#and then i noticed he had started crossing his arms and looking unnatural and yes i know this is probably a stretch leave me be

[wtnytv]

okay so i talked to my crush :)

#alright so we had the exam #and when i came there i had a friend and some people standing outside so i joined them #and i think he was waiting inside cause i didn't see him right away #but then after a minute or so he came to join our group #so yeah we chatted a while with the other people #and idk i was a little nervous but there were some like idk stolen glances at each other yk during the talk #and you know when people are like you mimick the body language of the people you like or whatever #so i had my arms crossed cause i was obviously a bit nervous over the exam and then having him there #and then i noticed he had started crossing his arms and looking unnatural and yes i know this is probably a stretch leave me be #but okay stretch aside we went inside and the girls of our group had to go to the toilet so i went with them #and then when we were back inside i went to chat with some other friends and he was still standing there with some of his friends #but he was turned with his back to me but still kept looking at me over his shoulder all. the. time. #and so then we went inside to do the exam and the professor was going over the exam and i can't remember what he said #but the professor made a joke or something #and both of us kind of chuckled and we were the only people that i heard do that #so basically we have the same bad humour it has been confirmed ✌🏻 #so basically i am winning at life today #i will now ignore the fact that i will only see him one more time till february though 🥲 #also he was nervously pacing and stuff while we were talking he is too cute helppppppp #alright so thanks for reading my rant babes xx #tihygtg anon #manon's monologue

[meet-you-at-the-north-star]

Save the Last Dance For Me

Summary: you and Dick have been dating in secret, until at a party he’s forced by circumstances (coff George Luz coff) to set things straight

Notes: fluff, jealousy

Word count: 1068

“I don't believe you actually have a boyfriend. You were saying that just to throw me off” The brown-eyed soldier insisted in a mocking way.

I smiled to myself and glanced furtively behind me, more or less where I knew the man I was secretely dating must have been.

“Oh you better believe it, George” I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall, looking at him quite amused.

“Then who is it? Why is it such a secret?” He asked rolling his eyes.

“I'm really not sure you want to know” I smirked, and that was certainly no lie.

“Alright, alright” he raised his arms in surrender. “Tell you what, let's make a deal: I stop asking about this mysterious guy if you agree to dance with me.” The tone was hopeful: “Just one song” He specified, noticing my raised eyebrow.

I didn't see anything wrong with giving him one dance, so I agreed: “Okay, but I don't want to hear another word about it.” I warned him.

He flashed a toothy smile and offered me his hand, in such a funny and theatrical way that it made me burst out laughing. "You're an idiot"

“I know” He winked.

We began to move to the center of the wide room, where other couples were already dancing. He wasn't exactly a talented dancer and kept tripping over my feet, making us both laugh.

About a minute and a half into the song, we managed to find a slightly more synchronized rhythm. I looked up at his face and little by little his usual playful smile had disappeared, his eyes instead fixed on me with an unusually serious and intense look that left little room for misunderstandings.

Uh oh, I thought. This wasn’t good news. I had been too naive to think that accepting to dance with him wouldn’t send involuntary mixed signals.

“George…” I said, instinctively moving away to leave more space between our bodies.

The song we were dancing to came to an end just then. “One more song?” He half pleaded, his expression so hopeful that it broke my heart a little. I didn’t want to be the one to do this to him.

I looked at him gently. “I'm sorry, I can't” I started to take a step back, but he didn't let go of my left hand, still intertwined with his, almost as if he was struggling and fighting the urge to draw me back to him.

“George” I repeated, voice calm but with a hint of warning.

Before I could do or say anything else, I felt a slight shift of air and then a hand coming to rest lightly on my side. I didn't need to look to know who it belonged to.

George’s eyes widened and he immediately let go of my hand. “Major Winters!” He almost stood at attention. “I-I didn't see you there”

I finally allowed myself to shift my attention to Dick. His gaze was firmly fixated on George and he was barely blinking. I saw no trace of anger or irritation in it (though I knew he was quite good at disguising those), but a clear determination that spoke much louder than words.

“No need for formalities, private, this is a party. I trust that you're having fun?” His tone was calm and polite as usual, but for once almost unnaturally so. As a consequence, it came across as slightly menacing.

George must have sensed the trap, because he soon started babbling: “Yes, sir! I mean…a normal, regular amount of fun. Nothing special going on here. Just one dance” He really stressed the word one.

“I'm glad to hear that” Dick smiled, at last turning his attention towards me. “Because I was really looking forward to this next one. Can I have the honor, miss?”

My heart skipped a beat at that. Jealousy was a new but certainly rather good look on him.

“Of course you can, major” I decided to play along even though it was pretty clear, what he was doing.

When I looked to the side, George had already vanished into thin air. I gave a small chuckle. “You didn't need to terrorize him like that”

“I did no such thing” he said with a smirk, quickly intertwining our fingers, while his other hand was still firmly resting on my right side. The band began playing a slower tempo, romantic song and I gladly let him lead me into the music. He was a pretty good dancer. Then again, I was yet to find anything he couldn’t do well.

Both of my eyebrows shot up. “Are you sure? What happened to keeping secrecy above all?” I teased him.

“Well, it felt like the situation required that I come clean.” He whispered very close to my ear. “Besides, you didn't seem to mind all that much”

I felt a warm rush of adrenaline going through my body, and hoped I wasn't blushing outwardly as I was on the inside.

I recognized it as the effect only he had on me. Being in his arms felt so natural and right, it left no space for doubt in regards to my feelings for this man, and his for me. And I really didn't mind one bit.

“Who are you and what have you done to Dick Winters” I shook my head in disbelief, laughing.

“Does that mean that I should stop?” He inquired.

Without interrupting our slow swaying back and forth to the rhytmn, I placed both of my hands around his neck, bringing him closer, allowing myself to stare straight into his eyes. “Don't you dare”

I saw a brief flash of hesitation passing through those blue eyes, like an implicit request for permission, and I nodded, smiling.

“I've been waiting to do this all night” He gently cupped my face in his hands and kissed me, slowly but ardently, in front of everyone.

I could hear a few gasps and cheers in the background over the sound of the music playing, but when we turned around everybody had gone back to the party acting as if nothing happened.

“You know, major, your men will definitely talk after this” I jokingly protested.

I could feel his smile on my lips as he kissed me again: “Let them”

#alright we’re doing this. #hopefully good soul will read it and let me know what they think 💕 #dick winters x reader #dick winters #george luz #band of brothers x reader #band of brothers #band of brothers fanfic #my fics

[minleeeknow]

track three - 'greedy' ft. lee know

‘pairing’ - 이민호 (lee minho) x fem!makeup artist

‘genre’ - fluff, angst, frenemies to lovers??

‘tw’ - angst, 14+, fluff, jealous lee know (kinda)

‘word count’ - 0.7 k

‘to get tagged’ - pls reply to the taglist post, this post or just ask me

‘lee’s notes’ - lowercase intended, not proofread, yn is korean (its easier for me to write)

pls note, reblog, anything <3

~

‘previous track’ > ‘next track’

‘masterlist’

~

your jaw drops as minho pulls into the parking lot. “that’s not–” he shrugs nonchalantly. “hyunjin booked it,” lee know explains as he opens the car door. you snort, shaking your head. 

as you walk into the restaurant, you feel overwhelmingly underdressed in your ripped black jeans and stylish loose sweatshirt. you cross your arms over your chest, unconsciously trying to cover yourself up. minho notices and unravels your arms to take your hand. 

“yn! minho! you made it,” hyunjin says, smiling. seungmin covers his smile with his hand. 

“we were wondering if you would come at all,” he mocks them. you roll your eyes and sit in the empty chair next to him. you don’t notice lee know tense and immediately sit next to you as well. 

“you look nice,” felix observes and flashes his freckled smile at you. “doesn’t yn always look nice?” chan adds. 

“yes,” all of stray kids says at the same time. 

“shut uppppp–” you complain, burying your face into your hands in embarrassment.

“you know it’s true,” lee know smirks at you. you glare at him. “But don’t rub it in my face!” you say mock-rudely. everyone laughs.

“we aren’t allowed to compliment you?” han asks curiously.

“no!”

“you’re weird,” seungmin notes. “you’re weirder,” you argue. 

“you’re double weirder.”

“well, you’re triple weirder.”

“omg just shut it!” minho explodes next to you. everyone turns to face him, and his face is red. you meet his eyes, concerned, confused, and a little annoyed.

a multitude of emotions flicker on his face: anger, confusion, hurt, maybe some jealousy? you can’t tell. instead of saying something, you put your hand on minho’s arm. 

“sorry,” lee know mutters under his breath as he looks away sharply. you move your hand down to his pulse, resting your finger on his wrist. he shifts slightly but doesn’t move from your touch. you can barely feel his heartbeat now.

“anyway, what happened with jun?” jeongin asks. you look up distractedly.

“oh, i felt like we were growing apart anyway,” you say. minho’s heart is racing, his hands are warm and sweaty–

“but, um, i guess i didn’t know today would be the day,” you trail off as you quickly take back your hand and play with the hem of your sweatshirt. “i really don’t know,” you admit finally, shrugging.

“fair,” changbin says. an awkward silence falls over the table. 

you walked to the car with minho but at a distance. an unnatural tension had separated you two during dinner and it was worse now. Lee know cleared his throat.

“are you ready to go back or–?” he says. you blink a few times.

“do you want to go for a walk?” you offer, looking at the shops lining the street in front of you. he nods. “okay.”

you start walking when your hood comes up on your head. you start looking back and minho laughs, the first sign of happy emotion from him since dinner had started. he runs a hand through his hair, the darkness of the evening covering his red flush.

you smile and look down at the ground shyly. you continue walking a don’t realize that you’re holding hands. 

lee know leans down slightly, his breath tickling your ear. “i like you, yn,” he whispers, and then straightens up. your eyebrows shoot up, even though you aren’t surprised.

“i like you too.”

soyeon yawns. “oh, you’re finally back,” she says sleepily, half-watching kdramas, half-talking to you. “how was it?” soyeon notices the bright pink tinge across your cheeks and immediately sits up, all tiredness forgotten, her pillow thrown aside.

“what happened? did you kiss? are you dati–” you throw the nearest pillow at your roommate’s face.

“stop!” you laugh. “i don’t know. we did not kiss, nothing happened.” you pause. “no that was a lie. i think we’re dating?” soyeon punches the air.

“finally you got yourself someone actually worth it,” she says. you roll your eyes. “none of them are kind of worth it though.”

“except hiiiiiim!” soyeon sings out and you walk out exasperated to your room.

“i don’t want to hear it,” you say firmly as you close your door.

“boyfriend material!” soyeon shouts as you are closing it. she flashes you an innocent smile and you let out an exasperated sigh. your fingers touch your cheek where lee know had left a soft, good-bye kiss and a see-you-tomorrow.

the day hadn’t ended up that terribly.

~

‘perm taglist’

@goldenjupiterz @adestayskz @piercidh34rts @imsiriuslyreal networks ! -

#greedy #leeknow #leeknowfluff #lee know angst #angst #kpop x reader #lee minho #lee minho x reader #stray kids #seungmin #hyunjin #felix #stray kids fic #lee know fanfic #leeknow x reader #omg #soyeon #gidle #skz lee know #skz #lee know imagines #minleeeknow #greedy fic #fluff #help

[2braincellslz]

request for billy x (trans?)male reader do whatever you want with it >:3

Tell Me, Sweetheart.

Gif by avenging-fandoms

Desc: you, your friend, and Billy hang out for the day after ditching school. After a bit, Billy gets you alone he tells you how he really feels in a unnaturally soft moment.

Ship: Billy Hargrove x Male Reader fluff

Warnings: a very small reference to looking feminine, gets kinda steamy at the end, not reviewed, tread lightly bc I cant remember everything.

Notes: V exited for this. I'm also quiet proud. I might write a second part later if yall want. Probably one of my longest fics. Also, I tried to make it fit in to both Trans readers and Cis so-

Y/n tapped his pencil against the desk. If he had to listen to one more person drone on about their 'historical hero', he was going to lose his mind.

He glanced around the class and noticed that a few faces were missing. Richard who he knew was sick. Linsey who had 'gone to the bathroom' with her boyfriend, Mitch. Keith who was most likely skipping and stoned. And ofcourse, Billy.

Y/n was sure Billy only showed up once maybe twice to class.

Y/N knew Billy. Well, 'knew' wasnt the correct world. He had spoken to Billy maybe once or twice. He complimented Y/ns car once. Y/n had made a joke to his basketball friends and Billy laughed, patting Y/N on the shoulder. Y/N was very proud of that. He would never admit. Hell, if he did admit it, who knew what would happen. Probably, the worst possible outcome. So, the only option was to be his friend. But you couldn't right now while you were listening to fucking Timmy Little rant about Alexander Hamilton.

"Can I use the bathroom, Ms?" Y/n asked, standing up.

"Raise you hand, Mr. L/n. But yes. Make it quick." She waved you off.

You nodded, glancing to your friend with a smile. He smiled back with a wink.

Once out of that classroom, you huffed, crossing your arms. You paced a little bit, glancing around a bit to make sure there was no teachers walking by.

"Hey, man." You friend shut the door behind him.

"Hey, dork. Wanna hit up the mall or a convent store?" Y/n asked, walking with your head down as he pulled out a pack of new cigs.

"Mall. Definitely the mall." You handed your friend a cig before pulling out your own.

"Mall it I- oof" y/n had walked in to something. Something? No, someone.

He quickly backed up, looking up. "Eh, sorry uh..." it was Billy. Why did it have to be Billy?

"Sorry Billy." Y/n said, staring at him.

"Hey, dont worry about it." He smiled, taking one of your cigarettes. "Light?"

"Oh yeah." Y/n pulled out his lighter, holding it up for Billy.

"Thanks." And then he left.

Y/ns friend watched as Billy walked away and then glanced over at you.

"Really? Billy?" Y/ns friend (who's name was Justin) knew about your interests. Knew you were fruity.

"Shut up!" Y/n laughed, shoving Justin away. "What's wrong with Billy?"

"What's wrong with Billy? What isnt? You have no chance and even if you did shoot your shot, he would... well."

"Yeah, But hes pretty." You smiled and you both burst out laughing.

--------------------------------------------

Justin and Y/n sat in YNs car. Y/n groaned as he tired the key again only to be met with the sound of the car struggling to start.

Y/n shiged, sitting back in his chair. "Great. My car is dead."

"We could walk?" Justin suggested, also sitting back.

"We would have to walk all the way back here and we would still have a dead car."

"So we are shit out of luck?"

"Yep..."

Y/n let his head fall back with a loud shigh. Might aswell just go back in and stay in class.

Suddenly, there was a tap on YNs side of the car, causing him to sit up, startled.

Yn looked over, expecting a very angry teacher, but it was only Billy. Yn let out a long shigh and fell back in yn his seat.

Billy let out a chuckle. "You need help?" He smiled.

"Yes. God, yes. Thank you."

He steped back and YN steped out. Yn glanced over at Justin. He raised his eye brows and smiled, giggling.

You rolled your eyes and closed the door.

"Sorry. I didnt know the batter was so low. I let a friend borrow it the other day and... well now it's dead... "

"Dont worry about it, sweetheart."

Yn nodded. Then pause. Sweetheart? What was that about? Did he mean it? Was it a joke? Was he waiting for a reaction? Did he think Yn was... no. Definitely not. YN looked back over at Justin who just shrugged. Guess he didnt hear.

YN looked back back over at Billy, setting up the jumper cables. Jesus, who knew such a simple task could look so... Hot.

Billy steped back from the cars and then go in to his own. He started up the car and then your cat was shocked to life.

Billy got out of his car. "There you go, babe. Where are you heading."

Yn watched as Billy lick the back of his teeth. He had such strong eye contact, it was making YN nervous.

"Oh um, we are going to the mall. Probably going to buy something nice or whatever."

"The mall, huh? Mind if I tag along." Billy shut the door and walked around to your car, resting his arms on top of the car.

"Um. Yeah, definitely!" Yn smiled. Yn could felt Justin's eyes boring in to his head but Justin can trip on a knife.

Billy climbed in to the back seat and you got back in to the drivers. You rushed out of the school parking lot, desperately praying to whatever god there was that no teachers saw.

"Mind if I play something?" Billy asked, leaning over the center console to pull out the tape yn had in and push in his own. Rock filled the car. Justin was quick to sing along followed by Billy and YN.

-------------------------------------

After a quick drive to the mall, the three of them got out and started toward the mall. YN walked between the two, joking with Justin as Billy took out a cigarette. Before he knew it, Billy's arm was being wrapped around YN's shoulder. Yn didnt say anything, though he felt like he was going to faint, but he did silently tell Justin to 'Fuck off!' When he started giving YN the 'ooooo' eyes.

Billy walked around the mall etheir touching YN, holding YNs arm to show YN something, with his arm wrapped around YNs shoulder, or very close to YN. Maybe he left YNs side once or twice but it was very rare.

YN was dying little by little. A guy the YN had a crush on for some time was finally showing him affection. It didn't help that Justin had taken it apon himself to make it worse for his so called 'best friend'.

The group found themselves in the food court eating the food the Billy payed for. Billy was right next to YN, their shoulders were practically touching. YN payed no mind as he tried to finish his burger.

Billy had finished a bit ago, not getting much else other then a thing of fries. YN watched as Billy glanced around the food court, winking at a group of girls that were also most definitely skipping. YN went back to his food, completely focused of the damn good burger he was practically making out with. That was until he felt a pressure on his thigh. He looked down to see Billy's strong hand resting there, gently rubbing his thumb across YNs jeans.

YNs face was definitely tomato red. He glanced over from Billy to Justin. Justin gave a knowing smiled before going back to his nuggets.

Billy wasnt even looking at YN . He was talking to a blond at the next table over. He gave YNs thigh a quick squeeze, almost telling him the Billy really was here just for YN.

Yn swallowed hard and went back to his burger.

-------------------------------------

School had ended by the time you droped Justin off at home. Lucky bastard lived with his girlfriend so he didnt have to worry about nagging parents like you.

Billy had switched seats for the ride home. Arguing that because he would be switching to the front when Justin left, it only made sense that he would take the front. He also called shot gun.

So there YN was, driving back to the school to drop Billy off at his car.

"Hey sweetheart." Billy piped up, turning down the music. "Turn here."

Yn slowed, eyeing where he wanted you to turn. It was a dirt path that led down to the creak. YN and Justin would go there sometimes to get high and skip stones and bitch about life.

Yn shrugged and pulled in to the drit road, driving down a bit till he couldn't drive anymore, being stoped by the trees.

YN stopped the car, Billy was already gone, walking down the path to the creek.

Yn got out of the car, catching up to Billy. They walked in silence down to the creek. Yn occasionally glanced over at Billy who was stone faced, staring forward.

Today was a fever dream. Billy has never talked to YN before today and yet Billy was treating him like his best friend. More then his bestfriend.

The walk to the water wasn't long. Soon, they were sitting by the creek. Occasionally someone would throw a rock in to the water.

"Billy... um, why have you been so... uh..." YN swallowed. He could feel Billy's eyes staring. Yn tried to force the words out of his mouth but the right words weren't there.

"So?" Yn looked over at Billy who wore a soft smile.

"So...."

"Sweet on you?" Yn felt Billy's hand on hid back.

"Yeah."

"Why am I sweet on anyone?"

"You know I'm a guy, right?"

"Yeah."

Yn stared long in to Billy's eyes, waiting for someone to just out from the woods with a camera.

"I did know you swang that way." Yn chuckled, glancing over at the woods. Waiting.

But nothing happened. Yn's smiled fell, his lips parted slightly.

Billy took YNs chin in his pointer and thumb, guiding YN to look at him. "This isn't a joke, L/n"

"Not a joke?" Billy pulled YN closer, their noses just a inch apart. YNs face was burning red. So was Billy's.

"I see how to stare. You arnt suttle."

"You saw?" Your blush darkened.

"Every time you stared at my arms as I leaned over a girls desk. Every time you started at my lips when I smiled. The way you blushed as I laughed at your joke."

"Billy..." Yn mumbled, his voice dropping just below a whisper.

"Tell me. Tell me how much you want me. Tell me how much you need me." His voice was rough, sending shivers up YNs spine.

"I need you. You are so handsome and so perfect. I cant stop staring..." YN mumbled, glancing away from his eyes to his lips. He pulled YN closer, pressing his lips to YN's and a soft and tender kiss.

On of Billy's hands snake around the back of YNs neck, pulling him closer. The hand on his chin left and moved to YNs waist.

YNs arms moved to Billy's shoulders, resting loosely around neck.

Justin is going to lose his mind when he hears about this.

#bit fruity #billy harringrove #billy hargove x male reader #billy hargrove x male!reader #billy hargrove x male reader #billy stranger things #billy hargove imagine #billy hargove x reader #billy hargrove #billy x reader #stranger things s3 #stranger things fic #stranger things #billy hargrove x reader #billy hargrove x male yn #billy hargrove x male!yn #billy hargrove x male #billy hargrove x trans male reader

[ivyprism]

The Cursed Beings: Mantidrake (Benoit x Reader)

Warnings: Fear, adrenaline, blood, danger, scrapes, scratches, mantidrake, wolf, etc.

You shook your head while walking. Elpis had severely puzzled you, but you still felt uneasy. This place was completely wrong, you can tell. It felt weird, unsettling, and unsafe… And you clearly did not belong here. You cross your arms and gaze around discreetly. It's unsettling to look around, as the grass is wrapped weirdly around the trees. You stroke your arms when you hear a snap. You tighten and turn when you notice a big, growling beast. You felt a cold sensation; you'd never seen anything like this before. You step back. Your pupils dilate as you look at it.

"G-Good wolf…" You speak shakily before it charges at you. You panic and turn to run. You run as fast as you can, adrenaline rushing through your veins and your pulse beating in your ears. You didn't feel the scratches, the agony, or anything else; you were just concentrating on running. If you ran and heard the beast following you closely, the worst-case scenario could occur…

You trip.

You collide with the ground, scraping your arms. You gasp as you try to get up and run, but you reach a dead end. Your heart stops as you turn and hear the thing approaching. You turn and start backing up. You couldn't think or do anything; you froze. You couldn't think, your heart racing in your ears as you stared at the thing. Your breathing changes as you quickly back away from the beast. You couldn't turn away from it. You were terrified, but when you closed your eyes, you heard a roar, something strange, something draconic.

You were terrified, but you cautiously opened one eye and saw a draconic-like figure… It looked like a skeleton mantidrake. It rapidly defeated the beast that was after you. It was fierce, strong, and much bigger than Elpis. As you watch the beast fall, your blood runs cold and the mantidrake slowly turns to face you. Its red eyes are piercing, and the three scars on its eye stand out even more. You quickly begin to back up as it watches you quizzically.

You wanted to run, but your body screamed at you for doing so in the first place. The scratches and scrapes on your arms provided little solace because they were incredibly painful and stinging.

"What is a human like you doing out in the woods by yourself?" The mantidrake hissed, and you blinked. It was talking. "My brother should've had you leave this forest when you got here." The mantidrake let out a snarl. You could feel the cogs whirling in your head. You'd only spoken to one creature that could be compared to a mantidrake: Elpis.

"Are... Are you... Are you Elpis's brother...?" You said it shakily. The mantidrake halted for a second, observing you, before taking on an anthropomorphic form identical to Elpis'. You admit it: he was even more gorgeous than Elpis, but you could definitely see the resemblance.

"Yes, that's right. What brings you to our forest, human?" The mantidrake hissed quietly. His voice was unmistakably thick and gravelly. He approaches you, and you blink up at him.

"Uh… Um… M-My research team and I are studying this forest and how… uh… unnatural it is." You explain hesitantly. Before going any closer, the mantidrake glowered. He extends you his hands.

"Your hands, give them to me." The mantidrake practically commanded, but because you knew he was Elpis' brother, you weren't as terrified as you had been before. So…you did. You handed him your hands. He sat down in front of you as you saw the most beautiful thing that you'd never seen before.

He was using green magic on you. It slid around your arms and wounds with a clean and pleasant feeling of delicacy. It appeared and felt like the wind personified.

"And why did you remain here…?" The mantidrake looked up at you. His eyes were definitely a richer shade of red than his brother's.

"Uh… I- I have to do my research." You murmured this as you felt a flush come across your cheeks. He hums as you notice your wounds begin to heal slightly.

"Hm… Most humans are least have the common sense to turn and run." The mantidrake huffed, and you flushed more. You opened your mouth in protest, but he looked up at you. "I respect your drive, but you shouldn't be here. It is not safe for humans like you." The mantidrake chided gently. Despite its harshness, his voice seemed concerned and genuine about your safety.

"O…Okay…" You whisper as he pulls you up. You knew it more than ever. You needed to find your study team. It was not safe to be on your own. The mantidrake began guiding you across the woodland. He moved lightly among the trees, as if he were born to do so. He maintained a reasonable gap between the two of you, but he would occasionally pause and wait. You sensed he was waiting for you to catch up, so you increased your pace.

You become tense as you arrive at your campsite. You guessed he knew you were there with your study group; it was undoubtedly the most unnatural portion of the forest. As Dusk prepares for his own adventure, the mantidrake remains out of sight as he ventures into the forest. On impulse, you take his arm. His gaze flickers to you. They were stunning, you had to admit.

"Uh... Wait, uh... What's... What is your name?" You inquire. The mantidrake's eyes move slightly as he glances at you. He reaches over and plucks a petal from your hair. You flush when you look at him. He had a focused yet stern expression.

"Benoit. Be cautious the next time you enter this forest, human." He leans towards you, and you flush as he examines you. "I can't promise I'll be there to save you." Benoit huffs softly before backing away and retreating into the forest. You blink, feeling your cheeks burn.

Okay, it was… something. You can feel your face burning as Dusk calls you over…

Though a part of you wants to disregard safety and walk back in... Maybe a part of you wants to see the two again, or maybe you just found a place to get an adrenaline rush, who knows...

------

Part 1: The Cursed Beings: Manticore (Elpis x Reader)

Part 3: The Cursed Beings: the Negativity Dragon (Verbena x Dusk)

#sdfihoiegh #the adventurers of millenis au #cursed skeleton boys #cursed fell papyrus #angels fall au #cursed fell boys #benoit x reader #mantidrake #scary #scars #hehe #dsiuoehotig #fears #danger #adrenaline #running #fear #dreamtale #nightmare sans

[oveliagirlhaditright]

INT. HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Angel bursts into the emergency ward, Buffy in his arms.

ANGEL

I need help!

A NURSE approaches him--

ANGEL (cont'd)

She's lost a lot of blood.

NURSE What happened? ANGEL

She needs blood!

The nurse has led him to an operating table, he deposits Buffy onto it.

NURSE

Try to stay calm.

DR. POWELL approaches as Angel talks, looks over Buffy.

ANGEL

Something bit her. She needs a transfusion right now.

POWELL

You found her?

ANGEL

Yes.

POWELL

Was she conscious?

ANGEL

Yes.

POWELL

Are you sure?

ANGEL

I'm sure

POWELL

(to the nurse)

I need a type and cross match. Get her on two lines of ringers lactate and watch for hypovolemic shock.

He pulls angel aside, looks at him hard. Angel is practically tripping, unable to contain the energy of Buffy's blood in him.

POWELL (cont'd)

Tell me what happened.

ANGEL

Something bit her. I don't know what.

POWELL

(to the nurse)

I'll need a rabies shot treatment.

(to Angel)

Any allergies?

ANGEL

None. Just help her!

He is holding onto a doorframe -- and he RIPS it off in his urgency. The doctor eyes him, warily.

POWELL

You two doing drugs?

He eyes the doctor.

POWELL (cont'd)

You want her to live, you'll be straight with me.

ANGEL

She's clean.

...

(My--OveliaGirlHaditRight's--commentary here: More vampire blood drinking can be like "drug abuse" metaphor with Angel here. And fans who pointed out that Angel said Buffy was clean, but didn't say that he was... I think you were of course right here, in thinking that was an obvious choice on his part. He doesn't think he's clean, and in fact thinks that he fell off the wagon here.

More stuff from the script that is interesting and kind of fun: mainly effects that the script writer wanted, that--if memory serves--they couldn't pull off in the actual episode, but it would have been cool if they had (I'm still happy with what we got, though):

...

NURSE

We have another young girl, severe blood loss, Dr. Powell wants you to prep to assist on an antecubital cut down.

GOLD

All right.

The Mayor hears this. Slowly he turns, heads to where they are keeping Buffy.

ANGLE: BUFFY

Unconscious, an IV hooked up to her arm.

The Mayor walks calmly up to her and clamps his hand over her mouth and nose. She starts to thrash weakly, but he doesn't move. Finally the nurse notices.

NURSE

Oh my god! Sir, no!

She tries to pull him off. He won't budge.

NURSE (cont'd)

Somebody call security!

Angel grabs the Mayor by the throat, pulls him away.

ANGEL

Don't do that.

MAYOR

I will. I'll do that and worse. Murderous little fiend, did you see what she did to my Faith?

ANGEL

Hadn't made plans to weep over that one.

MAYOR

Well, I'd get set for some weeping if I were you, I'd get set for a world of hurt. Misery loves company, young man, and I'll be looking to share mine with you and your whore.

Angel throws him back -- through the wall (thin drywall to the next room, not the outer wall). (And if that's not doable, then into or over something. The point is, Angel is unnaturally strong, so it's probably a ratchet gag.)

Everyone backs off, appalled. The Mayor gets up and dusts himself off. He takes a few steps back towards Angel, the old smile returning to his face.

MAYOR (cont'd)

Well. Looks like someone's been eating his spinach.

A security guard arrives on the scene. Stops, unsure what to do.

MAYOR (cont'd)

Okay, folks. Show's not over but there will be a short intermission.

(to Angel)

Don't want to miss the second act. All kinds of excitement.

ANGEL

I'll be there.

They eyeball each other a moment. They Mayor exits, Angel's eyes never leaving him.

#long post #buffy the vampire slayer #angel #buffy summers #the mayor #bangel #mayor wilkins #richard wilkins #graduation day part 2 #graduation day #buffy script #buffy season 3 #buffy season three #angel about faith: hadn't made plans to weep over that one #angel about faith later: so that's my best friend faith and if anything ever happened to her i would kill everyone in this room and then #myself:D #i love it so much. lol #and God bless the nurse--and the doctor!--in this episode. seriously

[ssuperficialspacecadett]

An Eye for an Eye

Chapter Seventeen of The One Condition Series | Chapter Eighteen

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 5.1 k

Summary: Pretty thing finally confronts Alden.

TW: Mentions and depictions of drugs and drug use, toxic sibling relationship, resurfacing trauma, violence, and handcuffs

Notes: Hi everyone !! What's funny to me is I started writing this whole story based on a day dream I had. I didn't know Alden's name at the time, I had no idea how I would make the reader and Din meet, and I had absolutely no clue that it would take me this long to finally get to the idea that birthed this story in the first place! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey!!

*The eighteenth chapter will be the last chapter for the series*

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

“Who wants to know?”

It’s now or never. You move to step closer to Alden, but a tug of your hand has you looking back. You can see your reflection in his helmet. Your eyes look tired and that faux smile you’re wearing couldn’t fool anyone. A small shake of your head has him losing his grip on you. You squeeze back before letting it fall, to let him know it's alright, and continue walking forward. 

“I do. The girl you left bleeding out on the floor ten years ago.”

You’re close enough to see him now, like really see him. His hair has grown shaggy and unkempt. His brows sit lower on his face than you remember. They almost drag his eyes down with their weight. The only thing holding them up are dark pools produced by presumably sleepless nights. His nose looks red and raw. Maker, you can smell the spice on him even at this distance. The beard he is attempting to grow is coming in in uneven patches. His lips have no color and his skin looks like it hasn’t ever seen the sun. His cheeks are hollow and protrude in an unnatural way. There is no warmth radiating from him. No soul to be found. An animated corpse. When you step under the light you think you see recognition flash across his face and soften his harsh features, but it's gone before you can tell if it was real. 

“Little sis finally left Eadu, huh?,” He takes another drag of his cigarette before flicking it to the ground. “Although I am shocked to see you here of all places. What's with the family reunion?”

“This isn’t a ‘family reunion’ Alden.”

“No, I guess not. If it was, that dude in the silver suit wouldn’t be here. Who is that?” 

Your blood boils at his tone. It’s so jovial as if the two of you really were catching up and reminiscing about old times. 

“He’s a Mandalorian. A bounty hunter that I enlisted the help of to track you down.”

Alden rolls his sleeves up to reveal fresh needle marks in his veins. You feel the heart of your past teenage self break all over again like when you first found the spice in his room. When you first started noticing your brother morph into a stranger living right down the hall from you. He crosses his arms over his chest and tilts his head to the side.

“To track me down? And what exactly did you think was going to happen when you found me?”

“I want some fucking answers, Alden.” 

“Answers?”

“Yes. I want to know why. Why did you do what you did to mom and dad? Why did you leave me?,” you can feel your voice start to quiver. “Why didn’t you let me-let me help you?”

“Why didn’t I let you help me?,” he says your name and puts his hands behind his head. “Maker, that was always your issue. You always wanted to help me. Did you ever think that maybe I didn’t fucking want help?! Huh?”

“Oh so you liked getting so high that you couldn’t even remember what your own name was? You liked that your sixteen-year-old sister had to drag your unconscious body into the shower and spray water on you to wake you up every other night?”

“Shut up.”

His remark only makes you grow louder. “You liked that our parents had to watch their son wither away into a husk of who they once knew and loved?”

“I said shut up!”

You see, out of the corner of your eye, Din steps towards you when Alden raises his voice. You know that he knows that this is something you wanted to handle, but you appreciate that he’s ready if anything goes south. 

“No. You have spent ten years running from what you did. I’m not going to give you that privilege anymore. You might not fucking care, but I do.”

He drops his hands and his shoulders sag down with them. He starts walking towards the door, but doesn’t end up opening it. Instead he just slides down and holds his head in his hands. You’re hesitant at first, but decide to walk over to him and kneel down beside him.

“Alden,” you whisper. “What happened?”

“Once I-once I got my first taste I was hooked. Nothing ever made me feel the way that spice did, but it got so fucking expensive. When Sonia- when mom- wouldn’t give me anymore money, I don’t know, I just lost it. She couldn’t do that, man.”

You’re trying to keep your composure, Maker knows he doesn’t deserve it, but you’re trying. It’s hard when you keep replaying the sound the blaster made when your mom was killed. It’s especially hard when the man that was on the other end of the blaster is sitting right in front of you.

“She couldn’t just give me money and then take it away like that. I tried to reason with her, but Bumi walked in and put his fucking foot down. Said that I was ‘cut off’. So I did the only thing I could think of: get high.”

“You didn’t have to kill them, Alden.”

“You don’t understand! I was out of money and I had just used the last of my spice. I knew Bumi had that stupid wooden box full of credits; that’s all I wanted,” he lifts his head up and looks at you. “But they wouldn’t fucking give it to me.”

Even when you’re looking directly in his eyes, you can see that there is nothing there. He’s just going in circles. He’s trying to justify what he did by using their actions against them. The actions they took to try to help him. You stand up and take a step back.

“But you didn’t have to kill them, Alden.”

“In the end it doesn't even matter because I never got the money.” He rests his hands on his knees.

“It doesn’t even matter? It doesn’t even fucking matter? Is that why you’re shooting random shit into your veins? Because it doesn’t matter?!”

“It’s the only time that I can’t see their faces looking back at me when I close my eyes!”

“Wha-?”

“When I’m high I don’t have to think about what I did.”

“You. Don’t. Get. That. Privilege.” you spit. “I can’t just forget about it. I have to live with what you did every single fucking day, Alden. You left me with a permanent fucking reminder!”

“I know. I know I did.”

You can feel yourself starting to ramble. You have waited ten years to let this out and you’re not going to stop now. 

“They loved you! I loved you! And you threw that away!”

“I couldn’t help it! I was too far gone and I couldn’t stop. You know what,” he stands up and you take a step back. “I have lived with the guilt for too long. An eye for an eye.”

You can feel Din standing directly behind you now. He must have gotten anxious when Alden stood up again. You back up until you connect with his chest and feel his hand come to rest on your shoulder.

“An eye for an eye,” Alden says again. “You hired a bounty hunter for fucks sake! Just do what you came here to do.”

For the first time since you arrived on Daiyu, your head feels clear. You close your eyes and let out a heavy sigh. When you open them again, you know what you want to do. No turning back. You’re done running from nightmares.

“An eye for an eye would make me just like you. I really spent months traveling through hyperspace with the sole intention of killing you. I thought that would end the pain, but it won’t. Nothing you do or say will fix it. I’m tired of getting eaten alive by the hate I have been harboring for you, Alden. I don’t want to get burnt out by all of my anger.”

You feel Din squeeze your shoulder as you heid his earlier warning.

“You don’t get to drag me down to your level. So I’m going to do exactly what you did for me that night.”

“And what did I do?”

“Nothing. You did nothing for me that night. That’s what you deserve from me. Absolutely nothing.”

You look up at Din and smile a sad, but genuine smile. “Let’s go home. I’m done here.”

“You’re done?!,” Alden’s eyes are wild. “You came all this way and you’re going to pussy out now? Just fucking do it! Release me!”

He lunges forward at you, but Din is quicker. He turns your body so that your back is to your brother and so you don’t see him connect his fist with Alden’s jaw. You still hear the bone chilling crack and his pathetic cries when he hits the ground. You try to turn around to see, but a gloved hand just holds your head in place. You don’t try again and just let him cradle you. 

“If you’re smart you’ll stay down. If it were up to me, you would have been dead a long time ago. What you did is unforgivable and I hope to The Maker that you answer for it in the next life, but it also led her to me. She means more to me than you will ever know.”

Before Alden even has a chance to answer him, Din scoops you up and starts walking down the alley to get to the front of the building. He keeps your head down and close to his chest and you let him. You don’t let the fact that Alden never once apologized bother you. You just hold onto Din’s words and let them wash away the hate in your heart. You don’t have room for it anymore. 

Perhaps it's the light swaying of your body in his arms or your body giving out from pure exhaustion due to your interaction, but you fall asleep before you make it to the front of the lab. You don’t have any nightmares. You don’t even have any dreams. You just sleep and for the first time, the darkness that surrounds you is as comforting as an old friend. 

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

You stir from sleep when you hear the creaking of the ramp opening and then when it connects with the floor. Before you even open your eyes you can smell him. Faint notes of pine and his natural musk temp you to drift off again. Your cheek is resting on the fabric of his cape that wraps around his neck. It's not the most comfortable piece of cloth in the world; it's actually rather scratchy. Regardless you nuzzle your head deeper into it and let out a dreamy sigh. 

“She wakes.”

Even with the knowledge of you being awake, he doesn’t make a move to set you on your feet. You feel a twinge of guilt at the fact that he carried you all the way from the lab to The Crest. That was no leisurely walk. However, it fizzles out because you know that Din never does anything he doesn’t want to do. His stubbornness falls second to his softness when it comes to you. For once in your life, you allow someone to take care of you. You have spent your entire life giving yourself to others and holding their pain so they could have a fraction of peace. And while you did all of this without expectation of reciprocation, you secretly yearned for it. 

The whole walk back from the lab, Din’s mind couldn’t be calmed. As soon as he noticed that you had passed out, he had half a mind to permanently remove Alden from both your life and the planet's surface. Although he would never admit it, he even stopped and contemplated going through with it. The more he thought, the heavier the blaster on his hip grew. What ultimately swayed him was having to look into your eyes everyday and lie. Killing Alden would have been as easy and natural as taking a breath, but lying to you was a challenge he knew he would fail. He told you that it was your hunt and that you should call the shots. By killing Alden, he would be undermining your call to let him live. Even if he was secretly hoping you would have allowed him to remove that virus of a person from the universe. You chose what was true to you and he accepted it. 

Listening to you yell at and plead with your brother for answers was one of the hardest things he has ever had to do. He can usually fight or buy his way out of any scenario, but not this. He had to watch one of the most precious things in his world struggle right in front of him. He was pushing his fist so hard into the side of the metal building that it left a dent. His heart skipped a beat when Alden raised his voice at you. Before he even realized what was happening, his feet had carried him a few steps forward. You looked back at him and his shoulders relaxed, but just slightly. Although when Alden stood up from the ground and walked toward you, he wasn’t able to stop himself that time. He had to let you know that you weren’t alone and that he was there. Thank The Maker he did too. If you had gotten hurt by your brother again and he wasn’t able to stop it this time…he can’t even begin to imagine the carnage he would have wreaked. There wouldn’t have been a place Alden could have gone too where he wouldn’t have followed and found him. 

Another thought rears its ugly head as he continues walking with your sleeping body through the Daiyu streets: what happens now? Your mission has been completed. He has helped you find Alden. That’s what you hired him to do after all. What would you do once this knowledge sinks in for you too? The knowledge that you technically no longer have a reason to stay with him. Would you ask him to take you back to Navarro? Or maybe back to Eadu so you can live in isolation for the rest of your life? He can feel his skin crawl at the thought of the hull being so silent. It would no longer be filled with things he didn’t realize he couldn’t live without. The sounds of your laughter and your bare feet padding around against the cool floor of the ship. The smell of you and your soap on his sheets long after you have left them. The feeling of your hands on his bare skin in the darkness and the warmth your body exudes when he holds you closely. 

You crack your eyes and see him stroll past your hidden bed and right to his own. Even after carrying you for over an hour, he is gentle and slow when he lays you down on the cot. You hear him clamoring around in the pantry to make something for the hungry child. A smile worms its way across your face as you hear the two of them talking back and forth with each other. This is home. It isn’t Eadu you laugh to yourself. No it definitely isn’t Eadu. There were no windows to let the sunlight and fresh air in, no abundance of land or greenery, and no fresh produce.

Eadu isn’t who you are anymore however. Now your one window lets in the light of thousands of beaming stars. The small space of the ship makes you feel comforted and allows you to never forget that you're not alone anymore. The food, while you would still prefer it fresh, is made with and for people you care about. There wasn’t a place in the galaxy you would rather be than here. 

By the time Din returns to you, you have made your way under his covers and wrapped yourself up. You sit up when you see him leaning against the doorframe and looking at you.

“What?”

“I’m proud of you.”

“You-you are?”

“Yeah.”

“You aren’t mad that I didn’t let you do what I hired you for?” You ask genuinely.

You hear him laugh under his helmet and move to sit down on the edge of the bed. You wriggle your way out of the cocoon you created for yourself and scoot up next to him. He places his hand on the inside of your thigh and rubs you with his thumb.

“I told you that it was your call and you were in control of what happened,” he looks up from your thigh and peers over at the kid playing with his silver ball on the floor. “I did get to knock him on his ass. How could I be mad at that?”

“Oh! Your credits! Let me get those for you.”

You make a move to get up to go get them, but Din keeps his hand firmly on your leg. 

“We can take care of that later. I know you’re good for the money. Plus, I know where you live.” You can feel him winking at you under his beskar. 

If you’re being honest you really didn’t want to give the credits to him. Not because you didn’t want to pay him, but because when you did, all of this would end. You aren’t ready to give this up. To give him up. 

“What’s your favorite thing to eat?”

“Maker, you always have the most random things on your mind.”

“I’m serious,” you swat at his arm. “What’s your favorite thing to eat?”

“You.” He says in a hushed voice. 

Your mouth hangs slightly agape while you feel your cheeks burn. 

“I told you I was being serious!”

“I was. You asked and I answered seriously.” His hands are up in a defensive position. 

“Then let me rephrase. What is your favorite thing to eat from childhood?”

“You’re no fun.”

You stick out your tongue at him and patiently wait for him to answer. 

“Probably…tiingilar.”

“Tiingilar? What’s that?”

“It’s a traditional stew made on Mandalore,” his voice sounds bitter sweet as he talks about his adoptive planet. “It’s made of a blend of various meats, vegetables, grains and spices.”

“That sounds so fucking good.”

“Oh it was. Eating it was a challenge in and out of itself though.” 

You give him a quizzical look. 

“Well, like I said it had a lot of spices in it. So naturally, it had the potential to have an almost deadly heat. In fact,” he stops mid sentence to laugh. “If it was a particularly good batch, it could singe your nose hairs right off.” 

You protectively put your hands over your nose. “Why would you eat something that could cause you physical pain? Are you insane?!”

“It was a fun game to play. The more heat you could withstand, the stronger Mandalorian you were. It was known to sweat even the toughest of us right out of our beskar.” 

You listen to him ramble on about the stew and how he actually ended up sick for a few days because of one batch's spice level. You unconsciously lean in the more he talks about Mandalore. Your heart flutters when you hear how excited he is by the volume of his voice. He rarely speaks of where he spent his childhood. You’re careful not to say anything so you won’t snap him out of his expository. In truth, you wanted to know what his favorite meal is so you can recreate it for him. Paying him with just the credits almost feels like a disservice to what he has done for you. Honestly, you don’t think you could ever repay him, but a home cooked meal seems like a good place to start. A plan and mental grocery list starts forming in your brain.

When he reaches the end of his stories you place your hand on his and thank him for sharing all of that with you. Before you side out of bed to take care of the child, you place a kiss on his helmet. 

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

“I think he’s asleep,” You whisper as you walk over to Din. “I’m honestly surprised he went down as easily as he did given that he slept through the entirety of Daiyu.”

Din is currently unloading the arsenal of weapons he carries on himself into the armory. You stand quietly next to him and watch as his rifle and each blaster and bomb finds its designated spot on the wall. Your eyes travel from one gun to the other and freeze when they land on a tool that you have only seen used once. Din must have noticed your body tense.

“What’s wrong?”

Embarrassment and unexpected arousal flood your body as your eyes continue to stay locked on the handcuffs he has hanging up. He follows your eye line and stiffens himself, in more ways than one. A strangled noise comes through his modulator.

“You’re going to be the death of me.”

“I didn’t say anything!”

“Oh, but you don’t have too, pretty thing. I can see it in your eyes.”

You turn to see that his gaze is locked on you now. Your stomach churns as fantasies play out rapidly in your mind. 

“Well…what are you going to do about it?”

You watch as he rips the cuffs off the wall without even turning to look at them. He wraps his hand around your back and pulls you into him. 

“I’m going to give you exactly what you want.”

The next thing you know, the two of you are scrambling to take off what you’re wearing. Armor is clattering to the ground, shirts and pants are flying off in various directions. When you naturally finish undressing first, you watch in awe as his body is revealed to you. You have seen it multiple times and felt it more than you can count on two hands, but it never gets old. His skin always looks warmed by the sun. His stomach is slightly round with an ever intriguing trail of hair under his naval. As he removes his pants your eyes trail down to take in his V. Maker, you want him so bad your mouth is watering. When his hands slowly go up to remove his helmet, you throw him a wink and cover your own with your band. 

You hear the thud of the helmet connecting with the ground in exchange for the pair of handcuffs. A shiver runs down your spine and your breathing picks up as you hear him walking towards you.

“Stand up.”

You do as you're told and hold yourself steady when your knees threaten to buckle beneath you. He grips your shoulder and spins you around so that your back is facing him now. 

“Give me your wrists, pretty thing.”

You obey again and move your arms to rest at the small of your back. A click is heard and then a strong hand takes your left wrist and places it inside the first cuff. He then does the same with your right. Once they are securely fastened behind you, you instinctively pull on it. 

“You’ll find that the only way you’re getting out of those is if I let you.” 

Still blinded, you turn your head and speak over your shoulder. “While it was fun to be in control, it’s a lot more fun to be at your mercy.” 

In response you are met with him grabbing your hips and his length sitting firmly between your ass. You can’t help but moan out at the sensation. 

“I’m going to go down on you until you’re dripping down my chin.”

He spins your body back around and sets you back down on the bed. You scoot yourself backwards with your legs until your head reaches the pillow. The bed moves beneath you as he finds his place in between your thighs. As you spread them for him, he let out a godless moan at what you have presented. His tongue finds its home in your folds and your back arches at his touch. Your mind and body feed off of his incoherent groans while he laps you up. His nose continuously hits your clit as you grind your body down into him. You strain against the cuffs behind your back as he devours you. Your fingers tingle with the need to bury themselves inside the curls of his hair. With each grunt and moan he releases you feel yourself drifting closer and closer to your orgasm.

Maker, he has thought about you cuffed and pulling against your restraints due to his tongue frequently…very frequently. He looks up at your naked body while you jerk before him. Your breasts glisten with sweat and they heave as you gulp down air. Your lower lip is caught in your teeth as you battle against his mouth with your body. The sounds escaping you are captivating. The ebb and flow the two of you have is otherworldly. 

“Right there fuck,” a moan cuts through your sentence. “Stay right there.”

Din heeds your command and continues his steady pace on your cunt. As you open your mouth to praise him again, your breath is stolen from you. Your orgasm slams into you hard and fast. All you can do is shakily rock your body onto Din’s now soaking face. It takes you a while to come down from your high as the man between your legs refuses to stop pleasuring you. Your oversensitive body flinches whenever his lips come up and circle your clit. Again your wrists twist around inside the cuffs that bound you. 

“You want to touch me so bad, don’t you?”

“So fucking bad.” You whine desperately. 

“You’re out of luck. I’m having my way with you now, Mesh'la.”

You feel him kissing his way up your body. You wish you could burn each and everyone of those kisses into your skin permanently. He travels up through the valley of your breasts, your collar bone, the side of your neck, and finally your lips. It’s a feeling well worth the wait. You wish, now more than ever, that you could hold the sides of his face. You want to feel that beard with your fingers and not just the inside of your thighs. 

You push your core up to meet him and you feel a smile curl on his lips. 

“Not so fast, pretty thing.”

“But I want you, Din.” 

“Fuck, you make it so hard to say no.”

“Then don’t.” You let your lips make their way down from his jaw to his neck. 

Before you know what’s happening he takes your head in his hands and kisses you. Your body burns for him. 

“Brace yourself.” He says panting as he pulls away from you.

“Wha-? Ahh!”

He flips you so that now you’re laying on your stomach and the side of your face is resting on your pillow. You quickly catch on and prop your knees up underneath you. Your ass is now on display in front of him and your latched hands rests atop it. A few drops of sweat tickle your back as they slide down due to your new position. You feel a calloused hand grip your ass; a sensation that makes your eyelids flutter behind the band. His other hand grabs your joined wrists and uses them to keep himself steady. He slides himself inside your cunt in one go before bottoming out. You cry out in both surprise and pleasure. 

You can still feel your walls stretching to accommodate his size as he begins thrusting into you at an anchored pace. Each time he hits your sweet spot, stars erupt behind your cover eyes. He works at you mercilessly and all you can do is whine in appreciation. You hold your body in place as best as you can. Even though, with each pound he delivers to you, your bones threaten to turn to jelly. He feeds your internal fire by whispering honeyed words. You tell yourself to hold on so you can feel and listen to him longer, but it's too hard. His voice tips you over the edge and you plunge into your pleasure. 

He talks you through your orgasm, while keeping a languid pace. As clarity returns to you, so does the desire to make him cum. Without warning you begin to thrust your body back to meet his. He must not have expected your tired body to suddenly pick up speed because his hands dig into the skin of your ass. You hear him curse behind you and a whimper slips out.

“Tell me you’re mine.” He growls. “Tell me.”

“I’m yours,” you say panting. “I’m yours, Din.” 

Your verbal confirmation is all he needs before he's spilling deep inside you. You reward him with a moan of satisfaction as you feel it beginning to leak out of you. As he pulls out, your body slumps down into the cot, hands still bound behind your back. You’re too dazed to realize that he left to go get you a towel and the key for the cuffs. When he returns, he gently works the cuffs open and frees you one wrist at a time. You turn over on your back and groan out slightly in pain. Both you and Din constantly pulling at your restraints has made your wrists and shoulders ache. As you rub on your sore joints, Din diligently cleans you up. He makes sure to kiss you in between each swipe of the towel. 

After all is said and done, the two of you lay intertwined together. Din apologized when he realized that your shoulders were hurting. He had been scared that he had gotten too rough with you. 

“Occupational hazard.” You said to him sweetly. “I would have told you to stop if I didn’t enjoy it.”

It takes you a while to convince him that you really are alright, but eventually he comes around. The silence between you two is peaceful, yet there seems to be an unspoken issue in the air. You can feel it and you are sure that Din can too. You’re just about to make a comment when he beats you to it.

“Would you-would you like to come back to Navarro with me? Until you figure out what you want to do?”

“Of course I would. Getting rid of me isn’t that easy.”The truth was, you had figured out what you wanted to do. You just weren’t sure how to ask for it.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

#din x you #din djarin fanfiction #din djarin #din x reader #mando x reader #mando x you #mando #the mandalorian x you #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian fanfiction #the mandalorian #star wars

[the-travelling-witch]

I just realized I haven't sent one to you! orz

I wanna know about 💫💐 please!! 💚

💫: Are either of you ticklish? If so, where?

I feel like Childe is less ticklish and more so sensitive; I like running my long nails down his arms, sides or back just to see him squirm a bit. He’s teasing me all the time so it’s only fair, right? But most of the time, it’s a double-edged sword because I know once he’s wriggled around a bit and giggled, it’s time for me to run and run fast…

“Still thinking you’re not a tease, running your nails over my skin like that? I might do more than tickle you when I catch you~”

“Don’t you mean if you catch me?”

“No, when.”

(o///o " )

Don’t tell him I told you this but… Xiao is very ticklish hehe. Whether it’s his sides, the back of his knees or, my favourite, his back, he’ll jump like a cat if you get the drop on him. I mean, c’mon, his usual attire basically invites me to trail my nails down his spine, how could I resist~ But as cute as it is, I don’t know if him being cross with me is worth it (I only do it in private though, I know he has an image to uphold)

“You really don’t have any respect for the adepti.”

“I do! Please come back to cuddle, I promise I won’t do it again!!”

Albedo is no fun aka he just isn’t ticklish at all! Childe tried getting him to sneeze with a feather on several occasions but there’s no reaction. Though, Bedo seems the most upset about it; he’s desperately been trying to recreate the sensation.

“It is frustrating to know there is something I cannot experience for myself. I guess I’ll have to keep studying your reactions for now.”

“Don’t you dare—“

As for myself, yes I am ticklish; for self-preservation purposes I will not be revealing where though…

“Guess there’s only one way to find out~”

“Don’t take a single step closer, I’m warning you!”

💐: How did you two meet?

That is a good question indeed…

I ran into Childe at Liyue Harbour when I visited friends there. It was very sunny all day and I had been perusing the different stalls on the side of the street when it suddenly started pouring down like crazy. When I started frantically looking around for somewhere to seek shelter, I suddenly heard a sharp whistle and looked up to see a handsome stranger hold open the door to a fancy restaurant.

Without a second thought, I sprinted there and, luckily, he was there to catch me as I rushed through the door onto the polished floors. The wait staff did cast me some weird glances but he just waved them off with a charming smile before slinging his arm around my waist, telling them I was with him, before leading me to a secluded table in a more private area of the restaurant. Not knowing what to do, I just stood around, awkwardly fidgeting with my rings.

“Please do have a seat. I didn’t invite you just to let you starve, you know.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you. You didn’t have to do all of that for someone you don’t know.”

“Kind, huh? I thought it’s rather self-serving, getting to dine with a pretty girl like you. But you’re right, I don’t know you, so let’s change that. You can call me Childe, what’s your name~”

Xiao, on the other hand, I met while exploring the planes and mountains of Liyue. While searching for new potion ingredients, I ran into a group of unnatural- looking monsters, which I took care of quickly. As I dispelled the weird aura surrounding them, I didn’t notice someone watching the scene unfold from higher up.

Just when I turned to leave, I heard light feet drop to the ground behind me. Whirling around, I got ready to face another group of monster but met piercing amber eyes instead. Physically, the guy looked pretty young but there was something off about him. Just as I was about to ask who he was, he spoke up first.

“So there are mortals who can dispel karma as well.”

“Karma? Is that what that was just now? Also I’m not really mortal”

“Yes. Make sure not to get ambushed on your way.”

He disappeared just like that. Still, throughout my journey, I never met any possessed monsters again…

(“Pfft what a romantic first meeting~”

“Because a stranger inviting someone for dinner is that much better?”

“At least I told her my name”

“I made sure she’s safe-“

Ahem, moving on…)

I actually met Albedo back in Mondstadt. While doing some research, I asked for permission to use the Knights of Favonius’ library. So after walking there with Kaeya and having a quick chat with Lisa, I surrounded myself with the pleasant silence of books.

When rounding a corner though, I collided with someone and while I was fine, there was a loud crash as a colourful phial burst on the floor. Looking up from the mess to the person I ran into, my eyes caught mesmerising blue ones.

“Oh my archons, I’m so sorry! I should’ve been looking where I go.”

“Please don’t worry. I wasn’t paying attention either.”

“But your phial—“

“It’s not that tragic, I can easily produce another one. Say, are you interested in alchemy?”

“I can’t say I’m all that knowledgeable on it but it’s very fascinating.”

“Then, would you like to watch as I recreate the formular? It is a rather visual reaction, too. Oh right, I should introduce myself first, I presume. I’m Albedo, Chief Alchemist of the Knights of Favonius, pleased to make your acquaintance.”

(“That’s so cliché.”

“Yet, while I hate to admit it—“

“Yeah, yeah, very cute, very proper, don’t remind me.”

*smug*

“You’re all impossible, do you know that”)

[self-ship ask game]

#┊✩彡 divine correspondence ♡ #┊✩彡 cherished guests ♡ #┊✩彡 letter from — risu ♡ #ੈ♡˳ the witch’s lovers┊͙ #ੈ♡˳ chilly┊͙ #[other ship names still to be found]

[meloncalic]

Captain’s Log

an ISWM fanfic heavily inspired by Alone with My Thoughts - Noah Floersch

(i have had this song on repeat since @spiritmoon23 recommended it with engie and it spurred this headcanon that i wanted to flesh out)

this was also written quite mediocrely, quickly and minimally edited

warnings: none? angst out the wazoo tho

The Captain had terrible memory. If you asked Mark, he would say they have no faults, they are perfect, the very apex of their species... except for that.

On the Invincible, there were many, many things to keep track of. That’s why, despite how silly it would look to others, the Captain would always be seen with an arm lifted up to their face mumbling into their device.

“What are you always saying into that thing, anyways?” 

“Just boring captain stuff.” they replied with a chuckle and a dismissive wave.

Though it wasn’t entirely false, they were the only one to access it, so it was never really a worry. Mark never pressed further, content with the answer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Though the passage of time really didn’t exist per-say, he would guess he’s been in the room trying to rebuild the Warp Core for about a couple days.

And he already missed them.

A freak collision in the wormhole sent him here, without his Captain. Without anyone really.

Normally, he would only (rarely) leave the Warp Core to eat and use the bathroom. But, on particularly bad days, he wanted to just take a walk and clear his head.

It was pretty depressing, the empty Invincible. Mark was so used to the (somewhat) organized chaos of the ship that it felt unnatural for no one to be there. Nothing. No sign of anything, save him and the core.

He found himself close to the cabin wing. He debated whether it would be ok for him to sleep in his own bed, instead of passing out on the cold, hard floor of the Warp Core room, tool in hand.

Mark shook that thought away. He had to use every possible moment to try and get back, to fix everything. He probably should be there right now, instead of wasting time here—

He came across the Captain’s cabin. Mark felt his hand come up to press the scanner to let himself in, almost on autopilot.

He had never been inside, as he didn’t want to cross that boundary, as close as the two of them were. He respected their privacy. It was quite plain, with a bed, desk, and some lighting.

On the desk were scattered several pens, notebooks, and paperwork. But that isn’t what caught Mark’s attention. A blinking red light from under the numerous papers did, however.

The telltale sign of a low battery was coming from the Captain’s personal device, one that he noticed was slightly different than Mark’s own as he turned it in his hand.

He didn’t know why he went to charge it. The Captain wasn’t here to use it, so who would need it?

As he plugged it in, he accidentally touched a part on the screen, and the sudden laughter made him jump.

*kzzk*

“BAHAHAHAHA!! NO!! No way!! wh—GAHAHAHA—what in the Cosmos possessed you to do that you absolute dingus!! 

Dingus? that’s a new one, Cap. Is that worse than Asshat? Celci, should I be offended?

The answer to that question is always yes, Asshat. Now can you PLEASE stop horsing around and get back to fixing this CryoChamber?”

*kzzk*

It took everything in him to not start crying. It hit him all at once. That was the Captain. Their voice. They didn’t just use this for official reminders, they used this for memories of their time here. This is one of multiple recorded files.

70, to be exact. Little snippets describing funny things that happened on the ship, actual Captain reminders, and secret little recordings of the most mundane conversations, always filled with laughter from the crew.

By the time Mark had listened to them all, the device flashed a bright green, seemingly charged.

It felt wrong to just leave it unused.

He made his way back to the Warp Core, a new fire of determination in his heart. A faint click was heard in the room.

“uh...”

“Captain’s Log: Entry 71, the wires at the base of the Warp Core seem to be attached properly now, giving...”

#markiplier #in space with markiplier #iswm #engineer!mark #h-hey guyss whats up... #how we doin on this fine day #>:) hehe #IDK WHY IM ON SUCH AN ANGST TRAIN LATELY #but anyway if you read this i love u with all my heart i am not that good at writing and i appreciate anyone reading this #this is the like.. second fanfic ive ever really done.. pls be nice #calscribbles

[kitsunefox1108]

And so, I'm writing fan fiction about Y/N, but I decided that it would be worth expanding his fame, and I tried to translate it into English. I'm not familiar enough with this language yet, but I hope that there won't be any serious mistakes. Have fun reading! ( it's just that my main language is Russian, so I apologize in advance )

___________________

ANOTHER UNIVERSE

( PART 5 )

- You attacked first, and if you hadn't attacked, it wouldn't have happened! - shouted Sonic, coming closer to the dark hedgehog.

- "While you were getting here with your worthless ones, I already managed to heal her wounds and find her origin story ... And after that, you consider yourself a speedy hedgehog?" - everything is just as unemotionally conceived by Shadow, crossing his arms over his chest.

While Shadow and Sonic clarified the conflict, you quietly left the room, not wanting to listen to the specific hype. Fortunately, Sonic's friends have not yet noticed your loss, which has come in handy.

After leaving the premises, you had to find Rouge so that she would help you get out of the building. The building is too big...

You needed to take a little breath of the last air, and digest all the information that Shadow told. Well, you didn’t want to feel guilty towards Sonic, because now you were going to group with the dark hedgehog. However, it was necessary to resolve the issue of returning home and save the people. Yes, and so many things will have to remember your friend later ...

You walked through the corridors, hoping that you were not lost in order to find a bat. They all seemed soulless, empty, the same...

But in the end you still got lost, coordination was quickly forgotten.

- "Damn... And where should I go?" - you accidentally opened one of the doors, hoping that luck will smile at you and you will see a bat, but no.

Absolutely dark, quiet room with no sound..

But you saw some kind of red glow of the stone, which remotely reminded you of the appearance of chaos emeralds. But this stone was different.

And he doesn't just lie...

You saw an unfamiliar figure, which seems to have noticed you, and was localized in your direction.

And you roughly understood the view. This is a jackal. But unconventional..

And he had bad intentions...

You urgently closed the door, hoping that this at least delayed him a little, and ran away wherever your eyes looked.

But the corridor started to get dark and a black mist appeared, which engulfed the entire corridor faster and faster, including you...

You started to cough, and eventually fell to your knees, trying to get some rest....

And again, a red glow. Again this glow of the stone, and you see the jackal. He has a mask that grows to shivers, how frightening it is for you.

He himself, it seems, was pleased with your bewilderment and stress.

- "I like your look at the moment. That scent of fear coming from you and... The bewilderment in your eyes. Wonderful. he thought in his voice that was beginning to frighten you no less than his appearance."

- "who are you, and why are you here?..." - you tried to ask he as calmly as possible, you trembling in your voice. But, however, particles of pride inside you made you pretend that you were less shy than you really are.

- "Call me Infinite. My goal should not be about you. Your role now is to please me with your fear..." - He uses the ruby energy, creates illusions that were eerily realistic.

There was total darkness. There was absolutely nothing to be seen.

Suddenly, a known force.

You see Shadow. More precisely, his back .... He turned away from you, and it seems that he is not going to turn around.

- "Shadow?.." - you thought quietly, hoping that he came to help you from this darkness...

He turned around. And you regretted calling him.

Black eyeballs with a small white dot that was probably the pupil...

A slit mouth, in which fangs were visible ... An unnatural fold of the neck to the right side.

Blood on the chest.

You are scared, you try to crawl away, but to no avail.

You closed your eyes, preparing for battle, clenching your hands into fists.

nothing happened...

Shadow disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

But there was another figure.

It was your friend..

- "Rage?..." - you get up from the floor, trying to get closer to her. Carefully and weakly you moved towards her.

- "do not come near me, the traitor that left me in my native dimension, leaving me alone with the robots!" - she shouted, not even going to turn to face you. You only saw needles hedgehog.

- "What...?" - quietly thought you. There was shock and confusion on your face. You are not qualified, how does Rage know about the reason for your essence, and why she considers you a traitor.

“Perhaps if you weren’t so stupid, your girlfriend wouldn’t be angry with you, would she?" thought the voice of the contented jackal, that the reader irritated you.

- "You're lying... Are these your illusions?! What the heck?? How do you know about Rhage and Shadow? What did you do with them?!" - you shouted, hoping to hear at least some answers.

- "these are all your fears ... Which I want to vent in front of you, show all my weak essence, make you scream in horror and beg for mercy. Bye, I won't get tired of it...~" - Infinite seemed to be smiling behind his mask. Tears of despair flowed from your eyes. You closed them, hoping that this horror would end soon...

You hear Sonic's voice.

But you don't dare to open your eyes. Seeing the illusion...

- "Y/N! Answer me now, I beg you!" He shook you by the shoulders, trying to make you react to him.

You opened your eyes.

- "Sonic?..." - you almost whispered this rhetorical question. You stubbornly wanted to believe it wasn't an illusion.

And you were right.

- "Yes it's me! What happened to you?! You were crying here and screaming... Why did you run away from the room?" - the blue hedgehog asked a lot of questions, wanting to know everything that happened to you. But you, from impotence, just buried your head in his shoulder, closing your eyes.

- .... I need a break...

#shadow the hedgehog #sonic x reader #sonic the hedgehog #shadow x reader #y/n #infinite the jackal #infinite the jackal x reader #infinite

[lucid-fate-if]

How about having Fai's POV when MC tells them that (talking about the prompt)👀👀

Ahh why am I fangirling over these two 🤧 ( first prompt )

↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛

“I think I’m in love with you and I don’t know what to do."

The confession came out of nowhere. In fact, it was more so just like the start of a conversation that had been taking place on both sides but hadn’t actually started yet.

It took a while for Fai to process that sentence through his foggy mind, but as soon as he did he could feel his entire body flush with heat, from head to toe. A small gasp fell from his lips and he turned to look at mc.

They were sitting beside him in the lounge, leaning back on one of the armsrests with their legs stretched out in front of them and arms crossed over their chest. It seemed as they said it without much thought, as they were still in their semi-zoned out state.

The light from their quarters shone brightly behind them, painting the side of their face and hair a bright red. They looked almost unreal, like they might disappear if he blinked.

When he didn’t respond immediately mc shifted forward, they're eyes locked onto his and an intense expression set across their features. ‘Are you okay?’ Mc's brows were raised slightly. There was something else in their gaze too…something akin to concern?

‘Yes! sure. Yeah! Of course. I’m fine.’ He managed to scribble out in a hurry after a moment of silence. The words left his fingers without thought as he finished writing. His handwriting seemed to tense through the book, causing a dent. The response felt forced; awkward even though he wasn’t doing anything wrong. It felt unnatural to hear someone admit to something like that, especially someone like mc.

He was convinced they wouldn't notice. And why would they? It wasn’t as if Fai was doing anything about it. He had spent the last month keeping himself as close to the wall as possible when the two of them were around each other. It’s not like it helped anyways…they were already friends. Or rather…it was just that the whole situation made it possible to associate himself with them…they were teammates after all.

He wanted to say the things he needed to say to them. But how? How was he supposed to convey everything in a few simple sentences? In just a few scribbles on his notebook?

Mc was still waiting patiently, watching him, waiting for him to continue. He cleared his throat again as he lifted his pencil, trying to focus. Before Mc spoke up once more.

“You’re…the most important person in my life."

Fai froze, staring dumbly at the them. He hadn’t expected it to be this...serious. Was he really that special? That…significant? Even though he knew it was true, Mc was not one to randomly say things like this to anyone, it still felt unreal to hear it aloud.

Mc shifted in their seat uncomfortably. “Well, not just to me anymore. Everyone in this crew is important to me. But you’re the one I feel most drawn to...the one I can't help but fall in love with. You always have been and you will always be…so don’t think of yourself in that way." They mutter, the breeze slowly shifting their hair softly as they smile at the shy boy.

"Don’t tell Dante I said you're my favorite." They joke as they shake their head. "he'd say his best friend spot is being taken away, kay?”

Fai nodded fast and swiftly, his heart racing in his chest. He was baffled. Words were failing him in his head. No matter how much he wanted to write back ,he couldn’t form a coherent response, so instead he simply stared, hoping the intensity of his gaze would be enough to convey all he had to say.

Mc sighed lightly. Of course mc would understand him, even in his zero option communication.

Mc would always understand.

↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛↛

#lucid fate if #anon ask #lucid prompts #fai

[pandora-dark-shorts]

****The Guardian****

Benny had come from a long line of Guardians that had been given the gift of life from the Supreme Stuffy. He had been nourished by Allison's youth, and as the years went on and she had gotten older, he had started feeling it. Benny was Allison's first stuffed animal. Covered in patches from head to toe. Scars from previous battles when he had been in his prime.

Every year since the first day she wrapped her arms around him, he had beaten down every monster that had tried to harm her. She called them monsters. He knew them as Locks. Terrible creatures that children manifest in their dreams come to life. At the end of every year, a champion is formed from the defeated Locks and sent forth. Abominations from the childs deepest fears. Every year, Benny defeated each and every one of them. But as the years went on, the battles got harder and longer and took their tolls on him. A patch here, a stitch there. Even a new eye from a particularly nasty goblin like creature a few years back.

He had been looking forward to retirement or maybe even being given to her new sister, where he would essentially begin anew with her youthfulness, obviously with some extra features he wouldn't have had otherwise.

The battle had been raging on for almost an hour now. His longest by far. She was almost 18 and had begin thinking she had no need for stuffed animals anymore and that was hindering his strength as well. Several of Benny's companions had been struck down in the last 3 years as the battles grew more and more intense. He was all that remained. He looked at the shelf where his friends were laid to rest. Timmy the Shark. Angel the Octopus. Larry the Viking. And not to forget their most faithful companion Barkers the Dobermann. He was all that was left.

This, was the last fight. All he needed to do was slay her last childhood champion and she would be free of them. He could not let it get to her. He was injured badly. He couldnt use his right arm and had dropped his shield a few moments ago.

"Have you had enough little bear", the champion asked, malice in its deep dark voice that only he could hear. "You look hurt. Are you hurt little bear?"

"I'll manage," Benny replied in an attempt to hide the pain. He was at his end, and he knew it. He couldn't fail her, though. He had protected her for her entire life. It wouldn't end this way. He looked at the shelf again. Winking at Larry. "I guess you were right, big guy," he said. It's better to go out swinging than lying down."

He used some of the strength he had left to charge the champion. The creature reached out with ease and impaled Benny on his spikes. Lifting him inches from his face.

"She is mine now," the creature bellowed. Laughing in the most unnatural way. Benny swung his little wooden sword at it. Missing by some inches. His sword now swings weakly by his side. The Champion noticed and brought him even closer. "You are done," it said, matter of factly.

"I," he stammed, "I know. But s-", benny coughed up stuffing. "She... she".

"Yes", the creature questioned.

Beeny coughed again, eyes filling with tears. "SHE'S STILL MY LITTLE GIRL," he yelled as he used all his strength to ram his sword straight into the bottom of its jaw and into its head. The champion collapsed with Benny still on its claw. He coughed up more stuffing.

As he tried to pull himself off of the spike, he was losing more of it. When he was finally off, he looked down at his body. Stuffing everywhere. He grabbed the creature and started pulling it under the bed where it would disappear. Every step draining him of life. When he finally had the creature under the bed, he started to climb it. He had won, and he just wanted to see Allison one last time.

He crossed the bed and collapsed near her chest. He watched her breath in and out, chest raising and falling. "We did it," he said to her, "we beat all your monsters."

She rolled over and wrapped her arms around him like she knew he was waiting there. "Yup," she replied sleepily. "Yup."

He looked up at her face. Drool coming from the corner of her mouth. He laughed one last time, pain and fatigue overcoming him. Then, he drifted off into silence.

#pandoradark

#connecticut #writing #writinginspiration #writetumblr #shortstories #authors #inspo #horror #stuffedanimals #teddybears #scp6330 #scp #scpfoundation

Inspired by a drawing from rhunstoryteller's ig.

[spicysoftsweet]

zhongli’s pretty serious about his contracts, zhongli x reader

warnings: fem!reader, nsfw, zhongli gets a little irritated with you at the beginning but it’s alright

“For someone who seems to turn everything into a sort of transaction, you’re quite bad at keeping track of money,” you tease.

Zhongli’s eyebrows furrow over his golden eyes, and you realize that he hasn’t quite exactly grasped the meaning of your joke. You roll your eyes dramatically before you sigh and pull out your wallet. The waitress who has just brought you the check stands awkwardly looking between you two, wondering if the fact that the young man sitting with you now appears tense means an argument is about to start. 

There won’t be, at least not on your part, because you don’t mind paying; in fact, you expected to. You’d heard the rumors, and you’d been privy to his rather forgetful nature in person. You had to admit that a small part of you hoped that he’d be a little more careful, however. For you.

Zhongli crosses his arms. You can tell he’s embarrassed by the very slight darkening of his tanned cheeks and the fact that he won’t look at the waitress who counts the bills you hand her, but he absolutely won’t admit it, not to you when you have this particular mocking smile spread across your lips.

“I… simply forgot,” he finally murmurs once the woman leaves.

“Mhmm,” you hum, sipping the last of your tea. There is a silence that isn’t awkward but in which you attempt to hold in your laughter. But when you notice how his hands now seem to grip the table for steadiness, you can’t help but giggle.

“Zhongli, it’s really not a big dea-”

You stop when you see how upset he looks now looking straight at you, words sticking in your throat. 

“What exactly do you mean by I turn everything into a transaction?”

It’s your turn to knit your eyebrows and tilt your head ever so slightly to the side, gauging his expression. He doesn’t look upset but he feels upset.

Your hand instinctively reaches for his but he draws back ever so slightly before getting to his feet. You watch him stand, again stoic but his movements are less fluid.

He’s angry. Possibly angrier than you’ve ever seen him before, but he still appears superficially calm.

“We’re done here, am I correct?” he states more than asks.

You nod, somewhat more carefully than usual and you rise as well. His hand reaches out for yours, and you take it loosely.

---

“You do mention contracts a lot,” you finally speak up after minutes of walking through the paved streets of Liyue Harbor, brightly lit in the falling night by more lanterns than usual in lieu of festivities. It’s been quiet and while it’s not unnatural for him to fall silent between long soliloquy about parts of history long-forgotten and long-irrelevant to your life today, the air around him is softer… not sharp and jagged like pieces of rock.

His hand is still soft around yours, however, and that reassures you. 

He stops in his tracks, and his eyes lower to you, still upset.

“Contracts are not so simple to be compared to transactions, for one.”

You raise an eyebrow, but don’t protest. You’re a little annoyed that his hand has left yours now to cross his arms yet again and you’re starting to wonder if he could go more than 24 hours without that particular pose.

“Two, I feel as though by ‘everything’ you truly meant, everything, and thus, I must know: are you also implying that you believe that us, being here together today is another transaction?”

Ah. There it was. You’d hurt his feelings.

Rather than answer, you step closer to him, and gently unfold his arms so that they wrap around your shoulders. He offers little resistance and you smile, resting your head against his chest. You know that you’re pushing it with the public display as he’s rather private, but it feels right.

“No, I like being with you,” you reply. 

He stiffens again, but for a different reason. You swear you can hear his heart speed up - does his heart beat the same way yours does? He is human now, he’s assured you, but yet…

... 

When Zhongli’s chest is pressed against yours (among other parts of his body), you’re reminded that yes.. .he is very human and not just in the realm of feelings.

Maybe too human. Superhuman.

In the bedroom is where he no longer has the composure of a displaced god but retains all of the power of one, from the indomitable lust in his eyes to the force with which he handles you.

It’s nothing excessive because elegance is still a part of him, intrinsically, but the grip he holds on your wrists, waist, thighs, face, wherever he can reach, reminds you that whatever link entangles your path with his is immutable. 

When he slips inside you, forcing a gasp and an involuntary arch of your back as you lay below him, he pauses, gauging your expression for discomfort beyond the norm.

“P-please move,” your voice is a whimper as you endure the sensation of him, only partially inside, stretching you completely. He bottoms out with your encouragement, fingertips trailing up your arms by your side to intertwine with yours, held firmly. His lips in the crook of your neck palliate the pressure and sting down below that gives way to pleasure.

“What do I get in return?” He teases back, a little petty for someone so ancient, but your squirm below him in protest has him laughing.

“Mean!” You whine.

“So we have that in common,” he quips before he seals a surprise kiss.

He pulls back to gaze into your eyes and again you see his edges soften. The first roll of his hips is deep and dizzying, and while he is quiet at the start, focusing on the music your body makes, he soon makes moans of his own with every subsequent thrust, with the sensation of your hands reaching around to claw at his back.

“Ah-”

He fucks you slow and deliberately, taking the task of pleasuring you as seriously as a covenant.

“Zhongli!”

He speeds up, his left arm wrapping around your body and raising you up ever so slightly and the right gripping the headboard that will soon crack under pressure for leverage. The speed at which he is moving makes you lightheaded but you can hear his praises through the thick fog that begins to set as you close your eyes and focus on the drag of his cock against your walls and the slap of his full balls at your entrance.

To have your love would be something priceless. There’s nothing I could exchange for it.

Your arms tremble as they wrap around his neck and hold on for dear life.

You believe that you have nothing to offer to a man who was once god, but you pray that he’s right, that your affections are enough.

#zhongli x reader #zhongli smut #genshin impact x reader #not sfw #genshin impact smut #mae.writing

[neovisioned]

♡ꜜ broken mirrors﹫jaehyun jung

pairing : jaehyun x reader (f), ft. nct dream and johnny. 

genre : angst, smut, horror-ish, cursed!jaehyun, (kind of bloody mary!au), college!au. 

warnings : jaehyun is meant to be kind of twisted, some toxic and manipulative behaviour from him, black magic, mentions of rituals, mentions of blood, mentions of murder, mention of anxiety, voyeurism, choking, guided masturbation, degradation, pet names : doll, darling, kid, reminder jaehyun is an entity from the victorian era, reader is kind of reckless and impulsive. 

word count : 25k exactly. 

synopsis : where your college friends recall a creepy legend known around your university about a man that appears in mirrors and grants you two wishes when summoned. Jisung is dared to say his name three times and see what happens. you at first brush it off as some copy of bloody mary but, when your friend chickens out and swears something happened in that bathroom, you can’t deny the shift in atmosphere everyone felt. once in your dorm, the urge to try it out mixed with fear pushes you over the edge. it’s probably fake anyways, right ? you summon Jung Jaehyun in the middle of the night, on your bed, and he is not what you expected him to be. 

a/n : this was supposed to be a short one shot, lol. reminder this isn’t an all pink story. for the people who’ve read my other stuff, it’s quite different from what i usually write ! also, this isn’t proofread. in case tags don’t work : @nct-writers​ @neowritingsnet​ @thekpopnet​.

“Do you seriously believe in this kind of shit ?” laughs Jeno, a bit too loudly for the other students probably peacefully resting in the dorms right next to his. One hand covers the economics student’s mouth, visibly chewing on some chips and guacamole freshly made for tonight. Jaemin whines at the obvious joke his friend is making him out to be in front of everyone, a pout on his rosy lips. Poor thing, a dusty pink colors his cheeks – noticeable despite the low lighting of Jeno’s room - he looks down at the half empty plate, crumbs of potatoes on the ceramic.

“At least let me tell the story !”, Jaemin argues, slapping the red haired’s hand away. Stealing one of the last larger chips, Jaemin dips it in the smashed avocado. The blonde eats his chip almost aggressively, a victorious noise coming out of his closed mouth when Jeno notices the little amount of guacamole he left for him. 

“We were supposed to watch a scary movie, telling creepy stories’ the next best option.”, you say, leaning back against your friend’s Fatboy. Tonight was yet another one of these half improvised movie nights with your college friends. Jeno, Jaemin, Renjun, Jisung, Chenle and Donghyuck were all in your campus, in different courses and yet, you all managed to come together in one tight neck group. Every week, one member of the group would host a little something to celebrate…not dying ? Yeah, something like that.  

Thursday, tonight was obviously Jeno’s turn to hold the gathering, he had proposed a nice horror movie night but, Jisung, a language student, ended up chickening out after hearing the movie’s synopsis. You don’t really blame him, though, the story was meant to keep its viewers up for nights. 

“Jisung’s a pussy !”, Donghyuck teases the young man, a hand ruffling his peach hair to annoy him even more. “I have things to do tomorrow and I need my sleep !”, he defends himself for the nth time tonight, a new argument each time. The other boys aren’t really bothered by the change, movies usually get lost in the group’s banter and casual conversations anyways. You can count on two hands the number of movies you entirely watched with your friends. 

“He’s gonna get scared by some stories, too.”, the brunette continues his teasing like he usually does. Jisung pushes him to the side as an answer, before crossing his arms over his chest. Like everyone else, he’s already wearing his pyjamas, his and everyone else’s dorm room is in the same building and so, everyone could get to their bed in minutes, if not seconds.

“He’s going to knock at your door tonight, Y/N.”, Jeno joins in, all very well knowing that the peach haired’s dorm is right next to yours, seconds away. There’s a snore from Donghyuck, slapping a hand on the wooden table as he adds something to the conversation too, one you don’t catch. “Oh no, don’t. But I can give you a plushie if you’re really scared.”, you join in before immediately wrapping an arm around your friend for comfort.

“’m joking. Come on, what’s your story, Jaemin.”, you hum, letting Jisung lean his head against your shoulder with a whine, pout on his pink lips. 

“Lets do one each, yeah ? I have a story to tell and we’ll see who will really need a plushie.”, taunts the young man at your side, though no one truly believes him at first. Jisung, having scary stories to tell ? Hard to believe. 

“Wait ! We need to get in the mood !”, interjects Jaemin, getting up from his position on the floor. He easily navigates in the room with Jeno, like a third home. The first closes all windows, pushes curtains and turns off any lights to, like he said, get in the creepy mood. 

“H-Hey ! Can we at least keep one on ?”, Chenle joins the peach haired as a laughing point for the other boys, but Jaemin quickly obliges and lets the light of the small bathroom on for his friend, you suspect he didn’t like the complete lack of light either. You can barely see the front door from your spot, the yellowish light easily drowns the group in the storytelling atmosphere and, Jaemin joins the group again. “Wait, one last thing !”, searching for something in a drawer next to his bed, Jeno ends up taking a red candle out with a victorious sound. It hasn’t been touched at all, you inspect it a bit closely when your friend sets it on the wooden table. 

“Got it because of TikTok, it has something in it.”, he mumbles out, running a hand in his dyed hair, almost embarrassed. You wonder again how almost everyone in this group has their hair a different shade of some unnatural colour and yet, dried locks aren’t falling out on the dorm floor - yet. Thumb on his lighter, Jeno tries a few times before he gets a flame steady enough, bringing it to the white thread sticking out of his impulsive purchase.

“There, now we’re in the mood.”, proud of his little setup, the red haired sits down again, a small giggle escaping his lips at Chenle’s frightened look, already sheltering himself with his arms. The candle smells like strawberries, tall flame wavering under your friends’ breaths, the red haired slaps your hand away when you try to dig in the melted wax for the mystery treasure with one of his forks. 

“Now, Jaemin ! Let us hear your story.”, slapping his hands together, Donghyuck leans a bit closer to the center of the table. It is no secret in the group that Donghyuck has a love for scary stories and anything crime related, it seems he has been waiting for this moment. His face gets enlightened by the small candle, a weird angle that changed his features. “Try and scare us.”, the dance student challenged. 

Jisung’s arm wraps and tightens around your own when Jaemin takes the little light in his own hands, bringing the flame under his face. “Alright, do you guys know what’s a…Banshee ?”, his last word comes out as a whisper, letting the last syllable hang in the air for a few. “Oh, no.”, Renjun’s head rolls back, it rests against Jeno’s bed for a bit as he squeezes his eyes shut, whining in almost pain.  “Oh, yes. Renjun knows this story.”, remembers Jaemin, a smile stretching his lips, devilish. Everyone else comes a bit closer to the table, curiosity poked by Renjun’s natural reaction. You’re the only one shaking your head from left to right, but you doubt the others know about what the storyteller’s talking about. 

“A Banshee’s a female spirit whose wailing warns of a death in a house.”, starts Jaemin, hands dancing around the small flame, probably enjoying the heat, drawing slight shadows on the walls. He pays no attention to the small gasp falling from Chenle’s lips, about to continue. “Wow, Wikipedia. Big boy words.”, notifies Jeno, earning a death glare by the narrator. 

“It happened years ago, me and my family were on vacation in Ireland. You guys know, I have some relatives there. It was for a wedding, so all my cousins and I were staying at my Uncle’s house.”, finally starts Jaemin, voice a lot quieter. The young medicine student easily gets the entire group captivated with his words and aura. Even Renjun who already knows this story, even Jisung who usually, does not like scary tales. It is clear the intimate aspect of a story lived by a friend helps a lot, it isn’t anything mainstream or heard before, it adds to the mystery. For the next minutes, the young man tells his story with as much seriousness as he can, keeping the candle right under his face.  

“We were all around the ages of ten and thirteen, my Uncle’s house was deep in the Irish country side. I remember that parents would all sleep on the first floor and let us have the second for big sleepovers. So, my cousins and I would stay late and watch horror movies. I mean, you let kids alone, obviously they’re going to stay up late, right ?” Haechan only agrees while Jisung lets about a “this isn’t starting very well.”, eyebrows furrowed, cheek rubbing against your shoulder. “But eventually, my Uncle would come up and switch off the TV. You guys don’t know him but he’s...Special. He wouldn’t walk us to bed right away, he’d tell us about Banshees. Irish spirits, he’d describe them to us. A fragile, old woman with ripped clothes. Black hair down to her feet, sickly white skin and a veil over her red, bloody eyes.” Jaemin lets the description sink in, your face contours at the thought, you don’t have to look at Jisung to know he has the same expression on his. Donghyuck, him, is smiling a bit too much, leaning closer to the narrator for more. Jeno is strangely afraid too, towing with a loose thread sticking out of his blanket.  “Her screams have one meaning. Someone is going to die.”, Jaemin dramatically lets out the last word, keeping a straight, serious face even when Donghyuck cooes. “I hate this.”, you mumble out, to which Jisung agrees. “My Uncle would tell us about how clocks would stop, all of a sudden, fall off walls and crash on the floor before hearing a Banshee. Lights would turn on and off, flicker, doors would fly open without a breeze and slap against the walls. Paintings and pictures would fall down. He’d describe the keening as high pitch sounds, it’d pierce your soul and make every hair on your body stand.” Another pause, it’s clear Jaemin already told this story. There, he mimics the sound of a keening Banshee. And, if you think he’d sound silly, he does. High pitched is not a sound your friend can achieve and, it takes a few laughs here and there. Chenle visibly relaxes, back leaning away from the Fatboy. “He’d then walk us to bed after his Banshee story and we’d stay awake out of fear, you know. Just staring outside the windows, at the dark, Irish country side. Pitch black, no lights, tall - tall trees. It was during the winter, a wedding in the snow. And so, his big garden would be fogged up. A dense, white fog, we could barely see anything.”

The small flame grows taller, it wavers again under Jaemin’s words, light dancing on the red haired’s table. “One night, after my Uncle walked us to bed, me and my cousins were looking outside when we saw it.” Jisung shivers next to you without even hearing the rest, you almost giggle at his reaction. Both the narrator’s palms softly hit the table before he continues. A sound leaves his lips, like the image his memory is forming in front of his eyelids is enough to scare him. “We saw one.”, Jaemin finally announces. 

In another situation, Donghyuck would be the first one to deny or refute Jaemin’s words. No you didn’t, you almost say but, your lips part for a second, without a sound. Hyper focusing on your friend, you can’t deny the slight shiver that runs down your spine when he continues. “Red, glowy eyes. Right under a tree. She was wearing a white dress and just like Uncle said. She was taller than Uncle described, she could probably easily touch the tall branches of the trees. Skinny, lanky body, we couldn’t see if she had a veil or if it was ripped.” There’s a pause again, Jaemin looks at the clock right behind you and you can not help it, you turn around just in case. “The clock stopped.” Fortunately, he isn’t talking about Jeno’s. 

“No.”, the red haired whispers out but, Jaemin does not even look at him, continuing his story. 

“She wasn’t moving, just standing...there. White dress, black hair. We couldn’t see exactly where she was looking at but it was clear she was staring at our house. And then…”, for a second time, the young man mimics a Banshee’s scream but, it’s too good this time. It’s quiet enough that he does not bother Jeno’s neighbors, but high pitched and blood drenching. The quiet scream is drawn out, Jaemin leans on his palms and elevates himself before he’s out of breath, stopping abruptly. “Dude.”, you whisper out, getting a look from Jisung.  

“And then. She disappeared. We saw her walking between the house and my Uncle’s neighbor’s house. It was so weird, she wasn’t slow, she was walking quickly, so quickly. But it was like her knees weren’t in place, her legs would twitch to the side every now and then.”, Jaemin sits down again, looking at each of his friends in the eyes. You didn’t know he was this good at storytelling, you have to keep yourself from picturing this tall, lanky woman quickly walking in the dark. “We locked all the doors, closed all the windows. We were so scared, we would look at each other like…‘who’s going to die tonight ?’”

“Shut it, no one died.”, the red haired lets out, sentence rushed. But, Renjun finally speaks up, throwing a balled up tissue at your friend, one he cannot dodge, getting hit right on his forehead. “Sht and listen.” 

“We did not sleep at all that night and…”, you almost hit the medicine student at the nth pause, you can’t deny the fact that he has you at the edge of your metaphorical seat. “The next morning, my Uncle found our neighbour. Dead.” 

There’s a gasp from everyone, your eyebrow’s and Donghyuck’s raise up and before you can speak up, Renjun whispers at you to just “wait for the next part.” You hear one of your friends babbling about how it’s all bullshit, but Jaemin never leaves his narrator persona. “We told my Uncle about the Banshee, he had heard it too and since nothing happened to us or our parents, he went to his neighbors’ house. Both really believed in these kind of things, these Irish legends. He was found in his little sofa, turned towards his window. He didn’t have any heart problems but apparently, his heart stopped during the night. My dad told me a bit more two years ago, he was found with his eyes...Wide open.”

The moment Jaemin finishes his little story, questions fly from each side of the table and your friend answers quickly, like he was ready for each one of them. “You can call my mom and ask her about it if you want to, Donghyuck.”, the confidence the medicine student has in his story is enough for the brunette. A nice story to start on, you all note, but the neighbor’s death was probably a weird coincidence, right ? At the very least, that’s what you’d like to think. Finally, when everyone calmed down from Jaemin’s story, he pushed the candle towards Jisung. “Your turn, you said you had a story to tell.” 

Your friend nods quickly, hands resting on the pyramide shape of the candle, frowning at the layer of wax it leaves on his palms. A little pool of melting wax is forming at the top and you wonder for a moment if it’s not going to spill on the table. Everyone’s attention turns towards the new narrator, Jaemin finding a new comfortable position on the floor. “Alright, uh. I don’t have the same storytelling skills as Jaemin and it isn’t the same type of story. You guys know Eric, right ?”, he starts, receiving some hums from Jeno and Jaemin. 

“Eric the Eerie ?”, you ask, almost in disbelief at the mention. At the nickname, Donghyuck almost bursts out laughing, leaning his forehead against Jeno’s table and Renjun pouts a bit at the lack of seriousness his story is already receiving. “Yes, him. The old Litterature student.”, affirms Renjun. You remember the guy, tall and lanky, legend has it that he suddenly went from the bottom of his class to the very top almost overnight, collecting amazing grades after amazing grades. No one knew how he did it. Plus, he was a bit weird. It might seem a bit mean but, his appearance didn’t help and, he would not talk to anyone either, he avoided big bodies of water and mirrors, you doubt he had any friend here, too. He’d apparently sit in the back of his class and, when he graduated, he took his diploma first and left. Nowhere to be seen now. 

“Didn’t he graduate last year ?”, Jaemin asks, grabbing a bottle of juice from the side. Even in the dark, he is able to pour himself a glass full without spilling it everywhere.

“He did, yeah. Did you guys hear about the legend ? The one around how he got his grades up ?”, there’s a sound coming from your mouth, half confused and half intrigued. “Uh ?” Jaemin hums loudly, the sound resonates between the walls of his glass as his eyes blow wide for a second. “The Yoonoh thing ? I heard about that but not in details.” Apparently, Jaemin isn’t the only one who recalls the name. It is one you and all your friends have heard before, right when you entered your university. It wasn’t mentioned in the flyers or, by the teachers, even. It was first brought up during a party hosted by older students, one where they all told you about the campus’ legends and stories. 

“His name’s written all over the walls of the old building. Also, it’s in the main building’s restroom, I think.”, Renjun informs and your memory clicks. Your university has many buildings but, one of them, a bit further away from the campus, is abandoned. It has been for years now but you and your friends decided to visit it out of curiosity during your first year, a bit after the party. You could say it was pretty underwhelming, nothing too special if it wasn’t for old structures and dirty floors. Empty classes and weird smells, like any other abandoned places, you could say. You remember the same name being written over and over again on the walls, the desks, some mirrors. Younger you thought it was only a weird legend older students used to scare the new ones.

“Oh, right. What about it ?”, Jeno asks, eyebrows raising a bit at the new storyteller. 

“Do you guys remember the legend ?”, you nod again and, help your other friends remember the old tale. Once upon a time, a man cursed, cursed in mirrors forever. Able to travel from room to room, forced to appear whenever properly summoned by someone. How did he end up with such a faith ? You do not know or, maybe you don’t remember what your older friends told you. Yoonoh was - or is -, his name. Much like Bloody Mary, call his name three times and he’ll eat your reflection, take your place in your mirror and offer you two wishes. Two and not three, the last one he keeps to himself, he’ll ask for something in return. The rest of the story is quite blurry, it changed from course to course. Some people said he’d trap people in mirrors, other that he was a creepy, demonic looking creature asking for quite gory things. You had to say, when the story was told the night of the party, you got a bit creeped out but, you forgot about it since. 

“Apparently, Eric summoned him. Midway through the school year, he summoned him in his bedroom and used one of his two wishes for better grades. The first wish was granted but, Yoonoh wanted Eric to sacrifice a friend to him. No one knows if he managed to do it or not, apparently he didn’t use his second wish and since, Yoonoh follows him everywhere he goes.”, Renjun dramatically says but, the effect isn’t one he anticipated for his little story. There’s a laugh from Donghyuck, quickly followed by Jeno. “C’mon dude, we wanted a scary story.”, interjects the medicine student and, you only hide your chuckle by drinking your juice. Poor Renjun pouts, trying to regain the attention of his friends. “Wait, listen ! Doesn't it make sense ? Like...Like, I see it happening.”, big pearly eyes find Jisung for some support, but his friend only looks away to hide his smile too. 

“That story’s bullshit, I thought you knew.”, Jaemin finally says, sighing a little. 

“But the grades going up ? How he’d dodge mirrors like the plague ? He even took the mirror from his bathroom and bedroom out.”, Renjun argues, leaning a bit too closely to the small flame. You wonder for a moment who exactly, decided to take advantage of your gullible friend. “It’s fake.”, Jisung says again, mimicking your friend. He gets a death glare from the fallen storyteller who didn’t have the throne for too long, pushing the candle to the center of the table.

“Alright…”, he starts, palms flat on the flat surface. Renjun plants his eyes into Jisung’s, small smile tugging at his lips at the thought crossing his mind. “I dare you to summon him.”

Oh, your friends still act like teenage boys. You don’t blame them, quite the contrary, you join them when they almost scream at the challenge thrown out. Everyone knows Jisung never turns a dare down, it probably has to do with his pride. But tonight, tonight might be the first time he does. Eyes scanning everyone, Jisung takes a bit too long to answer. There’s a bunch of “do it”’s from around the table, Jeno and Jaemin weirdly dancing to the beat of your words. 

“Yoonoh ? Dude…”, eyes blown wide, he looks around at the uproar the narrator created, almost sending daggers. “I thought it was bullshit ?”, sarcastically asks Renjun, propping his chin on his hand, still on the table. Donghyuck calls him a chicken after some seconds of thinking and, this does it for Jisung’s pride and ego. 

“He’s gonna do it !”, Jeno chokes out, hands thrown in the air in victory. The medicine student at his side takes the lit candle in his palms and offers it to Jisung once he finally stands up with an audible sigh, head low like a knight in front of a Queen. “It’s...fake anyways.”, he reassures himself alone, brushing his pyjamas. Slowly walking towards the dimly lit bathroom, Jisung quickly looks behind him to see if anyone stops him. Clearly, no one does. 

“Do you remember how to do it ?”, Renjun asks, not even hiding his smile at Jisung’s obvious lack of confidence, a first. Shaking his head from left to right, Renjun quickly writes it down on a piece of paper, himself not daring saying it out loud. Standing up like the rest of your group, you look over your friend’s shoulder. He’s writing a few sentences down by memory, sentences you remember from the first university party. 

“Mirror, mirror, mirror. Take my reflection as home. Show me my deepest, darkest desires. Give to me, take from me. Yoonoh, Yoonoh, Y…” 

“I didn’t want to write his name three times.”, Renjun mumbles out, handing the small piece of paper to your friend, waiting in front of the bathroom door. You audibly laugh at his confession, poking Donghyuck with your elbow to react his words. “And I am the chicken ?”, Jisung asks a bit too offended, to which Jeno only pushes him inside the room. “I never said I wasn’t !” 

Jeno tries to close the door behind him as quickly as possible but, Jisung is quicker and blocks the attempt with an arm, frightened look flashing in his eyes for a second, he already hates this. His mouth falls open the moment you turn the light off, only lit by the small candle and Jaemin’s phone’s light. “Do I have to ?”, he whines, quickly looking behind him. All the dorms have the same bathroom, small and packed, it seems Jisung never saw his bathroom in the dark or maybe, the candle lit adds to the creepiness. “Yes, you have to !”, it’s almost a harmony between you and Chenle and, with Jaemin’s help, the door gets closed and traps Jisung in the small room. Poor thing, you hear him let a whine out while your friends giggle, tapping on the door. 

“C’mon, Jisung.”, Jaemin pushes him on and, you hear him mumble something on the other side. Finally, silence. Jisung probably sets the candle down, whines again about how he can’t read your friend’s handwriting. After a few minutes, he mumbles a few things again, voice audibly shaky. Jeno lets his nails travel down the painted wood of his door and, the poor thing reacts, loudly tapping the door. 

“Is he doing it ?”, you ask quietly, ear to the door. “I think ?”, Donghyuck can only guess before he gestures to his friends to back away and stay silent. In Jeno’s dorm, badly lit, all packed in front of his door, you think it’s all fun and games. Finally, you hear Jisung say the first words with an ounce of confidence, clearing his throat every now and then, mirror, mirror, mirror. Your eyes grow wide, palms slightly sweaty, you have to rub them against your pyjama pants and crouch a bit down. He reads almost like a robot, a monotone voice he uses to add some humor in all of it, act nonchalant when you’re pretty sure he’s shitting himself in there. However, when you hear the second to last sentence, your blood rushes through your veins, he sounds different, like he’s finally taking it all seriously. It’s weird, your brain is convinced nothing is going to happen and yet, your heart races for him and the possibilities of what can happen between these four walls. You were never the one to believe in such things but, the adrenaline and thrill always got to you, always managed to scare you a bit and keep you up at night. It seems the situation does the same to your friends. Quickly, flashlights join Jaemin’s, you even see Chenle biting down on his lower lip, backing a bit away. At this very moment, you don’t know it yet but, your friend has a weird feeling greeting up his chest. Yoonoh, you hear him say his name once, you fake not feeling the air grow colder around you, goosebumps rising on your nakes arms, it’s probably the open wind-. You remember Jaemin closing every window before starting his story. A second time, Jisung sounds breathless, hesitant to let the word out, even. You almost open the door to let him out but you’re stuck there, unable to move anything but your eyes. Stuck in place, it seems like long minutes go by between your friend’s words. Quickly, you look over at the clock hung up on Jeno’s wall, the very one you thought would fall down during the medicine student’s story and...Is it...Slowing down ? Say it a third time and get out of here, you think to yourself, suddenly feeling sweat gathering on your body. Hairline, back, you fan yourself with your hand but nothing changes. It sounds like he tries to, syllable forming on his lips but nothing more gets out. He tries once, and never finishes. There’s a shiver that runs down your spine, you instinctively glare at Jaemin who stares at the plain door almost too intensively, you see his Adam’s Apple difficulty move up, and down, like he himself, feels the weird shift in atmosphere. When did this dumb dare turn so serious ? Something isn’t right, you don’t dare mention it at that moment, you don’t think you need to anyways. He isn’t able to let the last word out, silence on the other side, you almost think he’s pulling a prank on you before you hear it. You all hear a commotion, you hear Jisung thumble backwards and crash into one of Jeno’s furniture. 

“What the fu-.”, before Donghyuck can even finish his sentence, the door abruptly opens, forcing everyone away from the entrance, your back crashes into Jeno’s chest who stood right behind you. A scared Jisung tumbles out the small room, almost running as fast as possible before letting his body fall on one of the Fatboys with a sound. 

“Dude, what the fuck ?”, Jeno asks, half terrified and half amused, he doesn’t know what to feel yet. Jisung barely answers, he wonders for a moment if his friends won’t make fun of him for what’s going on in his mind. “Something touched me. Something touched me in there.”, he chokes out, breathing chopped. You know, you know Donghyuck is about to make fun of him before he walks towards the man, taken back by the genuinely afraid look he has on his face. “Wha- ? Are you okay ?”, he asks, palm resting on his friend’s upper arm in an attempt to calm him down. 

Your attention gets grabbed by the still open door, you wouldn’t dare say it out loud but, there’s something strange about it. Pulled towards it, your eyes leave your visibly and audibly afraid friend for the dark place. You almost fear going inside and, you only look up at the dark room without entering, something in your body tells you not to. Staying right in front, it’s like you feel the shift in temperature between the living room and bathroom. Why does the bathroom look so...dark ? You barely register it, how the flashlights of your friends’ phones get absorbed by the darkness inside the smaller room, only lit by the small candle. It’s probably your brain, you think to yourself. A brain can do weird things to itself, it can imagine, create but, you’re sure you’re not hallucinating when you see the candle’s flame growing taller, wavering violently before eventually, getting blown. No wind, nothing, the pale trail of grey smoke flies straight upwards and you quickly back away, closing the door behind you in hopes of ending anything that went on in there. 

“Here, here. Look !”, in the meantime, your entire group had gathered around Jisung, amused looks turned into worried ones at his twisted body on the coach. Jisung pulls his short sleeve up and, under Chenle’s flashlight, you think you might hallucinate again. Milky skin glows under the living room’s artificial light when Jaemin turns it on, it contrasts deeply with his epiderme but your brain would rather make anything up than believe your eyes. A light pink, slowly growing a deeper shade of red, five fingerprints around your friend’s arm mark his skin. 

It’s almost two in the morning when your phone rings to the tune of a few texts, screen lightening with a notification from your beloved friend group chat. Body and mind trying its best to rest on your small bed, your eyes travel from your thin, white ceiling to your phone when you bring it up to your face, risking it falling straight on your nose. You quickly swipe a finger on the object and read the last text Jeno sent, something about wanting Jisung to take a shower and rest for the night, quickly followed by your other friends’ words. 

There’s a sigh tumbling from your lips, the slight headache taking place right on your temples makes you want to bury your face right under your pillow but your small dorm is hot, way too hot for that. Window wide open, there isn’t an ounce of wind entering your room. You hate the feeling of sweat growing on your forehead, on your back, fabric sticking to your skin just like it did in front of Jeno’s bathroom. You feel drained, so, so drained. It is something you’re used to, especially after a full week of classes and a night with your friend but tonight, something feels different. There’s something off about your room, it doesn’t feel the same. You aren’t being watched, you know that, but you sure feel like it. Oppressed, stuck in such a small space, you’ve been rolling around your bed for minutes now, unable to sleep. After what happened in Jeno’s own dorm, natural instincts kicked in. All tried to find an excuse for what happened to Jisung, saying maybe your friend got the marks from bumping into the furniture, maybe he got these before even entering the room. Poor thing decided to let himself be convinced by the hypothesis thrown at him but, you couldn’t really understand everything else. The change in temperature, the lack of light, the candle blowing itself out, you can’t find a single excuse except maybe, just maybe, your mind’s playing tricks on you. 

Your thumbs quickly work to type a message for your friend before you drop your device on your bed. Overthinking, that probably is what’s keeping you from falling asleep. It’s crazy, the number of videos around paranormal things you and Donghyuck watched together and yet, you two didn’t think about the rules before starting this stupid dare. Beating yourself up for not taking it seriously, you now remember how you’re supposed to say goodbye whenever starting a seance of Ouija. How you should not disrespect entities, know and do everything by the rules. You almost text Donghyuck about it but, you fear sounding too crazy. 

Instead of Donghyuck, you text Johnny. It’s the urge of knowing more, the curiosity growing in your belly that you did not expect. The tall man’s one of the older students who told you about Yoonoh’s legend during the first party, he studies psychology in your building and you two became quite good friends after a while. He would help little you with administration but also, showed you some spots you still go to, to this day. Good friends, so much so you know he isn’t sleeping at such an hour. And, you don’t feel too guilty when you text him about the legend, almost completely out of the blue. Needless to say, the brunette was a bit taken back by the question. You saw it through his texts, but he quickly told you about all the things he knew and heard around the university legend. The same sentences your friend wrote on a piece of paper, the same Jisung was close to saying fully. A candle, like Jeno unknowingly provided and the young man took to the bathroom. But, there was one thing missing, or rather, two. The one who summons Yoonoh shall write their name on the mirror, clearly and without a mistake. Second, both palms have to be placed on the mirror. Flat, you don’t think you’re allowed to move them while reciting what you’d call a spell, much like on a Ouija board. All the things missing and yet, you still felt a slight shift in Jeno’s dorm, didn’t you ? 

Turning your phone off once you wishing Johnny a good night, you find yourself turning the device on again, seconds after. Scrolling through your Twitter timeline and switching between the same two applications doesn’t help at all. Push it away, that feeling of being watched comes back like a bull. You hate it, so much. It’s just like the aftermath of watching a scary movie, you reassure yourself. Like that one time you watched Annabelle and slept with all your plushies outside your bedroom with the light open, right ? Sitting up on your bed, you almost feel ashamed when you turn your light on, quickly looking around your small dorm. Nothing’s there, nothing’s there. The slight fear adds to the sweat collecting on your skin, you feel too hot and yet, a cold shiver runs down your spine when your back meets your headboard. “It’s just a legend.”, you tell yourself out loud. One time, two times. Bringing your knees to your chest, your hands quickly grab at the thin sheet before you pull it towards your body, as if it’ll shelter you from anything paranormal. It’s just a legend, you tell yourself again when your eyes meet your reflection. What a stupid idea, having such a big mirror right in front of your bed. It takes all of your wardrobe, you remember loving it when you first moved in, taking advantage of the size for pictures. But now, it only added to your fear. You don’t know where to look, eyes traveling from your own body to the sides of your bed, the corners of your room. At least, nothing can hide in here, you think you’d see it immediately. 

Your father would probably laugh at your face if he saw you right now. See, if your mother might believe in anything paranormal, your father never did and never will. He’d always find a scientific reason for anything weird happening in your house, reassuring you as best as he could. If he was here, what would he say, what would he do ? You ask yourself for a minute, keeping your knees close to your body. 

He’d try it, see for himself and prove that the legend was all bullshit. 

Calling him at such an hour wasn’t even an option, could you do it yourself ? You wonder, eyes glued on the mirror. You can not deny the slight curiosity rising in your chest, building up in your body. It’s weird, a morbid interest that has been sitting with you since Jisung ran out of the bathroom, since you saw the candle blow out by itself. Curious and adventurous, you always thought you were and, wouldn’t trying it help you prove the invalidity of the legend ? 

Legs fall back on the bed, you barely can believe yourself when you stand up on your knees, sinking into your mattress. “Do it and go to bed, surely nothing will happen.”, you coach your reflection. You think it’s a mix of fear, pure curiosity and fatigue. Your body craves sleep and, in your half asleep state of mind, you take advantage of your boost of confidence, pushing away the paranoiac side of your brain. If it was real, more people would talk about it. If it was real, where are all the pictures and videos ? Clumsily stepping out of your bed, your feet touch the cold floor as you drag your body towards your makeup bag, blindly dipping a hand in. An old lipstick would do, right ? Right, you don’t even remember the last time you used this Sephora lipstick. The small candle you probably used twice in your life finds another use tonight as you grab it from your shelf, opening the small lid to clean the small bits of burnt thread. 

A few steps is all you need before you stand in front of your mirror, letting your body rest from the little effort you did when you sit down right in front of it. It’s stupid, so so stupid, you think to yourself. Nothing will happen and you’ll tell this very story to your friends the next day, they’ll make fun of you for it for the next week and all will be good. 

Taking the protection of your old lipstick off, you inspect it with a pout. A shame, such a pretty color you never really wore before the expiration date. The deep red stick comes up when you twist the bottom and you have to resist the urge of trying it on your lips, just to see. Rather, just like Johnny said, you write your name on the mirror. The paste easily leaves a red trace under the pressure of your fingers, it’s almost pleasing if you did not know how long you’ll take to clean it off after. Long sticks, you write your name clearly on the mirror before closing your old lipstick, leaving it at your side. Next, your fingers fumble inside your bag, trying to find your lighter. It’s one you rarely use but keep with you just in case and you quickly turn it on. The small flame dances under your mouvements, bringing the cold candle near your lighter. It quickly starts burning in your hands and you place the object right between your body and the mirror. There’s a sigh from your lips, you can’t believe it yourself when you lean forward, both palms flat on the cold surface. Above your name in red lipstick, you dare look at yourself. Actually, if you look at yourself, your attention won’t drift for the back of your bedroom in fear. And so, keeping your eyes on your reflection’s, you take a deep breath. 

“Mirror, mirror, mirror.” you start off pretty easily, the one word rolling off your tongue without a second thought. Now that you’ve started it, you don’t think you can end everything just like that, you learned everything needs to be closed once started. “Take-...Take my reflection as home.”, you stutter, vision getting blurry for the quickest second. Probably the lack of sleep and fatigue, some water coats your eyes and you blink the teardrops away, finding a clear vision again. You sigh out for a second in an attempt to cool your body down, the same feeling slowly plunges on your shoulders. The one you felt while Jisung was doing the same thing but, this time, you were alone. The change in atmosphere is less abrupt but, you still feel it anyways. The air grows hotter, heavier, dense. 

“Show me my deepest, darkest desires.”, you choke out, feeling your palms sweat up, trying your best to resist the urge to whip them. You shift uncomfortably on your spot, pushing away the goosebumps raising on your naked arms again. Wanting to get it over with as quickly as possible, you push all the signs away and continue, though your confidence runs out quickly. “Give to me, take from me.” The small candle flame flickers, it grows taller and, you have to push it away with a knee to prevent it from burning your clothes. Maybe it’s the open window, right ? But here it is again, the feeling of being watched. You hate it, you almost turn around or just, look behind you through the mirror. Instead, a groan escapes your lips, frustrated at yourself, tired, annoyed, scared.

It seems the two sides of your brain disappeared, your thoughts are radio silent, white noise. Fuck it, fuck it. Panic takes over your next actions, it pushes you over the edge. Closing your eyes, your head hangs low and you say the last words. “Yoonoh.”, you start, closing your eyes even more, forcing your eyelids. You feel it, the sudden presence right behind you, you fucking feel it. Your heart picks up right them, you never felt it pump so quickly against your ribcage. Heat burns your cheeks, your ears, your back. Unconsciously, your head hangs lower, shoulders rise up in a protective, natural reaction. 

It truly feels like someone’s right here, with you and yet, you refuse to look. What the fuck are you doing, why the fuck are you doing this ? A hiccup, the outline of a cry tumbles from your lips. Ah, how the fear managed to wash over you like the rising tide eating at the shore. What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck. Teeth tight against each other, your jaw grows sore as you feel the heat of the small candle at your side. Letting your eyes flutter open the slightest bit, it’s when you see the flame violently dance, shaking from different sides that you decide it has to be over, now. 

“Yoono- Yoonoh, Yoonoh.”, you blur them out so quickly it’d be funny in another situation, the sounds are barely separated from each other, barely make sense. Your tongue feels heavy, mouth clumsy when you finish the spell of. Your irregular, hard breathing almost keeps you from hearing. Hearing it. 

Ah, how long Jaehyun - or Yoonoh - waited and longed for such a moment. Actual hours that felt like years for one of you to summon him properly. And, he has to say, he’s glad you were the one to do it, call him over with your pretty voice, fearful eyes and deadly curiosity. He felt it, the morbid interest peeking in your small body, he knew you would do it the moment you noticed the candle blowing out, he knew you weren’t dumb. See, when Jisung had attempted to summon him, he had almost brought Jaehyun to his mirror, he almost did it. He was so close, so close to it that Jaehyun managed to have a blurry view of the odd scene. Needless to say, the cursed had a good laugh at it but, the anger and frustration he felt at your chicken of a friend still lingered. When was the last time someone summoned him ? Jaehyun does not remember, he doesn’t have any notion of time, he lost it long, long ago. When was the last time he had fun with a foolish human ? He does not remember either but, something tells him he will make it up with you. Jaehyun isn’t alive but, the closest of “alive” he can feel, it’s in moments like this, properly summoned, ready for his deal. Eating your reflection, taking its place easily, the young looking man takes your bedroom in for a second, it’s all in reversed for him who’s stuck in your mirror. Speaking of, he likes it. Big, tall, he notices your name neatly written in what he guesses is red lipstick. Taking your reflection’s place, both his hands lay flat against your palms, kneeled down, he’s significantly taller than you but still, he notices the contourcion in your features, the fear. He loves it, he loves oh so much. The fear, the regret, he adores it all. He knows it’ll be even better once you open your eyes and understand your faith. Mirroring your position, the man doesn’t move, he loves the proximity, how close your face is to his. Wicked smile on his rosy lips, it tugs up at a side, pearly white canine showing, the tip of his tongue rests on the sharp tooth. Oh, he’ll eat you up and savour it just like he did with your reflection.

“Hi, Y/N.”

The reactions, Jaehyun thrives off the reactions. The fear in people’s eyes, the tears, the cries, the shouts, the realisation flashing, twisting people’s features, he fucking gets off of it. He knows what to expect and yet, when you finally open your eyes, barely take in his face and jump back immediately, he chuckles out, he groans happily, excited even. You barely believe it, a man replaces your reflection, he doesn’t follow your movements when you tumble backwards and feel your spine hit your bed, the scream you were about to let out getting knocked out of your lungs. Instead, it’s a loud whine you let out. What the fuck, the actual fuck. Both your hands cover your mouth, Jaehyun notices how shaky they are and cooes, head tilting to the side. What a pretty toy to play with. A knee down, the other leg bent against his chest, the man in the mirror lets his head rest there, patiently waiting for you to finally speak up. Strangely, he’s a patient man, he had some people run away on him, not speak for hours at the shock, even. You think you’re hallucinating, you almost pinch yourself but you know, you’d be awake if this was a dream. The impact of your bed against your back tells you that this, this is real. As much as your brain hates to believe it, takes minutes to process it and still has its doubts, you react just in case. You react out of pure instinct. The bag you use everyday gets pulled next to you and you quickly push a hand inside, looking for one thing only. A young college student needs to protect itself when walking home from late classes, the butterfly knife you wished you’d never have to use finds your fingertips and, when you feel the cold metal, you pull it out. 

“Ah-a. Don’t make me mad so quickly, doll.”, the man in your mirror sings, nickname rolling out of his tongue. You think you’re going to throw up, the ball in your throat keeps you from speaking but you don’t let his words scare you. In a swift motion, you open the object and let the blade stand straight towards your mirror. You try, you try your best to seem less afraid, but you’re sure you look foolish to him. And it sure does. A sigh tumbles from the man’s lips, a hand running in his dark brown locks. Thoughts clash and collide in your dizzy, clouded brain but still. He looks...normal almost, if it isn’t for the twisted grin on his lips, the lack of light in his dark eyes.  

“Your little knife won’t hurt me.”, he informs you, a small pout on his lips. He stays there, still patiently waiting for you to say something. Though he likes peoples’ reactions, he likes it even better when he hears about their darkest desires, the things that pushed them over the edge, things they graved to the point of summoning him, an entity many deem as fake, a legend. A hand on your floor, you support yourself with it, fearing your body giving out even if you’re already down. Mouth dry, you swallow harshly before finding your tongue again. “What if I break the mirror.” 

It’s a threat but oh, it sounds so sweet to the young man. You’re a courageous one, and fierce at that, Jaehyun can already tell and he loves it. Truly, he can not wait ; to break you down little by little, see that same fierceness in your pupils slowly disappear for obedience. There’s a small laugh tumbling from his lips again, cheek rubbing against his knee. “Ouh, she speaks.” Leaning a bit closer to the mirror, the man hums a little, eyes on the sharp blade. “Break it, it won’t do anything to me. Except make me mad.” 

For some reason, you believe him. Maybe it’s the daring look he gives you, silently wondering if you’ll have the guts to come closer to him. Clearly, you don’t, staying as far as your bed allows you. Your heart’s still beating too fast against your ribcage, breathing unevenly and you try to focus on your rhythm instead of the man right in front of you. “Come on. Deep breathes, kid.”

There’s something that clicks in your brain at this very moment, your throat seems to unravel and words flow out of your lips, avoiding what a side of your brain still thinks is an illusion. “I- We thought this was a legend, we thought it was fake.”, voice small, you fumble around, hands on your sheet before you find your phone. 

“‘it’ and ‘this” has a name.”, the man sternly says, eyes following your mouvements. As said, he saw it all before, the startled look in your eyes when your device went dead in your hand was one he enjoyed a bit too much. “It won’t work.”, he notes in a hum. 

“Y-Yoonoh ?”, you hate how it’s a question tumbling from your lips, half hoping one of your friend’s going to erupt out of your closet with a camera. There’s a disappointed sound from him, thumb running on his pink bottom lip, locks falling in front of his eyes. “Haven’t used that name in years. Please, darling. Call me Jaehyun.” 

Jaehyun, the sound rings in your ears. Eyes wide, you clench your dead phone around your fingers. “You’re real.” 

“As much as you are.”, he’s amused to say the least, lips stretching at a corner. There, he decided to get up, taking advantage of your tall mirror. It’s weird, how he isn’t wearing anything old, dirty, anything you’d think an entity would wear. A black blouse loose on his shoulders, he rolls the fabric to his elbows, what you think are black costume pants on his legs, his shoes you cannot see with the dark fog dancing around him. 

“You look...Normal.”, you dumbly let out, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. With other clothes, he’d easily pass as another boy in your campus. Then, he chuckles, you’re cute. It resonates in your small room, a deep dimple craved on each cheek. He seems pleased, standing right in front of your body. Hands in his pocket, he leans a bit forward. 

“Oh, doll. What were you expecting ? A big, bloody man ? Old and creepy ?” You nod at that, you surely were not expecting such a young looking man, you weren’t expecting him. “You surely didn’t summon anyone else, then. Does that mean I’m your first ? Ah- cute.” 

You don’t really know what comes to you, speaking almost freely to this entity and yet, you’re still afraid. There’s no doubt, the dip in your stomach and the sweat on your palms. “I-...I don’t believe in these kinds of things.”, you tell him without a second thought, without understanding how dumb this might sound. 

“Oh, really ? And do you, now ?”, Jaehyun decides he likes being at eye level better, kneeling, resting on his heels, he props his chin inside his palm again. Deep, dark eyes, it’s what strikes you the most. They curl lightly inside, outer corners stretched with what you think is a dark eyeshadow. He grins again, though his eyes never gain any light.  Your brain surrounders, finally coming around the fact that this, might be real. You stay silent, bringing your knees to your chest again. 

“Oh, she does.”, voice stained, gravy, he whispers out after some seconds of silence. “She believes.”, Jaehyun points out before you do with a breathless chuckle. There’s something twisted about him, you only needed seconds to understand how he fed of your initial fear, how he craved the trembling lips, watery eyes and shaky hands. Now, it seems he wants to play. 

“Now, you know what comes with summoning me, hm ?”, you nod at that, slowly coming to the realisation that you, have two wishes. Two possibilities. You could make your life so, so much better, right ? But a side of your brain still dismisses all of this as fake, you doubt Jaehyun’s powers for a moment. “Two wishes.”, you tell him and he nods, pleased. 

Pearly white teeth glow at his carnal smile, pupils slowly growing until his irises almost disappear. “A deal, unbreakable. You, will be sealed to me. Me, to you. Forever in the nearest mirror until the contract ends, I will follow as your reflection. Two wishes I shall grant you. One you shall grant me. “No” we both cannot use.”, he hums. Dreaded, realization falls onto your shoulders, the next sentence makes it too real. “Now, doll. Tell me. Tell me your deepest, darkest desires.”, he whispers, leaning closer to the barrier the mirror creates. 

The groan he lets out almost startles you, stained and deep, it’s almost a moan. “I’ve been waiting for so long.” Head thrown back, locks of his hair fall backwards as he reveals his pale neck. You gulp down, you never thought about it, only summoned him in an attempt to calm yourself down. “I didn’t...I didn’t think about that.”, you whisper out, slightly frightened at what he might be able to do. Jaehyun’s twisted smile never leaves his face, head tilted to the side. 

“Come on, kid. I’m sure you can find something.”, he starts. His right thumb pressed on his fingers, one by one. Cracking his knuckles, the sound’s bone chilling for your ears. “You know, you can wish for anything in the world.” Anything ? That’s the issue, you can’t think of anything right now. Unable to look at the entity in front of you, your eyes travel to the side, fixated on the small paint stain on your floor. What do you want ? You can barely think in such a situation, not when his eyes are fixated on you, intense, dark, awaiting. It’s the pressure that makes you speak again, your brain lashes onto the first thought that comes across your mind. 

“Popularity.”, you finally blur out, something the main character of a movie would’ve said. What a fool. Popularity, you don’t even need it, you just think it would be new to have people finally looking at you, knowing who you are.

“Popularity ?”, Jaehyun says, eyebrows raised. He seems slightly taken back, amused still. “I’ve had much, much more interesting wishes.”, he says, dark eyes looking down at you. You hate it, the judgement he shows, you know you could’ve wished for anything else. He does not elaborate on that - yet. Rather, he nods. Palms against each other, his last and fourth fingers are laced together, both thumbs, pointer and middle fingers pointed to the ceiling. There’s a dark glow right behind him, the black fog rather around the entity and, before you can change your wish, his eyes plant right in yours. They glow with something different, his voice resonates in your room, it comes out of all the mirrors you own. 

“Then, Y/N. So be it !” 

That night, you don’t sleep at all. Or at least, you don’t think you do, even when trying your hardest. If Jaehyun doesn’t appear in your mirror again, if he seems to disappear after your wish in an attempt to let you rest, you’re hyper aware of the fact that he’s here anyways. Jaehyun’s presence lingers, the effect he has in your dorm is undeniable, you can not push it away. Air dry, atmosphere tense, he’s everywhere and anywhere. “Forever in the nearest mirror until the contract ends.”, that’s exactly what he said. If he’s watching you sleep ? Is he, himself, sleeping ? Does he even need to ? Questions collide, none of them find an answer and rather, create new ones in their wake. 

Fatigue crashes on your body at once when you finally get yourself to blow the candle out and turn the lights of your bedroom off, so does the anxiety. Finally realising what you’ve just done, what you just got yourself into. It barely feels real, minutes go by on the clock and, when you’re not glaring at the numbers casted on your ceiling, you’re fearfully looking at your mirror. For the first time since you moved here, you hate this mirror. From the placement right in front of your bed to the size, you wonder why your campus thought this was a good idea. 

At some point, you do have to rest with your head right under your covers, finding a small bit of comfort with the duvet around your body. Maybe you dove back and forth into Morpheus’ arms but, your body shakes itself awake every time, almost giving you a mini heart attack. Soon enough, the lack of light gets replaced with the pale sunlight of the early morning, allowing you to catch a few minutes of sleep or so. Even if it varies with age, scientists say a human is able to live without sleep for around eleven days. You wonder if your body is able to go with a day of sleep. Thinking about it now, sleep deprivation comes with illusions and, you swear you sa-. 

“Y/N ?”, Jaemin’s voice rings right next to you, forcefully pulling you out of your too loud and invasive of thoughts. Eyes unfocused on your meal, your attention turns towards your friend in a second. From the silence in your group and the slight smile dancing on Jaemin’s lips, you guess he has been calling for you for a few seconds now. “Oh, sorry. Yeah ?”, you mumble out, placing the wooden chopsticks in your half full box, one you barely touched. 

“Dude, not to be rude but you look awful. You good ?”, Jeno, right in front of you, interjects before anyone else can speak. The young man looks genuinely concerned, eyebrows furrowed. You can’t help but notice, his eye bags don’t look too bad for a college student. They’re also, nowhere as bad as yours. 

“Yeah. Didn’t get much sleep last night.”, sighing a little, you let your cheek rest against your fist. You could fall asleep right then and there, on this very bench. The sun isn’t too harsh on your skin, no mirrors and, most importantly, you’re surrounded by your friends. Taking an entire picnic table in the middle of your campus, chinese food was bought but, you couldn’t bring yourself to eat more than a few bites, head heavy. 

There’s a laugh from Donghyuck, who just finished his food in one go. “Is it because of that dumb legend ?” 

“Dumb legend”, something doesn’t feel right when your friend lets the words out so, so carelessly. You can’t deny the shiver that runs down your spine at that moment, though you don’t see any mirrors anywhere close. Another uncomfortable silence takes place in the middle of the table, before Jisung speaks, finally. “I honestly felt weird yesterday night.”, he mumbles out, letting the tip of his chopsticks hit the bottom of his box a few times, like he’s embarrassed to admit it. It doesn’t shock you that he did, that the one who attempted to summon Jaehyun felt his lingering presence, the aftermath of not properly executing a ritual. What take you back, are Chenle and Jaemin’s next words. 

“Same. I almost tried that shit myself.”, Chenle says, half joking. In your half asleep state, your eyes widen for a second. Straightening your back, Jaemin beats you at the fast talker. “Dude, same ? I just wanted to try and see what would happen, you know ?”, he says. Your hand wraps around his arm, catching his attention. A little “You too ?” falls from his lips and you can only nod, looking over at Chenle. 

So they felt it too. The sudden feeling of not being alone, not being the crazy one. “I thought I was making things up.”, you gasp. You have to say, in another situation, Donghyuck’s face would’ve been funny. He looks so, so disappointed when you start listing the weird coincidence you and your two friends experienced the night prior. From the change in temperature and the feeling of being watched, Renjun and Jeno watch and listen, horrified. “But obviously, I didn’t try it.”, Jaemin adds, and you almost feel like disappearing. “Yeah, yeah...Same. Just didn’t sleep well.”, you mimic, and it seems to convince your friends. 

So they felt it too and, you were apparently the only one to follow your feeling, the only one that compulsively tried it out. You hate it, maybe you should’ve texted one of them, called them or even went to one of your friend’s dorms to sleep and you wouldn’t have been in such a situation. What a dumb move, what the slight confidence and curiosity had you summon, you almost let your forehead rest against the old wood. You almost do, if it isn’t for all your friends simultaneously turning their head to the side. 

Silence falls yet again in your group as you all look, slightly confused at the young man standing right next to you. Bright red hair, eyebrow slit, bold fashion style, everyone in this campus knows him as Lee Taeyong. See, if schools have their famous clique, the Heather and whatever is the masculine equivalent, you thought it all stopped once in university. You thought wrong. On your first visit, you quickly understood who exactly were the famous and unaccessible guys. Taeyong, was one of them. From his intimidating looks, ever changing hair color, sharp features and deep voice, he had everyone’s attention. Needless to say, you never saw him from so, so close. 

“Hey...Looking for something ?”, ah Donghyuck. Always the bold, the lifesaver. Sipping on his bubble tea, he looks straight at the oldest who barely gives him any attention. 

“Yes, actually.”, the red haired answers, gaining a few confused looks from your group. Looking at Jaemin for a second, you silently wonder if any of your friends know the Lee Taeyong enough for him to let himself be seen in your company. It seems he doesn’t understand either, quickly raising his shoulders. Catching your straw between your lips, you slowly sip onto the last drop of your juice, curious. 

“Y/N ?”, the dance student asks, looking straight into your eyes. It’s strange, how his eyes only manage to make you shift a little on your seat. You have to say, you did not know he knew your name, even was aware of your existence. Sure, him and Johnny were friends but, you doubt your friend told him about you. Still sucking on the last drops, you nod slowly. “I’m hosting a party this Sunday, are you coming ?” 

You choke on the liquid. Uh ? What’s going on ? You think it’s the lack of sleep that makes you hear things, but he doesn’t seem to mind and continues. “To celebrate the end of exam season. You’re Johnny’s friend, right ? He’ll send you the address.” 

And, just like that, the oldest smiles down at you and leaves. He leaves and lets your friends glare at you for answers, answers you do not have. 

Or maybe, you do. Wishing for popularity, you almost forgot about it. Was that how it began, people you barely know inviting you and not your friends to parties ? “What the fuck just happened ?”, asks Renjun, almost turning around to glare at Taeyong who sits with his friends, giving you a quick look. 

“I have no idea.” 

On any other normal, ordinary day, you would’ve opened your door without a second thought, mechanically almost. Throwing your bag at the foot of your bed before letting your body fall right in the middle of the mattress after a long, long day. But, your life is apparently far, far from ordinary since last night. Practically stuck in front of your dorm’s door, your fist unconsciously clenches the leather strap of your backpack. Knuckles turning white, it’s almost like you’re gripping the last bits of your sanity. Once you enter the four walls of what once was your safe space, you can only guess what is going to wait for you. 

Anyways, you cannot sleep right in front of your door, you can’t work on the dirty floor of your hallway, right ? It takes another rush of courage for you to push the handle down and finally allow yourself to enter your dorm. Even if you were ready for anything to happen, the sound of his voice once you close your door makes you jump back against the wood. “Ah, doll. Finally.”, it’s sultry, deep, it follows the look on his eyes when you carefully step towards your bed, second guessing his next actions. 

How are you supposed to act when you have an entity living in your mirror ? You wish Google could answer this question, you really do. Quickly glaring at the man in front of you, you’re a lot less scared now that the sun freely enters your bedroom, enough for you to notice a few more details that you might have missed the night prior. Victorian clothes, the tip of his fingers a dark grey as they dance on his jawline, Jaehyun still has the same cocky smile on his rosy lips. 

“Had a taste of popularity yet ?”, he asks, though he already knows the answer very well. Non-verbal, you keep an eye on your mirror while letting your bag fall on the floor, awkwardly sitting on the edge of your bed. 

“Uh, yeah.”, you let out, fingernails slightly gazing over the skin of your arm. You had a feeling it was him or rather, the wish you had blurred out hours before. It had to be, right ? Sure, Johnny knows Taeyong but you doubt he invites all his friend’s friends. Even, you and Johnny weren’t close enough and barely hung out, keeping your friendship almost strictly virtually. Not to point out the fact that the young man only invited you and did not even have the courtesy to invite the rest of your group. 

Finally, you decide to take your shoes off, scooting back to the middle of your bed, wood slightly cracking under your mouvements. Here, you believe you can have your eyes on the entity at any moment, just in case. What a strange situation, you don’t even know if you can work properly in such conditions, let alone take a shower and sleep peacefully. 

“Darling, you don’t look too happy with your wish.”, the young man notes, slight amusement dancing in his voice. Apparently, Jaehyun has a habit of squatting to sit down; elbow on his knee, head in his palm, he quickly raises his eyebrows at you. Isn’t it weird ? How he is still here, asking questions like an old - weird - friend shaking up on a friend. Maybe, your view on entities might be flawed, oriented by pop culture but, you sure weren’t expecting anything like this. 

“I’m tired.”, you simply say, clearly not prepared to have a casual conversation with the entity you summoned. Picking at a loose thread on your jeans, a sigh leaves your lips the moment you grab onto your phone and notice how, even now, it won’t turn on, nice. You don’t dare point it out, though. 

“Oh, kid. I can tell.”, your eyes quickly look up at his words, half in misbelief. Clearly, he doesn’t care for the daggers your eyes are throwing at him, tinted fingers twirling the dense fog around him. “You look close to death. And believe me, I saw my fair share of people on the bridge between our world and everything beyond.”

Your death glare quickly turns to a surprised, taken back one, clearly offended. Apparently, the young man finds amusement in this again, a quiet chuckle tumbling from his lips. How could he laugh, probably knowing he’s the reason you barely slept last night. Fighting with the entity stuck in your mirror, yet another thing you never even thought you’d experience. 

“You’re the reason why I look like this ! I-I barely slept tonight.”, your voice audibly quiets down the moment you understand the tone you’re using on a creature you can’t begin to understand, one that has powers beyond your comprehension. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to mind. Rather, his smile twists again, he likes them feisty. 

“I know.”, he simply says, batting his eyelashes, they’re long, dark. “But you, doll. Do you realise I can not do anything to you ?”, he asks and, you have to look to the side for a moment, Jaehyun continues. “I’m stuck in this mirror, I can not reach you.” 

Jaehyun can be lying. He probably is. After all, you aren’t aware of the totality of his abilities, he’s born from a dark ritual, meant to grant any desire, as twisted as they may be. Then again, why would he be lying ? If he could reach you, you think he could’ve tried something the night before. “You can’t ?”, biting down on your lower lip, you ask a bit quietly, raising your shoulders instinctively. 

“Actually, I can lean out of any mirror and reach anything at arm length but, it takes a lot of energy out of me.”, Jaehyun says, running a hand in his locks and, you have to say, the sheer thought of seeing him reach out of your mirror has your blood leaving your face, surely a sight you don’t want to witness. You don’t even ask for a demonstration, you’d rather keep the little sanity you still have now, without the image of an entity leaning out to your world. Does that mean he can reach out and grab the bag you left on the floor ? You almost lean down and tug it towards you and away from your mirror but, decide against it. At the very least, you now know that you can sleep without him walking out of your mirror. 

“Do you...Do you need to sleep ? You said it took energy.” What comes to you again ? Asking questions so freely, you guess having answers will help you be less scared. Bringing your knees to your shoulders, your body relaxes a bit when you notice the entity looking at you, seemingly taken back by a human asking him questions. Little do you know, Jaehyun doesn’t remember the last time someone wanted to know more about himself, he might as well.

“I do not need to sleep, I feed off people summoning me.”, he simply explained, getting up. You wonder for a second if he isn’t bored in your mirror, it seems like he does not have anything to do in there, you might even pity him for a second. “As long as people summon me, I exist. Once people forget about me, I’ll be gone.”, Jaehyun utters, slowly walking from one end of your mirror to another. 

“Isn’t it...Boring in there ?”, you wonder out loud, head tilted to the side. If you saw an entity being vulnerable, for the shortest of seconds, Jaehyun regains his attitude pretty quickly. There’s a laugh, a loud one you fear someone else will hear as he readjusts his rings on his fingers, one by one, before facing you again. 

“Oh, no. See, usually, people know what they’re going to wish for, their desires are dark, thrilling. Darling, yours are just plain and uninteresting.”, the entity notes, quietly. The gasp you let out at this is almost comical, though the young man doesn’t even let a reaction out. Eyebrows furrow, you almost have the reflex to throw something at your mirror. 

“I wasn’t- I didn’t even think it would work !”, you blur out a bit too loudly, letting your knees fall on your mattress. “I don’t have any dark, twisted desires, it’s not my fault !”, quickly losing yourself in excuses and defenses, you don’t notice Jaehyun’s smile growing wider at your attempts, passing back and forth in your mirror. “Even ! What did the others wish for ?”, you ask, clearly annoyed by the one way argument you just had. 

The question seems to pick the entity’s interest, you finally notice the habit he has of facing you when something interests him and, on the contrary, mindlessly passing until you’re done speaking when he isn’t interested at all. “Ah, what did the others wish for ? Doll, I do not think you’re ready to hear humanity’s most twisted impulses.” 

Curiosity and pride poked, you quickly blur back, crossing your legs. “I summoned you. I think I can hear it.” Eyes narrow, the young man takes a few seconds to judge, “Don’t you have some class work to do ? Friends to see ? I do not know, church to attend ?” You almost laugh at that, almost forget what time he probably comes from to speak in such a way. “No, I don’t.” It’s probably the slight determination in your voice mixed with the urge to tell his stories that does it for Jaehyun. Though he sighs, it’s almost a content one he has while remembering the endless acounters he had. “What do you think people summon me for ?”, he suddenly asks, starting again with his infinite passing. 

“Money, power.”, you start, and he only nods without looking at you. Suddenly, Jaehyun disappears and you almost back against the head of your bed, if it isn’t for his voice coming from the smaller mirror in your dressing table. God, how you feared it was haunted when you first bought it, even if it was straight out of ikea. You guess that now, it is. “Power.” Jaehyun eventually goes to the mirror in your bathroom, seemingly effortlessly, “Money.” You hear his voice resonate, even in this room full of furniture. Finally, he comes back again to your main mirror, the one you summoned him on. “Love.”,  a lion in his cage. 

Only then, do you notice your name still written in red lipstick, one you should probably clean off if you weren’t so scared of coming close to him. 

“Humans are greedy, so greedy to have what isn’t meant to be theirs. They’d go to great length for a twisted illusion, a flawed reality their selfish heart craves.”, he speaks through gritted teeth, it sends a shiver down your spine, makes the atmosphere colder. “I’ve had a prince, once. The second born, far far from the throne.”, Jaehyun starts, a finger tapping on his chin. “Do you know what he wished for, once he had the guts to summon me ?”, the entity suddenly asks, abruptly turning towards you. Taken back, all you can do is shake your head from left to right, hands gripping the fabric of your jeans. He told you, that people summoning him gave him more energy. You wonder if staying in the presence of the one calling him gives him more too, the effects he has on your small dorm are even more noticeable now than last night. 

“For his entire family’s death.”, Jaehyun related. 

He says this simply, so simply. If he notices the slight shift in your breathing, he doesn’t point it out and continues. 

“Such a naïve, naïve boy.”, Jaehyun hums, a slight pout on his lips. “He makes me think of you. He didn’t think it would work. But, unlike you, when he saw me, he knew what he wanted.” There’s a slight pause, where Jaehyun hums, like he’s remembering some details. “‘Tell me your deepest, darkest desires’, I said. ‘Kill them all’, the fool immediately said.” You have to say, you’re a bit captivated by how he reenacts the scene, hands flying in gestures. 

“Did you ?”, you ask almost dumbly, eyes wide. It’s like your brain still hasn’t processed everything the entity in front of you can do. It’s only when the entity gives you an empty look that you let a small, “Oh” tumblr from your lips. Obviously, he did. It’s the morbid curiosity, the one that almost has you asking how he did it but, you push it away. You convince yourself that you don’t want to know nor hear it and thankfully, Jaehyun continues before you can open your mouth. “Poor thing, he wasn’t on the throne for long.”, the man notes. For the first time, something dances in his eyes. Something he’s hiding from you has his lips parting in a quiet chuckle, like he’s remembering an old joke. 

He’s capable of murder. That, you know now. A dip in your stomach, it’s probably the way he talks about it so nonchalantly that frightens you the most. You don’t doubt, the entity probably saw and experienced a lot. Now, can you blame him ? He’s tied to a ritual, probably forced to grant wishes. You wonder, what would happen if he doesn’t act on them. Is he at fault for all the things he did ? You almost question your own morals. 

“What do people ask for the most ?”, you wonder out loud. Jaehyun doesn’t seem to mind the questions and, the lack of homework, phone and intimacy has you stuck with him. Might as well. The entity seems to pounder for a bit, you think you might go crazy only with the way he keeps walking back and forth in your small mirror. 

“Love.”, he finally tells you, never stopping his steps. “But it’s never true love, it’s never as perfect as they pictured it.”

So, he’s capable of forcing feelings on someone ? For the nth time, you wonder exactly what he’s capable of, where his powers stop. And here you were, asking for popularity. Sure, it could help in the long run but, you could’ve asked for so much better. But, you still have a second wish, right ? It’s there, suddenly, that you remember why you and your friends tried to summon him in the first place. Eyes wide, you move a bit closer to the mirror, though keeping some distance. 

“Is it true ? Eric ?”, you ask suddenly. It’s all because your friend talked about him, all because of a dumb rumor he heard.

“Eric ?”, Jaehyun needs a few seconds to place the name again, furrowed eyebrows relaxing after a moment. The name seems to bring some discomfort into his features and, though it disappeared after a moment, you still notice it. Silent for a moment, you press on anyways. “That he summoned you, it’s true, isn’t it ?”

Oh, how you probably shouldn’t have asked. If Jaehyun is able to control his emotions, his features turning cold, unreadable, the effect he has on your dorm can not go unnoticed. Air cold, dense, you don’t take long to understand his experience with Eric probably was not the greatest. But again, isn’t Jaehyun a powerful entity ? Why would his reaction be so radical to such a normal human ? 

“He did.”, the young man finally says, cold, abrupt. 

Is he the reason why Eric went at the top of his class ? It probably is but, what you’re most curious about is why exactly, the old college student turned so...weird. Sure, you don’t doubt the experience of successfully summoning a demon might...change someone but, it seems Jaehyun didn’t have him in his heart either. Did something happen between them ? Did Eric not grant Jaehyun’s final wish ? Were the rumors true ? Your brain’s deciding between asking and dropping the subject and, as you’re about to open your mouth again, the entity beats you at it. 

“Shouldn’t you go take a shower ? Rest early tonight.” and, just like that, he disappears from your mirror. 

People have told you many times. 

“Curiosity killed the cat.” 

You should not be here, at all. You’re supposed to have a major class right at this moment. But, a teacher being sick and a lack of substitute teachers appeared like a sign of the universe to you. See, Jaehyun’s abrupt disappearance left you with more questions, questions that only duplicated the moment you finally took a well deserved shower - after covering your mirror with a towel, just in case.

What happened with Eric ? Probably the last thought before sleep knocked you out in mere minutes. And really, the universe wouldn’t have made it so easy to find him if they didn’t want you to search, right ? A few texts here and there, Johnny yet again managed to help you more than he can imagine. Eric’s address was sent to you fifteen minutes after your class was officially cancelled and, you took the chance. Faking having some questions about both his major and job, Johnny didn’t ask any more questions. 

And here you were. Right in front of Eric’s building.

The richer, nicer era, one you never visited before. After all, you don’t know anyone living there. Pretty, tall and new buildings, small parks, high end stores. One can only dream of living in such a nice era a year after leaving university. 

“Curiosity killed the cat.”, you think again. In front of the old university student’s building, glass doors pushed open to reveal a pristin, clear and minimalist lobby. “But satisfaction brought it back.”, you tell yourself. 

What are you doing here ? You don’t really know. All you can really understand and form in your fogged up brain is that Eric, him, might be the only one able to understand you at this very moment. Maybe he has answers to the questions you have and are too afraid to ask. What could go wrong ? A lot, actually. But you -once again - decide to act on impulse rather than think about it. It’s a slight confidence you have that goes to your head, fogs any other rational thought. 

The lobby’s empty, calm. An abstract beige and white painting hung at your right, you immediately notice the ceiling high mirror on your left. Your reflection, it’s almost weird to see it. It has you doubting, doubting that this, is even your image here. But, you push the thought aside quickly, walking towards the little letter boxes. Kim Eric, Kim Eric. You don’t take too long to find his name tag, right next to his apartment number. Right at the top of the building, you can’t even begin to imagine the price he must’ve payed. 

Nonetheless, you make your way towards the single elevator. There, another mirror. You might think Eric was just a weird kid, that Jaehyun never had anything to do with this. After all, wouldn’t he want to live somewhere without mirrors if the rumors were true ?

Facing the metal doors, you turn away from the mirror, head moving to the calm tune of the metal box. Unconsciously avoiding the glass yourself, you’re standing closer to the opening than usual. 

What you do not see, is your reflection not following your movement, glaring into your skull. 

That weird feeling of being watched again, isn’t it ? It creeps up your spine and you try your best at pushing it aside, forcing your brain to focus on the quiet melody. A small part of your brain fears, if you turn around right now, would Jaehyun be facing you ? He’s everywhere, you’re aware of that and yet, decide to cover this truth. 

Thankfully, the elevator doesn’t stop until the very last floor, letting you escape the small cubicle before you can feel too uncomfortable, before the courage wears off and has you overthinking. And, only then do you really realise what you are doing. Visiting someone you don’t know at all, only heard rumors about only because the two of you happened to summon the same entity.

Should you really be doing this ? It seems Jaehyun doesn’t have Eric in his heart, wouldn’t he be mad ? But, he said he couldn’t do anything to you, you just have to do it, for closure. Do it, for closure-. Before your brain can stop you, you take the few steps towards Eric’s door, 165 written in golden letters on the pale wooden door. Clean carpet, big windows letting you have a breathtaking view on the area, you wonder for a second time how much money he must make to afford this place. Bringing your fist up to the door, you knock a first time. 

Silence. A kind of deception slowly takes over your body but, you guess you should’ve thought about it, maybe he’s working or, just out, like a regular citizen. 

Pure silence falls and you now wonder if you did not misread the signs, if you really should be here. Head hanging low, you’re almost about to mentally beat yourself up before your eyes fall on it. Covered by a thing, white sheet, something’s placed right against the wall. Neatly packed, you for a second think it’s a set of paintings. But, it’s the smallest of seconds, you don’t need more to understand right then. 

“Curiosity killed the cat.”, you think for the nth time, but you act on it, yet again. Eric isn’t here anyways, no one would notice. Slightly leaning down, you take the sheet between your fingers and lift it up. Paintings, thin pieces of wood, it could’ve been anything but hélas, covered under the fabric is what you feared most. Different mirrors, different sizes, obviously from different rooms. There’s a sigh that tumbles from your lips, are you going to end just like this ? Scared of mirrors, avoiding them ? It’s just when you get back up that you think your heart might jump out of your body. 

“Excuse me ? What are you doing here ?”, deep, breathless voice comes from the stairs you didn’t even notice. Jumping away from the door, a hand lands on your beating heart, a soundless gasp at the border of your parted lips. Eric stands clueless.He’s an average sized man, clearly out of shape, slender eyes with a prominent european nose. He does not know you but you, on the other hand, saw pictures of him. If he looked weird a few years ago, it might be worse now. If you look out of place with your regular, broke college student clothes, he does even more. Dirty, washed out and oversized t-shirt, long, brown greasy hair, he grips the iron next to him. He took the stairs, all the way to his apartment to avoid the mirror, it strikes you there. Slight anxiety takes over you, you didn’t expect him to be like this, you didn’t expect to feel so...off. 

“I-uh. Eric ?”, you ask, already knowing the answer. Slightly taken back, you let the way to his door free for him to walk, not knowing how to act towards him. He, still seems distant, rightfully so. Wavy, dry hair brushed out, his runs a hand in it before fishing for his keys. 

“Are you selling something ? I’m not interest-.”, he mumbles. You notice the bags under his eyes, dried lips. He almost looks sick, he acts like an old person in a young body. 

“Oh, no ! My name’s Y/N. We’re from the same university.”, you tell him. He doesn’t look so convinced, slowly walking towards his door. Even when he puts his key in, he still has an eye on you, like he fears being robbed right there. 

“Uh ? And what do you want ?”, the man groans out. He has you taking a step back again. How are you supposed to tell him exactly ? Shit, you didn’t think about that, at all. A “Hey, we summoned the same entity !” surely won’t do it. The lack of words from your side seems to annoy him quite quickly. Taking a step in his apartment, he immediately used the door to shelter himself, only letting his upper body be seen. He doesn’t look happy, at all. And yet, he has such a pretty apartment, right ? It’s only when he turns his light on that you see the state of the inside. All windows closed and blocked, clothes, empty boxes of instant noodles on the floor alongside a bunch of papers, it looks like a madman’s home. Even his home gives you weird vibes and suddenly, a part of you doesn’t want to be here. anymore.

Eric notices your wandering eyes and, it’s here he has enough, closing his door a little more. “Listen, Y/N. I don’t have your time right now, so-.” 

For a second time, you cut him off. “It’s about Jaehyun.”, you blur about without another thought.

His annoyed look turns frightened in seconds. The name seems to bring back a lot, things you don’t doubt he was trying to get away from. Glossy eyes wide, chapped lips parted, he looks like he’s about to have a heart attack, or like he just saw a ghost. Fuck, what did you just do ? He caughts a bit but, he isn’t as good as the entity when it comes to hiding his emotions. “I-I don’t want to talk about it. It’s just a dumb legend anyways.” Oh, he’s trying to deny, deflect. The moment he’s about to close the door, you act quickly and let your shoe block the door. 

“I did it too.”, you tell him, almost breathless. It almost feels good, to say it but, it lasts for mere milliseconds. Clearly, it doesn’t feel as good for the oldest. You think he might cry when the words process at this very moment, a sound tumbles from his lips. However, no words are said. His eyes fall upon the sheet covered glass at his shoes and, before you can understand, he manages to shut his door in your face. He sounded paranoiac, looked like a maniac. Is that what happens when dealing with Jaehyun, will you end up like this ? Surely, he was the reason why the old university student turned this way, that’s what the rumors say. 

“Leave !”, he shouts and, if anyone’s in the second apartment, you’re sure they can hear. 

“But, Eric, I just wan-.”, you try, desperate. 

Curiosity killed the cat.

“Right now !” 

Curiosity killed the cat. 

“You vazey, you’re an absolute idiot.” 

Unlike last night, you don’t think twice before opening the door to your dorm, almost slamming the iron knob right on your thin wall. Just like you thought, Jaehyun barks at you the moment the door’s closed, barely waiting for the lock to click. He knows, he knows you tried to get answers from Eric, there’s no denying it. 

“You were there.”, it’s a statement more than a question, one you throw at the same time you do your bag, sliding on the floor before it abruptly stops when it hits your mirror. If that’s even possible, the entity gets closer to the border between his world and your own, gritted teeth has him speaking lowly. “I told you, forever in the nearest mirror.” A dark promise, one you now understand the meaning of. He’s linked to you, whether you want ot admit it or not, it has your body covered in goosebumps. 

“You shouldn’t have gone there.”, he continues, sighing heavily through his nose. Clearly, he didn’t think you would visit the old college student, let alone try to question him and tell him about your experience. “He’s mad, he’s dangerous.”, the entity continues. And that’s what does it for you. Abruptly turning towards the mirror, it’s like you quickly forget about the power he holds. 

Anger bubbles up in your chest, it pushes words out of your mouth, “You’re the one who drove him mad !” 

If you fear the entity, you do not show it. Heart pounding, palms sweaty, you keep a straight face. You’re ready for anything and everything. He might scream, make your room even colder, use his powers but, you don’t expect his reaction. He laughs, he laughs almost maniacally. So close to the mirror, the entity shoves his hands in his pockets, leaning closer until you think he might come out. 

Jaehyun could’ve said many things at this moment, he could’ve said the truth. But, unbeknownst to you, his feelings take over. He’s a creature of anger, pitiness, even. 

“He knew the deal.”, he spits out. Voice going deeper, you fear it might turn inhuman. 

“And so, you decided to drive him mad ? He looks miserable.”, you bark back. You’re too far gone to stop yourself right now. The pounding of your heart rings in your ears, it clouds your brain and has you repeating the same sentence again and again but, you never voice it. Would he do the same to you ? 

“I could’ve done much, much worse, doll.” It’s a whisper, like a promise of things he might just do to you if you keep acting in such a way. The nickname doesn’t have anything sweet in it, it’s harsh, a slap in the face. Swallowing harshly, you keep your eyes on the entity, faking a lack of expression, a lack of fear. Clearly, he likes it, a small smirk tugging at his lips but nothing shines in his eyes. If you thought he was normal the night before, if you pitied him hours ago, it’s quite hard now that he looks even more twisted than Eric. 

“And what, exactly ?”, you dare to ask, keeping your voice firm. Jaehyun’s smile only turns wider, head leans to the side. A few locks of his hair fall in front of his piercing eyes, he judges your reactions. 

“Come closer.”, he starts, keeping his voice quiet. “And I’ll tell you.”, the entity gets right back at you, daring light in his eyes. You know, you know he can reach out at a certain point but you take a step closer anyways. Your heart starts pumping faster, threatening to burst out of your ribcage, it creates white noise, blurs your eyes, restricts your air ways.

“She’s a daring one.”, Jaehyun notes, twisted smirk. He’s close, so close. You’ve never been this close to him, ever. If he was out, you would’ve been able to feel the air he blows out on the bridge of your nose, if he wasn’t an entity, you’d be able to see the colorful particle in his eyes. His tongue rests on his pointy canine, lightly traveling to his lip.

“I saw it, the pity in your eyes.”, he starts, a sort of anger in his voice but, you do not flinch. Keeping your eyes on his, you blink slowly, trying to calm your cardiac rhythm, breaking slowly through your nose. “Do you think I’m all alone, here ?”, Jaehyun asks. But, he does not even need an answer. By the way your eyebrows furrow for a second, he understands you never thought about it. 

“Ah, stupid fucking kid.”, he growls lowly, you stay silent. “Do you remember the prince I told you about ?” This time, you simply nod, remember when the young looking man told you that he didn’t even stay on the throne for too long. Jaehyun laughs again, the sound lightly resonating in your room, coming out of the different mirrors you own. “He’s trapped with me, here. I’m not alone.”, Jaehyun explains and, the light that flashs in his eyes tells you that he isn’t lying. Yet, you question it. Mouth agape, eyebrows furrow, the attempt you made to calm your heart fails. “That can’t be.”

“You seem to underestimate my powers, doll.”, and finally, like he’s letting you breathe a bit more, he leans back. He giggles there, both his hands behind his head as he lets his torso fall backwards. You’re not even able to form a proper sentence in your mind and, when he senses the lack of words, the entity continues, unbothered by the reality of his actions. People wouldn’t willingly go in the mirror, if that was even possible, right ? 

“I know what you’re thinking. Ah- it’s so easy to read you, darling. Is it possible for a human to join me ?”, he voices your question without you having to. “You can but, only for a few minutes. If you don’t leave quickly enough, you’re trapped here.” It’s the realisation crashing over you that makes you take a step back. Finally, when your brain goes on high alert, when your body tenses and your senses heighten at the risk, you find your words again. “No one would willingly do that.”, you blur out, trying to find a loophole somewhere. Surely, he’s bluffing, trying to scare you, right ? 

“Doll, you seem to forget that I have a wish too.”, his words have you dizzy but, your body isn’t able to back away again, forced to stay close enough, too close. “It’s simple, really. I wish for a dance and, they have to. When the dance’s over, they rarely have time to run back to their little, real world.” The brunette chuckles again, deep, gravy, bone chilling. 

“You don’t believe me ?”, Jaehyun continues, faking being hurt. He leans forward again, captivating you with his deep eyes. “Do you want to see them all ?”, he asks, lips in a wide smile. He could very much do this to you too, would he ? You shake your head from left to right quickly, fear clear in your eyes, he traps people. God only knows how many. You think you might choke on a cry right then, you don’t think you’ve ever been so scared in your life. Trapped, he seems to do it without a second thought, without an ounce of regret. What did you get yourself into ? 

“Good. Good girl.”, he cooes. “Know your place.” 

For a second time, his face’s too close to you. Having you so close probably gives him more energy and, as the seconds pass, you think you might pass out on the floor. You even think he might lean out of the mirror, like he said he could but, before you can open your mouth again, say anything that could help your case, he beats you at it. “Didn’t they tell you to be careful ? Curiosity killed the cat.” and just like that, he disappears again, you fall into your knees.

In the middle of your first year in university, you found out you didn’t really like frat parties. But see, if they can give you a reason to avoid your dorm, you’ll take anything. Anything, really. 

Loud music blasted through the house, a crowd of people you barely know, you don’t even think you ever saw this place without the party, multicolor lights. You also think you already wore this dress for another one of their parties, earlier on your first year but, you didn’t really think twice about your clothes today. You’ve been here for an hour at best and, the only thing you did was drink a bunch of water, checking your phone every now and then. Unfortunately, none of your friends were able to make it and, a good part didn’t want to come as they weren’t even invited. 

Leaving you all alone in a party full of popular people you never ever spoke to before. You didn’t really blame them. But anyways, wasn’t that what you wanted, popularity ? This is part of it, right ? Fuck, how can you hate something you wished for ? How can you hate it so, so much. Maybe you should leave ? You don’t even like the music they’re playing or the drinks they’re mixing together. You even thought about paying for a hotel but, you know Jaehyun wouldn’t have any difficulty finding you again, he’s attached to you. 

Maybe you should take all your mirrors out, just like Eric did but again, you still have a wish. He still has one, you can’t see yourself leaving in fear for the rest of your life. Dodging every mirror, acting like a maniac. It’s when you’re in deep thought, leaning against the kitchen counter that Johnny decides to join you.

“Hey, Y/N ! You made it !”, the tallest has to speak loudly over the music, holding a red cup in his hand. His everlasting smile on his face, he managed to get a tired one out of you. “Yeah…”, you start, taking a sip of your drink, it surely didn’t help your dry throat. You’re not even having fun here, you look like you’re waiting for someone who’s never going to come. “I didn’t even know Taeyong knew me. I was a bit surprised when he invited me.”, you blur out, trying your best to make a conversation. 

“Actually, he told me he saw you a few times and thought you were cute.”, your friend says, a cheeky smile on his lips. The confession has heat burning your cheeks for a moment, lips parted. Taeyong ? The Lee Taeyong ? You think your friend’s pulling a prank on you but you know him enough, Johnny wouldn’t be the type to do that. 

“I-. Wait, really ?”, you ask, dumbfounded. It’s the effect of your wish, you know it but, you clearly weren’t prepared for that. Do people like you now...Because of this ? Without knowing you, without ever talking to you ? 

“Yeah, really ! You should go talk to him.”, you’ve known Johnny to be kind of the Cupid of his friend group and, he takes the role quite well. Pointing at a corner, you can distinguish one of their couches, occupied by Johnny’s friend group. Before you even know it, a gentle hand’s on your shoulder, helping you through the crowd, sweaty bodies dancing mindlessly, such a cliché. 

You can’t even find a way to escape. Finally, you’re right in front of the said group. Boys and girls, all sat on the couch, some on the others, you would want to sit on someone in such heat. Some girls are hanging out with them too, flashing you a nice smile as you awkwardly stand next to Johnny, like a lost puppy. 

“Look who I found !”, Johnny happily shouts, catching everyone’s attention. Then, you decide you hate it, too many eyes on you. A girl you don’t even know the name of sits straight and waves, “Y/N ! It’s nice to see you, it’s been so long !” Do you know her ? Her face’s vaguely familiar but at best, you might have seen her during a first year party. You hate it, entirely. All you can do is nod slowly as you feel your heart pics up, your palms grow sweaty. Taeyong’s in the middle, legs spread on the couch, he has one of his friends moving from his seat to give you some space. “Here, sit !”, he invites with a warm smile. 

What can you do ? You obey, sitting down next to the young man. You need to sit down anyways, feeling the heat crash over your body, it makes your head light, your mouth dry. You sit in fear you’ll pass out. You can almost feel the energy being drained out of you. Maybe popularity isn’t for you. The music seems to fade away, just as your heart pumps in your ears again. It rings, something familiar now. Has the room always been this size ?

“Y/N ? What game do you prefer ?”, from the tone Johnny has, it’s probably the second time he’s asking you this and, before you can even find another solution or, the strength to socialise, you get up. He flashes you a look, Taeyong a curious one you can’t really see as he’s behind you. 

“Can you please hold my drink, I need to go to the bathroom.”, you blur out. 

“Oh, sure !”, always the nice one. Poor Johnny, you almost shove your glass in his hand, slashing some water on his fingers as he covers the opening. “First door on your right when you take these stairs.”, he says. 

If you could, you would’ve ran to the bathroom. Your steps are stopped when you cut right through the dancing crowd, using your elbows to make your way. It’s crazy, how big their living room is and still, you manage to feel strapped, like the walls keep moving away from you, making it impossible to reach the stairs, the escape. You think someone drops a bit of their drink on your dress but you don’t really care at the moment, walking with quick steps when finally, you’re out of the circle. 

Running up the stairs, your hand lands on the wet patch the unknown drink left at your side, nice.You don’t know what it is, it sticks to your fingers, probably sugary. Finally, the music seems to fade naturally when you reach the first floor, pushing the door of the bathroom without a second thought. As said, you’ve been to parties before, you know bathroom can be...unlocked and busy. Thankfully, no one’s there and you’re able to lock yourself in the bathroom, completely sheltering yourself. 

Turning the light on, you quickly find the sink, hands gripping the border before you lean forward a bit, opening the faucet. 

“Popularity isn’t for me.”, you tell yourself, eyes set on your reflection. Forehead sweaty, your makeup isn’t as good as it was when you left your dorm. Even, is it your reflection ? It seems you can’t even find a safe place anymore. You can’t help the tears that gather in your eyes, small transparent pearls threatening to fall at any moment, you can’t even trust your own reflection. Something grips at your throat, makes it hard to breathe and all you can do is let your head fall down, trying to calm yourself by running your hands under the cold water. 

You can’t even go back to your dorm, not wanting to see Jaehyun. It’s a mixture of fear and something else you can’t really identify, something that makes you regret acting in such a way. It’s crazy, how you almost thought things were going well for an actual entity you summoned. You guess you let things go to your head, forgetting the supernatural aspect of it all. You don’t think it has ever been so hard to see a future for yourself, so hard to find a solution to a problem, you feel stuck. 

Between the four walls of a foreign bathroom, you finally let a sob tumble from your lips. You unsuccessfully try and muffle it against your wet palm but, it all makes it too hard to breathe. Harshly turning the faucet off, you desperately try to find a rhythm. 

“Hey, kid.” 

You almost jump out of your skin. Taking a step back from the sink, you don’t even look up. A voice you know too well by now but, this time is doesn’t sound as harsh. Did he really have to appear so suddenly ? He didn’t help your breathing and you make that known when you glare up at the entity. 

“I didn’t mean to startle you.”, Jaehyun says. There’s something soft in his voice, something you surely are not used to. The mirror is much smaller here, you can only see from his upper body and has you focused on his face. Again, he’s good at hiding his emotions, cold face contracting with the tone in his voice. 

“It’s okay.”, you finally breathe out, not wanting to fight or scream right at this moment. You don’t think you have the energy for, at least. 

“Popularity really isn’t for you.”, he laughs and for once, it’s meant for you to laugh too. There’s a tired sigh tumbling from your lips, far from a laugh. 

“What are you doing here ?”, you ask, though the answer is obvious. 

“I told you, forever in the nearest mirror.”, he repeats and unlike yesterday, it doesn’t sound like a threat, more like a silent promise that he’ll watch over you. “Come closer.” 

And you do, a lot less fearful. Separated by the sink, you stand at its edge. 

“Don’t freak out, doll.”, the entity warns and, before you can even ask him why, he leans out. He leans out of the mirror. Though you don’t freak out, like he asked you, it still takes you by surprise. Mouth agape, the way he effortlessly lets his upper body detach from the mirror is hypnotising. He almost looks human, if it isn’t for his glass skin. The light of the bathroom reflects on the highest point of his cheek, you’d have to look a few minutes to understand if his skin’s pale or if he’s slightly translucide. Faded beauty marks and light freckles, you’d almost be able to count them. 

“There, good.”, he coes softly when you blink slowly. Jaehyun looks so normal, like you’d be able to pick a fallen eyelash on his skin. From here, you can detail his glossy hands, the grey tint at the tip of his fingers and before you can search for any trace of veins on his arms, he cups your cheeks. 

Skin cold, his hands a light touch like he isn’t sure if he should be touching you. The change in heat has you flinching for a second before relaxing, welcoming the cold trail his thumbs let under your tired eyes. 

“Breathe with me, I don’t want to see you having a panic attack.”, he explains. And, you do. Soft breath falls at the bridge of your nose, drying the small drops of water the faucet left on your skin. Through his nose, out his mouth, the entity takes the time and waits for you to match his rhythm. 

Jaehyun, Yoonoh, the entity you summoned is helping you calm down in the middle of a party you hate, that’s the thought you have to push away before finally, feeling yourself getting back to normal. Your heart regains somewhat of a normal rhythm, it stops ringing in your ears and most importantly, nothing restraints your throat. Then, you look up at the entity, big brown eyes checking up on your features, only then do you notice the small dots of gold near his pupil. 

You back away. 

Taking a step back, you detach your eyes from his own, he looks more alive out of his mirror and you’re not sure you want him so close. Or maybe, it’s the fact you do want him a bit closer that scares you. After all, he managed to calm you down easily, he’d almost pass as a normal student.

“Thank you.”, you manage to let out after swallowing down. After a small nod, he lets his body get swallowed back into the mirror. It’s crazy, how his appearance changes the slightest bit, enough that he loses the human like je ne sais quoi that made him familiar, friendlier almost. 

“It’s alright, doll. I’ve had my fair share of people to calm down but usually, it’s during our first meeting.”, he jokes a bit, regaining his attitude when he’s sure you’re alright. 

There’s a silence, a moment when you let the music come to your eyes, the setting sinks in your brain again. Johnny and his friends are probably waiting for you, you don’t even know how long you’ve been there. On the other side, Jaehyun takes a look at the bathroom you locked yourself in, sighing a bit at the music loudly blasting, making the walls vibrate every now and then. You now know how quick Jaehyun is to speak and, for the first time, you catch him, speaking at the same time. 

“I should go home.”

“You should go home.” 

“Nice shirt.” 

“Holy fuck, Jaehyun. You need to stop doing that.”, jumping to the side, you almost drop the towel you were using to dry the wet ends of your hair. 

Minutes after Jaehyun left the bathroom, you did the same. The party wasn’t an interesting one to you and so, you faked being sick to Johnny and his friends. Needless to say, many were disappointed for a reason you couldn’t really understand. At least, Johnny insisted on driving you to your dorm and soon enough, you found your safe space again. 

Strangely, Jaehyun didn’t make his presence known when you entered the room, you were almost used to having him waiting with a sarcastic sentence at the tip of his tongue. Nevertheless, you hung a towel on the mirror of your bathroom and took a quick shower, slipping into freshly washed pyjamas so quickly you almost fell down. 

Apparently, the young man decided to appear right when you stepped out of your bathroom, almost knocking your knee against some furniture. Easing yourself on your bed, you let your body at the edge, right in front of your mirror.

“But you always look like a cute deer caught in headlights. That’s the saying, right ?”, he asks, sitting down in front of you. You nod a bit, a slight smile on your face. “Thank you again, for earlier.”, setting the towel aside, you let your legs dangle. You should probably try and sleep but, it seems Jaehyun isn’t thinking about leaving right now. The entity doesn’t answer, simply nodding, almost not wanting to address the gesture. “I thought you left.”, you tell him, being truthful for the first time. 

“I was just mad.”, Jaehyun almost says, he almost voices his own emotions but decides against it. 

“You shouldn’t have gone to his house.”, he says again. But, unlike yesterday, he doesn’t sound as mad, as angry. You sigh anyways, he sounds like a parent scowling you, but you guess he’d be too old for that. But somehow, you know he isn’t really wrong. Eric didn’t even speak to you, nothing good came of it. Rather than voicing your opinion, you let your eyes travel to the side, avoiding the man’s gaze. 

“He’s dangerous.”, he starts, playing with his rings again. If you were in his head, you’d be able to witness the dilemma he’s facing. However, Jaehyun picks rather quickly. “Do you remember what I told you ? What people wish for the most ?”, he asks. It’s funny, Jaehyun always sounds like he’s questioning you, making sure you listen to him. “Love.”, you easily answer, attention picked. 

“That was Eric’s second wish. But as I told you, it’s never true love, its a fake emotions, I can’t- I can not force such a powerful feeling onto someone. It always ends up badly. When Eric’s “dream girl” - like he called her - didn’t love him like he wanted her to, he got mad.” By now, you know Jaehyun’s behaviour quite well. When he didn’t show much emotion while telling you the story of this unknown prince, the entity looks uncomfortable enough when thinking about Eric. Eyebrows raised, there’s a shiver that runs down your spine. The young man didn’t even say it and yet, you already know where it is going. 

“He tried to kill her one night.”, he starts. For an entity who saw, experienced so much, you think it’s how fresh it all is that has him showing so much emotion. Someone capable of murder, that’s who you visited without a second thought. The behavior, it all started to make sense. Your mouth hangs open for a moment before you find your words again. “Is she- Is she alright ?”, you ask first. 

“She was, I do not know her whereabouts as of today.”, he continues, letting one of his rings roll between his fingers. “I couldn’t let him do it. I used my wish to teach him a lesson, showed him things that went straight through his thick skin. He managed to escape in time but he left me with his.”, before you can ask, the entity lifts his right sleeve a bit more. On his arm, the young man has a wound. Almost unrealistic, the cut doesn’t have a trace of blood but it seems forever frozen in this state, never healing. “Said I’d make him pay and that was enough to install fear, forever.” 

The paranoia, the look in his eyes at Jaehyun’s name, everything added up. You almost feel like throwing up, you knew humanity had its vermin but never, never did you think they’d be so...close. You never thought you’d see the entity with morals. You’re glad he explained the reasons behind his actions, behind his behaviour. 

“I didn’t- I didn’t know you would get hurt.”, you tell him, almost whispering. 

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”, the entity simply replies. He isn’t wrong, reminding you of centuries he had before meeting you. You don’t even know his full name, or his story. 

“Then tell me about yourself.”, you blur out, not thinking twice. For the first time, Jaehyun is taken back, blank expression on his face. The entity takes a few seconds to process your words and you continue, taking over the conversation for the first time. “Do you ever tell your story ?” He probably never does, you wonder if it’s even a question to ask. Maybe too dark, too painful, you wonder for a second if the question won’t make him mad.

Finally, when the young man regains his attitude, he raises his eyebrows for a second, “People never ask me for it. I told you, humans are greedy creatures. They use me for their two wishes and try to forget about me.” There’s something sad in his words. Now, you understand. He probably feels used, has to do people’s dirty work, grant without a word to say. Somehow, it manages to tighten your heart. Sure, a side of your brain reminds you of the entity he truly is but, another one can not help but feel sad, sad for the life he isn’t even leaving. “Tell me, I want to know.” 

Unbeknownst to you, Jaehyun might feel the smallest spark of happiness. To be cared for. You’re probably asking out of politeness but god, does it feel nice to have someone asking you about your story. “Are you sure ?”, he asks anyways, fainting some arrogance, some detachment while he still can. 

“I was a human once, cursed.”, the entity starts, almost nonchalant. Eyebrows raised, you can’t help the slight gasp that tumbles from your lips. “Cursed ?” Scooting closer to the edge, the fear of being close to him slowly disappears. 

He nods a bit, before fully getting into his story, one he never really talked about to anyone else, now that he thinks about it. “Was born a long time ago, there’s nothing interesting about my life, really.”, like he’s recalling some old, old memories, he looks up for a moment, eyebrows slightly furrowed. You don’t ask when he was born, letting him continue without stopping him. “We’d get married quite young at that time.”, he notes. 

“I was 23 and had a few choices but there was this girl.”, Jaehyun continues and you don’t think you’ve ever seen him like this, slight smile on his face, it’s clear he’s remembering fond memories. “Pretty brunette, her name was Haseul. We were in love.” Love, something you for a moment thought the entity wasn’t capable of. Something flashes in his eyes, regret, probably. “We were supposed to get married but not everyone was happy with it. From the choices I had, there was this young lady, her name was Agnes.”, the young man says her name with venom on his tongue, you can now only imagine what she did.

“Agnes was supposedly madly in love with me and, when she found out me and Haseul were already talking about marriage, she did this.”, it’s like even after centuries, he isn’t quite able to put words on it. A deep sigh, the entity needs some seconds to find his words, leaning back on his hands. “It was rumored that she was a witch, I never really believed it.” Can you blame him ? You didn’t believe in him either, only days ago. Hands on the border of your bed, you lean a bit closer, captivated by the story. “What did she do ?” 

“I don’t really know how but, she used black magic to curse me here. Forever stuck, if she couldn’t have me, no one could.”, he says, almost nonchalant. He probably accepted his faith long ago but for you, who just listened to his story, you have something tightening around your neck. “He was a human too, once. Loved by the wrong person, punished for loving and giving himself to someone else. He ended up stuck for it, a faith you’d never wish upon anyone, not now that you know all the things he saw and experienced. Jaehyun didn’t even deserve it, you think it’s what saddens you the most.”

“Kid, are you alright ?”, Jaehyun asks, his head to the side. Fuck, you didn’t even have a second to hide the water building up at the corner of your eyes. Quickly using your shirt to dab the droplet away, you shake your head. 

“Y-Yeah. It’s just...I didn’t know you were human before.”, you start and, he laughs a bit. He tells you he’s used to it, many misjudged him as a demon. “You didn’t deserve this.”, you mumble, feeling the lump in your throat grow as you force yourself to keep a straight face. It’s probably the lack of sleep and the recent events that have you on your nerves.

“And, can’t you wish to get out ?”, you ask. Somehow, god knows why, your brain tries to find a solution, probably the humanity in you speaking up. “Can’t I wish for you to get out.” This seems to make the young man laugh, few locks falling in front of his eyes, he has to use his hand to push them back. “Ah, doll. You’re cute. Would you ever do that ?”, he asks, laughing. You don’t answer, would you ? Conflicted and yet, something tells you that you would. You would, because you’re a good person, right ? You wouldn’t want someone stuck in such a way, you wouldn’t let someone innocent suffer if you could get them out. Is Jaehyun innocent ? All the things he did, he had to. But again, he did trap people with him, didn’t he ? Two sides fight, relentless in your brain but somehow, the way he’s looking at you with malice, like he already knows you won’t do it has you nodding. 

You nod and, it has the power to make the entity’s eyebrows raise a bit, a slight smile on his rosy lips. “It’s not how it works.”, he finally says. 

“Is there a way to get out ?”, you’re too curious. If there was a way to get him out, would you do it ? You push the thought away, not wanting to question your morals, not right now. Probably sensing the conflict you’re going through, Jaehyun shrugs. “There is, but you don’t need to know.” At this point, the young man knows what he’s doing. He pokes your curiosity, makes you want and need to know more. Obviously, it works. “Tell me !” 

“It’s a ritual. It’s a bit gruesome, I don’t think you want to hear it now, darling. Requires someone’s blood, someone who truly loves me. See, the witch thought no one would ever love me as much as she did.”, Jaehyun explains, detailing your reactions at his words. Something twists at your stomach, blood ? An old ritual, you can’t even begin to think about all the things necessary. Someone who truly loves him, a big requirement when people summon him only to use him, never getting to know the entity. Again, can you really blame them ? 

“See, nothing really interesting.”, Jaehyun concludes, “But you, darling. Tell me about yourself.” 

Monday night. 

Days trying to function with little to no sleep, days with little to no privacy. You think it’s what you miss the most, privacy. Sure, you could put a towel up on your mirror whenever you took a shower but see, you couldn’t take long showers, longs baths. You always feared Jaehyun would appear out of nowhere, manage to get the towel out and then, then what ? And yes, Jaehyun never did that before, only time he truly appeared without you being prepared for it was last night, during the party but, it was for a good cause. Right now, laying in your bed, sheet almost entirely covering your face, it’s another time of privacy you’re longing for. See, you don’t remember the last time you touched yourself. Alright, maybe that’s a hyperbola, you do remember but it seems so, so far away. Few hours of sleep and so many events you can’t even talk about to your friends have you feeling almost jetlagged, having to check your phone for the hour and day. 

Staring at your ceiling, a deep sigh leaves your lips. You can’t sleep, you can not sleep at all and you have a trip to your home town tomorrow, things to do that require all your brain power. Your brain and body won’t fall into Morpheus’ arms and, you know exactly why. You need it, you need an orgasm so, so bad. It had been on your mind for a while now, it had been clouding your mind for hours now, actually. Hanging out with your friend today did help quite a bit, helping your brain think about anything else. But now, alone in the the middle of your bed, you can’t deny. Your body doesn’t lie to you, the way you have to close your thighs, the way your hands dangerously move inch by inch towards the center of the problem. Your mind does not lie to you either, foggy images, too clear and loud thoughts. 

Yes, you could give in, let your body and mind have what it graves. But, another problem’s right in front of you. The mirror Jaehyun would usually occupy. Fuck, he never announces himself, he never tell you when he’s coming. What if he just...Pops up again ? However, you found a loophole. If your phone doesn’t work when Jaehyun is here, in your mirror, whether you see him or not, the object starts working again when he fully leaves. God knows where he goes, who’s mirror he haunts but at the very least, you know when he isn’t there, right ? God, you know it’d put you to sleep. Picking your phone up, it’s clear the device’s working exactly like it should. You could be quick with it, right ? Two in the morning, you don’t see why Jaehyun would come back now, you really don’t. 

And, fuck it. The pale moonlight freely enters your bedroom, helping you distinguish the furniture in your dorm, letting you keep an eye on your mirror just in case. Ditching your heavy blanket to the side, you let the cold air brush over your naked legs. You managed to get out of your pants a bit earlier, struggling with the heat under your sheets. Your right hand softly lands on your closed core, immediately making your leg raise. Planting your foot on your mattress. 

Your index slowly traces your lips, over the already wet fabric. God, it’s been so long and you’re already wet. You barely needed to find a memory to get off to for that. The tip of your finger easily finds your bud of nerves, lightly pressing. The small gesture has you gasping softly, keeping your voice low enough. 

Enough of teasing yourself, you do not think you have time for this, nor the patience. Pushing your panties aside, you ease a finger between your lips. Finally, some friction. It is not long until you add a second finger to the mix, using a rhythm you know would get you off quickly. Biting down on your lower lip, you have to breathe through your nose, out your mouth to keep your whines quiet enough. Strangely enough, you find yourself thinking back to Jaehyun’s breathing, how his cold hands cupped your face so gently. 

In and out, you let a mewl out, unable to muffle it. His cold, ring hugged fingers, wouldn’t they feel so, so nice on your burning skin ? 

Oh, what are you even thinking about ? You should not, you can’t. Find something else to think about, another boy to hold your fantasies. It shouldn’t be so hard, right ? It’s almost pathetic, how your mind manages to go through a list of boys you know or once you and yet, the one that has been shaking your life up keeps numbing your mind. 

Don’t give in to your thoughts, a side of your brain yells at you. 

But there's nothing wrong in this, is it ? A little secret to keep to yourself, just like you’re keeping Jaehyun a secret from everyone.

Fuck, you can’t find your clouded mind at this very moment, you almost give it, let your fingers move faster with a picture pecfect imagine of glossy fingers, shamlesly, a name you never thought you’d moan tumbles from your lips. If only, if only you’d notice the weak flashing of your phone’s screen, the drained battery on the black screen for a few seconds before it went dead. If only you’d notice. 

“Well. What do we have here ?”, you almost jump out of your skin, you almost have a heart attack right here. You knew it, you knew you shouldn’t have done it. In a quick motion, you try and grab onto your sheet but, Jaehyun’s voice stops you. Frim, it’s an order he gives you. “Oh no, don’t try and hide yourself now.” 

Fingers naturally slowing down, you can’t help the pathetic whisper that leaves from your mouth when you lose the so needed friction. Even if the young man tells you not to hide, you have to close your legs again. You think you’d be mortified, completely frozen but, it’s pure frustration that crashes over you. “God, Jaehyun ! Can’t you warm before ?”, you groaned, your left hand on your forehead. Your right hand, on the other side, grips the thin sheet under your body. You’re probably staining but, you clearly don’t care right now. There’s a low chuckle from the entity, he doesn’t even seem fazed at all. Taking a final step closer to the mirror, something flashes in his eyes. “You’re the one who called me.”, he points out. His own fingers gaze over his jawline and you almost slap yourself, you shouldn’t have such thoughts. But they do look so, so inviting. Did you call him ? Oh, you did, without even realising. 

“I heard you.”, he hums, arrogant. He seems so, so amused by the situation. Pearly white teeth bite down on his lower lip for the faintest of second, crossing his arms over his chest. “Ah, I thought you were calling me because you were in danger, doll. But here you are, touching yourself and moaning my name ? What a dirty, naughty little slut.”, the nickname rolls out his tongue too easily, it strikes right, numb your brain even more. 

There’s no point in denying it but, somehow, you try and act like his words aren’t affecting you at this very moment, like he does have your thighs closing, core aching. “Don’t call me that.”, you try, breathless. Only then do you notice the change, the sudden heat in your bedroom. A smirk grows on his rosy lips, “Why ? You clearly like it.” 

“Go away.”, you try, half believing it. 

“You don’t want me to. Why leave when you were moaning my name ?”, he barks right back. Clearly, the back and forth amuses him, it fires him up, he loves when they put up a fight, even already lost. You stay silent for a moment, unable to find words, a sentence that could make sense. “Come on, doll. Show me.”

That voice, you don’t know if you heard it before. Sultry, soft, it feels like velvet. Smooth, inviting, he has you hypnosed and, before you know it, your legs fall open. Heart pumping rapidly in your chest, its excitement that pumps into your vein but, you don’t want to admit it yet. 

Oh, the joy and cockiness that flashes in the brunette’s eyes. You think it’s the growl he lets out that takes your breath away, legs trembling. “Come closer, darling. Let me see you.” And you do. Just like last night, you scoot closer until your legs are dangling from your bed. It’s lust speaking, lust acting on your numbed, dizzy mind when your thighs spread open for him to see. 

“Pretty.”, he notes and, before you think about doubting your actions, ask him what the two of you are doing at this very moment, he continues. “Show me what you were doing.” 

Under his eyes, your right hand finds your drenched core again, hooking the fabric of your underwear to the side, you easily let your two fingers part your core before slipping them in. There’s no point in hiding your moans anymore, soft whispers tumbling from your lips. 

“God, you’re so wet.”, he notes. “Faster, fuck yourself faster.”, Jaehyun orders lowly. Captivated by his voice, you do, fingers moving at a rapid pace. It feels too good, surreal, almost. 

“Jaehyun, what are we-.”, you start, though it turns in a moan. 

“Sht, shut up. ‘m trying to make you feel good, yeah ? Isn’t that what you wanted ?”, it is, you think to yourself. The side of your brain, desperately trying to fight against it finally lets go, gives in into the pleasure. “There you go.”, he hums happily once your head hangs backwards. “Tell me, what are you thinking about ?”

The words get caught in your throat. Eyes heavy, you need a few seconds before being able to speak up again. “Your fingers.”, you admit, any ounce of shame finally leaving your body. It accepts the pleasure Jaehyun is guiding you towards. “Slow down.”, he instructs and, you do so, a small pout on your lips. 

“Look at that. Who thought you’d beg me to let you cum some days ago ? Weren’t you the one who pulled a knife on me ?”, he coes. He isn’t wrong, you whine softly at the slow rhythm you now have to keep up with. 

“Jaehyun, please.”, you whine out. Tired, sensitive, you’re on the bridge, only waiting for him to let you fall. 

“Please, what ?”, what he does next almost has you moaning. Leaning out of the mirror, his skin goes glossy again, just like in the frat house’s bathroom. Shining under the moonlight, his upper body’s so close. The same human like je ne sais quoi, one that has you leaning closer, closer to him. The coldest of his fingers, what you were thinking about seconds ago, you feel them again. In the dead of the night, skin burning, the entity places his hand right around your neck. He isn’t even pressing and yet, he manages to get your breathing uneven. “Please what, doll ?”, he asks again, almost archly. “Please, let me come, please.”, you beg, throwing any shame and dignity out of your opened window. Clearly appeased and glad by your words, the brunette lets his fingers press harder, harder. Cutting your airways, he tilts your head up, enough that you feel obligated to look at him. “Come on, make yourself cum.”

Face close, he’s millimeters away, lips brushing against yours but never does he kiss you. Keeping his right hand around your throat, his left hand guides your fingers, helping you, guiding you. “Pretty little thing.”, he coes the moment he feels you twitching. Pretty brown eyes set on you, he details, drinks in any one of your expressions. Under his gaze, you take minutes to hit it. Your orgasm is an intense one, crashes over your body, Jaehyun has to let you breathe. 

“There you go.”, voice soft, it sounds far, far away. You take minutes to come down, minutes for your mind to clear again. “Sht, it’s alright.”, you can hear the smirk in his voice and, before you can point it out, sleep knocks you out. 

Realization, it’s realization that crashes over you the next morning. Or rather, the next afternoon. It’s around one in the afternoon when you wake up, sunlight freely entering in your room. Birds, voices, cars, the city’s wide awake and shakes you up. Truthfully, you’d rather not wake up today.

Your gaze falls on your phone, battery intact and on, the multiple texts you have from your family makes you understand. You missed your train, great. Even better, you remember last night. Is it regret ? Rather something else you don’t understand. You don’t really regret what happened, rather fear what will happen next. Jaehyun isn’t human, not anymore at least. Stuck in a mirror, he’s bound to leave at some point. He’s an entity, doesn’t that clash with your morals ? 

Your brain goes miles an hour and you aren’t even able to stop it. Maybe, maybe a shower could help ? You need to get ready anyways. Family’s waiting, worried for you and here you are, stomach empty hanging a towel on the mirror of your bathroom.

What the fuck did you do ? That’s the question that keeps turning again and again in your head. But, it didn’t hurt anyone, right ? God, the grey area you’re in has you in a headache in minutes. Do you want him to leave, or not ? It’s a hard question, one you can’t answer, even at the end of your shower. Shouldn’t you want him to leave ? Isn’t he supposed to be a scary legend ? That’s the problem. He isn’t so scary, he isn’t so mean and cold. But again, he’s an entity. 

Tumbling in your bedroom, your hand runs in your hair out of pure frustration, passing back and forth in the hallway that connects your bed and bathroom, where Jaehyun cannot see you. It’s funny, you look like him now. Are you becoming like him ? Or worse, like Eric ? You don’t even have a wish right now. It’s then that you do what you’re best, or worse at doing, You act on impulse. 

Walking right in front of your mirror, you take a deep breath. You think the sweat gathering at your hairline’s going to ruin your makeup, the outfit you chose to wear isn’t appropriate for the weather. Anyways, you try your best a firm voice and call, “Jaehyun.” 

On cue, he appears. Slight smirk on his face, he looks too pleased, probably because of last night’s event. Is it a smirk or, a genuine smile ? That, you can’t really tell. The brunette told you, you were easy to read and before you can understand his emotions, he understands your own. His smile fades into something more serious, catching up. Something’s wrong. 

“Yes ?”, he asks, almost carefully. He never saw you like this, there’s a spark in your eyes he isn’t able to understand. Confusion, regret, fear, frustration ?

“I have my last wish.”, you tell him. Your heart’s heavy, for some reason. You shouldn’t be really, you think you found a solution to your problem, didn’t you ? “I want everything to go back to normal. Take back my popularity.”, you tell him in one go, once you have the courage to. 

For a second, you see amusement flashing in his eyes, like he’s about to make fun of your wish. Actually, he was about to, question you before he catches on. He catches on way too quickly. Amusement quickly turns to...Disappointment, anger. His eyes quickly travel from your eyes to a point in your room you can’t see, back to your eyes. Features twisted, his breathing slightly changes, so does the temperature in the room. 

“I know what you’re trying to do.”, it’s a growl, a dip in his tone that mimics the shift in the temperature, suddenly getting colder. 

The limp in your throat doesn’t help, cold sweat probably ruins your makeup as you try your best to keep your composure. 

“Jaehyun, it’s-”, you try, almost turning desperate. Your words get caught when he takes a step closer, you know he can and might lean out but he doesn’t do it, yet. 

“You’re trying trying to get rid of me.”, it’s laced with anger. Anger, venom and disappointment. It’s the lather that has your heart breaking. You’re human after all, it’s only natural that you feel bad about your decision. 

“I’m not trying to get rid of you ! It’s just that, after last night…”, you can’t even explain yourself, you’re unable to put words into your feelings. 

“I knew it, you’re like everyone else.”, he spits out. His nose crunches up, disgusted. The young man looks down at you, eyebrows furrow, lips twisting. “Using me.”, the words echo in your room, he uses every mirror to let you know. 

“Jaehyun, stop.”, you beg. You beg, tears in your eyes. Obviously, he doesn’t. He has it heavy on his chest, he’ll speak even if you don’t hear him. 

“Using me to get what you want, only to ditch me. Leave me. Forget about me.”, anger clear in his voice, it’s loud, louder than what a normal man could be. The slight fog around his body grows thicker, darker, almost threatening. Goosebumps on your arms, the shirt you’re wearing doesn’t help how cold you’re feeling. 

“I don’t want to forget you !”, you choke between tears, freely letting them fall down your cheeks. “You don’t understand ! You can’t - You can’t stay with me forever.” You hiccup, using your fingers to dry your tears. 

Jaehyun doesn’t answer, Adam’s Apple bobbing up and down as he blinks slowly. Anger has his jaw tight, chest raising up and down at a steady rhythm. 

“I could’ve.”, he argues but it’s clear he half believes it. He couldn’t stay forever by your side, you wouldn’t be able to live your life in such a way. Shooting him a look that says it all, he doesn’t argue, he doesn’t continue. “You said your wish anyways. So be it.” 

Unlike last time, it isn’t as happy, isn’t as fierce. It’s abandonment, he has to anyways. The glow behind him changes, shifts. 

You can’t feel the changes of your wish right away. Jaehyun stays a cold face, almost refusing to look at you. The breath you didn’t know you were holding gets out in a sigh, your shoulders flopping down. 

Silence. Silence for seconds while he looks to the side. 

And suddenly, he turns around again, looking right into your eyes. “I have my wish, too.”, he says, coldly. 

Before you can even argue, help him find something, offer one yourself, he cuts you off. Letting his hand out of the mirror, he doesn’t even completely lean out.

Looking down at his hand, you already know. You know what he’s going to ask for. “Jaehyun…”, you try, voice small. You don't want to cry again, throat completely cut. 

“I want a dance, darling.”, he says, nickname sounding cold. You were expecting this wish, somewhere in the back of your mind, you’d think that maybe, he wouldn’t want to let you go. Nonetheless, it still tightens you heart, makes it pound in your chest. 

If you could drop to your knees at this very moment, you would. But your body’s frozen, stuck in place. The plea you whisper isn’t of any use. You’re obligated to, before you even know it, your body’s pushed. 

Your hand lands in his, cold skin against your own. Touch gentle, he guides you towards him. 

To effortlessly move into another world, it feels like crossing a thin waterfall. You have to close your eyes when Jaehyun gently pulls your body towards the mirror. For a second, you don’t open your eyes, not knowing what to expect. Entire, pitch black room ? Jaehyun’s true appearance ? You don’t know, you can’t even begin to imagine. Your laced hands in the air, Jaehyun’s left hand placed itself in your back, classic position for a slow dance. “Y/N.”, he calls softly, too softly for the wish he just asked for. 

You look up. 

He looks normal, entirely human. No more glossy skin, you can see every small detail, every long lash, every freckle, deep dimples on each side of his lips. Milky skin, rosy lips. He doesn’t look as mad as he did previously, like having you right next to him managed to appease him. Unable to answer, you only look into his eyes. Even brighter, brown and golden sparks, the light he was lacking before is here, fully. He looks alive. When you don’t answer, a song starts playing, one you quickly recognise. Sway. It sounds far away, like a distant dream, it resonates. Only then, do you have the guts to look around. Jaehyun’s wearing the same clothes, around you, everything looks glossy. Glass walls without an edge, you could make the faintest outline of a castle, golden lights and pretty chandelier. Heavy, the pictures look wavy, like casted upon a distorted mirror. You can’t recognise not make anything else up. But, what takes you back, rips a gasp out of your lips, are the people. 

Dozens of people dancing, slowly to the song. They mimic you and Jaehyun’s movements as he guides you, makes you sway, bend under his expert hands. All those people dancing and yet, they all look empty. It’s only when your eyes fall upon a man, dressed in royal uniform that you understand. All these people, he trapped them all with him. 

You gasp and, as you’re about to question him, he speaks up. “Darling, look at me.”, he demands.

When you do, he meets you with a soft smile, comprehensive look in his eyes. “I understand, I understand why you did it.”, he starts. Finally, you’re the one to break him off. It’s clear he’s the one guiding your body, you don’t think you have any control over it at this very moment. He makes you dance in his makeshift castle, the only place he can rule over. 

“I didn’t know what do to.”, you confess. Do you want to leave him ? No. But the grey area it leaves you in keeps hurting your brain, thorns you apart every second. “My intentions were never to use you.”, you tell him, gulping down as you pass a couple twirling, clearly from different centuries. Jaehyun knows, the words he let out of pure anger, he did not think them one bit. After all, you didn’t even know what to wish for. “I know.”, he calmly says. Face close to yours, you don’t mind the proximity. “Enjoy the moment with me. Please, doll.” 

How can you truly enjoy the moment when you’re sure he’s going to trap you at any moment, have you stuck with him forever ? You almost lean into the idea, give in. You know this song well enough, the end is near and all you can do is look up into Jaehyun’s eyes. If he wants you here, you can not fight it. Can you ? 

The entity has his eyes closed, forehead against your own. Softly, he whispers out only for you to hear. “It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for making me feel love again.”, he starts. “But I can not be selfish.” Before you can let something out, his lips softly press against the bone of your cheek and, his hands let you free to move, moments before the end of the song. An arm in front of his, he bows down with a slight smile. It isn’t hard to see the sadness he isn’t hiding. “I guess this is a goodbye. Go, run.” 

You have well enough time and, when you understand that, you run, just like he asked. Heart pumping, you run, run towards the small frame where you can see the outline of your bedroom and, before you know it, the same waterfall. The sudden shift has you tumbling down, dropping to your knees. 

“Jaehyun !”, you don’t care about your voice right now, you scream loud enough. Down on the fall, facing your mirror, Jaehyun faces you again, squatting down like he loves to do. The same sad smile on his face. Your hand flat on the surface, you hit your mirror like you’re hitting a window. You see it, he’s facing, slowly. Translucid, it’s a question of seconds before he’s entirely gone. Then, when tears fill your eyes, an invisible hand twist your heart, you understand. 

Again and again, you tap on the glass.

“I’ll get you out, I promise !” 

#NCT-WRITERS #neowritingsnet #thekpopnetwork #nct smut #nct 127 smut #jaehyun smut #jaehyun angst #nct imagines #nct scenarios #jaehyun imagines #jaehyun scenarios #jaehyun x reader #nct #nct 127 #nct u #nct dream #wayv #smut #angst #neovisoned

[dauntless-gothamite]

Prove Them Wrong [5/?]

Fandom: Divergent Pairing: Eric Coulter x Fem! Reader Summary: Y/N is a Dauntless transfer from Erudite, and she has a drive, an ambition that sets her apart--it always has, even back in Erudite. She brings her perseverance (and need to prove others wrong) to Dauntless when she transfers, and she uses her mind to make her way through the initiation process. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies, and she finds herself comfortable around the man most people in Dauntless avoid at all costs: Eric Coulter. A/N: I am so glad people are enjoying this so far! I am having a great time writing it, and I am excited about the chapters that are yet to come. I’d love if you let me know what you think of this new chapter, but no pressure, enjoy!!

The next morning, as all the other transfers ran laps, you made your way to the infirmary for physical therapy. When you got there, the doctor who had stitched you up the day before waved at you in greeting. “Hello, Y/N, how is the leg doing?”

“Better than yesterday,” you replied with a small smile. 

“Glad to hear it,” she replied. “You’ll be working with Andre today, he’s one of our physical therapists,” she said and pointed to Andre, who was standing a few feet away and waved. 

“Alright, thanks,” you said and started walking towards Andre. “Nice to meet you,” you said and stuck out your hand.

“Likewise,” Andre said and shook your outstretched hand. “So the program I have designed for you focuses more on keeping your leg muscles engaged without running the risk of tearing your stitches open more than recovery because the injury is serious but ultimately, it is just a deep laceration.” You nodded in understanding, and he led you over to a stationary bike. “For the next half hour, you are going to ride this bike. I want you to work your leg muscles and cardio system, but do not put more strain on your legs than necessary, the last thing I want is to tear those stitches or for your leg to start bleeding. Here is a set of headphones that hook up to the bike’s electronic system; I know riding a stationary bike for half an hour can get boring, so feel free to listen to music while you work. I’ll come get you in half an hour, but you can call me over at any point.”

“Sounds good, thanks,” you said before getting on the bike and connecting the headphones to browse the music selection for a little while before settling on an upbeat song with a strong bass beat. Then you got to pedaling. 

--

You were sweating--not as much as you did during regular training, but you were still getting a good workout in--when the thirty minutes ended. Andre walked over to you and helped you get off the bike, and it took you a second to adjust to the solid ground beneath your feet. “Good job,” Andre said. “It really seemed like you were pushing yourself while still respecting the boundaries set by the injury. That’s smart, if you keep this up, you’ll probably heal quickly. Most dauntless go all out and reinjure themselves, so it takes even longer to heal. But I see you have some brains, a good quality for future dauntless.”

“Thanks,” you beamed at him.

“Y/N,” someone said, waving you over from the entrance of the infirmary. You turned to see Four standing there, and you furrowed your brow; you were supposed to be at physical therapy for another half hour before going back to the training room. 

“What’s going on?” you asked as you walked over to him, Andre right behind you.

“Eric changed the plan, we are working with crossbows today instead of fighting, and since you can participate in this, I came to get you while he explains what's going on to the other initiates,” he explained. “Although, perhaps leaving them alone with him wasn’t the best idea,” he said, half-joking, earning a smile from you. 

“Alright, let’s go then. I’ll see you next time, Andre,” you said to the physical therapist as Four walked with you back to the training room. “So… what’s up,” you said to fill the awkward silence that settled between you and Four as you two walked. He looked at you, amused. 

“Oh, you know. Training initiates.” You laughed at his bluntness. 

“Right,” you chuckled. “So, why did Eric change the plan?” you asked cautiously.

“I’m not entirely sure,” Four shrugged. “Though I suspect it has to do with the fact that he’s particularly… grumpy today, and he probably wants to shoot arrows at someone.”

“Well, that does sound like a very real possibility,” you agreed, and the two of you reached the training room to see Eric walking up and down the line of initiates holding crossbows and aiming at targets, aggressively yanking them into the correct positions, yelling all the while.

“Finally,” he snapped as you picked up a bow and walked to the end of the line, lining yourself up with the target. You closed your eyes to prevent yourself from rolling them at his comment while he continued roughly moving arms and legs of different initiates, sometimes making them wince in shock, surprise at the force, pain, or all three. When he got to Tris, who was right next to you, he looked her up and down, moved her arms, and said “Back straight, initiate! With that posture, you’ll shoot yourself in the foot, assuming you even get the arrow out of the crossbow!” He waited for a second for her to move, but he quickly became frustrated and yelled to Four, “Four, you deal with this one, I’m going to catch Y/N up, since she has finally graced us with her presence,” he said sarcastically. Tris made eye contact with you, and you knew she was wishing you luck, making you smile a bit. 

“Alright,” Eric said, turning to you. Turn sideways, aim down the line, legs shoulder distance apart. Don’t lock the knees, but stand straight. Non-dominant arm straight, other arm pulls the string back once the arrow is notched, pulling with the middle three fingers. Pull the string all the way back to your ear, look down the line, and shoot. Go,” he said, stepping back and watching with crossed arms. You took the stance Eric had described as well as possible, and Eric’s hands landed on your hips, turning them just the slightest bit. Then, as quickly as they had landed there, they were gone. “Same thing as with the punch, initiate. The angle of your hips matters; it’s where your legs and torso connect, so there’s a lot of power there. You can use your core to help your arm pull the string back further, allowing you to aim better and send a more forceful arrow.” You nodded, notching an arrow, pulling back, and looking down the arrow towards the target. Without hesitation, you released, and the arrow landed mere millimeters from the bull’s eye. “Good,” Eric nodded, walking away. 

As you reached for the next arrow, Tris said, “What the hell just happened?”

“What do you mean?” you asked. 

“Eric. He made us run fifty laps, then he changed up the plan and told us all to take an archery stance. Then, he walked up and down the line, pushing and pulling people into the right positions--I think he almost sprained Al’s shoulder! And then, just now, he just… what, turned your hips? No yanking or bending at unnatural angles or anything!”

“It’s probably just because I got injured yesterday and he doesn’t want to reopen the wound,” you shrugged. 

“Maybe,” Tris said with a sigh. “But still, that was… weird.”

“As opposed to the way Four helped you?” you countered, and she blushed. If she thought you hadn’t noticed the way Four had helped her by taking a softer approach than Eric, she was in for a surprise.

“It’s better to try and get into a position you have a hard time with when you exhale,” she defended, knowing you’d heard Four’s suggestion of a quick breathing exercise. 

“I know,” you smirked. 

“Ugh, let’s just get back to shooting,” she said, and you laughed.

“You two, shut up and get shooting,” Eric’s voice called out, quieting your laughter and causing both Tris and yourself to fall silent. You both made eye contact though, took aim, and released your arrows at the same time, each sending a swift arrow into the center of your respective targets, pride for both yourself and your friend rising inside of you.

“Ten more minutes,” Four called out. “After that, you will retrieve your arrows, put your equipment away, and get to lunch. So give it your all!” 

You took a deep breath, and each arrow you shot for the next ten minutes was aimed with extreme precision, resulting in a pretty crowded center of the target when Four called for everyone to stop. It also made the job of retrieving arrows easier since they were all in one area, which you were grateful for as you pulled each one out of the target. 

As you and Tris walked over to the storage cabinets to put your bow and arrows away, Will and Christina jogged over to you guys, having already put their stuff away. “How was physical therapy this morning, Y/N,” Will asked as he came to a stop. 

“It was good,” you replied, “I just rode a stationary bike so I could get a cardio workout and engage my leg muscles as well as my core in a more controlled setting.”

“That makes sense,” he nodded in approval. “I’m glad it went well. The rest of us had to run around here fifty times!”

“So I heard,” you said, still surprised at the number of laps your friends had run that morning. “And this one here,” he put an arm around Christina’s shoulders, “was one of the first people to finish!”

“Congratulations!” you said with a smile to Christina. She had set a goal for herself to improve her cardio, and it would seem she had reached it. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks,” she smiled, blushing slightly at the contact with Will. “So, wanna get out of here and grab some lunch?”

“That sounds great to me,” you nodded, ready to go. 

“Y/N,” Eric said loudly from across the room as he strode towards you and your friends. 

“Yes?”

“Before you go, I want to take a look at your leg; there’s a first-aid kit in here and I want to see if it needs cleaning seeing as you sweat earlier. The last thing I need to deal with is an infection.”

“Alright,” you said and walked over to the bench, your friends following you. You rolled up the leg of your sweatpants, and thankfully, the wound didn’t look too irritated. 

Nodding, Eric said, “It looks good, but make sure to clean it well later. Use soap and water, and halfway through the day or between workouts, I would recommend disinfecting it.”

“Is there anything I can use now? Just to be safe?” He nodded and grabbed the first aid kit from a shelf on the wall, opened it up, and grabbed a hydrogen peroxide wipe. 

“Here,” he said, handing it to you. “There is also some cream here which you’ll be glad to have once you feel the sting of that wipe,” he said, handing you some ointment. 

“Thanks,” you said as you ripped open the hydrogen peroxide wipe and cleaned the wound. 

You hissed as it stung, and Eric sounded further when he said, “Told you,” since he was putting the kit back. You grunted in acknowledgement, and after wiping the area down, you put some of the ointment on, which was a much nicer way of keeping the area clean. Then, you rolled down your pant leg, stood, and made to toss the ointment back to Eric, but before you could, he said “Keep it.”

“Thanks,” you said, surprised as you pocketed it. Eric simply nodded. 

“Now get out of here,” he said, “go eat lunch.” And with that, you were swept out of the training room by your friends. 

--

“So, we missed you at dinner last night,” Christina said as you and your friends sat down at a table in the dining hall. “Although I totally get that you had other things to worry about. You did get to eat though, right? We wanted to save you some food, but it was pasta night, and everyone had to fight just to get their fair share.”

“That’s sweet of you guys,” you said. “Four tried to do the same thing, but he was too late. “Luckily, Eric had a backup plan.” 

“Oh my god, did you eat dinner with Eric?” Tris whisper-yelled, making eye contact with Christina, whose jaw was hanging open. 

“Yeah, last night was a lot. I waited in his apartment while he got me some sweatpants, which are really comfy, and then he got back and made ‘low-carb enchiladas’ for dinner.”

“Of course they’d be low-carb, Will said, rolling his eyes.”

“Were they good?” Christina asked.

“They were so good,” you nodded. 

“How was the company?” Tris asked.

“Honestly it was fine. I think that the fact that we didn’t talk because we were both tired prevented an argument from breaking out.”

“That’s good,” Christina said. “I’m glad he wasn’t completely horrible to you after you’d just gotten hurt. Although, I have to ask, why wasn’t he completely horrible to you today? I didn’t think he’d have that long of a ‘grace period’ after injuries.”

“He probably didn’t want to reopen the wound,” you said, repeating what you’d said to Tris earlier. “Why are you guys so interested in him?”

“Because he is the scariest person here, and he just gave you some ointment for your leg, which is the exact opposite of what it seems like he would do!” Will said. 

“You do have a point,” you admitted. “Look, I don’t know, but it doesn’t really matter. Besides, we still have to talk about the way Four keeps eyeing Tris,” you said, smirking evilly as you turned the attention away from yourself, launching a new line of questioning, this time aimed at your friend.

Tag List: @shykoolaid, @taina-eny​, @parabatai-winchester​, @marvel-ousnesss​, @kid-from-new-zealand​, @polychr0matic​

#eric coulter #eric coulter imagine #eric coulter x reader #divergent #divergent imagine #divergent fanfiction #four divergent #tobias eaton #tris prior #dauntless #erudite #amity #candor #abnegation #peter hayes #motherfxking-flannel #motherfxking flannel

[likeastarstar]

9:20 PM- Jungkook

For what it's worth, you're a really good liar.

It's not a commendable talent, sure, but it was a handy one.

You weren't sure when it started, but somewhere along the line you started playing a character instead of being yourself. You noticed it got you farther, hiding your real emotions and thoughts in favor for just remaining as neutral as possible. Holding your cards close to your chest was a habit you picked up early on in life and it has saved you from a lot. It was just easier to always be happy in front of others, pretending that nothing bothered you. People seemed to appreciate it, praising your good natured tendencies and positive outlook.

But it also meant you were lonely.

No one knowing how you really felt was a double edged sword that would only nick at your heart at night when you were left with the emotions you had shoved deep down inside. They overflowed and suffocated you, buried under its weight.

No one really noticed it was fake- no one except for Jeon Jungkook.

You didn't really know him that well, you had a couple mutual friends and would see him around often enough but didn't speak to him willingly. To be honest, he made you uncomfortable. He had a careful gaze that watched you like a hawk when you walked into the room, narrowing his eyes when you spoke. You felt like you had to watch the lies you smiled through in front of him, like he had x-ray vision of something.

Your worries were confirmed one day, when you were having a particularly bad day but your friend invited you out. The bar they chose was crowded, loud enough to drown out all of the conversations and blend them into a cacophony of general popularity.

"So are you always like that or what?"

You snapped your head towards Jungkook, frowning at the question. "Like what?"

"Oh, you know, so cheery and sparkly," Jungkook said in a flat tone, throwing up sarcastic jazz hands with wide eyes punctuating the word 'sparkly'.

You searched for anyone in the vicinity to get you out of this conversation but came up short, everyone else was busy in their own conversation, "I'm a happy person. Is that a crime?"

Jungkook snorted and shrugged, "No, but nothing seems to bother you. Like- anything. I don't think I've ever seen you in a bad mood. It's freakish, unnatural. Almost like it's fake."

You stared at the ground, unsure of what to say, how to defend yourself. How did this guy see through you when your own best friend couldn't? Even your parents believed your smiles and easy going words. How had he figured it out?

"And you know what's weirder?" He continued, "I asked around about you and no one else seems to ever recall a time where you were anything but happy. I heard you broke up with a guy after like a three year long relationship and barely even talked about it afterwards."

You felt a spike in your heart at the mention of your last relationship that ended for multiple reasons but equated to you crying your eyes out for months because you just couldn't match the level of perfection you had built up for that long. By the end of the relationship, you were losing your mind trying to keep up with the version of you that your ex thought was real. Jungkook was right about one thing, you didn't let anyone know how distressed you were over it, covering the dark under eye circles with extra concealer and smiling when someone asked if you were okay. You pushed the feeling away, choosing to focus on the fact that Jungkook was asking about you- digging up information like you were some type of criminal.

"I still don't see how that's a bad thing."

"I find it interesting," he shrugged. "Do you just not feel anything but happy? Is it like a chemical imbalance or something?"

"No- it's self control." You snapped, crossing your arms tightly.

Jungkook smile only grew at your expense and widened his eyes with...excitement?

"There it is- anger. See, I've seen you annoyed, which you normally are when you speak to me, but now I've seen you angry. So why is it that the people who've known you your whole life haven't seen that from you? Not even your best friend, who said you two have never even gotten in an argument." He analyzed. "What is that about?"

You tried to find some kind of an excuse, coming up short. You're normally a perfect liar- so why couldn't you come up with something to get Jungkook off your back?

"I'm being harsh," Jungkook sighed. You raised your eyebrows in surprise, another emotion that he noticed. He smirked slightly but ignored it, stepping closer to you instead. He looked down at you from the slope of his nose, tilting his head slightly. Large eyes on yours, you felt weirdly vulnerable under his gaze, "I'll stop, but I'm just saying- it's not natural. Everyone needs a release, I can be that for you, if you want."

"Why would I say yes to that?" You grumbled kicking your feet idly. He was so close to you that you were beginning to get scared that he could sense the nervousness wafting off of you, but that only seemed to make him more interested in you.

"Because I already see through you," He explained. "If you are going to be honest with anyone, why not me? Plus, I dunno- you're interesting. A lot more interesting than anyone I've met in a long time. Call me nosey, I wanna know what's going on in that head of yours."

You snorted, rubbing your temples with the bottoms of your palms soothingly, knowing that what was in your head would terrify a person if they really took a peek in. You stared at him, studying the impassive look he was giving you, trying to tell if he was bad news or not. He probably was, considering how uncomfortable you still were.

"Come on, aren't you lonely?" He asked, nudging your shoulder slightly.

You were. It was the only thing stopping you from outright denying him. The simmering curiosity that you felt to figure him out as much as he was trying to figure you out. It was the curiosity, intrigue, and an underlying sense of...relief.

Finally- someone saw through your lies.

masterlist.

#bts drabble #bts timestamps #jungkook fanfic #jungkook x y/n #jungkook angst #jungkook fic #jungkook x you #jungkook oneshot #jungkook x reader #jungkook drabble #bts fic