#woosan fic

A/N: so this idea came out of nowhere but I’ve been in my woosan feels so I wrote this. It’s been a while since I was able to churn something out so I went with it. Not proofread so sorry for any errors, and my style may have changed a bit since I’ve been away. I plan for this to be a two or three part series so enjoy my cherries ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊ feedback is always welcomed!

On his bare feet, San scurried across his bedroom, panting and shaky, racing to get everything he needed for his session. The computer was set up, with an adult content website blown across the screen. He set a towel nearby, water and lube at his desk by the keyboard, and his vape.

Quickly sitting down in his chair, he checks the time on his phone.

10:15 PM.

Perfect. Fifteen minutes to spare. He took a hit of his vape, exhaling smoke through his nose, then checked to make sure he had money uploaded on the site. His current balance: $323.50 — he added an extra $200 for good measure.

He shook his head and sighed, thinking back to when he wasn’t frivolous with his money in the slightest.

That was, until he met cherrykitty1126 three months ago.

It would be fair to say that San had somewhat of a parasocial relationship with an adult content creator and has currently spent over $1500 on him. He never left himself broke, but has cut it close a couple of times. Crazy to admit, but San was hooked. He barely knew him, yet felt like he knew him forever. San was already in his top 0.001% of fans/subscribers.

10:25 PM.

Taking a deep breath, he entered the live session room and selected kitty’s username.

@puddingpop has entered the live room.

The anticipation ate at him like the minutes on the clock. 10:28 PM. 10:29 PM. Kitty had a tendency to run late — occasionally another client begging to pay for more time or sending goodnight texts and videos to premium holders. San silently hoped he wouldn’t cancel or reschedule.

10:33 PM. Bing!

@cherrykitty1126 has entered the live room.

San turned his microphone on but kept the camera off. The screen lit up and there he was, greeting San with that beautiful, radiant smile and waving at the camera. But something was different now.

“You changed your hair?” San asked, puzzled.

Last time he saw Kitty, he had long black hair. Now it was cut shorter and dyed red. Kitty had on a pair of white and red fox ears too, and a black baby tee skin stretched across his chest, and on the left side of his face was a black eyebrow piercing.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

In the beginning he kept his mic off, camera on . Not that his voice was a mystery, just something he preferred during live video — for conversations.

I wanted a change, and a client asked for red. What do you think? Do you not like it?

San immediately shook his head in protest.

“No…no! It’s really cute. I was just surprised.”

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Thank you. I like it too. I missed you, pudding.

San’s heart skipped a beat, trying to keep his composure because of course Kitty said that to everyone but it felt personal every time, like San was the only one he had eyes for. But again, delusion. This is Kitty’s job.

“I missed you too…a lot, actually. You look so pretty.”

Kitty smiled ear to ear, eyes practically closed shut and the urge to find a way to come through the screen and tackle him grew overwhelmingly inside San. Kitty blew three kisses towards the camera and melted San into his seat. How could someone like him exist? Someone with such divine features and spirit was right before his eyes and San could barely believe it.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Gonna switch cameras. Just one second.

“Uhm, can you leave this camera on? I’ll just minimize it.”

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Anything for you, pudding.

Kitty turned on his mic, stood up and walked over to his bed. San’s mouth watered and parted in awe as he watched Kitty’s sexy, tan legs strut away, his red and white bushy buttplug tail matching his ears swinging side to side from between his cheeks, and that thick log resting flaccid down his thigh.

T-shirt and no bottoms — one of San’s rules. Excitedly, he opened the cash box tab.

Cha-ching!

An automated voice spoke: @puddingpop sent $20!

As Kitty flicked on the camera across the room, he perched his ass and shook his tail cutely. San stifled a low growl in his throat, hunger burning through him. His other hand gripping the tingling bulge beneath his sweats, biting his lip, anticipation setting in.

The screen doubled, the other side now showing Kitty’s glorious jawline in frame. San made the first display small and slid it into the corner for another angle — but the main meal was the new view he expanded across his screen.

All of Kitty in 4k.

“Fuck…” San whispered raggedly.

Kitty went to the bedside table and pulled out a roll up black ball. He sat on the bed and began slipping on a pair of nylon knee-high stockings — another one of San’s rules.

The sight of the fabric cascading along Kitty’s skin was enough to twitch and stiffen San’s cock, filling his fingers, desperate to be touched bare immediately, but San didn’t want to cum too fast. He always came fast the first time, but he had the stamina to cum over and over again.

He kept himself clothed for now, palming himself with aching (and impatient) fervor, choking down moans.

Cha-ching!

An automated voice spoke: @puddingpop sent $50!

A lopsided grin spread across Kitty’s plump lips, raising an eyebrow and giggling cheekily. It was music to San’s ears — whipped by even the sound of his laugh.

San and every client for creators on this site have what they call a brownie list. It’s a list of what each client likes and dislikes. For instance, some of San’s likes are no lower undergarments, nylon stockings, and costumes. Some dislikes are food play, piss play, gum chewing, and bondage.

Kitty checked three of San’s brownie boxes and he was close to busting — the brownie list is important for a creator. San watched Kitty move directly in front of the camera and pick up their smartphone.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Hard already, pudding?

San let out an uneven exhale and glanced from the chat box back to the main focus where Kitty laid on his side, stroking his fingertips lazily over the knee-highs.

“Yes…very,” San breathed deep, practically clawing at his waistband, restraining himself with every fiber of his being, drooling in admiration of the beauty on his monitor.

Kitty jumped up and sat on his heels, thighs parted slightly. He pinched the hem on his t-shirt, tugging at it in question of San’s preference.

“You can keep the shirt on, just slip it above your nipples.”

Kitty did exactly as instructed, raising the cotton hemline up his chest, exposing his muscular torso and rib tattoo. Flustered, San stared, sensually licking his lips—disappointed Kitty wasn’t in the same room as him.

“You would look amazing with nipple piercings,” he hummed.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Noted.

Teasing his nipples with one hand, Kitty licked his teeth and winked at the camera, his other hand trailing lazily up and down his chest.

“Can you please…spit down your chest? Slowly.”

Without hesitation, Kitty gathered salvia in his mouth and lowered his head, drooling down his body. San’s gaze locked onto the liquid dripping down to his navel as Kitty did it again and again—silvery strings drawing from his bottom lip to his glossy chin.

San grunted, feasting on every inch of Kitty as the fire in his belly ignited fast, twisting in his seat, cock begging for more attention, leaking like a faucet and wetting his crotch.

“You are so fucking hot, Kitty.”

Those delicate hip bones and toned thighs, pelvis tensing as blood filled his length, swelling until San could make out every inch and vein as it throbbed in the air. That cock, that body…he’s simply a masterpiece. Kitty kisses at the camera as he rubbed soothing circles on his spit covered skin.

San tossed his head back, he couldn’t take it anymore, peeling the elastic waistband off his hips swiftly and freeing his erection from its confines—flushed and swollen—the weighted bulge slapped against his abdomen. He whimpered, full bodied and needy. No one but Kitty ever made San this unforgivingly hard, like a single touch would make him ejaculate instantly.

“Holy shit, you’re unbelievable. What I would give to just—”

Cha-ching!

An automated voice spoke: @puddingpop sent $30!

Kitty blinked drunkenly like he was in a trance, abs flexing as he caressed his body for San, running a hand around his groin, careful not to touch his aroused cock, spasming and dripping easily. He picked up his phone.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

To just what? Tell me. Can’t you see how much you turn me on? You have the sexiest voice.

The compliment alone had San about to cum hands-free.

He was gagging for it, for his pretty kitty—entranced by the most beautiful creature in the whole world.

His fingers curled around the base of his glistening shaft, biting his fist as he stroked it calmly, not wanting to release the heated pressure instinctually. But San wasn’t sure how much longer he’d last, the tight knot in his gut warning him to pace himself.

San swallowed roughly, pumping his precum soaked cock, slicking through his fingers—gasping and moaning under his breath (but not as quietly as he thought).

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

You touching yourself, pudding?

“I’m—I’m obsessed with you…what I would give to just kiss and lick you from head to toe—”

Breathless and wrecked, San ran a thumb over his tender, pulsing tip, “—to taste you, and fuck you until you’re trembling and cumming all over me.”

He shivered, head dizzy but his burning stare glued to Kitty, committing every delicious detail to memory.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

…Can I touch myself for you, please?

“Yes, Kitty,” San groaned, “let’s play and cum together.”

Cha-ching!

An automated voice spoke: @puddingpop sent $30!

A lustful grin curled on Kitty’s lips, devouring the figmentation of whoever lurked behind that black screen with his mind, wiping some saliva off his stomach and affectionately fisting the head of his cock—purple and bright—sending molten sparks down his spine.

He arched his back, a waterfall of broken moans flowing from him and hitting San’s eardrums, working his hand faster now, strangled noises leaving him loudly.

“That’s a good kitty. Just like that…touch your nipples for me.”

And he did just that—pinching his nipple and stroking his heavy meat in sync, posed and shining like a sculpture created from San’s imagination. Mesmerized by the blood vessels straining in Kitty’s hands, neck, and dick, he started losing control.

His vision fell unfocused, every sound uttered from Kitty’s mouth sent him into a frenzy, the urge to come undone strengthening with each second. His cock convulsed against his palm, his whole being sinking into Kitty’s glassy and steady eyes.

“Mmm, fuck—I’m close…” Kitty crooned, tone velvety and smooth.

San lifted his t-shirt and scooted forward in his seat, pupils dilating, hypnotized by Kitty’s hips rocking back and forth. Chest heaving as he massaged himself in merciless rhythm, precum oozing freely, his balls full and eager to be emptied.

“God, Kitty…I want you bad,” the words poured unconsciously, revealing San’s vulgar ideas, “you have the sexiest body and the most perfect cock…that was made for my holes.”

The praise sent Kitty over the edge, releasing the crudest utterances and fucking his hand recklessly.

“I’m gonna—gonna cum, pudding. Mmm, just for you.” Kitty whined, pushing out heartier sighs of defeat, eyes rolling back..

A final jagged inhale and creamy spurts of cum shot against his stomach and chest, painting himself messy with milky lines. San drank in the sight, noticing some droplets of cum lingering on Kitty’s face and fell apart.

“Oh, mmm…fuck!” San cried out, eyes closing as he tore apart at the seams, squeezing and kneading his juicy cock until he squirted warm, sticky streams onto his tummy.

It had to be one of the strongest orgasms he’s ever had, seeing stars and vibrating as if Kitty was there in the flesh, riding him. San never came intensely like that until he met him, now he can’t cum unless he’s looking at his picture or watching one of his solo videos.

Safe to say that, like his vape, he’s extremely addicted to Kitty.

No one does it for him anymore—and he tried. There was a random hookup just a few weeks ago and San barely got erect. It was embarrassing but completely made sense, and later that night when he masturbated to Kitty’s dragon cock riding video, he blew two loads. He never thought of anything else, only Kitty.

Kitty.

Kitty…

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Thanks for that. A lot fiercer than I expected.

Coming down gradually, San smirked, his spotty vision clearing and watching Kitty’s flexible core bowing back onto his hands, picturing sucking him off in that position.

“No, thank you. It’s always like that for me…with you.”

Blushing, Kitty eyed the camera devilishly, glancing from it to his cum glazed skin back again. San’s eyes widened, leaning closer, sucked in by the scene unfolding. He dipped his fingers in the scattered pools of his seed and brought it up to his mouth, slurping his digits clean—his fixed stare never leaving San’s.

“Goddamn, Kitty. You’re so pretty; say it back. Tell me you’re pretty.” San commanded, taking an abrupt suck of his vape as he laid back coolly.

“I’m pretty,” Kitty cooed.

Cha-ching!

An automated voice spoke: @puddingpop sent $50!

San’s head swam on cloud-nine, it felt like this was a more passionate session than he was used to...but maybe it was because he’d become more infatuated with his favorite adult content creator.

Kitty traced down his waist, touching his wet, limp stick and his whole body jolted, too raw and sensitive to handle. He ate more of his sperm, and San was envious.

“What’s it taste like?”

A high pitched cackle left Kitty’s mouth and shocked San, in the best way. He’d never heard that laugh before and he swooned. Was that a genuine belly laugh? He wondered if any of his other clients made him truly laugh out loud. Kitty hopped to his feet and snatched the phone.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

I ate a lot of mangoes, pineapples, and oranges yesterday and today hehe so, it’s a sort of medley.

“Sounds yummy.”

Kitty grabbed a cloth from the drawer and wiped clean, turning off the bedside camera then walking to the first camera at his desk, muting his mic.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Looks like we’re nearing the end of our session. Did you enjoy yourself?

San checked the time — 11:30 PM. Damn it.

“Very much, you drive me insane—” he paused, chewing on a decision and went for it, “—and I know you stop live calls at midnight, so I’m assuming…I’m your last client?”

Kitty nodded.

“Well, I want to buy your last thirty minutes.”

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

I won’t be able to cum again in that amount of time, sorry :/

“No…no! No, we don’t have to do anything like that. We can just…talk or I can sit here quietly while you do your night routine.”

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

You wanna watch me get ready for bed?

“If that’s okay with you. We don’t have to if you’re uncomfortable with it,” San gulped, regretting asking in the first place. He was being a total creep and he knew it.

Simmering in thought, Kitty sat still for a moment, contemplating his proposal.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Have you cleaned yourself off yet?

“No…I usually do it after we hang up.”

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Mind if I see?

San froze. What does he say to that? Kitty wanted to..see him? It wasn’t against the rules or anything but Kitty did like anonymity with clients—he figured not knowing what the subscriber looked like made it easier to produce, and understandably so.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

No face. Chest and lower, if you’re comfortable.

“Are you sure?” San hesitated, not because he didn’t want to show himself, but he didn’t know if he was Kitty’s type…but the answer could help give him a past due reality check.

Kitty bobbed his head up and down happily, wagging his hips in approval. San reached for his webcam and adjusted it to only show from his nipples to his lap in frame. Anxiously, he turned on his camera, his midsection now in full display on Kitty’s screen.

His jaw dropped, tongue hanging out of his mouth like a dog in heat. Kitty moved his face closer to the monitor, studying the beauty of pudding.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

I knew you were fucking hot, but damn…

Ripples of abs, beefy chest, cinched waist, his fat cock lying there on his gut drenched in cum. Kitty salivated at the godly image, and San was speechless, looking up to the ceiling.

He didn’t know if he should be mortified or enticed, or both.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

I planned to take pictures to send you in the morning and then get ready for bed. You can stay until I’m done, free of charge.

“Really? I can pay for the time, I don’t mind,” San reassured him, willing to do anything for him without a second thought.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

No, seriously. Don’t send anything. I had a lot of fun today. And don’t clean yourself. Stay like that please (:

San awkwardly gave a thumbs up and cursed himself out as Kitty went to the bed, taking lewd selfies in his costume. He kept a close eye on him, but his mind wandered. What did Kitty mean by he had a lot of fun today? With only him or the overall clients of the day? He shook the notion away, it didn’t matter anyhow. He was a client, like the rest and he wished he could stop being stubborn about it.

But how?

Kitty had become his whole world.

Once he finished with the pictures, Kitty had to shower and San joined from his mobile, sticking him in the waterproof phone holder where he could see it all. Kitty was truly a creative content creator, having all the necessary gadgets, and a one of a kind prize to San.

The shower came to an end after about a half hour, following with Kitty doing his skin care and covering himself in a black velvet robe. He went back to his computer and switched to the monitor, vision lighting up, amazed by what he saw.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

You’re hard.

His cock, full and overflowing for a second time tonight, twinged on his midriff as San looked down at it, begging for more pets. This was a normal occurrence, especially after a session with Kitty. He would most likely self-pleasure two more times before he tapped out.

“Oh…yeah,” he scratched the back of his neck nervously, “that happens often.”

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Are you going to jerk off again?

“Yes, but I usually use this, uhm, pussy pocket thing.”

Thank god Kitty couldn’t see his face, knowing it was scorched beet red and that persistent, igniting ache returning to his balls vivid in his expression—the primal desire for release ripping him to pieces.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Go get it. I wanna watch you this time.

What? Was this happening? San didn’t question it much, only obeyed and headed to his nightstand. He took out his fleshlight then sat back in the chair, keeping his face hidden.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Do you sometimes watch porn when you masturbate?

“Nah, I don’t go on porn sites. I look at your content.”

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Don’t you have other subscriptions on here?

“Only yours.”

Kitty appeared flattered, which was a good sign, but San worried it sounded weird and toxic. One of his biggest fears was any type of withdrawal from him and this relationship. He couldn’t bear the thought of Kitty not being in his life.

He did the only thing he could think of and lubed up his toy. San fisted his oversensitive boner, nudging it through the pussy shaped thermoplastic hole, huffing as it enveloped him. The maddening suction shoved his head backwards, lightly gliding it up and down his member.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

You’re doing so well, pudding. That cock is magical. I bet you ruin holes.

San rotated his head and caught Kitty’s wicked beam across his face, eyes dark and sparkling with enthusiasm, being the most observant spectator. He never in a million years considered having an audience while he satisfied himself, let alone it be Kitty of all people. But the more Kitty relished in San’s greed, the more it stirred him up.

Moving erratically, San built an unrelenting tempo, stuttering mewls from his windpipe mixed with the juicy squelching sound coming from the fleshlight harmonized around the room. His hips instinctively thrusted to meet it as it consumed every inch of him with a vice.

“Fuck…this feels so good. I bet you’d feel even better,” his voice was shallow and weak, laced with frenzied appetite.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Don’t cum inside. I wanna see it all.

He continued pounding his sheathed wood, secreting like a fountain inside the plastic, viscous fluid seeping onto his groin. San squirmed, lips pressed together but throaty cries exiting anyway. Kitty bit into his upper lip, wild yearning steaming off him.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Cum for me, pudding. Imagine creaming that load all over my face.

The gentle coaxing, the soft and sopping ridges of the pocket delivering broad blows, San treaded dangerously close to combusting, blood buzzing in his ears. He couldn’t hold on.

“I-I’m gonna…gonna—” he hissed through his teeth.

One speedy ram all at once and the pressure in his center combusted, almost before he yanked the toy off and dumped a fresh load of spunk on his body, fondling his cock to assist getting out every last drop.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Wow. So good for me, look at how much you came.

It was quite an impressive reveal, but it wasn’t a rare exhibit to San. His energy kept the bigger explosions for rounds to come, and seeing Kitty could make him cum gallons all night long. Sweat beads gathered on San’s neck and chest, his body and cock limp from exhaustion.

“Mind if I clean it off now?” San chuckled.

Kitty’s zoned out reverence of San’s dirty puddle splotches snapped into concentration before he gave the signal for him to erase the canvas. He unfolded the towel and scrubbed down, fixing his clothes to normal. San dialed off his camera, and Kitty held up a box of smokes with furrowed brows.

“You can smoke, I don’t mind,” San explained, holding out his vape and sucked down a bit of nicotine.

Kitty whipped out a lighter and lit the cigarette in hand.

“Did you…like it?”

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Very much. This was delightful. I hope you had a good time tonight too. I should go to bed now.

San addressed the time — 12:40 AM. Whoa, it was almost one in the morning, and truthfully, he didn’t want it to end. He wished to stay here, face to face with Kitty, every waking second. San never got enough of Kitty.

“Right, yeah. Of course, it’s super late. Thanks for tonight.”

Cha-ching!

An automated voice spoke: @puddingpop sent $75!

Kitty frowned, blowing a cloud of smoke at the camera.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

I told you not to send any $$$ >:( you spoil me.

“What’s wrong with that? I can afford it, don’t worry.”

His skeptical pouting was cute to San, making it hard to resist sending more money, but he didn’t want to upset Kitty after the lovely night they had.

@cherrykitty1126 is typing…

Have a goodnight, pudding.

“Goodnight, Kitty.”

The call ended and San let out a hefty sigh, closing the live stream tabs, leaving the website but not before depositing another $20 to Kitty’s cash card.

With a note that read:

A little treat for my succulent Kitty, never change.

He shut down his pc and jumped in the shower, washing any traces of leftover spunk and sweat, jacking off one more time to one of Kitty’s recent uploads: ‘cat stuck on the eiffel tower’. He ignored the two men in the video for the most part but he blew a wad of jealousy down the drain.

After he dressed in a pair of boxer briefs, he got into bed, catching up on missed texts and social media posts, hoping to see Kitty in his dreams as he scrolled through his Instagram posts. There was a new photo dump he had to like, favorite, comment, repost, and save to his camera roll.

Three hours later….

San woke from his slumber to piss, cocooning himself in the sheets when he returned. He took a gander at his phone and there was a notification from the adult website’s app.

He scrambled to open the phone and it read, @cherrykitty1126 sent you a new message!

Oh my god. What could he be messaging him about? San feared the worst, praying there wasn’t bad news that would wreck him permanently. He opened the app and went to messages tab.

Drawing in sharp fumes from his vape, he read the dm.

@cherrykitty1126 wrote:

Hey pudding! So, crazy ask and proposal, but would you be interested in filming some content with me?

© written by teezslvt— do not steal or claim as your own 𓆩♡𓆪

Wooyoung had never been the biggest fan of Halloween parties. While he adored the spooky season itself—the eerie atmosphere, the creative costumes, and the thrill of it all—he'd never felt at ease in loud, crowded parties. Instead, he typically opted for quiet evenings at home with close friends, by himself, or with his boyfriend, San.

One thing Wooyoung did enjoy was dressing up. Every Halloween, he’d throw a small gathering with a few of his friends—just three or four people—and they’d show off their costumes. Despite his love for costumes, there was one thing that always disappointed him: San’s stubborn refusal to dress up. Unlike Wooyoung, who reveled in the chance to be creative, San never participated in the fun.

And it drove Wooyoung crazy.

“You could wear literally anything, and I’d love it,” Wooyoung complained one night. “You could even dress up as a traffic cone, and I’d find it adorable.”

“Wooyoung,” San sighed, his lips curving into a soft smile. He tried to remain firm, but the sight of his boyfriend pouting against his neck, placing soft kisses along his jaw, made it difficult. “You know I’m not into dressing up.”

“But just this once? For me?” Wooyoung pleaded, his voice sugary sweet as he squeezed San’s hand in his lap. “I already know the perfect costume for you.”

San raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. “And what would that be?”

“Ghostface,” Wooyoung answered with an excited gleam in his eye.

“Ghostface?” San frowned, his confusion evident. “Isn’t he, like, a murderer?”

“Don’t look at me like that!” Wooyoung giggled, swatting his boyfriend’s shoulder. “He’s hot!”

San chuckled at Wooyoung’s audacity, but his resolve was already wavering. After a moment, he sighed. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Wooyoung’s reaction was immediate and ecstatic. He squealed with delight, pulling San in for a flurry of kisses. “I love you! I love you! I love you!”

San laughed, pretending to push Wooyoung away, though his own cheeks burned from the attention. “Alright, alright. You win.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As October 30th rolled around, San found himself doing something he never thought he’d do: researching Ghostface. From character lore to the bizarre attraction people had to the masked killer, he dove into the internet’s obsession with him. The more he learned, the more curious he became. If Wooyoung found Ghostface that attractive, did that mean he’d be into… other things?

San decided to find out.

That evening, he returned home with the Ghostface costume tucked discreetly in his gym bag. “I’m back!” he called out as he entered their shared apartment.

Wooyoung, who was cooking tteokbokki in the kitchen, bounded over to greet him. “Hey, baby!” he chirped, throwing his arms around San’s neck and planting a kiss on his lips. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” San murmured, squeezing Wooyoung’s waist. “I’m gonna shower real quick, okay?”

Wooyoung nodded, watching him disappear into the bathroom. Little did he know, San had other plans. After a quick rinse, San slipped into the Ghostface costume, leaving the mask for last. He hesitated as he held it in his hands, chuckling at how ridiculous he felt. But when he glanced at himself in the mirror, dressed in the iconic black robe, he understood the appeal.

He grabbed the mask and headed to the kitchen, where Wooyoung was obliviously finishing up their meal. San tapped the wall twice, catching Wooyoung’s attention.

“San, you scared me—” Wooyoung started to say but froze when he turned around. His eyes widened as they took in the sight before him: San, standing in the doorway, fully dressed as Ghostface.

Wooyoung’s jaw dropped. “Oh my God,” he whispered, his voice trembling with excitement. “You actually did it.”

San tilted his head, his voice low and playful. “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Wooyoung giggled nervously as San strode toward him, the black robe swishing with each step. “I thought you weren’t serious about it since we never brought it up again,” Wooyoung admitted, his cheeks flushed.

San’s hands found their way to Wooyoung’s waist, pulling him close. “You begged me for it. How could I say no?”

Wooyoung’s breath hitched as he clung to San’s shoulders. “You—you look amazing,” he stammered. “I love it.”

San smirked behind the mask, leaning down until their faces were inches apart. “You got a boyfriend?” he asked, his tone mimicking Ghostface’s infamous line.

“Why? You wanna ask me out on a date?” Wooyoung played along, his voice shaky with anticipation.

“Maybe. Do you?”

“No,” Wooyoung replied coyly, his hands sliding up to tangle in San’s hair.

San chuckled, his voice dropping to a seductive whisper. “Good. I wanna know who I’m about to ruin tonight.”

The tension between them snapped, and Wooyoung gasped as San lifted him onto the counter, the Ghostface mask still obscuring his face. The night had only just begun.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While they keep making out, San starts moving his hips again, slowly at first, but his pace quickly becomes erratic as his need intensifies. Wooyoung moans into San's mouth, their kisses growing sloppier with each thrust. The sound of skin meeting skin fills the room, accompanied by Wooyoung's gasps and San's deep groans.

San pulls back slightly to catch his breath, his hands tightening their hold on Wooyoung's wrists. “You feel so good, baby… so tight for me,” he murmurs, his voice laced with desperation. His eyes trail down to where their bodies connect, the sight of himself buried deep inside Wooyoung spurring him on.

“San…” Wooyoung moans, his back arching off the couch as San angles his hips to hit just the right spot. The sensation sends jolts of pleasure through him, and he clings to San's shoulders, his nails digging in lightly. “Faster… please.”

“Anything for you,” San growls, letting go of Wooyoung's wrists to grip his waist. He uses his hold to pull Wooyoung closer with each thrust, his movements rough and unrelenting. Wooyoung's head falls back, his eyes rolling shut as he gives himself over completely to the pleasure.

San leans down, his lips finding the sensitive spot on Wooyoung's neck, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses and gentle bites. Wooyoung's breath hitches, his hands flying to San's hair as he pulls him even closer.

“San—ah, I’m gonna—” Wooyoung’s words are cut off by a loud cry as his release washes over him, his body trembling beneath San. The sight of Wooyoung unraveling beneath him pushes San over the edge.

“Fuck, Woo…” San groans, his hips stuttering as he finds his own release. He buries his face in Wooyoung's neck, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps as he rides out the high.

For a moment, the only sounds in the room are their heavy breathing and the faint rustling of the couch. San lifts his head to look at Wooyoung, his hair disheveled and a satisfied grin on his face. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

Wooyoung chuckles weakly, his cheeks flushed as he wraps his arms around San’s neck. “I could say the same about you.”

San presses a gentle kiss to Wooyoung’s forehead before leaning back to survey the mess they’ve made. “Guess we’ll have to clean up before dinner,” he teases, earning a playful slap on the chest from Wooyoung.

“Not before we cuddle,” Wooyoung says stubbornly, pulling San down onto the couch with him.

San laughs, relenting as he wraps an arm around Wooyoung and pulls him close. “Alright, but just for a bit. Can’t keep my chef waiting on that tteokbokki.”

Wooyoung hums contentedly, resting his head on San’s chest. “Fine. But only because you actually wore the costume for me.”

San smirks, his hand gently stroking Wooyoung’s hair. “Anything for you, baby. Even if it means becoming your ‘hot masked man.’”

“I spent my previous years thinking love was something I had to earn. But you…this crew…you all taught me it’s something we all deserve. It’s something I’m finally willing to let myself have.”

playlist

pirate song by mehro | your idol by saja boys | before i forget by slipknot | sign of the times by harry styles | answer by ateez | guerilla (the flag version) by ateez | work song by hozier | not by the moon by got7 | heroes by david bowie | the summoning by sleep token | haunted by evanescence | just pretend by bad omens | the reason by hoobastank | lonely day by system of a down | iris by the goo goo dolls

title taken from "Pirate Song" by Mehro

tags available on ao3. this fic has been read through and edited twice, but most likely has slight spelling errors due to the author being a terrible speller (hi). this fic will be gone through December 2025 for tiny edits.

enjoy. i put my heart and soul into this one <3

“Are you ready for tonight?”

Wooyoung startled from his seat, head snapping up to look in the direction of where the voice had come from. Euijoo stood in the doorway to the breakroom, hands on his hips, and a knowing smirk gracing his face.

Wooyoung, once he knew it wasn't some crazy customer who had snuck into the back, returned his excitement. "When am I ever not ready?" This was the highlight of the month.

Both of them had been attending... car shows... for the last year together. And while the special meets (that always left Wooyoung with an empty wallet) weren't all that frequent, he had grown restless with the anticipation.

Because he knew someone would be there.

Waiting for him.

The driver of the sexy Porsche 911 Turbo.

The omega's scent spiked just at the thought of it.

San, as he had come to know his real name after meeting three, was an alpha from Korea. Wooyoung had been born in the same country as him and was surprised to see another Korean (besides EJ) at the first meet he had gone to in Shibuya.

Just like his ride, San was just as alluring and attractive.

"When are you going to ask him out, anyway?" Euijoo seemed to have read Wooyoung's mind, plopping down at the round table where he was spending his break scrolling through social media. "He's attractive," The other omega's voice dropped to a teasing tone, honeyed scent turning a little softer. "And nice. You could use a nice alpha for once, hyung."

Wooyoung immediately threw his head back and groaned. "Don't remind me." He never wanted to think of that selfish prick again, much less picture his grimy face.

Noticing his scent starting to sour, Euijoo left that part of the conversation out. "Just ask him out tonight, hyung. He won't say no." That much was true.

After a year of attending the car meets and seeing San at every one of them, the alpha did nothing but follow Wooyoung around during them. It was cute. San was like a lost puppy, hot on his tail every time the omega would walk along the line to look at other cars that weren't his. San would pout at him, jealousy clearly rolling off of him in waves when Wooyoung would compliment another person's vehicle.

Rolling his shoulders, Wooyoung decided that he'd dress extra extravagantly for someone special tonight.

Walking hand-in-hand with the other omega, Wooyoung felt a chill run down his spine from the rattle of multiple cut exhausts in the parking lot.

Cutting his eyes to the side, he heard someone revving their engine— once, twice, three times— until it caught his attention. Wooyoung saw the driver peering at him through the windshield, a small, tempting smirk on the (clearly) beta's face that tried to get him to come over to his Subaru WRX.

Wooyoung knew he looked good.

A black, mesh bodysuit sat tightly against his chest, mostly covered by a hip-cut leather jacket. Tiny, black denim shorts that clung to his thighs, black two-inch heeled boots, and a pair of colorful Hello Kitty socks hidden underneath them.

But Wooyoung wasn't here for the Subaru. He was here for the Porsche.

The omega continued to walk the strip, not paying the, now scowling beta, any more attention as he and Euijoo took a peek at the rest of the cars.

Then, suddenly, the omega's hand slipped from his. "There he is!" Euijoo tried not to seem too excited, but a wide grin stretched his lips as he saw an army green Mazda sitting by one of the lamp posts.

Wooyoung's scent of lilies and vanilla spiked a little as he caught a glimpse of the car beside it.

It was a 2026 McLaren 625 GT2, the wrap fresh and looking recently done— an off-white color with black stretching from the middle of the hood to the trunk. White rims with LED lights underneath the fenders. A double spoiler sitting on the back, dual exhausts-.

She might beat the love Wooyoung had for the Porsche.

Just as Euijoo split to greet Fuma, and Wooyoung walked closer to the beautiful car to greet the owner, someone was popping the driver's side scissor door open.

San was grinning at him.

"Like it?" His voice was a little raspy, like he had been exhausted from the day but had still shown up to the car meet— for Wooyoung. "I just got her."

Oh. Wooyoung more than liked it.

Over time, San had brought other cars from his personal collection to the meets. None had been sexier than the Porsche until he had seen this beast of metal.

His scent spiked again, enough to catch San's curious, twitching nose.

He needed to be in that car. Now. With San.

"Cute jeans," Wooyoung's eyes trailed to his ass when he turned around to close the door, seeing delicate flowers stitched into the dark-wash pockets with a white vine trailing up the left pant leg. "Wanna take mine off me?"

Wooyoung couldn't take it anymore. He was going weak in the knees by the second the more that he looked at the sight of both the McLaren and San— the way he leaned up against the door, arms crossed over his tight-fitting tank top-.

The alpha looked at him with wide, surprised eyes. Like he clearly hadn't heard what Wooyoung had said. "... what?" And despite playing dumb, or maybe confused, San's scent had turned sharp— the smell of oranges and sandalwood lacing with clear interest.

"Why don't you take me for a ride in it?"

He had seen from the outside perspective how hard San pushed his babies, how he didn't care if they got dents in them or if he full-on crashed into another car going down the strip after the bets had started— because he had enough money to fix them the next day.

He wondered if San would ditch the innocent act and push him that hard, too.

"I think you know what this is. Don't you want me in one of your sexy cars, alpha?"

The alpha gulped thickly, watching as Wooyoung sauntered over to him— hips swaying, scent enticing. He couldn't say no. He had literally dreamed of this exact thing happening for months.

San nodded, rounding the McLaren and swinging the passenger door open, holding it up in a clear invitation for Wooyoung to hop in.

The omega slid inside without a second thought, ducking his head so he didn't hit it on the frame due to how low the car was sitting. The leather of the bucket seats stuck to the back of his thighs, but he enjoyed the feeling of the rich, expensive fabric as the door shut.

He enjoyed the sight even more when San slid in beside him.

"You ready?"

Wooyoung didn't hesitate, offering a quick jerk of his head before he buckled up. San turned the key in the ignition, the hum of the engine vibrating the floor beneath their feet.

Fuck the races. Wooyoung would be much happier with a joyride with the alpha that had been chasing after him for months.

Wooyoung's hands trembled in San's hair, tugging at the roots— to pull him closer, to push him away? He didn't know. He couldn't think past the clogging scent of San filling the stuffy car, past the pleasure his rolling tongue brought.

He looked up at the omega through his lashes, knees biting into the carpet of the passenger side, and big hands digging into Wooyoung's smooth thighs— the seat having been pushed all the way back and reclined as soon as San had pulled over to an isolated side of a mountain trail.

He was getting lost in Wooyoung's own tooth-aching smell, in the taste of his slick. San's nose brushed his mound, huffing in sharp breaths but refusing to pull away. He ate Wooyoung out like he was starving, drinking down any droplets of the omega's pleasure like he had grown addicted to the taste.

And maybe he had. Every time Wooyoung's hips jerked away from the tight suction of his mouth around his clit, San growled and pulled him back; tongue dipping down to his leaking hole back to his pulsing clit.

"Oh, fuck," Wooyoung suddenly gasped, back arching off the leather seats and hands desperately grasping at the black strands of the alpha's hair. "Wait, fuck-!"

San flinched back a little, feeling his face grow increasingly wet— Wooyoung's slick trickled down his chin, soaking the white tank-top that had been ridden up to his stomach. His pupils dilated, instantly diving forward and sticking his tongue out to lap up the watery liquid.

Wooyoung trembled in sensitivity, thighs closing to clap around the alpha’s head, more slick gushing out to soak San’s honeyed skin as he circled his tongue around his clit.

He didn’t stop until Wooyoung roughly tugged his head back by his hair. “Get in the seat.” San’s eyes looked hazy, like he had gotten completely drunk off of whatever Wooyoung had to offer him. Licking his lips to taste the last of him, San followed his instructions.

It was a little difficult trying to climb over each other to switch positions, but Wooyoung eventually found his mouth wrapped around San’s leaking cock. He looked like he nearly pushed himself over the edge from eating Wooyoung out alone, and it sent a pleasant shiver down the omega’s spine.

San let out a shaky sigh through his nose, thumb brushing over Wooyoung’s bulging cheek before tugging weakly at his hair. He knew this wasn’t an act to excite him, but it had his cock twitching in Wooyoung’s drooling mouth, anyway.

He couldn’t enjoy the wet heat of it for much longer before Wooyoung was pulling off, climbing into his lap and caging his thighs between his own. San nearly lost his mind when he felt Wooyoung roll his hips forward, pressing his cock against his slick folds to coat him in more lubricant so it wasn’t so hard for Wooyoung to take him.

San’s hips rolled forward in response, the tip knocking against the omega’s hole and rubbing up against his over-sensitive clit.

A soft knock on the door wakes Aura from her dreamless sleep. It is already light outside. The sun is shining through the gaps of drawn curtains. 

Another knock on the door, a more urgent one this time. “Aura? Can I come in?” She quickly recognizes the Mingi’s and allows him to come in. His clothes are different to the ones he was wearing during the night. 

“Good morning.” He says with a smile that doesn’t reach his flickering eyes, barely hiding the worry on his face. 

“Good morning, Mingi.” She responds. “Did you manage to get any rest?” She feels worried about the man in front of her. There are dark circles visible under his eyes. 

“I was actually revoked from my position until midday. As soon as I arrived at my chambers to change clothes, a message from the King came, saying I should rest.” He smiles kindly at her. Now that he mentions it, he does look a bit more rested. Yet still restless. 

The Duchess continues to worry as well, about one particular person, but as if Mingi reads her mind, he quickly waves a hand at the matter and responds to her thoughts. “Yunho is the same. He arrived in our servant quarters soon after me.” 

She nods, feeling more assured but then the realization dawns in on her, and she can’t help but comment on it with a sly smile decorating her lips. “So, you two share a room?” 

To which, Mingi blushes heavily, rubbing his palm on the back of his head. He nods timidly, which makes her smile even wider. “Good for you.” She responds and shifts her weight on her feet. 

The clerk seems to be lost in his daydreaming for a few seconds until suddenly he comes back to consciousness, remembering why he came to the Duchess’ chambers in the first place. 

“Oh, yeah. The King asked for your presence at the audience hall.” He quickly shudders, switching back to his professional mode. 

Ah yes. The moment of truth has come upon us. King Chan’s verdict on the course of things. Now they will know what happens next. And how the whole case of fishermen’s guild culminates. She is especially eager to learn the verdict on her foolish, wannabe-heroic actions during the night. The king seemed to let her off easily when he dismissed her. Question is, will he have followed through with the rest of his decision in that same mood? 

Never one to fall while unseen, Aura takes time to look her best. She wears a wine-colored coat with brown pants and boots. Her hair is tied in a simple braid to her left side. She hopes dearly that these aren’t her last moments in the Wolfshowl kingdom. She won’t be able to live with herself if that is the case. 

Even though she hasn’t eaten anything since dinner, the Duchess couldn’t care less about food now. Her stomach is twisted in several knots, awaiting the King’s decision. 

They both arrive swiftly at the audience hall, King Chan already talking to some officials and Yunho. San is standing there next to them, already looking at the direction of the two new arrivals. His beaming smile is back to shine in Aura’s way. 

Both Mingi and her bow at the King taking notice of them. He nods his head in return and gestures towards the exit of the hall. “We are going to Buckman’s guild. He expects us to be there. All of us.” He says as he looks sternly in the Duchess’ direction. 

Good heavens. The time has come. 

They go by carriage. Aura sits next to Mingi, across from the King and tries to focus on anything but him. She is still unable to look him in the eye properly. The humiliation holding her back and clouding her vision is too great to ignore. The scene he had to witness this morning of her being a complete emotional mess, still lingers in her mind. The Duchess desperately hopes she doesn’t look completely pathetic in King Chan’s eyes. 

Maybe it started when she first saw the King up close when he came to kiss the back of her hand during their first meeting. Maybe it started when he was so open, ambitious, and kind during their work in the few mornings they spent together. Who knows? It might have started during the lunch that followed those mornings when they didn’t care about their nobility. 

Maybe, just maybe, it had started even before that. Whenever Jisung spoke warmly of his brother back in Cloudburst. Even then, the Duchess was curious about this kind, smart and ambitious king, who her dear friend called brother. 

All in all, the thought of His Majesty, sitting across from her in the carriage looking down on her, seeing her as nothing but a mess or a hindrance, hurts her. In the few days spent in this foreign kingdom, she came to quite like him. She simply cannot stand to disappoint him. 

Curse her deeply rooted issues, that made her want to suck up to any authority. Maybe if she begs hard enough, if she makes enough of a fool of herself, she will be noticed, right? 

While lost in her thoughts, they suddenly arrive at the town of their destination. Its streets are quite rowdy, much more than at night. People go to markets, have conversations, tend to their houses, or attend meetings. 

Soon the carriage stops on its way, and Aura steps out of it alongside Mingi and the King. Buckman is already standing in front of his guildhall, his hands fidgeting together in nervousness. He makes a low polite bow and greets them all. He must have realized that the King is knowledgeable of his treason. 

Buckman invites them all to his office where seats are prepared along with tea and light snacks. Several servants are tending to all three visitors sitting on the chairs, the clerk and the Duchess on each of the King’s side. Buckman’s business partner, Warson, is also present, sitting by his side as well.  

“I didn’t expect Your Majesty to come so soon, when the report is to be handed in in two days.” The guild master speaks with shaky words. But the King keeps his gaze steady and stern. “You know, I am not here for the report, Mr. Buckman.” 

You could hear a feather drop in the silence that follows. But the King continues soon after. “Your crimes are heavy, friends. The deeds done already and the deeds to be done yet. You know that I presume.” 

Warson keeps looking at the ground with a terrified look, his business partner fidgeting with his hands to keep himself busy. His forehead is sweaty, and his breath is irregular and heavy. His eyes sometimes go in the direction of the Duchess as if looking for an answer or maybe signs of spite. 

“It would be wise to raid down your buildings, go through all your documents, take the gold from your vaults and coffers and take over your business while your workers rot in prison, and you get executed.” 

Buckman swallows dryly. He looks like he wants to beg for mercy but doesn’t know where to start. He turns around and looks at the small picture of his daughter. Then he looks down at the floor and twists his head back to face the King again before he responds. 

“I won’t protest against it, Your Majesty. I failed in my task to do one necessary thing, and my life is not important anymore. I suppose you gathered all the needed evidence to our disbandment.” He says with his voice sounding defeated. And Aura’s heart breaks. 

“Not so fast, friend. I want to hear it directly from your lips. Why?” The King urges him on. 

“I have a daughter, Your Majesty. She is very sick. And with the money from the crown for our services, I didn’t have enough to cover her medical bills or medicine to ease her pain. She is hurting so much that she cannot sleep at night.” 

The King nods at that information and waits for Buckman to continue, as he does. 

“The lads confided in me that they didn’t earn enough to live properly. Some of them having to work three times as hard and sleep around in barns with nothing but hay to cover them at night. I was worried about my lads and my daughter, Sire. I am bound to take care of both.” 

He sighs and looks at Warson, who in the meantime lifts his face to look at his guests. He takes over the conversation to continue in his partner’s stead. 

“It was amid those problems when we got the offer to ship some of the fished goods to the western ports. We knew very well what we got ourselves into. But the profit was too necessary to turn a chance like that down.” 

“What about your plan to blow up the boats? How would your western friends like that?” Says Mingi. His face is stern and professional. The two fishermen look at each other and Warson continues. 

“It was more of a plan to disappear. Blow up all the evidence, all the money and goods and go with our other ships to the west under a new name, since we already knew how their trade worked.” 

That angers the Duchess. She cannot help but ask. “How would little Melania come to that? What if she couldn’t make it to the west? What if she collapsed?” 

Buckman looks in Aura’s direction and instead of spite or hatred, she finds genuine sadness in his eyes. He takes the picture of his daughter in his hands and rubs his thumb over it. 

“I failed her, Your Grace. I bet she can’t even look at me without pain. Without disappointment. You see, her mother left as soon as she came to know about the sickness. She denied her and wanted to do nothing with a defected child. But I could never leave her. We would just have to try our best.” 

“Who is your most trusted worker, Buckman?” asks the King. His face remains neutral. But the tone of his voice is serious. 

“That would be Dellis. My best sailor. He is trusted among the fishermen, and he knows a lot about the craft.” 

Warson only enthusiastically nods. “Yes, he is very good. The lads like him and he is smart in this business. He didn’t like much the way of our illegal trade. But he did it for them. He knew that leaving them would result in more trouble and they didn’t deserve that.” 

King Chan seems to take all of the information into consideration. He gets up from his chair and walks around the room. He stops at a picture of boats hanging on the wall and looks back at Buckman, who is still looking at his daughter’s picture, holding onto it like a lifeline. 

“I sentence you to prison. Both of you for 10 years. After releasement, you will be banned from fishing or any form of national or international trade.” The King announces. Then he comes close to Buckman and gestures for him to look up. 

“But you, Mr. Buckman.” His voice softens. “You are to serve your sentence in the castle with your daughter under the care of the royal physician. She will be mostly taken care of, by you especially, while you train and educate your successor in the guild. Be it this Dellis, it's up to you to decide.” 

All the eyes in the room are on the King. But he continues. “Until your daughter’s last days, you are to serve your sentence by her side and after that, you will move to a proper prison to serve the rest. With immediate effect.” 

Aura is shocked. He actually listened to her. Melania won’t be alone. She will be in the comfort of the castle with the most precise care for her health. She will not die alone in pain. But by her father’s side. 

“And about the business profit. When I asked you to increase the quota, I did so with the intention of increasing the profit for a pound of goods as well. After meeting with your successor in the castle, let them know, that the crown will buy the goods in increased amount with the rise of the price up to fifty percent.” 

Buckman and Warson fall to their knees, tears bursting out of their eyes, thanking the King endlessly. He shushes them soon, telling them to calm down. 

“Don’t thank me, gentlemen. Be grateful for the Duchess of Cloudburst. She is the one who persuaded me to think more of little Melania and her wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of the lads. I wouldn’t know about your daughter’s condition, if it weren’t for the Duchess.” King Chan says, as he looks at the woman in question. She flashes him with a confused look on her face. 

When Buckman hears it, he crawls on his knees to her and starts uttering incomprehensible words. He is crying too loudly. “Tha-Thank… Thank you so much, My Lady. Thank you so much!” He weeps again and Aura doesn’t know what to do. “I am so sorry for ever thinking ill thoughts of you. I am forever in your debt. Please forgive!” 

The Duchess pats his shoulder and smiles at him. She definitely did not expect that. When she looks at the King, he gives her a mischievous smile with a side eye. She smiles back at him and returns to the man crying his heart out at her knees. 

“Please don’t cry, Mr. Buckman. Be grateful it all ended the best way it could.” He nods frantically and puts his palms together. “I am most grateful, My Lady. Thank you again.” 

King Chan deems it was enough of that, so he gestures Yunho, who had been witnessing the whole interaction from the side of the door, to help Buckman back on his feet and take him away. He follows all his orders and soon they leave the town. 

The atmosphere in the carriage is now much more lifted than on the previous way to the town. The King doesn’t let the silence take its place for much longer until he speaks. “Mingi, as soon as we arrive back at the castle, have a carriage sent to Buckman and his daughter right away. Take Yunho with you and any more guards that he deems necessary.” 

Mingi takes notes of all the orders and nods his head. But the King’s speech doesn’t end there. “Can I entrust the welcoming of our little guest to her new home to you, My Lady? You can ask Lydia, the head maid, to pick a suitable room for her.” 

Aura nods and smiles. “I can certainly do that, Your Majesty. Thank you.” King Chan only nods in response and looks out of the window. The Duchess feels a massive relief. Melania won’t be alone. And she even gets to meet the little brave lady. It all couldn’t take a better turn. 

She looks to the man, sitting across from her, again. He could have been cruel; he could as well have not taken her words and pleas into consideration. She is after all a stranger to him. But after today, yet again, the Duchess is firmly convinced that she doesn’t want to be a stranger to this brave and generous king. She wants to be his friend. 

All the preparations go according to the plan. She picks a perfect little room near the lower floors of the castle, so Melania doesn’t need to climb all the crazy steps into the tower. She prepares the room accordingly, dusting it off, opening the windows and putting colorful sheets on the bed. 

Soon enough Buckman and his daughter arrive at the castle, with him helping the servants carrying the luggage with the help of servants. He soon lets others carry the luggage as he has to help his daughter up the stairs. 

Lanie is absolutely captivated by the interior of the castle, all the colors and high ceiling. After getting into their room, they are met with the Aura and the maid doing finishing touches of the room in a hurry before their guest arrives. 

Through the door steps a young girl in a white and brown polka-dot flowy dress. She is visibly trying to keep her steps steady, but her body is weak, so she leans on the wall by hand. Melania is tall and skinny, her skin a pale milky white and her eyes are a little fallen but still full of life. Her auburn hair is woven into a twin braid, and her eyes shine a striking green color. A galaxy of freckles adorns the young girl’s face. 

Melania is as if struck with the force of a star when she sees the Duchess. “No one told me, girls can wear pants!” 

Aura finds it incredibly difficult not to burst into laughter at the bold exclamation but quickly responds. “No one told me either, I told it to myself, so I wear them!” She announces with a smile, showing off her outfit. Without the coat now, she took it off because she felt hot from all her moving around the room. 

“Please forgive my daughter, Your Grace. She didn’t leave her room much in the last three years and the only women she saw in that period were mostly nurses and caretakers.” But Aura just shrugs it off, taking those proud words like the warmest compliment. 

“No problem, sir. It is very endearing actually.” She puts on a smile and bows. 

“Hello Melania. My name is Aura. I took the liberty of preparing this room for you with the help of Lydia. I hope you will like it.” 

The girl in question bows properly, and the Duchess answers it in the same manner. Now they have been properly introduced. 

“Daddy said, you’re the nice foreign lady who saved him. Thank you, Miss Aura.” Lanie says and bows again very formally. Aura again does the same thing and responds. “It was my honor, dear Melania.” 

After that, the Duchess and head maid Lydia help them settle in. Buckman is still very humble, as he should be, this being a part of his sentence. He tries to help his daughter as best as he can and is very skilled and gentle with her. The little girl is however utterly mesmerized by the purple-haired woman in the room. She doesn’t take her eyes off her. 

It makes Aura blush. She hasn’t met a lot of kids since joining the court in general. Yet she must admit that it is quite nice to feel the admiring gaze of a little girl on her. 

After settling in and unpacking their luggage, Buckman quickly gets to work, preparing himself for Dellis’ succession. He apparently informed the man and got a positive answer. So now he has to prepare the needed paperwork for transferring the deals and contacts to him. 

Suddenly the room ruptured with the sound of a stomach growling. It belongs to the Duchess. Her face is immediately flushed, and she apologizes for the disturbance, explaining that she hasn’t eaten breakfast. 

“Can I join you for lunch, Miss Aura? I also haven’t eaten, but my stomach is not as loud.” The little girl giggles. Aura chuckles at that but responds. “It would be my honor, little friend.” Melania asks her father for permission, but he has no reason not to allow it, still being grateful to the Duchess. So, they are quickly on their way. 

Lanie is a pretty young lady, but she looks much younger than she actually is, her body being very skinny and weak from the rough illness. When the older of the two offers her hand to the little girl, she accepts without hesitation, putting on a smile. 

They are soon in the castle kitchen, and they happen to see a very interesting scene in front of them. 

“Sannie, I have to work! You’re distracting meee!” says one honey toned voice. 

“But I missed you so much, baby. My shifts have been really shitty lately and we haven’t gotten to see each other lately. Just one kiss and I’ll be on my way.” Says the other voice. This one is deep and familiar. But it has a very sweet undertone to it. Which makes it less familiar. 

When Aura and Melania go around the corner to see what is going on in the kitchen, they both gasp at the exact same time. There are two men. A guard and a cook, lovers in tight embrace, the cook trying to fight the guard off. But the Duchess cannot believe her eyes. The guard none other than San. 

The other man is the first one to notice to realize they are not alone anymore, so he quickly pushes his lover away, almost making him trip and fall. When San also realizes that someone has entered the kitchen, he freezes on spot. And when he realizes who entered the kitchen, his eyes go incredibly wide and his cheeks red. 

“Your Grace.” He quickly says. “I did not expect you to come down here.” He audibly panics in his speech and looks at the little girl who has her mouth agape and goes even redder. Aura simply measures the flustered guard with her knowing stare. Spending several months around a newlywed couple, she is no stranger to scenes like these. Curse her for trying to get some fun out of it by teasing said couple. 

“Oh, I was just hungry. I haven’t eaten anything yet today. And Melania here offered to join me, so I wondered if there was anything we could munch on.” She admits calmly. 

The other young man quickly takes over the conversation from that side of the kitchen. “Of course, My Lady! Let me whip up something quick for you!” 

Aura and Melania take their seats on the bar stools at one of the counters where servants usually eat. San notices that he is no longer needed, and he definitely won’t go back to messing around with the cook, so he bows his head and excuses himself. 

The Duchess makes a mental note in her head to later ask Yunho and Mingi about it. She won’t meddle in, however. Still, she can’t help herself but be curious. 

The cook soon serves them both smoked mackerel with mushrooms and bread. The food is delicious like always, but the flustered blinking of the young man is much more entertaining than the fish on her plate. Aura has a lot of work with suppressing the need to tease the poor man. After looking longer at the cook’s face, she notices a mole under one of his eyes. Cute, she thinks to herself. 

After lunch and a calm conversation between the ladies, the cook serves them moon cakes with a silent smile. A smile saying, "Please don’t tell anyone”. The Duchess understands the message and nods with a smile as her response. She is not here to cause trouble among the servants. 

The cook leaves soon after that, bowing and excusing himself. But Melania is quick to speak following his departure. “Does this happen often in the castle?” She asks with innocence in her eyes, munching on the moon cake. 

Aura chuckles to herself and responds. “I don’t quite know to be honest; I have been known to a different pair of secret lovers here, but I only arrived a few days ago.” 

The younger hums to herself. But Aura cannot help but ask. “Would your father be okay with knowing that?” She asks cautiously. She doesn’t want Buckman to spout nonsense into the little girl’s head. 

“Well, he doesn’t have to know, does he?” Lanie responds matter-of-factly. At which the Duchess smiles widely thinking of how clever the girl is. She thinks she will grow very attached to her, and she doesn’t mind one bit. 

“What is the doctor like here?” The little girl asks. But there is silence after that, followed by an unsure response. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him yet. I only know he will come today to check up on you.” 

“I’m scared of him. The doctor’s back in our hometown wasn’t very nice. He always gave me injections that made me uncomfortable.” It makes Aura’s heart ache. But she offers a solution. 

“If you want, I can stay with you through the examination. If that makes you feel any better.” That makes the little girl light up instantly. She smiles widely at the Duchess. “You would do that? Thank you miss!” she lets out and hugs the woman next to her. Who doesn’t know what to do with herself. She has never been hugged by a child. 

She pats the little girl on her back, later they quickly finish their cakes after that and head back to the room. When they arrive, Buckman is still focused on his papers and doesn’t notice much of them. Melania, however, takes her dolls and sits on the bed. She gestures for Aura to join her on the bed, which she does. 

“Will you play with me, Miss?” The girl asks. And the Duchess’ heart melts at the question. She would like nothing more. “It would be my pleasure.” 

She never had dolls as a little girl. She did play, but she played with her friends on the street. Throwing dice, stones, chasing each other, or playing monsters, she would always come back to their little house completely exhausted but happy. 

Thinking back on it, Aura might have been around Lanie’s age when her mother fell sick and died only months after that. Her lungs went out. She never had much connection with her mother, only ever spending time with her friends outside. 

But after her mother’s death, she stopped playing outside. Only staying at home being lectured on the Cloudburst kingdom, its agriculture and art. But she wasn’t that alone, receiving those small gifts and letters from her father, the King. When he died at war, she was alone again, until Minho approached her. 

But she doesn’t feel alone now. Even so far from her home, she has accepted that her home is now also Wolfshowl. And people, especially children, like Melania, depend on her doing well at her mission. 

She reaches for her neck, trying to find the pendant and reassure herself. But it’s not there. That’s right, she didn’t put it on today. She was too ashamed to look at it after she lost it at night. Now she wishes she had put it on earlier. 

They play with the dolls for a while, not caring about the man in the room. And they quite enjoy themselves. Until there is a knock on the door and Aura goes to open it. A man with a medical bag stands there. 

“Good afternoon, Your Grace. I’m Brooke. The royal physician. I am to check up on a small girl here?” 

She nods and lets him inside. The checkup goes over all well. Melania is very weak, but she is holding on. Buckman, on the other hand, seems restless. He asks about the opium, but the doctor slides it off the table. Melania is after all very young to be taking such a strong drug. The little girl seems elated to hear that news. 

Her father accepts it as well. He doesn’t have much space to oppose. He is in no place either. The doctor prescribes some sort of medication kinder to her mental stability, than opium and upon the Duchess’s request, he also gets her a mix of herbs to prepare tea for the sleepless nights. 

They all thank him, Aura the most and set him on his way. After another period of time playing with the dolls, Melania seems very tired. The trip to the castle and everything else has probably exhausted her plenty. 

So, the Duchess asks the girl’s father to prepare her for bed and gets ready to leave. The small girl stops her with her fragile hand. “Will you come again tomorrow, Miss?” Her eyes are big and glossy and the look on her face is almost desperate. How could she ever say no to that face? 

“I will make time for you, don’t you worry. I don’t know when yet, but I will come here for sure. I can show you a bit around the castle if you want.” Lanie smiles at that and nods excitedly. 

The Duchess bids them good night and leaves the room, going straight to her chambers. Even cut in half, today has been another long day. 

She picks one of her books from home and starts reading. She needs some pleasant distraction. After some time passes, there is a knock on the door. She springs up from her chair and goes to open it. It’s Yunho and Mingi. They bring dinner. 

They all have another nice conversation, with the men finally addressing her in a friendly way without any formal filters. She appreciates that. In the end she decides not to approach them about what she saw in the kitchen earlier that day. If San ever wants to speak about it, he will let her know. And she can definitely count on Yunho to confirm to him that Aura would never say a word about it, if he ever asks him. 

The Duchess relaxes in the feeling of calmness for the rest of the evening, talking with her friends and eating. Her mind often wonders back to Melania and brings her the feeling of sadness and joy at the same time. 

She is happy that the little girl is in a safe place and gets to rest properly, enjoying her last bits of time with her father and even her new friend to entertain her. But the realization that she has no idea how long Lanie will be there with them breaks her. She shouldn’t get attached to the child too much. 

But she just simply cannot help herself. She wants the little girl to feel happy.  

Both Yunho and Mingi leave with the plates with the help of servants and bid Aura good night. And when loneliness takes control of her room again, she drifts back to the thoughts she had earlier about Melania. 

She cannot help herself but feel also a little frustrated. Maybe even angry. Not at Buckman or the doctor or any other human. Simply angry that there is no cure for Melania’s illness. That she will die one day, young and barely kissed by life. 

Even after a bath and a thorough preparation to bed, the Duchess still seems restless, her thoughts endlessly going back to the little girl. And to the memories of herself. If only there was something, she could have done. 

Is this what it would feel like to have a child? Or maybe a younger sibling? But she quickly disbands that thought, because it would bring only more sorrow. This is not the time for sorrow. She must tell herself that. 

Phew… This is going to be a long night.