a Little Kdramatic

History

I started this blog in June of 2023, but previously wrote on Wattpad for several years starting in 2014 (no longer active there). I've been a fan of kpop and kdramas since 2017. ✨

The group that first got me into kpop: BTS

Ult group: Ateez

Ult bias: Taemin

First drama I watched: Strong Woman Do Bong-soon

Favorite drama: Strangers from Hell/Hell is Other People

Favorite actor: Lee Dong-wook

MyDramaList

Here is an amazing resource that one of my mutuals told me about! If you visit my profile aLittleKdramatic on MyDramaList, you can see all of the shows I'm currently watching or have watched in the past!

I'm hoping this makes it easier for readers to send in requests or even just a DM to spark conversation about shows!

Requests

My requests are OPEN! Below are just a few things to keep in mind when you submit an ask:

I do not have a posting schedule or a time commitment to requests.

I reserve the right to dismiss a request without reply; this will usually only happen if:

a) I have not watched the show/do not listen to the kpop group you're requesting (or know the member's personality well enough). b) your ask is potentially too similar to work that I have already published. c) I am not comfortable/familiar with the theme.

I am only comfortable writing for a male characters/idols paired with a female or gender neutral reader. I also prefer not to touch on sexualities outside of heterosexuality solely because I am not someone who feels experienced or knowledgeable enough in those areas. There are other writers who am I confident will do it more justice than I. 🩶

As far as smut/mature requests go, I am not necessarily opposed to writing them. But it is an area that I may need more practice in.

A detailed request with a strong sense of direction and specific ideas that you are looking to see is incredibly helpful! I will always put a disclaimer in the fic/headcanon intro as a warning for suggestive or 18+ content. Please do not interact if you are a minor.

Credits!

Everything on my page was written by me. I reserve all rights.

All banners were created by me with the use of Canva.

Masterlist banners are made with my screenshots from shows or music videos.

I do not own any character images used in banners.

I do not own any character gifs unless it is specified that I created it (these are usually credited to their Tumblr owners automatically).

The sparkly gif used in my posts is from @anitalenia.

The neon pink divider used in my posts is from @strangergraphics.

My cover photo is by photographer Noe Alonzo.

Seongje was more than aware of all of the people who saw him talking to you that night. It played out exactly the way he wanted it to; so people knew that he wasn’t going to let anyone stand in the way of his image. 

It was supposed to be clean, both of you going your separate ways as if nothing happened. And for a while, it was quiet. He hadn’t seen or heard from you in days, figuring that he managed to deter you for good. 

Until you show up at Daesung unexpectedly, a duffel bag slung over your shoulder and a bitter countenance threatening anyone you come into contact with.

The free pass you had to cross into their turf had long since been revoked, but you enter the motorcycle garage anyway and are immediately noticed by a group of guys lounging on a leather couch that is dingy and out of place. Their icy stares might have intimidated you once, before you had gotten used to the atmosphere. Now, you aren’t afraid to toss the bag onto the table in front of them, knocking over beer cans and empty cups of ramyeon in the process. 

“Give this to Seongje,” you say, voice unwavering.

One of them acknowledges you with a smirk, a hint of disbelief revealing itself behind the cloud of vape that hovers in front of him. “Haven’t seen him in a couple days. Did he ask you to come here?” 

“No, and I don’t care where he is.”

“If he doesn’t want you here, then we don’t have to do shit. In fact, we can do whatever we want.”

Your eyes narrow at the man, discerning the undertones in his statement. It’s a warning, and you heed it by turning on your heel and making your way toward the exit. 

But it would have been naive to think that they’d let you walk out that easily. 

Frankly, you hadn’t expected anyone to be here at this time of day. Otherwise, you just might have lived with the fact that Seongje might show up at your door eventually to reclaim all of the items he left in your possession. It’s mostly his shirts, an extra pair of glasses, and some other expensive things he left with you for ‘safe keeping’. 

Now, you are facing the consequences of acting on impulse and showing up uninvited. 

A snicker sounds from behind you, “I guess you couldn’t leech off of him forever.”

Ignore it. Just ignore it, you tell yourself. Then, you feel your body jerk back as your upper arm is pulled with surprising force. 

“Don’t worry, there’s plenty of people out there that you can whore yourself out to for a few bucks,” the one beside you taunts.

You grind your teeth, muttering a spiteful “Screw you” before you are shoved to the ground; which is filthy and caked with dirt and oil. Inspecting your palms, you realize they don’t look as bad as they feel. But the one that stings more has some broken skin, droplets of blood forming tiny beads over the surface. 

In that same moment, you are startled by a distinct yell reverberating against the aluminum walls of the building. 

Lifting your head to meet the source, you recognize the shout before your gaze even lands on your ex boyfriend across the room. He appears out of nowhere, descending a set of stairs and closing in on the thugs with an irate curiosity.

“What’s going on?” Seongje questions nonchalantly, though the smile on his face suggests something more dangerous is simmering beneath his facade. 

One of the guys is quick to respond, “N-nothing! She just came in here, and we figured you’d want her gone. If we knew you were here, we would have-”

“You figured?” he interjects with a dry chuckle, pushing his glasses up with his middle finger. Tension hangs in the air until Seongje’s grin disappears. “You figured since I wasn’t here, that you could talk to my girl like that?” Your heart pounds as you lock eyes with him finally, feeling an odd stir of emotions overtake you. “Touch her again. See what happens.” 

The men don’t need to be told to leave after that point. They do it entirely by their own volition, not even daring to glance at you before they vacate the space. Soon, you come to your senses too, pushing yourself off of the floor while internally struggling with what you should do about the predicament you are in. Somehow, you can’t seem to get your feet to move in any one direction, and Seongje reaches you in no time. 

“Shit, babe. You’re bleeding.” Observant as always, he spots the small injury on your hand and takes it into his own without thinking.

“Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t call me that,” you huff, tearing your arm away from him. “I’m only here to bring your stuff back. I’m sick of looking at it.”

“Why are you bringing it back? I didn’t ask for it back?” The expression on his face feigns bewilderment. 

“I don’t know, Seongje. Seeing as we’re not dating anymore, there is literally no need for me to have any of it. It’s sounding to me like you really don’t remember us breaking up.”

“Refresh my memory.”

He’s got to be rage baiting me. 

“Do you seriously expect me to believe it was a coincidence that you ghosted me after I let you…” Pausing, you think about your words carefully. Anger begins to dissolve into pain as you recall giving your virginity to him, who apparently had no intentions of staying with you. “I wanted to– because I was ready for our relationship to mean more. Guess I was wrong, and I was just another notch on your bed post." 

“Y/n-”

“It’s one thing if you don’t want to be my boyfriend, Seongje. But using me like that is just-”

He cuts you off, stating, “That is not what happened.”

You can only laugh in response, “You’re crazy if you think I’m gonna stand here while you add gaslighting to the list.”

“I’m serious.” He looks at you intently and straightens out his posture. Seongje admits that your line of thinking makes sense. From your point of view, it would be hard to see it any other way. But he really hoped that deep down, you had more faith in him than that. For the first time in a long time, he feels a sense of guilt.

“After that night, I was freaked out,” he continues. “Because this time, it wasn’t some casual fuck. It was you… the girl who turned my life fucking upside down from the very beginning. I meant what I said… about not being cut out to be a boyfriend. But damn it, I tried.”

Suddenly, he looks a little dejected. And several memories rush to the forefront of your mind, recalling the times that he did try for you, even when he didn’t know how. 

There was the time you had a fever, and he didn’t leave your side at all until you were better. Another time, on your birthday, he brought you coffee and your favorite dessert before school. When your parents kicked you out of the house, he offered his bed and comfort that he wished someone had given him before it was too late. He made plenty of mistakes and was by no means perfect. But he always made up for it by supporting you when it mattered.

Watching as he pulls a cigarette out of his pocket, you tear up when you see him using the lighter you gave him months ago. It’s pink and has a little heart that you etched into the plastic. At this point, it takes several flicks for the spark to ignite a flame, yet he still insists on using it. 

“You make me weak, and I hate that. But I love you.” Seongje takes a drag and blows the smoke away from you. 

Those three words don’t register to you at first. Never, in all the time you were dating, did he feel the need to say it outright. You made peace with the fact that he wouldn’t. The contradiction of his feelings is hard to wrap your head around, and it's even more difficult to tell how genuine he is.

With a deep, shaky breath, you ask, “Do you want to know what I think? I think you’re only saying that because in this past week, you realized I’m the only one who cares about you.” You’re angry again. But your fractured little heart yields to every glance back at his pitiful face.

His mouth is parted, brows creased, and a visible affliction lingers on his features. You wait for him to say something, do something, bite back, react for god’s sake. But he doesn’t. Unmoving from your places, the silence is stagnant and suffocating. You think about turning around, walking away, and never looking back. 

Then, he quietly urges, “Not saying it before doesn’t make it any less true.”

“What does that matter if you don’t want to be with me in the end? It was so easy for you to break things off… But now that I’m here, you’re confusing me into thinking I just might have a chance.”

Ten minutes ago, you didn’t even want a chance. But as it turns out, you’re just as weak for him as he is for you.

In an attempt to set the record straight, Seongje flicks the cigarette to the ground and barely stomps it out before planting his lips on yours in a hurried desperation. Familiar instincts take over, breath hitching in shock as you’re met with his outburst of passion. You make no effort to pull back, eyes fluttering closed when his hand reaches for the nape of your neck. This is how it’s supposed to feel when he kisses you– like you are someone he is afraid to lose.

He still worries that he won’t be able to protect you from everything that comes with the territory of being in a gang. Though, he no longer feels unsure that you are meant to be by his side. You are a part of his evolution, and maybe even his salvation somewhere down the line.

Your cheeks are moist with tears, fresh ones trickling down slowly as Seongje pulls away to look at you. His thumb carefully wipes them until they disappear altogether, wondering where you find the patience to endure it all. He feels like a bastard.

Leaning into him, you whisper, “If I hadn’t come here today, would you have come to me?”

He nods. While stubborn and imprudent, he now knows for a fact that it would have been only a matter of time before he went chasing you again. 

“I want you,” he vows. “And I'm sorry. Just... don’t give up on me yet.”

I think the duo you mentioned would in fact be insane. Sugang and Yeonjin are practically a match made in hell. 😈 If they were in high school together, I have no doubt that Yeonjin would be all over him. Not only because Sugang controls the school and everyone in it, but also because he's loaded and his family is powerful in Brave Citizen.

In The Glory, Yeonjin seems to have people wrapped around her finger. So I think it would be interesting to see her dynamic with Sugang in his world. I have a feeling she wouldn't be able to manipulate him as easily, which would probably create some tension.

And the more I think about it, the more questions it poses.

If Sugang was put into her world, would he have a part in the deaths she's responsible for? How would they have interacted as adults? Would she still have married her husband? I imagine their relationship would be much like it was between her and Jaejun.

What do you guys think? Feel free to keep the discussion going with me in the comments!

It starts with a call at dusk, when Baku is least expecting it. After seeing Baekjin’s name on the screen, he thinks about turning off his phone altogether and maybe even tossing it in the trash can of the convenience store he is in. But his instincts overpower his irritation. Something doesn’t feel right, and that is the only reason he decides to pick up.

“What?” he asks with a bite to his tone.

“Meet me at ‘A’ Plus.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Y/n.” Baekjin utters only your name in response, and Baku’s heart drops in an instant.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing yet.” The smirk he is wearing is practically audible in his voice as he eyes you, sitting at the opposite end of his office. “Usually, you walk her to cram school. Isn’t that right? But not today, it seems.”

Through grit teeth, Baku curses him, “Bastard. I swear if you hurt her I’ll-”

The call cuts off, leaving him in stunned silence momentarily. His mind is running a million miles a minute at the irony of it all. God only knows how long Baekjin had to have been watching you and Baku in order to strike at a time like this. It makes him feel like an idiot; completely and utterly foolish for not seeing it coming.

-

No one in the bowling alley makes an effort to stop Baku when he comes barreling into the establishment disguising the gang. They know what he’s capable of, and his expression doesn’t exactly read ‘try me’ this time around. Rather, it reads ‘get in my way, and you’re dead.’ 

When he reaches the cold room at the end of the hall, he’s at least relieved to find you sitting a good distance away from the man he once called his friend. Other than the paleness of your complexion and the water brimming in your confused eyes, you appear to be fine. It calms him only slightly, and he rushes forward to protectively stand in front of you.

Baku yells “Are you out of your mind?” at Baekjin, in utter disbelief that he would go to these lengths. 

His counterpart looks unimpressed with his outburst as he leans back in his chair. This game was fun to him at first, and Baekjin admittedly does feel a sense of accomplishment with getting your boyfriend back in the door so quickly. But at this stage in the long process of repeated refusal to engage with the organization’s activities, much of the amusement has worn off. And Baekjin is tired of waiting. 

“I’ve been generous up to this point, but I think you know better than to underestimate me. This is the last time I will be asking for your cooperation before something actually happens to someone you care about.”

The leader tilts his head to get a better look at you cowering behind Baku, holding onto his pant leg as you otherwise remain frozen in the corner of the couch. When his eyes meet yours, fear strikes your chest, something you have never experienced before from just a glance. He continues, “She’s an intrepid little thing, I’ll give you that. I heard she put up quite the fight.”

Baku rushes forward and practically slams his hands on Baekjin’s desk, of which he is not intimidated by in the slightest. 

“If you touch her again, I’ll kill you.”

Baekjin leans closer, asserting his dominance even while looking up at Baku and utters, “It will be more than just a couple of bruises next time.” 

Following is a minute of tense silence. All you can hear is Baku’s ragged breathing, as well as the gears practically turning in his head as he decides his next move. Obviously, there is much to this situation that you don’t comprehend. But you gather enough to figure that the mess he is in is something that has been going on for a while. You can’t imagine the kind of stress he has been under lately.

And the longer you think about it, more of his behavior is beginning to make sense. How could you have ignored and misinterpreted the signs so poorly? Actually believing that Baku wanted to distance himself from you should have been the final red flag that prompted you to get to the root of the issue. But instead, you’re here, and he is on the verge of strangling Baekjin right before your eyes. You even wonder how much he is holding back for your sake.

“Fine,” he says before turning back to you. Your lips part in surprise, unsure what he is agreeing to. But whatever it is, it can’t be good. “Just swear you’ll leave her alone.”

Baekjin doesn’t make that promise, though; not until he sees the other side of the deal being met.

“I’ll message you with instructions.”

Before your brain can begin trying to decipher what it all means, Baku is already pulling you to your feet and swiftly out of the suffocating basement atmosphere. He has you tucked behind him, his hand grasping your forearm as you make your way up the stairs and meet the fresh air on the street outside. Not leaving any room for protests or questions, he is already well on his way to taking you straight to his house.

-

“You aren’t really going to do what he wants, are you?” you ask quietly, head nestled beneath his chin after the two of you found a comfortable position on the floor of the living room. He hasn’t let go of you since you arrived.

“Hell no. I just said that to get you out of there. And he knows that too, which is why I’m going to need you to stay right here with me forever.”

His hug tightens.

“Baku-”

“I was serious earlier when I said it wasn’t a good idea for me to keep seeing you. But I only suggested we take a break so this wouldn’t happen. Y/n, I’m so sorry.” You can’t see his face, but the pain in his voice is evident. The dam is close to breaking but he keeps it together for you, like he always does. “I’m gonna keep you safe, baby. Don’t worry.”

There’s a hint of sadness in your words when you respond with, “You can’t protect everyone.” You wish he wouldn’t feel like the responsibility is his alone, though he has always considered it his duty to be the protector of the people around him. He has been like this for as long as you’ve known him– maybe even as long as he’s been alive. In fact, it’s one of the things about him you admire the most. 

While you recognize it as one of his best qualities, it is also his greatest burden.

“No, but The Union needs to be stopped. I don’t care if it has to be me. I’ll put an end to all of it.”

“You’ve… never told me about The Union before. I mean, I had suspicions that something weird was going on. But this is… it’s big. Isn’t it?”

You feel his large, calloused hand reaching to cup your cheek. He waits for you to look up at him and meet his eyes as they survey you. Baku can’t blame you for trying to understand. In fact, you deserve to know everything– from his history with Baekjin, to how he and his friends got tangled in the crime web.

But at the same time, he believes that you’re too smart for your own good. Knowing you as well as he does, he can already see how you will try to insert yourself into the situation in order to help him. And you may be intelligent, but that doesn’t mean that he’s going to entertain the thought of you getting involved.

“Sweetie, I don’t want you to feel like I’m keeping things from you. But… this isn’t something you need to know about right now. Okay? I promise, I’ll tell you everything when the time is right.” His voice drops lower, signaling that he will not be offering up any more information. You can accept that, for the time being. But it does nothing to ease your fear about something happening to him.

“I’m just afraid of you getting hurt.”

“Come onnnn.” His smile returns, warming up his features instantly. “I’m Park Humin. Nothing can keep me down.” He leaves a few playful smooches on your face, doing what he can to take your mind off of it. Pressing the side of your face into his, he rubs against you like an oversized, overly affectionate cat. You pretend to swat at him, laughter giving way to a much more calm demeanor. 

“How long do you intend to smother me?” you joke.

“I already told you. Forever… Or maybe just till we get hungry.”

“Your dad isn’t going to let me stay here forever.”

Baku chuckles, “Oh he’ll let you stay. He likes you. It’s me he doesn’t like.”

When you are absent from school on Monday, it seems entirely coincidental. The weather has been pretty awful, and more and more kids are showing up in masks as of late. But you aren’t among them. And along with Baekjin, your teacher is one of the first to notice. She asks him where you are (assuming he knows), though he shamefully has no idea.

On Tuesday, you are still gone. He tries not to think about it. He tries not to worry. Even if every instinct he has tells him to check on you, he can’t bring himself to reach out. After all, he is the one who deliberately cut ties with you right before the weekend began.

That is until he walks into class on Wednesday only to find you missing again. The moment he sits down, he opens his chat with you on his phone, guilt panging in his chest when he sees the series of heart emojis you last sent before things between you changed. His thumbs hovers over the keyboard, unsure of how to approach you under these circumstances. All he can type is:

Where are you?

After everything that happened, you don’t owe him a reply. Baekjin doesn’t deserve one, and he is well aware of that. But when Thursday comes and you’re still radio silent, he realizes that this is more serious than he initially thought. Even if you are ill, you would never skip school for four days straight. Something has to be very wrong.

That’s why he feels such relief when your teacher asks him to bring you study materials and assignments later that day. 

“Did something happen?” He asks the adult straightforwardly.

”I’m not at liberty to discuss that. Just make sure she gets them, please.”

It isn’t an answer. Not even close. But it is an excuse for him to show up at your house; an opportunity to find out just what is going on. 

-

He feels awkward ringing your door bell when he has the code to the apartment memorized. The chime can be heard from the other side, but nothing else. Maybe you aren’t even home. Though at this point, he is willing to stand outside for as long as it takes.

"Baekjin, why are you here?” Suddenly alerted by your small voice coming through the intercom, his head snaps in its direction, staring at it as if he is looking at you. 

“Mrs. Jang wanted me to give you materials from our classes,” he says matter of factly; like it’s the only reason he is there. 

There is static on the other end for several moments as you contemplate opening up for him. You don’t want to— not really. Not for him or anyone else. But eventually he sees the knob turning, taking a step back as you push the door and reveal yourself to him. Baekjin first notices the darkness in your features and how you’re practically drowning in oversized clothes. As he takes in your appearance, you look tired more than anything else. Exhausted, but ultimately okay.

You thrust your non-dominant hand out, gesturing to the folder in his grasp, keeping it held in the air as you wait. Odd, he thinks to himself. But instead of handing over the materials, he starts a line of questioning.

"Is your mom home?”

You sigh, allowing your hand to fall before stating, “She’s working abroad again. Somewhere in Malaysia this time, I think.”

"And your uncle?”

Leaning against the door frame, you impatiently eye him up and down, trying to decipher what exactly he means to achieve through this conversation. The last time you checked, he officially put an end to wanting to know anything about you or your personal life. Even so, there’s something endearing about him asking about where your guardians are.

"He’s working third shift now. He comes to check on me in the morning before I go to school.”

“I see.” Baekjin nods once, holding your gaze steadily. “Can I come in?”

No! The part of you that is angry with him screams in protest, while the part of you that loves him timidly shuffles to the side, making room for him to enter.

He takes note of the blankets forming a nest on the couch. All of the lights are off. There isn’t even music or tv playing to keep you company, a habit of yours that Baekjin grew accustomed to. Alarms are going off in his head, but he calmly moves throughout the open floor plan, studying the environment to gather any information he can. Not much else is out of the ordinary, aside from the rotting fruit he spots on the kitchen counter. Your favorite fruit. 

He then turns to you and finally cuts to the chase, “What’s going on?”

"It’s not a big deal.” 

“You haven’t been to school at all this week, Y/n.”

He isn’t going to budge, that you know already. He is going to drag the truth out of you no matter what. So you maneuver around his body and take a seat at the dining room table, which is the only place where any natural light is reaching. He joins you, watching you like a hawk while you are still undecided on whether or not it is a good idea to be transparent. 

“After I left work Sunday night I…” you trail off, uncomfortable memories settling back into your mind, despite willing them away for days on end now. “Something happened, and I ended up at the police station to press charges against someone; a guy, who I didn’t know.”

"What?” Baekjin’s eyes widen.

“He attempted to assault me.”

“Attempted assault as in… he tried to-“

“He didn’t do what you’re thinking,” you cut him off, “thanks to the pocket knife you gave me a while ago. The police have it now, and I probably won’t be getting it back. Anyway, I stabbed him, and he fractured my wrist.” Raising your arms from the position they rested in on your lap, you settle them onto the smooth pine surface where you previously shared meals with your boyfriend. 

The two of you sitting across from each other like this in your home already feels intimate. But it’s when he slowly, gently takes your wrist into his hold that you feel truly close again. He raises your sleeve higher to reveal more of the cast, high enough for his fingers to brush against your skin and send electricity throughout your entire body. To think that this is the first time in a week that he’s touched you, let alone spoken to you…  

“There’s something else,” you add, which catches his attention again. Baekjin lets go, and you immediately wish you had waited a little longer to speak. “It turns out that guy is in The Union. I didn’t know he was until Mr. Choi showed up at the hospital I was in. I guess he caught wind that I talked to the cops and wanted to make sure I didn’t mention something that would jeopardize the organization.”

Baekjin doesn’t have to say anything for you to be able to discern that he is stewing in a quiet rage. One of his men attacked you, hurt you, and scared you so much that you haven’t been able to leave your house. It makes him sick to his stomach that you are a victim because he failed to keep his underlings in line– because he himself left the gate wide open for someone to target you. It all started the moment he ended your relationship. Word got around quickly, and Baekjin convinced himself it was better that everyone knew that you were no longer a part of his life. However, it backfired in a way he should have anticipated.

In that moment, he realizes that whether you’re together or not, the outcome will always be the same. You will always be vulnerable because of him. The only way to have avoided this is if he hadn’t fallen in love with you in the first place. Though, he could never regret meeting you; it’s unthinkable.

“Since that day, I’ve been back to the station twice. But the charges are being dismissed. I don’t exactly know how much of it has to do with Mr. Choi, but I don’t really care anymore.” As soon as tears begin to wet your cheeks, Baekjin is out of his seat and kneeling before you. He tries to comfort you by resting his palm on your knee, but the sweet gesture only makes you cry harder. “I just… want it to be over.”

In slight disbelief, he urges, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because deep down, I felt that you were right. I’ve always needed you more than you need me. This whole ordeal is proof of that.”

Baekjin exhales through his nose, disappointed in himself. 

“I never should have said those things to you. I knew it was wrong. But I thought- I was sure that it was the only way to keep you safe.” He softly grips your chin, encouraging you to look at him instead of hiding behind the curtain of your hair. “Please, forgive me.” 

You’re flushed from crying, but taking deeper breaths now. Baekjin’s close proximity is calming you down, and you chase the familiarity of his scent like it’s the only comfort you’ve ever known. You unconsciously tug at his shoulders, sensing a certain undertone in his regret. It’s as if he’s not only apologizing for what he has done, but also for what he is about to do.

“A-are you going to leave?” you stutter, fear creeping in at the mere thought of being alone again.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’re not… going to go after him? Or Choi?”

“No.” Baekjin brushes strands away from your face, delicately tucking them behind your ear. He desperately wants to kiss you. It won’t rectify his mistake, but he hopes it will convey what he might not be able to express in words. That is, if you allow it. He doesn’t push you, especially not after what you’ve gone through.

“I’m going to catch you up on the lessons you missed. I’m going to make sure you eat and rest. Tomorrow at school, I will help you take notes. And after that, I’m taking you home with me.” The longer he talks, the closer his face grows to yours. You have every opportunity to put a stop to what he’s doing, but you don’t because you crave the closeness just as much as he does. If anything, you crave it more. With relief, one of your hands slides from his shoulder and up the back of his neck.

Drawing him in until your lips are ghosting his, you whisper, “I can’t believe you’re making me go to school tomorrow.”

You feel him smirk just before closing the gap completely, languidly kissing you as though you had all the time in the world– as if he hadn’t just listed off the numerous tasks necessary to getting your life back to some sense of normality. However, Baekjin is nothing if not a master of control. 

So after a few peaceful moments, he reluctantly pulls back and states, “I will make that bastard suffer. But I’ll let Seongje handle it... for now.” 

Trust is a funny thing. It can be broken in only a fraction of the time that it takes to mend it. And it will undoubtedly take time for you to fully relinquish yourself to Baekjin again. But you never believed for a second that he doesn’t love you. You didn’t believe it then, in his office, and you don’t believe it now. Not while he’s holding you like you’re the most precious thing he’s ever had.

The weeks following your breakup are quiet. You don’t hear once from Sieun or his friends, who eventually became your friends as well. Your life practically transforms overnight with no one to rely on while surviving the throes of high school. It gives you time, at the very least, to keep to yourself and focus on studying. But somewhat expectedly, you struggle a little without Sieun’s help.

It makes you feel confused, upset, and… angry more than anything else. Although, you aren’t sure who you are more angry with. Is it your boyfriend for abruptly breaking up with you without a willingness to discuss it first? Maybe a part of you deep down resents him for caring more about his grades than about you. Or are you mostly angry with yourself for having relied on him for so long, that you can barely manage to study in solitude?

The whole ordeal is overwhelming, but there is nothing you can do other than keep your head down and follow his lead. Alone or not, your world doesn’t end just because your relationship with Sieun did. So you go to school. You take care of things at home. And ultimately, you move on because you have to, even if every day it hurts.

Sieun is hurting too. But in his typical enigmatic fashion, most people aren’t really able to tell just how much. Out of an abundance of caution, he continues to keep an eye on you without you knowing. Despite not being seen together in nearly a month, he doesn’t feel confident yet that no one associates you with him anymore. Because if there’s anything he’s learned, it’s that being careful isn’t always enough. Especially in towns like this; run by kids who do whatever it takes to claw themselves out of the holes they’re in.

-

“Yah. You the one that loser used to hang around?”

Taking the short cut home, you pass through an alley near your school when you hear a gruff voice spoken behind you. Stopping in your tracks, you turn your head to see a boy who appears to be around the same age as you. He’s leaning up against the side of the building and is apparently ‘old enough’ to be smoking. Giving him a wary look, you decide not to answer his question. 

“Yeon Sieun,” he clarifies, flicking the cigarette butt to the ground and stamping it out with his sneaker.

“You know him?”

“I know he’s been hiding, along with his little friends– pretending like they haven’t been sticking their noses where they don’t belong… I also know he’s not dumb enough to let someone as pretty as you go.” A chill runs down your spine when he smirks. He sucks air in through his teeth and cocks his head in contemplation. “It’s just a hunch, really. But I think that bastard is still keeping tabs on you. Care to help me test that theory?”

Uneasily, you murmur “What are you talking ab-” 

Before you can finish, the backs of your knees are kicked in, and your backpack is ripped from your shoulders. The sting of the pavement against your skin pales in comparison to the grip that the guy now has on your hair. He laughs like the sight of you struggling is the funniest thing in the world, and you pathetically whimper as your hands lock around his wrists. Any attempt you make to pry him off of you is futile. And even in broad daylight, it seems that passersby on the main street are totally oblivious. 

But it isn’t long before the taunting and pain inflicted upon you comes to a sudden stop. Relief finds you quickly once your hair is released and you have gathered enough composure to shuffle away from the boy who is now hunched over on the ground. He’s clutching his ribs, craning his neck to see who dealt the blow that put him in that position. Sieun then moves into your view, standing in front of your shaking form, fists balled at his sides. You know it’s him, and you can only imagine his enraged expression as his opponent chuckles.    

“Son of a bitch. I knew you’d show up because you’re fucking weak. Everyone knows chicks make you vulnerable.” It’s a foolish remark that he comes to regret when Sieun says nothing in return. He only lunges forward to kick him again, repeatedly, until the kid’s amused laughter turns into groans and gasps.

“Sieun,” his name escapes your quivering lips. 

Another kick, followed by a punch square in the jaw. 

Clearly, it was the boy’s intention to beat Sieun up after luring him to you.  But he bit off more than he could chew by himself. He had no idea that your boyfriend, or rather your ex boyfriend, could be this ruthless. Frankly, neither did you. 

“Sieun, stop!” With more force behind your words, you reach out to take his hand and he freezes. He’s breathing hard, absolutely fuming. But your touch grounds him, giving him enough sense to pull back and realize that your attacker is no longer in any condition to fight. It was practically over as soon as it started.

Finally turning around and looking at you, he softens immediately when your tearful eyes stare up at him. He now understands that his rage isn’t what you need. You need comfort. And while he has never considered himself to be very good at providing it, he owes it to you to make you feel safe again.

“It’s okay,” he says. “I’m… I’m here.”

-

Sieun brings you to his house instead of your own, sitting you on his bed as he tends to the wounds on your knees. It’s quiet, the way his room always is. Even if the light source emanating from his desk is a cold white, it still feels cozy and familiar, and the delicate contact with his skin reminds you of times where Sieun himself felt like your home.

He pauses when you flinch at the sting of the disinfectant, but never breaks that contact. No one says anything for a long while, as if basking in the company both of you had been deprived of– your connection unwavering even after time spent apart. And when he does finally speak, his voice nearly cracks under the strain of his guilt.

“I thought that distancing myself from you was my only choice, but I was wrong. If I hadn’t done what I had… If I just stuck by you, this wouldn’t have happened.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“It is my fault. It’s always my fault.” Sieun’s eyes are glassy. Behind them, he is wrestling with so many emotions and memories that you are only beginning to comprehend. You realize that there is still a lot you don’t know about him; things he doesn’t tell you because he doesn’t want you to take his issues upon yourself.

“That’s not true.”

“You’re hurt because of me.”

“I’m fine,” you emphasize. “This isn't the first time I’ve been bullied, you know.” In an effort to take an honest approach with him, you add, “I’m more upset about the fact that this is the first time I’m seeing or hearing from you in weeks. Having to pretend like you don’t exist was worse than a couple of scrapes.” 

Withdrawing his hand as if his fingertips are unworthy of being graced by your softness, you watch his gaze fall to the floor in shame.

“I never wanted to stop seeing you.” He doesn’t know what else to say. It was a mistake; one that he isn’t sure you are going to be able to forgive. God knows he probably won’t be able to forgive himself. But to his shock, you sink to the floor and throw your arms around his shoulders before he can even process it. You’re so warm. So warm, Sieun almost forgot what it’s like to absorb it– how in no time at all, you can completely change the course of his despair. 

He’s not even sure how he ever let you go in the first place. Temporary insanity, perhaps. 

“I just… hope you can open up to me and trust that even by your side, I’m going to be okay. I’ll be better than okay, Sieun.” You mumble into his shoulder, squeezing him tighter until he eventually relaxes, letting his eyes fall closed in your unconditionally loving embrace.

You guys... in all of my time writing on different online platforms, I've never reached this kind of milestone. But in the two years since I started this blog, I have received so many encouraging comments and messages. Thank you for being a part of the aLKd 500!

I just want you to know that I so appreciate all of you for engaging in any way, big or small. And I will continue to do my best to be as active here as possible.

I hope that my stories bring you some form comfort or relaxation. At the end of the day, I'm just a fan who is seeking the same thing. So it means so much to me to be able to grow as a writer and share that passion with all of you.

♡

I also added a little bit to my about page to convey more of my values as a creator and hopefully give you a better idea on my guidelines for requests! My inbox is always open, and I am steadily working on current asks.

But if you're considering submitting a fic request, please look over the notes on what I'm comfortable with first! In any case, I absolutely love hearing about ideas that you want me to try and enjoy the challenge of executing them.

Some of my most proud works are a product of ways that you have inspired me. So thank you again! Please visit me and our comfort characters often, and look forward to new stories very soon.

Separate Posts:

You won't have to wait for every character to be written in order to start reading stories for the second part of this concept.

You won't have to scroll through one longer post.

Single Post:

All character parts for this story will be in one place, and you'll be able to read them all at once.

It will match the original format from Part 1.

I posted earlier this year about my experience when I went to see Taemin, sort of as a "journal entry". I also just wanted to open up conversation about the artist in case anyone is interested.

So here are my thoughts on Kai's concert too~

First of all 🤚 He's hot. I know it. You know it. KAI knows it. Each of his outfit changes were so fitting for him and the various themes of his music. I feel like he (and Taemin) really made the best out of a theater sized venue and turned the set into a full on experience.

Of course his voice was amazing, but watching him dance was also on another level of insane. Everyone knows Kai to be a phenomenal dancer, I just can't believe I got to see him move like that in person loooool.

EXO was one of the first groups that caught my attention when I got into Kpop- coming up on 10 years ago now. And Kai as a solo artist has captivated me for so long, that being in the same room as him was unreal. His personality on stage also felt so warm and genuine.

I had such a good time, and I'm truly thankful for the opportunity. I may or may not have cried again at the end.

Anyways, if any of you can relate, I'd love to hear from you! Even if it's not about Kai specifically, you can always feel free to chat with me. Thanks for listening to me ramble. ✨

Si-Eun

[It starts with a small incident after he notices some guys trailing him as he walks you home one day. Well, he had intended to take you home, but ends up bringing you to his house for a while instead. He can’t risk anyone from The Union knowing where you live. And that’s when he realizes that you will always be in danger if you are associated with him. Sure, he can protect you. But how long will that last before he and his friends are outnumbered?]

“I’ve let this go on for too long. I can’t continue to allow you to distract me,” he says with a monotone voice, expression unreadable. 

“What… what do you mean?” Fear starts to come over you, unable to understand where this is coming from or why he is showing up at your house first thing in the morning the following weekend. And while it is normal for him to wear hoodies outside of school, you can’t recall a time you’ve ever seen him with the hood actually up. Everything about his demeanor appears to be wrong.

Not to mention, you two study and do homework together all the time! If anything, you are able to focus better with him around. But could it be you who is holding him back? It isn’t something you want to believe is true. Though, he seems eerily serious, despite the way he is unable to meet your worried gaze.

He was tempted to just text you. It would have been far less of a risk that way. But after everything, Sieun owes you this much. If this is the last conversation you two have, you deserve to have it in person.

“For the last few months, I’ve barely had enough time to study. We see each other nearly every day, and it's affecting my work. I can’t afford to date you, especially with exam season starting soon.”

“Sieun, I-”

“I’m sorry. 

He gets up from your couch and faces the front door of your apartment. He feels the grip you have on his sleeve, but doesn’t push you away. Sieun just stands there in tense silence and waits for you to let go. 

Every fiber of your being wants to keep him close to you. Maybe you can fix whatever has gone wrong. However, your conscience now weighs heavy with thoughts of unintentionally impeding his academics. Who are you to hinder his life’s ambition? So your arms fall to your sides, slowly. Sieun doesn’t move for a moment, as if he is contemplating his exit. But soon, he abruptly rushes forward and puts his shoes on without another word.

He leaves you standing in the entry way long enough for the motion sensor lights to turn off again; long enough to wonder if you’ll ever have him back.

Read part 2 for Sieun here!

♡

Baku

[It comes to a point where Baku is well aware that Baekjin and The Union are constantly watching and keeping tabs on him. And while he wants absolutely nothing to do with them, he has somehow gotten himself in a tangle that he fears you will also get caught up in if he isn’t careful. He vows that he will figure something out so he can keep you safe by his side. But in the meantime, he has to betray all of his emotions and hurt you in order to protect you.]

“It’s not a good idea for me to keep seeing you.” Baku doesn’t always have the most sure, organized way of thinking. But he has never thought harder or more clearly about anything than this. 

“Okay… And you’re saying this because…?” He is making you nervous, yet you can’t quite tell if this is just the precursor to another one of his jokes. If this is a joke, it’s in bad taste. You wait for him to say something stupid like ‘because your beauty is going to kill me one of these days’ or ‘I’m running out of ideas for our dates.’ But that kind of punchline doesn’t come. Instead, he says something that hits you right in the gut.

“We’re too different. Guys like me should stick to someone with the same lifestyle.”

Too different?

Sure, the two of you are opposites in a lot of ways, but not in any that matter; at least not to you. 

“Think about it. You really wanna date a guy who goes to detention in the morning before school, screws around during class, and trains all afternoon before working in his dad’s chicken restaurant?”

“That’s not funny, Baku. You know I don’t care about stuff like that. I love y-”

“Maybe. But I care.” He interrupts, trying to keep you from saying anything else that will sway him. He closes his eyes, as if to muster up the act once more and says, “I’m tired of being compared to you all the time. It’s a lot of pressure. And I’m sorry, but I just can’t keep up.”

“What are you even talking about right now? Since when did our relationship become some sort of competition?”

You’re right. He knows you’re right and that his reasons for pushing you away probably aren’t very convincing. But it’s the only thing he can come up with or stomach saying to your face.

“I don’t want to upset you. I just think it would be better if we took a break, at least for now while I get my life more put together.”

The whole thing is just unbelievable, and you are more mad at him than anything else. You brush past him and continue on your path to cram school, of which you are now about five minutes late. 

“That idiot,” you mutter under your breath, wiping away a tear with the back of your hand.

Read part 2 for Baku here!

♡

Hyun-Tak

[He realizes too late that he has a problem with The Union. You tell him one day that a stranger had confronted you trying to figure out where Hyuntak was. And while you weren’t harmed at the time, he knows it will only get worse. So he plans to start an argument so he can have an excuse to put some distance between you.]

You arrive at Hyuntak's house, and he barely glances at you before silently retreating to his bedroom. You follow, tucking yourself into his side and resting your head on his shoulder as he scrolls through social media.

Normally days like this, the ones that are quiet and uneventful, are his favorite. But right now, he has to pretend like the feeling of your warmth against him isn’t making him melt; like every second of being next to you doesn’t make him fall harder. 

After a few minutes, you ask, “Did you remember to get your uniform from the dry cleaners?”

“No.”

“I told you my uncle said he was able to get the stains out.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Okay…” you trail off, not missing the way he deeply sighs. “Well, it’s Saturday. His shop won’t be open tomorrow, so-”

“Did you come all the way here just to nag me?”

“I just thought you would want it before Monday.” You pick your head up and stiffen a little. “I can get it for you if you want.”

He curses himself for what he is about to say to someone so sweet; someone he loves.

“You’re suffocating me.” He raises his voice a little, tossing his phone aside. Your eyes go wide. Even though you know that Hyuntak can get hot headed about things quickly, he has never gotten angry at you before.

“Did you have a bad day or something? We can talk about it if-” 

“Don’t you get it? You always just show up without warning, as if we’re not already together all the time. And you talk to me like you're my damn mother.”

“What, so you’re mad because I care about you and want to be around you?”

“I’m mad because you’re clingy, and I need space.”

The air feels thick, and your breath is caught in your throat. You’re pretty sure you mentioned visiting your boyfriend at some point over the weekend. However, you did just crawl into Hyuntak’s bed after ignoring his body language. 

You recoil slightly, inching away before stating, “Something is clearly bothering you. So I apologize for not understanding that sooner. But you didn’t have to let me in, you know. I would have respected your wishes if you wanted to be alone.”

It’s true, and Hyuntak knows his actions are contradictory. But he couldn’t bring himself to do this to you on his doorstep. 

“You’re right. But now, I’m asking you to leave. And don’t text me or come looking for me. I’ll reach out to you when I’m ready.”

♡

Jun-Tae

[He’s panicking. He’s scared not only for himself and his friends, but also for you. The last thing he wants is for you to somehow get involved with all the trouble going on, so he makes a foolish and rash decision to break things off with you when you are least expecting it. He tries to be as gentle as he possibly can, though, and tells himself that it’s better for you to suffer a heartbreak than to suffer at the hands of The Union.]

It is a normal day at first with nothing out of the ordinary. You go to school, have lunch with your friends, and plan on going straight home to read a new book you got. But then, you get a text from Juntae asking you to stop at the park on the way home.

Of course, you happily oblige and meet him, excited to tell him all about the first chapters you read the night before. But when you arrive, he looks nervous. His hands are clenching around the straps of his backpack, and he can hardly tear his eyes away from the ground as you approach.

“Hey Jun,” you smile at him. “Everything okay?”

“Mhm. I just wanted to give you something.”

He reaches into his pocket and hands you a note that looks like it has been folded a hundred times over. 

“What’s this?” you take it from him, attempting to unravel it before his warm hands are covering yours. 

“Don’t! Um, not yet. Don’t read it until you get home, okay?” His eyes finally find yours, wide and pleading with you to listen. It has to be done this way. If he tried to say anything to you in person, you would see right through him and know that he doesn’t want to let you go.

You have never seen him like this before. His facial features aren’t just desperate, they show an underlying sadness. 

“I’m really sorry. But I have to go.”

“Wait, Juntae-” You try, but he is already hastily walking away. This is beyond strange, and you can’t help but worry for him. But you do as he asks and wait to read the note. 

Although, nothing could have prepared you for what is written in it:

Y/n,

I am sorry that I’m not able to say this to you in person. You deserve so much more than a note, and far more than dating someone like me. The memories we made together will always be something that I cherish. You have become like a best friend to me. I really don’t want to hurt you, but I have to tell you that there is someone else that I like. I am so sorry that I wasted your time. I hope one day, you will be able to forgive me.

-Juntae

Every word written is honest and heartfelt, except for the lie that he could possibly be interested in anyone other than you.

♡

Seong-Je

[He’s not even sure that he wants to end things with you, not at first. Since he’s close to Baekjin and is fairly respected in The Union, he isn’t too worried about you. That is until he figures out he has more targets on his back than he thought. Then, a particularly intimate night you spend with him has him spiraling. He’s terrified of something happening to you because of him, as well as the idea of you fundamentally changing him as a person.]

You go looking for him at the bowling alley. It’s late on a Thursday night. You should be home, but you’re worried about Seongje, considering he hasn’t spoken to you in nearly five days. 

Being someone who is recognized by The Union, you don’t have a hard time getting in. Though, you are still getting plenty of stares. It’s pretty dark inside, neon hues and bright lights cutting through the clamoring of loud voices and falling pins. Eventually, you spot Seongje. He’s picking at a bag of chips, feet kicked up onto the chair in front of him.

Once he sees you, his relaxed posture changes. He is no longer smiling, and he plants his feet firmly on the ground. Seongje looks up at you almost incredulously, as if he can’t believe you showed up even though he is the one who ghosted you.

“Can I talk to you?” You practically shout above the noise, growing increasingly uncomfortable with the environment and the looks you are getting. It never really felt like this before. Typically, Seongje is happy to spend time with you here, maybe even proud to show you off. But now, even his friends are looking at you like you’re an outsider. And maybe you are… maybe you have gotten too comfortable with Seongje’s image protecting you.

He takes a minute to accept your request, brushing past you and up the stairs leading out of the venue. 

“What?” He’s curt with you, but it’s not unexpected.

“You haven’t said anything to me in days.”

“And?”

“I thought something might have happened to you, Seongje. Are you trying to piss me off?”

“I’ve been busy. And last time I checked, I don’t have to tell you every little thing.”

“Last time I checked,” you breathe, “you were my boyfriend. At the very least, you should have let me know you were okay.”

“Well, I’m fine. And you know what else? I’m not cut out for that ‘boyfriend’ shit. I have better things to do with my time, so stop coming around here.” 

He doesn’t hold back, not because he wants to hurt you, but because he needs to. He needs you to believe that he didn’t feel something the last time you were together; something he has never felt before. Because the closer you are to him, the closer you are to everything else that’s shitty in his life. He only wishes he realized it sooner.

Read part 2 for Seongje here!

♡

Baek-Jin

[He’s dreading it so much. Hurting you is something he swore to you and himself that he would never do. But he is faced with an unfathomable choice after coming to understand that it isn’t just people within The Union that he has to watch out for. It is also his own boss in the Cheongang Organization who had threatened him with your wellbeing recently. So for your sake, he has to let you down.]

“I don’t need you. You’ve only convinced yourself that I do.” 

His words hang in the air like smoke, clouding your senses and numbing you to the situation. You are sitting on the leather couch that you had spent countless nights on after studying and doing homework with Baekjin in his office. If the walls could talk, they’d even gossip about the passionate nights when he joined you on it.

This room, usually appearing cold, dim, and bare to others, is somewhat of a comfort for you. It is a safe place, unusually quiet compared to the activities that are always taking place just outside. And sure, while it is closed off, much of your fondness of the room is attributed to Baekjin’s presence. 

That’s why what he said feels so foreign. In one of the only places he has ever confided in you, he is now pushing you away. Instead of making you feel like you are the only person he loves, he is talking to you like you’re just one of his underlings.

“How can you say that?” you whisper, voice hardly reaching his ears as he sat behind his desk ten feet away. “I mean, what was the point… of all of this then?”

‘All of this’ meaning: the year you spent together, supporting each other in school, showing up when the other needed it. You would tend to his wounds when the fights he was in didn’t quite go his way. He would be patient and help you grasp a concept that you were having a hard time with in class. You would hold his head in your lap when guilt overcame him and another one of the morals he was holding onto had died. He would give you somewhere to go, someone to hold onto, when the people you trusted left you with nothing.

You need each other, and that is exactly why your relationship works.

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” Baekjin can’t even look at you. He’s afraid that if he does, he’ll crack. If he sees the tears shining in your eyes the way he is able to hear it in your voice, the lie will come crumbling down. “I never intended for things between us to go this far. It would be best if we end it here.”

A beat of silence.

And then-

“You’re a liar, Na Baekjin.”

The newfound strength in your words stuns him. Finally, he looks at you right as you are standing up. He meets your gaze, though nothing else is exchanged. It is immediately clear to him that you know the truth. As smart as you are, he never should have underestimated your ability to figure him out. He is no longer in control.

And now, as he watches you leave his office, he has to live with the fact that he may lose you not because he let you go, but because you are letting go of him.

Read part 2 for Baekjin here!

350 Days Since the Beginning.

While some days were filled with adrenaline and unfathomable dread, you found there was still plenty of time for the mundane and monotonous aspects of life. Apocalypse or not, keeping up with chores, hygiene, and health would always be inescapable tasks. And sure, that might have been significantly easier to manage before the world fell apart. Yet, people still found many modern solutions for modern day problems. 

Afterall, you were living in the closest thing you could call a home– complete with solar electricity, knitted blankets, a stockpile of ramyeon, and your very own reverend boyfriend (to which you hopelessly adored). Whether or not you believed in his sermons, he made existing bearable through his quiet support and gentleness with you. He looked after you and provided a sense of compassion that you had never known before. When you were with him, it was almost as if everything bad would vanish.

But as it turns out, there was one issue that even he couldn’t always keep away. A pest as old as time– predating monsters, humans, and even what came before them. One of god’s oldest living creatures moved out of the mountains, into the dense overgrowth that had taken over the cities, and made its way into your room.

The stadium might have been able to protect you from the greater horrors that now roamed the earth. But it was no match for the Joro Spider, the largest species in all of Korea.

Despite its size, it almost went unnoticed by you.

In the early evening when you were keenly focused on reading and researching ways to improve life underground, you sat in silence. It was always most quiet between meals, and your room was secluded enough to where you could hear a pin drop. Or unfortunately in your case, the subtle scratching of eight legs on loose sheets of paper sitting near you.

Initially, you only glanced in its direction, an open book spread upon your lap while your free hand jotted down notes in the journal laying on your desk. But when something seemed out of place, you did a double take and realized just how much trouble you were in. It was shocking– startling you enough to fall back in your chair and send your research materials flying. 

You shuffled backwards on the ground, before standing up and frantically searching for where the spider had gone. Suddenly, it was nowhere in sight, as if you had only imagined it. 

Oh hell no.

Screw your work, forget the fact that you weren’t wearing shoes or that your hair was a mess. At that point, your only concern was getting out of there ASAP. So you bolted from your room, leaving the door wide open and not looking back. But you didn’t make it far before you collided with the tall frame of a man, thin, but sturdy. Feeling tentative arms wrap around you, it took a moment for you to subdue your panic and register that you were being spoken to.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

It was Father Peter who had come to your rescue. He was already on his way to see you when he heard the loud crash coming from the end of the corridor. By the time he picked up the pace and was within ten feet of your door, you were already in his hold.

Your breathing was rushed and heavy, bunching his dress shirt between your fingers.

“Please go get it. Get it out please,” you begged him.

“Get what, sweetheart?” His tone was soft, the timbre of his voice immediately putting you at ease. “Hey, calm down.” He brushed hair out of your face before eyeing the doorway carefully, wondering what could have possibly scared you this much.

“There’s a spider! It’s huge!” Recalling its giant yellow body and spindly striped legs, you started to tear up thinking about just how close it was to you. Had you even been the slightest bit less aware of your surroundings, your surprise could have turned out so much worse.

Noticing the glassiness in your eyes, he nodded and hummed in understanding.

“Okay. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.” His cool hand brushed your cheek momentarily before stepping into your room, calling behind him, “Where was it?”

“On my desk.” Your voice trembled, gaze fixed on his backside as he scanned your workspace. Feet still planted where he left you, you craned your neck and listened in anticipation for him to say anything more. If the spider truly had been lost in there, you would just have to sleep with your boyfriend in his room indefinitely. “Do you see it?” 

He detected your impatience, but did not respond when he knew his lack of an answer would only put you in more distress. Your little scuffle earlier must have frightened the poor thing and sent it into hiding. And as unlikely as it was, he was ready to start opening drawers and shaking blankets in order to find it. But with a small stroke of luck, the priest soon spotted a pair of legs sticking out from behind your bookshelf near the floor.

The corners of his lips pulled slightly, a small victory, when he was able to coax the spider out and onto his hand– quickly at first, then very slowly crawling up the fabric of his sleeve. You definitely weren’t exaggerating about how big it was, which was something he mistakenly misjudged you for. The Joro was sizable, yet elegant, and ultimately harmless.

He knew well that there was no convincing you of that, but tried to reassure you anyway.

“I have her,” he said, cupping it against his arm with his hand, shielding you from it (or perhaps shielding the spider from you).

“What if it bites you?” you cringed.

“She won’t hurt me. Wait here, and I’ll put her somewhere else.”

You could only watch as he fearlessly and confidently strode down the hall, admiring his strength for being merciful. Most other men would have taken the first opportunity to kill it, as if to prove some kind of point. But Father Peter instead put his faith in preserving humanity where he could. Down here, where peace was dangling by the most delicate of threads, he decided on continuing that mission till the end.

When he returned to you, he tittered at the way you studied his appearance, making sure that the spider wasn’t somehow camouflaged and clinging to his dark clothing. 

“There’s nothing on me,” he narrowed his eyes at you playfully, grinning once more as you conceded and tiredly hugged his torso. “The soldiers gave me permission to release her outside.”

“Thanks. Sorry I freaked out.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. That’s what boyfriends are for, right?”

“Mhm.” You nuzzled your head beneath his chin, an endearing gesture, especially when combined with your irrational fear. It was cute; to him anyway. So cute, he just couldn’t help himself. He needed to see you vulnerable again, just for a second, so he could continue to feel the need you had for him.

“Oh, but what is that?” he feigned confusion, smirking as you stiffened against him. “Did I miss one?” Just then, you felt a feather-light, rhythmic tapping against your back. The priest’s fingers danced across your tank top, trailing upwards as he mimicked a spider’s legs. 

Not knowing any better, you squirmed and whimpered, “Get it off!” 

But his little game was over as soon as it started. 

He chuckled, quickly expressing, “Okay, I’m sorry. That was an awful joke.”

Your movements stilled in realization, and you looked up at him with fire filled eyes.

“You’re going to hell for that.”

God, you were just adorable, he thought.

“I know. I’m sorry, sweetie.” 

He left apologetic kisses on your face, from your temple, to your cheek, and down to your lips, lingering there for as long as you allowed him. You were still nearly out of breath, slowly returning to normal along with your heart rate. Eventually, you had melted against him, finding comfort in tangling your hand into the long hair curtaining around his nape.

Father Peter was an imperfect man, there was no doubt about that. Though surely he had to have done enough good in his life to make up for the occasional mischief he caused. After all, his chances of getting into heaven were still high as long as someone like you could forgive him so easily.

Breaking apart from his lips, you reminded him, “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I know.”

When I first saw him in the S Line series I was like 'omg yay'. And then my jaw later DROPPED. Yall, nothing on god's green earth could have prepared me for episode 4.

I know this episode was somewhat shocking for a lot of people, even those who aren't fans of this actor (despite the entire theme of the show revolving around sex). Obviously not gonna spoil anything, but it's just so fascinating to see such a stark contrast between his portrayal of these two characters.

Fascinating... and visually just... wow. OK BYE.

Both of the gifs in this post were made by me!