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#fictional men gripping the hair of other fictional men is something that can be so personal

chaconnehoonie · 17 days

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BFFS- S.JY & P.SH

♡ Sunghoon x Fem! reader x Jake

Synopsis: Your best friends show you how real men treat women.

WC: 4.6k

Warnings: Mentions of cheating, threesome, cursing, Jakehoon call reader princess a lot

Smut warnings: Kissing, oral(f&m), handjobs, unprotected sex, double penetration, anal, slight manhandling, squirting, cream pie, reader maybe almost passes out, aftercare(i love)

This is fiction and the scenarios are completely fake and from my brain, none of the characters are like this in real life, MDNI!

A/N: This took me three days to write,, pls bear with me as I figure out my writing style. Jakehoon have me going brain dumb and I rlly needed to write this to get it out of my system, enjoy!

You slouched back in your seat, lolling your head to the side to watch the scenery as big open fields pass by quickly. Sighing in disappointment of your “girls day” gone wrong.

“Okay- what do you mean the Airbnb was cancelled? How do you even cancel one of those?” Sunghoon whines in the front seat while giving Jake directions to the nearest hotel. A real passenger princess, he is.

Jake’s grip on the steering wheel tightens, irritated at the faulty trip plan he had made for the three of you. “I don’t know.” He mutters through gritted teeth. “I wasn’t the one that canceled it. The host did, said something about a family emergency.”

Your eyes grow lazy as the sun sets, watching as the calming twilight takes over the sky. You couldn’t care any less about the Airbnb, just wanting to settle into the nearest bed and relax. So, when Jake finally pulls into the parking lot of the nearest hotel, you’re the first one to hop out of the car.

“Jesus, this place is scary.” You whisper to yourself but Sunghoon picks up on it, wrapping an arm around your shoulder and pulling you closer. “Sorry, Princess. I know this trip was supposed to be for you to relax and let go but we’re on a bit of a delay. The fun can start tomorrow.” He ruffles your hair a bit before you pull away to grab your suitcase. “Don’t even worry about it.”

He takes your suitcase in his hand while also holding his own, forearm flexing under his expensive Tiffany bracelet. “Seriously, Y/N. I’m sorry it’s not going as planned.” Jake is frowning next to you as you walk to the front desk and you shake your head at him. “Please, guys. I know you’re trying your best to make me feel better.”

You turn back to Sunghoon who is now holding your room key, ushering you to the fragile looking stairs that creak under each step. “Room 127.” He mutters out as you turn the corner, nodding his head towards the very end of a long hallway of doors.

Grabbing the key from him to run ahead of them, you open the creaky door to let them in first. “Thanks, Princess.” Jake follows behind Sunghoon through the threshold, kissing your temple in gratitude.

They both huff as they set down the luggage, immediately scanning the room to analyze your living situation. There’s two small beds with a nightstand between, an old CRT TV that probably doesn’t work, a scary painting of a cottage in a forest on the wall next to the bathroom door, and a tiny kitchen with only a small counter, mini fridge, and a table for two.

“Well,” Sunghoon sighs, plopping down onto a bed, “Let’s get comfy.” He smiles and even if this hotel is old and creepy, his grin makes you feel like you’re home. “Thank you, guys.” You’re hit with a sudden sense of sadness and guilt. “I know you guys like trips but this was so last minute because of me and I feel bad for making you guys go through this.”

Jake sits down next to Sunghoon, grabbing one of your hands to lead you to stand in front of them. “Don’t even worry about it. We planned this for you. No best friend of mine is going to get cheated on and then rot in bed for all of eternity.” Sunghoon nods in agreement, taking your other hand in his. “That’s right. We’re for lifers and I’d be an asshole to leave my bestie in the dirt just because she got a little closed off and depressed.”

You squeeze both of their hands, smiling down at their big, loving eyes. “You guys are sweet.” You feel a lump in your throat starting to form, and get suddenly too embarrassed of being emotional to be serious, “But you need to stop with the TikTok slang, I can’t take it seriously.” You joke and they both grin at your attempt to be funny, different from your recently quiet and moody personality.

“Why don’t you go take a shower and when we’re all done washing up, we can put a movie on my laptop, hm?” Sunghoon stands up and Jake follows, leading all three of you to check out the bathroom. As expected, the area is small with just a sink, toilet, and small shower. “Good thing I brought my own soaps.”

Just as you turn to grab your garment bag, a large cockroach is running across the floor and Jake is quick to step on it, hearing the loud splat as it’s squished against the tile. “Wow, I am not sleeping tonight”.

♡.

You mindlessly scroll through social media as your best friends are focused on the horror movie playing on the small screen in front of you, huddled up in a big blanket that’s covering them from head to toe, save for their eyes. All three of you are laying on your stomachs, and you’d feel them jerk and hear small squeals every now and then as they get scared, then teasing each other for being pussies which results in them rolling around on the bed trying to push each other off.

You sigh as you click on a certain story that makes your stomach drop, the video audio blasting as music plays through speakers and your screen flashes bright colorful lights while people dance and grind on each other.

“What are you doing? You’re not even watching the movie!” Jake nudges your side and you nudge him back, pushing him into Sunghoon who is laying next to him. “Yeah, we put this on for you!” Sunghoon joins in on the whining, reaching over Jake to steal your phone. “What are you looking at anyways-” He cuts himself off as he watches the video on your phone, suddenly tapping on the person’s profile. “Your ex? Seriously?”

You sink further into the bed with guilt, avoiding eye contact with the both of them as they stare at you in disbelief. “Why haven’t you blocked him yet?” Jake sounds hurt by this, maybe because you promised him you’d block the man after you left him. “I-I don’t know,” You huff, “I can’t just let go of him like that.” You watch the way Sunghoon’s jaw clenches in anger, then relaxes as he starts speaking again. “Y/N, he cheated on you. He doesn’t love you and you shouldn’t be trying to hold onto him like that anymore.” He doesn’t sound angry, but it’s serious enough to hit you where it hurts, taking a deep breath as tears start blurring your vision.

Before you have time to process it, Jake sits up and pulls you into his lap, sitting you sideways on one of his thighs. “You know he’s not trying to be rude.” He cups your face and wipes the falling tears away with his thumb. “We just want what’s best for you, and that asshole is definitely not the best.” Sunghoon hums in agreement, placing a hand on the back of your head and petting you soothingly.

“Let us show you how a real man treats his girl.” Sunghoon’s voice is low, almost a whisper and you can feel his breath on your neck. “W-what?” You sniffle, wiping any tears left on your cheek. “You heard me, babe. Let us make you feel good.” He pulls you off of Jake’s lap, laying you on the bed and kneels on one side of you as Jake kneels on the other side.

They both watch you with big, hopeful eyes, patiently waiting for your answer. You could moan just from the way they devour you with their gaze, so you decide to nod in agreement instead. Jake immediately leans down to kiss you, pressing his lips gently against yours while his hands hold your face. Sunghoon’s hands trail up your thighs and hips to hold your waist, pushing under your cropped tank top to grip your skin softly.

You moan quietly against Jake’s lips and he smiles at the way you’re easily relaxing into two pairs of hands. Sunghoon shifts lower, getting comfortable between your legs as he massages the flesh of your thighs. You moan into the kiss again, this time parting your lips slightly, but enough for Jake to slip his tongue through. At the first brush of his tongue against yours you stiffen, hands coming up to grip his hair.

Sunghoon softly squeezes your hip, grabbing your attention away from Jake and you pull away from the kiss with a string of saliva connecting your lips, blushing lightly at the vulgar image. Looking down at Sunghoon, he’s dangerously close to your core, with just your pajama bottoms and underwear in the way. “Can I take these off?” He asks softly, as if trying to make you as comfortable as possible. You whisper out a “yes” and Sunghoon smiles before pressing a kiss to your clothed thigh.

You look back up at Jake who is now groping you from over your thin tank top, watching the way your breasts squish under the weight of his palm. Your back arches slightly, pushing your chest closer to him while you pull him down for another kiss. His mouth opens as soon as your lips touch, letting you stick your tongue in and kiss him nasty enough for spit to trail down your chin and onto your neck.

Jake pulls away, kissing down your cheek to your jaw and neck, lapping at the saliva trail and sucking harshly at the joint of your neck and shoulder. Your back arches higher, grinding your hips against nothing as you realize Sunghoon has gotten your lower half completely bare. You pull your hands away from Jake and shoot up, covering yourself and blushing shyly.

“C‘mon, Princess, show me your pretty pussy.” He nips at your thigh, lightly tapping them to encourage you. Hesitantly, you spread your legs open as he stares down, licking his lips and smirking proudly. “That’s my girl.” He lifts off of his stomach to hover above you, knees on either side of you as Jake takes his spot between your legs. They moved so swiftly you almost didn’t realize that it was Sunghoon you were now kissing.

The way his lips move against yours is different than Jake, softer and less messy but just as hungry. He places his hands on your boobs, softly pinching one nipple and rolling it between his fingers. “A-ah” You whimper into his mouth, lightly biting his bottom lip and he whimpers back in response, shooting butterflies straight down to your core. Jake watches as more slick spills out of you, his cock large and heavy straining against his sweats.

He wastes no time, blowing cold air against your cunt and giving you no chance to complain about teasing as he licks a long stripe up your slit and retracts his tongue back into his mouth to hum at the taste. You shudder at the feeling of him softly kissing your clit, poking his tongue out to gently flick it against you as you press your body up and against Sunghoon.

He takes this as an invitation to continue undressing you, lifting your shirt over your head and staring holes into your chest. Before you can cover yourself again, he catches you and pins your arms above your head with one hand, while the other grabs your face, squishing your cheeks hard enough for your lips to plump up. “God, you’re beautiful.” He leans back down, kissing you softly and pulling away with a smack.

Behind him, Jake is sucking and licking every part of you he can, letting mixes of your slick and his saliva run down his chin and smear on his face. He takes your clit between his lips and sucks harshly. “Fuck- Jake, oh my god.” You moan loudly, pulling Sunghoon closer so he can kiss all over your chest, sucking dark purple and red bruises against your skin.

You assume this is what heaven is. Two hot men kissing and sucking on the most sensitive and intimate parts of you, their hands roaming all over your body to squeeze whatever they feel. You almost forgot that they’re your best friends.

Sunghoon pulls you out of your thoughts as he flicks his tongue over your nipple, softly taking it into his mouth and sucking on it desperately. This sends you over the edge, suddenly feeling too close to your orgasm that your thighs start to tingle and your breathing is unsteady. “Holy shit, g-gonna cum.” You barely have time to warn them before your thighs are closing around Jake’s head, one hand in his hair and the other in Sunghoon’s as he drools against your chest.

“That’s it, baby. Let him taste you.” Sunghoon groans into your ear, his length growing impossibly harder as you lose yourself. Jake doesn’t let go of your clit, instead going further and slipping a finger inside of you easily. “Jesus, you’re soaking.” He smiles as more slick spills out of you, wetting the bed and trailing down his forearm.

“Ah! Too much!” You whine as Jake starts curling his finger, never letting your clit leave his mouth. “It’s okay princess, have to get you prepped for us.” He adds another finger, moaning against your heat at the way he easily slips his digits in, curling them up as your hips chase the feeling.

Sunghoon takes your hand that’s in his hair and trails it down his body, landing on his hard-on. You look up at him as his eyebrows are furrowed, lip caught between his teeth as you gently palm him through his pants. “Go on, take it out.” He wiggles his hips cutely and you nod eagerly.

You fumble with his belt, having to stop a few times to moan and grind against Jake’s fingers. You finally loosen it, popping open the button and unzipping so you can tug his pants down his thighs aggressively. “Relax, baby, I’m not going anywhere.” You blush and look back up at him, and he can’t help but cup your face, using his thumb to play with your bottom lip. You stick your tongue out to lick the top of his finger and the sight is overwhelming.

He mutters a quiet “fuck” and stumbles off of the bed, pulling his jeans and boxers down before hopping back onto the bed and kneeling at your side again. You take his length in your hand, going cross eyed at how close it is to your face. He’s huge, and you’re starting to doubt your ability to please him. You inhale deeply, softly stroking him just enough to keep him content as you gather yourself.

You don’t notice the way he smiles down at you, taking in just how sexy you look holding his cock while being stuffed with Jake’s mouth and fingers. He’s never admit, however, how many times he’d jerked off imagining this situation or how many times he planned something like this with Jake.

You lean foward to kiss his bare thigh, leading a trail up to his base and up his shaft, then leaving one final kiss on his tip. He throws his head back at the soft feeling, already sensitive and ready to cum on your pretty face. Jake reaches impossibly deep inside of you and you can’t help the loud moan that escapes, warm breath fanning against Sunghoon’s length. He visibly stiffens before grabbing his cock and swiping it across your lips, coating them with shiny pre-cum.

You stick your tongue out just enough to taste him, but not enough to fit him inside your mouth and he groans at your teasing. The sound is enough to send a shock through your body, bringing you to your second orgasm. “Oh, fuckfuckfuck-“ you’re barely able to moan before Sunghoon quickly slides his cock into your mouth, forcing you to gag and choke through your orgasm.

Quickly pulling off, you take a deep breath before shoving Sunghoon back in your mouth, taking half of him down and jerking off the rest while Jake laps up the mess between your thighs. Your thighs start to shake, closing shut around Jake’s head again, attempting to shove him off of you with your free hand. Of course, he doesn’t let up and just uses his strength to force your thighs back open, this time hooking his arms around them to shove his face back in.

He aims straight for your rim, cleaning the mess that’s still leaking from your cunt. It’s a new sensation, something you haven’t tried out before, although now you’re not opposed to trying it again sometime. Who knows, maybe a second time with your best friend.

You gag loudly as Sunghoon’s hips snap and he shoves himself deeper into your mouth, but he halts when you don’t complain and instead take him deeper, testing how far you can take him until you’re reaching the base and nuzzling your nose against his patch of hair.

You breathe in through your nose to keep yourself there longer, saliva pooling in your mouth and spilling out onto your chin and down Sunghoon’s girth. “Fuck, babe, you’re nasty.” He pulls away suddenly, forcing himself out of your mouth and you get the chance to finally moan, acknowledging Jake and letting him know you haven’t forgotten about him.

How could you forget about him, with the way he laps from your soaking cunt to your rim, eating you out like he’s been starved his whole life. You even catch a glimpse of him rutting his hips against the bed, chasing any friction he can to soothe his aching cock.

“Jake” you rasp out, pulling his head up to look you in the eyes. The way his hair is messy and his eyes are wide and needy is almost enough to make you cum a third time. “You must be hurting��” you nod your head towards him, motioning to his very obvious painful boner. “Let me help.” He wants to reject you, feeling guilty after promising he’ll take care of you, why make you return the favor?

With the way you look at him with pleading eyes, though, he doesn’t hesitate to undo his sweats, pulling them straight down along with his boxers, and then reaches for the hem of his shirt to pull it off. Sunghoon does the same, using his own shirt to wipe the spit from your chin and neck.

Settling on his knees the same way Sunghoon is, he’s already breathing heavy just from imagining you touching him. So, when you take him in your hand and rub your thumb over his slit, he’s letting out a loud whine that has you craving more. You stroke Sunghoon in one hand while leaning towards Jake to take his tip in your mouth. He immediately bucks his hips forward, then pulls all the way back to apologize.

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry- ahh!” You don’t care about his apology, only wanting to hear more of his needy whines as you lick from his base to tip, suckling on the head and looking up to catch his reaction. Just seeing him looking so wrecked just from a few seconds of touching has you moaning around his cock, stroking Sunghoon faster with a tight grip.

Sunghoon thrusts his hips, chasing your fist with every pull and tug, his groans and curses raising in volume each time. Meanwhile Jake’s eyes close tightly, one hand resting on the back of your head while the other holds your cheek, feeling the way it hollows as you take him down your throat. The image is far from unholy. Sitting there, taking one cock down your throat while jerking another.

Feeling bad for Sunghoon, you release Jake but continue stroking him, turning to take Sunghoon in your mouth. “Fuck, just like that. Pretty mouth knows exactly what to do, hm?” His praises make you whine, grinding your own hips down on the bed but missing any possible friction.

Of course, even after two orgasms you crave more. You need more whines and moans from both of them, showing you just how good you make them feel.

You turn back to Jake, taking his cock all the way down your throat, staying there, letting the drool spill from the corners of your mouth as tears do the same from your eyes. He’s choking out a moan, strings of curses falling upon deaf ears as you put your sole focus on getting him to finish. You know exactly what you need to do.

Pulling your head back, you gently lift his cock to stroke it as you turn your neck to lick and suck at his balls. His hips halt, thighs shaking as he grips your hair painfully rough. “God, Fuck- I’m gonna cum.” He cries out, legs continuing to shake as you take him back into your mouth, running your tongue across his slit until he’s filling your mouth with cum.

His whines seem to set something off in Sunghoon, who’s now cursing loudly as he shoots his own ropes of cum across your cheek and down your neck and chest. You don’t know why all it took was Jake to climax for him to finally cum, but maybe you’ll ask him about that another time.

They both stay kneeling, catching their breaths as you fall onto your back against the pillows, legs weak but still sticky between your thighs. “We’re not done, baby.” Jake leans down to peck your lips when he notices your worried look. Falling next to you, he lays down and pulls you on top of him, hands soothing down your sides in a comforting way.

He pulls your face down for another kiss, breaking it to speak lowly in your ear. “Want me to fuck you?” You already know you’re spilling down your thighs again, looking down to watch the way your pussy sits perfectly on his still hard length. You don’t reply, instead grinding down and forward, sliding yourself against him.

“Yeah? Think you can take it?” You’re in a trance from the way he’s speaking to you, holding you, like you’re precious to him. You nod eagerly, sitting up on your knees to rub his tip across your slit, hearing the slick noises of your arousal. Taking a deep breath, you slowly ease him into you, sitting down and wincing at the way he impales you just from a few inches.

Jake’s face is angelic, eyebrows slightly furrowed but his bottom lip is caught between his teeth, turning white at how hard he’s biting. You finally sit all the way down, feeling him twitch inside of you as you slowly rock your hips, falling forward to moan in his neck. His hands tightly grip your waist, holding you still as he pulls out then slides himself back in, throwing his head back in a loud moan.

You thrust yourself down, meeting his own thrusts halfway as he picks up the pace, low skin slapping sounds filling the room. You completely forgot that Sunghoon was behind you, until his hands are palming your butt, and his lips find their place on your back. His gentle kisses up your spine give you chills, clenching down on Jake who whimpers at the sensation.

“Think you can take both of us?” Sunghoon kisses your ear, giving you no time to respond as he stands back up to do something from behind you that you can’t see. “What?” You ask in a small voice, but it’s answered right away when you feel him spit onto the crack of your ass, saliva sliding down and coating your rim.

You try to turn around but Jake pulls you back into a harsh kiss, tongue massaging your own and pulling whines from your throat. He distracts you enough for you to forget about Sunghoon again, while he gently prods his tip at your entrance. “Hoon! What are you- ah!” You’re cut off as he easily slides in, the new sensation knocking your breath out of you.

“Ever take it in the ass, baby?” He leans down to peck your cheek, slowly inching himself in with each thrust. Once he’s fully inside, he pulls back out to the tip just to slam himself back inside. Jake takes this as the green light to also thrust into you again, bucking his hips up at the same pace as Sunghoon.

If you thought you were in heaven earlier, you wouldn’t know what to call this. This act of whatever love or lust this is. Perhaps it was just your friends’ way of declaring their love for you. Or, just trying to prove how a man should treat you, how he should fuck you. You can’t complain though, having both holes filled by big, girthy cocks is something you thought you could only dream of.

And as Jake sensually sucks on your lower lip, and Sunghoon is leaving dark hickeys on your neck, you think you might be in love. With both of them.

One particular thrust from Sunghoon has him throwing you foward and onto Jake’s chest, crying out in pleasure while his grip on your hips is painful. He leans down, keeping one hand on your hip as the other arm is crossing your chest, catching your neck between his forearm and bicep, puling you back up to kneeling with Jake still inside of your cunt.

With your back pressed to Sunghoon’s chest and his length deep inside your ass, you bounce harder, faster, both of them filling you so pleasurably you cry out, tears falling from your eyes as you scream with a horse voice. “Fuck- God, yes! I’m c-cumming!” You go silent with your jaw slack as your orgasm washes over you, every inch of your body tingling as you clench impossibly tight on both of them, with just the sound of light splashing and skin slapping keeping you conscious.

Your eyes are closed but you can feel the way Jake stops thrusting, filling you with his thick warm liquid and Sunghoon soon follows, releasing himself into your hole enough to have it dripping past your rim and back onto himself.

You collapse onto your butt next to Jake, noticing the large wet spot left on the bed covers. “Did…did I do that?” You ask shyly, blushing as Sunghoon nods and kneels next to you, pulling you to lay down with him and spooning you while you wrap one arm around Jake’s abdomen.

You feel like you’ve truly ascended, as if this is the universe’s way of rewarding you for every good deed you’ve committed. Having two warm men holding onto you, kissing you, loving you like you deserve. You’d take this any day, even if it’s with your best friends.

#enhypen smut #enhypen x female reader #park sunghoon smut #sim jaeyun smut #sunghoon smut #jake smut

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kentowifey · 20 days

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IM SHY!

contains;; gojo satoru, kento nanami, choso kamo, toji fushiguro, ryomen sukuna, geto suguru

alt title;; how the jik men react have sex w a shy!reader!!

warnings;; sorta sub!choso, sukuna's part is more explicit than the others (idk what to write), remember! that these r fictional characters they r not real!!, this is my first time writing for some of the character so i'm sorry if i didn't describe them well, sorry if it seem rushed

˖˚˳⊹NANAMI

When you try to avert your eyes from him, nanami believes that he did something wrong. stopping Halfway through, gliding his hand over your hips, he starts to soothe you as he asks what's wrong and if he should stop or not. you've had sex before but he's never seen you like this. When he realizes you're just shy, he chuckles and says he'll move very slowly. Nanami wants to hear your sweet voice always, but if you're too shy for that right now he can wait. maybe he can even close his eyes too if it'll make you feel better. You wan work up to looking at him, he doesn't mind.

˖˚˳⊹CHOSO

Choso is fine with you turning your head but he must hear you moan for him. He encourages you to vocal in bed as much, if not more, than he does. Your tiny whimpers and the breathy way you sigh his name cause his throbbing cock to tingle with pleasure. He needs to fuck every noise out of you, he has to find out what noises you can make for him while your pussy gets pounded by him.

˖˚˳⊹GETO

laying you on your side, geto wraps his arms over your stomach to draw you in, and continues to fuck you. this way, you won't need to be embarrassed about making eye contact as he can still go deep and paint his mark all over your lovely neck. That's a really good way to make love to you, in his opinion, until you get a bit more confidence.

˖˚˳⊹TOJI

Toji wants to look at you, to hear your sweet voice right now, but if you're too shy for that, he can work with that. pushing your head down into the pillows and angle your hips up, you don't have to look at him in this position but he can still see you perfectly, watching as his cock be swallowed up by your needy pussyhole while you stifle your moans by biting into the pillow..

˖˚˳⊹GOJO

Gojo got you covered! Your cunt feels so warm, so tight, and so wet that it is aching to be fucked by his cock. There is no way that he will stop fucking you. He is unable to stop at this point, so he uses his blindfold on you and silences your cries by placing his lips over your lips. your eyes roll back as you shake, clenching down on his cock as a clear stream of your juices hit his pelvis. Your boyfriend groans deeply before burying himself inside you and pumping you full with his cum.

˖˚˳⊹SUKUNA

His stare is so intense that you grow shy and cover yourself, whereas Sukuna quickly grips your wrist as a warning. “No. You do not hide yourself from me,” you whine softly as your fingers thread through his messy pink hair, throat bobbing up and down in nervousness. making himself comfortable between your soft thighs, strong and tattooed arms wrapped around them like muscular garter belts, keeping you pried open for him and him only.

#jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen x reader #nanami kento #nanami x reader #choso kamo #choso x reader #toji fushiguro #toji zenin #toji x reader #gojo satoru #gojo x reader #geto suguru #geto x reader #sukuna #sukuna x reader #HUBBY KEN ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆

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just-some-random-blogger · 1 year

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Hello amazing blogger! I've been drowning in WIPs and rl chaos lately, and really need to take care of myself for a bit.

Do you mind doing a Daemon blurb where he tries to make her feel better with slow, intimate sex at noticing she's depressed?

Thank you, have a lovely day 💐

Lies Are Treason

Daemon Targaryen x Reader

Summary: The fire that drew your husband to you in the first place is now dwindling, and that was a serious problem.

Word Count: 3k+

Warnings: Opens with violence, fem!reader, wife!reader, soft!daemon T_T i love him, reader is not having a nice time, smut (reader kinda cries mid fucking and gets emotional, praise kink, bratty!reader, cock warming, cream pie), typos, etc.

A/N: hello my lover <3 i give you kiss. i am honored that you reached out to me during a time like this. i often wonder what value my fanfics hold in the grand scheme of the world other than silencing the loud romance ideas i have with fictional men i will never meet T_T, but then i think about how reading and writing fanfics makes me feel happy, and so i only hope my brain farts do something similar for someone else yeah may the imaginary dick imma give you suffice to alleviate a fraction of your heavy thoughts HAHAAHAH

Daemon knew.

He felt it in the way he woke up earlier than his lover, the way he had to slow his pace as not to leave her behind, how he had to chose what she would wear, and now, how he had to look for her, since he'd no idea where she gone.

There was something wrong. Something was bothering his wife and someone somewhere was going to pay for it.

In this moment, it was your handmaiden who was quivering in fear with Dark Sister between her eyes.

"My lord," she wept, "I- I-"

"You are her helper, are you not?" Daemon seethed, stepping closer to the poor, innocent servant girl who had fallen on her hind, terrified by her master's cold accusations, "your job is to keep my lady wife in your sight and attend to her every need."

"My prince," she shudders, raising her hands, "the princess is not kept by anyone-" tears streak her face, "-you know this."

Daemon hums deeply, moving stray hair away from the girl's face with his blade, "and yet the fact that you do not know her whereabouts enrages me still."

"My prince!" a separate panicked voice calls.

"What?!" Daemon quips, not prying his eyes on his target.

"The guards say they've seen the princess in the dragon pit."

Daemon turns away from the quivering girl, to the other that was fighting to save her fellow servant, "and you understand that lying to me is treason."

Dark Sister is upon the other's neck now.

Daemon moves closer to her, annoyance and boredom lacing his expression, "if I find your information false, not only will I return fucking fed up, but I will have the head of the guards who muttered the nonsense to you."

Daemon watches her squirm underneath his weapon.

He raises his brows, "well? The guards names?"

"Oswald and James, your grace," she shudders, cheeks stained with tears.

Daemon pulls his sword away and tuts, "you better not be wrong."

One could only imagine the collective relief across the castle after Daemon made it to the pit and saw who he had been searching for all along.

I hear a deep sigh and turn over my shoulder.

"You know I nearly killed your handmaiden a few moments ago."

My hand that was stroking Caraxes' face stills as I look off to my husband who was walking over, "what? Why?!"

"Well," he starts, only continuing once he was next to me, stroking Caraxes all the same. His dragon snorts hotly in greeting as Daemon continues, "my wife had gone missing."

I don't even roll my eyes at him as I look away and mutter, "overreacting, as always." I gently stroke the scales beneath my palm, "you will apologize with tears.'

I only turn to Daemon when he grabs my hand. His face is tense and his grip on me is firm, "at least I'm in character."

I knit my brows at him, tilting my head, "are you saying I am not?"

I turn from Caraxes and walk backwards until I can lean against the creature's large body. Daemon does not release my hand and follows me as I do so.

"I am bossing you around, clearly," I state.

"Yet there is no grit to it," he retorts.

Before I could respond to what my husband told me, Caraxes, who had been lying on the ground, begins to rumble softly. He lift his head, shaking it before craning his neck to look at his master.

The two stare at each other, wordlessly communicating, then the dragon pulls his head back down and grunts.

When Daemon turns back to me, he sighs, muttering something softly in High Valyrian.

I attempt to decipher the words, "Caraxes is not feeling good?"

"No," Daemon retorts, reaching his hand out to my cheek, "it is you who is not feeling good."

I stare at the man who inches nearer up until our chests are pressed together. Unable to bare his gaze, I turn away and nudge Caraxes with my elbow, "snitch."

Daemon sighs, leaning down as his hands snake around me. His face finds its spot at the crook of my neck, and by the curve of my shoulder, he presses a kiss. He rubs his cheek against mine as he whines, "you think I do not already know?"

I feel disarmed by his words, so much so I shift my weight and lean fully against him, pressing my face on his shoulders as my hands cling on his sides, "I hoped you would continue to ignore it."

"Nothing was ignored," he pulls me closer to him, propping his chin on the top of my head, "a ridiculous thought really," he tightens his arms around me, "why do you think I agreed to letting you drink until you could not walk the other night?"

I hum, tilting my head up so I could brush my lips on his neck, "I thought you just wanted your wife to relive her youthful alcoholism."

He draws shapeless patterns on my back, "I knew you needed a release."

"Release he said," I chuckle, "ironic when I took in so much wine that my belly swelled like I was pregnant."

He does not respond to this.

A moment of silence passes after.

Daemon begins to rub my back and I feel like I could fall asleep in his arms. I close my eyes and pull away from him however, hands instinctively finding their way to my husbands shoulders.

His hands are firmly gripping on my sides as I feel him lean down and press his forehead against mine.

I rub my thumbs on the fabric of his clothing and simply savor his presence.

"Speak to me," he whispers like a plea.

I raise my chin, eyes still closed. I grab his face and kiss him; warmth envelopes me the moment I do so. His hands force me closer and his lips are hungrier than mine. When I pull away, he chases me with one last peck and places another on my cheek.

"I do not know what to tell you, Daemon," I mumble, finally opening my eyes.

Daemon pulls back, looking down at me with concern, as if trying to will words out of his mouth.

"I just... fell unlike myself, and even Caraxes seemed desperate about it." I brush his silver locks behind his ear as I mutter, "I don't know. I am nearly as bad at this as you are."

His hands catch my cheeks. He caresses the area before he slides his palms all the way back down to my waist. He gently rocks me against him, averting his eyes in contemplation. He kneads on my flesh as he decides, "then let me do something that I am good at."

He turns back to me as I link my fingers behind his nape, "and what are you good at, husband?"

"Releasing into my pretty wife as she cries out my name," he sighs as he bends to kiss my neck.

I moan when he nibbles my skin, "Daemon."

He responds by muttering my name as he pulls away. His eyes locks on mine, as if searching for permission.

I place a hand on his cheek and brush my thumb on his lips, "take me back to our quarters."

Without another word, he grabs the hand on his cheek and drags me away.

The very moment we are in our chambers, he closes the door and grabs me, attacking me with kisses like a man starved.

Daemon pushes me backwards, fingers nimbly making its way down the laces on the back of my dress, up until my calves hit the bed.

Before he pushes me on the mattress, he pulls my dress down, dropping to his knees. He kisses my sternum on the way as he works on getting me out of my clothing. I bite my lip as I look down at him.

I lightly comb my fingers on his scalp as he bites my thighs while urging me out of my dress.

"Daemon."

He looks up at me.

I grab his cheeks, as he stands. Once he is towering over me again, I begin to undo his own clothing, pulling him out of his tunic and sinking down to free him of his trousers. He doesn't grant me the courtesy of biting his thighs as he pulls away, kicking his pants off and grabs me, pushing me back on the bed.

He allows me to crawl up on my elbows until my head is on the pillows. He doesn't waste time and gets on top me, positioning himself in between my legs.

He hums in appreciation of the heat against him. He praises me in High Valyrian and grabs my thighs as he rubs against me, "so pretty and warm.

I groan at the feel of him grinding on my sensitive nub. He slows as he sinks down on my shoulder, peppering kisses all over my skin. I wrap my legs around him as I dig my fingers into the roots of his hair.

He props his hands to the side and bucks his hips against me. I whine, pressing my lips on any part of his skin that I can reach.

"Daemon," I mutter against him, "you feel so good."

He sucks on my skin then bites down, making my stomach flutter. He connects our lips together and squeezes my sides, "I'll make you feel better, my love."

After saying this, Daemon sheathes his hard length that was wet with my slick. I roll my eyes back at the feel of him stretching me out.

He grunts, thrusting shallowly, but then stills as he sings me praises, "so nice and ready for me, sweet girl."

"Always ready for you," I mewl, licking his lower lip before grazing it between my teeth.

Daemon rubs my sides as he moans at the feeling of my bites.

He begins to move against me, but he barely pulls out, as if fearing the loss of me. I bring my hands to his hips and dig my nails in, "more, more, more."

He shushes me, then clicks his tongue, "so impatient."

"Break me, Daemon," I mutter, helplessly, moving my hips in sync with his, "please, I need you to fuck me."

He hisses when I rip at his skin. He pushes his face against mine, forcing my cheeks on the pillow, "behave, little one. I will not be bullied by someone who squirms at the very feel of my touch."

I whine again at both his words and the feel of his mouth on my jaw. I half expect a punishing thrust to be had. When he does not relent his excruciatingly slow pace, I begin to beg, "Daemon, please, please, please! I want to-"

His hands forcing my wrists to the sides shut me up with a gasp.

Daemon hovers his face above mine, and I nearly choke at the sight of him, "I told you to behave."

He rolls his hips into me, still so leisurely but so deliciously that I cannot contain my moan. Yet it's not enough. I want him to ruin me.

I whine out his name again, "Daemon please."

He sighs at the sounds I make and pushes himself up on his arms, "you know better than anyone that no one can change my mind once its made."

I chew on my lips as I look up at him. My desperate need of him makes my eyes begin to water. My hands dart up to his cheeks as I complain, "I can change your mind, my love. Please, please."

Daemon's dark eyes take in my wanton figure. He leans into my pulse and kisses it, "the world has broken you enough," he draws out a long breath when I clench around him desperately.

When he curses in High Valyrian and he sinks back down against my face, I mistake it as defeat. I seal him against me tightly and nip at his neck. I find myself ceasing my nibbling when I hear him whisper against my ear, "just let me love you tonight, my dear. Let me show you how much you mean to me."

Daemon then, although still brutally slow, begins to thrust more thoroughly, pulling out farther and plunging deeper. The sensation has me reeling and my stomach begins to tense.

"My pretty wife," Daemon groans, rutting against me, "so lovely, so soft, and all mine."

My nails find his skin again, scratching all the way to the center of his back.

He moans sucking at my neck as he continues his ministrations.

"I would burn the whole world if that's what it took to mend your heart."

I moan his name in response, voice not ceasing as it draws out pleasured noises. I look to him, trying to find his face, but he's too lost in his movements and too snug against me.

I screw my eyes shut when he finally begins to quicken.

I squeal before I speak, "yes, Daemon," I grunt, "so good- like that- more."

He pants, hand coming up to my neck, "I would do anything for you," he kisses my jaw, "you know this, right?"

I whine as I nod, "yes, Daemon, yes, yes, yes, yes-"

"So, let me do this. Let me take care of you," he mutters, "do not withdraw from me again."

When I open my eyes and catch his gaze, my throat goes dry and my eyes begin to spill with water. I groan out his name in a manner I am so not sure of.

He kisses the tears that begin to fall down my face and snaps his hips quicker, "take solace in me the way I do you."

My voice is too preoccupied with whines that I do not get to reply.

The bed begins to squeak and knock on the wall at his ferosity.

Daemon seals my whimpers against his lips as pressure begins to build within me. My lashes, dampened with tears, begin to flutter at the feel of my husband. At the rate he was going, my release was swift and inevitable. He drags his lips up to my forehead, kissing my nose and eyelids tenderly as he does, juxtaposing the roughness of his severity in my core.

I come around him all at once, growling his name in pleasure, tensing tightly then turning into putty.

Daemon mutters my name as well, over and over, until I feel his hotness spread inside me. I nearly choke on my spit at the feel of his unrelenting snapping even after the fact.

Just when I think he will not stop, he begins to grow sloppy. I sigh as he eventually halts. By then, I am plainly aware of the feel of his seed overflowing, though he is still snug within me.

Although I am utterly boneless beneath him, I manage to tighten my limbs around frame, absolutely unwilling to free him from where he was. The last of his movement fade and I fell utterly spent of his love.

Daemon presses a kiss on my cheek, hands coming to my sides, "I am here, my love. I will not leave."

Without warning, my lips begin to quiver.

I am suddenly overcome with emotion. I begin to feel my throat and chest tighten as sadness creeps out of me, finally seeing its chance.

I force myself not to cry, but I am powerless when Daemon begins to hush me, "sweet girl, it'll be alright." I am broken by the time he repeats, "I am here."

I bring my hands to his shoulder blades and knead at the area, "I need you, Daemon. I can't be without you, ever. I love you so much."

He kisses me as he nods, "I know. I would go mad without you by my side," he kisses me again, drawing out a long breath before continuing, "I love you like I have not known love before."

He allows me to empty my sorrows against him, comforted by his mere presence in the silence.

Sobs beginning to die down, I turn to him and bring my palms to his cheeks. He lifts his head to look down upon me and brushes his nose against mine.

I repeat, as if I hadn't made myself clear, "I love you."

"I love you," he repeats not a second too late, then kisses my lips, "I love you so fucking much."

I nod rapidly, kissing every inch of his face, "thank you for this, my love," I sigh and readjust my legs around him, "I did not know I needed it."

The vibrations of his laughter cause me to whimper. He places a kiss on the top of my head, "spoiled brats hardly ever do."

"I'm not spoiled," I furrow my brows and pout, "you're the one who grew up..." I moan, "a prince."

His minute hip movements tease out another sound out of me.

I whine in protest, "Daemon, please, I can't."

He clicks his tongue, "see? Pretty girls like you should take what they are given graciously without complaints," he brushes his nose against me, "especially when it is a generous gift from her prince."

I release a sigh once he ends his torture.

"Still," Daemon smirks, "I could not bare to make my wife cry even more."

"You can make me cry, if you want," I mumble as I kiss his shoulder, "just let me stay like this for a while," I rub his back, "I like it when I'm full of you."

Daemon relaxes on top of me and I relish the weight of him.

"I like it when you're full of me too."

#daemon fanfic #daemon smut #daemon x reader #daemon x wife!reader #daemon targaryen fanfic #daemon #daemon targaryen #daemon targaryen smut #daemon fluff #daemon targaryen x reader #daemon targaryen x you #soft!daemon #daemon fic #caraxes baby boy #house of the dragon fanfic #hotd fanfic #targaryen smut

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zqcky01 · 13 days

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Hello I just gotta say I love how you write stone so much ThankYou for doing fan fictions like these it makes my day and can I ask for a stone x strong reader like reader can take on 5 guys at once or something I think it will be really interesting you can make it rich or scrap I don't care, i love you're work btw ❤❤

I Bet Five Dollars!

Stone x Reader

a/n: I LIVE FOR A STRONG READER

➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶➴➵➶

You weren’t sure how you got into this mess. One minute, you were arguing with a few men who were yelling at Vinnie for cheating. Now the next minute you were in a circle of men, Vinnie, Skipp, and Stone being held back by a few other people who were betting on who was gonna win this fight.

“I bet on that one!” One guy said, pointing to you. “Tweety on the brown hair guy!” Another guy said.

You stared up at the five men, confused. But ready. You gripped your dagger tightly in your hands. “Come at me!” You yelled. Vinnie perked up, before she smirked. “Kick their asses!”

Two of the men, jumped at you on your left and right. To which you stumbled back, causing them both to run into each other which caused them fall. Which gave her time to focus on the other three men.

There were two of the men behind you, which also jumped at you, you heard their feet stomping which made you go to the right and leave your leg out which caused them to fall. “Ow!”

The only man left was in front of you. “You little bitch!” He yelled as he charged at you. You held out your dagger. The two of your daggers clashed into each other. The two of you holding it front of you, your teeth grinding.

Stone blinked at he watched you, completely fascinated by you and the way you move so quickly and efficiently.

You smirked, before you moved over to the side which made the man fall and hit his nose into the ground.

The other two men from behind gotten up and charged you. You jumped, before stepping over the guy who was floor and stood on the other side of him. The other two guys didn’t notice him, so they tripped over his body and fell.

The other men left, also gotten up. You held your dagger up at them, which made them stop. Thought about it, before they ran off.

“Awh man..I just lost five bucks..” Some guy said he frowned.

“OH MY GOD!!” Vinnie screamed as she ran over to you and hugged you tightly. “Gah! You did great!” Skipp cheered as he hugged you too. Stone only slowly walked over to you, titling his head to the side. He went in front of you and grabbed your cheeks.

“That was reckless.”

#x you #ramshackle x you #fluff #oneshot #ramshackle x reader #stone x reader ramshackle #stone x reader #x reader #ramshackle stone #silly

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firstprincewrites · 8 months

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This Magnetic Force Of A Man

Henry is captivated by Alex Claremont-Diaz, there's no other way to describe the heat in his belly or the instant infatuation. For a long time, Henry is hopeless, dreaming a dream that seems so far away. When a media disaster strikes and things change for the better, Henry is left overwhelmed by the intensity of Alex - the man himself is a force to be reckoned with. In their heavier moments, Henry leans into the soft grip of dark curls, leans into the feeling of being grounded by another. Read to find out how Henry navigates all the big moments in their relationship, one hair pull at a time.

Caught Beneath the Landslide

What if Henry hadn't been emotionally unavailable leading to him being rude to Alex upon first meeting him in Melbourne? What if, instead of hating each other, their relationship starts right then and there? Come find out what happens when Henry and Alex find themselves growing up together, nursing a connection, and navigating hurdles in life without the fear of being alone in the fight. What could our boys possibly get up to now?

When Everything's Made To Be Broken

Henry is happy to be back at Etton College for his senior year but that's thrown off course by the president's son untimely arrival. A personal catastrophe brings Alex to England to rain on Henry's parade - at least, that's what the Prince thinks when the First Son arrives. Soon, Henry finds that there's a lot more to Alex and the relationship meant to exist between them.

Keep Breaking Me In

After a long night, Henry isn't expecting Shaan to knock on his door to bring bad news. Yet, his equerry stands there with a sheepish look on his face, nonetheless. Henry is quick to find out that Phillip got his hands on a damning video and plans to use it as a way to dishonorably discharge Henry from military service. Too bad Phillip doesn't recognize the other man in the video - Alex Claremont-Diaz is a high caliber Civil Rights lawyer just waiting to defend instances just like this.

Try To Document This Light

Buying the brownstone is both the start of Henry's path away from the crown and a concrete future for himself and Alex. It's a place he can call home with the man that he loves, a place where they can grow, change, and shift into the men they're going to be for the world to come. After a lifetime of not really belonging anywhere, Henry finds a space that's truly his. Read to catch little peaks into his life with Alex and what the future has in store for them between the walls of that simple little brownstone.

Just the Thought Of You (Gets Me So High)

"Amy helped me plan it."What went into Henry's ocean crossing surprise? What were his thoughts going to the DNC where he'd finally see Alex on the stage, doing what he loves & looking amazing while doing it? Read to find out Henry's side of things as the night of the DNC unfolds.

I Like That Thing You Do

Ever since the first polo match Alex attended, his obsession with Henry on a horse has only grew. Years into their relationship, Alex is still hanging onto the pitch's fence, watching with rapt fascination. Read to find out what happens when Phillip asks a question that creates a lust monster Alex can't control. No one ever said those white pants Henry wears aren't meant to be destroyed.

With the View In the Morning (You Won't Ever Go Back)

Despite being together just shy of a year, the night of the election is a first for both Alex and Henry. After sneaking away to linger in their victory, Henry is surprised by Alex's initiative. They're on his home court so Henry is expecting the usual but Alex has something different in mind. The shift is enough to knock Henry's world off kilter in the best of ways. Read to find out how Henry survives his first time topping.

Can We Dance In the Dark?

"Who would you be?""Be a writer. Live in Paris."Inspired by this beautiful quote, this fic follows Henry Fox, a writer who's famous for crafting stories about a fictional prince - The Royal Blue series follows James through the trials and tribulations of being young, royal, and gay as a maypole. He loves what he does but inspiration is dry. He can't find the words and is severely stuck in a bout of writer's block. To try and abate it, Henry takes David for a walk - fate, the dear she is, finds a way to intervene. After a collision, Henry comes face to face with Alex Claremont-Diaz, law student and first son of the United States. Read to find out how their relationship develops into something worth writing about.

This Happily Ever After

For such a natural, easy sort of relationship like Alex and Henry's, there is a lot of weight on their shoulders. Despite themselves, they're making history with each new step they take in their relationship. It's a good thing, then, that neither man is a stranger to the limelight. When Alex teases about them making history, Henry doesn't know how deep that comment will run or how true it actually is. Read to catch a few pieces of Alex & Henry's relationship where they make their own history. Sometimes, two people are meant to shape the world, no matter the circumstance.Or - 5 times Alex jokes about making history and 1 time Henry reciprocates.

I Get Lost, I Get Washed Away

Law school is stressful from the start but it reaches a fever pitch during Alex's last semester. He decides Henry's birthday is the perfect excuse to get away from it all so he hatches a plan to not only be there for Henry's birthday but surprise him with his presence, too. They're on the cusp of something in their relationship and Alex is ready to help whatever it is along. Everything works out perfectly, down to the moonlit car ride they take at the end of the night. Read to find out how an overstimulated Alex pampers the birthday boy - in the end, they both take care of each other.

I Got A Girl Crush

Alex Claremont-Diaz has been the object of Henry's affection for longer than the prince cares to admit. He's usually pretty sane about it but his brother's wedding has put everything on high alert. After reading a particularly upsetting gossip rag, Henry is distraught by the idea of seeing Alex with her - Nora Holleran - everything that Henry is not. He decides he wants what she has as the night goes on and her closeness with Alex becomes apparent. Though, Henry is quick to learn that not all things are what they appear. Sometimes, it takes a little frosting on the cheek to realize how wrong one can truly be.

Then Wiggle With It

What if, instead of balking at the request, Henry takes Alex up on his offer to dance during 'Get Low'? Alex has been wondering why he feels a little funny whenever Henry is around but an errant touch while their bodies are close causes him to reevaluate everything he's come to know about himself. Can the simple bump and grind of a raucous club song really change everything for Alex? And does their relationship shift now that Alex comes to a groundbreaking realization much quicker than ever imaginable? Read to find out!

The Perfect Genius Of Our Hands and Mouths

The first time they make love, that soft press of Henry's hand to the small of Alex's back is a guiding light. He's not a fumbling boy learning how to walk - he's a man with someone showing him the ropes. It's a wonderful thing that Alex never forgets. In fact, he comes to rely on that hand on the small of his back leading him through the ups and downs of life. Read to see a few slices of Alex and Henry's time together where making love and feeling that touch play starring roles in the biggest instances of their relationship.

A Solid Embrace

Despite the not so good nature of the holiday, Thanksgiving has always been special to Alex. Throughout the years, he learns things, eats good food, and grows into the man he is today. This year, Henry gets the freedom to spend the holiday with Alex and his family out at the lake house in Texas. Determined to make it the best yet, Alex goes through all the motions, perfecting them along the way. Somewhere throughout the day, his priority changes, however - Henry in a striped rugby shirt is suddenly the object of his fixation, food and tradition forgotten. Read to find out how a little football makes Alex realize his family is finally complete.

#firstprince #firstprince fic #firstprince fluff #firstprince smut #red white and royal blue #red white and royal blue movie #rw&rb #rw&rb fanfic #rwrb #alex claremont diaz #alex #prince henry of wales #henry fox mountchristen windsor #henry #bobbie writes #masterlists #masterlist #firstprince masterlist

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rosedpetal · 6 months

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Fandom Leap - Chapter 8

Series Masterlist

Word count: 1.8k

Fandom: The Vampire Diaries

A/N: My contribution is finally here! Just wanna say I'm flattered to be in this project with such wonderful authors! @nickfowlerrr @unabashed-lover-of-fictional-men @crazyunsexycool @swiftlymoniquesblog @missvelvetsstuff @vibraniumarm06-bucket @rosedpetal @imyourbratzdoll @herdreamywasteland @jamneuromain @potterhead2207@supraveng

Previous chapter || You can both feel a shift in the air around you. Sitting in each other's presence the feeling begins to come over you, “Buck, I don’t wanna go” You whisper softly gripping his hand tight. “Please don’t leave me, Doll” his voice trembling in fear, You can’t help but shed some tears because You don’t want to go either, but You have no control over this. “Come back to me baby, please” He whispers holding you close to him, his please sounds absolutely broken which makes your heart heavier. “I love y-,” as the shift overtakes You, You can still feel his presence. Shedding a few tears your heart feels heavy and You hope that where you end up next is a place in which you will be safe and protected like how You were with Bucky.

There was a pounding in your head. Your eyelids were heavy when you opened them, and by the way your stomach rumbled, you knew you had to eat something rather sooner than later.

You looked at your surroundings. You were lying in a queen-sized bed with a cherry print bedding set, a nightstand to your left that had a pink alarm clock that seemed to be broken by having been beaten against the wall too many times.

"Wakey-wakey."

You screamed. You finally acknowledged the pretty blonde that was lying next to you.

"Caroline Forbes?"

It really was her. Her perfect golden locks were around her head like a halo, and her shiny green eyes had smudged mascara around them.

She was as stunning as a beauty queen, all the same.

"Are we on a full-name basis now, Y/N L/N?" She teased you, and yawned, stretching her arms and sitting up in the bed.

"What happened last night?" You asked, the memories all blurred and confusing in your head.

She grinned at you. "Before or after you confessed to Elijah Mikaelson that he was the hottest man on earth?"

Oh. My. God.

"I need context, Care."

She squinted her eyes at you.

"I knew we shouldn't have let you get in a drinking contest with Damon."

"Damon Salvatore?"

"Who else would it be? You're so weird this morning, jeez."

Of course. You were in The Vampire Diaries universe. You didn't know where this left you, or why you had a previous life here. Maybe it was a pattern. The first two times you didn't belong. The third, you did. In other universes, you were an anomaly. A version of you probably didn't exist in those places.

Here, you could see by the memory board in the wall with pictures of you with Bonnie Bennett, Elena Gilbert, Tyler Lockwood, Matt Donovan and the Salvatore siblings that you actually belonged here.

Hell, there even was a polaroid taken by you of Rebekah Mikaelson flipping the camera (you) off, the caption "Barbie Klaus" written with permanent marker under the picture.

Like everything was right.

Except, something was missing.

As your mind drifted to Bucky's lovingly gaze on you and the feel of his hand in your strong grip, the way you were holding on for dear life when you shifted again...

You got up too fast, almost falling in the process, and ran to the toilet. Caroline was behind you next, holding your hair while you threw up.

You had tears in your eyes when she turned the shower on and helped you out of your clothes, washing your hair without another word as you sobbed uncontrollably.

Caroline held you in her arms when you couldn't formulate words, brushing your hair and getting you into something comfortable.

"Do you want to lay down?"

You nodded your head negatively.

"I need to tell you something, Care."

"What is it?" Her voice was soft but you knew she was worried about you. She was your best friend in the whole world.

This world, at least.

"I'm not Y/N. Well, not the Y/N you grew up with, at least. I'm from another universe, and I'm scared to death because I want to go back to my fiancé, but I don't belong there either."

You told her the whole story, from how you were just struggling with too much work and had nothing going on in your life, to the Comic Con event and how you just woke up the next day to find yourself in Bucky's universe. How you jumped through dimensions, finding your favorite characters and bonding with them.

You left out the part that you were obsessed with The Vampire Diaries in your teens. You were not about to tell Caroline she was a character in a show and all the shit that was about to happen to her and each one of your friends in Mystic Falls.

After you finished, Caroline stared at you with wide eyes. "We can't seem to catch a break, can we?"

"What do I do now, Care?"

"Babe, you're friends with vampires, witches, a werewolf and the originals. You have Matt too, but he's human like you so he's useless about anything involving the supernatural. No offense. We'll find a way."

You sniffed, hugging her. "Thank you, Care. Now tell me what the hell was last night about!"

She laughed.

"We threw you a birthday party. Bonnie casted a spell on you so you wouldn't get too drunk when you and Damon started taking shots."

"Oh, crap. And why Elijah was there? Doesn't seem like his type of fun."

"It's not." She snorted. "But he came anyway because he adores you."

It felt weird when she said that, the thought of you with another man making you sick. There was a little flirting now and then, but you couldn't forget that you were about to get married.

Why did it hurt so fucking much?

"Now get up! We're doing research before you leave us too." Caroline laughed humorlessly. Deep down, you knew she was just as afraid as you.

"So, you've made all of us come here, and not that I want to bitch about it, but I had to change shifts last minute, just for you to come with this nonsense story when in reality Y/N could just be losing her shit?"

"Matt!" Elena glared at him.

"I'm not blaming her! I'm just saying, with all the things we have to go through because of you guys, maybe she's just so stressed that her mind is finally shattering?"

"For the love of Taylor Swift, shut up." Damon rolled his eyes at Matt. "Don't worry, kid. We all believe you and we know you're not crazy."

"Not that I'm condoning with that asshole, but what if Y/N is really going insane?"

"Tyler, I'm right here!" You crossed your arms, outraged. "I didn't give you this shit when I found out you were a werewolf." You complained.

Caroline called everyone to the Salvatore's boarding house, just so you didn't have to repeat the same story over and over again. That's why she had the Mikaelson siblings on the speakerphone too.

"Bon, what do you think?" Elena turned to the witch, who had a serious look on her face.

"I don't know. Granny never had the chance to explain to me about multiple simultaneous lives. Let alone the multiverse jumping. All I know is that is possible, but I don't play with this kind of magic. It bends all the rules we know of."

"I'd ask my mother if she wasn't dead." Klaus finally spoke on the other side, and you almost smiled at his words. "The best I can do to help sweet Y/N is get Freya to do some research."

"Thank you so much, Klaus." You sighed, feeling a little bit better.

"In the meanwhile, what can we do?" Stefan asked.

"If there's nothing we can do, we can put her in a straitjacket."

"Too soon, Damon." You murmured, sending him a death glare.

Caroline took on a mission to distract you from your distress. She dressed you up and took you to the Mystic Grill, ordered pancakes and soda for you both, and took you to see the most important spots in the city.

"That's Elena's house. We tried to smoke cigarettes in her room when we were fifth graders and we spent a whole bottle of her mother's perfume to mask the tobacco scent. There's a spot under her rug where we put them out."

"In Bonnie's place, she finally told you she was a witch."

"Damon and you were playing stupid games as always, and he dared you to go to the forest on a full moon, that's when Tyler almost bit you. I tried to save you and he bit me instead, so Klaus had to come here and cure me."

"Matt, Vicky and you used to play hide and seek in the church when you guys were little."

"Oh! You're gonna love this one! Elijah gave you a daylight ring right there in the gazebo! He told that if you ever transitioned you'd need one and it would be nice if that was already taken care of."

The memories were permanently imprinted on you. How you and Caroline always teamed up against Bonnie and Elena when the four of you fought, how angry you were at Matt when he couldn't let Elena move on, how heartbroken you became at Vicky's funeral.

And the day Elijah gave you the daylight ring, you were so touched by his gesture that you spilled "I love you." in a serious tone before hugging him. He was taken back by your reaction, but he hugged you back.

The sun was setting in the horizon, when Caroline received a call. She smiled at you in a cryptic way.

"Okay, I'm taking her."

The whole drive back to the Salvatore's board house was silent. You suddenly had a feeling your time in Mystic Falls was ending.

Caroline pulled over and walked you to the front door. She sighed.

"This is my cue. I hope you find what you're looking for, Y/N. And I just want you to know that you are my best friend and you are loved in every universe you exist. Please, never forget me."

You sniffed, and hugged her tight. Caroline's delicate form embraced you.

"Thank you, Care. I love you to the moon and back. And hopefully, in a few hours, you'll have your Y/N version back."

Caroline took off full vampire speed, leaving you alone on the Salvatore doorstep. The door opened, and a gasp left your lips.

"Elijah?"

"Whenever you say "I love you", you always say "to the moon and back" too. Must've been too much on her."

You looked over your shoulder, grateful for everything Caroline has done for you in the last hours. She let you go without putting up a fight, just so you didn't have to worry about her too.

"I guess we are alone?" You raised your brow, and Elijah's lip curled upwards.

He offered you his hand and as you took it in your own, he guided you to the living room.

"Freya and Bonnie crafted this." He took a little bottle of his pocket, the content a red liquid that resembled blood. "You just have to drink it, and you'll be off again. I guess you'd like to finally do this in your own terms."

"I don't know what to say."

"Then allow me, Y/N. You are a kind soul. You told me once that I deserved to have a life of my own and pursue my own dreams instead of always taking care of Niklaus. You were the one who confronted him when everyone was walking on eggshells around him, and you captivated all of us. You deserve to have a life of your own too, Y/N, and I know it's gonna be brilliant."

As he spoke, Elijah brought the bottle to your lips, and you drank its rich liquid. As you felt the ground swirl under your feet and Elijah becoming more and more distant, all you could keep was an opal daylight ring.

#the vampire diaries #fandom collab #elijah x reader #caroline x reader #caroline forbes #elijah mikaelson #elena gilbert #klaus mikaelson #bonnie bennett #the vampire diaries x reader

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softguarnere · 8 months

Note

Hi hi! I would love to see something where reader is a nurse and Dick runs into her while she’s restocking some of the supplies and is just immediately smitten

Blushing All the Way Home

Dick Winters x reader

A/N: (This is written for the fictional depictions from the show - no disrespect to the real life veterans!) The title for this one comes from "Enchanted" by Taylor Swift, because how could I not? I hope you like this, Anon, and thanks for the request! Warnings: mentions of war

With a dramatic sigh, Elizabeth, one of your fellow nurses, drapes herself across a stack of boxes. Starry-eyed, she stares out of the tent, watching the comings and goings of the men outside. “It really is too bad that a lot of them won’t be coming back,” she says.

“Oh, hush!” Another nurse, Martha, objects. Her hands fly to the cross around her neck and she rubs it between her thumb and forefinger. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”

Still gazing towards the men outside, Elizabeth shrugs. “There’s a war on. Men die in wars. Some of them are bound to go.”

Before a full-blown argument can break out, you interject. “So it’s a good thing they have us. And all the medics and doctors. Who knows? Maybe you’ll catch a handsome man’s attention while patching him up.”

Elizabeth nods enthusiastically, finally tearing her focus away from the men and bringing it back inside the tent. “That’s what I’ve been thinking! Wouldn’t it be romantic?”

“No,” Martha says evenly as she closes up the box that she’s just finished packing. “It would be better off to have a husband that’s all in one piece. Now, are you going to stand around sighing after men who don’t even know you exist, or are you going to do your job and pack these boxes?”

You catch yourself before you can roll your eyes. Elizabeth, however, doesn’t even try to hide her annoyance. Yes, she might be overdramatic, but sometimes you really can’t blame her – Martha is something of a pessimist.

Just for an excuse to get away from the two of them, you grab the box that Martha has just shut and make for the exit.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get this one!” you call over your shoulder. “You two keep working.” As soon as you’re out of the tent you drop the forced smile, allowing your face to relax as you sigh. Maybe you can get “lost” while delivering this box just to give yourself a longer break from hearing those two bicker.

The plan begins to form in your mind. But before you can work out the logistics of it all, you turn a corner and ram into someone with your box. You both exclaim in surprise as you stumble backwards, the box in your hands slipping from your grasp. At the same time that you lunge forward to save it, the other person does too. Your hands meet, his settling under yours as you adjust your grip on the box.

“Got it?” The man you bumped into asks.

“Yes, thank you. I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. Most of the fault is probably mine – walking too fast, distracted.” He smiles, and for the first time since your interaction began, you realize that the man you ran into is handsome. Tall, with a head of reddish hair that you’re sure to remember. But he’s got a kind smile, and more importantly, it reaches all the way to his eyes. Despite the fact that you crashed into him, he seems to be in good humor.

You smile back at him. “I was doing the same. We can just split the blame, fifty-fifty, and call it even.”

“That sounds fair . . .” The man’s voice trails off, his eyes flicking to the box in your hands. Only then do you realize that his hands are still touching yours, still helping you hold the box.

Huffing a small laugh, he removes them, moving back into his own space. For a moment the two of you stand, not speaking, but smiling. Surely there’s something that you could say, though. Every thought that pops into your mind seems silly, though – or worse, the recurring memory of what Elizabeth said keeps coming back to you. It really is too bad that a lot of them won’t be coming back. How do you know who will return from combat?

Finally, the man before you clears his throat. “Where are you taking that?”

“Oh, just over to the other aid station.”

The man holds out his arms. “Would you like for me to carry it for you? I mean, it only seems fair.”

No, it’s fine, I’ve got it, dies on your tongue. Handing the box off to him, you nod. “Thank you.”

“I didn’t catch your name,” the man says as the two of you start off.

“(Y/N). (Y/N)(Y/L/N).”

“Well, it’s nice to mee you, (Y/N). I’m Dick Winters,” he says. Now that he’s moving, the morning sunlight glints off the bar on his collar. Lieutenant Dick Winters, it would appear. Other men might have flaunted that rank, made it the first word out of their mouths. Not Dick, though. Interesting.

The two of you make idle chitchat as you walk. All too soon you reach the aid station. Dick deposits the box with the nurses working there. If he notices the way that they gawk at the two of you entering the tent together, he’s polite enough not to comment on it. Your fellow nurses on the other hand, seem to have plenty of comments that they would like to make. The two of you have no sooner stepped out of the tent than you hear whispers break out behind you.

“So,” you say, trying to drown out the voices behind you. “Where are you off to?”

Is it your imagination, or does the lieutenant let out a little sigh as he thinks of going off to whatever duty awaits him?

“I’ve got a meeting,” he says. “And you?”

“Back to the other aid station,” you answer. “Packing more boxes. Maybe crashing into more men, but I’ve yet to decide about that last part.”

He laughs. Not the small, polite laugh he had earlier, but a bright one that sounds jolly and clear. It’s contagious. “Well, maybe after my meeting is done, I can come crash into you again? Maybe I could help move those boxes.”

Your brain feels like it’s full of exclamation points when the meaning of his words fully hits you – he wants to spend more time with you! No amount of effort could contain your smile. With other men you might try to hide it, but you allow Dick to see.

“I would like that very much.”

Dick stops walking. You’ve come a sort of crossroads within the camp, that place where people have to make choices, to part ways, or start on a new path. The one that you stand at doesn’t seem nearly that full of poetic symbolism, though, because something about the look on Dick’s face tells you that he will be back as soon as this meeting is over. He doesn’t seem like a man who would leave someone waiting.

“I’ll see you later, Lieutenant Winters,” you say.

“You can call me ‘Dick.’”

“Okay. Then I’ll see you later, Dick.”

He offers you a small nod. “I’ll see you later, Miss (Y/L/N).”

“Oh, you can call me (Y/N).”

“Then I’ll see you later, (Y/N).” With that, he takes his leave, heading off to his meeting. For a moment you stand, watching him go, only to see him glance back over his shoulder at you, still smiling as he walks away.

Only when he’s out of sight do you take your own leave. Martha and Elizabeth will ask where you’ve been, what took you so long, but they don’t need to know. They’ll figure it out soon enough. When Elizabeth, at least, sees the handsome lieutenant, she won’t be able to stay mad at your tardiness. You had been planning to stall returning to the other nurses, after all, and this certainly was the best way you could have done it.

You blush all the way back to the aid station, trying not to get your hopes up for what might come next, but still daring to dream.

#band of brothers #band of brothers fanfic #dick winters #dick winters x reader #hbo war #hbo war fanfic #my writing

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feralforfruit · 2 years

Text

Countertop Whispers Part 3

A/N: My first fic series coming to a steamy end. I am so glad I started up this blog with this series and ignited the flame of my passion for writing and being a total slut for fictional men. I hope I continue to make y'all proud. <3

Warnings: NSFW. daddy kink for daddy fruit, breeding kink, some consensual face smacking, strangulation, degrading, vibrators, squirting, the whole shabang.

Pairings: Tangerine x fem!reader.

Your husband starts stripping off his clothing and you are laying there on the counter, waiting for him. As he is slowly removing his buttons, you can't help but take off your apron and throw it to the side. You then move your right hand down to your clit, while your other hand plays with your nipples. You begin to moan quietly as you rub circles on yourself. You can't help it, he looks too good and you already needed some relief. Tangerine looks up at what you're doing after he finally slides off his underwear.

"Now what the fuck do you think you're doing?" He smacks your hand away from your pussy and he pulls your hips closer to his abdomen. He growls as he grips your throat and your eyes close at the sensation. "Look me in the fucking eyes, slut." You do as he commands with a shiver going down your spine. "Why did you touch yourself without permission? Hmm? Tryna show Daddy how much of a greedy slut you are?" He says loudly, smacking your cheek lightly, and you whimper. You can feel your already drenched pussy beginning to drip some more at his roughness.

"Not going to answer me? Oh, you're just begging to be punished today." He smiles deviously and pulls away from you. "Wait, here. If you fucking move a muscle, you're ruined, you understand?" Your mouth gapes in shock and confusion as he walks off.

About a minute later, he comes back with something in his hand. Your wide doe-eyed gaze turns dark and you smirk when you realize what he has in his grip; your vibrating wand. His face comes closer to you while he rubs his tip to your entrance with the wand pressing against your clit, not turned on just yet. "Now, here's the deal, luv. You're going to lay there all pretty for me and let me fuck you til you come as many times as I fucking want tonight. You are going to cover me and this whole kitchen in your squirt until I'm god damn satisfied. Understood?" He says quietly to the side of your face. You nod, "Yes, Daddy," moaning at his words.

"Good girl," he says as he slides his long hard cock deep inside your cunt. You throw your head back and he takes this moment to turn on the vibrator. The buzzing on your clit sends you writhing your hips back and forth onto his thrusts. He uses his free hand to pin your body down so he could have more control over your movements.

He is slamming into you hard and your next orgasm is beginning to stir within you. Your pants and moans are becoming more loud and frequent. "You already close? Daddy's cock is too good, innit, babe?" He chuckles while rubbing the head of the wand in circles on your clit. You can feel your mouth screaming with no sound coming out, your mind blank from the pleasure.

"You gonna cum now, darling? Fucking do it!" His hips snap faster into yours and your ears fill with your screams mixed with the most erotic sounds of his thrusts in and out of your squirting pussy. Tangerine can't help but smirk at you falling apart all over him, knowing this isn't your last orgasm of the night.

Without giving you a second to breathe, he flips your body over and now your nipples are pressed against the cold marble, making you move your upper body up and down to feel it stimulate you some more. Tangerine notices this and puts the wand down before gripping your hair from behind to pull you up. He uses his other hand to lay a hard smack on your ass, moving up to grab a hold of your throat, before whispering, "I'm going to fucking breed that tiny little cunt of yours. You want to feel my cum drip down your fucking legs, little one?" Your body shakes and your head nods in response, the grip on your throat making it hard for you to form words.

Your husband loosens his grip on you and pushes your back forward with your ass in the air. He thrusts back in, bottoming out with one swift movement. You scream and grip onto the counter to hold on for dear life while he thrusts hard and fast into you. "Fuck yes, take me! Don't stop!" you yell as he groan loudly in response. "Who does this pussy belong to?" He throws another rough smack on your ass. "Answer me, you fucking whore!" You throw your ass back onto his thrusts as you answer, "It's yours! I'm all yours, Daddy! Please fill my pussy up!"

He grunts as his thrusts get sloppier, "I'm going to count from ten and you're gonna cum with me, got it?" He lowers his body to grip the edge of the counter to give his thrusts more momentum. "Ten... Oh, fuck! Nine!...” he bites your shoulder for a moment, unable to contain himself for much longer. “Eight... Seven... Shit! Six!" Your orgasm is already about to burst and you bite your lip to hang on. "Fucking five... Four..."

His voice gets shakier. "T-three! Two! ONE! OH FUCKKKK!" Both of your eyes roll back as he slams at an impossible pace, both your moans bouncing off the kitchen walls. He spilled heavily into you, your pussy pulsing at every wave of his warm cum.

He shakingly places hot wet kisses on your spine to calm your own shaking body. You can't help but feel butterflies in your stomach at the sweet gesture. He begins to slowly pull out of you, the mix of all the juices now dripping down your thighs onto the kitchen floor. "Ah, fuck. Gonna have to clean up the mess we've made, luv." He pants as he grabs your body gently to move you upright for him to carry you, bridal style. You smile weakly at him and snuggle into his chest as he takes you to the bedroom. He lays you down on the bed before placing a kiss on your forehead. "I'm going to run us a bath, darling. Be back in a jiffy." He smiles and gives you another kiss, then walks off into the bathroom beside your shared walk-in closet.

After 10 minutes, he comes back and says, "My precious wife, I am here to escort your sexy self to the best bubble bath your perky ass will ever experience." You laugh and open your arms out for him to pick you up. He carries you to the bathroom and places you gently in the warm jetted bubbles. He climbs in behind you and you lay your body against his chest. He kisses your neck and rubs your arms up and down. "I love you so fucking much, you know that baby?" he says with his mustached grin against your skin. You giggle and nod, "Ditto, hubby," you say as you look back up at him and give him a wink.

"I'm so glad, you're my wife, darling." He says looking down at you, grabbing your chin, then placing a soft kiss on your lips. Your marriage continues like this, in its constant state of bliss.

—

tangerine, the best of unlikely hunky hubbies. ❤️ hope y’all enjoyed!

#bullet train #tangerine fic #tangerine #aaron taylor johnson #atj #tangerine bullet train #bullet train imagine #bullet train fic #tangerine x fem!reader #tangerine x reader #atj x reader #tangerine smut #bullet train smut #my writing

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let-them-read-fics · 2 years

Text

At Your Service

Pairing: Jiu x Fem!Reader (& some Yoohyeon x Fem!Reader)

Warnings / Misc. -- Fluff, Angst, Smut, Mentions of violence, etc.

Word Count: 33,401 (grab a snack)

Synopsis: Jiu -- a married heiress and product of the centuries old, successful dynasty of Kims -- finds herself in need of a new personal maid following the sudden departure of her previous one. When opportunity arises and brings Y/N L/N -- a stubborn, working class citizen with a hatred for her less than ideal circumstances -- to her doorstep, how will they deal with the fallout?

Disclaimer: This writing is a work of fiction, and no disrespect is meant for those mentioned herein.

A/N: Hey everyone! Here's my first Dreamcatcher fic. I hope you enjoy! :)

💖 Happy Reading 🌹

◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚ ▸◂ ❚ ⊱ꕥ⊰ ❚

Blood trickled down the side of your father’s hand, shining crimson in the subtle flicker of candlelight. A makeshift weapon – some mangled piece of metal, resembling a shiv – cut into his skin slightly, due to the force of his grip on it.

His weight was shifted to one foot, keeping him prepared to strike if need be; with the front door of your home slightly ajar, he craned his neck enough to communicate with the guards on the other side. His thumb rubbed the handle of the blade in rhythmic strokes… one, two … keeping his breathing in check. Appearing suspicious was a death sentence, and he knew that; so, he patiently waited for the opportunity to make a move.

In an eerie flash of black suits and gloves, the men pushed their way inside.

They came to loom over your family members with piercing gazes, staring holes into them. Tension was thick in the room, nearly suffocating. Each second was an hour as the interrogation they started dragged on, only increasing the chance of impulsivity on both sides. Glancing eyes were a silent challenge, the twitch of a finger was a call to arms.

At the center of it all, surrounded in more ways than you even knew at the time, was you. Had you known then how drastically your life would change, maybe you’d have done things differently.

Maybe you would have started running after that first knock.

“We aren’t here seeking trouble, Y/F/N. What the heiress requires is simple, and you’re the first on the list to provide it,” the boss explained, reclining in your father’s chair. His slicked-back hair looked greasy in the low light of the room.

“Y/N has nothing to do with any of my financial dealings,” your father reiterated, not backing down. “Paying off my debts isn’t something that concerns her.”

That statement earned him a wary glance from you, though he didn’t see it.

The leader shrugged in response. “We have our orders just the same as you. And besides,” he reasoned, leaning forward enough to touch his elbows to his knees, “...this is something to be grateful for. All of your debt will be forgiven when she finishes her time at the estate. It’s as easy as that.”

“The estate?” You broke in, confusion heavy in your tone.

The man seemed appreciative of your question, with the way his face brightened as he turned his focus to you. “Precisely, Y/N. It’s a beautiful place, where Mrs. Kim lives; acres and acres of land, so many sights to see. And the house, well…” he paused, attempting to build anticipation like a parent reading to their child. “... the house is the best part. You’ll have your own quarters, near the heiress’s room, and be free to roam the halls once your work is completed for the day.” A wistful look befell him. “It's absolutely breathtaking."

“What’s the catch?” You asked skeptically, narrowing your eyes. Your father turned to face you, unbelieving that you’d even entertain the idea by inquiring further.

The leader sat up straighter, shaking his head slightly. “There isn’t one, Y/N, despite what your father may have led you to believe.” He glanced at him almost smugly before returning his gaze to you. “Everyone can benefit from this deal. The heiress gets the maid she needs, you can enjoy a few months away in the countryside, and your family will be relinquished of any debts owed. It’s truly that simple.”

You pondered for a moment. “How long would I be indentured?”

Your father adamantly shook his head, coming to stand in front of you. “No, Y/N. You’re not doing this. I forbid it.”

“Why?”

The guards near your other family members took a step closer to them, though you failed to see it at the time.

“This isn’t your due to pay,” he reasoned, hoping you’d just listen to him for once. “And nothing that these men say is ever true. Not fully, anyway.” He glanced over his shoulder subtly, stealing a peek at the boss. He took note of the positions the rest of the men were in, committing them to memory.

“But father, if I have the chance to help like this I have to take it,” you affirmed, steadfast in your desire to be useful.

“No.”

“Father–”

“I said no, Y/N.” He leveled his gaze with yours, stern and final.

The leader sighed dramatically behind him, slapping his knees before moving to stand.

“I was really hoping to do this the easy way, Y/F/N.” He tutted, taking a step closer. Your father turned around to look at him, fiddling with the metal in his pocket again.

“Why do you always have to be so difficult?” He sounded genuinely disappointed.

The other men darted forward when he nodded his head, grabbing the arms of your family members and forcefully restraining them behind their backs. You lunged towards your mother instinctively, ready to free her, but were met with the chilling sound of a gun cocking before you could pry their hands off of her.

“Now now, Y/N. Don’t be like your father.”

Tears began to brim in your eyes as you slowly turned to look at the pair of them. A statement like that could only mean a handful of things, and none of them were good.

Your father's shiv was angled directly at the man's throat, nearly poking into his Adam's apple. In retaliation, you found his pistol pointed directly at your father’s head.

Neither of them backed down; if the scene before you were a war of wills, it would surely be a bloodbath.

“Don’t be a hero, okay?” The adversary smiled crookedly, looking truly evil in the light of the room. “You have the power to end this however you want.”

Y/F/N reached a hand out to you, sensing how frightened you were. Even when his life was on the line, keeping you calm was more important.

“Don’t listen to him, Y/N/N. Nothing good will come of anything he says–”

A stomach-churning crack rang out before you even had time to blink.

Only once your father spit a mouthful of blood onto the wooden floor and let out a quiet groan did you understand what happened. The man had pistol whipped him in a fit of anger.

Your enemy let out a shaky breath, fighting his every instinct to prevent himself from shooting your father right then and there. “I’ll be generous and give you thirty seconds, Y/N. Either come with us back to the estate and begin your servitude, or stay here and see what happens.”

You swallowed nervously, rooted in place.

“I can’t promise you’ll like the outcome of the latter,” he stifled a laugh, “...but do as you wish.”

Hushed sobs came from your mother, heartbreaking for a multitude of reasons. The rest of your family, too, threw insults at the men and attempted to wiggle free of their grasps, though their efforts proved futile.

These people were unpredictable, and that frightened you more than anything else. Preparing for their next move was impossible; the unknown held far more risks than rewards when it came to them, and you were aware of that. Subjecting those closest to you to a fate so uncertain would never sit right with your conscience.

“I’ll go.”

Whatever happened to you, you could take.

A pleased smile made its way to the fiend’s lips. “Smart girl, she is,” he praised, leaning in a bit closer to your father. Y/F/N shifted away, disgusted.

With the flick of a hand, the group of guards released your family and headed for the door.

“You have five minutes to pack your things, Y/N. Not a second longer.”

He pressed the end of the pistol to your father’s forehead as a warning, leaving an indentation on it after he pulled it away and returned it to the holster on his hip. His hands slicked back his messy hair again out of habit, and he followed after his men to wait outside.

Devastated, you looked around the room at the people you loved most. When, or even if, you’d see all of them again, you didn’t know. But this decision increased that likelihood to some degree, and with that, you could live peacefully.

—

An Hour Later

The midnight sky reigned supreme high above, jet black and ominous. Sprawling tree branches loomed over the road you traveled down, cutting jagged paths and creating an eerie canopy to further entrap you. Every whizzing branch sealed your fate that much more, and here, under it all, anything seemed feasible. Your mind ran wild with the possibilities.

Even the moon cowered behind clusters of clouds, hiding itself away and refusing to offer much light to the land below. But a few distant, brave stars twinkled every now and then, giving you a small sense of hope.

Usually, you’ve found, nature has an odd way of predicting things.

The car shimmied over the rough terrain of the road, jostling you some in your seat and adding to your already jumpy nerves. Its tires crunched as you traveled, working alongside the wildlife and insects to fill the evening air with sound. The driver looked back at you through the rearview mirror, his eyes a tense blue. They studied you carefully, for a moment, before training themselves back on the expanse ahead. You fought a shiver and pulled your jacket tighter around your body.

The forest parted more as you traveled, slowly opening up its brooding curtains little by little. Eventually, and in time with the increasing sparsity of trees on either side of you, the thick underbrush subsided. The road before you widened, and the headlights of the car illuminated a menacingly tall, wrought iron fence. Spikes pierced the air high above, serving as silent threats to anyone who dared to climb over.

Two gargoyles guarded either side -- leering menaces.

Kim Estate was posted in fancy lettering on a sign where the two sides met, front and center. It was polished and clean, just as expected. When two suited staff members emerged from the booths on either side of the road and released the lock, the sign glinted as it caught the attention of the car’s headlights in just the right way. With the way it sliced through the reflecting light, it resembled a blade.

Your driver nodded to the man on the other side of his window before pressing the gas again, and you slid yourself closer to the window in anticipation. Despite your circumstances, you couldn’t ignore the curiosity in your system.

Once the car rounded one last curve, the manor finally came into view. Truthfully, it looked like something a royal family would live in.

Lampposts dotted the grand driveway, showering soft golden light down to guide those coming and going. A sizable fountain greeted you at the center of it all, complete with an angel statue at its top. Water cascaded over its marble rim, catching the rays of two underwater lights on its way. Large flower beds stretched out on either side of the grassy area around it, wavering gently in the late-night breeze.

The house itself stretched far and wide from left to right and featured three floors, from what you could tell. Two halls extended on either side as well, reaching out and beckoning brave visitors inside. Its appearance was a mix of Gothic and Mediterranean, thanks to the Kim family’s own personal tastes and circle of friends. With those closest to them insisting on such a style and ensuring that they had certified architects to complete such a daunting task, it only made sense for them to graciously accept it.

And, in its own ways, it held a mysterious charm. The slight frost of its windows veiled what was going on inside, adding to the secrecy it possessed. Every arch and peak told a story, built by hands long-gone; they were situated up high, keeping watch over the land and its inhabitants. The designs so carefully etched there, sprawling and winding their ways into elaborate patterns as they connected with one another, were the eyes of the place.

The angel was merely a façade.

Shortly, your door was opened for you by a thin woman. She couldn’t have been more than twenty five years old. Her cheeks were rosy as she extended a gloved hand to you, aiding your departure from the car. She subtly nodded to an unseen figure behind you once you were out, and the sound of the trunk opening filled the otherwise quiet night air.

“Follow me, please, Miss.” Her voice was kind; far softer than you had imagined it’d be.

She led you through the main doors, keeping her pace slow enough to allow you ample time to take in your surroundings.

Torches burned in various places, all stationed methodically to fit the aesthetic and offer just enough light. They flickered near the art pieces that adorned the walls of the entryway, casting shadows of battles and conquests here and there.

A final embrace between two ill-fated lovers called from the end of the hall, larger than all the rest. Bittersweet smiles graced their faces as they peered at one another, finally having broken free of the tenacious arms holding them back. Their bloodied hands reached out for each other, barely brushing; but the flickering light changed their cruel fates, however, by closing the gap anytime a draft picked up. It offered them what they sought in those final moments: the simple pleasure of peace, together.

Your eyes lingered on it until you were instructed to round a corner, passing it by. Up close, you could see a flower tied to the man’s belt, waiting and ready to be given to his love. Its white petals were painted with droplets of crimson, somehow – strangely – making it all the more beautiful.

The woman’s flat shoes clicked against the floor as she led you further into the manor, through another hall. Here, the paintings were far more vibrant and lighthearted. Cherry trees blossomed from one frame to another, scattering their shimmering petals across the hall as they so pleased; women dressed in traditional clothing frolicked in a rich field of green, baskets in hand. They held their hats down, tipping their chins to prevent them from blowing away in the breeze.

At the far end of the hall, where you were headed again, a portrait hung proudly. A single woman was shown in it, smiling softly for her admirers; her eyes smiled, too, and you found yourself able to breathe again the longer you looked at it. She looked regal, dressed to the nines, yet approachable. A kindness gleamed in her eyes, full of power.

Amid the darkness of all the rest, this space was a bright reprieve. This woman.

Your lips tugged up, ever so subtly, as you exited the hall, replaying the vision of the woman in your mind as you went. You knew she’d stay with you, then, and you were happy with that notion. Perhaps this endeavor would be a little more bearable that way.

“The heiress is in her study,” a voice informed, pulling you from your thoughts as you entered a foyer. A large staircase laid in front of you, branching off widely once it climbed its way to the second story. Frilly garlands adorned its rails and spindles, making it look more inviting.

A man came into view, clean cut and professional. His hands were clasped behind his back in a relaxed pose, putting you at ease.

“Give me a moment and I’ll see if she’s ready to greet you.”

“Yes, sir.” You bowed politely, and he returned the gesture before heading off.

A moment later, the woman beside you spoke. “For now, I’ll make sure that all of your luggage has made it to your room, Miss.” She smiled gently at you, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Once you meet with the Lady, I’ll be waiting to tell you all about what’s expected of you.”

“Thank you, ….” You trailed off, waiting for her to fill in the blank for you.

“Yoohyeon,” she finished, dipping her head slightly – shyly.

“Thank you, Yoohyeon.” Her smile deepened at the way you said her name, though you didn’t notice it. “I appreciate your kindness more than you know.”

“I’m happy to be of assistance.”

Her humbleness surprised you, given that you were expecting everyone beyond that fence outside to be pretentious – at least to some degree. But no malice existed in her, as far as you could tell; for your own sake, you hoped that assumption was never proven wrong. She might be capable of making the next few months survivable, if it stayed true.

She left a moment later with a word of goodbye, leaving you alone and to your own devices.

Your hands hung at your sides, mindlessly toying with the ends of your sleeves as you waited. A few stray staff members passed by silently, stopping only for a brief second to observe you before they moved on with whatever they were doing. Some stayed longer than others, though, lingering in the shadows of the halls or kitchen to investigate further. You were new meat here, and you knew it; blaming them for their curiosity wasn’t something you cared to do. You just hoped they’d be civil once their gossiping phase ran its course.

“Ms. L/N,” a familiar voice said, grabbing your attention again. You raised your head, meeting the gaze of the man from before.

“Mrs. Kim will see you now, if you’ll just follow me. I’ll take you to your quarters once you’ve been introduced.”

You nodded politely in response, and he smiled. He turned on his heel, enticing you to tread after him in pursuit. His form led you to a grand room just behind the stairs, where he delivered two swift knocks to its door.

“Come in,” a distant voice responded, feminine in a beautiful way.

He stepped through the threshold and welcomed you inside, ensuring his face appeared stoic. You thanked him and entered, doing your best to seem confident.

Any chance of that crumbled the second you laid eyes on her.

The woman from the painting sat behind a massive oak desk, clad in a floral dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Glasses rested across the bridge of her nose, pushed up gently by her fingers as she raised her head to look at you. It tilted curiously, presumably due to the awestruck look on your face. You’d always been terrible at hiding your emotions in situations like this.

“Y/N, yes?” She asked, wanting to make sure she got your name right. Such a thing was important to her.

Stacks of papers rested in front of her, some splayed across the desk while others were neatly organized. She must’ve had a busy day.

“Yes, ma’am.” You bowed, suddenly snapping back to reality and remembering your place. You dropped eye contact, afraid of overstepping this early on.

She stood from her chair and approached you slowly, taking her time as her eyes trekked up and down your body. They lingered in places they probably shouldn’t have, though you were none the wiser. She noticed the way your chest rose a little faster than before as she stepped closer. It intrigued her.

Wordlessly, she raised a hand to dismiss the man behind you.

As he shut the door behind himself, your nerves truly began to kick in. The woman before you already had more power over you and your future than either of you realized. Whatever she did or didn’t do, whatever decisions she made, she was deciding for the both of you. From now on, your destiny would depend on her every whim.

That kind of vulnerability terrified you.

“Look at me.”

You blinked a few times, cautiously returning your gaze to her expectant one.

It was riddled with curiosity, but not the kind of eager children. She’d done this many times before; she had things that she was searching for in you. A criteria you needed to meet.

Her right hand raised to your cheek, giving you half the urge to flinch. But instead of being met with a slap, you felt her fingertips press against your jawline, turning your head to the side. She inspected you, admiring the curve of your face and how soft your skin was against hers. She turned it back, doing the same to the other side before taking a small step back.

“Turn around.”

Warmth spread to your cheeks, but you did as she asked. Her gaze was heavy on you, training itself on the subtle lines of your muscles that were visible through the form-fitting shirt you wore. As you lifted your arms at her request, they tensed and shifted, almost dancing for her.

She was pleased; you’d suit her just fine.

“Alright, that’s all,” she said, retreating to the edge of her desk. The backs of her legs pressed into the polished surface, keeping her grounded.

Her arms crossed loosely at her chest. You turned around, happy to be facing her again. She was a sight for sore eyes in every sense of the phrase.

"I trust that your ride here went well," she stated, giving enough opportunity for you to confirm or deny it.

"It did, ma'am." Your lips pressed together as you nodded, out of habit.

She smiled lightly. Had your answer been anything short of what it was, she would've had someone's head for it.

Her reputation was important, after all.

"I'm glad, Y/N.” Her tone and aura were as warm as the fire that burned in the hearth across the room. It made you want to be close to her; she was capable of drawing you in without even trying.

She turned her wrist over in time with the drop of her eyes. A quick glance at the thin watch that rested across it shocked her.

“Gosh,” she breathed, her eyebrows raising. “...seeing that it's already so late, I won't ask you to do anything tonight." She promised. “You’ll begin tomorrow morning, eight o’clock sharp. I’m to be dressed and ready promptly for a breakfast with some investors.”

“Yes, ma’am,” you nodded.

Her eyes found yours again, softening a little. The light offered by the fire casted on her, making them sparkle in a subtle kind of way. The dark brown of them was a touch lighter; speckles of a hidden richness that typically laid dormant, waking up. You had to be looking to see it, but that made it all the more special to you.

“Ezekiel will show you to your room,” she informed, reaching beside herself for a bell. It rang twice… ding, ding… before the door glided open behind you.

“Good night, Y/N. Sleep well.” A gentle smile rested on her lips as she said the words.

“Good night, ma’am.”

With a final bow, you were escorted out and towards your room, leaving behind an incredibly interested heiress. Her expectations were exceeded by you; respectful, calm, beautiful. Though she’d heard of your existence through the grapevine a few times – details of your family rolling off the tongue of her father or other business partners – she’d never gotten to know much about you individually. But now, with the prospect so conveniently perched right in front of her, she’d never been more intrigued.

—

The Next Morning

*beep be-beep beep be-beep*

The sound of your alarm was both welcome and nerve-racking. It set you in motion in an instant, and you had it turned off before it could muster up a second set of rings. Truthfully, you hadn’t gotten much sleep. Your unfamiliar surroundings, paired with the pressure you felt to perform well, prevented you from resting easily. But, for what time you had managed to slip away to dreamland, you were grateful; it was enough.

You parted ways with your bed with a sleepy yawn before heading to the restroom to get cleaned up and ready for the day ahead. After you were presentable, you made your way towards the heiress’s room.

Softly, you delivered two knocks to the heavy wood of her door.

After waiting a customary few seconds, you let yourself in and shut it behind yourself, being mindful of the latch. When you did, you couldn’t believe your eyes. Her room was a beautiful utopia, full of the summer sunshine that cascaded in through the flowy, white drapes of her tall windows. A dreamy haze had settled over everything, coating it in stardust. The furniture around her room was of the highest quality fabrics and materials that money could buy, and every embellishment and decoration surely cost more than your entire life savings. The paintings that adorned the walls were just as unique and special, all authentic pieces depicting artistic moments of life.

It was a far cry from your simple room, and it all gave you the urge to rub your eyes, just to make sure you weren’t seeing things.

When your shock began to subside, you focused your mind back on the task at hand and approached the bed. Mrs. Kim was clad in a silky, yellow nightgown, sprawled haphazardly and still in the throes of sleep. The covers were pushed down to her knees, revealing how her gown had ridden up her thighs as she’d tossed and turned throughout the night. Her hair was splayed across her pillow in every direction imaginable, and yet she looked just as elegant as always.

How lucky you were to get to see her in such a peaceful state.

“My Lady,” you tried, hesitant to wake her when she looked so comfortable.

She turned her head and sighed in response, still fast asleep. You’d have to try harder.

“Ma’am,” you called, putting a hand on her shoulder. You shook it slightly. She twitched, finally pulled from whatever dream she had been having.

Her eyes peeked open as she looked at you, feeling a little sheepish. She was convinced she looked a mess in the mornings, no matter what people told her.

“Hi,” she sleepily smiled, raising her arms above her head as she stretched the tension out of them.

“Good morning,” you grinned.

She sat up and looked at her bedside clock, running a hand through her hair to tame her locks back into place. “Right on time, Y/N,” she noted, clearly pleased, “...off to a good start.”

A word of gratitude left you on instinct, and you were thankful for such a reflex. Had you not had it, you would’ve kept staring at her in awe and embarrassed yourself to no end.

“I have to be at the dining hall in an hour,” she informed, as she stood up and headed towards the bathroom that was attached to her bedroom. You followed behind her, listening intently as she filled you in. “The breakfast will take a couple of hours, most likely. I cleared my schedule for the rest of the day to allow you time to familiarize yourself with everything, so you won’t have to worry about me. I’ll likely stay busy in my study.”

Your jaw went a little slack as you crossed the threshold and stepped into her bathroom. The sheer size of it caught you off guard, as did everything else. A vanity sat on the right side, shining and glittering with bottles upon bottles of every product in existence. The tub was directly across from it, large enough to fit upwards of three people at a time. The toilet itself looked like a mini throne, and you had half the urge to laugh at how ridiculous the situation was. One stone from its handle could likely pay off every bit of debt your father owed in the first place.

“I’ve assigned Yoohyeon to be your guide for the day,” Mrs. Kim spoke again, drawing you from your daze. “You should’ve met her last night.”

“I did.” You assured her.

“Good.” Her reply was short and sweet.

She glanced at the empty tub, silently prompting you. You sprung into action at once, mentally scolding yourself for not having the water ready. Getting used to this new routine would certainly be full of moments just like this, as much as you disliked it.

As you filled the tub and made sure the temperature was just right, she took her gown off and removed her earrings, setting both on the marble countertop of her vanity. You retrieved some oils and scents from the cabinet that hung overhead and quickly added them to the water as it flowed from the faucet. The motion of it made plenty of suds appear in no time.

In the name of sparing your pride and maintaining her privacy, you averted your gaze as she gracefully stepped into the deep tub. Her body was soon enveloped by the mountains of bubbles as it sank down below the surface, further and further. Only then did you turn the water off and kneel down beside her.

To ensure that the water remained warm for the entire time she was in it, the two of you worked simultaneously. While you shampooed and conditioned her hair, she used a delicate loofah to wash her body. You assisted with her back and other hard to reach areas, but she was self-sufficient in every other way. For that, you were grateful. You’re convinced you would’ve died if she had been the type to make you wash her yourself. Sharing such an intimate interaction with anyone would’ve been bad enough, but with her? Someone you found so attractive? No, you wouldn’t have survived it.

She must’ve been aware of the effect she had on you, because she made sure to keep a ring of suds around herself at all times. Modesty bubbles, she declared them, to put you at ease on your first day. You were both aware that time would allow for more adjustment and comfortability when it came to things like this, and patience was something you had for one another. In the meantime, you traded jokes and splashes of water to loosen up and shake off any awkwardness you felt.

By the time you emerged from the bathroom, she had deposited a handful of bubbles on top of your head, and a generous dollop of them rested on the tip of her nose as well, courtesy of you.

You approached her closet and sought out the suit that Yoohyeon had told you she’d need last night. As you flipped through the seemingly endless row of clothes, all strung up on hangers, you felt the heiress come up behind you. The towel around her body stayed bound in place as she reached up and wordlessly got rid of bubbles for you, laughing all the while.

You shook your head at her with an amused smile as you retrieved her outfit and turned around, holding it up. You intended to make her bed while she got dressed, and so she waited until you had your back turned to drop her towel.

The sound of it landing on the hardwood floor made your heart speed up, but you made a vow not to think too much of it. Your hands buried themselves in the covers, tugging hard to snugly put them back into place.

The rest of the hour flew by as you helped her fix her hair and complete the subtle makeup look that she chose for the day. Truthfully, you wished you could’ve had a little more time with her to yourself before she had to go. But, it wasn’t your place to want something like that, and as the two of you walked your way towards the meeting room, you made peace with just being in her presence for what little time you had left.

She reciprocated subtly, without you even recognizing it: normally, her strides were fast, but with you at her side, she slowed them immensely. When you matched her pace, she smiled.

Shortly, you rounded the corner to the hall that housed the meeting room.

Yoohyeon came into view, rocking up unto her tippy toes and back down to occupy herself as she patiently waited on your arrival. Her hands were behind her back, clasped but fidgeting, and her eyes regarded the fancy ceiling design as if she hadn’t seen it everyday for the past three years of her life.

When she heard your approaching footsteps, she snapped back to reality and lit up as bright as a Christmas tree. Her smile was so warm you couldn’t help but reciprocate without even trying.

Mrs. Kim traded greetings and pleasantries with her once the two of you had joined her, and you did the same. Before you could talk for very long, though, the heiress had to wrap things up.

“Take care of her, Yoohyeon. Show her everything; I want her to know her way around the place.” She instructed.

The younger girl bowed respectfully, reassuring her. “I’d do nothing less, my Lady. She’ll know the place like the back of her hand in no time.”

Mrs. Kim grinned, looking between the two of you. It seemed as though she wanted to say something more as her eyes lingered on you a second longer than usual, but the door beside her opened before she got the chance to. It was her husband.

His brow raised expectantly, and an air of impatience seemed to leak out of the room behind him through the open doorway. You peered inside, finding a few balding men all sitting around a large table with annoyed expressions on their faces. It made you grimace and wish to send your condolences to the heiress before she had to enter.

“I’ll see you after,” she said, regarding you.

You bowed and offered a word of good luck to her before she disappeared into the room behind Mr. Kim.

Muffled sounds of discussion instantly began, unintelligible to you through the thick walls.

Yoohyeon smiled at you and linked her arm with yours, leading you away. She was clearly excited to have been gifted such a task; her other responsibilities had grown monotonous, making her less than fond of them. But now she had the opportunity to wander about the estate with you and see everything through new eyes. She couldn’t have possibly been happier.

She took her job seriously, much to your relief. No stone was left unturned as she showed you around and explained the heiress’s weekly schedule to you.

Areas and rooms existed for just about every possible task imaginable. Every time you thought the tour was over, Yoohyeon would inevitably lead you up more stairs or turn another corner and down a new hall to discover. Meeting halls, dining rooms, ballrooms, personal quarters, kitchens, studies, recreational areas, specialized spaces for the arts, even an indoor swimming pool – they all blended together, creating the complex and intricate layout of the manor.

“An art instructor conducts lessons for her on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon,” she had said, as she let you peep into the expansive art gallery. It housed tons of paintings and sculptures from far and wide, all acquired by the Kims in some way. A few were originals, done by the heiress’s father.

“She’s enrolled in two language courses to broaden her horizons in the business world.” Yoohyeon informed, as you passed by one of the executive meeting rooms. Books full of practice materials were all perfectly shelved inside, peering back at you from beside a menacing desk. “Those are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at three o’clock sharp. Don’t be late,” she warned, sending a tense look your way. “He’s a pain in the ass to deal with if she arrives late, and neither of you want to be on the receiving end of his ranting. Trust me.”

The outside was much the same, as you worked your way through acres of land complete with gardens (both botanical and for farming), stables, pastures, coops, ponds, a lake, and a racetrack. The lavishness caught you off guard, but you did your best to hide it and stay composed. On the inside, though, you were like a kid in a candy store. You wanted to get lost in your own personal exploration of it all.

By the time you had made your way back inside, you felt like you’d been gone for a week. The miles that you had hiked were weighing heavily on you, but it was the best kind of exhaustion. Your body may have been tired, but your mind was anything but.

The sound of Mr. Kim’s voice made its way to your ears as you rounded the corner, at Yoohyeon’s side. He kissed his wife’s cheek before whispering a word of goodbye and exiting towards the carport.

She watched him go, looking just as tired as you.

“Ma’am!” Yoohyeon called, waving to her once she turned in your direction.

Her face lit up upon spotting the two of you. “Ah, Yoohyeon. Y/N.”

The gloss on her lips shimmered as she smiled, taking in the sight of you in your uniform. You looked even better then than you had that morning.

“What brings you this way?” She addressed Yoohyeon.

“We were just finishing up our tour,” she explained, motioning to you with a tilt of her head. “The library is our last stop.”

“I could show her,” the heiress suggested, perking up a little. You were ignorant as to why she would be interested in such a task after spending hours in a meeting, but the last thing you would do is turn her down.

“Would that be alright?” Her voice was light, concealing the hidden hope that laid beneath.

Your body felt the urge to blush when you noticed the sweet way she looked to you, waiting on your decision with polite nonchalance. The smile on her face didn’t help anything either.

“Of course, ma’am.”

Her grin only deepened. “Fantastic. Shall we go now?”

You nodded, allowing Yoohyeon to step past you as she switched places with the heiress. She touched your shoulder as a way of saying goodbye.

“I’ll get started on my other tasks,” she announced, bowing.

“Thank you, Yoohyeon. We’ll see you later.” The heiress dipped her head down in response, full of respect for her employee. She couldn’t imagine life without her and the rest of the team.

The younger girl smiled as she turned away; something about her resembled sunshine no matter what she did, and now was no different. Even the way she walked was cheerful.

Once she disappeared around the corner of the hall, Mrs. Kim addressed you again.

“Right this way.”

You walked in pleasant silence, simply taking in the hallways and rooms that you passed by on the way. Various workers greeted you; their jobs were easily discernible based on the color of their uniforms.

Green was reserved for the gardeners and landscapers, white for the chefs and waiters, and traditional black and white for the maids and male servants alike.

Those designated as greeters outside were dressed in all black, providing a sleek and pristine first impression to anyone visiting the estate. They specifically were made to look prim and proper at every given moment. One too many wrinkles could cost them their job if they weren't careful.

And you could tell they envied the others for that exact reason.

Some of them watched you through the soaring windows of the main hall, scoping you out like predators monitoring their prey. Feeling self-conscious, you averted your gaze and put a bit more distance between yourself and the heiress. That’s what they seemed to be so interested in, anyway. It was obvious that some of them were jealous that a new-comer like you was being awarded such a moment with her.

“Don’t mind them,” she spoke, more aware of the situation than you thought. She stepped around you so that she was next to the windows, wordlessly blocking you from their view.

It shouldn’t have surprised you that she was paying such good attention without making it glaringly obvious, given that that was her M.O. Always being aware of the little things is what she did best. But even still, you were taken aback by it all.

“Yes, ma’am,” you replied, bowing your head.

She cut her eyes at the workers that still dared to glare at you, and eventually they retreated to their stations to do something productive with their time. Only then was she satisfied.

The library gleamed in its full glory, shining brighter than ever as you arrived at its doors. Intricate patterns decorated the outside of it, wrapping around one another and flowing in various directions. It was fitting that such a place would be adorned with such poetic embellishments.

From your side, she watched you take it all in with a smile on her face.

Tucked just out of your view, someone inside rose from their chair. They dusted their uniform off and opened the door, stepping outside of it to hold it open for the two of you.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Kim.” They greeted, bowing in respect. When they noticed you at her side, they extended you the same courtesy.

She thanked them and led you in, walking slowly so you could revel in yet another moment of awe as you looked around. Books of all kinds – old, new, domestic, foreign, small, large, short, lengthy – resided in their rightful places among the shelves that soared above, nearly touching the ceiling. The smell of their pages painted the air, enriching the room with their combined stories and adventures. Torches and candles all illuminated the space in strategically chosen places; all of their flames were covered to protect the books, but they still burned bright enough to guide you every step of the way, no matter what avenue you chose to stroll down.

Hours and hours of information and fiction alike lined the shelves, creating nooks and crannies that you could get lost in for God knows how long. They were all organized to a T, completely in order. It was overwhelming, if you were honest, and daunting to take in all at once. But the heiress seemed to sense that, and so she put a reassuring hand on your shoulder.

“We can visit here every so often and work through the different sections together, if you’d like. I know it’s a lot.”

“I’d love that.”

“Then it’s settled.” Her smile lines appeared as she said the words, and you unconsciously mirrored her.

“How about we start with the poetry wing for now? You can choose any book that catches your eye.”

“That sounds great.”

With another warm smile, she nodded and led you over to it. She set you loose, free to explore the rows and rows of content until you were satisfied. Your fingertips brushed over the spines of the books as you passed them, ambling about as you read the titles etched there. She herself meandered in your wake. Anytime she heard a sound from you – whether it be one of surprise, excitement, or intrigue – she found herself peeking around the shelves or between breaks in the books to catch a glimpse of you. You were oblivious the entire time, but she didn’t mind; something about that made the moment all the more special for her.

She didn’t need your eyes on her, like everyone else. Simply admiring your innocent joy was enough for her, and she was able to be the beholder for once. It was a welcome change.

A few more minutes passed before you returned to her. By then she had chosen a book as well and was already thumbing through its pages.

“I’ll go with this one,” you declared, proudly holding yours up in the warm light of the room so that she could see which one it was. The smile on your face warmed her heart.

“Good choice,” she praised. “I’ve read that…” she paused to think, tapping her chin, “...ten times since it was published.”

Your eyes widened immensely. “But it just came out a few months ago!”

She shrugged, attempting to hide the smug smile on her face. “It’s just that good. What can I say?”

You began to ramble on about how you’d been dying to get your hands on a copy of it ever since you heard that it was being released, and she listened intently. She learned that the author was one of your favorites, and that surprised her. You had that in common.

Something shifted in her eyes the longer she watched you, all eagerness and poorly concealed excitement. It made her want to participate – to do whatever she had to in order to keep you like that, forever. You were simply radiant, and she’d do whatever it took to protect that happiness for as long as possible.

“Let me take you somewhere,” she offered, speaking again only once you were finished. “I think you’ll love it.”

Your brows furrowed slightly as you looked up at her. “But what about your work?”

She shook her head. “It can wait.”

You grinned, and the gesture was far cuter to her than you realized. “Then let’s go.”

Your feet crunched against the dirt path that wound beneath them, arching up the incline of the hillside that presided over the mansion. You spotted the heiress in case she fell, keeping a careful eye on her as the two of you climbed. Within a few short minutes, you reached its peak and felt your eyebrows raising as the view before you came into focus.

A sprawling cherry tree stood tall next to a quaint bench, both of them overlooking the distant city. The two of you went and sat down, placing your books beside yourself.

The spot gave you a gorgeous view of the town and forest alike, as well as the mountains that surrounded you. Fog settled along the dips and plateaus of them, visible against the backdrop of rich, dense green.

People trodded their way about below, all moving past one another with their own responsibilities and schedules in mind. From what you could make out of the outskirts of the town, farmers were returning from their fields after a long day of hard work.

“Wow, Mrs. Kim. This is…. wow.”

She giggled lightly, amused. “I knew you’d like it.”

Dusky twilight painted the sky, with clouds that looked like carefully crafted brushstrokes taken straight from a storybook. The city lights stretched far and wide; residential and corporate buildings alike all switched them on in preparation for the night ahead. Some were hazy and dull, nearly burnt out – but others glowed brightly, cutting through the darkening atmosphere as they fought to be seen. Little beacons, spread amongst the winding streets and alleys. Their shades varied along the spectrum of colors, but that made them all the more unique and interesting to look at. Ones that were partially concealed could be discovered the harder you looked, and the more vibrant ones could serve as way points and markers on the mental map you had constructed in your mind. They were like shimmering stars in the night sky, creating their own constellations for you.

But they felt so far away from where you sat, and seeing them only made you think of your family; as beautiful as they were, you couldn’t stop your mind from taking it there. You hoped they were doing well, all things considered. Leaving them had been one of the hardest things you’d ever had to do in your entire life.

It didn’t matter that they were only a number of miles away. As long as you were at the estate, they were practically on Mars.

“You’re thinking about them, aren’t you?”

Her voice was quiet and gentle, easing you out of your thoughts instead of abruptly pulling you away. She knew you’d need moments like this in order to deal with the change you were being subjected to.

You could feel the way your smile had faded.

When you nodded, a wave of guilt washed over her. She already had a strong dislike of the way that you were chosen and brought to the estate, but that was out of her hands, just like a majority of other things. A large part of her heart felt for you, knowing you were just as powerless in the situation as she was.

The worried, homesick look in your eye was enough to conjure up every ounce of pity she had available.

“I just hope this arrangement will go smoothly,” you said. “I hope they're okay.”

She understood you completely. “You’re free to write to them.”

“Really?”

She nodded, smiling softly as the light returned to your eyes at the thought.

“I appreciate that.”

“It’s nothing,” she dismissed, waving a hand in the air. “You deserve more,” she whispered, almost under her breath. But you heard it, whether she knew that or not.

The two of you sat there for a while, just soaking in the remaining daylight that was fading quickly. The sun had already disappeared behind the mountains, and you knew it was only a matter of time before inky blackness took over its reign for the night.

Your books laid forgotten beside you until it was time to go. Although this was the perfect place to escape the world and read, it was impossible to pry your eyes away from the beauty around you.

She led you back down the hill as you shot one last look at the city over your shoulder, imprinting the image in your brain. Though your circumstances were far less than ideal, you were grateful for the opportunity to see it all in such a way. From up here, it held a kind of sparkle that was hidden away everywhere else. It shined in its own way, unlike anything else you’d seen before.

The Estate

Two servants greeted you at the doors of the dining hall as you slid your book into the deep front pocket of your uniform. Sensing the nervousness that had sprung up on you, Mrs. Kim sent a reassuring smile your way as you stepped inside with her. Your hands fiddled with the frills of your uniform along your thighs.

A waiter was finishing his job of setting the table as you took your seat next to the heiress. She sat at the head of the table; the opposite end would be occupied by Mr. Kim.

Given that you were her personal maid, of course, you were guaranteed a spot at the table. The senior maids and servants were extended the same courtesy, but everyone else ate dinner in their own quarters or separate dining halls, whichever they preferred. Unless a problem arose or the Kims felt generous, that configuration wouldn’t change.

That fact only heightened the pressure you felt to stay in line. You were afraid that even the smallest of slip ups would wreck things. This place was far too regal than you were used to; too much was at stake at any given moment, and being surrounded by the most influential people of the estate scared you more than you cared to admit.

But the heiress trusted you enough to give you this in, despite it only being your first official day. Something told her that you were capable of handling it, and that accounted for something. If for nothing else, you would do your best to keep it together for her.

More waiters and chefs flitted in and out of the room, setting out trays and dishes of steaming food across the length of the table top. Your stomach grumbled lightly as the smells of them made their way to you. Such a wide selection was foreign to you; at most, you were lucky to have a main dish with a side or two back home. But this was a feast fit for royals; no expense was spared in it, and you knew in your heart that it wasn’t something that was reserved for special occasions. This was a typical dinner, here, and that filled you with an eagerness that could only sprout from a situation like yours – coming from humble beginnings, and now thrust into a life of luxury. It was unfamiliar territory in every way, and you knew it would take plenty of getting used to.

But as the other guests began to filter in and take their seats, the instinctual way you corrected your posture and plastered on a polite smile put your mind at ease.

You could do this.

An Hour & A Half Later

The hall bustled with life as everyone ate and shared discourse with one another. Genuine laughter filled the room – some suppressed, some boisterous – as it bled out into the rest of the manor. In between bites of the delicious creations the chefs had spent hours making, utensils transformed into tools of explanation, aiding the guests in conveying their stories of the day. Many of them were slap happy, too, as they sipped on the alcohol in front of them. Their glasses were always refilled before they could even reach the bottom, so it was really no wonder they were entering into various stages of drunkenness already. Their cheeks were flushed in a charming kind of way; it made them look more approachable. The professional, jarring image they always put up had slipped away by now and left them like you. Normal.

The pleasant atmosphere left you unsure of why you were ever so nervous in the first place.

Mr. Kim thrust his glass of wine into the air, demanding a toast to commemorate your arrival. It was unexpected, but you welcomed it with a grateful smile.

Your eyes found the heiress’s on instinct, seeking support from her without you even realizing. She grinned back, reassuring you as she tilted her glass towards yours in the air. It was the first to clink, before everyone else rushed to extend their welcome to you. The man beside you nearly sloshed his drink out from the jovial way he shoved it upwards, but his muttered apology afterwards only made you laugh.

“To Y/N!”

Mrs. Kim watched you over the rim of her glass as she finished her wine in one long drink. You merely sipped on yours, having no intention of getting drunk like the rest of them. You wanted to conduct yourself well, and if you expected to be able to take care of her on top of that, you knew you had to be sober.

When a waitress approached the heiress to refill her glass, she raised a hand to stop her. She was so far gone at that point that she couldn’t fathom drinking another drop. Her skin was heated, and her cheeks were a shade of red that you’d never quite seen before. It was deep, yet bright; entirely beautiful, but also alarming. If it could speak for anything, you were sure it was a harbinger of the terrible hangover she would have in the morning.

Her movements were slightly altered as she reached for the apple that rested on the tablecloth in front of her. It wasn’t something you had expected for her to request, but you learned that whenever they’re in season, she asks that the chefs surprise her from time to time and send her the best looking one from their batches. The one in her hand was no exception, either; it looked fresh out of a storybook. Practically plucked straight from one of its pages.

She grabbed the handle of her knife as she inspected the fruit, picking a place to begin cutting. It made you nervous, though, and on instinct you placed your hands over hers to stop her.

“Let me,” you offered, taking the knife from her.

She agreed with a cute little nod.

Before long, you had it sliced and ready for her to eat. Carefully, you sat the knife on your plate and put the cut pieces on her napkin. The corner of her lips pulled back in a lopsided, lazy smile as she reached out for one.

When it disappeared beyond her lips and she took her first bite, she let out a quiet noise of approval and closed her eyes. It was sweet and juicy, just like she wanted. Her favorite variety never failed her.

“Here,” she suddenly said, gaining your attention.

You glanced down at her hand, finding it extended to you with a slice outstretched. She wiggled it, but before you could grab it she pulled it away. Confused, you looked at her again. Her mouth only opened in response, instructing you on what to do. She held it up to your lips, and after a moment of hesitancy you opened your mouth to receive it.

Her breath caught in her throat at the way your lips wrapped around it, and she swallowed hard at the sight. Some of the juices from it began to dribble down your chin, but she was quick to swipe them away with her finger and clean you up.

Your stomach flipped when she brought it to her lips, tasting the juice like it was nothing.

The tips of your ears warmed despite the innocence of the gesture, and you directed your attention to the floor as you finished chewing. If she was aware of what she had just done to your gay heart, she didn’t show it.

Depending on how you looked at things, that could be a blessing or a curse.

The remaining time you spent in the dining hall passed by in a flash. That moment with her left you speechless, and it occupied your mind in a way that allowed no room for any more small talk or jokes with the guests around you. Tales of the weeds that the gardener had conquered that morning paled in comparison to the memory of her touch; the one that held the most importance was glaringly obvious.

Even after she had excused the two of you from the hall and freed you to return to her room, you were still stuck up in your mind.

That all was brought to a screeching halt, though, as the tip of her stiletto slotted into a crack in the floor.

The fruity scent of alcohol was strong as she stumbled into you, sending the accents of it to wash over you as well. You caught her on instinct, looping an arm around her waist. She apologized for her tipsiness with an embarrassed smile, but you didn’t mind it in the slightest.

You were able to see a different side of her, like this, as you ambled on together. Every clumsy move she made inspired laughter; her quiet giggles filled the otherwise silent night air of the manor, drawing it out of its stupor. The candles even seemed to burn a little brighter as she passed by.

Once you finally reached her room, she collapsed onto the bed with a happy sigh. The covers poofed out at the sides from her impact, drawing a smile from you.

“I’ll go grab your things,” you informed, before slipping away.

A muffled reply came, but seeing as her cheek was pressed against one of the pillows, it was far from intelligible.

You returned a few minutes later with her nightgown and shawl, crossing your fingers that she hadn’t fallen asleep yet. The material was warm in your hands, having just come out of the dryer.

“Mrs. Kim?”

“Mmm,” she hummed, still snuggled against the side of her pillow.

“Sit up for me, please.”

“Do I have to?” A whine left her.

“Yes.”

She listened shortly after, though her eyes remained closed. Her body swayed slightly as the bed beckoned her to fall back over and sleep.

“Once you get changed, we’ll clean your face and then you can rest. Deal?”

Her eyes peeked open hesitantly, one after the other, as she nodded.

When she grabbed the hem of her jacket to take it off, you quickly averted your eyes and excused yourself to the bathroom to get her skincare products rounded up. The darkness of the room made finding them a little difficult, but after diligently searching the shelves, her favorite cleanser, serum, and hydrating lotion all found their way into your line of sight eventually.

You sat them on the counter and entered her room again. You were curious as to what was taking so long.

When you spotted her on the bed, it was physically impossible to contain your laughter.

“Stop it,” she warned.

Her arms were stuck above her head, tangled in the sleeves of her shirt. She had managed to wiggle free of the suit jacket, but her good fortune ended there.

“Here, let me help.”

She still heard your suppressed laughter as you approached the bed, but she didn’t scold you anymore. It was obvious that she wanted to laugh, too.

Being mindful of her jewelry, you slid the half-unbuttoned top over her head, freeing her. For a moment, you wondered how long she had been stuck like that.

“Can you help me with the rest?” She asked. Despite the fact that such a thing was literally in your job description, she didn’t want to order you.

“Of course.”

You crouched down, removing her heels before placing them neatly beside her dresser. The lack of lighting in the room helped you avoid blushing too much as you unbuttoned her pants and slid them down her legs, feeling just how smooth they were in the process.

You reached around her next, feeling for the clips of her bra. In one motion, the two sides of it released and came tumbling down. She sighed appreciatively.

"Better?"

She cooperated well as you slipped her nightgown over her head.

"So much," she replied.

"Good. Now let's get you washed up."

She obediently sat on the chair next to her vanity, perching herself on its edge. The alcohol in her system made her appreciative of how cold its surface was against her heated skin.

As you filled a bowl up with water and wet a cloth, she watched you through hazy eyes.

The top few buttons of your uniform were undone, and some of your hair had fallen out of the clip that was nestled in its strands. She smiled to herself when you tucked the unruly pieces behind your ears to get them out of the way.

“Here we go, ma’am,” you grinned. You pulled a small footrest out of its cubby beneath the sink and placed it in front of her before easing yourself down onto it.

She closed her eyes and lowered her head, letting it hover close to the bowl as you began to clean off what makeup she had on. It was minimal for the most part, with most of the focus being on her eyes; the intricate design she had requested came off easily, though, much to your relief.

After wiping off as much as you could with the wet cloth, you used your hands to apply the cleanser to her skin. She giggled drunkenly as you cupped her cheeks and raised her head, needing to see her better to reach all the necessary places. They were warm against your palms, completely flushed.

Once she was sufficiently sudsed up, you used the water to rinse her off. You snagged a dry towel off of the hanger and dabbed her skin with it afterward, before setting the bowl on the counter beside her. You applied the serum and lotion evenly, noticing how dewy they made her look. Even now, bare faced and sleepy, she was still the most beautiful woman you’d ever seen.

Mr. Kim truly was a lucky man.

She shifted in the chair and inadvertently knocked the towel off of your leg. It fluttered to the floor before you had time to react. As you bent slightly to the side to retrieve it, only then did you notice that her lipstick hadn’t budged, despite your efforts. It was stubbornly still stuck on her lips.

“Ah, just a second,” you requested, as you put the towel to the side and took the cloth out of the bowl, flipping it over in search of a clean spot to use. She looked at you expectantly, unaware of what exactly had happened.

Her lips were full and rosy, looking more kissable than usual somehow as you focused all of your attention on them. You couldn’t help but admire their gentle curves and arches, and the way that they parted slightly every time she drew in a breath. Using the cloth, you rubbed them in gentle strokes to remove the lipstick and gloss that colored them so beautifully.

An aspect of the motion felt intimate. Perhaps it was how she wrapped her fingers around your forearm, embracing you in her own way. Maybe it was that her gaze seemed to have trouble finding a place to stay; it wandered from your eyes to your mouth. Possibly even the fact that she leaned in a little closer as you worked, granting you all the access you needed.

Or maybe it was a combination of all those things. You weren’t sure. All you knew was that you needed to hurry and finish the task at hand before you did something reckless. She was alluring in a dangerous way, and you didn’t feel particularly strong enough to remain in line if she kept it up.

She wanted to kiss you in that moment more than anything.

To feel your lips against hers, and the weight of your body in her arms. She wanted your hands on her, touching her and caressing her in ways that she’d never felt before. From what little she had already experienced, she knew it would be Heaven.

But she had no clue why her desire for such a thing was so strong. It had to have been the alcohol simply heightening her urges. She barely knew you, after all, and you were her employee. Perhaps it was more so the action itself rather than the person in question.

Though, when she considered it, none of her previous maids had ever even so much as turned her head. But you… you did. Something about you simply drew her in; you were like a magnet, and she had felt a certain pull to you from the second she met you. It made no sense, and never before in her life had she jumped the gun in such a way.

Whether she was drunk or sober didn’t matter; anytime she looked at you, it was as if she had to make a conscious effort to stop. You captivated her with even the simplest of actions. And now, as you so diligently followed her routine and made sure to take care of her, something changed. Her inhibitions put themselves on pause, allowing the alcohol to override her systems of judgment and ultimately let her be reckless.

She leaned forward, pressing her hands down against the seat at her sides in an effort to boost herself closer to you. Desperate curiosity fueled her movements – a deadly combo, making her movements clumsy.

When her lips brushed against yours, the rush of surprise you felt was impossible to hide.

They were softer than you could’ve ever imagined as they slid over yours, sweet and inviting. Her head tilted to the side subtly as she tested the waters, wanting to brave a step forward. Demurity was present in the movement, but the reality of the situation sunk in and hit you like a ton of bricks, all at once.

Your eyes opened wide as you pulled back, putting distance between the two of you. The tell-tale uptick of your heartbeat would’ve sold you out in an instant if she could’ve heard it.

But you were oblivious to her intentions in the worst possible way.

A large part of her wanted you to know that she did it on purpose. Or, at the very least, to have a suspicion of that and trust your gut feeling.

But you didn’t. You couldn’t. Every possible factor about the situation prevented you from believing she wanted to kiss you. That was just simply unthinkable. The rich, married, successful heiress with one of the most important reputations in the world to uphold had the urge to kiss you? Definitely not. She was just drunk and miscalculated her movements.

When the reality sunk in that you weren’t going to reciprocate her curiosity – or even allow her to explore it herself – she silently thanked every lucky star she’d ever had for her ability to blame her advances on the alcohol in her system and the sleep that she was in such desperate need of. Her pride could be saved and things wouldn’t have to change between the two of you.

She just prayed that you wouldn’t question her. Lying to you wouldn’t be easy when her mind was busied with the fact that you still tasted like the cherry wine that had been served with dinner. All she wanted to do was taste it again.

You swallowed nervously, still reeling. The sick, inky feeling of icy shock still coursed through your veins. It was hard to breathe, with the way that she was still looking at you; her warm eyes were full of light, even in the darkness. But you pushed the feelings away and stood up.

“I’m all done, ma’am. Let’s get you in bed now.”

She nodded and stood up, too, crossing behind you as you emptied the bowl into the sink. Its contents swirled together, pooling with one another before ultimately disappearing down the drain and into nothingness. Just like her memories of tonight would need to do.

Soft frills caught her eye as she climbed into bed and pulled the blanket over herself. She reached down for the material, finding that it was the shawl you brought in earlier. Heat still hung in its fibers, residual yet plenty noticeable. It replaced what warmth she was beginning to lose as the effects of the alcohol were starting to subside, and she was grateful. The chilly evening air was beginning to seep inside, little by little.

She wrapped it around her shoulders tightly, reveling in how it felt against her.

You emerged from the bathroom shortly after and lingered by her bedside, not knowing exactly what to do. She had already managed to tuck herself in and get settled, so you really weren’t needed anymore.

“Thank you, Y/N,” she spoke, breaking the quiet. “Good night.” A beat passed, far more tense than either of you expected it to be.

You nodded, avoiding her gaze. “No problem. Sleep well, ma’am.”

She dipped her head down as you bowed, respectfully mirroring the gesture, and once you left the room she let out a heavy sigh. Her fingertips pressed to her lips, toying with them as her mind wandered.

Little did she know that on your way back to your room, you did the same.

—---

Following that eventful first day, a professional distance was established between the heiress and yourself. It was mainly your doing, so as to keep yourself in check and guarded. The last thing you wanted to do was forget the seriousness of your arrangement and ruin the opportunity you had to give your family a better life.

But, inevitably, and as the next few weeks bled into months, you began to get to know one another more and grow closer. With every passing day, you found that she had a funny way of lessening the divide between you; her charms chipped away at it, little by little as she disarmed your defenses.

Your time together was filled with countless memories and adventures, but a handful in particular truly stood out among the rest. Looking back, they were the ones that told the story of you. Fate was written in those encounters, present in everything that allowed them to happen just as they did, whether you realized it at the time or not.

It would be a disservice to go without mentioning them.

1.) Spontaneity

The heiress taught you the importance of living in the moment.

> Outside, On The Lawn <

A once-calm afternoon gave way to an evening storm of such high caliber that you were left to question what humanity had done to anger Mother Nature so severely.

Through your fingers, you peered up at the raging horizon.

It seemed out of the blue that the clouds rushed in, claiming their throne in the sky as they overtook the bright Sun. You were left to hastily help Mrs. Kim up in response and seal up the small bag you had on your back. Out of it, you took the umbrella you packed earlier in case something like this would’ve happened.

The two of you began your retreat towards the house, striding across the lawn as the clouds above opened up. What began as a light drizzle turned into a downpour in an instant as rain flooded down relentlessly.

“Quickly, ma’am,” you instructed over a roar of the wind, using the umbrella to shield her from the stinging droplets that pelted your skin. You took the brunt of it, only caring that she was out of harm's way.

Much to your dismay, her pace only slowed.

“Wait, Y/N,” she said, placing a gentle hand on your forearm.

You stopped and turned to look at her, impatient but obedient. Her eyes shined with a mischievous innocence – one that surprised you. What she had planned, you had no idea.

Her fingers wrapped around the handle just above where yours rested as she took the umbrella away from you. When you made a move to get it back, she simply grinned and shook her head.

Before you could react, she uncovered the both of you and let the umbrella fall to the ground at your feet.

Rain instantly sprayed down on you, working to drench what areas of your skin and clothes it hadn’t reached before. The swaths of wind that continued to blow in only made things worse; they heightened the frigidity of the rain, making your breath catch in your throat at the sensation.

But when you shot a shocked look up at the heiress, she couldn’t have possibly looked happier.

Her shirt clung tightly to her skin, hugging the curves of her breasts and sides in a way that seemed deserving of having poetry written about it. Her lacy undergarments were becoming visible through the thin material, fading in more and more with every blast of the current. Her fancy updo – which you had spent a considerable amount of time on earlier – was undeniably ruined; strands of it fell down in different directions and ways than you had intended. Water droplets hung in the locks that came down to frame her face, sparkling with all the light they refracted.

You couldn’t find it in yourself to be the slightest bit upset.

The childish smile on her face, so eager and bright, took away any ill thoughts you ever could’ve had about the situation.

“Let’s go.”

Your eyebrows furrowed at her sudden command. “What?”

She giggled at your bewilderment. “Just trust me. Come on,” she quickly reassured, sticking her hand out to you. With a swift glance down at it, you shrugged and released your inhibitions. Here goes, you thought to yourself, as you placed your hand in hers.

She wasted no time in taking that and running with it – literally. She nearly yanked you out of your shoes as she pulled you after her.

The two of you thundered across the courtyard together, shouting into the wind.

Your shoes made sloshing sounds amid the rain, just as soaked as the rest of you. She didn’t seem to care at all about the state that her fancier ones were in; when you came upon a large puddle that was forming, she splashed right in.

Joyous laughter bubbled out of her when you jumped in, too. She spun you around a time or two, admiring the curve of your smile as you lifted your face to the sky.

You couldn't help but want her to experience it, too, and so you reached out for her.

Your arms wrapped around her waist as you stepped closer, planting your feet to keep the both of you steady. Once you sent her a nod of approval, she put her hands on your shoulders and leaned back.

She closed her eyes and let the rain fall freely all over her; it was only obstructed by the partial cover that your body provided as you hovered closely. She, for a moment, was the eye of the storm. Delicately perched in your arms, she existed amid the chaos that surrounded you.

A candle in the wind, burning brightly. You, serving as her holder.

Her hands reached high up to the sky, and she reveled in the chilly sensation of the water running over her palms and down her arms. Your warmth staved off a majority of the cold, making it bearable as you provided it so readily for her. Seeing the content smile on her face made it all worth it.

But, before long, an end was brought to your plans. Mother Nature warned you more harshly, showing her anger at discovering you were still outside in the first place; the clouds above darkened, swirling in dangerous patterns as the winds mixed with one another. When a large bolt of lightning was unleashed, streaking its searing path down to Earth, you both jolted in response.

You held your breath for a moment at the way she clung to you, her heart racing as she trembled from the shock; but you released it in the form of a laugh as she shied away, embarrassed over getting so frightened.

You pulled her up and made sure she was alright before you took her hand again, and the two of you raced back to the manor. Cracks of lightning and booms of thunder followed you, shouting and complaining like the grumpy old neighbors you see in movies.

When you crossed the threshold, only then did you realize your fingers had become intertwined along the way.

The gesture was small, and completely unintentional, no doubt; but there was no denying the rush of butterflies it sent to your stomach.

The heiress only let go of you when a few maids rushed in with towels in their hands, ready to dry her off as quickly as possible. They fussed over her like their lives depended on it – three sets of hands all working together to get the water off.

Another servant emerged from the hall a few seconds later and handed you a towel with an expression that resembled amusement.

“Y/N can take it from here, ladies,” the heiress spoke after a couple of minutes, gaining everyone’s attention.

You stood up straight and raised your head, halting your efforts to dry your hair.

“Yes, ma’am,” they replied, bowing before scurrying away.

She turned to look at you, waiting patiently until she heard the last of their footsteps fade far into the manor, before she burst into laughter again. You joined her, unable to resist. Once the two of you wound down, you made pleasant conversation about her little surprise and meandered your way back to her quarters.

You headed for the bathroom immediately after arriving, prepared to get her bath ready and have it cooling off. A small sense of guilt resounded in her heart when you passed her, shivering as you wrapped your towel around your shoulders. The soaked material was definitely useless to you now, and while she would be getting warm and cozy you’d be forced to watch from beside the tub. That fact didn’t sit right with her.

“Y/N,” she called lightly, undoing the rest of her buttons before sliding her top off of her shoulders.

“Yes?” You responded, tilting your head up and towards the open doorway of the bathroom, but keeping your eyes on the water in front of you. Steam radiated from it, swirling as you added in one of her favorite oils.

She stripped out of her long skirt and undergarments, all of them far heavier than usual with the amount of water they held in their threads. She placed them in a bin that one of the maids had set out earlier, when they first spotted the two of you outside.

“You should take a bath, too.”

You smiled, happy to know she wanted you to be taken care of.

“I will, don’t worry,” you called back again, adding a few droplets of soap to make some suds appear. “Once you’re cleaned up, I’ll head back to my room and take one.”

“No.”

Your brows furrowed in confusion, and you turned to look at her. This time, when your eyes raised up, they were met with the sight of her standing completely bare in the doorway. Your crouched position only made things worse for you, and you hastily looked away.

Welp, you definitely weren’t cold anymore. That took care of that problem.

“I meant with me, here. There’s no use in wasting more water, and I want you to be warm.” She explained nonchalantly, taking a few steps into the bathroom towards you. “I can’t have my maid getting sick, now can I?”

Your cheeks burned, likely hotter to the touch than the water in front of you.

What was it with the two of you and this bathroom?

You shook your head, aware that the absence of an answer would seem suspicious. Silently, you cursed yourself for feeling the way you did. Such a routine task for a maid shouldn’t be such a big deal; seeing her naked shouldn’t have the kind of effect on you that it does.

You weren’t sure if you’d ever get used to it.

Her hands slid onto your shoulders from behind, and you held your breath as she took the towel off of them. Her fingers tapped them lightly, silently requesting that you stand up. You turned to face her and stepped to the side, extending your hand to help her into the tub. She held it and used it to steady herself.

Once she was in, she grasped the sides of the tub and lowered herself in slowly, allowing her skin time to adjust to the heat. Cautiously, you watched as more of her body disappeared below the soapy surface. The lines of her back and shoulders tensed and shifted, making you ache in a lovesick kind of way. They were beautiful as they showcased her effort.

Steam continued to billow up, causing the baby hairs around her face to curl.

“Come on, don’t wait until it’s cold,” she teased, though you knew the prompting behind her words was serious.

You bit your cheek and stripped, keeping your back turned to her to spare your pride. Your position prevented you from seeing the way that her eyes glanced over to you, stealing looks on more than one occasion. Her curiosity overruled her better judgment. Part of her felt sorry for peeking, but she truly couldn’t help herself.

Was it really so bad? Perhaps you’d be upset with her if you knew.

Once you were free of your garments, you approached the other side of the tub and carefully stepped in. She brought a hand out of the water, holding it up to you just as you’d done for her; steam radiated from it, making her look like some sort of super hero. You thanked her as you took it, getting inside with her.

The tub was plenty big enough for the both of you, so leg room wasn’t an issue. You each stretched your legs to the right, sitting at opposite ends. Occasionally, you felt a tantalizing brush of her soft skin against you, but you did your best to block it out.

This definitely wasn’t the environment to get even more hot and bothered in. Too many opportunities existed here for you to embarrass yourself or for her to discover your blossoming feelings.

“Nice, isn’t it?” She asked some time later, smiling to herself. Her head was laid back, resting against the edge of the tub.

You nodded as if she could see it. “Mhm.”

“Thank you for doing this.” The words came out like a sigh.

“Running a bath?” You laughed, taken aback by her unexpected praise. “It’s just my job, ma’am.”

“I meant using all of my favorite oils and scents,” she explained, letting her hand swirl around in the water. The other still rested along the side of the tub, leaving heated fingerprints to the slightly colder surface.

“You already know what I like,” she added. “I’m grateful to have someone as observant as you.”

You grinned to yourself, feeling proud. Knowing that she noticed and appreciated the effort you put in was enough for you.

She spoke again after another comfortable minute passed. “And my last maid refused to do anything spontaneous, so you’re a welcome improvement.”

You chuckled at that. If spontaneity with her ended as an evening like this, you’d be a fool to deny it. Mentally, you sent a word of gratitude to whatever idiot came before you.

Her hand absentmindedly brushed against your knee as you uttered a happy reply.

“I’m glad you think so.”

—--

2.) Watch Yourself

The heiress showed her devotion to you in a new way, exposing you to another side of herself in the process.

You hummed a quiet song to yourself as you tidied up some of the garlands and wreaths that were strung up across the porch of the manor. Some were handmade by the crafters of the estate, while others were gifts from friends, family, and business partners of the Kims. They were meant to welcome the season and spiff up the house – two things the heiress loved dearly.

She sat in a rocking chair nearby, flipping through the pages of one of her favorite books. Care was put into the way she cradled it, ensuring no harm came to the precious material.

She looked up at you occasionally, when she would take a sip of the tea that rested on the flat arm of her chair.

A handful of other servants aided you – everyone working hard in various locations – but her eyes always had a funny habit of drifting back to you.

It began as simple curiosity. The endearing way you raised up onto your toes to reach the highest peaks of the wreaths especially made her smile.

But that curiosity evolved into something far less innocent before she knew it. She studied the curve of your body as you bent over, reaching deep into the bin in front of you to grab another string of festive tinsel. The sleeves of your uniform were hiked up at your shoulders to offer you some relief from the heat that bogged the estate down. Your muscles flexed as you moved about, searching for the perfect piece to go along with the aesthetic that you had in mind.

You bit your lip in the process, and it was all she could do to stop herself from openly staring.

She cleared her throat and attempted to compose herself once you grabbed what you were after and looked up. Her heart pounded as she pretended to read again, hoping to throw you off her trail.

She felt your eyes on her for an aching second, just as curious as she had been, before you looked away.

Part of her was disappointed, strangely.

Regardless, she didn’t question it. Her nose remained firmly stuck between the pages of her book for the next few minutes as she did everything she could to distract herself from you. And it worked, for a while, until the lovers described in her poems all began to take the shape of you. They all had your soft smile, as she imagined them in her mind; and your pretty eyes. Their mannerisms all became yours, in one way or another. They expressed and made love in ways that she imagined you would, despite the fact that that was as far of an overstep as she possibly could’ve taken. She felt ashamed, like she was taking advantage of the mere thought of you.

Yet, why was she blushing?

The worn handles of the decoration box rubbed against your fingers as you carried it down the stairs of the porch and towards the fountain in the middle of the driveway. You’d been asked to decorate it, too, specifically with the ornaments and wreaths that the youngest Kims had crafted.

Each of them started as a simple ring of twigs, giving the traditional shape of a wreath. From there, the children were given free reign of what… artistic… directions and liberties they took. In many cases, fake berries and leaves were crudely wrapped around the twigs; some were glued, and others stapled. Those made by the older children were easily discernible, of course, but all of them were just as charming as the last.

When you knelt down in front of the fountain and took out the first one, you discovered that you were smiling.

Later, when you were finishing up, the sound of tires treading heavily on the pavement behind you grabbed your attention. A car approached, sleek and dark in every way it could’ve been; the tint of the windows was nearly jet black.

It came to a stop halfway around the circle, obstructing your view of the porch. When the door opened and a man stepped out, your blood ran cold.

It was the man from that night back at your house.

He was dressed in black slacks and a gray button up, both of which were mussed in an uncouth kind of way. Sunglasses sat across the bridge of his nose, just as dark as the windows of his car. He removed his cap, slyly grinning at you as he tossed it in the car and shut the door.

His dress shoes squeaked lightly as he began his approach, reeking of a polish so strong that you could smell it from where you were. You stood up when he neared you.

“Ah, Y/N,” he greeted, too overzealous and too fake for your liking.

You remained silent, refusing to return the gesture. His carefully practiced smile faltered, but only for a moment.

“How is maid life treating you?” He tried.

“It’s fine, sir,” you returned shortly. You had the desire to allow your voice to deadpan, but you decided against it at the last second.

“Is it, really?” His voice dropped a little lower, quieting to become inaudible to anyone other than you. A wry look gleamed in his eye, making you uneasy.

“Because your parents are really worried sick,” he pouted, before taking a look around. You stiffened at the mention of them, and he noticed.

Shit.

“Maybe I should pay them another visit,” he suggested, smirking sinisterly. "Let them know you're alright." His feet treaded towards you when he took a couple steps closer, looming above.

Dread tightened in your chest. A sinking feeling of restriction was settling over you, but you did your best to hide that fact. Letting this man think he had power over you was the last thing you wanted.

“I think your father and I have a few things to discuss, anyway.”

You took a cautious step back, unsure of what he planned to do next. He was definitely the type of person to resort to violence if his tactics of intimidation failed.

“No, you don’t. I’m holding up my end of the bargain by being here.”

One of his unkempt eyebrows tweaked up at the corner. He hadn’t expected you to respond like that.

“Clearly you know nothing of his past if you think that’s the only business that exists between the two of us.”

Your eyes narrowed at him as you fell silent.

“Aww, what’s wrong?” He pouted again, mocking you. “Don’t know your daddy as well as you thought you did?”

The grimace that found its way to your face showed every ounce of disgust you felt towards him. Just as he went to invade your personal space and make another, more malicious comment, authoritative footfalls resounded from somewhere behind you.

Before you had the chance to turn around and see who the source of the sound was, a protective hand found its way to the small of your back.

The heiress.

Her eyes were set firmly on the man, with a gaze so icy it frightened you.

His leer faded as he recognized her; a bit of color left his face.

“Is there a reason you’re keeping my maid from me?” Aggravation led her tone. From your position at her side, you noticed the way her jaw tensed the longer she looked at him.

“My bad, Mrs. Kim,” he soothed, too smug to apologize yet too much of a coward to ignore her outright. He attempted a smile again to ease the tension, but it soon dropped.

She wasn’t in the mood for his bullshit, either.

“I suggest you leave, Dae-Jung. Now.”

He glanced at you again after that, as if deciding whether or not to say something else. Like the losing dog in a fight, he wavered; his predatory gaze lingered, stuck to you in a way that made you feel grimy.

The subtle way Mrs. Kim pulled you in a little closer to her body deterred him; her arm snaked further around your waist, settling there.

With a click of his tongue, he relented.

“Have a good evening, everyone!” He shouted loudly all of a sudden, putting his hands up. The workers outside all raised their heads to see what the outburst was about. Many of them shared similar expressions of annoyance.

“Keep up the good work for our dear Lady.”

Contempt was written all over his face as he backed away, retreating to whatever corner of Hell he came from. You looked away, not wishing to see him for a second longer than you had to.

Instead, your eyes happened to find their way to the heiress, who remained at your side, standing tall. She intently watched his every step until he reached his car and sped off; if he had come back to start trouble again, she wanted to be prepared. And for you, she was more than ready.

“I’m sorry about him, Y/N,” she mitigated, releasing her hold on you.

You tried not to let your disappointment show too much at the loss of contact.

“It’s not your fault, ma’am.”

You retrieved the decoration box before joining her again.

“Still,” her head shook, frustration and dislike evident in the motion. “Dae-Jung is terrible. If it were up to me, he never would’ve been hired in the first place.”

That piqued your interest. “Who has the final say, then?”

“My father and Hyun Wook,” she answered. A hint of resentment skated by on her tone, but you didn’t point it out.

Interesting. Perhaps they knew more about whatever shady past he had.

She kicked a stone across the courtyard as you neared the porch’s stairs. Her hands were nestled in the pockets of her dress, and she looked as though she wanted to say something more. You waited patiently as she visibly contemplated.

“If he ever causes you any trouble again – or if anyone here does, for that matter – tell me. The last thing I want is for you to be mistreated during your stay.”

You smiled at her sincerity, feeling a little giddy.

“I appreciate that, ma’am. Thank you.”

She nodded, seemingly relieved at your words.

When you laid the box on the porch, leaving it out for the other servants to use later, you noticed the heiress’s book. It was laid open on the seat of her chair – not carefully shut like it should’ve been. It was askew, too, showing that she had likely thrown it down in haste. As to why she was in such a rush, you had no idea.

The reality of that made you wonder.

–

3.) Savior

Fate kept you on your toes, ensuring that you never got too complacent.

The smell of fresh dirt and fertilizer hung heavy in the air, pervading it as you stepped outside. Faint floral scents skated by on gusts of wind as well, but they couldn’t rival the richness of the Earth. It brought everything to life as it welcomed the changing season in full, promising abundant harvests for the year to come.

The notion lightened your spirit as you took it in. In the city, things like this had always been a struggle; food was far more scarce for your neighborhood, and having a plot of land decent enough to produce true sustenance was a rarity. Your family had always managed to make it by, but just barely.

You wondered, then, if the heiress would allow you to send some crops back home in order to help. Surely she’d extend the courtesy, provided the circumstances.

As you smoothed out the gardening uniform you wore and made your descent over the lush yard towards the garden, you made a mental note to ask her.

And before long, following one final turn around the corner of the supply shed, you spotted her.

Your Lady.

The sun wrapped around her, holding her tight like a sweet kiss as she thanked a passing landscaper for his hard work. He bowed kindly, the gesture full of respect. The skirt of her dress wavered in the passing breeze, rippling as it so pleased when she returned the motion to him.

Her sun hat partially obstructed her view as she turned to look at you, but the sweet way she tilted her head back to peek at you from beneath the rim made you smile.

“There you are!” She called out, putting her hands on her hips. Her eyes squinted slightly as she braved the bright sun solely in the name of greeting you properly.

“I apologize for my tardiness,” you responded, making your way down the hill to her. The slope wasn’t too terribly steep, and for that you were thankful.

“I hope it wasn’t too much of an inconvenience.”

She shook her head, adamant but easy going. “Not at all. I’ve just been enjoying the weather.”

A quick glance down at her legs gave you another insight into her solo endeavors.

“And playing in the pond, I see.” An amused smile toyed at your lips when she looked down at them as well, reminded of her excursion.

“And playing in the pond,” she echoed, nodding to herself.

After that, neither of you said anything for a bit. Both of you fell into a comfortable silence as you admired the land, allowing yourselves the opportunity to take it all in. For her, the sights and sounds were pleasant reminders of the life she so graciously lived. But for you, they were new discoveries entirely.

Birds and insects that you’d never heard before shared their unique calls, creating melodies all of their own. Some were piercing, bordering on shrill; others as soft as silk as they floated by in pursuit of one another.

When she caught a glimpse of your innocent amazement, she couldn’t help but smile. It warmed her heart to see that you were adjusting well to the abrupt change that you went through, and knowing you hadn’t lost the curiosity that you harbored from that first day comforted her even more. Although she was aware that being at the estate wasn’t something you ever asked for, she hoped that experiences like this could remedy things to some degree. The time you were losing with your family was irreplaceable, no doubt, but perhaps you would have plenty to tell them about upon your return. That eased her conscience, at least.

Maybe, if things were done right, even some of that initial anguish could be replaced with more happy memories like this one.

You’d made her happier in your short time at the manor than she ever imagined you could’ve, and that meant something.

She took you by the hand and led you to one of the benches near the pond, careful to avoid the bees and wasps that buzzed by.

Confusion tweaked at your features momentarily, but the comfortable hold that she had on you melted it away.

Gardening could wait until she wanted to do it, you supposed, as she guided you to sit down.

The metal seat was warm against your body, but not hot. The sun’s energy was stored there like a reservoir, allowing you to savor the feeling of it over time. Unconsciously, you sunk into the bench a little further, truly feeling at ease. She joined you shortly after, sitting close enough that your knees brushed each other whenever you shifted around.

The proximity was more than welcome by you, though you did your best not to make that too obvious.

Embarrassing yourself like that wasn’t very high on your to-do list for the day.

A gathering of tall flowers wavered next to you, blowing in the breeze; as you reached a hand out to them, their petals brushed against your palm in various patterns, soft and mild.

They were lavender plants. Such pretty things. Almost capable of holding a candle to the woman beside you. Almost.

“Isn’t it beautiful out here?”

Her voice was airy, full of light.

“Absolutely,” you answered, stopping your eyes from wandering anymore and instead focusing them on her again. Her cheeks were flushed, but you couldn’t determine if it was due to the heat or some sudden shyness that befell her.

“Thank you for letting me experience it like this.”

‘Like this’, meant with her, just the two of you, hidden away from the rest of the world as the sun worked its fateful magic on the land and added a type of sparkle that was absent during any other part of the day. It meant with her, feeling her leg bump against yours as she spun in the seat and tracked the path of a passing butterfly that was taking flight for the first time.

But you didn’t elaborate on that. A confession that brazen simply wasn’t in the cards for you.

“You’re more than welcome, Y/N,” she assured warmly, bringing you back to your senses. The rim of her hat tilted in the way again as she turned to you, and, without thinking, you raised a hand to push it up for her.

She stilled for a moment, surprised – just the same as you.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have–”

“It’s fine,” she chuckled, not letting you finish your unnecessary apology.

Her fingers readjusted the tie below her chin as she settled the hat into place a little better, ensuring that it would stay put from then on.

A new kind of sparkle showed in her eyes as they glanced between yours; something rested in that shimmer, hidden like a present, waiting to be understood when the time was right.

She moved in a little closer to you, shifting her hips with a feminine subtlety that gave you half the inclination to believe you’d simply made it up in your mind. But a hint of caution showed on her face, letting you know that she was testing something.

What that was exactly, you had no idea. But you certainly weren’t complaining.

Unbeknownst to her, in her effort to close some of the distance between you, the heel of her shoe had scraped across a patch of grass beneath the bench, thus interrupting a bee that was feeding from one of the flowers there.

Its buzzing grew louder, full of anger that it intended to make known.

Just as she went to say something to you, her words were interrupted by a sudden shout of pain as the bee flew up her dress and stung her leg.

You jumped in surprise, but after a quick explanation from her you snapped into action. Carefully, you looped her arm around your shoulders and stood up, easing the weight of her body against yours. You knew that walking would be immensely painful in her situation, so you made it a point to prevent her from feeling the effects of gravity to the best of your ability.

Her soft groans of pain filled your ears with each advancing step you took towards the manor, hasty and a bit rocky. You made sure to gently lift her a little, easing the strain on her leg. Any movement of it, though, sent a jolt of searing pain to her injury. Nevertheless, you persisted.

She leaned into you for support and you held her close, keenly aware of her discomfort.

Your head shook in frustration when you eventually made it inside and reached the grand staircase. It seemed to tower in that moment, daunting as you peered up at it.

At once, an idea came to mind.

“Come here,” you said, bending your knees slightly as your arm descended to her lower back. Her eyebrows raised briefly when she glanced down at you, unsure.

“Just trust me.”

She nodded a moment later, quickly biting her lip to stifle another whine as you picked her up. Her arms wrapped around your neck securely as you began your ascent; much to her relief, the pain was far more bearable this way. As a thank you, she pressed a faint kiss to your collarbone, where her full lips had been brushing against.

The sensation made your heart race, but you shook off the feeling. Now wasn’t the time.

Once you made it to her room, you carefully sat her down on the edge of her chair and raced to retrieve some supplies and ointment from the closet in your quarters. While you were away, she hiked the material of her dress up to her waist and examined the sting.

Although the stinger was no longer attached, the wound itself proved that her attacker hadn’t been a bee at all. It was a hornet – something she’d had adverse reactions to in the past.

The degree of swelling that her skin had already undergone alarmed her; if just the short journey here alone had given the venom that much power and opportunity to affect her this much, she could only imagine what it would continue to do.

You immediately picked up on her worry when you reentered her chambers, loaded up with an array of remedies to heal her. A small glimmer of comfort settled over her at the sight of you.

“We’ll need to clean it first,” you informed, immediately approaching her and setting your supplies down at her feet. You went to your knees in front of her, quickly reaching for the bowl of soapy water you had prepared.

Her legs parted for you without solicitation, giving you pause for a moment.

You dipped your fingertips in the solution, generously coating them before you sat the bowl back down and moved in closer to her. A grimace pulled at your features when you saw the injury, an angry swirl of red and white. You could only imagine the pain she was experiencing.

She hissed once your fingers first made contact with her heated skin, and you noticed the way her nails dug into the arms of her chair. When you repeated the motion a few times, ensuring the area was thoroughly clean, she bit down on her bottom lip to prevent a slew of curses from escaping. Tears brimmed in her eyes, almost spilling over.

Water trickled down her thigh as she shifted slightly, leaving trails in its wake to glimmer in the midday sunlight that had worked its way into the room. Her legs trembled from the aftershocks, inspiring pity.

Carefully, you patted the area dry and wiped your hands before reaching for a small tin of ointment.

“Here, ma’am,” you soothed, dabbing the smooth cream onto her abused skin. Her fingers wrapped around your wrist when you shifted closer, softly enveloping it. You looked up at her, partially through your lashes.

You were so beautiful to her then that she didn’t know what to do with herself.

“Call me Jiu. Please.”

A new kind of smile graced your lips, warming her heart. It was curiosity mixed with relief; like a child hearing their mother say yes to whatever plans they had concocted. She was allowing you access to a part of herself that not many people ever saw.

“Does that feel a little better now, Jiu?” You asked, testing the waters. Her name felt foreign on your tongue, but in all the right ways.

She nodded, peering down at you. “It does.”

Her breathing stilled as you lifted her leg, slotting it over your shoulder. A look of surprise washed over her features at the contact, but it soon melted away to something else entirely when she felt your breath fan out across her thigh.

You blew steadily, hoping to dry the ointment a little and help activate the cooling effects of the lidocaine in it. She sighed, tilting her head back. Her thumb rubbed a small circle along the inside of your wrist, just above your pulse point in a show of gratitude.

“You’re so good to me,” she praised, smiling lazily. Your heart skipped a beat.

“...thank you,” she added. Her voice was altered slightly due to her position, making it sound deeper than usual. Amusement was present in her tone, too, now that the adrenaline was beginning to fade and she knew she would be okay. You had such a good way of calming her down.

You bit back a relieved laugh. That could’ve ended badly.

“Anything for you, Jiu.” You quipped back, smiling at the way she squeezed your wrist in return.

—---

4.) Sharing Isn’t Caring

Destiny promised nothing short of an ebb and flow for you, during your stay. Highs and lows, steps forward followed by steps back. It was all a process – one that required serious effort to put your trust into.

> In The Heiress’s Room <

Jiu’s fingers interlaced with yours, held up in the golden sunlight. Rays reflected off of her rings as she twisted your joined hands, admiring the show. Their patterns casted to different parts of the room in various directions, sparkling.

The beauty of your moment, though, was quickly interrupted by an intrusive knock that rapped out against the open door.

“I heard you’re heading out for a picnic,” Hyun Wook noted, inserting himself in a place he so clearly didn’t belong. Biting back a scoff had never been more difficult.

“We are,” Jiu responded simply, not taking his bait right from the get go. It was clear what he wanted, and you knew a man like him wouldn’t beat around the bush much longer.

“Why don’t I join you?” He suggested, doing his best to sound genuine. He wished to appear spontaneous in a charming way; how bothersome that that had to be at your expense.

A faint arrogance befell him when he caught you rolling your eyes in his peripheral.

Jiu looked to you, raising an inquisitive brow as if it mattered what you wanted. You lowered your gaze to the floor in response, silently surrendering.

“Sure, Hyun Wook.”

You failed to catch the hint of disappointment that painted her tone.

He sighed dramatically, pretending to be relieved. “I thought you’d say no there for a second,” he smirked, stepping towards her.

The soft hold that she had had on you was lost in that moment, given up to him instead when she let go of your hand. As she politely laughed at what he said, bringing hers up to cup his cheek, you tore your eyes away from her. Jealousy simmered in your chest, hanging heavy.

“Fetch the basket,” he ordered, raising a dismissing hand in your direction. His lovesick attention never left Jiu for a second; the sight made your stomach hurt.

Begrudgingly, you did as you were told. Before you could even make it out of the room, though, he had picked her up in his arms and spun her, earning himself another one of her laughs.

Of all things, who would’ve predicted that that would upset you the most during your stay here?

Images of that night back in the city flashed in your mind at once, reminding you of the circumstances that brought you here in the first place. Allowing yourself to feel this way for the heiress would only complicate things more and get you into trouble; for your family, you made a vow to snap back into reality and stay there.

The childish fiction in your head was delusion anyway – it’s not like Jiu felt the same about you.

How could she? You pondered, grabbing the handle of the basket and taking it off of the kitchen counter with little care. You were simply her maid. A girl meant to serve her, here, in this mansion poised so highly above the struggle and bustle of the city below. After these next few months were through – once she was done with you – you’d be sent back to live whatever life you could manage, and it was unlikely you’d ever even hear a whisper of her name again.

It was time for you to know your place and stop pretending otherwise.

–

Outside

With a flourish and twist, the heavy quilt in your hands unraveled in a pop of color, fanning out across the grass. Once the corners were smoothed out and tethered down into the ground, you retrieved a small pillow from the bag on your back and laid it down in the center. With practiced ease, you outstretched a hand to Jiu and helped her onto the cushion.

Hyun Wook remained standing as you unpacked the contents of the basket and spread the containers out to the right of her. His eyes surveyed the land halfheartedly, only for show. They flitted up and over the cherry trees that were beginning to blossom, skimmed over the rippling surface of the pond, and lingered a second too long on a pair of passing maids. Against his hips, his fisted hands rested; he was posing in the way that men do when they’re aiming to impress.

“Y/N, sit here,” Jiu directed, pointing to the open spot to her left. She leisurely removed her gloves.

Confused, you glanced between the two of them. Maids were meant to busy themselves elsewhere during this sort of thing, or at the very least sit elsewhere. As to why she was changing the rules, you were oblivious.

“Are you sure–”

“Yes.” Her word was firm, leaving no room for debate.

Hyun Wook turned around just as you sat down, and you had the pleasure of watching the expression on his face slowly sour. Had he stopped posing for five seconds, perhaps he would’ve gotten your seat.

“Where am I to sit?” He asked, voice posh and annoyed. So spoiled.

Jiu glanced at you, finding the folded blanket you were going to sit on resting across your lap. She took it and tossed it at him.

“On this.”

He caught it, but barely. You held back a snicker as he rolled his eyes. Checkmate.

—

5.) Full Moon

Sleep refused to come to you that night.

The theater of your mind was fixated on Jiu, starring her in every production it mustered. Act One was full of her quirks and mannerisms; Act Two her humor. But Act Three, which you were firmly stuck in the middle of, comprised your every interaction. Every smile, fleeting glance, lingering touch. It all drove you mad, replaying with the apparent intention of breaking your heart.

Her scent still remained on you from before; the expensive perfume had found a second home on your skin and in the fibers of your uniform, settling there like a special secret.

It had transferred to you in a moment of panic during the picnic earlier, when she pulled you close in search of the safety that your arms provided. Danger – what she had been evading – buzzed by languidly on its way towards another flower.

You could remember how warm her skin was, then, as her hold on you tightened. Only once you whispered words of reassurance quietly to her did she begin to calm down and relax into you.

While you had been keenly aware of her lingering fears, given her past run-in with the wasp, Hyun Wook was oblivious. His ignorance lent itself to something similar to annoyance as he watched the scene in front of him unfold. When Jiu had put her head on your shoulder, he scoffed.

You recalled the way that she simply closed her eyes, using your steady heartbeat as a way to calm down. She pretended he wasn’t there, and before long her moment of fear subsided. Her hand found yours in your lap, and she laced her fingers with yours in a silent show of gratitude.

Now, laying in bed, it was all you could do to try and forget the feeling.

It’s not like you wanted to – you’d gladly spend an eternity or two getting lost in all the ways she’s touched you, no matter how insignificant – but you knew you had to forget.

All of the feelings you had bottled up for her, stored away in your heart, were dangerous. What was platonic to her set your heart ablaze with the notion of what if; things she didn’t think twice about were stuck in your mind for days on end. But living like that wasn’t really living.

So, you made a pact with yourself to try and get over your growing love for her.

And if your pursuit of that was to start tonight, you’d have to take a walk. They always had a way of clearing your mind.

Beneath your slippered feet, the ground was chilly. You could feel it – distant, held at bay – despite the comfy memory foam that cushioned your every step. The hallways were much the same, with their towering ceilings and numerous windows allowing the night air to sneak in. But the blanket wrapped around your shoulders staved it off, and you were at ease.

Moonlight painted the artworks that you passed, leaving the soldiers depicted to fight shadow monsters instead of each other for a change. Their swords gleamed, catching what measly bits of candle light they could from the walls around them. The flames of them flickered gently, but burned with purpose. At an hour like this, free of the hustle and bustle of the staff, they didn’t have to worry about being blown out. No passing drafts would mark their demise. They were free to burn; and so, they did.

You followed them mindlessly, having no real destination in sight. What wandering you did in the manor paralleled the wandering of your mind; every turn put distance between Jiu and you, offering a gentle reprieve from the feelings that plagued you. The image of her faded with every hall you turned down, until it left you completely.

In lieu of her, you focused on the moon and stars.

Glimpses of them came to you through the large windows that arched high above, whose panes were fogged slightly from the rivaling air temperatures.

From behind the puffy clouds, you could see that tonight welcomed a full moon. It was bright, and it coated the landscape of the estate in a gray hue. Entirely calming, and entirely unique. The night sky was free of the smog that you’d grown used to in the city; here, everything was so clear.

Awe twinkled in your eye, matching that of the stars that shined down. Two types of beholders, both sharing a look at one another.

Only when you heard the faint crackling of a fire did you care to break yourself free of the late-night, hazy spell that you were under.

You blinked, looking around as you attempted to locate where you were. Realization dawned on you when you spotted an open door, cracked just enough to show you a sliver of a large mahogany desk. You’d know it anywhere.

Despite every valiant effort you had put in, your feet had managed to meander you all the way back to Jiu’s office. The last place you should’ve been, and yet the only place you really wanted to be.

The floorboards creaked under her weight as she padded around inside. She put something on her bookshelf before bending at the waist and dragging a finger along the spines of the row in front of her. After a moment of searching, she pulled out what she was looking for.

You pressed closer when she sat down in her chair, beside the fire. It was out of sight of the door, and, foolishly, you wanted to see her. You promised yourself that you’d just stay for a few more seconds before leaving.

But, given the luck that you’ve always lacked in life, that wasn’t what destiny had in store.

When you took another step forward towards the door, the front of your slipper got caught on the floor. You lurched forward, lightly bumping your head into the door.

Jiu jumped slightly, looking up to locate the source of the noise.

“Hello?” She asked, voice light but cautious.

Embarrassed, you brought a hand up to rub your forehead.

“It’s just me, ma’am.”

You opened the door as you nursed your bruised ego.

“Ah, Y/N,” she grinned, waving you in. “Come sit down.”

You shut the door behind yourself and followed her command, moving to sit in the leather chair opposite her. Part of you hoped it would swallow you up, then and there; a fate like that would be far more welcome than one as embarrassing as this.

“You know,” she started, sounding thoughtful, “...you’re cute when you blush.”

Your heart lurched at her unexpected compliment. She really shouldn’t say things like that.

She got what she was after when you raised your head back up, no longer looking at the floor. If it was that easy to get you to look at her, she’d have to remind you of little things like that more often.

“But, Y/N, I have to ask,” she tilted her head to the side slightly. “What are you doing up this late?”

You bit your tongue when the truth tried to rush out.

“I just couldn’t sleep, is all.”

She took that at face value, nodding to herself as something came to mind.

“How about some tea, then?” She offered, using her head to motion to the stand next to the window behind her desk. Sure enough, a teapot rested there, emitting a faint stream of steam into the air.

“I could use a refill, anyway,” she added, peeking past the rim of her cup on the table beside her.

“Sure.”

While she headed over to fill the cups up, you took the opportunity to look around the room. The fire that she had been meticulously stoking for the past hour or two was burning well; it crackled with life every so often, emitting soft pops to remind you of its presence. Its flames reached up high, licking the air in bold stripes as they stretched into the chimney.

A few books were stacked on the edge of the table that sat between your two chairs; two of them were poetry, and one a collection of drawings that Jiu always kept with her. On a few occasions, you’d caught her scribbling away in it or doodling when she thought no one was looking. She was always the cutest to you, then, with her tongue darting out of her mouth in concentration or her brows knitted together as she tried to get the lines perfect.

The memories brought a smile to your face.

“Here you go,” she said, handing the cup to you with the utmost care. You took it gingerly, savoring the warmth it radiated.

When she noticed your hands wrapping around it, she put two and two together. Wanting to help, she tugged the edge of your blanket up and a little closer to your body.

Her hand smoothed over the top of your hair as she untucked it from the blanket and fixed it for you. She peered down, smiling to herself.

"You look adorable in those," she noted, glancing at your new pajamas. "I knew they'd suit you well."

You paused. What?

"You got these for me?"

Her eyes blinked… once, twice… a little confused. "Of course I did. Who else would've?"

You blanked, rethinking things after she pointed that out. It never crossed your mind to consider who had been the one to pick them out; all that you considered certain was that it had nothing to do with her. You couldn’t imagine any other heiress being so involved in such an insignificant thing for their maid – especially one that was still relatively new. The fact that she cared that much wasn’t lost on you, and neither was the fact that she kept her special purchase a secret.

The gesture was in good faith, and her actions only further proved that; she wasn’t seeking anything by getting the outfit for you. She simply wanted you to be comfortable, and that made you like her even more, somehow.

“I don’t know how to thank you.”

She laughed lightly, shaking her head. “There’s no need. Seeing you in them is enough.”

You watched her sit down, elegant despite the lack of a reason for her to be. It must’ve just been second nature to her to be so ethereal at this point.

You took a sip of your drink when she crossed her legs, hoping to distract yourself. And by God, that scalding tea did the trick.

“What’re you doing up this late?” You asked in return, once a short bit of comfortable silence had passed. She finished the drink she was taking before setting her cup down on its saucer.

“Well, I’ve had a lot on my mind lately,” she admitted, settling more into her chair. Her back arched slightly as she sought a more comfortable position, and you weren’t strong enough to stop yourself from peeking at her body. The long gown she wore was a sight for sore eyes, with the way its simple design made it shimmer in the low light of the room. Every beautiful curve of her was enhanced by it; surely somewhere in the world it was a crime to look so good in something so plain.

“Hyun Wook is…” she rolled her eyes and grinned at you as she visibly fought the urge to call him something unsavory, “... Hyun Wook. And the meetings lately have made me want to rip my hair out. So,” her shoulders rose and fell in a defeated shrug, “...I’m a little all over the place.”

“Have you told your father that you’re stressed?”

She scoffed, though her intention wasn’t to hurt your feelings. “That’s not something he cares about.”

You frowned, upset that he would be so rude to his only daughter. If you were capable of it, you’d make up for everything he lacked just to prove that she deserved better.

“What matters to him is money, and money is earned by the more deals we close. It’s only business.”

“I understand that, but you matter in that equation, too.” You reasoned. “How he expects you to do all of that with no breaks is beyond me.”

She tutted. “Just one of the perks of being a Kim; especially since I’m the oldest and a woman. He expects me to prove myself in ways the rest of the family would never have to.”

“Why doesn’t Hyun Wook help you? Aside from the occasional meeting, all I ever see him do is laze around or drink with his friends when he’s here.”

“Helping me isn’t something he signed up for when we got married. That wasn’t part of the agreement.”

“Agreement?” Your curiosity was piqued.

She nodded, taking another sip of her tea. “My father arranged our marriage when we were teenagers. Once Hyun Wook’s parents gave their conditions and final blessing a few years ago, we were married.”

“And I’m assuming you didn’t have much of a say in things, right?”

Her eyes crinkled in the corners as she smiled lightly. “You’re a fast learner, Y/N.”

The confirmation was bittersweet for a multitude of reasons. It gave you hope – maybe that meant she didn’t harbor real feelings for him – but it made you unequivocally sad for her. This woman, so pure and good natured, was subjected to a life of servitude, too, without even fully realizing it. In some ways, you had more freedom than her. How was that fair?

“I wish things were different,” you said, aware that you were incapable of remedying the situation. You wanted to express your dislike of her circumstances regardless.

“Me too,” she sighed gently – just the way she was taught to. “But, it’s not all bad, you know.”

When you raised a brow, she took that as a sign to continue.

“You’re here now. And I like to think that we give each other something we never had before.”

“What do you mean, exactly?”

She sat forward in her chair a little, leaning closer to you. “Just… something new, I suppose. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met before. You keep me on my toes.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” you laughed. She did, too, thinking you couldn’t possibly be any cuter than you were in that moment.

Her hand landed on your forearm as her giggles died down.

“It definitely was, Y/N. And you know I don’t give them out often.”

“Why me, then?” You didn’t care if you sounded cheesy or desperate – you were past the point of that. A very real, very genuine intrigue weighed heavy on your mind after finding out about her arrangement with Hyun Wook, and it could only be appeased by some honest answers from her.

“Out of everyone, why me?” You reiterated. The question was loaded.

“Because you’re special to me. Don’t you see that?” Her brows knitted together, taken aback by your oblivion. She’d never hidden her affection for you. “I value all of the staff here, as you know. But, given the choice, I’d always choose to spend time with you over them. You just know me better, somehow.”

“Is that all?” You half-joked, cracking a smile.

Her hand skated down to yours, holding it as her thumb brushed across your knuckles.

“We’d be here until dawn if I were to list all the reasons.”

Your eyes screwed shut as you scrunched your face up in protest. “You’re such a flirt, Jiu. Cut it out.”

A low chuckle left her, husky enough to break your heart right then and there. “Why should I?”

You didn’t dare breathe, let alone give her a reason.

“I can lie, if you’d rather,” she promised, removing herself from you completely and sitting back again. Her eyes scanned over you, waiting and searching for an answer of some kind. “But I’m not the best at that. Especially when it comes to you.”

What could she possibly have meant by that? She had to be toying with you.

When you saw her subsequently glance at your lips, you panicked. It brought back memories of that night, so long ago.

“Right,” you declared, clearing your throat. You searched for something to change the topic with.

The poetry book from earlier was the first thing to make its way into your line of sight.

You missed the disheartened look that washed over Jiu, and how her face fell a little at the loss of contact.

But by the time you looked back at her again, her walls were raised once more and all traces of disappointment were gone.

She picked up on your silent hint. Without another word, she reached forward and picked up the aged book, running her fingertips across its cover.

“Would you like to hear one of my favorites?” An air of excitement began to surround her, evident in the soft smile that she gave you. It was eagerness restrained, though, and you wondered how often she’s had to bite her tongue before.

“I’d love nothing more.”

Her gaze softened at that, vulnerable for a moment in a way you hadn’t quite seen before. Your words – or tone, whatever it had been – seemed to have struck a chord in her.

She thumbed through a few pages until she landed on one that she frequented quite often. She cleared her throat quietly, turning her face away in a show of respect. When she was ready, she glanced up from the page and into your eyes.

“I love you,” she started, giving you pause. You certainly hadn’t expected those words to be the first out of her mouth. “...as certain dark things are to be loved, in secret,” she continued, returning her eyes to the page despite the fact that she had every word memorized a million times over. “...between the shadow and the soul.”

You looked on at her, watching as she grew a little shy.

“Beautiful.” You whispered, unable to stop yourself. It was just loud enough for her to hear, and part of her questioned what you were referring to. She hoped you meant her, just as much as the poem itself.

“Read me another.”

“Really?”

You nodded, motioning to the book. “Please.”

It was obvious that she enjoyed it, and seeing her so happy only did the same to you in return.

She flipped through the pages again, bringing her free hand up to toy with her bottom lip as she searched the pages for a particular writing. You took a long drink of your tea, hiding behind the rim of your cup.

Soon enough, she found the next one.

This time, she didn’t take her eyes off of you when she recited it.

“I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.”

The words were simple, completely innocent. It was likely that no hidden meaning lied beyond the more obvious one, and yet, it made you think.

Did she want to be the reason for your blossoming? Did the idea of seeing you, so open and new, get her through the day? Perhaps she wanted to be the reason you thrived. The harbinger of your impending success for another year.

Still, you couldn’t help but wonder. If the flush of her cheeks was any indication, her mind had taken it elsewhere, too.

“Wow,” you breathed, attempting to break the tense silence. “Those were wonderful. Thank you.”

She looked pleased. “If you’d like, we could do this more often.”

“That would be great,” you smiled.

She mirrored you. “How about tomorrow night? Same time, same place.”

“I’ll be here.”

—----------------------

That night with Jiu left you falling even deeper than what you had been before.

Your nervous system was on high alert the next morning, making you far clumsier than normal and unable to conduct yourself well for a majority of the day. You did your best to stay composed whenever you were around her, and it worked some. But even still, you were sure you made an utter fool of yourself on more than one occasion.

Work prevented you from being around her much during the day, and you were left to throw yourself into your other tasks. For once, her absence was a welcome one; with the promise of meeting again in a matter of hours, you were at peace. You could use the time until then to calm down and ready yourself for whatever she had in store.

And that you did. After finishing your jobs and putting together a care package to send to your family – a gift so graciously approved by Jiu – you found that you still had some time to kill. With it, you decided to make a small gift for her.

Yoohyeon lent you a piece of her art paper and pencils, and on it you sketched an array of the flowers that Jiu had told you she loved over the past few months. You shaded and colored them to the best of your ability, and you wrote the words of her poem as a sort of border around their petals. When it was all finished, you were genuinely proud. It took quite a while for you to be satisfied, but you couldn’t deny that it was worth it.

As you waited, counting down the hours until you were reunited, you thought up all the possible ways she might react to it.

Like a lovesick teenager, you hoped that she loved it. Your heart gave in to its childish desire to make up scenarios in your head in the meantime.

With every hourly chime of the grandfather clock at the end of the hall, a new possibility was constructed. They all made you smile, though your nervousness grounded you with the fact that reality might not match up with them. You made peace with that, though it was easier said than done.

Eventually, the time came. The rest of the manor had all retreated to their rooms, more than ready to knock out. You, on the other hand, were wide awake as you grabbed the present and snuck out of your quarters, careful to remain quiet.

Your heart beat wildly in your chest; so hard you were sure everyone else could hear it echoing down the empty halls. You paid no mind to the moon, now; the stars didn’t grab your attention as they had before. But, looking back, you wish they would have. You wish you would’ve listened to the cry of the owl outside, perched high on the angel’s shoulder at the fountain. Its large eyes were open wide, as if pleading for you to turn around and forget your pursuit.

It was all too little too late, though.

The distant sound of voices – mumbling, quietly discussing something – faded in as you neared Jiu’s room. They grew louder the closer you got – more forceful. The door was open so slightly that it appeared to be the latch’s fault, rather than it intentionally being left that way.

Your curiosity got the better of you when you heard Jiu say something else inside, low and unintelligible. You approached it, closing the final gap that existed between you and the heartbreak waiting inside.

As you peeked in, your heart sank.

Hyun Wook had beat you to her, it appeared.

His hand pushed its way past the silk underslip of her dress while her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him in close. He groped her wantonly as their bodies moved together, all heat and drunken lust. She was perched atop the dresser, though her position was anything but secure. It rocked rhythmically, bumping the wall as his searching hips found comfort between her warm thighs. Their muscles flexed; every twitch made you sick.

She moaned lowly when he ripped the straps of her dress down, causing you to grimace. You could only hope it was fake, entirely generated to boost his ego and not rooted in any actual pleasure.

The betrayal you felt, sitting heavy on your chest, made it hard to breathe. He was her husband, and you knew that – you knew that. Even still, some part of you foolishly believed that she would end things with him. That she would stop seeing him altogether, whether it be for sex or anything else.

Although you were aware that their daily interactions were simply meant to save face, witnessing them was still daunting. But this – this hushed, late night rendezvous – was something else completely. With no one else around to catch them at such an hour, they had no need to put on a show. This was entirely for them. Every shuddered breath, every cry, every thrust of their hips was meant for them.

You backed away from the door, feeling numb. A final glance at her was stolen before you made your silent retreat, but it only hurt more in the end; he captured her full lips in a bruising kiss, muffling the groan that left them.

The paper in your hands folded in on itself, then, crumpling from the force you exerted. Until you made it back to your room, it remained clutched tightly in your fist.

Once you were inside, you threw it in the fireplace.

—

The Next Morning

Distant sounds of silverware clanking together woke Jiu.

They were jarring – a far cry from her typical alarm: you. Although she was disappointed that you weren’t there to greet her, she brushed off the feeling. Perhaps you were just exhausted and slept in by accident. With how hard you’d been working lately, she couldn’t blame you.

She’d always appreciated how good you were to her.

When she rang the bell a few minutes later to alert you, it took you far longer than normal to come in. The special knock you always used was absent this time, too, exchanged instead for two dull thuds.

Admittedly, it made her sad; she always valued your early morning interactions. The sleepy way you would rub your eyes or yawn as you helped get her ready for the day always made her smile, and she often found herself thinking of it in the middle of her business meetings. Your groggy voice was always endearing, too.

Such a shame things were different today.

You didn’t waste time doting on her. Your hands weren’t as gentle as usual, and you certainly didn’t stop to admire her body as you washed it. If anything, you avoided looking as much as possible; you caught a glimpse of a dark spot on her neck at one point, and that was enough to sour your mood even further somehow. Haste was present in everything you did and said.

If she noticed or cared, she didn’t make it known.

Tension hung in the air, along with an awkwardness that neither of you were very fond of. In your pursuit of avoidance, you failed to notice the observant gaze she set on you. Carefully, she attempted to read you; she made sure to look away when your attention was eventually returned to her, despite how hard it was. If she made her concern too obvious, she knew you’d close up and push her away. And for a situation as delicate as this, she was willing to treat it as such.

But, after a while of pretending, things caught up with you. The mask you put up slipped, showing your true feelings:

When you tugged the laces of her corset just a little too hard, making her draw in a tight breath and hold onto the dresser for support, it became apparent that your overzealous hands clearly hadn’t forgotten last night. A mumbled apology was made, but it did little to convince her.

“What is your problem?” She asked, though her tone resembled an accusation.

Your eyes found hers in the mirror. You debated.

“I don’t have a problem, Jiu.” You declared, tying the ends into a bow before turning around. She turned, too, observing you as you laid out a selection of dresses for her to choose from.

“I know you well enough to recognize that that's a lie.”

The statement gave you pause, but you found yourself scoffing after it subsided.

“Why do you care?” You asked genuinely, raising your head to meet her gaze from across the bed. “It doesn’t concern you.”

“If something is troubling you, I’d like to know. This is my estate, so I feel responsible.” She explained.

You shook your head, dismissing her. “Don’t. I can handle myself fine.” The last thing you wanted was her pity.

“I didn’t say otherwise, Y/N,” she tilted her head subtly, softening her gaze. “I know you can. But that doesn’t keep me from wondering.”

When you finally looked at her again, searching her eyes as you attempted to decide on your next move, the curiosity there took you by surprise. Something unspoken lied just behind the annoying sparkle in them, drawing you in again. You loathed it in every sense of the word – this power she had over you. But still, you couldn’t fight the urge to give in and tell her why. Maybe, if you were lucky, she’d have a reaction that resembled guilt.

“Fine,” you started, taking a few steps across the room to sit at her window-side table. “I didn’t sleep very well last night. That’s why I’m like this.”

Relief flashed across her face momentarily, and she took a seat on the end of her bed. “Do you know why you couldn’t sleep?”

Your jaw clenched. “I was a bit under the weather.”

“I’ll have Yoohyeon make you some tea tonight, if it happens again.” She offered, oblivious to your lie.

“Are you planning to see Hyun Wook again?” You dared to ask, watching as realization flooded over her. It replaced the relief from before. “If so, then go ahead and tell her now.”

She swallowed, glancing down at the floor. “You heard us last night?”

A humorless laugh left you. “Put lightly, yes. But I saw you, too. It was quite the show.”

“Y/N, I–”

“What, Jiu?” You raised your chin up, silently challenging her. The images of them together were resurfacing in your mind, only making your mood worse. “Are you going to say I wasn’t meant to see it? Because that’s obvious. It would be concerning if you wanted me to.”

She took a deep breath, weighing something of her own. “I barely remember it. We were drunk; it just happened.”

You nodded to yourself as if you were expecting her answer to sound something like that. “Convenient, no?”

“What do you want me to say?” She seemed taken aback.

“Something a little less overused, maybe.”

She sighed, feeling frustration beginning to creep up on her. So many unsaid things existed between the two of you, complicating matters beyond their limit. Eventually, she knew, they’d all come out. Exactly how and when that would happen, though, she wasn’t sure.

“He came to my room and surprised me, okay? We had some drinks, and one thing led to another.”

So she really did want to sleep with him. What little hope you had left was crumbling fast.

“Okay,” you said, standing up. Your sudden response surprised her, and the evidence of that was clear on her face as you crossed the room again.

“Okay?” She repeated, sounding unsure.

You hummed in affirmation, ready to move on and get her ready for the day. The faster you got her dressed and prepared, the faster she would be out of your sight.

“That’s it?”

If you didn’t know better, you’d have sworn some disappointed painted her tone.

“What else is there to say?”

So much.

She paused for a moment. “Nothing, I suppose.”

Your hands clasped together in front of you as you subtly motioned to the dresses with your head.

“Then let’s get you ready.”

—

The rest of the day saw you busied with any and every one of your tasks that didn’t involve Jiu. You avoided her at every opportunity, only letting the essential responsibilities of yours be the reasons you reunited. After they were finished, you were gone faster than she could say goodbye. For any duties bordering on trivial, the other maids stepped up and assumed them.

Were you allowed to do that? You weren’t exactly sure. But did you care? Absolutely not.

Being around her made your chest ache. Every attempt from her at simple banter or a normal conversation stung; her oblivion made things ten times worse. Did she question why you were so upset? Did she dig deeper, searching for a reason that her maid would be that affected by an expected interaction between husband and wife?

No. She couldn’t have. Because the Jiu you knew was clever. Had she stopped to consider the circumstances for even a moment, she surely would’ve pieced things together.

You couldn't decide if that hurt more or not.

Regardless, you tried to gather up what self restraint you had left and use it to stop thinking about her. Finding ways to help out around the busy estate was incredibly easy, and for once you found yourself grateful for that.

The gardeners and animal caretakers were paid visits by you in the morning, but you spent most of the day holed up in the kitchen. Along the way, you heard news of an event that was scheduled for later that night; a group of investors were returning to discuss a merger of their companies, and Hyun Wook had agreed to host. Following a meeting with all of them, there was to be a celebration of sorts in the ballroom, complete with a vast array of refreshments and foods. Being the… bright… mind that Hyun Wook is, though, he failed to mention it until the day of.

His incompetence only fanned the flames of your hatred, but you held your tongue and channeled your energy into helping prepare everything. It took a lot of effort, but you knew it would be worth it in the end.

Yoohyeon was there to keep you company for a while, when she took her occasional breaks, and that was enough for you. Though it was obvious to her that you were upset, she didn’t question it. Her instincts as your friend knew better than to push you for information when you were so vulnerable. She knew you’d come to her about it eventually, when things settled into place. She offered words of encouragement in the meantime and hugged you close when she saw you getting overwhelmed.

The kitchen staff was friendly, too, despite the stress they were under. You even began to forge friendships with some of them, working closely and depending on one another to ensure that things ran smoothly. Pressure piled on your shoulders in ways you had never experienced before, given the change in tasks. But you persevered, and your efforts helped keep the night from being a total disaster.

When things kicked off in the ballroom, the head chef thanked you for your assistance and sent you to enjoy the party.

Yoohyeon bumped her shoulder into yours as she walked out with you, finished with her responsibilities too and free to keep you company. She helped you get changed into something more fitting for a celebration before you both headed to the ballroom.

“We should just go to the library,” you pouted, pulling at the collar of your shirt.

“I think drinking is exactly what you need right now,” she replied, shutting your bedroom door behind herself. “We can dance and enjoy ourselves, and it’ll take your mind off of whatever’s bugging you.”

She joined you again, poking your arm in an attempt to cheer you up.

“If you say so,” you sighed, walking on towards the ballroom.

The skirt that she had chosen for you flowed and swayed with every step you took, looking far more elegant than you’d ever admit. It made you feel attractive despite your low spirits, and you figured that had to count for something.

When you arrived, the doors were opened by two male servants dressed in full black outfits, denoting their status. Their faces were stoic as you treaded inside. Too bad they couldn’t come in and enjoy themselves as well.

The biggest, brightest chandelier you’d ever seen hung above the dance floor, twinkling as its jewels and beads caught the lights of the room. Throngs of people were already under it; those that occupied the center were busy dancing joyfully together, finally letting themselves loose, while the pockets of people that bordered them chose to converse and watch one another over the rims of their glasses instead.

Tables lined the rest of the room, every one of them a carbon copy of the next. Despite the lack of a heads up, the staff had managed to whip everything into shape; not even a single napkin was out of place. Had you not been privy to the constraints that were placed on them, you would’ve assumed that they had days to prepare with just how orderly everything was.

Waiters wordlessly cycled through the crowd, keeping an eye out for any glasses whose contents were quickly dwindling. They had them switched out with fresh ones before the guests could even think of complaining. Their practiced ease was admirable as they kept things running smoothly, unfazed by the music and bustle of the party.

Yoohyeon tugged on your arm, pulling you over towards the dance floor. On your way, you passed by the center table that stretched from one side of the room to the other. The kitchen’s creations all shined in their respective places on it, sitting on their fancy plates. It all looked delicious, but you weren’t in the mood to eat. Even if you had been, it wouldn’t have mattered; Yoohyeon was on a mission, and you were coming along for the ride whether you wanted to or not.

She wiggled her way through the crowd with you in tow, only stopping once you broke through the outer ring and the middle of the dancefloor was in sight. She didn’t push you into the heart of the action; instead, she settled for a nice spot nearby, where you both could move freely and still be a part of the hoopla.

And move, she did. As the group of musicians on the elevated stage began their next song, she jumped at the opportunity to dance. Your initial attempts to match her energy were half hearted at best, but the longer the music played, the more you opened up. She joked with you and made a fool of herself in the best possible way, knowing just how to lift your spirits. Before long, the two of you were lost in the rhythm of the music; your cares had slipped away, and for a pleasant moment, every thought of Jiu that had been plaguing your mind vanished. The feeling of Yoohyeon’s body pressed tightly against yours as you swayed together, free with the beat, replaced everything else.

Your hearts raced together, just as in sync as the smiles on your faces. You dipped one another and spun around, lacking any care for the traditional way that the song in question was meant to be danced to. Others might have sent you unapproving looks, but that was truly the last thing you cared about in that moment. The happiness you felt outshined and deflected any haughty contempt that came your way.

Only once you began to get a little too hot for comfort did you step off the dance floor for a quick break.

Yoohyeon jovially knocked into you with every other step, still reeling from the excitement that coursed through her veins. It wasn’t a common occurrence for staff like her to be invited to such a night of fun, so it was really a no-brainer that she was so eager to be there. Truthfully, she worked harder than anyone else you’d seen at the estate. If anyone deserved a night of freedom, it was her.

“Ah, my favorite!” She blissfully sighed, still a bit out of breath as she took the drink that a passing waiter outstretched to her.

He did the same for you as she made quick work of downing hers, much to his amusement. He let a smile break out across his face as he handed her her second glass of the evening and retrieved the now empty one.

You thanked him by raising your glass in a silent toast to his efforts before taking a sip. He bowed and left directly after.

Across the room, Jiu stood among a group of guests that had no intention of fully enjoying the party around them. Her husband was at her side, sipping on the whiskey he’d just received a few minutes prior. His arm was around her waist, possessive in the way that it stayed there. The conversation around her began to sound more like unintelligible mumbling as she turned her head away, seeking a moment of reprieve from the mind-numbing boasting that everyone was doing.

As if on cue, Yoohyeon took a step to the side. Her body no longer blocked your view of the heiress, and before you could look away, your eyes locked with hers.

Surprise overtook her features, but you weren’t so lucky. Disappointment returned to you, making your face fall as you took in the sight of her. When you noticed your rival’s hold on her slipping further south, you couldn’t help but roll your eyes. You shook your head and looked away, scoffing quietly.

Did they have no shame? Did she?

All of hers must have run out without you realizing.

Bitterness filled your heart in a dangerous way. It made you want to get back at her, somehow; to make her feel just as shitty as you did. You racked your brain for a solution, though your better judgment pleaded for you to just let it go. You tried, for a hot second, but jealousy is a cruel destroyer, after all – a purveyor of ruin – and it worked its magic on you.

However reckless your next move was didn’t matter. The fallout would come in due time, and you could pick up the fallen pieces of your house of cards then.

You leaned closer to Yoohyeon, placing a hand on her forearm.

“Kiss me.”

The whispered request made her eyes widen immensely, but you pulled her closer to your body to conceal that fact.

“What?”

You peeked over her shoulder, finding Jiu looking tense. Her grasp on the glass in her hand was growing tight, nearly capable of shattering it. A small smile graced your lips at the realization.

“Just do it, please,” you practically begged, knowing your window of opportunity was closing fast. If something was going to be a turning point, it had to happen right then.

Yoohyeon followed your line of sight, and in an instant she understood. Softly, she turned your head so that you were looking into her eyes again.

Her fingertips pressed into the front of your shirt, backing you up against the large pillar that stood behind you. Its chilly surface connected with your back just as her lips found yours, slotting together like two puzzle pieces. You cupped her cheeks and tilted your head, giving the illusion that you were kissing her deeper.

At least, it started that way.

She bit your lip, earning herself a moan of surprise; that wasn’t what you had been prepared for. Her arms wrapped around your waist when you shuffled a little further into her hold, unconsciously seeking the warmth that she provided. Both of you could feel yourselves getting carried away, but oddly, neither of you stopped. It felt too good in the moment to give it up.

Her hands were gentle as they raked over your body, eager enough to sell your lie but restrained enough to avoid bordering on anything serious. The game you were playing was dangerous, but you’d be lying if you said it didn’t thrill you.

Your fingers tangled in her hair, tugging softly as she pressed her warm thigh between yours. Her eyes watered slightly in response, but she smiled against your lips as she savored the feeling.

All of your pleasure instantly turned to fear, however, when someone roughly grabbed your wrist. It was Jiu. Her aura was one that you had never seen from her; entirely new, full of anger. She pulled you away from Yoohyeon at once, not bothering to care how harsh she was. Both of you stumbled, cheeks flushed and hearts racing.

“Go to your room, Yoohyeon.” Her tone was icy. Far scarier than you’d ever heard it be before.

Yoohyeon glanced at you warily, pausing for a moment to ensure that you’d be okay with whatever was about to happen. Waking up to hear the news of your murder (or expulsion) wasn’t something she wanted.

Despite the way that Jiu’s fingers squeezed tighter at Yoohyeon’s reluctance, you gave her a nod to let her know you’d be okay. She relented, then, and quickly bowed before making her departure.

When she was out of sight, you could practically feel the heat radiating off of Jiu. She turned on her heel and dragged you behind her, all the way to her quarters. A fire was lit within her, and nothing you could possibly do was capable of putting it out.

What she had in store, you had no idea. Hell, you were half certain she planned to actually kill you, with the way she thundered down the hall, not even acknowledging the staff that passed by and greeted her.

But, at the end of the day, that meant she felt something. Whether it was an indication of her feelings for you or just an unfathomable amount of hate for relationships between employees and public displays of affection, you’d soon be finding out.

The open door of her bedroom passed by in a whizz of dark brown as she shoved you inside, seething. She followed closely after and shut it behind herself, locking it.

Your back was still turned to her as you attempted to compose yourself. “Ma’am, we–”

“Shut your mouth, Y/N.”

She took you by the arm again, spinning you around to face her. A grimace crossed her face as she noticed the state you were in. In particular, the gloss that had transferred from Yoohyeon’s lips to yours – smudged and unruly with want – made her sick.

“As much as you make me question it, I know you aren’t stupid.” Her elegant heel paced forward, taking an advancing step toward you. Afraid of doing the wrong thing, you didn’t move.

“So tell me, why would you do something as reckless as that in front of everyone?”

You swallowed, not sure of how to answer her. Between a rock and a hard place is precisely where you were wedged.

“I advise that you speak,” she warned after a moment of silence passed, “...for the sake of everyone.” The implication behind her words was obvious, and you resented the fact that she would use your situation against you like that.

“We just got carried away.”

The excuse was lame at best, and she clearly wasn’t satisfied with it. Her eyes rolled as she took another step forward in response, causing you to finally retreat some.

“Do you enjoy being difficult?” Her voice dripped with condescension as she continued to advance. “Or do you think I’m naive enough to believe you?”

Your back brushed against the wall, running into it. Your chance of escape was officially out the window. Shit.

“No, ma’am.”

Her eyes darkened at your use of the title, filling you with dread.

“Take off your shirt.”

“W-what?” You couldn’t stop the stutter in your voice no matter how hard you tried.

“Take it off,” she repeated, crossing her arms. She tilted her chin up slightly, making herself look superior. “You clearly didn’t care to show off out there, so why should it be any different now?”

She shrugged, letting her gaze slowly travel across your body. When she noticed that you were pressing your thighs together, she looked back up at your face.

“We really didn’t mean to make a show of it…”

Despite your half-hearted effort to change the topic, she refused to be swayed. With a cocked eyebrow, she waited for you to follow her instructions.

Anxiety swirled with embarrassment as you relented and brought your fingers up to the buttons of your uniform. They trembled briefly before you steadied yourself with a deep breath, determined to keep eye contact with her as you undressed – no matter how shy you were, you were still hurt by the memory of what you witnessed the night before. You wanted to see her reaction.

She watched with bated breath as you undid the buttons one by one, taking your time but not wasting it. You used every second to your advantage, teasing her without even really meaning to. She visibly tensed when you undid the last one, and you could practically feel your ego being boosted in the process.

You edged the material down your arms before tossing it on the bed across the room.

“Feel better?” She questioned, regaining the composure that she lost momentarily. “You know, now that you’re getting exactly what you wanted,” she finished.

“I didn’t w–”

The response died out in your throat. You knew it was a lie.

She smirked in such an aggravatingly sexy way that you wanted to slap her for it. “What, were you going to pretend you weren’t doing that to get my attention out there?”

You opened your mouth to reply, but gave up shortly after. Your cheeks warmed with embarrassment again.

“I saw the way you peeked over Yoohyeon’s shoulder, Y/N.” Confidence radiated off of her as every trace of vulnerability faded away. “How your eyes swept over me when her hand slid between your thighs. It was cute, really,” she chuckled softly, only making matters worse.

“And yet, she was the one touching me like that,” you finally spoke, aware that you had to push back against her attempt at belittling you. “It was her lips on mine, kissing me senseless. Not yours.”

She faltered for a moment, not knowing exactly what to say to that.

"And yeah, I may have wanted your attention," you admit, "but it wasn't too hard to get. Don't think I didn't see how you were looking at me."

Something changed in her demeanor, then, when she saw the hint of a smile that graced your lips. Nothing in the world could’ve stopped her from getting rid of it.

Her hands roughly connected with your shoulders as she pushed you up against the wall – further than you already were – and she shoved your thighs apart with her knee. Her grip moved down to your hips, gaining purchase there as she clutched them possessively. The breaths that left her were staggered – full of anger.

Your eyes opened wide when she reached down and grabbed the bottom of your skirt, hiking it up to your waist.

“Jiu, please–” you gasped, feeling her cold fingers easily slide past the barrier that your panties created. Without meaning to, your legs parted a little wider for her, allowing her to press the length of her body further into yours.

“Did she do this to you?” she asked, brazenly stroking you. Little tenderness was put into her movements.

“Is this,” she paused, gathering up your wetness on her fingertips, “...for her?”

A quiet moan slipped past your parted lips as your head fell back, exposing your neck to her. Her gaze flickered over your taut muscles before stopping to admire the wild beating of your heart, visible at your pulse point; suddenly, she felt the urge to mark you. To ensure that everyone knew who you belonged to, even if you weren’t awarded the same title over her in return.

“Answer me,” she warned, a dangerous look in her eyes. Her free hand came to fist in your hair, needing to be busied.

“N-No, Jiu. It’s not for her.”

Visibly, some tension left her shoulders. Still, her jealousy simmered.

“If I ever see something like that again or even so much as hear a rumor of it, you’ll be sent back home and your father will pay for his debts himself. Is that clear?”

Your thighs trembled around her hand, both from the implication of her threat and the way she was still touching you.

“Why do you even care?” It was a bad idea to test her, but you didn’t care. After the back and forth that you’d been put through for so long, you needed to hear her say it.

“I’m not playing your game, Y/N,�� she spat, tightening her grip on your hair. Your face scrunched at the sensation.

“Tell me, please.”

The desperation in your voice must have been enough to convince her. Perhaps, though, her own desire played a part, too.

“She was all over you. It doesn’t take a genius to see what would’ve happened if I hadn’t stopped you when I did.”

Her strokes became languid, making you rut your hips to get relief yourself. “It was pathetic.”

“That’s rich, coming from you,” you managed out through ragged breaths, smiling to yourself.

She stilled her hand almost completely, arrogantly watching as you writhed a little harder.

“Are you trying to insult me?” She laughed lowly, pressing herself against you a little more. “If you want to do that, you’ll have to stop getting so wet before I even do anything.”

Your eyes closed again, unable to keep contact after catching a glimpse of her darkening ones. Danger flickered in them, but so did lust – the kind that can get you killed if you’re not careful.

“Then do something already.”

She watched your lips as you made your request, admiring the way they pursed and pouted with every syllable. From the very first time she laid eyes on you, she’d wanted to kiss them. To taste you, in more ways than one.

Denying herself such a simple pleasure for so long had been torture.

Your hands made their way to her hips, balling the soft material of her dress up as you waited impatiently. Despite how careful you’d trained yourself to be, never handling her belongings irresponsibly, all you wanted to do was rip it off of her.

A wave of confidence washed over you somehow, likely brought on by the adrenaline coursing through your veins.

“Are you afraid I’ll fuck you better than him?”

The sudden question surprised both of you, but you did your best to hide it. Jiu, on the other hand, clearly wasn’t able to; her eyebrows rose, taken aback. The resulting circle of her thumb against your clit, whether subconscious or intentional, lessened your doubts.

“Is that why you’re so jealous?” Your lips hovered over hers, brushing against them as you carefully teased her. “You don’t want me with Yoohyeon but yet you won’t take me yourself. Come on, now, Jiu. You’re better than that.”

Whenever she shifted forward, you moved back slightly. An ebb and flow, both torturous and enticing. She’d have to put in work to prove what she truly wanted.

“Be quiet.”

“Why should I?” You challenged. Her eyes stared back into yours, so fiery you didn’t know what to do with yourself. “You’re just mad I figured you out.”

“You don’t know half of what you think you do, Y/N.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

You shrugged, ignoring the urge to moan when she slid a finger down to your entrance. It circled, teasing you.

“Enlighten me, then.”

“You don’t deserve that, after tonight.”

You rolled your eyes. “Give it a rest. What Yoohyeon and I did was practically child’s play compared to you and Hyun Wook. Stop lamenting over it.”

When her head cocked to the side, you knew whatever was coming next would only hurt.

“I could say the same to you about what you saw, you know. It’s just what a husband and wife do; you have no right to be so upset.”

Her words, combined with the icy tone she put on, stung. She could read the hurt on your face as they sunk in.

Her attempt at hurting you like this hurt her, too, but she knew she needed to keep you at bay. It was a necessary evil.

“So did our plans for that night mean nothing to you, then?” You asked, sounding more angry than sad as the two emotions battled one another in your heart. You took her hands off of you and pushed her away.

She stumbled; your question struck a chord in her. It was easy to see, despite the effort she put in to hide it.

“They meant something to me. Believe that.”

A scoff left you. “Oh, I bet. I’m sure that’s all you could think about when he was inside of you.”

“I thought of you the whole time, Y/N.”

She was taking things too far now.

“Why the hell would you say something like that? Stop toying with me!” You shouted a little too loud for your own good, but truthfully you couldn’t have cared less.

“I’m not,” she mitigated, saying the words like a promise as she took a small step towards you. The hesitation in it made you hesitate, too. What was she up to?

“Every second I was with him I pretended it was you touching me. Kissing me. Fucking me.” The way that she glanced away made it obvious that she was replaying it all in her mind, and in that moment you would’ve done just about anything to have had a peek inside.

“Do you seriously think I could’ve made those sounds otherwise?”

Your heart beat a little harder at the memory of them.

"Why did you choose him, then?"

"When we started drinking, you were all I could think about." She admitted, looking ashamed but honest. "But I knew I couldn't have you. Not in the ways I wanted to. Needed to. And… he was available." She swallowed down the guilt that she felt rising in her.

"So I settled."

Her explanation was still partially a lie, but you were oblivious to that. She was still too afraid to tell you the full truth yet, though her heart begged her to.

"You could've come to the study and had me instead."

Something unreadable flashed in her eyes. It was lust mixed with something else.

“Could I have?” She asked, eyebrows raised, as if you were a child who just suggested the most impossible task known to man. Her tone was dripping with incredulity, and a bitter laugh threatened to leave her.

“Yes,” you breathed, emphasizing the word. “But even if you couldn’t have, it hurts to know you’d allow him to take my place.”

She looked away. Shame pervaded her mind.

“Why didn’t you tell me you felt this way?”

“I was afraid.”

“Of what?”

“You, Y/N.”

You couldn’t believe that. “Am I so threatening?”

“Yes!” She erupted. “Do you not see how much power you have over me?”

Your jaw went slack. “What power could I possibly have over you?”

“You rule me in ways you’ll never understand.”

“Help me learn them, then.” You took a step forward, extending a hand to her.

Several seconds passed. She looked at it, visibly deciding if she wanted to accept it, before she eventually decided to. When she met your gaze again, you could see the tears beginning to brim in her eyes.

“Oh, Jiu.”

“You have no idea what it’s like, Y/N, and I can’t fault you for that,” she started, looking up at the ceiling to prevent her tears from falling. “But my life is based on rules. It always has been, from the second I was born; and up until the second I die, I’ll still be subjected to them. Who I can meet with, who I can marry, what I can occupy my time with. It’s all limited, all monitored.” She explained.

You brought your hand up to cup her cheek when she sniffled, rubbing the pad of your thumb across her smooth skin. The way her chin quivered in response to the comforting sensation made your heart ache.

“But when you came to live here, something changed in me. You’ve made me feel seen and understood in ways I’ve never been by anyone else. My secrets are safe with you. I’m safe with you.”

She brought her free hand up, wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her dress.

“And as much as I love that, it’s terrifying. You could ruin me in a second.”

“I would never.” Your answer was almost instant.

“But you could. You could walk away after your time here is done and never see me again. You could forget about me and move on with your life. But that’s something I could never do.”

When she said ‘ruin’, you figured she meant her reputation. Not her heart. You’d never thought yourself capable of such a feat.

“Everything you do is important to me. I hang onto every conversation we have. Every look. Every touch.” Her eyes shut briefly, tensing. “I think about you in ways that I shouldn’t, and I’ve struggled with this awful sense of regret for so long. I tried to suppress my feelings when I found that I was incapable of stopping them. I figured it was the next best thing.” She admitted. “But then that night in the study sent me back to square one.”

Your gaze softened at the pitiful look on her face. She truly had been suffering.

“I knew it was foolish of me to push the boundary, but God did I enjoy it. My better judgment slipped away from me, then, and I paid for it when I saw Hyun Wook the next morning.”

That got your attention. “What do you mean?”

“He complained that I was growing too distant from him, and hinted that he would inform my father of his feelings unless I changed things.”

Subconsciously, your head shook.

“I thought about you and our plans all day long, and to be honest, I couldn’t wait to have you all to myself. I was worked up–”

“Worked up?” You interrupted, confused.

She blushed at your lack of understanding. “Turned on, Y/N,” she elaborated.

Oh.

“I was worked up when he came in. He was drunk and demanded I be a good wife. In his mind, that included drinking with him and fucking.”

You grimaced, fighting the urge to recoil at the image of that, which was taking shape in your mind.

“He thought my arousal was for him, and it only made things worse. When I tried to worm my way out of sleeping with him, he took his phone out and threatened to dial my father. I didn’t have the option to refuse anymore.”

“So that’s why you did it.”

She nodded, ashamed. She avoided your gaze, feeling unworthy of it.

Just like that, the final layer of her lie was peeled back. It opened to reveal the truth: that she never actually wanted to be with him at all.

“What would your father have done?”

Her head swayed from side to side sadly. “I don’t know, and that’s the worst part. But it wouldn’t have been anything good; he always sides with Hyun Wook.”

“And what would you have done, if he never came in?”

“I don’t know that either, Y/N, but I like to think I might’ve eventually told you my feelings.”

You pursed your lips in thought. "You did pretty well just now."

She grinned lightly at your sweet teasing. "You think so?"

"Mhm," you nodded, placing your hands on her hips as you backed her up towards the bed.

When her calves bumped into the frame, she gently plopped down onto the mattress. You stayed standing in front of her, moving to cup her cheeks. She nuzzled into your hold a little.

"All this time, I thought I was just fooling myself into believing you liked me back."

Her hands ran up and down your back, creating goosebumps in their wake. No matter what, she always knew just the right way to touch you.

"It feels good to know I’m not delusional after all.”

She laughed softly as she turned her head enough to kiss your palm. Her fingertips skated down your spine, ghosting over your skin until they reached your waist. She took hold of it, loving how warm you were against her.

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far,” she teased.

“Hey!” You pinched her cheek in retaliation.

“I’m kidding, jagi!”

You pushed her backwards, sending her down onto the mattress. The sheets poofed out all around her in response, absorbing all of her impact. She pulled you along with her, guiding you to straddle her.

Amusement shined in her eyes as she looked up at you, noticing your arms crossed in faux annoyance. The position made your chest look even more enticing to her.

Your act began to slip up when you noticed her staring. “Like what you see?”

She was brazen with it – not subtle like she’d always been before. A new level of desire burned in her; here and now, there was no one to stop her from doing what she’d dreamed of for so long.

Her hips raised suddenly, sending you forward and into her arms. Your lips brushed against hers in the process.

“I love it, Y/N/N. You’re so beautiful.” She answered, sweeping the fallen strands of hair out of your face. You shifted your weight to an elbow, using it to hold yourself up. Your free hand went to her side.

She traced your lips with her thumb, silently asking for permission. You granted it without hesitation.

Part of you would like to say you saw fireworks and stars as her lips pressed to yours, but that would be a lie. Instead, it was warmth spreading throughout your body as your heart beat harder to compensate. Though the feeling was new and unknown, it was like coming home. It was finding home in a foreign place.

Everything else – anything other than her – melted away in the moment, leaving you keenly aware of her every move.

Her shuddered breathing became obvious when she rolled you over; she trembled in your arms. The movement hiked her dress up to her thighs, and you took the opportunity to slide your hands beneath the silky material.

Her kisses were like the poetry she loved so much – each one a new line as you discovered one another for the first time.

She nipped at your lip – innocently, carefully – before gaining the courage to deepen the kiss. You moaned in response as her eager hands found their way to your bra, kneading your breasts. Your nipples hardened against her palms from all the stimulation you were receiving.

She arrogantly smiled against you at the feeling.

Her hips slowly ground down into yours, creating a torturous rhythm. The heat between your thighs was already insufferable, and feeling her small movements only made things worse. She controlled everything, then; her breath on your neck sent you spiraling in time with the rutt of her hips. She purposefully stuttered them to rile you up and bring you closer to the edge.

It was as if she wanted to make you come without even doing much at all.

And as pitiful as it sounded, she was completely capable of such a feat.

But your situation was far from a one way street. She may have hid it better, but she had never craved someone so much in her entire life. Your every sound and move made her throb a little harder as the ache between her legs became more and more unbearable.

Her soft lips peppered your neck with kisses and love bites as her hands greedily explored your body. She was attempting self control, but when your hips began to raise in time with hers, searching for friction, that went out the window. She could feel herself getting wetter by the second.

Her lips found yours again before she sat back on her knees, letting you take her full weight as she slipped her dress over her head. She was completely bare underneath it.

"We have to be careful," she reminded you, beginning to kiss her way down your body. She toyed with the waistline of your skirt, mentally debating on whether or not she should leave it on you.

She glanced at the door.

Sounds of the party were distant but audible, and she knew all it took was one wayward guest to ruin everything for the both of you. One miscalculation could be your demise… so why did that thrill her?

The door was locked anyway. Surely that would be enough.

"Jiu–"

"Shhh," she soothed, sensing your growing impatience. "I'm not going anywhere." She gave her full attention back to you, putting you at ease.

In one motion, she tugged your skirt down and off of your legs. Her eyes flitted up and over every curve of your body, alight with blatant lust and admiration. You were absolutely divine.

A smirk broke out across her face when she noticed the wet spot on your panties.

"Such a shame." She tutted at you, reaching down to run her finger over the ruined material. You jerked a little at the contact, now keenly aware of just how sensitive you really were.

"You want me to take these off?" She asked, feigning innocence as she pressed her palm against them, massaging you. "It has to be uncomfortable."

She pouted, mocking the state you were in. Even her cockiness turned you on.

"Please."

Her eyebrows raised ever so slightly, taken aback. "Asking so politely already? What a good girl."

"I can't wait anymore." You admitted, screwing your eyes shut. You had to make a conscious effort to steady yourself.

She chuckled darkly and pushed your thighs further apart with her hands. They were warm against your tender skin, and so possessive you didn't know what to do with yourself. She commanded your body better than you ever could've.

"You think I can?" Her voice was incredulous. "I've been dying for this."

She looped her fingers in the thin material and yanked it down, tossing it haphazardly behind herself.

A tremble racked through you, both from the coldness of the air and from the promise that lied in her words. Her eyes gleamed with a darkness that guaranteed you'd be even more of a mess soon enough.

She lowered herself down between your thighs, looking up at you all the while. Her lips dragged along your sensitive skin, leaving open mouth kisses and licks in their path.

"You have to be quiet for me, Y/N/N," she instructed. "Can you?"

You nodded, but she wasn't satisfied.

"Words."

"Yes, ma'am." You replied in an instant, voice hushed.

Her jaw tensed at your use of the title.

"Good. Keep it that way, or I'll stop."

The closing of your eyes and subtle push of your head back into the pillows was the submission that she was after, and it pleased her for the time being.

She flattened her tongue and licked a stripe up your slit without warning, making you flinch slightly. Your hands gripped the sheets when she wrapped her arms around your thighs, intending to keep you in place when you inevitably started losing your composure. She lapped at the slick that dripped down your center and hummed, loving the way you tasted. It was better than she had imagined, somehow, and it only made her want you more.

To think that such a beautiful woman like you could also taste so good seemed unfair. Finding your flaws was one of the hardest things she’d ever attempted.

She was merciless as she gave her all to you, pulling out every trick she’d ever thought of trying. Some of her movements were sloppy and unconventional, showing her inexperience, but it was obvious she was doing everything she’d want done to her. She paid attention to the noises you made and what pulled the biggest reactions from you, and adjusted her rhythms and approach accordingly. She was a fast learner, you came to realize, as she practically turned from a rookie to natural right in front of you.

But she wasn’t prepared for how much fucking you would effect her. The reins that held her together were slipping from her grasp the longer she had you like this. She needed relief, too, no matter how she got it.

She unconsciously humped the bed in time with every desperate roll of your hips, unable to control herself. The fire in the pit of her stomach was blazing, leaving her breathless.

She watched you bite into your lip in a poor attempt to quiet yourself; but it barely helped. As you came undone with a stuttered groan of her name, she felt a tell-tale rush of warmth between her own thighs as well. They pressed together, confirming what she suspected.

You gave her her first orgasm without even knowing it.

“Fuck,” she breathed, closing her eyes momentarily. Her core throbbed, needing more.

You raised your head at the sound of her voice, oblivious. “What?”

She shied away when you reached for her, causing you to push yourself up onto your elbows.

“Jiu…”

Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, but she wordlessly glanced underneath her body, leading your gaze to the mess that she’d made on the sheets below herself. Realization dawned on you, making an innocent smile appear on your face.

“Did you…?”

“I couldn’t stop it.”

She moved up your body, hovering over you. Any remaining humiliation she felt at the situation dissipated when you slid a hand between your bodies, wanting to feel for yourself just how wet she was. Her brows knitted together and she moaned, letting you explore her.

She allowed you to push her over on the large bed and straddle her, effectively trading your positions.

“Tell me what to do.” You requested, lazily stroking her. The tips of your fingers teased her, not committing to anything too seriously yet. “Tell me what you want.”

She swallowed, eyeing you. “I want your fingers, Y/N, and that pretty mouth. Show me what I’ve been missing all this time.”

You quirked a brow.

“Please,” she added, catching herself.

You smiled and leaned down, replacing your lips on hers as your hips settled between her thighs. Her tongue ran across your lips as she cupped your cheeks, pulling you in ever-closer and deepening the kiss. You melted into her embrace, much to her delight; everything about the moment was passion incarnate.

One of her hands dragged its way to your neck, which her slender fingers subsequently wrapped around. They tightened gently, reminding you of just how vulnerable you really were. She panted softly into your mouth between kisses, aware of the rapid beating of your heart.

You only broke away when you felt her lower half rubbing against you in its never ending pursuit of friction.

Your lips painted her soft skin with love bites in various hidden places, all carefully chosen as you worked your way down her body. They stalled at her chest as you licked and sucked her nipples, taking them into your warm mouth. You were showing her a type of pleasure she’d never experienced with her husband. He only ever focused on his own release; but you only focused on hers. Everything you did was the stuff of fantasy – things she’d read about in books and longed for, but had no hope of ever experiencing first hand.

Quiet whines slipped past her parted lips and she pushed her head back into the comforter anytime it all became too much to handle. You sucked a mark onto the inside of her thigh once you reached it, aware that it especially would only be visible when she was naked. No prying eyes could catch a glimpse of it and start drama; only two people in the manor would ever have a chance to see it, apart from her.

"Don't let him touch you again, Jiu, unless you want him to find out who you really belong to."

Her chest rose and fell faster than before – the result of your ministrations. The jealousy in your tone did unspeakable things to her.

But she didn’t have time to properly respond. Two of your fingers slid in easily as you took her into your mouth, wrapping your lips around her clit. Her walls were warm around you and softer than you ever could’ve guessed. They quickly adjusted to you as you stretched her out and wasted no time in giving her what she wanted.

Just as she requested, your fingers worked in time with your mouth, relentlessly chasing after her high. Every curl of them inside of her brought it a step closer; every swirl of your tongue earned you the gift of a new sound from her.

You committed them all to memory, wanting to replay them later. They were all so pretty; even her pitiful sobs and incoherent pleas sounded beautiful.

The blush on her cheeks was a deep crimson as she reached down and threaded her fingers through your hair. Her grip tightened as she got closer and closer, making your eyes water from the sting. It was a welcome pain, though, and you found yourself grinning against her when she unintentionally did it again.

She’d never experience pleasure like this before with anyone; it was overwhelming for her, but the last thing she wanted was for it to stop. She was discovering just how good she could feel and how empowering it was to have someone worshipping her in such a way.

How had she survived so long without you? Surely she was only half alive.

“Come for me,” you commanded, kissing the darkening mark on her thigh. Her body rocked, gyrating however it pleased as she met your every move halfway. Within a matter of seconds she was tensing and shuddering against you, unable to keep the pace you had set. When her back arched off the bed, you knew she was done for.

Her hand clasped tightly over her mouth to muffle the cries she let out as she tumbled over the edge and into euphoria. Sweat gleamed on her like a trophy, showcasing every ounce of effort you poured into getting her there. Her eyes were still closed as she reveled in bliss.

The tension in her taut muscles faded away when she eventually floated back down to Earth, still reeling. Her legs trembled from the aftershocks as you slowly cleaned her up a bit, savoring the taste of her.

But you didn't stop there. You got greedy, with the way she unconsciously continued to grind against your face with movements so subtle she likely didn't even recognize that she was doing them. But her body did; it recognized the pleasure you gave, and it didn't want it to stop.

Her other hand instinctively tightened in your hair again, still nestled in the mussed strands of it. Her breathing was far from controlled, and as you picked your pace back up it only became more erratic.

She whined as you continued between her thighs, determined to pull another orgasm from her. The overstimulation was almost too much for her to bear; her hands went to your shoulders as she tried to push you away.

"Please… I can't," she struggled out through broken moans, writhing.

Her body failed to adhere to her words, however; her hips raised rhythmically to meet your mouth, riding your tongue. She blushed deeply when you looked up at her through your lashes with lustful eyes.

She squirmed again, causing you to lay an arm across her pelvis and press her into the bed, keeping her in place.

"Yes you can," you mumbled, responding to her without fully taking your mouth away. The vibrations coursed through her, drawing another pitiful moan from her lips.

"Jagi, please–"

What an actress.

"One more, Jiu. We both know you want it, too."

"I-It's too much," she pleaded, shaking like a leaf.

You moved up her body and put your lips on hers in response, quieting her begging. She whimpered at the taste of herself on your tongue, paired with the curl of your fingers as they slid inside of her with even more ease than before. You found her sweet spot again and wasted no time in using that to your advantage.

"Y/N… ah–" she cried, latching onto you so tightly you were sure she'd leave marks. Her nails dragged along your back, harsh against your soft skin in the best kind of way.

"I'm almost there." The husky tone of her voice only spurred you on.

Her grinding was wanton now, full of reckless abandon. She buried her face in your neck just as her moans reached a fever pitch.

With another pulse of your fingers, she came hard around them, crying out your name.

She clutched you close to her body, almost as if she was afraid you’d slip away. You whispered sweet nothings as she came back down from her high, feeling weightless. Her tight grip loosened when she realized you weren’t going anywhere, and it gave you the chance to lay down beside her. Your hand splayed across her stomach when she looked up at you.

Innocence shined in her big, bright eyes, both precious and pure. Her heart was on her sleeve; she was in a state beyond vulnerability, and yet she wasn’t afraid like before. You, she realized, were her comfort. Her safety net, ready to catch her when she fell, and her supporter who’d never dream of leaving.

Something told her that her revelations were bigger than just post-orgasm niceties. She knew what you felt for each other was real, and that meant everything to her. In the world of smoke and mirrors that she had been raised in, that kind of thing didn’t exist. But you broke the mold; her enigma.

Your fingers traced gentle circles above her navel, drawing her from her daze.

A shy laugh left you, making your shoulders bounce slightly, and she couldn’t help but do the same. What were you to do now? She felt like she needed a few business days to recover.

She figured the next best thing would be to get cleaned up, and so she sat up to head to the bathroom and grab a towel. Her legs trembled as she attempted to lift them, not in the mood to cooperate. There was no way she could even stand yet, let alone walk.

“I’ll get it,” you soothed, already knowing what she was after. You leaned over and quickly kissed her again before heading off. Shortly after, you returned and gently cleaned her up before doing the same to yourself. Sensing that she had a few more rounds left in her, you hung it on the footboard for when you’d inevitably need it again.

“Come here.” She coaxed.

She held her hand up to you, beckoning you closer. But before you could take it, her wedding ring caught your attention as it came into view. Its expensive jewels shimmered in the available light of the room, making you frown.

When she noticed it as well, she paused, visibly debating. After a few seconds passed, she slid it off her finger and sat it on the bedside table.

Free of it, she held her hand out again and smiled as you took it this time.

"Let's stay here a while," she insisted. Her voice was hoarse in an attractive way. The sound of it made what happened tonight real; it confirmed that you definitely weren't dreaming.

"But what about the party?"

She just shook her head, unbothered. All she wanted to do was hold you close.

"Alright," you relented, unable to hold out any longer with the sweet way she was looking at you.

She opened her arms and took you into them lovingly, letting out a sigh of contentment.

Where the future would take you, you weren’t sure. But in her protective embrace, you felt safe from any challenges that might come your way. You’d face them together, always.

She was your safeguard, and you were her escape. Two things so fatefully intertwined were surely destined to find a way in the end.

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thegeeksideofsr · 1 year

Text

Caught

I'm back with another Ford!reader I hope you don't mind.

I have a tag list growing, so if you like to be added to that for any future stories let me know!!

Takes place after Cooking Together

The job my dad was trying to pull was relatively simple. Except for the fact that it took six people to pull off.

He didn't want to involve me, but when they were planning everything and going through that marks background, it became clear that they needed another chef in the kitchen with Eliot.

Sophie was the one who suggested I join the con, just this one. Dad was against it of course, but when Sophie reminded him that I could get closer to the chef then any one, he relented. He partnered me with Eliot, made me promise to listen to him if the job goes south.

The con was going relatively well. Until Hardison jinxed it and said that he was glad this was an easy one. As soon as the words came out of his mouth it all went to shit.

Eliot and I were in the kitchen, Parker was dressed as a waitress and lifted the mark keys while Sophie and Nate kept him distracted at the house party.

She brought back everything we'd need to get into his office. She was very put out that she had to stay at the party, but she unfortunately, had caught the marks eye, and if she left for any amount of time longer that her getting a fresh tray, the mark would notice.

We had to sneak from the kitchen, nearly getting caught twice by the guards while trying to get to the stairs.

The marks office was the next floor up, and near the stairs. We managed to get up there and in the office fine, got want we needed and were on our way out when Hardison opened his big mouth.

We got to the hall way at the bottom of the stairs and head towards the double glassdoors, only to find it was being watched by two rather big men.

"Damnit Hardison, there's guards on the door. How we supposed to get passed them?"

"Well think of something cause you need to get back to the kitchen."

Apparently, the sound of our voices we're just loud enough through the door that they caught the attention of the guard closest to us. Panic starts to bubble as he start to turn towards us.

I turn to Eliot, who is already gearing up for a fight, but we really don't need the attention that a fight would bring. With time running out I grab him by the back of his shirt and pull him in front of me.

"What are you doing?" He asks, trying to pull away to put himself between the guards and I.

"Taking a card out of Parker's book." I tighten my grip on his collar, press him into a closed door, and kiss him.

This was the first time we'd kissed since the night in my kitchen.

We get lost in the kiss, his hands on my hips, mine in his hair, and one of his legs pressed between mine, only the sound of a throat clearing breaks is out of it.

We turn and look at where the sound came from. The guard has annoyed look on his face as he looks at us.

"This area is off limits," he grumbles.

"Sorry, sir, just wanted a little privacy from the kitchen." Eliot plays it off.

" Shouldn't you be there now? Not snogging in a corner?"

"Snogging?" My dad's voice comes over the comms like he's on the verge of having a stroke.

"Yes, sir. As soon as we can put ourselves together again."

The man nods, then walks back to his post.

Eliot and I stand pressed against each other, trying to catch or breath. I watch one emotion after another pass over his face. His eyes show more then he probably wanted.

I take a breath to say something, but Parker's voice over the comms breaks the silence between us.

" You two done, cause I'm close to stabbing him."

" Yeah, on our way back." Eliot growls, as he separates us and heads towards the door.

I take a deep breath, and follow him back through the doors to the hall, passed the guards and back to the kitchen.

"Eliot, did you just kiss my daughter?"

**********

Tag list: @katbratsupernaturalwhore @fictional-hooman

#eliot spencer #eliot spencer x reader #eliot spencer x oc #parker #leverage fanfic #alec hardison #leverage #christian kane

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eddywoww · 1 year

Note

sorry about the blood in your mouth i wish it was mine. - baby you might be getting a few more from me. it's fine :)

An anon also asked for this one - "1 for the Silken prompt thing please god that line makes me go feral"

Warning: asshole boyfriends who are hinted at being abusive very briefly, violence and blood

(Also like, hey. Don’t share blood with strangers obviously. I shouldn’t have to tell anyone that this is fiction and that you should BE CAREFUL but I will anyway. Enjoy some mild blood play!)

Steve wasn't quite sure how so many things in his life could go from zero to one hundred in the space of a few moments.

He mostly wasn't sure how a night out with his boyfriend had ended up with one of them laying on the ground in an alleyway, lip bleeding and eye swollen as some guy stood over them.

Well, not over Steve.

No, this guy was Steve's fucking Knight in Ridiculous Leather pants.

Because Alex was being a dick. As usual. Alex being a dick wasn't like, a new thing. He just...had an attitude problem that Steve really hated to think about. His highs were sky high. Robin called it 'love bombing'. Steve just knew that he liked it when Alex was nice.

Only, he wasn't always nice. Still, he'd never tried to lay a hand on Steve before. He knew Steve could hold his own. He wasn't above kneeing a dude in the balls for being a dick. He didn't even care if it was low and he certainly didn't give a shit if it was his boyfriend being a dick and getting kneed in the dick.

But Steve was a little blindsided. They'd decided to come out, have a good time for once. Steve actually did like going to clubs, loved getting to dance with strangers. He was always respectful of distance and keeping Alex happy.

Some guy had grabbed Steve's ass. Which wasn't even his fault. And he'd told the dude to fuck off immediately because his ass was off limits to random men in nigthclubs.

Only, apparently Alex didn't quite buy that version of events. He was always way too suspicious. Always ready to accuse Steve of fucking around on him. He wasn't, actually. Steve was faithful to a fault. To the point of being the one to get cheated on and looking the other way.

They had ended up outside, Steve pressed into a brick wall while Alex tried to intimidate him. Steve had told him not to drink too much. He always turned into an asshole when he was drunk and Steve didn't want to deal with his bumbling apology later.

But then Alex had switched tactics and as Steve had attempted to move away from the wall, he grabbed Steve's wrist in an iron grip. Which had been a huge mistake. Steve had just about shoved his own palm up against his soon to be ex boyfriends nose, when someone else had come to the rescue.

Enter Steve’s personal hero, random long haired dude who wouldn’t look out of place in a hair metal music video. But in a hot way.

Especially considering he didn’t hesitate to pull Alex off of Steve and deck him right in the fucking face.

The fight that ensued wasn’t an impassioned one. Alex couldn’t fight for shit and especially not when he was drunk. He managed to get one hit on the guys mouth but that didn’t seem to deter him much as he tried his best to punch Alex’s lights out.

Steve had to step in and grab the guys forearm, pulling his fist back and stopping him from going after Alex again.

“You sure you want me to stop? I bet he can take more.” The guy said, lips and teeth shining with bright red blood. He looked a little deranged and suddenly Steve really needed to put some space between them. Like really.

He had dark brown eyes and curly hair. A wide smile and something a little crazy going on that Steve was not so shockingly intrigued by.

And then Alex had to open his fucking mouth.

“Try it again, motherfucker. See what happens.” Alex mumbled, clearly slurring his words. Steve hoped his random hero had maybe knocked a tooth or two out.

The guy smiled and untangled Steve’s hand from around his wrist, instead reversing the position and gripping the fine bones of Steve’s own wrist.

He didn’t let go as he walked slightly tot he side of Steve, so that he could see Alex better.

“Yeah, bud? You wanna try that partner beating bullshit again? Wanna get a concussion?” He asked, all smooth and unhinged and okay, maybe Steve was single now. He was definitely single. And sober. He hadn’t even had a drink yet, thanks to Alex.

“Fuck off, asshole. Get your hands off my boyfriend.” Alex retorted, cupping his nose to stem the flow of blood coming from it.

“Not your boyfriend anymore. You can go fuck yourself.” Steve spat right back. He was done with all….this. This constant ridiculous spectacle his life had become. He didn’t need Alex. He didn’t need his drama or his problems or his fucking addictions.

Alex tried to get up, tried to fumble his way into a shaky standing position but the other man wouldn’t let it happen. He tapped Alex’s knee with one big, black boot and sent him tumbling back down again.

And then he squeezed lightly at Steve’s wrist just to get his attention. It worked.

“You wanna come back inside? Maybe I can buy you a drink.” He suggested, face sliding into friendly territory. He wasn’t giving Steve a creepy vibe, he just-

“Yeah,” Steve agreed, swallowing back the bitterness of his night as Alex’s drunken groans echoed around them. “Let me call this idiot a fucking ride first. Hopefully for the last time.”

Steve learned that his savior’s name was Eddie. He was Eddie Munson, he was 25 years old. He played guitar in a little crust punk band but had a daytime job as a barista. He had a killer smile and pretty eyes and Steve wasn’t sure how he was still this easy but, well. He was easy.

“Fuck,” Steve cursed, back hitting the wall of a bathroom stall as Eddie crowded into him. His mouth was hit against Steve’s and tasted like copper. “Fuck- oh my god. Your- hey.”

Steve tried to interrupt but Eddie just cupped his jaw and bit at his lips like he was ravenous.

“You were too pretty for that guy,” Eddie sighed, threading a hand into Steve’s hair and pulling. Sliding a knee between his thighs and resting it there like a promise. “Gotta start finding better men, baby.”

Steve huffed out an amused noise, hands resting over Eddie’s waist. Bunched in the fabric of his jacket and shirt, winding under clothing to try and get to bare skin.

“Yeah? What about men who beat the shit out of my boyfriend?” Steve asked, lips brushing against Eddie’s.

“Ex boyfriend,” Eddie conceded with a raised brow. Steve snorted, already a little infatuated with this idiot. “And I don’t know, you’re the one making out with me in a gross bathroom.”

He kissed Steve again and licked past his lips, reopening the wound on his own. Steve could taste more blood, was sure that it was staining his mouth and chin.

“I do have a house. With a nice bed,” Steve moaned as Eddie descended on his neck, biting just under his ear. “And a shower. And-and plenty of first aid supplies.”

“Are you saying you don’t like the taste of my blood? I thought this was pretty kinky.” Eddie asked with a slight laugh.

Steve shrugged, lips lifting.

“I don’t know,” He mumbled. “It’s alright? Wanna find out if you like mine?”

#my fic #blurbs #tw blood play #tw blood

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zaeliaeve · 1 year

Text

ꜰʟᴏʀᴇꜱ [ꜱᴇʀɢɪᴏ ʀᴀᴍᴏꜱ] Chapter Four

DISCLAIMER: This is all fiction and inaccurate to real life. I don't speak Spanish so I am sorry for any mistranslations! :(

2009

Real Madrid's first away match had been a success. Although, RCD Espanyol wasn't a big threat to them in the first place. They hadn't won any major titles in over a decade and had no superstar players. Espanyol was simply overpowered by the immense talent of Real Madrid and lost 0-3.

Catalina was once again in awe of Real Madrid. The team was somewhat in its infancy yet managed to bring raw electricity everywhere they went. It seemed from the outside that everything they touched would turn into pure gold.

Day by day Catalina was falling in love with not only her job but football as a sport as well. It was nearly impossible not to when it was what she was surrounded by most of the time now.

The journey to get to the stadium had been a frightful one at first for Catalina. The team had all gathered on a private jet to get to Barcelona for the game, and it was her first experience in a plane, let alone a private jet. To everyone else on the plane, this was just a regular day; they played cards with each other and slept like it was no big deal. Luckily, she was somewhat distracted on the flight.

"Is this your first time on a plane?"

Catalina's ghostly pale face lifted up from her camera as she glanced up at the superstar, her hand slightly trembling as she tried not to look out the small oval window beside her. "How could you tell?"

Karim let out a hardy laugh and pointed his thumb over to the girl, his eyes still on Cristiano. "She told me earlier she stayed up last night watching a plane crash documentary" Karim wheezed.

The Portuguese man cocked his head to the side in surprise, a confused smile creeping onto his face. "Why would you do that to yourself?"

"I was trying to make myself feel better about today so I went on Youtube and typed in planes like an idiot. It sent me down a rabbit hole that I couldn't look away from" Catalina let out an exhausted sigh as she questions her past decision, trying not to replay the images of tragedies in her head.

Cristiano pouted his bottom lip out to the girl sympathetically.

Catalina clutched the metal in her hand and switched the settings off of video mode and into photo mode. "But do you know what would make me feel a lot better, Mr. Cover of Men's Health?" She asked, seeing the perfect opportunity to ask what she was scared she would lose the confidence for later.

Karim leaned forward in his seat beside her with interest, and Cristiano nodded his head forward insinuating for the girl to keep talking. "Can I take a picture of you for the official Real Madrid website?" Catalina asked, causing Karim to lean back in his seat when he realized it wasn't as interesting as he had hoped.

"Yeah, sure."

Cristiano then ran a hand through his black hair, smoothening the stray hairs back down into place. A half-open book rested in his lap, full lips upturned as he looked directly into the dark lens.

Click click click

"Perfecto! Te lo agradezco" Catalina grinned at him before glancing down at her camera to look at the picture.

Internally, she was screeching with excitement because her boss was always harping on her to get as many pictures as she can of Cristiano and Kaká because they didn't want to use any pictures of them in another team's kit.

Good lighting, and good quality. All she could have asked for.

As Catalina was looking down, she saw a pair of tan hands softly steal the camera from her loose grip. "Your turn," Cristiano told her as he switched back into photo mode.

Catalina looked confused but it clicked together once Cristiano held the metal up to his eye, one eye squinting from behind the camera. "It's your first time on a plane and you survived takeoff, this is something to remember. We can put this up on the facility fridge when we get back."

Karim waited for a second before chiming in, face straight as can be. "Assuming we don't die on landing, though."

The girl shrieked and rubbed her hands on her temples.

Cristiano waved his free hand in the air as if to clear all the bad energy, "Don't listen to him, we can use his big head as a lifeboat if we crash. Now, look here and say cheeeese" he joked, only using his accented English for the last half.

Ironically Catalina felt awkward and uncoordinated in front of the camera, not knowing what to do with her hands or face. She decided to just clasp her hands together and flash the camera a wide smile before mimicking the phrase back to him.

Click

"Estas guapa con la ropa de Madrid!" Cristiano gushed loudly. He handed her back the camera with a grin still on his face. (in English: you look pretty in the Madrid clothing)

The team headed back to the nice hotel on a large bus, cheering and yelling with pride the whole ride there. They sang songs in Spanish chants that the newer players still hadn't learned all the lyrics to, so they just made noses that somewhat resembled the language. Catalina shot every stand-out moment she could, thankful it was photos and not videos due to the harsh critiquing of the opposing team from the staff.

Sergio moved throughout the bus so he was directly in front of the camera lens, lifting up the crest on his kit until it met his lips and pumping his fist into the humid air joyously. Catalina snapped pictures of the defender, smiling so much her cheeks were starting to ache.

Within a few moments, Sergio leaned over the seats and tangled one hand in Catalina's wavy hair softly to bring her closer. Catalina complied and leaned into his body, shivering as he pressed his lips against her ear. "You're wearing our clothes" Sergio noted slightly loud so she could hear over the noise, tone surprised yet still happy.

"Do I look too cheesy? Am I eligible for the Real Madrid fan club now?" Catalina half-joked, reversing the roles and speaking into his ear so he could hear without the chanting drowning it out.

The corner of Sergio's eyes crinkled as he laughed before shaking his head, backing away to get another full look at her. "It's good. You look like a librarian that got the night off."

Catalina laughed confusedly unsure what he meant but not pushing it further. "Are you going out for drinks with us later? I highly doubt you drink though" Sergio asked, hands now clutching the back of the seat.

Drinks?

Unsurprisingly, he was right. Catalina was not much of a drinker. Maybe the occasional drink here or there on holidays but nothing close enough to get her drunk. A few sips at most. She found herself wanting to challenge this notion, even if it meant chugging a whole bottle of champagne if she had to. In her mind maybe being able to break out of her prudish ways could prove herself a little bit cool.

"What do you mean? I drink all the time. Of course, I'll go." She put on a relaxed tone but it came off more forced than she had hoped and she hoped he hadn't noticed.

Sergio grabbed his phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I'll let you know when we're gonna leave. Put your number in"

Catalina let her camera hang off of the thick strap on her chest as she tapped on his screen. She reread it over one more time before handing it back to him. Sergio smiled at her before typing something and pressing send.

The back of her jeans vibrated with the notification, she reached into it quickly to read the message. "See you tonight then," Sergio told her before moving back to his original seat, now joining back into the celebrations.

You're a bad liar, conejita :P

Getting ready proved to be a challenge. She didn't pack much at all because she didn't anticipate going anywhere besides the stadium, and maybe a casual breakfast the next morning. Fortunately, she had a casual sun dress. It was her hair and makeup she struggled the most with given her resources, but she made due.

Catalina waited hours anxiously waiting for a message from Sergio. She tried to distract herself by watching the shopping channel on TV, plucking her eyebrows, or going through every picture she had taken recently on her camera. As she began to give up hope, her screen lit up as his unsaved number popped up.

Everyone else fell asleep or doesn't wanna leave their rooms :/ You still down to go with just us? It wasn't even a question in her mind. Within 30 seconds she had typed out

How else am I supposed to show you that I'm the better drinker?

Sergio responded not too long after that.

In ur dreams. Meet me in the lobby in 45 mins. The bar is a quick walk.

Sergio's lips upturned as Catalina pressed her lips to the glass hesitantly, the reality of the situation settling in now that the pungent smell of alcohol filled her nostrils. "Are you sure you can swallow it all?" He watched her carefully as she tried to put on a brave front.

Why didn't I just keep my mouth shut?

The anticipation of Sergio's waiting eyes was killing her, so she tilted her head back and relaxed her throat; letting the cool liquid flow down as Sergio cheered beside her. "¡Vamos!"

An empty glass hit the table as she raised her arms in victory, her throat and chest hotly burning as a reminder of the liquid poison. Sergio let out a hardy laugh as she screwed her eyes shut and stuck out her tongue at the taste, groaning with disgust.

His tanned hand rubbed her upper back soothingly. "You took it well, I have to say I'm surprised."

Catalina shook her head as she wiped her shiny mouth, knowing her reaction wasn't smooth by any means."Maybe you just like watching me struggle."

"Maybe" he repeated back with a shrug.

The waitress placed Sergio's tequila on the wood surface in front of him. Catalina secretly hoped that he would at least make a grossed-out face when he took it, but he didn't. In stark contrast, Sergio swallowed his drink easily, with only a slight shiver when the drink was fully finished. "I hate you so much" Catalina whined when he looked back to her as if nothing had happened.

His face remained completely unphased. "No, you don't."

Catalina nodded eagerly, the burning in her body causing a small confidence boost she didn't have moments ago. "Yes, I do. I promise I do."

Sergio didn't say anything else as he took the alcohol-soaked lime out of his empty glass and placed it on her full lips. Catalina froze momentarily, unsure of what to do. "Open" he instructed, eyes heavy as it met hers.

Catalina listened without question, lapping the center of the bitter fruit with her saliva; trying to ignore the consistent heat in her chest in an attempt to please him. Sergio watched her contently as he brought one hand to her head, patting it with praise. "See? You don't hate me at all."

The now lifeless lime sunk back into the glass.

Suddenly meeting his gaze felt more difficult, so Catalina shifted her pupils over to the glass bottles on the shelves. She could feel her cheeks heating up, and this time not from the liquor. "I want a shot" Catalina murmured, hoping the liquid could calm her.

Sergio laughed to himself before raising his arm to get the waitress's attention again, this time ordering a few drinking for the both of them. Catalina took his arm into her hands when she noticed purplish markings scattered all over the limb. "Are these from football?" She asked, scanning his bruised flesh with her fingertips softly.

"No, some of them are from when I fell off of horses and landed awkwardly" Sergio explained, his skin rising a bit underneath her fingers.

Catalina's eyebrows knitted together, lips frowning a bit. "I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not."

Now it was his turn to frown, cocking his head slightly. "Why would I be sarcastic about that?"

"I just couldn't picture you in nature. I love horses though, so that's a nice surprise. I thought you'd be the type to be like grrrrr nature is for wimps. I only like football and fast cars. Oh and getting red cards. " She impersonated him, putting her voice as deep as it could go which wasn't deep at all.

Sergio's laughed and looked at her knowingly "Ah so you must have been googling me."

Catalina pinched her fingers together. "Un poco."

His knuckles moved to her face and gripped onto her cheek, pulling at it playfully. "So you really are a fan, huh?" he asked as she squealed from the pressure of his hand.

"I'm more of a Cristiano fan, actually" she gasped out in-between giggles.

The grip of his knuckles got fairly tighter at her words, causing her to laugh harder and grasp at his hands. Sergio let go quickly, his eyes brightening as he watched her wipe away tears from the corner of her eyes due to her laughing fit.

"It is really cool you get to ride horses, seriously. I've only been a few times when I was younger and I absolutely loved it. It's hard to come by in the city, though" Catalina told him earnestly as she calmed down.

The waitress sat down a few glasses down in front of them and they thanked her with a smile. Sergio held his drink out to cheers, and Catalina followed clinking the glass together. Before he could say anything, Catalina swooped in with a wide smile. "To Cristiano Ronaldo!"

Although they drank about equally, the alcohol affected Catalina much more as she was new to drinking and also weighed less than him. It was quickly revealed throughout the night that Catalina is a happy drunk. Suddenly everything was good in the world to Catalina, no such thing as embarrassment or worries.

Sergio felt a lot more grounded; acting as the guide to make sure nothing bad happened to the newly intoxicated girl. Catalina had danced a bit on the dance floor with some random girl, drunkenly swaying off-beat to an Aventura song.

Lost in the moment, Catalina's dress started to lift up as she danced. Sergio's blood rushed as a thin man tried to slip in between the two dancing drunk girls. "Si la tocas te rajo la garganta, coño" Sergio stepped in quickly, pushing the man with his palms.

"¿Estás jodidamente loco?" He huffed to the frightened man.

The man instantly backed away, promising he didn't want any problems. Sergio scowled at him as the man practically sprinted to the other side of the room, far away from the girls. Catalina hadn't even noticed the man, still laughing with the random girl about absolutely nothing.

Sergio bent down and pulled Catalina's dress back down. "Por favor, ten más cuidado" he whispered into her ear, causing her head to lean back into his touch.

She spin around and wrapped her hands around his neck, leaving the random girl alone. "Dance with me, Sergio" Catalina slurred as she batted her eyelashes.

Sergio's stone demeanor melted a bit as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "You know you aren't even dancing Bachata right?"

Catalina nuzzled her face in his shoulder, clearly not engaging in anything he was saying. His hand tangled in her hair, holding her close. They swayed back and forth as they clutched onto each other tightly, only pulling away after the last cord of the song was finished. "You smell good" she mumbled into his shirt.

"Do you want to go back now? We have an early flight tomorrow" Sergio asked, arms still loosely wrapped around her.

Catalina's sheepishly nodded, eyes half closed from exhaustion after the long day they had both had. "You can barely keep your eyes open, poor thing" Sergio sighed, gazing down at her bloodshot eyes.

Sergio lifted her up with ease and Catalina sighed with relief as they left the establishment. All he could hope was no one on the staff catching them in the lobby, as he didn't feel like having to explain himself to anyone.

In the short walk back to the hotel, Catalina had fallen asleep in his arms as he expected. Not wanting to wake her up nor wanting to dig through her clothes, he used one arm to get his room key and set her down on his bed gently, throwing the big comforter over her.

Sergio's own exhaustion had begun to hit from the long day. He stole one of the blankets from the bed and nuzzled up onto the small couch, falling asleep almost as soon as he hit the cushions.

A/N: AHHHH this took me so long to write I had writer's block but I'm pretty happy with how this turned out! I've rewritten it many times and now I've been writing for like 4 hours straight so I'm good with this version! Initially, this was going to be VERY different haha. I really hope you enjoyed it! Any comments are welcomed and truly appreciated! Thank you for reading!

#sergio ramos #sergio ramos fanfiction #sergio ramos imagine #football fanfiction #football imagine #soccer imagine #real madrid

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sins-of-the-dragon · 29 days

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Catharsis: Nightmare Fading - Short DA2 Fic (Reader Comfort) 1,642 Words

This is a re-imagining of a short fic piece I wrote for BG3. It's not really a fic story as much as it is a way to cope with traumatic memories through the medium of fiction and reframing memories/reality into something less painful. It's written in second person (you/your) with a non-descript gender neutral reader character. So this is your CONTENT WARNING - There is discussion of a traumatic incident. It is vague, there are no details of anything happening besides it being an incident with one or more people involved. The premise, in short, is that the characters of Dragon Age 2 have found a way to our world through The Fade and are turning up at the moment the reader needs them most. The hurt is vague but the comfort is the focus, with a view of "what would the characters say and do in this situation".

The original piece, Catharsis: Rewriting History (based on the characters from Baldur's Gate 3) is on AO3 here and has a very similar premise and vibe to it. This one isn't on AO3 yet, I'm still deciding whether I make a pseud for my account to write more Dragon Age or if I stick to may main fandom fics for now and just post a few odd DA musings here with a minific or two. Let me know, really, if you'd like more of my DA works~

Anyway, full fic below the cut. --- ---

Catharsis: Nightmare Fading It wasn’t fair. Life never was, perhaps, that you would come to know experiences like this. Pain you wished you couldn’t imagine - in your body or your soul, you couldn’t even tell. Perhaps it was both, your entire consciousness dissolving beyond physical and emotional agony to just focus on one thing and one thing alone. Live.

The air shimmered and crackled behind you, but with everything in front of you your mind was already seeking an escape from reality. You didn’t notice a thing until there was a short and muscular man carrying an impossibly large crossbow standing in front of you. “Sorry I’m not good at this kind of thing. But I’m here, and so are the rest of them. We can talk later.” He glanced back, the soft hint of a smile crossing his features before he turned back to the source of your pain.

You blinked, unsure of what you’d seen, when you felt strong arms scoop you up, holding you tight against a broad chest. “Sorry I’m late, it’s not easy to navigate the Fade to cross worlds.”

“They don’t need to worry about all that right now - are they alright?” A feminine voice this time. Chancing a glance at their faces, you saw they had to be related, maybe even twins. Even the red stripe of what you hoped was makeup across the bridge of their noses matched - they really were like two versions of the same person.

A woman in heavy armour stepped past the three of you, her face kind but hardened, ginger hair tied back in a neat but loose braid falling over her shoulder. “They will be.” She addressed you directly next, voice softening. “This won’t make sense right now, but someday it will. You can trust us, and don’t let anyone tell you to turn the page before you’re ready.” The woman turned away again, gripping her sword more tightly and striding forwards.

Before you could gain your bearings again, you felt a wave of energy wash through you. Cooling, soothing, your body felt…better than it had in a very long time. “There you are.” A new voice, light and almost musical but with the edge of a weight behind it that told you he carried burdens of his own. “I’m so sorry, I should’ve…we should’ve been here.”

“We are here, or have you taken leave of the last of your senses in the Fade?” A gruffer voice spoke up, both men coming into view now. Something about them was familiar, tugging at your heart, pulling threads of memories that had yet to form. They looked at each other with animosity, but when they turned back to you… “Venhedis… You need to leave. What comes next is not for you to witness.” The tanned man was covered in lines of white tattoos that were beginning to faintly glow blue.

“Perhaps mercy might be an option?” The one holding you spoke again, but his words spurred a simple and wordless response. You shook your head. He squeezed you just slightly in his embrace as he acknowledged your decision. “Maybe not then. They’ve made their choice.”

You almost recoiled as the sharp edges of the tattooed man’s gauntlet reached towards you, but the pained look in his eyes mirrored your own. Perhaps if roles were reversed… The metal was cold, but his touch against your cheek was surprisingly gentle. “I will be back for you, when it’s over.” With that, he turned to leave, the light emanating from his tattoos glowing even through his armour.

“You never deserved this. Not a single moment.” The other man who had been beside the tattooed warrior bent towards you, long blonde hair almost completely veiling your vision for a moment as he kissed your forehead. “I can’t promise you peace…” His voice seemed to change, taking on a slightly different tone as a subtle lightning crackled around his eyes. “But I can promise you Justice.”

As he turned to leave, sparks playing around his fingertips with his raised hand, the man holding you turned too. The woman with you gestured towards a shimmering hole in reality, a green tinted world beyond, and a man in white armour with vivid red hair and bright blue eyes standing beside it. “It’s time to leave.”

You leaned more against the one carrying you, his ‘twin’ staying close and occasionally putting a hand on your shoulder. Risking a glance at the strange world around you, there were two women standing nearby waiting for your arrival. “Telanadas, ma vhenan. Come, with us.” The tattoos across her face were almost as endearing as her smile as she began to lead the way.

“Maybe you should leave the navigation to someone with a better compass.” The other woman turned her by the shoulders to face another pass. “Would you two mind being a bit quicker? This place is creepy…”

—

A short time later you were in an unfamiliar room, a fireplace heating the area and lighting it with a welcoming glow. It was clearly a part of some large mansion, and though you’d never seen it before, there was something about it that felt like…home. The group with you sat you down on a large plush couch near the hearth, giving you a steaming mug of something that tasted smooth and soothing. They were a strange group. By the time the others joined. They told you stories - ones that you wouldn’t remember, but each word drove back the dark shadows trying to crowd into your mind. Softened the edges of the memories already trying to claw at you every time you blinked…

Listening to them, watching them together, it was hard to understand what brought them all to the same place, the same cause. But the pair sat either side of you seemed like the common thread…or was it you? The shorter blonde man, who kept his crossbow close even while relaxing, was the best storyteller by far - if you were to rank them. He spoke of worlds, people, things you could hardly imagine. He also had a good many jokes, humour and wit shared by several of the others in the room. It felt like you knew them, their past, present, and futures all blending in your mind but never quite clear - it was like an impressionist painting, a mosaic half faded… The other blonde talked about cats a lot. You could almost imagine him with little cat ears on his head, but every now and then his voice sounded more serious as he spoke with you. More sincere as he asked deeper questions, a little blue lightning sparking in the depths of his eyes when he tried to comfort you with talk of what was right and just. There was little justice in the reality you left, but here…here you could almost believe him when he said he would move the stars in the sky to change your world if he could.

Despite their arguing before, the white haired man with the tattoos over his body agreed on that point alone. His support held an anger to it, a ferocity that would have scared you had it not been abundantly clear that he meant it all to be protective. Not exactly the knight in shining armour that the fairy tales spoke of, but he understood…he had seen…he was not without sympathy for your tears. Even if his solutions leaned towards the violent.

The dark haired woman with the tattoos on her face brought you some food, things you’d never tasted before, sweet and comforting. Every time you thanked her she almost glowed at the praise, her demeanour nothing short of adorable. When she asked if she could hug you, you worried for a moment that she might never let go as her grip was so tight and warm around you. One of the other women chided her though, reminding her to let you breathe.

All of their names escaped you, as if there were a layer between you that you couldn’t quite break down, but it didn’t seem to matter. While one told you tales of a wild and exciting life at sea, another told you of her dreams to settle down peacefully with someone she loved. The red haired man with his piercing blue eyes seemed most unsure of himself, but he was clear that no matter what path you chose to walk he would support it.

For those hours, everything melted away. Fear, pain, every darkness of the world you left was chased away by the light around you, the warmth that closed in around you like a blanket. The last thing you heard before sleep claimed you was two voices speaking almost as one person.

“Someday you’ll be making a lot of hard decisions for us…for me… They’re too hard for me to make alone, and Maker knows I’d rather not have to choose some of them at all. But I know…I know you will guide me in the best way you know how. That you will tell my story, and my companions’ too, that none of us will be alone with you watching over us. So, until you meet us all again, that’s what we will do for you.”

Even their faces were blurring together as one in your mind, the slight pressure of their arms around you from either side melding into the feeling of the tangled sheets and blankets of your bed as the last of their words faded into a soft echo.

“When the shadows are dark and the nights are long, we will be your light.” “When the fear from the past comes to claim you, we will fight it.”

“When all hope seems to be out of reach, we will help you find it.” “Better days will come. Hold on, you’re not alone.”

— --- ENDING NOTES --- --- This one goes out to everyone who can in any way relate. We can try to reframe our memories into something less painful, to bring our minds back from the edge of a spiral or flashback in whatever ways work for us. Please always remember, loves, that you have survived all of your worst days up to now. Get through one moment at a time if you need to, and things will get better again. And even whilst they are awful in the moment, Hawke was right: You're not alone.

#therapy through fiction #fanfic #Dragon Age #Dragon Age 2 #Dragon Age FanFiction #dragon age fanfic #coping with fiction #ptsd recovery #never alone #we are stronger with the love and support of our friends even if it's just through fandom

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firstprincewrites · 8 months

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This Magnetic Force Of A Man

Caught Beneath the Landslide

When Everything's Made To Be Broken

Keep Breaking Me In

Try To Document This Light

Just the Thought Of You (Gets Me So High)

"Amy helped me plan it." What went into Henry's ocean crossing surprise? What were his thoughts going to the DNC where he'd finally see Alex on the stage, doing what he loves & looking amazing while doing it? Read to find out Henry's side of things as the night of the DNC unfolds.

I Like That Thing You Do

With the View In the Morning (You Won't Ever Go Back)

Can We Dance In the Dark?

"Who would you be?" "Be a writer. Live in Paris." Inspired by this beautiful quote, this fic follows Henry Fox, a writer who's famous for crafting stories about a fictional prince - The Royal Blue series follows James through the trials and tribulations of being young, royal, and gay as a maypole. He loves what he does but inspiration is dry. He can't find the words and is severely stuck in a bout of writer's block. To try and abate it, Henry takes David for a walk - fate, the dear she is, finds a way to intervene. After a collision, Henry comes face to face with Alex Claremont-Diaz, law student and first son of the United States. Read to find out how their relationship develops into something worth writing about.

This Happily Ever After

For such a natural, easy sort of relationship like Alex and Henry's, there is a lot of weight on their shoulders. Despite themselves, they're making history with each new step they take in their relationship. It's a good thing, then, that neither man is a stranger to the limelight. When Alex teases about them making history, Henry doesn't know how deep that comment will run or how true it actually is. Read to catch a few pieces of Alex & Henry's relationship where they make their own history. Sometimes, two people are meant to shape the world, no matter the circumstance. Or - 5 times Alex jokes about making history and 1 time Henry reciprocates.

#firstprince #first prince #alex x henry #firstprince fic #firstprince fluff #rw&rb movie #rwrb film #rw&rb fanfic #rw&rb #red white and royal blue movie #alex claremont diaz #alex #henry fox mountchristen windsor #prince henry of wales #henry #bobbie writes #masterlist #firstprince masterlist

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sjw-publishings · 2 years

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His Manlier Tomorrow

Jayce Talis TF/MC

————

Trying something new, a fictional character tf based on the manly man Jayce Talis from League of Legends and Arcane.

Slight spoilers but most of the names omitted except Jayce himself. Personality traits may be quite exaggerated and may be sort of different to the actual character in the movie/game.

————

“They’re…not that hot.”

The American asian rolled his eyes at the newest poster of a proud superhero. With many other various forms of merchandise of ‘Main Characters’ at the rest of the booths.

Yeah, Jin was pretty much an anime nerd. Mousy raven hair growing to his shoulders, thick black framed spectacles framed over his thin eyes, and the slight case of college acne over on his cheeks.

Pudgy roundish figure, a far cry to the ideal frame of Mr Macho Man standing in front of him. Alongside his goofy grey patterned ‘blonde ninja’ t-shirt, beige shorts and sandals, he rarely cared about how he looked in public.

And for why he was in this section of the convention…

“Okay…they’re very hot…”

Taking one more glance at the powerful figure, posing chest-out and in that stereotypical way like the guy could just save the world and get that gorgeous woman at the same time.

At least that is how most media have portrayed them.

But of course besides the eye candy…he felt something, or someone drawing him over here. He doubted it was ‘special initiation’ or whatever strange super power a protagonist would get randomly, but its like some tug like he never had before.

*GLOW*

Hand reaching down the trash can, empty…aside from a lone glowing stone.

“Must be some kind of toy…?”

Of course, like all the ‘good guys’ in every story, Jin picked up the unsuspecting object that radiated magical energy. Gripping it with his fingers as he slowly, but dramatically, brings it up to eye level.

Observing the glowing, mesmerising jewel…dangerously coming into contact fearlessly without any regard for the risks. Such qualities exhibited from a man such as yourself…

(Indeed, you are a hero.)

“Huh?”

(And let’s just cut it the chase, shall we?)

—<RECALIBRATING SUBJECT!>—

As the stone radiated arcane energy, light engulfing our Hero within seconds. It seems like he is doomed to fate beyond his control!

But no, as whirlwinds guided around him, a strange sensation of power churning within him like never before. Harnessing such energies, blending in with them as they prepared for his transformation to come.

And come indeed…

“W…Whoa!”

Like any typical gasp and shock! We have our man trying to resist such wisdom and guidance. Such strength and energy…that was meant for him.

But we all know that’s futile.

After all, every Hero always meets their Heroic destiny, with subconscious Bravado and a dramatic masculine performance as they come into terms with their rightful place.

And to his rightful place, our hero is transported. Cutting this intermission short, so that he can enter that special world.

The world where he rightfully belongs.

————————————

————————————

“Where…where am I?”

Like many openings to a story, we have the main character looking all confused in a new environment. Eye lids gently being lifted up, body slowly shifting about as he made his way forward…and forward.

BUMP!

Before coming to a stop.

“Wha…what’s this?!”

Stopping at the podium, his eyes glanced at the great beyond of faces from as far as his eyes could see. Crowds and crowds from far and wide starring at him…

Frozen, the whole world waiting for their hero.

(Now presenting the man of tomorrow! Jayce Talis!)

An incredibly womanly voice echoed from within the silence. That…same voice from earlier! That person who called him a hero!

(Of course, as you are currently, that wouldn’t be correct now, would it?)

A young college student giving a speech in front of a crowd like that, with barely any ambitions other than drooling over big strong heroes, dependable men that always saves the day time and time again.

(Time for you to be exactly just that~)

YANK!

His left hand was pulled past the podium, displaying the gemstone openly to his adoring public, thumb and index finger gripping it proudly as though he earned that gemstone piece as his own.

(After all, you did find it. Therefore, it shall be your reward)

BZZT!

Glowing energy intensified, outlining his whole figure with that similar aquamarine hue. Heated sensations piling up from within, ensuring the process is as irresistible as possible for any man to resist.

“Nggh…I…have to move…Urk!”

(Can’t have my man of tomorrow running off~)

Concentrated at his feet, as they obeyed her. Bursting up double the length, snapping those sandals as they donned that heroic caucasian tan. The kind that stood firm in his beliefs for himself and whatever, whoever he cared for.

How…irresistible.

Jin blushed, barely being able to wiggle his new ‘supercharged’ toes as the torn up sandals stretched down past the soles, up his brad-ankles, tightening into a pair of stained dark brown engineering boots, with a cushion of long socks covering his masculine feet up to just below his-

(On your knees and thank me later~)

His whole body flushed, getting down on one knee, almost like he was proposing the jewel to that…voice. And for someone to be able to propose to a person of such a caliber…he oughta be-

Taller~

Kicking his figure off the ground, straightening his back. Cracks and pops echoing as it stretched beyond its initial width, satisfying RIPS! As it tore the fabric of his shirt, begging to be exposed to the world.

Height rising as his head reached beyond three-quarters of the podium, the anticipation of the crowd within his sights. Thighs splurging away his shame, kicking off as he was ready to make a proposal.

One of the century, and one for that gorgeous lady…how can he help himself? He was gay but…

(Get back up, my strong muscular man~)

“Mmph…”

The young hero gulped, sporting the stupidest lovestruck grin he ever did. Of course, every hero is far from unintelligent, but whenever it comes to the lady of their dreams…they just cannot help themselves but irresistibly do anything just to be with them.

Manlier, my love~

“Of course…my love~”

Jan couldn’t resist himself, those words spurting out of his embarrassed mouth. Pulling his weight as he stood proudly in front of the crowd. Inexperienced, but that did not matter if she was always by his side, walking beside him every step of the way.

He was…mostly gay, but No! He wasn’t into…women. Man oh man… women. Especially when it came to this woman, his mouth barely contained his drool, tastebuds salivating for that gorgeous craving of guidance from her. Every Superhero yearns for that…, especially from the one they love.

Powerful legs grounded his position, spread few inches apart. Buttocks tightening with dominant confidence, waist pushed beyond the confines of his shorts, and in mere seconds…those strands simply SNAPPED! The broken material simply falling onto the edges of his boots, shamefully unable to resist the growing superhero…

Tough oil-stained prints etched themselves over on his digits, Roughness coming from the hard work of progress decked his palms with experience and strength, surging up his wrists, down his veins as meat toned themselves wonderfully on such a man. Such a wonderful, MANLY man as he flexed his right bicep, a thick definite hill of muscle filling out both of his arms as his left still proudly ‘proposed’ the arcane crystal to his adoring public.

Always thinking about her, first and foremost~

A determined resolve, trailing down his chest, lining up mini-packets of air on his tummy…POUNDING AWAY PROGRESS! with his fist! Hammering a tight eight pack that always cooed his lady in their private chambers.

And her Soft…delicate fingers savouring the sensation of his hardened ‘dots’, coaxing them with Sly touches…bouncing them. Muscle Helium lifted his figure, prominently presenting his bulging pectorals, proud of the lengths he took to ensure he stayed as attractive as ever.

For himself…and for his Love.

(Dressed for the success of the century, my love~)

“Of…Course, anything for you my lady~”

He blushed, nervousness fading away in an instant. No! He can’t just turn into this…no…Heh! No reason to be afraid of her, and besides, she raised him to be a public figure after all. He ought to dress like one in order to look good in front of the men and ladies of the public, mostly to the ladies…but most importantly.

Handsome and stylish, for her~

With that, the remnants of the torn fabric on his bod clung on a bright threaded white, tightly pressing against his chest as eight round silver buttons held his new attire in its place.

Down below came the shorts rising up at full force, stretching all the way to large size of his new waist, tightly clinging onto their hero. Material bathing an expensive dark brown, before a large intricate belt CINCHED his pants shut, further accentuating his iron-clad rear, and the ever-so tented strain in his undergarments.

Of course…his lady knows how to circumvent that in a-bit, once this is all over.

Power coursing through him as new sleeves rolling down to his biceps. Dark brown leather materialising around his palms, inventor gloves wrapped his revolutionary mitts down to his forearm. Finalising his design strapped two large brown pads over his broad shoulders. Marked with a golden Piltover design, his brand new attire completed itself with silver stitches and a folded down collar.

A man of tomorrow never stops, not now, not ever. Taking a deep gulp, his vocal chords gawked at how far he’s gone in. Every admiration to himself he proudly received, modesty never being his strong suit, but that did not matter when everything else is cranked to near maximum.

“Man…am I stylish.”

Jay’s voice was deep husky, like a freshly brewed pot of coffee in the morning. Oozing masculinity, almost as though he could just put himself into trance just by whispering sweet nothings to himself.

But of course, with that kind of body, he oughta have a woman to enjoy it, in private. Another guy wasn’t really his thing, especially with how persuasive his lady is…

She really blended with him well, too well. Her breathing in that overwhelming sense of justice within him…its too strong! Why would he resist being everything Piltover wants him to be? That she wants him to be? The kind of leader that protects his people…and the man that always gets the woman of his dreams.

His sense of former self relinquishing its control, diminishing resistance being converted in manly bravado, a disregard of the fear of the unknown. And being such a great Superhero such as himself, he definitely should allow his former civilian self to say something back at her for all the things she has done for him!

Maybe a thank you gorgeous should suffice~…No! Let me say-will you be my one and only?…No! A F…F-!

“F-Fully charged!”

The Superhero couldn’t help himself but to smirk, gripping his tight package shamelessly in front of the frozen public. Their faces all beaming with anticipation over the fiery speech he was giving.

Giving…yeah? That was why someone as great as him was here in the first place. He was their leader, an iconic public figure, someone who the masses adored.

(Yes, let that confidence surge within you~)

Gorgeous hands gripping over his chin, shaping it, like marvellous sculptor. Trailing deep bristles over that melted fat, sharpening the edges with a little sturdy groove below his lips which she-

Kissed.

Bringing him to the topside, as he allowed to have her way. A hero always gets the gal doesn’t he? Especially with his manly rug of grey aftershave and chiselled jawline.

(I always did your his cleft…so bristly, so impeccable…so strong~)

And she did not stop it there, continuing the kiss. Cupping his cheeks, brushing it, vanishing all the blemishes from her hero. Course, he always looked good, naturally, it was how this man was built.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way.

(And neither would I~)

She pulled away from the kiss, a momentary restraint for the power duo. After all, the crowd still has their eyes on them, on me. Even when paused, they cannot resist but to want to know everything about him.

But he always knew to knew not to give the public the full info on his inventions…you know, give them an incentive to keep listening, to keep wanting.

“Like how you would tease me.”

His eyes kept on that gorgeous woman, still firmly tugging his needfully large throb beneath his well stitched pants. What can he say? It was beyond his ability and power to control himself, and his rod, especially when the woman of his dreams and ambitions came to him like that.

He was a man after all, and a hero like him had to be pleased by his lady.

Running her fingers through his hair, gently slicking it back the way he liked, the way she loved. Slightly lighting it to a caucasian dark brown, as the follicles from the back retracted back above his neck.

He was presentable, the way she groomed him, the way she liked. And now, it is time for him to make her proud.

(They are counting on you~)

With a low, persuasive whisper in his ear, she slid down his biceps, to his large hands. Accelerating the sensations like Hextech, eliminating any reservations he might ever have of being…some other guy?

Was he really someone else? Didn’t make sense, after all, he was and had always been both hot and intelligent, two in one.

Tugging roughly, the gemstone brimming the brightest light blue. Sealing his fate in the new reality, with invisible manicured hands interlocking with his own down below.

Nudging him to face forward to the crowd as they charged up his powerful hammer together.

(Ready for the climax?)

“I’m…mmmph…I’m..I’M-!”

The stone beamed its iconic glow. Yes…Of course, he was holding a piece of the arcane. Despite many hardships, he stuck to his plans, and now everyone was ready for the transformation of the century.

With him leading it.

“I’m Jayce Talis!”

The man spoke, and simply proclaimed. Gleaming citrine eyes portraying the determination of his lifetime, and the heroism the world had shaped him up to be. Why would there be any hesitation? He was their hero, and with a final TUG! He was-

“I’m always ready~”

———— <FIXED REALITY!> ————

Releasing his grip, the new Jayce blasted over and over, thick hammer slamming within the confines of his attire. Savouring every ounce of power that comes with being a hero.

Course, this was his reward for being in charge of the city countless times. Reshaping and saving it, even from itself. That’s the kind of man he was, and he was not gonna let anyone tell him otherwise.

That is how people liked him. That is why she loves him.

With all being said…he felt like he was frozen in time just now, almost if he lived a whole different lifetime or something. Ha ha ha…imagine. Why would he ever want to be anyone else but himself?

Throb!

Man…his hammer is already getting pretty thick. With how hot and handsome he is, its almost a crime not to think about himself spending raw, quality time with his lady…

But of course, that will have to wait until they are in their private chambers once again. He still has to finish his speech after all, and with how the public looks up to him.

This has to be revolutionary.

“And from this day onward, we’ll build a brighter tomorrow.”