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wickedgamesoyaoya · 4 years

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⇺ ⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂ ⇻

↣ Masterpost

↣ inspired by @haik-choo’s post

↣ wc: 2.4k

↣ warnings: emotional pain, swearing, mentions of sex (not outright anything).

↣ format: mixed

↣ song recommendation: 5 Seconds of Summer - Lover Of Mine & 5 Seconds Of Summer - Ghost Of You

↣ preamble: atsumu miya never understands what he has until its too late. from a young age, he only focused on his own satisfaction and accordingly, his own pleasure. the only reason your relationship was able to stand the test of time was solely because of your accommodating nature. but sometimes, it still hurts… the lack of appreciation. would he truly care if you stopped leaving him little love notes in your shared apartment? would he notice if you stopped keeping pace with him during your morning walks? did he even care that you only woke up at the ungodly hour to spend more time with him? with those questions unanswered, some days you wonder if love should hurt this much.

After winning five consecutive matches, a formal banquet was arranged to celebrate MSBY’s notable achievement. The guest-list was littered with numerous B list celebrities, with the occasional A lister promising to attend. What was originally planned to be a small gathering morphed into an evening gala that attracted media coverage, and a significant crowd. Some were desperate to secure an invite solely to catch a glimpse of one of the star players; while others were significantly more interested in the foreign chief that would be designing the menu for the function. Whatever the motivation, each attendee expelled an aura of excitement, one that was highly contagious. Accompanying the delectable atmosphere was a sugary scent wafting throughout the establishment. It was what Atsumu Miya deemed heaven on earth.

The blonde setter had the stem of a wineglass tucked between two fingers nonchalantly, occasionally swaying the maroon liquid as he surveyed those around him. He adored these gatherings for numerous reasons, one being the unnaturally attractive crowd it allured. Not that he planned on approaching any of them with nefarious intentions – he had a date after-all. The same one for the last four years. You. However, he refused to believe there was any harm in simply admiring from afar what he could have but chose not to. It provided him a rush of exhilaration, knowing that if he chose, he could secure the interest of any woman within the vicinity. Oh yes, if only they were so lucky. But alas, they were not. Simply having their attention and compliments was enough, he was disinterested in the satisfaction of sleeping with them. The truth was, while they were surely attractive, none of them would provide him the consistency that came neatly packaged with you. To be blunt, you were easy. Low maintenance, as he explained two nights ago to his brother. Even now, rather than remain glued to his side, you were somewhere in the crowd, mingling with someone unknown. He preferred it this way, and you knew it.

Half an hour before dinner was to be served, Atsumu was invited to take a shot with the MSBY Ace. Bokuto’s best friend refused to drink, vowing to return home early to complete a manuscript, and so he sought a new drinking buddy. But when he approached the setter, his thoughts of drinking were replaced with a newfound concern. Atsumu notified his team-mate that his hair required a quick touch up. His usual spikes were beginning to droop, resembling a withering flower.

“Akaashi! Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Tsum, do you have any gel?” A pout registered upon his lips as he attempted to sharpen the ends of his hair using his index finger and thumb. What if someone caught a photo of him appearing less than satisfactory? The Ace, ordinary or not, should appear extraordinary on a night dedicated to celebrating him (and his team-mates).

“I don’t think it looks that bad, Bokuto-san.” The black-haired writer shook his head, prior to bringing the rim of his coffee cup to his lips. Okay, maybe he could have something earlier. But to his defence, he had only noticed the imperfection now. With a wave of exhaustion weighing over his eyelids, he was less perceptive than usual.

“You know lying to him ain’t gonna fix the problem, right?” Atsumu shifted his narrowed gaze at Akaashi questioningly, something the other male did not appreciate. “And do you really have to ask? Of course, I do. Come on.” The blonde tapped against his lower jacket pocket, where a thin container of hair-serum was kept.

“I’m going to my seat. I’ll meet you there when you’re done.” The comment was directed solely at Bokuto, in a tone that indicated the writer would rather not spend any ‘quality’ time with the setter unless forced to. The brunette was not his biggest fan to say the least.

“I’ll be back soon.” He was well aware that his best friend and team-mate were not particularly fond of one another, placing distance was perhaps the best available option. Once the writer was no longer present, the pair began walking towards the bathroom. “Say… Tsum, where’s y/n?” Instinctively, the Ace’s golden irises searched the space around them for your familiar face.

“I dunno. Somewhere. I’m sure I’ll see her at the dinner table, since we’re sitting together.” The disinterest laced in his tone startled the other male, who failed to mask his bewilderment. Atsumu ignored the puzzlement that shined in his team-mate’s eyes, dismissing the action with a limp shrug before entering the bathroom first.

Bokuto trailed in a second later, pausing at the mirror with a hand extended forward. “You guys are really weird.”

Retrieving the container from his pouch, the blonde handed his team-mate the gel then began adjusting his own appearance, beginning by ushering aside some fallen strands. The observation that was offered only brought a little laugh to exit his mouth. “Yeah? Why do you say that?”

“You don’t act like a real couple.” Bokuto did not intend to respond immediately, particularly because he desired to avoid the stare he was now receiving through the mirror. The lack of hesitation was not well received by the MSBY setter.

“We don’t need to abide by norms to be a couple, Bokkun.” Despite the sour taste curling around his tongue, Atsumu managed to maintain a smile on his lips, finding humour in his own explanation.

“Alright, so is that why you haven’t proposed yet?” The white-haired Ace mentally scolded himself for his lack of restraint. He should have bit his tongue. Oh, if only he bit his tongue –

However, this was not the first time the question was posed to him. In fact, two days ago, it was exact topic that resulted in a very heated argument with his twin-brother. He truly did not understand why proposing was necessary. You both already lived together – was that not enough?

“It’s not that serious.” Tugging at his sleeves, the setter then adjusted his cufflinks. “I love her, but I’m not sure she’s the one. I don’t know if I can really give everything up forever, for her. For the time-being, I don’t mind. But I’m not giving everything up just yet.” The final sentence uttered by the blonde was more of an affirmation to himself, one that did not register well with his team-mate. It seemed that everyone but Atsumu could see how much you did for him. His unappreciated nature was rather toxic.

“That doesn’t sound like love, dude.”

No. It certainly did not.

They say that the truth will always be revealed sooner or later. Perhaps Atsumu Miya’s true feelings would have been revealed later, if he chose to lower his voice and restrict his sincerity. Had he known that you were outside, he certainly would have taken some precautions. But how could he have known that you were searching for him, when you ran into Akaashi? Who unfortunately knew exactly where he was?

How many warnings were issued by your friends over the years? Dozens? Hundreds? What would they say now? How many red flags did you ignore?

How curious how easily you confused ache for butterflies.

The strain circling inside of your temples morphed into a throb as the liquid distorting your vision began spilling down your cheeks, dragging your mascara along with it. Behind you someone whispered your name, fear gripping their throat and muffling the sound. But you were unable to recognize who the voice belonged to, as you no longer held the luxury of having a stable state of mind.

Lifting your trembling fingers to the area below your eyelids, you stumbled attempting to discard the substance hanging on your lashes. “I need to go. I… Oh, I’m stupid. I just… I need to leave. Please.” Sluggishly, you shifted your body to face the person who addressed you earlier, seeking any aid that was offered. You couldn’t face him. Not now. Maybe not ever.

“I know. Come on.”

Sakusa Kiyoomi accidentally stumbled onto the scene just as Atsumu began responding to the inquiry. He was not staggered to hear the cruel statements fall casually from his team-mate’s lips. Similar statements were uttered in the locker-room on numerous occasions. It was your reaction that tugged at his heart. No one deserved to hear the one they loved speak with such venom, and certainly not you. “Let’s go before they come out, shall we?”

The thrill of partying as a newly single bachelor provided Atsumu Miya temporary satisfaction. Each night a stranger’s mouth was attached to his, as he clung to them, desperate to combat the vanilla scent that circulated in the apartment, even weeks after your departure. How many girls had now laid in the exact spot you once occupied on the bed? Dozens? And yet, every morning when he awoke, he continuously thought it was you in his arms, and not someone whose name he did not bother remembering. His endeavours to erase you were fruitless. Not due to a lack of effort, but because the truth was… He didn’t want to forget you.

It took a month for the realization to settle in. No longer interested in the meaningless sex that was offered by mistresses of the night, he found himself unable to leave the apartment unless there was a match scheduled. It was the only location where he could feel some connection to you. Particularly when intoxicated, he swore he could hear you whisper soothing sentiments into his ears, dispelling his fears that you no longer loved him.

But each morning, reality would register once more, providing him a metaphorical jab to his chest.

Today was no different.

It had been forty days since the gala. Forty days to mull over how just how much you did for him, and just how little he did for you. It wasn’t always like this. Over the years, he became too accustomed to your giving nature. Soon, he developed a toxic mentality that he was entitled to everything you provided. But it wasn’t always like that. It wasn’t. At least that was what he repeated to himself, hoping it was the truth.

After downing a liter of water, the throbbing in his head had dimmed to a tolerable level. And once the lights no longer strained his eyes, he reached for his phone, determination igniting in his heart.

“Hi.” The greeting was exhaled softly into the phone, as anxiety prompted your heart to beat irregularly. The uncertainty of what would be said by your former lover had your thoughts tangled into an incoherent mess.

“Hey. Thanks for talking with me.” Atsumu pressed a fist against his mouth, muffling the small whimper that threatened to sound. Oh fuck. You actually picked up. A single word overwhelmed him with the storm of emotions he usually suppressed with alcohol.

A little hum was given to acknowledge his gratitude, it was honestly the best you could offer. But it was unlike you to be so quiet. The thought that he impacted you this much only expanded the guilt he was suffocating in.

“Was I always this bad?” The setter’s eyes stung with fresh tears forming along his lids. Did he even deserve to speak with you now?

Inhaling a lengthy breath of air, silence greeted him for a minute as you mustered the courage to respond. You knew you should hate him. and yet, hearing the tremor in his voice broke your heart. Was it really your fault that you still loved him?

“You weren’t.” You prayed the words were audible, since you were unsure whether you would be able to repeat yourself.

The blonde found the slightest bit of relief in your response, although it only eased a tenth of the tension he was battling to contain. Swallowing once, he strived to stabilize his breathing.

“Will you give me another chance?”

You caught onto the small crack in his voice, symbolizing his distress and sincerity simultaneously. But you wished you hadn’t.

“Atsumu. I can’t be with someone who doesn’t see a future with me.” Even now, stating a reminder of what you heard activated the emotional wound you spent the last month attempting to heal. Could you truly ever get passed this?

“I can’t see a future without you in it.” He interjected, not missing a beat. He refused to deny it any longer. He was an idiot, but he loved you. It was more than the fact you were low maintenance. He knew that now.

“I feel like I wasted four years, do you understand that?” His confession promoted a swarm of butterflies to parade inside of your stomach, but the mental reminder of your friends scoldings kept you grounded. Pretty words would not heal the damage. Not this time. “I’m sorry. I can’t waste any more…”

“You won’t have to, y/n. I promise. Let me take care of you this time. It will be different.” At this point he was essentially begging you to place trust in his promises, even if he had no credibility.

Maybe it was unhealthy how much you wished his promise to be true. How desperate you were to lower your armor and envelope him into your embrace instead. You knew your friends would never approve of him, but his pleads were weaved together with a vulnerability you had never heard before. Before you could stop yourself, the one word the setter was waiting for left your mouth.

“Okay.” Dropping your face into your palm, you sunk your teeth into your bottom lip.

The second you agreed, the blonde was already on his feet, fetching his keys before rushing to the front door. It had been so long since the setter was flooded with joy, he could barely contain himself. “Where are you? I’m coming to you now.” Clicking the lock to a close, he nestled his phone against his shoulder.

Upon hearing the shuffling in his background followed by his question, you instantly shot up to your feet, feeling a surge of hope enter your system. “Don’t you have practice soon?” You certainly did not expect this. Not at all.

Pausing in the middle of the hallway, he blew out a scoff. “I don’t fucking care. I need you in my arms now. Text me the address and I’ll be there. I fucking love you, y/n I love you so much. I’ll never let you go again. I promise.”

It should be noted that he wholeheartedly intended to keep that promise, and thankfully… he did.

Taglist: @idiot-juice-enthusiast @shakiraisawesome

#atsumu x reader #atsumu x y/n #atsumu x you #atsumu miya #atsumu imagines #atsumu haikyuu #atsumu scenarios #atsumu angst #haikyuu fanfiction #haikyuu imagines

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cadiacore · 4 years

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Fluff A-Z | a.g.

A/N; so i know this came out of fucking no where but im in a really fluffy mood and im listening to mrs. grande herself so I decided to make this as a cute little thing it is lol might make a headcannon but who knows lmaooo. The gif is mine x

Pairing; Ariana Grande x Reader

Warning(s); pure fluff and a bit of angst if you squint.

Word Count; 1.5k+

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A - I feel like she is an ass girl. If you two were dating then she would most likely have her hand on your ass half of the time. Maybe it’s a comfort thing or she just really likes to touch it and show PDA.

B - She would love to bake pastries, cakes, cookies and etc. with you since that’s you two’s way of bonding and having fun together. You two would love to throw flour at each other, chase each other and make a mess of the kitchen. It would just be an overall fun time.

C - cuddles! Cuddles for daysssss. I feel like once she is home from the studio or tour, she would climb in your lap and just smother you with cuddles. Or it could go the other way around, you get home from work and you just want to be close to her, so you just crawl into her lap and you instantly feel safe in her arms.

D - Dancing around the apartment would be another favorite past times for the two of you. It would lead to a lot of laughs and goofing off with the upbeat songs but when a slow song comes on, you two would just hold each other and sway to the beat with many kisses to follow.

E - I think you two would love to experience new things together, like food, activities, roller coasters, etc. Trying new foods would be hilarious because you both would countdown when to both take a bite and then it would be disgusting. You two’s faces would be so funny and cute and that would be part of the fun because y’all just love doing anything together.

F - It would take a lot for you and Ariana to fight about something. Very rarely y’all would fight but when you do it’s big and a lot of crying would happen but in the end you two would forgive each other and talk it out normally. After that would lead to snuggles and movie night.

G - Ariana and you love to give each other gifts even though it’s not a holiday or anything specific. Ariana would most likely shower you with diamonds and cute dresses as you would get her flowers and make cute diy things. I feel like she loves homemade things more than she does material, but she always wants to go out and buy you anything sparkly and shiny. You two are also grateful for each other whenever the other receives a gift.

H - Honesty is a big thing for Ariana and you. You two love having deep and honest conversations with each other at 1 a.m. Those are the times were y’all just need to get things off your chest and how you’re both feeling. This would be therapeutic for both of you and it would strengthen your bond even more.

I - You are the main inspiration for her music and that makes you all warm and fuzzy inside. It makes you happy hearing all the lovey dovey songs about you and it inspires you to make things that remind you of her. It always makes her smile when she sees you painting/writing/drawing something that is related to her. It gives her a stomach full of butterflies.

J - Ariana gets jealous and will hold it in until she is able to talk to you about it in a safe space and not around a lot of people. You would do the same since you don’t like causing a scene in front of strangers. It wouldn’t be over anything small usually but if someone was being too close to you or her then y’all would step in and pull each other close. In the end you two would kiss it better and continue on with your day/evening/night.

K - Kissing Ari in your eyes is like heaven. She has the softest lips and is a very good kisser. She blushes every time you two kiss and you think it’s the cutest thing ever when she does. You more and likely blush too but you think it’s cuter on her than yourself.

L - Ariana was shy at first about confessing her love for you but she sucked it up one day and told you how she loved everything about you and that she has always felt that way towards you. She continues on and mentions the first time you two went to Disneyland together and how she knew she had fallen in love with you on that day.

M - She’s all for marriage and so are you! You two love the thought of spending the rest of your lives together and adopting cute little babies. Maybe here soon, one of you will propose!

N - You both love giving each other cute nicknames and your nickname in her phone is “wifey” with a kissy face emoji along with a ring and her nickname in your phone is “babygirl” followed with a heart eye emoji. She loves coming up with new and cute pet names to call you and you love them to no end. Gives you butterflies.

O - When the two of you are on cloud nine, everyone can tell. Ariana tends to look at you like you are the best thing that has ever stepped on this earth and she tends to kiss you more often when she is. Her mom always teases her when she won’t leave you alone with kisses but she just can’t help herself when she’s around you.

P - You both love PDA. You two are always showing some kind of affection whether it be holding hands, kissing, and snuggling/leaning against each other while shopping. You two do it all the time and you don’t care about what anyone thinks of you and Ariana.

Q - Ariana’s quirks are that she loves talking in an Italian accent at the most random times just to make you laugh. She likes to lay out a warm towel for you before you get out of the shower. She doesn’t want you to be cold when you come out of the shower. Which you find very cute and adorable.

R - Ariana LOVES to be romantic. So at any chance she can get she will lay roses out from your dining room table leading to the bedroom and having candles light up the room and well we all know where that goes to lol she also loves to spoil you on Valentine’s day because she thinks you deserve it but it’s always valentine’s day in the grande household.

S - She is super supportive of you and as you are with her. You two make sure that the other is okay and when something bad or traumatic happens, you two are always there for each other, no matter what place or what time.

T - Usually you both love a routine but sometimes you both want to try out new things as said in letter E. You love trying new scary roller coasters and holding onto each other as you go through the ride. When it’s done, both of you want to instantly get back on. The thrill of the ride is so much fun for the both of you two.

U - Ariana can be very understanding at some points and then other times you would have to explain why you’re upset or the way you’re feeling. Usually when you do explain it she is understanding and helps comfort you on whatever the situation is.

V - She values her relationship with you so much that she puts you high on her priority list. If something is wrong, she will do everything in her power to make it right again. She loves seeing you smile so she will always try to make you happy and you are her number 1 besides her family but you understand that because well...family.

W - She loves when you cook a nice dinner for her for when she comes home from tour. She loves how you put so much effort and time into it just for her and you. Sometimes you make a big feast for all your friends and family and thats another cute thing she loves about you.

X - xoxo As previously discussed in C, she loves cuddles and loves showing you love in any form she can. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks of the two of you and she makes that very clear to others who might give you two a dirty glare or look. She’ll kiss you right in front of them just to piss them off or make them uncomfortable.

Y - When she yearns for you while you’re at work is when she gets one of your sweaters or your pillow, and just holds onto it until you get home. She’ll send you sweet messages on how she misses you while she is on tour and can’t be beside you every night but you make sure to face time her everyday so she doesn’t get too sad while she’s away.

Z - She will go many great lengths for you and your relationship and so do you. You both love each other dearly and would do anything for another. Ari is the type to put everything into a relationship once she knows it’s serious and that she loves the person so she would literally do anything for the person she loves, no matter what it is.

#ariana grande #ariana grande fluff #ariana grande x reader #ariana grande butera #ariana grande aesthetic #a to z fluff #music #ariana grande edit #Bee Writes #wlw #tried to make it semi gender neutral

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icequeenoriginal · 4 years

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An Unusually Anxious Prince

Summary: Roman goes into the forest to collect berries and finds something much more interesting.

Author’s Note: I couldn’t help myself so I wrote another scene for my Sleeping Beauty AU. I’m still not sure if I’m going to write a whole story for it though, I just really wanted to write this one, it’s my second favorite scene. Also Happy Pride

Here is the original scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXbHShUnwxY (Not the entire scene but it was all I could find on YouTube)

Warning: One bad word in caps, jokes/fears about being eaten

Roman opened his window as he hums a melody he has known since he was a child. He smiled as he looked over the beautiful valley he lived next to. This was going to be an amazing day.

It was his birthday! His 16th birthday!

This was going to wonderful! He has read in so many of his storybooks that the most amazing things happen on your 16th birthday. Anything could happen!

Including falling in love.

Roman quickly threw on a white shirt and white pants. He posed in the mirror before pausing. He hummed as he felt something was missing. He searched through his dresser before pulling out a black corset with gold string and gold border. He slipped it on and posed in front of the mirror again and smiled at the satisfaction he felt as he looked at his outfit.

He started to descend the stairs but paused when he heard familiar whispering.

“You make the suit and I’ll make the cake, Lolo.”

“How are we going to get Roman out of the house?”

“We’ll think of something.”

Roman couldn’t help but smile. He loved Patton and Logan, really, but they could be as secretive as an elephant trying to sneak through a china shop. He still does not have the heart to tell them that he found out the truth about Santa Clause when he was five after catching Logan wrapping his gifts.

He couldn’t hold anything against them, they raised him after all. They were the best kind of guardians. They were very doting, always giving him what he asks for, but still raise Roman to never be greedy. Patton would sing to Roman whenever he was scared and Logan taught Roman everything he knows. He loved his dads.

Roman shouted, “Good morning everyone!”. He happily ran down the rest of the stairs

Logan and Patton jumped back quickly, using their backs to hide whatever was on the table. Roman smirked at them, they were very much failing at being slick.

“What are you two up to?” Roman asked, trying not to laugh as he did so.

“U-Up to?” Patton squeaked out, slowly trying to make himself as tall as possible. “Nothing at all!”

“Oh really?” Roman attempted to peer behind Patton.

Logan gently pushes him back “Ah! Roman! We need you to...to…” Logan back at Patton, his eyes screaming for help.

“To pick more berries!” Patton yelled, startling both of them. Patton picked up a basket sitting on the table. He was going to use it to place flowers in for Roman’s birthday party as a centerpiece but sacrifices had to be made.

“Berries?” Roman asked, clearly thrown off. “But I picked some yesterday”

Patton made a nervous face before smiling, “Well, we need more. We used them all to make Logan’s favorite jam, a-and I ate the rest. You know I get snacky when I’m cooking.”

Roman smiled as Logan placed his red shawl over him. It was his favorite, Patton had made it for him on his 10th birthday. Roman stepped outside of their small but comfy cottage.

Patton smiled at him and said, “Take your time, no need to hurry back”

Logan nodded in agreement, “But don’t go too far!”

“Yes and don’t talk to strangers!” Patton added

Roman chuckles, it was the same speech they always gave him when he left the cottage. He waved as he walked down the path, pretending that the huge excited smirk on his face was not there.

“Do you think he bought it?” Patton whispered rather loudly to Logan

“Of course he did” Logan whispered back.

Roman covered his mouth to muffle his laughs and headed off. ~ The forest was nice. The weather was warm and the wind was low.

It was nice; calm and quiet. Too quiet for his liking.

Roman began singing loudly, a melody Patton taught him when he was five. He paused to listen and smiled as the birds responded to his call.

He sang again as the bird flew towards him, one landing on his extended finger. More small critters made their way over to him. Squirrels, rabbits, and small birds surrounded him. Even an owl awoke from its slumber to land in his empty basket.

Roman smiled and pets all of them before heading back on the path to the berry grove. This was much better. A walk through the forest is so much better with company.

Roman continued to sing, a bit louder, hoping to attract more friends to make his special day even more special.

Virgil rode on through the forest with a small frown on his face. He was undoubtedly bored. The journeys to and from home were always boring. Not that he was complaining! He would never leave home if his home again if something “exciting” happened on any of his journeys.

If there was one thing Virgil did not like, it was trying something different. It was way too stressful and overwhelming to him. He always thought the status quo got a bad rap. It was nice, relaxing, and kept him safe and sane.

Which is why he was screaming at himself for following a random voice in a random forest. Internally of course. He has class.

All he had to do was keep heading straight, he was very close to home. He could do this in sleep. Which he was so he didn’t hear the beautiful voice.

He didn’t know why he wanted to follow the voice. It was probably a siren luring him to be eaten. That thought was enough to make him turn his horse the other way.

The voice continued to sing, this time using words. “I wonder~”

It was a very nice song...and logically it couldn’t be a siren. They resign in the ocean and he was nowhere the ocean. If anything, it would be a fae who is leading him to its circle so it can eat him.

And now he was heading back to the path home...

“To someone~. To find me~”

GODAMMIT!

He turned his horse back towards the way of the voice and used the lope to make his horse go faster do he couldn’t chicken out once more.

If he got eaten, his ghost will just haunt the fae. It was only fair--

Virgil was so lost in his own mind that he did not realize his horse jumped over a small pond and he was not holding on. Gravity pulled him right into the pond.

That’s what he gets for following mysterious voices in a forest...

Roman happily skipped as his basket became more and more filled with berries. He spins, slowly so not to drop any berries and picks some more berries. He walked over to the rather large edge of the cliff, his favorite spot in the world.

There was a tree with low enough for him to sit and nap in for hours. It was nicely shaded with the higher branches of the tree where his animal friends could rest with him. Best of all, it overlooked the beautiful castle with its gorgeous landscape.

Roman always pictured himself heading over there for a ball, late at night while Logan and Patton were sleeping. He would look around the gorgeous castle and then bump into someone. As soon as he was done apologizing, he would make eye contact with the man and it would be his true love!

Roman threw his head back and groaned. He turned away from the castle and walks away in a huff. The animals follow him, trying to be as concerned as they could be.

“They treat me like I’m still a toddler!” Roman said as he stomped his foot. He only stopped when he almost dropped his basket. The owl flew in front of him and hooted, seeming interested in Roman continuing his rant.

“My uncles! Logan and Patton! They don’t want me to go anywhere! They barely let me come this far to get berries! Much less meet another person.”

Roman plopped down in front of a different tree, letting himself stew in his own anger. Once that past, he smiles to himself. “Well, jokes on them! I have met someone!” Roman then jumped up determinedly with a large grin on his face, leaving the basket on the ground.

The animals moved closer, eager to hear more about this person. The birds tweeted as if to cheer for him.

“That’s right! And not just anyone! He’s a prince! An amazing prince! He’s handsome and kind and the most romantic person I have ever met, after me of course!” Roman giggled as his own joke.

“We usually spend our time talking and singing together as he takes down by the lake on his horse. We will have a picnic together, it would be silent so we could hear the wonderful sounds of the forest. Then when we finish, he picks me up by my waist and then…umm...”

One of the squirrels nudged his foot, demanding that he finish the story he was telling.

Roman gave the squirrel a bittersweet smile, “Well, I don’t know what happens next, I usually wake up around that part.” All the looked down sad, making Roman blush from embarrassment.

“I know, I know, it’s depressing. But uncle Patton always taught me, since I was little, that if you have a dream more than once, it is more likely to come true. And trust me, I have had this dream more than once.” Roman said to them with a laugh.

The animals did not look convinced, causing Roman to sit back down. He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He watched as some of his animal friends run off into the forest but he thought nothing of it. He figured they had something important to do.

Virgil groaned as he rubbed his neck. He groaned as he leaned against tree. He turned his head and watched as his favorite cloak dried on a tree branch. It was black it not only matched with his black boots, black pants, and black shirt (he loved the color, okay?) but also was his favorite color.

He pulled off his boots, groaning as more water fell out of each boot. He tossed them under his cloak and rubbed his feet.

“You know what Susan? I probably deserved this. No, I definitely do for a random magical forest voice. This is definitely my punishment, right girl?” He smiled at his horse but frowned quickly when she neighed loud and quickly. Her snout was pointing towards his cloak and he turned in horror as a bunch of animals were stealing it along with boots.

“Hey! Give me my stuff back!” Virgil shouted as he ran after the animals, Susan right behind him.

~ Roman hummed softly as he gently petted the chipmunk on his lap. He yawned into his free hand, the sun pulling him into a nap. Logan and Patton did tell him not to hurry back…

A couple of his bird friends tweeted loudly, stirring him wide awake. The squirrel from before nudged him again, this time pushing on his face. He turned his eyes towards the direction the squirrel was pushing and bursts into laughter.

His owl friend had a black cloak tied around its neck while two birds held up the ends. Two bunnies were hopping, each in a black boot, under the cloak

Roman smirked as he made his way over to them, “Now what do we have here? Could it be? My dream prince?” He looked at the animals up and down and his smirk widened. “It is! Your highness,” he bows playfully “I had no idea you were coming! What a pleasant surprise! Oh, but what would my uncles say! They would say ‘Roman! Why are you talking to a stranger!’,” Roman frowned turning away the clothed animals but suddenly turned back with a big smile on his face, “But then!” he boops the owl’s beak “I would say...I know you! I walked with you once upon a dream!”

Roman spun around and leaned next to his owl friends, “I know you, that look in your eyes is so familiar a gleam”

Roman grabbed the sides of the cloak and began dancing around as he sang, “And I know it's true that visions are seldom all they seem.”

“But if I know you, I know what you'll do.” He pulls the owl closer by the cloak and giggles.

“You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream.” Roman wraps the cloak around himself. He closed his eyes for a bit, imagining that his dream prince was really there, holding him lovingly.

Roman let go, nearly causing the owl to fall, and began to dance away from the cloak as he sang “La La La La!”

Meanwhile, Virgil and Susan had made their way over to the clearing and took in the sight before them. The voice from before did not come from a fae, luckily from him but a boy. A very handsome boy at that…

Virgil shook his head to shake the thought away, he needed to focus. As the boy danced away, Virgil reached over and pulled his cloak away from the owl. The rabbits quickly followed and, by grabbing the front of his boots, dumped the rabbits out.

He should have just left right then and there, he got the answer of the voice and his stuff back. He should just get back on the road and head home.

“If I know you, I know what you’ll do~.” The boy sang with his back still to Virgil. Virgil recognized the song, from when he was a child.

Virgil couldn’t help himself, he sang, “You’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream.”

Roman whipped around and made eye contact with Virgil, “Oh!”

Virgil freezes, his eyes lock with the boy in front of him. He now has a good look at the boy. At his gorgeous brown eyes, his beautiful autumn hair that was long enough to reach his shoulders, his broad chest, and the terrified look on his face as Virgil stared at him.

Virgil jumped back “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I was just...your animals...they...I...you…”

Roman giggled, after calming down from the initial shock, “No, I’m sorry they took your stuff.”

“Oh, uh, n-no hard feeling,” Virgil said with a nod.

Roman raised an eyebrow, “Have we met?” There was something familiar about this boy, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Virgil couldn’t lie, he felt like he knew this boy, it was on the tip of his tongue. Though his brain was too busy short-circuiting so he switched to his most basic function, sarcasm, “Was it once upon a dream?” He smirked.

Roman laughed and smiled sweetly at Virgil. “Was that it? Hmm…”

Virgil blushes embarrassed as he rubs the back of his neck and laughed nervously. He had no idea what to say.

“Hmm...I’m not sure, you might be a stranger after all. You’re gonna have to prove it.” Roman says firmly

“Prove it?”

“Mhmm,” Roman stretches out his hand to Virgil “Dance with me,”

Virgil was nervous, to say the least. He wasn’t that great of a dancer and he didn’t want to embarrass himself. He didn’t even like dancing that much but still, something in him told him that he wanted, no, needed to dance with him.

Virgil nodded and took Roman’s hand. They danced so well that it was as if they were dance partners for years. It was magical and romantic and neither wanted it to end. It seemed meant to be, but neither knew why.

But we do. We know it’s true as visions are seldom all they seem.

But if I know you, I know what you'll do.

You'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream.

Taglist: None this time because this, like the first one, was just a fun little thing for me.

#thomas sanders #sanders sides #Sleeping Beauty AU #prinxiety #roman x virgil #roman sanders #virgil sanders #logan sanders #patton sanders #part 2 #sanders sides fanfic

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nomorelonelydays · 5 years

Text

kick your pretty feet up on my dash

Part 1 | Part 2

Two days after the Instagram account opens, Sidney unofficially gets put on naming duty.

The strawberry shortcake biscuit is named The Taylor.

The cream cheese-stuffed banana muffins, crusted with dark chocolate ganache, is The Fleury.

The slice of warm spiced peach cobbler (available for just two weeks), topped with a generous portion of thick, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream, is The Deidre.

He shares the account password with her, but she seems more interested in digging up her mom’s old recipes from an ancient box filled with yellowed index cards than photographing.

“I’ll leave that up to you,” she says, then passes him a card titled, ‘Cherry Layer Chocolate Cake.’ “I think I’ll make this for the holidays. What do you think?”

Deidre makes just one and a half cakes for a trial run (the other half, which had come out lopsided, is sitting in the back of Sidney’s fridge). It’s another instant hit.

Sidney watches a couple, two teenagers who are making it pretty painfully obvious that they’re on their first date, split a slice in a corner seat. She’s chasing the cherry around the plate with her fork, and he watching her like she hung the literal moon. He laughs a little too hard at her jokes, his eyes crinkling like Geno’s when he’s chirping Sidney. But with the way she’s beaming, it’s clear that she doesn’t mind at all.

He’s not jealous—or, at least, he doesn’t think he’s jealous. Having hockey and having a boyfriend have always been mutually exclusive. But now, with no obligations to the NHL, he’s supposedly free to do everything that he’s wanted to. He doesn’t dwell too long on it though, because the last thing he needs is to have an existential spiral in Deidre’s store over whether or not he’s missed his his golden hour to be happy the exact minute the Penguins drafted him all those years ago.

He finishes lettering the card for the cherry chocolate cake and slides ‘The Jack’ neatly into its proper holder.

Geno calls him on Thursday nights now, like clockwork. He’s grateful for the routineness of it, especially when he knows how much Geno lives on spontaneity. It’s always the same—updates on how the team is doing (good, the weather over in Pittsburgh (not so good), another dumb prank the rookies are trying to pull (hilarious, but slightly unoriginal with the shaving cream), even though it’ll never be as good as the ones Flower used to plan.

“How are you?” Geno asks one night, while Sidney is puttering around the kitchen to figure out what he wants to make for dinner. “Your tomatoes grow?”

“I think those are a goner,” Sidney grimaces. The entire plant had shriveled up weeks ago, despite Sidney faithfully watering them. “Guess I’ll just have to stick with the storebought ones.”

Geno is silent for a bit. Then, “Is quiet in locker room without you.”

Sidney pauses. “I doubt that’s true.” There’s plenty of rookies every year, eager to prove themselves on the ice and to establish themselves as a personality on the team. Besides, Sidney has never been the life of the party—that’s always been Geno himself.

“No, is quieter.” Geno sounds like he’s swallowing a yawn. “Different without you.”

Sidney’s heart flounders, and he has to blink a couple of times before his throat unclogs. “Maybe you should get to sleep. It’s pretty late over there.”

“No, I’m not tired,” Geno mumbles, sounding very drowsy. Sidney can almost picture Geno, hair-mussed and sleepy eyes about to close as he curls up on his mattress. “Want to keep talking.”

“I know you have practice tomorrow, G,” Sidney says. “You have the C now, you can’t get there two hours late anymore.”

“I’m never late,” Geno huffs. “You too early.”

“Get some rest,” Sidney says gently. “I’ll still be here next week, same as usual.”

“Maybe I call tomorrow.’

“I won’t go anywhere.”

“Wish you still here, Sid,” he murmurs. “Miss you so bad, some days.”

Sidney doesn’t miss a beat. “I miss you, too,” he whispers, because any louder and he knows his voice will crack. “I’ll be here tomorrow. And the day after, if you still want to call.”

“Okay,” Geno says. “Okay.”

Sidney’s restocking the brioche rolls when Deidre’s voice casually pipes up from the coffee machine, “You have a secret admirer, you know.”

“I know. It’s Samantha. PTA President,” Sidney says, trying to not sound exasperated. He only knows her name and title because she must’ve giggled it at him as a greeting every single time she’s marched in. “She asked me what the main ingredient was in the banana muffins and I told her banana like, three times.”

“She just likes to hear you say banana. And no, it’s not Sam.” Deidre makes a come hither motion with her hands and slides a napkin towards Sidney. “Yesterday afternoon, there was a young man, maybe around his 30s, who stopped by for a latte and he asked where you were.”

“Oh.” There’s something he can’t name fluttering in his stomach. The words on the napkin scrawled out, Jeremy, and a string of numbers. “What did you say?”

“I told him, ‘He’s a cute one, isn’t he? He’s the store eye candy, bringing in all the sales.’”

“Dee, you didn’t.”

“I did, and he went full red. It was adorable. And I told him that you pop in in the mornings and in the afternoon to help with opening and closing.” She leans forward, grinning. “I’m just saying, think about it.”

He thinks about it.

At night, he tells Geno, “I think I have a secret admirer. Or a stalker.”

Geno’s voice suddenly becomes infinitely more awake. “Have what? Someone stand outside your house? I read about this before, you need call police.”

“No, it was at the bakery. I got his number on a napkin. Well, the owner gave me his name on a napkin, so I don’t really know what he looks like. He could be 100. People in this town are usually…around that age range.”

Geno still sounds perplexed. “So say no.”

“What?”

“Say sorry, only go on dates with girls. But thank you.”

Sidney’s brain feels like it’s stuttering to a pause. “Geno, what the fuck?”

“What?”

“I don’t ‘only go on dates with girls.’ I—” Well, to be quite fair, he hasn’t gone on any dates at all. “You know this.”

It takes a full ten seconds for Geno to crackled back to life on the line again. His voice is hesitant. “You only bring girls to events. Like Halloween, or—”

“They’re my friends, I’ve told you. I’m not going to bring a guy in front of you guys,” he exclaims, then reigns in his voice. His heart is beating like a jackhammer boring straight through. “Hey, listen, I have a pretty early day tomorrow, I’ll talk to you next week, okay?”

“Sid, wait—”

He hangs up and puts his phone face down on the nightstand. It’s not his proudest moment.

I’m sorry(((, the text reads. The timestamp indicates that the message had been sent at 2 AM. You should go on a date with secret guy. Maybe he’s secret Ryan Reynolds.

Geno’s texts are never longer than five words, usually cryptic versions of a yes or no, accompanied by eyeless smilies. Sidney wonders if he’d been painstakingly worrying over each word since Sidney hastily ended the conversation.

I don’t think he’s Ryan Reynolds, Sidney sends back. Besides, no one in this town knows hockey. That’s gonna be a problem.

Geno’s reply is instantaneous, as if he’d been waiting.

Picky)))))

More messages follow in quick succession, before Sidney can even start typing.

But always best for u. Deserve the best only.

He laces up his shoes and heads to Dee’s.

It snows a little mid-December.

He helps Deidre with the decorations, hanging up tinsel and little snowflake cutouts on the window. She has a box of Christmas lights stored away in a dusty box from the attic, which definitely looks like they haven’t been disturbed since the 80s, but the one of the bulbs dies with a sad fizz the moment Sidney plugs it in. So they have to make do with the other nonflammable options.

The store looks nice. ‘Well-loved’ is a better word for it, with its mismatched decorations and ancient garlands. He snaps a photo of the mini tree on the counter for Instagram before he goes to help Deidre frost the rest of the ornament-shaped sugar cookies.

There’s commotion on the streets from all the tourists and families coming back for the holidays. He thinks about flying to Nova Scotia for the holidays, but then he realizes that none of Deidre’s children will be coming to Cardwell Point.

“They’re busy,” she shrugs indifferently, but she turns her back to Sidney as she busies herself with rearranging the shelfs. “It’s alright. That’s what Skype is for, right? Besides, I have to watch the store.”

He thinks about Geno, who’s probably headed to Florida soon to escape the onslaught of winter chill that he absolutely abhors, no matter how much he loves the city. He could Skype Geno, or Facetime him. Except Geno would always have the angle wrong, and Sidney’s sure he’d just get an on-brand mugshot of Geno’s nostril from the bottom up for the whole conversation.

He did ask Sidney if he wanted to go to Florida, except the way he had asked had felt like a given tagged with a question mark at the end (Florida w me this year?). Nonetheless, Sidney had been tempted.

But he also wonders if he’d feel even more homesick when Geno is physically standing in front of him again, all tall and loud and too big, too much, too many years of his unrequited love staring at him and making Sidney think that he has a chance. He doesn’t want to go to Florida to watch Geno pick up strangers at a club.

“I’m not going anywhere, either,” he tells her.

She looks over, finally, pursing her lips like she’s trying to hold back her smile.

@DeesBakeryandCafe

Season’s greetings and a happy New Year to our wonderful customers and families here in Cardwell Point. Hope everyone is spending time with their loved ones this holiday season.

Winter refuses to go. The clouds hang over the streets stubbornly, and each days trudges on like it’s dragging its feet.

He misses skating.

He misses Geno. Especially as it gets closer to February and teenagers and adults alike start coming to the shop in twos, their gloved hands clasped together as they squeeze through Dee’s tiny corridor when it’s really much easier to be in a single-file line.

He’s not jealous. He is not.

But he is lonely. And really fucking cold.

He serves up at least thirty slices of The Jack, which is apparently the most popular item these days thanks to Instagram. Deidre switches up the decoration, so the cherry-glazed design in the middle forms a big, gaudy heart. The Internet completely eats up. Sidney doesn’t understand it.

“It’s like a Titanic reference, right?” a customer asks, as he picks up the cake for his wife. “Like, an ‘I’ll never let you go,’ kind of thing. Jack and Rose?”

“Sure,” Sidney says. It’s really for his first childhood crush, but he can work with the Titanic.

The moment Deidre fills her last custom order of The Jack (and there had been plenty of those, for anniversaries to birthdays to just becauses), she tells Sidney that she’s figured out how to make her mother’s cheesecake.

“Finally worked out how to stop the goddamn filling from clotting,” she says, cutting him a slice. The cake has a brownie bottom, and the inside is perfectly creamy and smooth and dotted with dark chocolate chips. “What do you think?”

“I’m biased,” Sidney says, trying to not scarf down the whole thing like an animal. “I love cheesecakes. This one is my favorite so far.”

“Good,” she tells him. “You can name this one, then.”

His fork stops mid-air. “Weren’t you going to call it ‘The Lily’?”

She pats his arm affectionately, not unlike the day she did when Sidney told her why he ended up at Cardwell Point. “I figured she wouldn’t mind. This can be our second February special. God, I’m sick of The Jack.”

The next week, Sidney carefully slides The Geno in its display cabinet.

(Deidre doesn’t ask about the peculiar name. She never does, and Sidney is grateful.)

After over a decade in the NHL, he’s well aware of what he can and can’t have. But lately he’s been feeling selfish. He snaps a photo of the cheesecake and sends it to Deidre.

It’s a good photo.

“I got invited to a neighborhood potluck yesterday,” Sidney mumbles into the receiver, when Flower asks him how retirement is treating him. “I don’t know what to bring. Maybe I’ll bring something from the bakery.”

“Do you officially work at the bakery or are you just there because the owner is blackmailing you? Does she know who you are?”

“I just help out when I can. And no, I told you, it’s not a hockey town. They do have competitive knitting here. It’s a thing.” Sidney doesn’t have much to do these days, aside from working out and catching up on reading, which means that he does end up doing most of the latter in the café. Maybe he should take up competitive knitting. “I started an Instagram for her shop. We just hit 200 followers.”

“You know how to do that?” Flower asks, because he’s a little shit. “I’m kidding, I know you’re not actually a senior citizen.”

Sidney rolls his eyes. “I haven’t checked it in a while though. I let Deidre handle the posting now. It’s her shop, anyways.”

“What’s the handle?”

He tells him. Flower is quiet for a bit as he searches through the page. “Pretty cool, eh?”

“Yeah,” Flower says, his voice slightly off. “Yeah, it’s—it’s good. Looks like the real deal.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Of course it’s the real deal.”

Flower makes a noncommittal noise. “Nothing. Cheesecake looks good. Does Geno know?”

“No,” Sidney says. “I mentioned the bakery once or twice. He didn’t ask. Not, uh—not after I told him about Jeremy.”

“Secret napkin man?” Flower remembers. “You didn’t go on that date?”

“No, I didn’t go on a date with ‘secret napkin man,’” he mimics. “I don’t think he’d care.”

“I think he’d care.” Flower always sounds so sure when he wants to be serious, and it’s one of the things Sidney missed most when he left for Vegas—there’d been a metaphorical hollow within the team for a good few months following his departure, and that void never quite got replaced no matter what.

“Maybe.”

Sidney can only hope. But he’s a little too old for hoping these days.

Foot traffic is slower when they hit March, but Deidre promises that it’ll pick up when Cardwell Point’s 11th Annual Theater Festival starts in the middle of the month, because that’s apparently the other big thing aside from the 4th of July Carnival Bash. Sidney has just packed up another dozen of red velvet cupcakes for Samantha the PTA Queen when the front bell jingles.

“Hello? I’m look for—”

Sidney heart leaps to his throat.

“Sid,” Geno says softly. He looks like the wind knocked him in (it probably had), mismatched Frakenshirts and all. “Hi, Sid.”

Samantha may as well not have even walked into the store at all.

“How are—“ He must be imagining things. But Geno takes another step, until he’s right in front of the counter and Sidney can reach out and touch just how real he is. He hasn’t changed much--still the same eyes, the same nose and lips, and maybe his hair is a bit thinner but he still makes Sidney’s chest feel too small and too big all at once. “Where did you—how are you here?”

“Fly,” Geno says sheepishly. “Wanted to see you.”

“What about—”

“No games until Friday.” He’s staring at Sidney like he’s looking his fill and he can’t get enough. “I—I see your post, and I just—buy ticket.”

“What post?”

Geno pulls out his phone and flips through it until he lands at a familiar Instagram account. He passes it over to Sidney, his hands warm as it brushes against Sidney’s fingers.

@DeesBakeryCafe

‘I love you’ tastes a lot like our chocolate chip cheesecake, The Geno.

“Oh,” Sidney breathes. “Oh.”

#retirement fic #sidgeno #okay!!! getting closer to the final part #probably wont be any posting during the weekday because need to do Real Job things #but hope you guys enjoy #wish i knew graphic so i can like...make a graphic header

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just-come-baek · 5 years

Text

Wedding Fever 5 | final

Pairing: Baekhyun x Reader

Word count: 13.1k

Summary: Baekhyun is the best man, and I am the maid of honor at our friends’ wedding. Although should we be excited about our friends getting married, we seem to complain a lot more every time we meet for another preparation. Maybe it’s a bit fanciful of me to think that, but I hope, somewhere between choosing flowers and venting about the reception prep, he’ll like me just as I like him.

Warnings: infidelity, profanity, sexual themes (oral female receiving, cock riding, dirty talk if you squint, pretty vanilla), extreme cuteness, unpleasant and problematic confrontations, usage of alcohol, manipulative behavior,

A/N sorry for taking so much time. I hope you enjoy the final chapter, and maybe check out my future stories with Baekhyun.

“I’m hungry,” I announced randomly when Baekhyun and I almost walked past McDonald’s. I had barely eaten that day, and although I had made a resolution not to eat at fast food joints, I couldn’t deny I craved some French fries. “Let’s go,” I said, pulling Baekhyun with me, ignoring his protests.

“A bit bossy of you,” Baekhyun answered, following behind me. At this time of the night, there were barely any customers, so with ease, I ordered two servings of fries, and Baekhyun paid. I had left my purse with Jiwoo, and besides, no matter how you look at it, it was somewhat our first date. Maybe, it wasn’t perfect, but it was Baekhyun, so I felt contended.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked when I placed the tray with our fries between us, clumsily opening the packaging of ketchup. Baekhyun just sat there, looking at me, smiling brightly. Did I have something on my face?

“I’m just curious what else are you going to surprise me with further the way,” Baekhyun replied honestly, leaning forward, his chin resting in his hand, his arm being perched on the table. “It’s been like ten minutes since I told you my feelings, and it’s been great. I mean… you know… hanging out with you like that without holding myself back.”

“I had no I idea I surprised you at all,” I admitted honestly. It was strange that Baekhyun found me so intriguing. If one of my friends had to describe me, I’d probably be a disappointingly one-dimensional character. There’s nothing unique about me. I just work 9 to 5, watch trashy television, eat lots of potato chips, and drink too much coke and wine. “I’m pretty basic if you ask me.”

“And if you ask me, I can’t agree with you.” Baekhyun retorted, and I shook my head, stuffing my mouth with fries. “Yes, you must be a masochist if you like doing these things to yourself, but at least, you’re not ashamed of it. And that’s something I really respect about you. You don’t pretend someone you’re not, and I can’t wait to see more of it.”

“You better eat your fries,” I snickered, getting a bit embarrassed by the amount of attention he just gave me. Honestly, I preferred when we were bickering. Now, it just felt as if he placed me on the pedestal for me to be worshipped. I wasn’t used to that kind of treatment, and I needed plenty of time to get accustomed.

“Oh, trust me, I’m gonna eat mine and a half of yours. I'm the one who paid after all,” Baekhyun shot back, and I grinned, finally interacting with the Baekhyun who I fell for. I loved him the most when he was carefree and a little bit of silly. It’s refreshing to hang out with him, especially when everyone around me tended to be overly stressed all the time.

“Not if I eat mine first,” I challenged, and then Baekhyun leaned to steal one of my fries even though his weren’t even touched. “Oh, that’s how you wanna play? Bring it,” I added, mirroring his actions. Giggling, I stole some of his fries and put them into my mouth. “How it’s possible that yours taste better? This is crazy.”

“Mine were fried with love,” Baekhyun concluded, and I almost choked at the absurdity of his statement. Yes, the female cashier smiled at him fondly, but still, our fries were out of the same old oil. As much as he’d like to, he didn’t get any special treatment tonight.

“When are you gonna learn to bullshit better?” I teased, and Baekhyun looked at me in an artificial and over the top angry way. Although I could tell he was only fooling around, his angry face was convincing and stern. “Gee, don’t make a face like that, I’m almost scared.”

“And I’m fully offended,” Baekhyun said seriously, but after a second he burst out laughing, and I started giggling uncontrollably, realizing the alcohol didn’t fully leave my body yet. The remains lingered, intensifying my reactions. “OK, maybe not fully, but mildly.”

“I’m a tease. That revelation surprises you, doesn’t it?” I said shyly, and Baekhyun just grinned.

“I had a hunch, but I can assure you, you’re no competition to me, baby.”

“Wow,” I interjected, sounding shook. “Did you just ‘baby’ me?

“I think I did. What are you gonna do about it?” Baekhyun challenged, and I didn’t say anything, feeling how much cheeks burnt. It only took him one word to make me blush. How embarrassing was it? “You like it, don’t even try to deny it.”

“I do, but I’d rather have you called me a princess,” I said boldly, having no refrain in voicing my inner desires. I had imagined Baekhyun calling me affectionately, using my favorite pet name, but now, when it could happen, I didn’t know I was ready to hear it. “I’m full,” I added, as I pushed my tray away, hoping to dodge the intense atmosphere around us.

“You barely touched it,” Baekhyun remarked, amazed how quickly I satisfied my hunger. “But okay, let’s go, I just want you to drink some water and go to sleep.” He added, and my heart melted when I heard him. Nobody has ever cared about me so much. What did I do to deserve him?

“Actually...” I started, wanting to tell him about the secondary purpose of organizing Jiwoo's surprise bachelorette party. “It’s pretty embarrassing to admit, but I pledged to leave the club with a man with whom I was going to have a sex marathon. I struggled too long with a dry spell, so yeah… I made a promise to myself to leave the club with someone for the sole reason of having lots of sex.” I explained, and Baekhyun choked on his fries, not expecting me to put the truth in such a straightforward way. “So yeah, you were literally the one who dragged me out of there, so now you owe me at least two mind-blowing orgasms.” I finished, and I could swear that people sitting at the next table could hear me. I didn’t care, though. Baekhyun had confessed to me, and now it was time to make up for the lost time.

“Are you serious?” Baekhyun asked bewildered that I could actually leave the club with a stranger only because he could potentially satiate my needs. “You’re joking. You’re gorgeous; it’s not possible for you to be under the dry spell.” Baekhyun reasoned, trying to justify his surprise.

“I don’t know whether you’re shocked or shied away,” I said, not sure how to read his expression. Was he disappointed in my hedonic resolve? I just needed some intimacy, and since I had no idea how he perceived me, finding someone else to cater it for me was the only solution I had left.

“I’m probably both,” Baekhyun admitted, looking straight with an absent gaze. I observed his face, trying to find a change in his mimics, but he only furrowed his eyebrows, being deep in his thoughts. “You really shocked me. What would happen if I didn’t come clean? I could lose my only chance to be with you. I can’t believe you were so close from being snatched away from me.”

“Don’t put that much thought into it. None of it happened, so it’s pointless to dwell on it. Everything’s fine,” I replied, smiling brightly. Everything that I wished to happen became a reality, and I couldn’t be any happier. But then, my good mood vanished, being replaced with awful thoughts of Jiwoo’s infidelity. Hongbin didn’t deserve any of it, and when I wondered what was going to happen with their relationship, I was angry at Jiwoo for ruining it.

“Yeah, I guess,” Baekhyun agreed, sending me one of his beautiful genuine smiles. He really seemed happy when being with me, and I couldn’t imagine how hard he must’ve held himself back. And how could he do that to me? Only if I had known, only if he had given me a sign, I’d force him for a confrontation. I had only needed a single clue that he was interested. None of us made a move until tonight, and our cowardice game had been played way longer than necessary. “Let’s just get you home.”

***

Frankly, I was a bit nervous about going into Baekhyun’s apartment. I had never been there in the past, and this night there was already full with first times. When we reached it, Baekhyun fought with the lock, and considering my promise of a wild sex session, he was probably a bit afraid that I’d jump his bones as soon as he’d open the doors.

None of it happened, though.

I wanted to, but I had waited long enough, so an hour or a day wouldn’t make a difference to me.

The moment he pushed the doors open, he moved to the side, letting me in first.

“I can’t believe you’ve never mentioned you had a dog!” I exclaimed when I felt the typical smell. A few seconds later, Baekhyun flicked the lights on, and I saw the most adorable Corgi ever. Excitedly, it ran up to me, resting its front paws on my shins.

Quickly, I crouched so I could pet its soft fur, but also because I was wearing fishnets, and I didn’t want the dog to ruin them.

“I wanted you to like me because of me, and not because of my dog.” Baekhyun joked when he took off his jacket and hung it on the rock. “This little monster is the cutest dog ever.”

“You’re absolutely right,” I agreed with a quiet chuckle, as I rubbed his dog which now was lying on its back, demanding my attention. “It’s adorable, but you have nothing to worry about. I like you the same with or without a pet.”

“So you do like me,” he said with a huge grin, when he sat down on the couch’s hand rest, staring at me petting his dog. “Glad to know that,” he added, and I rolled my eyes at him; he was adorable, and I just couldn’t help myself. It was like I was living a fairytale. “OK, make yourself at home, and I’ll get you something to drink.”

I was already swept off my feet, why did he still try to impress me?

Not that I minded.

Kicking off my shoes, I lay down on the couch, and Baekhyun’s dog stretched out on the floor, so I could still pet him. Closing my eyes, I moved my hand through the dog’s fur until I dozed off. The couch was incredibly comfortable, and I didn’t even realize when I fell asleep.

The next thing I remember was Baekhyun waking me up to drink the water, change into pajamas he prepared for me, and go to bed. However, he didn’t do it in a gentle way but quite violently, shaking me out of the slumber. Before he had acted like a sweet boyfriend, but right now, he had no mercy, waking me up in the most annoying way possible.

“Hey, sleepyhead, what about that sex marathon that you wanted?” Baekhyun teased, having so much fun seeing my great plan fall through over a minor nap. Ten minutes ago I was ready to have sex, but now, when I closed my eyes, I needed to get back to sleep.

“You’re right; let’s do it,” I answered him, being on the edge of reality and dream.

“You’re incredible,” Baekhyun said, chuckling at the fact that despite being tired, I was still determined to get into his pants. “Just drink this, and then go to the bathroom to wash yourself and change into more comfortable clothes, and I’ll make the bed.” He asked me, but when I didn’t react, he just grabbed my hand and pulled me up.

“I hate that side of you,” I groaned when Baekhyun handed me a glass of water.

“I’d rather hear you complain now than in the morning completely hungover,” Baekhyun said, being genuinely concerned about my wellbeing, and I rolled my eyes, gulping down the water. “OK, here.” He handed me a set of clean clothes to change. “You can go and change yourself, or I can throw you over my shoulder and carry you there. How it is gonna be?”

“I really hate that side of you,” I whined once again but obeyed his orders. I knew I was going to regret it if I didn’t listen to him. Baekhyun was my voice of reason at the moment - he knew what was best for me.

When I stood up, Baekhyun spanked me playfully, and I swiftly spun around, sticking out my tongue. We both could be mischievous. “You’re gonna thank me when you wake up!” Baekhyun hollered just before I closed the bathroom doors behind me.

***

I woke up early in the morning. It was a few minutes past 7 o’clock, and I wasn’t surprised by it. Whenever I slept in not my bed, I had a very light sleep, and I woke up quite early and well rested, and that’s how I was feeling right now.

I was lying in Baekhyun’s bed, wrapped in a thick duvet with Baekhyun sleeping soundly beside me. Carefully, I turned around to face him. He looked great, and if I had a chance to wake up to this view every day, without any doubt, I’d be the luckiest woman on Earth.

Remembering how violently he had woken me up earlier, I placed my hand on his shoulder and tried to shake him awake in a similar manner.

He deserved it.

“Good morning to you, too,” Baekhyun whispered in his morning voice, as he turned his back to me, trying to get back to sleep. I guess we aren’t that different, after all.

“And you had the audacity to literally pull me up,” I whined, lying on back, staring at the ceiling, thinking of another approach of waking him up. “I can’t believe you’ve done it.”

Suddenly, Baekhyun turned to me, propping on his elbow beside him, resting his left hand on my side. “I did what I had to do. I forced you to drink water, and now, you don’t feel hungover, do you?” As much as I didn’t want to, I had to admit that he was right.

“I don’t, but you didn’t have to manhandle me,” I argued, trying to tease him back.

“So… what do you want to do today?”

“I don’t know. Are you asking me out on a date?” I inquired, staring into Baekhyun’s eyes, trying not to grin like a teenage girl when having her first kiss.

“I am,” Baekhyun said proudly, any sign of shyness from yesterday completely vanished. We were lying in a bed, teasing each other playfully, and our interaction felt so natural. Almost as if we already passed that awkward phase over the night. “So… what do you want to do? I’m fine with everything. If you ask me, we can even stay all day in pajamas, and watch TV, and order takeout.”

“Mm… that sounds tempting, but I have a better idea,” I said, and Baekhyun cocked his eyebrow, curious what I had in mind. “I’ll go to Jiwoo’s to get my stuff back, then I’ll make myself look presentable, and then we’ll meet at the bowling alley. What do you think?”

“What’s wrong in the way you look now?” Baekhyun wondered as he stared at my face, trying to spot my flows. “The way you looked in these fishnets and this skirt was amazing, but now, all dressed in my sweatpants and my T-shirt? Princess, it’s an instant boner.”

“Oh my God, you didn’t say that!” I said, a bit taken aback with his bold compliment.

“But, Princess, I just did, and I meant it,” Baekhyun repeated and leaned forward to peck my chin. “I’d rather stay at home with you, but let’s do what you want. But why bowling, though?”

“That’s embarrassing,” I said, trying to hide my face under the duvet. “I’ve never gone bowling, and I’ve always wanted to have a date at the bowling alley.”

“OK, let’s go there. I’ll teach you how it’s done.” Baekhyun answered confidently.

“Just be aware that I’m a natural at most of the sports. Just don’t be surprised if I destroy you.”

“That’s not happening, Princess,” Baekhyun whispered, gently kissing the corner of my lips. “But if you’re so confident in your skills which you don’t have yet, we can bet. Whoever wins, can decide what we do after bowling. What do you say?”

“It’s on.”

***

When I was ready to leave, (which was around noon) Baekhyun offered himself to give me a ride to Jiwoo’s apartment. Surprisingly, Jiwoo was still asleep, so I asked Hongbin to give me my purse. Every time I glanced at him, I wanted to tell him the truth about what Jiwoo had done last night, but I bit my tongue. I had to think it over; maybe there still was a chance for them to make it up, and I didn’t want to deprive them of it with my rushed confession.

I would think about it after my date with Baekhyun. Jiwoo’s mistakes couldn’t affect my life to that extent, so I decided to spend some time with Baekhyun before I’d get involved in the drama I was going to stir in Jiwoo’s relationship. They were my friends, and I cared for them, but now it was time for me to be selfish, to focus on my happiness.

With Baekhyun, we agreed to meet at the bowling alley around sevenish; it gave me a lot of time to take a long relaxing bath, put on a delicate make-up, and choose a suitable outfit for our second date.

No matter how much time I had spent with Baekhyun today and yesterday, it still felt a bit surreal. Yesterday, I had wanted to fuck a stranger, but today I was getting ready for a date with my crush. I just couldn’t believe how many things had happened in the past two days.

Baekhyun wanted to pick me up and go to the bowling alley together, but I was stubborn, insisting on meeting there. I wanted him so much, so I feared we might not even leave my apartment, last minute deciding to stay in, fucking each other into oblivion.

Because of traffic, I was a bit later than I wanted to, but Baekhyun wasn’t angry at me. Before my arrival, he only managed to rent a pair of shoes for him. “I’m sorry,” I said when I ran up to him. As soon as he heard my voice, he spun around and greeted me with his radiant smile.

“Hi, there,” Baekhyun said, pressing another peck on my chin. Why does he keep kissing me there? The gesture felt innocent, and it slowly started to drive me insane. “Wow, I see you’re trying to impress someone,” he added when he studied my outfit. It was a simple combination of a shirt and skinny jeans, and it seemed it caught his attention. After that playful spanks he had given me, I had a hunch he had a thing for cute butts, so it was an easy decision to put a pair of tight trousers.

“No, not really,” I spoke casually, shrugging off the indirect compliment. “I just put the first thing I found in my closet.” It was a blatant lie, and Baekhyun knew it, but none of us really cared. “You look good, too,” I added when I checked him out. He was wearing a pair of casual jeans, and a V-neck T-shirt, and he looked insanely good; out-of-my-league kind of good.

“OK, just change your shoes, I want to destroy you,” Baekhyun spoke eagerly, excitedly hurrying me.

Our date was exactly the way I imagined. Even the male character was the same. Baekhyun explained me all the rules and the techniques I needed to know in order to win our bet. Moreover, he used every chance he had to touch me, and I couldn’t complain. I enjoyed it too much.

His experience was evident, but my natural talent at sports showed, too. However, overall, he won, but only because he was distracting me whenever it was my turn. Nonetheless, my skills were impressive for a first-timer.

“OK, you won, what do you want to do now?” I asked as we sat by our table to finish our beers. I had so much fun; I could stay up with Baekhyun the entire night, as I couldn't care any less about work on Monday.

“Actually, I didn’t think that through. You seemed so confident about your natural talent, I was sure you were going to win.” This time it was his turn to lie to me so I would feel slightly better. He really knew how to sweet talk.

“Frankly, it doesn’t matter that much to me,” I answered honestly, and Baekhyun gave me one of his widest smiles. “I’d have fun with you even if you took me to a yodeling show.”

“OK, maybe let’s do that on another date.” Baekhyun dismissed my terrible idea, and I agreed with him. “What about getting a drink? We could sit down and just talk. We haven’t properly discussed that thing between us. What do you think?” It was considerate of him wanting to know my opinion, but honestly, I didn’t like talking about my feelings. It was difficult for me, and I knew it was going to be twice as difficult to open up like that in front of Baekhyun; especially when our romantic feelings for each other would be the hot topic.

“OK, let’s do that,” I replied reluctantly, smiling at him. It was going to require lots of energy, but it had to be done. Baekhyun and I could finally start a fantastic relationship, and I didn’t want to squander it due to problems with speaking up my feelings. Baekhyun was worth the most painful torture and a simple conversation with him wasn’t a big price for what I was going to get in return.

When on the way to the pub, I was coming up with scenarios how our conversation could go wrong, but thankfully, Baekhyun made it ridiculously easy to talk about it. Though the place was quite packed with people, we managed to find a small table just for the two of us. Once seated, Baekhyun asked me what I wanted before he left to the counter to get us the drinks.

The anticipation for Baekhyun’s return kept me stressed; I was playing with my fingers, nervously looking around, trying to come up with a backup plan if I screwed everything up. However, the moment he came back to our table with our drinks and his warm smile, I knew that everything was going to be just fine.

“You know what? You’re so adorable,” Baekhyun stated, as he sat down, setting my drink in front of me. “You told my parents that I took you to the bowling alley on our first date. It’s beyond me how I could forget it.” He explained with a nervous smile. “But then, I kicked your ass like I said I would.”

“I said that then, and I’m going to say that again.” I giggled, taking a sip of my cocktail. “You cheated!”

“I did not,” Baekhyun remarked, and then we argued passionately for about next ten minutes why giving me heart-eyes had distracted me and why it should’ve been considered unfair.

Later, when our drinks were half drunk, I was relaxed enough to voice my feelings and expectations regarding our relationship. Wow, our relationship. It sounded lovely.

I told him everything; how much I used to pine for him, how much I looked forward to seeing him on the wedding preparations, or how I enjoyed his company. And Baekhyun did the same, and when he was finished, my mouth hurt due to all that excessive grinning.

“I was so afraid of this conversation, but now, I’m relieved,” I confessed, finishing my cocktail. With Baekhyun next to me, it was easy. Everything with him was easy.

“Yeah, me too,” he added, placing his hands on top of mine. “So let me escort you home. It’s already late, and you have work tomorrow. I don’t want you to be all grumpy tomorrow because of me.”

“As if that could ever be the case,” I said, rolling my eyes at him.

***

Being ever so gentlemanly, Baekhyun walked me home, saying it’s one of boyfriend’s duties to make sure the girlfriend gets home safely, and though I was self-sufficient and fully capable of not killing myself on my way back, I let Baekhyun accompany me.

When we were standing in front of the door, he leaned and kissed my chin chastely. OK, what the hell was that? It was adorable for the few first times, but now, I was annoyed.

“Why are you kissing me like that?” I asked boldly, not even trying to hide how it frustrated me. With my arms folded across my chest, I stared at Baekhyun, demanding answers. Sheepishly, he smiled, evidently troubled with my inquiry.

“Don’t get me wrong, Princess,” he started, intentionally manipulating me with the sly usage of my favorite pet name. I loved it when it rolled off Baekhyun’s tongue, but I wanted to be kissed properly, and I wasn’t going to let him leave me with my needs unsatisfied. “It’s just… hmm… I kiss you like that because… I know I won’t be able to pull away if I kiss you the way I want to.”

“You’re really stupid if you think I’d let you pull away,” I replied, chuckling. Maybe, I sounded needy, but we had wasted too much time to beat around the bush. “I don’t know how you imagined it, but I’m not going to wait for our third date to do it. I’ve waited enough, and I want you right now,” I confessed, taking a step forward, so my nose almost touched Baekhyun’s.

“You really mean it,” Baekhyun whispered, letting me kiss him. My hands instantly cupped his cheeks, as I pressed my lips against his. The kiss was slow – I was taking me time, getting used to his taste. “I’m so stupid for making you wait,” he spoke against my lips, and I only hummed in agreement before I nipped his bottom lip greedily.

Getting rid of all inhibitions, Baekhyun placed his hands on my hips, pressing me against the door. He was impatient, passionate, and desperate to feel me; hurriedly, he pulled my shirt out of my jeans, wanting to touch my soft skin.

With raw passion, he kissed me, and I moaned into his mouth as soon as I felt his hands roaming upward to my bra. It was finally happening! Tightly, Baekhyun was pressed against me, and I couldn’t help myself but grabbed his cute butt and yanked him against me.

“I want you so much,” Baekhyun muttered, as he ground his hips against mine. Sensually, he kissed my chin and my neck, leaving a wet trace on my skin. “You don’t have any idea how much,” he added, and I shivered when I felt his shallow breath on my wet neck. Oh God, Baekhyun’s such a horndog! “I could fuck you all night.”

“Oh, Baekhyun,” I moaned when he sucked a hickey on my collarbone. “I��ve waited for you to do it for so long, I might even let you,” I breathed out as I enjoyed Baekhyun's ministrations.

We were just making out, but it made me so lightheaded as if I had drunk a whole bottle of champagne by myself. I wasn’t thinking straight; right now, Baekhyun was the centre of my universe; my time, my energy – everything – belonged to him.

“Oh, please, I can’t wait any longer,” Baekhyun whined, and I unwillingly let go of his firm butt, so I could fish my keys out of my purse. “I want to undress you… touch you… feel you.” Baekhyun whispered against my skin, as he undid two first buttons of my shirt. “You’re so damn soft,” he added before he dove into my cleavage, gently nipping my breasts, making me moan.

“Baekhyun, seriously, how the hell have you been restraining yourself?” I asked, being amazed of his self-control; he had used to ignore me like a plague, but right now, I felt as if I was his oxygen which keeps him alive. “You’re such a horndog!” I chuckled, pushing him away quite harshly.

“It may sound cheesy, but when we kissed for the first time,” Baekhyun started, watching me unlock the door. (Though I was standing backward, I could swear I felt his eyes on my butt.) “I don’t know how to put it in words, but I want to say that your kiss felt so, so good that I knew… I just knew that you’re one in a million. That you’re the only one for me.”

“You were right,” I giggled, as I pushed the doors open. “It does sound cheesy; you’re cheesy.” I said, but Baekhyun didn’t even try to fight with me on that; he just grabbed my head, and once again kissed me deeply, sliding his tongue into my mouth.

Eagerly, I kissed him back; the magnitude of our needs was no joke. Not breaking the kiss, Baekhyun grabbed my butt and hoisted me up, and I wrapped my legs around his hips.

“You’re mine,” Baekhyun whispered, as he walked inside my apartment, kicking the door shut. “Where do you want me to take you?” He asked, pressing me against the doors, his lips landing on my cleavage once again.

“I’d let you take me anywhere,” I said honestly, having no shame left. Right now, I could voice all my desires, and I was sure that Baekhyun wouldn’t make fun of me. I had a hunch I could say the kinkiest thing ever, and Baekhyun would only smirk, eager to try to it with me. “I fantasized about you fucking me in your car, but since we made it upstairs, let’s just go to the bedroom.”

“As you wish, Princess,” Baekhyun pecked my lips innocently, as he strolled to my bedroom, already knowing the way. It wasn’t his first time in my bed, but having sex was something new.

Once he approached my bed, he didn’t gently lay me down as any other man would. Baekhyun was different, and he literally threw me on it. I whined, but when Baekhyun climbed on top of me, I burst out giggling. He was adorable – propped on his elbows, positioned between my legs, lingering above me.

“Why are you giggling so much?” Baekhyun softly inquired, almost as if he was worried that somebody could hear us. “Tell me,” he demanded, and I just looked into his large, sparkly eyes, having no clue what I did to deserve that man. God, I loved him so, so much.

“I’m just super excited,” I added, pecking Baekhyun’s lips, hoping he’d understand that I wanted him to lean down and kiss my breath away. “Fuck me, Baekhyun,” I prompted, grinding my hips against Baekhyun’s growing erection.

“You’re so eager,” Baekhyun whispered, as he started to kiss my neck, slowly making his way down to my collarbones and breasts. The moment I felt his lips on my skin, I held my breath and bit my bottom lip; it was the beginning, and I didn’t want to become a moaning mess during the second base.

Skillfully, Baekhyun undid the rest of my shirt’s buttons what allowed him to nibble my skin all the way down to the waistband of my jeans. “Mm…” I purred in pleasure, as I raised myself from the mattress to discard my wrinkled shirt, letting Baekhyun admire my chest displayed in my best bra.

“You’re killing me, Princess,” Baekhyun said in a deep voice when he stopped his ministrations to look into my eyes. Per usual, they had a pinch of playfulness, but right now, it was mixed with thirst.

Impatiently, Baekhyun grabbed the hem of his V-neck T-shirt and pulled it over his head, tossing it over his shoulder. Finally, he started undressing, and I could admire his beautiful body. Baekhyun was skinny; he didn’t have the most defined abs, but I didn’t care. For me, he was the most handsome man I’d ever laid my eyes on.

“Come on, Baekhyun, I can’t wait any longer,” I rushed him, reaching for his belt to unbuckle it. “Strip for fuck’s sake,” I cursed, and Baekhyun smirked when I began undoing my jeans, earnestly yanking them down my thighs. I was impatient, and he loved my urgency.

“God, I love you so much,” Baekhyun confessed, as he mirrored my actions, and quickly returned to his previous position, but this time – completely naked. “Show me how much you love me,” he encouraged, and I, like under a spell, began to arch under him, rubbing my sex against his erection.

“Baekhyun,” I hissed when his forefinger touched my womanhood, gently pressing it against my clit. His touch was very delicate, and I was incredibly responsive – one flick of his finger, and I’d writhe. “Please, I’m so ready to feel you,” I said shamelessly, but Baekhyun only smirked as he continued to tease me with his digits.

“You’re beautiful,” Baekhyun said, and I, despite my low self-esteem, believed him. His voice was so powerful, and it took complete control over my body and my mind, and now, when under him, I felt like a queen.

With his mouth on my neck, sucking another hickey, Baekhyun thrust two fingers into my pussy, making me gasp for air. “Yes,” I whispered into his ear, trying to control my volume. “Fuck me with your fingers, please!”

“If you think that your dirty talk works on me, then you’re absolutely right,” Baekhyun said, as he started to rub my clit with his thumb. “I have to get you ready for my cock,” he added mischievously, curling his fingers inside of me.

“What about you, though?” I asked innocently, batting my eyelashes at him. I barely touched him, and his cock looked as if it needed my attention. I wanted to stroke it, to suck its tip, to make Baekhyun beg me to stop. I wanted to give him as much pleasure as he was giving me. “Let me take care of you,” I demanded, reaching to his length, only to have my hand smacked away.

“After I eat you out, Princess,” he spoke, his eyes fixated between my legs; my sex and his fingers were glistening with my arousal. Having sent me a silly smirk, he dove between my thighs, gently kissing my sensitive bud, almost sending me to overdrive.

“Fuck!” I screamed, kicking my head backward. His large hands were holding my thighs in their place, as his tongue rubbed against my sex. Baekhyun was giving me the best head of my life, and I was so greedy of his ministrations, I rocked my hips against his mouth with desperation. If he kept pleasuring me like that, I’d get off on his tongue, and I was sure he wanted me to come around him.

“Please,” I begged, holding my breath. My body was all hot, as the orgasm was approaching. His grip on my thighs tightened, and he still moved his tongue inside of me at a languid pace. “Baekhyun, please, stop, I’m coming,” I cried out, not caring whether he wanted me to come around his cock or his tongue.

“Don’t hold in your moans,” Baekhyun said, as he looked at up me, smiling cheekily. “Don’t be shy,” he added before he dove between my legs again, pushing his two fingers inside of me, sucking on my clit. Shamelessly, I moaned at the top of my voice, as Baekhyun touched me in the all right places. My body was all tensed, the orgasm was within my reach, and I was ready for it to surge through me. Biting on my bottom lip, muffling my moans, I grabbed the sheets when the wave of fire erupted within me, as I squeezed around Baekhyun’s fingers in absolute bliss.

“Baekhyun,” I murmured his name as I slowly came back to my senses after the mind-blowing orgasm. The sensation was so intense that my mind went blank – his name was the only word on the tip of my tongue which I could voice at the moment.

“Yes, princess” Baekhyun asked in a lighthearted tone, as he lay beside me, placing gentle kisses on my neck, waiting for me to regain my energy. His lips were teasing me, touching me like a feather, but I couldn’t care less; I felt too good to be annoyed.

“That was so…” I started, but I couldn’t finish; he fucked my brains out, and it was impossible for me to describe how good he made me feel. With my last three brain cells, I only knew how to moan his name. “Baekhyun, it was so…”

“You’re cute when you’re speechless,” Baekhyun admitted, and I didn’t even try to argue with him; it was obvious I stood no chance on outtalking him, so I only smiled like an idiot. “Tell me when you’re ready for my cock,” he whispered into my ear, as he gently caressed my skin; I was all sticky, but Baekhyun didn’t seem to mind. Carefully, his hand wandered all over my body, making me feel as if he was worshipping every curve of my figure.

For the very first time, I felt genuinely loved.

I used to think that dreams don’t come true, but now, my wish was lying beside me, and I couldn’t be any happier. With Baekhyun by my side, I had everything I wanted, and that feeling was deliberating.

“Mm…” I purred as I snuggled closer to him, hesitantly reaching for his cock.

“Mm… indeed,” Baekhyun chuckled silently, hiding his face in my hair, as he felt my fingers on his rock-hard cock. “That’s right. Show me how much you want me,” he encouraged, and I gripped his erection, giving it a few unsure strokes. “Come on, I know you can do it better,” Baekhyun teased, knowing it would make my grip tighter and strokes faster.

“Like that?” I asked innocently, but Baekhyun just pressed his face against the pillow as if he was embarrassed to moan. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who was sex-deprived and responsive to the gentlest of touches. “Am I doing it alright?” I inquired, although I knew he enjoyed my ministrations.

He wouldn’t be rocking his hips back and forth if he didn’t.

“Aaah…” Baekhyun hissed, as he abruptly lay on his back. “You’ll be the death of me,” he said, but I only smirked, straddling his thighs. “Is it a bit rich of me to ask you not to tease me and just go straight to the point?”

“Let’s say you’re lucky because I love you and I want you to come,” I answered honestly, giving up my chance to tease him. I’d love to tease him until his endurance, but at the same time, I thought of that bone-shattering orgasm he had given me, and I wanted to make him feel the same. Baekhyun said he loved me, so we had plenty of time to tease each other in the future.

Tonight, my priority was to serve him one of the best orgasms of his life.

Gently, I raised my hips and started to rub my sex against his cock, coating it with my arousal. The moment he felt me against him, his erection twitched.

“How do you feel about me riding you?” I asked him, and Baekhyun eagerly screamed yes. Smirking, I leaned forward, kissing him passionately. My tongue massaged his calmly, as my hips humped against his pulsating cock. “Oh, I am so stretched after your fingers that your thick cock would just slide right in,” I said, and Baekhyun placed his hands on my hips, trying to stop me, as I probably reached his patience limit.

“Why are you teasing me? You said you wouldn’t. You don’t love me anymore,” Baekhyun said, and I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore that snarky remark. I loved him so much; whenever I looked at him, I smiled, and my mouth started to hurt. I doubted my feelings for him could ever decline.

“Shut up, Baekhyun,” I spoke, as I reached for packaging of condoms which was waiting in my bedside table for an occasion like this. “Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?” I asked, as I carefully rolled the latex down his length.

“Right back at you, princess,” Baekhyun replied cockily, and I shook my head at him; how could he come up with his witty remarks in every situation? Even when I was about to jump on his cock and ride him, he had something to say to shut me up. “Oh, yes,” Baekhyun loudly moaned when I lowered myself on his shaft, “that’s right, you feel so good around my cock.”

“Oh shit, you fill me up so well,” I hissed when my walls squeezed around his cock. Slowly, I rocked my hips back and forth, adjusting to his size. Baekhyun rested on his back with his hands on my hips, helping me find the perfect rhythm.

“You’re so tight,” Baekhyun whined, and I giggled as I fucked him.

“Shit,” I cursed as I cocked my head backward when Baekhyun’s cock hit that right spot. Instantly, I swept Baekhyun’s hands off me and increased my tempo. “Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I moaned quietly, as I felt my orgasm was approaching.

“Don’t stop!” Baekhyun screamed, being probably louder than me. It wasn’t the wrong thing, though. His cock was stimulating my g-spot, and his moans were helping to get me off. His breath was quickened, his thrusts from beneath me were quick, and I just couldn’t hold my orgasm any longer.

I needed my release as much as Baekhyun needed his.

“I’m coming,” I panted, and Baekhyun groaned when he felt my walls squeeze around his throbbing erection. “I’m coming, Baek,” I screamed as I felt my body tense when my orgasm ripped me apart.

“Shit, princess, I –” Baekhyun moaned when he pushed his hips against me, releasing into the condom. “Fuck, it feels so nice,” he said when I collapsed on top of him, resting my head under his chin. His hands found purchase on my sides, as he pecked my temple.

“Yeah, it was worth waiting,” I said when I ghosted my fingertips across his chest. “But I still wished we hadn’t had to wait,” I added, and Baekhyun chuckled.

“I hope it rocked your life just as it rocked mine,” Baekhyun whispered, and I just grinned as I realized how perfect it was; we both made each other so happy, and it made me feel delirious. I wished we could stay on that cloud nine forever.

“What time do you have to get to work?” Baekhyun asked, pulling me out of my reverie. Right, tonight was Sunday, and tomorrow I had to show up at work. I guess it wasn’t that great idea to go on a date today; we had too little time to enjoy each other’s company to the fullest.

“I start at 7,” I said as I squinted to read the time from the clock. It was almost 1 o’clock. I was going to be screwed at work. “What about you?”

“Same,” Baekhyun replied, gently caressing my side. “What are you doing after work?” He asked, and I giggled, not knowing what to say. We had plenty of fun together, and Baekhyun looked forward to seeing me again.

“Actually, it’s pretty busy now,” I started vaguely, trying not to get too much into the details. I couldn’t tell Baekhyun I was planning to take a few days off to think through the drama which Jiwoo had caused. I didn’t want Baekhyun to get in the middle of it; it was better for him to stay out of it.

“So, I guess we’ll see each other on Tuesday,” Baekhyun concluded, and I furrowed my eyebrows, having no clue what he was implying. Had we made plans which I forgot? “I can’t believe that I’m saying it, but it’s actually the first time I’m excited about the wedding prep. Hongbin said we’re gonna choose cake.” He added, and I nodded, though I knew I wasn’t going to attend. Not after what I had seen. I just couldn’t lie to Hongbin about a matter of this magnitude. “Well… I mean I was excited multiple times because I knew I was going to see you, but this time is different because it’s about you and cake. You understand what I mean?”

“Of course, I understand,” I said with a genuine smile. Baekhyun was a sweet tooth, and he wouldn’t let a chance to have a piece of cake slip. Several pieces of many cakes, actually. He was going to be in the seventh heaven, and I felt sad because I knew I couldn’t join him and share my cake with him. He would have to survive with only one portion.

“It’s like two my favorite things in the universe – you and sweets,” Baekhyun whispered against my skin before he pressed his lips against mine in an innocent kiss. It was long and feather-light, but because of the emotions it conveyed – my heart skipped a beat.

If I had any doubts about his alleged feelings, now I was unconditionally sure that he was genuine.

“I wish we could stay forever in bed,” I confessed, hating the idea of waking up and going to work. I wished for this day to last longer because I really had no energy or any motivation to deal with the drama Jiwoo had stirred. I was in my paradise, but as soon as the sun would rise, my fantasy was to end. I couldn’t let them carry on, pretending that none of it had happened.

It was time for Jiwoo to take responsibility for her actions.

***

Saying ‘goodbye’ to Baekhyun in the morning was difficult, but since the two of us had work, he didn’t complain as much as he would usually do. In a rush, I put on some formal clothing and left my apartment, not wanting to be late. My boss wasn’t particularly friendly, and I didn’t want to get on her wrong side, especially when I was planning to take a few days off.

I had a plan in my head which I wanted to follow.

The first step was texting Jiwoo. I had to tell her that I knew about her mistake, and since talking to her face to face wasn’t an option, I opted for another solution. I’d just text her to inform her about what I had seen, resign from being her maid of honor, and ask her to confess her wrong-doings to Hongbin.

During my lunch break, I did what I was planning to do. It wasn’t the simplest thing I had ever done but it was a secret which I couldn’t keep. Twenty minutes later, I checked my phone to see if Jiwoo replied. Instead of texting me back, she left me on read, and I guessed that in this outcome it was good enough.

The second step was asking my boss for a few days off. Unwillingly, she agreed. It was the first time I had ever asked her that, so out of generosity, she complied with my request.

The third step was finding a quiet place to think everything over. At first, I wanted to take the money which I had been saving for Jiwoo’s wedding present, and go on a spontaneous trip somewhere where no one would find me, but given the amount I had managed to save up, it was impossible.

After a long inner debate, I settled on going to the spa. I had always associated this place with relaxation and composure, so it seemed ideal.

As soon as I had some free time, I made a phone call and booked a few services, packing my schedule for Tuesday with massages, face masks, and whatnot. I was to relax and clear my mind.

For the rest of the day, I made sure to finish all my projects so my boss wouldn’t call me during my free days. Besides, I didn’t like to leave things in pending. I felt much better because I didn’t have any past projects waiting for me, while new projects kept coming at the same time.

Refraining from calling Baekhyun was particularly challenging. He texted me a couple of times, telling me how excited he was about picking the cake, although he was super busy at work. I wanted to hear his voice, or interact with him properly, but I knew what was ahead of me, so I limited our interaction to the bare minimum. It was arduous but it needed to be done.

On Tuesday, I woke up around 10 o’clock. I had stayed late at work, and I had been exhausted when I had come back home. Lazily, I went to the coffee maker and turned it on. I was still tired, and I needed caffeine to help me.

I had to show up at the spa at 1 o’clock, so I still had plenty of time to get ready.

The Cutest Butt | 8:23 | what about a date after the cake tasting?

The Cutest Butt | 8:24 | I know it’s a weekday but I just want to take you to the movies

The Cutest Butt | 8:26 | what do you say???

It was adorable of him that he wanted to take me out, but I had other plans, so I had to turn him down. In the vaguest of ways, since he didn’t know that I wasn’t going to participate in the cake tasting. As soon as I poured coffee into a cup and added milk, I sat in a chair and wondered about my reply.

Me | 10:11 | sorry for not replying sooner

Me | 10:14 | let’s not make any plans

Me | 10:14 | we should go with the flow

Having replied to him, I silenced my phone, not desiring to be bothered. Jiwoo’s secret was gradually eating me from the inside, and I wanted to solve that dilemma as fast as it was possible. The only way I could achieve that was by cutting off contact with the outside. I could figure everything out only if I were left alone with my thoughts.

After I drunk my coffee, I got ready to leave.

Punctually, I arrived at the spa. With a polite smile, I greeted the receptionist, and he instructed me, so I had no trouble finding the right room.

Although I don’t particularly like when other people touch me, it felt nice to be massaged. The masseur was very skilled, and when he took good care of my body, I realized how tense I was.

At first, all I could focus on was pleasure caused by magical hands of the masseur. Only when he relieved me some pressure, and I got used to this feeling, my thoughts drifted to that unpleasant matter – Jiwoo’s infidelity.

From a bystander's point of view, it was simple – Jiwoo let another man drill her. In a healthy relationship, that kind of behavior was unacceptable. Having done it, Jiwoo proved that she’s not worthy of Hongbin’s love thus their hot affair should come to an end.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t a bystander but Jiwoo’s friend. It was my duty to support her no matter what. We had always been tight, and even when she had slept with Jungkook, it hadn’t broken us apart. As her friend, I was supposed to be loyal to her regardless of circumstances.

According to the role of a devoted friend, I should remain silent.

The matter was even more complicated, though. Somehow through the romantic acquaintance, Hongbin had become my friend as well, and it was only understandable that he deserved my loyalty, too. Maybe we weren’t as tight as Jiwoo and I, but he didn’t deserve being lied to. I just couldn’t let him spend the rest of his life with someone who had cheated on him so carelessly.

At this point, I wished I hadn’t caught her with that lap dancer. Everything would have been less problematic, and I wouldn’t have had conscience eating me from the inside. Jiwoo wasn’t perfect, but despite her flaws, she deserved happiness. The same was with Hongbin, though every plan of solving this situation seemed to deprive one of them of it.

Regardless of what I was or wasn't going to do, one of them was going to feel miserable; it wasn’t possible to take a cookie and eat a cookie – I needed to decide which one I was going to hurt in other to save the other, even though it might sting them both at the very beginning.

“Is there anything bothering you?” The masseur asked, sensing that I wasn’t getting any less tense. He was working on relieving my stress, but I wasn’t cooperating as terrible thoughts were running through my mind. “Just relax,” he instructed, and I rolled my eyes, biting my tongue before I said ‘easier said than done’ to him.

In between the treatments, I was intrigued to check my phone for any new calls or messages. It was tempting, but I expected the Pandora’s Box to have been opened, so I decided to enjoy the delightful ignorance. They had already met at the confectionery; therefore I suspected them to be confused as hell upon my absence or substitute.

Thankfully, I resisted the temptation.

Throughout the day I changed my mind about the matter almost every ten minutes. The situation referred to my friends, and making the final decision was hard as hell. Slowly my time was running out, and I didn’t come up with a solution.

I couldn’t ask anyone to guide me through it. The only person who came to my mind was Baekhyun, but I knew that his solution would be biased; he obviously favored Hongbin, whereas I learned how to like the lovebirds equally regardless of our history.

No matter how much I was thinking about that dilemma, I couldn’t find a solution which would satisfy both sides of the conflict. It was a vicious circle. Having pondered for over five hours, I didn’t come with any conclusion.

The only option was to judge Jiwoo’s actions with accordance to my morals. I had no idea what had made her fuck Wonho back then, but I knew that Hongbin deserved honesty.

I had to trust the facts.

I’ve always believed that the ugliest truth is better than the most beautiful lie, and if Jiwoo and Hongbin are really meant to be together, they will work it out somehow.

Hongbin has the right to know what Jiwoo had done at her bachelorette party.

My decision was final.

***

Around 8 o’clock, I returned home. Having made my decision, I felt mean, but my feelings only multiplied when I saw Baekhyun outside my doors. He was sitting on the floor with his back pressed against the doors, his knees bent, and his head low. Without any doubt, he was sad.

As soon as he noticed me, he jumped up to his feet, and stormed toward me.

“What the hell was that? I’ve been texting you the whole day! Why were you ignoring me? Is that true?” Baekhyun shouted, fuming because of my behavior.

What was true? Had Jiwoo confessed to her faults? Wow, I did not expect that.

“I’m sorry, I just have to think it through,” I answered, and Baekhyun’s expression swiftly transitioned from sad to furious. It was strange; did he really feel so mad when he found out about Jiwoo’s infidelity? No, it didn’t make any sense. “Wait, what do you mean?” I asked as I pulled out my phone out of my purse, curious what Baekhyun had texted me earlier.

The Cutest Butt | 15:47 | I’m stuck in traffic

The Cutest Butt | 15:48 | I’ll be late

The Cutest Butt | 15:48 | wait up for me, please

The Cutest Butt | 16:12 | wtf???

The Cutest Butt | 16:13 | who’s that chick, and why is she saying that she’s the maid of honor???

The Cutest Butt | 16:15 | what the hell happened???

The Cutest Butt | 16:16 | answer me as soon as you read it

The Cutest Butt | 18:38 | I talked to Hongbin

The Cutest Butt | 18:39 | is that true???

The Cutest Butt | 18:40 | how could you do it to me

I felt sick when I read these text messages. I had no idea what Baekhyun meant by any of it, but he seemed hurt by whatever Hongbin had told him. I had refused to participate in Jiwoo’s wedding, so she must’ve had come up with a story why I was dismissed from my position. However, now, with Baekhyun looking so devastated, I wondered what kind of bullshit she had told him.

“So everything we have gone through is a lie?” Baekhyun asked quietly, and I bit my bottom lip, as I stared into his eyes which were on the verge of watering. Whatever Hongbin had told him about me, it wasn’t right, and I had to explain this misunderstanding. I couldn’t lose Baekhyun over something I hadn’t done. It was Jiwoo’s fault, and I couldn’t let her mistakes ruin my life.

I shook my head, clueless about what I should say. It’s not what it looks like. Let me explain. You only need to hear me out. All of these lines which were suitable for my answer and cliché, and I knew Baekhyun wouldn’t listen to what I had to say if I used them. So instead, I decided to be blunt.

“Jiwoo had sex with a lap dancer during her bachelorette party I threw for her, and I caught her, and I texted her that I couldn’t be her maid of honor, and today I spent the entire day thinking if I should tell Hongbin about it. And I have no idea what she had told him, but it’s not true. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you in any way, and I hope you believe me.” I confessed on one breath, confusing Baekhyun since he didn’t expect to hear such breaking news.

“What?” Baekhyun asked in utter disorientation. “Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack,” I answered, faintly sending him a single smile. “Do you want to go inside? I don’t want to continue this conversation here,” I said as I looked around the corridor. Any time one of my neighbors could disturb us, and I didn’t want to get interrupted when discussing a matter of this magnitude; especially when Jiwoo probably painted me as a villain in her version of the story.

“Of course,” Baekhyun agreed, and we quickly got inside my apartment.

The first thing I did was to drop my bag and go to the kitchen to pour me and Baekhyun a glass of wine. I didn’t want to get drunk, but I had a feeling this conversation was going to make me mad, and a single glass of wine could help me remain calm. I had never liked chamomile tea anyway.

“OK, so tell me what I allegedly did,” I started as I handed Baekhyun his wine, and sat at the other side of the kitchen island. “Is it bad?”

Sighing, Baekhyun chugged the wine I had given him. “Hongbin told me what he heard from Jiwoo. According to her, she needed to replace you because you’ve always had romantic feelings for Hongbin, and she noticed them escalate recently. Jiwoo said that you only agreed to be her maid of honor hence you could be around Hongbin and eventually steal him away.” Baekhyun explained, and my jaw dropped. This was ridiculous; ever since I had met them, I had always been attracted to Baekhyun. “Is that true? Did you use me, so I could be your cover?”

I should feel offended by his accusations, and mad at Jiwoo for sowing a seed of doubt in his head. However, I also understood Baekhyun; we just started officially dating, so he’s probably extra cautious about our relationship. In that state of mind, it’s not difficult to manipulate people’s feelings.

“Do you believe in what I said?” I asked straightforwardly, a bit afraid to hear his answer. No matter how ridiculous my infatuation in Hongbin sounded, Baekhyun had no reason to discredit that option. Right now, it was my word against Jiwoo’s, and Baekhyun was torn apart.

“I don’t know,” Baekhyun said honestly. Unlike me, he didn’t have an entire day to think everything through; he was caught in the middle of that shitstorm. Moreover, he was expected to pick a side almost as soon as he heard both sides of the conflict.

“How could I be attracted to Hongbin when I was having heart-eyes at you ever since I met you?” I asked rhetorically, as I chuckled drily. I was interested in Baekhyun ever since Hongbin had introduced him to me. Jiwoo’s story about my infatuation didn’t make any sense.

“I must admit that your version makes more sense to me.” Baekhyun started, and I couldn’t stop a smile which stretched across my face. He believed in me, and even if he had doubts, he didn’t jump into any conclusion. He wanted to hear me out, and make up his mind cautiously. “I mean, it’s not the first time Jiwoo cheated, right? You told me she slept with your boyfriend.”

I didn’t want to return to that chapter of my life, but Baekhyun was right. Old habits die hard, so I had to assume that Jiwoo hadn’t changed that much after all.

“I took a few days off to think about it, and I decided to tell Hongbin the truth.” I started, as I poured us more wine. “But now, when Jiwoo lied about me, he might not believe me. It’s my word against hers, and I’m sure he’s going to trust his fiancée and not a girl who supposedly can do anything to break them apart, so she can have him all for herself.”

Because of what Jiwoo had said him, Hongbin probably wouldn’t understand my pure intentions. Right now, if I snitched on Jiwoo, he’d think I only wanted to ruin her flawless image so I could steal him away. In his head, I must’ve been a snake waiting for a perfect moment to bite. Because of lies which Jiwoo had fed him with, I was sure he wouldn’t believe me.

“What should I do?” I asked Baekhyun, feeling helpless, hoping that he knew how to save the situation. When Jiwoo had given me a role in this conflict, Baekhyun was the only person who wasn’t directly caught up in it. Maybe he could advise me. “At first, I wanted to tell Hongbin everything because I felt he deserved to know the truth. Right now, I’m outrageously mad at Jiwoo. Is it evil of me that I want her to suffer?”

“Come here,” Baekhyun simply said, as he waited for me with open arms. “As I said, I’m surprised you managed to stay friends with her after she slept with your boyfriend.” He whispered as he hugged me tightly, kissing my temple. “If you want, I can call Hongbin and arrange a meeting, so you could explain everything to him properly. He deserves to know the second side of this story.”

“Do you really think he’d believe me?” I inquired, staring into his eyes, but Baekhyun only smiled at me and pecked my lips, and I instantly knew it couldn’t be that bad with him by my side. Even the situation seemed terrible, Baekhyun’s support made me feel better. He was a single ray of sunshine in the darkest day, and I couldn’t believe in my luck of finding that man.

“It’s their life, not yours.” Baekhyun quietly started while caressing my back to show me his comfort. “You wanted to help him, and even if he doesn’t listen to you, it shouldn’t matter. If he really wants to be with her despite your accusations, you should let him make that mistake.”

“Okay, I’ll do that,” I murmured as I snuggled closer to Baekhyun.

“And don’t let Jiwoo or Hongbin dominate your life. If their problem, not yours. After the confrontation, just focus on your happiness. You can’t spend your life pleasing other people. Well… you can, but the only person you can please is me – obviously.”

“You can’t be serious even in one conversation, can you?”

“I can, but you looked like you needed a mood boost,” Baekhyun admitted, and I chucked loudly, already feeling better. “Besides you started it.” He added, and I furrowed my eyes in confusion, having no clue what he was referring to. “Did you seriously set ‘The Cutest Butt’ as my name in your contact list?” Baekhyun teased, and I playfully hit his arm in embarrassment. “Not gonna lie, I love it.”

***

The very next day, Baekhyun arranged the meeting with Hongbin. Officially, they were supposed to meet up for a gaming night at Baekhyun’s apartment – in order to Hongbin not suspect a thing, Baekhyun proposed something they did almost every week.

“Why am I stressed?” I asked Baekhyun, as I paced around his apartment, feeling much more nervous than I had ever been. My hands were shaking, and my stomach was hurting. I hated that feeling.

“Relax, you know Hongbin. He’s not the type to get too emotional.” Baekhyun tried to calm me down, but it wasn’t as effective as any of us hoped for. “He’ll listen to you, I know that much.”

“You better be right,” I said, though I wasn’t convinced. “I better check the pizza, I don’t want to burn it,” I added, excusing myself so I could check up on the pizza I was making. The moment I opened the oven, I heard knocking.

Hongbin had always been punctual.

Quickly, I got the pizza out of the oven, wiped my hands in my trousers, and went to the living room to greet Hongbin. Unfortunately, he wasn’t alone. Jiwoo must’ve suspected something, so she tagged along as if she was afraid there could be a trap.

“What the hell is she doing here?” Jiwoo angrily asked as soon as she noticed me leave the kitchen. In a very protective manner, she took a step forward, standing in front of Hongbin almost as if she was afraid I’d throw myself at him. “How can you still hang out with that wench? She used you to get closer to Hongbin. Can’t you see how obvious that is?” Jiwoo said in a worried voice, and I had to try my best not to burst to laugh.

“Jiwoo, relax,” Hongbin murmured, trying to calm her down. “She may have indecent intentions, but she didn’t do anything,” Hongbin added, but Jiwoo didn’t stop pretending to be very concerned. “Besides, I’d never cheat on you. I have always been loyal to you, and I’m going to remain loyal to you until the day I die.” Hongbin confessed, and kissed her cheek before he walked around her to properly greet Baekhyun.

“I’m sorry that I can’t say the same thing about your fiancée,” I interjected before Jiwoo would dominate the conversation, diss me, and force Hongbin to leave. It wasn’t the purpose of today’s meeting. It was about the hurtful truth.

“What do you mean?” Hongbin asked as he looked at me, and then at Jiwoo who was still in the middle of her impeccable performance. I couldn’t believe that she could stand there, stare into his eyes, and not falter. “Jiwoo; what is she saying?”

“I’m saying that she fucked one of the strippers during her bachelorette party,” I spoke, not even bothering to sugar-coat the truth. “I caught her in the bathrooms. I really wanted you to be happy together, but I just can’t let her lie to you.” I added, and Baekhyun walked up to me to hold my hand, as he sensed that I needed his support.

“What is going on?” Hongbin asked as he was still in shock after I revealed Jiwoo’s secret. “Is that true?” Hongbin turned to Jiwoo, and she quickly refused by shaking her head.

“Of course not, I told you about her,” Jiwoo spoke, and unless Baekhyun held me by his side, I might’ve run up to her to scratch her face off. I couldn’t fathom how she could lie to him so effortlessly. I had a feeling it was difficult to face the consequences, but since she possessed the courage to jump a random guy’s dick, she also should have some strength left to admit to her errors.

“Can’t you see that she’s trying to destroy our relationship? Before our engagement, she told me that she got rid of the feelings she had for you, but I stayed cautious. At first, I believed her that she started to like Baekhyun, but even then, I didn’t fully trust her. I knew that at some point she’d try to double-cross me, and it happens now.” Jiwoo spat, and I listened to her bullshit, fuming, purple with rage. “I’ve never told you about it, but back in college, I caught her having sex with my boyfriend.”

What. The. Actual. Fuck.

Excuse her? How could she say that? How could she manipulate the facts so easily?

“Oh, no, you did not say that!” I shouted as I tried to wriggle out of Baekhyun’s grip. “Let me go, I can’t stand here like that when she’s trying to pin her faults on me!” I yelled, yanking my arm free. “She’s lying! She fucked the stripper last week, and she fucked my boyfriend then!” I stated with a raised voice, hoping that Hongbin could detect bare honesty in my tone.

“Why are you doing this? Why can’t you let me be happy? Hongbin will never be yours, when will you get that shit in your head?” Jiwoo stated, making me more enraged with every toxic word that left her vile mouth. “He doesn’t love you and he never will!”

“Is that true?” Baekhyun asked, and my heart broke when I heard his voice. No, it wasn’t possible. It wasn’t happening. Her venom couldn’t get to Baekhyun. No, he trusted me. Baekhyun knew better not to believe in anything that she said. Yes, she was convincing, but it was just lies.

Obviously mad, Baekhyun stared at me, and I looked away. His beautiful eyes lost its usual hint of playfulness, being replaced with disappointment and sadness. The revelation broke him.

That was enough. I had let Jiwoo bully me way too long. I could live with that, but Baekhyun was off limits. She messed with his feelings, and I wasn’t going to let it slide. It was fine as long as she was messing with me, but Baekhyun was someone I cared too much, and I wasn’t going to tolerate that kind of behavior. Jiwoo knew that he was my weakness which I didn’t want to involve in this mess.

“Not only you know how to manipulate facts, but you can manipulate people, too. Wow, I’m impressed. I guess you didn’t completely waste time when you were majoring in psychology.” I started, dangerously calm. I was driven by rage, and my voice didn’t even break once.

“Hongbin, I tried to do you a favor, but instead of helping you, I just lost my closest friends.” I started, as I looked him in his eyes. Now, I only wanted to voice my thoughts, and I couldn’t care any less about being blunt. They had it coming. “If you want to marry that filthy lying bitch, I can’t forbid you that. I can only hope you’ll realize what kind of monster you chose to be your wife. If you’re really that stupid to fall for her lies, you fucking deserve each other.”

“Jiwoo, I’m really offended that you value our friendship so little that you pinned your faults on me. You don’t deserve him, and I hope this thought will haunt you forever. Even if they don’t believe me, you know what you did.”

“Baekhyun, I have always been genuine with you, but if you believe her, then I think we should stop seeing each other. You said that Jiwoo’s lies don’t affect my life, but they just did, so it was nice being with you even if it only lasted for two days.”

“Now, that everything’s been said, I wish you hell,” I added, and with that, I stormed out of Baekhyun’s apartment. Whatever they decided to do, it wasn’t my problem anymore.

***

As soon as I left Baekhyun’s apartment, I took a few series of deep breaths. The conversation, or rather the monolog was stressful and tiring, and I felt a huge relief when I escaped that toxic place full of destructive people.

I didn’t expect Baekhyun to run after me, and he, in fact, didn’t, but I still felt a bit of disappointed. I had always been there when he needed my aid, but now, when I needed support, he was brainwashed with plenty of Jiwoo’s lies.

Regardless of how difficult for me it was going to be, I made up my mind to forget about him. I hadn’t wanted him to stand up for me – his support would be enough. Having that, I could do anything. I knew that without him, at first, it would sting a little, but further in the future, I was going to be just fine.

I am my own person, and I was planning to live my own life.

For the rest of the week, I used the same routine. In the afternoons, I was trying new Tasty recipes, and in the evening, I was meeting my friends over a couple of drinks. On Friday, it got a bit tedious, but I needed to contact my other friends who weren’t venomous snakes.

During that healing time, I had a lot of fun, and I didn’t cry once. I couldn’t blame myself for their wrong judgment, and I wasn’t going to cry because of them. Instead, I chose to put my new found energy to good use. I caught up with my friends, and I relaxed before work.

On Saturday, I met with my high school friends. It was enjoyable, but they were as solemn as they had been in high school, so we finished our meeting around 11 o’clock. It was a bit disappointing because I didn’t want to leave yet, but no matter what I had tried, I couldn’t have convinced them to stay.

I didn’t hurry to come back to my place, but when I reached it, I wished I had stayed for another round. Baekhyun wasn’t the last person I wanted to see, but it wasn’t the meeting I yearned to have, either. Did he not get the message? I was done with him.

“Just go home, Baekhyun,” I said trying to ignore him. For the past week, I managed to focus on other things, and I knew it was going to be difficult if he’d randomly show up at my doors. “I don’t want to see you,” I added, as I turned my back to him, trying to find keys to my apartment.

“Let’s talk,” Baekhyun offered, but I just snorted.

“There’s nothing to talk about. Everything has been already said,” I bitterly answered.

“I’m sorry it took me so long, but I want you to know that I chose you,” Baekhyun started to speak, although I told him not to do that. He was annoying. Couldn’t he get a hint that I didn’t want to interact with him? I literally told him to leave me alone.

“I didn’t want you to choose,” I talked back, not even considering that my worlds might hurt him. “Everything is over, Baekhyun. Just move on. You’re Hongbin’s best friend, you can’t leave him. You still can be the fantastic threesome with him and Jiwoo.” I quickly opened the doors of my apartment and slipped in, but Baekhyun grabbed the edge of the doors and yanked them open before I managed to close them behind me.

“Just shut up and listen,” Baekhyun ordered, as he walked inside of my apartment without my permission. “I know I messed up. I should’ve done something.”

“But you didn’t, so you missed your chance,” I spat, crossing my arms across my chest. “Goodbye, Baekhyun. It was lovely seeing you.”

“I gave up being the best man,” Baekhyun announced, but that didn’t shock me. He wasn’t the smartest man alive, but at least he had enough intellect to get out of that dramatic circle. “I wondered what I had said to you, and I decided to listen to my own advice. I’m going to put my happiness above anything else, and the only person who can make me really happy is you.”

“Yeah, right,” I snorted stubbornly, as I turned around to face him. Baekhyun was just as handsome as I remembered, and he was looking at me the way that used to make my legs weak.

“I've always believed you,” Baekhyun confessed, and before I managed to retort, he pressed his forefinger against my lips, shushing me. “I don’t care about what Hongbin thinks about you or this situation; I just know that I want to be with you. I don’t need anyone’s approval to be with you. I want to take you on dates, I want to kiss you. I even want to watch these stupid TV shows with you. I just can’t let you leave me. Not when I know that you still love me.”

“No,” I wanted to disagree, but Baekhyun once again shushed me.

“Shut up,” he sternly warned me, but as soon I firmly closed my mouth, Baekhyun started to chuckle. “Kiss me, princess,” he ordered, and I must’ve lost my mind because I pressed my lips against his in no time. Baekhyun knew which buttons to push to get me back.

“From now on, it’s only you and me, okay?” I asked as I pulled away. Smiling at me, Baekhyun stared into my eyes, his playfulness back, and nodded his head.

“It does sound like a dream to me,” Baekhyun replied and pulled me into his tight embrace.

#baekhyun smut #baekhyun angst #baekhyun fluff #byun baekhyun #EXO baekhyun #baekhyun fanfiction #baekhyun scenario #baekhyun fanfic #exo #baekhyun #wedding fever #wedding au #friends to lovers au

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chickenfetus · 7 years

Note

ALL!!!! (also the gemini sqUAD LOL)

im gonna enjoy a nice cup of water while doing this bc idk a tea (update i didnt drink water at all and now im dying of thirst,, also undercut bc many)

1: Golden mornings or peachy sunsets?

i dont wake up early enough to see the sunrise and when i do i never manage to take pics bc of school so peachy sunsets

2: Sugar cones or waffle cones?

idk what a sugar cone is but i like waffle cones!!! havent eaten ice cream with a cone in forever though,, i rarely eat ice cream now

3: Do you wear scarves often? do you have a favorite?

listen…. its about 33 degrees everyday but even if im in a colder country i dont wear scarves

4: How long do you lay in bed before you finally get up?

this depends?? on how motivated im feeling lmao never more than 10 minutes though because if i lay awake for that long ill just fall back asleep

5: Is there a food you’ve never had but always wanted to try?

i dont think so?? im bad at trying new things especially food

6: What does your umbrella look like?

i dont.. go outside often and whenever i do i take public transport so basically everythings sheltered so i never had a need for umbrellas

7: Do you listen to ASMR?

ive only listened to one everybody please listen to this gift

8: Rain storms or a light drizzle?

both, preferably when im indoors

9: What’s a little thing in life that you love?

hm??????????? my tags lmao

UPDATE: i also really like reading other people’s tags and their rambles that is all

10: Favorite color aesthetic?

does the word aesthetic make this question any different from a normal favourite colour question???? if it doesnt then sky blue

11: Wobbly lines or using a ruler?

in this house we draw lines with no ruler like men (but also because even if i did use a ruler it wouldnt be like… straight idk i cant use rulers

12: Bright colorful living room or neutral cozy living room?

neutral cozy living room but i also love basking in sunlight

13: Do you have any candles? what scents are they?

im not a big fan of heavy smelling products so i dont own any candles

14: Have you ever rode a horse?

i dont think so??????? ive seen horses before though

15: Do you have glasses?

without my glasses i wouldnt be able to read these questions lmao and . .. theyre also a result of watching pokemon too closely to the tv at a young age… its been like 10 years since i got glasses

16: What’s a language you’d like to speak?

japanese i tried speaking it but i got 2 embarrassed to say anything properly while i was in japan (i cant even speak english properly to a friend whyd i think i could speak another language to a stranger beats me)

17: What’s your favorite season and favorite month in that season?

my singaporean no season ass: ? but autumn and november (is this cutting it too close to winter? idk my seasons)

18: Do you have a favorite pair of socks?

hm not really i just wear blue ankle socks a lot but my friend did give me a pair of pokemon and gudetama socks before and i adore those although i lost the gudetama ones in the uk last year she got me another pair whatd i do to deserve her?

19: Favorite Ghibli and/or disney movie

m .. um? big. hero 6??????

20: Disney, Dreamworks, or Pixar?

my dumb ass didnt know they were different

21: What snacks do you usually get at the theater?

i rarely go and watch movies anymore but when i did watch a lot of movies with my friend at the theater we’d get afternoon shows and sneak mcdonalds in lmao

22: What’s an underrated video game/ movie/ show you love and think it needs more recognition?

how about band? day6 i only ever play pokemon + sif + bandori so i cant say much and i rarely watch movies and a show? if its an anime id say the one i mentioned before in my one text post

23: Would you fill your house with plants if you had a green thumb?

not really rip

24; All plants are great but do you have a favorite?

HM mmmmmm there was this one but i forgot the name lmao pass

25: Do you have a favorite type of art style? (eg: soft looking, no to little color, sketches, crisp and clean, minimalist, pixel art etc.)

when im the … audience? what do u call it???? i like seeing all kinda of art styles!!! everyone has their own unique art style and i love it all :o

for ME,, , ive been doing art for 6 years maybe and i still cant do shit

26: What would you do if someone gave you flowers?

i would die straight up die thats such a soft concept i cant imagine myself receiving flowers thats 2 sweet oh my god wtf id combust??? i prefer leaves though is that weird i picked some nice leaves recently and im gonna give those to my friends

27: Do you like nicknames?

giving and having nicknames is my favorite past time

28: Do you still watch shows you watched when you were a kid? even from time to time?

pokemon lmao thank u 4 not ending it…. the animation has only improved and im so proud to have been watching it since the start pokemon is my special thing i love it so much!! an interest that never died down, with an anime that stays super like idk to my preference? i tried watching the new digimon stuff but i just couldnt :^( im glad they made ash stay the main character

29: Do you still like old memes? (tell the truth)

never forget dat boi

30: Favorite Halloween costume you dressed up as? (if you don’t celebrate halloween have you ever cosplayed or would you like to? who did you cosplay as?)

we dont celebrate halloween and i would never cosplay, big shoutout to cosplayers though!!! they put in so much effort and just, respect!!!!!

i dont know if this is an actual memory because i dont remember well but when i was younger i thiNK? i had to dress up as a swan thing i have no clue i dont even remember the performance but i might have had to ?? and dance??? or act i dont remember everythings fuzzy but i dressed up a swan once? in kindergarten ?????

31: Are you a fashionable person?

i have the worst fashion sense and even though jeans are nice once again the weather here doesnt allow me to be as fashionable as i can be

32: Do you like watching holiday movies?

not realyyy??? the jack frost (rip) movie was ncie????

33: Cookies or brownies?

i live 4 chocolate chip cookies but too much is . . not preferable

34: Do you blow in the cold air just to see your breath?

no i hate breathing in & out from my mouth

35: Do you find the crickets chirping outside your window relaxing?

WELL from the great cockroach ordeal last night id probably die bc we live in an apartment building so the only way id be hearing crickets would be if they were in the ROOM

36: Do you like cobblestone streets?

my only knowledge of cobblestone is from minecraft so idk

37: How often do you doodle?

when school was still relevant i would doodle as soon as i picked up a pencil lmao i try not to anymore bc i doodled on my math assignment and forgot to fucking erase it and my math teacher called me out

38: When was the last time you blew bubbles?

a year ago?? i dont remember but i do remember when i was younger id try and blow bubbles at the void deck do yall kno what that is its just a space near the lift lobby anyway i swallowed the soap thing idk u know how ur supposed to blow? well i sucked the soap in yum

39: What’s your favorite random piece of decor in your house and room?

in my room its the bed and in the house its the water bottle that contains water

40: Do you bite your fingernails off or clip them more often?

i………………………… i dont actualy kno how to clip my nails and my mum would kill me if i tried but i dont bite my nails either

41: Any birthmarks?

not that i know of

42: Thoughts on freckles?

ive never actually seen someone with freckles in public before but theyre good stuff i gueess?? i dont actually have an opinion on them? everyone says theyre cute and all but im just ??? not that i hate freckles tho if u have freckles? thats cool!

43: First video game you ever played?

pokemon pearl?? either that or megaman on my ps3 OR the bomb square guy????? idk the game name but.. ya

44: what type of bird do you hear most often outside your door?

i dont know what the bird species are but theyre small black birds not crows idk

45: Do you use gifs/ memes a lot when replying to people?

memes yes gifs no bc im not lame like jen

46: Thoughts on spring?

no comment?? i mean? its nice??????? i guess ??? if we had a spring

47: Ideal temperature outside?

oh boy 20 degrees would be enough for me but its never gotten that low before sunny island’s life

48: Cloudy, partly cloudy, or clear skies?

i like clear skies when its bright! but not too sunny and not too warm!!!!! clouds are nice to look at too though

49: How often do you hear airplanes outside?

yeah we live near an airport i dont think anybody uses????

50: Do you enjoy windy days?

windy days are my SHIT back in school our basketball court was open spaced and whenevr wind blew we could feel it man thats the life right there but i hate windy days when im sitting at home bc it flows the curtains rigth into my face i like the feel of the wind and the smell of fresh air but… curtains in my face? not 2 great so rip i close all the windows lmao

okay thank u so much 4 asking falen i love you and wow this was a lot

#im laughing icb i asked u to ask me thank u for asking #ur a good pal #softshouyous #asks

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yourwildest-nightmare · 7 years

Text

The Princess and The Plum

Everything was perfect-or at least, it was set out to be. The day's plans were made in advanced, I had picked out an outfit days before, my alarm was set to give me 2 hours before I had to leave, I had everything ready to put in my bag and find in the morning and I knew exactly how the day would go. Then of course I changed my outfit that morning, I couldn't decide on my makeup and I had to do re-do it 3 times (it still looked crappy), I left late, missed 2 trains, and forgot how to use chopsticks (not the best thing to forget when you have lunch at a Chinese restaurant where you don't get given other utensils...). I stayed up late the night before (my mind was then consequently tired and stressed and a bit fuddled), I didn't have much cash on me, I forgot to bring my rainbow ribbon with me, I had blisters on my feet, and at some point in the day I lost my lip balm. My hair was a mess and lacked any slither of volume, my makeup wore away quicker than usual and was patchy as fuck, my nails were chewed away at and the polish was chipped, I left my good rings at Bathurst and had to wear this rusting old one, I forgot to change my earrings to something cute, and I left my earphones at home so we couldn't even listen to music on the train ride there. Also, it rained. As if I wasn't a mess enough already. Then, I let fear control me. Both mine and those of the society I live in. Instead of enjoying the day, enjoying her, like I should have, I let myself climb inside my head and lock my heart, my mind, my spirit in a cage. And though I didn't throw away the key, I also didn't give it to her (or to anyone else). I let myself be controlled by the prejudice of our society and by doing so I lost what could have been a perfect day.

I got to go to my first pride event, my first protest, my first look at what it was like to be around people like me; to be in my own community, surrounded by different versions of our acronym. This was something I have dreamed about and wanted to do for so so long now. In my head, in my heart, going to protests and pride events is something that excites me and something that I want to be heavily involved with. When I think about the future, I see me going to Mardi Gras, gay bars, pride marches, protests for our rights, and basically any event minus 18 holds because they look so fucking cool and I wish NSW had something similar. And queer prom. Minus 18 does one every year, and every year I want to go. Every year I tell myself I will, but next year. It's always next year. I was so excited to go the protest for marriage equality on Sunday. It felt like I was taking huge steps in who I wanted to be. But then the day came and we went and the whole time I didn't feel like I thought I would. I felt exposed and vulnerable. The minute I took a step into the group, I felt like they knew. Like I was declaring to anyone there and anyone walking past (since it was a public protest, out in the open, for anyone to see) that I was queer. It felt like my whole identity was a clear window for anyone to look into. And I thought I had no problem with that, but apparently I did. Apparently, I'm not who I want to be yet. And I'm worried I never will be...

It was supposed to be great. Going there with you, being surrounded by our people. I was supposed to be able to hold your hand, and if I'm being honest I had daydreamed/maybe low key planned on kissing you at that protest (if you had been okay with it of course and we had been clicking etc). But I didn't. I got there and I was immediately aware of how close we were standing, who was watching etc. I was aware of those things the whole day. When we went to the Chinese restaurant, I felt like everyone knew. I also really wanted to hold your hand, but I couldn't. I wanted to take it under the table, but I didn't want to hide it. But I also couldn't show it. I was stuck in this limbo the whole day; not wanting to hide, but also not having the bravery to stand out. When we saw that gay couple holding hands, for a fleeting second I almost took yours. I almost stopped them and thanked them for just being. But I didn't. I couldn't.

The whole day I was inside my head and tense and anxious about everyone around us that I didn't concentrate on what really mattered-you, us, getting to know you and connecting with you. I was a terrible date. There's no dancing around that fact. There are so many things I should have done, so many things I had planned on doing. I should have told you you looked great (bc u did), I should have told you how much I loved your hair bc holy shit I hadn't seen it out before and oh my god it's gorgeous and I wanted to run my fingers through it so badly but I stopped myself bc "what would ppl think". I should have bought u flowers, pulled out your seat for you, bought you dinner. I should have asked you more questions, told you more things, touched you more. But instead I spent the day trying to remember how to breathe. Instead, I let you make the first moves. Like when we were at the protest and you put your arm around me. Yes, I kind of then held your hand. But I should have done that before. And I didn't. And when your had your arm around me and we were sorta holding hands and our heads resting against one another, I'm not sure if you noticed but I struggled so hard to breathe. I kept having to breathe really deeply just to get enough oxygen. I looked around heaps at first, I was shaking a little, and my heart was racing so so much. But I did eventually calm down, and in that fleeting moment everything felt okay and I never wanted you to let go.

I know you could say I did sort of make the first move sometimes during the day, but it's not like it was significant. It was little things like standing close to you and stroking your arm with my finger-something no one could actually see me doing, something I don't know if you even realised I was doing it. And maybe I rested my head on your shoulder in the movies, but it was dark and no one could see and let's be honest I do that with my friends, and it was also after you had put your arm around me. I shouldn't have second guessed my instincts, like wanting to kiss your hand when I was holding it in the theatre, or wanting to kiss your cheek when you had your arm around me at the protest, or wanting to kiss your check when saying goodbye, or wanting to take your hand on the train, or wanting to kiss your shoulder when we were snuggling in the movie, or wanting to kiss you during the movie. But I did. I was a coward. The whole day. My personality was flat and lacking bc I was letting others fears control me, and I didn't do what I should have. Fuck, I couldn't even speak about some things out loud Incase someone heard and I had to TEXT them to you...TEXT them. Seriously? I can't believe myself. I had this perfect opportunity and I messed it up so bad by being so scared of what strangers would think. Who the hell cares? They're strangers! I shouldn't let them control me, but I did and honestly, I don't know what that says about me.

Am I coward? Probably. Do I think too much? Definitely. Do I need to be more confident about myself? 100%. Can I change, and be better? Unanswered. Will I get another chance? Unanswered. Do I deserve another chance? Probably not.

Do I deserve you? Definitely not.

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erosanova-blog · 7 years

Text

Star-crossed or Simply Cross?

(Reader's note: This is a paper originally submitted to a CSU class Fall 2015, I simply posted it for your entertainment. I believe the original requirement for page length was 5-8. This paper was 18 pages. Only minor changes have been made, mostly formatting for the blog's sake. I may update it as necessary.)

“WELCOME BACK TO 98.99 F.M., THE TORNADO! UP NEXT WE HAVE BLAKE SHELTON’S HIT SINGLE “God Gave Me You.” THIS ONE GOES OUT TO ALL THOSE STAR-CROSSED LOVERS OUT THERE, SO GRAB YOUR HONEYBEE AND PUT YOUR BOOTS TOGETHER!”

“I've been a walking heartache I've made a mess of me The person that I've been lately Ain't who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me Watch as the storm blows through And I need you

'Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs God gave me you for the days of doubt For when I think I've lost my way There are no words here left to say, it's true God gave me you

There's more here than what we're seeing A divine conspiracy That you, an angel lovely Could somehow fall for me You'll always be love's great martyr I'll be the flattered fool And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs God gave me you for the days of doubt For when I think I've lost my way There are no words here left to say, it's true God gave me you

On my own I'm only Half of what I could be I can't do without you We are stitched together And what love has tethered I could never undo

'Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs God gave me you for the days of doubt God gave me you for the ups and downs God gave me you for the days of doubt For when I think I've lost my way There are no words here left to say, it's true God gave me you, gave me you Gave me you.”

(Shelton, 2011)

Easy to grasp but often impossible to feel; sometimes invisible to the eye but apparent to the mind; it sends you into the depths of the ocean and the height of the clouds, but eventually everything comes back to its final resting place. It’s easy to say but difficult to be sincere, it’s easy to taste but hard to digest, it’s held in high regard to some but stomped on and spit at by others. It will take both a juvenile woman and a grown man to his knees, and it controls the very world around us. Love. Merriam Webster defines it as

“1a (1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties <maternal love for a child>

(2): attraction based on sexual desire: affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests <love for his old schoolmates>

b : an assurance of affection <give her my love> 2: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion <love of the sea>”

(“Love,” merriam-webster.com)

Also, according to this website, “love is currently in the top 1% of lookups, and is the seventh most popular word on Merriam-webster.com.” However, if you look up “true love” there is no definition. So what is true love, and how does this ideology skew our perspective on the world? Who benefits from this given version of the truth, how are the material benefits socially distributed? The answer should be obvious: profit-seeking corporations. In the search for revenue firms leave no stone unturned, and even if an anti-Valentine’s-Day-day were proposed by those willing to fight the system so many fall into, businesses would find some way to squeeze every penny from their pockets, from T-shirts to billboards to chandeliers, nothing is sacred. As income goes up on the individual level, higher expectations of monetary dispersion often arise-the richer a person becomes, the more is demanded of that person from their spouse or partner. Instead of buying fifty cents of construction paper and using an old rusty pair of shears to compose something beautiful, Americans find it necessary to throw paper and plastic down in the name of love, even more so when they believe it to be true love. Newsflash: companies like Hallmark, FTD flowers and Cadbury own true love, and in order to discover it, you will most likely need to make an investment towards their capital. There is no way to storm the proverbial Bastille, and people will remain serfs to Cupid’s arrow. Sonja Foss defines an ideological critique as “looking beyond the surface structure of an artifact to discover the beliefs, values, and assumptions it suggests” (Pg. 209).

The concept of true love affects everyone, whether they know it or not. Click your radio on to any given frequency (maybe not a public broadcasting station, unless someone is truly passionate about politics) and chances are you will encounter a song about love or true love. Some claim that the country music genre contains more songs about heartbreak and true love but UP NEXT ON 102.7 F.M., THE POPSICLE, WE HAVE MAROON 5’s NEW HIT, “Sugar,” SO SNAP OFF YOUR SNAPBACKS AND KICK OFF THOSE SKINNY JEANS!

“I'm hurting, baby, I'm broken down I need your loving, loving I need it now When I'm without you I'm something weak You got me begging, begging I'm on my knees

[Pre-Chorus:] I don't wanna be needing your love I just wanna be deep in your love And it's killing me when you're away, ooh, baby, 'Cause I really don't care where you are I just wanna be there where you are And I gotta get one little taste

[Chorus:] Your sugar Yes, please Won't you come and put it down on me? I'm right here, 'cause I need Little love, a little sympathy Yeah, you show me good loving Make it alright Need a little sweetness in my life Your sugar Yes, please Won't you come and put it down on me?

My broken pieces You pick them up Don't leave me hanging, hanging Come give me some When I'm without ya I'm so insecure You are the one thing, one thing I'm living for [Pre-Chorus:] I don't wanna be needing your love I just wanna be deep in your love And it's killing me when you're away, ooh, baby, 'Cause I really don't care where you are I just wanna be there where you are And I gotta get one little taste

[Chorus:] Your sugar Yes, please Won't you come and put it down on me? I'm right here, 'Cause I need Little love, a little sympathy Yeah, you show me good loving Make it alright Need a little sweetness in my life Your sugar! (sugar!) Yes, please (yes, please) Won't you come and put it down on me?

Yeah I want that red velvet I want that sugar sweet Don't let nobody touch it Unless that somebody's me I gotta be your man There ain't no other way 'Cause girl you're hotter than a southern California day)”

(Maroon 5, 2015)

“WELCOME BACK TO 95.7 THE WAVE, YOUR SOURCE FOR THE MOST COMPLACENT SONGS OF ALL TIME! UP NEXT WE HAVE “Here Without You,” BY THREE DOORS DOWN. SO SLIDE OUT OF THOSE GRUNGY LEATHER PANTS AND TORN FLANNEL SHIRT AND HOLD ON TIGHT!”

“A hundred days have made me older Since the last time that I've saw your pretty face

A thousand lies have made me colder And I don't think I can look at this the same

But all the miles that separate They disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

I'm here without you, Baby But you're still on my lonely mind I think about you, Baby And I dream about you all the time I'm here without you, Baby But you're still with me in my dreams.”

(Three Doors Down, 2002)

“Change it.”

“…didn't have to cut me off Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing And I don't even need your love But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough No you didn't have to stoop so low Have your friends collect your records and then change your number I guess that I don't need that though Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now you're just somebody that I used to know Now you're just somebody that I used to know.”

(Gotye, 2011)

“That’s horrible too *tears welling,* please change it.”

“…if you love me, let me go. And run away before I know. My heart is just too dark to care. I can't destroy what isn't there. Deliver me into my fate - If I'm alone I cannot hate I don't deserve to have you...

My smile was taken long ago If I can change I hope I never know

I still press your letters to my lips And cherish them in parts of me that savor every kiss I couldn't face a life without your lights But all of that was ripped apart when you refused to fight

So save your breath, I will not hear. I think I made it very clear. You couldn't hate enough to love. Is that supposed to be enough? I only wish you weren't my friend. Then I could hurt you in the end. I never claimed to be a saint...”

(Slipknot, 2009)

“What the hell is wrong with the radio today?!” *Click*

“… See a Robin weep, When leaves begin to die? That means he's lost his will to live. I'm so lonesome I could cry.

The silence of a falling star, Lights up a purple sky. And as I wonder where you are, I'm so lonesome I could cry. I'm so lonesome I could cry.”

(Cash, 1958)

“Awful! Terrible! If one more station tries to proselytize me I’m turning the radio off!”

“Try the Oldies station!”

“… if your baby leaves you And you have a sad tale to tell Just take a walk down Lonely Street To Heartbreak Hotel And you will be, you will be, you will be lonely, baby You'll be so lonely You'll be so lonely, you could die

Well, though it's always crowded You still can find some room For broken-hearted lovers To cry there in the gloom And they'll be so, they'll be so lonely, baby They're so lonely They'll be so lonely, they could die.”

(Presley, 1956)

“That’s it! I can’t take it anymore!” *CLICK*

*GPS chiming in* “If you want to avoid a steep cliff, take an immediate right. Take an immediate right. Take an immediate right. Immediately take a U-turn to return to County Road 18.”

Note the parts in bold and their applicability to my argument. As you can see, no station is safe from the resounding break of a heart, and songs about heartbreak are equally as likely to generate revenue to corporations as songs about true love, and equally as likely to make or break someone’s day. From modern day to the classic rock of the 1950’s, people have always been subconsciously pulled into the waiting arms of a mythical romance, whether it ends badly or not. All of these songs represent love, whether it be true, “normal” or inexplicably absent, from several different genres in a multitude of time periods. Blake claims that a “divine conspiracy” brought a true love to him- but if the story is based on real life occurrences consider his recent divorce from Country singer Miranda Lambert (Shelton, 2011). Maroon 5 claims, “You are the one thing, one thing I'm living for,” which seems to have a slightly morbid inference, and also, “when I’m without you, I’m something weak” (2015). What would the average music-lover in modern America procure from these lyrics? That some divinity scribbled their name next to another's and they were meant to be, and if they lost them or couldn’t find them life wasn’t worth living? That seems like a rather depressing interpretation, but the fact of the matter is our speakers shout these ideas into our subconscious, segregating the lucky few from the unlucky masses. The ideology that star-struck lovers exists causes emotional, physical, and monetary distress. It is an unnecessary idea based loosely on consumerism and false attraction, and the artifacts of this misconception are ubiquitous in our daily lives-they can surround and strangle at any given moment. They also lie in popular music, television, movies, and are even embedded in the scriptures we peruse on Sunday mornings. This epidemic is present throughout the ages as well. Notice the references to heartbreak or losing “the one and only” in the 1950’s rock classics by Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. The minute differences are songs like “Sugar,” and “Somebody I Used to know” disguise disheartening lyrics with buoyant beats, distracting the listeners from the real message being conveyed.

How about a little micro-narrative to further illustrate my point? Her lips taste like summer strawberries still on the plant, so sweet and growing sweeter by the day. Her eyes are lonesome brown caves echoing with curiosity, reverberating blandishments to every snooping spelunker. Her hair cascading like a muddy spring waterfall, twirling down over soft pink lobes and semi-precious stones; its autumn leaves welcoming a fall frolic with growing humidity. Her skin is a light olive, mellifluous, clean, and delicate. She was different, this was meant to be… forever. She is the epitome of perfection, and their paths were scribbled in the stars- inscribed in twinkling incandescence.

Who believes it? Almost everyone who wears a heart on their sleeve, even if they’re wearing camouflage to disguise it. Although the target audience for a lot of these songs are monogamous straight couples, anything can affect a person who wears the right set of ears; who has suffered or embraced extreme forms of love. This drivel is churned out by the bucketful, spooned onto everyone’s plates, from infant to elder, and it controls nearly everything. There are several different kinds of love, let’s begin by defining those. There is familial love, which is, shared between members of a group or family, is purely platonic (sorry Oedipus). Then there is love as companionship, that is, the love between two good friends or the love between a human and a pet. There is mutual adoration, such as the love between spouses or partners, or the love of childhood friends-this is stronger yet similar to love as companionship. There is self-love (no not a teenager’s sticky copy of Marie Claire he keeps under his mattress), that is, caring for yourself, a fathom before narcissism. There is sexual love or attraction, which is based on personal preferences and sensual satisfaction. There is romance, which can be similar to sexual attraction, only embodied with more slow rhythmic music, candles and rose petal breadcrumb trails. Then there is adoration, like the look I’m currently receiving from a red-merle dog named Barley; this can be similar to companionship, or it can be the initial stages of mutual love. Then there is one-sided love, that is, the love of the person sitting in the bushes outside your window at night (not like Romeo calling to Juliet on a balcony, more like an astronaut driving cross-country in diapers so she doesn’t have to stop to go to the bathroom), or a unrequited love. To clarify, many different types of love exist and are very apparent in most everyone’s lives, but true love, destiny, fate, or providence subsists only in fairy tales.

True love seems to be a fallacy spewed by corporations to take our every penny. A man is supposed to spend three month’s salary on a wedding ring… who came up with this idea? You’re supposed to buy flowers, candy or gifts for Valentine’s Day… Why? Granted, this is hardly applicable to penurious individuals or homosexual/transgendered couples (not sure about the intricacies of who buys the ring, or who spoils who in those situations). If true love exists it shouldn’t need material goods to prove its worth, it should be alive and well based on its own merit. If you don’t give a gift on that particular February day, does it mean you don’t love that person? This perception can make some feel gifted while others feel the cold sting of rejection-all based upon the sum of the monetary value collected. The concept that true love could be embodied in chalky red-lettered hearts is borderline imbecilic, yet we waste our money and dental health, buying them up by the millions. What is your love worth?

While some choose to find perfection wherever they can, others settle for less, idolizing the fallacy that true love exists and they are in the midst of it. The cliché that “ignorance is bliss,” can adequately describe at least half of the relationships in existence today. The rationalization that you let your partner get away with lying, infidelity and other sinful activity based upon the fact that you love them and “love conquers all” is a blissfully unaware delusion, and a good example of one-sided love.

Hardened, callous individuals often reject the slightest notion of love, while gushy, love-seeking teenagers desperately obsess over finding it immediately, which usually ends in a less-than-desirable situation. If there are over seven billion people in the world, and there’s only one “true love” out there for each individual, the chances of finding that person are astronomically low. Some people may devote all of their time, money, sweat and tears in the search and still come up empty handed. People buy expensive vehicles and houses, they go as far as buying drugs and alcohol, and they give their social security numbers away on dozens of websites created to find your “perfect match.” Nobody is perfect. If true love existed then two people wouldn’t care about each other’s flaws, they wouldn’t necessarily care about common interests or similarities, they would simply exist to care for each other, unwavering, until their time was up.

The play “Romeo and Juliet,” by William Shakespeare was based on star-crossed lovers from rival families who found each other and died for each other… this is the concept we’ve impressed on our society, that true love is worth dying for. But if true love existed, one partner would want the other to go on living even after their death-to think that they would commit suicide because the other did is simply selfish. However, if two star crossed lovers from rival families can come together, how about two star crossed lovers from different social classes? You rarely hear of real life stories of a janitor marrying an heiress do you? Because of the stratification between classes, finding similarities between one another may be difficult. Sure, there can be a physical attraction, but that only takes the love boat so far; to find a permanent dock here is a rare occurrence. So if the chance of finding true love is one in seven billion, and we rule out all the social classes other than that specific person’s, you’re eliminating at least seventy five percent of the possibilities around the world.

Consider life in the 1950’s; why is the concept of soulmates so much more important now than it was back then? Because people were realists. They were willing to settle for the girl with the prettiest bow or the guy with the sharpest moves at the local barn dance. They came together and took their wedding vows seriously-in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, in good times and bad-they stuck together like glue, they didn’t run off with the pool-boy with the nice posterior or the secretary with a bountiful bosom, with the exception of unusual cases. There was no eternal search for the greener grass on the other side of the fence. People today can barely commit to a monogamous relationship, they prefer polyamorous, which some may consider an eloquent way of saying they want to whore themselves out all over town. Back then, your soulmate was who you cared about the most, you didn’t have to search through seven billion people to find them-they just stood out in the crowd more than the rest. Back then, the criteria for true love was who could provide for a family, not who could spoil you with the richest calories and prettiest petals money could buy. Yet somehow, in the modern era, we have put a price on love.

It is rather difficult to write an essay like this with an unbiased opinion without seeming jaded or spiteful. We are all in search of Sehnsucht (roughly translated as “a pleasurable yearning for some utopian thing or place” (Tokumitsu, “In the Name of Love”). Personally I’ve been repeatedly assaulted almost my entire life with the idea that there is one person who I was meant to be with somewhere out there. And yes, I am fairly jaded, but also exceptionally observant when the plane of true love crashes down into a smoky mass of melted metal and crumpled plastic strollers. When I believed I was in love, and it was true, the radio caused a foot-tapping, smile-starting sensation that inspired goosebumps on every facet. When tragedy struck, the frequencies haunted me, and I found my fingers flicking presets to isolate a few notes that didn’t force my heart into my throat and bugs in my eyes. Tokumitsu goes on to say, “You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do” (“In the Name of Love”). So what if you don’t love what you do, but force yourself into copulation because you believe it will force the lump out of your throat? Many people believe the quickest way to get over someone is to get under someone else, and this cliché is responsible for many undesirable situations; it can force one sided love into matrimony with one broken contraceptive, it can force people to do ghastly things with their bodies to move on, or get over the fact that their “true love” ran off with their best friend. Some days you are searching the summit for a higher point with none in sight, others you are tapping relentlessly at a keyboard, hoping the strokes will bring them back to the place where you once threw flowers from overhead to brighten their studies.

And for those with a poetic air swirling about them, this doth proveth that true love is impressed upon thee from the remote reaches of thy kingdom, with heart in sleeve and love on lips:

“Two of the faintest stars in all the heaven,

Having some business, do entreat her eyes

To twinkle in their spheres till they return.

What if her eyes were there, they in her head?

The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars

As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven

Would through the airy region stream so bright

That birds would sing and think it were not night.

See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!

O that I were a glove upon that hand

That I might touch that cheek!”

……

“Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse they name,

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I’ll no longer be a Capulet” (Shakespeare/Hankins, pg. 45).

So let me get this straight… Romeo briefly meets Juliet at a party then decides to go wait outside her window, spies on her and wishes he was something she was touching? Creepy! Then Juliet decides that if Romeo denounces himself from his family or she leaves hers they can be together? I suppose that’s what makes this story a tragedy, the fact that something must be sacrificed for true love, but in the end everybody commits suicide in the name of it. The modern day reality? Sorry honey, the contemporary Romeo decided it was easier to fornicate with his main squeeze down the block; it was easier for him to assuage the woman of cavalier attitude than to chase the dream of forbidden star-struck love. In his prowler-style brain you may be his “main,” perhaps you’re the exception to his adulterous rules, but he is still with someone else. The brief glimpses you shared at the ball did nothing to waver his bigamous intent. One day he may be willing to die for you but somewhere on the other side of town Mary will be concerned the next day when Romeo doesn’t show up for his morning fellatio. Sound vulgar? Welcome to love- the driving force for many cultures-sometimes even greater than money or power. You ever been “snipe hunting?” “Friends” drive you out into the woods in search of a mythical creature (that simply does not exist), then desert you in the darkness, where you sit and wait until a sense of abandonment creeps in. This epitomizes a lot of the relationships in modern society. Waiting around for something good until you grow impatient and realize everything you believed in was a lie.

Not every example of love, or true love, is as depressing as this essay may make you believe. For example, scientists uncovered two skeletons in Leicester, England who were buried together and apparently holding hands. Although this article makes a lot of inferences, the idea that two people died with each other in each other’s arms seems to be the epitome of true love. In a vast world wide web, corrupt with gossip of celebrity divorces and opinionated arguments, there are a few examples of truly compassionate devotion. Vicki Score, a University of Leicester archaeologist even claimed they, “have seen similar skeletons before from Leicester where a couple have been buried together” (Keller, Mic.com). Also, if we turn to the animal world,

Carl Zimmer claims, “Less than 5% of mammal species live monogamously, with males and females staying together beyond mating, and fathers helping mothers care for babies. We humans aren’t the most monogamous species of the bunch, but we’re closer to that end of the spectrum than the other end, where mating is little more than ships bumping into each other in the night,” and the author goes on to explain that, “It seems that for prairie voles, love is a drug. When male prairie vole mate, their brains release a chemical called vasopressin (National Geographic.com).” There are many examples of monogamy in the animal world, like wolves, Gibbons, swans, black vultures, French Angelfish, and Albatrosses just to name a few. So if true love and monogamy can exist in the animal world, why can’t it exist for humans? We are, after all, animals; some more than others.

The ideology of true love has been commercialized by musicians, corporations and authors to bleed your checkbook dry. Love undoubtedly exists in several forms but the American public could benefit by disregarding this fatuous myth that star-crossed lovers exist, particularly the starry eyed younger heterosexual couples that corporations love to bombard with this sort of propaganda. My suggestion? Don’t let yourself be affected by the hype, and most importantly, embrace the cliché of following your heart, not your wallet. The greatest love you can find may not be at the expense of your checkbook, after all, (to toss in another cliché) it’s the thought that counts. The next time a love-struck holiday comes around, or an anniversary or even a wedding proposal, don’t buy into it-make your feelings count, not your pennies. If your spouse, partner, or even your pet truly loves you, the best proof of this is time spent together, not money. Don’t spend your whole life gazing at the greener grass on the other side of the fence when the blades on your side only need a little time, upkeep, and maybe a sprinkle of fertilizer (I realize that this is a rather gross analogy of sprinkling a certain something to provide necessary sustenance, just keep your minds out of the gutter!). My mother always told me to do whatever made me happy. The irony is, while I was writing this paper, I told her I met someone new, someone who was almost unbearably sweet to me. She responded with “maybe it was meant to be.” I had a good chuckle, then realized how much I love my family, and how lucky I truly am. Sure, we may not be the embodiment of a textbook household, but we deeply care for each other. So instead of walking into the leg hold trap greedy corporations set in your search for true love, take a moment and reflect on your life. Is being star-struck really that important? Or is caring for those you do love held in higher regard?

Works Cited

Elvis Presley. Heartbreak Hotel. RCA Victor, 1956. MP3.

Foss, Sonja K. Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice. Long Grove, IL: Waveland, 2009. Print

Gotye, and Kimbra. Somebody I Used to Know. Gotye. Samples 'n' Seconds, 2011. MP3.

Johnny Cash. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Columbia Nashville Legacy, 1958. MP3.

Keller, Jared. "Archaeologists Just Discovered the Proof That True Love Really Exists." World Mic. N.p., 17 Sept. 2014. Web. 01 Oct. 2015

Maroon 5. Sugar. Interscope Records, 2015. MP3.

Shakespeare, William, and John Erskine Hankins. "Act II, Scene II." The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. New York: Scholastic Book Services, 1969. 45. Print.

Shelton, Blake. "God Gave Me You" Blake Shelton. Warner Bros., 2011. CD. From the Album "Red River Blue."

Slipknot. Snuff. Roadrunner Records, 2009. MP3.

Three Doors Down. Away From the Sun. Universal Records, 2002. MP3.

Tokumitsu, Miya. "In the Name of Love." Jacobin n.d.: n. page. Web. 2 Oct. 2015. <https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/01/in-the-name-of-love/>.

Zimmer, Carl. "Love Is A Virus." Phenomena Love Is A Virus Comments. National Geographic/Phenomena, 16 June 2004. Web. 02 Oct. 2015. <http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2004/06/16/love-is-a-virus/>.

Update:

They say the search for love is blind, that if you look for it love will pass you by. In my first semester at CSU, a philosophy professor loosely defined love as something you seek but can never attain. They also say you should stick to your guns and be persistent and resilient. I have one question: Who the fuck are THEY? Why are we letting society define what will make us happy or not? If all is fair in love and war then why the fuck do we have rules for both?

The truth is it's not fair. Sometimes you have to be devious and underhanded to succeed, but is that really success? If a man fishes all day and catches one is he happier than a deckhand who throws his nets and catches 50 in a day? Certainly. But contemporary romance resorts to guerilla tactics, a war of attrition to burn every bridge before cutting the last string. We don't break up with people anymore, we break people. Why? If there are so many possibilities for love out there why do we cause others such torment instead of moving on?

Because its fucking hard to move on that's why. One day you spend every moment with a person, from dawn to dusk, from pillow to pillow; the next... you wake up staring at an impression in the pillow, the one lingering remnant that they even existed. You try to throw everything away or give it back, every little knick knack or scribbled library love note, but you can never get rid of it all... it's like the glitter of a relationship.

And you try to move on but you can't. Just like every other transition in America, there's a waiting period. It's a period where nobody wants to hang out with you for fear you're "on the rebound." It nips notions of relationships in the bud; you're lucky to even get a coffee date. Everyone has their guard up: they either don't want to be ridden hard and put away wet, don't want to go out with you because they like you and it would eliminate any possibility for a future relationship, they just plain don't like you, or they're already taken or interested in someone else. There's this fucking dating limbo we get stuck in after breakups. It's bullshit. We need to end the cycle.

It has taken me years of jealousy, forgiveness, acceptance, hatred, and a multitude of other emotions to get where i am today. I've been thinking alot recently and I think I know why so many relationships fail. Consider a monarchy: one person in power. In most relationships, there is a dominant person and a submissive person. We've been teeter-tottering like this for the last century at least. So this is the idea I've been toying with, although it is extremely controversial and I'm sure I'll be attacked for it: a tripod or table is much stronger and more stable than a bipod. Now I'm not condoning polygamy, because I don't necessarily believe in marriage; marriage in America has become more about tax write-offs than love. It's become about saving relationships, not strengthening them. If you don't believe me consider this: I used to dj weddings and was once hit on by a bride whose husband just returned from serving in Afghanistan.

Because that is the norm, that is what is expected. People wait for others, people put themselves through misery and torture because they think it will look good on Facebook. They have to capture every little fucking emotion to prove their existence. "I think, therefore I am," not, "I post to social media, therefore I am." But the rant on how technology has spoiled romance will have to wait for a later date.

Back to my primary point: when we invest so much in one person, and suddenly that person is gone, our world is upside down. We are fucked, we cry, we sob, we get depressed, and we spend lots of time alone. Why? Most likely an argument in which both parties were too passionate or stubborn to give up and make amends. There is no mediation, and if there is, it's done by a third wheel that is not really involved enough to give a valid opinion. If there were three or more, if one person disagrees with another, the third can mediate or take sides if necessary. I think most political science majors will agree that an oligarchy is much more stable than a monarchy. With an equal dispersion of power and influence, success is more likely.

So why hasn't this happened before (I'm sure it has, but I'm trying to distinguish between a tripod and polygamy)? Well until recently, the ability to be free and open about your sexuality was repressed. When I say a tripod, I don't mean the guy would have two girlfriends (or however you want to configure it with people of different sexes or the same sex), there is a lack of ownership and titles. A couple doesn't always have to mean two. I'm talking about a quid pro quo of caring, love, and even fidelity. Each party cares about each other equally, and shows their love in such a way.

So attack me if you want, this is just a hypothetical rant from a man who has been broken so many times by traditional relationships he's beginning to feel like Humpty Dumpty (which I just realized has an interesting interpretation if you have a mind residing in the gutter). I'm not trying to reform relationships, I'm not trying to force ideas on anyone or offend anybody. I'm just a man in search of happiness, that's why my mother taught me.

Regardless of what you think of my opinions I hope you, the reader, finds happiness, finds (whatever you define as) love, and finds someone (or several) you can grow old with. Even if it's just a number of feral neighborhood cats and whatever plants spring up naturally in your yard. :)

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