#nct dream horror

[nctstar]

hurry, i'm worried

labyrinth | ch. 1

It was that damn…melody. That sick, haunting tune. Once again. Over and over and…over again.

pairing: hyuckren x fem!reader

word count: 3.5k

genre: mystery-thriller, horror, angst

warnings: profanity (use of the f word), mental illness (some allusions to s/h, please don't read if sensitive), mentions of medications and psychiatry, polyamory, police, mild mention of sexual activity (minors proceed with caution)

disclaimer: this is a fanfiction purely from my imagination. I don't know the nct members and don't claim that they act like this in real life. I also don't condone any of the activity by any of the characters in this fic. I'm not a mental health expert and don't claim to be at all, if you are struggling please find some resources to help yourself or dm me for support <3

a/n: ahhh it's finally here! the series I've been wanting to write for SO LONG. I hope you enjoy the first chapter because I got this random burst of inspiration yesterday and wrote it all and I'm so happy with the set up! hopefully as it progresses it becomes spookier and creepier and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing this already <3 lav out p.s. can you tell I love my mystery-thriller movies and kdramas hahah (send me recs!!)

It was that damn…melody. That sick, haunting tune. Once again. Over and over and…over again.

You wake with a gasp, shooting up in your bed, blood rushing upwards and dampening your hearing with a blunt drone. You groaned at the jolts of pain in your temples, your cold hands caressing the supple skin as you squeezed your eyes shut. 8:09am.

“Renjun-ah?” Your voice came out a lot harsher than you expected, but there was nothing you could change about it as you watched your boyfriend’s petite frame walk into your shared room, his soft, nimble fingers tying the buttons on his wrist.  

“Yeah?” He barely looked at you. His attention was divided, long lashes flicking up and down his wrists, and you realised with a sick nausea that you were starting to become annoying.

You swallowed, throat dry and eyes burning with tiredness. “Um, nothing. Just wanted to check if you had left already.” It took everything in you not to mention the dream, the song, but you knew how he would react. As if like clockwork, he had the same reaction every single time.

“You just miss him, _. That’s why you keep having these dreams. Take your meds, and get some rest today, okay?”

You were sick and tired of hearing the same line every single day, almost as much as you were tired of having the same dreams. If there was something worse than being stuck in this insane loop of same same same, it was not having Renjun the way you always did.

But could you complain? Ever since…well, you were only a shell of the person you were before. You were bitter, grating, much like the shots of expresso you had once downed with your lover, squealing ‘Oh! That’s so strong!’ much to the disgust of the haughty young waiter watching from the corner. You felt your chest tighten with a tender nostalgia as Renjun walked over to peck you on the forehead, his lips as fleeting as that memory passing through your brain.

Take care of yourself today, honey. Okay?

“Take care of yourself today, honey. Okay?” You smiled, gritting your teeth at the irritation of his newfound predictability. Falling into this routine of stark distance and hospital-grade perfection. You were truly and utterly sick of it.

You counted to 383…no, 384. Three hundred and eighty…(I don’t know what I should eat today)…Three hundred and eighty-one...(Renjun’s probably sat at his desk by now…)…Three hundred and eighty-two…(…wonder if he’s thinking of me…)…Three hundred and eighty-three…(…is he eating well? What if he gets sick from all the takeout?)…Three hundred and eighty-four.

You dragged yourself out of bed, looking at the date glaring back at you from your bedside alarm clock. August 6th, 2022.

Three hundred and eighty-four days since Haechan had gone missing.

∞

“We should have studied French properly instead of just-“

“Oh, our French sessions were pretty fun,” Renjun raised his eyebrows while Haechan smirked at you suggestively, swiftly followed by you giving him a playful kick under the table to shut him up. “She’s pretty damn good.”

“Gross, Haechan. We’re on vacation in a nice place. You should have left your shameless thoughts at home.”

“Hmm, but we are in the city of love, aren’t we?” Haechan outstretched his arms like a comical cartoon character, making you and Renjun both look down in embarrassment, Renjun cursing softly under his breath. You watched a young Timothee-Chalamet looking waiter side-eye the three of you in the corner and your cheeks grew warmer. Yet, you didn’t really care. He was right. You were in the city of love with the only two men you had ever loved in your entire life. What was so wrong about that?

“Waiter!” Haechan yelled out, raising his hand like he was a primary school student in class, and both you and Renjun lunged out to make him stop being so loud. “Hyuck, oh my god, everyone’s looking.”

“Yes?” It was almost a blessing the waiter had come regardless of your collective bickering, and Renjun went first, speaking in perfect French. “We’d like number 3, please.”

“All three of you?” He frowned through his glasses, peering through the lens like he would look at spectacles at a freak show. You suddenly felt self-conscious, but Haechan started leaning over towards Renjun, acting like the waiter wasn’t even there. “What was that? What did you say? Number 3? I don’t want that one. Tell him I want number 4.”

“The young man over there will have number 4, please. And for me and my girlfriend, number 3.” You swallowed a smile at the way Renjun exasperatedly acknowledged Haechan, and the way Haechan looked just as confused as before. Once the waiter stepped away, you smacked Haechan’s thigh playfully. “You’re so embarrassing!”

“Am I embarrassing, or do you just wanna impress mister oui oui baguette over there?”

“Haechan!” You laughed. “What do you mean?”

“I saw the way you were oogling him. Tsk, tsk.” He should his head exaggeratedly and added. “You have the hottest guy sitting next to you and you’re just gonna eyeball him?”

“Leave _ alone, Haechan.” Renjun was now peering at the menu, squinting intensely. The soft morning sun illuminated his body, giving him a tender glow and making your heart feel warm with affection. He shook his head to the side to move his fringe away from his eyes. “Baby, I think I might have ordered you a shot of expresso. Do you want to change it?”

“Huh? No, that’s okay, honey.”

“Are you sure?” You felt Haechan’s breath on your shoulder, and you rolled your eyes, pulling his arm closer to your side as you looked up at him. “Yes, I’m sure. I can handle it.” The smell of dark coffee from the kitchen mixed with Haechan’s natural musk and your light perfume, and you breathed in deeply.

Haechan’s chest vibrated as he chuckled. “I’m keen to see this.” In front of you, Renjun smiled at the table, a mix of love and playfulness, and you scoffed. “I-It’ll be fine. It will taste good. I will drink it all!” You fake-slammed the table in front of you with your fist as both men started giggling slowly.

∞

You remembered the memory fondly as you watched the milk swirl and dissolve into the brown instant coffee mix. Too tired (lazy) to use the coffee maker, you settle on a bland concoction of going-to-expire-today lukewarm milk and instant coffee powder that’s at least 2 years old for your everyday morning fix. Taking a sip, you sighed. Yep, just as disgusting as ever.

You flopped down on the couch, turning on the TV at the same time, like a trained reflex. The rain outside poured heavy and relentless, just the right amount of ambient noise to send you right back into your slumber. But you stayed awake. You couldn’t be sleeping all day again. It just wouldn’t be…right.

Turning on an old favourite show, Gilmore Girls, you let it play as you opened your laptop. The battery reader on the bottom right corner shone nice and bright. 0%.

Of course. You groaned out loud, cursing underneath your breath. Of course, the day you felt the tiniest twinge of motivation to do something, your laptop was dead. Getting up from the couch, you felt a warm-hot liquid pour all over your pajama bottoms.

“Ah! Fuck!” You swore out loud, watching the coffee stain your crotch and drip onto the skin of your thighs. Clutching your laptop to your chest, you ran back into you and Renjun’s shared room.

You stared at his pajamas on the shelf, neatly packed and folded, as if he was so ready to move on. You looked to your side of the bed, messy as ever, the oldest bra you ever owned strewn across the covers.

How embarrassing.

You felt a mixture of anger, first at Renjun, then at yourself. Stupid fucking perfect Renjun with his crisp ironed clothes and his tidy side of the bed and his take care of yourself, honeys. Gosh, I hate him. As you said these in your head, hot, frustrated tears poured down your cheeks and dripped onto your collarbones. I fucking hate that man. I fucking hate myself.

You didn’t know how long you were standing there, but after a while, you rubbed the rest of the rolling tears off your face and walked out of the room. You plugged in your laptop, walked to the kitchen for some paper towels and half-heartedly wiped down the almost-dried coffee (if you could even call it that) on the couch, took off your soaked pajama pants and lay on your side, facing the TV. You watched Lorelai and her mother fight for what seemed like hours, you watched Lorelai cry on the shoulder of some hunk of a man who very clearly loved her, and then you felt yourself slip into a sad, restless slumber as the credits rolled.

∞

You woke at the sound of your phone buzzing next to your ear.

You blinked once, then twice. Then you closed your eyes and opened them again.

There was no way.

my teddy

i’m coming home

What the actual fuck.

You grabbed at your phone, fumbling, shaking. You dialled Haechan’s number – once, twice, three times. It was going through. It was going through.

“Renjun!”

“What’s up, honey? Are you alright?”

You sobbed uncontrollably into the phone, the screen now wet with tears.  

“Shhh, I’ll be there soon, okay? Please don’t hurt yourself again. Thank you for calling me. I’ll be there, baby, in just a few minutes. I love you so much. I’m coming.”

“No…n-no…” You rubbed your nose, hating the way it squeaked. “No, Renjun, it’s about H-Haechan.” Silence on the other side, as if you had said a bad word. “He’s coming home.”

You could feel the gears in Renjun’s head clicking, choosing his next words wisely. “Let’s talk about it when I get back, okay?”

“Renjun, no, you don’t fucking get it. He’s coming back. My baby’s coming back…”

“Honey…”

“Don’t fucking call me that! Fuck you!” You shouted into the phone, you had no idea why. You were trembling with a mixture of anger and sudden fear.

“Okay.” You heard Renjun’s voice tremble on the other line, the sounds of the rain louder now, pitter-pattering over the line. “I’m sorry. I’ll be home soon.”

“So will Haechan.” You said, before ending the call.

∞

“Please, please, don’t tell her.”

Those words haunted Renjun every single day he thought about Haechan. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. No, now was not the time to think about that. He kept side-glancing at the time on the dashboard, as if minutes would pass without his permission. The windshields scraped the glass with a jarring squeak everytime it moved, the rain pouring as strong as ever. He prayed silently for there to be no traffic on the main road he was about to turn into, not wanting to leave you home alone for another second.

His heart ached, thinking of the phone call, the bad signal in his car breaking up your cries. His eyes welled up with tears, but he quickly blinked them away, not wanting to get distracted. I need to get home right now.

Luckily, traffic moved at a steady pace, it not quite being rush hour yet, and he was pulling up to the driveway quicker than usual. He needed to remain calm and composed for you. He knew you didn’t mean any of it, and that you were having one of your episodes. He tried to think about what your psychiatrist had said, but his brain felt so heavy, like a burning lump of coal, black smoke shrouding any helpful thought he was trying to have. Dammit. I just need to go inside.

“_?” Not wanting to spook you, he started speaking from outside as he typed in the code for your shared apartment. “It’s me, Renjun, baby.” He paused slightly, wondering if he should wait for you to open the door. You clearly needed some space. Maybe he was imposing too much. Maybe you felt intruded, not in control. Maybe he should let you do small things like open the do-

“Renjun?”

At first it didn’t register, but as Renjun slowly turned around, his heart started pounding louder and louder in his chest and his legs felt like jelly. He knew what – or who – he was expecting to see, but the sight of him still threw him against the apartment door with a gasp.

There was no way.

“Oh my god. It’s really you.”

Renjun didn’t know what to say for once. Always the easy talker, known for making awkward situations normal, always known to have something smart to say. Nothing. His tongue felt like lead in his mouth, immobile, weighed down with the weight of a thousand stones.

“Renjun. It’s me.” He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Renjun. He felt like a ghost for a split second, like his arms weren’t quite there. But then he smelt it. That faint smell of his best friends’ cologne he had used since their university days, back when they would go out for dinner after long days. Back before they had even met you.

Renjun inhaled sharply as the realisation hit him, his arms feeling more and more solid around his frame. “It’s really you. She wasn’t…but how did she…” Snapping out of his daze, the two men parted and Renjun thought about you.

Haechan called out first. “_! I’m home!”

∞

“So, you say you received a text message from Lee Haechan today before he came home?”

“Yes, yes. Here.” Your lit up screen illuminated the face of the officer, speckles of his stubble becoming visible. “Right.” He frowned, before handing your phone back to you, the charm jingling as he did. The tips of your fingers slightly touched his as you took your phone back, still staring at him with more questions than answers strewn across your features.

His chair made a high-pitched creak as he leaned back. “So, we have questioned him, as well as your, well…” The officer looked uncomfortable, almost squeamish, you reckoned at the thought of you having seduced not one, but two men in your lifetime.

“Yes, Renjun.” You spared him the misery. He nodded.

“Yes, and his story lines up with yours in terms of the disappearance. Lee Haechan, however, is saying that he cannot disclose where he was this entire time, because he just does not remember anything. We will continue to investigate his whereabouts for the past year. We have tried tracking his phone already, and we actually found its location.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, in your apartment.”

“Our apartment?” You were confused, and a weird feeling started brewing in the pit of your stomach.

“No, miss. At your apartment.”

“You mean the one I share with Renjun.”

The officer looked at you wordlessly, before flicking through the papers in his hands and passing one across the table to you.

You looked at it in utter disbelief. “W…what…”

“It was strange to us too. You didn’t mention to us that you had an apartment. Yet, we were able to find this under your name. We asked the owner, and she said you had indeed bought this four years ago. In person, too.”

“No way,” you breathed, your eyes as big as saucers. “Four years…” You would have been fresh out of high school, just about to enter university. You remembered being penniless then, having cut off your parents and working bizarre jobs just to get by. There was no way you would have even been able to afford an apartment. And the most important part was, if you had indeed done that, you would have remembered. Despite everything that had happened, and parts of your memory being faded due to the stress of the past year, there was no way you would have forgotten something so big as an apartment.

You sighed out loud, resting your head in both hands. You kept having those weird dreams…it always felt like, maybe they were…like…lost memories?

“I think my memory is just bad,” you chuckled uneasily, letting the officer ease back into the chair, some of his worry lifting off his shoulders. “That probably was me. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He drawled out the words, as if he didn’t really mean them. “We just wanted to inform you before we applied for the warrant because we’re going to search it.”

“Right.” Somehow, even though you had found out about this apartment 2 minutes ago, hearing that it was going to be searched made you feel kind of violated. The fluorescent white light started to feel hot against the skin of your face, and you were becoming aware of the stretch of time you had been here. Your leg started to jump, one of your many restless tics.

“Can I come?”

“Hmm?” The officer looked confused.

“Like, when you search. Can I come?”

He made a sorry kind of smile with his mouth and shook his head. You felt stupid for even asking, but the feelings dissipated when you watched the officer look increasingly uncomfortable, suddenly avoiding eye contact with you as if he was scared of you.

“So,” you leaned in, and watched as he cleared his throat and crossed his arms. “What does this mean? So, someone sent a text message using Haechan’s phone the day he came back. He said it wasn’t him, and now his phone is at my apartment?”

The officer gave you a blank stare, and all of a sudden, it all clicked.

“No, I-“

“Look, miss. We need to consider all possibilities. And your boyfriend told us that you’re…struggling with your mental health and currently on anti-psychotics…”

You gaped at him, not believing the words that were coming out of his mouth. “You think that’s supposed to make me uncomfortable? Yes, I’m batshit off the walls crazy, sir, thanks for acknowledging it. But I’m just not that kind of crazy to send myself a text from my missing boyfriend to soothe myself, I do know that.”

“That’s not what we’re- okay, look. Personally, I think it’s probably, like, a hack or something.” You recognised his ability to go off script, no matter how much he fought it, and you appreciated it, just a little bit. “We just wanted to check all the possibilities. We’ll be checking the footage around the apartment and finding out if anyone’s been coming and going, and we will search for the phone and check its usage.”

You nodded sharply. “Okay.”

The door opened, and a younger looking man inaudibly signalled at the officer in front of you. “That’s all for tonight. You are free to leave. Let us know if there are any updates, and we’ll do the same.”

∞

“So, what did they talk about with you guys?”

Renjun was slowly starting to come out of the shocked state he had been in for the past few hours as you nuzzled deeper into Hyuck’s warm body in the backseat of the car, the rain still roaring on outside.

“It was weird. They asked me about an apartment I own.”

“An apartment?” Renjun sounded curious, but you were distracted by the feel of Haechan’s slightly dry lips on your forehead, grazing the skin teasingly. “Haechan…”

“Let’s just forget about this for now. I missed you so much.” He pressed his lips against you, the kiss resounding in your skull.

“I missed you too.” You wanted to cry, laugh, scream. Everything was pouring out of you all at once, slow and viscous like thick honey on bread. “So much. You have no idea.”

“Yeah.” Renjun’s voice was silent. “We can talk more tomorrow.”

That night, your bed for two was a bed for three. Warm and safe, smelling like three instead of two. You were finally home. The dinner you three shared for the first time in over a year was quiet, all of you overwhelmed by the new familiarity that was now your new normal. Or old normal. It was all a bit strange. But it just felt so…right.

For once you drifted off to sleep naturally, not crying, or needing your pills or something to watch to distract yourself. It was like Haechan’s arrival repaired you, piece by piece, with nothing left over or loose from the reconstruction.

Everything felt right until the next morning, when you woke up to no Haechan next you, and you felt an insidious wave of anxiety waft over you, threatening to paralyse you. But then you heard chatter from the kitchen.

“She likes it like that now. Extra chilli. Make sure you don’t burn it.”

“Yes, ahjussi.” The unmistakeable nasal tone of your lover’s voice calmed you, and you were convinced you weren’t dreaming this time. This was real. Haechan came home.

You rolled over in bed and checked your phone. Old habits die hard.

Chills ran through your body.

my teddy

don’t worry. i’m staying inside.

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[neonun-au]

first days of spring | huang renjun

pairing: renjun x fem!reader genre: angst, romance, body horror warnings: major character death, mentions of blood/gore, body horror, implied death word count: 2.1k song: first days of spring - neverending white lights

from my disconnected series goodbye friends of the heavenly bodies 

Bury me in the meadow. 

In the tall grass, by the light of the evening sun. Bury me where the wildflowers grow–resplendent in their baby blues and soft pinks. Bury me where no one will ever find me save for those who mean the most. Bury me where only you will find me. 

I need no coffin–no protection. Just the open air of the sky and of the field and of you. Allow the wildflowers to take root in my skin, in my heart, in my flesh. To consume me until there is nothing left except soil and bone. 

A mournful refrain plays relentlessly in Renjun’s mind every time he enters the grove where you spent your childhood. And your adolescence. And then your youth. Where you spent days endlessly in companionable silence–reading together, watching the birds, softly sitting in the womb of friendship and love that blossomed like oh so many flowers. Endlessly and alway; withering and dying only to be replaced by yet more. More beautiful blooms springing up out of the earth–purple and violet and pink and blue–and taking the space of the dead in the way that only the natural world can. The cycle of birth and death and rebirth in the microcosm of a meadow where you first felt those same flowers burst forth in your chest. 

Love was a spring blossom in your heart. Echoed in kind in Renjun’s. The seeds, you were sure, had been planted the first day you met, in the tender soil of your burgeoning friendship–all wide smiles and wider eyes. Bonding over a love of silence and solitude amidst the usual chaos that is children. 

Seeds that grew in time to sprouts–creeping out of the earth like soft tendrils reaching for the open blue of the sky above. His eyes meeting yours as you sit together in the soft grasses of the meadow, his hands melting into your skin until separation is a mere fallacy and the only thing known is together, together, together. 

Meetings more and more frequent. Time stolen away from your families, your studies, your hopes and dreams for a future beyond each other. Together, together, together.  Renjun was your future now; and you were his. A fact as solid and as real as the ground you trod on–the ground you lay on, together. Body against body, soul against soul. The ground bore witness to your love as it now bore witness to the tears shed over the loss of it. 

It was never supposed to end like this. In blood and in screams. You were supposed to go gently into the night together–to that endless meadow of the afterlife, where you could remain. In love. He stayed as your only future, but his had been ripped out from underneath him the second the news broke. It split the ground open like a tectonic plate–moving the earth to make room for the cloying pit of emptiness that opened up inside of him in place of you. 

Nothing grew there anymore. No seeds were planted, no sprouts were sprung, spring would never return. All was winter–cold and grey and alone. His future was gone and now there was only apart, apart, apart. 

He sat in silence still–but the silence was different in your absence. It lacked the warmth and companionship that had occupied the space between you. It lacked your smile, the slight upturn of the corners of your lips as he stole a kiss from you under the midday sun during one of your outings. It lacked the gentle humming that you sometimes unknowingly took to. A humming that at first came as a disruption to the peace that existed around you but that he grew to accept as simply another facet of this life. In it buzzed the vibrations of spring, summer, autumn. The sun and the rain and the air. It was the soft humming of bees as they visited the meadow–stealing away bits of yellow pollen for their hives, flitting around your bodies as you lay together and watched the lazy clouds float overhead. 

It was the humming that he grew to miss the most in those first few months. 

In its place, the soft silence where you once existed was replaced now with the unwelcome droning of people from outside. Opinions and comments that felt to him less like a natural extension of the earth’s inner symphony and more like the turmoil of a railyard. All clanging and clattering in the open air. His skin would prickle at the sound of your name, always spoken in soft, reverent tones like you were haunting the room around them–like you were listening. Like you weren’t gone. 

‘Face completely destroyed, a shame she was so beautiful–’  ‘Blood all over the carpet, can’t believe no one heard anything–’ ‘Closed casket, and then cremation I heard–’ ‘Of course, there was no possible way they could do an open one with such a grotesque sight–’

The clamour pounded through his head like a freight train. Cutting through the numbness and the pitiful glances cast in his direction–an icicle in the dark cold night, through the chest straight into the withering heart inside. A pain so acute he could hardly breathe. 

The sky was no longer blue, he noticed as he walked into the meadow for the first time alone. All shades of periwinkle and cornflower faded into monochrome, lit by a pale, white sun. How melancholy, he thought. How cliché. How he wanted to smile and laugh and tell you that it turns out grief was both exactly like you expected it to be and yet still nothing like it at all. It held all of the sorrow with none of the catharsis that you so often performed in your readings. None of the wailing and the crying–all potential purification of emotions completely subducted by that overwhelming numbness. 

He couldn’t bury you in the meadow. Your body was ash and dust on the mantle of your parents. All beauty vanished in the flame. Wildfire held captive in a small, silver grave with your name scratched in by someone who had never touched your warmth. 

As he sat with himself in the meadow, it’s this thought that pained him the most. That no part of you could exist in this space you occupied so much time together. That you would remain enclosed in gilded metal for all time, until such a day comes that you pass into hands that have no memory of you. That can’t be concerned with the weight of you. You remain enclosed until they choose to discard you in whatever way they see fit–ash to ash, dust to the wind. Carried on into nothingness. 

Renjun wasn’t sure if he believed in the eternity of the soul, but he believed in memory. He believed in the memory of a person carried through into the endless forever that lay ahead of him–an endless forever with nothing but his memories of you. 

So this is what he brings to the meadow now. Not the weight of your body, but the weight of your soul. Your memory. Photographs, books, the ghosts of your hands on his bare skin, the kiss of your lips on his cheek. He buries them along with his hopes and dreams in the fertile soil of the field where he aches to lay with you one more time. Buries them one at a time, day after day, for weeks on end. An endeavour with no end goal but to maybe bring some life to his memories of you. To help you grow again–corporeal and colourful. Blotting out the endless grey of the grasses and flowers that stretch out before him like a tomb. 

The first time he sees it, he thinks he’s losing his mind. 

A small flower like a hand stretching towards the sky–brilliant and bright and so soft in shades of pink and lilac. Your favourite–a flower he never learned the name of but now could only call you. He reaches out tentative fingers towards it, afraid that it might crumple and fold under the weight of his fingers. Gentle and exploratory like the first time he properly laid his hands on you–hoping, hoping, hoping. 

The bloom remains intact–it reaches back towards him like there is thought behind the motion, and not just some wayward wind. Reaching for him. He all but bursts at the feeling that erupts in his chest at the sight. He leaves the meadow on a cloud and returns later carried in on a baby blue breeze–brimming with the first taste of warm weather he has felt in months since you left this world. 

The flower is still there, stretching its petals up towards the sky–reaching for sunlight and air. Free of the confinement of the earth and dirt. He smiles at it, soft and familiar, like he would if he saw you walking through the fields towards him. Like he would if you had never left in the first place. This was simply another spring morning in May at the cusp of everything bursting to life around you. He smiles at it and then he sees another. And then another. They spring up around him in a shape both eerie and intimate. 

The curve of a spine, the dip where he would rest his hand on an afternoon, painted in soft blues. His eyes graze down the floral form; legs resplendent in vibrant reds, arms outstretched in violet and sapphire. The sun fades from white to yellow and he almost sees a spray of white blooms stretching into a smile as the rays shine down golden and dazzling. 

He sits down in the grass next to the form–awe spreads spade-like over his face–heart thumping hard in his throat–and he feels you. As he brushes his hand along the myriad of petals, he feels you. Your cadence, your laughter, your humming, your memory come to life. Sprung from seeds of you planted by his loving, hopeful hands.

The cacophony was wrong. There was nothing grotesque in this. There was no blood. There was only beauty, and there would only be beauty. Endlessly. As long as he was here to bear witness to it. 

He returns, day in and day out, with arm loads of physical memories of you. Manifestations of your life and your love. A snatch of your hair from a hairbrush your mother could never part with, a letter carrying your penmanship, a thousand more polaroids. He feeds the earth with you. Waters the seeds with his manifestations of you. His love spread over the land like a great wave of light–bathing the meadow in its soft warmth and glow. 

A river to a stream to a trickle to a drop. Slowly he runs out of things to bury–things to take with him from house to home. A chance visit at your family’s house, left alone in the living room, a small pouch tucked into his coat pocket. Renjun was always quiet; quick and quiet, like a fox, his mother would say. Slinking around and accomplishing his goals sight unseen. You were left sitting there, encased in metal and engravings. No, not you. Remains of what you once were, but not you. He knows exactly where you are–inside of him, inside of the field you both loved. He manages a quick hand–in and out. Bits of you stowed close to his heart. 

The following day he spreads the remains of your flesh body out with a wish over the you that now grows where he always knew you would. Your ashes rain down like glitter to the earth–coating the field and flowers in bone dust. They settle into the petals and you spring to life. Blooms moving and undulating as he watches–some unseen and unfelt breeze breathing life into your corporeal form. He lays down next to you and runs another tentative hand along your side. Feeling as the blossoms reach back towards him. Buoyed by love and a hope unhoped as you engulf him. Together, together, together. 

The silence that had been cloying at him for months gives way to song and symphony. The sounds of the earth alive once again and carried into his ears. He smiles, he laughs. Happiness, warmth. Everything he thought he would never feel again. 

The white flowers are back again–smiling back at him. Returning the warmth. Renjun moves closer, letting the blooms wrap themselves around his body–melting into your form as flesh would to flesh. He feels the hunger and knows that he needs more fuel for the flora, but his physical memories of you have all run dry. He has buried everything he possibly could–save for one. 

For a moment you part, the blooms recede–sinking back in anticipation–as he stands to strip himself of his clothes. All barrier gone–only the sky, the air and you. Together, together, together. Grass tickles at his bare skin as he nestles back against you, feeling the tendrils spring up around him in an earthly embrace. Golden sunlight shines down and he sinks into you–no longer apart, only together. Forever, forever, forever. 

Bury me in the meadow–the body, a garden. 

© 2022, neonun-au, all rights reserved

if you enjoyed this, or any of my other writing, please consider reblogging and letting me know your thoughts! it truly means the world to me

#nct-writers #kwritersworldnet #renjun angst #nct dream angst #huang renjun angst #renjun horror #nct dream horror #renjun romance #nct dream romance #renjun scenarios #renjun x reader #character death

[hwxnghyynjin]

Escape Room

Pairing: renjun x reader (ft. boyfriend mark) Genre: horror, angst (inspired by the movie franchise 'Saw') Warnings: horror themes, injury detail, blood, gore, mentions of vomiting, mentions of passing out, character death, reader is a bit of an asshole, renjun is a psycho, swearing Words: 1,869

You don’t know how you ended up in this situation. One moment you were on a date with Mark, walking hand in hand through a forest, which was located near a beach. You were going to walk along the beach and then have a candle lit in the evening, which you were looking forward to.

Now, you have no idea where you are. All you know is that you’re in some sort of bathroom? The tiled floor under you is cold to the touch, and the tiled walls all covered in dirt and grime. There was a pool of blood in the middle of the floor, creeping you out.

You sat up on the floor, holding your head as you winced. You felt a wet substance as you touched the back of your head, bringing your hand in front of your face. Your fingers were coated in crimson, the blood on your fingers making you panic. You’ve never been a fan of blood, always feeling sick at the sight of it. Didn’t really help you since you bleed for a week every month.

You tried to get up off the floor, but unsucceeded, as you felt yourself being pulled back down. You looked at your hand and saw you were handcuffed to a radiator. The handcuff was hurting your wrist, you’re sure it was going to leave a mark there. 

You then realised that Mark is nowhere to be seen as you look around frantically, trying to find him. You cried out for him, expecting an answer, but to no avail, no response was heard. Tears welled up in your eyes, thinking the worst. Suddenly a loud noise interrupted your thoughts. A voice was heard through the speakers, making you freeze.

“Hello there. I hope you’re comfortable because it’s going to be quite a while until you see any sunlight. That’s if you can escape”, the voice said. You recognise the voice from somewhere, but you can’t pinpoint how you recognise it. The voice started speaking again.

“Do you recognise my voice? Come on y/n, make that pretty little brain of yours think”, how did the voice know your name? You can’t even think who could be the person talking. You thought long and hard, trying to think of someone. That’s when you realise why you recognise the voice.

“Hey, y/n? C-can I talk to you?” a timid voice asked from behind you. You turned around and saw the young boy, his snaggle tooth on show as he shyly smiled at you. You excused yourself from your friends as you followed the boy, walking to a secluded area of the school. Luckily no one goes to that part of the school, and this was his spot where he comes to hang out by himself.

“Be quick, ok? Just say what you gotta say and let me get back to my friends”, you said rather rudely, feeling annoyed that this boy interrupted your conversation with your friends. “I was wondering if you, uhm, wanted to go out sometime? I like you and you seem cool”, the boy played with his fingers as he spoke, looking at his feet.

Your laughter broke the silence after a couple of minutes, the boy’s heart breaking. “Go out? With you? Ha, no thanks. Besides, I already like someone else so, move along”, you move your hand in a shooing motion, smirking. The boy had tears in his eyes, running out of the school, his bag making a lot of noise.

“Renjun?”, you said quietly, the timid boy from school has you locked up in a foul smelling bathroom. You heard his laughter through the speakers, tears streaming down your face. You struggled against the handcuffs, the metal clanging against the radiator.

“There’s no point in doing that doll. It won’t work”, Renjun said, a chuckle leaving him. You yelled, wanting to get out, getting more and more frustrated as time went on. “Oh by the way, there was a guy that was with you. I’m assuming he’s your boyfriend”, Renjun said, your body freezing. Mark? 

“Where is Mark? Is he ok? I swear to fucking god if you’ve touched him, I will end you”, you shouted through tears, your wrist beginning to hurt like hell. Renjun laughed at your comment, throwing his head back in his chair.

“How can you end me if you’re locked up in a room? You need to escape before you can do anything, doll”, Renjun said and you could tell he was smirking at how his tone sounded, and you cussed at him. It was silent for a while, and that’s when you realised Renjun was gone and you were all alone.

Now you had to figure out how to escape all on your own, and how to get the stupid handcuffs off. You looked around and couldn’t seem to find a key, or anything that would break the metal. You just sat there, feeling hopeless.

Suddenly, you noticed a meat cleaver on the floor in the corner of your eye. You looked at it for a moment and shuffled your body over, trying to reach it. After a few attempts, you managed to grab the handle, gripping it.

“I see you noticed a tool to try and help you escape. But will you actually go through with it? Or are you still the same fucking coward from 5 years ago?”, Renjun sounded different now. His cheerful tone turned sour, like he was a completely different person.

You frowned at his words, closing your eyes. You lifted the blade in the air, hesitating for a bit. You moved your arm, the blade hitting your flesh above where the handcuff is. You let out a pained scream, blood gushing out of your arm. You struck the blade again, cutting the flesh. You were halfway through cutting through your wrist, starting to feel nauseous. You felt yourself about to throw up as you looked down, seeing bone and muscle, blood continuing to gush out of your arm.

After about 15 minutes, you managed to cut off your lower forearm, a stump from where your wrist used to be. Blood was still coming out, but not as much. You threw up a couple of times, and you felt yourself on the verge of passing out.

You put your cardigan onto the stump, trying to stop the bleeding. You saw the part of your arm you cut off, your hand still attached to the radiator. You stood up, your legs like jelly as you stumbled. You tried to find where the door was, looking around. You soon found it: camouflage into the wall, the door handle the same colour as the grimy wall. 

You tried opening it, but it wouldn’t budge. You tried over and over, thinking it was just stuck. But unfortunately, it was locked. You huffed out loud, falling to the floor. “You didn’t think it was that easy, did you? Wow, you really are eager to escape, aren’t you doll?”, Renjun’s voice said through the speakers, his voice startling you. You soon grew angry, standing up and hitting the door.

“Let me out, you bastard or I swear to god I will fucking kill you”, you shouted, continuing to hit the door. The door soon opened with a click, you grabbing the handle and swung it open, running out the room.

You looked around the room, seeing lights and wires all over the place. Where the hell are you? You ran as fast as you could, trying to find a way out of the building. You came across a weird looking door, the only door that wasn’t metal and just looked….normal. You opened it but  frowned as soon as you saw what was inside.

You saw Mark tied to a beam, his face bloody and bruised. You ran over to him, holding his face with your hand. “Mark? Can you hear me?”, you asked with worry in your voice. Mark made a sound, telling you he is awake.

You got him free by cutting him free, helping him up. You headed towards the door, almost reaching the exit until you heard a loud bang. The noise made you jump and accidentally let go of Mark. As soon as you did, Mark fell to the floor with a thud. You saw his body lying there as you were frozen still. Blood started surrounding his body, and that’s when you realised what the loud bang was: Mark had been shot.

You didn’t know what to do. You just stood there, staring at his now lifeless body on the floor. After a few moments, you screamed and fell to the floor, hugging his body. You cried and cried, your body exhausted from the amount of pain you were in.

“Well, it seems that you’re the person who gets to escape. Unfortunately for your boyfriend though, he uhhh met his fate”, a voice was heard from behind you, making you angry. You stood up and turned around, about to yell at Renjun. You stared at him and looked at how different he looks from 5 years ago. His hair was now a white blonde, his features sharp. You weren’t going to lie, he looks attractive as hell. But that doesn’t change the fact he killed your boyfriend.

“I’m going to be honest here and say, I’m sorry about your boyfriend. I didn’t want to kill him. I actually wanted to kill you”, Renjun said as he walked closer to you, making you take a step back. Your back hit a wall, Renjun now close to your face. He trapped you between his arms, his hands either side of your head.

“The reason why I didn’t kill you in the end is because I wanted to make you suffer for what you put me through in high school. You fucking humiliated me after I confessed to you. I’m not angry that you rejected me, I’m angry that you told almost everyone about what happened, and how pathetic I was”, Renjun said lowly, and you felt regret eating you up.

After what happened, you felt really bad but you didn’t say anything to him because, honestly? You were scared. You were a fucking coward and you had to deal with that for the rest of your life. You wanted to apologise for making his life miserable but you didn’t and if you could turn back time and apologise, you would do it in a heartbeat. But unfortunately you can’t do that, and you suffered the consequences of Renjuns anger.

“I’m sorry”, you said quietly, your cheeks stained with tears. Renjun stared at you as you broke down in tears, not knowing what to do. “I’m sorry, ok? I wanted to apologise but I didn’t because I’m a fucking coward. I never should have been so harsh to you. I’m really, really sorry. You don’t have to forgive me but, I am sorry, I swear”, you said through tears. Renjun was going to forgive you anyway, since he’s madly in love with you. He knew he could make you apologise, and his mission had succeeded.

The only thing left to do? Make you his.

#renjun imagines #renjun scenarios #renjun horror #renjun angst #renjun x reader #renjun #nct dream imagines #nct dream scenarios #nct dream horror #nct dream angst #nct dream x reader #nct dream

[neobubz]

Hunter (M) - Prey Sequel

this is the sequel to my story prey (m) if you haven’t read that please stop and go read that one first before continuing. for those who have, thanks for taking a look at the sequel! i truly hope you enjoy this wicked little story. this is of course like the other one going to jump back and forth between time frames so please be aware of that. once again, i hope you enjoy and i hope to see you in my future stories 💜

Word Count: approx. 26.7k

Paining: fem reader x jaemin feat. jeno and haechan

Warning(s): time jumping (past and present will be divided by a header don’t worry), mature audiences only, explicit language, crime drama, crime solving, psychological thriller, house fire, very slow burn, storytelling, m*rder, spouts of anger (ch*king), sex, smut, abusive relationship, a long ass story ^^

Disclaimer: though it doesn't need to be said, this is just a story. i do not know any of the parties involved, don't take this sh*t seriously. also, as i am not one familiar with crime/court proceedings/durations of time involving solving a crime/police business some of this information (if this is your job) will be wrong. i tried my best with the dozens of crime dramas i watch XP

Preview:

“Depends on what you tell me here.”

“Do they really think that I would do something as deliberate as to set my home on fire with my child and I barely escaping it unscathed?! What kind of lunacy are they snorting down at your precinct?!”

“I know you would do anything to protect your kid. We all know that but my boss doesn't. So I need you to tell me EVERYTHING. The events leading up to the fire and what happened afterwards. I need to know it all and DO NOT leave anything out.”

Gulping your head slowly turns to Haechan. “Exactly how much of everything do you need to know?”

Holding up his work phone he shows you the voice recording app. Turning your head away he says, “everything.” 

ⓗ ⓤ ⓝ ⓣ ⓔ ⓡ

Staring blankly ahead of you not even bothered by the flashing red and blue lights you watch as men and women bolt towards a fiery beast. This couldn’t be…this wasn’t supposed to happen. And yet it was…

One by one they line up and spray water on this creature trying to tame it — an opening is created and another group rushes inside their silhouettes getting lost in the smoke that pours out of every opening. They were looking for any survivors, or rather one survivor.

Glued tightly in your arms your sons’ whales bring you back to him. Your white button down shirt soaked through from his tears. Wrapping him tighter in your arms you shield him away from the unfortunate event befalling your family. His face buried in your chest he repeats ‘mommy…mommy…mommy…’

If it wasn’t from the shock of everything you  know tears would cascade down your cheeks uncontrollably as are his. Nothing went the way it should have today... There shouldn't have been an accident … this wasn’t supposed to happen… 

The brave souls who tried to tame the beast run away coughing and falling to the ground. Their teammates rush to pull them away before they’re snatched by the beasts’ flames. Inside was far too hot for anyone to withstand for long periods of time. A man giving orders tries to get his team to spray water straight ahead to allow yet another team to enter, but just as a new round of men and women prepare to go inside another massive explosion sends those closest flying back and all others to duck.

Your sons’ cries become louder. Turning away tears finally fall onto the top of your son's head. Your home, the place you’ve lived together with your child for the past seven years, gone. All the memories of his first moments…destroyed. 

“Ma’am… Ma’am!!!” A voice says next to you. “MA’AM!!!!!” They scream startling you. A woman dressed in a paramedics uniform holds her hands out in front of you. “Ma’am, I’m sorry that I startled you but I need to check you and your son for injuries.” She says calmly.

“W-We-We’re fine…” you say but your voice cracks.

“I need to make sure, please,” she gestures to an ambulance that sits a few feet away from where you’re standing.

Looking down at your son, you see a few scratches on his cheek. “O-Okay…”

Leading you away from the firefighters who are desperately trying to get the raging fire under control, you and your son are placed inside the ambulance while two paramedics look both of you over for any type of injury. Your mind drifts away from what the female paramedic is doing, eyes laser focused on the entrance to your home. Your jaw tightens as bile threatens to erupt from within you. You jackass…why did you let this happen?!

“Ma’am,” the female paramedic calls you to attention. “You have a pretty nasty burn on your arm. I don’t think it’s severe but you should still get it looked at.”

Glancing down at your fiery skin you turn to where your son is being fully examined inside of the ambulance. “And my son?” 

“He’s alright ma’am,” the other paramedic smiles happily. “Isn’t that right buddy?” He asks your son who doesn’t speak.

“I’m sorry,” your voice comes out weak and tired. “He’s a little shy around strangers.”

“There’s no need to apologize. What the two of you went through – ” the male paramedic stops speaking, his head lowering to the floor of the ambulance.

“My daddy…Where’s my daddy?”

You freeze at the word daddy. Turning to the paramedics they both give each other unreadable looks.

“Ummm, we’ll go and find out right now. Don’t worry little man,” the male paramedic says before hoping out of the ambulance. “We’ll be right back.” He nods down at you.

Watching them like a hawk they walk over to who you assume is the fire chief. He at first waves them off aggressively. His eyes cold as ice. He appeared to not want to be bothered as he focuses on keeping his team safe. The paramedics, however, don’t leave. Instead the male paramedic steps forward whispering something in the fire chiefs’ ears. Immediately, his head turns to you. The coldness in his eyes vanishes the moment his fall to yours. Instead his eyes show sadness or pity — you can’t quite tell at this distance. Turning back rather rigidly he says something before waving the paramedics off. Moments later both of the paramedics start their trek back to you and your son, but as they get closer there is an eeriness surrounding them.

“The fire chief said he’ll be over to talk to you personally in just a minute. They’re still trying to get everything under control. Also, there were a few firefighters inside when the explosion happened so —” the female paramedic starts. 

“Th-There are people inside?!” You interject. 

“Don’t worry ma’am, he said that they are the best of the best. They’re okay and looking for a safe way out. So it’s best to focus on yourself and your son right now, okay?”

“When will they get out? They need to get out before another explosion happens! Good lord!!!” You start crying uncontrollably. “How in the world did this happen?”

“Mom…my…” your son whispers beside you before clambering in your arms again, “don’t worry… daddy will be okay…” he tries to soothe you but your tears come out faster than before.

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Standing before you gleaming from ear to ear is the man who has single-handedly fucked up your entire world. His brown hair slicked back, eyes sparkling with promise and unfortunately, admiration – he wears a black suit jacket, white button shirt, black tie and black trousers. You, a white wedding dress…

How did this happen? How could your life get twist turned upside down like this? Just a year ago you were in your own apartment climbing up the corporate ladder and now you’re about to get…

“Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” The judge asks you.

Lawfully, the small sliver of who you once were snickers at the word. If only the judge before you knew what hell you’ve been through. If she knew what this piece of shit did she would arrest him on the spot and open up a whole investigation! 

Taking in a deep inhale, you close your eyes savoring the last moments of your freedom.

If only she knew… if only you could tell her, to give her a hint that the union she was about to officiate is a fraud, but you can’t…

Gripping your hands tightly the man you’re supposed to be in love with smiles his repulsive cheshire-like smile as he awaits to hear those faithful words ‘I do.’ Exhaling once more you do what’s best for you and your child that is currently kicking up a storm inside of you. Either telling you to marry the ass hat in front of you or trying to knock some sense into you and blurt out what you desperately want to say to everyone around. 

“I do.” You speak but your voice is broken and flat. 

You fall prey to the pressure of what would happen if you did reveal everything. The twisted web of lies this snake may whisper to others — it was too much of a risk. You can’t risk anything, not in your current state. 

“Well, if there are no objections,” the judge pauses for a second.

Objections? Why would there be any objections? This fox waited for the perfect opportunity to have this sham of a wedding. Your parents who are currently in a luxurious cabin in their mountain getaway for the next four days – that was so lovingly paid for by the demon in front of you. This little trip is sadly your own dumbass fault. You foolishly let it slip one night that your parents like to travel and remember why they decided to spend the rest of their lives together – away from you, away from distractions, where they can be with each other and remember all the years filled with memories. And of course, the devil used this information against you…

“No objections here!” Your mom shouts a glass of wine in hand via zoom call.

Glancing to the people around you, a group of men whom you’ve never seen before, your actual witnesses to this horrible union — all eyes are bright and happy for the two of you, all except one. Their eyes pierce through your soul as if they can read every thought, every movement of your body. Quickly, before he notices something he shouldn’t, you avert your eyes and focus instead on the hem of your dress as the judge looks around and gives everyone a chance to speak up.

“Well, if there are no objections, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”

As if you were in some twisted romance movie, Jaemin eagerly leans in. His hands cupping your cheeks ever so gently, he places his lips against yours. His lips are glossy and soft while your painted red lips are stiff as a board. Like hell you were going to kiss him! You played your part. You weren’t going to give him anything more than the bare minimum. But that didn’t stop him at all. His one hand, closest to the judge, drops to your waist as he pulls you to him. The room erupts with cheers and applause from his guests and your parents. Tears prickle at your waterline, the last hope of freedom leaving you as your tears fall to the floor. 

“Congratulations!” Your parents shout.

Putting on your mask you smile gleefully at the screen. “Thank you mom and dad,” your lips quiver for a second. “S-Sorry you couldn’t be here.”

“We are too!” Your mom wipes her eyes. “We need to get together the moment we’re back in town.”

“Of course! A celebratory dinner,” Jaemin wraps his arm around your waist. “Plus, I know my beloved wife will want to talk to her mom about the nursery.”

“Ahhh!!! I can’t wait to get back! We’ll go shopping and help you two set everything up, won’t we honey?” She turns to your dad.

“Of course! Cheers my boy! May nothing but blessings fall upon you both.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Your parents end the zoom call by stating they’ll call later but to enjoy the rest of the day and have fun. As your parents say their goodbyes, Jaemin's guests swarm the two of you. 

“Dude! You did it!”

“Didn’t think you’d be the one to marry first but congrats!” 

“How does your mom feel about this one?” Another glances at you. “On second thought, fuck’em, you’re gorgeous!” He swoops down giving you a hug. “Welcome to the family!” 

“Hey! Hands off my wife,” Jaemin jokes.

“Hands off his wife and future baby,” a soft voice catches your attention. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Jeno.”

“Baby!” Jaemin wraps his arm around Jeno’s shoulders, a huge smile on his face, the same smile that captivated you when you first saw it. “This is my best friend, Jeno! Jeno, this is my beautiful wife! Told you she was gorgeous!”

Nodding and smiling Jeno keeps his lips pressed together tightly before speaking. “You did, you did.”

“Come on! We need to celebrate!” Getting behind you a shorter and rather petite young man smiles sweetly. “I’m Renjun, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Now, I know this is going to seem weird but I need to put this blindfold on you.”

“N-No!!!” You squeak and try to move away but strong arms keep you from going anywhere.

“It’s okay.” Jeno chuckles. “Just a small, very small party we put together to surprise you guys. I promise nothing will happen. See,” he gestures with his chin towards Jaemin who is already blindfolded. “Everything’s fine. I promise.”

As you look into Jeno’s eyes your rapidly beating heart starts to calm down. There’s something about his gaze that makes it seem like it’s okay to believe him. That it’s okay to put your faith and trust in him. Then again, you fell for that trap before too.

“I can put it on myself.” You state bluntly.

“Independent woman, I like her already. Hey toots! The names Haechan! How this guy ended up with a beauty like you is beyond me, but once you’re done with him come and find me!” He winks.

“Really, Haechan? They just got married!” Shoving him aside a rather nervous yet charming man reaches out his hand. “I’m Mark.”

Shaking his hand you then slide the blindfold over your eyes. Hands grip your shoulders as a soft and soothing voice fills your head. 

“The rest of the introductions will have to wait, but if you’ll just keep your hand in mine I’ll safely lead you out to the car.” Jeno whispers. 

“Why exactly do we need the blindfolds again? Isn’t the party at our house?” Jaemin chuckles.

“Who said it was at your house?” Haechan’s voice booms next to you. “Renjun, Mark, get Chatty Cathy out of here. Jeno and I will handle his beloved bride.”

“Princess!!! Don’t worry you’re in safe hands!” Jaemin shouts his voice getting farther away as he continues to speak. “Haechan don’t you dare touch her or this nice judge will have to charge me for murder!”

Giggling behind you the judge speaks up. “Have a wonderful day you two and congratulations!!! But please, no murdering anyone!!!!”

Strong hands intertwine with yours, their hand warm and comforting. “Okay, start walking forward.”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Through a crowd of first responders you hear your name. Turning to the voice you see Jeno thrashing his way through trying to get to you and your son.

"Jeno..." you whisper. "JE-JENO!!!!" You scream for him to find where you are.

“Will you move?!" He shouts at a few firefighters. "I know the people of this home! Move!!!" With one final shove he bursts through the barricade they tried to make and sprints to you. Engulfing you in his arms he holds you tightly. “Are you okay? When I saw the news I came right away.” Pulling back just enough to inspect you, he cups your face in his hands. “What the hell happened? Did you get hurt? What did they say?" He checks your face for any injuries.

"Jeno,” you start sniffling. “I don’t… I don’t know what happened. It just…it just…”

Pulling you back to him he holds you in his arms. “Don’t worry, everything's going to be okay now. Is everyone safe?” 

Nodding you step aside so he has a view of his nephew who is still sitting inside of the ambulance. “Little man!"  He shouts, grabbing your sons’ attention. 

“Uncle Jeno,” he starts to cry again. 

“Hey Buddy!” He scoops him up into his arms. Your son’s tears keep pouring down his cheeks just as yours start up again. “There…there…everything's going to be okay."

"Da-Daddy..." he mumbles through his tears. "Daddy was..." he cries more.

Turning slowly to you Jeno’s eyes widen with shock. "Where is Jaemin?"

Covering your mouth you shake your head. "He-He...He…” you can’t bring yourself to utter the words. 

Everything happened so fast. One second the three of you were in the kitchen the next you’re outside with your son taking cover before the house went up in flames. It just doesn’t make any sense…

“Where…is Jaemin?” Jeno asks again.

“He was still inside when the house went up in flames,” you start choking on your tears.

"Mommy got hurt," your son points to your arm. "She saved me!"

Staring down at your arm, Jeno’s grip on your son tightens. "Of course she would," he smiles at him. "She would do anything to make sure you're safe."

"Is that so?" A gruff voice pulls everyone’s attention. "Would you do anything?"

Immediately getting in front of you, Jeno blocks you from this stranger's view. "Who are you?!" He demands.

"I believe I'm the one who should be asking all the questions. I'm the one who will be overseeing this investigation."

"Investigation..." Jeno mumbles. "Wait, this is just a house fire, shouldn't the fire chief be in charge?"

"It would have just been a house fire but now we're investigating a possible homicide."

"HOMICIDE?!" You and Jeno shout.

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Your hand grazes over the pictures that were taken from your wedding reception. The smiling faces of Jaemin's friends who have strangely become quite important people in your life since that day. Renjun and Haechan bickering after Haechan shoved some of your wedding cake on his face. A slight smile tugs at the corner of your mouth at the hilarious memory. Those two are like Tom and Jerry, constantly doing things to piss the other off but at the end of the day would feel incomplete if the other weren’t around. 

Then, there is Mark, Chenle, and Jisung smiling sweetly for the camera, but the best part of the picture are Chenle's fingers behind Mark and Jisung's heads while he smiles extra bright for the picture. The little sneak thinking that he would get away with giving them bunny ears – he would have too if Jaemin hadn’t sent everyone copies of the pictures. 

When the guys came over for a meal that’s when the arguing began between those three ensued, thank goodness when you brought out the food they forgot what they were fighting about — making the rest of the evening quite pleasant. 

Finally, your hand stops at a picture of yourself, Jaemin and Jeno. This one being your husband's favorite picture… You can hear his voice ringing in your ears when he printed out the picture,

'My two favorite people in the world... We should frame this one, don't you think?'

After the fake wedding and reception and when all his friends left to go back to their homes the mask you were wearing shattered. You didn’t have to pretend anymore to be happy about what was supposed to be the best day of your life. You could let your sorrow show and make sure the man that has single handedly ruined your life know exactly how you felt. Which meant going back to avoiding him every chance you got. There was no talking, no listening, and no doing anything that he requested you to do. The only thing you did was sit on the window seat staring out at the world that is no longer your oyster. This wasn't a marriage, this was a life sentence.

Slamming the album closed you place it back on the bookshelf next to all the other fake memories he's created to fit his twisted fantasy. The only memories that are real are the moments with your son. Everything surrounding the child you fortunately, yet unfortunately share with him are the realist moments between the two of you.

Opening up the album specified for your first pregnancy, you stare at a picture of the two of you from your first doctor's appointment, the memory playing out in front of you as if you were watching a movie. Jaemin couldn’t stop fidgeting despite the fact he knew you were pregnant before the doctor confirmed it. Whether his fidgety behavior was due to the anticipation of you blurting out that you’re being held against your will, or because he was truly excited to hear if your symptoms were in fact true that the two of you would become parents — you still don’t know to this day, but shockingly his behavior must have been normal for first time dad’s because it sure didn’t flag as unusual to the doctor or nurse. 

Turning the page you push down the memory of wanting to shout to the doctor, to the people in the waiting room that you were a victim of the man sitting next to you. Deep down you were desperately screaming for help, for someone to call the cops but from the moment he approached you at the last gate and told you that you were pregnant you lost the will to fight. The only will you have left in you is to make sure that your son has a happy life and knows NOTHING of what befell you. 

Looking down at the next picture you gently giggle at your first ultrasound photo. That day Jaemin said your son looked like a little lima bean. Strangely, it was a sweet moment. His eyes were glued to the monitor as a trickle of sweat dripped down the side of his face. He was always nervous when it came to your checkups. It was as if he was waiting for someone to pull the rug from underneath him. But the moment the nurse found the tiny little bean shaped baby growing inside of you, his shoulders slumped down and his body relaxed. 

He earnestly asked if you guys can have a photo and turned to you smiling brightly. As if this picture would cure all diseases, as if the child inside of you would solve all the world’s problems — he grabbed your hand gently, pulling it up to his lips where he gave your knuckles a kiss.

‘Thank you.’ He whispered. 

‘For what?’ You asked. 

‘Thank you for making me a father. I swear I will do everything in my power to ensure that you and our baby are safe. I promise.’ 

And you knew he meant every word…

After your son’s first ultrasound there are plenty of photos of your growing belly. Jaemin becoming quite thrilled watching the growth of you and your son. At first it was a little weird to you. You didn’t like seeing how big your stomach was getting and the small stretch marks that started to appear, despite rubbing cocoa butter on your stomach every day. But Jaemin being Jaemin reassured you every day…

‘Princess, you’re not fat, okay? You look amazing!’ He says holding up the camera. 

‘I told you I don’t want to take any more pictures.’

‘Don’t you want our son to see these when he’s older? To know that he has the best mother in the world?! To know that she took the best care of herself as well as him?’

‘Yeah, like a picture is going to show all of that,’ you roll your eyes. 

‘Please, just one more?’

‘Fine. Take it.’

In hindsight these pictures are some of the ones you treasure the most. Knowing the best gift you could ever receive in your life was with you – growing with you day by day, both of you getting stronger helped to heal some of the wounds you’ve suffered. 

But nothing will ever top the moment that both Jaemin and yourself saw your son’s face for the first time with the three-dimensional imaging. This was the moment where you knew everything was real! That this was happening! That you were about to be a mom! And Jaemin's words after seeing your son's face for the first time darn near broke you...

'You did it,' he whispers next to you. 'Look at him... he's gorgeous... great job, mom.'

Those words of validation for some strange reason had your heart and mind playing games with you. The Jaemin you first met was in that room with you, looking at the beautiful life you both created, together. His eyes glistening with tears despite his lips trying to hold back the proudest smile the world has ever seen. At that moment, you had the Na Jaemin back...

But those moments didn't last. The moment you left your appointment realization came crashing down. This isn't real. These moments are fabricated to fit one person's psychotic fantasy. Even the child that grows within you was not created out of love, but out of survival. Those weeks where you submitted to him while you painstakingly planned your escape, only for this gift and curse to keep you tethered to him.

"You know it doesn't have to be this way, right?" An all too familiar voice whispers behind you. "We can make this work between us. For the baby at the very least," his arms wrap around your waist pulling you to his chest. 

The numbing sensation you’ve grown accustomed to starts to slither up your body. It starts from your toes to your ankles, sinking deeper and deeper into your flesh. These past couple of months since the wedding you’ve learned a new skill — how to completely shut down any and all feelings. Letting whoever has control do whatever they please. 

"I've asked for your forgiveness so many times. I've been on my hands and knees for you. I've bowed my head on the ground before you. Yet you haven't forgiven me..."

But just like the venomous beast he is, Jaemin finds a crack in this new skill of yours. Bursting through like a bull he shatters everything before facing the one emotion that is always below the surface, rage. 

"Do you really think you deserve forgiveness, Jaemin? What if the roles were reversed? What if I bowed my head to you? If I begged and pleaded for you to forgive me after kidnapping you and gas lighting everyone in your life for my own fucked up fantasy, would you forgive me? Would you forgive me if I had forcefully rode your dick to kingdom come until I ended up pregnant further linking us together? Knowing full well no matter where you go in this world there will always be a part of me attached to you!! Would you still forgive me?!" You shout, your eyes and fists clenching.

Squeezing you tighter in his embrace, his forehead falls to the top of your head. "No.” He whispers. 

Startled, your body freezes up. Did he… wait, he didn’t just say, “no?” You ask.

“No. I wouldn’t be able to forgive you. I’m not going to pretend that I would. I won’t and I can’t lie to you like that. What I did was,” he pauses sighing, once again his arms wrapping tighter around you. “Is, wrong. The past few months since you’ve started to ignore my existence I’ve done a lot of thinking.

“I was scared that you were going to leave me. I was scared that the one source of happiness I found on this earth was going to disappear. Logically, I know if it was meant to be we could have made it work, but I had never fallen so fast and hard for someone in my life. In fact, I’ve tried to avoid falling in love completely.

“I can say that it was because of my parents, I can say that it’s because of crappy exes who didn’t care about me but about the money my family has, but that’s not the complete truth. When I lost my grandmother a piece of me broke that day. She was the only person who saw me. She was the only person to look me in my eyes and see Jaemin, not Na Jaemin, the son of a multimillionaire, the one to take over the company one day.

“She just saw me, her grandson. When you came into my life and we started talking, it was like I was seen,” he sniffles. “Someone was finally looking at me for me.”

“And you’re telling me your friends don’t see you for you?”

“They see me as the kid who’s from a rich family. Plus, it’s not like they aren’t from well off families either.”

“You’ve doubted their loyalty?”

“Never.”

“Then you trust them and accept that they see you for you.”

“Only one person.”

“Jeno?” You inquire.

Nodding he nuzzles his face in the crook of your neck, his arms loosening for his hands to rest on your round belly. “Please…tell me what I can do. Tell me what I can do to start over. To show you the kind of man I truly am…please..."

"Confess."

His body stiffens behind you. His heart pounding against your back. Closing your eyes you wait for any type of reaction from him. Whether it be anger, tears, or worse…

“Confess?” He asks, but his voice sounds distant.

“Yes. Confess all of your crimes towards me.”

Instead of answering you, he wraps his arms around you, pulling you flush against him. His breath hot on your neck, you pray that he won’t do anything drastic. “I…I need help…” He chokes back a few tears. “Please, I need help… don’t make me… I’m sorry…”

“You need more than help, Jaemin. You kidnapped me, locked me in that room, and had me play that fucked up game for lord knows how long! You need to pay for your crimes!”

Jaemin buries his face into the crook of your neck. “Aren’t I paying for them already? You don’t talk to me. You won’t even look at me! You barely let me touch you. The only time you show an ounce of your true self is when we’re at your doctor's appointments. That’s it…”

“And how exactly am I supposed to act? Do you want me to put on a mask and pretend like I’m happy that my life was uprooted? That I barely get to see my family, oh, and the only time I do is when I’m around you? Come on, Jaemin…”

“Fine…” he sniffs and tears himself away from you. “Just… just let me at least be here when the baby is born, okay? After that…” he takes a deep yet shaky inhale. “I’ll confess to everything, okay? I’ll turn myself in.”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

“There we go, all better!” The nurse says as she finishes bandaging your right forearm. “Now, you’re going to need to avoid getting your arm wet for a while until it heals properly,” she starts.

“How long exactly?” You inquire.

“Well we’ll schedule you for an appointment in about a week at the wound center. There is a hospital across the river that specializes in the treatment of wounds and Dr. Andrews, the one who came in and initially inspected your arm,” you nod. “Well, he’s the head doctor there so he will be checking on your healing progress. He said that you’re very lucky and it’s not a serious burn, but to be safe for the next seven days if you can avoid getting water on your arm it would be for the best.”

“Wh-What about bathing? And my son, I need to give him baths!”

“I wouldn’t mind volunteering,” a snarky voice startles both you and the nurse. “That is if you don’t mind disrobing in front of me.”

Exhaling deeply you let out a loud groan. “What are you doing here, Haechan?”

“Jeno called us,” he steps forward. “Now, now, don’t look so miserable. You’ll break my heart.”

“He called you and you decided to sprint over here? How nice of you.” You spat.

“Look, I was just joking about the bathing thing. My sister can help you with that if you want,” he shoves his hands in his pocket shrugging. “As for the little guy, aren’t you staying with Jeno?”

“Yes…”

“Well, there you go. Plus, the little dude is like what 10? He can handle a bath by himself.”

“He’s six and a half,” you growl. 

“Easy now,” he smirks. “I was just playing.”

The nurse's eyes bounce between you and Haechan confused. “Exactly who are you, sir?”

“I’m the guy who’s going to be interviewing her for the homicide of Na Jaemin.” 

“WHAT?!” You scream. 

“Shit woman! Do you have to make my ears bleed?”

“I swear!” You look at the nurse. “I swear I didn’t do anything! Haechan! You jackass! What the hell is going on?!”

“Look,” he holds up hands trying to calm you down. “We both know you wouldn’t do anything to hurt Jaemin, especially not with your son around. The problem is that they found a body in YOUR home where there was a fire and Jaemin is nowhere to be seen. I’m not sure about the condition of the body but it’s already on its way to the coroners. 

“To be frank I shouldn’t even be on this case since I know you, but I can’t let this go to anyone else. Jaemin was my friend and when he married you, you became family to me. Until everything is resolved I’m going to make sure you and your son are safe. So just relax, okay? Tonight I’ll come over and explain everything that’s going to happen to you and Jeno. Call it a courtesy visit because we’re friends.”

“Haechan,” tears form at your waterline. “Please, you have to help me… I didn’t do anything! I swear! I could nev —”

He hushes you with his pointer finger against your lips. “I know and I hate knowing that right now you’re the prime and only suspect.”

“But I…”

“Ma’am, if this is your friend I’m sure he’ll do all that he can to help you. And if you said you had nothing to do with this incident you’ll be fine. The most important thing to focus on right now is healing so you can take care of your son.” The nurse rests a reassuring hand on your shoulder.

“She’s right. It’ll be fine and I promise I will find out what happened to Jaemin.”

“Thank you, Haechan…”

“Of course.” His attention goes from you to the nurse, a somber look deep in his eyes. “So, is she able to answer a few questions now?”

“I don’t see why not, but please nothing too stressful. Ever since you showed up her heart rate has acted up,” the nurse teases. 

“I always knew you were into me,” he wiggles his brows and blows you a kiss.

“Go fuck yourself, Haechan.”

“If you don’t mind can we have a little privacy please?”

“Oh, yes.” The nurse nods and leaves. “If you need anything just press the button I gave you.”

“Thank you.”

You watch the nurse leave and close the door behind her leaving you and Haechan alone. Letting out a huge breath Haechan joins you on the bed. 

Looking out the small window in your room you ask the dreaded question. “How bad is it?”

“Depends on what you tell me here.”

“Do they really think that I would do something as deliberate as to set my home on fire with my child and I barely escaping it unscathed?! What kind of lunacy are they snorting down at your precinct?!”

“I know you would do anything to protect your kid. We all know that but my boss doesn't. So I need you to tell me EVERYTHING. The events leading up to the fire and what happened afterwards. I need to know it all and DO NOT leave anything out.”

Gulping your head slowly turns to Haechan. “Exactly how much of everything do you need to know?”

Holding up his work phone he shows you the voice recording app. Turning your head away he says, “everything.” 

“That’s a little personal don’t you think?” Peeking back at him you see him press the button and know there is no way to get out of this. 

“Why don’t we start from the beginning? Actually, none of us know this, but when did you first meet Jaemin?”

You shrug, “almost two years before our son was born.”

“How did you meet him?”

“I got lost while taking a back road and ended up at his grandmother’s estate where he was staying. I had gotten hurt while trudging through the woods near her home and he allowed me to stay until I was better. He even invited my parents over so I wouldn’t miss spending the holidays with them.”

Shocked, Haechan chuckles. “Damn he did all that?”

“Yes it was very nice of him.”

“When did the two of you become official?”

“New Year’s Day.”

“How long did the two of you date before getting engaged?”

Rolling your eyes you start growing irritated. “Are these questions necessary? I mean really?!”

“Yes they are. We need to figure out if you had any reason to harm him.”

Turning away from Haechan you can’t help but remember all those months that you were locked up in that fucked up labyrinth of a home. How Jaemin made you play that perverse game hunting you down like you were a rabbit and he the wolf. Not to mention the use of his pride and joy, Nana… 

Your head springs up. “The dogs!!!!” You scream. “How could I have forgotten?! What the hell is wrong with me?! Where are the dogs? Are they okay?” 

“The two males seemed to have run away because they were located a few miles away in a different neighborhood. They’re safe and currently staying at a shelter until you’re able to care for them.”

“And Nana! What about her?”

Haechan shrugs, “we don’t know what happened to her. No one reported a dog that was found. I’ll check with the fire house, but as of now she may have perished in the fire.”

“She’s…she’s gone?” Tears spring to your eyes.

“I’m sorry, I know how much she meant to everyone.”

“Oh, Nana…” you cover your mouth as tears fall onto your hand. 

Your lips hidden from Haechan lightly tug at the ends. Fighting back the urge to smile, you let the appearance of grief take over your body. That hellish beast will no longer haunt you! She’s gone! Finally out of your life for good! 

It’s terrible to admit that you’re ecstatic she’s gone, but you are. She never got used to you being around. She would snap, bare her teeth, snarl, and bark at you. Not to mention all the times she purposely rushed past you making you lose your balance. The only sad part is that you will need to tell your son that his favorite dog in the whole wide world has passed away. Now that is going to be hard.

“So,” Haechan starts the interview again. “You were going to say how long you dated Jaemin.”

“We dated,” you sniff, “for about seven months and got engaged three months after I found out I was pregnant.”

“After your son was born, how was your marriage to Jaemin?”

“M-My marriage?”

“Yes, how was it being married to Jaemin? Did the two of you fight a lot? How did you manage being a new mom and a wife?”

“I… u-ummm —”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

“Okay, I’m going to need you to give me one more biiiigggg~ push, okay?” The doctor instructs you.

“I can’t! I can’t do it!” You cry out.

“Princess you need to, okay?” Jaemin holds your hand in his. “You can do this, you can do anything you set your mind to.” He kisses your sweat drenched forehead.

“No! Seriously I can’t!” You start to cry. “It hurts!”

“Sweetheart, just think in one more push you’ll be able to hold your son in your arms. In one more push it’ll all be over,” he lays his head on top of yours. “I can’t imagine how much pain you’re in, but you just squeeze my hand as hard as you need to, okay?”

“Okay!!! On three I’m going to need you to push!” The doctor says enthusiastically.

“I can’t!” You now hold onto Jaemin’s hand with both of yours.

“You can do this!” He kisses your forehead once more.

“One…two…” taking a huge breath in, you brace yourself and squeeze the living daylights out of Jaemin’s hand when the doctor says, “THREE!!!”

“Yahhhhhhh!!!” Both Jaemin and yourself shout for different reasons. 

“We’re almost there just a little more,” the doctor instructs.

“Ahhhh c’mon!!!” You growl.

“You’ve got this princess just one more push!” Jaemin winces when you squeeze his hand again.

“AHHHHHHH FUCK!!!!!!!!” You scream.

And after the longest push of your life you hear the first cry of your baby boy. Immediately your body falls back onto the hospital bed, drenched in sweat. Your chest rises and falls quickly as you desperately try to catch your breath. Peeking down at the doctor, Jaemin’s eyes widen when the doctor holds up your baby.

“Princess! Princess!” He wraps his arm around your shoulders. “Look!”

Opening your eyes, you see the most beautiful baby in the world. Bursting into tears, Jaemin holds you close to him repeating ‘you did it! You did it!’ While his tears fall onto your cheeks.  

“Okay, we’re going to cut the umbilical cord now,” the doctor informs the two of you. “So, would you like to do the honors, dad?” 

Jaemin glances down at you. “C-Can I?”

“He’s your son, go ahead.” You reach up a clammy shaky hand and place it gingerly against his cheek.

Giving your wrist a quick kiss, Jaemin rushes over shaking from top to bottom. He’s given a pair of surgical scissors and the doctor tells him where to cut. After he is finished, they quickly take your son over to get a quick checkup, weigh in, and clean up, before he is placed in your arms. 

Consumed by this unspeakable feeling of pure love and adoration you stare at this beautiful baby. Feeling his breathing start to match your own, you wrap your hand gently around his. 

“You’re so beautiful right now,” Jaemin whispers next to you. 

Scoffing, you roll your eyes. “Yeah, I’m sure. I’m all sweaty, my hair’s a mess and sticking to me, I must look like a mess right now… So, don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying. You’re glowing right now. And I never want to forget this sight for the rest of my life.”

Peeking up at him you gasp at the state Jaemin’s in. Eyes and nose red from the tears he’s fighting hard to hold back, but the smile on his face could make the devil himself change his ways. It’s simply angelic. Then again, the bright ceiling light above him helps to create this angelic atmosphere around him. Bending down he rests his forehead against yours as his hand cups your cheek.

“I love you so much.”

Closing your eyes, you bite your lips before uttering, “I know, Jaemin.”

Letting out a hurt laugh he kisses your nose before pulling back. “Thank you for allowing me to be here.”

“Jaemin,” you whisper.

“I’ll set everything up for the two of you to be taken care of for the rest of your lives.”

“Jaemin.”

“I’m sure the guys will be there to help you with whatever you need so you don’t have to worry —”

“STOP!” You raise your voice but not too loud as to wake the baby. “Just… stop, okay? You don’t… you don’t have to say anything…”

“A deal is a deal.”

“This is your son! Even if I’m not ecstatic about it, he deserves to have his father in his life and not through a plate glass window. And before you get some twisted idea that I’ve suddenly forgiven you, I just don’t want to know that you’re in some jail cell counting down the days before you can see us again. I think that would make you crazier than you already are.”

“But I thought…”

“I will never forgive you. This is just me showing you some compassion and leniency which you DO NOT deserve. I’m doing this for my child, but you WILL seek the help you need. The moment you stop going to therapy is the moment I change my mind and go to the police.”

“Absolutely! I swear I won’t…” he chokes out a cry. “I won’t let you or our son down. I know you said you would never forgive me but I will do everything in my power to show you I can be a man you can rely on. I’ll become a man that will be there for you and our child.”

“There will also be a few rule changes!”

“Rule…changes?” His head tilts.

“You will no longer accompany me when I leave the home.”

“BUT –” he starts.

Holding up your hand you stop him. “I am not going to leave you. Not now with our son. I will also not speak a word of what happened in regards to the two of us. I will not speak a word to your friends either of the events that occurred between us and I will keep up my role as the happy dutiful wife. All I ask in return is that you trust me. I need to leave the estate at some point, Jaemin. I need to be free to visit my parents on my own. I need to be able to go to the store without having you tag along. Let me have the life of a stay at home mom, deal?”

Closing his eyes tightly, he nods his head reluctantly. “Okay. Deal.”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

The car ride to Jeno’s house is dead quiet. Your son has since fallen asleep with his head resting on your lap. The two of you are sitting in the back of Jeno’s car so your son can stretch out a little more. Across from you in the driver’s seat, Jeno’s hands grip the steering wheel tightly. It’s weird… this morning you had a home, a life, belongings, dogs, and a husband — now you’re homeless with a child, no job, and your parents… well, you can always live with them but after everything… 

“What did Haechan want to talk to you about?” Jeno whispers.

“He wanted to know about my relationship with Jaemin.”

“What? Why?”

“I’m the only suspect so far,” you sigh while stroking your son's hair. “He needed to get background information on my life with Jaemin.”

“What the fu —”

“Jeno!” You quickly interject.

Staring him dead straight in the eyes you look down towards your son. Instantly realizing his faux pas he gives a curt nod. “Sorry, I guess I’ll have to watch my language from now on. The two of you can stay with me for as long as you need to.”

“I’m sorry that this happened, Jeno. This must be such an inconvenience.”

“You’re not an inconvenience, you’re family!” He reaffirms.

“Thank you.”

The car goes quiet again. A thickness in the air of questions yet to be asked and answers that you honestly don’t want to give and can’t give. You’re still trying to wrap your head around what happened. How did the house become engulfed in such a short period of time? 

“So, what exactly did Haechan ask you in regards to Jaemin?”

“He wanted to know when we started dating, how our marriage life was like. I guess just your typical background information on the prime suspect. Jeno, if anything happens to me I need you to promise me one thing. I need you to —”

“Nothing is going to happen to you!” He grips the wheel tighter. “Do you hear me? Nothing! Haechan, the guys and I will never let anything happen to you. Plus, we promised Jaemin that a long time ago.”

“Wh-What?”

“When your son was born and after the plethora of baby pictures, I mean geez did the guy have to send every single one he ever took?” He chuckles, making you smile gently. “Anyway, after all that he called us out to have a round of drinks and said that he was the luckiest man in the world. 

“That he can’t believe that he had you in his life. He was just so happy. He asked us to promise him that if anything were to happen to him, anything at all, that we would take care of the two of you and we all promised without any hesitation.”

“He said that?”

“Mmmhmm. But now…” Jeno’s voice grows quiet. “Now that I’m thinking about it he was talking as if something would happen to him soon. It was strange. He was happy but at the same time he was scared.”

“He was scared?”

“Maybe scared isn’t the right word…worried, perhaps?”

“Worried…?” your gaze drifts off into the dark night. 

“Yeah it was almost as if his whole world would be swept away in an instant. It was strange we’ve never seen him like that before.”

“Did he ever say what was going on?”

“Ahhh!! We’re here,” Jeno states as he pulls into his driveway. “Haechan said he’ll be over in about two hours to talk to us about what will happen next. In the meantime I’ll make you guys something to eat and you can get cleaned up.”

“W-We don’t have anything to…” you whisper.

“Haechan said he’ll bring over some clothes for the two of you. His sister left some of her stuff at his place before she moved out. Tomorrow if the two of you are up for it we can go shopping for some essentials.”

“I promise Jeno I’ll pay you back! I swear!” 

Turning back around he cracks a wide smile. “Don’t worry about it. And I’ll say it here and now so listen up. There will be no saying ‘I’m sorry about this,’ or ‘No, you can’t. This is too much,’ or anything like that, okay?”

“You’re an amazing person, Jeno. Thank you for everything. Truly. We'll forever be in your debt.”

“Nonsense,” he gets out of the car. “Now let’s get you two inside and some food in your stomachs.”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Sitting on the front porch on the swing Jaemin and Jeno put together for you a year ago during the early spring – you watch your son gleefully play with all of the dogs on the massive front lawn. It’s bizarre to imagine that three years ago you were holding your son for the first time. That he was this tiny precious baby and now, he’s running, laughing, and playing with all the dogs. He’s learning new words each and every day. How many clothes he’s grown out of, but one thing hasn’t changed – his love for you grows stronger and stronger each day.

“Mama!” He waves.

“Hi baby!” You wave back.

Nana barks, grabbing your son’s attention and he laughs while climbing on top of her. The smile you were proudly wearing starts to fade as the little shit of a creature wags her tail enthusiastically towards your son. Well, if there was one plus side with having Nana around, it was her loyalty. She would probably rush into a burning building to save your son before you took your first steps to do the same. She might be a bitch to you, but she loves your son dearly and for that, you’ll cover your disdain for her with a clench of annoyance with your jaw.

“I made some lemonade,” Jaemin says, coming out onto the front porch. “It’s extra sweet, just how you like it.”

“Ah, thanks,” taking your glass you mix the liquid around with the straw before taking a huge gulp. “It’s good.”

“It’s not too sweet?” He asks taking a seat next to you.

“No, it’s perfect.”

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I’m glad. I put in a little more sugar than last time. I’ll have to remember to make it this way from now on. So, what is on today’s agenda?”

“I need to go into town and do a little more shopping for his birthday party. Did you call the caterer?”

“Yep, they’ll be here an hour and a half before the party starts. The only problem we might have is the weather. It might rain in the afternoon, so I pulled a few strings and we’ll have a big tent set up the night before in the backyard as a precautionary measure.”

“It’s supposed to rain?” You ask worried. “Should we reschedule?”

“It would be too much of a hassle to reschedule. Plus, it’s just a smaller party this time around. Everything will be fine.”

“I just want his third birthday to be one to remember…” you pout looking out at your son who is still playing with the dogs.

“He’s not going to remember this birthday party at all so why worry? I mean do you remember your third birthday party?” Jaemin chuckles. “Once he hits seven that’s when we’ll have to up the ante.”

“Great, I'll have three years to plan the best party of all time.”

Jaemin starts to swing the porch swing gently, a huge smile on his face. “I know I’ve said this a million times already but I need to thank you for everything. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here for moments like these. I wouldn’t be able to see him grow up at all, to see him laughing and playing with the dogs, or see his first steps. It’s all thanks to you that I’m able to experience all of this.”

“It’s not a big deal,” you mumble. “Plus, who else would take care of Nana? She hates me and only likes the two of you.”

Chuckling, Jaemin reaches over and puts his hand on top of yours. “She doesn’t hate you.” Glaring at him he starts laughing more. “Okay, maybe she highly dislikes you, but I mean, you did try to kill me, remember?” He tilts his head.

“It’s not like I wanted to!” You snatch your hand from under his. “You left me with no other choice!”

“I know I didn’t leave you any other choice. It was a joke, I’m sorry.”

Glancing over you see the smile that Jaemin was boasting to the world has since disappeared. These past three years have been turbulent to say the least. You’ve sporadically burst out in pure rage towards him which could be a combination of many things. Blaming most of these outbursts on fatigue, which you felt was true considering your son would not sleep right until a few months ago – deep down both of you know it’s because you’re still harboring the hatred you felt for being trapped by him. Though admittingly, the feelings have become less and less as the years go by.

Jaemin has been an excellent father. He’s gone above and beyond anything you could have thought of. Even when he was barely getting two hours of sleep a night he would wake up and take care of his precious baby allowing you to sleep. The only time he ever woke you, was when there was no milk in the fridge that you pumped. Jaemin wanted to be present for everything in his child’s life, all of the little moments and all of the big moments. He’s been amazing…

“No, I’m sorry.” You rub between your brows. “I shouldn’t have shouted. Plus, I knew what I was doing back then. I wanted to do it…”

“You wanted to kill me?” He asks quietly.

“I wanted to be free.”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

“Okay, what are we looking at?” Jeno asks Haechan.

“Geez, can’t a guy get himself comfortable before you jump down my throat? Plus, where’s your hospitality? No drink? No offering of food? Tsk, tsk, not a very good host at all.”

“Haechan cut the crap!” Jeno growls. “This is serious! We need to know what’s going to happen!”

“Okay, okay, I know,” Haechan turns to you. “I sent in the transcript of what we talked about to my boss. He glanced over a few things but he’s still not satisfied. Now, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but he wants to look into the specifics of your relationship. I’m supposed to talk to your parents and try to get a feeling of how Jaemin and yourself were like during your relationship. He said something doesn’t feel right and he wants me to look into it.”

“Something doesn’t feel right?” You ask.

“For him, the timeline doesn’t make any sense. Honestly, I can’t blame him.”

Jeno runs an aggravated hand through his hair. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means while I was doing some research I found myself asking the same questions as him. How does someone who was so close to being a major player at her company just up and leave one day, out of the blue? How does she never go back to her job EVER and how does she not go back to her home? I talked with your landlord; he says he hasn’t seen you in over eight years. What’s up with that?” Haechan asks you.

“Why the hell are you looking into her like she’s some kind of suspect? Do you think she had anything to do with this? Whose side are you on?”

“That’s because as of right now she’s the prime suspect! It’s always the spouse who we dig into first with a fine-toothed comb, you should know this already. Look I’m on her side, but I’m going to do my job whether you or,” he looks you in the eyes and you knew what he was about to say, “you like it. This is my job! My livelihood. I can’t just sweep things under the rug. I promised that I would protect you and I will, but you’ve got to throw me a bone, some things just aren’t adding up.”

“So she quit her job and moved in with Jaemin. What does that have to do with anything? Plenty of couples move in with each other. If this is the kind of talk you wanted to have you can just leave!”

“Why are you getting so pissed? I’m keeping the two of you in the loop of EVERYTHING that’s going to happen. I’m not hiding anything.”

Jeno rises from the couch. “Because you’re making it seem like she’s guilty!”

“And who’s to say she isn’t?!” Haechan shouts while standing up as well. “Just because she’s family doesn’t mean she’s innocent!”

“Can we just keep our voices down, or take this conversation outside?” You ask.

“We made a promise to Jaemin! WE, as in all of us, promised to keep her safe as well as her son if ANYTHING were to happen to him.”

“And why did he make us promise something like that? Hmmm?! Maybe he expected that something would happen to him!”

“Are you fucking serious? Why would he think his life is in danger?”

“I don’t know, why don’t we ask his corpse that is in the fucking morgue!” Haechan screams as tears fall down onto his cheeks.

“H-Haechan…” you grab ahold of his hand. “Please, stop, both of you.”

“No! He’s being an asshole!” Jeno shouts.

“I’m trying to put together a picture so I can prove she had nothing to do with this!”

“And looking into her work history is how you do this?”

Sighing, you stand up between them. “Jaemin and I,” you start to speak but stop. “Jaemin and I had a fraudulent marriage!” You shout.

Silence fills the room as you finally speak some of your truth. Frankly, it felt nice to speak about things. Having kept this secret, this charade up for the past seven years has been tough. With Jaemin gone, perhaps…you can finally be free…

“What did you just say?” Haechan grabs your shoulders.

“I mean it wasn’t fraudulent in the literal sense. I lied to you when I said that Jaemin and I had been dating. We, well, the thing is –”

Scoffing Jeno rolls his eyes flopping down on the couch.  “So Haechan is right,” he shakes his head. “You’re going to sit down and tell us everything. No more secrets.”

“E-Everything?”

“Everything,” Haechan sits down as well. “This is only going to help you in the long run. If everything checks out then you won’t have anything to worry about.”

“What if I do have something to worry about? What if I say what happened between Jaemin and I and I lose everything?” Tears start to trickle down your cheeks. “Look, all you need to know is that towards the end, we were working on things. We even started to sleep in the same bed again! I swear!”

“You weren’t sleeping in the same bed?” Jeno questions.

Shaking your head anxiously, “I shouldn’t have said anything. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

“Tell us what happened!” Haechan states firmly and while you shake your head, your eyes close tightly, repeating ‘I can’t, I can’t’ over and over again until Haechan grabs your hand and soon you hear it click.

“H-Haechan!” Jeno gasps. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Haechan!” You squeak.

“Tell us everything or I’m going to take you down to the precinct and interrogate you the proper way. I’ll put you in our holding cell until you decide to talk. So, which do you prefer?” He holds up the other end of the handcuffs making your arm raise slightly.

Your eyes bounce back and forth between your hand and Haechan’s intense gaze. He wasn’t joking at all. He’s being dead serious. Gently turning to Jeno he motions for you to just talk, clearly exhausted from this situation and most likely today’s fiasco. Nodding, Haechan lowers your arm. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out his phone and goes straight to the audio recording app. Clicking the button he asks you the question, ‘what exactly happened between you and Jaemin?’

“Jaemin and I were married legally but we weren’t in love,” you start your sorted tale. “Well, at least I wasn’t in love. Jaemin, he was the one who was in love with me. I guess the real truth was he was madly, enthusiastically, crazily, in love with me. When we were married, I hated him. I was numb from the inside out. I only went through with the wedding because of my son.”

“Why would you marry someone you hate just because of your son? You were making quite enough money for yourself and any children you would have, so why go through everything to marry someone you hate?”

Shrugging you coil in on yourself. “That’s something I can’t explain. Like I stated I was numb. I had shut down all thoughts and feelings for the most part. It was as if I was looking at my life from outside of my body. I liked Jaemin when we first met. I even thought I found the person I would spend the rest of my life with, but he went crazy when I told him I had to go. He started acting erratic and, well, there’s really no other way to say it, but he kidnapped me.”

Haechan stops the recording quickly after you finish speaking. “What the fuck do you mean he kidnapped you?!”

“Jaemin slipped something into my drink the night before I was going to leave. I fell asleep in his arms in his bed and when I woke up I was in a different room chained to a bed. The chain was long enough for me to move around the room and to use the bathroom, but I couldn’t leave. He had Nana, for the most part, watch the door I was in. That little bitch hated me.” You roll your eyes. “The tears I was shedding in the hospital when you told me she was gone, were tears of joy. I couldn’t stand that dog. She would always try to trip me, she would bark at me, snap at me. She was acting like a jealous ex-girlfriend. She was like that the moment I stepped into Jaemin’s life.”

Shaking his head, Haechan stands up. “No. This… This didn’t happen.” He grabs his phone.

“It did happen, Haechan! I was locked in a fucking room for months and was made to play some stupid game where he was hunting me!”

“Shut up!” Haechan growls.

“No! You wanted to know what happened between us, so I’m going to tell you what happened between us. Every week I had to attempt to escape the estate. That was the game. Try to get through the fucking maze below the house to the main floors and escape past the three gates that were locked – the kicker, he had put the key to the locks to the gates on my collar that he had me wear around my neck. I was given breaks only at dinner time and at night where I had to enter a designated room.

“Once I was inside there was a light that turned green indicating that the game was officially on hold until the next morning. He would use Nana to sniff me out which made escaping damn near impossible. When he found me, he’d hook a chain to my collar and drag me back to the room I was staying in like a fucking dog! But when I got hurt, the games stopped and I was put on bedrest –”

“I’m not hearing any of this,” he puts his hands over his ears.

Standing up you grab hold of his wrists tugging at his hands. “So I did what I needed to do to survive! I pretended that I wanted him. I gave into every touch,” you hiss venomously remembering those moments. “That’s when the numbness started,” a dark cynical smile spreads across your lips. “I shut down completely and surrendered to him.

“I let him fuck me how many times a day he wanted to. I begged and pleaded for more like a wanton whore!” You shriek tears pouring down your face. “But that only gave me a chance to think about my escape. I waited until he felt comfortable around me. Until he could trust me, until he would free me of my chains that held me back from doing the one thing I couldn’t do before…”

“What did you do?” You hear Jeno’s shaky voice behind you.

Turning back your eyes darken over with a chilliness that has him shrinking back. “I tried to kill him. I thought I did honestly. I used a pillow to suffocate him in his sleep. I made my escape only to be stopped by Nana at the top of the steps. I pointed to where Jaemin was, and just like the dutiful dog she is, or was, she went to go and check on him.

“I sprinted through the halls that I mapped out many times in my head to get to the main floor as quickly as possible. I was afraid that at any second he would materialize before me. I made it out of the house and through the first two gates. I could barely breathe. My body was so tired, I don’t know how long I was locked down in that labyrinth of hell, but the brightness of the sun almost blinded me. When I got to the final gate and opened it, I was about to take my first steps to freedom when the gates closed automatically. And that’s when I realized I made a huge mistake, and the rest, well you guys know the rest of this fucked up tale.”

Out of nowhere Haechan lunges at you, his hands wrapping around your neck. “You fucking bitch! You killed him! You did this!”

“WHAT THE HELL!!!!! HAECHAN!!!! LET GO OF HER!” Jeno shouts as he rushes to stop Haechan.

“You wanted him dead! You made sure to end him this time didn’t you? Didn’t you?!” His grip on your neck tightens.

You claw for Haechan to let go of your neck when you start gasping for air, your vision beginning to gloss over from your tears. Maybe this was for the best. Haechan’s anger, though delayed, is justified. You did try to end his friends’ life, but it failed, and you were still trapped with that monstrous beast.

“Haechan! Stop! She’s turning purple!!!” Jeno screams. “She didn’t kill him! He lived you jackass!”

“She waited seven years to finish the job! I know she did!”

Your hands that were gripping Haechan’s wrists go limp at your sides. Jeno will take care of your son, you know he will. Plus, now your baby will never know what happened between you and his father. The secret of his conception will forever be hidden from him. No questions like ‘mommy how did you and daddy meet?’ ‘Mom what did dad say that won you over?’ ‘Mom, how long did it take for you to plan your wedding?’ Tears sprinkle down into your ears. The only sad thing is, you won’t see your baby boy grow up.

“Fuck man! Stop!!!!!” Jeno uses all his strength to punch Haechan square in his jaw and only then are you freed from his grasp. Not bothering to gasp for air, Jeno catches you in his arms. “Breathe!” He screams as the two of you fall to the floor, your body resting in his lap.

Why? You ask yourself. Why breathe? No matter what happens, no matter what truth comes out you’ll be thought of as guilty, so why bother?

“FUCK BREATHE!!!!!!!” Jeno’s tears fall onto your face. “PLEASE!!! BREATHE!!!!! FUCK!!!! HAECHAN CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE!”

“Let the bitch die, it’s what she deserves,” he hisses.

“What the hell are you talking about? Shit! D-Don’t worry, just stay with me, okay? Stay with me…” Jeno scrambles for his phone in his pocket.

“She deserves to die after what she did. How can you sit there and defend her?! She tried to kill Jaemin once, what makes you think that she didn’t try to kill him again?”

“For fucks sake man! I knew all of this shit already! I knew everything!”

Your heart pounds loudly in your ears. Your body is now screaming for air to fill your lungs. What did he mean he knew everything? He…He couldn’t have. Jaemin would never tell anyone his secret…he wouldn’t…

“…When you came into my life and we started talking, it was like I was seen,” he sniffles. “Someone was finally looking at me for me.”

“And you’re telling me your friends don’t see you for you?”

“They see me as the kid who’s from a rich family. Plus, it’s not like they aren’t from well off families either.”

“You’ve doubted their loyalty?”

“Never.”

“Then you trust them and accept that they see you for you.”

“Only one person.”

“Jeno?” You inquire.

Nodding he nuzzles his face in the crook of your neck…

“Mom…my…” You hear your son’s voice enter the room.

GO AWAY! BABY!!! PLEASE!!!! You scream in your head.

“Little man,” Jeno’s body trembles under you. “U-Ummm… your mom is just sleeping, go back to bed, okay?”

“Mommy…” you hear your son’s voice again. “Mama!!!!!” His voice comes closer to you. “Mommy!!!!!” He cries out your name.

AHHHHHH FUCK IT!!!!! 

And finally, you gasp for air. 

“Finally!!!” Jeno holds you in his arms. “Are you okay?”

“Mommy?” Your son sniffs. “What’s wrong with mommy?” He starts to cry.

“Uhh, she was just sleeping deeply,” Jeno lies. “Hae-Haechan, why don’t you tuck him back into bed, okay?” Haechan doesn’t move, his face blank and unreadable. “Haechan!” Jeno cries out. “Please, take him back to bed. It’s past his bedtime.”

“We’re not done here,” he replies, his voice cold as ice.

“Yes, yes, now go…”  Haechan reaches out for your sons’ hand and you watch your little boy disappear into the darkness of the shadowy hallway. “Shit woman,” Jeno exhales, his head resting on top of yours. “What the fuck were you thinking? You have a kid!”

You try to answer him, but your voice doesn’t come out. Again, you try to speak, but nothing.

“Don’t you ever do something like that again, got it?! Shit… I thought I’d have to bury two friends and I can’t do that. I can’t!”

“He’s back in bed,” Haechan returns into the living room entryway, leaning against the wall. “Now, would someone care to explain to me what the actual fuck is going on here?”

Suddenly tears well up in your eyes as you stare at Haechan. The numbing feeling that coursed through your body when he was beyond pissed at you vanished, now the only thing in its wake is fear. Fear that you’ve ruined your chances of freedom. Fear that you won’t be able to clear your name when you did absolutely nothing this time around. Fear that you were actually going to let yourself chase the white light and leave everyone including your son behind.

Holding out your hands you lower your head in shame and let everything out. Your body quakes as tears fall onto the floor beneath you uncontrollably. You deserve to be behind bars. You deserve to face your fate for so many things. Lying, manipulating, gas lighting, attempting to… you can’t even think of the word, for even contemplating ending your life, you deserve all the hell you’re about to face. Every bit of it…

Footsteps ring out into the quiet room, getting closer and closer to you until they stop right in front of you. You feel Jeno’s arm wrap around your waist protectively. A burning sensation pierces the skin of your hands, they are hit away. Peering up you see Haechan’s cold gaze staring you down as if you’re a piece of shit. His hand goes up again and Jeno’s grasp on you tightens even more, his body starting to turn you away from Haechan.

Clenching his hand, Haechan sighs. “Pull yourself together; you’ve got a kid to take care of.” He gets up, shoves his phone in his pocket and grabs his jacket. “We’re not done talking about what just happened.” He states before heading out the door.

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Leafing through the papers on his desk, Haechan rolls his eyes annoyed. How could things have gone unnoticed for so long? How were you able to keep up the charade of a fake relationship with Jaemin the whole time the two of you were together? Staring at the home you and Jaemin shared he starts to bite his nails. The answer to everything felt so close and yet so far. Were you being honest about the happenings between the two of you early on? Were you hiding something?

The chatter and phones fill the precinct, but he’s since blocked out all of the noise. Three weeks have passed since he last saw you. Three weeks since he lost his temper and tried to…

“Shit!” He groans. “What the fuck is wrong with me?” He whispers to himself.

“Everything alright there?”

Haechan raises his head to see his co-worker, Mikayla. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

“Mmmhmm, is that the reason why you look like hell because everything is fine?”

“Don’t you have a job to do? A case to solve or someone else to bother?”

Sliding her chair into her desk she looks across from her, smirking at Haechan. “Nope. But, if someone doesn’t mind handing over one of their cases I wouldn’t refuse.”

“You want the murder suicide case that badly huh?”

“Who wouldn’t? It was at the Governors’ Ball! Plus, it’ll look good with the higher ups.”

For the second time in five minutes Haechan rolls his eyes before opening one of the drawers at his desk. “Here, be my guest.” He grabs a file and tosses it over onto Mikayla’s desk. “I’ve got too much to deal with on this case anyway.”

“Are you talking about the house that burnt down?” She pouts. “What’s there to solve with that one? Didn’t the fire chief say that it wasn’t an act of arson?”

“Yes, but something isn’t sitting well with me. He stated that a gas pipe had a crack in it, but even then his words were ‘things happen sometimes. The house was old and didn’t have any updates to make sure that things were up to code. If it wasn’t a cracked pipe it would have been something else.’”

Nodding she looks through the case she’s just been handed. “And you don’t think the fire chief of all people knows what he’s talking about?”

“It’s not that…”

“Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for the lady of the house already,” she chuckles. “Or,” she gasps. “Do you think she’s the one who caused this?”

“I don’t know what to think anymore,” he runs a tired hand through his hair. “I think I need to take a break for a second and clear my mind.” Pushing his chair out he takes out his keys and unlocks the front drawer, grabbing a pack of cigarettes. “Care to lend a friend a shoulder for a bit?” He asks her.

Heading outside Haechan and Mikayla bow their heads and chit chat lightheartedly with a few of their fellow detectives and cops before heading around the corner to an alley next to the precinct. Leaning against the wall of the precinct, Haechan pops up a cigarette and offers one to Mikayla.

“You know I don’t smoke.” She waves a dismissive hand.

“Not now you don’t,” he puts the cigarette between his lips. “Wait a couple years, it’ll either be these or drinking – pick a poison now so you won’t be blindsided later.”

“What’s gotten into you these past couple weeks? Obviously you’re not sleeping well. Your eyes look like a panda’s. It was a house fire, it’s terrible but what more could there be?”

“There was a victim of the house fire, a body, but I don’t know how it all connects together.” He lights the cigarette and takes an extra-long inhale. Blowing out the smoke he turns to Mikayla defeated. “Would you ever stay in an abusive relationship?”

“What kind of question is that? No!”

“Even if the person started out kind in the beginning, you still wouldn’t?”

“It doesn’t matter if they were a saint in the beginning, no one man or woman should deal with an abusive partner. Why are you asking me this?”

Taking a smaller drag of his cigarette Haechan puffs out another round of smoke. “The woman whose house burned down, I know her. I’ve known her for the past seven years. She’s practically family at this point.”

“And you’re working on her case? Haechan you know you shouldn’t be near this case!” Mikayla pushes herself off the wall to stand in front of him. “What were you thinking?! If the captain finds out about this you’ll be dead meat!”

“I’m the only one who can work this case. Plus, I promised her husband that no matter what happened to him I’d be there to protect her and her son. I’m not breaking that promise, no matter what.”

“Even if it comes back that she was somehow involved in the death of her husband? Haechan you’re not thinking clearly, pass this case on to someone else, let them look into things with an unbiased mind.”

Flicking off the butt of his cigarette Haechan chuckles, “you know I watched them get married. I was there the day her son was born. I've smiled and laughed at all the dinner parties, birthday parties, every Christmas holiday, but it was all a lie.” He takes another long inhale of his cigarette letting the smoke fill his lungs before blowing it out once again. “He kidnapped her,” he mumbles.

“Wh-What…?”

“My friend, the man I thought I knew was a monster this whole time. According to her, he kidnapped her, kept her locked in that house for God knows how long before she tried to fight back and get free.”

“What did she do?”

“She tried to kill him,” Haechan’s jaw tightens. “With a pillow apparently. That was over seven years ago.” He blows out another puff of smoke.

Shaking her head, Mikayla takes her spot next to Haechan once more. “An attempt of murder?” She whispers.

“At that point it would be self-defense, would it not? Worst case scenario most she’d get is a couple months or a year if the news of this was brought out.”

“If? You’re not going to put that in the report?”

“Is it necessary?”

“It would show that she had a motive in the past to hurt your friend, why wouldn’t you clarify this?!”

“Because she said they were making things work, that’s why…” with one last inhale he finishes his cigarette, puts it out on the wall next to him and flicks it off to the side. “If you were in my shoes would you let this go, or would you put it into the report?”

“How long was she married to your friend?”

“About seven years.”

Lowering her head, her arms fold across her chest. “Get the full story and then come back and ask me.”

“Or, you could listen in on an interrogation. I called her in to be here after lunch, so you down to do this?”

“Yes.”

“Right this way,” Haechan opens the door to the interrogation room and you walk in. “Do you need anything to eat or drink?”

Pulling out the chair on one side of the table, you sit down placing your purse on the floor. “No.” You answer curtly.

“You’re mad at me, aren’t you?” He asks taking a seat in the chair across from you.

Clenching your jaw, you unwrap the scarf that was around your neck, folding it neatly off to the side. “Why would I be mad?”

Haechan’s expression falls quickly. Traces of his outburst are still visible on your neck, red bruising that anyone with decent eyesight could tell that someone had tried to hurt her. Scooting his chair uncomfortably, he leans forward. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened… I –”

Interjecting you ask, “what exactly did you want to discuss?”

The three weeks Haechan stayed away from both you and Jeno gave you a lot of time to think. It wasn’t that you were mad at him for what he did, hell if the roles were reversed you might have tried beating the shit out of someone who dared tried to kill your best friend – that being said, he would never be able to empathize with you. He’ll never know what kind of pain you were in psychologically, physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Talking to Jeno before he dropped you off here before heading out for some light shopping, he mentioned one thing that stuck out to you. Jaemin and Haechan had a very interesting relationship, though they were friends, they had their fair share of bad blood in the past. Arguments that resulted in small misunderstandings, fist fights that broke out because one said something they shouldn’t have. Their relationship was always swaying back and forth like a pendulum from good to bad. There were only a handful of moments where their relationship was neutral, but even then – even in the bad moments, Haechan respected Jaemin.

“Please, I’m sorry… I was just so angry and I wasn’t thinking…” Haechan tries to explain.

“I’m not mad but I’m also aware that your loyalty is with Jaemin more than it is with me, it always has been and always will be. No matter what, you are his brother and I am his wife. Now, what did you want to discuss?”

Glancing behind him, he sighs and pulls out his phone. Going through the motions of setting up the recording for the interview, he starts with the basics, your name, age, and association with the deceased. Information that you’re sure is well known by all.

“When we last talked you mentioned that your husband hurt you, is that correct?”

“Yes I did.”

“In what ways did he hurt you?”

“Like I stated I’m not 100% sure but I believe Jaemin slipped something into my drink the night before I was set to leave to go back to my apartment in the next city, approximately three hours from here. I woke up on what I assume is the following morning and I was no longer in his bedroom, but in another room deep below the main house. The rooms were white and at first it hurt to open my eyes.

“My clothes were different from what I went to sleep in. I was only given a white shirt and white leggings, white undergarments, and white shoes. I then noticed that I had something wrapped around my neck, it was a leather collar and attached to it was a long heavy chain. As stated it was long enough for me to move around the room, to use the restroom that was inside of this bedroom, but to get out and leave, there was no way I could. I tried tugging and using anything I could to break free, but it was no use.

“In the beginning he just came in and provided food and drinks for me. Brought in some books for me to read, but no matter how much I begged and pleaded he wouldn’t let me go. After a while, during this time I had no concept of time or how many hours passed, how many days. There were no windows, but after a while he came in and said that he wanted to play a game with me. The concept of the game was for me to get out of this long maze of corridors underneath the house and make it out of the house and past all of the gates on the property.

“He put a key onto my collar, removed the chain, stepped aside and told me to go ahead. I bolted out the door and from down the hall, where I was staying in — he said if I don’t make it out we’ll keep playing until I do. He knew very well it was going to be impossible for me to leave.”

“Why did he keep you in this room and chained up?”

“He stated that when I told him I was going to leave and go back home he started freaking out. He was right, he did start acting really weird. I mentioned this as the second week of the New Year was rolling in. He started to become extra clingy, and begged me not to go back. He said things like ‘I can provide for you,’ ‘please don’t leave me, please!’ ‘What do I need to do to get you to stay.’ I was slowly starting to think this might not work out because of how he was acting, and then suddenly, he stopped acting like this. He simply asked, ‘are you serious about this relationship?’ To which I said, ‘yes.’”

Haechan’s brow quirks up in confusion. “You mean to tell me this is all because you were going to go back to your home and to your job?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry but that doesn’t make sense.”

“When someone has a psychotic break a lot of things don’t make sense. He confessed that he was scared that he would never see me again. He was scared that after all these years someone who saw him for him and not as some rich guy was going to leave his life forever. That wasn’t true. I liked him a lot. I wanted to be with him. I fell for him, fast and hard, as he did with me. The only problem is that I wasn’t alone locked up in a house in the middle of nowhere, like he was.

I didn’t have a job that for the most part kept me away from people until absolutely necessary. I didn’t have a family that seemed to not care if I spent the holidays alone. Actually, speaking of the holidays, why didn’t any of you spend time with him?”

Pressing the pause button on his phone Haechan lets out a deep sigh. “Let’s keep this about you, shall we?”

“What? I can’t ask questions when you know the victim as well?” Tilting your head you smile. “Or does everyone still think you’re not involved in any way?”

“Only one person knows and I’d prefer to keep it that way until we solve this case. As for your question, off the record, Jaemin never told us anything. If we’re talking about the time period of seven years ago, he secluded himself from the rest of us. We didn’t even know he was at his grandmother’s house. So there was no way we could have talked to him about getting together.”

“I see.”

“Shall we get back to the real line of questions?”

“Proceed.”

Pressing the pause button again the recording starts up. “You said he had a psychotic break, how are you so sure?”

“I don’t know, I would assume chaining someone in a room for months would be defined as a psychotic break, wouldn’t you agree Detective Lee?”

Rolling his eyes, Haechan smirks. “Okay, let’s say that I believe you and he kept you in this so-called room, where is it exactly? There was nothing about an underground room in the blueprint of the house.”

“Why would there be something on the blueprint when it’s supposed to be used for something you’re not supposed to be doing. It’s like having a hidden passageway, not really hidden if it’s in the blueprint. Or, having your safe room listed in the blueprints. If an intruder had the blueprints to the house, for whatever reason, it would be really stupid to have that room listed, now wouldn’t it?

“But to answer your question, the room itself was the last room in a long corridor of many corridors. I can’t tell you how deep below it is, but there was an opening behind a large painting on the main floor. It was right before you would head up to the second floor. You pull the painting away, unlock the door – Jaemin always had the key on hand, and go down a long narrow staircase. Once you reach the bottom it’s like a secret bunker.

“The hallway is this bright light gray tone that almost blinds you. You keep walking down that hallway and you reach a door. Now this door was always unlocked, unless Jaemin wasn’t down there with me. If I somehow managed to free myself he would need something else to keep me down there until he could subdue me once more.”

Shaking his head, Haechan clicks his tongue while leaning back in his chair. His arms cross over his chest as he sports the cockiest grin you’ve ever seen. “You expect me to believe all of this was underneath his grandmother’s house? Are you serious?”

“I’m telling you the truth. You just refuse to believe it because it sounds outrageous.” Leaning forward you lean your elbows on the table, propping your head up with your hands at your cheeks. “There are a lot of things in this world that are beyond imagination Haechan. There are people in this world who do terrible and evil things all the time. Perhaps think back on one of your cases that shocked you beyond imagination. How did you feel before you knew the truth versus after?”

Readjusting in his chair he turns away from you. “Continue.”

“There were cameras everywhere. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jaemin didn’t have a room that was for watching me during our downtime. No matter where I was in the house, I was being watched. The only place where there were no cameras was the hidden passageways. They’re not exactly escape friendly. There are a lot of rusted nails sticking up from the floorboards, broken glass, not to mention the dust and bugs.

“I favored those routes, but Jaemin learned this after a few failed attempts. As soon as he figured out my plan he had Nana sniff something of mine and she always led him directly to me…” you pause, closing your eyes slowly. “Sometimes he would taunt me. He would pretend as if he had no idea where I was, but I knew that was a lie. I knew that with the sound of her footprints walking next to him, her nails clicking against the white tiled floor. I tried to keep moving, to keep a good distance so I could at least make it to the first floor, but I was always caught. Always.”

“The last time we talked you had mentioned off the record that you had gotten hurt, is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“How did you get hurt?”

Sighing, you give an I-don’t-know shrug. It wasn’t that you didn’t know, it was that there were plenty of times you ‘got hurt,’ but the incident he wants you to talk about is what you told him in front of Jeno, when you confessed shortly after that you tried to kill Jaemin. To say anything on record is certain doom.

“I’ll repeat the question,” he says sternly. “How did you get hurt?”

“Which time?”

“Pardon?” He looks confused.

“Which time are you referring too? There were a few cases that I needed bed rest before his twisted game started up again.” Snickering, “I guess I have to give him some credit. He didn’t want his little rabbit to be hurt while he hunted.”

“The last time you were hurt.” Haechan specifies.

“I got startled by how close he had gotten to me and tumbled down the stairs. I sprained my ankle and when he got me –” you pause.

It wasn’t as if these past two years of working things out with Jaemin have wiped everything he did off the face of the earth. It wasn’t as if you forgave him for keeping you away from your loved ones, but spending time with him, seeing him in almost the same light that you saw him when you first met… It almost was like a scar showing the first signs of healing, but talking to Haechan is like picking at the scar and opening it up.

The pain, the hurt, and psychological damage that you both faced resurfacing once more. What’s worse, he doesn’t believe you. He doesn’t believe anything that you’re saying and even if you could prove that it’s true… there’s no evidence…

Clearing his throat Haechan gestures for you to finish. “When he found me he linked the one end of the chain into my collar, and started to lead me away as if I was some animal on a leash. I told him I was hurt and he got mad. He brought up the rules and –”

Haechan interjects. “Rules?”

“There are seven rules to this game. Seven rules that you need to follow or else,” you stop again shocked. “Or else something bad would happen. It took me months to learn all the rules, but once I did I didn’t dare break them. I mean I was already being held prisoner, the logical thing that would happen if I break all the rules would be…”

“Death?” Haechan asks.

Shrugging you fidget in your seat. “I don’t think he would have ever killed me, but I wouldn’t have, during this time mind you, put it past him to destroy everything I loved so there was nothing else in the world I could have and hope for.”

The room falls silent. It was true you never tried to break every single rule in one round of the game. Yes, getting hurt is bad and it would hinder your escapes so you always tried to at least notify him of your injuries. Denying him once he caught you fair and square – with the help of his most loyal companion, was like whining after losing rock, paper, scissors. Jaemin never mentioned what he would do but the eeriness in his voice that first time he read you the rules still chills you to the bone.

 ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Everything around you is dark. A few minutes ago, Jaemin had placed a blindfold over your eyes and stated that he wanted to play a game with you. A strange aura started to radiate from him and immediately you crawled away from him. Something about this game didn’t feel right, though it hasn’t even started. Pulling you back to him by your ankles, your body pulls the freshly made covers down on your bed.

“Don’t make this harder on yourself, princess,” he whispers close to your ear. “This is going to be a fun game, you’ll see. Plus, you’ll be able to leave this room. Don’t you want this?”

“I want to go home,” you whisper.

Grabbing your arm from under you, he manages to flip you over to your back, climbing on top of you. Your blindfold exposes one of your eyes, but he simply pulls it back down. “What have I told you a million times?” He asks, taking both of your hands into his grasp. Something cold touches your skin and before you can put two and two together, Jaemin has your hands bound by a zip tie. “You are home.”

Tugging on your neck you try to escape Jaemin’s grasp, but it’s no use. He has a firm hold on the chain that is attached to a leather collar around your neck. The sounds of his loyal companions' nails click on your right hand side, while Jaemin is on your left a few feet ahead of you.

“Please Jaemin! Please, just let me go! I promise I won’t tell anyone what you’re doing, okay? I just want to go back home!” You beg.

“Princess, I’m not in the mood to argue with you over this matter. You are home, this is your home. Your home is with me.”

“Jaemin, please, you have to stop this! Why are you doing this? I thought you liked me! Is this what you do to someone that you like?”

“Oh, I don’t like you,” he stops walking and you bump into him. Feeling his hands run up your arms, you scrunch your shoulders close to your ears, visibly uncomfortable with the gesture. “I love you,” he kisses the top of your head. “I want us to be together forever. I want us to start a family, to get married, to grow old together.”

“Then why are you doing this?! Huh?!” You scream only to notice your voice echoes around you. Startled you look around like an imbecile. There is no way you can see anything with this blindfold, but it was a natural reaction to the sound of your voice.

“I’ve waited for people to return before,” his voice grows soft. “I’ve waited and waited for the people I love to return to me but you know what princess,” his voice leaves your side and ends up behind you. “They never came back. I waited and waited and waited like an idiot for someone who I loved to come back into my life. For that person who I cherished more than anything to save me and I was left alone!” He shouts causing you to shrink down in front of him. “But,” he clears his throat. “I’m a reasonable man. I want you to stay with me because you desire to, but until you see this, how about a little game?”

The black fabric that was tied around your head slowly unravels before you. Squinting at the brightly lit room your hands come up to cover your eyes. “Wh-Where am I?” Your voice comes out barely a whisper.

“Take a look around,” Jaemin moves back in front of you. “Now for these,” he digs into his pocket bringing out a Swiss Army knife and removes the zip ties from your wrists. “There we go.”

Rubbing your wrists, Jaemin steps to your left side allowing you to get a view of where you’re at, but what you see doesn’t make any sense. In front of you are four different hallways. All of which are the same light gray color, all of which appear to be the same length. The area you find yourself in is like the end of a road. A small enough area for someone to choose what path to go, but that’s about it.

“Wh-Where am I?” You start to shake.

“You’re at the starting line. Every time we play this game you will start here. But, before you begin, I think it’s best if we go over the premise of this game as well as the rules. So listen up, okay?” Nodding in shock you stare down each of the long hallways, your heart starting to beat faster and faster. “The premise of the game is for you to leave this underground maze and reach the main floor of the house. After you reach the main floor, you’re to leave the house and go through each of the three gates on the property.”

“We-We’re still at your grandmother’s house?”

“Yes. We haven’t left. This is an underground maze of hallways that my great-great-great grandfather had made during a time of war. This was to insure that the family would be able to escape unharmed if the home were to be invaded for any given reason.”

“B-But why am I down here?”

“To play a game, silly.” He chuckles. “Think of this as a HUGE escape room. There are plenty of secret passageways, doors that you can enter, and plenty of hallways that you can travel down,” he starts walking around the room, his eyes closing shut with a little smile on his face. “Grandmother and I liked to play hide and seek down here. She knew this labyrinth like the back of her hand. From generation after generation, all of the kids came down here to play, so that’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to play!” 

Your body starts to tremble uncontrollably. “I-I don’t want to play! Wh-What if I get lost? What if I can’t make it to the main floor?”

“The game will last for four hours. You have exactly four hours to get from down here, to upstairs and out of the house and off the property. After four hours, if you are down here, whichever door you’re near will have a green light above it. That is to signify the end of the game for that day, and for a meal and sleep break. You’ll hear an alarm and that is when you wake up, get dressed, have another meal, and get ready for another four hours to try to escape. This will continue until you get to the main floor, or if you get hurt. Simple, right?”

Shaking your head you back away from him and the strange hallways. “I don’t want to play this. I…I want to go back to that room.”

Tilting his head, his lips pucker out in a pout. “It’s either we play this game, or you’re trapped down here until you submit to me, forever.” He smiles brightly when he says forever, a cold chill raking across your body. “So, what’s it going to be? A shot at freedom, or a lifetime with me?”

He can’t be serious… This is just some joke that he’s trying to play. An ‘I got’cha’ moment where he says it’s all a joke and that he was just messing with you this whole time and you can pretend this nightmare never happened. No… no… this HAS TO BE a dream, no! A fucked up nightmare! There’s no way the man you were cuddled up against, after a beautiful romantic dinner, and a night of making love is the same sick sadistic monster in front of you. This has to be a nightmare…it has to be!

“Tik tok, princess, we don’t have all day.” He leans down so he can look into your eyes. “Should I explain the rules so you can understand better?”

“YES!” You squeak.

“Okay,” he moves away from you and starts walking back and forth, waving his arm as if he’s giving some grand speech. “Rule 1, 'the one being hunted may try to escape the property by any means necessary unless they are in a safe room, or have been injured. Rule 2, if the party being hunted finds themselves hurt they are to call out the safe word 'red' or push the red button that is located on the wall outside of all of the designated safe rooms signifying that the game is over.

“Rule 3, the hunter will give their prey a specified amount of time as a means for a head start before starting the hunt. They may extend or cut back on the amount of time given per round. Rule 4, it would be wise for the prey to keep themselves well-hidden and keep quiet to ensure the game does not end too soon. Rule 5, if the hunter catches their prey, the prey needs to come quietly as the round has ended. Rule 6, the hunter will then inspect the prey for any injuries once they have been captured. This is by no means a rule that can be skipped or looked past. Rule 7, if the prey tries to resist – the hunter will have to make their prey submit by any means necessary.”

Stopping right in front of you, a gentle smile on his face that makes him look like a sweet angel in disguise he asks, “do you understand the rules, princess?”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Plopping back in his chair Haechan stares at you in disbelief. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but instantly closes his mouth and looks away from you.

“I’m not making anything up. I played that sick game for months. I tried and tried and tried again to escape. Every time I thought I was so close to reaching the main floor he would randomly appear, with Nana by his side. It was only then I discovered that he was using her to help sniff me out. Then, I found the secret passageways and started to learn how to navigate them. The games were prolonged for more than just a day. He enjoyed it. But there was one thing I wasn’t going to do and that was to submit to him.”

“So then why did you submit to him and let him have his way with you?”

“I was at my wits end and I thought if I gave him the idea that I was his and his alone, he would just take me up to the main floor. But he saw right through me. After I made it to the last gate he said –”

“You mean after you tried to kill him with the pillow?”

Your jaw tightens. How could he just utter this out as if it’s okay? He promised to protect you. He promised to keep you safe and to make sure that nothing was going to happen and now it feels like he’s trying to throw you under the bus. Was he this mad and upset? Could he not see how terrible Jaemin was?!

Letting out a shaky breath your head lowers, “yes.”

“You may continue what you were saying prior.”

A tired pathetic laugh passes your lips. Running a hand through your hair, you peek up at the man sitting across from you. A man that was supposed to be your friend, but is now a complete stranger to you. “Does it even matter? You got what you wanted. It’s done, it’s over with. No matter what I say from here on out it won’t be taken seriously. I can scream it to the heavens that I had nothing to do with Jaemin’s death but no one is going to believe me because of what you just made me say. Which if I’m remembering correctly, was supposed to be kept private after I talked to you, at Jeno’s house, off the record that is.” You decide to throw in this tidbit of information into the recording. If he wanted to take you down, you were going to be sure he was going to get accosted in some shape or form too. “So,” you look up, eyes clouded with anger. You place your hands as far out in front of you as you possibly can. “Slap the cuffs on me. I know you want to. I know you want me to be in jail. You made that clear the other night.”

Haechan reaches forward and stops the recording on his phone. “You’re fucking ridiculous,” he hisses. “Do you think I want you behind bars? Do you think I want to take a mother away from her child? That’s not what’s going on here.”

“Then what is going on? You made me confess that I tried to end someone’s life! You think I don’t feel guilt over that? You think I didn’t look at him every day and realize what I tried to do? I never wanted to do that in the first place. I didn’t want to be put into a position where I would contemplate ending someone’s life. But I was forced into that position. My rights, my freedom, my life was taken from me. I tried fighting for it by getting out of that damn maze, but I couldn’t escape. No matter how many months I was down there I never won once. I never got close to getting to the front door until I thought he was gone.

“When I finally made it to the front door and past the first two gates and attempted to step across the line to freedom the last gate closed and he materialized out of nowhere. He said he knew what was going on because I changed my behavior. He knew everything so he pretended to die. It was just another sick game of his and I fell right into his trap.”

“Why didn’t you say anything? Why did you get married to him? Why were you with him all these years?” He shouts, tears running down his cheeks. “This is the part that I don’t understand. If he was so fucking terrible why did you stay?”

Seeing Haechan unravel before you has you pulling back your wrists. Sitting back into the chair more comfortably you let out a long exhausted breath. “I lost the will to fight, Haechan. I was tired. I was scared, I was disgusted with myself most of all. I ended up pregnant because I thought I could win. Like the stupid idiot I am, I thought by showing him what he believed was love I could be let out of my cage, but I was wrong and ended up pregnant all while simultaneously trapping myself in a whole new cage.”

“Why did the wedding even happen then? Why didn’t you give us a sign?”

“I was a zombie for the longest time. I didn’t feel anything. I was only alive and breathing because of the child I was carrying. Everything else didn’t matter to me. So, I put on a mask and played a role. Even if I wanted to say something, he would have stopped me or tried to switch the subject. I hesitated for the tiniest second while I was standing before the judge with him, his hands holding mine – for a millisecond I was going to tell the judge as quickly as possible I was being held against my will, but with a strong squeeze of his hand in mine, I knew he would stop me the moment I tried.”

Suddenly a knock is placed on the door. Haechan quickly wipes his tears away before standing up. “Give me a second. Do you need anything at all? A drink? Something to eat from the vending machine?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Walking out of the interrogation room, Haechan closes the door behind him seeing Mikayla is the culprit who interrupted him. “Why did you call me out here?” He rolls his eyes in annoyance. “We were finally getting somewhere.”

Mikayla tilts her head, “that’s not what I saw. By the way, she’s innocent. Her entire body language is screaming it so you can cut her some slack. Also, if someone was willing to work out the relationship after that shit show, they are in love. Whether or not it’s a strange form of Stockholm Syndrome is a topic for another day. But, that’s only a part of why I pulled you out here,” she hands Haechan a vanilla colored folder. “It seems you’re going to be working on this case for a little bit longer.”

“What do you,” he opens the folder, his eyes scanning over the documents. “Mean…?” He looks up shocked.

“I know,” she sighs. “Good luck, you’re going to need it.”

Slapping him on the back she takes her leave. “What the fuck did you do, Jaemin?” Haechan whispers.

Haechan returns to the room with a somber look on his face. He heads straight to the table, and presses the pause button again, starting the recording once more. “You mentioned things were getting better?” He asks tirelessly.

“U-Ummm, y-yes…” You eye him suspiciously. “When our son was born he actually was ready to turn himself in. Two months prior we had a discussion and he asked me how he could make everything up to me. I knew he was sorry. I could tell with just a glance into his eyes he regretted everything, but he did what he did. I wasn’t going to forgive and forget all the pain he caused just because he spoke the words ‘I’m sorry.’ I told him the only way that he could make up for even the smallest bit of what he did was to turn himself in. He said he would, but asked for one thing and that was to see the birth of his son.

“However, just after he saw his son for the first time he was talking about making arrangements for the two of us to be well taken care of in his absence. I knew what he was talking about. I knew why he was saying everything. He asked for one thing, I obliged and he was prepared to face the consequences, but I don’t know what came over me. I didn't want him to leave. I didn’t want him to be in prison miserable, and long for the life he could have had if he didn’t fuck it up in the first place. I told him I thought it would have made him crazier if I kept him away from his kid. So, I asked instead that he seek professional help and if he did I would keep his secret.

“If I’m being honest I wouldn’t have told anyone of his wrong doings. So, the next day he sought help and went every week to a therapist. In the beginning we both went and talked about what our issues were but afterwards it was Jaemin who needed the help. He never broke that promise to me. Then, on my birthday things started to change. I don’t know if you remember the birthday party he threw for me but that’s the moment I decided to give him a second chance.”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

“Happy! Birthday! To! You!!!!” Everyone sings out.

Eyes brimming with tears you glance around at all of the smiling faces. Everyone showed up for your big day. Your mom, dad, all of Jaemin’s friends, and of course your sweet little guy all day has made it his mission to make you the happiest mom on the planet. Blowing out your candles your only wish is to have more days like this.

“Thanks everyone,” you wipe your eyes before any tears fall onto your cheeks. “But you really didn’t need to do this.”

“Are you kidding?” Chenle chuckles. “How else are we going to get free food?” He jokes.

“Plus, we technically didn’t do anything,” Renjun wraps his arm around Jaemin’s shoulders. “This guy right here planned everything. He just told all of us when and where and we showed up.”

“Y-You did this?” You ask Jaemin.

Scratching the back of his head he nods bashfully. “We haven’t really celebrated your birthday. I thought I would give you a birthday to remember.”

Without realizing you spring up from your chair and wrap him in a tight embrace. “Thank you, Jaemin, truly.”

His face falls into the crook of your neck, his arms wrapping around you tightly. “Anything for you…” He whispers. And just like that the moment was gone. “So, who wants cake?” He asks stepping away from you.

One by one your friends and parents come up for a slice of cake, laughing and smiling together as if these people were always meant to be in your life. As if this very moment was supposed to happen all along. Placing a hand on your shoulder, Jeno leans down, handing you a piece of cake.

“Happy Birthday,” he gives you a kiss on the cheek.

“Ehhh?!!” Haechan starts pointing. “What do we have here?! I didn’t know we could kiss the birthday girl!” He puts down his cake and charges towards you.

“N-No!! Haechan!” You start backing away.

“Don’t you dare run from me, woman!” He starts laughing while approaching you. “Now give your favorite person in the world a kiss,” he puckers his lips.

“YAH!!!!” You scream but a giggle comes from you when he starts chasing you around the backyard.

“Mama!!!” Your son giggles. “Run, mama!!! Run!!!”

“I’m trying, baby!!!”

“Al…Most!!!! THERE!!!!!”

Haechan sprints for you, reaching out his hand when you collide into a body knocking the person down. A low grunt comes from beneath you. Quickly scrambling off of the victim you see Jaemin was the person who you crashed into.

“Jaemin!” You squeak. “A-Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

Snickering, he sits up smiling at you. “I’m fine, but I couldn’t let anyone else kiss you before I kissed you.”

Suddenly your heart skips a beat. His smile softens, his hand reaching out for yours as he pulls you down to him. Gulping your eyes scan his for some sign that he’s joking, that he wasn’t really going to kiss you especially not in front of everyone. Behind you you hear Haechan complaining that Jaemin stole you away, but his complaints are soon muffled by the pounding in your ears, your heart picking up speed the closer Jaemin’s lips get closer to you.

“Happy Birthday,” he whispers and just as your eyes flutter, and the tips of your noses touch, he slides his hand around your neck pulling you down to him. “I love you,” his warm minty breath cascades down onto your face and just when it feels like he’s going to kiss your lips he pulls you down further to give you a kiss on your forehead.

He chuckles, sliding away from you. “Go ahead, Haechan,” he winks at his friend. “Okay so who hasn’t gotten a piece of cake yet?” He asks everyone.

“Me daddy! Me!”

“What?!!! Well come here!” Jaemin scoops up your son into his arms and walks off with him.

“Well, now you’re all mine,” Haechan’s voice brings you back to the reality you’re about to face. Before you can even object, he plants a wet kiss on your cheek. “Finally!” He laughs. “Now I can get back to my cake!”

Sauntering off, head held high you’re left on the ground still in shock. Your mind races with thoughts you’ve kept quiet for the past five years. Feelings you thought were completely gone, but now have resurfaced. 

How? When?

“Need any help?”

Looking up, Jeno has his hand stretched out. “Uh, yeah, thanks.” You take hold of his hand and he helps you up.

“Don’t mind Haechan, he's just being…well, himself.” He laughs. “I guess I should say sorry for starting all of this.”

“Oh no, it’s fine. Really.”

“Now, I know that you haven’t opened any of your gifts yet, but I wanted to give you mine personally.” He holds out a cutely wrapped box with a sparkly pink bow wrapped around it. “It’s nothing much but I saw it and thought you’d like it.”

“Je-Jeno…” you feel tears starting to well up in your eyes again. “You didn’t need to get me anything. You’ve done so much already,” you unwrap the gift to find what looks like a jewelry box inside. “Wh-What is this?” You ask opening it.

Inside is a beautiful silver heart-shaped locket. Pulling it out, he instructs you to open it and when you do one half has a picture of your son, the other, a picture of yourself, but only you. A little surprised he takes the locket from your hands.

“I had asked Jaemin what I could get for you. He said he had no idea and to get you something that would make you happy. So I said what about a locket with all three of you inside, but he said to make it extra special for you and have it of you and your favorite person in the world.”

Jeno claps the latch for you, and the new piece of jewelry dangles around your neck. “He’s a dumbass,” you mumble.

“He is, but I didn’t want to overstep my boundaries.” Jeno laughs.

Reaching in, you hug Jeno tightly. “In any case, I love this. Thank you, Jeno.”

“No problem,” he hugs you back just as tight. “And just between the two of us, inside the box there are alternate pictures for you to put into the locket, but don’t tell the dumbass I told you.”

“I won’t!” You start giggling.

The rest of the party went by without a hitch. You couldn’t have spent your birthday any better than how you spent it today. Being around those who you’re close to and sharing such a beautiful memory will go down as one of your favorite birthday’s to date, and the best part, having your little guy part of this big day as well.

“Rest well, sweetie.” You kiss your son on the cheek.

“Night night mommy,” he yawns.

Quietly you exit his room, but not before turning on his nightlight. Closing the door halfway, you peek at him one more time before heading back downstairs. In search of your husband, you head straight for the kitchen where he was last seen hunched over doing the dishes. His back turned to you, you watch him quietly. Leaning your back against the wall, your hands grow clammy as you attempt to speak to him. For the past five years you’ve barely uttered a word to him that didn’t have a purpose behind it. Not knowing how to talk to him anymore you clear your throat before walking up to the kitchen table.

Turning around at the sound of you clearing your throat, his sleeves rolled up to the bend of his arm, an apron wrapped around his waist, Jaemin stares shocked to see you… alone, in the kitchen… with him. 

“Ummm, I… I thought I would tell you juniors in his room sleeping, so if you wanted to say goodnight you might have to do so at the door.” You mumble.

Nodding, Jaemin turns back to the dishes and continues. “I’ll do that. Thanks for letting me know.”

Your fingers run down your face, exasperatedly – pulling at your bottom lids, as they stop at your cheekbones. Was talking to him always so hard? You ask yourself. “I, uh, I wanted to say thanks for today. I really appreciate it. You didn’t have to go through all the trouble, but I’m truly grateful.”

Shaking his head he turns to place a dish on the drying rack where you see the faintest hint of a smile. “It was no trouble at all. You’re a terrific mom and I wanted to do something to celebrate you. There’s no need to thank me.”

“No,” you move from the kitchen table, and head straight for him. “I really do need to thank you and for more than just the party. I’ve given you a hard time these past couple of years and while I want to apologize, I still feel like because of what happened I shouldn’t.”

Placing down the dish cloth in his hands he turns to you. “You shouldn’t apologize. What I did… I should be on my knees everyday thanking you for allowing me to be in our son’s life.”

Holding up your hands you shake your head in protest. “I want to make things better between the two of us. I want our son to grow up in a healthy household. So, I believe in order to do this I should change the picture on the one side of the locket.”

Jaemin snickers and returns to washing the dishes. “Jeno told you what I said?”

“He did. While I don’t know how to feel exactly you deserve to be in the locket as well. I wouldn’t have been able to raise our son by myself. Those first few months when he wasn’t sleeping you stayed up with him every night so I could rest. You fed him, bathed him, and played with him more than I did and it was all because you saw how exhausted I was. You’ve sacrificed so much of yourself for him as well as me.”

“It’s the least I could do after everything. I’ve royally fucked up my life, your life, and our sons’ life.”

“Jaemin…” You whisper while your heart pounds in your ears.

Turning to face you his eyes widen when your lips press against his. You hear the dish cloth plop into the water and immediately after, Jaemin grabs hold of your upper arms and pushes you away from him.

“Pl-Please…” he keeps you at arms length, his head bowing down before you. “You don’t want… You can’t do this.”

“Why can’t I do this?”

“You’re not in the right headspace. What I’ve done to you, you shouldn’t even have to look at me unless absolutely needed. Please, just get some rest. You’ve had a long day.”

“No,” you place your hand on top of his. “I kissed you because I wanted to. And if you wouldn’t mind lowering your arms, I would like to kiss you again. That is, if you’re okay with it.”

Jaemin’s arms start to lower, but he keeps a firm hold of you. “I don’t deserve your kindness… I don’t deserve your… your…” his voice gets softer and softer as you draw closer to him.

“What I give you from here on out will be what you deserve for your actions going forward. I want us to have a clean slate,” your hand slides up his chest, causing him to shrink inward. “I want what could have been, what should be, and what may be a life with you.”

Your hand travels up from his neck, skates over his collar bone, to his neck as you pull him closer to you. His eyes flutter wildly as if he’s unsure if he should accept this or flee. Then again, your eyes were doing the same weird dance as his. His pulse pounds crazily against the palm of your hand, mirroring your own. A strange desire to feel his lips on yours, and possibly (at least you hope) yours on his. Mere inches apart, Jaemin’s hand slides onto your hip making you gasp, and before you know it, his lips land on yours. 

Not wasting a single second, you wrap your arms around his shoulders trapping him in your grasp. He complies, by wrapping you in a tight embrace as well. Your lips sliding across each other’s in a feverish kiss. It felt like after years of fighting, years of distance, years of hatred, pain and hidden lust — everything was pouring out from the two of you in one single moment.

Jaemin’s tongue skates across your bottom lip asking for entrance and as if you’ve been kissing him this whole time your lips part. The once sweet gentle kiss turns to hot then wet in a matter of seconds. Your tongues sliding across each other’s a battle for dominance ensues and has both of you breathing heavy. Jaemin’s lips wrap around your tongue and immediately you become putty in his hands. Your knees give way, and quickly he pushes you against the counter for support. Holding your face in his hands he switches between sucking the shit out of your tongue, and shoving his down your throat.

Eyes watering, you grip onto him for dear life while you try to keep your wits about you. Pulling back for air both of you breathe heavily. His skin kissed with redness as he stares into your eyes like he did that night when he stole your heart. The memory smacks you in the face and before you can think about anything else, you grab the hem of your shirt and rip it over your head – tossing it onto the floor next to the two of you.

Scrambling, Jaemin unties his apron from his waist, and with shaky fingers you unbutton his button down shirt until he swiftly throws it down with yours. Your bottom lip snags between your teeth as you stare at the still sexy man in front of you. His muscles, though smaller still have your legs clenching together tightly. Jaemin grabs the back of your neck and pulls you in for another kiss, this time softer, this time sweeter.

“Where to?” He mumbles against your lips.

“Your room?” You ask. “I don’t want to risk the chance of you know who seeing.”

“A little risk adds to the excitement of it all,” his lips travel from yours and down to your neck.

“And last time was my father, I don’t want this time to be our son.” Jaemin clamps down on your neck roughly causing you to moan. “J-Jaemin… please…” You beg.

Turning from you, he grabs hold of your hand and both of you rush out of the kitchen a lightness in your steps and a massive amount of giggles coming from you.

Maybe this can actually work out, just maybe…

The moment you enter Jaemin’s room, he closes the door behind you and locks it. Pressing you against it, his lips capture yours. The moment your lips touch, everything becomes blurry as you sink into the lust you’ve kept at bay. Jaemin’s hand grabs hold of your waist, pulling you closer to him. He nips your bottom lip before his lips travel to your cheeks and back down to your neck. Your eyes flutter, a smile rests on your face – lord knows how badly you’ve needed this moment, to feel someone touch you, kiss you, and caress you.

Suddenly you feel a sense of freedom. Looking down, you find your bra straps inching down past your shoulders. Giggling, you quirk a brow at Jaemin who smirks before stealing another kiss from you.

“I need to see your body again,” he confesses.

Wiggling out of your bra, he throws it across his room. His eyes go from yours down to your face, to your décolletage, and down to your breasts. Feeling a little shy, you cover yourself, but he grabs hold of your wrists pulling your arms apart.

“Never cover yourself. You’re still as beautiful as the first day I saw you,” he reassures.

“R-Really?” You ask, your face warming up by the second.

“Actually,” he takes a step back, his hand resting under his chin as he glances you over, a dark hunger in his gaze. “Now that I’m looking at you, I have to say no.”

Your head shoots up in shock, eyes instantly becoming watery. “Wh-What?”

“You’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” He smiles sweetly. “It must be the glow of a strong, beautiful woman and mother,” he wraps an arm around you. “Honestly, you’re a lot hotter than before too.”

“Jae-Jaemin!!!!” You slap his bare chest lightly.

“If things go well,” he dips his head down placing a kiss at the center of your décolletage, “maybe we should try again – this time however, with both of us on board.” He glances up at you.

“You mean another little one?”

His lips slide to one of your breasts. Jaemin keeps a firm hold of you, your back arching up as he wraps his lips around your nipple. Nodding he sucks on the erect bud before giving it a playful nibble causing you to squeak. With one final suckle he pulls back smiling from ear to ear.

“That is, if you’re okay with the idea.”

Whether it was the crazy storm of emotions roaring through your body, the lust of wanting Jaemin to take you here and now, or deep down you would love to see your little boy have a brother or sister to play with – you eagerly wrap your arms around him, jumping up and down where you stand.

“Let’s do it!”

Jaemin chuckles as he watches you turn into the cutest person in the world before him. “Are you sure? I mean we could talk to Dr. Kwon and see if she –”

“Na Jaemin!” You state firmly. “If you do not drag me over to your bed and plow into me in the next two seconds I will never forgive you for ruining the moment!”

Before you even realize it, you’re dragged from the door and flung onto the bed with Jaemin crawling on top of you. “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I ruined this moment. Your wish is my command, my love.”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Haechan covers his mouth as he turns from you. “So essentially you two –” he becomes quiet.

“Had sex and started to restore our relationship? Yes, we did.”

“But that was a long time ago. There is no saying things didn’t turn south once more.”

“It was not even three years ago, Haechan. How can you think that I would not only lie to you about what happened but actually hurt my husband? Yes, in the past I was in a different head space but that doesn’t mean that I was or am even remotely in the same headspace. We were once a family. I know what I was about to do was wrong. I know, I understand and I myself regret telling you. It was something that Jaemin and I promised we would never bring up again.”

Glancing your way, his face looking exhausted he asks, “did he really do those terrible things to you?”

Standing up you grab your purse. “If you want to know the specifics of Jaemin’s state of mind and what happened to not only myself but to him, I suggest talking to Dr. Kwon. I stopped seeing her personally after the first year. I got what I could from her, but Jaemin –  he kept his promise to me, he promised he would keep going so nothing like what he put me through would happen again, and he kept it! And I kept my promise as well by keeping my mouth shut of all the shitty things he did to me.

“The only people we ever told were Dr. Kwon, apparently Jeno (which I didn’t know Jaemin told him), and now you – or should I say and now anyone and everyone who will hear that stunt you pulled. You can be mad all you want, you can hate me, you can try to end my life yourself because what I did was terrible! But unless you were there, unless you went through what I did you have no fucking idea how badly I wanted to escape, how badly I wanted to get back to my life, to my parents!”

Opening your purse you take out one of Dr. Kwon’s business cards you took from her office. Slamming the card down onto the interrogation table in front of Haechan you turn to the door. “Call her before coming back to talk to me. I’m not running and I’m not hiding anymore. But I swear to you Haechan, I didn’t hurt him. I could never hurt him!”

You head to the door and just as you are stepping out Haechan calls your name, halting you before you take one more step. “The body,” he utters. “It’s not…it wasn’t,” he twitches with irritation. “The body wasn’t Jaemin and there are absolutely no traces of a dog there at all.”

Slowly you turn back to him, eyes widened and mouth hung open in shock. “What did you just say?”

“When I was called out I was handed that vanilla folder.” He looks down at the table before him, your eyes following as you both stare at the folder sitting haphazardly at the table's edge. “Inside is the report from not only the coroner, but also the officers on site and pictures of the scene. It’s of a person’s body, badly burnt, but they are not Jaemin’s remains. According to the coroner they seem to belong to someone by the name of, Michael Krest. Do you know who this person is?” He asks.

In that moment your body gives out and you crash to the floor, hard. “Shit!” Haechan rushes over. “Help! Please!” Within seconds multiple officers plow through the door, some almost running both you and Haechan over in their haste. “Please someone get me a water and damp towel. She just fell.” He orders the others.

“On it!” You hear one of them speak.

“You know who the man is don’t you?” Haechan asks you while you’re lifted off the floor and placed back in the chair. “Who is he?”

How can this be? You haven’t seen him in years. What was he doing at your house? Why was he at your house? And why is he dead?!

“Here’s the water!” The officer who left rushes over to you handing you the bottle but instead of taking it from him, he starts to freak out. “Ma’am, ma’am,” he gets down on his haunches trying to get you to respond. “Ma’am, please say something…”

“H…H…” you huff out the sound of the letter h.

“H?” He looks at Haechan who shrugs.

“He’s…He’s…” your body starts to tremble. “H-How?” You look at Haechan. “HOW?!” You scream as if you’re seconds from being killed – scaring Haechan, everyone in the room and those outside of it. “Why in the hell was he at our home? Why is he dead? How did he die?!!! What the fuck is going on?” You grab at the roots of your hair. “I dumped him!!!! I haven’t seen him since I left him?! Why the hell was he at my home?”

“He’s an ex?” Haechan glances down at the folder shocked.

“He never tried to contact me before. I never heard from him after I left him. Why was he at my house?” You ask Haechan, tears pouring from your eyes.

Scratching the back of his neck his eyes dart from the folder to you. “I believe I’m supposed to ask you that question.”

“Well how the fuck do I know?!” You scream once again – this time those not involved in the interrogation slowly start exiting the room, leaving Haechan alone to face your wrath. “Honestly,” your bottom lip quivers. “I haven’t seen him since I broke up with his cheating ass. There’s absolutely no reason for him to have been at my house. Hell, how did he even find me?!”

“There is a reason for him to have been at your house, and that reason is you. As to how he got there, I don’t know, did your parents meet him or something?”

“Yeah they met him once or twice in the later stages of our relationship. I thought he was going to be the one before I found him balls deep in some slut backstage.”

“Backstage?” Haechan raises a curious brow.

“He’s in a band, or was… I guess… When I saw him cheating on me I dumped him right then and there. I even cleared out his belongings from my apartment and left them at the front desk for him so I wouldn’t have to deal with him personally.”

“So you had an issue with him as well?”

Your head whips around towards Haechan, a furious glare in your eyes. Not again, not this time. He will NOT try to blame you for Michael’s death.

“Did I have an issue with him, yes I did. I was cheated on. I caught him in the act of cheating. I was pissed the fuck off – hence throwing his stuff into boxes and taking them down to the front desk. I didn’t hear from him after a simple apology note after a week of me catching him, with a simple ‘I’m sorry ~ Michael’ on it. I never once looked for him, or cared to look for him. But despite the dislike I have for him I would never wish any harm such as this to come to him. I swear, Haechan. I do not know why he was at our home.”

“I believe you,” he rubs the bridge of his nose. “But now we have a whole new set of problems. Why was he at your home in the first place? What happened to him prior to the fire before his death which appears to be smoke inhalation due to the fire. And where the fuck is Jaemin?”

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Wiggling about in ecstasy on the couch, your hands at the bend of your knees while your legs are spread wide open for Jaemin – you let out whimper after whimper as he runs his fingers up and down your glistening folds. His eyes staring daggers into yours, he watches as you come undone before him.

“J-Jaemin,” you cry out. “Please!!!”

Snickering he brings his fingers up to his lips and one by one he slides his fingers into his mouth coating them in his saliva. When he’s finished he brings his fingers back down to your pulsating core and slides them over your sensitive nub.

“Does my baby need a little attention?” He asks you sweetly.

“Mmmm…” you respond, lips clenched tightly together.

With the flick of his middle finger he starts to toy with your clit. Closing your eyes tightly you do your best not to make a single sound that would wake your sleeping child. At night and his nap time are the only times the two of you manage to have time for yourselves. And while you were expecting a little quickie when your baby is asleep – the sensational feeling of Jaemin teasing and edging you has you thinking otherwise.

“Wow, look at this,” he grabs your attention. Holding up his hand he shows you how his fingers are now coated in your juices. “You’re so wet baby,” he smiles before popping each finger into his mouth. “So good,” he hums delightfully. “But I think you can do better, don’t you?”

“B-Better?” Your body starts to grow warm all over. The goosebumps you felt in the beginning have multiplied, your breathing starts to get faster turning into small pants. Your toes wiggle and curl the more he rubs his fingers over your bundle of nerves.

“Yes, a lot better, or should I say wetter?” He gives you the darkest smirk you’ve ever seen before plunging two of his fingers into you.

Your head and eyes roll back as your grip on your legs tighten. “Jae-Jaemin!!!” You squeak. Chucking with glee, he lowers his head down to your pulsing clit and slurps up all of your juices he’s caused to spill from you. “Shit!!!” You say a little too loudly.

“Shhh, baby, don’t wake him.” Jaemin warns. “I have another round planned for us during this break.” He smiles against you.

“Th-Then go easy on me, please…” you beg.

“I can’t do that, not when you’re this irresistible.”

And with that he dives down again smothering his face into your folds. His tongue and fingers working together at lightning speed to push you closer and closer to the edge. Your chest rises and falls quickly, your mouth hangs open as saliva trails down onto your chest. Small whimpers and moans keep coming from you the more Jaemin lapse over you and rams his fingers inside of you.

“Jae-Jae-Jae…” you can’t get out his whole name as your body starts to loosen up from your grip. Your hands unclenching from your knees has them lowering down to Jaemin, but with a quick reaction he catches one of your legs which causes you to stop.

Popping his head up for a second, his lips swollen and coated in your slick he gives your clit a little lick which has you clenching around his fingers. “Keep your legs up and open for me baby. As much as I wouldn’t mind being smothered by your thighs, I want to see your beautiful face when you cum, okay?”

“Shit!” You clench around his fingers once more.

“Tell me when I’ve found the spot, alright baby?”

“Mmmmmm…” you slide down further into the couch.

Curling his fingers inside of you, Jaemin feels around trying to find your most sensitive spot. Only having found it a few other times (purely by accident as he pounded his cock inside of you until you came around him) the exact location is still trying to be blueprinted. While one hand is coaxing you into bliss, his other hand hovers over your clit, his middle finger occasionally brushing against you.

“Jaemin!” You whine.

“Not until you tell me when I’ve gotten the right spot,” he pulls his fingers out of you, but not completely.

“WAIT!” You gasp, alarming him. “Slowly push them back in,” you instruct.

Doing as instructed, Jaemin pushes his fingers back inside of you until he feels your body shake below him. Not needing a word of confirmation he curls his fingers, and goes to town pushing you beyond your wildest dreams. In a matter of seconds you go from feeling wonderful, sweetly nestled into the couch – to scrambling to sit up a little, almost as if to get away while Jaemin’s fingers work you over from both inside and out.   

“Jae-Jae-Jae!!!” You start chanting. “Faster, faster!!!!!” Foregoing your clit, Jaemin holds onto his wrist and uses both his arms to shove his fingers inside of you. “Yes! Yes! Yes!!!” You scream behind your hand to keep your voice to a minimum.

Suddenly a burst from you has your eyes rolling to the back of your head, your body quivering and shaking. Your hands grip onto the couch while wet noises come from you and fill the room along with your panting.

“That’s my girl!!!!” Jaemin smiles proudly when he sees your pussy squirting, coating his forearm, fingers, shirt and lap. “I knew you could do it.”

As you come down from your high, Jaemin drinks up the remaining juices that drip from you before standing up. “Ready for round two?” He asks while unzipping his pants. Not saying a word you open your arms wide for him – inviting him into your space to do whatever he pleases. Sliding out of his jeans and briefs he runs his soaked fingers up and down his shaft while his bottom lip is trapped between his teeth. “Shit, baby…” he runs his other hand through his newly dyed blonde locks. “I could get off just staring at you like this.”

“No…” you pout and whine sitting up onto the couch. “I want you inside of me,” you pull him towards you, his hand moving away from his cock. “Deep,” you take hold of his length. “Deep,” you give the tip a little smooch. “Deep inside of me,” you state before wrapping your lips around him, sliding your mouth and tongue up and down his shaft coating it with your saliva.

“Fuck,” he curses. “Keep it up and I’ll need to eat you out again before I’m ready to go once more,” he chuckles.

Pulling back a sinister look on your face and a speck of mischief in your eyes you wiggle your tongue across the slit of his cock. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that.”

“Neither would I,” he pulls back from you, dipping down for a kiss. “But like you said so sexily, I want to be buried deep,” he starts moving down to you, your body moving away allowing him more space on the couch. “Deep,” he hikes up one of your legs while he settles in between them. “Deep inside of you,” he mumbles against your lips as he slides his cock inside of you.

Hissing at the feeling of entering you, he resituates himself until he’s comfortable. “We’ll need a third, fourth, and fifth round tonight.” He chuckles and starts to move in and out of you. “Fuck baby,” he smiles while ramming his hip into yours, your hands instinctively go to his wrists as you hold on tight. “You feel so good…” he grunts and starts moving faster driving you deeper and deeper into the couch.

Your hips meet every single thrust of his pushing both of you further into sensuous bliss…

ⓗ  ⓤ  ⓝ  ⓣ  ⓔ  ⓡ

Sitting in the car next to Jeno your mind races while your fingers are snagged between your teeth. What the hell is really going on? Your leg shakes nervously as the conversation with Haechan replays before your eyes again and again. Jaemin…He’s… but if he was why hasn’t he shown himself yet? If he was alive he wouldn’t just leave you and his son alone, right?

As you draw closer to your old neighborhood the memories of that fateful day start to replay before your eyes…

‘Babe,’ you call out to Jaemin who was upstairs in his office. ‘Can you come down here please?’

‘Mama, where are we going?’ Tiny little hands tug on your shirt.

‘Well, we’re going to have a little picnic so I can tell daddy some good news!’ You boop your son's nose.

‘What news?’

Playfully putting your hands on your hips, you puff out your cheeks. ‘Not so fast you little trickster. You’ll know when daddy knows.’

Mocking your pose he pouts. ‘But I wanna know now!’ He whines.

‘What do you want to know, little man?’ Jaemin swoops down picking him up and causing both of you to giggle.

‘Mama has a secret to tell us!’ He squeals with laughter as Jaemin throws him over his shoulder.

‘A secret? What is this secret?’ His brows wiggle.

Sighing you shake your head and turn to the picnic basket you have in your hands. ‘Like father like son,’ you wave both of them off. ‘I was hoping you could spare the afternoon for a nice picnic at the park. We can bring Nana and the boys with us too!’

Huffing behind you, you leap forward at the familiar growl of discontent from Nana. ‘Speak of the devil (literally…)’ You whisper under your breath.

‘I…’ Jaemin puts your son down, sighing. ‘Why don’t you go outside and play with Nana and the boys, okay buddy?’

‘Okay!’ He squeaks and pats his tiny lap. ‘Come on Nana, let’s go play!’

Rushing out of the kitchen you watch your son and the happiest demon dog to ever walk the face of the earth, gleefully leave out the front door to the front yard.

‘Babe, I can’t go out this afternoon. I’m expecting a call from a client. Is there any way we can reschedule?’

‘I thought that call wasn’t going to be until tonight,’ your shoulders start to slump forward. ‘Can’t you just bring your cell phone and step away when the call comes through?’

‘It’s a business call, you know I don’t take them on my personal phone. Plus, it’s an important call. I can’t exactly bring on a new client while our son is screaming –” as if knowing his cue both of you jump at the sound of your son's laughter coming through the opened door. ‘See,’ he points to the door. ‘I can’t have that going on.’

‘But I mean… not even for two hours? You can’t spare us two hours?’

Running an exasperated hand through his hair, he looks from you to the basket, to your son. ‘Really babe, I’d love to but I can’t… Not this time…’

‘I see…’ you turn from him and grab the picnic basket. ‘I guess we’ll just go and give you the evening to have your business call. We’ll be back after dark.’ You head out of the kitchen and into the living room.

‘Babe! Please!’ Jaemin shouts behind you. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘I understand, Jaemin.’ You wave him off. ‘Sweetie, head over to the car and I’ll meet you there.’ You shout to your son.

‘Why does daddy look sad?’ He stops immediately when he sees Jaemin’s solemn expression.

‘Daddy can’t join us, he has a very important phone call to make.’ You bend down to him and stroke the top of his head. ‘He said he’ll join us another day.’

‘B-But the sandwiches, the secret…’ he looks back at Jaemin. ‘Daddy we need to hear mama’s secret…’

Glancing at you, you quickly turn from Jaemin. ‘We’ll find out another time buddy. Don’t worry I’ll make sure mommy doesn’t forget.’

‘Promise?’ He walks up to Jaemin holding out his tiny pink finger.

‘I promise…’ Jaemin bends down to him and wraps his finger around his baby boy's finger. ‘Now, as the man I’m going to need you to protect your mom for me while we’re apart, okay?’ He asks. ‘If any strange person tries to approach her, what do you do?’

‘GET BACK YOU CREEPY MAN!!!!!!!’ Your son shouts loud enough to scare both you and Jaemin. ‘Right, daddy?!’ He asks proudly.

Holding back a laugh, you roll your eyes. ‘That’s right,’ he gives him a kiss on the cheek before standing up. ‘Really, I’m sorry. We’ll do this again soon, okay?’ His eyes quiver with uncertainty.

Nodding, you take hold of your little boy's hand. ‘Of course, I still have a secret to tell.’

‘I’ll see you when you get back sweetie,’ he wraps his arm around your waist bringing you in for a sweet kiss.

‘Maybe we’ll be back a little earlier than expected,’ you wink. ‘Okay, let’s get to the park before all the good swings are taken!’

‘YEAH!!!!!!!!’

‘Be safe!’ Jaemin shouts as you leave through the front door.

‘We will. We’ll be back in about two hours.’

‘I’ll be here!’ He waves before closing the door.

Just as you were heading for the garage you realize you left the bag that has a blanket and a few treats and toys for the dogs inside.

‘Sweetie, come back here for a second. Mommy forgot something inside.’ You call back to your son. He runs back up to you with the two boy dogs, Nana having walked into the home after you parted with Jaemin. ‘Do you remember where you left mommy’s bag with the blanket inside?’

‘I left it by the door.’ He points to the front door.

‘Okay we just need to –’

Shaking your head you stop the rest of that memory from resurfacing. In the matter of seconds a loud, powerful, gust of wind blasted through the door sending both you and your son back and the dogs running away. Covering him up with your body you kept him safe from what felt like a raging ball of fire spewing from inside of your home.

When you felt it was safe enough to move you told your little boy to run and to not look back, but you yourself looked back to see your beautiful home engulfed in a beastly fire. Tears poured down onto your face, your legs froze where you stood – your heart reaching out to where you knew Jaemin was still inside. Almost dragging you back to the fiery beast if not for your son’s small hand clenching your own – no one could have survived that… not even…

Pulling into his driveway Jeno parks his car, turns it off and immediately you hear a tired breath come from him. “What happened?” He turns to you. “What happened with Haechan? You’ve been eerily quiet since I picked you up. Did he say something? Or,” he pauses and gulps loudly. “Did he try to hurt you again?”

“Jeno,” you whisper quietly. “What are the odds of someone surviving that fire?”

Taken aback he takes off his seatbelt so he can turn to you. “What are you talking about? You were there… and I drove back a few days after. Your house is completely leveled. No one, not even Superman himself could have survived that fire.”

“The police found a body…”

“Yeah but we both knew that, remember? That’s why you were down there to talk about the body. Did they prove you didn’t do anything?” He takes hold of your hand worriedly. “Is this mess going to end?”

“Not even close,” slowly your head turns to Jeno, a wild look in your eyes. “The body they found wasn’t Jaemin’s. It was of Michael Krest…”

“Michael Krest, who the hell is that?”

“My ex-boyfriend.”

Jeno drops your hand from his ever so slowly as he leans back, his back now resting against his car door. “What the…”

“Jeno, I think Jaemin is alive… and I think… he had someone else trapped in that maze after me…”

Speechless, both you and Jeno sit in his car in an eerie silence. Both of your heads spinning out of control with the news that you’ve just found out and uttered. Jeno was right, no one could have possibly lived through that fire, hence Michael’s body. The real questions still remain: why was Michael at your home in the first place? Did Jaemin do something terrible to him? Did he lock him down in the maze as he did to you? What caused that explosion? Is Jaemin still alive and if so, how did he escape? Is Nana with him? If he did escape and is out there why hasn’t he come to get you and your son?

“We-We should get inside and you can tell me everything that happened at the precinct. Alright?” Jeno asks in a shaky voice. “None of this makes sense…”

“You’re telling me,” you sigh, undoing your seatbelt. “Haechan did say that he was going to stop by at the end of the week so maybe he’ll have found more information by then. I just… none of this makes any sense, Jeno. None of it…”

“I’m sorry,” he reaches out and places his hand on top of yours once more. “I’m sorry for everything he’s caused and is still causing. I should have said something years ago when I found out, but I…”

Shaking your head you pat the top of his hand. “It’s okay, I did this to myself. I chose him once, then hated him, chose him again, and now I just have question after question for him. Maybe when this is all said and done I’ll finally have all the answers to them, hopefully that is.”

“Yeah, hopefully...”

Jeno gets out of the car and quickly comes over to your side and opens the door for you, and helps you get out. Giving you a secure arm to lean against the two of you walk up to his house to find a piece of paper taped to his front door, with your name on it.

“Were you expecting someone?” Jeno asks, taking the paper and handing it to you while he opens the door.

“No,” you open it up. “I…”

Immediately all the blood drains from your face, and for the second time your knees give out and you fall to the ground.

“Yah!!!!” Jeno quickly grabs hold of you and pulls you back to your feet. “What happened? Are you okay? Here, let’s get you inside…”

“Jeno…” you start crying. “Jeno….”

“What happened? What hurts?” He leads you to the couch in his living room. Crouching down in front of you, he holds the side of your face in his hands as he looks at you terrified. “What is it?” Holding out the paper to him, it shakes and jiggles frantically in your grasp. “The note?” He asks. Taking it from you he opens it and just like you, the blood drains from his face and he falls back onto his butt on the floor. “What the fuck is going on?”

Rule 8, if the hunter finds himself incapable of being the hunter then the title of hunter goes to his former prey. When this change happens it is now the new hunters job to seek out the prey.

Come find me, hunter.

~ Jaemin

#jaemin smut #na jaemin smut #jaemin #jaemin fanfic #jaemin horror fanfic #jaemin nct dream #jaemin nct #nct jaemin #nct fanfic #nct fanfiction smut #jaemin fanfiction #jaemin fanfiction smut

[dracatyo]

ㅤ ㅤ 𝗉͟𝗌͟𝗒͟𝖼͟𝗁͟𝗈͟𝗅͟𝗈͟𝗀͟𝗂͟𝖼͟𝖺͟𝗅͟ 𝗁͟𝗈͟𝗋͟𝗋͟𝗈͟𝗋ㅤ 𓋹㙜̲‑㘜⠀ ⠀🖥️ㅤㅤㅤ

#moodboard #aesthetic #kpop moodboard #nct wayv #nct moodboard #nct dream #alternative moodboard #dark moodboard #black moodboard #horror #edgy moodboard #scenecore #emocore #park jisung #jisung moodboard #bg moodboard #messy bios #kpop aesthetic #kpop icons #aestethic #icons kpop #white moodboard

[sexybombom]

jaemin!vampiro

tw: linguagem inapropriada, dirty talk (bem leve), menção a sangue, menção a assassinato, nana louco e meio psicótico porque eu tô assim dazidéia

sinopse: você só nota que se encantou com a pessoa errada quando é tarde de mais.

🕸️Espero que você tenha a pior leitura de toda sua vida!🕸️ 1,1 k de palavras

𝐋𝐨𝐬t 𝐈𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬

Podia dizer que a boate se encontrava cheia, não tanto como as outras da cidade, mas mesmo assim não podia negar que tinha bastante gente alí dentro.

Umas amigas haviam a chamado para se divertir um pouco depois da semana de provas que acabara de acontecer na faculdade.

Foi em busca de uma bebida, tentou andar até o bar em busca de algo gelado para relaxá-la mais na noite descontraída.

E no meio desse monte de pessoas dançando, cantando, bebendo e fumando loucamente, você trombou nele.

Sim, de todas as pessoas, seus ombros tocaram agressivamente os do Na.

Pediu desculpas e seguiria em frente se não fosse os olhos de certa forma hipnotizantes, que estranhamente te deixaram com a sensação que deveria ficar ali ao lado dele, o observando e apreciando a beleza tão diferente em meio aos rostos ocidentais.

O sorriso que crescia dos lábios grandes e brilhantes era lindo e você gostou de ser a razão daquele sorriso.

Um "precisa de ajuda, princesa?" E você quase — pois as mãos dele te rodearam a tempo — se desmanchou no chão. Pensou que fosse o álcool mas nem havia bebido assim, estava se sentindo completamente "sã" antes de olhar para o homem em sua frente.

Suas mãos fortes segurando em sua cintura, você se sentindo tonta pelo aperto e ele satisfeito com seu cheiro.

Pela aproximação ele sentia seu cheiro super forte, o perfume que transmitia elegância e poder ao mesmo tempo havia o deixado atordoado.

Mas o que ele realmente havia amado era seu cheiro, não o do perfume, o da sua pele.

Ele passou o nariz pela região, esfregou e inspirou seu aroma narina a dentro.

Você quase derreteu com a ação, ficou perdidinha.

"Você é tão cheirosa, amor." Você se arrepiou e ele riu levemente.

O som alto da música parecia desaparecer de seus ouvidos, sua respiração ficava acelerada assim como os batimentos de seu coração.

Jaemin notava tudo isso, achava engraçado como seu coração estava rápido até de mais por um 'simples' elogio.

"Posso saber seu nome?"

Você ainda meio receosa, decidiu lhe dizer o seu nome, não teria mal nenhum, certo?

Você ficou quieta em seguida, esperando que ele dissesse o nome dele também.

"Na Jaemin."

Ele deslizou e apertou mais as mãos em sua cintura e você enlouqueceu de vez. Não se controlou e o Na pôde jurar que não se controlaria também quando ouviu o leve gemido que saiu soltinho de seus lábios.

"Posso te beijar, princesa?" Ele soltou charminho, e quando ouviu um "Deve" certeiro saindo da sua boca carnuda e brilhante, ele não perdeu tempo e atacou seus beiços em um beijo lento, sentia sua língua tocando na dele, as mãos que passeavam pelo seu corpo. Não quis apenas ficar parada, pousou as suas mãos na cintura dele e deu um puxão de leve, pelo ato repentino Jaemin ficou surpreso, porém, derreteu com a ação. Ele separou o beijo, olhando em seus olhos, de seguida no beiço inchadinho e vermelho. Voltou a te beijar, agora um pouco mais desesperado.

Começava a ficar frustrada, nem conhecia ele, mas o queria mais que tudo naquele momento e sabia que não o poderia ter naquele local.

"Vamos para algum lugar sem pessoas."

E ele sorriu, vitorioso.

"Precisa que alguém soque nessa bucetinha logo, não é, meu amor?" Você sentiu suas bochechas esquentarem fortemente e sentiu Jaemin te tirando do local gentilmente.

É...

Você certamente não pensava que estaria na situação de agora.

Você sentia seus cabelos entrarem no meio da sua visão e se desesperava a cada segundo que passava, seus passos pareciam ficar mais embolados cada vez que os tentava acelerar. A figura atrás de ti continuava te perseguindo, se saboreando de tamanho medo e insegurança.

Você chorava, implorava para que ele parasse.

Porque aceitou sair com um total estranho?

"Ah princesa... Você não precisa ficar com medo, eu só preciso de um pouco de sangue, meu amor."

"Para de me chamar assim!" Você dava tudo de si para gritar o mais alto possível, mas as lágrimas e soluços impediam isso de acontecer. Jaemin sorria grande, se sentia quase cheio de tanta angústia que você soltava. Sua imagem, sua voz, repletos de desespero.

Ele amava isso.

Você tropeçou quando acelerou mais os passos, caiu torcendo o tornozelo. Gritou pela dor e pelo sufoco de saber que ele se aproximava cada vez mais.

"Ah, querida... Você se machucou?" A voz carregada de ironia chegava a te irritar. "Vem aqui p'ro Nana cuidar de você, vem."

"Sai de perto de mim!" Você gritou mais alto, tentou despistar ele que caminhava em passos lentos enquanto você corria. Virou no meio do passeio entrando num beco comprido, andou entre o local escuro, tentou achar uma saída. Sem sucesso.

Era um beco sem saída.

"Não... Não, não, não, NÃO!" Olhou em volta, procurou uma saída, tinha que ter uma!

Mas a única coisa que encontrou foi Jaemin encostado na parede do beco escuro e frio.

Quis chorar mais, quis gritar como nunca antes. Lembrava-se de todas as vezes que ouviu de sua mãe como não confiar em estranhos quando criança, ou quando via filmes, desenhos e livros que tentavam transmitir essa mensagem.

Como era burra.

"Parece que você realmente não tem como fugir de mim, não é mesmo, princesa?"

Você o olhou com medo, raiva.

"Hum... Não vai me responder, amor?" E o silêncio de sua parte permanece. "Que rude da sua parte."

Ele se aproximou e você encolheu na parede gelada. Não tinha mais o que fazer.

"Você... Vai me matar?"

Ele sorriu e soltou um leve ar pelo nariz.

Ele observou bem seus olhinhos inchados, o nariz vermelhinho pelo choro e também pelo frio. Ele tocou rapidamente na ponta do seu nariz com o indicador.

"Plim!" Ele se inclinou em sua direção, agachando um pouco a cabeça pela diferença de tamanho. "É claro que vou meu amor, como te deixaria viva depois de saber que você está assim tristonha por minha causa?"

Você chorou mais, e mais.

Não estava preparada para morrer tão jovem.

Iria até tentar implorar por sua vida, mas os caninos afiados já haviam drenado maior parte do seu corpo.

No dia seguinte você já se dava como desaparecida. Seus amigos e familiares preocupados pelo sumiço repentino.

Na observava a televisão com certo interesse, vendo a cara dos policiais dizendo como estavam confusos pois não havia nenhuma prova, nenhuma pista deixada para trás.

Jaemin segurava seu anel dado por sua mãe nas mãos e se recordava do sabor do seu sangue fresco descendo pela garganta.

Ele olhou para o lado, vendo seu cadáver ali, na grande caixa transparente.

Via seus lábios sem cor, sua pele pálida, e reparava como você foi feita para estar alí, com ele.

Afinal, desde que ele pousou os olhos sobre você quando estava na cafetaria comprando um frapuccino, a umas semanas atrás, ele sabia que te queria para ele e só ele. Desde esse dia ele sabia que ele seria a causa da sua morte.

E então ele sorriu bem abertamente, reparando em como você era perfeita.

Mesmo quando estava completamente sem vida.

Você era a certa para estar junto de Na Jaemin.

#nct #nct dream #na jaemin #jaemin x reader #horror fiction #hallowen #vampire fiction #fem reader #sexybombom

[last-of-the-jaded]

Who in NCT Dream is your best bet at surviving a horror movie scenario?

Jisung: Unless it’s something to do with running that man is dead. The second that you reach a puzzle it’s goodnight Sweet Prince.

Chenle: I feel like our horror movie fanatic would be so into it, and turn into an amused critic, that he’d end up getting everyone around him killed.

Jaemin: Roll of a coin with this one. Depending on his mood he will either get you out of there no issue or sit back and let death take him like angel’s wings.

Mark: Beautiful emotional rock of a man would make you hard carry the gore and heights and jump scares and psycho killers. It’s not fair, but if you’ve got the will…

Renjun: He would leap to assist the group with anything, even as he overthinks the same puzzle for over an hour, and jumps at the slightest noise. It’s teamwork, even if the chances of survival are slim.

Haechan: Mind like a saw-trap going a thousand miles a minute. If you don’t get in his way or slow him down I feel like it’s a good bet.

Jeno: A physically-force-it type of problem solver, who would live a long time, but most likely get caught due to following a shoddy order or idea because he’s too loyal to question motives.

#nct dream #nct #nct dream imagines #this is 100% a joke I just found myself thinking about this today ok #genuinely this is probably so ooc I just snorted thinking about it #in case it’s not obviously but like I meant all there in like purely platonic ways… I want more good fun imagines #also I love them all none of these are meant negatively ok #but also does anyone know any good nct dream horror fics? let me know

[ellamacman]

HI WANNA VIBE DM LETS VIBE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HOOKUP SERVICE AM FREE AM

#outfit inspiration #mua #naruto #natural hair #nature #nct dream #music #1950s #nct 127 #nasa #sexy content #sexy titts #seventeen #sexy pose #sexy tease #maka albarn #soul eater #sexy breast #trans am #crona #hony #hot nude #house md #niall horan #welcome home #hazbin hotel #so hot 🔥🔥🔥 #hot as fuck #horror #the owl house

[princesstaeille]

Seeds

summary: donghyuck gets distracted while picking strawberries, so doyoung goes to find him.

genre(s): farm!au, horror

warning(s): gore, food as horror, mentions of dead animals (pls let me know if there are more)

wc: 636

notes: inspired by this post. if you enjoyed reading, pls like/reblog and comment! thank you xxx

"Donghyuck, supper's ready!"

Doyoung trudges through the tall, yellowing grass and searches for the boy in the vast field.

A calm wind blows in from the west and sends the wheat dancing, swaying gently. The delicate smell of strawberries weaves through the field and leads Doyoung to where the wheat becomes sparse, and the sea of golden grain mingles with bright green leaves until it's no longer. Now, before him, lies rows of strawberry plants that house hundreds of small jewels, which glisten when the sunlight kisses them.

There, he finds Donghyuck, who, in the company of Daegal, plucks a ruby from its stem and drops it into his mouth. Occasionally, he tosses one into the tan and worn wicker basket beside him.

Doyoung wipes the sweat from his brow and sighs. "You know you're supposed to pick the strawberries, not eat them all before everyone else, right?" He lightly glowers, but the brunet pays no mind.

Donghyuck brings another strawberry to his lips; this one is big and plump and succulent, such a stunning red that it almost resembles the heart. He takes a big bite and savors the sweetness that floods his tongue and overtakes his senses. Juice seeps from the corners of his mouth and dribbles down his chin, staining the collar and cuffs of his shirt bright pink.

Doyoung watches as Donghyuck swipes another strawberry from its stem and notices that his fingertips are painted the same color. The juice makes a home underneath each nail and spreads thin when any pressure is applied, only to coalesce once more in a translucent pink thread.

Donghyuck uses Daegal as a napkin and rubs his sticky hands into her fur, turning the pristine white to pale red. Then, he picks up the wicker basket at his knee and holds it up. "Oh, come on, hyung. You see I picked all of these right here, don't you? This is plenty. I was just having a small snack." He smiles cheekily and tilts his head. "A reward for all my hard work."

Doyoung wants to roll his eyes at the comment but freezes at seeing Donghyuck's smile.

His lips are dyed the same red as his fingertips, and the color trickles down his neck, but he makes no move to wipe the mess from his mouth. Skin and flesh stick to his gums and sink into the crevices; the juice coats his tongue and teeth and drips from his canines. Seeds are caught between the gaps, and his tongue tries to push them free. Like trapped golden beetles, they crawl and squirm, only to be crushed by their enamel cages.

Doyoung recoils with a scowl. "Make sure to wash up before supper. You'll scare away everyone's appetite if you show up like that."

A slight pout supplants the grimace that once rested on Donghyuck's face. His tongue, hidden by pursed lips, wiggles around his mouth some before he spits a wad of seed and saliva out into the grass. He wipes his mouth with a sleeved hand for good measure.

"This year's harvest seems extra ripe." Donghyuck hoists the basket up and holds it on his hip, staring proudly at the picked strawberries. "And we probably have enough to sell. Make a nice cake or something with them, maybe a lemonade since it's getting warmer."

Doyoung peers into the basket and studies them. They are ripe, and full of juice, too. Bursting with it, almost. The strawberries bloat and bulge, skin stretched thin and transparent. The juice courses throughout like blood. A basketful of tiny hearts, thrumming with life. "Mhm," he replies half-heartedly.

Donghyuck chirps at Daegal. "Come on, girl," he bids, and the dog rises from its place in the grass where it rested so peacefully it almost looked dead, pristine white fur tainted red.

thank you so much for reading! please leave a like and a comment. reblogs are appreciated too!

#nct #nct 127 #kpop boys #nct fanfic #fanfic #horror #nct dream #nct horror #nct scenarios #nct doyoung #haechan #nct imagines #kpop drabbles #kpop scenarios #kpop imagines #nct drabbles #writers on tumblr #writing #nct haechan #lee donghyuck #kim doyoung #doyoung #nct dream imagines #nct dream scenarios #nct 127 scenarios #nct 127 imagines

[orecana]

Once upon a time

Nct dream ot7 x male reader

Hello everybody, Orecana here is back with another fic for you guys. i've decided to try to write something i haven't tried after a long time, angst. As always, thank you to everyone who liked and read my fics.

WARNING: THIS STORY CONTAINS:

Main character death (y/n)

slight horror

survivor guilt

excessive crying

suicide attempts

nightmare/flashbacks

abuse/verbal assault

children were laughing, singing and dancing. They were full of joy. this is what a young boy thought as he walks timidly home. he was accompanied by another young boy. they were talking happily.

"hey! last one home is a rotten egg."

the boy's energetic friend runs off as the boy tries to warn him about cars and chases him. it was unfortunate that the friend was too excited that he failed to see the car that was in front of him when he steps onto the road to home.

"JAEMIN!"

it was a blur really, he couldn't remember what had happened but what he does know is that when he wakes up after he was pushed, He sees something that would traumatize him forever. he struggled to breath, trying to hold back tears as he see the boy, his friend with blood all over his body.

The boy screams so loud that it alerted everyone in the neighborhood. when the parents arrived to the crime scene while some neighbors tries to phone the ambulance. the boy's parents holds him like he was the most precious thing ever and caresses his arms. his friend's father tried to hit him and told him that he should have died instead of his son which resulted in a huge fight.

as they fight, the boy walks towards the body of his friend and hold his body as he sobs into it. his tears staining the white shirt they were wearing as a matching outfit. the worst part was that the boy had a smile as he lays unconscious on the road which only made jaemin cries harder.

"wake up......."

"WAKE UP!"

jaemin startles awake in his bed, gasping for air as he felt a pair of hands wrap around him.

"Jaemin, are you okay?" jeno says as he tries to calm him down

jaemin looks around seeing the faces of his group members looking at him with concerned looks. he was sweating a lot, it was a painful memory to remember. he felt a hand on his, he looks up to see renjun with a worried face.

"it's been happening for many days already jaemin-ah, i think it's time you let us know what is troubling you. i can't bear to see you cry in your sleep anymore." renjun says as he can feel his tears threatening to pour out.

jaemin looks down, feeling ashamed over his own actions. He didn't that avoiding the topic has caused so much trouble for his band members.

mark sits on the bed and rubs jaemin's shoulders as he whispers sweet nothings to him.

"don't keep your pain within yourself, darling. We're all here to help you overcome it and we'll do everything that we can do. you just have to let us in."

jaemin blushes a bit at the nickname. it has been a secret for a long time but all 7 of them were in a relationship. At first, not everyone was open to the idea of having such a relationship, but overtime everyone realized their feelings and warmed up to the idea of this relationship.

jaemin sighs as he look at everyone and takes a deep breath.

"okay, you guys better strap yourself. since we got the whole week off, i'm gonna go over every detail. please don't mind me if i cry over this, it's just a painful memory for me."

they nod and smile. this made jaemin loosen up and begins to tell about his childhood.

you see, jaemin did have a happy childhood and it was because of his friend y/n l/n. because he was kinda rich, he was only sought after because of his wealth. y/n however was not like that, he genuinely wanted to be friends with jaemin. He was hesitant at first, not knowing if y/n really wanted to be friends with him. he quickly warmed up though when y/n saved him from falling off the stairs.

it might sound silly but the genuine smile that he saw on y/n face was what made him accept the friend request. they told their respective parents about their friends and while jaemin received positive reviews, he knew something was up with y/n when he was suddenly avoiding him like a plague.

at first, he didn't mind because he didn't want to barge into unknown territories. but after a month, he had enough. He corners y/n near the library halls and started screaming at him.

"i don't know what i did wrong to make you avoid me, but AT LEAST talk to me or just tell me you're okay...."

jaemin cries as his body falls onto y/n who holds it.

"I'm sorry, my parents wanted me to use you for money. That's why i avoided you."

Jaemin smiles and y/n smiles back.

"friends?"

y/n chuckles

"friends."

After that it was so much fun for them. They hanged out together, made many fun memories. Of course until that fateful day. The car crash.

Jaemin sobs while telling the members about y/n saving him from the car crash and how he felt so guilty about it. Donghyuck caresses jaemin's hair as mark whispers sweet nothings to him.

"I'm sorry it happened to you jaemin ah."

"No, don't be sorry. It was my fault. if i didn't run, he wouldn't have died."

Jisung angrily grips jaemin by the collar of his shirt.

"It's not anyone's fault. Even if you travelled back in time, It would have still happened."

Chenle removes jisung's hand from jaemin as he tries to calm down the maknae.

"jisung is mad you're blaming yourself. But what he said is true babe. There are just some things in life that we can't change no matter what we do."

Jaemin listened to the two youngest words and he felt himself relieved of the guilt he felt just now. Then they heard something move in the room. they tried to look for where it was coming from until something dropped to the floor.

Jeno goes to check it out. He saw something on the floor amidst the dark room and picks it up.

"Uh jaemin, It appears to be a portrait of someone."

Jaemin's blood froze and instantly went to grab the portrait. No..... it can't be....

It was a portrait of 2 boys standing and hugging each other. they were smiling happily and words were carved into the portrait. It reads

"BEST FRIENDS FOREVER"

Then a noise from the bathroom broke them out of their trances. They look it with fearful expressions. Jisung slowly approaches and opens the door along with turning on the lights. He freezes when he looks at the mirror and signals the others to look as well.

It was a bloody message that reads

"Where's our most cherished place nana?"

Jaemin head hurts again as he groans painfully, seeing many visions before collapsing.

'a letter with a heart on it...... A place with many flowers...... A tall sakura tree...'

Jaemin wakes up from his flashback with the other members surrounding him again. Renjun and jeno were hugging each of his arms while the others slept around the bed.

"are you awake nana?"

jaemin looks to his left, seeing renjun giggling and pinch his cheeks.

"Yes, i am injunnie."

slowly the others got up as well because of the interaction between the two.

"i remembered something when i looked at that message."

they all look at jaemin in surprise and chenle asked what was it?

"it was our old place, i bet it's in shambles now. but i wanna see it again since the message told me to. will you guys come with me?"

He smiles a bit but it was enough to warm the others heart knowing that jaemin has recovered a bit.

"we would love to, hyung" chenle said with a smile as well

"someone should tell the manager though."

Mark sternly tells everyone as they get ready to head out. everyone nod in agreement. they don't want their manager to go on a wild goose chase for their whereabouts.

still being the leader, he decides to be the one to do it. the manager was kind and told them that it is okay but warn them to be safe and be as discreet as possible because they don't want the members to get into trouble.

mark says goodbye as he starts off the car while everybody else locks the dorm. Mark drives the car based on jaemin's directions. they started small and happy talks while they were driving, filling the atmosphere with joy. Then they arrived at that place. it was just as jaemin said nothing was the same.

It wasn't the same place that jaemin remembers. it was filled with a garden of flowers and a giant sakura tree in the middle. Now though, nothing was left, no gardens no flowers not even a sign of life was there. there was only a dead tree in the middle but jaemin knew that going there would mean something.

They all got out of the car after mark parked it somewhere safe and began walking towards the dead tree. everything was gone. The green bushes full of flowers were now dead withered and the little bugs that y/n and him would catch is nowhere to be seen. And the giant blooming sakura tree where y/n confesses that he had a crush now stood dead and hollow.

they stopped in front of the tree, frozen in their tracks. jaemin felt tears running down his cheeks as he drops to his knees. the others could do nothing but stand frozen at the sight before them.

there it was, the Corpse of y/n l/n. the state of the body was as jaemin remembers it, Blood dripping down all parts of the body, eyes closed with that horrid smile. Then the corpse moves its head up and opens its eyes, showing extremely dark eyes with small white pupils.

"You're all here. *smiles* I'm g-glad"

Jaemin stares at it in disbelief. It couldn't be....

"y-y/n?"

The corpse smiles as it stands up, walking towards the group.

"of course nana. Who else?"

jaemin rush to hug the corpse. even if it was dead and rotten but he didn't care. he missed his friend so much.

"i-i'm sorry y/n. if it weren't for me, you wouldn't have died."

y/n only smiles as he pats jaemin's back and look at the members behind him.

"it's not your fault jaemin, in fact i have a confession to make. i would have died that day even if i hadn't saved you."

jaemin was confused as he backs away from his childhood friend.

"what do you mean?" "i've tried killing myself millions of times already jaemin, it's only natural that i will die soon."

the revelation shocked jaemin very hard as he stared at y/n in disbelief. there was no way.... right?

"that day, i've consumed poison so i would die the moment i sleep. that's why i felt extremely weak and tired that day. But when i saw the car coming your way, i couldn't bear to see you die so i pushed you out of the way."

Jaemin was angry and grips the corpses shoulders. because the body was frail, a huge crack sound echo through the environment.

jeno tries to hold jaemin back but mark stopped him, shaking his head.

"let them take care of this."

Jaemin was growling at his dead friend who only smiled at him back.

" why did you kill yourself? why?"

"because my parents was gonna sell me off. they only had money because they won their gambles but when they don't and the person demanded payment, they decided to sell me off."

Jaemin only become angrier, knowing that those pieces of shit called y/n parents killed his most beloved childhood friend.

"why did you save me?" "because you still have a life. my life was already decided for me but yours was not. That's why i saved you. don't be sad jaemin ah! I'm so happy to see you accomplish a lot of things in life. i'm so glad."

y/n pushes jaemin away from him as he starts walking back to the tree. his body changing, glowing. He was his normal self now. no longer covered in blood and looking as pretty as back then only that he aged himself. his body begins to slowly fade away as jaemin screams "NO" and tries to stop him but The others hold him back as y/n smiles sadly.

"you know jaemin, my life was shit until i found you. you were the only thing in this world that kept me from moving on into the afterlife. I wanted to see you happy, just once."

The other 6 members don't know why but tears threatened to fall down their faces as well at y/n's words.

"I LOVE YOU GUYS. NCT DREAM!"

those were y/n's final words as he fade away leaving a photo album on the ground. They walk towards and grab it and opens the book.

in it were memories of y/n with all of them. all members heads begin to spin as they all recall memories that were long forgotten. how they met y/n, how they hang out, how all of them met back in their childhood.

They snapped out of it to see the album empty with only fragile papers threatened to torn at any second and only a sentence was written on it.

"I LOVE YOU GUYS. I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE HAPPY!"

They smiled at the message as mark excuses himself to go get the car so they can go home. Once they were in the car, they all look at each other. as if they were thinking the same thing, they all laugh in sync before mark starts up the car and drives them home.

Jaemin looks out the window and into the clear sky as he smile fondly.

'i hope that wherever you are now y/n, i hope you're happy. Thanks for giving me- no, for giving us such wonderful memories that we wish to forget. You gave us the strength to fight forward.'

So please y/n l/n, rest in peace. WE LOVE YOU TOO.

nct dream was finishing their concert and were walking to their favorite place to eat when a familiar person walk past them. jaemin notices and tries to grab them when they turn around smiling.

"Hello guys..."

#fanfiction #romance #gay #male idol x male reader #horror #nct dream #nct dream x male reader #na jaemin #nct x male reader #lee jeno #mark lee #lee donghyuck #haechan #huang renjun #zhong chenle #park jisung #kpop male idol x male reader

[girlneosworld]

INFERNO.

• tw: descrição violenta e sangrenta, pode vir a ser sensível. isso aqui é só tragédia sem fim, estejam prontos.

gente, purgatório é o meu xodó e eu vejo potencial nisso aqui. espero que gostem, de coração. caso tenha passado algum errinho mesmo depois da revisão, me perdoem. boa leitura ♡

oito meses antes.

Ouve o bip do sistema de segurança do apartamento apitar assim que passa pela porta. As luzes estão acesas e sente um cheiro de alho vindo da cozinha junto de um farfalhar do que deveriam ser folhas. Sorri. Jaemin chegou antes de você.

— Amor, estou em casa! — anuncia trocando os tênis pretos e pesados por um par de pantufas cinzas. Anda preguiçosamente até a cozinha e joga sua bolsa no sofá durante o percurso.

Assim que chega no cômodo é agraciada com a figura alta do seu namorado picando cebolinha na pia, de costas para você. Ele ainda está com o uniforme preto do trabalho abraçando os ombros largos e tem um boné também preto na cabeça. O garoto se vira para você e balança as sobrancelhas.

— Chegou tarde. Dia puxado? — ele pergunta e você concorda com a cabeça.

— É. Estagiar está sendo mais complicado do que eu pensei — responde com a voz cansada, sem revelar o real motivo por trás do seu atraso. Se coloca ao lado dele para lavar as mãos, bate seu quadril no dele para conseguir mais espaço. O ouve rir — O que foi? Precisa de ajuda aí?

Procura pelo pano de prato para secar as mãos e se apoia no mármore da pia. Vê o rosto bonito dele se contrair numa careta e o sorriso aumentar. Inconscientemente acaba sorrindo também. Bate com o pano branco no peito dele.

— Assim que eu saí da operação eu passei no mercado. Vamos comer yakisoba no jantar — ele diz e direciona os olhos da faca para você — 'Tô rindo porque estava com saudade. Só isso.

Agora é sua vez de rir. Tira o objeto cortante das mãos dele e se põe entre ele e a pia. Passa os braços pela cintura magra e descansa a cabeça no peito malhado. Ali, consegue ouvir os batimentos tranquilos do coração alheio. Encontra em Jaemin o descanso para todo o seu tormento do dia. Se aperta ainda mais nele. Sente os olhos ficando úmidos quando ele passa a acariciar seu cabelo. Droga.

— Senhorita? Está me ouvindo?

A voz da mulher a sua frente te tira do devaneio rápido, estava desassociando. Os olhos piscam alguns pares de vezes antes de voltar a enxergar as luzes fortes, as paredes brancas. Morde o lábio quando se recorda de onde está, é o consultório da sua médica. Está no hospital. Suspira.

— Sim, doutora Kim, estou ouvindo. — responde finalmente e dá um meio sorriso. Ou tenta sorrir, pelo menos.

Observa ela assentir e te entregar um amontoado de papéis sobre um envelope pardo. As mãos tremem na hora de receber e só sabe ficar atônita. Até mesmo respondê-la era uma missão difícil. Portanto, opta apenas por ouvir e acenar com a cabeça na esperança de que ela apenas termine logo a consulta.

— É uma notícia difícil de se digerir, meu bem, eu sei. Mas eu fico feliz de te dizer isso, te contar que estão saudáveis e vou ficar mais feliz ainda em acompanhar vocês daqui para a frente — ela diz com um sorriso acolhedor no rosto.

Você olha para os exames. Volta a olhar para ela.

— Quanto... É. Quanto tempo? — tenta perguntar.

— Quatro semanas e três dias.

— Nossa, ok. É tempo a beça, 'né? E o que eu faço agora?

— Vou te passar alguns exames importantes, te recomendar algumas maternidades e dietas. Vamos começar a preparar seu pré-natal e quem sabe até pensar no seu plano de parto, hein? Mas não se preocupe, terá tempo para... — a voz da doutora é interrompida pelo toque do telefone — Querida, me dá um instante? Estão ligando da recepção.

— Claro.

Mais tarde, você bate a porta do carro com tanta força que, em outras circunstâncias, se preocuparia em ter quebrado ou a estragado. Mas tudo que consegue fazer é repassar todas as palavras daquele maldito exame de sangue que fez horas mais cedo. Quase não consegue enxergar quando as lágrimas se acumulam no canto dos olhos. A respiração fica descompassada e o coração acelera.

O silêncio naquele estacionamento atormenta sua cabeça, deixa os papéis de lado e afunda no banco do motorista. Sente uma carga de emoções de apossando de todo seu corpo e, enfim, parece tomar consciência da notícia que acabou de receber. Está grávida.

Dá uma cotovelada na janela. Chuta os pedais e soca o volante. E é só quando sua cabeça bate na buzina, causando o tão familiar som estridente por todo o espaço, que se permite chorar copiosamente.

Funga forte e sente a fragrância reconfortante de Jaemin. Sua agonia o deixa momentaneamente agoniado também. O garoto pega seu rosto entre as mãos e te olha nos olhos. Ele carrega uma feição tão carinhosa, transbordando tanto afeto e preocupação que faz sua garganta fechar.

— Minha linda? — a voz aveludada dele ecoa — Que cansaço é esse que está te fazendo chorar? Certeza que é só trabalho demais?

Aperta os lábios numa linha reta. Bate a testa na clavícula dele.

— É tudo tão... Estressante naquele laboratório. — responde, resolve não contá-lo sobre a gravidez naquele momento — E ser só uma estagiária não ajuda muito em algumas situações.

Jaemin murmura para que você continue a falar. Ele adora ouvir você falando sobre seu dia, mesmo que, geralmente, não entenda um terço das coisas que diz sobre seu curso e seu trabalho. Está no último ano da faculdade e graças as boas recomendações da escola técnica, aos projetos de extensão bem sucedidos e as excelentes notas, conseguiu um estágio num dos laboratórios de controle agrícola do estado. É, sem dúvida alguma, o maior orgulho de Jaemin.

É colocada sobre o balcão que divide a cozinha da sala e o assiste voltar a cuidar do jantar de vocês. Com isso, continua contando.

— Parece que estão com um projeto de "fertilização" do solo de grandes áreas da agricultura. Alguma coisa sobre jogar agrotóxicos para as plantações de soja e açúcar. Só ouvi por cima.

Morde o lábio e pensa por alguns segundos.

— Aparentemente já começaram os testes para ver se isso tem algum dano a áreas de seca ou sei lá o que mais.

— Sabe que eu não entendo esses termos da sua engenharia ambiental, 'né, amor? — Jaemin diz quando passa por você para pegar um prato no armário ao seu lado — É tudo só um grupo de palavras desconexas. A única que eu conheço é a palavra plantação.

— Sei — você ri e suspira, olhando para seus pés pendurados na ilha da cozinha — O que me aborrece é que eles acharam uma ótima ideia fazer esses testes em terrenos de fazendas e lavouras de trabalhadores independentes — completa indignada — E o meio de convencer essa gente de que isso é uma boa ideia é compensando eles com um "auxílio por cooperação governamental". Isso é tão.. tão baixo. É baixo porque é claro que trabalhadores em condições de fome extrema e trabalho sub-humano vão aceitar um dinheiro "fácil" — faz aspas com as mãos.

Dá um suspiro profundo. Botar tudo isso para fora realmente tirou um peso de seus ombros. As vezes tudo que precisava era de alguém para ouvi-lá. Graças a Deus tem esse alguém em casa.

— Enfim, acho que vou tomar um banho, sabe, tirar as impurezas do corpo e tal — desceu do balcão.

— Claro, vai lá. A comida já vai estar pronta quando você voltar.

— Ok, chefe — deu um beijinho na bochecha do garoto antes sair do cômodo e dar um tapinha na bunda de seu namorado, que ri e te empurra para fora da cozinha.

❍

Assim que saiu do banheiro com a tolha em mãos e vestindo seu pijama quentinho e confortável, ouviu a campainha tocando um par de vezes. Olhou para o relógio do corredor e viu que já se passavam das oito da noite. Franziu as sobrancelhas e foi até a área de serviço colocar a roupa suja para lavar. Logo, ouve a campainha tocando outra vez.

Quando chega na cozinha vê Jaemin terminando de empratar o jantar.

— Está esperando alguém? — pergunta ele.

— Não. Vou ver quem é, já volto — você vai até a porta e olha pela câmera quem está ali.

Quando vê uma figura pequena do lado de fora, franze o cenho imediatamente, reconhecendo a moradora do andar abaixo do seu. Logo destranca e abre a porta, a encarando com confusão. Se agacha e fica de frente para a garotinha, que sorri para você e aperta o coelho de pelúcia que tem entre os braçinhos finos.

— Sae Bom? O que está fazendo fora de casa a essas horas? Está muito tarde — diz a ela, preocupada.

Vê a menina formar um bico rápido nos lábios antes de te responder.

— Oi, é que a minha mãe ainda não chegou do trabalho e eu tô sozinha em casa — ela suspira — Eu assisti desenho mas comecei a sentir fome, mas não alcanço os armários da cozinha.

Você se apressa a colocá-la para dentro do apartamento, a guiando em direção ao sofá e se sentando ao lado dela. Jaemin aparece no canto da sala e sorri para Sae Bom que acena em resposta. Ele te pergunta com os olhos o que aconteceu? e você dá de ombros, igualmente confusa.

— Faz quanto tempo que você está sozinha, meu bem? — volta sua atenção a ela e pergunta.

— Desde que cheguei da escola de van. Mamãe costuma chegar antes de mim, mas hoje a casa estava vazia — responde — Posso ficar aqui até ela chegar?

Sae Bom olha de você para o Na esperando uma resposta, essa que o rapaz não tarda a dar. Ele vai até onde vocês duas estão e se abaixando diante do sofá, sorri amistoso.

— Claro que sim. Avisou sua mãe? — a menina assente com a cabeça, a franjinha dela balança junto de seu rosto.

— Mandei uma mensagem, ela já deve ver.

— Então ótimo! Vem, vamos lavar as mãos e comer uma comida bem gostosa — Jaemin pega na mãozinha dela e a guia em direção a cozinha — Espero que goste de legumes, mocinha.

— Eu como tudo, tudinho! — respondeu entusiasmada.

Você, ainda sentada, assiste a interação dos dois e sente seu coração errar as batidas e quase pode jurar que está novamente com vontade de chorar. Passa as mãos pela barriga coberta pela blusa de pijama e sorri ao ouví-los rindo, não demorando a ir atrás dos dois e se juntar a eles na mesa.

O jantar ocorre de maneira leve. Conversam com a pequena Sae Bom e comem da comida gostosa de Jaemin, a garota não falhando em entreter vocês durante toda a refeição. Ela faz várias perguntas sobre os trabalhos de vocês e conta sobre o dia dela. Descobrem que ela fica sozinha em casa com frequência, uma vez que moram só ela e a mãe em casa, e a mais velha trabalha numa lavouraque fica a duas horas do bairro onde moram. Você e Jaemin se olham preocupados, pensando como pode uma garota de sete anos ficar tanto tempo sem a supervisão de um adulto. Quando sente uma angústia ainda desconhecida em seu peito, pensa saber de onde vem aquele sentimento tão novo, mas logo o afasta e volta a focar nos dois ali presentes.

Decidem deixar a menina dormir ali com vocês, onde ela está segura, alimentada e aquecida, e ajeitam um colchão para que ela durma no quarto de vocês naquela noite. Depois de assistirem um pouco de televisão juntos no sofá, ela logo diz estar com sono e começa a coçar os olhinhos. Você se prontifica a emprestá-la uma escova de dentes nova e deixa um selar singelo na testa dela, a desejando boa noite e avisando para ela que a luz do corredor está acesa. Minutos depois, quando você entra de fininho no quarto para pegar seu carregador, vê que Sae Bom dormiu com celular ligado no peito.

— Mandou mensagem para a mãe dela? — pergunta a Jaemin quando volta a se sentar ao lado dele no sofá — Acho que ela 'tá no grupo do prédio.

— Mandei. Chegou, mas ela ainda não viu — Jaemin diz e te olha — Tomara que ela apareça até de manhã, Sae Bom precisa ir para a escola.

— Ah, verdade — você morde o lábio, pensando — Caso ela não a busque, eu mesma deixo ela lá de carro. É caminho, de qualquer forma.

— Isso, boa ideia — ele concorda — Eu faço um café da manhã bem gostoso para ela. Acho que tem achocolatado na geladeira, criança gosta dessas coisas, 'né?

Você ri soprado, esticando a mão para mexer no cabelo liso e escuro dele. Vê seu garoto fechar os olhos e aproveitar do seu carinho. Ele vai se aconchegando em você feito um gatinho manhoso e quase ronrona quando se deita entre suas pernas. Seus dedos descem dos fios sedosos para o pescoço e se acomodam nos lóbulos das orelhas, onde acaricia de forma suave, do jeito que sabe que Jaemin gosta.

— Desde quando você tem tanto jeito com criança? — ele te pergunta, a voz mansinha de quem está pegando no sono.

— Ah, não sei. Tenho um carinho muito grande pela Sae Bom — o responde e deita a cabeça no encosto do sofá, melancólica — Quando viemos morar aqui ela era praticamente um bebê, mal sabia andar.

Jaemin ri e concorda.

— Verdade, eu bem que me lembro de quando a mãe dela convidou o bloco inteiro 'pra festa de dois anos dela — o garoto complementa — A gente meio que viu ela crescer.

— Pois é.

Alguns minutos de silêncio se instalam no ambiente, apenas o tictac do relógio digital da mesa de centro é ouvido. De repente, Jaemin volta a falar:

— Sabe o que seria muito legal? — você sinaliza para que ele continue — Ter uma nossa.

— Um nosso o que?

— Criança.

E ali que o mundo fica abafado e você sente seu corpo gelar. Diferentemente de mais cedo, quando chegou em casa, agora quem com certeza conseguia ouvir as batidas do seu coração era ele. E não estavam iguais as batidas calmas e reconfortantes que viam do peito dele, elas te socavam e eram tão rápidas que faziam parecer que você infantaria ali mesmo. E então percebe. Não tem porquê esconder dele. É o seu Jaemin, seu Nana ali, deitado em você, dizendo que gostaria de estender o amor imenso que sentem em uma outra pessoinha.

— E se... E se eu te disser que nós ja temos? — diz com a voz hesitante, embargada. Já sente os olhos umedecidos outra vez. E por incrível que pareça, sabe que não precisa temer a reação dele.

Jaemin imediatamente se apoia com as mãos no sofá, em volta do seu corpo. Ele vê seus olhos brilhantes e as bochechas já molhadas pelo choro que não conseguiu segura.

— Amor, 'tá falando sério? — se exaspera.

Você assente, dando uma pequena risada enquanto suas mãos sobem pela nuca do rapaz. O rosto dele fica alguns segundos estático mas o choque logo dá lugar a um sorriso. O sorriso mais lindo e iluminado de todos os sorrisos. É o sorriso dele. O sorriso.

Aceita todos os beijos, abraços e os agradecimentos dele por fazê-lo o homem mais feliz do mundo. A partir dali, conversam horas a fio, papeiam sobre a vida e a visão que ambos têm sobre família. Criam mais laços, fazem promessas e não se importam que já esteja de madrugada e precisariam acordar cedo, o despertador faria seu serviço.

E mesmo quando se deitam na cama de casal, entram na pontinha do pé para não atrapalhar o sono sossegado da menina deitada, se aconchegam embaixo das cobertas e se abraçam. Sente Jaemin afagar seu estômago e seus pelos se arrepiam com a respiração dele na sua nuca. Ele chega a boca bem pertinho do seu ouvido e sussurra:

— Eu amo você.

❍

As semanas se passaram depois daquela noite. Agora, estabeleceram um combinado com a mãe de Sae Bom de buscarem a menina na escola e ficarem com ela até que a mulher chegue em casa. Eufemismo é dizer que os dias vocês estão melhores. Ela ilumina vocês sempre que dá um sorriso banguela de boa tarde, quando vai em direção ao carro, saltitante com a pelúcia branca entre os braços e a mochila rosa nas costas. Sae Bom também já sabe da gravidez e tem se mostrado bastante empolgada. Você e ela conversam com a barriga por horas, a garotinha vive te perguntando quanto falta para o bebê nascer. Uma vez, enquanto trançava o cabelo dela, ela te disse que você daria a ela o irmãozinho ou irmãzinha que a mamãe dela não deu. Seu namorado precisou de algum tempo para acalmar seu choro na noite daquele dia.

E, como virou de costume nas tardes de vocês, Jaemin estava no banco do motorista enquanto você dirigia em direção a escola de Sae Bom. Tinha saído mais cedo do estágio e o buscou no batalhão onde ele trabalhava. O rapaz passou na lanchonete da rua minutos antes e comprou três donuts rosas, e estava lutando com você que não o deixava comer no momento.

— O que custa esperar, hein, homem? Eu que 'tô grávida e os desejos são seus...

— É que estão quentinhos! Minha boca não para de salivar e — foi interrompido por você que deu um tapa para que ele ficasse calado, aumentando o rádio. Jaemin fez bico e acariciou o próprio braço.

Ouviram a voz chiada que vinha do autofalante.

"Médicos e cientistas de todo o país estão expondo sua preocupação diante do que parece ser uma nova doença infecciosa. Os centros das cidades têm apresentado casos muito parecidos com os de raiva, onde uma pessoa ataca agressivamente com arranhões e mordidas qualquer que seja o indivíduo que estiver a sua frente. Os infectados são supervelozes e tem a pele descascada, similar ao estado de decomposição. Os primeiros casos foram identificados em zonas rurais e é possível que a contaminação seja..."

— Jaemin! — gritou quando ele desligou o rádio antes do fim da transmissão.

— Eu já estava ficando agoniado com a sua cara de aflição ouvindo isso — ele se defende.

Estava pronta para rebater quando percebeu que já estavam na frente da escola. Não demorou para conseguirem ver a figura pequenina de Sae Bom correndo na direção de vocês e acenando pela janela com um grande sorriso no rosto. Você sorri junto e sinaliza para que ela entre no carro.

— Oi, maninha. Oi, Nana!

O caminho até o condomínio é tranquilo, foi composto por Jaemin e Sae Bom cantando cantigas populares – essas que ela havia aprendido naquele mesmo dia e o Na se empolgou na missão de cantar – e na garota comendo o donut de morango que ganhou dele. E Jaemin muito feliz por final poder comer o seu também, claro.

Como naquele dia a mãe da menina avisou mais cedo que já estaria em casa, vocês apenas se despediram dela e a deixaram na porta do apartamento em que morava, subindo para o de vocês em seguida.

Mais tarde, quando estava estudando e se lembrou de ter esquecido sua pasta no carro, voltou no estacionamento para buscar e viu o coelhinho de pelúcia no banco de trás. Automaticamente um sorriso se abre.

— Ela esqueceu de novo — negou suavemente com a cabeça.

Você então pegou o elevador e foi até o andar da menina para que pudesse devolver. Sabe que ela não dorme se não estiver abraçada do seu peludinho, como o chamava, então não tarda a tocar a campainha da casa. Uma, duas, três vezes. Até bate na porta. E nada.

Estranha a falta de resposta e chega o ouvido perto da fechadura, também não consegue ouvir nada. Pensa que talvez elas já pudessem estar dormindo, afinal, os dias são cheios para ambas as moradoras da casa. Até que, apenas por desencargo de consciência, você gira a maçaneta da porta e se surpreende ao ver que estava destrancada. Franze o cenho. Decide, então bater outra vez e abrir de mansinho, colocando a cabeça para dentro.

— Ei, desculpa a intromissão! A Bomie esqueceu o peludinho no carro outra vez e...

E é quando você adentra a sala do apartamento que se vê diante da cena mais traumática que já presenciou em toda a sua vida. Seus olhos se arregalam e os dedos apertam o coelho no próprio peito.

Seus reflexos trabalharam muito, muito rápido. O estômago embrulha.

E você precisou de toda sua agilidade para virar as costas e bater a porta quando, depois de te perceber, a mulher completamente ensanguentada parou de comer os órgãos do estômago aberto da filha – que tinha o corpinho flácido, estirado no chão, o pescoço mordido e o rosto coberto de sangue – de maneira animal e te olhou no exato momento em que te ouviu, com os olhos completamente brancos e a boca cheia de carne da própria primogênita.

#nct #nct dream #na jaemin #imagine #jaemin imagines #angst #horror #girlneosworld #purgatório

[lily-blue]

Uncharted waters

☆ characters: poseidon’s son!chenle & mermaid!you ☆ genre: royalty au, greek gods au, the little mermaid au, fluff, horror(ish) ☆ warnings: violence and death ☆ summary: you’re so in love with Prince Chenle, the boy you rescued when he was knocked overboard, that you’re willing to sacrifice everything to be with him - little do you know, everything is exactly what he wants to take away from you ☆ words: 6,2k ☆ also: a massive thanks to @dat-town​ for her help with this story ♥ your questions made me realize how important details are in every fantasy, even in fantasies where you already have a world to work with! 

Your body felt heavy, like shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea, and your lungs were on fire, a sensation you had only ever heard in those magical tales Kunhang, the seagull, had told you whenever you had visited him on the surface. 

For a long time, the eccentric albeit friendly bird had been your sole connection to the human world; your only resource, when you had had yet another question about those treasures you had found during your adventures with Yangyang. But the more stories you had heard about human inventions and people with two beautiful, long legs who could dance, walk, and run, the more curious you had become. Curious and bold enough to save a human boy when he had fallen in the ice cold water on a stormy night and make a deal with the sea witch just to get a chance to have your happy ending by his side.

The contract you had signed consisted of three simple statements: The sea witch gave you two human legs in exchange for your voice. To keep them permanently, you had one week to make Prince Chenle fall in love with you. If you failed, and he didn’t give you the true love’s kiss by the seventh sunset, you had to choose whether you killed the prince and turned back into a mermaid or took your own life, offering your undying soul to the wicked. 

Which meant failure wasn’t an option. It couldn’t have been one.

Groaning without any sound, you rolled onto your back and opened your eyes. The overcast weather dulled the colors of your surroundings, but you still found the shore beautiful. Unlike when you had been staring at the barely visible Sun while lying beside Yangyang and your moody babysitter, Kun, the sand, now dry, stuck to your skin and made you feel itchy. It penetrated places you didn’t want to think about (and couldn’t have named), but that must have been a part of your new, scale-less life, so you embraced the sensation. It was alright, because your new legs would take you to your prince: to the one you were destined to be with.

A pair of beautiful legs. Your legs. The thought alone made you feel exhilarated. It was like electric eels were rushing through your veins. Your heart was pounding in your entire body.

You couldn’t have told how long you were lying on the beach while you were smiling at the gray clouds, but then a faintly familiar woof-woof gained your attention and knocked the thoughts out of your mind. You snapped your head in the sound’s direction and rolled on your stomach just in time to see the fluffy animal whose steps came to an abrupt halt in front of your face.

‘Daegal! What are you doing there?’ A second intruder ran up to you, this time, a human boy whose voice played on your heartstrings. Prince Chenle looked different from how he had looked at the night when his ship had fallen victim to the storm. Then, his clothes had been torn and his dark locks more disheveled. Now, he seemed more of a safe place than an exciting adventure. Yet, you couldn’t tear your gaze away from him.

Your eyes widened in shock when you felt something damp against your cheek, although you let out a soundless giggle as soon as you realized that it was Daegal’s doing. Chenle’s animal greeted you with a lick across your face, then licked your nose, too, for good measure.

‘Oh?’ The soft sound came from the prince who walked up to your duo in the meantime. He sat on his knees in an arm’s distance from your figure, and pulled Daegal in his embrace. Following the movement with your lingering gaze, you pouted, disheartened, at the thought that he might have felt the need to protect his friend from you. ‘Who are you? And what are you doing here so late?’

You opened your mouth to tell him everything: that you were the one who had pulled him to the shore when the sea had been about to swallow his body; that you were here for him. But no sound came out of your throat.

‘You cannot speak?’ The prince asked, and you nodded with a pout. How were you supposed to make him fall in love with you if you couldn’t make yourself understood? Ursula might have been right about your pretty face and the possibilities that came with body language, but you still felt somewhat lost while you were thinking about what you should have done next.

You winced when something cold poked your shoulder, then did it again when the same, ice cold sensation hit the small of your back. You were familiar with the rain. However, the drops definitely felt different now that you were out of the sea. You turned your head towards the gray clouds.

‘Come on! We need to find shelter,’ Prince Chenle said as he stood up and held his hand out for you. You hesitated only for a fleeting moment, your curious gaze boring deep into his coal orbs, before you accepted his help.

Standing on two legs was a harder task than you had initially thought. First of all, your body’s weight was a real thing on land, unlike when you were in the water; you found it hard to divide it equally. Which automatically led you to the second most crucial problem: your weak sense of balance. You managed to take one tiny step forwards before you lost your footing and fell head first into the prince’s arms. Completely naked, save for the seaweeds that stuck to your skin.

‘Are you oka—? Oh, goodness! Here! Take this,’ he said with one of his protective arms around your figure. He didn’t look at you while he shook his midnight blue jacket off his shoulder and threw it over yours. In fact, his gaze kept sliding from one thing to another until it fell on everything in your close proximity but your exposed skin.

Determined to not be a nuisance, you quickly adjusted the fabric so that it would hide your chest and thighs, then tapped the prince’s shoulder twice in order to gain his attention. It was still very new to you to communicate without your voice, but when Prince Chenle finally looked at you, a newfound wave of confidence surged through your whole being. You could do it. He had understood what you had wanted. You could do it.

The walk to the castle where the prince lived was mostly silent, but you didn’t mind the lack of conversation. Instead, you observed your surroundings and tried to burn every tiny detail in your memory: the dull color of the sand under your feet, the deep red, almost black flowers down the road that led to Prince Chenle’s home, and those iron gates that opened for you seemingly out of nowhere as soon as you reached them. You supposed, there must have been guards who controlled them from somewhere, but no matter how eager you were to lay your eyes on them, you saw no one.

‘You can stay here until we find your family,’ the prince told you while he led you towards the stairs. ‘It is just me here, Daegal, grandpa, the cook, and the maids. So it is no problem at all,’ he reassured you further before he called for someone named Yuqi, and pushed you into an empty bedroom.

The palace in Atlantica was nothing like the castle that had suddenly become your new home. Because even though it was at the bottom of the sea, far from the Sun, it was brighter and full of life. There, your bedroom barely had walls and everyone could easily swim from one place to another, even those who were only visiting your family temporarily.

This place isolated its habitants. The dark paint on the walls, the black baldachin around your bed, and the heavy curtains in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows gave you the impression that you had to ask for permission before you left your room; you weren’t sure that you liked it. It didn’t sit well with your adventurous nature.

However, it could have easily been the storm’s doing: your anxiety. Thus, you tore your gaze from the decoration and turned towards your prince with a smile. As expected, his presence worked wonders on your mood.

‘I will tell Yizhuo to bring you something nice to wear. She will prepare your bathwater, too,’ he informed you with a warm smile on his face that reflected on your own.

Recalling those stories Kunhang had told you about human habits, you pinched both sides of the jacket you were wearing and lifted it gingerly. You wished to put your immense gratitude on display while showing the prince that you were an educated woman. Although, when your gaze slid from the floor to his comically wide eyes, the scandalized look on his face told you that you might have been mistaken.

You opened your mouth to ask what you had done wrong, however, no words rolled down your chapped lips. Still, your pathetic attempt at communication brought the prince back to his senses and revived his numb limbs.

Prince Chenle rushed up to you and grabbed the jacket you were wearing. Your lips parted in horror when you realized that he was fixing the fabric on you as it hadn’t been covering your front anymore.

‘Do not ever do this again,’ he pleaded, voice barely above a whisper. The prince’s handsome face looked pained while his black eyes bored into yours, like when you upsetted a jellyfish and suffered the consequences. So you gulped and nodded in understanding.

You had no idea how long the two of you were just standing there, in the middle of the room, but you were aware of countless other things. For one, you couldn’t ignore the prince’s warm breath that fanned over your skin and dressed it in goosebumps. Then, your heart was beating faster than ever, even when you were racing with Yangyang under the sea. Not to mention, if only you had been a few inches taller, your eyes would have been in line with the boy’s rosy lips. He was so close.

‘Khm… dinner is in an hour. Yizhuo will show you the way,’ the prince said when he took the first step backwards; his hands falled back by his sides.

You once again nodded - you wished you could have done more, but the human alphabet was different from the one you used under the sea which meant you couldn’t have even written notes so early into your new life - and smiled at him. You smiled until he turned his back to you and walked out of the room, leaving you alone with your thoughts.

You wished Yizhuo arrived soon.

The dinner with the prince and his grandfather was better than you had imagined; the food melted in your mouth and the company welcomed you with open arms, although not literally. Humans, at first glance, weren’t too affectionate creatures, but they had many other qualities that fascinated you. They ate their meals with two equally long sticks, kept the side dishes in different bowls and sucked on the snarfblatt instead of blowing it.

Fueled with curiosity, you could have easily stayed at the dining hall all night to learn new things about humans and human objects, but once the dessert was gone and Prince Chenle’s grandfather called for their maids to clean the table, it was time that everyone headed back to their room. And you had no right or way to protest.

That night, buried under a comfortable, warm blanket, your thoughts wandered in directions you wished they hadn’t. You thought of your father and the molten fury in his otherwise loving eyes. You wondered whether he had already known that you had made a deal with the sea witch after he had destroyed your collection of human inventions. Was he looking for a way to get you back or he refused to call you his daughter anymore because of your actions? Based on how much he despised humans, you wouldn’t have been surprised if it had been the latter. Still, the possibility made you sad. He was your family, after all.

The more you doubted your bond with your loved ones - Yangyang must have felt betrayed that you had left him behind when he had followed you into danger time after time despite what a guppy he was -, the louder the voices in your head became. They told you that you had sold your soul the moment you had set tail in the sea witch’s cave. They called you immature and stupid. They said it was inevitable that you would become a murderer.

You tried to convince them that they were wrong and true love didn’t work like that, but by the time you managed to silence them, the first rays of sunlight shone upon your bed, and the second day began.

Before breakfast, Yizhuo was kind enough to not make comments on your disheveled hair and overall disoriented appearance. Not that you weren’t aware of how you looked even before you were sat in front of the vanity table.

There were dark circles under your eyes and angry red scratches all over your arms, although you had no recollection of when you had injured yourself so badly. As far as you could tell, once you had gotten in bed, you had been tossing and turning around for hours before your body had given in to exhaustion. You had been troubled, but safe. Your scars made no sense.

‘Do not worry, miss. I have the perfect long-sleeved dress for you,’ the maid reassured you with a warm smile. ‘It might be a little warm for the summer weather, but it will hide your scars from unwanted eyes.’

You thanked her for her kindness with a beaming smile and took the hair brush out of her hands so that she could fetch your outfit. Before Prince Chenle had bid his goodbye last night, he had promised to show you the town around the castle after breakfast and you didn’t want to waste a second. Especially because it had already felt like hours while you had been waiting for Yizhuo to knock on your door and prepare you for the day. 

The dress the maid brought for you was simple but gorgeous. It consisted of a blue skirt that reached your ankles, a black corset, and a white shirt that hid your arms, but emphasized the lines of your neck and collarbones. Completed with the blue ribbon in your hair and the light make-up Yizhuo put on your face, the outcome was magnificent. It fitted those images you had in your head - that you had seen in human books - whenever you daydreamed about dating.

Feeling restless, the breakfast went by both quickly and painfully slowly, but your chair was right next to the prince’s, therefore you weren’t complaining. You ate your soup diligently and put some rice in the broth when you saw that Prince Chenle and his grandfather did the same. There were so many things you still didn’t know about their habits, you couldn’t wait to tell Kunhang and Yangyang about your own discoveries.

“As if they wanted to hear about them, you silly girl. You will never see them again. Never see them again. You will never see them again.”

The voice came from behind you, but when you snapped your head in that direction, you saw no one but the maids who stood by the door, waiting for your requests silently. You gulped and shook your head. You could have sworn that you had heard this scolding tone before, but you had no idea where.

‘Is everything alright, dear?’ The prince’s grandfather inquired; worry evident in the way he pronounced each syllable.

You reassured him with frantic nods and a beaming smile. Although, if you had wanted to be honest, you weren’t entirely sure whether things were indeed quite alright. But to explain the situation to them in detail, you needed more than your limited arsenal of gestures and mimics. Hence, you chose to not address your concerns. You were a big girl. You were determined to prove to everyone that you could fight your own battles.

Your father and Kun might have never believed in you, but neither of them was present in your life anymore to doubt you.

The books that sank to the bottom of the sea were too fragile to read after a certain point. But once you had realized that it was because the material they were made of changed form under water, you had gained the habit of opening them at your favorite pages as soon as you found them so that you could at least stare at them when you were bored.

The drawings you had seen in these books portrayed humans in beautiful ball dresses while they were laughing and dancing. They depicted lovers on romantic dates as they were kissing. And they also showed how human towns were always crowded and full of life.

The town around the royal castle wasn’t any different. It was loud, but well-coordinated. At first glance, it seemed that everyone had somewhere to be, even the youngest children who ran past you and the prince near the market. Their energy reminded you of your carefree childhood and the day when you had first met Yangyang. 

The tropical yellow fish had gotten lost on his way to school, so you had helped him get home safe while you had been having fun getting to know each other and munching on seaweed cookies. You had been his first friend. And he had been yours.

“He could help you, if only you had told him about your plans. But you didn’t think about anyone or anything, did you? Do you really believe you can make him fall in love with you in six days? You can’t even tell him it’s too warm in your dress or that you’re thirsty. You’re pathetic, you silly girl. Pathetic. You’re pathetic.”

You flinched when someone grabbed your hand, but relaxed immediately when your eyes fell on Prince Chenle’s delicate fingers around your wrist. He pulled your hand away from your neck and squeezed it lightly the moment it swung back and forth by your side.

‘Do not be nervous. I will be here the whole time,’ he reassured you kindly; his thumb was caressing the back of your hand tenderly. You furrowed your eyebrows, confused, but then you noticed the softness of his fingertips against your skin and your mind went blank. With your sanity out of the way, you didn’t question why he would have thought you were nervous. What you focused on instead was the fact that he cared.

Therefore, you pressed your lips together with a newfound determination and looked around in the vicinity in search of a place where you could get some refreshments. There was a house on your left with breads of different shapes and sizes in its windows and another one on your right with stalls of apples in front of it. You saw a shop that changed one’s hairstyle and a building that had a dining hall in its garden.

You pointed at the latter.

‘Are you hungry?’ The prince asked and you shook your head. ‘Well, that is a restaurant. But we can have shaved ice at the shop two corners from here. Do you like shaved ice?’

You knew what an ice cube was and you didn’t particularly like the stinging numbness you felt when you touched one. However, shaved ice was most probably different because you had never seen anyone eating plain ice cubes before, thus your brain decided that not even humans would have enjoyed chewing on them willingly.

Seeing your contemplation, Prince Chenle patted the top of your head with an affectionate smile and pulled you towards the aforementioned direction. By the time you reached the shaved ice shop, you completely forgot about the reappearing voices in your head because your mind was filled with all the stimuli you had encountered on the road. You had seen old people reminiscing about the good, old days; children scolded by their parents; and animals like Daegal running after a round toy.

Humans were fascinating; and so were their animal friends. Smiling at the vendor behind the wooden counter, you wished you could have shown your father that they weren’t as malicious as he made them to be.

“They are monsters, you silly girl. They are monsters. All of them.”

‘… a different flavor every time, but their red bean shaved ice is really good,’ the prince said, pulling your attention to your options while quieting the scolding voice. Your lips parted in wonder. Ah! So this was shaved ice. ‘They have fruit flavored ones, too. You seemed to like the peach slices last night,’ he nudged your shoulder with his arm that encouraged you to take a closer look at the variety of desserts.

Prince Chenle was right. Although they weren’t as good as seaweed cookies, you had enjoyed the fruit slices during dinner, even more when they had been coated in warm chocolate. Thus, you pointed at the displayed topping that resembled yesterday’s dessert the most, then put one of your palms on the counter to support your legs. When feeling excited, you had gained the habit of bouncing up and down a little; it messed up your weak balance.

‘Easy,’ the prince scolded you with a chuckle, before he asked for two portions of peach and two portions of  mango shaved ice, one of each in your separate cups.

It tasted amazing. And not just that. One spoonful of the delicious, cold dessert managed to make the hot weather less suffocating. It lifted your spirit and gave you an energy boost that urged you to see more, taste more, feel more. Hence, when Prince Chenle suggested looking for an empty bench in the shade, preferably in the royal garden, you disagreed with him for the first time since you had exchanged your voice for a chance to be with him.

The prince’s steps came to an abrupt halt, and your eyes opened wide when you snapped your head in his way and your gaze fell on his figure. His face and posture looked a little different, but you couldn’t pinpoint why looking at him gave you this impression.

Especially because a couple of heartbeats later, he shot you an amused smile.

‘So you have a better idea? Now, I am intrigued,’ he raised his left eyebrow, and you giggled soundlessly, because his sudden playfulness took you by surprise in the best way possible. It must have been a sign that the two of you had grown closer.

You nodded with a beaming smile and walked up to him with your loose steps so that you could take his big hand in yours again. You craved for the damp feeling of his palm against your own and the warmth that this gesture ignited in your chest.

During your morning adventures, you visited a huge shop where people could eat mooncakes, drink bitter and sweet beverages, and borrow books that were placed on huge shelves in the back of the building. You also met children who invited you to draw on the road with them - they had these short, wooden sticks they could write in the hard sand with - and bumped into two adorable animals that looked exactly like Daegal, just with brown fur.

‘Should we check out the lighthouse, too, before we call it a day?’ Prince Chenle asked after you bid your goodbyes to the two puppies and their owner.

Honesty, a part of you felt that it would have been too early to head back to the castle even if you had visited the shore, but you were a royalty just like the prince. In the back of your mind, you knew that he couldn’t spend his entire day with you: that he must have had his own duties and responsibilities. So you squeezed his hand and nodded. Since he had offered, you saw nothing wrong with prolonging the time that you two had a little more.

The more steps you took towards the shore, the more exhausting it became to move your legs, but you did your best to shut out the numbness. You didn’t want to cut your program short with unnecessary complaints, especially because you couldn’t have been sure whether it was normal to feel so drained after a couple of hours of walking. There was a fat chance that you were overreacting and you were determined to not let your lack of knowledge sabotage your happily-ever-after.

Still, you barely reached the borders of the town, when your limbs gave out and you lost your balance. A silent scream stuck in your throat as you held onto the prince’s hand, desperate in a way you had only ever experienced when Yangyang and you had been attacked by a shark during one of your impromptu adventures. You closed your eyes, unsure what else you could have done to prevent the fall.

‘I have got you,’ Prince Chenle whispered against your cheek; his arms keeping you close to his chest in an awkward hug. Perplexed, you opened your eyes and turned your head to the right slowly.

Prince Chenle’s hair smelled like salt and peaches; it blended your world into his and pushed your already mushy brain into overdrive. You didn’t even notice that your nails were digging tiny crescents into his bladebone or that he turned his head in your direction in the meantime. You were lost in your fantasies: all you could think about was your future together and how much you yearned for his kiss.

You choked on air when the prince’s nose brushed against yours. His inviting lips were mere inches from your mouth like in those books about romance. This was it. This was the moment you had been waiting for. Therefore, you pursed your lips and leaned forwards. Three inches. Two inches. One in…

The prince pulled away and sat on his knees in front of you with his back to you.

‘Hop on!’ He encouraged you, shooting a warm smile at you from above his shoulder when he realized that your feet were rooted to the ground. ‘Come on! I will carry you.’

Brushing aside your confusion mixed with disappointment, you climbed on the prince’s back and linked your arms in front of his neck. His muscles tensed and relaxed repeatedly under your body while he stood up and started to walk towards the lighthouse.

‘You know, next time you should tell me when you are not feeling well. We can always finish these tours another day,’ he scolded you worriedly, his words awakening dozens of butterfly fish in your tummy.

You buried your face in the crook of his neck and nodded. Your lips grazed along his soft skin when you smiled.

Your days as a human girl were filled with delicious meals, town tours, and lazy strolls on the beach. Despite his busy schedule, Prince Chenle made sure to take a few hours out of each one of his days to spend some time with you, showing you new places and free time activities that made you bounce up and down in excitement like when he had showed you the oldest books you had even seen in your life: books that told tales about gods and goddesses who blessed the world with as many wars as miracles.

Your nights, however, got more tiring, the closer you got to your seventh day on the land. The voices haunted you in your sleep and poisoned your happiest memories with your loved ones. By the fifth afternoon, whenever you saw something that reminded you of your life in the sea, your chest felt heavy and the urge to scrawl your way out of your own body clouded your mind. Your skin was dressed in crimson and rose-colored scars, some deeper than others, all of them painful nevertheless. You were a mess.

A hopeful mess desperate for her happy ending.

You couldn’t have picked a favorite; you thought of the beautiful colors of the sunrise just as fondly as you thought of those sunsets you had spent on the shore with Prince Chenle by your side. Then and there, it didn’t matter that you couldn’t speak or that you had the trident of Poseidon hanging over your head. You were happy listening to his stories while he played with your hair, lying on the sand.

It was one of those days when the prince asked you to accompany him for a walk after dinner. The Sun was still shining down on the world, painting the scenery in an orange-gold hue and you couldn’t contain your smile while you were listening to the prince’s stories about pirates and monsters nearly as dangerous as the kraken. His love for the sea was evident; you could see it in his big hand gestures, the way he kept stealing glances at the tides, and the smile that adorned his face while he was reminiscing. You wished you could have shown him Atlantica. You couldn’t picture a single scenario in which he wouldn’t have fallen in love with your old home within a heartbeat.

‘That night, I thought that this was it. I was going to die,’ he said animatedly, pulling you in with the intensity he told you about the happenings. You swore, you saw the hopelessness in his eyes when he talked about his inevitable death. ‘But then this girl saved me. She showed up out of nowhere and pulled me to the shore.’

You almost fell over your own legs when your brain processed what he was talking about. It was you; you were the girl who had saved him.

‘Grandpa says it was just a hallucination, but I know she is out there somewhere,’ Prince Chenle kept insisting, his gaze stuck on the waves. You gulped. ‘One day, I will find her and ask her to be my wife. I will make her my queen.’

He wanted to make you his queen. The revelation kicked the air out of your lungs, making it even harder to think straight, collect your thoughts, and communicate. However, you had to find a way, because this was the perfect moment to confess your feelings for him. He yearned for his savior, he would have forgiven you for exchanging your voice for your legs, making it harder for him to find you.

With time, you could have learned how to tell him the truth.

So you pulled on the prince’s arm and demanded his full attention. Your steps didn’t come to a halt, but they didn’t need to, because the moment your gazes met, everything else became secondary. You pointed at yourself, then pointed at the sea.

‘What? Would you like to swim?’ Prince Chenle inquired, frustration rising in your chest. It was more difficult than it should have been, but you couldn’t afford losing.

“You have to kill him, you silly girl. Kill him. You don’t have much time.”

You shook your head. You pointed at yourself again, then at the sea. You slotted your palms together and imitated the unique movements of your tails when you were swimming. Yet, he didn’t seem to get it.

“So you’re ready to die. Because that’s what will happen. You will die, you silly girl. You will die.”

You gulped and lay down on your side on the sand. You rested your chin atop of your palm while you were staring at a random spot where your imaginary prince was lying. You opened your mouth to sing him a song, and while no sound came out of your throat, it did the trick.

Because the next thing you knew, Prince Chenle was lying next to you on the sand, his eyes dark albeit happy.

‘It is you,’ he breathed as he reached towards you with a trembling hand and the pads of his fingers grazed along your jawline. You fluttered your eyelashes and nodded.

The voices were still there, in the back of your mind, they still laughed at the inevitable, but you had even fewer reasons to believe them now that the prince was looking at you so fondly. He looked at you like you were irreplaceable, like you were the key to his happily-ever-after, too, and your heart was about to explode.

A silent yelp escaped your throat when Prince Chenle pushed you on your back and towered over you with his entire body. The situation was thrilling and terrifying at the same time, although you blamed the paralyzing dread you were feeling on the voices that didn’t stop chanting: “He’s a monster. A monster. He is a monster.”

For the first time, they sounded like Yangyang when he was panicky, but your best friend was living his life in the bottom of the sea, hence you deemed it a cheap trick. How could Prince Chenle have been a monster when he was about to make all your dreams come true?

You licked your lower lip when he adjusted his position and placed one knee on the sand on each side of your body. He sat on your hips and leaned forward for what you assumed was a kiss. So you pursed your lips the way lovers did in your beloved books and waited, flames of anticipation licking your being from the inside slowly.

Although your older sisters had already gushed over mermen in front of you and told you how kissing could make one’s lips feel as though they had been touched by a jellyfish - if you kissed someone for too long, that was -, the intensity of the prince’s kiss still took you by surprise. It was suffocating in the way your brain forgot to remind you that you should have breathed through your nose; messy with his tongue coating your pink flesh with saliva; and mind-shattering when you felt his fingers sneaking around your neck.

You furrowed your brows in confusion when he pulled away, but his hands remained on your throat. He was smiling down at you and you tried to reciprocate the gesture, but the grin he shot at you was unsettling.

“Kill him! You have to kill him! Kill him!”

Yangyang’s voice filled your senses, confusing you even more. Meanwhile, the prince’s hand squeezed your windpipes and one of his knees put a light pressure on your chest.

‘It’s okay. It won’t take too long,’ he taunted you, his chuckle making you sick.

A part of you tried to convince you that this was a sick joke, a nightmare, but the voices said otherwise and for the first time, they sounded less mocking and more desperate to make you see the monster behind the charming facade.

You dug your nails into Prince Chenle’s arms, but he didn’t budge, so you quickly moved on to his face until your body still had the energy to fight. You scratched his cheeks, pushed his head to the right, and went for his eyes. But the more determined you became to survive, the more amused his laughter sounded.

‘You signed your father’s death. How does it feel? To know that he will die because of you?’ He asked before he leaned down to press a kiss in the corner of your mouth.

You bit into his lip and kept pulling on it with your teeth so harshly, you could feel the iron taste of his blood in your mouth. He pressed his knee against your lungs harder.

“Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!”

You didn’t understand what was happening. You didn’t understand his reasons and the sudden change in his behavior, but you knew you wanted your father to be safe. You tried to kick him with your legs, push him off yourself with your arms, but he was too strong. Your head started to hurt from suffocation while your vision was already a bit blurry. The voices were screaming at you, scolding you for being so weak, but you couldn’t kill him. Heartbroken, you wanted nothing more than to swim back to your father and beg for his forgiveness. You wanted to see Yangyang and Kun.

Although you were certain that you were still on the shore, it felt like your lungs were getting filled with water. You furrowed your brows, eyes wide in horror. Prince Chenle’s hands weren’t around your neck anymore. They were pointed at you, fingers curled.

You coughed up water. It was salty on the tip of your tongue.

‘I should thank you I guess. Without you, I might have never gotten my happy ending,’ he mocked you, reciting the words you had told the sea witch when she had asked you about your heart’s desire. ‘It’s all thanks to you, love.’

When he balled his fists, your coughs became more aggressive. The water burned your lungs and your tears ran down on your cheeks.

Your death tasted like home.

the end.

#chenle x you #nct x reader #nct dream x reader #chenle x reader #halloween stories #royalty au #greek gods au #the little mermaid #fluff #horror #ssbyme #nct scenarios #nct dream #chenle

[hwxnghyynjin]

Deal With The Devil

Pairing: grim reaper!jaemin x reader Genre: horror, angst, suggestive, slight fluff Warnings: character death, mentions of a car accident, mentions of food, smoking, alcohol consumption, swearing, implied sex, mentions of vomiting Words: 2,111

It’s been 6 months since the accident. 6 months since you lost your soulmate. 6 whole months of loneliness, a hole in your heart, like a piece of you left the day Jaemin passed. Your days were filled with darkness, your home didn’t feel like a home anymore. It just felt… cold. Empty. Nothing felt right anymore. 

You woke up to the sound of birds chirping, not wanting to get up. The other side of the bed felt cold, like it has been for the last 6 months. You just laid there, feeling numb. You debated whether to get up or not, too tired to even make a move. You decided to get up after a few minutes, grabbing everything you need to take a shower.

The warm water ran down your body, you just stood under the shower, staring at the wall in front of you. Tears started rolling down your face, mixing with the warm water. The pain you were feeling didn’t get any better, you just seemed to… deal with it. The way you dealt with it wasn’t exactly healthy though. But it helped. 

You finish in the shower after about 20 minutes, wrapping a towel round you and leaving the bathroom. You dried your hair and put on some floral underwear. That pair was actually Jaemin’s favourite, he thought you looked cute in it. You grabbed a pair of sweats from your wardrobe, and one of Jaemin’s black hoodies fell out, and you just picked up, staring at it for a while, before putting it on, the hoodie reaching your midthigh. The sleeves were a bit too long but you didn’t care.

You went downstairs to the kitchen, and went straight to the fridge. You opened it, the bright light hitting you in the face. You scanned the inside before grabbing a beer, opening it and taking a swig. You closed the fridge and grabbed a protein bar, opening it and taking a bite. You finished it in a few mouthfuls, throwing the wrapper in the bin. You left the kitchen, and went into the living room, falling onto the couch. You took another swig of the beer, putting it on the table in front of you.

Your eyes focused on the cigarette packet in front of you, taking it and pulling out a cigarette. You lit it and put it in your mouth, taking a puff. You leaned your head back and blew smoke out, closing your eyes. You took another puff, accidentally breathing in too much smoke and ended up coughing. You grabbed your beer, taking a big gulp. The cold nectar ran down your throat, the taste of heaven hitting you. 

You were halfway through your cigarette and went to put your beer can down on the table, but you accidentally knocked it, beer dripping onto the floor. “Shit”, you panicked and put the cigarette in the ashtray, grabbing the can and putting it on the table. You grabbed a cloth and cleaned up the mess, rubbing the cloth on the now beer stained floor. You sighed out of frustration, sitting back on the couch. 

While you were groaning out of frustration, Jaemin looked down on you from above. He made a deal with the devil, as the devil took a liking to him, and turned him into a grim reaper. He really missed you and couldn’t wait to see you again. “She really misses you, doesn’t she?”, the devil said, who goes by the name of Johnny. Jaemin just looked at you, seeing the pain you were in. He sighed and turned around, walking away. He couldn’t wait to be reunited with you, his soulmate. 

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

You thought it’d be best to visit Jaemin’s grave so you put on your scuffed sneakers, grabbed your keys and left the house, locking the door before going to your car. 

You bought some flowers from a little shop, getting some roses. You arrived at his grave, kneeling down. You stared at his grave, his name engraved on the stone. “Jaemin, I miss you. I-i can’t do this. Come back to me, goddammit. I need you. It hurts too much. This hole in my heart, it fucking hurts me. Why did you have to leave me on that stupid night, huh? Why did you have to leave me alone? If only I was more careful, you’d still be here”, you cried, thinking back to the night your love was taken away from you. 

You were driving along an empty road, the both of you laughing. You were the one driving, speeding along the twisty roads. You didn’t realise how fast you were going, Jaemin yelling at you to watch out, before another car came into view and you collided with it, your car crashing over the barriers, tumbling down the side of the cliff. You’re surprised you even survived the crash. You kept thinking that it should have been you that went, not Jaemin.

The car hit a tree with such a force, the front of the car crushed. Jaemin died on impact, his body thrown through the window. You kept telling him to put on his seatbelt, but he didn't listen. He was always reckless, and loved living on the edge. You were both that couple that everyone was jealous of, but at the same time, didn’t want to mess with. Now with him gone, you didn’t do the things you enjoyed doing. Going out drinking with your friends, doing karaoke, everything just seemed pointless to you.

You placed the roses on his grave, wiping your tears. The sky now an orange colour, you thought it’d be best to go home, not wanting to stay out too late. Whenever you went somewhere, you always made sure you were back home before it got dark. You don’t know why you did that, you just did. 

You got in the car and drove off. Rain suddenly started falling from the sky, raindrops bouncing off the car. The rain was so heavy, you could hardly see in front of you. The car starts skidding from side to side, the road slippy due to the rain. You tried to take control of it, not wanting to crash. The rain started getting heavier, making it even harder for you to see. A storm started brewing up, lighting flashing in the sky. A crash of lighting hit a telephone pole, causing it to fall. You swerved out the way, trying not to hit it. As you were swerving, you didn’t see another car swerving in the other direction, the both of your cars colliding. The telephone pole landed on top of your car, crushing your legs. You screamed in agony, your body in so much pain. 

You felt yourself drifting in and out of consciousness, sirens ringing in your ears. You wanted to hang on to life, but at the same time, you didn’t. You wanted to die, wanting your pain and suffering to end. All of a sudden, your car caught on fire, killing you instantly. 

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

You opened your eyes and you didn’t recognise where you were. You were surrounded by darkness, until the darkness disappeared. You were soon met with a house, roses filling the front garden, a black fence in front of it. You felt yourself being drawn to the house, your feet moving on their own accord. You walked up the steps, peaking through the window. As you looked in the window, you saw your reflection. Your black hair reaching just above your shoulders, your clothes all black. What shocked you, though, were your eyes: they weren’t your usual eye colour, but they were black. Your entire eye. 

The sound of a voice got your attention, the familiar sound ringing in your ears. You turned around, and saw the person you missed so much: Jaemin. He was wearing all black, a black hood covering his head. You smiled widely and ran towards him. You crashed into him, hugging him tightly. 

“Jaemin, oh my god, I missed you so much”, you cried into him, Jaemin stroking your back. “I’m here now, baby”, he said softly. You pulled away and confusion soon painted your face. “Wait, where am I?”, you asked, Jaemin chuckling. “Welcome to the afterlife. Oh, and if you’re wondering why your eyes are black, you’re a demon. I don’t know why you’re a demon, you should have been an  angel. Guess we all can’t get what we want. A demon and a grim reaper together? That’s sexy”, Jaemin said, and his words rang in your ear. The afterlife. Demon. Grim reaper. This is all new to you. But you’re reunited with Jaemin so you don’t care.

“Oh, and this is my house. Well, our house now”, Jaemin smiled, and grabbed your hand, leading you up the stairs and into the house. You stepped inside the house and you were in awe. The different shades of grey painting the walls, expensive decor all over the house. Everything just seemed…. perfect. You smiled, just happy to be back with Jaemin.

A pair of arms wrapped around your waist, Jaemin placing his head on your shoulder. “Guess this is our new life now”, you said with a sigh. Not a sad one, but a happy sigh. You turned around in Jaemin’s arms and looked at him for a moment. His hood was now down and his blonde hair was replaced with jet black, his hair a bit longer. Your hand held his cheek, your thumb rubbing across it. You brought him in for a kiss, your lips moulding together. 

The kiss started off soft and gentle, until Jaemin deepened it. He held the back of your thighs, lifting you up, and your back was soon against the wall. You wrapped your legs around his waist, Jaemin grinding himself into you. His lips trailed kisses down your neck, sucking on your sweet spot. You moaned at the feeling, rolling your eyes back. Jaemin grabbed your ass, giving it a squeeze, nipping along your jaw. 

He brought you to his- now your shared- bedroom, and laid you down on the bed. He hovered over you, lifting your shirt up, kissing your stomach. He held your hips gently, sucking on a sensitive area on your stomach. You moaned softly, arching your back. 

The both of you were soon naked, Jaemin thrusting in and out of you, his face buried in your neck. Your hands gripped his back, your nails digging into the skin, leaving marks. The night was filled with pleasure, your skin all warm and sweaty. Noises of arousal left both of you, Jaemin soon filling you up. Jaemin got off you, bringing you into him and kissing your head, the both of you falling into dreamland. 

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

It’s been a few weeks since you were reunited with Jaemin and everything seemed perfect. But it was soon about to become even more perfect. 

You woke up early in the morning, feeling a sickly feeling in the pit of your stomach. You ran to the bathroom, suddenly puking your guts up. The sound of you retching woke Jaemin up, and he ran into the bathroom, kneeling behind you, moving your hair out of the way. He rubbed your back while your head was in the toilet, tears falling from your eyes. 

You finished puking and brushed your teeth, trying to get rid of the taste in your mouth. “You ok, darling?”, Jaemin asked once you wiped your mouth, wiping away the toothpaste from the corner of your mouth. “I’m ok”, you said, but Jaemin wasn’t convinced. “You sure? You literally puked your guts up”, he said and you hesitated whether to tell him or not. You took a pregnancy test about two days ago and you were waiting for the right time to tell Jaemin, and you guess it’s that time now. 

“You might want to sit down first”, you said and Jaemin sat on the toilet seat. “Remember when we got reunited and we made love?”, you asked and Jaemin smirked. “Of course I do, you were moaning in my ear to keep going”, he teased and you lightly hit his bare chest, making him laugh. 

“Well…. I took a pregnancy test two days ago. And it was positive”, you said, waiting for Jaemin’s reaction. A huge smile formed on his face, jumping up and hugging you. “Does this mean we’re going to be parents?”, he said and you nodded, a smile now on your face. He pulled away and kissed you, pulling you close to him. 

“Wait, since I’m a grim reaper and you’re a demon, does that mean we’ll have hybrid babies?”

#jaemin imagines #jaemin scenarios #jaemin horror #jaemin angst #jaemin au #jaemin x reader #jaemin #nct dream imagines #nct dream scenarios #nct dream angst #nct dream horror #nct dream au #nct dream x reader #nct dream

[neobubz]

Prey (M)

Word Count: approx. 23k Pairing: fem reader x jaemin Warning(s): mature audiences only, explicit language, horror, sex, smut, kidnapping, abusive relationship, dubcon, slow-burn, story telling Preview: Sighing in bed your heart still hums with the smallest tickle of desire. The feeling of Jaemin’s arousal still prevalent against your core. Biting your bottom lip you hold back the urge to relieve yourself of this yearning. It’s strange. You’ve only known him completely for two days and yet you feel like you’ve known him a lot longer. His caring nature the complete opposite of your ex. The way his lips tug up slowly into such a bright smile has little butterflies soaring through you.

▽ ⓟ ⓡ ⓔ ⓨ △

Stumbling around a corner you grasp onto the sharp concrete edge. Not even out from the underground labyrinth you’re exhausted, hurt, and wanting this game to end. Glancing down at your ankle it’s already showing signs of bruising. Having tripped down the last four steps when you heard the familiar sound of chains being dropped to the floor behind you, you landed hard on your ankle.

“Princess!” A sweet voice calls out to you from far away. “Come out; come out, wherever you are!”

“Shit!”

Limping forward you do your best not to put too much weight on your ankle. You needed to get as far away from that jackass as possible. Spending a week on the run you’ve managed to stay away from him. The only time coming into any form of contact was when you headed to a safe room that was provided on every floor.

Each floor has a special padded room where there’s a bed, bathroom, and table for you to eat and rest. Every morning you’re woken by an alarm. Giving you time to eat a meal that is dropped off to you by a dumbwaiter and time to shower and change into a fresh pair of clothes — white leggings, white socks, white shoes, and a white sweatshirt — before being let loose to try to make it to your designated exit, the front gates.

Each time you’re given a month to try to escape. The first attempts you failed ending up getting caught quickly. Not knowing the layout of the house, not aware of the rules you kept failing every time. Now, more aware of your surroundings and more aware of the rules you’ve made it a whole week without being caught once!

Feeling victorious you slip into a small room that leads you to the next floor through a secret passageway. This house has many hidden rooms and secret tunnels that have both helped you escape your captor but also led you straight to him. This particular tunnel will lead you to the massive library, one that always reminded you of the Beast’s library in Beauty and the Beast. Huge bookshelves that you need one of those tall ladders to reach the top shelf. Three individual floors stocked with books from multiple generations that grew up here.

Crawling up the staircase trying to be as quiet as possible you hear the thud and clang of chains through the wall. Holding your breath and keeping still you try not to make a sound — terrified that somehow the man after you will have the ability to pull you through the wall. To claim what little hope of freedom remained.

“Where could she have run off to?” His sweet voice sounded as if he was right next to you. “What do you think, Nana?”

Internally groaning you remain still. Nana, the female Doberman who hates your fucking guts is helping him.

Of course she is! He never plays fair!

There are exactly three Doberman’s on the grounds. Nana is the only one you know by name since she’s the only one allowed inside. The other two, guard the outside, only knowing them as ‘The Boys.’

When you first arrived you were chased to the front door and almost mauled by the two guard dogs. The truth is, it was Christmas time and you were finally going home after three years of working through every holiday — climbing the corporate ladder. Your father understood your determination to reach your goal of Vice President, while your mother — she wanted her baby home, saying that she’s missed you time and time again.

On your way to your parents’ house your car decided to break down on the side of an old back road. The highways congested by a terrible accident had you hitting your GPS for an alternate route. Well, that is until your GPS gave out and you were driving blind. From your memory you were just five hours shy of your old town. Having traveled all day you planned to camp out at a hotel before setting off for the rest of your journey.

When your car broke down, you tried to find a signal to call for a tow truck. You tried to call home and perhaps get a ride from your dad who would be more than willing to make the journey. No signal. Trekking for miles you ended up deep into a wooded section trying to find a tall hill to try again. No signal.

Hours passed, your feet blistered from the stupid heels you decided to keep on from work —taking them off you start walking on the forest floor bare footed.

Your phone reading 2AM had you slumping over a huge boulder when lights sparked on in the distance. Lights meant people! People meant help! Help meant getting the fuck out of here and back home!

Making a dash towards the lights you pray they don’t go out. Stomping on twigs, branches, rocks, you pay no mind to the stinging pain in your feet. The only thing you wanted was to get some help and possibly some food. Making it to the source of the lights you find yourself in front of a huge gate. Well, several gates to be exact. All with beautiful ornate designs and what look like chains looking them up tight.

“Fuck!” You curse. “Come on, don’t do this to me!” You look around frantically for a call box, a way to contact the owners. “Shit!” You stomp when there’s nothing in sight.

Walking around the side of the house in search for a side or rear entrance. With the size of the estate there has to be a place where a groundskeeper lived, or someone patrolling that will be able to help you. And that’s when you see it! The golden opportunity! A door through a stone wall is sitting wide open.

“Jackpot!” You rush over. Peeking inside you call out before entering. “Hello? Hello?!” You take a step onto the property. “Excuse me! Hello?! Is anyone there?”

Not a single sound. No owls hooting. No wolves howling far off in the distance. No crickets or other woodland creatures making noise to signal their presence. Nothing.

Fog covers most of the ground blocking your view completely after 20 yards. Keeping close to the wall as a guide back to the door, you take your first real steps through the property. Finally, hearing a noise, you recognize the whinny of a horse.

Walking towards the sound you see a stable with a beautiful black horse sticking its head out. “Hey there,” you giggle, walking up to it. “What’s your name?”

Sticking out your hand, you allow the horse to give you a little sniff. Amazed at its reaction when it nuzzles against your hand you spot what you believe is its name on the front of the stall door. ‘Minnie.’

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Minnie.” Sighing you try to peer through the fog. “If you’re here that means someone’s here to take care of you.” Giving the horse one final pat you depart.

“Hello?! Please! I need some help! Is anyone here?” You call into the night.

Just then a bark sounds off through the fog. Minnie behind you starts to whinny loudly almost as if shouting out to you. Flittering between the barking that is now getting closer and sounding to be more than one dog and Minnie you start to head back in the direction you came from. Rushing towards the wall you keep one hand on it while you head for the door.

“Eh?!” You scream when you find the door has since been closed. “No! This…This is the door I came through!” You yank on the doorknob. “Hello?!” You bang on the wooden door. “Hello?!”

The barking grows louder sending you straight into a mad dash away from it. “Shit! Shit! Shit!” You try to find your way through the fog. “Please! Call off your dogs!” You cry into the night. “Please!”

Finding yourself in front of the tallest wall you’ve seen in terms of a residence you head for what you believe is the front door. “Sir! Madam! Anyone! Please!” You beg at each window. “Please! I’m not here to hurt you! I’m in need of help! Please!”

Low growling halts you in your steps. In front of you coming out of the fog are two large Doberman’s. Thanks to a childhood friend growing up you know the breed of dog — sadly, it’s a breed you want nothing to do with. Lowering their body, they start to growl. Teeth baring, saliva dripping — looking a lot like Cerberus, minus one head.

“D-Down…” you gulp. “I’m a friend…” you try to reason with the snarling beasts. “H-H-Help!” You screech. “Please!”

The dogs slowly start to approach you, backing you further away from the front of the house. Keeping your movements slow you keep a safe distance from them. Well, safe enough to make an attempt at escaping.

“Good dogs,” you try to placate them. “Very good at guarding the house… Such good…boys?” You question the genders.

One of the dogs lunges towards you which sends you off running towards the back of the house screaming like a banshee. Tripping over things that are sprawled out on the lawn you’re almost eaten alive but you manage to get to your feet fast enough. Rounding the corner heading to the front of the house you see a silhouette in the window.

“Please! Call off your dogs!” You shout banging on the window as you pass by it.

Rounding the next corner you leap up to the front porch ringing and banging on the door for dear life as the two dogs approach you slowly. Their fangs ready to tear into you. Your heart pounds in your ears as each step they take draws you closer to the end. Flashes of your childhood and of all the times you called your mom where she pleaded for you to come home plays before you.

Tears streaming down your face you call out for help once again. One of the dogs snaps at you, their face mere inches from your own. Using their body they force you to lie down on the ground, the other hovering close by.

“Please! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I just want to go home!” You cry.

And that’s when it happened. A loud whistle breaks through their snarling and both dogs back off of you sitting down near your feet – whimpers coming from both of them, their ears, and heads lowering almost as if in shame.

“Wh-What?” Your head arches back to see someone barefooted with another Doberman at their side.

“You’re the reason for all the noise?” A young man asks looking down at you with hooded eyes like he just woke up.

“Please! Please!” You scramble to your feet and reach out to him only to have the dog at his side block him. It too baring its fangs. This one however strikes more fear in you then the two behind you combined.

“Nana!” He shouts and the dog backs down. “Who are you? Why are you on my property?”

“Please…” your head starts to spin. “I need…” the world before you starts to darken. “Help…”

Everything turns black.

Slowly your eyes start to open. Blinking away the sleepiness your head feels thick and foggy. As if you’ve been sleeping for far too long. Your body aches as you start to come alive.

“What in the hell happened?” You ask yourself trying to sit up. Quickly holding onto your head the room starts to spin and your legs and feet ache. “Why am I so sore…?”

“Ah! You’re awake!” Startled you turn to the person who just spoke and see a young man holding a silver tray in his hands. “I thought I saw you moving more and figured you’d eventually wake up,” he smiles coming closer to you. “I just finished making some of my grandma’s homemade chicken noodle soup. I hope you’re hungry, there’s a lot of it!”

“Wh-Who are you?” You croak out sounding like a toad.

“You must be thirsty,” placing the tray down on a small stand near the bed you currently realize you’re in, he grabs a glass of clear liquid. “Drink up.”

Looking at the glass and the young man you shake your head in protest. ‘Rule number one, never accept drinks or food from strangers’ — your moms voice rings in your ear.

“It’s just water,” the young man laughs taking a good swig of the liquid. “See,” he holds out the glass.

“Who are you? Where am I?” You continue to croak.

“Sorry how rude of me. My name is Jaemin Na,” he chuckles. “And you’re currently in my downstairs guest room.”

“Why am I here?”

“You don’t remember?” You stare at him confused your head pounding. “You fainted last night — this morning, actually.” He quickly corrects.

You whisper, “I fainted…?”

Just then a large dog saunters into the room, a Doberman by the looks of it. In the split second it took you to identify the breed flashes of earlier spring forward. You running and screaming while two large dogs chase after you. Monstrous beasts hovering over you snapping at you, keeping you pressed against a wooden porch. The dog standing next to Jaemin notices the change in your demeanor and starts growling.

“N-No!” You crawl away from it in the large bed.

“It’s okay! Nana, go and play,” he urges the dog away. It doesn’t move but starts to whimper. “Nana!” He says in a stern voice. The dog takes one more look at you and you’d swear on your life it looked like it rolled its eyes before leaving the room. “Sorry, she’s a sweet girl but she doesn’t like anyone but me. She’s been like that since she was a puppy.”

“Three dogs?” You ask.

“Yes. There are three Doberman’s on the property. Nana is a guard dog for inside, and the boys, they guard outside. Now please, have some water. You need to hydrate.”

Eyeing the man in front of you every nerve in your body is on edge. The whole ordeal a little too strange but at the same time you were trespassing on what is most likely private property. You should consider yourself lucky your brains aren’t currently splattered on the ground, or that the dogs didn’t just tear you apart and eaten you for a midnight snack.

“My car broke down,” you whisper taking the glass. “I need to call for a tow truck. May I please use your phone?”

“Yes, of course. If you don’t mind me asking, what were you doing back here? No one is ever on these backroads.”

“There was an accident on the highway. I tried to bypass it and then my car broke down,” you take a sip of the water to find that it was indeed just water. Nothing strange smelling or tasting in it, you hope.

“I heard about that on the news last night. A huge 20 car pileup, consider yourself lucky you weren’t a part of it,” he sighs. “These roads including the highway gets pretty dangerous this time of year,” he gets up going to the tray. “Especially with the oncoming snow.”

You choke on your water. “Snow?!”

Nodding, Jaemin puts down the lid and heads over to long heavy curtains with tassels. They look like they’ve come straight out of gothic movie. Pulling the curtains open you see snow currently falling onto the ground.

“N-No!” You scramble to your feet but hiss when your feet make contact to the floor.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jaemin sighs holding out a supporting hand. “I don’t know what you were doing but your feet are pretty messed up. Why didn’t you have shoes?”

“My heels,” you look around the room.

Scratching the back of his head Jaemin reaches underneath the bed. “These?” He holds up a pair that looks like it’s been through the shredder.

“M-My shoe…”

“Nana got a hold of them last night. I guess when you were being chased you dropped them. I tried to get them away from her but…yeah…I’m sorry. I hope they weren’t expensive. I can reimburse you!”

Sighing you crawl back into the bed provided for you. “No, they were just an old pair of shoes. It’s fine.”

“I don’t know how quickly a tow truck will be here. Do you have any belongings in your car that I can get for you?”

“I have a suitcase and my purse,” you tell the young man. “My cell…” you whisper. “My phone!!!”

“It’s right here! I managed to grab it before Nana did any damage to that don’t worry.”

“Thank goodness. I need to call my parents too.”

Nodding, Jaemin brings over the tray smiling proudly. “Why don’t you eat something first, I’ll get the first aid kit and get you all bandaged up and then you can go and make those phone calls while I head out and get your things?”

“Jaemin, please, you’ve already done so much as is. And I want to apologize for trespassing. I saw lights and I —”

Shaking his head he gives you a beautiful white-toothed smile. “It’s alright, really. I’m actually happy. I don’t get a lot of guests out here. It’s nice to have someone to talk to aside from the dogs.” Leaning into you he holds his hand up like he’s about to tell you a secret. “Between you and me they’re terrible communicators.”

Laughing for the first time since you left for your parents you smile at the lame joke. “Sadly, most animals are.”

“Well, I’ll let you eat. If you need anything I’ll be right outside in the other room.”

Jaemin turns to leave and just as he walks out of the room you call out to him. “Thank you! Jaemin…” your voice becomes small. “I really do appreciate this.”

“My pleasure,” he bows his head in your direction.

Glancing down at the warm bowl of soup that is really starting to make your mouth water you glance to the door. Hearing the TV turn on and the weather being put on you suspect that he isn’t trying to see if you take a bite or not. ‘Rule number one, never accept drinks or food from strangers.’

“Sorry mom…” you whisper before digging into the soup.

The first bite has your eyes rolling into the back of your head. A shiver rushing over your body at the scrumptious taste. Bite after bite you let the warmness of the soup coax your soul into tranquility.

Feeling like your life isn’t in danger by some creepy person you take a look around the room. The bed your in is quite large, most likely a queen with pretty plain covers — soft pink almost white, with matching curtains and pillows. The room overall feeling quite feminine. A chair sits off to the corner next to the window, a potted plant most likely fake behind the chair and a cute little reading corner to escape into the worlds of literature.

Across from the bed is a dresser and on top a mirror with scarce items around it. Tissues, small plants, and a few books for what you guess is aesthetic purposes mostly. To your left a nightstand and lamp rest with an old magazine from a few years ago. The room is quant but nothing to special. Just as one would expect of a guest room.

As you’re finishing up your soup Jaemin knocks on the door. “If you think you can make it, the phone is in the living room.”

“Oh, yes!”

“And I’ll take this,” he comes forward taking the soup bowl. “How was it?”

“The best chicken noodle soup I’ve ever tasted hands down!”

Giving a shy smile Jaemin nods. “Granny was known for her cooking. This was something I always wanted when we’d get snow here. Just makes everything cozier.”

“Are you here alone, Jaemin?”

“Yeah,” he lets out a deep sigh. “My parents are in the city a couple hours away. They never liked it here but me, I loved it. Everything is just slower when you’re out here. No one’s running into you on the streets. The air is cleaner. It’s quiet and of course the best part, no annoying neighbors.”

He walks out of the room with the tray continuing to talk. “I came out here a few years ago on a whim. I had to leave the city or else I was going to go crazy. I was only planning to stay for a couple of weeks but those weeks turned into years.” He walks back into the room. “And I haven’t regretted it since,” he holds out his hand for you.

“Not having annoying neighbors would be a dream,” you take hold of his hand. “I have this one neighbor who insists on singing terribly every night at around 8PM,” you groan. “I wouldn’t mind if he was half way decent but when he tries to hit those high notes it’s like a cat getting run over.”

Helping you out of bed, Jaemin wraps a secure arm around your waist. “If I’m being honest I wouldn’t mind a neighbor or two. Being out here is nice but it can get lonely. Would be nice every blue moon to talk to someone. Even if the only thing we talk about is the weather or sports.”

Assisting you across the floor you’re now aware of how badly you tore up your feet last night. The adrenaline from running away masking any pain that you should have felt.

“I want to apologize for my dogs. I did get them to be guard dogs but I didn’t think they’d have you running around and hurting yourself.” He peers down at you.

“It’s my fault. I’m the idiot who walked onto your property in the dark. They probably thought I meant to hurt you,” you laugh. “I am pretty tough when I need to be.”

Laughing at your joke Jaemin’s hand tightens around your waist. “I’d better be careful. I haven’t found a wife yet and I’d rather not have my face messed up before then.”

He sets you down on the couch then grabs the throw blanket that was on the back of what you assume is his chair. “Hard to find someone out here?”

“Talk about impossible,” he places the blanket over your lap. “That is unless I want to be a sugar baby with a granny as my sugar momma.”

Trying not to laugh you turn from him. “That’s unfortunate,” you let out a small giggle.

“Yah!!” He chuckles. “I’m not kidding! It’s granny city out here! You would think when someone gets old they’d want to be near hospitals and everything else that will help keep them preserved. No, these grannies are rough and tough.”

“Poor Jaemin,” you pout as he brings the phone over to you.

“Tell me about it,” he pretends to cry.

“A landline,” you smile gently. “Haven’t seen one of these in a long time.”

“Well the cell service out here is spotty. This baby is great if you ever have an emergency.”

Taking a seat in his chair Jaemin quiets down as you dial your childhood home number. This isn’t what you wanted. You wanted to surprise your parents with coming home for the holidays. To just pop up on their doorstep and practically give your mom a heart attack because she was so happy to see you. Now…Sighing you wait for someone to answer. You’ll have to ruin everything.

“Hello?” Your father answers.

“Dad?”

“Baby! How are you? What are you doing calling in the middle of the day? Shouldn’t you be working?”

“I, umm…” you start to twist the coiled cord around your finger just like you did back when you were a kid and had to talk to family you really didn’t want to. “Dad…you see…”

The couch dips down beside you. Glancing over Jaemin urges you to tell him what happened.

“Dad, hold on for just a second.”

“O-Okay?” He asks worried.

Covering the mouthpiece you let out a staggered breath. “What are you doing?” Jaemin whispers.

“I was planning on surprising my parents this year. They didn’t know I was coming up. They thought I was working through the holidays.”

“Wow that is a surprise,” he pauses to think. “Mind if I talk?”

“Y-You?”

Nodding Jaemin takes the phone away from you. “Sir? Yes, hello. My name is Jaemin Na and I’m sitting with your beautiful daughter right now. The reason she called you,” he glances down at you his lips turning up into a smile. “Is because she wanted to ask if you’d join us for Christmas.”

“WAIT?!” You whisper shout at him.

“You see sir,” he chuckles. “Well, your daughter and I have been getting rather close,” he winks dramatically. “I thought it was only customary to meet her parents and we can all get to know each other before, well…” he stills his body becoming stiff.

“What did he say?” You nudge Jaemin.

Gulping Jaemin nods, “y-yes sir.” His voice cracks. “Th-Thank you, sir.”

“Jaemin!!!” You whine.

“Yes, I’ll put her back on.”

Handing the phone back to you, you watch Jaemin lean back onto the couch looking like he’s seen a ghost. “Dad what did you do to him?!” You shout.

“I’m so happy, baby,” he sniffs. “Your mom is already packing her things as we speak.”

“Really?! You’re coming?!” You grab hold of Jaemin’s knee out of excitement.

Looking down at your hand Jaemin really looks at you for the first time. Seeing your beautiful hair shining in the ray of light permeating through the window. The pure joy on your face as you talk to your father. It’s been years since he’s seen someone genuinely happy. Ever since his granny passed the world seemed dull — with you here beside him, he cracks a smile, it feels like his grey world is starting to find some color again.

“Yes, okay, yeah I’ll put Jaemin on. I love you too daddy! See you soon!” Holding out the phone you whisper address to Jaemin.

“Oh, yes, sir, the address is…”

Waiting until Jaemin hangs up the phone you hit him hard on his leg. “Ahhhhh!!!” He shrieks. “What was that for?!”

“What did you do Jaemin?! Why are my parents coming here for Christmas?!”

Rubbing his leg he pouts. “I was thinking on my toes. Plus, you can’t possibly think you’ll be able to trudge through the snow all the way to your car with your feet as bad as they are!”

“They’re not that bad. See!” You stand up and take one single step on your right foot. A wave of pain rumbles through you. “Shit…” you whisper stuck in place.

“Told you,” Jaemin grabs your hand pulling you down to the couch. “I’m sorry if I overstepped. I didn’t mean to. The house is big enough for your parents and then some.”

“But what about you? Won’t this ruin your Christmas plans?”

“What Christmas plans?” He scratches the back of his neck chuckling. “My parents are too busy rubbing elbows with every other rich person in the city. The parties are always the same and always boring. I’ve been skipping out on them since I was 14. I normally spent my Christmas’ here with my granny.”

“When did she pass?”

“A year before I came to stay here. I would have come sooner but it felt wrong to just show up here with her gone.”

“D-Did she pass here?” You look around spooked at the thought someone died here.

“Nope. Dad shoved her in a nursing home. Don’t get me wrong it was a ritzy place but it wasn’t home for her.”

Your shoulders falling as you relax; you reach over giving Jaemin’s knee a little squeeze. “I’m sorry about her passing and I’m sorry your parents didn’t see a long time ago that Christmas should be spent with your family not with snobs.”

“Thanks…” he places his hand over yours. “Seriously with your parents and you here it’s going to make this a pretty awesome Christmas.”

“A part of me wonders if you didn’t set this up so you wouldn’t be alone,” you squint.

Avoiding your gaze Jaemin starts to smile coyly. “Alone? Who’s alone? I have Nana…”

“Yeah…you’d have spent it alone,” you shake your head. “I guess in a weird way I’m glad things happened the way they did last night. I don’t want to think for a second someone as sweet as you is spending Christmas alone…”

▽ ⓟ ⓡ ⓔ ⓨ △

“Hmmm…maybe she went into another room. Let’s go, Nana.”

Hearing the dragging of a chain as well as Nana’s bark farther off into the distance you slowly let out a breath you were holding. Doing your best to remain quiet you head up the staircase that will lead you to a painting in the library. Little by little you tread carefully.

Determined to make it out of this hell hole you move like a cat up the stairs. When you reach the top of the stairs, you take a huge breath in. This is the furthest you’ve made it in a while. Looking straight ahead at the wall, you carefully unhook two clamps. There was a secret about the painting in the library. Behind it there were holes in the wall that allowed you to see out through the eyes of the painting.

Standing on your tippy toes, your ankle throbbing as you do, you peer into the library. Only able to see a few feet in front of you and a little to the right and left, you can’t see anyone.

Excited you grab the doorknob ready to rush out of this tunnel and make your way to the front of the house. Because for once…

You made it! You actually did it!

“Gotcha!” A voice behind you snickers as strong arms wrap around your waist.

“No!!! No!!!!!” You scream thrashing in your captors arms. “Get off of me! Get off!!!!”

“Now, now, princess.” He laughs doing his best to attach the chain to your collar. “You know the rules. Rule 5, ‘If I catch you, you need to come quietly.’”

“Get off!!” You start to cry reaching for the door to run away from him. “Please!!!”

“Maybe you’ll be a little smarter next time.”

Turning your body away from the door you come face to face with the man that’s kept you locked in this home for lord knows how long. His once black hair now dyed silver, dark brown eyes, a beautiful smile that once made your stomach soar with butterflies, now it only makes you churn with revulsion. He leans into you placing his forehead onto yours.

“I’ve missed you this past week,” he nuzzles his nose with yours.

“Please…just let me go…” you beg.

Wrapping his arms around you tighter he holds you flush against his chest. “You know I can’t do that. Now, come on. It’s time for dinner.”

Letting go of you, you try to make a beeline straight for the door but are yanked back when he pulls hard on the chain. Immediately the air is taken from you. Your head thrashing forward as you’re pulled back — straining against the already tight collar. Choking, your gasps echo in the staircase. Falling forward he keeps a tight grip on the chain — ensuring you don’t hurt yourself and you can’t get away from him.

“Princess!” He snarls. “What have I told you about doing that?! I don’t want to hurt you!” Rubbing his forehead he thrashes his arm down yanking you forward. “Rule 7! ‘If you try to resist I will have to make you submit!’” He roars. “I don’t want to hurt you! I love you! But you keep breaking the rules! They’re there for you so you don’t get hurt!”

Taking a few collective breaths he attempts to calm himself down. It’s understandable that you try to resist. If the roles were reversed — he pauses, thinking. The corner of his lip tugs up into a smirk before his tongue glides across to the same corner. If the roles were reversed he’d be happy that you’ve kept him the whole time. Doing his best to please you.

The idea of him kneeling on the ground in front of you. Collar on tight and your hand having a firm grip on the leash — smiling proudly at him. Running a hand through his hair and filling his head with compliment after compliment has him ensnaring an arm around your waist, his lips dangerously close to your own.

“I need you,” he whispers his breath hot on your face. The faintest hint of his favorite brand of coffee wafting around the two of you.

“N-No…” you cry out trying to tug on the collar. “Please…I’m hurt…”

He becomes rigid. “Hurt? When?”

“On the stairs earlier.”

Turning his head away another round of fury courses through him. The thought of plowing into you long gone in the blink of an eye. Rule 2, ‘if the party being hunted finds themselves hurt they are to call out the safe word: red, or push the red button at one of the safe rooms. Signifying that the game is over.’

“Do you hate me that much,” he mutters.

“Wh-What?”

His head lowers until the front fringe of his hair covers his eyes. “You’re hurt…you should have let me know…”

“I didn’t want it to end.”

Honesty is your greatest ally right now. It’s true. Rule 2 clearly states that the game will end until you’re fully healed. You’ll be locked back in your room with nothing but your thoughts and a few books to keep you occupied. Then as customary the game will start over. You being placed at the starting point again! This has happened two times before.

The first time you were on bed rest for what you figured was a month. Still able to see the rise and fall of the sun it was easy to keep track of the days. After you were better you were blindfolded and taken to another part of the house for the game to start all over.

The second time was a much bigger injury. You had gotten cut deeply by a broken shard of glass. Bleeding profusely you thought that you were going to die. Nana was the one who found you on the floor in a pool of your own blood. She sounded the alarm and that is when Rule 2 was issued.

“Why didn’t you want to end the game? Do you hate me that much? Do you want to leave me that badly?” The man in front of you tugs on your chain tilting your neck up so he can peer into your eyes. “Don’t you get it?” His hands start trembling. “I’m in love with you. I’ve never felt this way about someone in my life! And all you can think of is leaving me! After everything I’ve done for you.” He turns around yanking you back down the steps.

“Pl-Please!!” You cry. “I just want to go home!”

“You are home!”

“I want my parents!” You start to wail clutching onto anything that you can to stop him from taking you back into that room. “I want my own bed. I want to go to my job! I want to see my friends! If you love me why can’t you let me go?”

Stopping at the bottom of the staircase you see the chain go slack in his arms. “You were going to leave me…” he whispers. “After I helped you… After I took care of you…”

“Did I ever say I would leave permanently?!” You attempt to march up to him. “Did I ever say I wouldn’t call or stop by?” You growl. “You are the one who put that in your head! Not me!”

“Would you have called?”

No. You think to yourself. Yes. Your mind quickly changes. Maybe? You sigh. There is no clear answer.

“I couldn’t lose another person.” He pulls you flush against his chest, arms wrapping around you, his face burying into the crook of your neck. “I finally found the light with you.”

“Please…” you try to pull away from him but he just wraps his arms around you tighter.

“Why can’t you love me like I love you?”

Because you’re a psychopath! Your brain screams. A twisted son of a bitch who’s dead set on never letting you out of his clutches!

But your heart…He leaves a few kisses on your neck heading up to your jawline. Your heart is fickle. Your heart is unfaithful. His hand leaves your waist and wraps around your neck, holding your head in place. Your heart…He peers down at you. Tears threatening to fall as his lips meet yours. Your heart is in love with him…

▽ ⓟ ⓡ ⓔ ⓨ △

Sighing on the couch you snuggle in Jaemin’s blanket. Taking in his scent you smile. The smell of laundry detergent, soup, and face lotion — in other words…fresh. Glancing up at his silhouette walking past the huge bay window he gives you a quick wave before heading over to shovel the walkway from the main entrances of the gates. And he needed to shovel a path to the garage where his truck is. Since your parents are coming over in just two days the house needs a little sprucing up. A little Christmas cheer. Not to mention, a shit ton of food to ring in the celebration.

Sadly, your feet are still messed up so you can’t help Jaemin with shoveling. The moment you mentioned it he put his foot down hard saying he would never allow it in the first place. So, here you are inside by a nice fire in front the TV. According to Jaemin, this house is primarily or was primarily a summer home. So that also means there are no Christmas decorations.

After the phone call with your dad the two of you planned out everything. You would get the bare minimum of decorations, a small tree that you quickly decorate, a few lights and candles for outside and inside; as well as some holiday plates.

Giving you ample time to rest up, you’re itching to get up and try to get to work to help in any way possible. Jaemin being the sweetest man you’ve ever encountered when he offered his home to you and your family. You just needed to find a way to pay him back for his kindness.

The front door opens and a rush of cold air wafts inside the cozy house. Bringing the blanket up to keep warm you glance in his direction. “How thick is the snow?”

“Not bad at all. Already did the first gate, the path and now I’m about to head out to the second and third gates. I forgot the key. Granny was extra precautions when it came to security.” He sighs. “But she also made it harder for herself and everyone else.”

“Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do? Maybe start the car and warm it up?”

Coming from the kitchen back to the living room, Jaemin leans over the back of the couch peering down at you. Craning your neck back you giggle at the goofy face he makes.

“Just rest, okay?” He places a chilly hand against your cheek. “We have plenty of time to get this place ready.”

“I just feel useless right now. If only I wasn’t stupid and changed into my sneakers I would be able to help.”

Doing something unexpected Jaemin places a chaste kiss on your forehead. “You’re not useless. You’re doing so much right now.”

“I am?”

Nodding he walks away from you heading for the door where Nana waits for him. “You’re bringing color back into my life. And I can’t thank you enough for it.” With that Jaemin walks back out into the chilly air.

Color?

Sitting up on the couch you work up the nerve to stand. Wanting to sit closer to the window to keep a close eye on Jaemin — in case of an emergency, you make it to your feet. After the phone call with your father Jaemin brought out the first aid kit and wrapped up your soles in gauze.

Gently you decide sliding your feet across the wood flooring would be easier on you than stepping for the time being. Sitting at the window seat you wrap yourself up in a cocoon and watch the man that has opened his home to you. Far off at the second gate he pushes the snow around easily. It really does look like the light fluffy kind. The complete opposite to when it was falling on the ground a few hours ago.

Nana and the other two dogs roll around and play in the snow. Nana close to Jaemin, the other two further away from her. He was right when he said she doesn’t like the male dogs. Chuckling, your eyes rest on Jaemin.

What did he mean when he said you’re adding color to his life? Was his life that grey before?

Looking around the living room there aren’t many pictures. There’s one of a family but it looks to be way older than Jaemin’s parents. There is however, a small boy with his arms tightly around a woman in one picture, next to Jaemin’s chair. The boy an exact resemblance to Jaemin. If he’s here all alone and his parents in the city, it’s clear that they’re not close.

“I’m sorry, Jaemin…” you whisper.

You needed to make this holiday special for him. No longer being about your parents coming out to see you, you trudge over to the phone. Quickly dialing your parent’s number you keep a close eye on the door.

“Hello?” This time your mom answering.

“Momma, hi,” you smile brightly.

“Baby!!!” She screams on the other end making you move the phone away from your ear. “Okay, what all do we need to bring? I’ve packed and repacked and I can’t decide what we need!”

“Maybe enough stuff to stay through the New Year?”

“The New Year?” She mumbles. “Is that okay with Jaemin?”

“I haven’t asked him yet but I’m sure he won’t mind. He’s been here all alone for a couple of years.”

“Alone? You never visited?”

“Visit? I just met him, why would I visit?”

She pauses on the other side before belting out the loudest yell you’ve ever heard. “Honey!!!! Get your butt in here now!!!” She calls for your dad. “Sweetie I’m going to put you on speaker phone, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

You hear whispering and shuffling going on in the background before your dads voice rings through the phone. “Baby,” he whispers.

“Hey dad…”

“Now… tell your father what you just told me about you and Jaemin.”

“I told mom that Jaemin and I just met.”

“Just met?” Your father sounds surprised. “Wait, he never said…”

“Darling I think your father jumped to conclusions. He thought this whole thing is because Jaemin is going to pop the question.”

“What was I supposed to think?” Your father grumbles. “A man invites a woman’s family over to his place for the holidays and it’s a little out of the blue and not to mention our baby girl was talking about getting back into the dating world after that last jackass.” He spats.

Clenching the phone tightly the image of your ex resurfaces. Your father wasn’t wrong when he called him a jackass. Cheated on you left and right to the point you were terrified that you might have gotten an STD/STI when you started to feel unwell. Thankfully, your tests were negative and it was merely the flu, but you were terrified for a good while.

“How did you just meet him?” Your mom probes.

“Last night my car broke down around 2 miles from his home. I was trying to find a few bars so I can call for a tow but then I saw lights in the distance and well here I am.”

“He hasn’t…” your father whispers. “You know…”

“He’s been a perfect gentleman. I’m the one who did something wrong,” you snicker looking at your bandages feet. “Which is why he thought about you guys coming down here instead of me driving up there.”

“What happened?”

“I got chased by his guard dogs. Two Doberman’s had a good workout because of me. Sadly, the kitten heels I was wearing didn’t make it through the wooded area and I was just walking on my bare feet and of course tore my feet up.”

“Baby!” Your mom gasps. “Please go to the hospital!”

“I’m fine.”

“What if you get an infection?!”

“I’m fine, mom, really. They’re just bruised and scratched up. Jaemin has already cleaned and bandaged my feet. I’m in incredibly good hands here,” you twirl the cord around your finger as a gentle smile creeps across your face.

“Ahhhhh…” your mom giggles. “Is he cute?”

“Cute?!” Your dad shouts.

“I’ll let you be the judge of that,” you giggle like a schoolgirl. “But the reason I called was —”

Hanging up the phone you jolt around as the front door opens up and you hear Jaemin calling for Nana. Kicking off the excess snow off his shoes he steps inside face bright red.

“We’re good to head out!”

“Why don’t you sit down and rest for a little. I have something I need to talk to you about.”

“Am I…” he walks over to the couch a terrified look on his face. “In trouble?” He asks.

“That depends. When you talked to my father did he seem extra happy about something?”

Stilling, Jaemin’s head slowly turns away from you. “I-I don’t know what you mean?”

“Well, I made another call home to tell my parents to bring a little extra something and when I did my mom revealed that my dad had the impression that you and I were a couple.”

Jaemin jolts up holding out his hands. “I swear!” He starts speaking quickly. “I didn’t intend to give him the wrong impression. I was going to tell him about what happened and then all of a sudden he’s calling me son, and saying I can’t wait to meet you. And then he warns me that if I hurt you I’m as good as dead and I’m sorry!”

Finally letting yourself laugh you shake your head. “I’m not mad, Jaemin. It was funny to hear what happened. Don’t worry my parents aren’t mad at all either and knowing them they’ll apologize again and again for the misunderstanding.”

Falling down onto the couch Jaemin lets out a huge exhale. “So, I’m not going to die?”

Smirking you nudge his arm. “At least not yet you aren’t. Oh, and if it’s alright with you I told them to bring extra clothes to last them up till the New Year.”

“New Year?” Jaemin asks.

“When you were talking about being out here all alone for Christmas I had an idea. I took time off of work until the second week in the New Year and well,” you reach over placing a hand on top of his. “I thought we can spend time with you for Christmas and the New Year so you’re not alone.”

Staring dumbfounded Jaemin’s eyes tremble. Gulping deeply you watch his adams apple bob up and down before he reaches out to you pulling you towards him. Smashing his lips onto yours. His hand wraps around your neck as he slowly moves his lips across yours. Not knowing fully what to do you sit there stunned.

What shocks you even more is when you find your own lips moving along with his. Feeling you returning the kiss Jaemin starts to use his body to push you back onto the couch. A small squeak from you has him smiling against your lips.

What is going on?! You freak out.

Not being the crazy party girl type you don’t even give your number out to strangers when you’re at bars with your co-workers. Yet here you are, kissing a complete stranger. Staying at his house. Inviting your parents over for the holidays! Who the fuck are you?!

But the better question is…why does it feel so good to kiss, Jaemin?

Trying to get a better angle a chuckle leaves you when you hear Jaemin’s coat rustling around. His smile starts to spread across his lips and with one final peck and a growl he sits up.

“Stupid coat,” he unzips and rips it off of him.

“Well that was unexpected,” you tease.

“I’m sorry about that. I mean I am and I’m not. I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable.”

“I did kiss you back so I wouldn’t say I was uncomfortable,” you sit up staring at the young man before you.

His chest rises and falls as his tongue skates over his lips. His eyes going from yours down to your lips and back up to meet your own. His cheeks flushed from the cold and perhaps from your small make out.

Jaemin is truly a very attractive man. Dark black hair that isn’t too short or too long. A nice medium length that you can run your hands through. The sweetest smile you’ve ever seen. Even now as his lips start tugging up into a grin you can’t help but to smile as well. He’s just that type of person that can make others happy and smile just by smiling himself.

Leaning into him you grab him by his neck yanking him towards you. “You haven’t answered my proposition at all,” you say against his lips.

“What was it again? I think I forgot,” he drags his lips across yours tempting you.

“Is it okay for my parents and me to stay here and celebrate the holidays with you?”

“Hell with the way I feel right now you can all move in!”

“Then I guess we have some major shopping to do,” you let go of him and stand up.

Grabbing your waist his eyes widen. “Be careful!”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got a system now!”

Sliding your feet across the floor as if you’re a figure skater you make it to the guest room without feeling any pain. Doing a little twirl you end with a ‘ta-dah pose’ to which Jaemin gives you a round of applause. Even in the corner of the room where Nana has decided to stand — as far from you as possible, you swear you see the slightest wag of her tail. Perhaps it really was a great thing ending up at Jaemin’s.

▽ ⓟ ⓡ ⓔ ⓨ △

Lying in bed you stare up at the white ceiling. The game ended a while ago. The triumphant feeling you had of almost escaping has turned you into a hollow shell. No longer eating or drinking, you’ve put yourself on the ‘self-harm’ list in your captors’ eyes.

Sitting in a chair in the corner he turns another page in the novel he’s been reading for the last day and a half. He hasn’t left your side at all — well, except when he makes your meals, but even then…you tug on the collar around your neck jingling the chain that he holds loosely in his hand, alarming him. You’re still kept within saving distance.

“Have you decided to eat yet?” He asks going back to his book.

“No.”

Exhaling, he slams his book shut. “Why are you doing this? You need to eat. You need to drink.”

“Let me go and I will.”

“If I let you go you’ll run away and call the cops.”

“Of course I will!” You scream. “You’ve kept me locked in this fucking house for God knows how long! I want to go home! I want to be with my family! Why can’t you understand this?!” You start thrashing your body around on the bed.

“Stop! Stop!” You completely lose control of yourself. Throwing your hands around wildly you end up scratching your face, blood trickling down your cheek. Upon seeing you he springs up from his chair rushing over to you and grabs your arms. “For fucks sake stop!!” He climbs on the bed straddling your lap. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”

For a brief second you pause to stare him dead in the eyes. “Good!” You spit venomously.

“What?!” He whispers.

“I’d rather die than spend another minute here with you!”

As fast as lightning your wrists are gripped tightly and thrown over your head. Putting all his weight on you, causing you to not only moan but gasp from the lack of air — you’re unable to move. Yanking, you try to get him to loosen his grip. Twisting and turning your body in any direction you can you try to throw him off. When nothing works you release the most guttural scream.

“I never wanted to do this to you!” He screams down at you. “When you…when you said yes,” his voice becomes a whisper. “I was so happy. I thought finally someone who sees me has come into my life. Someone I can call mine forever…”

“Yet you locked me up! That isn’t love!”

“You were going to leave me! Don’t lie to me!” He pushes against your arms, his grip tightening.

“I said I needed to go back home. I needed to get back to my life and my job. That never meant goodbye forever!”

“Yes it does…” he whispers.

“When I said yes, I meant it! At that moment I meant it with every fiber of my being! When I said I needed to go I didn’t mean forever. We would have talked as much as you wanted. You could have come out and visited me and vice versa, but you took all of those possibilities and threw them out the fucking window!”

“Your home, what does it look like again?”

“What?!”

“Your home in the city…”

“Who the fuck cares now?! They probably threw all my shit away!” A tear trickles down your face.

There’s no doubt in your mind that all your things have been emptied out of your apartment. There’s no way in hell your landlord would just allow you to skip out on months of rent. Hell, you don’t even have a job anymore most likely. All that hard work — years of staying away during holidays to grind out another win for the company wasted because of the man currently top of you.

“You still have your apartment.”

“What?”

“I’ve been paying the rent this whole time.”

“WHAT?!” You scream.

“I’ve also invested in your company and have talked to your boss and he thinks you’re working exclusively on a deal with me at my home office. You’ve been given a pay raise since then.”

“Get off! Get the fuck off of me!”

This time listening to you, he slides off of you sitting defeated at your side.

“What in the hell are you talking about? How did you invest and why hasn’t my boss wanted to see me? What about my family?!”

Sighing he glances your way before looking away again. “My family owns half of the city where you work. In other words were filthy stinking rich. I was supposed to take over my father’s company but I chose to venture off on my own – small business dealings with tech companies here and there. It paid the bills and brought in the connections I needed to stay in my father’s good graces.

“Your wallet,” he fiddles with his fingers. “I looked you up. Found you on the company website and looked into the company as a hole. The two days I was gone after our fight,” he finally looks up again. “That’s when I went and took care of things on your end…

“As for your family,” he looks at you with the darkest gaze you’ve seen him wear since your huge fight that started this mess. “You’re the one who told me you’re a workaholic who doesn’t visit much. When they called me to see how everything was I said that you’ve been busy and I haven’t heard from you for a while. This mess,” he points to you. “You did yourself.”

▽ ⓟ ⓡ ⓔ ⓨ △

“Can you hand me the last bit of tinsel?” You ask Jaemin.

“Are you sure we need more? The trees starting to look like it belongs in a flapper movie.”

“Yes, this area here is boring. It needs a little sparkle!”

Handing you the last chunk of tinsel you do your job of decorating the crap out of the tree. This is your favorite thing about Christmas. Decorating the entire house and tree until everything looks like you’ve stepped into a tiny Christmas village. Sadly, due to time constraints and the fact this isn’t your home — only sticking with the utmost crucial of decorations. One, being mistletoe that is now hanging at the entryway from the kitchen to the living room – two, a Christmas playlist setup to fill the house with cheer.

Garland was placed around the front door, the entryway above the mistletoe, and on the staircase upstairs where your parents would be staying — and you even found cute mini already decorated Christmas trees to put in their rooms for some added cheer.

There were stockings hung over the mantle of the fireplace, but the best part of all…

“When do you want to start wrapping the presents?” Jaemin holds your hand as you step down from the small step ladder.

“Uhh, I guess we should get it done now. I’ll be cooking for most of the evening to help get as much food done as possible.”

“Is Christmas normally this extravagant at your house?”

“Which house?” You smirk. “My place in the city or my childhood home?”

“Both.”

Grabbing the bag of presents you got for your parents and even Jaemin, you go to your corner of the living room – already telling him that their backs will be facing away from each other the whole time so they won’t see anything that will ruin the surprise.

While shopping for your parents Jaemin asked what you wanted. You tried to tell him nothing that this holiday is about him but he kept looking at you like ‘if you don’t tell me what you want you’re going to get something you REALLY don’t need.’ Settling on a book you wanted to get eventually, Jaemin went off on his own to find you something special.

Having asked him what he wanted he said anything that catches your eye he’ll gladly accept. Talk about vague.

“My house in the city for the last couple years I’ve barely had time to decorate during the holidays. I make a goal every year to start as soon as December hits but I always end up putting up a fake tree and that’s it.”

“This coming from a woman I had to pull away from the decorations or else this house would end up like Santa’s workshop?!”

Laughing you start cutting some paper for the gift you had already purchased for your mom.

“I’ve been trying to earn this huge promotion at work. It will allow me to work from home a lot more and have more flexible hours. It gets really lonely being so far from home so I was thinking of getting a pet. A dog or a cat maybe. I’m not sure. But, I don’t want to think about leaving it at home all the time. I want to enjoy having a pet.

“Then there is finally going out on dates, meeting Mr. Right, marriage, kids, the whole nine yards. I want to have a good job that allows me to have these luxuries. Sadly that means I’m always working overtime even around the holidays.”

“What kind of job do you have?”

“I’m the chief of my department for marketing. I started out as just a regular floor employee but I worked my ass off for the past seven years and slowly worked up to being chief. What I want is to be up on the main floor with the big wigs.”

“Big wigs? President and Vice President?”

“Shareholders too.”

“Ambitious, I like that in a woman.” He states with a slight smirk in his tone.

“And what about you Mr. Na? What type of job do you have?”

“I’m an investor. My dad owns his own company and I go out looking for things we can invest in to expand our outreach. It’s not a demanding job and I do most of my research at home.”

“Seems nice,” you sigh. “But then again, getting the companies to listen to you is pretty grueling work.”

“Tell me about it. I tried to get this one company to sit down for five minutes with me, took me over a year. My father really wanted to do business with them. It was get this meeting or start looking for work elsewhere.”

“Damn, if he wanted the company why didn’t he contact the person himself?”

“‘You need to learn how to handle tough situations, son. One day you’ll be taking over the company. You need to be firm, strong, and know the business inside and out.’” He speaks in a gruff voice. “What he truly meant was, get your ass up and start contributing or I’m going to kick you out of the will.”

“Anything in particular you wanted to do more?”

“I wanted to be a doctor. My uncle used to let me shadow him whenever I wanted. It was awesome! The rush of people coming in. The split second decisions you have to make. Having someone’s life in your hands. Just thinking about it makes my heart beat faster. But the best part is helping people in need. That isn’t what my father wanted to hear so bye bye medical school.”

“I’m so sorry, Jaemin.”

“It’s in the past. I make a decent living and technically, I did help you.��� He peeks over his shoulder the same moment you look over yours.

“You sure did,” you give a reassuring smile. “Now let’s focus on the task at hand. Because next up is cooking!”

For the next two hours you and Jaemin work nonstop to wrap every gift. Trying to keep small talk to a minimum you sit in a comfortable silence between the two of you. Being here with Jaemin feels like a breath of fresh air. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Maybe it’s because for once you’re not focusing on the grind and appreciating the time you’re having to just slow down, but it’s nice. And Jaemin is amazing company and a generous man and host.

When the holidays end and you have to go back to your life, you peek over to see him sliding another gift off to the side. You’re really going to miss him.

The rest of the evening you spend bossing Jaemin around in the kitchen. He learned all about the foods your parents like. Hearing story after story of how you almost burnt down the kitchen, also how you almost electrocuted yourself, and the failures and triumphs of your cooking ventures. When everything that was cold is cooked and put away in the fridge you stretch your back hearing it crack loudly.

“Come over here,” Jaemin pats a spot on the couch. “You’ve been standing for hours. It’s time to rest.”

“I think you’re right.” Skidding your feet across the floor you plop down next to him. “It’s been a while since I’ve cooked that much. It felt nice.”

Grabbing your legs he hoists them up to his lap making you squeak in surprise. “If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?” He asks starting to rub your tired aching legs.

“Hmmm…” you lay back and enjoy the soothing massage. “I suppose I’d want lemon pepper chicken. Well, anything with chicken.” You laugh. “My dad used to make fun of me and say with all the chicken I ate growing up he’s surprised I haven’t sprouted feathers and started laying eggs.” Chuckling along with you, Jaemin heads down to your ankles which feel especially sore. “And you?”

“What I made you yesterday,” he smiles. “It’s simple, easy, never goes out of fashion and it’s just too damn good.”

“Ahh yes, granny’s famous chicken noodle soup! What was she like?”

Pausing he leans back for a second his arms resting on your legs. “She was the sweetest person on this earth. She loved animals and sometimes I felt she loved them more than people. She used to say animals are easier to read then people. They don’t hide their motives from you. If they don’t like you they show it. If they want to eat you, you’ll know. If they love you,” he glances your way and for some reason the smile that spreads across his face has your heart skipping a beat. “They’ll never leave you.”

“That’s really beautiful…”

“Yeah, but don’t let all that fool you. She was a hard worker. Went out and worked at the polls when it was voting time. Helped some lawmakers get into office. Even worked with a former president on an ecologically friendly venture. She was a real badass. Her true passion lies in helping people. Believe it or not she wanted to be a doctor too, but her father forbad it.”

“What?! Why?!”

“‘Women can’t be doctors. They’re job is to take care of their families.’” He starts to massage your ankles again. “My great grandpa was a bit of a misogynist,” he chuckles. “So, when my granny had my dad and uncle she told them repeatedly, whatever you want to do in life I’ll support you. I think she thought at least one of them would go into the more eco-friendly territory as she did but both of them had other plans. My dad…” he grimaces.

“He likes money. ‘Money can provide for the family, for you, and for others.’ He loved his mom and respected her but he also thought she was making poor decisions and leading too much with her heart. He is a born businessman. My uncle, at least he got my granny’s love for helping people, however,” he laughs. “He likes helping the rich clients try to keep their youth if you know what I mean.”

“Cosmetic and plastic surgeries?”

“Oh yeah,” he shakes his head. “When he started off he was in the ER but when I was around 16, he switched out and went where the money is. I think it’s because my aunt spends it all on designer brands. She’s a shop-a-holic.”

“If I met your family what do you think they’d think of me?”

Pausing Jaemin looks to you slowly. “Exactly what capacity are you meeting them in?”

Shrugging you smile. “Any type I guess.”

“As a friend they wouldn’t really care. The only thing I believe they’d say is to not be seen too much in public with you as it would give the wrong impression of my relationship status.”

“Damn…”

“If it were, uhh, as a girlfriend,” he unconsciously slides his hands around your calves gripping the other side — making you inhale from the sudden movement, goosebumps decorating your skin. “They would like that you’re ambitious, that’s for sure,” his grip tightens around your calves. “But I do have to ask, what do your parents do?”

“My mom is a retired school teacher and my dad is a truck driver.”

Immediately looking away from you his grip becomes even tighter alarming you. “It wouldn’t matter if you were the love of my life. They wouldn’t accept you because you’re not from a well to do family.”

“So because I’m not from some rich family they wouldn’t give their blessings on this hypothetical relationship?” Nodding Jaemin side glances your way. Lips drown into a pout he looks like a small child whose toy was just taken from him. “I’m sorry your parents are like that. Monetary reasons shouldn’t dictate over a person’s true feelings for someone. Has there been someone in the past they didn’t approve of?”

Shaking his head no, Jaemin unravels his grip on you. “I’ve turned down every person they’ve brought forward. My father got so angry he asked me point blank if I was an ass chaser.”

“Ass chaser?!” You stifle a giggle.

“Just because I despised every woman they threw at me doesn’t mean I’m gay! Which I’m not! I love women and I’m not interested in men!” He grumbles.

Placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder you draw his attention back to you. “From that kiss you gave me I can 100% tell you’re no ass chaser.”

Letting out a huge exhale his hands run through his hair a look of dread on his face. “I need to apologize for that. I was just really excited. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or to imply anything. I mean we don’t even know each other and —”

Sliding your legs off his lap, you lean forward and put a finger over his lips. “It’s fine. There is no need to apologize. Besides, it’s been a couple months since my last relationship. It was nice to be kissed again.”

“Your last boyfriend…what was he like?”

“Total punk rocker type. You know the chains on his pants, tight black distressed skinny jeans. Studded leather jacket. The emo hairstyle with gauges and piercings.” You roll your eyes. “Believe it or not I fell for the boy in the band. How lame is that?”

“I didn’t know men were still in their teenage angst phases.”

“I mean he loved everything about the clothing and music. I didn’t judge because I mean you like what you like. I fell hard for him. He pulled me up on stage, was holding me, touching me, and then kissed me in front of everyone. I was so stunned when they took me backstage — I didn’t even realize I was put in his dressing room.

“He told me that he saw me out in the audience and thought I was beautiful and wanted to talk. It was weird. I mean here I am in a strangers —” pausing you start to laugh. “Fuck! I’m in the same situation!”

“What do you mean?”

“I didn’t even know the guy, he kissed me, and then we talked for hours.” Leaning into him you smirk. “Sound familiar?”

Forcing back a smile Jaemin exhales deeply. “Yes, yes it does. How long did that relationship last?”

“Eight months. He found himself another pretty girl at a show and fucked her. I walked in on them when I went to surprise him.” Scoffing you cross your arms over your chest the memory filling you with rage. “That was the only time I left work early. Hell, the only time I put anything over my job. I was crazy for this guy.

“He was exciting! Made me see a different side of myself I never knew I had. I grew so much in my own confidence and started speaking up and speaking back to people. His ‘stick it to the man’ attitude was contagious. Believe it or not, it made me a beast at work and how I earned the respect of the big wigs in my company.

“For once things felt like they were going in the right direction. So, when the last stop on their tour was at a club near my work, I decided to surprise him. It had been a month since we had last seen each other face to face. We talked on the phone and stuff but we were really busy.

“So, I show up and head to the dressing room to find him balls deep in some whore! Like are you kidding me?! I left work early! I didn’t pull an all-nighter like I normally do. I dressed up for him. Had on my sexiest heels that he liked and what do I get instead…him shoving his dick in some random ass woman.”

“What did he say?”

“‘Babe! It’s not what you think!’ It’s not what I think?! Can you believe that! I threw the gift I bought for him at him. Called the woman a whore, and stormed out of the building. Threw all his shit into a box, left it at the lobby of the building I’m at and told the front desk by no means is he allowed to go up to see me.”

He shakes his head sighing. “I’m sorry…men like that…they’re pigs. I would never do that to the person I’m in a relationship with.” His voice becomes soft, “especially when the person is as beautiful as you.”

“Thanks,” you slump down into the couch. “But let’s not fool ourselves. At the end of the day we’re all made of the same cloth. All we need is to have the right person come into our lives at the right time and it’ll fuck everything up.”

“NO!” He shouts startling you.

Before you realize what’s going on you’re pushed onto your back — Jaemin hovering over you, his body settling between your legs. Staring up at him in both confusion and something else you’re eyes search his face for answers.

“I would never look at another person! Never!” He growls. “As long as you’re mine and I’m yours there’d be no one else. No one!”

Wrapping your hand around his neck you yank him down to you into a lip lock. A deep groan rumbles in his throat as the two of you fight over dominance. Teeth clanking against each other’s, the kiss growing wet and hot as it continues. Laying more of his weight on you, you feel something hard rub against your womanhood. Gasping against his lips, he uses the opportunity to slide his tongue into your mouth.

Succumbing to the feeling, he roams your mouth leaving no corner untraced. His lips moving across yours seamlessly as your tongues dart in and out of each other’s mouths. Lifting your head up, you manage to catch his tongue between your lips and start to suck on the taut muscle. Giving just enough of a taste to inform him of what else you could do with your mouth.

Growling, he pulls back and you gasp for air. With one arm propping himself up, he uses his other hand to wrap around your neck — gripping tightly. Thanks to your ex, you’ve learned that choking is a huge turn on for you. The feeling of being at someone’s mercy, begging and pleading under them.

Looking up through cloudy eyes, Jaemin’s jaw tightens as his chest rises and falls his brown eyes now dark with lust. Trying to speak his grip tightens more making your hips involuntarily bucking up to his. Eyes rolling back into his head from the friction your clothed core felt against his growing bulge sends shivers throughout you.

Leaning down to you, his hand still around your neck he plants a hard kiss against your lips. “You deserved better. The bastard!” He growls nipping your bottom lip so hard it bleeds. “He should have worshipped the ground you walked on.” He slides his tongue over your bleeding lip.

“Jaemin~” you moan his name loudly.

“You’re so beautiful…So fucking beautiful…” he forces your head back giving him access to your neck.

Wrapping your legs around him you lose yourself in the feeling of his kisses. Sliding his tongue across your jugular he opens his mouth biting down on your throat. Again, your hips buck up to meet his — this time the grind against his groin grabbing his attention.

“We should stop,” he runs his teeth across your neck nipping and sucking on your skin.

Lifting your hips once more you protest the notion. “Don’t want to,” your legs wrap around him tighter.

Sucking on the side of your neck his hips roll into yours. A cry comes from you as you cling to him. He wasn’t even inside of you and yet you’re falling apart by the seams.

“Your parents are coming tomorrow morning. We need to get some rest.” His hips move against yours again clearly stating that though his mouth says one thing his body is on the same side as yours.

“I’m not tired.”

With one final grind of his hip into yours, he pulls away from you despite your desperate attempts at keeping him locked in your arms.

“It’s not that I don’t want to,” he reaches behind him grabbing one of your legs and prying it off of him. “I just…” he smiles down at you. “I respect you too much to do this.”

“To fuck me?” You pout.

“I would never fuck you,” his hand goes to your cheek, his thumb rubbing across your bottom lip where you give it a little bite. “I would make love to you. We just got caught up in our emotions. Trust me, tonight is not the night for this.”

Your legs go limp as the burning passion inside of you starts to simmer down to something subtle. A warm cozy feeling like snuggling up on the couch with a cup of coco – snow falling, a sweet romance movie playing on the TV. He respects you. He doesn’t want this to be a onetime fling. A deep thud in your chest has your stomach doing summersaults.

“I don’t know what’s going on between us, but I like it.” You confess.

“All the better reason not to jump into bed with each other.” He gets off of you and holds out his hand. “Now let’s get some sleep.”

Sighing in bed your heart still hums with the smallest tickle of desire. The feeling of Jaemin’s arousal still prevalent against your core. Biting your bottom lip you hold back the urge to relieve yourself of this yearning.

It’s strange. You’ve only known him completely for two days and yet you feel like you’ve known him a lot longer. His caring nature the complete opposite of your ex. The way his lips tug up slowly into such a bright smile has little butterflies soaring through you.

His strong grip that he had on your neck, you reach up wrapping your hand around your neck — activating the lust within you. Unconsciously your hips buck into the air, a whimper passing your lips. For fucks sake the man isn’t even in the room!

Growling you roll over onto your side, shove the thick quilt between your legs and force yourself to get some sleep, if it’s even possible with salacious thoughts of a naked Jaemin on top of you filling your head.

Turning on the shower Jaemin steps inside feeling the cool water wash over his burning skin. His mind reeling with the image of you underneath him. Clinging to him, pulling him closer to you. In that moment he wanted you. To hear what your cries of pleasure would be like. Knowing that it was him who made you feel so good.

“Why didn’t I just let her?” He grumbles placing his head against the wall of the shower.

Reaching down, his hand wraps around his length. Sliding his hand up his shaft, Jaemin grits his teeth. He’s still hard even after a few minutes of calming himself down after your steamy make out. This is ridiculous! The mere thought of you has him hardening on the spot.

“She wanted you! Stupid!” He growls pumping himself in his hand. “She was begging for you!” His grip tightens. “You could already be deep inside her!” His hips buck forward a groan echoing in the shower.

Closing his eyes an image of you on his bed starts to appear before him. Your beautiful body laid out waiting for him to tend to your every desire. How you’d open your arms for him, begging to feel him on you — to kiss every inch of your body, and treat you like the queen you are.

His hand moves faster up and down his cock. He pictures you squirming underneath him as he kisses his way down your body. Fondling, kissing, licking, sucking, and biting on your breasts, and nipples.

“Shit!” He groans slamming his free hand against the wall.

Seeing how your chest would rise and fall as he worked you over with his mouth. Tasting you, savoring you, falling deeper for you. When you finally come undone for him, how he’d slurp up every last drop of your juices — his face wet from your arousal.

“Fuck! Fuck!” His hand moves like lightning as he builds himself up to come.

But what he would love the most, what he’d crave the most is to be inside of you. How you’d need to adjust to his size. The tightness of your juicy pussy choking his cock from the intrusion. Seeing your face when he slides into you, how your lips would part and the slightest ‘ahhh~’ being released.

All building up to him making love to you slow and deep. Keeping his eyes locked onto you, his gaze penetrating deep into your soul as you both become one. Then, as he feels himself ready to come you whisper the one thing he wants to hear the most.

‘Come inside me…’

“Ahhh!!! Fuck!!!”

White strands splatter onto the shower wall and floor. A mixture of sweat and water drip down Jaemin’s body. His skin reddened from exertion. Breathing heavily he strokes his length until the last drop of come drips to the floor.

“Shit…” he whispers a ghost of a smile decorating his face.

▽ ⓟ ⓡ ⓔ ⓨ △

Staring at the empty bowl of soup you exhale deeply. Shoulders slumping over, tired lifeless eyes staring at the bottom of the bowl. Another fight lost. Your stomach and body not strong enough to withstand the hunger strike you put yourself in.

Placing the bowl on the cart you avoid the obvious satisfied gleam coming from your captors eyes. Of course he’s happy. His princess finally gave into what he wanted…AGAIN!

Frustrated you fall back onto the bed. “You don’t have to be so dramatic,” he chuckles next to you. “I’m not smiling because I won. I’m smiling because you’re eating again.”

Giving him a huge eye roll you turn to face the blank boring overly sterile white-tiled wall.

“Come now,” he sits next to you, hand on your hip. “Was it at least good?”

“You know it’s good.” You reply sharply.

It was a stupid question. Of course it was good. His granny’s homemade chicken noodle soup. Every time he made it you could never resist. The only problem is that it takes you back to when he wasn’t this monster. When he actually cared, or so you thought.

“Princess?”

“I’m not your princess.”

His hand on your hip tightens. Pressing his buttons has been both a fun game of yours lately. Seeing how far you can push him to the edge without causing yourself any damage. If he was going to make you play his game you were going to have him play yours.

“You are my princess,” he tugs on your hip urging you to turn onto your back. “And you know what, I’ve been a neglectful boyfriend.”

Giving in just a smidge you turn onto your back, but you don’t make eye contact. “Not my boyfriend. You fucked that up.”

“I know. Let me make it up to you.”

Scoffing you turn your head away from him. “Not a chance. I don’t believe in second chances. Once someone shows their true colors there's no going back.”

“But there is one way I know I can make it up to you.”

There’s something in his tone that makes your head turn in his direction. A secret promise that only he knew of. Side eyeing him, you find his eyes slowly going dark. A light smirk coming to his face as he peers down at you. Quickly turning away from him, you go to turn your whole body when he climbs on top of you, straddling your hips.

“Not so fast,” he chuckles. “Don’t you want to know what it is?”

“Fuck you!”

Throwing his head back the most sinister laugh comes from him. One you’ve never heard before that sends shivers down your spine.

“No princess,” he bends his body down, lips pressed against your neck. “I’m going to fuck you.”

Shrieking, your face turns to his. Eyes wide your body starts to burn with both fear and what you hate to admit…desire.

“What?!”

“It’s been over three months,” he pecks your lips. “I think we’re long overdue. Don’t you think?”

“No!”

“Mmmm, are you sure?” He presses soft kisses from your cheek down to your neck.

Biting back a moan you try to roll him off of you. “Yes! I’m sure!”

“Funny,” he falls off to the side but wraps his arms around you so you roll over with him, half your body dangling off of him. “I was thinking we’d switch things up a bit. You’ve never been on top before.”

And he fucking does it! The seed has been planted in your brain. The last shred of dignity gone with two simple words on top.

“You’re lying.” You challenge.

Motioning for you to crawl on top of him you eye him skeptically. This had to be a trick. Another one of his sick twisted games. He’s never let you be on top, not even when he was somewhat sane. There had to be a catch, a hidden motive.

“I’m not. Do you know why I’ve preferred to be on top?”

“You’re a man with a fragile ego,” you deadpan.

Sucking his teeth he stares up at you unamused. “No, my sweet princess.” Reaching out he grabs the chain hooked to your collar. “It’s because I love seeing the look on your face as we make love. That’s why. I don’t want to miss a single moment of how beautiful you look while I’m inside you.” Tugging on the chain you find your body unconsciously moving you on top of him.

“I’m pretty sure you’d still be able to see me even if I were on top.” You try to keep up your act but your mask starts to slip.

“No, it wouldn’t be the same,” he pulls you more until you’ve completely climbed on top of him. “Depends on how good it feels your face could be buried in my neck. I don’t want that. I want to see my princess. How she takes me inside of her,” he pulls your face to him giving your lips a small kiss. Not lingering but more of a soft press that always without fail has you leaning in for more.

“Should have just said that you know.”

Smiling he wraps his arms around you, keeping you locked in place. “I’m a man with a fragile ego,” he teases. “Don’t you remember how it all began?” He lifts his hips to meet yours. “How badly we wanted each other?”

You quirk a brow. Desperately fumbling with the mask you’ve chosen to wear so you don’t have the urge to grind down onto his lap. “Before you turned into a psychopathic kidnapper?”

“Mmm kidnapper perhaps, psychopath no.”

“You make me play that stupid game!”

“We don’t have to play it you know,” he grinds against you once more carefully waiting for a reaction.

“Bullshit.”

“I’m serious. If you don’t want to play it, we don’t have to. However, we can always play another game instead,” his hands go from your waist down to your ass giving it a good squeeze as another roll of his hips sends shivers down your spine.

“A-And what game is that?”

▽ ⓟ ⓡ ⓔ ⓨ △

Sitting across the table from Jaemin you can’t help the smile plastered on your face. Seeing how well your parents are getting along with him. How he’s not shying away from your father’s prodding questions about his private affairs. Little by little he’s proving to be the real deal — a gentleman through and through.

“I just can’t thank you enough for what you did for our daughter,” your mom reaches out, touching his hand. “If anything ever happened to her we wouldn’t be able to live with ourselves.”

Placing his hand on top of hers he smiles gently. “I’m just glad I could help her. Plus, she’s brought more joy into this house. I should be thanking you guys for raising such a wonderful person.”

“Jaemin!” Your mom squeals. “Stop you’re too much!”

Laughing, you all enjoy the Christmas Eve meal you’ve prepared with Jaemin’s help of course. But, it was your father’s special gravy that you were dying to consume for the past couple of years that topped the meal off. Ever since you were little you’ve wanted to know what his secret ingredient is, but he has yet to share it with you — likely for the fact if you knew you’d stop showing up for holiday meals altogether in his eyes.

“So, Jaemin, where are your folks? I find it odd they aren’t here.” Your dad eyes Jaemin up and down, sizing him up.

“Dad, really?” You glare.

“It’s fine,” Jaemin smiles your way. “My parents are a couple hours away. Honestly, I’ve never spent the holidays with them. Even when I was with them I was never with them. They’re socialites and I hated everything to do with that so I just ended up staying here with my granny.”

“You’re parents are socialites?” Your mom gasps.

“Must be rich to afford this place,” your dad adds gruffly.

“My father owns several companies and my mother is a former model.” This time it was your turn to gasp. Chuckling he shrugs sighing. “I don’t bring them up since people will automatically judge me and think I’m stuck up, or that they aren’t good enough to be around me. It’s been like that my whole life. So, I keep them a secret until I get to know people — still, I end up losing 90% of who I tell.”

“I’m so sorry,” you whisper.

“People can be like that. Best not to waste any time worrying about the shoulda coulda woulda’s and focus on what is in front of you.” Your dad pushes his plate from him. “Speaking of right in front of us, how about dessert?”

“I’ll get it!” You spring up eagerly.

“Let me help you sweetie,” your mom follows you into the kitchen.

When your parents arrived you saw from the carrying container that your mom made her famous pumpkin pie! At least it’s famous in your home. Grabbing a knife you all but carve half of the pie just for yourself when your mom smacks your hand.

“No way,” she nudges you away and takes your place. “You do that every time. When will you learn?”

“Old habits die hard I suppose. Plus, it’s been years. I think I deserve a bigger piece.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be years if someone came home more often.”

“I know, and I promise I’ll try to visit more it’s just with this promo —”

“Promotion, we know.” She sighs slicing up the final piece of pie. “But sweetheart we’re not getting any younger and we want to see our daughter.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So, Jaemin, huh?”

“Leave it to you to go from scolding me to talking about boys in less than five seconds.”

“It’s a gift,” she licks the knife. “So, what’s the deal between the two of you?”

“There’s no deal.”

“He’s obviously smitten with you. Have you guys kissed yet?”

Quickly you grab two of the pumpkin pies and head straight for the dining room. “Mom! Gosh! Stop!”

“What did I say?” She shouts behind you.

The rest of the evening was spent sitting by the fire and your parents filling Jaemin in on your whole entire life — a few objections and clarifications coming from you to make sure that what was stated was in fact the truth. Your mom always one to sensationalize some of your more interesting childhood moments.

When the clock strikes 11PM, your parents decide to call it a night while you and Jaemin finish up Miracle on 34th Street. Snuggled up on the couch closest to Jaemin’s chair you find your gaze bouncing between the TV and him. His eyes fixated on the movie rather blankly.

“I’m sorry about them,” you gain his attention. “I hope they didn’t bore you with all the baby stories.”

Smirking, Jaemin leans so he’s facing you instead of the TV. “Quite the contrary, I loved hearing about you as a kid. Especially the frog story. Seems you’ve wanted to be a princess for a long time,” he teases.

Pouting you turn away from him in a huff. “So I kissed a frog when I was 4! It’s not my fault I thought the story was real…”

You wait for a reply from Jaemin, something smart or another teasing joke but when you hear nothing you look over to see he has since disappeared from his chair.

“What the…” you whisper.

“If you kissed him,” a voice says in your ear making you jump. “Like you kissed me I’d be surprised he was still living.” He sits down next to you.

Your whole body comes alive the moment he looks into your eyes. There’s something about the way he looks at you that makes you feel like you should run away and save yourself, and another part that makes you want to succumb to whatever he demands of you.

“This might sound weird and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I’ve wanted to kiss you all day.”

“Y-You have?”

Nodding Jaemin tucks some of your hair behind your ear, his eyes locked on yours. “All… day.”

“Wh-Why haven’t you?”

“I wanted to make sure I had permission to kiss you first. I’ve been doing it impulsively these past two times that I at least want to make sure I ask at least once.”

“You may ask,” you say in a trance.

“May I kiss you?”

Leaning into him your lips hover over his. “Yes you may.”

Going into his million-watt stunningly smile, Jaemin reaches out to you. Hand wrapping around to the back of your neck while his lips gently land on yours. Just like last night your body tingles with excitement and desire, but the kiss already feels different.

Slowly, Jaemin moves his lips across yours almost lethargically. His grip on your neck keeps you in place as he takes his time kissing you. Savoring every movement of your lips modeling together, no matter how small.

Pulling back for just a second he gazes into your eyes with such a look of fondness you melt on the spot. This is what it feels like to have a genuine partner. And with the way he’s looking at you like you are the heavens and earth to him, this is what it feels like to truly like someone soul deep.

“I could kiss you forever,” he tilts his head before diving back down for another kiss. “You have the softest lips.”

Giggling you cave in to the moment. Enjoying every ounce of admiration Jaemin is showing you. From the sweet nothings he whispers in between longer moments when he has to take a breath. To the sparkle in his eyes when he looks down at you. Though you’ve only just met him there is something so amazingly fantastic about him.

“Oh, and by the way,” he kisses you slowly once more. “Merry Christmas,” he smiles against your lips.

“Christmas?” Turning your head you find that it’s 12:01AM Christmas Day. “Merry Christmas, Jaemin.”

“This is the best Christmas by far.”

“Same here,” you reach into him wrapping your arms around him. “I hope you have many more amazing Christmas’ to come.”

“I hope so too,” he wraps his arms around you pulling you with him.

Landing on top of him you both end up in a fit of laughter. Not bothering to look back at the movie you snuggle into his warm inviting embrace until sleep takes hold of you.

Christmas came and went in the blink of an eye. Christmas morning your mom pulled out the works and made everyone cinnamon rolls, a tradition in your household before you opened up gifts which you were super happy to find out that your parents bought some gifts for Jaemin.

Nothing too fancy just some candles and things everyone needs around the household and when you had mentioned he had three dogs, well that meant dog toys — which surprisingly, Nana loved A LOT!

You however went and got Jaemin a matching set of pajamas with yourself and your parents, another tradition you had growing up. All day on Christmas you wear the new set of pajamas and then there is the family photo that is taken, this time with Jaemin’s arm wrapped around your waist.

What you didn’t expect was to get extremely personalized gifts from Jaemin. Every conversation you had with him was heard. Gifting you your favorite snacks, the book you mentioned, a CD you wanted to get but hadn’t gotten around to getting it. But the real amazing gift is when you opened up a box that had an expensive brand of perfume inside.

You tried to tell him you couldn’t except it but he said he thought it would be perfect for you and that he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

The following days after Christmas your father and Jaemin started to get really close to each other. Your dad giving him advice about tending to the land and the horse — having grown up on a farm for most of his life his advice was apparently welcomed with open arms. While they were getting acquainted your mother was tending to you and helping you make a speedy recovery.

It was nice to be taken care of again something you missed while being on your own. Whenever you were sick or unwell mentally, emotionally, even spiritually — you missed your moms loving arms, her words of wisdom, and caring touches. She even seemed to enjoy doting on you again as well. The best thing, was just talking to her again, face to face instead of over the phone.

“I didn’t want to bring this up,” your mom blows across the fresh coat of paint on your fingers. “Have you thought of Jaemin being your next boyfriend?”

“Mom!”

“Don’t mom me! I’ve seen the way the two of you look at each other. I haven’t seen you look at a boy like this since Chris. Maybe it’s time to forget what’s his name and find the happiness you deserve.”

“I don’t think about Erik at all. Why would I? He cheated, I was hurt but I moved on months ago.”

“Have you moved on? Burying yourself in your work doesn’t equal moving on. It’s okay to have liked him sweetie. We’ve all fallen for the boy in the band at some point.” She exhales deeply placing your hand down on your lap. “Have I ever told you about Dominic?”

“No~” you lean into her intrigued. “Who is Dominic?”

“My middle school and high school crush. He was gorgeous!” Her eyes flutter by the mere memory of him.

You’ve heard all about your moms ex’s before your dad. Your mom being such a beautiful woman it didn’t surprise you she had a lot of boyfriends and short flings, but this man, she’s kept him a secret from you. No doubt someone she wanted to keep to herself for as long as possible.

“He has gorgeous green eyes with the smallest fractals of yellow in them that sparkled in the light. Dirty blonde hair that reached past his shoulders — granted he was tall and skinny, but when he stood next to me I couldn’t think of anyone or anything but him. It was like tunnel vision in the best possible way. The only sound I heard was his voice. The only person I saw was him. It was amazing and terrifying all at the same time,” she laughs.

“Did you guys date?”

“No. We didn’t.”

Well that explains why she never brought him up in terms of her exes.

“You see,” she continues. “There was this one time on our middle school field trip to the capital where he asked to speak to me alone. I could have sworn right then and there he was going to say something in the lines of a confession. The strangest thing is that at that particular time I didn’t know what my feelings were. I knew I liked being around him. I looked forward to the class we had together but I guess my brain didn’t formulate that I was head over heels with this guy.

“Anyway, he brings me off to the side away from everyone and he’s twitching and fiddling with his fingers. He was so cute,” she giggles making you giggle. “It’s not often you see men nervous like that so remember those moments because they’re super funny and warm to look back on.

“So, he opens his mouth and says ‘I have something to ask you…’ and just when I moved closer to him because he was speaking so softly I could barely hear him my friend shows up saying she wanted to show me something. Right then and there he went from being super nervous to almost relieved and waved me off. To this day I want to know what he wanted to ask me, but I never found out.”

“So when did you realize you liked him?”

“Our second year of high school when he was constantly throwing remarks to a mutual friend of ours. It wasn’t jealousy, more like annoyance. She was dating this guy off in the military — spraying love letters with her perfume so when he read it, it would smell like her, she was so cute. Well, everyday he’d come in and it was starting to irritate her and me as well. She’s my friend, I had to stand up for her. So I did.

“He got embarrassed told me he was going to kill me and how, and that was how our friendship ended. But my feelings weren’t so easily broken. For the next two years I couldn’t stop myself from looking at him with heartbroken eyes. I liked him so much. I even wonder sometimes if he was technically a first love, but it wasn’t meant to be.

“It took me years to get over him but once I let him go I met your father and have been happy ever since,” she cups your cheek in her hand. “Sometimes letting go of someone you really liked is the hardest thing in the world, but it also opens yourself up for something new and wonderful.”

Just then a knock is placed on your door, Jaemin standing in the frame. “Your dad wanted me to ask if the two of you would like to go out for dinner tonight.”

“On New Year’s Eve?” Your mom growls already standing to storm off and find your dad. “Does this man have no sense of tradition?! I’ll be right back sweetie I need to have a word with your father!”

“May I come in?” Jaemin shuffles back and forth on his feet.

Squinting you enjoy his sudden nervous behavior. “It is your home you know.”

“It is,” he runs a hand through his hair. “But you are staying here for the time being and this is your room.”

“Get in here,” you wave him in.

Just as Jaemin sits down on the edge of the bed you hear your parents going back and forth arguing about dinner.

“Is it always like this?” Jaemin inquires.

“Nope,” you start painting your other hand. “I guess my dad thinks the pizza and Chinese food drivers will get confused trying to find your place. Probably wants us to pick a buffet style place where we can get a little of everything.”

“Pizza and Chinese?”

“Yeah I only ate pizza as a kid, well that and chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, the usual kid stuff. My parents wanted something more elevated but I refused. So from the time I was 8 till now they have Chinese and I have pizza on New Year’s Eve.”

“You guys have so many traditions,” he resituates himself so he’s looking at you. “I’m a little jealous.”

“Play your cards right and you won’t have to be jealous,” you wink.

His eyes light up with shock and hope. His body leaning forward, face mere inches from yours as he smiles brightly. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

“I don’t know. What do you think I’m saying?”

Closing the gap between the two of you his lips land on yours. Again, your body bursts to life. Your heart races as your body warms up instantaneously. Wanting to wrap your arms around him you keep your still drying nails away from him.

Jaemin’s lips move across yours slowly. Taking his time to savior the kiss you’ve been itching to have. The past few days you’ve found yourselves only able to steal pecks and glances — your parents having an uncanny ability to pop in at the drop of a hat, limiting anything from progressing.

“I think you’re saying you like me,” he cups your cheek in his hand.

“What if I am?”

“I’d be the happiest man on earth,” his lips find yours again.

“We’re staying here —” your moms voice causes both Jaemin and yourself to break apart quickly, but not quick enough. Folding her arms across her chest your mom eyes the two of you. “Well what do we have here,” she teases.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry I just…” Jaemin stands up frazzled. “It won’t happen again I —”

Holding up her hand he stops talking. “I think my daughter would be upset if you stopped kissing her,” she giggles. “It’s fine, Jaemin.” She walks up to him. “You’re just the kind of man I think my daughter needs in her life. So, what to do about dinner?” Her eyes bounce between Jaemin and yourself. “Your father and I will head out and pick up the food. That should give the two of you some time, alone…” she winks.

“Mom! Stop!”

Shrugging she leans in giving Jaemin a kiss on the cheek. “Have fun,” she whispers to him. “Darling!” She calls out to your dad. “Get the car started we’re picking up the food!”

The rest of the night the four of you spent together watching the New Year’s Eve celebrations on TV. Nothing serious happened after your mom left a few more kisses before Nana made her presence known to both of you. So Jaemin took her outside for a little playtime while you finished getting ready for tonight. Another tradition you had growing up was to get dressed nicely to ring in the new year.

Now, as the clock ticks down to midnight you can’t help but look around at everyone smiling and laughing. You didn’t expect this at all when you started your trek to your parents home. To end up in another home with such a kind and accommodating man.

Perhaps your mom is right. It’s best to let go of your past to open yourself up to something new and wonderful.

“5! 4! 3! 2!” Your parents and Jaemin start to shout.

Maybe it’s time to move onto him…

“1!”

Everyone starts to cheer. Your mom popping her little confetti before your father wraps his arm around her giving her a big kiss. Squinting in both disgust and admiration for the love they still have after all these years you look to Jaemin who is just smiling fondly.

“Go on!” Your mom pulls away from your dad. “You both need to have a new years kiss.”

“Sweetie,” your father warns.

“Oh hush,” she waves him off coming over to you. “Bring in the new year in hopes of finding new love,” she lifts you off the couch, pulls you to Jaemin and plants you down next to him.

“Mom, really,” you shake your head.

“Not like the two of you haven’t kissed before.”

“WHAT? Whe—” Your father shouts but is cut off by a kiss from your mom.

“I’m sorry about her,” you turn to Jaemin.

“It’s okay. If she didn’t bring you over here I was going to come to you,” he takes hold of your hand. “I’d really like to kiss you right now.”

“She’d really like that too.”

“Mom!!!!” Chuckling Jaemin stares at you lovingly. Waiting for you to give him the green light. “For goodness sake, Jaemin.”

Pulling him into you by the neck you smash your lips together. A huge smile playing across his face as his arms wrap around you, holding you close to him.

“Happy New Year,” he whispers against your lips.

“Happy New Year, Jaemin.”

An hour later your parents called it a night both too exhausted to keep their eyes open any longer. Heading upstairs to their designated room, you wonder if you should head to bed as well. But when you feel Jaemin’s gaze on you something within you or the air changes completely.

Hearing your parents' voices fade off into the distance the couch dips down next to you, Jaemin’s form extremely close to you.

“Finally,” he chuckles. “I was wondering when they’d call it a night.”

“You were?”

“Mmhmm,” he leans into you with the cutest grin plastered on his face. “I have an important question to ask you.”

“And what is this important question?” You lean into him your lips a few inches apart.

“I know we haven’t known each other for a long time but I was wondering,” his eyes drop down to your lips before bouncing back to your eyes. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my girlfriend?”

“For real?” You ask a little shocked by the question.

It wasn’t that you didn’t see this coming — you 100% saw it coming it’s just the timing and the new year, and you’ll leave in just two more days…when will you see him again? How long will it be before you feel his lips on you when you leave him? A sharp pain stabs at your heart with just the thought of being separated from him.

“Yes for real,” he chuckles holding your hand in his. “I really like you. I don’t think I’ve ever liked someone this fast or as much in my whole life.”

“What about your family? I thought you said they wouldn’t approve of me?”

“I could care less what they have to say about you. I like you and that should be good enough for them.”

“So we’re really doing this?” You giggle.

“Only if you say yes,” his hand goes from yours to your neck.

“Yes! Of course!”

Pulling you to him, Jaemin crashes his lips onto yours. Long gone are the gentle kisses from earlier where it felt like he was trying to savor every last second the two of you could share. In its place is a different beast altogether. A thirsty hungry creature that is devouring your soul little by little.

“Lean back for me,” he whispers on your lips, voice husky.

Doing as instructed you lay back until your head touches the pillow behind you. Parting your legs, Jaemin slides between them, his body pressing against yours. Instantly you feel something hard press against your clothed core. Heat consumes your body into wanton flames of desire.

“I’m going to need you to keep your voice down, okay?” He asks you a smirk laced in his voice. “I don’t want your parents to hear at all.”

“J-Jaemin!” You squeak when he grinds his hips into yours. “Th-The bedroom!”

Shaking his head he lowers himself to you. Lips brushing across yours. “I want to finish what I stopped the last time, right here on this couch.”

“B-But the bedro —” He cuts you off with a gentle kiss to your lips.

“Let’s play a game,” he kisses you again before moving down to your jaw.

“A game?” You sigh into the feeling of his lips on you.

“Mhm,” you arch your neck when his lips kiss a line around your décolletage. “I want to see how quiet you can be while we make love.”

Grabbing your leg he yanks you closer to him a loud squeak spilling from your lips. Covering your mouth with your hands you stare wide eyed. Fear racing through your veins you chant in your mind for your parents to have their door closed and to already be settling down for the night.

“Shhh,” Jaemim chides. “If you’re too loud they’ll hear.”

Legs spread wide for Jaemin to comfortably nestle between them, he starts to grind his hip into yours. Tightening your grip on your mouth you do everything in your power not to moan. Moving his hips into yours gently your hands slowly fall from your mouth. Light gasps leaving your lips.

“You have a choice,” Jaemin whispers. “We can skip the foreplay and get straight to business or I can eat you out until you see stars.”

Snickering your eyes squint with intrigue. “Think you can actually make me see stars?”

“Oh my little princess, I know I can.”

“Then how can I say no?”

Having stripped you of your shirt, bra, and pants your now left in just your panties. Clothing tossed off to the side, Jaemin rips his shirt over his head — broad chest throwing you into a world of lust. Not thinking that this type of body would be underneath the clothes Jaemin was wearing you reach out — sliding your hands down his chest.

“This is unexpected,” you purr.

“Come here,” he gestures with his finger.

Sitting up you lean forward and are wrapped in Jaemin’s insanely thick strong arms. Chills rush over you as he showers you in kisses. Lips moving across yours hungrily. His tongue slipping in and out of your mouth making you weak in the knees. Consumed by his lips on yours you don’t even notice that he’s resituated you so your back is against the cushion — his body sliding down onto the floor between your legs.

Holding his face in your hands he growls against your lips, nipping your bottom lip.

“Get comfortable, okay?” He asks against your lips. “And remember try to be quiet.”

Sliding your hips down to the edge of the cushion, you rest your back against the back of the couch. Legs hiked up at your sides, Jaemin leans in giving your lips a small kiss before working his way down your body. Stopping at your breasts, he wraps his lips around your erect buds giving each side a little suckle before heading south.

Body already burning from his touch, his lips, his intense gaze on you while he heads for your pulsating bundle of nerves — you start panting when he slides his fingers across the front of your panties. Gripping the fabric of the couch you jolt away from his fingers, already far too sensitive.

“What’s wrong?” He chuckles. “Why did you move from me?” Wrapping his arms around your hips he pulls you back down to him. “There we go,” he mumbles face smack dap between your thighs. “Much better.”

“Jaemin….” You whine.

Body twitching in anticipation you use your finger to bite on when Jaemin starts to rub over your panties. Trying your best not to moan out into the night.

“You’re so wet,” Jaemin pulls back his hand marveling at the string of wetness that soaked through your panties and onto his fingers. “My beautiful princess is so wet for me,” he smiles brightly. “Such a good girl.”

Eyes rolling into the back of your head at the strangest compliment you’ve ever heard — Jaemin pulls your panties to the side before giving your soaking folds a good sniff.

“Mmmm,” he grunts. “You smell so good…”

His eyes fixed on yours Jaemin opens his mouth ever so slightly and gives your sensitive bud an open mouthed kiss.

“Ahhhh!!!”

Again, Jaemin kisses your bundle of nerves. Clamping your hands over your mouth, your hips start to move up to his lips in dire need to feel him on you again.

Slipping out his tongue, Jaemin licks over your clit gently. Your body jerking away at the initial lick, but his arm that rests on the side of your hip keeps you steady. Once more he licks over you tasting your juices. Pulling back his lips glisten against the light from the fireplace.

“You taste so good, princess.” He kisses your clit. “Now be good for me and keep your voice down, okay? I don’t want to have to try and explain this to your parents.” He winks.

“Jaemin…” you breathe out unsteadily. “Please, the bedroom. I can’t…it feels…”

Shaking his head he swipes his tongue up your folds again making you jerk. “Wouldn’t matter,” he chuckles. “You’d still be a moaning mess when I’m done with you. Out here,” he gives you a dark look. “You need to be quiet. It’s part of the game.”

Eyes closed tightly your hands grip onto Jaemin’s hair. His mouth like a suction cup is glued to your pussy. Licking and sucking over every inch of your soaking folds. The slurping sounds echoing through the silent house. Soft whimpers that you wish were loud screams of pleasure bounces off the walls in the living room.

Jaemin wasn’t kidding when he said he’d make you see stars. With how hard he’s sucking against you, to the way his tongue skates across your clit — his fingers ramming inside of you, your all but in another galaxy completely.

Pressure builds up in your lower stomach. Body covered in goosebumps, you shiver when a particular swipe of his mouth sends a jolt of pleasure through your body.

“Fuck! Jaemin!” You cry out.

Sucking as hard as he can Jaemin rises from your pussy with a pop. “I could live between your legs,” he growls nipping your inner thigh. “You taste so good. I can’t get enough of you.”

“Jaemin, please…the bedroom…” you try to crawl away hoping if you could at least get away from him for a second you could lead him to the room you’re staying in and lock the door.

Grabbing the sides of your panties, Jaemin starts yanking them down your body. Lifting yourself up he removes the last bit of clothing off of you and sends it flying to somewhere in the room. Now exposed to him, he wraps both arms around you.

“Brace yourself, princess.”

“Wh-Wha?!!!!!”

You scream out. Actually scream! Jaemin’s mouth moves across your pussy like a hungry beast. Nipping at your puffy folds your quiet whimpers and whines grow louder the rougher he is with you. Sliding his fingers inside you, Jaemin curls them until your pulling away from him, back arched and a moan wanting to be let free.

“Come for me, princess.” He mumbles against you.

“Jae…Jae…Jae…” you start to chant.

Toes curling the pressure in your stomach charges forward like a bull. Eyes crossing and fluttering you start pressing down on his fingers as if trying to push him out of you — this very action sending you over the edge.

With Jaemin’s mouth suckling your clit and his fingers coaxing the most powerful orgasm of your life, you start lifting yourself up from the couch. His arms wrapping around you securely, but his mouth never leaving you.

“I’m…I’m…” you breathe out quickly. “I’m…FUCK!!!!” You scream. “I’m coming!!!”

No longer worried about how loud you are, you ride out the best toe curling, pussy throbbing, slick dripping orgasm of your life!

“Sweetie?!” You hear your fathers voice from the top of the staircase. “Is that you?”

Pulling away from you quickly, Jaemin lifts you up, gathering you in his arms. Legs like Jell-O he has to practically carry you out of the room. Using the walls and chairs to help keep you up, you’re taken into your room.

Just as your door closes you hear your fathers footsteps coming down the stairs. Pushing you against the wall, the familiar sounds of a belt and zipper being undone, Jaemin pulls your hips back until you're hunched over. That’s when it hits you. The feeling of Jaemin’s dick sliding between your legs. Slicking his cock up with the juices still dripping from you.

When he’s nice and slicked up, with as much tenderness as he can muster, he slides into you.

A low guttural groan quakes in your throat at the feeling of his cock pushing past your entrance. Hissing as you adjust to his size, Jaemin kisses down your back.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?” Your father calls from outside your door.

Jaemin takes this opportunity to slide his cock out of your pussy before slamming back inside of you. Squeaking you scramble to get away from him.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” Your dad goes to open the door.

“Better make it sound convincing or your dads going to see me buried in this sweet pussy of yours.” Jaemin whispers behind you.

Again, he slides almost the whole way out of you before ramming into you. Doing this on purpose you try to compose yourself. This isn’t something your parents need to hear let alone see. Bracing your arms on the wall you try to predict Jaemin’s next deep thrust.

“I’m…” you breathe in feeling him slide out. “Fine!” You quickly answer before Jaemin has a chance to ram into you. “I stubbed my TOE!” You fucked up your timing and end up moaning.

“What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine! Real-ly!!!”

Sensing you try to get used to his movements Jaemin picks up the pace but keeps the thrusts nice and deep, making sure to go as deep as your pussy will allow him.

“You don’t sound okay.” Your fathers voice quivers with fear.

“Real-ly…I’m…fine…” you say with each thrust. “Go back…” your body curls when Jaemin’s cock rubs over your g-spot. “To bed…” you whimper.

“Do you need me to get Jaemin?”

“NO! Seriously, I’m fine. Go back to bed! Good night dad!”

Silence comes from the other side of the door. Jaemin keeps fucking you from behind, the back of your hand making your whines softer so your dad can’t hear you.

“Okay…” he finally says. “Good night…”

Knowing full well he doesn’t believe a damn word you just said, it doesn’t bother you at all. You’ll deal with his questions later. All you want is for him to leave so Jaemin can fuck you properly.

“Love you, dad!” You throw out for good measure.

“Love you too sweetie…”

Slowing down his thrusts, Jaemin pulls you back flush against his chest. His hands grabbing hold of your breasts. Fingers pinching your nipples, making your hips buck forward.

“Good job princess…” he whispers against your ear.

“Jaemin…” you moan his name.

“You’re mine now,” he growls against your neck. “All mine!”

Chomping down on your neck, Jaemin waits until your fathers footsteps sound farther away before he pushes you forward, grabs hold of your hips, and rams himself in and out of you.

Choking on your moans your cunt is used to get him off. Holding onto the wall, anything you can reach, you keep yourself steady. Jaemin grunts behind you while spewing the sweetest and filthiest explicitives from his lips.

“That’s right princess,” he growls. “Clench your sweet pussy around my cock.”

“Jaemin!!!” You cry.

“Fuck!” He slams into you one last time before pulling out completely.

Falling forward your pussy clenches around nothing. Missing the way his cock feels inside of you, you turn around to see him staring you down. The only source of light in your room is the bright full moon shining through your window.

“Come here,” he holds out his hand.

Leading you to the bed, Jaemin kisses you gently as your back rests against the covers. Crawling on top of you he settles between your legs. Pumping his dick between his hand a few times, he slides back into you.

Curling at the feeling of being filled again, you open your arms for him. Putting more of his weight on you, Jaemin leans forward connecting your lips together. Going back to his deep thrusts, he takes his time finding his own release. Your lips move across each other’s with haste but also tenderness.

Sliding your fingers up and down his back, you start to feel goosebumps appear on his skin. Smiling against his lips, Jaemin pulls back just enough to peer into your eyes.

“You feel so good,” he pecks your lips.

“Jaemin,” you pull him back down to you.

“Yes, princess.”

Leaning up you whisper in his ear. “Fuck me.”

Without being told twice, Jaemin’s hips slam into yours. Chasing his release he no longer hesitates to give you the best fuck of your life. His cock hitting places you’ve never had hit, you cling to him — nails digging into his back leaving behind marks, and your legs wrap around him keeping him in your grasp.

Jaemin’s deep thrusts start to become erratic. His hips slamming into yours vehemently you keep your moaning to a minimum by burying your face into the crook of his neck.

“Shit!! I’m going to…” he grunts.

“Inside me! Inside me!” You chant.

“Fuck!!!”

“Fill me up,” you bite on his shoulder.

Thrusting into your soaking cunt one last time, Jaemin growls lowly in his throat. Filling you up completely with his come.

“Shit…” he hisses.

With a few more thrusts of his cock, he makes sure every last drop of his seed has coated your insides. Breathing heavily, your bodies covered in sweat, he peers down at you.

“That was amazing,” he chuckles.

Giggling you exhale deeply, your walls clenching around Jaemin’s dick. “You’re telling me!”

“I still can’t believe you said yes,” he lowers his forehead to yours. “I truly am the luckiest man in the world.”

“I’m all yours from now on, Jaemin...”

▽ ⓟ ⓡ ⓔ ⓨ △

Pulling away slowly from your captor you do your best not to make a sound. Your body sore from the multiple rounds of fucking you just endured. Wobbling across the room,

heading for the bathroom to relieve yourself you grab your clothing on the way back to the bed that was sprawled all over the floor. Sliding into your shirt and underwear you go to put on your pants when strong arms wrap around you from behind.

“No, don’t.” He whispers against your neck.

“I’m cold.”

“Then let me warm you up.”

“Haven’t you had enough fun to last you a lifetime?” You taunt.

“Princess, I haven’t even begun to have fun yet.”

Pulling you up against him his bulge pokes against your lower back. Truly an insatiable man, your legs start to quiver. A perfect match the two of you. Solely based on your carnal sexual desire for the other, you take a deep breath to calm your beating heart.

“What? Want another round before you leave?”

“As many as I can get.” He slips his hands under your shirt going straight to your breasts. Grabbing them harshly you moan into his touch. “I’ll never stop loving the sound of your voice.”

“Only one more time, okay? It’s already hard for me to walk.”

Snickering he pulls away, spinning you around until your flush against his chest — bulging muscular arms wrapping you in a warm bear hug.

“My apologies. I just can’t seem to control myself when I’m inside of you.”

Going to your tippy toes, you slither your arms out from his embrace and wrap them around his neck. “I want you to make love to me. Nice,” you peck him on the lips. “And slow…” you move to his cheek. “And deep…” you nip his chin.

“Fuck!!”

Sprawled and completely passed out beside you, covers only concealing his lower body you stare at the man who has kept you away from your family and life. Doing your part for the past two weeks of being his little princess, his doll, who taunted him but also yearned for him — you’ve managed to secure part of your freedom.

Laying on the ground of your bed rests the chain that is normally hooked to the collar around your neck. Smirking you watch as this sick twisted creature breathes peacefully in his sleep. Hair mussed and over his face. Your nail marks painting his skin, he has no worry in the world.

Reaching behind you, you grab your pillow. Thoughts of your family rush past your eyes. Your mom and dad who you haven’t seen in so long. Who you’re only allowed to talk to with him in the room — parents totally clueless that they’re baby girl has suffered without their knowledge. Your job, your life, your apartment that you apparently have waiting for you out of arms reach.

Gripping the edges of the pillow you start to shake. Blood boiling inside of you as rage takes over you. Eyes watering with tears you’ve wanted to shed for so long clouding your vision just as darkness consumes you…

Your feet smack against the cement flooring of the downstairs labyrinth. Turning corner after corner you head as far away from that monster as you can. Their lifeless body making you stagger every time you find yourself going higher and higher to salvation.

Bursting through the first set of doors, Nana, perks up. Her eyes squinting at you. It’s been a few months since you’ve seen her. The last time when your captor caught you trying to escape into the library. Taking him up on the offer of not participating in his game anymore, you were kept in your room for what you assumed was a couple of months. The psycho himself spending most of his free time down there with you.

Gulping, you try your best not to alarm her. The last time you saw her she actually didn’t try to maul you. Your presence in her home apparently starting to grow on her.

“Nana,” you call her. “He’s down there. Go to him.” You point.

Standing she eyes you like she’s peering into your very soul. She wasn’t like the two idiots who guarded the house. Nana is the smartest dog you’ve ever come into contact with.

“Go on girl, he wants you,” you say as happily as you can while your body is seconds from breaking down.

Walking up to you slowly, she passes by before heading down the stairs. Waiting until she turns the corner you slam the door shut keeping her down there and out of your way. The moment she realizes her master is dead she’ll come for you. You know it!

Making a bee line through the hallways you’ve grown to know through all of the games, you take the quickest and easiest path to the main floor. In the hallway hangs a painting of a boy and girl playing outside. The boy pushing the girl on a swing. It’s a beautiful painting that initially had you marveling at it quite a few times. But what lies behind the painting is a staircase that takes you up to the ground floor.

This path you tried to take multiple times in the past but you were always caught. The reason being, it’s the easiest and most obvious choice. This time however, you don’t have to fear. No one is coming after you. You’ve made sure of it.

Coming through another painting on the ground floor, one that is of your captors’ beloved grandmother, you walk through the hallway that leads to the library on the far end of the house. Dashing though the vast room, you say goodbye to all of the books you’ll never read. You sprint through the hall until you’re passing the room your mother and father slept in when they were here — when you were safe and not held captive by someone you thought cared for you.

Rushing down the stairs you almost fall when you land onto the main hallway. Your heart pounds in your ears and head as you burst through the front doors and into the bright sunlight. Shielding your eyes, you hear the familiar barks of the two guard dogs. However, unlike last time they don’t charge at you. They just stare you down, eyeing you the same way that Nana did.

“N-Ni-Nice boys,” your voice trembles. “It’s m-m-me…don’t you remem-ber?”

Slowly you walk past them but they follow closely behind you. Clenching your eyes tightly you round the right hand side of the house heading straight for the barn. Memories of how you got onto the property come flooding back to you.

Finding your trek to see the horse as boring, both of the dogs halt their movements and go back to the front of the house.

A shaky breath passes from you and like a bat out of hell you run to the door that leads out into the huge forest hillside. Yanking on the doorknob, tears start to pour from your eyes. Of course it’s locked! Of course!!!!

Turning back to the front of the property you know that there are several gates that you’ll need to get through in order to leave. And that’s when it hits you! Reaching around to the back of your neck, you unbuckle your collar. Hanging nicely through the hook where your chain goes, is a key.

‘Now, to be sure that you’re given proper incentive to participate, I’ll add this to your collar.’ Your captor loops his index finger under the fresh new leather collar around your neck, pulling you to him. ‘This is a key that will get you past the gates. You’re free to go if you make it out of all three and step over the property line. Do you understand?’

Gripping the key in your palm you make a mad dash to the first gate. The guard dogs now on full alert start barking behind you. Not paying them any mind you rush to the first gate. Shoving the key into the lock you struggle to open it. The dogs barking growing louder, has you turning back to see them approaching you quickly.

“Shit! Shit!”

Trembling against the lock you manage to open the first gate. Quickly going through you close the gate behind you just as the dogs rush it — bodies slamming against the gate like rabid animals.

“I’m sorry!” You cry. “I’ll make sure you guys are all found. I promise!”

Noticing there’s a lock on the other side of the gate, you struggle to keep the gate closed long enough to secure it. But once you do…you slowly back away from it. Seeing as the coast is clear and you no longer have to worry about the two ferocious Doberman’s snarling at you, you run to the second gate and repeat the same thing.

The third gate however, you breathe out unsteadily. Is what seems like half a football field away.

“For fucks sake!!!” You scream. “Come on! You’re almost there!” You pump yourself up.

Slowly you run to the final gate. Lungs burning, your throat dry as a desert and muscles aching with fatigue you trudge through what you believe is the early summer sun. Your skin prickling under the heat, you find a slight comfort in the feeling. Being trapped inside for so long you almost forgot what the sun felt like against your skin.

Finally, nearing the last gate your body starts to break down. The adrenaline that was pumping through your veins starting to dissipate. Staggering up to the gate you grip it as you try to keep your body upright. Your stomach convulses as if you want to throw up.

Honestly, for what you assumed is a couple of days, you’ve felt a weird queasy feeling. Not wanting to eat any eggs for breakfast, made you have to tell your captor that it made you nauseous. On one occasion having you running to the bathroom to relieve your stomach.

Shaking your head you rid yourself of the memories. Sliding the key into the lock, the beautiful sound of the gate opening sends chills throughout your body.

“I did it…” you whisper. “I really did it…”

Tears pour from your eyes like a waterfall. Your body finally gives out and you collapse to the ground. Finally you’re free! You did it! You beat that sick psychopath at his own game! You won!!!

Clambering to your feet you take your first step towards freedom when the gates close with a loud slam that has you springing back.

“Wh-What?!” You rush to the gate trying to push it open. It doesn’t budge. “No! No! No!!!” You yank against it.

“Did you really think you’d get away that easily?” Darkness blacks out your vision completely at the familiar voice coming from behind you. Paralyzed with fear the only sense still functioning, your hearing.

“The pillow, now that was an interesting choice.” He chuckles. “I must commend you for that one. However, I think my supberb acting skills should really get a round of applause.” His footsteps draw closer to you.

“You should have checked to see if I still had a pulse, my naughty princess. Always, and I do mean always…check for a pulse. You thought you got me there for a second.” He let’s out the most maniacal laugh you’ve ever heard. One that breaks you out of the darkness and back into reality.

“Here’s what you did wrong,” he spins you around. “You switched up your game. That’s what tipped me off first. You’ve been pushing me away from the moment I locked the doors and gates to you. Barely even letting me touch you,” he slides his arms around your waist, yanking you to him harshly. “Then, all of a sudden you want me to fuck you. You want me to fill you up with my come,” again he laughs in the most disturbingly unhinged way possible.

“Come now, you should have eased into this new act of yours. Granted it would have meant you’d be under my control for much longer, but at least I wouldn’t have suspected anything.” Pressing his forehead against yours he kisses your nose.

“Even if it meant fighting against death itself I would never leave you.” He whispers. “Want to know why?”

Shaking your head no, your body starts to give out. Hope leaving you. There’s nothing left for you to live for. Nothing left for you to fight for, to keep you here. He isn’t going to let you go. You’re going to die here. You know he’ll just make up some lame ass excuse. Hell, he’ll probably make your death one for the books. An elaborate plan that has no flaws whatsoever. Fool proof.

“Come on, guess…” he pouts.

“I don’t know, Jaemin…”

After all this time you finally utter his name. Attempting to keep the two personalities separate for as long as you possibly could you finally face reality that Jaemin is the monster and the monster is Jaemin. And you… like the prey you are, you fell right into his trap.

“You’ve been sick lately haven’t you?” He asks.

“And…”

“My dear princess use that smart brain of yours.”

“I’m tired…” you snap.

“Now, now… just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you have to be so snippy with me. After all, this is a joyous occasion!” He hugs you warmly. “We’re going to be a family!!!”

Through your self pity daze you hear the words: pregnant, joyous, and family.

Pregnant… your brain clings to this word. Pregnant…Pregnant…Pregnant…

PREGNANT!!!

“Wh-What?!!” You scream.

“Isn’t it wonderful news?! At first I thought it was just a stomach bug. But when you kept turning away from the eggs, and saying that you felt queasy, and even throwing up a few times. That’s when I decided to call my mom. Boy is she beyond pissed, but screw the old bat! Of course we’ll do a pregnancy test to be sure, but baby!!!! We’re going to be a family!!!”

Jaemin holds the sides of your face while he smothers you in kisses. Your brain malfunctioning. No! This can’t be true! You can’t be pregnant! You just can’t be! He’s lying! You’re just sick! That’s it! No! No! No!!!!

“Oh princess!” He pulls back looking down at you lovingly. “I promise we’ll never be separated, okay? We’ll be together forever! Ahhh!!! We should quickly plan a wedding! We need to do things properly! Can’t bring our precious baby into this world unwed!”

Turning behind him you see all three dogs wagging their tails happily. “Do you hear that guys?! I’m going to be a dad!!!”

As if clearly understanding him all three dogs bark with glee.

“Now, come on…” he giggles happily. “Mama,” he uses a new nickname. “Let’s get you out of this sun and cleaned up.”

Pulling you away from the gate you look behind you as the last bit of solace leaves your body completely. You’re never going to get out. No matter how strong you think you are. No matter how smart you think you are… You look up at Jaemin who’s babbling about everything they need to do to for the baby and the wedding. You’re never going to beat him…

NEVER….

S E Q U E L-C L I C K.H E R E

#jaemin #jaemin smut #jaemin fanfic #jaemin horror fanfic #nct dream jaemin #jaemin nct dream #kpop fanfic #neobubz #na jaemin smut

[neotaeil]

The monster under my bed-Jeno FF, ft. Nct Dream

Monster AU, Horror(kinda), Yandere, a little bit of ChenleXreader, suggestive, fluff(if you squint), Fem readerXJeno

Part two here

(This is my first time writing so please bare with me)

“Mom please,” Little Y/n wept to her mother “There’s a monster under my bed—he’s gonna get me”

Her mother towered over her, shaking her head in disappointment. “What have I told you! tsk there is no such thing as monsters Y/n, you’re going to be 10 tomorrow, so stop with this imagination you have because that’s what’s gonna get you into trouble one day” The woman shut her door leaving the girl in the dark.

As the little girl crept back to her room, she could feel eyes on her, sending chills down her spine. Y/n murmured little prayers under her breath hoping that god could protect her from what lurks in the dark.

She turns the knob of her bedroom door, praying he isn’t there, the one that causes her hell. She clutches her emotional support teddy bear and blanket and throws open the door only to be met with an eye.

The poor girl is thrown back overwhelmed, and falls to the ground dropping her bear. She throws the blanket over her head repeatedly saying. “If I can’t him, he can’t see me”

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

The girl woke up in a cold sweat from her nightmare, the same memory over and over again.

‘Why can’t these nightmares just stop’ Y/n groaned, she knew it was just her mind playing tricks on her—or that’s what she told herself to keep her insanity at bay.

Y/n got ready for college and left. She pulls out her phone and calls Chenle, her friend since the 7th grade. Those two were like two pea’s in a pod. Some people even thought they were dating because of how close they were.

1st person point of view

“Hey idiot” I hear on the other side of the phone.

“Sup Chenle” You say mockingly, throwing your bag in the car as if it were a dead body.

“Dude what are you carrying,” Chenle laughs “it sounds like you’re carrying a dead body”

“It’s gonna be yours if you keep making those corny jokes of yours” I retort, feeling like I won.

“You love me too much to kill me Y/n” Chenle says in a low voice.

“Huh? What was that-“ Chenle cuts you off, “nothing my dear friend”

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

The bell rung and it was time for lunch, I grabbed my bags and was about to leave when I ran into something hard.

“Ouch- Oh my god I’m so sorry” I looked up and noticed coffee spilt all over his jacket, which looked liked it was from a very expensive brand. I grabbed a tissue from the professors desk and tried to wipe it off when a large muscular hand stopped me.

“It’s fine, I’m Jeno and you are?” He chuckled, taking off his jacket to reveal a well built body.

I looked up to his face just to notice he looked like him, I paused and forgot everything I was gonna say to him.

“Are you—okay?” He asked worries since I just stood there dumbfounded.

‘How could he be here?!?! No—it can’t be, maybe he just looks like him. It could just be a coincidence.’

“Huh—oh yeah sorry, my name is L/n Y/n, sorry I spaced out there” I awkwardly laughed, rubbing the nape of my neck.

“It’s fine, many people are like that when I meet them anyways” He gives me an eye smile making me melt inside.

“Since we just met, and it seems we get along pretty well, would you like to go to a party this saturday—we’ll only if you’re comfortable with it! You could also bring a friend along if you want” Jeno was easy to read, his ears were red as a tomato, but his voice was steady like he was at a job interview.

“Sure! I wouldn’t mind it at all, errr Jeno” I smiled.

“Well the party is at xxx at 9pm then, see ya there Y/n” he walked off with his stained jacket.

I then notice that he dropped something, a green necklace almost the shape of an eye except it’s iris was a long slit with a darker green oozing out.

‘Well that’s an interesting necklace design’

I run out the classroom to where he went off to just to notice the halls were empty.

“Jeno— where are you, you forgot your necklace” I wondered off further back of the college in search of him.

The hairs on my neck start to stand up and a bad feeling in my gut. To my left, in the corner of my vision, I see a light flickering in a door slightly open.

Curiosity gets the better of me and I walk towards.

“Y/n! What are you doing here” Chenle yells down the hallway making me yelp in surprise. I drop the necklace and it rings. The ringing makes my ears hurts and I drop to the ground groaning.

“Oh my god Y/n are you okay” A worried Chenle runs up to me dropping his bag.

What the heck is going on. Where is the sound coming from? It couldn’t have been the bell since Chenle didn’t react to it.

“Did—you hear that piercing ringing sound” I wince trying not to pass out.

“What ringing noise? I didn’t hear anything, all I saw was you flinching and you dropped this necklace” He licks it up and puts the necklace around my neck.

The cold metal tickles my skin and my face heats up due to Chenle and I’s proximity.

“eh—you might have a cold the way your face is flushed and so warm”

“No—no I’m just a little hot—that’s all—that’s all” I fumbled over my words trying not to embarrass myself and seem suspicious towards my dumb friend.

“Let’s get you to the nurse and see if they can help” He simpered.

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

“My my my, dear, it seems like you’ve caught a fever, take plenty of rest and stop over working yourself” The nurse sighed.

“Chenle you can leave us, I need to talk to her privately for a minute.” Chenle walked off and gently shut the door behind him.

“I know you may not know—errr remember me Y/n, my names is Na Jaemin” He whispered in a low tone, and looked around as if someone was watching us, “There is someone after you, and that necklace of yours, you may not believe me but that ringing noise was him” He grimaced, saying the last word like it was venom.

“Huh—what do you mean? This is Jenos necklace, he seems like a nice guy and he probably wouldn’t hurt a fly” I retorted.

“Pretty bold assumptions for someone you just met” Jaemin chuckled.

“Pretty bold assumptions for someone you don’t even know” I spat back at him, feeling offended that he would say such a thing about Jeno.

“sigh, how would you know about my connections with Jeno, I’ve known him for way longer than you, he isn’t the person he seems, behind that cute little eye smile you dote on so much is a monster,” Jaemin said through a tight smile, “do you remember when you were scared of a monster being under your bed? that was hi-“

I cut him off, “STOP SAYING SUCH NONSENSE ABOUT HIM, IF YOURE HIS FRIEND WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PUT DIRT ON HIS NAME”, Jaemin answered, “I never said we were friends, all I said is that I’ve known him longer than you and I know his little tricks”

Jaemin chuckled bitterly, locking the door and closing the curtains. How would Jaemin know the Jeno was a bad person? I thought he just worked here temporarily as a nurse. Maybe they were friends who ended off on a bad note and Jaemin wants to get revenge right? There is no way Jeno could be evil could he.

But, he does look like him a lot…

Maybe Jaemin was right, and I’m being ignorant.

“So tell me more about the Jeno that isn’t what he seems” I say.

TBC…..

#jeno x reader #yandere #nct dream #kpopidol #yandere!nct #yandere! idol #horror #kpop!au #nct #jeno #chenle #sub! idol

[weishenbwi]

“I can’t believe I’m lost.” One unfortunate bump in the road because Mark just had to have his tea. Green tea of all things, he chides himself! And now he’s walking through the leaves in a dimly lit forest, lost, looking like a lumberjack thanks to Johnny’s insistence that he wear flannel, and that just makes him hate green tea even more. A bump in the road, no signal, and lost. Isn’t that how all horror movies start out? Mark thinks to himself with a shudder.

Something off in the distance grabs his attention. It’s bright. A fire? A UFO? He chuckles to himself halfheartedly, the shiver still present.  

It's too far away to distinguish.

He walks closer.  An hour passes. 

It’s getting darker but the object is more visible. A ring of fire in the shape of a circle, something tall and erect standing in the middle. Unmoving.

He walks closer.

How long has it been? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? Another hour? He’s already so tired. Why did you get off the main road? Because the local map said this was a shortcut. Why didn’t you just use your phone, Mark? Because I’m trying to conserve battery. His legs keep moving because that's all there’s left to do and he can’t remember what time it said when he looked at his phone last or what time it is now, but it doesn’t matter because something’s tied to a piece of wood in the center of the fire. It takes a few moments for it to register... “Something is tied to a piece of wood. Someone tied… Someone lit the fire.” 

He wasn’t alone.

“No Mark. Keep your calm. Keep cool. You’re fine. It’s fine.” Mark wasn’t known for being illogical. He’s an INFJ after all, something he secretly took pride in. The rare type, he thought, without allowing too much pride to take root in his heart. After all, he was a good Christian. And something-something Jesus’ example.

Now don’t be a fool, Mark. This is the middle of nowhere. NOTHING should be out here and you know it. The cold gripped him more closely, caressing his fear with a void and amplifying it.

“Unless… unless we’re much closer to civilization than I thought.” Mark attempts to calm himself. That’s all, he thinks positively. He tries to think back on the map, the sky not providing enough light to see it clearly and his flashlight having gone dead. It was unbelievable, really. He knows he’d charged it before he left AND packed a spare but nothing was working here.

“Isn’t that odd?” A voice quips.

Ignoring whatever he thought he heard, Mark walks closer. It could be onset delirium. Stay calm.

“Delirium? It’s only been a few hours. DON'T ignore me.”

Just stay calm, Mark. If there’s someone out here, he needs to be quiet. And actually, it’s a blessing that his flashlight stopped working because he would have used it and alerted anyone lurking of his presence.

He walks closer. More timidly now.

You shouldn't go further. Turn back now. An inner voice urges. Turn back before it's too late.

He walks closer, more quietly now, peering deeply as he hides behind a tree. To Mark’s horror, the piece of wood isn’t just a piece of wood erected. It’s a cross. Massive in height and heinously thick. Someone or some ones… because how could one person manage to construct a thing so freakishly large alone? No, not a thing. A cross burning in the middle of the woods and oh God, what is that?! “Oh God. Oh no…”

Mark’s careful whispers trail off. It wasn’t just a cross. There, burning in the middle of that abhorrent monstrosity, was a body. Its outstretched limbs strapped down, the creature thrashing against the wood and heat of the fire.

The smell of searing flesh reaching his senses. He feels like he's going to be sick.

“No…” He covers his ears and turns away. He’s not hearing anything. It’s no one. It’s no one. I’m just tired, only tired. He tries to breathe calmly. Don’t panic. He pinches himself. He can feel it. No, not a dream. Just tired.

And that’s when he hears them. Sounds coming from the fire. Chanting of some kind. But it’s no language he's ever heard. The sound… guttural rasping like something long since dead awakened, unable to use its voice. Learning how to use its voice. The unknown language and sinister whispers surrounding him, penetrating his mind and soul. This isn’t a dream. It’s a nightmare.

He looks back, toward the scene, like someone who keeps watching a horror movie when every instinct is telling them to look away, turn away. He tries to move but he can’t. Something is holding him in place. It knows, he thinks. It knows I’m here.

And that’s when he sees them. Someone is taking a vessel to each… person? Oh god… he’s not even sure they’re people. No, they CAN’T be people. They’re too tall, too thin. Wisps of fleshy tendrils under cloaks. Some as tall as the cross. Their lengths reaching nearly to the trees. Fleshly and yet... as if they're made of smoke devoured and expelled from the fire. They're all suspended above the circle, quiet and seemingly unaware of his presence. Thank you, Lord, he prays to anyone and no one at all.

Don't forget the body. Mark, open your eyes. It’s still burning. Are you going to leave it to die alone?

It’s not possible, Mark thinks, body dropping against the length of an aged red pine. He drops his head between his knees and shivers, praying more earnestly than he’d ever prayed in his life. Without a word. Without a whisper. No whisper in case they hear him. Can they hear? Do they sense vibrations? Can they hear my heart beating? It sounds so loud. W-what if they can hear my thoughts… He tries not to think of anything but his mind is racing as fast as his heart is beating.

He rocks his body to wake up from this hellish nightmare but it’s no use. And it's as if they do hear this thought because the next assault to his senses is the sound of weeping and groaning. It’s not from the forms at the fire or the burning body somehow still thrashing against its binds but a quiet echo at his ear. Mark buries his face into his legs, lips pressed to knees. He doesn’t want to look, doesn’t want to open his eyes.

The weeping comes closer. It’s no longer at his ear. It’s seeped inside him, sweet and sickly, bleeding out like maple from a tree. Mark shakes his head no as his eyes are forced open and his body is made to move forward, to the site where they gather.

They drink it willingly. You’ll drink too.

Mark sees the body still struggling, arms still stretched to the brink. But it isn’t making noise and he doesn’t question how. "It's only a silent struggle." Mark thinks, his legs carrying him further. Closer. His mind barely whispering for him to turn back.

He takes his place in the fire not questioning why it doesn’t hurt.

The vessel bearer finishes serving each of the forms before finally stopping at Mark. It bends low, low to the ground. It’s presence, cold and eerie. 

The creature struggles less now. Its body barely jerking in intervals giving up or out of energy. It doesn't matter, Mark reasons. The vessel bearer doesn't say anything, only motions for Mark to drink and Mark understands without a word to drink what's left.

As he drinks, Mark doesn't wonder what kind of substance it is. Water, tea, blood, or something else entirely. It doesn’t matter. He doesn't wonder anything at all. His mind has long ceased its chatter, withdrawing to distant recesses within.

Mark notices a strangely metallic taste as the creature struggles in its final moments, tethered to the wooden cross, flesh charred and reeking. The vessel bearer stands before Mark, its appendage reaching out to the now motionless creature, cutting off a piece of its flesh, and offering it as a gift to all in the circle.

Mark swallows everything he's given.

#mark lee #cosmic horror #eldritch horror #lovecraftian #nct #nct 127 #nct dream #mark lee fic #mark lee fanfic #nct fic #nct fanfic #nct dream fic #nct dream fanfic #nct 127 fic #nct 127 fanfic #mark x reader #if the reader is a eldritch being #mark x you #if you're a cosmic horror #horror fic #heretic