#san ff

Of the two of you, you’ve always been the kinker one. San knows this. 

It’s part of what makes you so magnetic to him, part of the physical pull that yanks him back into your orbit day after day. 

It’s not just about the sex, it’s about everything. The way you know what you want, the way you say it, the way you feel everything, deep in your marrow. 

He never has to guess with you, never has to wonder if you’re happy, or tired, or feeling like sushi, or if whatever he tried in bed worked or not. You tell him, he knows. 

Despite your appetites, your intensity, you’d never push him past his comfort zone. You’ve always made that clear, but no matter what, San is sweet. San is open, San is quite frankly fucking obsessed with you, and he always wants to try. 

So when you beg for his hand around your throat in the middle of sex, frantically chasing your orgasm, and you feel him freeze up, you don’t push for it or demand it, you just guide him. 

He’s never choked anyone before, he’s never even really thought about choking someone before. 

But you’re panting under him with that look on your face, your hands in his hair as you lift your hips to meet his thrusts, and like all the other times, he wants to try. 

You drag his hand up from your hip, over your waist and skimming along your ribs, a drag of his sweat slick skin over your sternum, settling his palm over your throat. 

And he freezes. 

“There,” you gasp, “San, please, please,” 

He looks at you like you just cracked the earth open beneath him. 

And - 

He leaves his hand there, that’s all he can do. 

His palm spread over your throat, no pressure, no grip. Nothing to take your breath away, just the warm weight of it where you needed it. 

It still makes you moan. 

“Is,” He pants, still rolling his hips, “Is this okay?” He’s uncertain, and he’s completely overwhelmed. 

You nod, mouth open and eyes wide, something pulling in your expression that is so desperately needy that it hits him - You want this. You really, really want this. 

He keeps his hand there, soft, a placeholder. It’s a promise he doesn’t quite know how to keep yet, but he sees your hunger, and at least for now he acknowledges it. 

He makes you come like he always does, his cock thick and warm inside you, fingers rubbing tight little circles between your legs, his lips everywhere, breath hot on your skin. 

He leaves his left hand on your throat the entire time. 

And you fall apart under him, shaking, moaning and utterly satisfied, but if you’re being honest there’s still that piece missing, that thing that would make you feel fulfilled. 

For the first time in your long relationship, he sees it. 

After, you say nothing. You kiss the underside of his jaw and tell him you love him, and you step away from that kink as just another in a list of things you don’t want to pressure him too much for. On this one, you stay quiet. You fold it back into yourself and keep it for your alone time, your porn preferences, something to fantasize about when he’s away. 

San spends the whole night tossing and turning, playing over the scene in his mind. 

The way your eyes crinkled up, the way you felt wetter than you’ve ever been. 

He’s hard again just thinking about your face like that, the way you clenched around him. 

Your desperate “please”,  and his name, it plays on a loop and it just won’t go, no matter how much he tries to think of other things. 

In the morning, he lets regular life things distract him. 

He makes you breakfast, he goes to the gym, he runs a few errands and sends you countless texts that have nothing to do with your needs, even with sex, just normal relationship stuff like what you want for dinner and if you saw this funny video. 

In the back of his mind though, it’s there. Your pupils blown wide, mouth open, breath tight. 

So when he gets home and he’s alone, he finds himself on forums. Message boards, sex-positive kink blogs, the deeper he dives the more he finds. Pressure points, risks, techniques, safety checks. 

He’s shocked at how much information there is, he’s shocked at how many people love this. 

He’s shocked at how hard he is sitting at his desk trying to pretend this is just research. 

He practices with his hand on his own throat, finding the soft sides that control blood flow and how too much pressure on the front of his neck makes him need to cough, clear his throat, and take a long sip of water. 

He learns fast: thumb and forefinger, collarbones, trachea, carotid artery. 

He thinks he should be going to medical school for all the things he’s learned about blood flow and oxygen to the brain, but he catalogues it all. 

He doesn’t bring it up the next day, or the one after that. 

You feel it in the way he looks at you though, something in the quiet focus behind his eyes. You don’t know what he’s been wondering about, but he’s been thinking constantly, and his eyes have been trained on you now more than ever. 

It shifts on a random Thursday, after dinner on the couch and the end of the new drama you’ve been watching together. He kisses you like he always does, and then he touches your hand, “Come with me,” 

You follow him, drawn to the back bedroom with him, unsure of what he’s been thinking until he stops you in the middle of the room. 

Your eyes glance to the bed, expecting sex, expecting where you always go. 

With warm hands he turns your body until you’re facing the full length mirror. 

Something pulls low in your belly. 

His hands rest on your shoulders, and his breath is warm against your ear, “Take your clothes off,” he says, “I want to watch.” 

Your heart stutters, but you obey, slow and silent, peeling off your trousers from work, unbuttoning your blouse. 

He watches the whole time, eyes fixed on your hands. 

When you’re down to your underwear and you pause he nods, “All of it, baby,” 

You strip the rest, wetness pooling in your core already. 

Kissing your shoulder, then your neck, his hands soft on your hips, and then his eyes flick up to catch yours in the reflection. 

“The other night,” He kisses again, slow, “you asked for something new,” 

You freeze, your breath quickening. 

He takes in your expression, and you see the curve of a smile on his mouth as he lets his lips travel to your shoulder, then back up, “I didn’t know what to do then,” he admits softly, “but I do now.” 

Your breath catches. 

San wraps his arms around you, bringing you back into his broad chest, and then slowly he reaches around, his hand coming to rest warmly over your heart. 

“If this is something you want,” He brushes against your skin with his thumb, “I can do it,” 

“Y-yes,” You nod, eyes blown wide with want, “I want it,” 

His hand slips up and rests over your throat, “Tonight?” 

“Yes,” You answer clearly, unequivocally. 

“Okay,” He kisses your temple, and squeezes his hand just once, just enough to make your breath skip and your knees go weak. 

He doesn’t fuck you right away. 

He takes his time, he worships you. 

You know the promise of it is coming, but for now he takes you apart the way he likes. 

He guides you to the bed and works your cunt with his mouth like he was made to do it, the only man who’s ever made you forget your own name with his tongue inside you, lips on your clit. 

He warms up you with the kind of passionate obsessive kisses you’ve grown to love from him, until you’re rutting your cunt on his thigh and begging him to do the thing he promised he would do. 

It’s then that he lifts you, turning you in his hands like you weigh nothing, pushing you right to the edge of the bed with his body seated behind you, knees spread wide around your body caging you in. 

He draws your eyes up, and you see yourselves reflected back. 

“Look,” He whispers it, nipping your ear, “Look how much you want it,” 

You can only manage a nod

He hooks your legs over his, fucking you with his fingers slow and deep, rubbing you over and over until the sound of your messy cunt in the room has you moaning, gripping his thighs for purchase. 

His free hand stays steady at your throat, and then slowly he presses. 

Your mouth falls open, eyes rolling, your body melting back into his arms as you shudder. 

You make a tight, needy sound, your voice vibrating against his fingertips. 

“I got you,” He promises, eyes locked with yours in the mirror, “just let go,” 

Your orgasm hits you so hard, completely without warning, your thighs snapping shut and your body wrenching in his arms as you shake, melting into boneless tremors. 

The second your breach catches funny, his hand releases, and he slides you both back onto the bed. 

His fingers smooth back your hair

“Jagi, Jagiya,” His voice rough, “you okay?” 

You tell him it’s perfect, you tell him it was everything, and Choi San just laughs. 

A wide grin as he hugs you, kisses peppered over your hair. 

Tipping you back into the bedsheets, lips on yours, stealing your breath another way - 

“I’ve been thinking about this,” He confesses, nuzzling your nose with his, “I wanted to make it perfect for you,” 

“It was,” You breathe, “God, San,” 

As you reach to him, he catches your wrist with gentle pressure and pins it back to the mattress, “Let me,” 

You go still. 

You melt. 

He presses one kiss to the inside of your wrist, and then trails his mouth lower, teasing, getting you wetter and needier until you’re pulling at the front of his shirt and begging. 

“Sannie, please,” 

“There it is,” He sighs, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, “you sound so pretty, baby,” 

Your stomach flip flops, muscles tense and aching for more, and then his hands fall to his belt and you shiver. 

“Are you ready?” He pulls the leather loop free and tosses it aside before sliding down his zipper, his cock straining against the fabric. 

“Yes, god,” You shiver as he pushes his pants down enough to free himself, “you’re so fucking hard,” 

“I’ve been picturing this all week,” He laughs, confessing it honestly as he settles himself between your splayed knees, “I feel like I’ve been hard for days,” 

Your breath catches when his cock nestles between your folds, but you blink up at him, “You liked it?” 

He nods, lip caught between his teeth as he sinks the head of his cock inside you, “Liked it,” he nods, “liked the way it made you fall apart more,” 

“Oh, fuck,” You grip the sheets, “baby,” 

“I’m… I’m going to try to take my time, but jagi,” He sinks his cock in, shuddering at the feeling of your warm, tight walls, “I need you,” 

“Me too,” You breathe, “please, just fuck me, we’ll figure it out later, I just need,” 

He sinks forwards before you can finish your babbled sentence, and his cock pushes in deep, his hands closing around your wrists and maneuvering you so that both are held tightly in one of his hands, interlocked over your head. 

“Oh,” Your hands clench, body jerking with nowhere to go. 

“Tell me you need it,” He nods, sweat beading on his brow. 

“I need it,” You beg him, your voice sinking into thready want, “please, please, San, I can’t,” 

His eyes close, a warm exhale from his lips. 

“I can’t,” You whisper, barely sure of what you’re saying. 

But San knows, like he always does, he sees the way your eyes prick with tears and the way your chest is heaving under him in fits and starts, he knows. 

“You can,” He murmurs, “I know you can,” 

He kisses you so sweetly it nearly undoes you, but when your lips part, his free hand finally slides up and over your throat. 

“Oh god,” You nod, mouth falling open, “please,” 

He squeezes, careful and measured, and the sound it pulls from your chest makes him groan. 

“Oh, baby,” He whispers, watching you relax under his hands, flushed and panting and his. 

He holds your wrists together over your head with one hand, the other still wrapped perfectly around your throat, and his thumb strokes against your pulse. 

Your breath catches, hips twitching under him. 

“You look so good like this,” He says, his voice trembling, “god, you don’t even know,” 

Your cunt clenches around him, and you know you’ll come fast, he can feel it. Your thighs are still trembling, hips tilting up to chase sensation. 

Finally, he leans in, forehead pressed to yours, and his hips roll deep and slow. 

“I just want to make you feel good,” He pants, “you’re everything,” 

You whimper, your eyes going glassy. 

His hand around your throat presses, perfect pressure on either side of your throat, your head buzzing. 

Pleasure arcs up your body, and you move together. 

Your hips jutting up to meet every thrust, the weight of him pressing you into the sheets. 

His hand stays a steady controlled pressure on your throat, not too much, not too little. 

Your breath is thin, dizzy pleasure rolling through your mind. 

“Come for me like this,” He begs, watching your expression turn soft and pliant, “let me feel it, come on my cock just like this,” 

Your orgasm hits so hard you lose your breath entirely, a headrush taking you under until you’re crying out, body locking up and jerking against his tight hold. You arch, shaking as you crack open, chanting his name on  your lips. 

“Oh, fuck,” You hear through the haze, “I’m, baby, I’m right there,” 

You take a hitched, pleasured breath, your walls clenching around him and then he’s coming too. 

He moans into your neck, collapsing over you, his hand releasing pressure but never leaving your throat while the other loses its grip on your wrists, clinging to the sheets as he pumps into you hard, chasing his release, staggering out his pleasure as your hips connect again and again. 

You gasp, your lungs finally filling with fresh air, chest shuddering beneath him. 

He’s shaking above you, but he kisses across your face, gathering you close, “You okay? Did I hurt you?” 

You shake your head, gripping the back of his shirt, “Perfect, so perfect,” 

He exhales hard in relief, a firm kiss to your forehead, “You’re okay?” 

“I’m–,” You feel your body limp in his arms, “so good, I don’t, I can’t,” 

He smiles, kissing your lips just once, “So we can do this again?” 

It’s not that the idea in itself is inherently terrible—logistically, it makes sense. Seonghwa knows you’re both struggling to get to the final place before the semester starts, and the rental market is a nightmare. But the problem is that Choi San is insufferable. 

Your first impression of him had been nothing short of hellish. Maybe it was the way he barely spared you a glance, as if you weren’t worth more than a second of his time. Or the way that he was just a little too blunt, like he couldn’t be bothered to soften his words for the sake of basic social norms. Or maybe it was how, in that first conversation, he had looked at you—sharp, and knowing, as if he had already decided you weren’t worth the effort. Whatever it was, it grated on your nerves immediately. And judging by the way San hadn’t exactly extended the welcome mat either, the feeling was mutual. 

The first conversation still lingers in your mind. You had met at some house party Seonghwa dragged you to, already regretting your decision the moment you stepped inside. San had been standing near the drinks, eyes scanning the room like he had a better place to be. You had barely introduced yourself before he cocked his head, and asked, “You always act this strange, or just tonight?”

It was meant to be a joke. Maybe. But it sent your irritation through the roof. “Wow. Charming.”

San has just smirked, sipping his drink. “Didn’t say I was. Just curious.” With that he strolled away, but not before you could hear him mutter the words what a weirdo under his breath. 

And that was the beginning of your mutual distaste. 

So no, you are not going to be his roommate. 

A month ago, you would have laughed at the idea of living with San. Back then, you had standards. Preferences. Hopes. A list of potential roommates who weren’t actively infuriating. But as time passed and each option fell through—rents too high, locations too inconvenient, roommates too unreliable—you started to realize that standards were a luxury you couldn’t afford anymore. 

It has become a pattern: refreshing apartment listings every morning, scrolling through rental groups, sending out hopeful messages only to be met with astronomical prices or ghosting. At first, you were picky. Then you were just desperate. 

Seonghwa had been the first to suggest it, of course. More than once. And you ignored him every time, even when the options were thinning, even when you knew you were starting to run out of time. But after yet another overpriced studio slipped through your fingers once more, you made the mistake of asking, “So… has he found a place yet?”

Seonghwa, always the opportunist, grinned through the phone. “Oh? Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

You grimaced. “Just answer the question.”

“No, he hasn’t. And you should talk to him before he does.”

You scoffed, crossing your arms. “Why do you care so much?”

You could hear him take a quick sip of his coffee. “Because you two are both stubborn brats who need a place to live, and I’m tired of watching you struggle out of sheer pride.”

You wanted to argue, but… he wasn’t wrong. The idea still made you cringe though. Living with San? The same San who once told you to just get over it when you complained about a professor’s impossible grading during a group hangout. The same San who somehow always knew exactly what buttons to push and how without even much of a thought. 

Still, the reality of your situation was pressing down on you. 

You really, really didn’t want to. But practicality won out over pride, and that was how you now found yourself sending an excruciatingly awkward text. You wondered if it sounded desperate. 

you still looking for a place?

It took him two hours to respond. 

yeah. why?

You stared at your phone for a long moment, weighing your options. Every bone in your body wanted to tell him never mind, but you didn’t have that luxury anymore. 

i have an apartment lead. two bedrooms. rent isn’t awful. want to check it out?

San’s reply came quicker this time. 

sure. when? 

And just like that, your fate was sealed. It felt like you were making a pact with the devil. 

The apartment was… fine.

Nothing notable. Nothing terrible. Just, fine. 

The landlord was a woman in her late forties with minimal patience. She led the two of you through a quick tour. The kitchen that should really have been labeled as a kitchenette, was small, but functional. The bathroom had seen better days, but was clean enough. The bedrooms were on opposite sides of the unit—an unexpected blessing. If you were really going to do this, at least you wouldn’t have to hear him late at night in the next room. 

San, of course, was impossible to read. He wandered through the apartment with his hands remaining in his pockets, gaze flicking over each room with mild disinterest. Meanwhile, you were running frantic calculations in your head. The price wasn’t awful, the location was decent, and most importantly, this was your last option, you were out. 

"So?" the landlord asked, tapping her pen against the clipboard she held. "You in or not?"

You opened your mouth, ready to say yes, only to hesitate when San finally spoke. “Is there parking?”

You shot him a quick look. That was his question? Not about utilities, not about security deposits, but… parking?

The landlord sighed. “Street parking only. First come, first serve.”

San only hummed, nodding slightly before falling silent again. 

The landlord turned to you. “And you? Any questions?”

A thousand, but nothing would change the fact that you desperately needed this apartment. You shook your head. “No, I’m good, thank you.”

She clapped her hands together. "Great. Lease starts next week. If you’re both serious, we can do paperwork now."

There was a beat of silence. Then San shrugged. "Fine by me."

And that was it. 

So there you sat at the landlord's desk, pen in hand, staring at the contract in front of you. San was already in the midst of signing his copy, cool and composed as ever, like this was just another task to check off on his to-do list. Meanwhile, your stomach was knotting and twisting. This was real. You were actually doing this. 

You glanced at him, half-expecting some last-minute hesitation, some crack in his indifferent facade. But he just slid his finished paperwork back across the desk, tapping his fingers idly against the table, tapping his fingers idly against the table as he waited for you to finish. 

With a deep breath, you signed your name. 

The landlord smiled. “Congratulations. Hope you two get along.”

Neither of you responded. 

San tucked his copy of the lease into his bag, turning to you with an unreadable expression yet again. “Guess we’re doing this.”

You exhaled sharply, gripping your set of keys tightly. “Guess so.”

You already had a headache. 

san seems to feel your gaze on him, turning away from his current focus to wave excitedly at you. you can see the silhouette of a sand structure, a bit lopsided and already crumbling, when san moves aside. a few shells shine against the sun on top of the smaller piles of sand and, once your eyes adjust, you can see a stick with some seaweed wrapped around the end sticking straight out of the largest formation. san seems extremely proud of what you imagine he'd refer to as a "sandcastle", gesturing confidently toward it.

you're not sure how to react, san awkwardly too far for you to verbally respond, but he doesn't seem to care as he immediately starts to make his way toward you, eagerly stomping through the soft sand.

"how was your nap?" he asks with a smile, collapsing unceremoniously onto the towel next to you. he leans over to give you a casual peck on your cheek and you try to ignore the flutter in the pit of your stomach. luckily the heat of the day already has your skin warm to the touch and so your blush goes unnoticed by san.

"restful," you sigh with content, "how long was i asleep?" you reach for your phone to get a look at the time.

"long enough for me to build you the perfect castle," san replies with a giggle. "move in ready," he adds with a wide smile at you, dimples on full display.

"not sure a castle is in my budget," you entertain him with a grin of your own, moving to place your phone back into your bag and rummaging around for the bottle of sunscreen, sure both of you could use a reapplication.

"well only 5 oyster shells a month for a 12 bedroom 14 bath seems like a steal to me," he reasons with a shrug, running his hand through his hair to move some of the loose strands that had been stuck to his forehead. his gaze doesn't brake away from you even as you focus your attention fulling on looking into your beach bag, a habit of his you've begun to notice even more recently as you both spend increasing time together.

"why wouldn't you live there too? sure is a lot of bedrooms for just one person," you comment without much thought at the nature of the remark. 

san doesn't immediately respond and his silence causes you to bring your attention back to the man sat next to you. he seems to be trying to avoid your own gaze, looking back toward the main land where food trucks and sweet treat stands line the pavement. he seems suddenly more thoughtful, smile gone and eyes narrowed, and you notice the red glow of his cheeks, trying to distinguish if it's simply from his time in the sun but you don't get a chance to comment on it as he's suddenly standing.

"i'm in the mood for something sweet, want anything?" he asks abruptly, still not meeting your eyes as he grabs the white button up and sunglasses he'd discarded on the sand when you'd first arrived.

you furrow a brow at his sudden eagerness to distance himself while he slips the items on.

"uh surprise me."

and with that he's leaving you to wonder what just happened.

thinking back to your conversation you almost groan audibly when you realize what you'd said. you and san were just casual, having met last summer while you were both staying the summer here at namhae. you'd hooked up a couple times back the , after friends’ parties and such, but this summer you'd seen your connection escalate. you weren't technically in a relationship, never going on official dates or truly talking about what you were, but you certainly acted cozy. part of that was simply in san's nature, always a fan of pda, but it mostly seemed to be a natural element of whatever this little fling was. however, your comment about living together seemed certainly to snap him out of the hazy bubble of this summer fever you'd wrapped yourselves in.

the sudden awareness of your slip up casts your own mind into a frenzy of thought. why had you said what you did? obviously, the two of you living together conjured thoughts of romance and long-term affection, and that was not at all what you had now. was it?

was this little thing you shared made to last?

thinking back on the summer you'd already shared, every other minute spent together, sharing passionate kisses in front of the orange sunset and exploring the coastal town hand in hand. who could fault you for imagining a world in which you could continue on like this forever? how much longer could you two do this before you fell in love?

"the gelato truck was here," san says suddenly, snapping you out of your thoughts as he holds a cone of the creamy dessert out to you. "sorry, it melted a bit on the way here," he apologizes sheepishly when you accept the dripping cone.

he no longer seems to be avoiding your gaze as he sits down with his own paper cup of italian ice, eyes sparkling as he watches you try your gelato.

"we need to reapply," you comment remembering you were still holding the bottle of sunscreen and shaking it gently.

"once we're done," san nods, "we're okay under the umbrella for right now."

a silence settles between you as you both eat, swapping bites every so often and just listening to the waves crash against the shore. you try not to slip into a thought spiral, worrying about whether you are starting to develop deeper, unrequited feelings for your summer fling. you try to analyze him subtly, but san seems as relaxed as ever, like nothing had happened. maybe its just the birthday effect.

"do you want to do something fancy for dinner? wooyoung said that place just down the road is good," you suggest. "you could invite the boys. i'm sure drinks would be on hongjoong."

he hums and for a moment you think it's in thought until you see hes adjusting his position, placing his empty paper cup into your little trash bag and laying on his side. "you don't like my cooking?" he asks teasingly, having told you earlier today that he wants to cook for you tonight.

"you shouldn't have to cook on your birthday," you reply with a roll of your eyes, crunching on the last of your cone.

san only shrugs, "i like cooking."

silence settles once more over you two and you tap gently against the sunscreen, thinking of how else you might get him to do something he might enjoy more than simply laying on the beach with you.

"why don't we go do something more exciting, ya know? something more celebratory," you suggest, placing the sunscreen back on the ground next to you.

san rolls onto his back, hands behind his head with his eyes closed, and releases a gentle sigh. "i like what we're doing now," he says before cracking one eye open to look at you. "can't the birthday boy pick what he wants to do on his own birthday?" he asks with a teasing smirk, one eye still closed.

you scoff lightly, turning away from him so that he won't see the blush dusting your cheeks. "i just don't want you wasting all your time with me," you explain and although you're talking about today specifically, it's strongly implied that you mean in general, throughout the summer. sure you've each spent time with other friends but even group hangouts would turn into you both in your own world in the corner.

"hey," san's voice is gentle but his touch is even gentler as he wraps his fingers around your wrist, causing you to look back toward him. "my time with you is never wasted," he says earnestly, eyes staring deeply into your own.

for a moment you hold your breath, ready for him to say something else, but if he had more words they never come, instead releasing your wrist and gesturing for you to lay down with him, an invitation you accept with little hesitance. you easily tuck into his side, allowing his arm to support your head like a pillow.

"can i at least get you a gift?" you ask under your breath, your urge to fight starting to fade.

you think that san doesn't hear you at first, continuing his slow even breaths beside you, but as you open your mouth to ask again he shifts to face you.

"stick with me," he says quickly.

you aren't sure if its a question or a request and so you furrow your brows at the man whose face is only inches from your own.

"go out with me," he says when he sees your confusion. "officially."

your lips part slightly in surprise and you quickly search his features to evaluate his honesty, but all you can see is the blush on his cheeks and the sparkle of hope in his eyes.

"when?" you ask, a little breathless as san leans even closer to your face, if that was even possible.

"i have tickets to the carnival tomorrow," he explains, "it can be our first date."

you can only nod, swallowing thickly, before san closes the distance and his lips are on yours.

you've kissed plenty of times before, but this one feels different, with the promise of more on his lips and the sticky gelato left over on yours mixing to form the sweetest feeling in your chest.

↼ ateez masterlist

note hopefully you enjoyed, wrote this kinda quick so excuse any mistakes

You sit at your mirror, staring at your reflection as your mother finishes plaiting your hair. Your thoughts are filled with the visage of the young man, Sir Choi San, from the night before.

This morning has been quite busy, what with all the finishing touches on the dining hall for after the ceremony. For some reason, despite all of the chaos, your mother insisted on helping you ready yourself.

"Y/n," Her tone is even and casual. "Hm?" You ask, not even lifting your gaze. "This morning, as Suzy was gathering your garments to be laundered, she came across a filthy nightgown." Your heart stills, and you catch her eye in the reflection of the mirror. "A filthy night gown, you say?" Your feigned ignorance is no match for how well your mother knows you. She tugs tightly on your hair, eliciting a dull whimper from you, "Might I remind you, Y/n, that you are now of marriable age- sneaking off in the middle of the night to prance around the forest is not appropriate for a lady."

You snort lightly, recalling San saying the same thing to you. Your mother narrows her eyes, "Is this a joke to you?" You shake your head, "No mother. I am sorry..." "You say the same thing every single time. You are lucky your father is still ignorant to your nightly escapes. I will not have you make a fool of us with these silly antics." "Yes, mother," You sigh. "I urge you to prepare yourself mentally for tonight. The Jeongs are kind, but I doubt even they would tolerate such foolery." "Yes, mother," You repeat, feeling even more deflated. "You're lucky you aren't mauled by wild animals, going out all alone like that."

"The animals won't hurt you, mother..." You smile gently, "you need only not to scream."

The ceremony is swift and quite beautiful, but you'd be a liar to say that you weren't elated at getting out of that stuffy cathedral; your relatives breathe entirely too much.

Of course, the down side to the end of the ceremony, is that you must now be in close proximity to the one family you truly do not wish to interact with.

"Do not look now, but I do believe father is coming with the caravan of suitors," Whispers Yunho in your ear as he walks up. You furrow your brows and close your eyes, bracing to turn around to face the ambush. "My dove," Your father say- you can almost hear the smile in his voice.

Slowly, you turn and see that your father was, indeed, not kidding about the Jeongs' many sons. Standing before you are Sir and Lady Jeong, along with six (admittedly) handsome young men. "Sir Jeong, this is my second eldest child, Y/n." Sir Jeong smiles, "What a lovely dove, indeed." You smile gently and curtsy, "It is even lovelier to finally meet you all. My father has told me so much about your family." "Nothing too embarrassing, I hope," Sir Jeong says with a laugh, "These are my sons: Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yeosang, Mingi, Wooyoung, and our youngest, Jongho."

They all bow respectfully, and the eldest, Hongjoong, is the first to speak, "Lady Y/n, you are far more beautiful than you were described." "Ah, my father must not do me justice in his descriptions." "Nonsense," Your father says, letting out a boisterous belly laugh, "Please, allow us to move this conversation to the dining table." You glance at Yunho, wanting desperately to be rescued, but he simply sighs, "Poor soul."

Your father sits next to Sir Jeong and his wife, and you are seemingly herded to sit next to Hongjoong. The both of you sit awkwardly, searching your minds for something to talk about. Just as before, he is the first to break the silence, "Y/n...please, tell me- what do you do for enjoyment?" "Enjoyment?" You ask, looking down at your still empty plate as you think. You don't suppose being honest will work- not if you don't want your mother to kill you later. "I...like to ride my horse." He raises his brows, "Horse riding? I do not believe I know many women who ride for pleasure." You nod, suddenly wondering if that was a lady-appropriate answer, "I- I also enjoy...needlepoint." You want so desperately to ram your forehead into the wooden table for telling such an egregious lie. "Oh...needlepoint...how...peaceful," Hongjoong says, unsure of what to say to that. "Yes, very...uhm...please, do tell me about yourself now?" "Me? Well, I am a man of...simple pleasures. I read, I play the lute, but I would say my greatest hobby is hunting." "Hunting?" You take a sip of the wine that's just been served, "How...not peaceful at all." He laughs in response, "No, I don't suppose it is." "Especially with the beasts he likes to go after," interjects one of his brothers- the one you remember as being called Mingi, "wolves, mooses-" "It's moose, Mingi," says the second oldest, Seonghwa. "Huh?" "The plural for moose, is moose." "Moose, mooses- you've understood me, haven't you?" Mingi continues, "Hongjoong even takes down bears- "It's barbaric," nods the youngest, Jongho. You blink, surprised at their sudden participation in the conversation.

Hongjoong rolls his eyes, "It is not quite so theatrical as they make it seem." "I should hope not...I am averse to blood and gore, myself. I hate when my brother comes home with his trophies...I cannot help but feel such deep sorrow for the poor creatures." "I would expect nothing less from a lady, such as yourself. Women are the more tender hearted of God's creations," Hongjoong responds, giving a soft smile. You find his comment slightly irritating, but you say nothing. "Even men can be tender hearted, brother," Seonghwa cuts in, leaning forward to be able to see you better, "Our father's ward is much like yourself; he abhors the hunt. Growing up, he was forced to come with us and he'd cry and cry for the little mallards and squirrels." "Ward?" You ask, turning to Hongjoong. He respond, "Yes, he is not here tonight as he had some business to tend to near by." The second youngest scoffs suddenly, "All that crying he did for the little birds and rats, only to become a knight, of all occupations." "Occupations are...well, occupations," Seonghwa shrugs.

You all exchange pleasant conversation for the next few hours, and you even begin to enjoy yourself. Not so tense as you had been earlier; perhaps you should thank the wine for that- though you're careful not to drink too much, lest you become a wreck in front of all your guests. Even Yunho joins the table, though he is not so conservative with his wine intake. He shall be seeing his tavern princesses later, you're sure of it- and you're almost positive he's got his eye set on roping in the quietest of the Jeong boys, Yeosang. Part of you wonders if you should save him from your brother's clutches.

As your family bids farewell to the Jeong's, Hongjoong stands closely next to you, "It was a pleasure to have met you, Y/n." "Likewise," You curtsy. "It would be a pleasure to invite you to dinner at our home, soon- if that would interest you, of course." Your eyes widen slightly, "D-dinner? At your home?" You fight through the sudden panic, suddenly remembering the whole reason they were here in the first place; to purchase court you, "Of- of course. That would be...wonderful," You plaster a fake smile on your face, and he buys it easily. "Wonderful," He echoes, "We shall send a more formal invitation soon."

They board their carriages and soon, you and your parents are waving at them as they ride away. "I told you there were many choices," Your father says, flashing you a sly smile. "It seems their eldest son has already laid claim to your little dove," Says your mother in a teasing tone. Laid claim? "Am I a piece of land for one to lay claim to me?" You retort, earning yourself a smack on your shoulder from your mother. "Mind your tone." "I am only saying...it is unfair for me to be treated in such a fashion when my impish brother will be able to establish himself as a man before taking his time to choose a wife." Your mother is about to hit you again, but your father smoothly wraps an arm around your shoulders, "Hush now. Do not burden yourself with what your brother has or has not to do for himself- you are you; and you will make a wonderful wife."

The moon is full and large, casting a bright light upon the ground, accompanied by the darkest of shadows to serve as cover. Your mother was a bit out of sorts (she, like your brother, lacks conservatism for drinking), so she went to lay her head hours ago. With as many guests as you have still, you know no one will be looking for you.

This time, you're fully dressed for the winter night, your layers serving as protection against the the chilling snow. Your cape flows freely in the wind as you run into the woods without a second look back. You make haste to get to the same spot from the night before, though you tread with a bit of caution as you get closer to the pond- unwilling to risk running into Lady Bear.

You finally get to the pond's edge, the water flowing gently- though you notice the ice crystals beginning to form on the surface. You look around, wondering...will he be back tonight? You go to the same rock he'd sat you in previously, dusting off the new layer of snow that had formed on top of it. For some reason, you feel a deep sense of disappointment. Of course, you'd never seen him before yesterday, so it would be unreasonable to expect him to suddenly come twice in a row. It is not as though you'd agreed to meet...though you did hope...

You sit there for a long while, before deciding yourself to look ridiculous, waiting for a stranger who may never turn up. Slowly, you stand to your feet, though just as you're dusting yourself off to make your way back- "Lady Imp has worn her winter clothes tonight."

Your heart skips at beat- or rather- several beats. You turn swiftly, and then there he is. Dressed in similar clothes from the night before, and wearing the same smug smile. "You- you came," You say, your expression in between excitement and surprise. "Had I agreed to do so?" He asks, tilting his head, his smirk growing. "N-no, I only mean...I wondered if- if I'd run into anyone I knew..." Yunho is right; you are a terrible lie. "In the middle of the night? In the forest?" He raises a brow, "You must know many shady characters."

He closes the distance between you, and stops at only three or four feet away, "I take it you were not discovered last night?" "Oh, I most definitely was...my mother practically scalped me," You snort, recalling how she'd yanked on your hair this morning. "Must not have been too bad, seeing as how you're out again," He walks over to the water's edge, "unless, of course, you enjoy the torture." "Oh, please- her ranting and lecturing me is the real torture." "She only attempts to make a decent woman of you, you cannot fault her," He says, reaching down into his satchel. "I can and I shall," You say, rolling your eyes and crossing your arms over your chest, turning away from him. "Thirsty?" He asks, holding out a small, wooden cup. You look down, the corners of your mouth curling into a smile, "An actual cup? Were you expecting to meet the queen in these woods?" He laughs, "Indeed, I was, but I suppose you will do just fine." He bends down and dips the cup in the water, filling it and offering it to you. You tentatively take it from him and drink about half, then offer it back. He takes it and, without hesitation, drinks the rest, tilting his head back.

You watch as small droplets escape his lips, rolling against his sharp chin, then down his thick neck- and when he grunts in satisfaction, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand like a brute- you find yourself unable to tear your eyes away. "Pardon me, my Lady, but I do believe you are staring." You snap back to yourself, your entire soul turning red, "I-I was not." "Oh, but you were," He says smugly, going to sit on the rock you'd sat on earlier, looking up at you. His dimples insist on jumping at you in the moonlight, "I do not fault you- I am quite handsome." You raise your brows, "Do not forget, you are also incredibly humble." He loves how you quip, "And what are you, my lady? Besides a great pain." "A pain, am I? You have only met me twice in your whole life." "Then I can only imagine how much more you have pained those with the misfortune of having known you for much longer."

"Do you make it a habit to speak so brazenly to women?" You ask, though your tone is relaxed and playful. "Only the ones I view as my equals," He says, leaning backward, propping himself up with one arm. You furrow your brows, eyeing him, "Do you not view all women as equal to yourself?" He shakes his head, the corner of his mouth tugging upward, "No, I view most women as being higher than myself." You are stuck for a moment, processing what he has just said, unsure of whether or not to celebrate his uplifting of women, or to protest your demotion to his level.

"Do not think so hard, you may break your brain," He laughs. "I am closer to breaking your face," You huff. He feigns scandalization, "Oh, my word- the Lady of the Pond is not so ladylike after all." You cannot help but laugh at how he mocks you, "You are insufferable." "Oh, you're suffering just fine," He smiles, scooting over on the rock, making just enough room for you, "Care to sit?" You nod, carefully lowering yourself so as not to fall. After a small pause, you finally ask "So, why did you return?" He's quiet for a little longer, as though wondering whether or not to answer honestly, "I suppose I just wanted to take a little walk," he looks down as he fidgets with his fingers, "and perhaps...I wanted to test a theory." "A theory? What theory?" "That the moon favors me." You furrow your brows and scoff, "How could you possibly prove that theory?" "Well, the moon and I- we have a special relationship." "Do you, now?" "Oh, yes. She loves me." "It's a she?" "Of course- all beautiful things in this world are."

"So, she loves you?" "Yes, she does. She even granted me three wishes." "And what three wishes have you made to Lady Moon?" "I asked her to make me a mountain," He shoots up from his seat, startling you slightly, though when you see him curl his arms to flex his muscles, comically puffing out his chest, you laugh, "And she did so." You roll your eyes at him, though you're thoroughly entertained by his antics as he continues, "I asked her to make me a hero," He poses valiantly, "and she did!" "When did she do that?" He furrows his brows, "Yesterday, with the bear." "You cannot take credit for that, you hardly did anything." "I stopped you from screaming, did I not? Had I not been there, you'd have been breakfast, lunch, and dinner for her and her cubs." "Fine, I concede...and what was the third wish?"

He's quiet again for a moment, his body relaxing just as quickly as it had put on a show. He looks down at you, his expression tender as he says, "For my third wish...I asked her to prove her love indefinitely," He looks suddenly...shy, "I told her I'd know her love was true...if she brought you to me a second night in a row."

Your heart feels like it might beat out of your chest as the pair of you lock eyes with one another, though you can hardly stand his undivided attention, and you break away- though your smile betrays you. He smiles in return, "Have I won your heart yet?" "Won my heart?" You scoff, turning away from him again, though the redness in your cheeks is hardly hidden, "Ha. What a laugh."

You hear the snow shuffle under his feet, and when you look back at him, you realize he's moved closer, crouching down in front of you, completely invading your space. His smile is ever present as he reaches up and tucks a stray lock of hair behind your ear, "Make no mistake, my lady...I do not say it in jest."

Your lashes flutter, in shock at how bold he is with you...though you do not push him away...you do not want to. "Shall I make one more wish to Lady Moon? To prove my second theory?" He asks, tilting his head. "A second theory and a fourth wish? You're greedy with her love, Sir San." He chuckles, "Then I shall ask you for my wish." You look at him, your smile growing, "Fine...ask." "My wish is that...tomorrow night, I may see you again. Right here...at our pond." "Our pond?" You raise your brows, "and what theory will this wish prove?" "The theory that I have, indeed, won your heart."

You run across the clearing to the servants' entrance, pushing it open and going inside. Another successful return, and not a nightgown as evidence-

"You will be caught, eventually, you are aware of that fact, are you not?" Your brother's voice startles you violently. "Yunho!" You whisper-scream, slapping his arm. He follows closely behind you, all the way into your room. "Where did you go?" He asks, jumping onto your bed as he always does. You roll yours eyes, untying your cape, "No where." "Who did you meet?" "No one," You huff again, carefully taking off the outermost layers of your dress. "Is your trust in me so low?" "Yes." "Let us trade- a secret for a secret." "No." "Oh, come on!" He whines, kicking and flailing his long limbs like a child.

You roll your eyes, "Will you stop your whining? The whole of the country will hear you." His eyes shoot open, "Blackmail. Is that it? Is that what I must do? Threaten to tattle?" "If you must," You sigh, "Now get out. I am much too tired to deal with you." He sits up, glaring at you before standing up, "One of these days, you will come crying and begging for my help. You will say, Oh, dear brother, help me for the dogs are after me! And I will laugh and I will leave." "How is it possible you blather on even more when you're drunk?" He laughs, "I am a man of many talents." "And shutting your trap is not one of them."

You finally shove him out of your room, and finally, you're alone with your thoughts. San. San. San. You blush at the thought of him. You almost wonder if you're dreaming...surely, this night could not have been real...

By lunch, the guests, your relatives and family friends, have all gone- leaving the house feeling much too big- at least, much too big for your parents' taste, as they are already conjuring reasons to host again soon.

"Sir L/n, a servant of the Jeongs has come to deliver a letter," Announces Suzy, the head servant, as she walks into the dining hall. Your father beckons her forward, wiping his fingers on his cloth napkin. Your mother's eyes light up, "Already sending letters, are they? My, how you must've charmed them," She claps her hands excitedly. "Of course, she did. Her beauty is enough to charm a nation," Your father adds.

You sigh, looking down at your half-eaten dinner plate, feeling that familiar claustrophobic sensation. You turn your gaze longingly out the window, toward the tree line of the forest. If only night would come quicker.

"They have invited us for dinner tonight," Your father exclaims. Your mother cheers, and Yunho simply rolls his eyes, not so keen on being dragged along for such boring affairs. You, however, remain quiet, your heart sinking. "Oh, sweet girl- why such a solemn expression? This is wonderful news!" Your mother stands and snatches the letter from your father's hands, bringing it to you, "Look- they've asked for you, by name, to attend as their guest of honor!" "Mother, father-" Your brother suddenly cuts in, "Do you not feel it...quite fast? They have only just met yesterday- now they ask for her so soon after?" "These are the ways of love, my boy," Your father smiles, "It is...quick- unexpected." Your mind flashes to San, "I cannot expect you to know of such things- you are only a boy."

"He is but two measly years younger than me," You finally speak up. They all go silent, looking at you as though you've set fire to the dining room, "and you do not pester him to find a bride the way you pestered my sister and I to cleave to a man." "My dove, the way of the world is that daughters-" "I do not wish to hear more of the way of the world," You stand, grabbing the letter roughly in your hand, wrinkling the paper without care, "I will excuse myself to my chamber. I need to rest before I prepare myself to go." No one attempts to stop you as you walk the length of the dining table and retreat to your chamber.

My wish is that tomorrow night, I may see you again. You replay his words over and over in your mind. You must find a way out of this.

You are dressed in your best gown; one with intricate embroidery along the bodice and skirt. The color suits your skin just. Your hair is expertly plaited, thanks to your mother.

When you and your family arrive at the Jeong estate, you are welcomed with open arms. Everyone oh's and ah's at you, admiring this and that aspect of your attire or appearance- you feel like an attraction at an amusement fair.

No one praises you, however, like Hongjoong, who cannot stop telling you how radiant or exquisite you look. "Thank you- your words are far too kind." "Nonsense," Hongjoong smiles.

"Dinner is almost served- shall we make our way to the dining hall?" Says Lady Jeong. You all follow her until you arrive at the long dining table. It is much longer than yours- of course, their family is much richer, as well. Everyone takes their seat, and Hongjoong rushes to take the seat next to you. You try to avoid his gaze as much as you can.

"We wanted to thank you for inviting us to your home," Your father says with a smile, "My family and I were excited to see you mentioned my dove by name." "Oh, of course. Since last night's ceremony, our sons would not stop talking about Y/n...especially not our Hongjoong," Responds Lady Jeon. Hongjoong's cheeks turn red, "Mother...please." He glances at you, but your eyes are fixed on the empty chalice that you so desperately need filled, straight away.

"Yunho, it is such a shame I've no daughters to offer you," Sir Jeon says, "You, too, are a strapping young man." "Thank you, sir, but I do believe I'd not be worthy of any daughter of yours- if anything like your wife, she'd be much too refined for me." Much like Hongjoong, Lady Jeon blushes and waves him away, "Oh, do not flatter me too much." You and Yunho exchange a glance that no one else catches, and you both try to stifle a laugh.

Finally, servants bring in plate after plate of food, laying it all across the table. It is then that you notice an empty chair a few spots down and across from you. "Is someone else joining us?" I ask, looking around and counting the Jeon sons. "Ah yes, my ward. He should be here shortly, he was tending to our horses out back." "You remember us telling you about him, yes?" Asks Seonghwa. You nod, "Yes, I remember." "Shall we wait for him?" Your mother asks. "Oh no, please, dig in. In fact, it may be better you eat your share now before he arrives, as he has been known to polish off a few plates on his own," Sir Jeon responds.

You begin eating all together, your conversations flowing into different channels. You jump from talking to Lady Jeon and your mother, to Hongjoong, to the brothers- all the while, your mind drifting to San; your leg shaking anxiously under the table. You're so stuck in your thoughts, you do not even hear the doors to the dining hall open, and it isn't until you hear Sir Jeon exclaim that you realize someone has entered the room.

"There he is!" You all look at Sir Jeon first, who stands up- momentarily blocking whoever has entered. "Everyone, please allow me to introduce my ward- known throughout the land as Mountain, the immoveable knight-" He steps to the side, "Sir San!"

Your heart stills in your chest, and you swear you feel the color drain from your face as you lay eyes on him- San- your San. He stands there, not having noticed you yet, his smile just as beautiful in the candlelight as it is under the moon- though now, the details of his face are clearer. He is far more radiant and exquisite than you could ever be- and he's here, before your very eyes...

Oh, no. He's here. Here in this room- with the family your father has decided you will marry into.

"This is the Mountain? Oh, my boy- I have heard many things about you," Your father says, praising him. "You were the youngest knight in your lance when you won that battle against the Stray Rebels!" Your brother cuts in, his eyes full of stars at the realization. San nods shyly, "Yes...yes, that was me." "Oh, I have so many questions-" "Son, do not pester him. Surely he is tired and famished," You father says. Yunho beckons San to sit by him- which means he will be sitting in close proximity. Your heart pounds wildly as you wait for him to notice you.

"San, this is Sir and Lady L/n- we attended the wedding at their estate yesterday." "Oh yes, please forgive me for being unable to attend. I was on duty," San says, bowing to your parents. "Oh, it is not issue, son. Allow me to introduce my son and daughter- stand, you two." Yunho immediately stands, a wide smile across his face. You, however, rise slowly, terrified to lift your face, though you reluctantly do so- and when you do, you see it in his eyes: immediate recognition.

"How do you do...?" Your voice is so small as you curtsy. San is stuck- very stuck, though it lasts only a moment before he quickly recovers, "I-I am well, it is...nice to meet you...?" Lady Imp? Lady of the Pond? "Y/n...my name is Y/n." He stares for a moment longer, as though he's mentally caught your name in the air and stored it away in his satchel. "And I am Yunho," Your brother waves him over once more, excitedly pulling out a chair for him. San bows and makes his way to the seat.

No one seemed to notice the earth shattering moment you've just shared with San. He sits down, glancing at you as he pulls his chair further into the table. "How was your work?" Mingi asks, "Any stories?" San sighs, "Ehm...no, I'm afraid not." "Oh, but you must have some stories to share with us?" Yunho says, having lost all interest in dinner completely. You stare at San, your heart longing to sit with him- of course, you must stay where you are. San tries to smile at Yunho, but it does not reach his eyes, "Yes...perhaps the next time we meet, I can tell you of all the...stories." "Oh, wonderful."

Everyone talks circles around you and San- but all you do is exchange pitiful glances at one another. You must speak to him- but a moment alone would seem impossible during this most suffocating dinner. Hongjoong will not leave your side. "Are you enjoying yourself," he leans in to ask you. You force a smile, "Yes, of course. Everything is delicious." "Yes, our cooks are the best...perhaps you will like to come again soon to eat with us." San can hear Hongjoong's invitation, and it makes his heart clench violently in his chest. "That...uhm..." Oh goodness- this one has yet to finish and already he's inviting you to another. When will this torture end, "that would be great."

"By God, San, I do believe our Hongjoong is growing up," Wooyoung snorts, eliciting quiet laughs from all the brothers, including Yunho; everyone but San, who watches on bitterly. He'd heard Hongjoong mention your name the night before, and he'd have put the pieces together had you only told him that first night.

As expected, dinner is long and torturous, but you smile and laugh your way through until your parents finally decide it is time to return home. The entire family escorts you out. "Thank you for inviting us...it was a...real treat," You say to Hongjoong. He smiles, "Of course...the pleasure really was all mine...who does not want a beautiful lady at his side for a nice meal?"

Hongjoong's words make San's eye twitch. You glance at him, then back at Hongjoong, "Thank you...uhm...perhaps we will see one another soon." "I do hope so," Hongjoong says gently, grabbing your hand and raising it to his lips to kiss the back. You so desperately want to rip your hand away from his, but you do not. Once he lets go, he backs away, so that you may get in the carriage. You climb up the step, turning back only to look at San, who has his brows furrowed as he stares at you.

Now you really must make it to that pond tonight.

Waiting for your family to fall asleep is pure torture. You pace back and forth in your chamber for about two hours before it is finally safe to sneak out. You run to that tree line like you've never run before. There is no time to waste.

You wonder if he'll show up. Knowing he is the Jeong's ward- knowing you are possibly going to be the wife of the Jeong's eldest son- you cannot possibly imagine what is going through his head. Your doubts almost get the better of you, but then you make it to the pond- and sitting there on that same roc- San waits for you.

"San," You say, just loud enough for him to hear you over the wind and the trees. He looks up, though his expression is different from the previous two nights. His expression tonight is...solemn. He stands at the sight of you, his arms falling to his sides. You approach slowly, unsure of how he will behave toward you. "Y/n."

He says your name, but it does not sound so pretty as you imagined it would sound. Part of you wants him to just keep calling you Lady Imp, as long as it meant he was not upset at you. "Why did you not tell me your name on that first night? Did you know who I was?" He asks, unwilling to dance around the conversation that desperately needs to be had. You furrow your brows, "No- Of course not." "Then why?" "Why- why what?" "Why didn't you tell me?" His voice raises by a decibel, though he is not quite yelling. "It was not on purpose- I simply wanted to keep some mystery to me, I didn't know-" "Keep some mystery about you?" He scoffs, "Had you told me that first night-" He stops himself mid sentence, exhaling sharply. Your heart rages in your chest, and your voice comes out much smaller than you mean it to, "What? If I'd told you my name, what? You would not have come?" He turns to you, and when he sees how pained you look, he regrets it immediately.

In truth, he does not know...part of him would like to believe himself noble enough to have resisted seeing you again if he knew Hongjoong, someone who was like a brother to him, had his sights set on you for a wife...but another part of him...a greater part, believes he might still have come- though he does not say that. You look at him, then look down at your feet, "Very well then...let us end things here while it is not much loss." Even uttering those words stings your own heart, knowing it to be a falsity- somehow, you know that losing this boy, who you've only met three nights ago- will be the greatest loss of your life. You lift your skirts slightly to turn around and walk, but he runs to you, grabbing onto your wrist, "Please, do not go." You look down at where his hand connects to your wrist, and then you turn to look at him. "I am...a fool..." He says, shaking his head, "This is not your fault...I know you are only being obedient to your parents' wishes..." "Then do not make me suffer more...it is hard enough knowing how much trouble this will put you in if anyone were to discover us."

He absorbs your words, running through every possible outcome, should someone find out about this forbidden tryst...and then, he moves his hand from your wrist, down to your hand- the same one Hongjoong had taken earlier. Your heart beats in your ears as you watch him raise your hand up to his lips- though he does not make contact just yet. "Then...we shan't be discovered," He presses his lips against the warm skin of your hand, leaving them for just a moment longer than would normally be necessary, as though his goal is not just to kiss- but to erase Hongjoong's lips from your flesh completely.

Synopsis: Y/N's life is turned upside down when her younger sister, Dahlia, dies in an accident on a rainy day. Y/N is left struggling with grief, denial and panic attacks during rainy days. What was once a cheerful and colorful home, it now grows cold and distant and she isolates herself further away from her parents and loved ones to deal with her own grief.

Until one day, she accidentally finds herself wandering upon a small flower shop called Byeol's Flowers, owned by a kind, quiet florist named Choi San. The shop welcomed her with a sense of calm, and San, without ever pushing for details, gave her a flower that expresses what she was feeling.

As Y/N’s visits to San's shop become more frequent, a quiet and peaceful bond grows between them. San shares his loss, and Y/N starts to find a peace of mind until her parents urge her to move on from her sister, putting pressure on her healing.

Everything she has tried to heal gets torn between guilt and the possibility of moving forward, Y/N distances herself from everything for a few days, wondering if her grief has affected the people she has grown close to. But one night, she returns to San’s door no longer afraid and ready to face the future with him.

[ a/n: Hello! My name is Jazmin (Jaz) and this is my first series that I am excited to announce. This isn’t my first time writing fanfics, series or smut but it’s my first time as someone who has evolved in understanding what they are writing. I do not have a determined date set as to when the series’ first chapter will be out as I am facing some personal issues (Starting school and finding a new job :/….) but please know I am currently working on this in my free time and doing thorough research about certain topics that will be included in this series! Also if you have any recs on what you would like to be apart of this series, pls do tell me your ideas! :)

Also a little more abt me! I love halloween… So I do enjoy horror concepts! I want my next series to be a bit spooky and interactive (heavily inspired by the AU Outcast that trended on twt some time ago) ]

Release Date: TBD

Chapter 1: The Last Storm

Chapter 2: The Weight of Silence

Chapter 3: Wrong Turn

Chapter 4: Petals & Stems

Chapter 5: The Flower with No Meaning

Chapter 6: Lavender & Fear

Chapter 7: Night Blooms

Chapter 8: Dahlia’s Song

Chapter 9: The Flower That Never Blooms

Chapter 10: Names and Meaning

Chapter 11: The Thunder

Chapter 12: First Touch

Chapter 13: Tension Blossoms

Chapter 14: The Thing About Grief

Chapter 15: We Don’t Say It

Chapter 16: The Flower Blooms

Chapter 17: Under the Rain

Chapter 18: In Bloom

favs

in the quiet places (fav, FLUFFY FLUFF, smut)

no smut

kill them with kindness (angstish, fluff, TENSIONS)

chicken noodle soup (fluff)

classics (smut)

filthy lips, loving touch (smut, fluff)

it's sweatpants season! oh my! (smut)

sweet farmer (smut)

save a horse, ride a cowboy (smut, cowboy!au)

knots (smut, masseur!au)

soft san (smut)

a lesser man (smut, fighter!au, boxer!au)

kalla (smut, BDSM)

i see red (smut)

dilf (smut)

roommate (smut, roommate!au (duh))

handy (smut, handyman!au)

his princess (smut, badboy!au)

howling to your moon (smut)

better late than never (smut, husband!au)

give a little pow pow on the baby maker (smut)

after all, you're my wife (smut, mafia!au)

stay focused (smut, office!au, university!au)

at your mercy (smut)

the hidden pleasure (smut)

pussy slapping (smut)

inexperienced (smut)

i hate how bad i want you part.2 (smut, CEO!au)

be my americano (smut)

workout (smut)

san as your boyfriend (fluff, smut)

cam boy (smut)

alternate universe (magics, gods, royalty, etc...)

limitless (smut, fluff, angst, knight!au, royal!au)

warrior (smut, historical!au, shifter!au, werewolf!au, royal!au)

let me protect you (smut, angst, victorian era!au)

demon cat boy (smut, catboy!au)

shut up and drive (smut, mafia!au)

imp!san (smut, imp!au)

hollow's eve (smut, demon!au)

vaya con dios (smut, religious!au, photographer!au)

*739 (smut, sex worker!au)

kinkuary day 1 (smut, royal!au)

underwater (smut, greek mythology!au)

the big bad wolf (smut, fluff, angstish, hybrid!au)

catch me if you can (fluff, hogwarts!au)

the champion (fluff, angstish, hogwarts!au)

from the shadows (fluff, hogwarts!au)

darling, his darling (smut, angstish, royal!au)

incubus: coming of age (incubus!san, smut)

to taint your soul (smut, incubus!san)

baby baby (smut, ABO!au)

synthetic heartbeat (smut, IA!san)

with another member

heists and celebration x wooyoung (smut, thiefs!au)

slow it down x wooyoung (smut, mafia!au, boxer!au)

crazy form x wooyoung (smut)

descend to depravity x seonghwa (smut, demon!au)

morally gray (and tw)

an imprisoned nighttale (pirate ateez, kidnapping!au, angst)