#and hope the mcs aren’t so dry

[2chopsticks2eyes]

The Color Of Your Blush

2chopsticks2eyes - Masterlist

Pairing: Lee Minho/Lee Know x Fem Reader

Themes: Smut, Angst, Fluff

Word Count: ~30k | AO3

Warnings: Smut, Explicit Sexual Content, Alcohol, Cussing, Oral Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Blow Jobs, Alternate Universe, Vaginal Sex, Protected Sex, Loss of Virginity, First Times, Dry Humping

Summary: Your brother Changbin forces your introverted ass to get out of the house and meet his friends. When you meet them, Jisung, Chan, and Minho push the boundaries of your social anxiety. You have absolutely no romantic experience, but your mind is plagued with thoughts of Minho. You think he likes to just tease you, but is it really just teasing?

Author's Note: This work was inspired by my best friend who used to severely suffer from social anxiety. I usually don't portray the MC this way, but I thought I would change it up a bit. Let me know what you think!

__________________________________________

You were still hiding in your room, reading some book about two lovers with a plot that would make you die of embarrassment if anyone discovered the contents. Your form was balled up on your Papasan chair in the corner when you heard your brother’s voice.

“Noona! Come on! We’re going to be late!” Changbin always had the loudest voice you had ever heard and you cursed him for it because he knew you couldn’t just pretend you didn’t hear him. You felt a wave of automatic panic as you heard footsteps heading upstairs to your room. You quickly threw off your reading glasses and jumped under your duvet, turning your back to the door and hoping he would think you had dozed off.

When you heard the door to your room open, you went as stiff as a board. “I know you're not sleeping, little shit.” You remained motionless, still having a sliver of hope that he was bluffing. You heard footsteps getting closer and you squeezed your eyes shut.

You heard him walk right in front of you.

He was silent, not doing anything.

Had you fooled him?

Before you knew it, you were in the air and tossed over the man’s shoulders. “Changbin-ah! You put me down this instant dadgummit!”

“Nuh-uh you aren’t avoiding this AGAIN, noona. You can’t just stay holed up here 24/7! You have to get out and meet people! And, oh, I dunno, maybe get some fresh air like a normal human being.” He sat you down on your feet once he had brought you out into the hallway and shut the door behind him.

You glared at him and straightened out your shirt. “For your information, piglet, I go outside all the time! I have a job, y’know! And you would starve if I never bought any groceries!”

He rolled his eyes. “Okay, true. But you work at a quiet little bookstore and never go out for anything other than those two things. You can’t just stay holed up in this house after…” He bit his lip, knowing he shouldn’t bring up such a sensitive topic around you.

You pursed your lips. “Yeah, I know…” You said bitterly. “Well, let’s get this over with. If you are forcing me to go out to meet your friends, it’s best to just get on with it.” You pushed past him to descend the stairs and saw him hang his head from the corner of your eye.

As you slipped your shoes on in the entryway, you heard him clear his throat from behind you. “Listen, noona, I really didn’t mean to–”

“I know Changbin-ah. It’s whatever. Let’s just go.” You tried to sound understanding, but it was a sore subject for you and you would rather not hash it out at the moment.

The car ride to dinner was tense. You knew he didn’t mean any harm and you felt guilty. You didn’t want to project your bitterness onto your baby brother, so you decided to snatch the aux cord from his phone. “Hey!”

You shushed him and he scowled at you. You knew just the song to get him going. Once the opening notes to ‘Pink Venom’ started playing, he flipped his demeanor like a switch. 

You found his attempts of singing, dancing, and driving all at once adorable and cackled at his baby-like face. You grabbed the steering wheel when his dancing started getting a little bit too crazy. “Bin! Eyes on the road! It wasn’t my intention to render you moronic!” You quickly stopped the catchy tune and he whipped his head around to pout at you.

“Meanie.” He poked his tongue out at you and you responded in kind.

Unfortunately, your comfort space with your brother was replaced with anxiety once you two pulled up to the small restaurant. When he parked, Changbin looked at you with concern.

“I picked a quiet little hole in the wall for you, noona. Not many people will be here to bother your little introverted bubble.” He said amusedly.

You scowled at him. “Except for the people you are forcing me to meet.”

“Oh c’mon. It’s only three people and they’re chill guys… mostly! Don’t you want to meet your baby brother’s best friends?”

“No.” You said bluntly.

He deadpanned at you and sighed in disconcertment. “Well too bad, we’re already here and you get a free meal. Let’s go.” And with that, he turned off the car and hopped out to open your door (because he knew he would have to use force to unglue you from the seat).

You groaned when he pulled you out, fidgeting and trying to check your appearance in the reflection of the car window to make sure you didn’t look horrid when meeting these random people. The process was already terrifying and if you had something in your teeth or shit hanging out of your nose, you might as well die right then and there. You couldn’t stop the anxious thoughts. Shit, my eyes are so puffy today. Would they think I dressed up or dressed down too much? Has my hair always looked this dull? Would they think that I–

“Noona!” Changbin pulled you out of your spiraling thoughts and your anxious grooming as he placed a hand on your shoulder. “You look great. Stop overthinking it.”

You took a deep breath and closed your eyes. You can do this. It will be over before you know it and then you can return to the comfort of your own room. You nodded your head when you opened your eyes again. “Okay, let’s get this over with.”

“That’s the spirit! Well… kinda.” He started walking to the entrance and you reluctantly followed behind.

You were startled out of your mind when the door opened and three guys in the back of the restaurant yelled Changbin’s name jovially, disturbing the few other guests that were enjoying their food. You kept your head down as you followed Changbin to the table, desperately trying to avoid eye contact.

“It’s about damned time you got here, we were about to start drinking without you!” One of the men said, a small, round face looking at your brother with a bright smile. You were hoping to hide behind the broad shoulders of your brother just a moment longer, but the bastard stepped aside and put a hand on your back to push you forward.

“Guys, this is my older sister, Y/N. Noona, this is Han Jisung–” He gestured to the brunette who had just spoken to him before. “Bang Chan-hyung–” He gestured to a handsome, broad-shouldered man with blonde hair and a sweet smile. “And Lee Minho-hyung–” 

You were almost startled when you looked at the last one. His hair had the same red-orange intensity as fire and yet it looked silky smooth from where it was parted to the side, bangs loosely hanging over his forehead. He had a smile that seemed only out of courtesy and his eyes, albeit round and beautiful, were dark and full of mischief.

You painfully made eye contact with each one and bowed your head. A small “Nice to meet you” was forced from your mouth and you hated yourself for sounding so pathetic. Changbin pulled out a chair for you right next to the terrifying man and you froze.

“Come on, noona. He won’t bite.”

“Speak for yourself asshole.” Minho flashed a half smile at you, making your face turn an embarrassing shade of red, and guffawed while mock pointing at Changbin when he tried to look intimidating. 

You were used to Changbin cursing, and you cursed like a sailor in your own mind, but when it came to speaking… Well, you just felt bashful as hell. The words these men were throwing around were intimidating and you shakily sat down and focused on one of the water glasses that was on the table.

“We were so excited to meet you!” The one named Chan said. “Changbin talks about you all the time. It’s great to finally see the highly esteemed older sister! Changbin said you're only a year older than I am? A ‘96 girl right?” Your heart swelled in adoration of your baby brother.

“That’s right…” You didn’t want to be rude and not look at the man when he talked, but your eyes kept bouncing back to your fidgeting hands.

“Cool! We’re all a year apart! Minho-hyung is only a year younger than Chan-hyung. Then it’s Changbin-hyung, then me.” The small, squirrel-looking boy said.

“Yeah, maybe Minho will stop calling me old now.” Chan glared at Minho and the younger looked amused.

You looked up to meet eyes with the aforementioned man and immediately looked away again, flickering your eyes between the table and the man’s slowly growing smirk. “I wouldn’t count on it, hyung.” Minho said to Chan without removing his intense gaze from your face.

“So, noona…” Jisung said excitedly. “What do you do for a living?”

You cleared your throat, hoping that would help you to not sound so terrified. “I-I work at a bookstore.” A waiter walked up and silently set water glasses down for you and Changbin and you were grateful to have something to hold onto instead of fiddling with your fingers and scratching your arm relentlessly.

“You like reading? So you’re smart AND beautiful. Are you sure you’re Changbin’s sister?” Jisung ducked away from the inevitable punch that Changbin inflicted on his arm.

You blushed furiously from the compliment, but you lightly snickered at the man’s joke with your hand over your mouth.

“Ahh so she can laugh, huh?” Your smile was immediately wiped from your face and your attention returned to the intimidating man beside you. Your eyes widened at him, but then habitually looked away again.

You were dumbfounded by his statement. “O-of course I know how to laugh…” You mumbled.

“Oh really?” He put his elbow on the table and propped his chin up on his fist, completely facing you and making you feel small and observed like a zoo animal by the men surrounding you. “I think a little alcohol would soothe your nerves, what do you say?”

You went bug-eyed and shook your head, finally looking at Minho’s face for more than two seconds. “No no no no no! I barely ever drink… Also, I’m a super lightweight, I’ll get plastered after only a couple drinks!” You were surprised that your words didn’t falter even once. Nor did your gaze upon the man that was staring back with a smirk.

“Even better.”

- - - - - - - - - -

You were about one and a half small cocktails in and you could already feel your inhibitions failing you. You could almost hazily make eye contact and you were able to respond to the men without stuttering. Well, instead, your words kind of blended together.

Changbin had gotten up to go piss for the umteenth time since everyone started drinking and you had gotten less and less claustrophobic around the men. “Come on, noona! The rest of us are already on our third drink! You need to catch up!” Minho said with a voice just a tad too loud for the small place that all other customers had cleared out of. However, Jisung agreed with just as much fervor.

“Oh, no. I really don’t. Trust me.” You put your hands in front of yourself, waving them like it would ward off the idea.

“Don’t pressure her, children.” You lightly giggled at the name Chan called them and he sent you a wink, making your face flush and look down again. “If she doesn’t want to drink, she doesn’t have to.” You smiled shyly at the curly-haired blond and he gave you a wide smile back, making you shy once again.

You heard a ‘tsk’ from beside you and you meekly turned to look at the fiery red-haired man in the seat next to yours. He was side-eyeing you as he took a drink from his glass. When he sat the glass back down, he tilted his head and smiled at you wickedly. You quickly averted your eyes.

“I suppose the princess doesn’t have it in her. Poor thing.” He paused when you spared him a glance to glower at him. “How adorable~” He said condescendingly while pouting his lower lip at you. You blushed furiously. But you couldn’t control the disbelieving huff that escaped your mouth. The nerve of this guy.

Without further ado, you downed your cocktail, and then turned to take his drink and down the rest of its contents as well, keeping your challenging eyes on him all the while.

Everyone stayed silent for a beat. “Holy shit, Min. I think you just royally fucked up.” Chan said in a panicked voice as all three pairs of eyes looked at you in shock.

Once he said that you also panicked. Now you know that you royally fucked up if these guys were so shaken. You heard Minho clear his throat and saw him put on a beautiful half-grin. Was he this gorgeous this whole time? “Looks like you’ve finally loosened up. Now, tell us about yourself…” Goddamn, I’ll tell you anything you want to know if you keep talking to me like that.

“Um…” You were lost in his eyes as his amused grin turned into a gentle one. You quickly had to shake yourself out of your stupor. However, when you shook your head around, the room started spinning and your mind escaped you even further…

- - - - - - - - - -

The next time you roused to consciousness, your head was in a nasty public toilet as you looked over to see Changbin holding your hair back, the three men fretting in the doorway. “You motherfuckers! She told you she was a lightweight! Why the fuck did you egg her on?!” You felt like your brain was in a blender as your vision made the room spin.

Minho leaned against the door jam, trying to seem completely blasé, but there was a hint of nervousness in his body language. “My bad, man. I didn’t expect her to chug a fucking pint.”

“She is vomiting her guts out and all you can say is ‘my bad’?!” You hastily turned your face back to the unsanitary bowl and violently vomited up another round of stomach acid, almost vomiting again when you felt the nasty toilet water splash up on your face from the velocity of your retching. You were heaving from the force and pain of it all.

“B-Binnie.” You sobbed, tears and snot streaming down your face and overwhelming embarrassment encompassing you.

You felt his free hand rub your back. “It’ll be okay, sweetie.” He picked a water glass up off the floor and held it up to you. “I really need you to drink this, noona. It will help.” You gagged at the thought of drinking any kind of liquid ever again and with the gag, came the flood. You belched out another round of your innards.

You were violently sobbing now and you turned your face away from the men, not wanting them to see your sorry state. “B-Binnie… I-I want to go home…” You meekly sobbed and he hugged you as best as he could in your uncomfortable position.

“I’ll take you there, hun. But you’ve got to drink this first. I don’t want you to get dehydrated.”

Another sob wrecked your body. “Can you make them leave? Please?” You said in a low voice, hoping they wouldn’t hear. You were mortified already, you would rather not have them see you in this state any longer.

“Of course, sweetie.” You heard him shift to face the door. “You guys just get the fuck out of here, yeah? We will talk about this later…”

“Whatever…” You heard Minho’s frustrated voice leave you and you were shaking with sobs.

Jisung and Chan attempted a small “I’m sorry, noona.” Before they, too, were sent away.

If anything had come out of this night, it was the fact that you were right about meeting anyone new. You were never leaving your house ever again…

- - - - - - - - - -

“Noona, how many times do I have to say I’m sorry? I had no clue that you would get that wasted! Neither did they!” It had been about a week and you refused to talk to your brother. Your hangover was probably the worst experience you had ever had in your life. Although getting shitfaced to the point of up-chucking violently in front of your brother’s friends was pretty high up there. “Noona, please talk to me…”

He was pressed against the other side of your locked door and you had refused to respond. You only left the house to go to work and you had to sneak out so he wouldn’t ambush you. You just didn’t have the emotional strength to be interrogated. You couldn’t count the number of times you had cried from embarrassment. My god I am so weak.

You were afraid you were going to go crazy at this point, especially with the constant pounding on the door.

You tried stuffing your head under a pillow, hiding under a fortress of blankets on your bed, anything to ignore his persistent plea. You huffed and peeked your head out to glare at the door. “I DON’T WANT TO TALK, BIN! LEAVE. ME. ALONE.” You were surprised at how pissed you sounded.

“Y/N-noona please PLEASE talk to me. You can’t stay mad at me forever…” He sounded desperate and tired and you felt guilty. This wasn’t his fault. It was yours. You gave in to peer pressure while he was gone and now he is paying for it.

You sighed dejectedly and climbed out of bed to unlock the door. When you opened it, Chanbin looked at you like you had risen from the grave. “Oh god, noona!” He wrapped you in his arms and you choked as he squeezed the life out of you. When he released you, you looked at him with an annoyed expression.

“Yah, I’m not mad at you, loser.” He looked perplexed at your words. “I’m mad at myself for giving in so easily just to prove myself… I’m mad that I made myself look like an idiot in front of your friends. But most of all, I’m mad that I even let myself be dragged out of the house in the first place… I’m not the kind of person that can easily befriend people like you can, Bin. It’s just not in the cards for me… I’m too… messed up…” You looked down at the shaggy carpet of your room that contrasted with the hardwood floor of the hallway and you anxiously twiddled with the fringe of fabric separating the two with your toes.

“Noona…” Changbin looked crestfallen when you glanced back up at him.

“Don’t worry about me, Binnie. Go out and have fun for the both of us, yeah?” You forced a smile on your face and he just looked even more upset. He always could tell when you were faking it.

“How about this…” You sighed at his words, knowing he was going to propose something that was sure to sound utterly unpleasant to you. “Let’s walk down to the ice cream shop down the block. The one we always used to sneak out to as kids?” Your internal conflict was written all over your face. “Please? For old time’s sake?”

His desperate expression had you defeated. You were always weak for your baby brother. You sighed and turned back to your room. “Let me change clothes real quick…”

You heard the man squeal from behind you and you felt arms wrap around and squeeze you painfully from behind. “Thankyouthankyouthankyou!” You felt him plant forceful kisses on the back of your head, basically head-butting you with his lips, and you jabbed your elbow in his side.

“Gross, Bin! Get the heck out of here!” He ran off down the hall giggling like a little school girl and you rolled your eyes, unable to keep the fond smile off your face. Baby Changbin indeed.

- - - - - - - - - -

“Mint Chocolate Chip.”

“Cookie Dough.”

“Cookies and Cream.”

“Birthday Cake.”

“Pistachio.”

“Ew! No. Just no. I reject that as an ice cream category. It’s unlawful.”

“Hey! Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!” Changbin pointed at you with his spoon to emphasize his case. 

You scrunched your face up and took a large bite of your strawberry ice cream and kept a disgusted look on your face. “You have some sort of mental illness, child.” You mumbled the words through the cold glob that was coating your taste buds.

“Don’t care if that means I win. You stopped the categories!”

“Nope, you just don’t know what real flavors are.” You were strong in your resolve and wouldn’t back down.

“Sure, sweetie. Whatever you say.” Changbin said with a condescending voice and you glared at him.

Three things happened in that moment.

First, you scooped out a large bite of your ice cream and promptly dropped the cold treat directly on the breast of your white Led Zeppelin t-shirt (and no, you were not a fake fan).

Two, Changbin, the little shit, pointed and laughed as you desperately tried to clean yourself up with the awful dinging noise that indicated more customers and potential onlookers were filtering in, much to your dismay.

And three, from the other side of the small, ancient ice cream parlor, you heard a familiar voice call out your brother’s name.

No.

Oh no.

Please don’t tell me it’s…

You and Changbin looked at each other and he donned a shocked face while you wore a terrified one. He whispered as the three men made their way toward your booth. “I swear I didn’t say anything to them. You’ve got to believe me. I–”

This can’t be happening to me…

You desperately took all the napkins and tried to get the remnants of the sugary treat off your shirt, but it was no use. The pink, sugary treat had entirely soaked through. When you looked back up, the three men were staring at you. Well. More like staring at the object of your complete demise.

After they all took a good, long look at your breasts, Chan cleared his throat and elbowed the men on each side of him. “Oh! Hey noona! We didn’t expect to see you two here!”

You met eyes with all three men. Jisung, who had a worried, but welcoming expression. Chan who had a strained but bright smile, and Minho who went from looking at your face to somewhere off to the side with his lower lip sucked in.

You went into fight or flight mode and you obviously chose the ladder. You flew out of your seat, pushing your way past Minho who inconveniently stood at the exit of your side of the booth, and ran from the parlor. You had embarrassed tears welling up in your eyes, but you willed them away. You could cry in the comfort of your own room.

“Noona!” You heard the velvety voice yell from behind you and you ran faster, knowing the owner of the voice was the worst of them.

You didn’t even realize you were outmatched in speed until you felt a hand wrap around your arm. You whipped around in terror as you saw a heavily breathing Minho gently grasping your wrist. “You– *huff* forgot this…” He was struggling to catch his breath as he held your purse out to you.

You kept your eyes glued to the pavement as he released your wrist and you nodded your head with a whispered and tiny “Thank you…” Not even sure he heard you as you gently grasped the small item from his outstretched hand.

You turned to continue getting home as fast as possible. “I’m sorry, noona…” You froze in your tracks at the three words. “Please don’t blame the others, I… I was the one that pressured you. Blame me.” 

You didn’t say anything or turn around, you just stood there with your eyes on the withering cracks of the sidewalk as he spoke.

“I know you probably hate me…” You winced. “But I really am sorry. We’ve all been shitfaced before, so we know how you feel–”

“No you don’t.” You interjected in a small voice again. Surprising even yourself. “I…” You sighed. Your mouth refused to say any more and your mind was still in flight mode. You had lost control over your anxious tears and you furiously wiped them away. You couldn’t think of anything to say. He was obviously waiting for a response and you were so inept at talking to people that you couldn’t will yourself to form any proper words. So you whispered out the only words that you had down to a T. “I’m sorry…” And then you were running again.

- - - - - - - - - -

You took one step forward and two steps back. You swore on your life that you would never see those men again and you repeatedly told your brother that. He kept on saying shit like “It’s not as bad as you think” and “They think it’s more cute than embarrassing”.

Bullshit.

You had always unintentionally worn your insecurities on the outside as if they were tattooed on your forehead. You could barely speak to anyone now, too anxious about how people would think of you if you said anything or stuck around too long. The only people you said more than a few words to were your coworkers and Changbin.

That wasn’t cute. It was pitiful.

Anxiety flared up any time a customer approached you and asked for help. You just quickly and quietly directed them to a regular customer service employee. It’s not like you didn’t know the answers to their question, hell, you had been working there for six years, you knew this cozy, backstreet bookstore like the back of your hand. But speaking to customers was damn near impossible.

It was more of a vintage lounge. Where books were either bought new or recycled as books that had been loved and then discarded. It was deceptively large on the inside, it just seemed small because there were so many narrow rows and nooks where you would find either rows and rows of books, or small, hidden areas with cozy furniture to lounge around and read in. Although it was aged and isolated, you loved this place more than anything in the world.

Your boss was more than accommodating after your… incident a couple of years back, and she basically made you a special role to help out with the shop in the background. You were in charge of bookkeeping, organizing, pricing, cleaning, stocking snacks for the customers, and best of all, reading. You were accountable for adding to the shelf of ‘SHOP FAVORITES’ and that was everything you could have asked for. You could have kissed your boss if she wasn’t a seventy-year-old married woman.

Because you did all of this, she assured you that you wouldn’t have to speak to a single customer other than to redirect them to another clerk. That other clerk being the freckled, ray of sunshine in your life.

“NOONA!” You swiveled your head towards the familiar voice coming down the aisle, only briefly seeing his long, blonde head of hair before he crashed into you in a suffocating embrace. “I’ve missed you!” He wouldn’t let go and you smiled at how endearing it was. You hugged him back and patted his head.

“Felix, I literally just saw you the day before yesterday.”

He released you and looked dumbfounded. “It’s really only been that long? It feels like it’s been ages!” You giggled. It had taken a while to get used to Felix. At first, you were terrified of his boisterous demeanor and persistent attempts at befriending you. It didn’t take long for him to charm you into warming up to his sweet, bubbly personality.

Without a doubt, you could say he was your best friend.

He took your hand and led you to one of the reading nooks in the very back of the winding aisles and narrow hallways of the store which people rarely went to. This was yours and Felix’s ‘semi-secret hideout’ where he liked to gossip (although you really had nothing to gossip about).

“So, have you seen them again?” You cursed ever telling Felix about your fiasco. It had been a couple of weeks since the hell you went through at the ice cream parlor and you only went out if it was absolutely necessary.

“No, Felix. And I WON’T see them again. I’ve already told you this.” You sighed and crossed your legs on the comfy, beaten-up lounge chair that you had stuck your claim on when you and Felix conquered this part of the store.

“Aww come on, beautiful! You’re going to be single forever at this point! You’re not getting any younger you kn–”

“I know. I know. You’ve said it all before… Plus, those are Bin’s friends! I can’t go out with them even if I wanted to!” You reiterated.

“Why not? In my opinion, that’s the best-case scenario! He obviously already approves of them. Are you telling me that none of those men seemed attractive to you?”

You stayed silent. You couldn’t tell Felix that those men were the most beautiful beings you had ever laid eyes on or else he would never stop bugging you about it. Might as well give a vague answer. “...I never said that…”

“SEE!!” You rolled your eyes.

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not in a million years.” He had a cheeky smile on his face and you put your head in your hands. “Speaking of dating…” Oh no, here we go again. “When are you going to set me up with that hunky brother of yours?”

“Felix. You saw him one time for two minutes when he brought me some tampons. Hardly the first impression, don’t you think?” You scoffed at your best friend’s obsession with your brother. It was only based on the fact that “he’s sooo muscular” or “he has the cutest smile” according to Felix.

“That’s the thing! Only the sweetest of men would bring their baby sister something so private!” He looked up at the ceiling dreamily.

“Hey! I’m older than him! HE is MY baby brother!”

“Oh yeah, I forgot you’re ancient.” You tried to slap him, but he slithered away before you could, standing and running off with a maniacal giggle. You stood up as well and huffed out a laugh and shook your head, smiling at the amusement and fondness the ray of sunshine brought you.

You figured you had better get back to work as well. Let’s see, what were you needing to do next?

Before you even had a chance to finish that thought, you froze in fear as you heard someone shuffling down the aisle leading to your private nook. Please tell me it’s Felix because I am absolutely trapped.

Much to your dismay, it was not. And even more to your dismay, the features of the customer as you saw him start to round the corner to your little hideout were getting more and more familiar.

Run. There was nowhere to run. Could you hide? No, that’s ridiculous. He’s getting closer…

You froze in place and most likely looked like a frightened deer as he walked up to you with a bright smile.

“Chan…” You could barely even formulate his name off the tip of your tongue.

“Hey, noona! So good to see you! How are you?”

His smile was bright and your limbs went stiff and you hunkered down when he unexpectedly pulled you in for an engulfing hug. “W-w-w-w-wha–?!”

“I’ve been looking for you…” He cut off your panicked blabbering as he released you. “Changbin actually told me you work here. And your sweet little freckled coworker told me you’d be back here. He’s so cute and friendly!” Chan’s dimpled smile was mesmerizing and you knew Felix would melt if he knew this gorgeous man said that about him. “I really like this place! It’s got a mellow vibe.”

DAMN CHANGBIN! DAMN FELIX! DAMN EVERYONE!!! You made an oath to yourself to never talk to them again.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about something…” You were almost on the brink of tears from your anxiety, but even your tear ducts were frozen in place along with your limbs as your arms curled in on themselves. “I wanted to apologize…”

Your doe eyes switched to bug-eyed as their attention switched from the aged carpet on the floor, to his bashful face. Why would he be apologizing?

“We never meant to embarrass you… When we met you at the restaurant, we thought you were pretty cool. Cute even.” CUTE?! You suddenly couldn’t breathe. “Anyway, we’re unbelievably sorry that we pressured you and made you sick. But most of all, we’re sorry that we have made you uncomfortable with us on several accounts.”

You didn’t know how to respond, (no surprise there). Not only because you were a major pussy, but because of the unexpected apology. Because he was being so kind and gentle to you. Most of all, it’s because his smile eased all of your tension and made you want to open up to him. That had never happened to you with a stranger and you didn’t know how to feel about it.

“This might be too much to ask, but do you think you would consider coming out with us to go bowling? Changbin will even be there…” He sounded so hopeful and his expression was pleading.

These men were apparently beyond sorry for the impression they gave you. Minho had done a full-on sprint just to give you your purse that Changbin could have easily brought you later on. And Chan even hunted you down to formally apologize and ask for another chance.

“There will be no more alcohol this time…” He said in a cute and hopeful voice that made you escape a tiny giggle behind your hand, surprising yourself and causing him to give you a gorgeous smile that made you weak at the knees.

“I… I will think about it…” You couldn’t look him in the eyes as you said it. Instead, you looked at the dilapidating bookshelf off to his right.

“Yes! A maybe is better than a no! Thank you, noona... Really.”

You offered him a tiny smile and then looked away again.

“Well then, I might see you on Saturday then. I’ll let you get back to work.” He said as he walked off backward with a wave and a blinding smile.

This was going to be terrifying.

- - - - - - - - - -

“Noona! Aren’t you coming?!” Changbin yelled from the hallway.

Again, you were holed up in your room. Well, your ensuite to be more exact, looking in the mirror and being terrified of going out with people again. You had changed clothes and then changed them again. Repeating this process and never being satisfied. You had too many doubts to be confident in your attire or your makeup.

You were going to be honest with yourself. You hadn’t tried nearly as hard to look good when you were about to meet them at first, but now that you know that they all look like damn swimsuit models, well… let’s just say that you were definitely more aware of your external appearance.

“I’m coming in, noona!” You heard the door to your room open.

“In here…” You said quietly.

He stood in the doorway of the bathroom and smiled. “Well now, don’t you look fancy? Trying to impress, I see?”

You glared at him in the mirror and then went back to stressing yourself out. “Changbin, I should probably just stay home… I don’t think I can do this…”

“Of course you can! You can do anything you set your mind t–”

“Don’t start that with me again. I look like trash! I look super weird in these clothes, I can’t seem to get my makeup right, and even if I did, I feel like I would just get made fun of!” You turned and looked at your worried face in the mirror again.

Changbin stepped up to you and turned you to look at him. You freaked out when he pulled out a wipe to remove your makeup and started removing your hard work, grabbing the back of your neck to keep your head in place.

“Changbin-ah! What the heck?!”

“Shush. You’re not satisfied because you look like a fucking clown with all of this on.” He finished and turned you back to the mirror. “You look more like yourself when you’re not hiding behind a shield of makeup. Very pretty.”

You pushed him away lightly. “Ugh. You have very unconventional standards for what is pretty, loser.” He just chuckled at you and leaned against the counter to watch you. You took a good look at yourself and saw a desperate woman trying to fix the impossible. You sighed. “Well I’m at least going to put concealer and mascara on, you can’t stop me from doing that…”

He chuckled and stood upright again waving his hand as he departed. “Fine, fine. That’s fair.” He paused and looked back at you in the mirror. “And change clothes, will ya? We’re going bowling, not clubbing.”

You threw your comb at him and he ran off giggling. You huffed and rolled your eyes. Okay, you can do this…

- - - - - - - - - -

Just like clockwork, you hid behind your baby brother as he led you through the entryway to the bowling alleys. He would periodically peer back at you to make sure you hadn’t taken a break for it and ran back home. “Chill would ya? You’ve already met these guys!”

You whisper-yelled back. “That doesn’t make it any easier!”

He huffed out a half-chuckle as he stepped up to the counter to claim the bowling shoes, the guys already had claimed an alley so you didn’t need to check in for one.

You had never bowled in your lifetime so you knew you would embarrass yourself to mortification if you attempted it. Needless to say, there was NO WAY you would be playing.

As you walked over to their section, you subconsciously smoothed out your clothes for any wrinkles. You had ended up wearing a casual spaghetti strap skater sundress due to the hot summer weather. You usually didn’t show much skin, but you really wanted to try and look pretty.

“Noona! Oh my god, I’m so happy you came!” Chan bounded over to you when you and Changbin walked up to your group’s aisle and wrapped you in a big hug. You froze and your face heated up tremendously. This man was… very familiar with people.

“Geez, Chan-hyung! You’re going to kill her! Since when do you get to hug her?!” Jisung stood up and whined.

Chan moved from a full frontal hug to standing to your side with an arm wrapped around your shoulders. “What? Oh, me and her are best friends now, right noona?” You couldn’t look at any of them in the eyes as you went paralyzed. How could this man be so bold?

You heard someone chuckle from behind you. And you went rigid. You minutely relaxed when you watched said man walk around you, juggling handfuls of drinks and snacks. “Looks like you got rejected, hyung. Maybe try for someone with zero standards.” Minho teased.

Chan released you to try to square up to Minho, but he was too intimidated by the stoic looking man. Your eyes met with the cat-like orbs of Minho’s eyes and you instantly looked down again, lightly blushing for some reason. Why can’t you make eye contact with him?

Your eyes widened as you saw him step up to you, crossing his arms. “You ready to play with some balls?” You whipped your head to look at him, eyes widened with shock. He wore an amused smirk. “I meant bowling balls. Tsk tsk tsk. What a dirty mind you have, noona.”

You were sure your face was beet red and finally your brother stepped in. “Okay okay guys, that’s enough. Anyway, she swore on her life that she wouldn’t be playing, just watching.”

“Oh come on, noona! Play with us! We’ll help you!” Jisung was shining a persuasive smile at you and you hated yourself for still not being able to say anything. He was just as mesmerizing as the others and you couldn’t help but smile at his cute, cheeky grin.

Unfortunately, Minho must have taken that smile as a yes.

“C’mon, let’s go pick your ball.” Minho then proceeded to grab your hand and lead you back to where the balls were sitting on racks that looked way too flimsy to be holding that amount of weight. 

“W-w-wait! I-I–” You managed to stutter out the first (almost) words since you arrived and he cut you off…

“Do you know what size you like?” He gave you a suggestive smile with an eyebrow raised when he stopped at a rack. You swear, there was no way you were going to be able to stop the violent rushing of blood to your cheeks at all that night. You shook your head no. “I need some words. I know you can talk. Let me hear that voice again…”

You peeked up at his eyes and he was hunkered down to try and meet his line of vision with yours. You couldn’t look at him when you spoke. “No…” Why was your voice so tiny?

“No to what? To speak? Or your preferred size?” Damn his suggestive smile to hell.

“I don’t know what–”

“I can’t quite hear you, angel. I need you to speak up.” ANGEL?! How the fuck could you speak if he talks to you like that?! You squeaked and his smile was blinding.

You looked down and cleared your throat. “I–I don’t know what size I like…” It was meek, but you succeeded in getting the words out at the proper volume.

He donned a half grin and cocked an eyebrow. “Interesting…” He turned and grabbed a pink, medium sized ball. “Let’s start you out light. Girls like pink, right?” You weren’t a super fan, but you could live with it.

You held the ball and immediately dropped it with a loud *thud*. You were mortified as people looked your way and you covered your face with your hands.

You froze when you felt a gentle hand rest on your shoulder. “Hey. It’s okay. This place was meant for balls to be dropped.” You peeked through your fingers and he was waggling his eyebrows at the innuendo. You couldn’t help but giggle behind your hands.

You finally got to see a genuine smile out of him and your hands fell from your face as you smiled back, miraculously making eye contact. However, your mind returned to you after a moment and you were bashful again. Did he think I was weird for smiling back? I probably looked desperate…

He bit his lip to hide his smile, saying something under his breath that sounded like ‘cute’, but you knew for sure that couldn’t have been right. “How about we try the lightest one, yeah? Do you want me to find you another pink one?” He tilted his head and you thought it was the most adorable thing you had ever seen.

“Um. No thank you… pink isn’t really my color… but I don’t really have a preference either way…”

He raised his eyebrows. “Wow… I finally got more than a few words out of you! We are making a breakthrough, noona!” He said it like he had found a hidden treasure and you felt the corners of your mouth turn up. “How about this one?” He handed you a smaller, dark green one and it was still heavy, but light enough for you to hold.

You nodded your head. “I like this one…”

He smiled and took it from you, guiding you by hand back to your group's aisle. Your eyes wide and bashful as you watched his fingers wrapped around your own.

“Took you long enough! Let’s get started!” Changbin whined at you and you were still too focused on the warmth of Minho’s hand to give a retort back.

When you sat down to put on your designated shoes, Jisung changed his seat to be right next to you. You tensed up with the proximity. “Don’t worry, noona. We all suck ass at bowling. We will go first, though, so you can see how it’s done.” You continued to tie your shoe as you nodded at his suggestion. However, you felt the man poke your arm and startle you. “You don’t say much, do you?”

You peered back and forth between his eyes and the floor and tried to think of something to say. “I-I’m not sure what to say…”

He smiled endearingly. “Well, take your time. No pressure.” He offered a sweet smile and you couldn’t help but give a small smile back. A chill ran through your body when he briefly smoothed his hand over the upper part of your back consolingly. The heat from his hand on your bare skin lingered as he stood up.

When you watched Jisung as he left you, you met eyes with Minho who had silently been analyzing your interaction. You immediately looked back at your shoes and pretended to keep tying them repeatedly.

You watched the men play, each of them hitting at least one pin. For some reason, Minho did a really unique pose to “hopefully conjure luck” and, surprisingly, he hit more than half the pins. He waltzed up to you. “Never fails.” He winked and sat down next to you. “Your turn, blow us all away.” You felt the heat radiating off of him and you bit down on your lower lip.

You were shaking with nerves as you stood up and retrieved your ball. Giving a worried look to the men watching you from behind as you stood up to the toe line. “Confidence is key!” Changbin yelled out.

You meekly nodded and faced forward again, taking in a deep breath. Okay, prepare for embarrassment in three, two, one…

You pulled the ball back like you saw the others do and swung it forward. However, you had let it go too late and the ball was tossed up in the air high enough to make it fall with a loud *boom*! Your body curled in on yourself and your anxiety shot through the roof. Again, you were mortified by the onlookers and afraid to turn around.

Right as you saw the ball roll into the gutter and you hid your face with your hands, you heard loud cheering and clapping from behind you. You turned around and glared at the pure sarcasm of their jeering. Changbin was laughing hysterically and the others were cheering with endeared smiles as they clapped. 

You walked back with your shoulders tensed up and an annoyed expression on your face as your brother made fun of you and the others were cooing at you with a “So cuuute!” from Jisung, making you flustered as hell.

Minho had a smile on his face, but laughed at Jisung. “Hannie, your first time was way worse than that!” The squirrel-like boy just narrowed his eyes at him with a scowl.

You plopped back down in your seat and sulked as you crossed your arms. Again, your whole body went stiff when Minho reached his arm back to lay it on the back of your seat. He wasn’t technically touching you so it wasn’t too amicable, but that didn’t make it any less nerve wracking. 

He just continued talking casually to the group. “I’m telling y’all, you gotta be creative with your poses. It’s foolproof!” You chuckled and felt his eyes on you, but you refused to look back at him. Instead, you watched your baby brother make a pose that would put you in the hospital from humiliation if you had done it. He managed to knock over a few pins and raised his fists.

“Hell yeah, hyung!” Changbin walked up and high-fived Minho, but he used his other hand, keeping his occupied one firmly on the back of your chair.

You watched one by one as the rest of the guys tried ridiculous poses for their turns and you giggled at every attempt and gawked at their minor successes. “Your turn, noona! Make us proud!” Chan’s excited voice rang out.

Your face paled when the arm that was behind you moved forward to wrap around your shoulder with an excited squeeze. Your mind went blank as the skin-on-skin contact scorched you to the bone. “Let’s see what pose you’ve got ready for us.” Your face swung around to Minho in terror at his response and you quickly realized how close he was to your face. Your face flushed violently and you looked down, shaking your head frantically.

“No no no no no, there’s no way I can do that…” You stood up and away from his touch that was making you dizzy and hugged yourself defensively.

“Oh come oooon, you pussy! We all did it!” You glared at Changbin.

“Hey, no pressure, noona. You can do whatever you want.” So far, you hadn’t seen Minho act so soft and it did something to your heart. They really wanted to show you how they didn’t want to pressure you again. They did care about your comfort.

You felt endeared as you stepped up to the line and took a look back at their smiling faces, Minho casually standing at the edge of the wooden platform with his hands in his pockets to watch. You looked forward again in exasperation. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.

You proceeded to hunker your legs down and roll that bitch of a ball in between your legs ‘grandma style’ putting enough force behind your swing to make sure that the ball had at least some velocity. You refused to look behind you as you watched the ball slowly roll down the alley. Wait. It…it’s staying centered… No fucking way…

You managed to make the ball, albeit slowly, hit one of the side pins and knocked down more than a couple of them. Your face lit up and you jumped over to the guys. “Did you see that?!” They were all clapping with proud faces. “It worked, Minho!” You jumped up and hugged him around his neck, too giddy to realize what you were doing.

You only came back to earth when he unfroze himself and wrapped his arms around your waist to return the embrace tentatively. You flew off of him as if he were made of fire, your face surely feeling like it. Has it been this hot in here the whole time? “Oh god! I-I-I’m-I’m sorry!” 

You would probably never be able to look in his eyes ever again. His face went from pure shock to a crooked smile and he huffed out a chuckle. “Cute…” Holy shit… okay, maybe you will retract that last thought… Your smile was unbidden and you watched with amusement as they all were being utterly ridiculous the rest of the night.

- - - - - - - - - -

“Why, Bin. Just why are you so adamant about having me hang out with you and your friends?” You crossed your arms at the dinner table and sat back, too full to even look at the food without groaning.

“Because they like you! For some reason they think you’re cool to hang out with.” He teased and you threw a piece of your kimchi at him.

“I don’t know about that, they are just being nice. I don’t think they actually want me to butt into y’alls ‘guy time’ or whatever. I’m hardly a talker, I’m too shy to do anything fun, and it’s even hard for me to talk sometimes!”

He rolled his eyes. “Well you weren’t like that before–” He cut himself off and looked frustrated.

A spark lit in you. You couldn’t control the annoyance that bled through. Why did he always have to bring that up? “Before what? Go ahead and say it, Bin. It’s not like I don’t already know!”

He glared back at you and let loose. “You weren’t like this before Dad died! You didn’t give two shits when Mom left without a trace! But you can’t be holed up in this fucking crypt for the rest of your life, noona! He’s gone, stop acting like this house he left behind for you is keeping him alive! Of course you are uncomfortable with people! It’s because you’ve got your head stuck in the past!”

Your eyes grew wide, as did Changbin’s, as if he didn’t believe what came out of his own mouth. Both of you were frozen and a powerful emotion rose up in your throat. Your brain was too overwhelmed to process exactly what it was. You felt that same emotion shoot straight up into your eyes and you finally found out what the feeling was. Your lower lip quivered. Your eyebrows scrunched together. Then, you finally felt the first droplet fall from your tear duct onto your unfinished sweet potatoes.

You stood up. “N-noona wait–” You didn’t even put your plate away, you just calmly walked to the stairs. “Noona, please! I’m sorry…” You heard him get up from his seat to follow you and you turned around and put a hand in front of you to ward him away.

“Don’t…” Your voice wavered as you felt the tears fall unbidden. “You can talk all you want, Changbin. But YOU weren’t the one who had to finish raising your younger sibling through the last couple years of high school! YOU weren’t the one who found his fucking dead body! It was ME, Changbin. ME.” You couldn’t even see him properly anymore through your blurred vision. “It was ME who had to take care of everything they left behind. It was ME who…” You had to supress a sob as you uttered the words. “...who should have been here for him when he…” 

You couldn’t even finish the thought. Flashbacks sending you to when you had stepped out to grab groceries for your dad while Changbin was at football practice, only to find your father on the floor of the kitchen, dead from a heart attack when you returned.

“Just…” You choked back a sob and he looked absolutely distraught. “I know I was asking for it, but… just don’t talk to me, Bin…” And with that, you quickly marched up the stairs and locked your bedroom door. 

You went on autopilot, having done this countless times before. You grabbed a pillow and blanket from your bed. You trudged into your ensuite. Finally, you shut yourself in your closet where you always went to cry because you knew Changbin couldn’t hear your sobbing from there. Then you let loose.

- - - - - - - - - -

“Hey, noona… I brought you some coffee…” Felix sat the hot beverage down next to the small lamp on the side table of your guy’s hideout as you did the bookkeeping for the store. That’s where you always liked to do it because it was nice and quiet and you could concentrate.

You pushed your reading glasses up on your nose and looked up at him from your comfy armchair. “Thanks, Lixie. I appreciate it…” You put down your pen and took a sip, warmth instantly spreading through your bones.

“Are you feeling any better? I know you’ve been kinda down today…” 

You puffed out a long sigh. “I’ll be fine… Time heals all things.” You gave him a forced smile and he gave one back, kissing your forehead and leaving to get back to work.

The finances were hard to figure out at first, but now it was a piece of cake. You had no problem just diving in and getting shit done. You almost enjoyed it. You even had a system. You sat cross-legged on your commandeered chair, throw pillow on top of your legs to support your laptop, and a notebook, pen, and calculator on the arm of the chair. Once you were in the zone, nothing could–

“Who uses a physical calculator anymore?” You shrieked at the unexpected voice who had creeped up on you and jolted so hard that all of the items on the arm of the chair (thankfully not the laptop) went crashing to the ground.

You looked up and saw Lee Minho casually leaned up against one of the bookshelves as he raised a judgemental eyebrow at you amusedly.

You put the laptop on Felix’s chair to quickly crouch down to retrieve the items, but you were met with Minho's face - the most handsome face you had ever seen - just mere centimeters from your own as he bent down to pick up the items as well. He seemed just as surprised as you were, but neither of you moved. Just for a tiny moment, you stared straight into his eyes. And with your proximity, you could see every fleck of beautiful chocolate brown in his otherwise dark eyes. They were dazzling.

You subconsciously licked your lips and the spell was broken as soon as his eyes drifted down to seek out your action. You woke up from your haze and squeaked again, standing ramrod straight and rigid as you took a long step back. “W-w-w-w–” Here we go again with the stuttering… “W-why are you here?!” You shyly looked around you as if he had walked in on you naked.

He just smirked and picked up the fallen items and placed them on the small side table. “Chan-hyung said I might be able to find you here.” He took a step towards you and you took another step back, earning a beautiful smirk from him.

“W-why did you need to find me?” Your eyes were darting everywhere away from his gorgeous face.

“I needed to see you.” He had a teasing tone in his voice and he stepped towards you once more. Much to your dismay, your next step back had pressed you up against the bookshelf that lined the wall of your little nook. He chuckled as he took the last step forward and you pressed yourself as much as you could into the bookcase.

“N-needed to?” You still couldn’t look at him as he let out a little ‘mhm’. “Why would you–” You habitually cleared your throat. “–need to see me?”

He smirked and you saw him slowly raise his hand toward your face. Your eyes bugged out and then you closed your eyes to scrunch them inside your brain in fear (and anticipation) of what he was going to do. You heard a chuckle and then something moving beside your head. You opened your eyes to see that he had grabbed a book off the shelf right next to your head and stepped back to examine it, sitting down in your special chair in the process. You were gobsmacked.

“Have you read this one?” You had. All of the books in your little nook had been read by you and kept safe back here. Two ceiling sized bookcases packed full of your favorite books. You knew by heart the exact one he was holding. You gave him a small nod and he turned it in his hand. “Hmmm… Lady Chatterley’s Lover. I’ve never heard of this one.” He looked back up at you with a stunning half grin. “So cute, you’re a romantic.” He said in a condescending tone like you were a baby. If only he knew the contents of that book.

You stayed silent. You certainly couldn’t tell him that the book was one of the earliest smut novels ever released, even if you did want to correct his assumption of it being a normal frivolous romance in its contents. That would just be sad considering that you have barely any romantic experience…

“Want to summarize it for me?” He stood up and stepped towards you again.

Your heart fell out of your ass and there was no way he missed the pink hue spreading across your cheeks. “U-u-um y-you were going to tell me why you needed to see me…” You squeaked out. You looked down shyly. At least you got to change the subject.

He huffed out amusedly. “You’ve been avoiding us. More importantly–” He reached beside your head to put the book back. “–your brother.”

He was too close for comfort and your face was heating up at an alarming rate.

“Do you not like us, noona?” You saw him keep his hand on the bookshelf. He was keeping his arm locked beside you. Don’t freak out. Don’t freak out. Your eyes kept drifting back to his face and he looked like he was studying you. “Because that would be a shame… I thought we were making a breakthrough…”

He finally moved his arm and you took a much needed breath, not knowing that you had mostly been holding it that whole time.

However, the relief was short lived and the anxiety was multiplied tenfold when he placed his hand on your shoulder and gently squeezed it. He was so close… “Did we do something wrong?” He looked genuinely worried and you finally met his eyes with shock.

“N-No!” You brought your hands up to emphasize your denial, but you quickly realized that the movement placed your hands directly on his chest. He looked down at your quickly retreating arms. “I-I’m so sorry!”

He looked back at your face and tilted his head. “You don’t have to be so shy around me, you know?” He let his hand slide down to gently squeeze your bicep. “Although, I do admit, it’s incredibly adorable.” He flashed a crooked smile and your entire body turned a deep shade of crimson.

“W-w-w-wha–?!”

“So if you don’t hate us, can you hang out with us again? Please? We really do like you, no joke.”

This conversation was more genuine than you had expected of Minho. You hadn’t known him long, but he usually seemed more blasé or teasing. You sighed in defeat and looked down. “Just… just let me know when you are all hanging out next…” You couldn’t look at him as you said it, but you could see from the corner of your eye that he was smiling.

“Will do.” Out of nowhere, he handed you his phone and you looked up at him with a confused expression. “Your number. Y’know, to keep you in the loop.”

“Oh…” You took the device and saved your contact.

“Cool, I’ll text you.” He squeezed your arm once more before stepping back, seeming to leave, but he reconsidered and turned back to you. He raised his hand and lightly flicked the side of your glasses. “By the way…” He tucked your hair back behind your ear like you had always read in your books and it made you blush for the umteenth time. “These glasses look really good on you.” You raised your head in awe of the compliment and he winked at you as he left you alone in your little nook again.

That man is beyond dangerous…

- - - - - - - - - -

And text you he did. A lot.

You learned that he was endearingly weird. He texted almost daily and it surprised you how much he could make you laugh. He would mainly talk about food and his cats, sending dozens and dozens of pictures of the cute furballs. His main focus was teasing you, though.

You were sure his cheesy flirting was just for fun… right?

That’s how he usually began a conversation, either a gif, a really hilarious picture of him, or his cute cats. This particular morning, it was an image of him. However, for the first time, it wasn’t a goofy one. 

Minho:

Hi hi hi~

*Image attached*

Morning hike

He had taken a selca of himself with a beautiful hiking trail behind him. Even though he didn’t have much of an expression, his face was beautiful in the morning light. You laid in your bed and curled in on yourself. How the hell do you respond to that?! You couldn’t exactly say that his face looked chiseled from marble, or how his hair looked like silk that you were dying to run your hands through, or how his lips–

You had realized you had zoned out looking at the picture and you shook yourself out of it.

Angel Noona:

That sounds nice

That was a normal answer, right?

Minho:

U should come w/ me sometime

UM WHAT??? You internally screamed and you were stunned with the line of text that stretched across your scratched phone screen.

Minho:

The trail is beautiful at sunrise

You squeezed your phone to your chest and tried not to act like a teenager with an obvious crush. You were even cringing at yourself.

Angel Noona:

That sounds nice

Minho:

Lol u sound like a broken record

You kicked yourself. You probably seemed like an idiot who didn’t know how to communicate like a normal human being… I mean, he wouldn’t be entirely wrong... You decided to roll with it.

Angel Noona:

…

…

That sounds nice

Minho:

LOL 😂 

What’re u doing right now?

Angel Noona:

Laying in bed

Minho:

Ahhh 😏

That sounds… inviting

WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?!?! You saw the bubbles indicating his response appear and disappear several times. You shouldn’t have to worry about your damned heart rate by just texting a man.

Minho:

Well no need to laze around!

Up up up! 👏

U need to eat to stay healthy!

Angel Noona:

What I need is a better diet

Minho:

No u don’t

All u need is to be active!

Ur body is perfect as it is

You blushed furiously at his bold remark and you didn’t know how to respond. Before you could, though, he sent another message.

Minho:

U coming to the bonfire tonight?

Angel Noona:

Um…

I wasn’t invited…

Minho:

LOL ur pretty dumb sometimes

Angel Noona:

?!?!?!

Minho:

I just invited u, dumbass

A cute dumbass 😉

But still a dumbass

Your mind was racing and you were almost in a panic. Oh why. Just WHY did he have to play with your feelings so much?

 

Minho:

Changbin is working tonight so I’ll pick u up at 8

See u then!

Byyye~!

He had completely blindsided you and the only thing you could reply with was–

Angel Noona:

Um ok…

This night was not going to be good for your heart…

- - - - - - - - - -

You tentatively stepped into your worn-out sneakers at the door when you heard the doorbell and you gently opened the door to a handsome smirk. You shyly looked down, away from his eyes, and quickly realized that it was ten times easier to talk to him over text than in person.

He moved his head to try and put himself in your line of vision to catch your eye and you felt embarrassment wash over you that he even had recognized your bashfulness.

“Well hello to you too?”

You went bug eyed. “O-oh! S-sorry, um… hi Minho…” You blushed and looked away again. Why did you always have to sound so pitiful?

You heard him huff out a small chuckle and you froze when you saw his hand lift to your face and pinch your cheek. “It’s only been a week and I already forgot how adorable you are when you talk.” 

You must’ve looked shocked as you stared into his eyes and he released your cheek. Your hand instinctively caressed the spot that he had touched you so gently, as if you would get a second hand feeling from him directly. When you came back to reality, you realized he was laughing at you. You huffed out an annoyed breath and scrunched your face up to poke your tongue out at him petulantly. 

Once he was done cackling at your childish reaction, you decided to change the subject to something that had been pressing on your mind. “Um… will… will there be other people there?” You looked down at your outfit, just some jean shorts and tank top (secretly wanting to show more skin… for no particular reason of course…). “I-I might need to change if I will be meeting someone new…”

He smiled and gave you a painfully slow once-over, making you blush furiously (no shocker there). “Just you, me, Hannie, and Chan-hyung. Besides–” He stepped to the side to let you out. “–you look great.” 

Needless to say, you were exceptionally bashful the entire car ride to the bonfire. You were quiet, however, you were surprisingly becoming more comfortable with his company… and his constant teasing as he made it his mission to fluster you the whole way there with relentless mock-flirting.

When Minho led you around the side of the house of your destination, you saw the other two boys goofing off. You quickly realized that when they said ‘bonfire’, it evidently only meant a large fire pit in the pasture behind Jisung’s parent’s house. Apparently they were gone for the weekend and Jisung was going to reap the benefits.

“Noona! You came!” Jisung had obviously already had a drink or two as he ran over to wrap his arms around you. You just went stiff, but you ended up shakily placing your arms loosely around him to return the hug with a shy smile. After Jisung, Chan wrapped his arm over your shoulder and started walking you further out into the backyard.

“We’ve missed you! Don’t disappear on us again, okay?” He talked sugary sweet before Minho pulled you away from him with a glare at his elder. You definitely didn’t want to unpack that reaction. 

Minho offered you a seat on an old, worn out cushioned bench with a thick blanket draped over it so you would have a clean place to sit. It was surprisingly comfortable, and you folded your legs up underneath you to snuggle into the plush backing. Chan spoke once again. “I didn’t know if you wanted any alcohol, so I brought soda, juice, and some fruity concoction I thought you might like.” You smiled. That was so considerate of him and you felt your heart swell.

“That’s… really nice of you, Chan… thank you…” Why did you always have to sound so meek? “I actually think I’ll take… um… can I have one of those ales or ciders or whatever it is you have there?” You nodded to the alcoholic drink in his hand. You were feeling risky that night, besides, all things in moderation, right?

He looked astonished. “Absolutely! Coming right up!” However, before Chan could reach in the cooler to grab it, Minho beat him to the punch, grabbing the said beverage and a beer with one hand, and carrying a blanket in the other. He looked nonchalant as he walked over and sat right next to you on the small bench.

He was silent as he handed the drink to you and fanned out the blanket. Your whole body tensed when he laid the single fabric over both of your laps and cracked open his drink. You were still looking at him in shock as he amusedly looked down at your drink and then back to your face.

By the time you realized you were gawking, your face steamed with embarrassment. “O-oh… thank you…” You started sounding small again and you bowed your head in thanks.

He chuckled and patted your bare knee under the blanket, sending a lightning bolt directly to your brain from the contact of his skin on yours, creating a burst of dopamine. “No problem.” Why was his voice so velvety? You looked at the drink tentatively. Apparently it looked like an apple cider and you realized you didn’t have a bottle opener and you hoped it was a twist top. You tried desperately to twist it open until Minho snatched the glass container out of your hand and popped the cap like it was nothing. “There you go, angel.”

You sucked in a breath from the name that he apparently donned you with and you bit your lip to hide your smile. And of course he noticed.

He narrowed his eyes and gave you a crooked grin. “Keep the drinking to a minimum, angel~” He emphasized the last word with a smirk. You ducked your head as you took the beverage and lightly shoved him with your shoulder in retaliation.

He cackled and you hesitantly held the lip of the bottle to your lips. You took a small sip and smacked your lips to analyze the taste. It was delicious. You eagerly raised the bottle to your lips again and took a big swig. “Woah woah little lady! Take it slow ya drunkard.” Jisung drunkenly tried to wedge himself between you and Minho on the tiny bench and only ended up sitting halfway on Minho and the other half on you. “We’ve got aaall night.” He was leaning all the way into your space and you felt slightly claustrophobic.

He flashed you a wink and you shyly giggled while looking away from his antics. “Fuck off, Sung!” Minho pushed him off and he stood with a pout. “Your gonna fucking crush us!” Minho scooted closer to you, pressing up against you to keep the quokka looking man from trying again. Your eyes widened and your eyes were glued to his manspreading underneath the blanket he shared with you.

You took another huge swig of your drink.

- - - - - - - - - -

You were at the bottom of your second bottle, but since it had a low alcohol content, you were only a little tipsy… (okay, maybe more than a little) “Okay, noona. I’m cutting you off now.” Chan pointed a finger at you and you pouted.

“But it’s so good Channie!” The man shyly chuckled but shook his head.

“Sorry, girly. I won’t be swayed.” You guzzled the rest of your drink and leaned your head on Minho’s shoulder while pouting your lip at him. “Minnie, can I please have one more?” You weren’t in the mindset to have any shame.

His eyes widened at your proximity and he bit his lip briefly. “I think he’s right, noona. Let’s just listen to Sung try to play the guitar while he’s sloshed…” He reluctantly looked away and your eyes stayed glued to his perfect face as the music started.

- - - - - - - - - -

You all sat around listening to music, hearing hilarious stories of the three of them and Changbin, and eating delicious smores that melted in your mouth just right. It had been about an hour and you had definitely sobered up since they cut you off.

However, you were starting to get incredibly sleepy. You started nodding off and of course Minho noticed. You went completely stiff when you felt his hand loop around your head to slowly tilt your head onto his shoulder.

WHAT THE FUCK SHOULD YOU DO?! Take your head off and offend him? Or keep your head there and deal with the embarrassment later? Your head was in a mess and, needless to say, you were no longer anywhere near sleepy now.

He returned his hand to its original place in between the two of you. Much to your dismay, that happened to be right next to your own hand. You didn’t know if he could sense that you were as stiff as a rock, but, just for a moment, you let yourself bask in it all. 

You listened to the cicadas sing. The crackling of the fire. Jisung and Chan casually chatting amongst themselves. You could tell that your body was involuntarily relaxing against him, sinking into his warm support and you let yourself pretend that you were in some normal girl’s shoes. One who isn’t afraid to speak to someone or touch a man or lean into him or try to kiss–

“Hey, we’re ready to wrap it up for tonight, you staying here?” Jisung’s sobered up voice rang out.

“Yeah you guys can go. I’ll wait for her to wake up, then I’ll douse the fire.” Minho quietly responded.

“Cool. G’night, man.”

You heard the other two men walk away and their car doors slam right before they drove off. You were paralyzed. You didn’t know if you should pretend to wake up or if that would give away the fact that you were awake the whole time. You should probably–

…

His hand was moving, fidgeting, doing something right next to yours. You were abruptly hyper-focused on his movements and you didn’t want to do anything to make him redirect any of his actions. Did he notice that you were holding your breath?

You mentally cursed when your finger eagerly twitched. Please tell me he didn’t notice.

Your breath was still held when you felt him move more purposefully and you were pretty sure that you died when he slid his hand into your own. WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?! What was he doing?! Was he trying to kill you?! Or was he just playing you? You let out the breath you were holding, knowing that it was a bad idea, but you returned the action by letting your fingers interlace with his.

“I know you’ve been awake the whole time, you know?” Your eyes shot open. “You can give up the act now.” You knew it would kill you to look at him, but you slowly rose up from his shoulder, blinking your eyes over to his for a half of a millisecond and then to the ground with a lowered head. He squeezed your hand under the blanket when you tried to let go and you bit your lip.

“I–I’m sorry…” You whispered.

“Hey, noona…” His words were low and gravely.

You were definitely not prepared when he grabbed your chin with his other hand and slowly turned your head to make eye contact with you. His face was focused and analytical as his eyes searched back and forth between your own.

“Why were you pretending?” Even though he had a hold of your chin, you still looked down and your face’s temperature raised at an alarming rate. Your eyes darted to his lips when you saw the movement of him wetting them with his tongue. You didn’t know why, but you moistened your own as well. He muttered in a voice so low you almost missed it. “Changbin is going to kill me…”

You thought you had died before when he held your hand, but now he made your whole body set aflame. His eyes lowered to your mouth and cautiously pulled you in to press his lips against your own. Your eyes were blown wide and you stared in astonishment at his closed ones. The firelight flicked across his face and you were sure he was the most beautiful creature who had ever walked God’s green Earth.

You’d never been kissed.

You had no clue what to do and he hesitated when he felt that you weren’t reciprocating the action. Your heart dropped when he released your face and retreated his lips from yours. “Shit, fuck. I’m sorry, noona… I–” You cut him off when he tried to loosen his hand and you frantically grabbed it with both of your own.

He looked at you quizzically and you saw his ears tinged with a reddish color. “I…” You could barely choke the words out. “C-can… Can you do that again… please?” You probably sounded pathetic, but you couldn’t give two fucks once his face morphed into one of pure adoration.

With one of his hands held in a vice grip by yours, he pulled his other hand up to caress your cheek. His eyes scanned all over your face as he looked at you with an expression that you couldn’t quite decipher. You licked your lips as his hand slid back to cup the side of your neck and he slowly pulled you close to press his lips against yours.

You closed your eyes this time when he did and you fell into the feeling of the kiss. His lips were warm and moist and your heart was beating at a hundred miles a minute. He continually released and kissed you again, moving his lips against your own stiff ones. 

“Is this okay?” He whispered against your lips and you pulled back and bit your lip when your eyes met. God, your face was on fire. 

Here we go, get ready to sound pathetic. “I um…” You cleared your throat. “I haven’t ever kissed anyone before…” You lowered your head in shame when his eyes bulged out of his head. “I… I don’t really know what to do…”

You knew you looked ashamed and you tensed up when you felt his hand let go of yours. However, a chill ran down your spine when he took your face in both of his hands to make you look him in the eyes.

“Don’t be shy, angel. You are so goddamned adorable I don’t know what to do with myself…” You bit back your bashful smile. His thumb ran over your cheek. “Do you want me to show you how?”

You narrowly nodded your head in his hands and he smirked, pulling you back in and pressing his lips to yours once more.

He was slow and patient. He released and connected slowly as you attempted to do the same, trying to keep your lips moist, but not slobbery. Slowly, his pressure increased and his hands floated down to the sides of your neck. You were almost hyperventilating from the tingly feeling in your stomach.

He pulled back minutely and you chased his lips, making him chuckle as he held you in place. He, once again, whispered against your lips. “Can I try something?”

Your mind was in too much of a haze and all you wanted was to be connected to him again. You whispered a tiny “Anything” and he harshly pressed his lips to yours once more, making you sigh in relief.

His lips were more opened when he kissed back and he tilted his head to get closer to you. You gasped when his tongue peeked out and caressed your lower lip. He did this again and again until he subtly tried to pry your mouth open with it. You hesitantly let him in and you felt sparks go off in your head when his wet muscle collided with your own.

The self-consciousness you felt when you let out a small moan was catastrophic. However, when you felt him smile against your lips, you couldn’t give two shits.

More, you wanted all of him, you wanted to touch him and be touched by him. You were even surprised by yourself when you looped your arms around his neck and folded a leg under you to sit crooked on the bench to lean into him more.

It was his turn to make a noise, a low grumble in his chest as his hands floated down to land on your waist. You became more and more bold as you sucked on his tongue and then let him do the same to you in return.

His grip on your waist tightened when you tried to rise up to get closer to him. “H-hey… slow down, angel…” You didn’t want to. You reattached your lips to his and he groaned in defeat. He let you lean on him and you laced your fingers in his fiery hair.

You decided you loved kissing. No, that’s not right… You loved kissing Minho.

You moaned again when he licked into your mouth and then bit your lip. You felt an unfamiliar feeling swim around in your core. Once again, he grabbed your face, but he had to try and pry your mouth off of his. You clung onto his shirt as the both of you panted and stared into each other’s eyes.

“Angel… we need to stop…” He sounded pained to say the words.

You kept your eyes on his spit-slicked lips and shook your head. “Don’t wanna…” Your voice was whinier than intended. You were afraid that if you stopped kissing him now, you would never have another chance again.

You lunged forward, trying to overpower his hold. For a moment, it worked. His resolve weakened momentarily when you sucked his lower lip into your mouth and then dove your tongue into his mouth. You could feel his lips try to hold back, but he couldn’t help but to return your kiss.

Once again, you were pulled back and you glared at him with a huff. He chuckled with a very quiet “cute”. He kept his grip firm as he kissed your forehead and then lowered his hands to your shoulders to keep you from lunging at him. “We can continue later, yeah? Your brother will be home soon and I don’t want him waiting up for you, angel.”

All you needed to hear was the fact that he wanted to continue as well. Your eyes finally drifted up from his lips to his eyes and you found them wide and smiling. Now that you weren’t in the haze that his lips brought to your mind, you blushed painfully.

He released your head when your hands flew up to hide your face. You whimpered as you nodded your head bashfully. 

“Hey–” He pried your hands from your face and you refused to look him in the eye. “What happened to the girl that just tried to lick my tonsils?” He leaned over to try and catch your eye and you scowled at his teasing face. 

You pushed him away and crossed your arms. “Shut up…” You mumbled.

Your embarrassment crumbled, however, when he gently turned your head and gave you a quick peck before standing up, holding a hand out to help you up as well. “Don’t be mad, angel. It turned me on so much I can’t see straight. It took everything in my power to make myself stop.” Your eyes bugged out as you took his hand and stood up. He winked at you and you knew you were ruined for this man.

- - - - - - - - - -

Minho:

What u doin right now?

Angel Noona:

Working 🙃

Minho:

Interesting…

Angel Noona:

???

You didn’t get it. It was a full fifteen minutes after you responded and he still had not texted you back. He had been texting you constantly after the night of the “bonfire” and you still had not had the chance to see him all of the following week with both of your conflicting schedules.

You kept checking your phone every two minutes and still no response. Your head was spiraling. Did I say something wrong? Is he not interested in talking when I’m at work? Did he just ask to see if I was available? I wonder if he wants me as much as I want him. Did he already get tired of m–

Your spiraling was cut off by the sound of someone clearing their throat. Once again, you screeched and the book you were holding absently in your lounge chair in your hideout went crashing to the ground.

“You’re a little scaredy cat, aren’t you?” The red head remarked as he picked up the novel from the ground and set it on the side table. Your heart was hammering in your chest as you took in the sight of Minho’s evil smirk. Holy hell how is he always so beautiful?

He wasn’t wearing anything significantly notable, just a black t-shirt and some jeans. But, damn, was it the most delicious looking sight you had ever seen… (especially with how those pants hugged his thighs so delectably)

“You still there, angel?” Minho had stepped close to you and tapped your reading glasses. It was then that you realized you were mindlessly gawking at him and you cleared your throat and looked away.

“I– I…” You sucked in your lips, not trusting your voice. Your face was constantly red around this man. You still weren’t able to look at him, but your face formed a tiny, giddy smile.

A shadow passed over you and you looked up to see Minho hovering over you, his hands on each of the arms of your chair as he stared into your soul. “I don’t even get a hello? Should I leave?” He cocked his head with a cute lilt in his voice.

“N-No!” You bit your lip when you realized you had basically shouted that in his face. At the same time, cowering away because you had slightly jolted up and closer to his face. “H-Hi Minho…”

He sucked in his lips to hide his amused smile. “Hey there, noona.” He said it deeply and as low as a whisper and and you licked your lips, mind glitching from his proximity. “I’ve missed your cute little bashfulness. I thought I’d come see it firsthand and not over text.” He gave you a once over and also licked his lips, leaning in closer.

“Noona! You’ll never guess wha–” Felix’s voice rang as he quickly walked down the aisle, but cut himself off when he rounded the corner and saw Minho hovered over you. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” Felix squared up to Minho as the man calmly stood up to face the smaller boy.

You shot up out of your chair when you saw Felix try and get in Minho’s face and you stood between them. “Felix! Stop! It’s okay!” Felix looked at you skeptically and then back at Minho. You hadn’t spilled the beans yet about you and Minho’s rendezvous and you didn’t blame him for being startled.

You looked back at Minho who wore a stoic face as he stared daggers at Felix. How the fuck should you introduce him? You hadn’t established any kind of relationship and you definitely hadn’t slept with each other. What was Minho to you?

“Felix, this is… this is one of Changbin’s friends I told you about…” You used the fact that Minho was at your back to your advantage as you made a pleading face to make him understand and leave.

Your blessed best friend read your intent and released a smile that took up his entire face. “Ooooh yes, I see.” He bit his lip with giddiness and you rolled your eyes. “Okay! Don’t mind me! I’ll just talk to you later, noona.” He winked at you and then skipped off down the aisle.

You sighed in relief until you felt the tense presence behind you and you were suddenly afraid to turn around. You stood there momentarily and then you felt arms wrap around your midriff, making you gasp. You felt his hot breath across the left side of your neck and your heart hammered. “Who was that?” It almost sounded like a growl as he whispered the words.

You were breathing heavily with anticipation. “M-my best friend, Felix… He works here too.” You couldn’t control the airy tone to your voice.

“Hmmm…” You felt his breath raise to your ear. “Just a friend?” 

You couldn’t help but feel a hint of satisfaction with the semi-jealous remark. “Of course…” You tentatively turned around in his arms and placed your palms on his chest, eyes glued to them because there was no way you could look at his face when you said the words. “I… I only want you…”

He was silent for a moment and you helplessly looked up at him. He was staring down at you with a smile and you panicked when he lowered his face down to yours. “Is that so?” His grin was cheeky as his breath fanned across your lips. “Prove it…” He whispered and your resolve crumbled.

You wrapped your arms around his neck and tentatively pressed your lips into his, your shyness slowly melting away once your wet tongues started colliding. 

Then you were hungry for more.

You started to put so much force into it, that he ended up being pushed back into your chair. He laughed as you put your hand over your mouth in astonishment of your actions. However, this was short lived as you saw a dangerous glint in his eye and you didn’t hesitate to connect your mouths once more.

At first, you just leaned over his seated form, but when your kisses became more eager, you placed your knees on either side of his legs, squeezed tight by the small armchair. He looked up at you in awe of your boldness and his eyes went dark when you curled your fingers into his ginger hair. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous…” He muttered against your lips. His hands stayed politely on your waist, but something inside you wanted more, not like you could ever initiate it though.

You couldn’t help but writhe around on his lap as you tried to get as close as possible to him in the small chair. You knew you would be mortified when your senses came back to you, but all you could focus on now was his wet tongue prodding inside your mouth as your panties started getting wet.

That was definitely a new development.

Of course you knew everything about the birds and the bees. I mean, you had read smut for heaven’s sake, you weren’t clueless. But you had never experienced anything first hand. And, man, the feeling made you ache in a way you had never experienced before.

You whined pathetically when his hands grabbed your hips to keep them in place as he lightly massaged you. “God, you’re trying to kill me, angel…” He growled against your lips. Once again, he had to hold you back from your continuous assault on his lips. You kept chasing him and he chuckled. “Baby girl, you’re at work. I promise we can continue this later.” Baby girl… holy fuck.

You huffed and dropped your forehead on his shoulder, hands grasped tightly onto his shirt. You closed your eyes and took a long, deep breath to cool yourself down. You were pissed at how right he was. You sat up and looked at him with doe eyes. “Promise?” You unintentionally went back to feeling small and weak next to him.

He chuckled at your change in demeanor and gave you a smirk. His face leaned into you and he trailed kisses up the side of your neck, making you gasp and quiver. He gave you a squeeze on the hips as he left a wet, open-mouthed kiss right under your ear. “I swear, angel.”

He laid one last chaste kiss on your cheek and helped you stand up.

He ended up sticking around and doing what he originally intended to do when he came. Listening to you read aloud, talk about each other’s likes and dislikes, and basically anything and everything you usually discussed over text, but actually getting to see and hear him directly.

He stayed most of the day and even helped you with a few tasks. You felt like you were in a dream you never wanted to wake up from.

- - - - - - - - - -

Unfortunately, Minho worked the next day, so you spent the whole day being as lazy as possible. That night, you had just stepped out of the shower and threw on an oversized t-shirt and some sleep shorts when you heard a noise from down stairs, specifically the noise of your front door code chiming with each digit. You froze, your heart beating out of your chest as you carefully listened to make sure your ears didn’t deceive you.

Sure enough, you heard the opening and closing of the front door.

Panic rushed through your body. Changbin wasn’t supposed to be home for another couple hours or so and he never gets off work early.

You rushed to your bed, freshly washed hair still dripping down your face and soaking your shirt. You got on the floor and pulled out your emergency baseball bat from under the frame. Sure, it wasn’t the best weapon, but it would at least do enough to help you escape if need be.

You were as quiet as possible as you made your way down the stairs and you heard footsteps getting closer right around the corner. Okay, this is no time to be a pussy, Y/N. You can do this.

You were shaking with every step you heard and your palms were sweating from where they held the bat. When you saw a shadow walk up to the corner, you swung your bat around and your weak arms landed a blow with a loud *thud*.

“MOTHER FUCKER!! WHAT THE HELL?!” Your heart dropped out of your ass when you heard the voice of the intruder. At the speed of light, you whipped around the corner and was mortified to see Minho laying on the ground, slightly bloodied hand as he held it over his cheekbone in pain.

You dropped to your knees and crawled over to him, bowing your head to the floor at his feet with a profuse repetition of “ohmygodimsosorry” and “pleaseforgiveme” and “donthatemeimsuchanidiot”. 

Eventually he groaned as he sat up and saw your pleading. You looked back up at him with tears in your eyes. Oh my god, what have I done?! Fuck. Shit. He hates me now. A single tear fell from your eye and he smiled at you softly, wiping the tear away and pulling you in for a tight hug. He kissed your hair and whispered a tiny “It’s okay, angel.”

- - - - - - - - - -

He winced as you delicately held the frozen pack of peas to his bandaged up cheek and you bit your lip in concern. He obviously noticed and held onto your unoccupied hand. “I know you’re uneasy around me sometimes, angel. But goddamn, you don’t have to try and kill me to get me to leave you alone!” He chuckled at his own sarcastic remark and the makeshift ice pack dropped to the floor when you buried your face in your hands.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t blame you if you never talked to me again…” He gently grabbed your wrists and pulled your hands away from your teary-eyed face.

“Hey, look at me angel.” You looked up at him with a quivering lip from where you were seated next to him on the couch. “I was just joking, babe.” He said babe… “I know you didn’t mean to hurt me. It’s my own damn fault for not warning you that I was coming to pick up my earbuds from Changbin’s room on my work break. I’m sorry, angel.”

He kissed your forehead and you scoffed as you wiped away a stray tear. “Why are you apologizing? You’re not the one that beat your crush to a pulp.” You looked down at your hands that he had grasped in his own, knees touching from your proximity.

“Crush, huh?” He had a mischievous tone in his voice and you looked up at the glint in his eye. “And here I thought we had gotten past that point…” He smirked at you and you obviously blushed.

“W-well, I don’t know what to call it!” You pulled your hands from his and crossed your arms as you looked at the floor.

You were less than prepared when he pushed you back by the shoulders down onto the couch cushions, your shocked eyes looking back into his smoldering ones as he hovered above you. “You can call it whatever you want to. If we’re just friends, then so be it. But if you want me to yourself…” He said as he slowly caressed your arm and did a once-over of your body. “...then just say the word and I’m yours.”

You felt every fiber of your being crackle like pop rocks with astonishment and your mind went blank. For once, you could think clearly without any ruminating or anxiety holding you back as you thought of your answer. “I… I really like you, Minho… I… I really want you to want me too…” You couldn’t look him in the eyes and your whole face was cherry red but your lids were hooded and your breathing was heavy with tension.

When you looked up at the man hovering over you to see his reaction, the smile that spread across his face was one of the most beautiful expressions you had ever seen. “Then I’m yours, angel.”

He immediately latched his lips onto yours and your hands flew up to wrap around his neck, your fingers intertwining in his red locks soon after. He quickly pried your mouth open with his tongue and normally you would worry that you were an awful kisser, but with the way he explored your mouth so enthusiastically, you decided you didn’t care.

The way he had his seated upper body pressed against you drove you wild. Your core was swirling with want and since you never really had experience with the feeling before, you couldn’t tame it.

You couldn’t control your body as it involuntarily arched up into him and your leg slowly started creeping up to lay on top of his slightly angled lap that leaned toward you. He groaned into your mouth and then breathed heavily when his body slowly moved to hover over you properly, kneeling on the couch to let you put your legs up to pull him closer.

His lids were heavy when he pulled back momentarily. “Angel, I think we need to–”

“No…” You adamantly cut off his anguished words with a whiny plea as you tangled your legs with his. You were slightly freaked out with how bold you were being, but you refused to let that get to your head and stop you.

He grunted when you pulled him flush to you and your hands naturally traveled all over his neck and back. He had one of his thighs in between your legs and you couldn’t explain the type of feeling you had when he pressed it up against you, all you could register was the embarrassing moan that escaped your lips.

You sucked your lips in your mouth and scrunched your eyes tightly with the mortification. You could feel his breath on your face as he looked down on you. “God, you’re so adorable.” You opened your eyes and whined at his patronizing remark.

“Minho! Don’t make fu–ahh–” You were cut off by another moan when he pressed against you again. Once again, you clamped your eyes shut and you couldn’t catch your breath. The pleasure his thigh brought you had an almost frightening effect on you. Your hands grabbed onto his biceps for dear life when he stopped moving. You looked up with pleading eyes.

“What do you want, baby girl?” His voice was a low growl as he teased you.

You bit your lip and took a deep breath, finally looking up at him with shaky eyes. “Can… Can you please do that again…?” You felt beyond humiliated for saying it out loud and your whole body turned an aggressive shade of red. Do I seem desperate? Am I a slut for wanting this? Why hasn’t he responded?!

Your ruminating ended when he ran his hand down your face with a wicked smile. His fingertips slowly ran down from your cheek, to your neck, down your decolletage and the side of your breast, finally ending its journey at the hem of your shirt, running his thumb just barely underneath to touch your bare skin. “Anything you want, sweet girl.”

You threw your head back again when he ran his whole thigh up between your legs, making your hips accidentally buck up. You squeaked out a ‘m-mm’ between your lips that were trying to hold back the humiliating noises, but Minho plunged in and there was no holding back. He latched his lips onto your neck and started licking and lightly sucking, leaving little wet kisses down the length of it. The noises tried to escape you, but you refused to let them.

He was slow with his movements, and you could feel his bulge press against your hip. The feeling made you terrified of the realization of what was actually happening, but you felt giddy that he was enjoying this just as much as you were. However, he only stopped after a few long strokes, removing his leg and pulling away to hover over you again

You huffed and cocked your head to look at him. He was slightly biting his lip, looking almost pained. “Angel, we really need to stop. We will have more time later, yeah?”

“B-but!” You whined and clung onto him, hiding your face in his shoulder. "But it hurts when you stop…” Your mind wasn’t able to focus on anything other than the aching between your legs. You rubbed your knees together to try and get some friction.

He looked down at your action and licked his lips. He chuckled shakily and caressed the bare skin of your waist where your shirt had risen up. “I know, baby. But I won’t have much willpower to not go further if I stay any longer.” Your ears burst into flames from the implication. “Can I help you with that some other time?” You shivered from his caress on your skin and his sugary sweet tone.

“I guess so…” You didn’t even realize that you started to sound so crestfallen and shy. However, you felt bashful as hell from how you were acting, so it was no surprise that you sounded like it. “I… I think I really like kissing you…”

He laughed at your honest remark and pushed some disheveled hair out of your face. “Oh yeah?” You looked away with a dusting of pink on your cheeks as you nodded. Another snicker escaped him. “Well…” He placed a soft kiss on your forehead. “We’ve got plenty of time to do that later.” 

He winked at you and you hid your face with your hands to hide your giddy reaction. You heard the click of his tongue and you peeked through your fingers. 

“You make it so hard to stop when you’re so goddamned adorable.” He leaned in and whispered in your ear. “It makes me want to ruin you, baby girl…” The gasp you sucked in almost choked you and your eyes went wide. He flashed you that beautiful, evil half grin he always donned and you bit your lip as your face burnt.

He sat up and removed his hovering body away from you, but you stayed layed and hidden behind your hands.

“D-don’t tease me, Min…” You didn’t even realize you had said the shortened name until you felt the scorching hot feeling of his hand on your bare thigh squeeze you.

“Min, huh? I like that.” You finally sat up, too intimidated to look at his face and felt your heart crumble when he stood up and turned back to you. “I promise we will have more time later, angel. I’ve got to get those earbuds and head back to work.” He held out his hand and you took it to stand up slowly.

You were surprised with the soft smile he gave you instead of his normal intimidating one.

After he retrieved the aforementioned item, he softly pecked your cheek at the front door. “I’ll text you, yeah? Don’t lock yourself away from me again while I’m gone, kay?”

You nodded and it was only when you looked back at the couch that you realized what you had done. HOLY SHIT! You had JUST RECENTLY had your first kiss and you were already ready to give away your whole body to this man!!!

…

He’s definitely worth it.

- - - - - - - - - -

It wasn’t long before you saw Minho again, he decided to take you out like a proper boyfriend. Dinner, the movies, all that fun stuff. You were surprised with how funny and how much of an oddball he was. After the encounter where you fucking nailed his beautiful face and cracked it open like an egg (to which the other boys taunted him about profusely), he wanted to slow down with you, much to your dismay.

Even when you two were alone, he didn’t try anything, even if your thirsty ass wanted to be all over him. After about a month of that happening, your thoughts started spiraling down with anxiety and insecurities. He is sick of me. I wasn’t any good and now he is letting me down easy. I should have known that a man like him would never want to be with someone as pathetic as me. I should just make it easy for him and shut–

“NOONA!” Changbin shouted, shaking you from your thoughts.

“Huh? What?” You fumbled out of your daze as you fixed your eyes on your brother.

You and all of the guys were hanging out at your house in the living room for a movie night. Changbin sat in the armchair while you, Minho, Jisung, and Chan huddled on the sectional. You curled in on yourself with anxiety when all the guys watched Minho wrap his arm around you when you got settled in on the couch.

Before you and Minho went on your first official date, you had told Changbin. It was like he went through several stages of introspectiveness. First, he was quiet, like he wasn’t sure he heard you right. Second, he was angry, mad that Minho even came onto you. Third, he was hysterical, disbelieving that you were telling the truth. Fourth, he was grieving, sad that his elder sister was no longer his ‘baby sister’ (even though you literally weren’t). And finally, he was happy for you and Minho, deciding that if you were with anyone, he was glad it was with Minho.

However, it was when Changbin eyed him speculatively that you had zoned out.

“Noona, I called you like, three times.” He sat forward on his chair to get your attention and you shivered when Minho massaged your arm. You couldn’t look at either of them.

“O-oh, sorry… I must have zoned out…” You weakly chuckled and you realized that you started to sound meek again.

“We were asking what movie you wanted to watch.” Jisung jovially said to you from the other side of Minho.”

“Oh, um… I don’t really care…” You ducked your head down, unintentionally cowering from the attention. Why were you so anxious today?

“You sure?” Minho said from beside you, trying, and failing, to catch your gaze. You just silently nodded to him.

“Well okay then!” Chan clapped his hands as he stood up. “Changbin, let’s go grab some snacks and then we can watch ‘Parasite’, everyone cool with that?”

There was a “Hell yeah!” from Jisung and a “Cool with me.” from Minho. You just pathetically nodded again.

You could feel Minho’s gaze on you and you pulled your legs up on the couch to hug your knees.

Jisung must have felt the tension because he headed to the kitchen as well with a brief “Uh… I’ll go help them!”

That was when you felt Minho shift forward to face you in a way that you couldn’t escape his eyes. “You okay, angel? You seem tense.” He lightly massaged your shoulder and you minutely relaxed. You were exponentially smitten with this man.

“I’m fine, Min…” You looked down. “...Just distracted…” You bit your lip, hoping he wouldn’t look into it further.

“Talk to me, babe. I wanna help.” Your heart soared, even though you deflated from his insistence.

“I…” You didn’t know how to put your thoughts into words. You bit your lip and looked down.

You weren’t prepared for him to gently grab your chin with his thumb and index finger and direct your field of vision right into his eyes. He looked to the hall that connected to the kitchen and then gazed back at you, lowering his eyes to your lips as he leaned in to give you a long, lingering kiss. When he pulled back, he had a slight smirk. “Trust me, I have ways of making you talk.”

His hand landed on your thigh and you froze. 

His lustful expression started gravitating closer to your face and just when you were for sure his actions were going to lead in a certain direction, he abruptly went the opposite way. You squealed when he wrapped himself around you and started tickling you relentlessly, the hand that was on your thigh moving to wrap around your waist and pull you tight to trap you against him.

He smiled at your tears of laughter and a deep red dusted across your cheeks once you begged for mercy and he stopped his torture. He looked at you like you had hung the moon and you swooned.

Once your mind settled, it anxiously remembered his question and your happy reactions turned back into anxious ones. “I… I…” You couldn’t get anything but that one syllable out of your mouth and he bit back an amused smile.

“How can you be so precious–.” He kissed your cheek. “–And yet so sexy at the same time, hm?” He practically growled the words into your ear and you were absolutely frozen. “Now…” He leaned back and looked you in the eyes again, his hand returning to park on your upper thigh. “Are you going to talk to me? Or do you want me to leave?”

Your eyes blew wide. There was no way in hell that you would let him go now. “N-No!” You wrapped your arms around his neck to keep him in place. He seemed very amused by your loud outburst. “I… I’ve just been thinking…” He tilted his head cutely and you blushed. “We haven’t really done anything since…” 

You directed your vision to the very couch you were sitting on. The one where you just about gave all of yourself to him. You knew he understood as he closed his eyes and slightly nodded.

“A-and…” You habitually looked away when your nerves were through the roof and your lower lip was almost bloodied from your anxious chewing. “And I’m afraid… that you didn’t like it… that you don’t want me in the way I want you… or that I am too pathe–”

You were cut off by his lips crashing into yours and his hands tightening around you. He continued to press kisses all over your mouth and face and a giggle escaped your lips. When he relented his attack, he looked at you with a worried smile. “Whatever it is that you are thinking, just know that you can’t be any more wrong.”

You felt shy and ashamed under his intense gaze.

“I’m a blunt man, noona. I don’t sugarcoat anything, you should know that by now.” You meekly nodded your head. “If I didn’t want you, I wouldn’t be holding you right now.” He squeezed you tighter and dug his fingers into your upper thigh. “If I didn’t want you, I wouldn’t be kissing you.” He placed a delicate kiss to your lips. “And if I didn’t want to ruin you right this instant, I wouldn’t be fucking my hand every single day while thinking of you.”

Your eyes popped out of your head when the gravely words left his mouth and he slid the thumb of his hand up your inner thigh mere inches from where you wanted him. You shivered as he groped your thigh and looked down at you with fire in his eyes.

“And DON’T–” You cowered at his enraged tone of voice. “–EVER fucking say you are anything less than the incredible woman you are.” You deflated and your heart ached. “You are the most infuriatingly adorable, intelligent, sexy, and kind-hearted person I know.” He squeezed you impossibly tight. “Don’t you ever forget that, okay?”

He had stolen all of the words out of your lungs as your mind only focused on the fact that you realized you loved him. After only a couple months of knowing Minho, you had fallen hard and fast. The only thing that you could squeak out was a small “O-okay…”

His eyes went dark again. “Say it like you mean it, angel.”

The intimidation that radiated off of him snapped you back to reality. “Okay… okay, Min…”

His features softened and he provided a genuine smile. “Good girl.” The way he said it gave you a chill down your spine and you pulled him closer by his neck, stealing a long, sensual kiss.

“Gross, guys! Get a fucking room, would ya?!” Jisung shouted from nowhere. You retracted yourself from the redhead as if he was made of fire and felt your entire body flush. You were as stiff as a board while Minho kept his arm around you with a smirk. Oh god, earth, swallow me now.

Changbin walked in with a glare directed at Minho and you knew this was going to be a looong movie.

- - - - - - - - - -

You had bid Chan and Jisung farewell and a good night as Changbin sluggishly dragged himself up the stairs and to his bedroom.

As for you and Minho, the latter had you pressed up against the wall next to the front door as he sucked and licked his way down your neck. You had your hands underneath his shirt to feel his bare back and his hands were firmly groping your ass.

“God…” He said between the desperate kisses on your neck and collarbone. “I wanted to take it slow, but…” He bit down particularly hard on your shoulder and you whined. “...but you’re driving me fucking crazy…” He wedged his leg in between yours and provided that erotic feeling on your clit with his thigh again.

You had tried to play with yourself since Minho had introduced you to that kind of pleasure, and you got to explore your sexual side, but it was nothing compared to his touch.

You whimpered when you finally got to feel his hard thigh on you again. He pressed it against you firmly, but your natural instincts took over and you started grinding down hard on the strong muscle, trying to keep your moans quiet so Changbin wouldn’t hear.

“Tell me how it feels, baby. I bet your wet cunt is so pretty right now.” You gasped and blushed to the point of it being painful at his profane words while he used his hold on your ass to raise you up and down on his flexed quad and, in turn, also rubbed his erection against your hip. You were unbearably red from his boldness and the filth of it all.

You breathlessly and bashfully answered. “You… you make me feel so good, Min…”

You felt him smile against your neck and then he relented his assault on your ass, just to run his hands up the back of your shirt to feel your bare skin as well. “That’s right baby, tell me how good. I want to hear those dirty thoughts finally come out of that pretty little mouth.”

You wouldn’t be able to in a hundred years. You couldn’t tell him that your panties were drenched right now. Or the fact that you wanted him to touch you in any and every way possible. Or the fact that you had thought of him fucking you senseless countless times. No, you definitely couldn’t respond.

You whined pathetically and hid your face in his shoulder as you continued to grind down on him. “Awe, is my angel too shy?” You nodded into his shoulder. “It’s okay baby, all I need to hear are those sweet noises of yours.” He smiled as he raised your lips to his and hugged you tight against his body, grinding into you hard enough to have you both sighing in pleasure.

“M-Min… I’m having that feeling again…” You whimpered against his lips.

“Oh yeah? I bet you are soaked for me right now. I can only imagine how gorgeous you would be if you came all over yourself…” He bit his lip to hide his evil smile when you gaped at his dirty words. The hands that were traveling all over your back were scorching hot and all you wanted was for him to use those hands in other places.

“M-Minnie?” He hummed as he kissed your neck again. “Can you t-touch me?”

He looked up at you astounded. It looked like his mind glitched as he stopped moving for a moment, but he quickly resumed his cocky demeanor. “Of course, angel. Where would you like me to touch you?” He moved his hands around to your abdomen and started rubbing his thumbs around in circles, both of each other’s pelvises never relenting their grinding the entire time.

You were too embarrassed to ask directly outright, so you removed your hands from his back to reach under the back of your shirt to unclasp your bra, making it easier for him to access when you grabbed his hands and slid them up to your breasts under your shirt. He bit his lip and hummed.

Once he started massaging them, you wrapped your arms around him and hid your face once more, earning a small chuckle from him. “God, even your tits feel perfect, baby girl.” You felt a jolt shoot straight to your crotch when you felt him lightly roll your nipple between his fingers and you bucked your hips. “Sensitive, are we? Good to know…” He dug his face in your shoulder as well and started leaving marks all across it.

You had read some smut here and there throughout your literary journey and you never understood what was so sexual about boobs. You saw your own every day and when you touched your own, there was no effect. To you, they were just flabs of fat that were there only for if you decided to breastfeed down the road.

Oh how wrong you were. After having been thoroughly aroused by Minho, all of your senses were on fire. Once Minho even slightly tweaked your nipple, you realized the feeling of the supple flesh being prodded was a direct line to making your toes curl and your knees weaken.

What was once light squeezes and flicks that tested the waters of your tolerance, turned into him firmly molding the flesh in his hands and pinching your sensitive buds. You removed one of your hands from him and held it over your mouth to muffle the cry of pleasure you belted out. 

He kissed his way up your neck and bit your earlobe. “Feel how hard you make me?” He pressed his erection into your hip for emphasis and you whined in between your fingers. “I can’t even count the number of times I’ve thought about feeling you hot and wet around me.” He moved your hand so he could lick into your mouth. “It’s beyond concerning how I want to corrupt something so pure.”

Out of nowhere, he started to slow down and kiss you slow and sensually. His ministrations on your breasts started faltering and the stroking of his thigh became minutely less intense.

He pulled back from the kiss and freed one of his hands again to caress your face. “And yet…” He looked at you with sparkling eyes. “I want to cherish and protect you all the same.”

You felt your cheeks heat up (as if they weren’t already) and you leaned into his touch. “I… I want you to take all of my firsts, Minho…” His eyes blew wide and so did yours, stopping any and all movement between the two of you. You hadn’t even considered the weight of your words before they tumbled out of your mouth, and yet, you meant them all the same. 

You wanted to give your all to this man. Yes he was your first with a lot of things, and there was always the risk of losing him down the road, but you didn’t care. It’s not as if you particularly wanted to preserve your virginity, but you knew that if it was with Minho, he would make it special regardless.

However, if the dumbfounded look on Minho’s face was any indication, he probably wasn’t on the same page as you. Maybe he was just hoping to get a quick fling in and not bother with the mess of taking someone’s first. Maybe he just liked leading you on for fun. You paled. “I-I’m sorry… I-I don’t–” You felt your tear ducts swell with mortification. Of course, he is just playing with me, who would ever want to actually do something so intimate with someone like me?

You were cut off by his lips on yours (apparently he enjoyed doing that to shut up your intrusive thoughts). “Why are you apologizing, stupid little girl?” He smiled fondly at you and you shyly smiled back. “I don’t want to rush you into anything, angel. I need you to really think about it first.”

He pecked your cheek and took a step back from you. Your eyebrows furrowed. “W-w-w-w-wha–” You were so desperate for him not to leave that your baffled words failed you. What? Just like that?

You reached out to snake your arms around his neck. Did what I say put him off? It was just getting to the good part though…

You pouted and he laughed at you, removing your hands from his neck and pecking both sets of knuckles. “Angel, you can’t say shit like that to me and expect me to continue. I won’t be able to stop once I’ve started!”

You whined petulantly. “B-but that’s what I want!” He scoffed at your reaction and then suddenly fixed his dark gaze on your body, grabbing your hips and pulling you flush to him.

Without a moment’s notice, he harshly bit below your jaw and growled in your ear. “You don’t know what you’re asking for. Now be a good girl and be patient.” He finished with a low whisper. “I promise I will make it worth your while.”

Your whole body shook with nerves and he pulled back with a cocky grin. You pressed your thighs together with want and your brows worried. You were sure you would die if you had to wait any longer.

Still holding onto your hips, he gave you a long, sensual kiss. “Goodnight, my adorable little angel~” He said almost mockingly as he headed toward the door, as if he knew just how much he was leaving you pining for more. You fixed a glare on him as he chuckled and sauntered out of your house.

Did he just (hypothetically) blue ball me?

- - - - - - - - - -

Minho:

For the record

I just ate galbi with Sungie

WITHOUT YOU

A tragedy I tell you

A TRAGEDY

You inadvertently snuck a peek at your phone while organizing a new shipment of books and you had to stifle a chuckle. You constantly tried to get Minho alone, but, much to your dismay, one of the guys always tagged along.

It's not like you didn’t like hanging out with the others, they were a hoot, and you could actually talk semi-comfortably with them now, but they… lingered. Obviously, any time you would have Minho at your place, Changbin was always there to cock block you. And any time you tried to go to his place, Jisung was there. Jisung, being Minho’s roommate, made them a package deal. And even though you got exponentially closer to Jisung than the others, you were still a very shy person (shocker, I know) and you couldn’t even kiss Minho around any of them without folding in on yourself in embarrassment.

Needless to say, after two weeks of this bullshit, you were getting desperate.

Angel Noona:

That’s not my fault!

I have to work to survive!

…and feed Changbin

Minho:

What about me?!

Ur starving me!

Angel Noona:

???

Minho:

You’re starving me of much needed one on one time with my girl! 😩

You laughed and rolled your eyes at his melodrama.

Minho:

Fuck everyone else

Are you free after work?

Sungie’s staying at his parent’s place tonight

Your eyes widened when you snuck off to your hideout to read those three suggestive lines. You were suddenly in panic mode. Your thoughts were spiraling and your anxiety shot through the roof. Is he planning on tonight being THE night? Surely he doesn’t want to. He’s blunt, if he wants it, he will say it outright… right?

As if he heard your inner monologue from miles away, you felt the buzz indicating another message.

Minho:

Feeling shy, angel? 😉

I know u read what I sent

You closed your eyes and took in a deep breath, contemplating a response that didn’t sound like you had just been slapped in the face by a flurry of dangerous thoughts and lewd scenarios.

Angel Noona:

No I'm not!

I just wanted to be sure…

U mean, like, TONIGHT tonight?

Minho:

Lol ur cute

U don’t have to if u don’t wanna

I just miss u 💛

Your heart swelled and what was once a fit of anxiety quickly turned into a feeling of longing.

Angel Noona:

I miss u too…

Can I stop by my place first?

I need to grab a couple of things

Minho:

I see…

I hope ur not assuming ur staying the night

Your heart dropped and confusion was surely written all over your face. Maybe he just wants a quick lay before he goes to bed?

Minho:

LOL 😂 

I can practically hear the wheels turning in ur head

It’s a joke, angel

Angel Noona:

😡

Ur so mean

Minho:

And ur so fucking adorable

But like…

In a way that makes me want to devour you

As soon as possible

Respectively of course

Your whole face lit up and images started pinballing around in your brain. You were suddenly thinking of how you could get off work as soon as possible.

Angel Noona:

I’ll take off early

I’ll be there soon

Minho:

Eager are we?

Angel Noona:

No…

Minho:

Suuure

Whatever you say, sweetheart 😘

You scoffed and elected to leave him on read for that one, quickly calling Felix to come cover your shift. And, like the saint he is, agreed easily once you explained. You could always count on your best friend when it came to helping you broaden your horizons. Let’s just hope I don’t make a complete tit out of myself…

- - - - - - - - - -

You had stiffened when Minho opened the door to his apartment and froze to shamelessly check you out.

You went a little overboard when you went home to pack. You dusted a little makeup on your face, dolled up your hair, and changed clothes. Felix had forced them upon you last time you took him shopping because they were ‘so hot’ and ‘they compliment your body sooo perfectly’. Needless to say, it wasn’t an outfit you would EVER choose for yourself, and hence, has been hidden neatly in the dark corners of your closet ever sense.

However, on this particular night, you decided to trust Felix’s judgment. You felt extremely self-conscious walking up to Minho’s apartment in a tight, black, long-sleeved crop top and a high-waisted red plaid flare skirt topped off with black, thigh-high stockings. You felt like a damned slutty schoolgirl, even if you did wear your usual worn-out, hightop Converse, it even almost fit the look. It didn’t help that you brought your stuff with you in a backpack. You were going to kill Felix if this ended badly.

You looked down at your shoes, anxiously turning your feet inward while your fingers fiddled with the soft fabric of your skirt, not knowing what else to do while he just stood and stared.

You got even more anxious the longer the silence lingered and you were quickly regretting your decision. “Don’t just stand there… say something…” Your voice was reverting back to its old ways with the amount of fear running through your veins.

You looked up at him just in time to see him shake his head as if to snap back into reality. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water and, before he could get any words out, Jisung walked up behind him with a bag slung over his shoulder. He stood in the doorway next to Minho with a similar expression.

Jisung apparently was the first to be able to form words. “Oh… Oh my god, noona…” Both of the men’s ears were bright red and you quickly dropped your head down again, fidgeting even more with a crimson face that rivaled the color of theirs. “Noona, are you sure you want this guy? Like, I might not be as tall or as buff, but–” Jisung’s words were cut off by Minho’s hand aggressively grabbing the back of his neck and pushing him out the door while pulling you in. “Don’t have too much fun!” You faintly heard Jisung shout as Minho slammed the door in his best friend’s face.

You worriedly looked up at Minho who still hadn’t said a word, he just continued to look down at your attire. You raised your hands and covered your face. “Oh god, I knew this was a bad idea…” You groaned.

“No!” He grabbed your hands and held them tightly in the space between you as you gnawed on your lip anxiously. “N-no, I’m sorry! You look… just… wow… like… wow…” A familiar pink adorned your cheeks while a tiny smile bloomed on your lips. Your habitual shyness made you look down at his strong hands intertwined with your dainty ones to avoid eye contact.

“Y-you don’t think it’s too much?” You peered up at his face which hadn’t changed from his flabbergasted expression the entire time.

“What? Hell no! It’s just… shit angel… I really wanted to just simply have you here, but goddamnit you’re making it really difficult for me…” He released your hands and instead wrapped his arms around your waist, moving his eyes up from your attire to meet your eyes.

You were in a much similar situation. Ever since he told you that you two would be alone that night, your mind went to some very interesting places. You wrapped your arms around his neck in return and kept your glazed eyes fixed on his own as you mindlessly kicked off your shoes behind you.

You tentatively stood on your toes to press a kiss to his lips with a rose tint dusted across your cheeks and he immediately deepened it, roaming his hands over the small space of your bare back that your crop top revealed. Right at that moment, you heard a shrill beeping coming from somewhere inside the apartment. “Shit…” He mumbled against your lips and then sullenly rested his forehead against yours. “The lasagna…”

You smiled and then giggled a bit, making him smile in return.

“C’mon, angel. Let’s go eat.”

- - - - - - - - - -

After dinner, the two of you decided to settle down for a movie. You two found out that you shared an affinity for anime and you two had already prepared a list of shows and movies that you both wanted to watch somewhere down the road.

However, with the lights turned off, a warm blanket covering both of your bodies as you snuggled up to him, and the LEDs from the TV shining off of his beautiful face, you were anxious about what was to come. You were pretty sure you were going to lose your virginity that night, and you were more than excited to give that gift to Minho. But you couldn’t help but have your worries.

No one else has ever seen me naked. Will he think my body is pretty? I haven’t even watched porn before so I am probably the least experienced person in the world. Hell, I haven’t even physically seen a penis! Will he stop liking me if I’m bad in bed? Biologically, he will break my hymen. Will it hurt? Will there be blood? OH GOD, what if I get blood on his sheets?! I might as well die right then and there. Should I have started birth control? Does he have protection? Will he think–

Your thoughts were instantly redirected when Minho shifted in his spot next to you where you had cuddled up under his arm. He wrapped his hand under your arm and around your waist to pull you further up his chest so he could also prop a leg up on the couch next to your curled up legs.

This was fine. You could manage this. Deep breaths.

However, you knew you felt stiff and you didn’t want him to think you were uncomfortable. So, without further ado, you scooted yourself up a bit further to wrap your arm around his abdomen and laid your head on his chest. You knew it was risky, but you also wrapped your leg around the one he had propped up on the couch.

You heard him take a large exhale and you wondered if he was holding his breath. Was he just as nervous as you were? 

His body felt a million degrees hotter than usual as you were pressed up against him and goosebumps sprouted up all over your skin when he started rubbing circles with his thumb on your bare midriff with the hand he had wrapped around your waist. Holy fuck, how am I getting wet from just THINKING about this?

You bit your lip and clenched your eyes shut in an attempt to not make any lewd noises with the touch, but apparently, you weren’t as subtle as you thought. “You okay, angel?” His breath was hot as it fanned over the top of your head from where you were positioned on his chest. God, how does he affect me this much?

You looked up at him with a tiny smile and nodded. He smiled back softly and placed a lingering peck on your forehead, looking back at the TV soon thereafter. You, however, were mesmerized by his beauty. You knew all too well that he was a true Adonis. A statue carved by the gods. But you still could not believe that someone so perfect could be yours. You were undeserving of this man and you felt the sharp pang of love strike your heart again.

Your eyes were given a feast and you were a glutton. Your gaze drifted down to his perfectly smooth neck with veins that you wanted to trail over with your touch. You noted how his Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped down a dry swallow.

 His chest was broad and his pecs were prominent and strong, you couldn’t help but wonder what he was hiding under that thin shirt. His arms were soft and toned, veins indicating that he was strong enough to break you and you didn’t know why that turned you on so much. And oh my god HIS THIGHS, you had a fetish for those damn quads and you weren’t afraid to admit it. Especially with how he had used them to give you more pleasure than you had ever known… so far.

Lastly, your eyes landed on the main course of the night. Even when he was flaccid, his bulge was more than prominent. You were almost scared of what was behind that zipper. Even with that said, your mouth inexplicably watered and you felt waves of your arousal coating your inner labia. You instinctively pulled yourself closer to him, clenching your thighs together around his side.

He squeezed you in turn, most likely assuming you just wanted to hug him closer. He was… partially correct…

Your gaze drifted back up to his face and you licked your lips when you stared at the plump slope of his pouty upper lip. Your own mind had fully gotten you worked up and you wanted this man and you wanted him now.

You even surprised yourself when you scooted up to press a warm kiss to his cheek. When he turned and smiled at you, you got lost in his eyes. You habitually closed your eyes and laid the first gentle kiss onto his lips, which he returned in kind, letting you set the pace. You didn’t know if you liked that kind of control or not.

Regardless, you hugged him tighter as you tilted your head to deepen the kiss, running your fingers through his fiery locks in lieu of hugging his abdomen. When you tentatively poked your tongue out, he responded eagerly, pushing his own tongue against yours and exploring each other’s mouths once again. You didn’t think you could ever tire of kissing him. It felt like your lips were made for each other.

You felt his grip around your waist tighten and he used his free hand to gently run his fingertips up and down the side of your thigh. When you let out a loud, wistful sigh, he lowered his hand on your thigh to grab the back of it, pulling you up slightly further. You had rid yourself of all anxieties and replaced them with pure, carnal desire.

You deepened the kiss even further and slightly angled your body further on top of him, making him mimic your previous sigh.

With the leg he was grasping, you tentatively slid your thigh up and down the length of his growing semi and you freed the arm trapped underneath you to hold yourself above him. You had no clue what you were doing so you just let instincts take over. He was groaning into your mouth with the ministrations your leg was giving him along his length and his hand slid up under your skirt to grope your ass.

Your whole body was on fire and you were lost in the haze that was Lee Minho. The way his hand around your waist dipped up under your shirt a bit further, just enough to caress the edge of the latch of your bra. The way his breath was hot and heavy as it fanned across your face. The way the hand on your ass started kneading further and further around, closing on the inside of your thigh from behind.

It was all too much and not enough altogether. 

You needed to touch him and you needed it now.

You retreated your hand from his locks and used it to snake its way under the hem of his shirt to splay your fingers out over his abdomen. The defined muscles under your touch flexed and you quietly whined into the kiss.

Your kisses became sloppy as you nipped at each other's lips and you wanted to explore this enigmatic man even further. You wanted your mind and body completely melded to him. Your body decided your next move before your brain did.

You paused your kissing, eating him up solely with your eyes and you moved so your entire body was on top of him, your thighs hugging his hips tightly once both of his legs were fully on the couch. Your tongue wanted a taste of his taut skin and you latched your lips onto his neck, suckling tentatively.

When you moved your groin against him, your eyes flew open and you gasped at how good it felt for your pussy to be pressed up against his clothed erection directly. You felt a sense of pride when you heard him try to bite back a moan.

He felt like heaven, with your hands under his shirt and his under yours, you figured there was no use for formalities anymore as you sat up on him and tried to claw his shirt off of him. He chuckled at your desperate movements.

He grabbed your flurried hands as you desperately tried to get him to cooperate. His voice was velvety smooth and lower than usual. Your whole body was shaking and all you could think about was how much you needed him NOW. “Settle down, angel. Use your words for me.” You flushed at his taunting words and curled in on yourself.

You whined when you crashed back down on his chest to hide your face, your hips unable to stop their grinding until he stopped them for you with his hands on your hips.

“Now, now.” He whispered against your hair and gave you a tender kiss on the head. “Don’t be a brat. You don’t get anything unless you’re brave enough to ask.” You could still hear the smirk on his face and you wanted to throw a tantrum.

You couldn’t look at him as your words were muffled in his shirt. “P-please, Minnie… I want to touch you…” You were too far gone to feel embarrassed at how desperate you sounded because truthfully, you were. Really. Really. Desperate.

He freed one of his hands from your hips and cupped your chin to look up at him. “Good girl. Anything for you, angel.” 

He pulled you in for a kiss again, passionate and ravenous and you didn’t hesitate to use your free hands to your advantage and sit up to strip yourself of your own shirt first. You felt blood rush to your cheeks when he pulled back to look at you.

“Goddamn, baby girl…” His eyes were glued to your lacy bralette and his hands naturally gravitated towards them (kudos to Felix for his undergarment suggestions). You blushed heavily and bit your lip as he groped the clothed mounds and he looked mesmerized. A tiny smile found its way to your lips and you leaned forward to whisper against his lips.

“Can you take it off for me?” You were astonished with how bold you had gotten within the past few minutes, and even though you still sounded meek, when his hands rushed to unclasp your bra and throw it somewhere within the dark void of the apartment, you were too eager to think on it much. 

You had to force yourself to allow him to look at your naked chest without instinctually covering yourself. However, you did have to look away for your next query. “C-can I take yours off too? I want to… I want to feel you…”

He let out a shaky breath when he looked at your flustered face. “How the fuck can you be so adorable, yet so goddamn sexy at the same time? You drive me insane, baby girl.” He sat the both of you up so he could rid himself of his own shirt and when he leaned back again… holy hell.

Your eyes feasted on his chest and abdomen as your fingers naturally gravitated to graze across his abs and pecs. You felt him shiver underneath you, his hands finding their home on your hips as he tried to keep himself from grinding up into you. “Y-you’re so beautiful, Minnie.” Your eyes sparkled as you looked back up at his face, his expression surely similar to your own.

“Fuck, have you seen yourself? You are the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever laid my eyes on…” His hands closed in around your breasts and gave them a gentle squeeze. Again, you were surprised at how this simple action made your hairs stand on end and made your body lean into his touch. He looked up into your eyes as his thumbs grazed over your nipples.

You were sure your entire body was crimson, but you had to bite back a moan and close your eyes from just that small stimulation from him. However, all was for naught when he leaned in and sucked one of the pink buds into his mouth. Your moan came unbidden and you clamped your hand over your mouth.

He pulled back with furrowed brows. “Don’t be shy, baby. I want to hear that pretty voice. Want to finally hear filthy things fall from those sweet, innocent lips…” He thumbed your bottom lip as he spoke and his other hand still played with your nipple. Your breathing was heavy as he looked at your reddened face and you squeezed your eyes shut and whined when he rolled the soft bud between his fingers. “So fucking sweet…” 

He hungrily latched his lips onto your neck and you loudly gasped when he wrapped his arms under your thighs and hefted the both of you up off the couch. Your hands flew to hold yourself up around his neck as he stumbled his way into his bedroom. Your heart was racing at the speed of light when he sat down on the bed, keeping you straddled around him as he pulled you impossibly tight on his lap.

This was it. You knew there was no doubt of what was going to happen once the two of you moved to the bed. Your body was shaking with nerves and he definitely could tell.

His face softened and he moved a hand to cup your cheek, gently running his thumb along your swollen and spit-slick lips. “We don’t have to do anything, angel. I love you with or without–” He cut himself off when he saw your astonished face. 

WHAT THE FUCK? HE LOVES ME?! Your mind was stunned into stillness, only focused on one thing. MINHO. MINHO. MINHO. How the hell does this ethereal human being love someone like ME? There’s no fucking way. There is no way that this is reciprocated.

That was the first time you saw Minho blushing and flustered. “I-I mean… I know you may not–” 

You cut him off with a searing kiss and pulled him flush against you, not wanting to ever let him go. “Oh my god–* God, Minho–*” You continued saying in between kisses. “God, I love you too–* So freaking much–* You have no idea–*” You were blabbering as he laughed between your desperate kisses. However, he stopped his laughter when you started grinding against him and you snaked your tongue between his lips, instead making him groan into your mouth and pull you tighter against him.

You were on cloud nine and you never wanted to come down.

You were feeling dizzy from the amount of heat radiating between the two of you and you were eager to feel his bare tumescence between your legs. You tentatively slid your hand between the two of your bodies and lightly palmed his erection. You had no clue what you were doing, but you at least knew the pressure would feel nice to him.

The kiss was interrupted by him groaning against your lips, his open mouth breathing heavily into your own. You felt proud of yourself and moved to suckle on his neck again.

Without warning, he flipped the two of you upside down further up the bed and he attacked you.

He started by kissing his way all the way down from your neck, to your clavicle, to your chest, and finally to your right nipple. Your back involuntarily arched up into him when he sucked, nibbled, and licked the sensitive bud, repeating the same actions on the left one. You were a whimpering mess and it wasn’t until you felt the hem of your skirt raising that you realized he was trailing his fingers up your inner thigh.

Your whole body went stiff in anticipation and your eyes flew open when you felt his warm fingers press against you over the fabric of your panties. If you had thought his thigh felt good against you, this was a whole other world of pleasure.

The pornographic moan that escaped your lips when he rubbed your clit over the fabric came as a surprise to both of you and he popped off of your nipple to smile at you devilishly. “That’s it, love. Tell me how it feels.” He sneered just before he trailed his lips down to the edge of your skirt.

“S-so g-good M-Min…” Your fucked out voice croaked out.

“Oh yeah? What about this?” Your whole body felt like it was electrocuted when he deftly pushed that last bit of thin fabric aside and ran his fingers through your dripping folds, sliding up to lightly pinch your bare clit.

You cried out loud and your voice was almost sobbing when you responded. “Ohmygod s-sogoodsogoodsogood!” You had never felt anything like this and you couldn’t even imagine that it could get any better.

“My good girl…” You cried out once more with a suppressed sob when you felt his hand retreat. Your head, which had been thrown back in pleasure, snapped up to see why the fuck he would rob you of that feeling, but your whole body shook at the sight of him. He had brought his shimmering fingers to his mouth and was slowly licking your arousal off of his digits. “So wet for me baby.” He sucked off the last slick digit and hummed. “Tastes even better than I imagined.”

You didn’t know why such a filthy thing would make you so horny, but you reveled in it. Your thighs instinctively rubbed together to get any kind of friction and you whined. “M-Minnie… need you…” Your brain was losing its ability to form complete sentences and you knew you would look back on yourself later and cringe.

He flashed his beautiful crooked smile and you were sure you had sparkles in your eyes with the way you looked at him. “Of course, my sweet angel.” He moved back up to briefly kiss your lips and then shimmied down to your feet to start slowly, painfully slowly pulling off your stockings. You wanted to whine and rip them off yourself, but the warning look in his eyes kept you at bay.

Just as he slipped off the last bit of your remaining sock, you started frantically undoing the zipper on the side of your skirt, clumsy fingers struggling with the small latch at the top.

Before you could even think to prepare yourself, he sprung on you like a lion and ripped your hands from their task, pinning them above your head with his threatening smile hovering inches from your face. “Tsk tsk tsk.” He tutted at you. “Overeagerness gets you nowhere princess.” He pressed a slow, wet kiss to your jaw. “You should know better by now.” 

You were a whining and panting mess at this point and you wanted nothing more than to rip off any shred of remaining clothing separating the two of you.

As if he read your mind, he reclaimed one of his hands, still keeping both of yours clasped firmly in his other one, and slowly grazed his fingers down your skin to thumb at the latch of your skirt. “This…” He expertly undid the latch one-handed. “...is my job.”

Again, taking all the time in the world, he slowly pulled down the zipper until he released your hands so he could pull the remaining pieces of fabric off of you, both your skirt and your panties being thrown off to the side.

At this point, you had had enough. Right as he turned back to face you, his shirtless form standing at the foot of the bed, you crawled on all fours to grab him by his shoulders, turning him around and forcing him to lay back on the bed. 

You straddled him, your lust-muddled brain not even processing that you were fully naked on top of him as you started kissing every inch of skin that you could see. His neck, his chest, his abs, everything was being showered with frantic kisses and you didn’t even notice his hands sneaking up your thighs to grab your ass until you felt him pull you down to rub against the rough fabric of his jeans covering his raging boner.

Your body seized up in pleasure and he used your moment of weakness to flip you back over. “Now, now, little lady. We don’t want to rush things now, do we?” You exhaled a frustrated huff that made him chuckle but you shook your head in agreement. Your anxious breaths picked back up as you saw him slide further down between your legs. “Now just lay back and let me take care of you, angel.”

Your whole body was shaking and you felt like you were running out of oxygen as you felt his breath ghost over your most sensitive area. You watched in reverie as he lowered himself down and he locked eye contact with you as he licked a fat stripe up between your folds to flick your throbbing pearl.

Your jaw dropped and you could swear you screamed, but no noise escaped your lips. He closed his mouth around your clit and started sucking hard and you saw stars. He had to hold down your hips from bucking directly up into his face so he wrapped his arms under your thighs and hiked them up on his shoulders so he had a firm grasp on your whole lower half to do what he pleased with it.

You felt something release inside you and then you really did scream. You would have to worry about potential noise complaints later because, right now, you were in a whole different dimension. A world where only you and Minho existed as he ate you out like a starved man.

Once you came down from your high, you were beyond embarrassed that you had just came all over your lover and his duvet. He didn’t let you think much further on it, however, as he continued to lap up and flick his tongue all over your cunt, racing you to your peak once again. You were pumping out moan after moan and when you felt one of his hands release you from its grasp, you thought he would stop.

However, he didn’t. He doubled his efforts and you choked on a sob when you felt a slender finger work its way inside you. It was only then that he retreated his mouth from you and the look on his face would be forever ingrained into your brain. He had a slight sheen of sweat on his brow and his mouth and chin were dripping as he gave you the brightest and most satisfied smile you had ever seen.

He continued to pump his finger inside you and he wiped off his face with the back of his hand as he moved up to kiss you. The taste of yourself on his mouth was unlike anything you could compare to. You just knew you needed more, more, more.

“I’m gonna stretch you a bit. Okay, beautiful?” He said as he eased a second digit in. Your heart swooned as you looked up at the man who currently had his fingers buried up your cooch and you nodded frantically before smashing your lips to him again. 

You wanted to die being attached to this man’s lips. You felt like you would never be able to live again without his touch. Once he eased in a third finger, you winced and he shushed you soothingly while rubbing circles with his other hand on one of your spread thighs.

However, when he stopped pumping and started what felt like digging around, you once again felt that same heat wave roll over you and you instantly came once he found that spongey bundle of nerves inside you. He smiled against your agape mouth and you swore your eyes had rolled into the back of your head.

How THE FUCK did you never know your body could feel so good?!

The thought didn’t escape you, though, that it was in large part due to it being Minho making you feel this. You just knew that you would never be able to replicate this feeling on yourself.

You were still coming back to your senses when Minho quickly shimmied off the bed to start removing his jeans. You almost felt offended that he was doing it himself and he chuckled at you when he saw your pouty facial expression. “Oh, I’m sorry baby girl.” He cooed condescendingly. “Do you want to help me with the rest?”

With a hopeful smile, you moved to the edge of the bed where he stood in nothing but his boxers, cock straining against the fabric. You licked your lips nervously as you raised your trembling fingers to his waistband. He watched your expression as you shakily pulled down the fabric and his cock sprung free from its confines, the last remaining garment falling to the floor.

Your eyes blew wide and you were fascinated. His dick was unlike anything you imagined. It was thick with a nicely proportioned head that was glistening with precum at the tip. He had long strands of veins that protruded up the shaft and it had a slight curve upwards. You didn’t really know what else to expect, but you didn’t think that a dick could look so pretty.

You stared at it in wonder as you raised your hand to gently glide your fingertips over the surprisingly smooth skin. At that moment, you realized you were gawking and you peered up at his reaction in embarrassment. He had the most wicked smile on his face and you were quickly reminded of the dreadful aching between your legs.

He silently reached over to his nightstand and pulled out a foil packet from his bedside drawer. You felt yourself wondering who the last girl was who had sat here and seen him do the same thing for her. You quickly shook yourself from that thought and resolved yourself to live in the here and now.

Before he was about to tear it open, you stopped him with a hand on his wrist. “W-wait…”

His face was concerned as he looked back at you. “What is it, babe? Something wrong?” You shook your head and looked down with the brightest of reds blooming on your face. He quickly caught on with an evil grin. “You’ve gotta use your words, angel. Or are you planning on being a little devil tonight?” He grasped your chin to force you to look at him. “I know there’s something going on in that pretty head of yours.” He narrowed his eyes into slits, smile never faltering.

You briefly whined in defeat and then relented with humiliation in your voice. “Can… Can I taste you first?” 

You expected him to tease your meek words relentlessly, but when you looked up, a whole new fire started to roar in his eyes. “Fuck…” He bent down and crashed his lips to yours in a brutal, yet brief kiss. “I fucking love you.” A smile grew on your face.

He then stood up straight again and held his cock steady for you, waiting for your next move. You licked your lips once again and felt yourself mesmerized by the appendage in front of you. You leaned in and gave it an experimental lick, a string of precum following your tongue from the action. You smacked your lips to assess the taste. Salty, bitter, and a tiny bit acidic, but not bad by any means.

You leaned back in and decided to take the whole head in this time, really exploring every grove and crevice as you took in more. You glanced up at his face and he looked absolutely ravenous. He was looking at you like he was going to devour you any second and when you felt his goosebumps raise under the hands that you had placed on his thighs, you knew you were doing something right.

Before you could explore any further, you were ripped from your experiment and your back hit the duvet again with a torrential rain of kisses falling down upon you. “You’re so…” More kisses. “...fucking…” Even more. “...perfect…” He finished with a passionate kiss on your lips before he pulled back and tore the condom wrapper open, sliding the rubber on himself with ease.

You settled back onto the bed to get more comfortable and you started to feel a sliver of anxiousness. Like, holy hell. Yeah, you’re horny enough to hump him like a bitch in heat, but, like… he’s big. You don’t necessarily have anything to compare it to since this is the first dick you had seen in person, but he was definitely bigger than those few fingers he just used on you.

He could obviously sense your internal struggle as he smoothed his palm up and down your thigh consolingly once he was positioned between your legs. “Don’t worry, angel. I’ll go slow to try and make it as comfortable as possible, okay?” You just looked into his beautiful, clear eyes and nodded dumbly. Damn, you were so gone for this man.

He hovered over you and captured your lips with his and his hand wandered down to play with your clit. Man, did he know how to read your body like the back of his hand, or what? Your anxiety was quickly replaced with arousal once again and you started arching up into him, silently begging for more as you tangled tongues with the man.

“Hey.” He said softly as he pulled back to look at you. Your eyes fluttered open as you continued to breathe heavily. “Keep your eyes on me.” He demanded, and you started to feel the slick heat of his cock run up and down the opening of your folds. You whimpered at the feeling and he soothingly ran the feather-light touch of his fingers up and down your thigh to relax you.

Your eyes squinted when you felt the first push of him breaching your entrance, but you kept your focus on him the entire time. It was very subtle, but you could see him briefly shiver as well. In that moment, you felt like he was staring straight into your soul. His eyes sparkled and when he kissed you, you could feel the pure love and desire he poured into it.

You felt a single tear roll down the side of your face and you pulled him impossibly closer to you, bringing him to fully sheath inside your tight cunt. The kiss was interrupted when your jaw dropped open at the sharp pang of brief pain that shot through your core that made you whimper like a puppy.

Again, he shushed you soothingly and brought a hand up to pet your sweaty hair out of your face. He rested his forehead against yours as you adjusted to the intrusion and your shaky breath mingled with his own.

You felt him start to trail feather-light touches all over your body, moving to start kissing down your neck and chest as well. You emitted a soft moan when he, once again, flicked your swollen nipple with his tongue. 

He slowly moved to hover over you again and he brought his hand up to thumb at your lips. “Open.” He commanded in a raspy voice. You immediately complied and he pressed the pad of his thumb to your tongue, prompting you to suck and lick the entirety of it. A small smirk appeared on his face when you kept your eyes locked on him.

Your entire face was ablaze, but you focused your efforts on trying to keep him as aroused as you were by slowly twirling your tongue around his thumb as you suckled on it. The hunger in his eyes started to build once again as he reclaimed the slick digit and lowered it to press gingerly against your clit.

Your pussy involuntarily squeezed around him at the surprising and delectable pressure and the both of you groaned into each other’s mouths.

Your fingers were positively digging into this man’s back and you were sure that there were going to be marks left behind. You weren’t sure why that turned you on so much.

At some point during his ministrations on your clit, you realized that you no longer felt any pain and you found yourself wiggling under him for more of that delicious feeling of his cock moving inside you.

He was clenching his jaw tightly as if he was holding back from just pile-driving you into the mattress. You felt a sick pleasure inside you at the thought. His thumb started moving faster and your breaths started becoming quicker as you wrapped all your limbs around him with a whimper. “M-Minnie…” You spoke in a wistful tone. “M-More…” You whined and a cocky smirk grew on his face again.

“More what, baby?” He taunted. The bastard knew exactly what you wanted, he just wanted to hear you say it. He removed his hand from where he was driving you to the edge and you groaned in frustration. “Say it, angel.” He said in a low, seductive tone with a Cheshire grin. “Tell me how much you want my cock.” 

You glared at him and he chuckled, unexpectedly grabbing your arms from around his neck and pinning your hands above your head once again. You squirmed and whined but he remained still with a firm grasp. You knew you could break free if you really wanted to, and he would let you, but there was nowhere you would rather be than right there underneath him.

“Say, ‘Minho, please fuck me.” He said in a poor imitation of your voice. “Say it with those sweet, innocent lips of yours and I will make you feel…” He kissed your cheek. “...so…” He kissed your jaw. “...so…” He kissed your neck. “...good.” He fanned his breath back up to your lips to wait for the words to fall from them.

Your face was scorching hot, but you were desperate. “M-Minho…” He grinned wider. “...please…” You screwed your eyes shut in embarrassment at what you were about to say as you took a deep breath. “Please fuck me…” You said in a hushed voice.

You waited, and after a moment of silence, you peeked your eyes open to look at him. He was staring at you as if he was about to eat you alive and it caused another wave of arousal to stir in your core. Without another word, you felt the breathtaking feeling of his dick dragging against your sensitive walls as he pulled out to the tip.

Your eyes fluttered as you focused on his expression of pleasure. His mouth was slightly open as he breathed heavily and he had his hooded eyes bored into your own. He interlocked his fingers with yours that he had pinned above your head and he slowly pushed back in so he wouldn’t hurt your tender cervix.

You bared your neck when you threw your head back with a moan. He continued his torturous steady push and pull, making your eyes roll into the back of your head as he dragged sloppy kisses up and down the column of your neck.

“Fuck, you feel even better than I imagined, angel. So tight and warm. Just dripping for me, baby.” He groaned into your neck.

You couldn’t stop the pornographic moans that slipped from your mouth. “J-just for you, M-Minnie. Only you…” You gasped.

“Fuck.” Those words must have made something inside him snap because he increased his speed and power tenfold. You belted out a loud, drawn out moan.

The air in the room was humid with your combined sweat as he plowed into you. He moved to prop himself up on his knees and grab a fistful of each of your ass cheeks so he could raise your body to meet his thrusts. You were clawing at the sheets and wrapping your legs around him as tight as you could as you continued to moan, whine, and shout out in pleasure.

All that could be heard was constant slapping of your ass cheeks against his thighs, your cries of bliss, and a mantra of ‘fuck’, ‘yes’, and ‘mine’ falling from his lips.

You felt your orgasm racing to the top at an embarrassingly fast rate and Minho barely even adjusted, but his very slight reposition to raise your legs just hit a spot inside you that had you screaming.

“FUCKFUCKFUCKYESYESYES! Pleaserightthere! Don’tstopdon’tstop! God YES!” You never knew it was possible for anything like that to come from your mouth, but nonetheless, the words rang out loud enough for the neighbors to hear. You were sobbing and running the words together from being so cockdumb in that moment and your whole body convulsed as you came all over again.

“Fuck. Shit, angel.” Minho croaked out. His thrusts became erratic and he basically growled as he stared down at where his cock was disappearing inside you as he came furiously.

As he pumped into you the last few times to ride both of you through your orgasms, he choked out a huge breath of air as if he had been holding it throughout his climax. He abruptly dropped down and laid his head on your chest, finally trying to catch his breath.

Your breathing matched his and you hugged his head as you ran your fingers through his slightly damp hair. Eventually, your breaths evened and you felt his softening cock start to slip out. Before it could cause a problem, he pulled back and eased it out of you, making you cringe from the soreness. He tied the condom and pecked your lips before heading to the bathroom to throw it away.

You swooned when he came back with a warm washcloth and cleaned up all your arousal that covered your crotch and thighs. “Oh god!” You sprung to sit up when you saw a tinge of red on the cloth and he gently pressed down on your shoulders to lay you down again. “I’m so sorry!”

He threw the washcloth into his laundry bin and then smoothed his hand over your hair with a smile. “Angel, that was nothing. I expected way more from your first time.” He kissed your forehead and you nodded meekly, finally relaxing your stiff muscles.

He pulled off the duvet and replaced it with a thick blanket, tucking you under the sheets before spreading the warm linen over you.

He crawled in next to you and wrapped you in his arms as he kissed you gingerly. He pulled back to properly look at you. “Did I hurt you at all?” He looked genuinely worried and your heart soared.

You smiled and shook your head. “Not any more than I had expected.”

He smiled and moved his hand to run his thumb over your cheek. “Are you still sore?”

You wiggled slightly to assess the damage. It felt a little achey, but nothing as bad as you had expected. “Maybe a little. But… I kind of like it.” You said with a blush, not able to look at him when you voiced your bold thoughts.

“Oh yeah?” You could hear his voice dripping with cockiness and you peered up at him shyly. You wanted to kiss the smirk off of his face. “My little angel has a bit of a dirty side to her, doesn’t she?” He squeezed you closer by your waist and you weakly punched his pec with a pout.

“Shut up…” You mumbled while trying to hide your red face in his chest.

You felt him rumble with laughter and he started drawing soothing patterns on your back with the pads of his fingertips. “Do you want to shower now or in the morning?” He asked lazily as he rested his chin on top of your head.

However, your answer was already clear when you hummed in response, already drifting off to dreamland from the sound of his steady heartbeat and the soothing effects of his touch.

- - - - - - - - - -

“Well good morning tardy pants, I trust you two had an eventful morning.” Jisung spoke up with a shit-eating grin from the other end of the table. Flashbacks of Minho passionately eating you out in the shower that morning only a few hours ago ran through your mind at Jisung’s greeting.

You and the boys had agreed to meet up for brunch the following day after you spent the night with Minho and you may have been… running a bit behind.

Minho stared daggers down at his roommate and the younger man just chuckled, knowing Minho had a soft spot for him and wouldn’t actually do anything about it. All you could do was sit down next to your brother with red-tipped ears and eyes on the ground.

“Oh I’m sure whatever it was must have been very important to them.” Chan stated with a stifled laugh.

“Ugh, I think I’m gonna be sick…” Changbin pulled his cap down further on his head and melted into the seat.

“Yah! Shut it, all of you!” Minho threatened as he sat down next to you and threw an arm over the back of your chair.

After the five of you had ordered and there was a lull in the conversation, Jisung suddenly spoke up, obviously addressing you with an ornery grin. “So tell us about last night, noona. You were looking pretty dolled up.” He winked and you covered your blazing face with your hands.

“SHUT UP, JISUNG.” Minho and Changin said in tandem and the younger man relented in a fit of giggles.

Minho rubbed your back consolingly and you knew this was going to be a looong day.

- - - - - - - - - -

After that, you and Minho were inseparable, completely incapable of keeping your hands off each other. You practically lived at his and Jisung’s apartment and besides Felix, Jisung had become one of your closest friends.

You eventually introduced Felix into the group and it was like he had belonged there all along. It was almost impossible to not like Felix so you weren’t necessarily surprised anyway. The only disturbing caveat was the fact that Felix was all over your brother. However, it was pretty entertaining watching Changbin get all flustered.

Ever since your dad died, you finally started to feel like a human being again.

One lazy night, you, Minho, and Jisung were lazing on the couch at their place watching anime and all day you kept catching Minho staring at you when you weren’t looking. When Jisung finally decided to go to bed (not without his mandatory goodnight hug), you instantly crawled onto Minho’s lap when the bedroom door shut.

He looked pleasantly surprised and he wrapped his arms around your waist from where you were straddling him. “Well hello there.” He said in a low voice, mostly masked by the television noise. “Don’t you think we should move to the bedroom for this? Or do you want to give Hannie a show?” He teasingly wiggled his brows.

Instead of answering, you grabbed his face and placed a heartfelt, yet chaste kiss on his lips. You bit your lip, debating whether you should say anything, but ultimately decided to go for it. “Is there something on your mind, Min? I know you’ve been looking at me funny today.”

“Me? Looking funny? Nonsense. I only ever look handsome.” He jokingly poised his chin up, but you weren’t having it. You narrowed your eyes and showed that you were unconvinced. He gave up and sighed. “Fine, I may or may not have something on my mind…”

When he didn’t elaborate, you were worried it was something about you. You looked down as you played with the collar of his shirt. “Did I do something wrong?”

“What? No!” He quickly raised a hand to cup your cheek. “Of course not! It’s just… Changbin talked to me and it’s had me thinking, that’s all.”

Now you were confused. “Did he say something about me? Oh my gosh, I’m gonna strangle that little–”

“No!” He cut your angry threat off with a boisterous laugh that slightly eased your anxiety. “No, nothing like that. He just… he told me about your dad… and everything you’ve gone through…” Your heart dropped. “And before you jump to conclusions, no, he wasn’t just talking shit. He wanted to… thank me.”

Your anger dissipated and you listened intently.

“He said that ever since we met… you started to become alive again. He said that you were living without purpose before and he wanted to… thank me… for bringing you back to life…” He looked at you with a crease in his brow and you smoothed over it with your thumb.

“Well, he’s right.” You reiterated. “I don’t think I would have ever regained my ability to be a normal person if you hadn’t pushed me to. He was right to thank you.”

He smiled sadly and shook his head. “That was all you, angel. Not me. The only person that can come back from something like that is yourself. And you did. I just happened to be along for the ride.” He teasingly pinched your cheek and you chuckled as you swat his hand away.

“Well, whether you like it or not, you were the one that forced me out of my comfort zone of only living in the land of books.”

“Smutty novels are your comfort zone?” Your blood ran cold and your jaw dropped.

“Wha– y-you–!”

“You seriously didn’t think I would look into what types of books my girl likes? What kind of boyfriend do you think I am?” He said with a cracked-up smile.

You scooted back on his lap and crossed your arms as you pouted off to the side. “Those aren’t the only books I read…” You grumbled.

He just laughed and grabbed your arms to put back around his neck, pulling you back closer by your waist again. “Okay. Okay. Whatever you say, naughty girl.” You glared at his taunting words until his face turned serious again. “You can thank me all you want, but don’t underestimate how strong you are. How strong you’ve been all these years. Because everything you’ve been through has made you the girl I love today. So if anyone should be grateful, it’s me.”

You felt a lump form in your throat and you felt all of the emotions of the past years crawl up to your watering eyes. You refused to let yourself cry. Not right now. So you crashed your lips to his in a searing kiss, trying to portray every ounce of your love with your lips.

You separated just to whisper against his lips. “I love you, Minho.”

A tear fell unbidden. “I love you too, my angel.”

________________________________________

If you've made it this far, thank you so much for reading! Please like, follow, and share! Thanks baby stays! 😘

2chopsticks2eyes - Masterlist

(P.S. @lyramundana It's ready! Let me know what you think!)

#stray kids smut #lee know smut #stray kids imagines #skz smut #stray kids fanfic #lee know x female reader #lee know fanfic #stray kids scenarios #skz imagines #kpop smut #minho smut #minho fluff #stray kids minho #lee know x reader #stray kids #lee know

[angxlofvenus]

hihi could i request something with the obey me characters with a mc that has a cat/their reactions to meeting their cat or just their pets in general?

Hi, Thank you so much for the request! As an owner to two cats myself, This was so much fun for me to write, I hope you have a great rest of your day/night :) Genre: Fluff ! Ship: The brothers/Side characters x reader (platonic Luke!) TW: cussing, Mentions of catnip, Eating catfood (Beel's section),

When You Own A Cat

Lucifer

Well, this won’t do.

He has a very strict pet policy in the HoL but for you…He may twist his words a little

Will act cordial with your cat just because he doesn’t want to upset you but like

Luci is a dog person through and through so this may be a bit of an inner struggle

Here's the thing though, I don’t think he has ever really been around a cat before

So when he starts to warm up to your furry friend…He kind of relates to the cat 😭

Listen, I think Lucifer acts a lot like a cat, Hard to get close to, Will act better than you, etc, etc

Once he and your cat get close though? They are two peas in a pod- He’ll let the cat snuggle up to him when he isn’t busy. 

Mammon

Ehhh, He isn’t too crazy either way about it, You got a cat, so what?

If y’all are dating, He’s gonna be a little clingy because he thinks the cat takes up too much of your attention in his opinion! 

Will definitely play with you’re cat though, no matter if he likes the animal or not, He finds your pet running after a laser/string hilarious!

May blame the cat for breaking things so that Lucifer doesn’t hang him from the ceiling…

Once he’s warmed up to your kitty though, They are thick as thieves

He will buy them any toy he thinks they’ll like, Will definitely buy some catnip (If you’re okay with it!) just for shits and giggles

Levi

A little skeptical at first,,, Of course you have such a normie pet!

In the beginning, He’s gonna be jealous (shocker, I know)

Can almost feel the envy coming off of him when your cat settles down in your lap

But when your cat starts to do the same things with him? Total 180°

He’s in Love! Will start watching cat-related animes and playing cat-related games

Will try to introduce them to Henry, Just don’t let them get too close…

Satan

un-HOLLLYYY SHHHIITTTT, Y’all, the moment you have been waiting for-

Minds running a mile a minute, Looks just excited on the outside, but on the inside? Oh, He.is.SCREAMING

Will ask every question there is to ask, Name, Age, birthday, breed, personality

He may just kind of…Pick the cat up and leave with them after their first interaction

Your cat will become the most spoiled being in the Devildom, Your cat shall never want anything ever again, Satan will get them everything they want, no matter how hard it is to obtain

Your kitty will kind of get roped into a bond with Satan whether they want to or not, But let’s be honest, Your cat’s gonna love him seeing as he would kill for them

Asmo

Awwwww, How cute!

As long as your cat doesn’t get into his stuff, They’ll also be instant besties

His camera roll really consists of 4 categories

Himself

You

Your cat

All three of y’all together

Will probably try to put your cat into some dumbass costume

Will buy your cat so many accessories, What do you mean they don’t need a bedazzled collar?! >:0

Snuggle buddies when you aren’t around, Yes, This does look as adorable as it sounds- 

Overall, He will love and pamper your cat all the time

Beel

Oh? You have a cat? That’s cool :) 

Loves to see how much joy they bring you, He loves seeing you happy no matter what

He has tried cat food before, both wet and dry and ain’t afraid to try it again…You should probably lock up the cat food just in case.

Will also play with your cat with like just some string, He thinks it’s cute :) 

Is honestly fascinated by your pet lowkey, He never knew how sleek most were! Is bamboozled by the whole, Landing-on-their-feet thing

They become friends pretty quickly I’d say, He makes sure to always be super gentle with them because he knows how much bigger he is than them (I am so mentally ill about him istg)

If your cat becomes interested in something he’s eating, He’ll give them a lil nibble (If it’s safe for that cat to consume ofc)

Buys a lil cat bed for his and Belphie's room, It stays at the foot of his bed 

Belphie

A cat? Ew, That sounds like responsibility

Indifferent at first, As long as he doesn’t have to really mess with it, He’s chill

But one day, He awakens abruptly (Unheard of) To your cat making biscuits on his cheek

Kiss your cat goodbye, It’s his now

Cuddle buddies, every day, all-day

Will put on those bird videos to play with your cat

The second brother I’m gonna say acts like a cat, He will literally catch himself mimicking the cat sometimes

They would so judge people together, Lucifer just entered the room their in? Side eye…

Diavolo

How sweet! He has zero qualms about your little friend

Another one that will buy pretty much everything for your cat, Y’all don’t even have to be close for him to do this, He just thinks of your cat as an extension of the exchange program, Therefor he buys them anything he thinks they need

Best of buddies when they get close to each other

Will some just walk around RAD with your kitty, Just showing them things, Will also ask for your cat's thoughts on laws in a kind of joking way, But he 100% will listen seriously if they decide to answer him with a meow

Barbatos

Doesn’t have a very strong opinion of your cat at first, He isn’t exactly a pet type of person seeing as he rarely has time for such things but in my humble opinion, I think most animals flock to this man like Snow White

Listen, This man is the definition altruistic person so I think Smaller creatures would find comfort in his presence, This is also why the Little D’s love him so much

Your cat will always look their best, Barb will trim their nails, take them to the vet, brush their fur and other things without you even having to ask

Once they become more acquainted, I can see him making some cat-safe baked treats for the kitty

Simeon

He thinks your cat is precious! Though at first will be worried about the small thing being in a place like the Devildom 

Him being an angel does change a few things, I think animals naturally flock to him as well just because of his angelic background so he and your cat are kind of just automatically BFF's 

He will always be up for loving on your cat, No matter how busy he is- He won’t ever turn down your kitty

Probably the first person you should ask to catsit, a close second being Barbatos

Solomon

They will be partners in crime even if your cat doesn’t want that

Don’t be surprised if he starts to refer to your cat as his ‘Furry apprentice’ instead of their actual name

Takes photos of your cat, but only when he finds them in a stupid position

Another contender to buy them some catnip and just watch them go crazy

Once they have warmed up to eachother, He is gonna torment this cat 24/7 almost

Luke

A cat and a chihuahua, Natural enemies!

Jkjk but not really…

He doesn’t like how stuck up a lot of cats are but he thinks your’s is pretty cute

Will ask Simeon how to pet them correctly and treat them well because he cares!

After the first few weeks he actually really warms up to your kitty

Will always ask how their doing like they are a person, no matter what.

Doesn’t admit it but he really adores your cat :(

#obey me #obey me nightbringer #obey me one master to rule them all #obey me x reader #self ship #ao3 #lucifer x reader #mammnon x reader #leviathan x reader #satan x reader #asmodeus x reader #beelzebub x reader #belphegor x reader #diavolo x reader #barbatos x reader #simeon x reader #solomon x reader #obeymeluke #obey me headcanons #cat

[leviathans-watching]

i'm literally so in awe how in obey me! they all have such nice nails that don't seem to be ruined at all >__< so if u don't mind may i request how would all of them (could also be mammon centric ehe) react to an mc who gets their nails painted but literally just a few minutes into them, they accidentally get ruined with the simplest tasks they do !!! (may or may not be first hand experience bwahwhaj TT) and tysm and hope you're always doing good !!

the brothers' reactions to you messing up your nails

includes: the brothers x/& gn!reader (no pronouns mentioned)

wc: .7k | rated g | m.list

a/n: okay because i feel you. my nails never look good lol. anyway, thanks for requesting! my inbox is open to chat, req, or leave feedback so come say hello!

please like and reblog if you enjoyed :)

➳ lucifer hears you curse from the other room and puts his book down. “mc?” he calls, “are you alright?” after a moment, you stick your head in the doorway sheepishly. “oh, i’m alright,” you say with a sigh. “my nails aren’t, though. i always mess them up. this is why i don’t really paint them.” lucifer hides his smile. he’s not surprised you already managed to smudge the polish. you never seem to have quite enough patience to wait for them to fully dry. “how about this,” he says, standing. “i’ll do whatever you were trying to do so you don’t mess them up anymore.”

➳ mammon walks into the living room, spotting you on the couch. “whatcha doing?” he asks, and you jump. “you scared me,” you huff. “and great, i just messed up my nails.” mammon grins apologetically. “my bad. but that’s a nice color.” “thanks,” you say. “i bought it a while ago but only now am trying it out. too bad i can’t really do it justice. i wish i’d learned to paint my nails nicely when i was young because not they always come out looking like shit.” mammon laughs. “shit or now, they look nice on you,” he says. “and if ya really wanted, we could go to the manicurist and i’ll pay for ya.”

➳ levi crosses his arms. “it’s been like fifteen minutes! what do you mean your nails aren’t dry yet? come on, let’s just play games.” you shake your head. “no way, levi. just trust me, they’re gonna get smudged. no matter how long i wait, they always do.” after a few more minutes of whining and wheedling, he finally convinces you to play. that, however, doesn’t last long. “oh you’ve got to be kidding me,” you mutter, and he looks over, pausing the game. “look,” you say, holding up your hand. somehow you’ve managed to smudge almost every single nail.

➳ satan watches you begin to put away dishes. “careful,” he warns. “didn’t you just paint your nails?” you roll your eyes. “that was like, thirty minutes ago. they’re definitely dry.” “don’t say i didn’t warn you,” satan says, then begins to help you, pulling plates from the dishwasher. when all of the dishes are finally put away, you turn to him, presumably to gloat about your nails, but the words die on your lips when you see he’s right and that you’ve already smudged three nails. and somehow chipped another.

➳ asmo grabs your hands, inspecting them. “your nails always smudge because you don’t wait long enough. not just for them to dry, but between coats,” he explains. “you’ve got to have patience! beauty is art, and every great piece of art took a while to make.” you laugh. “maybe i’m just not meant for pained nails.” “nonsense,” asmo dismisses. “now come on, i’ll repaint them for you. you better be grateful, i don’t offer my amazing services to just anyone, you know.” “as if you’d let me forget,” you snort, and he huffs out an affronted breath.

➳ beel squints at your nails. “those are messed up? they look fine to me.” you sigh. “they are! look at my pinkie nail! and my thumb, too. how can you not see that?” beel shrugs. “i guess everything just looks perfect when it’s on you,” he says, and you fight a smile, crossing your arms. he doesn’t even mean anything by it, either. that’s probably just what he genuinely thinks. “don’t try to flatter me,” you command, “at least not until you tell me how you never mess yours up! it’s unfair!”

➳ belphie watches you pick at a bit of nail polish, concentrating deeply. “i can never get these to look perfect,” you mutter, “but i can at least get them looking semi-decent. right?” you go in with the brush again, and almost immediately mess up. belphie can’t help how endearing he finds it, even if he’s starting to wonder what the record is for the longest time someone’s spent painting their nails. because you’ve got to be definitely getting close. “just let me do it,” he finally says, leaning over and taking the bottle from you, “or else we’re going to be here all night.”

leviathans-watching's work - please do not copy, repost, or claim as your own

#obey me #obey me game #obey me shall we date #shall we date obey me #lucifer x you #mammon x you #levi x you #satan x you #asmo x you #beel x you #belphie x you #luxifer x reader #mammon x reader #levi x reader #satan x readfer #asmo x reader #beel x reader #belphie x reader #lucifer obey me #mammon obey me #levi obey me #satan obey me #asmo obey me #beel obey me #belphie obey me #anon ask #answered asks #leviswriting #leviswriting-obeyme

[gunilslaugh]

Haiii, anon 🫧 heree, I was wondering if you could maybe write part two of “silent trainee”? like them getting into a relationship and how the both of their fans react and how the members react? And you can add more. I just finished reading it for the hundredth time now, I just really love it🥹, it’s so cuteee and fluffy.

-🫧

Hello! 🫧 :) Here is part 2 to Breaking The Silence I hope you like it as much as the first part.

Han Hyeongjun

Summary: You and Hyeongjun finally decide to identify your relationship. (idol au)

WC:~1.9k

Warning:none

photo not mine credits to owner.

Many months have passed since the start of your and Hyeongjun’s “What are we?” stage has started. So many months that your group's first debut anniversary is coming up. Your group has long been suspicious about what your true relationship with Hyeongjun was. Not fully buying into your “we’re just close friends” dismissal of their prying questions. 

Hyeongjun’s members were growing quite suspicious themselves. The amount of time and the effort that Hyeongjun put in to see you was enough to make them raise their eyebrows. Like your members Xdinary Heroes weren’t buying into the “close friend” answer they got from Hyeongjun. 

Though you and Hyeongjun weren’t technically lying when you were telling your members that the two of you were only close friends. Sure the both of you knew that you liked each other, but with your busy idol lives confessing to one another and getting into an official relationship sounded like it would make things more difficult. Not to mention how scandalous dating is in the industry. That would be a whole other problem on its own and probably the biggest one keeping you two from getting together. The fear  of the backlash you two would receive for falling in love. So saying that you were close friends wasn’t a lie, because you two aren’t dating. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Congratulations on your first year debut anniversary!” The MC of the show your group was on congratulated.  

“Thank you!” your group replied. 

“So debuting under JYP did any senior groups give you any advice when it came to debuting and idol life?” the MC asked. 

“Well our y/n here is actually friends with Xdinary Heroes Hyeongjun sunbaenim.” Your group leader placed their hands on your shoulders. 

“Oh really?” the MC said. 

“Yes, he looked out for me a lot in my trainee days, so we grew quite close,” you spoke softly. 

“Speaking of your trainee days. I heard you had a nickname?” the MC brought up. 

“That’s right. They were called the ‘Silent Trainee’ cause they hardly ever spoke,” your member answers. 

“That’s true. In fact, their rap part in our debut song was the first time a lot of people in our company heard their voice,” another member added. 

“That’s crazy! Why were you so quiet?” The MC eagerly looked at you. You felt your nerves pick up and your mouth go dry. 

“Um…” You feel your group leader squeeze your shoulder comfortingly. It helped you relax a bit. “I’m very socially anxious, so I was mainly by myself or with my group members,” you explained. The MC nodded at you sympathetically. 

“Then by any chance when you said Xdinary Heroes Hyeongjun looked out for you when you were a trainee.” Seeing where the MC was leading with their statement you answered. 

“Yes he knew about my anxiety and that it made it hard for me to open up to people. He related to that he said that it reminded him of his trainee days, so he wanted to support me.” 

“Ah, so he saw himself in you and wanted to make sure you weren’t having a hard time?” the MC checked. 

“Yes,” you nodded. 

“Aww what a sweet guy. He’s a great senior,” the MC states. 

“Yes he is. All of Xdinary Heroes are very supportive seniors to us,” your group leader answered. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Look.” Your team leader says handing you their phone. 

“What is it?” you asked, taking their phone in your hand.

“Fans are saying they wish they could see more of your and Hyeongjun’s friendship,” they tell you. You took your time to scroll through the comments reading them. “I wasn’t expecting to hear that y/n and Hyeongjun are friends, but I think it’s so cute <3” “So you’re telling me y/n and Hyeonjun are introverted besties. I love that”

“Why does hearing about Hyeongjun looking out for y/n cause he didn’t want them to go through the hard times he did make me want to cry???” “Hearing about their friendship reminded me that Hyeongjun held a y/n banner at their debut showcase. Truly a supportive bestie.” “We need photos of them together!!!” “I’m looking forward to any crumbs we get about these two.” “Dulusionally hoping for a friendship vlog or something.” “Not me shipping them.” You couldn’t fend off your smile while reading the supportive comments. 

“I wanna know more about your and Hyeongjun’s friendship too,” your leader raised a brow at you.

“All we are is friends,” you say. Your leader scoffs. 

“Yeah keep saying that till I believe it,” they remark. 

“We really aren’t dating,” you state. Your leader looks at you and your expression. They’ve gotten scarily good at reading you. They take a seat next to you. 

“Why not?” they pouted. You laughed. 

“Are you telling me to get into a dating scandal?” Your leader sighs. 

“Falling in love isn’t a crime. Dating being a scandal remains one of the stupidest things about our industry. It might not be like that for you and Hyeongjun though. You read the comments, fans think you’re cute,” they said.

“They think our friendship is cute. It would be another story if the word friendship was replaced with dating,” you expressed. 

“That one comment said they shipped you two,” they pointed. “But it’s not like you need to tell fans right away anyway. You’re young and should be in love without fearing public reactions.”

“We’d have to admit our relationship at some point and I don’t want it to tarnish our group’s or Xdinary Heroes names.”

“So you don’t ever want Hyeongjun to be your boyfriend?” Your leader’s question gets the gears in your head turning. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I did a live earlier and some fans asked about our friendship,” Hyeongjun tells you. 

“Yeah I ever since I talked about it in that interview they’ve been curious,” you reply. The two of you sat on the floor of an empty practice room. An all too familiar spot for you both. 

“I was happy when you talked about me,” Hyeongjun revealed. 

“Really?” you say. 

“Yeah. I feel like you talked about more as a senior than a friend though,” he chuckled. 

“I felt like I had to be careful with my words,” you explained. “I don’t know how people would react if I said ‘We hold hands and he lets me sleep on his shoulder when I’m tired. Or we sometimes steal kisses from each other in dark practice rooms,” you whispered the last sentence. Hyeongjun blushes. 

“Yeah, that doesn’t really sound like friends does it?” he stuttered. 

“We both know we aren’t friends, Hyeongjun,” you state. 

“We aren’t together either though.” He begins to play with your fingers. 

“Should we change that?” you questioned. You lace your fingers that he was playing with his. 

“But with our careers…” Hyeongjun started. 

“Falling in love isn’t a crime, but I understand if you don’t want to risk it,” you say. Hyeongjun tightens his hold on your hand

“I am,” he firmly states. “I’ve liked you for so long, but I wasn’t really sure if I could ever have you.”

“You can,” you smiled. “You can have me Hyeongjun.” Hyeongjun smiles as well.

“You can have me too,” he said. Finally after over a year it was the end of your “What are we?” stage. The two of you were finally a couple. 

Your group found out about you and Hyeongjun being a couple the same night you returned. Your group leader could just tell that the smile you wore on your face was a bit different, happier. 

“No more ‘we’re only close friends’?” they checked. 

“We’re dating,” you confirmed. Your leader instantly started squealing which easily caught the attention from the rest of your members. 

“What are you squealing about at one o’clock in the morning?” your group’s maknae groaned. 

“Y/n and Hyeongjun are dating~” They sang in a sing-song voice. 

“I thought they’ve been dating,” one of your members said. 

“No, not officially at least,” your leader says. 

“Well congrats y/n,” one of your members says

“Yes congrats. Be happy,” another one chimes.

“But if he ever breaks your heart we’re all going to murder him,” your maknae states protectively 

“He won’t be able to escape us.” your leader agrees. The news of you dating Hyeongjun wasn’t surprising at all to your members. They were very supportive and just wanted you to be happy. 

Hyeongjun waited a little longer before telling his members about your relationship. Although his story runs pretty similar to yours. His members weren’t surprised by the news of you two dating either. 

“Y/n and I started dating a couple weeks ago,” Hyeongjun reveals to his members. 

“I knew she was more than your bias!” Jooyeon declares. 

“We all knew they were more than friends,” Seungmin retorted. 

“Yeah they way he would go out of his way to spend time with them. It was obvious,” Jiseok says. 

“Ok guys, let’s just congratulate him on his relationship,” Gunil cuts in. 

“Yes congrats Hyeongjun,” Jungsu voiced. 

“Kinda can’t believe he’s the first one out of us to date,” Jooyeon comments. 

Revealing your relationship to the public was something that always scared you and Hyeongjun. Dating silently with only your members knowing was one thing. It was a rather peaceful thing actually, but you both knew that once you told the public that peace could easily be ripped away. You and Hyeongjun were more scared about being ripped apart though. You bother were terrified of the thought that you might have to break up due to immense public backlash. 

After dating for eight months, talking it through with each other, your members and the company, you two decided to come out and announce your relationship. You both wrote handwritten letters to your fans and uploaded them. You even shared some cute couple photos along with your letters. JYP put out an official statement verifying your relationship as well and asking for fans to continue their support.

Of course the opinions about your relationship were mixed. Plenty of fans were happy. Some even said they were ecstatic that their ship was sailing. That they thought you and Hyeongjun made a cute couple. Some fans even joked that they didn’t know who they were more jealous of Hyeongjun for dating you or you for dating Hyeongjun.

On the other hand there were plenty of “fans” that shamed you two for dating. Especially so early on in your careers. They called you two shameless and betrayers. They called you lairs, claiming that you two were probably dating since the beginning of your career. That you and Hyeongjun got together when you were still a trainee. It hurt a lot to read all of the hate. You tried to focus on the positive supportive comments, but unfortunately the hate simply weighed heavier. 

You and Hyeongjun didn’t regret announcing your relationship. Falling in love with each other is not a crime and you knew with time the hate would blow over and it did. After a couple months everything has settled down. You and Hyeongjun were happily in love. Holding hands as you two went out on a date. No longer sneaking kisses in abandoned practice rooms. Fans grew more and more supportive of you two being together. Sometimes fans even beg for couple content from you two since you mainly keep your relationship private. At the end of the day you and Hyeongjun were happy and you couldn’t be happier that Hyeongjun got you to break your silence.

A/N: I'm actually shocked to hear that you like Breaking The Silence so much and wanted a part 2 because I literally wrapped up the ending so quickly because I hated it and lost motivation to write it lol

Taglist: @purplelady85 @odesonnets @gingerjunhan @chewednails @ezlynkisses @mon2sunjinsuver

#xdinary heroes #xdh #xdh imagines #xdh x reader #xdinary heroes imagines #xdinary heroes x reader #xh junhan #xh hyeongjun #junhan x reader #hyeongjun x reader #han hyeongjun x reader #junhan fluff #junhan #hyeongjun #han hyeongjun

[simp4thedemonbros]

Playing Mario Kart with the brothers

Hey gang! It’s been a while huh.. A lot of stuff has happened in the past year and I was burnt out with life in general, lmao but here I am, trying my best.

This is short and stupid tbh, but I just wanted something to help me get back into writing about my fav boys, I hope you enjoy :)

I love you all v much 

_____

masterlist

_____

Pairing: Brothers x gn!MC

Word Count: 1061

_____

Lucifer

Mains as Bowser (he's tryna be so big and scary smh)

Surprisingly good

You expected him to be like a 90 year old that has never seen technology in his life, but he knows all the controls AND starts picking up on how to drift

I'm not saying he can beat you but he's usually coming in a steady 3rd place when you race.

Even sometimes comes in 1st if you're having a bad round. ("WHY IS THE GUY IN 10TH PLACE THROWING BLUE SHELLS HOWS THAT GONNA HELP HIM AT ALL?!") (......guys am i ok??????)

Enjoys it a lot more than you thought he would

It started out as him finally giving in to you asking him to play but over time he finds himself asking if you want to play.

It's a fun way for him to wind down

Enjoys seeing you get competitive, and loves seeing you blush when he compliments your skills out loud.

Mammon

Mains as Wario (I can not justify this I just think it’s funny)

Is pretty much on par with your skills

You're both constantly overtaking each other in and out of 1st place

You are both ABSOLUTELY jumping on top of each other, trying to block the other from seeing the screen. (THE SQUID IS NOT ENOUGH!)

"Hey knock it off would ya the Great Mammon is kicking your ass fair and square"

Immediately does the same to you the second you're in 1st for more than 5 seconds.

You're both on a mission to ruin the CPUs life the moment it overtakes you both while you're arguing.

You spend loads of time watching the highlight reel because something stupid happened and you both think it's the funniest thing ever.

You pretend to hate each other during the game but immediately return to being super close and cuddly after the game is over.

He absolutely makes bets with you - "MC if I win this you have to do WHATEVER I say for the whole night!"

Leviathan

Mains as Yoshi (idk why I just think it fits him) or Link ("bc he’s so cool" (so true bestie))

A monster

Impossibly good (He's had years of racing game practice so idk what you expect) but BOY does it suck to think you're good at a game and then have someone prove to you you're just average at it.

It's good to see him have so much fun though, and trying to cause blue shell chaos from way back in the CPU pack is pretty fun.

He’s definitely helping you to also get impossibly good at the game, you're already able to beat everyone but him when you start picking up on some of his skills.

He knows every shortcut.

Idk bro I just think some cheating is in order. Maybe congratulate his win by kissing his cheek and watching him stutter and fumble through the next round.

Satan

Mains as Dry Bowser (tryna be better n cooler than Lucifer oops)

I'm not gonna lie to you, his wrathful side will 100% come out when you start kicking his ass.

Is the death glare you're receiving right now worth the victory?? YES, ABSOLUTELY

This is what the game is about BAYBEE

Maybe you give him a few wins so he doesn’t kill you though, you'd never tell him you LET him though.

Games aren't really his thing but once he gets the swing of things and you give him the few wins he finds it much easier and starts to enjoy himself a bit more, and definitely chills out on the death glare.. especially when you're kind enough to not only celebrate your own wins but his as well.

After playing definitely apologises if he made you uncomfortable or upset and absolutely lets you do whatever you want.

Want him to read his favourite book for you?? Cool. Get you some tea?? He's on it. Give you some kisses?? He might need to get over the sudden boldness but he'll happily oblige.

Asmodeus

Mains as Princess Peach (the pink gold one tho yk) or a mii as himself.

Listen not to conform to the "pretty boys don't play video games" stereotype but he probably doesn't care all that much about the game.

Mostly wants to play to see you smiling and laughing as you have fun. That's when you're the most attractive after all.

Surprisingly likes rainbow road. (Sadistic idk what to tell you..) but also it is a pretty track, and he enjoys the colours.

Honestly he likes any tracks with bright colours and nice/fun music.

He's not that competitive, he went into the game knowing he wasn't going to be that good at it so he's just there to give you company.

After all the fun of it all he definitely asks if you want to come into his bathroom to unwind with him and relax.

Beelzebub

Mains as Donkey Kong

You're absolutely sitting in front of him in between his legs while he has his arms around you with his own controller.

There are so many snacks.

You're both pretty average at the game so it's honestly more like both of you trying to be as problematic to whoever is in 1st place as possible.

And having fun doing it.

He's always loved doing chill nights like this so having you to enjoy them with just makes them even better.

Will celebrate any and every victory by kissing your forehead and then offering you a snack while he begins eating his own, ignoring how flustered you might be.

Will apologise if he hits you with a blue shell even when you tell him "It’s part of the game Beel, don't worry"

Belphegor

Mains as Waluigi (Me, personally… as a Waluigi main I wouldn't let that slide)

Chaotic

Will cause problems on purpose.

If he ever overtakes you/hits you with an item/comes in first and you complain he will say something along the lines of "then get good" or "skill issue"

His behaviour makes you SUPER competitive but also makes playing the game with him super fun because of it.

It's also super fun to hit him with items and then overtake him last minute when he thinks he's going to win.

You probably don't play for that long and end up cuddling up for a nap together instead.

#obey me! #obey me #obey me nb #obey me brothers #obey me shall we date #obey me brothers x MC #obey me lucifer #obey me lucifer x mc #obey me mammon #obey me mammon.x mc #obey me leviathan #obey me leviathan x mc #obey me levi #obey me levi x mc #obey me satan #obey me satan xmc #obey me asmodeus #obey me asmodeus x mc #obey me asmo #obey me asmo x mc #obey me beelzebub #obey me beelzebub x mc #obey me beel #obey me beel x mc #obey me belphegor #obey me belphegor x mc #obey me belphie #obey me belphie x mc #obey me mc #obey me gn!mc

[cloveroctobers]

SAFE & SOUND — ARMAN MORALES X READER X ANGEL REYES: [Spring Prompts]

A/N: it’s going to be tough getting through the cleaning lady this season but it’s always the work that lives on that continues to inspires us. Just from the premiere also sparked this little thing + I also assumed I’d stop writing for Angel once Mayans MC ended but after a name drop in TCL here I am lol! That angel was handsome too IJS. Bet you thought you could get rid of me huh!? Hope y’all enjoy my first spring prompt of the year!

PROMPT IS FROM HERE & I’m using:  “Spring is so boring there aren’t any good holidays.” “Have you forgotten Easter, St patty’s day, Mother’s Day, April fools-” “I get it, I get it!”

FIRST GIF WAS FOUND THROUGH PINTEREST SO IT BELONGS TO IT’s RIGHTFUL OWNER + THE SECOND BELONGS TO: @dailymayans !

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*

The Vegas heat was doing what it does best, roasting down on you despite residing in a mountain area. You’re used to it, being from this state and living here all these years; although it was the fresh start of April, the eighty degree heat demanded to be felt. You’re out on the balcony, leaning over it, one arm exposed to the sun while the other went to work fanning yourself with your silk handheld folding fan staring out into the view.

Your bathing suit is somewhat dry still clinging to you although you, Angel, and Mavy got out of the community pool (over a half hour ago) as soon as it started to get over crowded with your fellow neighbors. Your body was slouched over the balcony, mindlessly fanning yourself as you sank into your boredom.

Angel chuckled at you from behind, leaving the balcony door open just a crack behind him with a beer in one hand. He briefly touched your lower back in greeting before moving to dramatically copy your movements but instead with the back of his hand resting on his forehead. “What you doin’ out here querida?”

“Oh you know, just losing my mind. Nothing too serious.” You replied while Angel snorted at you.

He sips at his cold beer before saying, “I asked you if you wanted go cruising this weekend and maybe end up in the city for a night but you weren’t feeling it. So…I’m guessing you didn’t enjoy your time at the pool?”

“With my two favorite boys…of course I did.” You weren’t sarcastic this time, “it’s just that I’m imagining spring break to be a real drag.”

Angel furrows his brows, not even knowing when that was coming up but still said, “so what are you saying? You wanna live out your college dreams again, head down to Miami to get wild or something?”

It was your turn to laugh as you tug on his shorts waistband, “Why would I need to relive Miami when I got my hoochie daddy right here?”

“Ah, Fuck outta here,” Angel laughed as he playfully smacked your hand away from him while you winked.

Pressing your temple into your balled up hand you sighed after awhile, “what im getting at is: Spring is so boring there aren’t any good holidays.” 

Angel raised his brows at this, not entirely believing that you found the season to be boring since you just went out the way last weekend to go shopping for spring decor. He was glad he had to work that weekend because he just knew you would have him in those stores for hours like you commonly did, he just felt bad for maverick in the end though.

“…Have you forgotten Easter, St. patty’s day, Mother’s Day, April fools-” he ticks off with his fingers while you roll your eyes.

You interject, “I get it, I get it!”

It’s not like angel cared much about those holidays either…(he wasn’t the best at remembering dates) well maybe the last one he found the most interest in but now he was trying to do something different in life for Maverick and since he met you (who did care for holidays) after the big move here. That sweet baby boy changed the trajectory of the way angel looked at life now and he wanted his kid to experience nothing but greatness and if he could provide that he would. He also liked watching you interact with Maverick and you both seemed to have a good time on Easter, doing kids activities like: painting eggs, going Easter egg hunting, and even getting a picture with a weird looking Easter bunny that now sat on the mantle in the living room.

Angel was even going to church now when he felt up to it and knew his mother would probably be proud of the way he turned his life around. How life was so different from what it could have been. He could be the one in the ground with his family but Angel knew he was meant to be right here, no matter how painful it got to be here.

He reshaped his life and was glad to say that he did it.

“You know, there’s plenty of things we can get into now that Mav’s down for his nap. I can be your source of entertainment.” Angel hints, slipping an arm underneath your cover up and tugging you to him.

You smirk as you meet his dark eyes, fanning yourself with one hand while the other grips his tatted arm. “Is that right?”

“Uh huh,” Angel hums pressing into you as he bites his bottom lip before pecking yours.

It wouldn’t be the first time out here on this balcony but you wouldn’t make it a repeat since it was too hot for all that. And you didn’t need to hear angel’s complaints of his ass being scorched thanks to the material of the balcony! However with the way the both of you ended up, tongues battling, hands roaming and squeezing with Angel’s back against the balcony now, it was becoming difficult trying to get the words out.

His hand’s are full of kneading your backside and he lets you breathe while he’s attacking your neck now, just the way you like it underneath your ear, his facial hair tickling your skin as he does so. Your fan and his beer are both out of your grasps now as you’re scratching at his back, which is just enough indication for Angel to lift you by the waist and up against his hips. He buries his face back to your skin, loving the way you smell as you hold onto him.

Your eyes peek open, breathing still ragged as you hold on but soon your eyes focus out towards the fence that blocks the condo’s from the main highway, spotting a figure who has their attention solely on you. At first you expect it to be some sort of creep watching you be intimate with your boyfriend but a palm goes up into the air before they remove their sunglasses.

Your breathing stops and Angel instantly notices you go still against him. He pulls back to glance at you, “you alright?”

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you slowly place your legs down and Angel steadies you, still keeping a hand across your hips before he follows your stare. Angel’s eyes are in slits now, craning his neck and he’s on defense mode now, “fuck are you doing here?!”

You slap Angel’s arm to ease him while the man slowly steps closer to the building and both of your eyesight’s.

He says your name in greeting, “…hey, can we talk?”

Angel’s against it once he spots your hesitance but once you move, he’s not far behind you. You’re waiting at the front door, eyes to the right as you await for the man to make his way up the steps. He jogs up the last few steps, quickly making his way over to you while holding his sunglasses.

You’re still holding your breath as you take in his appearance, and it’s still the same man that you had the chance to spend your childhood with. The both of you don’t say anything, just staring and tracing over each others features with your eyes and Angel doesn’t like the feeling that sinks to the bottom of his stomach.

“You’re Armando right? You don’t look like any of the pictures.” Angel breaks the silence from behind you, arms crossed.

Arman flicks his eyes to your boyfriend, he takes in Angel’s appearance for a second before turning back to you, “Please, call me Arman…and Pictures?”

You exhale, “oh…yeah just two. The one from Costa Rica and your personal favorite: The selfie you took with my digital camera, the one you stole to impress that girl in photography class who already had a boyfriend—

“Did she though? I don’t recall.” Arman smirks and you scoff with a roll of your eyes, “but yeah I think I remember that one. It was the week after we finished junior year, Back when you were working at the skeeball section and Alicja Bosko purposely threw the ball at your shoulder to show off to her jackass boyfriend.”

You nodded remembering that huge bruise you received later that night, “Steven Jefferson. He was actually one of the nicest on the basketball team, if not the only one.”

“That’s because he was in love with you.” It was Arman’s turn to roll his brown eyes while you shook your head.

“No he wasn’t,” you crinkled your nose, “he was too far up Alicja’s ass.”

Arman argued, “yeah well maybe he should have been in theater instead of his brother because he wasn’t fooling me.”

You shrugged your shoulders with a small smile at the little walk down memory lane but knew to agree to disagree. It’s not like it wasn’t possible since you and Steven shared a few classes together, worked on a project or two because you sat near or next to each other but it didn’t cross your mind then. And you also weren’t aware that Steven questioned Arman once, after school when you went home early if the two of you were some secret couple. That was just the clean version of what Steven really said, which landed Arman on a three day suspension and Steven missing out on the next two games.

“…but the picture? It had to be of you having Alicja by the throat in the background while I had the most mischievous smile on my face…I can’t believe I forgot how much of a little shit I was.” Arman chuckled to himself while you nodded at him in amusement before he turned back to Angel, “plus it would make sense that I look different as a teen to present day right? Being a grown successful man does that to you, huh?”

He playfully slapped Angel on his shoulder before he squeezed himself by, taking in your home.

‘Now who the fuck did this guy think he is?’ Was exactly what Angel was thinking.

You squeezed Angel’s wrist as he sent you a look before kicking the door shut behind you.

“Feels much better in here and I see you’re doing well for yourself too.” Arman stood in the middle of the home.

Although he resided in the same state as you but at a great distance, Arman was still aware of your professions of once being a PI but now worked for a cybersecurity company as an intelligence analyst. He was proud to see that you were still driven but ultimately knew that wouldn’t change.

Angel muttered, “I bet it does when you’re not dressed like fucken blade in Vegas.”

“What was that?” Arman’s got his hands on his hips, bringing his attention back to the tatted man.

“Angel’s just wondering what you would like to drink.” Smiling hard at your boyfriend, he sucked his teeth with a roll of his head and rushed by you two.

He went around the corner by the dining area to the left where the closed off kitchen was. Once he pulled the fridge open, he missed out on you and Arman reaching out for each other to give each other a squeeze but not long enough to the point it would bring tears.

Arman couldn’t take tears from you, never could.

“Angel’s also wondering what brings you here and why you felt the need to stalk his girlfriend from the bushes.” He inquired, appearing just as you’re motioning for Arman to have a seat on the couch.

Angel slides a Gatorade on the coffee table (this Arman character wasn’t getting any of Angel’s good beer. By the looks of Arman, Angel had a feeling he probably wouldn’t drink it anyway.) and plops down on the sitting chair on Arman’s left.

Arman awkwardly laughs, “right…didn’t mean to intrude on you two…” he sends a knowing smile at you while you shrugged with a flick of your hair, “and I know that probably looked insane so I do apologize for that. I just had to make sure I had the right place.”

You suggest, “Next time maybe a phone call would be better?”

“Can’t exactly trust that lately.” Arman admits which makes Angel sit up, sending you a glance before Angel is pressing his elbows into his knees while Arman continues, “Look…I’m not here to cause any trouble but I had to see you…just in case.”

Angel wasn’t sure what that means but he had a feeling and he didn’t like being out of the loop of what was going on. He left Santo Padre for a reason and he found something special with you…yet someone from your past just shows up out the blue—that you haven’t seen in who knows how long, with a nice cut on his lip, brow, and cheek! and who knows where else! Arman didn’t seem to be walking normally if you asked Angel and this guy was saying things like he was preparing for the worse! In conclusion: sounded like a red flag to Angel.

“Before you expand on that…there’s just a few things that I do need to get off my chest.” Angel interrupts the intense eye contact you were sharing with another man.

Arman blinks over at Angel, “okay…”

“How long has it been since you two last saw each other?”

Arman looks to you again and you round off, “it’s been years, maybe fifteen? but the postcards and little figurines made it seem like less.”

Angel wasn’t aware of any of that but it’s not like you kept your friendship with Arman much of a secret. There wasn’t anything to hide in the first place. You always spoke highly of him and Angel couldn’t really grasp the idea of a man and a woman being just friends if they weren’t family. Yes that was his projection but he’s never seen anything like this that wasn’t romantic.

He rubs at his face in thought while Arman smiles softly at you, lightly shoving your knee and in that moment Angel was thankful he did the honors of tying your coverup before you opened the front door. Sorry not sorry.

Angel just comes right out with it, “so…were you two ever a thing? Serious or just foolin’ around?”

Your eyes go wide and Arman laughs at this, which irritates Angel.

“No.” Arman clearly states, “We maybe soulmates but not in a romantic sense, which makes this friendship so much more easy to have, no matter how many years pass us by. I love your girlfriend but you don’t have to worry about me falling in love with her because that’s your job, right?” He stares hard at the bearded man, almost daring Angel to say the wrong thing.

Angel immediately nods his head, feeling the tension ease somewhat from his jaw although he can feel your heated stare on him also. You already told him what it was with Arman when he asked you about your love for him once before and didn’t particularly like that he was bringing it up again to Arman. However Angel wanted to make sure that this wasn’t one sided and he had no shame in that.

“Good!” Arman claps, “then we have nothing to worry about. As long as you’re good to her, then we won’t have an issue.”

“…we’re good to each other.” You tell, wanting Angel’s eyes to settle on you, which they do before he sits back with a crooked smile.

Satisfied.

You shake your head at him and turn back to Arman who’s watching the exchange. You place your hand on Arman’s which is now thrown along the top of the couch, “And I’m glad I have all of my boys back underneath one roof. Except one of them doesn’t work my nerves as much.”

Arman scowls as he looks at Angel, “I find that hard to believe.”

“Fuck does that mean?” Angel feels his lip curl while Arman holds his hands up in surrender with a smile as Angel says, “she’s not talking about me but you don’t have to assume shit with that smug smile on your face, man.”

‘Lookin’ like the damn monopoly man and shit.’ Angel thinks to himself but he was trying to keep things cordial.

Arman tilts his head at this, “…there’s another guy that loves to take up your time? Don’t tell me—

“Relax,” you soothe, “I didn’t biologically have Maverick but I love him like he’s my own.”

“And I can’t thank you enough.” Angel tells you with a glint in his eye, “you have any kids, Armando?”

Arman slowly shakes his head putting the pieces together silently after spying a picture above the fireplace before he thinks of his own situation, “no but I too know a kid that I’ll always protect.”

“Aw, look at you having the parenting bug.” You wiggle the man’s shoulder.

Arman sighs trying to fight back a smile, “I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to. Your face did.”

“She’s right.” Angel agreed.

Arman attempts to whisper, “Don’t say that too much or her head will explode.”

You pinch the back of the skin on Arman’s hand who hisses before yanking his hand away. Angel laughs at you two, finding that this Arman guy might be alright in his book.

“I’ve missed you, you know? Even when you still do that pinching shit.” He shakes his hand about before rubbing it.

“I know and so have I, Armani-man.”

He chuckles, “haven’t heard that in awhile.”

“What?” You gasp as you mention, “Don’t tell me Nadia hasn’t hit you with annoying spins on your government?”

Yes you were also aware that Arman found his Mrs. Morales out there in the world. At first you felt a way about it since he simply sent over a picture and a brief letter to your mailbox during your late twenties and not an invitation to the wedding. Which he later explained in the attached letter that it was a spur of the moment ceremony out of the country. You only knew bits and pieces of what Nadia was like and what she looked like. However there seemed to be a shift in Arman at the mention of his wife.

As soon as you noticed it, it was gone, leaving the guarded man to exhale, “…only when she wants something.”

“You too, huh?” Angel cracks open the Gatorade before taking a sip, “ever get hit with a ‘hoochie daddy?’”

Arman blinks before oddly staring back and forth at you two, “A what?”

“Never mind my boyfriend,” you fan your hand, “you said you came here to visit me just in case of what exactly…”

Arman dips his head and clears his throat. When he starts cracking his fingers with one hand, you notice it’s still something he does when there’s a lot on his mind even with the both of you settling into your own adulthoods. That alone makes you scoot closer to him, balling your legs to the side of you as you rest your head back against his arm.

“I’m here. Always.”

This he knew.

He never imagined plopping back into your life like this, on the run and keeping it all away from the two women he’s in love with but it was a fact that you knew the start. And if that’s what he had to go back to, then so be it. Part of him felt like he should feel guilty bringing you back into this, while at the same time he knew the levels of your relationship and that you would always look out for him too.

The both of you grew up together and then separately because arman sought out for more that his father didn’t approve of and the connection between you two was just as strong then as it is now. It wasn’t conditional on your part, which is why the both of you still had a friendship. That was evident with the way you two moved around each other and Angel felt like he should be jealous.

Oh but he was! especially with the bits of affection he witnessed, that was something he didn’t want to get used to but maybe he was starting to understand? Angel would grasp it more if he saw how Arman was around this Nadia person and had a feeling he probably would the longer Arman stayed or came around. However both you and Arman knew it wouldn’t be a long span of time. It’s just not the way he operated.

He was always on the move.

“Do I need to give you two the room?” Angel places his hand on his chest, “I really don’t want to in fear that I’ll start smoking again but my heart, yeah I got that, is saying I prolly should.”

You peek up at Arman, the both of you sharing a laugh before Arman nudged his head and you’re patting the empty spot next to you. “Get over here.”

“I dunno…the way you two look at each other gives off more than just friends.” Angel cautiously makes his way over, while you toss your legs right over his lap, leaving him to caress your bare ankle.

Arman shakes his head as he meets Angel’s eyes, “you’ve never loved a best friend so much that you’ll do anything for?”

“Well yeah…” Angel starts with a lift of his shoulders, “but I never had stars in my eyes when I looked at coco’s crazy ass. And he wouldn’t be walking up in my house like he owns the place. I’ll tell you that much. Actually—he’d probably find a way in here without us knowing.”

You’ve heard stories about Coco—Johnny plenty times before and wished you would have had the chance to meet him. With the way Angel spoke of him and the one’s he once called his brothers, made it seem like you already have.

You snort, “might as well have stars with how much you speak on him and Ezekiel.”

Angel blows out a breath at how much he missed those guys through it all, “I guess I get it too. But i do have to say, if this turns out to be more harm than good to us…you may see a side of me you don’t like and that can get ugly.”

That was aimed more at Arman than you, you were sure but as good as you knew the man to your left, he didn’t take threats lightly yet he could respect it since you chose Angel.

“Well at least you’re honest about your lack of looks…but we can both agree every side is my good side.” Arman jokes as he pinches his chin, caressing his facial hair with a grin.

Angel huffs, “get a load of this fucken guy! First you waltz in here and now this? You’re something else, man. But I guess…you’re alright for now.”

Arman leans over you as Angel goes to give him a fist while Arman was ready to give his hand a shake. Angel stares at Arman’s hand, not budging before Arman huffs and decides to bump fists instead with a shake of his head in disbelief.

“Yay, my bestie and my boyfriend getting along!”You grip Arman’s shoulder to place a kiss on his cheek before flopping your body against Angel who squeezes your shoulder, kissing the corner of your eye as you say “Love to see it…maybe spring break won’t be so bad after all.”

Arman and Angel both share a knowing glance, being aware that this probably wouldn’t be some simple visit of a friend coming to town—although you were no stranger to Arman’s lifestyle—but for both of their sakes they’ll relish in your happiness.

That’s mainly what both men wanted for you.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*

Continue along with my spring anthology prompts here.

#queued #the cleaning lady #the cleaning lady season 3 #the cleaning lady fox #arman morales #Arman morales x reader #adan canto #mayans mc #mayans mc x reader #Angel Reyes #angel reyes x reader #spring prompts #clayton cardenas

[lancermylove]

Unphotogenic (Oneshot)

Fandom: Obey Me

Pairing: Mammon x gn!Reader, established relationship.

Warning: N.SFW (nothing too bad)

Commissioned by: @lann-de-lei

Prompt: Hi! May I ask for a one-shot - Obey Me! Mammon x gn!reader (or fem!reader if it's more convenient for you) Scenario: I imagine MC who doesn't like their photos and doesn't like to be on photos because they are unphotogenic and they think their photos are awful (it's not about their real appearance, just about their photos). At the same time they have a lot of Mammon photos, collect his magazines, keep his photo in their wallet or in pendant. When Mammon wants to have their photos too, they are hesitated and explain him why they dislike the idea. So Mammon decides to organize a private photo shoot for them, with a professional photographer, so they could see how beautiful their photos can be. They start with photos of MC, but then want photos of them together, and in the end - couples boudoir photos. I hope it makes sense ^_^" Thank you!  

A/N: Thank you for your commission! 💕 Also, thank you so much for reblogging the previous oneshots multiple times - I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Your ideas are always so unique, and I really enjoy writing them. :3 

Word Count: 3,299

———————————————

You reached for your smartphone with trembling hands as two voices, one of the devil, and the other of the angel argued in your mind. ‘It’s going to be okay,’ said the gentle voice. 

‘No, it won’t. You know how it always turns out, so why bother,’ rebutted the dry, taunting voice. 

‘It never hurts to give it a try.’

‘Except, the end result is always a failure.’ 

Ignoring the bickering voices, you shut your eyes and inhaled sharply in an attempt to shake off your nervousness. You opened your eyes, smiled brightly into the full-length mirror in front of you, and positioned your phone’s camera to capture your reflection. Before checking the selfie, you glanced at the mirror and smiled, “Lookin’ good, but...” 

The corners of your lips dropped as you slowly brought your phone’s screen into view. Disaster. That one word summed up your appearance in the selfie; your reflection looked nothing like the image on your phone. The devilish voice was right - the end result is always a failure and will always be a failure. 

“Photogenic people are lucky,” you sighed. “Why can’t I be one of them?” 

A stinging sensation irritated your eyes, but you blinked rapidly to hold the saline liquid from spilling out and ruining your eye makeup. Thud. Thud. The sound of a fist pounding on your door made you jump and nearly squeal. 

“Why didja lock your room? What’s takin’ ya so long? We’re goin’ to be late!” 

Mammon couldn’t have come at a better time; his voice was enough to pull you out of your spiraling state and back into reality. Scowling at your loathsome selfie, you deleted it and grabbed your bag, ready to go on your date with your beloved. You drew in a deep breath, put on the biggest smile you could muster, and flung open the door. “So, how do I look?” 

He, first, looked at you from head to toe, then took the liberty of scanning the areas of your body you left exposed - your neck, collarbones, a bit of your chest, and your legs. Had your shorts been any shorter, Mammon would have canceled the date, tossed you over his shoulder, and walked right back into your room. Curling a finger under his chin, you gently tilted his face up to meet your teasing gaze. “Aren’t we getting late? You can stare all you want after dinner.” 

Red crept on his cheeks as he averted his eyes and cleared his throat. “Why didja lock your room?” 

“Did you forget your brothers live in the same house as us? Would you really want them to walk in while I am changing?” You teased, knowing well what his answer would be. 

“NO! Don’t ya dare keep your door unlocked while you’re changin’. That’s only for my eyes...and I ain’t lettin’ anyone see anythin’ they’re not supposed to, especially not my lil bros.” 

“So, you’re okay with Lucifer seeing me?”

“NO! If he does, I’m goin’ to hang him from the ceilin’.” 

“Um...my dearest, you know Lucifer heard that, right?” 

Mammon squeaked and looked around frantically for his older brother, ready to apologize and give a long explanation about how he was joking. Click. Click. The sound of your phone’s camera, followed by your laughter, caught him off guard even more. “Oi! Not cool. Why’re ya takin’ my pics? Delete ‘em!” 

“Nah, you look good in them. Mammon...you always look good in all photos...,” the zealous in your voice drowned out, and your boyfriend was quick to pick up on it. 

“(Y/n)?”

Hearing the concern in his voice mixed with a pang of pain, you shook your head and forced a giggle, “It’s nothing~. You’re a model, after all, so it makes sense!”

----

It was a long night for you and Mammon, but he had no trouble waking up before you. Maybe it was the pleasant dinner, the laughs you share with him while walking back home, or the lovely time he had holding you in his embrace as the two of you shared sloppy kisses - whatever the reason, he felt happy and energized. 

The Avatar of Greed let his eyes wander down your face and blanket-covered torso until they landed on your exposed lower half. Blushing deeply, he reached down and pulled the blanket over your legs, careful not to wake you up. No matter how many times he saw you without clothes, Mammon felt like he could never get used to it. As his gaze returned to your face, a blinding sparkle near your chest caught his attention. For a moment, he stared at the metal chain around your neck, contemplating whether he should take this chance or not. 

‘It’s now or never, but...if (y/n) catches me, they ain’t goin’ to be happy. Dammit, I wanna know what they’re hidin’ from me.’ 

Deciding to test his luck, your boyfriend reached for the heart pendant connected to the thin gold chain around your neck. What were you hiding in the pendant that you kept refusing to show him every time he asked? His heart raced out of control as he nimbly parted the pendant, mentally reminding himself to not to wake you up. 

He wasn’t sure what to expect, but what Mammon saw inside gave him warm fuzzy feelings. One side of the pendant held a photo of him, smiling ear to ear, while the other side contained textured white paper with the words “I love you” on it. The demon couldn’t understand why you were hiding something so sweet from him, but not wanting to face your wrath first thing in the morning, he closed the heart and gently set it back onto the bedsheet. With a yawn, he sat up on the mattress and stretched his arms as wide as he could.

‘What the Devildom...?’ Mammon froze midway through his yawn and stared at the wall across the bed with his mouth open and arms still in the air. That entire wall, from top to bottom, was covered with photos, magazine cut-outs, and posters of him. Slowly standing up from the bed, not caring to get dressed, the stunned demon approached the decorated wall. Had this wall always been covered with his pictures? Mammon was aware he didn’t pay attention to his surroundings, but he definitely wasn’t that absent-minded. 

‘A photo of (y/n) in my wallet, and a wall in my room with their pics. Why didn’t I think of that?’ The thought of waking up in the morning and seeing your face, rather faces, on his bedroom wall sounded like the world’s best idea. Well, the second best idea, the first best idea being seeing your actual face first thing in the morning. His excitement was growing by the second until a sudden realization slapped him across his cheek and quickly deflated his mood. ‘I don’t have any pics of (y/n). Y’know...I don’t even have a single photo of ‘em...’ 

His thoughts were cut short by the sound of the bedsheets rustle behind him. He walked back to the bed and greeted you with a bashful smile, “Mornin’! By the way, ya let your guard down.” 

He pointed to your pendant and watched you follow his finger to the metal heart. Your struggle to figure out what he was talking about as your mind was not fully awake yet amused him. Your eyes shot open, and you clutched onto the necklace, frowning, “You weren’t supposed to see that!”

“Too late,” he shrugged. “Not fair that ya get to keep a picture of me. I want a photo of ya for my wallet, so every time I open it, I get to see your pretty face.”

His statement came off as a casual part of the conversation, but in reality, Mammon wanted to find out why he didn’t have even one photo of you. He observed every movement you made and every expression that flashed across your face. He knew it! You didn’t share your photos with him on purpose, but why? You weren’t going to tell him, were you? At least, not until he asked. “(Y/n), I ain’t got one picture of ya. No photo, no selfie, no nothin’. Why?”

“I...don’t look good in photos. No matter how many times I try to take selfies, I never look good in them!”

Mammon was not prepared to hear that reply and was confused. Had you been struggling with insecurities about your appearance? He never got that feeling, so what were you going on about? “Whatcha talkin’ about? You’re beaut-”

“No, Mammon. Please, don’t try to sugarcoat it. I don’t look good, so I don’t look good. I never look like myself in photos!” You hung your head low, not wanting him to see your inner struggles on your face, and let out a mocking chuckle, “You know...whenever I see photos of you, I feel jealous. The camera loves you so much.” 

It hurt him to see you dragging yourself down. At times like these, he would throw his arms around you and comfort you, throwing in a joke here and there, but this time around, he didn’t know how to react. Mammon knew his words wouldn’t change your mind, especially since you had made up your mind about your appearance in photos, but he was desperate to prove you wrong. No matter what it took, he was determined to show you that your beauty was radiant enough to shine in real as well as in photos. 

----

"What is takin’ ‘em so long?” Mammon mumbled while rhythmically tapping his foot on the hardwood floors. He couldn’t wait for you to see your surprise, but at the same time, he wondered if you would be okay in the studio. If only he could have brought the photographer to the House of Lamentation, but with his brothers around, an incident-less photo shoot would have been impossible. First, they would have inserted themselves into every photo, then a fight would have broken out, and the finale would have been Lucifer hanging all them from the ceiling and lecturing their ears out while you attempted to calm him down. Mammon shuddered at the thought of hearing the Avatar of Pride lecture him for hours. 

You made your made into the photo studio to find your boyfriend zoning out in the middle of the entrance hall. “Mammon, you never told me you got signed for another photoshoot.” 

“I didn’t,” he replied and took hold of your hand, “but don’t worry ‘bout the details. We need to get goin’.”

Mammon led you through the long corridor, past various color-coded doors, and stopped at a red one. Opening the door, he revealed a luxurious bedroom decorated with fine furniture suited for royalty. 

“Beautiful set, ain’t it? Remember that chair?” He pointed to a crimson high-back chair with gold trim. “It’s the same one I sat on for my cover photoshoot with Carie Mlair.” 

“Y-Yeah, I remember...but, Mammon-”

“(Y/n), that there's Luna,” he purposely interrupted you and smile at a stylish older demon. “She'll be takin’ your photos today.” 

The second you heard “your photos,” you spun on your heels to run out of the room, but your boyfriend was prepared for your reaction and blocked your path. Wrapping his arms around your waist, Mammon forced the corners of his lips up, “Look, I know you ain’t comfortable in front of the camera, but can ya give it a try?” 

You frantically shook your head, earning a sigh from him, “Hearin’ ya talkin’ bad ‘bout yourself hurt me. I want ya to see how smokin’ ya can look in photos. You might not have confidence in yourself, but I know you’ll look great. So, can ya give it a try? For me? Ya ain’t gonna let my surprise go to waste, right? I swear if ya walk away, I’ll sulk all week long.” 

“F-Fine.” 

Mammon didn’t mean to blackmail you, but he couldn’t think of any other way to get you to give in. He watched you drag your feet to the chair and awkwardly position your body to face the professional lens. “(Y/n), take a deep breath ‘n relax. Just be you and pretend you’re posin’ in front of your bedroom mirror.” 

For the next few minutes, you attempted to follow the tips Mammon threw your way, but you only grew more frustrated. Seeing you at the verge of your breaking point, your boyfriend took off his jacket, tossed it to the side, and casually made his way to you. He wrapped one arm around your waist and brought you closer to his broad chest. 

“Have I ever told ya that ya look adorable when you’re nervous?” He planted a gentle kiss on your forehead and chuckled. You slightly lifted your head to playfully glare at him. Click. The sound of the camera shutter still made you nervous but Mammon’s warmth and smile helped you calm down. 

Out of the blue, the demon spun you around and dipped you, laughing at your startled expression. Click. Your pout and light punch on his chest made him laugh harder. Click. He pinched your cheek, and in return, you pinched both of his. Click. Little by little, Mammon felt your tense muscles easing and was relieved to see him plan working. He rested his forehead against yours as the two of you closed your eyes, taking a second to enjoy the serene moment. Click. 

Mammon gradually opened his eyes and saw you staring at him with parted lips. Though he knew that look all too well, Mammon wanted you to make the first move, so without wasting any time, you lifted your head and met his soft, warm lips. Click. Even after hearing the shutter sound, you didn’t pull away, much to Mammon’s joy. One kiss turned into two, two turned into three, and this went on until both of you were gasping for air. 

The Avatar of Greed took a step back and removed his shirt, giving you enough time to ogle his muscles, but soon, your lips were once again connected, this time into a sloppy kiss. Click. Your tongues tangoed, but to your dismay, he pulled away and turned your body to face the camera. Wrapping his left arm around your bare waist, he buries his face in your neck. Click. 

For a second, you had forgotten about the camera, but now that you were face to face with it, you started tensing up again. Mammon sensed your nervousness and quickly ran his right hand up the front of your right thigh and to the zipper of your formal shorts. He tugged on the zip, revealing your black lace underwear to the camera. Click. Before you could protest about the photographer watching, Mammon slid his right hand inside your undergarment and stroked your nether region. Click. You stared half-lidded at the camera, and even though you saw Luna, hunched behind the tripod, you couldn’t stop your desires from taking control of your mind. 

Your beloved demon withdrew his right hand and spun you to face him once more. He tugged on your shorts, letting them pool around your ankle, and swiftly disposed of your collared crop top, leaving you exposed in your black, lace undergarment(s). Click. Mammon kneeled on the floor, eagerly pulled you down with him, and asked you to lie down. Complying with his request, you pressed your back on the hardwood and shivered at the contrast of the cool floor against your heated skin. 

“(Y/n),” Mammon whispered on your lips, “Look at the camera 'n show it how much ya want me. Show it how I make ya feel.” 

With those words, he trailed kisses down your neck and chest until he reached your stomach. Click. Click. He parted your legs and buried his face in between. Mammon’s request to stare at the camera seemed difficult, but as soon as you felt his warm breath between your legs, you arched your back and met the gaze of the metal cyclops’ eye. Click. 

You were shocked at how naturally you revealed your bedroom expressions to a stranger and your worst enemy, but Mammon didn’t give you time to get over the shock. He grabbed your waist with both hands, sat you up, and with an aroused voice, he asked to you remove his pants. It took Mammon everything inside him to control his urge to take you right then and there in front of Luna. Click. 

Disposing of his pants, Mammon turned to the side, giving the camera his side view, and pulled you onto his lap. Click. He held onto your hips as you threw your head back to give him space to kiss your collarbones. Click. Your dear demon gratefully accepted your invitation and showered your skin with butterfly kisses. Click. As your gaze met once again, your breaths grew more and more ragged - you had reached your limit as had Mammon.

Luna cleared her throat loud enough for the two of you to hear, hoping to bring you and Mammon back to your senses. “Shall we call it a day? Mammon, do not even think about running my beautiful set. Now, run along to the bathroom and do what you two must.”

----

The Avatar of Greed took a step back to get a better look at his masterpiece, a collage of you on the wall closest to this bed. His eyes settled on the photo in the center of the collage, the biggest and brightest picture of them all - you smiling brilliantly for the camera with confidence. “Told ya ya would look great in photos. What were ya afraid of in the first place? Why fear when Mammon the Great is here~?” 

Chuckling to himself, he grazed the fingertips of his right hand across his favorite photo of you. “You’re the light of my life, and I ain’t goin’ to let my light grow dull...not in real, not in front of the camera...not ever.”

Mammon turned his attention to the heavy album in his left hand and started looking around his room. Now, where was he supposed to hide this? An album of forbidden photos meant for his eyes only. Then again, the two of you were dating, so why did he need to hide this? Why would anyone care if he had a spicy photoshoot with his lover? 

“Ya, I ain’t gonna hide this. I got no need to hide this...not from (y/n), not from Devildom, not from my brothers.” Mammon froze in place for a second before he repeated his words, “My brothers...what could go wrong with my brothers around...” 

“MAMMOOOOON. How could you be so irresponsible as to leave such an album in plain sight? Do you see the effect it has on your younger brothers?”

Mammon slowly moved his eyes behind Lucifer to find Satan paralyzed with no expression on his face, almost like his mind was short-circuiting. Next to the fifth brother was Asmo with a crimson face, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another, “Is it just me, or did it get hot in here? I mean...very, very hot...” 

A short distance away, Levi lay on the floor, passed out in a pool of his own nosebleed. Next to the third brother, Belphie sat with his knees pressed to his chest, rocking back and forth. Between Levi and Belphie was a somewhat traumatized Beel who kept looking at his twin and passed out older brother, worried about their condition. 

Snapping out of his thoughts, Mammon vigorously shook his head and mumbled a chain of “no no no”. On the other hand, it would be better to keep the album locked up, for his sake as well as the sake of his younger brothers. 

———————————————

➣  Obey Me Masterlist: [1][2] ➣ Main Masterlist

#obey me #obey me mammon #swd mammon #mammon x reader

[night-market-if]

I feel like the ROs are MCs in their own way where their relationships with each other are just as important as the PCs.

I can see why some people would be annoyed by this because they’re used to IFs where everything is very centered towards the MC/PC, but this IF is not like that and it’s why some people are so bothered by the ROs relationships….but I feel like that just makes them more real??? Like in real life, even if you’re the “Chosen One”, for example, everyone else still has their own lives and agendas and they don’t always include you, the same way most people aren’t going to throw all that away for you.

The tension between Bella and Gabriel is there because it’s personal to them and wouldn’t make sense if there wasn’t any given their situation. Milo and Malcom literally dated and knew each other for years, they never really broke up…Malcom died. There was no real closure, how are you going to expect there to be nothing when Malcom comes back to life??? Both pairs knew each other for so long and were very close, and then weren’t for whatever reason, and now they’re both forced to confront it head-on. Just because you were there for a little while (compared to the amount of time they’re known each other) is not going to magically fix the hurt and/or erase the feelings they have (romantic or not depending on the case).

And that’s the whole point. It’s messy but it’s real and true to life. Their relationships are just as important as yours as the MC/PC, and effect the story just as much.

I hope this came off as I was trying to make it, but it’s just with everyone talking about being jealous (take that word with a grain of salt, I’m not sure how else to describe it) of the ROs relationships with each other…I just had to say something.

This story is so wonderful and awe-worthy. The complexity of everyone’s relationships is just what makes it so much better to me. Keep staying true to your characters <333

I think that was all really well put. I'm not really bothered by people upset or jealous (and like you I will say take that with a grain of salt because I think it is not so cut and dry). This story is different. I don't read a lot of IF's. I am very very aware that I don't have the mechanics of a lot of the more popular ones out there. And when I started looking into making this a bit more like other IF's with stats and what not, I realized I would hate writing that. I'm going to be honest, I probably wouldn't have finished the Night Market if I had to keep track of so much coding and stats. That's not to say I won't do that in the future with another IF's, but Night Market to me feels different. It feels like a world that you are reading about and just looking at what would happen if you turned left instead of right. It's not everyone's cup of tea and that's okay. Mainly, I have a cast of characters (MC is included) and they are all now navigating this problem together. Each of them are bringing baggage to the table. Each of them have different opinions and ideas. And I am much more interested in writing the story that explores that. I'm not in this to lose my passion. This story has brought so much to me at a time that was shaky. I write it for me and am excited when people want to join me on this journey as well.

There are always going to be people who are going to have uncomfortable feelings about how these routes are going to go. I don't devalue how they feel. However, I think the thing to remember as a reader when you feel uncomfortable, it is not up to the author to change that for you. It is up to the individual to remove themselves from the situation, or in some cases, maybe examine why this is something that bothers them so deeply. I can't be a part of that. I'm telling a story.

#the night market #interactive fiction #if fic #twine fic #world building #personal

[narcolini]

putting it right

moisés (sky rojo) x gn!reader, 18+, smut/angst, 3034 words

warnings for guns, dubious morals, canon typical sentiments

for day 24 of whumpril: ‘what have you done?

a/n: its me and my moi fics against the world at this point. if no-one else is doing it then i simply just have to

tagging: @drabbles-mc @cositapreciosa @hausofmamadas​ 

He might not even show. He might not come at all. You stare at yourself in the mirror, under the glow of the shitty yellow bathroom light. The motel you’re in isn’t one you’d normally choose, under any other circumstances, but for today it’s perfect. As dirty as you’re going to be. Stained no matter how hard you scrub it clean.

You sigh, splashing water over your face. It doesn’t matter how you look, really, because he’s in deep enough not to care anymore. To think you’re beautiful despite, and because of. To stare at you like he loves you. God. You flick another palm full of water onto your cheeks, your neck. It’s cool enough to feel like relief, just for a moment, and then you’re red hot again. Scorching with shame already.

He has no reason to suspect that anything’s changed, or to look at you any differently. He probably doesn’t think anything of the shit awful place you’ve invited him to, because God knows he’s used to worse. He probably thinks you’re playing into it. A motel on the side of the road, a night together like strangers, it’s part of the fun, no?

He’ll be here soon. You pat your face dry, your hands, the flaming skin around your collar. You aren’t doing anything you haven’t done before. At least, not to start with. You know him, you know how to be with him. That’s easy. Everything else, well, you’re trying to avoid thinking about it. What you won’t be here for, doesn’t matter. You just have to be how you usually are: hungry for him, relentless.

You scan the main room from the door of the en suite; the bed, your bag—packed still, but sat at the foot of it—the wine you’ve put on the bedside, and the drawer you’ve left half-open. Everything’s in place. It’ll be easy, once you have him here. And you’re going to be fine, remember, you’re going to be fine, even after it all happens. The worst will be the guilt, you suppose. That’s already creeping in, filling the gaps, staining the carpet. You’re gnawing at your bottom lip like you’ve already done what you intend to do.

He knocks before you can overthink it any further. Two taps to the door, just one knuckle. Light like he knows you’ll be waiting for the sound.  

You take a breath, straighten your shoulders, smooth down your shirt. It’ll go perfectly, it will. You’re only doing exactly as you always do. It’s Moisés, after all. You’ve been alone with him more times than you can count.

You pull the door open, smiling, and lean your hip against it to greet him. ‘Hola, guapo.’

He’s in one of his usual outfits, tight-fitting shirt, black jeans, western boots hidden beneath. His chin drops as he looks you over in return, before saying anything at all. You know what he’s seeing—you’d dressed up especially, made sure to only put on items that he’s complimented before. Clothes that he’s seen the least, really, because he took them off so quickly. But it’s done as you thought it would. He’s smiling by the time he’s back to your eyes, hand reaching for your waist already.

‘Te extañé,’ he says, purring it into your mouth, with his lips following shortly after.

You’re glad, because you can’t say it back to him. I missed you. There’s that guilt again, curling up the floor, snaking around your ankles. You kiss him and hope it goes away, lips to lips, tongue slipping through.

He kicks the door shut with his heel. ‘I almost didn’t come,’ he says, whispering it. A kiss in-between, his hands to your neck, your jaw. ‘But I couldn’t stay away.’

You hum in place of an answer, and for a moment he has you. His palms on your skin, his cologne down your throat. You almost forget what you’re there for.

‘We’re all addicts, aren’t we?’ you ask, letting your fingers stray down his back. ‘For something?’

You know his answer. He kisses you like he’s starving, like he loves you, again, like he loves you. You let him—you have to, for now. For this to work.

‘One day I’ll take you away from here,’ he says. He puts the promise of it against your neck, in-between the scrape of his teeth, the push of hot breath across your skin. ‘And then we can have this.’ To your collarbone, the top of your shoulder. ‘Every day.’

‘Really?’

He’s said it a thousand times. Before now, you always thought there might be some truth to it. Some value in letting yourself believe him.

‘Yes,’ he pants, starting at your clothes at last, fingers under the hem of your shirt. ‘I need you.’

But you aren’t here for that. He is, you aren’t. You let your hands fall the rest of the way down, finding the gun you’ve learned to expect tucked into the back of his jeans.

‘And do you need this?’ you ask, pulling it free, hand loose around the grip of it.

He abandons his mission, leaning back to duck away from the waving weapon, his eyes rolling afterwards. ‘Cariño,’ he laughs, ‘cuidate.’

You take a step back, away from him, settling it in both hands now. It’s as heavy as you expected it to be, but still strange to hold. Foreign to point toward him. ‘Would you teach me to use it, if I asked?’

‘No.’ He’s smiling still, watching you play. ‘Who’re you planning to shoot, dulce?’

You line it up, nose to his chest, so close that it catches on one of his buttons. You could pull the trigger right now—if you wanted to. It’ll be loaded, ready. You know that. ‘People like this shit, y’know, fucking with guns around.’ You say it like you’re considering it, like you’re testing waters you never intend to tread. ‘It turns them on.’

He doesn’t move. His gaze flicks from you, to the gun. Back again. ‘I know.’

Of course he does. He’s probably seen it more times than you care to imagine. ‘I’m not sure if it’s for me,’ you say, tracing the end of the pistol down his stomach. ‘One mistake, and—’

When you twitch it back up, angled toward his face, he flinches, palm grabbing your wrist in the same moment. ‘That’s not funny,’ he scolds, holding your hand and the gun in the air beside you both. ‘It’s not a toy.’

‘No,’ you agree, ‘it’s not.’

He pulls your hand back to his chest, taking the gun without any complaint from you. ‘You shouldn’t be touching it.’

‘And you shouldn’t bring it when you’re coming to meet me.’ You layer a smile over your lips. ‘Can we put it away, baby, somewhere safe?’

You know what he wants to say—I have to carry it, I need it—but he doesn’t bother. Instead, he nods, and walks around the bed to the table on the left, and the drawer you left open. He tugs it out, putting the gun inside, then pauses. His eyebrow arches, his fingertips on the drawer’s handle still.

‘What’s this?’ he asks, flicking a curious smirk in your direction.

‘What?’ You’re feigning innocence, climbing onto the bed from the foot. You go on your hands and knees over the covers. ‘Is something in there?’

He hooks the handcuffs with his index finger, lifting them free from their hiding place, to dangle in the air by his head. ‘You didn’t bring these?’

It’s almost too easy, the smile you give in return, the blush you can’t fight even though you know, you know. ‘Oh,’ you purr, ‘those.’ You’re far enough up the bed to reach for him now, hands to his waist, to the belt loops of his jeans. You pull him toward you, putting his thighs to the mattress. ‘I thought we could try something new,’ you say.

It’s a yes before you’ve even made your case. He’s looking at you intensely now, breath heavy as he stands over you. His hand goes to the side of your face, his thumb to your bottom lip. ‘You or me?’ he asks.

You swallow. ‘I was thinking you.’

That, he hadn’t expected. He laughs lightly, through his nose, with a fond amusement growing in his eyes. ‘En serio?’

You nod.

‘You surprise me, cariño.’

And surprise is all you have.

You tug him toward you again, bringing his knees onto the mattress, before guiding him back against the headboard. He hasn’t said yes, but he hasn’t said no yet, either. You have to convince him of it. You have to make him forget who he is, just long enough to become someone else yourself.

‘You’re always in control, Moi.’ You climb over him, thighs parting over his lap. ‘Don’t you get tired of it?’

He sighs, one hand running over your ass, the other trapped between your bodies, handcuffs in his palm. ‘I don’t think I am,’ he says. ‘Not anymore.’

You kiss his neck, feeling him relax and tighten all at once. You know what he means, that Romeo is the one in control, not him, but you can’t work with that. You can’t tug that thread without it all unwinding. ‘Let me,’ you breathe by his ear, ‘I want to try.’

‘Yeah?’

You hum, reaching to take the cuffs from him. ‘It could be good for you,’ you smirk, ‘making you wait.’

He’s not used to it. He gets what he wants, when he wants it. He does what he wants, with no-one to stop him, no consequences. No guilt.

‘Please, Moi,’ you beg, rolling your hips over his, over the hard length of him beneath.

When he lets out his next breath, it wobbles slightly, staggering over his chest. But he nods, and he smiles, and his arms go up like he wants it now. Like curiosity has melted into need.

You stretch up, on your knees, to lean over him, glad that he’s looking at your chest and not your hands—because they’re shaking now, failing at the most crucial part. They aren’t really handcuffs, not by police standard. But they were the most secure you could find. Real metal, not plastic, not fluffy and coddling like they always are in those shops.

You feel him press a kiss to your sternum, feel his head tilt up to take in the smell at the base of your throat. Even now, even while you’re doing this, you smile, your body reacts. It would be so easy to give into him. You settle for returning the gesture with one of your own, kissing the inside of his wrist before cranking the cuff closed around it.

He reacts slightly, twitching under you.

‘Too tight?’

‘No.’ He adjusts himself, legs spreading slightly, free arm falling momentarily to run a hand up your ribcage. ‘It’s good.’

You wouldn’t change it even if it was cutting off the blood flow. You’re too far along now to go any further back.

‘Your hand, baby,’ you prompt, inviting him to lift his arm once more.

He does, putting it up alongside the other, and allowing you to thread the cuffs behind the poles of the bed frame, before locking his second wrist in place. Just like that.

It’s almost a shame—almost—that this is the last time. That it has to be. The thrill of seeing him like this, pliant, waiting, kept still beneath you. It’s almost enough to make you change your mind, to pretend this is the same as every other night and enjoy the position you’ve put him in.

‘You look good,’ you tell him, sitting back onto his lap again. ‘I like you like this.’

His brow arches. ‘Really?’ He’s still settling into it, fidgeting against the restraints, testing the limits of his movement. ‘I don’t know yet.’

‘Tranquilo.’ You put a hand to his stomach, then bend to kiss his collar, his chest. ‘Enjoy it, Moi.’ You know you are. You’re savouring it, keeping the image of it safe in your memories.

He relaxes slightly, trying for your sake to do as he’s told. When you pluck apart his shirt, to kiss the scorching skin beneath, he sighs, head back against the board. When you reach the band of his underwear, just below his naval, his eyes close. His wrists tug against the cuffs, desperate to reach for you.

‘Okay,’ you can hear him smirking, talking like he’s half asleep, ‘it’s not so bad.’

‘See?’ You catch the band with your teeth, pushing down on his hips as they lift to meet you. ‘I know you.’

You know what he likes, and you know what he does.

Any longer now and you’ll go back on yourself, undo everything that you’ve set up. Forget the mission and lose yourself in the sport of this. As much as you want to tease him, for hours and hours, until he’s begging you for release, you can’t. If not for your own sake, for theirs. A deal is a deal.

You sit up before it can happen, climb over his legs and onto the floor, before he can sigh again, or twitch under your touch. Before he can do anything to make you doubt your choice. You’re by your bag at the end of the bed, rooting in the front pocket, before he realises this isn’t a part of it.

‘What are you doing?’ he asks, sitting straighter.

You ignore him, finding your phone and pulling it free. The text is already typed out—you made sure to do so long before he arrived, incase you failed with the cuffs—so it takes less than a minute for you to hit send and seal his fate; your fate. You watch it switch from sent to delivered, before chancing a look at him.

He’s frowning, confused because he doesn’t know to be angry yet, and tilting his head like he’s trying to laugh it away. Like he’s missed a joke and is trying to find the punchline still.

‘You stopped to send a text?’ he asks, with a nervous humour behind the words.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘For what?’

You weren’t going to apologise to him, that was never supposed to come out—you’d promised yourself you wouldn’t. But there it went, and here it comes again, ‘I’m sorry, Moi.’

It’s connecting, you think. The cuffs, the motel, the gun in the drawer away from him. The questioning laugh is sinking into something else, breaking into an expression you can’t stomach.

‘I couldn’t…’ There’s not enough time to explain it to him. It had taken you days to reach this conclusion, to decide on a path that led you both here, to the motel, and them to the parking lot outside, waiting for your signal. You have two, maybe three minutes before they get here—and that’s not long enough. That doesn’t even scratch the surface. ‘You can’t run forever, Moi.’

It clicks. His face folds, betrayal laid thick over his features. ‘What have you done?’ He asks, quiet enough that you could save it, really, if you wanted to. You could push the vulnerability back until he trusted you again.

But you can’t, you won’t. ‘I’m sorry,’ you say again, the only words you can manage.

He thrashes against the cuffs suddenly, rattling the chain against the bar. ‘What the fuck have you done?’

It’s easier now, to leave, because he’s switched to anger so quickly that you don’t recognise him. You don’t even feel bad, really, when he’s panting like a bull, rocking the bed beneath him. If he broke free, you aren’t even positive that he wouldn’t hurt you, because you’re on the other side now. You vs. Him.

‘You’re helping them?’ he spits, biceps bulging either side of his head.

You don’t answer. The clock is running out and you won’t be here to see it. You grab your bag, your phone, and head for the door before he can ask you anything else. Yes, you’re helping them, yes, you led him here and set the trap. Yes, you’ll regret it for weeks, maybe years, afterwards. But it’s the right thing to do. You have to remember that.

He shouts your name, roaring in between, as you open the door. Says it again, and again, as you shut it behind you, his throat so raw it sounds like he’s crying. You don’t recognise it. But they do, this is the man they’re used to, after all.

Your entry into the hall couldn’t have been better timed. As you shut the door, they turn the corner, Coral, Wendy. Gina. You release a breath you’d been saving, because now it’s out of your hands. They’re here, he’s there, and you’re free to go and never look back.

‘I was going to ask if he’s in there,’ Coral starts, as she arrives in front of you, ‘but, well.’ She laughs, her statement punctuated by another shout for you, your name, a heavy rattle of springs against the bed frame. ‘We should have given you horse tranquilliser.’

You can’t laugh. ‘His gun’s in the bedside,’ you tell her, rooting in your pocket for the handcuff key. ‘Here.’

‘You should have swallowed it.’

‘Coral,’ Wendy chides, before taking the key from you. ‘Thank-you. Seriously. We owe you.’

It’s nothing, you try to say, it’s the right thing to do, but you can’t force it. Your tongue won’t work anymore, held down by the guilt beneath it.

Wendy catches on, somehow, her voice softening a fraction. ‘I know he’s been good to you, but, really he—’

‘I know.’ You nod. ‘It stops here.’

In the room behind, Moisés says your name again, begging for it, for you, and that’s the last you can endure. With a final nod to the girls, you leave, pulling your bag tight to your shoulder. You have to go, now, have to leave it all before you change your mind. Him, them, the sound of your name on his lips. You leave all of it in the motel, rotting on the side of the road.

#sky rojo fanfiction #moises x reader #sky rojo #whumpril2023 #hes a bad person but god is he sexy 😔 #also day 25 is in the works too!! we're doing it boiiisss

[dilemmaontwolegs]

First Lady {1} || Retribution MC AU

Biker!Steve Rogers x fem!reader

Summary: Married to the President of Retribution MC comes with its fair share of responsibilities that you take seriously, including starting a family of your own. Warnings: 18+ only, nsfw, alcohol, smoking, tattooing, unprotected sex, light choking, breeding kink. WC: 3k

Steve’s Masterlist || Retribution MC Masterlist || Part One || Part two

You could tell Steve was stressed as he nursed his drink until the ice melted and the condensation ran dry. Taking the glass away, you replaced it with black coffee and took a seat on his lap. He hadn’t left his office at the back of the clubhouse since he arrived four hours ago and you could see the worry growing in his ice blue eyes the longer he looked at the statements the accountant had given him.

“The numbers aren’t gonna change, baby.” You said as you stroked his beard, giving it a light tug to get his attention. “There’s no point staring at them all night, so come and have a drink.”

He dropped the pages with a burdened sigh and leant back in his chair, his eyes finally casting over you and your plunging neckline. “I can think of something better.”

You laughed and gave him a chaste kiss before patting his cheek. “I’m sure you can big guy, but I have work tonight and you have a prospect to vote on.”

“Shit.” Steve groaned as he looked at the clock and saw it was almost time for Church.

“Coffee.” You reminded him as you climbed off his lap, his hand lingering on your ass with a squeeze before reaching for the cup of caffeine he was in desperate need of.

“If it goes good tonight we’ll stop by with Joaquin.”

You nodded and blew a kiss as you stepped out of his office, heading to the lot behind the clubhouse where the ladies parked their cars. You greeted a few of the regular girls that hung around hoping to snag a patched member before getting in the F-150 Steve had given you, the huge pick up the only cage Steve would ever ride in.

The drive to work was short and you could have walked it in minutes but Steve refused to let you do that since it was dark, it didn’t matter that no one was stupid enough to enter Retribution territory uninvited, he wanted to know you were safe. Usually Steve would drop you off but tonight wasn’t one of those nights so you drove to the tattoo parlour and found Hodge already inside setting up for the late night.

It was relatively quiet for a walk-in night but you had just given the shop a good clean down after the last clients when you heard the rumble of motorcycles coming down the road. You turned off the buzzer at the door and propped it open as Steve parked up first, Bucky and Sam behind before the rest followed and turned off their engines.

Steve looked exhausted but at least he had a smile as he swung his long leg off his bike and pulled you into his arms. “Hey, baby girl, busy night?”

“It is now.” You grinned as you saw the men surrounding Joaquin. “Let me see it.”

The newest member turned around and proudly showed his bottom rocker that had replaced the old prospect one and you congratulated him as you pointed to the shop. You already had the stencil ready, sure that he was going to get voted in, and you followed him in while most of the men stayed out with the bikes, smoking while they waited.

“Be gentle, he’s a virgin.” Sam called out as he laid back on his Harley and rested his head on the bedroll.

“I-I’m not a…”

“Relax,” you laughed, well used to their teasing, “he means you haven’t had any ink before. Just lie back and remember to breathe.”

“He’ll be fine.” Steve said, taking a seat on Hodge’s chair and gliding in behind you to watch over your shoulder. “He’s in good hands.”

Steve was right and Joaquin sat perfectly still to finish the design in one sitting, the Retribution logo permanently inked over his heart. “The guys are going to tell you to take the wrapping off so they can see it but please don’t. The last thing you want is that getting infected.”

He nodded but you knew he would be like every other member you tattooed and be shirtless the second he got back to the clubhouse, showing it off to everyone. It was a right of passage and after a gruelling year prospecting, he deserved to be proud.

It was almost midnight and Hodge had already left so you quickly disposed of the needles and disinfected the equipment before packing it away. You could hear Steve’s deep voice outside and smiled as he sent the rest of them back to the clubhouse, promising he wouldn’t be far behind to celebrate the rest of the night. “I’ll just help lock up here and ride back with the missus.”

You waved out the glass front as the club rode off, Steve’s Road King looking lonely as he ducked back through the doorway and closed it, the deadbolt locking the only sound in the now silent shop. You could see the yearning in his eyes and drew the curtains shut before his lips connected with the sensitive skin on your nape and his arms curled around your waist. A shiver rolled down your spine as his beard tickled you and his hands cupped your breasts, kneading them gently as he pressed his erection against your ass.

You tipped your head back to his shoulder and sighed as one hand trailed down your front and beneath your waistband. “You just couldn’t wait to get home.”

“You know how I get when I see you work.” He reminded you as his fingers dipped into your panties and he growled as he felt how wet you were for him. “I just gotta have you.”

You pulled out of his embrace and grabbed his hand, towing him to the chair you had just cleaned down, needing him as much as he needed you. You gave a quick glance over your shoulder to check there were no gaps in the curtains before you popped the button on your jeans and shimmied them down your legs. Steve’s soft groan caught your attention and when you looked up you found him stroking his thick shaft, his jeans just below his hips.

“Starting without me.” You tutted as you took his hand and pushed it down to his side, placing his touch with your lips.

His eyes fluttered shut and his head fell back against the headrest as your warm mouth enveloped him, chasing away the stress of his President’s position. His hands combed through his blonde hair, tugging at the short locks as he watched his cock disappear down your throat. “That’s it baby, fuck.”

Your throat constricted as he filled it and you fought against the urge to gag, controlling your breathing through your nose so you could press your tongue flat against the rigid veins. His ragged breaths filled the air and his back arched, the leather of his kutte creaking with his stiff movements before he cradled your cheek, gently pushing you back until his cock sprung from your lips.

“I’m coming in that pretty pussy of yours tonight.” He promised as he pulled you over his lap and buried himself inside you.

His jaw clenched as your warm walls gripped him and left his head spinning and his balls tightening, the need to fill you with his seed testing his control. Your hands teased the tattooed skin peeking out from his collar, your designs covering his body, and you let your thumbs rest at the base of his throat. His eyes widened as you applied just a little pressure and you felt his cock swell instantly at the touch. Fuelled with the need to get you off so he could come, he gripped your hips and bounced you up and down, the sounds of your moans and bodies slapping filling the small shop.

“Hmm, you like that?” You asked as you massaged the thick muscles that stretched over his shoulders before wrapping your fingers back at that base of his throat, his head nodded as he fucked you furiously. “Then you shouldn’t have started without me.”

You dropped your hands to his kutte and clasped the leather tight as you pulled him up and ran your tongue across his lips that parted for you. You could taste fresh mint and whiskey on his tongue, the aroma almost enough to hide the bitter taste of the cigarette he had indulged in. You pushed his face away with a growl and shook your head, the build up to your orgasm withdrawing quickly as you narrowed your eyes at him.

“It was just one, baby.” He promised as you crossed your arms over your chest and quirked an eyebrow up.

“One more than you said you would have.” You pointed out before climbing off his lap. “You say you wanna have a baby but you know my rule, Steve. No more smoking. I’m not raising a kid in a house that stinks of that shit.”

Steve dropped his head back with a thud as you pulled your jeans on and left him sitting there with his cock still reaching for the ceiling and glistening with your juices. “What am I meant to do with this now?”

“I’m sure you will think of something.” You said as you tossed him a box of tissues from the counter and picked up your keys. “Don’t take too long, you know how I get after a few drinks Stevie and it might be the only way you get laid tonight.”

You left him growling to himself as you went out the backdoor and drove off to the clubhouse and found Steve’s headlight catching up in seconds of you leaving. A small smile played at your lips as you put down your window, Steve pulling up alongside you and tossing a crumpled up pack of Marlboros through.

“I’m done,” he shouted over his engine and ran his index finger over his chest, “cross my heart.”

The club was overcrowded with hang-arounds and sweetbutts, the busy crowd spilling out into the parking lot as they ran out of room inside where the members were partying. Thankfully none of the overzealous hopefuls had taken the parking spot that was reserved for you and by the time you had turned off the truck and grabbed your handbag Steve was opening your door.

“How’s the blue balls?” You smirked as you jumped down from the side runners and took his hand.

“Better than the time you went to Tahoe and sent me that sexy video.” His grin was mischievous and you knew he was planning something from the matching look in his eyes.

“It was your idea to ban masturbating for that holiday, I just had to make sure it was the last.” You laughed before it turned to a squeal as he grabbed you around the waist and tossed you over his shoulder in a fireman hold.

“Uh-oh, what’d you say to him now?” Bucky laughed as Steve carried you through the clubhouse, passing him and the pretty girl under his arm watching with wide eyes.

“You wanna explain this one, honey?” You asked Steve with a sickly sweet and innocent tone.

“Perks of being Prez, I don’t have to explain shit.” Steve shot back with a grin and placed you down gently to grab the drinks Cherry had already poured.

Steve was quickly pulled into a conversation with Sam and you felt a tap at your shoulder, turning to see Bucky jabbing his thumb towards the walk-in fridge that was filled with alcohol. You frowned as you followed him over, instantly shivering as he shut the door behind and running his hand nervously through his hair.

“What’s going on Buck?” You asked as you ran your hands furiously over your bare arms.

“I had a favour to ask…could you show my ol’ lady the ropes? She’s kinda new to this but you know everything.”

“Ol’ lady?” You chuckled. “Never thought I would see the day Bucky Barnes got himself an ol’ lady.”

“Go on.” His smile split his face as he nodded. “Laugh it up.”

“Oh, I’m going to.” You promised as you started towards the door, patting his chest as you passed him. “I’ll make sure she’s up to speed, don’t worry.”

“Thank you, I owe you.”

You hooked your arm through his ol’ lady’s as you passed and she tensed, unsure what was happening as you towed her towards the bar and sat her in a stool after shooing away the previous occupant.

“Bucky says you're serious about sticking around.” You said as you sat down beside her and turned to face her.

“I’m serious about him, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Good answer.” You grinned, instantly liking her more and moving straight into introductions. “You’ve met Cherry already and beside her is DP. Stands for Dolly Parton on account of the huge tits she paid for…and because she can take two d’s in the v at the same time.”

She barely swallowed her shot before choking and you clapped her on the back as she struggled not to laugh. “That’s something to put on your resume.”

“Certainly is.” You nodded. “That’s Sam, he’s the Sergeant at Arms, and talking to him is Steve, President and my husband.”

“Woah, so does that make you the First Lady?”

Your head fell back with a laugh that caught Steve’s attention and he looked over with a smile, happy to see you enjoying yourself. Taking advantage of your good mood, he caught Bucky with a squeeze to the shoulder and they both began making their way through the crowd.

“I like her, James.” You grinned and slipped off the stool into Steve’s arms. “She called me the First Lady, finally the respect I deserve.”

An hour later, you were done mingling and crashed onto the battered sofa in one of the  quieter corners of the clubhouse, your legs draped over Steve’s as he looked ready to fall asleep where he sat. If it wasn’t for his hand running up and down your leg you would have thought he was already asleep as he let his eyes close and just zoned out to the classic rock playing from the sound system.

“You seem to like Bucky’s girl.” Steve said quietly as he slumped deeper into the cushions and shifted so he could use your breasts as a pillow. “Think she’ll last?”

“She’s got a lot to learn but I think she’s motivated.” You answered as you stroked his hair soothingly and watched the couple on the dancefloor, their bodies moving as if there weren't any clothes between them. “Only time will tell.”

His lips pulled your attention back to him and you sighed as he kissed his way over your mounds and up your neck to your ear. “Ready to head home? Pick up where we left off…”

His deep laugh went straight to your core as you practically threw him off so you could race to get home. He may have the longer legs but in the packed clubhouse you had the upper hand and snaked your way to the door. Looking over your shoulder you cupped your hand over your mouth and he knew you were about to get him back for throwing you over his shoulder.  “Last one home gets topped.”

The hang-arounds and prospects wisely kept their mouths shut but Sam and Bucky were opportunists and tried to tackle Steve to the ground as they shouted for you to run. You doubted they could hold him down for long, your husband was built like a brick wall, but you were going to make the most of it. You hadn’t even got your key in the ignition when your door was pulled open and Steve waved you across the bench seat with a laugh.

“Nice try baby.”

You looked up under your lashes as you ran your hands over his thighs and licked your lips in anticipation. “You looked like you were falling asleep, I had to do something to get that blood pumping.”

The truck slammed to a stop outside a closed shop on the dead street and the engine cut out abruptly as Steve began to unbuckle his belt. “Worked too well.”

You giggled as he moved to the centre seat and once again you shimmied your jeans down your legs before straddling his hips. “I’m still technically topping you.”

“You’re the only person in the world who could get away with that.” He growled as he thrust up into you and bit your lip. “I fucking love you.”

“I love you too.”

You panted as his hands splayed across your ass cheeks and he roughly fucked you into oblivion, your cries almost deafening as you finally got the orgasm you had been denied. You were still riding the aftershocks when Steve moaned low in your ear, his cock throbbing inside you as he filled you with his seed, your quivering walls massaging every last drop from him. You were so full that you could feel the warmth of his come leaking from your swollen lips and down his shaft before he pulled out and pushed it back in with his fingers.

“I’m gonna fill you up, have you swollen with my kid.” He promised as he helped you back into your jeans while trying to keep more of his come from dripping out. “I’m serious, I’ll make love to you breakfast, lunch and dinner trying to, minimum. I want a family with you.”

You held your hand up and he smiled as he wrapped his pinky around yours. “You promise? The pinky swear is extremely sacred.

“I know.” He chuckled as he squeezed the little digit tighter. “I promise.”

Click here for part two.

#biker!steve rogers #biker au #Steve Rogers x reader #Steve Rogers x poc!reader #Steve Rogers smut #Steve Rogers imagine

[renneiscent]

Two Sides of The Same Coin

Note: Just little explanation before we are going to action part. I made up some stuff and it somehow doesn’t make any sense in my head, but we love artistic liberty, don’t we?

Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Chapter 9: Dot the i’s and cross the t’s

I’ve been awake since 5 in the morning. I’m still amazed about the fact that I can wake up without the help of annoying sound from my alarm clock. It’s either because my body already make the pattern for me waking up every weekdays or because Jake is sleeping in my place and I didn’t want to bother him with my annoying alarm.

Weirdly enough, I did already clean up my flat, wash and dry my clothes and Jake’s, take a shower, and brew some coffee which is I only managed to finish all of those tasks inside my head. What an improvement. I kind of wonder what motivates me to be so this diligent in the morning which is once in a blue moon kind of event that rarely happens in my life before.

“Mmh,” Jake moves a little.

Yeah, this is what motivates me.

It is already half past 8 and I’ve been sitting and staring at Jake who is lying in front of me for like an hour, he is sleeping on his stomach with both of his arms are wrapping and embracing beneath my favourite pillow. His massive figure is invaded whole side of my bed but I don’t complain, while his face is so peaceful and it lures me to take dozen pictures of him sleeping like that. But I didn’t do it. Instead, I’m watching every feature on his face, caressing his hair, stroking his spine, keeping all of these moments in the folder that named ‘Precious Treasure’ inside my brain.

“MC,” he calls me. Half-asleep. With both of his eyes still close.

“Jake,” I call his name too. Smile shyly. Blush a little. Hearing his deep and husky voice calling my name first thing in the morning when he’s half-awake make my heart skips a beat.

He rolls onto his back and slowly gets up. While sitting down, he rubs his eyes with the back of his fist and stretch up his arms. I hold my breath. “Good morning,” his sleepy smile greets me.

God, he is so adorable but also hot. How can someone be so contradictorily attractive like this?

“Good morning.” I smile widely, still enjoying the view in front of me.

“What time is it?” he asks, blinking several times before looking at me.

“Almost 8,” I choose to sit beside him and ruffle his fluffy morning hair. “You slept like a baby so I didn’t want to wake you up,” I explain which is true because Jake slept so deeply and peacefully as if he is a born baby that just come out from womb and rest on his mother’s arms. You clearly don’t want to bother that baby, do you?

“I see,” he nods in approval. “I have never slept that well in years,” he explains softly.

“How does it feel?”

“Feels like home.”

I blush. Try so hard to ease my ego that boost up because of his words, try so damn hard to calm my heart that almost exploded because of the soft smile that forms on his face or even his alluring gaze that makes me hold my breath again. “It’s not fair,” I quickly change the subject, try to not stutter. “You slept whole morning even though I did almost all of the work last night.”

He chuckles. “You little… come here.” Then he reaches my wrist and pulls me closer, brings me to his bare chest and embraces me tight.

I rest my head on the crook of his neck with my arms around his back, tracing onto his skin. The scent of him that is filling me makes me serene as I close my eyes and feel the warmth of him that invades me. He is truly my home.

“Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

And my home, my comfortable and safe home, just remind me that I have work to do which now in 10 minutes it will be 8 and I’m still here… in my bath gown, clutching onto his toned body for expecting more warmth, feeling nothing but staying here for all day. “I am,” I sigh; not wanting to move for an inch in hoping that Jake won’t pull away, which is, annoyingly he did.

“But?” he looks at me; patiently waiting why I am still here in the need of cuddling him, rather than being drowned with pile up of articles that I need to read and edit.

“But.” I exhale sharply. But I don’t want to when I finally have you in my arms, on my bed, inside my place, after years. I have been waiting for this moment and it’s finally happening. But then I have to give up this domestic-adorable-moment-first-morning-after-sleeping-together kind of troupe because we are living in the capitalism world and we are separated because I need to pay my bills. “But I’m afraid you won’t have breakfast. Go take shower, I already prepared new toothbrush. The red one. And your clean clothes on top of the coffee table. I will get change soon.”

I immediately go to the small room which I crafted to be my dressing room where I put my clothes and shoes and bags. Luckily, I already prepared my outfits for today so I don’t have to waste more time. But I still stand still, watching my figure in the reflection that is now wrapped in only bra and panties. I really don’t want to work today.

So instead of wearing linen shirt and a pair of paper-bag trousers that I already prepared, I’m wearing my oversized shirt and short pants. I quickly grab my phone from my purse and start typing a lie, an excuse, a deceit, a fraud. After all, it’s my first absence after working in Racounter for year and half. It won’t cause pretty big harm in the environment. I hope.

“You are not going to work?”

My eyes shift from my phone screen to Jake who is now standing across me, with damp hair and unfortunately clothes on. I bite my lower lip nervously, avert my gaze from him, “I’m not in the mood for working.”

He walks slowly toward me then put his big hand against my forehead, I flush. “Are you okay?”

I look up to stare at him, feeling his figure that towering over me invaded me and I feel nothing but safe. I nod my head slightly, still enjoying the warmth that he delivers through his palm. “I’m good,” I say it again, feeling like Jake didn’t quite catch my nod.

His hand is still there, on my forehead, while he is making that ‘you look okay but I still want to make sure’ kind of face. “Really?” he lifts one brow.

“Yup. Really.”

His hand then moves from my forehead then to the back side of my head, stroking my hair gently. He is staring at me for a while before plant a peck on my forehead. “Good,” he says in completely relief tone. “I thought I hurt you somehow.”

“Why did you think that?” I laugh, slipping my arm on his arm and clutching onto him.

“I don’t know,” he shrugs. “I thought I was kind of rough last night.”

My heart beats even faster and my cheeks are warm all of sudden, until at first I believe I’m really sick and not just faking it. But of course no, it’s just my body reaction that suddenly remembers about what happened last night. And to answer that, no… Jake is far away from rough. He is such a gentle and good and sweet, he is very far away from that as if it’s such an impossible seeing the word of rough and Jake is next to each other. “No, not at all.” I release my arm from him and make him coffee. “You were such a gentleman, which is I’m surprised after hearing the last time you did it was… 10?”

He nods, taking the coffee that I already poured into his mug. He takes a sip before answer me, “10 years, yeah.”

“Right. After hearing that, no doubt that I was kind of terrified since it’s such a pretty long time,” I sip my own coffee, recalling the small talk between thrust from last night. “I thought that I need to handle a wild beast.”

He chuckles, “you little—”

“But apart from that, you did really hurt me though.”

His smile faints, studying my expression if I was joking or being serious. “MC—”

“Jake,” I put away my coffee. “Can we talk about the reason why you left me?”

There is silence between us, his expression is quite unreadable and the mug around his grips looks like it can scream; asking for help to be released from his fist. “MC.” He stands up from the dining chair and walks toward me; closing the gap and once again, invading my personal space which is I never hate it when it comes from him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. What can I do to make it better, to make you better?” he takes my hand and put it between his big and warm hands.

“Continue the conversation from yesterday,” I say calmly. “You promised me.”

He inhales deeply and exhales sharply; his shoulders drop as if there is this huge weigh fall down on him. “Of course,” he closes his eyes and rubs the back of his neck while another hand still holding me tightly. “You deserve it after all.”

I nod, waiting patiently for him to continue.

Jake opens his eyes and his gaze on me is like when my parents told me they are going to get divorce, or when my mom is going to marry again, or when my dad said he cannot go to my graduation. My body stiffens.

“Come here,” he pulls me gently to the sofa and makes me sit down next to him. “Okay, where should we start?”

“The day you left me,” I say. There is a sting inside my chest.

“The day I—” he swallows hard. “Okay.” He takes a deep breath, squeezing my hand not too hard and not too soft. “When I was in the mine, I barely managed to escape. The fire was too rapid and disastrous. The way-out seemed unattainable. I was in bad luck that day.”

I clench my jaw, squeeze his hand around me. I understand what he meant by ‘bad luck’ is. I have noticed, shit… I have noticed some scars on his back but I didn’t realise. “The scars on your back,” I whisper painfully. “I’m sorry… it should be me.”

“Hey.” His fingers brush my face, his warm smile hurts me. “Did you forget that I would never allow you to put yourself in danger? I have made the decision to protect you at any cost. Even if you were there with me, I would do anything to forbid you join me.”

“What would you do, if I was there and ruining you plan?”

“Hmm,” he leans on to the sofa with his gaze is still on me. “I probably instruct you to do something which not in any way related with the plan, but I insist that it’s important just to keep you safe.”

I chuckle, didn’t realise my eyes are teary and it makes me drop single tear brushes my cheek. He notices that and gently wipes it with his thumb. “Which is unlikely since you are annoyingly quite observant. You will know when I hide something, you always know.”

“That’s what you got me for,” I smile. “Then, how could you get out?”

“Just when I thought I ran out of luck, while I kept walking and trying to find way out, I found this secret passage that weirdly not showing up in my maps.” His voice sounds so far as his eyes are looking somewhere else, over my shoulder or something. I’m not quite sure. “I managed to get out, thankfully. But there was an agent that unfortunately there and he saw me when I was just trying to get out from the mine.”

He clenches his jaw, his body is tense, but his thumb on my wrist is still gently caressing. “We fought and I managed to take his gun. But my back ached because of the burn and I suffocated because of the smoke. I barely processed everything…” he trails off. “I thought I will not be able to see you again.”

I bite my lower lip, trying so hard to not burst any tears. “But you managed,” I say quietly, trying so hard to not choke. But my voice sounds weird and it feels like there is some gravel in my throat.

“But I managed,” he presses his lips against my forehead. “Hannes luckily there to save me, if it wasn’t because of him, I don’t know anymore.”

“Hannes?” I’m puzzled, never heard about that name before.

“The guy you saw in the restaurant,” he says. “Oh and you might see him in the motel as well.”

“Your mom’s friend?” I frown, still not getting any clear with this. “Wait, who did I see in the motel? I only saw Athena though.”

“Oh,” he smiles. “You didn’t realise. The receptionist yesterday was him. He keep praising himself about how he is good con-artist, he might be more arrogant after seeing your expression.”

“What? The motel from yesterday… is that his building too?”

He shakes head. “No, an old lady is running the building but he applied for the job there—just another part of the plan.”

“The restaurant, is that part of the plan too?”

“No, it’s really his family restaurant that he inherited.”

My mouth escapes a soft “oh” as I keep nodding with every explanation that Jake just said. It’s just the tip of iceberg that I want to dive inside Jake’s little secret. “Then, how could this Hannes found when you were in the mine?”

“When I was on my way to the mine, I told you that I have been on the run for four years. Remember?”

I nod.

“I lost everything in a single night. My home. My identity. Every single person in my life. There was nobody I could trust and I did not want to. I cut off my interaction with everyone that I know. But…” he clenches his jaw. “But that night when I was about to the mine, I was kind of scared with what will I face that time.” He scoffs, feeling humiliated with the fact that he also could feel fear. “Then I contacted Hannes, tell him everything in one message. Hannah’s story, our relation, and even my location… I was hoping if he could lend some hands.”

“Where was he before?”

“He was in the Canice Hill, on his way to Duskwood.” I cannot help myself but gasp, feeling surprised. He notices it and smiles. “I know. I also surprised. But then, apparently my mother told him about everything in her life when she was alive, especially the fact that he also know about Donfort’s family and the relation we have with them.”

“What did he have in Duskwood? Why did he go there?”

“He said that he always look for me since I was on the run. But he didn’t find any trace about me, so he changed his plan and went looking over Donfort family, which he found out that Hannah already missing for few days. He was kind of father figure in my life. He is always there. He taught me how to shave, talk to a girl, and assemble a simple computer. He taught everything about life, about everything.”

I bite inside of my cheeks, feeling complicated over the fact that Hannes is replacing Jake’s real father’s figure; the empty room that’s supposed to be filled by Mister Donfort, now it’s filled because of someone else. Frustration? Pity? Rage? I don’t know, but for now I’m thankful with Hannes’s figure in Jake’s life.

“I was lucky, because of him.” He strokes my hair gently.

I hum in approval; I need to send my gratitude to this old man. “Was it Hannes who took care of you all this time?”

“Yes.” He nods. “After that, he asked me to join him so we can have each other’s back. I owe him and don’t have any chance to repay it back yet, that’s why I choose to join until now.”

“Did he ask you to cut the contact with me too?”

“No,” he sighs. “It was me. I decided to do that because…” he opens his mouth but there is no word coming out there. He straightens his sitting position and his gaze occupies me. He wets his lips before continue to speak, “I was afraid, MC. I was scared to the death if I pull you into something that will harm you and I wasn’t capable to be there and take care of you. It drives me mad. You are always my priority. Your safety is what I’m wishing for and I will do anything if that means to keep you away from me. But I have realised now that I couldn’t do it. It feels like no matter how much I’m trying to evade, every road I take always lead me to you.” He rubs my hand and plays with my fingers; his gaze never escapes from me. “I’m really sorry. Tell me, what should I do for you to forgive me?”

Wow. My brain cannot even process about what kind of response that I should give to him since it’s not working properly anymore with the amount of sincerity Jake pour on his words. I have noticed that Jake is such an alpha male, the protective side of him and how he is way more relaxed when he is in charge of the situation, when everything is under his control. It’s on his DNA and he cannot help it. But I wonder did Hannes teach Jake how to speak with woman this good or is it just Jake’s pure talent?

“I always thought that you left because of my safety,” I say quietly as if I’m scared the wall will hear me. “But it’s a lie if I said it didn’t hurt. It just felt like it is unfair when I always put you into danger while I’m living my life blaming you while you are struggling like this. So, Jake… will you forgive me?”

His eyes sparkle and his shoulders weren’t tensed anymore as if the burdens there already disappeared. He smiles then lean closer, stealing a ton of light kisses from my lips. It makes me giggling till I need to cover his mouth with my hand. “How old are you actually?”

That’s too sudden, I know. I cannot help but asking. I know too little about him.

His brows furrow as he didn’t expect my question, but he still answer calmly. “Twenty-nine.”

My eyes widen, that’s unexpected. I never have any assumption about his age; is he younger, older, or same age with me? The thought of his age never cross in my mind. But hearing the exact number of how old is he still giving me confusion. “Wow. I’m still twenty-five.”

“Still?” he chuckles. “Why did you ask? Having problem being involved with older guy?”

What did he just say? I look at him, bewildered. “Did you mean that… we are dating?”

“I’m yours, aren’t I?”

I bite my lower lip, preventing myself to not smile from ear to ear. “Yup. You are attached with me, sir.”

He leans again and makes me laying my head on the armrest, kisses me, this time it’s more passionate. This is a great temptation, but I am trained to be great journalist, I need to hold it little longer. As I push Jake gently, breaking our kisses, I can see his expression is showing that he’s disappointed. How adorable. “I still have questions,” I grin.

“Okay.” He sighs, trying to sit in the good posture as he puts my legs on his lap.

“Is Jake your real name?” I poke his belly.

“Of course,” he draws circle on my thigh. “Is MC your real name?”

“Of course,” I chuckle. “Why did you give me your real name back then? Aren’t you supposed to hide your identity?”

“I felt bad to put you, the random stranger, into the bizarre situation of Hannah’s disappearance. Telling you my real name is what makes me feel better. And my name is really common, so I don’t mind about it.”

“Why Orion?” I ask, intrigued with the story behind it.

“I used to be alone all the time, that’s why pseudonym and such things, I don’t really need that. But now I’m joining Hannes, then I need to find something like code name. I was clueless. I really couldn’t come up with anything. Then Athena just joked around like, ‘why not Orion? He was great hunter and a beautiful constellation’ such things. All of them agree, I just follow the majority since I really couldn’t think about anything else.”

Knowing his code name is chosen by Athena makes me little bit jealous. How immature of me. “Yeah, the constellation is clear and so beautiful. But Orion himself wasn’t good person.” I shrug, talking as if I have known the Greek hunter for so long. “I have read somewhere that he had so many affairs.”

“Then I should change it,” he smiles. “Tell me when you have an idea in mind.”

“I never say you need to change it,” I frown.

“But you look you don’t like it either.”

My hands reach his shoulders and pull him closer to me, making him to be on top of me as he presses his body against me. He grins as I pull him then his lips trace my temple then to my neck, and to my collarbone. I can smell the scent of my floral shampoo through his hair, never I been grateful with that shampoo in my life.

“Jake,” I call his name between my heavy breaths.

“Hmm?” he hums, still busy giving mark on his land.

“The language that you used back then in the restaurant with Hannes,” I play with his hair. “Was it Deutsch?”

“Correct,” he smooches below my ear.

“So, you are German?”

“I am,” he smooches again.

“Can you say something to me in Deutsch?”

He looks up, staring at me who is now beaming full of hope. It takes short pause before he is smiling at me then pokes my nose with his finger. “Wenn ich trotzdem weiß, was Liebe ist, so ist es deinetwegen,” he says then lean closer to kiss my forehead. His voice is much richer and deeper from his usual voice. “Dich habe ich lieben können, dich allein unter den Frauen.” He sends a tiny peck to my nose. “Du kannst nicht ermessen, was das bedeutet.” He caresses my cheek as he looks at me. “Es bedeutet den Quell in einer Wüste, den blühenden Baum in einer Wildnis.” Then he lays his lips and kisses me deeply.

I have no idea what the hell Jake has said to me, I thought he will just say Ich liebe dich or another simple phrase that saying he loves me. But this whole level of paragraph that makes his eyes gleams and shines on me, it gives me a hundred shades of red colour over my skin.

I wrap my hands on his neck while his hand is slipping on my shirt and stroking my waist. The kiss is soft and gentle as if he wants to deliver his feeling to me and I gladly receive it. I have no idea about what he said earlier, but the way he expressed it already managed to grow spring inside me.

Just after I put my legs around Jake’s waist, I can hear the vibration across from us who are lying on the sofa. I guess it’s coming from Jake’s phone. I abruptly break the kiss and stroke his cheek. “I think it’s coming from your phone.”

“If you excuse me,” he says while he’s about to stand up from his position as I immediately let go off my arms and legs from him. After checking the screen, he immediately picks up the phone call. With his back is facing on me, he answer the phone call with short replies such as yes, okay, I know, I’ll be there, as if to make people who overhear couldn’t catch the thing they are talking.

I sit up while hugging my knees, my eyes not leaving him as I try to listen and observe him. I wonder what it is about. As the phone call is over, he put his phone inside his pocket then turns at me. He walks toward me and kneel down, making our eyes in the same level. “So it seems that I have some tasks to do. I have to leave.”

“May I know what is this about?” I try to find the answer from his eyes.

“Once the right time has come,” he stands up and kisses the top of my head. “I will write to you when I have the chance, okay?” he takes his stuffs and walk to the front door. His hand already pulls the door knob and opens it; but he still stands in the door frame, not walking away. “Okay?”

I give him my comforting smile, knowing he won’t leave without hearing my response gives me butterfly inside my belly. “Okay. Just be careful.”

“I will, love.”

And that’s how he left; leaving the empty space between my ribs, presenting me in absolute astonishment with the fact that Jake just called me with petname.

Wenn ich trotzdem weiß, was Liebe ist, so ist es deinetwegen. Dich habe ich lieben können, dich allein unter den Frauen. Du kannst nicht ermessen, was das bedeutet. Es bedeutet den Quell in einer Wüste, den blühenden Baum in einer Wildnis. If I still know what love is, it is because of you. I have been able to love you, you alone among women. You cannot fathom what that means. It means the spring in a desert, the blossoming tree in a wilderness.

Note: The German words that Jake said is poem from Hermann Hesse with little bit of change.

#duskwood #duskwood everbyte #duskwood game #duskwood fandom #duskwood jake #duskwood mc #duskwood family #jake x mc #duskwood fanfiction

[juminsmysticmc]

Hi. I know that the requests are closed. But when you open it again, can you please write RFA + Minor Trio in how they are helping MC to accept her skin condition because of psoriasis? I have been battling psoriasis for almost 15 years and throughout the years, my condition is getting worst and I lost my confidence day by day. And maybe you can make it smutty or angst. Hehehe. Thank you in advance. Oh and my boyfriend left me when my skin condition worsen. 🙂

RFA + Minor Trio helping MC to accept her skin condition because of psoriasis

Hi dear, I am so sorry for you, and honestly, if this was his reason, he wasn’t the right for you! I hope this writing can light of your mood a bit! Please stay happy, love you!

Ps. please remember that this writing’s purpose isn’t a medical one, but rather fiction with details that aren’t real but written to make it more interesting to read!

Jumin

You looked yourself into the mirror. The red spots on your knees, elbows, and hands, which were giving you so much pain, were your hell.

You hated yourself, your skin, and your body for being like that.

Whenever you had the chance, you tried to cover up, hoping that no one could see what you were going through or what would accompany you your whole life.

,,My love, my wife,’’ Jumin said, his hands around your body as he hugged you from behind, looking at your body.

You hated being watched.

People often thought that this was something that could be contagious, something dangerous.

Luckily for you, Jumin wasn’t one of those.

,,You look so wonderful, I love you so much. I love you and your skin. Everything,’’ he said.

,,I…our bed is filled with scales because I scratched my skin once again. I look like a nightmare. My skin is dry, I am dry, I am ugly, everyone looks at me,’’ you sobbed, once again the change of your body was making you sad and brought you to tears.

But whenever this happened, one person was there to hug you tightly so that the pain would fade away. This person was Jumin, who was trying his best to help you to cope with your diagnosis…

Zen

Something that began with red spots on your hands and feets, turned into something even worse.

You were once again crying your eyes out when a friend, or better said a former friend of yours, said that she was embarrassed to go out with you because of your skin condition.

How many more people were you going to lose?

This time, the one who left you was a friend. What if next time, Zen would be the one to leave you?

The sudden thought brought you to even stronger tears and you were crying so much that Zen barged into the room, thinking something horrible happened to you.

Seeing you cry was horrible enough for his heart.

,,Princess, try not to be so stressed over people who never cared about you,’’ he whispered, kissing your temple.

He knew that right now you needed to be showered with love and so he did his best as he hugged and kissed you.

,,Don’t…My ears…it’s disgusting,’’ you groaned in fear, embarrassed, thinking he could be disgusted by kissing you.

,,I know that this is your favorite spot and honestly, I don’t think that this is disgusting. We will handle this, don’t worry too much. You are getting too stressed…Shall I give you a massage and tell you all over again how beautiful you are?’’

He asked you.

And perhaps, the thing that made you feel better about your skin condition was Zen’s constant support and his way of showing you that he wasn’t disgusted at all…

Yoosung

,,Repeat after me: ,,I am beautiful and I deserve happiness,’’ Yoosung said. He was holding your hand as the two looked at yourselves into the reflection of the mirror.

He was trying to help you, to help you to accept your diagnosis, to help you to get used to it, to help you so that you wouldn’t feel bad anymore.

And sometimes, it helped.

Some days, you managed to leave the house, feeling beautiful and laughing.

A single comment by some stranger was needed to make you feel insecure and disgusted by yourself.

And Yoosung, no matter how many times he argued with the people around you who made you feel miserable, could never help you.

,,I will now comb your hair, put some good skin care on, and afterwards we will try to enjoy a good movie, okay?’’ he smiled. His blond hair was a bit longer and his red glasses made him look somewhat cuter…

He was indeed a good husband and he knew how to take care of you.

He knew how to manage the whole situation so it wouldn’t stress you more and make you feel better. He was the only one who could make you smile after a stressful and emotional day.

Jaehee

,,There is no need to be embarrassed,’’ Jaehee whispered as you nervously looked at her and back to the mirror.

,,My back… I don’t feel comfortable in this dress, Jaehee,’’ you told her honestly.

The both of you wanted to celebrate the anniversary of the opening of your coffee shop, but due to the stress you went through and other diagnosis, your skin condition worsened and you developed psoriasis.

Due to this, you didn’t feel quite comfortable in your clothes anymore.

Dresses were showing too much skin and it was embarrassing.

So much so that at some point you just hated your own skin.

The body lotions you had to rub your skin didn’t ease the pain either.

Jaehee was sorry for your situation and was still as supportive as ever.

,,If you don’t feel comfortable, we can go and buy another dress to hide your skin. Although, I don’t think there is any need to do so because I think that you are the most beautiful woman… I know that you feel weird and I wish I could take those feelings from you, but Mc, you don’t need to worry. Everyone who will just look wrong towards you or make you feel uncomfortable, will have to fight against me!’’ she told you, reminding you of her Judo skills.

You nodded, but still asked her to please go with you to look for a new dress.

Of course she still supported your decision and gladly went with you.

Saeyoung

The red haired man’s heart was hurting as he saw you trying not to cry.

You were feeling uncomfortable in the restaurant after a child asked her mother why your skin was so weird.

Saeyoung knew that the mother felt uncomfortable too and that she apologized, but as much as he didn’t want to feel hate towards the child, all he could do was have weird feelings because this killed your self esteem.

,,I’m not hungry anymore,’’ you said, despite loving the pizza at the restaurant the two of you were at.

Your cola was empty, probably because your throat felt so dry and your hands were laying in your lap and he knew that you did this to hide your tremble.

,,Mc…’’ he began, looking right into your eyes.

,,I know that you were hungry before and I know that those words hurt you, but please keep eating and smile again. Keep telling me the story you wanted to share with me,’’ he begged you.

His voice was trembling too.

He knew what you were going through and he knew that you were trying to cope with your issues, but he felt helpless, as if he wasn’t helping you enough.

,,I…I want to go home,’’ you whispered.

Saeyoung took your hand and looked into your eyes.

,,No one is looking at you. You are the only one who thinks that you are weird or anything like that. No one is noticing. Just the child, who still doesn’t know anything. Everyone else in this room has their own pains and wouldn’t judge because of yours, so please, eat, stay happy. Other’s opinion…shouldn’t make you worry or feel inferior….’’

Thanks to these times, where Saeyoung forced you to move on, you step by step handled yourself better and managed to feel better. The change wasn’t immediate, but you got better.

Saeran

He was the only one who loved you, despite your skin condition.

He was the only one who didn’t care, or so you thought.

Because Saeran, despite him having his own fears and panic attacks, was the one who opened your eyes and showed you that you had many more people who cared about you and wanted to help you.

He was the one who kissed you when you felt disgusted by yourself and managed to make you realize that whenever you saw Jaehee, she still hugged you, something you never realized.

He made you realize that whenever you had the feeling that a cream you bought didn't give you any ease, Zen was the first one who tried to help you and recommend something new.

Saeran helped you with so many things, but the most important thing he taught you was to love yourself.

And you did love yourself.

You loved yourself so much that years after you had your issues with handling the acceptance, you could finally help others to love themselves too and this, thanks to his support and love for you.

,,I love you and I love you because of the way you were when we met, are currently and became, and will become in the future. I love and will always love whatever you are…’’

,,Thank you, Saeran,’’ you mumbled, as you held the bouquet of fresh flowers he just gifted to you after confessing his love once again to you.

Jihyun

,,Look how beautiful her skin is. If I could be just like her,’’ you groaned as you watched a video on Instagram.

,,You only see what she wants to show you,’’ he pointed out, a bit disappointed because of your words.

,,Filters are being used. You want to be someone who shows you only her good sides, things that she wants to share, but you don’t see the real her. I think we should stop being jealous of people or of things they show us and instead be grateful for what we have…you don’t like her skin and perhaps she doesn’t like something else in her life. Instead of being jealous, we can do something, to feel better, don’t you think so too?’'

Jihyun’s words were real words and he opened your eyes.

This actually made you feel inspired to post your story, to post something of your life, to show people what you were going through and to do something to accept your own condition.

Vanderwood

,,I’m scared that you will leave me one day because of this,’’ you sobbed as you were sitting on the edge of your bed, your sleeves up to your fingers just to hide your arms.

Your hair was freshly washed but the feeling that you had to scratch the skin still stayed and you couldn’t do anything about it.

Vanderwood took his seat next to you.

,,You know, these thoughts keep stressing you out. The more you keep getting stressed, the worse your condition will become…why do you trust me so little?’’ he asked you. His soft hand was now at your cheek, slowly stroking your skin before he kissed the tip of your nose.

,,Do you think I am the type of man who will leave you just because you think you’re not pretty enough? First of all, you are the prettiest,’’ he said, making you blush.

Your tears weren’t flowing anymore.

,,Second, I love you for your character, for the way of behaving and living, not because of your skin or the condition of the color. Please, I love you, so it hurts my feelings to know that you don’t love yourself….’’ he whispered.

Your hands were now over his before you calmly nodded.

He was right. You had to learn to love yourself…

ᗰᗩᔕTEᖇᒪIᔕT

01.12.2022 // 15:34 MEST

#trigger warning #skin condition #psoriasis #jumin han #jumin x reader #jumin x mc #zen hyun ryu #zen x mc #zen x reader #Yoosung Kim #yoosung x reader #yoosung x mc #jaehee kang #jaehee x mc #jaehee x reader #saeyoung choi #saeyoung x mc #saeyoung x reader #seven x mc #luciel x reader #707 x mc #saeran choi #saeran x mc #saeran x reader #jihyun kim #jihyun x reader #Vanderwood #vanderwood x reader #vanderwood x mc #happy ending

[watanabes-cum-dump]

Tower Of Fantasy: Genshin Killer/Copy?

Tower of Fantasy will get it’s official global release on August 10, and everyone’s pretty exited to see how it will hold up against Genshin Impact. It’s the main thing it’s been compared to and hopes to embody. It is definitely it’s own thing, but just like how Genshin pulled from Breath of the Wild, Tower of Fantasy draws a LOT from Genshin and BOTW. 

I beta tested this game during it’s first global beta, and not everything I say will hold up in the official game. 

So first, yes, Tower of Fantasy is an MMO. Guilds and all. There is pvp, there are rankings. I’m personally not a big fan of MMOs (my first exposure to them was Dragon Raja which was kind of bad so go figure) but since I really love open worlds and I beta tested for this, I may as well see what it’s all about officially.

Which, by the way, is about the same as Genshin. The pity is 80 instead of 90, but it’s still pretty brutal. You won’t accumulate premium currency very fast, and you can’t select which SSR to target. PVP isn’t a very relevant aspect of ToF, it seems like it’s more just for fun and rankings so the whole SSR thing isn’t that bad. But if you do plan to take PVP very seriously SSRs and Echo who is literally the only good SR is your best bet. 

The weapons themselves come with characters. You can swap in between weapons, but not in between characters. The character will be a sort of skin. It’s a cool concept really, if only the characters were actually interesting as character lmao but we’ll get to that later. 

Oh but I should mention that there is a system that allows you to get free SSR weapons via grinding. It wasn’t in the first beta but it’s in the CN official release and the second beta but I don’t know a lot about it. 

As for how the characters are, they’re really fun. The movement and combat is pretty good, you can string in mid air combos and plunges and depending on your movement you moves will be varied. Yes, you get double jumps and it is the best thing ever. You can infinitely climb with it so it’s a nice benefit. The characters themselves don’t exactly have the same depth as Genshin’s. But combat wise they’re all very diverse and offer different experiences. 

I think the one thing that will be a deal breaker for all the Genshin Players who want to play Tower of Fantasy is that the story isn’t exactly the best. It’s quite convoluted and there’s so real focus or development on most of the playable characters, who, yes, some have their own side quests but most of them aren’t relevant to the main story at all. Barring Zeke and Shirley whom you meet in the beginning, there are no reoccurring characters. There aren’t really events where the characters can shine either, since looking at the update the CN version had a while back, Shirley is the only one who follows MC to the new area where the next part of the story takes place. 

It is an MMO so the story is more from your perspective, but even that isn’t exactly done very well. MC is very dry and sort of becomes everyone’s handy man, they don’t really have a motivation aside from “stop the bad guys.” But the story tends to stray from MC a lot, the entire first section of the game surrounds Zeke and Shirley, leaving MC as a mere catalyst for their story. Zeke and Shirely themselves are... eh. The game wants you to care about them but you don’t spend a whole lot of time with them. Probably the only thing driving their story forward is their bond as siblings. 

Which speaking of I think MC has a sibling? Like they were with someone in the opening cutscene before everything went to shit but it’s never really brought up. So uh, Genshin’s story is better, it’s not a masterpiece and it isn’t perfect, but at least they establish their character so uh, yeah. 

The story is okay, it’s nothing special (as of now) and it doesn’t give you that sweet sweet character stuff that will incentivize you to pull for the characters. Like at most the incentive is “they’re hot/cute and meta plz pull for them” Seriously no one gets any characterization (in the current story idk abt the update CN got) which is a problem for a gacha game. It’s not abysmal like say Dragon Raja, it’s at least coherent and establishes the world quite well, but it does suffer from it’s lack of interesting characters which is sort of the biggest factor of a story, so....

The world is very interesting, it’s a sort of sci fi post apocalyptic meets Breath of the Wild with a very small population. The sort of power/magic system is a bit vague but hey, at least you get some kind of exposition. The lore has a lot of potential especially given the many different factions and it translates pretty well into gameplay. A lot of the game’s systems can be explained by the lore and there’s a little bit of shady cult like organization stuff going on with the enemies in the form of the Heirs of Aida. I think the story has gotten better with the new update but only when it comes to global can we truly tell. 

The progression is a little rough, I don’t know what the level cap is and it’s just your standard grinding. You can do some dungeons for extra EXP but it’s super repetitive and boring. 

I’m assuming this is like an MMO thing, but there are quite a few systems you need to manage. Off the top of my head you have your suppressor, leveling your weapons, equipment (like the convoluted substats equipment), your “artifacts” I forgot what they’re called but they’re only obtainable through gacha and are character/weapon specific. On the bright side you can buy them and there’s no RNG involved in the stats. but it’s just something to look out for. 

Cosmetics are by far this game’s biggest strength. The outfits are all really nice, character customization is top fuckin notch, and the obtainable characters are all very pretty and you can unlock alternate skins of them if you get enough dupes. (only for SSRs tho) 

Oh and quickly, there are mounts. I don’t think the speed is that different in between them, but you get a motorcycle at base and you can unlock some others including a really cool robot unicorn. As far as customization of these vehicles go, I think it’s just colors. 

The open world is much like Genshin’s, so there are puzzles and collectibles everywhere and you can obtain premium currency and some skins among other rewards via exploration. For the most part it’s seamless from place to place, but there is one Area, Hykros, that you have to teleport to. I don’t know about the new area in the CN update, I believe it’s an extension of the overworld save for the main city. 

It’s all very well designed, there are interesting land marks and you options of traversal are quite varied. You can climb, glide, I believe you can get grappling hooks later on, and you can cruise around on your mount. You can even surf and the double jump comes in clutch for exploration because as previously stated, it can be abused to infinitely climb. One of the most fun things to do is surf off massive waterfalls and cliffs into water, you can jump on the surfboard which is the coloest thing and it’s your alternative to swimming since you will need to navigate large bodies of water. 

Overall, it’s definitely something to check out especially if you like a good MMO. For people who want to check it out because of Genshin, it’s quite similar but Genshin pulls ahead when looking at ToF’s current content. I can’t speak for the endgame, but it’s definitely fun. It’s not an award winning masterpiece, but it’s good enough.   

#genshin impact #tower of fantasy #genshin

[cheesy09]

Thank you Soo much for translating that juicy, super soft, wholesome, informative baby Kiro date. I can't thank you enough. Lately I was very sad with the fact that Kiro didn't get any solos plus alot of things related to him. Thank you for that date. Also if you could explain us a little to what he meant by "where my pride was born" ?

Hi nony! Hope you're having a good day/evening wherever you are! ~ヾ(・ω・)

Thank you so very much for reading the date asdfghjkl!! I'm guessing what Key meant by "where my pride was born" was in reference to Kiro growing up. Since that apartment was one of the first places where the two of them lived together, I'm guessing it was where Kiro started displaying his interest in various fields, such as music, art and coding.

⚠️ Spoiler warning for what's written below! ⚠️

If you read Kiro's recent Behind the Door R&S that just released on the CN server, you'll know that when Kiro met Key, he was no different than a tiny baby animal, shivering in fear of what was going to happen to him next.

And could you really blame him? Up until that point, all he knew was suffering. The one girl who had given him warmth was gone (presumably dead), and now there was this unfamiliar man sitting in front of him. He had no idea who he was, or what were his motivations.

Kiro has serious trust issues. After all, with everything that he's been through, he wasn't expecting any free kindness. So it took him a while to actually warm up to Key.

And even then, Kiro mostly kept to himself. He was extremely shy and always hesitant to try out new things. But little by little, he began showing interest in things other than his beloved teddy bear. For example, this scene:

“Little guy, you’re always staying in your room and holding your bear every day. Aren’t you bored?”

“This is your home. You can go wherever you want to.”

The boy didn’t know what “home” meant but he was a little curious about exploring outside the room.

-R&S: Behind the Door

It was definitely a long process, because even in his Shadow Date, you could tell how shy he used to be as a kid when MC asked him if he played with the other kids who lived in the same building as he did and he said no. But he was definitely getting better. 'Cause then you have this scene:

Kiro: I’d be here, watching people downstairs talking, drying clothes, playing, arguing... Seeing that, I would feel that what Master told me was right; That I wasn’t as far away from this world as I’d imagined.

Kiro: And then, I’d have the courage to get a little closer to them.

-Shadow Date

So, in my personal opinion, I think that since the apartment in his Shadow Date was a place where Kiro started to express himself more and more, KEY called that apartment the place "where his pride was born".

That place might not have meant much to Kiro, but it definitely meant a lot to Key. After all, Papa Key was proud of his little star 🥺

#mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc kiro

[house-of-laminations]

Ok let's say because of MC's "I'm the protagonist so I'm different powers", it would make us strong enough to not evaporate or turn insane when seeing cosmic horrors, how would the boys act around us in their true forms?

If we're going for the more angst route (but not too angsty), they were horrified that you saw them in that state and we have to constantly reassure them that yes we aren't dying, turning mad or anything of the sorts.

Idk the is just so funny to me because its sorta like this:

Mc: This is my boyfriend! *points at a biblically accurate angel*

The angel: Hello 👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️

im so sorry this took me so long to get to. but. life. "Hello 👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️👁️" SENT ME i spent so long laughing at that. I love the idea so much and you can bet this isn't going to be the only true forms shenanigans I write. 💛 This one is a little funny, a little angsty, and a little bloody - I hope you enjoy! For those of you following along at home, this was also the ask that inspired this.

cw: violence (against MC and others), blood, death mentions. Implied/mentioned chronic pain for Lucifer. There's a few times where MC gets kidnapped but they're saved pretty quickly. And of course, horror themes. It's also over 11k words so like. have a snack break. Also not proof-read.

Be Not Afraid

The blood in your veins and your magic protect you and allow you to see the 'true' forms of demons - but that doesn't mean they've been willing to test your sanity. A tale of the first time you've seen the brothers, and how those circumstances came to be. Also posted here on Ao3.

Mammon

You wake up slowly.

Your head is aching like you’ve spent the last few days dehydrated and now you’re paying the price. Your mouth is also cottony and dry, while it feels like every muscle in your body aches.

Really. This again?

A stone altar is cold against your back, and the sounds of ritualistic chanting echo throughout the cavernous hall. All you wanted was a night out at the casino, and now this?

It’s what you get, you suppose, for being careless. You had accidentally flashed Mammon’s pact mark at one of the high rollers at the poker table while reaching over the bar for your drink. Their eyes had snapped to your body and you’d spent the rest of the evening trying to avoid them and their goons. Shame your luck didn’t hold out past your wins at cards and dice.

You recognize the hall you’re in as one of the upper levels at the same Casino, large skylight above you revealing a moonless sky. The high roller and their goons at least have done you the service of keeping you in your regular clothes - though the pact mark you notice when you twist enough to see has been left revealed deliberately.

The High Roller is chanting in a vaguely familiar language that sounds a little like greek but feels older, while their goons are shuffling their feet, obviously waiting for them to be done. At least there aren’t any sharp things pointing at you.

“Hey, uhh, do you mind letting me go?” you try. If nothing else, maybe the goons are having second thoughts.

Of course, there’s no response.

“I’m friends with some very powerful people,” you try again, “maybe, if you let me go, they could cut you a deal?”

At this, one of the goons snorts. “We’re countin’ on that, actually.”

Oh great. Big, mean, and in the know.

The chanting rises in volume to combat your voices, and as it does so you notice a tingling sensation in your pact mark.

“While I’ve got you here,” you say to distract from the uncomfortable sensation, “what is it you’re hoping to do?”

It’s a different goon that responds this time. This one’s wearing glasses. You decide to label him ‘Nerd’. The first can be ‘Unhelpful’. “The boss is tryin’ to get rich quick. Got some debts, see. He’s hoping you can help. Turn his luck around at the big game, and all that.”

“If he’s got debt, why are you working for him?” you ask, genuinely curious.

You can tell the High Roller (or not-so-high, if Nerd is to be believed) is becoming increasingly annoyed by your conversation, like you’ve hit on a bit of a sore spot. (Considering your entire body is a bit of a sore spot right now, you think it’s pretty fair. Honestly, you’d like to see him even more annoyed. It’s not enough.) He actually stumbles on one of the phrases (something, you realize now that you recognize the language as Ancient Mycenean, to do with ‘showing thyself’) and it makes your heart skip unwillingly and your pact mark feel like it’s been stabbed through with a hot iron.

Unfortunately, this serves to distract you from Unhelpful’s response. “-ake us along for the ride.”

“Sorry,” you say faintly, “I didn’t catch that first bit.”

“I said -”

Not-so-High roller punctuates his chants with an irritated harsh syllable, cutting you both off. All through your conversation, he’s been crescendoing, and you feel like maybe the ritual is reaching its peak. Your Ancient Mycenean is rough, but Solomon has hammered in enough during your training that you recognize key phrases: separation (confirming your hunch that this is somehow related to your pact), wealth, and -

“- Mégas Kýrie Mammon!”

Shit.

You don’t get to think much else, because one of your pact marks burn with what feels like the intensity of the sun itself. You close your eyes against the pain as your body feels like its being shocked with lightning and then doused in lava. And then there’s a pull. Like the skin that bears the mark is trying to tear itself from your flesh, up, up and out.

A scream is wrenched from your throat, the high pitch of your own voice adding to the scratching whispers that have begun in your mind. It builds and builds and builds because it’s not enough, it will never be enough -

Nothingness.

Empty void.

The whispers, your own screams, have been cut off. The pain of something being pulled out is gone, and now you’re left shaking on the - well. Not the ground. Not anything, really. Your harsh breathing echoes, though you can’t see any walls that would cause the sound to bounce when you manage to crack open your eyes.

There’s only one thing in the hollow expanse before you, immediately grabbing your attention.

It’s a heart. Not human, not with the way that it shines gold even without light. It’s beating frantically, molten gold feeding in only to release cold, curling shadows. Something about it calls to you, and you can’t help but reach out and grab-

sssCHRK!

Reality filters in all at once the moment your fingers brush the heart. You’re so overwhelmed by the love-pain-fear that it feels like you’re once again on that ritual table with a dagger poised over your chest, your own heart beating frantically as you try and sort through the emotions.

Clawed fingers - talons - are scratching at your scalp and behind your ears, cooing whispers and chatters and clacks sing out around you. Sight comes back to you slowly, and when it does, you notice the hands and wings and claws and tails that reach and wrap around you. Golden eyes peek out between fingers and feathers, each looking upon you in concern, while others glare venomously at the now cowering Goons.

Or, maybe not cowering. You can barely look away from the creaturebeingthing for long enough to notice, but it seems maybe not all of them survived whatever had happened. Not-so-high Roller is frozen in place, eyes wide and blank while his mouth is agape in awe and fear. His form is being held up purely through the fact that his suit has turned to almost pearlescent glass, cold and hard to the touch and probably very expensive. Several others have either just keeled over (in shock, or maybe, you think, they had a heart attack) or find themselves shackled with shining metal, glowingly hot and dripping from their flesh.

Unfortunately, not even poor Unhelpful or Nerd had been spared. They’re both on their knees, clawing at their chests while they retch. Unhelpful coughs, and out comes gold coins, covered in blood, bile, and saliva. Molten silver (or maybe platinum) drools from Nerd’s mouth, but he seems to have better luck keeping his stomach. Both are avoiding your gaze, fixated on Mammon like he’s the brightest treasure they’ve ever seen.

“Mammon,” you murmur, and in that moment those eyes that were looking away from you snap to attention. Good. Give it all to me.

�̶̞̥͈͖͖͈͍̩̭̦̮̀͂̈́̄̓͗̾̈̏͛͜�̶̥̅̒͐͜�̷̛̗͖̰͍̪̗̯̻̣̯̼̳̳͇͜�̶̨̦̤̳̱̰̼̬͛̈̌̌̍̒̈̔͒͋́͒͌̕͝�̷̡̗͖̻̐͆̉͜�̸̟̺͔̺̯̙̝̘̥̳̤̒̅̀́͘�̶̧͔̞̲̲̻̠̑͌�̴̝͉̞̫̼̥̤̟̇̆̋̂̈̈̀͑̓̈̇͊́͛͜�̴̛̺͔̰̩͚̝͓̄́̉͗̐̿�̸̡̟͔̱̱͈̌̊�̴̳̭̭͓̜͉͕̪̹̯͔̞͛͠ͅ�̸̻͔̐̾̀

It’s the sound of clinking, tumbling coins hitting the top of a pile, but also the cracking, squeaky hinges of an empty safe. It’s the most comforting sound in the world - right up until it isn’t.

“I’m sorry,” you say for what feels like the second time that night, “I didn’t quite catch that.”

Two of the arms reach out to grab you, and you let them. As they move, you notice a faint gap between the many wings and talons and hands and claws. All those limbs reach inward, like it’s trying to cover or fill a hollow void, but no matter how hard they try, there’s no way they can do it. And that allows you to see it. Only for a moment. The most beautiful thing you think you’ve ever seen. That heart of precious metal, pumping shadow and hope. And then -

gone.

You’re distracted once more by the extravagance of it all and everything else. Golden chains hang from his form, some of them ornamental, others digging into the flesh(?) itself, causing not-blood to ooze from the wounds they create.

"̵͙̉̚Ä̴̭̝́͆̅r̸̠͎͗͛̚é̴̢̖̓̕ ̸̟̒̉̕ỹ̸͚͉̘̦ö̶̝́̿̽ǔ̶̞̫̬́̅͠ ̷͎̥̥͒͆̂̊o̴̡̱̓̌̐̋k̸͔͖͉̀̆͜,̶̧͓̏̊ͅͅ ̴̲̮͑ḩ̵̛̙̯̥ư̵̢̩̠̍m̷̢̻̯͖͝͠à̴͖̖̰ń̴̡̨͕̀͒?̵͚̂̃͒̈́"̸̮͕̣̂̇͒͘

“I was scared for a moment there.”

Immediately, the arms try to drop you, but you don’t let them. The form tries to retreat, and it pulls away from your touch like it burns.

"̶̦̐i̶͔̿m̴͕̆ ̴̧̋s̵̩͛o̶͓̎r̴̥̈́r̸̠̈́y̵̯͌ ̸̪́i̸̜͛m̶͎̋ ̵͕̈s̵̖̾o̶̮̽r̵̮̍r̴͎̔ẏ̷̯ ̸̺͗i̷͔̔m̸̬̅ ̸̭́s̶̨͛o̷̱̓r̵̥͋r̶̟̚ẏ̴͍ ̵̥̕î̶̥m̵̨͂ ̸̒ͅs̷̰̒o̵̹͝r̶͓̆r̵̥̈́y̶͎̽"̵̰̅

“No, I’m sorry! That was a dumb thing to say,” you quickly say when it doesn’t look like he’s going to stop trying to get away from you, “I wasn’t scared of you, I promise!”

It - he halts in his tracks. Even that beating heart in his hollow centre stops when that reaching, filling, grasping mess pause in response to your words.

"̴̻̍Ỷ̶̲ǒ̴͉u̴̦͝r̸̻͝e̸̛̹ ̶͔́ṇ̷͐o̷̭͂t̷̻̋ ̶́ͅs̵̞̕c̶̢̀ä̵ͅr̴̖̓e̴̯͠d… of me?”

“No,” you say firmly.

There’s a moment where he appears to be judging you with his many, many eyes. But eventually, he reaches back to you, and you once again let him lift you.

“Well, I did get a bit of a shock,” you can’t help but add, once again playing with the golden chains looped around one of his many wrists, “it’s the first time I’ve seen a demon’s ‘true form’. I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing it again, if we’re being honest.”

“Really?” this time, it’s Mammon’s voice as you know it. Clear, a little growly, and oh so full of hope.

“Yeah. Can’t get enough of it.”

Lucifer

Of course it’s witches. Why is it always witches?

The drama-of-the-week this time around comes from a witch who took exception to Asmo’s beauty. According to her, no one could be that beautiful without magic or makeup, and thus cursed the Avatar with a spell that compels the bearer to show who you really are, to be vulnerable with those who matter most. Unfortunately, the witch had been jealous and inexperienced, and so the curse had power but no direction. It hit all the Avatars.

Curses like this wouldn’t normally be an issue - typically Solomon or Lucifer could break them after learning about the parameters or focus fairly easily. Not without shenanigans taking place, much to your amusement.

And true, there were heart-touching and heartbreaking moments in equal measure. Mammon had been honest, and Levi had been forced to own just how cool he is. Satan was able to let his anger and insecurities out and the twins opened up to each other about their guilt. Even Asmo was able to be vulnerable to you and Solomon about his fears of love and intimacy.

Lucifer, though…

Well. What would one expect from the embodiment of pride itself?

You’ve managed to extract secrets, honesty, and vulnerability from all the other Avatars and Lucifer is your final stop. Solomon claims it’s only a matter of being honest, a rudimentary curse with a simple solution. But you had both exchanged wary glances when you realized who the final target would be.

You knock on his door, waiting a few moments for a response, but nothing happens. You try again, and alas, it’s just a repeat of your first attempt.

“Lucifer?” you call, hoping to the high heavens (and deep hells) that he hasn’t magically blocked out the noise from outside, like you know he does when he’s overwhelmed. “Can I come in?”

Again, no response.

Sighing, you put your hand on the door handle, praying silently that he hasn’t cursed it to keep you out. Normally you’re the one with a free pass, while Mammon, Asmo, and even Dia are sometimes barred entry. With a turn and a click the door opens, and you let out the breath of air you were holding.

Your first impression as you glance around Lucifer’s room is that it’s empty. He’s not home?

But no, there - the covers of his bed. They’re shaking slightly, shuddering not with breathing but irregular shivvers. You hurry across the room and peel them back, and you can’t hold back your gasp when you see him.

Lucifer looks so much younger like this. Sweat is beading on his forehead while his clawed fingers latch onto the blanket, trying to pull it back over his head and shoulders. His hair is a mess and he can’t even bring his eyes around to meet yours in his customary glare.

But the thing that steals your attention away from his pale, shaking frame, is the gaping, raw wounds in his back. Blood that isn’t red but isn’t gold or black or any one color oozes from two almost identical abscesses on his normally pristine lower back, angled towards each other in a ‘v’ shape. The skin around the wounds looks like it has been pulled taut and then abruptly slackened, leaving dead flesh tags to roughly scrape against the blankets as you pull them back further.

“Go ‘way,” a venomous voice hisses, the normally clear diction slurring.

“No Lucifer, you’re hurt! Let me -”

“‘S nuthin’ new,” he murmurs, curling up more tightly. His wings are limp and lack their normal sheen, and they shiver violently every now and then.

If this is the effect of the curse, then does that mean this is what Pride looks like while vulnerable?

No, not Pride.

Lucifer.

His pride is nothing more than a pillar of strength, a coping strategy. Vulnerability strips that away, willingly or not. If this is nothing new, does that mean that some part of him always -

“What can I do to help you?” you ask, heart thumping wildly in your chest when you realize the implications.

“‘S the curse. You can’ do anythin’.”

His words hang in the air between you. And then you realize, “does that mean you can do something?”

Lucifer gasps in pain and then tries to pull his wings around himself. You shoot out a hand to stop him, gently catching the freezing feathers before they can cover his face. “‘Ts about being vulnerable. ‘-ve to show what ‘m hidin’.”

You learned from Asmo that the curse makes them feel agitated, anxious, and restless to the point of pain. It affected Mammon the worst, and Levi pretty harshly too. The twins, in comparison, seemed fairly okay under the influence, if a bit uncomfortable. Throughout the day you had been bugged by the fact that you know you’ve been missing something. Something obvious. And now you know -

“Damn it, Lucifer,” you sigh.

The curse’s strength is tied to the strength of the bearer.

And Lucifer is one of the strongest beings in existence.

“It’s fine,” he grunts through his teeth. The effort to properly enunciate clearly causes him more pain. “I can manage it.”

“Lucifer,” you say, letting the command slip softly in your voice. His red eyes finally meet yours. “It’s okay. Let go. I promise we will be okay.”

You don’t know whether it’s the pact or whether Lucifer just trusts you, but finally, finally he gasps out and then -

Galaxies.

Entire universes span as far as you can see, nebulae swirling infinitely as stars edge on the brink of collapse. You’re so high up, above everything and everyone, and your heart thuds as you toe your way closer to the edge. You can’t help but feel like you’re being watched, the multiple twinkling lights for moments at a time resembling bright irises caught in your gaze.

I could get closer.

The thought enters your mind unbidden, and you cannot help the way your feet move one after the other, dragging you towards infinite collapsing nebula. You reach out your hand, you could practically touch-

Freezing flames and scalding ice, the physical feeling tied up in all the emotions that seem to leak from his form. fear-grief-love-hope tumble around deep in your stomach, and you throw your entire body into the expanse.

This close you can see the marrs in the facade. The jagged edges that bleed dying realities and discarded futures. The expanse around, above, beneath you is unbalanced, incomplete. Torn.

And yet. And yet.

It’s beautiful.

Y̴̛͇͗̌͐͛ǒ̴̟͋̓̇̋u̷̢͕͂̾͐̍̂'̸̠̌͂̈̓r̶̛̞̾ě̶̳̉ ̶̨͚͒̂̍͗͠ẃ̸̮̼̮̗͆͘͜r̶͙̾o̶͍̠̊̀̚n̴̤̎̈́̌͑́g̸̥̯̗̤̍̉̈́..̸̡͇͖̱̞̑̂̍ ̸̲̱͍̮͒

The voice comes from everywhere and nowhere, thundering in your ears and whispering in your mind. It’s the song of stars and planets turning, that sound only celestial bodies can make. And it’s enough to make you aware that you’ve been saying everything out loud.

The awe that you’re feeling staring up at this great, immense being inspires so much love, so much fear in you. But not enough.

“I’m not wrong. You’re stunning. Literally.” You’re a little surprised at your ability to talk. And that what you’re saying aren’t just praises, sighs of worship at this great, awe-ful being.

He, it, Lucifer shifts away, like he’s trying to hide. But it’s like a cloud hiding the sky, you know he’s still there and still infinite, even if the brilliance momentarily defies your sight. And he’s not entirely hidden, either.

Those ragged edges - some have been clawed at, ripped and pulled by its own hands. But others…

Cut. Both careless and deliberate. The final rebellion of a shackled son.

Ỷ̶̜̳ǫ̶̫̿ͅu̶̦̘̜̍'̵̩̬͌̌̕r̶̰̈́e̸͉̐̍ ̶͚̰̻́͂n̶̨̖̝͆͝o̵̞̝̫͛͂̚t̵̡͋ ̴̧̙͈͘a̴͖̔́f̸̳̕ŕ̸̜̰a̵̞͍͌̌̓i̸̺̐͘d̷͉̰͌̒͌ͅ?̶̜͙̊͠

You snort. “Lucifer. I’m terrified.”

That loud, overwhelming singing and turning suddenly goes silent, and you watch as multiple stars collapse into one another, a black hole yawning wide and threatening to consume everything and you.

You frown. That’s not sadness, like you’d expect. It’s -

“I’m terrified of never seeing you like this again,” you hurry on to say, wanting to erase that horrible, creeping guilt in your chest. “I’m terrified for you, knowing this is a hurt you carry and always will. I’m terrified you will never share it or let us help.”

A million stars-as-eyes stare at you, while a billion more blink and turn their gaze away. It's neither reassurance nor excuse. But at least it's acknowledgement.

And that's the first step.

Leviathan

You kind of wish you had turned down the all-expenses-paid cruise. But hey - hindsight is 20/20. And you’re not one to turn down free stuff. Especially not free holidays.

The cruise is hosted by your university’s Exchange Society, advertised as an ‘opportunity to meet, work, and play cross-culturally, cross-disciplinary, and cross-communally!’ The only caveat? By agreeing to the cruise you’re taking part in an ‘Ethnographic Survey and Cultural Exchange’. You’ve participated in weirder research for less, and you have some time to kill while in the human world. Honestly, you could return to Devildom early, but you want to regain some confidence in your home plane, especially after all the shit you’ve been through recently.

The first three days were filled with rest, relaxation, and a surprising amount of productivity on the writing-front. Many coffees were consumed, and just as many cocktails were gulped down.

It’s on the third evening (the 13th of the month and a full moon) when you’re sculling down your fifth espresso martini (its about the efficiency!) that you start to feel sleepy. Which. With as much caffeine and sugar running in your veins right now, is a very big red flag.

You don’t remember closing your eyes, but you sure do remember opening them again.

You’re woken by the sound of rhythmic chants. It’s not the first time, and it probably won’t be the last. This chanting sounds practiced, but it doesn’t sound fluent. There’s a forcefulness to the pronunciation of the ancient sanskrit, one that Solomon is currently working to train you out of yourself.

Cracking open your eyes, you notice you’ve been tied up alongside quite a few of your fellow students, laid at points around a ritual circle. Your wrists are bound in front of you, and that’s just one mistake of many. Around the outside of the circle, standing hand-in-hand, are a number of hooded cultists, humming and chanting like they kind of know the words but not really. Ran pelts your face and you’re forced to squint to minimize the water hitting your eyes. By the sting it’s both rain and sea - the waves towering and crashing onto the top deck of the cruise liner.

And yet, despite all this, none of your fellow students awaken.

Glancing around as subtly as you can, you seek out the leader of the chanting. At what you assume is the northernmost point of the circle is a hooded figure, though the patchy, ill-cared for scruff growing on their chin reveals their identity: the president of the Exchange Society. His fellow hooded cultists, you now realize, are members of that same club - each of them bearing the same crest.

The volume of the chants increase just as you manage to wiggle your wrists out of the cheap rope keeping them bound. Not wasting any time, despite your heart thudding loudly in your chest, you untie your ankles and try to roll free of your position in the circle.

Your movement is immediately noticed by the cultists, and they rush to grab you. You try to cry out, to stop this nonsense, but your words go unheard over the sound of the storm and the waves.

What the fuck what the fuck what the fu-

“What are you doing, you idiots?” you try asking the two cultists holding you, and they’re surprised by the disdain in your voice that overrides your fear.

Not that you’re not terrified out of your wits - but at this point you’ve learned to roll with the punches. You’ve spent an entire year scared out of your mind and you’re very used to functioning through it.

“We’re finally summoning the Great Serpent. No one has achieved it before, and when we manage it he’ll give us all the power and riches we could ask for!” the one holding you on your right responds.

Oh shit. They’re insane. Wonderful.

Lightning crashing from above down into the sea and for a moment the sky is painted an eerie orange. Beneath your feet, deep, deep in the ocean, you can hear groaning. It sounds like rocks forced together, sliding against one another like the crust of the earth itself is splitting.

“Our Lord Rises!” cries the club president in triumph, finishing his chant.

The ocean seems to darken to the same color as the stormy sky as it rises and rises, and you’re not sure where the horizon is anymore. If there’s even a horizon at all. Something opens in the waves, dark and all-consuming. You get the impression of teeth, of venom, of a sharp and jagged tongue but they’re so much larger than the ship, than the sea itself.

Something knocks into the ship and the whole thing rocks precariously from side to side - you didn’t even realize that was possible in a ship this large. The screeching of metal assaults your ears as the mouth in the ocean widens, and you get the distinct impression that the reason why this Great Serpent hasn’t been summoned before is because it’s very likely it would’ve swallowed the whole world. Whole.

The sky around you gets impossibly darker. Unless, no. It’s not the sky. Something large, scaled, and jagged is rising up and around you, coiling around the ship. You yelp and tear yourself out of the grasp of the cultists as it comes slamming down onto the deck, narrowly avoiding crushing you.

You manage to catch yourself on the edge of the thing, the scaled coil, and you feel a bright, harsh burning in your chest.

You’re terrified. But you also feel bitter. There’s a sour taste in the back of your mouth as the inevitability hits you - why is this happening to you? Why now? Why aren’t you powerful enough to-

Wait.

Though the storm is raging and the cruise liner groans and creaks, your voice defies all this to call out and be heard clearly above the din.

“Leviathan?”

Your voice cracks across the sea like thunder, even though you’re really only calling out a name in confusion. The chanting doesn’t stop, but everything else around you does.

Lighting pauses in its arc across the sky, illuminating the ship’s deck in an unnatural light. Towering waves that tread the line between a watery mountain-range and tsunami freeze in place. The large creature too big to see or name, with its mouth open as if to swallow the sky itself seems to tense as if a shock has run through it.

Slowly its massive, earth-shattering jaw closes, though its coils do not loosen their grasp on the horizon. Then all at once, the wind, the waves, the screeching of manufactured metal joins sing together to form a voice:

"̸̧̗̪̻̬̈́.̴͔̹͗͘͜.̴̛̤͙̝̘̱͒̍̆̚.̸̨̰̪̙͂͗M̸̛͍̜̀̚͘C̸̛͔̎͛̎͗?̴̧̟̻̾̾"̵͕̗̞͋́́̽̚ͅ

At this, the chanting falters, though you barely notice it through the sheer love, relief and confusion that floods you at the sound of your name. You make sure to check your DDD - thankfully spared from the ritual nonsense that has decimated any other technology on the ship - and yup. As you thought.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at the midnight release for the latest TSL game?” you ask.

He’d been looking forward to it all week - wanting to get his hands on an exclusive copy. You’ve received message after message about the early-access footage and reviews the entire time you’ve been on this cruise.

The moon seems to dim from that brilliant orange hue as the great beast’s coils slacken. Overhead several more cables snap, and they sound almost like a pitiful wail.

“̸̣͙̿͝Ḯ̵͉̍͆ ̴̪̜̌w̸̖̽̽a̸̙̳͒͗s̵͙̤̯͒̏ ̷̨̢̬̾̕p̴̭̾ͅu̵̢̺͔͂l̶̩̩̖̐͝l̶̼̭̮͋͐̃e̵̩͈̥͒̊̎d̴̠̖̒͝ ̷̝͔̋̀a̴̛̦̺̙͑͛w̴̡̞̓͜a̸͙̰͝y̵̜̯̩̌̀.̷̧͕́”̵͈̮̝̇̊ ̷̖̤̗̓̽

By now the chanting had well and truly stopped. Several of the cult members are curled on the ground in the fetal position, blood pouring from their eyes and ears. Only their leader remains, and he seems frozen in the face of the very beast he had tried to summon - the Lord he was trying so very hard to appease.

You barely take stock of this though as you frown and approach one of the gigantic, glittering coils. The individual scales are the size of buildings and they glitter with a beautiful orange sheen.

“Aw, I’m sorry babe,” you console, reaching out to stroke one of his scales. “If you want, I can take care of this for you?”

At your touch, there’s a ripple of air, of light, of sound. The world unfreezes around you, radiating out from that point between your hand and Levi’s scale. The line between ocean and sky defines itself once more as the coils of the serpent loosen their grasp. But it’s not enough.

There needs to be one more push, an offering to satisfy the yearning, all-consuming void. Something greater than the seas and horizon itself.

You’ve got just the thing.

“I’ve decided to cut this holiday short - how about you pick up that game so you and I can play it together? We can be the first to complete the co-op route!”

It’s enough.

The ship shudders as the serpent releases it, innumerable, immeasurable coils slipping back beneath the waves. It turns to face you, its heads and limbs merging into one.

You recognize the insecurity in those eyes.

“̸I̷ ̵-̷.̷.̷.̴ ̷I̵ ̷a̶c̷c̶e̶p̴t̴ ̶t̸h̶o̸s̴e̶ ̷t̶e̴r̵m̷s̸,̶”̴ it says and you hear the words in your mind as the shape of them causes more of the ship’s supports to screech and snap. “But-”

The ocean seems to groan and tremble beneath you - the cry of unknowable creatures reverberates through the ship and into your chest. They sound mournful. And just a little bit afraid.

“Do you really w̶a̷n̵t̶ ̵t̶o̵?̶ Especially now you’ve seen me like this?”

You reach out one more time, grabbing onto the edge of the ship’s railing so you can steady yourself. Your fingers just brush against those great, beautiful, glittering scales.

“Why wouldn’t I want to spend time with one of my favourite people?” you ask. “Especially after they’ve had a bad day.”

It seems impossible, but the Great Serpent’s face flushes red - likely a reflection from the glaring alarms, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. Garbled nonsense escapes from its mouth, and this time it really is just noise and sound. No meaning to it except deliciously pleased panic.

“Sheep got your giant, forked tongue?” you tease and that mental image practically sends the Avatar into spasms. More garbled nonsense crosses your heart and your ears as it hurries itself beneath the waves.

The final trace of all-consuming blackness disappears below the horizon to reveal a shining, orange dawn. You take a moment to appreciate your continued existence - yours, and everyone else’s on the planet.

It’s a shame you’re interrupted by the scared whimpers behind you.

You sigh, approaching the president of the Exchange Society. “Sorry. Where were we?”

The man panics, flailing backwards but there’s nowhere to go besides over the ship’s ledge.

“Wh-who are you?” he stammers.

You grin your best ‘evil grin’. You’ve always wanted the opportunity to indulge in a dramatic reveal. You’ll have to reward Levi for such a thoughtful gift when you finally get back.

Satan

The human world is not without its own perils. You’re used to constantly being on your guard in the Devildom, that the instincts you so finely honed there are probably what saves you now.

Your walk home is normally a pleasant twenty minute stroll through well-lit streets. However tonight the skies have opened up and rain is pelting down like knives. There’s a shortcut through some of the commercial buildings, through the alleys that separate them. There’s also the benefit brought by all the overhangs from air-conditioning units and fire escapes, offering some slight shelter from the freezing rain.

There’s a few others thinking the same thing, and you find yourself awkwardly scooting past them, throwing a glance over your shoulder as you pass them - sometimes seeing them doing the same at you. It never hurts to be too careful.

But then you take a wrong turn. And it’s not entirely your fault.

All you know is the area around you becomes pitch black, and you’re forced to put your hands out on the grimy walls to lead you. There are dim lights from the apartments above that lead you in the direction of the street (you hope).

Lightning flashes overhead.

And that’s enough. You see him - it? - there, something extending towards you fast.

You dodge just in time, internally thanking Beel for all the times he took you out to teach you some Fangol basics. When you roll to your feet, whirling around to face your attacker, you can still barely see. But again, it’s enough to once again elude another writhing limb your way.

It grazes your side, and it feels like slimy, cool flesh pulled taut over bone. But it’s far too long and flexible for that to truly be the case. The man? Monster? Figure in front of you chuckles as you duck out of the way of his grasp.

“You have some fight in you? Oh I do enjoy a chase.”

His mouth splits open wider than a human’s would, his grin stretching up to his ears. Unlike the Little D’s or other demons you’ve run across however, there is no void within, no writing mass of darkness, sin in physical form. Instead, you see flesh and blood, a direct line to the back of this throat, his skull. Teeth extend down and you feel dread pooling in your gut.

Your body aches and throbs, and only now you notice his ‘graze’ must have gotten you a lot deeper than you thought. Both you and the creature watch mesmerized as a drop of your blood rolls from your hoodie and splashes onto the ground below, instantly diluted by all the rain.

“Oh,” the creature says, “How beautiful. Shall we see more?”

“What do you think you’re doing?”

This voice is new. And oh so very welcome. You feel yourself relaxing even before turning to see who spoke. Lightning crashes, illuminating the dark alley in bright green light. It instantly grounds you, while simultaneously making the world around you look unreal.

Satan steps between you and the creature, giving you a long, concerned look as you go.

“Two for the price of one? How fortuitous,” the creature growls. The green light from the lightning has yet to fade, and you notice now long, spiraling horns. They look like antlers - like Levi’s antlers. But the way they twist and poke is out, rather than inwards.

“A cambion? I thought your kind were all dead?” Satan responds, his tone disgusted and just a little bit curious.

He looks to be in his human form, though the edges blur in the rain. Every now and then a drop inexplicably bounces back up, in roughly the same places where his horns would be. Maybe that’s why the creature in front of you seems incensed by his words.

“How dare you speak to me in that tone. Do you know who I - ghrk!”

The change is instantaneous. Satan’s long, sharp, barbed tail whips out, piercing the creature through its chest. It lingers for a moment, the two connected while Satan stares dispassionately with vile, green eyes. Then, just as suddenly, he rips, the tail pulling its way through the creature’s chest to the side, freeing itself, flinging black blood as it goes.

Some part of you notices the way the blood settles on top of the water, rather than washing away like your own. But that part is overwhelmed with fear-love-relief, adrenaline in your veins responding to a fight that now will never happen.

“I don’t particularly care about who you thought you were when you woke up this morning. All you are now is a mistake that has been rectified,” Satan says coolly.

When he turns and sees you, it’s like he becomes a different person. Though his horns, tail, and claws are still accounted for, their presence is softened by the sheer amount of love, care, and worry directed right at you.

“Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Satan fusses over you. He’s careful not to nick you with the ever-growing talons at the tips of his fingers, even as soft hands brush over your face, your shoulders, your arms.

“I’m fine,” you manage to say, teeth chattering. It’s cold - freezing in the rain.

(And maybe you’re still just a little bit spooked).

Satan takes off his jacket, wrapping it around your shoulders. You’re somewhat impressed by the way he manages to do it without nicking the fabric with his claws. But more than that, you’re grateful. His jacket is warm, and you put your arms in the sleeves to be more fully covered.

He tuts at you, while pulling it tighter over your chest. “You need to be more care-”

Grhk!

Satan’s green eyes are wide, his mouth open in shock around the long blade now stabbed through the back of his head. You barely manage to duck out of the way of the blade yourself, avoiding succumbing to the same fate.

You know that Satan is strong - he’s an Avatar for devil’s sake.

But it’s so sudden, so surprising, so horrible and graphic that you can’t help the scream that is torn from your throat as he drops, mouth open around the blade.

“Stupid runt. I’ve been wandering the Earth since the fall of the Roman Empire. You Devildom demons are soft - it takes more than an impaling to bring me down.”

The creature is back despite the gaping hole in his chest, his ribcage broken and exposed. Heart thudding in your chest, you can’t hear anything but the rain falling and the roaring of blood in your ears. You should be terrified, afraid, but -

You’re angry. Blood is rushing through your chest, your face is warm and probably red and you feel like screaming in frustration. Why is this happening to you? It’s not fair, it’s not right-

sshhhhCRASH!

Lightning strikes again, somehow greener than before. Sparks glance off the fire escape above you, falling harmlessly to the water below. It was so bright it’s b̷̮̖̊͋͛͒̂l̷̲̍͛̏̕i̷̝͉͙̗͂̀̈́̾͛̾̚͘͝ñ̶̡̜̪̥̋̈́̎͝ḓ̶͆̿̈́̉i̵̡̎n̴̛͇̗̤͊̀̀̊͠ġ̶̨̥̯̮

You blink your eyes rapidly, trying to dispel the whiteness but all you are getting is after-images that don’t make any sense. You can still hear, and what you do are screams and crunches and tears. A sword clatters to the ground but you inexplicably see one larger, more twisted, jagged, and deadly.

It feels like an eternity before you can see again. But it’s not right, it’s not real. Because what you’re seeing is a unicorn.

But not quite. There is no horn. There is only sharp, deadly steel.

You reach up and touch the horse’s skull. Sickly green fire escapes in the gaps between jaw and teeth, and though it singes your clothes it does not hurt your skin. The sword protruding out the top makes him look like some kind of gruesome unicorn. There’s no blood, only more of that green fire dripping from where the sword is impaled beneath the jaw.

The neck, the spine, and the tail of his form stretches and stretches and never seems to end. Vertebrae after vertebrae after vertebrae, each hooked, pointed and sharp and you yknow that just touching them would be enough to draw blood. Wings, black and feathered, and oddly out of place on the white bone, bleed gold from where what looks like barbed wire keeps them secured to the top of his rib cage.

Finally you bring yourself to look into the eyes of Satan’s form. The skull gives way to dark, hollow voids. They lack any kind of physical feature within, but they’re not empty. They are brimming with promise.

The promise of hurt. Revenge. Retribution.

It’s the anger of a mother whose child was taken from them too soon. It’s the fury of a serf who has been stepped on for far too long by their king.

An eye for an eye will make the world go blind.

You realize now that though Satan can very likely sense, there is not an uncovered eye in sight. There are faces that scream and spectral forms that wind through ribcages that have been torn asunder. Where their eyes would be are hideous scarred abscesses or bleeding bandages.

Again that anger is back, making you shake more than the cold ever could. The hilt of that giant, wretched sword is about at head level with you, and you wonder how hard it would be to just pull -

Satan ducks Its massive head, the horse skull - the gruesome unicorn - careful to not impale you. You take a deep breath, closing your eyes and forcing your breathing to calm. The blackness gives you a reprieve, some perspective. The anger is still there. So is the fear. But it’s not everything.

“I’m alright,” you murmur. “Thank you.”

You think he’s looking at you, but it’s hard to tell without any visible eyes. But you know him, and that’s enough.

“Can we go home?” you ask, and It takes an earthshaking step back. There’s no way It fits in this narrow alley, and yet there is always just enough space.

“Together,” you amend firmly, when you realize It - he - was moving away to let you through.

There are still no eyes, and yet you know he is looking at you in amazement

The last block of your walk, from atop the back of Satan’s massive, skeletal form, passes by the courthouse. And there, something catches your attention. It's a statue, one you're so familiar with you basically tune it out.

An eye for an eye? Perhaps that is why justice is blind too.

Asmodeus

You will swear to your dying breath (which could be quickly coming) that this was all Solomon’s fault.

The sorcerer had stumbled across an ancient jewelry box during his recent travels and had left it behind in his room unsupervised. Asmo, of course, had been fascinated by it. The three of you had been hanging out in purgatory hall alone when one of Solomon’s wards had been activated up in the human world, leaving you and the demon in his bedroom with the promise not to touch anything.

Asmo, of course, touches the jewelry box. It’s still Solomon’s fault.

The box glows with a dark energy. The temperature plummets, and all of the clocks in the room stop their constant ticking. You feel a force wave out from the box and throughout the large manor, making your teeth vibrate uncomfortably in your skull.

“Asmo, maybe you should drop-”

There’s a groan from somewhere outside.

“No need to get grumbly, MC,” Asmo croons, putting down the box. He doesn’t look affected by whatever just happened.

“That noise wasn’t me,” you say through gritted teeth.

There’s another groan, this time closer.

Followed by another.

And another.

Asmo cocks his head with his hand perched on his hip. He seems to be studying you intently.

“Are you feeling o-”

CRASH.

The door shakes in its hinges, and you jump. There’s all sorts of groaning and growling now - coming from the other side of the door and even outside the manor. You run over to the window and peer out. You wish you could be surprised by what you see, but honestly, you kind of expected it.

Crawling in from every direction is hundreds upon hundreds of bodies. All in varying levels of decay and most of them human.

THUD

You jerk away from the window as something jumps up and gnashes at you with angry teeth. The only thing stopping you from reaching a bloody end is the quickly cracking glass.

Asmo yelps loudly and grabs your wrist. He pulls you quickly into the closet, door slamming behind you.

“Does this even lock from the inside?” you ask, trying to wrestle your heartbeat down to normal levels.

Asmo tuts. “Of course it does. We made sure, just in case we’re ever interrupt-”

“Please don’t finish that sentence,” you sigh. As much as you love both Asmo and Solomon, if you get the Avatar started, he just won’t stop. “Now that we’re here, what are we going to do? I don’t think those things are particularly friendly, and the necrotic energy from that box felt pretty terrible.”

“Exorcisms aren’t really my area,” replies Asmo and you snort. No shit.

“We could always see what they want,” you offer up sarcastically, “maybe they’re just here to say hi?”

Loud groans and growls pierce the air with almost comedic timing. They don’t sound very happy. The do sound hungry.

“You don’t have any spells do you? Turn undead?” asks Asmo, his chirpy voice only wavering slightly.

“That’s-” you take a breath, willing yourself not to snap at him. “That’s a Dungeons and Dragons thing. And it’s a feature, not a spell, and I’m not even a ‘divine’ class-”

BANG

The sound of something hitting the closet door alerts you to the fact that you’ve been found. The banging continues, like something is hitting it repeatedly, trying to get in. You look around in vain, but for a ‘magic closet’, there’s very little around you that would help in, say escaping. No secret passages or anything.

You’re out of options.

“I could-” Asmo starts, but then cuts himself off. He looks uneasy - something you’ve never really seen before.

“You could what, Asmo?” you prompt, hoping that his reticence is only because the situation itself is off-putting.

His beautiful eyes lock with yours, and though you’ve never been susceptible to his charm you can’t help but think he is the loveliest creature you have ever seen. He seems to be studying you, trying to memorize your face, your hands, the ratty, blood-splattered clothes you’re wearing.

“I could transform. Into my true form,” he admits, and you don’t understand the reluctance.

There’s a growl somewhere nearby, and you hold your breath as it passes. You hope it hasn’t smelled you yet.

“What are you waiting for,” you say through gritted teeth, only after you’re sure as safe as you’re going to get while the rogue denizens of the abyss are circling.

The door rattles against its hinges again, and the thudding picks up in speed. Safe in this case, being relative.

“What if you hate me? I couldn’t bear it if you hated the way I look or feel.”

This is not the time. This is so not the time. There are zombies and monsters and all manner of chattering creatures quickly converging on your closet. Your death is moments away at the claws and teeth and spikes.

But that doesn’t matter. Asmo matters. He always will. He’s everything.

You take his face in your hands. “I trust you to not hurt me. Can you trust that I will not hurt you in return?”

Asmodeus stares at you once more. His glowing eyes are the only thing you can see in this dark, dark closet. They blink closed slowly, and that’s all the warning you get before plush lips graze against your own.

Really not the time. But you lean into the kiss anyway. If these were to be your last moments, at least you’re dying while kissing someone that you love. The lips move against yours, and you feel them brush your hands, your shoulders, your neck, your cheek - all at once.

Soft hands, clawed hands, talons, scales and carapaces brush up and around you and you feel enveloped.

You peek open your eyes, and you see him.

And he sees you, not with eyes in his face but the eyes in his chest, his arms, the ones that smile at you from the edge of your own vision. The lips and mouths continue to taste, to bite, to caress and the feeling is so overwhelming. Your eyes see wings, they see legs, feet, hands, and tails, but your mind is struggling to stitch them all together in one form.

There’s a certain beauty to each part individually, but as a whole - it’s too much. The form shifts and writhes, and as it ‘breathes out’ you see the edges flicker, dissipating in what your mind comprehends but your heart knows is not a pink mist.

Breathing it in feels like suffocating. Like drowning. It’s like that time you went to the dentist and they gave you the gas that makes you feel happy, relaxed, giddy. It’s sweet and it’s your favorite smells and tastes and you take it in like you can’t get enough. You feel so good, and you don’t want to feel anything else.

You reach out to stroke a horn, an ear, a fanged pout, and the sight of your own hand - your chipped nail polish, the tiny scratches and blemishes - brings you back, not to reality, but to him.

A moment of clarity. It’s all you need to recognize the unspoken anxiety.

You’re barely aware of the silence that has now gripped the manor. The thuds are not of flesh forcing entry but rather the collapsing of bodies. The sight of him, slipping through the cracks of the wardrobe, encompassing you, enveloping the entirety of purgatory hall, is enough to stop anyone in their tracks. Its overwhelming and overpowering and the addiction to it is instantaneous.

But all that matters is Asmo. There’s fear in those many, many eyes and no, that’s not right.

“It’s okay, my love,” you croon, and the endearment makes him, it, everything shudder. “Well done. We’re safe.”

Logically, you know this isn’t something you should be able to know, to claim. Not from the blackness of Solomon’s closet. But how could your words not be true? There’s a certainty in you - driven from your own experience, but also your faith, your trust.

Then, a voice from somewhere that’s not between the two of you-

“What did I fucking say about touching the box?”

Beelzebub

Your DDD buzzes in the middle of class. You glance at the screen as a single text notification slides across.

Bring food to study time.

You sigh. Should’ve guessed, really. You made sure that he had some of your leftovers to take with him today, but that would never be enough for Gluttony Itself.

A quick glance at your GrimmAccount reveals an unfortunately scant amount. Oh. That’s right. You loaned your latest pay to Mammon. And of course he hasn’t paid you back yet.

Well. Not in Grimm.

As soon as the class is dismissed, you book it out of RAD. If you have no grimm, then leftovers will have to do. The House isn’t too far away, and if you hurry, you’ll have time to pop in and out before you’re supposed to meet Beel in the library.

The door to the House creaks open easily at your touch, and you’d be a bit disturbed at the way it responds to your mere presence, if you hadn’t already gotten used to the way it welcomed you much earlier in your stay. The House has a heart and a soul, Barbatos explained to you once, and it’s tied to the brothers. It’s fond of you because they’re fond of you.

Your footsteps don’t echo, despite the cavernous emptiness. You think it’s the House’s way of reassuring you you’re not alone.

As you bypass the kitchen briefly on your way to your room, planning on dropping off your Mathematics text books, you notice the door to the kitchen is slightly ajar.

Huh.

Typically the House will close any doors that don’t need to be open - the need for privacy or just empty rooms in general. The fact that the kitchen is slightly open is a bit odd, but you chalk it up to the reason you’re back so early in the first place.

Still, curiosity and the cat.

You reach out, but this time, the door seems to resist your touch. It actually takes throwing your whole body against the solid paneling to get it to budge. You know you should take it for the warning that it is, but…

zzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZ̸̙͋̌̈́͝͝Z̸̨͉͎̪̤̦̥͉̈́̂̏͋͒͝Z̶̢̘̬̹̘̝̬͙̫͒̾̾̏̿̈́̀͠Z̸̢͉̳̝̩̟̫̤͂͝ͅZ̴̨̟̤̲͎̳̍̍͂͐̂̈́̕Z̷̨̺̫̠̩̥̑͒̄̏͂̐̂̕͝Z̸͖̮̾̓Z̴̧͍̲̄̈́̋̎̈́͘̕͝

An overwhelming cacophony of sound greets you the moment you finally manage to pry open the door. It’s the buzzing of a thousand flies, swirling around the room in no fixed point. Tearing and gnawing and snapping and chewing punctuate the irregular drones. In the midst of it all you can just make out the frantic patter of a quickly beating heart.

The sound is so vast and overwhelming that it takes you more than a minute for your eyes to be of any use - your brain struggling to keep up with the input, trying its best to differentiate your senses. There’s a taste in the back of your mouth that’s a little coppery and reminds you of blood but it’s delicious. Saliva pools in your mouth and you swallow and swallow and swallow. Your skin is crawling like there’s a thousand bugs scattering all over you, their tiny feet digging into your flesh to latch and grasp.

The smell is too much too, clogging up your nose and your stomach and your mind. Rotten meat, fresh flowers, dusty, empty basements, and rich wine. It’s the smell of your favorite home cooked meal but also of your bag from primary school when you left it out in the sun with a tub of yogurt and some fresh fruit for several days.

Even when your eyes do manage to get their message through, you’re not quite sure what you’re looking at.

You can’t tell whether the kitchen is covered in a thousand swarming insects and a herd of grazing deer and a pride of feasting lions, or if it’s just one being, large and interdependent, practically consuming itself like a snake eating its own tail. There are mouths and fangs and teeth everywhere you look, and they’re all eating something.

There’s also an energy to it. A constant moving and thrashing, the deer limbs sprinting away from those of the lions’, while the lions in their emaciated forms catch prime flank between their claws moments before it can slip away. You find yourself ducking out of the way of the creature’s (creatures’(?)) demented chase, stepping closer to the disjointed, sprawling mass.

Mouths that gnaw and chew snap their teeth at you as you get close, and then seem to purse closed, almost remorseful. The grasping arms and hands remind you in a way of Mammon - pulling everything around close reach out for you and you let them.While they hold you the mouths that gnaw at them pause in their meal.

“Hey,” you whisper, heart in your throat, “it’s just me.”

H̵̤̫̱̒͐͝ͅȕ̵͓̯̥̰̟̣́̀̈̿͘͜ͅn̵̝̣̪̼̗̦͕̈́̾ġ̶̹̪͑̍̂͝r̸̡̳̮̻̒͑̕͝y̶̟̫̰̅̔̃̓̃̑̕͝

It screams from all of its mouths, and it adds to the din echoing through the House. Now you know why your footsteps were silent.

The House was protecting you.

Your heart breaks.

The House was wrong.

“You’re not going to eat me,” you say firmly, and it’s not an order. There’s no telltale warmth from the pact marks, or power forcing its way through your throat.

It’s an affirmation. A fact. And the House needs to know it.

Beelzebub needs to know it.

All at once, the Chase stops. Silence greets you as the parts of him that were chewing and eating and consuming swallow each other whole, folding in and feasting on each and every limb and mouth and eye and hand and horn. It’s as sick as it is mesmerizing, and you watch until all that is left in front of you is Beelzebub in his humanoid form.

There are still parts of him not quite right - like the way his irises are not round but honeycombed and many, and the teeth that extend past his lips and jaw and further.

He collapses into your lap, and you see hints of madness in his eyes as he stares up at you.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs, biting at his lip. “It’s just… quieter when I let go.”

You think about that constant buzzing and gnashing and chewing that overwhelmed the space.

Instead of commenting on it, you gently put your thumb on his chin and softly pull down, releasing his lip from his sharp, jagged teeth.

“It’s okay,” you reassure him, even as the hunger pangs eat at your own stomach. The need to burn off excess energy also rests in your body - already you’re again craving the rush of adrenaline that’s slowly ebbing away. Gluttony, you realize, is more than just hunger.

It’s survival.

At the cost of everyone, everything else.

You run a gentle hand through Beelzebub’s hair. It’s a reassurance as much as it’s an apology of your own.

Belphegor

It’s a cool, clear evening in the human world.

Feeling quite drained after a long afternoon of training, you’re enjoying the night wrapped up in Belphie - both of you happy to just rest. The others are all still up - pulled into a low-stakes game of not-quite-poker. You can occasionally hear the cheers of Mammon every time he wins a hand, or the groans from Leviathan when he’s forced to give up one of his exclusive prints.

Belphie had fallen asleep roughly an hour ago, but you don’t think it’s a restful slumber. Even now he buries his head into your side like he’s trying to block out the world.

He gets like this sometimes. Nightmares plague even the Avatar of Sloth’s dreams. He hasn’t opened up to you with what he dreams about, but you think maybe it’s Beel and Lilith and the Fall. All you can do is try and be there for him on the nights he can’t pull himself out, running a comforting hand through his hair.

You listen to the game happening outside your doors while you play with Belphie’s dark locks. There’s a moment where you think they might wake the Avatar of Sloth when Satan shouts indecipherably at Mammon, but a quick glance reveals that Belphie appears unaffected by the noise.

Your hand is halted, however, by the cold, sharp feeling of a horn.

You pull your hand away in surprise - not because of the demon form itself, but the transformation. The sudden emergence of the horn had cut your hand slightly, and you hiss as a drop of blood lands on Belphie’s cheek.

The demon snaps up, pushing you down and flipping you on instinct. Your hands come up to protect yourself from the claws and horns, pushing at his chest while his own grasp your shoulders, close to your clavicle, tightly.

“Wait, Belphie-”

Finally the demon’s eyes snap open, and you can tell it takes him a moment to realize where he is and what’s happening. And when he does -

Terror.

Belphegor pulls his hands away from your neck and flees the room before you even have a chance to call out to him.

A few moments later, Beel rushes in, followed by Mammon.

“MC, what-” starts Mammon but Beel cuts him off.

“Why was Belphie scared?” he growls, shedding his own human form. His voice drops into a lower register and you feel like you can hear it rattling in your own chest.

“I- I don’t know,” you answer. Beelzebub is terrifying in his protectiveness, but you know that he would never hurt you. You’re one of his now. “He was having a nightmare, but then he was woken by the game and…”

You trail off. At this point, the others have wandered in, and their glowing eyes stand out in the darkness. Solomon has a witchlight bobbing beside him, and he looks more intrigued than worried.

You think back to that moment, when Belphegor woke. His hands pinning you down, claws digging into your flesh close to your neck. His nightmare and his restlessness during the day. It’s been about a year since -

Oh.

Your head snaps up.

“Where did Belphie go?” you ask, dread filling you.

“He left the house entirely, running as if Cerberus himself was on his heels,” Lucifer explains, but you could hear the worry in his tone.

“We need to find him,” you say, and it’s almost an order. “He shouldn’t be alone.”

Beel is the first to run out, chasing after his twin. He’s realized what anniversary is marked by this day. Mammon chases after him, calling out for an explanation.

You shoo the others out of the room so you can pull on some proper clothes - tugging on the first things you can find. Something in you dimly registers the jacket is one of Belphie’s soft sleeping cardigans.

When you exit the room, only Solomon remains.

“The others are all looking for Belphie, but…” he pauses for a moment, “a demon can go a long way in the human world very quickly. They could be searching for a while.”

You push past him. “I’m going too. He shouldn’t be alone.”

Solomon nods, but doesn’t make any move to follow you. “I’ll monitor the situation from here - see if I can scry for him and let the others know.”

You take maybe three steps outside the house before you realize how freezing it has gotten. The day had been quite pleasant - middle of summer, with the sun shining down all day, nary a cloud in the sky. But now you see your breath fog as you breathe out, and you shove your hands into the pockets of Belphie’s jacket. You entertain the thought of going back inside and pulling on something more appropriate but no, there’s not enough time.

Belphie shouldn’t be alone.

Grass crunches loudly underfoot as the blades have frozen solid. Your runners are only going to last so long out here now. You push on, into the garden and past the wrought-iron gates.

Every step you take, you feel like the world around you is getting darker. A mist has rolled in from over the hills, slowly obscuring the sky and everything around you. You’re shivering uncontrollably, teeth chattering loudly but -

It’s not like anyone is going to hear.

You bring your arms up around you, rubbing furiously to try and get some warmth back. Ice lodges itself in the back of your throat and you feel like you’re swallowing glass. No, this is wrong, it’s too much it’s -

Breathe.

Belphegor. Remember?

You have to find Belphegor.

You swallow again, but this time the ice has cleared. You let yourself relax slightly, heart calming down as you try and make sense of everything.

It’s dark. You can barely see three feet in front of you, and this dark mist has obscured the sky. Everything around you is muffled, like your head is underwater and the world is screaming at you but you focus.

There.

In the distance a single, f̷̟͊l̴̳͊i̶̟͗c̷͚̽k̴̮̽ë̵͓́r̴̫̉i̵͓̾ń̸̠g̸̗̔ ̷̮̌l̴̦̀i̷̘͝g̵̨̅ḩ̶̀ț̴͐ shines like hope.

You take a step forward. And then another, and another. Soon, you’re running in the direction of that light but-

You’re not getting any closer.

You continue pushing yourself until you’re out of breath, sprinting in the direction of that damn light. You don’t know where you are anymore, and you’re not sure if you could find your way back to Solomon’s manor.

Eventually, your own human body forces you to stop, your chest tight from lack of breath and your legs freezing stiff from the cold. You hate the fact that you’re human, that you’re mortal.

The moment you stop, you collapse. It wouldn’t be bad if you took a moment. What if you just rest -

A cow moos loudly somewhere to your right. It sounds sad.

Your eyes snap open. You didn’t even realize they were closed.

Slowly, painfully, you pick yourself up from the frozen ground. It takes some effort to peer through the mist, but the cow continues its mournful groans, and that helps you more than anything else to find your way through the darkness.

Your foot catches on something warm, living, breathing, and you go tumbling. Your hands shoot out to catch yourself before you crush the small calf suddenly in your way. Your head snaps up, and you meet the four eyes of the two-headed creature, your nose inches away from its left snout.

You blink. There’s something wrong here.

Constellations are reflected in the wide black eyes, glittering in the distance despite the impenetrable mist. They’re so beautiful and so far away and you knǒ̴̼ẃ̵͓ ̷̹̅y̴͍̍ŏ̶̰ṵ̷̽’̶͖̿l̶̺͝ĺ̵̯ ̵̦̚n̴͉̚ė̴͓v̴̼̋ȇ̴̬r̵̢͌ ̷͕͠r̴̪̉ḙ̷̾a̵̩̾c̶͚̐h̵̨͗-

Oh.

You take a deep, calming breath.

“Belphegor?” you call. You feel like you haven’t spoken in years.

There’s a freezing breeze pushing through the mist, but now you inexplicably feel warm. The calf has disappeared, and you’re not sure if it was ever real.

“Belphie?” You try again, “It’s ok. I’m here, nothing bad has happened.”

More and more of the world comes back to you. The sounds of crickets. The crunching of grass beneath the hooves of the nearby grazing cows. The distant calls of six demons looking for their brother.

“It was just a dream.”

These are the magic words. The freezing mists around you release their unending hold on the world around you, crawling slowly inward. Your arms feel heavier and heavier, until you realize you’re holding on to a body - its shape flickering and hazy around the edges.

“It’s ok, I’m here, I’m alive, I love you,” you press affirmations into his hair between his horns, and slowly his hands come up to grasp at your own.

Belphegor curls into you, trying to make himself small enough to be protected by your grasp. It’s such a stark difference to the vast, sprawling, helplessness of the Avatar of Sloth’s true form and you can’t help but appreciate how despite everything he’s yours.

A few minutes pass like this, and slowly you become aware of some low murmuring.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry-”

“Shh,” you soothe, “It’s ok. I’m here, I’m alright, I have you, I’m not afraid of you.”

You reach out to wipe under his eyes but Belphie flinches away and your heart breaks when you realize why.

“Oh, Belphegor,” you sigh. “I’m not going to hurt you. Don’t be afraid of little ol’ me.”

He blinks slowly at you, trying to see the lie in your words. When he finds none, he relaxes further into your hold. This time, when you reach out to wipe his eyes, he lets you.

You hug him close, even as his form slips between being there and not, whispering assurances and loving words until the sun comes up.

Back to Masterlist | True form headcanons

#obey me fic #obey me #omswd #obey me x reader #om from afar #'hes a friend from work!!' #obey me satan #obey me lucifer #obey me mammon #obey me leviathan #obey me asmodeus #obey me beelzebub #obey me belphegor #so. december huh. #I just had many ideas... so many.... #levi's part was my absolute favorite bc it was inspired by that one thor ragnarok scene. you know the one. #is the fucked up sword skull unicorn inspired by DA:I's bog unicorns? Absolutely!!! #the people who read all of my tags heres a treat for you: next fic is about the brothers showing off their warrior instincts #also more 'from afar' style fics with more 'eldritch influence' hcs #also another fun fact the first thin mammon says is actually just a bunch of yellow hearts #and zalgo/demon speech interprets it like that. i thought it was fitting #really testing the limits on tumblrs tags AND text limits

[narcolini]

when the crows come home, 4

part one / part two / part three & ao3 link

angel reyes x gn!reader, part 4 of ?, 4588 words

a/n: screams. finally get to bring in some angel pov and some spanish AND some OCs. im chomping the bit - also theres translations at the end (thankyou @yourlocalspacewitxch​ love u)!

taglist: @drabbles-mc @cositapreciosa @ashlingiswriting

Angel didn’t mean to fall asleep here. He really didn’t mean to fall asleep here. 

He was talking, no, you were talking, he was listening, for most of the night. Until you weren’t. Until you were asleep. Well, who knows which person went first, it doesn’t matter, really. He doesn’t remember. All that matters, is that he fell asleep in your bed, still dressed, and that was never the plan. He was gonna leave, back out the window and onto his bike before it got too early to be pointless. So much for that. Instead, he fell asleep like he was already home, with your TV flickering over him instead of his own. 

It’s still on now. He’s still in his kutte too, and he fucking hates sleeping in his kutte. Shit feels like sleeping on a saddle, rigid and hot, so hot, once he starts sweating under it. 

God, he hopes you haven’t noticed the sweating. First time you’ve shared a bed and he’s damp under his shirt, behind his neck, across his fucking brow.

He stares at the ceiling above your room. You haven’t moved yet, besides the lift of your shoulders and the push of your breath over him. You don’t know that he’s awake and thinking himself into something like a nightmare.

Didn’t mean to cross that boundary, right, Angel? To fall asleep with you against him, face on his chest, patches probably leaving imprints on your cheek. Santo Padre pushed into the skin in that same blocky font. Way too fucking soon for that, yeah? Why not seal the deal and go have breakfast with the parents, too? 

So much for taking it as it comes, for letting you figure your own shit out, before stuffing himself into the middle of it all. If he’d known this would happen, he’d have rode off last night when you didn’t answer on the first dial tone. 

Fuck. He didn’t mean to leave his bike out in the open all night, either. 

He’s out of the bed faster than he should be, considering you’re sleeping still, but the bike’s there when he looks through the window and the relief of that quickly overshadows any guilt he has about waking you. Thank God, you live in a neighbourhood full of pensioners. No-ones even looked twice at his bike. The helmet’s still swinging from the handlebars. 

‘Angel?’ 

You’re disorientated, obviously. He’s just thrown you onto the mattress like you’re an extension of the sheets. 

‘Hey.’ He wipes his palms against his jeans and turns back to the bed. ‘I just.’ He stops. It must look like he’s trying to escape through the window, caught in the act before he can even touch the frame. ‘You good?’ he asks, hoping he looks relaxed, or as normal as someone can be in this situation. 

You nod and make a noise that’s almost readable as a yes.

That job shit really got to you. This is the longest you’ve gone without telling him something about himself, or cracking a joke that makes him so annoyed, but so glad you’re back. He misses it like you’ve gone mute.  

‘Sorry,’ he explains, though you aren’t awake enough to care, ‘I thought someone might’ve stolen my bike. Forgot your neighbours are, like, five hundred years old.’

You’re propped on your elbows, squinting at him like the sunlight’s blinding you. Your hair’s flattened on one side, your lips are dry from breathing through your mouth—yeah, that’s something he’ll use later—and honestly, you look like you haven’t been awake, or human, in a year at least. But he wants to get back in, he realises. He wants to apologise again, lie down, and put your goofy sleep-struck face back onto his chest like he’d never moved at all.

And that is a very fucking loco thing to be thinking on a Thursday morning. Looking at you, biche.

He puts his hands in his pockets and keeps his feet firmly in the same spot on the carpet. ‘Guess we fell asleep,’ he says, because that’s better than suggesting he stays and wastes the day with you.

‘Fuck,’ you mutter, before rubbing your eyes with your fingers. ‘What time is it?’

His phone’s on your bed still, under your stomach—he can see the edge of it beneath your t-shirt. When he points it out, silently, you oblige, taking it and clicking it once to read the time. 

For a second, his gut tightens, because he know’s you’re seeing it again, the photo Potter sent him. But you know about that now, to an extent. He forces a breath until his lungs deflate. The kid’s not a secret anymore. You don’t even react when you see him shining back at you. 

Annoyingly, it doesn’t feel like a relief yet. There’s still things he hasn’t told you, things that could make you react worse than ‘I have a baby’ did—though, that, you took better than he ever imagined. Freakishly well, really. It’d be weird as fuck if he wasn’t so used to you and your calculated responses. A lot has changed since you went away, but you weren’t a liar then, and you aren’t now. As far as he knows, anyway.  

‘Well, house is empty,’ you say afterwards, words still nudging into each other with sleep. ‘You're good to use the door.’ 

Like that’s what he’s worrying about. He hadn’t even got to thinking about your parents yet.

‘Alright.’ He nods, taking the phone when you hold it out for him.

Should he leave? Is that what that was? Just a polite way of saying, get out please, we made it fucking awkward, right? 

He half expects you to say it out loud, but you don’t. 

Instead, you fold back into the bed, arms collapsing under you, head pushing into the pillow he’d been using. There’s no reason for you to get up, he guesses, but that doesn’t stop him from feeling conflicted about it. He almost wants to drag you up and make you come with him, but Bish would have something to say about that. Fuck, all of them would have something to say about that. Even EZ would find some smart-ass comment to make.

‘You gonna be okay today?’ he asks, watching your face, your eyes closed already.

You murmur a yeah. Lying, clearly. 

He’s never seen someone actually look depressed while they’re falling asleep before, but you’re managing it. He can see you waiting for the bed to swallow you whole. Something about the way your shoulders are sitting, all tucked into yourself. 

He cant help himself; he has to say, ‘Text me when you’re up, alright?’ like he’s got you under 24-hour supervision. Like he has some right to know. 

Your answer is another hum, followed by, ‘Go do your job, Angel. M’not a kid.’

You aren’t. You’ve dealt with worse, without him, plenty of times before. He’s gotta remember that. He shouldn’t need prompting. 

‘Sure, biche,’ he replies, but you’re already asleep, lips parted slightly.

__________

Letting himself out is easier than he expects it to be. Though, really, why would it be hard? House looks the same as it did when he was there to eat pizza and watch WrestleMania on the box TV in your living room. God, that was a lifetime ago now. You taped it for him, when you remembered, and he’d come round to watch it, sitting inches from the screen. Highlight of his week, every week.

That’s one thing that has changed actually, it’s a flat-screen now. Your parents have welcomed more of the 21st century into their home than Pops ever has. He’d still use the black and white set if he could. He didn’t change it ’til him and EZ pitched in for a new one. 

The front door locks as he shuts it behind him, which he’s glad of. Least you won’t get robbed while you sleep the day away. Then, he’s back into reality, down the steps from your porch and over to his bike like nothing has happened. No sleepover, no boundaries crossed. Just back to the grind, same as every day. Feels good. Feels right. He takes a breath big enough to fill his lungs before swinging his leg over.

It’s border work this time, fucking baby seats, of all things. Like he wants to spend his day carting those about, knowing he’ll never need to buy one himself. 

He sighs, back curving as he slouches into the seat. 

Gotta stop thinking like that, man. Won’t make him come home any quicker. 

‘Yo.’ He’s called EZ before even touching his helmet, or the keys in the pocket of his jeans. His brother’s groan cracks into his ear in place of a hello. ‘I wake you up?’ Angel asks, fighting the urge to hang up again. The one time he’s up before noon and every other person he talks to is dead-set on being sleeping beauty.

‘Yeah, actually.’ EZ groans again, then clears his throat until he sounds lively. ‘Thought we weren’t meeting til twelve?’

‘Sooner we start, sooner we get it over with.’ He was already thinking about the beer waiting for him afterwards. Ice cold, condensation up its neck. ‘You gonna be ready when I pull up?’

‘Fuck, no.’ EZ laughs. ‘I gotta shower and eat something first, bro. Gonna be a long fucking day.’

Wrong answer, but it’s too early to argue with him. ‘Alright,’ Angel sighs, ‘I’ll stop by Pops before I come to you.’ He pulls the keys from his pocket and turns the ignition, hoping EZ can hear it through the phone. Hurry up, it says, don’t keep me waiting, hermano. ‘Someone should probably check on him, anyway. Make sure he’s eating and shit.’ 

‘You nearby?’ 

Angel snorts; imagines himself saying, Yeah, I’m near by. Wanna hear a crazy story, bro? Guess where I slept last night.

But that’s another thing it’s way too early for, so instead he says, ‘You’re supposed to be showering, fool.’ Then he pins the phone to his shoulder and reaches for his helmet. ‘You got an hour, no más. Entiendes, carnal?’

‘Alright, relax,’ EZ complains. ‘Man, I like it way better when you’re the one oversleeping.’ 

Yeah, me the fuck too.

                                                          *

Heroin-stuffed baby seats. Ironic even to Angel and he barely knows what the word fucking means. Made to save kids in a car crash and they’re filling them with dope, sending them right past border control with someone playing sweet little Mommy behind the wheel. 

So dumb, but it always works. World’s funny like that. 

‘That all we’re moving?’ he asks, shining the torch over EZ. 

They’re by the tunnel’s exit still, EZ stuffing the load into the cushioning of the car seats they’d brought. Thank fuck, they got to avoid the dirty job this time, left that part to Gilly and Coco instead. He hates going through the tunnel. Shit always sticks to his hair: cobwebs, dirt. He’s the only one tall enough to brush the fucking top of it. 

‘That’s all there is,’ Gilly answers from behind.

Well, fuck.

‘Shit’s not gonna last long out there,’ he says, though it’s obvious, but someone’s gotta say it.

EZ looks up at them. ‘Neither are we if it stays like this,’ he says.

And that’s even more fucking obvious. 

‘Will you hurry up?’ Coco whines, clinging from the ladder still. He’s poking out the hole in the ground like a prairie dog. A prairie dog in his abuelita’s wig. ‘I’m fucking itchy man, this shit is clinging to me like fucking asbestos or some shit.’

EZ ducks his head again, shoving the final package into the seat.

‘It’d be quicker if you helped, asshole,’ Angel says, earning him a, fuck off, go do your part, in return.

Yeah, don’t have to tell him twice. He can’t wait to get out of this shit-hole and back into the open air.

‘Have you noticed Coco’s got cranky lately?’ EZ asks, once it’s just them again, a car seat in each set of arms. 

‘That’s what he’s always like,’ Angel answers, eyes rolling. ‘I used to live with him, remember?’

Used to make breakfast around him like he was cohabiting with a viper. So bite-y until he’d had his breakfast, or a smoke.

‘Probably forgot his morning coffee or some shit,’ he adds, though he can tell by EZ’s expression that he already doesn’t agree with him. He’s got that line between his brows like Angel’s said something stupid again. His favourite fucking expression lately. 

Angel looks away before it can piss him off. 

‘Pops didn’t get out of bed,’ he says after a minute. ‘House is a fucking mess, too. Dirty dishes everywhere.’

When he went, Pop didn’t even return his hello. Didn’t even lift his head to look at him, standing in the doorway. Somehow, it felt worse than arguing does. He’d rather that, Pops telling him how much of a constant disappointment he is, than whatever this is. Silence stings in a way he can’t shake off.

EZ sighs beside him, switching the seat to rest on his opposite arm. ‘What’re we gonna do, man?’

Angel shrugs. ‘Fucking no idea. I’m not good at fixing people, bro. That’s your job.’

‘Since when?’

‘Um,’ he shoots EZ a look, ‘since forever?’ 

Since Angel went to Chino, before he’d even turned twenty-one, since he ruined his relationship with Pop and fucked up every good thing he had going for him. Since he scared you away, right out of Santo Padre. 

‘You’re good with people, Ezekiel. Pops will listen to you eventually.’

‘Fucking hope so.’ He tuts. ‘I hate seeing him like this.’

You get used to it, Angel wants to say. That’s how it was every fucking day when EZ was in Stockton. But he knows what the answer will be. You went away too, you know. We had to deal with the same shit, Angel. Mum as well. 

So, he says nothing, and he sets his eyes on the car of the poor woman who’s gonna take this shit through the border. 

                                                         *

Finally, finally, he gets his God damn beer. He feels like kissing it, but he takes a sip instead. Fucking beautiful. He lets the rest of them fall into conversation, along the bar to the right of him—he took the end seat for a reason—and enjoys the quiet he’s pretending he has. Lets himself think, properly, for the first time today. 

Until he’s interrupted, that is.  

‘You depressed, homeboy?’ Coco laughs, looking down the line, past Gilly and EZ, to target him. ‘Looks like you’re gonna cry or some shit.’

‘I’m thinking. Jesus.’ Can’t have a minute to himself without a fucking interrogation. He rubs a palm over his face, then sets it on his beer again afterwards, rings clinking against the glass. ‘Was thinking if I knew of any jobs going,’ he explains, reluctantly. ‘Got a friend that needs some work.’

Gilly shrugs. ‘Always need more mules going over the border.’

‘Fuck no. Not that shit.’ The idea of it almost pisses him off. No, it does piss him off. The thought of you sitting there, drug-filled baby seats behind you. He’d rather be the one taking that risk. Him and his ‘arrest me’ looking self. So, no, not that. He takes a swig of his beer to wash the sour from his mouth. ‘Something above board,’ he says, ‘legal. Something normal people do.’

EZ laughs. ‘Do we know any normal people?’

‘Ha-ha.’ God, he’s hard to talk to sometimes. So quick, it’s annoying. ‘It’s for…’ He stops himself. Things shared at midnight, in the quiet of bedrooms, don’t usually come with a free pass to tell other people. ‘Don’t worry about it,’ he finishes, head shaking. ‘I’ll think of something.’

Then, right on cue, you message him. He knows, because his phone vibrates against his chest, jumping alive from the inside pocket of his kutte, and no-one else texts him lately. Besides EZ, and that fool’s sitting shoulder to shoulder with him.

Thanks for last night, the text reads, and, yes, I just woke up.

He smiles. Then sniffs and rubs a hand over his mouth to wipe it away again. No problem, he types back. You feel better?

He does, anyway, miles better, in fact. About the baby, about the two of you. About being useful to someone who isn’t paying him to be. 

So much, you reply. Ready to take on the world.

Shit, watch out Santo Padre. He hopes you laugh at that, lame as it is. Hopes you snort in that way you do. The typing bubble pops up again as he takes another drink. 

You staying out of trouble? you ask. 

The answer comes easily. Hell yeah, good as gold, biche.

He didn’t mean for it to be a lie, Gilly and Coco just have really, really bad timing. The moment he hits send, and looks up from your conversation, is the exact same moment that Gilly punches Coco, sending him right into the back of a uniformed soldier. Right into a group of them, even, flattening Coco and the one nearest onto the pool table behind.

Who knows what they were arguing about, who knows who was in the right, or how it went from beer-side talk, to a physical fucking fight—between men who are supposed to be brothers, he might add. Angel doesn’t know, or care, that’s for sure. What he does know, however, is that when a soldier throws a punch at one of his own, yeah, that’s when it becomes everybody’s problem.

EZ turns to him, as he reaches the same conclusion Angel has. ‘Shall we?’ he asks.

Angel swallows the last of his beer. ‘I think we fucking shall.’

And, fuck it, he’ll bring the bar stool too. 

                                                         *

He was getting his ass beat. Not this time, not now, but then, fucking years ago, in Chino. In the fuck-up that took his stay from twelve months to eighteen. It was a fight that lasted all of three fucking minutes and it got his sentence extended, without debate. Could have been worse, of course. Could’ve ended up dead in the yard for running his mouth, again. He hadn’t worked out how to survive in there yet, didn’t know when to joke and when to keep his mouth shut. How to make friends and who to avoid all together. Couldn’t get it right, at all, until Gabe had taught him how. 

That was the first time he’d spoken to him. Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Trujillo.

He’d got to Angel before the COs did, pulled the brawl apart like he was shucking corn. Pulled Angel right from under the guy, Boney—yeah, dumb name, that’s why it started, Angel just had to tell him that—and set them away from each other like children. Got involved before it got too bad, while Angel was still able to stand.

‘Pinshe mocoso cagadero, ‘tás tratando de que te maten?’ he barked, all up in Angel’s face.

He stood in front of him, voice hard like he’d been fighting himself, not watching it happen, and waited for an answer. Like Angel could give him one, like he could even focus on the guy. There was two of him, he remembers, their heads going in and out of each other in the blur. 

‘What?’ Angel parroted. ‘What?’ 

He was bleeding from his brow, dripping red over his eyes. His own head was spinning from the hits he’d taken. He couldn’t understand English, let alone Spanish, but that’s all Gabe ever used with him.

He didn’t look at Boney either, didn’t even address him. Just stood between the two of them, his back to the other man, chiding Angel like a kid.

‘Pues, quieres morir,’ he said, ‘es eso?’

No, Angel tried to tell him, who the fuck are you? No, he doesn’t want to die. 

But before his mouth could catch up, the COs had arrived, and then Angel was against the fence, wrists pulled together behind his back, Boney slammed into place beside him. Somehow, that was the worst part. That shit hurt the most.

__________

Once he was let out of the Hole, Gabe had found him again. He sat down across from him, at the table Angel had been occupying, and put a pill in front of his food tray.

Angel stared at it. His face was still too bruised and swollen to bother with pulling any sort of expression in return. 

‘Aspirin,’ Gabe explained. ‘I get it on a doctor’s note. Migraines.’

Migraines? Angel looked from the pill, to Gabe, to the CO standing in the corner of the room.

‘Figured your head’s hurting more than mine right now.’

‘What?’ Angel asked, looking back to him. 

He still didn’t know the guy. He was shorter than Angel, but older. Forty vs twenty. Thicker too, working muscle with a noticeable belly, and a beard that touched his chest when he talked. 

‘Quieres que lo repita?’ He scoffed, and kept his voice hushed as he continued. ‘Tómalo antes de que vean, plebito.’

His head was pounding, so he took it. And he gagged, of course, because he’s always been fucking bad at taking pills. It sat on his tongue, refusing to go down, until Gabe sighed and passed him the drink from his tray. Like he couldn’t even do that himself.

‘Thanks,’ Angel managed, sounding ungrateful. He didn’t recognise what a lifeline it was, what it meant in the grand scheme of things. Now, Angel would go back in time and tell himself to pull it together. Gabe is giving you more than a fucking painkiller, fool.

‘Mira. Kid.’ He switched to English, thinking Angel didn’t know it well enough to keep up. ‘I’m tired of seeing you get your ass beat. They’re gonna extend your sentence for that one, y’know? Other guy’s lip was split, needed stitches.’

Angel scoffed, like that was his fault. Boney threw the first punch. ‘That’s not—’

Gabe put his palm up. ‘They don’t give a shit. Damage is done, everyone pays for it.’

That’s when Angel noticed the tattoos across Gabe’s knuckles: MAYANS MC. He remembers thinking it was goofy, branding himself like that. Then, here he is now, having covered more of his skin than Gabe has, with the very same name. You don’t get it, until you’re in it. 

‘I can’t sit and watch you ruin your life, okay?’ Gabe said. ‘Too many kids go that way.’

His brother, Angel found out. He told him that later. Apparently, he had Angel’s attitude and stubbornness, made the same mistakes over and over without learning from them. Angel didn’t know at the time, but Gabe had been keeping an eye on him since the beginning, hoping that eventually he’d wise up. The shit with Boney was his limit. Like seeing a ghost, he said. Hermanito. 

‘So, what?’ Angel asked, disbelieving. He’d never had a guy in his corner before then. ‘You gonna make me part of your crew or something?’

‘Pendejo…’ Gabe muttered. ‘You ever think before you speak?’

‘No, not really,’ he replied and, somehow, that chipped a smile across Gabe’s husky features. Sealed the deal for him. 

‘Gabriel,’ he said, putting a hand out for Angel to shake, ‘Gabe, if you’re not my mother.’

He took his palm. ‘Angel.’

Gabe laughed at that, really fucking laughed, and Angel smirked back like he was in on it. 

‘Angelito,’ he said, once he’d wound down again, ‘ah, qué chistoso. You stick with me, you might even start enjoying yourself, kid.’

Yeah, not quite. But, he’d kept him straight after then, and when he got out before Angel did, he sent him mail and called and—fuck, Angel really should ring him soon. It’s been too long. 

You’d like Gabe, really. He’s your sort of person, doesn’t talk until he has something to say. Doesn’t lie either, just gives you whatever he thinks is right, as long as it’ll serve a purpose. If he wasn’t in Oakland, Angel would introduce you to him before anyone else, before anyone in Santo Padre leathers at all. Hell, he’d take you to fucking dinner at his house. Gabe’s approval almost means more to him than Pop’s does. 

But that’ll never happen. You won’t even get close. 

                                                         *

Bishop is in a bad fucking mood. Obviously, news of the fight at the bar hadn’t gone down well and they’d been scolded for it, in front of the whole damn club. Never gets any easier. He never gets any leeway either, no matter how high he goes. Angel’s made it to secretary now and still, when you’ve fucked up, you’ve fucked up. Bish has no problem reminding him, or anyone, of that. 

But, he gets it. He gets it. Scrapping with military men in public does nothing for the club’s rep, but, man, shit happens sometimes. Bishop would’ve acted the same damn way if he was there.

Angel’s outside now, smoking on the clubhouse steps like the cigarette might drag all the shitty feelings out of him, pull it right up from his stomach, into his lungs, off into the fucking air with the smoke. It isn’t working yet. Maybe on the next drag.

‘Hey,’ Bish appears behind him, halfway out the door, ‘I’ve changed my mind. I want bodies tonight.’

Angel nods.

‘Be back here at midnight.’ He holds his gaze. ‘No more fucking about, Angel.’

‘Yeah, got it.’ Loud and clear. ‘Midnight,’ he agrees and then el presidente disappears again.

Fucking attitude. 

Sometimes, he misses Oakland. He even misses Marcus, of all people. The guy had the leash so tight, Angel never got in trouble in the first place, never got scolded for things, because he never stepped out of line. He didn’t know he could miss that until recently.

Marcus you wouldn’t like, he thinks, or maybe you would. He can’t tell. Maybe you’d like him for what he’d done, him and Gabe both. They’d moulded Angel into something worthwhile, after all. Someone worth coming back to.

A whining engine catches his attention, Chucky’s dumb little vespa pulling into the lot in front of him. There’s a box balanced on the back of it, tied down with a fraying bit of string. Knowing Chucky, it’s something edible, in way too big of a quantity, that absolutely nobody has asked for. Donuts, or some shit. He’s always playing housewife when he has actual yard work to be doing. 

Ah, now, that’s an idea.

‘Hey, Chuck?’ He finishes his cigarette, snuffing it beneath his boot before taking the steps onto the gravel. ‘You got a minute?’

Chucky beams, nodding quickly as he kicks the stand down. The unclipped straps of his helmet bounce by his chin. ‘For you, Angel? Always, brother.’

He smiles back and tries to make it look genuine. Chucky has a real talented way of making things sound fucking weird.

‘You ever feel like you need an extra pair of hands around here?’ He winces as soon as he asks it, Chuck’s wooden fingers already up and wiggling between them. ‘Sorry, you know,’ he sighs, ‘you get what I’m saying.’

‘Sure,’ Chucky agrees, nodding again. 

It’s a twitch, it must be. His nerves are rattling out through his skull. 

Angel carries on despite it. ‘We got room to take on someone else?’

‘I think so,’ Chucky replies. ‘Who d’you have in mind?’

------

part five >>>>

‘Pinshe mocoso cagadero, ‘tás tratando de que te maten?’ = Fucking little shithead/kid/brat, are you trying to get yourself killed?

'Pues, quieres morir, es eso?’ = Well, you want to die, is that it?

‘Quieres que lo repita? Tómalo antes de que vean, plebito.’ = You want me to repeat it? Take it before they see, dumbo.

qué chistoso = how amusing/silly

#angel reyes x you #angel reyes x reader #angel reyes #mayans mc #mayans mc fanfic #HOOOOO BOY! #gabe i will die for you i hope the people will agree