#Enhypen_is_7 🧡

#DAY 0.5: FORGET THE PLANE; I’M SWIMMING THERE.

"No, wait. — I can't believe this actually happened."

Taehyung stopped walking in an absurdly abrupt way right in the middle of the airport. A woman who had to be at least sixty years old swerved — or rather, was forced to swerve — around his suitcase and shot him an indignant, outraged look; you could swear you heard her mutter some kind of curse at him.

As Taehyung dramatically carried on, Juria kept walking beside you; both of you were already accustomed to his reactions. Shaking your head, you glanced down at your phone as you made your way through the crowded terminal. Notifications were piling up on the screen, messages from the wedding group chat coming in nonstop, boarding reminders, and emails you kept pretending you would answer later.

An urgent meeting at the publishing house you worked for? — Or a coworker considering changing your time off? — That was a problem for future you; and that future version of yourself was about to inherit one hell of a mess.

"It happened, Tae." — Sometimes, the things that happened at your best friend’s workplace sounded like stories that could easily show up on Reddit or as the narration of some TikTok

"Juria, you’re lying." — Taehyung tried to catch up with your pace, nearly tripping over his own suitcase. It was easier — and safer — to carry the oldest’s suitcase and let him handle yours; judging by the number of near-accidents that morning, the theory was proving itself right. — In response, the redhead simply answered, “unfortunately, i’m not.”

At that hour — 9:12 A.M. to be exact — the airport was packed; you couldn’t believe there would be such a huge crowd on a tuesday. People crossed the terminal in every direction, announcements echoed through the speakers, and the smell of coffee mixed with expensive perfume and air conditioning created a strangely unpleasant combination.

Not to mention the endless check-in lines, children running between suitcases, groups of young people gathered near the international departures holding phones and discreet signs, and the constant feeling that some celebrity was about to walk through the terminal. — For a moment, you tried narrowing your eyes to make out the name written on the signs, but eventually gave up.

Did Jin invite the entire world to his wedding?

Pulled from your thoughts, you felt your phone vibrate. New messages had appeared in the group chat — and you were fully aware that this was, at least, the sixth version of its name in less than forty-eight hours; every single one involved or mentioned the groom’s name. — You didn’t waste any time opening them.

jin (09:17 A.M): updates on my favorite guests?

jin (09:18 A.M): EVERYONE LEFT THE HOUSE?

hoseok (09:21 A.M): we've been at the airport for ten minutes, hyung

you (09:24 A.M): can you believe Taehyung almost ran over an elderly lady?

"Ha, ha,." — Taehyung faked a laugh, keeping an ironic, grumpy expression on his face. Reaching over, you lightly pinched his cheek with your fingers. — "The funniest person i know." — After making it through security, the three of you decided to wait for the rest of the group, settling down near the boarding area. — "Seven days."

"Yeah." — You replied, looking down at your phone. Juria had posted a picture of the airport entrance and tagged you and Taehyung. You heard him mutter something along the lines of “seven whole days” and turned toward him. — "Still seven days."

"Basically, it’s a spiritual retreat, and no one is going to believe it." — Juria sighed at the man’s assumption. Taehyung had mentioned the exact same thing on the way to the airport. Since she was standing beside you, you caught the look of disbelief on your best friend’s face. — "Usually, it’s around this many days." — No. It probably takes months, you thought.

"Taehyung, do you even know what happens at a spiritual retreat?"

jimin (09:41 A.M): namjoon left his ID on the café table near the entrance

juria (09:41 A.M): yay

namjoon (09:43 A.M): important to mention that i already have it in my hands

taehyung (09:45 A.M): we’re at the boarding gate, by the way

jimin (09:47 A.M): arriving in five minutes ;)

Without breaking their promise, the small group met up with you within the agreed-upon time — something that honestly surprised you. Of the four guys, only Namjoon was wearing glasses, clutching his passport like his life depended on it — or like he had only just managed to get it back. You couldn’t help but feel secondhand embarrassment. They seemed to be talking about something and, if you had to bet your money on it, Namjoon’s passport was probably the subject of conversation.

As you got closer, you could hear Yoongi gesturing animatedly and saying something along the lines of, “…almost made us miss the flight.” You knew you could’ve made some good money on that bet. It didn’t take long for everyone to settle into their seats, waiting for their flight to board; the countdown showed one hour and three minutes remaining. — In the meantime, you sipped the coffee Hoseok had bought you while listening to Yoongi and Namjoon’s conversation. You could have looked for the book that was probably buried somewhere at the bottom of your bag, but you decided to save it for the flight instead. — Not really involved in the conversation, you stayed on your phone, occasionally feeling Jimin glance over and look at your screen. You didn’t mind, nor did it bother you.

Another notification from the group chat. — Unlike the previous ones, this message belonged to someone who hadn’t said a single word all morning; and whose number wasn’t saved in your contacts. And, honestly, you had no intention of saving it anytime soon.

Before the message came through, you had been watching some video. You paused it, but never went back to it; your thumb hovered over the notification icon. You didn’t know whether to open it immediately or wait a few minutes before checking it.

+XX XXXX-XXXX (10:15 A.M): i just arrived. Where are you guys?

Unfortunately — without any dramatic twist — the world did not stop. The airport didn’t fall silent, the announcements didn’t cease, and the people rushing through the corridor in front of you didn’t suddenly disappear. Children didn’t stop screaming and laughing, either. — You read the message once. Then again. And once more, making it three times in total. It was simple. Nothing surprising or particularly special. But your stomach twisted in an unsettling, strange way. You were used to his presence, but in this case, you were being forced to deal with it. — Sometimes, in fact, most of the time, it felt as though that one year and seven months had never existed at all; on either side.

Funny, it had been almost two years. Long enough to delete a contact, erase a profile; long enough to pretend certain memories didn’t resurface at the most inconvenient, unnecessary moments. — Taking a slow breath, you tried to ignore the tightness in your chest.

My God,. — It was your friend’s wedding. There was no room for emotional plot twists, inconvenient nostalgia, or feelings that insisted on coming back without an invitation. — Of course Jin would never, under any circumstances, choose between one of you for such an important moment in his life; and you had known that from the moment you received the invitation.

namjoon (10:18 A.M): we are in the departure lounge

namjoon (10:18 A.M): do you want me to pick you up?

+XX XXXX-XXXX (10:20 A.M): no need, hyung ;)

Your thoughts were pulled away from whatever spiral they had been heading into when you heard Jimin call your name, asking if you were okay. In response, you murmured a quiet “yes” and returned your attention to your phone, hoping to find something that could distract you. The whole situation was, frankly, embarrassing. — So you thought about the book in your bag again. Something to keep your mind occupied.

After a few seconds of wrestling with tangled earphones and chargers inside your bag, you finally found the book at the bottom, its edges slightly crumpled; but you barely had time to open it. — Hoseok suddenly called for everyone’s attention, interrupting the various side conversations around you. You automatically lifted your eyes in his direction; and only then realized you hadn’t noticed him arriving.

Well, some part of your consciousness definitely had not been avoiding looking toward the entrance of the boarding area. Definitely not. — That would have been ridiculous. Childish, even.

Jungkook was there, a few steps behind Hoseok. — A black backpack hung from his left shoulder, his earphones resting around his neck, not to mention the suitcase he was carrying. He looked more… comfortable, for lack of a better word. Something about Jeon had changed, but you couldn’t quite put your finger on what; His haircut? Did he look stronger than the last time you saw him? — maybe it was simply because it had been two months since you had last seen him in person. — No. Stalking his Instagram profile definitely didn’t count as human contact or any kind of contact, for that matter.

Your gaze dropped from his face, and you noticed that the labret was no longer on his lip, though the piercing at the corner of his mouth remained firmly in place.

Wait. — Why did you even care about that?

As if he could feel you staring, Jungkook lifted his eyes toward you. You had never been good at hiding absolutely anything, and you hated that about yourself. However, the eye contact didn’t last long because you both immediately turned your attention back to Hoseok’s words.

"..so, can we go?"

"Shit, i forgot we’re separated." — While standing in line for boarding, you heard Jimin grumble behind you. Jin had taken responsibility for everyone’s tickets, insisting on handling everything himself. According to him, the flight was completely full, and there was no way to guarantee seats next to each other for everyone; though he hadn’t ruled out the possibility.

"Three hours, Jimin" — You tried to reassure him. The line began moving quickly. When it was your turn, you handed your passport and boarding pass to the airline employee, receiving an automatic smile in return. It didn’t take long before you continued toward the plane. Looking down at your boarding pass, you checked your seat number; 18A. — Window seat. At least you’d have a nice view for the next three hours.

Dodging people who had stopped in the middle of the aisle to arrange coats, backpacks, and their entire lives inside the overhead compartments, you made your way down the plane. — One man nearly smacked you in the face with an enormous backpack while hurriedly trying to shove it into the compartment, forcing you to awkwardly lean to the side; courtesy really was a magical thing.

Adjusting the strap of your bag on your shoulder, you finally found your seat. It was empty, which brought a small sense of relief to your chest. At least you’d have a few minutes of peace before finding out who would be occupying the seats beside you. — It was impossible to deny that you struggled a little with getting your suitcase into the overhead compartment; you spent a good while wrestling with it, trying to find the right angle to make it fit. — Once it was finally in place, all that remained was your bag, which would stay with you throughout the flight.

Allowing yourself to sit down, you settled comfortably into the seat. You pulled your book and earphones from your bag and rested your head against the headrest, taking a deep breath as you watched the activity outside the window; ground crew members walked across the tarmac, luggage carts crossed the apron, and the late-morning sky was almost obnoxiously clear.

Your phone vibrated almost immediately.

jin (10:55 A.M): is everyone on the plane?

Um sorriso escapou dos seus lábios antes mesmo de responder.

you (10:55 A.M): yes, dad

Because you were focused on your phone, you didn’t notice someone standing beside your row. They were probably looking for space for their suitcase; and you were right. There was movement in the overhead compartment, and you could only hope your own suitcase hadn’t been shoved to the very back beneath everyone else’s bags; you prayed it hadn’t.

Then a low, familiar voice — far too familiar — sounded in your direction, and you immediately realized who was standing there. And instantly regretted everything.

"Excuse me,.."

Your thumb froze against your phone screen as another notification popped up. — Honestly, you were seriously considering switching to Do Not Disturb. — Slowly, you lifted your eyes toward the owner of the voice.

“don’t be afraid.” he pulled the hoodie back, exposing dark hair and eyes so intense you were certain he could hear your pulse racing. “it’s me. i’m just here to order.”

“o-oh. we’re closed right now. b-but i could quickly make somethi—”

“just wanted to order forty cinnamon rolls for tomorrow night. have them delivered here.” he slid a piece of crumpled paper across the clean counter, followed by a thick heavy bundle of cash. “this is more than enough to cover.”

you looked from the money to his face, completely shocked. this bakery wasn’t popular. it was minimal space, minimal treats, a quiet corner of the world where the same few people only knew about. nobody did pre-orders. nobody asked for delivery. forty items in twenty-four hours felt impossible for your hands alone.

“not a word to anyone,” he warned. his voice firm, grounding you in the reality of the thick stack of bills.

“o-okay. i can—” you gulped, “—can do this. what time would you like for me—”

“same time as now would be good.” the reply was instant and sharp, clearly wanting to get this over with.

you gave him a small, hesitant nod. a slight smirk touched his lips. he knew he had you. your vulnerability was entirely to his advantage and he didn’t hesitate to use it. he turned on his heel, walking back toward the door with that same heavy stride.

“remember, not a word, sweetheart.” he said, pausing halfway out the open door. he turned his face back toward you, a wicked little wink accompanying the index finger he pressed to his lips to gesture a ‘shh’.

then, the door clicked shut, leaving you alone within the silent four walls.

the next morning, the bell above the door didn’t stop ringing. juggling the front counter for customers while rushing back to the ovens had you constantly on your feet, moving in a dizzying rhythm. you weren’t usually fond of the bitter taste of coffee, but today, you relied entirely on the cheap caffeine boost to keep your hands moving.

by the time the closing hours arrived, the shop finally emptied out, leaving you alone in the quiet kitchen to finish the final touches.

as you carefully packed the warm golden  pastries into large boxes, a rare spark of pride flared in your chest. you had done it all on your own and right on time. your life had never been particularly interesting or eventful, but this order had given you a challenge to meet. you smiled down at the neat rows of rolls, clapping your flour-dusted hands together in a silent celebration.

~

the walk to the unknown address felt endless. midnight had turned the streets quiet, the cold in the air made your skin prickle. you had never liked walking alone at night, but following a crumpled piece of paper to a place you had never heard of was an entirely different kind of cold. a sharp sigh of relief escaped your lips when you finally reached the destination.

the regular was already there leaning against a rusted pipe by the entrance, tapping away on his phone. seeing him brought a strange sudden wave of comfort—proof that you hadn’t been lured out here for nothing.

at the sound of your delicate footsteps, he looked up and that same confident smirk spread across his face. “knew you’d come through, sweetheart.”

you offered a polite nod, handing over the two heavy boxes. he grunted under the weight, lifting the lid of one to inhale the rich sweet scent of yeast and cinnamon. a satisfied chuckle rumbled in his chest. “atta girl. no icing on the rolls, just how we like ’em.”

“y-yeah,” you murmured, giving a small breathy laugh. “i-i made sure everything was exact.”

“thanks. my boy loves your hands.”

the words caught you off guard. his boy? you blinked, confusion written plainly across your face. but before you could ask what he meant, he reached into his pocket and handed you another small wad of bills.

“for your troubles. go home, sweetheart. and remember what i said?”

“n-not a word,” you whispered, your eyes growing wide.

he didn’t reply, only offering a sharp before gesturing with his head for you to turn back toward the safety of the main road.

he expected you to leave. you knew you should have. but as you watched him disappear through the heavy doors of the building, your feet stayed glued to the pavement. the structure was a massive decaying two-story brick warehouse, completely covered in layers of jagged graffiti. what caught your attention though, were the names. dozens of male names were scrawled across the brick and every single one of them had a thick dark line carved right through the center. crossed out. eliminated.

driven by a sudden unexplainable urge to pique your curiosity, you pushed through the heavy exterior doors. the deeper you walked into the decaying concrete labyrinth, the more the silence began to fracture. a low vibrating hum echoed through the floorboards. cheering. screaming. a muffled chaotic roar that grew sharper as you passed a steep flight of stairs leading into the basement. you took a breath, stepped down the stairwell, and pushed open the final set of double doors.

the reality of the room hit you like a physical blow. before you could even think about turning back, the sheer mass of the crowd swallowed you whole. the underground hall was far too small for the hundreds of people packed inside, forcing bodies to shove and slam against one another in a frantic wave. within seconds, you were swept away from the exit.

panic flared, suffocating your lungs until you finally managed to press your back against a solid concrete wall. trapped between the solid stone and a wall of strangers, you finally took in your surroundings.

the air reeked of stale beer, sweat, and cheap tobacco. overhead, flickering fluorescent lights casted jarring shadows across the room, accompanied by the deafening pulse of heavy bass that made your teeth rattle. the sensory overload was dizzying. and suddenly, the music cut out entirely.

the sudden silence lasted for a fraction of a second before the room erupted into a deafening noise of whistles and pounding chants. bright spotlight beams swung toward the center of the hall, illuminating a massive chain-link cage stained with sweat and old darkened blood. a rough voice echoed over the cracking speakers, vibrating right through the concrete against your spine.

“ALRIGHT, YOU FILTHY BASTARDS! ARE WE READY?!”

your heart stopped. an underground boxing match.

the announcer’s voice bled into the frenzy of the crowd, introducing the first fighter—a name you couldn’t even make out over the roaring audience. but when the announcer turned to the opposite corner, the noise doubled, vibrating the very foundations of the building. “—AND IN THE OTHER CORNER…”

the crowd didn’t even let him finish the name. they already knew who was coming.

shaken by the sheer volume, you instantly pressed your small hands over your ears, your knees trembling as the crowd went completely feral. the air in the room shifted, growing heavier, thicker, charged with a terrifying kind of reverence.

then, he walked out.

he moved with a slow, lethal grace, walking as if he owned the ring, the crowd, and every lungful of air in the room. he was tall, his right arm entirely covered in solid dark ink that stretched up to his shoulder. his chest was bare, exposing a powerful physique marked by a few healing scars. he turned in a slow circle, absorbing the worship of the room, his jaw tight with a dangerous arrogance. he struck his own chest with a heavy fist, a brief dismissive display of power that sent the audience into a renewed madness.

as he always did before a fight, his dark eyes began to scan the room, looking at how people were disgustingly loud just at mere presence of him, his ego higher than the Burj Khalifa. until his gaze hit the back wall.

the contrast was instantaneous. amidst a sea of sweating, screaming, violent faces, there you were—a fragile wide-eyed girl pressed hard against the concrete, looking like a lost lamb trapped in a den of wolves.

his entire posture locked.

the roaring crowd, the flashing lights, the opponent waiting in the center of the ring—everything seemed to dull into background noise. his dark piercing eyes anchored onto yours, tracking the visible tremor in your frame. something violent and possessive gripped him by the throat, a sudden primal need to pull you out of that crowd and claim you as his own. a slow lethal smirk touched his lips, his eyes never leaving yours as he blindly raised his gloves, ready to tear into the man across from him.

the fight dragged on for nearly two hours. by the time the underground hall finally began to empty, your breath was shallow, your entire frame still trembling. you could feel the tight, uncomfortable pull of dried tears on your cheeks. the match had been far too violent to look at; you had kept your eyes squeezed shut the entire time, but covering your ears hadn’t been enough to block out the reality of what was happening.

you hadn’t known it, but the brutality in the ring had reached a gruesome new level tonight solely because he was throwing every strike for an audience of one. between rounds, his eyes had repeatedly searched the dark perimeter for your fragile silhouette, only to find you small, frozen, and hiding from the sight of him. he had found it almost amusing. endearing, even.

the moment the last of the spectators drifted toward the exit, you moved, desperate to escape. your body was operating purely on fight-or-flight instincts, driving you up the concrete stairs and out into the crisp midnight air.

you collapsed against the exterior brick wall to catch your breath, panting heavily. your legs felt like lead; there was no way you could walk home in this state, not this late. pulling out your phone, you did something you never did—you called a taxi. usually, the steep fare was a luxury you couldn’t afford, but the heavy bundle of cash your regular had handed you earlier made the expense a necessity.

five minutes later, the headlights of a sedan cut through the dark. you practically threw yourself into the backseat, hurriedly murmuring your address to the driver. the man gave a quiet nod, shifting the car into drive and letting it roll forward. you were halfway through buckling your seatbelt when the brakes slammed. the sudden jerk caught you off guard, followed immediately by three heavy knocks against the driver’s side window.

you froze, peering between the front seats as the driver rolled down the glass. standing under the dim streetlamp was the boxer. he was still flushed from the ring, sweat glistening on his forehead, his knuckles raw and split. without a word, he flicked a hundred-dollar bill through the window, dropping it carelessly onto the console.

“keep the change,” he bartered, his voice a low gravelly rasp..

the driver didn’t hesitate. he rolled the window up and pressed the gas, leaving the curb behind.

your head snapped toward the side window. you stared through the glass and he stared right back, his dark gaze heavier and more consuming than before. he brought a cigarette to his lips as the car pulled away, his head turned slowly, tracking you, refusing to break eye contact for even a fraction of a second.

right before the shadows swallowed him, a predatory smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. he knew he had terrified you. he knew he was a monster from a world you didn’t belong to. but as he watched the taillights of your taxi disappear into the night, the tight ugly coil of possessiveness in his chest only wrapped tighter around his heart. you were a soft pretty thing, a stark contrast to the filth he lived in—and jungkook knew, with an absolute and terrifying certainty, that he was never going to let you go.

~

three days had passed, and he completely occupied your mind. you had received your share of smirks from men before, but his had been different. no matter how desperately you tried to focus on the rhythm of the bakery, those dark eyes and bruised knuckles remained burned into the back of your thoughts.

and jungkook? he had only grown more restless by the day. whenever a memory of your fragile figure crossed his mind, a rare smile tugged at his lips—though never when anyone was looking. there had never been anything in his brutal life worth smiling about, but the mere thought of you made his chest tighten. you didn’t belong in his world, and that exact contrast had started a fire he had no intention of putting out.

“fuck’s wrong with you?” the rough voice of his trainer broke the silence of the studio, snapping jungkook out of his thoughts.

“nothing,” he snapped back coldly, irritated that the daydream had been cut short.

“yeah, bullshit. match’s in two weeks and you’re completely out of it. snap back.”

“tell me something i don’t know.”

“is it her? the girl that night?” his trainer scoffed, a knowing smirk forming on his face as he watched his champion. “saw you lookin’ at her. those rolls you love so much, that’s her baking.”

jungkook’s posture immediately locked. “what’s her name.”

“ahh, she’s my sweetheart,” the older man teased, intentionally pushing his buttons to see how deep the hook went. “sweetest little thing.”

jungkook tensed, his knuckles whitening as he barely stopped himself from grabbing his trainer by the collar. “don’t call her that.”

his trainer smirked, “there he is.”

he raised his hands in a mocking surrender, though his eyes stayed sharp. “look, i don’t know her name. i just call her that, you know me. i even told her to go home. but i need you on your game, kid. you’re too distracted and you’re as good as dead if you don’t focus. get up and fight.”

jungkook didn’t offer a reply, only throwing a bitter glare at the man before turning back to the heavy bag.

the studio filled with the rhythmic sounds of strikes. jungkook channeled the sudden surge of possessive anger into the leather, each punch hitting harder than the last. 

mine. a violent left hook. mine. a heavy kick. mine. he threw his entire weight into the bag, his chest heaving as the shadow of any other man looking at you fueled his strength.

across the room, the trainer watched him through the wall mirror while taking a drink of water. he had never seen jungkook fight like a maniac driven by passion rather than discipline. in their line of work, attachment was a liability. and with the quarter-finals just two weeks away, the obsession was a dangerous wild card.

when the session finally ended, jungkook stood under the steaming water of the locker room showers, letting the heat wash over his strained muscles. he closed his eyes and the image of your face instantly brought a foreign sense of peace to his chaotic mind, one that quickly bled into a heavy aching heat low in his pelvis as his body hardened at the mere thought of your softness. the sheer intensity of wanting you was a dizzying rush—sweeter and far more lethal than any vice he had ever touched before. you were quickly becoming his favorite addiction.

after drying off, he pulled on a clean black long-sleeve, his usual woody cologne cutting through the damp air of the locker room. he slung his backpack over his shoulder and moved toward the exit. a man like him didn’t pursue something unless he intended to make it permanently his. he pulled his helmet on, snapping the visor down over his eyes. the engine of his motorcycle roared to life as he tore out into the street, turning away from his apartment and heading straight toward the quiet corner of the city.

~

the bakery had long gone quiet by the time you finished cleaning the last tray. only the faint hum of the refrigerator and the ticking of the wall clock kept you company. you let out a tired sigh, wiping your hands on your apron as you scanned the small shop one last time.

oven off. register closed. back door locked. 

after finally convincing yourself that everything was in place, you stepped out and locked the front door behind you. the cold night air immediately kissed your skin. adjusting the strap of your bag, you locked your gaze onto the pavement. 

you barely made it five steps… “thanks for coming.”

you jumped, a violent lurch of adrenaline spiking in your chest. you spun around, bracing for a threat, only to freeze when you saw the tall figure leaning against the brick wall with a sly smirk on his lips.

as the panic began to leave your body, your shoulders dropped, your breath catching in the chilly air and condensing into a small cloud between you. jungkook watched it fade, completely mesmerized. he felt a sudden, absurd urge to trap that little cloud of breath in his palms—just to have proof that he could possess a piece of you.

you couldn’t bring yourself to speak, let alone digest the fact that the boxer was in front of you and thanking you for showing up the other night. you simply watched him step away from the wall as he closed the distance. he looked dangerous, yet there was a deep unreadable fondness in his gaze that kept you pinned to the spot. up close, the clean, sweet scent of cinnamon and vanilla drifted off your skin, hitting his senses so heavily his thoughts instantly turned dark. he wanted to taste it.

he let out a low grunt to ground himself. “been thinking about you.”

the confession hit you harder than it should have. your stomach tightened under his stare, your heart hammering against your ribs, but your instincts weren’t telling you to run. and you knew you should run from a man like him.

“y-you’re scaring me,” you managed to whisper.

his smirk only grew. “all the more reason to walk you home.”

before you could even process the words, he took a few steps ahead, turning back to look at you over his shoulder. “you coming?”

silence settled between you as you fell into step beside him. the only sound in the empty streets was the crisp crunch of your shoes against the gravel. jungkook walked with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his shoulders relaxed despite the possessive storm brewing underneath his skin. every nerve in his body screamed at him to reach out—to take your hand, to touch your sleeve, to feel the small of your back. but he restrained himself. he didn’t want to startle his little lamb.

beside him, your arms were crossed tightly over your chest. you wanted to break the heavy quiet, your mouth opening and closing as you searched for anything to say, but your mind was too overwhelmed to find the words. jungkook noticed your hesitation immediately. amused by your internal conflict, he kept his pace steady, patiently waiting for you to collect yourself.

“y-you didn’t have to do this,” you finally muttered.

he kept his eyes on the road ahead. “i know.”

you swallowed hard, fidgeting with your fingers. “y-you always… w-walk people home?”

jungkook paused for half a step, cutting his eyes down to you. “just you.”

the weight of his words landed heavily in your chest. the silence returned, but as you took the final turn toward your apartment building, the suffocating tension had shifted into something almost comfortable.

your steps slowed unconsciously as the old building came into view. dim hallway lights flickered weakly behind the grime-stained windows, and the paint peeled along the exterior walls from years of neglect. suddenly, a sharp prickle of embarrassment crept up your spine. you became acutely aware of the cracked concrete stairs, the rusted railings, and the terrible lighting.

you turned to face him, forcing a small breath past your lips. “u-umm… th-thank you for walking me.”

his gaze shifted from the decaying building to settle on your face. inside his pockets, his hands balled into tight, hard fists, his short nails biting into his palms to keep from reaching for you. his dark eyebrows furrowed slightly.

“get inside,” he commanded, his voice firm, low, and rough around the edges.

your lips parted slightly at the quiet intensity of his tone. you gave him a smallhesitant nod, turning toward the entrance. you didn’t have to look back to know he wouldn’t move an inch until you were safely behind locked doors.

the familiar silence of your rented studio welcomed you back instantly. your shoulders finally dropped as you leaned against the door, your eyes wandering across the small space. the mattress resting on the floor. the dim lamp near the wall. the neatly folded clothes tucked inside your duffel bag in the corner. the worn stuffed bunny sitting near your pillow exactly where you had left it this morning. everything looked the same. so why did you feel so different?

the cold night air felt sharper now that you were gone. jungkook walked down the empty street alone, his black boots scraping softly against the pavement as he made his way toward his bike. no one looking at him now would have guessed the chaotic mess sitting underneath his ribs.

he could have brought the bike closer. he could have offered you a ride, too. but jungkook understood that too much, too soon, would only send a girl like you running. so he had walked beside you instead. matched your pace. and fuck, he’d do it again.

his jaw tightened slightly as your apartment building flashed through his mind. those cracked stairs. the rusted railings. that dim hallway light flickering like it could die any second. something ugly twisted quietly in his chest. it wasn't disgust; it was a raw heavy wave of concern. his tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek, remembering how embarrassed you had looked while thanking him, as if you expected him to judge you. ridiculous.

that one had nearly fucked him up the most. it had taken everything in him not to snatch you up right then, carry you somewhere safe, and shut out the rest of this fucked-up world for good. but he hadn’t. because before he could save you, he had other plans...

~

“what the fuck was that?”

jungkook took a long drag from a water bottle entirely unfazed. “still won.”

“you call that winning?” the trainer snapped, throwing a bloodied towel onto jungkook’s lap. “everything i taught you, and you threw it out the window over what? a girl? you dropped your guard three times tonight. keep fighting like that and your brains will be painted all over the fucking ring before you can even think about her again.”

jungkook’s eyes went pitch-black, his jaw rolling. “leave her out of this.”

“that’s the problem—you can’t.” the room went dead silent. heavy. dangerous. jungkook didn't argue, because deep down, he knew the bastard was right.

“you’ve seen pretty girls before,” the trainer muttered quietly.

“not one i wanted to keep."

~

it was a little past midnight when your stomach started rumbling. a single slice of toast and a fried egg hadn’t been enough to sustain you. for the past hour, you had been tossing and turning, the cold from the floor beneath your mattress creeping into your backside. the silence of the tiny room only amplified the noise of your hunger until you finally decided enough was enough.

throwing your blanket aside, you swapped your pajama shorts for black sweatpants and pulled an oversized pink hoodie over your torso. you grabbed your small backpack, carefully counting the few crumpled bills between your fingers to mentally budget your expenses before stepping out. a few bucks was all you could afford. then again, it was all you ever could afford.

the walk was chilly, but the moment you stepped inside the 24-hour convenience store, the blast of heated air made your shoulders instantly relax. you slowly wandered toward the snack aisle under the soft fluorescent lights, completely oblivious to your surroundings.

but jungkook was already there. standing near the drinks section where he had been debating between a beer and a banana milk, looking to decompress after his brutal match. then you walked in, and the rest of the store simply ceased to exist. his dark eyes followed your figure. you looked utterly exhausted.

unaware of his gaze, you dragged your tired eyes over the shelves. cookies, instant noodles, chips—everything looked delicious. your fingers reached for a packet of chocolate biscuits, but a glance at the price tag made you quietly place it back. you picked up another snack, compared the numbers, and returned that one too.

watching from a distance, jungkook felt something unpleasantly tight twist in his chest. the way your eyebrows furrowed as you mentally calculated every single cent broke something inside him. when you finally settled on a small packet of crackers and a single snack bar, looking conflicted over whether you should even spend the money on both, he pushed himself off the refrigerator door.

the cashier barely looked up as you placed your items on the counter. you reached into your hoodie pocket, anxiously smoothing out the crumpled bills to count them one last time. right as you were about to hand the money over—THUD

your shoulders jumped as a handful of extra snack bars and drinks suddenly dropped onto the counter right beside your items. your wide eyes darted sideways, your panic instantly melting into shock when you recognized him.

he stood there clad entirely in black, his hair slightly damp and his knuckles raw and bruised. his dark eyes flicked down to the crumpled bills in your hand before sliding over to the cashier.

“she’s with me,” he commanded.

your lips parted. “n-no, you don’t have to—”

“she’s with me,” he cut you off, his tone simple, firm, and entirely unarguable.

you stood there awkwardly clutching your backpack straps while the cashier quickly scanned everything. jungkook looked completely unbothered, as if paying for your late-night cravings was the most natural thing in the world.

when the two of you stepped back outside, the cold air hit your face. you held the plastic bag close to your chest, watching him shove his hands deep into his pockets.

“you always go out this late?” he asked, his voice low and gravelly.

you glanced down shyly. “o-only when i can’t sleep.”

jungkook hummed softly, his eyes shifting toward a sleek black motorcycle parked near the curb. jungkook walked over to the bike and lifted his helmet from the seat, holding it out to you patiently. “c’mon.”

your fingers tightened around the plastic bag. “...w-where?”

“home,” he said naturally, “i’ll take you.”

the ride back was quiet. jungkook didn’t drive fast. the motorcycle barely growled beneath you, moving smooth and steady through the empty streets. you kept your distance, your hands lightly gripping the sides of the seat behind you, but jungkook could feel every tiny shift of your weight. he knew you were still nervous, and it only made the protective coil in his chest tighten.

within minutes, he pulled over near the curb of your apartment building, shutting off the engine. you stayed seated for a moment, carefully lifting the helmet off your head and smoothing down your messy hair. behind you, jungkook’s eyes drifted to your backpack. moving entirely on instinct, his large hand quietly unzipped the main compartment. he slipped his own snacks, the extra chocolate bar, and the banana milk inside before zipping it shut. he stepped back right as you turned around to face him.

“th-thank you for the snacks,” you said softly, handing him the helmet.

a heavy silence settling between you. you looked down at your shoes, fidgeting with your backpack strap, swallowing hard twice before you finally forced the words out.

“i-i’m y/n.”

jungkook just stared at you. his expression didn’t change, but inside, his chest shifted violently. you were letting him in. it was a tiny careful step, but you were giving him your name.

“y/n,” he repeated quietly, testing the weight of it on his tongue, memorizing the sound.

you gave a small nod, taking a step toward your building. “i-i’ll see you around... jungkook.”

that did it. out of all the roaring feral voices in that underground crowd, you had remembered his name. as he watched you disappear up the cracked concrete steps, jungkook exhaled a rough breathless laugh into the dark.

he was completely and utterly fucked.

~

you entered the bakery through the back door before dawn, your keys jingling softly in the quiet. one by one, the overhead fluorescent lights flickered to life as the ovens slowly warmed for the day ahead. the shop smelled exactly as it always did—warm sugar, cinnamon, and butter. but something felt entirely different.

curious, you stepped out from the kitchen toward the front counter. your movements stalled the moment your eyes landed on the glass surface.

banana milk. snack bars.

your heart stopped for a beat longer than it should have. he was here?

you stared at them for a long moment before quietly moving the banana milk into the refrigerator behind the counter, completely unaware of the small smile forming on your face.

the next morning, it happened again. banana milk and snack bars. then the morning after that. each day brought a different variety of treats, but the banana milk remained a constant. by the third morning, you stopped questioning how he was getting inside the bakery.

a few days later, around midday, the bell above the front door rang. you looked up to find a delivery man holding a brown paper bag, checking his phone.

“delivery for y/n,” he said.

you blinked. “i-i didn’t order anything.”

the man shrugged. “tall dude in black told me to send it here.”

he set the bag on the counter and left. you stepped closer, warmth radiating faintly through the paper. inside was a sealed container of hot soup and neatly packed rice, still steaming enough to create condensation on the lid. buried beneath the containers was a small scrap of paper.

‘eat’

your throat tightened for reasons you couldn’t fully understand.

as the days bled together, the surprises transformed into a comfortingly predictable rhythm. banana milk appeared in the mornings, sometimes paired by snacks, other times paired with a hot lunch. your mind found solace in the routine, and for the first time in months, your stomach wasn’t constantly rumbling.

until today. today, the counter was completely bare. unease settled over you. you spent the afternoon feeling strangely restless, growing quietly annoyed each time the door rang only for it to be a mere customer. you kept glancing toward the counter, checking the clock, expecting something you had no right to expect.

when the final light was switched off, you stepped outside and locked the door. you rested your forehead against the cool glass, letting out a long exhale to collect yourself. you were confused, tired, and a sudden sting pricked behind your eyes. had he forgotten? was that the end of it?

shaking your head at your own ridiculous reaction, you turned to begin the walk home. you paused after your very first step.

resting right on the concrete ledge by the door was a small bundle of flowers. three white daffodils, their stems bound carefully with a soft blue ribbon. a small white card rested between the petals. you pulled it free, your fingers trembling slightly as you read the script: 

‘6 pm tomorrow. dont make me wait.’

your heart hammered against your ribs. your lips curved into a smile before you could even think to stop it. 

knew i’d see him around. 

you lifted the bouquet to your face, breathing in the sweet honey-like scent, your steps suddenly feeling infinitely lighter as you skipped down the street.

meanwhile, jungkook stood hidden in the shadows of a far alleyway, a cigarette resting between his fingers. he watched your entire transition from the edge of tears to skipping down the pavement.

he knew it was twisted, but he fed off the sight of you being this affected by him. he liked knowing he could shift your emotions with a single gesture, the sheer power of it sending a heavy demanding throb of heat low in his pelvis as he hardened under his pants. he liked that you had started looking for him the exact same way he had been hunting for you since the night in the ring. smoke curled past his lips as the darkness swallowed your figure. a slow smirk pulled at his mouth.

yeah, you will.

~

you woke up the next morning and headed out to run a few errands. 

at the drugstore, you moved slowly through the aisles, picking up small things that made you feel like you were allowed to exist a little more gently. you wanted to feel pretty—though, you were already more than beautiful to begin with.

you picked out a mascara, a blush, a pink lip gloss, and a simple body spray scented with fresh pear, lily, and jasmine. you paid with a gift card you had been saving for something special, realizing that ‘special’ had recently started looking a lot like dark eyes and banana milk.

the rest of the day passed quietly in anticipation. later, you showered and got ready, keeping your makeup natural and careful. opening your duffel bag, you pulled out the one outfit you kept for when things mattered: a baby pink button-down cardigan paired with a cream flared skirt that stopped just above your knees. you tied your hair half up, finishing the look with clean socks and sneakers.

knock, knock, knock. you opened the door.

clad in dark cargos, a muted grey shirt beneath a black leather jacket, a silver chain rested against his collarbone. he smirked the moment his eyes landed on you, watching as you scanned his entire being.

“hello to you too.”

you blinked, caught off guard, before shaking your head. “h-how did you know my door?” you asked softly, eyes wide and unguarded.

“knocked on every one,” he said simply.

you hesitated. something about the way he said it made it sound less like a joke and more like something he expected you to accept without question. “o-oh,” you murmured, not fully believing him, but not rejecting it either.

jungkook didn’t explain further. he just looked at you quietly, taking in details he didn’t want to forget. then, after a deliberate pause, he muttered, “shall we?”

you nodded lightly and stepped out with him, locking the door behind you. it was then that his gaze shifted, landing directly on your hair. half tied up—with the soft blue ribbon woven through it. his smirk returned, slower and deeply restrained. you really didn’t know what you were doing to him.

outside the building, you walked toward his bike. conveniently, jungkook had two helmets now. you didn’t know that just yesterday, he had gone out of his way to buy a second one just for you, nor did he plan on admitting it anytime soon.

he held it out toward you and you took it carefully, slipping it on, and climbed onto the seat behind him. you hesitated for only a second before your arms slowly wrapped around his waist. fuck. his heart nearly punched through his ribs.

“hold on tighter,” he said lowly, revving the engine twice before pulling away from the curb.

the ride was smooth and steady, the city lights stretching around you in blurred streaks. you still didn’t know where he was taking you, but strangely you trusted him enough not to ask.

eventually, the bike slowed in front of a small restaurant tucked quietly between dimly lit buildings. you climbed off, removing the helmet to quickly fix your hair and smooth down your skirt. jungkook stepped beside you, and naturally—as if he’d done it a hundred times before—his hand found the small of your back. warm, firm, and grounding, guiding you toward the entrance. your eyes lifted toward the sign hanging on the glass. CLOSED.

“j-jungkook…” you murmured softly. “i-it’s closed.”

“don’t worry,” he replied easily, pulling the door open. “owner knows me.” then, with a brief glance down at you, “after you.”

you stepped into the quiet restaurant, the only real light glowing from a private corner deeper inside. suddenly, an older man emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.

“so,” the older man said with a grin, stopping at the sight of you. “you’re the girl that made me close early today, huh?”

actual panic flashed across your face. the man burst out laughing almost immediately. “relax, darlin’ i’m kiddin’. you two go ahead and sit down, i’ll be over in a minute.”

jungkook quietly pulled your chair out for you before taking the seat across the table, his sharp eyes never really leaving you.

it was quiet for a few moments before you finally spoke. “y-you eat here often?”

“nope.”

“o-oh… then how does the owner know you?”

“beat up his nephew once.”

you stared at him.

“kidding.”

your shoulders loosened instantly, and jungkook fought back a smirk at how easy you were to read.

the owner returned with steaming plates of warm soup, grilled meat, rice, and side dishes. everything tasted amazing, the warmth softening something deep inside your chest. you became so focused on eating that you failed to notice how intensely jungkook was watching you. there was something deeply satisfying about seeing you eat properly, a warmth of protectiveness spreading heavily through his chest.

after thanking the owner, jungkook paid quietly in cash, and the two of you stepped back out into the cool spring night.

“ice cream?” he asked.

you blinked once before nodding almost immediately.

jungkook ordered for both of you without even asking what flavor you wanted: two scoops of chocolate. the truth was, he somehow already knew. you both sat together on a bench outside the shop, shoulders lightly touching while the cold night air drifted around you.

“h-how much do i owe you?”

jungkook turned toward you so fast it startled you, disbelief and annoyance flashing across his face. “you shittin’ me?”

your shoulders instinctively curled inward at the sudden verbal sting. “i-i’m sorry,” you murmured quietly. “i-i don’t know what i’m supposed to do.”

he sighed heavily through his nose, looking away into the street. “just sit there and look pretty,” he muttered, taking another bite of his ice cream. “...and eat your ice cream.”

the ride home was calm and peaceful. soon, the two of you stood in front of your apartment door while you searched through your bag for your keys. the lock turned with a soft click, and you turned back to face him.

“th-thank you… for tonight,” you said softly. “a-and for the snacks. the food too. y-you’re very kind.”

jungkook nearly scoffed. kind. if only you knew the thoughts he carried about you. still, he shrugged. “had to feed you somehow.”

you smiled at him—not nervous, shy, or uncertain, but warm and genuine. and fuck if that didn’t do something violent to his chest.

but then, his eyes drifted past your shoulder, into your apartment. suddenly, everything inside him tightened. the mattress on the floor, the duffel bag in the corner, the dim lamp, and the daffodils sitting carefully inside a plastic cup of water. you didn’t look like someone living in a home; you looked like someone trying very hard to survive. anger twisted quietly inside him. how the fuck was he supposed to live normally knowing this was what you came home to every night?

your sleepy, gentle voice interrupted his spiraling thoughts. “g-goodnight, jungkook.”

his eyes flickered once more past your shoulder, landing on the pink bunny resting against your pillow. his gaze softened before he could stop it. slowly, he lifted his large, tattooed hand, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear.

“night, bunny.”

~

you stepped into the bakery with that familiar warmth hitting your face. you went about your business as usual—setting things up, preparing dough, and arranging pastries inside the display case—when the sudden buzz of your phone disrupted you.

unknown: have a good day

you froze, blinking in a brief flash of panic.

unknown: hope last night didnt scare u

phew. you mentally let out a breath, your fingers hovering nervously over the keyboard. typing, deleting, and typing again, you finally sent:

you: hi jungkook unknown: took u long enough you: how did you get my number? unknown: got it you: from where? unknown: somewhere

you physically frowned at the screen.

you: jungkook please unknown: bunny please

heat slowly crept into your face, causing you to look around the empty bakery for absolutely no reason. after a long pause, you typed back:

you: last night didn’t scare me

the dots bounced, disappeared, and bounced again.

jungkook: good

by the time the bakery finally emptied for the evening, you finished wiping down the last table and switched off the lights. you grabbed your bag stepped outside.

there was a sleek familiar black motorcycle parked by the curb. leaning against it was jungkook, arms crossed over his chest, his head lowered toward his phone. seeing him there instantly made the exhaustion of the day feel lighter.

his eyes lifted, meeting yours. “done?”

you blinked. “y-you didn’t tell me you were coming.”

he slowly pushed himself off the bike, “don’t need to.”

as the days passed, you slowly started getting used to him in tiny pieces. morning text messages, expected rides home, and the habit of checking your phone the second it buzzed—it all felt dangerously normal.

jungkook: bunny  you: hello :)  jungkook: u eat yet you: i had some bread  jungkook: thats not food  you: then what is it?

seen. five minutes passed, then ten. you frowned at your screen, wondering if you had annoyed him.

knock, knock. you walked to your apartment door and opened it to find a delivery driver holding a container of hot food, already paid for. you immediately grabbed your phone.

you: thank you for the food!!  jungkook: np  you: what?  jungkook: no problem  you: oh :D

a few evenings later, you were in the middle of closing up—wiping counters and stacking trays. then your phone lit up.

not even a minute later, the bell above the bakery door rang. you looked up to find him standing in the doorway, clad in a dark hoodie with his hands in his pockets.

“j-jungkook,” you gulped. “w-what are you doing here?”

“bored.”

“o-oh. w-well i’m just cleaning up, i doubt you’ll—”

“then don’t doubt.”

you hesitated, then nodded quickly. “o-okay, you can sit here. i won’t be too long.”

you shuffled around the kitchen nervously, entirely aware of his eyes following you religiously.

“why baking?” he suddenly asked.

you paused mid-wipe, taking a quiet breath. “i-it’s all i know. ‘m good at it. makes me happy.”

he nodded once, letting a beat pass before you eventually posed your question. “a-and you? w-why boxing?”

“it’s all i know. i’m good at it.” mirroring your words with a small smirk.

“b-but does it make you happy?”

he scoffed lightly. “no.”

you looked at him properly now. “w-what makes you happy?”

jungkook leaned back in his chair, his gaze boring into your soul. he knew the exact answer to that, but he was caught off guard that you were bold enough to ask that to a man like him. silly girl, you didn’t know what you were getting into. his smirk returned as he gave you the next best answer. “banana milk.”

after that night, his presence became permanent. sometimes he’d wait for you at closing; other times his bike was already idling outside your building before dawn. even late-night convenience store runs became routine.

until one evening, while you were putting away mixing bowls, jungkook suddenly spoke from behind you.

“taking you out tomorrow.”

“t-tomorrow?” you turned around, blinking. 

“you don’t work tomorrow.”

“t-taking me out?”

jungkook scoffed quietly. “who else am i talking to?”

~

knock knock knock. you hurried to the door, smoothing down your skirt before throwing the lock. there he was, one hand tucked in his pocket, the other casually holding his helmet. his dark eyes dragged slowly from your face to your outfit before returning to meet your gaze.

“y-you’re staring,” you murmured, your cheeks warming.

“mhm.”

you looked away first, and jungkook smirked faintly, holding out the extra helmet. “c’mon.”

the ride felt different tonight. the city grew brighter the farther he drove, neon signs glowing against the dark streets until you finally arrived at the night market. your eyes widened at the colorful lights, the sea of crowds, and the delicious aroma of grilled meats and sugar blending into the cool air.

“stay close,” jungkook said simply, stepping into the crowd.

for the first few minutes, you kept getting distracted by little trinket stands and cute keychains. your attention drifted for one second too long, and a sudden wave of people passed between you.

your steps faltered. “j-jungk—”

a firm hand suddenly wrapped securely around your wrist.

“eek—!” you stumbled forward, landing right back against his side.

jungkook barely even looked back, his grip firm, warm, and entirely protective. “told you to stay close.”

“...s-sorry.”

he glanced down at you briefly. then, slowly, his grip loosened, his fingers sliding downward until his palm settled firmly against yours. just holding your hand so naturally as if letting go wasn’t an option. you didn’t want him to let go either.

a few minutes later, you were seated at a small open eating area. jungkook pulled his chair right next to yours and rested one arm over the back of your seat.

“i-it’s really good,” you said, taking another bite of a meat skewer.

jungkook glanced at you. “yeah?”

you nodded quickly, devouring the food with a satisfied hum. you noticed he had barely touched his own plate, his eyes completely fixed on you instead...

~

one night, it felt too still. your room was dark except for the faint streetlight glowing through the window. your mind wouldn’t settle, tossing and turning until your thumb finally hovered nervously over your screen.

you: you up? jungkook: ye jungkook: whats up you: can’t sleep :( hungry

the three dots appeared, disappeared, and appeared again.

jungkook: be down in 10

you sat up quickly, staring at the empty room and then back at the phone. he was actually coming…

you sat next to jungkook at a small table by the convenience store window, instant ramen steaming between you both. he ate like he always did—totally unbothered—while you kept blowing on your noodles longer than necessary. when you finished, he tossed the cups into the bin, and you followed him out into the cool night air.

at some point during the walk, your shoulders brushed slightly. when you reached the crossing, the red pedestrian light glowed faintly ahead. cars passed in soft streaks of sound. and then—jungkook’s hand found yours.

your breath paused slightly. his grip was firm and steady, entirely unhesitant. you looked down at your hands for half a second. then, slowly, your fingers shifted, lacing between his. 

jungkook went completely still. not physically, but something in his brain absolutely short-circuited. his jaw tightened for a second like his body had stopped cooperating, but he kept his eyes anchored strictly forward at the crossing light.

the stairs echoed softly under your steps, your fingers still intertwined. when you finally reached your floor, the contact broke naturally as you fumbled through your bag for your keys, your hand feeling strangely cold without his hand.

you unlocked the door and turned toward him, a warm genuine smile breaking across your face. jungkook stared at you, his gaze lingering a little longer than usual.

“th-thank you, jungkook.”

“…yeah,” he said quietly.

you nodded once, turning to go inside. but halfway through the door, you paused. turning back quickly, you stepped forward and pressed a quick soft kiss to his cheek.

before he could react, you hurried inside. “g-goodnight!”

jungkook stood there in the silent hallway, his hand slowly lifting to the spot on his cheek. it was still warm. he stared at the wood for a long moment before letting out a quiet exhale through his nose. “…tch.”

things had gotten bad lately—bad in the sense that he saw you almost every day now. it had all slipped into place so naturally that neither of you questioned the rhythm of the texts filling your days:

you: drive safe  jungkook: always do you: today a customer said my pastries were pretty!!  jungkook: not just ur pastries

but one evening felt strangely off because jungkook wasn’t there. your phone buzzed while you were wiping down the bakery counters.

jungkook: cant pick u up tonight. got something to do  jungkook: paid for ur cab. dont want u walking alone  jungkook: text me when u get home you: okay :( be safe

the cab ride home felt lonely. unlocking your apartment door, you slipped your shoes off and turned on the lamp beside your mattress. then you paused.

sitting against your pillow was a brand-new, soft blue bunny. your old pink bunny rested right beside it like it had always belonged there. slowly, you picked it up, finding a small note slipped beneath it:

‘sleep with it’

a helplessly soft smile spread across your face. you pulled the plush toy against your chest and fell backward onto your mattress, completely unaware that miles away, jungkook was staring at his phone for the fifth time in ten minutes, waiting for your confirmation text.

the next day, your phone buzzed while you were busy with cookie cutters.

jungkook: we going out tomorrow  you: okay :) where?  jungkook: trust

the arcade had exhausted you in the best way possible. jungkook had spent half the night acting unimpressed while aggressively beating you at air hockey twice, followed by a quiet dinner where your legs brushed beneath the table.

and now, the city sat far beneath you, tiny lights blinking softly as the night air drifted across the hilltop overlook. jungkook leaned back against the railing while you stood beside him, staring out with wide eyes.

“p-pretty,” you whispered.

he looked at you instead. “mhm.”

“w-when i was little,” you started quietly, your hair moving in the wind, “i used to think clouds were solid. i thought if i climbed high enough, maybe i could sit on them. i-it’s stupid, right?”

“nah.” he shrugged once. “sounds like something you’d think. you got a soft brain.”

you gasped quietly. “i-i do not!”

“you think a piece of bread counts as a meal. hamster logic.”

“i-i thought i’m a bunny?” you huffed, your shoulder bumping lightly against his arm.

jungkook looked down at the contact, his expression softening before he could stop it. 

“you always think like that?” he asked after a while. “like the world’s softer than it is.”

you looked down at your sleeves. “i-i think i just want it to be.”

silence fell, and jungkook’s jaw shifted. somehow, hearing that from you hurt in a place he didn’t have words for. without saying anything, he quietly stepped closer, narrowing the space between you. he noticed your hands disappearing into your oversized sleeves again.

as you rubbed your cold hands together, he reached over, took your wrist, and pulled your hand directly into the warm pocket of his hoodie, right beside his own.

“world’s not soft,” he said quietly, still staring out at the city lights. “people leave. things get shitty. things change. but…” he turned, looking you dead in the eyes with no teasing, no smirk, completely bare. “i’d keep you anyway.”

“h-huh?” you gulped, “w-why?” 

he actually looked offended. “what do you think?”

the silence became incredibly heavy. before you could spiral into another thought, jungkook’s large hand lifted, his fingers gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. his hand lingered on your cheek before carefully cupping your face. he leaned down, pressing a lingering kiss right against your forehead. his eyes closed as he breathed quietly against your hair, offering a sense of certainty that was utterly terrifying. this felt real.

jungkook pulled back, his voice low. “let’s go.”

the ride home was quiet as his words replayed like a warning in your head. keep you.

why would he say something like that so easily? like keeping someone had ever been simple.

the walk upstairs felt slower, your hand resting in his even as your palm grew warm and slightly sweaty from anxiety. jungkook noticed it but remained silent. once you reached your door, you pulled away to grab your keys.

“th-thank you for tonight,” you said, offering a smaller smile.

before he could analyze it, you leaned up quickly, pressing another familiar kiss to his cheek, but you pulled away too fast, avoiding his eyes. “g-goodnight, jungkook.”

the door closed.

jungkook stood in the hall, his expression unreadable as his hand slid into his hoodie pocket. something felt off—subtle, but there. he exhaled through his nose and headed downstairs, assuming you were just tired, though the ride home felt strangely heavy.

inside, sleep wouldn’t come. you lay on your mattress, clutching the blue bunny tightly against your chest as tears burned your eyes. 

people didn’t stay. eventually, they always got tired of your softness, your overthinking, and your constant need for reassurance. a man like jungkook was everything your brain should have warned you about—too intense, too dangerous. yet he made you feel safe, and that was the scariest part of all. your heart was wanting something permanent, but you knew jungkook deserved someone confident and exciting. not you.

your grip tightened around the plush fur as a single thought echoed in the dark: if you let yourself fall any deeper, you weren’t sure you’d survive him leaving too.

~

the change didn’t happen all at once, that was the worst part. it happened slowly, in pieces small enough that jungkook almost convinced himself he was imagining them. 

replies started taking longer—minutes, hours. sometimes you’d type, stop, and then send something painfully short anyway.

jungkook: bunny  you: yes?  jungkook: whats wrong  you: nothing :)

the smiley face bothered him more than if you’d said nothing at all. 

and then came the excuses. “you don’t have to.” “i’m okay.” “i can walk home tonight.” every sentence sounded gentle, but jungkook heard the expanding distance underneath them. he noticed how your smiles ended quicker, how your eyes dropped, and how your hands stayed hidden deeper inside your sleeves.

even the food—you started refusing. “not hungry,” you’d softly say, despite him knowing damn well you hadn’t eaten all day.

but the bakery irritated him the most. whenever he arrived to pick you up, the lights were already off. chairs stacked. door locked. too fucking early. 

standing outside one evening staring at the dark windows, he pulled his phone out.

jungkook: where r u  you: home already :) left early cuz i was tired

jungkook stared at the message, his jaw tight. tired wasn’t the problem. he just didn’t understand why you suddenly kept slipping further away while standing right in front of him. also, he fucking hated that smiley face.

the sharp sound of gloves colliding echoed through the studio. jungkook ducked beneath a punch, landing one clean against his trainer’s side.

“again.”

“damn,” the older man breathed with a laugh, adjusting his stance. “at least let me age gracefully.”

jungkook rolled his shoulders, sweat clinging to his collar, his breathing steady despite the intensity. the semi-finals were less than two weeks away. usually, he became meaner and harder to deal with around this time. but lately, something had shifted.

“so,” the trainer started casually, circling him. “how’d the date go?”

jungkook threw another punch. blocked. then another. “good.”

the trainer blinked. that was already more information than usual. “yeah?”

“mhm.” a silence stretched between the sounds of gloves and footwork before jungkook spoke again on his own. “…somethin’s off though.”

that made the trainer pause for real. jungkook never talked first. ever. “off how?”

jungkook clicked his tongue quietly, leaning back against the ropes. “she’s pullin’ away. texts slower now. stopped lookin’ at me as much.” his jaw tightened. “closed the bakery early yesterday. knew i was gonna pick her up too.”

there was no mockery or detached amusement in his voice. just raw frustration and confusion.

“you ask her what’s wrong?”

“you think she’d tell me?” jungkook scoffed lightly, grabbing his water bottle. “nah. she gets in her head.”

“people do that, you know,” the older man said, peeling tape off his hand. “pull away. when things start mattering too much. girls like her? soft ones.”

jungkook looked away first. “she’s not soft.”

the trainer almost laughed. “right. and i’m twenty-five. she gets scared, kid. of losing things.”

and suddenly, jungkook remembered: people come and go.

the trainer tossed a towel onto his shoulder. “you’ve spent your whole life fighting for things. fighting people. fighting problems. fighting yourself. try staying still for once. just be patient. she’ll come around eventually.”

jungkook stared at the floor, his jaw flexing. he wanted to argue, but instead he only nodded. “yeah.”

it didn’t sound convincing, not even to himself. his gloves hung loose at his sides, his attention entirely gone from the gym.

for the first few days, jungkook actually listened. he stopped showing up at the bakery, stopped texting first every few hours, and stopped checking if you had eaten. he gave you space because his trainer said to stay still.

and for a while, it worked. training took over his days again. his body responded perfectly—sharp movements, clean hits, controlled breathing. but slowly, something started feeling entirely wrong. your texts had gotten way quieter. almost gone.

jungkook: eat yet? jungkook: bunny  jungkook: yn?  jungkook: everything okay?  jungkook: why arent u answering me

the next morning, jungkook told himself he was overthinking. he told himself that while pulling on his hoodie, grabbing his keys, and starting his bike. there had to be an explanation. maybe your phone died, or maybe you were sick.

but the bakery bell never rang when he pushed the door, because the door didn’t budge. jungkook stared, his hand frozen around the handle. a paper sign was taped against the glass:  PERMANENTLY CLOSED.

his stomach dropped to the ground. permanently closed? his eyes narrowed. no, that didn’t make sense. you would’ve told him. his hand went for his phone—nothing. no texts, no messages.

ten minutes later, he was at the convenience store, his eyes scanning the aisles. no sign of you. no familiar cardigan. no shy eyes peeking around shelves. he walked straight toward the cashier, who recognized him instantly. jungkook swallowed. “hey. you seen my girl?”

oops. the words slipped out naturally—my girl—but it was too late to take them back now.

the cashier frowned, shaking his head. “no.”

something ugly twisted in jungkook’s chest. he walked out and looked everywhere. the grocery store, the laundromat, the small street where he’d dropped you off to buy hair ribbons, the pharmacy. every place your eyes had ever lit up. nothing.

hours passed, the sun lowering and painting orange across the streets while his bike rolled through roads he’d already checked twice. his chest felt tight, a dangerous surge of panic setting in because the same thought kept replaying: you didn’t tell him.

the motorcycle engine barely had time to die before jungkook was already sprinting up the stairs of your building, his heart hammering against his ribs. he reached your door and knocked.  he knocked for what felt like minutes only to have no one answering. 

a nearby door creaked open and an older woman peeked out. “you looking for the bakery girl?”

jungkook turned so quickly it startled her. “yeah.”

she stared at him for a moment. “sweet thing. left a few days ago.”

everything inside him went dead still. “where?”

the woman frowned apologetically. “didn't say.”

jungkook stared at your door. the same door he’d walked you to almost every night, where you'd smiled at him and kissed his cheek. and now, there was nothing.

~

miles away, the small hotel room felt even quieter tonight. you sat curled against the headboard with your blanket pulled around you, staring down at your phone.

27 missed calls. 32 messages.

your thumb slowly moved across the keyboard.

you: i’m okay

you stared at it, delete. then, your fingers moved again.

you: i’m sorry

you looked at it for a little longer this time, delete.

you: i miss you

your breath caught. because that one hurt, it felt too honest and too real. your thumb hovered over send. you stared, then squeezed your eyes shut. delete. delete.

the words vanished instantly like they’d never existed at all. slowly, you dropped the phone beside you before burying your face into your bunnies.

you were tired. tired of thinking, tired of crying, tired of missing him. because every time you tried convincing yourself that leaving had been the right choice, your heart kept hitting back with: then why does it hurt this much?

the next afternoon, you sat quietly at a bus stop with your duffel bag resting beside your feet.

three days. three whole days. that was enough. enough crying, enough hiding, enough pretending that running away had magically fixed anything.

you stared down at your shoes absentmindedly while waiting, not really paying attention to anything around you. until two guys sitting a few seats away suddenly started talking loudly between themselves. you weren’t trying to listen. not really, but then—

“can’t wait for tonight.”

“...semi-finals gonna be crazy.”

“...heard that beast jungkook’s fighting too.”

your head lifted before you could stop yourself. jungkook. the name alone felt massive, vibrating in your chest. you had spent the last three days trying so hard to erase it and here it was, echoing in the open air. you stared ahead quietly still listening.

“…guy’s insane.”

“…heard nobody wants to fight him.”

your fingers tightened slowly around the strap of your bag. semi-finals? tonight? what if he gets hurt?

your eyes widened slightly. no. why would that even matter? the internal wall you had built over the last three days completely crumbling under the weight of a single thought. i just wanna see. just once. just to make sure he’s okay. that’s all. right?

your fingers tightened around the strap of your bag until your knuckles went white. then, slowly, you stepped on the bus.

~

you entered your apartment feeling tired and drained. for a moment, you simply stood there in the quiet stillness. after three days away, everything looked exactly the same, and yet nothing felt the same anymore. you felt like you had finally gotten your life together, only to lose it all within a matter of days: the bakery, your routine, your sense of direction, and somehow him too.

you took a shower, changed into a pair of jeans and a black shirt, and slipped on a black cap before heading back out. thoughts of jungkook filled your mind to the brim. you kept telling yourself you had to distance yourself to protect your own heart, but your actions completely disagreed.

less than an hour later, you found yourself making your way toward the abandoned building where the semi-finals were being held. this was the place where you first met him, where your life had slowly started changing, and where it all began. your stomach twisted, and you almost turned around… but your feet kept moving anyway.

you squeezed your way through the chaotic crowd, apologizing quietly as you reached your familiar corner near the back of the hall. music blasted from old speakers, neon lights flickered overhead, and the smell of alcohol and sweat lingered heavily in the air. scanning the room, you noticed far more people tonight than during your previous visit. every corner was packed with anticipation.

“ARE YOU READY?!” the announcer’s voice exploded through the speakers, and the crowd erupted, making the floor shake beneath your feet. “MEET YOUR CHAMPIONS!”

the audience welcomed each fighter with roars but nothing compared to what happened next. the announcer’s grin widened, his voice rising dramatically. “AND FINALLY! THE STRONGEST! THE WILDEST! THE BEAST! THE FEARED! JEON JUNGKOOOOOK!”

jungkook stepped out from the tunnel into the blinding lights. usually, he would have fed off the noise, the adrenaline, and the crowd’s obsession. but tonight, it felt distant, like he was hearing it from underwater. he walked toward the ring with a blank expression, eyes fixed forward. his mind wasn’t here; it hadn’t been here for days.

the first semi-final match ended within minutes, but you barely paid attention. your eyes kept drifting toward the opposite side of the hall where jungkook stood near the ropes, arms crossed and head lowered. something about him felt wrong. he looked deeply tired and it bothered you immensely.

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!” the announcer stepped forward again, and your stomach immediately tightened. the second semi-final. jungkook.

the bell rang and the fight began. at first, everything looked normal. jungkook moved effortlessly with sharp footwork and fast combinations, keeping you gripping the edge of the barrier, unable to look away. his opponent stumbled backward after a heavy hit, and the crowd exploded.

then, everything changed too fast. his opponent suddenly stepped forward, catching one opening with a massive swing. CRACK.

your breath stopped. jungkook’s head snapped sideways from the impact and he hit the floor. a collective massive groan ripped through the crowd. you had never seen him get knocked down before.

jungkook slowly pushed himself up and the referee continued the match. but something was severely wrong. his punches were slower, his reactions delayed, and his movements lacked their usual precision. his opponent noticed immediately and took brutal advantage.

your stomach twisted painfully with every hit as the crowd’s excitement turned into sheer confusion. jungkook kept forcing himself forward, but a kick landed against his ribs followed by a punch to his jaw. everything felt entirely distant to him.

outside the ring, his trainer’s face had gone pale. watching minutes pass as jungkook absorbed severe punishment. his head simply wasn’t here, and it was getting him hurt badly. after nearly five whole minutes, the trainer couldn’t take it anymore. “fuck this.”

without hesitation, he grabbed the towel and threw it.

the crowd erupted into a mix of boos, shouts, and confusion as the referee stepped between the fighters. the match was over. jungkook barely reacted, remaining on one knee, breathing heavily with blood running from the corner of his lip. the trainer climbed into the ring immediately.

the older man’s chest tightened. slowly, he hooked an arm beneath jungkook’s shoulders and pulled him up. together they made their way out of the ring toward the back. jungkook’s eyes remained fixed on the floor, completely unaware that somewhere within that same crowd, you were staring at him with tears already rolling down your face.

“hey, hey, kid. look at me.” his trainer crouched down in front of him, one hand tapping his cheek to keep his attention. the noise of the crowd sounded distant now, muffled, like it belonged to another world.

“had to throw in the towel, you were getting knocked out.” his brows furrowed with concern. “what happened out there?”

jungkook blinked once, twice. the bright lights overhead burned his eyes and his throat tightened. before he could stop it, his eyes turned red. tears gathered, then fell.

“i don’t know.” his voice cracked, small and broken, nothing like the fighter everyone feared. “i don't know what i did.”

the trainer’s chest tightened. right now, he didn’t see the champion or the beast; he saw the same angry teenager he’d picked up from the streets years ago and trained to survive. but right now, jungkook didn’t need a trainer—he needed someone to catch him before he completely fell apart.

“take a breath.” the older man handed him a water bottle. “here.”

jungkook’s hands trembled slightly as he took a few gulps, letting out a shaky breath. but the ache in his chest remained.

“i don’t know where she is.” his voice came out quieter this time, like he was talking more to himself than anyone else. “what did i do?”

trainer continued to listen—

“i tried giving her space. i stopped texting.” his eyes squeezed shut. “then i texted.” a bitter, pathetic laugh escaped him. “then i couldn’t stop texting. she won’t answer me. the bakery’s gone. she’s gone.”

a long silence passed, and then finally, his voice broke completely into uncontrollable sobs. “i miss her. you said she’d come around!”

the trainer let the moment sit, long enough for jungkook to breathe and for the tears to slow. then he leaned forward slightly.

“son, listen to me.” the older man’s voice remained steady and calm. “you love. you lose. you get hurt. that’s life. people break your heart. they leave. sometimes they come back. sometimes they don’t. you don’t get to decide any of that.” the older man reached over and squeezed the back of jungkook’s neck once, a familiar gesture since he was a teenager.

jungkook swallowed hard as the trainer continued. “you think you're the first idiot to fall in love?” 

a weak laugh escaped jungkook despite everything, that showed a bit of progress.

“kid, you’re gonna get your heart broken a hundred different ways in this life. but if you’re lucky... you’ll find a few people worth the risk.”

a long silence passed before jungkook finally answered, “yeah.” it sounded weak but for now that was enough.

the crowd outside was still roaring, restless and wondering what had happened. the older man looked down at jungkook for a moment. “are you ready to get back out there... or are you done for tonight? either answer’s fine. you got nothin’ to prove to me. not anymore.”

that hit harder than any punch tonight. for years, everything had been about proving he was strong enough to survive.

“what if i lose?” jungkook finally whispered out loud.

“kid, if that girl can make you cry... some guy in boxing gloves ain’t the problem.”

despite the swollen jaw, the tears, and the ache in his chest, a tiny laugh escaped jungkook. the trainer smiled, seeing his kid instead of just the champion. he held out a hand.

“so. what's it gonna be?” the trainer’s hand pulled him to his feet. jungkook rolled his stiff shoulders, the bruises and emotional ache still very much present, but he felt lighter.

the crowd erupted into chaos as he stepped back toward the ring, their confusion quickly turning into absolute excitement. 

jungkook climbed through the ropes. this time, he felt completely present for the first time all night. across from him, his opponent smirked, confident that victory was already theirs. jungkook simply stared back, expressionless and calm. he closed his eyes briefly, taking one final breath. and then—a quiet, soft, familiar voice whispered in the back of his mind.

‘come on.’

his eyes snapped open immediately. even though it was impossible, even though it made no sense, he knew. 

meanwhile, somewhere within the crowd, your fingers tightened against your palm. the moment you had seen him return, something inside you had finally unclenched. the relief was immediate and overwhelming; he was okay. 

you watched him step into position, watched him stand across from his opponent, watched him close his eyes, and without even realizing it—you whispered beneath your breath: ‘come on’ so quietly that not even the person standing beside you could have heard. a hope, a prayer, a plea.

the whistle blew. referee immediately stepped between them, counting one, two, three, while the crowd screamed louder with every number. your heart pounded because suddenly—it was over. the announcer nearly shouted himself hoarse: “YOUR WINNER JEON JUNGKOOK!!”

the crowd went wild but relief settled so heavily inside you that the noise faded out. adjusting your cap, you stepped backward and slipped toward the exit. seeing him was enough, and if you stayed, you knew you’d never be able to leave.

in the ring, the referee raised jungkook’s arm, but his eyes swept the arena and froze. a black cap, a familiar frame—it was you. he knew it in his chest before his brain could even process it.

yanking his arm free from the confused referee, jungkook leaped over the ropes and tore through the crowd. after weeks of searching and fearing the worst, there was no way in hell he was letting you disappear again.

~

the cold night air hit your face as you ran fast and blind through the streets, tears blurring your vision. overwhelmed by jungkook, the blood, and the terrifying way he’d fallen, you kept running until your feet finally slowed at the bakery.

it was dark, empty, and stripped of all its warmth. seeing your sanctuary—the first thing that had ever been yours after foster care—completely hollowed out broke you. sinking onto the cold concrete steps, you buried your face in your knees and sobbed, exhausted from losing everything and missing him so deeply it hurt.

back at the arena, jungkook shoved through the crowd like a man possessed. throwing on a shirt backstage, he bolted into the night before his trainer could say anything, sprinting through the streets on pure instinct toward the one place he knew you’d go.

when he turned the corner and saw you curled up on the bakery steps, his chest heaved with violent relief. you were real, alive, and right there. steadying his breath, he began walking toward you.

“there you are.”

you looked up to find him standing there. his tone mean and angry. his expression was blank, his chest rose and fell heavily like he’d been running for miles. 

“j-jungkook…”

for a while, neither of you said anything. he just stared down at you, brows furrowed, breathing uneven, like he was trying to decide whether to yell at you or pull you into his arms.

“so you’re alive, huh.” his jaw tightened. “was startin’ to think you got buried somewhere.”

you flinched slightly at the bitterness in his voice, only now realizing that your impulsive trip out of town hadn’t just hurt you—it had wrecked him too.

“i-i was out of town,” you replied quietly.

“no. fucking. shit.” he laughed once, dry and disbelieving, dragging a hand through his damp hair. “i texted you, called you. you didn’t answer so i drove by here only to find out it’s been permanently closed.” his eyes flickered toward the dark bakery behind you, then back to you. “went all around town asking about you. went by your apartment and found out from some neighbor you left.”

your chest tightened. “i-i just needed to go away. just for a while, i—”

“yeah?” he cut in. “leave a fucking note next time, y/n.”

your breath hitched. because until now, you hadn’t understood—all this time, while you were drowning in your own thoughts, he’d been drowning too, looking for you, panicking, hurting. and somehow, that made the guilt feel even heavier.

“i-i’m sorry,” your fingers tightened against your sleeves. “i-i’m really sorry…”

“yeah, i bet.” he scoffed, pacing once before turning back to you. “what were you thinking? why the fuck would you do that to me?”

you flinched.

“i mean—i closed a fucking restaurant for you.” he gestured wildly, “took you on dates.”

your head lifted at that. dates. oh. so that’s what they were. jungkook noticed the look on your face immediately and it only made him more irritated. 

“yeah. dates.” his voice dropped, mocking, like he couldn’t believe this was news to you. “drove you around. walked you home. made sure you actually ate something solid instead of surviving off a stupid fucking piece of bread.”

your lips parted. “i-i thought…” you hesitated, swallowing. “y-you were just being kind.”

“kind?!” he stared at you like you’d lost your mind. “you think i did all that ‘cause i’m kind?” he stepped closer. “if you knew what goes on in my head—” he stopped himself, jaw flexing, then shook his head. “we’d have problems, y/n. serious fucking problems.”

he continued, “you know, i couldn’t sleep. couldn’t rest. got me losing my fights and shit. you disappeared on me and suddenly showed up tonight like you didn’t just fuck me up.”

you shook your head, tears falling harder now. “y-you don’t understand. y-you make it sound so easy.”

his brows furrowed. “what’s easy?”

“th-this.” you gestured between you both. “w-whatever this is.” your breathing stuttered. “y-you say things like that and i—” you stopped, looking away because saying it felt too dangerous.

jungkook’s voice lowered. “and you what?”

“i-i start believing it.”

“believing what?” his voice came out lower now, rougher. “that i wanted you? that’s what scared you?” his brows furrowed, not mocking, but hurt. “me wanting you scared you that bad?”

you shook your head quickly. “n-no—it’s not that—”

“then what?”

you closed your eyes before finally admitting, “th-that you’d leave!” you sighed while looking at him, really looking at him. “i-i’m not easy. people leave. they put me in one family to the next all because i wasn’t good enough. i’m never good enough. and i can’t be who you want me to be.”

“you think i’m like them? you think i’m gonna get bored and leave you?” your silence cracked something in him and he shook his head slightly. “i know what happened before… but don’t you ever put me in the same sentence as people who left you.”

“y-you might change your mind one day. you’ll get bored of me. i-i know it.”

“oh, enough with your bullshit, y/n. you really think this ends with me walking away from you?”

you swallowed hard. “yes.”

the word came out shaky—daring, even. and that was it. something in him snapped and he didn’t argue anymore, didn’t try to convince you with words. he stepped forward and grabbed your wrist. 

“j-jungkook—” you barely got his name out before he pulled you up, and dragged you with him. like he’d already made up his mind that if you wouldn’t believe him with words, he’d show you a reason to believe. “j-jungkook! where are we going?”

his jaw was tight, eyes forward, like if he looked at you right now he’d say something worse, or maybe something too honest. the city blurred past you both until eventually the familiar outline of the abandoned building came into view.

your breath caught. “j-jungkook, please, y-you’re scaring me”

the building was quieter now. most of the crowd had gone, with only remnants remaining—discarded bottles, sweat, blood, cigarette ash. he stopped at the wall, and then finally, he let go. your wrist fell limp at your side as you looked up. 

jungkook turned and pointed at the wall. the names—rows of them, crossed out, some newer, all men, all marked. you stared, recognition flickering, remembering seeing them the first night back when none of this meant anything.

his chest rose and fell heavily. “read them.”

you frowned. “j-jungkook—”

“read.”

his voice was sharp, so you did, going one by one through twenty-something names and more, all crossed out.

“w-what is this?”

his eyes stayed on the wall. “every guy i’ve beaten in this building.”

he stepped closer beside you, close enough to feel the heat still radiating off him. “every one of them stepped into that ring thinking they’d break me. but they didn’t.” 

he pointed at the names. his finger dragged lower to the newest one, the one from tonight. “all crossed out. see that?”

you swallowed.

he stepped closer. “none of them could do it.” his jaw tightened. “none of them could hurt me.” his eyes darkened. then—

“but you?” his voice dropped, low and deadly quiet. “you fucked me up worse than every name on that wall. and that’s just this wall.”

the words hit like a punch, leaving you staring at him, frozen.

“no fists.” he tapped his chest. “just this.” another step. “you disappeared and i stopped sleeping.” another. “stopped thinking.” another. “got my ass beat tonight because my head’s been stuck on you.”

your eyes filled again.

“you keep saying i’ll leave.” jungkook shook his head, disbelieving. “look at me.”

you did.

“look at what i am.” he spread his arms slightly, blood still dried at his knuckles. “this is what i do.” his eyes burned into yours. “this is where i belong… and i still chose you.”

his breathing slowed, but his voice didn’t soften.

“so don’t stand there and tell me what i should or shouldn’t want.” a pause, his eyes flicking over your face. “if i want you—” he stepped into your space, close enough your breaths tangled, “that’s my fucking choice.”

he dragged a hand over his face and shook his head once, like he couldn’t believe he even had to explain this. “god, y/n…” his voice dropped, rough and tired. “you have no idea what you do to me. i wait outside your bakery like an idiot. i drive across town at two in the morning because you’re hungry. you make me check my phone every five fucking minutes.”

your eyes watered.

jungkook stepped closer, slower this time. “you make me wanna slow down.” his voice dropped lower. “you make me feel calm. and angry. and insane. you make me care… and i don’t care about shit.”

your tears fell harder, because now it wasn’t vague anymore—it was real, specific, undeniable.

jungkook swallowed hard, “so don’t stand there and tell me this is easy. because i feel things i’ve spent my life avoiding.”

and there it was: truth. your lips parted, tears clinging to your lashes as you stared at him like you wanted to believe every word.

“p-people don’t feel like that about me. y-you’re just caught up in it. the fighting. the adrenaline. y-you don’t mean it.”

that did it. jungkook turned angry, disbelieving, then shook his head. his hand grabbed the hem of his shirt, lifting it. 

“then what the fuck is this y/n?!”

there, right against his right ribcage: ink.  y/n.

jungkook’s finger jabbed at it, “adrenaline? a phase? bored?”

your eyes widened and your entire body went still, because this—this wasn’t temporary. this wasn’t kindness, this wasn’t confusion… this was permanence. and suddenly, everything he’d been saying became terrifyingly real.

“j-jungkook…” your eyes stayed locked on the ink. your name. your name on him, permanent. your breath stuttered. “w-what did you do?”

his laugh came out sharp and disbelieving. “what does it look like?”

“j-jungkook!” your voice cracked. “th-that’s permanent!”

“yeah.” his answer came too fast, too certain.

“th-this is forever!”

jungkook stepped closer. “good. i’m not interested in temporary.” he took another step. “you think i put your name on me because i’m planning to walk away?”

you shook your head, overwhelmed. “y-you don’t know what you’re asking for.” you swallowed hard. “i-i don’t know how to be what you need.”

that one made him go still, really still. his voice softened just enough. “i just need you.”

your lips trembled. “i-i can’t.” you shook your head, tears falling faster now. “i-i can’t do this. y-you don’t understand what it feels like. i-i spent my whole life being left behind. passed around like i was nothing. never enough for anyone to stay.”

jungkook swallowed.

you looked at him, really looked at him, and that made it harder because he was everything—everything you ever wanted. “a-and then i met you. you made everything feel… warm.” your hand pressed against your chest like it hurt. “safe.” another tear slipped. “a-and i hate that.”

his brows pulled together, not angry, but wounded.

“b-because now i know what it feels like.” your voice dropped to almost a whisper. “a-and i can’t survive losing this.”

jungkook took a slow careful breath, like he was choosing his last words wisely. “y/n… i’m serious about you.”

you said nothing, just cried.

he stepped closer one last time. “i’m here. i want you.”

nothing. your eyes stayed on the ground, your silence killing him. then—his voice dropped lower, “…do you even want me?”

that one broke everything, because he sounded vulnerable now. his eyes searched for yours, begging quietly, desperately, but your gaze stayed on the ground. you couldn’t answer, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, only cry.

and after a while, jungkook nodded once, slowly, like he understood, or thought he did. he swallowed hard. “okay… i’m sorry.”

your breath caught. his voice was empty now, flat. “forget this happened.” he looked away, wiped at his mouth. “i’ll take you home.”

then he turned and started walking. one step, two, three.

your head lifted in panic—real panic—because this was it. your mouth opened, but nothing came out as your chest tightened. 

say something! say something before he gets farther, before it’s over.

you closed your eyes and confessed: “i do!”

jungkook stopped.

your tears fell harder as you forced it out, shaking and broken. “i do want you.”

slowly, he turned back around, his eyes landing on you immediately, “what did you just say?”

your breath hitched and you wiped your face quickly, but the tears didn’t stop. “i said… i want you.”

he stayed silent, not convinced, not yet. “say it again.”

your heart stuttered, but you stepped forward anyway, like something inside you finally stopped running. “i want you.” your voice cracked. “i want you, jungkook.”

your hands lifted before you even realized, pressing against his chest like you needed to hold onto something real. “i want you! i want you, i want you!” your voice broke fully now, tears spilling hard. “i want you, i want you—please—” you looked up at him now, completely undone. “i want you, jungkook.”

his name fell out like a plea. your fingers clenched into his shirt. “please believe me.”

jungkook looked down at you, and for the first time he didn’t look angry, didn’t look dominant, didn’t look sure. his voice came out quieter, controlled, careful. “swear it.”

your lips trembled, and then you broke: “i swear.” your face almost touched his chest as you shook your head. “i swear, jungkook. i swear, i swear—” your voice collapsed into itself. “i’m so sorry.”

his eyes flickered just slightly.

“i’m so sorry i hurt you.” your fingers tightened around his shirt like you were afraid he’d disappear if you let go. “please… please don’t leave me.”

yet jungkook didn’t move, didn’t reach for you, didn’t pull you closer. he just stood there like he was holding himself together by force alone, his eyes stayed locked on yours, unblinking. then, quietly: “explain your actions.”

you blinked through tears, gathering yourself together before giving him an explanation that was well overdue. “i didn’t just leave because of you.”

he stayed still, listening.

“a few days ago… the bakery owner came by. he never comes. like… ever. he told me he was closing it, just like that. he gave me some money. said it was a ‘thank you’ for working there and i used it to get out of town.” a pause, your fingers trembling against him. “that was the first thing.” you exhaled shakily. 

“second thing, after our third date…” you hesitated.

jungkook’s eyes narrowed slightly.

you forced yourself to continue. “when you said you’d keep me anyway… it scared me.” you shook your head quickly. “not because i didn’t want it. but because i’ve never done this before. i’ve never been someone’s… anything like this. i don’t know how to be a girlfriend. i just—i don’t know what i’m supposed to do.”

your hands clung tighter to him like he was the only thing keeping you upright.

“and i kept thinking…maybe you just… don’t know me enough yet. maybe if you did, you’d realize you deserve someone different.”

he remained silent.

“the bakery was all i had. it was the only thing that stayed… and then you happened. you kept showing up, taking care of me. it felt good. too good. and soon,” you swallowed as his eyes moved back to you. “i realized… i was in love with you.”

your confession came out mindlessly, hitting him a million times harder than ever. jungkook took a breath like he needed it to stay standing. his eyes stayed on you, and for a long moment he didn’t speak.

then, “…you’re unbelievable.”

your chest tightened immediately.

“you really think all of that…” he gestured slightly between you both. “…was you failing at something? you think i did all of that for someone i didn’t choose?”

jungkook stared at you like he was trying to make you see it. “you need to understand something,” his eyes softening just slightly. “i don’t do things halfway. if i show up, it’s because i want to.” his hands reached to touch your waist. “if i stay, it’s because i choose to.”

your tears fell again, quietly now, not frantic, just overflowing.

he exhaled, shaky this time, like it was finally getting to him too. “and you?” his eyes searched yours. “…you think you were just convenient to me?”

he shook his head once, small, hurt. “don’t do that. don’t remove yourself from this when i’m already here.”

his voice cracked slightly, “you said you’re in love with me… so stop acting like i’m not already in it with you.”

and that did it. jungkook’s last words hung in the air like something final, and then you broke.  your hands grabbed at his shirt like you were afraid the ground would open up again. “i’m sorry—i’m sorry, i’m sorry—” the words tumbled out faster than your breath could follow. “i didn’t mean it like that, i didn’t mean to leave, i didn’t mean to hurt you—”

your voice cracked completely; you couldn’t even finish sentences anymore, just broken pieces of apology. his arms came around you steady and firm, like he’d been waiting for you to fall apart into him this whole time. your forehead pressed against him as your body shook.

his head lowered slowly until his face pressed near your neck. he breathed in, trying to ground himself in you. one hand slid up to the back of your head, fingers threading gently into your hair, cradling you there. his thumb moved in small, absent circles against your scalp, and his voice came out lower now, with no anger left in it, only something shaken. “shhh… shhh… it’s okay. i’ve got you. you’re here now, that’s all i care about.”

your hands clenched into his shirt as if that was the only thing keeping you real, and jungkook just stayed there, holding you through it. you both stayed there for a long while, relieved to finally be in each other’s embrace after all that tension and chaos. your breathing finally slowed, and the shaking turned into quiet hiccups instead of full sobs. 

when you finally pulled back, your hands were still lightly gripping his shirt like you didn’t fully trust space yet. your eyes were puffy, red, but clearer as you looked at him like you were trying to memorize the fact he was still here.

“…from the bottom of my heart,” you whispered, voice still fragile, “i am sorry.”

jungkook didn’t hesitate. his thumb came up immediately, brushing across your cheek, wiping away what was left of your tears. “i forgive you.”

then he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to your forehead. you let out a small shaky breath as a sad smile tugged at your lips. you hugged him again, then pulled back just enough to press a quick kiss to his cheek. 

“let’s get out of here.” jungkook tilted his head slightly. “come on. we’ll go home.”

you blinked at him, then quickly shook your head. “no—no…” you swallowed. “…i wanna go home with you.”

that made something in his expression soften again, almost amused, almost relieved. “wasn’t planning on going home alone, baby.”

your cheeks flushed instantly and you looked away like that helped. he took your hand instead, turning it over in his grip before pressing a slow kiss to the back of it, then started walking with you side by side. 

“we’ll stop by your place and grab your things.”

you nodded quickly, your voice smaller but calmer now. “okay…”

and just as you were about to fully relax into the moment—his grip tightened slightly around your hand. 

“and y/n…” you looked up at him. he didn’t look at you immediately, just kept walking. “…don’t ever fucking do that again.”

you packed just enough for a few nights—some clothes, your charger, toothbrush, and of course your two bunnies stuffed carefully into the bag.

the ride to his place was exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. your arms stayed locked around his waist the entire time, holding him tighter than you ever had before, your face pressed lightly into the fabric of his jacket. and jungkook didn’t miss it—his hand occasionally came down to cover yours, pressing your fingers flush against his stomach just to ground you.

when the bike finally rumbled to a stop in front of his apartment building, your eyes lifted. it was nice. really nice. clean, quiet, modern. nothing extravagant, but far from what you were used to.

you followed him into the lobby and into the elevator, watching the numbers climb in silence. then came a long, dimly lit hallway, stopping in front of a door near the end. he unlocked it, pushed it open, and stepped aside to let you go first. he came in after you, flicking the main lights on. and immediately—you froze.

“wow.”

it slipped out before you could filter it. jungkook glanced at you, then at his apartment, then back at you, a shoulder shrugging slightly. “it’s just an apartment.”

but to you, it wasn’t. it was warm. clean. big. the floors were polished dark wood, the couch looked plush and absurdly expensive, and a massive flat-screen sat against the main wall. wide windows stretched across the far side, the glowing city lights spilling across the room. it felt stable and safe. “make yourself at home.”

you looked back at him and nodded slowly, stepping deeper inside. you walked carefully, observing every small detail—the warm dimming light over the kitchen island, a pair of framed fight gloves hanging near a bookshelf, the comforting quiet of the space.

jungkook stayed where he was for a moment, and it hit him all over again. the girl he’d been losing his mind over—the girl he’d bled over, cried over, fought over—was here in his apartment. staying the night with him.

he tapped away on his phone, ordering something warm, filling, and heavy. after locking his screen, he found you standing by the massive window, looking out at the sprawling city below. 

jungkook walked up behind you, and when his arms wrapped around your waist, pulling you gently back against his chest, your breath caught—but only for a second. then you melted, letting your full weight lean into him. his chin rested lightly near your shoulder, his broad chest radiating a deep, steadying warmth through your back.

your eyes stayed on the glowing grid below. “it’s pretty from up here.”

jungkook hummed, his grip tightening around you just a fraction. “yeah.” a beat passed, his voice dropping lower, rough against your ear. “got a better view right here though.”

your heart skipped a violent beat. a shy small smile tugged at your mouth, and you turned slowly within his hold until you were facing him. silence stretched between you where you just looked at each other. your gaze dropped from his eyes to his lips, and back up to his eyes again. your breath softened, your own lips pressing together unconsciously.

jungkook noticed. his eyes searched yours one last time, silent and asking, waiting for any sign of hesitation. and when you didn’t pull back, he leaned down. your eyes fluttered shut, and then—his lips touched yours.

everything stopped. all the running, all the fear, all the noise in your head—gone. jungkook’s hand slid up from your waist to the side of your face, his broad palm cupping your cheek, holding you there like he was terrified you’d slip through his fingers.

when he pulled back just a millimeter and kissed you again, you didn’t hesitate. you kissed him back.

his breath hitched against your mouth. the sweet compliant way you yielded to him snapped something inside his chest that had been coiled tight for months. his hand on your cheek slid down to wrap firmly around the back of your neck, his fingers tangling into your hair and tilting your head back.

the kiss shifted instantly—losing its cautious edge, growing dirtier, hungrier, heavier.

jungkook’s other arm hauled you flush against him by your waist, lifting you slightly so your toes were barely scraping the floor. he dragged his mouth across yours with an intense possessive friction, his tongue parting your lips to claim you completely. a soft, helpless gasp escaped your throat, and jungkook swallowed the sound whole, deepening the kiss until your head spun.

without breaking the kiss, he hooked your legs around him and walked to his sofa where he sat you on top of him. he pressed into you, anchoring you against his meaty thighs. his hands were everywhere—gripping your waist hard enough to leave faint pressure marks, sliding up your ribs, flattening against your back to pull your chest flush against his.

the taste of him overwhelmed you. you pulled him closer, trying your best to match his pace, it was your first kiss after all. 

a low, raspy groan vibrated deep in jungkook’s throat when you accidentally arched your hips and grinded onto him—a sound so raw and undone it sent a wave of liquid heat straight to your stomach. his mouth left yours to drag down your jawline, his teeth nipping lightly at the sensitive skin right under your ear before sucking a harsh, bruising mark into your neck.

you gasped, your fingers tightening in his hair. “jungkook”

he came back up, capturing your mouth in a wet, heavy kiss that cut off your words entirely. his hips pressed firmly down against yours, leaving absolutely no doubt about what you were doing to him, the hard line of his body pressing ruthlessly against your core. it was heavy, suffocating, and addicting.

when he finally tore his mouth away, both of you were gasping for air, chest heaving against chest. his forehead dropped heavily against yours, his eyes dark, blown out, and completely feral as he stared down at you.

“fuck,” he rasped, his voice wrecked, completely ruined by the sheer effort of holding himself back.

a tiny, breathless laugh bubbled up from your chest. “you kissed me.”

his mouth twitched, a dangerous heat still flickering in his eyes. “yeah. been wanting to do that.”

your cheeks burned hot, but this time, you didn't look away. you stayed right there, trapped against him, letting him see every bit of the effect he had on you.

jungkook growled softly, bringing his mouth back down on yours with zero caution left. it was hard, messy, and commanding. his hands gripped your hips, lifting you slightly to adjust you on him, his chest crushing yours while his tongue worked over yours with a possessive, filthy intensity that made your mind go completely blank. you clung to him like a lifeline, dizzy from the heavy touch of him, completely lost in the way he claimed every breath out of your lungs.

ding-dong. the chime of the doorbell echoed sharply through the quiet apartment.

jungkook froze mid-kiss, his forehead resting against yours. he stared up at the ceiling, closed his eyes, and let out a dry, disbelieving laugh.

“…saved by dinner.”

you laughed—a real, bright, breathless sound that bubbled right out of your chest. jungkook looked down at you, his softened expression melting into pure quiet devotion as he watched you smile.

dinner was nothing fancy. just takeout spread across his sleek kitchen counter. jungkook kept putting food onto your plate every time he noticed you slowing down, and you kept eating it, this time without him having to argue, press, or tease you into taking another bite.

when you were finally done, he gathered the plastic containers, tossed them in the trash, and wiped his hands on a napkin before glancing back at you. “you can use the shower.”

you hesitated, your fingers twisting together nervously in your lap. “can… can i borrow one of your shirts?”

his eyes flickered, “to sleep?”

you nodded, swallowing hard.

his jaw shifted, a muscle flexing in his cheek. “yeah.” he cleared his throat, looking away toward the hallway to catch his breath. “top drawer.”

you disappeared into the bathroom after that, shutting the door quietly behind you.

jungkook sat on the edge of his bed, scrolling through his phone—or pretending to. his mind kept circling back to you. here. in his place. wearing his clothes. wanting him. it was fucking with him bad. when the bathroom door opened with a soft click, he looked up, and forgot how to breathe.

your hair was still damp, sticking slightly to the nape of your neck. your skin was clean, bare, and glowing soft under the hall light. his shirt hung ridiculously loose on your small frame, the shoulders drooping and the sleeves falling past your elbows. too big, too perfect. you stopped right in your tracks, staring at him as he sat frozen on the mattress. “what’s wrong?”

jungkook blinked once, forced his eyes up. “nothin’.”

your brows narrowed in suspicion. “what are you thinking?”

he looked you up and down once—slowly, deliberately, dragging his eyes over the bare skin of your legs before bringing his gaze back up to your face. “nothin’ safe.”

your eyes widened in shock. “jungkook!”

he laughed, low and easy, the tension breaking as he finally pushed himself off the bed and walked toward you. when he reached you, his heavy hands slid briefly over your waist before he leaned down, his mouth brushing right near your temple. “wait for me in bed.”

his lips pressed firmly against your forehead, lingering there for a long beat. he inhaled softly—taking in the scent of his own soap, warm and sweet on your skin. fuck. he pulled away and walked into the bathroom before he could do something stupid.

the shower didn’t help. if anything, it made it ten times worse, because all he could picture was you lying under his sheets, waiting for him.

when he finally came out—grey sweatpants hanging low on his hips, hair damp, skin radiating heat from the water—you were already there. tucked under his heavy comforter, sitting quietly with the sheets pulled up to your chest.

his chest tightened violently at the sight. then his eyes moved around the room, searching the nightstands and the floor. “where’re your bunnies?”

you looked up at him, then shook your head softly. “not tonight… i just want you.”

a small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. he walked over and climbed into bed beside you, the mattress dipping beneath his weight. then, his arm slid heavy around your waist, pulling you flush into his side like pure instinct. your head rested naturally against his bare chest, his heartbeat slow, deep, and steady beneath your cheek.

your arms tightened around his waist, pulling yourself as close to him as physically possible. jungkook kissed the top of your head before you both drifted into your slumber.

when you woke up, the room was warm and quiet. sunlight spilled through the gap in the heavy curtains, painting pale, glowing lines across the dark sheets.

you stretched a little, your body still heavy with sleep. the slight movement stirred him. you tilted your head up. his hair was messy, sticking up in soft tufts. his eyes were still closed, his mouth slightly parted, long lashes resting against his skin. something about seeing him like this—so unguarded, so entirely yours—made a soft smile touch your lips.

“good morning.”

jungkook’s hand moved lazily into your hair, his broad fingers brushing over your scalp without him even opening his eyes. “mmm.”

you giggled softly at the sound. “sleep well?”

his voice came out deep, rough, and heavy with sleep. “best fuckin’ sleep ever.”

that made you laugh, a sweet sound in the quiet room. “me too.”

neither of you in any rush to move or start the day. your fingers wandered absently over the bare skin of his side, trailing lightly over his ribs—until they landed right on the texture of the ink. your name.

you traced the letters carefully, feeling every line. jungkook’s eyes opened at the touch, his dark gaze dropping to watch your fingers move over his side.

your voice came barely above a whisper, “did it hurt?”

“mhm...” he looked down at your face, his thumb stroking the soft skin of your waist. “but not as much as you leaving.”

your chest tightened immediately. your fingers stilled on his ribs and a wave of guilt flickered across your face so fast he caught it instantly.

jungkook frowned—he didn’t like that look on you. not anymore. his hand came up, his fingers cupping your jaw and tilting your chin up so you had no choice but to look at him.

“hey,” his voice was low and firm. “i already forgave you.”

you swallowed hard. “i know, but—”

“no.”

before you could finish the thought, he pulled you closer, tugging you higher until your chest was pressed against his. still half asleep, still radiating heat. he rested his chin right on top of your head.

“you’re here, that’s all i wanted.”

for a little while longer, neither of you moved. just stayed there, tangled up in each other, like the morning had nowhere else to be and the rest of the world could wait.

the rest of the day passed quietly, like both of you were still adjusting to the beautiful reality of it all. you stayed in. neither of you had the energy to go anywhere after everything that had happened, so jungkook threw on some random action movie that neither of you paid attention to. 

you sat curled into his side on the couch while takeout containers piled up on the coffee table. sometimes he’d absentmindedly feed you pieces of his food when he noticed you staring; sometimes you’d steal his drink right out of his hand. just small domestic moments that felt a little strange at first, but completely right.

the next two days passed like this… slow mornings,  late breakfasts, shared showers—separate ones for now. tv playing softly in the background while jungkook trained lightly in the living room, doing push-ups and stretching while you sat nearby watching some baking show. more takeout, more after-dinner walks, more laughter. and sometimes, more kissing…

little things at first: quick kisses in the kitchen, sleepy kisses in bed before your eyes could fully open, lingering ones on the couch. but sometimes, they got heavier. hungrier.

like the one where you sat right in his lap, your hands tangled in his dark hair while jungkook kissed you like he was trying very hard not to lose his mind. his grip on your waist tightened until your hips were crushed flush against his and your breath caught sharply against his mouth. 

once, you even felt so confident you lifted your shirt to reveal yourself in your lacy bra while grinding on his hard and hungry cock. and for a second, he almost forgot himself. but he pulled away suddenly, his forehead thudding against yours as his chest heaved, breathing hard and ragged.

“fuck.” jungkook squeezed his eyes shut, his jaw flexing tight. “gimme five minutes.”

before you could even ask, he stood up, setting you gently on the cushion, and disappeared down the hall into the bathroom. a second later, the sharp hiss of the shower turned on—ice cold.

you stared after him, then slowly smiled to yourself, hiding your face in your hands. because even now—even when he wanted more, when his whole body was burning for you, he still stopped. somehow, knowing that he wouldn’t let himself takeover if you weren’t ready, made your heart fall even harder.

by the third night, the apartment was quiet except for the low muffled sounds of the tv screen—some loud violent movie jungkook had put on.

you weren’t really watching it. jungkook sat beside you, legs spread comfortably, one arm stretched across the back of the couch while he sipped on his banana milk, eyes completely glued to the screen.

you looked at him for a moment, then quietly: “koo…”

his brows twitched. a small, low hum left him. “hmm?” eyes still on the screen.

your fingers played nervously with the hem of his oversized shirt you were still wearing. “i should probably go back tomorrow.”

that got his attention immediately. his eyes moved off the screen. he grabbed the remote, paused the movie, set his drink down on the table, and turned fully toward you, his gaze intent.

“okay… sure.”

you swallowed hard, your throat suddenly dry. “i still have about a week left before they renew my lease.”

he stayed quiet, watching and listening. 

your hands twisted together in your lap. “but i was thinking of canceling it.”

jungkook stared, his brain processing the words. “where’re you gonna go?”

your voice came out smaller this time, but completely honest. “home. here.” your eyes searched his, suddenly hit with a wave of uncertainty. “with you?”

jungkook’s expression softened immediately, looking at you like there was no world where this was even a question in his mind. “i’d love nothing more than that.”

your breath caught. “really?”

“you’re really askin’ me if i want you here?” a small breath of pure disbelief left him. “i was tryna figure out how to get you to stay.” 

that made you laugh—a small, breathless sound of relief. you threw your arms around his neck. jungkook caught you easily, his strong arms hooking under your thighs and pulling you straight into his lap, holding you there as you were his entire world.

“thank you,” you whispered, your voice muffled against his skin.

“don’t thank me.” he rubbed your back slowly, his large palm tracing soothing circles against your spine. “you stay here… with me.” jungkook leaned down and kissed you. for the first time in your entire life as you held onto him, you finally felt like you were home.

~

the next morning after breakfast, jungkook called a cab; because despite everything, his bike wasn’t exactly ideal for moving… not that there was much to move anyway. 

when you got back to your apartment, it took less than twenty minutes to pack up. your toiletries, clothes, cooking book, bedsheet, blanket, and the pillow tucked under your arm. your winter boots tied together by their laces and thrown into a plastic bag. that was it. everything you owned in the world.

when it was finally time to leave, you stood by the door for a long moment, looking back around the empty space. the apartment was small, cold, half-broken. the walls were chipped, the sink leaked constantly, and the heater barely worked in the dead of winter. but somehow, you had made it yours. after the bakery, this place had become your second sanctuary. the place you came back to every night. the place where you’d cried, read, slept, survived. it wasn’t much. but it had held you when you had nothing else.

your fingers brushed the cool wood of the doorframe once as you gave a silent goodbye. you took one deep breath, turned away, and walked out into the hall, starting a new life with the man who had chosen you long before realized you had been chosen.

sooner or later, jungkook had to go back to the studio; his trainer had been blowing up his phone for days. when he finally walked into the gym, the older man looked him up and down from the ring.

the trainer crossed his arms, stepping out between the ropes. “where the hell’ve you been?”

jungkook grabbed his hand wraps, unrolling them calmly. “with her.”

the trainer blinked, then a slow smirk spread across his face. “yeah?”

jungkook shrugged like it was nothing, wrapping his knuckles with practiced ease. “we’re together.”

that alone almost made the man laugh, but then jungkook added without looking up: “she moved in.”

that shut him up instantly. for a full second, the gym was silent.

“…damn,” the trainer finally shook his head, whistling under his breath. “you move fast.”

jungkook smirked, pulling the wrap tight around his wrist. “she moves slow. balances out.”

the trainer laughed, shaking his head. “you dog.”

the days quickly found their own rhythm. jungkook trained, and you stayed. after what felt like years, you finally rested. no rushing, no constantly trying to survive the next hour. you slept in, cleaned up his place, and slowly figured out where everything went. and eventually, you started cooking. simple things at first, then baking, using his modern kitchen like it had always belonged to you.

most mornings, he’d leave early for the studio, leaving you to wake up in his oversized bed alone with his side of the mattress still warm. sometimes he’d leave a stack of cash by the kitchen counter for groceries or whatever else you needed.it was his way of taking care of you.

some days, you’d take walks on your own, wandering through nearby streets, discovering little local shops, and buying small things you needed—a few new clothes, socks, hair ties, basic things you hadn’t bought for yourself in a very long time. it felt nice. it felt normal.

late afternoon sunlight spilled lazily across the living room floor while soft music played somewhere in the background. the warm, sweet smell of cinnamon still lingered in the air from the batch of rolls you’d baked that morning.

jungkook came home later than usual. he looked exhausted—his shoulders sore, his dark hair sticking damply to his forehead, and a fresh bruise blooming right beneath his collarbone.

he dropped his heavy gym bag by the entryway, kicked off his shoes, and before he even had time to look around, you were already walking toward him.

“hey.” your smile was small, sleepy, and comfortable—the kind of look that only belonged to home.

he barely managed to mumble a quiet greeting before your hands found his face, checking him over instinctively. your thumb brushed over the broken skin carefully.

“you okay?”

he nodded once, heavy-lidded. “mhm.”

“hurt?”

“nah.”

you gave him a sharp, knowing look. “liar.”

his mouth twitched. “a little.”

you sighed dramatically, then stood up on your toes, pressing your lips to the corner of the bruise on his neck, as if that small gesture could somehow fix the damage.

“better?”

jungkook looked down at you, his dark eyes softening completely. “yeah.”

you smiled, and turned back toward the kitchen. “dinner’s almost ready.”

he didn’t move. he just stood by the front door, watching you. his kitchen, your kitchen now. his apartment, your home too.

you looked over your shoulder, catching his gaze. “koo?”

“come here.” his voice came quiet.

“but the food…” you frowned playfully. 

“baby.”

that tone—deep, low and unyielding, had you weak in the knees. you smiled to yourself and turned down the flame and walked back over, stopping right in front of him. “what’s up, koo?”

his hands found your waist automatically, pulling you flush against him until your bodies touched. 

“i’ve been thinking…” his gaze softened as he looked at you, his thumb tracing slow circles against your waist. “about what would've happened if you never came back.”

“what?” your smile faded slightly.

he swallowed. “what if you didn’t want me?”

“koo…” your heart tightened.

he squeezed your hand gently when you reached for it, “i was scared. i kept thinkin’ maybe i was the only one who’d decided this was forever.”

you intertwined your fingers with his.

“then you came back. and every morning since then, i wake up, and you’re there. i come home, and you’re there. i open the fridge, and you baked somethin’.”

a small laugh escaped you. he lifted your intertwined hands pressing a slow kiss against your knuckles, his gaze never leaving yours.

“i don't really know when it happened,” he murmured. “but all i know is i don’t remember what life felt like before you… and i don’t wanna.”

your eyes shimmered as he brushed a loose strand of hair behind your ear, his thumb lingering against your cheek.

“i love you.”

your eyes filled completely, a tiny laugh escaping between your tears. “i love you too,” your voice came out barely above a whisper. “…i love you too, koo.”

jungkook closed his eyes for a second, as though he’d finally released a breath he’d been holding for far too long. then he smiled, not the cocky smirk, not the teasing grin. the real one. the rare smile almost nobody else ever got to see. he kissed you slowly, deeply, pressing his mouth against yours like there was nowhere else in the world he’d rather be.

and somewhere behind you in the kitchen, something began to smell faintly burnt. you pulled away first, eyes widening. “uh oh… the stew.”

you both looked toward the kitchen, then at each other, before bursting into laughter—because somehow, almost burning dinner felt like the absolute smallest problem either of you had ever had.

~

weeks turned into a full month, and you eventually started visiting the studio. sometimes you brought him lunch, sometimes fresh pastries, and sometimes you came just because you wanted to see him. 

at first, you stayed in the far corner. but without even realizing it, you started stepping directly into his world. you weren’t scared anymore, just watching, learning and understanding. because loving him meant seeing all of him, even the raw bruised edges. 

and always, between rounds, his eyes would find you. without fail.

something about that gaze locked onto you across the gym made your chest swell with warmth. even in the middle of all that chaos and exertion, he still looked for you.

the trainer noticed it too, tossing his head back with a loud groan. “oi, lover boy. stop starin’ at your girl and hit the damn bag.”

you laughed softly from the bench. jungkook didn’t—he just narrowed his eyes at the older man and threw a brutal combination into the leather.

one afternoon at the studio, while you sat beside the trainer handing him a fresh cinnamon roll, the man said it casually:

“final’s in two weeks.”

your eyes lifted sharply. jungkook was inside the ring, hitting the heavy bag harder, faster, the dull thuds echoing off the high ceiling. your fingers tightened slightly around the plastic tupperware in your lap.

you stayed quiet, watching the muscles in his back flex with every strike, finally understanding what was coming—and what it could cost him.

later that night, dinner was simple—grilled beef with rice and veggies you’d prepared while jungkook sat at the counter, quietly watching you move around the kitchen. after you both ate and cleaned up the dishes, he disappeared toward the back of the apartment.

when you came out of the shower later, your hair damp and skin warm, the apartment felt strangely empty. then you noticed the balcony door cracked open just a few inches.

jungkook stood outside in the cool night air, leaning his heavy forearms against the metal railing. one hand held a burning cigarette, a thin trail of gray smoke drifting past his jaw. 

you stared at his silhouette for a second, then slid the glass door open and stepped out. the cool breeze hit your bare legs immediately.

jungkook glanced over his shoulder, his dark eyes softening instantly at the sight of you standing there—fresh out of the shower, wearing another one of his oversized shirts. his gaze lingering for a beat before he looked back out at the skyline.

you stepped right beside him, leaning your elbows on the railing, matching his posture, watching the city together. after a long moment: “you nervous?”

jungkook let out a low breath through his nose, half amused, half caught. “that obvious?”

you looked down at the cigarette between his fingers.

he followed your gaze, his jaw working. “don’t usually do this unless somethin’s on my mind.”

you nodded softly.

then: “two weeks,” he murmured. “winner takes all.”

“and if you lose?”

“i don’t.”

it wasn’t arrogance. just a cold absolute fact. you understood that about him now.

still, you looked down at his bruised knuckles resting against the metal bar, the fading yellow marks on his forearms, the hidden scars on his ribs and jaw. your chest tightened painfully.

“i’ll be there. for the finals. for all of it.”

something shifted deep in his eyes at those words—a powerful flare of emotion. he looked away again, taking one last long drag before crushing the cigarette out in the metal tray.

“don’t like you seeing me like that,” he muttered softly.

you frowned slightly. “like what?”

his voice lowered to a dark rumble. “bleeding.”

“i don’t like it either.”your expression softened completely. you stepped closer, closing the distance between you, and rested your head lightly against his shoulder. “but i know it’s part of you, and i’m here anyway.”

that right there—if it were possible right now, he’d have you wifed up and safely settled into his life. but there were still things he needed to put right first. and so, he leaned down and pressed his lips firmly against your forehead, lingering there for a long heavy beat.

you wrinkled your nose slightly. “koo...”

he blinked, pulling back just an inch. “what?”

you looked up at him, “go shower.”

his brows furrowed in disbelief. “why?”

you gave him a sharp look. “you stink.”

jungkook scoffed under his breath, a low laugh vibrating in his chest as he shook his head, following you back inside the warm apartment. “you’re lucky i like you.”

you looked over your shoulder with a subtle smirk. “you’re lucky i let you.”

that made him stop dead in his tracks for a second, just staring at your retreating back. then a slow, dangerous smirk spread across his lips.

you rolled your eyes playfully and walked ahead into the bedroom. jungkook watched you disappear down the dark hallway before dragging a hand over his face, a low groan escaping his throat.

fuck. you were getting way too comfortable. and that only made him want you a hundred times more.

a few minutes later, the bathroom door opened, steam followed him out into the bedroom while you sat on the edge of the bed absentmindedly brushing through your hair. your eyes lifted, and immediately dropped.

jungkook stood there in nothing but sweatpants. hair damp, water still trailing down his neck, over the cut line of his collarbone, and down the broad expanse of his chest.

you swallowed hard, your throat suddenly dry.

“what?” he asked, rubbing a towel through his damp hair, his dark eyes tracking you carefully.

“nothing.”

“liar.” his mouth twitched into a knowing smirk. he stopped right in front of you where you sat on the edge, close enough that you could feel the heat radiating off his skin. “you keep lookin’ at me like that.”

your breath caught in your throat. “like what?”

he leaned down slightly, bringing his face closer, “like you want somethin’.”

your hands slowly came up, resting against his stomach. his abs flexed tight beneath your palms. you slid your fingers higher, lightly tracing over the dark ink on his ribs. his broad hand found your waist, slid right beneath the hem of his shirt, resting flush against your bare skin. your body leaned into his touch without a second of hesitation. jungkook exhaled a heavy breath, his head dropping slightly as if he’d been holding himself together by a thread all night.

“you’re makin’ it real hard to be good,” he rasped, his thumb stroking the soft curve of your hip.

you smiled a little— shy but laced with a sudden confidence. “who said you had to be?”

that—that made him freeze completely. his eyes darkened, searching your face intently, stripping away every joke and tease, to make sure. 

“y/n.” his voice dropped into a rough warning, thick with a question he barely dared to ask out loud.

you answered by reaching up and pulling him down by his neck.

and this time, when his mouth hit yours, it felt entirely different. slower, deeper, heavy with a hunger that had been simmering beneath the surface for weeks. the kiss turned messy, breathless, and urgent in seconds. jungkook followed you without a drop of resistance as you backed up onto the bed, his hands roaming over your waist, your hips, the small of your back, gripping you firmly like he was trying to hold onto all of you at once.

your fingers tangled tight into his damp hair, tugging softly, earning a deep, low groan that vibrated straight from his chest into your mouth.

his kisses dragged down your jawline, pressing hot and needy against the sensitive spot beneath your ear, down the column of your neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. your breathing turned shallow and uneven, your hands finding the hem of the shirt again.

slowly, you lifted it up over your head and tossed it aside. and jungkook stopped moving completely.

he pushed himself up on his forearms, his dark eyes dragging over your bare torso—no bra. nothing between his gaze and your skin. the heavy strain beneath the low waist of his sweatpants was impossible to miss now, his cock hard and entirely flushed with heat.

“baby...” his voice came out so rough, so deep, it sounded like it physically hurt him to speak.

your heart pounded against your ribs like a trapped bird, but you didn’t pull away. you didn’t cover yourself. “i want you.”

those three words nearly snapped the last thread of his restraint. you felt the violent shudder that ran through his whole frame. but still—he held himself back. because it was you. because this wasn’t just physical; it mattered too much.

“you sure?”

“yes.” you nodded, tears of sheer emotion pricking at the corners of your eyes from how overwhelming the weight of his devotion felt. your hand reached up, cupping his jaw, steady and soft against his stubble. “i love you. i want this.”

jungkook let out a ragged groan, dropping his forehead against yours for a long second, his eyes shut tight as he squeezed his muscles to keep from rushing. then his mouth found yours again—harder, hungrier, desperate.

“you got any idea what you do to me?” his words fell against your lips between bruising kisses. 

“how you make me feel?” another kiss, deeper, pulling a soft gasp from your throat. 

“you’re so fucking beautiful.” his breath was shaking now. “been tryin’ so fucking hard to be patient with you… tryin’ not to lose my mind every time you sit in my lap.”

you let out a breathy, weak laugh against his mouth, but he pulled back just enough to look at you, his large hands coming up to cradle your face.

“you know i love you, right?”

you nodded, your thumbs stroking his knuckles.

he lifted your hand and pressed a slow, reverent kiss to the back of it, his dark eyes locked onto yours. “love you so fucking much.” he rested his forehead back against yours, his voice dropping into a rough whisper. “if we do this… there’s no turnin’ back. you’re mine.”

“good,” you whispered against his lips. “i don’t want to turn back.”

that was all he needed to hear.

he stripped you out of your panties and his sweatpants, tossing them off the edge of the bed until there was nothing left between you but skin, heat, and raw anticipation. he hovered over you, shifting his weight so he didn’t crush you, his eyes never once leaving your face as his broad body covered yours.

he leaned down and caught your boob in his mouth. kissing, licking and sucking your meaty flesh had him drunk dazed as he couldn’t help but take his right hand and started pumping his cock at the mere taste of you. you were so fucking delicious.

the room started filling with your soft moans as he continued to trail his mouth down to your belly, stopping right above your heat. he lifted his head, a quiet gesture of permission to allow him to continue further. and when you nodded, he hooked the back of your knees over his shoulders, pressing light kisses over the lips before spreading you wide and devouring your pussy like it was the best fucking thing ever. 

the feeling of his tongue sliding against your clit only made you louder and louder as he ate you out like a man starved. you arched your hips up, a plea for wanting more as you struggled to maintain the absolute pleasure he was already giving. and when you reached your high, jungkook made sure not to waste a single drop of your slick. oh boy, was he in for a treat.

he pulled away and came back and kissed you passionately, residue of your slick slipping past his tongue and into your mouth. 

jungkook couldn’t wait any longer at this point. sliding his hands down your outer thighs, he lifted your legs to rest over his hips. he aligned himself against you, the hot pre-cum from the head of his length pressing directly against your core. he paused right there, his muscles trembling with the effort of holding back, his knuckles white where he braced himself on the mattress beside your head.

“look at me,” he commanded softly, his voice thick and dark. “i’ll go slow, my love.”

you looked up, your eyes wide and shining, your hands gripping his biceps. he pushed forward—slowly, deliberately, sinking into your tight warmth inch by excruciating inch. you let out a sharp gasp, your back arching off the bed as the intense fullness filled you completely. he was big and meaty—the sheer size of him felt overwhelming for your virgin pussy. but that soon turned into something beyond what any words could describe.

jungkook froze instantly, his jaw working hard, his throat bobbing as he swallowed down a groan. he buried his face in the crook of your neck, his breath hot against your collarbone, holding completely still to let your body stretch and adjust to him. “fuck… you okay? tell me if it’s too much.”

“no,” you whimpered, your fingers digging into the muscle of his shoulders, pulling him down harder against you. “no, koo… it’s not too much. it feels… s-so good.”

at your words, a low, primal sound tore from his chest. he lifted his head, his dark eyes gleaming with raw, possessive heat. he began to move—a slow deep pull all the way out before driving back in, full and unhurried. every thrust was heavy, deliberate, and thick with restraint, setting a rhythm that made your head tilt back against the pillow. soft shattered gasps escaping your lips.

“that’s it, baby” he muttered, his thumb reaching down to stroke over your sensitive center as he rocked his hips against yours, hitting that sweet, deep spot inside you over and over. “fuck fuck fuck, baby, you feel so fucking good.”

the sensation was overwhelming—the friction of his bare skin, the heavy weight of him pinning you down, the dark, rhythmic thud of his hips matching the frantic beat of your heart. you wrapped your legs tighter around his waist, dragging him as deep into you as he could go.

“you’re so fucking beautiful. so mine. so wet and tight for me.” jungkook’s restraint broke. the pace shifted from slow and worshipful to hard rolling thrusts, his breath coming in heavy ragged hitches. “give it all to me, baby. just like that.”

the headboard thudded rhythmically against the wall, the sound of your skin meeting his filling the quiet room alongside your breathless cries. “ohh fuck you’re squeezing me. trynna drive me nuts, bunny?”

“koo, baby, wait—” you gasped out, your hands clutching at his back, your inner muscles coiling tight, shuddering violently around him.

“don’t wait,” he growled against your mouth, catching your lower lip between his teeth as he drove into you harder, faster, meeting every squeeze of your body. “let go. be a good girl and cum for koo.”

the tension snapped inside you like a pulled wire. your body convulsed around him, a loud cry breaking from your throat as waves of intense pleasure crashed over you, rippling through your core.

sensing your release, jungkook let out a harsh guttural groan. he buried himself deep into you one last time, his hips locking tight against yours as he spilled inside you, his whole body tensing hard before he collapsed forward, burying his face in your hair.

for a long time, the only sound in the room was your heavy labored breathing.

jungkook didn’t pull out immediately. he stayed right there, heavy and warm over you, his broad hand stroke down your side, keeping you pinned close to his heart. slowly, he shifted his weight to the side, pulling you with him so you were curled flush against his chest, your legs still tangled together beneath the sheets.

his lips pressed against your forehead, lingering there for a long, quiet minute while his heartbeat steadying beneath your cheek.

“you’re mine,” he murmured into your damp hair, his voice low, possessive, and completely satisfied. “i love you so much.”

you smiled softly into his bare chest, “i love you too, koo.”

~

jungkook woke first.

and for a second, he just lay there, staring at you. your hair was a messy halo across his pillow, your face completely relaxed, still sleeping deeply with your head resting right over his heart. his broad arm was wrapped heavily around your waist, holding you flush against his side like it had stayed anchored there all night.

and then—a stupid helpless grin spread across his face. wide. shameless. completely unraveled.

because fuck, you were here, in his bed, after last night. he leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to the crown of your head, unable to help himself.

that stirred you awake. you shifted slightly, let out a tiny sleepy hum, and blinked up at him through heavy lashes. soft, gorgeous, completely his.

“morning,” you mumbled, your voice thick with sleep.

his grin only got worse. “morning.”

you squinted at him, noticing the ridiculously bright look on his face. “why are you smiling like that?”

he scoffed, a quiet rumble in his chest. “can’t smile now?”

you narrowed your eyes playfully. “not like that. you look smug.”

he leaned down, catching your lips in a slow, lazy kiss. then another. and another.

“slept good?” he murmured against your mouth.

you smiled into the kiss, your hands sliding up his chest to trail over his shoulders. “mhm.”

he brushed a stray strand of hair back from your forehead, his dark eyes melting with affection. “good.”

you kissed him again. then again. and again. until the lazy morning kisses naturally shifted—getting slower, deeper, hotter. jungkook’s large hand slid down over the curve of your waist, his fingers digging gently into your bare skin as he pulled you closer, preparing to roll you under him.

but before he could, you shifted.

with a smooth, sudden confidence that caught him completely off guard, you swung one leg over his hips and rolled on top of him.

suddenly, you were straddling his waist, sitting bare-skinned over his lap, looking down at him.

jungkook froze completely. his breath hitched in his throat, his hands stalling on your thighs as he blinked up at you.

“what’re you doing?”

you smiled—sweet, soft, and dangerously bold. “how ’bout round two, koo?”

for a full heavy second, he just stared at you. his dark eyes wide like his brain had completely short-circuited.

then he let out a low disbelieving laugh, his hands instantly gripping your hips with a firm possessive strength.

“baby,” he muttered, his voice dropping an octave into a rough, husky growl as he looked up at you like you were trying to kill him. his thumbs pressed deep into your skin, feeling the heat of your core resting directly over the heavy, rapidly hardening length rising between his thighs. “you keep this up and i’m never lettin’ you outta this bed.”

your cheeks warmed instantly at his tone, but you didn't back down. instead, you leaned forward, rolling your hips subtly against his, grinding yourself down against him until a guttural groan tore from his throat.

jungkook shook his head, a dangerous grin breaking across his lips. “cute in the morning and evil too.”

he didn’t wait another second. his hands surged up to wrap around your waist, hauling you down violently into another kiss. 

he flipped you easily onto your back, taking control, his thick thigh sliding between yours to force your legs wide open. there was no slow buildup this time; the air in the room turned thick with heat and slick friction within seconds. jungkook guided his hard length straight back into your wet sensitive core with one heavy thrust that pinned your shoulders to the mattress and tore a breathless scream from your lips.

he worked over you with a raw morning urgency—his skin slick with sweat, his hips driving deep and rhythmic, his mouth leaving dark, possessive marks down your throat and breasts while your fingernails dug deep into the muscles of his back. when the shattering wave of your climax hit, jungkook drove into you three more brutal helpless times before spilling deep inside you with a ragged groan, collapsing over your trembling body and holding you tight against his chest while the rest of the morning disappeared completely behind locked doors.

~

the next two weeks passed faster than either of you expected.

life settled into a rhythmic, steady pattern. jungkook trained harder than ever—earlier mornings, later nights, his focus sharpening into something terrifyingly absolute as the finals drew closer.

every session at the studio lasted longer than the last. more rounds. more drills. more dark bruises blooming across his ribcage. more ice packs resting on his swollen knuckles at night. his trainer didn’t go easy on him. he never had.

while he fought and bled in the gym—you quietly built a life around him. 

you kept his apartment warm, grounded, and welcoming. the kitchen was always stocked, his laundry folded neatly and put away. sometimes he’d come home late, exhausted to his bones, to find a hot dinner already waiting on the counter. 

sometimes just you—curled up on the couch in one of his oversized t-shirts, reading one of your books in the quiet glow of the lamp.

those became his favorite evenings. he’d drop his heavy gym bag by the door, walk over without a word, and bury his face in the crook of your neck for five full minutes just to recharge.

there were days you visited the studio, bringing lunch, fresh coffee, whatnot. 

other days—you disappeared for a few hours on your own, wandering the city streets and coming back with a small paper bag tucked securely under your arm.

when jungkook asked where you’d been, you’d simply smile, soft and mysterious. “just out.”

he didn’t press. he trusted you entirely. if you wanted him to know, you’d tell him in your own time. and that was more than enough for him.

some nights, jungkook would crash onto the bed and fall asleep before his head even fully hit the pillow, his body completely spent. other nights, he’d sit on the balcony late into the dark hours, a cigarette smoldering between his fingers while you sat beside him, resting your head quietly against his shoulder.

the morning of the finals arrived before either of you felt fully ready. jungkook sat at the kitchen counter in a plain black hoodie, his hands wrapped in clean tape, barely touching the breakfast you’d set out for him. his mind was already miles away, inside the ring, pacing back and forth behind his intense eyes.

you noticed his lack of appetite. you said nothing, simply reaching over to place a warm cup of tea beside his hand.

he noticed that too. he looked up from the counter, his dark gaze locking onto yours, taking in your calm unwavering face. and somehow, in the quiet stillness of that cold morning, that made him love you even more.

the arena was louder than usual. even backstage, the crowd echoed through the thick concrete walls—every cheer, every whistle, every chant vibrating right beneath your feet. 

jungkook stood quietly in the corner of the locker room, hands already wrapped tight in white tape, eyes closed, breathing slow and steady. he wasn’t nervous, just preparing. 

you walked over carefully, your shoes making no sound against the tiles, not wanting to interrupt whatever sacred ritual this was. he heard your footsteps anyway, his eyes opening immediately and softening the second they landed on you.

“hey,” he murmured. 

you smiled up at him, whispering, “i won’t keep you.” 

he stepped closer automatically, like his body always found yours now, no matter where you were in a room. 

“i’m gonna be out there.” you smiled, soft and sure. you reached up, placing both hands gently against his face, and pressed one soft kiss right against his lips—brief and warm. “i’ll be rootin’ for ya.” 

“you better,” he teased, a faint smirk twitching at the corner of his mouth. you squeezed his hand once, letting the warmth linger, then turned and walked toward the arena entrance without looking back. 

the moment the door closed behind you, someone spoke from the shadows of the hallway. “done bein’ cute?” 

jungkook snorted, not even bothering to turn around. “shut up.” 

his trainer walked over, broad arms folded over his chest, looking him up and down with critical eyes. “you ready?” 

jungkook nodded. “yeah.” 

the older man stood beside him quietly for a long moment, staring toward the dark entrance to the tunnel. then— “remember what i taught you?” 

jungkook answered without hesitation. “hands up. move my feet. don’t chase. breathe.” 

his trainer nodded slowly. “and?” 

jungkook smirked, his eyes hardening into steel. “…kick his ass.” 

“there it is.”

they both laughed, cutting through the thick tension in the room. then the trainer stepped closer and placed a heavy hand on jungkook’s shoulder. 

“you’ve worked hard for tonight. you don’t owe anybody anything. not me. not them.” he nodded toward the roaring crowd echoing outside. “you go out there… and you remind yourself who the hell you are.” 

jungkook swallowed once, his throat working hard. “yes, sir.” the older man smiled—a real one, rare and unshielded. 

“i’m proud of you, kid.”

that landed harder than any punch ever had in his entire career. jungkook looked away for a second, jaw clenching as he tried not to let the weight of it show. then he threw an arm over the trainer’s broad shoulder, pulling him closer until their foreheads bumped together—the exact way they’d done before every important fight for years. before sponsors, before championships, before any of this. just coach and kid. 

the trainer closed his eyes for a second. “all the best, kid.” jungkook nodded against him. “see you after.”

then, the venue speakers exploded. 

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…” the arena erupted into violent sound. “AND IN THE BLUE CORNER…” 

jungkook rolled his shoulders once, cracking his neck, adjusting his gloves. his trainer gave him one last sharp slap on the back. “go.” 

“JEEEEOOONNNN JUNGKOOOOOOOK!” the tunnel lights burst blinding white, the roar became deafening, and jungkook walked forward into the light.

the finals were brutal, messy, bloody—everything jungkook had trained for, everything he had left in him laid raw out on the canvas. round after round, the arena shook with every hit, every dodge, every heavy fall. his body took damage—sharp cuts opening, blood dripping onto his chest, sweat stinging his eyes. so did the other guy. 

but jungkook endured, like he always did, moving like a storm. and in the end, he stood in the center of the ring, hand raised high by the referee, victorious, breathing hard, chest heaving, bleeding, and entirely alive.

by the time everything settled, the crowd had thinned into quiet trickles, the overwhelming noise finally dying behind the heavy concrete walls. 

the trainer walked beside you both toward the back exit. everything felt lighter now, like a crushing weight had finally lifted off all three of your shoulders. 

the trainer stopped first, looked at jungkook, then at you, a small proud smile tugging at his mouth. he pulled jungkook into a rough brief hug, patting his back twice hard enough to echo. “golden boy.” 

jungkook laughed tiredly, wiping at his swollen eye. “yeah, yeah.” 

then the trainer turned to you, pulling you into a warm hug too. “take care, sweetheart.” 

you smiled against his shoulder. “always.” 

with a nod, he turned and walked off into the night, leaving just the two of you.

jungkook and you walked toward his motorcycle in comfortable silence. you reached the bike first, swinging your leg over smoothly, adjusting yourself into the back seat before pulling the dark helmet over your head. jungkook came around from behind, one hand dragging through his damp messy hair as he reached for his own gear.

but then— he stopped completely. when you had leaned forward to settle onto the seat, your shirt had lifted just slightly, your jeans dipping low from the movement. and there, on your right lower back, was dark ink against tender skin—still red, still raw and healing. his hand lifted instinctively in the air, then froze, afraid to touch it, to hurt you. and suddenly, the small paper bag, the two afternoons you’d disappeared, the careful subtle way you’d been moving around the apartment for the past two days—it all crashed into his brain at once. 

carved into your skin, 

jungkook.

~

The front door slammed so hard that it felt like even the frames on the walls shuddered. You flinched before you even heard the footsteps.

Heavy thuds. Coming straight for the bedroom.

The door flew open and Jungkook filled the frame like a storm given a body. His broad chest rose and fell in angry pulls. Jaw locked. Dark eyes burning with something that looked too close to obsession to be safe. The veins in his forearms stood out stark against the rolled sleeves of his shirt, and the loosened tie around his neck looked like it had already lost a fight.

“Don’t. Move.”

You stood there.. near your bed. Confused.

He stepped inside and locked the door behind him without looking away from you. The click of the bolt felt final. Then he reached up, ripped the tie free in one hard yank, and threw it aside like it had offended him.

“You thought I wouldn’t find out, princess?”

You blinked, heart already climbing into your throat. “What are you talking about?”

He closed the distance in three long strides. You backed up on instinct until your shoulders hit the wall. His hands slammed against the surface on either side of your head, caging you in. The heat rolling off him was almost physical.

“Don’t play dumb with me.” His voice dropped even lower, rough and shaking with barely leashed rage. His face hovered inches from yours, eyes wild, searching every tiny shift in your expression. “That guy.”

“Huh? What guy?”

“The one who sent you flowers.” His free hand came up and caught your chin, firm enough to force your gaze up to his. Thumb pressing into the soft underside of your jaw. “I saw the note. The fucking love note.” His breath brushed your mouth as he leaned closer. “And you never said a word.”

The silence between you stretched taut.

“You didn’t tell me,” he repeated, quieter now, but somehow worse. The anger hadn’t left — it had simply folded itself into something darker, and more personal. “You let some other man send you flowers and you kept it from me.”

His grip on your chin tightened just enough to make your pulse jump. Those dark eyes stayed locked on yours, burning with the kind of possession that didn’t know how to be gentle.

You exhaled sharply, trying to twist your face free. “It’s not a big deal, Jungkook. I don’t even like him.”

His laugh was short and humorless. “Not a big deal?” He released your chin only to plant both hands on the wall again. “You’re keeping secrets from me, ___. That’s the big deal.”

“I’m not keeping secrets—”

“You didn’t tell me!” His voice rose, sharp enough to cut. “Some guy sends you roses with a fucking love note and you decide I don’t need to know? What else are you hiding? How many other men think they can touch what’s mine?”

You shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge. “Don’t start with that bullshit. He’s a friend. He was being nice after I helped him with a project. That’s it. You’re acting like I cheated on you.”

“You let another man write that he wants you.” Jungkook’s eyes flashed. “And you kept the note. I fucking read it. You think I wouldn't find out? You left it in the car and Ive read everything. Even the part where he wrote that he gave you flowers. And you walked around me all this time — knowing some other guy was thinking about you and you said nothing to me, ___. That’s you deciding I don’t get to know what’s happening in your life.”

“Because I knew you’d do this!” Your voice cracked as you raised it to match his. “I knew you’d explode and turn it into some huge betrayal. I didn’t tell you because it’s not worth the fight. I don’t want him. I don’t think about him. I come home to you every night, you stupid fuck!”

He leaned in closer, breath hot against your cheek. “Don’t lie to me now, princess..”

You groan.

“You’re fucking impossible when you get like this.” You glared up at him, chest heaving. “You see one thing and suddenly I’m some unfaithful liar. You’re so fucking insecure you can’t even handle a friend being kind without turning it into a crime.”

The second the word left your mouth, the air in the room changed.

Jungkook went completely still. The rage didn’t disappear — it turned.., colder, more dangerous. His jaw flexed once. And when he spoke again, his voice was low and deadly quiet.

“Insecure?”

He repeated the word like he was tasting it. Like he was deciding exactly how much damage it deserved.

“Say that again, ___.”

You let out a long, shaky sigh, the fight suddenly feeling too heavy to carry. Your shoulders dropped as you tried to soften your voice. “Jungkook… I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have said that. I was just—”

“No.”

The word landed like a slammed door. He didn’t raise his voice, but the quiet in it was worse. His hand came up again, fingers closing around your jaw with deliberate pressure, tilting your face back up so you had no choice but to look at him.

“You don’t get to call me insecure and then try to walk it back the second you see my face. You meant it, princess. So own it.”

You swallowed hard. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just—”

“You hid something from me.” His thumb pressed into the soft skin beneath your jaw, not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough to keep you still. “He wrote that he can’t stop thinking about you. And you decided I didn’t need to know. You protected it. You protected him.”

“That’s not what happened at all, Jungkook. You're—”

“Then explain it to me.” His voice stayed low, but every word was sharp. “Explain how a ‘friend’ decides it’s appropriate to send you roses and a confession.”

Your chest tightened. Heat rose in your cheeks — anger, frustration, all tangled together. “He was just being dramatic after I helped him with something. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want a war over something that means nothing.”

He leaned in closer until his forehead almost touched yours. The heat of his body pressed against you, overwhelmingly. “It means something when another man thinks he can write those words to my girl. It means something when you decide I don’t get to know. You don’t get to decide what I’m allowed to feel about it.”

You stared at him, heart hammering, then something inside you finally snapped.

“I give up.” The words came out raw. You shoved both hands against his chest hard enough that he actually shifted back a step. “Fuck you, Jungkook. I’m done with this conversation. Actually— I’m done with you!”

You ducked under his arm and walked straight toward the door, bare feet silent on the floor, pulse roaring in your ears. You only made it halfway across the room before his voice cracked through the air.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”

You didn’t stop. Your fingers closed around the lock, twisting it open with more force than necessary. Over your shoulder you threw the words like a match onto gasoline, reckless and mean and designed to cut.

“I don’t know. Maybe my friend would love to help.”

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

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Jaeyun said while he stirred the glass straw in his mocktail, blooming a tingling sound in the silent atmosphere. Everyone looked at Heeseung. It was the time.

The time to prove their worth.

They had this sick addiction to truth and dare where they used to give each boys, a dare or make them reveal a secret for truth. They considered it their "display of manliness."..and someone who was unable to fulfill this twisted pattern was mocked and teased for the entire semester for being a pussy.

Young guys..indeed.

They had just conquered the basketball match and won the trophy to their university, filling the principal with joy and pride, which gave them even more privileges to do whatever they wanted to do in the campus.

It's not like they were pure bullies though...but with some of their actions, they did fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

"Are you ready?" Jay said arching his eyebrow as he gave a nasty smirk to Heeseung, already thinking of one of the many things he could give him a dare for.

Midterms were near, but they could care less due to being exhausted by the inter-uni basketball match and constant practices..alll they wanted to do now was to let off some steam and relax..while also playing this danger game of dares and truths (secrets).

"I. AM. ready." Heeseung said looking into Jay's eyes...almost...almost glaring. Deliberately emphasizing each word to let him know that he wasn't scared of any mere game or a challenge.

"Okay..then..we should think of what to give him"

Yeonjun smirked, played with his popcorns and jokingly offered the bowl to Heeseung for him to take some but quickly gulped and withdrew his hand when he saw Heeseung's stern expression.

Heeseung would first hand argue that he wasn't scared of anything..not even God...then why did his heart start beating more rapidly at the thought of a challenge approaching him?

"You've done me dirty hyung, last time when I was the player, it was your idea that I seek out English final exams paper and leak all the questions , wasn't it?"

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow at Heeseung, jaw clenching at how he almost got caught while trying to complete the dare.

"Hey..but you didn't get caught right? Then what's the fuss about?"

Heeseung glared at him, gripping the edges of the bar couch hard with his knuckles. Turning them particularly white.

That was the problem. They always played this game once, in every two or three months, new season, spinned the bottle, and whoever it landed on, that only person had to do a dare as said by the other guys or reveal a secret about themselves to the whole world

And well...Heeseung wasn't the bestest guy in this game..he was the one who outed Jake's bisexuality for his truth, gave Sunghoon the idea of paper leak dare, dared Jay to record a sextape with professor's wife and very well cooperated with his evil mind during other guy's turns aswell. He enjoyed the twisted satisfaction.

But how long..before the sheep gets caught in its own mud?

"make a cheerleader of our university.. fall in love with you"

Heeseung suddenly lifted his face up at Jaeyun's words.

That is his dare.....?

What a fucking joke.

Heeseung knitted his brows together and scoffed. Partially relieved that they actually had some respect for him as a captain and didn't give any ridiculous dare..but on the other hand he was equally offended..cause what the fuck is this dare even ?

He wasn't into relationships at all. Let alone a lovey-dovey dare.

"What the fuck is that type of dare?" "Why Heeseung?"

"Afraid your dick game isn't capable of doing that?"

"If it was really about my dick game, you would give a dare of fucking some whore"

he looked at Jaeyun who was smirking already, as if he knew what was coming Heeseung's way too soon.

"I asked you something Jaeyun" Heeseung glared sternly at Jaeyun. Jaeyun just raised both of his arms in surrender, feigning innocence. "What man! I'm giving you a good dare.. cmon..there is no risk in that"

"But there sure is a plot twist"

everyone suddenly moved their eyes to him. "What twist?" Sunghoon asked suddenly getting curious and placed his glass down on the table.

"You not only have to date the girl...but you also have to take her virginity..."

The whole drowd erupted in chaos and laughter as if Jaeyun wasn't proposing a challenge but doing some stand up comedy.

"Come on Jake..we're in our sophomore year already...no girl as such is left virgin inside this campus..only if you don't count those twinks holes"

That guy said to Jaeyun and wandered his eyes to Rumi, a guy who was attracted to men and very submissive. Rumi upon feeling his gaze on him just covered himself with his jacket. Suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

"Anyways..that is your dare"

"What the fuck is your problem dude... now how am I gonna find a virgin here...let alone date and take her virginity????" Heeseung said visibly frustrated having no idea of the game Jaeyun was plotting for him.

More of a destruction rather than a game.

"I know one..who is"

"Y/N" "What??"

Heeseung's eyebrows raised in confusion. You were one of the cheerleaders.. so ofcourse he knew you but you two never crosssed paths...even though you had mutuals like Jaeyun himself.

"Are you talking about that cheerleader who goes to date with a different guy every month??? Lmfao..never in my fucking life I'd believe she's a virgin."

"But she is" jaeyun said calmly, knowing what he was doing.

"She's just too kind and very popular so whenever someone asks her out on a date..she just agrees to go, but usually it's a one time thing, and she hasn't fucked any of them yet.."

"Trust me she's my friend..I know..all of her friends know that, you can ask them."

Heeseung placed both of his arms on the table, carefully analyzing whatever Jaeyun was trying to do here.

"But she's your friend..? Why are you making her the target? knowing very well she'll get hurt from this?"

"I have my own reasons."

"Hyung...the way you're asking so many questions make it seem like you're trying to chicken out of it...are you scared?" Ni-ki said sucking on the lollipop, grinning from ear to ear seeing his captain flushed like that.

The bottle landed on Heeseung after a long while..so it was time for a long dare too.

Heeseung glared at Ni-ki and then looked at Jaeyun.

"Bring it on then"

and then the challenge got its own take-off.

————————

"The midterms are gonna kill me....AWHHH!!"

Chaewon said burying her face in the crook of your neck. "Hmm tell me about it"

You patted her head. Both of you were just finished with your cheerleader activities and now the midterms were about to start, giving you an absolute no-break life. Your other friends also walked side by side visibly exhausted after the long major class.

"So what happened to the Taeyong guy, Y/N-ah?? Any plans of dating him???" One friend of yours asked, plugging out one of her earphones.

You just gave a sheepish smile at her. "Uhm no..he was nice..but we only went on a date once...and that kinda told me that we weren't compatible as a couple..you know??"

"And did you guys fuck after that date or not???" Chaewon asked wiggling her eyebrows, you just spanked her hands lightly and chuckled.

"No! Not at all.."

"are you planning to stay fucking celibate and become a nun or what???"

Thst broke the group into laugh. "No but I need to find a good guy.."

"Good girls like you need a bad guy for them..I guess you haven't found him yet.." Wonyoung whispered raising her shoulders as if were the most factual thing that's ever come out of her mouth.

But somewhere along the lines..she wasn't wrong too.

"Kay bye everyone..!" You bid them bye and walked to get to the library. Your eyes on your phone, scrolling all the dms you received from different guys, trying to pick out who to choose for the next time.

A sigh escaping you when none of them caught your eye. They were good, nice, polite even. But they were not what you wanted..not what you needed. One more reason to not lose your virginity.

You craved a suffocatingly dizzying depth, a mesmerizing true devotion, and a guy who had a burning desire in his eyes.

which none of the guys you met showed you yet—

"Jesus christ—!!!!"

Your train of love thoughts came to an end when you felt your foot slip and the world tilt infront of your eyes. Oh my god..I fucking slipped on the floor. You immediately closed your eyes. Already imagining everyone's reaction when you touch the ground, how embarrassing that will be be for you, you clutched the phone tight in your hands squeezing your eyes..

But the fall never came??

You peeked your eyes open suddenly, when you felt two warm hands wrap around your waist gently.. to stop you from falling and your vision came back to see a handsome face just inches apart from you.

Lee Heeseung. The basketball team captain. Sophomore year just like you. He was popular, even more than you, around the whole campus. Girls drooled and died just to befriend him, date him or sleep with him. Even some of the young female professors swooned over him..and one even slept with him.

You heard the stories. Of course you did.

Everything fell into slow motion but soon came back to normal when you both detached yourselves from eachother. People around you two present, whispering things, already anticipating some dating rumors.

"Hey..are you okay???" Heeseung said as he held both of your edges of shoulder with his hands and tilted his face down a little to match your height. His eyes so bambi and innocent. You've never seen him like this.

Never during the matches, never during the classes, never during anything. He was softer than you've seen him before.

"Yea-yeah..I'm okay, thanks for saving me"

you bowed down your head a little and immediately let your eyes fall on the ground where you slipped to spot....a banana peel?

"Wow what the fuck"

Your eyes squinted, "now who the fuck is eating bananas and throwing them in the middle of the corridor??"

"I know right..tell me about it..they neeed to be careful when littering." He agreed with you and then gave you a heart shaped hot pack.

"Here..apply this on the back of your calves.. since you were about to slip suddenly.. so your muscles must've been stretched..apply this to them a little, yeah?" He said giving a pearly smile, patted your head lightly and went away with his almost empty bag hanging on one side of his shoulder.

Leaving you there..dumbfounded.

What the fuck just happened and why the fuck did that make you fucking blush???

—————————

as soon as Heeseung turned his direction and entered another building, he heard clapping sounds from behind. It was Jaeyun. He was grinning and leaned on the wall.

"Dare I say...oscar worthy performance??"

Heeseung just chuckled at his words and rolled his eyes. "Better than the oscars"

Jaeyun then started walking towards him and came closer, putting his hand on Hee's shoulder. "But that was dangerous..you know right???"

"You intentionally put the banana peel on the floor where she was about to come to make it slippery without anyone noticing..and then grabbed her like you were her saviour"

"When in reality..you were almost about to let her get hurt"

Heeseung just yanked Jake's hands away from his shoulders. "But she didn't get hurt right?"

"But she could've" "but she didn't."

"Look Jaeyun-ah..I'll do it my own way, so don't pretend to care for your friend now.. after you've purposely given her name to me."

Heeseung then licked his lips and gave a nasty smrik to Jaeyun. His eyes turning dark for a second.

"And you know what..she's pretty..really pretty..now even if you take back the dare..I won't stop from making her mine."

He smriked at Jaeyun and walked away while humming to himself.

"Can't wait to take her virginity ~~~"

——————————

Next day

You entered the class earlier than everyone else..

you looked at the watch. and you were twenty minutes early today. your eyes squinted. how did I come this early?‎

you shrugged your thoughts and took a seat anyway. curling your hair with one fingers and with the other, scrolled on your phone through some of your guy friends texts

‎"Jeno : cafe date when sweetie?"‎ "Kyung : wanna grab matcha?" ‎"Minso : I like you Y/Nieee, would you like to go out with me?"‎‎

you sighed putting the phone face down and started scribbling on your notebook, getting lost in your thoughts. ‎as much as you acknowledged these guys and admired their feelings for you. ‎it just was not it.‎ not what you craved. ‎your mind started reeling back to what happened yesterday.

the basketball captain Heeseung and how he saved you from falling. how warm his fingers felt against your bare waist. how deep his voice sounded. you quickly shrugged those memories. it's not like there's anything though, you didn't even know him properly.

‎but what you did know was that you wanted someone who'd make you forget your days and nights, someone who'd carry you with grace.‎

you wanted a darkness that consumes you—

‎"a darkness that consumes you?"

your breath got stuck midway when you looked up to spot Heeseung standing infront of you. your face getting pale,

how did he—did he just—?‎

Heeseung saw your pale face and quickly pointed at the notebook to clear out the confusion.

"your scribbles, you were writing them so I read them"

you quickly looked down to find that you were writing everything... EVERYTHING.

‎‎"not what you craved. how warm his fingers felt against your bare waist. how deep his voice sounded. ‎but what you did know was that you wanted someone who'd make you forget your days and nights, someone who'd carry you with grace.‎ you wanted a darkness that consumes you—"‎‎

your eyes widened and you quickly closed down your notebook..

fuck.. that was so embarassing. you wondered if he read those and understood that those were about him..why not just dig a hole and bury yourself at this point? but sadly you could do nothing. ‎so you quickly looked up and tried to be defensive.‎

"you do know it's not polite to peak into someone's notebook without them knowing, right?" you interrogated with one brow raised. ‎Heeseung just raised his hands in the air, accepting defeat, definitely not wanting to piss the target off before the dare is even complete.

‎"you're right, it was my fault.. should've asked"

he scratched  the back of his neck and went to sit on a chair. ‎finally sighing.. you put the journal back before anyone could read it once more.‎ you were NOT taking chances after this.‎‎ sounds of approaching footsteps made both your and Heeseung's ears perk up and you lifted your head to see a guy entering the classroom. 

you very well knew who that guy was. a guy that has been trying to hit on you since the very start of the freshman year. he fixed his hair and, walked closer to you, sitting in the chair infront of you and smiled at you. you've said no to him multiple times, have made multiple different excuses, but he never really cared or listened, claimed he would still like you.

liking someone was okay but it gets to a point.

Heeseung noticed your uncomfortable position as soon as the guy entered. he wanted to step in but held back a little to observe. not him, but observe you. observe how easy of a target you were.

afterall that was the only thing you were to him. right?‎

"missed me, Y/N-ah?" you looked into his eyes but didn't smile and just slowly replied. "I didn't."

‎the guy chuckled. he was Ren, really popular among girls himself, but he only wanted you, fucked every girl but only claimed to love you. it felt ego-boosting at first to have a popular guy like you but it turned creepy when you didn't find him your type and rejected his proposal after the first date. 

"too bad cause I did miss you.. recently you haven't been visiting our library we used to go"‎

"I don't like that library anymore." lie

‎you only stopped going there because of his creepy stares to you all the time.

‎Heeseung could've let you handle it on your own... afterall...why the fuck would he care? he was no different or saint from that guy... if being realistic, but something in him still stirred and told him to go and protect you.

he stood up from his seat, walking over and nonchalantly sat beside you. interrupting the intense eye contact you were having with Ren. both of you looked at Heeseung. who just came up and sat beside you, his eyes still on the phone not moving an inch. with one hand he scrolled on his phone and with the other, he smoothly slid it behind your chair almost touching your back.

that didn't move Ren in a better way. ofcourse Heeseung and Ren knew eachother, and of-fucking-course not in a good way.

"brother Lee, it's mine"

Ren said leaning, putting both his elbows on your table and looked at Heeseung. Heeseung immediately understood what he meant. he was implying that you were his, and not Heeseung's. Heeseung just chuckled. the mention of you being someone else's, that bloomed something ugly in him. "you're living in delusion, Ren"

Heeseung was very much sleep deprived and had no energy to fight whatsoever, so his tone was still not enough to instigate any argument. but apparently Ren had other plans. he looked at you. you were just watching the boys speak, not exactly getting what they were trying to say and you were terribly annoyed at Ren's presence to focus on their double meanings aswell.

Ren looked at you and smiled. and then looked at Heeseung and then back at you.

"has my Y/Nie already made a boyfriend behind my back?"‎

your brow raised when you realised that he was seeing you and Heeseung as a couple. you were about to interrupt when Heeseung answered.

"yep she has"

‎"and this boyfriend of hers doesn't really like when other guys roam around her like bugs..so the bugs should get away"

Heeseung said leaning on his chair, his hand was now slowly caressing your back to show the couple pda.

Ren just chuckled. the pain burning in his heart but he knew better than to mess with Heeseung... so he just stared at you for the last time and quietly went out of the classroom. ‎you turned to Heeseung,

"thank you.. he's really creepy and annoying everytime" "why don't you report it?"

‎"cause he's one of the richest students like you, nobody really listens to complaints against him" ‎"don't worry, I'll be there whenever he comes.."

he smiled at you to which you smiled back...and that's only when you realised that his fingers and his palm were still caressing your back, drawing circles on it, sharing warmth. for a moment you forgot everything in your surroundings and only focused on how his fingers moved on your back, giving you slow caressing.

‎but soon you heard other classmates come in and Heeseung quickly moved his hands away. making crimson appear on your cheeks and a question rise in your heart.‎

am I falling in love with the one that could break my heart?

‎‎——————‎

‎"sorry but it's out of stock now"  the lady said with a sad smile.

‎"what?? ahh nooo ughhhh" you sighed out of annoyance, there was a trending strawberry-milk-chocolate lollipop trending around the street and you wanted to try it so bad.

you knew the university cafeteria had it but now suddenly it was gone.... you wanted to ask the lady more, but then your friends pulled you back.

"ah leave it YN... it will come and restock again..." Wonyoung said handling you a bottle of water. you took it and gulped the water and soon got lost with your girlfriends , gossip and gimbap.

‎—————

‎‎it was time for the classes and none of them shared this one with you, so you parted ways with them and took the yard route to get to another building. the yard was pretty empty with only one or two people around walking with headphones on. you were also texting one of your childhood friends about your day when you bumped into someone's chest.

"oh sorry—" you looked up to see Heeseung with the sugar pop in between his lips.

wait was that the..trending one?‎

you shooed your thought away and bowed your head down to apologise a little for bumping. then your eyes went again to the candy he was having..and to your inconvenience, Heeseung very well noticed it.

"are you looking at the candy between my lips or my lips around the candy?"

‎both.

that's what you would've said if you weren't a pussy.‎

"the pop between your lips" you raised your brows.

"it's the trending strawberry milk chocolate one with the bigger size right??" you blurted out which made Heeseung widen his eyes a little. you just nervously chuckled.

"well I've wanted to taste it for a long time...that's how I remembered..." "you haven't tasted it yet?" you shook your head, clicking your tongue. "nope not yet.. I was gonna but they were out of stock." "oh too bad."

but then his lips curved into a little smile.

"do you wanna taste it?"

"i mean it's infront of you, you want a taste?"

you bit your lips and looked at the sugar between his lips. you didn't know what tempted you more. his lips or the sugar. he sucked the life out of it infront of you, attaching both his lips around the sugar and practically had a makeout with it and then started with long licks around it. you didn't know why but the sounds along with the visual representation was making you wet...and Heeseung was well aware of that everytime the sound came, you were closing your legs together very subtly.‎ but enough for him to notice.

"wanna have a taste?" you body moved before your brain could and you nodded instantly, almost looking so dumb you were sure of it. ‎

"do you want it?" "yes"

‎he walked closer to you and licked the lollipop for the last time before taking it out of his mouth, you expected him to give you that. you looked at him but what you didn't expect him to do..

was grab you by your neck and attach his flavored lips to yours.

your body froze for a second. your eyes still open but his were well closed and he started moving his lips instantly, wasting no time. and parted his lips, letting his tongue covered with the sugar flavor...enter your mouth and make you dizzy from how the taste was coming altogether.

he held your waist strongly and started walking you backwards till you hit a little hard surface.. you assumed it was tree.. since you were in the yard. he pinned your both hands above your head and deepend the kiss leaking all that sugar juice into your mouth.

you were so lost in the kiss, your lips moved on your own, opening just right for his tongue to enter, holding your breath for so long and even responding well to the kiss even though it was the first, such an intense kiss of your life. 

all the kisses you had before with guys, were short and sweet. it was the first time you experienced.. such an intense, deep and long one.‎ you both finally parted ways..breathless.‎

you held on his collar, "what was that for?"‎

"didn't you say you wanna have a taste?" "I meant the candy!"

"I taste better than that"

he pressed you down on the branch and started kissing you again to which you kissed him back. saliva drooling onto your neck, the subtle scare of a professor waking away. but the way his lips danced against your own made you forget everything about your day.‎‎

but one thing you were still unknown of......

was that Heeseung intentionally bought all the lollipops and made them go "out-of-stock" just so he could lure you in and steal this kiss.

—————

‎you didn't know how and why but since then, Heeseung became an important part of your life, always showing up, saving you, helping you, entertaining you..people teased you two as couples due to how you two were acting all lovey-dovey with eachother...... and despite denying them and their teasings.

something in your heart still bloomed like a fire when you put "Heeseung" and "Love" in the same sentence.

‎‎soon enough he asked you on a date, ‎

"what are you doing Y/N-ah??" Heeseung said looking over your phone where you were smiling seeing some of the guys texts and they were saying funny things to you about how they would dress up as teletubbies for your date. you didn't want to go on date that much these days but due to a bit pressure, still agreed to go on a date with Taehyun.

‎Heeseung scoffed looking at how happy you were looking at your phone. he didn't like it a bit.

the mention of Jungwon, Taehyun, Ren and not him. something ugly was rising in his heart. and so he said.

"are those the kiddie guys you're going on a date with, love?"

he possessively slid a hand across your shoulder and leaned down to where you were sitting, and with his other hand, he lifted your chin up to make you look at him and not the texts of other guys.

some of the guys were your friends, you can't let him diss them like that. right? you looked at him and replied.

"some of em are my friends Hee—"

"get yourself a real man, Y/N-ah" 

his grip on your chin got firm, not breaking the eye contact. the tension so heavy, it could be felt in the air. "Hee—"

"would you like to go on a real date with me instead of all of them?"

your breath hitched. suddenly the room felt too small, the air too thick and your mind too big. you should've said no, your date was already fixed but still your mind wandered with a thousand possibilities. ‎his gaze still fixed on you, waiting for your "yes", cause he knew he was getting one.‎

"I—I will"‎ good.

Heeseung smiled at you, his grip on your chin getting gentle and he kissed you right there.

‎dare step 1, complete.‎

that day, you both went home with different victories in your mind.

————

FIRST DATE

‎you entered the venue of where your supposed date was going to take place. it was a dimly lit billiard-pool hall, semi crowded by young people.

various crowds of smoke came from different areas, girls puffing out their life away. while the dark chuckles of men surrounded the four walls.

it was new to you. usually for dates, the university or non-university guys took you to either a five star restaurant, cafe or museums.

you never met a guy who invited you to such a mysterious place.

‎this was new. this was exciting.‎

you were about to text Heeseung when a certain voice caught your attention from the back.

"searching for someone...?" you turned around to spot Heeseung leaning on one of the tables. sporting baggy jeans, white tee and a black leather jacket. ‎

goddamn..‎

you silently gulped away the thirst that formed inside you for him and went towards him. "heyy.. I was just about to text you" he just smiled and gave you a light hug, soon extending his forearm infront of you to hold on.

"first time..here?" ‎you shyly smiled and nodded.

"well then let's make it unforgettable for you"‎

————

‎‎he led the way to an even darker and dim hall which was less crowded but still carried the same sensual aura which did things to your mind. Heeseung looked at the guy who was playing the slow music in the background.

"brother Jim..play Criminal".

Heeseung then looked back at you and titled his head, eyeing you up and down.

"cause I'm gonna commit a crime today" ‎ that presumably Jim guy nodded and soon played "Criminal by Britney Spears".‎ you raised a brow and leaned your back onto the tables. the sudden rush of confidence and adrenaline flooding your senses. 

"what crime are you planning to commit today, Mr. Lee?"

‎Heeseung bit his lower lip, taken aback by your sudden shift, but God.... only he knew how much hotter that made you look. so he started taking slow deliberate steps towards you and finally came closer to answer your question.

"crimes that will leave you with permanent stains"

Heeseung's eyes turned serious for a split second before they returned to flirtatious again. cause he wasn't lying with those words....at all.‎ he then smiled at you and held your hand.

"come on darling, play with me" ‎you two stood beside the table, you pouted and looked at him. "but I don't know how to play—"

"I'll teach you..everything"‎

he tucked one strand of hair behind your ear and suddenly, very aggressively turned you around so now you were facing the table and he was right behind you. you gasped.

"Hee—" "shh"‎

he shushed you while both his hands trailed from your back to your shoulders and he gently pressed on them to make you lean on the table. and he didn't stop bending you like that till your breast were getting flushed and pressed down to the table, till your back was completely arched and till your ass started rubbing on his thigh. Heeseung looked at the sight and he knew he could cum from this alone if he just looked too long.

so he leaned even closer to you and made his lips come closer to your ear. the heat of his body touching every right parts of your body. letting goosebumps rise up. momentarily stopping your breath between. you tried your best to stay calm but still jerked when you felt his lips whispering near your ear.

"are you ready love?"

he was completely bent down at your level, his body pressed to yours, nothing was left untouched. you could feel his cologne sticking to your black dress now, from how close you two were. you looked around and were glad that everyone was busy in their own worlds. your eyes then landed on Jim guy who was playing music. he seemed really close to Heeseung.. interesting.‎

you tilted your face a little so now your cheeks were touching Heeseung's lips a bit, giving you shivers.

"you must come here often, no?"

you saw Heeseung's smile drop a bit before it came back and he replied.

"why?" he said smiling but his tensed raised eyebrows gave it away. "that Jim guy..he recognised you" "ahh him"

Heeseung didn't know what to say cause he did infact come here alot of times. with the guy friends, with girls, with other's girlfriends. the lack of response kind of pissed you for no reason.‎

"how many girls have you brought here, Lee?" you asked with curiosity and hidden jealousy.

"does it really matter? if you're the only one who's currently with me?"‎

he said and gave you no time to react as he started kissing the back of your neck purposely to shut you up and that did work.

"ahh..Hee not here!." but he sucked harder at your words. "I wonder if it really matters who was here before you..if the one feeling my lips on her skin right now is you"

he said and bit the side of your neck gently. not enough to sting, but enough to be felt. ‎you felt the desperation in his voice. your heartbeat started increasing.

did he get mad? you gulped. you didn't want to hurt him.

"hey hey." you moved your neck away from his lips a little and looked at him. "hey I'm sorry..I didn't mean to offend you or anything"‎

bingo. you fell right into the trap.‎

Heeseung laughed mentally but from the outside, he just gave a mad eyeroll. it was so much fucking fun for him.

the irony of having to apologise when it wasn't even your fault and just a mere question.

too easy to gaslight and manipulate.‎

"it's fine" you quickly took his hands and interwined them with yours, leaning back on him to let him feel you against him more, touching the side of your cheek with his, you affirmed him.

"Hee..I—won't you teach me?" he quickly looked at you and made the corner of his lips lift. God, he couldn't torture you further, you were too kind for it.‎

"I will teach you" he gave a peck on your lips and sneaked his hands until they landed on your ass and gave a hard spank. it made an embarassingly loud sound. your eyes widened and you looked around but luckily the background music was loud enough to cover whatever just happened.

you looked back at Heeseung and he just seemed chill. he quickly stood tall again and pressed you even lower to the table. getting as closer to you as possible and letting you feel his leather belt on your ass. at this point, he was literally grinding without even moving. he gave one light spank again and gave a light tug at your hair.

"come on baby girl..eyes on the game now."‎

————

later on that night, when dropping you to your shared apartment with your girls, he stopped you in the living room, went down on his knees with a bouquet of red roses in his hand and proposed you.‎

"would you like to be my girlfriend, Y/N?"‎

your eyes getting wet as you looked at your girls who were squealing with happiness on the side upon witnessing such a romantic act and gave you a thumbs up to accept his proposal. something stirred in Wonyoung cause she knew how much of a womanizer Heeseung was, but she shrugged it away thinking that maybe he finally changed due to how sweet he was to you.

your heart beating rapidly when you nodded your head with tears in your eyes and accepted the bouquet of red romantic roses.

Heeseung soon getting up and embracing you in a tight hug. you didn't know why but you felt your heart drop as soon as he hugged you. as if you said yes to a wrong thing. but you assured yourself that you were just nervous and your mind was making things up due to the novelty of the situation.‎‎

rule no 1? always trust your instincts.‎‎

——————‎

the news of the loved cheerleader and the popular basketball captain dating eachother started selling like hotcakes. it was whispered in every corner, talked on every student forum and broke many hearts. it was a big thing cause you were known to usually turn down men after the first date, claiming they were "not your type" and Heeseung was the type to never date but only do hookups. so people did see it as a miracle. ‎but not all miracles are good ‎‎

————‎

"you're taking way too long, hyung" Ni-ki said crushing the cigarette with his feet.‎

"I would've completed that if I was you" ‎Heeseung just rubbed his forehead and massaged his temple and replied. "you don't know how she is.. so don't say anything"

"how is it really going for you tho? took her virginity yet?" Jay interrogated. ‎

"nahh man.. haven't taken it yet‎" Heeseung hissed opening the can and chugged it all down at once. ‎

"you should've taken it by now.. it's been one month to the dare already...it's not supposed to take that long"‎ Jaeyun said rubbing his temples, tensed and feeling out of time as if he was doing it instead of Heeseung.‎ those words annoyed Heeseung who was already pissed at something from the morning.

‎"I'll TAKE IT! OKAY!!? I'LL FUCKING TAKE IT!! don't think I'm not fucking capable of doing that dare!! ofcourse it's gonna take time since she's inexperienced...but I've already started dating her so the next step will come very soon"‎

"then I hope you succeed in it...‎captain" Jaeyun said while he scrolled on the university news about you and Heeseung's dating rumors.‎

————

from then on, Heeseung was kind of shocked with how much you changed since you became his girlfriend. regular good morning, good night texts, texting him to choose between two outfits or two nail colors, bringing something you made by your own hands for him, like a scarf, some cookies or even helping him in his assignments. he never took you for the clingy type.

but he liked it. though it was little annoying but he knew he had to bare with it and also take some actions himself, if he really wanted to complete the challenge.

—————

You were talking to Subin in the class, he was one of your childhood friends. Your parents jokingly used to say they would make you two marry eachother when you were a child. But Subin never had any feelings for you, you were sure of that.

he cracked a joke which made you laugh and you hit his shoulder lightly. "You're so funny bro..what's wrong with you!" You two laughed.

but from the corner of your eyes you saw Heeseung enter the classroom and your smile dropped by a bit.

Heeseung also changed a bit, in the sense.. it wasn't toxic, but he became overly possessive, territorial and jealous over little things. He didn't like you talking to other guys when he wasn't there, he always told you to block guys who had a crush on you and definitely despised all your male friends.

He came where you two were and gently caressed your hair.

It was supposed to be a challenge right? then why was it fucking painful to see any other guy making you laugh?

Even Heeseung didn't know what the fuck was wrong with him these days but he didn't pay those feelings any attention and only focused to make a step today.

the class started. Heeseung purposely made you sit in the back rows with him where noone was...since most students sat in the front and middle row. Claiming he wanted to "spend more time" with you.

15 minutes into the class. You felt him caressing your thigh. Goosebumps came and your body jerked a little when he started massaging your thighs over your skirt.

You pretended that you had no idea what was happening and kept your head forwards to the board but still your body told him that it was receiving the touch very well.

His hands slowly went inside your skirt and he touched your wetness. Your eyes widened and you stopped his hand by grabbing his wrist. You whispered.

"What are you doing Hee?" "What I should've long time ago"

"what do you mean?"

"I'm just giving you my love darling..it's a little different form of love that's it...are you willing to accept my love?"

You gulped a little but nooded letting him continue. his fingers roamed around your core but it was too much for you... if he would continue any longer, you were sure an orgasm would hit you right here.

"please hee later" you begged him and he finally stopped. But later on he dragged you by your arms in a dark dimly lit locker room which seemed to have been abandoned.

"B-but someone would—" "noone would come baby"

"Noone would" he said as he went down on his knees and pulled your skirt down and gave you the best head you could have ever had as your first experience. It left you shaking. You slowly pulled your skirt up, still trying to wipe the wetness while you legs were trembling with each step.

But Heeseung wasn't done.

"Won't you return the favor?"

He said coming back on his feet and pulled you by the v line top revealing your breasts. He digged his face inside and closed his eyes taking long inhales of your chest and then finally pulled away. You knew what he meant by returning the favor.

But you didn't know how to give a head. But how could u say no to him?

"I—I will" you looked into his eyes and took his index finger in your mouth, sucking it for a while before Heeseung successfully made you go down on your knees and held your hair in a ponytail in one hand.

Already relaxed cause noone was coming, i mean how would he not?

He had several experiences in this locker room with other girls..so he was indeed speaking from experience but you were too unaware to realise it.

"Go ahead" he commanded which made you rub your knees together.

"H—Hee..I—I" "you what baby?"

"I—I don't know how to give a head" "what!?"

he pulled out the most shocked expression he could, mixing it with a bit of sympathy and surprise. Like he had no idea about this. Like he definitely didn't know this was a part of his plan. He caressed your hair and bent down to your level for a bit.

"It's okay darling..I'll teach you everythinggg"

"Open the belt first" you hesitated but he made your both hands go on the belt, you slowly unbuckled the belt and put it away. and lifted your eyelashes to look at him.

And damn that sight came straight out of heaven for Heeseung. Right now, he just wanted to put himself in your mouth already..but he waited.

He has come so far, he wouldn't let a single horniness ruin it all.

So he slowly guided you, slowly helped you, your mouth, how you should move your tongue, told you to look up at him, and gave occasional light slaps on your cheek to guide you in the right place.

He wouldn't admit..but that was one of the best head he got from a virgin.

—————

D-DAY OF VIRGINITY LOSS

it was your weekend movie night with Heeseung tonight at his apartment, in which he used to live alone, you cozied up on the couch draping the blanket over yourself but something inside you was buzzing.

Last move night, you and Heeseung watched "Titanic" together which made you both horny, you told him that you wanted to do it. But him being the respectful boyfriend he was, told you that he would only do it when you're ready. So you told him next moive night you'd be fully ready for it.

And it was tonight.

You gulped chunks of redbull to calm your heart that was beating rapidly since this morning at the thhought of losing your virginity.

You knew this wasn't the first for Heeseung... but it was for you.... so you were pretty nervous and did an everything shower, matched your lingerie, watched some videos on pornhub, and some youtube advices from girls on how to please your man....yet the unease wasn't getting away at all.

Heeseung came back with the popcorn and saw your tesned body language. He immediately gave you a big hug from the back startling you at first. "It's okay if you're not read—"

"I am." You said firmly. You wanted to do it. You trusted Heeseung with your life at this point. There was noone better than him for your first. And in the very quiet..he looked in your eyes and whispered.

"I love you" you smiled and put your head on his chest.

"I love you too" you replied back kissing him.

the movie ended and just when he was about to grab the remote to turn it off. you grabbed him by his collar and kissed him, soon getting on top of him, straddling him, he was baffled.. not that he was complaining at all.

He kissed back with the same passion and carried you bridal style to his master bedroom which had view of the entire seoul city.

In Heeseung's mind, only one thought chanted.

"Yes...this is it... tonight's the night... I'll be done with my bet"

He turned you around and pushed your cheek flush to the glass wall.

Caressing your ass in your skirt and started riding up his hands inside it catching your breath way. Your heartbeat fastening as his hands went up and he rolled down the skirt and opened the zipper of your tank top soon attaching his wet tongue onto your bare back sliding his tongue up and down.

"Ahh hee fuck—"

and then went to your neck licking a stripe of the flesh of your neck and gave a bite... making a sultry moan break out of you. Your legs trembled as he got rid of the rest of your lingerie too and turned you around achieving the heavenly sight of your naked boobs which were a little red due to being pressed to the glasswal. He hissed.

"fucking milk factories"

He wasted no time in attaching his lips to one of them while the other was squeezed continuously with his hands. You grabbed at his hair, pushing his face even deeper in your chest loving the tingling and sensual sensation of feeling a man's wet plump lips on them for the first time.

He detached and again went for your lips. His both lips capturing your bottom lip in a hard pull and he started specially sucking on them...leaving you breathless..after he made sure that your bottom lips were swollen, then he entered his tongue inside your mouth...

one of his hands grabbing your face firmly and pulled you closer to make his tongue go even deeper in your mouth than it already was.

with the other hands he started smearing your wetness on your thighs making you ashamed at how you were dripping so hard for him. You finally started hitting on his bare chest when you felt a lack of breath and only then... did he detach himself from eating your mouth.

"Ahh fuck Hee!! you literally took my breath away"

"and it's only the start."

He said carrying your naked body bridal style and plopped you down on his smooth bed, your body bouncing a little but then he pinned your hands above your head and licked your earlobe whispering,

"do you want it baby?" "Yes"

You nodded frantically which made a reassuring smile come up on his face. You sneaked your hands on his chest and trailed them down till it reached his black trousers. He was visibly and terribly hard. You teasingly caressed his inner thighs... biting your lips. Which made a hiss break out of him.

He immediately stopped your hands and with his other, he held your chin and strongly lifted your face up to meet his eyes.

"You're doing it on purpose...aren't you?"

"Really?.. But I didn't even do anything..I don't even know anything"

you pouted feigning innocence and tried to hold back your smile but he grabbed at your hair and pulled it. You yelped.

"Ahhh Hee!!" "pretty baby..."

he finally caressed your hair back. trailing his hands from your lips to your neck to your boobs to your stomach and to your cunt..dropping down on your legs. Admiring your virgin body for the last time. And kicked his trousers away and murmured,

"it's about time you get ruined for good.."

and then fucked you like an animal would, like a predator would to its prey before killing it. You cried your tears of popping your cherry, happy that you lost it to no other than Heeseung.

Cause there was no better man than Heeseung right?

but poor girl had no idea..what Heeseung really meant by ruining you for good.

—————

"So..when are you breaking up with her???" Sunghoon asked eyeing Heeseung, who seemed very stressed for someone who just completed his dare.

"Come on hyung, break up with her...do it fast..3 months have passed since you were given this bet and now you've finally completed it..so break things off soon... so that we can play another truth and dare."

Heeseung scoffed at Riki's words.

"This time I'm giving Riki, the dare to bedazzle the principal's mercedes without him knowing..."

"Yeah and I'll give you the dare to intentionally fail in all your end semester exams..how's that for you?"

Riki and Sunoo fought in the background but Heeseung's mind wandered somewhere else. He finally completed the dare...so why the fuck was he feeling bad for it?

"Look hyung..you're getting attached...but I know a way to break it....instead of thinking of the good times...think about all the worst times you two had! think of the cons of your relationship.."

Heeseung raised one brow and started thinking about it. He couldn't just think about you in a bad light but he still tried. When he thought negatively....more negative thoughts started flooding his brain. Fogging his brain, making him dizzy. Completely shutting off his human side.

"You're right." he finally spoke.

"I'm just getting attached!.. when in real, our relationship was nothing but a joke..she's...she's so fucking annoying bro..she literally texts me every two hours...sends me tons of things..forces me to visit new cafes and libraries with her..and makes me eat her and wear her handmade items i don't even like...she's so fucking fake..she's a pick me aswell..she acts a certain way to lure guys in...and she even gives me gold digger vibes."

The whole room fell silent. Nobody expected Hee to say that much.

"isn't he taking it too far???" Riki asked to which Jaeyun just nodded. Jaeyun saw this coming, ofcourse he did, since day one.

"And you know what? If not for the dare, if it was not for the fucking bet, I wouldn't even look in her direction to even kiss her, let alone fuck and date her..popular celibate cheerleader? My fucking foot—"

*CRASH*

the sound of glass crashing made Sunghoon and Jay look in the direction of where it came from and what they saw there, completely turned their face pale.

You stood there.

At the entrance of Heeseung's apartment. Your hands empty and the glass bowl you had with redvelvet cake destroyed completely on the floor. The crushed glass bowl mixed with the redvelvet cake, gave an illusion of blood.

As if a version of you just died, there and then.

The other guys also turned their head by reflex and......so did Lee Heeseung.

He...saw....you...the shock was too big... it took him seconds to process that you were there...standing at his apartment door.

"I'll come over today, I'll prepare your favorite red velvet cake..I'll bring it over okay???? Don't eat anything else"

that was what you said yesterday on the phone call with Heeseung..and Heeseung very much did not remember it at all. The words circled around in red letters around the silhouette of you standing there. His mind was dizzying itself.

On the treshhold you stood.

Your hands trembling. your feet shaking. Your eyes teary. Your vision blurry. You saw all of their faces but your eyes stopped at only one of them. Lee Fucking Heeseung.

you looked at him in the eye from a distance. Every time he made you laugh, every moan he tore out of you, everytime he helped you, everytime he taught you, everytime he protected you.

Was that all...a dare, a challenge, a bet to him?

All those memories started playing in the projector of your brain. Your tears fell without a single second miss.

"Would you like to go on a date with me?"

"Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

"a darkness that consumes you?"

"get yourself a real man, Y/N-ah"

"I love you"

So this was.. what he meant by a real man, right?

A real man who treats you as an object, your relationship as a challenge, your virginity as a bet..to prove his manliness? Was your existence only a fucking game to him?

Wow. You wiped your tears and looked at him for the last time and said loud enough to reach him.

"I hate you, Lee Heeseung"

and ran from there without looking back.

every guy gulped down. Finally realising their game did cross a line this time..and hurt someone. But what was the point to realise when it was already too late?

"Go after her."

Jaeyun said to Heeseung without even looking at him. His eyes still on the door. Jaeyun somehow saw this coming from day one aswell.

Everyone looked at Heeseung to see he was weeping hard. He gave no expression, or tried to give none. But his red eyes, never-ending tears and the way his body was jerking....already was enough of an evidence.

Heeseung didn't wait any further and got up at the speed of light and ran..after you. He didn't care about anything.

Not when his friends shouted at him that he stepped on the glass and cake and his foot was bleeding with a sharp glass inside his flesh. Didn't stop when he made the whole corridor bloody with his bare glass cut foot. His eyes just searched for you.

Your shrill voice ringing in his ear like a haunted melody.

"Hee..please.." "Heeseung ah.."

"what crimes are you planning to commit, Mr. Lee?"

"I love you too"

He ran to the roads and called out your name. "Y/N??????"

"L/N Y/N!!!!????? WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU BABY!!!????"

"Please come back Y/NNNN!!!!!!" He cried harder at your name.

The passerbys looked at him like was some sort of crazy...... and to some extent, they were right too. He moved his head here and there, limped with his bloody foot and asked every person...if they've seen his girlfriend, the love of his love...but noone knew.

And he spent the whole night, walking, barefoot, bleeding hard, in search of you, like a madman.

——————

while you sat at the edge of an abandoned street. Hugging your knees. You cried hard. Till your knees were drained with the tears. You sobbed and hugged yourself..because who else did you have?

The person you loved, trusted the most was Heeseung..and he betrayed you..he broke your heart...he broke your fucking trust.

Your world was tilted upside down. You blamed all the times you felt something was off between you two but shrugged it away. You blamed that one time Wonyoung told you to be careful of Heeseung and you accused her of being jealous of you.

Cause you saw nothing wrong with Heeseung. To you, Heeseung was the most perfect man to ever exist.

But your delusion finally broke off..in the most worst way possible.

What was the point of living now, anyway?

What happened broke you to your core, shook all your inner worlds and destroyed your confidence and willingness to live to the point you saw no motive of continuing to live this life.

A new fountain of tears came when you realised you can't just stop living this life. You can't just die. That the msiery you were given to, were fated to, you had no escape from it.. than living it.

Life was unfair to the good ones...always.

—————

next morning,

you woke up and got ready for classes.. cause despite everything that happened. You couldn't bail on your grades, your academics, your parents still had high hopes from you and you couldn't afford to disappoint them too.

You arrived home late yesterday so every girls were asleep already and when you woke up, all of them headed for early classes so nobody really was there for you..

You headed for the University anyway.

Chaewon, Wonyoung along with the rest of the girls quickly ran to you when they spotted you and gave you a big group hug. You assumed everyone knew about the bet and breakup news already.

Good. You didn't want to be associated with Heeseung anymore aswell.

"I'm sorry Wonnie..you were right..it was my fault..I was blinded.."

"It wasn't your fault at all!..if anyone was at fault...it was that Lee!..he will really go to depths of hell for the act he has just pulled!!!"

Wonyoung said and patted your back while the other girls also cuddled you and took you to cafeteria to make you eat something.

—————

when you opened your locker for your books, your eyes widened. There were almost more than 10 bouquets. You picked one and they were all from Heeseung's friends/teammates.

"Hello Y/Niee..it was our fault, we were the ones who encouraged captain to do this dare..please forgive him."

"Hey love Jaeyun here..I gave him your name for the dare..I didn't think it would turn this serious in the end. I'm truly sorry. I know you wouldn't but if still possible even a bit, please forgive us and most specifically Heeseung hyung please."

"We have stopped playing that game and abandoned the tradition completely..please forgive hyung"

You scoffed.

As if Heeseung was a child incapable of making his own decisions. On top of that, His friends/teammates taking the blame only made him look even more entitled and arrogant.

you headed for your class.

————

You entered it. But noone was inside. You still placed your bag on the chair and pulled out your phone, about to call either Subin or Yoonchae, whether this class was cancelled.

just then you heard the door lock.

You turned around to spot...Lee Heeseung.

Wow. You froze. As if your day wasn't going miserable enough.

He looked at you. His eyes puffed and red, he stood with the suport of a bench, his foot had a bandage, he looked miserable.

But why would you care?

He was the reason of your misery too.

You folded your hands above your chest and chuckled. Was he faking an injury to gain sympathy?

You completly stopped seeing him as a human, someone capable of having feelings or emotions... so now everything he did, looked like a dare....a challenge to you.

His eyes softened when he saw you and he started limping towards you.

"y/niee—" "don't dare to come near me."

He stopped in his tracks. This was your first time you ever rejected him from coming close to you.. it hit like a fucking arrow to his heart...but he knew he deserved it.

"Just because your friends apology ideas didn't work so now you're finally here showing your fucking face!!???"

Heeseung knitted his brows . "What do you mean??" you scoffed.

The same good boy act again. You fucking loathed it

"Come FUCKING ON Heeseung..stop pulling the innocent guy's act when you know you forced your friends to take blame and apologise in your behalf!!!"

"I don't.. trust me"

he didn't. In reality, Heeseung had no idea his friends planned this.. cause.. his mind was on you since yesterday evening.

"Lying again..but it's okay..I don't wanna talk to you anyway..so I'll just go.."

You went to the door and tried to open it but unfortunately it was locked and Heeseung had the key. You extended your hand and with no emotions present..said

"Give me the key"

He shook his head as NO like a child. "I won't..not until you hear me..please..love..hear me out..just once"

"What's there to hear about Lee Heeseung? Is it not true that I was a dare to you? Is it not fucking true that you were just there to take my virginity? Is it not fucking true that you found my entire presence annoying???"

"IS IT NOT TRUE THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP WAS A FUCKING JOKE TO YOU?!!!???"

You shouted and your tears started trickling down your cheek. Your eyes getting red and blurry. Heeseung's tears came out flowing looking at you like this.

You were a girl full of love and he made you like this, he sobbed harder.

How will he ever forgive himself for what he made you become?

He destroyed you, the lover girl in you.

He walked slowly towards you and you wiped your tears, sniffing, and extended your hands for the key. He dropped them in your hands.

But what he did next was unexpected.

He dropped on his knees. and lowered his head until they touched your sandals on top of your feet.

You froze. and looked down to see his face completely touching your foot. His chocolate brown fluffy hair making it unable to see if he was crying or not but you felt his tears and his lips on your flesh.

His plump lips made contact with your skin and he kissed your feet.

You couldn't move like this so you tried to hold him by his shoulder and get him up. "Lee Heeseung get up..don't pull this on me—"

"I know I was wrong and there is no justification to any of my actions. Yes it was a dare. Yes it started as a challenge but trust me I never planned to hurt you and turn you like this..please forgive me..please forgive me y/n!"

He rose from your foot and looked up at you, still on his knees. He gently held your thighs to support him from falling down.

"I'm sorry..*sob* I love you *sob* I still do *sob* please forgive me"

You held his collar and grabbed him..lifting his face a little closer to you.

"I loved you Lee Heeseung..I loved you"

Your tears fell between your words, the tears dropping from your cheek to Heeseung's cheek mixing with his own tears. You sobbed maintaining the eye contact and shook your head.

"You shouldn't have done that.."

He sobbed harder at your words, his nose red, breathing heavily and finally lowered his head.

"I know...*sob* I'm *sob* I'm sorry love"

he again lifted his head to look at you, his eyes glossy, face dripping from tears. "Please forgive me." He joined his hands and begged to you, lowering his head.

Your sobs stopped at that. You backed away from him and wiped your tears. turning your face straight, getting rid of any emotion that leaked through. You were not falling for his act again.

"Open the door." "Y/N—baby—please—"

"Open. the. door. Lee Heeseung" he lowered his head and sobbing hard inserted the key and the door opened.

"Baby —"

when you tried to go out he reached for your hand. You yanked it away, hard, which made him fall back onto a wall. He hissed in pain and saw your disappearing figure go.

He fucked up big time...

—————

"It must be so humiliating to save your virginity till the last only to lose it to a fuckboy like Heeseung..who didn't even take your relationship seriously and took it as a joke..its totally Heeseung's fault."

"Yea she could've gotten much better guys.. it's his fault!"

"As if Heeseung doesn't have a dozen girls lined up for him..your yn is nothing special.!!"

freshman fanboys and fangirls of you and Heeseung's argued over who was in the wrong and right. while you heard them with tears in your eyes behind the door while Heeseung heard them when he bent down to pick his phone that fell.

your "destroyed relationship" was their idea of "hot topics."

——————

Next day—

You were going to the cafeteria through the yard route with your girls when Heeseung popped out of nowhere and held your wrist.

"Y/N please..listen to me—" he started begging, making a scene infront of everyone. Embarrassment came up your face when U saw everyone looking at your view.

"Heeseung please.. let's not do this right now"

"You always say this.. then never talk to me ..please Y/Niee "

"Leave her dude the hell is your problem..? she's not your girl anymore" Wonyoung made a disgusted face and pulled you closer to her. Heeseung glared at her

"Whether she is mine or not..you are noone to decide that."

soon it started raining, everyone ran to the cafeteria, Heeseung still had your wrist held. "please Y/N—"

"do you want to hurt me more Lee!!? If yes, then let's get wet in the rain together!"

at that he immediately loosened his grip.

You quickly entered the cafe following your girls but Heeseung stood there and shouted.

"I won't move from here..if you don't talk to me!"

Now everyone was inside the building while only Heeseung stood outside, alone in the heavy pouring rain and thunderstorms. Everyone looked at him and then you and started whispering things.

throught the glass wall of the cafeteria, he looked straight at you, his bangs..wet coming over his eyebrows, his clothes complety drenced.

You didn't back off aswell. You sat directly opposite to him in a distance and maintained the intense eyecontact.

His friends started tensing up. "Hey Yn.. could u please just make him a false hope that you'll talk to him so he comes in????"

Jay said rubbing his temple looking at his friend, he knew Heeseung was gonna get high fever out of it.

Chaewon also bit her lips and suggested. "YN, maybe you should—"

"I won't." You said firm, no double opinions while your gaze still stayed at the man who was drenched infront of you.

Heeseung saw you sit comfortably with your friends, looking at him and not showing an ounce of care for him.

Awh my baby..

even after that, the love he always said he had for you only seemed to double.

..he still saw whatever behind that eye that you were trying to hide.

from then on, you regularly got parcels to your name of flowers, particulary red roses, notes, I love you letters, sorry letters, sweets, cake, chocolates and snacks, teddies, plushies.

You gave the edibles to your friends to eat and gave the flowers to any stranger you passed by..

while you kept all the notes, I love you letters, and sorry letters in a box..

to throw it one day.. obviously..you were sure of it..

But were you trying to deny something that was already inevitable the moment you two met?

——————

you were walking through the corridors to reach the library when you heard a chuckle. A chuckle of someone very familiar. You turned your head to the left to spot Heeseung.....smiling? Your brow raised. Wow. but your surprise only doubled when you heard a girl's chuckle aswell.

You squinted your eyes and spotted a girl, she shared classes sith you and Heeseung, she was sitting beside Heeseung.

"Oh you're so funny! Hee!..!!!" she said giggling and squealing as she hit on his chest. Heeseung also laughed showing his pearly whites while he roamed his hands in his hair.

You felt like puking at the sight. It was so disgusting and it formed something very ugly and terrible inside you, to the point if you would've stayed longer..you would throw up there and then.

So you walked away.

Laughing with a new girl while I just received an "i love you" letter today from him..?

Oh Lee Heeseung.....such a fucking womanizer you are

—————

you were closing your locker when you saw Heeseung approaching you with the same sad, pitiful and depressed look on his face.

As if he wasn't laughing with some bitch hours ago..

talk about duality.

Upon seeing him come towards you, you just wanted to disappear and luckily Subin came towards you with some stuff.

"Hey Y/Nie—" "hey Subin oh my god I missed you!!!!!"

You quickly went up to him and wrapped your arms around his neck giving him a tight unexpected hug.

Subin and Heeseung both froze at that. Subin knitted his brows cause he wasn't expecting that at all. You parted from the hug and looked him in the eye.

"You know..now I get why people said we should marry eachother..you've gotten really handsome.."you said smiling at Subin and pinched his cheeks. Subin became flustered at that and grabbed you by your waist, pulling you closer. "You think so?"

"Ofcourse I do" you said and gave a feather-light peck on his right cheek.

Ouch. That stabbed Heeseung in the heart. If there was any sight he despised the most. It was the idea of you with some other guy.

He almost felt like he couldn't breathe and slowly went out of the frame, forcibly rubbing both his eyes to erase what he just saw.

Another man's hands on your waist, your lips on another man's cheek.

Pack it up..this was unbearable for him.

"Hey..do you wanna do a collab singing on the Uni festival day???" Subin asked you with hope in his eyes. And who were you to say no?

"Yes sure I will"

—————

UNI FESTIVAL DAY

the lights buzzed around the campus as everyone laughed and gathered around the main stage where the performances were going to start now.

you and Subin had the last performance.

You and Chaewon cheering when Wonyoung had a dance performance with Yujin and Rei. Then Chaewon also gave a magic show performance. Along with Riki's solo dance performance.

According to the setlist, it was the time for your performance now. You looked at Subin who nodded and you both were about to walk away to the backstage when the stage lit up again...and you saw Heeseung? with the same girl he was laughing with that day..

Ew what the fuck.

the sight of them made you wanna leave instantly but you were curious of what they prepared.

"Are they having a performance of making out or what?"

you said in your mind but soon widened your eyes when you realised it was just not in your mind and you actually said those words out loud.

Chaewon and Wonyoung suppressed their laugh at your reaction. Soon Heeseung took off his shirt, making the whole crowd of his fangirls and even fanboys go crazyy. "Are they performing a sextape?" Chaewon asked seriously, and at this point you were ready to believe anything.

"Hello Everyone!!! I'm Miranda and this is my guy Heeseung.!"

Her guy?

Your brows raised at the words and you crossed your arms watching whatever was gonna happen. Still noticing how Heeseung was shy on the stage, trying to play nonchalant.

"So here is a blank page and I'll make the portrait of his body, the perfectly built body in less than a minute on this blank page" the whole crowd cheered in anticipation.

"Come on..sit here..Hee" Miranda said while she pushed Heeseung back a little to the chair by touching his naked bare chest.

Wow..the touching along with the nickname..

He really moved on from you. Good. Good for him. Good for me too.

You didn't need such a guy anyway.. the one who previously betrayed you and played with your feelings.

Lee fucking Heeseung. I hate you even more now.

true to miranda's words, she did draw the exact portrait in less than a minute. You tensed. You looked at Subin who reassured you that they were gonna win no matter what.

It was your turn now.

You two went on the stage and all the lights and cameras panned at you both. Subin smiled and went forward.

"Hello Everyone, today Lim Subin and L/N Y/N will present you a song called—"

"We don't talk anymore." the crowd turned tensingly silent when you murmured. and so did Lee Heeseung.

"Music please.."

And the song started. First Subin's part which everyone listened to with patience as...he was quite of a good singer.

"We don't talk anymore.........^^^^^^"

You looked at subin when he sang this part. He sang so well....as if he mourned someone he didn't talk to anymore. But you didn't have much time to think before your part came.

You grabbed your mic and looked straight at the crowd, in the middle stood Lee Heeseung in black, his eyes focused on you, his gaze piercing enough to make you uncomfortable and nervous, even from there.

and you sang like a woman who went through a life changing divorce..cause the feelings were somewhat similar.

"I just hope you're lying next to somebody. Who knows how to love you like me. there must be a good reason that you're gone. Every now and then I think you might want me to come show up at your door. but I'm just too afraid that I'll be wrong."

from the corner of your eyes, you saw Miranda come at Heeseung's side to observe your performance. That scene made your voice go even deeper and lower..perfectly aligning with the melody, captivating the crowd and the judges in.

Subin looked at you deeply, taking in your beauty and the way a certain strand of your hair moved which made you look even prettier than you already were.

He liked you. Had the biggest crush on you since forever. And that will be his secret to you forever.

"Don't wanna know if you're looking into her eyes. if she's holding onto you so tight. the way i did before. i overdosed. should've known your love was a game. now I can't get you out of my brain..oh it's such a shame".

The last line broke you into half laugh, half scoff. The irony of the situation and how it matched the song perfectly.

The crowd was mesmerized, Subin felt proud... but only Heeseung noticed why your eyes were glossy with tears that you were trying to mask by smiling occasionally..

..and also knew the reason for those tears was him. Heeseung himself.

Subin and You concluded with the last line.

"We don't talk anymore like we used to do~"

and you two won the trophy too, by coming first place.

————

after the festival celebration, it was now the time to go back to your dorms, you sighed when you saw all your girls busy with their boyfriends, talking and kissing them, living in the moment. it reminded you of your times...with a certain someone but you quickly shook your head.

There was no benefit in reminiscing on what already passed.

So you started searching for Uber...but your network was being trashy. You hissed and decided to walk back home. Sighing when you realised that,.. it indeed was quite far from here but you still walked anyway cause what else would you do?

You walked for about 10 minutes before a ferrari stopped beside you. you rolled your eyes when you already knew who the car belonged to. You didn't stop walking.

In the end, the ferrari owner, Heeseung had to step out and grab you by your wrist. His touch instantly made you annoyed.

"Get inside the car." "NO."

"Love please.."

"you're NOT my boyfriend Lee Heeseung..stop acting like one"

you yanked his hands away and started walking again, more like stomping away.

He suddenly came infront of you and picked you up bridal style. "You leave me no choice love" you started moving and hit his chest multiple times but he didn't drop you or anything until he placed you right infront of the car door, opened the car door and shoved you in. Forcefully.

"Heeseung you can't force me— you bitch I will sue you—"

suddenly a loud thunderstorm came and it started raining all of a sudden, as if it was also plotting your bad day with Heeseung. Heeseung also sat inside the car but it was raining so terribly that there was no way to drive in it. Unless he wanted to take a risk, which he could've if he was alone, but not with you.

You just rolled your eyes. "If you're not gonna drive just let me get out" but before the whole sentence could even leave your mouth. Heeseung locked your door from his side.

You scoffed. "You really have a kink for trapping and ruinng things, don't you?" He just swirled his tongue inside his cheek at your words.

His eyes moved up and down to your body. Your dress was quite revealing which he didn't like the entire time when guys looked at you but now that you were alone with him..this short little revealing dress was doing things to him. And oh god with your fucking fire mouth that you were spitting lava from..made you even hotter..

Heeseung tried but he was a man anyway...and this was the girl he loves infront of him. You were looking outside the window observing the rain when you felt Heeseung get too quiet, almost no sound and looked back to see him checking out your body, eyefucking it.

Out of reflex, your legs closed and rubbed together but you still called him out. "Aren't you such a pervert? Eyefucking your ex when you already have a new girlfriend??"

Heeseung scoffed. "I don't have a girlfriend..I don't know what the fuck you're talking about"

"You know nothing babe, you always know nothing but still manage to do and ruin everything." He sighed.

"Ok I've said it multiple times and I'll say it again, I'm sorry for what i did. Yes it was my fault and their fault, there shouldn't have been such a game in the first place, so we stopped now, and i shouldn't have started anything like this or even approach you with an evil intention..but i did and for that..I'm sorry."

"but I just wanted you to know. That not all of them were fake and some were genuine from my side, like the i love you i said, the way i cared for you, i only realised how deep and real my love was for you when you left me...please come..already"

his voice got lower and lower as he lowered his chin, not wanting to make eye-contact out of shame.

"It's okay..I've found a better man anyway" lie. you didn't find anyone in particular but you had nothing to do and he deserved it anyway. Heeseung's sad expression vanished and he quickly lifted his chin and to your level. With gritted teeth, he said,

"Oh yeah?found a better man..how's that for you?"

"just like how it is for you..lee"

"you don't have to rub it in my face you know."

You scoffed. "Says the one who has been rubbing this shit on my face from a long time."

The escalating argument made you both rise from your seats a little towards eachother and before you knew it. You guys were close. Heeseung looked at you, completely turned on now.

Your ragebaiting only fueled his hunger.

He grabbed you by your neck and pulled you closer. Your faces inches apart, one wrong move and you'll kiss. He looked deep into your eyes and murmured.

"Do you really know what it means to rub it in your face?"

He said breathless. The sexual tension reaching its peak, the rain sounds only making the atmosphere even more sensual. You both looked at eachother's lips and you didn't know who moved first, but presumably you both did at the same time.

Cause your lips clashed at the same time with eachother's.

And it was nothing sort of gentle or full of love.

It was hunger. Hunger of two needy lovers who got to taste eachother after a long time.

He quickly pulled you on his lap, holding your face with both of his hands and pulling your face suffocatingly close to his, making his tongue reach the very back of your mouth. He kissed you like he hasn't eaten anything since you two broke up.

You got out of breathless and pushed him back to breathe, coming close again, this time he moved agonizingly slow, making you feel his lips dance against yours, the way his warm saliva attached with yours, forming a string. You pulled at his hair and he digged his nails in your waist flesh.

His lips then moved down to your neck and he gave a vampire bite, almost drawing out blood, and sucked harder and deeper at the spot, giving a hickey to last for weeks.

He knew you had a thing for vampires.

He came back on your lips and kissed you hard, not wanting to stop feelings your lips on his, even for a second. Then he bit your lower lip and slowly started opening his black shirt.

"Let me show you what this man can give you that no other man can."

Whe he threw his shirt, you saw his pecs and abs up close..after a very long time.. you touched them, roaming your hands around and suddenly without even processing beforehand, you blurted out.

"They're mine." Hee just chuckled at your words. "They've always been yours.." "liar..I know you're hooking up with the othe girl.."

Heeseung knitted his brows, extremely confused. You just rolled your eyes. "That Miranda girl..or whatever her name is"

That broke Heeseung into a laughter. "What's so funny?" "funny is that Miranda is my old friend, almost like a sibling to me, and she already has a long term boyfriend she has planned to marry."

Crimson crept up your cheeks. What the fuck.

He caressed one strand of your hair. "What about you? Do you really want Subin's genes in your kids..and not mine??" he tugged a bit harder at your hair, his possessiveness coming through.

"Maybe..prove to me..how yours are better than his" Heeseung smirked and started undressing you. "Your wish is my command."

and then he made love to you, under the rain, in his car, in his livingroom, on his couch, on his bed.

—————

You woke up by the sunlight blinding your eyes, you squinted and opened your eyes to see Heeseung laying beside you, fully awake..but his hair still messy from the night. That's when it hit you.

You just slept with your ex.

you panicked a little and roamed your eyes around. He noticed it and grabbed your shoulders to anchor you. "Hey hey..this is my place."

His place, that day, redvelvet cake. It cut open that old memory.

"I know..my place is the one that gave you such a big trauma..but I don't want it to be remembered like that in your heart."

He held both your hands with his one and with the other gently held your chin and looked at you,

"what's already done, can't be undone but I can promise that it won't happen again in the future..y/n..I don't know if I'm worthy or deserving of it or not... "

"But can you give me a second chance?"

"A second chance to fix this? Fix us?"

"I won't try to be perfect or the best, but I'll be real, honest and always there for you...trust me even if the previous relationship was built on evil intentions...my love was still pure in it..and that day all those hate words I said, I meant none of them.... so please?"

You, quiet all the time when he spoke, finally replied.

"And what if you disappoint me again?"

"If such misery ever happens again..then just grab a knife and stab me in the heart..I'll die happily if it's from you."

Heeseung replied..but then he waited for your response but you seemed to be lost in thinking.

"Love?"

"Only if you play one game with me.."

Heeseung chuckled at that. "Oh yeah..which one?"

"Truth and Dare."

that broke you two into laughter, he rapidly shook his head. "I'm never letting you play that if it's my version." He hugged you and murmured.

"I'll try to be a better boyfriend, I promise." You bit your lips and looked at him.

"Be a little mean and more possessive over me too..it satisfies my kink"

"oh yeah?" He grabbed your hair but pulled you close to give a quick peck in which you both smiled.

"I love you"

"I love you too"

────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────────୨ৎ────

Young Jungkook was terrified at the mere thought of making eye contact with a girl. 

He’d spend most of his time practicing dances and singing anyway, so he just came to the conclusion that he doesn’t have time for a girlfriend. He wanted to become the best idol that he could be, that was his main focus. 

As said earlier, he’d spend a lot of time in their shared dorm, refusing to go out if the situation involved many people (which was most of the time).

The rest of the members went out to the city, while he stayed in the room, cleaning it and singing something quietly under his nose. While organizing stuff set by the window, he noticed a figure sitting in the open window in the building opposite. 

You had a laptop sitting in your lap, headphones plugged in, looking at the screen with an intense focus. Your hair softly moved under the wind. 

He knew you were one of the other trainees, a solo one. Sometimes he wondered how he would navigate becoming an idol on his own, without his hyungs and how difficult it would be. You caught his attention immediately, cleaning completely forgotten as he stood in the window, staring right at you like a creep. He heard the door open, signaling him to turn around but he couldn’t. You rapidly typed on the keyboard, eyes quickly roaming around the screen analyzing what’s appearing. You looked so calm yet so focused and motivated. He assumed you were probably writing lyrics or in the process of producing an instrumental, but he couldn't tell. He saw Yoongi working a million times, yet he still wasn’t able to grasp the whole process as it looked really difficult. 

“Is there a ghost Jeonggukie?” - he heard Jin’s voice behind him along with a few chuckles coming from other members. 

He turned around to greet them, showing the clean dorm. 

“There’s someone in that window, over there-” - he pointed, turning around to see the window closed and empty. - “Actually, never mind.” - he dropped the topic. 

For the rest of the day Jeongguk hoped you’d appear in the window again, but you didn’t. He didn’t bring you up to the members. Just ate dinner with them, talking about the schedule. 

For the next few days Jeongguk would catch himself standing by the window, just like he did when he first noticed you sitting there. The thing was, you weren’t there. Days passed by without your presence on the other side of the road. You were probably busy with your own trainee schedule. His mind made up scenarios of watching you in your dance practice or hearing you sing. Those did not help with the empty feeling that built up in his chest. There were moments when he thought that it was imagination playing with him, and that even though you were a trainee at the same company, you lived somewhere else, and that he never really saw you in that window. 

Then a warm Sunday evening came by, other members were out in town, he stayed in his room. He sat on his bed, drawing and softly humming a made up melody. As he got up to take a drink from the desk he froze in place. You were there, sitting in the window, laptop in lap with headphones playing loud. 

For the first time Jeongguk worked up the courage to talk to a girl. He thought about opening up his window and yelling to get your attention but it probably wouldn’t work since you were wearing headphones. He had to think quickly because he had no idea when other members would come back and he had no idea when he would get another chance to catch you. 

He looked around the room in panic, acting like the walls would come up with a plan for him and tell him what he should do. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t about to happen.

He found a piece of paper laying on the floor and tried his best to make a paper plane out of it. It had to be pretty sturdy and needed to fly pretty well, so he put all of his artistic effort into it. When the plane was ready he gave it a quick fly test inside the dorm and ran back to the window. The second he opened it, he froze in place. Was he really doing this? If it did reach you, what would he say?

Before more thoughts could form inside his head he threw the plane out the window, praying that it would make it to yours.

As Jeongguk was probably good at everything he tried, the plane made it safely to the other side and landed on your keyboard immediately catching your attention. You took off your headphones and looked right at him, brows furrowed in confusion. 

“Hi” - a shy, nervous noise escaped his lips the moment you made eye contact. 

“This yours?” - you asked,  a smile forming on your lips as you held the small paper plane between your fingers - “I’m reader.”

“Jeongguk. Nice to meet you.”

You talked for what felt like hours after that. Getting to know each other from across the narrow road. You held up most of the conversation, since he was really shy but you didn’t mind, it was kind of cute. 

And Jeongguk?

He was insanely grateful that you were talkative. He found out that you are a year younger than him and that whenever you sit in that window you mostly write lyrics and sometimes put together melodies - just like he thought. 

When you told him that you have to go for your dance practice, he gave you an honest smile and a small wave. Just as he was about to close the window he heard your voice again.

“Same time next week?” - you asked, a glimpse of hope in your eyes. 

He gave you a shy nod, for which he received a big smile from you. 

The window conversations became a regular thing for the both of you. Getting to know each other more and more. Jeongguk was truly impressed how you managed to fulfil all of the trainee responsibilities, write music and take care of yourself all at the same time, all on your own. He had his hyungs with him most of the time and he knew he could always count on them, he couldn’t imagine doing this without them. 

You told him many times that being a trainee on your own is better for you, that you have more control over the situation and if you fuck something up it’s only you to blame and no one else. He understood your point, the scenario still pretty terrifying for him especially since you’re younger than him. 

Eventually you met the rest of them.

You were in the middle of your regular conversation as they entered their dorm room. At first they were confused at what’s going on, but then they got used to the situation. They loved to tease how he could barely let out a coherent sentence in front of you and how he’d blush every time you fixed or played with your hair. 

They weren’t there for every meet you’ve had with Jeongguk, but they would show up every now and then. 

He didn’t mind their presence, but he preferred having you all to himself. 

Without realizing he’s gotten a bit possessive, he wouldn’t really show it but he felt it deep inside. 

Then he invited you over. You baked a batch of cookies for him (which was insanely difficult because of your tiny dorm room) which he instantly fell in love with and demanded that you should come over more often. 

Your hangouts got regular and the window talks would happen only when you had little time during busy days. You’d come over with your work and show it to him, sometimes to his hyungs too. Yoongi would give you producing tips every now and then, showing you different software and all round helping you get better with the process. You’ve grown close with him too, he saw a lot of potential and you and he couldn’t let it go to waste. 

Jeongguk had grown quite jealous of Yoongi paying this much attention to you, but he refused to acknowledge it. 

As soon as the other members would leave the room he’d invite you over. Sometimes you wouldn’t even talk, just focus on your own tasks and enjoy each other's presence. You still had the habit of sitting in the window while working, and Jeongguk found it adorable. He liked the way the sun rays landed on your face, the way your hair would sway slightly in the wind when the window was open. He could stare at you for hours. 

His notebook for “important notes and schedule” turned into a museum full of sketches of you sitting and working. All of them were almost the same, but he kept drawing them either way. 

That’s how it all started, about ten years ago. 

Around a year ago, a rumor broke out that you and Jeongguk were dating. In reality, it wasn’t true. Your relationship stayed as a close friendship and nothing more. The only romantic occurrence that happened was that one, awkward kiss about a year into your friendship. It wasn’t even something really romantic, just a “I haven’t had my first kiss and I feel like I should've” kinda situation. 

throwback 

“I just feel like… it’s lame you know?” - Jeongguk shrugged, standing awkwardly in front of your bed in your dorm. 

“Why? We’re still teenagers, this kind of stuff takes time.” - you replied, not looking up from your laptop. He was overthinking it in your opinion. 

“Easy for you to say, you’ve already had yours, all of the hyungs probably already slept with a girl by that point and i’ve never even kissed one! How embarrassing is that!” - he slightly raised his voice, pacing around the small space.

You closed your laptop and sat up properly on the bed. You looked at him, brows furrowed, thoughts racing in your head. 

“If it bothers you that much, I could help you, you know?” - you said nonchalantly, looking at him with focus. 

“Y-you can help me? But… How?” - his whole body stiffened as he looked at you nervously. 

“I could kiss you, if that would make you feel better. I know I’m just your friend and not your crush or something but I’m always here to help.” - you said like it was nothing. 

Not your crush Jeongguk thought to himself. Yeah sure…

He could feel his cheeks heat up, heart pounding. You wanted to kiss him. You wanted to be his first kiss. He was going to lose his mind. 

“So…?” - you pushed for an answer. 

“I don’t want to- to force my… insecurities on you. I don’t want you to feel obligated to help me…” - you heard the frustration and slight panic in his voice but stayed calm. 

“It’s okay Gguk. We're friends, we should help each other out, right?” - you tilted your head slightly, looking him deep in his eyes.

His legs turned into jelly and brain into mush. He watched you stand up from the bed and head towards him. You stood right in front of him as you both stood in the silence awkwardly. You signaled him with a nod to answer. He nodded, agreeing to your suggestion. You took his face into your hands and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. His breath shook afterwards, face full red. 

He thought about this kiss every night for the next 3 months. He even had dreams about it. 

One night Jin woke him up in the middle of the night, shaking him by the shoulders.

“Wha-What do you want?” - he asked, confused, still half asleep.

“Can you shut up? You keep chanting reader's name like a mantra. Control yourself Gguk, I don't want to hear your wet dreams.”

end of throwback 

Deep inside though, it awakened something in you, something that you decided to never say out loud in fear of messing something up. He was someone you really wanted to keep close forever, and didn’t want to risk losing in any way. So you shoved those feelings away and focused on important things. 

You’ve seen him flirt with other women, taking them to his hotel room. The thought of him being with someone else made you nauseous. Still, it was probably better to stay silent.

Little did you know, he felt the same way and he had the same worries.

The thing that was probably getting him the most was probably seeing you change, grow up. You weren’t that silly teenage girl from the window anymore. You were a gorgeous, intelligent and insanely talented woman. Your voice changed, matured. Your producing skills were now perfected and you were creating songs that received many nominations and awards. 

He was so in love with you in every stage of your life he’s seen you in. And those feelings never died down, if anything they only got stronger.  

He watched you get into relationships, get cheated on, get your heart broken and then the whole cycle repeating. He would always be your shoulder to cry on, always stopping himself from killing the guys who hurt you, stopping himself from telling you that he’d treat you better. 

He wanted to be the one who kissed you goodnight, he wanted to be the one who cooks you dinner, he wanted to be the one who got to touch you and see your face twist in pleasure. 

But he was just as afraid as you were. 

He thought of himself as a coward. 

His hyungs tried to talk some sense into him, pushing him to confess his undying love for you. And every single time, he refused. 

“Is reader coming over?” - Jimin asked.

“No, she’s with her fuckass boyfriend.” - Jeongguk snapped, rolling his eyes.

“You’re so jealous, it’s getting annoying.” - Hobi huffed out. 

Then both of you were single for a while. No relationships, no situationships, nothing. You would hang out more, just like the old times. You stayed up late at night, talking about things that weren’t important, you started bringing him cookies again.

“At this rate, I’m gonna be 300 kilos by next month!” - he fake-complained when he saw you making another batch. 

“You’re not supposed to eat them all in one sitting, Jeongguk!” - you laughed at him. 

You’d spend more time at his place than your own, everything got so cozy and comfortable. At some point you started acting like a married couple, but refused to acknowledge it. 

Then the rumors broke out, plastered all over headlines, social media drowning in pictures of both of you walking by the Han River late at night sharing a cigarette. 

A relationship and smoking? The fandoms were freaking out. 

Then you both got called into a meeting at the company. It was short, serious and honestly? The biggest nightmare for the both of you. 

No contact, they said. Something about a small font in your contracts and not being able to change the situation. The whole situation was a blur. 

You left the room, tears in your eyes. 

“Jeongguk?” - you asked, not sure what for.

“We’re gonna figure this out.” - he promised. He grabbed your hand and placed a soft kiss on the back of it. 

You looked at him, tears slowly spilling from your eyes. He’d never seen you like that. You’ve cried in front of him many times for various reasons. Somehow, the look in your eyes that day spoke to him. He saw the love in your eyes and was too scared to act on it. That became his biggest regret. 

A year later, you haven’t contacted each other. You both tried and failed each time. The company kept an eye on both of you. After 2 months you gave up, depressed, losing hope. You weren’t sure if he did too or if it was the company doing a great fucking job at keeping you apart. 

At about a 6 month mark of no contact both of you attended the same award ceremony. The company people made sure that you wouldn’t cross paths at any point that night. Then you won one of the major awards. Tears in your eyes you expressed gratitude towards your family, your team, even the company that was controlling you. When you were standing on the stage you saw them. The whole group cheered loudly for you. Yoongi gave you the “I knew you would make it” look. 

And you saw him. 

Tears in his eyes as he stood there mesmerized. 

“Go talk to her.” - he heard Jimin’s voice beside him. - “Congratulate her. Do anything.” - he added, full of courage. 

Later that night Jimin made sure to put the two of you near each other. So he went up to you himself and talked to you. At first he made a normal conversation with you. Then at the end he added. 

“I need you to see him, please. Go to the emergency exit 4, I’ll figure this shit out.” - he said and disappeared into a sea of people. You stood there, not sure what to do and what to think. Then it felt like your legs grew a mind of their own and you made your way to that exit, gathering your heavy dress in your hands, trying to be quick so no one would notice what was about to happen. 

You pushed the door, not sure what to expect, heart beating so hard you could swear it was about to leave your body. 

He stood there, cigarette between his lips, hands in his pockets. His head shot up when he heard the sound of the door opening. A sigh of relief left him. He had no idea what to say, stunned by the fact that you were standing right in front of him. He wasn’t sure if it was another one of his dreams about you or if it was real.

“Gguk?” - you called, looking at him like he was the most gorgeous piece of art ever created. 

Without a word Jeongguk threw the cigarette on the ground and rushed towards you smashing his lips into yours. He poured all of his emotions into the kiss, knowing that he couldn’t express them with words properly anyway. Your lips moved in sync, the kiss full of yearning, exposing how much you missed each other. You put the palm of your hands softly on his face as his hands traveled down to your waist. There was nothing lustful about the kiss. Just two people trying to show each other their unconditional love without saying it out loud, scared of consequences, knowing that their public image still matters. 

Jeongguk could swear he was getting lightheaded. Not because the kiss was so intense and he didn’t want to break apart to breathe, but because he couldn’t believe this was happening. The woman of his dreams, the woman who he adored for so long finally in his arms, kissing him like she was afraid he might disappear. He for sure was afraid you were about to disappear. 

You broke the kiss first, panting, trying to catch your breath and collect your thoughts at least a little. You looked up at him, his lips all swollen and cheeks flushed. He looked at you with hope and so much love. He softly brushed a strand of your hair behind your ear, giving you a warm smile, the one you missed so much. You leaned your head against his chest, wrapping your arms around his torso. 

Both of you stood like that in silence for a moment, you listened to his quick heartbeat and he put his chin on top of your head, the smell of your hair products filling his nose. 

You were about to pull away and say something when you heard the door slam open. Before you could even turn around to look who it was you heard the low voice of your manager.

“The car is ready for you.” - he said, not acknowledging the situation that he walked into. 

“But I was supposed to leave later-” - you said, confused but he cut you off.

“The car is ready.” - he said firmly. 

“You can’t just-” - Jeongguk raised his voice, stepping forward.

“You have other people to worry about Jeon.”

You turned to Jeongguk, gave him a small nod, tears threatening to spill from your eyes. 

“We’re gonna figure this out.” - you promised as you left with your manager. 

Jeongguk stood there, looking at the door like he had to be sure you wouldn’t walk through them again any second now. He could feel his chest physically aching for you. For some reason though, this time he had more hope than ever before. 

With that hope in mind, next week he started packing for the military. He was scared, of course, but the thought of Jimin going with him raised his spirits. 

So far he called you about 30 times in the past week. None of the calls went through. He had no idea where you were, what you were doing and if you tried to contact him too. From what he last gathered, you moved apartments and everyone from your circle refused to help Jeongguk, afraid of the consequences they might face (or money they could lose). 

During the preparations for the military, Jeongguk packed a small picture of you and Bam, from the day he took his lovely son home for the first time. He remembered how excited you both were, and how you constantly reassured him that he’s going to be a great dog dad. Now he wasn’t sure if Bam still remembered your face or your smell. That thought made his heart hurt a bit. 

The days in the military were long and brutal for Jeongguk. He cooked meals for the unit, spent most of the day with a knife in his hand, his nostrils filled with various smells, constantly sweating which was caused by different broths boiling in the kitchen. Each morning he would follow his usual routine and follow it by checking to make sure if the picture of you with Bam was in the pocket on his chest. During the tougher nights, when he couldn’t sleep, he would take out the picture and look at it for a while before putting it under his pillow. Logically, it wouldn’t change anything, but he could swear it helped him fall asleep on those nights. He didn’t really have any connection to the outside world beside a small radio in the corner of the kitchen which (apparently) was put there for better communication but in reality served more of an entertainment purpose. Every now and then he could hear one of Bangtan’s songs playing, or if he was lucky and landed the night shift he could hear your voice, because for some reason that’s when they played most of your songs. He would always smile to himself when he heard your voice and Jimin loved to tease him about it. 

“You’re blushing and she’s not even here.” - Jimin said, softly poking his side. 

“Can you focus on the task at hand?” - he replied with a fake-annoyed voice, rolling his eyes at him. 

Both of them let out a small laugh as your song ended and the man on the radio started speaking. 

“And that was reader’s award winning single! Her career is blooming just like her love life!” - the man said melodically. 

Jimin and Jeongguk looked at each other as the older one turned up the volume on the device.

“Her and her partner announced their engagement today! Congratulations to the happy couple!” - he added with excitement. 

Jimin looked worriedly at Jeongguk who dropped the small spoon into a pot full of stew. His shoulders slumped as he could feel his chest starting to ache. Thoughts rushed through his head trying to put the pieces together but none of it made sense to him. 

About 10 months ago you made a promise to him that you’ll figure this out. Every day, during his breaks he would try to come up with a plan for you both to finally be happy. Those 10 months he spent thinking about you constantly, counting down days til he gets discharged and has a chance to see your pretty face again. All those days of you occupying his mind and you’re out there… engaged? 

Even though this was public knowledge now and you were probably on every headline, for some reason he didn’t believe it. 

He imagined the instagram post you made to announce it. Probably wore a gorgeous dress, your hair framing your face perfectly and a person you were in love with. Maybe it was the jealousy speaking, he wasn’t sure, but he had no intention of believing in this announcement. 

A specific memory of you flashed before his eyes.

throwback 

You were sitting on the freshly mowed grass in Jeongguk’s backyard. Both of you watched as Bam was running around, enjoying the slightly cold breeze of the evening. You sat there in comfortable silence, until Jeongguk decided to break it. You could tell by his face that whatever he was about to tell you made him nervous. 

“Would you ever get married?” - he asked, playing with his fingers. 

“I don’t know… I guess, yeah?”

“You guess?” - he looked at you, confused.

“I mean…” - you sighed. - “This may sound silly, but… I’m terrified of losing myself in a relationship. I’m scared that when I get married I will be just reduced to a wife.” - you sighed, looking up at the sky as it started to get darker. - “You know how hard I’ve worked for everything I have today. I just don’t want it all to get lost along the way.”

Jeongguk nodded as he listened to your confession.

“It’s not silly, but if you marry the right person, surely it won’t happen.” - he said, poking your side trying to cheer you up. 

He admired the amount of respect you’ve had for your work, your time, the sleepless nights. You’ve made a name for yourself and you took good care of making sure everyone else put respect on it because you’ve worked your ass off, just like he did. He couldn’t imagine someone seeing you just as a wife, only focusing on your marital status. He admired you not only as a girl he was in love with, but also as an artist, as a creative mind, there was so much more. 

That night he realized he had to make sure you always knew that even to the people who didn’t know you personally, you were much more than whatever relationship was happening in your life. He wanted you to know that to him especially you were a beautiful soul. 

end of throwback

“Gguk? You there?” - Jimin asked, waving his hand in front of his face. 

“It’s not real.” - he answered in a serious tone as he took the picture out of his pocket. He slowly traced his finger across your face as he stared at it. - “Someone’s behind this.”

“Gguk I know it hurts, but you can’t just deny it because you’re against it. We’re not sure, we’ve been stuck here for almost a year, we don’t know what the situation looks like.” - Jimin said, putting his hand on Jeongguk’s shoulder. He could feel him being all tense under his touch. 

“You’ve seen her! You know what the situation looked like! We kissed, Jimin! She said we would work this out and we will.” - he said, his voice raising. 

Even after the announcement he kept the picture of you in his pocket. The hope you gave him was stronger that whatever shitshow was happening on the outside while he was stuck in the military kitchen. 

And while he was working his ass off in the military, you felt like you were slowly losing control over your own life. 

After getting caught at the award ceremony you got really… lost. You were meant to follow rules that your team dictated, you were supposed to keep up the image especially after winning the award. At the moment though, the award felt worthless in your hands as you realized that your life wasn’t even yours anymore. 

You called Jeongguk the same night that you kissed. For the first time in what felt like ages, the call went through. 

“Gguk, oh my god.” - you let out a sigh into the microphone. 

“Don’t call him again, I mean it.” - a female voice said harshly. - “Don’t contact Jeongguk ever again or we’re taking it to court.” - she added before hanging up.

You had no idea who it could be and why she was the one to pick up the phone. Tears welled in your eyes as you put your phone back on your desk. You let out all your emotions, sobbing, covering your face with your hands. You dropped to the floor, the dress from the ceremony that you were still wearing, spilling around your exhausted figure on the floor. 

That night kept replaying in your head for a while. It was a mess. Why would he meet you there if there was someone else? Was he a cheater? Jeongguk would never do such a thing. 

You had to move on, at least to some extent. You still didn’t quite believe that he wouldn’t want to contact you, and you refused to believe he was dating someone. You decided not to call him, at least for a while, just to stay out of trouble for now. 

A few weeks later a notification came through on your phone about Jeongguk and Jimin enlisting in the military. There was no way of contacting him now. After that, you kept thinking about him before bed, wondering how he was doing, if he was tired and if he was keeping the spirits high over there as he would here. 

The big mistake that has led you to the position that you were in now was agreeing to a collaboration song with a “rising star” - Hajoon. He seemed sweet, really ambitious and had a huge talent. Everything was going well, you did everything to keep the relationship as professional as possible for the sake of your own mental health. You had no energy for a rumor, not now or ever probably. 

The truth is that, when the promo for the song started you were mentally exhausted and the company kept pushing you to write another album, when you wanted to take a step back for at least a few months. They said that there was no time for it and that you should keep appearing in the headlines. Your mind was all over the place and writing another album was the last thing on your mind at the time. 

The company then came up with a different idea to keep your name trending. 

You sat at the table, opposite of your manager, the whole team gathered in the room. A piece of paper slid across the wood along with a pen. 

A contract. You and Hajoon. PR relationship. 

You weakly looked around the room. Then you looked closely at the document, reading it carefully. 

“So if I do it, you let me rest for a while?” - you asked, without looking up from the desk.

“Pretty much.” - someone on your right answered, you didn’t care who exactly.

What you didn’t realize when you signed that document, was the fact that the rules would change as the year went on. At some point you ended up engaged. And Hajoon didn’t mind the whole situation at all. You wouldn’t really say he fell in love with you along the way, but he became really possessive of you, even when you two weren’t in public. It concerned you a little.

“I don’t understand why you’re so bothered, I just talked to my friend and you’re acting all baffled. This whole thing isn’t even real.” - you said, standing outside the club.

“You’re trying to embarrass me! We’re supposed to act like a happy couple! You’re mine out here.” - he said firmly.

“No, I’m not yours at all. You sound insane. I was supposed to get some rest, and instead I have to deal with you out here!” - you started to get annoyed.

“Why won’t you give me a chance, huh? What does he have that I don’t?” - he asked as he stepped closer to you. 

Hajoon has brought up Jeongguk in your conversations before, but every time he refused to say his name. Maybe it was an ego thing, you weren’t sure. 

During this whole situation of you “dating” Hajoon, you never stayed at his place and refused to let him into your apartment. You only gave him a small kiss when it was necessary and restricted the physical touch to minimum. You never really opened up to him emotionally either. 

It wasn’t the fact that Hajoon was exactly lacking something. It was the fact that even after all that drama and after all these years, your heart still belonged to Jeongguk. You couldn’t move on. And neither could he. All you wanted was for him to come back from the military and help you resolve this situation once and for all. 

“Can you stop?” - you asked, taking a step back. 

“No, because I’m out here, working my ass off to make all of this work and you’re out here making it difficult. It’s been years, move on. I’m trying so hard for you, baby.” - he said, stepping closer to you, caressing your cheek with his fingers. 

You slapped his hand away quickly. An uncomfortable shiver ran down your spine as you decided to head back home. 

What you didn't know was that Jeongguk and Jimin left the military this morning. 

As soon as they were done with their comeback live he went home and went through all of the papers stacked in his desk. He searched for any address, name or a phone number that would help finding you. What he found was probably the most helpful thing he could but it was about to be a real challenge. 

Hajoon’s phone number. 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” - he mumbled under his nose. 

He had to swallow up his pride for now and do what had to be done. Even though he hated the thought of him being near you, he had to be respectful during this conversation or it would make the situation even worse. 

He had to be really careful.

He typed the number in carefully, checked 4 times to make sure it was the right one. His thumb hovered over the phone, hesitation starting to kick in. 

What if you really moved on and he was about to make a fool out of himself? What if that kiss was meant to be a one time thing? Maybe you just kissed him out of pity? Maybe you were hoping he’d forget your promise of figuring it out? His mind quickly started racing with no intention of stopping. Before he could spiral completely he pushed the green button. 

beep, beep, beep…

“Hello?” - Hajoon’s voice echoed through the room. 

“Hi, I- eh… It’s Jeongguk here. I uh.” - he stumbled over his words. He should’ve prepared better for this phone call, think through literally anything. Now he was here and had no idea how to ask him for any information properly. 

“Oh! Didn’t expect a call from you eh… Can I help you with anything?” - he could hear the annoyance in his voice. 

“Yeah… Uh, is reader there with you?” - he asked quickly, hoping that he would be kind enough to let him get through to you, even though he owed him nothing.

“She’s about to leave, why?”

“Could I maybe… Talk to her for a second?” - he asked, terrified. 

“Well, I’m not sure…” - Hajoon trailed off. His voice wasn’t filled with worry, he wasn’t hesitant because of what consequences he might face. He wanted something in return for letting Jeongguk make contact with you. 

“What is it? Just tell me.” - Jeongguk asked, his voice softly laced with defeat. 

“Well, first thing first. How are you so sure she hasn’t moved on? You haven’t seen her in ages. Do you even know her at that point?” - Hajoon attacked him, questioning everything he ever had in common with you. 

He was making a fair point - Jeongguk thought. He had no idea if you wanted to talk to him, let alone see him. He let out a heavy breath. 

“Look man, I don’t want to be mean or anything but I’m engaged to her after all.” - Hajoon added, a smile on his face could be heard in his voice.

Jeongguk wanted to throw the phone out the window, punch a wall, find that fucker and knock all of his teeth out one by one. He wanted to say something aggressive, attack Hajoon, say that there was no chance that he knew you how Jeongguk knew you. 

The thought of Hajoon touching you flashed through Jeongguk’s mind and it made his blood boil, but he had to keep it cool. He was on a mission to make it all work and he wasn’t going to get disrupted by his imagination. 

“I just wanted to talk to her. You know I just came back from the military, all that hard training and all.” - Jeongguk tried hinting that he got stronger in order to intimidate Hajoon. - “Wanted to see how she’s doing, a little catch up and all, it’s been a while.” - he tried to play it cool.

He couldn’t tell if Hajoon could see through him, catch his real intentions. 

“What will I get in return? I mean, you’re trying to get through to my girl for god knows what. Not sure if I could trust you with her.”

My girl. My girl. The words echoed through Jeongguk’s mind, bouncing around like a tennis ball. 

“What do you want?” - Jeongguk asked, frustration apparent in his voice. - “Money?” - he added, even though the thought of someone demanding money for your presence like you were some kind of prostitute made him sick to his stomach. - “Just tell me where I can find her, I’m willing to pay if that’s what you want.”

“You’re that desperate?”

“Answer my question, I don’t have time for your stupid games.” - Jeongguk was losing his patience. 

“You know, I can’t believe I have the Jeon Jeongguk at my mercy right now. All over some girl. You’re really that easy? That weak?” - Hajoon decided to play with his patience even more. - “Fine. You can find her *here*. I’ll text you the bank info. Don’t disappoint me Jeon. I know my worth.” - the phone call ended. 

Jeongguk could swear he was on the verge of having a heart attack. He never put on his motorcycle jacket and helmet so quickly in his life. He sped through the streets almost like a lunatic, hoping no police patrol was near. 

In the meantime, you’ve entered your apartment and taken your heels off. You looked into the fridge, not necessarily hungry, just out of boredom. A few minutes later, you heard a knock on your door. You thought Hajoon drunkenly stumbled here to try to get into your bed again (and fail). 

“Go home!” - you yelled at the door.

The sound of another knock bounced off of the walls again. You let out a frustrated huff and went up to open the door. 

“How many times do I have to-” - you cut off yourself as you open the door. - “Gguk?” - you asked, completely caught off guard. 

“Hi” - he stood there, trying to catch his breath. He looked like he ran up the stairs. - “Can I come in?”

“Of course.” - you open the door wider, gesturing to him to go inside. - “You’re back from the military.”

“Yeah…” - he trailed off. - “Sorry, I know we haven’t seen each other in ages and everything, but can I get some water? The elevator broke down on the 20th floor and I ran up the stairs through like 15 floors…” - he let out a small chuckle. 

You reached into the fridge to hand him a bottle of water and watched him as he chugged it. His visible Adam's apple bobbing in the process, making your imagination run wild. Even after all this time he still had the same effect on you without even trying. You admired him as the low kitchen lighting reflected on his face, accentuating his sharp jawline and big nose. You would think back to the times when you both were teenagers, insecure about your looks and now he was standing before you, all grown up. The black shirt hugging his broad shoulders tightly, his biceps flexing slightly, making heat crawl up into your lower stomach quickly. You played with the hem of your dress, nervously, hoping he wouldn’t notice the state you were in.

“So…” - he snapped you out of your thoughts. - “You’re engaged?” - he added, pointing at the ring on your finger. 

You look down at the piece of jewelry, mixed feeling sitting deep in your chest. You weren’t sure what to say, the whole situation was complicated and you weren’t sure where to start.

Hey so actually I’m on the verge of breaking down so I gave into this stupid deal in order for the company to leave me alone for a while?

You let out a heavy breath, trying to collect your thoughts.

“It’s really complicated. I uh…” - you play with your fingers, feeling his burning gaze on you. 

“Then tell me about it.” - he said, crossing his arms over his chest, veins on his hands popping out in the lighting. You could feel that he was tense. - “We were supposed to figure it out, no?” - he added, not trying to attack you but his frustrations were getting the best of him. 

“Well, you didn’t even mention you’d go to the military so quickly.” - you snapped back, you brows furrowing in annoyance. 

“Yeah, but I didn’t promise something to someone important to me and then ran off with another person the moment I was alone again.”

“Then what do you want? Why are you here Jeongguk?” - you asked, throwing your hands in defeat. - “I thought you’d come up with something better to say than whatever the fuck you’re doing right now.”

The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. Both of you giving each other a sharp look, heat creeping up your neck. He walked towards you and pinned you against the counter, the solid marble pressing hard into your lower back. 

“I don’t believe it.” - he snapped, his breath hitting your neck making you let out a gasp. - “Whatever show you’re putting on with that joke of a man, whatever you’re trying to sell to the public eye, I don’t buy it. You don’t love him, do you?”

“Gguk…” - you say breathless, trying to form a coherent thought but his body being so close to yours made it difficult. 

“Please tell me it’s not real.” - he begged, not as frustrated anymore. He sounded… scared. 

He was scared it was too late. He was scared that in reality he really didn’t know you anymore. He was scared that you moved on. He was terrified that you fell in love with somebody else. He felt like a coward, he could not forgive himself for waiting for so long. He was scared of your rejection through all those years and now he was terrified that he was about to lose you completely. 

He rested his forehead against your shoulder while he waited for your answer. You took his chin between your fingers and made him look you in the eye. You could see the raw emotion in his gaze, eyes open wide, scared, full of regret but also begging you to say what he wanted to hear. You caressed his cheek with your fingers, tracing his scar. 

“It’s not real Gguk.” - you sighed. - “It’s all a contract. The company wanted people to talk about me but I refused to write another album. I was so exhausted Jeongguk. I just wanted a way out and I made everything worse.” - you confessed, tears spilling down your cheeks as you finally faced the truth. - “I just want to be with you again.” - you added, quietly, almost like you didn’t want him to hear. 

“I’m here now, pretty girl.” - he tried to calm you down, laying your head on his chest, the pet name making your heart skip a beat. - “You don’t have to face it alone, we’re gonna make it work. I’m not gonna leave you with all of this.” - he said, smoothing out your hair. 

You let the warmth of your body embrace you, your breath calming down, tension is your muscles now gone. You pull your face away from his chest to look at him, his eyes filled with worry. 

You disappointed each other in the past, leaving the other one with a messy situation without any explanation. You believed him but the worry about the future still sat deep in your chest making it ache slightly. There was no fear about the feelings anymore, it was about the both of you going against every battle and every obstacle that would step in your way in the future. 

You traced the scar on his cheek again, admiring his face. 

Jeongguk on the other hand couldn’t believe that all of this was actually happening. His friends called him insane for denying your relationship. All of this made his heart race at the highest speed it could. You still didn’t admit how you truly felt about him, but you saying that you want him next to you was enough for him. If you weren’t ready to say it out loud now, he was willing to wait even more if that meant you’d be happy by his side (hopefully for the rest of his life). He didn’t want to push you, but he wanted you to know how he felt. 

“What’s on your mind?” - you asked, seeing his face twist in wonder. 

“This is the last time I promise you to work on this mess.” 

For a moment you were thinking it was him giving you the last chance to pull your shit together and actually make it work. You thought it was him giving you a sign that if you fuck this up he’s going to leave forever and move on with his life after waiting for you for so long. You realized that it was your last chance and that you gambled with your luck one too many times. 

“I will stand by your side, I’m not going anywhere. I’m so in love with you, I don’t think I could stay away even if I tried” - he added, taking a slight step back, looking at the kitchen floor like it’s the most interesting thing in the world now. 

His sudden confession caught you off guard, not because you didn’t know but because you didn’t expect him to say it like that out loud. 

“I’m glad you couldn’t because I’m so in love with you I don’t think I could live my life without you like that ever again.” - you said looking up at him. 

Jeongguk took a quick step towards you again, smashing his lips into yours, which caught you off guard. Your hands found their place in his hair, softly pulling at his roots. The action caused a small noise to slip through his lips, which he hoped you didn’t hear. You just confessed his feelings for him out loud and that alone made the need for your body against his grow. His hands landed on your waist, holding you in place carefully but possessively. His lips moved against yours in a slow rhythm, letting his feelings pour out as his yearning for you was finally satisfied. You let out a low hum against his lips, signaling that you were slowly running out of breath but neither of you really cared. 

Not long later you pulled away, gasping slightly for air, looking at Jeongguk. His cheeks flushed pink, lips swollen and mildly wet from the kiss, his hair dishevelled. He stared at you, pupils blown wide. 

“Gguk…” - you said, breathless. - “Please… I need you.” - you looked up at him doe eyed. 

He wasted no time as he connected your lips again and started walking you back to the living room. His hands explored your body, his fingertips grazing your skin carefully. The back of your knees hit the edge of the couch as his lips trailed down your neck, sucking a hickey under your ear. You let out a quiet moan in sensation. You fell back on the couch as he stood tall above you, taking a sight of you in. His gaze trailed down your body, making a shiver run up your spine, your face turning hot. His lips found their way back to your neck again leaving wet kisses. 

“Are you sure pretty girl?” - his voice barely above a whisper. He earned a small nod from you. - “I need you to use your words, where’s that smart mouth that I missed so much?”

“I’m sure Gguk, stop teasing.”

“Oh she’s getting brave now.” - he chuckled as he unzipped your dress, sliding the straps slowly down your shoulders. His thumbs ran along the hem of your bra, tracing the soft lace. - “So beautiful.” - he murmured to himself. 

His hands trailed down your sides to take off the dress completely, as his lips made his way lower down your body, peppering kisses over your bra and between the valley of your breasts. You let out a small whine when his fingers started toying with the edge of your panties, your hips squirming in search of friction. He smiled to himself as he noticed a wet patch on the fabric as it stuck to your skin. His fingers softly rubbed against the slightly darker spot on the panties making you let out another moan. He took it as a sign and slid off the barrier separating his hungry touch from your drenched core. His gaze landed on your wet cunt. The sight made him lick his lips, his stare turning almost predatory. His finger made light contact with your wet folds, gathering some of your wetness. The action made you let out a whimper, your body covered in goosebumps. 

“Look at you, poor thing. All needy for me.” - he says, mocking the state you’re in. You only nodded in response. 

He licked up a long stripe up your heat, letting out a low growl. His tongue traced messy patterns, his whole face quickly covered in your arousal. He kept your tights open firmly with his strong hands as he plunged his tongue in and out. You buried your fingers in his hair, caressing the scalp and pulling at the ends. 

“Gguk- it’s… ah!” - you try to form a cohesive sentence as you throw your head back against the couch, but fail as one of his hands makes his way down to your centre, slowly sliding inside with a wet sound, curling up to hit the right point. 

“I know baby, I know. Just let me take care of you.” - he mumbles between your thighs. 

You reach out to grab his other hand, trying to stabilize yourself, your loud noises filling the room. He slides his fingers between yours, feeling the heavy ring of your finger, a reminder of something that was about to be terminated by the morning, if not sooner. 

“Did he not treat you the way you deserve?” - he pulls away, his fingers still working inside you in a steady rhythm. - “Did he not satisfy you?” - he adds, his other hand playing with the ring on your finger. 

“He- ah! He never touched me, Jeongguk. I-ngh!” - you try your best to answer him as your mind gets hazy. - “I never let him.” - you finally confess, your words followed by a loud moan as his fingers abused the soft spot deep inside of you. 

The moment Jeongguk hears your words, something unlocks in him. Hajoon was never in the equation, you never ever tried to give him a chance. Your confession only proved to him that you didn’t even think about being intimate with another man after that award ceremony. Your noises get even louder, face twisting in pleasure giving him a sign that you’re about to cum, your whole body squirming trying to escape his grasp but chasing the high. 

“I’ve got you, pretty girl. Let go for me. Let me see you.” - he says, leaving soft kisses on your inner thigh.  

He takes you right over the edge, your legs shaking, vision blurring. His eyes never leave your face, admiring the view - your brows slightly furrowed, mouth opening wide in a silent scream. He could watch you like that for hours. While he works his fingers through the climax, he takes a moment to gently slide the ring off your finger and hide it in his pocket. You’re too focused on the pleasure to notice it happening. He chuckles to himself as he feels the piece of jewelry dropping down, deep into the pocket. The ring sparks an idea. He shakes those thoughts off now, focusing on you laid out in front of him. 

He leaves wet kisses up your thighs, slowly crawling back up your body. Your chest rises and falls heavily, trying to catch your breath. His hand slips behind you, unclipping your bra, letting it fall loosely before dropping it on the floor. His knee comes up higher, your slick falling onto the fabric of his pants, making you let out a quiet whimper from the sensitivity. His lips make contact with your neck again, sucking the skin into his mouth, leaving a mark behind. 

“You still with me?” - he asks quietly, his voice dripping with care. You give him a small nod, not trusting yourself to speak properly. 

His fingers come up, tracing along your ribs, his touch hot on your skin. Then they climb up, outlining your nipple, while he bends down to take the other one into his mouth. The sensation of his warm mouth along with the coldness of his piercing makes you arch your back off the couch, pushing yourself further into his mouth. 

“Jeongguk!” - you yell out, your state still vulnerable. - “I-I’m sensitive.” - you admit, a pout forming on your lips. 

He sucks the nipple harder, before releasing it with a quiet pop. He moves his attention to the other one, licking around the area and carefully grazing his teeth along it. 

“You can do it, beautiful. So perfect for me.” - he praises, his voice low. 

You tug at his shirt, desperately wanting it off. He raises up to pull it over his head, revealing his toned body and the colorful sleeve covering his arm. You let out a small moan at the sight, tracing your nails down his abs to then playfully tug at his pants. 

“Getting greedy, are we?” - he smirks, sliding his jeans down along with his boxers. 

His cock sprang free, slapping against his lower stomach. You reach out and wrap your hand around him, stroking it slowly. He hissed out at the sensation, biting his lower lip. You move your palm up and down his length before he stops you, pinning your hands above your head. 

“Slow down, we’ll have time for that later.” - he says, his breath unsteady. 

“Is that a promise?” - you ask playfully. 

“There’s that smart mouth of yours. I missed it.” - he says, smiling while leaning down to capture your lips in a sloppy kiss.

You can feel the weight of his cock on your inner thigh as he slips his tongue into your mouth, exploring and claiming every part of it. You feel him push inside of you, the stretch having a delicious sting to it. He groans at the sensation, feeling your arousal coating him, your warm walls slightly clamping down. Behind your closed eyelids, your eyes roll back as your jaw falls agape letting out a sinful moan. He stills inside you for a moment, trying to collect himself and not cum right away, but it’s difficult to him when your pussy hugs around him so tight. 

“You’re so- fuck! You’re made for me, pretty girl. Squeezing me like a vice.” - he says through his teeth, his head falling forward on your shoulder. He pushes his palm down on your lower stomach, feeling a bulge. - “Look at you.”

“Jeongguk, please…” - you beg him to continue. 

He pulls out and snaps his hips back forward in a harsh manner, making you let out a high-pitched moan. You squirm beneath him, feeling so full. 

“So responsive.” - he whispers, as he licks a long stripe behind your ear. - “My gorgeous, gorgeous girl.”

The name sends a shiver down your spine as he continues to rock his hips in slow but firm thrusts. 

“I- Gguk..” - you trail off, trying to form a sentence.

“I know pretty, I know” - he responds in between the thrusts, his hands gripping your hips to keep in place.”

“I- I love you- ah!” - you manage to say, tears escaping your eyes from the overwhelming pleasure and intense emotion sitting deep in your chest. 

He leans down again to capture your lips in a kiss. This one full of intention and much more intimate. It wasn’t filled with lust or need but with love. 

“I love you my sweet angel.” - he breaks the kiss, his eyes filled with emotion and hope. 

His hips start to stutter as he feels your velvety walls fluttering around him, your core throbbing. 

“Ngh- fuck!” - you moan as your vision goes blurry and your legs feel weak. 

Your cunt clenching down onto him hard, pulling him in even closer if possible. The room filled with wet sounds. His hips lose rhythm, now moving in frantic motion. Small whimpers make their way past his soft lips as he buries his face in the crook of your neck. You can feel the warm liquid covering your insides as he comes inside with a loud groan. He works his way through his high, making you even more sensitive causing you to squirm and whine. He softly drops on top of you, careful not to crush you. 

You both lay there in silence, trying to catch your breath, still riding the high. He turns both of you over so you lay on his chest, your finger softly tracing random patterns on his toned chest. You can feel your body getting slightly numb, the exhaustion kicking in. 

“I’ve got you baby. We’re in this together now.” - he says quietly, pressing a gentle kiss on your forehead. 

The next day you wake up in the bed, thankfully. Jeongguk takes care of the breakfast, to show off his cooking skills and also providing you with a little catch up on how the military was. You feel like your life came back to the one before the rumors broke out. The morning felt safe and slow in the best way possible. 

“I need to stop by the company, take care of something.” - he says as he takes the plates back to the kitchen.

“Everthing okay?” - you ask.

“Yeah, never been better.” - he responds with a wide smile. 

Later that day, Jeongguk makes his way to the company building. While in the elevator he plays with your "engagement" ring between his fingers. The elevator plays a melodic sound while announcing that he arrived at the 11th floor. He made his way down the hallway and without knocking barged into the room.

Inside, behind the desk sits Hajoon with his manager and a music producer he didn’t really recognize, not that he cared anyway. Not acknowledging the company, he stepped confidently through the room. 

“Jeon, you're being rude. No knocking? Being an idol doesn’t exempt you from having manners.” - Hajoon complains.

Jeongguk stood tall in front of him. Without a word he put the ring on the desk. The manager looked at it with wide eyes and even let out a small gasp. 

“I thought you might want it back, we really won’t need it. We’re even now, so don’t contact her ever again.” - he says, his voice low and steady.

Far from it.

Blood disgusted you and as soon as the sun appeared you were bathing in it, never to catch a tan but rather to feel the heat.

You stood up and made your way to the open window.

The darkness was beautiful, bats and birds were both occupying the sky. Getting close. Surveilling you.

All the commotion going on below was striking for this time of night, the noise a great distraction.

You just happened to live where everyone else in the universe did apparently, and everyone loved to party.

You let your hair fall from behind your shoulders, the wind blowing gently through it ignited freedom in you.

You took another drag from your cigarette before putting it out and gathering your fur coat.

How good was a party that you weren’t at?

It wasn’t like you were invited, but you had nothing better to do with your evening and if everyone decided to party below your flat, you’re well within your right to investigate.

Right?

You made your way into the crowd, the moonlight beating down and complementing the electric signs.

It seemed like you knew everyone, the odd “hey!” from a stranger and a compliment from another girl was only to drag you into their drinking games. But you didn’t fall into it, you just kept gliding through the crowd to see what everyone was really gathered for.

You lost track of yourself, thinking about what could possibly be going on so late and why everyone was so energetic.

The moonlight was truly encapsulating, you had always been a night owl truly, but seeing her so clearly was drawing you in.

You got stopped in your tracks as you bumped into someone softly, instantly provoking a “sorry!” from your lips.

You didn’t even look up for a second, the embarrassment getting to you fast, you just looked at the ground and giggled to yourself to play it off.

“Hey it’s okay!” A male voice replied with a level tone.

Your eyes finally rose from the ground, peering to instantly catch the persons teeth.

Canines were vampiric, but it couldn’t be.

His eyes fell to your lips, the crimson catching him off guard as he furrowed his eyebrows.

You were quickly pushed away by the crowd crushing a little together to the main attraction.

Before you knew it the man was a memory, losing him to the crowd and the night.

But… his teeth? His frame was muscular and he was pale. Like, actually vampiric. Not like the fake aesthetic you threw on.

You shook your head, trying to steady yourself and find a way out of the overflow of bodies.

You gained your footing on the street over from yours, right where two guys no older than you were standing.

Obviously too recovering from the huddle of people, peering over the mass of humans like a pair of curious puppies.

You walked up to them, hopefully not to embarrass yourself again.

You had luck with men, but apparently tonight the universe was doing everything to turn that luck upside down.

“Guys do you know whats going on? Why is everyone here?” You broke your silence loudly over the assemblies yelling.

“Some celebrities in town. We were just out partying, we didn’t mean to get sucked into this.” Said the man with blonde hair. His tone was encapsulating, but his eyes even more so which, like the other man you bumped into, once again fell to your lips.

What was it with you getting so distracted by peoples appearances tonight?

“We don’t even know who it is, we want to know as much as everyone else apparently.” Continued the other man, his accent velvety and clear to you as he spoke.

“The crowd is crazy i could have gotten lost and im out alone.”

Why would you tell them you’re out alone?

“Isn’t that a bit dangerous? Please feel free to stay with us if you want, we don’t mind the company.”

Inviting, in-fact too friendly.

But you wanted to make it back safely and they seemed like they knew what they were doing. Maybe that was it or the fact you were enamoured by them both.

Or maybe you were thinking about it too much.

Or maybe you were just dumb.

You stayed by the corner, wrapping your coat tighter around you as a fancy black car turned around the corner into the driveway of the road. The crowd instantly flowed in, like a moth to a flame.

There were cameras , flashing left and right. A beautiful melody paired with the lights of the city.

“Well i guess they’re here now.” You said sarcastically. Obviously?

“Should we go look?” The guy with the heavy accent suggested, looking at you then the tall blonde for permission to go see who the important person was.

You both nodded in sync.

Why are they here though? This end of town? Nothing happens here other than a few good bars and restaurants.

You once again shook off the thoughts that could distract you, to focus on walking in your heels downhill. You couldn’t fumble now.

“They must be well liked if this many people are here, why here though. No one ever comes here?” You said to your accompanying bodyguards for the next however long.

The blonde man laughed, and you caught it again. The teeth?

Was it a coincidence? What is going on?

You swore vampires weren’t real, you weren’t a little girl anymore who believed in that. But …. Maybe?

“Maybe they came here to stay out of the spotlight?”

“Because that was effective wasn’t it?” You replied to the other man, mockingly.

You giggled at your own attitude before speaking up again.

“Never got your names by the way.” Casually said as you whipped another cigarette out the box and lit it under your hand.

They obviously didn’t hear you as you paced closer to the crowd, the screaming and heckling swallowing your voice.

You rather had to figure it out indirectly.

“Jake, over here!” The blonde shouted while beckoning as ‘Jake’ grabbed your hand and followed after his friend into the gap.

Sure the crowd was tight, but people were crowding so close to the barricades that it left a lot of open room in the middle of the huddle.

You dropped your cigarette in the rush, a stranger stamping it out seconds later as they followed behind to trap you in.

You stood up as tall as you could, the slight slope giving you advantage.

There, you saw it.

The guy who you saw on the news, on your feed recently.

But for the wrong reasons.

“Isn’t that the guy who’s apparently a vampire or whatever?” Jake said, still holding your hand. He probably hadn’t realised.

“Vampire?” You shouted.

Again? Vampire.

I mean, its not that you didn’t know he was accused of that, you didn’t care, just what was with all the vampire coincidences tonight?

The tall red haired man rushed out the car and into the building, the entrance to a company.

You never noticed it, it was pretty well blended in when it was daytime.

It looked fancy, he was obviously popular enough to get signed to one of the biggest companies in the area.

And to work up such a crowd.

His guards quickly escorted him inside, he didn’t turn to look at the people dying for his attention once.

The crowd was definitely here for him.

He was certainly handsome, the sculpted side profile and the black he was adorned in, the hair dyed a dark red.

Blood like. Just like your lips.

Certainly didn’t help the vampire accusations.

“You mean Lee Heeseung?” The blonde retorted.

That was it. The headlines loved to focus on him. For his voice, his looks, his talent. Everything.

You weren’t too observant of him, but you heard the name. It’s one of those names everyone knows through repetitive exposure. You were certain this guy had die hard fans, you knew for a fact as the girls at the barricade started screaming something at him, but it was impossible to understand as their screeches muddled together.

As soon as it started, it ended.

The crowd began to turn towards you, your hint to leave.

You turned your back, your hand still joined with Jakes. You both snaked around the people, not once looking back. Which was a mistake, because you realised you had lost the other guy accompanying you tonight.

There was no point in calling out to Jake, he was too busy trying to get you out of there.

Dissipating from the crowd, you found a quiet entrance to a closed restaurant and stood outside as a few dozen more people at least walked past, all shouting and gossiping to each other while showing each other their phone screens.

Your hand finally returned to your side as you scanned around as you caught your breath.

“Shit!” You turned to focus on Jake who was visibly stressed as he fumbled for his phone.

“Where did Riki go?”

“Oh so thats his name.” You said playfully, laughing at the fact that you finally found their names out.

Only half an hour after you asked.

“Oh we never introduced each other. Sorry about that.” Jake said, pressing call on his phone.

“It’s okay Jake.” You said as you pulled out your own phone yourself, catching him furrow his eyebrows in confusion.

It was only 10:30pm, you could have swore it was later, in fact you had lost track of time a while ago.

“Where did you go?” Riki’s voice on the other end of the line sounded furious. All you could do was giggle to yourself as you pushed your hair out your face.

“Look im so sorry, the crowd was packed and-“

“All i saw was you two running off hand in hand. Looked a little suspicious to me.” Riki cut Jake off crudely, the joke hinting to something you didn’t want to think about.

“Hey no you know i’m not like that, we are by Blood Bite, the restaurant, where are you?” Jake sneered, quickly looking to locate his lost friend.

“Ah im not too far just stay put. Don’t run away again.” Riki said, hanging up.

“Really?” You said raising your eyebrows, Jake looking as embarrassed as could get.

“He’s always like that. Please just ignore it i promise i don’t mean anything weird-“

“No, no it’s fine.. i didn’t think that anyway.” You cut off, feeling bad that you didn’t let him express his feelings but still. You weren’t interested. Not yet anyway.

A few minutes later all three of you were back together again, the time creeping on as you sat down together at a table and watched the night sky rise.

“I should probably start heading home.” You mumbled, not wanting your friendly conversation to end.

“What a shame we just started to get to know each other.” Jake said looking like a defeated puppy and pouting at you.

“Okay don’t look at me like that, heres my number.”

You handed them your contact details, as you did the boys looked at each other like they had just concocted the most perfect plan.

You didn’t confront it, you were too close to home and the unexpected plans made you more tired than you’d like to admit.

“Well it was lovely hanging out with you, me and Riki will be out again tomorrow if you want to get dinner or something?” Suggested Jake.

“That sounds lovely i’d be honoured!”

There you were, queen of social interaction and totally out of your introverted comfort zone.

The morning rolled around, you lifted the sheets off of you and sat up dramatically. You felt rough to say the least, maybe due to the lack of sleep or rather the highlight of last night.

Either way you needed to get yourself in shape before dinner rolled around.

You had plans. Remember?

You poured yourself a coffee, black, and turned on the tv.

There he was already. The same guy you had saw the night before on the street being suddenly hushed inside.

“Vamp live would like to present to you an exclusive interview with famous artist Lee Heeseung today.”

The reporter sounded so professional for some of what you only assumed was internet drama.

Well it wasn’t.

“He joins us today to talk more about his career and that you might not know as much about him as you think.”

Well that’s definitely him.

And now you saw him clearly, you couldn’t take your eyes off him. You did not listen to a word either him or the reporter said as you stared at him like pray.

Your gaze felt like it could break through the tv and show up on his skin like a bite mark.

[1 new text - Jake :

Hey, are you awake?]

‘Wasting no time hitting me up again huh?’ You playfully threw a rhetoric in your head as you picked up your phone to answer.

[You: Yeah. What’s up?]

[Jake : We need to talk]

Well thats promising, the type of thing you hear from your partner before they broke up with you.

[Jake : About that guy]

[You : Red haired one?]

[Jake : Yeah, did you see the interview? He’s like totally a vampire theres no way.]

It sounded like a conspiracy, you really could not wrap your head around any of this vampire stuff.

[You : What makes you even think that? He’s probably just a normal guy. Anyway famous people have weird shit said about them all the time it’s not crazy.]

Rational. Theres no way it was anything but a little lie started to work up drama.

Well it worked if he was getting this much new attention even though the guy was popular as hell before anyway.

A few minutes passed with no reply from Jake until the other guy you met last night was hitting you up too.

[Riki : Hey when are you free tonight?]

At least one of them wasn’t bothering you over it.

[You : Around 5? That feels too early though.]

You checked the time, 10:20 am.

You drank the remainder of your coffee, now freezing from being disregarded.

Better shower and get ready again. You had some places to be before you met up with the guys, a few errands to run but nothing major.

[Riki : Perfect, Jake will be there too. Meet at Moonlight bar.]

So blunt you wondered if he even remembered your face and how you caught him looking at Jake as you passed him your number.

Pacing to the bathroom, you turned the shower on. Not scorching but warm enough to be relaxing.

You undressed and hopped in, the second the water hit your body you started daydreaming again.

This always happened and you let it, there was a lot to unpack.

The teeth, the crowd, the suddenness of Heeseung being moved into the building like there was something he had to hide.

Even Jake and Riki. You just casually trusted these random guys with your life that night and somehow you didn’t turn out dead?

You felt a fool but you trusted them. And what do you all have in common?

You wanted to get to the bottom of this.

You dried yourself off after a long session of pondering.

Around 50 minutes later you were ready, taking a lot less time than usual.

That deep red lipstick still made its way onto you again. Your signature.

The day was beautiful, clear and the streets were the usual amount of busy.

You made your way out of your apartment, keys tossed into your bag as you made your way to the street.

As your feet paced forward, you surged toward the street with the building you had been crowding yesterday night.

It looked horribly different in the day, such a stark difference it made you wonder how it blended it to you.

You shook your head as you walked right past it, turning the corner to the shop on the right to go top up your groceries.

Milk, coffee, vegetables.

All just little daily things you appreciated, buying them felt like a chore but you loved it really.

The cashier was her usual blinking self, you wondered when she last rested.

You tapped your card and hurried your things into your bag, thanking her and closing the shop door behind you with a polite smile.

There it was again, the building.

And you knew for sure that guy was still in there, you could sense it.

You kept walking. Until your foot struck something on the ground.

Text too small to see, you picked it up and examined it.

[VAMPNOW- Entry pass.

Name : Jongseong Park

Role : Creative Director

Valid : 20th Nov 25 - 10th Dec 27 ]

No photo?

The card had a small chip on the back, the doors unlocking with a tap of the card.

Who could be so careless to drop it? How had no one found it?

And was the plan you were concocting right now worth it.

You returned to your apartment, shoving the groceries away carelessly as you whipped out your phone.

You decided it was best to add you, Jake and Riki to a group chat. It seemed the most appropriate way to talk.

[ You : Created group chat + Jake + Riki.

12:54pm]

[You : We need to meet earlier. It’s important.]

♰───────────♰

You met at the same place you had planned to later, Moonlight.

You all ordered drinks, the sun lightly beating down you suggested to sit outside.

“But it’s cooler in here” Jake replied, despondent.

“Fine” you exhaled, having not the energy to fight over it.

You found a small table in the corner, the boys sitting next to eachother, you opposite.

You wasted no time whipping out the card.

“What is that?” Riki asked, hand out to analyse.

“Vamp now entry card. I found it outside after i went to the shops this morning. Who could be so unlucky to have dropped it?”

“Jongseong apparently.” Jake giggled, his eyes were sparkling.

You had no time to focus on him.

“Look. Its a stupid idea i know but… what if we just go in?” Suggested you, not entirely confident or convincing in your tone.

“What.” Jake replied.

Not even a question, disbelief.

“Okay i know it’s crazy but if we really want to get to the bottom of this Heeseung thing we should do it together. I’m sure he’s still in that building anyway, besides even if he isn’t someone will know about the guy right? Maybe we could find documents or recordings or-“

“You’re insane, there’s no way” Riki cut off your blabbering, you just looked at him blankly.

Jake had other ideas though that clearly followed yours, piping up

“I mean if you have the pass, there’s no photo on it…”

“So committing a crime?” Riki egged at him.

They looked at each other like they had a secret to hide from you, something deeper. But you persisted.

“Oh Riki please just walk with me here, don’t be difficult. I know you want to. So does he and he’s know you longer than I have. I can see through your bullshit.”

Your finger pointed at Jake who just laughed at him being told off like a misbehaving child, provoking a giggle from you too.

Unbelievable the both of them.

“We should probably plan this better, we cant all go in together because only you have a card.” Jake now serious after his laughing spell.

His friend did not seem too pleased.

“Well thats true, i’d want you to know where I was though. You know, incase you have to bail me out or whatever.”

You quipped.

“Bail you out? We have known you a day.” Riki said with such disbelief.

“Are we not friends now?”

“Well yeah.”

“Then listen. I’m serious.

If i go in to fake it and act as if i work there i could get into the interview room or anything. I’ll figure it out. Imagine how much it would stir up if the truth came out.” You were so serious. Stupidly serious.

“Do it. Why waste time?” Jake questioned, he wanted you to do this.

“As long as you don’t tell anyone. Else you’ll both be as screwed as me.”

They both nodded at you in sync, Riki now on board with it. Well as much as you could get him on board with it.

♰───────────♰

Once again back at your apartment, lighting a cigarette.

You decided that you better carry out your risky and definitely dumb plan tonight, better late than never.

You made yourself look your best, the best you had for a while.

You did your research on the place, Vampire Now.

Seems like people stalk the place religiously. The front lights turn off at 9pm, the security gets stricter after that time too.

And after the entrance, theres less cameras.

And theres less staff, but usually all the ‘important people’ are still inside.

Perfect, the time was 7:00pm.

You dressed in a black hoodie and sweats, which was quite amusing in contrast to your well put together face. You didn’t want to stick out a crazy amount.

You threw your big sunglasses on, to hide you more. You looked like a celebrity, your designer bag making a special appearance. And in the front pocket of luxury was crime.

‘Jongseong Park’, a perfect fitting name for a girl like you. Whatever, you just prayed no one was there to check.

The place was deserted, unlike the night before. It was peaceful. You felt amazingly overconfident, stride hurried as you reached the front glass entrance of the building.

You whipped the card put from the front of your bag, hair getting in the way as you fumbled for it.

You tapped it, unlocking the door and instantly shoved it back in your bag as you didn’t want to get caught out.

Too easy, you were already in.

You hadn’t even told the boys you carried out your plan. You thought it was probably just better to do it alone.

You pulled out your phone to look at your notes you had taken about the building as you kept walking to not look too suspicious. There weren’t many people around, but you just couldn’t risk it.

Floor 3 was where they filmed. Each floor having around 10-12 rooms of varying sizes and sets.

The elevator was right in-front of you, your distracted haze leading you right where you needed to be.

You rung the bell, the doors welcoming you in as you rose to floor three.

It was open, cafe and a small open area directly out from the elevator.

It was blocked off though, the seating area behind some frosted glass.

You slightly stumbled out, the motion from elevators always set you off balance a little bit.

There, you heard it. A familiar voice. Talking to another familiar one.

One that you saw this morning. One that you heard on the news.

There is no way.

The glass saved you from completely blowing your cover. But the boys knew you were coming tonight. But not at what time. And thank god you hadn’t told them because now, the mystery about the vampire, Lee Heeseung. It had just gotten a lot more twisted than you ever imagined.

There were a few staff around, all minding their own business tending to their phones and documents.

No one was paying attention to you.

The cover was beautifully working.

You poked your head around the end of the glass, as to not get caught by the voices.

There he was.

Jake.

Talking to him.

Talking to Heeseung.

How did they even know eachother?

What the fuck was going on.

Your heart beat out of your chest, nearly audible as your hands shook. You felt betrayed.

“Yeah we saw you yesterday, fair to say she was interested in who you were.” Jakes velvety voice full of a darker tone.

All Heeseung did was sip his coffee as Jake off piled all the information he knew about you, his friend, to him.

All you could do was snap up a photo before you got out of there.

You abandoned the mission completely.

You got out of the building like it was chasing after you, your quick visit probably caught by the cameras.

Probably banned for life.

But you had evidence. Not of Heeseung being a Vampire. But of Jake being in direct contact with the man himself.

The one who is a vampire. Jake and Riki had the same, sharp teeth. You wondered if Riki knew Heeseung too. But why were they doing this to you?

You just kept staring at the photo, rubbing your eyes, hoping you imagined every word that spilled into your ears.

The breeze once again blew through your hair. But this time you didn’t feel free. You felt chained by it. Owned by it.

All you could do was go home. To the same apartment. And light another cigarette.

♰───────────♰

You spent the rest of that night sleepless. Tossing and turning, anger, sadness, betrayal all lamenting itself to you. Singing lullabies to you that you didn’t want to hear. The burning thoughts made you give in, picking up your phone to look at the photo again.

The appearance weighed on you.

The back of Jakes head and the effortless beauty of Heeseung.

He wasn’t even trying to be beautiful, he just was. Always.

You were fixed, his nose, his lips, his eyes.

They weren’t carrying any weight. Infact they were soft, his cheeks were flushed with a hint of red.

It all just made you think more.

The guy you bumped into. With the same razor teeth. He was a part of this too, right? How did they even know you? You just worked a normal job, lived a life.

Well somehow they did and they were spying on you.

You tried to bargain with the thoughts, maybe you had met them before and got drunk and forgot? Well no because you had to work to get their names.

You shoved it all aside, opening your messages with a lump choking at your throat.

[ You to Jake and Riki :

We need to talk again. ]

You didn’t expect a reply, it was past 2:00 am at this point.

Your phone dinged almost instantly.

[Jake : Its 2 am, did something happen?]

[You : Yes.]

[Riki : How desperate is it ?]

Wow, they did not care to word it nicely. Had they talked about this? Definitely.

[ You : I need to see you both as soon as possible. Im not messing around it’s serious. Tomorrow at 9am. Show up or don’t, just know you’re screwed if you don’t]

♰───────────♰

No sleep graced you that night. You felt nauseous with anger, the way you felt was overwhelming, the anger pulsing through you completely intoxicating you. Poisoning you.

You chugged down 2 coffees, one stronger than the other. You couldn’t even think to eat.

You desperately yearned to clear your mind, forgetting you hadn’t even told Jake and Riki where to meet.

Not like you cared anyway. You’d rather dissipate into the ground than confront them. But you had to, your morals were strong.

[ You : Meet at the park, I’m already leaving]

It wasn’t even time yet. You just wanted to know the truth. You wanted to know desperately. And as you wondered what it was, the way Heeseung sat there, effortlessly picturesque kept creeping into your mind.

Did you like him?

No time to think about it anymore, your phone rang twice.

[+2 notifications.

Jake : I just woke up, slow down.

Riki : Im ready when you are ]

[ You : Please hurry. ]

The park bathed in flowers, it was nice to see all the colours radiating. The melody of greens, reds and yellows were calming.

It felt wrong to do what you were about to here , it felt too scenic. But you had no other choice right now.

You placed yourself on a bench, fidgeting with your hands as you tried to steady the jitters that accompanied you.

And there they were, together.

Jake looked happy to see you, energetic in stride as Riki followed.

“Hey! What is it? Did you go in last night?” Jake blurted. He didn’t seem the slightest bit concerned, he thought his cover wasn’t blown.

“Yeah. I definitely found out more than I should have.” You sneered as you showed Jake your phone screen. Photo on full display.

The puppy energy he carried instantly subsiding into a wide eyed, exposed look. You showed Riki too, his expression turning into the same.

Jake just stared. Riki stared at Jake.

Their eyes were piercing, your skin physically crawling from them reacting like this. But who cares. They were lying to you. And even thought you had only known them a short time, you still trusted them.

Foolishly trusted them.

“Look I can explain- I can explain” Jake pleaded, looking on the verge of tears. Riki just analysed, not wanting to expose himself too you assumed.

“What the fuck is this? You were lying? You put on this whole thing? The crowd, the acting as if you didn’t know the guy? Fuck, you work at the place he is under, are you crazy? You both do! You probably know the guy who dropped the card too huh? Or did you plant it there since it seems like your stalking me!” You blew up in both of their faces, standing up to say it right to their guilty faces. You didn’t even know they both worked there, but they did. They admitted it, heads hanging as soon as it came out your mouth.

They were lying. They were stalking you. But you weren’t done.

“What does Heeseung even want to do with me anyway? How does he know me? What is going on?” You let the anger go. You needed answers and you weren’t going to get this one by exploding words into their ears.

“Okay, can we just go somewhere private, i live close can we please talk about it? Just not here.” Riki finally piped up.

You nodded, submitting to the ‘talking it out’. You followed him, neither of you talking. You couldn’t. Not here; you didn’t want to ruin it.

♰───────────♰

The door locked shut behind you, all three of you making your way to the living room of Rikis apartment.

The whole way here none of you spoke a single word, full of emotions that would be worse if you let out.

You sat down, stared at each other and just waited for them to talk. Since they were the ones who got caught.

“Look, this whole thing sounds unbelievable but the vampire thing isn’t all a coincidence.” Riki spoke, softly trying not to arise anger from you.

“Oh don’t bullshit me, theres no way you’re about to admit to being vampires. Im not stupid you know.” You fixed on them as you muttered with strain.

Riki was right, it is unbelievable.

The room looked way too normal, decorated in what you thought his home would look like. Gentle trinkets, tan walls with silver photo frames and a few plants. Definitely not the stereotypical vampire abode.

“Look, we didn’t want to lie. But we didn’t want to tell the truth either. I know you won’t believe us but it is true. Just don’t tell anyone. Please” Jake pleaded, hands in a prayer.

You furrowed your brows and moved your hands to stroke through your hair, you didn’t know what to say? What does one possibly say to this?

“And that Heeseung guy. He is a vampire too.” Jake continued.

“So you all know each other? Is it because you’re apparently vampires, which ,no , i don’t believe at all still.”

“Well yeah, we have known him for ages. And he’s had his eyes set on you too.” Riki’s tone was gentle, so much more calm about this than Jake who was trying to hide his fumbling by pressing his hands flat against the chair.

“Sorry, had his eyes set on me? How does he know me? What do I even have? Im not special.”

There’s nothing that you could rope together in your mind to why Heeseung would possibly want you.

But if it was so, I guess you would find out why sooner or later.

“Actually,” you continued, pulling together the pieces, “the bats outside my apartment a couple days ago. I knew i wasn’t crazy thinking they were watching me. It felt like they were surveilling me but like, they’re bats. So theres no way… but if you’re actually vampires. That was you, wasn’t it?” You felt stupid giving into the vampire narrative. But they were certain on it.

“Now you say it out loud it does sound strange doesn’t it.” Jake admitted, his tone flat.

“You were stalking me because you saw me in my apartment and one of you thought i was hot? That’s stupid as fuck guys.”

There was no point holding in how ridiculous this whole thing was. But something so absurd would only happen to a girl like you.

“In any case, why wouldn’t Heeseung find some way to find me? He’s popular enough to win anyone over anyway.”

You clutched your arm waiting for an answer. You were desperate for this to be over.

Such a beautiful, talented and popular guy wanting you?

It makes for the perfect fairytale.

“Come on, you saw all those people in that crowd. If he got caught with someone he would be killed. There’s no way he would do it himself” said Riki.

“So he got you to do his work for him?” Teasing them both and giggling.

You were no longer angry, the obnoxiousness turning into wander.

You suspected such to be honest, that he would be recognised the second anyone laid eyes on him. He had the look that encapsulated anyone, eye catching bliss that was unable to be replicated.

“Well yeah. But he is interested in you. Look, before you caught us we were talking on how to approach this normally. Not to let you down. I’m sorry you found out the hard way.” Jake fessed up.

“Well I accept your apology only because I’m interested.”

There it was again, the boys looking at each other with that look they did when you gave Jake your number. You knew what that meant by now.

“Thats a good sign, are you free tomorrow? We can let you into the company. No lies this time I promise. So you two can have a real conversation about this.” Riki seemed all too eager to get you introduced to each other. And seeing him all peppered up about this made you excited too.

“Tomorrow? Why not make it today?

I can make 6:00pm? I’m keeping the card by the way.”

They just submitted and nodded to each other. 6:00pm it was.

“I’m pretty sure that guy actually lost his card though…” Jake professed.

“If i see him I’ll give it back to him since you’re hinting that I’ll be there often now.” You cooed.

This whole thing was just unable to fully convince you.

This whole secret admiration thing coming out of nowhere?

Well, you’d only believe it when you had a conversation with the man himself.

With Heeseung’s admission to your face.

♰───────────♰

The rest of that day felt like minutes.

You never felt fully there, you couldn’t believe that any of them wanted anything to do with you and honestly, you couldn’t believe that they admitted to it. They seemed like the type to run away and hide from it but you were glad they didn’t. That would be high risk and no reward for all of them. For you too.

You felt an echoing pulse, your heartbeat was pouncing out of your chest, every imaginable scenario that you could think of playing out like a movie in your head.

The boys, Jake and Riki, had gone back to work or what you were only assuming was work. They were probably talking the thing out with the man who had his friends borderline stalk you.

You just sat there, in the same chair that started this whole thing. Lighting another cigarette, and just…

[Incoming call : Jake]

‘Oh great, just what i needed’ you rolled your eyes as you laid the cigarette in the ashtray and clutched your phone.

It was a lot of work to make yourself answer, but you knew if you didn’t you’d screw this whole thing.

“Hey! So we talked to Heeseung..”

Jake started, you cut him off not wanting to know. Your stomach twisted with anxiety, you honestly felt like you were daydreaming.

“Just tell me this is a joke. I don’t understand.” You interjected. You didn’t want to believe it.

“It’s going to be fine! Anyway you’re late.”

Shit. You were.

You rapidly got your stuff together, you were still put together from earlier.

You didn’t see it as a date, you just threw the same black sweats you wore yesterday and discarded on the corner of your room as soon as you got back from your secret mission.

Before you left eagerly, you took a look at yourself in the mirror. How could this little effort be so rewarding. You looked good to say the least, gorgeous.

And equally as blended in as the other night.

Seeming as you lived so close you decided to walk, thankfully no one was in the way because you had places to be.

Late.

What a great first impression.

You walked to the front entrance and used the card you definitely shouldn’t still have to let yourself in because Jake and Riki were no where to be seen. Honestly you weren’t even surprised, you were late.

[Jake : We are upstairs since you already let yourself in.]

[You : How the fuck do you know that? Are you stalking me again?]

You swore you could hear him giggle at your message as you sent it, knowing it was imagination but not unlikely.

[Jake : Floor 7. See you there]

You hadn’t heard anything from him since you left earlier, he seemed demanding. Or excited? Or something worse. You shook it off, one thought louder than the others.

Is this actually happening right now or is this some sick joke?

Well you would be soon to find out, making your way to the elevator that opened right in front of you and swallowed you in as your pride felt like it was being snatched from you. You felt a little jittery but how else would you feel?

You opened your phone and scrolled through nothing, trying to distract yourself from the embarrassment that awaited you at the next opening of these doors.

Floor 7.

The doors opened swiftly and you were glad not to be met with them all right in front of you.

You peered around like a lost puppy, this floor looking way different than the others.

Multiple rooms, studio after studio. The black walls felt suffocating, like they were supposed to be depressing to walk into.

You heard nothing.

Glancing into room after room, no one.

Deserted, apart from the occasional staff members and background noise of practice.

There was a large opening at the end of the hallway on the left, what looked like a garden or a balcony.

The way it was lit was beautiful and too perfect, seemed like they picked it out to rub it in. But it worked, you instantly turned to the light and walked towards the large automatic door which opened as you approached.

The sound proofing was impressive considering when the door opened it was not exactly quiet, 3 familiar voices sounding drunk off gossip to each other.

“Look who’s here, you’re late!” Jake poked.

“What a bad first impression…” he kept talking, hand on your back to force you closer.

You lost interest in what he was saying as soon as you locked eyes with the striking face you had only seen far away and through a screen.

And my god was he more attractive up close.

So much more.

You felt your face flush red instantly, trying to turn away unsuspectingly.

Riki caught on, pointing and giggling at you playfully.

It felt humiliating, not because you didn’t see them as friends but because you were focused on not making a fool of yourself.

Heeseung had obviously had a packed day being dressed way more professionally than you expected, his makeup and hair done perfectly.

He really was way more beautiful than you remembered him being.

He put his hand out before you as you regained your composure, instantly shaking it.

It felt way too professional considering how it came to be, but you didn’t mind that. You just wish you dressed the part too.

“Hey,” he said, steady voice hooking you instantly.

“Take a seat.” He said, opening his palm and smoothing it against the seat next to him.

His eyes followed your lips as you sat.

The red. It made him feel starved.

You laid back making yourself comfortable, legs crossing.

You appeared confident but inside you were trembling, the fact that you were actually doing this weighing on you.

“I’m glad we can finally meet like this.” Heeseung’s voice said, smooth as honey.

You nodded and smiled back politely, being sat near 3 vampires was a lot less intimidating than you thought. But they were biting at your neck for other reasons, and you felt like Jake and Riki’s gaze on you and Heeseung side by side could draw blood alone.

“I just don’t understand, why did you get them to find me. Act like they were inconspicuous for you, all because you wanted to know..me?” You deplored, Heeseung holding eye contact as you spoke to him.

His eyes carried tenderness, endearment that melted something inside you.

“Look, I’m sorry,” he said gently.

“I just brought it up with them as a joke, they had the whole thing planned out before I could clarify and it seemed like it wouldn’t go anywhere.” Heeseung’s eyes moved from you to the others who looked full of guilt.

“I mean it worked.” Jake said under his breath, arms crossed in defence.

And it did work.

“But do you see why i didn’t believe this whole thing? It’s unbelievable.” Voice directed back at Heeseung whose eyes skimmed over you.

“I just didn’t want to get caught…”

A phone-call interrupted the conversation, disrupting the atmosphere.

“Let me take this” Riki excused himself, irritation making its way onto his face, growing with every word he heard.

You bathed in the situation for a minute, the call suspending any thoughts and continuation of conversation.

“Jake!” Riki re-emerged from outside the door, beckoning him over.

Well of course.

Them both being called away to something seemed coincidental.

They definitely planned this.

“Im so sorry, we will be back.” Jake said as he stood up. You looked at him with worry, his smirk at you not convincing you at all.

Jake closed the door behind him gently, rushing off to do whatever they had to.

And now you were left alone.

Left alone with him.

“You know, you could have found a better way around it,” You spoke up again, genuinely.

“I am interested, Heeseung.”

You were unaware of how close you two had got, Heeseung’s stare dropping as soon as he observed.

“You seem confident” barely a whisper from him.

“You wanted this, don’t look away now.”

His gaze was different when it locked on yours again. Evidently unable to hold himself together.

“I did want this. It seems so fast though.” He spoke, moving even closer to you.

He was giving you ideas, it was all too fast. But it wasn’t that different from a hookup after the bar, you rationalised.

“Ive been thinking about you ever since i saw you. I know it hasn’t been very long but i cannot stop.”

He was truthful, gorgeously honest.

You wanted it to move faster. You had barely even talked it out yet.

“Okay but, the vampire thing. Please?” It was all you needed to know at this point. Heeseung opened his mouth, his canines instantly catching your attention.

Exactly like the guy you bumped into. Like Jake and Riki’s.

But this one got to you, you felt compulsion, a sudden draw in.

An attraction you hadn’t felt until this point, a new desire.

“Do you believe me yet? Or do you still think I’m lying” Heeseung said with a giggle, so endearing.

“Oh no, i believe you.”

That’s all he needed, he smiled as you magnetised even closer.

Your eyes stayed on his teeth.

The agastopia, the way it pulled his appearance together. The red hair, the eyes. His nose, his complexion. And the way you could feel his breath, close and arousing.

‘What would the others think if they came back and saw this?’

“If you keep looking at me like that i’ll do something we shouldn’t here, darling.” He cooed at you.

The sudden confidence in his words made your breath quicken.

You snapped. Who cared about the others.

It was all unbearable, a daydream, a fantasy.

“My place, now.” You husked under your breath.

“What if we get caught?” Heeseung’s voice, airy.

“We won’t if we hurry. Trust me.”

And trust you he would, he was already melted. He already was only a few nights ago. And you gave him what he wanted.

♰───────────♰

Your exit from the building was impetuous, following behind Heeseung casually to not cause any interest.

The cold air hit you, Heeseung looking back for you to take the lead with that same soft look he gave you when he first saw you only moments ago.

You were relieved you lived so close, the walk atmospheric. The sun setting and the light glow of the streetlights coming on felt more romantic than anything.

The way the plants hugged the buildings, the cars humming as they drove past. No one had any idea about this.

This was your secret.

Before you could bask in it you were walking through the lobby of the apartment, and to the elevator. Up to your floor. Eyes glued on each other the whole way. Temperature rising.

This was all too perfect.

You still persisted in your disbelief.

But it was all soon to unravel.

♰───────────♰

Unrestrained.

A chain reaction, it seemed like he has it all planned out.

Was this his motive?

It seemed like he was taking it all out on you, hands not wasting a second scorching your skin as soon as you got through the door. The grip was firm, he had yet to even say a word to you.

He stared at you deep, eyes sharp with desire.

His hands graced your sides, reaching your face and moving to the sides of your neck.

He was starving, not hiding the desperation of wanting to claim you right there. But he withheld, pressing himself against you causing you to fall back against the wall.

His kiss was adamant, swallowing you with all the pride he could. It felt like heaven, the passion making you drown in it and return the kiss.

Powerful and guided.

Your hands found his hair, pulling slightly provoking him to break.

Heeseung’s growing urgency for you was mind bending, you allowed him to take complete control of the situation.

Because after all, he wanted you.

This all started because of him.

And if he wanted this so bad, he would show you how bad he really wanted it.

You dragged him to your bedroom, the darkness of the evening making it impossible to walk straight.

Heeseung couldn’t keep his hands to himself, the way he touched you was intoxicating.

You could tell he was doing this with intent, folding under his energy.

As you reached the bed, there was hesitation from both of you.

You just stared at each together.

Scanning each other, holding each other.

“Do you want this?” Heeseung’s voice fell soft and sincere.

You smiled at him, feeling your eyes gloss and widen.

“I’ve never wanted anything more.”

The move down to the bed was gentle, every touch commending you.

You barely had any time to comprehend the situation, but you couldn’t concentrate on that as his frame moved on top of you.

He was broad, shoulders covering you so you couldn’t see the ceiling.

Heeseung moved closer, he wanted your bodies to connect in the purest way possible even though his desperation was distracting him.

You felt it and he noticed, his desire now growing visible as he actively got what he wanted. What he needed from you.

“Take this off.” He pulled at your clothes with gentle force.

It was easy, the action of getting them off took no time at all.

His eyes locked on you the whole time, the way your body flexed in certain ways, the curves and shape of your body, the way your hair fell.

All of it was engulfing to him. He wasn’t letting you hide any part of yourself.

He wanted to admire it all.

You kicked your clothes off the bed, playing with his hair as you cooed “Your turn.”

Honestly, he couldn’t wait to get his clothes off. He sighed in relief as he fumbled around. You offered your hand out to help but he pushed it away as he smirked.

“I’ve got this, trust me.”

His tone was effortless and melodic, his soft dominance putting you in your place.

You understood. You submitted.

And how were you not to.

He lowered back down to you.

He looked at your lips like was trying to restrain himself, eyes not moving to hold your gaze once.

“Go on, kiss me.” You whispered, permission granting him to no longer hold back.

Heeseung’s burning touch skimmed your body, finding your chest.

His hands stayed there as you kissed, ferocity building up.

Your breath got faster as you could feel him shuddering against you.

“Please can I? I’ve been waiting for this.” He mewled, his face visibly growing hotter as his blood rushed.

It was obvious, he pressed against you, his erection flush against your own heat.

“Show me how much you want me.”

You whispered, him satisfying the desire almost instantly.

He was slow but moved with purpose, adjusting to each other’s bodies with whines.

He tucked your hair behind your ears, carefully. The hand moving to your face, thumb stroking your cheek.

Your hands wrapped around his wrist, the contact hitching his breath.

He was sensitive, your fingers trailed down his arm and to his back.

He was stopping himself from moaning from that gentle touch alone, any contact from you nearly killed him.

You moved up to kiss him, it acting as permission for him to start moving inside of you.

The pace accelerated, the way he filled you was a compliment and the way you tightened around him was a blessing.

“Ah- you’re so perfect,” Heeseung’s voice said, uneven.

You purposefully clenched around him as a thank you, provoking a pornographic moan from his beautiful lips.

His eyes broke contact with yours and moved to your neck. His hand traced it as he kept a steady, sharp tempo.

“God just do it, please just do it-“

He cut you off with a sharp bite, your body reacting almost orgasmically.

You felt a wave of pressure release like a weight off your shoulders as he let go of you, moving to kiss you as he kept the pressure on your neck with his hand.

“Such a pretty girl, you taste so good.” His tone soft.

His energy was intense now, drunk off your blood, recklessly propelling into you and hitting your spot perfectly.

Perfectly.

The noises falling from your lips caused his eyes to roll, his vocalness clashing with yours melodically.

Heeseung was dazed off pleasure, your pleasure.

You dug your nails into his back enough to leave marks easily.

The arousal was growing, climbing rapidly.

“Fuck- keep going you’re doing such a good job.” You were out of breath, forcing the words out was demanding.

“Mmh, say it again. I want to hear it. Keep- keep talking darling.”

Heeseung’s voice turned into a high pitched whine.

“Such a good job baby. So good-”

That was all it took for him to completely unravel, a curse coming from him as he fucked himself into you through his own orgasm in the desperation to trigger yours.

He whined, his pace faltering as he finally hit the spot that made you fall apart.

His name escaped you as you came down from your highs, the panting mixing together.

“What are we?…tell me.” Heeseung asked through gasps with desperation.

“I don’t think thats up to me, is it?” You said as you cradled his face as he pulled out with a sigh.

“I don’t want to waste another day without you. My heart only burns for you.”

“I guess you got what you wanted in that case then honey.”

♰───────────♰

“I wonder what they’re up to? We were only gone 5 minutes and they already left?” Jake said sarcastically. It really was only 5 minutes, the desperation of you two evident to them as Jake smirked at Riki with that same smirk again.

“Don’t ask.”

They just couldn’t believe such a messy, awkward plan worked.

And neither could you.

[ 1 new message - Jake:

I thought everything was going too fast?]

♰───────────♰

“You are rocking that dress, girlie.”

Charlotte’s voice brought you out of your phone and into the present, her bright white smile lighting up the room. It was the happiest you’d ever seen your best friend and that alone was enough of a reason to grin and face whatever uncomfy situations would arise over the weekend.

“Well I am technically single and hopefully out of the thousands of people you’ve invited to this thing, there’s surely at least someone for me to have a crack at,” You winked, “But not your uncle Peter – he’s not my type.”

Charlotte rolled her eyes and turned towards the full length mirror propped up beside your chair, “He’s back with Aunty Donna so don’t worry… But I do know someone else who is single – definitely your type and actually mentioned you a few times last week.”

An interested hum slipped from your lips, curious to know who had been asking about you. Maybe you were in luck. 

“Who was it?”

The way Charlotte smirked and flicked her long blonde, perfectly curled hair off her shoulder should’ve given her away; “Just a friend of Jin’s – the classic broody, dark and handsome, you know… Brown eyes, charming and such a gentleman…” She continued, her tone teasing.

You blinked a couple of times, completely deadpanned as you stared your best friend down; “You better not be talking about Yoongi.”

“He’s still hung up on you, babe.” Charlotte confessed, treading carefully.

“I don’t caaaare,” You whined, irritated that this conversation was even happening. It had taken you months to move on after he gave you a glimmer of hope. You were trying so hard to mend your broken heart and your best friend knew the history, but she also wanted what was best for you. In her opinion, that was making it work with Min Yoongi. She had always been rooting for the two of you. 

“Well, please just be civil with him. I know things didn’t end well and I know that you blame him for all of it and rightfully so,” Charlotte quickly added, sensing your narrowed stare.

“But you did love him once upon a time. A lot. And I know that you love me and wouldn’t do anything to fuck up my moment so get your sexy butt up so I can go see my husband.”

“Aye, aye captain.”

Anything to end this conversation, you thought.

—

Shilla Jeju was beautiful. Everywhere you looked was picture-perfect – from the balcony overlooking the ocean to the stunning architecture framing the immaculate gardens, not to mention the painstakingly placed candles and floral arrangements hanging in every room. It was spectacular, tastefully extravagant and definitely worth the wait.

The rehearsal dinner was strictly the wedding party and parents only; everyone else would have to wait until tomorrow to witness the event of the decade. Jin was the first person to come up and greet you, having only seen you a couple hours before when you’d arrived at the hotel nearby. Jimin was closely following behind with his wide smile; always making you feel loved and welcomed, regardless of what had happened between you and his best friend.

“It’s really good to see you – it’s been so long?” He asked, the pained inflection on his voice making you pout before you were ushered away by one of the other bridesmaids, promising him that you’d meet him at the bar for a drink later.

He was easy to pick out of a crowd. He who shall not be named; who had broken your heart into a million tiny pieces; he who had left you with nothing but an empty promise that maybe, one day he would find his way back to you. Utter bullshit.

He was standing with Charlotte and her parents who practically raised you, chilled soju in his hand, smiles on their faces and loud laughs rousing the flock of birds floating across the pond behind them. That fucking gummy smile made you sick because it’s what landed you with a broken heart.

You were stunned in place, unable to process seeing him again after lying side by side on Jin’s bed, confessing your love for each other again – just another “almost” moment to add to the long list. It had only been six months but it felt like a lifetime since then, barely living life without him – and without that stupidly infectious smile.

Yoongi was the first to notice you walking over; truth be told, he’d been looking for you the second he stepped out of his hire car twenty minutes ago. Subtle scans of the garden and beyond, peeks over the balcony he was standing on, hoping to see you. He ached thinking about this moment, even last night in his apartment in Seoul he thought about you – and whether you would speak to him, or even glance his way. You would have to, right? He was the best man and you were the maid of honour. Surely.

“Hi everyone,” You smiled, confidence mustered out of nowhere, surprising yourself. 

Charlotte’s parents were quick to pull you into a cuddle, claiming that you were too cool and way too busy for them these days, which the latter was true. You felt guilty but also knew they understood. They appreciated the little moments like this where they could get their whole family together again and you felt lucky to be a small part of that.

“We were just talking to Yoongi about the tour starting in a few weeks – are you going to be at the first concert in Seoul, darling?” Charlotte’s mum asked, and you hadn’t even registered that she was talking to you, assuming that everyone knew by now that you and Yoongi had broken up.

Her question, albeit innocent, felt like a punch to the gut – one of the many painful reminders of how interconnected your life together had been for so many years. She wasn't the last person that weekend to remind you of what you'd lost, opening old wounds over and over.

“Actually Mum, I should go and find Jin and get started – your seats are over here…” Charlotte was quick to jump into action, ushering her parents over to their table and leaving you and Yoongi alone for what felt like the longest minute of your life.

He looked nervous but happy to see you. He also looked very jet-lagged like you, and the way his long, frazzled hair fell onto his face indicated that the humidity had gotten to him already, the obscene summer heat doing the same to you. The small smile tugging on the sides of his mouth eased you, the quiet whistle he made also allowed you to relax. He was good at filling in uncomfortable silences – you, not so much.

“So…” You drawled, pondered out loud trying to fill the void, “Keeping well?”

Yoongi stopped whistling and stifled a laugh at your seemingly innocuous question, “Really?”

“Well, what do you want me to say?” You sharply shot back, scoffing at his judgement, “Great to see you? How’s the family? Like…”

Yoongi shuffled his feet on the pavement and looked up at the darkening sky above, “No, you’re right – I’m sorry. It’s just… so fucking weird seeing you after – after everything that was said at the engagement party,” He leaned forward and whispered, eyes boring into yours as he spoke. 

You gave him a small nod, hard features softening the longer you held his stare. You always felt safe in those eyes but right now, you couldn’t let yourself get lost in them like you usually would. Yoongi could sense your vulnerability and averted his gaze to his shoes, saving you both from the heartache.

“I know but I don’t want to stress them out,” You looked over at Charlotte and Jin who were speaking with their emcee, “So let’s keep our distance and get through the weekend without any drama, please?”

Yoongi frowned at your suggestion, wanting the complete opposite of distance but he knew he had no right to fight you on it “Sure...” He settled, a pang of disappointment shooting through his chest, “I can do that.”

“Great.”

You turned on your heel and set your sights on the job at hand. It was no mean feat being the maid of honour to someone as capricious as Charlotte but she was glowingly in love; blissful compared to a week ago when she called you in the middle of the night crying, thinking that she’d forgotten to book a DJ. Of course you reassured her and sent her the wedding itinerary for the hundredth time that week, easing her nerves like only a best friend could.

And Yoongi was in the same predicament, moving around the room wrangling groomsmen into their agreed upon seating arrangement. All of the ensuing chaos hidden behind your respective smiles and you knew then that at some point you would have to join forces; like you did when you were together. Five years of being the dream team.

“Why did they decide to have a million people in their wedding party?” You whispered once everyone was seated; now waiting for the bride and groom to make their entrance. 

Yoongi chuckled as he shuffled closer to you, the cologne you’d bought him for his birthday years ago filling your senses. It warmed the smallest part of your cold heart to know that he was still wearing it after the break up, no doubt that it reminded him of you every time he put it on. So many memories tied up in the smell of that cologne. 

“Makes no sense to me but I’m proud of you for not slapping Izzy when she refused to sit next to Taehyung,” Yoongi whispered, causing a stifled laugh to slip from your smirking lips, “You did good, Aein.”

Your nickname fell from his lips too easily, too familiar and your eyes rolled involuntarily. Of course he’d call you that, pushing the boundaries because there had never been a moment in the time that you’d known Yoongi where he wouldn’t step over a blurred line.

Hell, that’s how it started with him – a drunken night out with friends and breakfast together the next morning. He was nothing if not persistent and you loved that once upon a time. But for now, you both had to be laser focused on the people who had found each other because of the two of you – a blind date turned into happily ever after.

“You did good too.”

You stayed true to your word and got a drink with Jimin once the rehearsal was over – taking full advantage of the complimentary drinks being served by the luxurious resort you were all staying at. As you caught up with Jimin, you couldn’t help but scan around the ballroom, unable to fathom how picturesque this place was in real life. It was heaven on earth.

Months ago, you found out that Yoongi had been the one to suggest the venue after Jin and Charlotte’s original plans fell through and the days following that revelation were tough. “Crying yourself to sleep” kind of tough. Shilla Jeju had been written in your dream journal since yours and Yoongi’s third anniversary – you remembered his words like they were said yesterday.

“My cousin got married at this amazing place in Jeju last year. One of the most beautiful places in the world…”

It was a throw away comment; an observation that Yoongi may not have even realised struck you so much. But you went home that night and googled it, concluding that if Yoongi ever proposed and you got to plan your wedding, Shilla Jeju would be the place you would marry the love of your life. You never voiced that to Yoongi and sadly, that day never came.

But years later here you were, watching your best friend living out your dream and you couldn’t have been happier for her – for them. Yoongi had missed his chance, thrown it all away because it got “too hard” and you couldn’t help but feel your blood starting to boil as he approached you and Jimin sitting at the bar, your memories like little daggers sharpening in your mind.

“Hope I’m not interrupting,” Yoongi tentatively asked, a fresh bottle of soju in hand and a tight smile on his face. He knew he was.

“Of course not,” Jimin replied and tugged out the stool beside him but Yoongi glanced down at you with curious eyes, seeking permission before taking up Jimin’s offer.

“Yeah, join us.”

It was subtle but you could see Yoongi exhale a sigh of relief, you knew him better than anyone. You could see the weight lifting from his shoulders as he sat across from you, trying to temper his joy that you'd agreed to have him anywhere near you. 

And in typical Yoongi fashion, he slotted into the group seamlessly, never an awkward pause of silence or a lull in conversation whenever he was around. He was captivating whenever he spoke, the kind of guy everyone feared and loved in equal measure and you loved how he held himself in social settings. After the split, it became obvious how much everyone loved him and naturally you lost touch with most of your mutual friends – Jimin included.

It was a bitter pill to swallow and you resented him in the beginning but watching him talk, crack the odd joke here and there you could understand why. Like Charlotte had noted in her room earlier, he was the whole package but he broke your heart. And he regretted that every second of every day. He’d tried so hard to forget the way you smiled, the way you giggled softly, trying to suppress the real laugh that only he ever got to hear. You were glowing under the lights, hair swirling around in the evening breeze and Yoongi couldn’t take his eyes off you.

The grimace on his face when you caught him made you smile, eyes narrowed with suspicion as he shrugged and mouthed, I’m sorry. You mirrored his shrug and took a sip of the glass of white wine he’d gotten you when he got up to get himself a drink. Truth be told, you couldn't keep your eyes off him either.

Before you knew it, the two of you were sitting alone – Jimin made up some story that he needed to speak with Jin and that he would be back but he never returned. And you hadn’t really even noticed his absence until your phone buzzed on the table between you and Yoongi.

“… But being back home after writing the album was nice – my parents asked when you were coming to visit and said that they missed you a bunch of times.”

Yoongi noticed the way you looked at your phone. The small smile followed by the lip bite gave you away and he couldn’t ignore the way his stomach dropped, knowing that expression all too well. It was one he’d been on the receiving end of so many times. You flipped your phone over, screen down and returned to your conversation with apologetic eyes, “Sorry, what did you say? Something about writing?”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter,” Yoongi smiled and nodded towards your phone, “Answer him if you need to.”

You were slightly caught off guard, naively thinking you’d kept your cards close to your chest. Or maybe you had and Yoongi was baiting to see if you’d admit that you were talking to someone new, finally moving on. He was hard to read but he knew you better than anyone and you hated the way he was watching you, waiting for a response. 

“Nah, it’s fine. It’s not a serious thing,” You stupidly confessed, internally face palming as the words slipped from your loose lips.

“But it is a thing?” Yoongi was quick to enquire, selfishly wanting to know whether or not you had moved on, if he'd missed his chance.

“Forget I said anything, please,” You swiftly replied, taking a gulp of wine and wilfully hoping he would drop it. He didn’t want to but he could see the warning in your stern gaze, silently begging him not to interrogate you over this, not here.

“I just want you to be happy.” Yoongi landed on; honest eyes boring into yours as he clasped his hands together and sighed loudly into the cool air. 

“I was happy with you and then you threw it away like it meant nothing to you,” You breathed, hands expressively falling to your sides and busying your fingertips on the hem of your dress. “And then you gave me hope…”

“You mean – meant more to me than anything. I just… woke up one day and realised that you deserved better; more than what I could give you being away for months on end,” He quietly replied, the words feeling dry as he explained why he’d cut you loose and left you broken hearted.

The scoff erupting in your throat caught Yoongi’s attention, “Don’t you think I should’ve been the person deciding that, not you?”

“Of course but in the moment it felt like the right thing to do and I fucked up… I really, really screwed it up and then I got scared at the engagement party because we were launching the new album. Do you ever think–”

“If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,” You interrupted with a loud sigh.

Suddenly, you heard your name being shouted from across the lawn, both you and Yoongi snapping your heads around to see Charlotte waving her arms like a maniac trying to get your attention, “Time for bed, guys! Early morning tomorrow."

Neither or you wanted to end the conversation there, on a cliffhanger because simply being close to each other again fuelled something internally that you couldn’t quite put your finger on. He gave you strength whenever he was near and you gave him solace, a sense of calm that nobody else could ever replicate. And tearing yourselves away from that was hard, so much so that a stand off had begun.

“After you,” Yoongi motioned with a smirk, reading you like a book.

“You just want me to go first so you can check out my ass in this dress,” You teased and poked his shoulder, “Pervert.”

“You are so cocky but honestly, yah…” He winked as you stood up and smoothed out the dress that had ridden up slightly, his eyes shamelessly scanning your outfit, “Unbelievable.”

A blush crept up your neck as his words washed over you but you couldn’t let him see that, “Goodnight, Yoongi.” You said, turning on your heel and fleeing the scene as quickly as you could, but not without a little sway in your step.

Yoongi exhaled deeply and watched you until you were out of his sight, not even noticing the dip in the couch he was sitting on. 

“Put your tongue back in your mouth and go to bed.”

Jimin had caught him red handed and now it was his turn to furiously blush. He was down bad and had no idea how he was supposed to sleep, knowing you were a couple of rooms down, thinking about him, thinking about you. He missed you in so many ways, the obvious ones now being the ones on his mind as he lay in bed, fingers trawling through his hair as he tried to think of anything else but you. What eventually lulled him to sleep was the promise of tomorrow – did he dare to dream?

—

After a couple of hours of complete and utter panic, the weather had finally decided to put on a show for the newlyweds. The clouds that had dampened the morning vanished as soon as the fleet of vintage cars rolled up the stoned driveway, arriving fashionably late. You had done your best to calm Charlotte but she was already teary, eyes blinking rapidly in an attempt to control the tears threatening to ruin her make up. Just breathe, you whispered as her sister made her way down the carpeted aisle, sun shining down on the gorgeous archway at the top of the stairs.

“Let’s go and get you married to the goofy man of your dreams, hey?”

That was all you needed to say before Charlotte nodded and pushed you towards the open doors, one last wink giving you the reassurance that she would be right behind you. The ceremony was beautiful; there were tears flowing and laughter rumbling through the large crowd when Jin made a joke about her being stuck with him for the rest of her life. Everything else flew by in the blink of an eye and before you knew it, Yoongi was reaching out for your hand, clasping it gently in his as he guided you down the stairs and out to the balcony where the photos were going to be taken before joining the reception.

“Champagne?” Yoongi asked you, flute already locked and loaded in his hand – he knew you couldn’t resist a glass of wine, not after such a stressful morning.

“Please and thank you,” You sighed, taking a sip and glancing over at the happy couple who had already started taking photos together.

“Can’t believe it’s actually happened.”

Yoongi followed your eye line and smiled, “Who knew 6 years ago when we jokingly set them up that we’d end up here…” He pondered out loud and you agreed, you never would’ve guessed it, "It's amazing."

“I said it back then and I stand by it now; we should be professional match-makers. We’re literally 1 for 1 right now,” You enthused, reflecting Yoongi’s grin.

“Oh, we’re killing it. Alright, let’s see…” He trailed off and looked around the balcony at the other groomsmen and bridesmaids making small talk, “What about Taehyung? He’s been single for a while now and he’s been annoying as fuck since he moved into my building complex so getting him laid would benefit me too… Izzy’s single, right?”

“She is!” You whispered a little too enthusiastically that Yoongi jumped back and laughed, “But she’s a commitment girl so I don’t think a hit it and quit it vibe or his travelling would be a good match. Marcia is a bit rogue… definitely single and down for anything, I reckon... Ooo, this is too much fun!”

Yoongi chuckled and soaked in your excitement – it had been so long since he’d seen you smile like that, so free and candid. Like his simple existence wasn’t sucking the life out of you and wasn’t making you miserable for the first time in over a year. He felt guilty taking so much emotionally from you, the toll of his work affecting both of you in the end. He hadn’t said it out loud but he knew that his mental health was having a detrimental effect on you but you loved him. Loved him with every cell in your body and you would never have given up on him. And little did he know, you still hadn’t after all this time.

“You are so beautiful.”

Yoongi’s words surprised you and there was a second of silence before he doubled down with a soft laugh, “Like, so beautiful.”

What you did next startled Yoongi. Your hand brushed over the buttons on his dark jacket, fingertips gently readjusting the small flower arrangement pinned on the lapel as you took in his compliment. You’d be lying if you said it didn’t ignite a spark within, a small flutter of your heart making you blush as he reached out and grasped your hips in his warm hands. The vanilla silk of your bridesmaid dress was soft under his palms, barely even a second passed before you melted into his touch, wishing for more than a friendly exchange.  

“Thank you,” You whispered, eyes flickering up through your thick eyelashes – his brown ones gleaming with joy as you trailed your hands down his chest and gave him a soft push towards the photographers standing behind him, “Get that billion dollar smile ready, Min because I think we’re being summoned.”

He continued to seek you out for the rest of the night, hypnotised by the smell of your perfume and the softness of your touch; the latter caused by the couple of cocktails you had already consumed. 

Yoongi loved it when you were a tiny bit tipsy. He loved the little giggles that you gifted him and the way you hung onto him just that little bit longer. The memories of the two of you stumbling down the footpath outside your apartment together last summer, barely making it up the stairs and through the door came flooding back when you whispered in his ear, “You look so handsome, Yoon.”

“Excuse me?” He chuckled; hand sprawled over the small of your back as he placed his jacket over your shoulders, “You heard me,” You shot back, smirk plastered across your face as you grasped his hand. 

“Come dance with me.”

Yoongi had been waiting for you to ask, praying you’d be the one to drag him out onto the dance floor. You knew what you wanted and you didn’t hesitate throwing your arms over his shoulders, forcing his hands to snake down your sides and grasp your swaying hips. The floor was packed with people dancing along to the DJ who was mainly spinning 90s R&B – a personal favourite of yours and the bride.

Yoongi was in heaven as your bodies moved together in perfect rhythm, the music transporting you back to the first time you met – the night when your life changed in the blink of an eye. He knew to savour it, never taking your intimacy for granted because he knew that you were hurting more than him, and you had every right to be. But in that moment, as he looked down into your slightly glassy eyes, he saw the woman he fell in love with – the one he loved more than anything in the entire world. His girl.

You were barely inches apart when he leaned down and kissed you; lips ghosting before taking what they wanted, what they craved. Even though it was Yoongi making the first move, you were going to if he didn't soon and the smile erupting on your face when he pulled back reassured him that he’d made the right call. Cutting the tension with a knife and making your blush under the thick layer of makeup that hadn’t budged all day.

There was a short pause as you stared at each other, unsure whether you were fully on the same page or not but Yoongi didn’t want to wait any longer. He’d waited nearly six months to be with you, to touch you; to taste you.

“Do you wanna…?”

“Yes!” You hastily replied, making Yoongi chuckle before he wrapped his arm around your waist and guided you off the dance floor and away from the loud music; both of you tingling with anticipation.

The mansion where the reception was being held was enormous. Guest bedroom after guest bedroom lined the hallways so you were a little shocked when you were pulled into a bathroom at the end of the passageway. It was massive, bigger than your kitchen back home and the sconces hanging from the dark walls looked nearly 100 years old, barely emitting any light. It was definitely setting a mood and you weren't complaining at all.

“There’s locks on the bathrooms but not the bedrooms,” Yoongi explained, sensing your surprise at his choice of location. You nodded and reached out for him, already missing the way his body felt on yours as he pinned you against the tiled wall, heat radiating down your spine as he feverishly kissed you again.

“You’ve done me in dirtier places,” You moaned and he chuckled against your neck, lips travelling across your collarbone and between your breasts. 

The fire that had been smouldering in the pit of your stomach all night was being stoked by his firm touch, every trace of a fingertip or rough tug on your sensitive skin making you whimper with excitement. You needed him to fuck you good.

“I’d do you anywhere, baby.”

You hummed and roughly grappled Yoongi’s slicked back hair between your fingers as he dipped down further and grasped the hem of your dress. A small shrug was enough to let the thick suit jacket he had given you fall to the ground, goose bumps erupting all over your arms as he left a trail of sloppy kisses up your thighs; stopping right where you wanted him and letting the flowy material of your dress drape over his head, disappearing from your sight. He knew your body like the back of his hand and knew you loved nothing more than his warm breath fanning between your thighs, glistening all for him.

“I want you to fuck me against this mirror,” You strongly suggested through batted eyelashes as he returned into view, a smirk painted on the supple lips that were seconds away from devouring you.

“Don’t want my tongue?” Yoongi asked, still crouched down and gazing up at you with those big brown eyes, waiting for your response. “Definitely later,” You whispered, watching as he jumped up with a grin, eager to fulfil whatever you desired.

“Hands up where I can see them, ma’am,” Yoongi playfully ordered and you played along, holding your hands up in the air as he spun you around so you were facing the dark mirror. You could feel yourself soaking through your flimsy panties and if you could feel it, Yoongi definitely could as he slid his hand into the lace, cupping you gently and stroking a single finger through your folds.

“Spread ‘em,” He whispered into your ear before pressing a firm kiss to your temple and kicking your heeled feet apart.

Your hands were gripping the sink in front of you; white knuckling already but knowing that this wasn’t anything compared to what Yoongi could do to you. He once had you bucking on his face like it was the last orgasm you were ever going to have, screaming in pleasure like you were being tortured. And now, all you could think about was his hard dick pressing against your backside, taunting you under the thick material of his trousers.

“Yoon,” You quietly moaned through gritted teeth and Yoongi knew what that moan meant, not wasting a second before unbuckling his belt and pushing his pants down to his ankles. He did the same with your underwear, except he bent all the way down to rid you of them so he could keep them in his discarded jacket pocket for safekeeping. 

“I’m gonna need those back, sir.”

“Huh, I don’t think so,” Yoongi teased, standing back up straight and catching your eyes in the reflection in front of him.

“Gotta be quiet for me, okay?” He sweetly whispered, tongue swiping across the shell of your ear as he teased your hole with his soft tip, the feeling of your excitement mingling together making your shiver, “Already feels so good.”

You hummed as Yoongi nudged forward, his thickness took your breath away as you closed your eyes and leaned over the sink a little more; taking all of him, inch by inch. He could feel how tight you were, trying to not let his mind wander to whether you’d been fucked by anyone else since the break up. Because if you had, he knew it wasn’t anything compared to how good he could do you by the way you were already choking back moans. Whimpering for more.

“Relax for me, baby. The clenching feels crazy good for me but I need you to just take me nice and slow,” Yoongi coached, smoothing his palms over your hips and slowly rocking you back and forth against him, “God, your ass really is something else,” He rasped, lightly tapping your backside as you looked up at him in the mirror, narrowed eyes sending him a stern warning.

“Don’t even think about it and don’t try the whole ‘oh, I accidently slipped’ trick again because I know you,” You playfully scowled, trying to hide the smirk tugging on the corners of your lips.

Yoongi tipped his head back and cackled at you calling him out, revelling in the banter and the fact you knew him inside and out. He’d missed being called out on his shit and he loved nothing more than when you teased him during sex, the laughter ringing off the walls while he watched himself disappear into you.

“You’re tight enough already, jagiya, ssibal…” Yoongi groaned and jutted his hips forward, jolting you closer to the mirror in the process. He readjusted his tight grip on the satin dress that he'd bunched up around your hips and caught your gaze in the reflection again, “I bet the guy texting you last night couldn’t fuck you like this, eh?”

“Never gave him the chance,” You panted in reply, eyes trained on Yoongi’s as he pounded into you, thighs trembling in pleasure as he stalked you, every little wince or twitch never went unnoticed and you felt hot under his gaze, his hot breath and soft groans fanning into your ear.

“Good. No man deserves you – not even me.”

The little burst of confidence his words gave you spurred you on as you bounced back and met his hips with a slap, quickening the pace and really pushing the limits on how loud you could be in such a public setting. Your voice was coarse and your knees were quivering as Yoongi trailed his hands up to your chest, boobs practically spilling out of the satin dress as he bucked into you. He gently pulled down the loose fabric, along with the lacy bra and cupped your breasts in his hands, using them as leverage as he fucked into you. Proudly watching his work unfold in front of him.

The feeling of his rough palms massaging your breasts was enough to cause a loud, breathy moan to rip from your throat – one that could’ve been heard for miles. One of Yoongi’s hands shot up and covered your mouth in an attempt to keep you as quiet as he could while he got you off, wanting nothing more than having come undone around him.

“Look at how damn sexy you are right now,” Yoongi grumbled, eyes trained on yours so intensely. You nodded and moaned into his palm, feeling like your souls were re-connecting as he slowed down the pace and relished the feeling of you wrapped around him, bouncing on that dick so perfectly. He was in paradise.

Until the handle on the bathroom door started jiggling beside you, the loud bang that followed made you both jump out of your perspiring skin. Yoongi’s hand lingered over your mouth, his dick stilled inside you as the handle rattled again – more aggressively this time. The person on the other side didn’t say anything; the only sound swirling around the humid air was bated breath, both of you winded from the adrenaline. And from how exciting it felt nearly being caught with him filling you to the brim.

“Fuck,” Yoongi whispered as he looked up at you and dipped his head into the crook of your neck, “Do you wanna keep going?”

The deviant side of your brain was screaming hell yes but the rational voice that kept you level headed was telling you to hit the pause button. It was risky enough doing the deed so publicly, something that you and Yoongi never shied away from but right now, when you were both supposed to be at the beck and call of your best friends at their wedding; it all seemed a little bit decadent.

“We should get back,” You whispered, confirming what Yoongi already assumed as he slowly pulled out and strategically manoeuvred his semi hard dick into the waistband of his underwear, attempting to hide how hard he still was in those deliciously tight pants.

“I think so too… but uh, that was fun,” He stuttered and watched you smooth out your dress, his gaze burning a hole in the back of your head as you looked in the mirror and gently wiped under your eyes; removing any signs that you’d just been fucking your ex in a bathroom.

“Really fun,” You replied, a wicked smile lining your smudged lips as Yoongi stepped forward and helped you back into his suit jacket.

“We should do it again some time…”

“Absolutely – when were you thinking?”

“Oh, I dunno…” He pondered with a cunning smirk, “Maybe like, now?”

You chewed your bottom lip between your front teeth and sighed; you loved that he wanted you as much as you wanted him, both dying to finish what you started and maybe indulge in even more bad behaviour. It was like old times but different - good different.

“I’m staying in suite 704 so… meet you there in an hour?”

Yoongi clapped his hands enthusiastically and rubbed them together, “Awesome,” He agreed, grinning big and gently pushing you towards the door he was opening for you, looking both ways down the hallway.

“You go first so I can watch you walk away from me in that dress,” Yoongi quietly teased as you sashayed down the hallway and back to where the reception was still going strong, “You are going to kill me!”

“I know!” You shouted back, flipping him the middle finger before spotting Charlotte on the dance floor, eyes suspiciously narrowed as you shimmied over to her, smiling like the cat that got the cream.

“Where did you get to?!” She yelled over the music, definitely on her way to being drunk from the flutes of champagne that were still being served by the gallon.

“Just needed to freshen up!” You shouted back and looked over your shoulder at Yoongi who had joined a conversation with Namjoon and Hoseok near the bar.

There was a giddy feeling that washed over you after you turned back to Charlotte and listened to her ramble about how good the music was and how much fun she was having. It was a familiar feeling; the same one you had the night you met Yoongi all those years ago. But now, surrounded by so many people you loved, you had both been given the rare chance to start over.

To fall in love all over again. This was your second chance at a happily ever after.

—

“It’s been the longest day in history. Trust those two to have the most extravagant engagement party known to man…”

Yoongi sighed and linked his hands behind his head. His soft unruly locks fell every which way as he hit the pillow.

“Well, we are talking about a Kim funded wedding event so I'm not surprised they’ve gone all out… I thought maybe there would be a flurry of doves as we walked in, it was that over the top.”

Yoongi chuckled at your comment and glanced your way, eternally in awe of how effortlessly funny you were. Quick witted and sharper than a tack like you’d always been; since the day he met you all those years ago.

“Should suggest that to Jin-Hyung for the big day – he’s all about the drama… Shit, he might actually do it,” Yoongi scoffed, making you laugh and catch his eyes – gleaming and bloodshot from jet-lag.

There was a beat before his question; a question that you didn’t expect to get and certainly one you didn't want to receive. 

“You ever think about getting married?”

The scoff that bubbled in your throat surfaced, eyes now widened at the man looking back at you with intrigue. Was he seriously asking you that? You? The girl who once had the man of her dreams and was left heartbroken? By him.

“To whom?” You asked, voice higher in pitch than you would’ve liked.

“I don’t exactly have a line of men queuing up around the corner…” 

You cringed at the self-deprecation, wishing you’d gone with something less vulnerable but the words spilled before you could catch them, painfully honest.

And Yoongi’s curled brow didn’t help you feel less desperate, “Oh, you know I’m camping out to be at the front of that queue.”

His tone was light-hearted but you knew that he wasn’t joking around. You’d found yourself here too many times, on too many late nights – fantasising about what could’ve been, maybe what should’ve been with the two of you. The almost’s, the close calls, the declarations of love when it wasn’t “the right time” and the apologies the next day when you woke up filled with regret.

Until the words stuck, a whole 3 years of a romantic relationship that was perfect in so many ways, yet equally soul-crushing. The day after the two of you met, you immediately started learning Korean and he hired an English tutor recommended by Joon, both desperate to understand one another.

Google translate only got you both so far and for the most part early on, body language was all you really needed to connect. Apparently tumbling and moaning between the sheets was a universal language, a clear yes or no getting you acquainted in the most intimate ways.

He was like a moth to a flame, obsessed on sight when he met you and he was all you could think about every day since. You understood him in ways nobody else could; his dry sense of humour and night-owl tendencies drove other people mad but you got him. And he knew all of your whims, like when to buy ice-cream on the way home or when to send a silly text to brighten your day. Twin flames, seemingly a perfect match.

But then he would leave for months on end to fulfil his relentless idol obligations, and you would stay in place, waiting for something to change. Waiting for him to realise what he had, someone who loved him to the moon and back. And he loved you with every ounce of his being, but the timing was all wrong. Like always.

And so he ended it, the cyclical pattern of "will they, won't they" abruptly coming to a close. It didn't take long for you to realise that going back to being friends, existing in same friendship group would never be the same again. They were his friends first, so you took a step back and disappeared, until now.

Until your best friend decided to marry his.

“You promised we wouldn’t say things like that anymore, Yoon.”

It was his low chuckle that really set you off, ringing in your ears like a taunt. It was as if the pain you felt every time he dangled himself in front of you, forbidden fruit, meant nothing to him. Like it didn’t rip his heart out of his chest, when it did. Calling you a friend killed him, every time he heard your voice on the phone, every time he made you laugh. Deflecting was his defence mechanism because admitting that he was the one who completely fucked up hurt every single time.

“I’m deadly serious…” You reiterated, staring into the windows of his soul, or so it felt for him as he watched your pupils widen.

“I know.”

And Yoongi did know. He knew all too well the feeling of watching you happily in love with someone that wasn't him – even if it was fleeting back before you got together. The action of finding someone new was never intended to be vengeful or mean-spirited; it was just the way it was. Timing never on your side.

Yoongi took a deep breath, “Sometimes I do think about getting married and when I do, I know you’re the only person on earth I see… There's only ever one way I imagine it and that might not be fair but it’s the truth.”

Yoongi looked back up at the crown molding ceiling, hands clasped over his stomach, rising and falling with deep breaths. His heart was pounding, confessing his feelings was never easy, especially when it came to you – and that was part of the reason you were laying side by side as friends, nothing more. So many things always left unsaid.

“You’re right, it’s not fair,” You stated, still staring at his sharpened jawline, tensing at your words.

“I feel like… I feel like we had a chance to make that happen and it didn't work out. And I fucking tried. Like, really tried to make it happen and you didn't – you walked away as if we meant nothing.”

Yoongi shot up, elbow buried into the mattress as he propped himself up beside you. As soon as you looked into those dark brown eyes, your heart shattered into a million pieces – the look of complete horror staring back at you as you stuttered through the sentence you wished you never even started. Regret getting the better of you.

“Do you seriously think that? That it didn't break me into pieces, after everything we’ve been through?” Yoongi was stunned, gobsmacked by how differently you had perceived your relationship. As if it was disposable.

He never wanted to make you feel that way, not ever.

“I fucking love you. I’m in love with you. And you know that. I know you do and I know feel the same and I've kept my distance for months, because I know how much I hurt you ...”

“... But I can't imagine my life without you. I can't.”

Yoongi reached down and softly brushed the pad of his thumb across your reddened cheek, a single tear rolling down the flushed skin as you let his words wash over you. He was right about all of it; he always was. He was the rational one, levelheaded and steadfast. But his words could only ease the pain so much and you had so many questions. So much fear.

“What if we try again and it fails and I lose you?”

“Maybe it will fail. Maybe it will ruin everything. But I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I didn’t at least try again.”

The room was quiet, erratic breaths were the only sounds being caught in the thickened air. It felt like the wind had been knocked out of your lungs, confessions somehow confusing the situation even more. Closure had always seemed to be the only remedy for the heartache but now actually trying was on the table. Dangling with so much temptation.

“If all that's true then, what do we do?”

Your voice was meek, barely a whisper as Yoongi fell back onto the white linen duvet, hand searching for yours. You did what you always do and laced your fingers together; a comforting gesture to ease the sadness and gentle squeeze for good measure.

“I don’t know.”

Yoongi genuinely didn’t know what to do and you could tell by the way his eyes darkened and the smile lines that you loved were gone – he was as clueless as you. Stuck.

So instead of sitting in silence, you turned over and pressed a firm kiss to his perfect lips. Yoongi was quick to react, almost as if he was already preparing to do the same thing. You melted into his touch, fingers quick to brush down his chest as he heart thumped in his chest. The one thing you knew for sure was that you could kiss this man all day, every day, maybe for the rest of your life. And that was the scary part. The part that felt dangerous, heartbreak waiting to happen. 

Yoongi was the first to come up for air, eyes blurry and heart shaped while you took a couple more seconds to return to the real world, begrudgingly opening them to see him staring right back. The sigh he exhaled was so deep that it reverberated through your bones, worrying you a little until his hands brushed down your sides and the smile etched on his face remained.

“Can I touch you?”

“Fuck yes, do it. Do anything you like…” He breathed, begging eyes trained on your nimble fingers, desperate to know where they were going.

Until a loud rapping against the door jolted you back to earth, both of your heads spinning to see Jungkook standing with a drunken grin on his face and a bottle of beer in hand. 

“Oh! Uh…” It didn’t take long for him to look startled, “Miiiaaann!” 

Both you and Yoongi fell back on the bed as the door slammed shut, giggling and groaning into hand covered mouths. If you didn’t find the funny side of the interruption, you would cry and you could tell by the look on Yoongi’s face, Jungkook was in big trouble later.

“Always a cock-block,” Yoongi grumbled, making you laugh even harder.

"Maybe it's for the best," You confessed and Yoongi nodded.

"Maybe."

Or maybe timing would eventually be on your side.

—