended.
"He is the best man.....but I thought I was your best friend." Now it's Yoongi's turn to be offended.
"Whatever he is managing Jungkook's side so he doesn't count as her best friend right now... It's complicated Yoongi. But you will always be my little meow meow." Soo Jung teases him.
"Yahh how many times I have to tell you not call me that." Yoongi spits with mild anger yet internally feeling pleased.
"Come on... I know you love it." Soo Jung teases him with mischievous grin.
Yoongi answers her only with a slurping noise of his coffee.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
When Soo Jung reaches home she contemplates what Yoongi said. Namjoon really did know Ji Na way long than she did and having no other choice she had to step down her pride just a little bit and ask him for a few pointers regarding Ji Na's likes and dislikes.
Soo Jung waits until two telephonic bleeps and hears a hello from the other side.
" Hey Namjoon, this is Soo Jung." she introduces.
" Oh Soo Jung it's been long since we conversed.. How are your maid of honour duties going?" Namjoon asks.
" It's been great actually. You know I won't let my best friend down ever." Soo Jung remarks while emphasizing a little bit more than necessary.
Namjoon just gets amused at her kiddish saltiness towards him.
" Hmmmm..." He states after a period of awkward pause " So what did you call for...."
Soo Jung clears her throat "About that.... I was thinking of few bachelorette ideas and I did find many, like many great ideas that she may love but still do you have any suggestions about what she might enjoy." Soo Jung adds in the unwanted whipped cream to save herself after remarking herself as best friend cause clearly she doesn't have any great ideas.
"So much for being Ji Na's best friend...Huh?" Namjoon teases but doesn't give her time to retort. "She did say she loves hiking and camping." he says without giving much of a thought.
Suddenly a light bulb lightens above Soo Jung's head.
"Thank you very much Namjoon, I agree you win this time. Bye! " before Namjoon can tease her for her slip up she cuts the call.
She swiftly opens her system and looks for the hiking resort just near the venue.
She can't believe how perfect the whole deal is. Being a full day trip she wants it to be a surprise.
Soon she orders in to design and send her the invites in two days with complimentary perfumes.
Now that everything is sorted she thought she could relax but still she was a little stressed about how whole plan will turn out.
Next day she shopped secretly for everything she needed for the party and came back home, exhausted.
Having taken off she gave all her responsibilities to her assistant who was great at her work but still Soo Jung preferred to not risk it and checked before finalizing everything.
She started to work on her real job while settling herself comfortably on bed.
"Soo Jung-Ah! finally I caught in your natural habitat otherwise you were out as a light by the time I returned." He says while settling himself beside her and cuddling her up.
"Aww Jinnie I missed you too" Soo Jung said while keeping her work aside and started playing with Jin's hair while looking at beautiful black-brown orbs.
"You are doing great my wife. I can say you are The Best Maid Of Honour." Jin states while intertwining their fingers together, pressing a fond kiss on her hand that he held in his.
" Do you think this will earn you browny points and I will let you off the hook for whatever mischief you have planned for." Soo Jung remarks sceptically.
"Noo... Jagiya I mean it." Jin states with sincerity. "You have been working so hard I am proud of you." Jin looks at her with a smile.
Soo Jung has nothing to say to her husbands's soft demeanour so just smiles with cheeks tinted in a shade of pink.
"But yaa it was so evil of you to manipulate me into helping you to select a cake for you. Now my trainer wants me to work half an hour extra otherwise I might look like a dumpling on screen." Jin whines poutyly.
Soo Jung can't help but laugh out loud at the prospect of being caught and also feeling fuzzy over the fact that Jin caught on to her plan.
"It's okay Jinnie your fans will still coo over you saying how you look like a cute dumpling, All puffy." Soo Jung mocks his crazy fan following.
"Somebody seems to be jealous." Jin remarks with a mischievous grin.
"Why would I when I have the real deal and besides you aren't my favourite actor either." Soo Jung states while leaving the room to prepare dinner.
Jin falters at her sudden motion and starts whining about what she just said.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
The days roll by and soon the day of the trip comes around. She wakes up way earlier than anyone to pick up everything she needs and order the van to reach the venue.
Now all she has to do is pick up the bride.
Soo Jung gives Ji Na a heads-up and is glad to see she received her call.
Ji Na having a good life style habits unlike Soo Jung is way more in a better condition in the mornings.
Soo Jung is far from being a morning person but she has to push herself for her best friend.
She rushes her to the venue and see's most of the girls have arrived. Soo Jung invited all of the girl group members Ji Na trained and debuted with before starting her solo career. Even after going solo she tend to be in good connection with most of them.
Soo Jung see's a really pretty woman approach whom she kind of recognise from some where but can't put the finger on.
°°°°°°YESTERDAY; IN THE SAME STORE°°°°°°
Ji Na was assessing her gown when she heard a knock on the door of her trial room followed by her best friend calling her out.
Ji Na opened the door only to reveal a stunned Soo Jung who eyed her up and down, examing Ji na's dress.
Soo Jung was mesmerized to see her friend in a princess wedding gown.
"Whoa... You look FANTABULOUS!! " She exclaimed.
"Thank You" Ji na blushed at the compliment. "But Where did you disappear?" She asked strictly. "If it would've been for that lady I would've still been holding up the dress and standing lonesome, calling your name out like a fanatic in the empty area. But thanks to no one other than you, that lady was about to recognise me and my identity was just a bit away from being revealed." Ji na blabbered.
"JI... Calm down. PLEASE. My assistant called me to inform about a sudden fiasco regarding your Bachelorette party so I went out to sort them up a bit. I'm thankful that the women was at the right place at right time and happy that she wasn't one of your crazy fangirls." Soo Jung says, grateful.
Ji na passed her a mix of an annoyed and a 'yeah-yeah' look.
"I feel kinda Guilty tho..." Soo Jung continued seeing a big 'WHY ?' written on her best friend's face. "Actually, on my way out, I bumped into a woman and if she would'nt have had balanced herself, she could've fallen down. And i was in such a hurry that i didn't even apologize properly."
"It's okay, hun... Rhe next time you meet her, if it be, then you can repent over this." Ji na patted her shoulder. "But for now.... We need to look for dresses we'd wear to the Bachelorette now that my wedding gown has been finalized." Ji na reminded.
Both the women went out and started looking out for a dress as per their preference.
°°°°°°°° PRESENT; BACK TO THE TRIP °°°°°°°°
When she realised where she recognised the women from, she immediately looked away away, her back facing the woman approaching her, now.
Ji na saw Soo Jung standing awkwardly, so she approached her.
"What's wrong??" She asked.
"That woman from the shop, she's a guest at your party." Soo Jung confessed, embarrassed.
Ji Na looked over her friend's shoulder, "Ohh Shit!!", her eyes turned wide as she rotated in her stance too.
"You know her too?" Soo Jung asks a bit muddled.
"She was the one who helped me with my zipper the other day and then things were left on an itchy note." Ji Na clears it.
"So she was the one who you bumped into." Ji na says and Soo Jung nods her head as an answer.
The best friends stood there uneasily for a good amount of time until Ji na felt a hand tap at her shoulder which forced her to look at the bearer of the hand, but she whirls Soo Jung along with herself, both smothering a guilty look.
The woman's expressions falter a bit but transform into a smile soon. "Hey! I am Kim Min Ji, Taehyung's wife " She states chirpily.
The faces of both Soo Jung and Ji Na retorts into confused expressions.
"Hi... Sorry for yester-" Soo Jung gets cut in between.
"Sorry about what.....oh about the incident where we bumped into each other yesterday." Min Ji states calmly.
"Yup I was the one who suddenly left Ji Na alone. It's just I had learnt my assistant did this huge blunder....." Soo Jung starts to explain herself.
"It's completely fine... You don't have have to give me any explanation and no need to be awkward. You are Maid of Honour for lords sake... I can understand the pressure you have. The time's have passed by soo let's start anew, shan't we ?" Min Ji said as she put her hand forward in front of Soo Jung.
Soo Jung looked puzzled at Ji Na who was too shocked herself.
"Yeah... Yeah, for sure... You're right! Nice to meet you Min Ji... I'm Soo Jung by the way, Jin's Wife." Soo Jung smiled, taking Min Ji's hand for a hand-shake.
"Ms. Kang Ji Na or should i say soon-to-be Mrs Jeon Ji Na, the idol and bride-to-be. You looked soo familiar." Min Ji states with a warm smile.
"Hello Min Ji! I'm sorry, I'm just not used to be in public that way..." Ji Na confessed.
"It's completely fine..." Min Ji says as she leans in for a hug.
"I am glad you made it. It's really good to meet after so long. Jungkook tells a lot about you and Taehyung." Ji na states.
"I'm happy to meet you in person too Ji na..." Min Ji let's out.
AND THAT WAS ENOUGH TO BREAK THE ICE BETWEEN THEM.
"It's bizarre about how we never met even after the boys being such good friends..." Soo Jung turns to her for an excited hug.
"So what are we gonna do today..??" Ji na inquired.
"Let me present the amazing plans you have today, as this is your last day before you forget us for ethereal fiance of yours." Soo Jung teases and Ji Na can't help but start blushing.
The trip starts off with you guys changing into hiking attires to enjoy the mini hiking trip Soo Jung planned.
Ji Na seemed to be thrilled and very much after knowing the day Soo Jung planned.
All of the girls start excited for the perfect view the top most peak holds.
Hiking enthusiastically Soo Jung seemed to enjoy the trip. Being not much of active person herself the idea of hiking wouldn't much of a liking for her personally but when it comes to Ji Na she seems to be the opposite.
Soo Jung starts to breathe in the fresh crisp air and loved how the birds chirped pretty while she was surrounded by the lushious green trees with healthy sunshine peaked through the canopy when she looked up.
Everything seemed fine until..... halfway she suddenly remembered why she despised hiking.
Breathing heavy she tried to catch up with others but she can't permit it herself. She was just thankful Min Ji didn't leave her side purely through concern. Suddenly Soo Jung felt a cramp on her side.
She still tried to walk in failing a little by twisted her ankle. She just stood there cursing the person who mentioned to her that hiking was an amazing plan. 'Who was that Satan... Obviously it was Namjoon!!' she face palmed herself.
Min Ji faltered in her steps seeing Soo Jung was left behind. She approached her tired face.
"Are you okay, we can wait in the café which is just a minute away. Will you able to hang in till then?" Min Ji bent down to look at Soo Jung like a person would speak to a child hurt.
"I am fine....ouch..." Soo Jung moaned while trying to walk.
"Oh you seemed to have bent your ankle. It's fine let's just settle ourselves there." She says and guides Soo Jung to nearby artificial tree trunk fashioned bench.
"I can't believe I chose hiking of all activities. I know Ji Na loves it but I should I have known it would have been a bummer to me.....so much for asking Namjoon for advice." Soo Jung snorts.
Min Ji laughs at Soo Jung's childish bitterness.
"It's okay you can see Ji Na is having fun. So you did a great job. Don't be too hard on yourself." Min Ji comforts.
" Do you like hiking ???" Soo Jung asks for the sake of having conversation flow.
"I am neutral towards it. But I do love camping. I am looking forward to that." Min Ji remarks.
"Ohh I love camping too since I was a child. It used be the only reason I went camping. For amazing s'mores and playing funny yet memorable games with my friends. Those were some good days." Soo Just states while reminiscing her past camping memories which she can't forget about.
According to her those were the best of the summers she ever had.
"Same. I loved camping as a child too. It used to be the best part my summer. I used to love treasure hunting and all the team work we used to put in. It used to be so exhilarating as a kid." Min Ji states with admiration.
Soo Jung makes a agreeable noise.
"Which camp did y-" Soo Jung got cut off by Ji Na coming there way.
"Are you okay Soo Jung-Ah ?? I noticed you weren't with us in the café so I came back searching, did you hurt yourself?? " Ji Na asks concerned.
"No I am fine just sprained my ankle a little. Everything is good and dandy other than that." Soo Jung tries to cheer up to not worry Ji Na.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Soon with her friend's assistance, Soo Jung finally reached the peak. When she takes in the beauty all her anger towards hiking washes away.
Now after having comforting spa treatments all of them get ready for the bon fire party arranged in the camping site.
Soo Jung brought in the most comfy sweaters with pjs to wear and she created a unique one with bride to be embroidery for Ji Na.
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Then all of the girls gathered around the bon fire to enjoy marshmallows with some booze.
All of it brought back soo many memories and Soo Jung couldn't help but feel warm that she is feeling the same endearment she felt when she was a little girl. With all the girls camping huddled up and cozied in one blanket, all of them enjoyed some amazing barbeque with delicious s'mores.
S'mores aroma and sticky yet amazing texture always brought back her childhood.
At the end all the girls played some random games like never have I ever and chatted about random things while being tipsy.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Next day they woke up, the sun peering through tent they crashed in and heard the most pleasing birds chirping.
Soo Jung exited the tent to see Min Ji and Ji Na already awake yet groggy sitting on the grass while sitting curled up by bringing their arms towards chest as if to protect themselves from the chill yet soothing spring early morning.
Soo Jung joined in while settling herself on the prickly yet fresh dewy grass.
She started to look at the beautiful butterflies which were on for their honey hunt. At the moment she felt the most peaceful in days.
"Last night was so amazing. I loved every second of the camping Soo Jung-Ah. Thank you for such an amazing surprise, Chingu-Ah." Ji Na said while hugging her Maid Of Honour lovingly.
"Anything for you..." Soo Jung returned a smile filled with warmth.
"How long do you guys know each other?" Min Ji asks curious.
"For five years or so right after she started her solo career I became her stylist and now her best friend. But it seems like I know her forever" Soo Jung remarks clearly admiring her friendship.
"Oh I was meaning to say this, I am a fan of your work and it completely reflects how creative you are, in the way you planned this trip. I enjoyed myself alot. It was just so.." Min Ji's fond ordeal is continued by Ji Na.
"Nostalgic... Right ?" Ji Na said.
"Yeahh.... Exactly..." MinJi let out.
"I felt that too" Soo Jung affirmed.
All of them start to giggle at the similarity and sat in comfortable silence remembering their childhood.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
The same evening the party kicks in the resort with loads of champagne. All the girls dress in their fanciest out fits looking all glamorous. Soo Jung gets ready along with Ji Na and Min Ji.
Ji Na's Dress :
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Soo Jung's Dress :
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Min Ji's Dress :
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Soo Jung feel pleased to see everyone having fun and sips her drink in the corner.
All the start usher Soo Jung to make a toast. Soo Jung getting a little embarrassed just states how much she loves Ji Na and jokes about she might be the only fan who actually got to marry her idol.
Music started to create an amazing vibe for everyone to enjoy themselves. Ji Na's fellow idol friends performed one of their hit songs as a girl group and she herself joined in.
Soo Jung did plan few drinking game to get Ji Na wasted.
"Drink if you are married." Hwasa proposed which let to some of you take in the shot except for Ji Na who was forced into drinking any way as she was bride-to- be.
"Take a shot if you texted some one four hours straight." Irene remarks.
Soo Jung glares at Ji Na who seems to avoid taking a shot.
"Does it even count if you don't get a reply." Ji Na whines with defense.
"It sure does honey..." Hwasa states who is a little drunk herself and forces her to chug the drink. Everyone fall into a giggling fit even though things did not seem to be as funny. It's just every body seems to be tipsy.
"Take a shot if you met a movie star." Ji Na remarks with ulterior motive of revenge.
"Jin is not a movie star he is just an actor." Soo Jung remarks catching on her motives but fails as she is forced to take two more for denying.
By the time clock hits one all of the guests blacked out drunk chatting nonsense and some of them just moving to the beat.
Soo Jung cares for the safety of all the girls and ushers to their rooms to sober them up cause she really can't afford to ruin the wedding tomorrow.
After having a lovely day, Soo Jung feels a rush of relief wash over her. She relaxed for a while looking at her planner for further activities then realised she didn't check up on the boys.
She scrambles in for her phone on the nightstand.
Jungkook:What are... 2:55am
Ddeokdinnie:we are... Wednesday
Soo Jung opens in Jin's text first.
Ddeokdinnie[9:04am]: We are half way to Las Vegas
[ Photo sent]
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Ddeokdinnie[11:01]:We just checked in to our rooms. We sure gonna show a nice time to Jungkook-Ah, but that kid seems to have his brain elsewhere. So much for bringing him up to be a fool he is now🤦🏻‍♂️.
Ddeokdinnie [1:55pm]: You seem to be busy.Enjoy!
Ddeokdinnie [2:05am]: i m gld u ennjoying.i miss u....
Soo Jung can't help but smile at the small miss you which seems to be written after having right shots of soju.
Soo Jung replies Jin that they are safe and adds in a miss you and love you.
Now she goes to the attend Jungkook's text as the lover boy seems to be really brought up by Jinnie. Soo Jung chuckles reminiscing Jin's hypocrisy and opens the text with no intend to reply just to exhilarate him. Clearly in non positive ways.
Tsundure turned lover boy[1:05am] : I know Soo Jung you might have taken her phone away give it back to my Ji Na.
Tsundure turned lover boy[2:55am]:What are guys doing. I just wanted to check in if Ji Na was having fun......Let me know how she is.
Soo Jung coo's over Jungkook's adorable concern and feels tempted to message him back. But she doesn't, wanting to tease him a little and knowing he would pester Jin or Tae for the information anyway.
Soo Jung soon forces herself to sleep as she still has a lot of responsibility as a maid of honour and reminds her that this is not the end.
Next day she wakes up to the harsh ringtone of her phone.
"Hello..." She answers with scratchy voice.
"Hey...Soo Jung, This is Hobi. You seem to be still asleep. Seems like yesterday was wild. I have arrived to the venue...."
Soo Jung glances her watch too see she is late.
"Oh God I overslept I should have not participated in those drinking games.....I will be there soo just give me five. You are already aware of plans please follow through." Soo Jung states while hurriedly rushing to her closet and hanging up before Hobi finishes his okay.
❖ ── ✦ ── ✧ ─ ◈ ─ ✧ ── ✦ ── ❖
The D-day came when the heart throb of millions of women round the globe Mr. Jeon Jungkook,kpop idol turned camera director was going to be someone's man and the luckiest girl who had been chosen for him by the gods above was none other than Ms. Kang Ji Na, kpop idol who is not as much as famous as jungkook but still made a little space in the hearts of netizens with her charm, dignity and hard work which never let downs her fans.
They both were more like a couple made in heaven. It was like as if a committee was setup in the ethereal heaven with various gods, goddesses and angels discussing over who should marry jungkook and how to make his wedding one of the best ones the universe had ever experienced.
There was golden silence in the room until the alarm popped out of no where and kept roaring like a wild cat.
Ji na gave it a few hits as if it were her own fiendish child weeping to get his things done and she trying to keep his mouth shut.
"Ji na, get up!!!" yelled her mom.
"Eomma...five more minutes..." moaned Ji na,trying hard to overcome the state she was in.
"You can't still be asking for five more minutes like you always do pabo...its your wedding day and you have loads to do." told her mom in one go.
On hearing that she gets up at the speed of light.
"AHHH!!! It's my important day. How did I forget?? Eomma, I still cant believe I'm getting married. Its happening..OMG I'm soo nervous." she says exhilaratingly.
Her mom is rather a calm lady unlike Ji na who couldn't hold up her emotions that well and state to tear up for no reason.
Her mom plants a kiss on Ji na's forehead as a sign to make her calm down.
"Eomma, can you pinch me...cause I cant believe I'm actually getting hitched up with Jungkook." says Ji na frantically.
Her mom considers it to be her one and only best and the last chance to take revenge from her daughter for troubling and teasing her from the day she was born.
She pinches Ji na so hard that her entire body suffers from redness and make her look like a cherry.
"AHHHHH!!!!!! Eomma not that hard..You shouldn't be taking your grudge on your young, beautiful daughter like this.." tells Ji na rubbing the spot where her mom gave her a mark that's probably gonna last till she dies.
"It was a pay back Ji na..its nothing when compared to how you made me suffer by living in LA and leaving me alone in korea.." exclaims her mom.
Ji na gives her mom a tight hug and a peck on her cheek..
The door which was kept ajar opens in the blink of an eye and there stands a 5 '11" tall, young man with black hair which doubtlessly looks like a dense enchanted forest.
Ji na looses her grip on her mom and jumps onto the man like a tigress coming for her prey and he catches her softly in his arms and Pat's her back.
"NAMJOONAH!! You arent supposed to be here." lies ji na who missed him a lot and wanted to see him very badly.
"What is Jungkook doing?" inquired Ji na letting loose of namjoon.
"He panicked when you didn't pick up his call..he called you numerous times and he ended up sending me here to check on you" complained namjoon.
"Oh shit!! I didn't check my phone from last night... SooJung and MinJi made me drink FIVE FULL SHOTS of soju at the bachelorette's. You know that I get drunk with just one shot ..it took me time to sober up" she exclaimed.
"Umm I see...I guess you guys had a lot of fun at the party while we kept wondering what you guys were doing and just wasted our precious time at ours." Namjoon complained rubbing his finger on his chin.
"Don't lie joonie!! You guys went to Las Vegas for your bachelor's while we stayed back at here. That explains how you guys enjoyed a lot more than we did." Whined Ji na holding both her hands firmly to her waist.
"I wish what you said was true. We indeed went to Las Vegas, but the party got messed up and Kookie ended up drinking like a monster, chanting your name and crying like a baby and we were thrown out of the bar for his behaviour..." Namjoon sighed.
Ji na couldn't control her cackle and laughed out loud, " I wish I could see him like that".
"Namjoon, I think you should leave now and help your brother. It's an important day for him, TODAY." interrupted Ji na's mom.
She quickly yeeted Ji na into her bath room asking her to get herself a shower. Namjoon smiled and made his way out of the room.
But before Namjoon left the room Ji na shouted, "OPPA!! Tell jungkook that I love him and I love you too oppa....BYE!!!"
Namjoon quickly peeked through the door and gave her a big smile showing off his cute dimples.
Ji na took off her clothes in the bath room and made her way into the shower. She drenched her whole goddess figure with water. After 5 minutes of standing like a statue in the shower, she grabbed the shampoo and manipulated it on her hair until her hair oozed out with foam.
She tried to style her hair with foam and acted like the character she was in and also tried to add up karaoke to her performance.
She finished her so called bathroom concert and dabbed her damp, trickling body with a fluffy towel and came out of her bathroom with a thick bathrobe.
As soon as she came out she was yeeted onto her bed by two beautiful women who were indeed her best friends.
"SOOJUNG , MIN JI ....you scared me to death... GOSH..." she stuttered.
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The maid of honour, Mrs. Kim Soo Jung and The bride's entourage, Mrs. Kim Min Ji are twinning in a beige sheath silhouette and the hemline reaching their ankle.
"Here!! Ji na take off that robe" SooJung said plainly.
"YAHHH!!! What are your intentions??? I'm gonna complain about you two to my husband" Ji na joked.
The three of them kept laughing for a while.
"We came here to help you with your make up,hair and your dress Ji na" MinJi exhaled.
"Oh!!that's great, So we'll start now" smiled Ji na switching her mood.
Soojung helped Ji na style her dress . The wedding gown was a ball silhouette which had a transparent fabric at the back with a zipper and her bust being a bit revealing in the front . The gown was extremely long with beautiful embroidery sewn on the hemline.
The fabric at her back was see-through and glittery which made Ji na's beautiful back on display for everyone to watch.
Min ji helped Ji na with her bridal make up and fixed her long locks.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
The bride's family arrived at the hotel where the ceremony was about to take place. They were greeted into the hotel by the hotel staff.
Simultaneously, the groom's family also arrives.
Min ji and Soo jung swiftly grabbed Ji na's hand and they ran to their hotel room.
"YAHH! Leave my hand...it hurts" Ji na complains.
" I'm sorry Ji na, But you know it's considered bad luck for you both to see each other before marriage " explain MinJi.
Ji na keeps dreaming of her past about how jungkook hated her like hell and later falling hard for her after coming to know the real her.
A sudden beep of her phone breaks her reverie. Before Ji na could check her phone Soo jung yanks it from her hand.
..........................................................................................
25 Oct,2020
4.00 pm
          I want you to meet me in room no.275 in 15. Come soon sweet heart. I'll be waiting for you.
                                                         Love- Jungkook
..........................................................................................
" Umm...so you guys are planning to meet before the wedding huh!! You very clearly know that we are never letting that happen" bawls Soo jung.
"But......I want to see him very badly." Pouts Ji na.
" Soo jung, let's prank Jungkook by sending Tae instead of Ji na" says MinJi enthusiastically ignoring Ji na.
"That's a great idea!! I'll message Jungkook telling him to put a blind fold so that he won't know its Tae.." grins Soo jung while texting Jungkook.
The both ladies end up dressing Taehyung into Ji na's spare wedding gown and decorating his head with a large wig. They lock Ji na in the hotel room and follow Taehyung .
Taehyung quickly knocks the door twice where Jungkook was waiting in and enters the room valorously while the two young ladies tip toe into the room and hide behind the couch for a better view of the drama they were gonna encounter.
Jungkook yanks Taehyung into his arms and holds him tightly not giving him enough space to breathe.
" Bae!! You've turned a lot more muscular than the last time I saw you. Don’t you think you've been gyming a lot these days?" Said the blind folded man, vigorously kissing Taehyung's neck.
Taehyung couldn't stop his guffaw .Jungkook takes off his blindfold on hearing a manly sound. To his damn, God for saken surprise, he found three familiar personalities rolling on the floor and laughing their heart out.
He feels extremely abashed and his cheeks turn red as an apple from the embarrassment he faced then.
" You really thought it was easy for you to meet Ji na before your wedding. Didn't you ?" Laughed Min ji holding her painful stomach .
Jungkook was completely speechless at that point and he couldn't utter a word to defend himself. The three of them kept teasing him and enjoyed themselves laughing at the awkward Jungkook.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Now, the actual deal of the day was to come about. Jungkook and Ji na were just 30 minutes away from starting their new lives together and annexing their names with each other.
The wedding hall was pervaded with a horde of dignified guests seated on their respective tables on the either side of the aisle.
Jungkook's parents positioned themselves on the left side of the aisle on the stage while Ji na's parents installed themselves onto the right side of the aisle. Both the elderly couples were dressed in their traditional hanbok while the other family members and the guests designed themselves with modern western style.
The wedding hall was beautifully decorated with flowers and so the hall was filled with fragrance of those beautiful flowers. There were daisies, calla lilies, ranunculus, tulips, roses of different shades etc. There were wedding curtains here and there which camouflaged with the tint of those beautiful flowers. And not to forget about the sweet strains of classical music that drifted through the crowd.
Jungkook was stunning in a single-breasted charcoal tuxedo with a white wing collar shirt and a cute black bow tied around his neck line with some artificial white calla lily along with it's buds worn on the lapel of the tuxedo. He situated himself on the dais afore the aisle.
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The guest tables were crammed with few costly goodies of dryfruits, champagne bottles, distilled water bottles and few pre wedding photo cards of Jungkook and Ji na.
The bride's maids accompanied Ji na to the aisle helping her hold her long gown. Ji na stood idle for a while at one end of the aisle meeting her eyes with Jungkook's who stood at the other end. All the heads turned to face the far end of the walk. The music stopped and the opening to the bridal chorus began to play.
Jungkook couldn't help but stare and grin at his gorgeous wife-to-be.
*****Jungkook's P.O.V*****
I couldn't believe my eyes. I know, Ji na is beautiful but I never thought she'd look absolutely stunning in a wedding dress. If I knew it before then I'd asked her to wear it every time we met. My eyes stopped listening to my brain and started to tear up in happiness .It was obvious cause it is the first time that my eyes encountered the most beautiful thing in the world,my dearest Ji na-Ssi. But I still managed to roll back few droplets just to ensure nobody would make fun of me after.
The dress perfectly fitted onto her. I couldn't help but notice her flawless love handles. I even cursed and swallowed harshly when Ji na stood before me like that.
She wore a Cinderella ball gown with embroidery on her bodice. Rhine stones and Pearls were sewn on her gown that matched her crystal head piece. She held a French rose silk bouquet. When she began to walk towards me my heart beat matched with her pace. It started beating so fast that I thought it'll probably gonna tear up my chest.
The way she looked at me when she started to walk towards me had sent an arrow that pierced through my heart.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Ji na positioned herself beside Jungkook a feet away from him, but he managed to pull her towards him by her waist. She gave a warming look at him with a big smile on her face. And jungkook grabbed a chance to give a peck on her cheek.
"Cherished family members and honoured guests, I would like to thank each of you for coming out this evening", the preacher on the podium spoke.
" Let us begin by offering thanks to the lord on this wonderful day", all of them bowed their heads and he prayed.
The preacher led them through their vows and it was time for the exchange of rings. Both of them slipped their rings on each others fingers.
" By the power vested on me, I now proclaim you both husband and wife. Now, You may kiss the bride." the preacher ordered.
Jungkook leaned forward onto Ji na and kissed her plump lips placing his hands on her shoulder.
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The emcee of the ceremony was elected to be Mr. Kim Seokjin, actor and best friend of Jungkook. He performed his duties very well from guiding the guests to introducing the cake cutting and bouquet throwing activities at the end of the wedding by cracking jokes in between that kept the guests entertained.
Jin announced the dinner and the hotel staff placed the delicious food before the guests guided by jimin who took the charge of catering .
Mean while Ji na and Jungkook left the hall to change their outfit into a comfortable one. The Best Man and Maid of Honour trailed behind them to help them.
Jungkook followed Ji na to her room but the bridesmaid's successfully shoo-ed him away.
They returned to the hall and sat beside each other on the podium. Jin handed over his mic to his beloved wife to give a speech and so the entertainment continued as each of their friends started singing,dancing and giving speeches for them. Jungkook even managed to pull Ji na to dance with him.
After the commencement of their evening, the guests were offered dessert and the couple went back again to change their outfits into traditional korean hanbok.
They returned the hall holding each others hand and greeted each and every guest at their respective tables. The guests stood up at their places pausing for hugs and kisses congratulating the young couple and giving them beautiful gifts.
Jungkook managed to invite south korean president and the first lady who just arrived at the time the newly weds were greeting their guests. The older couple congratulated the younger ones and handed over a venus flower basket which has a great reason to it's own. In Japan it symbolizes " till death do us part". They helped them reach out safely, greeted them once again for accepting their invitation and returned back into the hall.
Ji na then turned around throwing her bouquet behind her. The women collided with each other as they tried to catch it.
Jungkook and Ji na ran to the decorated Ferrari that waited for them. Taehyung and Jin tried to stop both of them from escaping, just to tease them.
Taehyung tried hard not to step on Ji na's long trail that brushed the ground as they ran. They were so quick to get away. Jungkook jumped in the driver's seat helping Ji na settle herself in the passenger seat. Jungkook took off as if it were a race. The ribbons, twisted coils whisked in the wind behind them.
The happily married couple left the hotel all by themselves to get few dates and chest nuts for the pybaek ceremony held at Ji na's in-laws place.
"I'm not gonna speak to you, Ji na . You hurted me...", said jungkook seriously steering .
"What did I do kookie?" Ji na cried out.
"Firstly, you didn't show up when I texted you. And worst of all you sent Taehyung instead. You know how they made fun of me", complained Jungkook.
" I sent you a sorry text later sweet heart", Ji na defended herself.
Jungkook gave Ji na a staid glare.
" And secondly, you've distracted me during the entire wedding with that sexy dress of yours and ofcourse your seductive figure. My mom caught me eyeing your provocative figure and she gave me a death glare...", pouted Jungkook.
Ji na chuckled and leaned forward to give Jungkook a quick kiss and settled herself to where she was before.
" Are you tryna give me a ROADHEAD baby girl. I'm ready for it . Go on", Jungkook laughed.
"STOP KOOKIE!!! You're so shameless. There are people here", shouted Ji na cutting her eye contact with Jungkook's and blushing all herself.
Jungkook halts his car at the parking of the store and both of them entered the store merrily.
Ji na let goes jungkook's hand in the store helping herself to find a small pack of nuts. After 15 minutes of struggling, she eventually finds the perfect sized pack.
She turns to face her husband to show him what she got. To her surprise she finds him standing at the bill counter with a large pack which is half of his height.
Ji na quickly grabs Jungkook out of the queue .
" What are you doing Ji na? You cant see I'm paying up there!! " Jungkook yells.
" Is this whole packet for the entire family? Pybaek's only for us bae. We dont need a larger pack." Ji na explains while throwing the large one to where it was before.
" I want you to collect as many nuts as possible with your skirt at pybaek so that we'll have many kids." Jungkook says in a matter of fact tone.
" This man's probably gonna kill me with those looks some day and he never forgets to embarrass me everywhere " she thought to her self hitting her palm on her forehead .
She grabs Jungkook by his hand,paying off at the counter for the packet and yeeting him into their car.
Jungkook trails behind her silently and gives her a soft kiss and they're off to their destination.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
Both the couple arrive at Jungkook's lavish house and his parents greeted the young couple into their house. Ji na handed over the packet to her mother in law .
Both of them entered the hall way which was crowded with their friends and family members.
" You were fast kid. Both of you ran as if you were eloping." said Jin bursting out his wind shielded laugh.
" I realized that if we both stayed there you and your wife were never going to let us breathe. So we had to do that." replied Jungkook with a poker face.
" Let us begin the ceremony. " called out jungkook's mom.
Ji na and jungkook sit facing eachother beside the table decorated with chestnuts and dates.
Ji na and jungkook hold a white apron from both it's ends and his parents threw them towards the newly weds. Jungkook gives his 100% , catching everything without missing a single seed. Ji na couldn't stop but give jungkook a kiss on his cheek for his extraordinary performance .
The number caught signifies the no. of girls (dates) and boys (chestnuts) they would bear in future.
Later Jungkook lifts Ji na on his back and gives her a ride to denote his strength which is a part of ceremony.
Jungkook places a chestnut between his lips and its Ji na's turn now to take a bite from his mouth.
All of their friends and family members cheer them and enjoy themselves with the drinks and so the wedding day ended on a happy note.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
The next day Jungkook wakes up first yet late after their first official first night from a state where Jungkook back hugged Ji na tightly, protecting her from the cold breeze and their duvet being tangled up between their legs.
He quickly gives Ji na a cute sleep peck on her forehead and goes out into their new kitchen to make her breakfast.
After a while, he comes back with two cups of caffé latte along with croissants and wakes his wifey up.
" WOW!!! I'm quite impressed. " exclaims Ji na giving him a kiss to appreciate his efforts.
" I did this only to get a kiss from you and now my mission is successful." he says joyfully plonking on the bed beside Ji na.
»»-—————--✧✦✧--—————-««
A sharp door bell breaks Ji na and Jungkook apart who were probably enjoying their best quality time watching a movie while cuddling each other. Jungkook curses even without knowing who showed up at their home, gets up angrily to attend the door.
As he opened the door he hears a loud thud followed by metallic sheet pieces, ribbons falling straight on his head.
When he recovers from the unexpected blast he sees his's and Ji na's friends standing with balloons, party supplies and beverages.
They hug Jungkook and run into his house without his permission. He stands there for a while with a poker face and ofcourse crying internally for the interruption they caused.
He closes the door and returns to where ji na is.
" Jungkook-ah, sorry for the intervention. It's been a long time since our last meet so we just came here to see you both. ", explains Taehyung.
'It was yesterday we last met . This bastard is getting on my nerves' Jungkook thought to himself giving him a fake smile and crying internally.
Ji na senses Jungkook's annoyance and tries to calm him down, simultaneously, greeting the guests trying hard not to show them how they actually feel.
" It's been so long we all sat together like this. So I thought it would be a great around every one and come to breach our lovely weds time." Namjoon wiggled his eyebrows teasingly while Jungkook got more pissed.
"Oh my God I just asked Jungkook to watch it with me. I myself was really looking forward to it. It's gonna be amazing view from our balcony.I am glad you brought in all of us together." Ji Na states excited but yet feels the longing gaze Jungkook gives.
" This was gonna be our thing, You spoiled it hyung." Jungkook whined poutyly but Ji Na pulled him closer to comfort the giant man child.
Soon every body gathered in the balcony. With some Chinese take out brought in by the considerate Jimin.
Namjoon started to adjust the telescope to view the shower more precisely to be able to witness it's beauty.
All started to anticipate the meteor shower to start soon as per the live news shown on the internet. All just cuddled up in their blankets and fell into random conversations.
Couples start to get sappy to which the single boys started to mock yet all were grateful to have their loved ones together to witness something that will happen only few times in a period of human existence.
"So what were you guys doing fifteen years back." Taehyung asks
"You know, we were just a bunch of dorky kids who wouldn't even care about once in a life time astronomical deals, it was characterized nerdy." Yoongi retorts sarcastically.
" That was the reason I didn't invite you guys then." Namjoon states silently while still peering through the telescope.
" Oh God!! I saw one. Guys!!! it's happening!! " Namjoon states excited as if he were the same kid fifteen years ago.
Soon the meteors start falling through distinct sky appearing like beautiful splinters of fire which can be explained as the fireworks made by nature.
Along with Namjoon all others start to get excited and some of them start jiggling around happily while holding to the balcony reeling.
The maknaes pushed their hyung to try and see the meteors a little nearer through the only telescope.
While staring with lightened smile MinJi states" I remember seeing this while camping when I was eleven with two of my best friends. It was one of the most beautiful thing I ever witnessed and that with them along with me. It's nostalgic seeing it again today", said with her eyes sparkling.
Soo Jung gets a little confused " What a coincidence I saw the meteor shower in a summer camp with my friends too."
Ji Na can't help but cut in and she felt a chill run down her spine for such an absurd coincidence the world has ever played on them.
"So Min.... Minty, Oh God Min Ji!! Are you MINTY POO?" Ji Na shouts shocked.
"That means, Soo Jung you are SOJU BUN !!" MinJi exclaims.
Now all of them just look at themselves in silence
"What are you long lost sisters or something..?" Yoongi remarks sarcastically while not being able to digest the trio's exaggerated expressions.
All of them just start giggling together as what Yoongi said was actually close to reality.
"Some thing like that, Yoongi... All of us went to the same summer camp when we were eleven that's where we know each other from." Soo Jung enunciates.
" Wow!! I can't believe this can all be coincidental and it's so absurd we didn't realize this till today." Ji Na states still in daze about the new found information.
" It's okay Jiffy Bugga..." Soo Jung teases.
" I can't believe we found each other again. I missed you guys so much after I left the summer camp. I still get dew-eyed thinking about our memories." Min Ji says while pulling the two girls for a group hug.
"W-Wha-Ba-Hahaha... " Taehyung cracks up listening to his wife's name. "Minty poo!! " He says breathely, earning a slap on his arm from MinJi herself.
"Soju Bun huh. Should have told me sooner." Jin teases Soo Jung while patting her head.
Soo Jung kicks him to his shin and he exclaims way dramatically than the actual pain.
" I just meant that I don't need real SOJU when i have you." He says, agonizing in pain while Soo Jung side eyes him.
On seeing their hyung suffer like that, all the boys who were previously laughing, instantly shut up while Jungkook who was about to taunt Ji na with her nick name clamps his mouth up too.
After the girls stop getting perplexed and emotional about there unexpected reunion they pull a toast for life and how things can turn out so unexpected.
❖ ── ✦ ── ✧ ─ ◈ ─ ✧ ── ✦ ── ❖
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sortavibing · 3 years
Note
hey there! Could I get a platonic haikyuu matchup?
I’m a pretty closed off person and I have a bit of trouble showing my emotions with coming off as mocking. My sense of humor is pretty witty and sarcastic. I was also just informed by my friend that I am a tsukishima kinnie and I am in denial. i don’t like being mean to people, because I am very aware of how easily feelings get hurt. I make a point to try to include everyone around me when I talk, and I don’t like to leave anyone out. also, im the type of person who when they see their friend wearing a different type of clothes that they haven’t tried before, and immediately showers them in compliments. like I will notice if they have a new necklace or something. I don’t hesitate to call people out when they are being rude in general or too others, though sometimes that comes off as blunt. I have a bit more trouble sticking up for myself though.i play volleyball irl!!! and my position is middle blocker. I also play a bit of piano :) I am very interested in learning languages!and I like crystals and reading.I’m about 173cm, and I have shoulder length brown hair, and brown eyes. I identify as genderfluid and I use they/them pronouns! I’m a Leo sun and sag rising/moon!. my mbti type is intj! I still have a bit of a gifted kid/perfectionist mindset where if it’s not 100% it’s failure. I have a tendency to forgive people very easily, and have comforted people who didn’t deserve it/wouldn’t do the same for me. my standards for friendships are also kinda low:(
tysm! <3 im sorry if this was too long!
feel free to ignore this if you have a full inbox!
ack hello! thank you for requesting! this is the first time i’ve done a platonic matchup so i’m pretty excited :) ayo welcome to the burnout gifted kid club enjoy your stay🤠 anyways, here’s your matchup!
generating matchup...
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matchup: complete
i match you up with atsumu!
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atsumu loves to play volleyball with you- like he finds it so fun because he gets to practice his favorite sport, while making stupid jokes and doing stupid dares with his best friend. you guys always have music blasting while you are practicing, and you will not hesitate to call him out if he messes something up, and he’ll pretend to get mad, but he secretly finds it funny too.
if anyone dares to make fun of you (other than him) or make you feel bad, he will be there so fast and ready to beat the shit out of anyone who dares to make you feel like shit. he has gotten into physical fights because someone was being a jerk, and suna has the whole thing on video (because he’s a whore for that shit).
since you are friends with atsumu, you automatically friends with osamu as well, and whenever you 3 are together, it’s just them causing constant chaos, while you are trying to control them at least a little bit. after a while, you give up and just watch the drama unfold while laughing to yourself, because they both are so overdramatic when they are with you.
if you ever compliment him, he would get such a confidence boost (more than usual), and just have a lowkey god complex for the rest of the day. he will try to make good outfits just so you can compliment him, because he loves to see people impressed with him, and since you are his closest friend, he wants you to be the first person to tell him how good he looks.
he will ask you to help him dye his hair, because he is so bad at it (his hair is probably crunchy af), and you have actually helped his hair not be as bad as it was before. one time you convinced him to dye his hair a different color, and it actually turned out pretty good, and he lived for all the compliments he got. 
he also sets really high standards for himself, so he understands why you feel the need to strive for perfection. if he ever feels you are overworking yourself, he will be there to remind you that you have to think about your basic needs for a little bit, and will joke around with you to lighten the mood and help you relax and have fun for a bit.
he doesn’t really understand crystals, and he will ask you to teach him the meaning behind them, and even after you explain, he still doesn’t really understand them, but he will buy crystals for you if he can find some when he’s shopping. once he got you a rock that someone said was a crystal, and you didn’t know how to tell him that it wasn’t something you needed.
since you play the piano, when he was watching you practice, he thought it looked pretty easy, so he bragged about how easy it must be, and when you let him try, it sounded so bad that you had to stand a few feet away from the piano and his playing. you got the whole thing on video, and now you use it as blackmail if you ever want anything from him.
you will reccomend books to him that you think he would like, and he would pretend to read them, and whenever you ask about how was it, he would make up some bs explanation like “oh yeah i liked it, the main character was cool.”, and you know he didn’t read it, but at this point you have given up on trying to get him to read something not volleyball related or required for school.
overall, you guys push each other to do better, while still keeping each other’s goals realistic. atsumu can always rely on you for a helping hand, and he will stand up for you when you can’t. you guys can be pretty chaotic when you want to, and your friendship is always fun and exciting, and you guys have made so many memories together.
i hope you enjoyed!
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